The Varsitarian P.Y. 2014-2015 Issue 09

Volume LXXXVI, No. 9 • June 30, 2015 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSIT Y OF SANTO TOMAS Manila, Philippines

Rector urges graduates to ‘give life to others’ LEARN how to love and give life.

This was the message of UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. to the 8,048 graduating Thomasians during the 2015 Baccalaureate Mass held at the open field last May 15.

“Learn how to love… You come to the University not just to accumulate information without knowing what to do with it, but through the love, let that information bear fruit,” said Dagohoy, who quoted Pope Francis’ speech during his encounter with the Filipino youth last Jan. 18 in the University.

Dagohoy said the happiest alumni were those who were “not only blessed with material success, but have become blessings to others.”

“Pumasok tayo sa Pamantasan upang magkaroon ng maganda at bagong buhay.

Inihanda kayo ng Pamantasan sa hamon ng buhay. Dapat din matuto kayong magbigay ng buhay,” he said.

Dagohoy compared graduation with the moment of giving birth, which evokes both pain and joy.

“Leaving always conjures the feeling of sadness but it also evokes a feeling of excitement and sheer joy because of the new possibilities and a new-found life,” he said. “Today, UST is giving birth to thousands of enlightened men and women.

Life PAGE 5

Accountancy alumnus is top EMBA grad PERSERVERANCE and dedication made Rudi Ramin the first Filipino valedictorian of the Executive Master’s in Business Administration (EMBA) degree of the Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) business school in Singapore.

Before topping his class at INSEAD, Ramin earned his accountancy degree magna cum laude at the old College of Commerce and Accountancy.

“I made sure I am putting solid building blocks to achieve my dream and one of which is going back to school and having the patience to put a lot of effort in my career,” he said.

Ramin now works for Singapore-based Google AsiaPacific as its brand solutions expert.

Continuous development Ramin was advised by his UST High School teachers to become a certified-publicaccountant lawyer.

As soon as he finished his undergraduate studies in UST in 2000, he was recognized as the Most Outstanding Accountancy PAGE 7

LIBERTY. Graduates of the Faculty and Arts and Letters light the candle representing Christ the light during the Baccalaureate Mass.

BASILIO H. SEPE

UST dips in QS ranking THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas dropped two notches in the 2015 ranking of top Asian universities, but improved its score from last year, data from the London-based consultancy agency Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) showed.

UST went down to 143rd from 141st in 2014, but improved its score to 43.5 points from last year’s 42.4 points.

The University of the Philippines (UP) remained the top university in the country despite dropping to 70th from 63rd place last year. UP got a score of 60.2 points, which was higher than last year’s 58.70 points.

Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University is the only Philippine university to improve its ranking, moving up to 114th from last year’s 115th.

De La Salle University also dropped to the 181-190 bracket from last year’s 151-160 bracket.

The QS Asian university rankings are based on academic reputation (30 percent), employer reputation (10 percent), faculty-student ratio (20 percent), citations per paper (15 percent),

papers per faculty (15 percent), and proportion of international faculty, international students, student inbound exchange, and student outbound exchange, with equal weights of 2.5 percent.

UST led other Philippine schools in two out of nine indicators.

For the fourth consecutive year, UST topped other Philippine universities in the citations per paper category with a score of 98.40 percent, improving to 8th place from last year’s 12th spot.

UST also led in the international faculty criterion, placing 65th with a score of 30.80 points, followed by Ateneo at 118th and UP at 131st.

In the employer reputation category, UST improved its ranking to 62nd from last year’s 74th, with a score of 72.40. UP continued to dominate other Philippine universities in this category, placing 41st with 87.50 points.

UST ranked 107th both in the academic reputation and outbound exchange categories, with scores of 43.80 and 3.70, respectively.

UST ranked 103rd in the inbound exchange

category (3.60 points), 115th in the international students category (12.20 points); 146th in the faculty-student category (22.10 points), and 150th in the papers per faculty category (2.10 points).

Earlier this year, UST was awarded a 4-star rating in the QS Stars University Rating, the first and sole university in the Philippines to receive the honor.

The QS Top Universities website noted that UST graduates “consistently and yearly dominate the top ten in courses with board exams (Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Engineering, Architecture, Accountancy, Education, etc.).”

“UST has produced national heroes, church martyrs, renowned scientists, national artists, internationally renowned business people and athletes, prominent doctors, four presidents of the Philippines, three vice presidents and six Chief Justices,” it added.

The National University of Singapore retained its position as the top Asian university with a perfect score of 100. DAYANARA T. CUDAL

Grad School MBA program to open in Taguig UST IS set to open Master in Business Administration (MBA) school in the middle of a bustling business district in Taguig, under a partnership with the country’s largest business group.

The MBA program will be the pilot program in what will be the University’s first off-campus site at McKinley Hill in Taguig.

The announcement of the historic development was made last May 30 by Graduate School Dean Dr. Marilu Madrunio during the school’s annual solemn investiture.

Classes will start next academic year at the building of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), known as the Commerce and Industry Plaza.

The opening of UST MBA classes

in Taguig will be made possible under a partnership between the University and PCCI, a nonstock, non-profit organization of micro, small, medium, and large enterprises.

In 2013, the Graduate School began extension arrangements with the University of San Agustin for its Master of Laws and Master of Science (MS) in Pharmacy programs, and with Ateneo de Davao for Master of Arts (MA) in Architecture.

Last March 12 to 14, a team from the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission in Accreditation (PACUCOA) visited the UST Graduate School in connection with its application for Level

IV accreditation, the highest recognition, for its MBA, MS Pharmacy, MS Medical Technology, and MA in Education programs.

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

The UST Graduate School has 62 graduate programs, with the MBA program having the largest number of students with a total of 223 enrollees last semester. BIANCA KRISTIN A. TARAY

PCCI headquarters

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2 News

The Varsitarian JUNE 30, 2015

Editor: Lord Bien G. Lelay

Editor: Andre Arnold T. Santiago

JUNE 30, 2015

The Varsitarian Special

Reports 3

Library to launch rare books online UST tops teacher, architecture boards THE UNIVERSITY emerged as the top-performing school in the recent architecture board examinations, and third top-performing school in the off-season licensure examinations for teachers (LET) in the secondary level, while recording higher passing rates in the licensure examinations for certified public accountants (CPA) and librarians.

UST recorded an 88.74-percent passing rate or 197 passers out of 222 examinees in the June 2015 licensure exam for architects, higher than last year’s 81.89 percent or 199 passers out of 243 examinees.

Last year, the University placed second behind the University of San Carlos.

Thomasian Christian Lyle La Madrid led this year’s batch of architects, with a score of 85.90 percent. Other Thomasians who made it to the top 10 were Christian Salandanan (84.80 percent) at fifth place and Bianca Mari Villamayor (84.20 percent) at sixth place. Former Varsitarian Circle writer Christopher Enriquez was among the passers.

The national passing rate stood at 61.15 percent (1,201 passers out of 1,964 examinees), almost the same as last year’s 61.01 percent (1,100 passers out of 1,803 examinees) In the LET-secondary level, UST recorded an 89.06-percent passing rate wherein 57 passed out of 64 examinees. This was slightly lower than last year's 89.29 percent, equivalent to 50 passers out of 56 examinees. UST was named the second topperforming school last year.

Jinky Marie Bahiwag led the fresh batch of Thomasian high school teachers after sharing the eighth spot with six passers from other schools. All of them scored 89 percent.

In the LET-elementary level, UST registered an Boards PAGE 3

ABSC draws flak over late uniforms THE FACULTY of Arts and Letters Student Council (ABSC) has drawn flak from social media for the late distribution of Type B uniforms, with students demanding refunds.

Among the student council’s critics is the UST Sociological Society, which released a statement on May 3 expressing disappointment over the delays.

“While the [UST Sociological Society] understands that there has been a failure on the contracted supplier’s end, we maintain that the ABSC is also liable and should have been prepared to effectively mitigate [the delay] from the start,” the statement released on Facebook read. “The ABSC should consider providing students—most importantly the graduating students—the option to refund.”

In a statement released through the council’s official social media accounts last April 14, ABSC president Marie Jann Klaire Lazo explained that the supplier, Bright Ravens Printing Company, failed to meet the scheduled delivery of uniforms because of the Holy Week break.

The council ordered a total of 8,431 Type B

READERS from all over the world will soon be able to access UST’s heritage library and archives online under a digital preservation and re-publication project sponsored by one of the country’s top banks.

Lumina Pandit II: A Continuum, a project of the UST Miguel de Benavides Library in partnership with the UnionBank of the Philippines, aims to refurbish, digitize, and arrange more than 30,000 historical books from the library’s collections dating from 1492 to 1900 using a digital collection management software “CONTENTdm.” One million pages have been scanned and are being uploaded online.

The project was formally launched last May 26 at the UST Miguel de Benavides Library.

Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. said “history, immortalized in delicate books and evanescent vessels,” must be preserved and passed on to succeeding generations.

“We do not want the

FIVE Thomasians were recognized as “Outstanding Professionals of the Year” by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) during its 42nd anniversary last June 18.

Thomasians Leila Florento, Teresita Barcelo, and Donald Lipardo were awarded as the most outstanding professional medical technologist, nurse, and physical therapist, respectively.

PRC also granted special citations to College of Education Dean Clotilde Arcangel and College of Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Secretary Donald Manlapaz for their contributions to the fields of education and physical therapy, respectively.

Florento earned her degree in medical technology from UST in 1977; while Barcelo finished her undergraduate studies in nursing in 1965, master's degree in 1972, and doctorate degree in 1989. Lipardo and Manlapaz earned their physical therapy degrees in 1999 and 2006, Outstanding PAGE 5

An Exhibition of Historical Treasures, was launched. The exhibit trailed the 400-year history of the University and the evolution of the Filipino nation through rare books and memorabilia, presented in three different languages: Filipino, English, and Spanish.

Among the treasures in the UST library and archives are the Doctrina Christiana, a catechism in Spanish; documents in Baybayin; La Guerra Judaica by Joseph Flavius, printed in 1492 in Seville, Spain, the oldest and presumably the most priceless book in the UST Library; and the famous Plantin Polygot Bible, which appeared between 1569 and 1673, published under the auspices of King Philip II of Spain.

The UST Central Library was named after Miguel de Benavides, the second

MEDICINE is among this year’s top producer of honor graduates, with four out of eight summa cum laudes for Academic Year 2014-2015 hailing from the country’s top private medical school. Medicine also yielded 35 magna cum laudes and 40 cum laudes, a bumper crop compared with the faculty’s lone honor graduate last year.

Medicine Dean Dr. Jesus Valencia said the big number of honor graduates this year seemed to be out of proportion compared with almost 500 graduates.

“There have been changes in the way that we deliver the course that made it a little easier for students [to] graduate,” he said. “Before, we implemented base 65, meaning to say that 65 was equivalent to [a] 75 passing mark.”

Medicine plans to raise its academic standards, however.

“It is not that we are discouraging students to graduate with honors, but we want to increase the prestige that goes with it,” Valencia said.

Valencia bared that there were 21 other candidates for Latin honors but they failed the dreaded revalida—the oral examination in which medicine students perform a physical exam on a patient and discuss the case in front of a tribunal of professors.

“To graduate with honors, you have to get a grade of meritus. If you fail to do that, even if your general average fulfills the criteria of the three [Latin] honors, you will not be given so,” he said.

The Faculty of Pharmacy dominated this year’s honor roll with 173 Latin honorees out of 698 graduates, data from the Office of the Registrar showed.

Pharmacy produced three summa cum laudes (all from the medical technology), 38 magna cum laudes, and 132 cum laudes.

Pharmacy Acting Dean Jocelyn Domingo said the implementation of a stricter retention policy contributed to the increase in honor graduates.

“Since 2012, we [have been] implementing a stricter retention policy—that is zero failure and deficiency upon entry to the next academic year for first- and second-year students,” she

archbishop of Manila and founder of the University.

Benavides bestowed his private collection of books for a future college of priesthood that became UST, making the library older than the University itself and the oldest university library in the country. BIANCA KRISTIN A. TARAY

Pharma and Eng’g get highest accreditation TWO INDEPENDENT national accrediting bodies have affirmed the quality of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy program and all six programs of the Faculty of Engineering.

The Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities-Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) awarded the Level IV accredited status, the highest recognition, to the Pharmacy program last May 12.

The Pharmacy program satisfactorily met all the criteria, namely: excellent outcomes in teaching and learning, research productivity as tool for institutional effectiveness, community service, linkages and consortia, career planning and development for students, and planning process.

According to PACUCOA, academic programs granted the coveted Level IV status are “highly respected” in the country, with prestige and authority comparable to similar programs in excellent foreign universities.

“Our PACUCOA accreditation for Level IV status is a collaborative work among administrative officials of the college, faculty members, and students

who were motivated to achieve this goal for our program,” Pharmacy Dean Ma. Elena Manansala told the Varsitarian. “It means a high-quality standard, [and] national and international recognition of the program in a prevailing culture of excellence.”

The Pharmacy program will have full autonomy from government regulators until April 2019.

Meanwhile, the Faculty of Engineering was promoted to Level III status by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), after passing rigorous evaluation.

All six programs of the faculty—civil, chemical, mechanical, industrial, electrical, and electronics engineering—passed a reaccreditation process and will have Level III status until November 2018, according to a May 18 letter from PAASCU addressed to Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. Level III status allows colleges to offer new courses without prior approval, and to apply to offer new graduate programs, open or distance learning, and extension classes.

These are on top of Level I and II privileges

such as administrative and financial deregulation.

Level III is just one step below Level IV, the highest level, which grants full autonomy.

Engineering Dean Philipina Marcelo attributed the achievement to improvements such as a more stringent student admission process and the establishment of an "accreditation team."

“As soon as I started in office in November 2012, I started to form our accreditation team. This is in accordance with our 'Engineering... of our restless being,' our three-year Strategic Plan [for] A.Y. 20132014 to A.Y. 2015-2016, which is a massive campaign for excellence in the faculty in order to achieve global recognition,” Marcelo said in an email. The engineering faculty is aiming for better productivity in its research and innovation projects, she added.

“Our goal is for our students to have the best college experience. We want to keep improving because we want our students to keep enjoying the very best that we could possibly offer them in the faculty,” she said.

ARIANNE F. MEREZ and BIANCA KRISTIN A. TARAY

New petition filed in SC to suspend K to 12

Uniform PAGE 5

Five Thomasians named outstanding professionals

culture of intellectual transfer to end,” Dagohoy said in his welcome remarks, recognizing UnionBank’s Corporate Philanthropy and Social Responsibility arm for supporting the project since it signed a memorandum agreement with the University on April 27, 2011.

UST Prefect of Libraries Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P. said the UST library’s historical collection, which served as textbooks and reading materials for students for more than 400 years, had been “pivotal in the formation and growth of the nation.”

“Undoubtedly, UST and its collections have contributed to the transformation of the archipelago into a society with a communal and public commitment to a life of dignity, justice, and freedom for all,” Aparicio explained. “These books, therefore, can still help keep alive that vision and to continue the transformation of our society.”

In 2010, Lumina Pandit:

A N E W petition was filed before the Supreme Court last May 28, seeking the suspension of the K to 12 program due to supposed discrepancies in the law.

Petitioners led by the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) sought a temporary restraining order on the K to 12 Law for allegedly violating democratic processes.

According to the Suspend K to 12 Coalition, the K to 12 bill that President Benigno Aquino signed into a law in 2013 was different from the consolidated bill submitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate.

“We are not looking for a perfect law but a law that makes sense,” UST Faculty Union External Vice President Rene Luis Tadle said during a press conference. “In issuing the said order, [the Department of Education] has committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it usurps legislative

The group also questioned the constitutionality of the Kindergarten Education Act—a law that makes kindergarten education compulsory—for “effectively denying students of their right to education unless they compulsorily obtain kindergarten education.”

Revenendo Vargas, UST High School Parents' Association board member and Parents’Advocacy for Children’s Education founding member, said the coalition would conduct social media campaigns and other activities while waiting for the high court’s decision.

“Parents will participate in all activities calling for the suspension of the K to 12 [Law],” Vargas said in an interview.

Last March 12, the Suspend K to 12 Coalition filed a petition before the Supreme Court asking for a temporary restraining order on the full implementation of the K to 12 program. ARIANNE

authority by creating a law without delegation of power.”

The coalition questioned the Department of Education's policy guidelines for Grades 1 to 10 of the K to 12 Basic Education curriculum for allegedly violating the constitutional right of parents to participate in planning programs that affect them.

“This K to 12 program is going to displace thousands of workers and cost [money to] thousands of parents to provide [two] more years of education.

This seems to be a program that’s being run down the throats of parents,” NUPL lead counsel Cheryl Daytec-Yangot said in a press conference.

F. MEREZ

Architecture freshmen cut by a quarter THE COLLEGE of Architecture has dropped a quarter of its freshmen under a stricter retention policy that required a higher cut-off grade.

A total of 135 out of 540 firstyear students failed to meet the higher general weighted average (GWA) cut-off grade of 1.948 and the “no-failure” policy of the college.

Architecture Dean John Joseph Fernandez said the college lowered the initial cut-off grade from 1.880 after numerous appeals for reconsideration from students.

“After careful consideration, the new GWA cut-off grade for [incoming] second-year students is lowered to 1.948,” Fernandez said in a statement posted online last May 29.

Warren Maneja, college secretary, said there would be another section for students who did not meet the original cut-off grade.

“Nagulat kami sa competitiveness ng batch.

Nanghinayang din kami sa ibang maka-cut sa 1.88,” Maneja said in Architecture PAGE 5

said. “A yearly review and enhancement of syllabi content and improvement of teaching strategies were also factors.”

The Faculty of Arts and Letters (Artlets) came in second, producing a total number of 125 honor graduates out of 965 graduates.

Artlets also produced the highest number of graduates for this year with 965, or 12 percent of the total 8,042 graduates for AY 2014-2015.

The College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM), the top producer of honor graduates since 2011, produced 103 honor graduates out of 428.

Tourism and Travel Management produced 59 percent of CTHM’s honor graduates. Program chair Fredeswindo Medina attributed the high number of honor students to the college’s selection process and student motivation.

The College of Education produced a summa cum laude along with 40 other honor graduates.

The UST-Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy had 52 honor graduates out of 755 graduates this year, from only one last year.

The College of Science, the College of Architecture, and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS) also produced more honor graduates.

Science’s honor roll increased from last year’s 39 honor graduates out of 611, to this year’s 56 out of 614. Architecture’s honor roll swelled from last year’s 17 out of 400, to this year’s 31 out of 380.

Similarly, CRS went up from last year’s 14 out of 230, to this year’s 17 out of 258.

The Faculty of Civil Law produced two honor graduates this year compared with its lone honor graduate last year.

In contrast, the number of honor graduates at the Conservatory of Music, the Faculty of Engineering, the College of Nursing, the College of Commerce and Business Administration, and the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) declined.

Laudes PAGE 5

Source: Office of the Registrar

Boards FROM PAGE 2 85.71-percent passing rate, wherein six Thomasians, all first-time takers, passed out of seven examinees.

Last year, the University had a 100-percent passing rate as all three UST examinees passed.

The national passing rate for LET-secondary went up to 31.63 percent, or 17,904 passers out of 56,596 examinees, from last year's 28.41 percent or 12,033 passers out of 42,358 examinees. For LET-elementary, the overall passing rate went down to 27.42 percent or 12,103 passers out of 44,144 examinees, from last year's 28.98 percent or 11,120 passers out of 38,377 examinees.

In the off-season licensure examination for CPAs, the University registered a 66.67-percent passing rate, with 18 out of 27 Thomasian examinees making the cut. This was higher than last year’s 39.88 percent wherein only 65 of 163 Thomasians passed the exam.

Sixteen out of 22 second-time takers and two out of five first-time takers passed.

The national passing rate improved to 35.77 percent (2,132 passers out of 5,959 takers) from last year’s 19.98 percent (1,107 passers out of 5,540 takers).

Meanwhile, the University emerged as the second top-performing school in the April librarian licensure examination, with an 87.88-percent passing rate.

Twenty-nine out of 33 Thomasian examinees passed, an improvement from last year wherein only three out of seven examinees passed.

This year’s national passing rate improved to 47.04 percent or 349 passers out of 742 examinees, from last year’s 27.95 or 149 passers out of 533 examinees. ROBERTO A. VERGARA, JR. and J. P.

VILLANUEVA

Grad prof: Quantity of honor grads does not mean quality education

By MARY GRACE C. ESMAYA and MARY GILLAN FRANCES G. ROPERO A LARGE number of honor graduates does not necessarily reflect the quality of learning of the college, according to Graduate School professor Florentino Hornedo.

Since 2011, the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) has produced the most number of honor graduates, with the highest figurerecorded last year—166 honor graduates out of 421 members of the graduating class.

This year, CTHM produced 103 honor graduates, broken down into 13 magna cum laude and 90 cum laudes.

The ratio of honor graduates to total graduates has remained at around 25 percent, meaning one of every four graduates took home a medal.

“The high number of honor graduates is suspicious considering that it is not likely that all the best brains

go to CTHM,” said Hornedo, who has a doctorate in literature and teaches literature, philosophy and history courses in the Graduate School. “[High grades] could involve the grading system of the teachers.”

Hotel and Restaurant Management program head Evangeline Timbang explained that students work hard to get high grades and subjects are not offered in a “simple classroom” setup.

“We do not invent the grades,” Timbang said in an interview. “They deserve to get high grades because they worked hard for it.”

Hornedo said grades are given based on skills that require personal performance was relative. It would also be unfair to compare CTHM’s system alongside with other colleges. “[Comparing] a surgery class in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery between restaurant management is not fair. The practice of assisting in a surgery case is not the same as the practice to be a

restauranteur,” Hornedo said.

For his part, Travel and Tourism Management program head Fredeswindo Medina said most of their students were usually honor graduates from their respective high schools. CTHM requires applicants to attain a high score in the entrance examination and to pass an interview. “[We produce quality graduates] by motivating them with the right kind of tourism education,” Medina said. “We also talk to our faculty members to guide our students properly.”

The Travel and Tourism Management program has Level III accreditation status given by the Philippine Accreditation of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation, said Medina. It was the first travel management program to obtain Level III accreditation among colleges and universities in Metro Manila. It will be applying for Center of Excellence and Level IV accreditation next academic year.

4 Opinion The

Varsitarian JUNE 30, 2015

JUNE 30, 2015

Uniform

Editorial

BBL: Make up to break up?

WHEN it was signed early last year, the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) was welcomed albeit cautiously as a road map to peace.

Nowaways it is often held up as an effigy of hate, a clarion call for war. It appears that Filipinos, Christians and Muslims, have made up to break up.

But could “lasting peace,” a term thrown around these days casually, be attained through the legislation of a 99-page document that many observers believe would literally make or break the peace?

According to the history of the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), based on its website, “human rights violations” in Mindanao during the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos gave birth to the Muslim independence movement and the rebellion of the Moro National Liberation Front.

The Marcos government paved the way for the Tripoli Accord that endorsed an autonomous government in Muslim Mindanao. But the current ARMM was not signed into law until the time of President Corazon Aquino.

However, certainly not all were pleased by the agreement.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) had broken away from the MNLF even before the ARMM initiative and it opposed the autonomous set-up. Perhaps in what is now by now typical of Muslim rebel groups, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters broke from the MILF to express its rejection of the BBL, which was an accord between the government and the MILF. President Aquino III has appealed for the passage of the BBL before his term ends in June 2016, but his request comes at a most inopportune time. In the afternath of the Mamasapano incident between the Philippine National Police and the MILF last January that left at least 60 people dead, an incident that the President himself appears to have mishandled, many sectors are in no mood to pass the BBL. The hardline stance is perhaps best—and bombastically—articulated by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago who said that the BBL is unconstitutional and should be struck down by the Supreme Court (SC).

The report of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes headed by Santiago states that the Constitution should be amended if the BBL is to be promulgated. What she and other critics are offering are a stalemate and a dead-end.

But for context, let us be reminded that the SC has previously deemed unconstitutional a Editorial PAGE 10

The

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FROM PAGE 2 uniforms—a white collared shirt with blue and black stripes and a patch of the college logo. This was after ABSC conducted a survey of 2,539 Artlets, wherein a total of 1,434 students agreed to the Type B uniform, while 880 disagreed and 225 abstained.

The ABSC statement revealed that Bright Ravens had agreed to deliver the first batch of orders from April 7 to 9, while the second batch was set to arrive on April 15. The

Life FROM PAGE 1

Desperate electorate THE presidential elections may still be far off next year but several names have cropped up such as neophyte senators and local leaders sounding off the electorate about their possible candidacies. One of them is Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who has said he’s being asked by several sectors to run for president based on his allegedly stellar performance in enforcing the law in Davao and his tough, no-nonsense attitude toward governance, especially peace and order.

Known for his iron fist against criminality and communism—he’s said to run his own vigilante squad to carry out extra-judicial killings, which he does not deny—the 70-year-old mayor has debuted in the March 2015 Pulse Asia survey on presidential aspirants, ranking third!

No one can blame poll respondents for pinning their hopes on Duterte despite his bloody record of judicial shortcuts. Their preference for Duterte speaks of people’s

It would seem that Duterte's iron fist is a tempting oasis amid the lack of viable presidential candidates and the languid justice system in the country. desperation. They look at Duterte and his Davao City as paragons of good government.

The city is considered one of the safest cities in the world, although some media commentators question whether this is because people are actually afraid to disobey the law or because the violators are summarily executed.

But because of the rather lackluster presidential lineup—Vice President Jejomar Binay, who’s seeking to succeed President Aquino’s (who’s a lameduck), is facing serious plunder raps, while PresidentAquino’s perceived choice to succeed him, Interior

and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, is considered unimpressive and bland—Duterte has made inroads in surveys.

This writer herself has overheard people in conversation who said they could condone his “methods” if they could bring about peace and order. It would seem that Duterte’s iron fist is a tempting oasis amid the lack of viable presidential candidates and the languid justice system in the country.

The sorry state of Philippine governance has led people to prefer a country run like lawabiding Davao City instead of

the business district Makati, a political quagmire. Right now, “Ganito kami sa Davao” sounds more appealing than “Ganito kami sa Makati.”

But Duterte’s defiant stance of daring Justice Secretary Leila De Lima to indict him for his extrajudicial ways may turn off people. It may in fact scare people away. It’s one thing to employ underhanded ways to check criminality, but it’s another to flaunt one’s lawless ways and dare authorities to come and get him. After all, Duterte may employ the same tactic on innocent people once he becomes president.

In fact, Duterte may be testing the limits of lawlessness by declaring he would declare a revolutionary government once he became president, which means he would use emergency measures, such as hanging perceived criminals and enemies of the state. It’s the same excuse used by Marcos to proclaim martial law and look where that Valar Dohaeris PAGE 5

At home at UST and “V”: One step at a time LIFE is a constant racetrack, either we keep our pace and rush towards the finish line or we let others’ tail lights blind us off the road.

Being the eldest among three children, my parents encouraged me to take the driver’s seat and lead my life to the route I want to take. So I took the challenge, grabbed the wheel, and raced towards the finish line of my childhood dream, one step at a time.

Since I was a little kid, all I ever wanted is to become a successful physician one day.

So I took up Pharmacy as my pre-medical course here in the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, my dream school.

My first year in the University was the most difficult.

After leaving the comfort of the usual surroundings back home in the province, I found myself lost and confused in the new environment.

From the increased academic workload, being away from family, having only a few people I could interact with, and the frequent “ocean park” scenario in the area, I was in a complete state of genesis where everything was new and confusing to me.

But in every hardship, God will always find a way to spark that hero in you. There

whenever they feel that they are lost in a new chapter of their lives.

When my classes start on August 10 for my first semester in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, the feeling of being lost and afraid once again will sink in. The idea of passing by the Tan Yan Kee building everyday will always give me that urge to come back to the ‘V’ office, but the “north wind” will whisper to me that to become better. I learned it is time to sprint through a so much in a span of three new lap in my life’s race, a step years thanks to the Amihan closer to my ultimate dream of (Varsitarian alumni), our becoming a doctor. advisers, and resource I thank God for giving speakers. me this wonderful journey, for From being a “kuya” to giving me amazing people and my siblings, I became a kuya for the unforgettable memories to my beloved co-staffers and that I will always cherish. writers which I will never get To my family whom I tired of. After all, family is owe everything, thank you forever. very much. I love you Daddy Although being part of an Hermie, Mommy Dolly, Dane, organization (which I consider and Hanna. I promise that I as one of the busiest in the will do my best to get that MD. University) demands a great I hope I am making you proud. chunk of one’s time, I have Sir Lito, Sir Ian, Sir Ipe, never regretted that I chose ‘V’ Sir Eldric, and Sir Carlomar, as my home away from home. thank you for the opportunity But as they always say, you have given me to be part of “All good things must come to the Varsitarian and be able to an end.” serve my fellow Thomasians.

It is now time to pass on Thank you for the guidance the helm to the younger ones and pieces of advice you have for them to experience the given us to become better joy and bliss of being able to individuals and prepare us for serve UST and be lifted up and cared by a family like the ‘V’ Harbinger PAGE 5

The 'V' as we call it, lifted me up from being a baffled college freshman to someone who could contribute to the University. will always be a turning point when good things start to happen—and it was having the Varsitarian as my family in UST. From that day on, I knew that God was guiding me for something greater.

The ‘V’ as we call it, lifted me up from being a baffled college freshman to someone who could contribute to the University. I finally found my purpose—that is, aside from focusing all my energy in reading books and preparing for the never-ending practical exams—after all, UST trains us to become flexible and well-rounded individuals in order for us to evolve and be efficient professionals.

Being a Sports writer for two years and becoming the Science and Technology editor gave me responsibilities which I fulfilled wholeheartedly and eventually helped me

After few years of being under UST’s protective womb, today we open that, so that you can begin a new life.”

Thomasian graduates were given Dominican crosses as symbols of their mission in life outside the University.

The Mass was capped by the “ceremony of light,” followed by a pyromusical display, and the traditional recessional parade to the Arch of the Centuries.

Valar Dohaeris FROM PAGE 4 brought us? *** It is a curious case for us humans that we invest our emotions on temporary things when very few of us are remembered. In three years’ time, maybe even one or two, my name will just be a combination of letters in a campus paper. My graduation photo posted on the desk of our news section would not mean anything to anyone. New

Harbinger FROM PAGE 4 the life we will soon face.

Kuya Alex, Ate Patty, Kuya Jan B, Kuya JT, Kuya Enzo, Kuya Jaime, Kuya Renz, Kuya Hirro, Ate Jenz, Ate Mina, Ate Karel, Kuya Pip, and Kuya Jonx, I thank you all for being my big bros and sis in ‘V.’ I can now hoist my sails up and let the winds take me to my next journey. I am one of you now my dear Amihan.

Poy, Andre, Gelyn, Ate Mara, Kristelle, and JC, we finally made it! I am very proud of how we evolved through the years, where we are now and what we will become next.

Architecture FROM PAGE 4 an interview. “We could easily adjust the cut-off [grade] if we see there is a genuine need for students with sufficient and commendable grades and performance [to be retained].

So instead of releasing them, we’ll create a new section.”

Maneja also clarified that the yearly cut-off grade was

Laudes FROM PAGE 3 Music produced nine honor graduates out of 64 this year, lower than last year’s six out of 30 graduates. Engineering produced 39 honor graduates out of 774 compared with last

ABSC extended the deadline for the first batch to April 13 but only 500 shirts were provided by the supplier.

In response to the council’s statement, Bright Ravens released an official statement on its Facebook page last April 21 saying the “tedious amount of time” needed to produce the shirts and the delayed tally of sizes from the ABSC caused the interruption in production.

However, the supplier said it assumed accountability for the delayed delivery of the Type B uniforms.

“We promise that we are doing whatever it takes to speed up the process even if it would

incur additional cost to us, to show you that we are sincere about accepting accountability in this transaction,” the statement read.

Artlets Assistant Dean and Social Welfare and Development Board Chair Narcisa Tabirara said the administration was looking in to the issue, adding that a new contract had been drafted between the ABSC and Bright Ravens to deal with the problem.

“The new contract is binding. It is something that works out on the part of the student council and the supplier,” Tabirara said in an

interview.

Asked on the possibility of refunds, Tabirara said there was no decision yet. “Perhaps that may be logical especially for students who will really transfer to other institutions,” Tabirara said.

The faculty is also looking into the possibility of having a “weekly wash day” next academic year to make use of the Type B uniforms.

The Varsitarian sought comments from newly elected ABSC president Jan Dominic Castro, as well as members of the Board of Majors, but they have yet to respond. ARIANNE

The following are the number of graduates per faculty and college this year: Accountancy (577), Architecture (369), Arts and Letters (1,019), Civil Law (49), Commerce (981), Ecclesiastical Faculties (75), Education (432), Engineering (590), Fine Arts and Design (423), Graduate School (300), Medicine and Surgery (499), Music (55), Nursing (455), Pharmacy (698), Rehabilitation Sciences (241), Science (563) and Tourism and Hospitality Management ROBERTO A. (443).

Outstanding

and integrity in the exercise of profession (30 percent), meaningful participation in professional activities through the accredited professional organization or any other professional organization (30 percent), and significant contributions to the advancement of the profession (30 percent).

PRC started awarding the Outstanding Professional of the Year in 1997 to recognize professionals who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen fields. DAYANARA

FROM PAGE 2

F. MEREZ

VERGARA, JR.

respectively, while Arcangel graduated with a degree in education in 1970.

PRC gives the Outstanding Professional of the Year award following four major criteria: effective discharge of the profession's social responsibility through meaningful contribution and participation in sociocivic related activities (10 percent), demonstration of highest professional competence

T. CUDAL and ROBERTO A. VERGARA, JR.

staffers would be replacing the outgoing ones like I, who was once like them when I was a writer—curious and inexperienced with a penchant for rash and fearless naiveté.

I have a habit of distancing myself from feelings, blocking every point of emotional vulnerability, and looking forward to the impending end. It was not as if I was not aware I would be leaving The Varsitarian. The first day I walked into our office in Tan Yan Kee, I have already told myself that I would be leaving this place in two years. Even before I was accepted in the

‘V,’ as I held a copy of the “Amihan” magazine when I was a sophomore, I made a promise that I would become an Amihan (term that pertains to alumni of the Varsitarian), not even saying I want to be a staffer first. I specifically said I wanted to be an Amihan.

But regardless of whatever internal preparation I thought I have undergone, I find myself rather desolate that I am leaving. I made the decision to exit with my 2013 batch mates the doors of the ‘V,’ even though I will only be transferring from Arts and Letters to Civil Law.

But in retrospect, perhaps it is not always about leaving a mark, but merely passing by and moving on that makes the temporal both wonderful and painful. That is why I like that ‘V’ alumni are called the northeast monsoon Amihan.

What the ‘V’ has given me these past two years is more important than the ephemeral glory many of us desire.

The Varsitarian may not remember me as I think of her with endless adoration and reverence, but I will remain forever grateful for everything she has taught me, and for the people I met along the way.

Ralph, Paul, Julius, MC, Keno, JD, Josef, Bien, and Eli, thank you for the brotherhood.

You definitely made my stay in ‘V’ worthwhile.

To Rhenn and Maritz, thank you for being the most brilliant writers I could ever have. Thank you for the cooperation and your willingness to learn.

You definitely helped in relieving pressure from me when academics and extracurricular jobs collide. Don’t stop aiming to become better; there will always be room for improvement.

Mia and Paolo, I know you are great writers. I am glad that you made it and I hope you never get tired of serving the Thomasian community.

Cherish it while it lasts and

keep on pushing your limits to the test.

To everyone who we will be leaving behind, we know that ‘V’ will be in good hands and will continue to be one of the country’s best student publications.

To Czarina, the girl who kept up with me through my ups and downs in this rollercoaster ride also known as college, thank you. I love you very much. I will always hold dear the unparalleled care and support you have been giving me. We will reach our dreams together.

Kuya Ric, Ate Tess, Louie, Edwin, Carlos, Paulo, Jett, Miguel, Ancell, Richard, Neil, Cedric, Bea, Colleen, Rizza, Angelica, Arianne, Felice, Lora, Jean, Ana, Nicole, Lesli,

and Camille, thank you all for being my safe haven. You all made a huge impact in my Thomasian life.

To the Faculty of Pharmacy and the whole Thomasian Batch 2015, wherever God wants us to be, we should always be thankful to Him and to everyone who made our success possible.

Let us not forget how UST all changed our lives and always remember to cheer “Go USTe!” Everybody has a race of their own to finish, and mine does not end here yet. I will just be visiting the pit stop to prepare for another ride and continue to speed towards my dreams.

Minsang ‘V,’ mananatiling ‘V!’

based on the performance of each batch of students.

The cut-off grade may still be raised next year, Maneja said. “[If the] next batch is academically competitive, there is a big tendency that the cut-off [grade] will rise.

If the batch is lax, ang cut-off [grade] ay bababa,” Maneja said.

Last year, 175 out of 539 freshmen (32.47 percent) were axed for not being able to meet

the cut-off grade of 2.109, which was also higher than the 2.271 retention grade in 2013.

The college sets the new cut-off grade at the end of the second semester every year.

Incoming Architecture sophomores retained must still take summer classes to reduce the 26-unit load during regular semesters.

Architecture sophomores will take summer courses such as Visual Techniques 3 (VT3) or different approaches

of rendering, and Building Technology 1 (BT1), or building materials, which are prerequisites for other secondyear subjects.

Summer classes were required beginning in 2013, as a result of a survey of graduating Architecture students in 2011 who voted in favor of summer classes to reduce course work during regular classes. DAYANARA

year’s 66 honor graduates out of 1,140.

Nursing and Commerce produced 13 honor graduates out of 453 graduates and 37 honor graduates out of 841, lower than last year’s 15 out of 457 and 36 out of 810, respectively.

CFAD recorded the same number of honor graduates

compared with last year, 74, although the number of graduates went down from last year’s 503 to this year’s 459.

The newly established Institute of Information and Computing Sciences produced 31 honor graduates out of 380 graduates.

Batch 2015 had a total of 883 Latin honorees out of 8,042

T. CUDAL with reports from JEROME P. VILLANUEVA

graduates, with eight summa cum laudes, 122 magna cum laudes, and 753 cum laudes, data from the Registrar showed.

Statistics from the Graduate School and the Ecclesiastical Faculties were excluded from this report.

MARY GRACE C. ESMAYA and MARY GILLAN FRANCES G. ROPERO

The Varsitarian Opinion

5

Art and life, path-finding and soul-searching STUDYING art is one thing, but practicing it is another. Many times have I questioned myself if I made the right choice in taking up advertising arts. There are many other programs that may be more financially rewarding and of more immediate utility. I get lost and discouraged because of the pressures of society and the criticisms that the artists get. Should I give up my passion for security and stability?

I needed answers and what better way than to look for them through my undergraduate thesis.

For almost nine months, I explored the Philippine art scene.

From meeting with big-name artists whose works fetch high prizes to struggling ones like me, from attending renowned high-end art fairs to affordable-art markets in Escolta, I did it all.

After talking to artists, I have realized that they are just like the people we encounter every day—only that they tell their stories through their art.

One artist came from a rich family that refuses to support his passion so he has to pursue it on his own, while another cannot even afford to eat three meals a day. The former portrays his art with no boundaries, while the latter’s work is dark and gloomy.

The artists I met have struggled in one way or another, some

“Sometimes, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.” even to the point of questioning themselves, too, if they should continue, but eventually deciding that giving up is not an option.

The struggles are a part of the thorny road toward success.

Among all the artists that I have come across, one thing is common: they find fulfilment in their passion and that is what really counts.

In the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the protagonist says, “Sometimes, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you find yourself.”

I have always been searching for the path that I will tread for the rest of my life. Now is not the time to stop. This is a new chapter, a new venture that I share with the almost 500 graduates from the College of Fine Arts and Design and thousands more from all over the country taking up fine arts. I am aware that security and stability should be the top priorities, but the greatest feeling of fulfilment for me is doing what you really love.

The artist Geloy Concepcion shared with me the words that he lives by: “Mata sa langit, paa sa lupa,” his father had told him.

Those words astounded me. Never forget your roots but dream high. Stay humble but reach for the stars.

At this point, I would like to thank the people who were crucial to my current success. First is my family who gave me so much love and support. Second are my friends that have made my college life so colorful. Third is God who keeps me safe and steady through all my hardships.

Lastly, I thank the Varsitarian, one of the most important factors that have shaped who I am now. After two years of serving the 87-year-old official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, I have acquired the skills, knowledge, and connections that are crucial to the fulfilment of my dreams. Also, I have found in the “V” a home away from home and a family in the truest sense of the term. I owe the ”V” all my accomplishments and accolades.

Without it I would not be where I am now, even if I am just literally beginning.

USTV

FROM PAGE 6 Show).

Toni Gonzaga won three trophies: Students’ Choice of TV Show Host, Reality Game Show Host, and Variety Show Host.

GMA Network got 13 trophies, dominating news and media affairs: Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (Students’ Choice of Magazine News Program and Award of Excellence); I-Witness(Award of

Excellence for Documentary Special); Biyahe ni Drew (News Magazine).

GMA dominated the Comedy category: Pepito Manaloto(Students’ Choice of Comedy Program) and Bubble Gang (Award of Excellence).

The 11th USTV Students’ Choice Awards used the capital ‘V’ in its logo, symbolizing veritas or truth. The new logo signifies the Dominican Order’s 800th year of establishment, which will be celebrated in 2016.

ELYSSA LOPEZ

CHRISTINE

Erratum In its previous issue last May 13, 2015 (Vol. LXXXVI No. 8), the publication erred when it said that the University has a "one-star" rating on research in the story "QS ranking: UST a '4-star' university" on page 2, when it was given a "two-star."

The Varsitarian would like to apologize for the error.

A.

6 Circle

The Varsitarian JUNE 30, 2015

Editor: Kristelle-Ann A. Batchelor

Top CFAD theses dazzle and impress ADVANCEMENTS in agriculture and urban lifestyle were the moving spirit behind the best undergraduate theses from the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD), presenting innovative models and renewed concepts.

Industrial Design’s sole best thesis awardee Lyca Camille Adriano focused on the prospects of using alternative energy for lighting fixtures.

By using salt water, Adriano’s project aims to power multifunctional lighting fixtures through a more environmental-friendly method.

Adriano aimed to prove the effectiveness of salt water as an energy source as it is abundant in many undeveloped rural areas.

“This light can help people not only in rural areas but also [those] in urban [areas]. This may drastically change people’s lifestyle,” she said.

Improvement in agriculture and efficiency in lifestyle was the goal set by Industrial Design’s

recipients of the outstanding thesis award.

Joshua Bernardo’s reimagined design of a can opener sought to provide a more reliable kitchen tool.

“It aims to redesign and develop the usual can opener into a more user-friendly design and by applying the principle of a side-cutting can opener that cuts along the side of the can and leaving smooth edges on both pieces in an easy manner and in a more hygienic way,” Bernardo said.

A dressing aid for people with limited mobility was the idea behind Ajesta Horlador’s “Design and Development of Undergarment Aid for People with Disability or Difficulty Bending and Reaching Down.”

Patricia Verastigue’s “Design and Development of Hog Feeders Used by SmallScale Farmers in Provinces” targeted the improvement of small-scale farms’ handling of pigs by designing a feeder that is sanitary and

prevents feed wastage.

Meanwhile, two graduates from the Advertising Arts program produced coffeetable books derived from their own reflective individualities and personal experiences.

Best thesis awardee and Varsitarian art director Keno Enriquez focused his book on fresh and upcoming artists in the country. His thesis, titled “Art & Soul: The Artists' Lifestyle Collective,” was inspired by 15 struggling artists who pursued their passion for art despite much challenges.

“A big part of our culture is art,” Enriquez said in an interview. “It may have evolved to contemporary, but the Filipino trademark can still

Editor: Juan Carlos D. Moreno

JUNE 30, 2015

BUSINESS is good for this aspiring lawyer.

Justin Adriel De Castro, 19, a Political Science student from the University of Santo Tomas, sells books for a living, thanks to his hard work and a backstory that has captivated social media.

“I started selling books out of sheer necessity. I want to sustain myself, to be able to go back to

Theses PAGE 10

school,” he said.

Justin became practically homeless but didn't say why. He wandered the streets of Quezon City and Manila.

To make ends meet, he applied for a job at a call center. But because he was not wearing a pair of pants during the interview, his application was turned down.

He was not devoid of other options.

With only 14 books and a little money to spare, he started a business.

He sold his books along Tomas Morato in Quezon City, earning P1,500.

He used the amount to buy more secondhand books and thus began a more serious venture.

On some occasions, he allows people to buy him food in exchange for a book of their choice.

“It’s survival that I impose upon myself," he said.

MONE VIRMA GINRY P. GUMAPAC

Rudi Ramin

Accountancy alumnus is top EMBA grad

ABS-CBN host and actress Toni Gonzaga interacts with the crowd during the USTV Awards night.

JOHN PAUL R. AUTOR

RECOGNIZING the impact of social media on the youth,the 11th USTV Awards handed out for the first time awards to recognize excellence in the social media.

“I know for a fact that almost everyone here has a social media account, thus, we [student leaders] saw the importance and contribution of social media in the formation of concepts, beliefs and ideals that we have as Thomasians,” Student Organizations Coordinating Council president Danisse Odina said in her opening remarks at the Plaza Mayor last April 16.

The social media winners: ABS-CBN’s official hashtag for its papal visit coverage, “#PopeFrancis” (Student Leaders’ Choice of Social Media Campaign for Catholic Formation) and “#TulongPH” (Social Media Campaign for Environmental Protection); GMA’s “#ThinkBeforeYouClick” (Social Media Campaign for Social Action) and the Facebook page of Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (Social Media Campaign for Socio-Cultural Development); Drew Arellano (Social Media Male Personality); and Marian Rivera (Social Media Female Personality).

ABS-CBN bagged the most number of awards with 23, including the Student Leaders' Choice of TV Network and Students’ Choice of Network Foundation for Lingkod Kapamilya.

The Student Leaders' Choice category, consisting of awards in Network Foundation, TV Personality, TV Program, and TV Network, were selected by more than 250 student leaders of UST. Other ABS-CBN winners: Bandila (Students' Choice of TV News Program; TV Patrol (Award of Excellence--given to a program that has been consistently recognized by USTV for the last five years); Spratly’s (Documentary Special); Matanglawin (Award of Excellence for an Educational Program), with its host, Kim Atienza, named Thomasian Media Personality; Sarah Geronimo (Thomasian Female Personality); Atom Araullo (Student Leaders’ Choice of Male Personality).

ABS-CBN also dominated the entertainment categories.

Dream Dad was named as Students’ Choice of TV Drama, while Maalala Mo Kaya was given the Award of Excellence.

Other ABS-CBN entertainment winners: It’s Showtime (Students’ Choice of Variety Show); ASAP (Award of Excellence for Variety Show); The Buzz (Award of Excellence for Talk Show); The Voice Kids (Reality Game

One of the Bohol churches that was severely damaged by the 2013 earthquake barely stands.

JOHN PAUL R. AUTOR

UST heritage forum tackles modes to rehabilitate quake-damaged Bohol churches THE REHABILITATION of the damaged churches in Bohol should be an opportunity to develop Philippine standards for heritage conservation, a cultural heritage official said during the UST J. Elizalde Navarro (JEN) Roundtable Discussion on Critical and Cultural Heritage Issues last May 4.

“Our principal end is the restoration of our heritage or historic structures but these intentions can only be executable and forcible if guided by standards articulately charted and elaborated,” Fr. Milan Ted Torralba, executive secretary of the Permanent Committee for the Cultural Heritage of the Church of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said before other cultural heritage experts at the Buenaventura G. Parades, O.P. building.

The 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol in October 2013 damaged more than 20 churches in the Central Visayas, including Baclayon and Dauis Church, both declared National Historical Landmarks in the island-province.

Torralba cited four factors where these standards should apply: policy, guidelines, conservation management plans, and heritage owners’ preservation management plan.

Lucille Karen Malilong-Isberto, head of the Committee on Monuments and Sites of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), added that it is important to make concrete steps in the preservation of cultural heritage.

“The Heritage Law says that conservation should follow international standards, but it does not say how,” she said during the panel

discussion. “We need to institutionalize what we [experts] talk about in conferences and cite specific steps.”

Rehabilitation process The NCCA, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and National Museum are working together for the rehabilitation of the damaged historical and heritage landmarks and churches, for which the Aquino administration has so far earmarked P650 million.

The rehabilitation has three phases: pre-restoration, the master restoration plan or reconstruction plan– both of which are already completed– and implementation plan, or associated site development, which is set to start by the end of May. Father Torralba, a Central Seminary alumnus where he’s now finishing his doctorate, is also the chairman of theDiocese of Tagbilaran's church heritage commission. Hesaid that the rebuilding process should take its inspiration from St. Francis of Assisi.

“Learning from him we need to rebuild our damaged historic and non-historic churches and create new ones and see this worship places full of Filipino people who need to be drawn to the building,” he said. “The church is a city of God, a respite from the chaotic city of man which offers us a glimpse of heaven to us living on earth.”

The panel discussion was part of the celebration of the National Heritage Month (NHM) in line with the Taoid Heritage Program, the flagship program of the NCCA Subcommisson on Cultural Heritage, headed by NCCA

Flipping pages for the future For Justine, books are as important as oxygen. “It's the oxygen of my soul," he said.

Justine described himself as a suicide survivor and diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. He said he's bent on helping people like him.

“The problem with problems is sometimes, we could not understand it for ourselves but the good thing is, there is always this one book that can understand our problems,” said Justine, who plans to return to school next semester.

So far, business has been good. He said he would soon open his very own book shop on Maginhawa Street, Quezon City.

“After 79 days with 14 books and barely nothing in my pocket, this summer, I’ll be opening my first bookshop. I have opened a bank account and I have more than enough,” he said. MONE VIRMA

GINRY P. GUMAPAC

The social media buzz fueled De Castro's drive and passion to succeed.

Gossip program, gag show get Awards of Excellence

7

Coming back from a setback

be seen in the works of our artists. We cannot remove that. We have to preserve our culture by supporting our local artists.”

John Paul Autor, Varsitarian photography editor, bagged an outstanding thesis award for his project, “Traslacion: Quiapo sa Mata ng Deboto,” a book that detals in well-designed photos and texts the devotion to the Black Nazarene of Quiapo from the devotees’ own unique perspectives and vantage points.

It also aims to address the problem of apathy toward the aesthetics, by unveiling the real essence and beauty of Quiapo through photographs and narratives.

Time and Free Will by Celine Lee

Social media recognized in USTV Awards

The Varsitarian Features

Commissioner Fr. Harold Rentoria, an Augustinian friar who’s also a UST Central Seminary alumnus. “Taoid” is the Ilocano term for “inheritance.”

Theme of the NHM celebration this year was “Heritage: New Fruits, Ancient Roots.”

The discussion was organized by the Varsitatian under its JEN National Workshop on Critical and Cultural Heritage Studies program, with the UST Office for Grants, Endowments and Partnerships in Higher Education and the NCCA Subcommission on Cultural Hertiage.

The University–which houses four National Cultural Treasures such as the Main Building, Central Seminary, Arch of the Centuries, and Open Spaces–has officially allied with the NCCA to collaborate on programs on heritage conservation and protection.

UST and the NCCA also signed a memorandum of understanding to further protect and preserve the country's cultural heritage.

Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., director of the UST Research and Endowment Foundation Inc. (USTREFI) and Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, NCCA commissioner for cultural heritage formalized the partnership.

“It could mean a series of activities or conferences that we are going to [hold] with UST in the future, so that it will be easier for us to request UST to help us conduct research or to be the host of a particular conference or gathering of cultural workers or historians related to cultural heritage,” said Fr. Rentoria. ELYSSA CHRISTINE

FROM PAGE 1 Accounting Graduate in the Philippines.

After a few months in the profession, Ramin later realized that accountancy was not for him.

“When I finished [studying] a n d

got my license, I worked in an auditing firm,” he said. “After some time, I decided it was something which I didn’t want to do, so I tried to apply for different marketing roles because my parents worked in an advertising agency and they said I should try it."

In 2002, Ramin worked for Unilever as a brand assistant for Lipton and later rose up the corporate ladder, where he became the brand development manager of Savoury Southeast Asia for Unilever Asia Private Limited.

It was not until 2008 that Ramin, with his son Zach and wife Grace, decided to move to Singapore, where he was promoted as the company’s senior brand development manager.

“I feel it was a huge sacrifice for my wife because she chose to follow my path even though she was already doing good in her career,” Ramin said. “She does great at her job, but she also takes care of her family well. She is [indeed] a superwoman.”

After three years, Ramin decided to transfer to M o n d e l ē z International as Regional Marketing Manager.

Realizing that a lot of employees in the company already

A. LOPEZ and ALILIANA MARGARETTE T. UYAO

USTV PAGE 5 Ramin

had a Master’s degree in Business Administration, he was determined to tread the same path because for him, acquiring education well is the key to be a good leader.

That was when Ramin chose to take up an EMBA program at INSEAD, one of the world’s leading and largest graduate business schools, because of the diverse cultural background of its students.

“Being a Thomasian made it easy for me to blend in withdifferent kinds of community because the Thomasiancommunity is also diverse.

He bested 157 individuals, who all comprised the Global EMBA Class of 2014, and was named the batch valedictorian.

Pursuing his EMBA was no easy task for Ramin as he had to juggle his time with his family and his job as regional manager, which required him to travel to different places and work ten hours a day.

Ramin, being experienced in digital marketing, was exposed to different technological companies and later onsought new opportunities at Google, which was on top of his list.

His career made a swerve when he took a huge leap from consumer industry to technological industry, where he was compelled to acquaint himself with new practices, different from what he came to know.

For Ramin, the most important thing that he learned from his experience is to continuously redevelop oneself.

“Take charge of your own development because you don’t have to rely on your company or anyone else to improve yourself,” he said.

“If it means taking up another class or learning a new language, do it.”

JELINA ANNE S. BUNAGAN

Every fresh grad's job hunt cheat sheet GRADUATION is over so what happens now?

According to Rem Serrano, a talent acquisition associate at Hinduja Global Solutions, one of the first things fresh graduates need to do is be on the lookout for career opportunities on job portals such as Jobstreet, Kalibrr and JobsDB. “Job portals also help you filter out the openings of numerous companies depending on your preference like proximity, expected salary and how the skills that are required matches your certain set of skills,” he said.

Monica De Leon, one of the guidance counselors of the College of Commerce and Business Administration, urged fresh graduates to prepare themselves not only physically, but also holistically for the job hunting.

“In line with looking for potential employers, [you have] to do research about the company you are applying for,” she said. “Study the company’s background, its culture and what it’s known for. Be prepared because job hunting itself is hard work—you devote so much time and energy for it.”

Aside from preparing the job hunting vitals, Theresa Bruno, another guidance counselor from the aforementioned college, said that job hunting is also the time to for the fresh graduates to practice their management skills in more ways than one.

The guidance counselors also mentioned that it is important to apply for the essential paper works needed as job requirements.

“Some companies require transcript of records, clearancefrom the National Bureau of Investigation, diploma, birth certificate, certification of good moral character and other certificates of relevant trainings and seminars,” De Leonsaid. “Do not write anything not backed up with documentsin your resume.”

Bruno also cautioned graduates not to concentrate on the amount of salary as a deciding factor in accepting a job, but instead bank on experience.

“Most graduates are picky when it comes to salary which for me is wrong because their main goal is to good experience and learning all the traits,” she said.

JELINA ANNE S. BUNAGAN and MONE VIRMA GINRY P. GUMAPAC

8 Lenspeak

The Varsitarian JUNE 30, 2015

Editor: John Paul R. Autor

Patnugot: Jonelle V. Marcos

IKA-30 NG HUNYO 2015

The Varsitarian Filipino

Primera Nina MARIA KOREENA M. ESLAVA at ALPINE CHRISTOPHER P. MOLDEZ

L

The University’s academic year in photos John Paul R. Autor, Nazzi M. Castro, Alvin Joseph Kasiban, and Basilio H. Sepe A collection of some of the images taken by the Varsitarian photographers this academic year.

(Top) Pope Francis waves goodbye to Filipinos before boarding his plane back to Rome last Jan. 19.

(Above) The Supreme Pontiff arrives at the University for the encounter with the youth last Jan. 18.

(Extreme left) The image of Our Lady of La Naval de Manila returns to Sto. Domingo Church after the procession last Oct. 12.

(Left) Uprooted trees are scattered at the Plaza Mayor after typhoon 'Glenda' rampaged through the metro last July 16.

(Below) A Lady Judoka celebrates after UST emerged as the judo champions last Sept. 29.

(Below, extreme left) A puddle of water reflects the Main Building after a heavy rainfall last Aug. 19.

untian ang mga damo sa field; katulad nang pagiging luntian nila kahapon, no’ng isang araw, at ‘yung araw bago ‘yon.

Pinakauna akong natapos noon sa pasarbey ng professor ko sa Business Statistics. Hindi dahil nadalian ako at hindi rin dahil hindi ko siya sinagutan. Gusto ko na lang talaga siyang tapusin.

Pagsusuri lang naman kasi ‘yon hinggil sa naging pananaw namin sa kaniya at sa asignaturang itinuro niya buong semestre. Puno ng ingay ang mga pasilyo sa AMV, pero tanging mga yapak ng mga paa kong nagmamadali ang aking narinig, waring nakikisabay sa pag-uunahan ng mga butil ng pawis na tumatagaktak sa gilid ng aking mukha sa kabila ng lamig ng aircon sa klasrum. Lumabas ako agad ng silid para tingnan ang listahan ng mga pangalan na nakapaskil sa lobby ng building, hindi para magbakasakali na naroon ang pangalan ko kundi para ‘pag umiyak ako, walang ibang makakakita sa’kin.

“Aba, Trudis! Kahit araruhin namin ng ama mo ang bukid ng sampung taon, hindi kami makakapangibambansa! Tinutinuan mo ‘yang eskwalahan mo nang hindi ka matulad sa’min!”

Hindi ko na matandaan kung kailan ko unang narinig ang pangungusap na ‘yan. Sinasabi na nila sa akin

na kung hindi ko pagtatagumpayan ang pag-aaral, hindi ako magtatagumpay kahit saan.

Pagkatapos ay hindi ko makikita ang pangalan ko sa listahan ng mga magtatapos sa kursong inumpisahan ko. Ikalawang taon ko pa lang sa Accountancy, hindi na ako umubra. Kasunod nito ay ang pagpaalam sa mithiing magtapos ng may Latin Honor.

Kasunod nito ay ang paglipat ko sa ibang kurso ng dalubhasaan upang ako ay manatili sa pamantasan.

Kasunod nito ay… ang mahabang listahan ng mga karimarimarim na bagay dahil nga wala ako doon sa listahan. Hay. Sino ba naman kasing nagpasimuno ng ganiyang sistema? Esperanza. Maraming Esperanza–tatlo, lima–pero ni isa roon, hindi ako.

Bumaba ako sa hagdan mula sa lobby. Saan kaya ako nagkamali? Sobrang bibo ko naman noong elementary at high school. Wala yata akong contest at quiz bee na hindi sinalihan. Wala yata akong grade na 88 pababa!

Interes? Sobra na nga ako sa pukpok nina Inay at Itay, mukha pa ba akong nawawalan ng gana?

Naglakad ako sa halamanan sa tapat ng Main Building. Grabe.

Hapon na, ngunit nakasusulasok pa rin ang init ng araw... Anong petsa kaya darating si Kuya? Huling araw ng taon, dapat nga excited na

siyang sunduin ako ngayon pauwi sa Isabela. Tsaka, dadaan pa kami ng dorm para mag-empake.

Ang dami naman kasing drama! Naalala ko na may inabot siya sa aking dalawang laso bago mag-umpisa ang sem, isang asul at isang puti. Ang bilin niya, sa huling araw ng school year, “Iabot mo sa akin ang asul kung masaya ka sa magiging sitwasyon ng ‘yong pag-aaral at puti kung susukuan mo na ang lahat dahil sa hindi mga kaaya-ayang pangyayari.”

Reyna Esperanza INAANTABAYANAN ng lahat ang iyong pagdaan, sabik na makita ang napiling paraluman na siyang hinirang na tukod ng bayan

Makukulay, matitingkad, nagniningning na pananamit Mga samu’t saring pailaw Nagpapasigla sa tarundon Magagarbo’t magaganyak ng mga arko mga palamuting iba’t ibang hugis at anyo nagpapasigla ng bawat sandali Bagaman ang tibok ng puso’y mabilis, Mga paa’t kamay namamawis, Nanalalambot, Nanghinina, Nanginginig (Above) The remains of the first Filipino rector, Fr. Leonardo Legaspi, O.P. passes through the Arch of the Centuries.

(Left) The University's Symphony Orchestra performs alongside the UST Singers during the Christmas Gala.

(Right) Lady Spikers Cherry Ann Rondina and Rica Jane Rivera hug each other with joy after notching the beach volleyball title last Sept. 7.

(Below) Members of the Salinggawi Dance Troupe pose for the media after copping bronze in the UAAP cheerdance competition last Sept. 14.

(Below, left) An eerily displayed mannequin represents the lack of a magna carta for students.

(Below, right) Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales celebrates mass for the late Fr. Legaspi at the Sto. Domingo Church.

Taas-noo pa rin ang paglalakad suot ang makinang na damit— hinahangaan, pinaninibughuan.

Sa kabila ng yumi at kariktan walang nakababatid sa mapait na lihim ng iyong nakaraan.

KIMBERLY JOY V. NAPARAN

Nakakahiya kina Inay at Itay.

Ano na lang ang sasabihin nila?

Hindi naman ako nagloko, a. Hindi ko lang talaga kinaya. Hindi pa naman ako tanggal sa UST. Hindi nga lang ako magtatapos na tugma sa aking inasahan. Okey naman na ‘yon ‘di ba?

Hindi ba?

Puwede pa naman akong magBS Accountancy pagkatapos ng Management Accounting. Daladalawa pa’ng puwede kong maging lisensya! Okey naman ‘di ba?

9

Bakit ako malungkot?

Nilipad ang puting laso mula sa kamay ko samantalang sumabit naman sa dalawa sa aking mga daliri sa kanang palad ang asul. Talaga nga naman! Tumayo ako upang pulutin yung puti, ilang hakbang mula sa aking kinauupuan. Bagong dilig siguro ang damuhan. Kakaiba ngayong hapon ang init ngunit nagniningnig ang kanilang pagiging luntian.

Medyo may putik nga ang lasong puti.

Uupo na sana ako sa una kong kinalugaran matapos ko itong pulutin, ngunit nilingon kong muli ang kaniyang pinagbagsakan.

Nag-galang sumunod ang aking mga mata. Hindi lang pala dito sa Lane—luntian din ang mga damo sa field; katulad ng pagiging luntian nila kahapon, no’ng isang araw, at yung araw bago ‘yon. Mga halaman din sila, pero tingnan mo, kung bibigyan mo sila ng pag-iisip at kamalayang lahat, tila hindi nila alintana ang mga punong naglalakihan na ‘di hamak ay mas madahon at mas luntian sa kanila.

Sa maghapong pagtanglaw ng araw at magdamag na alinsangan ng gabi, nagbubunyi silang maging mga damo; nahahamugan, natatapakan, natutuyot, pero damo pa rin–damo pa rin, hindi damo lang–damong hindi marahil kinailangang maging puno para masabing isa siyang halaman.

“Gertrude!” Lumingon ako at nakita kong nasa tabi na pala ng bag ko si Kuya. Huminga ako ng malalim, hindi na katulad ng buntong hininga ko bago pa man mag-umpisa ang araw. Lumapit ako at iniabot sa kaniya ang asul na laso sabay ngiti, “Kuya, lilipat ako ng Management Accounting.”

Usapang Uste Pagkawala ng mga doktorado ALINSUNOD sa kautusan ng Espanya na ipatupad ang Batas Moyano, pansamantalang hindi pinayagan ang Unibersidad na maggawad ng doktorado sa mga mag-aaral ng mga Fakultad ng Derecho Civil, Medisina at Parmasya mula 1872 hanggang 1898.

Ang kautusan ay naglalayong gawing sentralisado ang pagbibigay ng pampublikong instruksiyon sa edukasyon.

Sa pamamagitan ng Batas Moyano, napasailalim sa pamamahala ng Madrid Central University ang karapatan upang maggawad ng doctoral degrees sa mga unibersidad na nakapailalim sa pamamahala ng Espanya.

Dahil dito, lahat ng mga propesor, mga miyembro ng claustro at mga doktoradong nagtapos sa Unibersidad ay tumanggap ng kanilang titulong pang-akademiko mula sa University of Madrid.

Gayunpaman, pinayagan pa rin ang Unibersidad na maggawad ng doctoral degree sa mga Dominikano na kumukuha ng teolohiya, batas kanoniko, at pilosopiya sa kabila ng pagpapatupad ng batas kasabay ng kondisyon na kinakailangan muna nilang kumuha ng karagdagang kurso mula sa disiplina ng Council of Trent, Laws of the Indies at History of the Councils bago magtapos.

Gayunpaman, ang panuntunan ay nagbunga ng mga hakahakang pamamaraan lamang ito ng gobyerno upang tuluyang tanggalin ang impluwensiya ng mga Filipinong ilustrado at hindi na muling maulit ang Cavite Mutiny noong 1872 na nagresulta sa paggarrote sa tatlong Filipinong pari na sina Burgos, Gomez at Zamora na higit na kilala bilang Gomburza—ngunit walang naging patunay sa paniniwalang ito.

Sa katunayan, sinikap ng Unibersidad na bigyang karapatan ang lahat ng mga mag-aaral nito na makakuha ng degree noong 1878 ngunit tinanggihan ng gobyerno ng Espanya ang petisyon.

Tomasino siya Alam niyo ba na isang Tomasino ang kinilala dahil sa kaniyang mga dinesenyong gusali hindi lang sa Filipinas kundi maging sa ibang bansa sa Asya?

Si Emmanuel “Manny” Canlas, nagtapos ng kursong Bachelor of Science in Architecture ng Unibersidad taong 1978, ay isa na ngayong tanyag na arkitekto sa Malaysia.

Bago gumawa ng sariling pangalan sa napiling larangan, nagtrabaho si Canlas para sa national artist ng arkitektura sa bansa na si Leandro Locsin na siyang nagsilbing guro at nagsama sa kaniya sa Brunei upang maging katuwang sa pagtayo ng palasyo ni Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, ang Istara Nurul Iman.

Matapos ang proyekto, lumipad si Canlas patungong Malaysia kung saan siya nanatili at bumuo ng pamilya kasabay ng pagdisenyo sa mga gusaling nagbigay karangalan sa kaniyang pangalan.

Ilan sa mga kilalang gusali na idinisenyo ni Canlas ang Menara Felda at Naza Tower na matatagpuan sa Platinum Park na siyang nagwagi ng Best Commercial High Rise Development Award for the Asia Pacific sa 2012-2013 International Property Awards.

Bukod sa mga gusaling ito, lingid sa kaalaman ng nakararami na kabilang rin siya sa mga arkitektong bumuo ng Petronas Twin Towers na dating naging pinakamatayog na gusali sa buong mundo mula 1998 hanggang 2004.

‘Di kalaunan, natulungan ni Canlas ang iba pang mga Filipinong arkitekto na magkaroon ng trabaho at mga proyekto sa Malaysia upang higit pang patunayan ang galling ng Filipino.

Sa kasalukuyan, nakikipagtulungan si Canlas sa Professional Regulation Commission upang bigyang pagkakataon ang mga arkitektong “underboard” na magkaroon ng lisensiya. ERIKA MARIZ S. CUNANAN

Tomasalitaan Kabanya (PNG) – kubong silungan sa may dalampasigan o sa tabi ng swimming pool.

Hal.: Inilagay muna ni Gillan ang kaniyang mga gamit sa kabanya bago siya lumangoy sa dagat. Erika Mariz Cunanan ### Mga Sanggunian: Villarroel, Fidel (2002). A History of the University of Santo Tomas: Four Centuries of Higher Education In the Philippines (Vol. II) Manila: UST Publishing House.

Sabillo, K. (2015 May 12).

“Filipino Architect Stands Tall in Malaysia.” Nakuha mula sa http:// globalnation.inquirer.net/122792/ filipino-architect-stands-tall-inmalaysia (2015 May 13). Nakuha Mayo 24, 2015 mula sa http://www.buildingshows. com/market-insights/ malaysia/architectmanny-canlas-on-hisfavourite-buildings-inmalaysia/801787166

10 Limelight

The Varsitarian JUNE 30, 2015

Art Director: Keno Carlo C. Enriquez

TOM-ASH-ANN BY MA. AURORA A. GONZALEZ

JUNE 30, 2015

Editor: Paul Kennedy A. Lintag

The Varsitarian Sports

11

Tigresses to rebuild from ground up

By JOSIAH DARREN G. SAYNES HEAD coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes said he would rebuild UST's women's volleyball squad from scratch.

With the team failing to land in the Final Four anew last season, Reyes looks to revamp the lineup to hopefully re-establish UST as a premier women’s volleyball squad.

Veterans, Team B players and rookies will all have equal opportunities to prove their worth and earn a spot in the main roster, Reyes said. “‘Yung team last year is the team last year, iba na pinaguusapan ngayon. Sa madaling salita, ‘yung team last year, wala na,” he told the Varsitarian.

The Philippine Army assistant coach said he already had his eyes set on some recruits and veterans who could be included in the lineup next season.

“Ang kailangan ko sa team ay ‘yung handang magpakamatay para sa eskuwelahan or sa team,” Reyes said. “Dedication lang. Basta makita ko ‘yung desire ng bata makatulong sa team, malaking bagay na talaga.”

BEN N' VIDES BY KIRSTEN M. JAMILLA

TOMASIKNOW! BY AVA MARIANGELA C. VICTORIA

Jiu-jitsu she learned after a decade of being a martial artist, particularly the work ethic and sportsmanship, makes her train and practice again despite the physicality of the sport.

Judo also taught her to be independent as she was practically living in the gym honing her skills and assisting Baylon since she was 16 years old.

“Nakaka-inspire ako ng iba, [especially] ‘yung mganagsisimula. ‘Yun na siguro

‘yung pinakamalakingachievement ko. Gusto ko talagang mangyari is magingsource ako ng inspiration since hindi ako gifted na tao, pinagtiyagaan lang akong turuan at the same time, nagpakahirap din ako,” Ramirez said.

With a promising future ahead, Ramirez remains optimistic that she will have a chance to play in the Olympics, even though jiu-jitsu still is not recognized as an official Olympic sport.

“Gusto ko po pag na-include na ang jiu-jitsu sa Asian Games at Olympics sana mag-represent ako ng flag natin at makapag uwi ng gintong medalya,” Ramirez concluded.

Degree

list of course offerings in Ustet for Academic Year 2016-2017.

FROM PAGE 12

FROM PAGE 11

“May mga estudyante talaga na they want to go to [College of] Science, they want to go to [Faculty of] Engineering. Since late silang na-recruit, late silang nagexam, dito muna namin sila ini-inhouse because student-athletes are really good. May mga estudyante tayongtalagang comparable sa regular students that we have,” Porto said.

To widen the program’s reach, BPE-SWM will be available in the

Editorial FROM PAGE 4

similar framework as the BBL. During the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain was halted by the SC due to the proposed “associative” relationship between the government and the autonomous region.

Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina explained that an associative relationship “implies that there

Theses FROM PAGE 6 “Quiapo, serving as the hub of Filipino faith, strengthens the sometimes wavering faith of the millions of Catholic laity regardless of their state in life, making it one of the most visited places in Manila,” Autor said.

For Painting, outstanding thesis awardee Celine Lee casts a new light

Tigresses

career,” Reyes said.

Tigers

Despite a rich crop of recruits, UST will also lose some talent in favor of other UAAP schools.

Similar to now two-time MVP and UAAP champion Alyssa Valdez, UST girls’ volleyball team captain Pauline Gaston will transfer to the Ateneo Lady Eagles to join her sister Therese.

Spiker Gyra Barroga will join the De La Salle Lady Spikers.

“Hindi natin sila pipigilan, they have a right to choose where they want to study and continue their volleyball

Veteran presence Even with new talent coming in, the Tigresses will still rely on the veteran presence of team captain Pam Lastimosa, along with Carmela Tunay, Jessey de Leon, Ria Menesesand EJ Laure.

Reyes said that each player would have to fight for a slot in the team.

“I always tell them to keep them in mind that there is no such thing as ‘free lunch.’ Kailangan naming pagbayaranat pag-ipunan kung ano gusto naming mangyari,” Reyes said. “‘Yun ang motivation namin eh, kailangan pinaghihirapan lahat.”

Second program Aside from BPE-SWM, IPEA is eyeing to offer another specialization program known as the Bachelor of Physical Education in School Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) by 2018.

Under the CMO, Shape is known as Bachelor of Physical Education Major in School Physical Education, but the Institute aims to cope with the demands of K to 12 by incorporating health education together with physical education in one program.

“We are eyeing to have Health Education as well because this is advantageous to our graduates because sa K to 12, if you will see the curriculum, they will teach the PE(physical education) and health.

If we will offer in theprogram na kasama ‘yung health, mas advantage ‘yun saating graduates,” Porto said.

Porto added that Shape will serve as a replacement for the course Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health, formerly offered at the College of Education, which produced its last batch of graduates this academic year.

While BPE-SWM is catered

to serve the corporate industry, Shape aims to produce quality physical education teachers as well as competent coaches in the elementary, secondary and tertiary athletic programs according to Porto which is stated in the CHEd CMO. With IPEA instigating innovations in its program, the Institute is hopeful that it could be of help to UST in terms of promotion, mileage and identity.

“Let our students use and maximize the facilities that we have and we will make a mark eventually na kapagsports and wellness management, UST kayo,” Porto said.

are certain powers granted to the autonomous region beyond what is really contemplated under our Constitution. It signifies that there is a mere association between the autonomous region and the central government, like a state within a state. And that was never the intention of our Constitution.”

However, the term “associative” was substituted with “asymmetric” in the BBL to avoid a repeat of the mistake.

Divina clarified that asymmetric relationship “implies that there is lack of symmetry within a particular association or relationship among several

entities.”

“It is evident from [Section 20 Article X of the Constitution] that there are more powers and liberality granted to Autonomous regions more particularly in their legislative authority as compared with the powers granted to other local government and political units found in our Constitution.

This is the asymmetry being described and defined with regard to the relationship of the Bangsamoro and the central government found in the Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Divina told the Varsitarian.

Clearly sorting out and

determining the “assymetrical” arrangements between the Bangsamoro government unit and the central government within the parameters afforded by the Charter should be made by lawmakers first before declaring that the BBL is unconstitutional and should be rejected by the SC. This would not mean ignoring consitutional limits to the form of government enshrined in the Constitution but a consideration for authentic change in the light of the social justice provisions of the same Constitution—“human rights violation” and social iniquity being the causes of the

Moro rebellion.

Obviously what is needed is an honest to goodness review of the BBL in the light of the overall aim of the Philippine Constitution of building with “the aid of Almighty God” a “just and humane society” and a “regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace.” Obviously too what is needed now is greater tact and diplomacy than what have been obtained so far from the legislative inquiry where bombast, not honest to goodness study and dialogue, often drown out the calls for peace and understanding.

on the traditional medium of oil painting by reviving the early forms of animation with the use of the zoetrope mechanism.

A traditional zoetrope is typically a drum-like circular vessel with a series of pictures on the inner surface that gives the illusion of continuous motion when rotated. Lee, instead, formed the zoetrope into a decagon.

“My thesis work is kinetic art,” she said. “The idea is to paint on 12 separate canvases in succession to be able to produce the effect of animation

by looking through the slits.”

Lee’s “Time and Free Will According to Henri Bergson Visualized in the Animation of Oil Painting Through The Use of a Zoetrope” was also inspired by the artist’s interest in astrology and the idea of celestial bodies affecting the way a person lives, according to the creative evolution philosophy of Henri Bergson.

Interior Design’s only recipient of the outstanding thesis award, Elysia Gotauco, aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the use of design of

an interior space as a way of learning resort guests’ needs and preferences with her design titled “Incorporating Stimulus-Response Theory through Color and Material in Enhancing the Designing of the Selected Areas in a Resort.”

For this year, 13 CFAD students were given recognition for best thesis while 27 received the outstanding thesis award.

CFAD assistant professor Fernando Torres noted that quality, execution, and rendering are among the

criteria used for grading the students’ projects.

“The proposed concept should be able to address the problem raised in the thesis. Concept or the main idea should be plausible and has a breath of freshness in it,” Torres said.

Students who received a perfect grade of 100 for their work are awarded with the title of Best Thesis while a grade 96 to 99 is given an Outstanding Thesis merit. ETHAN JAMES M. SIAT and ALILIANA MARGARETTE T. UYAO

FROM PAGE 11

FROM PAGE 12 The Tigers clinched their second victory in their game against the University of the Philippines, 76-72, upon the return of Ferrer, who missed the team’s first three outings due to his stint with the Sinag Pilipinas, last May 20.

Ferrer, who chipped in 19 points, nailed a crucial three-pointer in the last minute of the regulation to give UST a slim 71-70 lead. Ferrer then buried three more free throws for good measure. ANGELICA P. ABELLO

Booters FROM PAGE 12 football clubs like Stallion, Mendiola and Loyola.

"As a team, they played well.

They will learn from their mistakes and at least kahit papaano nakita nila na ganitomaglaro ‘yung mga [professionals]," Allado said.

UST settled for a 2-2 decision against Mendiola 1991 FC in their previous game last May 19 and lost to Stallion, 0-5, in their first match last May 16. JOSIAH DARREN G. SAYNES

New breed of Tigresses Since the appointment of Reyes as the new chief tactician for the Tigresses last Apr. 23, at least 17 recruits nationwide, especially from the 2015 PalarongPambansa, were gathered in UST. With the addition of new talents, Reyes believes he could harness the potential of each player and utilize their abilities to further bolster the Tigresses.

Reyes noted several standouts including 5-foot-11 middle blocker Aia Maspinas from Davao, former team captain of De La Salle-Zobel Mia Dizon, National University girls’ volleyball standout Caitlin Viray and Palaro 2015 duo Rafaelle Del Rosario and Renee Tayag from Central Luzon.

Alyssa Teope, one of Reyes’ players in the junior ranks is set to continue her career in UST. Rica Rivera, the other half of the UAAP Season 77 beach volleyball champion duo and Rookie of the Year, will make also her debut after missing last season due to a knee injury.

Tigresses PAGE 10

Softbelles headed to Little League World Series THREE Tiger Softbelles will try to anchor the Manila Big League to another shot at the championship in the 2015 Little League World Series on Aug. 3 to 9 in Sussex County, Delaware.

Manila Big League, a perennial crown contender in the Little League World Series, tapped the services of Thomasians Anne Antolihao, Cristy Joy Roa and Celestine Palma as the team hopes to end its title drought after three finals appearances in four years.

The three Tiger Softbelles played a pivotal role in the squad’s domination in the Asia Pacific/Middle East Girls Softball Tournament in Guam last June 11 to 16 which served as a qualifier for the World Series.

Antolihao, who was a revelation with her work in the mound after powering the Tiger Softbelles’ late season run to seal UST’s 40th general championship, will be part of the Manila Big League for the third time and now as the starting pitcher after mainstay pitchers Veronica Belleza and Annalie Benjamin played their last World Series games last year.

“Isa itong magandang oportunidad sa amin kasi mas madadagdagan pa ang aming kaalaman sa paglalaro. Malaking tulong ang maging part ng national team sa Softbelles kasi madadagdagan ‘yung skills namin at experience in playing na may malaking maitutulong sa team ng UST,” Antolihao said.

Two-time national team member Roa will continue to showcase her solid hitting in Delaware after nabbing the UAAP Season 77 Best Slugger award with four homeruns, tied as the most homeruns last season.

The rookie Palma, who had been in the World Series in 2012 in the Junior League division, will be seeing action for the first time in the Big League after her prolific stint with the Tiger Softbelles manning the catcher position.

“Dapat ako ang mag-adjust kasi ako ang newbie. Makakatulong ‘to na ma-develop ko pa ang sarili ko sa larangan ng softball, madami pang kulang sakin and madami pang dapat i-build up,” Palma said.

The Golden Tigresses lost their prowess and dominant form in the UAAP volleyball tournament. ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN

Former UAAP judo MVP transforms into international jiu-jitsu contender

By DELFIN RAY M. DIOQUINO UST LADY Judoka Annie Ramirez, one of the country’s leading martial artists, has been making waves in the international scene with her multiple appearances in major Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competitions.

The two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) ended the country’s six-year medal drought in jiu-jitsu after snatching the gold in the 60-kilogram (kg) category at the 2014 Asian Beach Games, last November in Thailand.

Ramirez bagged another gold in the Southeast Asian Grappling Challenge last April in the under-65 kg division in Singapore and copped silver in Copa de Hong Kong in the over-58.5 kg category last year.

Ramirez fell short in the quarterfinals of World JiuJitsu Championships as a featherweight and placed eighth out of 44 fighters from all over the world in Long Beach, California last May 28 to 31.

This was Ramirez’ first time in the Worlds, dubbed as the most prestigious Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament in the world.

“Ang laki ng pinagpapasalamat ko kasi nabigyan ako ngchance na makapaglaro dito sa pinakamalaking palaro saBrazilian Jiu Jitsu. Sobrang high level ng mga naglalaro at tingin ko naman hindi tayo nahuhuli sa level ng iba.

Mag-training pa ng marami at mas madaming exposure nacompetition na katulad ng ganoong level, makakasabayna tayo sa susunod,” she said.

Before parading the Philippine flag, Ramirez almost gave up on the sport after failing to win a gold medal for almost two years since starting at the young age of 15.

Standing at 5’4”, Ramirez had doubts of pursuing judo since she was not gifted with strength and height.

Luckily, nine-time Southeast Asian (SEA) Games judo gold medallist John Baylon took her under his wing and guided her throughout her judo and jiu-jitsu career.

“Gusto ko ‘yung judo pero hindi ako gifted. May mga tao na madali lang sa kanila lahat, nagagawa nila ‘yung mgatechnique nang ganoon kadali. Hindi strong ‘yung katawanko na katulad ng iba kaya dumating din ako sa point na‘Magre-referee na lang ako

siguro pagdating ng panahon,’” the 24 year-old fighter said.

Perseverance eventually paid off for Ramirez as she won four UAAP championships with the UST Lady Judokaswhile also dominating the -63 kg division with two UAAP MVP awards after joining the judo national team in 2007.

Ramirez also donned the national colors in the 2008 World Juniors’ Judo Championship in Thailand, the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia and the 2011 Asian Judo Championship in Abu Dhabi. After her colorful stint with the judo national team ended in 2011, Ramirez shifted her focus to Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Amid her success, the Physical Education major admitted that more than the awards, the lessons Jiu-jitsu PAGE 10

Golden Sox lead RP sweep of East Asian Cup THREE Golden Sox players, along with other members of the national baseball team, notched the championship in the 2015 East Asian Cup held in Jakarta, Indonesia last May 3 to 8.

The Philippines swept the Baseball Federation of Asia-organized tournament which also gathered teams from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore.

Among the handpicked roster are Golden Sox outgoing team captain Arvin Plaza and UST pitchers Lesmar Ventura and Kirk Daquis.

Despite playing limited minutes, the trio stuck to their mantra of “Pusong Tomasino ang umiiral sa amin, pusong palaban,” as they lived out their dream of playing for the country.

“Hindi biro maging national team.

Kumbaga sa karamihanng manlalaro ng baseball, isa sa mga pangarap namin ay maging part ng national team. Hindi ko ‘to makakalimutan dahil hindi ko lang dala ang pagiging Tigre, pati Pilipinas dala ko na din,” Plaza said.

Competing against regional baseball powerhouse Sri Lanka, Ventura said the team’s maturity and exposure to neck-and-neck matches helped them handle the pre-game jitters and the

DELFIN RAY M. DIOQUNO

Plaza

pressure of a regional meet.

The Cavite-born pitcher said playing for UST prepared him in all aspects as he stepped out of his comfort zone during his stint with the national team.

“I think my good performance with UST in UAAP, ‘yung‘pag level up sa game and commitment are the reasons why I’ve been selected [to be a part of the national team]. It (UAAP) really helped me out kasi unti-unting na-develop at nahubog yung skills ko physically at mentally,” Ventura said.

Plaza said being the leader of the Golden Sox taught him how to calm his teammates amid the intensity of the game.

“Bilang captain ng Golden Sox, kinakausap ko ang teammates ko na ‘relax lang tayo at enjoy every game kasi swerte tayo at nabigyan tayo ng opportunity namaglaro dito,” Plaza said.

The trio agreed that the team’s first match against Hong Kong was both noteworthy and intense after the victory almost slipped away.

“Humabol lang kami sa bottom of the eighth inning.Lamang sila (Hong Kong), 3-2. Buti na lang umiskor kami ng two runs at nanalo kami, 4-3,” Plaza recalled.

For the triad, winning the East Asian Cup was one of their greatest accomplishments as athletes playing outside the UAAP. ANGELICA P. ABELLO

Sports

JUNE 30, 2015

The Varsitarian

Tigers narrowly miss playoffs

The Tigers leave the court devastated after a slim defeat against De La Salle University, their UAAP season 77 finals opponent. NAZZI M. CASTRO

THE UST Growling Tigers fumbled in the final play and allowed the De La Salle University Green Archers to escape with a thrilling 84-82 victory and book a quarterfinals slot in the 2015 Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan last June 6.

Tied at 82 with 6.5 seconds left, UST regained ball possession after a La Salle turnover but Jamil Sheriff slipped during the inbound play, allowing star Green Archer Jeron Teng to score the game-winning layup to end the Tigers' Filoil run.

"Sinabi ko na maging aggressive sila kasi mahaba pa 'yung time. Nag-gamble kami sa small lineup pero nag-payoff naman.

'Yung decision lang nung nag-inbound, medyo nagkamali so ito ay magiging learning from our mistake," UST head coach Bong dela Cruz said.

Ed Daquioag led UST with 20 points and eight assists,

Loyola Sparks shut out UST Golden Booters DESPITE improved defense, the UST Golden Booters proved to be no match against Division I powerhouse Loyola Meralco Sparks, suffering an embarrassing 0-7 shutout in the group stage action of the 2015 United Football League (UFL) Cup at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last May 24.

Led by the defensive efforts of goal keeper Jose Zaldy Abraham, the Golden Booters managed to force a scoreless first half against the perennial UFL contenders.

The second half was a different story.

Loyola immediately scored one minute into the second half courtesy of Graham Caygill.

Napoleon Bustillo added two more goals in the 76th and 82nd minute as the Sparks, posted a commanding 3-0 lead.

Things only got worse for UST from that point on after Philippine Azkals star Phil Younghusband entered the contest and led a four-goal explosion with Charlie Beaton in the next four minutes.

"First half wala talagang goals. It's a good example of our defense pero nung nagpasok na ang Loyola ng kanilangveteran players sa second half nag-iba talaga ‘yung game.

‘Di kami naka-survive," UST head coach Marjo Allado said.

Despite the crushing defeat, Allado said the game was a good learning experience for UST. The team had opportunities to match up against professional Booters PAGE 10

including a triple that tied the score at 82. Kent Lao and Louie Vigil added 14 and 13 markers, respectively.

La Salle erected an 11-point lead with three minutes remaining in the game before the Tigers roared back with a 9-0 run courtesy of Mario Bonleon and Sheriff and cut the lead, 76-74, with 1:50 to go.

Thomas Torres powered the Green Archers with 26 points, highlighted by five triples.

UST's best record in the pre-season tourney was a fourthplace finish in 2013 after losing to the University of the East Red Warriors. The Growling Tigers did not join the tournament last year.

Last June 3, Daquiaog led the Tigers to a 66-59 victory over the Southwestern University Cobras.

Trailing by two points at the five minute mark of the final

canto, 52-54, UST unleashed a 14-5 run against the Cobras, with 12 points coming from Daquiaog.

The Tigers scored their third victory in the off-season tournament against the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates, 72-66, last May 27.

UST seemed to be in control of the game, holding a 65-52 lead in the fourth quarter, before a 10-0 Pirates' run led by two triples from Shaq Alanes cut the Tigers lead down to three, 65-62.

But Daquiaog’s three-pointer followed by a Christian Kakonda fastbreak layup down the stretch were able to seal the victory for the Tigers at 70-62.

UST succumbed to the defending champion of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and University, the Centro Escolar University Scorpions, 77-82, last May 23.

Tigers PAGE 10

Maizo fails to play in SEA Games

By KARL CEDRICK G.BASCO BITTERSWEET inclusion.

Former Golden Tigress and five-time Shakey’s V-League Most Valuable Player Aiza Maizo-Pontillas still flew with the Philippine national team to Singapore, but not as an official part of the 12-player women’s volleyball roster competing in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Maizo was instead appointed as one of the assistants of head coach Roger Gorayeb and trainer Tai Bundit. She was also listed as a reserve player.

However, Maizo will not replace Gretchel Soltones, who will most likely miss the SEA games because of a right shoulder injury, according to a report from the ABS-CBN.com.

According to Gorayeb as stated in the report released last

June 6, the Philippine team will still battle it out even with only 11 players since he cannot allow Maizo, a utility spiker, to fill the position of Soltones as an open spiker.

“Hindi kasi pwedeng ipalit pa rin si Aiza, kasi utility si Aiza. Hindi ganoon kasimple kasi magkaiba naman ng posisyon ‘yan.

Hindi naman ‘yan same banana, magkahiwalay, magkaiba,” Gorayeb told the ABS-CBN.com.

The decision to not include the main gunner of the Cagayan Valley Lady Rising Suns in the lineup did not come as a surprise to her since the rumor of Maizo not making it already circulated a week before the announcement of the final roster.

The buzz started last May 15 after Maizo reacted on Twitter on her missing the final cut despite attending the training that same day.

“Hi everyone. Nag training po ako dun kanina sa Ateneo.

Hindi ko po alam na napalitan na po pala ako,” the former UAAP best scorer posted on her social account.

According to a report from Rivals.ph, the last slot was a tossup between Maizo and fellow Ilongga Jovelyn Gonzaga, who eventually made the cut and was named team captain.

The Philippine delegation was composed of multi-awarded spiker Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago, Gretchel Soltones, Jia Morado, Bea de Leon, Rachel Anne Daquis, Aby Maraño, Santiago-Manabat, Gonzaga, libero Denden Lazaro and former Tigresses Rhea Dimaculangan, and Maika Ortiz.

It is the first time after 10 years that the country sent an entry in the volleyball tournament of the biennial sporting event.

MaizoPontillas

IPEA offers first undergraduate degree

By ANGELICA P. ABELLO and KARL CEDRICK G. BASCO THE INSTITUTE of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) offered its very first program starting last academic year 2013-2014, with the hope of contributing to the country’s sports industry.

IPEA opened the Bachelor of Physical Education major in Sports and Wellness Management (BPE-SWM) for enrollment after the Commission on Higher Education(CHEd) approved its application based on the CHEdMemorandum Order (CMO) no. 23 series of 2011.

Under the CMO, CHEd set the minimum standards for physical education programs with the purpose of rationalizing the importance of physical education in the country as it aims to keep in pace with the “demands of global competitiveness.”

According to IPEA-BPE chairperson Jerome Porto, the plan of introducing the five-

year program started in 2012, along with the opening of the Quadricentennial Pavilion, in order to maximize the facilities and sports venues of the University in developing future sports and wellness practitioners that will handle recreational centers and events.

“It’s a new career. Europe has already proven that sports and wellness is a very good program. But in the Philippines, ngayon pa lang siyang 2011 na-introduce,” Porto told the Varsitarian. “We will do our best to make our program the benchmark of other universities.

Unang-una we have very good facilities compared to other universities.”

According to Porto, the BPE-SWM is a program anchored in serving the corporate industry. Careers such as fitness and wellness supervisors, recreation directors, corporate wellness trainers, events and tournament coordinators and sports tourism officers may be pursued by graduates under this program.

At present, IPEA’s lone program has more than 360 students already with five sections in first year and four in the second year. Eighty percent of students taking the program are

student-athletes.

Prior to the launching of BPE-SWM, IPEA only offered general education subjects to their students for three semesters before transferring them to their chosen faculties or colleges.

According to Porto, the implementation of BPE-SWM also allowed the University to acquire student-athletes even beyond the scheduled dates of the UST entrance examination (USTET), given that the national competitions, including the Palarong Pambansa, are usually held in April and May. Special exams are given to studentathletes who were recruited after the Ustet which is usually held in the months of August, September and December.

Porto, however, clarified that UST athletes could still transfer to other faculties or colleges like before but they will have to follow the University protocol for shifters wherein they have to pass the shifter examination before transferring.

Degree PAGE 10