The Varsitarian P.Y. 2016-2017 Issue 10

Volume LXXXIX, No. 10 • May 27, 2017 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSIT Y OF SANTO TOMAS Manila, Philippines

CELEBRATION. Graduating Thomasians gaze at the eight-minute pyro-musical display accompanied by songs from British band Coldplay, capping off the Baccalaurate Mass last May 19 at the UST open field.

MARIA CHARISSE ANN G. REFEURZO

UST SENDS OFF 8,376 GRADUATES “

Take these symbols of the cross and the light that will give you hope back to us and unto us.

”

Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P.

BE STEADFAST in your faith, stand by the truth and give in to none except to a conviction of honor.

This was the message of UST Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. as the University sent out 8,376 graduates during the Baccalaurate Mass last May 19 at the UST open field.

The graduating students were given “mission crosses” as a symbol of their lifelong mission to put their Thomasian education to good use outside UST. The Mass ended with the “ceremony of light.”

“Take these symbols of the cross and the light that will give you hope back to us and unto us,”

Fr. Dagohoy said.

“Keep that light burning brightly. The light that has been given to you is the same light that was passed on from UST’s heroes, saints, honest and competent public servants, received by thousands of professionals Graduates PAGE 5

Nick Joaquin, Julio Nakpil honored in exhibit A FACULTY member of the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) has curated an ongoing exhibit at the Ayala Museum paying tribute to the birth centenary of National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin and the 150th birth anniversary of nationalist composer Julio Nakpil.

Mary Ann Bulanadi, who teaches interior design in CFAD, mounted the exhibit along with Faye Cura of the Filipinas Heritage Library. Bulanadi is also the curator of Bahay Nakpil-Bautista in Quiapo, the Nakpil museum and ancestral home.

Titled “Revolutionary,” the exhibit features copies and excerpts of Joaquin’s literary works and Nakpil’s composition worksheets.

“We collected [Nakpil and Joaquin’s] Nick Joaquin’s 100th and Juan Nakpil’s 150th birth anniversaries are celebrated in “Revolutionary,” an exhibit that runs until July 23.

MA. ALYSSA ADRIENNE T. SAMONTE

Exhibit PAGE 3

UST bar passing rate zooms to 96 percent

By MARIA CRISANTA M. PALOMA ALTHOUGH a top-10 f inish remained elusive for Thomasian bar takers, UST’s passing rate skyrocketed to what was described by the Faculty of Civil Law dean as “one of the highest in history.”

UST’s passing rate soared to 96.25 percent with 77 Thomasians passing the test out of 80 f irst-time Thomasian examinees.

This was signif icantly higher than last year’s 82.22-percent or 38 out of 47 f irst-time Passing rate PAGE 5

Rector: Go against the tide, oppose death penalty bill UST Rector Rev. Fr. Her minio Dagohoy, O.P. has called on the Thomasian community to join movements against the re-imposition of death penalty in the countr y by “going against the tide” and promoting a culture of life and respect for human dignity.

In a statement dated May 12, Dagohoy called the passage of House Bill 4727 or the Life PAGE 10

38 faculty retirees toasted RETIREMENT is not a deprivation of the privilege to dream.

This was the message of Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. before 38 retiring faculty members of the University who were honored last May 4 at the Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. Building.

“Retirement does not deprive us of the privilege Retirees PAGE 10

2 News

Editor: Alhex Adrea M. Peralta

MAY 27, 2017

Anti-death penalty advocates rally in UST HUNDREDS of protesters from various groups trooped to the University on May 21 to protest the planned re-imposition of death penalty in the country.

The protesters assembled at Mabuhay Rotonda in Quezon City and marched to the Plaza Mayor in UST, where a program and Eucharistic celebration was held.

Present at the event were senators Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, and Commission on Human Rights Chairman Chito Gascon.

Hontiveros likened the death penalty to the Duterte administration’s violent anti-drug campaign, which she described as “unjust” and “anti-poor.”

“Ang parusang kamatayan ay kamatayan ng ating katarungan. Katulad ng extrajudicial killings, ang kaya lamang nito patayin ay mga mahihirap at walang sala, hindi ang krimen at ilegal na droga,” Hontiveros said.

Aquino urged Filipinos to convince their fellow countrymen to oppose death penalty.

“Hindi po sapat na kumbinsihin natin ang ating mga lehislador, kailangan pong ‘yung taumbayan ang kumbinsehin natin,” Aquino said.

‘Restorative justice’ Manila Auxillary Bishop Broderick Pabillo called for “restorative justice” instead of the death penalty, which he said was contrary to Church teachings.

“Ang hinahanap nating justice dapat ay restorative justice. Ang paghihiganti ay hindi bahagi ng mga turo ng Panginoon,” Pabillo said in his homily during the Holy Mass at the Plaza Mayor.

The newly elected officers of the Central Student Council (CSC) vowed to participate in movements opposing the death penalty bill.

Death penalty PAGE 3

Music to offer second-degree programs ASPIRING musicians will now have a chance to earn academic degrees as the UST Conservatory of Music will be offering a Bachelor in Music second-degree program to all holders of undergraduate degrees next academic year.

Auditions will be from June 14 to 17, the Conservatory has announced on its Facebook page.

Classes for the second-degree program will only be on Saturdays, starting August 12. The first term will be from August to December, the second term on January to May. The special term will be from June to July.

The majors offered for the second degree are as follows: Brass Instruments, Composition Conducting (Choral and Orchestral), Guitar, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Music Technology, Music Theater, Musicology, Percussion, Piano, Sacred Music (Pipe Organ), String, Instruments, Voice, Woodwind instruments. THEODORE JASON

ADVOCACY. Hundreds of protesters assemble at Mabuhay Rotonda in Quezon City last May 21 to denounce the planned re-imposition of death penalty in the country.

MA. ALYSSA ADRIENNE T. SAMONTE

Med-tech student gets GWA of 1.059, valedictorian of Batch 2017 THE VALEDICTORIAN of Batch 2017 is a medical technology graduate, who will receive the highest Latin honors from the University for his general weighted average of 1.059.

Neill Steven Cachuela was among the recipients of the Rector’s Academic Award, UST’s highest academic excellence award, during the Students’ Awards Day on May 12 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.

“Sobrang fulfilling, [at saka] sobrang happy [ko] na all efforts have paid off, pero ‘di ko magagawa ito all by myself,” Cachuela told the Varsitarian.

Other recipients of the Rector’s Academic Award were Seminarian Michael Angelo Alejaga (Faculty of Philosophy), Seminarian Cloyd Anthony Elnar, MLCC (Faculty of Sacred Theology), Cristina Erika

Usapang Uste

PATRICK K. ORTIZ

No need for more UST political par ties, analyst says

By MIA ARRA C. CAMACHO and THEODORE JASON PATRICK K. ORTIZ FOLLOWING the unexpected results of the recent Central Student Council–Executive Board elections in which most Thomasians opted to abstain for the positions for president, vice president, treasurer and auditor, is there a need for more University-wide political parties for students to have more candidates to choose from?

Dennis Coronacion, UST Department of Political Science chairman, said students do not need more candidates or political parties for the student elections. What they need are candidates who can represent the students, he said.

“I think it is not a question of how many political parties should join the student elections.

It is really a question of ‘how good’ are those parties in representing the students’ interests Political parties PAGE 5

ALAM ba ninyong noong 1629, tatlong Tomasino lamang ang naitalang nakapagtapos sa Unibersidad?

Sa kaniyang aklat na A History of the University of Santo Tomas (UST Publishing House, 2013), ibinahagi ni Padre Fidel Villarroel, iginagalang na historyador, ang talaan ng mga nakapagtapos sa Unibersidad sa mga unang dekada ng pagkakatayo nito.

Kabilang dito sina Diego de Sanabria, doktor sa teolohiya; Juan Fernandez de Ledo at Sebastian Ramos, mga masterado sa sining.

Ayon sa mga natagpuang dokumento, kapuwa nagtapos ang tatlo sa Unibersidad, na colegio pa ang katayuan noong 1629.

Gayunpaman, sinasabi sa Informacion Juridica na inilathala noong 1631 na kay de Sanabria dapat ipagkaloob ang titulong el primer parto (first-born), o kauna-unahang estudyante na isinilang ng institusiyon.

Ipinagtibay ito ni Padre Baltasar De Santa Cruz, dating rektor ng colegio, sa isang kasulatan noong 1649 at sinabing para kay de Sanabria nga ang titulo sapagkat makabuluhan ang kaniyang ambag bilang dating kura-paroko ng komunidad ng mga Español sa Maynila.

Samantala, itinuturong dahilan ni Villarroel ang kaunting bilang ng taunang enrollees at mga hindi eksaktong tala at impormasiyon sa kakulangan ng mga naisalbang dokumento. Sa mga sumunod na dekada, nanatiling mababa ang bilang ng mga

Elazegui (Faculty of Medicine and Surgery), Kristine Quiambao (Faculty of Arts and Letters), Christian Gonzales (Faculty of Engineering), Christian Marl Tiguro (College of Education), Anne Rachel See (College of Science), Rochelle Mae Ong (College of Architecture), Alexandra Jane Ong (College of Commerce and Business Administration), Su Jee Jang (Conservatory of Music), Angelika Ann Louise Ignacio (College of Nursing), Adrian Cranston Ong (College of Rehabilitation Sciences), Ana Bernadine Carillo (College of Fine Arts and Design), Marc Leuvill Villaverde (UST-Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy), Justyne Emerie Go (College of Tourism and Hospitality Management) and Kristine Aquino (Institute of Information and Computing Sciences).

Becarios de Santo Tomas, the Thomasian scholars’ association, was

given the Pope Leo XIII Community Development Award for its “Butil Valedictorian PAGE 3

Cachuela

1629: Unang pagtatapos nakapagtapos sa colegio.

Unti-unting dumami ang mga estudyante sa Unibersidad makalipas ang apat na siglo.

Sa kasalukuyan, umaabot na sa mahigit 8,000 mag-aaral ang lumalabas sa Arch of the Centuries taun-taon bilang simbolo ng pagtatapos na bahagi na rin ng tradisiyon sa institusiyon.

Tomasino siya Sa pamamagitan ng pagtuturo, nananatiling buhay ang mga kaalaman ni Gerardo Janairo sa larangan ng kimika.

Taong 1978 nang magtapos siya ng kursong Chemistry sa Unibersidad. Dito rin siya nagtamo ng masterado sa nabanggit na kurso noong 1982. Upang kumuha ng doktorado sa organic chemistry, nagtungo naman siya sa University of Tubingen sa Germany kung saan nagtapos siyang magna cum laude noong 1987.

Bago pa man parangalan sa The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Awards noong nakaraang taon, ilang mga pagkilala na ang natanggap ni Janairo. Pinagkalooban siya ng National Research Council of the Philippines ng Achievement Award in Chemical Sciences noong 2014.

Bagaman matagal na siyang nagtapos sa Unibersidad, patuloy siyang kinikilala rito lalo na sa kaniyang kolehiyo.

Nakamit naman niya ang Albertus

Magnus Award mula sa College of Science ng Unibersidad noong 2007 at Outstanding Alumnus Award in Academe naman mula sa UST Chemistry Department noong 2006.

Mula 2015 hanggang sa kasalukuyan, nagsisilbi siya bilang Chancellor ng Pamantasang De La Salle, kung saan naging dekano siya ng College of Science sa loob ng sampung taon habang nagsilbing full professor naman sa parehong departamento sa loob ng 30 taon. WINONA S. SADIA Tomasalitaan: Paglimbong (pandiwa)– paunang pagbibigay ng sikreto o impormasiyon sa isang tao.

Hal.: Dapat mapigilan ang mga mag-aaral sa paglimbong ng mga sagot sa pagsusulit sapagkat makahahadlang ito sa kanilang pagkatuto.

Mga Sanggunian: The Outstanding Thomasian A l u m n i Awards 2016 A History of the University of Santo Tomas by Fidel Villarroel

News 3

MAY 27, 2017

Accountancy dethrones Eng’g in 40th Pautakan THE UST-Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy secured its third championship title in the group category of the 40th edition of Pautakan, the oldest inter-collegiate quiz contest in the country, defeating the Faculty of Engineering.

Leading midway in the difficult level during the finals of the group category, Accountancy went head to head with Engineering and Artlets, finishing with a total of 235 points. “[Naisip namin sa final round na] kailangan [lang] namin makasagot kasi gusto namin manalo. Na-frustrate kami sa ibang questions kasi may doubts,” Accountancy team captain Hannah Isabel Guzman told the Varsitarian.

Engineering (210 points) and Artlets (160 points) came in second and third, respectively.

The Conservatory of Music secured fourth place with 125 points while the Faculty of Pharmacy finished fifth with 110 points.

Accountancy first took home the championship in 2010 and secured its second victory in 2014.

Engineering, which won in the group and individual categories last year, still has the most Pautakan championship titles with 11, followed

by Artlets with eight victories.

The Faculty of Arts and Letters emerged victorious in the individual category, also dethroning Engineering.

Artlets August Botrous Gusco took home the championship in the individual category after a nail-biting clincher and sudden-death round with opponent Joseph Mari Aranzanso of Accountancy.

Gusco and Aranzanso failed to answer five out six questions in the clincher. But their tie was broken in the sudden-death round after Gusco REDEMPTION. The UST-Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy celebrates after bagging first place in the group category of the 40th Pautakan quiz contest.

JAMILLAH N. STA. ROSA

Science prof leads 18th Dangal ng UST honorees A FACULTY MEMBER of the College of Science was inducted to the “Hall of Fame” as top Thomasian professors were awarded last May 11 at the 18th Dangal ng UST awards held in the Medicine Auditorium.

Science professor Allan Patrick Macabeo received the Hall of Fame Award after receiving eight recognitions in past Dangal ng UST Awards.

In his speech, Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy O.P said that an educator’s honor is not solely measured by quality of work, but also by the way the teaching mandate was upheld.

“Ang saligan ng dignidad ng pagiging guro ay naaayon sa antas ng kaniyang pagtupad sa atas na iginawad sa kaniya,” Dagohoy said.

Keynote speaker Gerardo Janairo, UST alumnus and chancellor at De La Salle University,

recalled his student life in UST. “Sa aking palagay, ang pagbabago sa aking ugali, pamantayan sa trabaho, ambisyon, at pagmamahal ko sa aking bokasyon at estudyante ay bunsod ng aking mga karanasan sa mga guro ko dito sa pamantasan ng Santo Tomas,” Janairo said “Sila ang aking naging gabay at inspirasiyon,” he added. “Dapat ay walang bata ang maaaksaya sa pagkakaligaw ng landas, at ito ay nasa ating mga kamay.”

Among those who were awarded the Gawad Benavides (Loyalty Award) for 35 years of service were Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Maribel Nonato and Senior High School Principal Pilar Romero.

Alfredo Co, who was named professor emeritus by the University last March, and Gloria Coronel from the Conservatory of Music, received the Benavides

award for 45 and 50 years of service, respectively.

The Gawad San Alberto Magno, for outstanding research and innovation in the field of science and technology, were given to seven awardees including Rey Donnie Papa, Mary Beth Maningas, and Oliver Villaflores from Science; Raymond Rosales from Medicine and Surgery; and Chuckberry Pascual, Alfredo Co, and Joselito de los Reyes from the Faculty of Arts and Letters.

The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery’s Rheumatology Department received the Gawad Santo Domingo award for charity and community service for their “People Empowerment for Arthritis and Lupus” project.

De los Reyes, Maningas, Professor Emeritus Fortunato Sevilla III and the Life Support Training Center of Medicine and Surgery won the Gawad San

Pautakan PAGE 5

UST psycho-trauma clinic open to all

By HANNAH RHOCELLHYNNIA H. CRUZ

Macabeo

Lorenzo Ruiz for national and international recognition.

The annual awards, organized by the UST Faculty Union and the UST administration since 1998, recognize faculty members, guidance counselors, and librarians who have made outstanding contributions to the University in the fields of teaching, research, and service. R.A.D.R. NARRA

THE COUNTRY’s first and only clinic that specializes in psychological trauma has become more relevant as more people start to seek help regarding problems on mental health, the supervising psychologist of UST said. “[The clinic] saw it as something positive [that] people are starting to come for help. It became relevant now kasi more people are talking about mental health and are becoming aware of what the different mental health concerns are,” UST Psychotrauma Clinic supervising psychologist Renz Christian Argao told the Varsitarian.

“Nababawasan kasi ‘yung stigma associated to mental health. It primarily caters to victims of traumatic events, but

Clinic PAGE 10

Exhibit FROM PAGE 1 pieces and memorabilia and from there we decided how the exhibition should go about,” Bulanadi said.

The exhibit was conceived after the discovery that both writer and composer are marking their respective birth anniversary milestones in 2017.

“Although they were born in different eras, their works were able to contribute in [visualizing] and remembering the old Manila,” Cura said.

Presented in a mural depicting a blueprint are excerpts of Joaquin’s works such as “The Woman Who Had Two Navels,” “The House on Zapote Street” and “The Language of the Street.” Slang words from his essays are painted on jeepney signboards scattered on the painting.

Joaquin received an associate in arts degree from UST.

Also displayed are copies of Nakpil’s composition sheets including “Pahimakas,” a song he wrote after the execution of Jose Rizal.

“Marangal na Dalit ng Katagalugan” and “Pamitian,” a song inspired by the lives of the remontados, the Filipinos who sought refuge from the mountains to escape Spanish persecution, are also featured.

“Revolutionary” will host a series of talks on the works of Joaquin and Nakpil.

Alexandra Chua, associate professor at the UST Conservatory of Music, and former National Commission for Culture and the Arts chairman Felipe de Leon Jr. will lecture on the musical compositions of Nakpil on June 3.

Raul Sunico, former UST music dean, will render Nakpil’s works along with Jeffrey Solares and the Manila Symphony Orchestra in a performance on June 16.

The exhibit, held in line with International Museum Day, runs until July 23.

CHELSEY MEI NADINE B. BRAZAL

Valedictorian FROM PAGE 2

A group of UST students stages a rally along España Boulevard on May 24 to protest the terrorist attack in Marawi by the Maute Group, which took over most parts of the city.

MARIA CHARISSE ANN G. REFEURZO

Death penalty FROM PAGE 2 Secretary-elect Therese Gorospe said they plan to release a statement on the death penalty issue after consultations with the Central Board and local student councils.

“Kasi hindi lang kami ang bumubuo ng CSC. Kailangan din naming marinig ‘yung boses mga presidents ng local student councils at mga students,” she said in an interview.

Earlier this month, UST Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. called on the Thomasian community to join movements against the reimposition of death penalty.

House Bill 4727 or the death penalty bill was passed on the third and final reading in the House of Representatives last March 7. A total of 217 congressmen voted in favor, 54 opposed and one abstained.

The “Lakbay Buhay Laban sa Death Penalty” will culminate in a rally at the Senate in Pasay City on May 24, Wednesday.

Scholarship” program, which started in 2011.

Becarios also received the Tradition of Excellence Award after receiving the Pope Leo XIII Community Development Award for five consecutive years.

The Pope Leo XIII Community Development Award was also given to Dean Alan Recaña and Raymond John Naguit (Office of Student Affairs), Aldwin Francis Layug (Pharmacy), Roger Deinn de Vega (Nursing), Lloyd Julius Gondranios (Education), Emmanuel Martin Lauz (Artlets) and 20 other student groups.

Thirty-two students, mostly officers from the central and local student councils, were awarded the Quezon Leadership Award.

Twenty-three organizations were given the St. Dominic de Guzman Award for outstanding organization of events and activities in the University, while seven students and eight groups were awarded the St. Albertus Magnus Award for research.

Forty-one students and 29 groups and organizations were given the Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award for their performance in regional, national and international competitions and conferences.

THEODORE JASON PATRICK K. ORTIZ

4 Opinion

MAY 27, 2017

Editorial

Rodrigo Duterte is Peking’s duck PRESIDENT Duterte has proved himself the stooge of totalitarian Communist China when against the interest of the Philippines and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), he removed all statements expressing concern over Beijing’s encroachments on the West Philippine Sea during the Asean summit.

Parroting the Beijing line that the situation should not be aggravated further—especially since China has already aggravated matters by reclaiming reefs and atolls in the sea as against the claims of several Asean countries like the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, and even against environmental interests—Duterte apparently did Beijing’s bidding and ordered Philippine diplomats to drop any restatement of the last Asean communique in Laos, in which the Asean had basically criticized China over its aggressive conduct in the West Philippine Sea. Since Manila is hosting the Asean summit this year and he is therefore chair, Duterte could have used his position to defend Philippine territorial interest and uphold Asean’s interest as well. But the summit communique last May 1 articulated the interest of Duterte’s totalitarian bosses in Beijing.

In the statement, Asean leaders purportedly “reaffirmed the importance of the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities, and avoiding actions that may further complicate the situation, and pursuing peaceful resolution of disputes, without resorting to the threat or use of force.”

By ordering the removal of any mention of international concerns over China’s “militarization” of newly built islands in the disputed South China Sea, Duterte has basically committed the treasonous act of ceding sovereignty of the Philippines on islands to China.

The Philippines, because of Duterte’s betrayal of the Filipinos, has therefore missed her chances to reinforce the arbitral ruling that disproved China’s claim to majority of the South China Sea. The decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling in July 2016 was in favor of the country, which said China has no right to exploit the resources in the disputed island “within the Philippines 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone.”

Editorial PAGE 5

FOUNDED JAN. 16, 1928 KATHRYN JEDI V. BAYLON Editor in Chief BERNADETTE A. PAMINTUAN Managing Editor ALHEX ADREA M. PERALTA News Editor PAUL XAVIER JAEHWA C. BERNARDO Online Editor DELFIN RAY M. DIOQUINO Sports Editor LEA MAT P. VICENCIO Special Reports Editor JOHN GABRIEL M. AGCAOILI Witness Editor AMIERIELLE ANNE A. BULAN Circle Editor KIRSTEN M. JAMILLA Art Director ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN Chief Photographer News Mia Arra C. Camacho, Hannah Rhocellhynnia H. Cruz, Christian de Lano M. Deiparine, Roy Abrahmn D.R. Narra, Theodore Jason Patrick K. Ortiz, Maria Crisanta M. Paloma Sports Jan Carlo Anolin, Carlo A. Casingcasing, Philip Martin L. Matel, Randell Angelo B. Ritumalta, Ivan Ruiz L. Suing, Ralph Edwin U. Villanueva Special Reports Ma. Angela Christa Coloma, John Paul P. Corpuz, Ma. Consuelo D.P. Marquez, Neil Jayson N. Servallos Features Daniella T. Cobarde, Ma. Czarina A. Fernandez, Daphne Yann P. Galvez, Alyssa Carmina A. Gonzales Literary Elmer B. Coldora, Nikko Miguel M. Garcia Filipino Jolau V. Ocampo, Winona S. Sadia Witness Joel Sebastian D. Cristobal, Sigrid B. Garcia, Kathleen Therese A. Palapar Science and Technology Karl Ben L. Arlegui, Dan Albert D. Besinal, Edris Dominic C. Pua, Julius Roman M. Tolop Circle Klimier Nicole B. Adriano, Audrie Julienne D. Bernas, Chelsey Mei Nadine B. Brazal Art Chinny Mae F. Basinang, Rocher Faye R. Dulatre, Shaina Mae L. Santander, Juan Miguel M. Soriano, Seldon May T. Tagao Photography Deejae S. Dumlao, Katrina Mae H. Marcos, Miah Terrenz Provido, Maria Charisse Ann G. Refuerzo, Ma. Alyssa Adrienne T. Samonte, Basilio H. Sepe, Jamillah N. Sta. Rosa FELIPE F. SALVOSA II Assistant Publications Adviser JOSELITO B. ZULUETA Publications Adviser Letters/comments/suggestions/contributions are welcome in the Varsitarian. Only letters with signatures and corresponding contact details will be entertained. Original manuscript contributions must be typewritten, double-spaced, on regular bond paper, and should include a signed certification bearing the author’s name, address, year, and college. The identity of a writer may be withheld upon request. The editors will not be responsible for the loss of materials. Contributions must be sent to THE VARSITARIAN office, Rm. 105, Tan Yan Kee Student Center, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

Home is UST I FOUND home in the University of Santo Tomas.

When I first entered the Arch of the Centuries during our Thomasian Welcome Walk in 2013, I never thought the University would give me the best moments of my life by far.

Even though I expected a bumpy academic life upon entering the halls of St. Raymund de Peñafort Building, which houses the Faculty of Arts and Letters and College of Commerce and Business Administration, I found that I was still emotionally and physically unprepared.

There have been moments when I felt my threshold is not strong enough to handle the pressure of being a Thomasian.

But UST has been like a caring mother, backing me whenever I feel like quitting.

It has taught me to endure through the semesters, to form solid and supportive friendships, to learn from failed examinations. It has motivated me always to be better and to prepare me for challenges in the wider world.

UST’s age-old traditions and academic rituals have also

Four years is too short a period to enjoy the vibrant campus life at its fullest. You will always be home, UST. made me appreciate the value of history and heritage.

But with the looming graduation, I can’t believe that I would no longer witness another Thomasian Welcome Walk, Paskuhan, Yellow Days, pyromusicals, hellish exam weeks, joy and pain, and everything in between.

These unique events made me love the University more.

UST also gave me the Varsitarian. Years back, I had been among the faint-hearted souls hoping to get a shot at the official student publication of the University.

My decision to enroll in AB Journalism was validated by the V. I remember how my insecurities worsened during

the first two years in college because I was surrounded by a lot of talented writers.

When I received the message that I passed the qualifying examinations, I took it as an opportunity to improve the potential that the selection committee has first seen in me.

I will always be thankful to the V for believing in me even before I learned to believe in myself.

The Varsitarian gave me a glimpse of what to expect after college. It taught me a lot of lessons I never learned inside the classroom such as persisting to write a story on a controversial issue in the University, working with my

fellow staffers to organize an extra-editorial activity and making the best decisions for the publication’s sake.

To the V, thank you for bringing out the best in me.

I don’t think I could be the person that I am today without you.

The University has given me the best set of people who served as my inspiration to finish what I started. I would not have withstood the heartbreaks, frustrations and stress if it weren’t for the support of my parents, fellow Varsitarian staffers, blockmates (4JRN1), professors and closest friends — Gaea, Charissa and Chai.

But above everything else, I will forever thank the Lord for being with me in this journey. All glory is His. Just when I thought I was ready to leave the University following the emotionally and physically draining academic and publication works, I realized that four years is too short a period to enjoy the vibrant campus life at its fullest.

You will always be home, UST.

No mere child’s play in the ‘V’ MUCH has changed in the landscape of journalism over the past years, with the proliferation of fake news websites and political demagogues attempting to discredit the press.

Now more than ever, journalists ought to, as veteran broadcaster Pia Hontiveros once said in an interview, “do our work well,” to counter this socalled “existential crisis” in the industry.

Now more than ever should young journalists be fuelled to pursue the profession, to strive to improve the industry and be heralds of truth.

As an AB Journalism student and a campus editor, I cannot stress how important journalists function in a democratic society. But very little space is given to discuss the role campus journalists play.

It is easy to dismiss campus journalism as mere child’s play, with the thought that these writers are just students and they have far different concerns from national affairs. This should not be the mindset.

In a forum on campus

Now more than ever should young journalists be fuelled to pursue the profession, to strive to improve the industry and be heralds of truth. journalism at the Ateneo de Manila University, Inquirer.net editor in chief John Nery asked what the difference was between campus journalists and journalists who worked for actual news organizations.

Nery explained that both share the same objective of delivering relevant information to their audience.

Campus journalists merely operate in and cater to a smaller community.

But this must not be an excuse for campus journalists not to concern themselves with issues of greater importance.

For instance, the Varsitarian is an example of a campus paper that

continues to spark discourse at the national level.

Most notable was when it exposed corruption in the University’s mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), prompting the abolition of mandatory ROTC and the passage of the National Service Training Program Act. Other campus papers should not be afraid to expose wrongdoings and challenge the status quo in the communities they serve.

They must realize that they are not just publicity tools of their schools.

Young writers must show that they can voice sensible and strong

opinions. They too start conversations.

can

Grateful as ever Words are not enough to express my gratitude to the Varsitarian. When I first entered the ‘V,’ I never realized how much time and effort the publication would demand.

I was suddenly forced into new routines and work habits, to deal with different kinds of people, and to discover parts of myself I never thought were there. It takes a lot of passion and dedication to survive an environment that gives you a glimpse of an actual workplace.

There were times when the stress felt unbearable but in the end, my love for the publication prevailed.

As cliché as it sounds, it is true that one does not give up easily on things they hold close to their heart.

Despite all the hardships, I remain indebted to the ‘V’ for taking me in and honing my writing skills. Above all, I am thankful that the ‘V’ has molded me into the strong-willed person that I am today.

MAY 27, 2017

Tough love at the Varsitarian COMING from the province, I admittedly had this obscure fear of the city. I have always been a stickler for routine so when I started my freshman year in UST, I was unsettled. Unable at first to acclimatize myself to surroundings without my family, I spent nights of homesickness.

Likewise, I missed my high school friends, and I struggled to make a new set of friends, uncertain of what people would expect from a petite “probinsiyana.”

That was when I knew I failed at being independent.

I was enslaved by my insecurities.

I somehow mustered the courage of joining the Varsitarian, but my first year in the paper found me unable to relate well with the staff.

The problem was I: I seemed to have erected barriers without really knowing it. As a result, the staff couldn’t reach out to me.

Part of my insecurity was that while I was

Graduates FROM PAGE 1 and artists, and now unto you,” the Rector added as the graduating students lighted their candles.

The rites ended with a pyro-musical display accompanied by songs from British band Coldplay, followed by a recessional parade through the Arch of the Centuries.

The Faculty of Arts and Letters sent out the biggest number of candidates for graduation this year with 1,002, followed by the College of Commerce and Business Administration with 873 and the Faculty

V has served as my constant provider of stress and anxiety, but it has also been my pillar and my strength. V was the embodiment of tough love. assigned in the art section of the paper, I was taking up really a liberal arts course, a departure from the fine arts or architecture track taken up traditionally by members of the art staff.

But since I wanted to really settle down in the paper and in my discipline, I sought to improve my craft and reach out to the rest of the staff.

What I found out was that I had sought to erect barriers between me and the world largely through selfprojected fears based on imagined dissimilarities— social class, rural versus urban divide, religion, sex, etc.

The stark dissimilarities I imagined

limited my growth and personal development; they likewise restricted my relations with others.

I could not have discovered how I was limiting, even damaging, myself and my relations were it not for the Varsitarian.

It was the Varsitarian that nurtured my growth and development as well as my emotional and social health.

Looking at the history of the “V,” I discovered that this organization has not only molded successful and even renowned writers, photographers and artists, but it has also provided an environment where persons

of Engineering with 844 candidates.

The number of graduating students per faculty and college this year is as follows: Accountancy (711), Architecture (308), Canon Law (11), Civil Law (102), Education (441), Faculty of Philosophy (17), Fine Arts and Design (565), Graduate School (260), Institute of Information and Computing Sciences (404), Medicine and Surgery (508), Music (62), Nursing (330), Pharmacy (624), Rehabilitation Sciences (269), Sacred Theology (58), Science (575) and Tourism and Hospitality Management CHRISTIAN DE (412).

Pautakan

84.09 percent in 2011.

Karen Mae Calam of the University of San Carlos in Cebu topped this year’s exam with a score of 89.05 percent. Alanna Gayle Khio from Siliman University in Dumaguete, who scored 88.95 percent, placed second.

Fiona Cristy Lao from the University of San Carlos and Athalia Liong from Andres Bonifacio College in Dipolog placed third after getting a score of 88.80 percent.

Former Varsitarian editor in chief Marlon Castor was among those who hurdled the exams.

Divina attributed this year’s improved results to

departmental examinations and special lectures, which were on top of pre-bar lectures. Exams for all subjects in the Faculty of Civil Law have been departmentalized since 2015.

“We gave special lectures on top of the pre-bar lectures and nonstop encouragements and prayers for our students,” he said.

Divina said the bar exam results were also better because the chairman, Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco, was “liberal” in checking the papers.

“I think he instructed the examiners to be more

liberal in checking the papers [and] internally, he may have set a minimum passing percentage,” Divina said.

The exams, which were all essay questions, covered eight subjects: political and public international law, labor and social legislation, civil law, taxation, mercantile law, criminal law, remedial law, and legal and judicial ethics.

According to bar exam r ules, a bar examinee is deemed to have passed his or her examinations successfully if he or she has obtained a general average of 75 percent.

This year’s bar

examiners were retired Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura (Political Law and Public International Law), Justice Magdangal de Leon (Labor Laws and Social Legislation), Justice Japar Dimaampao (Civil Law), Justice Lovell Bautista (Taxation), Justice Ramon Hernando (Mercantile Law), Justice Victoria Paredes (Criminal Law), Justice Noel Tijam (Remedial Law) and Justice Myra Garcia-Fernandez (Ethics and Pratctical Exercises).

Divina conf irmed that UST will host the 2017 bar exams anew, with Justice Lucas Bersamin as the next chairman.

is for [political parties] to focus on letting the students know about their principles, ideologies and platforms,” he said in a text message.

Tanya Vasquez, chairwoman of Lakas Tomasino Coalition, contested Coronacion’s claim, saying the results of the previous election was not because of poor quality student leaders.

“I don’t think this has anything to do with how political parties train their leaders. It was just a mixture of uncontrollable circumstances,” Vasquez said.

“I believe that we have presented our ideologies well

to the [Thomasians], and was actually well-received by majority of [them],” she added.

said.

Bersonda said that despite being open to the opinions and suggestions of the political parties, the scheduling of the campaign period and the Miting de Avance was solely the Comelec’s decision.

Bersonda also disagreed that the Comelec’s policies were restricting and hindering a wide range of candidates for the elections.

“The policies and requirements are there for a reason: it makes sure that the future student leaders are qualified and fit for the positions they are running for,” he said.

“It is just a way of verifying their current standing as a student and to make sure that neither the council nor the candidates’ academics are compromised,” he added.

Bersonda also reminded that “running for a position is voluntary and should be because of genuine intentions, and that is to serve the Thomasian student body.”

The Varsitarian contacted the Office of Student Affairs regarding student government policies, and Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino for comment, but they did not reply at press time.

Thomasians should evaluate the plans and platforms of candidates regarding issues FROM PAGE 2 inside the University.

“It is essential that the and adapting to the students’ student voters must see what new standards,” Coronacion sets a candidate apart from the said in an interview with the others. If there’s is nothing that can set them apart, then Varsitarian.

“It is useless to add more the student voters have not political parties if the new been given real choices,” he ones are essentially the same said.

Central Commission on as the old parties that students have begun to detest,” he Elections Chairman Arvin Bersonda echoed Coronacion, added.

Coronacion said politcal saying that adding more parties in the University should political parties will only focus on producing quality reflect the system of politics student leaders who adapt to in the Philippines. “[What is] more important Thomasians’ standards, while

Political parties

Moreover, Duterte even referred to China’s building of artificial islands in the South China Sea as “recent developments in the area.” How about the developments for his own country?

But what’s worse is the fact that the original statement was watered down on Duterte’s own orders.

The Associated Press (AP) earlier reported that it saw changes of the speech based on a previous draft of the joint communiqué issued by the Asean leaders.

According to the AP report, a foreign diplomat based in Manila said the Philippines originally distributed to other Asean members a much stronger stance on the issue.

Backed by other governments, Duterte was advised to stand firm against China, but to no avail.

Where was the Duterte who promised during one of the presidential debates last year that he would ride a jet ski to the disputed islands just to defend the Philippines?

It seems Duterte was merely showing off or bluffing.

The true Duterte is a coward; he has basically chickened out (with apologies to our fine-feathered friends).

A virtual warmonger against the US and the European Union and anyone who would dare oppose his genocidal drug wars, Duterte has sought to shore himself up by kowtowing to Beijing and Moscow and other totalitarian regimes.

He seems closest to Beijing whose mouthpiece he has become. When someone quacks and walks like a duck, he must be Peking’s duck.

RHOCELHYNNIA H. CRUZ and THEODORE JASON PATRICK K. ORTIZ

2012, 88.52 percent in 2011, 68 percent in 2010, 54.65 in 2009, 83 percent in 2008, 73 percent in 2007 and 71.43 percent in 2006.

The national passing rate climbed to 59.06 percent or 3,747 successful examinees out of 6,344, one of the highest in history.

This was significantly higher than last year’s 26.21 percent or 1,731 out of 6,605 examinees.

UST failed to land a spot in the top 10 list of examinees this year, which was dominated by provincial law schools. The last UST graduate to enter the top 10 was Christian Louie Gonzales, who placed f ifth with a score of

Thomasian examinees.

The total number of Thomasian repeaters and f irst-timers who passed the 2016 Bar Exams will be released on May 22, a day before the oath-taking of new lawyers, Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina told the Varsitarian.

In the past decade, UST’s bar exam batting average stood at 69.08 percent. UST recorded an 80.85-percent passing rate in 2015, 59.13 percent in 2014, 63.67 percent in 2013, 48.57 percent in

FROM PAGE 4

Sa iyong palagay, naging “sulit” ba ang pamamalagi mo sa Unibersidad?

May: Oo naman.

Nakilala ko ‘yong friends ko sa CFAD. Sobrang nakakaproud maging Thomasian.

Ysa: Yes, I learned so much that I can’t put my feelings in writing.

Philosophy taught me what it means to live. ABSC taught me to be strong. It is also during my college years that I fell in love.

Krisandra: Hindi nga eh kasi ang layo kasi ng building din namin sa kabihasnan. Napupunta at

FROM PAGE 3

LANO M. DEIPARINE and MIA ARRA C. CAMACHO

FROM PAGE 1

while Music settled for fifth with 110 points.

The veteran resource persons for this year’s Pautakan were Jose Ramon Lorenzo (General Information), Oliva Kho (Physical Science), Selwyn Clyde Alojipan (Natural Science), J. Neil Garcia (Humanities), Jerome Ong (General History), Jose Victor Torres (UST History) and Anita Ong (Mathematics).

UST’s UAAP Season 78 and 79 courtside reporter Angelique Manto and Magic 89.9 DJ Sam YG hosted the quiz contest.

The 40th installment of the Varsitarian’s Pautakan had a Marvel versus DC superheroes theme. HANNAH

Editorial

nae-experience lang namin yung ibang buildings at ‘yong mga library ‘pag nirequire kami. Ang layolayo kasi sa amin eh. Pati Main Building, pupunta lang doon ‘pag magbabayad tuition. Iyon, hindi ko nasulit masyado ang UST. Rikki: Bilang isang mag-aaral, masasabi kong sapat at napakasulit na ang aking pamamalagi sa Unibersidad.

Wala nga naman talagang kapantay ang “Thomasian experience” mula sa Thomasian Welcome Walk, sa Baccalaureate Mass, hanggang sa aming pagtatapos. Napakaraming aral, lungkot at saya ang naihandog sa amin ng kolehiyong ito, mapupuno na siguro nito ang isang buong dyaryo kung iisa-isahin ko.

nailed a UST history question, finishing with 192 points.

“Huminga na lang ako ng malalim, tapos noong [nabigay na ‘yung tanong], sabi ko [sa sarili ko na] ‘hindi ko na ‘to pwedeng mamali kasi lagi ko to namamali nung previous na tinatanong sa akin,” he said.

“Ang habol ko lang [nung una] is makapasok sa top five,” he added.

Aranzanso finished second with 191 points, while Reginald Pasao of Engineering finished third with 185 points.

The College of Commerce and Business Administration placed fourth with 120 points

Passing rate

accept themselves—their potential and yes, their limitation, their strengths and promises—while also accepting each other’s differences. It was one of the few places I felt comfortable being myself.

Now on my third and last year in the Varsitarian, I have learned that I should set aside my anxieties and other fears about having to leave the paper, a prospect that brings me mixed emotions.

I have realized that through the Varsitarian I have been given the chance to serve the Thomasian community, a fitting preparation for serving the wider world outside.

I have discovered that all my emotional, mental, artistic and social resources have been trained for me to serve a higher goal. Surely, one cannot achieve big goals without making big sacrifices.

V has served as my constant provider of stress and anxiety, but it has also been my pillar and my strength. V was the embodiment of tough love.

Opinion 5

Restricting policies Regrading Comelec policies, Vasquez said the involvement of political parties should be considered especially in scheduling the campaign period and election events.

“We would appreciate it if we were included in the planning of the election season, especially with the scheduling. In that way, maybe we could also input ideas that may help the Comelec,” she

Alaala MULA SA PAHINA 9

6 Features

MAY 27, 2017

Raul Sunico sums up deanship

By MA. CZARINA A. FERNANDEZ and ALYSSA CARMINA A. GONZALES

THE HALLOWED halls of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) speak of culture and refinement.

Red carpets cover the marble floors, paintings sprawl across the walls and elaborate chandeliers hang from the ceiling.

It’s an environment suited for its president Raul Sunico, a piano virtuoso whose notable achievements include being the only pianist in the world to perform the four concertos of Sergei Rachmaninoff in one night.

Sunico served as dean of the UST Conservatory of Music for 14 years, beginning in 2002. His term came to an end earlier this year when he was replaced by composer Antonio Africa.

Despite this, Sunico vowed to continue educating and promoting aspiring Thomasian musicians.

“I’m still a faculty member in UST. My main occupation is really performing, so I want to make my performing more active,” Sunico told the Varsitarian.

Sunico graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines’ College of Music.

He also holds a bachelor’s degree in statistics and a master’s degree in mathematics.

He was a scholar of former first lady Imelda Marcos, who sent him to study to the prestigious Juilliard School in New York where he finished his postgraduate studies in music.

government. The distinction is given to Italian expats and foreigners who have

Commendatore Last March, Sunico was named “commendatore,” which translates to “commander,” of the Order of the Star of Italy by the Italian

strengthened ties between Italy and other countries.

The conferment must first be approved by Italian President Sergio Mattarella upon the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ recommendation.

“I feel honored, I feel humbled that the Italian ambassador would grant me [the title],” Sunico said.

“We have had

collaborations with the Embassy of Italy for their national day. I was introduced to the ambassador and his wife, and they requested me to help them with the musical culture presentation,” he recounted.

“We had to source out of faculty and our UST (Symphony) Orchestra for the national day,” he said. “We also had other collaborations with Deanship PAGE 10 Sunico

Liza Lopez-Rosario: Inaugural dean of UST Graduate School of Law AN ACADEMIC achiever who once worked as a nanny in Spain is now dean of the newly established UST Graduate School of Law. When Liza Lopez-Rosario first received news that she was to head the law graduate school, she admitted having “mixed feelings” over the appointment.

“Masaya because of the prestige that is attached to the position. But in a way, a little

bit bothered because of the responsibility that you are going to assume,” Lopez-Rosario told the Varsitarian.

Lopez-Rosario explained that the environment in UST’s new academic unit, where she is the inaugural dean, will be different because her students will be lawyers and judges.

Prior to being appointed dean, Lopez-Rosario taught at the UST Faculty of Civil Law

and worked as a public attorney.

She is also a partner at Romulo Mabanta, one of the top-caliber law firms in the country.

In 1984, Lopez-Rosario graduated magna cum laude in philosophy in the University.

She received the same Latin honor in 1988 when she obtained her degrees in civil law and canon law, also in UST. In both years, she received the Rector’s Award for Academic

Liza Lopez-Rosario previously worked as as a public attorney and law professor before being appointed as the dean of the newly established UST Graduate School of Law,

Excellence.

Lopez-Rosario served the Roman Catholic Church for 15 years. She was legal counsel to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Archdiocese of Manila, Archdiocese of LingayenDagupan, the Diocese of Pasig and the Diocese of Parañaque.

She said one of her most memorable cases as a lawyer was when she delivered an oral argument before the Supreme Court in defense of the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin. In 2003, Cardinal Sin was named in a petition to declare political statements by religious leaders as a violation of Philippine Constitution.

‘Suffering’ Lopez-Rosario admitted it was not easy to achieve success professionally and academically.

She recounted how she was bullied by peers when she was at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain, where she finished her doctorate degree in civil law. She had difficulty learning the Spanish language.

“My classmates were always joking about me... ang tagal ko [raw] mag-isip [ng conjugation],” she said.

But Lopez-Rosario persisted, even to a point where she took a job as a nanny in order to learn the language.

“Suffering talaga. Kapag hindi ka nag-total immersion, hindi mo matututuhan ang language,” she said.

But Lopez-Rosario never intended to pursue law. Her career options leaned toward

teaching and architecture.

“Kapag teacher, madaming regalo … I wanted to be an architect but there were courses before which the elders would say, ‘No, that is only for men,’” she said.

Lopez-Rosario realized her law ambitions when she was in high school.

“That was the time I engaged myself in arguments and debates. Tumatayo pa nga ako sa table, nakikipag-debate ako,” she said.

Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina praised Lopez-Rosario for her work ethic, calling her a “very brilliant and thorough” lawyer.

“She graduated magna cum laude, the class valedictorian.

So that is a testament to, I suppose, her study ethic and attitude towards studying,” Divina said in an interview.

“She is dedicated, she has enough drive to carry out the duties required of the dean,” he added.

At UST, Lopez-Rosario learned Thomistic philosophy, which she said she applies in her practice of law.

She recounted how she handled a pro bono case after her client, an employee, was accused of estafa.

“I was able to win the case for her and all she paid me was a framed cross-stitch work,” Lopez-Rosario said.

“There are things that cannot be compensated. What made it memorable was I was able to help a person who was being accused for a crime that she did not really commit,” she added. DANIELLA T. COBARDE and

DAPHNE YANN T.GALVEZ

Editor: Alvin Joseph Kasiban

MAY 27, 2017

Lenspeak 7

UST BACCALAUREATE MASS 2017

Photos by DEEJAE S. DUMLAO and MARIA CHARISSE ANN G. REFEURZO

U ST Rec tor Rev. F r. Her m i n io Dagohoy, O.P. presides over t he Bacca lau reate Mass for t he 8,376 g raduat i ng T homasia ns last May 19. A s usua l, t he event was capped by a n a mazi ng f i rework s d isplay to t he music of Coldplay.

8 Literary

MAY 27, 2017

From Iowa to UST: Alumni of prestigious internat’l workshop hold reunion on campus

By ELMER B. COLDORA IT MAY be the oldest of its kind in Asia, but not too many people know that the Silliman University National Writers’ Workshop is patterned after the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in the United States.

National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo and her husband Edilberto Tiempo had taken part in the US workshop famously directed by the American writer Paul Engle. They replicated it in an Asian setting and amid the idyllic surroundings of the Protestant campus in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental starting in 1962.

Fifty-five years hence, the Silliman workshop has produced many of the Philippines’ top writers. It was Engle who later founded the Iowa’s International Writing Program (IWP) for other writers in other countries and not necessarily writing in English to bask in the Iowa creative surroundings.

Last year, the IWP’s Filipino fellow was UST faculty member and award-winning fictionist in Filipino Eros Atalia. He is also the first Thomasian to join Iowa since the late Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta in 1990.

On April 20-22, largely through Atalia’s initiative, 21 alumni fellows from around the world gathered in UST for a reunion, the first in the history of IWP. The alumni fellows took part in the International Conference on Education, Literatures, and Creative Writing, which was sponsored by the UST College of Education and United States Embassy, and supported by the Varsitarian.

The alumni fellows were led by no less than current IWP director Christopher Merrill, who delivered the opening talk, “The Role of IWP in Promoting International Understanding, Peace and Equality,” in which he compared music lessons to the Iowa writing workshops.

“You could actually learn to become a writer,” said Merrill. “The fact is [that] you learn to become a musician, you learn to become a teacher… you go to school to accomplish these things. So if we can do that in music and teaching, why not do it also in writing?”

National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, said in his lecture that literary works can influence their readers’ views on the realities of the society.

“Kung susulat ka tungkol sa kwento o tula, kapag nabasa ‘yan ng mga audience na maaabot mo, mayroong realidad na pumasok sa iyo. At ‘yung realidad na ‘yun ang nais mong ipakita sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat,” he said.

Last year’s IWP fellows who discussed “Experiences of Nations with their Literatures and its Role in the Global Discourse” were Ukamaka Olisakwe (Nigeria), Vladimir Poleganov (Bulgaria), Tse Hao Guang (Singapore), Zhou Jianing (China), and Alice Yousef (Palestinian Territories).

Filipino IWP fellows also highlighted the new role of information technology in teaching creative writing in the midst of different platforms and media.

Poet and IWP 2007 fellow Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta emphasized the role of social media in establishing a community of both readers and writers.

“Social media is about engagement. I think what social media and media help us do is really to foster or build a community where people can really feel that we can talk about our [literary] work,” she said.

“Technology is something that we can really talk with and especially in line with what creative writing tries to do. Different social media actually help us to create and foster communities, which are important to beginning writers,” KatigbakLacuesta added.

Atalia, who teaches Filipino at the Faculty of

Eros Atalia

Arts and Letters, recognized Wattpad as an online The first Filipino IWP fellow was a writing platform appealing to a wider audience.

Thomasian and a Varsitarian alumnus—Wilfrido “When it comes to literature, we look for Nilledo (1967). The next fellow was another alternative platforms. Young Filipino writers are Thomasian and Varsitarian alumnus, Cirilo hooked on online publishing, writing and reading.

Bautista (1968).

They have built a new community where they can Other Thomasians cum Varsitarian alumni share stories,” Atalia said. who have become IWP fellows are Ophelia Other local IWP fellows who gave the Alcantara-Dimalanta (1990) and Rogelio G. Sicat updates on teaching creative writing were Mark (1990) and Atalia (2016).

Angeles (2013) and Ian Rosales Casocot (2010).

University of Iowa (UI) has been dubbed the “writing university” for being the original developer of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing and for operating two world-renowned writing programs—the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and the IWP. Largely because of UI’s writing programs, Unesco has proclaimed Iowa City the third “City of Literature” following Edinburgh in Scotland and Melbourne in Australia.

Since IWP was founded in 1967, there have been 42 Philippine writers who have been named fellows and stayed in IU for several months to write and interact with other writers from other Marjorie Evasco countries.

Charleson Ong

Bernardo Bernardo in unique homecoming HE WAS known to a generation of Filipinos for his villain role in Dolphy’s hit TV sitcom “Home Along da Riles,” until he left the country to pursue acting and academic careers in the United States.

Now Bernardo Bernardo, a full-blooded Thomasian, is back in his alma mater as senior visiting fellow of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies.

The Journalism alumnus and former Varsitarian editor in chief served as stage director of “Brushes with Words and Chords,” a presentation held last April 26 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Center Auditorium.

“Brushes with Words and Chords,” which consisted of dramatic and poetry readings and song performances, was the creative writing center’s contribution to the 2017 National Literary Month celebration, said Ralph Galan, assistant director.

Conservatory of Music Dean Antonio Africa was the musical director, while Fine Arts and Design professor Rodolfo Olaso took charge of production design.

The event showcased the works of esteemed writers such as Virgilio Almario, Cirilo Bautista, Nick Joaquin, F. Sionil Jose, Bienvenido Lumbera, Edith Tiempo and Jose Garcia Villa.

Pieces performed included Bautista’s “Dead Weight: In Memoriam,” Jose’s “Viajero,” Ophelia Dimalanta’s “Flowers Are Not For Picking, Or Are They?” and Alejandro Abadilla’s “Ako Ang Daigdig.”

Readers included Bernardo, Faculty of Arts and Letters Dean Michael Anthony Vasco, Artlets Regent Rev. Fr. Rodel Aligan, O.P. and former Varsitarian editor in chief Vim Nadera.

Books and cover illustrations were displayed in an exhibit at the Miguel de Benavides Library, which ran until April 29.

NIKKO MIGUEL M. GARCIA

Bernardo

Filipino 9

IKA-27 NG MAYO, 2017

Eros Atalia sa Iowa: ‘Akdang Pinoy, ‘di malayo sa bituka’ H I N DI batayan ng kalidad ng literatura ang pinagmumulang bansa ng isang akda.

Ito raw ang napatunayan ni Eros Atalia, dalubguro ng Filipino sa Unibersidad, nang lumahok siya sa prestihiyosong Inter national Writing Program (IWP) ng University of Iowa sa Estados Unidos. Ginanap ang palihan mula Agosto hanggang Nobyembre noong nakaraang taon.

Ayon kay Atalia, epektibo ang sulating Filipino sapagkat karaniwan nitong tinatalakay ang mga suliraning “third world,” gaya ng kahirapan, pagkagutom at kor upsiyon.

“Hindi malayo sa bituka,” paliwanag niya. “‘Pag binabasa ko ang mga kuwento’t mga tula sa mga bansang mauunlad, sumasagi sa isip ko: ‘Ganoon pala sa kanila, wala nang maproblema,’” pag-amin ni Atalia sa isang panayam sa Varsitarian.

Paliwanag niya, iba ang lalim ng mga suliranin sa mga bansang “f irst world” Eros Atalia kasama ang mga tanyag na makata at kuwentista. kaya madalas nakatutok ang pagkatha sa teknikal reresult sa bad literature at ‘yong bad na aspekto ng pagsulat. Taliwas ito sa times [naman ay] nag-reresult sa good mga akdang Filipino na mas humuhugot literature,” wika ni Atalia. ng alindog mula sa masalimuot na karanasan ng karaniwang mamamayan Katatawanan sa mga akda ni Atalia kaysa sa por mula at paraan ng Ani Atalia, ang ibinahagi niya sa pagkakasulat nito.

IWP ay ang paglangkap ng mga Filipino “Sabi nga ni Manong Frankie (F. ng humor sa mga sulating nagtataglay Sionil Jose), ang good times ay nag-

naliligo tayo sa baha.

Hindi sila makapaniwalang habang nagbabaha, may mga nag-iinuman o kaya nagbabasketbol,” sabi niya.

“Sa kabila ng kahirapan at pagsubok, hindi nagpapahuli ang mga manunulat sa Filipinas.

Ibinahagi ko sa kanila na Filipinos are worth reading for; Filipinos are worth writing for.”

Si Atalia ang pinakabagong naidagdag sa mga manunulat na Filipino na naging bahagi ng IWP. Humanay siya sa ilan sa malalaking pangalan sa lokal na panitikan tulad nina Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Rogelio Sicat at Ophelia Dimalanta.

ng malalalim na mga paksa. Ginawa niyang halimbawa ang “Si Intoy Siyokoy ng Kalye Marino,” ang kaniyang akda na nagkamit ng unang gantimpala sa Gawad Palanca sa Maikling Kuwento noong 2006.

“Noong nag-lecture ako sa IWP, hindi sila makapaniwalang

Kahalagahan ng mga palihan sa lokal na panitikan Binigyang-diin ni Atalia ang kahalagahan ng mga palihan tulad ng IWP sa pagpapayabong ng panitikan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng mundo.

“Hindi ka naman didiktahan ng IWP kung paano ka dapat magsulat. Pupunta ka roon para pakinggan ka nila,” paliwanag niya.

Dagdag niya, maganda raw ang lagay ng panitikan ng Filipinas dahil sa mga palihan sa pagsusulat. Sa katunayan, isa ang Filipinas sa mga bansa sa Asya na maigting na nagsusulong ng malikhain at malayang pagsusulat.

“Hindi hadlang kung ano man ang politika mo, ang relihiyon mo, as long na nagkakasundo kayo at pare-parehas na gusto ninyong magsulat,” ani Atalia.

JOL AU V. OCAMPO at WINONA S. SADIA

Huling sulyap sa mga lilisaning alaala Ni JOLAU V. OCAMPO BINALIKAN ng ilang Tomasino ang mga alaala ng kanilang buhay-kolehiyo sa pakikipanayam ng Varsitarian sa loob ng Unibersidad. Sa kanilang nalalapit na paglisan, ibinahagi nila ang ilan sa mga aral at pangyayari na tiyak na tangan nila sa paglabas sa makasaysayang arko.

Sa una mong pagtuntong sa Unibersidad, naaalala mo ba kung ano ang ipinangako mo sa iyong sarili?

May (College of Fine Arts and Design): Hindi ako papayag na hindi ako makapagtatapos kahit wala akong mga magulang. Pumasok ako ng college na ako lang ‘yong naghanap ng sarili kong school at ako lang ‘yong nagbabayad ng entrance exams ko.

Ysa (Faculty of Arts and Letters): Before I entered college, I promised myself that I would focus on my studies as I aim to have a higher degree in the future. I never planned these before I entered college, but I realized that the ABSC was where I was meant to grow.

(College of Architecture): Krisandra Naranasan kong bumagsak, maghabol, makiusap, umasa, pumasa, sumuko at magtagumpay. Ang tanging dala [ko] lang ay ang kagustuhang magdrawing.

Rikki (College of Commerce): Ako ’yong masaya, mapangarap, at may tiwala sa sarili noong nakaraang apat na taon. [Ninais kong] magawang mapagsabay na hubugin ang pagiging anak, kapatid, kasintahan, estudyante, [at] lider.”

Kung mayroon kang pinagsisisihan sa iyong buhay-kolehiyo, ano ito at bakit?

May:: Nagkaroon ang aking dating kasintahan ng ibang babae na nasa kapareho kong kolehiyo. Pagkatapos noon, nagkaroon ako ng trust issues sa mga tao Krisanda:: Wala pa naman akong alam

noon pagdating sa arkitektura. Mayroong fear na baka i-judge ako ng mga kaklase ko. Sana mas nag-aral pa ako [nang mabuti dahil] ‘yong performance mo kasi sa college, dadalhin mo na buong buhay mo sa paghahanap ng work.

Rikki: Dapat mas pinagbutihin pa ang pag-aaral upang maibalik sa mga magulang ang kanilang pagod at sakripisyo.

Ysa: Wala naman akong pinagsisisihan. I think that everything that happened was made to happen at the right time and place.

Kung mabibigyan ka ng pagkakataong payuhan ang iyong sarili sa unang taon mo sa kolehiyo, ano ang sasabihin mo sa kaniya?

Ysa: Always be strong and hold on to those that matter.

Krisandra: Tiwala lang. Sa lahat ng pagdadaanan mo sa college life at sa buong buhay man, lahat ng ‘yan [ay] may dahilan. ‘Wag kang mawawalan ng pag-asa. Iiyak mo ‘yan if needed pero ‘wag kang titigil bumangon ulit dahil ga-graduate ka kahit anong mangyari.

Rikki: Ang mensahe ko lang siguro sa aking freshman self ay tamang ituloy ang mga bagay basta magtiwala ka sa sarili at kakayahan mo. Gaya rin ng palagi kong sinasabi, tamang takot lang para may pagkakataon pa rin tayong matuto at sumunod sa ilang mga bagay. Maging mas masipag at disiplinahin ang sarili lalo na sa paglalaan ng oras sa iba’t ibang mga kailangan lalo na rin sa oras ng paggising.

May: Mas malawak [na ang] mundo mo sa college kaysa high school, so maraming darating na challenges diyan. Marami ring darating na kalokohan. Kahit anong dumating na challenges, trials sa college life mo, tuloy pa rin ‘yan. Gawin mo lahat para makatapos ka.

Alaala PAHINA 5

10 Limelight

Art Director: Kirsten M. Jamilla

MAY 27, 2017

TOMALINO BY SHAINA MAE L. SANTANDER

BUHAY TOMASINO BY JUAN MIGUEL M. SORIANO

TOTOY N BY SELDON MAY T. TAGAO

connections and help other people.

Amid all his achievements, Sunico said his teaching career has been an important aspect in his life as a musician.

“It gave me the opportunity to learn more about the development of young people— not only to help them, maybe financially sometimes, but to help them grow,” Sunico said.

“The satisfaction of seeing them be successful in their own way, and hopefully, [become] people who will be replacements for us in the future, that is one of our greatest satisfactions as educators,” he said.

Clinic. Most of them are licensed psychologists, psychometricians, guidance counselors and nurses. Graduate School students and faculty members who specialize in psychology and guidance counseling are also part of the team.

The UST Psychotrauma Clinic has also been providing services to various communities in the country affected by traumatic events like natural calamities and armed conflicts.

The clinic was conceptualized as a training ground for the University’s graduate students in Clinical Psychology, but

was later expanded into a center for research, providing educational trainings for students and professionals, according to its website. It also served as a consultant to government agencies such as the Department of Justice and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and to nongovernment organizations such as Bantay Bata.

The UST Psychotrauma Clinic is located at the ground floor of the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex building. The clinic is open for appointments and consultations from Tuesday to Friday at 10am to 5pm.

death penalty bill in the House of Representatives a “step back from our vision of a just and humane society, a step back from believing that the problems of criminality and justice in the countr y can be solved without spilling blood.”

“As the culture of death threatens to engulf our society, we are called to go against this

tide and instead, promote a culture of life and respect for human dignity. To this, we must continue to say no to the reimposition of the death penalty,” he said.

Dagohoy called for meaningful and collective actions “that will convince our leaders to go against the ineffective policies that are inhumane and are against the protection of human life and dignity.”

The Rector urged University faculty and staff to conduct

dialogues and discussion groups with students to raise awareness and a deeper understanding on the value and sacredness of human life.

Dagohoy also called for suppor t for an online petition addressed to senators who are set to deliberate and vote on the death penalty bill soon.

“Work with us to creatively imagine and implement a justice system that is rehabilitative and restorative. Let us rise above violence and vindictiveness,” Dagohoy said in his letter to

senators.

House Bill 4727 was passed on the third and f inal reading in the House of Representatives last March 7, with 217 congressmen voting in favor, 54 against, and one abstention.

Under the measure, crimes punishable by death include only dr ug-related offenses, as lawmakers voted to remove rape, plunder and treason as crimes covered by the bill.

In an earlier repor t by the Varsitarian, Dagohoy called death penalty as a move “against

life” and said UST suppor ts the position of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Dagohoy had called on lawmakers to f ind alter natives to capital punishment and refor ms in the judicial system.

“That’s actually the position of the Church, [that] we to have refor m our penal [and] judicial system, police and all these things so that those who are indeed guilty would be punished and those who are not would be free,” he said. CHRISTIAN DE

Retirees

educators luck amid the K to 12 transition and Asean integration.

Dr. Mario Milo (34 years) Dr. Narciso Navarro, Jr. Dr. William Olalia (35 years) Dr. Marcelino Ostrea, Jr. (32 years) Dr. Patria Punsalan (36 years) Dr. Bee Giok Sales Dr. Judith Sison Dr. Celina Tady (33 years) Dr. Benito Uy Miguel de Benavides Library Estrella Majuelo (22.3 years) College of Nursing Crestita Tan (25 years) Faculty of Pharmacy Aristea Bayquen (41 years) Ma. Asuncion Crispina Cobar Milagros Salvador (37 years) Institute of Religion Carmen Alviar (24 years) Digna Sese (41 years) College of Science Lucila Bance (41 years) Gil Cauyan (25 years) Emerita Simeon Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Clarita Carillo, Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. and Secretary General Fr. Jesus Miranda, O.P. joined the ceremony. ROY ABRAHMN

Tigers

Sta. Ana has been to five different teams already. After playing for the Cainta Catholic College in his second year in high school, he became a star for the College of San Benildo Blazing Wolves the following year where he competed in the Metro Manila Basketball League.

From the Wolves turned heads and he transferred to the Nazareth School of National University Bullpups in his fourth year in high school in 2014.

The Bullpups fell short of the title that year against the Ateneo de Manila University.

Sta. Ana joined the Red Warriors in college but was used sparingly and averaged just 6.8 minutes in the 12 games he played in.

Now, he looks to make UST his permanent home.

“I can say that this is my home. I think that I am going to be okay here with my teammates and my coaches we work together here,” he said.

Clinic FROM PAGE 3 accommodates anyone who needs psychological services like psychological assessment and diagnosis, individual and group counseling and psychotherapy,” he added.

The UST Psychotrauma Clinic has been offering free counseling and psychotherapy services to Thomasians and even non-Thomasians since 2002.

Around 30 active volunteers provide psychological services in the UST Psychotrauma

Life FROM PAGE 1

FROM PAGE 1 to dream. Those who dream will never ever grow old,” Dagohoy said, adding that educators will continue to surprise people, “because of the wisdom that you possess, your invaluable contribution to the academe and the legacy that you will leave behind as a teacher.”

Alberto Laurito, the longest serving dean of the Faculty of Engineering, served the most years in the University in this year’s roster of retirees, with 43 years. He was followed by Gil Santos of the College of Fine Arts and Design with 42 years of service.

Speaking for the retirees, Laurito said retirement should not hinder productivity.

“Retiring means changing our old tires with new ones. It’s letting go of our past victories and failures.

Listen well to our experience to learn and discover new directions so that we could still be productive,” he said.

Laurito wished Thomasian

The retirees for this year are: College of Education Madeline Dionora Prof. Jose Dakila N. Espiritu (37 years) Assoc. Prof. Rhodelia Mendoza (15.5 years) Asst. Prof. Cristina Sagum (27 years) Faculty of Engineering Prof. Nancy Eleria (33 years) Assoc. Prof. Marifa Torralba College of Fine Arts and Design Asst. Prof. Danilo Santiago (15 years) Junior High School Wilfredo Ornedo (33 years) Nerissa Peñamora Noemi Visorde (22 years) Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dr. Buena Fe Apepe (34 years) Dr. Romulo Buzon, Jr. (34 years) Dr. Rosalia Buzon Dr. Antonio Cruz Dr. Manuela de Jesus Dr. Emelita Gan (34 years) Dr. Ramon Javier (36 years)

D.R. NARRA

Deanship FROM PAGE 6 the Italian embassy, sourcing out their musicians, conductors and singers for the opera.”

Sunico’s ties with Italy go back to when he won a silver medal at the Viotti International Piano Competition and became a finalist Busoni International Piano Competition.

Helping others Sunico said his deanship in UST and presidency at the CCP has enabled him to build

FROM PAGE 11

last May 5 and was a pivotal part of the Tigers’ win against the University of Perpetual Help last May 21 where he chipped in three points, five rebounds, four assists and the game-sealing steal.

“Jordan is all hard work during practice. When you see him during practice, he plays it like it is a real game,” Tigers assists coach Tylon Dar Juan said.

Aside from UST’s basketball program, the Sports and Wellness Management student said his program would help him grow inside and outside of the court.

“A good leader is a good listener and I can deliver that kind of attitude in the court,” the 5-foot-11 guard said.

Finding a home

L ANO M. DEIPARINE

Editor: Delfin Ray M. Dioquino

Sports 11

MAY 27, 2017

Ex-Red Warrior finds home in Tigers’ lair

By JAN CARLO ANOLIN HOPING to find redemption as he makes his way back to basketball, former University of the East (UE) Red Warrior Jordan Sta. Ana looks to prove his worth as a part of the embattled Growling Tigers.

Sta. Ana, who left UE after seeing little playing time last UAAP season, told the Varsitarian that he considered UST since it is a “good fit” for him.

“Here, I am given a chance to play, unlike in UE where I really wanted to play but the veterans were only ones who were used. Here in UST, everyone is equal,” Sta. Ana said.

The 19-year-old already made his presence felt two years ago for UE during the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup but saw a decline in playing minutes come his debut during Season 78 of the UAAP where he averaged only 1.3 points per game.

With the Tigers, Sta. Ana is already one of the team’s go-to guys following the hiatus of backcourt mainstays Mario Bonleon and Renzo Subido.

He is averaging 8 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game in UST’s four games in the FilOil Preaseason Cup. Sta. Ana showed a glimpse of his potential by dropping 11 points, five rebounds and four assists in UST’s loss to the Ateneo de Manila University Former University of the East Red Warrior Jordan Sta. Ana joined UST last year and is now one of the team’s key cogs following the hiatus of guards Mario Bonleon and Renzo Subido.

Photo by JOAQUI FLORES/TIEBREAKER TIMES

Four-year wait worth it for Rookie of the Year

UAAP FROM PAGE 12

By IVAN RUIZ L. SUING aspire — the Olympics.

“After graduation I’m planning to check and see where my career in judo will take me.

Hopefully while I’m still fit, I’m planning to build and prepare myself for the 2020 Olympics.

On the way I’m also planning to find a stable job which will match my training schedule ahead,” Llamas said.

The 23-year-old aims to have a marketinginclined job and teach other people judo in his spare time.

Tiger Paddler Norielle Pantoja, who ended his stint with a championship and an MVP plum, said working in government agencies is his next target after finishing a degree in Economics.

“Maybe in my free time, I will still play since table tennis is something that will be hard to get out of my system,” said Pantoja.

After punctuating her UAAP stint with a Final Four finish, Golden Tigress Chloe Cortez is looking to take her volleyball career to the professional ranks as she is now training with Philippine Super Liga team Generika Lifesavers.

“Other than the PSL, I want to rest first.

Volleyball will still be there but I will take a rest from adult duties,” Cortez said.

Outgoing Lady Fencers team captain Maylene Pailma, meanwhile, will stay in UST as she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

The Legal Management major said she would continue training and competing with hopes of entering the Philippine fencing team.

Salinggawi FROM PAGE 12 Salinggawi, which is tied with the University of the Philippines as the winningest teams in UAAP cheerdance history with eight titles, Gutierrez knows he has a huge responsibility to tend to: reclaim the lost glory of the squad which last won the championship in 2006.

In Gutierrez’s first year, Salinggawi bounced back from its seventh-place finish in 2013, the

Tigers PAGE 10

MARY Joy Indac had to wait for four years before seeing action in the UAAP. She did not disappoint.

Indac helped the Lady Booters return to the finals while winning the Rookie of the Year in the process.

The Davao-native, who started playing football in her second year in high school, was a sought-after talent in her province and was even tapped to play for the Philippine Under-14 football squad.

The future looked bright for the Sports and Wellness Management student but after her high school graduation in 2013, she had to put her football plans on hold.

Indac was already asked to continue her football career in UST but her mother forbid her from going to Manila since it was far from home.

Indac, together with her coach in the Aguilas Dabaw FC, Jessie Gravino, convinced her parents to allow her to play for the Lady Booters.

“I and my coach tried to talk to my parents since it has really been a dream of me to play for UST and to play in the UAAP and fortunately, they were convinced,” Indac said.

The 20-year-old stayed with former Lady Booters and UAAP champions Marie and Marice Magdolot for one month in Manila but was forced to go back to Davao following a major revamp in the team’s coaching staff.

“I only had one tryout session with the

worst in group history, by placing third in 2014 courtesy of a Chineseinspired routine.

The following year, Gutierrez became an integral cog of the group’s African-themed showcase which landed them silver, Salinggawi’s highest finish since 2008.

The Bacoor, Cavite-native showed his toughness in the recent cheerdance tournament by shrugging off a freak injury, a massive cut in the forehead which needed five stitches. He suffered 13 days before the competition.

team but the good thing is the former coach recommended me to coach Aging (Prescila Rubio).”

Coming from a short stay in the Holy Child College of Davao, Indac had to serve a one-year residency before finally donning the UST colors this season.

She helped the Lady Booters, who finished at the bottom of the standings for the past two seasons, get back to the finals by scoring two goals the whole season.

“We know the pressure of getting out of the slump since we lost so many veterans. We did not expect the boom of the team this year,” Indac said.

For Lady Booters coach Rubio, her prized recruit just needs more time to realize her full potential.

“She can actually go toe-totoe with girls who are bigger than her. She lacks mental toughness in the games because sometimes she does not know what to do once her nerves take over,” Rubio told the Varsitarian in a text message.

Following the Lady Booters’ loss to the De La Salle University in the finals, Indac can only vow that the team will come back stronger next season.

“We know our mistakes in the finals. We are going to learn from them and apply them in our games next season,” Indac said.

“The team cannot afford to lose me. If they would replace me, they would have to overhaul the entire routine,” Gutierrez said. “The doctors gave me a 10-day recovery period but I could not afford to start practicing that late. I insisted to remove my stitches earlier than recommended.”

As the leader of Salinggawi, Gutierrez knows the importance of his position, especially when Salinggawi coach Ramon Pagaduan IV is not around. “’Pag wala ang coach, ikaw ang sasangga,” Gutierrez said.

UST FROM PAGE 12 men’s athletics and in the men’s and women’s lawn tennis.

After a five-year Final Four drought, the Golden Tigresses redeemed themselves and clinched bronze along with the Female Fencers.

The Tiger Spikers, Golden Booters, Male and Female Woodpushers and Male and Female Tigersharks all settled for fourth-place finishes while UST’s badminton teams

Indac

landed fifth alongside the Growling Tigresses.

The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, which finished inside the top three in the last two years, slid to fourth place behind an Indian-inspired routine. UST Prime, meanwhile, retained its bronze-medal finish from last year after showcasing a Spanishthemed performance in the street dance competition before the closing ceremony proper.

“Go For Great” will be the official theme of Season 80 under the supervision of new hosts Far Eastern University.

Sports

MAY 27, 2017

Season 79 closes with UST back on top

By JAN CARLO ANOLIN and IVAN RUIZ L. SUING HOST school UST ended Season 79 of the UAAP the Thomasian way.

Nine months ago, the University gave student-athletes from the eight participating UAAP schools a taste of the “Thomasian experience” by letting them pass through the Arch of the Centuries followed by a flamboyant pyromusical and a “Dare To Dream” concert a la Paskuhan.

Last May 20, a three-minute fireworks display above the UST Main Building signaled the transition to the league’s 80th edition.

Those nine months saw a season full of changes with UST at the helm of the country’s most prestigious athletic league.

First, it was the first time a host school held the opening ceremonies separately from the first day of the men’s basketball tournament since Ateneo de Manila University opened Season 74 in 2011 at the Marikina Sports Park.

Season 79 also introduced ballroom dancing as a demonstration sport and the UAAP board, then headed by Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Director Ermito de Sagon, implemented a new age limit ruling which was reduced from 25 to 24 years old.

Hosting the UAAP also ignited a change in the University’s athletic performance.

UST, which lost the general championship to De La Salle University by a mere two points last year, successfully reclaimed the overall crown, its 41st, by a distance. UST scored 312 points to dethrone La Salle which scored just 271 points.

The University hauled in seven gold, 10 silver and two bronze medals for a total of 19 out of the league’s 29 events. The last time UST won more than six gold medals was during the 2011 to 2012 season.

Ironically, UST’s most famous team, the Growling Tigers, suffered its worst finish since the Final Four era at the last place.

Despite the Tigers’ downfall, UST reaped gold medals in the men’s and women’s beach volleyball, men’s and women’s judo, men’s taekwondo, men’s table tennis and women’s athletics.

The University nabbed silver in baseball, softball, women’s football, poomsae, women’s taekwondo, women’s table tennis, men’s fencing, TRANSITION. UST Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. passes the UAAP flag to Far Eastern University President Michael Alba as the league approaches its 80th edition under FEU’s hosting.

MIAH TERRENZ PROVIDO

Passion for cheerdancing brings new Salinggawi head to UST

By PHILIP MARTIN L. MATEL WERE it not for Benjamin Joshua “Benjo” Gutierrez’ itch to rekindle his passion for cheerdancing, he would not have even been a Thomasian at all.

Gutierrez, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe’s president and captain, originally wanted to spend more time with his family as a journalism freshman in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila but had a change of heart and enrolled in the University’s j o u r n a l i s m program.

“I was already b e i n g

recruited when I was still studying as a senior at the Taguig Science High School.

My senior, Febelyn Balani, recruited me.

I told myself before that I do not want to cheer,” Gutierrez told the Varsitarian. “I was already cheering for four years and it was all just an accident.”

Cheerleading was not exactly Gutierrez’s cup of tea, as he was mainly an athlete in track and field and basketball.

He discovered the dance sport in his first year in high school but only attended practices whenever he felt like attending.

However, an unfortunate accident in practice changed the perspective of the 20-year-old toward the sport. Gutierrez failed to secure a flyer because he was hesitant to catch her. The incident prompted him to change his ways and dedicated himself to the craft. After graduation, Gutierrez decided to enroll in PUP but noticed something was missing from his system.

“I wanted to become an athlete again.

When they (Salinggawi) held tryouts in UST, I was contacted by their PRO. I agreed since the journalism program there is okay. I knew it is better in UST. Journalism is really my dream course and UST is my dream school. I regret it that I did not grab the opportunity in the first place.”

Now the captain of the renowned Salinggawi PAGE 11

Gutierrez

UST PAGE 11

Graduating student-athletes hoping for bright future outside UAAP

By RANDELL ANGELO B. RITUMALTA and RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA THOMASIAN athletes come and go, with some continuing the athletics paths they have pursued, while some veering away from the sports they have grown fond of.

For Lady Tennister Lenelyn Milo, it is time to look for another path.

Milo, a pivotal part of the Lady Tennisters’ four first runner-up finishes and a second-runner up squad, said she would focus on finding a job related to her course, Marketing Management.

The 21-year-old, who has been playing tennis since she was nine, said becoming a professional player is not in her plans as she wants to help her family back in Davao after graduating.

“I would still play, but if there is conflict with my work then my priority is still work.

And I would prefer tournaments near [Davao] than tournaments in far places,” Milo said. “The culture in UST, you can bring it anywhere. [The culture] is one of the good teachings of UST [to me] that I can pretty much say is one of my strengths.”

Growling Tiger point guard Jamil Sheriff will

make himself available in the Philippine Basketball Association draft next year.

The Fil-Canadian playmaker admits that he is still a work in progress, citing his three-point shooting.

“I guess the privileges of having free education in a really good school, also just being able to represent UST in the UAAP is a really big thing for me. I would say just all the students looking up to us because they really are big basketball fans and it is an honor playing in front of the UST community,” said Sheriff, who had been to the UAAP finals for two years.

For two-time UAAP judo Most Valuable Player Al Llamas, he has his eyes set on the biggest stage that athletes UAAP PAGE 11

Pailma

Milo

Pantoja

Llamas

Cortez