The Varsitarian P.Y. 2016-2017 Issue 11

Volume LXXXIX, No. 11 • July 14, 2017 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSIT Y OF SANTO TOMAS Manila, Philippines

ANGELICUM COLLEGE IN QC NOW UNDER UST

INTEGRATION. UST officials, led by Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy O.P. (second from the left), sign a memorandum of agreement on June 29, placing Angelicum College in Quezon City under the University’s jurisdiction.

ROY ABRAMHN D.R. NARRA

‘Marawi clash not between Christians and Muslims’

By SIGRID B. GARCIA and KATHLEEN THERESE A. PALAPAR THE CLASH between government troops and terrorist groups in Marawi City is not a war between religions, the head of a Catholic relief organization said.

Jonathan Luciano, national director of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), said no animosity exists between the Christians and Muslims in Marawi, the country’s most important Muslim city.

“Islam is a peaceful religion. It’s safe to say that the Muslim population in Marawi does not support these terror attacks,” Luciano said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

Marawi City was seized by the Islamic State-linked Maute group last May 23. The Islamic terrorists abducted Marawi Vicar General Fr. Teresito Suganob along with 13 church staffers.

Suganob and other members are still being held hostage.

In a video circulated online, the Maute group was seen desecrating the interiors of St. Mary’s Cathedral. Cries of “Allahu Akbar” or “God is great” echoed as the rebels burned the cathedral and destroyed religious icons.

Jesuit-run Dansalan College was also captured by the Maute, along with a hospital, the city jail and a number of establishments.

Luciano deemed these acts as “religious persecution.” However, he said Christians

must still respond with love, acceptance and forgiveness.

“We have to look at this from the perspective of a Christian. We don’t answer hatred with hatred. We don’t condone terror, but we also do not want to take revenge,” he said.

ACN is among the Church groups helping the rehabilitation efforts for the victims of the Marawi crisis. Among their top priorities is rebuilding the churches damaged by the conflict.

“It’s really hard to start rebuilding in Marawi unless the war stops. When the smoke clears, we will be there. We have to give [the people] a place to worship,” Luciano said.

Marawi clash PAGE 10

University slips in 2018 QS world rankings, keeps 4-star rating THE UNIVERSITY slid in the 2018 Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) worldwide university rankings, after clinging to the 701+ bracket for four consecutive years.

UST is now in the 801-1000 bracket, placing fourth out of four Philippine universities on the list.

State-run University of the Philippines (UP) still leads Philippine universities, rising to 367th from last year ’s 374th rank.

UP is the only school in the Philippines that ranked in the top 400 universities in the world.

Ateneo de Manila slipped to the 551600 bracket from 501550, while De La Salle University remained in the 701-750 bracket.

Augusto de Viana, chairman of the UST Department of History, said one of the reasons for the University’s

By CHRISTIAN DE LANO M. DEIPARINE and ROY ABRAHMN D.R. NARRA THE UNIVERSITY’S footprint has officially extended to Quezon City.

UST signed a memorandum of agreement with Angelicum College in Quezon City on June 29 as part of plans to integrate with other Dominican educational institutions in the Philippines.

Under the integration plan, Angelicum College will now be called UST Angelicum, with UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. as its Rector and chief executive officer.

Dagohoy said UST would implement new policies and programs to upgrade Angelicum’s approach to education.

“While maintaining the same purpose of adopting a common name brand associated with academic excellence of Catholic education, [we continue] towards the formation of competent and compassionate individuals, committed to uphold, promote, and live by the beliefs, values and doctrines that the Church espouses,” Dagohoy said in a speech during the signing rites.

“Today we celebrate unity. Unity after all is not uniformity but harmony.

It admits uniqueness and rejoices in difference. Angelican Thomasians, Thomasian Angelicans, it does not matter. Both are Tigers, only living in different lairs,” he added.

The Board of Trustees of Angelicum will be dissolved and a new one will be formed composed of 12 representatives from UST and three from Angelicum, said Fr. Napoleon Sipalay Jr., O.P., prior

Angelicum PAGE 4

‘Do not fixate on bar exam results’ — Cebu law dean

By MA. CONSUELO D.P. MARQUEZ and NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS A CEBU law dean has downplayed the “topperforming law school notion” in the country, saying law schools should not be benchmarked on bar results alone.

Joan Largo, law dean of the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu, said law schools should focus on preparing students for the ethical and competent practice of law.

“The problem with ranking law schools on some unclear guidelines and only on the Bar exams PAGE 5

UST Singers reap major awards in Austria THE GLOBALLY acclaimed UST Singers emerged as champions in the 3rd International Choral Competition Ave Verum in Baden Austria, bagging major awards including the 2017 Grand Prix.

The ensemble was hailed as the 2017 Grand Prix

PHOTO FROM UST SINGERS’ FACEBOOK PAGE

QS rankings PAGE 5

UST Singers PAGE 5

2 News

Editor: Alhex Adrea M. Peralta

JULY 14, 2017

UST bags 4th ‘School of the Year’ in Quill Awards THE UNIVERSITY was named “School of the Year” for the fourth straight year in the prestigious Philippine Student Quill Awards, which recognizes outstanding communication-related works by students nationwide.

UST took home a total of 41 wins, beating other nominees for the top school category: UST-Angelicum College in Quezon City, Bataan Peninsula State University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Winning entries were produced by the Flame of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, Tomasian Cable Television, journalism and communication arts students, and students from the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD).

The Varsitarian bagged three awards of merit and nine awards of excellence this year. Some of the publication’s winning entries were Botomasino, a special coverage of the UST student elections; varsitarian.net, the publication’s website; Inkblots, the national campus journalism fellowship; and Jubilee 800, a supplement for the 800th founding anniversary of the Order of Preachers.

Jose Arsenio Salandanan, chairman of the UST Department of Communication and Media Studies, said Thomasians

Quill Awards PAGE 10

Top CFAD theses highlight social issues

By AUDRIE JULIENNE D. BERNAS SOCIETAL issues such as mental health awareness, terrorism and Philippine culture were the focus of this year’s best thesis roster from the College of Fine Arts and Design’s Painting program.

The challenges of mental illness were apparent in painting graduate Raniel Vicarez’s oil-on-canvas piece “Hylophobia: An Irrational Psychological Perception in Fear of Forest Depicted in Surrealism.”

The painting shows a lady in a flowing white dress, traipsing in the middle of the forest as she looks beyond the space in front of her.

“Ever since I started painting, my top favorite subjects have been people and nature,” Vicarez told the Varsitarian.

The painting depicts the mental state of someone who has hylophobia or fear of forests. The idea sparked during a hiking trip when he discovered that one of his friends had the phobia.

“This thesis is an endeavor in promoting knowledge about the psychological disorder as well as its effects to provide the viewers the broad

CFAD Theses PAGE 7

Accountancy posts lower passing rate in board exam AFTER being named the second topperforming school last year, the University posted a lower passing in the May 2017 licensure examinations for certified public accountants.

UST recorded a 71.82-percent passing rate, with 79 passing the test out of 110 Thomasian examinees. This was a drop from last year’s 90.32-percent passing rate, in which 84 made the cut out of 93 examinees.

Vianca Pearl Amores and Marianito Jesus del Rio, both from University of San Carlos in Cebu City, were named topnotchers. They both scored an average of 92.67 percent.

The University of San Carlos was declared the top-performing school with a 94.29-percent passing rate, or 66 making the cut out of 70 exam takers.

The national passing rate went down to 35.14 percent, with just 3,389 passing the test out of 9,645 takers. Last year’s passing rate was 42.84 percent, with 2,967 examinees passing out of 6,925 takers.

MARIA CRISANTA M. PALOMA

DYNASTY. The University dominates this year’s Philippine Student Quill Awards after being named “School of the Year” for the fourth straight year last July 5 at the Mariott Grand Ballroom in Pasay. Asst. Prof. Jose Arsenio Salandanan, Arts and Letters Communication and Media Studies Department chairman, holds the School of the Year trophy.

MARIA CHARISSE ANN G. REFUERZO

UST increases tuition by at least 7 percent

By CHRISTIAN DE LANO M. DEIPARINE and MARIA CRISANTA M. PALOMA THE UNIVERSITY has settled for a 7.02- to 9.96-percent tuition hike next academic year from the earlier 10-percent proposal, following consultations with the central and local student councils.

Under the final schedule of fees released by the Office of the Vice Rector for Finance, the tuition for first-year students increased by P138 per unit (or 9.96 percent), P97 per unit for secondyear students and third-year students (7.02 percent), P131 per unit for fourthyear students (9.72 percent), and P130 per unit for fifth-year students (9.91 percent).

The Faculty of Civil Law has yet to release its schedule of fees while the Graduate School did not get a tuition increase.

The initial proposed hike amounted to P138 per unit for first- to fourth-year

Usapang Uste

students, P135 per unit for fifth-year students, P232 per unit for Civil Law students, P206 per unit for Graduate School students taking up master’s programs, and P252 per unit for those taking up doctorate programs.

Student Accounts Supervisor Agripina Corpuz said Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. decided to lower the tuition hike as a concession to student leaders.

“After proposing, siyempre `yong [mga] student councils nakikipag-usap… pupunta muna kay Father [Dagohoy] and kakausapin [siya]… that is why bumaba din naman `yong [increase],” Corpuz told the Varsitarian.

Outgoing Central Board Speaker Ferdinand Bautista said they sent a letter to the Rector and raised their concerns during consultations with the administrators, arguing that the increase might affect future enrollees of the University. “[Tuition does not] decrease.

Therefore, the increase of 10 percent will [be] retained and the trend of succeeding increases will follow,” the letter read.

Hike ‘unjustifiable’ Central Student Council Public Relations Officer-elect Francis Gabriel Santos said the hike was not “justifiable.” “[T]hey are only increasing the tuition for the increase of the salary of our dear professors but as I look at the schedule of fees, there are some increases in other fees and miscellaneous fees particularly the library fee,” Santos said in an interview.

Physical Education fees went up by P276 to P3,040 for first-year students and by P194 to P2,958 for second-year students.

Thomasians enrolling in the Reserved Officers Training Command (ROTC) will Tuition PAGE 5

Agham at espirituwalidad, hindi magkatunggali Ni WINONA S. SADIA

KASABAY ng patuloy na pagsulong sa agham at teknolohiya sa akademiya noong 1934, hinimok ni P. Serapio Tamayo, noo’y rektor ng Unibersidad, ang mga Tomasinong nagsipagtapos na panatilihin ang kanilang espirituwal na katayuan sa labas ng Pamantasan.

Sa kaniyang talumpati sa pagtatapos ng akademikong taon 1933-1934, idiniin niyang mahalagang ipagpatuloy ng mga mag-aaral ang kanilang pananampalataya sa Diyos kasabay ng kanilang paglisan sa Unibersidad. Makatutulong ito, wika niya, sa pagpapalaganap nila ng kabutihan at katotohanan sa kanilang paninilbihan sa bansa.

Nilinaw naman niyang hindi ito nangangahulugang hadlang ang agham sa pagpapahalaga ng

mga Tomasino sa kanilang pananampalataya.

Isinaad niyang bilang mga “pinuno ng kinabukasan,” dapat nilang bigyan ng pantay na halaga ang dalawang larangan sapagkat sa ganitong paraan nila matatamasa ang kanilang mga natutuhan sa Unibersidad.

Itinuring niyang malaking hamon sa mga nagsipagtapos ang mga suliranin sa lipunan lalo na sa mga aspektong politikal at pang-ekonomiya. Iminungkahi niyang dapat maging handa ang mga Tomasino na mailangkap ang kanilang mga kaalaman sa paglutas ng mga suliranin sa bansa.

Sa kasalukuyan, patuloy na kinikilala ang Unibersidad sa pantay na pagpapahalaga nito sa sining, agham at moralidad— isang katangiang likas din sa mga Tomasinong nagtatapos dito.

Tomasino siya Pinili ni Cristina Hendrix, isang beteranong nars, ang mga matatandang pasyente upang pagtuunan ng kaniyang kalinangan sa larangan ng nursing.

Taong 1991 nang magtapos siyang cum laude sa nasabing kurso sa Unibersidad. Kalaunan, nagtungo siya sa Estados Unidos upang kumuha ng degree sa Master of Science in Nursing-Family Nursing

Practitioner sa University of Alabama.

Ipinagpatuloy niya ang pag-aaral sa Louisiana State University kung saan nagtapos siya ng Doctor of Nursing in Science at sa Duke University School of Nursing naman kung saan nakamtan niya ang titulong Post-Master’s Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.

Sentro ng disertasiyon ni Hendrix ang mga institusiyong nag-aalaga sa mga matatandang pasyente na may depression.

Nagsagawa rin siya ng mga pagsasanay para sa mga caregiver ng mga matatandang may kanser at Alzheimer’s disease.

Dahil sa kaniyang mga saliksik at kahusayan bilang gerontological nurse nurse, o tagapangalaga ng mga matatandang maysakit,

Usapang Uste PAHINA 3

Filipino 3

IKA-14 NG HULYO, 2017

Naaayon nga ba sa kulturang Bisaya?

Lengguwaheng Duterte matapos ang isang taon Nina JOLAU V. OCAMPO at WINONA S. SADIA MAKALIPAS ang halos isang taong panunungkulan bilang pangulo ng Filipinas, nananatiling mahalagang sangkap ng identidad ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang estilo ng kaniyang pananalita.

Ayon kay Jerry Gracio, komisyoner para sa mga wika sa Samar-Leyte sa Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, hindi dapat iniuugnay ang pagmumura ni Duterte sa kinagisnan niyang kulturang Bisaya sapagkat isa itong paraan ng paglalahat.

“Bilang Bisaya, ayokong ikabit ang pagiging Bisaya sa [pagiging] palamura.

Kasi puwede rin namang maging palamura ang, [halimbawa], Batangeño,” ani Gracio sa isang panayam sa Varsitarian.

“Mahirap isama ang buong Bisaya sa ugali niya kasi hindi naman lahat ay ganoon,” dagdag pa niya.

Magugunitang ilang ulit nang pinuna ng ilang kritiko mula sa loob at labas ng bansa ang pangulo dahil sa madalas niyang paggamit ng hindi kaaya-ayang lengguwahe sa kaniyang mga talumpati.

Sa isang panayam sa mga peryodista noong nakaraang taon, iginiit ni Salvador Panelo, punong tagapayo ng pangulo, na paraan lamang ni Duterte ng pagpapahayag ng saloobin ang pagmumura, at hindi dapat bigyan ng malalim na kahulugan.

Maaaring nagiging malaking usapin lamang ang lengguwahe ni Duterte sapagkat, mungkahi ni Gracio, siya ang unang pangulo ng Filipinas na mayroong estilo ng pananalita na hindi naaayon sa “presidensiyal” o maka-pangulong pamamahayag ng mga kaisipan.

Kung babalikan ang kasaysayan ng Filipinas, makikitang ilang Bisaya na rin ang namuno sa bansa tulad nina Manuel

Ang mamamahayag na si Howie Severino sa Lekturang Norberto L. Romualdez.

Roxas, tubong Capiz, at Sergio Osmena na mula naman sa Cebu, ngunit kapuwa malayo sa estilong Duterte ang naging paraan nila ng pakikipag-usap.

Bagaman walang tiyak na pamantayan kung paano dapat magsalita ang isang pangulo, wika ni Gracio, maaaring naninibago lamang ang mga Filipino sa paraan ng pakikipag-usap ni Duterte.

Giit pa niya, dapat suriin ang kalidad ng serbisyo ng pangulo hindi lamang ayon

sa kaniyang paraan ng pananalita kundi maging sa nilalaman nito.

“Hindi lang sa manner of speaking [ang sentro ng usapin]. It’s really on the way this country is being governed,” wika ni Gracio.

“I just wish that when he speaks, mapagbubuklod niya ang bansa whether magmumura siya o hindi,” dagdag pa niya.

Kultural na pagkakaiba

Para naman kay Howie Severino, isang beteranong peryodista, hindi kinakailangang intindihin ang kulturang Filipino upang maunawaan ng mga dayuhan ang pananalita at mga polisiyang ipinatutupad ni Duterte.

“May mga konseptong hindi [mo] kailangang maging Filipino para maunawaan [tulad ng] halaga ng buhay [at] karapatang pantao,” wika ni Severino sa isang panayam sa Varsitarian.

Dagdag pa niya, may parehong antas ng kahalagahan ang mga ito sa mga dayuhang kultura na nagpapaliwanag kung bakit pinupuna rin ng mga ito ang mga polisiya ni Duterte, partikular na ang war on drugs na may kaugnayan sa pagtugis ng ipinagbabawal na droga sa bansa.

“Iyong halaga ng buhay [at] karapatang pantao [ay] hindi lamang pandayuhan.

Nasa saligang batas din iyan…nasa sistema,” dagdag pa niya.

Mungkahi rin niya, responsibilidad ni Duterte na maging maingat sa kaniyang pananalita sapagkat tungkulin niyang mangusap nang malinaw sa mga mamamayan.

Mahalaga ito upang maiwasan ang malawakang pagkalito sa mga mensaheng nais niyang iparating.

Idiniin din niyang may karapatan ang mga Filipino na punahin si Duterte sa kaniyang mga pagkakamali.

“May mga bagay na hindi kailangan ng paliwanag dahil malinaw naman na mali. Tayong mga nag-iisip, mga edukado, mga disenteng tao, dapat ‘pag may mali [ay] sinisita natin,” wika niya.

“Kahit pangulo, wrong is wrong. Just because it’s popular does not mean it’s right,” dagdag pa ni Severino.

Maharlika, Solimania, o Luzvimin?

Kailangan ba talagang baguhin ang pangalan ng Filipinas?

Ni JOLAU V. OCAMPO ISANG kahibangan ang panukalang palitan ang pangalan ng bansa upang tanggalin ang impluwensya ng mga dayuhan dito, wika ng isang tanyag na historyador.

Ayon kay Jose Victor Torres na nagtuturo ng kasaysayan sa Pamantasang De La Salle, hindi maiaalis ang impluwensya ng mga dayuhan sa Filipinas dahil sa “inculturation” na pinapakahulugang pagtangkilik ng kultura ng ibang bansa at pagbibigay nito ng panibagong identidad sa sinakop na bansa.

“Tunay na mayroong nabubuhay pang tradisiyon na tunay na Filipino pero ang mga tradisiyong ito ay bunga rin ng impluwensiya ng mga dayuhan na bago pa dumating ang Kastila,” wika ni Torres.

Dagdag pa niya, bunga ng iba’t ibang kultura na galing sa iba’t ibang dayuhan ang identidad natin bilang Filipino.

“Ano ang tatanggalin? Ano ngayon ang tunay na Filipino?” giit niya.

Gayunman, hindi na bago ang panukala ni Gary Alejano, party-list representative ng Magdalo, na baguhin ang pangalan ng Filipinas sapagkat mayroon na ring ilang personalidad na gumawa ng parehong pagtatangka ilang dekada na ang nakalipas.

Ayon sa Parliamentary Bill 195 na isinulong ng dating senador na si Eddie Ilarde noong 1978, “Maharlika” ang dapat na ipalit sa pangalan ng bansa.

Paliwanag niya, galing ito sa

salitang Sanskrit na “Maha,” nangangahulugang “great” o “noble,” at salitang “Likha” na isinasalin sa Ingles bilang “create.” Samakatuwid “nobly created” ang ating bansa at ang mga naninirahan dito.

Sang-ayon naman dito ang akdang “Why We Should Change the Name Philippines” na isinulat ng historyador na si Celedonio Resurreccion sa parehong taon. Isinaad niya sa kaniyang saliksik na karaniwan lamang ang pagpapalit ng pangalan ng mga bansa.

Ilan sa mga halimbawa niya ang mga bansang Taiwan

na dating tinawag na Formosa, Malaya na tinatawag nang Malaysia, Nueva España na lumang pangalan ng Mexico, at marami pang ibang bansa.

Iminungkahi ni Resurreccion ang mga pangalang Solimania na galing kay Raja Soliman, Luzvimin na galing sa mga unang pantig ng Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao, Perlas ng Silangan na galing sa “Perlas del mar del oriente” ni Jose Rizal, at Rizalinas o mga isla ni Rizal.

Ayon kay Torres, isang mahabang proseso ang pagpapalit ng pangalan ng isang bansa. Kailangang sumailalim

ito sa referendum sapagkat hindi raw ito desisyon ng pinuno lamang.

“Kung ang pagpili ng isang pinuno ng bayan ay dinadaan sa isang boto, bakit hindi ang pangalan ng bayan?” wika niya.

Dagdag pa niya, marami pang ibang usapin na mas mahalaga ang kailangang pagtuunan ng pansin ng pamahalaan.

“Di bale sana kung ito ay magbibigay solusyon sa mga problemang panlipunan. Pero sa ngayon wala akong nakikita,” pagdidiin niya.

Samantala, inilahad naman ni Augusto de Viana, pinuno ng Departamento ng Kasaysayan, na isang hakbang patungo sa pagiging makabayan ang pagpapalit ng pangalan ng Filipinas. Wika niya, sa pangalan nagsisimula ang pag-unlad ng isang bansa at pagbibigaykarangalan dito.

Ilan sa mga binigay niyang halimbawa ang Chung Kuo na tawag ng mga Tsino sa China, Malaysia na “Land of the Malays” ang kahulugan, at Nippon (land of the rising sun) na tawag ng mga Hapon sa Japan.

“Magbibigay ka ng pangalan na magbibigay ng pride sa’yo… Kaya nga may kasabihang ‘alagaan mo ang pangalan mo kasi ‘yan ang ibinigay sa’yo,’” sabi ni de Viana.

Usapang Uste MULA SA PAHINA 2 naging matunog ang pangalan niya sa ilang mga institusiyon at organisasiyon na may kinalaman sa kaniyang larangan.

Nasungkit niya noong 1991 ang gintong medalya para sa titulong Best in Clinical Practice na iginawad ng Unibersidad. Sa parehong taon, nakamit niya ang ikaanim na ranggo sa Philippine Nurses Board Examination kung saan humigit-kumulang 20,000 ang kumuha ng pagsusulit.

Sa mga sumunod na taon, tumanggap si Hendrix ng mga parangal sa labas ng bansa. Noong 2002, ipinagkaloob sa kaniya ng Epsilon Nu Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing sa Estados Unidos ang Distinguished Graduate Award.

Kinilala rin siya bilang Nurse Researcher of the Year ng Philippine Nurses Association of America noong 2009.

Bukod pa rito, napabilang si Hendrix sa mga pinarangalan sa The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Awards noong nakaraang taon.

Sa kasalukuyan, bahagi siya ng American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Gerontological Society of America at Southern Nursing Research Society.

Inaasahang pamumunuan din niya simula sa susunod na buwan ang Clinical Health Systems and Analytics Division ng Duke University School of Nursing, kung saan kasalukuyan siyang naninilbihan bilang kawaning propesor.

Tomasalitaan pusag (pangngalan) – ang malikot na paglangoy ng mga isda sa tubig.

Hal.: Sa tuwing pinagmamasdan ko ang pusag ng mga maliliit na isda sa loob ng salaming ito, bumabalik ang pagnanais kong mamuhay nang simple karatig ang karagatan.

Mga Sanggunian TOTAL Awards 2016 The Varsitarian Tomo VIII Blg. 8, Abril 16, 1934; 1933-1940, p.207

4 Opinion

JULY 14, 2017

Editorial

Shadow plays in the CSC CERTAIN forces have been working behind the scenes in the past several weeks to overturn the results of the April Central Student Council (CSC) elections, in which only two candidates were proclaimed winners because of overwhelming abstentions.

One of the appellants is Steven Grecia of Lakas Tomasino Coalition, the lone presidential candidate who lost to “abstain” votes.

Grecia, a medical technology student, raised legal arguments, chiefly that abstain votes are essentially nonvotes or stray votes and should thus be discarded. In other words, because he ran unopposed, he needed only one vote to become president of the CSC Executive Board.

Grecia, however, was well within his rights to question the results before the UST Central Commission on Elections (Comelec), and he is to be admired for his guts amid the flak he had received on social media.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the CSC Central Board, the council’s legislative branch composed of college-based student council presidents.

In the first week of June, the Central Board called on the Central Comelec to hold another round of polls, and accused officials of the poll body of “gross negligence” and “miserably [failing] to fulfill their mandate to conduct a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, credible and democratic elections.”

It “most respectfully prayed, after notice and hearing, that all the votes cast last April 18 to 21, 2017 be declared null and void.”

It’s shocking in itself for students to learn that such complaint existed from leaks and murmurs, and that the Central Board, a co-equal branch of the CSC and thus an accountable body, practically had to be begged by the campus press for a confirmation, if not a copy of its petition.

It’s shocking for many to find out that this complaint had advanced to the Central Judiciary Board for final judgment (and for some, to discover that such a body even exists). Who are the members of this judiciary board? Where are its rulings? Where are the notices of hearings? Does it have a bulletin board?

It’s shocking, the lack of transparency. Do the people behind this complaint really think the outcome, any outcome, of this surreptitious process will be acceptable to Thomasian voters?

Let us turn to the legal issues raised. First, that abstain votes are non-votes and should be set aside.

Grecia himself pointed out that the student election code is silent on how abstentions are to be treated by the Central Comelec.

It is precisely because the code is silent that the Central Comelec stuck to its established practices and Editorial PAGE 5

FOUNDED JAN. 16, 1928 KATHRYN JEDI V. BAYLON Editor in Chief BERNADETTE A. PAMINTUAN Managing Editor PAUL XAVIER JAEHWA C. BERNARDO Associate Editor ALHEX ADREA M. PERALTA News 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

Failure isn’t losing AS WE grow up, we try to make a plan regarding where we are headed in life. We set goals, we make timelines and we visualize ourselves as professionals in our chosen fields.

Despite all of the planning, there will always be a certain dream we wish we could have fulfilled.

Mine was becoming a professional basketball player.

Summer before my first year in the University, I tried out for the Growling Tigers. Yes, the Growling Tigers.

Even though I had no prior varsity basketball experience in high school and barely joined any barangay leagues, I thought I should at least try. To no one’s surprise, I failed. I was too slow, too physically unfit and I was a hundred steps behind in terms of skill and talent.

Why am I writing about a failed dream?

Because failing is better than not trying at all.

Before the tryout, I knew it was improbable that I

Angelicum FROM PAGE 1 provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines.

“This is going to be supervised by the UST Board of Trustees so… most of the decisions will be made by the University of Santo Tomas representatives,” Sipalay told the Varsitarian.

Former Angelicum Rector Fr. Ferdinand Bautista, O.P. will serve as chief operating officer of UST Angelicum.

Founded in 1972 by Fr. Rogelio Alarcón, O.P., Angelicum is known for its “Non-Grade System of Education,” which does not

Crisis management

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.

could crack the Team B, much more the Team A. But how would I know if I didn’t give it a shot?

We are always afraid to fail that we are already failing ourselves for eluding the opportunity of growth.

After not getting a callback, I realized I was better off at the sidelines, writing about sports.

My failure led me to an endeavor that has opened a lot of doors for me in my chosen profession and in life itself. Although I was not the one shooting the ball, defending the opponent’s best player or hitting the biggest shot, I

feel the same adrenaline even if I was just sitting in the bleachers, jotting down scores and taking notes of the important moments of the game.

Our failures help us become the people we are today. There are a lot of opportunities that life offers but we try to avoid them, scared of being rejected or turned down. Just imagine if we only experience triumph and winning, what would become of us?

After four years in the University, I learned that getting out of your comfort zone is a great way to progress as a person. I

learned that it is okay to make mistakes because all of us falter in our own ways. It is just a matter of perspective if we let our failures consume us or motivate us.

To Mama and Papa, thank you for everything you have done for us. I still cannot understand how both of you make ends meet; I guess it is just a skill that every parent masters when they have a child to put through college.

To Mommy Mila and Tita Delma, thank you for providing a caring home when I am far away from my original one.

To Czarina, thank you for being my rock. Thank you for always pushing me to do better.

To the Sports team, thank you all for letting me guide you this publication year. I learned a lot from all of you.

To the V, I am forever grateful for the things I never thought I would learn or experience. Thank you for being my home for the past three years.

follow a comparative or competitive marking system and allows students to move through the curriculum in flexible arrangements.

Sipalay said Angelicum would still keep its signature “non-graded” approach to education.

“The direction is this will become UST, having a campus in Quezon City,” Sipalay said.

The integration involves supervising UST Angelicum in terms of curriculum, traditions and program offerings after these are finalized by the new Board of Trustees, Sipalay added.

decided to integrate all its schools into two “educational traditions ”: the UST tradition and the Letran tradition.

The Letran colleges have completed their integration with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, founded 1620, as the flagship campus.

For the UST tradition, Angelicum School in Iloilo City is next to be integrated with UST, Sipalay said.

In December 2016, Dagohoy approved the renaming of Aquinas University of Legazpi to UST Legazpi after the decision was made by the UST Council of Regents.

Aquinas’ change of name is expected to take effect in Academic

Year 2017 to 2018, after the Securities and Exchange Commission, the government agency that supervises corporations, approves it.

The pharmacy and medical technology programs of Aquinas will be supervised by the University. Aquinas however will maintain its fiscal independence and administration.

The UST integration plan will also include UST’s future satellite campuses in Santa Rosa, Laguna and in General Santos City.

The integration of Dominican schools was discussed in the 11th Chapter of the Dominican Province of the Philippines in October 2016.

kasi ‘yong field of expertise ng stakeholders such as the Metro Manila Development Authority, Bureau of Fire Protection, Red Cross Central are gravely needed for safety inside the campus,” he said.

Aside from insufficient disaster management trainings in dealing with fire and earthquakes, the University incident commanders also admitted to being unaware of protocols

on bombing and shooting incidents.

UST Central Library incident commander Estrella Majuelo said trainings on such incidents were “not enough” for personnel and faculty members to undertake safety measures.

Majuelo, who is also the chief librarian, said trainings were needed to help the crisis management personnel understand their functions.

One order, two systems In 2016, the Dominican Order in the Philippines

FROM PAGE 8

in commercial [activities] and the safety of the college to occupy the building is at risk.”

“ F a s t - f o o d establishments and restaurants all use gas to cook.

I have to be true and say that it is very scary,” Toribio said.

“Students should be removed from this building because it is not safe. The building’s purpose was concentrated

Outsiders needed Toribio said government personnel should be included in the University’s incident command system to obtain more insights in emergency response.

“Kailangan din [nating] humingi ng tulong sa labas

FELIPE F. SALVOSA II Assistant Publications Adviser JOSELITO B. ZULUETA Publications Adviser

It is just a matter of perspective if we let our failures consume us or motivate us.

JULY 14, 2017

UST spells second chances “I’D BE surprised if you graduate on time, Gabe.”

Our high school principal, a nun, smirked at my father and I as we discussed the sanctions for the offenses I committed. I was in my last year in high school, fearing the possibility of expulsion because my grades in conduct were below 70 for the entire school year.

In the end, I was suspended for a week.

My father and I left school with my head hanging in shame and despair. My father noticed my gloomy face and grabbed my left shoulder and gave it a hard squeeze.

“Huwag ka mag-alala.

Nag-hihintay ang UST sa’yo,” he told me.

Before that meeting, I already submitted my requirements in UST hoping to make the cut. Of course, it’s absurd to think that one of the most sought-after universities in the country was waiting for someone like me. But my father, who is a Thomasian alumnus, believed I could make it.

My high school life was a mess, I admit. It was all computer games, basketball, fights, and other things Bart

Tuition FROM PAGE 2

pay an additional P207, at the new rate of P2,280; while those who will enroll in the National Service Training Program (NSTP) will pay an additional P146 at the new rate of P2,219.

The Community Service fee also went up

by P50 to P200, while the Special Development

Bar exams FROM PAGE 1

basis of bar performance alone is that it will reinforce the notion that a law school should be fixated with the bar exams,” Largo said in an email to the Varsitarian.

Four students of USC landed in the top 10 list of examinees, with its own graduate Karen Calam besting 6,344 bar passers with a grade of 89.05 percent.

QS Rankings FROM PAGE 1

lower ranking in the recent QS survey was the slow process of publishing research articles by faculty members.

“I was forced to publish outside because mabagal ‘yong publication process. We look for other avenues so I go outside and offer my publication. In my case, ‘yong isang paper kong inoffer dito, ang tagal [ng waiting] whereas in the same period, I could offer two articles abroad,” he said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

De Viana also said the University should reduce the teaching units taken by the faculty members to

The people who make the most out of their second chances and succeed are the ones who rarely fall again because they know how it feels like to be at the lowest of lows.

Simpson could think of doing.

Still, I graduated on time.

When I went up on stage to get my diploma, my principal did not smile at me. But I smiled at her just the same. From that moment I knew my second chance at life was about to start.

My first year in college was great. I got the chance to meet other students from different schools. I made new friends. I had the opportunity to know different opinions about certain issues. My block was really diverse in terms of thinking.

But I knew I had to make the most of it in college. It is not just all fun and games. So I told myself to get serious and did what I never did before. I studied, jotted down notes, and worked on all my

assignments. Well, most of them anyway.

After my sophomore year, I had this thirst of wanting to be better. I became ambitious. I was not satisfied with only studying and going out with my friends. I wanted something more. I wanted to do something besides going to school.

I joined the University’s official student publication in 2015. I became a writer for a respectable campus paper, and later became an editor.

Before entering college, I never though of being entrusted with a position full of responsibilities. Neither did I believe of holding one.

To those who are still in their early college years thinking that college sucks, think again.

fee increased by P250 to P1,750. An increase in the library fee was also implemented.

“Ang may increase sa miscellaneous `yong library lang kasi mataas ang [maintenance value]… tayo daw kasi nadedehado sa library. May justification iyan bago magtaas,” Corpuz said.

Other fees that increased were for learning systems management, student activity fees and local student council fees,

which vary across colleges.

Other bar topnotchers were graduates from Siliman University, Andres Bonifacio College, University of San Agustin, Ateneo de Davao University, Northwestern University and University of Batangas.

With no Manila-based law schools securing a spot in the top 2016 bar exam passers, Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina said the best bar reviewers in Manila could have helped regional law schools excel in the bar exams.

“Many of the [best] bar reviewers I know have maximize their research capabilities.

“The University should invest on the research capabilities of the faculty by reducing the loads…If UST wants to [be] a research university, there should be more incentives for faculty members,” he said.

Research output by faculty members is one of the factors in determining an institution’s academic reputation, which composes 40 percent of the score based on QS criteria.

Four stars QS said all four Philippine universities enjoy a high reputation among employers.

“Notably, all Filipino universities rise in the employer reputation indicator, with University

Things might be a little chaotic and complicated for now probably because of failed subjects and unfinished requirements.

But there’s such a thing as second chance. The people who make the most out of their second chances and succeed are the ones who rarely fall again because they know how it feels like to be at the lowest of lows.

I would like to thank God, first and foremost, for giving me second chances more than I deserve.

To my parents, sisters and relatives who have helped me financially, I’d like to thank you to from the bottom of my heart. Your patience with my past nonsense is amazing, considering my attitude toward you.

This gratitude also goes out to my friends, who also had to deal with my annoying behavior from time to time.

UST will always be my second home; it gave me a chance to invigorate and prove myself; it helped me prepare in dealing with the real world and the people I will meet in the future; and last but not the least, it taught me how to be rational. I will always love UST.

Opinion 5

Editorial FROM PAGE 4 refused to proclaim winners for posts where abstain “won.”

The poll body cannot be faulted for this. The right thing to do is to amend the election code, not to hand over CSC posts to losing candidates on a silver platter.

Second, the call for special elections. According to the election code, there are only two valid circumstances allowing special elections: a failure of election or a vacancy in the council.

“Failure” is supposed to be due to “violence, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, etc. … If for any reason, less than 25 percent of the voting population cast their votes…”

But there was no failure of election! Everyone knows this. Voter turnout was at 66 percent, unheard of in other campuses.

As for the vacancies, the rules of succession apply, as in previous years. And the Central Comelec has set in motion the succession process, only to be stymied by the Central Board, which incidentally, is packed by Grecia’s comembers in Lakas Tomasino.

Instead of working in the shadows, Lakas Tomasino should be starting the process of looking for better and more acceptable candidates for next year’s polls.

Attempts to overturn the results of the CSC elections should be vigorously opposed because the process is questionable and, more importantly, because these efforts, if successful, would be injurious, iniquitous and unjust to the interests of the Thomasian electorate.

Let us be clear. The results of the CSC elections were in protest of the poor quality of candidates inflicted upon the student body. Thomasians want student-leaders who are articulate, knowledgeable and capable of representing their interests in and out of UST. If this is at the cost of nonrepresentation for a year, then so be it.

Corpuz said CHEd approval was still important so the commission would be informed of the University’s tuition increase.

In a chance interview with the Varsitarian last March 7, Dagohoy said 70 percent of the proposed hike would go to salary increases for faculty members and University personnel.

By law, 70 percent of tuition increases must go to salaries, wages, allowances, and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching

personnel; while 20 percent to the improvement or modernization of buildings, equipment, libraries, laboratories, and similar facilities, and payment for other operational costs. The remaining 10 percent represents return of investments for higher educational institutions if they are stock corporations.

Otherwise, it must be used for operations.

The University did not hike tuition last academic year despite the tight

competition for enrollees among universities in the first year of the K to 12 transition.

In 2015, the administration implemented a 2.5- to 5.3-percent tuition hike and increases in library, Physical Education, NSTP and ROTC fees.

Santos said the administrators should explain the detailed distribution of fees to students before implementing tuition increase.

lectured for [UST] and have conducted lectures in the province so that might be one of the reasons why no Manila school topped the bar exam,” Divina told the Varsitarian.

Despite falling short in securing a spot in the top 10, UST achieved the highest bar passing rate “in recent memory.” UST recorded a 96.25-passing rate with 77 Thomasians passing the exam out of 80 first-time Thomasian bar examinees.

UST’s last bar topnotcher was Christian Louie Gonzales who placed

fifth with a score of 84.09 percent in 2011.

Divina said bar examinees were provided with cases from the bar examination committee chairman, Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. “They were bombarded with cases to read.

Fortunately, many of those phoenicia were asked in the bar. We were very lucky that the materials we prepared became the basis of some bar examinations which helped the bar examinees tremendously,” Divina said.

‘English proficiency’ English professors urged law students to take additional courses in English to boost their performance in bar exams.

Camilla Vizconde, head of the UST English Department, said a course offering called “English for Lawyers” was developed in 2015 to equip law students in the University with linguistic and communication skills.

“We have always considered providing a course in developing the proficiency of the law

students in English,” Vizconde said.

Vizconde said other factors must also be considered, such as the contents and the types of tests of the bar exams.

Rachel Lintao, who initiated the English for Lawyers course, described it as an “interconnection between language and law.”

“Language seems to create the law and it is through language that lawyers themselves argue about the law,” said Lintao, a faculty member in the English Department

of the Philippines now ranking 191st globally in this important indicator,” said Ben Sowter, head of the QS Intelligence Unit, in a statement.

UST is still the only university in the country accredited by QS with a four-star rating.

According to the QS Top Universities website, a university with a four-star rating is “highly international, demonstrating excellence in both research and teaching, and provides an excellent environment for students and faculty.”

The University recorded a perfect five-star rating in employability, facilities, social responsibility and inclusiveness.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was named the best university in the world, followed by fellow American institutions Stanford University and Harvard University.

Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University is the leading Asian university, ranking 11th, an improvement from last year ’s 12th place.

Besides academic reputation, the QS world rankings are based on five other factors: employer reputation (10 percent), faculty/student ratio (20 percent), citations per faculty (20 percent), international faculty ratio (five percent) and international student ratio (five percent). ROY

UST Singers

Cuban composer Guido Gavilian.

The UST Singers notched first place in the elimination round with 97 points. “[The] training was extensive and rigorous… It felt so powerful to realize your success was rewarded because of hard work, faith, prayer, and determination,” Calalang said in an online interview.

The four-day competition in Austria was part of the UST Singers’ itinerary in their 32nd International Concert Tour held in celebration of their 25th year.

It began last June 7 and will end on July 14.

Aside from Austria, the group will also visit Germany and Switzerland.

The UST Singers gained worldwide recognition after winning the Choir of the World title or the Pavarotti Prize in 1995 and 2010. DAPHNE YANN

CHEd approval In a letter addressed to the Rector, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) approved the tuition hike last May 30.

CHEd Memorandum Order 19 series of 2016 however allows the University, as an autonomous higher education institution, to increase tuition even without the commission’s permission.

MIT still No. 1

ABRAHMN D.R. NARRA

FROM PAGE 1

Niederosterreich winner after besting 10 other international chorales in the competition, which took place last June 22 to 25.

With founder Fidel Calalang Jr. at the helm, the UST Singers belted soulful performances of German composer Johann Kunau’s “Tristis est Anima Mea,” Lithuanian musician Vytautas Barkauskas’s “Stabat Mater” and Dan Forrest’s “Entreat me Not To Leave You” in the final round.

The group also won the Best Interpretation award under the category of Classic or Romantic piece with their rendition of “La Apporumbeosis,” a harmonic combination of classical and rumba music by contemporary

B. GALVEZ

6 Features

MAY 27, 2017

Features 7

JULY 14, 2017

How Batch 2017 valedictorian paved his way on top

By ALYSSA CARMINA A. GONZALES

“

You have to look ahead because there’s a goal waiting for you and every time, you need to constantly remind yourself of that goal.

IT’S MIDNIGHT but books remained scattered across the desk, each page filled with highlights and post-its. This was how Neill Cachuela described his usual grind— his study routine.

Cachuela, who graduated last May 31 with a degree in medical technology, emerged as the valedictorian for Batch 2017. His general weighted average of 1.059 was the highest in the past five years.

Cachuela was also a recipient of the Rector’s Academic Award, UST’s highest academic excellence award.

“My goal before was just to do my best and maintain my scholarship. For me, ‘yong naging number one ako, it’s just a bonus. I just didn’t want to have regrets, so I gave my best effort,” Cachuela said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

Cachuela initially thought of studying in his native General Santos after graduating high school, but an opportunity for high school valedictorians like himself awaited in Manila.

“I think I have the ability to do more, so I would not limit myself just to pass the scholarship, just to pass the exam, na parang half-baked lang ‘yong outcome,” he said.

When Cachuela first came to Manila, he struggled with culture shock and homesickness.

“They have given me tips beforehand that in Manila, there are adjustments I’d have to make – iba ‘yong culture, iba

”

Neill Steven Cachuela Valedictorian, Batch 2017

Valedictorian PAGE 10

CFAD theses FROM PAGE 2 understanding of the study,” he said.

Victoria Clyde Tabuena’s sculpture “Root of Tenacity: Children’s Behavior Despite the Trauma Acquired in a Rebel Attack” dealt with terrorism. It depicted a child encapsulated inside a bullet,

Bascon’s thesis

sleeping soundly as flower petals shroud its head and leaves bed its feet.

A combination of 3D and relief sculpture, Tabuena used cement for the external part of the sculpture and air-dry clay and acrylic emulsion for the internal part to ensure its compact placement.

Tabuena said the concept of “Root of Tenacity” was inspired by actual events. She recalled the story when she and her mother went to went to a medical mission in a remote area

Vicarez’s thesis

and encountered a classroom stamped with several gunshots. She later learned that the room was prior attacked by terrorists while classes were still ongoing.

“It’s (terrorism) always on the news. [That’s why] I wanted to address [the] issue through my thesis and how it affects a human’s life,” Tabuena said in an interview.

“Tikbalang: Reintroduction of a Philippine Mythical Creature Through Metal Wires” is Roland Joshua Bascon’s contribution to the growing movement of mythologyinspired outputs among art students.

Inspired from modern Filipino sculptor Solomon Saprid’s bronze sculptures, Bascon used 15 pieces of 20-feet square bars to build the framework. The pieces were cut and welded together as foundation to the framework’s strength.

He covered the sculpture with metal wires, Basinang’s thesis

a nod to United Kingdom-based artist Richard Staintorph’s style in creating metal sculptures that capture the movements of the human body.

Derived from the stories handed down by the ancestors, Bascon used metal to define the combination of heritage and the usage of modern materials.

“I found mythologies interesting,” Bascon said. “I’ve also observed that some Filipinos today have forgotten [about Philippine mythology] so I was inspired to create something that can contribute to prevent our culture to die.”

The Painting program has a total of seven Outstanding Theses awardees this year.

The best theses from the Advertising Arts program also produced noteworthy themes, ranging from rebranding, cultural attributions and production design.

Varsitarian artist Chinny Mae Basinang bagged the best thesis award for her proposed animation upgrade of the 2008 Filipino animated film “Urduja.”

‘Call center boy’ inspires with tough college journey

By DAPHNE YANN B. GALVEZ A UST graduate’s Facebook post has gone viral for all the right reasons.

Hard work paid off for Erald Pecson, 23 , who spent seven years in college.

His parents unable to send him to school, Pecson worked as a call center agent for pay his tuition.

He earned a degree in secondary education and is now teaching at San Beda College in Manila.

Pecson recounted his journey in a June 3 post that has garnerned more than 40,000 likes and has been shared more than 6,300 times.

The post mentioned no

regrets, only optimism and gratitude from someone who had to go through so much hardship.

“Ito na talaga! After seven years! Ga-graduate na and call center boy!” Pecson wrote.

Addressing his mom Erlisa and dad Eduardo, he wrote: “Tandaan niyo na hindi sumama loob ko noong sinabi niyong hindi niyo na ako kayang pagaralin.”

Pecson said he was proud despite taking that long to finish college. “Natutunan ko pa lalong bigyan halaga ang edukasyon, lalo na sa bulsa ko galing ang pangtuition ko. Masasabi kong proud ako dahil sa kabila ng pagiging working student ay

mataas pa din na grado na aking nakukuha, at nagamit ko ang aking karanasan upang magbigay inspirasyon sa mga kaibigan at mga mag-aaral ko,” he said.

Pecson began working at 18 when told his parent could no longer afford to send him to school.

He landed a job at a call center company, working the night shift. This meant usually going straight to his morning classes with very little sleep.

“Medyo struggle sa ‘kin kasi buong gabi ang trabaho tapos umaga naman ang pasok Call center PAGE 10

Basinang said the film had numerous gaps when it comes to design and technicalities.

“The study is made to promote original Filipino content,” she said. “It will benefit the Philippine animation industry because it will help increase awareness of people towards the animated films in the country to get the people’s interest and support they need.”

In the thesis, the film had more intricate details centered on Filipino culture like the native tattoos and traditional Filipino patterns to “better reflect the pre-Hispanic Philippine culture in the characters.”

For Bradd Maesa, reformulating design elements of the “The Umbrella Academy” by American rock band My Chemical Romance vocalist Gerard Way is his way to reawaken the story’s activity as a comic series to reach the same recognition the Marvel Universe and DC Comics currently has.

Students who received a perfect grade of 100 for their work are awarded the title of best thesis while a grade of 96 to 99 is given an outstanding thesis merit.

8 Special Reports

Editor: Lea Mat P. Vicencio

JULY 14, 2017

‘UST at risk with lack of crisis management’

By MA. ANGELA CHRISTA COLOMA and NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS INADEQUATE crisis management training may place the University at risk in the event of a bombing, an earthquake, or even a lone-wolf attack like that at the Resorts World Manila last June, campus emergency responders have bared.

Mark Lester Toribio, UST-AMV College of Accountancy incident commander, said there was a dire need to conduct regular trainings for all the people responsible for emergency response.

“If the University permits, we should conduct [the trainings] once a month because as we know there are so many incidents happening right now in the Philippines. It is unknown to everyone when these will strike,” Toribio told the Varsitarian.

Fredeswindo Medina, incident commander of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, admitted that the University still lacks disaster preparedness.

He said there should be more trainings and drills especially after recent earthquakes in the country.

The University conducts drills twice per semester. It also complies with city and region-wide drills such as the Metro Manila Shake Drill of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Arturo Patungan, incident commander of the College of Commerce and Business Administration, suggested that all faculty members be trained to aid in cases of emergency. There must be at least 10 members in a local crisis management team, he said.

“Ang kulang natin is culture of awareness. When we’re conducting a drill, we’re trying to inculcate the culture of being ready,” Patungan said.

An earthquake with Level 3 intensity was felt in the University last April 8. Following the quake, four people were rushed to the UST Health Service because of panic attacks.

Facilities lacking, quality check needed Local incident commanders noted the lack of evacuation aids or materials in their assigned areas.

Patungan said Commerce, which occupies three floors of the St. Raymund de Peñafort building, does not have spinal boards that can be used to transport casualties. There

are also not enough two-way radios, he said.

“Ideally there should be two spinal boards on both sides of every floor,” said Patungan, who is also the adviser of Commerce’s Red Cross unit.

Raymond Anselmo, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics incident commander, said classrooms in the Quadricentennial Pavilion do not have public address speakers

that can be used to announce evacuation procedures.

Toribio said the UST-AMV building, which also houses the University’s multideck car park and several food establishments on the first two floors, is at risk of gas explosions.

Senior High School students crouch low in the UST field after an earthquake last April 8.

Crisis management PAGE 4

DEEJAE S. DUMLAO

Dedicated crisis mgmt office needed, says emergency official

By MA. CONSUELO DP. MARQUEZ and NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS ESTABLISHING a crisis management office in UST is essential to improving disaster preparedness for impending natural hazards, an emergency training professional said.

Juliano Parena Jr., emergency training officer at the Fire Emergency Assistance Group – a non-profit emergency and rescue unit based in Metro Manila – called on University officials to form a dedicated crisis management office to unify the local Incident

Command System (ICS) and the existing crisis management committee into one unit.

“If there is nobody looking at and evaluating our emergency measures, then we’d be caught unprepared. We need an office that regularly evaluates and tells us that our procedures are not good,” Parena told the Varsitarian.

Developed in the United States, the ICS is a standardized approach to the command, control and coordination of emergency response. The ICS also provides responders and emergency personnel a systematized hierarchy.

Parena, who teaches applied math in the College of Science, admitted that the incident commanders get confused on who is going to take charge when disasters arise, saying they are “still professors and are still under their college officials.”

“We can’t give the order to evacuate our building once a disaster happens because we still have our college administrators…

That is why we need to create the office, to authorize incident commanders to take charge of the emergency and evacuation,” he said.

Interviews conducted by the Varsitarian showed that majority of the University’s incident commanders want to have an institutionalized crisis management office.

Parena said the establishment of the crisis management office would be expensive, but would reduce casualties and damage to structures in UST. “It is a good investment because the cost of not having one (crisis management office) would effect a bigger cost when a crisis or a disaster strikes the University and we are not well-prepared,” he said.

Parena added that without a proper and functioning office for

crisis management, the University might take time to recover from damage to its structures.

‘Irregular drills and rare meetings’ Parena said the drills conducted in the University were irregular. Incident commanders rarely meet with the crisis management committee.

However, Crisis Management Committee Chairman Fr. Roland Castro, O.P. said meetings with other committee members and heads were on hold due to conflicts in their schedules.

“We are always in touch and hopefully, nothing untoward will happen until the end of the school year,” Castro said in a chance interview.

UST Security Chief Joseph Badinas said members of the central and local committees of the crisis management unit were prepared for disasters.

“I am not sure on how frequent the [crisis management committee] selects its members but the structure is still existing. The structure is still working during times of calamity,” said Badinas, crisis management committee chairman for security.

The University Crisis Management Committee was put up under the UST crisis management manual crafted in 2007. The heads of the committee are the vice rector for finance and the director of the Office for Student Affairs (OSA).

Other officers of the crisis management committee are to be appointed from the Office of the Secretary General, Facilities Management Office, Human Resource Department, Purchasing Office, Public Affairs Office, UST Health Service, Simbahayan Community Development Office, Safety and Security Office, Santisimo Rosario Parish and UST Hospital.

They are supposed to take charge of first aid, search and rescue, salvage and recovery, logistics, communication and transportation.

Drafting of the manual was initiated by then vice rector for finance Fr. Manuel Roux, O.P., who served as chief incident commander, and former OSA director Evelyn Songco, who served as deputy incident commander.

The University’s own ICS was established in 2013. Colleges and buildings were each assigned an incident commander chosen by their respective directors and deans.

The manual has procedures on disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, fire and bomb threats.

‘Dysfunctional procedures’ Citing the Level 3 intensity earthquake that was felt in the University last April 8, Parena said students could have been in danger because of a dysfunctional chain of command.

“They are not supposed to exit the building, they have to do the ‘duck, cover and hold’ drill first. Plus the classes had been disrupted for the whole day, and the problem was, no one was claiming responsibility for the evacuation command,” he said.

“Monthly rounds should be conducted in the buildings to ensure that people in charge of the building are still maintaining facilities and protocols, and this should be warranted by the said institutionalized crisis management office” he added.

Castro said the local committees along with the UST Red Cross have their own protocols for earthquakes.

“They were able to manage calmly and peacefully because they have already their own protocols as far as earthquakes are concerned,” he said.

Editor: John Gabriel M. Agcaoili

Witness 9

JULY 14, 2017

Student leaders and religious delegates pose for a photo on the second day of Angat Kabataan 2017 Peace Camp last June 1 at Pampanga State Agricultural University.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ASB PHOTOGRAPHY

Angat Kabataan 2017: ‘Unity in Diversity’

By JOHN GABRIEL M. AGCAOILI MAGALANG, PAMPANGA – YOUNG students from across the country pricked up their ears with curiosity and listened to their fellow youth participant who was speaking in front of them with pleading eyes and shaking hands.

The participant, a young Muslim from Sarangawi, barely held the microphone straight due to anxiety as he urged his fellow students for impartiality for his faith and people.

“Huwag niyo po sana husgahan ang lahat ng mga Muslim dahil sa nangyayari sa Marawi. ‘Yong mga nasa Marawi, hindi sila mga totoong Muslim dahil ang mga totoong Muslim ay naniniwala sa kapayapaan.”

The rest of the delegates applauded and some of them

got up to shake his still shaking hands. It was the opening of the annual heritage advocacy assembly, Angat Kabataan Camp (AKC), last May 31 at the Pampanga State Agricultural University.

Fr. Harold Rentoria, O.S.A., AKC founder and National Commission for Culture and the Arts commissioner, said this year marked the first time youths from outside the Catholic faith participated in the AKC. He described it as “what God wanted for humanity during creation.”

“When we’re together, when we respect one another, God is there. Hindi hadlang `yong relihiyon o kultura to be friends with each other,” the 44 year-old Augustinian priest said.

This message comes amid crisis in Mindanao after the Maute terrorist group attacked the Muslim-majority city of

Marawi. The conflict has led to the deaths of more than 300 people.

A woman wearing a Muslim veil was also enjoying the scenery from the back of the room. She said young people of various faiths and cultures should learn to conduct dialogues rather than start conflicts.

“Bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang bawat isa na pakinggan ang mga hinaing.

Ano ang kanilang background at ano ang kanilang sentimiyento,” lawyer Amirah Pendatun of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos said.

Dialogue, not conflict Jasmin Nario Galace, facilitator of the AKC 2017 and head of Center for Peace and Education in Miriam College, said the camp showed promise in promoting peace among various

faiths and traditions.

“I am impressed with the participants. The diversity here is real. We have Aetas, Moslems, Christians and Buddhists. I was a little worried about the diversity but I was wrong. We have met the objectives we have set for ourselves so far,” the professor said.

UST Advertising Arts senior Kate Diomampo said Thomasians have a vital role not only in their own communities but in the country as well.

“Don’t just react, act.

Kumilos ka. Don’t just hear, listen. `Wag mo lang padaanin sa tenga mo yung mga sinasabi ng mga ibang tao. Don’t be just silent – speak. May mga tao na ngang pinapatahimik, pati ba naman ikaw mananahimik?” she said.

Technology and Livelihood Education student Ruth Castillo urged Thomasians to learn to

verify information regarding different religions and cultures. “‘Yong mga natatangap nating information i-verify muna natin bago natin i-judge na kaagad kasi hindi natin alam gaano ka-powerful `yong words natin to hurt other people,” Castillo said.

Student participants were composed of delegates from Colegio San Juan de Letran Manaoag, and Fo Guang Shan Manila. Aeta students from Mary the Queen College in Pampanga also participated and performed a tribal dance.

Delegates from Cebu, General Santos City and Sarangani also attended the assembly.

The AKC, now on its ninth year, was held in line with National Heritage Month. It was held in 2009 in Cebu and Bohol; 2010 in Albay; 2012 in Iloilo; 2014 in Albay anew.

Benedictine nun challenges Church stance vs Reproductive Health Law A MEMBER of a Catholic religious order is speaking publicly against the teachings of the Church, siding with the government on the implementation of the Reproductive Health (RH) Act of 2012, a law that guarantees “universal access to contraception, fertility control, sexual education and maternal care.”

Sr. Mary John Mananzan, activist and former president of St. Scholastica’s College in Manila, said the RH law is also for the non-Christians.

“We have Muslims, Protestants and others.

Why [should we] deprive them who don’t have any problem with it? Laws in the Philippines should be for all,” Mananzan told the Varsitarian in an interview.

She claimed the RH law was “pro-life,” saying it could contribute to women’s health and save lives by reducing maternal and infant mortality.

Mananzan said her research had found that 80 percent of Filipino Catholics used contraceptives.

The Benedictine nun believes the RH law can address the growing population, which she considers a threat to both the economy and ecology.

“It is [part of our] responsibility to see to it that people live with a certain quality of life. If we have so much respect for an unborn, there should be respect for those who are born,” Mananzan added.

Mananzan’s views starkly contrasted with those of the late Good Shepherd nun, Sr. Mary Pilar Verzosa, who founded Pro-Life Philippines Foundation and staunchly opposed RH policies.

Verzosa’s group counseled women in crisis pregnancies and championed natural family planning methods sanctioned by the Church.

The RH Law was signed by the Ateneoeducated former president Benigno Aquino III

in December 2012 after being rammed through Congress by his allies, despite strong opposition from the Church and pro-life groups.

Beyond religious reasoning In 2015, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the Department of Health’s distribution of “Implanon” and “Implanon NXT,” contraceptive implants believed to be abortifacients.

This happened after the Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines filed a complaint before the Supreme Court, urging it to compel drug regulators to comply with an earlier court order to hold public hearings and observe due process in the certification or recertification of contraceptives.

Among the petitioners was Rizalito David, a Catholic and a father of three children. David said the Church has empirical basis for its stance against the RH law. “[Contraceptives] cause cancer. By using it, you produce undifferentiated cells, which also develop breast cancer among women. It is a killer but the government doesn’t say its possible side effects,” David told the Varsitarian.

Hormonal contraceptives are considered “Group 1” carcinogens by the cancer research unit of the World Health Organization, amid studies linking birth control pills to cancer.

A broadcaster for the Catholic radio station Radyo Veritas, David said hormonal contraceptives are not 100-percent reliable in preventing the fertilization of the egg and sperm, and could still result in “breakthrough ovulation.”

Pills have three mechanisms of action: prevention of ovulation, thickening of the cervical mucus to make it impenetrable by the sperm, and

Sr. Mary John Mananzan

PHOTO COURTESY OF GLOBALSISTERSREPORT.ORG

last, damaging of the endometrium (linings in the uterus) to make it unwelcoming to the fertilized egg – a mechanism that inhibits implantation and thus makes even ordinary birth control pills potentially abortifacients.

“With these practices, we are killing human society. And then you add up same-sex marriage, legalization of abortion. Humans will swiftly diminish,” he said.

David, who also serves as executive director of Pro-Life Philippines, said overpopulation is

often “overlooked” as an advantage.

“Most of our population consists of the youth, who are in the productive age. We can cultivate and use that manpower for our economic development,” he said.

David downplayed Mananzan’s claim that overpopulation is an “ecological problem.”

“Ecological problem due to overpopulation can be managed well by simply equally distributing the wealth of society,” David argued.

JOEL SEBASTIAN D. CRISTOBAL

10 Limelight

Art Director: Kirsten M. Jamilla

JULY 14, 2017

TOMALINO BY SHAINA MAE L. SANTANDER

BUHAY TOMASINO BY JUAN MIGUEL M. SORIANO

TOTOY N BY SELDON MAY T. TAGAO

Valedictorian FROM PAGE 7 ‘yong traffic, iba ‘yong food,” said Cachuela.

“I try not to think too much about [the distance] so ang challenge sa akin doon is ‘yong pakikisalamuha ko with other people,” he added.

Cachuela owed his dorm-mates for helping him adjust in his new environment.

Call center FROM PAGE 7

sa school. ‘Yong tulog ko two to three hours lang. Pagpasok ko ng klase, wala nang pumapasok sa utak ko,” he said.

Beside that, he had to worry constantly about money. Often times he would go to the vice rector for finance for promissory notes.

He also sold some of his belongings, including a watch given by his uncle.

“Naghahanap ako ng uutangan para lang makapagbayad ng tuition.

Tuwing finals, wala akong test

Dota 2 FROM PAGE 11 P10,000 coming from interschool eliminations and P25,000 coming from the intercollegiate competition.

Cabangon said they are planning to ditch “Kangkong” as their team name to make the squad sound more serious and to gain more support.

Amid the misconception that computer gaming gets in the way of academics, Cabangon said the team prioritizes “acads before lakads” and makes sure to separate time for Dota 2 and studies.

Struggles The 19-year-old Cachuela might have graduated with flying colors, but he admitted that getting on top was not an easy climb.

Cachuela allotted more time for studying but made sure to attend social gatherings, which he considered as rewards for his hardships after examinations. “[We all] have that study habit that celebrations would come after the practical examinations or any major activities,” said Cachuela.

“So I enjoy every social activity like a celebration for what we have

done for the past few days.”

Despite his perseverance, Cachuela bared that he was no stranger to pressure and the occasional breakdowns.

His fear of losing his Santo Tomas academic scholarship barred him from joining organizations and extra-curricular activities.

But that does not mean that Cachuela does not engage in leisure activities.

“If wala naman talagang quiz or exams so wala akong iisipin, ayoko ma-burn out na aral pa rin kahit wala naman gagawin,”

Cachuela said. “It’s up to you to make time for other things – what come’s first, what comes next and how you would juggle all of those things all at the same time.”

permit kasi ‘yong kinikita ko pinangbabayad ko lang din sa mga utang ko,” he said.

“Kung hindi ko rin tutulungan sarili ko, hindi talaga ako makakatapos ng pagaaral. Hindi na ako umaasa natutulungan ako ng parents ko financially kasi sinabi nila na kung magkakaipon man sila, ilalaan nila ‘yun para sa basic needs namin.”

He also got support from classmate such Cherizh Lim, a former colleague in the BPO industry who sometimes lent him money.

“Gusto kong makatapos siya. Little brother ang tingin ko sa kanya and nakikita ko ‘yong gusto niya talagang mag-aral,” she said.

Pecson’s mom is proud of his

hard work.

“Pumapasok siya sa call center sa umaga, naka-uniform na siya para hindi na siya magdala ng extra na bihisan.

Pag-uwi niya galing sa school pagod at gutom na siya. Kitang kita ko sa anak ko na pagod na pagod,” she said in an interview.

Pecson’s seven-year journey through college taught him valuable lessons. “Na-motivate akong mag-aral para hindi naman ako manghinayang sa pinang-aaral ko. Doon ko nabigyan ng value lalo ‘yung pag-aaral. Hindi kasi ako palaaral before ako mag work sa call center,” he said.

Now a teacher, he hopes to inspire students to put more value in their education. On social media, he did just that.

Tiger Cubs

Impetus 2017 was organized by the University of the Philippines Gaming Guild (UPGG). UPGG initially planned to establish an electronic sports (eSports) league in the DilimanKatipunan area with UP, Ateneo and Miriam College as target schools.

A partnership with TheNet. com eSports and Acer Predator paved the way for all eight UAAP schools to participate in the tournament.

Dota 2 is a strategic, online multiplayer and battle arena video game developed by Valve Corporation and a sequel franchise to the Defense of the Ancients or Dota.

It is one of the most popular online games in the country.

Quill Awards FROM PAGE 2 should not be complacent despite their success in the Student Quill Awards. “[W]e can never be complacent because the competition gets tougher every year,” Salandanan told the Varsitarian.

“This is an equivocal affirmation of the quality of our students. Magaling talaga ang mga Tomasino,” he added.

This year’s Student Quill gave out 99 awards out of 239 entries.

The Philippine Student

Road to med school Cachuela spent only 10 days of vacation his hometown. Not even a month after graduation, he returned to Manila to prepare for the medical technology licensure exam before entering the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery next academic year.

“Hindi ko masyadong iniisip na

FROM PAGE 11

given a clearer view to what we are trying to teach our athletes today and what is more important to them. I have also seen the character and loyalty that the Cubs have with our school.”

Paulo Hernandez, who was included in the tournament’s Mythical Five team, paced the Tiger Cubs in scoring with 11.6 points per game (ppg) while Kobe Palencia and TJ dela Cruz tallied 9.6 and 7.4 ppg, respectively.

UST may also have also found a gem in big man Bismarck Lina, the lone Tiger Cub to be

Quill is the junior division of the prestigious Philippine Quill Awards, which recognizes private corporations and government organizations that excel in business communication.

The Student Quill follows a rigid seven-point scoring system set by the International Gold Quill Awards given to top corporations across the globe.

The awarding ceremonies took place at the Mariott Grand Ballroom in Pasay on July 5.

The event was organized by the Philippine chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, a global network of about 15,500 business communicators in 80 countries. ALHEX ADREA M. PERALTA

bata pa ako, na since graduate [na ako], okay [na ako], but since I’m pursuing med, I said I’ll continue studying para ‘di sayang ‘yong time,” Cachuela said.

“You have to look ahead because there’s a goal waiting for you and every time, you need to constantly remind yourself of that goal,” he added.

Cachuela might not have expected to achieve batch valedictorian but his admirable determination, which pushed him to the top, is definitely one for the books.

included in the Batang Gilas roster for the Southeast Asian Basketball Association Under-16 Championship last May 14 to 18.

Lina registered 13 points and 10 rebounds in the country’s 83-62 gold-medal winning performance against Malaysia.

“I’m happy because I learned a lot of experience in Gilas and I was able to bring it here in UST,” Lina said.

Cubs team captain CJ Balingit said he always reminds his teammates to do more of what is expected of them and they did not disappoint. “[T]hey did well in the Filoil [Cup] and there is nothing to be down about. We know that we are able to compete heads on with other strong schools,” Balingit said.

Marawi clash FROM PAGE 1 He said other Church organizations such as Caritas and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines - National Secretariat for Social Action have also extended aid to displaced families.

Aside from church rehabilitation, ACN also provides emergency assistance, training for priests and religious, resource materials for evangelization and faith formation.

The organization was founded in 1947 by Fr. Werenfried van Straaten.

It has over 600,000 beneficiaries all over the world. In 2011, it was elevated

by Pope Benedict XVI to a Pontifical organization.

Editor: Delfin Ray M. Dioquino

JULY 14, 2017

Sports 11

UST team sweeps Dota 2 championship

By JAN CARLO ANOLIN and RANDELL ANGELO B. RITUMALTA

DESPITE the unfamiliarity to one another before teaming up for the first intercollegiate Dota 2 tournament in the country, UST’s team “Kangkong” showcased genuine camaraderie en route to the championship.

Team Kangkong, whose name suggests inferiority, swept Ateneo de Manila University’s ADMU Saltstack in the best-of-five finals series of Impetus 2017 at the TNC High Grounds Café last June 25 to finish the tournament with an immaculate 9-0 record.

“Our initial goal was only to win the UST tournament,” Ivan Wenceslao told the Varsitarian. “But when we fought against the other seven schools, we thought we can win it all.”

Before the success, team captain Eugene Cabangon (midlaner), a fourth-year Computer Science student, had trouble finding competitive

players in his major. He then sought the help of classmate Charles Balagot (support).

In need of three more players, Cabangon posted an invitation on a Facebook group for Dota 2 players. Biology junior Mike de los Santos (carry) was the first to comment on the post before Information Technology juniors Wenceslao (support) and Jose Alberto (offlaner) completed the squad.

To solidify their team play, Team Kangkong practiced against Dota teams from different schools around Manila.

“We really wanted to win.

Aside from the prize, we are representing UST so it was an honor for us to become champions,” Cabangon said.

Team Kangkong took home a total of P35,000 from the tournament, with Dota 2 PAGE 10

(LEFT TO RIGHT) Charles Balagot, Mike de los Santos, Eugene Cabangon, Jose Alberto and Ivan Wenceslao of UST’s “ Team Kangkong” reign supreme against other UAAP schools in the first intercollegiate Dota 2 tournament.

JAMILLAH N. STA. ROSA

Former Tiger Cubs captain back in basketball after two-year hiatus

By PHILIP MARTIN L. MATEL FROM facing a freak accident to taking a hiatus from his blossoming basketball career to serve as a missionary for the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, former UST Tiger Cubs team captain Vaughn Soriano hopes to regain what he had two years ago.

Abandoning his normal life to live in the tranquil environment of Lahug, Cebu was a tough pill to swallow for Soriano. But he always knew in his heart that it was the right thing to do.

He was obliged to serve as a missionary for two years as soon as he reached the age of 18. “[We] invite others to come to Christ,” Soriano told the Varsitarian. “We encounter various kinds of people every minute and talk to them about Him.” Before leaving the Tigers’ lair in July 2014, the 6-foot3 forward was already in the sights of then-outgoing coach Pido Jarencio and incoming head coach Bong dela Cruz as an addition to the squad that was fresh off a UAAP finals appearance a season before.

The coaches determined that his size and length could help the veteran-laden squad of Aljon Mariano, Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag and Karim Abdul in a possible return to the Final Four.

However, Soriano felt that he should attend to his duty to

Soriano

God first, especially that the Entrepreneurship student endured a major setback in his life that pulled him closer to the Almighty.

In December 2013, Soriano and his family were on their way to Subic to celebrate the New Year when tragedy struck.

As Soriano maneuvered his Ford SUV along the highway, two drunk motorcycle riders veered into his lane and smashed the windshield of his car.

The two immediately died on impact, and Soriano, despite knowing he did not do anything wrong to accidentally kill the tandem, was detained at the police station for investigation.

“I was detained for five hours, which I felt were the longest five hours of my life. During that time, my worst fears had come true, as if all of them struck me at once. I felt then that I had to reach out to God,” Soriano added.

After fulfilling his obligation in Cebu, he only rested for a week before returning to the Tigers and was welcomed back by current head coach Boy Sablan.

“Luckily I was welcomed back as a member of the Team B. When there is a game, we would also not practice. There I would work harder, lifting weights and running the extra mile alone inside the court. I looked like a fool but I didn’t care.”

Soriano said he does not regret his decision in temporarily leaving his dreams in order to serve a greater purpose.

“It is more fulfilling now. I served God and I am more mature today. I now have the right mindset. Like, I do not think of my personal accomplishments, I want to give UST a championship.”

Tiger Cubs finish 4th in Filoil Preseason Cup

By JAN CARLO ANOLIN and IVAN RUIZ L. SUING THE UST Tiger Cubs succumbed to the Nazareth School of National University Bullpups, 86-75, in their battlefor-third in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup last July 25.

The Cubs now hope to finish strong in the UAAP next season after they crashed to seventh place in 2016.

After landing third in the UAAP in 2012, the Cubs slid to sixth place in the next two seasons.

“Over all, the boys’ performance are good in all of the leagues we have joined this summer. I could not be more proud of the boys and the whole team. You will clearly see the big improvement from attitude to workmanship,” coach Chris Cantonjos told the Varsitarian.

The Cubs were riding high on a four-game winning streak at the beginning of the tournament, highlighted by a 41-point shellacking of the University of the East last May 17, before UAAP Mythical Five member Inand Fornilos transferred to La Salle Greenhills for reasons he did not want to disclose.

Since Fornilos’ departure, the Cubs lost three straight games, including a 67-79 loss to the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets in their semifinals clash last June 23.

“Everyone, especially the veterans, are working hard to fill the void Fornilos left,” Cantonjos said. “The team takes one’s parting as a blessing in disguise. I was Tiger Cubs PAGE 10

The UST Tiger Cubs look to gain momentum ahead of the next UAAP season behind their fourth-place finish in the Filoil Preseason Cup.

Sports

JULY 14, 2017

Tiger Judokas nab 18 medals in preseason tilt

UST athletes to see action in SEA Games

REIGNING UAAP judo champions UST Judokas hauled 18 medals in the Diliman Slam judo tournament at the Marikina Sports Center last June 24 to 25.

The Lady Judokas brought home three gold, three silver and four bronze medals while the Tiger Judokas collected two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

“Most of the players performed well while some of them need some push,” Lady Judokas team captain Lei Tolentino said in an online interview.

Russel Lorenzo (-60 kg), who edged out Ryan Benavidez of the Grips Judo Club for the gold medal, and Kimberly Pantoja (-52 kg), who defeated fellow Judoka Khrizzie Pabulayan in the championship match, were both named Most Valuable Players.

Rhodesa Mae Bayas (-57 kg) snatched another gold following a win over teammate Tracy Jean Honorio while Almira Ruiz (-63 kg) and Daryl Mercado (-55 kg) also snatched back-to-back gold medals.

Sherwin De Rosa (-66 kg), Jolo Atienza (+100 kg) and Alexis Belen (-48 kg) all clinched silver medals while Shergeon De Rosa (-60 kg), Robert Quito (-81 kg), Mitchell Salcedo (-90 kg), Renzo Cazenas (-100 kg), Miam Salvador (-48 kg), Lorelei Tolentino (-63 kg), Khrishalynd Sapi (-78 kg) and Risa dela Cruz (+78 kg) all settled for bronze.

“We saw what the other schools are capable of. From that, we already have an idea what we should prepare for next season,” Tolentino added.

By RANDELL ANGELO B. RITUMALTA and IVAN RUIZ L. SUING

SEVEN Thomasian athletes will don the national colors in the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from August 19 to 30.

Ernest John and Emily Obiena, Elbren Neri and Eloiza Luzon (for athletics); Rodolfo Reyes Jr. and Jocel Lyn Ninobla (poomsae); and Noelito Jose (fencing) will represent the flag in the biennial multi-sports meet alongside 490 other Filipino delegates.

For Ernest, the older of the Obiena siblings, this edition of the SEA Games has been his main goal since failing to qualify in the recent Rio Olympics.

After winning silver in the recent International Athletic Meeting in Velenje, Slovenia behind a 5.50-meter performance, Ernest Obiena is the favorite to win the gold medal in Malaysia since the SEA Games record for pole

vault stands at 5.30 meters.

The 2015 SEA Games silver medallist embarked on strength trainings and even did gymnastics so he can “get better connection with the pole.”

Emily Obiena, who holds the Philippine junior record in pole vault with 3.40 meters, will get a taste of her first SEA Games experience.

Two-time UAAP champion and Female Trackster Luzon seeks to add a SEA Games medal in her collection as she competes in the 4x100-meter dash and 4x400-meter relay.

“I am excited since this is my first time but I am nervous because the athletes I will compete against are not like any other I faced before. This is a challenge for me,” Luzon said.

Joining Luzon and the Obienas in the national athletics team is 1,500-meter runner Neri who skipped the recent UAAP season to focus on his SEA Games stint.

Neri said the team has been training “rain or shine” and will join the 31st Malaysian International

Open Masters Athletics Championships on July 17 as part of their preparation.

Reigning SEA Games gold medallist Reyes aims to defend the country’s title in the men’s poomsae event,while Ninobla looks to help her squad improve their bronze-medal finish in 2015.

“It’s overwhelming to be chosen as one of the athletes who will represent the country,” Ninobla said.

Tiger Fencer Jose, who exited early in the epee competition of the 2015 SEA Games, joined the Asian Fencing Championships 2017 in Hong Kong to sharpen his skills for August.

“Our athletes’ first target is the SEA Games then the Olympics.

The University is very proud for producing national team athletes,” Institute of Physical Education and Athletics moderator Rodrigo Sambuang said.

RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

Salinggawi bags bronze in Korea

Obiena

Jose

Ninobla

THE UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe brought home the bronze prize while another team from Davao City won the gold in the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) World Cultural Dance Festival 2017 at Jeonju, South Korea last June 29.

Salinggawi showcased a Flores de Mayo-inspired routine on its debut in the dance festival, which also gathered nine other teams from around the world.

Salinggawi vice president Daryll Romero told the Varsitarian that the group prepared for less than a month and they were still finishing their props a day before departing to Korea. “[The] preparation time may not be enough for such a big international competition and knowing you’ll be competing with the other nine countries but I guess we executed and we survived,” Romero said.

Team USA won the grand prize while Davao’s Team Durian from Davao City clinched the gold prize. Finland captured the silver prize.

Other participating countries were Africa, China, India, Korea, Thailand and Ukraine.

On its sixth edition, the IYF World Cultural Dance Festival used each country’s respective festivals as themes. JOHN CARLO

ANOLIN

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIN YU-TIEN

Tiger Fencer breaks stereotype, graduates cum laude

By RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA THERE has always been a misconception that student-athletes cannot excel in academics as much as they do in sports.

But Tiger Fencer Jessie Suarez is breaking that stereotype.

Suarez has four bronze medals throughout his UAAP career. He is also a cum laude graduate of computer science with a general weighted average 1.678.

“The experience of being a student-athlete is one of a kind. [In itself], it already is a stress reliever.

If I am stressed with academics, I release all of my frustrations in training. And if I do not train well, I release my frustrations in academics.

I recite a lot,” he said.

Balancing his studies with fencing was also his way of proving something. His parents wanted him to go to Ateneo de Manila University but on the condition he would leave fencing.

“We had the agreement that I always had to be in the dean’s list so I could play because they wanted me to forget fencing. I agreed because I wanted to show them that fencing was not a hindrance in academics,”

he said.

The 20-year-old became a dean’s lister in all of his semesters in the University except the second semester on his second year in college when he averaged a 1.92-GWA. It was not a walk in the park, however, as he had to sacrifice his time for family and his social life due to trainings which were done even in the holidays.

“I wanted to prove that we [athletes] are not idiots. It is annoying that we are being downed.

I understand where [people] are coming from [with the ‘studentathletes are stupid’ tag] because the performance of some student-athletes are really poor. [But] it is because [student-athletes] are tired [because of training].”

Suarez admitted that he also had a hard time coping with academics just like any other student-athlete but his Latin honors is a testament that it “is wrong to degrade athletes.”

UST men’s foil team head coach Emerson Segui said Suarez is a dedicated athlete, noting that not all student-athletes can perform in their sports and academics with the same satisfactory results.

“He knows how to balance his

schedule very well,” Segui said.

Suarez said being a studentathlete is “not for all people because not all can juggle two lives” but if there is a desire to excel in both, anybody can succeed.

“It is not a reason that just

Suarez

because you are an athlete, you have to let go of you being a student. It is not a reason that because you are a student, you do not have what it takes to become an athlete. If you love your sport and your course, you can do it,” Suarez said.