The Varsitarian P.Y. 2019-2020 Issue 04

VOLUME XCI / NO. 4 · January 9, 2020 · THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS · Manila, Philippines

DAGOHOY: THE BUILDER ARTWORK BY MARIANE JAYNE CADIZ

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

UST RECTOR Magnificus Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. bowed out of office in the spirit of gratitude to the Thomasian community, bidding farewell to administrators in a testimonial luncheon last Jan. 15 that marked the end of his twoterm tenure as the 96th rector of the Pontifical University.

“I have said a lot in the past eight years [but] allow me to just repeat the words of St. Paul: ‘I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy,’” Dagohoy told University officials at the Dr. Robert C. Sy Grand Ballroom of the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.

“It’s an honor to serve the Asia’s oldest university. Also it’s a privilege and honor to meet wonderful people like you throughout the years… I remember, we were once told that as missionaries, we have to always remember three things: to say hello, love and say goodbye.

We come, we build and leave,” he said.

“Please, also pray for me and remember me with gladness,” he added.

Dagohoy, 55, a certified public accountant who

found his priestly vocation in the Dominican Order, served as internal auditor and director of finance and administration of UST Hospital before being named UST Rector in June 2012.

He was rector of Angelicum College in Quezon City and prior of the Convent of Santo Domingo, also in Quezon City, and the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas in UST. He was the youngest to become convent prior of Santo Domingo.

Under his rectorship, UST was able to survive the difficult transition to the post-K to 12 educational system with the opening of the UST Senior High School in 2016.

He oversaw the construction of three new important structures: the Central Laboratory Building, the expanded UST Hospital and the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Building on España Boulevard that now houses the Senior High School.

Apart from the Senior High School, two other academic units were established: the Institute of Information and Computing Sciences (2014) and the Graduate School of Law (2017).

Dagohoy broke ground on two future campuses — Santa Rosa in Laguna and General Santos City

NEWS p.3

Literary p. 9

Special Reports p. 7

Ang Miguel de Benavides Library sa paglipas ng panahon

Poor reading comprehension of young Filipinos linked to lack of quality reading materials

A decade of UST

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in Mindanao, and led the revamp of the Dominican educational system that saw the Angelicum schools in Quezon City and Iloilo and Aquinas University in Legazpi City subsumed under the UST educational tradition.

It was also under Dagohoy’s rectorship when the University hosted Pope Francis’s visit in 2015.

The Filipino Dominican province took over UST in 2014, after centuries under the Spanish Dominicans, under new statutes approved by the Vatican.

Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. assumed the post of acting rector.

New programs Dagohoy’s administration also saw an academic expansion that sustained UST’s position as the top private university in the Philippines, having the most number of accredited programs.

These efforts culminated in UST becoming only the second Philippine university and the eighth in the region to get an institutional certification from the Asean University Network.

The Builder... PAGE 3

The Varsitarian revisits the biggest campus events of the past 10 years.

Instagram varsitarian.ust

BREAKING NEWS & REAL-TIME UPDATES at www.varsitarian.net

UST gets Asean quality seal THE UNIVERSITY became the second university in the country to receive the Asean University Network (AUN) quality seal following the visit of AUN Quality Assurance (QA) assessors in 2019.

Lorna Kapunan and UST Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina.

CASTILLO FAMILY LAWYER ACQUITTED IN CASE VS DIVINA METROPOLITAN Trial Court Branch 17 acquitted lawyer Lorna Kapunan, legal counsel of the parents of slain UST law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, in an unjust vexation charge filed by UST Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina.

In an order dated Jan. 2, the court said the prosecution failed to prove Kapunan’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The court also absolved Kapunan of “civil liability,” saying Divina’s camp failed to show a preponderance of evidence..

“It is unfortunate that the court saw it that way but we will exhaust

all legal remedies to set aside what we believe is an erroneous judgment,” Divina told the Varsitarian in a text message.

In December 2018, the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicted Kapunan for unjust vexation over her “defamatory” statements against Divina during the DOJ investigation into Atio’s hazing death in 2017.

Divina also filed cyberlibel charges against Kapunan, but these were dismissed.

Presiding Judge Karla Funtila-Abugan penned the ruling.

AHMED KHAN H. CAYONGCAT

21st Inkblots tackles campus journalism as monitors of power

UST posted a passing rate of 85.19 percent, or 92 out of 108 examinees making the cut.

Austin Carl Equipaje led the newest batch of Thomasian architects at fourth place, with a score of 82.90 percent.

Maria Regina Victoria Polotan landed on the ninth spot after scoring 81.80 percent.

Rhicel Sapasap of Saint Louis University emerged as the topnotcher, scoring 84 percent.

Manuel Mogato

sities such as the National University of Singapore, University of Malaya and Universitas Indonesia.

UST is the first associate member of AUN-QA and the eighth Asean university to gain this institutional certification. In 2017, De La Salle University became the first Philippine university to get the Asean certification.

Carillo led the effort to secure the certification for UST, which she had described as the culmination of “centuries worth” of preparation by administrative and academic units of the University.

“It also heightens our participation in the educational aspect of the Asean integration,” she added.

According to the AUN-QA website, a university must have AUN-QA membership or associate membership and have at least three cohorts of graduates from the same program at the time of application to qualify for assessment.

UST became an associate member in 2016.

Twelve academic programs of the University have been assessed based on an outcomes-based framework, and received the coveted AUN-QA seal in 2017 and 2018. Camille Abiel H. Torres,

Charm Ryanne C. Magpali and Laurd Menhard Salen

College of Architecture tops January 2020 board exams THE UNIVERSITY was the top-performing school in the January 2020 licensure examinations for architects, with two Thomasians landing in the top 10.

Features

21st Inkblots... PAGE 6

Former UST rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. himself broke the news during a testimonial luncheon marking the end of his rectorship last Wednesday.

Dagohoy told administrators he received AUN-QA’s decision on Jan. 13, 2020.

Prof. Clarita Carillo, assistant to the rector for planning and quality management, said the five-year institutional certification would further enhance the University’s reputation and standing among higher education institutions in the 10-member Asean bloc.

“To be the 8th institution to have been [certified] facilitates the opening of more doors of opportunities for UST in terms of internationalization, networking, academic and research collaboration, faculty and student exchange, student internship, and many others,” Carillo told the Varsitarian.

UST passed all four key areas assessed by AUN-QA last Oct. 2125, namely Strategic QA, Systemic QA, Functional QA, and Results.

These categories were further divided into 25 criteria and 111 sub-criteria and assessed based on a 7-point scale. A score of at least 4 out of 7 must be attained to earn the AUN quality stamp.

A self-assessment report and other supporting documents were submitted to the assessors, who came from regional univer-

The national passing rate slipped to 55.72 percent, or 1,242 out of 2,229 examinees, from last year’s 56.28 percent, or 1,120 out of 1,990 examinees. CHARM RYANNE C. MAGPALI

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NEWS

SPECIAL REPORTS

The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2020

New medicine building to rise THE FACULTY of Medicine and Surgery kicked off celebrations marking its sesquicentennial in 2021 with groundbreaking rites for a new building.

Acting Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. broke ground together with Medicine Dean Ma. Lourdes Maglinao and Regent Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P. in the presence of top Medicine alumni last Thursday.

Maglinao expressed her gratitude to all Thomasian physicians and said the new building was “proof that a vision can become a provision and a dream can become reality.”

“Let us show we have UST: unity, solidarity and tenacity to aspire for better days and years ahead and do everything we can to make our future everything it can be and make UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at par with global standards in medical education,” she said.

The new building, to be named after Saints Cosmas and Damian, patron saints of the faculty, will be an eight-storey building that will house simulation and research facilities, a learning and study center for medicine students, a faculty lounge and an auditorium.

It will occupy the parking lot beside the Tan Yan Kee Student Center and in front of the Miguel de Benavides Library.

Rodolfo Ventura, architect of the new building, said planning, finalization, bidding and mobilization should be completed by the first quarter of the year so that construction would begin before June.

“We are making some adjustments and then after the adjustments, the finalization. Engineering comes in and then after that we submit to FMO (Facilities Management Office), and then bidding will start again after that mobilization, then the construction itself,” Ventura told the Varsitarian.

Medicine administrators buried a time capsule that contained the building’s blueprint, a rosary, an icon, the prayer of Saints Cosmas and Damian, blessed salt, a stethoscope, and the newspaper of the day.

The UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, the oldest medical school in the Philippines, traces its beginnings to the “Facultad de Medicina y Farmacia,” which opened on May 28, 1871 by Spanish decree.

Surviving the Philippine revolution against Spain, the war against the United States and the Japanese occupation during World War 2, UST Medicine has become a Center of Excellence for Medical Education, producing the most number of medical graduates and topnotchers in medicine board exams.

DAGOHOY: THE BUILDER THE BUILDER from page 1 The Faculty of Arts and Letters offered the Creative Writing program while the Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy offered the Information Systems program.

The College of Science added three major tracks – medical biology, industrial biology and environmental biology under its Biology program.

The Institute of Information and Computing Science offered Game Development and Data Science, Business Analytics, Service Management, Network Security, IT Automation and Web and Mobile Development.

The College of Tourism and Hospitality Management offered new tracks and specializations in culinary entrepreneurship, hospitality leadership, travel operations, service management and recreation and leisure management.

The Graduate School opened doctorate programs in medical technology, architecture and music with concentration in performance. It also offered masters programs in electronics engineering with the strands of instrumentation and control, microelectronics and communications.

K to 12 transition Dagohoy also had to deal with the

Acting Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Ma. Lourdes Maglinao and Regent Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P. lead the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Saints Cosmas and Damian Simulation and Research Building. PHOTO BY MARVIN JOHN F. UY

State U publications reign anew in 5th UST nat’l campus journ awards

The Research Center for Culture, Arts and Humanities as a new director — Assoc. Prof.

replace Prof. Joyce L. Arriola. AHMED KHAN H. CAYONGCAT

Dagohoy addresses University administrators during a testimonial luncheon marking the end of his eight-year rectorship on Jan. 15

“

AS MISSIONARIES... WE COME, WE BUILD AND LEAVE.

”

FR. HERMINIO DAGOHOY, O.P.

painful transition in the higher education system following the adoption of the K to 12 basic education scheme in 2016, during which the University offered only 22 programs out of 53 existing programs because of the minimal number of college enrollees.

The newly built Blessed Buenaven-

tura Garcia Paredes, O.P. building housed the first batch of senior high school students to plug the decline in college enrollees.

Documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission, obtained by the Varsitarian, showed that UST spent some P4 billion for the expansion of the

hospital, the new Frassati Building and the Sta. Rosa Laguna and General Santos campuses.

Research When Dagohoy stepped into office, he urged professors to engage more in

Media expert warns vs shutting down ABS-CBN

New Science dean, research director, Artlets assistant dean named

Bernardo had served as faculty secretary of the UST

Outgoing UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., in an interview following his reelection in 2016.

research to “resurrect” the University’s research status.

From an initial two research clusters, there are now five research centers and one research unit, namely: Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS), The Builder... PAGE 5

Traslacion devotees urged: 'Face mission like Christ'

A MEDIA expert has warned that shutting down the Philippines’s largest media network would be a move ASIAN Center for Journalism carry all your lives,” Rimban Salle College of Saint Be- tended Plot Rice tariffication toward dictatorship. executive director Luz Rim- said. nilde won Best Feature for sows unrest among farmers Prof. David Robie, head of the Last year’s winning cam- the story “Marawi: A case of as farmgate prices plunge,” ban paid tribute to the camNew Zealand-based Pacific Media pus press during the 5th UST pus publications Tinig ng unity, identity and sacrifice,” by UP Diliman’s Philippine Center and journalism professor at National Campus Journalism Plaridel, Rebel Kulê and The which highlighted stories of Collegian, and “Faculty evalthe Auckland University of TechnolAwards on Wednesday, say- Benildean won anew with en- people caught in middle of uation- An instrument for ogy, said President Rodrigo Duterte’s ing that publishing a campus tries addressing national and the Marawi siege and how improvement or just another displeasure toward ABS-CBN Corp. they retained their cultural requirement by The Flame of paper is a “triumph of team- university issues. was not enough reason to deprive it the UST Faculty of Arts and The UP College of Mass identity. work, time management” and of a franchise.

Rebel Kulê’s “Beyond Letters. a “triumph of truth seeking Communication’s Tinig ng “There’s no justification in doing Plaridel bagged the Best In- Brotherhood” won this year’s and truth telling.”

“KADILIMANG that (not renewing the franchise of “Our campus papers Depth Story Award for the Best Editorial. It slammed the BUMABALOT SA KAPAABS-CBN). Doing that is moving affirm the role of the press: story “Lack of funding after UP administration for its in- SKUHAN: Parol sa ilalim towards dictatorship,” Robie said in a they tell us what are the most free tuition law paralyzes action toward the fraternity, ng lagim ng Tokhang” by forum last Dec. 4. important stories, they help student publications.” The Upsilon Sigma Phi, and crit- De La Salle’s Ang PahaDuterte has vowed to block the set the news agenda, and pro- story focused on the effect of icized the fraternity for the yagang Plaridel and “A renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, ceed to get to the bottom of the 2018 free tuition law on wasted potential in playing speech therapist’s pledge” which is pending in Congress. The things as best they can. That’s student publications, which a more vital role in the uni- by The Flame were the fipresident claims ABS-CBN swindled definitely no easy task but it previously operated on mis- versity. nalists in the best feature him during the 2016 campaign when develops a sense of responsiThe finalists for the best cellaneous fees.

UST nat'l campus journ story.

CHARM RYANNE C. MAGPALI AND LAURD the Lopez-led television network did The Benildean of De La in-depth story were “Un- awards... Page 3 bility and duty which you will MENHARD SALEN not air his political ad.

The ad was in response to a 30-second spot paid for by then senator Antonio Trillanes IV, showing children reacting to the ex-Davao City mayor’s profanity-laden speechPROF. REY Donne Papa is the Universities Commission es.

College of Science’s 12th dean, on Accreditation, and were “Your franchise will end next replacing Prof. John Donnie named Centers of Excellence year. If you expect it to be renewed, Ramos who stepped down after a by the Commission on Higher I’m sorry. I will see to it that you’re decade at the helm.

Education. Three were certified out,” Duterte said in remarks at MalaPapa, who had been the biology by the Asean University Network cañan Palace last Dec. 3. department chairman since 2017, – Quality Assurance Group.

Congress has yet to act on the reassumed his new post in January.

The college also added three newal of ABS-CBN’s 25-year broadHe vowed to continue the tracks under its biology program: casting franchise, which will expire system left by the former dean. medical biology, industrial in March 2020.

“We intend to increase further biology and environmental Robie, who talked about human our presence in terms of research, biology. rights and press freedom violation in the Indonesian province of West Papin terms of community extension, The new dean, Papa, received ua, said it was “open season against and ensure that the students of the the Gawad San Alberto Magno, journalists.

College of Science have a holistic an award for outstanding He also recalled the Ampatuan training that will put premium researchers in science and massacre that killed 58 people, inon good teaching in the sciences technology category, in the cluding journalists, which marked its and develop their personality, so Dangal ng UST back in 2017.

10th anniversary in November. that they will be able to survive Assoc.

Prof.

Alejandro “What you experience in the and thrive in their careers after Bernardo replaced long-time Newly appointed Science Dean Rey Donne Papa, Artlets Assistant Dean Alejandro Bernardo and Maria Alexandra Chua, Philippines is replicated around the finishing their degrees,” Papa told Asst. Dean Narcisa Tabirara at new research director for arts and humanities. world,” Robie said. the Varsitarian. the Faculty of Arts and Letters.

“We have many leaders around Maria Alexandra Chua of the Conservatory of the world…who are basically, conDuring Ramos’ deanship, Tabirara, a literature Graduate School since 2013.

Music. five programs of the college professor, served the University He holds masters and doctorate degrees in stantly attacking and degrading the Chua, who holds a doctorate in music, will media,” he added. were granted the highest level of for 40 years.

English language studies. accreditation by the Philippine Association of Colleges and

3

The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2020

CAMILLE ABIEL H. TORRES, CHARM RYANNE C. MAGPALI, LAURD MENHARD SALEN

Millions of devotees join the annual Traslacion, the grand procession of the image of the Black Nazarene, in Manila on Jan. 9.

OUTGOING Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said a true devotee faces and fulfills his mission by God’s grace, during the Eucharistic celebration for the yearly Traslacion procession at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Jan. 9. “[D]ahil sa debosyon niya sa Diyos at sa kapuwa, hinubad [ni Hesus] ang katangian ng pagiging Diyos para makapiling at makaisa natin, [at] pinakita Niya ang kaniyang debosyon sa pagiging masunurin hanggang kamatayan,” Tagle said in his homily.

(Because of His devotion to God and to His people, Jesus became flesh to be one with humanity, and he showed his devotion by being obedient until His death.)

The cardinal also called on devotees to pray for the safety of Filipinos in the Middle East, amid tensions between the United States and Iran.

“Ipanalangin po natin na maging ligtas ang ating mga

kapwa sa Middle East, at humupa ang mga pagnanais na sirain ang kapwa, at harangin ang paghihiganti,” he said.

This was the last Mass of the Traslacion presided by Tagle, who was appointed prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on Dec. 8.

Over 2 million devotees participated in this year’s Traslacion.

This year’s grand procession was the shortest in recent years, lasting less than 16 hours.

More than 2,000 policemen formed an andas (carriage) wall to help speed up the procession.

The solemn procession is celebrated every Jan. 9 to commemorate the transfer of the Black Nazarene from San Nicolas de Tolentino Church inside Intramuros to Quiapo Church in 1787.

The feast day of the Black Nazarene is on Good Friday and the feast of Quiapo (St. John the Baptist) is on June 24.

MARIEL CELINE SERQUINA WITH REPORTS FROM JOENNER PAOLO ENRIQUEZ, O.P.

PHOTO BY MARY JAZMIN D. TABUENA

UST nat'l campus journ awards

From page 2

The finalists for the best editorial award were “Our father” by De La Salle’s The La Sallian and “Whispers in the silence” by the Ateneo’s The Guidon.

Rimban reminded young journalists to be “fierce, persistent, focused and diligent in studying whatever issue you are writing about, while all the while honing skills of critical thinking.”

Aside from Rimban, the panel of judges for this year were ANC anchor Christian Esguerra, Philstar.com Editor in Chief Camille Diola, Pulitzer Prize winner Manny Mogato and The Philippine Star reporter Alexis Romero.

The Benildean receives the Best Feature Award for 'Marawi: A case of unity, identity and sacrifice.' PHOTO BY RENZELLE SHAYNE V. PICAR

UsapangUste

Ang Miguel de Benavides Library sa paglipas ng panahon BAGO pa man naging isang ganap na aklatan ang Miguel de Benavides Library, ilang pagsubok at sakripisyo ang kinaharap ng mga tagapagtatag at tagapangalaga nito.

Inihabilin ni P. Miguel de Benavides, O.P. ang kaniyang natitirang P1,500 at kaunting koleksyon ng libro kina P. Domingo de Nieva, O.P. at P. Bernardo de Sta. Catalina, O.P., mga kapwa niya Dominiko, upang gamitin sa pagtatatag ng isang kolehiyo.

Ang Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santissimo Rosario, isang seminaryo, ang pinagmulan ng Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas.

Kasama rin ang obispo na si Diego Soria at ang heograpo na si Hernando de Los Rios Coronel na nagbigay ng kanilang mga pribadong koleksiyon para sa aklatan.

Hindi madali ang magpatayo ng isang silid aklatan noong mga panahong iyon dahil wala pang kakayahan ang mga Philippine press na makagawa ng mga aklat na mayroong matataas na kalidad.

Dala ng mga misyonerong nagpupunta sa bansa ang karamihan sa mga aklat.

Orihinal na matatagpuan sa gusali ng Unibersidad sa Intramuros at iba’t ibang lugar sa paligid ang silid aklatang ito.

Ngunit matapos ang pagkasira ng Unibersidad sa Intramuros, inilipat ito sa Main Building ng sa Sampaloc.

Sa isyu ng Varsitarian noong 1976, inilathala na ang aklatang ito ang naging sandata at katuwang ng mga

Usapang Uste PAGE 8

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OPINION

OPINION

The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2020

The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2020

Dead Air

JOSELLE CZARINA S. DE LA CRUZ

Sapat ba ang kaalaman natin sa wikang Filipino?

‘V’: A decade of artistic innovation FOR THE PAST 92 years, artists of the Varsitarian have continuously produced innovative, timeless and relevant graphic designs that caters to the Thomasian student body as well as the community at large.

Going by its improvements and innovations in graphic arts in the second decade of the third millennium, it could be said that the Varsitarian had been adjusting well and coping with the design challenges that come with the difficult transition from a purely print medium to a multi-platform news agency.

In 2014 and 2017, the Varsitarian won an “Award of Merit” at The Philippine Quill Awards, the country’s most prestigious awards program in the field of business communication, for its infographics in the Varsitarian Sports section, setting the stage on how audiences can be interactive with infographics by sharing, reacting or commenting on such online content during sports events on their social media.

The Varsitarian also won in the quill awards in 2015 for its infographics covering the Papal visit of Pope Francis that same year. It received the same recognition for its interactive website with its coverage of the Atio Castillo hazing case in 2018.

The awards reaffirmed the talent and dedication of V artists who worked tirelessly in order to maximize their potential in developing graphic designs that are both visually appealing and at the same time relevant to its audience.

What could be gleaned from the infographics and other design innovations is that they have been built over the years by previous batches of artists and illustrators of the Varsitarian.

They have served us, incumbent artists and designers of the newspaper, in developing and innovating further the paper’s look and other design demands.

The diverse background of the artists in terms of their collegiate program also served as an asset for the art section.

It is good that Varsitarian artists come from different programs, not just fine arts. Those coming from the College of Architecture can use their skill in 3D rendering to improve the paper’s infographics. Meanwhile, some of the comic strips are done by A.B. Literature students who employ their narrative skills to devise compelling humorous incidents.

The art director of Varsitarian staff of SY 2018-2019 was an Electronics Engineering student, but he demonstrated extensive knowledge of design; he could do painting, vector art and editorial cartooning. He taught me how to be adaptable and versatile as a newspaper artist.

In graphic design flexibility is crucial.

Though it is true that an artist should have mastery over his or her personal style, being able to understand the needs of the audience and adjusting to their taste are essential in design and graphics.

The ‘V’ Art section is an environment where artists who long to find their artistic identity can grow.

In such a workplace, student-artists and campus editors can have a productive exchange on design styles and preferences and how these could be used to enhance appreciation of editorial content.

As art director of this publication, I try to lead my section into the new decade with high hopes of meeting the standards set before us and advancing and excelling in meeting the challenges of campus newspaper design.

The joke is on you, Duterte and Malacañang jesters

Bugsô

JURY P. SALAYA

EDITORIAL

Stupefied!

Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling called out the unfair ruling against Forstater, which drew flak from her fans in social media.

NOTHING is more utterly stupefying than to lose one’s job for stating a fact. For a society that calls for more openness to a multiplicity of views, the growing hostility towards unpopular opinions is alarming.

Such is the case with gender-critical feminist and tax expert Maya Forstater who was fired at her job as a researcher for Centre for Global Development, an international anti-poverty thinktank, for tweeting that “it is impossible to change sex.”

The court ruled that her views were “not a philosophical belief protected” by law and that her statement is “incompatible with human dignity and fundamental rights of others.” Academic professionals and medical practitioners beware! Expressing your opinion and scientific findings may end you up jobless.

It is an atrocity to logic and democracy to lose employment for simply stating a basic biological truth that men cannot magically turn into women. And what of Forstater’s fundamental human right to speak freely? Is freedom of speech now applicable only to those who serve the interest of the majority and those who wield power?

Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling called out the unfair ruling against Forstater, which drew flak from her fans in social media. “Dress however you please (…) But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real?” she tweeted using the hashtag #IStandWithMaya.

Following her apologia, Rowling was “cancelled” by the LGBTQ+ community who labeled her a Terf (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) and a bigot for supporting Forstater’s transphobic remarks. This, despite the fact that her books are known to encourage inclusivity and accommodate LGBT figures.

Some would say that the likes of Forstater and Rowling should be silenced and excluded for fueling hate speech. Those people refuse to accept that it’s possible for others to disagree with them and at the same time still mean them no harm. Conformity has become the basis of acceptability and those who beg to differ are cast out and ostracized. But has our society become so stupefied (made stupid) to think that disagreement is tantamount to hostility? Have we become incurably inane to sacrifice facts in the name of feelings?

It is patently absurd and downright stupid for some who claim to belong to the “woke generation” to think that assent to their concepts and views is the only acceptable way to go. They fail to realize that their own brand of politics has turned into a ruthless form of linguistic totalitarianism which uses legal policy to back up their idiocracy.

A true intelligent and civilized society would recognize the fact that disagreement is a part of human discourse and we need not be offended if the other party has differing views. Like Voldemort, those who insist that only their side is worthy of obeisance will have the tendency to oppress other voices. Dead certainty leads to certain death.

For society to flourish, it must keep a lively and democratic discussion regarding political issues especially when those views differ from their own and the majority. As Voltaire puts it, “I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Civility and personal maturity demand that we learn how to welcome dissent without resentment, to be open to criticisms and alternate perspectives without being offended, and to consider other possibilities by first listening to what the opposition is trying to say.

FOUNDED JANUARY 16, 1928

EUGENE DOMINIC V. ABOY, O.P.

KATRINA ISABEL C. GONZALES

Editor in Chief Associate Editor

NEIL JOSHUA N. SERVALLOS Online Coordinator AHMED KHAN H. CAYONGCAT News Coordinator KLYRA V. ORBIEN Acting Special Reports Editor FAITH YUEN WEI N. RAGASA Sports Editor JISELLE ANNE C. CASUCIAN Features and Circle Editor JOSELLE CZARINA S. DE LA CRUZ Filipino and Witness Editor MARY JAZMIN D. TABUENA Chief Photographer JURY P. SALAYA Art Director

FELIPE F. SALVOSA II Assistant Publications Adviser

JOSELITO B. ZULUETA Publications Adviser

NEWS Charm Ryanne C. Magpali, Laurd Menhard B. Salen, Camille Abiel H. Torres SPORTS Malic U. Cotongan, Rommel Bong R. Fuertes Jr., SPECIAL REPORTS Joenner Paulo L. Enriquez, O.P., Camille M. Marcelo, Nuel Angelo D. Sabate FEATURES Ma. Jasmine Trisha L. Nepomuceno LITERARY Leigh Anne E. Dispo, Sofia Bernice F. Navarro FILIPINO Caitlyn Dayne A. Contreras, Bea Angeline P. Domingo WITNESS Ma. Alena O. Castillo, Joenner Paulo L. Enriquez, O.P., Mariel Celine L. Serquiña SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Miguel Lous M. Galang, Jade Veronique V. Yap CIRCLE Nolene Beatrice H. Crucillo, Neil Paolo S. Gonzales ART Karl Joshua L. Aron, Mariane Jane A. Cadiz, Alisa Joy T. del Mundo, Jan Kristopher T. Esguerra, Gwyneth Fiona N. Luga, Catherine Paulene A. Umali, Rae Isobel N. Tyapon PHOTOGRAPHY Nadine Anne M. Deang, Jean Gilbert T. Go, Renzelle Shayne V. Picar, Bianca Jolene S. Redondo, Camille Abiel H. Torres, Marvin John F. Uy, Arianne Maye D.G. Viri EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jessica C. Asprer

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PAANO nga ba masusukat ang pagka-Filipino ng isang Filipino?

Marahil isa sa mga madalas nating marinig ang pagmamahal sa sarili nating wika. Iba’t ibang paraan ang ginagawa para maipakita na tinatangkilik natin ang wikang sariling atin.

Isa na riyan ang mga talakayan sa mga silid-aralan kung saan pinag-uusapan kung gaano kahalaga na mapayabong ang wikang Filipino.

Pero, gaano katotoong nauunawaan ng lahat ng mga estudyante ang kahalagahan ng wikang Filipino kung pagdating pa lang sa pag-intindi sa diwa nito ay kulang na?

Winika ni Virgilio Almario, dating tagapangulo ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), mahalaga na maunawaan ng mga Filipino ang pagkakaroon ng isang “isang intelektuwalisadong wikang pambansa.”

“Anupa’t ang Filipino bilang wikang pambansa ay kailangang magparangalan sa lahat ng maipagmamalaking sariling karunungan samantalang nag-aangkin ng mataas na kakayahang ibukas ang pinto ng makabago’t progresibong karunungan para sa lahat ng nais guma-

Hindi ganap na maaabot ang propesyonalisasyon kung mismong mga tao ang hindi nagpapahalaga sa mga akdang isinalin. mit,” wika niya.

Dagdag pa niya, kinakailangang magamit ang wika sa iba’t-ibang larang upang tumaas ang antas nito at patuloy na umunlad.

Isa sa mga pagsisikap na isinasagawa ng ahensiya ang propesyonalisasyon ng pagsasalin na hindi pa ganap na kilalang larang at nakikita bilang isang karaniwang kakayahan.

Kasama ng KWF ang UST sa pagsisikap na ito at nito lang Agosto ay ganap nang operasyonal ang Sentro ng Salin at Araling Salin sa Unibersidad.

Ayon kay Wennie Fajilan, tapag-ugnay ng Sentro, mahalagang maisulong ang propesyonalisasyon ng pagsasalin sa bansa.

“Magandang pahalagahan ‘yong pagsasalin bilang isang mas mataas na appreciation sa wikang pangkalahatan, hindi lang sa Filipino kundi sa lahat ng wika sa mundo. [L]ahat ng uri ng salin ay kailangan ng pagpapakadalubhasa.

Kailangan na mayroong mga eksperto at pagsasanay,” wika ni Fajilan.

Pero tulad ng nabanggit ni Fajilan, nakapaloob sa propesyonalisasyon ang “pagpapahalaga” at “pagpapakadalubhasa.”

Hindi ganap na maaabot ang propesyonalisasyon kung mismong mga tao ang hindi nagpapahalaga sa mga akdang isinalin. Kasama na rin dito ang tamang kompensasyon o kabayaran sa isang “highly technical skill” na isinagawa ng mga tagasalin.

Bugsô... PAHINA 10

Where it Matters Most KATRINA ISABEL C. GONZALES

The President gave Robredo the opportunity to show her worth to the Filipino, her executive ability and skill to break a complex problem into simple pieces, and come up with bite-sized solutions.

THE WAR on drugs particularly shabu was “obviously not working”, Vice President Robredo said.

After the VPs barrage of unfavorable comments on the war on drugs of the Duterte administration, specifically the unexplained deaths of drug suspects (pegged by the Human Rights Watch, a New York City-based international NGO, at 22,983 by the end of 2018), Palace allies may have thought of a facetious gambit that could blunt the criticisms and stop them from snowballing altogether.

Palace functionaries may have felt that the adverse opinions are getting into the president’s nerves and they would not like them to aggravate the President’s ‘myasthenia gravis’ or nerve malfunction further.

It should be remembered that despite initial misgivings within her camp and the opposition Liberal Party where she belongs, Robredo accepted the President’s offer for her to co-chair of Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

Robredo said she decided to accept the appointed position which she did not even ask for so as to prevent unnecessary killings brought about by the drug war. One life spared is still one life saved.

But only 19 days into the job, she got kicked out.

She was fired by Duterte in what Malacañang declared “in response to the taunt and dare of Robredo for the President ‘to just tell her that he

wants her out.” The gambit paid off but not handsomely for Malacañang.

Why did President Duterte fire Vice President Robredo? Well, the President did not like her asking advice from certain foreign institutions and personalities that had reportedly prejudged the campaign against illegal drugs as a violation of human rights as well as crime against humanity. That, she sought out an official list of the “high-value targets” or principal suspects engaged in narcotics trade and he doubts that the state secrets could be shared to foreign officials who are known or close to her.

Call it by whatever word, firing or easing, Robredo couldn’t care less. In response to her being booted out, she said that she was just getting started in her crusade in fighting the drug menace in her own way and within her powers as Vice President. She will continue to meet with government agencies, NGOs and groups involved in the social aspects of the drug problem which are rehabilitation, counselling and support mechanisms for the youth.

As she promised, Robredo presented on Jan. 6, 2020, a comprehensive, incisive 40-page report with various recommendations for drug war reforms, on her short stint as ICAD co-Chair after being held in abeyance due to the strong quake that

jolted Mindanao on Dec. 15, 2019.

The fiery report on her drug war findings proved her analytical and evidence-based approach as well as her mettle to meet the challenges on her intellect and firmness. It proved that she is no dud as Sec. Panelo described her nor is she a “colossal blunder” as the President called her.

The Vice President gave a “1 out of 100” score to the bloody drug war because authorities were able to recover only 1% of the total shabu being consumed nationwide and were only able to seize just 1% of the dirty drug money being circulated across the country.

Robredo called the campaign a “failure” based on the police’s estimate that drug addicts in the country consume 3 tons of shabu every week or equal to about 156,000 kilos every year, yet the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency was able to seize only 1,344 kilos from January to October 2019.

On the contentions of Panelo that the computation on the report is wrong and that the comparison of the figures was “not even mathematically acceptable” according to the newly-appointed PNP Chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, UP Statistics Associate Professor Peter Cayton said that the vice-president’s computations and comparisons were correct and that it is generally okay to use the estimated value in comparison to actual seizures. Besides the

Transgenders in sports— a call for fair rules “As an athlete myself, I would find it unfair if one of my

540 FAITH YUEN WEI N. RAGASA

FAIRNESS is a subjective word.

Could a rule or decision be fair even if it were proven to be unfair to others?

This question is raised when tackling the issue on allowing transwomen athletes to compete in women’s sports.

Declaring that transwomen are allowed to compete in women’s division shows the openness of a society where the idea of inclusivity to all groups are accepted.

In 2003, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted the participation of athletes who went through sex reassignment and gave way to the possibility of transgender athletes competing in the Olympics the following year.

This rule acknowledged the reality that transwomen have rights to identify themselves as women and join in the category of their identity.

The IOC decided to modify the guidelines in 2015 to a more detailed standard, stating that transgender athletes who wish to compete should have testosterone levels kept below 10 nanomoles per liter (nmol/l) for at least 12 months.

After this, transgender athletes who did qualify under similar guidelines competed in the women’s division of their respective sports.

In 2018, Rachel McKinnon, now

senior male team mates suddenly competed in my division, knowing that he had a higher intensity of training and a higher chance of winning compared to me and my other female teammates.

”

known as Veronica Ivy, became the first trans woman world track cycling champion of the Women’s Masters Track Word Championships.

Years before, several transwomen athletes were competing and exceling in their chosen sport events.

Their victories, though allowed by the given set of rules, sparked criticisms and negative opinions from female athletes and sports enthusiasts.

Besides this, statistics in the UK show that only 0.3% to 0.75% of the British population are transgender and similar results were gotten in the US last 2015.

LGBTQI+ activists argued that among this 0.3% of the population are transwomen and among those transwomen, only few excel at sports and decide to compete.

Comparing less than 0.3% of the population that are transwomen athletes to the number of naturally female athletes, it is clear that the probability of having a transwoman competitor in a women’s category is very little, if not none.

With this kind of probability, why exert effort on creating a specific rule of restricting transwomen athletes?

We cannot disregard that science says that setting guidelines such as limiting the amount of testosterone a person has does not limit the advantage in terms of muscle

mass, strength and other biological advantages.

The proposal of keeping transwomen athletes’ testosterone levels at 5 nmol/l, which is below most biological males, is still a lot higher than the average 1.79 nmol/l of a female.

Also, keeping testosterone at a low level has little effect on limiting muscle strength even a year after treatment.

So if we do let the less than 0.3% of the trans population compete, they’d most likely win over the rest of the naturally born female athletes.

This would mean an automatic guarantee of a large winning rate to most competing transwomen athletes.

As other transwomen see this possibility, more would be encouraged to join and less likely lose over biologically female contenders.

This possibility is what others fear as “the end of female sports.”

As someone studying under a major focused on humanities and liberal arts, I understand the weight of inclusivity and the right of a person to be involved in their choice of events.

Still, also as an athlete myself, I would find it unfair if one of my senior male team mates suddenly competed in my division, knowing that 540... PAGE 11

data used in the report was based on the estimate received from the PNP, be it only a theoretical assumption as Gen. Gamboa contended.

The offer for Robredo co-chair the ICAD was borne out of exasperation of Duterte from the criticism of Robredo. It was not done out of mutual respect or views compatibility nor was there acknowledgement of Robredo’s capabilities. The President even bluntly declared that he does not trust the vice-president at all for he does not know her that much and that she belongs to the opposition.

As such, the appointment must have been hatched with bitter ill will and malice. There could have been that desire to decimate or humiliate at the very least the Vice President, the critic. It could not be done earnestly because it was seemingly meant to be a jest and enmity. It was just a joke after all as in other pronouncements made by the President himself, whose egotism is pretty evident.

According to Professor Solita Monsod, Inquirer columnist, “It is the President who committed a “colossal blunder” by appointing Robredo as coChair of the project closest to the heart of the Chief Executive which he, himself, admitted failing at.

The President gave Robredo the opportunity to show her worth to the Filipino, her executive ability and skill to break a complex problem into simple pieces, and come up with bite-sized solutions. You (President Digong) tried to stop it, but it was too late, even if it were only for 19 days”.

The joke carried out by the ‘Dabarkads sa Palasyo’ in just 19 days boomerang to their bewilderment and displeasure. The bluff and bluster that the appointment was, schemed to make Robredo look weak, back-fired. The backlash is being felt now and this shabulaga on the thinking lady Vice President and other previous shenanigans from the ruling comics may take its toll on the next poll.

“They started a joke… but they didn’t see that the joke was on them.”

The Builder From Page 3

Research Center for Culture, Arts, and the Humanities (RCCAH), Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSEd), Research Center for Health Sciences (RCHS), Center for Religious Studies and Ethics (CRSE) and the Center for Health Research and Movement Science (CHRMS).

Under Dagohoy, the University opened multiple interdisciplinary journals: the Asian Journal of English Language Studies (2013), Hasaan, an interdisciplinary research journal on Filipino under the Department of Filipino (2014), The Antoninus Journal of the Graduate School (2015) and Journal of Social Health and Journal of Medicine UST (2017).

Existing journals Kritike of the Department of Philosophy, Acta Manilana of the RCNAS and Philippiniana Sacra of the Ecclesiastical Faculties received category of A-2 status from the Commission on Higher Education, a recognition that they are of “reputable and of international caliber.”

In the years 2017 and 2018, UST spent P91 million and P116 million in research, according to publicly available documents.

Although the University enjoys international recognition, Prof. Jove Jim Aguas of philosophy said UST needed to “develop from the ground up.”

In 2014, the University received a four-star rating from London-based consultancy Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

Labor issues Dagohoy’s tenure was somewhat marred by disputes in the UST Faculty Union and complaints from some UST Hospital employees of poor working conditions, who had threatened to strike.

In a 2018 report by the Varsitarian, Dagohoy promised to look into the situations of some non-regular employees, “as a matter of social justice.”

Melody Campilla of Serman agency, who has been operating an elevator at the UST Main Building for 32 years, said that despite the plight of contractual employees, she was grateful for Dagohoy’s generosity.

“Ang pinagpapasalamat ko lang kay Father na-grant ‘yong hinihingi ko na maka-discount ang anak na nag-aaral dito sa Commerce,” she said.

Dagohoy was installed as rector in June 4, 2012 and was re-appointed on May 27, 2016.

Before his re-election in 2016, Dagohoy told the Varsitarian that he preferred to be sent to Dominican missions after years in administrative posts. JOENNER PAULO ENRIQUEZ, CAMILLE MARCELO, NUEL ANGELO SABATE

EDITOR: JISELLE ANNE C. CASUCIAN

6-7

FEATURES The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2020

Conservatory alumni triumph in 2019 Aliw Awards

Rappler Managing Editor Glenda Gloria delivers the keynote address in the 21st Inkblots.

PHOTO BY MARY JAZMIN D. TABUENA

‘Fake news defense of the incompetent’: Rappler editor

By Charm Ryanne C. Magpali, Neil Paolo S. Gonzales, Ma. Jasmine Trisha L. Nepomuceno

ESTEEMED journalists spoke in the 21st Inkblots, the annual UST national campus journalism fellowship held last Jan. 6 to 8 in the Blessed Buenaventura G. Paredes O. P. Building, with discussions centered on leveraging on campus journalism as monitors of power.

Rappler Managing Editor Glenda Gloria called on the campus press to join the fight versus fake news, lies and half truths.

Gloria, a UST journalism alumna, said the tremendous amount of false information on social media empowers criminals, terrorists and the corrupt, and reminded journalists to “not break courage” and stick to the truth.

“Fake news is the defense of the incompetent. Do not tolerate lies, half truths and aggressive propaganda.

Tell your own stories and counter lies with your stories,” Gloria said in her keynote address which opened the three-day conference centered on the role of the campus press as monitor of power, organized by the Varsitarian, the 90-year-old official student publication of the University of Santo If you will Tomas. remain Pulitzer Prize faithful winner and former to these Reuters corresponprinciples, dent Manuel Mogayou can fight to urged campus journalists to be fair, whatever accurate and free of false information bias to keep journalism alive during the that is “fake news” era. spreading “If you will around remain faithful to these principles, Manuel Mogato you can fight whatever false information that is spreading around,” Mogato said in his remarks.

UST journalism coordinator and Varsitarian assistant publications adviser Felipe Salvosa II moderated the plenary panel session themed “The Press Under Duress,” which included ANC anchor Christian Esguerra and veteran journalist and editor Vergel Santos.

“Understand that democracy does not guarantee freedom of the press. What democracy guarantees is plurality of the press. You can have as many news organizations that you can have but that doesn’t guarantee that you can get any fairness, any freedom,” Santos said.

Philstar.com editor in chief Camille Diola stressed the importance of the campus press in being the voice of the student body.

Diola said campus journalism has

“

the responsibility to report on matters that will affect its audience.

Editorial designer Tony Hirro encouraged the fellows to not overdo the execution of concepts and ideas in artworks and layouts.

“We tend to Do not overdo and overtolerate think the artwork. lies, half Creativity is about truths and simplicity. By aggressive simplifying, we propaganda. can highlight only what is essential,” Glenda Gloria Hirro said.

Joselito Zulueta, senior editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and publications adviser of the Varsitarian, tackled campus writing and publishing in his lecture.

“You have to create a mission in forming a publication, being part of the opinion makers, truth seekers, and information handlers,” Zulueta said.

“The campus paper is a social register, a part of the community. It fosters solidarity and a sense of belonging. It sets the agenda of news.”

Award-winning documentary photographer Ezra Acayan explained in his talk how photojournalism allows the subjects to tell the story themselves.

Aside from focusing on the human element, truthfulness is also important in photojournalism, he said.

Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Vernise Tantuco of Move.

PH, Rappler’s citizen journalism arm, urged campus journalists to watch out for “false superlatives.”

Inquirer Sports editor Francis Ochoa explained that in sports writing, writers need to “focus on the human element,” as well as their narratives.

“The demands for sports writing haven’t changed. You still have to capture the atmosphere and take the reader where you are,” he said.

Two-time UAAP beach volleyball champion and SEA Games medalist Jaron Requinton was the guest for the mock press conference for sports writing.

In his editorial cartooning lecture, Philippine Star chief cartoonist Rene Aranda reminded artists to remain culturally sensitive despite having artistic freedom.

In the Catholic journalism forum, Fr. Nick Lalog explained how the media, priests and the Church share the same mission of spreading the truth.

“Ang media at ang mga pari, we share the same thing: the truth. Ang batikos sa mga pari, batikos na rin sa mga mamamahayag ngayon dulot ng pagsasabi ng katotohanan.”

21st Inkblots... PAGE 10

“

THREE Thomasians received awards in the field of performing arts during the 2019 Aliw Awards held at Manila Hotel’s Fiesta Pavilion last Dec. 17.

UST Conservatory of Music Asst. Prof. Nenen Espina was named Best Female Classical Performer.

Espina performed “Nacio, Nacio Pastores,” and “Esta Noche,” along with faculty member Lourdes Gregorio in the 2019 UST Christmas Concert.

The soprano singer also performed at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou, China last April together with pianist Raul Sunico.

Espina finished bachelor of music, major in voice at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila in 1995 and obtained her professional diploma in opera at the Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts in 1992.

Espina graduated from the University with a master of arts in music, magna cum laude, in 2004.

“Even if I graduated from another school for my bachelor’s degree, I’ve always felt like I am a Thomasian. I was no stranger to the values of the university. UST has taught me to be resilient and to push myself to be the best I can be,” Espina told the Varsitarian.

“What UST honed was my skill as a performer and as a musician – this competition is not the end, but just an affirmation that I chose the best profession, music,” she added.

Espina teaches voice, theater, piano and opera in the Conservatory of Music.

The soprano bested four other nominees in the category.

Former UST Singer Jade Riccio, who graduated magna cum laude from the Conservatory, received Best Female Crossover Performer.

The former soprano won Best Classical Performer in previous Aliw Awards and the National Music Competition for Young Artists.

After bagging the Best Classical Performer award, Riccio joined Star Music of ABS-CBN as an artist.

Pippo Cifra, a piano and composition graduate, took home the Best Musical Director and Best

A Decade of

Jade Riccio won the Aliw Award for Best Female Crossover Performer at the awarding ceremony held last Dec. 17. PHOTO GRABBED

V-Special Reports

FROM HER FACEBOOK PAGE

2010

UST

2019

With the end of the 2010s and the start of a fresh decade, the Varsitarian looks back at the biggest campus events of the past 10 years.

Composer for Original Music Theatre awards for “Sindak 1941,” an adaptation of “Filipinas 1941.”

“As a Thomasian, even if we receive a lot of accolades, we should stay grounded. Everything is not about us, it’s about God and our duty as a Catholic is to share our talents to as many as we can,” Cifra said.

Cifra is the musical composer for the Philippine Stagers Foundation and has worked as composer or scorer for “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and other television shows.

The Aliw Awards is an annual ceremony, first held in 1977, that recognizes Filipino talents in performing arts.

Aliw Awards Foundation Inc. runs Aliw’s Welfare Fund in support of live entertainers in need of financial assistance. NEIL PAOLO S. GONZALES and

2010

Nenen Espina won the Aliw Award for Best Female Classical Performer. PHOTO FROM NENEN ESPINA

CAMILLE ABIEL H. TORRES with reports from CHARM RYANNE C. MAGPAL

Lira Luis is the first Filipino to become a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

PHOTO GRABBED

Architecture alumna named Royal Institute of British Architects fellow AN ARCHITECTURE alumna who designed homes for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda was recently elected 2020 fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

FROM HER TWITTER ACCOUNT

Lira Luis, who graduated with cum laude honors from the University in 1995, is the first Filipino to become a RIBA fellow.

Luis said becoming a RIBA fellow meant representation for Filipinos and signified “the breaking of barriers.”

“If you don’t see people who look like me — Filipinos like me, women like me, people of color like me — in elite spaces such as the global architecture platforms, then how can you know what is also possible for you?” she told the Varsitarian.

Luis said it was a “collective achievement” of everyone who helped her in her journey as an architect.

Despite multiple failures, Luis said she opted to focus on her achievements.

“It was tempting to succumb to a negativity bias towards falling short of succeeding from an unsuccessful pursuit, that I nearly missed celebrating a successful one right in front of me,” she said.

She said RIBA has provided her a platform to make a difference in the field.

“I want to change the world that makes the lives of the disenfranchised better, as an architect — this is the driving force behind my aspirations,” she said.

Luis is the principal architect of the firm Atelier Lira Luis Limited, which has helped survivors of natural disasters, such as Typhoon Yolanda in 2013, rebuild their homes.

She said she plans to craft more architectural solutions for climate change.

“I am developing new architectural solutions appropriate to our time and using 21st century technology that build upon the architecture experiments,” she said.

Luis worked with nongovernment agencies like the United Nations (UN) 2030 Youthforce and UN Women USA and has mentored young women and minorities about 3D printing, architecture and technology.

She received the 2010 American Institute of Architects Athena Young Professional Leadership Award for “actively assisting others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.”

Communication arts alumnus receives honorable mention in DGF writing competition AN ESSAY inspired by a family joke about their Tondo carinderia brought home an honorable mention citation for a Thomasian in the Doreen Gamboa Food (DGF) Writing Awards Competition announced last Jan. 22.

Communication Arts alumnus Samuel Evardone’s winning essay, “Sarciadong Aquarium,” explored the colorful history of the family-owned eatery since 1972.

Part of it was the “aquarium,” the family’s term for the variety unsold fried fish recooked and reinvented as sarciado, often with a tomato-based sauce poured over it.

“My family calls it aquarium because of the variety of fish in the dish,” Evardone, 26, told the Varsitarian.

“The piece is about recycling food, so it won’t go to waste.”

The two other honorable awards went to Edelwina Gonzaga (“The Ichtus in Talibubu”) and Rosy Mina (“What’s in a Name? When Philippine Fishes Go by Reduplications”).

Jennifer Fergesen’s “Migratory Species—The Filipina Fish Processors of Faroe Islands” won the top prize,

while her other entry, “Dalagang Bukid: The Mountain Maiden of the Seas,” placed third.

The second prize went to Marie Joy Rosal Sumagaysay for her piece, “Sirup and the Sea Breeze.”

Love for writing Though cooking runs in the family, Evardone admitted that he’s not as good as his relatives in the kitchen. “[M]aybe that’s the reason why I write,” he said, “because there should be someone who’s supposed to chronicle my family’s gastronomic legacy.”

Evardone participated in last year’s Silliman University National Writers Workshop. He is the communications manager of Okada Manila and is also working simultaneously on a novel and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing at De La Salle University.

He was also a fellow during the Virgin Lab Fest in 2018, where he produced a 15-minute play about a bank robbery titled “Hayst.”

The DGF award is named after the late Doreen Gamboa Fernandez, a pioneering food anthropologist and columnist who passed away in 2002. MA. JASMINE TRI-

SHA L. NEPOMUCENO###

Communication Arts graduate Samuel Evardone, won an honorable mention citation at the 2019 DGF Food Writing Awards for his work “Sarciado.”

PHOTO FROM SAMUEL EVARDONE

Tuition goes up by 4 percent. The revised collective bargaining deal between the administration and the UST Faculty Union results in a 2 percent increase in faculty pay.

The first 12 CCTV cameras are installed throughout the campus by the Facilities Management Office under a P3-million budget.

Some 24,000 Thomasians form what is said to be one of the world’s largest human rosary. The “Q Rosary” is one of the Quadricentennial activities meant as a thanksgiving to the Blessed Virgin and in celebration of the 39th anniversary of the Dominican Province of the Philippines.

Gold Winner of the “Most Trusted Brand” awards under the university category.

The Santisimo Rosario Church celebrates its 70th year. It was declared a parish church by Manila Archbishop Michael O’Doherty on March 21, 1942.

2013 The K to 12 Basic Education Act is signed into law, resulting in a massive upheaval of the education system.

UST officials join the Million People March with the call to abolish “pork barrel.”

UST is recognized as the institution with the highest number of programs accredited by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities’ Commission on Accreditation (Pacucoa).

2011

2014

Four UST landmarks—the Main Building, Central Seminary, Arch of the Centuries, and the University’s open spaces—are declared National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum, a first for any educational institution in the country.

Thomasians form the largest human, black-and-white Dominican cross and break into the Guinness Records.

CTHM student Raphael Alfonso Acabado graduates as the Quadricentennial valedictorian.

The University’s 400th anniversary celebration, themed “Imbued with Unending Grace,” begins with a mass and the opening of the Jubilee Door at the UST Chapel.

Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. unveils the 18-feet Quattromondial glass and metal sculpture designed by alumnus Ramon Orlina.

The 78-year old UST gym is demolished for the construction of the Thomasian Alumni Center.

UST unveils a new logo that features a new design enclosing the University seal in a circle set in yellow, with an outer black ring containing the words “UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS” and “MANILA 1611.”

Tinoko Park is demolished to pave way for the construction of the Rosarium or rosary garden.

UST slips from the top 600 in the QS Asian rankings.

UST imposes stricter enrollment policies, barring students from reserving slots without payment and prohibiting students with unpaid balances from enrolling. UST later withdraws its ban on promissory notes.

The Supreme Court decides to move the Bar Exams to UST.

The Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building and new practice gyms in the Quadricentennial Pavilion are inaugurated as part of the University’s post-Quadricentennial infrastructure upgrade.

Application for UST entrance test goes online in Academic Year 2015-2016.

Simbahayan Community Development Office’s project “Tulong Tomasino Para sa Visayas” raises P2.4-million for “Yolanda” victims.

The University is placed under the Philippine Dominican Province after centuries under Spanish Dominicans.

UST Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Fr. Filemon Dela Cruz, O.P. announces that UST will host Pope Francis for his apostolic visit to the Philippines.

2012

2016

UST welcomes its fifth century.

UST blocks the construction of Lacson flyover.

Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. is named the 96th Rector of UST. Reader’s Digest Asia names UST the

The University accepts the pioneer batch of senior high school students in the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.

Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. is elected to his second term as rector.

2015 Pope Francis visits UST on Jan. 18, making it the fourth time the Vicar of Christ visited the University. He meets Glyzelle Palomar and UST Law Student Leandro Santos II. Performers include the Marian Evangelization Community, Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon, USTeMundo, The Yellow Jackets, Salinggawi Dance Troupe, Angeline Quinto, Jed Madela, Darren Espanto and Jamie Rivera, who composed the Papal Visit theme song “We Are All God’s Children.”

The UST Papal Visit was the penultimate of the four-day apostolic visit to the Philippines, and followed the Pope’s trip to typhoon-struck Leyte.

Freshmen enrollment drops because of K to 12.

The University revises its vision and mission statement, resolving to become the foremost Catholic university in Asia.

UST reaches out to Kidapawan farmers and offers counselling services after their violent dispersal.

Student leaders and Thomasian youth groups protest the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

2017 UST Civil Law freshman Horacio “Atio” Castillo is killed during hazing rites of school-based fraternity Aegis Juris, prompting the review of the AntiHazing Law. Aquinas University of Legazpi becomes UST Legazpi. The Laguna campus breaks ground.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building begins construction.

An estimated 17,000 Thomasians form the words “My Teacher is my Hero” in an attempt to break the world record for the largest human sentence.

Abstain votes win in the Central Student Council elections, in which Thomasians rejected candidates in four out of six positions.

The UST Psycho-Trauma Clinic opens to the public.

The University suspends all outof-campus activities following the Commission on Higher Education’s temporary ban on all field trips and educational tours because of a tragedy involving students of a university in Bulacan.

2018 The Varsitarian marks its 90th anniversary as the country’s most influential campus paper.

Mocha Uson is given an award by UST alumni, sparking protests.

The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) headed by Virgilio Almario, president of KWF, and Prof. Allan de Guzman, formally launch Sentro ng Salin in the University.

UST welcomes Lumad representatives.

UST General Santos starts construction.

The 2018 Paskuhan draws the largest crowd in recent years with an estimated 100,000 attendees.

2019 Dispute breaks out between UST Hospital workers and the administration. Workers file a notice of strike over supposed unjust labor practices.

Newly elected Manila Mayor Isko Moreno bans liquor establishments around schools, prompting the closure of several establishments around UST. The newly constructed Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building officially welcomes 3,531 new senior high school students.

The Harry Potter-themed Paskuhan draws a record-breaking 105,000 attendees. Joenner Paulo Enriquez, O.P., Camille Marcelo, Klyra V. Orbien, Nuel Angelo Sabate

PHOTO BY SHERWIN T. VARDELEON

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FILIPINO

The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2020

LITERARY The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2020

EDITOR: JOSELLE CZARINA S. DE LA CRUZ

Poor reading comprehension of young Filipinos linked to lack of quality reading materials

Fr. Alejo: ‘Tumbasan ng salita ang karanasan, magbigay boses sa lipunan’ BINIGYANG-DIIN ng Tomasinong Heswita na si P. Albert Alejo na tungkulin ng isang makata na tumbasan ng salita ang mga tunay na karanasan sa buhay na isang paraan ng pagpapalaganap ng katotohanan sa lipunan. "[K]ailangan niyang maramdaman 'yong sakit hanggang sa maging salita ang sakit. Bahagi ng totoo ay mayroong kapangyarihan at mayroong walang kapangyarihan. May naapi, may nasasaktan. Huwag kang lumayo sa nasasaktan, huwag kang lumayo sa naaapi," wika ni Alejo sa isang panayam sa Varsitarian.

Dagdag pa niya, hindi dapat ituon ng makata ang pansin sa bilang ng nakikinig o nagbabasa ng mga akda kung hindi sa mga tunay na nakauunawa rito.

Winika rin ni Alejo na kailangang laging sinasanay ng isang makata ang kaniyang pandama sa araw-araw para sa paggawa ng makabuluhang tula o akda.

"Lumagay ka sa totoo at [pabayaan] mong sugatan ka, [pabayaan] mong saktan ka kasi 'yon din 'yong paraan na matutuwa ka. [Kung] takot kang matusok ng tinik ng rosas, hindi mo siya maaamoy," wika ni Alejo.

Iginiit din ni Alejo na dapat tuk-

Casanova Photo by Arianne Maye D.G. Viri

Tomasinong propesor, bagong kinatawan ng wikang Tagalog ng KWF Nina Caitlin Dayne A. Contreras at Bea Angeline P. Domingo Hinimok ng Tomasinong Heswita na si Fr. Albert Alejo ang mga makata na “Lumagay sa totoo, [at] bigyang boses ang lipunan” sa “Ang Sabi Nila” na ginanap sa Ruins, Poblacion, Makati nooong Jan 18. PHOTO BY CAMILLE ABIEL H. TORRES

lasin ang mga uri ng akdang pampanitikan ng bansa tulad ng tanaga na sinaunang anyo ng maikling tulang Tagalog.

"Noong dumating 'yong mga Kastila... may sibilisasyon itong Katagalugan, may magandang anyo ng tula. 'Yong iba may sonnet, 'yong iba may haiku, e dito may tanaga.

[M]aliit lang siya pero dapat may nasabi ka na. [S]ana matutuhan din," giit ni Alejo.

nila ito ay trabaho lamang ng mga guro sa filipino.

[N]apakalaking gawain [nito] at kaya ito ay isang propesyon sa ibang mga malalaking bansa sa mundo,” dagdag pa ni Almario.

Isang multilingguwal na bansa ang Filipinas na binubuo ng higit sa 100 katutubong wika at iba’t ibang banyangang wika, kaya kinakailangan ang pagsisikap sa pagsasalin ng mga akda at iba pang materyales sa bansa, ayon kay Almario.

Winika rin ni Almario na makatutulong ang pagsasalin sa kalidad ng reading comprehension sa bansa. “[A]ng reading comprehension ay isang malaking problema ng mga estudyante. [Dapat na] makita nila na ang trabahong pagsasalin ay nangangahulugang Pagsasalin bilang propesyon...

ITINALAGA ang isang Tomasinong propesor bilang komisyoner ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, kung saan magsisilbi siyang kinatawan ng wikang Tagalog.

Ang pagkakatalaga sa premyadong edukador at manunulat na si Arthur Casanova ay may bisa hanggang ika-6 ng Enero taong 2027.

Pinalitan ni Casanova ang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining na si Virgilio Almario sa puwestong ito.

Siya ay naging bahagi ng Aliw Awards Foundation taong 2013 hanggang 2017 at ng International Theatre Institute noong 2000 hanggang 2017.

Taong 2011 hanggang 2012 naman siya nanilbihan bilang pangulo ng Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators.

Nailimbag niya ang higit 40 na aklat ng kuwentong pambata at mga teksbuk sa hayskul at kolehiyo.

Nagkamit siya ng parangal mula sa National Book Awards noong 1986 at 1987.

Nagtapos ni Casanova ng kaniyang Batsilyer sa Pansekondaryang Edukasyon medyor sa Filipino sa Mindanao State University sa Marawi City noong 1982.

Nakuha naman niya ang kaniyang masterado sa Education with specialization in Filipino Linguistics sa Philippine Normal University noong 1992. Sa parehong unibersidad din niya nakuha ang kaniyang doktorado sa Linguistics and Literature noong 1999.

Siya ay naman ay pinangaralan ng Metrobank Outstanding Teacher (na ngayon ay Metrobank Outstanding Filipino) noong 1999.

PAHINA 10

Tomasinong propesor... PAHINA 11

Isa si Alejo sa mga nagtanghal ng tula sa ikalabindalawang bahagi ng “Ang Sabi Nila,” sa Ruins Poblacion sa lungsod ng Makati noong ika-18 ng Enero.

Nagwagi ang kaniyang akda na "Ang Sermon ng nasa Bundok" ng parangal na Best Essay in Filipino sa Catholic Mass Media Award noong 1984.

Taong 1990 naman nang matanggap ni Alejo ang National

Book Award sa kategoryang social sciences sa kaniyang akdang "Tao Po! Tuloy! Isand Landas ng Pag-unawa sa Loob ng Tao." Awtor din siya ng “Nabighani: Mga Saling Tula ng Kapwa Nilikha” (UST Publishing House, 2015) at “Isang Kahig, Isang Tula: Mahigit 200 Tanaga” (Ateneo de Naga University Press, 2019). Caitlin Dayne A. Contreras at Bea Angeline P. Domingo

Pagsasalin, dapat nang kilalanin bilang propesyon – Rio Alma Ni Joselle Czarina S. de la Cruz

MARAPAT nang makilala bilang isang propesyon ang pagsasalin sa bansa dahil malaki ang naitutulong nito sa pag-unlad ng wikang Filipino, giit ng mga tagasalin.

Iginiit ni Virgilio Almario, tagapangulo ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) at kilalang tagasalin, panahon na para makilala ang propesyong ito sa bansa na dapat ding bigyangpansin ng gobyerno ng Filipinas. “[N]apakarami nating dapat pag-aralang wika at... nangangahulugang napakaraming dokumento, literatura, at iba pang sulatin na dapat nating maisalin mula sa iba’t ibang wika tungo sa filipino o kaya mula sa filipino tungo sa iba’t ibang wika,” wika ni Almario. “[H]indi naiintindihan ng ating gobyerno kaya hindi binibigyan ng sapat na pansin. Akala

Virgilio Almario Photo By Bianca Jolene S. Redondo

Usapang Uste

“If we want to raise our rank in the succeeding PISA then we have to invest in quality reading materials, match the right reading materials to the level of the readers via a reading assessment, and improve our facilities to be conducive for reading,”

ARTWORK BY SOPHIA LOZADA MULA SA PAHINA 3

Tomasino sa paglinang ng kanilang kaalaman sa Unibersdad.

Maaari ring pumunta tuwing Linggo kung may pagsusulit sa susunod na araw.

Taong 1985 nang simulan ang pagpapatayo ng sariling gusali para sa silid aklatan at noong ika-29 ng Oktubre taong 1989 ito natapos.

Ipinangalan ito kay Benavides upang gunitain ang ika-400 na taon ng kaniyang pagkamatay pati na rin ang ika-400 na taon ng pagkakatatag nito.

Sa kasalukuyan, binubuo ang aklatang ito ng 16 na seksiyon at lima pang sangay na aklatan.

Matagumpay rin na sumunod ang aklatan mula sa mano-manong operasyon patungo sa “fully automated” at pagiging “virtual library.”

Kasama si Benavides sa unang pangkat ng mga Dominikong dumating sa bansa noong 1587 upang palaganapin ang Katolisismo.

Isa siya sa mga paring Kastila na naging malapit sa mga Filipino dahil

sa pagtatanggol niya sa kanila sa mga mananakop na Kastila.

Tomasino Siya Hindi matatawaran ang kahusayan ng mga Tomasinong mamamahayag sa pabibigay-boses sa lipunan gaya ni Ruben Viado Nepales Jr. Nagtapos ng kursong journalism si Nepales sa Unibersidad at naging miyembro ng The Flame, ang opisyal na pahayagan ng Fakultad ng Sining at Panitik.

Naihalal bilang Chairman ng Hollywood Foreign Press Association noong taong 2012. Mamamahayag din si Nepales sa Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Pinarangalan na siya ng iba’t ibang samahan gaya ng National Entertainment Journalism Awards at ng Southern California Journalism Awards.

Noong 2011, ginawad kay Nepales ang The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Awardee para sa katergoryang media.

Taong 2013 naman ng mailimbag ang kaniyang kauna-unahang aklat na

“My Filipino Connection: The Philippines in Hollywood” na nanalo sa book category ng Migration Advocacy and Media Awards.

Sa aklat na ito mababasa ang mga interbyu ni Nepales sa mga artistang Filipino-American at mga Filipino na nasa Hollywood na gaya nina Bernardo Bernardo, Alec Mapa, Vanessa Hudgens, Hailee Steinfeld, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Charice Pempengco, at marami pang iba.

Fidel Villarroel, O.P. UP Diksiyonaryong Filipino TOTAL Awards 2011 Caitlin Dayne A. Contreras at Bea Angeline P. Domingo

THOMASIAN instructors traced the waning reading comprehension among students to inadequate and unavailable reading tools in the Philippines.

Karen Yoma, English Coordinator at the UST Junior High School, said economic factors contribute to the low literacy rate in the country. She called for the improvement of facilities and reading materials to address the issue.

“We cannot deny the fact that quality reading materials are a must in trying to improve our performance,” Karen Yoma, (UST-JHS), told the Varsitarian in an online interview.

In a global survey of reading comprehension conducted by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) last 2018, Filipinos ranked last among 79 countries with a rating of 340 points compared to the

average 487 points.

The country placed 79th in reading, with the majority of Filipino students who took part in the assessment being in Grade 9.

PISA is a triennial international assessment administered to 15-yearold learners, who are about to finish their mandatory basic education. Implemented by OECD, the PISA results are deemed able to provide relevant insights on student performance and inform policy decisions by the Department of Education (DepEd).

“If we want to raise our rank in the succeeding PISA then we have to invest in quality reading materials, match the right reading materials to the level of the readers via a reading assessment, and improve our facilities to be conducive for reading,” Yoma said.

Melanie Turingan of the Department of History at Faculty of Arts and Letters said subjects like ‘Readings in

Philippine History” have works usually rendered from Spanish, thus requiring different approaches in research.

Although there are “snippets” of sources online, Turingan said, they are not sufficient. “If the reading material comes from the internet, the tendency for readers is to simply scan. Unlike in books, you really search for it and read it,” she added.

Turingan claimed exposure to social media can also affect the students’ reading habits and their ability to differentiate verified information from false ones as they “get information through scanning and not through reading.”

Research demands effort and understanding, she said. It affects

Art by Gwyneth Fiona Luga

“Sommarblommor”travel poems in three tongues POET John Iremil Teodoro’s “Sommarblommor: Poems Written in Europe” consists of poems about his European wanderings but written in his native Kinaray-a, with English translations. The result is a travel poetry that somehow relives the freshness and uniqueness of the travel experience.

Published by the UST Publishing House, the title of the book is the Swedish word for summer flowers, “Sommorblommor” is reminiscent of Teodoro’s evening walks in Sweden as the fading sunlight kisses the flowery fields goodnight.

The collection was originally his travel notebook of the same name, as well as a tribute to a book bought from a store in Lenhovda, Sweden. Much of Teodoro’s poems were written there, inspired from the sceneries he observed during his stay.

He writes in such a way that his native language Kinaray-a allows his poems to reconcile the strange and unfamiliar world with the warmth of his tropical homeland, giving his poems a universal appeal.

Teodoro went to Europe to visit his niece, regularly conversing with her in Kinaray-a. In his travels, he went to Copenhagen’s statue of the Little Mermaid, Heidelberg whose flowers are memorialized in Rizal’s famous poem, and to the grave of Wislawa Szymborska, the Nobel laureate whose poetry the author admires.

One of Teodoro’s poems dedicated to Copenhagen crosses the somber weather during his visit and to what seems his impression of the mystery of its architecture.

In Kinaray-a, he writes “sa diin ang imong tagipusuon?” This line translates to Teodoro wondering “nasaan ang iyong puso?”, and in English, “where is your heart?”

He asks “why do you feel forlorn, in the midst of your green trees and grass?”, which in original Kinaray-a is “Andët may pagpangalisëd, sa kalagtëm kang imong mga kahoy kag hilamon?”, and “Bakit may pagluluksa, sa lunti ng iyong mga kahoy at damo?” in Filipino.

Sommorblommor... PAGE 10

Language expert Rusell Lagunsad delivers her talk during the second “Wikang Yaman at Kwento 2020” held at Thomas Aquinas Research Complex last Jan. 21. PHOTO BY ARIANNE MAYE D.G. VIRI

‘Challenge male dominance in literature,’ Thomasians told THOMASIAN students were urged to re-evaluate male-dominant traits in Philippine literature, which might pose harm to both men and women.

De La Salle University professor Ronald Baytan said masculinity in itself is not bad but may become “oppressive” if it becomes normative and considers women treacherous.

He explained that masculinity is often defined in terms of being physically strong and less emotional while women are often depicted as either weak or seductive.

“We use [masculinity] as a guideline to identify weakness, which is femininity,” Baytan, director of the Bienvenido N. Santos

Creative Writing at La Salle, said during the forum titled “Danas: The Macho Man in Philippine Literature,” last Jan 22.

John Iremil Teodoro, a scholar of Hiligaynon literature and graduate program coordinator of DLSU’s literature department, discussed works written by Ilonggos during pre-Hispanic era, which showed more openness towards women.

“Women have to write themselves dahil iyon lang ang way para mabawi nila ang kanilang body and soul,” Teodoro said.

Danas was organized by the UST Literary Society and was held at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex auditorium. Leigh Anne Dispo

Tomasalitaan Paráli (png.) - pahayag na nakasisira sa kapuwa Makaiiwas tayo sa kaguluhan kung maiisip ng karamihan na tigilan ang pagbibigay ng paráli sa ating kapuwa. *** Mga Sanggunian: The Varsitarian, Tomo XLVII, Blg. 1, June 16, 1976, 1975-1980, p. 134 The University of Santo Tomas (Four Centuries of Higher Education in the Philippines) Volume I ni Padre

reading immensely because it is the foundation of one’s individuality and level of education. Reading is the path to proficiency. Leigh Anne E. Dispo, with reports from Sofia Bernice F. Navarro

Ronald Baytan and John Iremil Teodoro answer questions from the audience during the forum titled “Danas: The Macho Man in Philippine Literature,” last Jan 22. PHOTO BY ARIANNE MAYE D.G. VIRI

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Universities urged to strengthen Philippine native languages in academic spaces EXPERTS urged students to bolster the presence of native Philippine languages in schools through storytelling, during the second “Wikang Yaman: Kuwento at Kuwenta 2020” last Jan. 21.

Baybayin expert and advocate Rusell Lagunsad said people must recognize the value of symbols in Filipino culture. Otherwise, there would be a decline in the cultural and national identity of Filipinos.

UST Senior High School Filipino instructor Jonathan Geronimo said the preservation of native languages and cultures in the Philippines is on the rise, but political and economic problems have yet to be addressed.

“Magandang hakbang ang ganitong taunang gawain ng English Language Studies para magbukas kamulatan sa mga Tomasino ukol sa ganda at yaman ng ating mga katutubong wika,” he said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

(An annual activity like this organized by English Language Studies is a good step toward opening the minds of Thomasians regarding the beauty and richness of our native language.)

He emphasized that the Philippines has undergone changes in its collective culture alongside its history of being colonized by foreign powers.

“Bakit tayo kapag haharap na sa banyaga, bakit parang wala tayong identidad? Dahil nagkakaroon ng pagkukulang sa pagpapahalaga sa ating kultura,” said Lagunsad, who founded “Ladaw Antangan,” a group that promotes the public use of Baybayin.

(Why is it that when we face foreigners, we seem to lose our sense of identity? It is because we lack the proper appreciation of our culture.)

“Wikang Yaman: Kuwento at Kuwenta 2020” was a storytelling event organized by the UST English Language Studies Society. This year’s theme was “Embracing Languages through Enchanting Stories.” S.B. Navarro

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COMICS

The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2020

EDITOR: JURY P. SALAYA

SPORTS

The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2020

EDITOR: FAITH YUEN WEI N. RAGASA

TRES CATHERINE PAULINE A. UMALI

Changes in UAAP volleyball schedule affect athletes, coaches’ preparations

RAYA S. MUNDO GWYNETH FIONA N. LUGA

The Philippine men’s water polo team raise their SEA Games medals for a group photo. PHOTO FROM MATTHEW YU

MEMBERS OF THE PHILIPPINE MEN’S WATER POLO TEAM BAGS SILVER IN SEA GAMES

MIMATOLOGY ALISA JOY T. DEL MUNDO

By Jasmin Roselle M. Monton

Pagsasalin bilang propesyon MULA PAHINA 8

Ayon kay Almario: “[K]ung ano lang ‘yong limos na ibigay ng nagpapasalin, ‘yon iyon. Walang professional fee talaga. ‘Di kamukha ng doktor, pagka-professional fee, hindi bababa sa 500 tingnan ka lang, gano’n.”

Sinang-ayunan naman ito ni Fajilan: “Karamihan sa mga nagsasalin, kung hindi man sila nabibigyan ng bayad, kasi minsan thank you lang, so, propesyonal ka ba kung hindi ka binabayaran?”

Isa rin sa mga pagsisikap ng Sentro ang pagsasalin sa larang ng agham at medisina para sa masa. Sa ganitong paraan, mas mauunawaan ng mga Filipino ang mga siyentipikong terminolohiya dahil nasa pamilyar itong wika.

Paliwanag ni Fortunato Sevilla III, propesor emeritus ng kimika sa Unibersidad, hindi madaling gawain ang pagsasalin ng mga saliksik sa agham at medisina patungo sa wikang Filipino pero malaki ang pangangailangan dito. “[S]a agrikultura, kita nila ang pangangailangan, dahil kailangan nilang ipahatid sa mga magsasaka ang kanilang kaalaman at hindi ito puwede sa salitang Ingles,” wika ni Sevilla.

Kinakailangan na magmula mismo sa mga siyentipiko ang pagsasalin sa mga termino sa mga larang na ito, giit ni Sevilla.

Sa pag-usbong naman ng teknolohiya, nariyan din ang mga pagsisikap na magamit ang wikang Filipino.

Noong pagtatapos ng Buwan ng Wika ngayong taon, inilunsad ng Google Philippines ang pagdagdag ng wikang Central Bikol, Koronadal Blaan, Rinconada Bikol, Chavacano, Cebuano, Capiznon, Cuyonon, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Itawit, Kankanaey, Kinaray-A, Maguindanao, Maranao, Pangasinan, Kapampangan, Tausuga at Waray sa Gboard.

Napabilang naman ang wikang Cebuano sa “World Lens,” isang feature sa Google Translate kung saan maaaring makapagsalin ng mga poster o karatula na nasa ibang wika sa pamamagitan lamang ng camera ng cellphone.

Mawawalan ng bisa ang mga pagsisikap na ito kung mismong mga Filipino ang hindi nakauunawa sa diwa ng pagsasalin.

Kung tunay tayong Filipino, dapat nauunawaan natin na isa sa mga

pagtulong sa reading comprehension,” wika ni Almario.

Para naman kay Eilene Narvaez, propesor sa Filipino sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas-Diliman, hindi maihahalintulad sa ibang propesyon ang pagiging bihasa sa larang ng pagsasalin. “[P]arang buong panahon o sa kalagitnaan ng iyong buhay hindi mo pa din masasabi na bihasa ka na sa pagsasalin... kailangan mahasa ang iyong kasanayan sa paggamit ng wika at dun sa pagtutumbas. Hindi kagaya ng ibang propesyon na nag-aaral ka ng apat na taon,” wika ni Narvaez.

Giit pa ni Narvaez, malaki ang gampanin ng pagsasalin sa pag-unlad ng bansa na binubuo ng maraming wika.

“Mahalaga yung pagsasalin dahil mayroon din itong gampaning pangwika para sa bansa. Katuwang ng pag-unlad ng isang wikang pambansa ang pagsasalin.

Kasangkapan ito para maangkin natin sa ating wika ang mga angkat na kaisipan, karanasan sa isang multilingguwal na lugar tulad ng atin,” wika ni Narvaez.

“Sa pagsasalin din ang paraan para mailahok ang ambag ng iba’t ibang katutubong kultura sa isang pambansang pamalayan na nakapaloob sa isang pambansang wika,” dagdag pa ni Narvaez.

Ipinaalala rin ni Narvaez na hindi lang dapat umasa sa mga machine translation gaya ng Google Translate. “[H]indi pa mapagkakatiwalaan ang

machine translation kasi hindi pa ito maiiwanan at kailangan pa ring pumili kung hindi angkop ang mga salita,” wika ni Narvaez.

Alintuntunin sa pagsasalin, tutukan Iginiit ni Michael Coroza, tagapangulo ng Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas at ng Pambansang Komite sa Wika at Salin sa Pambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura, na pagdating sa saling-awit, mas binibigyang halaga ang praktika ng pagpapalit-awit kaysa sa pagsasaling-awit.

“Maaaring sinadya ng naghalaw na baguhin o hindi sundin ang orihinal sa kung anomang dahilang pinangangatwiranan o pinangangatawaran niya personal man o pampolitika. Maaari rin namang talagang nagmamadali o tinatamad lang siya,” wika ni Coroza.

“Kapag paghalaw ang naganap may isang deribatibong teksto na nalilikha sa tunguhang lengguwahe at marami sa mga kaisipan o kahulugan at iba pang katangian ng orihinal ang hindi naililipat gayong maaari naman sana,” dagdag pa ni Coroza.

Dagdag pa ni Coroza, propesor sa Kagawaran ng Filipino sa Ateneo de Manila University, dapat maunawaang mabuti ang pagkakaiba ng mga paraan sa saling-awit.

Sa palit-awit, isang bagong kanta ang nalikha na walang naiwang bakas ng

Sommorblommor From Page 9

Later on, this dillema was resolved when Teodoro narrates the ripening of a tree by a nearby bridge, where he has finally found the “heart” that is hidden.

As if attempting to bridge the great chasm between his native land and the new country he finds himself in, Teodoro expresses the similarity of the European pine trees with the ones in Baguio.

His poetry captures the beauty of Europe, whether in the language of Antique’s Kinaray-a, in the more known Filipino, or in English.

“Sommarblommor” has a total of 35 poems divided into three sections: “Mga Búlak sa Tingadlaw” the poems

21st Inkblots FROM PAGE 6 orihinal na letra at ang lapat-awit, ang paglalagay ng letra sa musika o melodiya sapagkat wala talaga itong orihinal na letra o liriks, ayon kay Coroza.

Wika naman ni Narvaez, mahalagang maunawaan ang kahalagahan ng pagsasaling teknikal na nakatutulong sa iba’t ibang larang.

“Habang may bagong imbensyon, isinasalin ito sa ibang wika [at] ibang kultura. Dumadaan ito sa pagsasaling teknikal. Ngunit... hindi itinuturing na isang propesyon ang pagiging tagasalin at gawaing akademiko ang pagsasalin,” ayon kay Narvaez.

Iminungkahi naman ni Alvin Ringgo Reyes, tagapangulo ng Departamento ng Filipino sa Unibersidad, ang pagdisenyo ng kurso ng pagsasalin sa General Education tulad ng pag-aangkop ng pagsasalin sa partikular na larang at pagpapalawak ng kapasidad nito.

Ayon naman kay Roberto D. Ampil, propesor sa Filipino sa Unibersidad, kailangang maituro ang mga estratehiya sa pagtuturo ng pagsasalin at hamunin ang mga estudyante kung hanggang saan ang kanilang kakayahan at kaalaman.

Inorganisa “Sipat-Salin 2019: Mga Perspektiba sa Pagtuturo ng Pagsasalin sa Filipino sa K-12 at GEC” ng UST Sentro sa Salin at Araling Salin, katuwang ang UST Departamento ng Filipino at KWF. Isinusulong nito ang de-kalidad na pagtuturo ng pagsasalin sa bansa. C. D. A. Contreras at B. A. P. Domingo

in Kinaray-a; “Mga Bulak sa Tag-araw”, the poems in Filipino; and “Summer Flowers”, the poems translated into English.

Though one may worry about not understanding the poems because of language barriers, Teodoro assures his readers through the translations that the essence of poetry transgresses what the lips speak.

Alice Sun-Cua, who helped translate the poems, said “[The] collection summarizes the big-eyed wonder of a first-time traveler to the Old World translated from his Sommorblommor... PAGE 11

Veteran editor Nestor Cuartero underscored in his feature writing lecture the importance of long-form journalism.

“With the rise of YouTubers and migration of many journalists to online and video blogging, long-form journalism is still the future of print,” he said.

He said print media could cope with the rise of social and online media by using features as a tool.

Award-winning actor Rocco Nacino was the guest for the feature writing competition, where Cuartero urged fellows to ask probing, non-cliche questions to get to know the artist better.

Writing competitions for news, feature and sports categories were also held during the 21st Inkblots For the news writing competition, participants wrote a story on Rappler managing editor Glenda Gloria’s keynote speech.

UST journalism students James Paul Gomez and Charlene Grace Lao received first prize in news writing.

Escritor, the official student publication of Columban College-Barretto High School Department, bagged the prize in feature writing, while The Defender, the official student publication of Bataan Peninsula State University-Balanga Campus, won first place in sports writing.

Artwork by Rae Isobel N. Tyapon

Bugsô MULA SA PAHINA 4

katangian ng wika ay ang pagbabago. Kailangang sumunod ng wika sa pagbabago ng panahon nang sa gayon ay umunlad ito, patuloy na magamit at hindi mamatay.

Hindi uubrang gawing katawa-tawa ang mga ginagawa ng mga tagasalin ng agham, medisina at teknolohiya dahil lang hindi natin nakagawian na gamitin ang wikang Filipino sa mga larangang na ito.

Ngayon, masasabi ba nating mahal natin ang sariling wika kung mismong tayo ang hindi nakauunawa sa diwa ng mga pagsisikap na isinasagawa para tumaas ang antas ng wikang pambansa?

Paano mo masasabing mahal mo ang sariling wika kung hindi mo lubos na naiintindihan ang diwa nito? Kailangan nating maunawaan na kasama sa pagmamahal ang pagtataguyod at pagsuporta sa sariling atin.

11

TIGER SHARKS alumni Matthew Royce Yu and Aljon Salonga helped the water polo national team’s campaign to secure a silver in the SEA Games water polo tournament at the New Clark City Aquatics Center last December.

Following a 6-all tie against Indonesia and Singapore in the final matches, the Philippine team outlasted 540 FROM PAGE 5

he had a higher intensity of training and a higher chance of winning compared to me and my other female teammates.

With these two sides, I could not simply dictate if transgender athletes competing in women’s division is fair or unfair.

We should be able to see that, although this issue does include freedom of identity and inclusivity, the main argument lies on the fairness of the fight based on physical and biological standards.

To me, this might have been the reason why this issue still comes as controversial even though standards and guidelines do permit the athletes to compete.

Science and researches, as of now, lean more on the side of transwomen still having more advantage which, in my point of view, does make it Tomasinong propesor MULA PAHINA 8

Nagmumula sa Pangulo ng Filipinas ang desisyon sa pagtatalaga ng kinatawan ng bawat pangunahing wika sa bansa. Kinakailangan din ang sapat na kaalaman at ang pagiging native speaker sa naturang wika.

Iginiit din ni Casanova na ang kaniyang bagong tungkulin ay isang bagong hamon na kaniyang haharapin sa kaniyang buhay.

“Ito’y hinaharap ko, tinatanggap kong hamon para sa bayan. Ito ay sagot sa dasal at ako ay tumatanaw ng malaking utang na loob sa UST sa pagbibigay ng pagkakataon na makaSommorblommor FROM PAGE 10

Kinaray-a and Filipino elements into a dizzying kaleidoscope of surprising, happy encounters.”

Commentary included in the book features Isidoro Cruz, who dubs Teodoro’s poetry collection as “con-verse.” For him, Teodoro’s poetry narrates more than it writes, and that

Singapore but settled for second place, behind Indonesia.

The national team defeated Malaysia with a 14-11 victory in its last match.

“Nag-training kami until ma-reach namin ‘yong highest point namin. Ang nag-push for us is ‘yong motivation manalo,” Yu told the Varsitarian in a phone interview.

Malaysia tried to close the

unfair to their natural female born competitors.

As Tokyo 2020 Olympics approaches, the IOC panel of scientists struggle to reach an agreement on coming up with stricter guidelines.

The LGBTQI+, should collaboratively assess with the IOC and scientific community to be able to reach a midpoint for tests and experiments that could create rules that would not trample the rights of the people involved.

In a world constantly moving towards liberality, it is not impossible to create clear standards where everyone gets to compete without raising questions on fairness.

Now, though lines on fair rules are blurred, I do hope that opening a possibility for change does not mean opening a chance to end female sports. pagturo sa loob ng limang taon simula noong 2015. Isang malaking utang na loob ‘yon” saad pa niya.

Nang tanungin naman tungkol sa mga plano niya bilang kinatawan ng Wikang Tagalog, “Magkakaroon ng maraming mga pananaliksik at buhat sa resulta ng mga pananaliksik na gagawin ay idadagdag natin sa mga magagandang kasalukuyang proyekto na isinasagawa ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino” giit niya.

“Maging makatao, gampanan ng maayos ang trabaho dahil ‘yan ang kinabubuhay natin” dagdag niya. the poet expresses the truth from his eyes in “Sommarblommor”.

“Although his poems are set in Europe, here we are never too far from the ‘archipelago of his heart,’” Cruz remarks.

“Sommarblommor: Poems Written in Europe” was formally launched at the Solidaridad Bookshop last Jan. 25. S. B. NAVARRO

Philippines’ two-lead gap in the last three minutes only to be stopped by Yu’s second goal, followed by another goal from Salonga to seal the game.

The team defeated Thailand, 7-4, keeping it alive for the silver medal match.

The Philippine men’s national water polo team ended a 10-year medal drought by two wins and two draws in the tourney.

SEASON 82 senior volleyball teams adjusted their training sessions as UAAP president President Emmanuel Fernandez announced a new schedule format for the upcoming league on Jan. 17.

According to UST Golden Tigresses assistant coach Jairus Quitco, the new schedule will affect the condition and mindset of the teams.

“Coaches tailor-fit training sessions and practice matches in the timeframe that we are expected to play,” Quitco told the Varsitarian in an online interview.

In the letter released by Fernandez, volleyball matches will adopt a new timetable, 9 a.m. for men’s first game, 11 a.m. for women’s first game, 2 p.m. for the men’s second game and 4 p.m. for the women’s second game.

The schedule format from past UAAP seasons had two consecutive games in the morning for men’s play and two consecutive games for women’s play after.

Quitco concluded that the biggest advantage will be the cost and time efficiency for the spectators of the sport.

“With this new schedule, the games of a particular university could happen consecutively. Less time spent in the venue, less expense for the university.”

PHOTO BY MARVIN JOHN F. UY

Wider Audience

Aside from changes in the game preparations, Quitco also mentioned that the change could increase excitement for the men’s teams.

“The idea of being viewed by a wider audience can either make them more ecstatic to play or make them more anxious.”

According to Quitco, the women’s teams are always in the spotlight and have more airtime. Malic U. Cotongan

UST Galvanize qualifies for int’l hiphop tourney

UST Senior High School team Galvanize tops the Asian Hiphop Championships in Tanghalang Pasigueño last Jan. 18.

PHOTO FROM UST GALVANIZE FACEBOOK PAGE

UST SENIOR Highschool street dance team Galvanize captured a chance to represent the country at the Asian Hiphop 2020 Championships after defending their Asian Hiphop Philippines championship title at the Asian Hiat Tanghalang Pasigueño on Jan. 18.

Back-to-back champion Galvanize’s performance tallied a score of 93.50% that beat 14 other schools in ranking. “‘Yong championship last year served as a motivation. Kung nagawa

namin last year, kaya rin this year. As much as possible ayaw kong magpadala sa pressure nung title namin last year... mas gusto kong maremember nila ‘yong process and journey namin,” head coach Jan Matthew Almodovar told the Varsitarian in an online interview.

The dance crew included Darlo Ilagan, Jonas Belgica, Niña Reyes, Lia Escudero, Kurt Garbo, Michael Sarmiento, Russel Versoza, Kyle Olano, Anne Coronel, Eden Marcelo, Clarisse Soriano,

Alecsander Agon, Kerby Trance, Tin Ricacho, and Jesserae Anselmo.

Asian Hiphop Philippines is an annual high school dance competition and a preliminary round for the Asian Hiphop Championship, in which the UST squad claimed both championships last year.

UST Galvanize will be back to represent the Philippines at the Asian Hiphop Championships to be held in Hong Kong on May. Jasmin Roselle M. Monton

INSIDE

Sports

PH Men’s Water Polo team bags silver in SEA Games

PAGE 11

UST Galvanize qualifies for int’l hiphop tourney

PAGE 11

The Varsitarian JANUARY 9, 2019

SEARCH FOR NEW TIGERS IN CEBU BASKETBALL TRIALS CEBU CITY – OVER 250 basketball talents gathered at the City Sports Club gym in Cebu on Saturday with hopes of landing a spot with the UST Growling Tigers.

Coach Aldin Ayo said he was particularly looking for guards and forwards, to bolster UST’s lineup, which lost to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP finals last season.

Assistant coach McJour Luib said players who joined the tryouts generally showed immense drive, which could benefit the Tigers. “‘Yong aggressiveness pa lang, di mo matuturo ‘yon.

Nasa kanila ‘yan. Innate yan,” he told the Varsitarian.

Besides the tryouts, Ayo plans to watch several college standouts who will play in the Metropolitan Basketball Training Club on Jan. 26 intently.

The Tigers recently acquired PBA D-League MVP Joshua Fontanilla, and three more promising recruits in Bryan Samudio, Christian Manaytay, and Paul Manalang. Rommel Bong R. Fuertes Jr.

CEBU CITY—Coach Aldin Ayo on the lookout for new basketball members in City Sports Club gym on Jan. 25. PHOTO BY MARVIN JOHN F. UY

Junior Growling Tigresses show prowess in UAAP debut THE UST Junior Growling Tigresses capped off the first round of the UAAP girls’ basketball tournament debut at solo second with a 2-1 win-lose record.

The Tigresses gained their second win after demolishing the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eaglets, 112-27, at the Paco Arena last Jan. 25.

The Junior Tigresses powered through a lackluster Lady Eaglet defense getting 78 points inside paint. UST swarmed on Ateneo on defense scoring 50 points out of turnovers and snatching 23 steals.

Ateneo failed to match the Junior Tigresses in the rebounding department with UST towering among the Ateneo bigs corraling 91 boards earning

By Rommel Bong R. Fuertes Jr.

Junior Tigress Claudine Santos dribbles past the Ateneo Lady Eaglets to score a basket.

THE UST Tiger Cubs forced the Adamson Baby Falcons to 21 turnovers en route to their third straight win, 88-80, in the UAAP season 82 boys’ basketball tournament at the arena in San Juan, last Jan. 22.

The Cubs‘ suffocating defense led to 12 steals against the Baby Falcons, who were down, 86-70, with four minutes left in the payoff period.

Leading UAAP juniors MVP John Figueroa’s jumper sparked a 10-2 Adamson run cut close the gap.

UST’s starters outscored

PHOTO BY CAMILLE ABIEL H. TORRES

them 41 second chance points.

Andrea Sarmiento came up with 9 markers for Ateneo while Maxine Almeda added 8 points and 7 rebounds.

Junior Tigress Brigette Santos secured a double-double with 17

Tiger Cubs firm up Final 4 spot with win over Adamson Adamson’s first five, 71-53.

The Cubs also outrebounded their foes, 49-38.

Figueroa’s double double performance of 18 point and 13 rebounds aided the Baby Falcons while John Erolon led in points with 20.

Big man Bismarck Lina came up with 24 markers and 10 boards for UST, while Jacob Refuerza-Cortez added 19 points.

The Cubs sit at solo third behind the FEU Baby Tamaraws and the undefeated NU Bullpups with a 6-4 record.

UST next faced the Ateneo Blue Eaglets last Jan. 26, at the same venue.

points and 14 rebounds, while Nicole Tubog also earned a doubledouble scoring of 12 points and grabbed 13 boards off the bench.

The second round took place last Feb. 1, at the same venue. J.R.M. Monton

Three more years for Ayo as Tigers’ head coach GROWLING Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo signed a 3-year extension on Dec. 13, making good on his promise to stay and steer the team to a UAAP championship.

“In principle, mag-i-stay naman talaga ako nang matagal sa UST. For formality na lang ‘yong contract, at para matigil na rin ‘yong mga hakahaka,” he told the Varsitarian in a phone interview.

The tactician will stay with the Tigers until 2023.

“I’m excited but kasama

ng excitement ‘yong malaking responsibility. We know it’s not going to be easy,” he said.

“We’re going to do our best to be the best version of ourselves, to be ready for next season.”

The University acquired the Sorsogon native last 2018, after the resignation of Rodil “Boy” Sablan following UST’s infamous one-win season.

Ayo then pushed the Tigers to a 5-9 record in his first year in España, and led UST to its first UAAP finals

in appearance in four years, finishing as runners-up to the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

The Tigers will head into UAAP Season 83 with its young core of Mark Nonoy, CJ Cansino, Brent Paraiso, Soulemane Chabi-Yo and Sherwin Concepcion.

Ayo has made a name for himself after clinching titles in both the NCAA and the UAAP as head coach of the San Juan De Letran Knights and the De La Salle University Green Archers. ROMMEL BONG FUERTES JR.

Tiger Cub Aimery Ascutia tries to snag the ball from Baby Falcon Didat Hanapi in their match at San Juan.

PHOTO BY CAMILLE ABIEL H. TORRES