tWS 2019-2020 14th Issue

the

117 years

weeklysillimanian

/tWSilliman @weeklysillimanian @tWSilliman

TOWARDS A PROGRESSIVE CAMPUS PRESS VOL. XCI NO.15 | FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2020

theweeklysillimanian.com

MASKED. Sillimanians and other locals wear masks while inside campus premises in light of the recent health concerns of the city. The university then advised everyone to observe the basic preventive measures to avoid infection or infecting others. Photo by Francis Ryan Pabiana.

TALA CHALLENGE

Masscom Alumna appears on Eat Bulaga Segment

SU promotes low-impact living, unity

by Hannah Patricia Abril

by Francis Ryan Pabiania

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY (SU) recently join the “Tala” dance craze popularized by singer-actress Sarah Geronimo.

The Tala dance participants were composed of students, faculty members, staff, and administrators.

They took on the popular dance challenge to promote the celebration of Zero-Waste Month held at the Amphitheater, Jan 13.

“The Tala mass dance was really a publicity campaign to promote the university, the official SUSG channel and the zero waste month,” said Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) President, Continued on page 4 Aprille Juanillo.

The SUSG released the official video on Facebook and on their Youtube channel, as their first content, last Jan 17.

As of press time, the Facebook post earned 104k views; and 3.7k combined reactions, 163 comments, and 2.2k shares.

BI NI BI NI NG P I LI P I NAS 2019 Top 25 placer and Mass Communication graduate, Malka Shaver, makes an appearance on noontime variety show Eat Bulaga’s Bawal Judgemental! segment on January 15.

Malka Shaver, a native of Zamboanga Sibugay and Cebubased model appeared on Bawal Judgemental! as a guest to be ‘judged’ by one player.

The episode of the segment showcased bisdak, a shorten-term for “bisayang dako” women in lieu of Cebu’s grandest annual festival, the Sinulog on January 18.

The accepted challenge was also featured in media outlets and platforms such as The Freeman and GMA News.

ZERO-WASTE CELEBRATION Meanwhile, a portion of the video showed five steps to go Zero Waste and have a low environmental impact, which includes; 1) Avoid food waste, 2) Minimize your carbon footprint, 3) Reduce plastic footprint, 4) Be mindful of your consumption of resources, 5) Support Zero Waste advocacies and Live a minimalist lifestyle.

Juanillo said, “This is a rather creative way of presenting these ways to the audience, compared to the usual infographics or lecture-type promotions that we do regularly.”

She added that SUSG Environment Committee already held events to celebrate it and they will continue with the other established projects for the rest of the school year.

These projects include Waste

Watch, the Waste and Brand Audit, Usap Klima and further implementation of the environmental policy.

Head of SUSG Environment Committee Maia Jaya Ariola encourages Sillimanians “to start on little things” in proper segregation, bringing reusables, skipping straw and single-use plastics, attending educational discussions and lobbying with environmental organizations for policy change.

“January is the Zero Waste Month, and it is the responsibility of every Sillimanian to live up to the goals and principles of zero waste—mindful consumption, waste management, and efficient utilization of resources and products,” Ariola said.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED According to Juanillo, they were challenged by some student leaders that were also her friends from other schools such as Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Xavier University, and De

La Salle University.

“It was almost jokingly [in a joking manner], so the thought of it being possible was a long shot,” she said.

SU President, Dr. Betty Mc-Cann, recently crowned Miss Silliman Alexandra Tuale, showcased their dance moves along other Sillimanians to the popular dance craze in the Philippines; as countless netizens have already shared the video clips of their dance performances online.

Special Projects Head Shem Japheth Barinaga with the Committee members headed The Tala Mass Dance, dubbed as #TalaNation.

“Tala Mass Dance basically is a publicity stunt that can help market the university and at the same time a way to give the students what they want and to unite the Silliman community as well. It is voluntary and will serve as a way for us to start the year with good vibes. Since it can catch attention because of the trend, we also took advantage of it to celebrate Zero Waste Month,” Barinaga ended.

Two sophomore students sign a contract to Viva I N S ID E

twsopinion Humanity or Practicability? bangiitang pluma

Unsatisfied Palate

by Ian Zane Esparaga S E C O N D Y E A R nursing students Zeph and Zach Buenavista have officially signed a contract to Viva records last January 11, making them part of the recording entertainment.

Zeph and Zach started singing at the age of six: “Our dad is a musician, he taught us how to sing when we were six years old”, Zeph said. They were in the 1st grade when they started joining singing

twsfeatures chunchun maru

FACT CHECK: Taal Eruption

competitions in school and were also exposed in the provincial stage. They tried their luck in auditions on some national competitions such as the Pilipinas Got Talent and The Voice Teens, but nothing happened.

After the string of events, they experimented and gone into separate ways. Zeph traveled to Manila and he was able to discover the music industry. “I traveled and find the Continued on page 4

twsnews SU produces 4 PhilNITS Exam Passers

SHS Media Lit teachers Tales of Cults and to undergo training

Charismatic Leaders SUSG spearheads

Different Increase

How to avoid getting meningococcemia

Photo from Facebook.com/ZxBuenavista

donation drive COMELEC CALENDAR SUSG

SUSG COMELEC ELECTION CALENDAR Read at Page 4

2 twsopinion

the weekly sillimanian January 24, 2020

EDITORIAL

Different Increase

Taal Volcano begins to build up for a powerful return, according to the latest PHILVOLCS advisory, maintaining volcano alert level 4, a week and a few days after the first sign of activity.

Perhaps the most striking part of the past few days is the meteoric rise of N95 mask prices, which has negatively affected the residents that have easy access to the N95 masks. tWS believes that simply telling retailers to refrain from unreasonably pricing N95 masks will be ineffective.

Immediate placement of suggested retail prices (SRPs) will solve this, and future problems.

Netizens have blasted numerous businesses and resellers who have bought these masks for their original price and jacked it up by 500% thus gathering enough of a stir, which prompted DTI to send monitoring teams in affected areas of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, and Metro Manila.

Returning reports from the teams had the prices of N95 masks selling for as much as P200; and surgical masks at P4.00, which further torched unscrupulous individuals and businesses. DTI then warned against overpricing with the threat of appropriate administrative and criminal charges.

There are also reports of fake, and also overpriced N95 masks as early as two days after the first volcanic activity. It began proliferating when stores ran out of masks due to panic buying, which triggered a price freeze for basic commodities and protective gear — and profits were made with supplies of the counterfeit N95s. These masks were found to be thinner than the original N95s that are designed to be thick.

Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act of 1992, makes sure that the supply and price of basic commodities are stabilized, especially during times of emergency. More than a dozen volcanic events have occurred, some of them internationally known, like the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. As to why masks have not been classified as neither basic nor prime good is beyond tWS, but we are glad that DTI and DOH have recommended its inclusion in the list of basic and prime goods. tWS knows that desperation in crisis is a normal response, but actions like this which jeopardize the lives of many are downright despicable. In times of crisis, taking advantage of the hardship of our fellow countrymen should be condemned, and is a concept not welcome in these times of difficulty.

sillimaniansspeak Compiled by Kyle Andree Bolhano

What are other suggested ways to help Taal victims?

Prayer.

Joseph C. Aragones, BS Civil Engineering II Other than face mask, pwede also water kay mostly scarce ilahang water because of the ash fall contamination.

Lew Stephen A. De Lara, BS Psych II If the funds allow it, more comfortable shelter for the people, especially the recent warning of Taal possibly blasting off again. Kyle Andree C. Bolhano, 2nd year Masscomm Kyle Andree C. Bolhano, BMC II

Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor News Editor Features Editor News Writers

Jean Aldemer S. Salgados Kevin Q. Alaban Deogracia William A. Bemida Jeck G. Tirambulo Francis Ryan B. Pabiania Edan Sam G. Pancho Ian Zane T. Esparaga Hannah Patricia T. Abril Feature Writers Maria Fiona A. Labucuas Diamay Klem D. Balacuit Junelie Anthony Velonta Momoka Yamamoto John Macklien A. Olandag Photojournalists Kyle Andree C. Bolhano Natha Le Louise B. Bureros Adrian S. Limbaga Graphics & Layout Artist Agustin Vicente G. Bas Cartoonists Hervey Angelo F. Avenido Jorlene Grace A. Elgario Edwin Isaac Iñigo

Web Manager Nathan Angelo B. Cruz Office Manager Twilight B. Dy Adviser Ms. Winona Jane Agir The Weekly Sillimanian is published every week by the students of Silliman University, with editorial and business addresses at 1/F Oriental Hall, Silliman University, Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City 6200, Philippines. SU PO Box 24.

Telephone number (35) 422-6002 local 243. https://www.facebook.com/tWSilliman/ https://www.twitter.com/tWSilliman/ https://instagram.com/weeklysillimanian theweeklysillimanian.com weeklysillimanian@su.edu.ph Opinions expressed in the columns are those of the columnists and not of tWS or of Silliman University. Comments, questions, and suggestions are highly appreciated. All submitted manuscripts become the property of tWS. Manuscripts will be edited for brevity and clarity.

Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Humanity or Practicability?

Nature declared a danger close to Batangas when one of her most beautiful landscapes, the Taal Volcano, after years of inactivity, erupted placing the province in Alert Level 4, a call for everyone to expect the worst and evacuate their homes to spare them from the dangers brought by the eruption. People especially residents of the volcano’s radius are given utmost importance for evacuation but many took the matter on the other side to raise another question: What about the animals that gave shape to the beauty of its surroundings? Will we let them perish or we can also provide even a modest way for them to be spared from the spews of lavas and ashes?

Atom Araullo, one of the Philippines’ renowned journalists, said that human lives are more important practical-wise, but he felt pity for the animals especially that they also breathe life like us humans.

It’s the humans who know and fear the imminent danger, and with that matter, they should receive a more considerable option of a rescue.

They are the ones who have the rational awareness of the danger that

helps everyone to take appropriate measures to take, even rescuing these animals, who are innocent enough to know that the nature they are thriving in will take them back in their soil.

Considering also our available resources and equipment for the relief, it is of great priority for residents themselves to be rescued. The ones who can carry their flocks or pets in their arms can carry them to safety.

It is of great pity seeing animals unknowingly waiting for death but it is more painful for us seeing people counting moments knowing that they are on the doorsteps of death.

Normally, we always opt our loved ones and fellowmen to be spared over our own livestock or pets.

Let us take a considerable approach if we do take animals as our priority. We see these animals thrive adding beauty and diversity to the environment we live in. We even consider them a part of our family, particularly our pets. Their waggles keep us alive and they also show the very essence of loyalty in love. But if we assume disaster happens and the pet’s owners perished, who will be left for it to be taken care of ? It will end up wandering until it can either be lucky enough to be found or be lost in the dust forever.

Additionally, our livestock supports us also especially economically.

Leaving them to perish is something that waste can showcase, and everything becomes a journey back to square one before sweats dripped just to tame or breed these animals for a better living. But humans who get

Everyone loves food: may it be the heavy taste of steaming juicy beef brisket or the lean taste of mixed vegetables in a salad. “A fuel that feeds the very batteries of the human body” is probably the perfect comparison that tells the story of why food has become the thing that most of us can’t live without; a flavored and edible mood-changing object that either pleases or displeases. A very popular example that clearly shows the influence of food on a person is, an angry girlfriend.

Feed an angry girlfriend a good one, and she’ll love you for the rest of the day.

Feed her bad food, and maybe even the ghosts in the corner of your room will flee against the doubled wrath of an angry girlfriend. We wouldn’t want that don’t we?

As much as people claim that good food is the reason behind a good mood, some services in the food industry here in Dumaguete disregard this simple belief and prepare food just for the sake of having food on their serving table regardless of the taste: uncovered food

that cools the dish that is best eaten warm, food popularly known for its flavor and spice now taste bland and tasteless, and most of the variety of food here in Dumaguete ends with a name of silog, and that’s for the budget-friendly ones.

For the more expensive ones, the problem remains the same. A pricey tag for food that doesn’t taste the way it is supposed to be, for bland and tasteless food, for a poor and tasteless remake of other places’ signature dishes (i.e. sinigang, satti, and etc.), and for food with so little portions that don’t even satisfy. Others, serving something else besides what they are promoting; take for example the famous unli-wings service actually serving unli-breast.

There are however a few good ones that are worth the expensiveness, but people won’t always eat expensively, won’t they?

There are countless different food from different provinces that could be taken as inspiration to improve taste and service here in Dumaguete, but why do some still serve mediocre dishes

BANGIITANG PLUMA Mack Olandag

Unsatisfied Palate

another opportunity to live can do it somehow and just be grateful that they still live enough to get the very chance to start all over again, which unnecessary death can hinder.

Reversing the scenario, humans can always bring their beloved pets along with them, or in the worst case, especially in panicking situations, leave them to soon face the specks of dust, or lava enveloping them. The humans may mourn or be at their remorse especially if they truly love their pets, but they have also released their pets from suffering from a disaster they didn’t see coming in them.

The question is between humanity or practicability, but in a sense of the word, humanity is best practiced as humans begot empathy to their fellow humans, and practicability always stays in its constant definition, that the very least of what we’ll do is something that helps everyone at least in the modest way. We have humanity more if we learn to also extend our help to animals, but in the event of disasters, when we learn to stand together hand in hand with fellow humans and sacrifice our very own comfort and joy, especially keeping our own source for them, the humanity becomes a thing far greater than what the ashes can reach.

Human lives are more important for it is through their very human personality that enables everything to rise again through the ashes. Though the most innocent assets of nature may perish, it is up to humans to make everything beautiful again.

Chunchun maru Angelo Avenido

that don’t even live up to the price tag it prides itself in? Do people really pay for the quality of the food? Or just the name of the place where the food is made regardless of how bad and tasteless they cook it? Either way, people have no other choice but to put up with it as these are the only places available for the people here in Dumaguete. In the end, home-cooked meals tailored to fit the preferences of the people are far better off than eating out. Until Dumaguete’s restaurants improve, people are better off cooking their own food in their own houses and maybe order a box of Alberto’s cheap and delicious pizza.

the weekly sillimanian January 24, 2020

twsfeatures 3

FACT CHECK: Taal Eruption

by Junelie Anthony Velonta

The sudden explosion of the Taal Volcano last January 12 has sparked nationwide curiosity and concern.

News agencies, both local and international, were quick to deliver the news, with some even featuring volcanologists and meteorologists, and equally as reactive was the drive to help the affected residents.

However, between the cracks, fake information began to seep in. Concerned citizens, perhaps in goodwill, began to share false information through the internet, without regard to its veracity. While this could have been easily avoided, the internet-connected Filipinos are now dealing with its effects. As such, here are some basic pointers to help verify circulating information.

What we actually know In the afternoon of January 12, at 2:30 PM, Taal began to spew ash and steam. This was identified as a phreatic eruption and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) elevated the Alert Status to Level 2, corresponding to increasing unrest in the Taal Volcano system. As the day progressed, PHIVOLCS elevated the Alert Status, reaching Alert Level 4, corresponding to an imminent and hazardous eruption.

A phreatic eruption is an explosion characterized by water vaporizing or evaporating almost instantaneously when in contact with magma. While there were no large amounts of lava flowing out of the main crater, magma beneath the Taal Volcano system came in contact with the accumulated water in the main crater lake, vaporizing the “main crater lake” and creating the ash column.

The ash column reached a height of 10 to 15 km by night of January 12 and began to spread to the surrounding areas, most notably the National Capital Region. Surface winds blowing Northward carried with it the ash column, spreading the ash as far as Northern Luzon and the Batanes islands. By January 14, a majority of the ash cloud has exited the Philippine landmass and has thinned out.

Despite this, the Taal Volcano system has had continued activity.

As of 8 AM of January 20, according to data released by PHIVOLCS, a total of 714 earthquakes have been recorded since January 12, and 176 of which were recorded from 5 AM of January 19 to 6 AM of January 20. Weak and infrequent explosions together with steady emissions containing Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) have been continuously recorded.

Alert Level 4 is still in effect, with a

14-kilometer exclusion zone around Taal enforced by local authorities.

PHIVOLCS did not warn Gov’t agencies While it was true that the news of the Taal eruption was sudden, PHIVOLCS has raised an Alert Level 1, corresponding to low levels of volcanic unrest, since March 28, 2019. The source of this criticism may be the fact that Alert Levels 2 through 4 were only issued by PHIVOLCS on January 12, the day of the phreatic eruption, 2:30 pm onwards. However, it must be noted that the phreatic eruption is not the “main” eruption. A phreatic eruption is only the result of water rapidly vaporizing because of the heat of the magma underneath.

Alert Level 4, the current alert status of Taal Volcano, signifies that a bigger and much hazardous eruption is imminent. While it is not known when Taal will erupt, if it will erupt, the current Alert Level issued by PHIVOLCS is warning enough for a much damaging eruption. It must also be noted that the Alert Level 4 could potentially be lowered in the coming days, as with the case with Mayon Volcano having been issued an Alert Level 4 last January 28, 2018, but lowered to an Alert Level 2

by March 29 of the same year.

Taal will trigger “The Big One” This misinformation may have

concoctions seems to be prevalent among cults. About 40 years ago, Rev. Jim Jones, a charismatic leader of the American cult based in the Guyanese jungle, ordered his followers to commit one of the largest single incidents of intentional civilian death in the American history.

Jones was a charismatic leader who described himself as a savior and a reincarnation of Jesus and Budhha.

His followers were brainwashed into immersing themselves fully for the church's utopian cause. Hence, they turned over their personal wealth, did unpaid long hours of work for the church, and many of them have severed their contacts with their families. Paranoid that the US was constantly prone to an apocalypse, Jones relocated his church to the remote jungle in Guyana, South America. There, they converted the area into an agricultural community where they initially planned to build a utopian society that is free from government and media meddling and called it "Jonestown". After reports of abuses among his followers, the US government sent a team composed of a congressman and some media persons to investigate Jonestown.

Jones has been long manipulating his followers by conducting mandatory propaganda classes, hence, even before the arrival of the investigation team, he already had his followers turned into aggressive armies. Armed with guns and machetes, Jones' guards (called the Red Brigade) ringed the Jonestown, threatening to fight any outsiders to death. Upon the killing of some members sent by the US to investigate, Jones' ordered his 900 followers (many were children) to commit mass murder-suicide by drinking a cyanide-laced concoction.

The Order of the Solar Temple cult Another lunatic who made it to the list of Jesus reincarnations was Joseph DiMambro. He founded the Order of the Solar Temple cult after establishing a money-making organization, the Golden Way Foundation, which also served as a link between people who have a

passion for occultism. Similar to the Heaven's Gate cult, this cult believed that after their deaths, DiMambro's child, whom he called the Cosmic Child, would lead them to a planet orbiting the star Sirius. The existence of their cult was held in secrecy and if someone inside their ring tries to reveal the horrible secrets, they will be disposed brutally. They surprised the world in 1994 after a total of 51 dead bodies were found in their bases in Switzerland and Canada in just a span of one week. The manner of how they died was either through the taking of their own lives or through ritualistic murders. Burnt corpses were also discovered.

The Branch Davidian cult While most cults gained popularity due to their inclination towards suicide as the climax of their beliefs, the Branch Davidian cult had it done differently. Although it was founded to prepare for Jesus' Second Coming, the journey of this cult went haywire after the Waco siege in 1993. It's leader, David Koresh, took control of the group and convinced his followers to live in a compound outside Mount Carmel. While posing as a religious sect, the cult was actually into collecting weapons that led to a 51day siege with the FBI. The chaos resulted in casualties of 75 people (including children) that changed the way some Americans felt about their government.

Tales of Cults and Charismatic Leaders

by Jeck Tirambuulo

Some cult-inspired movies such as The Wicker Man and Midsommar made us believe just what pagan cults are capable of when they're run by mentally derailed leaders and members. Be it for the glory of the devil or of God, their rituals are always accompanied by human sacrifices akin to that of the Mayans.

For instance, the major characters in the aforementioned movies were set ablaze to fulfill what 'thy should be done' as compliance with their cult's beliefs. These gruesome scenes have always been significant in shaping our perception towards cults; they're abominable and should not have existed in the first place. Some of us might have even wondered if events portrayed in those cult-based movies were true to life, and if they're as horrible as what films described it to be. Good thing cult historians gave us answers. Although a lot of cults and cult leaders did some remarkable impression by committing disturbing acts to its followers, here are the worst that have appeared recently in our history: The Heaven's Gate cult Led by Marshall Applewhite, this cult which started in 1975 believed that human bodies are just containers that could be abandoned in favor of a higher physical existence. They believed that the ''kingdom of heaven" awaits them and only an extraterrestrial spaceship would take them there. They also regarded themselves as a group that was made up of Christian-based angels, with sexual abstinence as an advocacy (where some of its followers underwent castration). When the Hale-Bopp comet passed near Earth in 1997, Applewhite and his 38 followers committed suicide by drinking a lethal mixture of vodka and phenobarbital, hoping that they will get to ride on the spaceship (Hale-Bopp comet) to the Heaven's Gate.

The Peoples Temple cult Suicide through drinking lethal

Most cults have common denominators. Money, sex, and power. While some hold true to their cause, others are merely tools to gain power and control over people.

The worst cults however, have one thing in common. They are led by extremely charismatic leaders whom at most times, coax themselves as saviors or higher beings. Whereas most cult-based movies were focused on making disgusting tales about the devil and sort of what it's followers can do; history speaks differently.

The irony of it all.

stemmed from genuine concern.

A part of the West Valley Fault running through Manila, after all, is only about 60 kilometers from Taal.

While no studies correlate volcanic eruptions to the movement of fault lines, PHIVOLCS, in two separate interviews stated that the recent Taal eruption does not necessarily correlate to the movement of the West Valley Fault. In one interview, PHIVOLCS Chief of Geologic Disaster Awareness and Preparedness Mylene Villegas stated that there is no scientific consensus on the relation of earthquakes to volcanic eruptions.

In another interview, PHIVOLCS explained that “The Big One” is resulted from the movements of tectonic plates, located in the Earth’s crust, while a volcanic eruption is the rising of magma from the Earth’s mantle, below the crust.

Taal is a sign that the other volcanoes will also erupt Perhaps this false information was started when news reports of Mayon Volcano being issued with Alert Level 2 began spreading through social media. While news reporting such are not false, they are taken in the wrong context. Mayon Volcano has been under Alert Level 2 since March 29, 2018, nearly two years ago. This was after it exhibited signs of an imminent explosion but

lowered its activity months after.

Mariton Bornas, head of the Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division of PHIVOLCS, stated in an interview that it was proposed to lower Mayon’s alert level because of the long breadth of time that it has not shown increasing activity.

Another case against this claim is the case of Kanlaon Volcano. Kanlaon Volcano has been at Alert Level 0 since October 25, 2019. Even after the Taal eruption, Kanlaon has not shown increased volcanic activity.

Check before you click With the fast spread of information through social media, both concerns and news spread very easily. Sometimes, they are merged.

The result of such merging, while they may have been done because of genuine goodwill, often muddle the facts and judgments of those that receive it. As such, the practice of moderation and fact-checking must be observed always. Sensationalist content from non-news outlets is often quick to put out wrong or misleading. As such, content seen on the internet must be scrutinized, even before the share button is clicked.

Remember: Think before you click.

gallery

INTERACT. Silliman University Main Library officially opened the Maker Space located at the 3rd floor, hold several contests throughout the week. Photo by Francis Ryan Pabiania.

How to avoid getting meningococcemia 1. Don't go to overcrowded areas.

2. Avoid being exposed to tobacco smokes.

3. If you don't feel good, have yourself

checked by a doctor and don't self medicate.

4. Build your resistance by increasing fluid

intake, eating fruits, and doing regular exercise.

5. Cover your mouth when coughing or

sneezing. Regular washing of hands is

also imperative.

6. Observe proper flu etiquette.

The DOH said there have been 12 people infected with meningococcemia in the country, five of them died since the year started.

Six cases were confirmed to have contracted the disease by laboratory tests, while the remaining patients who showed clinical symptoms either have died or have pending laboratory results.

The DOH said it cannot conclude at this time whether there is an epidemic, as it has yet to receive reports from hospitals across the country.

SOURCE: CNN Philippines

4 twsbackpage RANDOMSATIRE:

the

the weekly sillimanian January 24, 2020

Things to do after a volanic eruption:

In light of recent events with Taal Volcano, our team searched for the most effective ways to combat the effects of a huge volcanic eruption on a country. These answers, however, were highly-influenced by the meaningful opinions of some prominent people of a certain country, which proves its strong credibility.

Ask Quiboloy

Offer Vice Mayor

Cloud Seeding

Miracles do happen especially with Quiboloy.

His words manifest in themselves and become a reality. We still haven't seen what the owner of the universe will do with the volcano though.

Tried and tested in ancient times, offering a person to the gods through a volcano is a sure way of stopping natural disasters. Make sure the vice mayor says something major--like changing the opinion of science.

The way to put out the fire is with water, and we thought that it would be so hard to deliver hundreds of firetrucks to the mount of the volcano. Maybe cloud seeding is the solution after all.

Source: Apollo Quiboloy

Source: Rappler

Source: Charlie Natanauanan Sr.

Compiled by Adrian Limbaga

SU produces 4 PhilNITS Exam Passers

by Edan Sam Pancho FOUR G R A D UAT E S from Silliman Batch 2019 passed the Philippine National Information Technology Standards Foundation, Inc. (PhilNITS) exam.

Two came from the College of Computer Studies namely Seth M. Cornelio and Rommel L. Gallofin, both graduates of Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science (BSCS). The other two were from BS Computer Engineering Ian Chester Lumagod and Gavin Morey Tatoy.

The four passers took the exam last October 27, 2019 at the University of San Carlos, Tambalan, Cebu.

The exam is conducted twice a year.

The first happened last April 28, 2019. They were part of the 73 exam takers who passed the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (FE).

The PhilNITS certification exam they took is the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (Level 2) which was designed for individuals who have basic fundamental knowledge and

SUSG spearheads donation drive

by Deogracia William Bemida

SILLIMAN UNIVERSIT Y Student Government (SUSG) in collaboration with the Divinity School spearhead donation drive for the victims of the Taal volcano eruption. The call for donations started on the SUSG Facebook page last Jan 13 and ended on Jan 17.

A week ago, the sudden eruption of the Taal volcano caused the residents within the danger zone . To aide the victims, SUSG asked for necessities such as N95 masks, sleeping mats, and baby items. These donations were accepted in the SG office located in the Oriental Hall.

The necessities needed, according to the SUSG Facebook Page, were given as donations by students.

According to the SUSG Social Services Committee Chair Novah Jane Dahili, a lot of students donated

SUDOKU

and the necessary items exceeded their expectations, she mentioned that they also tapped student organizations to donate. Individual students gave their donations and some of these were placed on boxes.

Dahili said that the drive was successful. Despite the conclusion of the donation drive on January 17, students still inquired if they could still donate. Later on, the designated personnel delivered the proceeds to the victims of Taal in Batangas.

According to Dahili the goods exceeded the predicted number of goods and the remaining ones were given to the victims of the Looc fire incident.

“It was amazing and fulfilling at the same time because I didn’t expect that people are really willing to give things that they treasure; like clothes for instance and money to buy water and to buy masks,” she added.

from page 1 | Masscom Alumna...

skills required to be an advanced IT human resource, and who possess practical utilization abilities.

Rommel Gallofin said that most of what came out of the exam were lessons from his course. “Passing PhilNits would help you when you want to work in Japan” according to him. He took PhilNits so that he can have easier job access in Japan. “I would like to thank all of my teachers in CCS for the lessons that were very helpful to me in passing this exam” he added.

During the episode, the 24-yearold beauty queen introduced herself along with her motto, “Nature is pleased with simplicity.”

“It was my first time singing live I’m so grateful for the experience I never thought I would be able to be my natural free self like that in front of everyone. It’s really great when you get to share a ‘peace’ of yourself to all.” Shaver stated on a Facebook post.

Shaver completed Bachelor of Mass Communication in 2018 and has bagged several pageant titles

from page 1 | Two sophomore...

regarding a couple of scouts looking for new talents within the venue.

Zach said that they weren’t expecting big, and for them, it goes into casual just like how they did on their previous performances, Months after, Gitamundoc invited them for the Bisaya Music Festival (BMF) in Cebu. It was a contest organized by Viva called “Kanta Kasingkasing”. They sang “Unta Single Na Ka” by fellow Sillimanian songwriter Raffy Cabristante.

Together, they performed with fellow local artists such as Kurt Fake, famous for his song entitled ” HAHAHAHasula”; Jacky Chang, and Raphiel Shannon who also ended-up as a Viva artist. Zeph and

music scene there, it was good but there’s no progress.”

Zeph showcased his talent at the noontime show It’s Showtimes particularly in the segment Tawag ng Tanghalan, but failed. Three months later, Zach followed his brother in Manila. They got back in singing together at bars and small gigs seeking exposure, but fortune was not on their side. Thus, the brothers decided to go back and focused on their studies.

Cebu based songwriter, record producer, and musical director invited them to perform for the “Medyo Maldito” show in Cebu last 2018. Gitamundoc told them

including Miss Dumaguete 2014, Miss Mandaue 2016, Miss Manila 2018 1st runner up, and most recently, top 25 Binibining Pilipinas representing Zamboanga Sibugay.

Shaver graced Miss Silliman 2019 press launch as part of the board of judges.

According to Eat Bulaga Wiki Fanpage, Bawal Judgemental! is a game for players tasked to identify the correct choices out of a group of people with distinctive characteristics, past experiences, and shocking revelations. The segment premiered last October 29, 2019.

Zach finished first runner-up in the event.

A year ago, Zeph released a single entitled “Where we went wrong” and is available on Spotify.

Out of nowhere, a manager from Viva called Zeph and asked if they can use the song to be played in their radio stations. Later on, they were told that there’s going to be an audition and Viva bosses will be coming over. Zeph said, “I wasn’t expecting that its gonna be a start of something new for us”. “We were just auditioning without expecting anything”, Zach added. The brothers were surprised that right after the audition they were given the papers for signing.

SHS Media Lit teachers to undergo training

by Nathan Angelo Cruz SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY (SU), in cooperation with the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) will conduct a training-workshop for Senior High School (SHS) Media and Information Literacy (MIL) teachers this coming Jan. 30 to 31.

The event, entitled News Literacy Training for Senior High School Media and Information Literacy Teachers, aims to train teachers “on teaching/facilitating news literacy sessions and producing lesson plans

and developing teaching-learning materials on news literacy.”

It seeks to develop “innovative” methods of teaching the subject, including the use of multimedia or classroom activities.

It is part of the nationwide project of the AIJC, Developing Champion Teachers in News Literacy, done in partnership with Google News Initiative, Love Frankie and the University of Hong Kong.

Previously, the AIJC has conducted the training in Iligan City on Jan. 16 to 17, and will also hold sessions in Cebu, Dumaguete, Pampanga,

Cagayan de Oro, Metro Manila and Cavite.

MIL, also known as MEDIL in SU, is a core subject taken by SHS students.

According to the Department of Education, it “introduces the learners to basic understanding of media and information as channels of communication and tools for the development of individuals and societies. It aims to develop students to be creative and critical thinkers as well as responsible users and competent producers of media and information.”

SUSG COMELEC ELECTION CALENDAR

Jan 24, 2020 Mar 4, 2020 Jan 24, 2020 Jan 25, 2020 Feb 10, 2020 Feb 10, 2020 Feb 12, 2020 Feb 14, 2020

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

Feb 14, 2020

ELECTION PERIOD

Party Registration Party Chair Meeting Filing of Candidacy Registration of Campaign Managers Official Release of List of Candidates Deadline of Withdrawals of Certificates of Candidacy Deadline of Substitution of Candidates ELECTION FORUM Campaign Period

Feb 17, 2020 Feb 17, 2020 Feb 21, 2020 Feb 24, 2020 MITING DI AVANCE Feb 26, 2020 ELECTION DAY