tWS 2022-2023 15th Issue

Back-to-back, CED defends Intrams championship

Roundnet joins SU Intrams roster

by SHAY DU

FOR THE FIRST TIME, the Silliman University (SU) Intramurals included a two-day roundnet tournament held at the Ravello Field on March 30-31.

Led by organizer Mevizon Dizon, he along with SU’s Athletics Department and the Negros Oriental Roundnet Association (NORA) worked together to bring roundnet, commonly known as spikeball, to the SU Intramurals.

Athletic Director Dionesio Piñero said the move to include the sport came after he observed Sillimanians playing roundnet around the city and the SU campus.

“This is the best avenue for them to showcase their skills in [roundnet],” he added.

Meanwhile, NORA President Marc Tubio, whose organization also officiated the tournament for the SU Intramurals, said he was glad SU was the “first school [to] accept the sport” in the city.

Senior High School (SHS) emerged as the tournament’s champion for the men’s category, while the Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences (IRS) clinched the women’s crown.

Continuedonpage4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE column

by RAY DONAIRE

FOLLOWING A MARGIN

of 35 points against the College of Business Administration, the champion of last year’s Silliman University Etramurals, the College of Engineering and Design (CED) defended its title in the recent Intramurals held in person from March 26 to April 1.

CED bagged championships in the following game categories: men’s and women’s basketball, football, and softball; women’s volleyball; Dota 2, frisbee, and Valorant.

The basketball tournament was one of the highlighted games of the Intramurals. Keira Cañete, CED women’s basketball team coach, said the team won because of “teamwork” and “trust” and that she hoped the next team would apply the same mindset to defend the championship title.

Both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments were dominated by CED on the last day of the Intramurals at Lamberto Macias Sports Complex.

However, with the rule of “double elimination,” Cañete suggested that if there is no issue with the schedule, the committee should make it “round robin” to create more rounds.

Moreover, Joseph Dayao, captain of the CED men’s basketball team, said to include the varsity players in the intramural games “or maybe let the varsity players represent each of [their] sport and college.”

Lev Lumogdang, captain of the CED Dota 2, said the team was composed of “seasoned veterans,” which made him confident of their responsibilities as players.

However, Lumogdang said that esports “received less support than the ‘main sports/events’ in comparison.”

“The fact that our schedule was so packed with changes meant that not enough people knew about our games…which resulted in only a small number of people showing up to support each college,” he said.

Furthermore, the esports tournament’s location posed concerns over limited equipment.

“I strongly suggest investing in more durable and properly functioning computer parts to prevent technical problems as well as a better and larger location for [many] people to view with the use of a projector,” he said.

Continuedonpage4

SportsComm corrects Intrams 3rd-runner up: IRS, CAS tied

by ALLIANAH BOLOTAULO

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY Student

Government (SUSG) Sports and Recreation Committee reported that the Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences (IRS) is tied as third runnerup with the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) during the Silliman University (SU) Intramurals 2023 in a Facebook post on April 4.

During the closing program on April 1, only the latter was declared as third place.

According to Jullian Sevilla, SUSG Sports and Recreation Committee vice-chairperson, the Physical Education (PE) and Athletics Department informed

the committee the tie in score between the two colleges on April 3.

Sevilla said that the PE and Athletics Department were in charge of the scores, hence their committee “was only handed out the top-performing colleges list during the closing program without any consultation.”

Dionesio Piñero, PE and Athletics Department head, said the error happened after the submission of the last event’s results.

He said, “The results were computed accurately, but there was an ‘overlooked’ on my part.”

“The athletics department takes full responsibility for this error,

I would like to apologize for this inconvenience,” he added.

Sevilla said that the “time pressure of tallying everything on the spot” during the last day of the intramurals and “a lack of verification” may have contributed to the error in the previous announcement of winners.

Prior to releasing the updated results, the committee worked with the PE and Athletics Department to “analyze and confirm” the results.

The IRS was informed of the actual results by the PE and Athletics Department.

Guen Quiñones Padayao

Good Game

Can Schools Discipline Students For Their Posts Online?

EARL GUEN QUI Ñ ONES PADAYAO | College of Law

Modern students are digital natives – everyone’s online.

Silliman intramurals have always been an integral part of the school’s identity and spirit. Dating back to 1908, the tradition of annual intramural competitions has been alive and burning for almost as long as the university was founded.

Every school year, Intramurals athletes formulate strategies and train for their matches; councils and committees prepare to support their athletes; college deans and professors provide encouraging support; and spectating students arm themselves with witty cheers and clever posters to represent their colleges–all in the name of playful competition and upholding the fiery Sillimanian spirit.

This year, the novelty of intramurals’ return from two years of online distance learning catapulted itself as arguably the most awaited event of the school year for many students.

With soaring energy and spirits, it’s easy to be carried away with the highs of cheering, yelling, and unfortunately, unsportsmanlike behavior.

If the intramurals is supposedly meant to uplift the Silliman spirit and to stoke the fire of friendly competition, should we label distasteful teasing of opposing teams, intimidating players before or after matches, or laughing in the face of the defeated departments as “acceptable” or “expected” behavior?

The importance of sportsmanship has always been ingrained by teachers and coaches, but playing games in a sportsmanlike manner is more than shaking the hands of your opponents.

It is the commitment to fair play, respect for your rivals, and integrity throughout the whole match that is the true essence of an enjoyable competition.

Spectators must also be held to the same standards of sportsmanship. While playful banter is warranted, cheering at the loss of others, making distractions personal to players, challenging an official’s judgment of the final scores from baseless and biased arguments, and other acts of disrespect to everyone involved are only hallmarks of immaturity and insolence.

Losing games with dignity is also an uphill battle. For those that gave their all yet were unable to secure their win, acceptance of the loss is always the first step.

This year’s intramurals featured many players who were models of sportsmanship. Helping other players when needed, maintaining fair play, and respecting the final outcome of the games with dignity, grace, and a little bit of humor, despite the results, are better pillars of good character than winning.

These traits are hallmarks of holistic education as students transfer their learnings from the court to the other 4C’s of Silliman—the classroom, community, culture, and church.

Although the student body still has room for improvement, we from the Weekly Sillimanian believe that this year’s intramurals is one for the books. It was a great learning experience and a reminder for all students to play fair in the games of the courts and in the game of life. tWS

sillimaniansspeak

Compiled by Rainne Nocete | tWS Social Media Manager/Graphic Artist

“Whether you’re an athlete or not, you can still have a sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie even if you’re just watching. You already have that spirit in you if you feel each win and lose of your college.”

Candilyn Cabebe | BSBA FM - II

“Cutthroat and extremely volatile one moment, cuties and making up after.”

Bryll Canete | BSBA-MM II

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For your answers, just text Rainne Nocete (0998-555-7391).

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Anna Avery T. Zapanta

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Ranjie Mae C. Nocete

News Editor Nathaniel E.

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Encabo

After two years in distance learning and slowly blending back to full in-person classes, one question should start piquing our interest: How do we balance a student’s right to speech and expression vis-a-vis schools’ disciplinary powers in the digital space? In other words: Are students’ right to speech and expression online within the disciplinary jurisdiction of their schools?

To push this inquiry further, what is the legal norm when online speech and expression are done through personal platforms, like one’s social media profile? Let’s say a post goes contrary to school values and principles. Is there a legal basis for sanctioning or disciplining a student where the digital space does not intimately and directly involve the school?

To illustrate, let’s have a hypothetical case: Juan Dela Cruz is currently enrolled in University XXX. Juan is an active social media user and posts his opinions. Juan is also a nudist. Juan posted lewd photos of himself on his publicly viewable Twitter account in multiple incidents. School authorities took notice of Juan’s lewdness on his online platform.

Without question, Juan’s photo nudism is an expression. Juan’s posts are forms of speech. In this case, may the school discipline or sanction Juan?

To my mind, this remains a grey area in existing statutes and jurisprudence. This issue is grossly uncaptured by outdated legal instruments which were not designed to respond to the uniqueness of the digital space or were passed in such a time that could not have expected the massive migration of education to the digital space.

University, college, or internal campus policies might be rich sources of law on these matters – as schools innovate on recent changes in education. Yet, with this, we have to beg the question: How can we guard students against potential overreach by academic rules and policies imposed by school officials?

If the schools are policing our online posts, we must go back to the adage:

Who polices the police? Surely, at this point, this is not just about ‘what is in the law’ but also a question of ‘how the law ought to be.’ Alas, another question for the philosophers.

Interestingly, on the scope of schools’ authority, Atty. Joseph Noel M. Estrada wrote: “the general rule is that the authority of the school is co-extensive with its school grounds, so that any action taken for acts committed outside the school premises should, in general, be left to the police authorities, the courts of justice, and the family concerned.”

However, a ‘school ground’ is understood differently in the digital plane. Is the power of a school limited to its learning platforms, like the Silliman Online University Learning (SOUL) Website? Is the ‘school ground’ extended beyond the synchronous session platforms, like Zoom Video Calls and Google Meet? When a student commits certain faults on these platforms, may he be disciplined? How about platforms outside the aforementioned? May he be disciplined?

Again, the law is unclear. Jurisprudence discussed this matter rather unsubstantially.

On this, one interesting case comes to mind: Vivares v. St. Theresas’ College, where high school students were barred from joining the commencement exercises for sexy photos on their personal Facebook accounts. They sought relief from the courts through a writ of habeas data, alleging violations of their right to privacy.

The Supreme Court said that online social network users have a responsibility “to exercise due diligence in their online dealings and activities and must not be negligent in protecting their rights.”

They “cannot afford protection to persons if they themselves did nothing to place the matter within the confines of their private zone.”

Continuing that such students should have been “mindful enough to learn the use of privacy tools, to use them if they desire to

keep the information private, and to keep track of changes in the available privacy settings, such as those of Facebook, especially because Facebook is notorious for changing these settings and the site’s layout often.”

Ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the lower courts, which dismissed the case filed by the parents of the minors involved. This is an interesting case because it says those who did not exercise due caution on their privacy settings on Facebook could not be given protection.

In another case, that of Malabanan, the Supreme Court explained that a student’s right to speech and expression is recognized both in and out of class, I quote: “A student’s rights, therefore, do not embrace merely the classroom hours. When he is in the cafeteria, on the playing field, or on the campus during the authorized hours, he may express his opinions, even on controversial subjects like the conflict in Vietnam, if he does so without ‘materially and substantially interfering with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school’ and without colliding with the rights of others… But conduct by the student, in class or out of it, which for any reason — whether it stems from time, place, or type of behavior — materially disrupts classwork or involves substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others is, of course, not immunized by the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech.”

Reading the quoted portion passage, it could be easily said that students enjoy a wide latitude of rights, especially free speech, that students on campus enjoy, not only inside the classroom but in other areas of the school. Now, would this extend to our online posts?

Perhaps.

Obviously, academic disciplinary norms concerning student expression in the digital space remain very unclear.

And if we are to prevent overreach while in the middle of this grave uncertainty, we could only call on our fellow students to be extra vigilant and rely on each other when the going gets tough.

A. Elli

Business Manager Klodia Reese M. Gabaya

News Writers Paul Ray G. Donaire Stefan R. Saldon

Allianah Junnice F. Bolotaulo Natania Shay S. Du

Feature Writers Keisiah Dawn T. Tiaoson

Lea Katrina P. Cañizares Nina Isabelle J. Alolod

Photographer Francis Ryan B. Pabiania

Cartoonist Lady Lynn W. Aplicano

Social Media Manager Rainne C. Nocete

Graphic Artist Rainne C. Nocete Julianne Rissa P. Gabriel Layout Artist Jarixa E. Balbuena Adviser Winona Jane C. 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 loc. 243. www.facebook.com/tWSillimanian 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.

What do you think of the sportsmanship in Intrams 2023?

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Welcome to the Jungle

Guns N' Roses

Featured in the debut album of the band Guns N’ Roses, “Welcome to the Jungle” was a hit song during the 80s. The song is apparently about the dark side of Los Angeles, written after the experiences the band had while living in Sunset Boulevard. Despite its age, it is still well recieved by younger folks with its aggressive hard rock and catchy tune.

“PAGPUPUGAY”

by DAWN TIAOSON

Pagpupugay sa laro ng lahi!

Mata sa tropeyong mithi.

Ha! Puwedeng humalakhak.

Ha! Sumigaw sa galak!

Sinta ko ay lalaro, kaibigan ko ay mamamalo

Sa wakas! Sa wakas!

Pahinga sa utak at –basahin ko’y maipapabukas aralin muna’y ipapawakas.

Pagpupugay sa kasiyahan!

Pikon basta at iiwanan.

Sino ang huli? Sino ang wagi?

La! May sombrerong pahaba.

La! Mainit sa baba.

Nasaan ang chess? Ay, ang e-games?

Doon tulog ang araw, Doon matagal mauhaw.

Gayon pa man, ano pa man Sigaw ay — Pagpupugay! Pagpupugay!

Minimalism: Why Less Isn't (Necessarily) More

by NIKOLE ELLI

In conversations about the environment, we are taught that “going less” equates to “going green.” Reduced waste.

Lower Carbon Footprint.

Reduced noise pollution.

Moreso in the context of a lifestyle dictated by minimalism, going less supposedly benefits the environment. Minimalism is defined by the Merriam Dictionary as “a style or technique (as in music, art, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity.”

Indirectly, minimalism supposedly helps the environment. Decluttering and buying less leads to reduced waste. Less likelihood of using vehicles leads to fewer gas emissions thus, a lower carbon footprint and also reduced noise pollution.

However, on the question of whether minimalism is the way for you to be eco-friendly, then perhaps it’s about time you view it from a different lens.

An article from the New York Times Magazine presented a unique perspective about it, saying,

BACK IN THE GAME

by LEA CAÑIZARES

After two long years of waiting, the Silliman University community is finally back in the game. The annual intramurals event, which was put on hold due to the pandemic, has made a triumphant return, with students and faculty members eagerly joining in the fun.

The atmosphere was electric. College teams geared for the one-week event to attain “bragging rights” as the university’s champion. The cheers and jeers of the audience added to the excitement, as the audience displayed their wittiest chants and game mascots.

Many students were excited to compete with their classmates once again, while sports and competition was a welcome relief. The break intramurals offered from academics made many students appreciate the value of having a balanced university life–one that entailed playing in the courts and not just learning in classrooms.

For a university that prides itself on sentimental moments on campus, the return of intramurals was certainly a much-needed sense of normalcy in an otherwise hectic time. As the pandemic disrupted many aspects of the student body’s campus life, this event was another way to revive the university’s sportsmanship, sense of community, and not to mention–humor.

The funny banters among competing colleges was a welcome atmosphere. As per usual, prepandemic intramural photos trended on social media again. Perhaps one easily familiar to most is the “shift namo” banner. This year however, the humor was among mascots, cheer team banging on deformed metal basins, and suggestive college acronyms.

But probably, this year’s champion for humor goes to those who battled the wittiest captions and contents on social media, attempting to update their respective college social media pages with comedic remarks rather than what was-supposed to be-game results.

As the event drew to a close, the participants and spectators alike were left with a feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction. It was a successful comeback for the university’s intramurals. One thing became certain–that the Silliman community is one that greatly enjoys the sense of unity and camaraderie through festivities such as the intramurals. Back in the game, as winners were announced, the community moved on. And we look forward to the surprises that await next year. tWS

“there’s an arrogance to today’s minimalism that presumes it provides an answer rather than, as originally intended, a question: What other perspectives are possible when you look at the world in a different way? The fetishized austerity and performative asceticism of minimalism is a kind of ongoing cultural sickness.”

Arielle Bernstein of The Atlantic further expounds that “the ban on clutter is a ‘privilege’ that runs counter to the value ascribed to an abundance of objects by those who have suffered from a lack of them.”

When one caves into the pitfalls of practicing minimalism for the sake of aestheticism, it becomes ironic. To be minimalist and environmentally friendly, one should ditch the push to consume more by following the trends of what passes off as “minimalist.” Instead, minimalism starts with utilizing what is currently available and declining the impulse to consume more.

un Over Fatigue

by NINA ALOLOD

During the intramurals, there was palpable excitement in the air as the sought-after campus event returned after its two-year hiatus. The week-long event proved to be a time of excitement and camaraderie for Sillimanians.

The university intramurals this school year was set in the month of March, contrary to its usual run during the rainy months of November. And quite easily, the athletes were more prone to heat strokes and exhaustion. The challenge remained difficult as aside from strains, muscle sores, the pressure to succeed in matches was high.

On the question of what could have been done, here are few of the things that the student athletes or aspiring athletes may need to note.

Stretching. The human body can be overwhelmed quite easily. Stretching before and after any physical activities can help loosen muscles and prevent injury. Moreover, it’s a time one can hone their focus in preparation for a match or for standing for long periods of time to spectate.

Hydration. Drinking water is an easy way to replenish energy. With the recent high temperature the country is experiencing, making sure to stay hydrated lessens the possibilities of falling ill from the heat.

Sleep. Getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep gives time for the muscle to repair itself as well as overall reducing physical fatigue. In addition, one gets to start the day feeling refreshed and energized.

Relax. Taking a step away from the intensity of the intramurals can help a great deal to one’s mental health. Whether it be reading a book or taking a long bath, taking a break from competition can ease the tension and anxiety of the day.

These steps may sound simple to keep in mind but in a hot blooded event like the intramurals, one can get carried away in the midst of the festivities and find themselves overwhelmed or overstimulated. This makes it all the more important to remember that the human body has limits that one should be careful of crossing. After all, it would be better to end the week with just as much energy as it began.tWS

Photo courtesy TajSaldo,RobertCabibil,SophiaMarieApepe,PhilipLeiDicen,JeromePolinar|SUCC

frompage1| Back-to-back, CED...

The motto of “One Team, One Goal, Our Time is Now” was the college’s “driving force” to push through the inter-collegiate event, said CED Governor Walton Tenebroso.

“The working committees, including the student council, coaches, trainers, and other support staff, played a crucial role in ensuring that the team had the necessary resources, facilities, nourishment, and logistics in place for their practices and games,” he said.

Tenebroso added that despite the “unforeseen circumstances,” it was the working committees and the student body that boosted the team’s overall morale in dominating the intramural games.

In hopes to defend the championship title, Tenebroso said the college requires “a combination of continuous skill improvement, team cohesion, analysis of previous games; support from working committees and the student body; mental and physical conditioning; adaptability, and strong leadership.”

“I am confident that [these] will boost and increase our chances of successfully defending the title and maintaining our status as champions,” he said. tWS

frompage1| SportsComm corrects...

Dr. Lily Ann Bautista, IRS dean, said that the error caused “feelings of disappointment” to their department.

She said, “Achievement is supposed to bring pride and excitement, which in this case, we were not able to experience.”

Bautista added that each department must have a representative to cross-check the tallying of results before announcing the winners. tWS

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You may send your 300-500 words opinion write-up to the Weekly Sillimanian email: weeklysillimanian@su.edu.ph.

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Kindly include your full name and a photo of yourself. Please submit in an editable file format. For inquiries, contact us through our social media accounts.

frompage1| Roundnet joins SU...

On the continuation of roundnet and the addition of any other sports events in succeeding intramurals, Piñero said “budgetary constraints” still need to be considered.

“Some new events [may be] involved for the next year, but for now let us settle first for [the addition of roundnet],” Piñero added.

Roundnet is a two-versustwo net sport played with a ball and a small trampoline-like net.

The sport became commonly known as “spikeball” because of an equipment brand of the same name. tWS

frompage3| Minimalism: Why Less...

In its core, the idea of minimalism’s ban on clutter and attaining only the “necessities” to forsake all else, promises us to be free from our desires. It promises that living “less” means focusing only on self-fulfillment. And thus, more. But in fact, minimalism is just another way for us to serve our impulse of consuming more. tWS

SU commences Mr. and Ms. Intramurals comeback

by STEFAN SALDON took home the title of Mr. and Ms. Intramurals 2023, respectively.

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY

(SU) commenced Mr. and Ms. Intramurals, a “revival of what has been started before,” said Dionesio Piñero, Physical Education and Athletics Department head.

A total of twelve colleges participated this year, where the competition was held at Filomena Cimafranca Ballfield last March 26.

Ervi Bilangdal, College of Business Administration representative, and Kiera Tomilluso, Senior High School representative,

Circle the names of the different sports from the list. Tip: look in every direction. Answers will be published in the next issue.

word search

Archery Athletics

Badminton Baseball Basketball Boxing

Cricket

Diving

Fencing Football Formula One

Golf

Gymnastics

Handball Hockey

Judo

Lacrosse Polo

Rugby Sailing Skiing

Soccer Squash Sumo Surfiing

Swimming

Taekwondo Tennis Volleyball

Weightlifitng Wrestling

SU eases plastic ban for athletes

by RANJIE NOCETE

INTRAMURAL ATHLETES

were “given leeway” temporarily for their food and bottled energy drinks distribution due to “plans made prior” to the recently imposed single-use plastic (SUP) ban, according to Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) Environment Committee (EnviroComm) project organizers.

Posted last March 27 on the official SUSG Facebook page, the

ban was due to the amount of plastic trash that “[has] doubled in size.”

Security guards and CLAYGO marshals prohibited students carrying any SUP from entering campus. The ban was not implemented in game areas outside of the university.

The final decision for the SUP ban was made by the SU President, Vice President for Development, Enterprise, and External

Affairs, Student Organizations and Activities Division, SUSG President, and the EnviroCom chairs.

“This is only the first step, we are looking forward to rejuvenating the environmental policies of the university and actively [engaging] students to cooperate with our aspiration towards a Zero Waste Silliman,” said Ashley Manalo, SUSG EnviroComm vice-chairperson. tWS

“I’m happy that years of being an athlete gave me an opportunity to use it to represent my department,” Tomilluso said.

She added that she hoped that intramurals would encourage everyone to participate in sports-related extracurricular activities to further maximize Silliman’s support for athletes.

The competition, alongside newly added spikeball, was officially included as this year resumes face-to-face engagement.tWS

Ervi Bilangdal (right) and Kiera Tomilluso (left), Mr. and Ms. Intramurals 2023 Photo courtesy CraigEstrada,SUCC