tWS 2022-2023 2nd Issue

119 years

VOL. XCIV NO. 2 | FRI 21 OCTOBER 2022

IN PHOTO. SUCBA freshmen students raise their colors during SUSG's Set Sail 2022 'Freshie Walk' | Francis Ryan B. Pabiania

SUSG introduces first ‘Freshie Walk’ SUSH S c o mmemorates 5th Honors Day Convocation

M A RY R E YS H E L P. R E P E

ALMOST A THOUSAND Sillimanian freshmen students gather with their phone flashlights to form the letters, ‘SU,’ after participating in the first ever ‘Freshie Walk,’ a new tradition introduced by the Silliman ST E FA N R . S A L D O N University Student Government (SUSG) during the University-Wide SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY Se- Student Orientation, dubbed nior High School (SUSHS) com- Set Sail 2022, held last Oct. 12. memorated its fifth Honors Day Convocation with 213 honor students, more than a quarter of an increase from last year’s 136.

SUSHS recognized seven students with Highest Honors, 205 with High Honors, and one with Honors.

The increase in grade 11 honor students was during the online mode of learning in the school year 2021-2022. The school year before that was also held online.

With a total of 749 students who completed the second semester, around 28 percent of the batch was recognized with academic excellence.

Courtesy to the records from the SHS Office, Science Technology Engineering, Agriculture, Mathematics (STEAM) students dominated the honor list. Majority of the SHS student population also falls under STEAM. Guest speaker, Leanna Bautista, cited for the students present at the convocation to reflect on the idea of what they have accomplished so far through the following questions: “where am I now?”, ”what’s next”, and “how do I get there”.

“If you know where you are, what’s next, and how you get there, you’ll look up one day and you’re already there,” Bautista said.

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Set Sail 2022, was intended to give freshmen students a glimpse into their Silliman journey.

The SUSG took the freshie walk as the best way to kickoff said journey and that the tradition symbolized the start of their new university life.

John Christian Entrata, SUSG president, said that the freshie walk might continue to become a tradition He said that he hopes that the tradi-

tion would be sustained and improved by future SUSG administrations in the future years and that “it will still depend on the future administrations if they will continue this tradition.”

Entrata said that the freshie walk still needed improvements, “considering that it’s the first of its kind.”

“Considering how hectic college life will be, freshmen students deserve to have a “I also hope that freshies, at the fun and exciting start to this,” he added. end of their college journey, will The freshie walk is the look back to their freshie walk last activity to be done in the Set as a core memory,” he added.

Sail 2022 event, following the acAlthough the event man- tual student orientation, introducaged to gather positive feed- tion to organizations and pertinent back from Sillimanian freshmen, offices in the Student Services. tWS

SU Students Wear p 04 Blue for Nat'l Men- B r e a k i n g F2F the resumes Stigma tal Health Week SUROTC operations, adapts hyon Shiftees N I N A I S A B E L L E J. A LO LO D

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS wore blue last Oct. 11 in commemoration of National Mental Health Week, following the encouragement from the Silliman University Psychology Society (SUPS) in collaboration with the Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.

“It is important for us to show unity in this event in order to show people that they are not alone and they are heard and validated by many, many people who care,” said Frances Acas, SUPS Internal Vice President.

Pa-alan further added that prioritizing mental health is The theme of this month’s crucial to Sillimians wherein, “If National Mental Health Week was we are not mentally doing well… based on the World Health Organizait can affect how we function as tion’s theme, “Make mental health and an individual which can affect well-being for all a global priority.” how we perform as students.”

SUPS President, Lesley “While Silliman UniversiPa-alan stated that the commemty is home to the smartest individoration of National Mental Health uals, greatest performers and fittest is important as, “Despite mental athletes, it is of utmost priority to health slowly being normalized in pair these skills with good mental today’s time, there is still so much health. Afterall, a sound mental more that people do not know and health results to the best worthunderstand yet and it is through while performances.” Acas ended. this annual celebration where mental health professionals and adNational Mental Health vocates are given the opportunity Week occurs every second week of and platform to educate and help October as mandated by Proclamaothers understand the various top- tion No.452 signed by past President ics that fall under mental health.” Fidel V. Ramos on Aug. 25, 1994. tWS

brid learning modality p 02

Falling on Deaf Ears

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Trick Me, Coffee

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the weekly sillimanian 21 October 2022

Emboldening Our Marks as Sillimanians IAN CHESTER E. ESPELLOGO | Student Last Oct. 12, 2022, the Silliman University Senior High School celebrated its fifth recognition day. It was a day that commemorated the sacrifices and triumphs of not only the honorees but the parents, guardians, and faculty as well. It was a day that symbolized the solidification of faith, resiliency, and hope – core values that are evident in this new learning setup.

The medals, certificates, and recognition each honoree has received on stage demonstrate how Sillimanians are living symbols of steadfastness and excellence. Sillimanians remain rooted in their goals and dreams no matter what challenge life hurls.

When we look back, however, it was not an easy ride – sometimes, strong forces of wind come to shake our sails and redirect our paths. Sometimes, we hit slumps that force us to spiral into a state of fear, anxiousness, and stress. Sometimes, we experience moments of weakness that hit us in our vulnerable spots.

Sometimes, problems topple our hopes and dreams. But as Sillimanians, we have always bounced back – more robust, better, and wiser than before. With this in mind, we ask ourselves, who and what were our driving forces throughout the journey? Who was with us every step of the way? May it be our teachers, family, friends, guardians, and individual selves; let us take time to thank all of them for being our “constants” in this ever-changing world.

Take time to show thankfulness to the things and people around you who are there for you no matter how hard change hits. Remember, Sillimanians, our “constants” allow us to embrace change while remaining true to ourselves. Despite every battle we have faced, the fact that we are here, in this world, shows how Sillimanians are rooted in our cause and calling no matter the environment or circumstance.

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QR and Its Silly Little Problems

Falling on Deaf Ears

MARY REYSHEL R. REPE | Writer, tWS

Do you have trouble listing down the names of your classmates every single time you atIn light of the recent ‘food contamination’ incident with the Silliman Universi- tend events for attendance? No probty (SU) cafeteria, students and dormers alike have shed light on similar past experiences. This begs lem! CBA has it all..in your phone? the question, “Will SU stop requiring events inside the campus to have food catered by the cafeteria?”

Last Aug., the College of Business Administration StuSilliman University upholds a policy that requires all events that are organized by faculty, staff, and stu- dent Council implemented their dents to be catered by the university cafeteria alone. The administration’s rationale for this policy is that it would QR attendance system. Students be difficult to trace responsibility on food that is not prepared well. The university has control over where the caf- are emailed with a one-of-a-kind QR code which can be downloadeteria sources ingredients, how the food is prepared, and who prepares and serves the food. Accordingly, they ed and used during sign in or sign are able to monitor the cleanliness of the food area - which the cafeteria is said to take very seriously. If food was out of required student events. sourced elsewhere, matters of traceability, transparency, cooperation, and accountability would be made complex.

The system is great! Now Following the recent news on the suspected ‘food contamination’, accounts of previous dis- section presidents or secretaries and the student council won’t have satisfaction with food from the cafeteria arose. SU dormers whose breakfast, lunch, and dinner are ca- any problems in listing down names tered by the cafeteria have also raised their longtime concern about being served questionable meals. and getting signatures just for attendance purposes. Its ease of access If the cafeteria indeed takes food quality and cleanliness seriously, why has this issue dragged on until now? is what makes the system so great.

How did it come to a point where the cafeteria food served during the acquaintance parties is suspected of causing Added with the fact that it can be carried around in your phone and diarrhea, vomiting, and other health issues? Have these concerns never been brought to the administration’s attention? that it is virtually indestructible and retraceable, it’s one of the best We from the Weekly Sillimanian call for the university to take these collective concerns into consider- uses of QR technology out there. ation and to l ook into them alongside the ongoing investigation pertaining to the recent ‘food contamination’ case.

However, as great as it is, a few problems arise with it.

Is it right for students and staff to put up with having their food catered by the cafete- Scanning problems, its depenria when they are weary of its quality? We understand their point of easy traceability, but if food quali- dence on smartphones and fity and the safety of Sillimanians are truly a priority, improvements and reevaluations must be undertaken. nally, absent attendance officers.

QR codes are really just a bunch of squares arranged randomly, just like pixels, to create a unique string. For every SUCBA student out there, including myself, we have our own QR codes that had been prepared for us by the student council.

Attendance officers scan these codes every event to account for sign in or out with their phones.

Here comes the problem, smartphone cameras are sometimes NOT so reliable when it comes to taking pictures or scanning. This has happened many times, maybe due to the student’s phone brightness being so low that the camera can’t detect the code well, the phone scanning or the scanned phone are both so shaky that many retries are done to get a good scan of the code or maybe even problems in the scanning system.

This leads to longer wait times just to sign in or out and it also causes a lot of stress to both officers and students because who wouldn’t be annoyed with long scanning times.

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sillimaniansspeak

Editor-in-Chief Anna Avery T. Zapanta Associate Editor Ranjie Mae C. Nocete News Editor Mary Reyshel P. Repe Feature Editor Ivan Anthony A. Adaro Web Manager Sheikha A. Encabo Business Manager Klodia Reese M. Gabaya News Writers Nathaniel E. Carampatana Nina Isabelle J. Alolod Stefan R. Saldon Allianah Junnice F. Bolotaulo Feature Writers Keisiah Dawn T. Tiaoson Lea Katrina P. Canizares Paul Ray G. Donaire Yuan Ceagor K. Raquel Photographer Francis Ryan B. Pabiania Cartoonist Lady Lynn W. Aplicano Social Media Manager Rainne C. Nocete

Compiled by Anna Avery Zapanta | tWS Editor-in-Chief 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 suggestions can you give to the cafeteria to maintain customer satisfaction?"

“No teaspoon or tablespoon is enough to justify the valuation of the cheese bread that is currently being offered in the school cafeteria. Rather than focusing on the price I would rather focus on the quality of the product. The reputation that trails behind each bite of the bread is something every Sillimanian, both current and future, should have the privilege of experiencing.”

‘“One suggestion I have for the cafeteria is to hold face-to-face feedback sessions and provide short customer satisfaction surveys. Customers play a critical role in the growth of a business or establishment, and by having these measures, they may be able to examine trends and status based on calculated figures and received assessments.”

Marc Joshua C. Matildo | BSPT II

Kairos Noel D. Daron | BSMT I

“The SU Caf should ask its customers what aspects of its services should be improved. This can surely help improve aspects that they haven’t given much attention to.”

“I think it is within everyone’s interest to establish aircons in the SU cafeteria. I think a lot of students would like that since it is hot outside.”

Nikole Elli | BSBA - Operations Management IV

Shaneika L. Ho | BS Agriculture Agriculture Business II

Next Issue's Question: "What is a good way to destress after midterms?"

For your answers, just text Anna Avery Zapanta (09998024421).

Indicate your full name (with middle initial), course and year.

the weekly sillimanian 21 October 2022

BREAKING THE STIGMA

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ON SHIFTEES PA U L R AY G . D O N A I R E

The harsh truth about life is that it can always turn upside down.

Oftentimes, we encounter something that diverts our attention from the goals we initially thought to pursue. Regardless of how people can be decisive and certain in planning about their future, life tends to create different paths for us, leaving us to struggle with which direction we should follow. As we continue to grow up, everything changes drastically and goes beyond our expectations, too.

This has been a common issue, especially for many students. At this early stage of development, they can leap in decision-making from time to time.

In college, “shift” or “shifting” is a popular term referred to as moving from a current program to another program, while a student who shifts is called a “shiftee.”

The idea behind shifting is to give students the opportunity to find an academic program that suits them—one that allows them to genuinely enjoy learning and imagine themselves working in actual fields.

In an interview with a Sillimanian who is taking augmentation (bridging) to shift from political science to nursing, he stated that: “I decided to shift because I wasn’t sure of what I wanted in life.

I originally wanted to become a lawyer, but somehow along the way, I got confused and a bit distracted, and I was, kind of, entertaining other options because of my mental health.

I had bad mental health during the pandemic, so my perspective in life changed from what I really want”.

The challenges of shifting are hard to swallow. Shifting, in other words, means prolonging a student’s time in college—this in itself is what scares many prospective shiftees.

Furthermore, the prejudice against shiftees is among the reasons that causes them to backtrack. “Yes, I was afraid to take a shift because I would be wasting time. If I would shift, I would literally be going back from the start. I would repeat four years again, so it feels like wasted time”, he added.

This is supported by another shiftee, currently a Sociology IV shifted from Information Technology (IT), who expressed that: “I think the stigma siguro in us shiftee [sic] kay murag nahagbong ni siya sa previous course niya mao na wala kaabot sa cut off or batig batasan kay ni shift naay nakaaway. Pero If I were to debunk it, I think one of the reasons kay they are realigning or redirecting kung asa sila ganahan. Most people I knew na kanang ni-shift kay are the most fulfilled people after.” [“I think the stigmas attached to shitfees are that they failed their previous course and thus, did not meet the cut off, or that they have a bad attitude and caused conflict with someone.

But if I were to debunk it, I think one of the reasons is that they are realigning or redirecting their path.

Most people I know who have shifted are the most fulfilled people after.”]

The two shiftees, when asked about their academic performance, mentioned that they believed they were attaining better and higher grades than before. This goes to show that shifting, despite the stigmas and challenges attached to it, has its own advantages on the academic performance of students.

Instead of judging and stigmatizing shiftees and people who are struggling in their current programs, we must remain supportive and helpful in bringing out the best of them— and one way that we can express that is by breaking the stigma on shiftees.

Shifting is a choice—a hard one—that only those who have the guts are willing to take for the sake of their future. At the end of the day, life is definitely not a race; it is not a competition. As we carve our own “personal timeline,” let us always be reminded of our differences in significant moments as an individual.

To live life to the fullest is to instill in ourselves the values of pacing; that we have our time to strive, commit, and celebrate the things we do that fulfill us in this life.

Trick Me, C o f f e e K E I S I A H DAW N T. T I AO S O N Is there any

other sound that could make angels listen but the collision of ice cubes as we shake our Starbucks– bought Caramel Macchiato? Is there any aroma more inviting than a freshly brewed hot coffee in a cup from Tom’s? Is there anything more romantic than sharing a cup of Café Americano with your soul mate? Is there anything we can compare to the kinetic energy we get from the ‘legendary’ coffee?

The demand for coffee over the years has had a dramatic increase, and if we are to consider statistics, we can even say that demand for its consumption has a direct relationship with the number of years.

Coffee is inarguably a valuable commodity. It isn’t just a stimulant, but a provider of economic income to over 125 million people across the globe.

All of this may sound great, but as we swirl our pricey coffee around in their takeaway cups, be reminded that Starbucks alone uses more than 8,000 paper cups per minute—and most of these end up in the trash. The impact of these paper cups alone in our marine ecosystem is enormous and threaten--ing. Our “but first, coffee” mantra has been so overhyped that we forget its negative side effects on Earth. Not only is this habit driving us closer to a 2050 filled with plastic cups and suffocated marine creatures, but it is also making us hypocrites when we preach the words: “Let the Earth breathe,” while we hold on our left hand a cup of Espresso.

It is to be noted that coffee production and environmental degradation work hand in hand. 68% of the climatic effect of the coffee business is attributable to coffee cultivation. Regardless of where it is produced, coffee bean growing emits the majority of the world’s carbon emissions.

The demand for inexpensive coffee has encouraged farmers to embrace the practice of growing coffee directly under the sun, and this has resulted in lower soil quality. Growing coffee under direct sunlight makes plants more susceptible to pests, further pushing coffee farmers to use a lot of pesticides to ensure a healthy harvest.

This contributes to the contamination of our land and water supply.

Additionally, organic waste from coffee processing plants was found to be a major river pollutant. The discharged waste from the coffee processing plants finding their way into waterways robs aquatic plants and animals of oxygen necessary for their synthesis.

The rapid spread of coffee plantations has given rise to massive deforestation and ecosystem contamination, placing numerous biotic systems in danger—may it be plants or animals. The construction and operation of coffee manufacturing plants has led to the loss of several natural habitats, and thus cornering our ecosystem into a delicate balance on the precipice of a downward spiral.

So, next time, before you purchase a cup of coffee, think twice about the consequences it imposes on the environment. How strange it is to describe coffee – to have a drink is to have a taste of heaven, but unknowingly it brings us closer to hell.

Sands & Coral Pandemonium Issue Invites Silliman i a n E n t r i es M A RY R E YS H E L P. R E P E

Co-editors, Isabel Tores and Pia Villareal, encouraged Sillimanians to join Sands and Coral’s Pandemonium’s collection of works through fiction and essay writing competitions as they focus on rebuilding its legacy after the pandemic.

"We opted to do these competitions to incentivize Sillimanians to be part of Sands and Coral. We hope to revive the literary journal to its former glory as a literary journal made by the Silliman collective for the Silliman collective," said Villareal.

Torres said that its current theme, ‘Hope, Transformation and Rebuilding after the Pandemic,’ is a reflection of the current reality of everyone emerging from the pandemic with strength and hope for better times.

“Our personal reckonings with those two long years of isolation fuelled the stories we are ready to tell,” said Torres.

“Sillimanians play a great role in this literary issue because it is their stories that are prioritized on the pages of Sands and Coral.”

The Sands and Coral writing competitions started last Oct. 6 and will end by Oct. 24. Interested literary artists will have a chance of winning a spot in the Pandemonium Issue–the Second Chapter through two competitions, Fiction Writing and Essay Writing, along with prize money for the top three entries.

Anyone interested in contributing to their issue can send their submissions to : sandsandcoralofficial@gmail.com.

The submission details are through the following links.

Fiction Writing - https://bit.ly/3enatpq Essay Writing - https://bit.ly/3EDgtFu

Literary L E A K AT R I N A P. C A N I Z A R E S Cold Print On the beach the sun tickled my arched lips; Its brightness thawed the ice-cold heart inside.

I felt feather light drifting on the steeps Though my feet weighed like in a tomb were tied.

I stood still barefoot on the tiny sand.

I wished to hear the music from your tongue But the winds blew the lyrics on my hand.

It was a song no one has ever sung.

I made a few steps along the shoreline Dropping my tears in the loud crashing waves.

And all those tears wrote a beautiful line, A good message of love waves and heart graves.

Love is a music when perfect souls meet.

Love is a music when one gets cold feet.

Sand Lying perfectly calm, I show no qualm to the shapes that people make nor the steps that they take.

I patiently wait to the water’s visit for it clears any traces as I dance with it.

But, at times, strong waves take me wildly to the ocean unfolding the beauty that mirrors heaven.

But although it has tales of angry Poseidon and sirens that people are drawn, it is full of beautiful creatures hiding among troves of treasures.

And as I float back to my place courage is shown in my face.

And the sun in the turquoise sky tells everyone to feel the warmth of my courage as they lie underneath it.

4|twsbackpage ACC E P T I N G CO LU M N S U B M I S S I O N S You may send your 300500 words opinion write-up to the Weekly Sillimanian email: weeklysillimanian@su.edu.ph You are free to choose your topic.

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.

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from page 2 | Emboldening...

And so, let these awards be reflections of our sacrifices, God’s divine providence, our family’s love, our friends’ care, our resiliency, and our steadfast faith that remains unshakeable despite the shifts, twists, and turns of this world.

There are a million reasons to celebrate life; your family, friends, mentors, yourself, and The Lord Almighty are one of them. Let yesterday, today, tomorrow, and the years to follow be those days of celebration.

the weekly sillimanian 21 October 2022

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from page 1 | SUSHS Commemorates 5th Honors...

Bautista is an SUSHS graduate who devoted her time leading the student body and an alumna from the University of Santo Tomas, with whom is an executive board member in UST Chemical Engineering Society, earning her As we sail through high degree in BS chemical engineering tides, climb over chilling peaks, as a summa cum laude last June 7. and face whatever battle presents itself before us, let us embolden our Ian Chester Espellogo, who mark as Sillimanians and remem- was awarded with Highest Honber the constants that help us make ors, carried out words of appresense and meaning of it. Congratulations to the 2022 SHS Honorees! ciation during the ceremony.

The good thing, however, is that the officers are quick to solve things and get the line moving. Good save, I must say.

Sometimes, events take too long and students, obviously, have already used up their battery percentages during the duration of the event. Maybe some would rush to find a charging outlet somewhere just to get their attendance in but some won’t be so lucky. Or maybe the attendance officers’ phones are having problems, bad camera quality, low light environments, low battery, lag or other problems; there are just so many things that could go wrong with QR codes just because of its dependence on phones.

Chairperson, shared how the corps managed to operate despite The Silliman University the difficulties brought on by the Corps of Campus Ambassadors pandemic over the last two years.

(SUCCA) welcomed seven out “When we shifted to onof 57 applicants as its new members last Oct. 3, posting a 12% line classes, we also shifted to online acceptance rate for the first se- work. What we did in the first year mester of the academic year 2022. of portraying ourselves online was really banking on our social media.

Stef Ledesma, Silliman We did a lot of things on Facebook.

University Corps of Campus If you look through our Facebook Ambassadors Vice-Chairper- page, we did somewhat like tours. son, explained that the number It’s a one-minute or two-minute of recruits is not predetermined video. For example, we did Visitand was only based on who aDuma. So basically, we were still passed and endured through- kind of trying to tour but virtually out the recruitment process. and through videos,” she recalled.

He also emphasized to She also said that as camthe recruits that as members of pus ambassadors, it is their line the corps, they always have to of duty to give the Silliman experemember that they are repre- rience despite the situation. Alsentatives of Silliman University. though they lost their core pur“As a corps, we do our pose as campus ambassadors, best to always align ourselves which was to tour guests inside with what the university believes, the campus, they adjusted and politically and socially, but as in- found a way through social media dividuals, we are free to voice to continue their responsibilities. our opinions. However, as camDel Rosario then concludpus ambassadors, we are obligated and expected to be more re- ed with a message to the recruits sponsible in how we voice those and aspiring campus ambassadors, opinions professionally,” he said. stating that being a campus ambassador is not just a big responsibilMeanwhile, Kelly del Rosa- ity. It is a lifestyle as campus amrio, Silliman University Corps bassadors embody and represent of Campus Ambassadors Silliman throughout their lives. tWS

NATHANIEL E. CARAMPATANA

Sillimanians, we are still in the first few chapters of our journey.

Throughout our lives, we will experience a myriad of battles and transitions. However, the constants in our life will remain no matter how hard the winds of change shake our pillars.

from page 2 | QR and Its Silly...

SUCCA posts 12% acceptance rate in its first recruitment process since 2020

“It is still a long way. Who knows, there might be further transitions or transformations that we need to go through.” Espellogo said as he highlighted the idea of change in his talk.

“But as we gear up for these changes, may we all be reminded of our constants who continue to journey with us into discovering and establishing ourselves as Sillimanians.”

The fifth Honors Day Convocation was held in the Claire Isabel Mcgill Luce Auditorium on Wednesday. tWS

One might say that it’s a double edged sword. Though, this sword has one sharper edge than the other, its benefits more than the downsides.

Finally, there’s the problem with the attendance officers themselves. Though it doesn’t happen all the time, but most, sure– why is it so hard to find the officers during events? I’ve likely missed so many sign-ins due to this.

Attendance officers most likely stay in one place before the event starts to scan the codes but the problem lies in where that place is. It would have been better if the event was held in CBA grounds but if the event is university-wide, believe me, you’ll be as confused as I am.

IN PHOTO. First Year cadets during SUROTC face to face operations | Courtesy of Carmelle Mundo & Tranes Saldo

SUROTC resumes F2F operations, adapts hybrid learning modality

You could have already traveled the entire place but still no sign of them. That is, until you see them way way away from their places and you’ve finally ended your wild ALLIANAH JUNNICE F. BOLOTAULO goose chase. Attendance checking is a boring task but please just stay THE SILLIMAN UNIVERin one place until the event actually SITY Reserve Officer Training Corps starts. That would be nice, thank you. recently listed cadets who are to undergo the very first “hybrid learning” Technology has already come a long way from the pa- modality as both virtual and in-perper-pen duo but it doesn’t mean son learning activities become utithat it’s faultless. There will always lized in the implementation of limited be obstacles in whatever we do, face-to-face classes this school year. and this QR thing is no exception To accommodate the new (which I’m sure you’ve already experienced for the gate pass codes). modality, the pre-pandemic Program of Instruction and the adHowever, the student coun- justed version during Online Discil taking steps forward in easing tance Learning were combined. their officers’ burdens during events by utilizing this technology is conSUROTC Secretary 2LT siderably a good thing–a great thing Rodolfo Locsin Jr. cited, “The actually. Who cares about the silly lit- training staff of SUROTC Unit tle problems that come along with it. are flexible in the conduct of its But no bother, at least training, we have to adhere to the you can still sign out right? policies of the university and the teaching style to have it blended.”

The unit’s training staff had to im- Wednesdays are now reserved for provise learning activities during the pandemic to continue with training. synchronous sessions, while Saturdays are for in-person meetings.

“We were not provided any guidance or instruction from “We shall continue to our superiors in the RCDG, CDC, come-up with ideas that would beneor even in Manila, we ourselves had to come up with initiatives,” he said. fit both our students and the instructors provided that we are in-line with Among the makeshift means were assigned video tasks the ideas and values of the Armed of performing the proper conduct Forces of the Philippines,” he said. for movements, webinars, first He further added, “The aid training, backyard gardening, and documented tree growing. training here in ROTC compared Entering the first year of to other schools or other universihybrid learning modality, these ties that you’ve heard of is differ‘makeshift’ means have become new ent because we really focus on our learning materials for the SUROTC students to have the discipline and cadets to use and build foundations on, serving as their guides and as well the courtesy that they can practice lessons before heading for bring up to their second year or even their Saturday in-person meetings. when they become professionals.” tWS