No. 14 by The Weekly Sillimanian

115

years

TOWA R D S A PRO G RE SSI V E C AMPU S PRE SS VOL. LXXXIX NO.14THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

LET THE GAMES BEGIN. Students representing their colleges start practicing for the upcoming Intramural games 2017 this Nov. 26 to Dec. 1 PHOTO by Jill Silva

Changes set to spice up Intrams 2017 SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY (SU) Intramural games are expected to be more exciting this year after the addition of new events and the merger of some colleges. Intramural games will run from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1. New Events The famous computer game Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) 2 tournament is a new addition this year. DOTA 2 is virtual game involving multiplayers, whose main objective is to penetrate and destroy the base of the opponent. Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) Sports Committee chairperson, Ronalyn Bejar, said that DOTA 2 will promote eSports at the Intramurals. She said there will be a single elimination and the results will not affect the overall points of the colleges. Nonetheless, the DOTA players will still be recognized and winners will be awarded. Moreover, each participating college for the intramurals is required to send

representatives for the Mr. and Ms. Intramurals on opening day. It is not a pageant but just a parade of representatives of each college. Intramural games will kick off on Nov. 26 at 2pm with a parade from the Amphitheatre to the Gym. The Larong Pinoy contest, now on its second year as part of the Intramural games, will take place on that day. No Cheerdance However, the SUSG Cheering Committee (SUSG CheerCom) decided to cancel the Group stunt and Cheering competition after only the College of Engineering and Design (CED) and Senior High School confirmed to join. CheerCom acting chairperson, Mariel Buscato, said, “Colleges have a hard time to look for contestants so the more nga mangita pa sila, wala na juy time for practice.” The colleges were only informed about the competition just last week. She added that having a cheer dance competition entails additional expenses since colleges still have to spend for food,

twsFEATURES

The Filipino Time: A National Embarrassment?

Jedidiah Jan L. Colinco

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ANOTHER SERVING OF RICE, PLEASE

all players must be enrolled this semester under the college they are representing. Present and former varsity players are not allowed to play in the games. Senior high schools students are qualified to participate in the college Intrams. To ensure the eligibility of the players, each college is required to submit a complete list of their players to be counterchecked by the Office of the Registrar. Preparations Dionesio Piñero II, director of Athletics Department, said they are now orienting the volunteers, preparing the venues for the games, and tapping help from Red Cross, Silliman Rescue, and the SU security personnel. “Let us make these Intramural games more fun, exciting, and a memorable one because this is not for the sake of playing but it’s how we play the game; how we make fellowship. Most important thing is we play with discipline,”Piñero said. The theme for this year’s Intramurals is “Celebrating God’s faithfulness through fun and exciting games on the court, the track, and the field.” tws PHOTO FROM CANADAJOURNAL.

The colleges were only informed that the events were cancelled four days before the Intramurals opening. However, Buscato said, “For those colleges who have prepared their routine, they can present them during the demonstrative game on the opening ceremony coz we also want to recognize their efforts.” Colleges of MassCom, Agri merged In a meeting of the Athletics Department, SUSG and college governors last Nov. 15, it was agreed that the College of Agriculture and the College of Mass Communication (CMC) will be playing as one team for the Football-Men. The decision was made upon the request of the Mass Com governor. Meriam Ramacho, Athletics Department faculty, said it is okay for small colleges to merge if it means increasing student participation in the games and it is agreeable for all colleges. Eligibility of players The Athletics Department reminded the college governors to make certain all their players are eligible to play. According to the Intramural Handbook, PHOTO FROM FREEDOM WALL

PHOTO FROM LINKEDIN.COM

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY HAS released the names of its graduates who have passed the licensure exams in accountancy, chemistry, and psychology last October 2017. Congratulations!

JUST KEEP GOING

uniform, etc. for the their players in the Intramural games. “As much as we want to push thru the event,we can’t force them to participate if they don’t want to,”Buscato added. Sunshine Serdan, from College of Engineering and Design Cheering team, expressed her disappointment over the cancellation of the event. Right after they received the cheer dance guidelines, she and her team immediately started practicing. Although she said she understands the decision of SUSG CheerCom, she said that the committee should meet with the colleges first at least a month before competition “Please be mindful sa part sa mga mujoin sa competition. Please organize your plans and events well. It would be better if they’ll announce their events month before the competition,” she said. One week is not enough to practice,Serdan added.

APO ISLAND

Sillimanians pass Oct, Nov 2017 licensure exams

twsOPINION

S o m m er J. B u y ante N ews Ed it or

Communities considered key in protecting MPAs

BASED ON THE success stories of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the country, communities could be the key in sustaining MPAs, said Dr. Rene Abesamis, a marine biologist at the SU Angelo King Center for Research in Environmental Management, during the screening

Mitigating Climate Change amid urbanization

Extempo champ stresses K12 as tool for environmental awareness

“IT’S NOT JUST about raising environmental awareness in our community. It’s also about incorporating everything we learned about environmental awareness into the K-12 system,” said Brian Stefan Mack, winner of the second Dumaguete K-12 Extemporaneous Speaking Competition last Nov. 17. The grade 12 Humanities and Social BRIAN STEFAN MACK

Sciences (HUMSS) student from Silliman University Senior High School (SUSHS) was declared champion,defeating nine other speakers who took stage at Robinsons’ Place Dumaguete Main Atrium. Among the solutions Mack presented to combat environmental problemse is using K-12 as a tool to raise awareness. He also wants to campaign for use of

social media in the new K-12 subjects like environmental sciences. He said this will help the nation improve the reach and strength of education, by making it inclusive and accessible through K-12 where environmental issues can be discussed. For winning the competition, Mack was awarded P5, 000 and a trophy. (by Martha B.Gillesania, News Writer)

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the weekly sillimanianNovember 23, 2017

Contribution

hat are the contributions of Intramurals to your life in Silliman? Every year, students take a one-week break to give importance to one of Silliman’s C—the court. For at least six days, the university wants us to learn outside the classrooms: on the court, the track, the field. Sports have always been used as the analogy of life. It involves hard work, patience, determination, skill, strength, persistence and the right attitude. All these are necessary to triumph in a much more complex and arduous court—the court of life. We, the Weekly Sillimanian, have always been behind the Administration in promoting “holistic education” in the university. We believe that education inside the ivory tower of this university will not take you through life successfully. It takes immersion to everything else makes living more fulfilling. tWS has always believed in the university’s intention and vision for the Intramural games. However, we see issues on how we realize this vision. First, tWS hopes that the entire Silliman community will eradicate the “college-rivalry” mentality. We have to remember that Intramurals is all about enjoying your chance to play with your college mates. It is a matter of breaking barriers between the colleges; not building them. Although, the sense of competition is present, we should put forth camaraderie before rivalry. tWS extends its appreciation for allowing some small colleges like Mass Communication to join the football men’s team of the College of Agriculture. We hope that this is the beginning of more partnerships among colleges, especially the small ones in terms of student population. This would give them the chance to play in some sports that require more players. Let us set aside our personal and selfish goals first and put priority on the happiness and enjoyment of every Sillimanian in annual gatherings such as Intramurals. Second, we hope that the officiating officials will be strict in imposing game regulations. For example, the rules on all Sillimanian coaches for all the participating teams and the rules on substitutions. Several spectators have observed that in some games, rules on substitutions weren’t strictly followed. Some players go in and out the court without the referee recognizing the act. Though the fate of the game is not solely dependent on this, but it clearly says on what matters most: it is HOW you play the game. The university holds events like Intramurals so that we can apply the ideals we were taught inside the classroom. If we practice the antithesis of these ideals, then our vision meets defeat. Lastly, tWS lauds the inclusion of Defense of the Ancient (DOTA) 2 competition and the retention of Larong Pinoy. There has always been a subtle connotation that Intramural games accentuate the “sporty” Sillimanians and put the non-sporty ones if not in the food committee, in the cheering committee. This addition of DOTA 2 surely widens the scope and reach of the University Intrams and caters to students who are more into eSports than play hard core sports. So instead of spending 20 hours at Heroes Ground, Zone or Frozen Throne during the “one-week break,” DOTA players have something to look forward to in Intramurals. Other than mere cheerleaders or audience, students should play. The management should make sure that more and more people are involved. It is good to hear that Larong Pinoy is on its second year. Maybe we can also consider including, for example, Cosplay and board games like Scrabble. We can organize live-action Plants vs. Zombies game or real-life Chess and Snakes and Ladders. But none of this will be possible without the participation of students. It will all boil down to them. The student body has to try much harder to be INVOLVED. We hold Intramurals during recitation days. Hence, we should make most of the tuition fee that our parents are paying. If we’re not going to have classes, we might as well play, cheer, learn and enjoy. Hence, the question must be restated this way: What have you contributed in the Intramurals of Silliman University? twS

sillimaniansspeak Compiled by Gresheen Gift Libby, Associate Editor

“With the decline of enrolment in the university, are you in favor of merging colleges in the Intramurals 2017?” Yes, I am in favor of merging colleges in the Intramurals 2017 because I saw how colleges struggled in obtaining players to play with the different sports due to the decreased enrolment this school year. Merging colleges don’t only build friendship among students but also instill camaraderie among individuals (from)different courses and departments. After all, we are one Silliman. Edgar Gil C. Favor - School of Public Affairs and Governance, Major in Public Administration IV There are colleges with less than 150 students, in it, like CCS for example. Of course, not all students are interested to join the Intramurals but some may want to join a certain sport but lack players in the college, and so this causes the certain sports to be dissolved. Merging with other colleges, however, brings greater chances of having enough players to actually represent two colleges in the Intramurals. Justin Carlos Malana, BS-IT Fourth Year Yes, I am definitely in favor of merging of colleges in the Intramurals 2017. It may sound confusing at first, but it’s a big help to the smaller colleges who really need manpower in their chosen sports. Hopefully, this will also bring camaraderie to all the colleges. Aimee V. Kho - Bachelor of Science in Nursing, III The merging of colleges is a good idea so that the smaller colleges can enjoy more sports that they have not previously joined due to the lack of student athletes in their colleges. Glynese Micole Ikeda - Bachelor of Science in Engineering, major in Computer Engineering - IV

Next Issue’s Question: “What is your reaction to the pronouncement of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson will run for 2019 senatorial seat?”

For your answers, just scan the logo on the left or text the CIrculation Manager (09759664662). Indicate your full name (with middle initial), course and year.

Editor-in-Chief Ray Chen S. Bahinting Associate Editor Gresheen Gift M. Libby News Editor Sommer J. Buyante Features Editor Carlee Cherokeeh T. Calingacion Business Manager Jenievieve Ann O. Amores Layout Artist Irah Kaye R. Osumo News Writers Esther Micah B. Gillesania Chrisse Martha B. Gillesania Francis Ryan B. Pabiania Meilynne Gem C. Sonjaco Feature Writers Merell Lystra L. Recta Angelica Mae D. GomeZ Cartoonist Hervey Angelo F. Avenido Web Manager Jedidiah Jan L. Colinco Office Manager Jasmyn Siobhan A. Olmido Graphic Artist Gloria Gem T. Lumayag Photojournalists Al Remuel B. Tubongbanua Hannah Diane E. Bengco Jill C. Silva Adviser Celia E. Acedo

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/ weeklysillimanian.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

Last month, 16-year-old Isaiah Lustre, the brother of actress Nadine Lustre, reportedly committed suicide by shooting himself with a gun. He was found dead inside their house. Lustre’s case proves that depression can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status. Everyone is prone to it, and at many times, it goes unnoticed. His death, along with comedian Joey de Leon’s controversial remarks, once again sparked the discussion on mental health on social media. As a result, people are becoming more aware and the stigma against persons who are suffering from depression is gradually disappearing. The rising number of depression cases among students in the Philippines has been very alarming. According to psychologist Dr. Jocelyn Nieva

Yatco-Bautista, Filipino youth suffering from depression mostly experience suicidal tendencies, too. In addition, suicide has become the second leading cause of death among college students in the United States. Who knows when it will happen here? Thankfully, the recent passage of the Mental Health Act is a good step taken by the government in assuring that programs and services are easily accessible

“Anong oras kakain ang mga bisaya? Edi, pag tapos na ang mga amo nila.” I recently came across this degrading joke in a Facebook post, garnering more than a hundred laugh reacts, followed by angry ones. Another one I saw was a tweet by someone I follow on Twitter, saying “Ang baduy magkaroon ng kapitbahay na bisaya, at ang iingay pa, kala mo nasa bundok.” I don’t follow her anymore.

Tagalog and English, which, in turn, are used as sources of laughter and ridicule. The stereotypes that Bisayans are just housemaids and baduy manumit is becoming more and more ridiculous each day. I would go as far as to say that this is similar, almost like a local counterpart, of how the US views Mexicans as manual laborers that can speak poor English.

Regional stereotypes, like if you’re Waray, then you’re permanently angry and argumentative, if you’re from Mindanao, there goes the question “How did you survive the wars?” and If you’re Cebuano/Bisaya then you must be loud and baduy in terms of fashion, have been around for quite a while, enough for almost everyone to know about it. Frankly, I think that these are just plain ridiculous. Especially me, as a native Bisaya, along with the majority of students and faculty. Why are we being represented so negatively? We can’t help it, either, that Bisayans are usually represented in Tagalog films as mere housemaids, as people who couldn’t properly enunciate

Suicide is not and should never be an option for anyone. If you are depressed or are having thoughts of hurting or killing yourself, find and talk to a trusted adult, friend, or minister. Or you may call or text the Silliman hotline (09177071901). Someone is always there, ready to listen to you. Always keep in mind that life is so much more than our stay here in the university. Having said that, there is even much more it than Jedidiah Jan L. Colinco | Context Is King | Web Manager to this present life. Your very to the public. existence is in itself a gift from Throughout our stay here God. in the university, we face a lot As long as there is life, there of pressure and problems: low is hope. There always is. Keep grades, failed relationships, going. financial burdens, to name a For information, help, and few. While every one of us faces hope for depression and suicide, different battles, no one should you may watch “Exit: The Appeal feel that the only viable solution of Suicide” by going to www. is to end his or her own life. theexitmovie.com. tWS

JUST KEEP GOING

rich culture of artists, musicians, and writers. We have over seven universities scattered around our small city. Our communities are close-knit, and everyone seems to know everyone. Not to mention the beautiful beaches brimming with sea life. Why can’t people focus on these aspects instead? We also have worldrenowned scientist Angel Alcala, Palanca awardee and author Ian Casocot, DepEd Secretary Leonor Gresheen Gift M. Libby | Eating deadlines for breakfast Briones, multiawarded poet And when the topic of things and fictionist Cesar Ruiz Aquino, and culture come up in normal Edith and Edilberto Tiempo the conversations between a probinsyano pioneers of the Silliman University and a Manileno, the latter usually National Writers Workshop (the asks, “Ay, may ganyan pala sa oldest creative writing workshop in probinsya?” Asia), former Philippine presidents Cue the facepalm. Sergio Osmena, Manuel Roxas, Of course we do. Our cities and Carlos P. Garcia, film director are as progressive as you may think. Eddie Romero who is considered Sure, we don’t have huge shopping to be one of the finest in malls and we don’t have Starbucks Philippine cinema, and a whole on every corner of the city, but lot more. come on. There’s so much more So no, bisayans are not just than what meets the eye. We also this-and-that. We are more than have our fair share of beautiful our stereotypes. We are hardand unusual things that can only working and resilient, and we be found in the environs of our excel in different platforms too. provinces. It’s high time that we change the Like in our beautiful city of negative course of the Bisayan Dumaguete and our province of stereotype into something much, Negros Oriental, we maintain a much better. tWS

THE BISAYA STEREOTYPE

the weekly sillimanian November 23, 2017

ave you ever experienced waiting for someone who was supposed to arrive half an hour before? Or to wait for some people to do a school project with but arrived an hour later because they were either stuck with some personal errand or was sleeping and haven’t taken a bath yet? Did you also say that you were “on the way” but in truth, not really? These are just some of the frank truths of what we famously call “Filipino time”. The Famously Coined Term The term “Filipino time” has been very common among us Filipinos and has become part of our culture. However, not all Filipinos follow “Filipino time” nor is it applied to every occasion. Oftentimes, this has been observed when going to some events like parties

or a simple meet up with friends for some group work or get-together and such. But when it comes to class schedules, work, or important work meetings, punctuality is always a must. But for everyone’s curiosity, this matter about Filipinos being always late is a historical thing. Historians claimed that our ancestors inherited this from the Spaniards when they were colonized for more than 300 years. It was told that whenever Spanish royalty would go to a gathering, they would always enter last. Thus, Filipinos followed suit to get a feeling of importance. On the other hand, one contributing factor for one’s tardiness would be that traffic and travel times are inevitable. If one lives in a very busy urban city, the number one excuse a Filipino would give is that if he/she was

and all public and private

schools, colleges and universities in the country are enjoined to observe the said month with appropriate programs to promote the twin values of punctuality and civility. Embedded in our Culture Yes, “Filipino Time” is an annoying trait because “time is gold” and time that is not spent wisely is time wasted. It is also a complete disrespect for the time and effort of the person who was waiting. Is there no way for Filipinos to arrive on time? Is it really endemic in our country?tWS

construction and following design principles that use lowcarbon energy and technology, such as solar panels and energyefficient lights. It also means switching to renewable source of energy and reducing the use of private cars. “Another response to climate change is adaptation. It is to reduce the vulnerability of cities and nation to the adverse impacts of anticipated climate change,” Vinarao shared. Adaptation is having green infrastructures. This includes having water management that protects, restores, or imitate the natural water cycle. He cited vegetation on roofs as an example. He emphasized that “before developers or builders would build communities, there should be a survey of properties,” to ensure that the location

is not prone to flooding or to damage from calamities. He added that there should also be investments in seawalls and other structures as protection against coastal flooding. Water, the road’s enemy Engr. Viernov D. Grefalde, Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, emphasized that buildings and roads must be designed considering future climatic conditions. “Water is the road’s number one enemy,” Grefalde said. He said that in addition to flooding, inefficient drainage worsens the quality of roads. For example, when asphalt overlay is submerged in floodwater, it makes the road more vulnerable to damage. Grefalde said that making canals to divert water has to be the top priority to be considered in constructing roads. Architect Vinarao, moreover, observed that Dumaguete lacks proper drainage system, making floods more frequent especially during a heavy downpour.

Esther Mic ah B. Gillesania

News Wri ter The face of reality But convincing the people wouldn’t be easy. Sometimes, we tend to favor the conveniences over the long-term solutions. Engr. Grefalde even challenged the architects and engineers. “Use your influence as product specifiers,” he said. Architects and engineers should be the ones promoting products that can help save the environment. Let’s take for example the Bullitt Center in Seattle. It is said to be the world’s greenest commercial building which uses net zero energy.The building was designed to use the rainwater as its source of water, harness ample solar energy to power whole building, use natural ventilation both suitable for day and night, and composting human waste odorlessly and efficiently. Other examples of going green approaches despite rapid urbanization would be New York’s Central Park and France’s first solar highway.

First World Oceans

coast. Urban growth, unaccompanied in much of the world by adequate disposal of human bodily wastes, has also imposed major pressures on the ocean. There is a need for action to deal with sewage (including industrial wastes that are mixed with human bodily wastes) in developing countries. The lack of sewage systems and wastewater treatment plants is still a major threat to the ocean. Heavy metals and other hazardous substances Industrial processes have brought with them serious environmental damage, especially when the concentration of industries have led to intense levels of inputs to the sea wastes which could not be assimilated. That damage is largely caused by heavy metals (especially

lead, mercury, copper and zinc). With the development of organic chemistry, new substances have been created to provide important services in managing electricity (for example, polychlorinated biphenyls) and as pesticides. Chlorine has also been widely used in many industrial processes (such as pulp and paper production), producing hazardous by-products. Many of those chemical products and processes have proved to have a wide range of hazardous side-effects. There are also problems from imperfectly controlled incinerations, which can produce polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons and, where plastics are involved, dioxins and furans. All those substances have adverse effects on the marine environment. There is

evidence that some substances (often called endocrine disruptors), which do not reach the levels of toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation in the accepted definitions of hazardous substances, can disrupt the endocrine systems of humans and animals, with adverse effects on their reproductive success. Action is already being taken on several of those, but more testing is needed to clarify whether action is needed on others. The differential growth in industrial production between countries bordering the North Atlantic, on the one hand, and those bordering the South Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, on the other hand, means that much of that growth is now taking place in parts of the world that had not previously had

Merell Lystra L . Recta

Feature Wri ter

Self-sustaining cities, the answer “The climate is changing so does engineering and design,” Vinarao said. Building self-sustaining cities could be a key to resolving our problems. High density in a small area could mean lesser resource consumption and emission of harmful substances. Few parking spaces in Dumaguete will discourage private car owners to just drive around the city freely but instead just take a stroll to and from their destinations. Self-sustaining city reduces the need to travel because you can have everything you need in one area. If you build a compact city that can provide the basic needs, people can just access everything without riding on a vehicle that emits carbon dioxide, one of the gases that trap heat inside our atmosphere. Having a self-sustaining city saves the natural habitat of animals because there would be no need to deforest the forested areas. This would equate to a healthier planet for humans, animals, and plants. tWS

to deal with industrial discharges on the current scale. Even if the best practicable means are used to deal with heavy metals and hazardous substances in the waste streams from those growing industries, the growth in output and consequent discharges will increase the inputs of heavy metals and other hazardous substances into the ocean. It is therefore urgent to apply new less-polluting technologies, where they exist, and means of removing heavy metals and other hazardous substances from discharges, if the level of contamination of the ocean, particularly in coastal areas, is not to increase. – (Excerpted by SU Research and Environmental News Service)

PHOTO FROM https://www.treehugger.com/clean-technology/global-warming-scientists-vs-climate-skeptics-infographic.html

22 SCIENTISTS FROM around the world—including Silliman University’s Hilconida Calumpong, Ph.D.—submitted to the UN General Assembly in late 2015 their report as the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects. Here are some excerpts: Increasing inputs of harmful material Land-based inputs Achievements of the past two centuries in feeding, clothing and housing the world’s population have been at the price of seriously degrading important parts of the planet, including much of the marine environment, especially near the

Fea t u re Wr it er

stuck in “traffic.” Another factor centers itself on this certain social stigma that being early or on time will earn you the reputation of being an eager beaver, or of having nothing better to do. That’s why some people would say that it is chic to be “fashionably late.” It’s a given that there are hundreds of excuses to make by just living in this country, but we’ll not dwell much on that, given that every reader can totally relate to it. Proclamation No. 1638 But did you know that in 2008, former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo signed a Proclamation No. 1638 which declares the month of November as National Consciousness Month for Punctuality (Respect for the

value of time) and Civility (Respect for the rights of others )? It’s true. According to the public journal and main publication of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, The Official Gazette, the Organized Response for the Advancement of Society, Inc. (ORAS), a non-government, nonprofit and non-stock organization composed of leaders from all sectors of society, has continually and effectively promoted a national campaign for the transformation of the habit of our people in respect to the value of time and respect for the rights of others. Pursuant to the said directive, all local and national government offices,

Mitigating Climate Change amid Urbanization

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In the near future the harmful effects of climate change will affect how we live, how we work, and do our thing,” warned Architect Vittorio Alejandre Marcus Vinarao, an environmental scientist. In a forum, Banyuhay (Bagong Anyo ng Buhay): Correlating Cities with the Environment, Vinarao, a full time instructor at Silliman University College of Engineering and Design, linked climate change to urbanization. The forum was organized by the United Architects of the PhilippinesStudent Auxiliary in partnership with Silliman University Student Government Environment Committee (SUSG-EnviCom). Mitigate and Adapt Vinarao recalled that typhoons in the past only visited Eastern Luzon, but starting a few years ago, the path of typhoons started shifting to Mindanao, passing by Dumaguete. To respond to climate change, Vinarao said that mitigation and adaptation are key factors. Mitigation deals with urban form and structure. It means limiting urban expansion, reducing the need to travel, and prohibiting development in floodprone areas. In building structures, mitigation is choosing energy-efficient materials for

Angelic a Mae D. Gomez

PHOTOS FROM http://8list.ph/site/articles/8-differences-between-filipino-and-korean-culture-45

The Filipino Time: A National Embarrassment?

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the weekly sillimanianw November 23, 2017

ANOTHER SERVING OF RICE, PLEASE . November is Rice Awareness Month. We know obviously that rice is staple food for Filipinos. But do you know that there are places where people eat none or very little rice? Here are four:

INUIT It is a group of culturally similar indigenous people that inhabit the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and Alaska whose diet is centered on meat.

YUNCHENG, SHANXI PROVINCE, CHINA This place in not suitable to grow rice that is why people mostly eat mantou (steamed bun) and a huge variety of noodles as their staple food.

. ETHNIC MONGOLIANS Despite being in the far east Asian region, they do not consume rice three times a day but mostly eat beef, mutton, and dairy products as their staple food.

AUSTRALIA It was only until a decade or so ago that Aussies started eating rice. They still rarely eat rice because of their weather’s inability to grow rice.

Compiled by Carlee Cherokeeh T. Calingacion

roundup

Sillimanians pass Oct, Nov 2017 licensure exams

SOME SILLIMAN GRADUATES in the field of accountancy, chemistry, psychology and engineering passed their respective licensure examinations last October 2017. Congratulations! CPA board exam Twenty out of 25 takers from Silliman University College of Business Administration (SU CBA) passed the October 2017 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure examination.They garnered an 80% passing rate and 30.45% national passing rate. Only 4,511 passers out of 14,816 takers passed the said exam nationwide. Aguilar, Rylmarie Ambos, Gem Jessica Bandigas, Joel Bontia, Bermond John Buenavista, Gil Cadorna, Frank Lloyd Dineros, Georgette Mae Galera, Archimedes Lao, Daphne Llera, Karen Charmaine Lu, Christine Lubguban, Riva Dianne Mangwag, Ma. Nashra Ontong, Ann Janine Ordoñez, Jeff Emerson Palencia, Irene Mae Quiazon, Wrylan Ramas, Roselle Ann Tubio, Ethel Yrad, Gloria Roseni Psychologist board exam SU got a hundred percent passing rate in Psychologist Licensure Examination with a topnotcher. Two out of two takers from SU passed the exam in which Karen Joy DungogPatayon ranked second. Patayon graduated as magna cum laude in SU year 2009 and finished her master’s degree in Psychology at Ateneo de Davao University in 2013. “I feel very grateful for passing the board exam; and being in the top 10 was an unexpected blessing. Couldn’t have done it without God’s guidance,” Patayon said. Other passer from Silliman is Aldwin Murphy B. Kwek Overall, 96 out of 148 takers passed the Psychologist Licensure Examination given by PRC Board of Psychology. Psychometrician board exam Twenty-two graduates from SU are now licensed psychometrician. The university garnered a passing

Es t h e r Mi c ah B . Gi llesani a

News Writer average of 66.67% higher than the national passing average of 56.97%. Nationwide, 4,957 passed out of 8,701 takers. Alaban, Azuna Caramba Alas, Alexandra Acedo Alferez, Mary Hope Reylette Sagario Alvarez, Simon Glen Udarbe Antes, Harold Tan Arias, Angel Jethro Muños Besinga, Ruhel Jon Asumbra Bragancia, Marianne Louise Moreno Buiquil, Carmela Edillor Bustamante, Les Mis Deniega Colinco, Stephanie Ria Lachica Deomampo, Sherra Ashley Aligonza Hernando, Zoe Permacio Horca, Monika Rae Reposar Keys, Abigail Abrogena Magalso, Dan Louie Naranjo, Jo Hannah Louise Aclaro Pineda, Kristy Zaren Estiñoso Quir, Myrtle Jane Furigay Selma, Pamela Camille Ceazar Sobong, Richette Nyl Toledo Tacder, Benz Rosette Veran Chemist and Chemical Technician board exam Seven graduates from SU passed the October 2017 Chemist and Chemical Technician Licensure Examination with a total overall performance of 21.05%. Three out of eight fresh graduates and one out of seven retakers from SU passed the licensure exam for chemists. Jonathan Pa-a, Department of Chemistry head, said the batch was the first to adapt the so-called “Retention Policy.” He said the policy allowed students who failed in one subject to advance to retake their failed subject and advance to higher subject as long as their QPA reach 2.0. “…They can take the higher subject even if they already had difficulty with the lower subject. So, during the exam, I already anticipated that there will be three passers only,” Pa-a shared. On the other hand, seven Sillimanians passed the board exam for chemical technician. The passers were not recent graduates but are already working in the field of Chemistry, Pa-a said. Nationwide, 526 out of 1,195 passed the chemists licensure exam and 720 out of 845 takers passed the chemical technician licensure exam. New Licensed Chemists: Armentano, Roque Tanilon Jr.

ACADEMIC CONVOCATION. Silliman President Ben S. Malayang III welcomed the students to the second semester of school year 2017-2018 during the All-University Convocation last Nov. 20 at Luce Auditorium. PHOTO by Leandro T. Credo

Maputi, Joan Rose Caluscusin Orlina, Honey Kate Jaboni Maningo, Mikaela Patricia Sy New Licensed Chemical Technicians: Abrasado, Ariane Mae Ricardo Bugas, Haidee Dapat Ferrer, Alma Bilocura Sevilleno, Chrissa Vilan Civil Engineer Licensure Exam Thirty out of 42 Sillimanians passed the Civil Engineer Licensure Examination this November. They have a passing rate of 71.43% and a national passing rate of 66.67%. According to PRC, 6,075 out of 12,447 takers passed the exam. SU New Civil Engineers: Abellon, Shiela Mae Aplicano, Bruce Alfred Bolongaita, Sergina Mae Calo, Irvin Ian Calumpang, Angel Alexa Bebeb Catipay, Nica Angelette Eredera, Mieclen Evangelista, Eirene Pian Flores, Mizzah Jane Gamallo, Prexyl Josery Gayo, Gift Ignacio, Chebb Jaugar, Marc Anthony Lazalita, Carmelo Lubguban, Rica Maria Maglasang, Alex Joshua Mari, Jose Philip Perez, Natlin Reyes, James Vincent Reyes, Jesse John Rubillos, Olive Grace Sagario, Louie Jay Sarigumba, Kimberly Kates Sumoguid, Donna Grace Teves, Christian Jeremiah Tindoc, Cristy Velicaria, Gerard Jude Villaluz, Kendric Nemesio Visagas, Colleen Jane twS

UNITY IN DIVERSITY. Silliman University’s international students raise their respective country’s flag at the grounds of Leopoldo T. Ruiz Hall last Nov. 20, to acknowledge diversity of cultures in the campus. The raising of the flags is usually done every semester, but according to Moses Atega from the International Studies department, this time the flags are raised once a year. PHOTO by Hannah Diane Bengco

Communities considered key in protecting MPAs S o mme r J. B u y a nt e News Edi to r

M e re ll Ly s t ra L . Re c t a Feature Wri ter BASED ON THE success stories of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the country, communities could be the key in sustaining MPAs, said Dr. Rene Abesamis, a marine biologist at the SU Angelo King Center for Research in Environmental Management, during the screening of a documentary film about marine sanctuaries, at Silliman November 16. The documentary, “Grid Exploration II,” follows the success story of National Scientist Dr. Angel Alcala and his team in establishing MPAs in the country. The film and the stunning design of its print counterpart in GRID Magazine, Vol. 3, 2017, is a collaboration of Dr. Abesamis; famous photographer and videographer Francisco Guerrero, executive editor of GRID Magazine; economist and dive master Rene Juntereal; filmmaker Carmen del Prado; and free diver and conservationist Tara Abrina. It is a case of powerful multimedia storytelling meeting serious science to spread the word about the success of MPA as a social and scientific concept for marine protection and conservation. An MPA is a zone where taking of fishes and other marine resources is prohibited. MPAs serve as a sanctuary and breeding ground for fish and other forms of marine life, causing fish to breed, grow and multiply into adjacent areas, supplying a sustainable catch for fishermen and locals. According to the film, Alcala established the first MPA in Sumilon Island in Oslob, Cebu, wherein no human community lives. It was protected for almost ten years but it went down due to the absence of a community and lack of political support. “If you want to sustain marine protection in this country, you need the support of a local community,” said Dr. Abesamis, who has published scientific papers laying out the evidence for the effectiveness of MPAs. After Sumilon, Alcala and his team established another MPA in Apo Island, working for two years

before convincing the residents to take part in the effort. Alcala and his team discovered the necessity of communities co-existing with MPAs. Since 1985, Apo Island Marine Reserve has been managed by the community, and through long years of longitudinal research studies has produced data showing the productivity of marine protected areas. The story of Apo’s success spread far and wide, making it a showcase for MPAs not only in the country but also in the Asian region as well. There are now at least 1,500 marine protected areas nationwide, and the experiment has been replicated in neighboring countries in Asia. Tourism as threat When tourism in Apo started to boom in 2000s, Alcala warned that it will have a negative impact. “I have warned them already, a long time ago, that they should control the number of people there because if there are too many people stepping and destroying corals, the fishes will not be happy about it. Because they destroy their habitats and destroy their source of food,” he said. Tara Abrina, an economist and free diver volunteer at the Marine Sciences Institute at UP Diliman, reminded tourists to be careful with the corals and to keep in mind that they are mere visitors. She teaches free diving to locals to help them monitor their MPAs and encourages fishermen to engage in sustainable fishing practices. Breeding new ocean warriors Mario Pascobello, former Apo Is. barangay captain, said he has been a fisherman in Apo all his life. He now owns a diving lodge on the island, and continues to advocate for marine protection. He said it is important to develop among children the love for the sea and the environment, saying that they are the future generation that will inherit the benefits of protection and conservation. twS