No. 18 by The Weekly Sillimanian

112

years

Towards A Progressive Campus Press | vol. LXXXVii No. 18 | THURSDAY, December 16 2015

GENEROSITY. Students from Babajuba Elementary School were invited in the annual PEP Christmas Outreach last Dec. 14 at the SU Gym. PHOTO BY Santia Onnycha Ursabia

Admin urges Sillimanian to vote in 2016 polls

By Leslie J. Batallones IN A PRESS statement issued last Dec. 8, Silliman University (SU) President Ben Malayang III urged Sillimanians to exercise their right to vote in the May 2016 elections. He clarified, however, that the university does not and will not endorse a particular candidate or party. To ensure voters being informed, the university supports voters education on candidates’ respective platforms and their individual and party stands on Philippine issues.

The university also stressed that political rallies are not allowed in the campus. SU supports forums, lectures and roundtable discussions with the approval from the university. Events must also be properly coordinated and sponsored by a registered organization in the campus. “Silliman itself, as a university, does not and will not favour any political candidate or party. But in the interest of promoting democracy, it encourages all and every Sillimanian, and every Filipino, to openly and actively

expresses support for candidates of their choice who they believe may best lead our communities and country,” Malayang said. Malayang added that elections are opportunities for the Filipino people to be actively involved in democratic processes and practice rights like voting. The Commission on Election Dumaguete also called Sillimanians to vote. Gildo Agoncillo, Dumaguete Election Officer and lawyer, said that out of the 54 million total

Mary. Binay also toured around the SU campus with his colleagues. a.m. schedule. Prior to the forum, Binay attended the Mass at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral in Dumaguete City for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Binay also toured around the SU campus with his colleagues. When asked by students on graft and corruption and his alleged involvement in corrupt practices, he said that“these are two different things.” He said that graft has something to do with illegal procedure while corruption has something to do with money or financing.

“Ako, mga 85-95 percent ng mga ibinato sa aking akusasyon, lahat ‘yun easy question[s] of procedure,” Binay added. (85-95 percent of the things I was accused of, they are all easy question[s] of procedure.) Last July 2014, Binay was charged of graft and corruption cases like the overpricing of the New Makati City Parking building, which violates Republic Act No. 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act. “Sa ating community, masasabi lang natin na may kasalanan ka pagkanagkaroon ng desisyon ang hukuman,” Binay said. (In our community, we continue to page 4...

by local music bands and artists such as Willfreedo, Hopia, Enchi, Finpot, Empithri, Elijah, 5Volts, Modern Cassette, and Istorya Isla were also featured. Dessa Quesada Palm, director of “Scharon Mani” and executive director of YATTA, said that YATTA members wanted to collaborate with the BellTower Project because they wanted to produce a story that is closer to the youth and “the heart of Dumaguete City.” The 34 performers on the play are from SU, Negros Oriental State University, Asian College Dumaguete, Foundation University, St. Paul University Dumaguete, Colegio de Sta. Catalina Alejandria, Taclobo High School, and Negros Oriental High School. Meanwhile, Palm said that YATTA is about breaking barriers of school identity and class. YATTA also wants young people to work together and collaborate with community-based projects. Palm co-directed the play with

Earnest Hope Tinambacan. The play was written by Junsly Kitay, with the musical direction of Juni Jay Tinambacan and choreography by Nikki Cimafranca. YATTA at 10 YATTA is a Dumaguete-based volunteer organization with around 30 members celebrating their 10th year anniversary on Dec. 18. Their performances brought them to different places in Negros Oriental and the Philippines. YATTA’s services to give trainings on the use of creative methods for psychosocial support and facilitate theater for development stretch as far as Leyte and Bohol. Their main program is to develop life skills through theater. Moreover, YATTA lets more young people and communities use theater as a tool for their own creative expression and their own advocacies. One of YATTA’s latest performances was “Aah Bakus!,” a musical on positive continue to page 4...

VP Binay visits SU, explains accusations

By Paulynne Joyce R. dela Cruz

VICE PRESIDENT AND presidential candidate Jejomar Binay clarified graft and corruption accusations against him during his visit with Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan representatives last Dec. 8 at Silliman Hall. Only five students were able to ask questions because he arrived at SU around 11 a.m. instead of the 10 a.m. schedule. Prior to the forum, Binay attended the Mass at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral in Dumaguete City for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of

By Rhobie A. Ruaya

CAC and YATTA stage community-inspired musical

THE SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY (SU) Cultural Affairs Committee (CAC) and Youth Advocates through TheaterArts (YATTA) presented “Scharon Mani,” a musical inspired by a girl who sells peanuts and chicharon and other young people in Dumaguete last Dec. 11-13 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. Scharon Mani is about a young girl’s dream that brought music and community together as she find life’s meaning with other young people. The idea of the musical play was insipired by Charmaine, a girl who can be seen along the streets of Hayahay and Tiki Bar selling chicharon (fried pork skin) and peanuts to help her family. The musical play featured songs from the BellTower Project, a collective group of musicians and music lovers in Dumaguete that encourages local original compositions. Songs produced

registered voters in the country, 37 million are youth voters. Agoncillo also pointed out that the youth have knowledge on the current political issues and candidate qualifications because they’re more exposed to media, on school and engaged on ideas of good leadership. “If you vote for corrupt leaders, you will have no job in the future,” he warned the youth. Fr. Julius Heruela, convenor of the Diocesan Electoral Board (DEV ) of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV ) in

Negros Oriental, urged the youth to be poll watchers to protect every vote. DEV is pushing for the ‘One Good Program’ that aims for a clean, honest, accountable, meaningful and peaceful elections. Under the program, the PPCRV and volunteering institutions will identify a sitio or subdivision in a barangay as a pilot area. The people in the barangay will also undergo trainings, values formation, and voters education. The program was launched last September 2.~

WHAT DO YOU MEAN? Presidential candidate Jejomar Binay tells students not to quickly judge him based from allegations of graft and corruption, since they were not proven in court. The forum was held at SU Hall last Dec. 8. Photo by Cheri Lian Ansale

SU Choristers wins first prize in choir competition

By Ray Chen S. Bahinting

THE SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY (SU) Campus Choristers won first place in “Daygon: First Provincial Open Choral Competition” last Dec. 10 at Bayawan City. The choristers, who also won during the First Dumaguete Christmas Choral Competition last Dec. 5, entertained the crowd with their own version of “Carol of the Hearts,” “Munting Sanggol,” and “Maghihintay Sa’yo” during the contest. Mark Ian Caballes, conductor of the SU Campus Choristers, said: “We only knew the final date and song requirements of the provincial open two days before [the] competition.” Caballes added that choreography was also required and they only had a day to practice their routine before the competition. “Thank God my group had the fighting spirit and focus to

accomplish [the job],” said Caballes. Guide Dadang, accompanist and tenor of the choristers, said: “The very first reason why we won is because of our faith. Whatever [happened], [it was] for the Lord.” Dadang, a first year piano major from the College of Performing and Visual Arts (COPVA), also acknowledged the “full support” of COPVA and the whole university. Five groups from Negros Oriental and Siquijor also joined the contest. San Antonio Labrador Chorale of Bais City placed second on the provincial choral competition while the Adventist Academy from Siquijor won third place. Meanwhile, Caballes said that choral music has been ‘alive’ in SU. “The [SU] Campus Choristers was a prize winner in the [National Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation] in 1998, under the directorship of Dr. Elizabeth continue to page 4...

2 twsopinion Show the Light

the weekly sillimanian December 16, 2015

hristmas may be season of receiving gifts and blessings, but it goes beyond that. It is a time of sincere generosity. Jesus Christ, the reason why we are celebrating Christmas, is the epitome of giving. He lovingly gave his life to mankind by dying on the cross. This way, each one of us may enjoy eternal life, only if we accept this Giver as Savior. Giving is believed to be a harder thing to do than receiving, probably because society associates it with money. For some, the word ‘gift’ only means any material thing given willingly. However, it does not entail shelling out cash all the time, especially in the present when lifestyles and circumstances are complex. The Weekly Sillimanian (tWS) believes that there are many things that could be given this season. First, people could send words of gratitude or any words of appreciation to loved ones and friends who have been present through the laughs and sighs of life. This way, they could affirm that they are remembered and recognized as those who showed love and care in life. Silliman is a campus where most of the students come from different cities and provinces around the Philippines and other countries, which means students are most likely far from their families. Christmas break has always been a time of reunions and bondings as students return to their respective homes. For parents, full attention is a heart-warming gift; they want to catch up with their children’s activities and endeavors while studying far away from them. So it would also be a good move to spend more time interacting with family members without distractions like constant checking of social media sites, playing games in gadgets, among others. Forgiveness should also be given to everyone, including enemies or anyone who caused pain. True love does not choose. In this season, pride and grudge should be disregarded. Instead, people should forgive just as how Christ forgives man’s transgressions. This December, Christmas lights were placed on the acacia trees and gumamela bushes near the SU Church, making people who pass by remember the Light behind the holiday season. Before the holiday break in the university starts, tWS would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. May Christ’s presence be seen and realized as everyone gives.~

By Junelie Anthony Velonta

editorial

sillimaniansspeak Compiled by Lizbeth Mae B. Andaya

“Do you think most athletes displayed sportsmanship during the intramurals week? Why or Why not?” “Yes. If they didn’t there would be chaos around the campus until now.” Meagan Catrice Montesa, Bachelor of Science in Biology IV

“Not only the athletes, but also the supporters.” Marco Alessandro Montesa, Bachelor of Science in Psychology II “I do not know in other games but in our event, yes! There is no referee so the spirit of sportsmanship is used to maintain fair play in ultimate frisbee.” Camille Soledad, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering III “Most did but some obviously didn’t. Basig kulang sila tulog atong gabii before the game or nag celebrate silag sayo nga abi nilag mudaog sila. Pero wala diay!” Jesser Gail Pinote, II-Electrical Engineering

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Editor-in-chief Andrea D. Lim Associate Editor John Rey L. Villareal News Editor Jameela Antoniette I. Mendoza Feature Editor Christian Renz M. Torres Business Manager Eric Gerard D. Ruiz News Writers Leslie J. Batallones, Rhobie A. Ruaya, Paulynne Joyce R. dela Cruz, Ray Chen S. Bahinting Feature Writers Alissa Z. Lacson, Shane Marie K. Canono, Ronelyn Faith C. Vailoces, Junelie Anthony Velonta Photojournalists Babe Jocelie B. Isaga, Lucille Jean J. Raterta, Cheri Lian V. Ansale, Santia Onnycha Ursabia Cartoonist Hervey Angelo F. Avenido Circulation Manager Lizbeth Mae B. Andaya Office Manager Winona Jane C. Agir Layout Artist Gloria Gem T. Lumayag Web Manager Mariana G. Varela

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/pages/ The-Weekly-Sillimanian-2014-2015 theweeklysillimanian1516@gmail.com 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

Adviser Warlito S. Caturay Jr.

The Myth, Truth, and Politics clarified that only 6,548 incidents or 36% a ‘hugot line’.

If you think that only beauty pageant candidates love to speak about world peace, then think again. Political candidates are now making their way to bring home the crown by talking about peace and the myth behind it. Beauty tilt tells us what peace is; politics and governance should show it. Davao City is reputed to be one of the world’s safest cities in the world, according to the crowd-sourcing survey site Numbeo.com. The city added another feather on its cap by receiving the Presidential Award for the Most Child-Friendly Highly Urbanized City for the second time in two years. The reputation of Davao City has reached a global scale as a product of good governance and strong political will. As the country approaches the 2016 election, political candidates are now throwing data and records to prove their claims. Recently, Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) cited figures from the Philippine National Police showing that Davao recorded 18,119 crime incidents in 2014. He said that Davao had the fourth highest crime rate nationwide. Roxas sparked the rants of Davaoeños when he said that it’s a ‘myth’ that Davao is as peaceful as it’s touted to be. In his statement, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte rebutted that it’s not for Roxas to say it. He added that it’s the Davaoeños who can tell Davao’s peaceful image. The Davao City Police Office

A lot of individuals are suffering in hospitals right now. Families spend thousands of dollars for medications, surgeries, hospital bills, doctors’ fees etc. Some patients are weak due to old age. It is impractical to continue medication if the body will eventually give up. In most cases, patients have no chance of recovery. Let us not put a blind eye to this issue. It is painful for the patient to endure endless treatments and undergo operations.The right to die should be given to a person. Requisites The right to die refers to the issue where a person is given the power to decide for his own life. “Voluntary euthanasia” is another term. In the Philippines, the right to die is not yet legal. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago Senate filed Senate bill 1887 or the “Natural Death Act” last Oct. 24, 2013. This bill has been sitting in the “pending chair” for 3 years. There are important requisites in this act: adult person, directive, life-sustaining treatment, permanent unconscious condition, and terminal condition. The adult person means, “a person who has attained the age of majority, and who has the capacity to make health care decisions.”The directive is a written document that states the declarer’s voluntary execution to undergo euthanasia. Life-sustaining treatment means any “medical or surgical intervention” that keeps the patient alive, thus “prolonging the process of dying.” Permanent unconscious condition refers to “an incurable and irreversible condition…having no reasonable probability of recovery from an

can be attributed to index crime, or those committed against persons and properties. I can feel the reality of the exchange of records tussling in my head. I once had the same dilemma when I refused to study in Davao because I used to believe that nothing was true about the ‘model of peace and security in there’. The change, however, came when I had my summer internship in Davao. The peace and security then became real to me. There is an atmosphere and mindset change as

Hues and Waters

Leslie J. Batallones

I can walk late at night without the fear of getting mugged. People recognize the million investment of the Davao government on HD CCTV cameras in 70-80% of the major roads within the city proper, the 24/7 police visibility in the city and the working 911 Emergency hotline and many more. We are concerned about safety because of the threats of criminality. But, there is no magic wand in solving criminality and there’s no such thing as zero crime rate. Even in the eyes of strangers, Davao has remained a city that sets standards for justice and safety. People in there value discipline and authority.Many people rant about the issue. Some choose to express

Senate Bill 1887 irreversible coma or a persistent vegetative state.” Terminal condition is “an incurable and irreversible condition caused by injury, disease, or illness…where the application of life-sustaining treatment serves only to prolong the process of dying.” These five important requisites limit the scope of the right to die. On One’s Decision The right to die is the decision of the patient. He, as an adult person, has the capacity to make his own decisions. Neither doctors nor the family members should intervene with the dying patient. The decision of a dying person to take

Tarantado, Asintado Eric Gerard D. Ruiz

his own life is to relieve himself from the pains of medication and to reduce hospital expenses.The decision to die may affect the family or career. If you were in the dying patient’s shoes, experiencing the pain of the therapies, operations, and medications, can you endure it until it gets better? Can you face the fact that your determination to live is 101 percent, but your body is barely recuperating? The option to die can give the patient the eternal rest he deserves. On Suicide and Murder According to various related literature, suicide is the act of deliberately killing yourself. To put everything within the

Those who are keeping Davao safe would say to the claims : For many years I proved my worth in your life, you still end up saying that all I did was a myth and nothing was true. Well, those who are claiming the mythical peace would say, “Stop claiming you love me coz I never experience it anyway.” On a serious note, Duterte’s response to Roxas was another claim. “You claim to have graduated from Wharton School of Economics. That is a myth -- you did not graduate sa Wharton School Of Economics, Mr. Roxas. Wala doon sa listahan na naka-kumpleto ka ng 4 years o 5 years for a degree,”the mayor said. Peace is not just a record or data; it must be an experience- a life turning experience that would boost capacity building for a nation and the government. Since election is coming, many more strategies and tactics will come. And the common way to build an image is to destroy someone’s image. I hope people will realize that when we build an image, we build a nation. We destroy an image, we destroy our own nation. I respect the claims of those who haven’t experienced the ‘peace’ that Davao is recognized for. I think they just have to have a time of discovering, proving whether the ‘myth claim’ is true or just another myth. Again, the ground becomes real to us if we’re standing on it. The people have the final say and judgment.~

parameters of the topic, two of the essential requisites are permanent unconscious condition and terminal condition. With that stated, the main subject of the topic is a dying person. Does a terminally-ill person have the physical strength to kill himself? No. Suicide is not considered in this matter. What if the person is unconscious? Can the family decide for the unconscious patient? Yes. If the family decides for the patient, can that be considered murder? No. The directive will be a powerful instrument in this case. It is stated in the directive, “In the absence of my ability to give directions regarding the use of such life-sustaining treatment, it is my intention that this directive shall be honored by my family and physician(s) as the final expression of my legal right to refuse medical or surgical treatment and I accept the consequences of such refusal.” Should this act be approved to law, family members or physicians can honor the directive as the “final expression” of the patient to refuse treatments. Thus, murder is also not considered in this matter. Santiago said in her explanatory note, “Modern medical technology has made possible the artificial prolongation of human life beyond natural limits. Such prolongation of the process of dying for persons with a terminal condition or permanent unconscious condition may cause loss of patient dignity,and unnecessary pain and suffering while providing nothing medically necessary or beneficial to the patient.” In times like this, we are left with choices. Should this bill be enacted? Will you exercise your right to die?~

“The bell of Gion Shoja temple rings with the impermanence of all things; like how the color of the flowers in the holy woods of Sala reveals the truth that to flourish is to fall. The proud do not endure, like a passing dream on a night in spring; the mighty fall at last, to be no more than dust before the wind.” The Tale of Heike shows us that every rise precedes a fall, and that every start cues for an upcoming end. The journey of a thousand miles begins with an eager and excited step, and in the end we see our goal. In everything we pursue, we undertake a journey that teaches us how to be better individuals. Little do we notice that each step we make takes us ever closer to the very ripening of our ambitions. Just like the current year, there has to be a beginning and an imminent end, and sometimes we barely notice that we are very near our destination. Let us recall what the journey of the year 2015 brought us. As early as Jan. 5, the world was bombed with the news of terrorist attacks all around the globe. While most of the occurrences were focused on the disputed areas within Africa and the Middle East, many attacks, both small-scale and en masse, were spread throughout Europe and Asia. One of the most violent terrorist attacks recorded in 2015, according to the Foreign Policy, occurred in Baga, Nigeria with death toll reports ranging from 150 to a grueling 2000. This was perpetrated by the radical group Boko Haram which is scattered all over Africa. The first terrorist attack in Europe happened in Jan. 7 to 9 in France, which injured 22 people and had 17 deaths around Paris. Even civilian transport was not spared as attested by the October 31 bombing of a Russian jet bound for St. Petersburg flying over Sinai, which killed 224 people. Perhaps the most famous was the November 13 Paris terror attacks which, according to The Telegraph, killed 130 people in a series of seven organized shooting and bombing incidents. The latest threat came last Dec. 13 when the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), via reports from Mirror UK, issued an oral “fatwa” or religious decree declaring the

By Shane Marie K. Canono

twsfeatures 3

Flashback 2015

killing of children with congenital deformities, Down’s syndrome, and disabilities. There have been at least 38 cases of such which happened in Syria and Mosul. A study by the National Consortium for the Study of

replaced by the much manlier manbun. The classic “athleisure” wear also made a return as opposed to last year’s “heavy and swaggy with all the bling.” Coachella fashion became a worldwide trend because of its

many up-and-coming new artists who proved themselves as worthy additions to the worldwide music chest. Unlike in the years before when the centerstage was predominantly occupied by British and American artists, other

Sources: http://www.fatmovieguy.com/star-wars-the-force-awakens-trailer-and-movie-poster/ ,http://www.inquisitr.com/2451575/aldub-update-saturdays-date-between-yaya-dub-and-alden-pushes-aldubebforlove-to-twitter-record/, http://www.ghananation.com/news/world/215231-drake-

comfortable and stylish feel. For the women, according to the Manila Bulletin, the utilitarian sense of fashion seemed to kick in as more and more women take on the roles of authority. Coats, skirts, and slacks, became the “in” thing as women became more empowered. Female fashion took on the femme fatale look with an emphasis on the old film noir. Stylish business dresses became a standard among women who now found a new form of strength in equating themselves to their male counterparts. The music industry continued to flourish in 2015 with the influx of

foreign artists like Seinabo Sey of Sweden, Troy Sivan of Australia, and the French girl Soko, also made big booms in the music world. All kinds of rap, from street to gangsta’, made a daring comeback with the influx of Rast RFC with their reminiscent storytelling rap, Corbin (formerly known as Spooky Black) with his dark and hypnotic dirge which are largely vocal, lyrical, and aesthetic, and Mick Jenkins with his brooding and jazzy production best suited for a world wrecked by ignorance and temptation. Artists already in fame also made hits like Adele’s “Hello,”

way to break the spell: Selfless love. Some scenes really made me cry though; like when Anna realized how good and understanding her mom’s boyfriend is (her real dad died) and all he wanted was just to be accepted by Anna. And by that scene, I remembered my dad. The moments when our family would celebrate Christmas together would come flashing though my head. My dad would invite our relatives and we would have Noche Buena together. Afterwards, my cousins and I would go inside Image source: http://art-sam-ples.blogspot.com/2012/02/fatherdaughter-basketball.html a room and play mom. They constantly argue with pick-up sticks. It was so fun. But each other. Then one day, their bodies I thought if I keep being this way, were switched and there is only one remembering what was long ago, I

would only let myself emotionally drained in the middle of Christmas. So a week before Christmas, when my mom ordered me to do a little decorating on the Christmas tree while she do groceries, I didn’t hesitate and became really excited. My brother, on the other hand, had a meet up with his friends in I.T. Park. So I was alone. After half an hour, I got bored. I was done with decorating and there’s nothing to do except playing computer games. So I decided to visit my neighbor’s house and play computer games together. But in the middle of our game, I got a call. I had to stop the game and answer the call. It’s dad. He asked me where I was then I said I was with Chan, my neighbor. Then he told me to stand outside of the house. I got really excited for no reason at all. I ran out of Chan’s house then rushed going to ours. I saw mom’s car parked in front of our house. It’s too early for mom to finish groceries. I knew something was up. I hurried to go inside the gate. My heart trembled and I couldn’t help but smile. I knew, by that time I already knew…

Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) indicates that strikes killing more than 100 civilians averaged 4.2 attacks per year from 1978 to 2013, but this figure skyrocketed to a grisly 500 percent with 26 attacks in 2014 with the trend going up in 2015. The fashion trends of 2015 turned to a rollercoaster of reminiscence and innovation. For men, according to the Cosmopolitan, the well-kept and thick beard is an in thing once again as international man-beauty trends shift from swaggy to manly. Early on, the brush-up and undercut hairstyles were common and “in” but were later

Ariana Grande’s “Focus,” Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” and “What Do You Mean?”, and Drake’s “Hotline Bling.” Movies also continued to rise as multiple silver-screen shows awed the watching crowd. Among the most famous was “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” which brought the franchise to its powerful second half of the last chapter, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Donald Sutherland, Liam Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, and Josh Hutcherson. Rotten Tomatoes states that “Mad Max: Fury Road” is currently the best movie of 2015 followed by Disney/ Pixar’s “Inside Out” in second place. There are also upcoming movies to be released later this year. One of the most anticipated is “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” otherwise known as “Episode VII,” which is directed by J. J. Abrams with cast members from the old Star Wars movies like Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford with newer and younger casts adding to the new era of Star Wars. Filipinos also await the Metro-Manila Film Festival (MMFF) with entries of known stars like Vice Ganda and Coco Martin, Kris Aquino and Derek Ramsay, Vic Sotto and Ai-Ai delas Alas, Nadine Lustre and James Reid, and also Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. What is a year without new memes? The year 2015 has had loads of new memes based on a famous personality or sometimes ridiculing them [awk]. According to the New Yorker, Donald Trump has been the focus of many memes because of his seemingly deranged propositions if he were to be president. New memes were also added this year like Drake’s dance moves in the Hotline Bling music video, The frog Pepe, Shia Labeouf shouting “Just Do It!”, Adele’s Hello, the blackand-blue or white-and-gold dress, the picture of a cat going up and/or down the stairs, and Confused John Travolta. Potatoes were a constant addition to long posts and many posts were then dedicated to potatoes: the national food of The Kingdom of 9gagia. The year may end, but the journey lives on. The start of the end has begun and it is up to us to look back and see what has happened in the past to walk in the path of the Future.~

The Real Spirit of Christmas

When my dad was working in Saudi Arabia as a construction engineer, spending Christmas with him was rare. My heart breaks every time he says,“Sorry, Shane, I can’t come home.” My mother never knew that, for all those years, I had a wish list. My top wish was for my dad to come home. Maybe Santa could give me that to me, I thought to myself as my mother and I were inside the car, going to SM Cebu. It was the first week of December and as we always do, we go shopping. The lights along the streets and the lanterns which the vendors sell enlightened me. But I couldn’t lie to myself. As we strolled around the mall, I saw kids smiling at the faces of their parents. I wish I could have that, I said to myself. I went home feeling empty. I stayed in the terrace looking at the night sky and waiting for the shooting stars. But when I felt hopeless, I locked myself in the room. I decided to have a movie marathon. I watched Princess Diaries and Mean girls, but my favorite is Freaky Friday. The movie is

very comical that I laughed hard and forgot about my sadness for a while. It is about a rebellious teenage girl named Anna and her hardworking

“Dad!!” I hugged him so tight while crying. I can as well feel that he’s about to cry. My mom went out of the car and her eyes were a little red. She and dad kept this a secret all along to surprise me and brother. Then we went inside and my dad opened his suitcase, surprising us with tons of pasalubongs. . But I didn’t care because I received one thing I asked for, and that was for my father to come home to me. As we, the three of us, have a happy conversation in the bedroom, my dad told us good news. He would stay with us for good and he would find a job immediately. We were so glad that finally he didn’t have to leave. The times when dad would make me excited about Santa Claus when it’s actually just him and mom. The times when he would never forget to include my favorite chocolate ice cream every Noche Buena. The times when celebrating of Christmas were simple, but the presence of each one is priceless and smiles and love were real. That’s the real spirit of Christmas. And finally, I could go back to those times.~

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the weekly sillimanian December 16, 2015

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS. While Filipinos are beginning to put presents under the Christmas tree, decorate their homes with parols, and entwine everything in Christmas lights, these Christmas traditions are definitely out of the norm.

Japan Thanks to an advertising campaign in 1974, many Japanese families feast on KFC’s Christmas chicken dinner (original fried chicken, cake, and champagne) on Christmas Eve. It’s said to be the busiest time of the year for KFCs all over Japan.

Germany On the eve of Dec. 5, German children leave a boot or a shoe outside their house. Good children awake to find delicious treats while naughty children find a tree branch in the shoe instead.

Venezuela Like Filipinos, going to Misa de Gallo is a popular tradition in Venezuela. However, in Caracas, the capital, the roads would be closed from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. for its residents to visit mass…in roller skates.

Ukraine Celebrated on January 7, Ukrainians decorate their Christmas trees with tinsel, fairy lights, and baubles adorned with an artificial spider and web. It is said to bring good luck.

Compiled by: Alissa Z. Lacson via http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/12/24/35-weirdest-christmas-traditions-around-world, http://www.whychristmas.com/

Christmas roast

roundup

VP Binay.. from page 1 can only say that you are guilty when the court already has a decision.) Meanwhile, Binay’s running mate, Sen. Gringo Honasan, shared that his visions for the country include education, poverty alleviation, and security, among others. Honasan said that one of his visions is making sure that the potential of Filipinos is ‘harnessed.’ He also challenged the audience from page 1 CAC and.. discipline performed last October at Talisay and Cebu City. SU ChildNet SU ChildNet, a university project with the SU CAC, SU Extension Program, SU Church, and YATTA was launched during the matinee show of “Scharon Mani” last Dec. 12. The ChildNet program is an artsbased development program for children undergoing difficult circumstances. The program is about the recognition of arts as a very powerful tool to build character, promote certain values, and bring people closer to God. SU ChildNet will offer theater, music, visual arts, and dance tracks for children to be able to access their talents and gain confidence and skills. The program is free for all children in Negros Oriental. During the launch, orphans all over Dumaguete were invited and given complimentary tickets to watch the show. SU Choristers.. from page 1 Vista-Suarez,” added Caballes. Caballes also said that with the strong and competitive choral singing in the Philippines today, the SU Campus Choristers takes choral singing “slowly and carefully.”

to help the government change the political culture of the Philippines. “Let’s now be engaged in a united approach against criminality, rapists, kidnappers, [and] drug pushers,” said Honasan. Binay and Honasan also visited other towns and cities in Negros Oriental such as Bais, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, Guihulngan, Vallehermoso, among others.~ “We use the arts as a medium because the arts is a very powerful tool to make you feel human,” SU President Ben Malayang III said. Malayang also said that the project “extends the arms of the university that embrace the children, the lost, the last, and the least among them so that through the arts, they will feel that they are children of God.” Meanwhile, Palm said that the program aims to encourage young people to consider arts not just for entertainment or as a hobby, but as a personal language that allows people to “dig deeper” on who they are. “For me,[the arts] are really something that you do because your spirit calls you to do it. If you don’t do it, then it’s like you’re also dying spiritually,” Palm said. “Scharon Mani” was also in cooperation with Philippines Airlines and Coco Grande Hotel.~

“Granting the right opportunity comes, along with the support, we would like to take the challenge in pushing further… All for Silliman, for the glory of God,” Caballes said.~

Christmas Quotes of the Week

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”

- Bob Hope “Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles.”

- Anon “From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy to Christmas, brings us closer to each other.” - Emily Matthews “Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” - Janice Maeditere

Have You Tried These?

CHASING DREAMS. Scharon Mani, a production by YATTA (Youth Advocates Through Theatre Arts), teaches people that one must remain positive for there is always a way to reach the goal despite the bumps in the road; entertained audiences during the gala show last Friday Dec.11 at Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. PHOTO BY Babe Jocelie Isaga

By Ronelyn Faith C. Vailoces Before the start of 2015, we have enumerated a few resolutions that we must complete before the end of the year. Check if you’ve already done all the things that are listed below. If not, you have a few more days to do them! 1. Have a selfie with one of the Silliman University Board of Trustees and/or Admin 2. Perform in the Luce Auditorium.

MERRY CHRISTMAS. SU faculty and staff members gather for a Christmas fellowship last Dec.14 at the East Quadrangle. PHOTO BY John Rey Villareal

7. Clean one of the comfort rooms in Silliman University. 8. Have a picnic under the acacia trees with your friends.

or four colleges in the university . 15. Read for eight hours in the main library. 16. Eat the entire food menu offered in kiosks for a week.

3. Eat balut, pig brains; exotic food you haven’t tasted before.

9. Volunteer.

4. Join a competition.

11. Plant a tree.

18. Go out of town or climb a mountain by yourself.

5. Have a 4.0 grade in one of the subjects you’re enrolled in this semester.

12. Learn a foreign language.

19. Donate food and books.

13. Join three organizations at the same time.

20. Tour around the campus for one day.

6. Ride on the brand new Silliman University Bus.

10. Donate blood.

14. Memorize all the names of faculty and staff in three

17. Make peace with an enemy.