No 3

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Towards A Progressive Campus Press | vol. LXXXVii No. 2 | WEDNESDAY, 22 JULY 2015

PWeDeng PWeDe. Volunteer Youth Leaders for Health (VYLF), in partnership with The Great Physician Rehabilitation Foundation, promotes Persons with Disabilities (PWD) awareness by letting students meet and greet them. PHOTO BY Babe Jocelie Isaga

Guidance office offers counselling for depression

Malayang: ‘Be very patient with us in Silliman’

By Leslie J. Batallones and Cheri Lian V. Ansale “I TALK TO depressed people and try to make them happy, and it makes me happy,” said Gab (not his real name), an engineering student who left Silliman University (SU) for an off semester after surviving attempted suicide three times.

Gab said that no one diagnosed him as depressed and suicidal. He said that his church mates saved him. At first, it was hard for him to accept that he’s been depressed for three years. A long distance relationship almost made him kill himself.

“I hid this from a lot of people and I shrugged it off every time [they] asked if I was okay. No doctor ever diagnosed me and I hated seeing a psychiatrist because I thought I could win this,” he said.

Gab said that he looks for people to talk to when he feels depressed.

“Sometimes when I get too depressed, I call almost every single number on my phone until someone rings. Most of the time they do, but sometimes they don’t and I cry. Some nights I just wake up crying,” said Gab. Although he chose to leave the university for the meantime, Gab said he feels better now, especially that people around him understand his situation.

Prof. Jaruvic Rafols, the SU head of the Guidance and Testing Division (GTD), said that many students are ashamed to express that they are depressed.

Like Gab, people who are experiencing depression can’t diagnose themselves, according to Rafols.

“We encourage them to be expressive, so they can be referred to someone who can assist them,” Rafols said.

GDP and the Silliman church are working on programs to assist students in adjusting to university life.

Parents, faculty, staff, and other professionals may consult with counselors on issues affecting mental health of students and continue to page 4...

By Andrea Dawn E. Boycillo

TREES. Cuernos de Negros Mountaineers Club, Inc. members, applicants, and friends share awareness by displaying the poem “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer using outdated school posters. The activity was held on July 20 around Silliman.

PHOTO BY Jocelie Isaga

STRAW continues caravan for student rights and concerns

By Jann Viansee O. Cardenas and Jameela I. Mendoza

THE STUDENTS’ RIGHTS and Welfare (STRAW) committee of the Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) continues the “USpeak” project to listen to students’ concerns and inform them of their rights.

“University Speak” or USpeak is a caravan by the STRAW committee aimed to inform students of their rights, privileges, and benefits.

Students can also raise their concerns in the caravan.

The first USpeak event for this semester will be on July 27 in the rooms 301-303of Mary Marquis Smith Hall. Nursing and physical therapy students are scheduled at 9 a.m., while business administration students are scheduled at 2 p.m.

“The STRAW committee decided to do the STRAW caravan again this year because we have observed that a number of students are uncertain about their rights, and whether or not they can raise their concerns,” said STRAW Committee Chairperson Mykaela Maxino.

Maxino added that the SUSG and representatives from offices in the university can reach out to students in the caravan.

“This year’s STRAW caravan has a new and improved program, which is divided into different sessions.

These different sessions would be discussed by the representatives from the different offices in the university,” said Maxino.

College deans and the faculty of their respective colleges will be invited to address the questions and concerns of the students in USpeak.

Students can raise their questions through an open forum during the program. Grievance forms for students to write their questions and calling cards with numbers that students can contact in times of emergency will also be distributed.

USpeak will also provide a STRAW website where students can submit concerns anonymously.

Maxino stressed that it is the main purpose of the SUSG to improve the ways and systems of the university and to give the students a better school year.

“How can we improve the system if the students will not speak up?”

Maxino said.

STRAW will send proposals to the administration as another way of delivering student concerns to the administration.

STRAW will update the continue to page 4...

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY (SU) President Ben S. Malayang III asked the students to be “very patient” in the university in his message at the AllUniversity Academic Convocation last July 13 at the Luce Auditorium.

“We will do our best to give you the kind of education that we believe will not only make you be able to do better than many others can do, but simply to make you better persons,” said Dr. Malayang.

At the start of his speech, Dr. Malayang stressed his fear of schools becoming dangerous to human society.

Malayang said that schools become dangerous when their only focus is just giving sharpness and competence on what students can do, without giving “the ability to care for others,”

“the ability to grasp the reality of the God that is beyond their own realities,” and “the chance to shape conviction of serving others.”

He also said that other schools may be “very nice in making money,” but because these schools are unable to care for the poor, they become an “instrument for making more people poor.”

Silliman aims for a ‘whole person’ education that sharpens minds, souls, and spirits.

Malayang also said that SU wants to give students “an education that makes you not only good in what you are able to do, but simply an education that makes you a good person.”

Last March 21, the SU Board of Trustees unanimously voted to extend his term for two more years, from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2018. He is the 12th president of the university.~

SU recruits more international students

By Leslie J. Batallones

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY IS planning to ensure admission of freshmen students by 2016.

Office of Information and Publication (OIP) Director Mark Raygan Garcia said that the university invites potential freshmen enrollees through its International Students Recruitment Program.

“We are intensifying our international students recruitment program to ensure admission of first year students by 2016,” Garcia said.

According to Garcia, it is the first time that Silliman went to other countries to recruit international students.

The university is now targeting Southeast Asian countries including Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and East Timor.

These countries were considered based on their existing K-12 programs, perceived need for higher education but low demand.

Last June 23-27, the university through the OIP went to Myanmar to facilitate partnership with Dagon University and Yangun University.

Garcia said that they are visiting schools with the help of Philippine embassy to talk with ambassadors and have local connections.

“We need local contacts, so we can send materials to them and they can recommend Silliman University to their students,” Garcia said.

Garcia said that connecting with the embassy calls more international students because of an easier visa processing.

The administration is hoping to achieve at least double the number of current international students in the university within the next three years.

Currently, there are around 300 international students in the university from 44 countries.

Garcia said that Silliman University ensures international exposure for the international students and its internationally accredited programs.

According to Garcia, the university offers a nurturing environment with people who can speak English well.

Silliman is among few universities in the Philippines granted Full Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

International independent research institution Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has ranked Silliman University as the Top 6 institution in the Philippines.

QS also cited Silliman as the country’s Top 2 school in the “International Students” category two years ago. ~

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the weekly sillimanian 22 July 2015

the weekly sillimanian 22 July 2015

It’s all greek to me

An Uncompromising Journalism

V

ice President Jejomar Binay, who recently resigned from President Aquino’s cabinet of top executive officials, has not been attending Senate hearings regarding corruption charges against him. He contends that he is experiencing political persecution and selective justice, reminiscent of cries of foul play by Senators Revilla, Estrada, and Enrile, who are currently facing formal and official corruption charges before the Sandiganbayan.

Binay has also been telling everyone that the charges against him were prepared by Malacañang to sabotage his presidential bid in 2016. Certainly, he feels that he is the victim in all these circumstances. Unfortunately, this has not helped in his intended bid for the presidency. In the latest Pulse Asia survey, Binay fell to second place from 29 percent to 22 percent support from Filipinos. Sen. Grace Poe ranked first with 30 percent.

To be fair, this reluctance to face justice is not exclusive to Binay. We are all averse to confrontation.

However, public officials, those who offer themselves out to the public to be voted upon for government office, must be willing to subject themselves to a higher level of scrutiny in order to ensure that the office is being run well, that resources given by the people are spent honestly and wisely, and that there is transparency and accountability in governance.

This watchdog role is primarily carried out by media. And this unique dance between government and media must be carried out not just at the national level, but also in the local and regional. And, dare it be said, more importantly, at the university level.

Make no mistake: the Weekly Sillimanian is a watchdog for truth, an uncompromising beacon for student journalism for 112 long years, longer than most print media out there. Its heritage is quite certain. ~

By Nurilyn J. Elli

I

editorial

sillimaniansspeak Compiled by Jessica A. Remata

“Do you think students need to give a letter of permission to the SUSG to participate in an assembly? Why or why not?”

“No. Students don’t have to give a letter of permission to the SUSG to participate in an assembly because we are already given the freedom to experience the accountability and transparency that the SUSG have been pushing for. Moreover, according to the SUSG assembly rules in the third provision of rule VI that all meetings of the assembly shall be OPEN TO ALL SILLIMANIAN STUDENTS.” Shiegella Rae C. Gealon , BMC - I “No. One of the SUSG assembly rules explicitly says that the SUSG assembly meeting shall be open to all students. It is silent about providing letters. By simple knowledge, it is for the students and it is very important and necessary that the assembly should hear concerns from them MISMO. UNCUT AND UNFILTERED” Marcelle Antonette A. Carriaga, BBA Management - IV “There is no need for us to submit a permission Letter for we have the right to know all the developments and updates of the SUSG “ Steffi Caluyo, BSCE - II “There is no need for us students to submit a permission letter to the SUSG prior to participate an assembly it’s because first and foremost, we are not an outsider but rather we are Sillimanians and it’s our right to know what’s going on around us. Second, all Sillimanians are members of the said Silliman University STUDENT Government, Why? Simply because without us (students) there will be no elected officials ,thus, there will be no student government as well. I must say that we can attend in every SUSG assembly without giving a letter of permission to the officials. And lastly, as the saying goes “a good leader is a good follower”. So they must abide to the rules especially the third provision of rule 6. They must not be scared of the tws ,it is just the student’s watchdogs. But if they are practicing to be corrupt or there is something that they are hiding, then, they are afraid to be caught.

Stephanie Laine F. Bangay, BSMT- IV “No, because it is such a waste of time .”

Raymund Miguel Lim Facturan, BSMT - II “No. The students don’t need to give a letter of permission to the SUSG to participate in an assembly and that includes the Weekly Sillimanian. It is very clear that “all meetings of the assembly shall be open to all sillimanians.” As well as the Weekly Sillimanian staffers. It is their job to be the watchdog of the government.

Do people from the press and other staff working in a newspaper company write a letter to a certain politician/a member from the government and asks permission to write and article about him/her? No!” Johannah Remata, BEED gen ed - II

Next Issue’s Question:

“How do you cope with depression?”

For your answers, just text the Circulation Manager (09057943107). Indicate your full name (with middle initial), course and year.

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

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.

News Writers Leslie J. Batallones, Andrea Dawn E. Boycillo, Nerra Bonf S. Caong, Jann Viansee O. Cardenas Feature Writers Nurilyn J. Elli, Katherine C. Ortega, Kathryn Ged L. Ballesteros, Shane Marie K. Canono Photojournalists Babe Jocelie B. Isaga, Lucille Jean J. Raterta, Cheri Lian V. Ansale Cartoonist Hervey Angelo F. Avenido Circulation Manager Jessica A. Remata Office Manager Andre Bonne Felipe L. Villareal Layout Artist Gloria Gem T. Lumayag Web Manager Mariana G. Varela

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ The-Weekly-Sillimanian-2014-2015

Adviser Warlito S. Caturay Jr.

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

twsfeatures 3

A Reason to Stay

*NOTE: Real names of persons were not used except Berthia and Briggs.’

She was 15.

Jane was only 15 when she decided to end her own life. One of her friends said, “There was no sign that she was depressed.”

Of course there wasn’t. Depression is a coward.

Leo was publicly humiliated at school that week, but when his mother asked him if he was fine, he lied. “I’m okay. I just need to rest,” he said.

Of course he wouldn’t admit it.

Depression likes to hide.

Leo was 18 when he jumped off a building.

Kath couldn’t pay her tuition and was forced to stop attending school.

She was led to believe that it was the end for her dreams.

Depression can convince you that when the worst of times come, it is already the end.

Kath was 16, a freshman at her dream school, when she drank poison.

Depression is a persistent, coward kleptomaniac. It keeps taking the truth about your situation, the hope in your future, and until it takes your life, its hands might never seem quite full.

Jane, Leo, Kath, and many other teenagers who committed suicide had three things in common: first, they suffered from severe depression that made death seem better than continuing to live. Second, they were all too young to deny themselves of a future. Lastly, at the final moments of their lives, they had thought of the

people they would be leaving behind, but no one made them give suicide a second thought.

Suicide has become prevalent among the youth, being the third leading cause of deaths for people ages 15 to 24. We are more mentally fragile and vulnerable during those years, because our emotional resilience to hardships

“Don’t wait for a perfect moment.

Take the moment and make it perfect,” a magazine ad implored.

A lot of us had imagined a life of bliss, wondered where we could live like the people in stories novelist would write about and Hollywood stars would like to act out. Unfortunately, it only happens in movies and books.

However, there are times when reality just becomes fantasy: things that happen in movies may actually happen in real life. For example, drama─ it’s an everyday thing. You get to experience an authentic movie like drama, especially when people around you would act like immature individuals that treat everything like a big deal. Romance─ you don’t have to look for someone like Christian Grey to feel the “love me like you do” kind of thing. A simple act of

showing you that they are in love with you is enough. Comedy─ you’ll find it everywhere, in your friend, your friend’s face, your friend’s dog, even in your thoughts when

Curating curiousities Jameela I. Mendoza

is as young as we are. People reach the point of contemplating on suicide when they think the world is better off without them.

But take Jane, Leo, or Kath’s story and compare it to Kevin Berthia’s story.

Berthia was 22 when he wanted to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge back in 2005. He could not take his depression any longer, so he stood over the rail, ready to leap.

It happened several years earlier, but Berthia’s story began like Jane, Leo, and Kath’s, with the four wanting the same thing: to permanently silence the voices in their heads.

Four stories, but only one ended differently because it had something that the others did not: a person that truly listened.

For Berthia, it was a stranger named Kevin Briggs.

Briggs was a California Highway Patrol Officer who saw Berthia at what he thought was the final moment of his

life. After almost two hours of talking, Berthia went back over the rail and gave life another chance. Briggs asked what made him reconsider.

“You listened,” Berthia said. “You let me speak, and you just listened.”

Helping people who suffer from depression can be as simple as listening and being there for them when they need you.

Mentally ill or not, we all know how pain feels. We all suffer, and know how much healing a person needs to recover.

This is why we have every reason to be empathetic.

Confront someone who you think is suicidal. The loudest cries for help are often silent, which is why we should start caring now, not when it’s too late; not when you can hear yourself saying your friend was “too young,” like Jane, Leo, Kath, and many others whose mental illnesses pushed them to the edge.

Never underestimate the power of kindness and sincerity. They can resonate in a person’s mind the moment he contemplates on ending his life. They can be a person’s reason for staying. You might be the only thing that keeps them here.

It’s not just about stopping someone from committing suicide. It’s about treating people in a way that they get to live their entire lives without considering suicide as an option.

Start a conversation. Listen well.

You are not their Messiah, but you can always help others realize their own strengths and be their reason to stay. ~

As Perfect as the Movies

Behind the Camera

Babe Jocelie B. Isaga

you’re thinking about your friend and your friend’s dog being funny.

The perfect moment is usually unexpected. You could start your day the normal way and end it movie-like awesome. The best part about is that you don’t have to wait─ it can happen right away and you don’t have to be stressed looking for it. You can just walk on sunshine and enjoy your time.

So how does one experience such thing? For starters, I’d say “get lost!” not as in “go away or disappear,” but explore and fall in love with the moment right before you; just as all photographers would find an interesting perspective in life through their cameras, then express it through their photos. It’s plain and simple, you just have to enjoy whatever it is you’re doing or you’ll be doing, meet more people, and have fun.

We find the perfect moment when we’re just content with ourselves. It doesn’t matter who we spend it with and where we spend it. What matters is how we spend it with the people who are with us during the moment.

Because it’s not about how fantastic the moment is that makes it “movie-like”; it’s about how fantastic it feels like that we will remember it forever. ~

n every college or university, the essence of fraternities (generally refer to all-male or mixed-sex student organizations) and sororities (the female-only equivalent) is undeniably perceived and recognized by the students. Fraternities and sororities use Greek alphabets to depict their names; that’s why they are commonly known as “Greek organizations.” Members of these organizations share common goals and create a firm commitment to one another for life. Most students consider joining these kinds of organization because it is where they share a relationship through brotherhood and sisterhood, and it is also the perfect place to find a “sense of belongingness.” These Greek organizations aren’t like Science or English clubs that students have to deal with for four years in college.

They’re not mere college experiences, but they are lifetime involvements.

For the past years—and even at the present—sororities and most especially the fraternities are regarded as threats to the students’ lives because of the contemporary issues they are involved with. It is already the mindset of most people that joining Greek organizations will lead you into the wrong path. Thus, it destroys their future.

One of the criticisms concerning Greek organizations is the hazing.

As defined by Republic Act 8049, Section I, hazing is “an initiation rite or practice as a prerequisite for admission into membership in a fraternity, sorority or organization by placing the recruit, neophyte or applicant in some embarrassing or humiliating situations such as forcing him to do menial, silly, foolish and other similar tasks or activities or otherwise subjecting him to physical or psychological suffering or injury.”

Unfortunately, many students died

By Christian Renz Torres and John Rey Villareal

H

and were physically and emotionally tortured because of these brutal initiations. One of the latest hazing incidents involved the death of an 18-year-old student of De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde. Guillo Cesar Servando died last June 28, 2014 due to the initiation rites of the Alpha Kappa Rho(Akrho) fraternity.

Eventually, this hazing incident was condemned

by Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara and Senate deputy minority leader Vicente Sotto III. A not he r criticized practice of fraternities and sororities is their alcohol abuse and their binge drinking. It is the consumption of a large amount of alcohol over a short period of time.

According to the New World Enc yc loped ia , students have died from this practice due to the dangerous effects of too much alcohol consumed. A reported incident of alcohol abuse was that of 18-year-old Adrian D. Heideman, who died after consuming a bottle of brandy during a party last October 7, 2000 with his new fraternity brothers (Chico chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at California State University). He was put to bed in a downstairs bedroom of the fraternity house, and at 1 a.m. was found dead from alcohol overdose.

Moreover, most people discourage these Greek organizations because of

sexual harassment and violence on women. Based on the observations made by sociologists, sex is used as a tool in order to entice the neophytes, the new recruits, to the group and it served as a reward for surviving hazing. According to the study made by Ehrhart and Sandler in 1986, a report from the Association

of American Colleges’ Project on the status and education of women, more than 50 incidents of gang rape had occurred on US campuses and most of them occurred at fraternity parties.

From all the preconceived notions and stereotyping, it is still different and enlightening when you hear the sides of people who are actually members of Greek organizations.

Most stereotypes are only partially true to some fraternities or sororities.

Members of a Greek organization in Silliman University can testify

that fraternities and sororities can be advantageous to every individual.

It has changed their lives and made them better individuals who take an active role not only in the campus but also in the community.

Aside from being blessed of having the fraternity as his second family, Meg Franco Bacal, President of Pan Hellenic Society, stated that he is grateful for the oppor t unit ies of learning his fraternity offered him. “It changed my life. I became a leader, I became a more responsible and mature person,” Bacal, a senior business c o m p u t e r student, said.

Pan Hellenic Society organizes activities like the A Cappella Competition, Ta lu mpat i ng Taon, Ta l e n t a d o n g Sillimanian, and the Tempura Eating Contest that promote their principles of “Wholesome Fellowship, Academic Excellence, Cultural Advancement and Service.”

In a fraternal organization, working with different people with different backgrounds, balancing relationships and conflict, planning events, delegating tasks, and managing time are vital leadership skills that are developed.

Fraternities and sororities can build better leaders and more active citizens.

JosenBerenguel, a registered nurse and former President of the Beta Sigma Fraternity, said that he believes

ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which the Quran was revealed.

For that month everydaystarts with the fasting from sunrise to sunset and then ends with a feast at night.

Islam has several denominations, including Sunni, Sufi, and Shia.

Although their approaches are varied, they all hold fast to what Allah reveals in the Quran.

Throughout Ramadan, the Muslim community fasts from dawn to sunset; they fastnot only from food or drink but also smoking and sex.

They also refrain from backbiting, fighting, and other forms of indulgence. During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to pray beyond their five daily obligatory prayers. For Haylon, she practices the Taraweh and the Tahajud. The former is a special prayer performed during Ramadan, while the latter is a voluntary prayer spoken at night. The fourth year biology student said:“Basically, during this month we sleep less and pray more.”

The fasting doesn’t spring from shallow motivations. According

to Shibib, Ramadan is for the forgiveness of Allah. “It is a month where you sacrifice your own pleasures and where you leave all your sins for the sake of Allah and ask for forgiveness.”Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, where a grand feast takes place; thus, breaking the fast.

“It is a celebration of thanking Allah for sustaining and for giving us another year,” described Angelica.

Ramadan is one of the things that give Muslims their identity and as such, our Muslim brothers and sisters here in Silliman have a lot to say about who they are in the campus.

“As of now I am still studying Islam. As a Balik-Islam[a convert to Islam], I’m studying its purpose because I don’t want to commit to a religion without understanding its meaning,” said Angelica.

For Haylon,her journey began three years ago, when she started to pray the five daily obligatory prayers. Her head scarf, her hijab, came a year after that.

She says she cannot say she is a perfect example of a true believer

of her faith, but all she knows is that Islam makes her happy.

Shibib finds his faith to be more than a source of happiness.“Sometimes it also helps me distinguish who my real friends are: my real friends don’t believe the false [expletive] the media say about Islam because they know that Islam is all about peace. Any friend of mine, who doesn’t accept my religion, doesn’t accept me; therefore, he or she isn’t my friend.”

Being a minority among the students, they are subject to stereotypes or insultsechoed throughout the corridors.Shibib recalls an incident of a teacher who offended him by saying that Muslims are all about violence. “…

I posted a status on Facebook to educate my friends on what Islam really is since that teacher was spreading false information about my religion.” The civil engineering sophomore says he keeps his patience and leaves everything to Allah.

Besides having to face these attacks on their faith, being Muslim

that it is more effective to gain the trust of their members by touching their minds and emotions instead of earning it through physical means.

This “brotherhood of scholars” fraternity hones the members to be responsible individuals in taking an active part in the community and motivated them to do well in their academic performance, added Kent Otaza, senior civil engineering student and current President of Beta Sigma Fraternity. Many think that being part of a fraternity or sorority is all about getting pleasure out of anything like having parties.

But, fraternity and sorority members actually persevere academically.

Furthermore, fraternity and sorority members are dedicated when it comes to community service and volunteerism. Most people express their negative sentiments to sororities with the way they dress and act.

“We want to break the stereotypical mindset of these people by showing to them that we are not just magpa hambog or pa sosyal or pa sikat [obsessed with popularity, classy and arrogant], but we also have the heart to care for others in the community,” said Switzendee Vismanos, President of Hermanas Sorority and second year nutrition and dietetics student.

The organization’s advocacy is focused on women empowerment and environmental preservation.

In fulfilling their advocacy, they conduct activities that often involve clean-up drives and feeding programs in the small barangays of Dumaguete.

We can never avoid stereotyping.

It is inevitable especially in the case of fraternity and sorority where everything is publicized through social media. It’s just proper to think that in everything, there are pluses and minuses. Before judging someone or something, see the real things first. ~

Listening to Faith

aylon Macataman, Shibib Mamaludin, and Angelica Pugon start their days like everybody else. For school, they commute down Hibbard Avenue, they leaf through their books (a slight panic propagates when an exam looms of their shoulders) and they talk to their friends to pass the time. Last month, however, was different from all the other months.

There was the polite refusal of a snack or drink from an unassuming pal, the added constraint not to indulge in gossip, the slight irk of strangers’ overheard conversations.

It was a deeply personal commitment, and although these three may have not met each other, they’ve all adhered to it.

Last Friday, July 17, our Muslim brothers and sisters ended their month-long celebration of Ramadan during Eid al-Fitr or “the breaking of the fast.” Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam; the

in a Christian institution serves its own kind of hardships. Haylon said that there are church-related events that she’s required to join. “…I never joined such activities because I don’t worship other gods besides Allah,” she revealed.

Angelica shares the discomfort.

She wishes the University can provide a prayer room for their obligatory prayers. However, she sees the effort the school gives to respect her beliefs. When she is required to go to the church, she is allowed to stay outside if she is uncomfortable with it.

These three, plus the many others of their community, face these problems along with the plight of being students in this university.

They line up at the library to grab photocopies, they run from building to building when it rains, and they suffer the traffic for the commute home. Their sacrifice for Ramadan may have ended, but their struggle continues. ~ *notes from Nurlyn Elli and Shane Canono

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the weekly sillimanian 22 July 2015

RAMADAN. It is that time of the year when Muslim communities or Islam followers gather together in their local place to offer prayers and worship Allah.; a time to sacrifice and fast from all wants and bad deeds; to feast and celebrate together at the end mark of Ramadan. Here are other particulars you may want to know:

Ramadan King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Eid-al-Fitr End of the holy month of Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month on the Saudi Arabia’s 90 year old King ‘Id Al-Fitr or Eid al-Fitr (Arabic for Muslims attend the morning Muslim calendar celebrated as the Abdullah was one of the world’s “Festival of the Breaking of the month when the first verses of the richest and most influential peoprayers of Eid-al-Fitr holiday, Quran were said to be revealed to Fast”) marks the end of Ramadan, ple who died last January 23 due making the end of the holy the prophet Muhammad in 610 to lung infection. He was awarded the holy month of fasting, and is CE. Laylat al-Qadr, or Night of Powmonth of Ramadan in Moscow, Gold medal by United Nations for er, is thought to be the actual day celebrated during the first three his contribution in bilateral talks Russia, July 17, 2015. when the Quran was given to the days of the month of Shawwal. prophet and usually falls within the and contribution towards peace last 10 days of holiday. and harmony of world.

Compiled by: Katherine C. Ortega via http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-Issues/2013/0709/Ramadan-101-Ten-facts-about-the-holy-month-of-Ramadan/What-is-the-purpose-of-Ramadan, http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/holidays/eid-al-fitr,

AFTER A MONTH IN SU

roundup Guidance office..

from page 1

other individuals. Counselors consult to facilitate the assistance needed by students.

However, Rafols said that guidance counselors have limits. This is why the GTD would choose to refer the student to a psychiatrist with the consent of the student and the parents.

There were two reported suicidal cases in the university. Although these were not academic-related, Rafols said it is still part of their concern.

With the guidance and testing program, Rafols hopes that students can express their concerns so that the GTD can also assist them.

“We always emphasize [to students] to reach out if there’s a need in adjustment,” Rafols said.

He added that the Personality Enhancement Program (PEP) is their initial step to have a personal discussion with students. from page 1 students about their concerns through their Facebook page. But for bigger changes involving the administration’s system, they will ask the Weekly Sillimanian to inform students about it.

USpeak began two years ago when Ken Anthony Danlag, STRAW Chairperson of S.Y. 2013-2014, started the program along with the hashtag

PEP is a required, non-credit course for first year students. All first year students undergo two semesters of PEP and target self-development in relation to peers.

The Silliman University Counselling Advocacy Research and Evaluation Education Services or SU CARES also counsels and assists faculty and staff in the community.

Rafols also said that a “strong support system” from family, friends, and classmates can help people who are depressed and suicidal. Change in behavior, isolation, and extreme mood swings are alarming signs of depression.

Students who are still afraid or ashamed to do counselling may text the Silliman hotline at 09177071901 to do private consultations. ~

By Leslie J. Batallones

STRAW continues..

#BeSTRAWngMovement, which the current STRAW committee will also bring back this year.

“We hope that USpeak would enlighten these students by letting them know what rights they have and what they could do to help us give them a better college life,” Maxino said.

USpeak is the STRAW committee’s main event for the semester.~

Orgs to hold anti-human trafficking arts and music fest

By Jameela Antoniette I. Mendoza and Andrea D. Lim

THE ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING campaign “Looking For (LF): Freedom” returns with an arts and music festival that will be held on July 24 at the Byblos Library and Café.

Unlike the first launch last July 2014, this year’s “LF: Freedom 2.0” will target Sillimanians instead of a larger audience.

Raymond Cutillar, the acting president of DAKILA Dumaguete and creative director of the event, said that the event will not be a concert but a “jam,” because it is held in a smaller venue.

“Due to the socio-economic state of the Philippines, more Filipinos go outside the country, thus increasing human trafficking incidents. There is an urgent need for people, especially students to know its red flags,” said Cutillar.

Local organizations like Belltower Project, DAKILA Dumaguete, iFight, and Indievided have been working with the SUSG Advocacy Committee (AdvoCom) in organizing the event.

SUSG AdvoCom Chairperson Charmaine Anne Malata

Alagad program calls for more volunteers

said that students should be aware of human trafficking because anyone can be a victim.

“It’s shocking that most people aren’t aware that [Dumaguete] is the second city in the country with most human trafficking activities. So we want to tell everybody that this is happening, and we can actually fight this,” said Malata.

As an advocacy-driven organization of artists, Indievided planned for an arts and music festival to raise awareness as a way of attracting the audience through what they do.

“When we attract the audience, it gives us an opportunity to speak about the issue. When we sing, play, or talk about our paintings in Indievided, plenty of people give us their attention and actually listen to us,” said Indievided President Mike Pantejo.

Cutillar said that like last year’s event, LF: Freedom 2.0 will also have speakers for anti-human trafficking in between performances.

Aside from the speakers, local artists, musicians, and poets, an art exhibit will be held for the whole day. The Geek Culture Society will also sell stickers, artworks, among others on the event.~

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY (SU) Extension Program is calling for more students, alumni, faculty, and staff to volunteer for ‘Alagad,’ a program to help communities in need.

Asst. Prof. Emervencia L. Ligutom, the director for the Extension Program, said that the “more volunteers, the quicker response” will reach the communities in need.

Ligutom said that since all professions are a service profession, students are encouraged to volunteer, donate, and engage in community activities. She, however, emphasized that they are after the quality of the volunteers, rather than their quantity.

However, the more volunteers they have, the faster and quicker they can pack goods and respond to calamities and disasters.

“Students should not just concentrate on the classroom. They also need to get their feet on the ground and know what the real situation is,” Ligutom said.

Alagad will direct students about protocols in giving to communities and organize a series of capability-building activities for them.

The program uses announcements and promotions to gather more volunteers.

Through Alagad, a volunteer development program, the extension office has developed a database that lists all the names of organizations and individual volunteers, and the type of service they want to work on.

Novee Maestrecampo Jr., the project development coordinator of the extension program, said that they can immediately pull off units of volunteers in times of need and disasters through this database.

Maestrecampo added that volunteerism is done by choice, without monetary reward and for the benefit of the communities served.

Last June 20, the Extension Program launched Alagad through a run to help SU-KCDC preschoolers. The National Service Training Program and SU Student Government coordinated the event. Around 600 people ran to promote volunteerism, a “dimension of whole person education at Silliman University,”according to Maestrecampo.

Alagad has two components: the sustainable development and the “here and now” response.

Sustainable development focuses on continuous and long term services where the volunteers engage in the communities.

The “here and now” is an immediate response for service in times of

calamities and disasters. Fire rescue and disaster response are some of the volunteer services.

The Extension Program also accepts donations of goods for the communities, out of school youth, women out of prostitution, the unemployed, and day care pupils.

“You may donate, but you may not know how far your donations go,” Ligutom said.

According to her, clothes donated

by CWTS students and other organizations were used for the community’s livelihood program.

Communities sold rags and pot holders from used clothes.

Donated books and school supplies were also given to six elementary schools supported by the SU volunteerism program in Siaton.

Ligutom added that there are existing volunteerism programs in other units in the university.

“Alagad is a way of trying to synchronize all community engagements of different units in the university,” she said.

Alagad also provides assistance to the volunteer programs of other units in the university.

The SU Extension Program will document, monitor, and evaluate activities and services. ~

Quote of the week

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VOLUME 8 (Top L to R) JB Lim, Ian Casocot, Shamah Bulangis, Denniz Futalan, June Tubil, W Don Flores, Veronica Vega (Bottom L to R) Christian Renz Torres, Aletheia Elwood, Dyck Cedino are the curators and lecturers for the first Pecha Kucha this school year held last July 16 at Byblos Library. PHOTO by Lurlyn Carmona

There is nothing to fear except the persistent refusal to find out the truth -Dorothy Thompson