The Sillimanian 2017 by The Weekly Sillimanian

The Sillimanian 2017

In this campus surrounded by acacias guarding every corner of this institution, there are still so many things to be unravelled. For instance, the never ending stories of campus life which compels many to discover the wonders of life hidden away in the underbelly of the campus by the sea. With all our might, we’re delighted to bring you tales from hidden talents to open up the possibility of telling stories in all genres and all formats. It’s all here for you in what we believe is a thoughtful exploration of the form. As a year-ender and as an avenue for creative endeavors, this issue of The Sillimanian, the supplementary magazine of the Weekly Sillimanian, has put together a vibrant mix of stories, poems, photographs, comics, reviews, and commentaries made by the bright minds of today’s generation whose stories are yet to be told. This magazine explores what campus life is like for people who represents distinct voices with contributions for the world to see. We hope that you’ll find lots to enjoy in this issue.

Angelica Mae Gomez Editor-in-chief the Weekly Sillimanian

MAGAZINE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON Angelica Mae Gomez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Andre Joshua Aniñon CONTRIBUTION EDITORS Angelica Mae Gomez, Eric Gerard Ruiz, Mary Abigail Go, Andre Joshua Aniñon, Jedidiah Colinco, Stephanie Colinco LAYOUT ARTISTS Gloria Gem Lumayag, John Rey Villareal BUSINESS MANAGER John Carlos Plata ADVISER Ronelaine Picardal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

For years, Silliman University has served as a sanctuary for students. With its laid-back environment and picturesque scenery within the progressive and safe university town of Dumaguete, it’s no wonder that it became a hub for students, writers, artists, and people from all walks of life.

EDITOR’S NOTES

GREETINGS FROM THE EDITOR

The Bucket List | P. 22 Dumaguete at Night | P. 24

The Sillimanian 2017

Not so Gentle

in the City of Gentle People By Mary Abigail Go

here was once a girl who, by the time she turned 18, made a crucial decision which she soon might regret or be very happy about.

She lived a life in a city where everything bustled. She studied in one of the best paramedical schools in the country. She dreamed of things bigger than herself. She knew people whom she considered as her best friends—people who were with her through sleepless nights of studying—and the best roommate who would stay with her at 24/7 coffee shops just to finish their readings. She promised them they would graduate together, but it all changed when under some circumstance, she had to leave. The girl who endured the traffic, who enjoyed the big malls, who loved looking at the skyscrapers, who could not live without her favorite coffee shop, left. She left for the gentler city. She left for the traffic-less streets and the 10-minute rides home. She left with the hope of being meant to be in a new city. She thought it was easy. "I'm a big city girl; this is only a small town," she told herself—but she was wrong. During the first few weeks, she would cry herself to sleep, waking up with even sadder stares at the mirror, thinking to herself if this was the right decision. She kept telling herself that maybe she jinxed destiny for moving out. There were moments when she wanted to just pack everything, rewind, and be back in the big city—but that was impossible. She took deep breaths and faced the now. She walked into university smiling at new acquaintances, hoping she'd find sparks of inspiration in them. She had lost the drive to be excellent in school; she'd read and her mind would wander to how she would have been in her college at the big city. She compared herself to who she was back then, and it only made matters worse. It made her feel really bad about herself, and she did not know how to escape from it. She stressed day-in and day-out, trying to adapt to her new home. She stress-ate and gained weight. She wanted to run, but she couldn't. She tried to filter the bad things, but that was not her. The city was too gentle for her personality. It did not help that her parents were not part of the move she made. She missed having meals at home with her family, just talking about how each of their days went. She missed being able to tell her mom all her frustrations. She missed how her dad would treat her to her favorite coffee or tea when he knew that times were rough. She missed her nosy brother. She missed them so much that she would go home once a month—but that did not help. When it was time to head back to the new city, she would cry and wish that she didn’t

need to leave anymore. She bled too much that she crumbled to pieces. A night came when she stumbled upon a lime canister filled with her trinkets before—and she broke down. She kept blaming herself. She kept questioning why. She kept wishing there was a button to rewind. She ran for help, as if there was someone who she could run to. She ran to cry, as if all her tears were not enough. She ran to explode, to release all she had bottled up. She began walking like an empty shell of a grenade. She closed down her social media accounts because she wanted to echo out the emptiness. She cried until she was desert dry. It was hard to recover from the shards, but she made it. She forgave herself; she owed herself that. The girl who could not be gentle learned to be more compassionate about her sadness. She owned up to it. She reassured herself: “It will not go away; I’ll have to learn to live with the pain. This transit will not last forever, and you'll be back home soon.” A year has passed, and she told herself that she had to stand by and live through this decision. She now embraced the pain and learned to be happier. She now welcomed friends who became her anchors. She now lived much fuller than before. Day by day she realized that maybe God really does move us to places for a reason. She now created a nook for the city in the chambers of her heart. She now enjoys every bit of every day instead of looking forward to the next break. She is now more fulfilled—not stressed being the best, but grateful for being okay. She realized she pressured herself too much that she hurt herself. Now, she is getting better. There are a few more years to enjoy, and she just knows that things will keep looking up as time goes by. Her story may not be so appealing, and you may think it is petty, but her struggles are valid. If you too feel the same way today, smile in the comfort of knowing you're not alone in this battle. I know you wish you were home instead of studying away, and eating your mom's dish instead of some meal from a fast-food chain, but remember that sacrifice is essential to success. Be positive and look at the bigger picture. Work hard and pray harder. God has plans which are better than ours; trust in His. Dumaguete is such a gentle city. Try to smile more, and be gentler to yourself. ~

A day in the life of a Sillimanian

By Ainnie Mae D. Vios

few ribbon of sunlight touched the ground as I entered the portals of the campus by the sea. Upon entering, a sea of unfamiliar faces were scattered everywhere like spilled beans. As a student of Silliman University, there are many different things you can become involved in: on-campus activities like sports or student-run groups, off-campus activities like shopping or travelling elsewhere, as well as many opportunities for jobs, internships or work-study, both on and off campus. “University” is a new chapter in life, and with every new chapter, we should try to meet new people and to make new friends. In this laid-back city, I found these rare individuals who shared with my laughter and tears, who shaped me, who molded me, who taught me by their examples, and who helped me regain the once shattered pieces in me. Welcomed and accepted, I met a bunch of new and friendly people and I experienced brand new things. Life was beyond compare.

While time spent in college is a fond memory and a happy experience for most, college life is not challenging without its rough patches and problems. At some circumstances in life, we are being squeezed and pressed down. For many students, going to college is their first taste of freedom from their parents, and this change can often be stressful as the need to make life-changing decisions and take care of oneself independently.. Homesickness, changing relationships with old friends, and trying to fit in with new people can all add to this stress, even beyond the initial few months of university life. Sometimes, all you can see are dark and dreary skies, hear great rolling thunderstorms, and feel the emptiness gradually ripping your soul. But just because it rains and you couldn’t see the sun doesn’t mean the sun doesn’t exist. What is instrumental in my education pursuit is my school and my home. However, as I grew up, I realized the chasm of difference between what is learned at home or at school and what is learned in real

life. Teachers trained us academically, but in the end, I realized that we served as our own Deans with regards to understanding life. For me, academic subjects like History, Basic Communications, and Calculus are just minor subjects in college. The true subject matter is the essence of life. We understood the value of money after we lost big time in a game of immature gamble. We learned how to love and had our hearts broken. We experienced damaged friendships and face heavy consequences. In an international school like Silliman, I was given the chance to meet people from different cultural backgrounds. I meet people who have performed below average in school, yet exceptionally excel in life. I also know of an A+ student in school, yet struggles much at the first sign of a problem. Don’t get me wrong. There are lots of benefits and opportunities especially when you have good grades. What I am trying to put across is not to be afraid of making mistakes. We commit a lot of mistakes yet we are polished by these mistakes. We become better individuals for

6 learning from our inaccuracies. Years back, I read something worth sharing to amplify my thoughts. It says that there are no mistakes in life; all are just lessons to be learned. And if there is such a thing, the greatest mistake is committing the same mistake all over again. I remember a story of a very successful man who was interviewed by the press and was asked about his secret to success. He replies by saying that he makes right decisions. Then a follow-up question is thrown on how he makes right decisions. “Experience,” he answers. And the interviewer asks for the last time, “How did you get that experience?” The man replied, “By making wrong decisions.”

The Sillimanian 2017 At the end of the day, after learning from our mistakes, we will no longer be the same person that we were yesterday. We now see a wiser, stronger, and bolder individual. We were once a beginner of the game we call “life.” Now we are slowly learning to whoop it up like we made the game ourselves. We learned how to break the rules. We showed high spirits that neither our parents nor our teachers can stop. We learned how to party like animals and still, act maturely. We certainly know rights from wrongs, but we just love living life to the edge. We had the world by its tail. But still, time won’t stop and we have to open new doors.

Campus Integrity

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. I graduated from jeepney and tricycle rides to train rides, to long-haul bus rides, and soon we found ourselves flying with the cloud. I went from a being stranger in a concrete cage to twirling and spinning off into different places. My journey as a student did not end when I graduated from college. It was actually a stepping stone for me to further press on with my studies, continuously quenching my thirst for knowledge and love for learning. Reaching the finish line means the beginning of a whole new race. Allow me to borrow a famous line which says, “Once a Sillimanian, always a Sillimanian.”~

By Jeya Clarize A. Baylosis

Armed with needles, cottons, and vacutainers, a clinical laboratory scientist is ready to take on any blood specimen and examine it to the best of their advantages. Dubbed as one of the more challenging courses on campus, medical technology students, just like any regular individual, are full of principles and wondrous characteristics. One such trait is the integrity that an individual upholds. This specific persona can be seen in any block section within the institute. The integrity, or more clearly defined as the state of being whole as a group, is manifested across the university. Guided by the words “Via, Veritas, Vita,” this principle is attained. It is vital for the school to be united in all aspects of campus life. “No man is an island,” as they often say. There is no top-notcher, no cum laude, no outstanding student who survived life being enclosed in the four walls of the classroom by themselves. Learning has always been a team effort from everybody. Every thesis defense, practical exam, or community work, needed a team of people to make it a success. Silliman University makes it a point that every student achieves success in any form far beyond the classroom setting. The Medical Technology Society, for example, was created to expose its learners to activities, not just to the idea of being buried in books and notes. Organizations as such are present to develop the Sillimanian holistic persona, wherein one excels in the 5C’s. This specific trait requires integrity all throughout. Groups develop social skills that bind the community on campus even more. A united campus is one with excellent individuals. Excellence does not necessarily mean perfection. Rather, it implies that one needs to put in effort in things. Every unified organization strives for quality, nothing less than average. For example, one cannot extract blood samples just for the sake of it—a medical technologist makes it a point that it is in the best form possible. The same goes with any course or group wherein one strives to give the best they can and not settle for mediocrity. With a campus of integrity, wholesome characters are present. Over the course of 115 years, Silliman University has produced stellar individuals and organizations. It has been establishing and inculcating the holistic persona in every person on campus. It has achieved distinct excellence in various academic and non-academic fields. However, these were not attained without a unified bond across the university and without integrity by their sides. A single drop of blood matters for any medical technologist, just like a single person is key to achieve campus integrity. *This was the winning piece of the Silliman University Geek Culture Society’s “SULAT: Essay Writing Contest.”

The Sillimanian 2017

A Wonderful Creation By Gil Buenavista

ART—for a term so substantial, this word has only been blessed with three letters by the English language. When we think of art, we think of appeal, emotions, expressions, impressions, luxury, conformance, deviance, rebellion, unity, identity, individuality, variety, uniformity, simplicity, complexity, effort, ease, etc.—the list is endless. Every now and then, we think of art as an indulgence, something that is done or enjoyed only as a special pleasure. Oftentimes, art is perceived as a distraction, or something that is unnecessary and irrelevant to our lives. By Jove, that is the point! Without art, we would end up living very mundane and humdrum lives, our senses numb to the exquisiteness that is our world. Growing up, I have had my share of exposure to the arts. I took painting lessons at the age of five and, pretty much, started drawing extensively since second grade. I could recall having lots of scrapbooks and piles of drawing pads next to my 64-color Crayola™ set and No. 1 Mongol™ pencils. By fourth grade, dancing to the beat of High School Musical became a thing. As for singing, well, I have been a karaoke enthusiast since who knows when—not to mention being a passionate singer in the shower. Needless to say, my parents were partly to blame. As a kid, I would sometimes wake up to the sound of the radio or to some CD record like those of The Carpenters, The Beatles, Scorpion, or Celine Dion. By summer of 2012, I started learning how to play the violin at F.Un.shop, the piano the year after that, and the guitar by first year high school. I joined my high school’s choir, eventually becoming its president during my senior year. Fast-forward to today. I may not be as active as I was before, but that does not in any way diminish my love for the arts. I do not claim to be a “meister” of such sort, and if you ask me, I do not need to be one. Many are still very much absorbed by the notion that art is only for the privileged, for the gifted, and even for

those who do not have anything better to do with their lives. To a minimal extent, this may be true, but ponder on this question: “what is art without appreciation?” It is the same as asking, “What is a performer without an audience that is entertained?” For artists, creating art is part of their lives, but that is only one side of the story. Art becomes a true success when there exists a reciprocity with whom the artist dedicates his or her work. As a matter of fact, this very reciprocity is a thing that is missing in people’s lives, be it a parent’s support, society’s acceptance, or a person’s self-respect. If you think Michelangelo’s work is a masterpiece, then consider yourself a magnum opus— for you were not crafted by a commissioned painter; you were wonderfully made by a loving God. Grow in appreciation that art can come in many forms. Grow in appreciation that a tone-deaf person can value the works of Frank Sinatra just as any seasoned singer would. Grow in appreciation that a color-blind individual will forever long to see no more than the spectrum of colors visible light can allow. Grow in appreciation that an accident can actually become a beautiful mess. Grow in appreciation that your existence is an art. For where there is appreciation, there is a degree of attraction, of longing, of wanting to connect with the artist in the same manner an unsuspecting reader yearns to understand what message the writer desires to tell—and eventually realizing that it was made just for you. That is to say, art should be very much integrated into our lives. In all honesty, art has already been part of our world—you only need to start appreciating it. Once you do, art will never disappear from your entire reality. Whether you are the performer or the spectator, be at peace in knowing there is a higher being that thinks of you as art, more so than being His wonderful creation~

The Sillimanian 2017

Beyond the Mainstream By Mary Abigail Go

The Sillimanian 2017

“Sana Dati” by Jerrold Tarog (2013) Available In: iflix

The Filipino independent or “indie” film industry is thriving and immensely improving despite its lack of mass support and exposure, especially when placed against mainstream productions. If only Filipinos get to appreciate the brilliant and introspective works of independent filmmakers, we would have a stronger and wider variety of movie choices. Here are two independent movies to pique your interest in local indie films:

“Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa” by Nestor Abrogena (2015) Available In: iflix and Cinetropa

Nestor Abrogena’s “Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa” is told in a contemplative cinematic style, which means that it’s a really slow paced movie that may bore some people out. This style puts heavy emphasis on longer takes of silence and longer scenes of the environment than dialogues, as it tries to point out the tranquil moments of love. The film starts with an LRT scene against the hustle and bustle of traffic. Sam, a frantic student filmmaker, braces his way to school, having woken up late and pressured to pass his papers for his fellowship. It then moves to an arc where he meets ups with Isa, a student scriptwriter, bummed about Sam being late and is talking about how she should finish the final draft of her script. They travel to school, hand-inhand, talking about mundane things but screaming of an uncertainty in their eyes.

This will flash in front of you as the reality of having to choose between following your dream or working for a love that you feel strongly for. You have to hold your breath through a tunnel of realizations that will keep you thinking of your own reactions if you were in the characters’ shoes. The story will surely capture the hearts of romantics as it bleeds of a love we are all fearful of. Gasps, stares, and sighs will echo deeply from the ends of the beating of that cardiac muscle. It doesn’t help that the soundtrack is an all-OPM mix of blues and love songs that will unleash your longing for love, and make you hope that you never have one like that of a “not-couple couple.”

This movie is the third installment of Jerrold Tarog’s “Camera” trilogy that includes “Confessional” (2007) and “The Blood Trail” (2009). This trilogy is about characters whose occupations are related to cameras, but each of them are stand-alone films. This last movie talks about the favorite escape of Filipinos from reality—love. The movie is about Andrea, a bride waiting to marry Robert, a politician. The first part of the movie is a narration of how the soon-to-be wed couple came to be through a videographer’s lens. Dennis, the videographer, plays a central role in tying the whole plot of the film together. It is consciously agitating to see Andrea feeling so jittery about her wedding, which gets unveiled and understood through the course of the film. The story is a great portrayal of love in its various forms. There is a love that understands, accepting that a person can be for you just for the time being. There is a love that goes beyond the

waking life, a love that does not easily wither with the leaves. There is a love that moves on, a love that crosses the bridge without looking back. This narrative is a slap of reality. Tarog debunked some myths about love, and the audience will be dazed at how honest and real the portrayal is. The movie tells us that when a love fails, try to move on—even if it means spending all your life with someone you will still try to learn to love. This masterpiece is a definite must watch because it will make you think about the love that was never meant to be, and the love that you are trying to fight for. Other movies that you should watch but was not included in the list: “Kung Sakaling Makarating,” “I’m Drunk, I Love You,” “Baka Bukas” ~

The Sillimanian 2017

Beyond Identity: Finding myself in the mountains of South Korea By Stephanie Ria L. Colinco

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for [Jesus’] sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 6:25-26, ESV)

The Sillimanian 2017 was later told by my mentor that learning there was informal, like we were guests in their home. From then on, I enjoyed the deliciously cooked Korean meals and the tea times.

The people at L’abri were my spiritual family. Naturally, I do not initiate conversations when I am in a new environment, but when I was at L’abri, I talked and talked, especially because it was always about my favorite topic: God. Everyone asked questions and nobody thought any question was stupid. We talked about anything under the sun, and we learned together how God’s truth is in every body of truth. Aside from our long conversations over meals and tea, we had seminars, prayer nights, Bible reading nights, recreation nights, field trips, and a one-on-one mentoring and discussion group. For me, L’abri was my glimpse of Heaven on earth. I was excited to get up early every morning nd because I was excited to learn. I Me (2 from the right) seated between my mentors during the reading of “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis made it my goal to read a lot of God cares for my well-being. Knowing my identity is vital to my books from their library before I leave. It was such an enriching and reviving experience. I could self-worth and self-image. The world looks at external possessions not believe that in a month, I managed to read around nine books and it may define me according to what I have or what I have achieved. The common trap for students, like me, is to identify despite the lengthy meal conversations and work assignments. with academics since most of our time is consumed by studying. I read in a blog that one person was so engrossed with studying and excelling in her studies that she started to base her identity on being a student. This person said that when she entered the real world of work, she had an identity crisis because she was no longer a student.

L’abri in the winter. Taken from the L’abri Korea website

hree years into college, I started feeling that the challenges to my faith were leaving me a spiritual mess. Most of what I was taught in my liberal Christian university shook my conservative Christian faith. Moreover, I felt trapped by the consequences of my own choices. My soul was quietly seeking a shelter—somewhere I could run to so I could finally put a stop to the echoing question in my mind: “Who am I?” I previously thought I had a secure view of myself, but after losing what was important to me, I felt my world crumble. The ray of hope that I could attain my greatest aspiration flicked dimmer. So, despite having to delay my college graduation by a year, I ventured to South Korea in the hopes of “finding myself.” I took the winter break as an opportunity to travel. I could not

believe that I was on a 6-hour bus ride to a place that I learned from a book which I “accidentally” picked up years prior, thinking it was a French grammar book. I only learned the French word for “shelter” that day because “L’abri” turned out to be a place located in the Swiss Alps where Francis Schaeffer, a Christian apologist, and his family welcomed people and their life questions. This was the only thing I knew about L’abri when I travelled to the mountains of Gangwondo. When I safely arrived at my destination, I fell in love with its exterior, but this feeling intensified when I stepped inside the cabin house. I immediately felt at home. I thought learning in L’abri would be in a classroom setting, so at first I wondered why we had long conversations over meals and when the classes would start. I

New Year’s Day brunch with traditional Korean New Year’s Day dishes

In my one-on-one mentoring and discussion group, we read “Beyond Identity” by Dick Keyes. My mentor, with her British accent, explained what the Bible has to say about my identity. I learned that my real identity is beyond identity. My identity is not based on my personality or my capabilities; it is based on who I am, and who I am is the child of God, created after His own image. Because of this, I can be assured that I am created uniquely and that

In this world of uncertainties, another thing I have learned is that I need to anchor my identity on Someone secure. Unlike other things where we anchor our identity on, Christ is immutable and unshakeable. Possessions can be taken away, beauty will fade, but Christ is sure and steadfast. Having a steady identity removes fears about the future and gives a freedom from constant comparison to other people’s lives. Heb. 6:19 says that Christ is the hope where we can anchor our souls. A year after my visit to L’abri, the Lord gave me a review test to see if I could re-apply what I have learned there. At hindsight, it was God who made a way for me to get to L’abri and paved the way that when I get there, I will be ready for the outpouring of realizations. I still cannot fathom how I have found a home tucked in the mountains of South Korea, and peace in a retreat house less than an hour away from the war-torn North Korea. L’abri was truly a shelter for my soul and my body, and the most valuable realization it taught me was that my identity is not because I know who I am, but because I know who I AM is. Stephanie reached the mountains of Korea when she had her foreign exchange program in 2015-2016 under Silliman University. She enjoys learning in general and aspires to master one of her hobbies in the near future. In her free time, she buries herself in books and movies.~

The Sillimanian 2017

Wonder Woman

By Eric Gerard D. Ruiz and Merell Lystra L. Recta

Thorns and roses

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

Removing the tumor is the primary step in treating cancer. But it continuously needs either chemotherapy or radiation therapy to reduce the chances of the cancer to return. Right after her operation, Rina felt happy that she can eat anything. “Nalipay ko and I was thinking ahh, so usa na lang, cancer na lang. [Kay] wala nay mga high blood, diabetes ‘di ba? Isa na lang ang tambalan,” she said.

-Oprah Winfrey When life throws bad things at you, you tend to give up. When faced with challenges, you whine. In times of pain, you can’t bear even the smallest pain you experience. You are so used with the life you have. You feel contented with what you have, but in a way that you won’t accept major changes in your life. But, what if life throws you something so big that can change the way you look at yourself, your outlook in life, and your plans. Being contented with life also means accepting that life will throw good and bad things at you. And, there’s no one who can explain this better than Rina Fernandez-Hill.

Facing cancer This cancer, also called Esthesioneuroblastoma, affects the nerves connected to the sense of smell wherein the tumor is found behind the nose. This made Rina very sick. She experienced the Cushing’s syndrome, in which the overproduction of cortisol made her weak, had an inflated stomach, diabetic, grew a mustache but was losing her hair, had spots all over the body and high blood pressure. Her cortisol level reached a racking number of 3,000 instead of a normal level of 600. Her weight dropped to around 30 kilos and could barely walk without assistance. She weighed about 30 kilos at that time. However, the cancer didn’t remove the fact of her being an English teacher. “I heard neuroblastoma and olfactory,” she narrated. “…kay English teacher man ta, olfactory has something to do with the nose and neuroblastoma is…cancer.” After talking to her doctor, Rina checked the dictionary. “Cancer jud diay,” she exclaimed. However, upon knowing that she has cancer, this only made her say, “Okay, so what’s next? What can we do about it?” But, the strong-willed Rina never shed a tear. “Wala raman ko na shock, ambot.” But, upon comparing her situation then and now, Rina also asked herself why she didn’t have any reaction. “Looking at it now, mura pud kog kaingon nganu wala man ko ni react because…my friend cried really hard at the time when the doctor told her, but ako wala rako.”

While she combatted cancer, her body didn’t really feel pain because of cancer. Even when the doctor said that the cancer reached her lungs, all seemed nothing to her senses. Cancer is painless—it is even dubbed as the silent killer. However, the side effects of chemotherapy were really the ones causing all the trouble and pain. If she doesn’t have diarrhea, she experiences constipation. There is always that cheese grating sensation in her stomach every time she drinks water. Chemotherapy is like somebody punching your body with every punch exerting immense power. But even if that is the case, only her body was hurting. Her faith in God never faded.

Photo taken from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201587031794508&set=t.629848614&type=3&theater

When life throws cancer at you, what would you do? Most people experience depression and sadness. They lose their will to continue life like before. But, Rina did what most people deemed impossible. Of course, having cancer means that your life is numbered, that you’ll join the Creator any moment. But, Rina continued to face the world with a smile. Diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer, Rina remained faithful in God and faced cancer with a smile and a contented heart.

The Sillimanian 2017

However, the Lord never left Rina’s side. Her hospital e x p e n s e s r e a c h e d millions. “All the insurance and gipa-utang ko sa Silliman ug money,” Rina said. The amount of help she received from different people—even those that she didn’t know—made her realize that God’s never ceasing providence is true. This experience made Rina see a new perspective in people, that “people are inherently good and when they see [other] people who are faced with difficulty, [they will help.]” Having cancer gave Rina a new understanding of people, that the people are still kind amid differences.

“I did things that made me happy.

Depression, not an excuse Even depression, which is said to be one of the side effects of the treatment, didn’t catch her off guard. Her positive outlook kept her strong despite the rough road of conquering cancer. Rina belongs to an optimistic family. “We can afford to laugh…even [when] my mother is very sick. But, kana mu katawa rami [because my father is also like that.]” Cancer meant only more and more free time for Rina. “I did things that made me happy. Nanahi ko didto, tanan nila gisi ako gi-tahi. I love sewing…naggansilyo ko mga kalo, mga muffler, mga bag [ug] kana

ganing butangan sa mga cellphone. I watched Korean drama. I did research. I read a lot.” It was indeed a happy time for Rina. Even if the cancer didn’t really affect her greatly in terms of emotional or spiritual aspect but it somehow changed the way she looked at people and the way she carries herself. “It made me focus on what’s important,” she said. Rina looks up to her father’s optimism. It is where she got all this jolt of happiness hormones while undergoing cancer treatments. Rina said that her father “always sees the funny things in life.” That’s the reason why Rina’s faith became stronger because of the optimistic attitude of her family. Missing the blackboard Though faced with a unique sickness, cancerstricken Rina returned to the place where she found salvation, Silliman University (SU). When asked why she went back instead of resting, “mao ni akong source of livelihood,” she replied. Aside from that, the university also loaned her 800 thousand pesos for treatments..She graduated in Silliman way back in 1987. According to her, Silliman never left her not only in times of financial needs, but also in spiritual needs. “Makahilak ko, not because I’m sad, but murag di ko katuo.” Rina teaches BC 11, 12, 25, and Literature classes in Silliman, even before she got cancer. However, there’s only one thing that cancer changed in her - that she became more patient and kinder with her students. Concocting faith and optimism Amid the painful treatments, Rina never fails to smile. Though cancer-stricken, Rina spreads a vibe of optimism to her co-workers at the English department in SU. While her body hurts, Rina’s faith strengthens. She didn’t see cancer as a test from God, but rather an opportunity for Rina to tell the world about God’s faithfulness to His people and his Divine providence. And with that, Rina’s secret formula to living life is faith and optimism, with that comes accepting major changes in life. Rina accepted the fact that she has cancer, and that this God’s way of telling that He doesn’t live His faithful servants. “Believe that cancer is just there,” she exclaimed. Life gives you surprises. It is when you thought nothing can go wrong that life will suddenly change everything. However, God works in mysteriously awesome ways. He will prove to you that no matter how worst your situation is, He is there beside you. “I can live with you inside my body but I’m not going to let you bother me. I’m not going to let you dominate my life.”~

Dagat ng Pagmamahal By Aliyah Millares Noong ako’y bata pa, lagi akong namamangha sa lawak at lalim ng karagatan. na kung titingnan mo sa malayo at malapitan, ay para bang wala nang hangganan, Nangako sa sarili, sa murang edad na walo-kung ako man ay iibig, dapat ganito. Isang araw, mag mamahal ako katulad ng dagat. Magmamahal nang walang takot sa mga rumaragasang alon, at pipiliin umibig hanggang marating ang kalagitnaan ng dagat --ang puso mo. Sa mga alon na magdadala ng pagbabago, malinaw sa akin kung saan ako tutungo. Sa mga ulan na magdadala ng takot, ang aking patutunguhan kailanma’y, ‘di magbabago. Walang takot na baka sa isang iglap ako’y dalhin ng mga alon palayo Kaya lalakihan ko ang mga padyakng aking mga paa at kumpas ng aking mga kamay Marahil wala akong ibang nanaising destinasyon kundi ang maging sayo, tanging sayo. Hindi lalim at hindi rin layo, bagkus ang ikinakatakot ko ay ang paglubog ng pag-ibigl kong iniaalay sa’yo na masyadong mabigat para manatili lamang sa buhangin ng limot. Marahil ako nga’y natinag ng isang kwento, ng isang batang nangako sa murang edad na walo at muling nangangako sa paglubog ng araw na ito, na kung ako man ay iibig, ito ay dahil lang sa iyo. Kaya Mahal, lunurin mo na ako. Aliyah is a graduating mass communication student and an aspiring filmmaker. When she’s not writing poems about heartbreak and pain, she writes about her fondness of the sea. She still can’t swim though.

The Sillimanian 2017

The Traveler

Awe Kind of Reverence and Wonder By Nusret Bandajon Bendanio

By Ainnie Mae D. Vios

The first glimmer of light I had never caught a sight And of things I never found delight All my life I wandered And thought and thought as I ponder What mystery does life offer A ship sails across the waves of the ocean But when it’s gone It leaves no trace A bird flies through the air But leaves no sign That it has been there So I tried to make a mark That I’d be engraved into people’s hearts I’ve found in life’s dying ember That giving without expectation And loving without condition Is in itself the art of true relation

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Things are not going well. It seems that my world is in a state of confusion, with doubts and unwelcome aliens lurking around its streets. My heart and mind do not cooperate—they’re in a battle as my body is paralyzed. From pressure and overflowing thoughts, I came out of nowhere, seeing new places in my head. It’s as if spiritual conflicts traversed me through these unknown places—places that seemed to inherit the land of my world, my soul; places with a fairy kind of beauty, enchanting and mystical. I had a vision of fairies and dwarves sowing wheat-like hats. I had a vision where I was walking towards a wooden bridge in a beautiful forest, with mist flowing through the trees. I saw fairies dancing with Celtic folk music. It sounded unique, almost ethereal, full of peculiar sounds that you feel you might have heard before, like a memory from a dream. Everything seemed mythical—but it also seemed real, seemed heavenly. What if heaven was full of mysterious places? I guess the Bible doesn’t seem to mention much about that. I have this feeling where our heart’s desires and soulful imaginations will be the blueprint of our homes once we depart from this earthly world. I then saw whales swimming across the sky, through clouds touched by an oceanic color. I saw angels carrying harps and playing heavenly rhythms, as I heard in awe kind of reverence and wonder an angelic voice coming from above. It seemed so beautiful. It felt too good to be true. I didn’t want to leave this place; I cried for a moment thinking when this land of wonder would feel familiar—when it would feel like home. I felt light, I felt comfort, and I felt an overwhelming kind of happiness there. Everything was full of peace, joy, and freedom.

Midnight Detour By Giftalia Evans Franco Pizarro

Nobody knows, but she sneaks out at night With her hair tied up and her pants real tight A flashlight for the dark and a snack for the walk She tiptoes through the halls with eyes like a hawk She really did love the comforts of a dorm Where the rooms were cold but the sheets were warm Though sometimes she did wish to just sleep below trees Where her bed is the grass — a home with no keys To stare at the sky and count all the stars ‘Til her snores reach the planets and the moon and its scars She lies still in peace with her worries slightly thinned Her lamp a lonely street light and her fan a gust of wind

Waiting

By Carlee Cherokeeh T. Calingacion

This poem is dedicated to my dear friend Mempha who is still in the ICU. I will always be waiting. I love you. Awkward stares exchanged between us two, between me, who has thick brows, and her, whose confidence knows no bound. Our first meeting’s awkwardness was deeper than the Mariana Trench. I did not know if I must smile nor did she know if she should say ‘hi,’ but still we walked side by side. From weird smiles to basic hi’s to kisses accompanying goodbyes, to Facebook chats ‘til midnight, deeper and deeper our relationship grew to the point of no return where the ‘Unfriend’ button does not exist. Even distance was no hindrance for a phone call was all it took for our friendship to reconnect even though they were a sea away. Until that day she had a crash, leaving me drowned in tears and a misery-enveloped heart. As I rushed to see her, sensations left my legs. She, whose beautiful curls sprawled all over a dirty pillow, laid rest like Aurora. Wake up wake up, I whispered to her ear whose consciousness was taken without notice or warning. Neither a ‘yes’ nor a nod, a reply uttered was never uttered. Her brown eyes’ piercing gaze, I want to be stared at. Her quirky voice, so bubbly, a tickle to my ears. Oh, how I miss. Until today I am waiting for her to open her eyes and be free, for her to come back to life and see all the poor souls she left anxiously waiting.

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Building Hopping By Giftalia Evans Franco Pizarro An Amba approached me with a smile, so humble and sweet, Her shirt crisply ironed with fresh pants to complete. We passed by the guard and I was excited as can be, But he didn’t look so pleased as he said, “Miss, ID.” OH had much people — there were orgs, there were cliques, Some were weirdly quiet, but no, not the geeks. Others were just browsing as the WiFi was strong While the rest were slowly dying as BC took so long. SC was the next place that I had to go through, Where the scent of the air smelled of fish and of poo. Acids and frog legs from floors one and two, On the third, math students with pencils to chew. AH had so much for a visitor to see— Outfits and hairstyles from hot trends weekly. Converse and Nike parading through the halls, Classrooms and bathrooms with human-sized dolls. My Amba had told me what KH went through, It gave me goosebumps because she said they were true. But the students assured me there is no need to fear: “Just memorize your Talumpati before the deadline is near.” CBA had an aura that was professional and proud, Blazers and high heels that surfed through the crowd. Textbooks and handouts, a backpack couldn’t fit, Eye bags and tired looks because accounting is ****. Luce Auditorium, with the dancers in front, Skaters and boarders doing their stunts. Actors rehearsing, singing on cue, Standing and smiling, like a worn-out LACUU. The lib was a beauty with all the books you can read, Toilet stalls with great stories that you’ll love, guaranteed. But don’t cause a ruckus, that will get you a shush, Stay cool, breath slow, kay padu’ng na si crush. The gym was a blast with all the Zumba and sweat, The ball games and players and the points they can’t get. Students in their uniforms, finding their way Because sadly they don’t know where the heck’s TBA. The tour had me hooked, Silliman seems great— Everything I love, nothing I’d hate. There definitely is no place I’d rather be But Silliman University—Silliman beside the sea.

The Sillimanian 2017

By Eric Gerard Ruiz

The Sillimanian 2017

Ang Relo

Qui Vivra Verra Krrrriiiinnnggg! Tumunog yung alarm. Tinignan ko yung orasan. Limampung minuto bago mag-alas otso. Bakit nga ba ko gumising nang maaga? Tanong ko sa sarili ko. Ay, oo nga pala. Hinirangan ng bintana ang sinag ng araw na gusting pumasok sa kwarto ko. Ang isang mainit na umaga ay hindi isang magandang paggising sa akin. Yung mainit na hangin na galing sa labas ay parang mga makukulit na bata na hindi nakukuha sa isang salita kapag napagbabawalan. Wala akong magawa. Habang nagliliyab ang init sa labas, pati yung kwarto ko nadadamay sa init. Ang hirap talaga kapag sa ikalawang palapag ka ng bahay nakatira. Kahit isinasara ko ang bintana gabi-gabi, hindi nito mapipigilang maging pugon ang kwarto ko. Tulad ng isang normal na araw kapag papasok sa skwela, ginawa ko ang mga bagay na nakagawian ko: buksan ang wi-fi at magbasa ng mga e-mail at messages at siyempre, maglibang nang kaunti sa Facebook. Pero, ito ay hindi isang pangkaraniwang araw. Nang matapos akong maggayak sa aking sarili, naalala ko ang layunin ko. Ito yung araw nang paghahatol at pagtutuos. Ito ay parte na ng mga karaniwang gawain ko bilang isang mag-aaral ng accountancy. Kung bakasyon sa mangilan-ngilan ang natapos na semester, iba ang kwento ko. Habang nagpa-plano na ang mga kaibigan ko para sa kanilang summer getaway¸ nandito naman ako sa Dumaguete para i-recheck ang aking mga pagsusulit. Oo. Mag-recheck.

Hindi ako makapag-isip nang maigi. Talagang binubulabog ng aking tainga ang aking isipan tuwing magtatawag ng pangalan ang aking guro. Hinihintay ko kasing matawag ang aking pangalan. Hindi nagtagal at pautay-utay ring naibalik ng aking guro ang mga papel. Lumipas ang mga oras. Dumating na ang pinakahihintay ko. Inisa-isa ko ang bawat aytem. Binalik-balikan ang mga papel ko para maghanap ng mga aytem na pwedeng pang ipakonsider. Hindi ko lubos maisip ang naging resulta ng aking mga pagsusulit. Paiba-iba ang iskor. May mataas at mayroon ding mababa. Pero, hindi ako nawalan ng pag-asa. Mabilis na tumakbo ang oras. Yung mangilan-ngila lang kami sa silid pagdating ko, bigla kaming dumami. Umingay na ang silid. Okupado ang iba sa pagkakalkula ng kanilang grado. May iba na tumigil na lang dahil tila wala nang silahis ng pag-asa ang naiwan sa kanila. At habang pinagmamasdan ko ang mga reaksyon nila, tumingin ako sa aking relo sa kaliwang kamay. Teka, nasaan ang relo ko? Tanong ko sa sarili ko.

“...parang isang yambong pentametro ang indayog at aliw-iw ng tibok ng puso ko.”

Nagmadali akong pumunta sa BA 209 dahil limampung minuto na ‘kong huli sa oras na itinakda para sa rechecking. Ginusto kong pumunta nang mas maaga para mas madali akong matapos at makakuha ng mga answer key. Ang hirap nung maghihiraman ang 70 na estudyante sa isang answer key bawat tsapter. Gayunman, laking gulat ko nang nadatnan ko ang silid na tahimik at mapayapa. Nagbigay na kaya ng papel si Sir? Nagbigay na kaya siya ng final grade? Napag-isip-isip ko. Kung tutuusin, dapat maingay at magulo ang rechecking. Maraming emosyon ang bumabalot sa mga mag-aaral. Mayroong mga emosyon nang pagkalugmok, pagkalumbay, pagkatuwa, o pagkalito na makikita sa mga mukha ng mga kaklase ko. Ang rechecking ay dapat isang kagubatan nang magkakahalong emosyon at rebelasyon. Subali’t, talagang maaga lang akong dumating. Ang layunin ko ay maghanap ng mga hindi na-tsek na mga aytem sa test paper o mga aytem na minalian pero pwedeng ikonsider bilang tama. Sa tuwing naiirita ako sa ginagawa ko¸ naalala ko na kailangan ko nang mahabang pasensya. Habang tsine-tsek ko ang papel ko, biglang nagtatawag ng pangalan ang titser ko. Nagbibigay na siya ng papel, sabi ko. Naging alerto ako. Ito ay isang kagulat-gulat na saglit. Magkahalong takot, tuwa, at kaba ang bumaha sa aking isipan habang hinihintay ko na matawag ang aking pangalan. Naririnig ko ang tibok ng puso ko. Dubdub, dubdub, dubdub Tila parang isang yambong pentametro ang indayog at aliw-iw ng tibok ng puso ko. Hindi ko maipinta ang pakiramdam ko nung oras na iyon. Iyon yung mga ilang saglit na tila isang bomba na sasabog isang pasaglit. Tumatagos ang tinig ni Sir Gabas sa mga kakaunting tapang na naiwan sa kapalaluan ng mga kaklase ko. Sino ba naman’g gustong makatanggap nang bagsak na iskor?

Nakagawian kong isuot ang relo ko tuwing may pupuntahan ako. Naging parte na ito pangkaraniwang gawain ko. Ngunit, nakakapagtaka kung bakit nakalimutan kong isuot ang relo ko. Nawala siya sa aking isipan. Hindi ko namalayang umalis akong walang suot na relo. Parang nakahubad ang galang-galangan ko kapag walang relo, sabi ko. Parang hindi kompleto ang pustura ko kapag walang relo. Parang ito ay bahagi dapat ng katawan ko. Datapwa’t, habang nagmumuni-muni ako, nalirip ko na minsan ay kailangan kong makalimutan ang oras para lubos kong makita ang gustong ipahiwatig ng mga bagay-bagay sa kapaligiran, na minsan ay kailangan kong danasin ang mga pangyayaring hindi kayang sukatin ng oras. Nakita ko na mayroong mga pagsubok sa buhay na hinaharap dapat ng walang pangamba sa oras, na dapat hindi ko madaliin ang mga pangyayari, sapagkat may mga pangyayari na mangyayari lamang sa itinagal ng oras. Bagkus, naunawaan ko na may mga sandaling hindi ko kailangang bilangin kung ilang minuto o segundo na ang lumipas. Napagtanto ko na ang relo, bukod sa kapayakan nito, ay hindi dapat ginagamit para paalahan ako sa oras, kundi para makalimutan ako ang ilang mga sandali para ramdamin ang mga pighati at tagumpay, katamisan, at kapaitan, at mga kaligayahan at kalungkutan sa buhay na ito. ~

By Wim Dizon

Beautiful Things

Lately, it seems like I am becoming less capable of expressing myself. I feel like nothing, and yet I feel everything. I am going to tell you how I feel a few hundred times only. All I ask is for you to know my heart even though you will never understand my mind. There is something about the way I feel that I could never put into words, so I try to put all these feelings into anything else, because one day you will look at nothing and see everything. One day you will see that this is a love letter, and these empty hands are my opening words for you to know everything I feel about you. I know you love beautiful things, and so do I. One time you were telling me about the beautiful places you wanted to see, and I was thinking that I have already been there only by staring at you as if you were the sunrise. I get high in everything beautiful, and your smile is an endless staircase. You are as beautiful as the stars; I thought God must have taken the light in your eyes and kissed it across the sky. You are a piece of art, baby, and I would be able to tell that you are poetry even if I cannot read. I love you, and I can’t help it. By now you know that I love beautiful things, but do you know that my world always ends when I look into your eyes? And what if I tell you that you’re all I want to see until I’m too old to see anything at all? You want to know why? Because every time I look at you, I become acutely aware of how grateful I am that I can see. I can see beautiful things. I want you to know that I have been asleep for far too long, and you are an awakening. I woke up loving you more today, because it’s not in me to ever love you any less. And lately I have been thinking about you in a language that has more words for love, but love is just a word. It will never understand what I feel for you. If love knew how I feel, then it would understand its own meaning. It would understand that even if I do not know how to swim, I would walk across the ocean floor to be with you. I would know that this is the kind of love that takes more than a lifetime to hold, that if there were other versions of you in this universe, I would search for them. I love you, and I want to thank you for reminding me that this thing inside my chest is called a heart. *This was the winning piece of the Silliman University English Society’s Love Letter Writing Contest held last February.

The Sillimanian 2017

Fries of the Forget ful

The Sillimanian 2017

By Angelo Carl Toledo

On my lone, 10 p.m. voyage to Cebu to see my parents, my bed was beside a man of slightly darker skin and, to my speculation, living a lower-middle class life. I didn’t know that this man would spark an enthusiastic attitude of inspiration in my life. That is not the only attitude he invoked to me. He also managed, with his saddening story, to draw out empathy and worry from me. Of all this, I believe that somehow, in the worrying times of my future, I found the right person to talk to. I initiated the long conversation. We began with sharing our reason on why we were headed to the same place. Both of us happened to have the same one—family. He led on, sharing to me photos of his wife and children and the various places they have been to. Very nice places for a vacation spot, I thought to myself. Little did I know that some of what he showed me were his houses. I realized that I happened to be beside a low-key, richer-than-average man. As the ship began to sail, he opened his maps application on his iPhone. The 3G internet provided us real-time details of the movement of the ship as well as dotted lines, showing what I presumed to be the normal course of voyage from Dumaguete to Cebu. I had much to ask from then on. What does he do for a living? How did he manage to go about his busy, travelling life? Where does his children study? When is his next trip somewhere else? These questions merely scratched the surface of his story. He had much to say – much more than all he said for the duration of our talk, I believe. It was quite fitting, the setting. We talked about work, determination, and attitude. He was an accounting student, studying programming in the side task by borrowing notes from his friends studying the course. A student who was just contented and reliant on what he has been taught in the classroom pales in comparison to one who experienced and learned beyond the four walls [I wrote this sentence as an indicator that this is how he initiated our topic of work, determination and attitude as both an analogy and a real-life testimony (not in verbatim, if my memory serves me right). This was also one of the main points he made during our discussion on the same topic. This means that a student who relies on information, lessons, and experiences mainly just from his set academic path lacks the knowledge and wisdom of one who goes beyond his comfort zone, experience many events, and learn beyond what is taught in the classroom. To put it simply, “a student who relies merely on what he is taught pales in comparison to one who learns even more on his own”.]. This he illustrated, and confirmed in his life, by putting ourselves in the shoes of an employer in need of employees [This refers to the previous sentence. He himself experienced these events. From an employee’s point of view, he was determined to learn more on his own than what he was taught in order to compete amongst other would-be employees. From an employer’s point of view, he had to discern who amongst multiple applicants would be deserving enough to be his employee. He had been in both positions – employee and employer.] . He recalled his experiences as an employee and, six months after, earned an income worth higher than the average employee could have in his early working years[In a sense it does. He was proving to me a point. That point being the other previous sentence of the paragraph. Since he was hard-working, perseverant, and knowledgeable in various programming languages, he managed to prosper in six months beyond what an average employee could have in the same span of time.] . He further recalled how he even worked as a student, supporting his other siblings to achieve education as well as developing experience and abilities for himself. “Attitude is 90 percent of work,” he told me. “Ambition,” he said, “…can be reached if you never stop learning.” Ambition. My ambition is to be able to visit my beloved all the way from Manila. The moment he spoke of travelling and how often he did, I asked about booking flights. He shared about prices, promos, ideal booking dates, places to pay when lacking a credit card, and he experienced all airline services the Philippines could offer.

We returned to the subject of family matters. Prior to all that we have discussed so far, he mentioned that his mother recently died, nine days before this voyage. It was at this point that we delved into this matter. He assumed, and it seemed correct, that stress caused his mother to die. His siblings, one in particular, were spoiled children and, in effect, had quite immature attitudes. Buluyagon is the proper word. During the family’s trying times, he would volunteer to pay, or at least assist to pay, for everything – medication, education, and other needs. His mother’s need for aid is no different. Like a good son, despite his mother’s embarrassment to ask from him, he supplied all that she needed to ease her condition – of which I do not know. Respect and sympathy was all I felt for this man. Past midnight, the subject of family was still within our course of conversation. He had recently bought land as a surprise especially for his mother. It was situated in grassy fields with a majestic view of the hills and was also fit for cultivation. If I recall correctly, the construction of the house would be finished by this December. This love gift, he delayed the presentation again and again until sadly it was too late. The fruits of his hard work would be presented to, I would say, a less-deserving audience. We get so busy that we tend to forget our family, the very unit that is essential to our lives. With this, he implored to me that I should take every opportunity to spend time with my parents before it is too late. All I could respond with, even in the other topics we discussed at times of my lack of a proper reply, were nods of silent concord, small sounds of agreement, and more words out of pity. Much were in my head, especially my parents. Eventually, this sad atmosphere came to an end when he told me to sleep as he was headed to the restroom. I woke up at 5:30 a.m., shortly before the captain announced the arrival of the ship. I started the conversation with a stranger, and now an acquaintance, in light of this. I asked him to join me for coffee and we went to the canteen. As I eat my burger and drink coffee, all we talked about was the arrival of the ship, the multiple piers, and lastly, our next destination after we got down the ship. I called up my father, waking him up and asking him to fetch me. I called him a second time. He missed his coffee due to the early arrival of the ship. Upon reaching Pier Dos, I accompanied him all the way from outside the gate to where the taxis were. He was about to go beyond pier boundaries before my father could meet with me. We then finally shared first names and shook hands firmly as we bid each other farewell. Botsoy, he introduced himself to me. I thanked him for his story. Shortly after, I sought for my father. He was already waiting by the gate. Somehow, we just didn’t bump into each other. I hugged him and showed to him the makeshift belt I was talking about days before my trip – a loop of 22 solid core wires. Sharing food actually brought about a good conversation. Had it not been for the large, barbecue-flavored fries I bought – the fries I wasn’t able to finish on my own due to the spice – I wouldn’t have met Botsoy. More than that, I wouldn’t have had quite an overnight enlightenment.~

The Sillimanian 2017

THE BUCKET LIST “Tell your crush that you like him/her. Promise, its fun.” -Gilbert M. Sedigo

“Audition... Audition... Audition... Do not limit yourself to what talents you have. Instead, re-discover what you can do.” -Santia Onnycha Ursabia

“Perform at least once in Luce Auditorium. I did for a play and it was super memorable.” - Sarah Sanchez

“Fall in love with Silliman.” -Erika Jean Quinones

“Fix broken relationships.” - Val Amiel Vestil

“Face thy terror teachers.” - Joy Lacuña

“Join intramurals as an athlete and represent your college even once.” - Rhobie Ruaya

“Explore Luce Auditorium’s Narnia. Only few knows how to get there.” -Robi Prince Concepcion

“Try living in a dorm.” -Alexandra A. Alas

“Before graduating, nongraduating students should ACTUALLY memorize the Silliman Song.” -Lucille Jean Raterta

“Befriend as much faculty and staff as you can.” - Jed Benzi G. Katipunan

“Disregard female. Acquire currency.” -Jeben Nicholas Lajot

“Sleep more than you study, study more than you party. Most importantly, party as much as you possibly can.” - Monika Rae Horca

“Join any committee in SUSG. Di lang ka ma enjoy, makahelp paka in catering the needs of your fellow students. Kapoy pero so rewarding.” -Rence Florencio

“Join organizations coz they mold you as a person and you’ll get a chance to spread your wings. Never fall in love on founders. Stay in the dorm even just for 2 years and you’ll have a sister for a lifetime.” -Beatriz Jumawan

“Explore every possibility, every nook and cranny, every high and low.” -Ariana Gabriella Melgar

“Sleep while you can.” -Glethel Gumdo

“Play chikicha on different parts of the campus.” -Alpha Mabylle Barillo

“Do everything you can. This is the period of your life where you have the most leeway and the most free time. Go to every party. Join a play. Join an org. Start a project and talk about it. Write to the school newspaper. Join contests. Flirt. Rebel responsibly. I’m at the cusp of my college life, a purgatory even, and I wish I did more.” -Renz Torres

“Do the one thing you never thought you were capable of doing. Surprise yourself.” -Genin Raya Amiscaray

“Matulog gawas sa Luce Auditorium.” -Nathassia Agir

“Make more mistakes.” -Faith Torralba

“Do what you deem is fit, do not let other people tell you or dictate what you should do. Free yourself from conventions and stereotypes and reveal the awesomeness that will always be you.” -McKenziel Bagayas

“Have a photoshoot on top of the Luce Auditorium.” - Jenine Balibalos

Photos by Andre Aniñon

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Dumaguete at Night

Photos by Leandro Credo

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Photos by Leandro Credo

Photos by Jose Richard IV Reyes

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COMIC by Cyd Maclachlan

COMICS by Joseph Locsin 28 The Sillimanian 2017

The Sillimanian 2017

the weekly sillimanian staff sy 2016-2017

The Sillimanian 2017