tWS 2022-2023 11th Issue

Sillimanians awarded as top-performing leaders during international camp

by NATHANIEL CARAMPATANA

AI art: a premonition of a dystopian

DEATH OF THE NEWSPAPER

Lawyer urges students to combat worry and depression

by ALLIANAH BOLOTAULO

IN HIS MESSAGE during Silliman University’s (SU) second semester’s first all-colleges midweek prayer service titled “Standing on the Rock,” Atty. Joshua Francisco

Ablong urged students to avoid too much worry and depression.

The service was held on Feb. 8 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium as part of the University Christian Life Emphasis Month (UCLEM) celebration.

Ablong shared statistics stating that over 3.3 million Filipinos suffered from depression in 2019.

He further added that the number of cases went even higher at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People are having a hard time, perhaps accentuated by the current and unique circumstances of our time, [and] here is the clincher, hardships have always been a reality, and will always be the reality as we move along with life,” he said.

Ablong reminded students to be still and have faith in God, especially when facing difficulties.

“Faith is what moves us forward regardless of the circumstance,

TWO SILLIMANIANS emerged with key awards as they represented the Philippines during the Asian Youth Leaders Travel and Learning Camp (AYLTLC) last Feb. 2 to 6, Singapore.

Christian Entrata, Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) president, and Enrica Marian Dinopol, SUSG house speaker, received the Best Presentation Content and Outstanding Presentation Award, outperforming over 200 student leaders from Asia.

Dinopol also received the Oustanding Youth Leaders Award, an award given to student leaders who exhibited exemplary performance during the camp through active participation in different activities.

When asked about what it meant for him to represent

Silliman University (SU) and the Philippines during AYLTLC, Entrata likened it to a responsibility rather than an opportunity.

“I felt responsible for representing SU well, and I believe being able to go on the global scene with the SU banner was an opportune time to show the world that student leaders from Silliman and the Philippines at large are capable,” he said.

Dinopol also pointed out that being chosen as a representative provided the chance to give justice to the macro-level problems faced by the Philippines while also addressing micro-issues faced by the student body of SU.

“I felt that it wouldn’t be fair to my fellow Filipinos and my fellow sillimanians if I would be unable to do that. To be quite honest, I was so excited because I had so much

to say about the state of our nation, and I wanted to make sure that the world or perhaps the universe rather was aware,” she expressed.

With regard to the achievements’ impact on the Sillimanian image, Entrata and Dinopol reflected on the idea that the awards served as testaments of how SU trains its students for the future.

“More importantly, this shows that student leaders in SU are student leaders with a purpose. After the camp, our primary goal now is to pay it forward by applying our learnings in our remaining months in service in the SUSG,” Entrata said.

Dinopol then emphasized that the process of being chosen to represent SU is the effect of being present for a purpose larger than oneself.

Continuedonpage4

SUSG ResoComm releases database, dates back 10

by RAY DONAIRE Gem Palomar, SUSG

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY Student Government (SUSG) Resolutions Committee released an online database providing access to resolutions passed by the SUSG Student Assembly dating back from the school year 2013-2014 via Facebook post last Feb. 5.

The database contains a list of resolutions lobbied for by the legislative branch of the SUSG, the Student Assembly. It allows the student body to browse policies crafted to address various issues within the academic community.

Resolutions Committee cochairperson, said that the database is an avenue for readily available papers for future reference.

“It is expected that this will preserve the resolutions written in the past and that will be written in the future, should the physical copies become damaged, lost, or in any way no longer usable,” she said.

Palomar added that the database could avoid redundancy of resolutions.

Furthermore, Aaron Daniel Duran, SUSG Resolutions

years

Committee co-chairperson, said they “understand the importance of having a comprehensive database of resolutions” for students who might not be aware of the policies and programs crafted for their benefit.

The committee tasked with tracking the progress of all resolutions has not posted a monthly report on their Facebook page since Oct. 26. Duran said this was because some offices addressed in the resolutions “are not always responsive.”

However, Duran said that the committee “can assure” to keep

Continuedonpage4

Nina Isabelle J. Alolod

Ranjie Mae C. Nocete

SELF LOVE COMES BEFORE ROMANCE

SUSG President Christian Entrata (left) and SUSG House Speaker Enrica Dinopol (right) represents PH during the Asian Youth Leaders Travel and Learning Camp (AYLTLC) in Singapore | Photo credits EnricaDinopol

Death of the Newspaper

AI art: a premonition of a dystopian future

NINA ISABELLE J. ALOLOD | Writer, tWS

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” is a proverb that perfectly describes how most of our technology today came to be. But with all the advancements made throughout years of progress, what inventions can truly be considered a necessity?

EDITORIAL

Do you remember the last time you picked up a newspaper from the newsstand? Perhaps it’s been a while.

The advent of ever-present media and technology has changed how people consume and access news and entertainment. Today, more Filipinos get their news from Facebook than from the newspaper. A survey from the Social Weather Report during the first quarter of 2019 revealed that less than two percent of Filipinos read the paper every day. However, traditional television still reigns as king, with 60 percent of the population choosing it as their primary source of information and news.

With decreasing trust in newspapers and traditional media, many Filipinos have also moved on to relying on vloggers and social media to be informed on worldly and national events. Public trust in the Philippine media was at its lowest in 2020 at 27 percent, according to the 2020 Digital News Report. The dip in trust in the media can be attributed to former President Rodrigo Duterte diminishing the credibility of journalists by labeling them as “prostitutes,” “fake news,” and “lowlifes.” Because of his criticisms, the reputation of media companies such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABSCBN, and Rappler took a massive hit.

With more eyes on screens than papers, one can wonder—what will the future of print media and journalism be?

According to a 2014 case study from the University of the Philippines Diliman, declining readership will dissolve the natural cycle of newspaper readers, threatening the longevity of the local newspaper industry. With the industry failing to convert the youth into newspaper readers, who will be their future patrons?

Editor-in-Chief

Anna Avery T. Zapanta

Associate Editor

Ranjie Mae C. Nocete

News Editor Nathaniel E. Carampatana

Feature Editor Ivan Anthony A. Adaro

Web Manager

Sheikha A. Encabo

Business Manager

Klodia Reese M. Gabaya

News Writers

Nina Isabelle J. Alolod

Stefan R. Saldon

Furthermore, many publications have opted for completely online operations, while some did not bother and just shut down altogether.

An independent, student-run newspaper at the University of Maryland, The Diamondback, started publishing exclusively online content starting March 2020, putting an end to its 110 years of print publications. The shift to online operations was decided by the editors given the increasing difficulty in funding their print publication and with many of their readers going online.

Although evolving and changing with the tide is imperative for companies and industries to continue surviving, we at the Weekly Sillimanian still believe in the importance and value of print newspapers. Having physical copies of published papers holds journalists accountable like no other form of media. Thus, promoting accuracy and fairness in journalistic writing.

On a deeper note, newspapers have been beacons of truth, especially in local communities during difficult times. Newspapers are bringers of democracy to society, allowing readers to make informed decisions through accurate reports.

However, changing times might mean having a new form of media take its place. Newspapers will not disappear altogether. Readers will simply opt for other forms of media, most likely digital.

If you haven’t picked up a physical newspaper in a while, go ahead and pick one up, just for old times’ sake. tWS

Though it has recently risen in popularity, artificial intelligence (AI) was created prior to the 21st century. In an article written by Rockwell Anyoha, the first AI program conceptualized was the Logic Theorist; a program that was designed to mimic the problem-solving skills of a human.

Presently, AI manifests itself within the realms of technology, banking, marketing, and entertainment. As of this year, however, there has been a rise in the discourse surrounding the use of AI.

The most notable example of this instance is the ethics of AI art where programs like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E generate images based on text prompts.

While creating art with a few keywords sounds like an exciting prospect, the premise of AI art (if you can even call it art) is actually founded on the millions of artworks taken from actual artists without their consent. At its core, the outputs generated from AI programs are nothing more than a bastardization of multiple stolen works of art from various artists.

The exploitation of human artists doesn’t end after death either. Just three days after beloved Korean artist Kim Jung Gi passed away, a former game developer known online as 5you posted a Tweet announcing that he had

Healthy Living

RANJIE MAE C. NOCETE | Associate Editor, tWS

When face-to-face classes began, eating out also followed. As a busy student, convenience and expense are top factors when deciding what to get to satisfy our hungry, stressed, and developing bodies.

As Sillimanians, what food options do we have readily available? What options do we have that fit our student budget?

Unfortunately, most of them are not very healthy. Students consume a vast variety of processed foods every day: fried chicken, pork, milk tea, burgers, waffles, sisig, french fries, and many more.

Is it wrong to eat these foods every now and then? Of course not! The problem arises when this becomes one’s everyday diet.

Many students are young, ranging from ages 10 to 19. During this stage of life, several changes are happening to one’s body in preparation for adulthood – physiological, sexual, neurological, and behavioral.

With this rapid rate of growth, a balanced diet with lots of nutritional value is crucial for full growth potential.

We have been taught at an early age the food pyramid and healthy food plate. Humans need to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, healthy protein, and whole grains. Fats and sweets should only be eaten sparingly.

So, who’s to blame? Must we condemn students if they couldn’t be bothered to prepare their own meals? Or if they choose non-nutritious but convenient meals every day?

Or should we look at the businesses and food stalls surrounding Silliman and question if their limited menus have a major impact on what students eat every day?

I would say it is the latter. According to one of the most famous self-help books, Atomic Habits, your environment has a major impact on your daily actions and habits. This is because humans have limited willpower.

With our environment being saturated with these unhealthy food options, can you really blame a student for buying a

created a tool based on Stable Diffusion that could generate images in Kim’s distinctive style and encouraged others to use it as long as he was given credit.

When the co-founder of Studio Ghibli Hayao Miyazaki was presented with a program that generated methods of locomotion for humanoid forms through AI, he immediately affirms his rejection of it saying, “I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”

Despite AI art becoming a technological achievement, it can never truly be considered art. While the definition of art is inherently subjective, art is and always will be an expression of humanity.

The rise of AI programs as of late, even with its convenience, heralds a grim future of automated products. Given ten or twenty years, just how much of humanity’s works can truly be considered ‘man-made’?

tempura and milk tea after a hard exam? After a tiring day, no one would have the willpower to reject delicious, affordable, and extremely accessible junk food.

In the end, we live in a capitalist society. Business owners know that there is a high demand for unhealthy and frustratingly delicious food. There must be a change in demand. A call for business owners to have plant-based or vegan options. Not just healthy options but affordable and accessible ones as well.

The truth is that there is a demand for healthier choices. One day, I ventured to KrossKat in search of a salad that I did not find. Instead, I was met by the smoke and smells of junk food.

And even when I ventured farther in search of healthier food options, I was also met with another dilemma—they were so expensive. A substantial meal that can feel satiating is worth Php200 or higher. I’m sure other students on their own health journey have experienced this difficulty as well.

Although challenging and seemingly impossible, students and business owners alike have the power to change the narrative and promote healthy eating and living for all.

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) 4226002 loc. 243.

Allianah Junnice F. Bolotaulo

Natania Shay S. Du

Feature Writers Keisiah Dawn T. Tiaoson

Lea Katrina P. Canizares

Paul Ray G. Donaire

Photographer Francis Ryan B. Pabiania

Cartoonist

Lady Lynn W. Aplicano

Social Media Manager Rainne C. Nocete

Graphic Artist

Rainne C. Nocete

Julianne Rissa P. Gabriel

Layout Artist Jarixa E. Balbuena Adviser Winona Jane C. Agir

www.facebook.com/tWSillimanian weeklysillimanian@su.edu.ph

Opinions expressed in the columns are those of the columnists and not of tWS or of Silliman University. Comments, questions, and suggestions are highly appreciated. All submitted manuscripts become the property of tWS. Manuscripts will be edited for brevity and clarity.

KUMILOS KA NA!

NINA ALOLOD

Ilang beses ba kailangan mong sindiin ang posporo bago ito’y aapoy?

Hanggang kailan ka bang mananatiling nakaupo?

Gaano ba katagal bago mauubusan tayo ng oras?

Ang pagiging matiyaga ay isang birtud

Ang pagiging matiyaga ay nagtitiis

Karaniwang nagdurusa ang mga pagtitiis

At kadalasan ang mga nagdurusa ay maaari lamang umasa

Kung ito man ay pangako ng ulan

O ang pangako ng maaliwalas na kalangitan

Dahil ayaw mong mabasa at ayaw mong mainitan, Dinadala mo pa rin ang iyong payong

Sa sapat na oras, Ang mga punlo ay tutubo at magbubunga pagdating ng tagsibol, Ngunit kung ang gagawin mo lamang ay maghintay, Maiiwan ka ;ang kung saan ka nagsimula!

sillimaniansspeak

Compiled by Rainne Nocete | tWS Social Media Manager/Graphic Artist

"What was one silly thing you did for someone you like, that you will never do again?"

“Nagpadungog-dungogsa social media andgi-setsa custom nga siyara’ymakakita.Mag-notify mandiaynasaiyaha.Lumsikoninyo palihog.” ”

Bea Bethany Q. Borromeo | Architecture

“Confess.”

Aaron B. Ramas-Uypitching | BSBA - MM II

“Love them.”

Calvin

Next Issue's Question:

When does "Pitik" culture become harmful? (Pitik:totakepicturesofsomethingorsomeonewithoutconsent)

For your answers, just text Rainne Nocete (0998-555-7391). Indicate your full name (with middle initial), course and year.

The Key to Building a Strong Social Circle in College

by IVAN ADARO

Let’s face it, entering college is scary. It is a time when you are transitioning into a new chapter of your journey and a stage of your life wherein you are a step closer to your dreams. You will be experiencing a lot of life-long changes and diversities, including building a fresh start in an unfamiliar place.

Students at college go through one of the most transformative periods of their lives. From the moment students walk through the gates of their colleges to the moment they graduate and begin their adventure as career-driven individuals in the real world, a wonderful experience filled with opportunities to grow and learn awaits. Some students handle the experience more naturally than others, some may struggle a lot in this transitional time—but these are things in which there is nothing to be ashamed of.

A key to surviving college is establishing good ties with other students and friends, especially when one finds themselves in stressful situations where a strong support system is needed. Having

Self Love Comes Before Romance

by DAWN TIAOSON

People around you wonder why you are still free from commitments despite your seemingly perfect personality and warmth. People ask why there is no one sitting on your car’s front seat, or why is there only one person under your umbrella. You saw them looking and heard them asking, so you responded with your head held high:

You said you are single because you are still healing from things that went out of control. You know you cannot be totally present for your lover because there are times that you cannot be present for yourself. You know that even having someone willing to help carry your loads cannot catalyse the restoration process. Healing is a lengthy and heavy task for you and you cannot multitask. It is rather impossible to completely heal while committing. Surely, you know that love heals and pouring all the love your heart can give back to yourself, is not an exception. Self-love heals. You are single because you cannot let go of childhood and liberty. Facing a field filled with flowers is your favorite form of rest. our spirit craves to run barefoot on the shore and you still laugh at corny jokes. All you want at this moment is just to look at the stars and remain as still as the moonlight. The invites from friends to come over occupy you. You make your dad’s coffee and blush with his thank you. You make an art for your mom and giggle with her kisses.

You know in your heart that love like this is what you can afford to give as of this moment. This love for family, freedom, friends, and sceneries, is your training ground for a different form of intimacy.

Lastly, you said, you are single because you are grounded on personal pursuits. Having no one by your side as you reach for your goals is not seen as a disadvantage for you. No matter what may happen or who may come, your eyes remain fixed on the things you regard as your priority. Walking alone, shopping alone, studying alone, and grinding alone didn’t shake you. You project a healthy demonstration of selfesteem and self-assurance. You know that if you cannot remain faithful and encouraging to yourself, then entering into a relationship

Those who heard you say this realized that you are under no obligation to conform to societal dating trends. They realized that to be able to love wholeheartedly, they must start loving themselves without any reservation. Radiating the love from within, is a manifestation of a fulfilled and composed human being. Nothing can be freely given unless it is abounding, not even love and all that comes with it. The price of committing without forethought, self-evaluation, and assessing the certainty of the things you look for, is expensive.

The amount of affection and importance you give to yourself is other people’s benchmark on how to treat you. Understanding the needs of the self is one major constituent to have a hint about who and what is it looking for. Focusing on selfexploration and truly knowing what the heart desires, are not only gifts for oneself but also for those one

STAY CLEAN WITH ECO-FRIENDLY HYGIENE

by LEA CANIZARES

strong, dependable relationships, especially in a university filled with many students, is essential for your college journey. This means that the friends you make during this period have a significant impact on you.

But how can you build and maintain a strong circle in your college life?

The first thing that you should do is to accept the fact that you need people who can support you in this journey. The nature of college is that it challenges you, and for that, you need people that will continually be there to support you and inspire you to do your best—whether it may be in academics, social life, emotional health, or other aspects of your college experience. By being able to recognize that, you can enable yourselves to have that desire to think about the kind of friends you want to have and look for people with similar interests as yours.

Meeting new people, for better or worse, has to be the most profound feeling one can ever experience.

Though it can be draining at times, it is important to make the first move and be approachable.

Continueonpage4

Silliman University is an institution known for its strong commitment to environmental sustainability. Understanding the responsibility as stewards of creation, daily actions of students should also reflect on the university’s lifelong mission. Eco-friendly hygiene is the practice of adopting environmentally conscious habits and products in our daily hygiene routines. This concept is gaining popularity as people are becoming more aware of the impact their actions have on the environment. The following are some ways in which students can incorporate eco-friendly practices into their hygiene routines:

Shampoo and conditioner bars. The plastic waste from countless shampoo and conditioner bottles and sachets is an evergrowing pile. A simple switch to shampoo and conditioner bars that work just as well as the liquid version can be life changing. They are much easier to pack and bring along for travel too! They are available in several options, such as: hair fall control, oily and damaged hair, anti-dandruff, and several more.

Refilling stations. Stores like Ritual in Dumaguete offer refillable liquid soap. Simply refilling your container once it is empty rather than buying a whole new one is a great practice to incorporate. This even applies to more than just hygiene products, ingredients like flour, salt, and baking powder are also refillable.

Go for menstrual cups as your sustainable period partners. Women mostly spend lots of pesos on sanitary pads and tampons which can unfortunately take about a hundred years to decompose. Menstrual cups, as opposed to disposable period items, are environmentally friendly and reusable as they are made of silicone and can last up to 12 years.

Scared of menstrual cups? Cloth pads might be the answer. For women who would rather not have to use a menstrual cup, cloth sanitary pads are a great option. These are pads that usually come with a cloth lining that is soft and breathable, and usually snap closed to attach to underwear. Cloth pads do not expose the intimate areas to harmful chemicals that disposable

napkins and tampons do.

Practice water conservation: Students can conserve water by taking shorter showers, turning off the tap when brushing their teeth, and reporting any leaks to maintenance.

Choose eco-friendly personal care products: Students can opt for personal care products that are made from natural, biodegradable ingredients and packaged in environmentally-friendly materials such as cloth makeup remover pads, loofahs, and earwax removers. The university town of Dumaguete has a few eco-friendly shops for personal hygiene products like Lipay Mundo Co. where students can buy all-natural and plastic-free body essentials for refill.

By incorporating these ecofriendly practices, students can play a critical role in promoting sustainability on their campus and in their communities. They can also develop habits that will stay with them for a lifetime, helping to ensure a cleaner and healthier planet for future generations. tWS

Castillo | HUMMS 11

frompage1| SUSG ResoComm... the database up-to-date with plans to update it by mid-February.

Duran shared that the database was proposed by SUSG President Christian Entrata and Vice President Kyla Bue. The initiative was launched through a collaborative effort between the committee and other student organizations.

The committee hoped that the next governing bodies would continue to expand and improve the resolution database to provide a valuable resource for the student body.

SUSG Resolutions Committee is tasked to “receive, process, and forward” resolutions crafted by the SUSG Student Assembly Representatives to offices addressed within the campus. tWS

F2F int’l study programs return, ex-participants share advice

by SHAY DU

THE SU FOREIGN Exchange Students and Japan Summer Service Learning (JSSL) programs announced the opening of applications on Feb. 6 after a three-year halt of the programs’ in-person modes.

The Foreign Exchange Students program, under the Student Scholarship and Aid Division (SSAD), will give students the chance to study at a foreign institution abroad for the school year 2023–2024.

SU’s partner institutions include Sophia University, International Christian University (ICU), Shikoku University, Ferris University, and Yamagata University in Japan; Hannam University in Korea; Satya Wacana Christian University in Indonesia; and Université Catholique de Lille in France.

Ngo emphasized the importance of resourcefulness and negotiation when applying for these scholarships.

“Trust me when I say that [this program] is not just for the rich or those with hefty pockets,” Ngo said. “You can always try and look for sponsors and foundations that can help sustain your education.”

Another factor students should consider regarding the Foreign Exchange Student program is their willingness to delay their academics since the subjects they take abroad may not always be credited, according to Sagun.

“The purpose of the exchange student is not academic in nature, it’s [for] cultural exposure,” Sagun explained. “So [there will be less] academics.”

Entrata concluded by calling out Sillimanians who shared the same hopes of achieving what they both earned.

“We only have to expand our network, and that is through joining organizations and even the SUSG. It is just a matter of determination to immerse yourselves in different activities at the University first, and eventually, opportunities for bigger engagements will come,” he said.

Founded in 2012, the AYLTLC is an annual gathering for youth leaders worldwide. tWS

frompage1| Lawyer urges...

it is believing that you can do it and trusting that God will carry you through,” he said.

He ended his sermon by saying, “Let us continue to trust and to believe and not to worry because out of our difficult experiences can emerge beautiful stories.”

The UCLEM celebration started on Feb. 5 with the theme “Be STRONG: Stand for Truth in Reverence, Obey, and Nurture our Faith in God,” following the scripture readings Matthew 7:24-27 and Joshua 1:7-9.

The students who attended the celebration were from the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Medical School, College of Performing and Visual Arts, Graduate School, and College of Mass Communication.

The rest of the colleges are also scheduled to have their own prayer services, while the School of Basic Education will continue to attend convocations throughout the bi-annual celebration.

This semester’s UCLEM will end on Feb. 26 with a culmination worship service for the Silliman University Student Government and other registered organizations. tWS

The JSSL program, under the Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning (OCESL), will send students to ICU for an immersive service-learning project with local community partners in Tokyo, Japan, and Tenryu Village.

Other participants of the program include students from ICU, Middlebury College from the USA, Union Christian College, and Lady Doak College from India.

The program will run from July 4 to 26. Foreign Exchange Students program: On financial constraints and delays in academics

Rodora Sagun, head of the SSAD, advised students to consider a number of factors when they decide to apply for the Foreign Exchange Student program, such as financial capability.

“Even if the tuition cost [for the program] is waived and most of our partner institutions also provide dorms and food, there are still other expenses that the students really have to shoulder,” Sagun explained. “Especially things like processing [fees], airfare, and other day-to-day [expenses].”

Sagun pointed out, however, that there are existing grants and scholarships from foreign governments, organizations, and foundations that students can apply for.

“For Southeast Asia, you can actually apply for a subsidy from the student mobility scheme through the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia (ACUCA), [and it is] now open for application,” Sagun said.

She added, “If you go to Japan, they also have the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) scholarship. [Three years ago,] they were giving around ¥80,000 monthly.”

Benrashdie Ngo, the first and only foreign exchange student from SU to Université Catholique de Lille so far, financed his participation in the program through a scholarship from the French government initially intended for master’s students.

Ngo also shared that the program can supplement a “holistic” and balanced college experience.

“It’s hardly ever encouraged to go beyond the four years [of college],” Ngo admitted. “But you never really get to know what university [education] is until you get a taste of being in two institutions at the same time.”

Allison Ladero, who was an exchange student at ICU, also believes that the Foreign Exchange Students program offers a chance for self-discovery.

“As life takes you to new heights and uncomfortable destinations, you become increasingly aware of how much is out there for you to experience,” Ladero explained.

Ladero also warned interested applicants that the program may not be all “beauty and wonder,” but these bumps in the road make the experience all the more worth it.

To students interested in applying for the program, Sagun noted that limited slots are available for each partner institution.

Applicants will also be screened based on parameters such as their grades, familiarity with SU, leadership potential, and community involvement.

ACCEPTING COLUMN SUBMISSIONS

“I had fun while learning the cultures of the different countries where my companions live,” Gatanela expressed. “[Among other things, we discussed] our everyday lives and the safe spaces of the children in our places, also known as ‘ibasho.’”

During in-person programs in the past, participants would visit elementary schools, welfare facilities, and facilities for the elderly in rural areas of Japan.

“It’s not only learning inside the four corners of the classroom, but bringing out what [participants have] learned and applying it to their day-to-day lives that they can possibly take with them in the future,” Gatanela added.

With regards to expenses, the program fee will be free

frompage3| The Key to Building...

Having meaningful or even simple talks with people and students around you can teach you not only how to understand others, but also how to understand myself—and this is a simple way to open up to someone and establish a connection with them.

Backwards Samuel

fb.com/tWSillimanian LISTEN TO

@tWSillimanian @twsillimanian twsillimanian.com

while accommodation and local transportation expenses will be covered by ICU.

Participants will still be expected to handle their own round-trip airfare, overseas travel insurance fee, visa, transportation, meals, and other personal expenses.

Maestrecampo suggested, however, that students apply for external grants and scholarships to finance their participation in the program if needed.

Gatanela further encouraged students to join the program now that it will be in face-to-face mode.

The JSSL program is open to SU undergraduate students. Applicants will undergo a selection process, where a maximum of two SU students will be chosen as participants for the program. tWS

JSSL

program: On community and service

The JSSL program, hosted by ICU, emphasizes service alongside intercultural exchange and academics by using the servicelearning approach, according to Novee Maestrecampo, Jr., OCESL officer-in-charge.

“The pedagogy of servicelearning is that students undergo structured learning activities with them providing service and at the same time reflecting on [what they learned],” Maestrecampo explained.

While this will be the first time since the pandemic began that the JSSL program will be held in person, Entrepreneurship student Ellen Gatanela was able to participate in an online version of the program in 2022.

To maintain healthy relationships and make the most out of your college experience is to surround yourself with positive and engaging people while also making time to do things outside of university life with them. It is common for students to become overwhelmed by their college life and experiences, especially if they are new to it. That is why find the time to take a break and do something fun with your friends such as going to malls, eating out in restaurants, or having an outing occasionally. Not only is it a way to hit the reset button, but it is also a way to strengthen the bond between you and your friends.

Increasing your social circle allows you to connect with people who like and appreciate you. Having a positive, friendly, and social circle gives you a sense of belonging and alleviates the fears of

isolation. This goes without saying that one should understand that, even in social circles, there are limitations to be established and boundaries not to be crossed. Good communication and mutual respect are strong foundations to build and maintain a strong social circle. But most importantly, be aware of you and your friend’s surroundings and assess if you are in the right circle. At the end of the day, it is your happiness that matters. As long as you do not feel pressured and are happy with the people you choose to be around with, then you are on the right path.

College isn’t easy, but at no point in your life can you let your worries of entering a new phase in your life and anxieties of getting left behind get the better of you. Building and sustaining good relationships with other students and your friends can be a lifeline for many. It is easy to become overwhelmed by the academic experience, so having a social circle that also serves as a support system is critical. Even if you are a natural introvert, or find meeting new people draining in general, making a friend or two can make all the difference in the world.

tWS