W&B Broadsheet February 2009

THERE’S MORE TO COME. The SLU Administration is on the works for mounting surveillance cameras on critical points around the campus.

PHOTO BY MARC ARRIANE MENDIOLA

87 % of Louisians say Net Lib did not improve BY

RASHA FAYE TULAS

Despite periodic upgrades, majority of Louisians say the Internet Library had no improvements since the first time they used the facility.

104 of 120 students responded disapprovingly in White & Blue’s survey last January tackling how Louisians feel about the Net Lib. Majority of the respondents said the slow Internet speed and lack of useful software discouraged them to visit the place.

“Sobrang mabagal (It is very slow),” described one of the study’s respondents.

“Sana naman mag-install sila ng mas advanced na anti-virus para hindi masyadong mabagal ang computers (I wish they install a more advanced anti-virus software to make the computers faster).”

The respondents said the absence of headsets and affordable printing services – which normally cost Php 4.00 – were the common reasons why they said the Net Lib did not improve.

Along with these, problems on “browsers suddenly going blank for no apparent reason” and boxes (saying, “This action does not comply with the SLU Internet Library policy”)

CONTINUED P/2

SSC cuts 2 execs for violations of by-laws BY

BY

Right when they were needed most, two elected officials of the Supreme Student Council were kicked out of office for alleged misconduct and violations in the SSC Constitution and By-laws.

RAYMOND JAYE SANDOVAL

Alarmed by a slew of bomb threats in Baguio city last Jan. 20, SLU officials have eyed to make the tightened spot checks around the university campuses permanent.

SLU’s security personnel were pushed to lift the random bag inspections, which have been in effect since 2007, and conduct round-the-clock bag inspections on students and employees entering SLU’s premises.

“SLU is under unusual times,” said Gil Espiritu, Student Affairs Office dean. “We can’t afford to have unnecessary

incidents.”

“If possible, we wouldn’t relax the security.

We’re not negligent, if we can make it (spot checks) permanent, why not?” Espiritu said.

Hoax threats Officials in seven other locations were alarmed by a wave of security threats in their establishments mid-January by a man who identified himself as Simon Janjalani, but later found them flimsy.

Saint Louis Hospital of the Sacred Heart, University of Baguio, Pines City Colleges, Notre Dame Hospital, Porta Vaga, Abanao Square, and the Sto. Niño Hospital fell victims to prank calls warning of bombs concealed in their establishments.

Most schools called for a suspension of classes.

Upon consultation with the Baguio City Police Station, the SLU administration ordered an immediate tightening of bag inspections around SLU’s gates and postponed the Dance Festival that day.

The administration did not suspend classes since, according to Espiritu, “we didn’t find it

necessary to alarm students.”

All Coincidental But according to Security Office Head Florante Manaois, the bomb threat and the sudden tightening of security were entirely coincidental.

We don’t know anything about that,” Manaois said. “Anybody could link the bomb threat with the bag inspections, we don’t have any idea.”

He said the bag inspections were part of SLU’s existing memorandum obliging people who enter the university to comply with the security personnel’s spot check.

“It is a deterrent measure. Are we going to wait for something to happen before we improve our system?”

“We are avoiding [untoward] incidents from happening,” Manaois said. “Marami paring nakakalusot sa inspection (many people can still elude the inspection).”

Lawyer Arnulfo Soriano, V. Pres. for Administration, claimed the swift alert on security was, by chance, “more systematic that day (Jan. 22).”

“The memorandum (on bag inspection) has always been there, it was previously disseminated.

BY

2

nd

BY

CONTINUED P/2

LINE LINE LINE

SMART CHOICE? Disappointed Louisians feel shortchanged and ridiculed on SAO’s decision of the bomb threat safety measures.

PHOTO BY KIM YAP

Due to what lawyer Arnulfo Soriano, V. Pres. for Administration, described as concerns in the safety and security of Louisians, administration officials decided to postpone the university-wide event from Jan. 20 to the next day.

“The admin is concerned for the safety and welfare of students,” he said.

SLU Center for Culture and the Arts Dance Troupe, the organizer of the said event, was instructed to move the dance fest from the afternoon of Jan. 20 to early morning of Jan. 21.

“It was the decision of the admin to postpone the dance fest,” said Rebecca Nulud, CCA director.

Participants for the said event arrived at the Burgos gymnasium hours before 1 p.m. but became unsettled when the CCA Dance Troupe posted an advisory on the gym’s main entrance.

Students suspected the swift postponement as connected to the Baguio-wide bomb scares during the week.

They spread SMS around the campus warning of possible bomb attacks in SLU. SM City Baguio stopped its operations prior to the threats. Schools, universities, and hospitals followed the establishment’s move by suspending classes and heightening alerts.

SLU officials did not suspend classes but tightened the bag inspections around the campus.

SSC terminated Regina Alabanza, the council’s Executive Secretary, due to excessive absences in official meetings; and Jay-R De Vera, Sec. for Business Affairs, after having claimed he was no longer a student of SLU. Jonathan Bosantog, SSC president, said Alabanza had four consecutive absences during official meetings and “never entered” the council’s office.

“She removed herself from office. If you do not attend meetings, the law requires you to remove yourself,” Bosantog said.

He cited SSC’s provisions on the council’s Constitution (Article XII, Section 2)

CONTINUED P/3

SLU cites faculty for 40 years of service LOVELYN BINIGAY

Even before Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, and just after The Beatles became known to the world, Belen Mina has already been teaching students in SLU.

For this, SLU honored her for 40 years of service in the university during the Service Awards at the Burgos gymnasium last Jan. 25.

Mina, 59, was recognized for her loyalty together with 158 other employees of SLU and was identified as the longest-serving employee in the university among fellow instructors, deans, nursing aides, janitors, clerks, cooks, and helpers.

Mina started teaching in SLU in 1969, right after she graduated from college at age 18.30 She taught in the High School department of SLU until 1992 where she became department head and assistant principal before applying as an instructor in

CONTINUED P/2

News

University Days Celebration moved to December

P/2

Diversions

Christ, the Serpent and the Forbidden Fruit

P/7

Features

The Safest Time of Day

W&B Week to launch Feb. 16

LOVELYN BINIGAY AND MARCEL LAWRENCE EMIL AGPASA

White & Blue will mark the second White & Blue Week – a week-long celebration of giving tribute to the Louisian community – on Feb. 16-21 at the Diego Silang lobby.

White & Blue will mark the second White & Blue Week – a week-long celebration of giving tribute to the Louisian community – on Feb. 16-21 at the Diego Silang lobby.

The half-a-century-old publication will conduct related activities in line with its objectives of promoting student awareness on social issues on the global financial crisis and students’ rights; featuring the talents of

What they’re looking for Guards based on all SLU gates, according to Manaois, were directed to search for items regulated and prohibited by the Student Affairs

For the first time in SLU history, the Dance Festival, which receives thousands of viewers annually, had been postponed.

The Supreme Student Council cried foul over charges blaming students for the garbage problem in SLU.

CONTINUED P/2

2007 Blast SLU’s security was heightened months before the said bomb threats happened.

In Oct. 2, 2007, a bomb blast in a nearby Internet café shook the university and injured several students inside.

SLU Pres. Rev. Fr. Jessie Hechanova issued an advisory the following day denouncing the bomb attacks and enforcing stricter policies on the university’s security.

“The Administration is reminding and asking everyone to… cooperate and not to resent when the security guards conduct spot check or inspection for prohibited items being brought inside the campus,” he said.

Safety glitch defers Dance Fest

GRELLYN PAOAD

SSC president Jonathan Bosantog said the Special Services Department, the lead implementer of the Solid Waste Management Program, had no authority to accuse students as what the SSD stated in the December issue of White & Blue.

“It is true that majority of the people in the university are students. But it is improper to say all the garbage we see around [the university] is the doings of students,” he said.

“The students should be given more materials and information to segregate wastes” since the materials for trash bins are “inappropriate.”

Bosantog said they have been seeing concrete actions from the SSD but they were not

We have to make reminders for the safety of everyone.”

Spot checks will be tighter “as long as the administration sees the need to ensure the safety of students,” Soriano said.

BY

SSC nullifies SSD’s ‘improper’ charges BY

GRELLYN PAOAD

the staff in making graphics, illustrations and photos; and providing information drive on how the White & Blue works as an organization and publication.

For seven days, White & Blue will be showing an Arts Exhibit featuring photos and illustrations by the pub’s Graphics Department, and with multimedia presentations by the Layout Section.

The week-long festive will kick off with a program at the Silang lobby. Different activities for each day will follow.

On the first day, cartoonists will show their craft in an On-the-Spot Caricature for interested students.

On Feb. 17, the Photojournalism Section will man a photo booth featuring photo-capture moments for the student’s.

Free printing services will be made available to lucky participants.

Poster-making and literary-writing competitions will pile the third day of the White & Blue Week. Winners will be awarded

P/9 cash prizes and certificates.

Feb. 19 will be the release of Kuwaderno 9, the literary folio of White & Blue, at the White & Blue office, Room 6, Student Center.

Pannel discussions and seminars on the global financial crisis and students rights will highlight the White & Blue Week at the Jose Burgos Gymnasium on Feb. 20.

Speakers will be Manny Loste of the Center in People Empowerment and Governance – Cordillera Chapter, and Anjo Rey Sadena, former College Editors Guild of the Philippines – Baguio-Benguet Chapter chair, respectively.

The event will culminate with the awarding and closing ceremony at the Silang lobby.

Sports

Mark on the Street of Momento

P/11

SLU Tightens... P/1 Office.

“Most of the incidents involve carrying of alcoholic drinks and deadly weapons inside the campus. The Student Handbook prohibits the possession of such.”

In a memorandum released on Oct. 26, 2005 by Rev. Fr. Hechanova, prohibited drugs, pornographic materials, weapons, explosives, noise-making gadgets, alcoholic drinks, and gambling paraphernalia were officially banned from the university campus.

“Any unauthorized person in possession of or using any of these items will be subjected to appropriate legal and/ or administrative or disciplinary sanction in accordance with University rules and regulations,” the memo said.

But SAO authorized the use of Video Tape Recorders, cameras, posters, leaflets, pentel pens, thinners, and cooking equipment provided the items’ owners acquire clearance and approval from the SAO. Traffic Lanes Regular spot checks have produced long queues along university gates on rush hours.

Manaois said students have been receiving the new policy on bag inspection well. “We have had only a few negative reactions from the students.”

He claimed employees, who have not been excluded in the inspections, were more vocal in complaining to the guards about the tightened security.

Most nag about the long queues in the inspection lanes. “They protest that the inspections cause them to be late,” Manaois said.

Security Cameras Owing to constant security alerts, Espiritu said the installation of surveillance cameras around critical areas of the university is “in the works.”

“There have been cases of snatching in the main gate” of the main campus. “The sooner the cameras are installed, the better.”

This was in consideration to BCPO’s lack of police force that can respond to threats on SLU’s security.

Ssupt. Florante Camuyot, BCPO deputy city director, said in January alone, they have received almost 20 bomb calls.

He admitted they lacked personnel and had only three persons in the Explosives and Ordinance Division.

RAYMOND JAYE SANDOVAL, Editor news@whiteandblue.net

BY

DIANA ANN BISARES AND MARIDITH LAY-AT

It’s final.

The SLU administration moved the traditional University Days Celebration of SLU from January to early December this year.

SLU Pres. Rev. Fr. Jessie Hechanova explained Louisians need a rest from the hectic schedules every January, saying students and employees will be “too worn out” for the big event.

“We want to have one preparation for the two biggest celebrations (Christmas and University Days) to give everyone time to rest,” Fr. Hechanova said.

The administration stressed they do not want to have the celebration “too close to the midterm examinations.”

“The students may lose focus in reviewing,” Fr. Hechanova said.

He belied claims that the celebration was postponed since the venue, Baguio Melvin Jones, was unavailable.

“Definitely, it is not the cause of the postponement.”

He said that along with making January lighter to Louisians, the administration wanted to hold the celebration simultaneous with the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart Foundation Day on December.

Fr. Hechanova promised that Louisians will feel the same spirit of the University Days because it will be similar or “even better than the past [celebrations].”

“There’s no fixed date for the celebration of the University Days.”

SLU officials can move the celebration in any day of the year.

“We do not intend to change the lavish way of commemorating the university’s foundation day and the thanksgiving to the father-founders.”

Evangeline Trinidad, V. Pres. for Finance, said SLU’s cost-cutting campaign did not cause the merging of the CICM foundation day with the University Days in one day.

“Regular operations of the university are not affected by the costcutting, so the University Days, which is an annual celebration, is not affected.

Fr. Hechanova told White & Blue that the celebration will succeed a lantern parade late November.

It will be held annually in preparation for the Centennial Celebration in 2011 (see related story on page 3).

SSC gears up to revive The Hotspring

BY

GRELLYN PAOAD WITH REPORTS FROM ELOISA FAYE SIMON

Two years after its last appearance, The Hotspring, the Supreme Student Council’s official publication, is showing signs of life. In no time, SSC’s controversial newspaper might find itself distributed around campus this semester.

This is if SLU Pres. Rev. Fr. Jessie Hechanova grants a special recognition for the publication before the school year ends.

SSC officials failed to beat the deadline for application of recognition from the Student Affairs Office last Aug. 30, 2008.

Jonathan Bosantog, SSC President, said the hold up was set off by the long delay in the last SSC elections, protesting there was no time left for the officers to plan and process the

requirements for application.

They held a screening for a new editorial board last Nov. 29, 2008 in the council’s office.

Christian Aligo, Sec. for Public Relations, admitted the revival was “too late,” citing the delay in their target release scheduled December, 2008.

“We hope [The Hotspring] would push through,” said Aligo, a former Circulations Editor of the publication.

SSD’s nullifies... P/1

including the distribution of posters around the campus.

“Students would not segregate and care because they cannot see the significance. Response must be collective. Let us appeal to their emotions.”

He said the SSC is not expecting a massive response [from students]. “We are giving students time to re-adjust and internalize. Let us give time for the students.”

They will be conducting seminars tackling environmental issues before the second semester ends.

enough.

“Information drives should be put in place, like seminars and more systematic ways to give information to them (the students). Through proper education, they will participate in segregating wastes.”

Asked how the SSC did its part on the joint Solid Waste Management program of the council and the SLU administration, Bosantog said the SSC is conducting massive information drives,

5-year curriculum not practical – COE dean

By Kestler Bryan Mendoza The Commission on Higher Education’s repetitive withdrawal on its proposal to extend BS Nursing and BA Education into five-year courses has got SLU officials grinding their teeth.

Both the College of Nursing and College of Education sighed as CHED Chairman Emmanuel Angeles issued CHED Memorandum Order No. 1 of 2009, taking back the commission’s decision last Dec. 23, 2008 to extend the said courses.

He stressed CHED is reviewing the policies and standards of both Nursing and Education courses, saying the commission would inform Higher

Education Institutions by April.

Dr. Corazon Bomogao, COE dean, said the attempt to extend the college curriculums was “ideal, but not practical for this time.”

“If it’s to be implemented, they (incoming freshmen) need to take two years precollege education and three years of the BSN or BA Ed proper,” explained CoN Dean Mary Grace Lacanaria.

Republic Act No. 7722, or the Higher Education Act of 1994, ordered the extension of courses to five years.

The first two courses that piloted this move were BS Accounting and BS Engineering.

Once upon a time Bosantog said, “For the past two years, the revival of The Hotspring was not prioritized. No willing people would help so we had to look for people who want to be part of the staff.”

“We like to revive The Hotspring, but we need effort.”

He referred to the lack of the newspaper as contributory to the unpopularity of the SSC to Louisians.

The last time The Hotspring was seen published was during Michael Karl Flores’ term as SSC president in 2007, where most of the articles condemned alleged cases of repression and incompetence in SLU.

SLU cites... P/1 the College of Information and Computing Sciences.

Witnessing almost half of SLU’s history, Mina said she has seen various turnovers of presidency in SLU and the university’s gradual shifting to computerization.

At 4, her parents had sent her to grade school already. “The schools determined if we were capable to enter class if we could reach our ears with our hands over our heads,” she said.

Because Mina went to school young, she graduated from college early. Although hesitant, she applied to teach in SLU. She said she originally had no plans to become a teacher but was later compelled since most of her siblings are teachers.

She considered retiring early. After years of watching her 90-year-old mother weaken due to her illness, she planned to leave her job to tend to her mother.

Desperate to keep Mina, her students and colleagues pushed her to reconsider her idea. “I don’t believe in retirement [anymore],” she told White & Blue.

But nearing 60, she said she would find another job in line with her expertise if SLU lets her retire.

She stressed she always kept her secret formula in teaching: passion, competence, commitment, and creativity.

Previous articles published in The Hotspring included articles like “How much does the administration owe us?” and “What does McDo and SLU have in common?”

Bosantog belied claims that SSC will use the newspaper as a propaganda tool, saying “The Hotspring will act as the voice for students and an avenue for the student leaders to voice their activities.”

Name shift To clear the name of the controversial newspaper, Bosantog said the council is planning on changing The Hotspring’s name, admitting the current name did not connect well with the SSC. “Let’s think of a name that will encompass the grievances and reflect the students – a name which will reflect KASAMA/SSC.” Aside from a name change, officials of the council said they are planning to publish The Hotspring in magazine form, altering its newspaper look.

98% ng UPB pabor sa CRSRS

UPB CONTRIBUTOR: JOHN ERIC ESCALANTE WITH REPORTS FROM QUEENY RUBLICO

x “Gusto ng mga estudyante ng kinatawan sa Board of Regents (BOR).”

Ito ang mga katagang binitiwan ng tagapangulo ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Baguio (UPB) University Student Council (USC) na si John Silverio Saligbon matapos maabot ang target na 90-100% “yes vote” para sa Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) sa naganap na referendum.

Matapos ang halalan mula ika26 hanggang ika-31 ng Enero ukol sa CRSRS sa UPB, 98% o 1,650 ng 1,704 na estudyanteng lumahok sa pagboto ang nagsabing nais nilang panatilihin ang CRSRS. “Isa na naman itong tagumpay sa UPB. Ipinapakita ng election turn-out na united talaga ang buong UPB sa iisang stand,” ani Saligbon.

Ayon kay Cori Co, pangalawang tagapangulo ng USC at kasalukuyang tagapangulo ng Katipunan ng mga Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA) sa UP, “napaka-positibo ng naging resulta at talagang kinilala ng mga estudyante ang pangangailangan at banta sa representasyon [nila].”

Nakasaad sa bagong UP Charter (Section 12g) na magkakaroon ng isang taong panunungkulan ang isang Student Regent (SR) na pinili ng mga estudyante. Ang SR ang tinaguriang kinatawan ng mga estudyante sa Board

of Regents (BOR), ang pinakamataas na policy-making body sa UP system.

Subalit nakasaad din sa bagong Charter na ang batas at kuwalipikasyon sa pagpili ng SR ay kailangang itakda ayon sa aaprubahang referendum ng mga estudyante, sa kabila ng pagkakaroon na ng CRSRS. Nakasaad sa CRSRS na tauntaon ay maaaring baguhin ang mga gabay sa pagpili ng SR ayon sa itinatakda ng General Assembly of Student Councils. Ito ang naging gabay sa pagpili ng SR nang labintatlong taon na ngunit dahil sa bagong Charter, kinailangan pa itong idaan sa isang referendum upang ipatupad ito.

Ayon sa opisina ng SR, kung sakaling hindi maabot ang mayoryang boto sa referendum, maaaring mawalan ng representante ang mga estudyante sa BOR dahil sa kawalan ng gabay sa pagpili ng SR. Kinakailangang pumabor ang mayorya ng 55, 000 na estudyante sa buong UP system sa CRSRS upang magkaroon ng gabay sa pagpili ng rehente ng mga estudyante sa BOR. Ito ay ayon sa UP Charter.

Batay sa 1,704 na estudyanteng bumoto sa UPB, 13 ang hindi pabor sa kasalukuyang CRSRS habang 14 naman ang mga tinaguriang invalid na boto (sumangguni sa table).

Sa kasalukuyan, ganito rin ang kalagayan ng iba’t ibang kampus ng UP kung saan mayorya ng mga estudyante ay pabor sa CRSRS o may kabuuang umaabot na sa 73% ng mga bumoto sa buong UP system.

87% of Louisians... P/1

NO CHOICE. Students manage to maximize Internet Library services to utilize the mandatory internet fee.

PHOTO BY

RINA PAULA BURGOS

that pop on their screens irritated them whenever they visited the Net Lib. “Pag nag-log in ka, biglang maglalogoff yung internet kaya lumilipat kami sa ibang terminals. Paminsan-minsan lang kami bumibisita (After you log in, the internet suddenly goes off, so we shift terminals. We don’t visit the Net Lib that much),” said an Engineering student.

However, citing 216 working computer units in the Net Lib, 35 per cent of the respondents said they view the Net Lib’s services as satisfactory.

Engr. Winston Chugsayan, SLU Net Office director, explained that the main reason why the computers function slowly was the flash drives students insert in the CPU’s.

“The anti-viruses are constantly being enhanced,” he clarified, saying the Internet runs on 10 to 12 Mbps. “We cannot be requesting an

oversized bandwidth, we want just what serves our needs.”

The Net Lib, built in 1998 with 80 computer terminals, has programs installed like Microsoft Word and Adobe Reader.

But the said respondents demanded officials to install other useful software. “We want Autocad and Adobe Photoshop,” said one student.

Others moaned about the blocking of a number of sites in the Net Lib. Chugsayan shrugged the complaints off, saying the “students can come to the Net Office and request for unblocking, provided they give their reasons.”

He cited some of the most noted improvements in the Net Lib since his term: terminals for the disabled, Wi-fi access, configuration of portable playstations and smartphones, and the provision of printing services.

Centennial celebration all set for 2011

BY EVELYN YEUNG

WITH REPORTS FROM

SLU’s centennial celebration and the venue where it is to be held are on its way to completion.

Lawyer Arnulfo Soriano, V. Pres. for Administration, said the university is already drumming up awareness in and outside campus, promoting that SLU will be turning 100 by 2011.

The centennial song, logo, and prayer have all been prepared and widely used in SLU. Soriano said they have been putting ‘SLU Centennial Prayer’ posters “in conspicuous places” around the campus.

They have posted one copy per classroom.

Evangeline Trinidad, V. Pres. for Finance, said the SLU Bakakeng campus,

which is targeted to open by second semester of school year 2011-2012 and expected to highlight the said celebration, is in the process of development and has begun construction in 2008.

“The road and site development started last year and now it is almost completed,” she said.

“The Academic Building has also started to be built this January.”

But Trinidad said they have no specific plans yet for the construction of other structures aside from the chapel, gym, and open court.

“We are seriously considering financial resources for the project because it entails huge financing,” she said.

“We all feel the brunt of the financial crisis.”

Trinidad stressed the administration

COE ties with World Links; expands ICT program BY

DIANA ANN BISARES

Stressing the need for computerliterate graduates, World Links tied up with the College of Education last Jan. 23 and gave them 22 new computer The Worldlinks Philippine Training Center opens the “world of learning” in its inauguration last Jan. 23 to prepare students of the College of Education to be competitive in the global economies.

The training center, with 22 computers connected to the Internet, is an “impossible dream that has just come true” for the COE through partnership with Worldlinks Philippines and the Foundation for Information Technology Education and Development Inc. “Having this (center) means having the vehicle for transforming how teachers teach,” said Liezl Dunuan of Worldlinks Phlippines.

Since teaching is a “social enterprise” which gives service, [COE] students must be equipped with skills in rhythm with the fast development of technology to educate others.

ICT integration is then “necessary in basic

EMPTY GRANDSTAND. The supposed festive atmosphere at Melvin Jones during January’s annual “Handog ng SLU sa Baguio” has lost ignition after the SLU Administration moved the celebration permanently to December.

PHOTO BY

MARC ARRIANE MENDIOLA

Human Sci ensnared between hype crossfire BY

DIANA ANN BISARES

Godzilla and a certain Anne Dinley are gaining instant popularity in the College of Human Sciences.

Three flyers entitled, “The Legend of Anne Dinley”, “Living in Godzilla’s House” and “Anne Dinley’s Loyalty Check,” alarmed students and instructors of the college due to their implicit contents.

All three appeared separately on Jan. 26, 28 and Feb. 5, respectively.

Along with their distribution, Anakbayan-SLU circulated an open statement last Jan. 28 entitled, “Light of the North.

Mission to Transform.” which condemned the alleged repressive policies of the university.

“Ang pinaglalaban ng Anakbayan ay ang demokratikong karapatan ng Louisian – hindi lang mga estudyante kundi pati na rin mga guro at kawani — na patuloy na sinisikil ng administrasyon ng SLU (Anakbayan is fighting for the democratic rights of Louisians—not only of the students but also of the instructors and non-academic employees— being repressed by the university administration),” said Niño Joseph Oconer, Anakbayan-SLU spokesperson.

Aside from targeting the ‘repression’ of SLU officials, AB-SLU attacked the university’s administrative suit against Ronald Taggaoa, former Supreme Student Council adviser.

But he denied AB-SLU had any connections to the three other flyers which bared no signatories.

Taggaoa’s Case, Godzilla and Anne Dinley The flyers had appeared prior to the case of Taggaoa, bringing speculations that the flyers were connected to the said case.

Taggaoa, however, denied any involvement.

“Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of expression and opinion. Whoever they are, they are entitled to share their thoughts,” Taggaoa said.

He added, “The statements are provocative... Looks like everyone is eagerly waiting for the next articles [to come].”

Taggaoa, pursuing the conduct of a forum in 2007 despite being censured by Dean Lilian Gandeza of CHS, was charged with breach of protocol, insubordination, and usurpation of authority.

The forum, entitled “International Politics and Human Rights in Celebration of the Human Rights Day,” was held on December 7, 2007 at the Vath Library.

Taggaoa invited the Cuban Ambassador to the Philippines, Jorge Rey Jimenez, as speaker.

Gandeza, condemning the conduct of the event in her letter last Dec. 18, 2007, said SLU “was put in an embarrassing situation” in conducting the forum under Taggaoa’s supervision.

She said the forum was not endorsed by the Office of the [CHS] Dean because there were no papers submitted to her.

“The administration could have provided the ambassador the necessary honor and hospitality accorded to dignitaries had Taggaoa did not deny SLU of such chance.

Having not informed the school in advance, SLU has not been able to prepare proper welcome for the ambassador,” she stated in

her letter.

Consequently, Gandeza filed an administrative case against Taggaoa on April, 2008 at SLU’s Legal Office.

But the case went dormant for around a year before surfacing again. Taggaoa, who went on leave from April to October 2008, said “the case was revived.”

White & Blue tried to obtain Gandeza’s reaction but she refused to comment. When asked about the case, she said she will not give further comments until the trial is over.

Three-in-one SLU policies require the prior approval of the university president for any activity involving an outside speaker seven days before the activity and should be recommended by the college dean.

Gandeza said Taggaoa had only asked the Institute for Philosophy and Religion a form for the venue of the said activity. Her letter to Taggaoa said there were no other papers relevant to the activity.

She said she made clear to Danilo Alterado, former Philosophy department head, that she had not received any paper relevant to the approval of the activity on Dec.7 at 3 p.m. so she did not endorse it.

On Dec. 6, 2007, Taggaoa called the dean’s office to inform that V. Pres. for Administration Arnulfo Soriano has already approved the activity as of 5:30 p.m. On the other hand, according to Gandeza’s letter, she checked this with Soriano on Dec. 10. He [Soriano] denied Taggaoa’s claim and belied having been invited to the activity.

Through his letter on April 9, 2008,

education” as a “means for promoting greater interactivity, widening access to knowledge that will enrich learning, and develop skills in accessing, processing and utilizing information.”

“You should not study computers when it’s too late,” Executive Director of SLUIIEFW Ignaas Demyttenaere said. “Education is the future of our country. It must be quality education then.”

The training center was a project initiated by the past COE Dean Roque.

“It’s a reckoning memory of the past dean’s vision for the college. This (training center), I only inherited from him. I’m grateful he has ever thought of this,” said COE Dean Ma. Corazon Bomogao.

Of the six schools and universities nationwide with the said training centers, SLU is the only private institution.

“We chose SLU to be a leading center in the north, knowing the COE as Center of Excellence. There are a lot of schools in the region who need your help so you must be prepared.

Then you can train them as well,” said Dunuan.

“COE dreamt of the impossible and here we are in the realization of our dreams,” said Shirley Ayao-ao, SLU-COE Training Center coordinator.

Dunuan stressed teaching is a Taggaoa refuted the allegation, saying Soriano approved the activity after he appealed to him to push through with the forum.

Harassment Anakbayan, on their statement last Jan. 28, has called Taggaoa’s case a form of harassment because of charging him administrative cases despite his “aim on developing the critical thinking of Louisians.”

The statement further stressed that the case holds a “political motive.” ABSLU said it was unfair for Taggaoa since an Engineering instructor who was accused of stealing school property, was asked only with sabbatical leave. They said Taggaoa is active in upholding students and employees’ democratic rights.

“Isa lamang ito sa mga mukha ng paninikil ng mga karapatan sa loob ng kampus (This is only one of the manifestations of repression inside the campus),” Oconer said.

He also said the case rebuffed a venue for the exchange of opinion and freedom of speech among students and employees of the university.

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HTM students are only starting to experience new facilities while the school year is already coming to a PHOTO BY

RINA PAULA BURGOS

DIANA ANN BISARES

is veering from “indulging” in new projects simultaneously with the construction of the said annex.

“We have the Bakakeng project so we should not think of another new project.

Nagtitipid tayo (We’re saving money).”

Soriano said they (SLU officials) are expecting to hold the centennial celebration on both main and Bakakeng campuses.

A study on the impact of the existence of SLU to the Cordillera is under work and have been planned to be released before the celebration.

Also, Soriano, head of the SLU Centennial Commission, said the commission will be publishing a coffee table book about SLU’s celebration.

Other memorabilia, souvenirs, jackets, and shirts have been set to be launched before 2011. business. With the global financial crisis, it is hard to find a job especially now that the future is “full of uncertainty.” The only way to prepare students aspiring to be teachers is to equip them with the correct attitude, knowledge, and skills.

Worldlinks and FIT-ED came as a “grace” to train students and assure them a better edge in the competitive market.

SLU Pres. Rev. Fr. Jessie Hechanova also stated in his talk the importance of “maximizing our resources around” to enhance skills to be able to compete in “local and global economies.”

SSC Cuts... P/1 requiring officers to be removed from office automatically upon incurring four absences from regular meetings.

In an SMS interview, Alabanza said, “I have left my position in the SSC as Executive Secretary for personal reasons that need not be divulged.”

“Bosantog’s move to fill the position I have left is only necessary since I have left one of the key responsibilities of the council. This action is only proper in order that the goal of serving the studentry can be accomplished well.”

While she was apologetic for her shortcomings, De Vera said he was thankful for Bosantog’s swift action to remove him from office.

“I’m already a graduate and am currently employed (in SLU’s Student Affairs Office). Mr. Bosantog gave me time to enroll some subjects, but I preferred to work,” he said.

“I appreciate what he did (his removal from office) since he made an immediate action.”

Bosantog claimed he insisted De Vera to enroll at least one unit in SLU, citing the SSC By-laws’ (Article II, Section 1) rule providing “every candidate seeking an elective position must be full time students and must have been enrolled in a regular term or summer term prior to his/her election.”

In a small ceremony in the administration building last December 2008, SLU Pres. Rev. Fr. Jessie Hechanova inducted two students who replaced De Vera and Alabanza.

Angelica Mary Gamboa, incumbent governor of the College of Engineering and Architecture, replaced Alabanza; while Tayler Sayucop, party mate of Bosantog who lost the last elections, took De Vera’s seat.

Along with Gamboa’s appointment, Ernesto Dulay II, V. Gov. of CEA, and Fifth Year Rep. Xryztal Kaye Flores were promoted to governor and vice governor post, respectively.

Bosantog said Gamboa resigned as governor of CEA before taking her new EXECOM position.

“Therefore, no office was vacated,” he said.

Defending claims he appointed Sayucop only because he was his party mate, Bosantog said he had the executive privilege to choose whom he wanted to appoint.

“It (the appointment) must be affirmed by the Committee on Appointments.

But even if the committee will not approve, the appointees can still perform their duties. The affirmation is just ceremonial.”

Kuwaderno 9 to set off Feb. 19

HTM studes finally receive ‘delayed’ materials BY

RASHA FAYE TULAS

Nearly three months after their classes started, students learning how to bake in SLU can finally experience kneading dough on standard preparation tables and cooking their products on custommade deck ovens.

Even basic materials like baking pans and electric mixers, which were absent when the Hospitality and Tourism Management students began baking, have now arrived in their Baking Laboratory at the Gonzaga campus.

Jose Antonio Baltazar, HTM department head, said the delay in the arrival of baking materials was due to the supplier’s failure in making a delivery last December, 2008.

He said the supplier was able to deliver the first batch of materials early December but had not complied with their agreement with SLU to ship the second one the same month.

The university’s Accounting Office had to find a replacing supplier to complete the materials and equipment in the said laboratory.

“We don’t maintain a permanent supplier kaya may bago. We canvass for at least three reliable sources so the suppliers are changing,” said Evangeline Trinidad, VP for Finance.

“If we need it today, we give it today.

Ngayon dumating ‘yung mga materials dahil ngayon lang kailangan (The materials arrived only now that they are needed),” said Trinidad, when asked about the baking material’s allegedly delayed arrival.

“We have to consider the supplier’s

aftersay and the quality of the products, not just the pricing.”

Working on a meager set of supplies in their laboratory, HTM students had to use wooden tables and small ovens on the first weeks of their classes.

Baltazar said the delays were beyond the department’s control but stressed they were “providing students with what they need” and gradually increasing the supplies in the laboratory.

Trinidad said the materials are in good condition since there are no complaints from the college dean.

HTM, a three-year old course, did not have a baking laboratory before the second semester.

SLU turned a classroom into a bakery on the semestral break to cope with the growing number of enrollees per semester.

“There is no greater force in the universe than the will of man.”

And so goes the introductory text of Kuwaderno 9, the ninth installment to the legendary literary folio series of White & Blue.

Distribution will start at 8 a.m. on Feb. 19, the fourth day of the White & Blue Week. With only 6000 copies of the folio to be released, Louisians are expected to queue their way at the White & Blue office, Room 6, Student Center.

Revolving on the theme about “the will of man,” the 112-page literary folio gives the reader “an insight on the intricate theater play of the human mind, implying that impossibility is nothing when it chooses to explore its limits.”

“We (Literary Committee) adapted the good elements of the previous Kuwadernos, and also came up with our own concept to attune with its mellow genre,” said Marcel Lawrence Emil Agpasa, the folio’s Literary Editor.

Kuwaderno 9 holds a collection of 42 poems, 8 prose, 31 illustrations and 8 photo arts that all depict the curious workings of the mind when faced with the realities of life. Most literary pieces portray the different angles of love, despair, sex, tragedy and hope, among others.

Brilliant mixtures of shady gold, yellow, brown and red hone the literary folio’s cover art.

“The central figure of the cover is that of a ‘rising sun.’ It represents man’s Hope as he prepares to ‘face’ a new Day after the dark hours of the Night,” Agpasa added.

Kuwaderno 9’s cover art is created by Rod Valiente Banggiacan, editorial cartoonist; while Tristan Marc Mapanao art-crafted the cover layout and page design.

editorial S

Notice to the Public

omething is certainly unique about 2009 for the Louisians. Many may have noticed that there was no “Handog ng SLU” or the annual foundation day celebration last January. The first month of the year passed like a ghost. The usual “foundation day” madness was gone. Not all Louisians bustled with extra-curricular activities. The year-starter was gone.

Quite a lot of people pondered on the possible reasons why there was no such activity but with a rather silent response from the university administration, people quickly let go of the issue. The thought did not even linger in the students’ minds, maybe because it was not really a big deal or they just busied themselves with academic work.

But what was really the reason behind the sudden absence of the foundation day?

The admin had enumerated the following reasons: The exact date when SLU was founded is not known; second, the student and employees had just gone through a busy Christmas vacation; and third, it would be less taxing to everyone if the CICM and Foundation Day celebrations are to be held together. There reasons which sound pretty much reasonable. But, do these reasons really merit acceptance?

Looking into the deeper sense, there could be so many other possibilities as to why SLU did not have a foundation day celebration.

As we see it, the first reason is not valid enough to alter a tradition that has been followed for so many years. To decide to move the foundation day celebration is as good as deciding to change Christmas Day to any other date simply because we are not certain that December 25 is Christ’s Birthday. The second reason is just not as convincing either.

To have foundation day commemorated on January would be a good springboard to start the year, especially since people are still euphoric over the Yuletide holidays. And for the third reason, the idea of merging two big events in one grand festivity can very well portray a cost-cutting method by the Administration. Also, one event could be overshadowed by the other; to share the limelight on two celebrations at the same time is purely unwise.

The university had adhered to the “Mission to Transform” mantra in the past few years. The mission to transform should not apply to all.

Tradition has to be respected; change should not overpower culture.

There is no need to change everything for transformation to take place.

The past, present and future can co-exist with each other as long as there is adequate balance among them. And when that equilibrium happens, true transformation had really taken place.

Got any comments, reactions, criticisms or suggestions about our editorial & opinions? Feel free to contact us & send them to eveeyeung@gmail.com or info@whiteandblue.net

COMPILED BY

GRELLYN PAOAD AND LOVELYN BINIGAY

“What are your reactions to SLU eyeing to make the spot checks permanent?”

For safety, sometimes yun yung nagpapa-late sa students especially kapag morning yung scheme nila dapat mas marami ang nagpapacheck para maganda ang flow – Jonasan, Civil Eng 4 Annoying, na ewan kasi naturally ginagawa lang yun king may bomf threat so parang everyday may bomb threat – Jackie, BSN 1 Ok lang, normal na kahit saan ka pumunta may nag-iinspect. Saka mas makakabuti na rin yun. – Shine, Pharmacy 1 Kalokohan, kasi kahit may dala naman akong bomba sa bag ko di naman nila nachecheck ng husto – Steve, BSAC 2

Para kahit paano mas secured ang school.

– Andy, MedTech 1 Ok lang naman sya, pero I think sa mga security guards dapat ma-train pa sila sa pag-iinspect kasi parang madalian lang pag-iinspect nila, so parang walang kwenta – Mike, BS Marketing 2 Minsan kasi pag nag-iinspect sila tapos maraming tao, prang ma-lelate ka. Pero ok din yun para wala ng maloloko na may bomba. – Ki, Entrep 2

Signs and Wonders “No natural boundary seems to be set to the efforts of man; and in his eyes, what is not yet done is only what he has not yet attempted to do.”- Alexis de Tocqueville earning is becoming a thriving business. As I see it, academic institutions are turning into a scheming method of earning “easy” money by conning knowledge-hungry people with a promise of getting their money’s worth on the type of education they offer.

Sure, knowledge is the key to success in this life, but many have been so enticed by the idea of gaining this key that they have failed to ensure if they are indeed receiving all the truth they should know. Schools have been labeled prestigious or top-rating just because it has stood the test of time for decades, or it has produced much intelligent and influential people. Funny how everyone stereotypes a student based simply from which school one has graduated from.

However as the years have passed, students’ performances from these schools are beginning to dwindle.

The once high ranking schools are no longer providing the quality education they started with. Yet they would never admit there is something going wrong in the system, instead they cook up a way to expand their income by proposing and agreeing to an increase on the number of years of schooling.

I find the idea of turning college courses into five years curriculums somewhat ridiculous because formal education is no longer a preparation

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EDITORIAL BOARD 2008 - 2009 EVELYN YEUNG, Editor-in-Chief JOEMYLOU TATTAO, Associate Editor MA. ADORACION CAMIRING, Managing Editor MARYKNOLL MAGTIRA, Exchange Editor RAYMUND JAYE SANDOVAL, News Editor JOEYMIN BALAOAG, Features Editor PETER BENJAMIN OBIANO, Sports Editor MARCEL LAWRENCE EMIL AGPASA, Literary Editor VANESSA CAWIS, MADELEINE GONZALES, ELOISA FAYE SIMON, Senior Staffwriters KAREN BANGIBANG, LOVELYN BINIGAY, DIANA ANN BISARES, DIVINA GRACIA CASTILLO, MARIDITH LAY-AT, BRYAN KESTLER MENDOZA, GRELLYN PAOAD, RASHA TULAS, Staffwriters Technical and Graphic Staff TRISTAN MARC MAPANAO, Chief Layout Artist MARC ARRIANE MENDIOLA, Chief Photojournalist ROD VALIENTE BANGGIACAN, Editorial Cartoonist DENVER BIANAN, MICHAEL BENGWAYAN JR., Senior Layout Artists RODOLPH VALENTINE BAUTISTA, JEFF BOLA, JULIUS BUSANSOG, AARON REODICA, Senior Cartoonists ALDRIN AGPAOA, KRISIA FAE DE ASIS, JEFF ZAMORANOS, Senior Photojournalists BRADLEY ROBUZA, Layout Artist ROEDER JAY CASUGa, Cartoonist RINA PAULA BURGOS, CLAUDINE MUERONG, KIM YAP, Photojournalist ZWIESEL GAILE CANTUBA, Editorial Consultant MR. MARIANITO MENESES, Adviser

WHITE & BLUE is a member of the COLLEGE EDITORS GUID OF THE PHILIPPINES and the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CAMPUS JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES Editorial Office: ROOM 06 STUDENT CENTER, SAIN LOUIS UNIVERSITY, BAGUIO CITY 2600 info@whiteandblue.net, whiteandbluepaper.ning.com Printed by MJC PRESS CORPORTAION, PANDACAN, MANILA

*** “Hundreds may believe, but each has to believe by himself.” – W.H. Auden It is quite amazing to ponder on the

House of Wax

It is time-consuming but then again it is for our protection against violence that a bomb may bring – Grey, BEED SPED 2 Walang kwenta kasi parang di nachecheck ng husto. Pero ok din yun para walang nagpupuslit ng kung anu-ano gaya ng droga at laptops. – Jules, BSIT 1

for the real world but a gag that chokes our true understanding of reality.

Students are enclosed in the four walls of an institution, restricted from unconventional concepts and news idealism. Radical thinking is discouraged since it does not conform to the school’s principles and rules of law. I believe learning is not enclosed and limited to a few selected ideas on the contrary it explores all angles of a story and even the far-fetched perspectives of the most unpopular and unacceptable thoughts.

Learning is unbiased and objective.

I do not see the point of keep students jailed in schools longer than necessary if they could gain all useful and essential knowledge for survival through learned experiences taken from the outside world.

Schools may present us with realistic notions however nothing beats experience as the best teacher. We only truly learn by real life situations free from countless boundaries.

reality that no two persons are similar even if they are identical twins. Of the millions and billions of individuals on earth, we all think, act & feel differently in every situation we encounter. Yet even more amazing is the idea that we have been created in God’s image and likeness.

We are all uniquely and wonderfully made so no one has the right to judge us and put a label on us. And no one can be considered as a standard and basis for perfection because we are all imperfectly perfect. We have our own good and bad points, our shortcomings and expertise. And what is great to know is that comforting fact that we could live without having to please anyone when we know that God is not a judgmental and biased God. In His eyes, we are all an exceptional masterpiece, an awesome workmanship to behold.

Never live by other people’s expectations of who you should be.

Instead, live by being true to who you are. Do not shy away from the world when you know you have much to share.

Too many people let their talent go to waste simply because they have let other people stop them. Too many people believed someone else’s opinion that they are not good enough. If anything can stop one person to be all he can be, it is letting criticisms and discouragements poison his mind. Every failure is an opportunity for growth and learning.

Don’t stop dreaming and striving to make your dreams come true. Miracles do happen, even in the 21st century.

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ou only have two options on how to react after reading my column: either you agree with everything or you disagree with everything. No inbetweens. No “agree with something and disagree with others.” This is a whole piece and should not be dissected into what-are-true and what-are-false parts.

Like my previous column, I forewarn everyone who is reading this: anyone too onion-skinned may suffer heart attack. I’ll talk about something that is close to me so as to prevent the who-the-hell-are-you comments from sprouting out of nowhere. For us whom I’ll be talking about, I hope this will be a tiny voice for our silent screams. *** “Win, live. Lose, die. Rules of life.

No change rule.” –Ayla (Chrono Trigger) *** My ID number begins with the digits 206. That meant that I was a freshman on the school year 2005-2006.

That implies that I am now in my fourth year as an engineering student. And, as it turns out, I am also on my fourth year as a dormer in the university’s men’s dorm.

I had been an intern for the past four years and I had gone through several changes and events in the dormitory.

And in those past four years, life in the dormitory, as I see it, has changed.

Negatively. *** “Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

-- Helen Keller *** I admit. There had been times that I wanted to move out of the dormitory.

Yes, “times” is plural in that sentence.

Not just once, I’ve seen the dormitory not as a house but as a prison where we had to go by the “these and those” of the dorm while some, if not all, of us are wondering what’s the real rationale behind such things. See for yourself: one of the activities that the dorm had required attendance is the Eucharistic Celebration. An absence, as stated in the rules if I remember what they discussed to us correctly, would merit “disciplinary actions.” I am a Catholic and I’m proud of my faith. But I can’t just see why those celebrations had to be mandated.

I can’t even remember the church taking attendance during celebrations. Look even in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article III, Section 5: “No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.” Judge the facts yourself.

I still stay in the dorm, however.

Why? I have too many reasons and these and their explanations would eat up my precious space here. So let’s just settle with the famous “Basta.” *** “Lord, grant me serenity to accept the things that I cannot change; the

courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”

–Serenity Prayer *** There are reasons why the rules get stringent. I know and understand that.

Fact is there are some interns that go on with their I-don’t-care-about-the-rules attitude that forces the dorm masters to stiffen the rules further. And these interns, rather than fix their actions, tend to go wilder exponentially as time passes by, acting like kids. If you’re reading this, wake up. Grow up. Don’t just grow old.

What irks me, however, is the fact that sometimes, if not always, the rule changes are overdone; things go stricter than what must be and even the “innocent interns” are so affected. The changes, too, are made without the prior consensus of the interns. We are sometimes surprised that the dormitory rules we had signed during our check-in was revised without our prior consent or knowledge. There’ll just be a meeting where the changes will be announced. Comments, questions and clarifications? Ours had been “heard” but in the end, they were doused by some “unreasonable” reasons. I still can’t really understand how our concerted comments had been killed that easily.

We had signed a contract stating that the dorm staff would act “en loco parentis” – in place of parents. Well, please then, act like our parents. *** “The population parameters cannot fully predict the sample statistics as the sample statistics cannot fully describe the population parameters.”

CONTINUED P/4

OPINION

5

Deuce

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wo thousand and eight was great for some movies for they proved to be hits. Who could ever forget that ‘hunky’ vampire, Edward? No wonder a lot of people went gaga over Edward. I haven’t watched the movie so I’m not going to write about vampires or whatever. I’ll write something worth the space and hopefully worth reading.

Two thousand nine was off for a great start. And as this new year starts, a lot of great events began with it. The Australian Open (with which Rafael Nadal won over Roger Federer), the Barclay’s Premiere League, the NBA Regular Season, American Idol Season 9 and Barack Obama’s term as the fortyfourth president of the US. The latter caused the same enthusiasm as Edward did. He proposed change, a massive change that will not only affect the American people but also the world.

The Filipino reaction to Obama’s win was not as enthusiastic as those of our Asian neighbors. A lot of us seem not to care and was not even aware of

Obama’s inauguration last January 20; but we crave for development, for economic growth, for change. How can we want something we don’t want to work hard for? Wouldn’t it be unfair for those who always give, give and give without receiving something in return? It is absolutely prejudicial.

“In any case, it’s good that you’ve learned that everything in life has its price.”

It is only right for us to give something in return for all the things we received. If we want to feel the “change” President Obama proposes, we need to do the other end of the bargain. We might as well start by making our government system a little bit better. This seems

Vote PFI for President

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kala nila madali lang ang magsulat.

Bilang miyembro ng publikasyong White and Blue sa loob ng halos tatlong taong paninirahan ko dito sa loob ng Saint Louis University, naitatak na sa aking isipan na hindi sapat na mahusay ka lamang magsulat. Dapat taglay mo rin ang tamang pag-uugali ng isang bolpeng hindi nagtatae. Kailangan mahusay kang pumiga sa nilalaman ng iyong isipan. Dapat madiskarte ka sa kung papaano mo bibigyang buhay ang anggulo ng bawat istorya. At siyempre kinakailangan na rin ngayon na dapat marunong at magbilis kang mag-encode para hindi ka nasisigawan ng iyong editor at nasasabihang technophobe.

Akala nila madali lang magsulat pero sa katunayan, hindi ito kasingdali ng Tuition and Other Fee Increase (TOFI) dahil sa likod ng mga letrang nakaukit sa aming pahayagan, nagtatago ang isang tiyak na adhikaing mapagsilbihan ang aming mga kapwa Louisians sa paraang marunong kami-ang pagsusulat.

Magkagayon, maganda ring talakayin na hindi sa pagsusulat natatapos ang aming tungkulin bilang mga student journalists sapagkat inaasahan din kaming imulat ang mga mata ng mga inaantok na Louisians upang malinaw nilang masilayan ang nagpupumiglas na katotohanan at samahan silang ipagtanggol ang kanilang naiipit na karapan.

Matatapos na naman ang isang taong pananatili natin sa ating kapitag-pitagang institusyon, takdang panahon na upang salubungin ang paparating na school year at maghanda sa napipintong TOFI. Magkagayon, lingid sa kaalaman ng nakararami, hindi lamang bigas, pamasahe, tuition fee at langis ang nangangailangang magtaas ng presyo sapagkat pati ang publication fee natin ay waring naghihingalo na rin. Tumataas na rin ang langis na ginagamit ng aming printing press sa pagpapatakbo ng kanilang makina.

House of Wax... P/4 – Hypothesis testing rule *** I am not talking for the whole here.

I only got the courage to write this piece because of the side comments that I here from my co-interns. It’s either they’re afraid to voice things out, they prefer doing side comments or they just got tired of being heard and unheard. These things are my opinion. These are how I see it.

I also am not talking about the whole here. I know that, like in my previous column, there are some people whom I “hurt” inadvertently with this litany. And I seek forgiveness. But these are my opinions. Hence, I remain. *** “Look back to your past; then look at your present; and then look on to your future.” – Shaula Andrews *** I end my litany here. And I could promise that there will be no “sequel” for this topic in the next column. I already have a topic in my mind. Like the previous one, I’ll accept the comaments and let the “fire” I’ve created die a natural death.

I’ll just be glad that somehow, people would react – in either a bad or good way – to what I have written. As long as I encouraged an “intellectual discussion” with my reader, I’m satiated. Thank you for reading. Again, I remain. ***

For those who’ve helped me in finishing this column, I give my utmost thanks. Special thanks to mom, dad and AJ for their unending encouragement; to Gel, my warrior princess who’d been fighting with me through all the odds; to my bestfriend, Air, for the undying support; to my princess’ bestfriend, Klein, I still won’t forget those chili trips; to my roommates, DJ, Jonathan and William, for some of the thoughts I wrote here; to Evee, treat us when you graduate; to my classmates, Lando, Sheree, Daryll, Jed and Alphon, just a hi; and to those whom I forgot to mention but helped me in the littlest ways possible, my sincerest thanks.

Comments: angelofhell1028@gmail.com Friendster: angelofhell1028@yahoo.com

way over our leagues, especially for us who hold no office. But there are certain things we can do to help the “officials” achieve something. We can start by not saying “para po” along parts of the road which clearly says: NO LOADING AND UNLOADING ZONE. We can even try to minimize the rallies we cause. It’s not that I’m against those people who do this, my only concern is that, the more rallies people do, the lesser will the number of foreign investors be. If I ask you, would you like to invest your hard-earned cash in a country whose citizens do not trust the people?

We must pay the price – not always in terms of a legal tender – of the things we desire. Even love or friendship; if you want someone to like you, then you should like them back. There should always be a “win-win” situation, and not the other way around.

We should learn to help others for them to do the same thing in return. We should understand the essence of “equal exchanges” to allow us to move to the top

Nagrereklamo na rin ang mga punong pinuputol upang makalikha ng papel, nagtatampo na ang CHEd sa napapadalas na hindi natin paglahok sa Luzonwide Press Conference at higit sa lahat, nagngingitngit na sa galit ang mga Louisians na nauubusan ng kopya sa tuwing distribution ng Kuwadeno. Kaya naman marapat lamang siguro na dinggin at huwag ipagkait ang mumunti naming hinaing na” yes to Publication fee increase”.

Halos magdadalawang taon na rin naming binabadyet ang budget na nakalaan para sa White and Blue. Kung kaya, lantaran naming nakita ang pangungulila ng White and Blue sa suporta ng mga estudyante. Para sa mga hindi nakakaalam, ang pondong pinagmumulan ng ating publikasyon ay nagmumula sa bulsa ng mga magulang na matiyagang nagpapaaral sa kanilang mga anak ditto sa SLU. Ang bawat estudyante ay tinatayang nag-aambag ng tumataginting na 25 pesos sa kaban ng White and Blue.

Ngunit hindi ibig sabihin nito ay literal naming nahahawakan ang bawat sentimo na inaambag ng bawat estudyante sapagkat kami ay nasa pangangalaga ng Accounting Office kung kaya napakaimposible para sa amin ang makapangupit.

Sa mga Louisians na hindi sumasangayon sa Publication Fee increase dahil sa kani-kanilang mga kadahilanan, huwag kayong mag-alala sapagkat hindi

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kayo nag-iisa dahil sa maniwala man kayo o hindi, maging ang mga miyembro ng White and Blue ay nahahati sa dalawang panig.

Sa katunayan, mayroon din sa amin ang ilan na hindi sumasangayon sa Publication Fee increase sapagkat mayroon kasing pinanghahawakan ang aming organisasyon na prinsipyong kung turingan ay “ProLouisians”. Ibig sabihin nito, kung ano ang higit na nakakabuti sa mga Louisians, doon kami papanig.

Ganito kasimple ang komplikadong lohika ng aming pagiging Pro-Louisians: Magkakaroon na naman ng TOFI. Umaapila ang White and Blue na magkaroon ng Publication Fee increase. Samantala, bitter ang mga Louisians sa TOFI dahil masama ito sa kanilang kalusugan. At dahil proLouisians ang White and Blue, galit din kami sa TOFI. Ang problema, “No to TOFI” ang isinisigaw ng White and Blue ngunit napagalaman naming naipapabilang ang Publication Fee sa ilalim ng “Other Fees” na nakapaloob sa TOFI. Ibig sabihin kung “No to TOFI” kami, dapat “No to Publication Fee Increase” din kami. Ngunit, hindi naman nangangahulugan na dahil nais naming magtaas ang Publication Fee na binabayaran ng mga estudyante ay hindi na kami “Pro-Louisians” sapagkat higit kanino man, tanging ang mga Louisians pa rin ang makikinabang sa bawat sentimong itataas ng Publication Fee. Sadya ngang isang napakabigat na desisyon kung papaano namin ipaglalaban ang aming paninindigan nang hindi naipagkakait sa amin ang aming karapatan.

Ang White and Blue ay naglalayong mapagsilbihan ang Louisians sa pinakamahusay na paraan ngunit nais naming iparating sa mga Louisians na

without pulling others down. We should learn to see the quintessence of equality.

As long as there are people out there who so fiendishly think only of themselves, our beloved country shall never be able to rise from the slums of this world.

“Because there Is one great truth on this planet; whoever you are, whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.” – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist We all want change for a better life to live and the best future for our children to live. We all must work hand-in-hand to be able to achieve the goal of greatness and equality, and not wait for others to do it us. **** “Salamat “ para kay: mama, papa, ate’s adding, CAC friends (and foes alike), joena&ola at sa lahat ng mga taong tumulong.

Comments and/or reactions: doraish2@gmail.com

hindi nangangahulugang wala na silang tungkulin sa publikasyon sapagkat higit kanino man, ang mga Louisians lamang ang lubos na makakatulong sa ikakahusay ng serbisyong aming ibinabahagi. Kung nais ninyong mapagsilbihan namin kayo ng maayos at mahusay, kinakailangan ninyong tiyaking maayos at mahusay ang naibibigay sa White and Blue ang karampatang tulong na kinakailangan namin upang mapagsilbihan kayo sa pinakaepektibong paraan. Kailangan rin ninyong mabatid na hindi totoong lahat ng TOFI ay napupunta sa bulsa ng mga taong iniisip ninyo dahil ang ilang kapiranggot na bahagi ng other fees ay ginagamit ng White and Blue upang muling mapakinabangan ng mga Louisians.

Pinapalago lamang namin ang inyong ipinupuhunan sa White and Blue.

Kahit malugmok man ang ating institusyon sa bisyo nitong TOFI, isang bagay lamang ang hindi maaaring magbago at iyon ay ang katotohanang hindi namin kakayaning makibaka ng mag-isa lamang, kailangan namin ang inyong tulong upang magampanan ang aming mga tungkulin, karapatan at adhikaing mapagsilbihan ang mga Louisians. Wala nang mas sasaklap pa sa pagsisilbi sa mga taong hindi nakikiisa sa mga taong naninilbihan sa kanila.

Vote Publication Fee Increase to President! ****** “Kuya Madz, bili ka naman ng Knoll kina Dauz…eto ang pambili oh.”

-Ate Grace ****** 2080867, “Why kill a star with silence and uncertainty if heaven is just a snap away?”

-2076021 ******

The Great Pandemic

es, a pandemic of epic proportions is rapidly taking over the entire global community. It has unleashed its wrath on every nation, institutions and religious states. It infests and corrupts the host’s nervous system, and lodges there until morbid symptoms overcome the body. Not even the most advanced medicines ever created could match against this cataclysmic disease. For it is not of the bacterial, fungal or viral type – it is the infamous ideology of Hierarchy.

How many times have we felt its power infiltrate our living? Such demise is clearly seen in this grief-stricken nation. The National Government, the SLU Admin, church hierarchy and even hospitals – all tactlessly show their powerful crowns to every species below them. And oh! What a pity for these lowly members of society… What a pity for the common Filipino worker, the Louisian, the layman … What a pity for us student nurses – the lowest creatures in the food chain of the Medical Jungle.

The good-old organizational charts found in many buildings tell us one positive thing: the value of respect. Respect your coworkers and you earn their trust. But in reality, it is the respect we give to the faces found at the topmost portion of the org charts that often gives us the advantage. It brainwashes our mind to respect those Big Bosses no matter how unrespectable and disrespectful they are to us. By showing them your smiley face, you ensure yourself a seat for the favorites, while you get heir egos bloated.

This Filipino Caste system happens in some hospital institutions. In fact, the victims of this highly contagious ideology are not the patients but most of the medical personnel. From a medical director down to the housekeeper. From the great consultants, to the resident physicians, medical interns, clerks, chief nurses, head nurses, nurses and down to the student nurses! Well, that’s the kind of hierarchy that settles who could shout, command and insult the other. That’s the hospital life we must painstakingly endure on the way to top. And yes, we get persuaded to climb the hierarchical ladder of the orgs, that in doing so we submit to the Bosses’ every bidding.

By far, we (student) nurses represent the majority in the workforce of the health care team. We carry out doctors’ orders, assess anything there is to assess, and do the

dirty jobs – these are the important health measures that often go unrecognized. “Thank you” and “sorry’ are rare terms for the hospital heavyweights, and even for some medical student-clerks who make “utos” to us as if we were electronic machines of the lowest brand.

Hey, I thought we all belong to ALLIED health courses?

When the great consultant roasts a resident physician alive, the latter’s guilt feelings are displaced down his ranks. The anger stuff would all precipitate down to the Lowest Levels of the Hierarchy. Of course, that’s us.

Also as a student nurse, I often get the most lot from shoutings for being a maverick, an oddball. If you feel the need to graduate, well then you have to conform, conform conform! Stick with the rules, or you’ll end every school term finishing your extension duties and paying fees for it. “Attitude” matters, so they say. In this communist pink era, “attitude” equals discipline, and discipline requires conformity to rules – and that means you have to abide, abide, abide.

It’s good to have your instructors “remind” you of your stupidities. Hearing words like “third year ka na ‘di mo pa alam yan,” “ano’ng pinaggagawa mo” “huwag ka na magsalita, matatalo ka lang” “sige, IR ‘yan” and “nakakahiya ka, Mr. Agpasa” is a must for supreme learning (P.S. heavy sarcasm).

To excel in your field of work you have to start low, and (unfortunately) be treated low.

Sometimes, shouting and insults are tools that clinical instructors use to pierce your every nerve cell and to short-circuit your personality.

While many medical and nurse practitioners overfeed their egotistic selves, others are simply adorable for their unblemished personalities. One worth mentioning is Dr. R.M. whose specialization in cardiology exceeds the physical boundaries.

Even Residents R and G, and some of the medical students show sympathy to an admirable extent. But still, these people are

outnumbered. The Insensitives dominate.

Even the SLU Admin shows the symptoms of the pandemic. And for goodness’ sake! What is it again that I hear of another planned Tuition fee increase? Surely, an abuse of power and Autonomous status! Bakit taon-taon na ang TOFI? Ano ‘to? Annual TFI Celebration? May ribbon cutting pa sana ah, ta’s magpamudmod sila ng pera. My parents’ pockets have already been dehydrated. To say that the TOFI’s for SLU’s improvement is halfdeceit. I wouldn’t react like this if they ever bothered to fix our nursing facilities and the age-old Net Library!

Don’t we SN’s deserve a little respect?

Are we not worthy of the ‘services’ that we pay? Do we not spare these hospitals and schools from bankruptcy by fending them off with thousands, if not millions, of pesos from our tuition and affiliation fee? Where does our money go? (To think that SLU does not pay tax for being a Catholic institution) Where is the ‘equality’ and ‘justice’ they so talk about in their Ethics and Theology subject? Surely, they are all easier said than done.

At times of desperation, we lay on our comfort zones and pretend that all these horrible stuffs are just episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. By this way, we only make fools of ourselves. For all these happen in real-time, with no edits and Photoshops (except for the faces everyone wears when faced with the Bosses. Yes, we are plastics!). Who’s not, anyway?

The great pandemic is showing no signs of weakening. It persists to devour every mindset of the heads of offices, every room in SLU, every neuron in our brains. It inflates the heavyweights’ pleasure spots with just the right amount to fuel them in maintaining their ideologies. After all, it’s nice to be on top. And to those abusives on top, perhaps they might like to read Kuwaderno 7’s poem Deceit: You aren’t more intelligent by calling me stupid.You aren’t more respected by disrespecting me – you aren’t any better than me. Today, a mere student will teach you!

Respect me and I will respect you. **** To Joeymin Balaoag, for lending me his column space. For reactions, renz_agpasa_ 21@yahoo.com

6

Rolfing Down to the BONES BY

ZWIESEL GAILE CANTUBA

Dr. Prince is in Operating Room Two. He’s been in there for almost four hours already working to transplant a healthy heart to a sickly six year old child. With a scalpel in one hand and cautery in the other, he painstakingly gauges his able hands to make the heart beat for its new recipient. Stooped down low he continued this operation cautiously. This is his ninth operation for the day, his back and neck already in excruciating pain. But still he perseveres. Moments later the heart beats – “Let’s call it a day,” he said. “great job!” And he heads off to the changing room.

Downtown works Ana Williams, the svelte 5’9” inch tall model and interior designer.

She struts the street with her 4-inch stilettos on and works tirelessly conceptualizing on the new studio across the metropolis. By day she creates, designs and goes around the city talking to clients.

By nighttime she is transformed into a goddess of the catwalk. Later that evening, she drops on that velvet sofa and feels the relief of taking off her dainty feet from those savage stilettos.

He thinks of going to a massage parlor the following day. She thought of taking the time off and going into a far-off place away from the humdrum city life. He envisions himself as all too powerful, not to be susceptible to any form of infirmity – there are lives to be saved, of course.

Both met halfway to a center promoting not just relaxation but also the respite from their routine. Might as well try ROLFING! The Practice Developed by Ida Pauline Rolf in the early to mid-1950s, Rolfing is a system of soft tissue manipulation with the goal of organizing the human structure in relation to gravity. This method was originally called Postural Release and later, Structural Integration of the Human Body.

IMAGE FROM THE INTERNET

Rolfing is in some ways similar to deep tissue massage; however, practitioners claim that Rolfing pays special attention to the balance of the body in gravity, which sets it apart.

In theory Rolf theorized that ‘bound up’ fascia (or connective tissue) often restricts opposing muscle from functioning in concert with one another, much in the way water, having crystallized, forms hard, unyielding ice. Her practice aimed to detach bound up fascia by deeply separating the fibers manually so as to loosen them up and allow effective movement patterns. Rolf believed that an adequate knowledge of living human anatomy and hands-on training were required in order to safely negotiate the appropriate manipulations and depths necessary to free the bound-up fascia Rolfers often prescribe a sequence of ten sessions to “balance and optimize both the structure (shape) and function (movement) of the entire body,” usually beginning with the feet.

The theory is that “only by bringing peace ‘from the ground up’ can problems higher in the body be ‘under-stood’” Elements of Practice During a Rolfing session, a client generally lies down and is guided through

specific movements. The Rolfer manipulates the fascia until it can operate in conjunction with the muscles in a “normal” fashion. This takes place over the course of ten 75-to-90-minute sessions, with a specific goal for each session, and an overall goal of cumulative results. Some clients find the experience of Rolfing painful, but Rolfing has continued to evolve over the decades into a practice far more gentle than in its early origins.

After completing ten sessions with a Certified Rolfer, a client can expect to experience a greater sense of all over freedom. Better posture and improved movement can be expected. An enhanced understanding of how the body operates in harmony with gravity will be developed through the sessions. This new comprehension of the self can then be taken forward by the client and further experienced as a process of lifelong learning.

In a society that values a diverse approach to healthcare, Rolfing offers a tactile, chemical free practice that may be experienced by the client as beneficial to the whole person.

Clients who are in tune with the slightest change in their body may choose to incorporate Rolfing into their health and wellness regime.

Dr. Prince is back in OR 2, he feels energized, relieved and ready to face another round of operation, another day of saving lives – a new day for surgery.

The alluring Ms. Williams sashays her way on to her next assignment, another building to design, another studio to create – new clothes to model, and new runways to conquer.

Sources: Wikipedia.com, Rolfing.com

DECODE-ING HELIOPHOBIA BY

VANESSA ANGELICA CAWIS

Been having the Twilight bug still recently? Ever wondered what it’s like to be a “Cullen” being a vegevampire with pale skin? And who says that vampires can’t get enough from sunlight! Just like the Cullens who could have sunlight if they wanted to, a lot of us humans are inexplicably hiding in our shelters just to avoid the one thing a lot feared: sunny day sunshine!

So Mr. Sunshine isn’t all too good when you get the most of him; but are you aware of that one thing most people fail to know? In fact, our Mr. Sunshine here does well in a lot of ways too accounting the negative effects of too much exposure of it.

Still, ladies and gentlemen, our sunshine is our very own vitamin. In ourselves we are all equipped with the knowledge of the vitamins that we need for good growth, bone development and all there is to it in having a healthy body. But, surprising as it may seem, it is indeed a fact and definitely an FYI to all that sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D. Body works Our body can actually synthesize its own Vitamin D as long as we get the help from Mr. Sunshine himself. Believe it or not, the ultraviolet light that touches our skin is the main ingredient on how we can produce our very own free Vitamin D. Be reminded however that the ultraviolet light we are saying is not particularly round-the-clock friendly. The best sunlight is the start of the sunrise in the early morning up until 9 o ‘clock AM at the most.

Do it only for at least 10 to 15 minutes, taking into consideration your location and the time of the year. Mostly the heat that’s best to soak up into is the kind of heat that’s not pricking into your skin. So we are not talking here about literally sun bathing or tanning for that matter. Any more further than that can cause much damage to our skin since the rays of the sun gets really stronger especially by mid-day.

So it’s still safe to use your sunscreens or sun paraphernalia as long as you went past already the limit of the sun’s harmful rays.

Fear No Sun Researches stated from the Cooper Website say that taking recommended vitamin dosages may still have that person

lack sufficient quantities. Another stated research says that a lot of teenagers aren’t getting enough of Vitamin D because of too much radiation exposure instead from watching TV and surfing the internet.

Adults were also found out to be seldom exposed out due to hats and sunscreens with SPF factor higher than 8. Remember, as we age, our own ability to manufacture and produce Vitamin D declines as well.

Adult women of 51-70 years old and any individual of age 70 would need more Vitamin D with the additional supplements to sustain bone health.

So why do we need Vitamin D anyway? Strong bones, teeth, gums, heart and nervous function is what we need, isn’t it?

According to a stated new research, Vitamin D can aid in lowering the blood pressure for hypertensive patients, improve the blood sugar levels, control rheumatoid symptoms and possibly may be linked in cancer-risk reduction. As much as we knew it, it takes only a simple basking in the sun (at the right time and duration, of course) to help our bodies, supply itself with Vitamin D. Slip-on the Sun-days So whether or not you love being on the dark side of the force, it never hurts to get a glimpse of Mr. Sunshine above and get your daily dose of Vitamin D. Being the vampire that we are sometimes, it’s just natural to take care of our skin from much sun exposure. But we must not totally avoid it. Sunscreens, caps and umbrellas are still a must-have to protect ourselves, just make sure though to have your fill of vitamin first at the right time at the right place with the right duration. Get out of your daily mandate in the early morning and let the sun’s benefits get to you. Not only is it free and pocket friendly but you definitely get your best source of Vitamin D.

Long Lashting curLs ILLUSTRATION BY JULIUS BUSANSOG

BY

DIVINA GRACIA CASTILLO

MP3’s, iPods, MacBooks, Movie and TV show downloads, digital cameras, tablets, cellular phones, the web, etc. These are just few technological advancements that the youth has grown up with. Another batch of innovations is still being developed while some were introduced to the whole world during the start of the year 2009. Among these new inventions is an ingenious “gadget”. It’s a “television set with the intelligence of a personal computer.”

It seems quite foolish to think that such technological feat can become possible. However this was proven wrong by the inoventors of Inovent Inc., a new Filipino Tech company, which unveiled a prototype of an LCD interactive television (iTV) on January 3 at Fully Booked in Bonifacio High Street.

This iTV was named Ilumina, the first flat screen LCD interactive or touch screen television. Like a computer, it also has a hard drive and a multimedia center which enables the user to listen to music, watch and record television shows, surf the Net, and watch movies through Ilumina.

The making of history Inovent Inc. Chief Inoventor Brian Quebengco revealed that Ilumina was produced from easily available electronic parts — old computer parts.

They wanted to prove that even Filipinos can create such innovations and that we can stand a chance in the electronic industry and even excel in it. Eventually they produced a stunning television set using scrap computer parts; however they thought it disastrous to create a software program from scratch. This is where Dig It All Solutions came in, a software developing company specializing on open source software.

Brian Quebengco and Chef Marketing

Inoventor Mark Ruiz approached Dig It All Solutions CEO Val Gonzales to produce the software for Ilumina.

The Inovent team was an artistic collaboration of students from Ateneo, UP and La Salle which were stereotyped as competitors.

To Internity and Beyond The production of Ilumina’s stereotype costs P40, 000 and its retail price was perceived to be P80, 000 per unit cost. As of now Inovent Inc. is waiting for an investor for them to put the TV set in the market. They refuse to approach multinationals for this project with the reason that they aim for Ilumina to be produced here in the Philippines and bear the mark “Made in the Philippines” and for it to mean something to the world and to us Filipinos.

Ilumina proves that the Filipino people are more than entertainment but are also innovators and has the ability to excel in the technological industry. This marks another phase in Philippine history and probably a way for the country to excel in the global market.

Reference: sikatangpinoy.com, yehey.com manilatimes.com, technogra.com

BY MADELAINE GONZALES IMAGE FROM THE INTERNET

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And adding to that cliché is a very long and thick set of eyelashes.

And this takes more energy than you think. From mascara to perming it, eyelashes should be well maintained.

With the latest invention of Allergan (the pharmaceutical company that also manufactures Botox and Lumigan) you can have longer, fuller, darker lashes without any illusion.

The Hottest Innovation The Food and Drug (FDA) has greenlighted Latisse (the latest drug Allergan had made; likely as the Lumigan that has the main component, Bimatoprost). Latisse has an active ingredient Bimatoprost which is a compound derived from fatty acids that bind to receptors (Prostaglandin, PG) in the eyelashes. It could lengthen, thicken and darken eyelashes when dabbed daily on the lids with a disposable wand. Bimatoprost has been used by Allergan since 2001 in Lumigan. It has an Rx eye drop that lowers eye pressure in people with glaucoma (a

disease that may cause vision loss from damage to the optic nerve if pressure that builds up in the eye is too much).

Allergan on Latisse vs. Lumigan Allergan was known to be the pioneer in the health care and pharmaceutical field.

Its innovation of pharmaceuticals and medical products has been brought up since 1950.

Latisse is used differently from Lumigan though eyelash growth is a known side effect of Lumigan. Latisse is dabbed along the lash line on the upper eyelids to promote longer, thicker, darker lashes; Lumigan is an eyedrop.

Latisse as Itself Allergan recommends blotting it off any skin other than eyelid’s lash line to prevent the side effect since Latisse may also promote hair growth in other skin areas that it frequently touches.

Latisse, the medical aesthetic market place with a product approved by FDA, fulfills a significant and previously unmet need which increases the growth of eyelashes, making them longer, thicker, and darker.

It exemplifies our continuing commitment to developing innovative treatments that are studied in wellcontrolled clinical trials, manufactured to pharmaceutical standards, appropriately labeled for the use, and available to consumer as a prescription product. It is a once-daily prescription treatment to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile, single-used-per-eye disposable applicator.

As early as eight weeks of using it, users can expect to experience longer, fuller and darker eyelashes. However, continued treatment is a must to maintain the effect. If it is discontinued, eyelashes will gradually return to where they were prior to treatment over a period of weeks to months (average eyelash hair cycle).

IMAGE FROM THE INTERNET

Latisse, in the United States will be available by prescription only and is subject to all U.S. guidelines applicable to dispensing a prescription product.

To Latisse or Not Spending time, effort and money just to be “beautiful” has already become a fad for most women in the metropolitan jungle.

But it is upon a woman’s prerogative to do whatever she pleases – as long as these

make her feel good about herself. These invented products are made to help people build the confidence they need to please themselves and other people as well.

In the end, we could have these two options: to pursue with these newly invented products and make a better you; accept the inborn gifts or traits and walk through life in front of other people with just that plain beautiful self.

Source: www.latisse.com

“You will not die… when you eat of it… you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

MARCEL LAWRENCE EMIL AGPASA ILLUSTRATION BY ROD VALIENTE BANGGIACAN PAGE LAYOUT BY TRISTAN MARC MAPANAO BY

IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET

I

ts beginnings were simple, clear yet transformative. Its roots dated back 2000 years ago when a man named Paul spread word of a carpenter who healed the sick and preached about a Kingdom. They said He was born of a Virgin, conceived in a manger, nailed on the Cross, thus saving all Mankind with the shedding of His blood. His name was Jesus Christ. And the Filipinos venerate Him. The historic religious mass on March 1521 marked the advent of a new era of statues and crosses in the Philippines.

Christianity ultimately seeped through the thick foliage of the archipelago, bringing with it its majestic threads of rituals and traditions.

But along with its evangelical mission came the Church’s dark-tainted history.

What if this day you realize that the Jesus and the Church you knew are not at all what they seemed to be? Would you choose to leave or to stay?

Be forewarned, therefore, that for the closed-minded, the following could be disturbing.

The Secret Scrolls

Not many know that the story of Jesus’ passionate liaison with Mary Magdalene emerged when an Arab peasant accidentally discovered the ancient scrolls in Nag Hammadi, Upper Egypt in 1945. Referred to as the “Gnostic Gospels” , these 52-papyrus texts containing the Gospels of Philip and Mary enlighten us why Jesus first appeared to her after his resurrection, and why she was always present in Christ’s significant events such as the Crucifixion and the Washing of the Feet.

Two years later, two Bedouin shepherds also accidentally discovered portions of the “Dead Sea Scrolls” near the Wadi Qumran cave (now the Israel West Bank) in Palestine. They contained the texts of many preachings and miracles of a so-called Teacher of Righteousness who was thought to be Jesus. Recorded were the Qumran communities’ early religious practices that paralleled the Christian rituals.

The 13-page Gospel of Thomas also stated that “many followers of Christ were not in agreement on the facts of his life (and) the meaning of his teachings…” It spoke of Christ’s esoteric teaching, with Jesus saying, “He who will drink from my mouth will become like me. I myself shall become he, and the things that are hidden will be revealed to him.”

Has Jesus Christ long been trying to teach us these Gnostic truths hidden from us since the dawn of civilization? Is this the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve ate that led man to gain the knowledge and wisdom of God? Could all these secrets be the key to

achieve divinity?

‘Human yet Divine ’

Jesus’ hidden life when he was twelve to thirty rouses curiosity among Christians. Some say he went to India, Tibet and Egypt under the guidance of three gurus where he mastered all the esoteric wisdom and developed a kind of ‘divinity’ unparalleled in history.

Very often do we hear Jesus being called ‘human yet divine.’ According to the most esoteric leaders in the East, this simply meant that Jesus was the same as every human, only that he achieved his divinity after a series of about 500 reincarnations—all lives lived perfectly.

Even the birth of Christ connotes an uncanny insight. The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus’ birth represents God’s earthly descent to become human — the Word becoming Flesh (John 1:1-4). Jaime Licauco, renowned psychic researcher said that it represents the other way around — the possibility that man can become God, too.

Of course, the Church branded the idea as a heresy. But Licauco quoted John 14:12, when Jesus said, “everything I have done you can do, and much more than these.” Explains P.D. Ouspensky, “every man can become the Son of God if he obeys the will and laws of God.” This concept clearly sheds light to the ever misunderstood Holy Trinity. Like Christ, anyone who achieves perfection unites and becomes One with the God Divine, and is regarded as “One God forever and ever” in eternal bliss.

The Phoenix Rising After living its life, the glorious mythical Phoenix bird dies, bursts into flames, and is reborn from the ashes. The Phoenix is a perfect symbolism of Jesus’ reincarnation.

While in a trance, psychic prophet Edward Cayce unveiled that Jesus Christ was the reincarnation of Adam. He said that Adam who caused the Fall of Man underwent a series of reincarnation to perfect himself. For this reason, he became Christ to redeem himself and the whole mankind from original sin!

With his divinity, Jesus, the second Adam, was able to perform all miracles and teachings no human before him had ever done. So Jesus no longer needed to be reincarnated after his death because he has attained man’s ultimate goal — to become (One with) God. But before Adam reached his final earthly rebirth as Christ, he first became the

other distinct personalities of the Bible like Joseph (the interpreter), Joshua, Anand and Enoch. He was also the Great High Priest Melchizedeck, a friend of Abraham. Bible scholars even suggested Melchizedeck’s existence “to parallel the divinity of Christ.”

This was the reason why Jesus said in John 8:56-58, “Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see the day of my coming… I am telling you the truth, before Abraham was, I am.” And in Matthew 11:13-15, Jesus said, “… if you are willing to accept it, John (the Baptist) is Elijah whose coming was predicted.”

In this belief, man is said to be reborn to perfect himself and become divine. He has to live earthly lives well to accumulate as much good to level up his Consciousness.

After death, his soul stays in the Planes of Existence to reflect on his previous life. He will then judge himself, and will be reincarnated to undo the mistakes he had committed in his past lives. This is where the Universal Law of Karma presents itself – that every thing a man does will be done unto him. From here originates the “Golden Rule.” Mystics agree that every person will meet his Karma, for no force in the universe can ever stop it!

Nothing except our gift of free will. With it, one can do the impossible; even at the point of defying his Karma and refusing his ultimate divine path. It is absolute, “even God cannot interfere with it.” It is this powerful nature of man’s will that gave rise to Evil. Hindus, Buddhists, ancient Egyptians among many have long embraced these principles.

Personal Motives However, most church officials and Christians become uneasy when confronted with the concept of reincarnation. But 2000 years ago, the Christian community felt otherwise. Believe it or not: the concept of reincarnation was once a doctrine of the Catholic Church. So how and why was it removed?

It all started when Empress Theodora, who wanted to forget her dark past lives, bribed her husband Emperor Justinian (AD 483-565) to instill the death knell on reincarnation by removing it from church doctrines. The Emperor then called for the First Council of Constantinople (fifth Ecumenical Council), but his motives failed. After ten years, he again initiated a Second Council (AD 553) which was thought to be the most confusing and biased council in Church history. It ended with the approval of a resolution condemning the teachings of Origen, one of the greatest theologians who favored reincarnation. From then on, Origen was labeled a heretic.

Hence, before reincarnation could even

be preached all throughout, it found its burial place in the vaults of the Vatican City, in the pages of the Index of Forbidden Books. Locked with it were the Church’s horrid chronicles during the 13th century when it spearheaded the Great Inquisition witch hunts that killed thousands of innocent victims; and the notorious Selling of Indulgences by Pope Leo X – the reason why the first protestant Martin Luther questioned the Church in 1517. Perhaps even the Church’s attempt “to conceal the truth behind the Dead Sea Scrolls” would die away with the “international team of scholars” who studied them.

So Be It! Of course, a devoted believer would react violently with the abovementioned. But as philosopher Sir Francis Bacon implied, once a human “adopted and opinion he draws all things to support and agree with it” and rejects other opinions, no matter how much plausible these opinions are. This dangerous thinking is clearly portrayed in Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. Many are like those in the story who believe that only they know the truth, that their cave and the shadows are everything, and no more.

Jumping from one ship to another is not the answer. It is not even a question of what the best religion is. It is how one will live with it, to make the best in him, despite all its shortcomings. Reincarnation and all the abovementioned “facts” do not contradict the Church’s “infallible dogmas,” rather they shed light to it.

Before history repeats itself and reminds us of our precedent stupidities, it is essential that we keep an open mind to learn the basic facts in life. “In this way we can approach the Christ figure with intelligence and not with blind faith.” If not, our thinking might be confined with our own limited beliefs. How hopeless could we ever get when we realize that the truth we hold for so long may only be compared to a drop of water against the vast expanse of the world’s oceans…

But at the end of the day, what you believe matters less than what you act.

Therefore, as the Bible says, if someone wants goodness then he should sow goodness.

Source: On Christianity, New Age and Reincarnation: New Perspectives on Old Religious Issues by Jaime T. Licauco; Reader’s Digest Who’s who in the Bible; Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge; and other related books and documentaries

FEATURES

8

Boknoy

afternoon show, staying as a regular. He endorsed products. And yes the list still goes on. He is an actor. And yes, he is famous.

End of the Contract Two years, he enjoyed the limelight. Two years, he was a highly-picked star. And 20 years he was alive. Was it about love? Was it about family problems? Was it about drugs? Or was it an illnesss?

The silence that he left caused the nation to open another envelope of why’s. People felt the lost of another role model. It was sudden and the tears were concentrated as if every drop of it irritates his fans with a bitter tasting ice. Papers and boob tubes bore every hole to fit the missing pieces of him going west. People felt sorry and tried to blur the fact that he was gone. It is like a local Heath Ledger story. The only difference is that he left us with a mystery; a hopefulness to breathe the truth about the reason for his sudden goodbye. He was dead.

Journeying Farther Boknoy was brought back to Mountain Province where his body will seek the earth. His soul was cleansed by Caňao, a ritual. He was readied for a new journey. A journey after life. A reunion with the Father.

By Joeymin Balaoag

When he was young, he had a dream. Then he became a survivor. Now, he has become a name.

At 10 PM of December 06, 2008, Boknoy came home after tiring himself from playing online games. His Mom waited for him and shared a conversation concerning an emotional decision, which he should deal with utmost responsibility.

At 6 AM the next morning, he was found lifeless by his Mom. He was unresponsive to stimuli. He have succumbed demise and have come face-to-face with the Creator. He was 20 when he left.

Start of a dream Boknoy was born on the 12th of May 1988 in Butuan, Agusan del Norte. When he was still young, his Daddy Bobby and Mommy Mildred decided to go on separate lives and away from each other. He was then raised by his mom and shared the joys of childhood with his sister Vonz. After 13 years in Butuan, Boknoi moved to Bauko, Mountain Province.

He returned to the land where his race rooted from. He is faithful to God and very proud of his Indigenous blood. He is well versed with his Kankana-ey language and well-oriented with the culture. He is a Cordilleran.

A Louisian Believer Boknoy entered college and enrolled Architecture at Saint Louis University, Baguio City. He had walked through the gates of the university greeting the Enriquez brothers.

He had climbed the Vath staircases wearing the maroon-streaked ID. He had rated lovely ladies passing by Otto Hahn. He used techpens and finished Discussion of Theories on time.

He had passed quizzes and maybe failed some.

Furthermore, he also staged his talents at the CCA as a part of the SLU Dance Troupe. He was a student. Yes, he was a Louisian.

Pursuing his Calling Boknoy found friendship with his classmates Johnny, Moses, and Frederick. His

friends pushed him to audition for Starstruck, a talent search/reality show of the Kapuso Network. Carrying pure guts and unparalleled dancing prowess, he was given a ticket to Starstruck Batch 3. He is the first Igorot to join a talent search on TV. He is talented.

Surviving the Test Boknoy was standing at the center of the stage, holding hands with the other contestants.

His mind was pounded by the tension and pressure that the moment brought. The Filipino community loaded their phones to support him.

Celebrities anticipated his nearing victory. Fans came waving posters and tarpaulins of him.

People were screaming. They were anticipating.

Then, the envelope was opened. After long weeks of torturing his talents and attitude, there he was—the sole survivor of the contest, beating all of them. At a glance, he became an artist, a multi-millionaire, a talent contract holder, and a role model to his people. He became a celebrity.

A limelight survivor Boknoy was placed inside the television.

He was playing roles and captivating millions of eyes. He became a universal soldier, a hunk, a cutie, a god, a superhero and the list goes on.

He portrayed every role shining side by side with the famous and big stars. He became a hot shot and a high-profiled star managing to stay away from controversies. He became a leading man sharing scenes with screen sirens. He advocated a non-smoking campaign as the DOH spokesperson. Robin Padilla chose him to be his successor. He was a dance virtuoso in a Sunday

SILENCE BREAKS FOR HIM. GOD BLESS HIS SOUL… He lives on forever...

Mark Angelo Cadaweng Cielo. He was able to reunite his parents once again. He made many off- and on-cam friends. He eradicated the savage notions to the Igorots. Kuya Germs wanting to give him a star in the Walk of Fame in Eastwood.

He was a recipient of Guillermo Mendoza’s Most Promising Male Star in 2007. Candy Mag’s seventeenth Candy Cuties. He was a top 69 Bachelor in Cosmopolitan. Yes! Magazine’s The Next Big Thing, and one of the 100 Most Beautiful Stars of 2007. The first and only Starstruck sole survivor of 2006.

Boknoy is a Cordilleran, a Louisian, and a Star.

In the hearts of his people, he lives on forever.

IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET

:Gateway to

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting…”

HOLLYWOOD

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

BY

D

reams… A simple word that could change a person’s life for the rest of his existence. Some people consider dreams as extensions of reality, but some see it as their reality.

A lot of people dream of becoming a politician, a playwright, a singer, and actress. Filipinos are not exemptions. Many of us envision to become distinguished not just in the country but beyond the confines of our native lands.

Many strive to enter the world of glittering limelight and blinding flashes. They endure the pain of standing in a queue, the burning heat of the sun, the wrath of Mother Nature, and even the piercing comments of a deranged judge in talent searches. All of these they painstakingly do just for the taste of that ecstatic heroine cupped within stardom and fame. For years, these had been the path to “eternal glory” … But things suddenly went off the hook when aficionados discovered a sleek breathing space on the Internet called “Youtube.”

Broadcast Yourself!

This new technological fad features the undiscovered talents through the videos uploaded by various people desiring for an easy way to show business. With just a click of a button, your diminutive video exploits can be viewed by just about any person on the Net who is curious enough to peek into your channel.

Because of Youtube, a few Filipinos made it to the international

MA. ADORACION ALODA CAMIRING AND KESTLER BRIAN MENDOZA

IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET scene, gaining thousands of fans other than the brown-skinned kind. One, a forty-one-year old rocker and the other, a “diva trapped in the body of a fifteen-year old girl”.

Don’t stop believing After twenty-six years of trying to break into the music industry, Arnel Pineda finally got the chance to shine with an internationally acclaimed band “The Journey”.

On December 5, 2007, it was officially announced that Arnel Pineda, a singer song writer, will be Journey’s new vocalist; and after two months and sixteen days he debuted as the band’s lead vocalist during the Viña Del Mar International Song Festival. The festival was held at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater, Viña Del Mar, Chile on the twenty-first day of February.

After the performance in Chile and going on tour, the band released their first three-disc album with the new vocalist.

The album was entitled “Revelation” which contains eleven new songs, eleven rerecorded classics and a live in concert DVD film during their Las Vegas concert. The same album debuted at number five on Billboard Top 200 Albums after a week from the date of its release (June 3, 2008). It was given a platinum status three months after.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING Arnel Pineda, a forty-one-year

Source: Wikipedia.org

old father of three boys, began his singing career in 1982 when he became the lead singer of the “Ijos band” at the age of fifteen.

After four years of being in the band, he and other members formed another band by the name “Amo”. In 1988, Amo entered a contest and won as the Philippine representative at the YAMAHA World Band Explosion.

Unfortunately the band was disqualified due to some technicalities.

In 1990, Arnel Pineda and some members formed “Intensity 5” prior to the release of Amo’s one and only album entitled “Ang Tunay na Amo” whic h popularized a song called “Running Away”. A year after a talent agent saw Pineda and the band’s performance, and invited them to do a show in Hong Kong at a restaurant called Grammy’s. Pineda suffered from a health problem which almost caused him his entire career.

In 1998, they were invited to perform in Hongkong at Igor’s restaurant / night club after finally recovering from his health problems. Aftes a year, Arnel Pineda recorded a self-titled album with the Warner Brothers which produced two hit singles, “Iiyak ka rin” and “Sayang”.

In 2001, Pineda had the chance to record a song with one of the prominent Filipino band South Border which was included in the latter’s album “The Way We Do”. In 2002, Amo change their names to 9MM and continued to

play in Hongkong. Two years after Pineda and three other members recruited a female singer and formed band called “Most W@nted”. The band played at the Cavern Club in Hong Kong for a three to four hour show from Mondays to Saturdays.

In 2006, Bert De Leon encouraged Pineda to move back to the Philippines and form a band.

Pineda and the other members followed what Bert De Leon and formed “The Zoo”. The Zoo had regular shows in different places in the National Capital Region and in September of 2007 the band release their first album “Zoology” under MCA Universal.

THE JOURNEY After Noel Gomez, a diehard fan and friend of Pineda uploaded his videos on YouTube. Neal Schon, the Journey’s guitarist sent an e-mail to Pineda. After reading the e-mail Pineda dismissed the e-mail thinking it was a hoax. After being persuaded by Noel Gomez he replied to the e-mail and ten minutes after Neal Schon called Pineda and as they say the rest was history.

A DIVA IS BORN Charice Pempengco, a fifteen-yearold singer started singing at the age of four and began joining singing contests at the age of seven. In 2005, Pempengco joined “Little Big Star”, a singing contest purported by ABS-CBN. But viewers favored Sam Concepcion to be the winner.

A fan of Charice named FalseVoice uploaded her videos on YouTube and Ten Songs / Production based in Sweden invited her to record seven songs in

Stockholm, Sweden after two years of joining the said competion in ABS-CBN. Charice’s version of “And I am Telling You I’m Not Going” became a favorite on a user created content video sharing site. Because of this video she was invited to sing the same song on a famous Korean Show which earned her a duet with Kyuhyun performing a song “A Whole New World”.

Later in the same year she was invited at The Ellen Degeneres Show and sang “I Will Always Love You” and “And I am Telling You I’m Not Going” both by Whitney Houston. Also in the same year she did a duet with Lena Park on the song “I Will Survive” that earned her a standing ovation. On the summer of 2008, she guessed on a famous show aired in England which earned her another standing ovation. The Oprah Winfrey Show to perform “I Have Nothing” the shows episode of “World’s Smartest Kids”. David Foster, A famous producer invited her in a tribute concert which was participated by a lot of great artists. On July of the same year, Andrea Bocelli, a famous Italian Tenor invited her to do a duet of the song “The Prayer”.

Charice was given the chance to do more shows and according to her interviews her musical influences are Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Beyonce and Mariah Carey.

THE CLICK SHOW It is indeed great to have new technological advances which help unexplored talents and other greatness that are not shown. It gives a chance for those who are truly blessed. But people need to be cautious because with just a single click, it might be the reason for immorality and even their lives.

ENTERTAINMENT

9

W

ords and tunes in harmony, exceptional movement to the beat of music, and unstoppable waves of emotions. Let the influence of music, dance and drama take over your senses as we step into the multihued stage of the Saint Louis University – Center for Culture and the Arts, and experience Louisian talent at its best.

Showcase of Talent Not everyone is born with extraordinary gifts of music, dance and drama. When one possesses either of these gifts, he should consider himself blessed for such talents aren’t common. These talents are neither to be kept out of sight nor left to wither. These special gifts ought to be molded and shared to others.

This is exactly what the recently concluded SLU Arts Festival was about. Various participants from the different colleges took part in the said festival showcasing their remarkable talents to their fellow Louisians.

Voices The SLU-CCA Theater stood as witness to the Louisians with the gift of genuine music last January 19. Both students and faculty took part in the said event.

In the Student Category, the College of Human Sciences’ (CHS) All Female group impressed the judges with their choreography and so did the College of Accountancy and Commerce’s (CAC) All Male group .The College of Education (CoE) brought down their competitors in the All Male category and so did the College of Human Sciences (CHS)in the All Female category. CoE’s Mixed Choir stood out with both their common and chosen piece.

Jericho Namoro and Regina Galas of CAC impressed the audience with their Original Composition winning Best Song as Paul John Anecoche and Jade Bambilla of CHS grabbed the award for Best Interpreters for their Original Composition. Going solo, CoE’s Kalayaan Lumbao shone above the rest; while Chris Alvin Tadeo and Regina Galas of CAC stood side by side seizing the award for Vocal Duet.

In the Faculty Category, Engr. Jefferson Walcien of the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) went solo for the Original Composition “Together We Stand” that won Best Song and so did CHS’Agnes Remiendo, winning the award for Best Interpreter with a song of the same title.

Engr. Mark Juvenal Rosario of the College of Information and Computing Sciences (CICS) stood out in the Vocal Solo while the pair work of Jeremy Lee dela Cruz and

Nerissa Gonzalo of CHS made them win the Vocal Duet. CHS bagged both awards for Best Interpretation and Best Choreography in the All Female category.

PHOTOS BY MARC ARRIANCE MENDIOLA, KIM YAP AND RINA PAULA BURGOS

Festive Arts Frenzy

The

Safest Timeof Day BY

MARIA KRISIA FAYE DE ASIS

“You are my life now….” These were the words that made females (and males) screaming and giggling inside the movie theaters all over the country. All of a sudden, almost every female wanted to be Edward Anthony Masen Cullen’s Isabella Marie Swan.

T

wilight is a novel by Stephenie Meyer, first published last 2004, about a good-looking teenage vampire named Edward who falls in love with the only human whose mind he couldn’t read – Bella.

The novel was unknown to the world and to the Filipinos. However, when the movie teasers and trailers were released, books flew off the shelves in bookstores as the story of the romantic vampire filled the mouth of the general public. Figuratively, the novel became readers’ “own personal brand of heroine”.

Venomous Roots The history of vampires started centuries ago in ancient folktales of blood-sucking creatures. Every nation tells a different story, and some were even mentioned in Twilight as Bella searched about the stories Jacob told her. There was the Filipino vampire called the Danag, the Hebrew Estrie, the Polish Upier, the Romanian Varacolaci, the Slovak Nelapsi, the Japanese Kitsune, and the Italian Stregoni benefici. Each of these “vampires” has a different story related to humans in the respective nation. But they all have one thing in common: drinking human blood.

The first and probably the most famous vampire to enter the chapters of a book is the infamous Dracula. Created in 1897 by Bram Stoker, Dracula provided the general image of the vampire that everyone knows: sleeping in coffins, burning in the sun, turning into bats, living in huge dark castles with cobwebs and moats, having long and sharp fangs, and wearing long black capes.

Then came Anne Rice with her Vampire Chronicles. She immortalized the ‘damnest creature’ alive in the persona of Lestat. Her characters from the realm of the damned passed through the 70’s and early 90’s, more so when ‘Interview with the Vampire’ was made it into the big screen with Tom Cruise acting as Lestat, Louis, his fledsling as Brad Pitt. Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas made it into the stellar cast. Years later came the film adaptation of ‘Queen of the Damned’, third of the series.

Stuart Townsend playing Lestat and the late Aaliyah as Akasha the queen of all vampires.

After the vampire chronicles came other books about this famed creatures of the dark.

Although given this image, Stephenie Meyer had created a whole new image of vampires; an image that is more alluring and attracting, and more realistic.

Meyer turned the vampire world upsidedown when she created Edward Cullen.

Instead of the fear that old folktales and Dracula has introduced in the past, Edward became an image of perfection, especially in the present human race.

Personal Brand of Heroine The first news, teasers, and trailers about the Twilight movie came out in the midyear of 2008. Consequently, this became the turning point of Meyer’s novel.

When the characters were introduced, together with the actors who would play them, curiosity clouded the minds of the people. Also, they became intrigued and interested upon the announcement that Robert Pattingson – more widely known as the actor who played the ever-famous Cedric Diggory from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – would be playing the role of Edward Cullen.

Around November, 2008, the time the movie was released, bookstores all over the nation were found to be empty of the Twilight series, which consisted of the first novel: Twilight, and the sequels: New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn.

Readers from the provinces tried to look for the series in Manila or other urban areas, but their search was in vain. Practically all the copies of the series in the country were sold out before the end of the month the movie was released.

At present, websites have flooded the internet with facts and images about the books and the movie. It’s like those were not enough to attain the images of the characters and the scenes of the story in the

minds of the website creators. There are even fan fiction stories when they come up with their own endings or conflicts.

“I’ve received so many fanmail and e-mails about how people could relate themselves to the story or how it had changed their lives or way of thinking,” author Stephenie Meyer said during an interview about her works. Unfortunately for fans, Meyer is not answering e-mails at the moment because of so many mails she has been receiving since her book became a best seller.

Looking for “Edward” After the movie, girls’ cellphones and laptops and website wallpapers were filled with images and videos of Edward Cullen the Twilight movie. Also, group messages and quotes spreading through the text chain are almost all about Edward’s lines from the book and the movie. As it turned out, even girls who are “taken” were dreaming of their very own “Edward”.

This caused chaos and confusion in the minds of the male species. All around, guys have been asking, “What is it with Edward that make all the ladies (and gentlemen) go head over heels over him?”

Is it the looks? Is it the blond hair and the topaz eyes? Is it the crooked smile? Or is it the fact that he’s a vampire?

There are different answers from every person asked by this question.

However, one thing was common among the answers. As a general answer, Edward Cullen became known as the sweetest and most romantic guy that anyone has ever imagined. It can therefore be concluded, that it’s not just the looks that has kept the ladies squealing with his very “presence”, it’s also the words and the actions – the sweet little things he does for Bella.

All over the world, there are girls wishing for a fairy tale. Since Walt Disney, they have been waiting for a knight or a prince in shining armor on a white horse who’ll come and take them to a castle far away. However, since Twilight, they have begun wishing to be saved by a sweet and gorgeous vampire in a shiny silver Volvo to come and take them to his house in Forks.

It was because of Twilight the Movie, that Edward Cullen, Bella Swan and the other characters of the book came to life in the minds of the people. And as long as there are still book sequels that will continue the magical story of the vampire who can read minds and the human whose mind he couldn’t read, then the addicting venom of the vampires will continue to flow in the blood of readers.

ROD

Juls

12 O’CLOCK HABIT

JULZ

Graces Heating up the floor of the Jose Burgos Gymnasium were the Louisian groovers last January 21. Once again, both students and faculty stunted their breathtaking dance moves.

CoE student representatives’ ethnic moves proved best among the other participants of the Philippine Folk Dance event as CHS awed the audience with their Modern Interpretative Dance. CICS student representatives’ modern dance moves strutted their competitors down in the Pop Dance event as did CHS’ faculty representatives. Dancing to ballroom music, James Concepcion and Daisylyn Buliyat impressed the viewers in the Open Category and so did students Kevin John Allit and Mary Joan Habon of CoE. Emotion Flooding the SLU-CCA Theater with a multitude of emotions were the Louisian actors and actresses with their exemplary gifts in acting last January 22.

For the Group Stand-Up Comedy, CoE’s Mike Isla tickled the audience with his sense of humor and grabbed the award for Best Comedian. The audience was muted by CAC’s Allan Llaneta who took the award for Best Mime, and CHS’ “Abortion” winning Best Story in the Pantomime Category. For the One-Act Play, the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) bagged numerous awards as “Dakilang Ama Sa Lupang Hinirang” won Best Play and Best Script and its director, Peter John Aquino gained the title Best Director. Jaylord Millares seized the title Best Male Performer as Elynaida Carreon of CICS took the female counterpart title.

CHS’ “Estranghero” won Best in Set Design while the CoE brought home the award for Best in Costume and Make-up for “Tagpi”.

Standing Ovation The SLU-Arts Festival is proof that within the Louisian community, there are numerous gifted individuals whose talents are just waiting to be recognized. The Louisian performs not only for himself but for others. He does not perform because he wants fame but because his heart calls for it. More than just simple music, dance and acting, what makes the Louisian artist stand out is his heart which brings about every heartbeat that makes every performance genuine and unforgettable.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY JULIUS BUSANSOG

PETER BENJAMIN OBIANO, Editor sports@whiteandblue.net

Navs bat down Wildcats

BY KAREN BANGIBANG

After ten years of coaching, Joey G. Jocson and the Saint Louis University (SLU) baseball team grabbed the line of championship to defend their title in the second phase of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletics League, 4-3, from the Benguet State University (BSU) Wildcats at the BSU field last January 24-25.

Navs batted down Wildcats After ten years of coaching, Joey G. Jocson and the Saint Louis University (SLU) baseball team grabbed the line of championship to defend their title in the second phase of the BaguioBenguet Educational Athletics League, 4-3, from the Benguet State University (BSU) Wildcats at the BSU field last January 24-25.

Emerging from their first match against the Cordillera Career Development College Admirals on the opening game, 14-4, the Navigators made their way to another win against the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cavaliers with a score of 6-3.

Being unbeatable, the Louisians, , took another match against the Wildcats who, in the same way, didn’t have any lose against their past contenders-the Admirals and the Cavaliers.

Starting out weak Before the game, sweats are almost seen on the players’ faces while they made a last minute practice as the sun continued to heat-up the field and pump-up their adrenaline.

In the first inning of the game, the Wildcats took the first assault when Bryan Palao-ay fast-run from the hot corner to the home plate after the south paw-Samuel Bisec hit SLU’s Christopher

Lleva’s pitch taking the first point of the game.

Getting stronger However, the Navs failed to score at the initial inning of the game when they had a rough play as their three consecutive bats were all turned to whiff until the second inning.

The next inning gave rise to the Navs after Lleva took a circus catch from the bat of BSU’s Mencio Mellanes.

Determined to steal a dinger, the Navs started to improve their swings and their run production when Lleva snaps the ball high-up the air and swifts three bags after. By the time Amos Pumihic made a sacrifice blunt, Lleva came out of the third base and wheeled to the home plate grabbing the first point of the Navs.

As the sun continued to blaze, the Wildcats were determined to score another fourbagger courtesy of Jetlee Chinanglas after Norman Danglay’s hit.

But the Navs didn’t let the score continue to grow its gap when Reynolds Busain made another moon shot on Martin Rillera’s blast adding another score and making it even at 3-3.

Both teams, who obtained the same score, ended the five normal innings without a score from the 4th and the 5th inning. Due to this tie-up, the

game was extended to the 6th inning until one of the two edges the other.

The game would have been over after the 6th inning due to the Navs’ scoring position but they were double-played ending the inning with no scores from both teams.

Determining the champs As the sun started to settle, the BSU followed its direction to downfall when all their batters were punched-out and the Navs learned how to work their leather in making outstanding catches. Due to their outstanding defenses, the Wildcats lost their chance to score.

When the Navs were on bat with only one out, Ghlen Henson took the next bat and runs to the first base. He was followed by Karl Baybay and Rillera who blasted their hits and run to the 2nd base and 1st base, respectively.

Darwin Paycao sent a flyball when he batted the next pitch that soared to the outfielders which gave Henson from the hot corner to score after the catch.

Defending the crown Since most of the leading ace players are graduating this year, the baseball team expects another hard work in the next years. When the Juniors and Seniors among the team played, it was seen that they really stepped-up to show their years of hard work of practicing throughout their college life.

“Our win was really a surprise because it was crucial in the beginning of the game- but I guess our luck really worked again, I think if it’s really for you- it will really be given to you…”, Jocson said.

From the same team, with a slight change in members, the softball team (men) also bagged the championship from the PMA cavaliers last December 2008.

The team was also coached by Mr.Jocson with Pumihic as the team captain.

Navs eye BBEAL Golden Peak

BY PETER BENJAMIN OBIANO

After bagging the silver cup last year, Saint Louis University (SLU) Navigators ensured the summit rank of the 22nd Season of the BaguioBenguet Educational Athletics League (BBEAL).

University of Cordilleras (UC) Jaguars, who needed three more champs to tie the ranks, fell behind, followed by the University of Baguio (UB) Cardinals, Baguio State University (BSU) Wildcats, Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cavaliers, each with single gold marks.

Initial Haul The first phase served the Navs bountiful harvest as they topped more than half of the game events.

With exemplary performances, SLU hooked the crowned spot in Archery (M), Badminton (M&W), Chess (M&W),

and Table Tennis (M&W). In addition, the team obtained the silver rank for Basketball (M&W), Volleyball (W), and Archery (W). Also, bronze medals were awarded for Volleyball (M) and Sepak Takraw.

Meanwhile, CCDC nipped first in Basketball (M), while UC obtained first in Volleyball (M&W), Archery (W) and Sepak Takraw; second in Badminton (M&W), Table Tennis (W), and Chess (M); and third in Basketball (W), Table Tennis (M) and Chess (W).

Maroons garnered silver in Table Tennis (M) and third in Archery (M&W) while the Cards placed second in Volleyball (M) and Chess (W) and

third in Basketball (M), Volleyball (W), Badminton (M&W), Table Tennis (W), and Chess (M).

With these medals on the pot, the Navs grabbed the top spot for the first phase.

confidently that the Navs will make it to the pinnacle spot. Moreover, she said that they are banking on Swimming, Lawn Tennis, Dance Sports and Athletics.

UC, who obtained eight medals, will no longer be able to catch up as they have no more events left.

Teeming Catch Having yet to play four more events for the second phase, the Navs already acquired golden awards on Judo (M), Baseball, Softball (M), and Taekwondo (W). The Jags still fell behind with their champs on Judo (W) and Wushu (M&W). The Cavs on the other hand nipped first in Taekwondo (M) while the Wildcats snatched the championship for Football.

Despite having no representative on the boxing match, SLU Sports Coordinator Lucy Calagui stated

Change of Phase Compared with the team’s performance last year, Calagui stated that the players are now more matured.

“Last year, we have first years. Now, they already have experiences.”

Aside from their trainings for the league, players have to balance their studies. “We are banking on both brain and skills”, Calagui highlighted. Having no outside recruitment programs, she added that athletes should prioritize their academics. Players who failed to obtain a

Step-up to the Beat BY

People do not stop dancing because they get older; they get older because they stop dancing.

They move their flexible body seven days a week, the music becomes one with the rhythm of their heartbeats, the undying passion can be seen in their faces and the reward of happiness reflects every sweat.

Those are what true dancers exhibit when they start to work every muscles and joints throughout their body- the same energy that Saint Louis University (SLU) dance troupe exert every time they rehearse around the floors of a single room inside the Center for the Culture and the Arts building (CCA).

Dancing our culture Filipinos have always been followers of the trends and traditions of the colonizers. We are very much influenced by their way of living, one of which is our styles in dancing.

Our ancestors have their own dances, which continued until it took a new form when the Spaniards came to our shores. These dances that worked there way into the mainstream of the society

Next year’s BBEAL games will be hosted by Cordillera Career Development College.

When it comes to clothing, ladies should wear something that shows the body’s line.

American style ballroom requires a midcalf length skirt that enhances the dancer’s movement and allows the man to get his leg between the ladies’ feet. The gentlemen should wear business shirts for ballroom and T-shirts for Latin American and the trousers should not be too full to so that his leg line can be seen.

KAREN BANGIBANG

An art’s crack of dawn Dancing, in general, has always been a part of everyone’s life. Whether you dance well or not and whether your feet match or if you have two left feet, you can still enjoy dancing in any kind of music. And because of this love for dancing and this social involvement of people, Dancesport was born.

Dancesport is the most popular leisure activity known throughout the world. It is a competitive ballroom dancing that originated from western countries. It eventually spreads throughout the globe where it is danced as a form of recreation and entertainment. The word ballroom was derived from the word “ball” that denotes a social gathering and comes from the Latin word “ballare” meaning “to dance”.

In the western countries, 18th and 19th century ago, ballroom was danced in occasions by the upper classes while the working or the lower class practiced folk dancing.

70% passing mark are not allowed to play.

Calagui would want to extend her gratitude and appreciation to the kind gesture of the administration for supporting the university’s sports program. Aside from their scholarships, each athlete receives Php 275 per game.

“The victory of the athletes is also the victory of the University”, Calagui ended.

Aside from the BBEAL, Navs shooters and spikers also participated on the events of the Women’s National Collegiate Athletics Association (WNCAA) last January 29 to 31.

WHACKED. Navs better Benson Avelino aims to hit the baseball during a prctice session as Coach Joey Jocson looks on.

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include waltz, mazurka, polka and many others.

The privileged class, composed of Spaniards and those who have a blood traced from them, only performed these dances until the Americans entered the country’s boundaries. Americans have spread education and thought new music and dances such as Tango, Foxtrot, Charleston and Quickstep to the Filipinos especially to the children.

After three colonizers, Filipinos embraced this kind of dancing. They also innovated ballroom dancing’s style into something new with faster music tempo and extraordinary choreography. Up to this day, Filipinos still adjoin different twists to ballroom dancing that even the Westerners and the Americans, who introduced it to us, were surprised of the changes that ballroom undergoes.

Through these innovations, Filipinos were also known in the field of Dancesport. One of them is Cheryl Bautista Burke who became a two time Emmy nominated professional dancer and the first ever two-time winner in the second and third season of the ABC’s American version of “Dancing with the stars ” with celebrity

dance partners Drew Lachcy (Feb. 2006) and Emmitt Smith (Nov. 2006).

Moving as one “Dancing is about two people communicating with their bodies and responding to each other’s movement. ” One of the requirements of Dancesport is to have a partner using the required technique to work it on the dance floor creating artistic styles and interpretation in their performance.

Men are expected to lead in ballroom dancing wherein they should lean a bit in the direction that they intend to step. Whereas the woman should respond properly in every movement and they should have a good communication and understand each other. They should learn how to align their feet parallel to their partner with one of their toe pointed between each other’s feet carrying their weight on the ball of their foot maintaining a good sense of balance.

Basically, there are five main points of contact between the couples. Three points involve the hand where the man’s left hand holds his partner’s right hand; the woman’s left hand is on top of the man’s shoulder and

RINA PAULA BURGOS

the man’s right hand on the woman’s waist.

The other two points are the woman’s right elbow resting on her partner’s left elbow and the right side of the woman’s chest touching the right side of the man’s right side chest.

In the competition, ballroom dancing has two techniques- Modern standard dances specifically Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, and Viennese waltz and Latin American dances which include Rumba, Cha-cha, Jive, Samba and Pasodoble.

These techniques were judged according to the dancers’ proper body alignment, connection, speed, fame, posture, timing, proper usage of weight, ankles and feet and grooming. The “scrutineers” or score keeper then tally the scores every round until the final round.

All of these criteria are achieved with the right practice and proper grooming.

In the competition, it is also appropriate to have the proper attire. Starting with the shoes, ladies should don suede (leather soles) or a smooth sole shoe with a strap or a court shoe that helps making the shoe stay on the foot and they must always have heels about 2” to 2.5”. For the gentlemen, dress shoes with a relatively smooth sole or any non-athletic shoe are quite proper.

Working their heels Ballroom dancing also reached the doors of the Louisians. For one, ballroom is offered and taught in Physical Education 2 classes (rhythmic exercise).

The CCA dance troupe members regularly practice such dances as they compete in various Dancesport competitions of which they have been garnering different awards. Some of the awards that they gained over the years include a silver medal in the Palarong Pambansa in Naga City, Camarines Sur (1997); a gold medal from the Local Government Unit (LGU) Olympics in Iloilo, Panay (1998) and at the Ninoy Aquino stadium in Manila (2006).

At present, they are preparing for the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletics League (BBEAL) this coming Feb. 14 at the University of Cordilleras Gymnasium. With non-stop determination, they rehearse three times everyday from Mondays to Saturdays, 4:00-7:00 in the afternoon and the whole day during Sundays.

Two pairs from the 34 members of the dance troupe will join the BBEAL in the Latin American category. They are Jan Lester R. Panasan; Ara Austria; Hazel Domingo and Aldrian Esteban.

“Our forte is not really ballroom, we are more on the contemporary dances, but we will try our best to win this competition, ” said Ms. Rebecca Nulud, CCA head and trainer of the dance troupe.

One of the competing four is Jan Panasan, AB com, who started dancing when he is about 11 years old.

He has joined various competitions in his hometown-Pugo, La Union and auditioned in SLU’s dance troupe in 2007. Bagging fourth place in a Dancesport competition at the Sapphire ball in Makati was one of his latest and greatest achievements.

He always believes in the key concepts of dedication, motivation and the passion to dance in getting to your dreams and he also makes a way in balancing his time to study and rehearse in preparing in the coming competitions.

“Good dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion,” Panasan said.

JUMP-OFF. Having garnered first runner up last season, SLU Navigators are craving for an overall championship this time.

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RINA PAULA BURGOS

11

SPORTS

SLU Spikers cuff Rivals, draw First Strike

BY PETER BENJAMIN OBIANO

Louisian Navigators reaped the first harvest as they ensnared the University of Baguio (UB) Cardinals during the opening game of the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) volleyball match at the Burgos Gym, January 29, 3-0.

Early Stand Navs secured a firm ground as they tipped the first point of the set followed by a kill from teammate Ruel Soltero. The Cards were unable to retaliate until their contenders had established a three-point lead.

Eager to cancel the gap, the Cards initiated several ball returns, most of which ended in their favour, 5-4. Red player Jefferson Balbaligo’s spike served UB’s last point before the Navs blasted successive five points to increase the lead by five.

Though a couple of hits from UB’s Mark Tabliago opened a path for the Cards to overtake, it was immediately blocked by the Navs’ spikes and dinks.

However, a trio of missed and outside shots paved the way for the Cards to narrow the gap, 18-16 and with two kills by Nav Randolph Eguid, UB called for a time out.

Preventing the red setters from gaining even a point lead, the Navs’ attacks continued. With a strike from the blue players after a time out, the rallies of the first set ended in SLU’s favour.

Failed Revenge UB’s goals to even the match came into reality as they scored the first two points of the second set, establishing a narrow lead from their rivals. Though SLU countered with three strikes, the Cards retaliated same.

A couple of rallies enabled the Navs to reduce the mismatch by one until finally obtaining the first lead of the set, 9-8.

However, a failed serve from the team cost them their advantage as the Cards delivered an onslaught of six points. After a few returns, the blue setters were able to tie the score at 18.

As the scores neared limit point, tense exchanges were handed by both teams.

Spikes from the Cards were countered with tips and blocks, once again tying the score to 25. However, the Cards missed a return strike causing them to lose hold of the second set, 27-25.

Fatal End The Cards seemed to have lost

grip of the winning spot as the Navs quickly scored four successive points during the start of the third set. Tabliago’s kill marked UB’s first strike to cancel the gap. However, Navs Marlon Lopez and Migs Rocero’s block, along with Soltero and Eguid’s spikes, subdued the chances of the red spikers to catch up.

Despite another point attained by Tabliago, a tip down of four points initiated

by Rocero’s spike forced the Cards to call a time out, 11-3.

UB may have scored two points when the game resumed. However, a missed ball and a couple of outside counterattacks aided the Navs in widening the lead to eleven.

Despite the efforts the Cards made, they were only able to prevent the point gap from increasing further. With a downpour of attacks from Soltero, Rocero and Eguid, the set ended with the Navs unleashing a final smash, securing the top rank of the maiden volleyball game, 25-13.

Mark the on

Street of

momento

Beyond the Game Court

BY

S

ports – defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively. Moreover, it provides a venue for athletes to showcase their different skills, a place to establish one’s pride and honour, and an opportunity for someone to fulfil their dreams.

Many think that life today is difficult. Turmoil sometimes happens occasionally. Prices of commodities go higher than what most can not afford.

Apart from these, there are the difficulties of handling a decisive exam, a failing relationship, a life-changing decision and many more.

As a sports writer, sports sure had made me realize many perspectives in life. With the events that I have been covering for almost two years, I was able to witness how a team turned the tables and managed to win the game despite of a grim start and also the other way around – how a team lost their grip on the event that they ended up being stunned by their

disadvantage or misfortune.

Seven years after completing a treatment for a fierce cancer that he was given only a 40% of survival, on July 25, 2004, American cyclist Lance Armstrong became the first man to win the Tour de France, a French bicycle race for professional cyclists that lasts three weeks and covers about 3,000 miles.

Just as there are missed threepoint shots or missed holes, sports also reveal how one’s life can be marred by a single mistake. A failure to receive a smash might cost an athlete the championship cup or an unblocked hit could make a boxer lose his title. Just as a single mistake in decision making could ruin someone’s life.

Despite of these, I’m grateful that as humans, all of us are capable of change. Having been able to cover some sports events, the greatest thing that I am always looking forward in a match is the time when players are able to change the tides of the game.

With proper focus on the goal to win, shooters were able to score a point that reversed their drawbacks, netters were able to unleash a kill that deviated the course of a set and kickers managed to score a goal that changed the ranks of the match. Like the “sudden change of the wind” in sports events, one can still

“As a sports writer, sports sure had made me realize many perspectives in life.” adversaries despite of an advantageous starting lead.

It also gave me a deeper understanding of the different personalities one can see before, during and after a match. How hard it is to fight on the field of your foes or to lose a match on your own side of the field and also, how great it is to win the match with only a point gap. The scenes of triumphs and fiascos – these are the ones that really captivate me when I’m covering a sports event.

Watching any sports event, I’m always able to prove that life and sports sure have similarities. Many great things in life happen without anyone expecting it. Some of the most renowned athletes were discovered in unexpected unfortunate events. One of them is Cassius Marcellus Clay.

In 1954, Cassius’ bike was stolen while he and his friend were at the Columbia. In a gym, he found Joe Martin, a cop. Angered with the theft of his bike, he told Martin that he was going to “whup” the one who stole his bike. Upon hearing this, Martin said to the boy that he should better learn to box first. This event started everything. After weeks, Cassius had his first fight and also, his first win. At the 1960 Rome Olympics, Clay received the light-heavyweight gold medal. After years of triumphs and challenges, he was later known as Muhammad Ali. Aside from these fateful meetings, sports also demonstrate one’s determination despite of a severe

attain high peaks in life despite of a fatal blow in the past. One just needs to stand up once again, improve and move on.

Whatever distressful situations we are in, we could still live on. Just like Clay, who was able to climb the top ranks of the boxing ring through of the theft of his bike, or like Armstrong, that despite of a life-threatening event in the past, he was able to make a mark in the cycling history, nothing yet is too late.

One thing that we can do is to soar like the eagle. Eagles fly higher than most of the birds because they use the wind to move higher. Eagles spread their long, rectangular wings for hours and beat it occasionally, letting the thermals of hot air carry them up to great heights like three miles above the surface.

Sometimes, the best solution is to make use of our shortcomings to propel ourselves to the top. If you think that everything is too late and that there is nothing that we can do about it, then you really are lost. Think of ourselves as a pupa inside a cocoon. Supposing that it will does not take the initiative to move out, then it would not be able to see the beautiful garden waiting for it. *** “The important thing about a problem is not its solution, but the strength we gain in finding the solution” - Anonymous *** Thanks to God for creating me and the people that made great contributions in my life – papa, mama, Hannah, Pj, my relatives, friends, classmates, and dormmates.

APRIL MASAYBENG

ILLUSTRATION BY

JEFF BRIAN BOLA

Involves distinctive markers, needs a recognizable course and demands a proficient strategy. An art, a sport and a piece that completes our culture.

Despite the rapid development of technology, it is still possible to see children staying under the sun and playing traditional Filipino games. Some of these games are patintero, hide and seek, tumbang preso, “langit- lupa” and of course the unforgettable “hopscotch,” also known as “piko”.

Hopscotch, piko or buanbuan is a popular native sport in the Philippines usually played by girls outdoors.

Glimpse of the Past The term “hopscotch” dates back to 1677. It is a combination of “hop” which means a short jump and “scotch” which denotes a scratched line.

Although the manner of playing this game in our country might be our very own version, piko did not really originate from the Philippines.

Piko was invented by the Romans in Britain during the early Roman Empire. It was used as a training regimen for soldiers in the military whom they call Roman Foot Soldiers. These soldiers complete the course by jumping several times in full armors and field packs. This training was able to develop their body figures and improve their footworks.

Starting Orders Piko requires two, four or eight players.

Before starting, the players must each look for their markers or the “pamato.” These could be stones, pieces of broken tiles, coins, shells or even bean bags. The markers will mark the square where the player last left off and will serve as the weapon to play the game.

Then, a court or a course must be laid out. The players draw the course in a spacious area usually on a pavement or in the dirt of a playground using a chalk or a charcoal. Designs of the courts vary on the desires of the players.

Commonly, it is a series of side- byside vertically-numbered squares. The course ends with a “safe” or a “home” base. This base may be a square, a rectangle or a semi- circle.

The players must then choose who will have the first turn. First, the players stand behind the edge of the course and each one throws his or her pamato. The player who succeeds in throwing the pamato nearest to the place that is agreed upon will have the first play. The second nearest is next and so on.

Moving Forward A typical game of piko has two parts. For the first part, the first player will toss the pamato into the first square. The pamato must land within the right square and must not touch the line or bounce out of the course. Then, the player will hop through the course while avoiding jumping on the square where the marker is. The squares marked as “safe” or “home” may be jumped in with both feet landing on the designated squares without penalty.

After completing this procedure, the player will continue his turn but this time tossing it to the square number two repeating the pattern and so on.

If the player loses his balance, misses a square or steps on the line while hopping, he will forfeit his game and the next player will have his turn.

If the other players make a mistake, the first player will resume his turn where he last left off. The player who completes this pattern first for every numbered square will readily move on to the next part of the game.

For the second part of the game, the player jumps with his right foot on the right square and his left foot on the left square. He does this with his eyes closed or looking towards the sky. At every jump, he asks “Have I stepped on the line?” or for Filipinos, it is commonly “Step?” the other players will respond with a “yes” or a “no.” If the player steps on the line, the other players will have their turn.

The number of times this procedure is done depends on the agreement of the players. The player who finishes the first and second parts first is the winner.

A typical piko game has only two parts though for some, it could reach until three to four.

Piko Variety Piko is not only engraved in the culture of the Philippines but also in different countries.

In France, piko is known as “Escargot,” which means snail, or “La Marelle Ronde,” meaning round hopscotch. French children play it on a spiral course. The players must hop to the center of the spiral and back out again.

A player marks one square with his initials or whatever he likes to draw and from then on he may jump in that square with two feet.

All other players must skip the marked square. If all squares are marked and no one can reach the center, that is the time that the game ends. The player who owns the most squares is considered the winner.

“Laylay” is the Persian name of the game. In Iran, the most common form of Laylay is based on the older Western type.

This uses six or more side- by- side vertically-numbered squares. The player must kick his marker to the next square as he is hopping. If the player’s foot or marker land on the line, the player will lose his turn.

In Germany and Austria, it is called “Himmel und Holle,” which means Heaven and Hell.

The first square is called “Erde” meaning Earth, the second to the last square “Holle” and the last one “Himmel.” In this game, the square marked as holle or hell is skipped.

Indians call this game as “Kith- kith” or “Ekhat- Dukhat” which means one two houses. In Andhra Pradesh, a Telugu–speaking state, it is called “chikkid- billa.”

Chikkid means chalk borders and billa means coin or marker.

In Poland, it is a wellknown children’s game called as “Klasy” which means classes. In Russia and other Russian- speaking countries it is called “knaccuku” meaning classrooms. It is known as “Bebeleche” in Mexico meaning baby milk. In Malaysia, it is called “Tengteng,” while in New York it is called “Potsy” Playing a native sport develops physical and social skills. It does not only provide immeasurable joy but it allows us to revive our culture.