The Work Tabloid (Vol. 68 Issue No. 2) by The Work

Leni talks on people participation Follow story on p.2

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“Let HR do teachers evaluation” Follow story on p.10

MEMBER: COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES ■ VOL. 68 NO. 2 ■ JULY - AUGUST 2016

POLL: Students miss Digong’s first report By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig and Francis Ethan A. Garcia

1 OUT OF 7 WHO WATCHED WAS NOT SATISFIED

A recently conducted The Work survey showed that most students in the university were not aware of the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte at Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City on July 25. Based on a sample size of students of 391, there were only 99 people or more than 25% who watched the speech.

Most of the students who did not witness the SONA reasoned out that there are classes on that day while some aren’t actually aware that Duterte already had his first report. Yet, few made time to watch it on social media to know Duterte’s speech while others watched it because their professors and instructors required them to make narrative reports and reflection papers. Duterte’s hour and a half speech

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TSU satisfies int’l standards

By Joan Robin T. Martinez

Tarlac State University (TSU) makes another step towards the attainment of its ultimate vision to be a premier university in the Asia-Pacific region as it has been awarded the Integrated Management System (IMS) Certification on August 5. TSU is the first state university in

the Philippines to be granted with the compliance certificate. The IMS certification is given to facilities that adhere to standards on quality, environmental, health and safety management. TSU received certificates for Quality Management (ISO 9001:2015), Environment Management (ISO

14001:2015,) and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS 18001:2007) international standards. The goal of IMS certification is for an organization to standardize its operations to assure customer satisfaction. It focuses on the

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I CAN SELL MY NAME

LITERARY >>16

THE OFFSPRINGS OF MASALASA CREEK

DEVCOMM >>18

FEATURES >>12

A Local Tourist’s Blueprint to Tarlac

Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines

Nation’s best harvests include TSUian crop

By Oliver John S. Tabaquero A College of Science alumnus has successfully became the very first TSUian to bring the name of the school in the nationwide search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP). Mark Anthony Lim, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry graduate, joins the roster of 30 student qualifiers from 91 nominations from different higher education institutions for the final leg of the prestigious search. The national screening assembly was held on August 6 in Mandaluyong City. Lim formerly represented Tarlac State University and hailed among the 10 best students of TOSP Central Luzon batch

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Lim. Photo from TOSP R3ACH

‘Purging’ drama yet to end By Dan G. Obligacion and Francis Ethan A. Garcia

Basic Art Materials. Protesters from the August 9 campaign marched with their cartolinas and katsa towards Gate III of Tarlac State University as part of their program to call the attention of the administration and plea for the ultimate junking of the “purging.” Photo by Aira S. Pinpin

Despite the appeals of several progressive groups who have organized a back-to-school picket, the university administration will still push through with the implementation of the long standing policy in kicking nonpaying students from the official registration,dubbed as “purging.” Now, student activists are making a vow to continue their fight as they spread leaflets saying “we will not bow down.” Back-to-school protest Students mostly from College of Education and College of Arts and Social Sciences joined the public demonstration 11 a.m. on August 9 in front of the Main

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TSU suspends retention exam By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig and Dan G. Obligacion

MORE INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Liquidation reports in just 5 days >> 3 FACEBOOK.COM/THEWORK

Bigger clinic separates men from women >> 3

INSTAGRAM.COM/THEWORK.PUB

Flooded campus burdens TSUians >> 4

TWITTER.COM/THEWORKTSU

In an afternoon assembly between the administration, and the affected students and their parents on August 9 after rally, Dean Dr. Julieta Lagasca announced the suspension of the retention examination in College of Education (COEd) for this academic year. University president Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari suggested COEd administrators to suspend college retention exam (CRE).

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THE

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JULY - AUGUST 2016

Leni talks on people participation Vice President Leni Robredo during the Tarlac Citizen’s Summit in the Provincial Capitol of Tarlac. Photo by Audrey Del Rosario

Tells Tarlaqueños to look at Jesse’s steps By Jahred F. Bertolfo Vice President “Leni” Robredo during her talk in Tarlac Citizens’ Summit, August 27, emphasized that people’s participation is important in governance. Themed “No One is Left Behind in a United Tarlac”, the event held at the Provincial Capitol building aims to promote unity and urge guests to help the unfortunate and less-privileged Tarlaquenos. The summit was attended by government officials and agents, church leaders, officials of the academe and student leaders, business and professional group members. In her speech, VP Leni exemplified the governance of his late husband, Jesse Robredo, in Naga City, Camarines

Ten Outstanding Students of PH From p.1 “Lakbay” during the awarding ceremony at Officer’s Club Airforce City, Clark Airbase, Pampanga on May 30. Lim proved his academic excellence after receiving a Chemistry degree with an overall general weighted average of 1.49 enabling him to march as Cum Laude. He served as governor of College of Science in 2014. But he also had a knack for writing, as he likewise took the mantle of being editor-in-chief of their college student publication, The Fusion, in his last year of stay. Lim, as a student leader, was given chances to participate and represent the university in big conventions and conferences such as the 10th Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit and 3rd ASEAN Youth Leaders Association Advocacy Camp. The annual TOSP is a joint project of the RMF Foundation, Inc. and partners. It aims to showcase graduating college students who have made a difference in their own respective alma maters and communities thru being an epitome of character. The search will conduct a final formation, named TOSP National Program week which is dated in November. The final TOSP contenders will be awarded at the Malacañang Palace. Less expectations Lim said that vying in TOSP was never one of his priorities. Lim declined his school nomination at first for he was focusing on his thesis back then. What

made him change his mind later on was that others look up to him, saying that he has potential. The TSUian alumnus added that he was intimidated as he saw thicker bid books of his fellow contenders. “Kasi sa screening, bid book lang muna ‘yong basehan. Wala pang interview. Hindi ako handa noon kaya di ko ine-expect,” Lim explained. In the regional formation’s panel interview, he said that everyone deserves to be called outstanding given the fact that they are all on the same level. Lim during that time expressed that he sees himself after 10 years with doctorate degree. After the regional level, Lim was not expecting for a national recognition, saying he was already satisfied with what he achieved. He decided to commit his time and efforts on the Chemists’ Board Exam. “Hindi ko na pinag-pray ‘yong national ng TOSP,” Lim stated. Lim said that the panel of national are much compelling. “Dalawa ‘yong kailangan kong patunayan. Una, board exam. Pangalawa, mabigyan ng kaunaunahang ‘TOSPian’ ang TSU. Nakaka-pressure. Pero siguro normal na ‘yon kasi one step away na lang,” the TSUian pride said. As for aspiring TOSPians, Lim said that be true to yourself and let it come to you. “Maganda siyang pangarapin pero pangarapin mo nang may dignidad,” Lim ended.

Sur which according to her was really anchored by people’s participation. “This is the very essence of why we are here—to explore avenues for partnerships between the private sectors and government. The core really of everything we did in Naga was to treat ordinary citizens not as beneficiaries but as partners in development,” Robredo emphasized. She added that when government treats the ordinary people as part of all its success, they would feel as stakeholders and not just as recipients of support. Civic group Vessels of Humanity Foundation, with Chairman Jesse Cruz, organized the summit. Meanwhile, Francis Zakhary Falo, founding president of Vessels of Humanity organization in Tarlac State University,

expressed his appreciation to Robredo’s speech. “Malaki ‘yong naging impact dahil nai-pares niya ‘yong gusto naming makita do’n sa mga tao. Kasi ang ipinakita niya is kung paano ba naging matapat ‘yong asawa niya sa pagtulong sa ibang tao,” Falo stated. [It made a great impact because she was able to compare with what we want to see with the people. Because what she showed is how her husband became loyal in serving other people.] Falo said that the summit was their first move in realizing their advocacy of helping and improving the lives of the poor. He added that come November, they will check out the residents along Tarlac Dike and attend to their needs.

CAT applicants down to 200 By Creisha S. Dimabayao From almost 9,000 last year, the number of College Admission Test (CAT) applicants has dropped to approximately 200 this year due to the implementation of the Kindergarten to 12 (K-12) curriculum. The test was held on June 19 and July 3 for high school graduates of batch 2015. Transferees from other schools were also required to take the exam. The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12 years of basic education including six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School. This is to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship, according to Official Gazette. For academic year 2016-2017 the only undergraduate programs opened for CAT application are the following: Bachelor of Arts in Communication (College of Arts and Social Sciences), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (College of Business and Accountancy),

BS Information Technology (College of Computer Studies), BS Industrial Engineering (College of Engineering), and BEEd General Curriculum (College of Education). A maximum of two sections were opened for each program. The admission test started during late 90’s as a result of increasing population in the school. It was designed to identify whether the applicant is fitted to take up his/her chosen. Sicat said, if the applicant wasn’t able to reach the passing rate of chosen course, the university will offer other options that fit the result of his/her exam. The test was also done as an act of compliance to the suggestion of Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, an accrediting body for higher education institutions. The content of the examination set came from Philippine Psychological Corporation. It was an Aptitude Test that primarily determines the future academic performance of an individual. The examination papers were manually checked by the staff of University Testing Center with the assistance of intern Psychology students of Tarlac State University. According to University Testing

Center Director Dr. Rodrigo Sicat, machines were too expensive and the university doesn’t have the ability yet to provide some. Less enrollees Sicat said that it would be hard for the university to accumulate large number of students in the coming years not only because of the K-12 but because nearby state universities and colleges such as Tarlac Agricultural University and Mabalacat City College were planning to offer more courses and programs. Admission test The top passer of the college admission test is not an automatic scholar of the university, nor receives any incentive but should undergo the process of scholarship application. Meanwhile, CAT applicants are required to bring original copies and photocopies of Form 138, Certificate of Good Moral Character, Authenticated Birth Certificate, and Authenticated Marriage Certificate (for female married students) as well as two pieces passport size picture (with name tag). A non-refundable testing fee of P300.00 shall be paid at the university cashier.

Library access goes 24/7 By Gianne Merielle P. Gonzales Tarlac State University is ready to say hello for a 24/7 online access to the library collections. The library unit is now in the process of installing “Follett Destiny” software, which will enhance the current Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) used in searching the availability of books in the three campuses’ libraries. Destiny is a library management system that provides students in the university with 24-hour, seven-day access through any web browser anywhere. A free mobile application will be given to students who wish to visit the Main, Jose V. Yap and San Isidro libraries.

Destiny replaced previous “Melissa” software. Installed last school year, Online Public Access Catalog is an online bibliography of the library collection. This automated scheme replaced the traditional card catalogs. The basic catalog features such as book titles, author, and subject are all stored and accessed using the library computer. Unfortunately, because of the series of accreditations in TSU, the application of Destiny has been delayed from its original plan. Librarians are working to finish its encoding this 2016. Director Virginia Ancheta during the onset of OPAC last year said students

will have faster and easier access with the books they need. Other upgrades In Lucinda, the first priority will be the renovation of the facilities of Jose V. Yap Library for more upgrades and seating capacity for the students. On the other hand, considering the students of Architecture and Fine Arts, San Isidro (SI) Library will be relocated on its first floor for bigger space, and new equipment and furniture will be provided. The campus collections in the library of College of Computer Science will be transferred to the new library of San Isidro.

NEWS

JULY - AUGUST 2016

OSA dean eyes liquidations in 5 days

By Dan G. Obligacion

The Office of the Student Affairs (OSA) is now looking for the possibility of a 5-working day “liquidation” period for student councils and publications to settle their cash advances from their funds. Ed Lauren Guiang, officer in-charge with the fund management of these organizations, said the OSA dean wants to change what has been a “routine for student leadership.” However, there are still no papers on the proposal. Dean Dr. Rex Igoy said this is not final and they have to still consider the nature of different student activities. In the old policy, student officers must file a liquidation report within 30 working days from the end date of their activities such as seminars, intramurals, and college days. Guiang said it takes a month or two for these organizations to liquidate cash advances taken from their respective Development Bank of the Philippines accounts. He said the worst was a 3-month long dilemma. He explained some officers are making the 30-day policy an excuse not to

do their responsibilities immediately. Liquidation reports serves as documentation of how organizations spent their fund taken from enrolment collections. These documentary reports provide summary of related expenses coupled with evidences of transaction and participation such as official receipts, attendance lists, and certificates of appearance. There is a high tendency, according to him, that important papers will get lost if not settled immediately. Yet, liquidations works are prohibited from being taken home. Student council and publication funds come from miscellaneous fees paid during enrolments. These payments include Supreme Student Council, P50; Sub-Supreme Student Council (college student council), P85; School Organ (The Work), P50, and College Publication, P40. Room for fraud? Guiang furthered they want to clear any doubts that organization members are misusing excess cash from activities for other purposes. Any cash left must be deposited back to the bank right away in accordance

with existing accounting guidelines. Guiang said activities Ed Lauren Guiang, officer in-charge must be monitored daily with the fund management of these and suggested organizations organizations, checking liquidation should maintain a file reports. Photo by Audrey Del Rosario organizer for receipts to avoid misplacing. Meanwhile, he pointed that liquidation delays rise because of lack of communication. Councils and publications are prohibited from drawing funds from their bank accounts while liquidations are still pending. Chapter 31 of the Tarlac State University Student Handbook enumerates the sanctions for wilful disregard or violation of established policies and regulations of the school. Disciplinary actions range from expulsion. Sanctions, the school’s discipline one semester to one year suspension for the first commission. Following violations unit affirmed, will still depend on degree are punishable from one year suspension of violation, resulting damage assessed to non-admission and ultimately to an during the investigation.

Graduating students are also barred from getting their transcript of records from the registrations and admissions office until their names are cleared by the student discipline unit.

TSU echoes existing policy Purchase of books, learning tools barred By Andrea Nicole Sapnu and Janelle Pamela David

The university administration recaps the memorandum which prohibits the mandatory acquisition of books and other learning materials with no permission from the students. TSU Memorandum Circular No. 04, s. 2016 entitled, “Reiteration in the Policy on the Sale of Books and Other Instructional Materials to Students,” was implemented on February 4. The memorandum is based on Board of Regents Resolution No. 70A, which was ratified on September 4, 2014 during the 95th Regular Meeting at the Commission on Higher Education, Diliman, Quezon City. With this regard, students are advised to report any form of violation to the dean of their respective colleges. “Hindi na compulsory ang books ngayon. Dati obliged bumili ang mga estudyante, ngayon hindi na dahil yung

mga ibang bata, financially, ‘di nila kaya,” Maricor Ponce, a personnel from the Business and Auxiliary Services Office, explained. [The procurement of books is no longer compulsory. Students are used to be required but not anymore for there are few who cannot afford the costs of the materials.] Noticeable errors addressed In an interview, Ponce also addressed the issue concerning mistakes in books which students often complained such as misarranged pages. “We send them (books with errors) back to the publishers para sa corrections, if that’s the case. Willing to function naman sila, wala namang issue sa kanila ‘yon,” Ponce clarified. [We will send the books with errors back to the publishers for the

corrections, if that’s the case. They are willing to correct the mistakes, and that is not an issue with them]. Aftermath of the memorandum Due to the non- compulsory sales of books, Ponce stated the effect on the budget of the offices and colleges. “Maaapektuhan panigurado ang colleges at ang iba. Dahil nga konti na lang ang bumibili, kumokonti rin ang pera ng bawat college. Ang income kasi minsan sa books, may bahaging napupunta sa colleges, ito ‘yong ginagamit nila sa mga events katulad ng socialization, etc.” Ponce explained. [It will surely affect the different colleges and other operations of the university. Since only a few will avail, the fund which will be given to every college will be lessen. There is a portion on the sales of books that will be given

Bigger clinic separates men, women By Richmon A. Cayabyab The university’s Medical Services Office plans to occupy adjacent offices in the Administration Building and set separate rooms for male and female patients who, during hectic situations, are crowding in the existing two-bed ward of the clinic. Four more hospital beds will be acquired for the male and female wards, in addition, to achieve “gender-sensitive” health care for Tarlac State University community. With the steady increase of students using the services of the clinic from the acquisition of medical certificates for various events, to issuing aid to students needing emergency help, the space of the current university clinic leaves much to be desired in the eyes of the students. According to clinic personnel, the current bed space is too close to cater more than two patients at a time. Male and female patients are mixing in one

place.

Public health nurse Cheryl Abila, in an interview said separate treatment areas for the two genders would be better as it would provide them some sense of privacy. If pushed, the P200, 000.00 worth project will extend to the spaces of the Civil Security Office (CSO), and the Physical Plant Office (PPO) which will be moved to different locations the planning department will set. The clinic’s current place will hold the doctor’s lounge after the renovation while the PPO office will be the new nurses’ station. A waiting area for patients, a larger storage room, and an improved treatment room are planned along with the procurement of certain medical equipment and emergency supplies such as gas masks, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits. This is with the cooperation of the CSO, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, and Philippine Red Cross-Tarlac Chapter.

More equipment for a growing school Additional electronics such as monitors, computers, and peripheral gadgets are due to arrive first quarter of next year. Along these, the office’s plans to put up a “paperless system on issuing medical certificates for more efficient patient recording with the help of the Management Information Systems Office. Also planned are the construction of additional storage cabinets for medical supplies, partition cabinets and counters, and additional equipment for daily use such as sphygmomanometers for blood pressure monitoring, weighing scales, and digital thermometers among others used in a day-today basis. Further development in terms of disaster preparedness is put in place by the medical office with the help of the previous groups such as emergency response equipment in guard houses across the three campuses of the University.

to be utilized for their activities like socialization, etc.] School- based Publishing In addition, Carlota Marcos, General Manager of the Business and Auxiliary Services Office, mentioned the possibility to print out its books within the vicinity of the campus. “In time, baka magkaroon nang sariling publisher ang TSU, para hindi na natin kailangan mag- rely sa mga publishers sa labas ng university” Marcos expounded. [In time, the university shall have its own publisher, so that we no longer need to rely on publishers outside the institution.]

Digong’s SONA

From p.1

consists of the repetition of his promises, advices to officials, and a highlight of his “war on drugs”. A total of 85 respondents commended Duterte’s speech saying his speaking is clear. However, 14 people have negative insights about the address. They presumed that the speech merely talks about Duterte’s war on drugs and his advocacy to eradicate the criminalities in the country; other matters are not elaborated well. They stated that Duterte only focused on a single idea and didn’t talk about other important things. Meanwhile, Noel Vinluan, a social studies professor, was dismayed with the turnouts of TSUian viewers saying the youth sector occupies a great part in the country’s population and they should carry out expectations as “hope of the nation”. “It’s sad to know that the people who are expected to have a deeper understanding on what are the platforms to be laid by the country’s leader seem to have no care,” Vinluan explained.

NEWS

JULY - AUGUST 2016

‘Let HR do teachers evaluation’ Union head insists ‘cheat-free’ performance grading By Jahred F. Bertolfo After students’ complaint over encountered “manipulation” in teacher’s evaluation, Prof. Gherold C. Benitez, Faculty Union president, demands for a clean, transparent and purposive teacher’s evaluation. The complaint came from the College of Education. The anomaly, which according to Benitez is common yet alarming, was during the second semester of 2015-2016. Benitez said the result of evaluation is important. “The moment you [the teacher] are evaluated “unsatisfactory” twice, you are

automatically removed from government service,” Benitez stressed. Teacher’s evaluation comprises four components with the “Teaching” having the highest percentage with 40% of the entire said evaluation. The remaining percentage comes from Research-30%, Extension-20% and Support to Administration-10%. Change has come Effective this academic year, only Job Orders (JO) will be evaluated by the students. The permanent faculty members, on the other hand, are now to be evaluated by department chair and college dean.

“Mapa-JO man o permananent, dapat estudyante ang nag-e-evaluate,” Benitez pointed out. [Either JO or permanent, the evaluator should be student] Benitez said evaluation is void of objectivity and thus needs to be done by an independent body to avoid, or at least minimize, anomalies. “Pa’no kung si department chair, kumpare ko? Ibabagsak ba ako ni kumpare ko? [Paano kung] yung dean, ninang ko?” Benitez queries. [What if the department chair is a confidant? Will my confidant fail me? [What if] the dean is my godparent?] As a remedy, Benitez suggested

that Human Resource (HR) should take charge in the of the teacher’s evaluation. He also argued that the client of the teachers are the students, not the department chair nor the dean. Ibalik ang evaluation sa HR. Sila ang magko-compute. Tapos, irereport na lang sa dean. Para walang connection [between the teacher evaluated] at ng dean, na pwede niyang i-alter ‘yung evaluation,” Benitez demanded. [Bring evaluation back to HR. Let them compute. Then, report to dean. This is to ensure that there is no connection made between the teacher evaluated and the dean and no alteration can be made of the evaluation]

Flooded campus burdens TSUians By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig San Isidro Campus is still vulnerable to flood. In August, the Southwest Monsoon (local name: “Habagat”) closed the Campus for use after leaving flooded and mudded walkways and roads impossible for transportation. Meanwhile, according to university officials, the campus might continuously be under flooding with severe weather conditions, but pointed out no infrastructures and equipment damaged. According to Harold Hilario, College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) Governor, since the campus isn’t fully cemented yet, students would still continue to experience difficulty in

mobility after rains. At the height of onslaught of Habagat, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) and CAFA, College of Technology and College of Computer Studies student councils focused mainly on information dissemination via social media like Facebook. They consulted the administration first before posting on social media to verify the authenticity of the announcements. “May mga bagay naman na hindi maiiwasan katulad ng bagyo. Ang tanging magagawa nalang ay i-inform ang Admin sa nangyayari at sila directly ang makikipagcoordinate sa Provincial, City or Local government para sa agarang aksyon,” Christian Aaron Bondoc, SSC president, explained.

A jeepney is stranded in flood waters due to Typhoon Karen along the road to San Isidro Campus. Photo from PDRRMC Tarlac

Some students chose not to go to school because of these problems. But for those who attended their classes, they were informed to just wear their intramurals/college shirt and pants. “Through social media, nagpapalabas kami ng announcements kung ano’ng status

ng lugar at kung safe pa din. ‘Yung safety ang pinakaconcern naming and then, kami na ang makikipag coordinate sa Admin kung kaya bang pumasok doon or not,” Bondoc explained on what actions they can do to ensure the security and welfare of the student body.

DepEd settles scope of K-12 By Joseph C. De Jesus Due to two-year full implementation of K-12’s Senior High School (SHS) this year, Department of Education (DepEd) releases guidelines to help higher education institutions determine who are eligible to proceed to higher education in SY 2016-2017. According to the DepEd’s guidelines, students who graduated high school, either through formal education or alternative learning system (ALS), before March 2016 under basic education curriculum (BEC) are eligible to enroll college this year. Furthermore, those who are currently fulfilling their degree are basically exempted from the scope of K-12 and those who were delayed or has stopped education are also given right to continue without entering SHS. Moreover, DepEd also authorized students who graduated from early adopter schools which opted to implement SHS before the nationwide rollout to enroll as freshmen this year.

TSU Chorale wins int’l fest in Singapore By Jhayvi C. Dizon

Hip Hop Dance Group quests for new talents By Isaih Kyle Umipig and Gianne Merielle Gonzales New performers with heat on the groove are anticipated to complete the fueled squad as the Tarlac State University (TSU)– Hip Hop Dance Group called for

an audition, August 20. More than 20 aspiring students passed the first qualifying round and will proceed to the next round of the selection process. “Actually, hindi naman naging mataas ‘yong standard namin. Ang

tiningnan namin is ‘yong willingness nila kasi ‘yong pagpunta palang sa mismong venue [alam mo nang gusto talaga nila],” Dan Suarez, TSU– Hip Hop Dance Group coach, said. [Actually, we did not set a high standard in selecting new members. What

we are looking for is their willingness for the moment they came to the venue for the audition is a clear indication that they wanted to be part of the Hip Hop Dance Group.] Meanwhile, the new set of members will be under probation up to December and will only be named officially part of the troupe until full potential and improvement is developed.

TSU satisfies int’l standards From p.1

quality of the operations—the set of policies, processes, and procedures to ensure student’s satisfaction; environmental aspects; and health and safety aspects. Signage on certain areas within

the university had been one of the effects of the certification. It includes Energy Conservation measures as well as descriptions on Quality Environmental Health Safety Policies. TSU acquired its first ISO certification through its Extension Services office. It has already been certified to Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2008) since 2010. The university strived to align itself this year through series of seminars, awareness of due courses, and activities

in compliance with the standard. “Being certified generally meant that we comply with global or international standards. So, when you compete with other universities we know that we are at par with them dahil ‘yong management natin [because our management]—yung operations natin [our operations], instruction, research, extension—(are) global standard level,” Engr. Emir Leonard Sicangco, director of Technology Development, Transfer, and Commercialization, said during an interview. He furthered that it goes to show that the university is being compliant in terms of the standards set. Any organization subjected to ISO certification gears its goals towards customer satisfaction.

University President Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari during the awarding ceremony of the Integrated Management System Certification. Photo from OPAI

Tarlac State University – Chorale obtained two gold awards from Singapore in the 9th Orientale Concentus, an international choral festival The choir competed in Folklore and Chamber Categories where they received Grade 2–Gold out singing eight groups from different countries. The international fest was adjudicated by internationally acclaimed artists from Spain, Indonesia, America, and Hong Kong. With only one i nt e r n at i on a l l y - e x p e r i e n c e d member, the choir said it was a challenge and a fulfilment to even been awarded the two golds. The group registered an 85-90 score in each of the two, qualifying for two Grade 2 Golds. According to Alyza Ortiz, alto, and Gladys De Leon, soprano, it was a pressure to all first-timers with all the expectations have been set. “March pa lang nag-start na kaming mag-aral no’ng mga piece, then Summer class, required magattend lahat sa rehearsals kaya ‘yong iba hindi na nakauwi pa sa probinsya nila,” group conductor Joshua Ysmael Fontanilla stated. Chief Executive Ryan Goh Ming Feng of the organizing group ACE 99 Cultural Pte Ltd said event will continue to unite people from varying cultures through music. Previous editions of the contest were held in China, Taiwan, and Korea.

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JULY - AUGUST 2016

‘Purging’ drama yet to end From p.1 Campus bearing in cartolinas their calls to junk the purging policy and college retention exam among others. Purging is a technical term in the university’s enrolment wherein the system automatically removes the assessment of students who were unable to pay even a partial sum on or before the expiration date appearing in their pre-registration forms, usually a week. Mediator Dr. Rex Igoy, Student Affairs dean, explained during a July 29 meeting that purging was a product of the computerized enrolment. He also explained that purging prevents instances where students do not continue entering an assessed but unpaid class once they ascertained they will get a failure grade. But for the demonstrators, these policies are violations to the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution on quality education. They termed these as “antistudent,” instead. Article XIV Section 1 of the law declares that the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. The protest was teamed up by Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in TSU (STAND TSU), Rise for Education Alliance (RISE FOR ED), College of Business and Accountancy publication The Blaze, Pi Sigma Fraternity and Pi Sigma Delta Sorority, Kabataang Tarlakenyo – TSU (KT), Sining ng Kabataan Para sa Tunay na Kalayaan Youth Artists Collective, and Kabataan Partylist – TSU Chapter. An estimate from the demonstrators said there are more than a hundred in the rally that lasted for an hour. Bilateral talks Joyce Anne Neponcio, a STAND TSU leader and program organizer, said they called for media including ABSCBN and GMA regionals to pressure the administration to hear their appeals and let the purged students enrol. She said the rally was an initiative of the students. To resolve mixed issues growing previously in social media about purging and Education students’ retention policy, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) called for a meeting with affected students and their parents August 9 afternoon. The meeting was originally scheduled August 10 morning but SSC President Christian Aaron Bondoc said the administration was alerted with the rally. Tarlac State University President Dr. Myrna Mallari insisted during the talk that this is an issue of students who were not paying what they owe to the school.

Student groups held a protest action on August 9 at the Main Campus to call for the abolishment of the college retention examination and purging policy. Photos by Aira S. Pinpin During Midyear, the cashier required students to pay in full even there is an option for a computed partial payment in the face of pre-registration forms. The vice president for academic affairs gave a two-week extension for purged students to fix their status and be re-assessed. However, there were still those unable to comply. Bondoc said there were 56 students who approached the student council and really wanted to fix their status. Yet, in a consultation on July 8 with Prof. Gladie Natherine Cabanizas, Student Development head, students told they do not have the required money to pay. As a solution, the instructors agreed to let their purged students come into class and take their subjects but their grades will be given the following semester they enrol. Open for adjustment of payment A post from TSU’s official Twitter page announced that enrolment for purged registration was opened up to August 18, 5 p.m. Mallari also approved the open adjustment of payment in the Accounting Office asked by Bondoc contrary to her statement in the dialogue that no one will pay in full if everyone knew of this remedy. In return, the latter appeals to students to be responsible

and do their obligation to pay. However, Neponcio said Mallari should make the adjustment known to public if she is sincere with this. Party group STAND TSU compared TSU’s situation with Bataan Peninsula State University where students there may pay at least P500 and will automatically be included in the list of officially enrolled. ‘Election year’ The student council president was aware that there will be a rally. According to Bondoc, there could be a possibility that if the P150 latepayment fee more knows as “penalty fee” was not removed, there will be no issues on purging. He appreciates this achievement but he said the former Student Council President Miguel Paolo Nunag should have seen the purging issue and addressed in his term last year. T h e incumbent SSC President asserted the purging issue was already resolved in Midyear but re-opened t h rou g h social

media. Bondoc said activist groups are just sensationalizing it along with the release of 2016 Hollywood hit movie “The Purge 3: Election Year.” The dystopian horror film series portrays future dystonic America where every year there is a 12-hour period during which all forms of crime are legal, including murder. Oppositely, as supporter of penalty fee abolition, STAND TSU was dismayed with the spreading misconception saying it brought a stricter purging implementation. But they don’t blame students. No permit to rally Cabanizas, also the Student Disciple Unit Head, affirmed the rally is illegal. Based on Chapter 32 of the Student Handbook, a written permit must be secured from the dean of Student Affairs five days before the assembly. However, no school sanction was imposed given they were outside school premises and they were not officially enrolled at the time. Section 8 of the same rule suggests that gatherings in highways, boulevards, roads, parks, plazas and other open places be conducted in accordance with

Public Assembly Act of 1985. This requires a written permit from the mayor. On one hand, Mallari called for police assistance and also told the city mayor’s office about the rally. The school’s security personnel, on the other hand, where tasked to secure the gates from outsiders. Plot to take ‘the purge’ down Mallari was dismayed with the public demonstration and said that TSU is being shamed. She added there was no formal talk between the administration and the protesters before the rally. But Neponcio pointed that the “repressive” student policies are the ones that shame the name of the school. “Wala naman puputok na ganyan kung hindi aware ‘yong mga estudyante na may maling nangyayari sa university. Walang mali sa paglaban, may mali kaya lumaban,” John Calvi Manaloto, from STAND defended. (Things won’t get this way if students were not aware of anomalies in the university. There’s no wrong in fighting, something’s wrong that’s why people fight.) The mobilization is just the start of their plot to take the purging policy down according to them. They refused to tell their next move.

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WORK

OPINION

Holy Grail

new bill proposed by Senator Juan Edgardo ”Sonny” Angara that would grant under-privileged students a five-percent discount on basic necessities such as food, medicine, textbooks, school supplies, and other school fees could be the developmental “Holy Grail” that this country’s educational system needs in this day and age. Much like the coveted artifact from the time of Jesus Christ which is said to give immortality to those who drink from it, this proposed bill could mean the difference in finding a sustainable long term solution to the problems plaguing this country’s educational system. The Senate Bill No. 134 or the “Underprivileged Students’ Discount Act of 2016” is aimed to ease the financial difficulties of students and help them cope with the daily financial struggles that come as the cost of education in our country rises—struggles that most underprivileged families can barely overcome. The bill defines student beneficiaries as those whose families have gross annual income of less than P100, 000.00 as reviewed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and also Filipino students who opt to take part in part-time jobs to subsidize their education to help their respective families and whose income combined with the annual gross income of their parents do not exceed P100, 000.00. A five percent (5%) discount shall be granted by food establishments such as food chains, canteens and restaurants, by pharmacies or drug stores, and by establishments that sell reference books for technical-vocational education and training and college and school supplies. A five percent (5%) discount shall also be granted by public and private schools accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), respectively, where they are enrolled in. This is without prejudice to their right to avail themselves of other educational assistance given by the school and the government, such as the “Study Now, Pay Later Plan” under Republic Act No. 6728, “Discounts to Disabled Students” under R.A. No. 9442 or the law amending the “Magna Carta for the Disabled”. Beneficiaries that have qualified for the grant through the screening done by CHED shall receive an identification card valid nationwide. Unlike in regular scholarship programs, there are no grade quotas. However, they should have passed the majority of their subjects unless their failure, as stated in the bill, is due to something out of their control. Establishments shall receive tax deductions equal to the deduction of the students acquiring the discount while institutions not following the proposition will be penalized with either the suspension of their licenses to operate or business permits. The implementation of this bill is a significant step in the right direction in terms of giving the future movers and shakers of this nation the education that they need for their tomorrow. From taking multiple public utility rides to get to school, payments for various projects, to food and clothing allowances, putting someone through high school or college can be a great challenge. Every cent that can be saved can be of great help to some families who can barely afford the education that their children need and deserve. The financial struggles of the underprivileged youth in terms of acquiring quality education should now be put into the limelight and away from the obscurity that it is currently trying to escape from. In the fight against the problems of secondary and tertiary education, one must know the problem before it can make the necessary steps for its solution. A five percent markdown may not seem much at first glance, but a discount covering the basic necessities for education and living costs can prove to be the deciding factor whether or not a student under the poverty line can get the secondary or tertiary education that he or she needs for a better future. With proper execution and implementation by the various government agencies involved, this proposed law could mean all the difference in this country’s plan in achieving secondary and tertiary education for the masses, a viable plan for the future workforce of the Philippines.

EDITORIAL

Source of Evil

The Prime Minister’s Soliloquy Dan G. Obligacion

∎EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

esponsibility seems to be more defined now with the new set of executives in the Engineering Student Council – taking into account the tangled money drama back in 2014 – at least in the early months of the new political term. In my last interview with Accounting Office personnel Mr. Ed Lauren Guiang, who is in charge with fund management of student councils and publications, he has been bragging the pleasing performance of the council in terms of submitting liquidation reports way early of due date. And, giving them recognition might not be a bad idea at all, he added. The existing school guidelines provide that liquidation reports for cash advances made by organizations from their respective funds must be submitted not later than 30 days after the end of the activity the withdrawal was intended. However, Mr. Guiang said, it takes a month or two for the councils and publications he handles to file their reports. But count Governor Ruz Valdez’ troop as an exception. Mr. Guiang said, in a week or less, these men in the usual Tarlac State University collars come to his desk with files of paper. Meanwhile, it would be two years in

THE

December since I last stepped into their empty office in Engineering Building’s second floor for a closed-door interview. Literally, the place was empty of trash and scattered study materials unlike other similar working offices I’ve visited – not even our press quarters. Back that time, Kashmar Sugala, former governor, gave us a chance for that interview regarding the major setback of the same student council—the issue on the P140, 000 anomalous cash drawings— which involved series of drawings from the bank account of the Engineering council allegedly for personal use of two former staff of the Internal Audit Services (IAS). The act was committed, according to the complaint of Sugala, through their Finance officer, now a graduate. An investigative article about that was published in the February-March Issue of the Work in 2015. Sadly, the study body—the bulk of TSUian payers—is clueless at all. In my interviews last year with Ms. Jinky Guzman, former to Mr. Guiang’s post, she has mentioned that differences in political colors have also been infecting the operations of organizations especially liquidation procedures. In some colleges,

liquidate their cash advances. In effect, delayed services. The procedures for student organization spending are similar to those imposed in government agencies, TSU for instance, primarily because both units are accounting for public collections or simply the money of Filipinos. It is an important note that the money in use is not an ordinary lump-sum from the officers’ personal pockets. Unlike in profit-oriented entities where sound practice is necessary for business growth and survival, government agencies and the smaller units under them are required to maintain a higher degree of diligence for the continuance of public delivery of goods and services. A very meaningful analogy from a local priest back in 2013 on a religious campus gathering called “Paint the Campus Red” goes like this: Our current society is like a stream polluted with corruption, a stream that begins with no less than the schools. Thus, the way to cleansing the murky water is to clear its ultimate source from evil—the school. This only explains the need to inject students—not limited to student leaders—

Government agencies and the smaller units “under them are required to maintain a higher

degree of diligence for the continuance of public delivery of goods and services.”

she said, some student leaders tend to leave their positions without proper turnover of accountabilities to newly-elected officers so the latter were burdened in finances. The existing school policies provide that councils and publications are hindered from releasing their budget for student activities if they do not immediately

WORK

with values integration especially with respect to accountability. Corruption is part of the society. Society of people composed of institutes of professionals. Institutes that sit leaders of the society. Leaders who, before they came to power, were once students of their schools.

EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF A.Y. 2016-2017

Editor in Chief: DAN G. OBLIGACION | Associate Editor for Administration: FRANCIS ETHAN JOHN A. GARCIA | Associate Editor for Publication/ Literary Editor: JAHRED F. BERTOLFO | Managing Editor: CREISHA MAE S. DIMABAYAO | Associate Managing Editor: CRISTINE EMMANUELLE D.V. FLORES | News Editor: JHAYVI C. DIZON | Features Editor: JOAN ROBIN T. MARTINEZ | Development Communication Editor: DANIEL C. CARREON | Sports Editor: OLIVER JOHN S. TABAQUERO | Layout Editor: JOSEPH CARLO M. PINEDA | Graphics Editor: PAULINE GRACE B. MANZANO | Senior Photojournalist: AUDREY S. DEL ROSARIO | Correspondents: JOSEPH C. DE JESUS, RICHMON A. CAYABYAB, ISAIH KYLE C. UMIPIG, ANDREA NICOLE B. SAPNU, JANELLE PAMELA C. DAVID, GIANNE MERIELLE P. GONZALES, ARSENIO S. SANTIAGO, JR., JAN GUSFEL C. DUNGCA, LORDDAN U. FALLER, CRYSTEL JOY T. SAMODIO | Cartoonists: GABRIEL JANN S. INOCENCIO, NIKKIE JOY T. PACIFICO | Graphics Artists: JAYME EMILLE C. LUCAS, PRINCESS GABRIELLE P. MASANQUE | Layout Artists: PRINCE JEYVIS KARL N. SALAS, LAY ANNE S. TIGLAO | Photojournalist: AIRA S. PINPIN | Adviser: PROF. GLADIE NATHERINE G. CABANIZAS

JULY - AUGUST 2016

OPINION

Life is a Two-Way Street

Thoughts of an Undefined Joan Robin T. Martinez

∎FEATURES EDITOR

friend of mine once told me that even flirting goes two ways: if a guy is interested in you then you also have to show interest, an initiative, otherwise he won’t make a move. I’ve pondered on this debating whether to use the logic that regardless of my own interests, if he really wanted it, he’d pursue. As the saying goes: “kung gusto, may paraan; kung ayaw, may dahilan” Nevertheless, things didn’t go

e, Filipinos, love telenovelas. I know you won’t admit it but at some point in our brief lives, we followed a certain show (this statement does not spare the KDrama lovers) whether it’s Encantadia or Dyesebel. Denying that we feed our emotions through these shows is like saying you are not a Filipino. Telenovelas are having their way in our TV screens that they are almost the entirety of every commercial. You can easily follow the plot just by watching the TV station for like the whole day since a whole lot of spoilers are shown each time the commercial time is running. This may be the most hackneyed thing yet we still watch it like little children seeing a top spinning for the first time. Our emotions are going with the flow of what is merely just a projection of real life happenings. I really don’t get it but our empathy for unfortunate turn of events to people in certain telenovelas (don’t get me started with the noon shows) casts that much emotions that salty water comes out of our eyes. Since a vast sample size of viewers has experienced the same thing, we can empathize. I can still remember my aunt crying over a telenovela just because of a plot

out as I expected. It turns out that the interest only goes insofar as my signal shows, and had I put out an initiative, as I was advised, things would have turned out differently. I’ve questioned his motives in an inner debate, still with myself, and I realized I haven’t been as obvious as I should be. I contemplated on the show of my lack of interest and concluded that I might have been an epitome of complete disinterest that I was immediately placed on the market for unavailable single person – almost tagged as a man-hater. The concept of Maria Clara could only go as far as being a woman, not including the power than comes with being one. In this time and place, where things are a bit different from when our ancestors roamed the Earth, women are given the power. Women have choices. And women are participants. Communication is a two-way street. Where there is a message, there’s a sender and the corresponding receiver. Would it be sending a text message, an email, and a snail mail perhaps, even Facebook statuses or literary works.

Communication doesn’t mean that there should be words. Reality will tell us that not everyone has means to this technology. Others wouldn’t have the functionality even. Communication needs symbols. Symbols that turn into words. Words that induce meanings. Meanings that form messages. So long

The classic question-and-answer process is becoming something more. Aside from active participants who are directly involved, arising from the sidelines are the reactions from spectators – men and women – who are capable in voicing their thoughts and ideas. People who fight for what

is life. Life goes “on Communication when communication flourishes.” as a message existed, then participants follow. And the women in this era, are recognized as an active participant of the communication scheme. And so long as communication is in effect, life goes on. Life nowadays had changed since this year’s elections. Change is coming, as they say and so it seems. We see more of these changes from the news. The death toll and the opened cases of extrajudicial killings. Not only does death make the changes but questions in etiquette and moral standards.

they believed in even at the expense of stampeding the weak-willed in the social ladder. Issues, mere issues are becoming more of a tagline in a bandwagon. Life is a two-way street. Even when the recent definition of communication is in chaos and participants have their own brands. At the end of day, where there is a message sent, we could only send our feedbacks back in forms that could express our individual stands – an identity, if you will, that color-codes us from the

rest of the flock. Where we want to be heard, the same way that we hear. And should we receive what we have given in return. Society has implanted the idea of equality, an equal exchange from privileges to responsibilities. From passivity to activity. This twoway street involves resurrecting from being a ghost of the past bounded by traditions, into something more. Someone more assertive with the luxury of being born in this turn of the century which included an easier access to information. To internet connection. To communication. Regardless of one’s gender and social standing – we have been armed with the knowledge of assertiveness, the capacity to give and take. We live in the era where women can orchestrate their own marriage proposals and men can take care of household chores. The signals we emit matter whether or not can a prospect turn into an evening date or into indifference. Life can happen either way.It’s all a matter of making it count – when ideas can collide and connect.

Where’s My Slap? twist. I did feel her but not to the point that I’ll join her crying. Meanwhile, my grandmother never allows me to switch channels just to watch basketball because she was following Walang Hanggan. That show hindered my subscription to the Philippine Basketball Association and its absurd run time which was like over a year. It even had an anniversary grand fans day (or something of that sort). The so-called “idiot box” has ruled all Filipino households and will

parang natural na pineke,” an avid fan reacts while poignant music is playing. Yes, it is free TV but you do know that these people are earning based on their viewership. Wait, does that mean that paid TV is cool i.e. cable? Probably yes, it’s the least thing that you can do and not sulk all day because one of the protagonist died. Paid TV offers something new and not ordinary to the eyes of a Filipino. I’ve never watched a single episode of Game of Thrones nor am I planning to watch one, but since

We also became too attached “with the character on-screen...” probably rule the entirety of your childhood since majority of kids back then and now don’t try hard (I’m not part of the minority). I also think that Filipinos rarely have hobbies of choice, thus, they just enjoy the projections of a box with colors and tend to ignore the impending electric bill ahead. We also became too attached with the character on-screen that we suddenly have attended all acting workshops on the way we criticize the actors acting. “Yung pag-iyak niya

a lot of macabre things happen in the aforementioned series, Filipinos became bewildered, thus, it became a really big hit together with Walking Dead and other stuff. Both series offer new things to Filipinos that free TV won’t ever do and if they do, they’ll just translate it (LOL). What is the implication of this? We feed on too much emotions and we attack by the heart rather than by the mind. This leads to improper decision making during heated moments;

creating havoc in relationships, which in its simplest structure, is built on feelings. The smallest mistake can transform into a swirl of emotions, and you know what’s next after a street fight – a life changing mediation for both parties. It is never surprising that skirmishes in the Philippines always end in happy ending. I am not saying that mediation is bad but the way that every Filipino’s biography is MMK-worthy (roll pictures). Basically, Filipino stories are very bland since your neighbor already experienced the same story, and I assume you heard it a thousand times. Let’s move to the Filipinos’ next addiction: social media. The ultimate pitfall for Filipino emotions. Aside from joining the absurd “better be safe than sorry” bandwagon, Filipinos also like to vent-out emotions through social media. I am guilty of such accusations but I rarely fight back. Once a Filipino is triggered, he will never run out of piso to insert in the “piso-net”. They suddenly have a degree in politics and they will fight back keyboard versus keyboard. I know that everyone is entitled to his own opinion but if that opinion is stupid, I’ll probably ignore you. But if

Uncopyrightable

Francis Ethan John A. Garcia

∎ASSOCIATE EDITOR FOR ADMINISTRATION

someone is impeding you from your opinion, no matter how stupid it is, I will fight with you until death because your opinion deserves to be heard. *winks Where am I going with this? There are a lot of things to hate in the culture of Filipinos specifically of the television comes to the picture. I am not here to preach, I just want to prove a point that technology, inculcated a lot of our values based from our emotions. We are clinging to images and texts just to feed our emotions thus creating the Philippines, a telenovela of its own.

The ‘medyo’ adult TSUian

Rigid Sense

Oliver John S. Tabaquero

∎SPORTS EDITOR

t’s like Mico Halili saying “almost there but not quite” in a PBA match. Yep. Your age says you can buy alcohol but your actions say “I still watch Spongebob Squarepants”. Admit it. We all do. Anyway, you’re here, enrolled at the premier university of the

Southeast Asia in the not-so-adult stage where you tackle your problems and responsibilities with a cup of coffee and procrastination. Let’s start with the yearly adversaries. The waiting. Mommy is no longer there to enroll your subjects and handle your papers. Basically, the typical adult would more or less wait. In our case, we would also wait. While doing so, we will also rant at social media sites on why the hell the “submitting request” is taking an eternity to load. Skeptical? Dig up the hashtags that went trending. That’s just the queue for preassessment. Wait until you go to the cashier. It’s a basic right to organize and stand up for your convictions. After all, principles are our figurative backbones. We tend to form our identities and beliefs at this part. We will believe this,

and that is based on our experiences. Now, how would a semi-grown-up human being react when he/she sees a protest? Here are some. Ignore. Why would you care? It’s not Game of Thrones. Pretend to care. Ask details then forget after five seconds. Sympathize. Go out and support. At this stage, we most likely build

probably fulfill one’s desire to be part of something. But don’t forget what’s important, and don’t fall too much in love with it. We’re all here for our degrees. Semesters are a roller coaster ride. At one point you’re cruising, and next thing you know you’re surrounded with empty bottles of energy drinks. It’s very easy to binge watch that new exciting

“ Principles are our figurative backbones.” connections. We are most likely to fall for sweet and promising words. Even though we’ve been told a million times not to trust a stranger, some still fail to do so. Don’t want to wait in lines? Then hand your tuition to some odd-looking you barely know. Joining an organization will

series but why is it hard to cram multiple lessons? Contact me if you figure that out. Aesthetics matter for some. That is why it was an irritating chapter when ripped jeans were banned. Then you ask why because you can still ace exams while wearing such jeans. But then life

gives you a kick and will just force you to sew them up or just throw them. Allowance is an underrated perk. Free money. Literally. After sipping that minimum-wage-priced-coffee, you will have the energy to try listening to your professor. Are you good looking? Good for you. Life will take it a little easier on you. Forgot your ID? No problem. Failing grade? Easy. Treated as kids but forced to act as adults. Do you want to go out on an event where you will represent this prestigious university? Well, you can’t. People are very concern about your safety. They might as well give you diapers to keep you comfy. Basically, college serves as an acid wash for reality. It’s a cocoon that gives you wings at the end. It’s a start from there on.

OPINION

JULY - AUGUST 2016

Hanggang timbang na lang ba?

Mind Extracts Jahred F. Bertolfo ∎ASSOCIATE EDITOR FOR PUBLICATION/ LITERARY EDITOR

initimbang ng isa ang sarili sa timbangan para malaman kung tumataba na siya o pumapayat pa o maaari ring pumapayat na o tumataba pa. Alin man sa dalawa, may gamit ang timbangan sa kanya. Gayunpaman, kung ginamit lang ang timbangan para malaman ang timbang at pagkatapos ay wala namang balak magpataba o magpapayat, maikokonsiderang walang silbi ang gamit ng timbangan. Sa madaling salita, may gamit ang timbangan pero walang kahit na anumang ganap na silbi. Sa ganitong perspektibo maaaring tignan ang tila walang ngiping teacher’s evaluation sa unibersidad. May gamit, pero walang ganap silbi. May gamit nga,

pero wala namang ganap na silbi. Ang pinakamalaking bahagdan sa kabuuuan ng teacher’s evaluation ay nanggagaling sa pagsusuri sa Teaching ng mga faculty members; 40 bahagdan ito. Ang natitirang 60 bahagdan ay magmumula naman sa Research-30 bahagdan, Extension-20 bahagdan, at Support to admin-10 bahagdan. Kung bumagsak at nagkaroon ng “unsatisfactory” rating nang dalawang beses ang sinumang faculty member, siya ay awtomatikong matatanggal mula sa government service. Kung tototohanin at seseryosohin ito, malaki sana ang silbi at impact ng teacher’s evaluation. Masaklap, may mga kasong ako mismo ang nakaranas kung saan, sa proseso ng teacher’s evaluation, dinidiktahan ang mga estudyante sa pagre-rate. Mantakin mo ba naman ‘yong sasabihan ang klase niyong magbigay ng “5”, pinakamataas na grado, sa kanila maliban sa ilang maglalagay ng “3” sa rating para raw hindi halatang kinuntiyaba ang buong klase? May pagkakataon pa nga na binigyan kami sa klase ng kapirasong papel at sinabihang isulat daw ang pangalan tsaka pirmahan. Pagkatapos, kaagad na kinolekta ng prof ang mga evaluation paper na hindi makatuwirang tawaging evaluation paper dahil paper lang naman talaga sila.

Ang evaluation? Nasa kamay na siguro niya. Siya na marahil ang magbibigay ng sarili niyang rating. Mamanipulahin niya rin marahil ang evaluation. Dalawa lang ang maaaring dahilan—wala siyang tiwala sa kakayahan naming mag-rate o takot siya sa katotohanang maaring maisiwalat sa resulta ng rating namin para sa kaniya.

teacher’s evaluation? Bakit pa nga naman susuriin ang mga faculty members sa teacher’s evaluation kung wala rin naman palang mababago sa performance nila sa loob ng klase, sa paraan ng pagbibigay nila ng mga exams, sa paraan ng pagtrato sa mga estudyante, at sa estilo at pagkaepektibo sa pagtuturo? Maraming mga papel ang

Kung wala lang din naman palang ganap na “ silbi ang mga papel, kailangan nating humingi ng tawad sa mga punong nasayang.”

Kahit saang anggulo tignan, mga porma ito ng pandaraya. Cheating itong maikokonsidera, at sino ba ang laging nagpapaalala sa mga estudyante sa tuwing may pagsusulit na bawal na bawal ang cheating? Hindi ba ang mga faculty members? Kung may mga ganitong talamak na kaso, bakit sila nakalulusot? Wala bang mga karampatang hakbang upang mapigilan ang mga ganitong klase ng pandaraya? Kung wala, marapat na paigtingin ang pagmo-monitor sa durasyon ng mismong teacher’s evaluation nang maiwasan ang mga pandaraya. Kung hindi mapipigilan, ano pang silbi ng

ginagamit sa evaluation. Kung wala lang din naman palang ganap na silbi ang mga papel, kailangan nating humingi ng tawad sa mga punong nasayang, sa mga punong ninakawan ng halaga. Hindi ba tayo naiinggit sa mga puno? May gamit, may silbi, at may halaga. Hindi ba kaya ng administrasyong bigyan ng gamit, silbi at halaga ang teachers’ evaluation? Hindi ba natin kayang magtanggal ng mga faculty members na hindi na karapat-dapat pang manatili dahil sa katamaran at hindi pagkaepektibo? Pugad ba ang ating administrayon ng mga faculty members na tamad, madaya at hindi ginagawa nang

maigi ang trabaho? Kapag sinabihan ang isang gurong may dumi siya sa mukha, agad niya itong aalisin upang maging malinis at maaliwalas ang mukha. Sa katulad na paraan, kapag iniharap sa mga faculty members ang aktuwal at tapat na resulta ng kanilang evaluation, malamang, pagiigihan pa lalo nila at susubukang punasan ang duming dumidikit sa kanilang marangal na propesyon. Tinitimbang ng isa ang sarili sa timbangan para malaman kung tumataba na siya o pumapayat pa o maari ring pumapayat na o tumataba pa. Alin man sa dalawa, may gamit ang timbangan sa kanya. Ngayon, kung ang tunay na gamit at esensiya ng teacher’s evaluation ay upang maging timbangan ng husay at responsibilidad ng mga faculty members ng institusyong ito, ano pang magiging silbi nito kung ito ay nahahaluan ng pandaraya? Anong silbi ng teacher’s evaluation kung pagkatapos ng proseso ay wala naman palang patutunguhan? Kailan pa tayo magiging “premier university in Asia-Pacific Region” kung ang teacher’s evaluation na isa sa mga sukatan upang siguruhing naglalaan ang institusyon ng de-kalidad na edukasyon ay hanggang timbang na lang? Kailangan nating lahat ng mga kasagutan.

Hindi mali ang maging tama W

Deafening Silence Aira S. Pinpin

KOM I K S

∎PHOTOJOURNALIST

e live in a world where stupidity is amplified and intelligence is nullified. Aminin mo man o hindi, dumarating ka sa puntong nanliliit ka sa iyong sarili sa tuwing tinatama ang mali mong grammar o maling pagbigkas sa mga salita. Pagkatapos ay makararamdam ka na lang bigla ng kahihiyan, kaya naman bilang ganti’y babanatan mo sila ng mga irrational na sagot tulad ng “Ikaw na matalino!”, “Bawal na magkamali?”’, at minsan “Edi Wow”. Pero kailangan pa ba nating sabihin ang mga ‘yon? Sa ilang taon kong pagpasok sa eskwelahan, sawang-sawa na rin ako

sa mga eksenang may kinalaman sa smart-shaming. Tulad na lamang kapag recitation, na sa tuwing magtataas ng kamay yung kaklase mong sobrang talino at punong-puno ng confidence ay pag-iisipan pa s’yang pabida o sipsip sa

Di rin mawawala diyan yung mga oras na magsasalita ka in English tapos ay bigla nilang sasabihing “Nosebleed!”. Nakababahala lang na kahit tama naman ang grammar mo ay tatawanan ka pa rin ng ibang mga tao. Bakit? Kasi iniisip

mong nagkamali “ kaTanggapin at pwedeng magkamali pa.” prof. Di ba ninyo naisip na kung di s’ya magtataas ng kamay ay pwedeng kayo, kayo na nag-iisip ng kung anu-ano ang pwedeng matawag para sumagot?

lang naman nila na nagpapakadalubhasa ka na naman. Na pwede ka naman magTagalog, bakit di ka na lang mag-Tagalog? Kaya ayon, imbes na mag-excel ka sa

English grammar ay mas pipiliin mo na ‘di na lang magsalita. Minsan may i-sa-suggest ka lang, sasabihin na nilang nagmamagaling ka. Kesyo ang dami mong alam, epal ka, pabibo, at marami pang nakapanlalait na salitang pwede nilang masabi sa’yo. Ang akin lang, pwede naman tayong tumahimik na lang. Hindi yung salita ka nang salita ng di maganda at nagmumukha ka lang pikon at unprofessional. Kaya siguro marami na rin ang nanahimik at nagkukunwaring walang alam, dahil natanim sa isip nila na kung magbibigay sila ng opinyon, may masasabi’t masasabi ang ibang tao. Na baka makutya sila. Na baka tawanan na naman sila ng iba. Nakakatawa lang isipin na napipigilan silang magsalita dahil lang sa mga insecurities niyo. (Oo, kayo na sinapuso ang pagiging judgemental) Wala naman kasing masama kung matalino ang iba at wala rin masama kung hindi ka tulad nila. Sadyang may mga bagay talagang meron ang iba na ‘di naipagkaloob sayo. Di mo rin kailangang mag-mataas sa tuwing tinatama ang pagkakamali mo. Tanggapin mong nagkamali ka at pwedeng magkamali pa. Isipin mong minsan kailangan ang iba para matuto. Na di mo kakayanin magisang intindihan ang mga bagay na nakapaligid sayo. Makuntento ka sa kung anong mayroon ka, pakiusap makuntento ka. Alam kong idadahilan niyong “Minsan kasi ang yabang nila”. So paano mo malalaman kung well-educated ang isang tao? Madali lang, sabi nga nila’y “A smart person knows what to say, a wise person knows whether to say it or not”. Kaya kung may naka-argue kang taong puro talino lang pero di kayang umintindi, hanggat kaya mo’y wag ka na lang din mag-salita. Kimkimin mo ang ‘yong pagkaasiwa kung pwede; kalimutan kung maari. Di mo naman kailangan makipag-usap sa isang ayaw magpatalo. At para sa mga kaibigan nating patuloy sa pagbabahagi ng kanilang mga nalalaman, nawa’y gamitin ninyo sa maganda ang ipinagkaloob sa inyong talino at sana’y di lumaki ang inyong mga ulo.

JULY - AUGUST 2016

OPINION

Nagtatanong lang po... ▶ Bakit po natin ipinagpipilitan ang online enrolment kung hindi naman po ito gumana sa karamihan noong nagdaang midyear at first semester enrolment? Nagtatanong lang po... ▶ Ganoon na po ba “ka-credit whore” ang ilang kasapi ng ilang partido pulitikal para magpatutsadahan sa kung sino ang may tunay na karapatang “magclaim” ng tagumpay noong ika-9 ng Agosto? Maitanong lang po, ganoon na po ba kalaki ang naitulong ng magkabila ninyong partido sa mga naapektuhan ng purging at CRE? At hindi po ba higit na may karapatan ang mga ordinaryong estudyante na anihin ang bunga ng kanilang pasakit? Nagtatanong lang po... ▶ Bakit po natin hindi binigyan ng

pagkakataong mamili ng pagtatahian ng uniform ang mga student teachers ng College of Education? Nagtatanong lang po... ▶ Bakit po kailangang mayroong noontime break ang mga library sa TSU? Paano po yung mga estudyante na ang free time lang ay tuwing tanghali? Hindi po ba’t isa sa mga frontline offices ng unibersidad ang mga library na dapat ay manatiling bukas para sa mga estudyanteng itinuturing ng administrasyon na “clients.” Nagtatanong lang po... ▶ Paano po kapag may mga kailangan nang papirmahan na dokumento at onleave po ang mga taong dapat na pipirma? Ang OICs po ba? Paano naman po kung resolutions at cheke para sa cash advance

ang usapan, sino na ang lalapitan? Nagtatanong lang po... ▶ Dati masipag na pero mukhang mas sisipag pa po atang pumasok ang job order lecturers ng TSU dahil sa bagong evaluation para sa mga teachers. Paano naman po kaya ‘yong ilang mga permanent na dati na ring tamad at late pumasok sa klase? May mas i-le-level up pa po kaya ang katamaran ninyo? Nagtatanong lang po... ▶ Tila malakas po ata ang kapit sa itaas ng isang propesor mula sa isang malaking kolehiyo at hindi pa rin ito nabibigyan ng karampatang kaparusahan sa kabila ng ilang taon nang reklamo ng mga estudyante sa umano’y maanumalyang paniningil ng salapi para sa mga school supplies at outreach program. Pakapalan na nga lang po ba talaga ng apog ang kalakaran sa paaralan? Nagtatanong lang po...

▶ For real po ba talaga ang kwento ng “mahiwagang bakod?” Nagtatanong lang po... ▶ Ano po ang pinagkaiba ng “galit” na Admin official sa “stressed” na Admin official? Nagtatanong lang po... IMS certified na po tayo pero bakit tila dugyot pa rin ang maraming estudyante at tila tinatamad na lumabas sa classroom at magtapon ng pinagkainan sa basurahan. Puro gandang babae’t lalaki na lang po ba tayo at nakalimutan ang brains sa bahay? Nagtatanong lang po... ▶ This has been a frequently asked question: Hindi po ba nakawawala ng poise ang magalit sa harapan ng Educ students para lang palabasin at hiyain ang isang estudyanteng itago natin sa pangalang Dexter? By the way, sino si Dexter? Bakit siya may grand entrance noong assembly matapos ang rally? Nagtatanong lang po...

Maniwala kang may rainbow

Iridescent Words

Pauline Grace B. Manzano

∎GRAPHICS EDITOR

amusta grades mo? Ano, retake na ba?” “Oo e, nakakainis kasi si ma’am (insert name) e, kala mo naman kagaling magturo tapos ang lakas mambagsak.” “Ano, shift na ba?” Ilan lamang ito sa mga linyang naririnig ko sa aking mga kapwa estudyante kapag lumabas na ang mga grades namin sa student portal. Samu’t saring mga emosyon; may mga masaya at may mga malungkot. Tila ba dinaanan ng malakas na ulan. Magulo, iba’t iba ang kanilang mga kwento pero ang pinakamarami pa rin sa lahat ay ang mga reklamo. Napansin ko lang, ang laging sinasabi ng mga estudyante na puno’t dulo ng kanilang pagbagsak ay ang kanilang mga guro. Karamihan sa

he news is alarming. A lot of families die because of starvation, young people are dealing with woes on education, countless bombings and terrorisms, “extrajudicial” killings and increasing percentage of criminalities; the society has a lot more to offer, I suppose. But, do you know what people worry about? It is quite dismaying. People argue with what’s better than this, who is better than him and all manners of comparison between things that are not really debatable. If we look at it, it basically can go this way: the brainless talks more and humiliates another brainless just to prove he is better than him—society’s irony. Moreover, people do worry about new applications and games, which photo filter to use, fresh tirades from President Rodrigo Duterte to criticize as if they are credible political analysts, numbers of likes and shares and all sorts of [they think] much important matter. Those are the things that are just too shallow to worry about. Why not look at other stuff which is undeniably worth discussing? *** That thing called ‘allergy to society’ Scrolling through your social media

mga dahilan nila ay hindi umano nagtuturo nang maayos ang kanilang mga propesor, terror daw si ma’am/sir, mahirap magbigay ng pagsusulit, walang konsiderasyon o kaya naman ay “naroleta” umano sila. Walang kasiguraduhan kung totoo nga ba ang mga sabi-sabi. Tayo naman kasi ang nakaaalam sa ating mga sarili ng buong kwento. Pero baka naman nasa atin din ang mismong problema? Hindi lang natin nasolusyunan kaya naman naghahanap tayo ng mapagbubuntunan ng sisi, tama ba? Marahil ay may mga propesor nga na ganoon. Iba-iba sila ng klase ng pagtuturo; siguro hindi natin nakasanayan ang kanilang pamamaraan. Pero ano nga bang magagawa natin kung sila ang naitapat sa atin? Sinubukan na nga ba natin silang kausapin, pakiusapan at harapin? Aminin natin, karamihan sa atin ngayon ay mas pinipiling mag-abala sa mga bagay na hindi naman mahalaga. Nandiyan ang iba’t ibang computer games, ang Facebook, ang Twitter, ang Instagram at ang pinaka-big deal sa lahat, ang buhay pag-ibig. Kung titignan nga natin, mas marami pa ang oras natin sa mga bagay na ito kaysa sa pagbukas ng libro at pag-aaral ng ating mga leksyon. Maaari na isa ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit tayo bumabagsak. Kung ako ang tatanungin, hindi ako naniniwala na kasalanan ng mga professor ang pagbagsak ng mga

estudyante. Tayo ang gumagawa ng mga bagay para sa sarili natin. Choice natin na pumasa o bumagsak. Sabi nga ng prof ko last sem, “kayo ang gumagawa ng grado niyo, taga-record lang ako kaya mag-aral kayo.” Totoo nga naman, kaya sino nga ba tayo para magreklamo kung alam nating hindi naman tayo nagpursigi, hindi ba? Gayunpaman, bilang estudyante, may karapatan din naman tayong magreklamo. Hindi mareresolba ang problema kung hindi tayo magsasalita. Alam mo naman siguro sa sarili mo kung hanggang saan ang kinaya mo, kung agad ka bang sumuko o patuloy na nagpursigi.

“

maayos? May mangilan-ngilan sa mga propesor ang mga pasaway pa rin at patuloy ginagawa ang mali. Kagaya na lang ng pagpapapirma ng evaluation form sa mga estudyante na hinahawakan nila. Sino nga ba naman ang mangangahas magbigay ng mababang marka kay ma’am/sir kung kaharap sila ng kanilang mga tinuturuan? Hindi na kasi tayo mga bata. Oras na para harapin natin ang tunay na pait ng buhay. Kailangan maranasan din natin ang hirap. Hindi na ito katulad noong hayskul kung saan uso pa ang spoon feeding. Kolehiyo na ito. Hakbang na ito

Hindi na kasi tayo mga bata, oras na para harapin natin ang tunay na pait ng buhay.”

Kung nagtitiwala ka naman na ginawa mo ang lahat para pumasa, huwag kang matakot na kausapin o magreklamo sa iyong professor. Isa sa mga obligasyon nila ang ibalik ang mga examination papers sa mga estudyante upang malaman ang estado natin sa pag-aaral. Kaya kung may problema ka, maaari kang magreklamo. Pwede mo silang tanungin; maaaring nagkamali lang sila. Tao lang naman tayo; hindi tayo perpekto. Isa pa, anong silbi ng mga evaluation forms ng mga propesor kung hindi mo naman sila ire-rate nang

para sa realidad. Hindi lahat ng gusto mo ay makukuha mo nang madalian; kailangan mo itong paghirapan. Marahil isang paraan na rin ng ating mga propesor ang pagiging mahigpit o strikto sa pagbibigay ng mga grado dahil alam naman nilang isa na itong paghahanda para sa atin. Kagaya na lamang sa mga kursong kinakailangan ng board examinations. Sabi nga ng isa sa mga propesor ko, “para saan pa kung ipapasa na lang namin kayo at hindi sasalain? Paano kayo sa board exam niyan?” Tama nga naman dahil kung

walang hirap, walang ginhawa at magandang resulta. Halimbawa na nito ay ang pagkamit ng 90.32% passing rate ng ating unibersidad sa Mechanical Engineers Licensure Examination. Napakataas na resulta na bunga ng lahat ng paghihirap ng mga estudyante. Kaakibat ng ating paghihirap ay ang pag-asa natin na pumasa. May dahilan ang ating mga propesor kung bakit sila nagiging strikto sa atin. Naniniwala akong ipapasa naman nila tayo basta nakikita nila tayong nagpupursigi. Tandaan natin na tayo ang gumagawa ng ating mga grado at hindi sila. Sila lang ang gumagabay sa pag-aaral natin. Sa isang banda, darating ang araw na mabibigo tayo. Minsan maiisip na lang nating wala na, wala na tayong pagasa. Pero sasabihin ko sa ‘yo, huwag kang sumuko, at ituloy mo lang hanggang kaya. Dahil sa kabilang banda, wala namang mawawala kung susubok ka, ‘di ba? Kapag nadapa ka, huwag kang magdalawang-isip na bumangon. Naranasan ko nang bumagsak. Isang malaking pagsisisi talaga dahil alam ko sa sarili ko na wala akong ginawa para maiwasan iyon. Pero sinubukan kong magbago nang dumating ako sa 2nd year at hindi ako nagsisi sa hindi ko pagsuko agad. Maniwala ka lang na pagkatapos ng malakas na ulan, may maganda kang masisilayan – ang bahaghari. Sa huli, masasabi mo na lang sa iyong sarili, “kaya ko naman pala, bakit hindi ko ginawa dati?”

Opinions and labels timeline is a disgusting thing to do because of the kinds of people you get to socialize with: 1. the instant political analysts; 2. the disseminators of superficially nonsense posts; 3. grammar Nazis; and 4. the “rant here, rant there” persons. Nowadays, a lot of Facebook pages and other accounts that merely discuss about what’s happening in the field of politics inside the country have appeared

standpoints, there is still no excuse. If you haven’t watched the news or even heard it, you don’t have the authority to speak your thoughts about it by relying on what you’ve read from random posts on social media. Do not be a fraud. Do you ever get annoyed with posts on the internet like “Tag mo na ‘yong tropa mong hindi na virgin,” “10 likes, 10 comments I’ll do the #NoLigoChallenge,”

We are so into the labels of life. “ We are into our ridiculously selfish reasons to satisfy our selfish selves.”

like mushrooms after the proclamation of Duterte as the new president. “Netizens” think that these accounts are reliable enough for the insights they post. What happens? People agree. People are inspired by the wrong light. It is primarily not a need for you to have a say for everything, especially when you don’t even know what the realities behind those facts are. Although there is freedom of expression, which is mishandled by people and use it as passports to their erroneous and distorted

“Yong mga may J sa pangalan, sila ‘yong tunay na maganda” and other craps? Let me ask you, how come that letters of the alphabet is now a basis for beauty? How about those challenges which are unquestionably a monkey thing? So, as a means of getting away yourself from idiocy, “unfollow” them. At least, you haven’t destroyed any friendship. Meanwhile, I am no anti-grammar Nazi but I certainly go after grammar buddy. The mentality and attitude of the Filipinos regarding the English language

is really intolerable. Just because someone is speaking or posting on social media using the English medium, that doesn’t mean he brags about his capability using the language. He just wants to practice it, basically, so to get over with you. Lastly, I just wonder how social media really made the world of netizens go round because even your spectators know what’s happening to you—every inch, every minute. I am just reminding everyone that if you have problems, fights and misunderstandings, discuss them in private. Not every tick of your life should be displayed to your audiences. *** Eradicate labels Sabi nila, sa relationship daw, mas maganda kapag may label kasi may pinanghahawakan ka. But it is far way different to life and society. We all came out unlabeled, unidentified and anonymous. Sometimes, I just wish of the time where everyone is equal—where there is no better than him, there is no better than this. There is no better, no best. Just equal. When everything gets rough, we blame other people. We blame them for the things that we are actually the reason of. When a person killed someone, he makes his family or personal needs as an excuse.

Trigger the explosives Isaih Kyle C. Umipig ∎CORRESPONDENT When there is racism with the blacks, we blame the whites. When someone asked who the cause of a particular mistake is, we point fingers. We are good at pointing fingers, at putting someone in a hot seat, at uttering excuses, at blaming other people, but we never tried to admit our faults. The world is full of hypocrites and that’s what we shouldn’t be ashamed of; that only proves you’re a human.

Jump to p.23

NEWS

JULY - AUGUST 2016

TSU suspends college retention exam From p.1

However, students who failed the exam were allowed to enrol provided they maintain a 2.5 general weighted average this semester. She said the major concern is for these students to enrol. The initial option, during a dialogue between COEd officials and Supreme Student Council on August 8, was to ask the council of deans about transferring the unenrolled students to programs in other colleges. A class will be opened provided the number of shifters meets the required number of students per class. Students said their professors gave them options to shift course or transfer to other schools. However, other courses’ enrolment were already finished

NEWS BRIEFS

Portal hits Twitter top trends Public dismay over the online enrolment have reached the Twitter world. #StudentPortal escalated to top four of the trending topics in the Philippines during the onset of the university-wide online registration in Tarlac State University. Users of the new registration

scheme expressed their disappointment over the time inconvenience they have experienced. Most of the “netizens” complained it took them more than an hour to make a pre-registration because of the long time waiting submitting their requests.

and those late were not allowed to crossenrol. Other colleges’ calendar is not the same with TSU. Mallari explained there are no “fall back” programs in COEd unlike in College of Business and Accountancy wherein an Accountancy students falling short may shift into related programs that do not have board exams like Financial Management and Accounting Technology. Not ‘accurately clarified’ Because of their “back” subjects, shifters and transferees were not allowed to enrol. Students who encountered the dilemmas of College Retention Examination (CRE), mostly irregular students, insisted that the guidelines of the program was not “accurately clarified” to them. “Kung naipaintindi siguro nang maayos (ang polisiya), alam na siguro ng mga estudyante kung ano ang gagawin nila para hindi na sana umabot sa ganito,” a Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) student stated. [If only the policy was explained better, the students would have known what to do and things would not get this way.] The policy was approved in 2011 during the term of former TSU President Dr. Priscilla Viuya.

This is in reference to Board of Regents Resolution No. 70, s. 2011 stating the excerpts from the minutes of a special meeting held at Commission on Higher Education Conference Hall, October 17. College of Education Dean Dr. Julieta Lagasca said CRE prepares students in their college for the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). The test questions in CRE are patterned with those in the actual national exam. But critics of CRE said the persons checking the papers are also students. On March 1, 2013, TSU COEd Academic Council approved the implementing rules on the college admission and retention policies. These rules took effect beginning academic year 2013-2014. To remain in the Bachelor of Elementary Education and Bachelor of Secondary Education programs, a student must obtain a 2.5 general weighted average (GWA) or better on all subjects and must not have a failing or incomplete (INC) mark in the tool/ essential subjects in the previous school year. Failure to meet the grade quota means not qualifying for CRE. “A student may continue in the program only if the non-qualified subjects are re-enrolled and the required qualifying mark is attained,” as read in the rules. Those who met these requirements must obtain a 75% mark on CRE which is scheduled twice before enrolment. Incoming 2nd year

students are to take CRE 1 on the tool and general education subjects such as English, Filipino, Mathematics, Science, and Social Sciences. College Retention Exam 2 for incoming 3rd year, and CRE 3 for incoming 4th year students comprise professional and specialization subjects, and general, professional and specialization subjects, respectively. Meanwhile, incoming 3rd year and 4th year Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education students are required to take an examination on general education subjects, and strategy and content subjects, respectively. “Unsuccessful examinees” on the first test, as termed in the rules, are given the option to shift to another course, reenrol courses, or to take another exam. However, passers will be enrolled on probation and must not incur a failing or INC mark. Lagasca said they gave a third chance because of the low performance of students from the third take. Spared students? COEd administrators spared Bachelor of Physical Education students. The old policy does not contain provisions for BPE because students there are formerly part of the dissolved College of Human Kinetics. The latter was merged with COEd in 2014. “Hindi naman nila piniling pumunta sa Educ pero siniksik sila diyan and ngayon affected sila ng CRE,” Student president Christian Aaron Bondoc said. [They did not choose to go to College of Education but they were compelled and now they are affected by CRE.]

Photos by Aira S. Pinpin

(Dan G. Obligacion)

Screengrab from Twitter

18th leadership training held Student council members and campus journalists joined the 18th Leadership Training Summit on August 3-5 at Cozy Place Resort, Rosales, Pangasinan. This year’s theme is “Linking Student Leaders for Change.” Speaker Dr. Grace Anne Hasegawa on her K to be me segment compared student leadership to

bubbles that people admired but easily disappears. Former Supreme Student Council President and The Work Features Editor Koichiro Watanabe said in his module that student leaders should learn to “give and take.” The event is an annual program for student leaders in Tarlac State University. (Dan G. Obligacion)

College of Education student council members during the bubble-making activity in the 18th Student Leadership Training Summit. Photo by Audrey Del Rosario

Scholars, grantees up by 26% Big number from COEd

By Andrea Nicole B. Sapnu Scholarship recipients and financial assistance grantees last academic year 2015-2016 had a 26% increase as compared to the previous year according to the Scholarship Unit. The 2015-2016 second semester sum is 1,635 compared to that of 20142015 which only sums up to 1,299. Bachelor of Secondary Education is consistently having the most number of scholars for two consecutive academic years. There are 172 for 2nd semester of A.Y. 2014-2015 while there are 319 in 2nd semester of A.Y. 2015-2016. Financial grants Financial aid grantees for A.Y. 20152016, on one hand, has shown a notable increase for both semesters, with a total of 1,516 grantees for the first semester, and 1,454 for the second. On the other hand, the A.Y. 20142015 tolled 687 for first semester and 465 for the second, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration programs, 118, and Bachelor of Science in Accountancy

program, 79, have the most number of grantees. According to the scholarship unit, the increase in number is brought by the providers such as Investment Scholarship Funds (ISF) and Tarlac City Government Scholarship Program. The University Scholarship Program is exclusive to students with a general weighted average of 1.45 and above with no failing grade, no incomplete in any subject with full academic load as prescribed by the course curriculum and

of good moral character. Meanwhile, the College Scholarship Program, more known as “dean’s list”, which is given to students with grade point average of 1.46 to 1.75, with no failing grade, no incomplete in any subject with full academic load as prescribed by the course curriculum and of good moral character. Overall counts for A.Y. 2016-2017 are estimated to have 2,000 recipients and are still on the process according to the Scholarship Unit.

“

Kapag nangarap ka, wag kang susuko kahit anong mangyari kasi may paraan.”

THE

WORK

EATURES

Photos by Pauline Grace B. Manzano

Tracing the paint marks:

FINE ARTS TO EXQUISITE MASTERPIECE By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig

n a serene setting of Barangay Balete, a part of Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac, there are paintings and artworks lying on the yard screaming in vibrant colors. These pieces of art are created in a plain workplace but produced a lot of awards, accolades and calls for a

bigger career. She’s an artist who never forgets to put heart and soul in her paintings, but more than that, she’s an artist who thinks. Touch of human experiences, Filipino culture and other relevant subject matters— she was able to secure that her works are those works people can relate into. In précis, she paints with intellect and hints of people’s emotions which brought her to the summit of distinction and pride. She is Jayme Emille Lucas, and this is her life as a warrior with paintbrushes as her weapons. In a realm full of arts, she’s an artist who has a different view on how she creates it, reflects on it and inspires through it. Sketches, scratches and achievements Behind a white blank canvas, there are minds that lay there serenely contemplating and thinking about life’s greatest mysteries—until these thoughts that are pondered with why’s are finally supplied with answers justifying them. An artist’s point of views which are rubbed in a tabularasa with colorful and vibrant pigments can create an exceptional masterpiece. A piece of art undergoes a lot of errors, revisions and a thousand times of conceptualization. It is a search for contentment and serenity; it is an unquenchable thirst that never halts until satisfied. Jayme as a child started drawing and sketching but only trailed the craft of painting in college as she is now pursuing Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Advertising. “I don’t join painting contests in elementary and

in high school,” she stated. However, she has proven her guts in artistry by raking different titles and awards in college and still continuing at present by possibly captivating the eyes of the spectators through her works. In her first and second year in college, she joined The Studio, the official student publication of TSU-College of Architecture and Fine Arts, and soon entered a bigger organization—The Work, the university publication. In 2015, she placed first at the 4th GAWAD JEMALYN LACADIN: 8th Regional Student Press Congress in Editorial Cartooning Category. On the same year and category, she landed third in the 75th National Student Press Congress. Moreover, she rocked Center for InterInstitutional Research and Policy Studies (CIRPS) for attaining gold in charcoal drawing category. Jayme considers her third year in college as her glory days for she started working on paintings and became known through it. She became a semi-finalist at VISION PETRON 2015 National Student Art Competition for Oil Painting Category where the theme is “Lakbay Kasiyahan”. So, she came up with the idea of the delight of the overseas Filipino workers (OFW’s) brought by returning back to our country or pagbabalik-bayan. “My painting is titled “No Place Like Home” because we Filipinos, wherever we go, we are still longing for and missing our family.” We can see how passionate and adoring Jayme is for our motherland—she uses her art to touch the hearts of spectators and let them love our country even more. More on her list of achievements, she became a painter in San Sebastian Cathedral, Tarlac City. Furthermore, she was able to make it to Cebu for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress where she, together with her colleagues, displayed 84 different paintings for a group exhibit about Filipinized Jesus: Gospel Scenes in the Philippine Setting.

“I developed more closeness to God [because of these opportunities],” Jayme further added in awe and astonishment. Recently this October, her paintings (“Hand Sanitizer” and “Nasa Langit na ba Ako?”) became semi-finalists in the Metamorphosis: 49th Shell National Student Art Competition both for Painting Category. Today’s inspirations and tomorrow’s plans Even one of the greatest and famous painters in the country has someone he/she idolized, so does Jayme. Famous painters that serve as Jayme’s inspiration are Orly Ipon, Felix Hidalgo and on the top of her list, Juan Luna. Jayme revealed a secret: she adapted styles from these painters BUT not to adapt and imitate the whole thing. Mostly, her paintings’ subjects are people, still life, and at this time, she is working on figure drawing. When she was a second year student, the common subjects they are assigned to create are merely about people and still life, but it doesn’t mean it is her only style. “I don’t adapt because sometimes, if we see paintings, we think of it always and you’ll never notice that you are actually imitating it. It is unbearable for an artist because it should be your own style; it should be unique,” she further added. Indeed, if hobbies are nurtured and fostered, it will surely be a talent and will be a career, sooner or later. Jayme dreams to be a renowned artist—not only for herself, but also to serve as an inspiration for the other artists in the province and to attain the vision of her coach for her, Sir Judeo Herrera. She always wanted to let the artists of Tarlac get out of their cocoons to show what they’ve got because in reality, according to her, there are a huge number of artists in the province who really have the hands that can create outstanding works. But, the sad reality is they’re hiding.

Moreover, Jayme said that she is still going to produce paintings after college. “I cannot let go of painting; if it’s possible to continue painting while having work (especially when you still don’t have investments), of course, I will still paint,” she added in pride. Proving her skills in the craft, aside from painting, Jayme also do cartooning, graphics and charcoal painting. She does experiments and is always open for new styles and techniques to work on. Jayme behind her paintings You see a Jayme who’s absolutely quiet but inside her brain, there are interconnected wires—where ideas are in dispute. There’s always a common notion inside her brain that is unequivocally debatable and are always seeking for what’s the best. After all the arguments inside, the application follows. What has been intellectualized in the brain is now depicted on a canvas. She admits that she learned more with the artists in Tarlac surrounding her and bringing bliss to her, as well. There is always that fine line connecting mutual people letting them understand and converse with one another; where no judgments are allowed, it’s only the reciprocated ideas about a certain piece of art which makes them connected. “It seems like we are the only people who can understand one another because artists can recognize even the littlest errors that a normal person can’t,” Jayme added. Jayme’s life story is a work in progress. It consists of life tips on how you go along with the waves. “Perseverance and prayers. Continue painting and never stop. You should always be positive. When you dream, do not give up because whatever happens, there’s always a way. It just takes prowess and guts. You should always be undaunted, spirited and stronghearted to try—not just try, but to make it happen,” she further stated with a sweet smile on her face.

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JULY - AUGUST 2016

BET MO BA ANG PINAKBET? I Text by Cristine Emmanuelle D.V. Flores Graphics by Pauline Grace B. Manzano

sa sa pinakamortal nating kaaway noong musmos pa lamang tayo, maliban doon sa batang nang-agaw ng kending pinaghirapan mong kupitin ang pinambili, ay ang pagkain ng mga gulay. Inis na inis tayo noon sa tuwing nakikita ang mga kontrabida sa Happy Eating Story natin. Iniiwas-iwasan natin, minsan ay tinatagu-taguan pa, ang mapilit na Pinakbet na sulpot lagi nang sulpot sa hapag-kainan natin. Ngayon naman, naisipan naming lumapit na kay Pinakbet para pagbigyan ito. Titikman namin ang lutuing ito, dahil sa napulot naming tsismis na may tatlong klase pala nito ang niluluto sa ating probinsya. Pero sadya yatang mapaglaro ang tadhana, si Pinakbet na dati ay hinahabol-habol tayo ay siya naman naming hinanap-hanap. Madalang na palang isalang ang ulam na ito sa Melting Pot ng Gitnang Luzon. Perro worry not mga bes! Dahil sa malilikot naming mga paa at matalas na radar sa mga pagkain, nahanap namin ang mga ito sa mga simpleng kainan na madalas nating napupuntahan. Pinagkumpara namin ang tatlong klase ng Pinakbet na ito na galing dito sa lungsod ng Tarlac at binigyan ng score na 1-5 (1 ang pinakamababa at 5 ang pinakamataas) ayon sa look o itsura at lasa nito.

TAGALOG GARNISH: 3.5 TASTE: 3.5 Tumungo kami sa hilera ng karinderya sa palengke at napahinto sa nag-iisang kainan na nagbebenta ng Pinakbet sa araw na iyon, ang May’s Eatery. Nabigla ako nang makakita ng kaliskis – Pinakbet na may tilapia! Dahil dito, nawili kaming tikman ang Pinakbet na ito. Napansin naming hindi masyadong makulay ang ulam na ito, kaya naman 3.5 ang score nito sa look. Pagkadampi ng kutsarang isinawsaw sa sabaw ng Pinakbet sa aking dila, lasa agad ang dalawang bagoong na sangkap nito – pinaghalong bagoong isda at bagoong alamang. Tamang-tama lang ang texture ng sabaw nito, naghahalo ang manamis-namis na lasa ng kamote at meaty effect ng tilapiang pinampalit sa karne.

KAPAMPANGAN GARNISH: 4 TASTE: 3.5 Ang Pinakbet na pinakamakulay sa lahat. Nakatatakam sa paningin

makita ang makukulay na gulay na mas pinabubuhay pa ng kulay ng bagoong alamang (o “alubebe” sa Kapampangan). Pinakamalapot din ang sabaw ng Pakbet Kapampangan; lasang-lasa din dito ang alat ng alamang. Tulad ng sa mga Tagalog, hinaluan din ng isda ang natiyempuhan naming ulam na ito na nabili sa Ron-Ron’s Grill ng Matatalaib. Nagbibigay ang hinalong isda na ito ng kakaibang karakter sa lutong ulam na ito.

ILOCANO GARNISH: 3.5 TASTE: 4 Hindi mo naman malalaman ang itinatagong sarap ng Pinakbet ng mga Ilocano kung magpapadala ka sa kasimplehan ng itsura nito. Hindi kasi masyadong katakam-takam ang itsura nito dahil sa medyo katamlayan ng kulay nito. Absent kasi si bagoong alamang na nagbibigay kulay dito, gaya ng sa ibang

Pinakbet. Pero hindi ito nagpakabog sa ibang Pinakbet dahil pinakanatipuhan namin ang lasa nito. Tamang-tama lang ang alat nito, naghahalo sa lasa ng ibang gulay na Pinakbet. Ito ay sa isang karinderya pa rin sa Matatalaib. Iba rin ang paraan ng pagluluto nito sa dalawang naunang klase ng Pinakbet. Kung ang unang dalawa ay nabuo dahil sa paggisa nito, ang tradisyunal na paghahanda ng Pinakbet ay walang gisa-gisa. Pinakukuluan ang bagoong isda na tanging panlasa nito at duon inihahalo ang mga gulay. Nuon ay madalas pinakukuluan ang mga gulay na ito sa palayok, pero sa modernong panahon na ito, iilan na lang ang gumagamit nito. Magkakaiba man ang mga Pinakbet na inihahain sa mesa ng iba’t ibang grupo ng tao dito sa Tarlac, iisa pa rin naman ang tawag sa ulam na ito. Marami man tayong mga lahi ang naghahalo-halo dito sa Melting Pot ay mga Tarlaqueño pa rin ang ating pagkakakilanlan.

aksil na kaibigan si Juan Miguel Severo. Ibinubulgar niya ang iyong mga kuwentong ayaw mo na sanang maalala pa. Isa-isa niyang binubuksan ang iyong mga sugat nang wala man lang pag-aalinlangan ni pag-iingat. Isinusulat ka niya; isinasaletra niya kung paano kang hinihiwa ng mga alaalang maaaring sa ‘yo nanggaling o maaaring ikaw ang gumawa kasama ang isang taong maaaring iniwan ka na o maaaring nandiyan pa ngunit hindi mo na kilala. Sinasaktan ka ni Severo habang kinukumbinsi kang magmahal muli. Ibabalandra niya sa iyong mukha ang maraming mukha ng pag-ibig; at hindi mo kailangang mamili. Sinasagot niya ang mga tanong bago mo pa man sila maitanong sa kanya. Paano bang maglakad nang may mabigat na paa? Bukod sa “Mahal kita!”, ano ang ibig sabihin ng “Mahal kita!”? Paano ba tanggapin ang nakaraan nang walang nahihiwang puso? Paano tumanggap ng bisita? Bakit kailangang maniwala at magtiwala? Gaano kahaba ang isang araw na hindi kasama ang minamahal? Hanapin mo rito ang mga kasagutan: “Hindi pala baha sa Malabon noong gabing ‘yon! At noong kinuwento ko ito kay Nanay, ang tanging sabi niya, “Anak, nagmahal ka. Dapat masanay ka nang maglakad nang may mabigat na paa.” -Basang Sapatos

PINAKBET METER PAK NA GARNISH

PAK

PAK NA PAK

PAK NA PAK NA PAK

PAK NA PAK NA PAK NA PAK

PAK NA PAK NA PAK NA PAK NA PAK

BET NA TASTE

BET

BET NA BET

BET NA BET NA BET

BET NA BET NA BET NA BET

BET NA BET NA BET NA BET NA BET

“Mahal, kapag sinabi kong mahal kita, ang ibig kong sabihin Malupit ang mundo at mamahalin ko ang lahat ng kakampi mo. Kaya hayaan mong dumating ang mga bagyo. Hayaan mong malusaw ako ng araw. Hayaan mo akong kumbinsihin ka na kakampi rin ako.” -Kapag Sinabi Kong Mahal Kita

Graphics from the book cover of Severo’s Habang Wala Pa Sila

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Just FUBU : By Joan Robin T. Martinez Typical relationships involve a man courting his woman, being together – officially, having been introduced as one’s lover or a quick relationship status claimed in social media. Dating involves mall strolls, binge eating, doing things together, and basically diving into a level of intimacy not practiced between friends. Intimate relationships meant exhibition of affection, would it be publicly or privately; like holding hands, hugging, cuddling, kissing – or in more audacious terms – having sex. Sex, when used as a definition out of biological classification, is a subject often perceived as taboo. It is viewed simply as a mere instrument meant to consummate a marriage—a medium used within the bounds of a sacramental relationship. With globalization and the free access of information, the concept—its use and misuse—had gradually began breaking its restrictions. From husband and wife to lovers. From lovers to friends. Friends to strangers. Suddenly it’s lovemaking to casual sex and casual sex meant hello, let us meet and do the deed then leave. Jonathan (Not his real name), 23, is one in the many others who’ve had his fair share of Fubu. Fubu is an abbreviation coined from the label “fuck buddy”, also known as Friends with Benefits, No Strings Attached – labels that refer to a type of relationship catering to sexual activity as recreation without the hassle of being bound to exclusivity. Diving in the Moment “Naging MU (Mutual Understanding) kami hanggang sa nagkayayaan. Sa bahay muna, pinakain ganun. Siyempre pakainin mo muna bago mo kainin, ‘di ba?” he recounted

his first encounter with the relationship, “Una [siyempre], hotdog-hotdog, yung literal na hotdog, kain-kain lang kami ng mga breakfast foods ganon. Tapos yun manunuod kami ng mga dvds, hindi naman yung mga x-rated dvds, yung mga going there. Ayun tapos maglelead-up sa ‘wanna do it?’ Ganun. Nagkakaayaan.” Starting the relationship had been pretty much situational. In Jonathan’s case, it had been spontaneous in the sense that both parties had been swept by the mood and the fact that they had the whole house by themselves. “Naturally, kapag may isang lalaki at isang babae na naiwan sa isang lugar. Parang natural lang na mangyari sa kanila,” he concluded. On the contrary, Jonathan’s second encounter had been more successful compared to the first which ended when his partner falls for him. He emphasized that the second relationship was built solely on their sexual needs. “Walang relationship kasi tomboy siya. Finufulfill niya lang yung needs niya. Pero nagconfess naman siya sa akin na active din sila ng partner niya,” Being friends with benefits at that point was a conversation, an option agreed prior to doing the deed. Often, his partner would send him a message and they would drink every time – their signal to a score. Mutual understanding, in a sense, is a factor in sustaining a fubu relationship. Understanding the bounds of such relationship normally would come at the latter part. Raven (Not her real name), 22, is also one who had been swept by the moment. She confessed that giving in to being a fubu is her way to getting the man’s heart. “Attracted ako sa kanya initially kaya nung andun na kami pumayag ako. Kaso

“Ilang rebulto at gaano karaming museo pa ba ang ang dapat kong makabisa para lang maalala na nangyari nga pala ito? Hindi ako tanga. Alam ko, matagal nang tapos ang giyera, pero minsan kasi nalilimutan ko pa. Nangyari nga pala ito. Nangyari nga pala sila.” -Corregidor, Bataan

Know no label. Know no brand.

nung medyo nagtagal na parang wala naman siyang balak ligawan ako or what. Tinanong ko siya kung ano ba kami, sabi niya friends daw,” she said. Drawing the line The primal rule in engaging with a fubu is having no attachment towards the other person. The rule of the thumb has always been about fun and sex. It’s always been about not having a relationship, no emotions involved, just sex. “Hindi siya set-up, consortium. Parang, gusto mo? Oo gusto ko rin, alam mo yun, napagusapan niyo na gawin yun. At the end of the day, importanteng walang attachment,” Jonathan said whilst referring to his first encounter when his thenpartner had confessed her attachment to him. On the other hand, it is not difficult to fall for a person whom you’d share a physical connection with. It’s a type of intimacy which transcends that of a typical friendship. Physical intimacy equates to the show of affection, which eventually turns into attachment. As this type of relationship favors no intimacy, its lifespan would come to an end once one of its participant falls for the other. Although it must not be generalized, Jonathan and Raven’s experiences provided proof that women are more vulnerable to the dangers of attachment. It has been known to history that women had been the type to focus more to finding “the one” and settling down to the business of making a family, while men had been known to have more freedom in exercising exploration rights in this area. “I was told to love myself more, na kami nalang sana. Hindi naman nila sinabi sa akin pero minsan nafefeel ko na tingin nila medyo immoral ang makipagsex tapos

“At oo, malamang hindi nga ito ang tamang panahon para sabihin sa’yo ito bilang puro maligno at lamanglupa ang kaninang mga binabanggit ko pero intindihin mo: kung kaya kong maniwala sa mga bagay na walang basehan tulad ng mga ito, bakit ako hindi maniniwala sa ‘yo? Sa atin? Sa tayo?” -Naniniwala Ako “Wag kang madurog sa harap niya. Pero ngitian mo siya. Kumapit ka sa kasalukuyan hanggat may makakapitan ka pa. Ngitian mo siya. At kapag nagpaalam na siya, ‘wag mong ibagsak ang pinto. Marahan mo itong isara. At sana matagpuan mong malinis ang silid.

wala kayong relasyon. Walang label ba.” Raven said, “Andun pa din siguro yung stereotype na kapag babae ka, dapat mas conservative ka. Isuko mo na lahat, wag lang virginity mo.” Being in this type of relationship crosses various lines from stereotypes. Issues like engaging in premarital sex, being monogamous in with bisexual relationships, and the role of women in the society are being treaded. Religion has its say with sexual activities out of the scope of marriage, as well as the practice of monogamy in relationships – a fubu does not claim exclusivity over their partners. There has been no such rule to imply such. Ideals concerning women and their virginity have been associated on how “loose” a woman can become with how relations are becoming too casual for our society. Despite the negative implications and consequences that a fubu relationship brings, Jonathan admitted that being a fubu is a “nice” lifestyle – specifically if you’re more stable and out of school, that having a sexual relation without commitment is convenient and without any remorse in any possible outcome. “You get action. Nafufulfill yung carnal needs. You gain experience based sa relationships na if you have f---ed someone na walang branding, it sucks. Kasi nakapagsex na kayo at lahat-lahat, wala kang panghahawakan,” he says, “You get fulfilled without the excess baggage ng relationship. Na hindi mo na siya tinetext ng umaga kung kumain na ba siya.” Admittedly, in a society that directs sex as something practiced solely after marriage, it could not be denied that sex is also considered as a need. The need to procreate is something religion has taught us, and biology provides the devices meant

At kung anumang bahagi mo ang napilas at nabaklas, sana tinangay na niya. Siya naman ang magdala.” -Bisita "Balita ko’y maulan ngayon diyan habang buong pagsuko akong nagpapalapnos sa araw dito. sa inuupahang kuwarto, tahimik Ang payong na hindi ko na naisauli pa sa ‘yo. Naisip ko: parehong tubig lang itong tinitignan ko at ang maaaring bumubuhos ngayon sa ulo mo. Kaya lumapit ako sa dagat, inabot sa kanya ang aking kamay — nilublob ito. Sakaling matagpuan mong nababasa na ng ulan ang iyong buhok, kamay ko ‘yan: humahaplos sa ‘yo.” -Guimaras

for such capacity. That men are created with such organs, a piece of a puzzle that fits perfectly into a woman’s womb. Attraction has its own science, its rationale explained and leads to the act of copulation. The men and women in our society, heavily influenced by conservativism albeit the gush of modernity, practices such stereotypes with regards to how people should act in these circumstances. Single parents, live-in partners, mistresses are considered as deviants of the society, and what is considered normal has always been the traditional relationship where a man and a woman traverse the normal route: courtship towards marriage and sex after weddings. It must be dismissed that western influences had slowly been swaying our traditions, and the so-called ‘deviants’ are being accepted minimally. Western influences dissipated by media, movies, drama series, books, novels, the likes, have been a major factor in implanting the idea among youth. The idea that was once frowned upon are now being opened as a reality experienced by the masses. Relationships nowadays have evolved into sub-classifications, in a way that makes things more complex when compared with the lifestyle back in the days where engaging in sexual activities would end up in marriage. Recent times dictate that people should be given choices regardless of the religion or the gender roles we are expected to behave. Choices which include who we love, the type of relationship we go into, or what we do with our bodies should be respected without bias or prejudice brought about by our upbringing. Our traditions are slowly evolving into something more, and such practices are being assimilated and accepted as our own.

Karamihan sa mga tula ay isinulat upang bigkasin kaya sumisigaw ang mga emosyon sa libro. Sa katunayan, ang ilan ay itinanghal na ni Severo sa harap ng iba’t ibang uri ng madla. Nakalimbag sa libro ang Ang Huling Tula Na Isusulat Ko Para Sa ‘Yo, Mga Basang Unan, Sa Parating Huli, at iba pang mga tulang kinagiliwan ng mga tao, partikular na ng mga kabataan. Nasa libro rin ang tulang Ang Mga Lugar Ay Pawang Mga Lugar Lamang na itinanghal naman ni Severo sa sikat na teleseryeng On The Wings of Love. Kaya naman, buksan mo na ang unang libro ni Severo. Galugurin ang mga pahinang kinalalagyan ng labingwalong mga tula ng pagibig at isa-isahin mula rito ang mga dahilan kung bakit isa siya sa mga kilalang spoken word artists ng bansa. Kaibiganin ang mga letra, imahe’t metapora. Hanapin mo ang maraming mukha ng pag-ibig habang wala pa silang manghuhusga. Habang wala pa sila, basahin mo na.

BLURB IT OR NOT

HABANG WALA PA SILA, BASAHIN MO NA By Jahred F. Bertolfo

Graphics from Sud Skin Album cover

JULY - AUGUST 2016

FEATU

Chivalry isn’t dead:

A local tourist's blueprint to

By Andrea Nicole Sapnu, Janelle Pamela David, and Gianne Merielle Gonzales

ravel back to time and relive the roots of our beloved birthplace, Tarlac, with an enlightening and thrilling experience. This will make hearts go soft in remembrance of the thousand heroes in the midst of the historic Death March and the humble home of the exemplary politician who left a significant mark in the country’s prosperous history. Find out the story behind the “Melting Pot” of Central Luzon, as we go through some of our remarkable go-to's in Tarlac. We will make sure you will be enthusiastic to be a witness of it all. CAPAS NATIONAL SHRINE AND THE ECHOES OF WWII Located in Barangay Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, the Capas National Shrine is a great destination to visit and remember the hardships of the Prisoners of War (POWs) who have endured the horrors of war, of man’s inhumanity to his fellow men. The Bataan Death March is a journey that started from Mariveles, Bataan to Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. The transfer of around 60,500-80,000 Filipino and American

prisoners started on April 9, 1942. Due to the April heat, many POW’s perished in the middle of the march. Many were weak, scared, and had eventually passed away due to fatigue as well as poor hygiene, sickness and malnutrition while still under detention, with 300,000 casualties in total. The Capas National Shrine was consecrated on December 7, 1991 by President Corazon C. Aquino, through Proclamation No. 842. Redevelopments of the Shrine were immediately given support by the Congress and Malacanang through Republic Act No. 1882. The shrine is encompassed in 54 hectares of parkland in which 35 hectares are covered in greenery; thousands of trees dedicated to the succumbed prisoners, each tree embodying a distinct story as it depicts each tragic ends of the fallen. The Esplanade Eminent from the front gate is a central walkway stretching from the main entrance to the Ceremonial plaza, to the flag pole and stretching to the Memorial Plaza, built wide and extensive to foreground the approach towards “Obelisk” – the focal point

of the entire shrine site. It was a long way and it was raining when we got there but our excitement was at its peak-est that we just go along with it. Appreciating the trees are all perfectly lined up and the sounds of nature were peacefully relaxing. As the distance decreases, You'll see the Obelisk growing in your naked eye. The “Obelisk” On April 9, 2003, a 70 meter “Obelisk” was unveiled to the public. As we reached the needle-like tower, and found that it consisted of three sections symbolizing the Filipino, American and Japanese people of modern age of global peace. It was educational, learning the lessons of the past and was mesmerizing to see. The obelisk consisted of a three-segmented black marble where the names of the prisoners who died during the march are engraved together with poems written by soldier-poets vividly telling their experiences during wartime. The Boxcar It is known to be the last known surviving freight car of its kind; the boxcar was once used as a means of

transportation for Japanese invaders to bear American and Filipino prisoners who were defenders of Bataan and San Fernando. The boxcar measures about six feet long, eight feet wide and six feet high. In spite of this small space, almost fifty to sixty men were forced into the boxcars. Larger versions of boxcars were made too, where almost one hundred fifty men were forced inside. Due to the blistering heat of the sun, the car rapidly becomes an oven for prisoners; many suffocated to the scorching condition, urinating and vomiting inside the boxcars rendering the floor of the vehicle despicably filthy. Over time, the boxcar has been maintained to keep its build giving the guests of the shrine an insight to the horrors of the past.

The Museum and the Cement Cross Located meters away from the Boxcar, a small museum highlighting photographs of the Bataan Death March is erected. Outside the museum lies a replica of the cement cross built by The Battling Bastards of the Bataan Death March in commemoration of the legacy the Americans brought to country and of the Philippines as they offered their lives during wartime

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arlac However, original cross was brought to the National Historic Site located Andersonville, Georgia, USA. The Hanging Bridge On the far end of the land lies a hanging bridge, almost two-storey high which adds to the eccentricity of the shrine by offering tourists the adrenaline of crossing towards a mini garden on the other side above the presence of a moving creek.

BALÉ AQUINO: WHERE THE YELLOW LANES BEGIN Before the name “Aquino” became a trademark of democratic independence and an iconic representation of the dominion of the voices of the populace over its oppressors, it all started with what all the endeavors and greatness of the Filipino society emerged from: home. The late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino has lived in a typical Filipino household at the family’s ‘baluarte’ in Tarlac, running over wooden floors, Red Narra to be exact, as how caretaker Regina Calusa narrated it. The Aquino Ancestral House is described as “The Lasting Umbilical Cord of the Aquino

Family” as it kept the Aquinos intact to their mother town throughout the decades up to the present. It is located in Concepcion, Tarlac – beloved town of Don Benigno and Doña Aurora who have initiated the construction of the house back in 1938. The Aquino house has a twostorey, European–like architectural style, standing vigorously adjunct the plaza complex. It showcased hardwood and fruit-bearing trees, neo-classical columns, and a colossal grand porch. On the interior side, the unpainted Red Narra hardwood brings warmth to the eyes as it covers majority of the sections of the porch, the late senator Aquino’s office, the floors and the entirety of the second floor of the house. The vintage brass push button electric switches, faucets and lavatories, and vintage gizmos and apparatuses are still in good shape emphasizing the endurance of the mansion itself. Among the ornaments displayed such as paintings of The Mona Lisa and religious figures, sculptures and wooden furniture, those of most eminency are photographs. One which dominated the rest is placed on the living room—the enlarged

JULY - AUGUST 2016

framed photo of the family, adorned in the most ‘Aquino-est’ fashion. All of them are wearing yellow – a shade which left a great mark in the country’s history. This time though, no fists were raised in the air or any symbolism of revolution. Instead, it captured the serenity of the Aquino family with smiles on their faces, standing vibrant and firm, just like the home which held them sheltered for the past decades of their lives. At the end of the day, we had big smiles and a sign of contentment on our faces because we realized even after that tiring day our minds were fed with an endless cornucopia of humanity and bravery after visiting the home that nurtured Aquino's heroism and the place where we honored the sacrifices of the POW's. After all, we are all bound with the same dream: to be heroes to someone sometime. Making a name in history is the greatest glory to see before you close your eyes. And you will know, if that happens you will leave a mark forever not just in the hearts of our generation but in the minds of the next centuries of time. But for now, we are going to be heroes in our own little ways.

(From left to right) Capas National Shrine obelisk, Aquino’s ancestral house in Concepcion, Tarlac, a statue beside the house, and the Capas Death March marker. Photos by Aira S. Pinpin

JULY - AUGUST 2016

Ambrosia Andrea Nicole B. Sapnu

I wish I could go back to 1820 And have your warm, delicate fingers Caress the porcelain image You’ve made of me; And to be the muse, once more To your immaculate white canvass In her favorite silk dress And silver ornaments, Like how you wanted me to, But I’m far too sedated to escape The sands of time And it was already 1825 You will exquisitely narrate to me Endless tales of galleon ships, Quests of trade as they crossed seas, And of steam engines, That I could hear the tidal waves And inhale the scent of coal With only your words; Then a pause, a silence “I never should have put you into The depths of my desperation, Don’t apologize... “It was a mistake...” No, it isn’t. You haven’t got a choice

Ambrosia Such a beautiful name For a beautiful dame Who’s lived a life so beautifully tragic.

Time flew and grew cruel Civil war made its way To the heart of the city The invaders gained power And every waking day Is a news of mass devastation

i am what this chaos caused me; a perpetual sadness a constant letdown a poignant tragedy i am what you made me; with the things you regret the times you try to forget and the days you chose to neglect

I only knew it when the deviance was at large I only knew it when the bombarding reached the comforts of our abode I only knew it when you started packing your bags I only knew it when you left

i am what this world made me think of.

I only knew it when I closed my eyes As if I were unmindful of the chaos Of debris hitting my frail, metal framework I shut my eyes, the outrage sang me a lullaby

thank you for not trying to alter the mess i am

I woke up at 1845

when all i wanted to do was change.

Forsaken, corroded But never alone They found my remaining pieces And held me captive in sheer glass, Almost sinking in the sea of eyes, Glaring from the other side

“I should’ve known. She was getting weaker, I should’ve treated her disease A wee bit earlier” There’s no use, she wouldn’t make it

I never heard of you since

Ambrosia Whose face glances back at me In mirrors Where my reflection should have been

Ambrosia Whose death bed Isn’t made from A lovers arm

But that was until 1835

Janelle Pamela R. David

The war was there no more It’s the commencement Of a brand new age And I was there to see it

“For thinking she could live in you”

Ambrosia Whose memory haunts A man’s old soul When he looks at me Straight in the eye

“But you weren’t there for her”, The words I couldn’t say And as if our minds synchronized, “I’m terribly sorry” That’s how you sing me to sleep Every single night

Sugar and Spice

Maybe you were conquering oceans Like how you describe in your stories Or searching for new canvasses to fill colors in, Or carving off your dead lover’s features, In porcelain, once more And as these eyes Deliberately stare down at me I’d rather they’d be in awe Than in rage of a product Of a man’s selfish pleasure I’d rather they’d find wholeness within This shattered anatomy And I’d rather they’d see hope Than a face, that never did I own.

Sa Kahabaan ng F. Tan Jahred F. Bertolfo

Ipinangalan daw sa mga ninuno ko Ang mahabang kalyeng F. Tanedo Kaya kapag tinatanong ko ang nanay Kung bakit wala kaming sariling bahay Sa amin daw ang kahabaan ng F. Tan Dito raw kami marapat na manirahan Sa amin daw ang bawat pasikot at liko Ng mahabang kalyeng pamanang-ninuno Kaya kung makitang nasa may mga basura Nililinis lang talaga namin ang aming mana

I Can Sell My Name Jahred F. Bertolfo

i can sell my name if people will still remember me by the way i brush my curly hair, how bullets of sweat form in between my nose and lips. People will remember how my thin lips move to spit words and meanings people understand, people accept. i can sell my name if you can love me without it, if you can rather call me home and mean it. do not forget that you loved me even before you knew my name. I can sell my name and you will still remember me. i can sell my name and trade it with identified identity.

Literary THE

Soubriquet

Joan Robin T. Martinez

WORK

Parts of the Body Jahred F. Bertolfo

My physical attributes are known when you call. They’d know who exactly are you referring to. High-heels Red dress Bright red lipstick A whore if you may I’d beg. Please. Call. My. Name.

The Bibliophiles’ Plea Andrea Nicole B. Sapnu

Mumble to me softly In the wake of night Like how I whisper tenderly To the pages in the light of day Caress my fragile skin gently With the tip of your fingers As if tracing the letters Imprinted on parchment pages Read me, like how badly I wanted to flip Through pages of My favorite childhood fiction Decipher me, oh decipher Within these symbols Figure me things I’ve never figured of For understanding myself, I found Too vague Remember me, Like how I’ve memorized Every single space In my most cherished poems Remember me in the depths Of your slumber Like a chapter of a novel I’m aching to finish Remember me, Keeping you wide awake In the void of your room In the midst of your sorrow For I am fragments And clauses And everything in between Remember me The way you want to For I am yours to ponder And have always been

Sa loob ng dyipni, kandong ng ina ang anak niyang mga tatlong taong gulang pa lang. “Where’s your nose, baby?” Itinuro ng bata ang kanyang ilong. “How about your eyes?” Sabay na hinawakan ng bata ang kaliwa at kanan niyang mata. “Eh, yung hair mo baby? Nasa’n?” Sinuklay ng bata ang kanyang buhok gamit ang kanyang mga daliri. “Very good, baby. O, si Daddy? Nasa’n si Daddy?” Iniling ng bata ang kanyang ulo kasama ang ilong, kaliwa’t kanang mata at buhok niya saka ito umiyak. “Very good, baby!”

Nay, May Crush Po Ako Jahred F. Bertolfo

Nay, may crush po ako-maganda. Parang ikaw nu'ng dalaga ka pa. May nunal din siya sa may pisngi, Nay-buhay. Mapungay ang mga mata. Mahaba ang buhok At itim na itim. Kakaiba ang ngiti. 'Yun nga po ang nagustuhan ko sa kanya, Nay eh. Nu'ng nakita niya ako, nginitian ako kaagad. Parang nagpapahiwatig ba? Pero syempre pakipot po ako, Nay. Hindi ko pinahalatang kinilig ako. Kasi sabi mo kay Kuya, hindi palaging totoo ang mga ngiti. Pero Nay, nu'ng minsang nilapitan ako Nu'ng mag-isa po akong nakaupo Sa may shed sa school, namula po ako. Parang kapag naga-allergy si bunso? Sobra-sobra po ang kaba ko! Nay, pag-ibig po ba ang tawag dito? Kasi, Nay, limang beses ko pa lang siyang nakita Pero limang beses na rin akong tinayuan Ng mga balahibo. Ilang beses ko na siyang Kasama sa mga biting panaginip ko. Kung saan magkakampi kami sa laro Mahigpit ang hawak sa kamay ng isa't isa Naniniguradong sabay na mahuhuli ng taya. Pero bigla na lang magigising ang katauhan Habang amoy laway at mamasa-masa ang unan. Nay, natatakot po ako, Baka hindi niya ako magustuhan. Na baka magsumbong siya sa tatay niya Kapag sinabi kong crush ko siya. Baka nga po lumipat pa ng school. Ayoko pong mangyari 'yun. Kaya gusto ko na po sana siyang ligawan, Nay Katulad kung paano ka dati niligawan ni Tatay. Kaso, hindi pa pala niya alam ang pangalan ko. Buti na lang Nay, tinuruan mo na ko Kung paano magpakilala nang tama. Kaya kung nagkataong tatanungin niya Ang pangalan ko, bibigkasin kong malakas: My name is Mary G. Salas! Tama ba, Nay?

THE

WORK

DEVCOMM

JULY - AUGUST 2016

THE OFFSPRINGS OF

Masalasa Creek THE STORY OF THE THREE CHILDREN AND THEIR UNDERWATER LABOR

Text and Photo By Daniel C. Carreon When the fat clouds above SM City Tarlac start to charcoal and pour heavy rain, there are three extremely young and elated boys with rainbow-bright clothes who suddenly show up, not to go to what they call the ‘mall of dreams,’ but to run to the filling-up creek beside it. As soon as the torrential rains landed onto the dry grounds of the creek, they immediately ran fast with blatant swell of happiness painted on their wet faces. Their eyes shouted of excitement. Their full smiles extended to their temples. Their cold and shivering hands clapped at and against one another. And their innocent tongues spoke of gratitude for an answered prayer. “Thank you, Lord!” one boy shouted. “Thank you, Lord!” the others echoed. If you would ask them why they thank the Lord, they would answer because of the rain. Rain licks and coats their faces with happiness, because rain, they said, is the smell of money. Rainbow in the dirt SM City Tarlac seems to be every Tarlaqueño child’s favorite place to be in. But for some, it is the creek that is located beside it. Masalasa creek is a long river that stretches to other places in Tarlac. For these past months, the creek is constantly dry because of the consistent warm weather. But once it is filled up after the heavy rain, children from nearby barangays drop by and do their business which is their rainbow that comes after—fishing with bare hands. Some of these children who swim and fish in the creek are the tripartite friends Carlos, Mark, and Justin. They are all from the adjacent village of Barangay Binauganan. The first two are both twelve-year olds, while the last one is only ten. But surprisingly, they talk as if they have been grownup fishermen for a long time. “We knew this place [Masalasa creek] from our friends who do the same before. So we have been doing it [fishing] since then,” Carlos, 12, said. “We are not doing anything wrong, anyway.” These three boys all seem to be small

and feeble in their physiques, but once the Masalasa creek wells up with rain water, they begin to look and act as if they are made up of part whalebone and iron. They would not hesitate to dive into the neck-deep river, in spite of the obvious fact that the water goes murky, squalid, and putrid after the rain because of the disposed wastes, dumped diapers, plastic wrappers, and sometimes even human feces which all come from the houses built along the creek. Amidst the polluted water of the creek, they treat themselves as ‘experts’ in swimming. They laud that they can swim with their eyes and mouths open just to grope for the fish they treat as gold. “Swimming is easy, very easy,” Mark, 12, boasted, while demonstrating in air how he swims despite of the clogged wastes that come his way. “You just have to move your legs like this so that you won’t drown, and then go deep under the water and stretch your hands to search for the fish, and then move your legs like this again so you can have time to breathe, and do the same until you catch a fish.” Today, the children were ready to go into the creek that they consider a blessing. They all removed their slippers at once and placed them on the grasses, removed their clothes and placed them on top of their slippers, a n d finally donned on their immortal hope of netting by their bare hands a lot of fish which they would eventually sell to the village people, who,

(From left to right) Justin, Mark, and Carlos. Photo by Daniel C. Carreon

according to them, are “extremely gluttonous” that they won’t even care if the tilapia were from the dirty creek. After smiling at the begrimed water they’re excited to soak themselves into, they finally dived. “We only have one mission today,” said Justin on the water, his whole body immersed and barely visible while brushing away the rubbish that stay afloat with him. “We need to fill the plastic we are bringing with a lot of tilapia, because they are the most expensive.” Worrying for the Night After a few minutes in the water, they were still agile in catching fish with bare hands. Every time Justin and Mark raised their heads and hands from under water, small-scale fish were resting on their small hands and do tailspin and jerky movements incessantly. All of the fish they caught were then tossed to Carlos, the youngest of their tripartite friendship, who then put the caught fish inside the plastic container they were bringing. Usually, they can sell a plastic of fish for P20 to P25, which is basically the return of an hour of fishing. But this day, they have extended their fishing for another hour in the hope of earning a much bigger income. Roughly two hours have passed when Justin and Mark decided to get off the water to check out how many they have caught. They all crouched down the grass and tossed the plastic upside down. The small-scale fish stumbled off the plastic, and all of the fish they caught were dead, covered with moss and mud. “ N o one

will buy these,” Justin said, disappointment obviously clouded his face. Asked why, he answered, “Well, because they are skinny and very tiny in size, they are of no use.” For a moment, they all sat on the grass, cold, talking of going back to the water to fish again. But all of them were tired except for Mark. “We need to fish because we want to earn money,” he said sheepishly, looking at the dead fish on the grasses. “We can’t be tired, sir.” But eventually, they all went back to the water, and this time with the youngest Carlos. Unfortunately, their luck had flowed freely with the waste; hence, they caught nothing anymore. While they were resting, Mark played at his flesh wound in his ankle. He said that he had gotten into an accident before he went here in Masalasa creek. Asked if he’s afraid it might get infected, he laughed and answered that he is not. He added, “We still need to do this [fishing], because I worry that we will have nothing to eat tonight if I don’t bring money.” ‘Not Our Responsibility’ Justin, Mark, and Carlos are all Barangay Binauganan born and bred. Hence, as soon as their pictures were shown and their names were told to Marife Garcia, secretary to barangay captain Julie Santiago, she immediately confirmed they live in the barangay. “I can confirm that by their last names,”Garcia said. She is also aware that there are children who go to Masalasa creek to fish, but unknown to her if all of the children who go

there are constituents of their barangay. In addition, according to her, there have been many cases of deaths of children because of their unsanctioned fishing in the creek. “We have been telling some children not to go to Masalasa creek because it’s dangerous,” she said. “There have been children who drowned there because of fishing. But I don’t know why the children keep on doing that [fishing].” She added, “the parents of these children are the ones to blame, not the barangay, because these children are not our responsibility.” She stated that the barangay has programs like Alternative Learning System (ALS) if the parents are really willing to send their children to school, which, she said, is not a big problem to them chiefly because this program is offered free. Moreover, she also asserted that Binauganan has a free public elementary school which could very much cater to the needs of Justin, Carlos, and Mark, who, according to them are enrolled, but do not attend their classes. “This is really up to their parents,” she said. “As a mother and a parent, I really don’t like it when children are working at their young age because I cannot imagine that to my own children. I want them to stop fishing because they don’t need to work considering their age.” When asked if they are willing to start planning programs to help the children like Justin, Mark, and Carlos, she answered that right now, they don’t fixate on this issue anymore, because they focus their programs in line with the campaign on war against drugs. She repeated, “they are not our responsibility.” Their dreams are born in the creeks. When the creek is dry and gone with nothing but waste, their dreams are dry and gone as well. When the creek is filled up with rain water, no matter how muddy and dirty and stinky, their dreams get heartbeats for a while. As they leave the Masalasa creek with their empty plastic container, they said that they wish the fat clouds to charcoal and pour rain again tomorrow. Note: All of the responses of the interviewees are translated to English.

JULY - AUGUST 2016

a kamalayan ng mga mamamayan ng Tarlac, pawang lumang tugtugin na ang mga balita patungkol sa mga paparating na kalamidad mula nang hinagupit ang lalawigan ng mga maladelubyong bagyo sa mga nakalipas na taon gaya ng bagyong Santi, kung saan sumailalim ang Tarlac sa typhoon signal no. 3, at ng mga sumunod na bagyong hindi lamang nag-iwan ng pinsala sa mga kabuhayang pang-agrikultura, lupain at mga ari-arian, kundi ng pangamba sa bawat mamamayan na nakasasaksi sa mga ito. Kasabay ng pagharap ng mga Tarlaqueño sa matitinding unos ay ang unti-unting pagkawala ng pagasa na muli pang maisasaayos ang isa sa mga pinakakontrobersyal na imprastrakturang proyekto ng lokal na pamahalaan – ang dike ng Tarlac. ‘SANDBAGGING’ BILANG PANSAMANTALANG SAGOT Taong 2013 nang ipinasara ang Ninoy Aquino Bridge, tulay na nagkokonekta sa Barangay Tibag at Ninoy Aquino Boulevard, sa kasagsagan ng bagyong “Maring” gawa ng pagkakaroon ng dalawanpu’t apat na metrong (24 m) sira ng dike sa tabi ng Barangay Cut Cut. Rumaragasang tubig mula sa Agno River ang humampas sa konkreto ng dike katabi ng mga tirahan at mga gusali sa kahabaan ng Aquino Boulevard. Bilang pansamantalang solusyon,

DEVCOMM

ipinanukala ni Mayor Gelacio “Ace” Manalang, na siyang alkalde nang panahong iyon, ang “sandbagging” na nangangahulugang pagtatapal sa nasirang bahagi ng dike sa pamamagitan ng mga sakong pinuno ng buhangin, kaagapay ang Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO). Hindi kalaunan ay isinagawa ang slope protection na kaakibat ang road widening program sa mga apektadong lugar ng sira sa ilalim pa rin ng administrasyon ni Manalang, taong 2014. Tatlong buwan makalipas, muli itong nakitaan ng sira at ang haba ng pinsala ay humigit pa sa isaandaang metro (100 m) at patuloy na nadadagdagan habang napapawalang-bahala ito. Kagaya ng nakagisnan, muling gumamit ng sandbags upang remedyuhan ang dike, na hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay pawang nakatiwangwang na sugat na pilit na nilulunasan ng maling gamot. Kaya sa halip na gumaling ay mas lalo pa itong nagiging mabalasik. Mula sa mga insidenteng ito, ang bawat pagtapak sa dike ay tila pagtapak na rin papalapit sa mga nagbabadyang pahamak na maidudulot nito. AGARANG SOLUSYON SA MADALING PANAHON Umulan ng maraming sentimyento mula sa “netizens” nang makaabot sa kanila ang nakadidismayang impormasyon. Isa na rito ang environmental blogger at consultant for strategic partnerships ng IDC Environment and Livelihood

Development Foundation sa Pasig City na si G. Anton Antonio, na tumutugon sa mga isyung pangkalikasan sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat ng mga suhestiyon sa kaniyang blogspot account. "PAGASA’s accuracy in weather prediction must be positively welcomed. Their accuracy, however, could also be a legitimate cause for alarm insofar as Tarlaqueños living in Tarlac City are concerned. Why? The situation in the city is not quite stable if the following conditions remain… (1) If one, two or all of these tropical cyclones are as “wet” as Typhoon Lando; and (2) The breached portion of the Tarlac City dike is not repaired and fortified post haste." Nakalahad ito sa isang entry na pinamagatang Tarlac City Dike Narratives, na nilimbag sa kaniyang account noong ika-3 ng Nobyembre taong 2015. Ayon sa pagpapaliwanag ng blogger na dating nakatira sa Tarlac, ang sandbagging ay isa lamang pampakalma sa pinsala. Kinakailangan ng madaliang aksyon upang pahupain ang pagkabalisa at tiyakin ang kaligtasan at kahandaan ng mga mamayang Tarlaqueño lalung-lalo na sa mga pabugsu-bugsong kalamidad. Sa isang panibagong akda, inilimbag niya kaugnay ng kaniyang sentimyento ang isang larawan mula sa google maps – isang representasyon ng dike na minarkahan niya ng dilaw at pula na sumisibulo sa mga pressure point'. Sa imahe, makikita na minarkahan ng dilaw ang Ninoy Aquino Bridge at Agana Bridge, samantalang ang mga

nakamarka ng pula ay mga riverbanks o mga parte ng dike kung saan tumatama ang tubig at posibleng magkaroon ng hydraulic pressure kapag tumaas ang tubig. Maaaring magdulot ang pwersang ito ng bitak sa dike . Sakop ng pressure points na may markang pula ang north bank sa Barangay Tibag sa paligid ng Agana Bridge, ang south bank ng Ninoy Aquino Bridge na pinaliligiran ng Barangay CutCut, Carangian, Poblacion, Mabini at San Nicolas, at ang north bank ng Barangay San Isidro. Ito ang mga lugar na pinakamaaapektuhan kapag hindi agad naagapan ang marupok na sistema ng dike. Ngunit ano nga ba ang mga peligrong naghihintay sa mga Tarlaqueño? HALAGANG NAGASTA, HALAGANG NAAKSAYA Ayon kay Arvin F. Cabalu, Provincial Information Officer (PIO) at manunulat ng Tarlac Standard, may posibilidad na tuluyang gumuho ang naturang dike. "Mas mataas ang dike kaysa sa kabuuang bayan ng Tarlac. Ang posibilidad ay papasok ang tubig sa pinakapuso ng bayan at mapeperwisyo maging ang Tarlac Plazuela at Cathedral." Ibinunyag ng PIO na hindi lamang ordinaryong pilat ang taglay ng dike kundi isang “internal bleeding”—ang pagyurak mula sa loob nito, na lingid sa kaalaman ng isang pangkaraniwang mamamayan.

19 19

Sa kaniyang paglalahad, napagalamang hindi alinsunod sa mga pamantayan ang pagsasagawa ng slope protection kung kaya't hindi alintana ang pagkasira nito kahit iilang buwan pa lamang ang nakalilipas mula nang ito ay yariin. "It has already been investigated by several national television stations. It was a waste of money; nagpagawa pa nga ng viewdeck na hindi naman functional. Do you know how much did the Tarlaqueños pay for that viewdeck? P33,324.19 per square meter." Bilang karagdagan, ikinumpara niya ito sa SM City Tarlac na may pintura, bubong, bintana, naka-aircon at tiles, na nagkakahalaga ng P28,000 per square meter lamang samantalang mas malaki ang nagastos ng view deck na walang furnishing o muwebles. Sinigurado naman ng PIO na pagdating ng Nobyembre, sisimulan na namang muli ang paggawa sa dike, na sa panibagong pagkakataon ay maaaring bumuhay muli sa pag-asa ng mga Tarlaqueño lalung-lalo na yaong nakatirik ang tirahan sa kagiliran ng dike. Masisiguro rin ang kanilang kaligtasan kahit sa kalagitnaan man ng matinding sakuna. Umaasa at patuloy na aasa ang mga mamamayan ng Tarlac na maghihilom na rin sa wakas ang sugat ng dike sa pamamagitan ng karampatang lunas, nang sa gayon ay hindi na “Sandbag Capital” ang kabansagan nito, kundi isang pangalan na pamilyar sa lahat tahanan.

Masalimuot na bakas ng panandaliang lunas

Isang pagsisiyasat sa dike ng

Tarlac

Photos lifted from Facebook

Ni Andrea Nicole B. Sapnu

DEVCOMM

JULY - AUGUST 2016

PA G K A K A I B I G A N S A

PARAISONG USOK

NG MARIJUANA

Ni Creisha S. Dimabayao

agaman magkaiba ang uri ng pamilyang pinagmulan, nahanap nila ang tunay na pagtanggap sa isa’t isa, at halos magkapatid na ang kanilang turingan dahil sa dami ng mga bagay na kanilang napagsaluhan at napagdamayan nang magkasama. Ngunit bukod sa mga pagsubok na kanilang napagdaanan, hindi nila sukat akalaing mas magiging matibay ang kanilang pagkakaibigan dahil sa isang bagay na pareho nilang sinasandalan – ang paggamit ng “marijuana.” Kung papansinin, aakalaing nagso-sore eyes sina Mario at Juan (hindi nila tunay na pangalan) dahil sa kanilang mapupungay at mapupulang mga mata. Madalas, kahit seryoso ang daloy ng usapan, sila ay nakangiti o minsa’y tumatawa. Sa pagsisiyasat ng Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) sa unang hati ng taon, nasa 1.8 milyong Pilipino na ang kasalukuyang gumagamit ng ilegal n a droga mula sa kabuuang 100.98 milyong populasyon. Ang mga kasama sa bilang na ito ay nasa edad 10-69. Nailuklok noong Mayo, 2016 sa posisyong pagkapangulo ang dating alkalde ng Davao na si Rodrigo Duterte kung saan ang numero unong isyung kanyang layong lutasin ay ang paglala sa mapang-abusong paggamit ng droga. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng kanyang aniya ay madugong war on drugs. Nakapanghihinayang mang isipin, karagdagan ang dalawang binatilyo sa humahabang listahan ng gumagamit ng ipinagbabawal na gamot sa bansa. SI MARIO “Kwentuhan ng barkada, tapos sinubukan ko. Naengganyo kasi ako sa mga sinasabi. Gusto ko lang masubukan ‘yong pakiramdam,” ang sabi ni Mario habang nakangisi. Kiyuryosidad marahil ang umatake sa murang edad kaya’t nalagay si Mario sa isang masalimuot na sitwasyon. Aminado si Mario na mag-aapat na taon na simula nang sumubok siyang gumamit ng marijuana o cannabis. Labintatlong taon siya noong una niya itong matikman. “Iba kasi yung pakiramdam kapag nakatira ka. Masaya tsaka kalmado ka lang,” pagpapaliwanag niya. Naging mulat si Mario tungkol sa cannabis dahil sa kanyang mga kinalakihang barkada. Ayon sa binatilyo, ang hithit nito ang nagiging solusyon upang maging kalmado at mabawasan ang mga problemang k a n y a n g pinapasan. Habang lumalaki si Mario, hindi niya nakapiling ang kanyang mga magulang. Nasa pitong taon pa lamang siya nang sumakabilang-buhay ang kanyang ama. Kasabay nito ang desisyon ng kanyang ina na lumipad patungo sa ibang bansa bilang Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) upang matustusan ang pangangailangan ni Mario at ng kanyang mas nakababatang kapatid. Sila ay naiwan sa pangangalaga ng kanilang lola. Aminado si Mario na hindi naging madali sa kanya ang pagtanggap sa pagkawala ng kanyang ama – na wala nang proprotekta sa kanilang pamilya kung hindi siya dahil siya ang panganay. Sa murang edad, naging malupit ang buhay kay Mario. Ang batang sana ay nakipaglaro’t nakipaghabulan sa daan ay ang batang nawalan ng ama na siya sanang gagabay sa kanya. “Noong una masakit, mahirap, pero wala e kailangang tang g apin .

Pero minsan naiisip ko rin, ano kayang nangyari kung di siya agad namatay? Siguro maayos lahat ngayon.” SI JUAN Ngumingiti, at minsa’y tumatawa-tawa. Mawawari mong hindi normal dahil ang bawat simpleng bagay na makita niya, tatawanan niya. Katulad ng istorya ni Mario, naging malaking impluwensya rin ang mga barkada ni Juan sa pagsubok ng paggamit ng cannabis, at kalaunang naging parte ng kanyang istilo ng pamumuhay. Sa ngayon, nasa tatlong taon na simula nang mag-umpisang gumamit si Juan. Bago pa man sumubok, may kamalayan si Juan na ang bagay na kanyang gagawin ay maaaring sumira ng kanyang buhay. Mulat din siya sa mga negatibong bagay na maaaring mangyari sa oras na gumamit siya ng cannabis, ngunit sa huli’y mas matimbang ang kanyang desisyong subukang magpadala rito. Kung si Mario ay salat sa pangangalaga at gabay ng magulang, salungat naman ang naranasan ni Juan sa isang buong pamilya. Sa kaniyang pagpapaliwanag pa nga’y sobra-sobra ang atensiyong ibinigay sa kanya, hanggang sa nakaramdam na siya ng pagkasakal. Kaya hindi rin naging madali ang lahat para kay Juan dahil lumaki siya sa ilalim ng napakaistriktong mga magulang. Bihira niyang nagagawa ang mga bagay na gusto niya. Naging isa sa mga libangan niya ang pagba-bike o kaya’y pag-akyat sa mga bundok, kung saan dito niya rin isinasagawa ang paggamit ng cannabis kasama ng kanyang mga barkada. Sapagkat ang lugar na ito’y malayo raw sa mga tao, tanging ang kalikasan lamang ang nakakakita sa kanila. Nabanggit din nina Mario at Juan na hindi basta-basta ang pagpili ng lugar kung saan nila isasagawa ang paghithit ng cannabis. Hangga’t maaari ay sa lugar kung saan malayo sa mga tao sapagkat madali lamang makilala ang amoy nito. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng pagtatago’t pagsisikreto, nalaman pa rin ng mga magulang nina Mario at Juan ang kanilang ginawa. “Umiiyak lang si mama ko nung malaman niya. Nakakakonsensiya rin siyempre, tapos mapapaisip na lang ako sa mga ginawa ko,” malungkot na naging pahayag ni Mario. Samantala, naging agresibo naman si Juan sa pagsagot. “Pinagsasampal ako ni Papa ko no’ng mahuli niya ko noon. Akala ko nga mamamatay na ko sa mga oras na iyon. Gusto na nga nila akong pa-rehab nun, kaso di daw ako pwede kasi cannabis lang naman yung ginagamit ko, hindi shabu”. PANANDALIANG GAMIT Sa pagsasalaysay nina Mario at Juan, ang paggamit ng cannabis ay parang paghithit din ng sigarilyo. Oras lamang ang itinatagal ng epekto kung saan ang mararamdaman mo’y labis na antok o kaya naman ay gutom. Sa kaso ng dalawa, magkaiba kung papaano tinatanggap ng kanilang sistema ang cannabis. Hindi sumagi sa isip ni Juan ang gumawa ng masama at bagkus aniya ay kalmado siya. Salungat naman nito ang naging tugon ni Mario, dahil ayon dito umiiksi ang kanyang pasensya at nagiging maiinitin ang ulo. Ngunit alam pa rin niya ang kanyang ginagawa at itinangging nananakit ito. Ayon sa pananaliksik ng mga eksperto sa ibang bansa, ang cannabis ay maaaring isang gamot para sa sakit gaya ng epilepsy. Ito ay sa anyo ng medical marijuana. Dagdag dito, ilang bansa at estado sa Amerika ang nagsalegal ng paggamit nito bilang panggamot. Sa isang banda, nakapagdudulot ito ng relaksasyon at katamtamang euphoria o pakiramdam na “high”. Sa kabilang banda, nakapagdudulot ito ng panunuyo ng bibig, humihinang kakayahan sa paggalaw, pamumula ng mata, pagpahina sa panandaliang memorya, pagtaas ng tibok ng puso, pagtaas ng gana sa pagkain, at pagbaba ng presyon

ng dugo. S a Pilipinas, ang cannabis ay ipinagbabawal sa ilalim ng Republic Act No. 9165 o Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Wala pang panig ang Department of Health sa Medical Cannabis Act na nagsusulong sa legalisasyon ng medical marijuana ngunit nagsabing ayaw nila itong maabuso. Habang nakabinbin ang panukala sa Kongreso, bumuo ang kagawaran ng isang lupon ng mga eksperto mula sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas upang pag-aralan ang gamit nito sa medisina. HIGIT NA MAPANGANIB Naging bukas rin naman sina Mario at Juan patungkol sa methamphetamine, o mas kilala sa tawag na shabu. Ayon sa dalawa, minsan na silang inanyayahan upang gumamit, ngunit sila ay tumanggi. Nakaramdam si Mario ng takot kaya’t hindi niya sinubukan ito. “Baka iwanan ako ng mga barkada ko pag umepekto na yung tama,” pahayag ni Mario. Samantala, naikwento naman ni Juan ang kanyang lolo sa tuhod. Ayon sa kanya, nasa ikatlong taon na ang kanyang lolo sa kolehiyo na kumuha ng pagiging inhinyero. Buong akala nila’y siya na ang mag-aahon sa kanilang pamilya mula sa kahirapan ngunit nang iwanan siya ng kanyang kasintahan ay nag-umpisang masira ang kanyang buhay. Dito na rin daw ito nag-umpisa sa paggamit ng shabu. Nabanggit ni Juan na hanggang ngayo’y buhay pa rin ang kanyang lolo at nakikita niya paminsan-minsan na gumuguhit sa mga buhangin. PATULOY SA PAGLUTANG Sapagkat naging parte na ng sistema nina Mario at Juan ang paglanghap sa usok ng cannabis, mahirap na itong alisin sa kanila. Sinubukan ni Mario na tumigil ngunit hindi nito umano kaya. Samantala, nagawang tumigil ni Juan nang isang buwan ngunit bumalik rin sa dating buhay. “Pinadala ako nila mama ko noon sa Cavite, doon sa tito ko. Bale one month ako dun. One month din akong di nakagamit. Siyempre wala ‘yong mga barkada ko dun tsaka nakakulong lang ako sa bahay; palagi lang internet. Akala nila titigil na ‘ko, kaso no’ng bumalik ako sa Tarlac, balik rin sa paggamit ng cannabis.” Ayon sa dalawa, hindi na sila mabubuhay kung hindi sila makatitikim nito. “Pero dito kami masaya,” payahag ni Mario nang tanungin siya kung ano ang reaksyon niya tungkol sa mga taong masama ang tingin sa kanila. Samantala, ayon kay Juan, “tuloy lang, alam naman naming wala kaming napeperwisyong iba.” Dagdag pa niya, “may limitasyon naman sa paggamit, at alam naman namin yung obligasyon namin. Siyempre may pangarap rin naman kami.” Kasalukuyang nasa magkaibang kolehiyo na sina Mario at Juan ngunit nananatili pa rin ang kanilang pagkakaibigang nabuo noong sila ay h ay s ku l. Paminsan-minsan, nagkikita pa rin ang dalawa, kasama ng ilan nilang mga barkada. “Siguro titigil din kami. Pero sa ngayon, siguro, hindi muna kasi kapag gumagamit kami, panandalian naming nakakalimutan yung bigat ng buhay,” pagtatapos ni Juan. Nagpatuloy sila sa paglutang.

SPORTS

JULY - AUGUST 2016

TSU INTRAMS 2K17:

A Retrospective Stance FEARLESS FORECAST By Francis Ethan John A. Garcia

Photo from The Work archives

their lower extremities is the name of their game. This turned the volleyball scene inside TSU a prestige for both the LGBT community and volleyball fans alike. Kidding aside, the College of Education is a powerhouse for breeding the most powerful spikers inside TSU. Both their women and men’s team reached for the gold. This time, there is more competition than ever as more TSUians get involved in volleyball due to the Philippine Super Liga being mainstream. We can expect much fiery competitions come latter part of the intrams in volleyball, but right now I’ll give the Eagles 65% of title retention bid both for men and women.

f you were shocked by the sight of the headline, you need not to reread because it’s confirmed that the Intramurals for the 2016-2017 is on the April of next year. This is due to the congestion of events during the first semester. The Sports Development and Management Office did the proper adjustments to make the intrams less time consuming and more interesting. The month-long intrams is a disaster considering the late night schedules. Merging the foundation day with the intramurals could’ve been a nice idea but this just stirred up conflict of interest, and it projected that the university was trying to finish everything under a month.

On last year’s format

The round robin format for major ball games was too fancy yet innovative knowing that there are only few teams. This paved the way for late night games which caused troubles specifically in schedules. One day there’s basketball, then the next thing you know they are warming up for futsal. Other sports which do not attract a lot of crowd were given four or less days to finish. Single elimination is the name of the game for such sports. This format gives less attention to minor sports; less attention means less viewers. This is an implication that few people attend the intramurals and enjoy the coziness of their home. I hope that the next edition of the intramurals, aside from having a witty name, will have a clearer schedule, time frame, and format. In addition, I expect not having preferences for specific sports. ***

CBA Eyes for Grand Slam

Accumulating the most number of victories across all sports were the Green Tigers; securing an elusive three-peat. Pinning down the newly formed allegiance of the former Ravens and Dragons, the Golden Eagles. This year, the Green Tigers will try to achieve a Grand Slam securing their place in the intramurals history books. They are

almost everyone’s competition at any sport; they never run out of gas; and they are a hell of a college. More than a quarter of the total population of TSU are covered by the sea of green of CBA. Prospects can be seen left and right, unlike other colleges where prospects are scarce. The analogy of being better in the intrams comes with population: more population equals better team. In a grand total of 4,160 prospects, the growing population of the CBA will aid the chances of attaining the Grand Slam. ***

Fearless Forecast

I know that this may sound biased but I can only give predictions about certain sports. Aside from having less knowledge in the other sports, few concrete facts are available.

BASKETBALL

In the sport of the tall and mighty, the Green Tigers’ guards shone in an ironic basketball fashion. The Tigers swept through the group stages by securing wins after wins. In all honesty, the Tigers might be always the one taking the throne in basketball since the disintegration of the former powerhouse CHK Ravens. They have plenty of players who are part of the TSU varsity team which adds more flare and firepower to regain the throne for yet another year. Joining the ranks of the TSU Firefox are the formidable big man: Benz Jolo Caponpon; steady contributor: Lester Tuazon; and the captain ball and sweet shooting Darien Arciaga.

VOLLEYBALL

The Educ volleyball team is bannered by several gay students which gave birth to the metaphor Team Barbie. Smashing the ball with coordination to the shake of

FOOTBALL

A sport that is boring as hell, but once you try to watch in-close there will never be a dull moment. Few people appreciate playing defense in football; that element made me follow the sport. It is always dominated by the Sharks and Tigers. These two colleges are always clashing in the finals, although on their last meeting they ended up having a kick-off but man, was the game intense. I’ll give both the Sharks and Tigers a shot for the gold for the next edition of intrams.

BILLIARDS

This may be the shortest fearless forecast but we can presume that the Dolphins have this one in their pockets. With their pool prodigy Jinggoy Fuentes leading the crew and eyeing towards another set of gold in billiards.

BASEBALL

Walking around the diamond is a challenge, but once you learn the proper strategy and batting you’ll be able to master baseball. The former champions, Eagles are contending for yet another gold because, why the hell not; almost all of their players came from the former powerhouse CHK Ravens. They can easily homerun to victory with a little competition from the Dolphins. I’ll give 80% to the Eagles while the remaining goes to the Dolphins. *All fearless forecasts are opinions and are based on last year’s result. ***

What to expect?

As the countdown for the next installment of the intramural ticks, I can’t overhype it and at the same time make you wait for it. Right now, all you have to do is calmly wait until April comes. In the meantime, consider that the wait is worth it for the intramurals 2k17.

Weightlifting, down in schools Analysis by Cristine Emannuelle D.V. Flores

he recent winning of Hidilyn Diaz delighted the country as she brought home a silver medal from the Rio Olympics. The 25-year old weightlifter from Zamboanga lifted a combined weight of 200 kg from her performances in snatch, and clean and jerk event of women’s 53kg class – 12 kg behind gold medalist Taiwanese Shu-Ching Hsu. With this, Diaz became the first ever Filipina to win a medal in the most prestigious game in the world. This feat has finally ended the 20 years of El Niño for Philippine sports. Now, this pride puts up the hopes of Monico Puentevella, president of the Philippine Weightlifting Association, that the sport be finally recognized in major gaming events including the

Palarong Pambansa. Weightlifting is an individual sport in which the athlete attempts a maximum-weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates. But the expected appearance of weightlifting in bigger settings like State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) would not be seen yet. Unfortunately, Puentevella and the fans’ hopes might not be granted immediately because weightlifting is currently not existent in most higher education institutions including Tarlac State University (TSU). The sport was last seen active in TSU in 2012. According to Dr. Ligaya Salangsang, Sports Development Office Director, the sports that are

offered by school’s program are based on those actually played in nationwide competitions. Since weightlifting is not one of those in priority plays for the national games, the university eventually removed it from Intramurals. In the recent meeting of SCUAA Board of Management, weightlifting was not mentioned as one of the sports to be included in this year’s event. “Sa mga collegiate-based [sports], wala na talagang weightlifting,” Salangsang said. Weightlifting is also neither included in the Philippine University Games nor in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. “Isa siguro sa mga reason kung bakit wala, kasi dangerous ‘yon,” Salangsang explained. The top reason why most people are afraid to enter the sport weightlifting is because of the gruesome injuries that might be accumulated from the sport.

Hidilyn Diaz, the first Philippines’ Olympic medalist since 1996, during the 2016 Summer Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo from philstar.com One recent accident in weightlifting is an elbow dislocation suffered by Armenian weightlifter Andranik Karapetyan in Rio. Other serious injuries includes tearing of muscles during trainings and limb injuries.

Meanwhile, though lifting weights is not yet that recognized in the country, weightlifting coaches are conducting recruitment programs for possible trainees – students, out of school youths, and enthusiasts – to make the sport active in the Philippines.

SPORTS

JULY - AUGUST 2016

OF POWER AND CHARACTER

By Isaih Kyle C. Umipig

he sporting field is an arena. Enclosed in it are wars that waged unto one another. The naked eye only sees what is physical – the actual grit and grind of opposing parties. Obscurely, there is another fight going on, and it is in the sportsmen’s heads. The psychological warfare of sports makes the games more dramatic. Not only seeing them outwit and outplay each other, but also to see who can keep themselves cool amidst the intensity that adds up to the excitement of every competition. On August 13, Yeng Guiao, Rain or Shine (ROS) coach, was fined P20, 000 after he criticized the referees during a 117-114 win of ROS against the Alaska Aces. For attaining his second technical foul, Guiao was expelled on the third quarter, he shouted “wala nang nanonood sa atin, ref!” to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) officiating referees. Guiao has gained the reputation when it comes to scenes like this. In the history of State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA), a lot of instances similar to this had happened and these instances are really common and are actually happening. According to Prof. Jefferson Herrera, coach of the TSU men’s basketball team, TSU varsity maintains behavior inside and outside the game. He said that a coach must be level-headed. “Kailangan mabilis kang mag-sink into normal. Magagalit ka, tapos babalik ka sa level. Matuto ka. Kasi ‘pag ‘di ka levelheaded, ‘yong mga decisions mo, may doubt,” he said. Character is really important. Players have to maintain

their composure and behavior inside the court. As for coach Herrera, he sees the attitude of his players as a reflection of his responsibility as a coach. He told about a scenario where another team in SCUAA, which was already secluded in the finals, went to the game with bats and punching kits and started cursing and giving the dirty fingers to the players.

“

basketball team, said that it’s really difficult to focus if their coach committed something inappropriate inside the court; they might be disconcerted during the game proper. He added, “natataranta kami ‘pag natataranta din ‘yong coach namin. Babawalan na lang namin siya [kung sakaling magkaroon ng ganoong sitwasyon.]” Arciaga explained a disorganized coach may not be helpful. For players, training not only serves as the tactical preparation but also as a mind state discipline process. It must be ensured that they keep it clean and simple. Meanwhile, according to Dr. Ligaya Salangsang, Sports Development and Management Office (SDMO) director, there are penalties given but with no fine. The penalties are: 1) banning the player/coach; 2) calling the attention of the director; and 3) forwarding the complaint to the president of the university. “[May penalties na ganito] kasi misconduct ‘yon,” Salangsang explained. “Mas decent and morally guided [ang mga university coaches] because we are in the academe. Kasi sa commercial, patayan ‘yan. Pera ang usapan diyan,” the director added. Sports build character. Every game is a lesson in its form. You win; you learn. You lose, same thing. You either learn from your success or from your mistakes. Every action, every move that a sportsman makes reflects his/her character. An athlete must never forget that in deep down, no matter how grueling the fight is, sportsmanship should still float and that the intensity should be outside their minds.

The psychological warfare of sports makes the games more dramatic. Not only seeing them outwit and outplay each other, but also to see who can keep themselves cool amidst the intensity that adds up to the excitement of every competition.” Emotions are very normal especially in the heat of games. Sportsmen are no different than anyone; they are humans, too. However, at the end of the day, everything must go back to the way it was. Coach Jeff admitted that he commits errors, and sometimes his players receive the wrong message. “Basketball is not a game of angels. Sa basketball, tuso ka. But at the end of the day, you just have to retain to normal. It’s a game, and games are meant to have fun,” Herrera emphasized. Meanwhile, Dean Reigner Arciaga, forward of TSU Firefox

Winner’s pressure

By Richmon A. Cayabyab he Seattle crowd of America roars to life as a game winning move by an underdog turns the tide of the fight and wins it all. This scenario in pretty much any sport is a story as old as time, where a relatively unknown group of players managed to beat their seemingly unstoppable adversaries in a stroke of pure gaming genius. This is what happened at the International 6, one of the most prestigious gaming events today, where teams from across the world compete for a multi-million dollar prize and a chance to be the best in the world at what they love—playing Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) 2.

Much like any other sport, being winners doesn’t lie in individual skill alone. Lots of factors go into a successful performance in a tournament this big. Anything from luck to pressure can affect the outcome of any game and may cause previously strong and disciplined teams to break focus and lose. This is true with most of the strong contenders of the tournament like OG, Team Liquid, Newbee, and Wings. Almost all of these teams have failed disastrously in their bid to win it all. Of course, one thing comes to mind in the midst of all of these: pressure. The weight casts upon their shoulders to perform to the best of

their abilities at every waking moment of every match—the thought of achieving the top spots the year before and being better the opposition. The pressure of having nothing to win, but everything to lose, could be the difference between winning it all and going home. The pressure put on teams to play to their full potential is intense. And learning to work with that pressure can ultimately change the tide of games to your favor. For the top teams on this tournament, every move is vital. Every flaw will be criticized. Every mistake can lead your team to destruction.

The Burden of

PRESSURE Play to stay vs. Play to win

Photo by Aira S. Pinpin

Playing to retain dominance can be much harder than playing to win. These top-tier teams are giving it their all just to avoid failure while the underdogs are just there to enjoy every waking moment and play to the best of their abilities. Less pressure can mean the difference between an unexpected win and a disappointing loss. On the other side, learning to handle pressure can truly turn a relatively unknown team into worldwide superstars, TNC Pro Team for example. This Filipino team was relatively unheard of before The International 6, competing in mostly Southeast Asian-based tournaments and succeeding with a fair bit of consistency. But learning to manage the pressure of being the top Filipino team in the International has helped them eliminate the strongest teams in the world at that time, OG. Learning to handle things one game at a time and not to fear losing has helped this team achieve greatness in their sport. They have learned to play with everything they have without being affected by the pressure or outside expectations, and that has given them the edge against the European Dota 2 powerhouse. Although Dota 2 is a sport that requires skill, and team coherence to succeed, pressure could also be the downfall or saving grace of any team in this particular tournament. Learning to rise above pressure rather than letting it consume you and your team can ultimately make all the difference.

JULY - AUGUST 2016

SPORTS

New Formula In the realm of sports, players and coaches treat their respective games as math problems, spending their time to derive the correct formula, conducting a trial and error in order to outsmart several hindrances not only in the game but also within themselves. Tarlac State University’s Sports Development and Management Office (SDMO) eyes the systemic improvement of our varsity aces. After being consistent in 6th and 7th place in the past years, SDMO now aims to have a better finish and establish a “school-to-beat” reputation in the State Universities and Colleges Olympics – Region III (SUCO III) A sports camp was held last April to have more depth in our rosters thru tapping on TSUians hidden potential. The camp served as a calling upon aspiring student-athletes with promising potential. In turn, aspirants answered the call and signed up with the eagerness to showcase their talents. Stand-outs were rewarded accordingly and were given what they deserved – incentives and scholarships. After gaining a boost on talents, trainings started right away. The old formula had a twomonth preparation time plus intramurals for SUCO III groundwork. Now, our aces started amplifying their skills as early as June, giving them good six months to prepare for the inter-school sporting clash. To compensate for the lack of an interdepartment sporting clash, pocket tournaments were entertained. These pocket tournaments served not only as exposure but as new lessons. The SDMO looks up on the invitations to these tourneys and attends to what they deem fruitful to their objective which is improvement. In the games, the Firefox would not only get to show-off what they practiced but will also likewise learn from new opponents and treat these as essential pointers for their next games. Looking further on the training time of the university’s sporting bets, they conduct a daily practice in and out of the campus grounds. Their schedules were reviewed, and they were given training time after class. To ensure their commitment, attendances were checked to prove that negligence of practice will result to punishments. On a deeper sense, dedication as an athlete is very vital. It is an intangible that is reflected on results. The SDMO had a scheme for years which was shown to be inefficient, even when the university had the home court advantage back in 2011. Now, they will test a new one where they aim to collect more gold medals and attain a higher spot in the SUCO III. As the Firefox will have more potential than ever, will they be able to finally turn the games in their favor? Or will this once again produce a mediocre result? Problems do not have a single solution. That is why several formulas appear from different derivations. The sporting arena is no different from that of a math problem, where a competitor tries several formulas and figures out the best in order to make his/her system fiercer, stronger and definitely better in the sporting clash.

EDITORIAL

The Filipino Gaming Culture

Silver Linings

Richmon A. Cayabyab

∎CORRESPONDENT

ith the Manila edition of the Electronic Sports League (ESL) and the Manila majors, two of the largest e-sports tournaments in the gaming industry, being set in our home turf, we can now say that the world is taking notice of the passionate Filipino gaming community. But what truly puts the Filipino gamer in a class of its own? Is it the almost fanatical love of competitive online gaming, or the passionate support for local and international gaming teams such as Fnatic or TNC? The uniqueness of the Filipinos’ love for these types of competitive games may be traced back to a love of competition and challenge as one tries to be a better player than his or her friends. This can also be seen outside computer games, almost any game from basketball to volleyball, where fans get into heated arguments over which team is superior or which team will win the championship. But sometimes, the Filipino passion for competition goes a tad bit too far. MOBA Mischief Also known for being aggressive

in game as well as in the group chats, Filipino gamers often bear the nickname “peenoise” for their loud and obnoxious behavior primarily in the communication aspect of almost any game they come across. From “trash-talking,” being “salty” (a gaming term referring to an individual who is needlessly bitter or angry towards other players), and pretty much any online gaming misconduct are often associated with our gaming community in particularly in the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena setting like Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) or League of Legends (LOL). But where do these bad habits actually come from? Is it from our competitive nature, our anger towards mistakes, especially towards others, or just our usual idiosyncrasies brought about by the lack of personal interaction between two or more individuals? A lack of personal interaction and the ability to create multiple accounts to avoid being

The Filipino passion Even in the midst of the annoying teammates and the toxic in-game communication, the Filipino gaming passion remains. From saving a teammate in an important team fight to winning a game by the skin of your teeth, the high and the elation brought by proper plays and teamwork make the difference and

“ Bad winners make sore losers.” penalized may also be a part of these actions—a lack of retaliation and penalties that promote further communication abuses. Blame and Flame Anything from a questionable in-game decision, dodgy purchases of items, or even the slightest blunder can potentially incite the wrath of a typical peenoise player. The seemingly deeprooted anger of these players towards a random person in a game who does badly almost seems comically outrageous at most. From constantly filling the team chat with obscene language to “flaming” (abusing the communication mechanic of a game to say offensive things) to screaming at the top of their lungs using their headset microphones or even letting the enemy team kill them constantly to try

Opinions and labels People are dragging themselves down because of our sentiments and opinions. We are so into the labels of life. We are into our ridiculously selfish reasons to satisfy our selfish selves. But remember, we came to this world unknown. No one came out with a label.

and throw the match, these troublesome actions by certain Filipino gamers often get them reported and penalized, much to the dismay and frustration of their teammates. The peenoise mentality does not only show when losing. These players are often known to be incredibly cocky winners, often typing “GG EZ” or “EZ GAME” (meaning good game easy or easy game) after winning a hard fought match. Another annoying quality of a toxic player in a game where strategy and teamwork often outshine individual skill and talent.

From p.8

*** We are all effortlessly stupid, don’t deny. Call me too futuristic, but it just bothers me what is going to happen next in the society we’re living in. Call me a doubter if you wish, but it just bothers me that maybe majority of the people who were killed are innocent. Call me

make the game so much fun to play and watch. The excitement before every game and the joys after a close fight or a victory are what every gamer hopes to feel while playing his or her game. The excitement showed by the Filipino fans while watching their favorite teams duke it out in the virtual arena as if every fight is do or die shows the passion of the Filipino gamer for the competitive online gaming industry and shows that Filipino gamers are not only loud and obnoxious players, but people who are incredibly invested in their gaming. Whatever the case may be, the Filipino gaming community, with all of its fair share of weird, delightful, and horrible behaviors, is a staple for Southeast Asian gaming and will truly be a major part of the global gaming scene in the years to come. hypocritical, but I cannot stomach that innocent people are always blamed by the superiors. Call me two-faced, but I just can’t tolerate fake and opinionated people. We cannot degrade other people; we cannot be called “humans” without humanity. The society always gives us reasons to sigh and complain about life. Summon up, everyone is entitled with their opinions. But one should remember we started off unlabeled and undefined. Equal.

Sports THE WORK

JULY - AUGUST 2016

The Burden of Pressure.