Endurance

Volume CI No. 4 • November 2010–April 2011

The Central Echo | Flames of Endurance | Issue © 2011

§

§

Editor’s Note

“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.”

–William Barclay Dear Central Echo Reader, It does not matter if you are a first year student, a university scholar, a CPUR official, an athlete, a transferee, a graduating student (the list can go on…)—the message is still the same.

We have finally reached the last lap of A.Y. 2010-2011! Our efforts to reach the end of the semester have paid off (and now we can breathe a sigh of gratitude, satisfaction, and relief ) because we have conquered the challenges.

The editorial staff of CE, too, can testify that nothing can beat that E-word, especially if we all work together as one—as a team. I personally have learned that it pays to have that optimistic spirit of motivating each other at all times. In fact, it just takes two words to make all the difference: “Think positive!”

UNLOCKING THE SECRET The folio that you are holding in your hand right now says it all: the key to unlock the secret of success is ENDURANCE. This is what CE wants to impart with you in this issue—we are all winners; and, it takes an ample amount of patience, tons of persistence and optimism, a full-tank of faith, and a driving spirit of ENDURANCE for one to reach the finish line.

May the literary works, personal experiences, and different insights and viewpoints of our fellow Centralians give us the inspiration and encouragement to do the same—to persevere no matter what and how many the challenges are until we reach our goals, for victory awaits all who have done their best and persisted.

Hence, let us continue to aim for greater heights not just for ourselves, for our family or for our school, but most importantly for God; if we do, we will definitely bring out the winner that is inside each one of us.

Everybody deserves a round of applause and a very warm “Congratulations!” for a job well-done.

C.E.

needs your writing prowess

Dare yourself.

Prove yourself.

Present yourself.

We are inviting you to join the ranks of those who dare to make a change through the power of the pen.

COPRE 2010 Awards Iloilo Grand Hotel, November 26, 2010

Third Place Best Newspaper Best Newspaper Layout

The Central echo needs your writing, editing, managing and drawing prowess for the next academic year 2011-2012.

Best Wallnews

Our collective efforts will make a better CE, and consequently, a better student body that is responsive to the current calls of society.

Philippine Blog Awards Finalist

Fifth Place Best Sports Page

Best Literary Page Best Page Design

Stuck in the web of complacency and apathy amidst the world’s unrest, we must pick up the pen and start breaking these threads of passivity and step into the light of acting towards improvement.

You can start by applying in your school publication.

Happy reading!

ASHERE NISSETH S. EQUIÑA Editor-in-Chief

College Press Conference

Be the change that you want to see in C.E.

www.thecentralecho.journ.ph 3rd Place, SMART Online Campus Journalism-Regional Competition

EQUIPPED WITH ENDURANCE

I

f we put A.Y. 2010-2011 in a capsule, we may say that as students, we have experienced all the different angles of life— defeats and victories; tears and laughter; disappointments and joys.

Hence, having mentioned all these, we can say that we have traversed through the many facets of student life.

Peer pressure. Financial constraints. High expectations. Proper time management.

These challenges are considered more as “tests” rather than hindrances, in determining our capacity as students to endure the rigors of academic demands.

These opportunities have equipped and prepared us to face the greater tests that lie beyond the realm of student life; that is, as we pursue our respective careers, hopefully in our respective fields. It is

then when we engage in the real battle of life.

When the time comes for us to ascend the mountain peaks of our professional life, we might be surprised that as we look back, what matters most in life is not so much the facts that we have accumulated in our heads, but rather how we can translate the principles, theories, hypotheses into practice. This is what our University hopes for us to achieve. May we become individuals not only of intellect, but also of character, integrity, and of faith, guided by the motto and vision of our University, scientia (knowledge) and fides (faith), the foundation for achieving Exemplary Christian Education for Life.

All these have to be packed with endurance, persistence, and dedication so that we will be equipped to reach the peak of success.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

1

20

Behind the Facades of Central | Know the stories behind the structures of our dear Central.

CPUR Accomplishment Report |

28

A R T I C L E S

4 | In the Dumps 6 | Clarified 8 | Centralians Speak 10 | Cornucopia 11 | Ask JP

12 | Deathscythe 13 | Obla Di, Obla Da 14 | Mindfudge 15 | Walk Your Talk 16 | Veritaserum 17 | Continuum 24 | Views of a Mountaineer 26 | A Talk with JD 32 | The Big Man Upstairs 34 | Tatak EDSA 25 37 | Popularizing Overpopulation

Cover Story: Flames of Endurance | Let endurance illuminate our life from darkness into a life that is full of hope.

50

AYLC: Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders NOW |

54

The Coffin-Maker’s Daughter |

82

39 | 12.12.12: Doomsday 42 | Beyond Costumes 44 | K-POP Domination 46 | Sweet Negros 48 | Hi Cebu, Just Dropping By! 52 | Vitality of Endurance 58 | I am My Choice 60 | A Letter from Mother Earth 62 | Are We Near the End? 64 | Apropos of Feminism 66 | Get Up and Start Moving

68 | Tracing Zigzag 70 | Bagong Kapalaran 72 | Pulungkuan 74 | Short Stories 79 | Literary 86 | Pages for the Road 88 | Blockbuster 90 | Paniplat 94 | Komiks 97 | Final Thoughts 100 | Financial Report

In the

Dumps

Permi la Gaka ng reportin g. overh e ang projec at na tor wala ga-pre kay mismo ang te pare achers – harr . *ce

i nga Dapat may way man kam amun g san estudyante mag-check rsity ive Un nga n grades online. Iba er tim old Daw la. wa ya may ara, kita university ang CPU. Hayy!

– Katalaka

Ang ib an ng a stud magsulo ents, d sa library maggah para od kag magtulo nami na g. Te, bala?

– rdnjg Php Ngaa i-charge kami g kun fee ary 800.00 for libr a ng lan bu ka isa Summer? Ahaw , sem ka isa ng Ku summer class. . pa maintindihan ko – Damu mola 4

Nga-a magtawag ka sa Business Office gina juggle2x ang imu call. Ano ni man indi nila kilala ang isa kag isa? Courtesy man da bi.

– Bola

Enginee ring bu ildin lamok kun g g damu ab-i; v dangero ery us.

– concern ed nursin g studen t ik, ing, damu lit Nursing build s. very hazardou t gineering studen en d ne er – conc

Go mga wo rk students , kapisan gid sa ato n. Tani ma gtaas ang bayad sang CPU.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

– giirrrms

Kun gage r man or bag …may locke pool swimming counter sa la-an man madu para wala gamit.

– concern

Tan

i ...

…namion of Lights na nila ang Festi va ne kag ang xt year kay kalo l usy firework s indi m manami.

Palpak a ng paglu an pok. ng – boom ser a n …may s e l sik dyo ma sa sulod ad na di …me fee. Wala e p y m r r i a r p lib makapoy ara indi na kadto a m g aglakat. y ma …departmentalized . b 5 i l 4 – d 3 is 2 sa a b 1 ang exam sa tanan le d –0 nga subjects para fair.

– dingdong

naman n …mapinturaha gs para new ang mga buildin look.

– gusto bag-o

g nest man an …mangin ho ik al ib g ho Li . mga students mit masakit sa ang indi inyo ga ula-an gamit. tawo ang mad mit – Nadulaan ga

…islan an g universa l uniform.

Ang mas n ami nga d esign kag indi hiligku -on.

– mr.clean

…early magbu mga t eacher hi ang s. late ka mi sa n Gakaext cla s – Hate s. late

man …pintahan HM C g an nila daw y ka g in Build …dasig na man ma tagumatayon g an g o ay e m m n g c ila o a n . d e te ya e iz a ra a an c su n h g e ang it …i-org y kami pir rs sang grades. U 8 process ka me pa-e lihi – 0907****15 enrollment an n ah ro as p ll ap ro as k c p a e y ss a gina pa n daw gin ginalagas amun amun grad no gid bla? es, p a lang kami. A n a g mun sila man nila – nagtalan . Hala panago, baw anu panagua y? ni – Ang Na galagas VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

5

Clarified Clarified Student's Opinion Palihog lang ako sa iban nga mga working student, tani magin approachable and nice man kamu sa mga fellow students.

Student's Opinion Nga-a indi pwede mag hampang basketball sa gym kun indi varsity?

Reply According to Mr. Randy Villanueva, secretary of the P.E. Department, a student, whether or not a varsity player, can play basketball or any kind of sports inside the gym as long as it is not during school hours or during varsity team practice hours.

Reply "As a working student, you have to treat others like how you treat yourself.

However, some students are really rude in terms of asking for something. What do you expect us working students react upon such behavior?" quipped Tiffany Balthazar, a CPU working student.

Student's Opinion Nga-a indi pwede kagamit electricity sa gazebo kun week ends?

– Zeus

Student's Opinion Tani may free wi-fi man ang CPU… agree???

– Wireless Fidelity Reply According to Rev. Joniel Gico, Vice President for Administration, just have your laptops registered at the College of Computer Studies so that you can avail of the free wi-fi services near the Mary Thomas building, the gazebos, and at the Promenade.

Reply Rev. Joniel Gico said that we can use the electricity during weekends as long as there is proper coordination with the security guards. Just bring your University I.D. for it is a mandatory standard operating procedure of the security personnel for any legal purpose.

Student's Opinion Daw halos tanan nga buildings gina renovate. Ang CHM building daw wala ginasapak.

– Luoy man Reply There are already plans to renovate and extend the building probably this year as explained by Rev. Joniel Gico.

6

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

MAN’S ISSUE

CE: What was your objective for conducting the CPUR Bigman Basketball Tournament?

JD Dofeliz: The CPUR Bigman basketball tournament aimed to bring fun and development to Centralians, especially for those who have skills in basketball.

CE: How much did the CPUR spend for this program?

JD Dofeliz: CPUR spent Php 1,500 for this. The CPU basketball varsity served as referees and offered their services for free.

CE: Why did you call it “Bigman” as patterned to the name you used during the elections (a.k.a. JD “Bigman” Dofeliz)?

JD Dofeliz: It was called “Bigman,“ because we had guidelines and “weight limits” for this tournament wherein only students who weighed 80kg and above could join. I am sorry if this tournament was misinterpreted by most.

Photo Credit: JD Chris Dofeliz

BIG

Clarified by: JD Chris Dofeliz

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

7

TUITION Centralians

What is Endurance?

ENDURANCE?

Speak

8

“Elevating one’s self amidst hardships

Never

giving-up to pursue our faith

Doing

things with persistency even though it’s difficult

Uncompromising our vision against all “Endurance is something that keeps me going so that I can finish the race of life.”

– Bren Castolo BS Packaging Engineering 3

odds

Remaining

firm in the midst of a shattering world

Attaining

one’s aim with positive thought in-spite of inconvenience

Not ceasing to finish the race Continuing to move on even

when

there’s affliction

Engaging “Endurance is the capabilit y of anything to resist fatigue, a prolonged or repeated stress.

Things may be subjected to forces such as load, which if uncontrolled may result to plastic deformation of the material and worse, failure.

However, we can measure the resistance of a component to a particular stress or the maximum allowable loads that can be applied through certain tests to prevent failure. “ – Lyndon-Erl Beup BSCE-2

in positive things that will help us reach the ultimate goal in life with Him.” – Angeline Gonzales BSN-1

“Endurance is the ability to stay firm under constant pressure.”

– Saylor Job Caver BSME-5

“It is the unspoken force and motivation to achieve something big.”

– Rachel Faith Habaradas BSN-2

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

FEE HIKE...

Thoughts about tuition fee hike...

“Wow! Grabe! Mataas naman ang tuition?

Basi di na kami ka school next year.”

– Gemma, Faith and Angel College of Education Studs

“This can’t be happening!!!

This increase in tuition fee is another burden to our pockets.”

– Johanna Mae Boglosa BSN Sophomore

“It's not good.

Seriously. But we students can't do anything about it anyway, so I'm just hoping that we could benefit something from that increase, like new armchairs, better facilities and other stuff.”

– Nneka Gee Berte BS Accountancy Junior

“It is an additional burden to our parents, but as long as we get what we pay for, it's okay.

There is a possibility that the number of out-of-school youths will increase.”

– Gisselle, Julrasen and Elmira CWTS Provincial Board Officers

Be seen. Be heard. Speak out.

Answer our poll questions regarding campus issues in our facebook account: www.facebook.com/centralecho and get a chance to be featured on this new page of CE.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

9

§

§

ViewPoint

Cornucopia My Last Farewell Ashere Nisseth S. Equiña

T

here may be millions of people who “dream” to create positive change in a chaotic society; but, as what the written pages of our history have taught us, it takes just one person with undeterred courage to stand up and fight for what he truly stands for, in order to make that dream come true.

I’ve read of this certain person of bizarre talent; keen intellect and amiable character. He was known to be a quiet-type of person, which made him a bit of a loner, but he was very exceptional and influential.

At three, he already learned the alphabet. At six, he started writing. By the time he was 21, he was able to write more than 26 literary pieces—poems, essays, musical compositions, etc. At 16, he obtained a college degree, and at 23, earned a medical license.

Though he was a medical doctor by profession, he was also a skilled architect, journalist, historian, sculptor, businessman, inventor, psychologist, and theologian. His privilege of having studied at Europe opened him to a world with different idealisms, and philosophies. His exposure abroad influenced and inspired him to write two socio-political books that exposed the realities, injustices and atrocities experienced by his countrymen in the Philippines.

These books were strongly condemned by the Church and Government as heretical. Hence, during his homecoming, he was accused of sedition and treason, was arrested and sentenced to die by firing squad.

On December 29, 1898, his mother, five sisters and his nephew visited him in his prison cell. Before they left, he told one of his sisters that he kept something inside a small cocinilla (alcohol stove). The cocinilla was said to have been later given to his sister by the guard.

Upon their arrival at home, they discovered a folded paper inside the cocinilla. It was an unsigned, untitled and undated 14-stanza poem. The first stanza reads:

10

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed, Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost, With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed; And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best, I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

The following day, December 30, 1898, at around 7 o’clock in the morning, our country lost the author—Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo Realonda.

His was no ordinary death—Rizal, at age 34, died a hero.

Heroes in the 21st Century Today may not be that different compared to the world of our past.

For even until now, we are still chained to the atrocities of modernday oppression: human trafficking, drug addiction, corruption in government, injustice, apathy, economic insecurities, broken homes...

How then can we make a positive change if we, too, have a dream that someday we will be free from these modernday atrocities?

As modern day youths, we may not be exactly like Rizal.

However, no matter who

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

…continued to p17

Ask

§

§

?

ViewPoint

JP

 Dear JP,

I am a high school student, and AN AMIGO’S ADVICE I love to read your articles in CE. Here’s my situation: my parents are competitive  Dear JP, enough and put pressure on me. They I am a student are pushing me to take nursing as my from the School of college course. I’m afraid of blood, Graduate Studies. syringes and thick books! Most of their I now have two children and I find it friends have children who are taking hard to discipline them, especially nursing, so they’re pushing us to take when they are quarreling because the same course. I love my parents, they become too possessive. These but sometimes, I get annoyed by their kids are naughty! I cannot do my pressures and I just keep silent to obligations both in school and home avoid trouble between me and them. completely because I’m watching over What’s best? them always. I’ve tried talking to them; -Silent Type sometimes, I yell at them, but they say I’m messing up. Any advice?

Dear Silent type, -Buot nga Nanay I love competitive parents! Set up a debate competition in your home Dear Buot nga Nanay, and challenge them to answer your It is also something I’ve learned queries. Lay down your key points. from our family. My advice is, if you Everybody gets a chance to speak. Be want your kids to listen to you, don’t yourself. Don’t be hesitant. Speak out. I yell at them. WHISPER. Make them am sure they will understand. Explain lean to you. My siblings have taught why you don’t want to take nursing me that strategy. I also do it to some as your college course and state your older people. I do not shout. I whisper. preference. I know it will be hard for I’m sure they’ll listen. Continue to be you to take a course you don’t want. a good mother to them. Watch over Pursue your visions and reach your them always. That makes you more dreams! I’m sure your mom and dad responsible. will see you in the limelight few years …continued to p19

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

11

§

§

I

n the past, Filipinos have been known to be more resourceful, kind, loving, and patriotic.

There are many more things to describe who we are, as people of our country and of this world; but, I cannot fit everything in this column of mine.

So, let me go straight to the point. We’ve been into a lot of trouble controversies and other misleading issues that have downgraded us and our beloved nation.

The question stands: who are we?

Some nationalities have made fun of us— our intonation, our police system, our judiciary system, our government and many more. Are we not afraid that one day, the

ViewPoint

Philippines will just disappear in the world map as if we never existed?

I am proud to say that I am a Filipino, not because of our flaws, but because of who we are. I am proud of our culture, values, and our heritage. Let us remember who we are and what we stand for, like what those people stood for during the EDSA People Power Revolution 25 years ago. What they have done has freed us from the Marcos dictatorship. We, too, must not forget the journalists who died in the Maguindanao Massacre—the most horrendous massacre in our history.

We may have our flaws as Filipinos, but are we the only ones who have flaws? Honestly speaking, other countries, especially the developing ones and even those countries that we consider to be “developed,” have their own flaws as well. So, let us not treat ourselves like we are the worst among the rest.

The Filipino people are known to be competitive in various fields. That fact has been proven. Here are some living evidences: Charice Pempengco (International Singing Sensation), Danica Magpantay (Winner of Ford’s Supermodel 2010), and the recently concluded 83rd Oscar Academy Awards wherein three Filipinos won the Best Short Film award for Live Action Film for the movie “God of Love”. The three Filipino-Americans were Stephanie Walmsley, Stephen Dypiangco and Gigi Dement.

Every Filipino who has made it on top has shown the world his/her expertise, Godgiven abilities and, and most of all, the pride of being a Filipino.

I remember what Danica Magpantay said in an interview, “Of all those different races that joined the competition, they found the Filipino women more elegant and daring.”

Now that’s a true-blooded Filipino. Even Charice Pempengco’s role in the hit TV musical “GLEE” as an international exchange student …continued to p19

Deathscythe Stand and Be Proud!

Renel Edward M. Castellano 12

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

P

ViewPoint

anahon na ng tag-gutom, at ito ay isang katotohanan na hindi na kailangan pang pagdebatehan dahil nasa paligid na natin ang mga pruwebang magpapatunay nito. At sa sobrang gutom, kadalasan natin kinakain ang ating mga salita, at ‘yan ay dulot naman ng sobrang kahirapan: na wala na tayong perang pambili ng pagkain.

Mabuti nalang ang may kaya, kasi nakakaahon pa rin sila sa panahong ito. Pero, mayroong problemang lumalapit sa atin; at di na makabuluhan kung may kaya ka o wala.

Mga kapatid, kumokonti na lang ang mga magsasaka natin.

Nabasa ko ang balitang ito sa isang diyaryo; sabi sa balita: ang mga magsasaka natin ay

mga estudyanteng may gustong kumuha ng kursong ito? Ang penomenang ito ay dulot ng pagpapawalang bahala ng gobyerno sa mga repormang agrikultura.

Nakikita ng mga kabataan na hindi sila makakaraos sa kahirapan kung sila ay magiging isang magsasaka: kahit mayaman ang lupa ng ating bansa, hindi naman ito sapat para yayaman

Obla Di, Obla Da Ang Pagtanim ay ‘di Biro…

Raniel C. Ponteras tumatanda na, at hindi sila napapalitan ng mga batang magsasaka dahil walang gustong maging isa.

Sa kanyang ulat, tinawag ni Senador Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, bilang tagapamahala ng Committee on Agriculture and Foods, ang problemang ito na isang “unseen crisis.”

Ang Pilipinas daw ay mayroong 4.3-milyong magsasaka na may average na 2.5-hektaryang lupa na kanilang tinataniman. Ang average na edad raw ng isang magsasaka ay limampu’t pito (57), at ito, sabi ng senador ay “sobrang napakatanda na.”

Totoo, ito ay isang problema na kailangan nating harapin. Ang krisis na ito ay nangyayari dahil sa maraming dahilan: isa na dito, ay ang kakulangan sa pagbigay ng pansin sa edukasyon patungkol sa agrikultura, o sa mga kursong nagtataguyod ng agrikultura.

Ang dahilang ito ay aking nakikita din sa ating paraalan. Ang CPU ay mayroong kursong agrikultura, at, isa pa nga ang CPU sa mga paaralang magaling sa pagturo sa larangang ito. Pero, bakit kaunti lang ang

ang kanilang bulsa. At ito ay dahil kulang pa rin ang tulong at programa na ginagawa ng ating gobyerno na nagbibigayhalaga sa ating agrikultura: isa sa mga programang hindi nila maipatupad ay ang napakamahalagang repormang agraryo.

Kung matatandaan natin, maraming buhay na ang nabuwis dahil sa kilusang ito: at ang mga nasawi sa laban ay kadalasang mga magsasakang may maliit na kita. Ang masaker sa Hacienda Luisita ay palatandaan ng madugong labanan para sa hustisyang karapatdapat ng ibigay sa ating

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

…ipagpatuloy sa p18

13

§

§

W

ViewPoint

ho doesn’t like entertainment?

From the bloody spectacle of human butchery enclosed within the coliseums of ancient Rome; to the drama, the tragedy, the romance and the farce portrayed in Shakespearean plays; to the randomness of YouTube videos that either induce us into visual euphoria or repulse our eyes from redundant, disapproving stupidity, entertainment has established for itself a firm recess within a society meddled by a myriad of problems that are overly complicated to solve, even to the wittiest of pundits; and to those who devote time and energies in their professions or the academe.

Entertainment is the exact remedy we need to counter work stress. Society is bustling at the same pace as that of ant colonies as a consequence of technological advancement. Luckily for us, we are not ants who crawl around in perpetual drudgery, ceaselessly maintaining the welfare of all and sundry.

Human as we are, we do not possess the incredible reluctance that most insects possess. We lack the resoluteness needed to adapt to this epic shift of pace. As a consequence for this tread, revitalization, in the form of entertainment, has become necessary to maintain enough vigor in order to survive the stream of modernization. Since contemporary culture has given us so many techno ‘doohickeys’ to tinker and muse upon despite the perturbations that they inject into our society and the cultural fragmentation they cause, let modernity be our remedy.

This remedy comes in the form of television. Yep, it’s that little box of wonders, sitting solitarily on a wooden or plastic fixture. This little appliance created a culture of its own.

Entertainment truly serves the purpose of restoring our worn down souls into apt machines; but, it has done its purpose quite differently. I notice how many Filipinos are glued to noontime shows. You know the typical ones that feature young ladies dressed

in provocative costumes whilst turning to a fixed pattern of dance moves behind the charismatic, wise-cracking yet pompous hosts. We get (or learn) a lot of things just by watching TV. The only problem is that we have become so absorbed by TV culture (so callous towards other things much more important) that we breed a lack of understanding between what is useful TV and what is garbage TV. Television viewing is useful in alleviating our worn-down souls from the scourge of stress. We find refuge in the world of Telenovelas and noontime shows. We chuckle at the corniest of jokes conjured from the mouths of mediocre comedians and even from politicians who pretend to be comedians.

But apart from leisurely functions, TV can also be used for surveying society—knowing timely

Mindfudge Entertainment Reyshimar C. Arguelles 14

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

…continued to p18

§

§

ViewPoint

Walk Your Talk Me and My School Named CPU Bryan Eric T. Cerebo

S

tarting with h u m b l e beginnings, this school, hatched from the idea that there is dignity in labor, has improved so much in both physical and educational aspects with the passage of time.

Yet, one thing has remained true since its establishment in 1905, and that is its motto: Scientia et Fides (Knowledge and Faith). Geared with its mission for Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL), it continues to produce outstanding, competitive and welldeveloped graduates. My school named Central Philippine University, or simply CPU, is alive and vibrant in making its students “central”.

On the other hand, countless of times I hear people asking me why I chose CPU. Being the immediate-past president of the National Federation of Supreme Student Governments (NFSSG), most of them expected me to go to a university outside

Iloilo City for my college education. They usually have this mind-set that once you study in a school common to their ears, you are in the best grounds. However, most of the time, this is not true; and, CPU can justify it.

During one of our alumni gatherings, we talked about the school that we are in now. There was spontaneity in the conversation, for we missed everyone. All seemed interested. They asked me, too, about where I am currently enrolled in.

So, I replied, “I go to CPU.” I was a bit embarrassed when somebody from our circle made his reply, “What school is that? Is it not Central Processing University (he, with intent, referred to the Central Processing Unit of the computer)?” Then, their laughter broke out.

With humility, I corrected him, “Hindi po. It’s Central Philippine University.”

People usually tell me that I should have enrolled myself in the University of the Philippines or Ateneo de Manila University just like the other NFSSG presidents. But I don’t have any fear if I will be subjected to comparison that is worse than what I have already experienced. The other NFSSG presidents may either be in UP or Ateneo. I am here in CPU, and it doesn’t matter to me.

Top in the list that made me select CPU is the Christian teaching aimed to be inculcated in every person entering the portals of our dear University. CPU aims to nurture its students with Christian values that will soon become a potent force to resist the weakening of our moral backbone.

Talent and skill alone are not enough to succeed. It takes faith to stir the wheel, and the will to keep it going.

These are, but, some of the things I have learned, which are fundamental and very applicable in real life. The world inside the eight gates of CPU is already life itself.

Wherever I will be, or whoever I am with, I will always be proud to say that I am from CPU; and, because I am from CPU, I can be the best that I can possibly become.

I am a proud Centralian, standing still and going even further. My love for Central continues, today, tomorrow and in the years to come.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

15

§

§

ViewPoint

Veritaserum Skew to the Left Airon B. Buenvenida

W

h i l e contemplating on the illustrations in my Statistics book, I came across an idea that a certain curve I saw has an actual parallelism to what I have been reflecting on these past few days—the competency of the teaching force of our University.

For the information of everyone, a curve is a statistical graph used for illustrating the distribution of sets of data that occur. A curve—normal (symmetrical) or asymmetrical— has its basic parts, namely: the mean, the median, and the mode.

The mean, being the sum of all observations divided by the total number of observations; the median, being a single value dividing the observations into two equal parts; and the mode, occurring the most frequent.

The curve I was referring to is asymmetrical and negatively skewed to the left. Having it skewed to the left tells us that the mean is greater than the median and the mode is greater than the mean.

As a prestigious University committed to Exemplary Christian Education for Life, I can proudly say that we have the ideal quality of a teaching force- the quality of average teaching force exceeds the average quality in general and most of them perform above the average; but, the "skew to the left" is a sad reality that there are few who perform below the expectation.

Have you been under a professor who literally speaks the language of the textbook? Who gives difficult "undiscussed" questions during exams?

Who requires a lot of research work without even

16

considering the student’s effort?

Who makes more absences than the students do? Who goes to class without even knowing what to tackle for the day? Or who speaks more of gossips unrelated to the lessons?

These I believe are some of the causes of the skew to the left.

Most of the teachers are intelligent people, but to be a teacher is more than having a brain. You must know how to facilitate the learning process well, and thus, need to know the psychology of the students.

I believe that teachers must simply learn how to put themselves in the shoes of their students.

In playing chess, it’s good that you have your own line of tactics, but, to ensure victory, you must read beyond the moves of your opponent. Facing different opponents with different strategies will require different approaches that will coerce you to somehow break your line of tactics.

This only calls you to adapt, not to change the whole you. And so it is with teaching.

We know that the process of learning is a mutual responsibility, and

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

…continued to p17

I firmly believe that the teacher-factor-thing plays an important role in the process. The eagerness of the students can be compared to the vertical axis, which will determine how far or how deep they are willing to learn.

Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the teacher, which can be compared to the horizontal axis, will determine the extensiveness of how much students will learn.

Setting a narrow environment will not be a problem for studious students, but how about

§

§ Skew to…continued from p16

ViewPoint

those whose learning depends on the horizontal way?

Though they have deprived themselves in the first place, a teacher by heart will find ways to motivate this type of students.

To be a teacher entails a sacrifice. I salute those who—instead of becoming a wife to her husband or a husband to his wife; a parent to his/her children; son or daughter to his/her parents or simply forgo his/her interests and loved ones and chooses to be a mentor by profession instead; and to be a parent and a friend to students unknown to him/her—embrace this profession as a heroic deed, indeed.

In totality, all curves have downward slopes, and all curves have rightward and leftward slopes.

I believe that in a given set, an array of elements will always be far from being identical from each other.

We can’t always experience the best of everything, but to have most of the best is a privilege that students, including myself, experience in Central Philippine University.

Thanks to the skew to the left, I have experienced the leptokurtic curve to the right!

My Last… continued from p10

or what we are, let us use our God-given talents and skills in making positive change for our nation.

We have been gifted with the power of the mind and intellect; let us use that gift to speak words of empowerment, integrity, and justice. We have been blessed by rich natural resources; let us be good stewards and protect them. We have been bequeathed by the gift of compassion and service; let us be mindful and caring for those who are less fortunate than we are.

In our University, we have been inculcated with the vision of Exemplary Christian Education for Life; let us maximize the values and learning we have gained from our Alma Mater by building-up lives for the good and magnifying God’s love to others by the life we live.

Rizal said, “To foretell the destiny of a nation, it is necessary to open the book that tells of her past.” Our identity today—as individuals—will determine the identity and the destiny of our nation in the next generation to come.

Let’s take it all from our national hero. Let us be the modern-day epitomes of Rizal—a people of faith, courage, integrity, and vision. Let that one dream and vision of a national hero that was written with courage when he was on the verge of death, 110 years ago, be carried on in the unwavering passages of time.

May Rizal's poem, "My Last Farewell," remind us to keep the spirit of nationalism; our love for God, our family and fellowmen; and the hope for our country's freedom in our hearts and minds forever.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

17

§

§

Continuum

Ang Pagtanim… mula sa p13

mga magsasaka. At dahil sa mga kaganapang ito, iniisip ng mga kabataan na ang pagsasaka ay hindi solusyon sa kahirapan, bagkus ito ay isang trabahong patungo doon.

Kailangan pa ba nating magbuwis ng marami pang buhay para lamang maibigay sa mga magsasaka ang lupa na kinakailangan nila? Kailangan pa ba ng maraming talsik ng dugo para lamang tayo ay magsimula ng aksyon para maibigay na sa mga magsasaka natin ang hustisyang matagal nang hinihintay?

Tandaan din natin na ang pagkain at politika ay konektado: bago tayo makakain ng isang produkto ito ay dapat pang pumasa sa proseso ng Bureau of Food and Drugs, isang sangay ng ating gobyerno, at ang prosesong ito ay isang bahagi ng politika.

Kahit ngayon ay maaga pa, kailangan na nating kilalanin ang mga politikong may balak tumakbo sa susunod na eleksyon dahil sa kanila natin maipaparinig ang ating mga kagustuhan. At tandaan din natin, na sa prosesong eleksyon, tayo ay nagiging magsasaka na nagtatanim ng mga gulay sa gobyerno. Kaya, itanim natin ang kandidatong may prinsipyo at may malasakit sa mga mahihirap.

Ang mga problema patungkol sa pagkain, edukasyon, lupa, at hustisya ay ating maaring matatapos sa pagtatanim.

Itanim natin ang pagbigay-halaga sa edukasyong agrikultura. Itanim natin ang reporma at hustisya para sa kapakanan ng lahat. Itanim natin ang mga tamang tao Entertainment…continued from p14

issues that really matter and motivating the masses to act upon these issues. That is useful TV – mitigating stress and mitigating social problems.

Garbage TV is what I classify as corporate pursuits for mullah. Sometimes, the Philippines’ two major media corporations have produced such disparaging hogwash that feature either irrelevant, sensational news beats or senseless stuff that are not even efficient in alleviating poverty, let alone alleviating stress. All that

18

magdadala ng bansa sa tamang lugar nito. Ito ang mga tamang gulay na kailangan nating alagaan dahil kung ito ay ating makamit, malamang hindi na tayo magugutom.

Siguro ngayon na ang tamang panahon para tayo ay tumayo para sa pagbabago. Simulan na natin ang kilusan para sa mabuting kinabukasan ng susunod na henerasyon.

Simulan na natin ang laban para sa hustisya at laban sa gutom! Simulan na natin ang pagtanim ng pagbabago sa ating bansa!

Ito, ang magandang laban!

Lumaban tayo!

Pero bago yan, kailangan ko munang kumain. Pwede ko bang kainin ang sinulat kong ito?

garbage TV does is to brainwash individuals into a quasihypnotic state, transforming them into couch potatoes who consume corn chip after corn chip whilst shrugging at a news report about massive flooding in Australia (because TMZ and UFC are more “important” than human suffering).

Modernity has brought us into a great state of technological euphoria, but it is safe to say that modernity has also deprived us with sympathy. Television, from its humble beginnings in the hands of Paul Nipkow, to its present role as a global gateway, made sure that we stay in touch with the modern vibe. It is, however, just so wrong to overuse it in such ways that will deprive us of the freedom to think freely. Think outside the idiot box for once!

TV is like beer. It relieves stress and the time you allot for gleeful viewing is akin to happy hour. Still, it is much better if we just regulate what we take in to our systems.

Too much would be very dire.

Drink moderately. Watch moderately.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

from now.  Dear JP, I have a boyfriend and I love him more than I love myself! He’s the inspiration why I have achieved this much! However, my parents hate him. What should I do?

-Sunshine Dear Sunshine, I suggest your parents should know your boyfriend more. Tell your parents positive stories about your boyfriend, like his family background, his achievements and his values. Show them that your boyfriend is not a hindrance to your studies and is not a bad influence to you.

  Dear JP, Some people are using a particular social networking site to demoralize their fellow students and giving a bad image to our university.

What should I do?

-Jeff Dear Jeff, If you have read my previous column entitled “The Quest for Ugliest Centralian,” you can

§

§ Ask JP…continued from p11

Continuum

probably get an answer to your question. I believe that the social network already set guidelines upon registration of a new member. If these feeble-minded people still exist, kindly report their account to the site management as well as conduct an investigation with regard to who the authors of the said page are, the group or account.

If the suspect is known, report him or her to the proper authorities of this University for disciplinary sanction.



 Dear JP, I am a first year student, thus, this is my first time to vote for the CPUR. I have plans to run in this prestigious student government. Can you guide me which political party will I join?

Thanks.

-Confused Dear Confused, I am happy to see students like you who are aware of the happenings in this university.

It is your prerogative in which party will you run.

Base it on your party principle and belief.

Send questions to ASK JP (anonymously, if you like) at jp.penol21@yahoo.com. Sending gives us permission to edit and publish.

Deathscythe...continued from p12

from the Philippines made a big hit in the international screen. Her character’s name was inspired by the late Corazon Aquino, which is Sunshine Corazon.

Who knows?

Perhaps, one day, one of us Centralians will join the list and bring our country’s name to international fame.

If that time will come and one of us will, let’s not forget where we have come from and who we really are. We might be a nation that is beset with corruption, intrigues, and controversies, but despite

all that, a little shining star can still light the darkness that has covered us for a long time.

Some Filipinos are pessimistic, but we should change that. If we want to have a better future, we must change our negative view of life. If we do, maybe, one step at a time, we can also change the negative views of other nations towards us.

This is the challenge to all youth out there: be yourself. Be who you are.

Be proud that you are a FILIPINO.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

19

Behind the Facades The University Church • Its architecture was patterned after the design of a Malayan boat or balangay.

• It is the central symbol of our University, acknowledging that we are like a boat, rowing with God who is our Captain, in pursuit of His will for all.

Lopez Hall • The Lopez Hall was donated by the Lopez Family (Eugenio Lopez) and was the first permanent building dedicated in 1921.

• It was constructed by the students under the direction of Dr. Harland Stuart, assisted by Enrique Talamera.

Johnson Hall • Johnson Hall was referred to by former Theology students as “House Beautiful”.

• Originally, it was a ladies’ dormitory.

• It was named after Anna V. Johnson, the first woman member of the Baptist Missionaries Training School.

20

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

of Central

Tour the past.

Value the present.

Roblee Science Hall • The rebuilding of the Roblee Science Hall came from the $25,000 donation of Mrs. Joseph Roblee in May 1947.

• The students enrolled in "Housebuilding," then, helped rebuild it.

The Rose Memorial Auditorium • Named after Dr. Francis Howard Rose, the old Rose Memorial Hall burned down on February 16, 1991.

• The original site of the old Rose is now what we know as the Alumni Promenade Concert Park.

• On September 2, 1995 the new Rose Memorial Auditorium was inaugurated with Dr. Alfonso Uy as keynote speaker.

• The Stuart Hall is a two-storey building remodeled in 1955 to house the students’ store (now the Student Service Enterprise) on the first floor and faculty offices.

• It was named after Dr. Harland Stuart, the first principal of Central Philippine College.

• It is the oldest building in the campus.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

21

Photo Credit: Centralite 2009

Stuart Hall

§

§

Campus

Franklin Hall • This building was dedicated on June 11, 1932.

• It was named after Dr. James Franklin of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society • Aside from serving as the men's dormitory, it currently houses the offices of the National Service Training Program, the Human Resource and Development, the University Outreach Center, and the University Research Department.

Henry Luce III Library • The Henry Luce III Library is the largest library in Western Visayas.

• The construction of the three-storey edifice was made possible through the help of the Henry Luce Foundation and other donors. Recently, another level was added through the support of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.

Hopevale Marker • It was built to honor the American Baptist Missionaries who were massacred by the Japanese on December 20, 1943 at Hopevale in Tapaz, Capiz.

• The unfinished beam symbolizes the unfinished task by the American Baptist Missionaries.

Weston Hall • It was named after Dr. and Mrs. Rose’s small son, Weston, who died accidentally during the interval of the construction.

• Weston Hall is the University's ladies dormitory.

22

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

Campus

The old Valentine • It stands among the oldest buildings in the campus completed in 1931.

• Named after Rev. William O. Valentine the first principal of CPU (then Jaro Industrial School), it served as the main school building.

Lifestyle Building • Opened July 17, 2008, it currently houses a fitness gym that is open to all students, faculty, staff and members of the CPU K community C CHEOUT! • It is equipped THIS with various cardio equipment (treadmills, stationary bike, elliptical machine, rower) and basic fitness equipment. Services of personal trainers (PTs) who are graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Health Fitness and Lifestyle Management (BSHFLM) under the College of Medicine can be availed.

• It serves as a laboratory for BSHFLM students.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

23

References: CPU 100 Years (1905-2005), CPU Scientia et Fides: The Central Time 1905-2005 Photo Credit: Centralite 2009

Engineering Building • The Engineering Building was designed by Architect Lilio Velasco.

• It is a three-storey complex with an estimated cost of Php 3,596,224,00.

• Its construction began on May 1979 and it was completed in 1980.

Photo Credit: Gio Irving Chambliss

§

§

Campus

V

iews of a Mountaineer

T

By Gio Irving B. Chambliss

he alpinist Lionel Terray, regarded as one of the finest climbers of his time, once said, “We mountaineers are the conquistadors of the useless.”

Amen to that.

24

me, has o t , g n i b Clim full of n e e b s y a alw stery. y m d n a r grandeu

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: Gio Irving Chambliss ON TOP OF THE WORLD The CPU Mountaineering Society has ventured and climbed Mt. Kanlaon (above) and Mt. Apo (opposite page).

Ernest Hemingway also said that “there are but three true sports-bullfighting, mountain climbing, and motor-racing. The rest are merely games.”

Amen to that, too.

While these two have very distinct personalities, both have the same passion for the so-called extreme and dangerous.

While the former makes light of the dangerous nature of mountain climbing, the latter proclaims it with a bravado and machismo that is always true to man’s nature.

Lofty mountains, like the vast open seas, have been awe-inspiring since the olden days. They have been the source of endless myths and legends. There are only a few brave souls who would dare conquer the unknown they present. Yet, fewer have returned to tell the tale. Both conquests have produced legends and tragedies. But, braving the vast oceans had always been fruitful: finding new territories; discovering new species; expanding the collective human knowledge; advancing science.

How about reaching the top of the tallest mountain on earth?

Edmund Hillary got knighted. True to its moniker as a “pure sport”, mountain climbing had been and always will be a

pursuit to test the enduring strength of the human spirit. When George Mallory, fresh from one of the earliest attempts on Everest was asked, “Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?”

He gave the most famous three words in mountaineering lore with this retort: “Because it’s there!”

That, to me, is the true testament of a pure mountaineer: one who does not pretend to do anything but proves instead, that such pursuit can be done. Climbing, to me, had always been full of grandeur and mystery—a world of rock and open skies where there is nothing to be plucked but weariness and danger. Yet, to absorb the massive vista, the sublime serenity of the mountain peak, even for just a few minutes, is pure, sheer bliss.

Ultimately, climbing a mountain does not determine what kind of man you are.

It does, however, remind you of who you really are.

About the Author: Gio Irving B. Chambliss is an AB Psych 4 student.

He is a member of the CPU Mountaineering Society, a recognized student organization of the University that started in 1989. He has climbed Mt. Apo, Mt. Kanlaon, Mt. Butuan, Mt. Baloy and Mt. Manaphag, to mention a few of his adventures with the group.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

25

§

§

Campus

JD

A Talk with

Interviewed by Reyshimar C. Arguelles

A

transition from being the scourge of the high school faculty to being a member of the CPU Republic (CPUR) would be astonishing, if not surreal, to some; but for JD Chris Dofeliz (BS FHLM – 3), it is just one of the phases in life of replacing the old free-wheeling lifestyle with a new prospect for the better.

During the CPUR elections on February 24, the students filled ballots with the names of their picks for the CPU Republic’s seats. A senator of the Republic last semester and currently the Prime Minister, Dofeliz was at first shaky to run for CPUR president, considering the work load he would have to carry. But what pushed him to go for it, so to speak, was his unrelenting passion to serve the student body.

Indeed, we would be expecting more from him; much more, now, that he is president-apparent after reaping a preponderant amount of favorable ballots (2,304 votes) over his opponent, Koalisyon Party’s Albert Jan Matthew Java (2,130 votes) .

But for now, the student body must know his thoughts on his experiences as a student leader and his

26

new- found status as the CPUR president.

Central Echo: Who or what inspired you to become a student leader?

JD Chris Dofeliz: The students and my friends were the ones who inspired me. Back when I was in high school, I was a hooligan, but it came to a surprise for many when I decided to run for CPUR senator (A.Y. 2010-2011). During the first semester, I served as the Minister for Student Organizations and I am the incumbent Prime Minister for the current semester. So, I continue to serve student organizations and fraternities. I was precarious at first on whether or not I should run for the presidency. But they (students and friends) were the ones who encouraged me to run in this year’s elections.

CE: What were your experiences when you first joined the CPUR? Dofeliz: My first experiences were fun. The thing is that if you do not have the passion for service, you will be downhearted and dispirited. For me, if you are really committed to serve, you will enjoy it, and the students can see that you are willing to serve them.

CE: What do you think was your

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: JD Chris Dofeliz

advantage over your opponent during the elections?

Dofeliz: I think the reason I won was because of the students’ support. I didn’t expect less from my opponent, because he is well-known in the University; but, I believe that the student body was my source of advantage, because they were the ones who encouraged me to run for office. So, when I made my final decision to run for CPUR president, it came to my mind that since they encouraged me, they would eventually give me their support.

So, that’s it; the student body, student organizations and fraternities became my advantages.

CE: What should your fellow Centralians expect from you now that you are president?

Dofeliz: Expect for a change (laughs).

We [the CPUR] will still be meeting on what to do. But for now, the students should expect more activities for this year’s University Day and other CPUR activities.

CE: What were your promises made during the campaign rally?

Dofeliz: During the rally, I didn’t give any promise. I told my partners in

the Reform party that I will not make any promises to the students. I will just do my best for them.

CE: Now that you have acquired the highest position in the Republic, what are your thoughts?

Dofeliz: For me, we are all equal beings who walk the campus grounds. My being the president of the CPUR is just a position. I am still at the same level with my fellow students. What matters to me is to make significant decisions, and I need the presence of mind to do so.

CE: Any message to your fellow Centralians?

Dofeliz: The only thing that I want from my fellow students is their cooperation, because we also want to implement policies or activities. There are times when some of the students don’t seem to mind at all. So, what we really need from them is their cooperation in our activities and affairs, because I heard some muttering that we don’t engage in stuff like this and stuff like that. I expect that they will cooperate more with us.

Besides, they wouldn’t enjoy if they don’t join.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

27

CPUR

Accomplishment Repor t Second Semester (November-February) 2010-2011

A

s a CPUR official, one must have the endurance to withstand all the hardships and stress such as balancing studies and ensuring that activities and events happen on the dates as scheduled.

Despite these challenges, hardships, and sacrifices, the CPUR incredibly accomplished many “firsts” in such a short period for the CPU students and community this second semester for the academic year 2010-2011. These were accomplished because of teamwork, dedication, knowing the purpose and support from everyone.

The following events, activities and projects were achieved this A.Y. 2010-11 by the CPUR: In early November, the CPUR completed its office relocation at the Stuart building with nine new tables,

28

a long conference table and cabinets worth approximately Php 30,000.00+ with no expense charged to CPUR fees.

The new CPUR office is three times bigger than the old one.

The CPUR U-Day Awarding Ceremony was held on November 24, 2010 until all issues were resolved.

The ceremony was held at the Alumni Promenade Concert Park where more than 100 trophies and medals were given away.

The CPUR supported the Third Iloilo Psychological Students Convention on Nov. 18-19, 2010 and the Scouts Royale Brotherhood and Sisterhood Eta Gamma Chapter CPU, “Slam for A Cause” on Dec. 10, 2010. To help motivate our PRISAA athletes, the CPUR donated Php10,000.00 worth of Gatorade and other necessities.

Our athletes won 26 championship games, the largest number so far.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: Edgar G. Biñas

§

§

Campus

The CPUR initiated the first Bulletin Board project for the CPU Recognized Organizations and Fraternities to increase awareness of their presence to the public. It was put up between the Roblee Science Building and Uy Building parking lot. The CPUR adopted the waiting shed near the CPU third gate. It was cleaned and repainted the shed to remind students to take care of our surroundings.

On Dec. 9, 2010, the CPUR established the first CPUR Tree of Love Project. The project was able to raise more than Php 3,500.00 for a beneficiary who used to be an employee in the University until he became a stroke patient.

The project aimed to reflect that the CPUR cares for anyone who has been a part of Central.

On Dec. 14, 2010, the CPUR organized the first outreach activity with the theme, “2010 Books for 2010 Children,” in cooperation with the recognized student organizations and fraternities of the University and the CPU Outreach Center at Brgy. Sambag, Jaro Day Care Center, Brgy. Sambag Elementary School and Calicuang National High School. A signage was donated to the Calicuang High School by the CPUR and the recognized student organizations and fraternities.

On Dec. 16, 2010, a University-wide Christmas Party was prepared by the CPUR and the Cultural Affairs Office for all department levels from kindergarten to the collegiate level. The affair was followed by the IMAGO Band concert that was of free admission to all and was hosted by Xian Lim and Gretchen Fullido. Both events took place at the University Gymnasium.

The CPUR helped, in cooperation with the Alumni Association, during the Festival of Lights and Music at Central. First, the CPUR coordinated the amusement rides; a share of approximately Php 3,000.00 was earned by the CPUR to help with other projects for the students. Second, the first Christmas Tree Making Contest was led by the CPUR. There were 15 student organizations/ fraternities that joined the contest. A total of more than Php 9,000.00 cash prizes, sponsored

29

§

§

Campus

by the Alumni Affairs Office, were given away. The CPUR helped the Work Student Organization by donating Php 10,000.00 for their Dies Felices. Both the CPUR President and CPUR Prime Minister served as judges in the different contests held during their celebration.

The first Outreach activity was composed of evangelism, feeding program, gift giving, and medical mission in cooperation with CPU recognized student organizations and fraternities with the theme, “Looking Beyond Disabilities” was held. It was spearheaded by the CPUR on January 14.

The CPUR helped inform and prepare the recognized student organizations for their evaluation held on February 9-10, with more than 80 organizations and fraternities evaluated. Both the CPUR President and CPUR Prime Minister were invited to the CPU Channel Ecoforum on February 17, 2011 to discuss CPUR activities and issues.

The CPUR spearheaded the Recycling, “Drop for a Cause” project located behind the Franklin Hall Building to help raise funds for the Work Students Organization.

The first CPUR Leadership and Merit of Service Medals were created to be awarded to deserving CPUR officials for presentation during the annual College Honors and Awards Program.

As we end our term, I would like to thank everyone who has helped us accomplish many things this school year. My many thanks to the Board of Trustees, President Teodoro C. Robles, Cultural Affairs Office, Alumni Association and the many Department Heads, faculty and staff, CPUR Prime Ministers, Reymar Gallego (first semester) and JD Chris Dofeliz (second semester); senators, representatives, governors, LGU board members and the CPUR staff and most especially, the students of the University.

Indeed, being a CPUR official requires commitment, dedication, many after-school hours of work, and sometimes, skipping classes to ensure that the events would happen on the exact date and time. All these may have meant stress, but it was overshadowed by the reward of fulfillment, knowing that these were done for the betterment of the students and of the University.

EDGAR G. BIÑAS CPUR President A.Y. 2010-2011

30

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

CPUR T W

E

By Edgar G. Biñas

E

K

§

§

Campus

Centrali a Unitedans Pursuing Republi c

Photo Credit: Edgar G. Biñas

he CPUR celebrated the CPUR Week with the theme, “Centralians Pursuing a United Republic” from January 31 to February 4.

The first event was the opening parade joined by the different LGUs, organizations and fraternities. It was followed by an opening ceremony at the Promenade. Former CPUR President Artchill Fernandez served as the guest speaker.

There were different activities scheduled throughout the week such as the first Campus Night Fun Run with more than 200 runners, CPUR Official’s Tournament that included tug of war, volleyball and frisbee games, and the CPUR Luncheon.

The LGU’s Provincial Boards were inspected and the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA), College of Arts and Sciences won first and second place, respectively. The Engineering Provincial Board ranked first in the CPUR Officials’ Tournament followed by the High School Department then the CBA. The Cultural Affairs Office and Alumni Association helped in sponsoring some of the CPUR Week activities. Other activities included: Videoke, Kalye Sentral, Music Night and the Alternative Classes. For the very first time, the high school students were allowed to attend the Alternative Classes wherein the CPUR coordinated the necessary actions to make it happen.

31

man G BI

the

I

upstairs

By Raniel C. Ponteras

f you are one of those who constantly attend the annual Rockapalooza, then you would have an idea how seriously talented Centralians are when it comes to music; but, if you haven’t been into one Rockapalooza, then you probably haven’t lived.

Anyway, one of the fixtures in this annual showcase of music is a band named "The Bigman Upstairs". These five guys have their own new flavor of praise and worship – by mixing elements of hardcore with Christian inspired melodies. These guys know how to deliver a hard-hitting point to your ears.

They are not your typical cover bands who bring nothing new to the table.

The Bigman Upstairs, with their brand of worship, has taken the spotlight in every gig they have ever played. Their most recent gig was in Padi’s Point where they had a soft release of their recorded songs.

But who are these guys? Let me tell you their story.

Four guys named Josh, Benjo, Paolo, and Mikey, have a common love for skateboarding, music, and praise and worship. To synthesize all their interests, they decided to form a band which would promote the Word of God in such a way that befitted all their interests.

Josh was to slash the strings; Mikey was

32

to lay down the bass-lines; Benjo was to echo out their praise; and Paolo was to smash down the beats.

They started out playing covering songs from Swtichfoot, Pax217, Underoath, etc. Molding all their influences together, they decided to do original songs; in addition, they also decided to give their band a name that would resound in the ears of their audience. After a series of brainstorming, Mikey coined out, The Bigman Upstairs.

Then, history was born.

Their first original song, entitled The Bigman Upstairs, was composed by Josh. It resounded the message of the group, that we should give praise to the Bigman who guides us in our everyday lives. This would be the start of their diverse approach in composing songs (each of their song stands out from the others owing to their vast influences).

Echoed in their other songs are heartfelt devotionals and testimonies of God’s love, which are evident in such titles like,

By My Side, Repetition of Praise, and Jah is My Lord.

After sometime, Paul, another guitarist was to join them; a vital addition to the group since he added another dimension to the group’s growing musical diversity.

Then, after a series of gigs, the inevitable happened. Paulo and Paul

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: Joshua Jireh Quimpo

§

§

Campus

couldn’t be with the band anymore because of certain circumstances. But as their songs say, God is generous to His children, and this young band was blessed with two new talented members who were to replace Paulo and Paul.

Another Paulo was to play the drums, and Ruzzel was to add his own style of guitar-playing. Also joining them in their gigs are Christian and JC who alternately play the strings.

With this reinvigorated line-up, they were able to record new songs. The fruits of their long sessions in the studio led to their biggest victory as of yet; to promote their original songs, they headlined a gig at Padi’s Point on December 27, 2010 where they relayed to their loyal fanbase their new compositions.

Apparently, for these Centralians, there’s nowhere else to go but up. After a while, they would finally dominate the bigger stages of the music world where they’ll have

§

§

Campus

more challenges and more places to spread their brand of worship. Only time will tell when they would finally land a major recording deal. And when that time comes, get your ears ready because The Bigman Upstairs will win you over, and there’s no stopping them.

Author’s Note: To those interested: Watch and listen to their songs at their You Tube channel: http://www.youtube.com/ thesoldiersofjah Also, for updates, like their fan page on Facebook: http://www.facebook. com/pages/The-BigmanUpstairs/200330925311#!/ pages/The-BigmanUpstairs/200330925311?sk=wall

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

33

S

By Jo Jan Paul PeĂąol

a mga nakasubaybay sa kasaysayan, parang kailan lang nang pagalabin ang damdamin ng mga Pilipino at itulak ang mamamayan sa lansangan.

Isang bahagi ng kasaysayang nagpabago sa pananaw nating mga Pilipino sa ating mga sarili gayundin sa kung paano tayo tiningnan ng mga mamamayan ng ibang bansa. Ito ay ang EDSA People Power Revolution.

Photo Credit: www.google-images.com

Sino nga ba ang makakalimot ng mapatay (sinadyang patayin) ang dating

34

Senador Benigno “Ninoy� Aquino Jr. na pinakamahigpit na tumutuligsa sa rehimen ng dating pangulong Ferdinand Marcos ng mga panahong iyon? Matapos ang ilang taong paninirahan sa ibang bansa ay pinili nitong bumalik kahit alam niyang maaaring doon na matapos ang kanyang buhay.

Sa isang bansang isinusuka na ang pasistang pamamahala, isang maliit na ningas lang ay maaaring sumambulat sa nagngangalit na damdamin ng mamamayang malaon ng binusalan ang mga bibig sa pagpapahayag ng katotohanan at saloobin. Ang pagkamatay ni Ninoy ay nagsilbing mitsa upang ang kinikimkim na pagrerebelde ay sumambulat.

Photo Credit: Darren Gonzales

§

§

Politics

PUSH OF FAITH JP Peñol (third from right) together with the Ayala Young Leaders Alliance pushing the carosa of The Mary, Queen of Peace during the commemoration of the 25th EDSA Anniversary.

Nagkaroon ng snap election dahil na rin sa di mapigil na hiyaw ng pagbabago.

Walang nagawa ang pasistang rehimeng Marcos kundi patulan ang eleksiyong iyon upang kahit papaano ay mapayapa ang lumalakas na pag-aalsang bayan. Kalakip ang pagluluto ng madayang resulta ng halalan na di niya sukat akalaing siya din palang magiging dahilan ng tuluyan niyang pagbagsak.

Ideneklara siyang panalo sa katunggaling biyuda ni Ninoy na si Corazon “Cory” Aquino, samantalang malinaw sa resulta ng NAMFREL (National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections) na si Cory ang nanalo. Sinundan iyon ng pagtiwalag sa pamumuno ni Marcos nina Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile at si General Fidel Ramos. Hindi na mapahupa ang mamamayan, kumakalat

na parang virus ang napipintong kudeta at ang naging dahilan ng sama-samang paglabas sa lansangan ng daang libong mamamayan ay ang panawagan ni Jaime Cardinal Sin na tutulan na at pababain sa pwesto ang diktador na pangulo ng bansa.

Sa apat na araw ng mapayapang rebolusyon ay hindi mabilang na kwento ng kabayanihan ang naitala. Sa bawat nakasaksi at dumalo sa makasaysayang pangyayaring iyon, isa itong hindi malilimutan at napakasarap na karanasang iuulat sa mga susunod na henerasyon.

Ngayon, pagkalipas ng 25 taon, tuluyan na bang nakamit ang demokrasyang ating matagal nang hinahangad?

Nakapanlulumo mang tanggapin ngunit ang isa lang makabuluhang naibigay nito sa atin ay ang malayang pamamahayag.

Nang mabuwag ang Martial Law ay

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

35

36

Photo Credit: www.google-images.com

nagsibuka na ang ating mga bibig.

Subalit ang katotohanang talamak pa rin ang korapsyong ating tinutulan ngayon, heto at patuloy pa ring namamayani.

Ang kalagayan ng mamamayan sa usaping kabuhayan ay halos bahagya lang umunlad. Ang talamak na patayan, karahasan, krimen ay naririyan pa rin at ang masakit dito ay marami sa mga ito ay sangkot ang militar at may mga katungkulan sa gobyerno.

Isang kahinaan ang katotohanang hindi naipanatili ng mga sumunod na namuno ng bansa ang diwa ng tunay na demokrasya. Naroon pa rin ang pagprotekta sa mga pansariling interes at naroon pa rin ang matinding tawag ng 3G o Guns, Golds and Goons. Ang pamumuno sa bayan para sa iba ay hindi para maglingkod kundi makinabang.

Ngayon, sa gitnang silangan naman nagkakaroon ng mga pagaaklas. Sila naman ang tumututol sa di makatarungang pamumuno. Nawa nga lamang ay matulad sila sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas na natapos ito sa mapayapang paraan.

Hindi pa ako ipinanganak noong kapanahunan nitong rebolusyon, subalit, naramdaman ko ang diwa nito dahil sa mga taong aking nakausap nang ako’y dumalo sa paggunita nga ika-25 anibersaryo ng makasaysayang People Power. Kasama ang Ayala Young Leaders

Alliance, kami’y dumalo sa isang misa kasama ang Pangulong Noynoy Aquino sa EDSA Shrine at nagtulak pa ng karosa ng Reyna ng Kapayaan sa isang prosesyon na dinaluhan ng mahigitkumulang sa dalawang libong katao. Sa prosesyong iyon, may isang madreng nagtanong sa akin, “Iho, how old were you during the EDSA I?” At ako’y napangiti lamang sabay sabing, “Naku po, hindi pa po ako naplanong gawin noon!”

Napangiti din ang madre. “Sayang, hindi mo nakita kung ano kahirap ang aming dinaanan para makamit natin ang ating estado ngayon. Hindi mo nasaksihan ang tunay na pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino na naging makabuluhan at salamat sa Poong Maykapal sa pagkakataong iyon.”

Subalit hindi maipagkakaila na nakakapagpalubag ng loob at naipagmamalaki natin ang pagiging Pilipino dahil sa diwa ng 1986 EDSA Revolution.

36

Photo Credit: www.google-images.com

Popularizing

Overpopulation

T

By Raniel C. Ponteras

he Philippines has been dealing with a plethora of conundrums that hinder it from achieving its long desired progress. One of the dilemmas it has been facing throughout the years is the problem of uncontrolled population growth, evident in our overly-populated society.

Our country, embarrassingly, boasts the 5th highest number of hungry people with over 40% of its population suffering involuntary hunger. Also, 44% of our population earns less than $2 a day. Only 10% of our forests and coral reefs are left.

Crime rates are going up the scales. These numbers are dreadful: we, Filipinos, are taking one step forward and ten steps backward.

There are some who argue that overpopulation is a myth; with the base premise that the Philippines has a lot of loose and open areas for habitation, which falsifies the claim of overpopulation.

Let me first clarify that overpopulation is not limited to population-land area ratio analysis; overpopulation is a conclusion derived from the precise analyses of the population and the dynamics involved, like: economics, politics, environment, and health.

To talk about overpopulation, is to talk about the distribution of wealth within a given population. Overpopulation happens when the resources in that specific area of land are not enough for the consumption and use of the inhabitants. This scenario results to families becoming hungry, poor, and malnourished.

The lack of resources in a specific area forces members of the family to look for ways to achieve economic sustainability: this forces parents to send their children to work. The children working as sakadas in Negros, and minors working as miners in Davao are all concrete evidences

of overpopulation. Similarly, a study conducted in Bangladesh states that sixyear old boys already gain income for the family, and when they reach the age of 12, they contribute more than they consume.

The situation in Bangladesh is similar to the conditions and circumstances that families face here in our own country. But before divulging more scary numbers, let me show you the Philippines as what our eyes tell us.

THE PRAGMATIC PICTURE The country’s capital city, Manila, ranks 1st in the world’s most densely populated cities. Not surprisingly, the city’s cemeteries are also crowded with the dead, barely leaving no room for more tenants.

The city of Manila is filled with slum areas; where shanties fill unoccupied land to the extent that the passageways in these shanty communities are barely 6-feet wide.

This shows how congested Manila City really is.

In the Visayas and Mindanao, families whose main livelihood is agriculture are faced with the problem of having too many mouths to feed. Couples have more children than what their incomes can accommodate. This, again, leads to children not being able to go to school, since they are pressured to look for work at a very early age in order to help alleviate the family from the dire economic situations they are facing. Because of the lack of working opportunities in the rural areas, families are migrating to the urban areas

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

37

to find employment. The exodus to the urban areas add to the growing population density in the major areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The congestion in urban areas hinder certain expansions for progress. The more people migrating to the urban areas, the more slums and shanty areas are created.

This leaves little room for infrastructures to be built upon; this creates traffic; this also leads to more unemployed people in the rural areas. Sadly, this also leads to the increase of crimes. In 2009, a total of 101,798 crimes were reported; a 63.79% increase from 2008’s record of 62,148.

Index crimes like robbery, murder and other offenses against persons, constituted 61.26% of 2009’s numbers. Robbery and murder have often been associated to the high rate of unemployment.

THE SCARY STATISTICS The Philippines, being the 12th most populous country in the world, has a fertility rate of 3.03%. To define: fertility rate is the average number of children a woman will have during the course of her reproductive lifetime.

This rate of fertility is higher than the desired fertility rate of women in the Philippines. In 2003, Filipino women wanted an average of only 2.5 children.

Without programs and reforms to curb this high fertility rate, an estimated 3.4 million Filipino women became pregnant in 2008; 54% of them were unwanted pregnancies.

This high rate of fertility makes families unable to invest more for the basic services of their children. With consideration to the current economic strains that are plaguing our society now, it is a very hard task for the Filipino families to meet their needs, especially when they have more children to support than they are able.

If the Philippines is to lift itself up from the economic mire that it has gotten itself stuck into, it must also deal with the current fertility rate. Dr. Martha Campbell,

38

§

§

National Issue

CEO of Venture Strategies for Health and Development, states in a report that, “No country, with the exception of a small number of anomalous oil-rich states, has gotten out of poverty while maintaining high fertility rates.”

THE NEED FOR HEALTH REFORMS It is with these harsh realizations that the imperative need for progressive health reforms in our country be met. Health reforms are arbitrary in finding a solution to the damaging population-poverty nexus that plagues our society and country.

What we have now is the Reproductive Health Bill, or House Bill No. 5043, that stresses the need for open and free access to contraceptives. Contraceptives help families control the number of their members. This also allows women to have the choice of having a child or not.

To tackle poverty is to face imperative problems: one is overpopulation. Finding solutions to overpopulation goes hand in hand with fighting corruption in eradicating poverty.

When you have six to ten mouths to feed, no matter how good the current economic system is, life will still be hard.

Author’s Note: The writer would like to thank Robyn Yves for her help in providing data and sources.

References: • M. T. Cain, “The economic activities of children in a village in Bangladesh,” Population and Development Review 3 (1977): 201-228, cited in Murdoch, Poverty of Nations, 26. http://www.globalissues. org/article/206/poverty-and-population-growthlessons-from-our-own-past • Philippine Star article, Crime rate up by 63% in 2009 – PNP; http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx ?articleId=537223&publicationSubCategoryId=63 • Darroch, et al. Meeting women’s contraceptive needs in the Philippines, Guttmacher Institute. http://www. guttmacher.org/pubs/2009/04/15/IB_MWCNP.pdf • Campbell. Why the silence on population. http:// bixby.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ Why-the-silence-on-Population-05.07.pdf

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

World

12..1 2..12 D o o m s D a y

By Airon B. Buenvenida

W

hether we like it or not, the clock will continue on ticking, and each second is a reality that we are fast approaching this date—12/12/12. A year or two from now, as they say, the world will change forever.

A Real Date in Our Calendar Sooner or later, December 12, 2012 (or December 21) will really strike our calendars. Like that of other usual days, it will have 24 hours, 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds; the only bizarre thing is that numerous unrelated people, who had lived unalike years, all predicted that something will happen.

Astrologers, scientists, spiritualists and other people involved in “New Age” religions think that it is going to be a crucial date.

Will extraterrestrial life forms invade the earth? Will it pave way for World War IIIpossibly triggering a nuclear annihilation?

Will nature get tired and seek revenge?

Or will we all vanish like a bubble as if we never existed?

Asteroid, Comet, Solar flares and Polar shift Scientists and astronomers have calculated the possibility of various catastrophic events. One of these is through an asteroid called Toutatis that will pass closely on earth.

The Center for Astrophysics at Harvard laid out the data that on December 12, 2012, this asteroid will be 0.04633 astronomical unit (A.U.) away from the earth. It seems very close from its decimal form but if we

try to convert it into miles, this will give us 4,140,000 (about 18 times the distance of the earth to the moon).

Nostradamus, a famous French physician and astrologer in 1500’s, predicted a picture of massive destruction brought about by a comet somewhere in December 2012. In his book The Prophecies, he wrote, “In the sky will be seen a great fire dragging a trail of sparks.” Although he stated his predictions vaguely, many of these were interpreted correctly like the Second World War, Hitler, and so on.

Another catastrophic event expected to hit earth is the occurrence of a solar storm. Just like in the movie, The Knowing, the earth will experience a full blown solar storm that will wipe out the entire human race. Upon monitoring the sun’s movement pattern for more than 11 years, scientist concluded that the solar flares to hit the earth on December 2012 may not go unnoticed unlike its first incident in 2003.

One of the most enthralling of all these predictions is the possibility of a polar shift in 2012. Researchers and scientists from around the globe are anticipating and dreading the consequences of such polar shift. Even the Mayan calendar warns us of an event that might have a huge impact on the whole world and scientists think that this polar shift may be the event that the

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

39

§

§

World

Mayan’s were referring to.

Polar shifts have taken place in the past. The last one was said to have occurred about a million years ago. Scientists who have intensively studied it have said that it will repeat every 750,000 years. They predict more earthquakes and volcanic activity to occur after the shift.

The Mayans: the Timekeepers From 250 BC - 900 AD, the Mayans thrived. They were timekeepers of everything. They were among the first to use a solar calendar containing 365 days.

They made difficult calculations, such as finding the day of the week of a particular calendar date many thousands of years in the past or in the future.

Today, we are living in the nib of the Mayan end times—the end of a galactic day or time period spanning thousands of years. This galactic day of 25,625 years is divided into five cycles of 5,125 years.

We are almost at the fifth and final 5,125 year cycle. The Solstice on December 21, 2012 (precisely at 11:11AM Universal Time) marks the completion of the 5,125 year Great Cycle of the Ancient Maya Long Count Calendar.

In regard to this event, the Mayans had an insight over 2,000 years ago of the occurrence of a polar shift that could start on that day and the center of our galaxy would line up with the sun and earth on the winter solstice of 2012. Now, astronomers with the Hubble telescope and sophisticated technology proved them right.

How the Mayans had knowledge of this without such technology is a total

40

Photo Credit: www.google.com

mystery. Another perplexed scenario is that the alignment would cause a solar plasmic charge and would shut down all electronics on Earth.

The prior mentioned frightful events were all reflected in the widely viewed “2012” movie. However, with regard to the ever-increasing attention on the December 21, 2012 date, the living Mayans of Guatemala urgently want it to be known that their ancient prophecies have been distorted and misportrayed as doomsday predictions. The fear and hysteria that are being generated by the sensationalized 2012 rumors is not what they are trying to convey to us. They want people to be aware that most of the 2012 information being put out is not sourced from them or their calendars whatsoever, even though it may appear to be associated with them.

New World Age From a metaphysical perspective, the world ends and recreates itself every instant.

The Mayans and other cultures recognize that we are approaching the end of a World Age. However, their elders do not see that in the future, everything will come to an end. Rather, it will be a time of transition from one World Age into another.

When we reflect on the expression “end of the world,” let us realize the term “world” can refer to a cycle—a period of

Volume CI No. 4 | November 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

awareness. We must find our hearts for they are our purest guides.

Enduring Faith "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father (Matthew 24:36)."

When we contemplate about the coming of 2012, let us be clear that no one can predict the specifics of how things may appear or whether the transformations still to come may emerge gradually or swiftly.

Everything depends on how conscious we can become.

We’ve always heard the word ‘Apocalypse’ being associated with the 2012 prophecy; but looking into its original meaning, this word is far from destruction, for it actually means revealing of that which has been hidden, lifting of the veil or uncovering. Somehow, the Apocalypse is now taking place in our world as the covers are being lifted, the veils are thinning, and we are being shown many dimensions that have previously been hidden. The corruption and mental illness within ourselves are being rapidly exposed, as is the unfathomable and untapped depths of beauty and wisdom living within the human hearts now revealing itself.

Our enduring faith in the One above will be our ultimate means of defense as we enter the battlefield of December 2012. The world may tremble or tear apart but the love of God is enough to put us still. In the end, the victory will be for those who have gathered enough fuel to keep their faith burning.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

41

Photo source: www.google.com

time or a world age era. Therefore, 2012 will herald the completion of one World Age Cycle, bringing us into an emerging New World Age to come.

Our abominable human population that thickens by the day is our environmental crises and the immense whole system is struggling both physically and spiritually. The old world mentality was founded in division, greed, ignorance, and unconscious consumer materialism.

Therefore, it may be that the world to follow will be founded on different values that revere the spirit of the synergy of all of life.

Carlos Barrios, from the Eagle Clan of the Mam Maya of Guatemala shares in regards to 2012: “Our planet can be renewed or ravaged. Now is the time to awaken and take action. The prophesied changes are going to happen, but our attitude and actions determine how harsh or mild they are.”

He also added, “The world will not end. It will be transformed. Everything will change. Change is accelerating now, and it will continue to accelerate. If the people of the earth can get to this 2012 date in good shape, without having destroyed too much of the Earth, we will rise to a new, higher level. But to get there, we must transform enormously powerful forces that seek to block the way. Humanity will continue, but in a different way. Material structures will change. From this we will have the opportunity to be more human.”

Fear is, indeed, a primeval universal human reality. Yes, we are vulnerable, yet we need to understand that if we believe in all the fear thoughts, we will easily collapse, become delusional or be unreceptive in ways that feed the fear and lead us further into obscurity.

With this prophecy, we need to motivate ourselves to embrace

§

§

World

§

§

Social Trends

Beyond Costumes

P

By Reyshimar C. Arguelles

Photo Credit: angeish

eople have different ways in expressing what they want to be, or – ought to be – through mimicry.

Writers mimic the style of their favorite novelists, poets or playwrights, by incorporating the way they write with the way their idols write. Rhetoricians follow the articulation and mannerisms of the speakers whose voices they suffuse with their own. Children, too, will in some point utter their desire to become like their father, or mother, or their dear Uncle Pedro. In some cases, they reserve fervor to be like their TV heroes: Spiderman, Optimus Prime, Uzumaki Naruto, or Himura Kenshin. In some way, these kids aspire to become the personas they so earnestly adore.

Admiration is attested in many forms, but to an even greater extent, some people may settle unsatisfied by just following mannerisms or molding their hair in a fashion. In Japanese pop culture, where a high degree of enthusiasm resides within avid and (in some way) peculiar people called otakus, expressing admiration may involve constantly following episodes of an Anime series, buying posters of Vocaloid idols (try Googling “Hatsune Miku”) and – cosplaying.

Cosplaying is defined more as a hobby than just a temporary fad. Anime fans and enthusiasts find no more than the satisfying pleasure of donning improvised costumes to become a samurai, a super sentai ranger, a ninja, or a magical girl among others, much to the anxiety of

42

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

with ‘conformists’ who see and treat them differently?” The answer to that question lies with the AniJou maxim: “Call us weird, but we’re unique.” Indeed, amidst the blandness of urbanity’s monotonous pace, leaving the stream is as fundamental as going against it. They usually participate in events at venues like SM City, insofar as cosplaying is dealt.

With costumes sewn and financed by themselves, they are sending a message to passersby going out and about the stores of the mall, that there is nothing wrong with what you want to do or what you are doing – as long as you’re not harming anyone.

When you ask each member of AniJou about their experiences as cosplayers, they would answer you unhesitatingly, one idea bears to mind: Excitement. It is the very reason why these kids keep donning the costumes, unperturbed by what others think; audacious by what others say.

Cosplayers put on different personas.

They either admire a persona, or assume them. But there is something beyond admiration of an Anime character or beyond the costumes they wear. That is for us to find out for ourselves; the conformists who only see life’s peculiarities, but refrain from trying on the sheets.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: Fay_lin

what we call conformists. It is not a craze or a fad (whichever word people call it).

Anime and Manga are. But to say that cosplaying is “just a fad” and “just a craze,” is pretension.

Fans and followers may lose fervency for an Anime show or stop cease their search for fresh online Manga updates, but there is neither diminishing nor ceasing of cosplaying. It is a past-time as legendary as a father-and-son fishing escapade; as comforting as writing a poetic tribute to a cup of coffee; and as euphoric as playing the trumpet.

Play constitutes joy and satisfaction, and that is what cosplaying is about: dressing up in costumes, transforming one’s self and imitating the temperaments of a chosen persona, whether it is an alchemist, a cynical bounty hunter of a dystopian future, or a sword wielding reaper doing battle with evil spirits called “hollows”.

In this country where all the hype for the fresh and the cool is satiated by foreign cultures, the hobby has become very much popular with Filipino otakus, the young and the young at heart.

Manila may be the avenue for pop culture showcasing, but in far off provinces like Iloilo, anime dress-up is just as hip as it is in the capital. The members of Anigumi Joukai are setting their foot on the threshold of Ilonggo youth culture.

Being a group of Anime enthusiasts established last year, AniJou is itself a community of creative and bubbly dudes and dudettes regardless of school affiliation seeking ways to kill needless time through what they know best – cosplaying.

One may wonder, “Do these kids even have trouble

§

§

Social Trends

43

K-Pop

Domination

By Renel Edward M. Castellano

What is K-Pop? K-Pop, music originating from South Korea, is short for “Korean Pop.” It is like the Western music genres of RnB, hip-hop, ballad, electronic and pop. In addition, other abbreviations of KDrama (Korean Drama) like The Baker King, Cinderella’s Sister and ever famous Boys over Flowers and KFashion (Korean Fashion) have become a popular kind of fashion in today’s youth, who in turn, try to imitate how Korean pop idols dress up, including their personal style (opposite to cosplaying).

The presence of various networking and video sharing sites like Facebook, Twitter, Multiply, and Youtube makes KPop a popular sub-culture among today’s generation.

K-Pop has been stealing the limelight of both the Western and Philippine music industries. It has been topping the charts of various music television channels with billions of requests from fans all over the world. A popular music television channel has even a segment entitled, “Seoul Sunday,” aired every Sunday, wherein allKorean pop music videos are shown.

Their albums sell millions of copies and their songs get sold like hot cakes in various music sharing sites. Their concerts more get sold quickly than other artists. I personally witnessed this on February 26, 2011, when I attended the biggest KPop concert ever held in the Philippines in a fully-packed Araneta Coliseum. It featured the biggest boy band with thirteen members whose hearts were out for their Filipino fans during their performance.

What makes them special?

They make their fans squeal, cry, jump for joy, and worst of all, faint. But what is it

44

that makes Korean Pop so charismatic to us Filipinos? Is it their nice voices and beautiful body figures? What makes Filipinos like them so much?

The irony is that most of us do not even understand a single word they are singing (except maybe for some English lines), but, still, their music makes us dance and sing along. Some of the most popular Korean pop bands are the Super Junior (Fan Club: EverLasting Friends or E.L.F.), 2ne1 (Fan Club: BlackJacks),and BigBang (Fan Club: V.I.P). To answer the question of what makes them special, I asked a few Centralian students who are also avid fans of K-Pop, and all in all we have come up with ten reasons why K-Pop is so “in” with today’s youth.

10 Reasons why they like K-Pop 1. Music with catchy dance tracks & sweet ballads 2. Cool concepts (flower boy, beastly, cute) 3. Different from what we are used to 4. The hype over their new debuts, music videos (MVs), and albums 5. The closeness between the members & other groups (like a family) 6. The attractiveness 7. The intimate connection between the fans & the group 8. The overall clean, innocent image 9. The personalities of each KPop member 10. The addictive dance moves which are easy to follow

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: www.google-images.com

Super Show 3 Manila:

A K-Pop Concert Experience

W

E’VE BEEN TO A LOT OF COUNTRIES, BUT THE PHILIPPINES IS THE LOUDEST,” shouted Super Junior.

The scene became like a sea of sapphire-blue when the lights went off inside the Araneta Coliseum, filled with thousands of die-hard fans. The stage was of futuristicconcept. Singers flying; amazing pyrotechnique displays; and sick dance choreographies. This I beheld when I attended the Super Junior concert in Manila on February 26 this year.

Being there was a dream come true.

Yes, I attended the Super Show 2 last year, but I can say that the Super Show 3 was even more spectacular.

I really screamed as if there were no tomorrow. Super Junior is one of the popular South Korean groups with a most superb and swift dance choreography.

In 2009, I was very much happy when K-Pop invaded the Philippines.

It was really my dream that K-Pop will one day become famous here. Their Sorry, Sorry song was the first song that landed here in our country. It was

a big hit, that even in MYX Daily Top Ten and MYX International, they were in the number one spot. For me, for others to say that Super Junior is not at par with other foreign artists is really wrong.

Being an “E.L.F.” for almost four years now, is one of my big achievements.

E.L.F stands for EVERLASTING FRIENDS, a world-wide fan club of Super Junior. Spending my weekend with ELFs around the Philippines and Super Junior was the best thing that has happened in my life so far. I met a lot of new E.L.F.s. The thing that made me more amazed was the many “E.L.F.” foreigners who came to the Philippines just to watch Super Junior. I really had so much fun and really enjoyed the show. I just couldn’t believe that my seat was very near the stage so that I could really see their faces. They were all handsome from head to toe.

To sum it all up, the experience was pure entertainment with lots of fun. I can really testify that, indeed, the members of Super Junior are not just singers with great voices, but also entertainers with a certain twist.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

45

Photo Credit: Black Rosary

“

By super_CHOINEMO

Photo Credit: khonie baloney

T

he island of Negros prides itself as being the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines.

True, for Negrosanons are known for their being sweet. Such a characteristic attracts tourists and visitors from other places that stretch abroad.

The Ruins stands strong after suffering conflagration and deterioration.

Sweet NEGROS

By Raniel C. Ponteras

Like sugar canes, Negros is also littered with places, sites, and attractions that are sugary sweet.

Of those sweet destinations, two stand out when it comes to cultural and historical relevance: The Ruins in Talisay City and Balay Negrense found in Silay City.

The Ruins: Ruined to Perfection The Ruins is a living artifact, erected as a gift for Maria Braga, the Portuguese wife of sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. With a beautiful belvedere, providing visitors with a grandiose view of the sunset, it incites romanticism in the hearts of every visitor. Lovers and couples alike trek the historical grounds of the Ruins to relive the glorious past: where the morning sun delightfully cheers the surrounding greenery into a sweet visage of Mother Nature; where the evening moon smiles

46

down its brilliance, lighting the Ruins with a splendor of magic!

What was once a glorious mansion, belonging to a sugar magnate, now stands as a skeletal remnant of architectural mastery. It was burned down by the United States Armed Forces in the Far East to prevent the Japanese from using it as their military base during World War II. Looking at it, it displays an Italianesque design, with balustrades and arches that add a regal touch. No wonder it attracts visitors worldwide!

There is much to discover about the Ruins. When in Negros, be sure to stop by it and have a jolly good time!

How to go there: When commuting, it is best that you ride a BATA jeepney. Once you reach Bangga Rose Lawns, ride a tricycle that will take you to The Ruins for a fare of less than ten pesos per head.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

Travelogue

Balay Negrense: A Mystical Museum The Balay Negrense has attracted visitors from far away ever since its inauguration on October 6, 1990. Tourists, local and foreign, have flocked the Balay to have a taste of pre-war Negrense lifestyle.

The house was built by Victor F. Gaston, son of Yves Leopold Germain Gaston, a pioneer of the sugar industry in Negros. It is one of the most beautifully constructed heritage homes in Silay, with designs reminiscent of Spanish mansions. It is furnished with a library, a piano, a grand staircase, spacious living rooms and cozy bedrooms.

Almost everything about the Balay is natural. The design follows a wonderful ventilation plan that prevents the house from getting too hot. The faces on the paintings and pictures hung on the

Silay City’s magical museum

walls of the Balay, showcase natural Filipino beauty: from the handsome Gastons to the world class beauty of Susan Magalona; truly, Balay Negrense is the heart of Silay, a beautiful and naturally rich city.

Silay City is a bit far from Bacolod, yet, it is worth the trip! There are other heritage homes of interest in Silay. Be sure to check them all out!

How to get there: You can either ride a jeepney or a bus to take you to Silay. Once in Silay, you can board out of the vehicle at the Bank of the Philippine Islands or at the city plaza, and ride a tricycle that will take you to the Balay Negrense.

47

Cebu

Hi Just Dropping By!

T

hirty minutes after, the aircraft landed at the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

First goal, EAT! Taking the advice of Smile, Cebu Pacific Air’s in-flight magazine, one of the Must-Eats in Cebu is lechon (roasted pig) at CNT Lechon.

Empty table For an authentic Cebu-style lechon, we took the advice, but no address was given on the mag. So, my colleagues and I tried our luck at the Ayala Center Cebu Mall, the only place I remember from my last visit in Cebu. Lucky for us, there’s CNT Lechon in their food court! As for the lechon, well, it was tasteful, with tender and juicy meat, and crunchy skin. Anyway, we left our table with clean, clear plates.

Yes, we didn’t like our food.

First goal: Lunch—checked!

48

Magellan’s Cross I separated from my other colleagues to explore Cebu alone. Riding a taxi, I headed towards the location of Magellan’s Cross. Magellan’s Cross, which is housed in a small chapel in front of the City Hall, was the cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer who “rediscovered” the Philippines in 1521. It became the symbol of the Roman Catholic faith and of Cebu City as well.

The Sky Experience From the church, the taxi dropped me off in front of the Crown Regency Hotel & Towers. Taking the scenic elevator that took me to the 38th floor, I found myself at the Sky Observatory, a stone’s

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: Elainne Atienza

By Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol

throw away from the Edge Coaster Ride entrance. There I was at the world’s very first and only amusement ride of its kind (according to its brochure)—the Edge Coaster. After I was securely seated and instructions had been given, the ride started. When the ride reached a curve, the coaster began to tilt. Then I screamed.

I was afraid of heights before; but, thanks to this ride, I have become fearless.

Included in the discounted ticket was the Sky Walk Extreme.

Love in the Sky After the safety briefing, the walk in the sky began. I wore orange and blue jumpsuits and was strapped to a safety harness. It was windy, and the slippery floor hindered me from doing certain activities, like sitting on the edge of the platform with my feet dangling in the air. Anyway, the walk was still fun. With the whole of Cebu as the backdrop, the jumpshots would have been amazing if I had my best friends with me.

After the walk, which took around 15 minutes, I was in my “mahangin-basa-labas” looks. I was given a certificate to prove that I survived the Sky Walk Extreme.

The Meeting Since I was in Cebu, I didn’t want to waste my time by not meeting some of my friends from the Ayala Young Leaders Congress. To my surprise, they still held classes until nine in the evening.

My new-found friends were Michael Angelo Abaracar and Elainne Atienza, both from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation. I went to their school two hours before nine; so, I decided to stroll around the campus, and

§

§

Travelogue

that was what I was doing when Mikko texted me, “Puntahan kita jan.”

My long wait was over when finally Mikko arrived. We went upstairs and entered their classroom at the 4th floor where I met Elainne. It was still an hour to go before their dismissal; hence, I attended their accountancy class. I really enjoyed their jolly professor.

Dead Hungry After their class, we walked nearly two kilometers to reach the Cebu IT Park, a mixed business and industrial park. I asked Mikko and Elainne what fast food chain is Cebu’s best. They answered me, “Ikaw pumili. Kung saan gusto mo, andun din kami.”

So, we went inside Da Vinci’s Pizza and ordered a number of viands. I paid almost a thousand for that sumptuous dinner.

Realization: The price didn’t really matter. What mattered most was the joy we felt.

Thanks to my Cebuano friends for making me laugh and laugh and laugh!

The Pasalubong The next day, after getting high from a number of spots I visited, it was time for pasalubong shopping. Upon reaching the airport, I found a Shamrock store. It is famous for their otap, one of Cebu’s famous delicacies.

All in all, my Cebu trip was fun. The food and people were great. It is broadbased and also laidback (minus the pollution of a city like Manila). I can’t wait to be back in Cebu and meet my friends again and to once again enjoy Cebuano hospitality.

Soon, I hope to say, “Hi Cebu, I’m back!”

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

49

Photo Credit: Reginald Earl P. Castillo

Flames of Endurance

50

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

D

Cover Story

By Ashere Nisseth S. Equiña

Derived from the Latin word indurare, endurance means “to harden, steel, to last,” as defined in the Webster's dictionary. In addition, endurance is not just “the ability of a person to bear a hard thing; it is the ability to turn it into glory,” as what William Barclay, a biblical scholar, puts it.

Endurance has the sustaining power to stimulate the strength of one’s mind and the power to rekindle the determination in pursuit of one’s dreams amidst many difficulties. It is one’s ability to “support adverse force or influence of any kind” or “to bear without resistance, or with patience.”

One cannot deny the fact that the joys and victories gained in life can be appreciated when one goes through tough hurdles and “times of being tested by fire.” Through these experiences, be they good or bad, one is being honed and molded to become a better person. The process may be slow and painful, but only those who remain steadfast and determined to reach their goals will be the ones who will eventually succeed.

Success, then, is not about who reaches the finish line first. It is about how one is able to reach it.

Similarly speaking, endurance is not a contest in speed; it is about how one persistently pursues the race against time and all odds. It means that, as long as the fire of endurance keeps burning within one’s self, one will have all the hope and reasons to conquer any hardship or obstacle in life’s race.

As one gets closer to the finish line, one will realize that the obstacles may become more challenging and seemingly difficult to conquer. But, beyond all the doubts and fears is the assurance that victory awaits all those who endure.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

51

“

§

§

Fides

Advice for the Traveler:

When road signs and maps don’t seem to help, get a dose of the "Vitality of Endurance" (Vit-E), and you’ll get right back on track!

(Experientially proven and tested.)

By Ashere Nisseth S. Equiña

I

magine yourself ready for an adventurous journey (ala Indiana Jones kind of thing, minus the cowboy hat and the horse). Like any adventure, you have a mission; that is, to reach your destination no matter what happens.

You’re daring. You’re valiant.

Nothing can stop you from reaching your goal—neither poisonous pythons nor vicious tigers; the scorching heat across the Sahara desert nor the mountain jungles of Peru; the sight of a hurricane nor the gigantic waves of the Pacific.

Hence you start your trip, armed with a map, high expectations and hope for a perfect adventure ahead.

The first few days are fair enough. You don’t seem to mind the heat of the sun (you brought along your anti-ultraviolet shades) or the strong rain (no worries, you have your umbrella ready at all times).

Fast forward. You’ve been on the road for quite a number of days now.

52

“

The road you’re walking on has been getting rougher. Your back is tired from carrying your things.

You see nothing before you but a vast horizon. Now you’re beginning to doubt. Is the map really telling the truth? Will you ever get to your destination before you finish eating all the Oreos and drinking the Gatorade that you brought along?

Call it one “crazy” adventure. You are lost and lack the energy. Exhausted.

Thinking about giving up.

Will you ever get to your destination? Is this the kind of adventure you’ve been looking for?

Turns out to be no adventure at all.

Realities In your own life journey, are you experiencing the same? Bored, if not tired. Discouraged, if not hopeless.

Do the tall mountains threaten you? An unsettled misunderstanding.

An unspoken word of forgiveness.

Is there a ravenous river in the distance that awaits you? You might be worrying about your future. The perfect job. A financially-stable career.

We are all travelling along life’s highways and byways. We all have our personal destinations—dreams to

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

“ “

made will be e w t a es h mises t ength that com Corrie Ten Boom r God pro st able reminds us that, “If God e h e t b ll l a il ith ew strong w ower, so that w h patience sends us on strong p it w paths, we are provided from His ything r e v e e r u d with strong shoes.” n to e 11). : 1 s This assures us that n ia (Coloss God will never allow us to face achieve and goals to reach. But like any earthly adventure, the greatest challenge of all is not much on what lies in the end, but more on how we get to the end.

The Vitality of Endurance The secret to reaching our destination lies within ourselves. It is the vitality of endurance wrapped up in faith that will help us reach our destination.

Whenever we reach a point in our lives when we feel like giving up—when the weight of our personal concerns are a burden on our backs— let us fill our minds with thoughts that will help us keep going.

Negative thoughts don’t strengthen us. The more we complain or whine, the more we become irritated by the circumstance. They negatively block us from reaching the prize that awaits us.

Take it all from our Savior. He showed us how to endure, so that we, too, may learn to do the same.

What caused Him to do so? Was it popularity?

No. Power? No. Love? Yes. It was because of love that Christ endured the earthly testings and pains.

any circumstance if He knows we can’t conquer it.

We may be beset by life’s puzzles.

Perhaps we may doubt about whether we are on the right path or not.

Despite the perplexities of life, God promises that we will be made strong with all the strength that comes from His power, so that we will be able to endure everything with patience (Colossians 1: 11).

If we do not quit, we will reap a harvest of our achievement when we have finally reached the finish line.

Hence, if ever along the way we would feel tired, let us not forget our dose of VIT—E. It’s every survivor’s aid and every winner’s secret.

God bless our journey.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

53

Photo Credit: Edwin Tuyay

AYLC: N O W SHAPING TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Interviewed by Bryan T. Eric Cerebo

E

ighty - one young leaders from across the Philippine archipelago.

Four days of one-ofa-kind gathering. One superb congress that reawakened the passion of the youth to lead and make a difference.

From nearly a thousand of youth leaders who applied, rose the chosen few. Building the confidence and honing more the skills of young leaders; nurturing their commitment to integrity and principled leadership; fostering their nationalism and idealism; and,

54

encouraging the youth to become faithful stewards of their communities and our country’s future; the Ayala Young Leaders Congress is a concrete expression of the Ayala conglomerate to national development.

This year, Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol, the youngest town councilor of the Philippines from the Municipality of Pavia, the associate editor of The Central Echo, and an AB Political Science and Public Administration student of this University, was called to adhere to the principles of servant leadership, become a powerful catalyst for change

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Central Echo: Define LEADERSHIP. Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol: I believe that leadership is an act of sacrificing personal convenience and resources to help others, especially those who are less privileged. Leadership should be an act of cooperation and not an act of competition with fellow leaders.

According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “A great man is always willing to be little.”

Everyone wants to make this world a better place. If that’s the case, we must be the change that we want to see.

Visions must be made and be translated into heart-warming missions for the benefit of the many. I’d like to share another quotation, from Joel Barker which goes like this: “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”

Anybody can be a leader and there are no limitations to that. What is only required is the burning passion within you and the readiness to accept responsibilities to be of service to your constituents.

and outdoor activities, and having the chance to talk to the top Ayala Executives – Chairman Emeritus of the Ayala Corporation, Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala and his two sons, Ayala Corporation CEO and Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Ayala Corporation COO and President Fernando Zobel de Ayala, are my most memorable moments.

To add, the AYLC was jam-packed with team-building activities that could really test your courage and trust in your teammates.

As leaders, we must be risk-takers; a big realization, indeed. A leader must take the plunge in order to fulfill the goals of the group and to celebrate success together.

Climbing a more-or-less 40 foot-high coconut, balancing yourself, walking across a cable to traverse to the other side and being asked to jump off by people you have just met is a big thing that I myself can’t disregard. It’s a permanent stamp, which

Photo Credit: Jayson Tingson

and national renewal, and make an ultimate difference in the University and in the community as well.

Peñol sat for an extended interview with Bryan Eric Cerebo, The Central Echo correspondent.

§

§

Youth

CE: What are your most memorable moments during the AYLC? JP: Being there in the Congress, meeting the other 80 delegates from the different nooks of the country, participating both in indoor

55

“

If we continue to think good and do well, something better will happen.

will forever remain in my heart.

By the way, that challenge was equipped with safety gears prepared by professionals from LUBID, Inc. The activity aimed to strengthen one’s trust in his/her teammates that they will be behind you no matter what happens.

I am also happy to have met new friends with the same interests as mine.

In fact, I had the chance of meeting a lot of them after the congress. Kami’y pinaghiwalay kaagad ng Ayala para mamimiss namin ang isa’t-isa.

Undeniably, AYLC is nation-building coupled with fun and barkadahan!

CE: What has been the impact of the Congress on you?

JP: Meeting the other 80 leaders advocating for change, I felt more encouraged to continue what I have already started. The Congress made me feel that I am not alone in my advocacy for change, for sincere and

56

Photo Credit: AYLC Secretariat / Edwin Tuyay

“ people-centered local governance. If we continue to think good and do well, something good will happen.

CE: What programs and projects have you already implemented toward the fulfillment of your vision?

JP: During the Congress, they told us the story of the Starfish.

The starfish symbolizes one’s vision that even in small ways, can help change this unruly world.

As an elected town official, I stick to my principle that the work of a local legislator goes beyond the session hall. The work of a councilor includes going to the people in the barangays, monitoring their problems and giving immediate solutions. Through this principle, I will be able to bring back the mandate that my constituents gave me during the last elections.

I launched my program “Konsehal mo, sulatan mo, i-text mo, tawagan mo,

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

Youth

“

a e b can y d re o a b y e r n A the d n t.” a a r h t e o d lea ns t o i t a t i act of no lim sacrificing my

CE: How would you apply your learning after the Congress?

JP: Since I define leadership as an

personal convenience and resources, I pledge myself to strengthen my service to my fellow Filipinos and the rest of the world by starting with simple things in life.

This year’s batch of AYLC delegates believe that change cannot be done in a snap of a finger. It is an arduous process that takes time. Thus, we commit ourselves as Kislap – as “sparks” who will ignite a fire first in our very selves, then in our own schools and in our respective communities. In due time, we hope this fire to flare up the whole country; a fire that would burn the evils of society and dirty politics; a fire that would definitely change our ways for a better future.

For more information, visit: www.jojanpaul.

Photo Credit: Jayson Tingson

i-email mo.” Through this, Pavianhons would be able to contact me any time when they need my assistance. I pledged during the election period, “Si JP Peñol mabulig guid sa inyo sa abot sang iya nga makaya.”

To add, I also have my simple, yetinformative talk show-documentary entitled, “Ari Na! Aton Siya,” highlighting the activities of the municipality, interviewing Pavianhons with extraordinary feats, and promoting tourism and culture. Through this program, I can help promote Pavia and encourage more investors and tourists to come and so as to boost the economy and image of our municipality.

Moreover, through these programs, I will be able to check the discrepancies in every corner of our town and suggest solutions especially those that need legislative actions.

Just this February, I launched the Search for Ten Outstanding Elementary Pupils and Ten Outstanding High School Students of Pavia. This program aims to improve the academic standards of both students and schools, encourage them to join in various activities and contests in any level of competition, and recognize the efforts made for national development.

blogspot.com

 A y a l a Corporation Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

57

I I

CHOICE

By Bryan Eric T. Cerebo

Photo Credit: www.google-images.com

am my

have read a passage in a daily newspaper about a visit a certain writer made to Rome. In Rome, according to him, you need to do as the Romans do, dress the way the Romans dress and totally act the way the Romans act.

This, he thinks, is true to every place anybody goes to.

When I went to Japan as an exchange student, I did what the Japanese did and totally acted like them.

However, it was a choice.

People say that I have a flexible character. I can easily get along with them, talk in their language and with all the zing, clings and dings of a leader having strong people skills. But what if I get myself stuck in a kingdom far from what I used to have in high school?

Our environment is the master

58

element affecting our development.

Where we live and where we grow both groom us to become what we are.

Growing up is not limited within the walls of a house, rather, it goes beyond.

This article is about making choices.

As students, we usually spend more of our waking hours in school than at home. Due to the demands of college, we tend to allot more of our time being with classmates, org-mates and friends. But whoever we are with cannot

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

reverse the fact that we are vulnerable to influences.

We are bound to make choices. These choices may bring about changes for the better or equally possible for the worse.

I know some young college students who have moved from their respective provinces to the city in order to study. They have grown to be so different and have absorbed vices that were uncommon to them before.

I was raised by my parents this way: I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. But as a young person I am prone to engage in such vices. In fact, I was actually on the verge of giving in to such vices. Others may think that changing for the better is possible, but, so does changing for the worse.

My “pakikisama”to the people around me in school has turned to become a peril.

But the thought that the more I allow myself to be influenced has the balancebeam effect on my personality. What will other people say about me if they see me smoking or drinking? Will it not be a minus-factor for a gentleman, or a sudden decrease to my political rating?

I was afraid that it will happen to me soon, and, so I stopped. I went back to exactly the same point, and that is my choice.

Choices can make or break a person. Making choices need not to be hard. We just need to set our priorities, determine the standards and analyze the possible consequences.

Moreover, making good choices is not a gift rather an acquired ability and our experiences may be our best teachers.

Making choices is not hard. We just need to set our priorities, determine the standards, and analyze the possible consequences.

Photo Credit: www.google-images.com

§

Youth

59

A LETTER FROM

Photo Credit: Maki Stock Photos

MOTHER EARTH

60

The article was written by Bryan Eric T. Cerebo, News Editor of the Central Echo. He was awarded as one of the Ten Young Environmental Heroes of the Year by the Department of Education (A.Y. 2009-2010).

§

§

Environment

Dear Child, I wonder what you feel every time you see birds flying in the sky or how rainbows amaze your eyes.

I wonder how glad you are when the waves in the oceans toss along with the wind, or how the breeze from the seas touches your skin.

I wonder how blessed you are every time the rice fields are filled with abundance. What a prosperous harvest it will be, don’t you think?

I REALLY WONDER CHILD. I wonder why you are becoming apathetic. The more time marks off, the more you forget your obligations. I have let you grown in my caress. I have provided you with everything, because I love you. I have allowed you to be responsible for those possessions, but these you have forsaken.

Are you killing me slowly?

The birds that were once flying above the horizons are now losing their freedom. Rainbows are still there after every storm, but do they still symbolize hope? If they do, can we still say that we have hope?

The world under the ocean has been depleted with your illegal deeds.

Garbage is here, there and everywhere. Anywhere, you can find them. Even the seas have become a garbage world for our fishes.

The worst scenario is in our forests. I am losing flora and fauna; they are perishing one by one. The once lush vegetation has turned into a forsaken area, along with the other hopes that bring least chance of survival.

You have allowed me to transform to my worst. Now, I do not have the capacity to reverse your actions.

Is this what you want?

I have always been here to help you, but my kindness was abused. Now, you are experiencing worst upturns in the system.

Will you learn from them my child?

I hope you will.

I hope it is not too late.

Love,

Mother Earth 61

Are We Near

the

ยง

ยง

World Events

End?

By Bryan Eric T. Cerebo

W

ho would ever expect that nature can be very drastic in its pursuit to awaken the conscience of mankind?

Photo Credits: www.google-images.com

I wrote an article last semester about my experiences when I had the chance to visit Japan. In that write-up I described how beautiful Japan is and how I really wish to go back and see it once again. I did not expect that what the readers will read in this issue is its exact opposite.

March 11, 2011- the whole world was the witness. At an estimated time of 2:45 p.m., people of every country struggled in fear. It was so devastating to see the waters of the ocean rising after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan. I froze in disbelief as I watched my second country suffer the wrath of the earthquake and tsunami.

That same afternoon, I received several text messages from anonymous senders that earthquakes will hit the Philippines between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Furthermore, there was a newsbreak informing people in specified localities near the sea to evacuate and prepare for a possible tsunami. It was so alarming that the only focus in the news for almost a week, both in TV and print media, was its predicted coming. There was even a text scare, flooding and informing the public to stay at home to prevent themselves from breathing in air with nuclear chemicals from the reactor explosions in Fukushima.

Are we near the end?

December 21, 2012, according to the Mayan Calendar, will be the end of the world. Terrorism

62

Photo Credit: www.google-images.com

and war, economic depression and, now, natural calamities, are showing signs of this great possibility. Will this prediction come true?

I hope and pray that we will not experience being wiped out from the face of the Earth. I also hope that it is not yet too late to transform and change. We should act and strive for moral recovery after we have almost forgotten the reason of our existence.

I snapped my finger and thanked God, for He saved me from the possibility of being one of the victims. I remember the very day when I was torn between two programs offered by the American Field Service (AFS). One is to stay in Japan for two-weeks for a cultural exposure, and the other is to stay there for a year and study while living with a Japanese family.

If, you, my dear readers, were to

“

choose, you probably would have gone for the second one. Who would not? Yet, I chose to stay there for a shorter time.

If I accepted the one-year program, I would still be in Japan now with my scheduled return flight to the Philippines in May. I would have been in the Miyagi prefecture where many people suffered the havoc.

Would I have experienced the same struggles for survival of the victims?

Most probably, yes.

A lot of people lost their lives in just an instant, yet many more remain safe and alive. Those who are in the list of survivors included us. We have been given by God another chance to live for us to see His kindness and to feel His presence.

It is still a must to recover our morality and be righteous again.

The light is shining; let us go that way!

ining; h s s i t h The lig t way! a h t o g let us

“

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

63

§

§

Women

Apropos of

Feminism

By Raniel C. Ponteras

“She is defined and differentiated with reference to man and not he with reference to her.”

-Simone de Beauvoir

T

he year 2011 marks a special ink in the pages of history.

In this momentous year, we commemorate the centennial of International Women's Day. Women have come a long way: from fighting for suffrage rights, to equal opportunity in employment; yes, we can say that women's conditions have somehow been alleviated. That, sadly only applies to a little population of women, for in the macro scale, women have hardly gained the equality they so deserve.

From the infancy of civilizations, to the biblical, to the renaissance, and before modernity, women have been appreciated and valued only for their femininity. Concerning this quality, women are regarded only for their function to reproduce and as a second standard in contrast to men; an inferior to the male superior. This binary of inferior and superior has evolved into various forms of manifestations: in the person, in the family, and in society.

THE WOMAN AS A PERSON The persistence of patriarchy in our society has drilled a lasting impression upon women. One impression is that

64

The portrait, illustrated by Gio Paolo Sorilla, won first place in the on-the-spot poster making contest conducted by the CPU Human Resource Development Office, in celebration of the International Women's Day on March 8, 2011 at the Alumni Promenade Concert Park.

women are secondary to men in terms of social worth. As the woman struggles to make ends meet, there are certain restrictions harnessed around her: like the image of what a woman should be.

The foremost image of a woman is of her fulfilling the role of bearing a child.

Exploring their employment opportunities are viewed as secondary tasks and even, unnecessary in the abject conditions of women in society.

This idea of being limited to the role of producing children hinder women from discovering what they are capable of doing. This limitation of opportunities has become the grounds for abuses on women: personally, psychologically, economically, and sexually.

If this limitations is practiced by society, the individual woman feels dread and a lack of hope in emancipating herself from the dire situation she is mired. This

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

o

widens the gap between the two sexes: since men can freely explore the limits of their capabilities and women are only expected to fulfill reproductive functions.

What the woman sees in the television is the need to maintain an image not of her, but of man-made standards, for if she does not conform to what the television presents, she feels a certain alienation, for she is not a woman as what society wants her to be.

So the woman is facing a conundrum: to be a woman as what she really is, a strong, independent, and capable being; or to be a woman as what society demands her to be, a machine for reproduction and an article for money generation.

THE WOMAN AS THE MOTHER There is a very popular saying that says, “The father is the head of the family.”

In theory, the father, being the head, is the one that decides for he family. To prove, we should check if it is consistent in praxis.

If the father is the head, up to what point does the father decide for the family? Does the father decide what the family will have for dinner? Does the father decide what appliances they would purchase?

All the decisions within the family are shared, not monopolized and decided over by only one member. Ergo, the idea that the father is the head of the family should not be propagated since it only furthers patriarchy and promotes the marginalization of women in the family setting.

What is then correct to say is neither the father nor the mother is the head of the family. Rather, the head should be viewed as a dichotomy of a shared responsibility between the mother and the father.

With regard to being on the topmost; the father is often times placed in highest of the family hierarchy because the father's work has a higher pay compared to that of the mother's. With this basis, disregarded is the labor done by the mother. In the common situation, where husband and

wife are working: to assist with the family finances, the woman sees it necessary to find work since her husband's income is meager. This, as a result, places an additional weight on the wife's shoulders since she has to take care of the family while maintaining another job outside the house. In this analysis, we can say that the mother does more work than the father, and to place the father ahead of the mother with regard to labor is false.

THE WOMAN AS A CITIZEN Spoken frequently in rhetoric, is the phrase, “behind every great man is a woman.”

In this light, a great man is always ahead of the woman: a woman of vague and abstract worth. We may not know if she is also great or if she's only acting as the great man's servant. Within this phrase, the image of the woman following the man is emphasized since she is positioned behind the man.

If such a man was great, he would recognize the woman behind him, and instead, walk besides that woman – in that picture, equality can be seen: where neither man nor woman is behind. But the striking image it depicts is the woman following the man. Only following the course of the great man, thus, the dynamics between the two sexes are again presented in the binary of superior and inferior.

Is the woman capable of leading herself? Yes. Therefore, she should not be behind the great man, but she should be walking alongside that man. This is precisely the role of the woman in society.

The woman, in retrospect, has only received but has not taken (de Beauvoir).

This realization sends an alarm to all the women, that they are a powerful collective.

If the world should achieve equality and betterment, it needs women and men to synergize and act against the forces of capitalism, sexism, racism, and the other ideologies that are detrimental for progress.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

65

&

Get Up

Start MOVING!

By Renel Edward M. Castellano

H

uman beings have bad habits that can oftentimes affect their lifestyle.

Whatever habits we currently have as human beings have usually been developed at an early age. When we were kids, our parents were the ones who set the standards and rules when it comes to our nutritional and daily habits. If people have more knowledge about nutrition and how to lead a healthy lifestyle, we wouldn’t be having current problems like obesity, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Knowledge is power and to have the power in making the right choices based on what you know will really make a difference. Making healthy, right and conscious choices gives you the

confidence and can help prevent you from acquiring any life-threatening diseases like hypertension and atherosclerosis. You are in charge of your own health and your own lifestyle. Nobody likes to be the victim of his or her own environment.

This summer, why not spend some time to get moving? Stop being a couch potato. Hit up some nearby gym (we have our own in CPU, the Lifestyle Center) and get some actual exercise. A healthy lifestyle is one way to avoid early diagnosed diseases.

Hit the kitchen and try some healthy recipes. The kitchen is one way to open you up to a healthy lifestyle. Don’t drown yourself in fast-food and junk food. Below are ten tips to guide you to a much rewarded and healthy lifestyle. If you take the advice, you may be on your way to healthy living!

Why wait, when you can do it now?

Tips to Healthy Living Photo Credit: www.google-images.com

• Start your day with breakfast Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast fills up your empty stomach after a long night of rest. So whether you are on a diet or not, starting your day with a breakfast is not a bad idea, it is actually a good idea.

• Get Moving!

It is easy to fit physical activities into your daily routine. If your point of origin is just a short distance from where you are heading to, walk, bike, or jog to see your friends. Take a 10-minute activity break every hour while you read, do your

66

§

§

Lifestyle

homework, or watch TV (do not take this break as a distraction. Stretch so that your circulation will improve and provide you more oxygenated blood to the brain). Climb stairs instead of taking an escalator or an elevator. Try to do these for 30 minutes every day.

• Snack Smart.

Take smart snacks. Instead of having heavy snacks or meals, why not eat a banana or drink a glass of milk? In-between-snacks are a great way to refuel yourself, but make sure you are eating a healthy snack.

• Work up a Sweat.

Vigorous workouts, lifting weights, deep breathing exercises, and sweating while exercising make your heart pump better and give you more energy. They make you feel your best. Don’t forget to warm-up before exercising and to relax and cool down a bit afterwards, too.

• Balance what you are eating Don’t eat too much of something. Eat a balanced diet. A healthy person must have a little of everything, from carbohydrates, proteins, fruits and vegetables etc. Do not grip yourself with hamburgers, French fries, and fast food. Go home and have yourself a freshly cooked meal loaded with a little of everything.

• Get fit with friends or family Being active is much more exciting and fun if you are with your family and friends.

Exercising with other people gives you more encouragement.

• Eat more grains, fruits, and vegetables Eating almonds helps with your daily dietary intake. Try eating whole wheat bread instead of just white bread.

• Join in physical activities in school Whether you are in physical education class or maybe in an after school extra-curricular activity, it helps you to stay healthy and fit.

• Food are not good or bad Each food is different—different in terms of what nutrients they have. Some foods have higher fats, salts and carbohydrates. What makes a diet good or bad is how the nutrients of each food you eat fit together. For example, a pizza

Photo Credit: www. google-images.com

can have very high amount of fats. It is not bad to eat pizza, but it’s also important to moderate what we eat. If two slices have made you full, don’t eat a third slice, no matter how tempting it is to eat another one. Self- control is important.

References: Food and Nutrition Syllabus 2010 www.foodfacts.com

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

67

TRACING ZIGZAG: W T H E

L E G A C

Y

C O N T I N U E S

By Ashere Nisseth S. Equiña

e may have seen student football players in the big field, who have competed against the Philippine National Football Team, the Azkals, but the enthusiasm for this athletic game does not end there.

Look around and check out the Halfmoon Drive on Saturdays. We have a football academy right here at Central Philippine University—The ZigZag Football Academy.

The ZigZag Football Club “ZigZag” started out as a soccer football group in the early 1970s. You would bet, even during that time, this athletic game has already been a hit.

Eventually, ZigZag became an athletic coup, primarily composed of Centralians who have the passion for this game of football.

It began as an informal group of a few players who were soccer football enthusiasts and had the desire to pass on the legacy of Central’s football players.

Among the original members of the team were Orlando Plagata, Jere Vaflor, Carlo Chan, Abundio Jamindang, Rogelio Jamindang, Noni Plagata and Manny Paguntalan.

You might wonder why of all the words that exist, the team chose “ZIGZAG” as the name for their team. Unique as it is,

68

the name “ZigZag,” was actually taken from the manner the team would penetrate the defense of the opponent. It utilized a 1.2 touch passing forming a “zigzag.”

ZagZag was among the four member clubs of the Iloilo Football Association, together with Barotac Nuevo Football Club, Sta. Barbara Football Club and Leganes Football Club. Though it represented the district of Jaro, ZigZag was comprised mainly of Centralian team members who were noted to be among the best football players of Iloilo during their time.

The Evolution of ZigZag The name ZigZag Football club became known as the Jaro Football Team in the 1980’s. In 2004, the name ZagZag was revived and became known up to this date, as the ZigZag Football Academy (ZFA).

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: Centralite 2010

§

§

Sports Feature

The ZigZag Football Academy holds training sessions for mostly elementary and high school students (ages six to 16), so that they will become exceptional in the field of soccer football. The academy also used to hold annual Summer Football trainings with licensed coaches and trainers who have a record in the Asian Football Confederation. Though this is open to all schools, like the old ”ZigZag,” it is still composed mostly of Centralians.

The team meets every Saturday and is currently being spearheaded by several Centralian football fanatics: Mr. Bob Clarence Javellana, Mr. Bob Rommel Javellana, Mr. Marc Hermel Agriam, Mr. Ed Hortelano, Mr. Wesley Hortelano, Mr. Ramsey Padernilla and Mr. Joseph Gensaya.

Legacies of ZigZag Mr. Rodel Obed Dianala recalls his experiences of being a member of the ZigZag Football Team as very memorable.

It was during their time that they played soccer during summer leagues in Sta. Barbara and Barotac. Similar to the trainings held in CPU, he would never

forget their own, wherein discipline was not only taught, but was really put into practice.

But what makes this football team unique compared to the other football teams in Iloilo?

Mr. Ed Hortelano, who himself has been a member of the Jaro Football Team, says it all in just two words. It’s because of the “Central Spirit.”

This proves that even in the field of sports, nothing can beat the camaraderie and teamwork of being Centralians. With high hopes,who knows, ZigZag might just be the stepping stone for more Centralians to become “certified Azkals” someday.

Trivia: CPU Alumni Mr. Wesley Hortelano, Mr. Ramsey Padernilla and Mr. Joseph Gensaya were former members of the Philippine National Football Team.

The prestigious Mr. Football title was given to Mr. Ramsey Padernilla, son of Mrs. Evangelica Padernilla (former CPU Elementary School Principal).

Hail to the ‘Azkals’ of Central!

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

69

Bagong Kapalaran ni Airon Buenvenida

G

umalaw na ang buwan, nagsalita na ang mga bituin at ito’y nagsasabi na hindi ikaw tulad ng iniisip mo. Ang iyong pagkatao ay maaring mag-iba ganon na rin ang mga bagay na maaring pang mangyari. Kaya’t tunghayan ang bagong kapalarang nakalatag sa iyo.

CAPRICORN Enero 20-Pebrero 15 Maswerte ka dahil ikaw ang nauna. Wala kang panglalait at pang-iinis na mararanasan. Kung gusto mong malaman kung gaano ka kaswerte, basahin mo ang sa iba.

AQUARIUS Pebrero 16-Marso 10 Ikaw ay magmamahal ng isang Pisces. At dahil dito ikaw ay magtataka kung ano ang katangiang tinataglay niya, kaya basahin mo ang kanyang kapalaran.

PISCES Marso 11- Abril 17 Hindi lang ikaw ang babasa ng iyong kapalaran.

Pati ang Aquarius ay titingnan ang nakasulat dito. Magtataka ka syempre at babasahin mo rin ang sa kanya. Doon niyo lang malalaman kung ano ang nais na ipahiwatig nito.

ARIES Abril 18- Mayo 12 Mapagtatanto mo na walang kwenta ang binabasa mo. Kaya naman babasahin mo rin ang sa iba at matatawa.

70

TAURUS Mayo 13-Hunyo 20 K a h i t walang magandang patutunguhan ang iyong kapalaran ay babasahin na babasahin mo ito. Hindi ka titigil.

Talagang babasahin mo ito. At dahil sa tigas ng iyong ulo, narito na ang iyong kapalaran: may patutunguhan ka dahil sa may napatunayan ka- at iyon ay sa kadahilanang marunong kang magbasa.

GEMINI Hunyo21-Hulyo 19 Hindi ko magawang mabasa ang iyong kapalaran.

Dahil dito, ikaw ay maiinis at susubukan mong basahin ang sa iba. At sa iyong mga mababasa ay lalo ka lang maiinis.

CANCER Hulyo 20- Agosto 9 Kinaiinisan mo ang iyong Zodiac sign dahil wala ka namang malubhang karamdaman.

Magtataka ka bakit hindi sipon, ubo, lagnat, hypertension, asthma o di kaya’y athlete’s foot ang ipinangalan sa ibang horoscope. Ikaw ay maiinggit at manlulumo.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

LEO Agosto 10-Setyembre 15 Titibok ang iyong puso, tatayo ang iyong mga balahibo, gagalaw ang iyong mga daliri at maghahanap ka ng sariwang hangin; at doon mo lang mapagtatanto na ikaw ay humihinga at buhay pa pala.

VIRGO Setyembre 16Oktubre 29 Huwag na huwag kang magsusuot ng kulay pula na damit sa buong taon. Mabilis kang tatanda pag nagsuot ka nito dahil lahat ng tao ay pagsasabihan ka ng “happy birthday!” at kapag arawaraw ay naging birthday mo, tatanda ka talaga.

SCORPIO Nobyembre 23-28 Kikilabutan ka dahil sa kakaunti na lang kayong natitira sa lahi niyo. Lahat ng ito ay isisisi mo sa susunod sa iyo.

OPHIUCHUS N o b y e m b r e 29-Disyembre 16 Magtataka ka sa iyong sarili at sa iyong paligid. Una ay iisipin mo kung bago ka bang nilalang o gawa-gawa lang.

Maiilang ka sa iyong paligid dahil maraming tao ang maiirita sa iyong pagkatao. Mapagbibintangan kang agaw eksena at higit sa lahat, marami ang babasa ng iyong kapalaran dahil sa pagtataka kung sino ka.

LIBRA Oktubre 30-Nobyembre 22 Ikaw ay magiging mapaghinala sa mga oras na ito. Lahat ng bagay ay iyong panghihinalaan pati na rin ang aking hula sa iyo.

Kaya para mawala na ang iyong mga paghihinala, subukang basahin ang ibang kapalaran.

Paglilinaw: • Ang Ophiuchus ay matagal ng parte ng konstelasyong bumubuo ng ating kalangitaan. Salamat sa mga dalubhasa pumasok sa usaping ito at agarang nalutas ang astrolohikal na krisis.

• Mananatili pa ring Capricorn ang Capricorn, Libra ang Libra at ganoon din sa iba.

• Ginawang katawa-tawa ng sumulat nito ang mga pahayag hindi para inisin kayo o magalit. Sadyang isinulat ito sa ganoong

§

§

Filipino

SAGITTARIUS Disyembre 17- Enero 19 Ayasam ak lihad mala om nguk onaapap nihasabab gna ngoyi naralapak tinugn siniiam ak gapak namalan ngom oti ya ngawap ekoj gnal.

paraan para imulat ang inyong mga mata na hindi dapat natin iasa ang ating sarili sa mga hula-hula. Bagkus kailangan nating paniwalaan ang sarili nating kakayahan at hindi ang mga taong hindi naman tayo kilala.

• Nilalagay ang mga horoscope sa entertainment na bahagi sa anumang lathalain para tayo ay aliwin at hindi para ito’y seryosohin. Kaya sana nga’y naaliw kayo.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

71

ยง

ยง

T

P

Hiligaynon

n

ulungkua Ni Airon Buenvenida

anan kita nagapungko sa nagakalain-lain nga pulungkuan.

May ara pulungkuan sa kalan-an, sa hulot tulugan, sa salakyan, sa hulot eskwelahan, sa opisina, sa simbahan kag kon sa diin-diin pa.

May ara pulungkuan nga ikaw lang guid ang makapungko kag may ara man nga indi nagakadapat idalok sa iban. May mga pulungkuan nga ginapungkuan samtang may ginahulat, samtang gapahuway, samtang gaobra o samtang wala lang guid maobra. Apang sa imo pagpungko sa isa ka partikular nga pulungkuan, mahimo mo nga maangkon ang isa ka posisyon nga pwede makalaragway sa imo.

Kon ikaw nagapungko sa isa ka pulungkuan sa inyo kalan-an, mailaragway ka nga nagakaon. Kon ikaw nagapungko sa sulod sang isa ka jeep, matawag ka nga pasahero. Kon ikaw nagapungko naman sa pulungkuan sa sulod sang hulot eskwelahan samtang nagatudlo ang manunodlo, matawag ka nga manugbutho o estudyante.

Amo man kon nagapungko ka sa isa ka pulungkuan sa opisina, mahimo nga isa

72

ikaw ka empleyado o ang tagdumala mismo; kon sa restawran, matawag ka nga kostumer; kag kon sa atubang sang isa ka palagwaon, isa ka sa mga tumalambong.

Sa pagdawat naton sang isa ka pulungkuan, may ara sang mga butang nga dapat naton pagatandaan. Una, wala ina siya ginbuhat para pagapungkuan ta sa kahangturan. Kon nagapungko kita sa sulod sang jeep bilang isa ka pasahero, maabot guid ang tinion nga mauntat ang jeep kag magapanaog kita sa aton destinasyon. Amo man sa eskwelahan.

Pagkatapos sang klase naton, kinahanglan ta guid magtindog kay may ara mabulos sa sina nga pulungkuan para sa masunod nga klase. Ang buot silingon sini sa aton, dapat panginpuslan guid naton ang mga tini-on samtang nagapwesto kita dira. Gani kon ara kita sa maayo nga pulungkuan, kag masarangan man lang naton nga makahimo sang maayo nga butang, himuon ta guid.

Ikaduha, kabudlay guid magpungko kon kita may ginasabak (labi na guid kon mas mabug-at pa ini sa aton). Nahibaluan ta man nga makahulag lang ang isa ka tinuga sang maayo kon wala may gapugong sini. Sa aton matag-adlaw nga pagpangabuhi, mahimo ta lang mapagwa ang aton nga mga kinaadman kon wala sang mga nagapabug-at o nagapugong sa aton. Dumot, kasubo, kahadlok kag kaakig ang pila sa mga balatyagon nga indi guid dapat naton pagsugtan

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

nga maghugakom sa aton. Gani kon kinahanglanon nga magsabak ka sang iban ukon sang isa ka pagkabutang, sabaka lang ang masarangan para malikawan ang pagkabu-ang.

May ara naman mga sitwasyon nga kon sa diin indi ta malikawan ang guba o samad nga ginbilin sang mga una nga naggamit sang pulungkuan. May ara nga mga bahin nga nagahunga-hunga, kag may ara man nga makita o makapkapan ta lang nga may ara gali nga bubble gum nga nagatapik ukon sagbot nga halin sa mga una nga naggamit. Kalabanan sa aton, antuson na lang ini ang mga indi maayo nga butang dala sang aton kahuya. Mga abyan, ka pila na ini natabo sa aton nga kon sa diin ginpili naton ang pagpalagyo tungod sa kahuy-anan.

Sa pagpungko ni Corazon Aquino bilang isa ka presidente sang nagligad, ginbalibaran niya nga bayran ang utang sang rehimen ni Marcos sa IMF kag WB. Nagsunod si Ramos, si Estrada kag si Arroyo pero tubtob lang kita sa pagbayad sang interes. Padayon naton nga nabatyagan ang kabug-atan nga dulot sang yadto nga mga problema nga gin pabay-an sang umpisa pa lang.

Gani antes kita magpungko sa isa ka pulungkuan ukon palangaku-an, indi guid kita magkahadlok ukon magkahuya sa pag-tadlong sang mga sala sang mga nahauna sa aton. Kon indi kita ang maghimo sini, sin-o pa?

Gusto ko ipahanumdom nga tanan kita may ara sang patas nga kahigayunan sa pagpungko sa isa ka pulungkuan. Sarang ini mapungku-an sang tanan nga nagakinahanglan. Kon ara kita gapila sa ospital ukon sa diin man nga establisyemento, manggaranon man ukon imol, palarehas lang sang ginapungkuan. Indi pwede mapahalin sang kwartahan ang pigado kay parehas

§

§

Hiligaynon

man lang sila nga may kinamatarong, kag parehas man lang sila nagkadto dira nga preparado sang mga kinahanglanon.

Kag sa tinion nga daug-daugon sang manggaranon ang pigado, may kinamatarong ang pigado sa gihapon sa pagpa-utwas sang iya hibubun-ot. Gina pakita lang sang isa ka pulungkuan nga ini para guid sa tanan. Indi importante ang sulod sang bulsa ta; kundi ang matuod-tuod ta nga pagkatawo.

Sa katapusan, aton guid panumdumon sa kada pagpungko naton ang mga masunod nga pamangkot.

Para guid man bala sa aton ina nga pulungkuan? Kita guid man bala ang nagakadapat nga magpungko sa sina nga pulungkuan? Sin-o ang nagpapungko sa aton dira? Ano man ang sabat sa sini nga mga palamangkutanon, indi guid kita magkalipat nga magpasalamat sa mga nagbulig kag naghatag sa aton sang pulungkuan kag palangakuan.

Masarangan ta man ukon indi ang responsibilidad nga kaangot sa sina nga pulungkuan, ang importante ginahatag ta ang aton bug-os nga ikasarang para sa kaayuhan sang tanan.

Madamo sang pulungkuan sa palibot, mga abyan. Kabay nga aton mapangatarungan ang aton kada pagpungko.

Hiligaynon Word Power hulot makalaragway manugbutho tagdumala tumalambong kahangturan kinaadman

-

room describe student manager participant; audience forever talent; full potential maghugakakom - to engulf; to keep in chains hibubun-ot - sentiments

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

73

§

§

Short Story

A bird named

BIRD

Photo Credit: www.google-images.com

by 08-11*3-02

I

have a bird who hates Mariah Carey. This is unfortunate because I love Mariah Carey. I was playing CityVille one night when he started freaking out. I was afraid his shrieking would wake the neighbors up, so I had to hush and work in the deafening quiet.

74

Okay, so technically he’s not my bird. He’s no one’s bird. One day, he just crashed into our house. “Swerte yan!” my superstitious aunt announced and so we kept him. We sent the maid out to get a cage for Bird (yes, we named him Bird. We are that imaginative.) But it seems she underestimated his size. The poor thing barely fit in his new home. If he escaped from his last home to look for freedom then, I guess he wasn’t very happy about where we decided he would live.

Bird is pretty ill-tempered. He squawks like a madman when his food is late. It’s impossible to work around him because he hates all my songs in the

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

“

I n r o w s e v ’ d . l I cou say HOME him d r a he

iPod. In the morning, he flaps his wings really, really fast and it sounds like a bunch of winged demons just escaped from Hades to attack me.

My best guess was that he was miserable because he was in such a small cage. Bird flaps his wings but can’t go anywhere because of cruel Physics laws. I took it upon myself to find him a proper home but since I’m lazy and I procrastinate way too much, it took me about a year to find Chez Bird- a fancy, two-storey mansion with rods to perch on and a neat swing.

It was everything a bird could ever want.

I was certain he’d be pleased.

He wasn’t. For days, Bird was quiet.

Oddly enough, he didn’t like his perches or his swing. He just stood there on the floor of the cage as though his life depended on it. “This is for your own good, Bird,” I assured him. You wanted this, remember?

I tried to poke him with a cotton bud, but he was practically immovable from his spot. He would inch a little but as soon as his white invader left, he’d be right where he started. After some time, I

realized he was still living on the floor space of his last home. “Move, Bird!” I scolded.

This space is yours for the taking! He wouldn’t listen. I tried to cheer him up by playing that Incubus song he enjoys and getting him the expensive bird seed he likes but he just stood there with a hollow expression.

He stopped making strange noises whenever I play the songs that I like. He stopped flapping his wings early in the morning. He wouldn’t even look at me.

For days, he stood there as though he was at the end of a long death sentence and I didn’t know what to do. I was puzzled. Why wasn’t Bird happy?

I let Bird be. I figured he’d come around soon enough.

One day, my neighbor’s daughter asked if she could have Bird’s old cage.

She was going to use it for a project or something. I unearthed it from the mountain of useless junk in the garage.

As I walked past Chez Bird with the old cage in my hand, the winged creature made its first sound in weeks.

I don’t speak bird nor do I know anyone who does but at that exact moment, on that unnervingly warm Thursday afternoon, I thought I heard Bird say something. It was strange and murky like water in an unused fountain but I understood it as though the words were my own.

As Bird saw his old cage, I could’ve sworn I heard him say HOME.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

75

§

§

Short Story

Coffin-Maker’s Daughter The

By Jenny

S

Photo Credit: www.flickr.com

he opened the door cautiously, as if afraid of awakening sleeping memories that have lain peacefully in her father’s work room for years. The little room, so long-cherished by her father was now dilapidated. The roof is almost completely gone and she figured that the next storm would destroy the remaining part.

She glanced around and sighed.

The coffins were still there, waiting for her to remember them, to love them. …

For as long as I can remember, my father had been making coffins.

My father was a painfully shy man who hated to be around strangers. Maybe that was the very reason why he

76

took to making coffins.

Right from the beginning, I hated those coffins because they stole my father from me. From morning until dusk he would be in his work room, fashioning boxes that grieving people would come to buy from him. My father’s coffins were popular in town. Not only were they cheap; they were also adorned with exquisite carvings and were made of good wood. But the real reason why I hated those coffins was because they scared me.

For most of my childhood, I would watch my father silently carve wood without noticing me. It was not that he didn’t care for his only daughter; he just wasn’t the talkative type.

Then, when I was about twelve, Daniel came. He was my mother’s godchild and his father had died from

a bad heart. From what a classmate of mine had whispered to me I learned that his mother had run off with another man when he was about three.

Daniel was quiet like my father but he was also cold to me. He would spend hours with my father, learning how to make coffins. In a way, he became the son and I was ignored more than ever. Because he was about three years older than I, he acted like a sullen older brother at school. He would just look at the bullies who teased me, and they would all scamper off. He had the same effect on me.

He led his class from the first time he stepped in our school, but he didn’t make any friends. Not that I have ever seen him try. With his finely chiseled face and good features, he was also popular with the girls, but he never paid them any attention. I was his only companion and he seemed to resent that also.

Everyday, since I was twelve until he graduated from high school, we would walk home together. He’d be walking silently as I skipped beside him. When he was in the mood to indulge me, we would gather wild flowers, and watch for shooting stars while catching fireflies.

There were times when he would not go to school because of the heart problem he had inherited from his father. But then, Daniel was nothing, if not strong. Maybe his heart was weak, but his determination was not. He graduated valedictorian of his class.

After that, he left our town to study at a big university in the city. I missed him like crazy, which was funny, since when at home, Daniel would either be with my father or in his room studying. He took up Engineering, and as his course cost him many hours of patient studying not

§

§

Short Story

new to him, he could not come home as often as I would have preferred.

On Daniel’s graduation day, a photographer took a picture of the three of us, my father looking pleased though a bit shy amongst the crowd, me, wearing a white dress with sprigs of red flowers, whispering summer days, and Daniel, serious and unsmiling, wearing his toga though not his cap. I still have that photo in my room.

He didn’t move back home as I thought he would. One of the best firms in the city hired him and his visits became even rarer than before.

The summer before my twentysecond birthday, my father died. It was sudden. In fact, it was so sudden that I didn’t even have the time to say goodbye to him.

He was in a client’s house, helping out with bringing the corpse when he suddenly collapsed. He didn’t even make it to the hospital. The doctor said he suffered from a stroke. It was actually a wonder, because I had never known my father to have been sick before. But then it didn’t really matter to me how he died, it was that he just-- died. One moment my silent father was there, the next, silence had already swallowed up the whole house.

Daniel came home then and brought a girl with him. She was a silenttype like him, polite and pretty faced.

I couldn’t even muster a smile at him when he introduced Ingrid to me.

The night that my father was buried, I told our neighbors that they need not come to pray or play mah jhong. I wanted to mourn for my father.

I opened his workroom, half hoping he’d be there with his carving tools and timid smile, but he was not.

Volume CI No. 4 | November 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

77

Photo Credit: vampire_zombie

I took the old chair he had sat upon for years and sat on it. It was then when I finally cried. Our neighbors had not failed to notice that in those ten days that they mourned for him, I had never shed tears.

I remember his quiet smile whenever I brought my report card to him, or when I made him coffee or when I gave him the bottles filled with fireflies that Daniel and I caught. I mourned for my father I never listened to, for the father whose voice I’ll never hear.

“Cecilia…”

I didn’t turn, but he came and stood in front of me and knelt down.

“Where’s Ingrid?” I asked, trying to wipe away the tears but he took both my hands and held them.

“I sent her home.”

For a moment, I wondered if he knew what was in my heart while we were growing up.

“Did you know your father was deaf-mute?” His question left me dazed.

Deaf? Mute? Why hadn’t I noticed?

Didn’t he come whenever I called him?

Didn’t he call my name?

“Cecilia, I’m asking if you knew your father could neither hear nor speak.”

“No…” It seemed stupid.

“I thought so. But then you two never needed ears nor voice. You always talked with your hearts. Just like us.”

I could only nod as he spoke not

78

§

§

Short Story

quite catching the things he said.

“You better go. She’s waiting.”

I could tell that he didn’t understand me immediately but it slowly dawned on him.

“Ingrid is my half sister. Our mother called me a few months ago.”

“Oh.” How could I have been so silly?

“It’s a wonder. Your being talkative always annoyed me, and your vivacity tires me. But you— you always make me want to come home. You’re— home,” he whispered and kissed me. …

She slowly took off her slippers and stepped inside. She then carefully lay down inside one of the open coffins and gazed at the piece of sky that showed because of the broken roof. She could still see his face, his finely chiseled face that betrayed no emotion. It was the same face that peered at her from the coffin three years ago.

They only had a few years together before Daniel died of his bad heart. But then, as he had said, all those years ago, they needed neither ears nor voice. Their hearts can talk.

She was no longer afraid of the coffins. In a way, she had finally understood why her father loved the coffins he made. It was when he was with the coffins that he felt closer to his dead Anita. Each coffin was a love letter to the wife he had lost.

Ni Raniel C. Ponteras

Bawat segundo aking dala-dala Mga nabubuhay kong mga ala-ala Na bumabalik sa akin sa panahon Kung kailan ako’y hinamon Ng isang nene na hindi ko pa noon kilala, Na sa unang hagikhik niya, agad na akong nagsinta.

Sabi niya’y wala siyang kalaro sa kanyang barbie Wala akong maisip, pero ito aking sinabi, “Oo.” Sa paglipas ng panahon, merong bagong hamon ang aking pagbibinata, at kanyang pagdadalaga.

Mga dating laro ay kinalimutan, at dumami na ang mga salita: sa aming maagang pagmamahalan.

Paraiso ang tambayan namin sa ilalim ng mangga kung saan, aking inukit ang mga salitang, “mahal kita” kasama ang isang hugis ng malaking puso.

At sa piling niya’y ako’y parang nasa isang kastilyo Sa maliliit na oras na iyon, nakita ko siyang humahagikhik, kaligayahan ang hugis ng kanyang mga labi, nagkatinginan kami, pumapalapit, hanggang natapos sa isang halik.

Nag iisang-labi nang pumatak ang unang anak ng ulan; Basang-basa sa piling ng ulan, habang siya’y aking hinahawakan: Sa tulang ito, nais kong ialay ang daigdig, para lang matamo ang matamis mong pag-ibig.

Sa mga maliliit na himig,

sa mga maliliit na tula, Lumalakas ang pagsuyo, lumalakas ang pagsinta.

At sa oras ng kawastuhan o kamalian Merong gumagabay sa atin na kasaysayan.

Kapag ika’y nangangamba, lalakad ako bilang iyong kasama.

Hanggang sa dulo, tayo’y hawak-kamay; tatanda, at sabay tayong mamamatay.

Ang panahong iyon, ay puno ng hiyaw, dahil siya’y aking kasama sa araw-araw.

Hanggang dumating ang isang katunggali, isang problemang hindi man tama o mali.

Unti-unti na akong naging mag-isa sa tinatahak kong daan: Mga araw na puno ng pag-ibig, ngayo’y tuldok nalang sa nakaraan.

Kung saan dati ay isang ngiti; ngayo’y nakatalikod na pagbati.

Bawat araw bumibigat ang dalang pasan, hanap-hanap ang nawalang kasiyahan.

Oh saan na nga ba? Saan na nga ba?

Ang una kong sininta?

Natuto man akong magmahal, pero hindi ko alam ang masaktan.

Sa halip, sa lahat ng ito’y may isang gintong aral: Buhay man ang aming pag-iibigan hindi kami pwedeng sabay tatanda, dahil siya’y mayaman, at ako’y isang dukha.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

79

Photo Credit: public-domain.zorger.com

“Pag-ibig sa Panahong Lipas”

§

§

Tula

Photo Credit: cellar_fcp-d3bm833

§

§

Poetry

Unforgiving Mountain Bing5763

Let me trek your hostile domain, Subdue your great heights, And tame your unforgiving fury.

Many souls you have taken away; Countless eyes have shed a rainfall of tears, Numerous dreams kept in limbo.

Allow me to savor the joy of conquering you, To taste the bitter sweat of hardship, And to accept the possible agony of defeat.

My gasping breath may fail me, Tired aching feet will surely cry for rest; The pounding heart shouting for refuge.

To appreciate your beauty is to conquer you.

The uncertainty of life I have to embrace in spirit, Because the essence of life is taking risks.

A Tribute to Japan

By Joniemar L. Calderon

Cursed but never forsaken; Collapsed from its strong foundation; With unfolded eyes to Him open, Through nature’s hands awakened.

Was bound with sharp minds; Rich of fame and sovereignty; But now has lost a piece of pride, Still a warrior standing, bloody, bowed.

Photo Credit: yanachan

Their agonies echoed restlessly, Mighty spirits gone with the tsunami; Many hopes have vanished Like ashes blown in gravel of infinity.

Land of the Rising Sun, Until when you be called so?

Rise! Undo your power of faith, Stand again with beaming rays!

80

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

Poetry

The Time is Now Katchry Jewel S. Golbin

Photo Credit: Topo3486

Come to think of everything around you.

Isn’t there something that bothers your mind?

Look around and you will find that nature Has become different from how it was designed.

Come to think of trees in the forests That protect us during stormy days.

Only few are left as you can see, This is so because of our wrong ways.

Amiable stars In the darkest sea Bursting Upon my eyes Some cannot see.

Myriads of diamonds Flickering In every soul; A constellation of dreams Worth inspiring.

Come to think of the coming generations Are there still trees for people to climb?

Is there still fresh air for breathing?

All the answers depend on time.

The time is now for us to realize That care alone can save this paradise; We never know What will be brought by tomorrow; So, let’s not wait Until everything’s too late.

Twinkles from those eyes Ceaseless, Pouring magical words, Making glittered faces Countless.

Photo Credit: srtvind

By Joniemar L. Calderon

Stars

Come to think of fishes in the seas They are not as many as before.

Our wrong ways will simply make us wonder Why we can’t catch fishes anymore.

Some beyond reach, Some near, Few do light, Stars might be gone I do fear.

VOLUME CI NO. 4 | NOVEMBER 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

81

§

§

Poetry

The Beauty of Creation

By BS Accountancy I “10-11” Photo Credit: phlezk

Birds almost dominating the sky; Colorful flowers catching our eyes; Animals in the forest passing by, Telling us to live each day side by side.

My Hanging Valentine

By Tsui_kei

Love brings to mind Diverse images, Emotions intertwined By endless promises.

The raw at heart thinks of Cupid’s arrow; Stringing two feelings From a single bow.

A locket worn close to the heart, Three incarnadine buds, bright and fragrant Or a finger band perhaps Were just few symbols of love.

The water from the heavens falling to the sea, The roaring of lions, the buzzing of bees; These wonderful things are pleasing to see— An ideal place for all to live happily.

These are scenes that you can see In the world that God created beautifully; It serves as the arena of His activity, Which He assigned for us to care for properly.

Beyond this creativity, God is the center; When He created the world full of wonder, He wanted man to discover The treasures that lay within forever.

But I found him dying, Shedding his own blood for the sake of my being Oh, that my love for him grew even more When he took the blame for my soul.

82

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: giorjoe

Yet my Valentine didn’t give me many Things that were not yet found to last For he had given much My world he inundates with his precious love.

Photo Credit: freewallpapers2.blogspot.com

§

§

Poetry

“We are for this world, this world is for us”

By Ana V. Barana

This world is a sacred land: A sacred land that is inhabited by God’s creation; A blanket for the human race to keep their descendants; A comfort zone to care for and to cherish.

The world that we dream of is a world of paradise Where people unite, smile and laugh; A world where wars and killings can’t be seen; Where love and peace embrace us within.

This world is a stage where God is omnipotent; Where His justice, love and providence are within; We do not know how it could be That this world may be very odd to see.

A world where people live Where youth excel in their Where parents are bonded end of their age, Where old folks take pride new heritage.

In one foot, we know and agree, In this world, events happen, some carefree; But things are now board by developments And these are in God’s will, which we can’t comprehend.

by love; fields; ‘til the in this

We dream of a world that is free from pollution; Where people are responsible for its sanitation; We dream of a world like the paradise of Eden; Where its beautiful features are not broken.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

83

§

§

Outspoken

Saying “Hi” to a Stranger

By Cyril Dave F. Lim

W

Photo Credit: www.google-images.com/www.yahoo.com

hat prompts us to send a message to someone? In all honesty, isn’t it because we ARE interested in them—that in some way, the universe would miraculously align? What we say to them, or the potential conversation we might have, might just be the reason why we become involved with that person.

Would we send a message to someone who we aren’t interested in? No. I mean, could we?

Is there such a thing as being “just really nice” to do that?

But what happens to the people whose messages we respond to? Will they think that we want to give them hope that, maybe, we are interested in them, so they can keep on making the conversation alive?

Superficiality.

That’s all this “messaging” on Facebook is.

We should go out and meet people the old natural way so we can see or judge people based on their personalities—the way they act, the cute little things they do, the subtle similarities we might share with them—not based on how cute they look in their profile pictures.

That college party I went to was a lot of fun. I found this really cute girl who I would’ve had those preconceptions if our conversation were over a “message” on Facebook. She was cute because of her personality, and her looks were really just a plus. Although physical wise, she wouldn’t be my type; but, I was amazed by her personality. It was endearing.

So, from now on, “messaging” is just me interacting with another human being. No more preconceptions about who’s interested in who.

Who knows? I might learn a lot more from conversing with all sorts of people in flesh and blood, that is, not VIRTUALLY!

84

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

Outspoken

A College Love

By Cezanne Faye M. Nazareno

J

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Photo Credit: Renel Edward M. Castellano

ust seeing you—walking along the corridors of New Valentine Building—is enough to put a smile on my face, and the rest of my day would be fine.

Just seeing you—smiling and talking with your friends—is enough for me to say that you’re happy without me.

Just stealing glances at you is enough for me to believe that I have your attention or at least, that you notice me after all.

Just seeing you across the room—killing time until classes end—makes me sigh, “He’s here again.”

Passing by, seeing you alone—hope comes and paints my face with a beautiful smile—makes me wave my hand and speak softly a single word, “Hi.” This hope suddenly disappears when you look at me straight through my eyes, like you know that I like you that much.

This confidence suddenly vanishes when your friends come to your side and you exude your usual aura, revealing that you do not need me.

I know my feelings will never be reciprocated no matter how long I wait. No matter how many chances I’m taking, if it’s not meant to be mine, it won’t be mine.

I look up the sky as I slowly feel the breeze of the wind. Suddenly, I feel that I can finally let you go.

I let go.

With this, I’m finally free!

85

Pages

by Raniel C. Ponteras

for the

§

§

Book Critique

road

I

t is vacation time once again, and many of you, I’m quite sure, will be spending it traveling: by plane, by boat, or by road. A good traveler knows what to bring along. As a traveler myself, I advise those who have plans to do so to BRING A BOOK.

With my traveled mileage are pages that have kept me company throughout

the whole journey. I tell and assure you, books are the best companions when traveling. They don’t nag you. They don’t need to be washed. They don’t need to be fed. They don’t need to be charged. They simply ask that you read them.

So, if that little encouragement has persuaded you to bring a book or two in your travels, let me suggest some books that can best fit your journey.

The Motorcycle Diaries

By Ernesto “Che” Guevara

Just to clear things up, Ernesto “Che” Guevara is not a reggae musician, as what popular media and opinion depicts him to be. Now, in this book, Che, the young, Argentine medical student, embarks on motorcycle trip to the very heart of Latin America with his friend Alberto Granada, to experience what it means to be a Latin American. What Che sees is reflected in this diary; mostly reflective, gleaming with coherence, and flowing with intelligence. Seeing the injustices committed by the United States in Latin America during his time eventually led to Che’s conviction that a revolution is necessary. He, later on, becomes the famous guerrilla, printed on t-shirts, caps, and whatnot. Hasta la victoria siempre!

“But I’ll leave you now, with myself, the man I used to be.”

86

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

Book Critique

Anna Karenina

By Leo Tolstoy

This is one of Tolstoy’s masterpieces (the other being "War and Peace"). It’s a very long read, which is ideal for long travels. The novel features episodes of traveling; where the characters are riding trains and troikas. The title refers to the female protagonist, Anna, wife of Aleksey Karenin. Anna has an adulterous affair with the youthful and passionate Count Vronsky, and this leads to her downfall. Important also in the story is Nikolai Levin, whose frequent contemplations add a psychological drama to the novel.

“I think, if it is true that there are as many minds as there are heads, then there are as many kinds of love as there are hearts.”

Travels with Charley

By John Steinbeck

For those who like to bring their pets along when they travel, this book is for you. It’s about Steinbeck’s travels to explore and experience America. With a truck and his trusted dog, Charley, by his side, he details the various events and realizations that have come to meet him in his travels. It’s a gentle and sometimes melancholy read, perfect for the oscillating moods that come with long travels.

“I was born lost and take no pleasure in being found.”

Lolita

By Vladimir Nabokov

WRITER’ PICK S

This is a personal favorite: Nabokov at his narrative best (the prose is absolutely perfect). The book is narrated by Humbert Humbert, a forlorn intellectual who finds love in an underage girl, Dolores Haze (apparently, Humbert has a fascination with little girls, and calls them nymphets). The first half of this book details how Humbert carefully seduces and operates to gain Dolores’ attention and affection; the second half is about their travels around America, evading authority and avoiding scandal. Oh, and by the way, Dolores Haze is Lolita.

“It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight.”

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

87

By Renel Edward M. Castellano

S

ummer is here! It’s time to hit the couch and turn on the DVD player to watch really good films for the whole family. Most of the films, though different from one another, are mostly true-to-life reflecting the importance of endurance. I would like to recommend the following action-packed and inspiring movies. Enjoy!

CE MOVIE PICK

127 HOURS

Synopsis: 127 Hours is based on the true story of Aron Ralston, a mountain climber, who, after being trapped by a boulder near Moab, Utah, has to resort to desperate and spine-tingling measures to escape and survive from his predicament.



Writer’s Comments: This is one of the movies that will help you learn to appreciate the value of life more and somehow teach you how to survive its many challenges. James Franco did an amazing job in portraying the role of Aron Ralston.

He was nominated “Best Actor” in the recently concluded Academy Awards.

Sanctum

CE MOVIE PICK

Synopsis: The movie is based on a true story about a group of cave explorers stuck-up in the underwater caves of Papua New Guinea due to a typhoon that blocked their exit. Their only way out is to dive deeper into the cave and search for a way that will lead them out to the sea.

Writer’s Comments: The drama-action packed movie is all about the battle for survival. It will get you on the edge of your seats and your eyes glued to your television screen HLY DED HIGM N M E because you wouldn’t want to dare miss a scene. RECO

 CE MOVIE PICK

Miracle

Synopsis: Based on a true story of one of the greatest moments in the American hockey history, the movie captures a time when differences could be settled by games and cold war could be put into ice.



88

Writer’s Comments: If you don’t know what Hockey is, watch this movie and maybe you will learn a thing or two about the game and the importance of teamwork and cooperation. This is what this movie is all about. Experience what it really means to be united as a team.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

Blockbuster

Pay it Forward

Synopsis: The story is about a boy named Trevor who starts a life-changing plan based on his school project he entitled, “Pay it Forward.” The plan is to help someone, even a stranger, who will pass this act of helping to someone else. The act of “paying the good deed forward” unfolds.

Writer’s Comments: Get up on your feet and make a change!

This is the call of the movie. The story proves that “change” may be started by only one person, but trust me, this “change” may eventually spread like wildfire. Be inspired by this film, and you will learn that every friendly deed that you do for someone counts—no matter how big or small.

CE MOVIE PICK



CE MOVIE PICK



The Blind Side

Synopsis: This true and heart-warming story is about a homeless African-American boy named Michael Oher, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do family of Caucasian descent.

In the course of Michael’s stay with the Touhys, he learns to find purpose in his own life, brings meaning to their lives, and changes the perspectives of others as well Writer’s Comments: A movie filled with pure heart.

Watch this and rest assured, you won’t get bored. You will appreciate what you have in life and what you don’t have.

The actors did a good job in portraying their roles; you will experience pure emotions. This story is a reminder that life, amidst all the odds, has always a bright future in store for those who never give up.

CE MOVIE PICK

World Trade Center

Synopsis: On September 11, 2001, a rescue team is left stuck underneath the ruins of the collapsed Twin Towers. The team has to endure their predicament while waiting for the other rescue team to save them. Oxygen is depleting and injuries are getting worse. Time is of the essence.

Writer’s Comments: Based on the 911 tragedy, this is a movie with great cinematography. Those who aren’t fans of Nicolas Cage will appreciate his work as an actor in this film. This movie teaches that a fighting spirit to endure will save you from whatever circumstances you are under.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph



89

ยง

ยง

Paniplat

Brotherly Love

Renel Edward M. Castellano

Fallen Innocence Uki

90

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

ยง

ยง

Paniplat

Stop Burst of Joy

Somewhere Wheel of Destiny

December 2010 at Central Philippine University All pictures on this page were taken by Reginald Earl P. Castillo.

91

ยง

ยง

Paniplat

Endurance of Faith

Photos by Reginald Earl P. Castillo

92

Volume CI No. 4 | November 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

ยง

ยง

Paniplat

Endurance of Livelihood

Endurance of Craftmanship Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

93

§

§

Komiks

The Callous Collective Text and Illustrations by: Reyshimar C. Arguelles

The disintegration of the polar ice caps will thus result to a polar bearpenguin diaspora. Urbanities will become hosts to the massive influx of endangered polar animals. They will over run us!

In 2012, global warming will intensify and hasten the melting of the polar ice caps. There will be disastrous effects.

After the eradication of the human race, the polar bears will wage war against their former allies, the penguins. Eventually, the penguins will be subverted and converted to bear feed.

FIN

94

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Given the different situations facing the world right now, it‛s a good thing nga some people remain observant of the "zeitgeist."

Remember mo pa ang kanta ni Billy Idol nga “We didn‛t start the fire?” May point man siya, kay throughout history, noh? Ga “kindle” na daan ang, let‛s say, flow of the times kumbaga, noh? It‛s as ifprevalent though arbitrary ang ginaeksperyensya nga tribulations-chuva sang human race... you know?

Even though palagpat

§

§

Komiks

Sige na lang gane. Natural man sa mga estudyante nga mag-discuss about “Philosophical Eklabush.”

At least...

Grabe! Revolutions sa North Africa kag sa Middle East; earthquakes sa New Zealand kag Japan; ang Nuclear Threats sang North Korea; mga conspiracy theories connected with the Illuminati; Ang economic surge sang China; and, do you know what‛s the worst of ‘em all?

Vigilant ang present generation.

Haaayy...

How dare you disrespect Lady Gaga! Kung ihatagan ‘ta ka knuckle sandwich? Gusto mo? Ha? Ha?! I‛ll teach you the meaning of respect for a goddess!!!

Lord Bieber, give me the power to withstand his assault!

Basket ‘ta Pre!

Nevermind.

FIN Ayteh.

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

95

ยง

ยง

96

Komiks

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

Volume CI No. 4 | November 2010-APRIL 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

97

Ashere Nisseth S. Equi単a Editor-in-Chief AB History

Jo Jan Paul J. Pe単ol Associate Editor AB Political Science & Public Administration

R. Edward M. Castellano Managing Editor BS Nursing

Bryan Eric T. Cerebo News Editor BS Accountancy

Raniel C. Ponteras Feature/ Literary Editor AB English

Reyshimar C. Arguelles News Editor AB Mass Communication

A name in the past. Now a legacy.

Esther Rose A. Romarate Adviser Department of Languages, Mass Communication & Humanities

Sheila T. Salazar Consultant Department of Languages, Mass Communication & Humanities

Airon B. Buenvenida Editorial Assistant BS Accountancy

Rea Angelica F. Villeza Adviser Department of Religion & Ethics

Reginald Earl P. Castillo Photojournalist AB Mass Communication

Gio Irving B. Chambliss • Edgar G. Biñas • Super_Choinemi • Bing5763 • Uki Joniemar L. Claderon • Katchry Jewel S. Golbin • Psui_hei • Ana V. Barana BS Accountancy 1"10-11" • Cezanne Faye M. Nazareno • Cyril Dave F. Lim Contributors

“

§

§

Financial Report

Student publication- A student publication is published by the student body through an editorial board and publication staff composed of students selected in fair and competitive examinations.

Once the publication is established, its editorial board shall freely determine its editorial policies and manage the publication’s funds.

“

– Journalism Act of 1991 Sec. 4

Financial Report and Budget made

by Renel Edward M. Castellano, Managing Editor, The Central Echo (2010-2011).

100

Volume CI No. 4 | NoVember 2010-APrIl 2011

www.centralecho.blogspot.com|www.thecentralecho.journ.ph

§

§

Editor’s Note

“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.”

–William Barclay Dear Central Echo Reader, It does not matter if you are a first year student, a university scholar, a CPUR official, an athlete, a transferee, a graduating student (the list can go on…)—the message is still the same.

We have finally reached the last lap of A.Y. 2010-2011! Our efforts to reach the end of the semester have paid off (and now we can breathe a sigh of gratitude, satisfaction, and relief ) because we have conquered the challenges.

The editorial staff of CE, too, can testify that nothing can beat that E-word, especially if we all work together as one—as a team. I personally have learned that it pays to have that optimistic spirit of motivating each other at all times. In fact, it just takes two words to make all the difference: “Think positive!”

UNLOCKING THE SECRET The folio that you are holding in your hand right now says it all: the key to unlock the secret of success is ENDURANCE. This is what CE wants to impart with you in this issue—we are all winners; and, it takes an ample amount of patience, tons of persistence and optimism, a full-tank of faith, and a driving spirit of ENDURANCE for one to reach the finish line.

May the literary works, personal experiences, and different insights and viewpoints of our fellow Centralians give us the inspiration and encouragement to do the same—to persevere no matter what and how many the challenges are until we reach our goals, for victory awaits all who have done their best and persisted.

Hence, let us continue to aim for greater heights not just for ourselves, for our family or for our school, but most importantly for God; if we do, we will definitely bring out the winner that is inside each one of us.

Everybody deserves a round of applause and a very warm “Congratulations!” for a job well-done.

C.E.

needs your writing prowess

Dare yourself.

Prove yourself.

Present yourself.

We are inviting you to join the ranks of those who dare to make a change through the power of the pen.

COPRE 2010 Awards Iloilo Grand Hotel, November 26, 2010

Third Place Best Newspaper Best Newspaper Layout

The Central echo needs your writing, editing, managing and drawing prowess for the next academic year 2011-2012.

Best Wallnews

Our collective efforts will make a better CE, and consequently, a better student body that is responsive to the current calls of society.

Philippine Blog Awards Finalist

Fifth Place Best Sports Page

Best Literary Page Best Page Design

Stuck in the web of complacency and apathy amidst the world’s unrest, we must pick up the pen and start breaking these threads of passivity and step into the light of acting towards improvement.

You can start by applying in your school publication.

Happy reading!

ASHERE NISSETH S. EQUIÑA Editor-in-Chief

College Press Conference

Be the change that you want to see in C.E.

www.thecentralecho.journ.ph 3rd Place, SMART Online Campus Journalism-Regional Competition

Volume CI No. 4 • November 2010–April 2011

The Central Echo | Flames of Endurance | Issue © 2011