SEPTEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016 | PAGE 6
OPINION
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 2
EDITORIAL
The end line
Community roles complaints throughout the years—students receiving reduced quality of education. We do not intend to hate on all professors. Personally, I’ve encountered some professors who made the subject more interesting through their teaching method, while others inspired students through their infectious passion for the subject. While it’s probably As a member of the Lasallian community, service is a valued responsibility. Having revised our academic curriculum to outcome-based education, it is commendable that the University is gearing up to equip us students for the ASEAN integration. However, as important as these tools are, it seems professors are forgotten as an integral part of the educational experience. As facilitators of learning, professors not only shape our capabilities but also influence our personal growth as students. The quality of teaching is an important aspect of education that the University should maintain due to the significant role they play in education. However, it appears that some professors have time and again been the subject of our Kampusapusapan. Despite the comical delivery, complaints of professors who give questionable grades, professors who take matters with students at a personal level, and issues of classes without professors are no laughing matter. Time and again, professors with poor performance are continuously discussed in our publications, while the guilty react violently then snub their noses, completely missing the point. As a result, we receive similar
Gayunpaman, isa na rin siguro itong magandang tawag upang tayo ay maging mas matalinong mga kabataan sa pagpili ng karapat-dapat na kandidato. Sa kabilang banda, bukod sa gasgas na isyu katulad nito, hindi na ako lalayo pa. Tingnan na lamang natin ang araw-araw na kritismong naeengkuwentro natin sa ating mga buhay. Mula
JUNIOR STAFF Marco Belarmino, Kathelyn Bravo, April Ciaralei Cenedoza, Lexzene Dela Cruz,Patricia Anne De Leon, John Paul Gonzales, Christian Paul Macapagal,Christian Mateo, Nishtha Nigam, Roxanne Valerie Rasco,Rochelle Rivera, Wenchie Tacate, James Fidel Tan Dr. Lakandupil C. Garcia, Adviser The HERALDO FILIPINO has its editorial office at Room 213, Gregoria Montoya Hall (Administration Building) De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines 4115. Telephone: (046) 481 1900 local 3063 Email: officialheraldofilipino@gmail.com Website: www.heraldofilipino.com Contributions, comments, suggestions, and signed letters should be addressed to the editor in chief.
Due to the many non-working special holidays and a week-long suspension in December, school is extended for another week to give way for missed classes, quizzes, and exams.
Mapapailing ka na lang at matatawa dahil nagdagsa na naman sa pagpasok ng bagong taon ang iba’t ibang resolusyong sinasabi nating magpapabuti sa ating mga buhay. Ngunit, kung mayroon man akong inaasam ngayong taon, ito ang posibilidad na mapaunlad natin ang ating mga sarili at ang kinabibilangan nating mundo sa pamamagitan ng pagsisimula sa isa sa pinakaepektibong paraan: ang pagtanggap sa mga kritisismo. Dahil nabanggit na rin naman ang pagbabago at saktong-sakto ito sa “new year, new me” season, ito na nga siguro ang tamang panahon upang simulan na nating mas lawakan ang ating isip pagdating sa mga kritisismo. Sa buong nakaraang taon, kapansin-pansing maraming madaling maapektuhan sa simpleng mga salitang inilaan naman upang paunlarin ang isang bagay o indibidwal. Unang halimbawa na ang ating napakamakulay (at marungis) na mundo ng pulitika. Bukod sa nasobrahan na sila sa publicity, tila naging cheap fight imbes na propesyunal na pakikipagharap sa isa’t isa ang inasal ng ating mga kandidato, tingnan na lamang natin ang isa sa mga naging resulta: ang katawa-tawang hamunan ng sampalan nina Rodrigo Duterte at Manuel “Mar” Roxas. Sinong hindi madidismayang ang mga aspiring leader pa mismo ang nakakakitaan ng ganitong kababawan?
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Tayo ay nakakahon sa maliit na espasyong pumapatay sa pag-asa
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EDITORIAL BOARD AY 2015-2016
SENIOR STAFF Chandler Belaro, Jeff Treat Dimaano, Camille Joy Gallardo, Patricia Loise Lucero, Queenee Manaog, Enrico Paolo Topacio
unrealistic for me to expect all professors to have such impact, the expectation is not only rooted from my idealistic mind but also from St. La Salle himself. Ever since my first year of college, passion for excellence is a value expected from us Lasallians. Although I find it noble for us students to aspire learning beyond the necessity of a diploma, our administrators and professors should also exemplify passion for excellence as part of the Lasallian community. In any community, you can only be a true member by adhering to its values and purpose, the foundation for the existence of the community. In our case, choosing the Lasallian community means accepting the challenge to live by the values of St. La Salle for a progressive
society, regardless of your role as an administrator, teacher, or student. As such, it is imperative to address an improvement in the services offered by some professors. But it is disappointing to hear that some professors who consistently receive negative ratings from students still perform similarly. It shouldn’t be shameful to recognize a need for improvement. As Ernest Hemingway put it: “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” Belief in our potential would challenge us to be better than our current self, but achieving the next step only comes from a realistic assessment of our current performance. Given the University’s endeavors to be a more globally competitive platform, we should keep in mind the holistic growth stated in its mission and vision. As a community, we can only achieve our goals by working together. While we students should strive for our education, other members of the community like the administrators and professors should also strive to offer better services. Examples include having professors challenge students’ intellect beyond reading powerpoint presentations, addressing the need for better facilities like the long-awaited Ayuntamiento, and having more vigilant guards to improve campus security among others. Guided by a passion for excellence to give your best in everything, we have that potential to create limitless possibilities. The only factor left is our willingness and our actions to set the wheels in motion and to keep them greased well enough until we reach our goal.
Walang magbabago ngayong taon
The Official Student Publication of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas Founded: June 1985 Member, College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Daniella Shaira T. Cortez, Editor in Chief Krizza Mae M. Bautista, Associate Editor Sheena Faye G. Lopez, Managing Director Cerisse C. Madlangbayan, In charge, Copy editing Erika B. Uy, Office Circulations Manager Katherine Anne C. Aboy, News Editor Anri Ichimura, In charge, Features Danielle Vince D. Capuno, In charge, Literary Fernan Patrick R. Flores, Sports Editor Lynoelle Kyle E. Arayata, Art Director Jerome S. Quinto, Photo Coordinator Ricardo Martin O. Cabale, Graphics and Layout Coordinator Alphonse Leonard G. Topacio, Web Manager
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It shouldn’t be shameful to recognize a need for improvement
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Recent news of a student committing suicide near the grandstand has shaken the University. Although it remains a delicate and private topic, the issue of suicide has resurfaced once again and it is high time that we take its prevention more seriously. In the University, there are posters and seminars about suicide prevention, and there’s also the Student Wellness Center (SWC), which aims to address students’ problems and predicaments. But even with these preventive measures, it seems that many might deem suicide inevitable. Causes typically range from mental illnesses or traumas to relationship problems, failure or stress from school, and just plain loneliness. While many people think some of these dilemmas are trivial, it’s important to note that a shocking 75 percent of the people who do commit suicide are “clinically depressed,” as reported in the California State University, Northridge (CSUN)’s website. In the country, gmanetwork.com states that we have the highest number of depressed individuals in Southeast Asia, with 4.5 Filipinos suffering from depression. Since the concept of suicide has been going on for years, many have formed ideas and perceptions about how we tackle suicide, or simply suicide in general. Like many rumors that we believe is true, it’s necessary that we verify these conceptions first; because unknown to us, it might just save a life. For instance, many think that those who commit suicide are weak and make mountains of molehills; or that people who say are going to kill themselves are just out there for attention. However, people who mention they want to die, in person or on social media, might actually be suicidal. It’s even stated by the organization Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) that those who talk about suicide but won’t actually do it is a myth. They wrote that practically “everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning.” Talkin g and listening evidently seems to be also a factor in dealing with suicide. We often think that talking to people about suicide won’t help, that it might give them the idea to commit the act, and that it might be futile; but this is a misconception. In actuality, both SAVE and CSUN’s website states that talking about suicide can be helpful and relieving to the suicidal person because a person who wants to commit suicide is usually “ambivalent” or has “mixed feelings” about the act. Take, for one, Jay Asher’s known novel Thirteen Reasons Why, which details to people the importance of talking and lending an ear from time to time. Moreover, Lasallian Peer Facilitators (LPF) president Ella Mari Polintan says that “it’s really about listening,” and that when we see a lone student, it pays to befriend or at least talk to them. There are many ways to prevent suicides, like seeking help or joining an organization. The University can aid in this matter by approving more organizations that suit the interest of the students, as Polintan mentioned. On the other hand, the LPF also has planned programs that are geared “to be alternative venues for students for self-discovery, empowerment, and service.” There are groups in school and the SWC if you or anyone you know has had suicidal thoughts. And although we use the Internet for maybe not all the right reasons, it has provided us with so many articles and information in case we need to educate ourselves on the issue. For the rest of us, we should place all conceptions in a strainer, and check first if they’re mythical or valid; because in a world where endless chitchat and being loud is appraised, it’s becoming easy for us to forget that it pays to shut up and listen.
sa paglabas natin sa pintuan ng ating mga bahay, hanggang sa pagsakay sa jeep, at pagtingin sa ating mga cell phone at laptop, mayroon at mayroon tayong maririnig o makikitang mga komento ng isang tao para sa paligid niya. Nagkalat man ang hindi makatuwirang rants sa social media, marami rin namang makabuluhang eye-openers na nagiging dahilan ng pagsisikap nating maging mabuti at may pakialam na mamamayan. Ang Green Solutions comics series naman na makikita sa HERALDO FILIPINO website ay isa ring magandang halimbawa kung ano ba ang kritisismo, at ano ang epekto nito sa binibigyangpuna. Umani ng iba’t ibang reaksyon—maging batikos—mula sa iba’t ibang tao ang naturang komiks dahil sa “nakaiinsulto” nitong laman. Ngunit ang hindi nakikita ng karamihan, ang kritisismong nakapaloob dito ay isang panggising lamang sa atin mula sa mga bagay na kailangang bigyang-pansin pero tila naisasawalang bahala. Patunay lamang ang mga ito na sa ayaw at sa gusto man natin, nakapalibot na sa atin ang mga puna. Maaring tanggapin o tanggihan ng
The usual week-long Lasallian Festival will only cover four days this year.
ating isip ang komentong ibinato sa atin ngunit harapin natin ang katotohanan: may dulot na kirot naman talaga ang bawat kritisismong sinasabi sa atin sa umpisa. Kapag nabigo tayong malampasan ang masakit na bahaging ito at tuluyan na tayong nilamon ng negatibo, tayo ay mananatiling nakakulong sa maliit na kahong pumapatay sa pagasang mapayabong ang ating mga sarili. Katulad nga ng sinabi ng propesor na si Gregg Walker ng Oregon State University, ang kritisismo o “evaluative judgments” ay napakahirap at napakasakit bitiwan o tanggapin. Ngunit ang maganda rito, kapag napangasiwaan mo ito ng maayos ay hindi lang pansariling paglago ang makakamtan mo—uunlad din at mas magiging makabuluhan ang pakikipag-ugnayan mo sa iyong kapwa. Minsa’y nagiging bulag tayo sa tunay na mensaheng nais ipabatid ng isang nagmamalasakit na kritiko—lahat tayo’y may mahihinang aspetong kailangang nating ayusin at ang mabuting balita’y may kakayahan tayong paunlarin ang mga ito.
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Isa akong malaking tagahanga ng kaunlaran, pansarili man o pang-sambayan. Masyado man itong idealistic lalo na sa klase ng komunidad na kinabibilangan natin, naniniwala akong magaling man o may kahinaan, mayroon pa tayong ibubuga basta’t mas magpokus tayo sa positibong maidudulot ng kritisismo. Kung sa pagtakbo ng taong ito’y tutulad tayo sa mga pulitikong sarado ang mga pag-iisip, kung patuloy tayong magiging bulag sa mga hinaing ng mga estudyante, at kung sa bawat pagpuna sa atin ay malulugmok, mapipikon, o magtatanim tayo ng galit, marahil tama nga ang titulo ng artikulong ito—huwag na tayong umasang may magbabago pa sa taong ito. The sticks used by some guards from Gates 1 and 3 to examine bags have been replaced by scanners, improving the efficiency of inspections.