Red flags for the Holy Child: SBCA celebrates the Feast of Sto. Niño
SBCA-SOL Law Journal Update
SBCA-SOL International Law Society wins 1st runner up in ALSA Debate in South Korea
BY ROBERT SALAO AND TIA PERFECTO
BY LAWRENCE SOLIS
The San Beda College Alabang community held a grand festivity in honor of the Sto. Nino from January 18 to 20, 2013. Ushering in the Neo-Ruby year, the event centered on the theme, “Forty-fied in Upholding the Christ Child.” The purpose of the theme is to strengthen the tradition of upholding Christian principles, values, and ideals of the Holy Child, which our Benedictine brothers started in 1903.
The San Beda College Alabang- School of Law Journal will formally launch its first issue on April 2013. The inaugural issue of the journal features seven contributions from the SBCA-SOL faculty members.
SBCA-SOL’s International Law Society (ILS) clinched first runner up at the Asian Law Student Association’s (ALSA) Debate Competition held in Seoul National University on January 25 to 27, 2013. The team, composed of Steven Gatacelo, Angelo Murillo, Stephanie Dandal, and Bernice Pinol, worked on a fictional international case under the theme, “Human Rights of Victims and Criminals.”
The three-day celebration comprised of various activities such as Lexio Divina, prayer vigil, field demonstration, and exhibits. There were also talent shows like Bedan Got Talent, Battle of the Bands, Bedan Theatrics, Cheer Dance Competition, and an Anime Show wherein teachers cosplayed and performed for their students. Another highlight of the Sto. Nino celebration is the AXN University Challenge wherein a series of adrenalineinducing challenges were enjoyed by the participants. The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), in cooperation with the Junior Bedan Law Circle, had a mock trial which was presided over by Atty. John Jacome, an alumnus of SBCASOL. Also, the CAS and the Bedan International Studies Association initiated an inter-school quiz bee titled, “Tagis Isip.” To conclude the three-day festivities, a procession was held along the streets of Alabang Hills Village. A Holy Mass was celebrated immediately thereafter. At the end of the night, the Bedan community assembled as one family to watch a spectacular fireworks display–a reminder that San Beda College Alabang will continue to give light by providing education that is grounded on Benedictine values and the Catholic faith.
Ambassador Amado Tolentino wrote his piece on environmental law. Commissioner Rene Sarmiento addressed the issue on rampant election violence. Atty. Saul Hofileña contributed by writing about the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Justice Japar Dimaampao and Atty. Nicasio Cabaneiro discussed the prominent issues in taxation. Atty. Rita Linda Jimeno explained the recent changes promulgated by the Supreme Court regarding Rules 41, 45, 58 and 65 of the Rules of Court. Finally, our very own Dean Ulpiano Sarmiento III stated his opinion regarding the students’ right to organization, and the correlated right of the school to refuse recognition of unrecognized organizations.
Fr. Anscar Chupungco, OSB, one of the much-loved and respected Rectors of the Benedictine institution, is well known for his generosity and openness to everyone. He played a big role in the establishment of the San Beda College Alabang School of Law. He was a visionary, a leader, and a good servant of God. He was a man of excellence. For him, standards should never be compromised. He was a vital instrument in the continuing success of the Benedictine institution in the field of education and holy orders. He has always been a teacher to many. He encouraged everyone not to lose the desire to learn, and to grow continuously. According to him, life is a continuing journey; and as students of life, we grow, we learn, and we learn as we grow. 4
The debate departed from the conventional format as it was a hybrid of the moot court, Oxford Oregon method, and Asian parliamentary system. It focused on forced labor, forced disappearances, child labor, and other human rights violations. The team prepared for both the defendant and the plaintiffs’ positions, and they argued their stance as if they were presenting the case in the International Court of Justice. Debaters from the Islamic University of Malaysia, National University of Singapore, SBCA-SOL, and National Chengchi University advanced to the semi-finals, but the final battle was between Malaysia and the Philippines.
Ms. Jonalyn Porquez, Editor-in-Chief of the Law Journal, said that contributions are open to anyone. “There is no specific limitation as to who may wish to contribute to the journal so long as the issues they discuss are highly relevant and of interest to the academe and practitioners alike.” She added, “However, the journal seeks to showcase the faculty members, Bedan graduates and Bedan students for which reason, they are given priority.”
Gatacelo, head of the debate team, said with pride, “The experience was surreal. We went through a lot of challenges before leaving for Korea, but it’s all worth it. We really gave our best in every round to represent the school and the country!” The team admitted that it was difficult to collate relevant international laws to strengthen their argument. Despite the challenges, their hard work paid off. More than the obstacles, the team reflected that it was an experience that tested their skills and wits. Gatacelo said that the “competition was a great opportunity to see how international laws were appreciated in the different parts of Asia, but more than the adversarial nature of the competition, the debate fostered friendship.”
Currently there are nineteen students comprising the editorial board of the law journal, most of whom are third and fourth year students. The Law Journal is supervised by Atty. Bruce V. Rivera, Prefect of Student Affairs of the School of Law.
Father Anscar: A Beloved Pillar of the San Beda Community BY SUYEN DIMANLIG
BY CHRISTINE CRUZ
Fr. Anscar joined the Lord on January 9, 2013 while he was at the Paul VI Institute of Liturgy in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. A day after his passing, the whole Bedan community offered a Holy Eucharist mass at the St. Maur Auditorium to commemorate his life and his contributions to society, specially to the Bedan family. He was laid to rest on January 17, 2013 at the La Loma Catholic Cemetery. A funeral mass was held at the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in San Beda College Manila on the same day. Fr. Anscar lived life by following God’s will. He will eternally be remembered for his teachings and for living out godly values.
THE RED CHRONICLES VOL. 6 NO. 2
New SLG officers declared
Summary of Votes:
BY KELLY LAO
The Elections for Academic Year 2013-2014 was held on February 28, 2013 from 4:30 to 9:30pm at Room 201 of the High School Building. There was a significa nt turnout of votes with almost five hundred (500) students participating. As pronounced by the Commissioners of the Elections Commission, Charles Baculi of the Lakas Alyansa Party was elected as the new President. Also from the same party, Albertito “Bits” Garcia was elected as the new Secretary General. Independent candidates, Carlos Romulo, Faizal Hussin, and Duke Sucgang, were voted as the new Internal Vice President, External Vice President, and Treasurer, respectively. Completing the list were Ms. Diannee Romano, an independent candidate, and Ms. Ivy De Guzman of the Lakas Alyansa Party, who were both respectively ushered in as the new 3rd Year Batch Representative and 2nd Year Batch Representative.
President Charles Baculi 324 Mia Lapus 147 Abstain 21 Internal Vice President Carlos Romulo 374 Abstain 110 External Vice President Faizal Hussin 257 Lorenzo Reyes 172 Abstain 58
MARCH 2013
Secretary General Albertito Garcia 363 Abstain 126 Treasurer Duke Sucgang 310 Abstain 173 3rd Year Batch Representative Diannee Romano 118 Abstain 19 2nd Year Batch Representative Ivy De Guzman 75 Abstain 48
5