Dauntless | The Communiqué

May 2017 Vol V Issue No. 2

CAL-LSC Fund Returned; Sanctions

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DAUNTLESS

Contributed Photo by Fionamae Hilda Abainza

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02 Vol V

May 2017

News

By Adrian Carl Nicodemus and Irene Joy Pe Benito

Arambulo wins the SG presidency

By Janina Elena Carpio and Jobhert Pastrana

scrutinize, sa mga words ipa-package natin para makabuo ng mensahe na mas madali nila maintindihan­­,” she shared.

Meanwhile, when asked about her thoughts about the effects of the ejection of former Vice Governor Princes Locsin due to alleged corruption to her campaign, she said that the issue has positive and negative effects on her campaign.

“Sa dalawang anggulo kasi natin siya pwedeng tingnan, ‘yong una, ginamit ‘yong mga issues na ‘yon para sirain ‘yong image at para sirain ‘yong paraan ng liderato na college pa nga lang eh may ganyan nang issue. Pero pangalawa dahil sa aksyon na ginawa natin naging mapagpasya rin siya para ipakitang hindi tayo nagkikibit-balikat o nagsasawalangbahala sa mga gano’ng usapin lalo na hindi tayo tumitingin sa partido,” she explained.

SLAM-BANG. STAND BulSU’s President Ninna Arambulo is standing formid while conveying their party’s stand on certain issues around BulSU during the meeting de avance. Conributed Photo by Fionamae Hilda Abainza

Arambulo, the incumbent Governor of CAL Local Student Council (CAL-LSC), became the first ever Mass Communication student to serve as BulSU-SSC President after she garnered 8,419 total number of votes against 7,680 of the

News

Vol V 03

Journ studes reign in Mr. and Ms. CAL 2017

First time in CAL history

Breaking the five year-reign of the political party BulSUONE in the presidency of Bulacan State University Supreme Student Council (BulSU SSC), STAND BulSU’s Ninna Angela Arambulo of BAB-3A marked history for the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) after she was elected as the new president of SSC for academic year 2017-2018 in the election held last April 6.

May 2017

incumbent SSC Vice President, Laurene Anne Caparas of the College of Education (CoED).

With that, she is the first candidate from STAND BulSU to win the presidency since Kristoffer Brian Carpio made that feat in the academic year 2011-2012.

Arambulo revealed that her training as a Mass Communication student helped a lot especially during the campaign period.

“Dito sa CAL natuturuan tayong i-built hindi lang ‘yong confidence pero ‘yong pag-

High-profile journalists grace Media Arts Expo 2017

by Christia Marie Ramos and Clarize Austria

Though this issue before brought Arambulo extreme publicity, she believes that people voted her for they believe in her principles and not because she was only voted by her “kakolehiyo” (college mates).

Unwavering support from CAL despite the past controversy Arambulo deeply thanked the college for its full support starting from the Dean’s office down to the CAL students who voluntarily joined the campaign and showed genuine support without any hesitation right before, during, and after the campaign.

“Bulto ng mga volunteer ay galing ng CAL na

Page 8 Karen Davila of ABS-CBN, Pia Hontiveros and Tristan Nodalo of CNN Philippines were the guest speakers for this year’s Media Arts Exposition, as part of the College of Arts and Letters’ (CAL) week, held at Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center, April 19.

Davila talked about social media’s role in disseminating information and how it affects this generation’s perception of debate when it comes to different issues.

She also discussed some useful tips on the do’s and don’ts in social media that might help and encourage the students to become more responsible netizens and also pointed out that time will eventually come that every news will be on social media.

In addition, Nodalo, Executive Producer of the aforementioned network, shared his experiences in creating stories and documentaries especially his personal encounter in Tacloban City, Leyte where in Typhoon Yolanda struck in November 2013.

He also said to the students that they should never be afraid of exploring the society if they really want to pursue a career in the media industry.

TRIGGERED. Media practitioner Karen Davila lecturing about the social media universe and user responsibilities last Media Arts Exposition during the first day of CAL Week celebration. Photo by Krisel Ann Cañezo

“I just want to emphasize never be afraid of the exploring, of discovering stories na kahit na feeling mo may nakagawa na, feeling mo parang

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Showing that journalism students could be pageant showstoppers, Joseph Andre Gaspar and Maja del Rosario of BA Journalism 2A won in this year’s Mr. and Ms. College of Arts and Letters (CAL) 2017, as part of the opening festivities of CAL Week held at Valencia Hall, Bulacan State University last April 19.

Gaspar and Del Rosario bested the other candidates by showing their poise and grace confidently, both shared that they didn’t want to be their section’s representative for the pageant at first.

“Ayoko kasi talagang sumali dahil nga hindi pa naman ako nakakasali sa ganoon kalaking pacontest. Siguro may part sa ’kin na napilitan lang ako pero kinausap ko ‘yong mga kaklase ko kung sasali pa ba ko pagkatapos tinanggap ko na lang na kasali na talaga ako sa contest,” Gaspar explained.

On the other hand, Del Rosario, who also won the Ms. Photogenic award, was encouraged by the newly-elected Governor of CAL Local Student Council (CAL-LSC), John Rick Villafuerte, to join given that she already joined pageants before and because of her natural talent in modeling.

Meanwhile, Shara Padilla of BAJ 3A shared her insights about the result of the contest.

“Sa college kasi natin may pagka-low key ang Journ pero napatunayan nila na we’re not just good with pen and paper. We can also put power

JOURN PERSISTS. Maja Del Rosario and Joseph Gaspar, second year journalism students crowned as Mr. and Ms. CAL 2017 during the first day celebration of college week. Photo by Rod Harvey Camay

through pageantry,” Padilla said.

During the coronation, Carl Andrey Dulalia of BAB-3D hailed as the 4th runner-up for Mr. CAL followed by Mateo San Juan of BATA-2A as 3rd runner-up while Norwin Gaudillo of BATA-3A got the 2nd runner-up and Kyle Ramos of BAB3B was the 1st runner-up.

Furthermore, Cherish Osinsao of BATA-2A was the 4th runner-up for Ms. CAL followed by

Ingrid Wynona Santos of BAB-3B who finished as 3rd runner-up while Jeanne Marielle Pagtalunan of BAB-3A acquired the 2nd runner-up and Jeremy Vergara of BAB-2D was hailed the 1st runner-up.

Moreover, other candidates who won the special awards were Ryan Villacorta and Kaye Aldrin Madrid of BAMP-2A for Mr. and Ms. Friendship award while the Photographer’s

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With five notable guest speakers OSPI, Pacesetter conduct 8th Pandayang Plaridel

By Clarize Austria and Princess April Fajardo

Five renowned media personalities shared their knowledge in the 8th Pandayang Plaridel, an annual seminar/workshop and press conference for Bulacan State University (BulSU) campus journalists, held at Valencia Hall last March 30 and 31.

Award-winning literary writer Eros Atalia, John Magsaysay of Esquire Philippines, Bryan Brazil of GMA 7, Ben Domingo Jr. of the Technical Committee for Journalism, and Julius Calzo of Focus Bulacan, imparted their knowledge and experiences to the members of the student publications.

The talk centered on writing and media related topics such as Pagsulat ng Maikling Kwento at Dagli discussed by Atalia; Media and Technology explained by Magsaysay; while Documentaries were the point of discussion of Brazil, a lecture on In-depth Writing with Domingo and lastly, Photojournalism with Calzo.

Afterwards, the second day of Pandayang Plaridel was the competition proper as campus writers, artists and layout artists showcased their skills.

Meanwhile, The Communiqué, the official student publication of College of Arts and

Letters (CAL), defended its crown as the Overall Best Performing College Publication for the third time at the Gawad Galing Plaridel Night last April 1.

The Communiqué also won the Best Newsletter and Best Tabloid award for Group Category leading to 273 points total in the overall ranking.

The Mentors’ Journal of College of Education (CoED) won the 2nd place with 255 points while The Forerunner of Bustos Campus finished at the podium for the first time by placing 3rd with 194 points.

Kevin Facun, Editor-in-Chief of Pacesetter, said that he was thrilled for the outcome of the event where it is the first time to have high-profile guest speakers in the seminars and expressed his outmost gratitude to all the people behind Pandayang Plaridel and Gawad Galing Plaridel in making it a success.

“It is the first time, Pandayan[g Plaridel] was graced with renowned people in the journalism industry who imparted significant values and learning to the participants… Hopefully, we can get a higher turn-out in terms of newspapers published and that what they have learned from the seminars will improve the way they write,” Facun ended.

DELIGHT. Writer Eros Atalia shared tips on how to squeeze the creative juices of campus journalists in writing a flash fiction. Photo by Christia Marie Ramos

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News

May 2017

Jak En Poy reaps Best Film, Best Director in SiBul VII

By Charisse Mercado and Princess Flores

The short film “Jak En Poy” was awarded Best Film against five other entries while its director Ar-jen Manlapig bagged Best Director in the seventh year of Sine Bulacan (SiBul) Festival held at Robinsons Place Malolos Movieworld last April 20.

“Para sa ’kin ang dahilan kung bakit nag-stand out ‘yong film among other films, number one siguro sa paggamit ng mga elemento. Tapos ‘yong pangalawa, naging matagumpay lang kami sa pagsasama-sama ng lahat ng ‘yon,” he narrated.

The films were judged by Valentin “Nani” Naguit III, director and comedian for GMA Artist Center; Annemikami Pablo, assistant director at ABS-CBN and former executive producer of Multimedia Division (MD); and Zig Dulay, a Gawad Urian awardee and acclaimed director.

As for other films, “Sakaling Malimutan” by Joymie Garcia was awarded Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Jury’s Choice, and Viewer’s Choice.

“Ang Pinakamagandang Habi ni Selya” by Carl Angelo Espiritu received Best Actress and Best in Production Design. “Obra Maestra” by Trisha Gatchalian, on the other hand, bagged Most Liked Teaser.

According to Naguit, “’Jak En Poy’, craftsmanship wise, very pulido siya. Tapos malinaw ‘yong pagkakakuwento niya at pagkakatahi ng story, and visually interesting.

Mahusay ‘yong editing.”

Aside from Best Film and Best Director, “Jak En Poy” by Run and Gun Productions also received Best Cinematography and Best Sound Design.

Manlapig, a senior Broadcasting student, said that the storytelling form he employed in his short film is probably the reason why he stood out.

Other films screened were “Maskara” by John Leo Taberdo and “Kampo Santo” by Mariane Nieky Quitain and HD de Chavez.

“Life Is But A Dream” pulled out from SiBul The short film “Life Is But A Dream” by Daireen Casamayor, supposedly one of the entries for SiBul, was pulled out from the screening due to an office order issued by the BulSU administration, based on the requests by the families of the late Jaycie Ronwill Balitaosan, Broadcasting Association president, and Jericho Burgos, a legal management student.

Balitaosan and Burgos, who were voluntary members of its production team, drowned in a river accident last January 7 at Bakas River, Norzagaray, one of the filming sites for the said short film.

May 2017

Vol V 05

News

BroadcAss Prexy Balitaosan drowns in Bakas river

By Cleire Lois Briguel, Ella May Alvaran and Reya Ceanne Buenaventura

In a statement released through SiBul Film Festival’s Facebook page, the organizers clarified that the accident did not occur while shooting the film.

Broadcasting Association (BroadcAss) President Jaycie Ronwill Balitaosan from BAB 3C was one of the two students who were found dead due to drowning during a film production for Sine Bulacan (SiBul) at Bakas River, Norzagaray, Bulacan last January 7.

“The film and its approved script DID NOT include any form of swimming nor scenes or shots that required the actress to swim,” it said.

HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND RETRIEVAL OF THE BODIES Balitaosan, together with second year Legal Management student Jericho Burgos, were swimming in the river from around 10:30-11:00 in the morning during their break time from the shoot.

The organizers also requested concerned individuals to “refrain from any form of cyber bullying, verbal harassment in the form of derogatory and unscrupulous statements, towards SiBul, its organizers, and the director of [Life Is But A Dream] film.”

Kimberly Bordios, eyewitness of the incident and former classmate of Balitaosan, said she was shocked to find them drowning because the latter had even asked her to join them before the accident occurred.

Pablo, one of the judges, said, “Life Is But A Dream, sobrang nakakapanghinayang na hindi siya na-show. Isa siya sa pinakamagandang films na nakita ko this year. Sobrang buo ng kuwento niya. Gano’n [dapat] ang short film.”

She also hopes it will get screened sometime in the future so that students may see it.

REQUIEM. Colleagues of Jaycie Balitaosan express their grief over the loss of their friend. Contributed Photo by Fionamae Hilda Abainza

PAD-TA stages modern take on ‘Chitra of Manipur’

Bagsakan, nagtampok ng ‘dalawang’ pasabog

By Therese Veronique Baluyot and Christia Marie Ramos

Nina Maricar Dimla at Annabell Pascual

Isinagawa ang Bagsakan noong ika-20 ng Abril at sinundan naman ito ng “Bagsakan paLabas” noong ika-27 ng Abril.

The Performing Arts Division – Theater Arts Unit (PAD-TA) performed a modern adaptation of “Chitra of Manipur” as their major production last March 16-17 at the Valencia Hall, Bulacan State University (BulSU).

Para sa unang bagsakan, ipinaliwanag ng pangulo ng organisasayon na si Keanu Harold Reyes na mayroong dalawang dahilan kung bakit ito ipinagdiwang, ang Literature Month (Buwan ng Literatura) at pagdiriwang ng Intellectual Property Right.

Aiming to add a modern and relatable twist to the classic play, Alds Bernardo and Frea Beatrice Pineda, students from BATA 3A and the directors of the play, were able to modernize the script of the original ‘Chitra of Manipur’ with the help of their previous script writing professor.

“Kinausap namin ‘yong prof[essor] namin sa script writing before, pina-transcribe, pinatranslate namin siya into Taglish or FilipinoAmerican language para mas madali naming i-direct at mas maintindihan ng audience kasi kailangang i-consider ‘yong understanding at capability na umintindi ng audience,” Bernardo said.

According to the directors, the preparations for this production took a month and a week to rehearse and execute. “‘Yong one week namin na ‘yon, na-consume siya through reading rehearsals lang talaga, characterization, gano’n. Nakapag-rehearse kami, siguro, mga last two weeks lang talaga, as in ‘yong isang run na dire-diretso, do’n lang talaga, last week lang yata, ta’s ang dami pang nabago,” Bernardo added.

Pineda also shared her experience as a first-

Tinanong naman si Julius Gregorio, alumnus ng MP at dating miyembro ng Hiraya, kung ano ang tumatak sa kanya sa daloy ng programa at aniya, ang ‘pagbabago’ na kaiba sa tradisyonal na Bagsakan ang kanyang nagustuhan.

SYNCHRONIZED. Performers from Theater Arts moving as one on their major production ‘Chitra of Manipur.’ Photo

by Christia Marie Ramos

time director. “‘Yong experience ko sa pagiging director, hindi ko talaga siya nagustuhan kasi, never akong naging leader, hindi ko naranasan or hindi ko talaga sinanay ‘yong sarili ko na sabihin ko na “O, gawin mo ‘to, gawin mo ‘yong ganyan.” Pero naging happy naman ako at saka magandang experience din ‘yon para sa isang tulad ko na theater arts [student] kasi dapat maging ano kami, maging flexible sa lahat ng mga bagay,” she said.

The main protagonist Chitra of Manipur was portrayed by Ivy Marie Dionisio from BATA 3A. Dionisio expressed her joy and satisfaction regarding the outcome of the play and she considers “Chitra of Manipur” her first official lead role.

“Masaya sa pakiramdam kasi nga ‘di ba first nga ‘to para sa ‘kin. ’Yon, na makita mo na natutuwa ‘yong audience ang sarap sa pakiramdam,” Dionisio mentioned.

“’Yong mismong pagbabasa ng tula mula sa mga seasoned writers dahil sa karaniwang programa na napuntahan naming noon, na binuo naming noon, ang mga binibidang mga akda ay yong mga orihinal naming gawa,” saad ni Gregorio.

The play also gained positive response and delivered an important life lesson to its audience.

“Realistic na siya. Related na siya sa talagang nangyayari dito sa atin sa buhay,” Miracris Calayag of BAB 2D said.

“It’s real hard kasi parang, love is just based on naked eye. When somehow, what true love really is, is beyond. It’s beyond, it transcends what human eye can see,” Jasmine Grace Rivera of BAJ 3A expressed after watching “Chitra of Manipur.”

ESTRANGHERO. Naghandog ng awit at tugtog ang dalawang mag-aaral mula sa Kolehiyo ng Inhinyero sa BAGSAKAN. Photo by Maricar Dimla

Dalawang magkaibang pagtatanghal ang ipinakita ng Bagsakan na isinagawa ng Hiraya Kolektib at mga mag-aaral mula sa Malikhaing Pagsulat (MP) bilang bahagi pa rin ng selebrasyon ng Linggo ng Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura.

Ibinahagi naman ni Mariane Nieky Quitain ng BAMP 2A ang kaniyang pagkatuwa dahil sa malaking bilang ng mga estudyanteng nanood at nakinig sa kanilang programa, lalo na ang kaniyang kasiyahan sa mga nagsumite ng kanilang mga akda at nag-perform.

Sa ikalawang pagtatanghal ng Hiraya noong ika27, ibinida naman nila ang Bagsakan paLabas at ibinahagi ni Bay-Viz Caleon, propesor at

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“Nagulat na lang ako, nakatingin lang kasi ako sa kanila, mga minutes lang, mga one to two minutes lang after niya ‘kong sabihan, ay, after niya ‘kong ayain, nakita ko na lang siya

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Grade concerns arise amidst upcoming internship

By Emelita Aguilar and Reya Ceanne Buenaventura

Roselle Macayan, evaluator for the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) in OJT, made it clear that a student must pass all subjects from first to third year in able to enroll for the internship program during the On-the-Job Training (OJT) orientation held at Valencia Hall last April 18.

Ma. Theresa Santos, Student Internship Program (SIP) level coordinator, revealed that there are only a few students who dwell with grades, specifically for incompletes.

“Ang lumalapit pa lang sa ‘kin ay ‘yong mga nagtatanong about INC kung ano kailangan nilang gawin ‘yon pa lang pero yong mga major talaga for example ‘yong mga hindi makakapagOJT kasi may bagsak na gan’to, may bagsak na ganyan wala pa naman,” Santos said.

During the forum, questions were raised more likely pertaining to grades, which obviously became the main concern of the students.

Student from Theater Arts 4A, Criscia Lee, who plans to have her OJT at Tanghalan ng Pilipinas expressed anxiousness for her upcoming internship.

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Vol V 07

Journ studes take home five awards from AdSpeak 2017

CAL students gather to hone their knowledge in media

By Charisse Mercado and Princess April Fajardo

By Wilfranz Rosqueta and Angelica Nikki Cruz

A team from BAJ-2A consisting of Ronaldo Magsakay, Angelika Jean Carreon, Maricris Guerrero, Zainel Christian Sebastian, and Mariam del Rosario won five awards in the AdSpeak ADventure 2017 competition in the Student Center Auditorium, Colegio de San Juan Letran last March 10.

Their entry Daily Reminder bagged Best Digital PSA Online Choice Award, Students’ Choice Award 2nd runner-up, and 2nd runnerup in Values Advertising through Digital Category. On the other hand, their other entry, “Ang Kubrador” (The Bet Collector), for the same category clinched Students’ Choice Award 1st runner-up and 1st runner up in Values Advertising through Digital Category. “‘Di ako makatulog the night na nakapag-uwi ako ng 5 trophies from AdSpeak. Ang tagal mag-sink in. Kasi AdSpeak is a very prestigious competition in the field of advertising. Ang kalaban namin mga prestigious universities of the country and it’s a matter of best among the best competition,” Magsakay told The Communiqué.

Meanwhile, Guerrero shared how the team managed to finish the filming amidst the pressure to meet the deadline of submission.

“Nakaka-stress kasi kailangan mong habulin

High-Profile journalists grace Media... from Page 2 ang luma-luma na ‘yong istorya. There’s always a new way to present it.”

Meanwhile, Nicole Beltran of BAJ 2A liked how Nodalo talked about eagerness and passion for his work in media.

“I love documentaries so medyo nakinig talaga ko ‘don, then gusto ko ‘don sa sinabi niya ‘yung resilience at persis [tence] to committing yourself in doing this career kahit na very risky, very risky na pumupunta ka ‘don sa mga lugar na ‘di mo alam kung ano ‘yong premises… sa akin, parang, na-absorb ko ‘don sa talk niya na I need to prepare myself to deal with the dramatic and emotional [aspect] of the story or documentary,” Beltran said.

Spencer Sambile of BAMC-4C indicated that it is good to have activities such as the MediaArts Exposition but he was disappointed with the schedule of the event.

“Hindi na sana tinuloy na maghapon. Nakakahiya kasi lalo na sa second speaker wherein napakakonti na lang ng pumunta. Siyempre hindi rin naman natin masisisi ‘yong ibang estudyante na maraming ginagawa lalo na ‘yong seniors ‘di ba?... Siguro next time mas maganda mabalasa pa the whole week ‘yong mga speaker para may abangan naman araw-araw,” Sambile ended.

Hontiveros, who is the Chief Correspondent of CNN Philippines, shared her experiences in the industry in a form of a video because she did not attend the MediaExpo due to time conflict and premiere of her news program.

This is the comeback of the said event after a three-year hiatus.

‘yong deadline. Pero dahil may unity kami, natapos namin,” she said.

The AdSpeak Convention is an annual competition organized by Colegio de San Juan de Letran together with the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines. There were five categories to compete for: print, radio, campaign, television, branded communication and digital.

According to Magsakay, writer and director of the two winning entries, “Ang Kubrador” (The Bet Collector) is a story about a gay jueteng bet collector named Darwin who has a bedridden wife. His daily income is insufficient that it can only purchase his wife’s diaper. Her maintenance medicine costs around Php 400Php 500. “’Yong point namin do’n ‘yong lacking of education na magsasalba sana sa mga kagaya ni Darwin from poverty and hunger at saka para ma-correct ‘yong judgements sa mga kagaya nila,” he explained.

Magsakay drew inspiration from real-life experience when he wrote this ad.

“I came from a poor family. Alam ko ‘yong hirap na walang pera o kaya may maospital na wala

Journ

studes reign... from Page 3

Choice award were given to Dulalia and Vergara and the Best Group Shot was awarded to BATA2A. San Juan garnered almost every special award as he won the Mr. Photogenic, Best Production Number, Best in All White, Best in Casual and Best in Formal Wear.

For female, Santos won the Best in Production and Best in All White, while Pagtalunan won the Best in Casual and Vergara bagged the Best in Formal Wear.

Christian Lawrence Reyes, English instructor and organizer of the pageant, said that the sophomore journalism students deserved the title.

“They are deserving to win the title kasi we got credible judges inside and outside the university so walang question about sa pagkapanalo,” Reyes said.

kang hawak na pambayad sa bills,” he said.

Meanwhile, Daily Reminder is a short ad about precautionary measures that can be done by civilians by the time the West Valley Fault moves to cause a massive earthquake named as ‘The Big One.’

With the theme “Promoting CALiber Talents: Honing the Skills and Potentials of Future Media Practitioners”, the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) together with the Local Student Council (LSC) spearheaded the 4th university-wide convocation at the Valencia Hall, Bulacan State University last April 3.

During the convention proper in which professionals in the advertising field gave their insights to students, Magsakay learned the following: “Malaking field ang advertisement at may pera sa advertising. Masyado tayong nali-limit lang no’ng mga scripts in mind natin na, ‘Ay journ[alism] ako writing lang, broad[casting] of course broadcasting.’

Try experimenting and play with your imaginations.”

According to Dr. Bonifacio Cunanan, Dean of CAL, the convocation’s purpose is to engage the students and lift up their knowledge with the issues which are present in university.

Tricia Ompoc, advertising instructor and Journalism Society adviser, said the team’s victory proved that “a lot of journ[nalism] students have skills in other fields other than writing.”

Professor Daryl Angelo Baybado, former Associate Editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas (UST), served as resource speaker and he addressed the matter of ‘advocacy journalism’ and its importance in the media.

As a fairly young writer/director compared to his competitors, Magsakay learned that age is never a hindrance when striving for a goal.

“Nasira ‘yong branding na bata ka pa madami ka pa dapat matutunan, [na] ‘di mo pa kaya hanggang d’yan ka lang,” he ended.

Bagsakan, nagtampok ng...

“Ang bawat kolehiyo ay nabibigyan ng assignment para pataasin [ang kaalaman], to raise the level of awareness of the students of the host college and students enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters about certain issues in the university and in the province,” he said.

dapat ‘yong pinagsisilbihan natin, kung paano natin suriin ‘yong nangyayari sa lipunan, ‘yon ‘yong mga maibabahagi ng adbokasiyang pamamahayag,” Baybado said.

Also, the convocation served as avenue for CAL students, faculty and other universitywide organizations to showcase their talent in singing, dancing and acting.

However, the convocation was cut short when the other invited guest speakers were not able to come due to time constraint and technical difficulties on the sound system arose that affected the program’s flow.

On the other hand, Irish Gaile Ocampo of BAJ 3A stated that the sound system should have been checked and prepared well because its malfunction left a big impact on the program.

“Okay naman ‘yong seminar pero siguro dapat pinaghandaan pa nila nang mas mabuti ‘yong sa technical kasi sobrang naging laki ng factor no’n, nagkagulo-gulo kasi,” Ocampo said.

Aside from CAL, the College of Architecture and Fine Arts, College of Home Economics, College of Education and College of Social Sciences and Philosophy also conducted their own version of the convocation.

CAL goddesses reign in Diosa ng Unibersidad

“Every day is a new lesson. Kailangan i-apply mo sa sarili mo, i-apply mo sa pang-araw-araw mo [‘yong natutunan mo] hindi lang ngayon dahil lang ano, ngayon mo lang ia-apply.

Kailangan i-apply mo siya sa pang-habang buhay kung alam mo namang positive and makakatulong sa sarili mo,” she said.

“Ito [advocacy journalism] ay isang mahalagang tool na sinasabi natin bilang future media practitioners... Kanino ba dapat, sino ba

By Andrelyn Deb Domingo and Mariam Del Rosario

On the other hand, Manansala admitted that she was quite disappointed for not winning the title for CAL but she still has an unwavering advocacy.

“Dahil nga ‘yong advocacy ko ay social awareness para sa LGBTQ community, mas gusto ko s’yang ipagpatuloy and magkaroon ng projects for proper of information sa awareness and equality para sa lahat ng estudyante,” she said.

tagapayo ng Hiraya, ang kahulugan nito.

“Kasi ‘di ba, ‘yong Bagsakan ay ‘pinagpapalagay na established na na proyekto ng Hiraya, Bagsakan. So ‘yong ‘pa,’ parang Bagsakan pa more, kasi hindi sapat ‘yong isa lang, ano. Tapos ‘yong labas dahil sa labas gaganapin, dito, open space. ‘Pag pinagdikit mo ‘yong pa t’saka labas, palabas, kasi for the first time, merong pelikula na ipinalabas,” paliwanag ni Caleon.

Ang punong abala naman ng Bagsakan ngayong taon na si Ralph Tanjutco ay binanggit ang kainaman ng programa.

“Sa tingin niyo ba bakit natin idinadaos ‘yong mga ganitong show? Siyempre, para pahalagahan ang ating manunulat at kanilang mga akda kasi ito lang ang meron sila,” ani Tanjutco.

“Nakakainis ‘yong technical kasi ang dami dapat na information na pwede niyang i-share kasi ayon nga talagang malaman pero dahil sa technical parang kinakain ‘yong letters niya kaya ayon hindi ko rin masyadong naintindihan,” Ducusin said.

Erika Ducusin of BAB 3D also expressed her irritation as the talk of Baybado was full of information but was not properly conveyed to the students because of technical difficulties.

from Page 5

Tinutukoy ni Caleon ang tatlong advocacy films ni Herwin Cabasal na “Pieta” na tumalakay sa mga mamamahayag na biktima na napaslang sa Ampatuan Massacre, “Resureccion” na tungkol sa kung paano kaya nabuhay si Rizal sa panahon ng Twitter at “Mr. Postman”, na pumapatungkol sa hamon sa isang kartero na muling buhayin ang Hagonoy post office na malapit nang ipasara.

ON POINT. Mr. Daryl Baybado introduces the importance of advocacy journalism in the society. Photo by Christia Marie Ramos

Diosa ng Unibersidad is the second Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) pageant uplifting gender advocacies and rights, but it was first under the management of BulSU Bahaghari, a student organization which promotes gender equality within the university.

Shiela Marie De Leon, adviser of BulSU Bahaghari, shared that they welcome the LGBT and their supporters, and emphasized the essence of equality for all the members of society.

PASOK SA BANGA. The two Diosa of College of Arts and Letters secure tickets for the final round of the competition.

Photo by Zainel Christian Sebastian

Clae Pineda of BAB-3A and Christian Val Manansala of BAJ-2A secured the 1st and 2nd runner up in the Diosa ng Unibersidad pageant held at the Valencia Hall, Bulacan State University last March 10.

Pineda became the “Diosa ng Unibersidad Air” and Manansala was hailed as “Diosa ng Unibersidad Fire” as Russel Quiño of the

College of Social Sciences and Philosophy was hailed as Diosa ng Unibersidad.

With this, Pineda revealed that she had no intention to join the pageant but she accepted the opportunity and took the risk to reveal her true self, and also admitted how it was unexpected as she acquired many lessons, new friendships, and shared experiences.

“Hindi dapat nangyayari ang discrimination sa kahit sinong miyembro ng society, be it women, be it people who are indigenous people, be it LGBT. Lahat ng tao ay may kanya-kanyang karapatan na para sa lahat, hindi privilege ang equality, hindi privilege ang dignidad, ang dignidad ay karapatan ng lahat,” she expressed.

BulSU Bahaghari is now raising a theme of “LGBT Community or LGBTQ+ Community raising gender awareness and sensitivity fighting for equality” opening their arms to all genders of the society.

08 Vol V

May 2017

News

Ex -Vice Gov, Cruz suspen­­ded; CAL-LSC fund returned

May 2017

Editorial

Opinion

Vol V 09

Para sa Tawag ng Kaalaman

By Kayleen Reyes and Regin-Rex Estrella

After the proposed sanction had been approved, Princes Diane Locsin, Ex-Vice Governor of the College of Arts and LettersLocal Student Council (CAL-LSC), and Michael Oliver Cruz was officially suspended for the second semester of academic year 2016-2017, effective last February 27.

Even before the sanction was enforced, Cruz and Locsin’s party were able to settle the alleged corruption of college shirt fund at the Dean’s Office of CAL last December.

Crisanta De Leon, College Secretary and Chairman of Student Discipline, led the decision to file the sanction for Cruz and Locsin, supported by the President of CAL Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) Mary Anne De Castro, Local Faculty Union (FAU), and CAL-LSC. “Hindi na sila makaka-graduate on time.

Parang magsisilbing babala ‘yon sa iba pang estudyante na magkakaro’n ng problema sa kanilang disiplina, ‘yon ang ginawa ng office kahit na sabihin na maliit na bagay,” said De Leon.

BEFORE THE SANCTION WAS IMPLEMENTED According to the college secretary, two days after Locsin and Cruz returned the money, the CAL-LSC filed an official written complaint regarding the incident signed by all its members to the Dean’s Office.

From Dr. Bonifacio Cunanan, College Dean, the letter was handed down to De Leon and then a series of meetings happened with Cruz and Locsin, their advisers, the class mayors and the then-Chairman of Mass Communication and Performing Arts Department (MCPAD) Marlon Santos.

Now that the fund was returned, Ninna Arambulo, the then Governor of LSC explained that they have decided that they will use the money where all the students of CAL will benefit instead and that they have already prepared a line-up of these activities, contrary to what Cruz said they wanted to do.

“Kinausap nga sila, sinabi na magiging ganito ang sanction niyo in case mapatunayang totoo, so umaapela sila na hindi raw totoo ‘yon. So ang ginawa namin, in-invite namin ‘yong supplier, so pati ‘yong supplier nandito, in short nakatatlong meetings muna kami bago dinala sa Office ng Dean ng Students Affair,” De Leon stated.

“Actually, ang gusto naming mangyari ni Princes do’n sa perang binigay namin e ibalik sa CAL students, kaso ayaw nila dahil kanila (for LSC) daw ‘yon,” said Cruz.

A written report by De Leon and members of CAL Student Affairs was addressed to Dr. Romeo Inasoria, Dean of Student Affairs and Services, and to the Legal Counsel of BulSU who held the verdict for the rest of the matter.

The college secretary also explained that everything on the sanction papers were based from the student’s handbook, and that Locsin and Cruz’ case had fallen to the particular sanction of a semester suspension.

After all the signatures from all the involved authority have been filled, the papers went on and was fully implemented last February, making way for Locsin and Cruz’ official suspension.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FUND?

She also narrated that she did not expect and was surprised with the results for CAL which is 425-24 in favor of her.

STAND DOMINATED THE CAL LOCAL STUDENT COUNCIL ANEW For six consecutive years, STAND BulSU once again prevailed in the slots of the LSC. The newly elected batch of LSC for academic year 2017-2018 are John Rick Villafuerte (Governor), John Carlo Glario (Vice Governor), Riona Veniz Castañeda (Broadcasting Board Member), Quinn Avery Conos (Journalism Board Member), Regie Acuña (Theater Arts Board Member), and Ryan Villacorta (Malikhaing Pagsulat Board Member). All of them came from the STAND BulSU. Furthermore, the president-elect explained that what the students learn from the different department of CAL, particularly the social

problems and issues, is what the STAND BulSU is looking forward to solve.

“Dahil tayo ay mga communication majors eh alam natin ‘yong mga issues na panlipunan at hanggang sa loob ng BSU at dahil nga bukas tayo sa ganoong pananaw nakikita natin ‘yong mga problema, naririnig natin ‘yong mga kapwa natin estudyante sa CAL na ganun din ‘yong pino-forward,” she explained.

RESTING THE CASE For Arambulo, the case is now closed.

“Nabigay na nila yung pera, nagbigay na ‘yong karapat-dapat na sanction so sa tingin ko naman okay na,” she commented.

“The issue has been resolved. It has been done.

There’s no need to explain ourselves to people who are close minded or to those who judged easily by what they hear. Even if we do, they will not accept it. And so the people know, we’re now paying for what we have done in the past,” Cruz ended.

In addition, Clarenz Manag of BAJ 2A believes that Arambulo deserves the position based on her performance during her time as the Governor of CAL-LSC. Moreover, Dr. Romeo Inasoria, Dean for Student Affairs and Services, reminded the student leaders during the proclamation day to start their journey as student leader in a single step.

AND

Shiela Bacani of BAMP 3A said that Arambulo really deserves the presidency and that she is expecting progress for the next set of student leaders.

On the other hand, the newly-elected president gave assurance that she will not waste every vote she had in the election and the trust given to her as she will surely do her best to fulfill her promises to every BulSUan.

“Inaasahan ko na mas mabibigyang pansin pa at mas makikilala pa ang mga kursong hindi masyadong pinagtutuunan ng pansin at siyempre si Ninna pa ba? Inaasahan ko na magkakaroon ng progreso ang BulSU under sa kanyang termino,” Bacani said.

“One thing’s for sure, never natin babaliin at ipagsasawalang-bahala, never natin sasayangin ‘yong tiwala, ‘yong suporta at ‘yong panahon na ginugol ng bawat isa para mapagtagumpayan ‘yong laban na ‘to,” she concluded.

ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGES RESPONSIBILITIES

Kaya kahit noon pa man kung mayroon mang sobrang naiihi o malapit na magbawas at kahit bukas man ang pinto ng palikuran ay napipilitan na rin silang lumipat sa mga mas malayo pero mas malinis na banyo dahil sa kalagayan ng mga palikuran sa sariling kolehiyo.

In a text message sent to The Communiqué, the same thought goes with Cruz and Locsin.

“Sabi nga nila kailangan may maumpisahan. ‘yong journey ninyo should start in a single step. So kung hindi kayo hahakbang, kung ‘di kayo lalakad, kung hindi kayo mag-uumpisa, useless ‘yong mga pangako sa ating mga magaaral,” he said.

Villafuerte also supported the statement as he believes that CAL is a college that is also pro ‘masa’ (pro ‘student body’) just like the STAND BulSU.

Ang madalas na kawalan ng tubig nga ang isa pang problema rito. Sa mga pagkakataong bukas ang pintuan, naabutang sira ang mga flush kung kaya’t bumabaho ang mga loob nito, bagay na hindi kaaya-aya at may banta rin sa kalusugan.

May ibang gumagawa ng paraan – kukuha ng tubig pambuhos mula sa mga gripo, ngunit kung hindi mahina ang tulo ng mga ito ay wala namang mailabas ni isang patak na tubig.

Moreover, most of the fund were used for CAL Week, OJT Orientation, seminars, and tokens for invited speakers as support for the college, as an update according to Arambulo.

First time in CAL history Arambulo wins... from Page 2 nakakatuwa kasi kahit hindi mo sila kulitin na, ‘Guys meron tayong parade, guys may meeting de avance, punta kayo nood kayo support kayo,’ hindi ako nag-GM ng ganoon sa mga mayors pero nakakagulat na halo ‘yong bulto nila talagang solid na,” Arambulo blissfully said.

ng paglilinis dito at hanggat maaari, kung kailangang isarado ay isaalang-alang kung mayroon pang mga estudyante na gagamit nito.

I

sang magandang hakbang ang g i n a w a n g p a g p a p a renovate sa palikuran o Comfort Room ng Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura (KAL) upang mas maging maayos ang pasilidad para sa mga gumagamit nito, ngunit hindi pa rin naiwasang lumutang ang mga katanungan at suliranin ng mga estudyante sa tuwing inaabutan sila ng tawag ng kalikasan.

Una na rito ay kung bakit nitong ika-9 ng Enero, eksaktong isang linggo bago ang pasukan, lang isinagawa ang pagsasaayos nito.

Sinasabing natapat ang renovation kung kailan magpapasukan na ang mga

estudyante dahil nagkaroon ng problema sa contractor na siyang nagsaayos sa nasabing pasilidad.

Hindi naman maaaring itanggi na marami ring pinagkakaabalahan ang mga kinauukulan ngunit sa ganitong kaso, lalo’t katawan ng tao ang nakataya, hindi ito maganda.

sa katawan ng tao.

Ngayong sarado pa rin ang palikuran at nakasailalim naman sa renovation ang iba pa, napeperwisyo ang mga estudyanteng maglakad nang malayo para humanap ng alternatibong palikuran upang makamtan ang ginhawa. May mga pagkakataon pa rin na nagkakaroon ng problema sapagkat may mga oras na puno ng mga estudyante ang mga palikuran sa ibang kolehiyo kaya’t mas lalong napatatagal ang pagtitiis ng mga malapit nang maihi o magbawas – bagay na hindi maganda para

Dagdag pa rito ay ang pagiging bukas-sarado ng pasilidad na ito bago pa man simulan ang nasabing renovation. May mga pagkakataon na maaring itong gamitin at mayroon din namang mga pagkakataon na ito ay ikinakandado. Kadalasa’y isinasara ito pagkatapos linisin.

Tulad ng hindi maayos at maruming kapaligiran ay may masamang epekto rin sa kalusugan ng tao ang madalas na pagpipigil ng ihi o dumi.

Maaari itong magbunga ng iba’t-ibang sakit kaya’t dapat iwasan o huwag gagawin.

Nagkakaroon tuloy ng kalituhan sa panig ng mga estudyante at ilang guro kung bakit ganoon ang nagiging sistema. Dito na pumapasok ang dahilang nililinis lamang o inaayos ang tubig. Dapat ay maglaan ng tamang oras

Ganoon pa man, hindi naman maikakaila na ang layunin ng nasabing renovation ay para sa ikaaayos ng pasilidad ng kolehiyo ngunit ang tanging hiling ng mga estudyante ay kaunting paliwanag lamang para hindi sana nagkaroon ng biglaan noong mga oras na tinawag sila ng kalikasan ngunit nakakandado ang mga pintuan at kung hindi naman ay wala namang tubig sa mga palikuran, mas lalong higi’t na para na rin sa tawag ng kanilang kaalaman.

Sa ngayon, magtitiis muna ang mga taga-KAL na magtungo sa ibang palikuran sa ibang building habang hinihintay na muling buksan ang palikuran.

Ngunit sa oras na matapos ito, nawa’y hindi na maging isyu ang pagiging laging sarado nito at ang kawalan ng tubig, para naman hindi na mahirapan ang mga estudyante o kung sinumang may gustong gumamit nito.

10 Vol V

News

WAY DEEPER

Forbidden Rule Janina Elena Carpio janinacarpio28@gmail.com

They say, everybody deserves second chances, but, not all the time in Bulacan State University (BulSU).

Here’s the scenario, you enter college with so much positivity and eagerness and your goal is simple; you want to have fun and excel at the same time. So there you are, trying to have a social life while excelling in the academics.

This is everyone’s dream; to be in the Dean’s List or to graduate with Latin Honor. Let us try not to be hypocrite but here’s a thing, after so much efforts, sleepless nights, and sacrificing so many ‘gala’, it seems like your best was not good enough.

You got 2.25 in your most hated subject or minor subject. Honestly, 2.25 is not bad at all yet, that .25, can ruin your Dean’s Lister or to graduate with Latin Honor dream. Yes, even though your General Weighted Average (GWA) is as high as needed to be a summa cum laude, you lose the chance.

According to the student handbook of BulSU,

“

It is not always the student’s fault or tardiness that causes his or her low grade.

There are malign of things might intervene to everyone’s life. at page 15, N. Academic Honors, number 2, letter a., it was stated that students to qualify for Academic Honors must, “Earned at least a grade of 2.0 or its equivalent in all subjects;”

How hard is it to accept that one subject could ruin everything? It is like saying, “Oh you failed! You lost your chance, bye!” Even computer games have at least three lives for every player.

Here’s the truth, there are reasons for not making it into the cut.

First, not everyone was blessed to be a “jack of all trade”. Second, you weren’t able to go to school on the examination/ quiz day. Probable reasons: Anxiety attacked; you were sick; you don’t have money; a member of the family

May 2017

was rushed in the hospital. And it is purely valid reasons.

Third, the instructor lost your record/ exam/ activity. Worse, the instructor has high standard and known for giving not so high grades.

The point is, it is not always the student’s fault or tardiness that causes his or her low grade.

There are malign of things might intervene to everyone’s life.

In other universities, GWA of the students is the basis if he or she is qualified for academic honors. For Adamson University for example, as long as the student’s GWA is qualified to the required grade and the GWA is not lower than 1.75, the student, whether he or she has 2.25, 2.50. 2.75 or 3.00 grade in a subject can still join in the Dean’s List or graduate with Latin Honor.

Also, they do not need to pass so many requirements just to apply for the Dean’s List. Instead, the department will do the evaluation of the student and will post the result, whoever made it to the Dean’s List.

BulSU may consider adapting the system or may review the requirements to qualify for academic honors.

Yes, in the present system, everyone was forced to do their best to excel in every subject.

But still, there are a lot of opportunities taken away from the students because of this rule.

Plenty was promised; and yet, somehow, plenty to doubt too.

After the campaign, even after the announcement of new student leaders, those faces had suddenly vanished. Sometimes seen and sometimes felt but to be honest, I don’t even know who those people are. Heck, they just came out of nowhere.

Underneath that change-agenda are promises

“ Underneath that

change-agenda are promises – promises buried for what are pleasing to the ears.

“

Annabell Pascual cliffordhoran@gmail.com

Alternative media is a really democratic site; everyone can share news and information without being bounded by ethics.

Traditionally, there are two types of media: the print media and broadcast media. But our ever-evolving technology today has given birth to another platform in which news and information dissemination

Using“ the SOGIE

CURIOUS CAT Wear What You Want: A Fundamental Right, Regardless of Gender Identity Charisse Mercado charissemercado.cvm@gmail.com

In Bulacan State University, there are usual reports from the transgender community that security guards often reprimand them in their entrance from the gate simply

Antoniette Rose Fajilan antonietterosefajilan.18@gmail.com

Ryan John Magno ryan525john@gmail.com

Well, Bernard M. Baruch, who was an American statesman, couldn’t have said it any better. That would have been a better advice before the Student Government (SG) and Local Student Council (LSC) elections, right? For now, the College of Arts and Letters is on the hands of a select few, new faces on the seats: the same seats believed to let the ordinary students’ troubles be heard.

When Tradition Isn’t Only the Religion

paradigm, it can be said that using the term “crossdressing” may not be politically correct in the first place.

REAL TALK A “Forced” Night to Remember?

SC Elections at a Distance: an Observation This does not mean to question their integrity – not yet at least. But to be less cynical, they are the CAL students’ voice on a shot for change.

Odd, that was the same motto of a certain ‘leader’ last year and it plunged the college into controversy. That should have opened the eyes of students to doubt the would-be ‘leaders’ presented in front of them.

Opinion

SEMI-COLON

THE EXAMINED LIFE

“Vote for the man who promises least; he’ll be the least disappointing.”

May 2017

– promises buried for what are pleasing to the ears. Again and again, each year, platforms had been raised and that’s where they appear to stay; undeveloped and left to rust, with no trace of a leader or a representative, another year where disappointment begs to prove it right.

“Déjà vu” is a French term that literally means, ‘already seen’. A word used to express the feeling of familiarity, like an event has already happened or a phrase has already said before.

Predicting the future this early for the LSC would be unfair. While a new set of faces are indeed open for doubt, still, there is hope. It’s just a matter of time that the leaders get closer to whom they serve – for a new, and hopefully, real change.

has been as easy as one click; that is the alternative media.

Alternative media, though not having a concrete definition, in simplest words is described as something that is out of the mainstream. They are small, independent, radical media outlets that rely on themselves and the Internet in order to cater conservative and liberal perspectives towards social change because they don’t have any publishers and publishing companies that would print or broadcast their materials.

However, with the help of technology and internet, alternative media has become more

Page 13

because of what they wear. They would ask, “Babae/Lalaki ka ba talaga? [Are you really a man/woman?]” They would cite the BulSU’s student handbook which says a man must wear the uniform of a man, and same for a woman.

It could be said that these security guards are trying to be technical with BulSU’s student policies on dress code and uniforms.

They call the act “cross-dressing,” and crossdressing is not mentioned in the student’s handbook. Thus, it is not allowed but these are clearly acts of gender-based discrimination and transphobia on campus. It can cause

Page 12 Just like what happened in the days leading to the CAL Night, especially in the collection of payments during the opening week of College of Arts and Letters Awareness Week.

The CAL Night fee used to be compulsory paid even before and it was usually collected during the enrollment for second semester before a student got assessed.

But the thing is, this requirement of paying the fee was already stopped before and those who would like to attend the night are the ones who should pay the fee.

But this year, a very familiar scene happened

Page 13

To be optimistic is possible. It’s just that even this early the leadership has already made a distance from the masses – their so-called ‘bosses.’

Seldom seen after their self-proclaimedbringers-of-change speeches, the LSC is barely felt. Of course, this is not a sweeping generalization. More importantly, this is not the overall definition for the LSC. There is a silver lining.

“

What if a student has a prior commitment that night? Won’t it be understandable?

Vol V 11

News Editor: Antoniette Rose B. Fajilan Features Editor: Cleire Lois P. Briguel

A.Y 2016-2017

Opinion Editor: Janina Elena R. Carpio

Editor-In-Chief: Jobhert P. Pastrana

Literary Editor: Charisse V. Mercado

Associate Editor: Maricar S. Dimla

Circulation Manager: Kayleen E. Reyes

STAFF WRITERS: Emelita O. Aguilar, Ella May M. Alvaran, Monica Y. Bautista, Reya Ceanne C. Buenaventura, Angelica Nikki G. Cruz, Mariam A. Del Rosario, Andrelyn Deb S. Domingo, Regin-Rex P. Estrella, Princess April R. Fajardo, Princess Angelika Y. Flores, Ryan John E. Magno, Jennifer D. Margen, Ronna Maye M. Nepomuceno, Christia Marie C. Ramos & Wilfranz S. Rosqueta Photojournalists: John Wallace S. Nuke & Zainel Christian L. Sebastian

Managing Editor for Administration: Adrian Carl Online Manager: Irene Joy C. Pe Benito & Annabell G. Pascual Layout Artists: Therese Veronique C. Baluyot, Krisel C. Nicodemus Ann P. Cañezo, & Christia Marie C. Ramos Art Director: Rod Harvey G. Camay Managing Editor for Finance: Clarize N. Austria Artist: Kayleen E. Reyes

Romulo V. Maturingan Adviser

12 Vol V

HIGHLIGHT REEL

Opinion

it was first said that the payment is Php 950 but it has been changed all of a sudden to Php 1,700.

It became Php 1,700 because of the addition of the aforementioned consolidated fees and Transcript of Records which is Php 100.

A roller-coaster ride Adrian Carl Nicodemus nicodemusadriancarl@gmail.com

Graduation day is fast approaching. Majority of the seniors is excited for that day, that even some posted status in their social media includes this caption # g r a d WA I T I N G , meaning that they are just waiting for the commencement exercises to come.

Indeed, it is a special day for all senior students who excelled academically and the ones who survived the tough adventure of college life despite of several problems.

But before that, they have to accomplish all the requirements needed in order to solidify the status as ‘graduating students’, especially several payments for the activities and services before, during, and after graduation day like graduation picture, year book, graduation fee and others.

However, there was this one major problem that really bothered the CAL senior students and it is the date and flow on how and when to pay those following fees.

It was said that May 2 is the supposed date of paying for the graduation fee but when the announcement indicated that the application

“

Even communication majors are also ‘receivers’ of information. for graduation form is needed, some students were annoyed on the short note. The application for graduation form was announced in the day of supposed payment of graduation fee that’s why many students were rushed trying to cope up with that requirement.

Also, there were some senior students who were not able to pay the Graduation Fee immediately because the Cashier’s Office indicated that CAL didn’t have the record yet. And many were disappointed. Again, CAL weren’t able to announce that immediately to the students but also they are not fully aware on that situation; that they also thought that the records were fine.

Lastly, the modification of the Graduation Fee,

Wear What You Want... emotional distress to transgender students who are simply expressing themselves.

Such aggressions can be stemmed from two factors: (1) the lack of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE) awareness in campus and (2) the society still subscribes to heteronormativity, a worldview which insists that heterosexuality is the only sexual orientation that should be considered normal. For those who may not be familiar with SOGIE, let me provide a short definition of the three terms which constitute the acronym.

Sexual orientation refers to the gender in which a person is attracted to (heterosexual/ straight, homosexual [gay/lesbian], bisexual, pansexual, demisexual, asexual).

Gender identity, on the other hand, refers to what gender a person identifies with. If a person identifies with a gender that is in line with their biological sex, they are called cisgender but if it’s the opposite, they are called transgender.

According to gillfoundation.org, gender expression refers to the “ways in which we each manifest masculinity or femininity. It

May 2017

With all these circumstances happened, one thing’s for sure, everything is like a wheel which goes round and round that sometimes made it to the point that it is going nowhere.

The college should remind the seniors consistently because it is not easy to have money in just a split second. They should consider also the time frame because it creates confusion to the students on when will they pay the money, especially to those who were deprived and having financial difficulties. They may think of that as well.

Also, they may regularly update all the offices concerned in the payment and registration forms of the student which is the Accounting, Cashier and Registrar’s Office in order for all to become aware of the next payments and applications. It will help to lessen the burden and consumption of time because the students will now have a smooth transaction and the payment process will become faster.

Yes, it is understandable that there are additional payments required in order for a senior student to graduate but also the college should realize that money is not easy to earn nowadays. Let the students prepare for it and they will surely accomplish and paid those fees in due time.

To sum it up, even communication majors are also ‘receivers’ of information.

from Page 12

is usually an extension of ‘gender identity,’ our innate sense of being male or female.”

We express our gender usually by wearing women’s clothes if we’re female, and vice versa.

On a side note, here’s my complete identity using SOGIE: I am a cisgender woman who’s attracted to men alone, so I’m straight. I wear female clothing and wear make-up on an almost daily basis because I am a woman.

Using the SOGIE paradigm, it can be said that using the term “cross-dressing” may not be politically correct in the first place.

If a male-born transgender woman decides to wear female clothing, they are not “crossdressing” per se. This is gender expression, which means they dress like that because they identify themselves as women. They crossdress when they wear clothing that is not in line with their gender identity (not with their biological sex). For instance, if a cisgender woman like me wears men’s clothing, I crossdress. Similarly, if a transgender woman wears men’s clothing for whatever reason it may be, that is cross-dressing too.

But regardless of where we are in the gender

spectrum, we all deserve to be able to wear the dress of our preference without any fear discrimination. While the issue of scraping the uniform policy remains debatable, something must be done to spread SOGIE awareness inside BulSU so that at least, transgender students may be free to wear uniform that is in line with their gender identity.

LGBT and gender-based groups inside the university may conduct a seminar on SOGIE awareness with faculty members and security guards alike. The student’s handbook and uniform policy in the university may also be amended to allow students to “cross-dress.”

But for diversity and freedom’s sake, I would argue that it would be the best option to scrap the uniform policy altogether.

Wearing the clothes of your preference is a fundamental right of everyone, not only of transgender men and women, but of everyone regardless of where they are in the gender spectrum. People who do not follow the heteronormative conventions of the society should not be subject to any form of aggression.

Gender rights are human rights, which must be protected by the government and schools alike by writing and implementing necessary policies.

May 2017

Opinion

A “Forced” Night... again.

This year, the college made it mandatory once again for all the students of College of Arts and Letters (CAL) to pay the college night fee which is worth Php 400, with a threat of community service and clearance difficulties if the student won’t be able to attend the night, especially if he or she didn’t paid the fee and attend the night at the same time.

Because of this, some students were forced to produce Php 400 and attend the night even if they do not want to because either they didn’t have that kind of money or they didn’t want to party and instead feel good at home doing other stuff.

The community service can still be a good thing because it is for the benefit of the college and also students will be taught on proper discipline.

from Page 11

However, isn’t this punishment a little too much? They should let the students make their own decisions and let them give the leeway to choose whether to attend the CAL night or not.

The truth is, not all the students were into that kind of stuff. Also, what if a student has a prior commitment that night? Won’t it be understandable?

It may seem like a good idea for others to make it a requirement to pay the CAL night fee because the students will be encouraged to go, and the funds collected will be used for the projects for the improvement of our college.

But, not everyone can afford to produce Php 400 in a short period of time, especially those who have financial difficulties.

It is also understandable that the faculty is

When Tradition...

media when it comes to news and information dissemination?”

Primarily, Internet was just a platform that served to interconnect laboratories that were engaged in government research before expanding to serve millions of users throughout the world in various purposes in 1994; social networking being one of them.

The answer for me is no.

The challenge to our media organizations today is how they’ll cope with the fast-paced progress of our technology where most of the people get their information from the World Wide Web. Contents are being shared rapidly, alongside with false news and information.

Some even believe that newspapers, radios and television will soon be wiped out by online and user-generated content as everything is basically at the tip of our hands.

The lingering question is, “Is alternative media really going to outrun traditional

requiring all the students to attend the college night because they believe that they want all of them enjoyed and be happy at the same time, but what about the others. Students had different views on it, whether some of them are party goers or some of them just wants to be at home rather than party all night.

The college may still required the student to pay the college night fee, for the money will be used for the benefit of the students.

However, they should try not to force the student to attend the night if they do not want to. The annual college night is an event full of happy memories wherein the students get to enjoy, let loose, have fun and forget school requirements for a little while.

With that, don’t give the students a bad impression on one of the most memorable nights of a college student’s life.

from Page 11

common and widespread, especially on social media where most interactions occur.

As of May 2013, 4.75 billion pieces of content were shared daily on Facebook, and has been growing exponentially. This means that information and news, in various forms such as posts, links or photos, whether it is true or not, could spread throughout the world in mere seconds. This exhibits the astonishing yet scary capability of the Internet. It even came to a point where majority of our people now get their information from the alternative media rather than our mainstream media.

Vol V 13

Starting it off, traditional media is the backbone of news reporting. Being one of the oldest media alongside radios and televisions, mainstream media has the fundamentals of proper news reporting wherein these emerging alternative media outlets should root on. After all, the mainstream media has earned its respect when it comes to breaking events with accuracy, immediacy and objectivity.

Moreover, the alternative media is still a danger zone for those who have high agendasetting effects, simplifying it, for gullible people. The alternative media is a really democratic site; everyone can share news and information without being bounded by ethics.

There is no filtering of words and photos nor editors that will proofread and fact-check the articles being published. Everything is exposed to the public eye to view; and shallow minds to absorb.

It is not new to us how trolls and fake news has inhabited the alternative media, particularly the social networking sites. Therefore, alternative media isn’t fully harvesting the merit of major information sources as there are still areas that need to be improved. Not saying that the mainstream media is perfect

or superior over alternative media, but what makes them different is that the former follows a code of ethics and has more experienced media practitioners than the latter.

On the other hand, mainstream media should be flexible if they want to continue their advocacy of reporting truth. They should also grow and adapt to what is on trend. This has been exhibited in the emergence of credible online media sites which are counterparts of our mainstream media organizations such as GMA News Online and ABS-CBN News Online. Our major broadsheets also transformed from large-printed papers into compact websites like INQUIRER.net. Also, a news media organization has been formed and operates solely on the Internet in the image of RAPPLER. A scenario that could prove mainstream media could work hand in hand with the alternative media.

Capping it off, we should look at alternative media not as a threat, but an opportunity for us media men to exercise our power of being watchdogs of our society. Through alternative media, we could reach and educate more souls about what’s really happening in our society.

We should look at it as our advantage so that our people could have a wider scope of our lens. After all, we are aiming for one goal of providing our people with truth and nothing but the truth.

ISSUE No. 2

ISSUE No. 2 01 Vol V

Para kay Eba

March 2017

News

ni Aspartame

March 2017

News

Napakatamis, napakasarap, ang mansanas nang malasap.

Vol V 01

Strings of Puppetry by soliloquies When the light came,

Sana’y nagtagal, sana’y nanuot ang sarap,

Mankind was born

nang matamasa pa sa hinaharap.

In a bite of fruit, Came enslaved by the puppeteer

Ngayo’y kumunot; tiyang kumulot

Quenching the thirst for the taboo at day

Dala ng hapdi’t kirot; ng pait ng nabulok.

Which poisoned him at night

Lumalalang polusyon, sumasakal na korapsyon,

Strings attached to his arms and limbs Like rusty chains - unbreakable and unescapable

Wala nang malasahan ang nasyon.

Ipalasap mo rin sana kay Juan, kay Maria at sa Ina.

Making him crave for the earthly lust.

Para ‘di magtaka, kung dito na nga lang ba

Voices echoed down to his lobe As the puppeteer grin.

O may malalasahan pa, Eba.

His agony heard by the King Cutting off the strings of puppetry Freeing mankind from the strings of puppetry forever.

Highest Sin

by Ryan John Magno Breathing whispers that could never be silenced torments the holy mind.

Gifted with intellect and passion

Si Eba

ni Pi

Sa tadyang lang raw ni Adan

the spirit cannot be pacified

Kasi kinuha si Eba

with the sweet allure of liberation.

Kaya mahina raw siya

The basic of all humanity

Hindi niya raw kasi kaya

is man’s inclination to himself.

Ang gawain ng mga lalaki

He sees to force the divine in his chest but in the abyss of his gut he feels the need – to escape the tethers of his superiors.

And when anarchy invites him to sin

Hanggang bahay lang raw ang mga tulad niya Maghuhugas ng pinggan, maglalabada

he will – as in the end he examines

Maliit ang kanyang mga braso

not the blood neither the damage nor the corpse

Na kalian man ay hindi nakahawak ng martilyo

but his delight in the rush of blood and sweat.

At hindi na yata kahit kalian pa

Even innocence has its end unless man had already forgiven himself.

Even if tears were to swarm his face

Dahil ang unang beses na ibinaon niya ang pako

it suffices the truth of survival.

Sa mga sugat na nais niyang maghilom

In the end, life favors a war within

Ay hindi na siya si Eba

and in such a way no one is unscarred; he is but bruised and wounded;

Sinuway niya ang kanyang ama

and he laughs and grins at the dirt he wears.

Ngunit lingid sa kaalaman na sa pagalis sa paraiso

He proclaims, to sin is to live – such is our destiny.

Si Eba ay nakalaya mula sa tunay na impiyerno

Bitak ng Buhay ni Nyanko Sensei “Sinabi niya sa babae, Pararamihin kong lubha ang iyong kalumbayan at ang iyong paglilihi; manganganak kang may kahirapan.”

-Genesis 3:16a Nagbibitak-bitak ang lupa, kapag ito’y natutuyo. Gumaspang, at dumami ang uka ng noon ay pinong lupa. ‘Pagkat naibigay na nito ang lahat ng tubig, sa mga halamang nakaugat sa kanya.

Magbibitak-bitak din naman ang buto, kapag ito’y nakabaon upang umusbong ang binhi.

Nagbibitak-bitak ang balat ng isang ina, kapag siya’y nagbubuntis. Gumaspang, at dumami ang uka, ng noon ay makinis na kutis. ‘Pagkat kailangang magkasya ang lumalaking sanggol, sa sinapupunang kinalalagyan nito.

Magbibitak-bitak din naman ang balat ng itlog, kapag buo na ang sisiw.

Magbibitak-bitak din naman ang inunan ng ina, kapag handa na ang batang harapin ang daigdig.

Eba, ito ang iyong sumpa.

Ito rin ang iyong biyaya.

Graphics by Therese Veronique Baluyot

The Curse of Adam, The Shabu User

Not Invited

by Walang Tinta

by Youkai Watch

Panginoong Duterte called Adam and said, “Where are you?”

So he said, “I heard the police walking past our house, and I was afraid because I high, so I hid.”

So Panginoong Duterte said, “Who told you you were high? Have you smoked shabu?”

Then the man said, “The pusher in the neighborhood is the one who gave it to me! I am only a user, but I don’t rape or murder anyone.”

So Panginoong Duterte said to Adam, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all the criminals, and more than every sinner in this country.

“On your belly, you shall be shot, and you shall eat your own blood, all the days of your life.

“And I will put enmity between you and the nation, and between human rights activists and my supporters. They shall bruise your name, and you shall plead for their mercy.

“Because you have heeded the voice of the pusher, and have smoked shabu, cursed is your family, who shall mourn at your grave.

“And every addict left in the Philippines, shall be hunted by my police, all the days of their lives.”

“Speak now or forever hold your peace,” the priest said. Not a single sound was heard.

My sweat started to drown me as the dress I’ve prepared for this day, drenched in them.

“I do,” he finally said.

My lips, redder than the colour of the roses in this church combined, revealed a smile. How sweet. Sweeter than how I remembered his kiss to be. My thoughts zoomed in on the man wearing a dapper jet black tuxedo in front of me. Flashbacks from that night hit me as the bells began to move and the sound from them started to resonate over the excited murmurs of the guests.

Finally, after greeting his family and friends, he met my eyes. Those brown orbs grew shocked as he saw me, hiding within their beaming guests. My smile turned into an evil smirk. He should be thankful I didn’t stand up during the ceremony as he stared lovingly and innocently at his wife, eyes wrinkled and lips upward, staring as equally intense at him, unaware of her husband’s sin.

The windows to his soul, took the soul from his body as they landed on my hand, caressing my plump belly, home to the life we created when temptation swallowed his being.

16 Vol V

News

Grade concerns arise...

“Kasi irregular student ako, so ang iniisip ko ngayon pa’no kung may mabagsak na naman akong subject so hopefully sana wala na akong maging problema,” Lee expressed.

To lessen the fear of the students, the scheduled evaluation of grades is on May 4-5 as per

May 2017

from Page 5

Macayan.

Moreover, certain dates to remember includes the tentative date for OJT enrollment on the last week of May, payment for SIP kit and shirt will be on the first week of May, last week of July

is the last day of SIP and the submission of SIP kit is scheduled on the second week of August.

The orientation went smooth as discussions of the rules, regulations and guidelines were discussed according to the program.

BroadcAss Prexy... na parang gumagano’n [nalulunod na] sila,” Bordios, who is also the production assistant of the film, said.

After some time the water current changed, Nardo Cruz, dove into the river trying to save the two and Peralta also threw a small piece of bamboo which Cruz used to pull the two but it did not suffice.

“Tinanong ko, marunong ka bang lumangoy kasi gusto ko nga [sana] kung marunong siya, iiwan ko siya [Jericho] hihilahin ko ‘yong isa [Jaycie], [sabi naman niya], ‘Hindi, ako’y natatakot, kuya. Tulungan mo ‘ko.’ Kaya no’ng kumapit siya [Jericho] sa kawayan na payat nagkadalawa na sila, hindi ko na mahatak, nagyakapan, lumubog,” Cruz narrated.

After the occurrence, the others tried to look for Balitaosan and Burgos, calling out their names in hope to hear a response from them because even before that, Cruz and Bordios witnessed Balitaosan float before the water changed direction.

In fact, it is not only Balitaosan and Burgos who were swimming when the accident occurred; Norven, the one who survived, immediately got off the river as Bordios explained.

Abner Palad, barangay captain of Matictic, stated that there is no courtesy call in the said shooting; otherwise, strict security would be implemented.

Balitaosan was the president of BroadcAss for the A.Y. 2016-2017, and he led the first seminarworkshop under BroadcAss entitled “Behind the Scenes: Uncover What’s Unseen.”

Bordios admitted that the college was not informed about the said shooting, while Peralta countered that the production told her that the college is informed about the shoot when she asked them about it.

Ms. Shellah Venturina, BroadcAss adviser and one of the closest instructors to Balitaosan, shared that he was a very positive and easy to be with type of person.

College Secretary Crisanta de Leon confirmed that there is no permit issued to the production because it is a non-curricular activity, and in fact, the film that was about to produce is an entry for SiBul of Multimedia Division (MD).

“Tinanong ko lang [siya](Multimedia Division adviser Mr. Regemrei Bernardo), kung may permit ba na lumabas ‘yong mga bata, so sinabi niya nga na wala namang connection do’n sa subject nila at contest ‘yon, hindi naman kailangan ng permit,” de Leon said.

ACTION TAKEN AND SYMPATHY BY THE COLLEGE According to De Leon, Dr. Bonifacio Cunanan, Dean of CAL, went to Norzagaray Police Station together with Dr. Ricardo Capule, Dean of College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) upon learning about the accident.

On the contrary, Cruz’s sister Alona Cruz Peralta, cottage owner and the one who tend to them during their stay countered that she lent them a rope beforehand because she had seen the production team’s cameraman standing in the water area.

“Si Doc Bon, mayroon siyang meeting, hindi siya um-attend at pinaboran nga niya ulit na bumalik sa Norzagaray. So no’ng Sabado nando’n siya, Monday bumalik ulit siya do’n,” she said.

On January 9, Monday, around 5:30 in the morning, according to Kagawad Terry Velasquez, who was there during the rescue proper, Balitaosan’s body was found under the Matictic Bridge while Burgos’ body was found in Pugpog, almost three kilometers away from Matictic Bridge, at 2:00 in the afternoon.

“Nag-start ‘yong rescue no’n no’ng hapon na ‘yon, Sabado nagsimula. Ngayon ang pamilya nito [Jaycie] dumating sa ‘kin ng mga alas kwatro ng madaling araw kaya nakipagtulungan na tayo at dito sila nagpunta, kinabukasan na ‘yon,” Velasquez said.

ISSUES ABOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHORITY

BALITAOSAN AS A PERSON, STUDENT AND LEADER

“Walang courtesy call sa ‘min ‘yong school o kahit na ‘yong mga bata para at least naasistehan namin,” Palad said.

There were no protective measures such as a life guard on watch, life vest to be worn, or any rope in the said place to keep the two from drowning, and that the rescue responders did not come immediately.

“[Nag]hanap ako ng lubid na pinahiram ko sa kanila ro’n, hindi daw nila alam, ‘yon pala naiwan do’n, iniwan nila. Sabi ko sa kanila, ba’t niyo iniwan, alam niyong ‘yon ay pangemergency kaya ko lang pinahiram sa inyo kasi sabi niyo kailangan niyo,” Peralta explained.

from Page 5

commemorative film festival,” he said.

De Leon added that the MCPAD faculty went to Balitaosan’s family in Meycauayan City to get updates and confide the family.

The college empathizes with the loss of Balitaosan as they monitored the incident and the entire faculty visited his wake.

Other than that, Dr. Cunanan and De Leon, together with the SiBul adviser Mr. Regemrei Bernardo also had a meeting with Bulacan State University (BulSU) President Dr. Cecilia Gascon concerning the continuation of SiBul this year.

According to Bernardo, the film festival will push through this year despite the incident as recommended by President Gascon and that SiBul will serve as a tribute to Balitaosan and Burgos.

“Wala naman siyang [President Gascon] nakikitang dahilan para itigil kasi nga I gave her a background na, ‘yong lima kasi, tapos na mag-shoot, kumbaga the effort of the students na natapos na kasi, I mean, parang sayang naman… And it was also agreed na it will be a

“Unang kita ko sa batang ‘yan, wala akong inhibition, niyayakap ko agad ‘yan, inaakbayan ko agad ‘yan, kaya no’ng nabalitaan ko ‘yon, sobrang bigat ng pakiramdam, para bang kung puwede lang ‘wag muna pumunta ng school,” she shared.

Also, Kim Nicole Samson, then Vice President of BroadcAss and now president shared his experiences with Balitaosan during his term.

“I think effective siyang leader, kasi kahit magkakaibigan kami at parang wala nang boundaries eh kasi parang tropa-tropa kami, kaya niyang pasunurin kami, kaya niyang magisip ng mga bago, bagong event na puwedeng ilunsad ng organization,” Samson said.

Bordios, Balitaosan’s bestfriend, expressed her grief upon his loss, explaining that it was their first time bonding in a long time due to school activities.

“Dati lagi niyang sinasabi na ‘di kumpleto ‘yong araw niya kapag ‘di kami magkakasamang tatlo (Bordios, Balitaosan and former president of BroadcAss Brix Justine Pagtalunan)… nasanay na ‘ko na every night kasi kahit ‘di kami magkasama or magka-text, every night [tinetext niya] kami ng ‘I love you, goodnight,’” she said.

Balitaosan grew and was raised by his grandmother. The College Secretary shared what she and Balitaosan’s grandmother talked about.

“No’ng burol nando’n kami, ‘yong lola na-express niya ‘yong panghihinayang daw niya, ‘yong ipinangako ni Jaycie sa kanya, ‘yong ibibili siya ng kotse kapag nagkatrabaho, kaya nalungkot talaga kami,” she said.

It was a short life well lived according to the people surrounding him, and was inspired by him.

Venturina also expressed how Balitaosan became an inspiration for his co-students.

“Last time nga ang daming um-attend no’ng meeting [ng BroadcAss], before, konti lang, hirap hikayatin ng mga bata pero ngayon ang dami kasi mayro’n silang reason na itutuloy ito kasi sinimulan ni Jaycie,” she ended.

May 2017

Vol V 17

News

TINTAgisan 2017 Winners NEWS WRITING (ENGLISH) 3RD PLACE: John Marc Cruz (BAJ-2A) 2nd PLACE: Jasmine Grace Rivera (BAJ-3A) 1st PLACE: Ronaldo Magsakay (BAJ-2A)

NEWS WRITING (FILIPINO) 3RD PLACE: Maricar Dimla (BAJ-4A) 2nd PLACE: Spencer Roncales (BAB-3C) 1st PLACE: Reggie Rey Fajardo (BAMP-3A)

OPINION WRITING (ENGLISH) 3RD PLACE: Mark Antony Illustrisimo (BAMC-4A) 2nd PLACE: Anne Stephanie Vicente (BAMC-4A) 1st PLACE: Aira Clarize Vargas (BAMC-4C)

OPINION WRITING (FILIPINO) 3RD PLACE: Marion Angela Lozano (BAMC-4C) 2nd PLACE: Michaela Marie Oliveria (BAMC-4C) 1st PLACE: Jeremie Joson (BAMP-2A)

FEATURE WRITING (ENGLISH) 3RD PLACE: Dana Nicole Mirador (BAJ-2A) 2nd PLACE: Jeimi Belleen Aesquivel (BAJ-4A) 1st PLACE: Aaron San Mateo (BAJ-2A)

FEATURE WRITING (FILIPINO) 3RD PLACE: Reggie Rey Fajardo (BAMP-3A) 2nd PLACE: Marjory Infante (BAJ-4A) 1st PLACE: Spencer Roncales (BAB-3C)

LITERARY WRITING (ENGLISH) 3RD PLACE: John Albert David (BAJ-3A) 2nd PLACE: Shara Padilla (BAJ-3A)

LITERARY WRITING (FILIPINO) 3RD PLACE: Jeremie Joson (BAMP-2A) 2nd PLACE: Christian de Jesus (BAMC-4D)

Roel Jerome Carillo (BAMP-2A)

SPORTS WRITING (ENGLISH) 3RD PLACE: Carl Joseph Mercado (BAJ-3A) 2nd PLACE: Mark Antony Illustrisimo (BAMC-4A) 1st PLACE: Danzell Carlos Cruz (BAMC-4C)

SPORTS WRITING (FILIPINO) 3RD PLACE: Adrian Carl Nicodemus (BAJ-4A) 2nd PLACE: Jerome Calayag (BAJ-2A) 1st PLACE: Allyana Almonte (BAJ-3A)

PHOTOJOURNALISM (ENGLISH) 3RD PLACE: Irish Gaile Ocampo (BAJ-3A) 2nd PLACE: Jenny Lyn Santos (BAMC-4C) 1st PLACE: Shara Padilla (BAJ-3A)

PHOTOJOURNALISM (FILIPINO) 3RD PLACE: Ma. Therese Diane Espiritu (BAMC-4A) 2nd PLACE: Jenny Lyn Santos (BAMC-4C) 1st PLACE: Monica Bautista (BAJ-3A)

Best Director: Carl Angelo Espiritu Best Scriptwriter: Carl Angelo Espiritu MAJOR AWARDS:

Best Magazine Show: Tripid (Running Man) Best Host: Patricia Ann Alvaro Best Director: Carl Angelo Espiritu Best Scriptwriter: Mark Antony Illustrisimo

News Category

Documentary Category

Best News Program: Ratsada Balita (Jack N’ Jill Prod) Best News Anchor: Spencer Roncales Best Field Reporter: Jam Pellina Best Writer: Spencer Roncales Magazine Category

Best Documentary Program: Deboto (Running Man Productions) Best Host: Carl Angelo Espiritu Best Director: Carl Angelo Espiritu Best Scriptwriter: Carl Angelo Espiritu

BULSU TV AWARDS MINOR AWARDS: News Category Best News Anchor: Spencer Roncales Best Field Reporter: Jam Pellina Best Writer: Spencer Roncales Magazine Category Best Host: Patricia Ann Alvaro Best Director: Carl Angelo Espiritu Best Scriptwriterr: Mark Antony Illustrisimo Documentary Category Best Host: Carl Angelo Espiritu

Media Olympics NEWS ANCHORING CHAMPION: Jervin Necessario and Keren Alvarez (BAB 3B) 2ND PLACE: Carl Andrei Dulalia and Jerchelle Villarin (BAB 3D) 3RD PLACE: Christian de Jesus and Hazel Marie Manuel (BAMC 4D), Fionamae Abainza and Joymie Garcia (BAMC 4A) RADIO ANNOUNCING CHAMPION: Kenneth Dimaano (BAB 3A) 2ND PLACE: Amiel Salamat (BAB 3D) 3RD PLACE: Jericho Glocto (BAB 2B) DISK JOCKEYING CHAMPION: Spencer Roncales (BAB 3C) 2ND PLACE: Nikki Galvez (BAMC 4C) 3RD PLACE: Regin-Rex Estrella (BAB 3D) FIELD REPORTING CHAMPION: Mark Antony Illustrisimo (BAMC 4A) 2ND PLACE: Patricia Ann Alvaro (BAMC 4A) 3RD PLACE: Christine Mae Robles (BAB 3C) OVERALL CHAMPION: BAMC 4D

PAD-TA Awards Best Set Design: Reinier Santos, “Chitra of Manipur: A dance musical on love and acceptance” Best in Lights Execution: John Hendrick Contreras, “Chitra of Manipur: A dance musical on love and acceptance” Best Male Actor: Mateo San Juan as John, “Ang Unang Regla ni John”

Best Female Actor: Frea Beatrice Pineda as Anna, “Ellas Inocentes” Best Director: Christian Aldrin dela Cruz and Frea Beatrice Pineda, “Chitra of Manipur: A dance musical on love and acceptance” Best Production: “Chitra of Manipur: A dance musical on love and acceptance”

SiBul Film Festival Winners Best Film: “Jak En Poy”

Best Screenplay: “Sakaling Malimutan”

Best Director: Ar-jen Manlapig, “Jak En Poy”

Best in Cinematography: “Jak En Poy”

Best Actress: “Ang Pinakamagandang Habi ni Selya”, Carl Angelo Espiritu (BAMC 4C)

Best in Production Design: “Ang Pinakamagandang Habi ni Selya”

Viewer’s Choice Award: “Sakaling Malimutan”, Joymie Garcia (BAMC 4A) Jury’s Choice Award: “Sakaling Malimutan”

Best in Sound Design: “Jak En Poy” Most Liked Teaser: “Obra Maestra”, Trisha Gatchalian (BAB 3D)

18 Vol V

DevComm

May 2017

May 2017

Vol V 19

DevComm

“

Sana ngayon pag ginagawa na nila mammaintain na rin ‘yong cleanliness.

Fully Flushed: The ultimate yet bumpy avenue to make-over CAL Comfort Room

By Mariam del Rosario Ella May Alvaran and Monica Bautista

Photos by Zainel Christian Sebastian It won’t be easy but, it’ll be worth it.

Now that the comfort room of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) is under renovation, looking for another restroom to use has been a daily struggle for the students of CAL. The renovation is handled by the Facility Management Office (FMO) which started last January 9, 2017.

As the reconstruction took place before the first week of classes, the renovation that has been causing inconvenience had left many students asking: Why did the renovation have to start when it was already the beginning of classes? How long will we have to wait for it to end?

Several students questioned the comfort room renovation. Quinn Avery Conos of BAJ 2A gave her thoughts about it, wondering why the renovation took so long to start.

“Maganda naman ‘yong plan kasi kailangan na talaga ‘yon i-renovate, ‘yon nga lang bakit ngayon pa ni-renovate? Dapat during vacation na lang, marami rin kasing naaapektuhan kaya halos puno tuloy lagi sa ibang CR sa Fed [Federizo Hall] kasi nga kulang talaga ng mga CR,” she said.

Conos also stated that the renovation of the comfort rooms had always been a long awaited project of students like her but did not expect to have the repair this late.

THE

CLOCK IS TICKING FOR RESTROOM DEVELOPMENT

THE

According to FMO’s designer and estimator, Jan Lester De Leon, one of the people in charge for the renovation of the facilities inside the Federizo Hall, the CAL comfort room was requested for repair and maintenance by Dr. Bonifacio Cunanan, college dean, last 2016 under the Project Procurement Management Plan (PPMP) of Bulacan State University (BulSU), He also stated that the estimated repair cost of the facility, specifically for the CAL comfort room, is more or less ranged in Php400,000. He further added that the fund for the repairs and renovations came from the university.

“Bale tatlo pala ‘yon meron pang fiduciary, tapos ‘yong GAA which is ‘yong galing sa ating national government, at tsaka ‘yong income fund, ‘yong kita mismo ng school,” De Leon said.

With this, Dr. Cunanan said that this renovation is part of a series of massive repair not only in the college but also, in other colleges like College of Science (CS), College of Engineering (COE), and also College of Education (CoED). He also stated the project is expected to be finished by the end of the second semester of 2017, “We expect that the project will be finished by the end of the second semester of

2017, only for the CR,” he confirmed.

‘yon, papalitan,” Engr. Ordoña delineated.

The FMO claimed that the Adimre Construction, which served as the contractor, had the fault because the Notice to Proceed (NTP) was released last November 22 and Adimre Construction was given 10 days to start the project, but to no avail, they only started at the start of 2017.

For this reason, many CAL students, like John Rick Villuafuerte of Theater Arts 3A, are having a hard time using comfort rooms in Federizo Hall since there are only limited restrooms in the vicinity.

“Nag-start sila ng January 9, ang actual day 1 nila. Pero dapat by contract, nag-start na sila ng as early as December 2, 2016. Since na-late sila nag-start, kaya medyo na-late ‘yong trabaho nila,” De Leon stated.

According to Engr. Abigail Ordoña, project coordinator of Adimre Construction, the renovation was delayed because they had so many projects to finish but to compensate with the numerous work delays, they added more men in the project to chase the deadline.

Engr. Ordoña also stated that the Adimre Construction faced consequences which included money compensation for the work days they had missed.

Furthermore, the comfort room and the other facilities held by the contractor are estimated to be finished by third week or fourth week of February 2017.

“Kasi ang kulang na lang naman ‘yong bintana since nasukatan na s’ya i-install na lang ‘yong mga bintana papalitan ‘yong mga... mga fixtures, ‘yong water closet, ‘yong bowl natin

He said that it’s somehow embarrassing because CAL students like him, would need to run to other college’s comfort room to pee.

For him, it would not be a nuisance if it was constructed earlier.

Meanwhile, for some, the renovation of the comfort room is a good thing because it will be more convenient and pleasant than its previous state, so that every student can use it anytime.

“Maganda, kasi kung ni-renovate ang CR sa CAL eh kaaya-aya na sa pag-ihi,” Jomari Lorenzo of Malikhaing Pagsulat 3A said.

Adimre Construction is also in charge to recondition the CS statistics room, CS stock room and College of Architecture and Fine Arts dean’s office and faculty rooms at Federizo Hall’s third floor.

Jaime Villafuerte is one of these people and he stated that the tiles and flooring seemed to be intact and observed that the real problem seems to be the water supply of the facility.

In explanation, De Leon stated that the problem is the overflowing water in the flooring and the renovation also include the changing of cleaves on the flooring.

“Bale sa ating CAL comfort room, for renovation lang so papalitan at aayusin ‘yong mga linya since may report na parang umaapaw nga raw ‘yong tubig so magpapalit tayong mga sanitary lines niya. Pati ‘yong fittings papalitan na rin natin since luma na as for new avenue ...so tatanggalin lang natin ‘yong problema which is umaapaw ‘yong tubig d’on sa ating flooring kaya babaguhin natin ‘yong cleeve n’ya para maayos,” De Leon explained.

As the redevelopment of the public toilet continued, new materials were produced but same designs were planned.

The Adimre construction followed the building plan of the FMO and that is to eliminate the problem within the said facility.

A TIME OF COMFORT IN THE COMFORT ROOM

With this, CAL students are hoping that the problem, especially in terms of atmosphere, would be finally put to rest and that the renovation will be the ultimate solution.

Walking in the hallways, many onlookers are casting questions and curious glances at the renovation of the comfort room. CAL instructor

“Okay s’ya pagka nagawa na kasi kadalasan ‘di ba ang baho nyan? Madumi

talaga. Sana ngayon pag ginagawa na nila ma-maintain na rin ‘yong cleanliness, ganyan.

‘Yon lang, ayon sana maayos.” Czarina Marie Tolentino of BAMC 4A expressed.

Tired of running to different college’s comfort room? Well, the solution and the answer might come to reality.

After the repair and maintenance, other colleges would also come running to our comfort room, because they want to experience the output. The process may be long and slow paced that your bladder may or may have not agreed, it would be worth it to finally use a facility without any uttered complains.

But also, the students and faculty should give their cooperation by maintaining the comfort room clean, neat, and presentable.

Because after all, we all use the same comfort rooms in order to freshen up our senses and system, so the maintenance and cleanliness must start to ourselves if we really want clean and fresh restrooms.

Moreover, Dr. Cunanan shared to The Communiqué that there will be another upcoming renovations like faculty room, dean’s office and mini auditorium that will certainly benefit CAL students and the faculty.

“For the College of Arts and Letters, we have started with the improvement of the comfort rooms. Then, we’re going to have also the improvement of the faculty room, the dean’s office and also our classroom for the Theater Arts students [Rooms] 111, 112 and 113. We have this plan of collapsing the divider between 111 and 112 so that we would be able to have a mini auditorium where we could hold some events like meetings or small conferences or theatrical presentations,” he ended. (With reports with Janina Elena Carpio)

20 Vol V

May 2017

Features

CAL Seniors’ Recipe Book: Rekado Para sa Isang Makabuluhang OJT

Mga Sangkap: 4 kilong kaalaman 12 bote ng tapang 1 buong sipag 1 tasang tiyaga 1 pakete ng pagsisikap

N

200 pirasong pagtitiis 1 mangkok ng disiplina

Ilan sa ating mga kamag-aral sa Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura (KAL) ang nagbahagi ng kanilang recipe sa kanilang nagdaang OJT at ito ay pinagsama-sama upang makabuo ng isang espesyal na produktong tiyak na pasok sa panlasa mo.

Mga Hakbang: PAGPAPALASA SA KATOTOHANAN Una, hindi lamang ang papel, panulat at kamera ang dapat ihanda kundi mismo ang iyong sarili sa pagsabak sa karerang iyong pinili.

Hindi nagsisimula at natatapos ang pagiging mamamahayag sa pagsusulat lamang, dahil katulad ng pagluluto ay kinakailangan ang mabusising pamamaraan upang lumabas ang katotohan kahit ito pa ang maging dahilan ng iyong pagkapaso.

Katulad na lamang ng naging karanasan ni Jasch Caballero ng BAJ 4A na bukod sa kaalaman ay kinailangan niyang magdagdag ng karagdagang tapang sa pangangalap ng impormasyon at katotohanan.

Pumasok si Caballero bilang intern sa Newscore, isang community paper sa Bulacan

na pinamamahalaan ni Carmela Reyes-Estrope, at kaagad nasubukan ang kaniyang tapang noong siya ay sinabak sa isang coverage noong Eleksyon 2016 sa Lungsod ng Meycauayan.

Isa sa kanyang mga ginawa noong coverage ay ang pagmamatyag sa mga namimili at bumibili ng boto at hinarap niya ang peligrong kakambal ng propesyon na nais niyang tahakin.

Hindi niya malilimutan ang pangyayaring natutukan siya ng 12 baril ng mga pulis, matapos siyang mahuling kinukunan ang mga bayarang nagaganap upang makakalap ng boto noong nagdaang eleksyon.

“Nahuli namin sila, caught in the act, nagbabayad sila, siguro napikon tinutukan nila kami,” kwento ni Caballero.

Hindi niya naitago ang naramdamang takot sa pagpait ng timpla ng pangyayaring

Vol V 21

Features

“Maging humble ka, tsaka mahalin mo ‘yong ginagawa mo, kasi kahit saang larangan ng buhay kahit matalino ka, mayaman ka, kung hindi ka humble, wala kang kwentang tao,” pagbabahagi niya.

Nina Emelita Aguilar, Nikki Cruz at Princess Flores Graphics by Therese Veronique Baluyot and Rod Harvey Camay

ais mo ba ng isang malaman at malasang karanasan sa iyong On-the-Job Training (OJT)?

‘Yong hindi masyadong matamis, hindi rin naman matabang, tamang timpla lang para masabi mong sulit ang iyong pinagpaguran. Ano nga ba ang swak na rekado sa recipe na nais mo?

May 2017

iyon, lalo’t buhay niya ang nakataya.

“Sa totoo lang umiyak ako no’n, oo tinutukan ako nanginginig ako pero hawak ko ‘yong camera ko naka-video sila,” dagdag pa niya.

Pagkaraan nito, dapat ihiwalay ang expectations o ang inaasahan sa magiging realidad upang maiwasan ang pagpakla sa buhay OJT mo.

“Sa totoo, ang inaasahan ko lang ay yo’ng simple lang, ‘yong tambay-tambay lang ako.

Ang ideal ko nga sana nasa office pero no’ng habang nag-oOJT na nga ako ang nasabi ko na mas maganda ang nasa field,” ani Caballero.

Ibinahagi rin niya ang kanyang espesyal na sangkap na tiyak ding magpapalasa sa iyong lulutuing karera.

TAMIS- ANGHANG SA LIKOD NG KAMERA Higit sa mga ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha at kumpiyansa sa bawat salita ay ang hamon na hikayatin ang marami na makinig sa kanilang pagbabalita.

Kasama sa pagbudbod ng pagiging propesyonal ay ang pagharap sa mga responsibilidad. Iyan naman ang paraang ginamit ni Carren Angela Malacat mula sa BAMC 4-B, matapos makatikim ng maanghang na salita mula sa isang head department sa DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 (Special Projects) kung saan siya unang nag-OJT bilang researcher.

“Natahimik lang kami no’n kasi nagulat din kami, tapos parang ano kasi s’yempre sa media [industry] parang ine-expect mo naman na ganon ‘yong mga tao, nagyosi siya pagkatapos, nagpakalma siya tapos ayon pagbalik niya okay na siya,” kuwento ni Malacat.

Lingid sa kaalaman ng marami ay isang kahingian o requirement sa kursong Broadcasting ang makapag- OJT sa TV network o Production, lalo na sa mga istasyon ng radyo.

“Maging humble ka, ‘tsaka mahalin mo ‘yong ginagawa mo.

Kaya’t mula sa mga maaanghang na salitang kaniyang nalasap ay nagawa niyang patamisin ang timpla ng mga pangyayari. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng magkahalong sipag at tiyaga matapos siyang mabigyan ng credit bilang isa sa mga researchers ng programang Mission Possible ng ABS-CBN.

kaniyang pagsisikap.

“Hindi ko makakalimutan ‘yong nakapagpa-air ako ng story na ako ‘yong nagresearch. Tapos lumabas ako sa credits, yehey!” masayang pagtatapos ni Malacat.

Gisado man sa pagod at puyat, hindi ito naging dahilan para kay San Luis na ma-late sa OJT dahil nagbuhos siya ng disiplina pagdating sa oras.

PAGBABALAT NG EKSENA SA HARAP AT LIKOD NG ENTABLADO

“Sobrang struggle ‘yong uwian. Pero ‘yong feeling na araw-araw nando’n ako sa pangarap ko, ang sarap sa feeling,” ani San Luis.

Ang pagiging Theater Arts student ay maikukumpara sa paghihiwa ng sibuyas.

Ang epekto nito ay pag-iyak na kadalasan ay dahil sa pag-arte ngunit maaari din namang dahil sa paghihirap; ang pagpupursigi upang ibigay ang buong puso sa ginagawa.

Bukod sa mga nabanggit, huwag kalilimutang magbuhos ng pagtitiis dahil isa ‘yan sa mga pangunahing sangkap sa binubuo nating mga pangarap.

Kagaya na lamang ng pagtitiis at disiplinang ipinakita ni Robert Joshua San Luis ng BATA 4A sa kanyang pagsabak sa OJT sa Tanghalang Pilipino ng Cultural Center of the Philippines na dati ay pinangarap niya lang, ngunit nagkaroon ng katuparan.

Hindi man lubos na sumang-ayon ang kanyang mga magulang dahil sa layo ng distansya, nagpursigi pa rin si San Luis upang araw-araw na makarating sa CCP kahit na ang baong pera ay sadyang sapat lamang at sa kabila ng kakulangan ng rekado, nakuha pa rin niya ang katakam-takam na lasa mula sa

“Uwian ako no’ng time na ‘yon, baon ko everyday ay Php 200. Eh ang pamasahe dun balikan ay Php 200. Tapos natuto akong magbaon dun, natuto akong magbaon ng lunch,” saad niya.

Nagpatamis pang lalo ng kanyang karanasan ang pagkakaroon ng mga bagong kaibigan mula sa iba’t-ibang unibersidad. Bukod dito ay mas lalo pa niyang nalanghap ang bango ng kanyang pagsisikap nang makatrabaho niya ang mga artista at direktor na kanyang hinahangaan.

Napagtanto rin niya na hindi naman pala nakakapagod gawin ng paulit-ulit ang mga bagay na ating ginagawa kung ito ay ating sasamahan ng pinaghalong pagmamahal at pagpapahalaga.

Sa huli ay isa lang naman talaga ang dapat nating tandaan, hindi kung ilan o anong uri ng rekado ang meron tayo ngunit kung paano natin ginamit ang lahat ng ito upang makagawa ng isang produktong malasa at malaman.

Produktong kapag ating natikman ay masasabi nating sulit ang lahat ng rekadong ibinuhos natin at ang pagod sa paggawa ng mga hakbang.

22 Vol V

May 2017

Features

Undress and progress: Before throwing that ‘Versace on the Floor’

By Christia Marie Ramos, Wilfranz Rosqueta, and Mariam Del Rosario Graphics by Therese Veronique Baluyot and Rod Harvey Camay

62%

38,114 cases since 1984

New hiv cases in 2016 was among young people

AGE

15

24

HIV HUMAN IMMUNO DEFICIENCY VIRUS IS A VIRUS THAT DESTROYS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.

Aids ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME IS A CONDITION CAUSED

BY HIV WHEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM HAS SERIOUS DAMAGE. IT IS CONSIDERED AS THE FINAL STAGE OF HIV.

Around 25 filipinos are diagnose d daily VISIT THINK POSITIVE CAMPAIGN /TP CAMPAIGN/ @TP CAMPAIGN @TP CAMPAIGN

HIV can be transmitted by the following:

BLOOD TRANSFUSION

VAGINAL FLUID

BREAST FEEDING

ANAL FLUID

SEMEN

H

is hands find the clothes of his lover, and he takes off her shirt, her pants, then her undergarments and she does the same before he lays her on his bed. One thing sure in his head but then the voice of his conscience resounds in his head, “sure ka ba bro?”

If not, then strip away previous assumptions and perceptions, the clothes are off as the reality of reproductive health is peeled off, layer by layer.

“LET’S TAKE OUR TIME TONIGHT GIRL; ABOVE THAT WE SHOULD FIRST LEARN SOMETHING” Now that the Reproductive Health law is in full swing since November 30 of last year, how well does the youth know about it?

Arabelle Benedictos, BA Broadcasting 2B student, shared her thoughts about the law.

“Batas ‘to kung saan legal at makakatulong ang tamang pagpaplano ng pamilya through the use of different methods like condoms or contraceptions. Papasok din dito ‘yung pagpapalaganap ng information about family planning sa artipisyal na pamamaraan,” she said.

And that is absolutely true because according to Section 12, Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is the duty of the

State to protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution and equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.

This particular law entails protection not only in the literal sense but advocates a rallying cry of fairness and responsibilities for children, male, female, an individual and in a family.

The reproductive health law is like a house full of terrors and wonders that held people in the middle. It seems that people are weighing the situation before taking the risk of encouraging doing the deed or actually preventing people because the law have an inclusion that puts family planning high on the spotlight.

With this, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) aim to initiate a heightened nationwide multimedia-campaign to raise the level of public awareness on the protection and promotion of reproductive health, rights including family planning and responsible parenthood information and services, adolescent and youth reproductive health, guidance and counseling.

The family planning program is actually a political hot potato that people shouldn’t avoid.

Did you know? The RH law wants to shed light to the family planning program that

May 2017

Vol V 23

Features

it actually aims to hold a Mobile Health Care Service (MHCS) in a form of van.

The van will deliver health care goods and services to its constituents, more particularly to the poor and indigent, as well as disseminate knowledge and information on reproductive health that individuals should be conscious about.

Talks and whispers about the Reproductive Health law had been too much of a hot issue that it was always one of the usual things people talk about but also know nothing about. The shadows of the law may be what many people have seen but not fully embracing it. And asking the youth about it, is indeed a great start of having a marked line to awareness.

“TAKE IT OFF FOR ME, FOR ME, FOR ME, FOR ME NOW, GIRL BUT” Taking it off without actually thinking can lead you to losing more than just that piece of clothing.

“Taking

it off without actually thinking can lead you to losing more than just that piece of clothing.

According to the official statistics from National Youth Commission (NYC), 62% of new HIV cases in the Philippines in the year 2016 were among young people between the ages of 15 and 24, and more often than not, this is rooted from engaging to sex that is unprotected and uneducated.

Not only that, statistics from DOH showed that the fertility rate among Filipinos aged 15 to 19 are at all-time high while those from other age groups are decreasing.

Ralph Tanjutco of BAMP 2A believes in the relevance of talking about reproductive health.

“Relevant namang pag-usapan ang ganitong mga bagay sa kasalukuyang panahon dahil ang mga kabataan ay mas nagiging mapusok sa panahon na ito, at hindi naman natin silang pigilan sa dapat nilang gawin, hindi natin pwedeng sabihin sa kanila na huwag mag-engage sa pre-marital sex dahil mas hindi mamo-monitor ‘yon,” he said.

The youth, not only the poor and the ever-growing population, being at the receiving end of this lack of awareness in the issue is a reason not to disregard the knowledge all of us are responsible to know. Because in the end, it takes more than just protection, pills and methods to live a happy and healthy life.

“DON’T BE AFRAID TO SHOW IT ALL, I’LL BE RIGHT HERE TO HOLD YOU”

#ThinkPositiveCampaign in various social media platforms, especially Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you still haven’t heard and knew yet, ‘Think Positive’ is an advocacy campaign study from Bulacan State University (BulSU) and College of Arts and Letters (CAL) promoting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) awareness within the province of Bulacan in cooperation of Bulacan AIDS Council and Provincial Health Office.

The study was conceptualized by BAMC 4A students led by Patricia Ann Alvaro, Joymie Garcia, Jerica Mae Calara and Candice Irene Rivero.

The page is very beneficial not only for you but also for CAL students because it will make you aware of the different cases of the HIV virus and you will learn also on how to be more cautious of the consequences once you start making reckless decisions.

Sex is now common in this modern era, but contaminating and spreading viruses and diseases with the combination of unprotected sex and ignorance is crossing the lines of a safe and healthy life.

ONCE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM BECOMES SEVERELYDAMAGED, SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE

Sex is normal, not a taboo. It is what created you to live in the present so don’t be afraid to show it all, to voice out your thoughts regarding the issue because you know what? No one will judge you.

WEIGHT LOSS

With that being said, here are some perspectives of CAL students who aren’t afraid to show their sides when asked if they are in favor of condom distributions to teenagers, especially those from high school.

CHRONIC DIARRHEA

“Para sa akin, hindi. May sexual education na...Sa paraan pa lang na ‘yon, aware na ang mga kabataan para sa ganoong bagay.

It is not useful to disseminate contraceptives lalo na at baka maging dahilan lang ‘to para gumawa sila ng mali,” Benedictos shared.

NIGHT SWEATS

On the other note, Perlie Vargas of BATA 3A has a different answer to the question with a good reason to back it up in her mind.

SKIN PROBLEMS

“Para sa akin, agree ako... since pabata ng pabata parang lumalawak na ‘yong kaalaman nila about sex... marami na silang napapanood na ‘di maganda... maganda na rin ‘yon na magbibigay ng proteksyon sa mga bata at least habang maaga alam na nila kung para saan gagamitin ‘yon,” Vargas pointed.

RECURRENTINFECTIONS

“OH, SEEMS LIKE YOU’RE READY FOR MORE, MORE, MORE”

SERIOUS LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES

Don’t worry; there is more for you to know especially that you’ve gone a long way to come to this point. If you want something to add in your knowledge on one of the possible risks of having unprotected sex, you might visit the ‘Think Positive’ page with their

EARLIER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OFHIV CAN PREVENT THESE PROBLEMS

24 Vol V

Features

May 2017

May 2017

A

fter months of tiring campaign and grueling debates, the election had come and the results were posted.

Against all odds, Ninna Angela Arambulo from the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) prevailed with the most number of votes as she was hailed as the next Student Government (SG) President of Bulacan State University (BulSU).

While many students may probably know her by now and only by name, only few people really knew her personally, so before she gets down to serious business, let us get ourselves familiar to her even more by way of these 12 interesting things.

1. SHE IS THE FIRST SG PRESIDENT FROM THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS Ninna Arambulo is the first ever student from CAL to win the presidency in the SG elections.

She made it immediately in her first attempt, jumping from being CAL Governor to being a future SG President.

She told The Communiqué, “Bukod sa sobrang saya, andoon ‘yong pressure. Kasi isang taon lang tayong mauupo, at sa dami ng problemang mayro’n tayo hindi sasapat ‘yong isang taon para solusyonan ‘yon lahat. Para sa’kin, bilang muli na naluklok sa pwesto ang aming partido , it’s our chance now to prove to everyone na hindi lang … [kami] wala lang alam kung hindi mag-rally dahil mayroon tayong batayan at dapat maunawaan ng mga estudyante .. na mangyayari ‘yong mga ganoong bagay dahil kulang tayo sa pag-unawa sa kung ano ba talaga ‘yong problema at kung anong solusyon ba ang dapat nating ibigay.”

2. IT IS NOT HER PLAN TO BE CAL GOVERNOR IN THE FIRST PLACE Although Ninna was inclined to student government during high school, she decided to focus on her academics in college but an unexpected turn of event happened.

She was only assigned to seek for other colleges’ governor candidates for their party when someone surprisingly handed her a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) and ask her to sign it because their college’s candidate for governor were unable to continue.

Ninna thought that without the governor who will serve as the head of government in the college, projects will not be push through.

Hence, she decided to file her COC for CAL’s governor and made it only ten minutes before the deadline.

3. HER POLITICAL AWARENESS IN COLLEGE WAS INFLUENCED BY EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSIONS

12 Things might everyone wants to know about their SG President Ninna Arambulo

It all started when she attended a discussion on 2014 headed by Partido Pagkakaisa ng Demokratikong Mag-aaral (PDM) which tackled the social and national issues and how it is reflective on our education system.

By Andrelyn Deb Domingo, Zainel Christian Sebastian, Cleire Lois Briguel

According to her “‘Yong mga educational discussions [tulad ng] Philippine Social Realities, [ang nagpamulat sa akin] kung ano ‘yong mga kinakaharap ng mga magsasaka,

Graphics by Rod Harvey Camay

Features ng mga kabataang manggagawa, kabataang estudyante na hindi naman magkakalayo.”

4. IF HER COURSE IS NOT IN BROADCASTING, SHE RATHER WANT TO BE IN TEACHING “Even no’ng bata pa ‘ko nagkukulong ako sa k’warto nando’n ‘yong teddy bear tapos nagsusulat ako [sasabihin ko] ‘class’ ‘yong gano’n … naging broadcasting [lang] kasi no’ng high school ako inclined ako sa mga ano, public speaking gan’yan,” said Ninna.

In addition to that, she stated that she could either teach English or History, in no specific grade level and even those who are in Special Education Schools (SPED) as long as she is imparting her knowledge.

5. IT IS HER DREAM TO TEACH OUR FELLOW ‘KABABAYAN’ IN THE MOUNTAINS She also wants to try to teach on the unreachable community in the mountains of the country because of her first-hand experience of witnessing the innocence of Aetas due to lack of education during one of their volunteer visits in Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT) wherein according to her, “Sobrang walang-wala as in ‘yong hindi talaga alam no’ng mga Aetas ‘yong mga paano magbasa kung paano magsulat ultimo ’yong bra, hindi nila alam kung saan ginagamit ‘yong iba ay nilalagay sa ulo akala ay headband gano’n,” which made her realize that not all the Filipinos are benefiting from the budget allocated for our education.

6. SHE WANTS TO CHANGE THE ENROLLMENT SYSTEM FOR THE BENEFIT OF STUDENTS For Ninna, enrollment in the university must be a priority in terms of safety and convenience of the students. She stated that, “Mayroon nang proposal for additional collecting officers so probably by first semester mapu-push through na sya. Ang iwo-work out na lang ay ‘yong cashiers per college which is probably may fall on second semester of the next school year.”

7. SHE IS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION REGARDING DRESS CODE POLICY IN THE UNIVERSITY Ninna knows very well that CAL people and members of the LGBTQ community are the often victims of the unlawful actions at the gate; usually not allowing them to enter inside the university for having long and dyed hair, wearing sandals or ripped jeans, or sometimes for having long earrings.

For that reason, she wanted to conduct specific guidelines about dress code policy in the university because she believes that “Hindi siya mapagpasiya sa kung paano ka uunlad bilang tao at bilang mag-aaral. So ayon, fino-forward namin na alisin na ‘yong gano’ng pamantayan kasi kung titignan mo discrimination din siya di ba? And we are after nga sa welfare of the students so we are against any discrimination.”

8. NINNA RESPECTS THE MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

Vol V 25

The soon-to-be president really likes the members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer because she admires their courage and bravery amidst all trials and judgement from the society.

“Sobrang I admire them [dahil] sa kabila nang ganitong lipunan na mapangmata mayro’n silang tapang at lakas ng loob na ipakita at isabuhay kung ano talaga sila, kung ano talaga ‘yung pinili nilang kasarian. Isang bagay na mahirap i-admit sa mga taong maraming pinoprotektahan sa sarili. It’s bravery na humarap sa buong mundo na wala kang itinatago,” Ninna shared.

9. SHE WAS ONCE A MEMBER OF A DANCE GROUP IN THE UNIVERSITY On her first year in college, she tried to join Elusive, a dance group inside the university and luckily became part of it. However, she never made it to participate again after her first dance because she was already inclined in Debate Society, PDM and Stand BulSU. As a brief background, Ninna is a proud member of dance troupe since elementary to high school and it only stopped when she started college because her focus changes direction. However she is still fascinated to dancing especially Urban and pop lock and admires individual dancers such as Chachi Gonzales and Justin Timberlake.

10. SHE IS A POTTERHEAD Harry Potter fans, board your broomsticks and have a flight with Ninna for she is one big fan of this magical novel. In fact, she was sorted by the Sorting Hat (through the website) as a Gryffindor and the Muggle-born wizard Hermione Granger is her favorite character.

Ninna even mentioned that she will never get tired of watching and exploring the world of Hogwarts all over again.

11. LOVE LIFE IS NOT ON THE TOP OF HER PRIORITIES FOR NOW Sorry boys, but Ninna is focused right now to her obligations as the SG president and love life is not her priority for now.

But as for her ideal type? She confessed that she is not into a man who looks perfect physically but into a man that is true and who will accept her as well as her decisions not only because of her strengths but also because he love her the way she is.

12. HER GREATEST FEAR: TO BE LEFT BEHIND This is something most people can relate to and yes you’ve read it right! Even the SG president confessed that, because according to her, “Greatest fear ko siguro ‘yong maiwan … kasi sobrang mahirap ‘yong feeling na ‘yon lalo na kapag inaasahan mo ‘yong tao kahit saang paraan ng gawain, service man o personal lahat ng taong pumapasok sa buhay natin may role e, s’yempre kapag iniwan ka nila may impact ‘yon sa buo mong pagkatao so, sa tingin ko ayon.

Greatest fear ko ay ‘yong maiwan lalo na kapag sobrang malaki ‘yong role niya sa buhay ko.”

26 Vol V

Sports

May 2017

May 2017

A

spiring media practitioners are usually taking their abilities in center stage, in front or at the back of camera, channeling their utmost confidence in order to give straight-laced news or deliver a one hell of a performance. But when all of a sudden, one of them took waves in the dance floor, it is indeed a major plus factor.

CAL students are relatively known in broadcasting, writing, acting, and sometimes dancing because they are in the world of performing, but amidst of the talented athletes which are usually found in sportsrelated courses, Leila Mae Nevares, a second year broadcasting student from the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) has contributed to another spectacular finish of the Bulacan State University Gold Gears at State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) or State Universities and Colleges III (SUC III) Olympics as she and her partner Ivanne Palisok, a third-year Management Economics student, finished with a bronze medal in the modern standard category of Dancesports.

Leila Mae represented the CAL students in a perfect way by being one of the competitors in the Dancesports competition in the last SUC III Olympics.

Now, it’s our chance to get to know her more as she leads us to the rhythm of her story one side step at a time.

A WALK FROM THE START: LEADING TO HER PASSION Being a dancer is indeed a natural talent and if somebody has to specialize, it will take a lot and even lot more in order to perfect it.

And so as our future broadcaster, who started flat-footed first on the dance floor when she tried dancing, but as the years go by, her foot suddenly guided her to what she is today.

Leila Mae or LM as some people often call her, started dancing when she was five years old but confessed that she was somehow tagged by her father as ‘kahoy sumayaw’. Instead of losing her confidence, it became her motivation to prove herself to every one especially to her father that she can dance gracefully.

“Kasi dati ‘yong tatay ko inaasar ako na kahoy sumayaw kasi hindi talaga ako sumasayaw no’ng maliit pa ako, then parang doon syempre kapag inaasar ka, parang ipuprove mo sa kanila na ‘kaya ko’, tapos no’ng elementary ‘yon sali na ako nang sali sa mga kung anu-anong [competitions]… tapos ‘yon lumambot naman sya,” she narrated.

From then on, dancing became one of her passion; a passion that gives her contentment and self-confidence.

“Contentment kasi nga ‘yon ‘yong passion ko syempre nabibigyan n’ya ko ng kasiyahan kapag nagsasayaw. Then, selfconfidence kasi haharap ka sa maraming tao.

So kailangan mo no’n para makapagsayaw ka nang maayos,” Leila Mae shared.

By Adrian Carl Nicodemus and Jobhert Pastrana Graphics by Rod Harvey Camay

Sports A TWIST OF FATE: TURNING FROM HIPHOP TO BALLROOM Sometimes if the certain field doesn’t fit for somebody, strategically and technically, needed changes must took place. And for LM, she didn’t find the ballroom interesting at first because she likes a modern-type of dancing, particularly in breaking hips and crumping the arms and legs. But all of a sudden, the turn of events suddenly changed as she entered college, realizing her best dancing skill that fits her personality.

When LM was in high school, she joined school activities wherein she performed and enjoyed dancing hip-hop, but when she entered college, one of the subjects she took during second semester in her first year was the Ballroom dancing class. This was part of

“

Nabibigyan n’ya ko ng kasiyahan kapag nagsasayaw her requirements in Physical Education, with Dancesports team Coach Anthony Antonio served as her instructor. Thereafter, she enjoyed the subject even if it is a more serious genre of dance and she took advantage of the opportunity when their instructor asked the class on who wants to join the dancesports team.

“No’ng PE kasi namin parang nagsasabi s’ya na kung sino raw ‘yong gustong sumali, kung sino ‘yong willing, i-approach lang s’ya then no’ng last day na ng meeting namin, kinausap ko sya,” LM narrated.

And the rest is history, she was acquired to become the member of Dancesports team and everything was smooth-sailing starting from the training all the way to the competition proper.

A STEP ON FIRE: CONQUERING THE DANCE FLOOR Conquering the dance floor is not an easy part. It has to be sharp, perfectly executed and

Vol V 27

coherent at the same time. So each step should be taken and treated as it was his/her last stint in the dance floor, meaning they should give their best shot every time they step up.

As for LM, she is a shy type girl when people are watching, but when the music is on and as she dances, it seems like nobody is watching. The presence of her parents during the competition added to the fuel she gave to exert her effort that resulted to a win. Though it did not translated to a gold medal, it is still a great start for her first year as a competitor in the annual sports competition of state universities and colleges.

“Masaya ko tapos ‘yong binigyan ka pa nya ng additional na lakas ng loob na ipagpatuloy ‘yong sayaw nyo kasi may times do’n na parang nakalimutan namin ‘yong step, o sige nakalimutan namin ‘yong step pero bahala na, enjoy lang, tuloy pa rin kahit minsan nawala,” she stated.

LM and her partner did not expect that they will win immediately because of the fact that she is a rookie on the dance floor, and also experienced tons of pressure given the fact that it is her first time.

“Kasi first time kong sumali sa ganitong event tapos ‘yong sa team namin, ‘di naman kami nag-eexpect na manalo since baguhan kami. Then, pagsalang namin doon, nanalo pa kami,” she ended.

A GLANCE FORWARD: GLIDING INTO HER FUTURE Although LM came up short in the gold medal, she climbed her way as one of the future stars in Dancesports. It was still a mission accomplished because she delivered a pictureperfect performance, for a rookie. And no doubt, she has many years to come as she will continue to represent BulSU with pride, and not only that she will be able to give our college a plenty of honor.

LM proved that a student from CAL can contribute to the already-established dynasty of Gold Gears in SCUAA. She elevated the college in high level and as the days and years will come she can become a valuable and important asset for the college as she will continue to participate in the SCUAA. In that way, not only the university will become proud of her, but also her own college.

After she participated in SUC III Olympics, she became a different person especially when she is performing in front of people, and also it added to her factors as a future media practitioner.

With that being said, she has this one ultimate goal in her mind.

“Dapat sa next SCUAA, manalo na kami (gold medal) para makapasok kami sa Nationals,” she ended.

28 Vol V Issue No 2

Photografiya

THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. Mang Virgilio repairs a customer’s watch despite losing his left eye’s vision. Photo by Christia Marie Ramos

TAKING A BREAK. A man rest his feet after collecting money as a kobrador.

Photo by Christia Marie Ramos

HEAVY LIFTING. A sweaty worker carries a sack of rice from a truck inside a market in Malolos. Photo by Christia Marie Ramos

May 2017

POPPING FOR A LIVING. Every pop of the corn counts for a streetside vendor’s coin. Photo by Laela Ruth Dela Cruz

DIRTY HANDS, MAJESTIC WORKS. Manong Jun works just outside his overflowing workshop inside Maunlad Mall. Photo by Irish Gaile Ocampo

A GLANCE FOR INCOME. A takatak vendor awaits for his next customer amidst the street hustle and bustle. Photo by Laela Ruth Dela Cruz