THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CAS-SEB JANUARY - MARCH 2012 ISSUE
ERRATA We would like to divulge that for the article On Becoming Literally Educated, Ms. Madeleine Acuesta is not an Events Planner in the Office of Alumni Affairs. We would also like to acknowledge the following: Kim Zulueta as creative director and stylist Donald Dominguez as stylist for men Tamara Pineda as make-up artist Isabel Agoncillo for the write-up, in the article
‘Tis the Season to be Extra Stylish,� page 12.
jan-MAR 2012 ISSUE THE CREW
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Ysabel Camus Associate Editor Marcella Karaan Features Editor Isabel Agoncillo Events Editor Kharl Michael Manlutac Literary Editor Ivy Zuniga Creatives Head Kim Cajucom Illustrator Summer Manzano Layout Yua Valenton Photography Head Dale Garcia CONTRIBUTORS Features Writers Krisia Cruz Karina Rivera Anthony Lumicao Ina Capulong Esther Suson Events Writers Marietta Trimpe Margaux Antonio Nicollo Ordoñez Gabriel Asuncion Melissa Garcia Literary Writers Mio Borromeo Nicole Fuentes Photographer Merphi Panaguiton Cover Page Artist Joel Francisco Illustrators Mimille de Guzman Rafaela Ong
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Managing Director Erica Ng Members Angeli Valdez Aimee Francisco MARKETING COMMITTEE Marketing Head Mark Jimenez Asst. Marketing Head Grace Benedicto Distribution Bianca Anatalio Online Promotions Bianca Tongco On Campus Promotions Sally Ortiz Creatives Nikko Borromeo Logistics Jamie Guzman Members Jillian Bagaoisan Jimbo Dio Arra Marcaida Sharraine Murayama Agi Recio Nina Santos Germaine Tuazon Micvi Yu Mielle Zetha
VISION
Our vision is to be an effective instrument of the student’s cultivation of the self through principles of truth and responsibility
MISSION
Our vision is to be an effective instrument of the student’s cultivation of the self through principles of truth and responsibility.
PHILOSOPHY
Rooted in the belief that man always has a role to play in his society, we believe that it is only proper that the student fulfills his role in the university - in as much as it is a microcosm of the world at large- and outside of it. The university fulfills its function through the education of men. The university helps with the student’s cultivation of the self by guiding his vision and legitimizing his actions. But beyond actions, we give utmost value to reason and faith. We believe that they do not go against each other, and that faith must be guided by reason. In faith and reason, we shall be prompted by the principles of truth, responsibility, (which always comes immediately after recognizing freedom) and human development. Founded on secular Christianity, it is our aim to perpetrate the faith through our words and actions, establish that Christian ideals are more than words, and reflect the light of the faith through social, cultural and educational reflections and actions. We will reject the deformed vision of Christianity - that which is purely spiritualistic, humdrum and selfcontained. We will break the stereotype of a Christian who lives in a special world, and who is passive, tolerant, lofty and ritualistic by exemplifying and acting upon a deep sense of responsibility. By subscribing to the (Christian) ethos of obedience to the truth, it is our purpose to speak with concern about the world in its terms; we shall be both speculative and practical - qualifying matter as important as the concerns of the spirit. We will demonstrate great regard for logic and science, while still recognizing that there may be realities beyond our understanding. We shall welcome, and strive for progress and the new, yet still respecting the old.
Table of Contents The bosun’s journey: editor’s note
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It’s a 100 million times more fun in the Philippines Infertile minds: consult your doctor Looking at an-other carpool: a microcosm of unitas
4 5 6 7
This is a love story Bitten by the theatre bug A thousand paper cranes: grant delfin (1990-2011) Live united: starting an identity from within
8 9 10 11
A very viare musical univ 2012 final congress kicks off vallez on Shakespeare The usual Christmas unusually celebrated Deaths the dictate Watch out for the merch
15 16 17 18 19 20
A very long symphony Your left is my right Beyond the harbor
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Tropical punch
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The Bosun’s Journey Dear Readers,
Editor’s Note
First off, we’d like to thank you for taking part in the rebirth of this publication from newsletter to magazine. For all the love and helping hands, there is no end to the thanks that we owe you. For all the criticisms, corrections, and miscalculations, thank you as well, and sorry, too. Every step of this voyage was a blessing to us and I like to think there was a lesson learned from every squall we had to endure. In line with our theme for this issue, I’d like to say that there is no denying that our journey was a stormy one. However, how we survived the storm is a story worth telling. Looking back, it almost feels that our ship launched without our knowing it. How else can one explain? We barely had a crew and the wind was not blowing in our direction that semester. The missed deadlines, forgotten tasks, unprocessed dealings, difficult personas, and the lack of manpower would’ve crushed anyone’s spirit. For some unknown reason we pushed on. The 1st issue was, more than anything, a relief to us. Though most of the time we were reaching out blindly, October came and 500 copies of a magazine were published. Then, December came and we realized that we had dived into another storm without the preparation and contemplation we wanted so much to have. Nevertheless, 600 copies were published once again.
Illustration by Summer Manzano
After everything, it was the experience as a whole that truly formed us into the team we are today. One can say that it was about learning how to deal with people, learning never to complain, and leaving room for error. However, I think in the process we learned something deeper. What we learned can be summarized into this: whatever you do in life, never see it as an end in itself. Instead, see it as a means to something great. Though the greatness of your tasks can vary from another’s, the greatness with which you do it is completely in your hands. It was this guiding principle that pulled us out of the many storms we crossed. Now, after much trial and error, what we want to do is to go back to our identity, our philosophy; the philosophy that the founders of this magazine wrote down for us (literally). Although this issue is an evolution from our first issue, it’s just a baby-step towards the ideal magazine in our minds. Among the many stories laid out in this issue, we hope the Bosun’s story can stand out. We wish to entertain, captivate, teach, and influence our readers with our humble efforts. This issue, which we have wanted to accomplish for almost a year, we owe to you, our readers. Thank you for the journey, Ysabel Camus Editor-in-Chief
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by Kharl Manlutac Last January 5, the Department of Tourism released the latest tourism slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines.”Just like the previous slogan,“Pilipinas, Kay Ganda,”this slogan became popular over the news and the internet, though for quite a different reason. While critics feasted upon the previous slogan for being “plagiarized” and boring, the new slogan, though prematurely leaked online, easily became an Internet meme in less than a week of its release. The Department of Tourism released a few photos promoting the slogan and before they knew it, thousands of Pinoy-made photos had paraded the internet. An image of a pig roasted on a kawayan stick, saying “Planking is more fun in the Philippines.”An image of balut saying “facing your fears is more fun in the Philippines,” and another of a delicious bowl of dinuguan, complete with fresh sili, saying “Blood transfusion is more fun in the Philippines.” These are just some of the very punny memes scattered across the internet, making our slogan a viral hit. It’s indeed more pun in the Philippines. Even famous foreigners have responded well to this slogan. Take, for example, famous British writer, Neil Gaiman, who said on his twitter account, “#itsmorefuninthephilippines hash tag is a true one. They applaud loudly and hug you a lot.” One thing that got everyone hooked on this slogan is how intelligently flexible it is. It’s not just about tourist destinations. It’s about each and every 4
experience you get, the things you learn and most importantly, the people you meet, wherever you go in the Philippines. More than being a viral hit, this slogan is relevant not only for tourists and foreigners, but also for us Filipinos because of its message. According to the Department of Tourism’s website, “Wherever you go in the Philippines, it’s the Filipinos that will make your holiday unforgettable…” It is the experience with the Filipinos that the foreigners come here for. We’ve even been labeled as among the most easygoing and ebullient people in the world. This highlights how Filipinos are part of the Philippines’ resources. Each and every Filipino is an asset, not a liability. Intentionally or not, I guess pro-life supporters now have a new ally on their side. By focusing more on the Filipinos, not just on tourist spots, the new slogan highlights how important Filipino life is for us. It shows the world why Filipinos are always smiling, even in the hardest of times. It’s because we know that life is a gift, no matter what circumstance it is given to us in, whether it arrives unexpectedly or not. So do you still think having a growing population means poverty? And do you want to know how fun it is in the Philippines? We’re one hundred and one million, eight hundred thirty three thousand, nine hundred thirty eight times more fun, and still counting!
by Marcella Karaan This eye-popping and unnerving headline caused long threads of comments and heated debates in various blog sites and networking sites in early January. It stirred mixtures of shock and disgust among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Many judged such a strong statement to be “un-Christian,”“uncharitable,” and “hypocritical” on the part of the Catholic Church. This headline first came out in the site Urban Meter, as an overreaction to and an attempted interpretation of Archbishop Oscar Cruz’s statement in a news interview. In that news segment, Cruz was only asked to give his opinion of the Pope’s New Year’s address which bluntly condemned gay marriage. Cruz uttered this strong statement to show his opposition to gay marriage: “What is there that comes from marrying them? Nothing! They are two, they remain two, they die two.” Urban Meter then took these lines to mean, “The Catholic Church is planning to ban the infertile people’s right to marry for they cannot conceive. Even couples who do not plan to have babies can have their marriage revoked, for they have failed their purpose to multiply.”This second hand information is what angered and sparked countless criticisms among bloggers and social networkers. The former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines never used the term infertile. Nor did he ban anyone from getting married or plan any marriage from getting revoked. He also clarified that infertility has never been an impediment to marriage. On the contrary, he said that “impotence is an impediment to valid Church marriage but not infertility. This is elementary knowledge.” Impotence and infertility are two distinct terms that should never be interchanged. Moreover, Cruz’s statement should only be considered in the context of what he really said,
which was the Church’s unwavering stance against gay marriage. This issue shows the great danger that might stem from unguided reliance on opinions trending on the internet. Information relayed online, whether truthful or not, can be easily transmitted like a contagious pathogen that easily preys on unguarded citizens. The most susceptible and vulnerable to fall into such diseases are the weak and gullible who, out of laziness, let others mislead them. Initially, there is nothing wrong with having blogs, reading others’ blogs, reposting others’ blogs and commenting on them. The truth is, I really admire those who are very active in sites like Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, where they openly voice out what they think and feel regarding social concerns. Such sites fuel great spirit and encourage interaction between people who otherwise wouldn’t have met or mingled; they ignite and prove the presence of an “imagined community”. However, these could also be the breeding sites for false information that can easily infect the minds of its readers. Urban Meter, for example, is known for exaggerating quotations and making fun of social issues. Bloggers and blog readers alike have the responsibility to guard themselves against these infections. They should always be well-informed, sharing only knowledge that come from reliable sources and are verified to be true. They should not be carried away by mere curiosity or immature judgement. The Church never said that infertile people can’t marry; the ones who were deceived by this rumor are those with infertile minds that must be cured instantly to avoid reproduction. Openmindedness is prescribed and highly recommendable. 5
by Ivy Zuñiga Last January 18, were you surprised when you tried clicking Wikipedia.com and all that showed were its black background and the words “Imagine a world without free knowledge”? Wikipedia explicitly claims to be the “free encyclopedia”, but on that day we were taken aback when it appeared not to be free at all.
encountering moral and legal dilemmas with regards to it. However, I believe that there is only one way for us to understand this; to find the answer to the questions, “up to what extent can I use my freedom?” and “at what point does my freedom impinge other people’s freedom?”
Mr. Dean Mejos, a professor of the Philosophy Department, commented, “Just as there is a proper use of freedom, there is also the proper use of these social networking sites and other tools made available by the internet.” It is certainly agreeable that whether it is legally imposed or not, we have that “implicit responsibility” to our own rights and privileges.
What just happened?
It was a blackout. Other websites went “dark” as they raised their objections, too. Google, Reddit, Wired. com, and Mozilla were just some of them. Who’s the culprit? Simple. Just two acronyms: SOPA and PIPA. They are not names of football teams, or aliases of Asian boy bands. SOPA and PIPA are shortened terms for “Stop Online Piracy Act” and “Protect IP Act”. These are laws proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in 2011. They are being pushed to protect the intellectual property rights of patent website holders and writers. The laws seem to be driven by good intentions, but why are technical giants, political officials, and public individuals currently fussing about it? The conflict easily boils down to two things: the right to free speech and information, versus the right to copyright protection. The issue here now is whether passing these laws is the best way to resolve the problem of piracy and online plagiarism. When two justifiable, moral rights clash, who should gain the upper hand and who should give in? Well, I guess it all simmers down to one thing: responsible freedom. Not much effort is put in clearly defining personal freedom; perhaps this is the reason why we are
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In Pope Benedict XVI’s message on the 45th World Communications Day last June 5, 2011, he explicitly stressed that “[In the digital age too,] everyone is confronted by the need for authenticity and reflection.” Online communication is also a dialogue and through it we are making friends with other individuals. Similar to what friendships offer, we should give what is most appropriate to others as persons with full dignity. For us students, we need not block ourselves out from the issue. Rather, we should start enlightening ourselves by beginning simply. Let us be responsible individuals for others. Bear in mind that no matter what medium of communication we are using, we should use our freedom to reach a reasonable, yet humble, vantage point. Our rights are privileges but they also have their boundaries. To see these limits we only have to look at one thing, and that is the “other”.
1 Pope Benedict XVI. (2011, June 5). Message for the 45th World Communications Day, Benedict XVI. Vatican: the Holy See. Retrieved February 2, 2012, from http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20110124_45th-world-communications-day_en.html
by Isabel Agoncillo Get up, go to school, go home. The process seems so mundane, does it not? Most of us probably take it for granted; the concept of a long daily commute to school and back is by no means interesting or new. To those of us who take some form of transport, the trip is a solitary space of time spent between consciousness and sleep, either pondering the long day to come or resting after it is over. In that span of alone time, the most interesting thing might be the view outside one’s window, or perhaps an accident that slows traffic down. When one has company, however, it’s a completely different story. It might not be a foreign sight for one to see a large group of students clambering in or out of a van at the Stella O entrance. Yup, that’s the Alabang-BF Carpool. Comprised of nearly thirty members, the group has been up and running for years. It is easily the biggest organized carpool group in school. Yet our carpool isn’t just a system of cooperation: we, the members, (varied though we may be) have come to evolve into a family. Carpool would require a whirlwind of adjectives (mostly good, some, not so) if it could ever be aptly described. It’s fun, it’s tiring, and occasionally disorganized. But beyond the necessity that initially moved us to join the carpool, and beyond the shifts we take, we all share a friendship, a bond that keeps us from going crazy over our long trips to school and back. Given all that time we spend together, it isn’t difficult to imagine that we’d end up talking to one another. Surely we’d have much more in common besides the fact that we call the same place “home”. The camaraderie comes easily, as with any other group or organization of
similar interests. This throws any notion of “utilitarian relationships” out the window! What might start as small talk occasionally gets deeper with conversation about school, love, God, family or friends. The hourlong trips become outlets for feelings, for opinions, for laughter. It’s as if an entire conversation one would have had alone gets coaxed out into the collectively sacred space of the car. And then comes the moment when everyone settles down into the quiet, a mutual understanding that each person needs some time to rest before getting home to the South. Truth time. This is not so much an editorial as it is a love letter, but what’s the one thing I want to point out? It’s that carpool is a microcosm of what this school tries to accomplish with Unitas. We’re a relatively small group but we do not want for variety; truly, each person contributes something different to our dynamic. Though we are not an organization of the school (i.e., we work on our own initiative), we operate in service of one another. As fellow carpooler Nicollo puts it, “Carpool is special - only afforded by the wealthy of heart.” And isn’t it so true? If there’s any one thing that makes us tick, it really is respect: respect for one another’s time and space, not just as fellow members of carpool but also as a family. Our small number doesn’t allow for much error - leaving even just one person behind on a trip is a tragedy. Every text message - “Please wait for me!” or “I’m not riding!” - is important. If it means we have to wait a few more minutes, then so be it. We arrive together, we leave together. Perhaps our small number means sacrificing some efficiency, but we certainly get by. No one arrives late, no one gets left behind, and most importantly, no one is left alone. 7
By Karina Rivera
This is a story about passion and commitment. It is about the will to keep things together and carry on. It is about the discovery of one’s true place, and the experience of permanently falling for the perfect one.
Hold on. Maybe you should stop thinking what you’re thinking for a second. It’s not that kind of love story where boy meets girl, then they stare deeply into each other’s eyes and live happily ever after. This is something entirely different.
It all began with a search for a challenge. Nicole Miller was looking for something that could ignite her potentials, craving for something that could give her an opportunity to learn new things. There was the happiness factor, too, of course. She wanted something she’d enjoy. For Alyssa Ang, there was no need for a search. She was in high school when she realized she wanted to be an educator. She even gave it a try the summer before college, when she volunteered to teach Bible stories to children in her church. It was there that she felt that teaching was what she was meant to do. Nicole found herself in the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) program of the university. What she loves the most about it? Well, everything! Nicole says, “From the professional training and culture fostered, prominent figures from the industry as professors, class curricula that adapt in real-time with the changes out there, pitching ideas in front of the people behind successful companies and campaigns… What’s not to love?”
The sureness of Alyssa’s devotion to the Child Development and Education (CDE) program has likewise been present since day one. Now a 3rd year student, Alyssa just went through a key requirement with the School of Education: her very first teaching demonstration. She recounts, “We had to make a lesson plan. That was when I felt that this was it! It was one step closer to the reality of being in a school and really teaching.” As for her teaching demonstration itself, Alyssa’s went well, and she’s beyond excited to keep going. Presently in her 4th year with IMC, Nicole shared her experience in one of the competitions she entered for the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP). She and her group were given a case study that tested the ethics behind the advertising of the brand assigned to them. There was a struggle to erase unethical implications, and to remove any deception that their brand could have promoted. It was a challenge to choose between what was easy and what was right. As taxing as it was to Nicole, she and her group managed to solve these problems successfully, bringing Nicole’s feelings for IMC to another, more fulfilling level.
Spending a summer and nearly two semesters with CDE, Alyssa has been learning the ropes for her future career as a preschool teacher. Her Developmental Psychology class was an eyeopener, she recounted. “It was when I began to understand children more thoroughly, and from different perspectives.” As she continues her studies, she does not just learn about the various methods of educating, but grows fonder of them as well. Being a newcomer to the School of Education, Alyssa now tackles the task of absorbing all these teaching techniques and strategies, and determining which one suits her best. She must prepare herself for the unpredictable setting that is the classroom. Making difficult yet responsible choices and expecting the unexpected are tests that these two must face everyday. From a young woman who sets her standards, looks for and finds the one, to a young woman who knows what she wants and works for it, their actions are what passion is all about. Loving what you learn and do is not uncommon, but loving what you learn and do, with the zeal these two have, cannot be bought.
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Nicole and Alyssa’s loyalty and dedication to their respective courses have brought about feelings that are not enough to describe in words, but here it is- an attempt to share their story and do just that. This is their love story. And whether it will end with a happily ever after has yet to be determined, but at the rate they’re going, there is absolutely no reason to doubt it.
By by Esther Krisia Suson Cruz Success is not about how much you earn. It’s not about how many awards you receive, or how many lists you’ve conquered. It’s about how much you enjoy and how passionate you are about what you’re doing. Take it from Enrique Canoy, a UA&P alumnus who confessed that amidst taking his master’s degree in IMC, he “got bitten by the theatre bug.” He left the lucrative field of advertising to excel in what he really wanted to do in life – to perform, sing, and act. Since childhood, Enrique Canoy (affably known as Ikey) always had an interest in the performing arts. Ikey was an active member of the school chorale from grade school until college, and had participated in various theatre plays like Cinderella (he was an ugly stepsister!), 10 Little Indians, N.O.A.H., Trumpets, Once in this Island, The Little Mermaid, The Wedding Singer, and many others. Ikey had always had a penchant for the performing arts, although his childhood dream wasn’t related to performing. “I think my childhood dream was kind of boring. I wanted to be a fireman. Or a policeman,” Ikey says with a chuckle. His passion for theatre only developed in his learning journey in UA&P. When Ikey was in UA&P, he enjoyed being an IMC student. But after a couple years of studying marketing, he realized he wanted to take a break. Before his fifth year, Ikey went on a leave of absence and decided to try theatre for a year. He enjoyed, but he returned to UA&P to finish his studies. In 2003, Ikey graduated with a Master’s degree in IMC and began working in advertising for Harrison Communications. You might think it was the end of his theatre career, but Ikey was an office worker in the morning and a performer at night. He would work mornings in the office, and right after, he would run over to his rehearsals and shows. “It was very hard to juggle all these things,” Ikey admitted, “but I didn’t mind because I’m passionate about it. There even came a point in time when I was excited to finish work because I enjoyed theatre more.” After three years of advertising, Ikey felt the itch to go full-time on theatre. Though he had a stable and profitable job, what Ikey really wanted to do was to sing, dance and act. In 2005, he bid the fast-paced life of advertising goodbye. He and his friends formed the Akafellas and together they ventured into singing for two years. From 2007 up until 2009, Ikey focused on acting. Ikey eventually entered the big screen as he played the role of KC Concepcion’s best friend in Star Cinema’s blockbuster movie, I’ll be There. In spite of juggling his plays,
productions, singing stints with Akafellas, and part-time job in UA&P as an EM professor, Ikey still found repose in doing what he wanted to do and was grateful for all the blessings he’d been receiving. Ikey’s life couldn’t get better. Or so he thought. In 2010, Ikey Canoy’s brave decision to leave advertising and pursue his passion in performing arts reaped its reward. He auditioned for a musical TV series, and together with some of the best theatre actors and TV personalities in the country, Ikey filmed a pilot episode as a showcase for the sponsors of the show. After shooting the pilot episode, they were supposed to be notified if the show would push through or not. But after a year of having no feedback at all, Ikey almost lost hope. It was only when a fellow cast member called him one day, telling him that the producers were looking for him on the set, that he realized that he was officially casted for the role! The TV series was a hit, and he got the part of Winston, the pastry chef. Struck with surprise, Ikey embarked on what he described as a four-month, “earth-shattering” filming in Singapore. Being one of the five Filipinos who were casted for the TV series to be shown in 18 countries in Asia, as well as in the USA and Italy, Ikey considers The Kitchen Musical as the biggest break that has ever happened to him and to his career. Being able to work with celebrities like Gary V, Karylle, Christian Bautista, and other internationally-renowned actors, Ikey couldn’t wish for anything more –except probably for a second season. Ikey Canoy’s story is an inspiration to pursue our passions. Being an IMC graduate didn’t keep Ikey from doing what he wanted to do –embracing the performing arts. To those who are taking up courses that they aren’t really passionate about, here’s what Ikey has to say: “If you’re in a course and you feel that maybe it’s not meant for you, try to learn as much as you can anyway. You never really know, you might actually be on the right track all along. While you’re in school, explore. Try to learn what you can and cannot do. Try to discover your real passion and try to learn as much as you can about that passion that you have. Never give up. Find time to nurture your passion, even if it’s just on the side. Your passion will sustain you through the hard times. “ Experience is definitely the best teacher, so take it from Ikey when he says, “Pursue your dreams and passion; success will follow.”
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By Esther Suson
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Late August of 2011, there seemed to be an unusual number of paper cranes in and around the University of Asia and the Pacific. Students and teachers, alumni and outsiders, folding the cranes in the Study Halls and the cafeteria, in the classrooms (with or without classes in them) and the halls, in the CAS garden, in McDonald’s Pearl, in Starbucks Pearl. Cranes of all colours. Cranes of all sizes. Cranes of all kinds of paper, cranes made by origami artists, by beginners, by those in-between. Cranes casually carried in paper bags, or carefully folded in books, or delicately held in hands. On August 21, 2011, over a thousand paper cranes were folded for Grant Delfin, a third-year (2009) Political Economy student in the University of Asia and the Pacific, who died of cancer after a two-year fight. The first thousand were folded within two days, the rest (over half a thousand) barely a day after. Why? Why would so many willing hands give time and patience, to learn, to fold, to teach others how to fold paper cranes, that within two days a thousand were gathered? The first thing one should know about Grant is that he personified the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”. A tall, widely-grinning guy with a bonnet and long hairr (2009), Grant appeared to some as a slacker, someone who cruised university life and studied on the side, a cool guy. Then again, he was president of ViARE, one of our student theatre organizations,
and he was the furthest thing from a slacker. Under his presidency, ViARE thrived, reaching out to the university community, training newbies and freshmen and discovering new talent. That’s just how open he was, how eager he was to share what he loved with others, especially theatre. No cliques for him – no elitism, no exclusivity. Grant seemed to be singlehandedly attempting to make the whole world feel welcome. Grant’s love for theatre extended even to acting in productions himself, like in ViARE’s Much Ado About Nothing (2008), ROC’s Gabun (2008) and Club Rich (Playfest)(2007), and Kultura’s Romeo and Juliet (2010). Grant’s reputation, however, reached far beyond the bounds of theatre. Around the university, if there was a sudden yell (especially in the CAS garden), you’d turn and say, “Oh, it’s Grant again.” Grant’s name to quite a number of people was “Ninja”, for his remarkable talent of sneaking up beside people and waiting for them to notice him. Not even those who knew his singular gift were immune to his “attacks” — Grant seemed to be able to perfectly time his ninja moments, so that no matter how much of a surprise one got, he was never an unwelcome companion. Any conversation, even on the most mundane topics, would not but bebecome interesting as long as he was around. Despite Grant’s furlough from the university in 2009 for treatment, he continued to be a common sight in UA&P. He not only met up with old friends and asked after ViARE, but also befriended newbies and kept up with the university line-up (especially in theatre). It has often been observed that only good things are said of a person after their deaths. But here is concrete proof of how great Grant was: over a thousand paper cranes and the myriad and manifold hands that shaped them. Photograph by Cheese
by Anthony Lumicao and Ina Capulong Knowing that our university is young, we must set our hearts aflame, blaze our own trails and make the ideals we value known to others. It is necessary, however, that we start with ourselves. To “Live United” should be a battle cry that makes us completely and adequately formed in all these different aspects, situations, and circumstances that we may ever be in. It is an invitation to make our entire person, and consequently, our institution integrally developed and holistic in identity. Unitas has always been the mantra of our university. Presumably, it is that which identifies and sets us apart from the others. But do we truly understand what the word really means? This question is important because this battle cry, this motto is something we should take to heart as members of the university. Our motto, Unitas, has always been perceived and lived in numerous ways. Some believe that it is a matter of showing some school spirit; that is, to be loud and proud of belonging to the UA&P community. Unitas may also mean being conscious of our immediate surroundings, being generous and helpful when storms beset us. Some of our own were affected when Typhoon Ondoy ravaged Metro Manila and Rizal, but we recall how still more from our community volunteered for Red Cross or sorted donations inside the campus. Unitas is also that which makes us live balanced lives, characterized by becoming excellent in studies while active in extracurricular activities, friendships, and family life. Truly, all these things constitute what Unitas is about. However, one should go beyond these sentiments because the true meaning of Unitas
encompasses a bigger reality. It is a way of life. Unitas is an identity “that is the fruit of a unity of wills, aspirations, desires because freedom and responsibility as the basis of human action, interaction, communion, and cooperation will always be given complete and full expression in the institution.” It is a unique character that allows the institution to grow, develop, mature, and yet “establish at the core of its personality those features that are essential to its being.” Before making our identity known to others, we should do our part in truly living the ideals that necessarily help us live unity. We should consider these ideals or features as our own, which eventually contributes to the enrichment of each one’s whole character and to the character of the whole institution. Creating a Christian Identity and Environment (Live Faith) Living one’s faith should not contradict one’s professional life. The concept of “Live Faith,” applied to the individual, can mean many things. For one, to live one’s faith is to accept the intertwining of faith and reason – one does not practice a faith that he does not understand. At the same time, “Live Faith” tells us that everyone, regardless of profession, is called to holiness. As students, we must consider that our primary duty of study is compatible with our faith. We must realize that true practice of faith is indeed possible in a world that holds secularization dear. The university creates a climate where precisely this is encouraged. Specifically, UA&P exhibits a Christian identity because it is informed by Christian ideals. In the same way that an individual is encouraged to challenge the world’s norms with his faith and reason, so is the university challenged to make today’s culture compatible with the Christian values that it has pledged to uphold.
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solidarity service Ms. Concha de la Cruz, a member of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), is a familiar face to many. Ms. Concha is always in close contact with the students of the university, be it on campus or in external activities spearheaded by OSA. “I have been very fortunate to witness the generosity and selflessness of UA&P students. There were special circumstances over the recent years that were golden opportunities for students to help out,” narrates Ms. Concha. She recalls the Ondoy Relief Efforts of the University in 2009 as an extraordinary example of solidarity amongst members of the community. “Students trooped to the University to help sort, pack and deliver relief goods. Some students became very reliable Red Cross volunteers who got assigned to evacuation centers for long hours. Some students, with their teachers, trooped to affected families’ houses to help clean up.” Aside from solidarity displayed in extraordinary circumstances such as disasters, Ms. Concha stresses that “there are daily doses of living in solidarity with the rest of the University – exercising CLAYGO because we believe that other people do not need to look after us; observing etiquette in the elevators, cafeteria, and the hallways because we believe that good manners, like chivalry, are not dead.” We can learn from Ms. Concha that the practice of solidarity, indeed, chooses no circumstance. For her, “Living in solidarity with others is, at the basic level, living the golden rule.”
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Mike Zipagan, more commonly known as Mang Mike, is a man of great service for others. He is one of the SPs commonly seen in the Multi-Purpose Court of the university. He says that the reason why he is dedicated to serving UA&P “ay para sa kapakanan at kasiyahan ng mga tao.” He cited instances from whenever he works. He tells us that he always tries to go the extra mile by greeting and smiling at the students entering the washroom. He also convinces his other co-SPs to do the same. Because of this, his dedication is always renewed; hence, he strives to bring that spirit of service wherever he goes. We can see how Kuya Mike is, indeed, a man who passes unnoticed through his care for little things. We should realize that SPs are not there for anyone’s convenience. In fact, S.P. means a ‘Service Partner’, not merely ‘Service Providers’ or ‘Service Personnel’. This is one little detail everyone should know. We should not let all the school’s material order be maintained by the SPs alone because we are all collaborators in making our school a good environment conducive for everyone’s happiness. Kuya Mike will always be a good reminder for each and every one that we should all partake in serving UA&P, and in turn, prepare ourselves for the generous task of helping our neighbor.
values UA&P wants more than just people who excel professionally or academically. It ought to shape people who have a keen desire to live virtuous lives. John D. Borra, a current English and Film teacher of the university, is one of those who testify that virtue in whatever we do is truly essential. He actually believed that love and the value of perseverance were essential when he also started mobilizing relief volunteers during the height of Typhoon Ondoy. He says, “We began with five people, frantically tapping away at our mobile phones, asking people if they wanted to help.” Due to a habitual and insistent push for his volunteer work, the next thing he knew was that more than 5000 people had volunteered at their relief center and more than 50,000 bags of relief goods were distributed. He explains that this was a fruit of love, which moved him to persist in doing relief work. Mother Teresa once said, “Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” All the efforts of Mr. Borra paid off because he believed that his experience was “a simple exercise of love,” done tirelessly. He says that ordinary work done simply out of extraordinary love is the value that he had learned. He also realized that in ttimes of crisis, Filipinos could still love without getting tired of giving. Indeed, this example of encouraging a culture of virtue entails genuine persistence in living hard work, diligence, and altruism.
faith
excellence
Today, there is a common notion that to live a secular life is to live a life detached from one’s Faith. For Isha De Vera, a Humanities Senior and Junior Marketing Communications ( JMC) member, however, a “life without faith is a selfish life—a life built around the self.” She says that to live one’s faith goes beyond what we consider “charity work” that we do from time to time. Rather, a true expression of faith must be translated in everything we do. Isha recalls how she practices the concept of “Live Faith” in the ordinary circumstances of everyday life. “As a UA&P student, I noticed that we have a tendency to be very busy. I had to demonstrate ‘Live Faith’ in one of the most struggling ways.” Isha stressed the importance of keeping one’s faith afloat despite the demands of academics and extra-curricular activities. In her case, she narrates “Last semester, I had one crazy day wherein I had to go to a school to do JMC work, had a project for our majors and a play in the evening. I already thought that I was doomed for burnout.” Despite her full schedule, she found time to visit the ALB chapel where she offered up her day’s work. Throughout the day, Isha recounts “through my movement and dialogue, I had Him with me in my thoughts and in my heart.” At the end of the day, in spite of the fatigue, Isha narrates that she had a good day, not for herself, but offered up to Him. Isha’s example reminds us that living one’s faith can certainly be in harmony with one’s daily life. In fact, one’s faith may even be the source of meaning and motivation of our day-to-day activities.
Live Excellence is an important aspect of Live United because it serves as the standard that the university imposes upon itself for all its undertakings. Similarly, excellence is a standard that all members of the community must impose upon themselves. Jay-Ar Mira, a senior of the Industrial Economics Program and arguably one of the best writers in the university, recalls a quote by one of his high school teachers, Dr. Terosa, who said, “Striving for Excellence is an act of faith... God is not honored or glorified by mediocrity.” His idea of excellence has remained unchanged since then. Today, however, he says that his deepest encounter with the pursuit of excellence is as a delegate in the recently held Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC). Jay-Ar shares how AYLC added to his view of excellence. “Through AYLC, I become more conscious that excellence is not merely a concept,” he shares. Being with other delegates from different universities inspired him to open his eyes and be inspired by the example of others in his personal pursuit of excellence. In a sense, excellence, for him, is contagious. “The passion for excellence of a person breeds excellence in others as well with the idea of the common good in mind.” He also discovered that humility and excellence must never be set apart. Finally, Jay-Ar leaves all of us with a challenge—“Excellence should transcend what is written in books… Excellence is lived and not left in the pages of books to fade with time.”
Photographs by Dale Garcia
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Creating a Culture of Excellence (Live Excellence) Excellence, more than being the best in everything that one does, is a standard that should be the basis of all our actions. There is a common notion that excellence should be evaluated based on results or outcomes. But living excellence is best exemplified by the struggle to achieve the highest standards. Each member of the community must demand only the best from themselves. Through these demands, the individual does not only expect good outcomes but also the development of good habits that foster an attitude geared towards excellence. Therefore, this common struggle of each individual within the university community creates a culture of excellence. The individual demands for excellence becomes a collective demand of the university. Specifically, the university imposes upon itself a standard of professional and academic excellence, and it upholds this by attracting only the best people who live up to the same caliber that the university upholds. Creating a Culture of Service (Live Service) Team players—those who are willing to serve others, are the types of people that the university aims to form. These are people who do their tasks and overcome difficulties to be able to be of service. A culture of service is one that is devoid of selfishness. Even in one’s pursuit for academic and professional excellence, the “other” is kept in mind. This culture of service fosters unity within the university, actively promoting Christian fraternity. Because of the university’s mission to hone individuals who are dedicated to service, it becomes an ideal training ground for future leaders and movers who are not concerned about their own interests but are concerned for others and for society at large. To “Live Service” is to put one’s neighbor in the forefront of consideration when deciding how to act, specifically in one’s work. Creating a Serene and Cheerful Atmosphere (Live Solidarity) Creating a serene and cheerful atmosphere conducive for a rich community life is what people often perceive Unitas to mean. It is, indeed, an important component of Unitas, and it springs from an individual’s diligence for work, concern for details, and respect for others. This creates a cheerful atmosphere where everyone is able to do his work, and collectively 14
contribute to society. This very atmosphere fosters a community of solidarity. Solidarity is the recognition of the dignity of the human being, leading to a commitment to the common good. This means, at a basic level, that we must recognize that we are within a community, and that our actions must contribute to the serenity and cheerfulness of this community. The creation of a serene and cheerful atmosphere inevitably leads to a climate of freedom in the university—wherein there is respect for the opinions of each member of the community. Creating a Culture of Virtue (Live Values) Simplistically, virtue is the habit of doing good. A lack of virtue in the individual is often the cause of his distraction, making him lose sight of his goals. Values cannot be set apart from other aspects of Unitas. True excellence is not possible without values, and faith that is not applied through values is merely empty and artificial. The standards that each member of the community imposes upon himself must be kept in check through the different virtues. As an institution, UA&P takes pride in the creation of a culture of virtue, which it hopes to instill in the individual even as he leaves the university. Certain rules and policies in school – the dress code, censorship of the Internet, and rules on punctuality are not meant to limit freedom but to create a culture of virtue, which is conducive to the true practice of freedom. In fact, the university uses example, personal witness, and dialogue in its mission to teach virtue to its members. This being said, UA&P’s individuality as a unique institution should not deviate from the spirit that inspired the institution’s creation and development. In other words, it is our responsibility as the builders of this new and vibrant culture to keep our identity intact. Our identity will only be genuine if we commit ourselves to ‘Live United’ in these ideals.
By Margaux Antonio
The ViARE theatre group kicked off the new year with a new and refreshing genre for their first 2012 production, A Very ViARE Musical: Li(f )e Auditions. This wasn’t just any other play. Auditions began in November and scripts were written only after the cast was finalized. Post-audition script writing was done for the purpose of making each character’s lines coincide with their actual personality so that they could play themselves. Under the superb direction of Ikey Canoy, the sensational and witty writing of Pam Imperial, and the cast’s dedication to the daily, two-month long rehearsals, ViARE’s dream of having their very own musical finally came to life. The story of the musical revolves around ten incredibly talented, passionate, and very real UA&P students who audition for “A Very ViARE Musical”. What makes this play so unique is that the audience gets to share in the excitement and the thrill by entering the venue with control numbers, looking like they were going to audition as well. In the middle of the play, random audience members are chosen to actually audition. “Li(f ) e Auditions,” right? In taking part of the production of the musical, members of ViARE describe the experience as amazing. To work every day with such a dedicated crew and a talented cast was also humbling for many of its members. Those who have watched the play attest to the great amount of talent that UA&P students have and agree that there is much more to be discovered. The university looks forward to the next audition!
Photographs by Dale Garcia
UNIV 2012 FINAL CONGRESS KICKS OFF
by Marietta Trimpe
Last January 14, 2012, the national phase of the 45th UNIVersity Final Congress took place at the Tanglaw University Center Auditorium in Quezon City. Eight groups of girls presented their respective papers focusing on the chosen theme for UNIV 2012, “Pulchrum: The Power of Beauty”. Basically, it is an invitation for university students to think about beauty as something innate in being. It also invites students to think out of the box by looking upon the various perspectives of human experience. The program started with opening remarks by Ms. Anna Michelle Allarde, current national coordinator of UNIV Philippines, who shared a few things on UNIV’s history and about this year’s topic on beauty. After which broadcaster and UA&P Corporate Communications Managing Director, Ms. Maria Mercedes “Chi-Chi” Robles, shared the greater effect of transcendental beauty beauty that comes from within. According to her, beauty is everywhere, but it tends to become too superficial; beauty is easily lost, especially in today’s generation. Ms. Robles also talked about her news casting experiences and life-changing moments, lightening up the crowd with her humorous ‘icebreaker’ speech. UNIV 2012 papers were a mix of social, political, and practical applications. Presenter Christine B. Besana of UP-Manila set the mood by helping the audience rediscover what true beauty really is with the paper, Inspiring the Disenchanted: Rediscovering Beauty. On the other hand, Presenter Angela Marie Cielo of UP-LB further offered an understanding on the 2012 theme by introducing the importance of religious formation as a way to realize the beauty of the Truth. Her group’s paper is entitled Religious Formation Among University Students As a Path to Discovering the Beauty of the Truth. Dr. Daisy Lopez, UNIV Philippines national coordinator from 1993 – 2011,capped off the event by congratulating the participants for a job well 16
done. She gave insight about seeing the power of beauty as something that has to be a vehicle of transformation: cultivating and refining our sense of beauty to contribute “light” to the world. Current participants are preparing for the UNIV International Congress, which will be held on March 30 – April 12. UNIV Conference is an international gathering of university students from all over the world. It began due to the efforts and initiative of St. Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei. Since 1968, UNIV has been held during Holy Week, in Rome, as an academic forum and a weeklong, spiritual and cultural experience.
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By Marcella Karaan “We just want to show that [in] UA&P [we] can make good plays… we can do Shakespeare and we can do it well. We can make it our own”, said Director Christian Vallez on Makbet, Dulaang ROC’s adaptation of the the famous tragedy. Vallez, who is better known in the world of theatre as Juan Ekis, indeed made Shakespeare’s play his own masterpiece through his wonderful translation and exceptional set. The translation made by Vallez and his cotranslator, Jay-ar Mira, was an almost perfect Filipino version of the play because they maintained all the original metaphors. The entire story, with all the revealing soliloquies of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and even the occasional injections of humor like the Porter’s speech on hell, was kept intact. Even Shakespeare’s poetry and prose was retained; the rhymes and measure were still there, only following the rules of Filipino rhyming schemes. As a result, all the emotions that Shakespeare wanted his audience to feel many years back still remained. While the faithful translation made Makbet almost identical to the original, the set distinctly set them apart. According to Vallez, whatever happened
during Shakespeare’s time in the past continues until the present and will continue, in a vicious cycle, in the future. To stress this point, he turned Telengtan hall into post-apocalyptic Philippines. “It happened in [the year] 2040 after the nuclear holocaust. Everyone was underground except for the witches who were outside.” Red lights filled the room, depicting alarming levels of deceit and temptation. Smoke hovered over the characters, like their consciences haunting them in horror. The atmosphere of their own selfish desires rendered them so defenseless that they had to wear gas masks whenever they entered a fight. The set was also representative of hell. “The stage had four platforms like there were four traitors in the ninth circle in the Inferno – traitors to country, king, benefactors and self. Macbeth betrayed all four”, said Chuckie Campos Juan who played Makbet. Macbeth in its own is already the work of a genius. Makbet, on the other hand, is something that we really own, as Vallez puts it. With the impeccable combination of the set and translation, Macbeth was brought back to life and uniquely made a masterpiece of UA&P. Photographs by Dale Garcia
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It has almost been 3 months, and people have slowly returned to their normal routines after the usual merrymaking of the Christmas season. Year in and year out, Filipinos have placed special emphasis on one of the most important seasons of the Liturgical calendar. Aside from fulfilling religious obligations, they plan out their outings, arrange reunions and of course, pool their money for the most awaited element of contemporary Christmas: giftgiving. While it is true that times have indeed changed for the erstwhile Spanish colony, rooted deep into the cultural fabric of every Filipino is the faith which he has treasured for generations. It has become a stable institution that has been passed down from generations. However, it was neither a silent night nor a clear midnight that characterized the Christmas of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro last year. The accustomed cool breeze morphed into lashing winds and the gentle drizzles of December became torrid rainfall. Typhoon Sendong had arrived. Last December 17, Grayson Yañez, a 3rd-year IMC student from the university, witnessed firsthand the fabled devastation of the storm captured on televisions nationwide. At the most unsuspecting of times, when he was eagerly awaiting his return to his hometown, there came before him a crushing spectacle whichspectacle, which looked and “felt like a warzone.” Overcome by grief, Grayson confesses crying inside the bus that trudged the muddy road back home. It was a most unusual Christmas for him and the thousands affected by the typhoon. Houses were flattened, cars and trucks upended, people covered in mud walking aimlessly. More than the cold December breeze, it was the feeling of “yes, THIS HAS JUST HAPPENED TO YOUR LIFE,” that completed the chilling experience. Grayson immediately thought of his family, and if they were alright. “You can’t afford to see someone or something you love so much get hurt, right?” It was not long before rescue personnel and relief efforts stormed the affected areas. Sympathy and concern flooded Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. In their localities, the people did not allow distress to grip their hearts entirely. It was a remarkable sight, says Grayson, to see so many of his townsfolk helping each other. “Individuals, classmates, batchmatesbatch mates, barkadas, private units, church groups, business owners --- all Iliganons never wasted a minute in gathering up volunteers, opening their houses and stores as relief centers, posting in social networking sites locations and relief goods needed, and going around the areas to check and gather updates. The
spirit of volunteerism and solidarity I saw in Iligan that time was beyond heartwarming.” Indeed it was a most unusual sight to behold. It was a hard time, consisting of sleepless nights and anxiety, but the sacrifices everyone took to alleviate the situation made up for it. The merrymaking of Christmas was put aside to give way for what was truly needed that Christmas season: charity. Love was coming from all directions, in all shapes and sizes. Sendong may have destroyed many lives, but hope, like a young sapling that had just bloomed after a long slumber underground, remained. The people of Iligan did not just rely on outside help. They were helping themselves, not wasting a minute for rebuilding their homes and dreams. For Grayson, the insufficient attention initially given to his beloved Iligan did not matter that much. Through the combined efforts of the entire Filipino nation, the gaps were filled. This was a Christmas to remember; not because of the natural calamity, but because of the gift giving that took place. Faces lighted up, laughter returned, and tears flowed out. Unlike the empty happiness that comes from receiving a gift, as one normally does on Christmas, this was authentic joy. This is what gifts are supposed to do, and it has indubitably made all the difference. This is not to discount the pain that Grayson felt. Seeing all the destruction, he at times felt helpless. “I cannot really tell them to feel better because with their situation, it was impossible to do.” The only thing he knew was that he was hopeful. “Every hour a car or a truck would drop by our relief center to bring in boxes and boxes of clothes, medicines, food, sacks of rice, and monetary donations and it just slowly [took] the tiredness away.” When asked what his personal message to the victims of Sendong was, Grayson had only encouraging things to say: “Keep the faith, there will always be healing and hope in His arms and with the helping hands of your fellowmen.” During one of the happiest days of the year, one man and his fellows found courage to stand up against the painful tragedy nature brought them. Despite the fact that they had to clean up the mud and pick up the scattered garbage until the vacation period was over (and perhaps until now), the people of Iligan were still able to celebrate Christmas. As usual, mass was held and all. As usual, gifts were given. But this time around, they were given with genuine love and charity. How big this event impacted the people, no one can ever tell. For all our trees and reindeers, the people of Iligan might have had a better Christmas than most of us.
Photograph by Grayson Gil Yañez
By Margaux Antonio and Nicollo Ordoñez The recent deaths of political leaders tell us that although good times do not last, neither do the bad. This article is about the notable deaths of three powerful, infamous leaders in the past year - Osama Bin Laden, Muammar Gadhafi and Kim Jong-Il. Their passing, if seen in the proper light, can teach us something very significant.
Gadhafi Another recent death was Muammar Gadhafi’s, who ruled Libya for a lengthy 41 years before dying at the hands of rebels last October 20, 2011. He led a revolution in 1969 that aimed to overthrow the Libyan monarchy. Ironically coming into absolute power after this, Gadhafi ruled with an iron-fist while controlling the oil-rich nation with whom he shared Bin Laden’s denouncement of Western powers.
Kim Jong-Il
Kim Jong-Il, leader of North Korea, met his demise (reportedly due to a heart attack) on December 17, 2011. Following his father’s footsteps, he entered into the political arena after succeeding his father’s job as leader of the Korean Worker’s Party (KWP) back in 1980. When Kim Jong-Il became the North Korean leader in 1994, he established policies geared towards self-reliance and the belief that in all aspects of social life, the military came first. He was steadfast in his principles and true to his communist cause.
Deaths make powerful statements. They mark the end of something and the beginning of another. In fact, these three deaths remind us of the failures of past nations and civilizations, which, before their rise, experienced downfalls as well. We recall the Decline of the Roman Empire in the 4th and 5th centuries when rabid moral decadence and corrupt leaders assumed position. We inevitably recall Adolf Hitler and the holocaust of World War II in the 1930’s until late in 1945. We are reminded of General Pol Pot’s massive 70’s stint of blatantly killing innocent citizens in the Cambodian Killing Fields. We even recall the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that deposed the former President Ferdinand Marcos. These dictators were powerful and so were their deaths. Though infamous for their extreme methods in the political arena, these three, deceased dictators left us with something to ponder on. First, Bin Laden’s patriotism, albeit radical, showed the lengths a citizen would go to dedicate himself to self-sufficient rule. In the decade that Bin Laden was hunted down, the United States and the rest of the world increased its vigilance, intelligence and security to prevent and suppress any form of terrorism. Thanks to Bin Laden, never has America been more protective of their country and its people. Next, with Gadhafi’s prolonged dictatorship, Libya’s civil society was given a chance to exercise their power. At the same time, the tragedies in Libya raised the world’s consciousness on the importance of human rights and how the possession of these rights should not be taken for granted even if they are not being threatened. Lastly, we have Jong-Il, whose every move was closely watched by the international community. His 21st century, communist regime caused Western
Muammar Gaddafi - http://en.rian.ru/images/16276/70/162767044.jpg Kim Jong Il - http://zolengthe.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/KIm-Jong-II.jpg
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countries to increase their awareness regarding rogue states in the modern world. It was a perfect time for the world to understand how leaders thought in a nuclearweapons age. There is a certain kind of empowerment that society gets out of experiencing dictators. Resilience, development, and political maturity are things that the kids of their society naturally learn after each experience. They learn how to value freedom in a world where it is constantly being taken away. These notable deaths provide us with a framework on how to make society better. It’s a trend. In the next few months, our generation will closely watch how world leaders respond to their deaths. In the next few years, we will witness how each of their deaths connect and form one giant web of ideas affecting their countries. We should be happy to have lived in 2011. We’re at the crossroads of different eras – the before and after of the deaths of these three leaders. We are currently beginning an era where something good comes out of each closed door. It is this age – our age when countries like North Korea, Czech Republic, and the Arab Spring nations, after long years of suffering, begin their change, for better or for worse.
Bin-Laden Accused mastermind of the attack on New York’s World Trade Center, catalyst of the ten-year War on Terror in the Middle East, and former leader of the al-Qaeda, the high priority target Osama Bin-Laden was put down by U.S. Special Forces on May 2, 2011. Before making it to America’s most wanted list of terrorists, Bin Laden was born into a wealthy family of fifty. He received a high quality education in economics and business administration. In 1980, Bin Laden viewed the United States as an enemy because of the presence of American military in Saudi Arabia. By mid-1990s, he proclaimed jihad on the American forces for the injustices caused by their stay. While he was notorious for masterminding many terrorist attacks that caused so many innocent lives, he was strong, true to his Islamic cause. He strongly influenced many Muslims, especially the youth.
Watch Out For The Merch by Melissa Antoinette C. Garcia
This is the campaign of the Merchandising year-end launch come mid-February. Organized by the student-members themselves, the theme of their year-ender complements that of the Student Executive Board’s. The Merchandising Committee, more known to the students as the Merch, has been preparing for its launch even before the Christmas break. Troy Bautista claims, “We have been planning new merchandise to sell and the perfect marketing strategy to use for the said launch.” But more than the new line of products they aim to sell, Bautista adds that their latest launch endeavor is different from their other activities for it primarily promotes the school’s identity – Unitas. Asked how the theme is reflected by their new line, Erica Ng says, “Through the apparel, Merch sparks the Unitas Spirit among the UA&P students.” 20
Osama Bin Ladin - http://a.abcnews.go.com/images/Blotter/gty_osama_bin_laden_jef_111209_wg.jpg
A Very Long Symphony by Mio Borromeo This is a story about stumbling. If you have come across it either by chance or otherwise, please remember that you are lucky because you are someone in a crowd of billions, of which many will not know the secrets that you do.
In the Philippines, there is a gutter that sings.
But of course, Buan did not know that when he stumbled upon it. He was practically tipping over into desperation—his only possessions consisting of the clothing on his back and the silver coin that had been buried into his palm. The coin itself was indistinguishable. It had been struck, dropped, traded, scratched, burnt, washed, bitten, flipped, and struck again. Whose face had been on it, Buan could no longer recall. Its true value was microscopic. Instead, he cared more for the fact that it had silver and it had worth. Eventually it was when he turned his head to glimpse a petite mestiza in a dark afternoon dress and translucent white shawl that he missed the drop of the sidewalk as it turned up the corner. The ground vanished beneath his front foot and his body faultlessly followed. His arms shot up and the coin launched into the air before Nature beckoned it back. Like the first wheel, it turned ambitiously and suggested opportunity. The life of the coin flashed before his very eyes and ended just before it began to dance along the side of a concrete drain grate, dug into the side of the road. Buan pulled up. The pain of slamming against the jagged street made his body feel a few pounds heavier, yet he even made use of his hands to bring himself closer. But alas, it was the work of inhuman Fate’s conspirator, Nature, to let that coin fall. Buan was curled up on the side of the road, and was ignored by the people who walked by and over him as though he were a tipped-over trash bin. When the crying stopped and he began to fade into sleep, a sound lifted his head. Carried by the singular melody of a weeping viola, he searched for the source of that wondrous tune, and stared through the grate as the notes erupted in standard time.
hidden underneath where the gutter should have been. Neither were any of the treasures that had been yielded. It did not take very long for people to realize that money was not the only thing that could be dropped in the gutter. In time, people learned to give away keepsakes. Often, the object defined the mood of what was to be played. Young poets would drop their old lockets. Rubato. Aspiring thinkers left behind their old notes. Maestoso. Soldiers surrendered their lilies. Marcato. Once, an elderly woman had lost her husband. She paid a visit to the gutter in order to let go of him, piece by piece. Every day, it was various bits of him—a shirt, sometimes a photograph. She was justly rewarded with the tinkling of piano keys that made her see la vie en rose. The lady gave day after day until she passed away. When she was cremated, it was in her will that she was to be rejoined to her husband. And so when her ashes were poured into the gutter, a funeral Kyrie boomed out into the sky, as though the gutter howled its lament to its adoring fan and muse. As the years came and went, so did the rest of the world. There were those who tried to tax it and sell it as their own. But the gutter was in the hearts of the masses that rose up screaming: “This beauty belongs to the people!” The only force capable of truly pinching their mouths shut came in the form of Japanese bombs and the Westernizers. As the years came and went, so did the rest of the world. The music, one might say, exists in sotto voce. A chorus of whispers will tell you that somehow the gutter managed to survive all the flak and change. But no one really knows. That is the legend. In truth, you know where the gutter is. You have seen it and I know this because I htave seen it too. Somehow, somewhere, you stumbled upon it, and you never even realized how beautiful it was until you were long past it. When you remember how lucky you are to have found that secret, the trail of magic appears—a long, delicate symphony.
He had only needed to wait for the piece to finish in order for him to notice that like him, the entire street stopped dead in its tracks. And for just a moment, it almost felt like the town and the city had followed suit. Everything became silent. The gutter enigma was well documented from that day on. Both members of the public and of the colonial government looked into the matter, but drew up literally nothing. There was certainly no secret band of musicians Illustration by Mille de Guzman
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Your Left is My Right By Nicole Fuentes
Our will is one, yours and mine, overlapping and reflecting, coinciding on the same line, the same shape, the same form. But we’re not the same. You and I, we mirror one another, and the light between us bounces back and forth, requiring distance, and I shudder at the thought of breaking the space or of mending it too close. Free against the stars, we exchanged freedom for freedom, thought for thought, scar for scars, underneath and with the sphere of the moon. My freedom was yours, and yours was mine, silently, until you broke the course, still silent, of the promise no righteous act can repair. And I have to remember: (Individual notes of dissonant sounds together create harmony, craftily planned and bound by one who sees the whole. The picture painted, tainted, stained for the dark to reveal the light, an art of love and intelligence. We are the music, we are the painting— different mediums of the art.) Your freedom still being bound by mine And mine by yours, permanent, is no compensation of any kind to an irreparable damage. And so we still mirror one another, in separate glass worlds where your left is my right, And the light between father and mother, husband and wife, no longer means anything. 22
Beyond the Harbor By Nicole Fuentes
I see now a multitude of stars fixed and unmoving teaching above for all to see yet no one sees. And a look like a glance is taken for granted, a series of looks of life giving ignored. We might as well be blind, under them to one another and to the present. (Illusions of future, the fiction of the past– they mirror each other.) Teach me, fix me, move me. I’ll lean on you when the world turns upside down and I fall into those constellations of celestial spheres. Only then after all will I no longer need eyes to see.
Tropical Punch
Summer gets a youthful touch with prints, color, and texture however way you spend it.
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Kick summer majors classes up a notch with bright, punchy hues like red, fuschia, or banana yellow.
Channel a cool drink of water in the summer heat with clean lines and breezy colors like blue and white. Too plain? Pick them in a fun print for added eye candy. 24
Just because it's hot doesn't mean you can't layer. Cardigans, scarves, hats, all in lightweight fabrics, of course., can dress up any outfit.
| Creative Director/Styling (Girls): Erica Ng | Creative Direction Team: Aimee Francisco, Angeli Valdez | | Photographer: Merphi Panaguiton | Hair, Make-Up, and Styling (Girls): Coco Famatigan | | Styling (Boys): Luigi Alba, Albert Valdezco | Models: Erica Gomez, Denise Calaguas, Aid Aseron, Matt Fule| | Words: Erica Ng & Frankie Torres | Special Thanks to: Tutti Manila | 25
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