TheCrusader AY Starter 2015

Contents

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1 | Editorial 2 | Column 4 | A Day Through the Eyes of a Street Child 6 | System Check: Is CSG Still Relevant?

9 | Money Matters: Updates on the Tuition Fee Hike 10 | Programs, Projects and Platforms: Traces of the Yellow Legacy 11 | The Mindanao Current Crisis

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Cover story

Preparing for the Drought: The Onset of K-12

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16 | Cutting the Long Lines: XU’s Online Enrollment System 18 | Zoomout: The Youngblood Movement 20| Student Mom 21| Cats: Pets or Pests?

22| Going Public: The Recurring Educator Exodus 23| Lampoon 24| Kuris

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ince its establishment in 1935, TheCrusader Publication has aspired to become the benchmark of student multimedia by publishing issues that inspire critical thinking and providing avenues for intellectual discussion. For the past 80 years, we have pursued Truth through responsible journalism. And we will continue to do so in the succeeding years.

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rom the implementation of the K-12 system to the introduction of the online self-service enrollment, XU is undergoing drastic changes that may change how we experience University life.

While the initial implementation may be rough and its benefits not immediately felt, these efforts might pay off well in the future. This will be the legacy for the next generation of students.

All that’s left to do is embrace these changes and settle in for the ride.

Words & Photo by TheCrusader Design by Francis Ryan O. Avellana

The official student publication of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Vol. 42 No. 1 July 2015

Editors Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera Editor in Chief, Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe A. Lozarita Associate Editor, Keith Obed J. Ruiz Design Editor, Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas Managing Editor, Andrew Rey L. del Fierro News Editor, Mary Antoniette M. Magallanes Campus Features Editor, Rezza Mae B. Tolinero Local Features Editor, Kevin Paul P. Mabul External Features Editor, Lorenzo A. Botavara Sports Editor, Jericho B. Montellano Graphic Design and Layout Editor, Jigo L. Racaza Photography Editor, Rico M. Magallona Freehand Editor | Finance Officers Jigo L. Racaza Auditor, Maria Gladys B. Labis Senior Finance Manager, Anna Jamela Soraida S. Balindong Junior Finance Manager | Managers Mark D. Rodriguez Human Resource Manager, Marlon R. Boro Office Manager, Lynette L. Tuvilla Circulation Manager, Evan B. Aranas Video Productions Manager, Jo Marie Claire B. Balase Online Accounts Manager, Senior Computer Systems Manager, Ker Ruben A. Ramos Junior Computer Systems Manager | Staff Writers Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores (Trainee), Alexa Kim K. Bacong (Trainee), Charissa D.C. Santiago (Trainee) | Staff Artists Maria Kristina G. Abing (Trainee), John Niccolo A. Aquino, Francis Ryan O. Avellana, Ben Clark B. Balase, Paul Clinton B. Balase, Ian Kenneth O. Bicar (Trainee), Marlon R. Boro, Deciri Beione Tharyn A. Braña (Trainee), Christian Loui S. Gamolo, Dave Allyster R. Gultiano (Trainee), Jinky M. Mejica (Trainee), Mark D. Rodriguez, Jon Michael A. Semilla (Trainee), Jan Michael A. Sy, Paul Joshua B. Tan (Trainee), Lynette L. Tuvilla, Rizalyka Joanne M. Waminal (Trainee) Moderator Ms. Ann Catherine Ticao-Acenas For contributions, please address your articles and/or comments to: The Crusader Publication Office, Rm. 302, Student Center Bldg, Xavier University 9000, Cagayan de Oro City Circulation: 7, 000 copies

Editorial

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Investing in the Future

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Illustration by Christian Loui S. Gamolo

o it begins.

Freshmen students who have always filled the University atmosphere with excitement and glee will be all but present next school year.

Orientation events will go temporarily silent, as the young minds who are supposed to be familiarizing themselves with the general rules and guidelines of their new Alma Mater will yet be at the newly established senior high school level.

For the next two academic years, colleges within the country will experience this freshmen “drought” as the Philippines transitions to the new, international standards-compliant K-12 program.

The new program replaces the aging ten-year pre-university cycle with one that matches those of our neighboring countries, strengthens the foundation of education in a child’s early years, and offers students with two-year, specialized, senior high school courses that lean toward a career path of their choice. High school graduates of the new program will be more prepared to take on specific jobs as they will be equipped with the fundamentals of business, technology, engineering, and sciences. Those excelling in sports and arts too, will be trained with the necessary skills to excel in their respective crafts.

However, the aforementioned alterations have been easily dismissed by many as extra expenditures not only for those enrolling, but to those paying taxes as well. It has also been argued that the system we currently have works just fine, and that the nation has kept its head above the water for decades. So why bother modifying what already works?

From an evolutionary standpoint, most beings tend to be creatures of habit, instinctively choosing to go to the path with the least struggle when given the choice. They do, however, when faced with the threat of extinction, adapt to the changing environment to survive.

The case of the nation and its efforts to upgrade the education system are no different from the way the most primal of organisms work.

Global competency standards have given the country an incentive to evolve its education system and remain competitive with the rest of the world. All the rewards that it offers in the long run – schoolchildren better prepared for their entry into formal education, high school graduates equipped with useful, specialized skills, and overall internationally-recognized curriculums – more than make up for the short-term drawbacks that many fear.

XU’s own Student Lifecycle Management and Information System (SLMIS) also serves as a powerful instance of a long-term investment with regards to how the University handles its enrolments and keeps track of its students’ records. Although the initial implementation has been rough on everybody’s part, one can only expect that with time, instructors would be fully accustomed to the system and would finish the same tasks more convenient than previously did.

Indeed, history has been littered with a plethora of changes that, while not immediately felt, put the world on the right track. At one point in 1876, Western Union, a financial services company, issued an internal memo stating that telephones had no value to them because “it had too many shortcomings to be considered as a means of communication.” Given enough time and development investments, what Western Union did not see as a step forward in technology had become instrumental to the daily lives of billions of people.

As proven throughout the course of history, changes are inevitable and necessary. Transitions, more often than not, require all to look past the immediate future and a few of its risks. It is a perpetual cycle that challenges and moves the world forward, stopping only at a point where it has nowhere else to go. And we are nowhere near reaching that point.

If we’re not going to keep the progress ball rolling now, then when?C

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Opinion

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Night’ s watch

by Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera

t some point in history, the Philippines became one of the most progressive countries in Asia. Import of rice and corn was unnecessary, infrastructure was at an all-time high, and investments grew at rates never expected before. This period of prosperity was attributed to the administration of the infamous Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos. No doubt, his loyalists and supporters glorify his name up to this day.

In social media, an increasing group of people have been posting propaganda in favor of the late president.

These Marcos apologists would go as far as to suggest a reinstitution of martial law, arguing that loss of liberty is an expendable tradeoff for economic prosperity. Some go by the comparison that post-martial law administrations have done nothing but worsen the socioeconomic situation of the country.

With the current situation of the country, I can see where these people are coming from. It is true that crime, corruption, and poverty are recurring problems after the Marcos administration. But can we say for certain that those problems didn’t exist during the administration?

Photos by Nico A. Aquino and Jigo L. Racaza

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Chironex fleckeri

by Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe A. Lozarita

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Misplaced adoration These Marcos propagandists fail to point out that it was during Marcos’ reign that the Philippines became one of the most frequent recipients of international loans. By the end of his regime, the country has been left with a growing debt, and until now, the debt incurred by his administration is still being paid by taxpayers’ money.

Ironically, the same people who want the reinstatement of martial law are the ones very vocal about their criticisms towards the government. The very thing that they are doing now could have them tortured or even killed during that period.

To those reasoning that only the people guilty of heinous crimes and adhering to communism should be afraid of martial law, I challenge you to read the report of Amnesty International’s mission to the Philippines on November 22 to December 5, 1975.

One can only cringe at the gruesome acts reportedly committed against prisoners, political enemies, and even the innocent. Would you still glorify the one allowing the perpetration of those atrocious acts?C

Home is where the trash is

ear Canada, I would just like to remind you that though my country is filled with rotten politicians and smelly drainages, it is not a landfill. How dare you dump your trash here?

For those of you who do not know, Canada sent us 55 container vans of garbage last 2013.

This illegal offloading was allegedly due to an agreement between Philippine-based company Chronic Plastics and an unnamed Canadian company. Upon discovery of the matter, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) immediately filed a case against Chronic Plastics on February 2014.

As if the 1,300 tons of non-recyclable plastics and adult diapers weren’t enough, 48 more container vans from another Canadian company were found and seized last May. Now, I’m starting to get the feeling that BOC is involved in this case, too. How else would such a number of imported products go unchecked?

Apparently, when a country illegally dumps their trash here in the Philippines, the best solution is to dump it in a private landfill in Tarlac.

Case closed, everybody’s happy. Even President

Noynoy Aquino seems to be satisfied, since he didn’t mention even the word “trash” when he met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper last May. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Canadian embassy are also convinced that the illegal garbage is safe for dumping in Philippine soils, since it is not toxic.

Wow. I cannot believe the audacity of these people. I couldn’t care less if it’s toxic or safe, baby or adult diapers, recyclable or non-recyclable.

My country is not a dumpsite and I refuse to accept this sort of insult. It derogates our identity as a nation; it gives an idea to other countries that it’s okay to dump waste here in the Philippines (cough, China).

The government should file a diplomatic protest against Canada and make them take back what’s theirs. There should also be a thorough investigation, just to make sure that officials of the BOC played no part in this.

Or else, I shall go into Duterte mode and make you eat your trash.C

Vol. 42 No. 1 July 2015

Opinion

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Speak

by Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas

arriage should be between a man and a woman.” This is the common argument that gets raised when discussing same sex marriage. But I beg to differ.

The marriage between two beings should never be defined by one’s gender but by the love that they have for each other. When news broke out of the United States Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage, I saw this as monumental effort to level gender inequality.

Marriage is a fundamental human right that should be celebrated by all, regardless of one’s sexual orientation. It is difficult to imagine religious sectors justifying discrimination by pointing out procreation as the essence of marriage. Your inability to bear children doesn’t make your marriage invalid and has never been a prerequisite for this. These are true for both hetero- and homosexual couples.

The Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage doesn’t exist to be an affront to religion;

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Id Est

by Andrew Rey L. del Fierro

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For The Win it exists to protect the rights of homosexual couples. With the legalization of same sex marriage, homosexual couples can practice federal rights and benefits unique to married couples.

Though the Christian views on marriage go directly against the Supreme Court ruling, people should understand religion shouldn’t be mixed with the law, especially when not everybody shares the same religious beliefs. To say same sex marriage taints the sanctity of traditional marriage is your opinion entirely, and should not hinder a group of people from exercising their fundamental rights and gaining legal benefits.

If you support homosexual relationships but not marriage because they can just live together, the same can be said to you, yet the choice to get married is made available to you without complaint. Ultimately, same sex marriage respects the fundamental rights of homosexuals.

Isn’t that already a cause for celebration for the love that won?C

What Hate Begets

omosexuals are freaks. Muslims are all violent radicals. Women are raped of no one’s fault but their own.

Did you feel angry after reading those statements?

Do you feel the need to shout and scream at the people who support those ideologies—to do anything and everything in your power to avoid that kind of bigoted, close-minded thinking, even if it meant excising them out of your lives and your attention?

Perhaps you’ve contributed more to the problem than to the solution.

Wars waged through social media erupted all across the globe after the Supreme Court of the US ruled that states must recognize the unions between homosexual couples on June 26, inciting heated debates between proponents and opponents of the ruling.

The impact was especially felt here in the Philippines, where many netizens found themselves at odds with the beliefs of their friends and families. Some, at the peak of their emotions, would rather not hear the comments of the opposing side and opted to actively ignore them.

Surprisingly enough, this behavior was present even in those who claimed to be “openminded”; those who decried the opposing side for being unaccepting and intolerant.

To my fellow advocates of human rights: should we revile them in the same way they have reviled us?

That line of inquiry by no means implies the acceptance of discrimination. It only begs the question of whether shunning people and branding them bigots beyond redemption is more sensible than actually attempting to make them understand why they might be wrong.

Should we continue to call out wrongful behavior? Of course! But to what extent can the goal of universal human rights be accomplished if you have stubbornly chosen to see people who disagree with you as enemies instead of potential allies?

It seems lazy—careless, even—to not persist in correcting a misconception, especially when the rights of other human beings are at stake.

The path is long and arduous, and hate will always be the easier alternative.

We do not take the easy way out.C

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overed in sweat and dirt, he enters a dark alley, looking for a safe place to rest. With his head in the clouds and his body on the ground, he thinks of the family he has or at least once had. Do they worry about him? Do they wonder whether he has eaten or not?

He touches his stomach at the thought of food. Empty as it may be, the same substance that has filled his spirit with false happiness has similarly filled the void in his stomach.

Then the thought hits him slowly, like the dawn slowly chasing the night sky away. He thought that maybe he was born for this: to want yet never have, to ask yet rarely receive.

Maybe he was born for the life on the streets.

by Charissa D. Santiago

Daily struggle John, Raphael, Marnel, and Orlando wake up at around noon to the sound of the busy streets. They rise and keep an eye for social workers who’ve long been eager to bring them to Tahanan ng Kabataan – a youth center that detains both street children and children with criminal cases. With the little money he earned from begging the night before, some of them buy a few pieces of bread for a light breakfast. Some weren’t as lucky.

Dressed in the same clothes from last night, they walk around the streets in the hopes of meeting generous people. However, instead of a warm welcome, they are often met with ridicule and contempt, some even shooing them away. There are a few, though, who would give some coins out of generosity and others in compliance so as to be left unbothered. With the money they receive, they would then hungrily buy bread or proven, whatever would fit the little they have. On worst days, these boys would pass by eateries and ask for leftover rice.

On days when the hunger becomes impossible to bear, they pester people or touch students’ food just so they will be forced to give it away. Desperate times truly call for desperate measures.

A life on the edge During hot afternoons, the boys go on an adventure by walking to Carmen, bringing with them a change of clothes they bought for Php 5 from ukay-ukay stalls in Cogon. They delight in performing tricks as they jump off from Carmen Bridge into the cool waters of the Cagayan River. This also serves as their bath whenever they aren’t permitted to use the public showers in the plaza.

In pursuit of a long-lasting happiness, they sometimes take with them plastics containing rugby; sometimes bought, sometimes stolen. They hide it behind the terms pitsel, tambal sa ilong, and hardware. Regardless of the term they use as a codename, a whiff of its scent sends them over the edge.

Orlando describes the feeling as something magical. “Mura kag ga-lupad sa langit,” he shares.

Some may judge them and think that they waste money on rugby instead of food, but there are actually reasons behind its usage. Jett Torres, the Freshmen Formation Program (FFP) Formator who spearheaded the street tutorials in Divisoria, explained that the kids were made to believe that sniffing rugby would make them feel full.

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Vol. 42 No. 1 July 2015

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Distant hopes Like normal children, the four friends also have their own ambitions. Orlando wants to become a flight steward, Raphael dreams of becoming a doctor, Marnel ambitions to become a nurse, and John hopes to have a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM).

Despite having ambitions, the children are slow when asked about the certainty of their future. Torres explains that this is because they are too preoccupied with thinking about how to satisfy their present needs that they don’t have much of the capacity to often dwell about their future. “Lisod kaayo na siya nga idea sa ilaha nga situation kay ilang huna-huna ana is unsaon nila pag-survive kana nga adlaw. Dili sila long term,” he explains.

Challenge to love one’s neighbors Torres shares about the sense of community

the people living in the streets possess. When they’re given clothes that don’t fit, they give it to someone else who might. They are concerned about each other. On the other hand, there may be some members of the XU community with closets vomiting unused clothes.

If they who have little can give, why can’t those who have much? Torres challenges the community to give, help, and teach. The more educated these children become, the greater the chance they’ll realize that the street is no place for a child. He claims that keeping them fed will also help keep them from rugby.

He shares that many have a heart of generosity but lack the personal initiative to help. Many only give when programs and organizations initiate the action. According to him, the University is great at creating programs yet there is a need to actually sustain them rather than simply being a one-shot deal.

Overall, he challenges the community’s passion to teach and help others who cannot afford to pay for education. As part of a Jesuit institution, he urges the community to take initiative and actually prove that they are men and women for others. *** He quickly finishes his meal of proven, wanting but hesitating to buy more. He needs to save what little amount he can for a few pieces of bread when he wakes up later.

The sun is about to rise. Now it’s his turn to rest.C

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Design by Jigo L. Racaza

Night life During night time, they roam around the Rotunda to, once again, beg for food. According to Rafael, he and his friends are most active at night since they are usually asleep in the morning.

Their usual days, after being able to eat once or twice, usually end late; sometimes it ends at three o’clock in the morning.

Rowdy as they may look like, the boys are actually soft on the inside as they think of their families in the wee hours of the evening. They wonder if they’re being missed or even thought of.

John ran away from home and still refuses to return without giving any reason why.

Raphael rarely goes home to avoid being constantly scolded by his mother and having asked to do household chores.

Orlando has five other siblings.

Marnel, on the other hand, no longer has parents. He is from Zamboanga and both his parents have passed away. He came to Cagayan de Oro by hiding in a truck transporting pigs to Bulua. There, he met a woman who brought him to the streets of Divisoria.

Nothing special The four boys, like everyone else, have birthdays, too. It’s just that they don’t have the means or the cause to celebrate.

Orlando did not do anything special on his birthday. “Namasura ko sa akong pagkabirthday,” he shares. He further mentioned that he is used to spending his birthday and Christmas on the streets rather than at home with his family.

Torres explains that it’s because they know their parents can’t afford the luxury of a celebration.

Photos by Jigo L. Racaza, Dave Allyster R. Gultiano, and Mark D. Rodriguez

He shared that the kids also use rugby as an aid to help them sleep so they may temporarily forget their hunger.

Raphael confirms Torres’s statement.

Moreover, John shares that it keeps them from feeling pain. “[Kung] sumbagon ka, di ka masakitan.”

Given all these illusory benefits, it is not much of a shock that several kids cling on to this substance.

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by Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas, Andrew Rey L. del Fierro, & Rezza Mae B. Tolinero

n the context of Xavier University, an institution populated by students of different backgrounds and cultures, a representative body must act to ensure that the actions of the school reflect the interests of their constituents.

By doing so, this body secures the general welfare of the student populace, who are now able to pursue their academics to the best of their abilities. This body is more commonly known as the Central Student Government (CSG).

Like all systems, however, the government is susceptible to failure. From incompetent and inefficient representation to graft and corruption, there are many potential problems that can contribute to a non-functioning and thus, irrelevant government.

That’s where you come in. TheCrusader Publication has surveyed 642 students in order to capture the general attitude of XU students towards their elected body, as well as compiling information on the budget assigned by the current CSG administration for their plans for AY 2015-16.

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It is important to note that this article reviews the previous CSG administrations, as the data collected is based on the students’ collective memory of their performance. We do this in the hope of empowering both the student community and the CSG to act in a manner that benefits all.

Of counting and cutting CSG President Joseph Roldan Tagalog says that they are cutting costs on every area possible. “We are anticipating na mag-decrease ang enrollment and also gina-try gyud namo ang investment na ang impact will really go to the students.”

For this semester, the biggest chunk of the CSG’s budget, Php 105, 000, is allocated to the Department of Internal Administration from which office materials and student involvement monetary budget are taken. Among the major activities under this department is the Basic Orientation and Leadership Training Seminar (BOLTS) (allocated Php 70,000), wherein CSG members gather to acquire necessary skills in order to function accordingly for the school year.

Tagalog also pointed out that the seminar will serve to develop camaraderie among the members.

“It is just rightful na amount kay mura sya’g we are investing for the growth of student volunteers,” Tagalog explains. “And if they will not be ready for that load of work in terms of their leadership and growth as a student, I don’t think they will create an impact.”

Meanwhile, Php 103,000 is allotted to the Department of External Affairs and Corporate Relations. Tagalog justifies that this budget is

for this year’s Buklod Atenista, in which the University will serve as the host school for its summit. Buklod Atenista is an alliance among the Ateneo Schools student governments in which leaders from the member schools converge every two years.

Cause of costs Remember the ORSEM 2015 Talent exposition? How about the recent Uni-wide General Assembly? You should, because these activities are part of the Php 84,000 - budget of the Department of Events and Management.

“I understand, dako ilang budget sa every event nila. However, it would only be reasonable and justifiable if it really meets the students' needs,” Mary Claire Estoque, a fourth year Accountancy student opines. “Sa karon nga admin, I hope every event will have enough budget; ‘enough’ means reasonable that would suffice the needs.”

On the other hand, the Department of Academic Affairs holds the Php 40,000 - budget intended mostly as a subsidy for those students in dire need of monetary support involving the costs of joining external contests. Budget for tutorials are also taken here.

Vol. 42 No. 1 July 2015

Other departments include the Department of Research and Statistics with a fund of Php 4, 500 projected for producing materials intended for data gathering and research and the Department of Sports and Recreation with Php 10, 000. This budget, commonly mistaken as a budget for Intramurals, is actually for recreational activities offered to all students which will promote university spirit.

Limitations In terms of the sustainability of the approved laws and resolutions of the CSG, the legislative branch still needs to polish its system. CSG’s current Vice President, Edison Lacea, shares that there isn’t a compilation of passed laws and resolutions by past administrations. As a result, future administrations may approve laws that already exist. With the CSG’s current system, the implementation of previously passed laws may vary with each administration. Supposedly, these laws should be in effect unless amendments have been made. Lacea attributes the inconsistent implementation and varied agenda of each

administration to a flawed political party system in the elections.

However, he still plans to solve this problem by creating a compilation of passed laws and turning it over to the next administration. “You have to make sure that they’re following these laws because in the first place, what’s the point of making laws when you wouldn’t follow them,” he says.

The CSG also has difficulty enacting their laws because they are unable to properly monitor

Design by Keith Obed J. Ruiz and Ben Clark B. Balase

The price of his promises Before being elected in his office, Tagalog promised the students two things: student representation and student services. As such, he states, “Ma-highlight jud na ang two things kay mao mana ang reason why the student government exists through representing the students by giving services to them.”

For student representation, a Php 5,000 budget is assigned to the Department of Sectoral Representation. Not much is needed since the project will mostly dwell on sectoral meetings, aimed to address the concerns of different sectors in the University. For Maria Espiritu, an Education student and a scholar, she considers this as an opportunity for the scholars to be recognized.

Being part of the first phase of sectoral meeting of the scholars, she hopes that “mas matagaan jud ug pansin ang mga kailangan jud sa scholars.”

On the other hand, Php 45,000 - budget is given to the Department of Student Services and Campus Development of which Php 10,000 is for enrollment assistance intended for the volunteers while the other Php 35,000 is set aside for the college councils’ subsidy. The budget, however, is still changeable. “We are hoping na ma-lessen sya para ang sobra will go to the subsidy for the councils,” Tagalog shares.

In this regard, Agriculture Student Council (ASC) Prime Minister Faith Ann Ranises says, “CSG really sees to it that the councils are wellinformed of their plans and that we have a say in their decision makings. Feel nako mas wellcoordinated now compared last year. Pero last minute lang gyud sila usahay ga-inform.”

and Responsibilities was created for the purpose of completing the second function. It enumerates the policies that protect students’ basic rights from being exploited within the campus.

Based on the survey, a majority of the students (69.63 percent) believe that the past CSG administration most frequently performs the function of organizing events rather than the two aforementioned functions. While some may argue that this is due to the visibility of events in comparison to the other functions, it is worth noting that 26.95 percent of the surveyed students reported that “organizing events” was the primary purpose of CSG. “I hope that the CSG understands that they need to look for more enticing ways for students to take part about informing their rights,” comments a business administration junior on the CSG’s advocacy of rights during the survey, stating that it shouldn’t rely on its accessibility in the student handbook. “Dili kay pag event, organizations, and election ra sila mag suroy suroy kada room.”

Nature of government Simplified, a government fulfills two basic functions: 1) to represent and serve the interests of its constituents and 2) to protect and advocate the rights of its people. The CSG performs the first function by conducting basic informationgathering from students or by holding sectoral hearing sessions. The Xavier Congress, which is held twice a year, is an example of a focus-group discussion.

The XU Magna Carta of Students’ Rights

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expressed concerns such as unaccommodating staff members and difficulty determining which officer to approach regarding their problems.

Lacea expresses the difficulties of keeping the CSG an object of attention in students’ daily lives.

“We’ve been trying so hard through posting what we do on Facebook,” he explains. He also insists that the CSG continues to work diligently and points to the recent success of the Culion Project, which raised donations for the Loyola College of Culion. “If we didn’t ask about the money about Culion, then it would be in a bank account of someone else.”

its implementation. “In student government, it’s also hard to enact laws because for one, we couldn’t really give punishments […]I don’t think we can ask fines for not following laws.

Well, I think, the greatest thing we could give as punishment is administrative sanction but I don’t think that would be much,” he adds.

Lacea pointed out that the lack of an independent body to monitor the performance of the CSG, similar to an Ombudsman’s functions, contributes to a dysfunctional administration.

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Participation However powerful a government may be, it is still dependent on the participation of its people. A successful interaction must then take place, wherein a government actively seeks to involve its constituents in its affairs. When asked about their participation in the government, the survey-takers presented a mean score of 2.52, indicating moderate inactivity in CSG affairs.

Fifty-one percent of students also answered “no” when asked if the current CSG administration is easily approachable. Some have

*** With CSG as a whole scoring an approval rating of 2.41 and its current administration barely above it with a score of 2.43, it seems that the general attitude of the students is one of discontentment, though not to the point of abandoning their government.

The path presented is promising—while students may be disgruntled by the government, there is a slight hope, however tenuous, that the current CSG administration will fully serve the interests of its constituents and usher in a time of active political participation and student empowerment.

Hearkening to their catchphrase, we eagerly await the experience.C

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Uniform (monetary) acceleration Rises in tuition are nothing new to the University, which has been consistently implementing five percent increases for the past four years. This year saw a rise of one percent due to a net loss of enrollees and inflation – the administration is mostly concerned with the gradual drop in enrollment rates for the past halfdecade.

University Treasurer Lennie K. Ong refutes the notion that the negative enrollment rates are due to fewer freshman enrollees because it is actually “the high dropout rate that accounts for most of the net loss.” Of all colleges, the School of Business and Management has the highest dropout rate with only an estimated 90 percent of the Crusader

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Filling in the gap According to Ong, the six percent TFI will approximately bring in PHP 830 million to the Universtity. However, the estimated summary of budgeted expenses for AY 2015-16 would total to PHP 936 million, thus leaving a deficit of PHP106 million. “We know [tuition fee increase is] gonna bring in more or less 830 million in all including what income can be generated along the way. But our budget for our activities, for our operations, is more than that, so our concern now is to fill in the gap,” imparts Ong. Normally, operational expenses (e.g. supplies, light, water, maintenance) account for 70 percent in the University’s income while the administration is apportioned 30 percent, with the Computer and Information Services Office (CISO) and Physical Plant Office (PPO) having the most expensive costs.

Making it evident Although the finance management is making adjustments to keep expenses low, there are things they ultimately have no control over. This includes operation-related expenses and increase in salaries.

Despite this, Ong says that the University will continue to deliver quality education and services to its members. “The challenge for [the] management [now] is how we can spend the money in the areas where it can best be felt,” she adds. For instance, part of the funds is intended for the last phase of the network upgrade to make network connectivity or Wi-Fi felt throughout the whole campus and also to replace PABX (telephone) system. *** Tuition fee increases are often associated with tangible improvements, though this is not always the case. For this particular year, the tuition fee increase was more of an aid to mitigate the impact of inflation and enrollment drop. But if the increase is ought to be felt, as what most expect it to be, then students must also do their part – after all, it’s the students’ choice to make the most of the things they are paying for.C www.thecrusaderpublication.com

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Design by Jericho B. Montellano

uition hikes are almost always met with disapproval, often met with speculation and hostility especially from the lessinformed patrons who consequently make up most of its opposition.

Four months ago, TheCrusader Publication released information on the budget allocations for the then-proposed Tuition Fee Increase (TFI) in its AY Ender magazine. The information was based on projections made by the administrationappointed technical panel.

Today, in the aftermath of its implementation last June, we attempt to answer where all the money has gone and for what purpose it is being used.

original fresh man population eligible for graduation.

Implementation-wise, one of the Treasurer’s Office’s main apprehensions when it comes to TFIs is the reception and degree of opposition they will meet, such that the success indicators Ong mentions appeal to common sense. “…if it is accepted well enough, then that means we did well enough in justifying and making sense of how much we’re asking [for].”

This was what she says transpired in days following the June 20 implementation. She admits, however, that expectations were not met “in terms of funding of operations,” attributing it to the continually low enrollment rates.

One of the ways the management has cut costs is by looking into the research area. “When we evaluated the research spending, we found out that the actual grants for the year are not totally disbursed within the year because researches may span over 2 years, 3 years so we can actually just budget according to what is disbursable for a particular year,” explains Ong. The management has also only maintained the number of scholarships for the entire academic year and will not be opening new slots any time soon. Other ways include careful selection when purchasing materials for operations and prioritization of cost-effectivity.

by Alexa Kim K. Bacong & Mary Antoinette M. Magallanes

Design by Keith Obed J. Ruiz

Photo by Alvin Paul Yao

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wo years ago, the purple shades that masked the streets of Cagayan de Oro have been covered with touches of yellow as former Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno won the mayoral seat, bringing along a new mark of leadership. Now in his third year in office, Moreno has gone past the transition frame in his administration, bridging the 15 years of previous cluttered leadership in the city to a new brand of governance.

Before moving forward to the last year of his term, let us review the yellow administration’s plans and accomplishments in the past two years.

The PRIMEHAT At the onset of Moreno’s term in office, he had a clear idea of how he wanted to foster change in Cagayan de Oro City – through PRIMEHAT: Poverty Alleviation and Peace and Order, Resettlement and Revenue Generation, Infrastructure and Investment, Metropolization, Education and Environment, Health and Hospital Services, Agricultural Productivity, and Tourism and Traffic.

Anchored on this 8-point agenda, Moreno has identified Education as a vital component in his administration’s plan. In two years’ time, more or less 250 classrooms were built in different secondary schools in the city while about 45 classrooms were constructed in various elementary schools.

The renovation and improvement of the JR Borja General Hospital have also been one of the prides that the Moreno administration have repeatedly bragged. In partnership with the 10

Department of Health, the local government put up a new East Wing Building in the hospital vicinity, provided with equipment, facilities, and additional personnel. There has also been a recorded 214.42% increase in bed occupancy in the said hospital for the first quarter of 2015.

Moreno has also concentrated on the development of infrastructures in the city, acknowledging its vital role in priming the city’s economic growth. Drainage systems, concrete stairways repair, unit escalators, and door entrances are only few of the enhancements made in the public markets of Cogon and Carmen. The improvement of the City Slaughterhouse was also a priority project of the government.

In his 2015 annual report, Moreno has created programs intended for the welfare of the youth, senior citizens, Indigenous People, urban poor, and Persons with Disabilities. Aside from these, a number of programs have already started during his first year, the most notable one being the Hapsay Dalan Program.

Community POV Influential campus speakers, Ermin Pimentel of XU Year of Service (XU-YOS) and Robert dela Serna of XU Governance and Leadership Institute (XU-GLI), voice out opinions about Moreno’s stand in the political and social arena.

“A promise of professionalization”, according to dela Serna, was manifested by Moreno during his campaign in 2012; however, results have varied. Moreno’s cabinet, comprised of men from the province, has caused a political struggle within the city government. Moreover, dela Serna

states that the people long for participatory government. Veteran city leaders also want their voices to be heard. Running a government based on a political system is not enough; it should make the community part of its basis. “To run for second term as city mayor is not a problem for Moreno if he really listens to his people and has a strong will to consider making reforms,” states dela Serna.

On the other hand, Pimentel finds Moreno essential to the current economic development of the city. “Mura siyag nag house cleaning,” says Pimentel. After only two years as mayor, Moreno has already made his mark with Cagayan de Oro being heralded as the country’s 2nd Most Competitive City in 2014. Although, unfortunately, this year’s ranking dropped to 6th place.

He has indeed proposed great plans, but three years of service may not be enough for the maximization of his projects. There may be other qualified politicians to run against him, but Moreno, according to Pimentel, has the advantage of gaining public interest since he was able to start something worth continuing. *** As the 2016 elections approaches, Moreno is looking forward to another term as city mayor.

The community, especially the youth, will have to discern and decide whether he should be reelected or not. Will he be able to continually bring progress to the table? As of now, he still has one year to prove himself and to realize his vision for the city he deems so important.C Vol. 42 No. 1 July 2015

by Kevin Paul P. Mabul

Lights up Mindanao depends largely on seven sets of hydroelectric power plants built on the Agus and Pulangi rivers. Gradually introduced since 1953, these hydroelectric power plants presently supply more than fifty percent of the island’s gridconnected total of 1550 Megawatts of electricity.

Around 15 percent comes from STEAG’s 210MW coal-fired power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental and six percent from Mt. Apo’s geothermal power plant, with the rest of the chunk supplied by various diesel plants across the island.

However, problems arise when there are considerable deficits in their water supplies. This is particularly troubling during times of extreme heat and drought, where reservoir water volumes often dwindle. For example, during the previous summer in the month of April, Pulangi IV managed to generate only 30MW out of its rated capacity of 250MW, leaving power distributors no choice but to equitably share what little was left.

Even with many providers, the recent 4-hour

More power XU Engineering Resource Center (XUERC) Director Engr. Dexter Lo believes that greenhouse gas emissions play a major role, albeit an indirect one, on the inconveniences experienced by the power sector within the island.

He explains that greenhouse gas emissions, as well as other activities disturbing the Earth’s natural carbon cycle, have shifted weather extremes in terms of their intensity and frequency. Rainfall that is either too scarce or too plentiful could have adverse effects on power generation.

Other renewable sources, along with hydropower, aim to help alleviate these global phenomena. Although these sources are less efficient compared to the likes of STEAG’s coal-fired plant, they have nonetheless gained a welcome foothold in the Mindanao power scene.

Sitio Lomboy is home to the Cagayan Electric Power & Light Company (CEPALCO) Solar Photovoltaic power plant generating 0.3 MW to 1MW. A newer and more powerful 45MW solar power plant is currently being constructed in Natumulan, Tagoaloan and is expected to be commissioned by December 2015.

There are also three new power plants expecting completion by next year, two of which will be located in Bukidnon and one in Misamis Oriental. The power plants have a combined output of 32 MWs and will run on methane from

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a dedicated biomass crop called bana grass. Bana grass can be utilized by existing coal-fired power plants to reduce their carbon emissions.

On-demand Economic advances within the region would also increase the demand for power supply. In Cagayan de Oro alone, new developments only add up as reasons for the power sector to catch up. Research done by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) back in 2013 has shown a projected demand growth of 4.28 percent, higher than national rate by 0.92 percent, with no recent additions to the total base load capacity for the region.

Households and small to medium businesses, being the bulk of the consumers, are the ones most hit by power shortages. However, Engr. Lo emphasizes that these same people are the keys in solving these problems. “The big part of the story gyud is still the consumer. Bisan pa ug daghan kaayo ang mag produce, pero kung kada balay mag try ug conserve, makatabang ra gihapon na siya.” *** A stable power supply, aside from providing a smooth run of our daily operations, fosters further economic and social progress. What remains now is the challenge for all members of the society to play our own part and conserve what little energy we can for a day.

After all, what is a few lightless hours a day compared to an infinitely dark tomorrow?C Sources: “2015 List of existing power plants in Mindanao” Dept. of Energy (https://www.doe.gov.ph) “Mindanao Generation” National Power Corporation (http://www.napocor.gov.ph) “Repeat of Mindanao power crisis feared – STUDY” Philippine Institute for Development Studies (http://www.pids.gov.ph) “Oro power utility assures no more brownout” Sun Star (http://www.sunstar.com.ph) “Another solar power plant to rise in Normin” Mindanao Daily News (http://www. mindanaodailynews.com) “3 new biomass plants to rise in Mindanao” Rappler (http://www.rappler.com)

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Design by Ben Clark B. Balase

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rotating brownouts have shown that all the plants have no room for downtime. A drop in 105MW during STEAG’s recent maintenance shutdown has been enough to pull supply below demand.

he Industrial Revolution has, without a doubt, pushed the world forward in ways previously unimagined.

Developments in manufacturing significantly helped in the advancement of technology. Years of development have made our lives convenient, to the point of inescapable dependence on technology that the recent power outages and rotating brownouts serve as constant, grim reminders of what could be of a world deprived of electricity.

Cover Story

PREPARING FOR THE

DROUGHT: The onset of K-12

by Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera, Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas, Lorenzo A. Botavara, Andrew Rey L. del Fierro, Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe A. Lozarita, Kevin Paul P. Mabul, Mary Antoinette M. Magallanes & Rezza Mae B. Tolinero

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Cover Story

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ecognizing the need to remain globally competitive in the education sector, the Philippines has adopted the newer, international standards-compliant K-12 program. Prior to this, the country has remained the last in Asia to have still been using the 10-year pre-university cycle.

Ratified last May 15, 2013, the Republic Act No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act places special emphasis on K-12 being a program that not only complies with global standard requirements but also aims to strengthen the foundations of Filipino education in every aspect. It introduces a learner-centric curriculum that makes topics more relevant to students and adds two years of senior high school, equipping graduates with the necessary knowledge and specialized skills based on their chosen career path.

While the new program has already been implemented gradually, college institutions around the country will be hit the most on AY 2016-2018 by a freshmen “drought” as their supposed entrants spend two more years in senior high school.

Various transitory measures have been applied, however, with the Department of Education (DepEd) forging partnerships with colleges, universities, and technical-vocational institutions to make use of existing facilities and teaching staff during the downtime to fill-in for the added programs that would require additional instructors.

Rise of Senior High Gone were the days from which high school is followed by taking up college. Now, an additional two years, referred as Senior High School, shall be taken before proceeding to college. Students are then required to take a career aptitude test which will serve as their guide in selecting the best senior high school strand for them.

Since the specializations are given prime importance, different tracks of senior high school acknowledges the fact that student forte varies; thus the inclusion of four tracks such as Academic, TechnicalVocational, Sports, and Design and Arts.

According to Dawang, “The guidance offices in all the schools should be doing guidance work now, at this level, to help the students decide what particular track to take.” She also emphasized that “they (students) will not be forced [to take the track suited to them] but they will just be guided.”

Design by Keith Obed J. Ruiz

Through the language barrier Among the changes in the system of education in the country is the emergence of the Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLB), wherein children up to third grade will be taught based on the dialect they are used to. Although this is the case, private schools have been given the discretion on what mother tongue will be used.

“Ang mother tongue that we chose for our basic education [in XU] is really English,” says Vice-President for Basic Education, Dr. Dulce Dawang, “Kasi if you’re using Cebuano or Filipino and your students are not speaking the language, it defeats the whole purpose,” she explains.

Dawang also pointed out that the use of foreign language, in the context of the children, could intensify the trauma in adapting to a new environment when they spend their first years in school. “The mother tongue helps to put them at peace and help them understand what is going on,” she adds.

International edge Not only does K-12 prove to be beneficial to the education of students, it can also go so far as to give Filipino graduates a fighting chance in the international job scene.

“We really need to conform to international standards because our workers are not limited to Philippine employment. Example, atong nurses dinhi, pag abot sa other countries they cannot work as nurses because we lack two years of basic education,” explains Dawang.

This lack of acknowledgement by different countries on our professional degrees has long been a problem for overseas workers. Some countries require a licensed Filipino professional to take qualification exams to render them legitimate for their field of work.

“Just because you were educated here in the Philippines, you are not given the proper acknowledgement or the proper premium sa imong education. A lot of [Filipinos] abroad are underpaid, not because they are not qualified, but because they did not follow the template, kulang lang ka’g two years [of basic education],” points out Dawang.

K-12 is also just timely, as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration is coming to play this year. People from other ASEAN-member countries can come here and work without having to apply for a working visa. Conversely, Filipinos can go to other ASEAN-member countries without having to go through the same steps. For this scheme to be properly implemented, we need to have the same qualifications with other countries.

Preparations and solutions For Academic Vice President, Fr. Rene Tacastacas, SJ, the upcoming freshmen “drought” is truly a major problem.

“We’re talking about 2,000 students. If we don’t have freshmen, what will we do with our teachers? That’s at least 44 sections,” shares Tacastacas. However, despite the indispensable lack of income, terminating faculty members is out of the question. In fact, the teachers are given a wide array of options; they could teach fulltime in senior high, work part-time in the college level and part-time in senior high, pursue masters and doctorate degrees, do research, or retire. The possibilities are vast.

As for the curricula, there will be no changes for any of the programs in the University. “We are not touching the curriculum because there will be a new set of curricula starting 2018,” explains Tacastacas. At the moment, the University is still waiting for the release of the Commission on 14

The hollow icons represent the year level’s projected absence for the indicated school years*

Higher Education’s Memorandum Order (CMO) containing the prescribed curricula for different programs. “Once the CMOs are there, we will begin crafting the new curricula but [it] will not be imposed on the present students. It will start on the new freshmen, beginning 2018,” he adds.

In addition, Tacastacas is encouraging students to pass all their subjects since failing would mean serious problems. If a student would fail a certain subject this year, there will be no assurance that he or she can retake the subject for the next academic year. However, if the number of students will comprise a section, there’s a possibility that the subject will be opened. If not, they might be asked to cross-enroll.

Eleventh grade is no freshman year Revenue from tertiary level enrollment currently accounts for 78% of the University’s gross income while the lesser percentage comes from basic education. These figures, however, are expected to take a major hit as a consequence of the freshman drought. Even if the University gets the same number of Grade 11 enrollees with that of freshmen this year, overall income will decline since Senior High fees are relatively smaller.

Moreover, while the University annually oversees the schedules and classroom allotments of 2,000 freshmen, managing the same number of Grade 11 students – whose schedules are less adjustable – simply cannot be done. The senior high class schedule is similar that of basic education. That is, around 7:30 AM-4:30 PM for five weekdays, allowing little to no adjustments in terms of time and classroom allocation as opposed to the more malleable college level schedule. “[The classes of] 2,000 students na college are distributed Monday to Saturday from 7:30 [AM] to 9 PM, so the number of classrooms you require is distributed over one more day for longer periods,” states University Treasurer, Lennie K. Ong.“We have to be realistic and say we will have lower enrollment; we can only accept lower enrollment.”

Cuts and raises Ong does not mention tuition fee increases brought about directly by the freshman drought but says that budget cuts will “definitely take place, at least in the tertiary [level].” The administration will mostly cut budget for student services and other areas directly correlated to student population such as medical services and athletics, due to the inevitable dwindling of the tertiary level population. As for tuition increase, Ong projects a constant 5-6% TFI for the next five years, due mostly to inflation – as has been Vol. 42 No. 1 July 2015

the trend for the past half-decade. With regards to the University’s preparedness entering this transition period, Ong assuredly states, “I do not know how to give an adjective to our readiness except that we are more ready than anybody else I know in the region.”

In with the new With the implementation of the K-12 system, concerns regarding the admissions process in the tertiary level have cropped up. Office of Promotions, Testing and Admissions (OPTA) Director, Dr. Joey Marie Fabe Jegonia clarifies that the University will accept new enrollees only until the second semester of A.Y 2015-2016.

Interested enrollees who are unable to enroll in the second semester will have to study in Senior High School to specialize in one of the four tracks offered by the University in order to proceed to college.

“That is why we are hopeful that those who did not enroll for whatever reason last June will enroll for the second sem para college sila. They are able to get into the old system rather than go through senior high,” explains Jegonia.

Starting AY 2016-2017, the University will no longer accept first year students or offer programs for freshmen. Returnees and transferees, however, may still enroll in the University, provided that their remaining subjects will still be offered.

Although the admissions process is still the same in the meantime, the University will offer a more comprehensive system by 2018. This new admissions process requires an enrollee to take two tests in senior high: a career exam which assesses your interests and possible career track, and the competency test which gauges your ability to succeed in a given field. The entrance exam for college can only be taken after a sit-down with the University’s high school and college counselors where they will interpret your results in the competency and career tests, and offer suggestions on plausible courses. This is to ensure students won’t regret their course choice since shifting would not be as easy as before.

“It’s not only about getting enrollees but it is also helping them make right choices; not impulsive choices but based on evidences of where they can put their interests,” Jegonia says.

Nonetheless the same Despite the relatively heterogeneous student population during the transitory period, Student Affairs Director, Ivanell Subrabas does not foresee many alterations in terms of student activities. “The only difference actually is that, we only have lesser number of students in the college Crusader

The

but the activities will still be the same,” he says.

Apart from the Orientation Seminar (ORSEM) for the freshmen, Subrabas says that other activities in the university will pursue without changes.

“Even if we don’t have freshmen, there will still be college councils, there will still be student organizations, as usual, the ones existing. They will still go on of [sic] their regular activities except of that, there will be a number of declines from the participants,” explains Subrabas. As to the ORSEM, a delayed ORSEM format will be employed for the transferees of the coming school year.

On the other hand, while the activities for the tertiary level remain as is, the Office of Student Affairs may still have to double their work for they will now also handle the incoming Senior High students.

Preparations for the incoming Senior High include the planning for the formulation of a new code of conduct specifically for the Senior High, facilitation of their own student government, and the formation of special interest student organizations.

“Siguro the challenge really is there will be a drop in terms of funding because as we all know, the system for the funds is based on the number of students,” says Subrabas, expressing his concern for the possible unfavorable effects of the freshmen drought. “It (funding) has a bearing on the number of students enrolled and so, that would also mean our student organizations also have to review expenses wisely,” he adds. *** The benefits of K-12 would seem far away, especially given that education doesn’t necessarily yield apparent and immediate benefits. The massive restructuring required leads some to question why it’s necessary in the first place. When taking the University’s mission and vision in mind, however, the reason becomes clear: to prepare students that are able to perform excellently and compete in the international setting. This ensures both a bright future for the individual as well as the reputation of the school.

One’s success is no longer confined to being in one’s country. Instead, it is characterized by the collaboration of multiple international communities collaborating with each other. If the Philippines were to make its next bold step in being a leading nation in the international scene, it must do so with Filipinos who are educated and empowered based on global standards.C

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by Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera & Alexa Kim K. Bacong

Design by Jericho B. Montellano

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paradigm shift is often necessary for a society to improve and grow. XU does not lag behind this phenomenon since it is currently integrating technology, to some extent, in all the different facets of the University. This quest for technological advancement is absolutely necessary, especially for a university aiming to be at par with leading ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) universities.

Among the advancements considered highly essential for the University is the online enrollment system. After many years of queuing in long lines, hopping from one office to another, and suffering from confusion, the enrollment process is finally about to change, hopefully for good.

A break from the old routine It has been three years since the University started using the Student Life Cycle Management and Information System. Generally known as SLMIS, the system serves to handle the students’ life cycle, encompassing all activities from the time of the student’s enrollment until his or her graduation.

SLMIS is obviously bounds away from

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its predecessor, the Enrollment Information System (EIS). According to Computing and Information Services Office (CISO) Director Harriet Fernandez, the EIS was not able cater to the requirements of the University since it was only offering limited features and functionalities.

Fernandez explains that self-service is one of the main goals of SLMIS and online enrollment is its core functionality.

Phase by phase As formerly explained by TheCrusader Publication in an article published last academic year, the SLMIS is composed of modules. Its modular nature made it so that it would be rolled out in several phases. Having the scope as broad as the whole life cycle of the students, SLMIS modules needed to be integrated with the different units of the University.

“It’s really a big system. That’s why it’s complex. The rolling out of these modules won’t happen in just one year. It’s a developmental thing,” says Fernandez. In fact, due to the complexity of the system, the online self-service was only started last summer despite SLMIS being implemented three years ago.

“Prior to the pilot for the self-service enrollment, we have to iron out several things, like when it comes to the processes, or the other dependencies in functionality, [and] we already addressed everything,” explains Fernandez on how the online enrollment system was prepared.

According to Management and Information Systems (MIS) unit head, Joseph Sabal, the scheme generally received good feedback during its pilot stage, which was why it was pushed through at the start of the first semester.

Breakthroughs and setbacks In principle, the online enrollment system is geared to provide more advantages to the students.

One of its primary advantages is convenience.

There is no need for students to physically come to XU, except when paying fees and getting study loads. With this, the lengthy lines of students waiting for the evaluators have been significantly shortened. Members of the faculty have also been eased off the tedious job of manually inputting classes for every student.

However, the level of convenience experienced was not the same for all colleges since there are slight differences in their enrollment processes. Generally, though, there has been less crowding inside the campus.

“Even at the payment process, students can resort to online payment. We have students enrolling at their houses, so dili na pud kaayo ta

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crowded diri [campus],” Sabal points out.

However, despite the aforementioned benefits, some students still experienced a few problems.

“The system is excellent, but not a hundred percent convenient,” says Jayve Ritardo, a third year biology student. The problem he pointed out was the coordination of the actual subjects to the offered subjects online. Some subjects which were displayed as available online were actually dissolved or not initially available, distressing the junior student.

Some inconsistencies in the system were also observed. “For us nursing students, it is stressful since we have to abide with the unit system and sometimes we are told that we are overloaded when we are not.” says Francis Urbina, a junior nursing student.

Mhenard Ubay-ubay, a second year business administration student, encountered a similar problem as he was not able to enroll in a subject that should be taken up within this semester.

Audrey Yu, an industrial engineering freshman, found the system troublesome since it took several trials until she was able to send her initial application.

Despite all these grievances against the system, CISO has made the necessary actions to address the reported problems.

“There are a lot of remedies; we have provided the students with the necessary resources. We’ve addressed that in a form of an instructional video for the students,” explains Sabal.

These instructional videos show a step-bystep guide for adding and dropping classes, online payment, and basic troubleshooting. CISO has also provided computer labs with internet access for the convenience of students who have no access to a computer.

of the community to have an online system, so that the students can enroll without physically going in the campus,” she says.

Looking at the general perspective, the implementation of the SLMIS – the online enrollment system and the other modules – says a lot about the direction of the University, leaning towards having an online facility for the convenience of the students and the betterment of the entire system. *** SLMIS in general, is getting close to being maximized to its full potential. The online enrollment system, despite its minor flaws, is definitely a long leap from the conventional enrollment system. Though the continuation of using the system for the next few years remains a question to all, it is safe to conclude that it has served its purpose of lessening the hassle and shortening the lines during enrollment period.C

The way forward Before SLMIS was implemented, it underwent a bidding process which was overseen by a committee. One factor that was looked into before choosing the system was its sustainability.

“The major criteria for choosing it was [whether] it was able to satisfy our requirements, not just for a year or two, but we’re looking at the long term,” says Sabal. “Also, the software is actually being used by several universities already and we were also looking at the standardization.”

Fernandez also explains that having an online facility is of utmost importance to the University community. “Before we implemented this one, we implemented a focused group discussion. We got the sentiments of the students, the faculty, and the other stakeholders. Basically, it is the clamor

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t en em ov M od lo gb un Yo e Th : ut O om Zo

by Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas

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hough power has always been presumed to lie within the upper sections of the social hierarchy, these students beg to differ.

Here is a list of students and youth movements from different parts of the world who dared and proved that anyone can make a difference. Their contributions to update age-old beliefs caused ripples of change in their own ways, addressing pertinent issues in today’s society.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES- In light of the United States Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage, the online student publication of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), TomasinoWeb, changed its profile picture to one with a rainbow background on June 27, as reported by Rappler. According to the Varsitarian (official student publication of UST), a heated online debate on the Church’s teachings and the UST administration’s stand as a Catholic institution ensued in the comments section of the photo, causing the publication to take down the photo the very next day. In a statement released by TomasinoWeb, the publication’s core group of officers decided in a majority vote to change their profile picture and show their support for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. However, it was never their intention to go against the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The changing and deleting of the rainbowcolored profile picture drew attention, especially when the College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) released a public statement on June 29. Because of its identity as a social media organization, TomasinoWeb is handled by UST’s Office of Student Affairs. The CEGP saw the deletion of the picture as censorship, saying, “While the Guild respects the views of UST as the Catholic university of Asia, we are concerned by OSA’s blatant disregard to TomasinoWeb’s editorial autonomy by keeping the publication from voicing its support to our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community. This is a clear violation of the publication’s right to freedom of the press and of expression.”

CEGP also urged the UST administration to let its student publications express their opinions and to let them freely determine content without restraint.

MALATE, PHILIPPINES- To increase voter turnout in the national elections, especially in the student sector, De La Salle University (DLSU) formally launched the university-wide campaign Boto Lasalyano, Sulong Pilipino (BLSP) on May 24. In an interview conducted by The Lasallian (official student publication of DLSU), BSLP vice-chairperson Pram Menghrajani explained that the awareness and participation campaign has four phases that will run throughout the entire academic year. The phases are as follows: Voter Registration, Voter Education, Mock Elections, and LaSallian Volunteerism. Each phase focuses on various sectors in the University to promote awareness and participation in 2016 elections.

METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES - DLSU Parada, successor of former DLSU LGBT organization, Queer Archers Alliance, participated in the 21st Metro Manila Pride March on June 27.

The Metro Manila Pride March was held at Luneta Park, where LGBT supporters marched for gender equality. According to The Lasallian, this is the first official delegation of DLSU students to the Pride March. In an interview conducted by the publication, DLSU Parada member Judey Leoncini said the organization aims to not only serve as a representative of the LGBT community but to also bring equality in the university.

Sources: “Cheers and jeers over UST paper rainbow profile pic” by MayelleNisperos (www.rappler.com) “Statement on the rainbow-colored profile picture of TomasinoWeb” by TomasinoWeb (www.tomasinoweb.org) “Student org takes down ‘gay pride’ profile pics” by Arianne F. Merez (www.varsitarian.net) “STATEMENT| On TomasinoWeb’s LGBT profile picture”, College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines (www.cegp.org) “ADDU and DepEd to inaugurate T’boli Senior High School in Lake Sebu”, Ateneo de Davao (www.addu.edu.ph) “DepEd opens first senior high K-12 curriculum for IPs in South Cotabato” by Mindanews (www.mindanews.com) 18

Vol. 42 No. 1 July 2015

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES - Ateneo Social Computing Science (ASCS) Laboratory introduced Project eBayanihan—a disaster management system that publishes and models information gathered from crowdsourcing—at Escaler Hall, Science Education Complex on June 9. It was in partnership with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development of DOST (PCIEERDDOST). The Guidon (official student monthly of Ateneo de Manila University) announces that eBayanihan is accessible through mobile or web applications which enable users to report disasters or incidents in their area. It aims to provide disasterrelated information for the use of first responders, local government units and relevant agencies.

CONNECTICUT, USA - Yale University law students released an online petition to change the name of Calhoun College, one of the twelve residential colleges at Yale University, on June 29. Calhoun College was named after the seventh vice president of the United States, John C. Calhoun, who was known to be a strong supporter of slavery and white supremacy. The petition was made after the racially-motivated church shooting at Charleston, which took the lives of nine people, broke the news. In an interview conducted by USAToday, Graham White, one of the authors of the said petition, shared how the Charleston shooting should help institutions acknowledge and confront historical symbols of white supremacy. The online petition has reportedly acquired more than 1,300 signatures from students, faculty, and alumni to rename the residential college.

CEBU, PHILIPPINES - An amphibious pedicab or “trisikad” that can travel on both land and water won runner-up honors at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit in Central Visayas.

According to GMA network, the amphibious trisikad was created by a group of University of San Carlos (USC) students namely: Jesse Pastor Magno, Hembrick Palmitos, and Kenn Edward Mirasol. Its paddle wheels and detachable floater make the trisikad fit for either land or water transportation and can be used even during floods. It will be exhibited together with other winning entries in DOST’s 2015 National Science and Technology Week on July 24-28 at SMX Convention Center.

INDIANA, USA - After a forty-year effort to address the discrimination against LGBT students, faculty and alumni, Goshen College’s board of directors has updated their non-discrimination policy on July 20. The decision was allegedly sparked by the various requests for LGBT-friendly policies. A notable organization which sent such requests is the Goshen College Open Letter. It was formed in 2011 by students who, aside from holding prep rallies, spearheaded a petition that garnered more than 1,600 signatures to offer a more welcoming college for the LGBT community. Currently, Goshen College’s non-discrimination policy has added benefits and protections for members of the LGBT.

*** The student movements mentioned here only represent a small portion of the youth’s contributions to society. Surely, there are more youth initiatives and projects which, despite yielding great effects, never make it to the headlines. If you ever find yourself wanting to make a difference, never hesitate; there is much to be done and much to be changed. The world is only waiting for a catalyst.

And that catalyst has always existed in you.C

“Amphibious pedicab makes waves in Visayas science fair”by Bea Montenegro (www.gmanetwork.com) “Ateneo launches eBayanihan, promotes nation-building” by Joff D. Bantayan (www.theguidon.com) “BLSP to launch comprehensive comprehensive voters’ education, participation program for 2016 nat’l elections” by Ian Benedict Mia & Althea Gonzales (www.thelasallian.com) “21st Metro Manila Pride: Marching towards hope” by John Anthony Tang (www.thelasallian.com) “Goshen College non-discrimination policy now protects on basis of sexual orientation, gender identity” by Michelle Sokol (www.elkharttruth.com) “After Charleston shooting, Yale students petition to rename Calhoun College” by Tanaz Ahmed (www.college.usatoday.com) Crusader

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Design by Rico M. Magallona

SOUTH COTABATO, PHILIPPINES – Through the joint efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), the first senior high school curriculum for Indigenous Peoples was inaugurated on May 19 at Lake Sebu. According to Mindanews, with the help of ADDU’s School of Education and Department of Anthropology, DepEd has crafted a curriculum that followed the educational framework of the K-12 and at the same time upheld the traditions and cultural practices of the T’boli tribe.

Volunteers from the Ateneo de Davao student government, SAMAHAN Central Board, and the School of Education Student Executive Council attended the Brigada Eskwela for T’boli Senior High School on May 18-22. Brigada Eskwela is a DepEd project that aims to repair public classrooms in preparation for the upcoming school year.

Photo by Jinky M. MejicaDesign by Rico Design M. Magallona

by Maria Kristina G. Abing and Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera

by Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe A. Lozarita & Rezza Mae B. Tolinero

S

he rubs her eyes in disbelief. Her hands tremble as she tries to shake off the two, parallel bars on the pregnancy test, hoping the other bar would magically disappear. It could be possible that the device was defective or that she was just suffering from an underlying disease.

Deep inside, though, she knew she was about to become a mom.

unless “they have incurred academic deficiency or violated school rules and regulations”.

the unborn child, the XU clinic, offers limited services that could help a pregnant student.

Dr. Augusto C. Guitarte, XU’s Health Services Director, explains that the clinic could issue medical certificates for pregnant students, which they could use to support their application for uniform exemption and elevator access at the OSA. This medical certificate is also issued to excuse pregnant students from their classes especially when physical discomforts are common during the first trimester. Moreover, Guitarte states that they could offer vitamins together with other basic medical services such as a resting place at the clinic when needed. Wheelchairs are also readily available in case of emergency.

Although the clinic is open for these services, Guitarte still highly encourages pregnant students to visit their Obstetricians/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) and have their regular check-up.

Student Moms

Education over reputation Niña Sabardan was about to finish her third year in Nursing when she found out she was pregnant. Like other teenage moms, she found the truth hard to accept. “At first, in denial kaayo ko.

Nahadlok jud ko because teenage pregnancies are judged by the people,” she admits. She worried not only for her reputation but also for her family, her scholarship, and her privileges as a student.

However, these worries soon faded away as things slowly fell into place. Her family accepted her with open arms. She was given a second shot at her scholarship. Most importantly, she wasn’t stripped of her rights and privileges as a student.

Although pregnancy is discouraged for students – especially if they are not yet married, the University respects the right of every pregnant student to be educated.

As specified in Chapter 4, Article 3, Section 1 of the students’ handbook, students have rights against discrimination in educational institutions.

It mentions that students can be admitted to the University regardless of their present condition

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Special benefits In fact, the University tries to aid the pregnant student in every way possible. Among the benefits that she could get is the uniform exemption. Although not specifically stated in the student handbook, Esterphi Marie Mondia, Office of Student Affairs’ Student Ethics Head, says that pregnant students could request uniform exemption by sending a formal letter to the Director of Student Affairs (DSA). Upon approval, a special ID will then be released to gain entry to the campus.

Regarding absences though, Mondia explains that “there are no excused absences for pregnant women.” So pregnant or not, students need to follow the Basic Academic Policies stated in Chapter 2, Article 5 of the handbook.

“So it’s really the risk sa usa ka mama nga buntis ka then magskwela ka,” Mondia emphasizes. “Ikaw as a student, you have to think it over.”

For the health of two Sabardan agrees that pregnancy is indeed a risk and is no laughable matter. During the early stages of her pregnancy, she suffered from various physical stresses. “Dili kaayo ko ka-concentrate sa school kay gutom pirme, kapoy,[and] malipong ko.”

Acknowledging that such a situation risks not only the health of the mother but also of

*** She rubs her eyes in disbelief. Her hands tremble as she goes up the stage. She takes her diploma and grabs it tightly, hoping that it wouldn’t just magically disappear. Amidst the audience is her tiny daughter, unaware of the fact that her mom is a strong woman who, despite the many hurdles, managed to rear her and at the same time earn a degree.

Niña Sabardan ranked 5th place in this year’s nationwide Nursing Licensure Exam.C

Vol. 42 No. 1 July 2015

by Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores & Charissa D. Santiago

S

tudents rush out of their classrooms as the 11:55 AM bell rings, eager for a break after their gruelling classes. Carrying the stress of the morning on their droopy shoulders, they converge into the typical hustle and bustle of the Magis canteen to enjoy their lunch.

Meanwhile, little critters show up at their tables and stare at them with round, bluish-yellow eyes, meowing and waiting for their share of food.

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To keep or not to keep Due to the many disadvantages of keeping the stray cats inside the campus, a number of students would like to have them evicted. For John Rev Rufino, an Electronics and Communications Engineering sophomore, the campus is a place for students, not pets. He also opined that if the cats are tolerated in the University, then it’s only fair that other pets be tolerated as well.

Some students, on the other hand, take delight in these “school pets.” Kim Thomas Roa, an AB Economics junior says interacting with them somehow relieves stress. G-Han Bax, a Mechanical Engineering sophomore, has similar thoughts. “Even if they litter or even cause annoyance, we can never eliminate the fact that they made us smile at one time in our [lives],” says Bax. He also added that seeing them has somehow become part of the school’s essence.

Dr. Guitarte also thinks that it’s okay to allow them to stay within school premises.

However, if the cats ever disturb the students or contaminate their food, he suggests that they be relocated elsewhere.

Ingenuity makes a move The relocation of the stray cats has already been tried before; the cats were put in sacks and relocated to an area far from the campus.

However, this measure failed to solve the problem since cats were spotted in the canteen a few days after the relocation. Aside from being inefficient, the aforementioned measure is questionable since it is somehow a violation of animal rights.

To be able to come up with an effective solution, Pajo believes that there is a need to collaborate with the Central Student Government (CSG). “It’s everybody’s concern,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Chief sOfficer Rt. Col. Danny Sotto affirms that the Safety and Security Office has no plans of completely eradicating the cat population. He mentioned an additional benefit to their presence by appreciating their help in maintaining pest control saying, “If you take Tom away, Jerry will play.” *** Some people find stray cats as pets to be played with while others see them as pests, stealing food and contaminating water fountains. As of the moment, controlling the stray cat population is not seen as a major concern that has to be addressed immediately.

Until the PPO finds a lawful and effective way of turning the University into a cat-free campus, the community will have to live in peace with the hungry feline friends. C

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Design by Francis Ryan O. Avellana

Cons of having cats Every now and then, stray cats are seen loitering in the canteen to consume their usual meal of leftover rice and bones. They come from different areas around XU; those coming from the neighboring houses would habitually climb up walls and enter campus premises with ease. Since the cats have grown accustomed to living inside the campus, the Physical Plant Office (PPO) now finds it hard to control the feline population.

According to PPO Director Ramil Pajo, the presence of cats poses a threat to the overall campus sanitation since it has been observed that they would sometimes drink from water fountains and steal students’ food. Aside from concerns on cleanliness, Pajo believes that the stray cat population should be controlled because no pets are supposed to be allowed inside the University.

“XU is not a breeding ground for cats,” Pajo adds in Cebuano.

Director for Health Services Dr. Augusto C. Guitarte Jr., also mentioned that cats can be

a mode of proliferating bacteria. These animals may serve as carriers of bacteria since they usually walk above tables right after digging through garbage. Although cats could serve as source of rabies, the clinic has received no reports nor have there been any cases of rabies due to cat bites.

Q

by Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores & Lorenzo A. Botavara

Design by Jon Michael A. Semilla

uality and quantity are interdependent variables – like two stars revolving around one another due to mutually exerted gravity. In both the natural world and society, these two variables either mutually reinforce, or downplay one another. One is usually forced to choose only either quality, or quantity.

In the Philippine educational system, however, one sector seems to have the edge in both, in terms of human resource. Government institutions generally have become the more preferred job destination for teachers, resulting to a continual influx of educators into the public sector.

The practical choice What public schools can offer more than their private counterparts are across the board, from starting salaries to retirement benefits.

Public school teachers basically earn more for the entirety of their careers. To compare earnings from both sectors, the Department of Education’s starting salary for a bottom-ranking Teacher I dwarfs the basic salary of most private elementary school teachers (Php17, 549 of Basic Gross plus Php2, 000 worth of Personnel Economic Relief Allowance/Additional Compensation Allowance or PERA/ACA, summing up to a monthly total of Php 19,549 against a Php5,000-10,000 monthly salary for private schools). On a monetary basis alone, job-seekers would naturally gravitate towards public institutions, provided they pass the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET).

This phenomenon is less prevalent in the tertiary level as there is a lesser gap between the number of private and state colleges and 22

universities. Trends in basic education, however, show that there is usually one public elementary and/or high school per locality while private schools have a significantly lesser number.

In order to avoid divergence in quality between the two sectors, Lena T. Sual of the Liceo de Cagayan University Languages Department suggests government intervention, “[The] government should standardize teachers’ salaries so that dili mamalhin ang mga teachers sa public,” she says. “Also, the retirement and the bonuses [should improve] because wala sila’y bonuses mao nang maibog sila sa mga public teachers.”

What happens next?

Private schools are said to be facing a brain drain from losing some of their good teachers while the opposite is happening in public schools.

In this situation, students are affected the most.

“It is beneficial to [sic] the part of the public school students because there will be more equipped and well-trained teachers [to teach them],” says Karen Opiala, a public school teacher in Bukidnon. For Opiala, the private school students will be affected most because of the absence of adept teachers. “Mahulog na man lang gud nga training ground lang sa uban teachers ang private schools and after 2-3 years they would leave and seek for greener pastures, either teach abroad or in DepEd.” Opiala also cites that due to the lack of educators in some private institutions, some of their teachers teach subjects that are not in the field of their expertise. “A teacher majoring in values education will be forced to teach, not just values education but also math, because of the

lack of available teachers,” she explains in a mix of Cebuano and English.

Staying for a reason Despite the opportunities and benefits in public institutions, a number of teachers still opt to stay in the private schools for varied reasons.

Some teachers stay due to commitment and dedication to the school they serve while others have secondary apostolic functions and designations in the institutions that they belong in, making it hard for them to leave. Other teachers, on the other hand, are simply incapable of adjusting to the DepEd system, where they would be assigned to potentially distant areas away from their families.

Private institutions also offer other benefits that capture the interest of their educators.

For instance, the faculty’s children here in the University enjoy free tuition. There are also schools that offer insurance products which help pay for the hospital bills should a member of the teacher’s family be hospitalized. Moreover, private schools also organize seminars for the holistic improvement of their faculty members. *** For private institutions, the challenge now is to stay competitive in terms of the quality of education being offered, especially with the public schools having better groundwork – financially speaking – due to government subsidies. One positive thing about this kind of competition, though, is that it pushes both sectors to continually improve.C Vol. 42 No. 1 July 2015

Lampoon

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xcept, y’know. I was never really invited to that fancy schmancy ceremony on the basis of not being a “student leader”.

Excuse me?! Who reigns supreme over the University’s malcontents and misanthropes?

Who leads the charge against the chismosas and feelingeros that infest this school? I’m practically running this deadbeat of a publication by myself!

Whatever. I’m not upset. I have graciously, selflessly, humbly, courteously, and stylishly accepted my defeat in the previous year’s elections, and I applaud my opponent for remaining true to his word and being transparent to his constituents. …What’s that? Most of the XU community wasn’t present for his 100 days report? How could they possibly find out what their government’s been up to?

Ah, well. Good thing I prepared my own.

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Day 61 As per my proposed policy U.S.A.B.O.W.N (Using Stupid Acronyms Because ‘Onestly, Why Not?), I completed my research on student interest (conducted via a reliable tool called Facebook) and determined that the mysterious sound of Batangas is trending amongst XU students.

I am currently drafting a policy that advocates the use of the same sound for the afternoon Angelus.

Day 70 I just came back from a hearing with Fr. Bobby and the administration. Proposal regarding Angelus is rejected on the basis of possibly causing some Jesuits and students to attempt to ascend to heaven. Student representation is dead.

I put the administration to work collecting information on our constituents and determining the best way to serve me- er, them. Meanwhile, the mini-fridge in my furnished office is too small to hold my afternoon snacks. Time for a new resolution!

Day 95 I have failed. The government has fallen.

After weeks of intense training in policymaking, my newly-established administration has launched a full-scale coup d'état. Traitors! All I need to do is hold out here in my offi- oh no, they’ve broken through my newly-installed mahogany door!

Please, send help! Send hel- GAAAH! *** My first 100 days in office was… less successful as I had hoped. Perhaps it was best that I didn’t win the election! If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s always to keep the people you govern as happy as possible—a lesson I’m sure our government always keeps in mind.C

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Illustration by Rico M. Magallona

Day 7 My first week in office; literally, I’ve been locked in the Publication’s office for a week and they had only just returned from their retreat.

My week in isolation has led me to conclude that I cannot accomplish my plans for this AY alone. Thusly, I have created the Cora Student Government to serve our constituents’ (read: my) interests. My followers and I have mobilized.

They will tremble before us.

Day 27 As part of our outreach program, we visited the student governments of other universities.

Imagine their surprised delight upon meeting the infamous contrabida of Xavier University! As proud students of Ignatian values, we emphasized the importance of “setting the world on fire”.

Contrary to our tamer counterparts, we espoused the literal interpretation of the statement.

The facilitator approached us; there had been a mistake, apparently. I caught sight of the shocked faces of the CSG administration before security detained us and confiscated the flamethrowers.

Dear Ate Charot, Knock2x? Who’s there? Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do...Who? Love me like you Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do. Hahaha! Bitaw uy ate kumusta ka? Halina mag saya! Aw joke te dako kayko ug problema... nangutana ko sa akong palalabs nga unsa iyang gina-play sa banda ingon siya, “baho ko”. Ako gi reply kay, “Ako pud baho ko...baho ko ilok.” Wala siya nikatawa ate, iyang giseryoso ang joke.

Huhuhu! Please help me.

Nagmamahal, NENE

Dear Nene, Watch me Nene. Watch me Nene!

Bitaw uy, murag anghit lage ni nga sulat? Aw bitaw sa sunod gani gurl kung mag joke ka dapat najud nay ‘hahaha’ sa ulahi para joker.

Example, “Uy guys nakoy tulo ka joke...joke joke joke hahaha” di ba funny? Huna hunaa lang jud gurl nga dili tanan tawo gamay ug kalipay ha? Ang uban dako ilaha...ilahang kalipay. Hala sige kay mamaligya pakog Evon. Baboosh!

Unsa na oras

KURISCOPE Rakenrol to the world mga higala. Ania nasad kining horoscope nga para lang sa inyuha. Ayaw na ug langan pa, sugdi na ug basa kining Kuriscope nga puno sa pakwela.

Aquarius (Pa-goodboy2x pero chickboy ang kolokoy) Dili mabalaka kung bati kag nawng higala. Muabot ra gihapon ang panahon nga ma-limited edition ra ka.

Lucky Day: Pebrero 29, 2017 Lucky Color: peach black Aries (Mga sungayan, dili pa gyud angayan) Pirme mong walay klase inday, pero ayaw ug lipay2x kay sayang ang tuition nga gibayran sa imong Nanay.

Lucky Day: Judgement day Lucky Color: pamili lang sa kolor wheels Cancer (Mga gwapito na estar sa XU subra tuig pito) Pag-andam2x karong adlawa higala, kay basin makalitan ka. Mura kag kalibangon unya kalit kang maluya.

Paghikap sa pantalon didto ka ma-surpresa.

Lucky Day: sunod tuig pa Lucky Color: parehas color sa imong eyebags

utang ina

Capricorn (Mga Malambing na kambing) Sa sige nimo’g ingon ug wala’y poreber wala na hinuon kay partner. Pagsulat nalang ug love letter para dili na ka bitter.

Lucky Day: naa didto dapit sa poreber Lucky Color: John Green Gemini (anak sa Gemunyu) Magkita mo sa imong childhood kras. Ang problema ang nawng niya karon mura na’g maas.

Lucky Day: Abangan bukas Lucky Color: Pinkachu Leo (Mga buhokon na lami layugon) Malipayon imong adlaw karon. Palitan ka sa imong mama ug dual sim iphone didto sa Cogon. Hala pagselpe-selpe dayon.

Lucky Day: Now searching...

Lucky Color: Brown-out

ACROSS 1 College with highest dropout rate 7 One of the creators of the amphibious pedicab 13 XU s Health Services Director 15 Most notable project of Moreno in his first year._______ project 16 C in ASCS

18 19 20 22

Campus speaker from XU Governance and Leadership Institute PPO director Lena T. Sual is a faculty from what University?

Said “If you take Tom away, Jerry will play”

Libra (Mga gwapa sa tancha tancha) Ang imong mga prayers kay dunggon na ni Lord.

Musinggit dayon ka’g rock n’ roll to the world. Juice colored!

Lucky Day: only God knows Lucky Color: hala ikaw bahala, eat color-all-you-can Pisces (Gwapuhon... ...puhon) Sad imong adlaw karon amega kay dili ka tagaan ni Mamee ug kwarta para panglakwatsa. Pamugha nalang sa’g kahoy, para malipay pa sya.

Lucky Day: pangutan-a imong kaugalingon Lucky Color: golden teeth Taurus (Dakog lawas pero kung mukiay wagas) Kaligo sad panalagsa kay para atong tapad dili malipong sa baho nga pwerti kalangsa. Maluoy sad ta sa ila higala.

Lucky Day: Walay klase day Lucky Color: kolor sa imong ilok

DOWN 2 OSA’s Student Ethics Head 3 Where the 21st Metro Manila Pride March was held 4 Moreno s idea of fostering change in CDO in the onset of his office 5 One of the rivers Mindanao is dependent for Hydroelectric power 6 University Treasurer 8 L in BLSP 9 Home of CEPALCO 10 Director of XU Engineering Resource Center 11 General Hospital that was renovated and improved in Moreno s leadership 12 Campus speaker from XU Year of Service 14 Quality and quantity are______variables 17 Management andInformation Systems unit head 21 College named after the seventh President of the USA

Virgo (Mga pabebe ng jalebe) Kasab-an ka sa imong Mamee kay gasige ka la’g pabebe.

Wala nimo hugasi ang plato gabie.

Lucky Day: The day nga naimbento nang “pabebe” Lucky Color: James Reid Sagittarius (Sekyu) Kissan unta ka sa imong kras. Ang problema wala kay panutbras, tan-awa kalit syang niatras. Pwirte kadimalas.

Lucky Day: Nilabay na.

Lucky Color: whitiest white Scorpio (Ayawg duoli kay mangiit) Simple ra imong adlaw karon. Mawala imong selpon dayon kalit kang kakuyapon kay ang imo pitaka nawala gihapon. Ayawg kabalaka makita ra to puhon.

Lucky Day: Naapil sad ug kawala Lucky Color: piyong gani, mao na sya

To join: photocopy this Kurisword with your answers and submit your entry to TheCrusader Publication office at StC 302 with your name and contact number. Lucky participants will receive limited edition collectables.

Crusader

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HOHONGIHONG

Ekskyus me Miss, mutuo kag poreber?

Mutuo na unta ko, naa man gud ka

Rico. ni Marlon, Lynette, and were contributed These statements campus. Some were overheard from the and purpose of clarity rephrased for the brevity. C

Bay apil ta’g sports KARONG intrams ba. Mugraduate nalang taw ala jud tay jersey

PRE, BAGA KAAYO KAG NAWONG, DI NIMO NA LAPLAPAN?

ANG IMONG KA-GWAPA MURAG HANGIN. FEEL KAAYO NIMO, APAN DILI GYUD INTAWON NiMO MAKITA

MAYPA SA JaLLIBE NAAY BREAST PART, IKAW WALA jud

Hapit sa ko’g chapel bay kay Midterm na nextweekT

Release your inner Iggy, baby do that ,do that, I-g-g-y

MURA KAG ARCHITECT, PURO RA PLANO

TAGSA RA GANI TA KITAG GWAPA, SA SAMIN PAJUD

pag apil mo sa mga orgs kay basig didto ninyu makita inyung f’reber

may pa gali ang math makita ang value sa x

PRE, BAGA KAAYO KA’G KILAY. DI NIMO NA SHEBAN?

KUNG MAG GYM ANG RELATIONSHIP, MAGWORK-OUT KAHA?

Kapoy kaayo ang Math, sige lang ug finding X and Y. Wala bay U and I

akong grado liwat nako gabitay

ang nakaapan pud lagi kay kung ipasa pasa ra pud ka

gusto ko lamang sa buhay ay maging frisbee, bisag unsa kakusog ilabay naa jud mugukod

lIFE IS TOO SHORT. MAO HASTA ILONG NADAMAY CRUSH MAG JEEP KA? KAY MU “PARA UNTA KO NIMO”

Hala uy! Pabebe kayka, lami kay i nailcutter , este kusion

may pang amigas cgeg tagbo

KUNG MAS COOL PAKA NAKO, THEREFORE MAS HOT PAKO NIMO