Vol. 38
STUDENT pursuit of forming students wholistically, XU will open the Magis FIRSTFORMATION. FLIGHT. A danceIncrew member takes to the air during ORSEM ‘11 Student Complex that will be the center of student activities and affairs in the campus.
No. 1
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P41M Magis Student Complex opens July 14 By Ryan Louie G. Madrid
F
inally, Xavier University will have a new, bigger and permanent canteen. The upgraded canteen – along with a new book store, additional student organization offices and a roof deck activity area – will start servicing the XU community when the P41-million Magis Student Complex (MSC) opens on July 14. The three-storey structure designed by XU High School alumnus Arch. Lawrence Jeffrey Maceren is part of former XU president Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ’s plan to dedicate an area in the campus for the students. Jaime Ignacio, Assistant to the President for Campus Development, said, “One thing we lacked before is kulang na kulang ang formation areas ng mga estudyante,” citing that students would instead go out of the university to do their works.
“[With the MSC,] we’re hoping that students stay there and interact,” a hopeful Ignacio said. Ivanell R. Subrabas, Student Activities and Leadership Development (SACDEV) head, said that early first semester last year, the University administration met with representatives from the canteen management, book center personnel and the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) to discuss the plan. In August, the blueprint for the complex was approved and the construction started in October. “The MSC is for students to converge and freely discuss ideas… [for] productive tambay… and to solve the problem with the canteen,” explained Subrabas. He added that the Student Center building (StC) and
STUDENT FORMATION. In pursuit of forming students wholistically, XU will open the Magis Student Complex that will be the center of student activities and affairs in the campus.
the newly constructed three-level structure attached to it will be jointly renamed as the
(SACDEV)
Magis Student Complex. Ignacio also said that “[The MSC] is part
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NEWS FEATURE
Rocking the Intro: The sights and sounds of ORSEM 2011 By John Kenneth E. Ching, Caroline Joy R. Go, & Ma. Rosetti G.Villamor
T
he freshmen, very easy to spot in their blue or white shirts, scurry around the school grounds as the beat of a brand new start fills the campus. The student volunteers rehearse their lines one last time for the three-day Orientation Seminar on June 1-3, 2011. Everything is new. Besides the freshies, there is the new president, new college and soon, new buildings at everyone’s disposal. What better way to mark the new stuff than dipping our newcomers with color, games and rock and roll? Check…Mic, Check I Rock ORSEM 2011 started with a Eucharistic celebration held at the gymnasium, presided by Fr. Roberto “Bobby” Yap, assisted by Fr. Calvin Poulin and Fr. Gorgonio Esguerra. The Mass was Fr. Bobby’s first official public appearance as
Xavier University’s president. He surprised everyone by delivering his homily in perfect Cebuano. The freshies felt the stirring of energy at the first part of the ORSEM, the University Welcome. They were in awe at Entrance of the Colors and the invocation breathtakingly delivered by XU Glee Club. Then things got interesting as Fr. Bobby gave his opening remarks and Mrs. Irene Grace A. Guitarte, Director of Student Affairs, introduced the deans and administration officers. “Daku akong kalipay nga musulod diri sa XU kauban ninyo, mga freshmen.” said Fr. Bobby, referring to his freshman year in office. He also mentioned how much he likes people commenting his resemblance to Jackie Chan and the Kung Fu Panda, eliciting laughs from the crowd. Speaking of blockbuster icons, Harry Potter abruptly arrived in the scene in the
SERENITY. The XU Cultural Dance Troupe portrays a native ritual on the Talent Expo, June 3 at the XU gym.
face of Malcolm Flores, outgoing director of the Ateneo School for Upcoming Leaders, who imparted a unique message to the class of 2015: “Both Xavier and Hogwarts are common because in both, we do magic… In Xavier, we call this Magic, Magis!”
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CSG President Mario Tero II followed with his own speech, encouraging the new students to engage themselves in their college life. “An array of student organizations gives you the chance to not
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