THE NORSUnian VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 8 | JULY 23-27, 2018

NEWS

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VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 8 | JULY 23-27, 2018

TN pushes online eye on CPFW KENNETH CARLORIO S. SURILLA

THE NORSUNIAN (TN), the official weekly student publication of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), pushed online observation on national Campus Press Freedom Week (CPFW) to echo student paper oppressions.

“This second semester, we are not sure yet as to where we can get funds but we are certain that we will fight for it,” Donna Darantinao, TN Editor-inChief said.

As of May 31, 2018, TN has a total of P179, 628 left for the pub’s regular printing and publication but it is to be consumed this 1st semester.

CPFW

This was one of the subjects of TN in their online content for the CPFW wherein a short advocacy clip and a series of arts and photos from both pub and its staffers were circulated.

“We let each staffer talk about a particular stand.

Since we are a student pub, we should be the voice of the students who are afraid to speak,” Darantinao explained.

TN operates on social platforms such as Facebook (/ TheNORSUnianOfficial) and Instagram (@ thenorsunian). The pub also owns a website (thenorsunian.org).

This way, TN can adapt to new

ways of services.

Some of the issues addressed by their online campaign were cyberbullying, social discrimination, and government anomalies, accessible from the sites mentioned.

“We hope the administration sees the good of the student

publication.

Our concern is the student body so it is a given that we have to question their programs, activities, and other issues which the students should know,” the EIC furthered.

FUNDING To note, the publication fee subscription, the only financial source of TN, was halted during the 1st semester of SY 15-16 due to stagnant operation from external campus pubs.

Dumaguete campuses I and II collections never resumed despite huge shrinkage of funding on its part and the continuous effort of the pub to resume it.

Publications from the external campuses have been sharing resources with the TNDumaguete since 2017, but it is to be decided if the sharing would continue in the second semester of SY 20182019.

To note, the

College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), organization of tertiary campus publications nationwide, filed a complaint to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for campus press oppression incidents.

“We are hoping that CHED would make immediate actions about this since the abolishment of the pub fee is obstruction of freedom,” Darantinao reacted.

According to CEGP, a total of 1000 counts of violations of Campus Journalism Act of 1991 was committed since 2010 and one of those publications oppressed was TN. CPFW is annually observed nationwide in the last week of July.

Architecture hits high ALE rate

REYCHEMVER C. CREDO

TARGETING QUALITY RESULTS, College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) hits a 77.78 percent rating in the June 2018 Architects Licensure Examination (ALE) with seven out of nine passers.

In the lineup were six first time examinees and a repeater, the new licensed architects are Rollie P. Castro, Calven C. Cordova, Jessica Joy P. Domen, Edward Y. Inoferio, Clifford B. Joyohoy, Rosila S. Llanera, and Myra Mae C. Que.

“I felt like my adrenaline rushes about 100 times, you should always believe and motivate yourself because no one will do that for you except you,” Cordova said in an interview with The NORSUnian (TN).

Meanwhile, Que, the only repeater shared how she was so excited

to grow as a person with an “Architect” title in her name.

“On my first attempt, a lot of pressure and doubt was on me.

But now as repeater, I spent 40% study and 60% faith in God that I can do it because nothing really worth having

comes easy,” she said.

Furthermore, A r c h i t e c t u r e Department Chair Menchie T. Tuballa, said she is overwhelmed with the result that exceeded the National Passing Percentage of 55.96% (1, 778 out of 3, 177).

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 8 | JULY 23-27, 2018

OPINION

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Hasta La Vista, TN

Conservation Sarcasm I am not fazed by the long list of workshops, conferences, summits or events a person has been to. The real question is— what have you done?

Words can only mean so little unless it is spoken.

You cannot label yourself as an advocate for the environment if the farthest thing you have ever accomplished was hoard certificates or receive awards for active participation in an air-conditioned room.

When you haven’t even bothered lifting your curtains the slightest to witness what you are really advocating for, I have a term just for that, “conservation sarcasm”.

It is laughable and humiliating but it can be avoided. You need to ask yourself if this is what you really love doing. If yes, because you want to see the environment flourish again, then by all means continue what to gather more volunteers. you started; but, if you CONSERVATION/ to page 8

Ano na?

Silent week has come! The university is now on its ‘quiet’ week as midterm examinations are nearing. I can barely see students chilling along the hallways. Well, you’ll see them all gather in the library, reading plenty of notes taken from their piled up books. And just as the usual way, they all share the same pressure.

Two months have passed and the semester is halfway over. Guess, that we, senior Geology students, have been too

just want a long list of accomplishments to be read out loud once you graduate then frankly, just stop.

Doing conservation is also not a competition with other environmentalists so do not treat it as such. Take advantage of building linkages or creating a long range of networks wherein everyone can work together.

Remember, you all have one goal and that is to help nature.

When you hold events for other youth groups remember to make that event sustainable. The work does not end with them by just giving certificates of participation. Involve them in your future projects and it’ll even be a great opportunity as well

quiet for weeks as well, literally. Let’s just say that we should have been very busy just like how a typical senior student should be.

However, I reached this last year in college only to realize that things are way too different. If back then classes that lasted for the whole week turned out to be a burden, the complete contrast of it is even much worse. I must tell, you would never prefer such.

Let’s talk a bit of history. With the previous Geologists Licensure

Examination (GLE), NORSU was praised for having the highest rank taken by Geologist Ramirez in 2017. Should I mention 7th and 9th placers of the GLE 2016? Indeed, it was a great honor. These must have been products of great teachings in their times, aren’t they?

Yes, you are right.

This university was praised for topping the examinations even though classes are compromised with hard-to-be-seen part time instructors.

Well, if this is something we shouldn’t consider seriously, we might have forgotten how students’ learning is affected with irregular classes. Even before, I could hear others say, “Normal ra nang magclass once in a month (or in a semester, or worst, none at all).” With ANO/ to page 5

The NORSUnian (TN) – Dumaguete, the official weekly publication of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Dumaguete campuses I and II, with its dogma, ‘We write for you, we fight for you’, has continuously fought for the students’ rights for the last 36 years. Since its pioneering staff members until its current batch of student journalists, the publication has done its purpose as the primary medium of information and has served as a compliance for accreditation purposes.

TN – Dumaguete is one of the four student publications in the Philippines which publishes issues weekly. The other three are The Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines in Metro Manila, University of the East also in Manila, and The Weekly Sillimanian of Silliman University in Dumaguete City.

Yet, in 2014, the collection of the 150 pesos publication fee was halted due to the unutilized funds of the previous TN administration from all six NORSU campuses, namely, Bayawan City-Sta. Catalina, Guihulngan City, Bais City, Mabinay, Siaton and Dumaguete City. In order to resume the collection, the administrators advised the TN publication to exhaust all funds until it would no longer be possible to publish.

For the past five years, TN – Dumaguete has published more or less 35 printed issues per academic year with almost 3,000 copies per week, including special issues, magazines, portfolios, and newsletters. For it to publish such amount of copies in a year, the publication spends 400,000-500,000 HASTA/ to page 8

FEATURES

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 8 | JULY 23-27, 2018

Illustrated by Lyndon Jake Cataruja and Jessa Araneta

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Understanding an Introvert IRISH MAE S. CUARESMA

In a crowd where people’s schedules are packed, have you noticed that quiet person? Have you asked yourself what he or she is thinking? Words and questions rumble inside your mind as you hear the silence. You may think that he or she is going through problems, shy, or even distant, but did it dawn on you that he or she may have been an… introvert?

Introversion is one do. belief, they aren’t shy or often disregard you, it Year’s Eve if that’s what of the major personality So try your best to antisocial who loathe only means they are not makes you happy. Skip traits identified in many understand them. Listen, human interactions comfortable around you. the committee meeting. theories of personality. and see through their and fear judgement. It’s For the introverts Cross the street to Introverts most likely actions. Who knows, it about how an individual out there, do as the avoid making aimless focus more on their might actually help you respond to social introvert expert, Cain, chitchat with random thoughts, feelings, and broaden your horizons. stimulation and how they herself, says, “Spend acquaintances.

Read. moods rather than Don’t force them. recharge.

Cook. Run. Write a seeking for others to talk Forcing them to do Introverts gain story.” about them. They are something they’re not energy by being We don’t have the not hard to approach; really comfortable to alone, in solitude, same personality and in fact, they are just too begin with might cause or in more loweveryone’s unique on introverted to open up them to fall back. They key environment. his/her own ways. Some first. know what they would They would people are outgoing, sassy, How do you show want, and what they rather have a few and some are just being them you are there for would need to do. Thus, valuable friendships at the corner observing them? anxiety would be their than hundreds of around and enjoying Listen to their silence. worst case scenario. They acquaintances. themselves. Being around Introverts, naturally, are very reserved, so don’t Too much with reserved, quiet do not share their be the reason for their and frequent people and befriending opinions to others unless worst state possible. social interaction them helps them to asked. They are avoiding Time will come, they is overwhelming and conquer their fear to open conflicts and unnecessary will definitely come out exhausting to them. up with others. interactions. Silence is from their shell on their They are more fascinated your free time the way In the simple and their comfort zone and own accord. Just you wait. with their inner worlds you like, not the way you elegant words of Gandhi, not into socializing like Be open minded. rather than what goes on think you’re supposed “In a gentle way, you can how extroverted people Contrary to popular outside of it. So if they to. Stay home on New shake the world.”

ANO/ from page 3

no choice, we just deal with it. Instead, we learn independence! At least.

But seriously, such scenario should be ended when in fact we are privileged to benefit the free tuition, and following this are what we call ‘normal classes’ that have gone all through the years is not good in return.

To date, it has been 23 years for the

Geology program for having instructors that seldom come and always go. For the next two years, it’s going to be our silver anniversary!

That, I couldn’t wait to celebrate. Who would have thought that this kind of system manages to survive? Nevertheless, I would never wonder why Geology students in 2016 rallied on the streets while

raising placards that reads, “Our 21 years should never be the status quo,” seeking for immediate action on the lack of regular instructors.

Talking out all these rants, I, for once, haven’t turned a blind eye on the exerted efforts just to make this program great. Even students have stayed late at night and worked for long hours

helping in the compliance of documents required for accreditation. By increasing the level of the program, a higher quality of education should be reflected. However, I still doubt that— especially without permanent teachers. Thus, levels turn out to be just for show.

There is nothing wrong with self-studying.

But really, how does

school work? Just because we can somehow deal with once in a blue moon teachers, doesn’t mean it is fine to keep it that way.

We cannot just pass alone.

The most important thing is to learn from someone that could give us that knowledge.

I might be too noisy for a silent week. But it’s almost midterms, so… ano na?

Illustrated by Jay Cheever G. Rocaberte

You will come across and meet him in the hallway. You w ill see him wearing that smile as if he owns the world, that contagious laughter that would generate positive aura wherever he goes. But behind every funny story he tells, behind the laughter he shares, is a story yet to unfold.

Living in Caranoche, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, Jordyn Cadavid Suito – 21 years old and a freshman in the College of Education (CEd) – is fifth among the seven children of Deladger and Josephine.

At the age of 15, he already learned to live on his own. He started working just to have money to feed himself. Jordyn was seen differently by his parents and was treated harshly just because he was gay.

During the time he moved out, he started living on top of a septic tank. Ironically, it was his father who have made the makeshift shack or barong-barong, a small and temporary home and still demanded pay from Jordyn.

His father told him, “Unsa gud ning magpagama og balay na wala may ikapasnack.”

With those words, he felt down casted and broken. He proved that his father really had no sympathy for him. And so, he still provided even his last centavo.

He tried everything just to save himself from

FEATURES

hunger. He never thought of how risky and hard the work might be as long as he had something to put in his growling stomach.

“Mamunglay, manapas, mananggete, manglimpyo sa mga balay balay haron makakaon lang ko,” he said in a determined voice.

He did not mind the scorching heat of the sun, the height of the coconut tree, the possibility that he might fall fetching coconut wine, or faint because of the heat. What was in his mind was that he needed to live and have something to help him survive for the day.

Having astigmatism, his eyes are sensitive to the light. But the world also deprived him of the light he deserves. Rejected and treated wrongly by his own family, Jordyn was also a victim of bullying. During his elementary and high school years, he endured the ridicules of his classmates.

“Sulog-sulogon ko’s akong mga classmate ug dili sila ganahan nako kay tambok kuno ko, baho og tiil, baho og ilok,” he lowered his head as he remembered.

From his family to his school, he grew up wrapped in discrimination.

Because of the problems he was carrying, he came to a point where he questioned God. He questioned Him why was He letting him suffer this far.

“Ngano man Lord, ana ka nga ang kalibutan, naay kasakit ug kalipay, pero

I like it hard Story of Nocturnal

An hour before the quiz, my friends and I were studying.

I highlighted what seemed important.

My classmates formed their own circle and studied while some were busy playing with their phones.

I’ve had enough of too much information!

My brain screamed.

Words have been flooding my mind. I was not absorbing anything at all. I repeated reading the phrases, hoping I could understand them this time.

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CAMPUS IMAGE nganong puro ra man ni kasakit?”

For him, God was unfair. God was heartless and even thought that God did not exist.

“Kanang gikan ko manapas, maghilak nalang ko pauli, nga muana nga, ay walay Ginoo, kay og naa pa dapat gidungog Niya akong pag-ampo. Nganong iya kong gipaantos og ingon ani? Unsa iyang purpose?” He repeated those thoughts in his mind every single day.

He was depressed. He was filled with rejections. So, he attempted suicide.

He cut his left palm with a knife and felt the blood oozing from the wound, however, it did

My wristwatch indicated that I only had 15 minutes before my quiz but I still couldn’t understand what I was reading. I grabbed my book, placed my notebook inside my bag and walked my way down the staircase as I prepared myself for doomsday to happen.

I felt so edgy and anxious. I took my seat and began reading my book again. Minutes later our instructor arrived, and so did our quiz.

Cold sweat broke from my forehead and ran down my cheek.

“3 and 4. Give me an example of hard science. 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Give me four examples of soft sciences,” our instructor said.

“I know this,” I told myself, but what exactly was it?

Finally, I finished answering and was contemplating whether

Phto by John Earl F. Merto

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 8 | JULY 23-27, 2018

not kill him. He attempted giving up his life three more times, but still failed.

Desperate, he talked to God, saying, “Kay dili man jud ko Nimo kuhaon, tabangi nalang ko kay kabalo man ka nga ako rang usa. Lisod kaayo.”

With his failed attempts, he later realized that life has more for him.

He got back to God and trusted Him. He finished his elementary and high school without the help of his parents, living independently, and by mere diskarte. He sold fishes in the neighbourhood, hosted small events in the barangay, and taught dances

in schools.

And now, he has finally reached college. “I am proud to say nga sa pito ka managsuon, ako ra ang nakatungtong og college, and I aim to become a professional someday.”

For almost seven years of living alone, Jordyn proved not just to his family or to his bullies, but also to the entire universe that even at a very young age, he survived. That in having faith and trust in everything, there is a brighter side for everyone.

Jordyn, during his free time, is a massage therapist with appointments around the province.

Written by Alvord Van Patten Valencia

to throw it out or submit it, but I opted for the latter. I knew I forgot something.

I watched my paper being placed above the old wooden desk, and the correct answers were unveiled in my mind.

My world collapsed!

Stupid me!

Why did I answer books and chart for the hard science, and email, e-book, social networking sites and web for soft science? Why? Why was I thinking of soft and hard copies?

I could already see my instructor laughing as he reads how stupid my answers were. I never felt so ashamed of my answer, not until that quiz. I wanted the ground to open up and devour me but I knew it was too late. It was really embarrassing and I didn’t even know how I got to write those answers!

Down and depressed, I rode together with my friends and classmates to the city and called it a day, well— for them, while I looked for comfort food to ease the heavy feeling venting from my core, like smoke from a lighted cigarette.

I told my friends about it, they laughed of course, but told me I will do better next time.

I know we all make mistakes, but that was just so wrong.

Now I’ve learned my lesson.

I will study harder this time. I would even do it the hardest way possible.

Hard.

Hard.

Hard.

Nocturnal is a NORSUnian who appreciates the beauty of nature when she is wandering rather than being stuck with polluted air of the city.

Photos by Pamela Louise M. Abrasado, John Earl F. Merto, Cor Uriel Balladares, Jose Marie Royo, and Harvey Iquio

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JPIA WEEK VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 8 | JULY 23-27, 2018

JPIA WEEK

Photos by Pamela Louise M. Abrasado, John Earl F. Merto, Cor Uriel Balladares, Jose Marie Royo, and Harvey Iquio

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 8 | JULY 23-27, 2018

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VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 8 | JULY 23-27, 2018

BACKPAGE

NORSU-JPIA 1 runner-up in Accy tilt KENNETH CARLORIO S. SURILLA

AFTER TWO YEARS of holding the title, Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) - Junior Philippine Institute of Accountancy (JPIA) yielded the championship and ranked 1st in the 2018 Accountancy Week Celebration.

S i l l i m a n University (SU) seized the title after earning 885 points while NORSU placed second with 715 points; Foundation University landed third with 695 points.

“We are overwhelmed but we are not disappointed,” Zyrah Salvador, N O R S U - J P I A President, said. “We gave our best ra man pod. Next year I hope

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champion na pod.”

NORSU garnered three 1 st place; seven 2nd and 3rd place each; two 4th place; and four 5 th place awards whereas SU collected 14 1st place, seven 2nd place; and, two 4th place awards.

“We put our effort, our time. We asked excuses para makamake up sa time to prepare,” Salvador said and thanked the NORSU Accountancy department for helping them prepare.

NORSU took 1st place in Banner Competition, Acoustic Bandakada, and Trash-to-Fashion; last year, NORSU landed 1st place in Quiz Bowl, Accountancy Pageant, Music Video Parody, Tr a s h - t o - F a s h i o n , Poster Making, Accounting Hugot, and Stomp and Yell

Competitions.

Some new competitions were featured this year like Speed Typing and Speed Computation wherein NORSU placed 3 rd place each; in swimming, 2 nd place; Spoken Poetry, 5th place; Banner Competition, 1st place; and Collage Poster, 4th place.

To note, NORSUJPIA prevailed as champion for two consecutive years (1617 and 17-18) of the annual Accountancy Week Celebration in Dumaguete.

The 2018 Accountancy Week Celebration was convened with the theme, ‘Promoting integrity; advancing excellence!’ with Saint Paul UniversityDumaguete as host, July 19-22, 2018.

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GOYO ROADSHOW. College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), in coordination with the Journalism and Mass Communication Department, lead the Dakila Bayani Ba ‘To? Roadshow Forum on July 18, at the university gymnasium. Photo by Pamela Louise M. Abrasado CONSERVATION/ from page 3

Environmental conservation is a whole lot more than just sitting in a comfortable place listening to experts the entire day, eating good food served at your table or talking with other youth leaders.

G e n u i n e conservation work is a struggle and a rough road to be in but I’m telling you it is worth it. The

communities would learn how to smile again, the animals wouldn’t have to worry losing their homes and the people you helped showing them there’s always tomorrow, that’s priceless. It is goddamn more than any piece of paper with your name on it.

Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ)

FEU historian to Norsunians: Be critical

HASTA/ from page 3

pesos per semester.

However, as of S.Y. 20182019, the publication has depleted its fund, leaving it with less than one hundred pesos left in its account, as recorded by the University Budget Office, excluding the fund shared by the external campuses. As a result, the publication has ceased to exist from the remaining subsidized fund for printing from the external campuses.

As of second semester of this academic year, The NORSUnian (TN) – Dumaguete can no longer afford to print a single issue. With the Free Higher Education Law being implemented, the university’s

miscellaneous fee of 770 pesos is unchangeable as announced during the UniFast forum last July, stating that the breakdown of its fees cannot be reduced or added for the next five years. Considering that the publication is not included, TN has to wait until the five-year contract ends for it to be able to collect and publish again.

With this, the publication continues to seek for ways in order to gain funds even just for the mere printing of weekly issues for the next semester, but without the administration’s help, then there is no other thing to do but to say ‘bye-bye’.

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY (FEU) historian John Rey Ramos urged Norsunians to be critical in viewing heroism of the past and present in his forum during the ‘Goyo: Ang batang heneral’ promotion - July 18.

“It is important that we look at our heroes with critical thinking. This is the most important skill the subject of history can teach us all and new emphasis on how we look at heroism must be introduced,” Ramos stressed.

He noted that respect without understanding is different from respect with understanding.

“Admiration must be tempered with critical thinking to recognize that nothing is black and white.”

The FEU professor said seeing heroes as idols should be disregarded rather heroes must be examined not just by highlighting their good deeds but as well as their bad actions.

“We should look at the mistakes and the wrongdoings of our heroes and bayani through the context of why they made such mistakes without throwing the fact of their contribution in making our nation and our history,” he said.

In this regard, Ramos stated that people sometimes go blind in admiring a specific hero, even justifying their wrongs because of this adoration.

“Sometimes, we look our heroes as idols as if they could never go wrong. What’s worse is that we justify their wrong decisions and their

wrongdoing just because we admire them,” the historian expressed. “ P i n a g t at a n g g o l natin kung bakit nila ginawa ‘to, so whatever wrong decision our idols and heroes make will always be right.

We venerate our heroes without understanding our heroes. Kinikilala natin sila pero hindi natin sila naiintindihan,” he added.

Relating this concern to students’ everyday life, Ramos emphasized the importance of engaging in critical thinking in transforming oneself to be a better person.

“If we failed to think critically and look at our present situation as it is, kapahamakan ang patutunguhan natin.

Failure to be critical of the situation became the downfall of the first republic,” he ended.

Illustrated by Jerico Quibot

Infographics by Joemar Villarejo

GERARD RICK C. JARDIN