TheSPARK Vol XXXIX, Issue No. I

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Usman’s Aftermath: Resiliency amidst Devastation DEVCOM | 24 ISSUE NO. 1 | VOLUME XXXIX | JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES

PRRD inks Student Fare Discount Law Studes to enjoy 20% discount; PUV drivers air dismay

STORY BY CHRISTELLE O. ONG AND DEXTER B. NUÑEZ

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, expands students’ benefits to transportation utility as he signed into law Republic Act No. 11314, known as the Student Fare Discount Act.

STUDENTS’ GAIN, DRIVERS’ LOSS. Bernadeth Fornaliza Lorzano, a Grade 11-ABM student from Nabua National High School benefits from the newly passed Student Fare Discount Act as it permanently secures her a 20 percent discount for students in all modes of transportation. Drivers on the other hand expresses dismay of this law. -MICHAEL WILLIAM RONCO

I

n consonance with this newly signed decree, students are expected to enjoy 20 percent discount in their transportation fare on land, air, rail, and sea vehicles.

Under the said measure, elementary to tertiary level students shall be granted of the said discount on Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) of domestic regular fares, such as triwheeled vehicles, passenger buses, multicabs, jeepneys, and other public transportation vehicles which are common to students.

The implementation of the said ruling in the municipality of Nabua is already of strict enforcement. It has been mandated to be of provision under the local ordinance of the Local Government Unit (LGU).

Joje F. Dacillo, the Licensing Officer Designate of LGU Nabua, supported this as he asserted, “We strictly implement the 20 percent discount, because it is not only a national law, but we have also a local ordinance in the Local Government Unit of Nabua.”

He added that the local administration has provided a fare matrix to all concerned operators of pedicabs, motorcabs, and other triwheeled PUVs to notify them and the riding public about the mandated implementation of the said discount.

“We used the media, especially the DWEB (DWEB Nabua FM 99.9 Radyo Rinconada), to inform all the

operators and [the] riding public that we are implementing the mandatory 20 percent discount,” added Dacillo, as he emphasized that the Sangguniang Bayan of Nabua imposes the control over the enactment of the said ruling.

The current fare matrix in Nabua rules that the minimum charge for pedicab must be P8, multiplied to its seating capacity which is usually two seats per cab.

Under the new law, the said minimum fare will be cut by 20 percent, hence a lower fare price of P6.40 per student if the pedicab is full, and P13 if the student-passenger is alone.

According to Lito Sumayo, a motorized padyak driver in Nabua for 10 years, PUV drivers have no jurisdiction over the ordinance, regardless if they are also to be hit of the gasoline’s upward price movement.

“Malaki ang epekto sa’min na mga nagbi-biyahe, kasi malaki’ng nawawala rin sa’min eh, kasi ang mahal ng gasolina. […] Ang mahal ng gasolina tapos ang baba ng pamasahe, kung sa ano [income], kaunti lang ang nakukuha namin. Ang binubuhay lang namin ‘yung mga may-ari ng traysikel, kasi nagba-boundary lang kami,” stated Sumayo.

Furthermore, multicab driver for 10 years, Domingo Talaguid, admitted that the 20 percent decline to every...

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Path towards universityhood

Pres. Cadag: CSPC to be PSUB in 2021 STORY BY IAN BENEDICT C. FALLER

D

VISIONARY. Newly appointed College President Dr. Charlito P. Cadag bares his plans for the College these next few years enroute to becoming a full-fledged university. -MICHAEL WILLIAM RONCO

“‘Yung full realization natin ng pagkakaroon ng full-fledged Polytechnic State University of Bicol (PSUB) will be in 2021,” said Dr. Charlito P. Cadag, the fifth president of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), during an interview with TheSPARK.

NEWS | 04

CSPC fronts plans for infrastructure development

FEATURES| |04 19 FEATURES

Ang Pagtanggal Battling the ng Busal

Odds

r. Cadag clarified that while there are still a lot of requirements to be met, the administration is already working out the steps for CSPC to become a university.

After being appointed as College president on July 10, Dr. Cadag started organizing his vision for the future of CSPC. Along with a 10-year road map outlining targeted future milestones and the four thematic areas to consider, Dr. Cadag presented his plans for the College’s compliance with the requirements set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to be granted university status.

Inclusive to those requirements are: level three accreditation for at least four undergraduate programs (one in liberal arts, one in sciences, and two of its graduate programs); ratio of qualified full-time faculty with requisite degrees to number of students; research and development output of practical and commercial application to the community; adequate library...

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NEWS | 07

Mandatory ROTC in SHS receives views from studes, educators

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TheSPARK

COMMUNITY

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

Cam Sur’s inflation rate drops to 3.7%, stirs price movement STORY BY JEAMALYN B. GORGONIA

NABUA, Camarines Sur–– As stated in the Consumers’ Price Index, based on the records of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional office, inflation rate (IR) in Camarines Sur decelerated to 3.7 percent on June, from 6.5 percent in the same period last year, but still tops the list of IR percentage in the Bicol Region.

The single digit inflation, however, poses a flipside to its expected effect to local consumers. Despite the decreased IR in the province, the price of various commodities such as fruits, vegetables, fish, and rice, gradually escalated.

In Nabua Town Market, prices of fruits range from P500 to P1500; while the increase of price in vegetables change from time to time, ranging from P1 to P100, according to Alicia Baiña, a vegetable vendor.

“Ang gulay ngayon […] tumataas, halos tatlong araw [na tataas] tapos biglang bababa,” said Baiña.

Moreover, Susan Armillos, a fish vendor, shared that the increase in the price of fish ranges from P20 to P25, while its decline moves from P20 to P30.

In addition, when it comes to the changing prices of rice, Nida Talagtag, a rice seller, said, “Tumataas ang presyo [ng bigas] mula piso, kapag

bumababa naman, depende sa class ng bigas,” as she also stated that, “Piso ang kadalasang patong sa presyo ng bigas dahil ‘pag mas mahal ang patong, kaunti ang bibili at maaaring mastock.”

The decline in IR is hardly felt by consumers, as Nonita Zagada, a frequent Nabua Public Market goer for 18 years, shared that prices of basic commodities are continuously moving with an ascending trend, in comparison with the lower prices of the previous years.

“Habang tumatagal, mas lalong tumataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin, kumpara sa mga presyo noon,” stated Zagada.

Rochelle Zagada, a regular customer of the said market for five years, affirmed this, as she said, “Kung minsan ay hindi na kinakaya ng budget ang presyo ng mga bilihin, kaya ‘yung ibang kailangang bilhin ay hindi ko na nabibili.”

In an interview with TheSPARK, Engr. Celedonio Elevado Jr., Municipal Agricultural Technologist of Nabua stated, “Ang presyo ng rice, hindi masyadong nagbago, lower siya, pero siguro mga around five percent lang kaysa dati, before importation. Siguro kung dati ang presyo ng isang kaban, 50 kilos of rice ay 2000 peso[s], bumawas ng five percent, nabawasan lang ng 100 [pesos].”

“Maaari ring mataas pa rin ang mga presyo ng bilihin katulad ng mga prutas at gulay, dahil […] kakagaling palang

PRRD inks Student Fare...

CONSUMERS’ WALK. Despite the fluctuating inflation in our economy, Nabueños still visit Nabua Public Market, in order to buy basic commodities to help suffice the needs of their family. -JUDE ZYMON CASYAO

natin sa El Niño, tapos bigla na namang maulan, mga monsoon rains and other weather related […] na mga nakakaapekto sa presyo,” Elevado added.

Meanwhile, along with the observed growth in prices and the decline in the IR of the province, the Purchasing Power of Peso (PPP) of Camarines Sur also slowed down at 0.81%, from its previously posted 0.85% record.

Similarly, Camarines Norte posted at 0.80%, from 0.83%; Sorsogon at

0.88%, from 0.90%; Catanduanes at 0.85%, from 0.86%; Albay at 0.83%, from 0.85%; and Masbate at 0.82%, from 0.83%.

PPP is the cost of currency conveyed in terms of the amount of goods and services that a unit of money can purchase. With the fluctuating movement of inflation, the amount of goods and services a consumer would be able to purchase decreases.

While Camarines Sur is still noted

to have the highest percentage of IR in the Bicol region, IR in Camarines Norte posted at 3.4%, Sorsogon at 3.0%, Catanduanes at 1.9%, Albay at 2.5%, and Masbate at 1.6%.

From 6.9% of the same month last year, Bicol Region’s percentage of IR dropped to 3.0%, as its PPP also decreased to 0.83% from its previous record of 0.85%.

conduct of tailing the number of diagnosed dengue incidences within hospitals, their office, in accord with the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, examines the frequency of cases among municipalities, to determine the places to be considered as hotspots. “[Ang] nangyayari ‘pag may naaadmit sa mga hospitals, tapos they were diagnosed as dengue, most specifically ‘yung probable dengue, […] naglalaog sinda sa data bank and then to the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit. So, once na nahihiling mi na may case an sarong munisipyo […] and then the following week igwa na naman siyang case, piglalaag mi na siya, pigcoconsider na siya as a hotspot,” said Aco. Moreover, Aco added that a directive is then called towards every municipal Rural Health Unit (RHU) of identified hotspots, for the municipality and its barangays to be of notice of the clustering cases, which their community members should be cautious about. “[…] Kapag may three or more [dengue] cases in one barangay, in one week lang, […] they are considered as clustered [cases in one barangay],” explained Aco. “So, kino-caution na namin ‘yung RHU first, and then the barangay, para ma-alert sila na naghohotspot na o nagka-clustering na, and then ano ‘yung impact nu’n? Impact is, dapat maghiro na sinda, in such a way that they should already conduct a search and destroy of the area [of breeding mosquitos],” she added.

Based on a report by the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit of DOH-5, Camarines Sur has the highest number of dengue hotspots with 13, among the 33 identified barangays in the region.

prevalence rate is being addressed, through the conduct of searching and destroying of mosquito breeding areas, Aco asserted that combating its movement, is the widespread improper waste disposal among municipalities, as she emphasized, “Problema talaga sa basura. […] Naga City pa lang [ang] may landfill, open dump site pa ang mga munisipyo.”

Additionally, the health official stressed that all sectors of the community should contribute to the prevention of the viral disease, as she highlighted that pre-emptive measures are of necessity to start within the premises of households.

“Sa harong pa sana, mag-conduct na ning search and destroy, sa laog kang harong, and luwas kang harong.

[With this], definitely malilinigan ang barangay. Mas male-lessen ang cases, kung gabos nagtatarabang,” Aco put forth.

Apart from the above-mentioned measures to prevent dengue incidences within municipalities, Aco also advised, “‘Pag kinakalintura, dae matakot magsabi. […] Get tested, kang, if ever na dengue ‘yan or not, mas maray nang pasiguro.”

Furthermore, while RHU-Nabua recorded a total of 100 suspected and probable dengue cases, in reference to the first seven months of the year, Carolyn T. Alterado, the sanitation inspector of the municipality, stressed the importance of the regular practice of cleanliness among communities, to avoid the viral illness.

“Nagco-conduct kami ng mga information dissemination campaigns at barangay assemblies sa mga barangay,” stated Alterado, as she related to the efforts which they observe to level up the response against the disease.

Camarines Sur, with the highest number of dengue cases, is followed of Sorsogon with eight deaths and 784 cases, Albay with 10 deaths and 769 cases, Catanduanes with one death and 563 cases, and Masbate and Camarines Norte, both with two deaths, with 271 and 144 cases, respectively.

Dengue, known to be of no cure, is geared of preventive measures. DOH5 advises the consistent practice of the 4S strategy: search and destroy mosquito breeding areas; seek early consultation; use self-protection measures and say yes to fogging in the occasion of an impending outbreak.

PHO beefs up actions vs high dengue prevalence rate in Cam Sur STORY BY CHRISTELLE O. ONG

Camarines Sur recorded the highest dengue prevalence rate from among the six provinces in the Bicol Region, with 1706 cases and 17 deaths, from January 1 to August 3, according to the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH5).

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...student-passenger’s fare, gives him a decreased supposed income. But he affirmed his obedience to the given matrix, to comply with the law’s suggested system. “[…] Siyempre ang diperensiya diyan, kulang [ang] nakukua mi. Kaya lang, mayo man kaming maginibo kan ta iyo ang policy. Nagsusunod man kami kang policy,” stated Talaguid.

Meanwhile, June Toldanes, a jeepney driver for three years, asserted that upon the implementation of the law, there is a downward effect to his income as well. “Bawas ka kuwa namu, kita. Kulang a income, kulang a kuwa, a boundary,” he commented.

While PUV drivers have expressed disappointment upon the implementation of the ordinance, mixed views have been raised by the student-commuters of the College.

Maria Leizlo Pacer, a second year Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education student, who gets a discount from the usual P40 fare from Balatan to Nabua, said that the 20 percent discount fixed for students, helps her to save extra money, which can be allotted for other needs.

“Siyempre dakulung tabang na’dto, saved na’dto para makabakal man ngaya ka sa kendi or something; para mauno, [mabakal] mo ngaya sa pagkaun or [magamit] sa pa-Xerox.

Pwede na’dto, parang dakulung bagay na’dto kanako,” Pacer reasoned out.

However, there are still instances that the said law is not being accordingly administered to certain areas, as there are students who admitted not feeling or are even not of knowledge of the said ordinance.

“Depende du’n sa sinasakyan. Kasi sa amin naman, parang hindi namin ramdam. […] Ganu’n pa rin naman ‘yung pamasahe, wala ring epekto. […]

Siguro kailangan kausapin nila ‘yung mismong mga lider ng kada TODA

[kasi] unang-una dapat sila ‘yung aware na kailangan discounted ‘yung estudyante,” suggested Justine Rheyvan Tataro, a second year Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mechanical Engineering student, who rides a tricycle as a mode of transportation.

Moreover, Ivy Peñaranda, a fourth year BS in Civil Engineering student, stressed that, “A ibang driver, minsan ‘di sinusunod ‘yung 20 percent discount,” as she added that on weekends and in the occurrence of presenting large amount of paper bills as payment, she is not being granted of the said discount.

Meanwhile, Eva Eunice Moreno, a second year BS in Computer Science student, confessed that she is not familiar of the said law, but stated that with the enforcement of the ruling, “Mas makakapag-ipon ‘yung estudyante [at] male-lessen ‘yung expenses nila.”

Before RA 11314, the existing discount scheme for students covered only land transportation, of adherence to Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Memorandum Circular 2011-004, which provisioned that “students can avail of the 20 percent discount from Monday to Sunday, including summer breaks, legal, and special holidays.”

In accordance to the abovementioned new ruling, students have to show their school identification (ID) card or a validated enrollment form together with a governmentissued ID, for them to be granted of the said discount.

The law has its objective to “encourage students, particularly the poor and underprivileged, to pursue quality education to secure their future and make them responsible citizens.”

If the discount is declined, students can air and file their complaints to LTFRB and the Department of Transportation.

With the increase in figures, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Camarines Sur was encouraged to intensify their measures against the viral disease.

According to Criseta Felicetas T. Aco, the Provincial Mosquito-Borne Disease coordinator of PHO-Camarines Sur, the number of dengue incidences provincewide jumped in July, and continued to ascend in August.

“From June [of this year], okay pa siya, sa expected range pa siya, pero pag-abot ning July, biglang nag-spike, [nag]taas, and then mas nagtaas pa this August. So actually, from January 1 to August 3, halangkaw siya (dengue cases of the province),” said Aco. The public health official furthered that around 73 percent of the recorded dengue incidences are from children aged four to 19 years old.

“Mas halangkaw ‘yung percentage kang school[-aged] children na affected than other age groups,” stated Aco. Significantly, Aco referred to the geographic size and the conditional landscape of Camarines Sur, upon pointing out to the main reason of the notably high occurrence of the viral disease in the province.

“Geographically, tayo (Camarines Sur) ang pinakamalaki, populationwise, tayo ang pinakamataas. […] Mas dense ‘yung population, mas madami ‘yung urbanized areas ta. Kasi usually, ‘pag urbanized, ‘pag taraid-taid ang harong, mas madaliun ang chance ng kagat kang lamok,” explained Aco. The mounting number of reported dengue incidences has prompted PHO to strengthen their surveillance of data from among hospitals of diagnosed cases.

“So ngayon, mas intensified ‘yung case monitoring namin from the hospitals, [both] private and provincially managed,” supported Aco. Identifying hotspots She further stated that upon the

Search and destroy Furthermore, Aco stressed that the primary intervention to avert and control the mosquito-borne disease is through sustained community efforts, with the initiative to search and destroy the mosquito breeding sites of every barangay.

“Search and destroy na sila kapag marami na ‘yung magnitude o density ng lamok. Once na nakapag-search and destroy na sila, pwede [na] silang magspray, or misting, or fogging, provided that they have already conducted search and destroy for five consecutive weeks,” said Aco. Significantly, while dengue

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

NEWS

TheSPARK

03

DOST-PCIEERD accord with CSPC; initiates e-Gov in LGU-Nabua

STORY BY BRIEN ARISTOTLE S. IRAOLA

Frontline services and transactions in the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Nabua are now made faster, thanks to a newly developed web-based system.

With the hope to serve as a base model for smart governance among local government offices, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research (DOST-PCIEERD) and the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) project team launched the e-Governance (e-Gov) system in the LGU-Nabua on March 27.

The web-based scheme covers transactions in the following six offices: Point of Payment at the Treasurer’s Office, Local ID System at the Mayor’s Office, e-Business Permit and Licensing System (eBPLS) in Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPL), Real Property Assessment and Tax Management System at the Municipal Assessor’s Office, e-Building Permit System at the Building Permit Division Office, and Legislative Management and Tracking System at the Sangguniang Bayan Office.

In the College College of Information and Communication Technology (CICT) Dean Challiz D. Omorog, together with 11 researchers or programmers of the College, presented their proposal to the department and declared complete

E-GOV FOR NABUEÑO. Mr. Travis C. Rojales, Business Permit and Licensing System Officer, unveils one of the ways how e-governance will function and can be access by the community of Nabua, September 28, 2019 at Nabua Municipal Hall.

-ALEXANDER B. CEZAR

on February 15.

Commenced on August 19, 2017, the project team devised the e-Gov for 18 months, with a P4.9 million allocated budget from DOST-PCIEERD. According to Mr. Regino B. Medrano, CICT Instructor and one of the developers of e-Gov, an advantage of having an externally-funded projects

Pres. Cadag: CSPC to be...

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...and laboratories; relevant linkages and outreach programs that are mindful of service to the community and relevant academic policies, systems, and processes.

Graduate and undergraduate programs Dr. Cadag noted that one of the deficiencies for the full conversion of CSPC into a university is the offering of a doctorate program. He explained that before an institution can offer a doctorate program, it must have at least five core professors holding doctorate degrees consistent with the program offered.

“The administration will be sending additional faculty from the College to pursue similar degree program,” he said.

“By then, we can now offer PhD, but we need to review as per instruction from the Commission on Higher Education,” he added.

By 2020, CSPC plans to offer three doctorate programs, viz.: Doctor of Engineering Major in Electronics Communication Engineering, Doctor of Nursing, and Doctor of Business Management.

At present, the Academe is offering three master’s degrees: Master of Arts in Nursing, Master of Engineering, and Master in Business Management.

According to Dr. Cadag, the Master of Engineering program will be changed to vertically align with one of the current undergraduate engineering programs.

“It’s what CHED has actually been telling HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) […] to really look into the vertical articulation of program offerings, from baccalaureate to masters to doctorate,” he said. Accordingly, CSPC is working out the offering of Master of Science in Electronics Engineering.

By 2021, the College aims to add more baccalaureate degree programs, namely: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Social Work, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, BS in Manufacturing Engineering, BS

in Development Communication, BS in Environmental Science, Bachelor of Physical Education Major in Sports and Wellness Management, BS in Applied Mathematics, and BS in Secondary Education Major in Special Education and Major in Early Childhood Education.

Faculty development and management In line with the intention of offering more graduate programs in the future, CSPC aims to aid its faculty in their pursuit for further studies, especially those who will be taking master’s and doctorate programs. “Our concern now is the substance,” said Dr. Cadag. “[…] and then sending faculty researchers sa mga paper presentations, sa mga national and international conferences, and journal publications,” he added.

According to the budget allocations report for the calendar year 20192020, the budget for personnel services expenditures increased by 25 percent, from last year’s P100,864,000 to this year’s P125,648,000.

Dr. Cadag also intends to split the human resource department into two: human resource management and human resource development.

The former will be dealing with the application, selection, and recruitment of the faculty and staff, while the latter will be handling the training and development of current employees.

By 2020, the administration plans to have passed the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) maturity level two accreditation. According to the Civil Service Commission website, PRIME-HRM “integrates and enhances the Personnel Management System – a mechanism that empowers government agencies by developing their human resource management competencies, systems, and practices toward HR excellence.”

Regarding the shortage of available

is the capability of the school to stretch its underlying program spectrum and extension services.

“Kaya nga by the next semester, magde-deploy kami ng mga OJTs (Onthe-Job Training students). […] ‘Yun ‘yung iti-train namin para sila naman ang mag-train du’n sa LGU [personnel],” he said.

“First step is that, lahat muna [ng mga taga-Nabua ay dapat] makarehistro ng ID [nila], kasi kapag wala tayong ID – Local ID – wala ring transaction na pwedeng ma-conduct,” added Medrano, when asked about the processes in which the people should comply first before enabling the usability and benefits of e-Gov. “Mostly,

professors in handling the influx of students this year, Dr. Cadag mentioned that the administration has already hired additional instructors under contract of service. “We are expecting that the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) will grant our request for additional plantilla positions. Once na mabigyan tayo ng additional plantilla positions, magha-hire na tayo ng panibagong teachers,” he supported.

Dr. Cadag plans to concentrate first on the establishment of a COE in IT. “[…] If there is something that CSPC or PSUB can be known for, then it would be the information technology [program],” he remarked.

As of present, CSPC has finished the Institutional Accreditation for level one status and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 recertification. The administration is also looking forward for the Institutional Sustainability Assessment of CSPC by November, which is a quality assurance mechanism that evaluates an HEI’s governance and management; quality of teaching and learning; quality of professional exposure, research and creative work/ innovation; support for students; and relations with the community.

Along this, the College aims to pass the Environmental Management System (EMS) 14001 certification, integrating further with the ISO 9001 quality assurance system.

According to ISO, EMS is a “part of the management system used to manage environmental aspects, fulfill compliance obligations, and address risks and opportunities.” Moreover, Dr. Cadag said that if CSPC passes the certification, it would be the first among State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Bicol Region.

Dr. Cadag also intends to establish review centers for professional courses and intervening activities such as mentoring programs to improve the College’s performance in board examinations. “CSPC has long been known as the home of board placers. We need to strengthen that” he stated.

To keep up with processes and services of other HEIs, the administration aims to accomplish the full computerization of various administration systems, particularly the frontline services in CSPC. According to Dr. Cadag, these include the financial management system, the supply and property management, and the records management. Likewise, the administration is working out the enhancement of the Human Resource Information System to better manage the faculty and staff of CSPC.

Libraries and laboratories According to the planned infrastructure projects left by the former College president Dr. Dulce F. Atian, by 2021, CSPC will be constructing a four-storey building which will house the digital library on its second floor.

Supplementing the existing College library, the digital library will contain a compilation of digital objects that can include text, visual, audio, or video materials as well as provide means for CSPCeans to organize, store, and retrieve the files and media contained in the library collection.

As for the state of laboratories in the campus, Dr. Cadag stated that the needs for laboratory equipment will be given priority in the budget allocation. “I have already advised all the deans of colleges to submit a list of equipment and laboratory that their respective college needs,” he explained. “[…] Kasama pa rin ‘yan sa offering ng masters and doctorate programs. We need to equip all the more those colleges, para kung ano ‘yung mga laboratory equipment na kailangan, dapat nandi-diyan siya.”

Dr. Cadag has also requested Congresswoman Niña Taduran a unit of ambulance which will be used by the nursing and midwifery students as part of their laboratory equipment.

“The good thing about it, by the time the ambulance is with us already, we will make it available for the constituents of LGU-Nabua and other communities in Rinconada,” he added.

Academic policies and systems In the proposed organizational structure, the Student Development Services will be transformed as the Office of the Student Affairs and Services, which will serve both the student’s development needs and the student’s welfare.

The Academe is also working out the establishment of Centers of Excellence (COEs) and centers of development by 2021. The College intends to prioritize its flagship programs such as BS in Office Administration, BS in Nursing, BS in Information Technology (IT), and its engineering courses to be given a COE. Identifying IT as the CSPC’s niche,

Organizational restructuring In addition to the existing offices of vice presidents (VPs) – VP for Academic Affairs and VP for Administration, the College also intends to form the Office of the VP for Research, Extension and Production which will handle research, extension, and production services for the institution.

The new office of the VP will

[Local ID] ‘yung major na ginagamit ngayon,” he added.

Moreover, Medrano said that the archetype is already at its enhancement process and is in application for further tweaks to produce the second phase of e-Gov. “[…] We are currently crafting for the e-Gov II, and hopefully ma-approve din ‘yun. Not this year, but probably, the following years kasi matagal din [gawin ‘yun],” stated Mendrano.

Bicol Consortium for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (BCIEERD) Office also said that such project is an opportunity to further strengthen the readiness of the College, and as compliance for the mandate to be a university.

“Isa ‘yan sa mga indicators kaya tayo nagiging SUC Level 1, 2, 3... on how many researches ang napo-produce ng isang school na pino-pondohan ng external agency,” said Ruby Jane Gonzales, Consortium Director of BCIEERD. BCIEERD is one of the regional consortia of DOST-PCIEERD Region V. As a result of the continuous collaboration of the College with external agencies, such as DOSTPCIEERD, faculty from different departments are encouraged to submit their research proposals, extending their knowledge and skills, to make contribution and additional services to the institution. “[CSPC] being a base agency ng PCIEERD [...] and now na nakita na...

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absorb the current offices of research services and extension services, while forming a new office for the College’s production services which will manage the following departments: Business Incubation Center, Training and Review Centers, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Center, Economic Enterprise Development, and Instructional Materials and Resources Development.

“Production is one of the major functions of a state university or a state college,” explained Dr. Amado A. Oliva, Jr., Director for Extension Services.

“So we have instruction, research, extension, and production. […] Dapat magawa natin ‘yung four major functions na ‘yun, which ang nawawala is ‘yung production,” he supplied.

Moreover, the administration eyes to modify the current academic department to comprise the following: Graduate School, College of Engineering, College of Business Administration, College of Health Sciences, College of Computer Studies, College of Education, and College of Arts and Sciences.

Buhi extension campus According to Dr. Cadag, the administration proposes that the Buhi extension campus be converted into CSPC Buhi Campus by 2021. There, various courses in agriculture, fisheries, and environment will be offered to comply with the mandate provided in Republic Act 11283 converting CSPC to PSUB. “[Buhi Extension Campus] will no longer be an extension campus. It should be known as Buhi Campus, after, of course, seeking approval from the board of trustees,” Dr. Cadag explained.

“Because to establish a campus, of course, it requires again, budget; […] kailangan may building, may infra (infrastructure),” he added.

Four thematic areas for PSUB and College mantra During the interview, Dr. Cadag presented his vision for PSUB manifested in four thematic areas: passion for service, social responsiveness for multifaceted challenges, unity for excellence, and building societies for development.

Additionally, he stated that his mantra for the College is “Excellence and Transformation.”

“Dapat papalagyan ko ‘yan diyan sa mga conspicuous places just like in other SUCs in the country,” he explained. “‘Yung mantra ng mga topperforming ASEAN universities, maikli lang siya. Kaya sa atin ‘Excellence and Transformation’,” he emphasized.

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CSPC fronts plans for infrastructure development STORY BY CHRISTELLE O. ONG

Geared with its flagship programs towards meeting the vision of becoming the lead polytechnic institution in the Bicol Region, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges is faced of projected plans for infrastructure development.

These plans, aimed at upgrading further the physical environment of the College, are intended to pave way to the renovation and construction of new buildings, refurbishment of facilities, land development and modernization of laboratory components.

According to the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2018, CSPC has allotted P104, 094, 000 for capital outlay in the improvement of physical facilities and construction of new buildings last year.

This led the way for the College to witness the on-going construction of the Center for Innovation and Technology Development (CITD), and the four-storey Academic Building to house the College of Information and Communication Technology (CICT), including the completion of the fourstorey Academic Building, principally built for the College of Education, Arts and Sciences (CEAS).

Of present development According to Dr. April Z. Luzon, head of the Institutional Planning Office of the Academe, the CITD is a provision for research, extension and entrepreneurial activities.

“That will house the research and extension office, and magiging research hub ‘yun. Doon idi-display ‘yung potential researches for commercialization and magiging extension training center din ‘yun,” stated Luzon, in an interview with TheSPARK. “Ang research and extension ay kasama sa mandate ng school natin,” added Luzon.

She furthered that upon the completion of the said edifice, research and extension will be of motivated collaboration within its corners, to emphasize their needed prioritization.

Moreover, the two abovementioned four-storey Academic Buildings are of aim to provide adequate and quality social services to faculty and students.

As Luzon stated, “Dahil sa pagdami ng enrollees, kinakailangan na[ng] magdagdag ng buildings.” “‘Yung dalawang department ang pinag-prioritize na gawan ng bago[ng buildings], kasi unang-una, ‘yung CEAS ay wala pa talaga; kasi CEAS is a new department and it requires to have its own building for its operation,” Luzon emphasized.

Meanwhile, the on-going construction of the four-storey Academic Building to house the CICT department, is envisioned to be done by the onset of the next academic year, and is expected to hub the automation of the College.

“Kailangan kasi nating i-improve ang services sa IT, lalong-lalo na at ang polytechnic education ay isa sa niche ng CSPC. So, since ang focus natin ay technology, dapat nating bigyan ng pansin ang IT na magkaroon ng sarili at mas state-of-the-art na building. That is why nag-construct na ng bago para sa kanila,” said Luzon.

She furthered that CICT will soon have its appellation changed to College of Computer Studies, and the CICT department, upon vacating the Academic Building 1, will be replaced of the Graduate School.

Of envisioned development Moreover, by the onset of the next academic year, it is envisioned that modernization and development will further take place within the institution with the construction of new buildings and facilities, alongside land improvement.

Luzon supported this, as she remarked, “Marami tayong plano para sa CSPC.” She further stated that before the former president of CSPC, Dr. Dulce F. Atian, left the post, infrastructure projects were already plotted for the succeeding years.

Alongside these projects, the administration identified the needs

BUILD IT UP, BUILD IT MORE. With its firm commitment in providing the best facilities it can provide, the College lays down its plans for the next years in infrastructure development in response to its current and future needs as explained by Engr. Henry P. Turalde, the College Engineer. -MICHAEL WILLIAM R. RONCO

and the gaps of the institution upon formulating the five-year strategic development plan of the College’s newly appointed president, Dr. Charlito P. Cadag.

This is in accord to the 10-year road map of CSPC, where the administration identified the milestones from 2019 to 2028 towards being a full-fledged Polytechnic State University of Bicol.

In a separate interview with TheSPARK, Engr. Henry P. Turalde, the College engineer of the institution said, “Ang mga road map kasi natin ngayon sa infra (infrastructure development) naka-align na ‘yun para sa universityhood program. Kasi meron tayong ico-comply na requirements ng CHED for universityhood. […] So, lahat ito, naka-gear para sa application natin sa universityhood.”

Anchored to Cadag’s five-year strategic development plan, in line with infrastructure development, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) through GAA is anticipated to allot approximately P540 million upon the institution’s subsidy request for 2020 to 2024 infrastructure projects.

In 2020, infrastructure development is intended for land improvement, which is mainly focused to the provision of road network, and construction of electrical posts along the driveways of the College. This project is expected to

receive P10 million for implementation.

Moreover, in 2021, it is estimated that the rise of the Multi-Purpose Building for the Student Development Center will be realized.

According to Turalde, the said building is mainly intended for disaster risk reduction management activities, as it is also to house the College Clinic, including an infirmary, a training space for indoor activities, and other student related rooms and offices.

“More on ano siya, social engagement sa environment, tapos ‘yung safety, ‘yung mga emergency [related activities],” stated Turalde.

He furthered, “Du’n ilalagay, kung ma-approve, ang unang elevator sa CSPC.” Meanwhile, Cadag affirmed that the said building will also cater to the College of Health Care and Technology, for the department to have an additional building for its operation.

A four-storey Academic Building for production and entrepreneurial activities are also projected to rise in the same year.

In addition, interconnecting footbridges and covered walks, walkway improvements, and repainting of buildings, are also projected to be provisioned alongside the approximately P85 million fund that the institution will request for the said year.

Furthermore, the administration is looking forward to the construction of the Digital Library, which is proposed to rise in 2022, as Luzon emphasized, “This will be first in Bicol Region kapag na-materialize ‘to.”

The said facility is envisioned to be housed alongside class and multipurpose rooms, in a four-storey building, intended primarily for the construction of the digital area, to shelter a collection of digital objects including texts, visual, audio and video materials stored as electronic media formats.

“Maglalagay tayo ng Digital Library, kasi ‘yun na ‘yung clamor ng [mga] estudyante natin ngayon. […] Digital Library is one way to ensure that we have the state-of-the-art learning resources for our students,” supported Luzon.

In the same year, the College Dormitory is projected to be constructed to provide housing services to students, for the College to be in harmony with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) Number 9, series of 2013, on the delivery of student services.

Moreover, anchored with the institution’s aim towards internationalization, the administration also sees the need of providing the latter facility for potential international

students.

“We are looking forward to the integration of international initiatives, […] kaya lang ang requirement pa ro’n ay magkaroon tayo ng magandang dormitory para sa kanila,” asserted Luzon.

Subsequently, in the same year, the rise of another four-storey Academic Building is also projected. This is for the fishery program of the College, as it is envisioned to be offered in accord to the stated mandates of the institution in Batas Pambansa Bilang 512.

These said infrastructure projects, including the succeeding phase of the 2021 physical facilities, are projected to receive P190 million for implementation.

Meanwhile, in 2023, the administration is fixing to build an additional four-storey Academic Building, of class and multi-function rooms, in preparation for the opening of new programs in the College.

Moreover, a Centralized Sewerage Treatment Plant is also envisioned to rise in the same year. This is in consonance to the College’s promotion of environmental strategies of control mechanisms for the protection of water resources.

These projects, alongside the continuation of 2022 projected infrastructure developments, are estimated to receive an amount of P175 million intended for capital outlay.

In 2024, the College envisions to construct a Sports Complex to provide facilities for sporting and recreational activities. The administration will request a P40 million subsidy for its initial phase.

Moreover, the completion of the latter mentioned Academic Building is also projected to be realized in the same year, through a P40 million funding request.

Most of these projects were submitted in the Public Investment Programming and in the Three-Year Rolling Infrastructure Projects of the National Economic Development Authority, based on the 2019-2022 Revalidated Regional Development Investment Program, accordingly endorsed to the Board of Trustees (BOT) and approved through BOT Resolution No. 17-45.

Meanwhile, some of these plans were only recently identified and added, upon the construction of Cadag’s fiveyear strategic development plan.

According to Luzon, the abovementioned infrastructure development plans were already identified as priority projects of the College until 2024. However, she clarified that these projects are still open to additional inputs depending on the call of time, and the needs of the College in the upcoming years.

“Meron kaming [mga] plano, pero...

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DOST-PCIEERD accords with CSPC...

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...nila, marami nang nai-encourage na mga faculty na mag-apply for funding,” Gonzales added.

In LGUs Municipal Vice Mayor of Nabua, Marissa Velitario Hao approved the deployment of the six modules into its respective offices. After that, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan validated the Ordinance 029-2019, which states the establishment of the system in LGU-Nabua.

Furthermore, the project team assigned Mr. Michael F. Compañero as IT Officer in the LGU, who will supervise the system throughout the time, provide updates from the team, and troubleshoot any system glitch onthe-spot.

Although the system was already installed in all of the six frameworks, the remaining five is still on hold due to ongoing processes that are in need to be considered for the system to perform in its respective function and in precision.

“Su kuwa pa lang kaya a nagfa-

function nguwan, su Local ID System pa lang,” said Travis C. Rojales, BPL officer, as their allotted system delimits only to data information input until the official opening.

“Kami a nang nagki-cater kadi mga tax payer, mga business establishments.

Adi kayang eBPLS, next year pa ‘di […] ta as of this time, inuusay pa a mga fees nila,” he added.

Sir Rojales and Imelda H. Morena, BPL Administrative Aide IV confirmed that the target date for official implementation of the system in the BPL Office will be on January 27, 2020.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Jocelyn E. Balindan, Revenue Collection Clerk 2 in the Treasurer’s Office, also imparted the same situation in their office.

“Adi e-Governance, usad pa sana man a nagfa-function, Citizen’s ID pa sana man. Su sadto pa sana man an Mayor’s Office. Kanamo sadi sa payments, uda pa man. Manual pa kami,” she said.

E-Gov also considers LGU-Bula as another beneficiary.

However, due to equipment issues and lack of

personnel, the implementation is still left hanging resulting from processing delay.

The primary objective of the e-Gov is to provide a more transparent delivery of services as well as to prevent discrepancies among constituents, thus

creating a harmonious relationship between them and the entire government officials and personnel.

In addition, by automating manual operations across departments and offices, the LGUs will be converted into a one stop web portal solution.

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On ‘total’ exclusion of Filipino, Panitikan in CSPC core courses

Admin: ‘Sumunod lang tayo sa CHED’ STORY BY IAN BENEDICT C. FALLER

As the Supreme Court lifted the temporary restraining order on the implementation of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 20, series of 2013, CHED implemented the reduction on the number of units in the General Education Curriculum (GEC), thereby excluding Filipino and Panitikan as core courses in college.

Consequently, CSPC followed the recommendation of CHED and made changes in the academic loads of affected teachers and students.

Actions of the administration According to Ms. Michelle M. Lomeda, former officer-in-charge dean of the College of Education, Arts and Sciences, the issue has been discussed during a proposal presentation to a sub-committee meeting which was composed of the College deans and the then Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Teresita B. Salazar.

“Hindi talaga pinatay ‘yung Filipino.

Pwede mo rin siyang magamit sa paglelesson, pero ‘yung subject mismo na Filipino, ibinaba na du’n sa Senior High,” said Ms. Lomeda as she justified the College’s decision on excluding Filipino as a college core subject.

She also stressed out that the institution is only following CHED’s recommendation and that the institution is not happy about the

change either. “‘Yung pag-remove ng Filipino, hindi siya kagustuhan ng College […] Hindi CSPC ang nag-decide talaga, sumunod lang tayo sa CHED kung ano ‘yung gusto ng CHED,” she stated.

Ms. Lomeda also explained that CSPC had only two ‘Filipino’ instructors and does not offer an education course major in Filipino, which made the decision to remove the core subject easier. “Kung may Filipino [major] dito, hindi naman tatanggalin ‘yung curriculum mismo. […] Meron tayo, of course, ‘yung general subject na Filipino, na hindi naman madami ang naapektuhan.”

Reactions of ‘Filipino’ instructors and students According to Dr. Septimo and Mrs. Gigi Severo, ‘Filipino’ educators in the College, they only became aware of the decision to exclude the Filipino subject weeks before the start of the semester.

They found the change to be sudden.

Severo described it as “kawalan ng respeto” towards Filipino language and culture.

“Honestly po, nu’ng una, hindi ako naniniwala, kasi ang alam ko hindi talaga siya pwede na tanggalin agadagad,” said Severo as she expressed her disbelief regarding the issue.

Some students also found the decision to remove the Filipino subject to be abrupt and disheartening.

“Nakakausap ko naman ‘yung ibang estudyante kasi naghahanap sila […] ng Filipino, since na nandoon daw sa assessment nila na may Filipino,” said Severo. “Pagtanong [nila], ‘Ma’am, bakit wala nang Filipino?’ Tapos sabi ko,

‘Wala, tinanggal na.’ Tapos ‘yung initial reaction nila, sasabihin ay sayang.”

The president of Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral sa Filipino, Klaudine Ollanes, also expressed her reaction.

“Nakakadismaya. […] Parang ang baba natin sa sariling atin. Kasi sa ibang bansa, pinag-aaralan ang Filipino, tapos dito hindi.”

Preparation on teaching loads Alongside the exclusion of Filipino as a core subject, the College made changes in the subject loads of the previous ‘Filipino’ instructors.

The Academe gave Severo an English major graduate, Purposive Communication to handle to better align her baccalaureate degree to her teaching load.

As for Dr. Septimo, the College gave her Life and Works of Rizal, a subject that can be taught in Filipino as stated in CMO No. 20, s. of 2013.

According to both instructors, the College did not consequently prepare them to the removal of the said subjects, as the decision was made out of immediacy.

Dr. Septimo furthered that she only knew about the change two weeks before the start of classes. “Hindi kami nai-prepare. Nagpalit kasi ng [College] president. In-assure ako nu’ng nakaraang administrasyon na hindi naman tatanggalin ‘yung Filipino, dahil nandito pa naman kami,” she explained.

Severo suggested that there should have been a transition period to better prepare the previous ‘Filipino’ instructors on their new teaching load. “‘Yung July na nagbibigay na talaga sila ng mga subjects, nabigla kami

na wala na talaga ‘yung Filipino […]

So, walang preparation kumbaga.

Nakakasama nga ng loob na bigla-bigla.

Tapos, wala na, pinapili na lang kami ng kung anong subject ang pwede naming ituro,” she said, affirming Dr. Septimo’s statement.

Defending the need for Filipino subject During their separate interviews, both Dr. Septimo and Severo expressed their thoughts on the possible effects of the change while justifying the need to study Filipino in college.

Dr. Septimo also reasoned that students should be taught more about the Filipino language and culture. “Kumbaga, ‘yung pundasyon [ay] napakahina. […] Balang araw, makakalimutan na natin kung ano tayo.”

“Ang pagtuturo ng makabayang edukasyon kailanman ay hindi magiging redundant,” she remarked.

“Dapat simulan ‘yan, maging matatag ‘yung pundasyon, tuloy-tuloy hanggang sa kolehiyo para mai-apply sa pagtratrabaho.”

Affirming this statement, Severo mentioned that teaching Filipino subject in college is not repetitive, explaining that the syllabus in college is different from that of in high school.

Despite the said measure, she still hopes for changes in support of Filipino and Panitikan, as she suggested the instruction of cultural education, in place of the aforementioned subjects. “[…] Kasi sa pag-aaral ng wika at kultura, nakapaloob na rin du’n ‘yung pag-aaral ng panitikan.”

“Sana pag-isipan pa rin na ibalik

‘yung Filipino, wikang Filipino o asignaturang Filipino, kahit ‘yung Panitikan lang, kahit ‘yung Sosyodad at Literatura, kasi po napakaganda ng subject na ‘to,” she furthered.

CMO No. 20, series of 2013 CMO No. 20, series of 2013, otherwise known as the “General Education Curriculum: Holistic Understandings, Intellectual and Civic Competencies,” is the policy cover for the revised GEC. According to CHED, the passage of the K to 12 law offers greater flexibility by freeing the GEC from Science, Mathematics, English, Filipino, Literature, Humanities, and Social Studies subjects that are more appropriately taught in Senior High School. Because of this, the number of units in the GEC is reduced from 63 to 36 units.

The CMO provides course descriptions written in both Filipino and English, and also stipulates that the general education core courses may be taught in either language.

The eight core courses of the GEC are: Understanding the Self or Pag-unawa sa Sarili; Readings in Philippine History or Mga Babasahin sa Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas; The Contemporary World or Ang Kasalukuyang Daigdig; Mathematics in the Modern World or Matematika sa Makabagong Daigdig; Purposive Communication or Malayuning Komunikasyon; Art Appreciation or Pagpapahalaga sa Sining; Science, Technology and Society or Agham, Teknolohiya at Lipunan and Ethics or Etika.

Abinal partakes in World Skills ASEAN anew STORY BY ASHLEY MAE T. BENICO

A point close towards holding his triumph last year, John Jay Abinal took part in World Skills Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kazan 2019, in the field of Electrical Installation Skill held August 22 to 27 in Kazan, Russia.

Abinal, a fifth year Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering student, scored 699 points; a point near to clinching awards like Best of Nation, Albert Vidal Award, and the Medallion of Excellence. Last year, he was able to seize the latter in the World Skills ASEAN Bangkok 2018, in the same area of the competition.

According to Engr. Eddie Cabaltera, Abinal’s coach, their team was surprised when they were told that the competition will be an on-the-spot test project, as they were only informed of the competition’s system during the actual conduct of the contest.

“It was an on-the-spot test project.

After our five months of training at TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) Taguig, doon lang namin nalaman na on-the-spot pala ang ibibigay,” explained Cabaltera.

Moreover, Cabaltera shared that Abinal encountered a mild problem during the competition, wherein he had a little hard time familiarizing the other devices and understanding the given test project.

“Medyo nahirapan din siya sa pagfamiliarize ng ibang devices, because what they used are European devices.

However, he performed well. It was a great experience for us,” stated Cabaltera.

Likewise, Abinal highlighted his experiences during the competition, as he shared that the core of his motivation

was to meet the international standard.

“Mahirap, pero alam kong natural lamang iyon sa isang kompetisyon.

Napaka-challenging dahil marami akong kalaban. Ngunit sabi nga nila, kalaban ko ang sarili ko, hindi sila, dahil ang bini-beat ko ay ang international standard,” said Abinal. “Napakasaya at malaking prebilihiyo na ako ay napabilang doon,” he added.

Sarahlyn C. Catimbang, focal person of TESDA in CSPC, explained the various assessments which Abinal went through before representing the school and the country to the said event.

Abinal first competed in the Regional Skills Competition which qualified him to the Zonal Skills Competition, where he represented the Bicol Region and made him advance to National Skills Competition. After gaining a spot in the National Skills Competition, he then vied to the World Skills ASEAN, where he bagged the Medallion of Excellence, last year.

“Madami siyang pinagdaanan bago pa man siya nakasali sa World Skills Kazan 2019. It was a continuous elimination of competitors, to know who is best to represent the country in the World Skills,” supported Catimbang.

Accordingly, Abinal gave his gratitude to all those who have supported him, throughout the course of his journey in the competition.

“Una, nagpapasalamat ako kay God, sa pamilya ko na walang sawang sumuporta, kay Sir Eddie Cabaltera, Ma’am Dulce Atian, Sir Charlito Cadag, sa buong faculty and staff ng CSPC, at sa TESDA, dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanila ay hindi ko maaabot ang kung nasaan ako ngayon,” said Abinal.

Meanwhile, the competitors who have secured a spot to the given awards, have at least gained 700 points and above, pasting the total points of the international standard.

China secured the gold medal

Photo Credit: Eddie Cabaltera

MAN AT WORK. John Jay Abinal, a fifth year Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering student, maneuvers an on-the-spot project in the Electrical Installation Skill area during the World Skills Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kazan, Russia on August 22 to 27, 2019. Abinal shares that he enjoyed and felt privileged to be part of the said competition. -ALEXANDER B. CEZAR

with 770 points. Chinese Taipei and Russia got the silver medal with 752 and 751 points, respectively. Brazil and Italy, both garnered 749 points, were awarded with the bronze medal.

Moreover, 15 countries were equally awarded of the Medallion of Excellence.

The competition, for this year,

gathered 1,354 competitors from 63 countries and regions.

World Skills ASEAN, which is being held every two years in different parts of the world, organizes the world championship of vocational skills.

Moreover, it brings together young people, industry, government,

education, and institutions to promote the benefits of and the need for skilled trade professionals. It aims to demonstrate the advantages of learning vocational skills, while encouraging “parity of esteem” between vocational and academic qualifications.

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On its pursuit to academic excellence

CSPC continues to strive for height in board exams STORY BY CHRISTELLE O. ONG

The Performance of Board Programs* in CSPC

*Programs mentioned in the article National Legend: School

against the National Passing Percentage

INFOGRAPHICS BY JAN KLOUDE M. IGANA

With its commitment to provide quality and excellent higher education, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) continuously strives to attain a stature in board examinations, to manifest the institution’s extensive efforts toward academic excellence.

sabihin nating not performing well, kasi ang grading system sa electronics, entirely different from other board examinations. […] Kasi […] sa Electronics, kahit naka-100 ka sa dalawang subjects, ‘pag bumagsak ka sa isa, bagsak ka pa rin sa lahat.

‘Yan ang problema sa Electronics, iba ang criteria for passing,” Tañamor reasoned out.

College of Health Care and The College presently offers 11 Technology On the other hand, according to Dr. programs, which are designed to undergo board examinations. These Maria Laarni M. Salcedo, former CHCT programs are under the departments dean, their department is generally of College of Engineering (COE), performing well in board examinations, College of Health Care and Technology as they are constantly acquiring 90 (CHCT), and College of Education, Arts percent and above school passing percentage in Midwifery Licensure and Sciences (CEAS).

The institution, by the onset of the Examinations.

“For the Bachelor of Science in current academic year, has offered Bachelor of Science (BS) in Midwifery, Nursing, and for the Diploma in which is another board program, as the Midwifery, we are always above the CHCT department decided to turn the Diploma in Midwifery into a straight program.

CSPC has long been known Meanwhile, CEAS recorded its first set of board takers in as the home of board placers, the September 2018 Board so we need to strengthen that.

Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT), —Dr. Charlito P. Cadag, CSPC President with its pioneer batch of Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education graduates.

The program obtained an overall school national passing rate. For the Diploma performance of 53.64 percent against in Midwifery, we always get 90 percent the national passing rate of 48.03 and higher, for the result of the midwifery board exam. And for the percent.

Furthermore, the retakers of the past years, we are always producing said board examination acquired 29.03 top-notchers, one or two in the board percent school passing percentage, in exam as top-notchers,” stated Salcedo.

However, she highlighted that comparison with the 25.95 percent although there are times that the national performance rate.

College attains satisfactory national passing rate results in Nurse Licensure College of Engineering In COE, Engr. Radmar B. Tañamor, Examinations (NLE), occurrences the College’s dean, asserted that wherein BS in Nursing fall short to for the past years, BS in Mechanical meeting the institution’s passing rate, Engineering and BS in Electrical also do arise.

“For the Nurse Licensure Engineering are the programs that are performing with satisfactory results in Examination, there are times na although above the passing rate, may board examinations.

“Through the years, ‘yung dalawa, mga matataas na result, and may mga mataas ‘yan, Mechanical ‘saka mababang result din ang nakukuha Electrical [Engineering]. Ang Electical, natin,” said Salcedo.

She attributed the times of […] top performing, nationwide ‘yan. […] Naging number five ang CSPC struggling board results in NLE to [sa] Registered Master Electrician, several contributory factors.

“Of course, du’n sa student factor, [nationwide],” claimed Tañamor.

Meanwhile, the dean referred to ‘yung preparation ng students; if they BS in Electronics Engineering, as he are physically or intellectually prepared related to the program that frequently for the board examination,” she falls short to the College’s passing emphasized. Moreover, she referred to the differing number of major subjects percentage in board examinations.

“Ang mababa lang ‘yung […] that reflect on board examinations in Electronics [Engineering]. Actually, Midwifery and Nursing. “‘Yung sa Midwifery ang mas hindi naman talaga not performing well ang electronics. Mababa siya, last maganda ang performance. Kasi, year, 38 [percent] lang ang passing maybe this can be attributed to the fact [rate], pero hindi naman pwedeng na sa Midwifery, limited subjects ‘yung

“

”

major nila. Naka-concentrate lang sa about three or four major subjects, especially du’n sa maternal and child care lang. In the Nursing Licensure Examination, there are several major subjects na kailangang […] kabisaduhin ng estudyante. So, that’s the reason kung bakit […] mas maganda ‘yung performance ng Midwifery,” explained Salcedo.

Aiding gaps to board performance Significantly, the abovementioned deans affirmed measures which provide assistance to the observed irregular performance of the College’s several board programs in board examinations.

In CHCT, Salcedo asserted that one of the procedures their department undergoes for improving further board examination results, is the conduct of free lectures to the upcoming board takers of the department, through the efforts of the Nursing faculty.

“So, in one sem, there are faculty who teaches the students, free of charge. During their free time, they give one or two [free lectures] per week, to review the students,” stated Salcedo.

Aside from the free review, the department also practices lecture series, every second semester. “‘Yung free review, usually first sem namin ginagawa. ‘Yung lecture series, we do that during the second sem, wherein we invite alumni of the school, to give a lecture to the graduating class,” said Salcedo.

Salcedo added that they have been practicing the lecture series for three years already, and that through this intervention, students are being facilitated to relate to the actual practice of the profession.

Meanwhile, in COE, Tañamor claimed that their department conducts review classes, which are integrated to every program’s curriculum. “Bawat program may mga review classes, may pre-board examination kami sa lahat ng engineering programs,” he said.

He, nevertheless, suggested that review classes integrated in the curricula of board programs, should start as early as third year, in order to meet satisfactory passing percentage in every board examination, as he observed that top performing universities, in terms of board results, are practicing the said effort.

“Hindi basta makukuha ang 100 percent [passing percentage] kung ngayon lang mag-aaral. Dapat from the very start actually, ‘yung mga foundations, alam na nila,” he added.

He affirmed that testimonial activities are also being conducted through talks from board passers to give inspiration, motivation, and guidance to students who are about to

take board examinations.

Moreover, the COE dean emphasized that most of the universities of top performing board results, are due to having students who are highly motivated, as he stated that there are schools who pledge an impressive amount of monetary incentives and other physical properties.

“Maraming nagto-top sa ibang school, kasi highly motivated. […]

May isang car na pangako o kaya […] monetary incentives na natatangap, kaya highly motivated ‘yung mga estudyante,” he stated. “Dito [sa CSPC], may mga cash incentives naman tayo, pero mababa. Siguro kung taasan, mas dadami pa ‘yung […] top-notcher,” the dean opined.

Significantly, he asserted that class observation to the faculty is often practiced, to monitor the quality of instruction delivered to students.

“May mga class observation kami sa mga faculty. Namo-monitor namin kung nagtuturo talaga, to ensure na ‘yung academic readiness ng mga estudyante ma-attain naman nila para ma-acquire nila ‘yung dapat nilang matutunan sa eskwelahan. […] Kasi dapat ang [mga] graduates natin, globally competitive,” Tañamor emphasized.

He furthered that their department is aiming to tap Senior High School students exhibiting excellent performance in academics, to whom they will provide scholarship grants, as he stated, “[…] Siyempre, ‘pag napunta rito ang magagaling, mas tataas ang passing percentage [in board examinations].”

Meanwhile, Dr. Charlito P. Cadag, the College president, suggested to implement intervening activities to ensure the thriving performance of the institution in board examinations.

“Sabi ko sa mga deans whose program offerings require board examinations, they need from time to time, mga intervening activities.

Like for example, mga mentoring program. Pwedeng faculty to students, and students to students. […] Marami naman tayong naa-identify na magagaling na mga estudyante which can also be tapped to mentor their colleagues and their fellow students,” stated Cadag.

Establishment of Review Center Furthermore, the College also envisions to construct a review center for its graduates who are to take board examinations. The COE dean supported the latter, as he emphasized that this can enable graduates, particularly those of meager means to get review courses in faraway regions, to access a review facility within the province.

“We are to put up a review center [in CSPC], isa ‘yan sa milestone na

dapat ma-achieve ng engineering department. […] Para ‘yung mga medyo kulang sa pera, medyo hirap sa buhay, instead of going to Manila for a review, dito na lang. […] In all [board] programs, we will be establishing a review center […], the soonest time possible,” Tañamor put forth.

Cadag also sees the necessity of establishing the said facility, as he believes that this will serve as another support system on how the institution would be able to maintain its stature in licensure examinations.

“CSPC has long been known as the home of board placers, so we need to strengthen that. Kaya magkakaroon tayo ng establishment ng review center sa lahat [ng board programs],” he supported.

Key to universityhood According to Salcedo, one of the parameters to meet the institution’s goal towards universityhood, is the graduates, and their performance in board examinations.

“One of the parameters for the universityhood, of course, is the graduate[s].

Because, graduates usually speak of what the school had offered. So, ‘yung board exam, it’s a measure on how the students learned from their four-year stay in the school,” asserted Salcedo.

Also, it is to note that the Commission on Higher Education accredits State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) for Center of Development and Excellence, through their performance in board exams. “[…] For the Center of Development, Center of Excellence, palaging kasama ‘yung board exam na mini-measure din nila. So, if the different colleges will perform well, then they can contribute to the universityhood of the school,” supported Salcedo.

She mentioned that satisfactory results in board examinations contribute to the performance of the institution in general. “There are some parameters in, like for example, SUC Leveling, wherein the board performance is being considered,” stressed the dean.

Furthermore, Tañamor sees board performance as one of the milestones to take into account for the institution to be a full-fledged university, as he interlinked quality and excellent instruction to board results, upon becoming a top performing academe. “[…] ‘Yung mga top perfroming sa Midwifery, sa Nursing, sa iba’t-ibang field pa ng courses dito, ‘yan ang mga dahilan kung bakit napadali ‘yung […] republic act, na maging university tayo, because of the performance of the students in taking board examinations,” he added.

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CSPC admits 2,415 SHS graduates; population hikes by 9.6% Grounds on student admission revisited STORY BY MARIA SHARLYN I. BAYTA

With the onset of the new academic calendar, alongside the addition of two more programs, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) admits 2,415 Senior High School (SHS) graduates, thus making its population up by 9.6%.

According to the presented records of the Registrar’s Office, the population of the admitted SHS graduates this Academic Year (AY) 2019-2020, increased with 104, from its previously recorded 2,311 freshmen students last AY 2018-2019.

A total of 5,648 officially enrolled students of present AY succeeded last year’s 5,104 total population.

At present, CSPC gathered 148 freshmen enrollees in the College of Health Care and Technology (CHCT), 343 in the College of Education, Arts and Sciences (CEAS), 396 in the College of Information and Technology (CICT), 727 in the College of Management and Entrepreneurship (CME), 681 in the College of Engineering (COE), and 120 in Buhi Extension.

In an interview with TheSPARK, Zandra Bonine V. Salcedo, the College Guidance Counselor of CSPC and the head officer administering the entrance examination, stated that the increase in the number of students who took up the College’s entrance test and the enrollment rate for the current AY, can be due to the implementation of the free tuition law among State

Universities and Colleges.

Based on the records from the Guidance Office, there were 4,341 participants in the entrance test for this year, which dominated the 3,214 examinees of last year.

Revisiting grounds on student admission Salcedo then clarified that the grounds on admission for every student are the same per department, as mandated by the College, in reference to Chapter 2, Article 2 of the CSPC Student Handbook.

It is stated in the article that admission shall be based on the applicant’s high school grade and an admission rating of 85 percent or above, or a passing rate not exceedingly below 75 percent.

However, this policy is not strictly enforced, in most cases, as several reconsiderations per department is usually observed due to the number of officially enrolled students that fall short to meeting the expected population of a particular program.

“The revision and other reconsiderations are up to the deans’ offices kasi minsan ‘di ba kahit waitlister nakakapasok pa, depende sa department kung tatanggapin nila ‘yung estudyante,” stated Salcedo.

On the other hand, regarding the provision of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, CICT Dean, Dr. Challiz D. Omorog emphasized, “There is no clear cut policy the school has crafted yet, to

INFOGRAPHICS BY JAN KLOUDE M. IGANA

support the free tuition fee [policy], kung ano ‘yung recent policy of the entrance exam and the percentage, as is ‘yun, wala pang change.”

Omorog further stated that their office is usually prompted to lower down the legible passing score of 75 percent as very few passes the entrance test particularly in Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science.

“We still accept those who cannot get the score of 75 [percent] because we don’t have a choice,” added Omorog.

Moreover, as the department hoped for 900 overall enrollees for this year, programs under the department had shown number of dropouts, as Omorog supposed, “Baka hindi kasi nila kinakaya ‘yung course kaya nagshishift tsaka dropout. ‘Yung iba ang reason ay lack of financial stability.”

Meanwhile, in CHCT department,

before BS in Midwifery (BSM) has been approved to be offered in the College, BS in Nursing (BSN) recorded 300 applicants for admission, with only 111 slots available. Hence, despite its late approval of offering, BSM considered 38 BSN applicants to be admitted in the new program.

“When the BS [in] Midwifery was offered, it served as another avenue for the students to enroll in our department,” stated former CHCT Dean, Dr. Ma. Laarni Salcedo.

However, the dean stressed that despite their department’s numerous entrance examination passers, enrollment rate is of observed decline, which prompted their office to lower the passing rate to 75 percent, as well.

Moreover, in relation to school admission, CEAS adheres strict observance to the policy, but the

Cinemalaya extends to Bicol film scene CSPCean gets short film in top ten reg’l picks STORY BY JEAMALYN B. GORGONIA

FISHERMAN’S SPOTLIGHT. Bingwit, a short film by Cyrus Buenavente was among the 10 shortlisted independent film in a filmaking contest by Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. in the region. -MICHAEL WILLIAM R. RONCO

Marking its 15th year in the independent scene of the country’s film industry, Cinemalaya Foundation Inc. decided to bring its festivities across regions, as it spearheaded a oneminute filmmaking contest for students, and arrived in Bicol on July 11, 2019.

Providing a venue for interaction and a dialogue between alternative filmmakers and those on the mainstream, the said organization stretched its celebration of independent films in the Philppines, by bringing the Cinemalaya Short

‘Shorts’ Film Competition to Bicol, Iloilo, and Davao, through the Regional Cinemalaya Campus.

The competition is a one-minute filmmaking contest, of aim to discover works of young Filipino filmmakers and of motivation to create compelling film presence in regional areas.

Consequently, in Bicol Region, 24 schools participated, with 77 entries that vied for a spot in the top 10 finalists.

‘Bingwit’ Cyrus Buenavente, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics first year student, heeded the call of representing the College and clinched distinction to secure a spot among the finalists, through his short film, Bingwit.

“Nag-isip kami noong araw na ‘yun

kung ano [ang] gagawing content. […]

Naisip ko na tungkol na lang sa Lake Buhi, tungkol sa isang mangingisda. […]

Nangbibingwit siya, tapos basura ‘yung nabingwit niya,” said Buenavente, in an interview with TheSPARK. Buenavente shared one of the reasons as to why he chose Lake Buhi to be the main content of the film.

“Gusto naming gumawa ng short film na tungkol sa Lake Buhi, na medyo polluted na [ito],” he stated.

He stressed out that filmmakers should create films to stimulate cognizance in both social and environmental issues, as he made the film to raise environmental awareness.

Upon the announcement of results on July 24, Buenavente had a courtesy call with Dr. Charlito P. Cadag, CSPC

president.

Cadag commended Buenavente for his competence during the competition and for granting the invitation of Cinemalaya for the College.

Moreover, Bingwit was aired in Vista Mall Naga and Ayala Malls Legazpi from August 7 to 13.

Apart from CSPC’s entry, “Date” of Unibersidad De Sta. Isabel, “Labas” of Sorsogon National High School, “Routine” of Ateneo De Naga University, “Sa Oras ni Bathala” of La Consolacion College of Daet Inc., “Againts the Current” of University of Sto. TomasLegazpi, “Bitad” and “Blah-Blah” of Sorsogon National High School, “Jose Maria” of University of Nueva Caceres, and “Saglit” of Ligao National High School, were also named to be among the region’s top 10 picks.

The finalists attended an exclusive workshop with director and Cinemalaya alumnus filmmaker, Raymond Red, at Vista Mall Naga on July 22, where they congregated to learn concepts of which they can apply to further improve their content and their means of creation.

The Cinemalya Foundation Inc., committed to the innovation and development of Philippine independent films, supports the production, innovation, and creation of new cinematic works that firmly articulates and willingly interprets various Filipino experiences.

Its annual competition, Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, selects 10 short films from hundreds of submissions all over the country to debut alongside in-competition and out-of-competition films.

The film festival aims to discover, enliven and unfold Philippine filmmaking by developing new breeds of Filipino filmmakers.

department resorts into alteration of the legible passing rate, only if the targeted number of passers were still not met.

In CME, on the other hand, Professor Emilda E. Escolano, former dean of the college, asserted that there are no such reconsiderations their office delivers since they have numerous enrollees surpassing the department’s eyed number of students.

Meanwhile, COE Dean, Engr.

Radmar B. Tañamor, highlighted their adherence to the minimum entrance test result of 75 percent.

He further put emphasis on the reservation of slots for students who get an entrance examination rating of 85 percent and above, with satisfactory high school grades, particularly in Mathematics and Science. However, the dean emphasized that the department’s criteria for admission does not conform to any form of policy.

“Kung waitlister naman depende pa rin sa’kin basta maganda ang ugali. Minsan ang academic studies natututunan na lang ‘yan, pero ang ugali and upbringing coming from the family, mahirap baguhin ‘yan. Madami akong nakitaan ng magandang ugali kaya natatanggap ko kahit mababa; may 69, may 68 [percent] pero tinatanggap ko pa rin,” supported Tañamor.

The dean further stated, “Tingnan mo ‘yung recently concluded Board Examination sa Mechanical Engineering, ang dami diyan mahihina pero pasado, imagine kung pinagkaitan ko sila ng pag-asa na mag-aral sa CSPC. May mga bumalik nga sa’kin para magpa-salamat, hindi daw sila magiging engineer kung hindi dahil sa akin.”

COE department, for this year, accepted more than the targeted number of enrollees, intended for every section, as Tañamor explained, “Sumobra, nagkaroon kami ng buffer, from 50 naging 58. Pero sabi ni President (Dr. Charlito P. Cadag) tama na nagkaroon ng buffer kasi more than 50 pa rin, in case na may mag-decide na mag-shift, [...] kaya na-meet ‘yung expected number of target enrollees.”

Meanwhile, several students aired their reasons as to why they chose CSPC to be the institution which they intended to belong to.

“I chose CSPC because I believe that this school can bring the best out of me. […] I am also a DOST-SEI scholar and CSPC is a DOST accredited school,” stated Nancy Valle, a BS in Civil Engineering freshman student. She added that the College will serve as a platform in nurturing her knowledge, with its pursued commitment in producing quality graduate students.

In addition, Hernanie Morales, a BS in Information Technology student, said that CSPC provides quality education in all its programs, and that the institution will provide him the essential knowledge for the improvement of his skills.

Likewise, Estela Marie Luntao, a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies student, decided to enroll in the institution as she believes that it is the home of topnotchers, with its offered quality of education.

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NEWS

TheSPARK

CSPC now offers 2 new undergrad programs STORY BY FE MARIE F. BERMIDO

Anchored to its mission of providing highly technical and quality professional education, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, now offers Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BSM) and BS in Information Systems (BSIS).

As of writing, the two new program offerings of the College, gathered 37 and 49 officially enrolled students, respectively.

BS in Midwifery Through the virtue of Resolution No. 19-38, and in consonance with Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 15, series of 2019, BSM was approved to be included as another undergraduate program offered under the College of Health Care and Technology (CHCT).

BSM, a four-year ladderized program, sets its distinction from BS in Nursing (BSN), as the program that is mainly focused to the study of maternal care.

Diverting from the customs of the old curriculum, wherein the institution subjects it under the first two years of BSN, Diploma in Midwifery will now be formally turned into a bachelor degree through BSM. “In the CMO Number 33, it is stipulated there that a school can offer either the Diploma in Midwifery which is two years and Bachelor in Midwifery which is four years, and the Association of Philippine Schools in Midwifery, which is in charge of the Academe, decided to motivate schools to apply for the course,” stated former CHCT Dean, Dr. Maria Laarni Salcedo.

Additionally, the first two years of BSM and BSN are provisioned to be of the same subjects, whereas BSM students are also required to take Midwifery Licensure Examination (MLE), upon their completion of the program’s second ladder.

“It has no effect at all. The first two years of the two courses will offer same subjects. Ite-take pa rin naman ‘yung exams after finishing second year. Kaya I don’t think na may effect siya sa results ng MLE,” said Salcedo, regarding the effect of the new program to the targeted results of MLE. Upon the institution’s compliance to the requirements of CHED alongside the existence of a lying-in facility within the College, under the supervision of School of Midwifery Principal, Alicia D. Nuyda, CSPC in accord with CHCT department, guarantees that quality education is catered to the pioneer students and is assured to the future ones of the new program.

NEW PROGRAM OFFERINGS. The College opens up Bachelor of Science in Information SYstems and Bachelor of Science in Midwifery as the college’s new program offerings.

This is in response to the community’s demands and in adherance to the College’s mandate. -MICHAEL WILLIAM R. RONCO

BS in Information Systems Meanwhile, Resolution No. 1916 indicates the approval of offering BSIS in the institution. It is now the third BS program under the College of Information and Communications Technology (CICT).

The four-year ladderized program is a product of a feasibility study spearheaded by CICT Dean, Dr. Challiz D. Omorog, in accord to the program’s potential offering in the institution.

One of the findings of the said study indicated that there is a positive trend in the demand of graduates of the program, which drove Omorog to push through its application, and was then supported by the administration.

With the college’s submission of requirements for the program’s application, an evaluation of the Regional Quality Assessment Team was also administered through CHED, to ensure the college’s compliance on the requisites stated under CMO Number 25, series of 2015; hence, the program’s approved onset of offering.

BSIS, as defined by CHED is a program that involves the study of application and effect of Information

Technology to organizations. Likewise, the Association for Computing Machinery and Association for Information Systems highlighted that the program covers business and technology-enabled business development as its primary domains.

The program has its motivation of producing graduates and professionals who are recognized in the utilization of existing computing technologies – to design, manage, and implement solutions; aimed at solving business problems for organizational efficiency and collaborative decision making.

Significantly, according to Gabriel Philip O. General, a pioneer student of BSIS, many of his classmates, including him, originally chose BS in Information Technology to be their program.

However, due to its packed slots, and upon seeing through BSIS’ potential outcomes, they were encouraged to apply to the new program.

“Mas maganda ‘yung opportunity na makukuha sa IS kasi entrepreneur ka na tapos ‘yung mga challenges sa technological industry maco-cope up mo,” said General.

CSPC acquires increased budget for 2019 STORY BY IAN BENEDICT C. FALLER

INFOGRAPHICS BY JAN KLOUDE M. IGANA

In line with the College’s steady growth as an academic institution, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) received P268,534,000 from the 2019

General Appropriations Act (GAA), which is 15.7 percent more than last year’s P232,108,000, with nearly half allotted for personnel services.

Of the total appropriated subsidy, CSPC allocated 43.8 percent to personnel services (PS), 33.2 percent to capital outlays (CO), and 23 percent to maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).

In comparison, last year’s budget allocation gave 33.43 percent to PS, 44.85 percent to CO, and 21.72 percent to MOOE, focusing mostly on building and structure development.

The shift on the distribution of funds indicates that the College now intends to strengthen its instruction and teaching aspect.

“We need to improve or increase the number of faculty researches and ‘yung journal publication,” said Dr. Charlito P. Cadag, the College president.

Dr. Cadag also stated that the school needed more instructors to accommodate the increasing number of students in CSPC, resulting in higher budgetary needs for personnel services.

In an interview with TheSPARK, Shirley M. Illo, the school’s budget officer, explained the reasons for the increase in the College’s fund. “‘Yung personnel services nagbe-

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CSPC fronts plans for infrastructure...

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...these are just plans, hindi ibig sabihin na fixed na ‘to. We go with the flow, kung ano ang kailangan,” clarified Luzon.

Furthermore, she explained that there can be changes along the implementation of the said infrastructure plans, as DBM, for a particular year, may release the National Expenditure Program of the government’s major infrastructure projects, with dissimilar funding priorities from the College. This could lead to the movement of the projects’ year of implementation.

“You see, ang daling magbago ng ating mga listing [of projects]. Kaya, these are just guides, kung ano ‘yung pwede nating i-build in the future.

Pwede siyang nare-reshuffle, according to priorities,” said Luzon.

Nevertheless, Turalde backed an affirmative note, as he said, “Ang lahat ng projects hanggang sa year, [let us] say, 25 years from now, lahat ng ‘to naka-program na. Kung may mabago man, very slim. Pero depende ‘yan, kung aprubahan ng budget.” He furthered, “As long as planning and budgeting are synchronized, most likely mangyayari ang projects.”

These plans, in consultation with Palafox Associates, involve enhancement of waterways and land development anchored to environmental preservation, as Luzon affirmed, “Tinitingnan pa rin ng CSPC […] ‘yung mag-jive ‘yung development at environmental conservation.”

Identified gaps Meanwhile, in terms of laboratory compliance, Luzon assured that a corresponding laboratory is allotted for every program that requires one in their specialization.

However, she clarified that there is still a need to improve in the services and components of the said facility, as the administration is still into the process of meeting the requirements of CHED in line with laboratory compliance.

“Medyo may gap pa tayo, hindi pa natin masasabing 100 percent complied na tayo. But the administration is working hard to ensure na maaachieve natin ‘yung required ng CHED for our laboratory compliance,” Luzon emphasized.

Moreover, Cadag asserted that he already advised the deans of every college to submit a list of laboratory and equipment in which their respective departments are in need of.

“Para sabi ko, bigyan niyo ng priority sa budget allocation. Rest assured na lahat ‘yun, we will address all the laboratory needs and requirements of the different colleges, […] [dahil] kasama pa rin ‘yan sa offering ng masters and doctorate program. […] While we intend to offer additional masters and doctorate programs, we need to equip all the more those colleges, para kung ano ‘yung mga laboratory equipment na kailangan, dapat nandidiyan siya,” said Cadag.

While most of the infrastructure facilities of the College are funded under the provision of DBM, through GAA, there are instances wherein certain projects meet delays, with late issuance of fund, specifically in concern to the renovation of several comfort rooms.

“Even if the administration would base du’n sa plantilla positions,” said Illo. “Nare-release lang ‘yun sa mga agencies like CSPC kapag na-fill up na [‘yung position]. Hindi naman nangangahulugan na kapag bumaba, binawasan ka, o kapag nag-increase dinagdagan ka. Base ‘yun sa filled-up positions.”

Also, according to Illo, the funding for MOOE is ultimately based on an agency’s performance. “Previously mayroon tayong tinatawag na normative funding, base ‘yun sa performance ng agency, mga state universities and colleges,” she said.

“In our case sa CSPC, maganda naman talaga ang performance natin sa utilization ng fund. Sa implementation ng projects maganda naman kaya hindi tayo nababawasan ng fund sa MOOE dahil kung titingnan natin, pataas ng pataas ang MOOE fund natin,” added Illo.

Aside from the GAA government

ensure na maging mabilis lahat ng services, kaya lang may ibang factors sa labas na hindi pwedeng pangunahan ng CSPC. Dependent tayo sa kung ano’ng ibibigay ng gobyerno. […] Kaunti na lang ang mga infra natin na galing sa income. Kaya kung meron man na infra na gustong i-implement, mag-aantay sa kung anong ibibigay ng gobyerno,” Luzon reasoned out.

However, Luzon affirmed that infrastructure projects are managed with a timeline of implementation.

“Meron kasi tayong regular monitoring of our infrastructure projects and in this monitoring, nakikita natin ‘yung mga gaps sa implementation,” explained Luzon.

She furthered that upon identifying the gaps of implementation, the administration then formulates measures to provide corresponding solutions.

Decongesting the canteen Significantly, to take heed of the students’ clamor for a more spacious or an additional area for a dining facility, Turalde assured that the administration is seeing through solutions, projected to be delivered within this year.

“May ginagawa nang solution ‘yung admin,” stated Turalde.

He emphasized the conversion of the study area, on the left side of the Green Building, into a separate food court, including the construction of additional dining spaces and food stalls within the ground floor of CEAS building; and upon completion, within the ground floor of the CICT building, as well. “‘Yung ilalim ng CEAS, gagawan din ‘yun ng parang food court, maski ang CICT. Lahat ng ganu’ng klase[ng ground floor], gagawan ng food court, para kung magiging feasible siya, ‘yun ang aim, para ma-decongest ang ating canteen,” supported Turalde, as he added, “Within this year, naka-plano na ‘yun.”

The College engineer furthered that their office is already framing initial designs for the proposed food courts, and is already finding bidders, consolidating rental fees and assessing the areas’ crowd capacities.

CHED’s standard Significantly, with the mentioned infrastructure development plans, Cadag sees it pivotal to construct buildings which are sufficiently equipped with accorded facilities.

“We have already so many infrastructures, so many buildings. In fact, others are still yet to be complied, pero on-going ang construction. Our concern now is, kumbaga, the substance; equipping all these buildings with the needed facilities and equipment,” Cadag put forth.

These infrastructure projects are essentially framed for the institution’s compliance to the provisions of CHED, upon providing quality instruction and learning environment, among others.

“CHED simply would want to ensure that HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) […] are equipped with all the needed facilities and laboratories alongside with faculty complements.

You see, that is the only way we could offer quality, if not excellent programs,” said Cadag.

subsidy as a source of fund, CSPC earns profit from its income generating projects.

As of writing, the institution has an income of P43, 310, 000 for 2019, allocating 6.1 percent of it to PS, 43.5 percent to CO, and 50.4 percent to MOOE. In comparison, last year, CSPC had an income of P111, 110, 000, with 5.5 percent allotted for PS, 54.0 percent for CO, and 40.5 percent for MOOE. The College’s income generating projects include selling of school and physical education uniforms, ID cords, souvenir items, t-shirts, and photocopying services as well as renting of various school venues and properties such as the College Auditorium, College Gymnasium, seminar and function halls, student dormitory, the Pearl Hotel, canteen stalls, and school buses.

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Studes, educators lay views over mandatory ROTC in SHS STORY BY LORENZO B. ARENGO

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, on June 3, called for urgency, a bill requiring the revival of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, for Senior High School (SHS) students.

This is in accord to his sent letter addressed to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, which requested for the immediate passage of Senate Bill 2232 or the SHS ROTC Act. Moreover, it could also be recalled that in a speech last November 2018, the chief executive urged lawmakers to pass the then proposed bill in order to “instill patriotism and love of country to the youth.”

Meanwhile, representatives of the academic sector, partook their insights to the said matter.

According to Lalaine M. Tolentino, Citizenship Advancement Training Coordinator of Nabua National High School (NNHS), pushing anew the said program is a significant step towards attaining a nation of young Filipinos capable of protecting and serving the country. “‘Pag ROTC graduate ka, mabibigyan ka ng serial number from the National Defense, tapos ito ay makakadagdag ng reservist, para maka-defend tayo in case of invasion,” she added.

Furthermore, Helen M. Alde, the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Coordinator of the College, suggested that ROTC is necessary to be included in the curriculum of SHS, to

HONOR AND DIGNITY. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Officers together with the students taking ROTC program stand still and proud during their advance training on September 18, 2019 at CSPC Villafuerte Hall ground. -ALEXANDER B. CEZAR

instill preparedness among students in the event of national emergencies.

“Kinakailangan na i-mandatory na mag-take ng ROTC ang Senior High [students]. Kung pwede ngani two years para ma-train nang maigi,” emphasized Alde. “[It is] for preparation when it comes to war. Walang excuse [should be] given, men and women must know how to fight, must know how to follow the military command,” she added.

Alde further stated that the ROTC in SHS will serve as the students’

Of plans and expectations

foundational training. “That is for their basic [training], pero they still need an advanced training,” said Alde, as she asserted that advanced training is fully provisioned in the tertiary level.

The Department of Education (DepEd), moreover, supports the revival of the said program, as DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, said that the program would provide the Philippines a source of defense and would help instill discipline and patriotism among students.

“We cannot be relying on other countries to defend us, external assistance takes too long to arrive so we have to rely on ourselves,” asserted Briones in a press briefing, on May 22, in Malacañang.

On the other hand, incoming SHS students of NNHS, raised their views about the projected decree, as well.

According to Danieca Sanin, a Grade 10 student, “Makakadagdag lang po sa stress ng mga estudyante [ang ROTC], kasi ‘pag Senior High [student] marami

which several students met before.

Furthermore, he asserted the positive impact which the enhanced online system purports in the process of enrollment, as he claimed, “Kahit walang human intervention ng staff dito sa CSPC, […] may nakaka-enroll na bata.”

According to Deniña, their office continuously administers system upgrade to online enrollment, to further improve the service it caters to the College’s community.

“And ‘yung upgrade naman ng online enrollment, continuous naman […] minsan after two months, minsan monthly may mga updates na ginagawa,” he stated.

Administration student shared, “Mas maganda […] kaysa nu’ng second sem nu’ng first year. Kasi nu’n baga pinaenroll na tayo online, tapos pinapasa pa ng iba pang requirements, […] mas pinaganda pa ngayon.”

The additional requirements Alanis was referring to, were the necessary documents, which a particular student may have failed to submit upon admission, i.e., Form 137, Birth Certificate, and/or Transcript of Records. These are requisites upon enrolling to a higher level.

Ma. Allaine Agna, a second year Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies student, backed the latter said feedback, as she commented, “Easy access [na], […] kasi nu’ng first year talaga, pila-pila diyan, sobra. Punongpuno sa Registrar, sa Database, sa Dean’s Office, lahat.”

Additionally, Ronnaleve Villamayor, a fifth year BS in Electronics Communication Engineering student remarked, “Parang nag-improve naman, kasi babalik ka [na lang] dito [sa school] para kunin ‘yung Certificate of Enrollment mo.”

However, there are still some shortcomings that the students intend to air towards accessing the system.

As Agna further commented, “‘Pag minsan, hindi ‘yun compatible sa ibang cellphone, ‘yung link, ‘yung website nila. […] Merong instance na parang mahirap siyang i-access sa phone, depende sa phone.”

She agreed that the system improved already, but stressed that, “Hindi pa siya masyadong gano’n kaaccessible.”

Significantly, Deniña clarified that the online enrollment is only designed for computers and laptops, given that it is assisted with internet connection. “‘Yung online enrollment, hindi siya naka-design sa android [and smart phones], pero maa-access niyo siya sa cellphone through Google Chrome, […] pero limited pa rin. Mavi-view mo, pero hindi siya user-friendly, ‘pag sa cellphone. Unlike sa laptop, sa desktop, ‘pag connected sa internet, du’n mo talaga makikita ‘yung full features ng online operation,” explained Deniña.

He affirmed that there is already a plan to generate a prototype of the system for mobile devices. “Nakaabang na ‘yan, na pwede nang magenroll, maka-view ng grades through android cellphone,” said Deniña.

However, he stressed that it would take

na pong inaasikaso.”

Meanwhile, Joshua Masculino, also a Grade 10 student, stated, “Okay lang naman po magkaroon ng mandatory ROTC para magkaroon po ng disiplina ang mga estudyante.”

Another Grade 10 student, Mary Joy Costales, backed the latter statement, as she said, “Para naman po sa’kin, okay lang po [na] magkaroon ng mandatory ROTC. […] Kasi po ‘pag ROTC graduate ka prepared ka na po para sa future.”

Moreover, Grade nine student, Vince Joshua Abinal, shared that the said ruling can be of encouragement to students in responding to nationalistic endeavors.

“Halimbawa na lang po, may sakuna, ta’s hindi po around ‘yung mga respective rescuer po, pwede po sila na mag-volunteer and mag-act na tumulong po sa mga nangangailangan kasi meron na po silang training,” he added.

While the house of representatives has already approved the final reading of the bill, its senate version is still pending at the committee level. It would still have to go through the second and third reading in the upper chamber, before President Duterte may sign it into a law.

The President said that the immediate passage of the bill is necessary to “restore basic military and leadership training for the youth in order to invigorate their sense of nationalism and patriotism necessary in defending the State and to further promote their vital role in nationbuilding.”

Database nods enhancements to online system STORY BY MARIELLA S. VILLAR

UPGRADE FOR EFFICIENCY. Shiela Mae Parco, a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management student accesses her account in the newly-upgraded Student Online Enrollment System for a faster and more reliable enrollment process. -MICHAEL WILLIAM R. RONCO

A year after the launch of the Student Online Enrollment System in Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), students experienced a paradigm shift from the accustomed processes imposed of the traditional enrollment.

Aiming to alleviate the inconveniences of the enrollment process, the Database Center, upon the admission of the K to 12 pioneers last Academic Year (AY) 2018-2019, launched a local-based online system, specifically intended for freshmen students’ ID application, through the system’s online profiling.

Additionally, the upperclassmen were also tapped of the system’s launched features, viz.: online profiling, including online access to statements of account, class schedule, assessment, and grades.

Furthermore, online enrollment was fully administered by the onset of the second semester. However, it has been of identified limitations along its course. “‘Yung online enrollment dito dati operational lang siya, through localbased or desktop. So ibig sabihin, within the vicinity lang siya naaaccess through network, pero ‘yung enrollment noon, may tatlo kasi ‘yang category or component na naooperate: registrar, cashiering and sa accounting,” said Julius C. Deniña,

Database Staff, in an interview with TheSPARK. Deniña admitted that with the first implementation of the said system, the Database Center met the setbacks of an initially instigated undertaking.

“Siyempre, sa first implementation, may mga na-encounter ‘yung school o ‘yung mga end-user [na pagkukulang], even the students and the admin.

Kumbaga, may mga kailangan pang i-dagdag na features,” stated Deniña.

The transition of the transition Deniña stated that the administration saw the need of enhancing the system, with several end-users wanting to access online, hence the administration’s instigation of turning the local-based into a browser-based online enrollment system by second semester, last year.

He added that by the onset of AY 2019-2020, the online enrollment was further enhanced to deliver a more effective operation to students. “‘Yung mga features [in need of improvement], na-meet din ‘yun ng developer, so pagpasok ng first semester this year, 2019-2020, […] na-less na ‘yung mga errors na nafifeedback sa database office, kaya ‘yung pagpasok ng first semester this year, smooth na ‘yung operation sa mga higher level,” opined Deniña.

Deniña also detailed that the Database Center has gone through a series of assessing students’ records anew, to refigure the shortcomings of the system; specifically, to address the malfunctions of the grade set-up,

Enhanced features Moreover, the Database Center averred the updates and features of the enhanced outsource-based online system of the College.

“Meron nang class attendance, isa ‘yun sa features ng online [system], then meron na ring class absences,” stated Deniña.

Also, even with the implementation of the free tuition policy, students can still view their statements of account, alongside their evaluation of grades, enrolled subjects, and their profiles in their respective accounts.

Instructors, with their separate accounts, can also access the list of enrolled students attending in their class/es. “Makikita ng mga teacher kung sino ‘yung official[ly] enrolled sa kanilang subject, kasi may account din sila, eh,” he added.

At present, the Database Office affirmed that the system is already complete, but Deniña assured, “May mga darating pa ‘yan na updates or upgrade.”

“Ina-advise namin sa mga estudyante, kumbaga weekly, magtagabrowse sila ng account nila,” said Deniña. “Tingnan niyo kung ano ‘yung output, ano ‘yung mga features du’n sa access level ng estudyante,” he supplied, as he also advised that the students should be mindful of their user account and password.

Students’ views Meanwhile, students presented different views with regards to the experience they have been through, using the system.

Joshua Alanis, a second year Bachelor of Science (BS) in Office

years for the particular upgrade.

Changing the landscape of CSPC Alongside the online system of the College is the pedestal positioned to the quality of instruction it is aligned with, as the Database Center acknowledges the challenge they are fronted upon, with the operation of the said system.

Rey T. Cortez, Database administrator, emphasized that the online system signals the capability of the institution to teach in its Information Technology (IT) programs, paralleled with the College’s automated system.

“At least sa CSPC, may mga automation systems na ginagamit ‘yung [mga] estudyante, [at] empleyado, na naka-anchor din du’n sa course na inooffer [ng College],” seconded Deniña.

With this, IT students of the institution are also placed into the test of generating enhanced onlinebased systems, as Cortez put forth, “Dapat ‘yung mga system na gagawin nu’ng mga students, […] not only naka-network based or naka standalone computers, [dapat] meron ding capability na maka-online na. […] So it means it needs higher applications na gagawin.”

Likewise, Cortez also emphasized the responsibility of IT instructors, as the College’s administrators of knowledge in the upgraded forms of technology.

“Hindi lang challenge ‘yan sa students, pati ‘yung mga faculty, na dapat ‘yung nagtuturo, ‘yung ituturo, eh, hindi lang ‘yung ordinaryong programming, [dapat] ‘yung mga bagong technology na, tulad nito[ng] online system,” stated Cortez.

Meanwhile, although enrollment can already be personally processed, through accessing the online system, claiming of the Certificate of Enrollment and Assessment is still individually administered at the Registrar’s Office, as Deniña clarified that students are not of access to print their Certificate of Enrollment.

“Kailangan talagang pumunta sa Registrar’s Office, ‘yun ang authorized na mag-issue ng Certificate of Enrollment,” explained Deniña.

Moreover, while freshmen, transferees, and walk-in students enroll through the traditional means, they are still required to sign up and have their own online accounts through the Student Information and Accounting System.

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OPINION

TheSPARK

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

The Turning Point of Doomsday BRENTWOOD | BRIEN ARISTOTLE S. IRAOLA

The controversy of the year 2012 as “end of the world” brought psychological fiasco to all of us. At that time, several theories and ideologies were raised, and predicted that some catastrophic events will occur on Doomsday—21st of December, 2012: the collision of Earth with a returning planet; the winter solstice; the homecoming of alien gods; the start of the New Age; earthquakes that would cause the earth to split in half; supernova explosions; multiple volcanic eruptions; and poisonous solar flares.

These unimaginable – for most of us – phenomena triggered the fear and anxiety within ourselves. For that reason, we scribbled a bunch of to-do lists so that we could – before the collapse of the entire human race – feel the last-minute happiness, live our remaining lives to the fullest.

But as the 22nd day of that month followed suit, and no wiping of dead bodies actually came to pass, we’ve drawn

our mindsets back again to status quo— crumpling away the lists we had made.

We’ve developed a selfish perspective in our brains, that such event is just a hoax, and most likely will never happen, ever.

I must admit it was a relief, since we’re not all going to die that way. It is also normal for us to barricade our minds from hoaxes and proofless theories, let alone repercussions as big as the “World End”. We might as well keep our shenanigans running instead of lurking around carrying a signage on hands: The End Is Near!

But if we conduct an in-depth observation on today’s social and environmental status, in comparison with the past occurrences, it shows an obvious indication of what could possibly be the cause of mass extinction—a rather simpler yet widely overlooked factor: humanmade climate change. “[…] I remember thinking that it was very strange that humans, who are an animal species among others, could be capable of changing the Earth’s climate.

Because if we were, and if it was really happening, we wouldn’t be talking about anything else.”

As I heard it from Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old climate and environmental activist, on a podcast of TED Talks Daily, a sudden realization sparked in my head: why can’t we talk about more on saving Earth when we can talk about most on saving money?

The vast majority of people merely talk about the new, but obvious, concept of how the world will end. They loll on the surface

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Seems like we don’t care enough. Or even if we care enough, we still are not doing anything about it.

fire incident in Indonesia that affects thousands of citizens and neighboring countries. Amazon Rainforest fires seem to generate small amount of care from “unscathed” countries, because they have little knowledge about the effects of worldwide carbon dioxide emission from deforestation. Did we know, as experts say, we have been experiencing an addition of 1.5 degree Celsius from our normal temperature depending on regions? And if this further continues – if it skyrockets to 2 degrees Celsius – this will surely tick off the balance of natural cycles. We were moved by the idea of Doomsday, but not by the sense of corporeality.

On the upper hand, sometimes, we do our part: proper garbage segregation, less dumping of waste in near rivers and canals, using eco-friendly bags and cups, reduced consumption of plastics, etc. We already know these since we were kids.

But what frustrates me so much is that those who we think are capable of saving human race in a larger scale – and more effectively – seems to forget (or should I say ignore) their main desideratum. Some environmentalists often neglect our related concerns; some big companies deceive us with a promise where in fact, it’s all

business-as-usual, and governments show “enthusiasm” by their signed treaties but in reality never really care.

Seems like we don’t care enough. Or even if we care enough, we still are not doing anything about it.

I am not saying we should drop our personal interests and focus entirely in environmental issues for the rest of our lives. All I’m saying is that, as human beings, it is a common sense, a part of our daily routine. We should be open-minded and be active in joining earth-related discussions and movements. Though this matter is banal, a rather basic notion, it still requires a wide-spread emphasis because each and every one of us needs a smack of reality in the face.

Yes, at times, we glide into a very lazy mood—we just don’t want to do anything.

But we should always keep in mind that if we let it slip, our lives—our future will be at stake. This is a fight against our self-formed demise. We have limited run on this planet so we need urgent actions, little by little –by practice – to make a conduit to sure-enough stable Earth. Without unity among all of us, we might as well pack our bags and migrate to Mars.

non-existent? Isn’t it absurd? No offense, but sorry not sorry. Second, he just dropped the bomb by admitting that hazing is ever present in the academy.

Facts are facts and there’s no point in denying it anymore. The contusions and bruises found on the bodies of several first

the passage of the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018 or the Republic Act No. 11053 which offers stiffer punishment for hazing suspects— incarceration through reclusion perpetua, a fine of P3,000,000, and then what? These are punishment, what about the preventive measures? Right, it’s stated in the law as well. How cruel can that get? There are our aesthetically concocted laws, yet the implementation of those is at its poorest level. There should be a holistic approach. Review the law, but stop amending it when you can’t even implement it with full force. The law should punish, yes, but don’t forget that it should protect individuals—alive individuals. Dormitorio doesn’t deserve a flag-draped coffin, a 21-gunshot salute, or your empty pity works. He deserves more than this. Every hazing victim like him deserves justice—no whitewash and no sacred cows.

Dormitorio dreamed to be a soldier, for his family and for the country. He aimed to change the Philippines, and I hope that change begins now not tomorrow, for tomorrow could be the last day of another hazing victim—another brother killed on the arms of his own brother.

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of materialism and shallow conundrums, politely ignoring the real madness that awaits us.

For instance, they tend to draw their most attention to the fresh release iPhone 11, and just a fraction in the forest

Kill Thy Brother JOMAR C. ONDING

The culture of hazing in every fraternity, sorority or any organization can’t seem to reach the very core of rational reasoning and syllogism. I tried to venture further from its threshold into its inner essence, yet I found nothing. But one thing’s certain, in its most definite and most ravaging form, every corner of the sadistic ritual’s premises is ricocheting infliction of violence and malpractice of authority.

Recently, the public has been shaken up by the death of Darwin Dormitorio, a fourth class Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadet. His life was snuffed out by the unspoken tradition which resulted to blunt force trauma and further led to cardiac arrest secondary to internal hemorrhage.

And the culprits are no other than his supposed brothers inside the military training institution. His seniors made the duration of his stay in the academy into a living hell. They mauled, kicked,

punched, tasered, tied up, wrapped his face with rubbing-alcohol-soaked dress cap, and further subjected him to other unimaginable wicked maltreatment. And the reason can be found in the shallowest tide of reasons—a missing combat boots.

And such a fool would only believe that a petty lost boots is the primary reason of the plebe’s demise. It’s clear as crystal that it is the abuse of authority.

The premier military school in the nation creates the future leaders of the nation, who fight for national security and protect the Filipino citizens at all costs, even at the expense of their own lives.

Paradoxically, one of its cadets has fallen on the hands of his future battlefield comrades whose definition of compassion is violence.

The academy has become the battlefield and the pool of blood spurted on its ground is of its own, running in its very veins.

It’s easy to understand how massive the role of this academe is in shaping the country and definitely is hard to fathom how probable the rupture of this incident can be in its circumference. It has become the house of juxtaposition. The institution is different from other institutions, yes.

The rigors of military training should strengthen the bodies and the minds of the

cadets. Punishment should be rendered when rightfully needed, but to the point of death? Those aren’t corrective measures no more and are inhumane in so many levels.

One of PMA’s crucial aspects in the training of its cadets is character development and vividly, this one’s a showcase of a negative character. The academy should shape leaders, not evil leaders and definitely not murderers.

By further rubbing salt onto the open wound, blatantly, the academy has failed to monitor and protect its cadets. Two of its heads had already quit their posts, but it wouldn’t change the fact that they had failed in gargantuan ways than they could ever imagine. This isn’t just about a matter of command responsibility, Sirs. Heard about in loco parentis? You failed big time. The institution is already tainted.

Don’t paint it with another blood.

On the flipside, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said that the hazing at the academy made him what he is today. First, I diametrically agree with what his point is and there’s no need to swim deeper, because look at him—a great example of its product.

More so, how could someone validate the essence of hazing when its essence is clearly

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How many more lives should we inter six feet below before we catapult a massive strike—before we actually care?

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year cadets during their recent physical examination conducted by the academy affirmed so. This is getting alarming and you better be alarmed. This is the nth wake up call. How many more lives should we inter six feet below before we catapult a massive strike—before we actually care?

This hazing incident is the first after

Diversifying Authenticity THE BAM! | MARY FRANCE O. BALDOZA

Respect begets respect and so is acceptance. While we should be flourishing the immensely cascading colors, we are still on the verge of uncertainty.

The recent incident of a trans woman being dragged out of the female comfort room of a certain mall has filled social media feeds all over the country. This scenario involving Gretchen Custodio Diez, who was immured for lining up in her desired comfort room, opened our eyes to how evident discrimination is to someone of individual sexual identity. Instead of finding comfort, she was oppressed for the sole reason of “nonconformity” to the existing stereotype in the society.

Vividly as it is, discrimination, abuse, and exclusivity have been very rampant towards the LGBTQ+ sector. Their existence has been questioned and is subject to misconception.

Proliferation of unequal treatment towards our fellowmen in this community continue to take place. They are suffering and facing challenges in different aspects. May it be under broad categories of employment, education, health, family affairs, religion, media, and politics (Being LGBT in Asia: The Philippines County Report, 2014).

For instance, in the workplace, in an

article released by the CNN Philippines titled “Survey finds that Filipino companies are not accepting of LGBTQ+,” it was cited that zero Philippine-based companies have implementing policies to protect their LGBTQ+ employees. It was also emphasized that only BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) companies have SOGIEinclusive, non-discrimination policy.

Moreover, in a research by Patricia Angela Luzano Enriquez (which was included in the article), results say that 25 percent of the respondents have experienced harassment from their employers and 60 percent have been subject of slur jokes.

LGBTQ+ members are not secured even in educational institutions, where understanding of one’s preference should be instilled. These are where early exclusion and unacceptance commonly roots. To cite, a transgender student from University of the Philippines-Diliman, Hender Gercio complained against her teacher for declining to address her as female (Being LGBT in Asia: The Philippines County Report, 2014). The institution sided with the teacher, who apparently did not violate any of the university’s rules. However, do their university rules not subsume respect and acceptance to diverse individuality?

Didn’t they know that no acceptance of one’s personal identity damages self-esteem?

In this high time ― addressing the need of one is addressing the need of all. We

EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF

need focused lasers, not loose cannons.

Ascertain to the masses that discrimination and hate crimes will never be of acceptance and tolerance to this ever-changing world.

Heedful of the existing problems means to craft a law that would recuperate our languished countrymen.

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When do we take a step towards prioritizing their civil liberties, to get them freed from the prejudices of exclusivity?

With the abovementioned purpose of its passage, one may be in awe as to why it is taking more than two decades and counting, to be a law. How undecided our solons are, to pass a law that would be beneficial not just for a certain community, but to its 104 million people? Not everyone is of the same preference as everyone. No further expounding should be made to inculcate to each one’s mind the necessity of having equal human rights―to live their truth.

Others claim and enclose this bill as special treatment for the LGBTQ+ sector.

This bill is being associated mostly to them because of the fact that they need this the most. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that this is only for them. This is not a privilege nor an entitlement, but an act of acceptance. Succumbing the truth that we are diverse. Being authentic is being diverse.

Even other parts of the world have already honored the essence of this law that raises gender fairness. They have taken the leap to promote inclusivity and protection among LGBTQ+. To name a few are Taiwan, France, and Israel.

Taiwan, known for being the most progressive regarding LGBTQ+ rights advocacy, passed Gender Equality Education Bill in 2004. Banning discrimination against homosexuals and transgender students and teachers in school, this law seeks to introduce LGBTQ+ issues in seven study areas in their curriculum starting from the

”

This law is the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill to be known as AntiDiscrimination Act―a bill filed by the late Miriam Defensor Santiago and former Akbayan representative Loretta Rosales under the 11th Congress. It bespeaks to abhor and punish any act of discrimination regardless of sex, age, class, status, ethnicity, color, disability, religious and political beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

2011 school year.

Fastened as traditionally liberal and rooted in freedom, the LGBTQ+ community headed easily towards acceptance in France.

As early as 1985, a law has been enacted to protect the community from discrimination in employment, housing, and other public and private provision of services and goods. Boosting the law after three decades included gender identity protection.

The Equal Opportunities in Employment Act of 1992 prohibits discrimination in the workplace on the account of sexual orientation, with some exemptions for religious organizations, made LGBTQ+ community in Israel secured in the workplace. The state’s Libel and Slander Law of 1997 penalizes someone uttering and publishing defamation driven by one’s sexual orientation.

Undeniably, many have already extended their support to fill in the gaps to attain equality, in its most realistic form― equity. The question is, why can’t we?

What prohibits this country to bring light into the seemingly dark crossroads of our fellow countrymen of diverse and cascading colors? When do we take a step towards prioritizing their civil liberties, to get them freed from the prejudices of exclusivity?

When it’s already too hard for them to breathe in what they are ought to inhale in their own “supposed” asylum? Or when their atmosphere is already filled of cloudy partialities?

Editor-in-Chief JOMAR C. ONDING | Associate Editors MARY FRANCE O. BALDOZA, HANNAH RUTH P. CHUA| Managing Editor BRIEN ARISTOTLE S. IRAOLA | Art Editor JOSEPH RYAN R. IBARRETA | Layout Editor CHARIS JOY N. LUNA |News Editor CHRISTELLE O. ONG | Feature Editor LEONIDO T. BELLEZA JR. | Sports Editor ANTHONY JAY A. COMBATE | Literary Editor KARL CHRISTIAN L. REARIO | Senior Photojournalist ALEXANDER B. CEZAR | Senior Artist EDEN GRACE P. LU | News Writers IAN BENEDICT C. FALLER, JEAMALYN B. GORGONIA | Feature Writers CHRISTINE T. ASTIBE, SHIELA MAE C. PARCO, JOANNA ERIKA Y. PUZON, HERMINIA A. VASQUEZ | Sports Writers EMMANUEL D. BRISENIO, FELIMON L. GOZUN JR. | Staff Artists LARRY ANDRE V. PACARDO, KIRSTIEN AJ FRANCENE R. RODENAS | Photojournalists MICHAEL WILLIAM R. RONCO, JUDE ZYMON M. CASYAO | Apprentices JAN KLOUDE M. IGANA, ROSE ANN LAGATIC, RAFAEL ANGELO O. MORALES, FRANKNEL ROSELADA | Broadcast Journalist ASHLEY MAE T. BENICO, FE MARIE F. BERMIDO, MARIA SHARLYN I. BAYTA, MARIELLA S. VILLAR, LORENZO B. ARENGO, JANSEN B. IBARDO | Editorial Assistant MA. ENJAELYN M. BONGCAYAO| Publication Moderator MARLON S. PONTILLAS | Contributor DEXTER B. NUÑEZ

OPINION

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

TheSPARK

11

Long Overdue MODERATOR’S CORNER | MARLON S. PONTILLAS the teacher’s voice is neglected. An entrylevel teaching position that pays P20,754 can’t possibly raise a family.

Others may think that once you’re hired in a public school, you are fortunate enough because you are in government service.

They don’t know that a lot of teachers suffer in many ways—physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally.

Being a public school teacher Giveaways, free fries, is draining. All the passion and love you once had upon discounted museum tickets, entering the institution slowly diminishes in time because of marked-down eyeglasses and the rotten system. other perks are not what the Imagine facing 50 to 60 students in a class, with six teachers need. They need to to eight subject loads every be justly compensated for day. You have to monitor their individual learning progress their efforts. and provide all possible interventions because once they fail, it’s your fault. You If you are an aspiring educator and if have to lower your standards, do home you think teaching is a lucrative job, you still visitation every weekend, revisit their have time to reconsider other professions.

Teachers are the creators of other grades so that your students pass your subject even if their learning is inadequate. professions. Cliché as it may sound, without Teachers have to prepare daily lesson teachers, there will be no other professions logs, create numerous instructional in the world. But it’s sad that in our country,

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materials, provide their own classroom— bulletin board, as well as paint, nails, broom, floor wax… the list goes on. To make their classrooms effective spaces for learning, teachers are forced to spend from their own pockets, and because of this, many of them owe loan shark companies onerous debts, while making do with measly takehome pay. Some of them are designated to do ancillary works and are even required to report on weekends.

Who says being a teacher is an easy job?

If teachers are demanding higher pay, it’s because they deserve it. Teaching may be a noble profession, but passion and idealism alone cannot feed a starving person. In reality, teachers have to wait for someone to retire or die to get a crack at being promoted. Even in the education sector, politics and politicking are prevalent. No matter how qualified you are, if you are not in your superior’s favor, your professional growth is curtailed.

In higher educational institutions, the role of educators is not only for instruction. They also have to craft research studies, publish in a refereed journal (a tedious process), and do extension works.

Instructors and professors are put in a

The Tragedy of Filipinos DEEP TRUTH | MICHAEL WILLIAM R. RONCO

At times, when people consume information beyond of what they can fully understand and regard “news” smacked into their faces easily as a fact; this reflects an increasingly apparent problem observed among Filipinos—that the supposed rigid boundary of people’s discernment of facts and fallacies seems to homogenize with one another and this roots from people seeking validation of their own notions.

What makes me feel irritated most when scrolling through my social media feeds, on Facebook most especially, is realizing how selfassertive people are to their notion of issues even if it’s based on supposed “facts” with little or no regard as to where it came from. This became more apparent in the comment sections where people assert their own beliefs and reject any ideas not conforming to theirs.

A lot of Filipinos have this tendency to believe things easily if they think it’s true and conforms to their beliefs. These notions, that people have, ruin their judgment in discerning if something is true or not. And this greatly shapes how conversations are forming online.

This poses a problem as it plays havoc with achieving a healthy conversation in social media and sharing their insights with one another in a holistic way; which, in reality, adds up to the disconnection that people experience.

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People for the longest time latch on to their own notion of things and seek to find validation of it. That’s why, it’s easier for them to believe a new information if it conforms to their own notion, thus, further validating their claims to themselves. This is bad especially at times when people share information more freely and can easily influence people online.

These notions, if wrong, can easily spread online and can have severe implications to the prevailing notion people have.

Let’s change the conversation and push people to think critically of the vast amount of information we’re bombarded with; to discern better if it’s true or not.

Here, we’ll find praises like “Galing talaga ni tatay Digong” and the likes. I’m not opposing the government here, instead, I urge people to be more mindful of what they believe and share. This example is one of the many instances where we’ll find Filipinos sharing and accepting things they believe as facts with little or no concern for its authenticity.

So what can we do? It’s hard to tell because people are entitled to their own opinion. We can’t force people to stop believing something because it’s their own right. Doing so, restricts their freedom of speech. Remember that freedom of speech favors no one.

There’s no exception.

Should we just let this go? Of course not, we can do something. The least that we can do is try to educate people, even if it takes a few, or sometimes, a massive backlash to us. It’s a small price to pay which could lead a significant difference in the long run. They use social media so we’ll use it too and try to flood the discussion with facts from reliable sources.

Let’s change the conversation and push people to think critically of the vast amount of information we’re bombarded with; to discern better if it’s true or not.

Let’s try to make a healthy discussion online and steer the pack to the right direction and not let it fall on the hands of trolls, leftists, and the far-right. Be that insignificant change. These actions though considered to be ripples, when induces millions, will be as strong as a tsunami.

”

One good example of this is a Facebook post showing alleged pictures of the Philippine subway project nearing completion which went rounds on social media. It supposed to show the project is in the Philippines, but is actually taken from subway projects in New York, Peru, Glasgow, and Los Angeles.

This turned out to be a doctored image shared by thousands of Filipinos. This shows how some Filipinos accepted this as a fact merely because it conforms their notion of how well this administration is doing.

RUTHLESS | HANNAH RUTH P. CHUA

May 1, Labor Day. For many, they live this day the way they normally do with any other days. Maybe they watch they favorite soap operas on television, browse their social media, or do their everyday household chores.

For workers, this is not a day to be idle and sit prettily. Instead, they prepare their paraphernalia with their patience, voices, and pleas to fight for the rights that should’ve been given to them even before these protests existed. They wanted to fight by doing the only thing that they think they could do to reach those who were on the top. They come to claim their rights taken away from them by greedy people who seem to have no feeling of contentment even with plenty of things they already have.

Included in Rodrigo Duterte’s 2016 campaign promises was ending contractualization. Three years later on Labor Day, labor groups from across the country still gather together crying with loud voices to let Duterte know that they are still waiting for the fulfillment of this promise. The Department of Labor and Employment recorded a total of 504,149 workers who were regularized from August 2016 to July 2019. The people included in this number might have been delighted, but how about the remaining 7 to 10 million others who, up to this day, are still stuck in the contractualization problem?

“

The change you were referring to is from bad to worse. We don’t want your change.

holidays, for holidays equate to no income.

They dread long weekends, because it means less pay. While regular workers enjoy paid leaves, contractual workers do not have that luxury. Oh, and know that anxiety accompanies them every five months. The worry of not getting hired again haunts them. Stressed enough yet?

This is not even half of what contractual workers experience.

Fast-forward to July 26, 2019, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirmed that Duterte vetoed the security of tenure or “anti-endo bill” which crushed a lot of laborers’ hearts. Many must have felt betrayed, abandoned, and neglected.

Could you blame them?

Even I, who you could assume is a mere Filipino citizen, am utterly disappointed, but not in the slightest bit surprised.

This whole fiasco has been going on for a long time, but what the people expected is the exact opposite of what the current government did. They gave the Filipino the false hope that Duterte would finally keep his words.

For three years they waited, but instead of protecting the laborers’ rights, the government chose to be anti-poor, antiFilipino yet again.

You promised change. You planted hope.

It turned out we weren’t on the same page.

The change you were referring to is from bad to worse. We don’t want your change.

Thank you for failing Philippines, for failing its future children for the nth time.

Thank you for the continuous anxiety you give the Filipinos because of your incompetence.

Thank you for nothing.

”

by contractualization. Many contractual workers stayed in the same company, dedicating their time and effort only to get nothing, while their higher-ups enjoy all the profit. Both big and small companies and businesses (Hello, Jollibee and NutriAsia) use contractualization as means to take away the right of the worker to receive what they rightfully deserve. They deprive the laborers of the merit of the right wage, the benefits, and the decent life that should be given to them.

Contractual workers do not have

in shaping the minds and hearts of young citizens. Like any other professional, they want their crucial role in society to be valued and compensated for in a fair and just manner.

In Luxembourg, the starting salary of lower secondary teachers is $79,000.

Teachers in that country earn 30 percent more than any other teachers in the world.

If Sen. Sonny Angara’s Senate Bill No. 131 is approved, the salary of public school teachers will be increased from Salary Grade 11 (P20,754) to Salary Grade 19 (P45,269), based on the fourth tranche of the Salary Standardization Law. Angara believes the government should give educators the pay raise they deserve, since their salaries have remained the same over the years while those of policemen and soldiers have gone up.

Teachers transform the lives of their students and help create an active, engaged, and thinking citizenry. But if they continue to remain a neglected sector and their long-overdue demands are ignored, the Philippines may be left behind for good as a Third World country.

PUBLISHED IN THE YOUNG BLOOD SECTION OF PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

I SPEAK

After more than six years of its debut, K+12 Basic Education Program, with its purpose to improve the quality of Filipino high school graduates’ education, is still on a debate in regards to its very essence. Signed as RA 10533 on May 15, 2013 by former President Noynoy C. Aquino, he noted that this law is part of his administration’s efforts to reform the system of education in the country.

However, it is seemingly in contrast due to claims of the different concerned

organizations. Lack of funds, shortage in resources, teacher-student ratio, and transition crisis from SHS to college, are just few of the protested holes of the program. If these allegations are true, with the production of the pioneer K+12 graduates, their education has been compromised. To hear their chord on this matter, TheSPARK extended its pen to the first-hand adaptors of the system anew— assimilate their stand.

“That time, naisip ko, dapat pala nag-GAS na lang ako, kasi dun madaming natututunan. While yung strand namin ‘di masyadong naging priority, pati immersion wala kami. Kaya sana wala na lang yung K+12, ‘edi sana graduating na kami ngayon.

Kasi kumbaga wala, wala naman talagang ano [ginawa] ‘yung strand namin noon.”

Marriane Mae B. Badian, BSOA-2, Arts and Design graduate “Sabi nga nila, experimental stage kami, pero okay naman kasi wala naman na kaming binabayaran, mag-aaral na lang talaga kaso ‘di pa talaga ganun ka-perfect ‘yung mga kinakailangan para sa stage na K+12.” Carla Laresma, BSOA-2, HUMMS graduate “Okay naman ‘yung K+12, kasi ako personally, ‘di pa ko nu’n talaga masyadong ready mag-college kaya buti na ‘yun na may Grade 11 and 12. Tsaka as TVL graduate, bago mag-college, na-pressure ako na baka ‘di ako makahabol, kaya ang ginawa ko na lang din talaga is mag-aral ng lesson ng STEM para maka-cope [...] ako sa kukunin kong course, which is BSCE. ” Jomer C. Peñones, BSCE-2A, TVL graduate “K-12 program for me on its over-all phase is actually useful and great. Yet, truthfully speaking, it has its own holes and inevitable disadvantages, especially when it comes to the students, like me, who suffered an enormous confusion and doubts within our chosen career or course and the strand specifications we had when we were in SHS.” Hadjie Bazaar, BSECE-2, TVL graduate “As part of the pioneer batch, parang sa’min tini-test. Parang nag-trial and error sila, ‘pag na-assess na tama, ‘pagpapatuloy nila, pero kung hindi naman [nila] babaguhin, [...] may negative effect samin. Isa pang issue ng program is the disalignment of strand sa course. What’s the sense of K+12 program kung hindi naman masusunod ‘yung alignment?” Joshua G. Cedilla, BSCE-2A, STEM graduate

Letter to the Editor

Thank You for Nothing While Republic Act 6715 or the Labor Code of the Philippines assures to protect the constitutional rights of the workers, both contractual and regular, it stated in article 106 that it allows contractualization, so long that the employers who would practice it will make sure that the workers’ rights are not trampled. Sadly, those who did, took advantage and abused the use of this particular article.

The opportunity to have stable employment and higher pay which could have possibly resulted into healthier and happier workers is being trashed

pressure-cooker environment, and they have no choice but to cope with these demands. They have to double their efforts and sacrifice aspects of their lives just to get that .0000000001 point needed for board certification ranking.

What is doubly unfair, given these harsh realities afflicting the teaching profession, is that many unqualified people get high positions in government and receive fat salaries that are taken from taxpayer money.

They have not proven anything to be worthy of their cushy positions; one, in particular, is even a purveyor of disinformation on social media. Are these the people who deserve to lead our country?

Giveaways, free fries, discounted museum tickets, marked-down eyeglasses and other perks are not what the teachers need. They need to be justly compensated for their efforts. The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, which mandates overtime pay, medical benefits and other amenities, also need to be fully implemented. And it is high time that policies with regard to clerical work and the merit and promotional system be amended. These demands do not mean in any way that teachers are only concerned about monetizing the value of their work

@kyle

College has been a step out of the norm experience and a continuous pursuit to survive and to excel. Furthermore, it pushes us to new heights, forces us to break our barriers and offers us challenges to surpass ourselves. As optimistic as it may seem, life won’t offer you success on a silver platter. Unforeseen complications, academic pressure, and stacking obligations will knock you down endlessly that you won’t even have the time to procrastinate. At these adversities, our mental as well as our emotional health declines and vulnerability to depression, anxiety, panic, shame and stress related disorders or what I preferably call “demons” arise. These so called demons shake our physical health.

In addition, the frustration of not catching up to their expectations or inability to grab onto the borderline of the academic pre-requisites might be one of the many causes for students to collapse emotionally considering the struggles they encounter out of school grounds.

As a concerned student of this institution, I am afraid that students might get succumbed into the grasp of these demons and we few who are in possession of this knowledge are unable to act upon it. Some are aware of the existing issue, but turns a blind eye (others even riposte with stigma)—a mark of disgrace. Did half of the humanity lose their sense of empathy? I hope not.

Dear Kyle,

@TheSPARK

It is not surprising that many CSPCeans, including us, experience such catastrophes within ourselves, but it’s rare for one to disclose his feelings to anyone else (in this case, a representation of the students’ turmoil). So, we wholeheartedly appreciate the reach-out, and hopefully those who read this part will improve or change—at least a portion of their lives.

We believe that although this matter is banal, it is not taking enough seriousness from those who call themselves as “perfectly sane” and is usually placed in the lower level of the spectrum. And we who suffer from these burdens often called as “oversensitive” and/or “OA”, which is understandably unacceptable because they’re not standing on our shoes. They insist that it’s entirely our fault and berate that we don’t deserve to exist.

Paradoxically, what causes a pandemonium inside our heads is our inability to let the “demons” out. To compensate from these psychological rumbles, and hopefully ease the pain a bit, we talk it out to a reliable colleague or to a closest friend. And we don’t want to hear the “been there” and “ako nga” phrases; sometimes, we prefer the silence and sincerity.

To those who endure the same problem, we have no idea of what you are feeling right now or how stressful you are, but we just wanted to say that it is okay not to be okay.

In general, we must prepare to be a friend, to lend an ear, and to be a shoulder to lean on for each other. Let us try to be sensitive enough. That way, we might not lessen their burden much, but at least we don’t contribute to it.

—The Editors

12

TheSPARK

ISPAY

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

Isang araw na kay ganda, ang pabatid namin sa aming mambabasa.

Ang Ispay ay narito na, upang magbigay puri’t tumira ng mga bida-bida.

Matagal-tagal din kayong nag-antay, para sa mga mata’t kataga ng Ispay.

Mga salitang plinaka’t pandigmang pantay, pinabaga muna namin na parang panday.

Napakaraming isyu! Halos ‘di na mabilang.

Mga kaganapan sa paligid, ‘di na mawari ng isipan.

Mga titik sa mga salitang nagliliparan, sa pahinang ito’y aming bibigyang pangalan.

Imik, gamit bibig; nang madinig ang katinig at patinig na hindi lumalamig.

Hala! Sige! Ating simulan, maglibot tayo sa paaralan.

Ilalatag na ang mga salitang nagliliyaban.

Ibabandera kahit wala nang pamuhatan.

ISPA

Pagbungad sa gate ng ating paaralan, achievements, talaga namang nakaka-proud pagmasdan.

Mga passers, winners, at awards, nakakagalak lahat ng iyan.

Pero hayan, pag-apak sa gate, bigla kang mahaharang, ng mga guwardiyang aktibo sa pagbabantay ng eskuwelahan; sinusuring maigi ang mga kasuotan: PE uniform, flat shoes, at ID; mapupuna lahat ng iyan.

Kaya ka-Ispay, pakisuot naman ng angkop lamang sa paaralan.

(Sa paggawi natin sa President’s Office) Wala nang tinig ni Ma’am Atian ang maririnig mula rito, dahil nagwakas na ang kanyang termino; At tunay ngang nakakapanibago, “Fired up! Ready to go!” na sigaw niya’y namimiss ko.

Salamat po, Dr. Dulce F. Atian, sa mga alaalang iniwan mo.

Ngunit, malungkot ay huwag, Sapagkat ika-sampu ng Hulyo, heto na’t pumarito, Dr. Charlito P. Cadag, naglalatag na ng magagandang mga plano, upang eskwelahan, pagandahin lalo.

Good luck po at pagbutihin niyo.

Aba! Ako ay nagugutom, daan muna tayo sa kantina.

Pero ano ito?! Kapansin-pansin pagbigat ng ating mga bulsa.

Bilihan ng mga pagkain, lugar sa CSPC ay iisa.

Kawawa mga kaibigan natin du’n sa dulong banda.

Metro-metro lalakarin upang abutan, punuang cafeteria.

Hindi tulad nang buhay pa ang talipapa, Bukod sa mura na’y madaling puntahan pa.

Panibagong canteen, inaabangan talaga.

Kailan kaya siya gagana?

Tara! ’Wag na nga lang kumain, aral na lang.

Ngunit bakit ganito, bumungad, estudyanteng mga MAGANDA at FEELING MAGANDA? Hoy! Ang manlait sa kapwa’y huwag naman sana.

Hindi mo ikinaGANDA ang pangbababa sa iba.

Hindi porke sa departamento n’yo maraming gwapo at MAGAGANDA, Ibig sabihin nu’n ay kasama ka na.

Respeto na lang sana sapagkat lahat tayo’y natatangi ang ganda.

Isa pa: Paalala sa mga CSPCeans, ang silid-aklatan ay lugar ng katahimikan.

Hindi ito lugar ng pagtsitsismisan.

Ano itong napagmamasdan ng karamihan?

Ilang CSC officers, hindi nga ba karapat-dapat sundan?

Ugali niyo’y baka pwede namang bantayan.

Tatlong bagay, sa inyo’y namasdan.

Una, ano ‘tong naobserbahan ng Ispay, Tila kayo, mga bida-bida’t kala niyo’y mga batas; Ay! Sa Urban Bash, angkop bang mag-alis ng damit pang-itaas?

Pangalawa, kung makaasta kayo’y

akala niyo kung sino; taas-noo kahit kanino.

Animo walang respeto.

‘Pag nagkukuwentuhan kayo’y tila mga nag-iinuman sa kanto.

Humility sana, hinahanap na termino.

Ayusin naman pakikisama sa nasasakupan ninyo.

Panghuli, magparamdam naman sana.

Hindi ramdam ng mga estudyante na may student leaders pala sila.

Tuwing flag ceremony, kayo’y nasa’n na?

Hala! Gulo na ng pila.

Isang paalala: kayo ay lider—umasta bilang isa.

Gayunma’y isang pagpupugay ang handog ng Ispay,

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

ISPAY

TheSPARK

13

Sana all.

Sana all din matapat.

Honesty Store rin nandu’n sa CEAS tapat.

Pwede nang panawid gutom para sa lahat.

(Ikot tayo papuntang LS building) Aba! Bagong flat screens nakakabit na. Ganda!

Subalit, sa ibang silid matatagpuan, CCTV na para saan?

Ano pa’t kinabit kung tungkulin nito’y di nagagampanan?

Ilang tao na ba ang sa CSPC’y nawalan— Kung hindi man ng jowa (chos)—ay mga mahahalagang gamit na ‘di nabantayan?

Sayang, walang footage na mamamasdan.

(Pagtungo sa gym) Mapagmamasdan, mga panibago at malalaking electric fan; Subalit sa mismong gym din makikitaan, Kada event na lang, may mga basurang nakakalat sa kapaligiran; Sa mga salarin na hindi marunong magtapon ng basura sa tamang lalagyan; ‘Yung totoo, mahal ba kayo ng magulang niyo?

Hindi ba kayo tinuruan na ilagay sa tamang lalagyan mga basura niyo?

O kaya, marahil ay pawang basura kayo ng magulang niyo, ‘no?

Sa basurahan, kami na mismo ang magtatapon sa inyo!

AY

Teka!

Uhaw ako!

Uhaw sa pagmamahal mo…(char) Sa tuwing napapaha, subukan mang puntahan, Refilling station: “Gusto kitang inisin ng dahandahan.”

Linis ng CR sa gym at IT Building, ah.

Malinis palagi.

Salamat po sa mga taong naglilinis nito.

Saludo! Pero bakit ganito? Dami yata nagamit dito.

Ah! Renovation nga pala.

Sa sabay-sabay na renovation ng mga palikuran, Bakit kaya pag-aayos ng mga ito’y ngayon lamang?

Hindi ba’t apat na buwan ang bakasyon bago magpasukan?

Bakit ngayon lang kung kailan mga tao’y kadamihan. Hmm? Shout out nga pala sa secret files ng CSPC, Siguro mas akma sa page ang pangalang confession files ng CSPC. Pwede po sanang paki-filter naman ng mga sikretong binubunyag niyo?

‘Yung may kabuluhan naman kahit papa’no.

Ginagawa kayong tulay ng away at gulo.

Sa success ng inyong mga aktibidad tulad ng Urban Bash na makulay.

Sinetch itey vaklushang titser na discriminatush ng estudyante sa screening sa search dahil siya’y beklush?

Aba, aba, ‘di lahat ng nakakasalamuha niyo’y totoong lalaki, ‘no?

Why not? If kaya naman niyang panindigan ito?

(Sa pagtungo ng Ispay sa likod ng Green Building) Pagsunog ng mga basura ay aming nasaksihan.

Paalala po sa ating mga taga-panatili ng kalinisan ng paaralan,

R.A. 9003 ay matagal nang nalagdaan.

Pagsunog ng anumang dahon o waste material ay ipinagbabawal, kaibigan.

Sa Green Building naman tayo’y pumaroon.

Kung saan tubig sa CR sa ground floor lang meron.

Dati nama’y may tubig sa 2nd at 3rd floor.

Paayos naman po, isang pabor.

Woah! May bagong building pala, kapitbahay ng GB! CEAS Building talagang malaki.

Wow! CR pang-mall, Ganda ng view sa fourth floor at presko naman sa ground floor.

DH siksikan, ah.

Mga arm chairs nagkukulang.Hmm… Nakakatakot para sa mga guro ang tumayo sa ganitong scenario.

Gayunma’y bigyan nating papuri ang mga gurong passion ang pagtuturo.

Mga pagtuturong ginagawang masaya ang talakayan at mga eksamin upang mga mag-aaral ay matuto lalo.

Saludo ang Ispay sa inyo!

Kilala niyo na po kung sino kayo.

Pa’no ba ‘yan mga ka-Ispay?

Mga dugo’t katawang-lupa ng ila’y, Muli na naman nating binuhay.

Batid nami’y madami na naman tayong tinamaa’t pinilay.

Gayunma’y trabaho lang, walang personalan.

Hanggang sa muli mga kaibigan.

14

LITERARY

TheSPARK

Who Knows

By Karl Christian L. Reario

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

The Coward and the Trespasser

By Ian Benedict C. Faller

I built walls around myself Drew lines in the sand To mark my boundary, My comfort zone, if you will.

Nostalgia

Unexpected it was;

The way I gaze to the stars, Is the same way I look at you.

The way I smell the nearing dusk of an afternoon, Is the same way I inhale your scent to my airpath.

Passed we had— a fire…

Then you came masked with friendship and barged in with the things you called fun.

I called you my friend, but I knew you were: a user, an exploiter, a bad influence.

I said: ”A fire it is, Can’t we do anything about it? because it’s in our way”

And I just let you in, ‘Cause like I said, It got lonely sometimes.

Ignored; I was as the fire…

As if such does not matter…

But I knew loneliness wasn’t why I didn’t say anything or do anything.

No, it was cowardice and fear.

By Christelle O. Ong

The way I anchor my arms to the unknown Is the way I hold you, close to my senses.

The way I embed myself to thorns, which life intends to grow Is the way I pledge to you, my love—my entirety.

Needlessly, I would not ask for you to stay, Nor to choose me, Nor be made to decide for my sake, As I know who I am to you.

However, I am now in this orchestration, Where I close my eyes to love you And where I befall myself completely, To follow you —

This Poem is for a Dog

By Karl Christian L. Reario This poem is for a dog.

This poem is subservient for a dog.

This poem is we for a dog.

This poem is “are” for a dog.

This poem is not for a dog.

This poem is we for a dog.

This poem is “are” for a dog.

This poem is Filipinos for a dog. (now read without: “this poem is for a dog”)

had you and I but met, Walking side by side, when in a sudden,

Perhaps you’re just someone who loves good fire; a fireman? or the fire itself?

Who knows?

And I was content, peaceful even, But it got lonely sometimes.

Now, I’m not the man I used to be; or the person I want to be.

For that, I blame no one but us: You were the trespasser Who defiled my space, And I was the coward Who just watched and let it happen.

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

F.O.E. (Friends or Enemy)

By Mary France O. Baldoza I’ve known you; Your subtle nuances, Delicate smile, Your ways and means.

You’ve known me; For years I can’t barely tell, My gestures, Hobbies, and practices.

We jived in, Carved depth, Shared dreams, Eyed vision; Together Yet differently…

Together But separately…

Sharing differs from gaining, You crossed the line yet we both must know: Owning is not peering.

LITERARY

TheSPARK

15

Semi-Coherence

By Brien Aristotle S. Iraola

At the corner of a pet shop; Full of goldfish and Siamese, She walks past two kids…

David, Goliath (smack!)

“Nemo is mine, you freak!”

“But I bought him first.”

“You bought it, I’ll own it.”

“That’s not fair!” (thud!)

Pinned by both fear and nonchalance She holds her breath “It’s not my business Nor my pet” (crash!)

A force in her heart pushes Her shaking feet to the scene Faces Goliath, ready for punches and kicks For tongue-tied is she then, but not today.

The Woman He’s Killing

By Karl Christian L. Reario I shot her down because— Because I thought, she’s my foe…

But in reality: my foe, of course, was I, myself; Clear enough. although she— mourns, for the death of her children— Flesh of her flesh— Spirit of her own— For the lost cause of, illusionary freedom...

She, smiled back at me...

I shot her down...

Took my aim, and I’m thinking, who to blame...

(No other than but I)

Silent Not

By Karl Christian L. Reario

My thoughts are eating me, I try to think not; but know I don’t, Silence is a killer too...

Help!

16

TheSPARK

FEATURES

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

Grayscaled Rainbow STORY BY CHRISTINE T. ASTIBE

The rainbow is a symbol of beauty and diversity.

Across the sky, behold the majestic colors it waves over the world. But, alas, its splendor is disappearing. Watch, one by one, the bright hues slowly fade into gray. Dull.

Drab. Dead. A once magnificent wonder has become a strip of bleak.

The range of colors a rainbow boasts is what makes it the perfect representation for the LGBTQ+ community, because of the vast spectrum of sexualities and gender identities one may have. But with modern society preventing them to show off their true selves, it is almost as if their expression is useless. They are restricted from being who they really are.

“With this pressure of trying to hide something, made it easy for others, even my own family members, to like tease me agad for being bakla, na parang may malaking kasalanan akong nagawa sa kanila.” Now an open bisexual, Eric (pseudonym) is on his second year in college. Like many of the members of the said community, he has experienced discrimination for simply being himself.

Within the closet Ever since childhood, Eric knew he wasn’t straight.

Dolls, dress up, playing house—he would do these things a lot, especially when he was left alone at home. He was an only child raised by his grandparents. His eldest cousin had a significant influence on him. She was the closest to him at the time and unknowingly played a major role in helping him understand who he really was. However, Eric knew the people around him could sense he was different.

“Feel ko rin naman na pansin na ng maraming tao kung ano ba talaga ako based on my actions. Ayaw lang ata nila mag-assume.” Eric was teased by his family members for not being manly enough, even as a young boy. It was hard, considering his father was seen as a very masculine guy.

Feeling fragile every time they pointed out his femininity, his mouth remained shut. In grade school, to divert his family’s focus away from questioning his gender, he concentrated on his studies and consequently became salutatorian of his class.

On his freshman year of high school, Eric was bullied in his new school. Noticing how he wasn’t as masculine as his other classmates, he was made fun of a lot. He still didn’t admit to anyone that he wasn’t straight. It was also in high school that he started to have guy crushes.

However, it was only his attraction to girls that he could share to his friends, since no one knew he was bisexual yet.

After the first year, things started to get better, because he gained recognition through his academic achievements.

Bullying started to die down and he acquired respect from his fellow students. He continued to keep his sexuality a secret from others, even from his friends. Yet, he was thankful for them, who always had his back during those times. “…Even if ‘di pa ako noon open sa kanila about my gender and gender preferences, accept nila ako for who I am,” he said.

Finally left the closet It was senior high school that brought forth change in his life. Centering his full attention on his academics since grade school, Eric admitted that he did not care much about his appearance. By senior high school, however, he decided to

change.

“Yes, I literally changed nu’ng SHS ako. I had a fairer complexion and a longer hairstyle na pang-Korean daw—cuter, more pogi, etc. Basta I changed, ‘yun ‘yung important,” Eric elaborated.

It was not just his looks that changed, but he also started to date. Throughout those years, he dated a girl and three guys.

It was these relationships that resulted to him opening up to people. He came out to his parents, his closest friends, and even his teachers. By coming out and gaining the support of those dearest to him, he found comfort while he was battling depression. “Without them, I wouldn’t have had the strength to come out, and to let more people in my life, as I embrace my own self, who finally left his closet.”

Now, Eric is studying at the university of his choice in Manila. He is open about being bisexual. He can freely tell his mom about his guy and girl crushes. His friends also know about his new relationships and crushes, unlike before when he could only tell them about his girl crushes in fear of being judged.

“Yes, I’m really a changed man na talaga, compared nu’ng medyo bata pa ako. I can definitely feel the freedom of being what and who you really are,” he stated.

A rainbow’s struggle From being closeted before, Eric’s romantic relationships with guys did not last. In fear of being discovered by his friends and family, he kept his relationships secret. It was this possibility of being caught and judged by others that made it painful and difficult to maintain a relationship. He used to question their need to hide it from others, like: how come they can’t love out in the open like straight people do? How are they any different?

Even now as an open bisexual, Eric still has anxiety, wondering whether he would be accepted by society, or by the strangers he meets every day. Although he doesn’t really care what people may think of him at first, he doesn’t want to leave any bad first impressions on people once he shows them who he really is.

“Though nalipasan ko na ‘yung bullying phase sa life ko just because I’m not manly enough, hindi ko pa rin maiwasan magtago if nasa labas ako.” It is this thought that bothers him despite wanting to being himself from the start. He has accepted who he is, but he is not sure every one can do the same.

House Bill No. 4982 Eric’s experience is just one among thousands. Many more people, let alone Filipinos, suffer gender discrimination. It is stories like Eric’s that draw more attention to the issue of creating a law, specifically for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill (also known as Anti-Discrimination Bill) was created to safeguard the rights of the LGBTQ+ people against discrimination.

“Paano natin masasabing mahal natin ang LGBTQ+ friends natin kung against tayo sa pagprotekta ng kanilang karapatan bilang tao?” Senator Risa Hontiveros said at University of the Philippines Pride 2019. She is one of those who championed the bill to the Senate and fights for the LGBTQ+ community to experience equal rights.

Through this bill, discriminatory acts towards the LGBTQ+ community are defined and punishable by law. Some provisions include right to access of public establishments and services and rights to apply for a professional license. Also, LGBTQ+ individuals are protected from harassment in the workplace, on social media, educational institutions,

and from public shaming. Punishments may range from community service to fines up to P500,000, and even one to six years of imprisonment.

“I still don’t know why those na nasa (Senate) refuse to pass this bill when in fact, basic human rights sa lahat ng tao lang naman ang pinapatupad nito.”

Eric

“

Personally, passing this act would definitely benefit me and again, hindi lang ito para sa amin, para rin ito sa inyo, sa tao, human rights.

”

believes t h a t through this bill, people like him don’t have to fear coming out to their families and to the society.

If ever the bill passes into a law, similar problems as Eric’s would be less likely experienced by LGBTQ+ members. Bullying would be lessened because of the provision that prevents harassment in schools. He could be open to his classmates and teachers, even more to his family. Also, since public shaming of sexuality is prohibited, he would no longer have to hide his relationships in fear of being judged by others.

“Personally, passing this act would definitely benefit me and again, hindi lang ito para sa amin, para rin ito sa inyo, sa tao, human rights.” The SOGIE bill is not only limited to protecting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, but also for all heterosexual Filipinos.

Through this bill, every one can experience freedom to express their sexuality and gender identity within reasonable limits.

True colors of the rainbow Every story is different. In fear of what society may think, many tend to hide away or change themselves in order to conform to what is perceived as acceptable.

Feelings are shunned, colors are changed. Perhaps someday, self-expression will be something cherished, not questioned nor compared.

Dull and boring, the rainbow has lost its essence to shades of g ra y.

Up until now, the rainbow wonders, when will its colors ever shine again?

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

The current rushes with ferocity and contempt, leaving a boy rowing his boat, wounded… unable to keep up.

“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream…” hummed by a teenage boy in white, crouched on a bed. Around him were people, as young as nine, also in white clothes and on their beds, having their own businesses.

Some were s l u m p e d unmindful of their s u r ro u n d i n g s .

Some were smiling and laughing. Some were randomly strolling. Some were just staring somewhere, with saliva slowly dripping from their mouths. “…Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily…”

These were scenes inside the Don Susano J. Rodriguez Memorial Mental Hospital at Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur. “… Life is but a dream,” the boy continued, then he looked at my direction with dull eyes. I was startled for a moment, then continued leaving the institution with a heavy heart.

It hurts to know that there are people suffering from mental disorders. It isn’t something like a flu in which few days of rest will do for you to recover, or even a common cold or cough in which medicines are just over the counter. Mental disorders need long term medication for years—or sometimes, a lifetime.

“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream…” the nursery rhyme, Row Row Row Your Boat, creepily repeated inside my head— then an idea popped out. Imagine that the boat is your body; the rower is your mentality; and the stream is the physical world. The boat moves because of the rower. If the rower is injured, the boat will have difficulty on moving forward. This tells us more about mental health.

“There is no health, without mental health,” said by Ma. Theresa Galvan, in-charge of the Bicol Medical Center-Psychiatry Department (BMC-PD). The boat will not progress not unless we row properly and manage the current of the stream.

“

to us when he was 14 years old…”

Galvan inhaled and closed her eyes as she reminisced a memory. She exhaled, opened her eyes, and smiled kindly, ready to tell a success story of one of her patients: James (a pseudonym). James was a model student and a good son. He used to enjoy going to school every day; diligently done the house chores; actively took part in every class discussion; and adamant on finishing his homeworks on time. Yes, he was like an entity fit to be admired by others. Amid his great records, the only thing that his classmates can see was his feminine actions and behaviors. “[James] was bullied by his classmates every single day,” Galvan painfully uttered. Derogatory words were spouted like knives stabbing his heart. He was thrown at with crumpled papers and trash as if he was a bin. Sometimes, when James unintentionally provoked his bully, he would receive punches and kicks. Despite these, James was quiet, not telling a single soul about it.

“The bullying [James] experienced led to depression,” Galvan stated.

James’s parents noticed the changes in their son’s behavior. He rarely ate with them. He stayed in his room like a prisoner. He detested going to school.

“He denies that he is sick, even though he forgot to bathe for nearly three days and did not sleep for

There is no health, without mental health.

”

The rowing students “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream…”

No matter how strong of a person you are, if you cannot withstand the current, you will be in danger. The stream is everything around us.

May it be your home, family, friends, classmates, school, etc. These represent the stream from the song.

As students, it’s very hard to row our boats in our respective streams.

“Students are the most prone to mental disorders,” Galvan said.

The institution caters patients as young as nine years old; and many from ages 12-18. “For students, the most common [mental health problem] is depression, brought about by bullying and social media.

Sometimes, it’s because of career pathing and identity crisis,” she added.

According to the BMC-PD records, the depression cases in Bicol for the past three years was stated to be 3,453 patients. Sixty percent of the patients are in their adolescence.

From this, we can infer that cases of mental health problems among students are alarming.

A glimpse to a rower’s life “We have one patient who came

FEATURES almost three nights. He is in denial.

He thought that he is mentally well,” she expounded.

Doc’s interventions When caring for one’s body is neglected, for three days or more, then he or she needs to see a doctor,” Galvan said.

Self-care is one of the indicators of good mental health. If he or she failed to take care of himself or herself—not having proper hygiene, not having rest or eat—then he or she could be subjected to mental disorder. Thus, James was admitted to the hospital for consultation, monitoring, and treatment.

“Aside from the medicines prescribed by the doctor, we conduct also different therapies such as psychotherapy, coaching, etc.” Galvan explained. There are cases that the patients became well because of acceptance. Treating patients with mental disorders is a long process. “We continuously made an awareness [to the patient] about their condition and explain to them the process we’re going to do to help him,” Galvan added.

The support from the family is also vital for the welfare of the patient.

“Once the support is there, the patient will find it easier to accept his or her mental disorder and will have enough time to recuperate,” said Galvan.

Galvan also stated that now, James comes to them for follow up

TheSPARK

check-ups for almost five years. He already continues his schooling, but with continuous medication. Even if something may trigger him, at least, he is prepared and will have a shield against it.

The RA 11036 Anti-depressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, sleep tranquilizers—those are different medicines given to mentallyill patients depending on their symptoms. All of which are so expensive. However, through the Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Act, those medicines are now free.

“These anti-psychotics are very expensive and not all patient can afford them. In fact, maintenance of these medicines is what the patients needed. So, for us to provide continuous follow up for the patients, we are providing free medications to them. That is budgeted by the national government,” Galvan elaborated.

The Mental Health Act is an act establishing a national mental health policy for the purpose of enhancing the delivery of integrated mental health services, promoting and protecting the rights of persons utilizing psychiatric, neurologic and psychosocial health services, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes. This act’s principal author is Senator Risa Hontiveros and was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on May 28, 2018. Through this act, funds for medicines and establishments for mental health

17

institutions were allocated.

Galvan said that BMC-PD was given a budget of P100 million for the construction of new buildings at Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur, especially that Rodriguez Mental Hospital is the only mental hospital in Bicol region, which also caters patients from Quezon Province, Lucena, and even Samar. The previous buildings were demolished, because they served for more than 50 years, which are already subject for disposal. Some were already built, but construction is still on-going. “We want to provide a better institution, a better environment for both the patient and the caregiver,” she added.

How to row your boats?

What should students do to have a good mental health? Nurse Galvan advised the following: Be focused. Students should prioritize education than gadgets, relationships, games, and such.

“Having the focus on important things really helps a person to have clear purpose—may it be for their dreams and goals in life,” Galvan emphasized.

Eat well and drink plenty of water.

It is a must to have a balanced diet, to never skip meals, and to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Galvan said that our brain needs a lot of water because it is mostly made up of it. For our brains to function well, water is important.

Get enough sleep. There’s no better rest than sleep. One must have at least eight hours of sleep every night. “Sleeping is just like turning off our computer after hours of use.

After a tiring day, our brain needs to rest, our body as well,” said Galvan.

Moderate the use of social media.According to Galvan, students should avoid social media as much as possible, because it’s the current main factor for depression. “Social media is good, but too much exposure leads to narcissism, low self-esteem, and often times cyberbullying. Just use your computers and social media for its main purpose and not for unnecessary things,” she further explained.

Socialize with people. Interact with people, with real people, not with computers and gadgets. “They can touch you; you can feel them; and you can see your eyes. I just wanted you to be human,” Galvan jokingly said. These will also improve your communication and socialization skills.

The Rower, the Boat, and the Stream STORY BY LEONIDO T. BELLEZA JR.

They were just normal people, but with abnormal circumstances.

These circumstances were too much to bear that it left them wrecked, brokenhearted, depressed, and later on, became mentally unwell. Life became too hard that one may wish, it was just a dream. But no, it wasn’t.

It is the reality that not everyone can row their boats well amid the turbulent current of life.

What we can do is to spread awareness —that it’s okay to talk about your problems. It’s okay to be vulnerable for a minute and talk to someone you trust. Focus on your goals and rid yourself from toxic people and habits. You may be rowing alone on your boat, but if you try to free yourself from your stressors, having the courage to speak up and ask for help, gradually, the rushing current will appease.

Soon, you’ll have a gentler travel down the stream.

“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream… Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, focus on your dreams.”

18

FEATURES

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

ANG PAGTANGGAL NG BUSAL LATHALAIN NINA LEONIDO T. BELLEZA JR. AT JOANNA ERIKA Y. PUZON

Mga labing nakatikom—ilang taong nakagapos, nakakandado—sa rehas ng pagpipigil. Katotohanang noon pa’y gusto nang isigaw, mga salitang naipit sa ulahaw, sa alapaap na kaya dudungaw?

Padako’t paroon, napakarami ng mga taong nakagapos.

Walang boses. Walang kakayahang sumigaw ng kanilang mga daing—daing na sila’y mga biktima—biktima ng sexual harassment.

Ang mga kaso ng sexual harassment at pang-aabuso sa Pilipinas ay nananatiling mataas. Ayon sa inilabas na Police Statistics ng Commission of Sexual Abuse, isang babae o bata ang ginagahasa kada 72 minuto sa ating bansa.

“Despite the Duterte regime’s unrelenting campaign against drugs and criminals, rape statistics in the Philippines remains troubling, with one Filipina raped every 72 minutes, and thousands more sexually harassed especially in public places,” pahayag ni Arlene Brosas, kinatawan ng Gabriela Partylist, sa isang panayam sa Manila Bulletin.

Sa dami ng mga biktima, ano ang kailangan para marinig ang kanilang mga boses? Dito papasok ang Republic Act 11313—ang siyang magtatanggal ng busal.

Silang may mga busal Kamay sa manibela. Nagkataong maiksi ang suot na short noon ni Nancy. Sumakay siya ng tricycle papuntang sentro ng Lungsod ng Iriga. Bibili lamang siya sa palengke ng mga pagkain kaya ganu’n lamang ang kaniyang suot. Nakaupo siya sa may motor, likod mismo ng drayber nang biglang may naligaw na kamay.

Pasakay pa lamang si Nancy ay wari niyang tila iba ang tinginan sa kanya ni manong drayber—parang isang mandaragit na nakakita ng kaniyang madadagit. Ipinagkibit balikat niya lamang ito dahil siya’y nagmamadali. Ngunit tila hindi nakatiis ang mandaragit, unti-unting gumagawa ng kaniyang hakbangin para makahuli. Nabigla na lamang si Nancy na may isang kamay na ang humahaplos sa kanyang hita.

“Bigla akong nag-para at dali-daling umalis. Hindi ko na nga nakuha sukli ko, dahil gustong-gusto kong lumayo sa drayber na ‘yun,” madamdaming sabi ni Nancy.

Rampa sa kalsada. Pakendeng-kendeng kung lumakad sa kanilang eskinita si Luis. Kaya madalas, siya’y nagiging tuksuhan ng mga tambay na menor de edad sa kanilang kalye.

“Bakla! Bakla! Salot kayo sa lipunan!”, “Lika! Samahan mo naman kami diyan sa may gilid, pasayahin mo kami”—iyan ang kaniyang mga naririnig na namumutawi sa kanilang mga bibig. Gusto mang patulan, hindi na lamang siya nagsalita, dahil pawang mga bata lamang ang mga iyon.

“Masakit. Masakit marinig ang mga katagang ‘yun. Hindi dahil sa kinahihiya ko ang kasarian ko, pero parang binababa nila ang dignidad namin. Hindi ba sila tinuruan ng kanilang mga magulang na rumespeto sa kapwa?” pahayag ni Luis.

Hindi ako bingi. Nagsusutsutan ang mga construction workers sa bagong ipinapatayong gusali sa tapat lamang ng paaralang pinapasukan ni Andeng. Napadaan lamang siya upang maghintay ng masasakyan at kailangang tumawid sa kabilang kalsada.

“Wow! Chikababe!” Tila hindi agad mawawari ang malalalim na boses ng mga kalalakihang nagkakaisa sa pagpukaw ng kanyang atensyon.

“Miss, isang lingon naman d’yan, oh.”

Naririnig ma’y pilit niyang inililihis ang atensyon.

“Kunwari wala kang naririnig, Andeng,” pabulong na sambit niya sa kaniyang sarili. Palakas nang palakas, minsan ma’y humihina, lalakas din ulit. Paulit-ulit—tinakpan ang tenga’t bagama’t naririndi. Tinulinan niya ang bawat hakbang papalayo.

“Nakaka-offend, hindi na nakakatuwa lalo’t parang nakaugalian na ang gawaing ito. Minsan naiisip ko na minalas tayo sa kulturang ating kinagisnan,” wika ni Andeng sa kaniyang karanasan.

Pati ba naman sa social media? Sa bawat pag-scroll ni Eris sa kanyang Messenger, taasbaba, napakaraming group chats at mga private messages ang kaniyang mga kaibiga’t kaklase.

Mapapangiti siya sa mga ito. Pero bigla namang mapapawi ang kanyang ngiti sa tuwing makikita ang isang account na ‘di naman niya kilala, pero pilit nakikipag-usap sa kanya.

Panay hingi ng personal na impormasyon sa kaniya. Hindi naman niya kaano-ano, laging nagtatanong kung anong ginagawa niya, kung kumain na siya. Daig pa ang isang kasintahan. Minsan ma’y humihingi pa ng mga hubad niyang larawan.

“I feel so unsafe, kasi bina-block ko naman na siya, pero gumagawa at gumagawa ‘yung tao ng panibagong account. Then, pini-pm ako. Baka nga stalker ko pa siya,” saad ni Eris.

Trabaho lang, walang personalan.

Nakalukot ang kamay; mga kuko sa daliri’y halos bumaon na sa kanyang sariling palad. Pilit pinipigilang sumabog sa inis. Sunodsunod ang pagpatak ng luha ni Jeffree habang naririnig ang mga katrabahong nagtsitsismisan sa ‘di

kalayuan.

“Baklang probinsyano, paminta at dalag-a (pagkumpara sa isang uri ng isda”—iyan ang madalas na tawag sa kaniya sa pinagtatrabahuhang fastfood restaurant sa Maynila.

Bagong salta pa lamang siya noon, hindi pa nangangalahati sa anim na buwang kontrata. Bagama’t nakapagtapos sa kursong Food Service Management ay sa pagiging waiter siya natanggap sa lahat ng trabahong sinubukang aplayan.

“Hirap ng trabaho sa Maynila, kung malasin ka’y baka matulad ka sa’kin. Dito—trapik, maingay ang mga nagdaraang sasakyan, madilim-dilim pa’y kailangan mo nang gumising, papasok nang kumakalam ang sikmura. Tapos sasalubungin nang tawanan at pintasan. Ako na ang nahihiya para sa sarili ko,” wika ni Jeffree.

Kwarto o kwatro? Nag-aaral nang mabuti si Christian sa kanilang unibersidad. Maayos at pasado naman siya sa lahat ng kaniyang asignatura, puwera lamang sa isa—sa klase niya kay Bb. Cherry. Hindi niya alam kung bakit ganu’n na lamang kung ibagsak siya ng guro. Kung tutuusin, pasado naman siya sa lahat ng pagsusulit, pumapasok sa bawat klase, at nagsusumite ng mga proyekto sa tamang oras.

Isang araw, pumunta siya sa opisina ni Bb. Cherry para makausap ang guro. “Noon pa man, naga-gwapuhan ako sa’yo Christian.

Kung gusto mong pumasa, makipagsex ka sa’kin,” natatandaan niyang sinabi ng guro na nagpatameme sa kanya. “’Di ko sinunod ang gusto ni ma’am.

G***! Nagpa-drop na lang ako. Nawalan na ’ko ng respeto sa kanya. Naghalat na lang ako giraray sa teacher na matukdo sa subject na idto (Naghintay na lang ako ulit sa guro na magtuturo sa asignaturang ‘yun),” sabi ni Christian.

“

pambabastos.

“I hope that with this Bawal Bastos Law, our citizens will feel braver, will speak louder with voices to call out anyone in public spaces,” pahayag ni Hontiveros sa kaniyang panayam sa Rappler Talk noong Hulyo 17, 2019. Dahil sa RA 11313, mas mabibigyang lakas ng loob ang mga mamamayan na magsumbong—isigaw ang kanilang mga daing.

Pagkakaroon ng boses Sa pagtanggal ng busal—mangangapa sa una, pero sa kalauna’y magkakaroon din ng boses. Bawat paglabag sa batas ay may karampatang parusa na siyang magpapalakas ng loob sa mga biktima upang isatinig ang kinikimkim na pighati nu’ng sila’y may busal pa.

Puwede ka nang humiyaw, Nancy! Seksyon 6: genderbased sexual harassment in Public Utility Vehicles (PUV).

Maaaring matanggalan ng lisensiya ang drayber na nagsagawa ng anumang sexual harassment sa PUV. Ang Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ay maaaring i-suspend o wakasan ang permit ng transportation operators na lalabag sa batas. Kung sakaling malagay kayo sa sitwasyon ni Nancy, matutong sumigaw!

Puwede mo na silang patulan, Luis! Seksyon 7: genderbased sexual harassment in streets and public spaces committed by minors. Kapag menor de edad ang may sala, ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ay nararapat na magsagawa ng disiplinaryong hakbangin na naaayon sa RA 9344 o ang Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. Hindi man sila pwedeng patulan, pisikalan man o berbal, pwede naman silang isumbong sa DSWD. Kung sakaling malagay kayo sa sitwasyon ni Luis, matutong sumigaw!

Puwede mo na silang isumbong, Andeng! Seksyon 11: specific acts and penalties for gender-based sexual harassment in streets and public spaces. Iba-ibang lebel ng parusa ang ipapataw depende sa nilabag—mapa-catcalling, wolf-whistling, sekswal na mga paanyaya, at marami pang ibang gawaing pangha-harass base sa sekswalidad, gender, o sekswal na oriyentasyon, identidad, o ekspresyon— pisikal man, kilos, o salita. Sa kaso ni Andeng, halimbawa, mapapatawan ng unang paglabag ang mga nagka-catcall: pagbabayad ng P1,000 at 12 oras na community service, kasama na ang paglahok sa isang Gender Sensitivity Seminar na isasagawa ng Philippine National Police, Local Government Unit, at Philippine Commission on Women. Maulit pa ito, maaari pang lumala ang parusa nila. Kung sakaling malagay kayo sa sitwasyon ni Andeng, matutong sumigaw!

Puwede mo na silang ipanahap at kasuhan, Eris! Artikulo II, Seksyon 12 hanggang 14: gender-based online sexual harassment. Ang cyberstalking at hindi matapos-tapos na pagme-message kay Eris ng isang ‘di kilalang tao ay pwedeng mapatawan ng anim na buwan at isang araw hanggang anim na taong pagkakakulong o multang hindi bababa sa P100,000 pero hindi tataas sa P500,000. Kung sakaling malagay kayo sa sitwasyon ni Eris, matutong sumigaw!

Puwede ka nang humingi ng tulong, Jeffree! Artikulo IV, Seksyon 16 hanggang 20: gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace. Maaaring magsumbong si Jeffree sa kanyang boss ukol sa nagaganap na pangha-harass ng kanyang mga katrabaho. Kung walang gagawing aksyon ang employer ay pagmumultahin siya ng hindi bababa sa P10,000 hanggang P15,000. Kung sakaling malagay kayo sa sitwasyon ni Jeffree, matutong sumigaw!

Tama ang pagtanggi mo Christian. Artikulo V, Seksyon 21 hanggang 25: gender-based sexual harassment in educational and training institutions. Magsumbong man o hindi ang biktima (mag-aaral man o guro), kailangang imbestigahan ito ng akademya. Ang sinumang mapatunayang nagkasala ay pwedeng tanggalan ng diploma o mapapatalsik sa institusyon. Kung magbubulag-bulagan at bibingi-bingian ang school head, maaaring pagmultahin ng hindi baba sa P10,000 at hindi tataas sa P15,000. Kung sakaling malagay kayo sa sitwasyon ni Christian, matutong sumigaw!

...Minsan naiisip ko na minalas tayo sa kulturang ating kinagisnan.

Ang RA 11313 Mapapansing wala man lang ni isa sa mga nakapanayam ang nagsumbong sa kinauukulan. Kanilang dahilan, hindi nila alam na pwedeng magsampa ng kaso. Hindi nila alam na mayroon pala silang masasandigan sa kani-kanilang sitwasyon: ang RA 11313.

Ang RA 11313 ay kilala sa tawag na Safe Spaces Act. Ito ang batas na kinikilala ang pagkakapantay-pantay, seguridad, at kaligtasan ng mga lalaki, babae, at maging miyembro ng Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer plus Community, hindi lamang sa mga pribadong lugar kundi pati sa mga kalsada, pampublikong lugar, online, pinagtatrabahuhan, at paaralan at training institutions. Ito’y nilagdaan noong ika17 ng Abril, taong 2019 ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Si Senadora Risa Hontiveros ang pangunahing may akda ng nasabing batas.

Nakasaad sa batas ang pagbabawal sa catcalling, wolfwhistling, pangmumura, panunuya, pamimilit ng mga paanyaya o imbitasyon, pilit na paghingi ng mga personal na impormasyon, panunutsot, sekswal na mga komento at suhestiyon, public masturbation, panghihipo, pagpapakita ng ari, at iba pang uri ng pambabastos—berbal o pisikal man ito. Ang batas na ito ay isinulong upang mabigyang atensiyon ang mga isyu ukol sa lahat ng uri ng sexual harassment na nagaganap sa loob ng pinagtatrabahuhan, mga paaralan, at sa mga pampublikong lugar.

Ang Safe Spaces Act ay nagbibigay pokus din sa mga pangyayari sa internet. Tinutuligsa nito ang anumang uri ng cyberbullying, pagkuha o paggamit ng litrato at impormasyon ng sinuman nang walang paalam, unwanted sexual misogynistic, emotional threats, pagkomento ng masasamang bagay, cyberstalking, pagpapanggap, pagkalat ng maling impormasyon, blackmailing, at pagsisinungaling ay ipinagbabawal, sapagkat ang ganitong uri ng pangha-harass ay hindi kailanman magiging iba sa pisikal na

”

Kailangan nang sumigaw Ang busal na siyang pumipigil sa atin upang isa-boses ang ating hinaing ukol sa sexual harassment sa mga pampublikong lugar at online ay unti-unting matatanggal sa tulong ng RA 11313. Sana’y lahat ng mga taong nakaranas, nakararanas, at makakaranas ng anumang paglabag sa batas na ito ay matutong sumigaw, magsumbong, at buong tapang na harapin ang mga may sala dahil sa kaalamang mayroong batas na tutulong sa kanila.

Sa pagpawi ng mga luhang nagmula sa mga impit na tinig, maririnig ang dagungdong—hindi na isisilid ang bulok na alamat sa baul—hindi ka na makapapalag. Tapos na ang mangmang na kukurap lamang at pupuslit. Natanggal na ang busal ng bibig, ngayo’y matuto na sanang sumigaw.

PAALALA: Ang mga karanasang inilahad ay hango sa totoong buhay. Subalit, pinalitan ng mga manunulat ang pangalan ng mga nakapanayam para maitago ang kanilang identidad.

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ra 11313: mga kaukulang parusa SEKSYON 6 Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) Maaaring matanggalan ng lisensiya ang drayber na nagsagawa ng anumang sexual harassment sa PUV. Ang Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ay maaaring i-suspend o wakasan ang permit ng transportation operators na lalabag sa batas.

SEKSYON 7 Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets and Public Spaces Committed by Minors Kapag menor de edad ang may sala, ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ay nararapat na magsagawa ng disiplinaryong hakbangin na naayon sa RA 9344 o ang Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

SEKSYON 11 Specific Acts and Penalties for Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets and Public Spaces (a) Sa mga gawaing: pagmumura, catcalling, wolf-whistling, mahalay na pagsulyap, panunuya, hindi kanais-nais na mga imbitasyon, pangiinsulto (pasalita o kilos) sa kaanyuan, sekswalidad at gender, pilit na paghingi ng mga personal na impormasyon, sekswal na mga komento, biro, at suhestiyon—ito ang parusa:

•Unang paglabag: multang P1,000 at 12 oras na community service kasama na ang paglahok sa Gender Sensitivity Seminar (GSS) na

isasagawa ng Philippine National Police (PNP), Local Government Unit (LGU), at Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

•Pangalawang paglabag: pagkakakulong nang anim hanggang 10 na araw o multang P3,000.

•Pangatlong paglapag: pagkakakulong nang 11 hanggang 30 na araw at multang P10,000.

(b) Sa mga gawaing: nakababastos na kilos sa kapwa, pagpapakita ng ari, pagma-masturbate sa publiko, panghihipo, at parehong mga mahahalay na aktibidad—ito ang parusa:

•Unang paglabag: multang P10,000 at 12 oras na community service kasama na ang paglahok sa GSS na isasagawa ng PNP, LGU, at PCW.

•Pangalawang paglabag: pagkakakulong nang 11 hanggang 30 na araw o multang P15,000.

•Pangatlong paglabag: pagkakakulong nang 31 na araw hanggang anim na buwan at multang P20,000.

(c) Sa mga gawaing: stalking at lahat ng mga aksyon sa Seksyon 11 talata (a) at (b) na kung may kasamang paghawak, pagkurot, o paglapat sa katawan ng biktima—ito ang parusa:

•Unang paglabag: pagkakakulong nang 11 hanggang 30 na araw o multang P30,000; kasama na rin dito ang paglahok sa GSS na

isasagawa ng PNP, LGU, at PCW.

•Pangalawang paglabag: pagkakakulong nang 31 na araw hanggang anim na buwan o multang P50,000.

•Pangatlong paglabag: pagkakakulong nang anim na buwan o multang P20,000.

ARTIKULO II:

Gender-Based Online Sexual Harassment Sa mga gawaing: paggamit ng Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sa pananakot, mga nakaka-insultong komento sa sekswalidad at gender (publiko man o sa public o private messages), cyberstalking, pananakop ng privacy, pagkuha o paggamit ng litrato at impormasyon ng sinuman nang walang paalam, pagpapanggap, pagkalat ng maling impormasyon, blackmailing, at pagsisinungaling—ang parusa ay pagkakakulong nang anim na buwan at isang araw hanggang anim na taon o multang P100,000 hanggang P500,000 o parehong kulong at multa.

ARTIKULO IV:

Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Pasok dito ang: pagcha-chansing, mga aksyong hindi kanais-nais, paghiling ng talik o ano pa mang malaswang aktibad, at ang mga gawaing gumagawa ng working environment na kahiya-hiya, mapanakit at nakapanliliit ng puri at dignidad berbal man, pisikal o gamit ang ICT. Ang mga parusa ay pareho sa Seksyon 11. Pero kung walang gagawing aksyon ang employer—mayroon siyang multang P10,000 hanggang P15,000.

ARTIKULO V:

Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Educational and Training Institutions Kapag ang sexual harassment ay nangyari sa paaralan at pag-eensayong institusyon ito ang mga maaaring parusa:

•Kapag mag-aaral ang may sala—maaari siyang tanggalan ng diploma o mapaalis sa paaralan. Sa mga menor de edad na

mga mag-aaral—mga administrative sanctions na napapaloob sa handbook ng paaralan.

•Kung guro—mapapatalsik sa institusyon.

•Kung walang gagawin ang school head sa mga kaso ng sexual harassment magmu-multa ng P10,000 hanggang P15,000.

Source: Safe Spaces Act of 2019 or RA 11313

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Hello, Baybayin, Goodbye?

LATHALAIN NI SHIELA MAE C. PARCO

KuN= mhl= mo ako, bkit= hin=di ako AN= piliIn= mo.

Ku-ng ma-ha-l mo a-ko, ba-ki-t hi-n-di a-ko a-ng pi-li-i-n mo.

—Baybayin, 2019

Need a friend today? Sabi nila, mas okay raw na magkwento sa strangers kasi no judgement. Teka lang, ha. Hindi ako si Ethan, pero hello, stranger! May paguusapan tayo.

Ang mga karatig bansa ng Pilipinas ay may iba’t ibang uri ng panulat. Sa bansang Hapon ay mayroong tatlong uri—Kanji, Hiragana, at Katakana. Ang Tsina naman ay mayroong Han character, at sa Korea naman ay may Hangul. Hindi pahuhuli ang Pilipinas sa mga nabanggit, dahil bago pa man tayo sakupin ng mga banyaga, mayroon na tayong sariling panulat na kung tawagin ay Baybayin.

Baybayin ay kilalanin Ano nga ba ang Baybayin?

You do note that Baybayin is not Alibata. Magkaiba ‘yun! Sa State of the Nation, GMA News, isang palabas tuwing gabi, lahat ng tinanong ng tagapagbalitang si Cedric Castillo, kung ano ang tawag sa sinaunang titik nating mga Pilipino, walang ibang sinagot kundi Alibata. Marahil ito ang nakasanayan nila at ito ang naituro sa kanilang mga paaralan. Ngunit, malinaw ang pagkakaiba ng dalawa, dahil ang Alibata ay isang alpabetong Arabiko at walang nakitang patunay sa ating kasaysayan na mayroong kaugnayan ang Baybayin sa Alpabetong Arabe.

Alibata is da peyk. Baybayin ang tamang tawag sa sistema ng pagsulat ng ating mga ninuno.

Ito ay nagmula sa salitang “Baybay” ng mga Tagalog na ang ibig sabihin ay “pagbaybay” o ispeling. Minsan, tinatawag din itong Silabaryo.

Ginamit ito sa ilang bahagi ng bansa noong ika13 hanggang ika-18 na siglo at nakabase ito sa Tagalog.

Ayon sa pinuno ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) na si Virgilio Almario, ang Baybayin ang patunay na may sibilisasyon na ang mga Pilipino bago pa man dumating ang mga Kastila.

Mga kawayan, lupa, yungib, mga bato at balat ng punongkahoy at buhangin ang nagsilbing sulatan at mga matutulis naman na bagay ang mga

pang-ukit nila. Ang direksiyon ng paghulma ng mga titik ay kadalasang palayo sa katawan upang maiwasan ang pagtusok sa sarili.

Sa panahon ng kolonisasyon, pinag-aralan din ng mga Kastilang prayle ang paraan ng pagsulat nito upang mapalaganap ang Katolisismo at magturo ng pananampalataya sa ating mga katutubo. Parte ng librong Doctrina Christiana, ang pinakaunang nilimbag na libro sa Pilipinas, ay pinaniniwalaang nakasulat sa Baybayin. Ang ating pambansang bayani na si Gat Jose P. Rizal ay isa sa mga magagaling na manunulat sa bansa na gumamit ng Baybayin sa kaniyang Noli Me Tangere at ilang bahagi ng El Filibusterismo na isinulat sa mga piraso ng kawayan na tinatawag na “bumbong” na ngayon ay nasa Le Museē du Quia Branly, Paris, France.

Matatagpuan din ang Baybayin na nakaukit sa mga palayok at iba pang lumang kagamitan na ngayon ay matatagpuan na sa National Museum of Anthropology sa Metro Manila.

Bye-bayin May mga uri ng panulat na pangmatagalan, may mga uri naman na hanggang kasaysayan na lamang. Ayon sa tindera sa pelikulang Hello, Love, Goodbye, “The time stops when you don’t use it.” Parang Baybayin.

Bagama’t laganap ang paggamit nito noon, ito’y naisantabi at naibabaon na sa limot ngayon.

“O kay bilis ng iyong pagdating, pag-alis mo’y sadyang kay bilis din.”

Wari’y inaawit ni Imelda Papin ang kantang ito upang maging theme song ng Baybayin. Bakit kaya ganu’n? Kapag may bago na, madalas nakakalimutan na ang nakaraan. Nang dumating ang mga Espanyol sa bansa at ipakilala ang alpabetong Romano, unti-unti nang nakalimutan ang paggamit ng Baybayin. Simula nang makasanayan ito ng mga Pilipino at dahil na rin sa globalisasyon at kolonisasyon, tuluyan nang namatay ang Baybayin, lalo pa’t nagkaroon ng Kautusang Pangkagawaran Blg. 81, s.1987 na kung saan ay nagtakda at nagpatibay ng bagong alpabeto at patnubay sa pagbabaybay ng wikang Filipino. Ito rin ay itinadhana upang patuloy na mapayaman ang wikang Filipino bilang wikang pambansa.

Namatay nga ba talaga?

Lingid man sa inyong kaalaman, pero araw-araw nagpaparamdam ang sinasabing “namatay” na Baybayin.

Sa bawat paghingi mo ng baon sa iyong nanay tuwing umaga, masdan mo na may nakasulat na Baybayin sa baba at kanang bahagi ng perang papel na hawak mo na may ibig sabihin na “Pilipino”. Sa bawat pag-abot mo ng baryang pamasahe sa drayber, makikita mo rin ito. Kahit sa mga koleksiyon ng lolo’t lola niyo ng limang sentimo—na minsa’y ginawang palamuti pa sa sahig sa may entrada ng bahay, at iba pang lumang pera, maging ang sablay na iyong ginamit noong ikaw ay nagtapos ay mayroon ding nakasulat na Baybayin. Ang pambansang museo ng Pilipinas, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Historic Commission of the Philippines, at ang KWF ay gumamit din nito bilang disenyo ng kanilang mga logo. Ngayon, mayroon na ring tinatawag na Baybayin Keyboard at Baybayin Translator na patok sa mga kabataan at sa mga gustong magsulat gamit ang Baybayin sa kanilang mga gadyets.

Sorry, I don’t love you “Kung mahal mo ‘ko, ba’t hindi ako ang piliin mo?” Kung nakapagsasalita lang siguro ang Baybayin, matagal niya na ‘yang sinabi sa lahat ng mga Pilipino.

“Mahirap nang ibalik ang Baybayin,” ‘yan ang pare-parehong tugon ng mga kasapi ng KWF. Marami-rami ring sumasalungat sa ideya ng pagbabalik nito bilang pambansang paraan ng pagsulat, dahil na rin sa mas sanay na tayo sa paggamit ng alpabetong Romano at mangangailangan pa ng mahabang panahon bago ito maisakatuparan.

“Nakakalimutan na ng mga Pilipino [ang Baybayin]. Isang malaking sampal sa mga Pilipino na hindi mapag-aralan ang sariling paraan ng pagsulat. Kung tayo nga ay pinag-aaralan ang ibang wika, eh ‘yung atin ‘di

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pa magawa?” ani John Francis Tañamor, isang koordeneytor ng Filipino sa San Agustin Senior High School. “Maganda na hindi lamang sa high school magsimula ito. Simulan sa elementarya upang bata pa lamang ay mahubog na sila upang pagdating sa high school ay mas mataas na antas na ang kanilang matutuhan pagdating sa Baybayin,” dagdag pa niya.

Para kay Klaudine Ollanes, pangulo ng Samahang Mag-aaral ng Filipino sa CSPC, magandang pag-aralan ang Baybayin sa kolehiyo, sapagkat mas mapapalawig nito ang kaisipan ng mga estudyante tungkol sa nakaraan at sa kahalagahan ng Baybayin sa usapang komunikasyon, edukasyon, at iba pang maaaring paggamitan nito. “Mainam na ipakilala ito sa mga paaralan at gawing paksa sa mga asignaturang Filipino upang mas maging pamilyar ang lahat at mas lalo pang mapalaganap ito,” sabi pa niya.

Mahirap man na ibalik ang paggamit ng Baybayin, dahilan na rin sa pagkawala ng asignaturang Filipino na dulot ng CHED Memorandum 20. Series of 2013, hinahangad pa rin ng ilang mag-aaral na ibalik ang asignaturang Filipino upang mas lalo pang mapalaganap ang kaalaman tungkol sa kultura at panitikan, lalo na ang paggamit ng sarili nating panulat.

“

Buhay-bayin Muling naibabalik—minsan, hiniram na bagay; minsan naman, buhay ng tao; pero kadalasan, relasyon. Eh, ‘yung paggamit ng Baybayin, maibabalik pa kaya?

Noong Hunyo 2011, humarap si Leopoldo Bataoil, kinatawan ng ikalawang distrito ng Pangasinan, sa kongreso at ibinahagi ang kaniyang adbokasiya sa pamamagitan ng isang privilege speech na pinamagatang “Tilamsik ng Liwanag: Ang Baybayin.” Layunin niya na ipasa ang House Bill No. 4395 upang gamiting pambansang panulat ang Baybayin. Taong 2016, naitatag muli ang pundasyon sa pagtakda ng pagbabalik ng Baybayin sa bansa matapos magsumite ang senadorang si Loren Legarda ng Senate Bill No. 433 o mas kilala bilang National Writing Sytem Act na nagdedeklara sa Baybayin bilang instrumento ng pagpapayaman sa kultura ng bansa.

“Ito po ay pagkilala at pagpapahalaga sa sariling atin, na tayong mga Pilipino ay may isang uri ng pagsulat bago dumating ang mga mananakop na banyaga,” pahayag ni Bataoil sa kanyang panayam sa Bandila, isang palabas sa telebisyon.

Kabilang rin si F. Landa Jocano sa mga nagsasabi nito at sinuportahan din ang kaniyang pananaw ng abogadong Kastila na si Antonio de Morga sa kanyang aklat na Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas noong 1609. Sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga isinulat, napatunayan na mayroong sibilisasyon sa Pilipinas noon at kilala na talaga ang Baybayin bilang sinaunang panulat ng mga Pilipino.

Ika-23 ng Abril noong nakaraang taon, isang panukalang batas naman ang inaprubahan ng House Committee on Basic Education and Culture na magdedeklara sa Baybayin, ang matandang sistema ng pagsulat sa Pilipinas, bilang pambansang paraan ng pagsulat ng mga Pilipino at maging tatak ng ating pagkakakilanlan. Ang House Bill No. 1022 ay naglalayong isalin sa Baybayin ang mga leybel ng mga produkto sa bansa, mandatong isama ang Baybayin sa mga

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signage ng lahat ng Local Government Units sa mga pampublikong lugar, mga gusali, ospital, istasyon ng pulis at bumbero, plaza, at maging sa mga pangalan ng kalsada. Kailangan ding isalin ang mga nailathalang materyales gaya ng pahayagan, magasin, at iba pa. Sa pamamagitan nito, mas lalong mapalalaganap at mapayayaman ng mga Pilipino ang sariling sistema ng panulat sa ating bansa.

Ang nasabing panukala ay sinuportahan ng Department of Education, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, at ng grupong Baybayin, Buhayin—isang pangkat na nagtataguyod ng Baybayin.

I can be more!

Hindi sapat na hanggang banggit lamang ang salitang “Baybayin” sa mga libro ng Sibika at Kultura, Kasaysayan, at Araling Panlipunan noong elementarya at high school. Ayon nga sa makatang si Juan Miguel Severo, “Tandaang ang tunay na nagmamahal ay di lang gumagamit, kumikilala rin.”

Ang Baybayin ay isang piktoryal na sistema ng pagsulat. Mayroon itong tatlong patinig at 14 na katinig na bubuo sa 17 na simbolo na nasa anyong pantigan.

Nilalagyan ng tuldok o gitling sa ibabaw ng katinig bilang tanda sa tunog ng “e” o “i” at sa ilalim naman ng katinig bilang tanda sa tunog ng “o” o “u”. Ang isang guhit patayo ay nangangahulugang kuwit at dalawang guhit patayo naman ang nagsisilbing tuldok. Kapag may krus naman sa ibaba, babawasan natin ang katinig at kapag wala namang tuldok, pamudpod o krus, ito ay may tunog na “a”.

Bago natin matutunan kung paano ito isulat, kailangan muna nating maging pamilyar sa bawat simbolo nito. Narito ang ilang kilalang palatandaan at paglalarawan sa mga baybay: Ka (Ka) - Ito ay pamilyar sa atin dahil ginamit ito ng Katipunan bilang simbolo sa kanilang watawat.

Da/ Ra (Da) – Ang hugis nito ay ay parang karagatan.

Ma (Ma) – Parang dila ang anyo nito.

Ha (Ha) - Ito ay sumisimbolo sa hangin.

Ba (Ba) - Nanggaling ito sa salitang “Babae”, na kung saan ay mayroon itong hugis ng dibdib ng isang babae. Maari ring ilarawan bilang nakabaliktad na puso.

La (La)- Katulad sa Ba, Kinuha ang “La” sa salitang “Lalaki” na ang katawan naman ay mayroong abs.

Kung nais pang mas matutunan kung paano ang pagsulat sa Baybayin, maraming mga video tutorials sa Youtube at Google.

Mayroon ding mga seminar workshop ukol din dito.

...Isang malaking sampal sa mga Pilipino na hindi mapag-aralan ang sariling paraan ng pagsulat.

”

Comeback is real Ginamit, pinakinabangan, ipinagpalit, at ibinaon sa limot. Tapos anong sunod? Babalikan?

Kung nangako si Joy kay Ethan na babalik siya, babalik din kaya ang Baybayin? Magkakaroon na kaya ulit tayo ng sariling paraan ng pagsulat? Tuluyan na kaya nating papanindigan ang “Goodbye”? O darating ang araw na babalik muli ang Baybayin, at sasalabungin natin kasabay ang mga katagang, “Hello, Baybayin, welcome back!”

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Pagbulusok ng

Literaturang Rinconada LATHALAIN NI HERMINIA A. VASQUEZ

Kaipuhan man nanggad na pabuluson a tubig, nganing a mga ngabilon sa irarom kadi marungog ka kadaklan. (Kailangang paagusin ang tubig, upang ang mga salita sa ilalim nito ay marinig ng karamihan.)

Ito ang mga katagang paulitulit na tumatakbo sa aking murang isipan nang minsang maituon ang aking mga mata sa isang pahina ng aklat. Datapwat nakalimbag sa kakaibang ortograpiya na malayo sa kinalakihang gawi at ideolohiya sa pakikipagtalastasan at pagsulat, pilit pa ring pinagtikahang unawain ang malalim na pagpapakahulugan.

Sa pagpapatuloy ng masigasig

na pagbabasa ay tila batid ko na ang lalim ng mga salitang nakasulat.

Ngunit, sa halip na pagkalito ang mangibabaw sa aking isip ay tila pagkaduhagi ang siyang nanaig sa kaibuturan ng aking puso.

Nakahihiya.

Nakasusuklam.

Nakapanliliit ng pagkatao. Paano nagawa ng isang tulad ko ang ipagkibit-balikat na lamang ang napakayamang literaturang humubog sa akin at bumuo? Ako’y nabulag sa mapang-akit at huwad na kaisipang alok ng mga dayuhang siyang lumalamon sa yamang taglay ng aking pinagmulan.

Ako’y nawawala! Hindi kilala ang sarili.

Hindi batid ang pagkakakilanlan. Sa sandali ng kahabag-habag na kalagayan, ako’y nangangapa sa dilim at pilit inaabot ang katiting na liwanag na naaaninag. Ngunit hindi. Hindi rito iniukit ng tadhana ang aking kapalaran. Kailangan kong imulat ang aking mga mata at hablutin papalayo ang piring. Sa ganitong paraan, ang pag-usbong ng kamalayan ay magkakaroon ng katiyakan.

Sa aking isinagawang pakikipanayam sa Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, aking nadiskubre na 10 sa 10 mag-aaral ang walang sapat na ideya hinggil sa napakayamang literatura ng Rinconada. Isa na rito ay si Richard Rey Estrologo mula sa Kolehiyo ng Enhinyerya, na 19 taon nang

naninirahan sa bayan ng Nabua.

“Frankly, wala akong masyadong alam sa Rinconada literature, kasi first and foremost, wala akong narinig sa parents ko. Wala rin tayong printed medium of literature in Rinconada.

Meaning, ang natra-transfer lang naman ng ancestors natin ay superstitions and beliefs lang,” ani ng binatang wari’y may pag-aalangan sa mga mata.

Sa aking pagkahabag, sinimulan kong buklatin ang munting aklat na tumatalakay sa mayamang literatura ng Rinconada bilang pag-uugat.

Mailap man ang mga impormasyong nais makalap dahil sa limitadong sulatin, hindi ito naging balakid sa aking masidhing pagnanasa, bagkus ay nagsilbing motibasyon upang himayin ng buong ingat ang bawat detalyeng maghahawi ng tabing na siyang kublian ng aking identidad.

Ang pagsusog Ang Pilipinas ay isang arkipelago na binubuo ng 7,641 na mga pulo.

Dahil sa ganitong kaanyuhan, likas na sa ating mga Pilipino ang pagkakaroon ng napakaraming varayti ng wika. Ilan na rito sa Bikol ay ang Bikol Sentral, Katandungan, Bisakol, at Rinconada.

“Rinconada literature is something written, something recalled, something that can be expressed, and gives us identity.”

Ito ang mga salitang binitawan ni Higino Francisco Penoñes Jr., bilang pagpapakahulugan sa Rinconada bilang isang lengguwahe.

Si Peñones ay tanyag na Irigueñong manunulat na sinimulan ang adhikaing pagbuhay sa literaturang Bikolnon at Rinconada taong 1979. Makalipas ang humigitkumulang dalawang dekada ay inorganisa nila ang kauna-unahang Pagsurat Bikolnon na siyang nagpamulat sa kabataan na hindi pa patay ang literatura ng Rinconada.

“One of the speakers said, Bicol literature is dead. Masi nganako! ‘Di niya isi (Hindi niya alam) na there were 170 writers in attendance,” tugon niyang may buong pagmamalaki.

Kasalukuyang daloy “Dahil maalam na tayo sa gawi ng pagsulat sa Rinconada, hindi na tayo nalimitahan sa pagsasalita lamang,” pagsasanaysay ni Ryan C. Cuatrona na isang premyadong manunulat buhat sa mayamang bayan ng Buhi.

Ayon pa sa kanya, nagsimula ang pagsulat ng nasabing lengguwahe sa pamamagitan ng mga islogan, kasabihan, bugtong, babala at marami pang iba. Isa sa mga halimbawa nito ay “Bawal mag-umot nin rigsang” na ang katumbas sa Filipino ay “Bawal magtapon ng basura.”

Nakangiting ibinahagi ni Peñones na ang mga sulating nakasulat sa Bikol ay isinasalin na sa iba’t ibang wika. Ang An Poon kan Pili na isang kuwentong pambata na

isinulat niya ay inilapat sa Alemanya.

Ganoon din ang kaniyang Escort na tumatalakay sa Martial Law na isinalin naman sa wikang Czech. Ayon pa sa kanya, ang Bikolnon ay itinuturo na rin sa mga kilalang unibersidad tulad ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Ateneo, at La Salle.

“Rinconada literature is a work in progress. Agko potensyal na matunuwan. Agko potensyal na umusbong (May potensyal na matunawan. May potensyal na umusbong),” pagbibigay diin ni Peñones.

Kahit gaano pa man kaganda ang sinimulan ng mga Bikolanong manunulat, nakasalalay pa rin sa kabataan ng henerasyong ito ang adbokasiyang buhayin at pagyamanin ang literatura ng Rinconada. “The harvest is rich; the laborers are few.

At least something has been started.

Naawanan na namu [sa duot], kin baga sa lantad, nangingimbitar na man (Naalisan na namin [ng damo], kumbaga sa bakuran, nanghihikayat na ulit),” dagdag pa niya.

Nag-uumapaw na halaga Taga-Rinconada kita. Ikinintal ni Peñones sa aking isipan na ang pagiging bihasa sa paggamit ng sariling lengguwahe ay isang kahusayan. Ito ay kakayahan na mapanatiling mayaman ang sariling literatura sa kabila ng napakaraming wikang umiiral buhat sa iba’t ibang lugar. “A lengguwaheng Rinconada para ‘yan sa mga taga-Rinconada.

Uda kadi ibang migngabil kundi kita man sana (Ang lengguwaheng Rinconada ay para sa mga taga-Rinconada.

Walang ibang magsasalita nito kundi tayo rin lang naman),” dagdag pa niya.

“

pagsulat at pag-unawa.

Ang Rinconada ay kilala. Taasnoong ibinahagi ni Peñones na lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan, ang Rinconada ang may pinakamaraming magagaling at sikat na manunulat hindi lamang sa Bikol. Sa kasalukuyan, naiuwi ng Irigueñong manunulat na si Kristian Sendon Cordero ang SEAWRITE o Southeast Asian Writers Award na kinikilala bilang isa sa pinakaprestihiyosong parangal sa buong Asya.

Bukod kay Cordero, kilala rin ang mga makatang Irigueño na sina Elbert Baeta na nagsulat ng librong Gapo: Mga Rawitdawit, at Jonher Amoroso Cañeba na siya namang nagsulat ng maikling pelikulang Santigwar. Dahil sa Santigwar, nasungkit ni Cañeba ang unang premyo sa kaunaunahang Quisumbing-Escandor Film Festival for Health sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Diliman.

Pagpapalakas ng agos “Magtaga-Rinconada kita!

(Magsalita tayo ng Rinconada!)

Draw strength from your own identity and language,” buong pusong panghihikayat ni Peñones.

Rinconada literature is a work in progress. Agko potensyal na matunuwan. Agko potensyal na umusbong.

Ang pag-unawa sa konsepto ng mga aralin ay mas mapapadali. “Kung ang paggamit ng sariling lengguwahe bilang komunikasyon sa pagtuturo ang gagamitin, tiyak na magkakaroon ng mas malalim na pag-unawa ang mga bata sa konsepto ng araling tinatalakay,” saad ni Peñones.

Naniniwala ang beteranong manunulat na sa paggamit ng mother tongue o lengguwaheng kinalakihan ng mga bata sa loob ng kanilang tahanan, sila’y magkakaroon ng matibay na pundasyon para sa araw-araw na pakikipagtalastasan, pagbasa,

”

Kung nais makilala at mapayabong ang antas ng literatura sa isang partikular na lugar, nararapat lamang na simulan ito sa pagsasalita gamit ang sariling lengguwahe. Ito ay nagpapakita ng matibay na ugnayan sa pagitan ng tao at wika na siyang magbibigay sa atin ng pagkakakilanlan. “Pauno ika maisihan na nag-e-exist kin la mo ka mumu? Gatungan ta a na pagmumukna sa agimadmad, manungod ka sadiri tang kultura (Paano ka malalaman na nag-e-exist kung ikaw ay masyadong tahimik?

Gatungan natin ang pagpapaliyab sa kamalayan, hinggil sa ating sariling kultura),” wika pa niya.

Paglihis sa n a k a s a n a y a n g ideolohiya.— Ayon kay Peñones, ang pagdiriwang tuwing Agosto ay hindi nararapat na tawaging “Buwan ng Wika”, kundi “Buwan ng mga Wika.” Mahusay niyang ipinaliwanag na nararapat lamang na bigyan ng pantaypantay na pagtrato ang mga wikang umiiral sa bawat sulok ng Pilipinas.

Ani niya, huwag ikintal sa ating isipan ang ideolohiyang ang pagkakaroon ng iisang lengguwahe ang siyang magaangat sa antas ng edukasyon at

ekonomiya.

Ilan lamang sa halimbawa ay mga bansang Tsina, India, at Singapore, na nananatili pa ring maunlad sa kabila ng napakaraming bilang ng wika.

“Umugat sa dagang tinambunan.

(Umugat sa lupang tinabunan.)

Tumubo sa mga katutubo,” ito ang mga katagang isinulat ni Cuatrona sa kaniyang pananaliksik na pinamagatang The Art of Finding, kung saan nakasaad na lahat ng likhangsining ay hindi ginagawa kundi hinahanap. “Kung gagawa ka lang at wala kang inspirasyon, wala kang pinanghuhugutan, walang saysay ang ginagawa mo,” sambit pa niya.

Ituro sa kabataan. Bakas sa mga mata ni Peñones ang masidhing pagnanasa na maituro ang Rinconada lalo na sa kabataan. Ngayon ay isinusulong niya at ng mga kapwa Bikolanong manunulat ang pagkakaroon ng teksbuk na nakalimbag sa Rinconada para sa mga batang nasa elementarya, nang sa gayon ay mas lalo nilang maunawaan ang mga aralin at matutunan ang tamang paraan ng pagsulat.

Magtayo ng pasilidad para sa cultural appreciation. “Ang pagtatayo ng silid-aklatan na nakatuon lamang sa literatura ng Rinconada sa mga paaralan ay tiyak na makatutulong sa kabataan upang mahikayat silang magbasa at alamin ang ganda ng ating literatura.”

Binigyang diin din ni Peñones na maging ang mga guro ay hindi na mahihirapan sa paghahanap ng mga materyales na gagamitin sa kanilang pagtuturo.

Tulad ng tahimik ngunit malalim na tubig sa lawa ng Buhi at Bato, ang napakayamang literatura na nakahimlay sa isang sulok ay nararapat na umagos sa buong kabayanan ng Rinconada upang maipaabot ang walang katumbas na halaga nito sa kaisipan ng mga kabataan.

Sa pag-irungog ka makusog na bulos ka tubig na bana man sana musika ag girok sa talinga, migpuon a pamumurakrak kan kanatong agimadmad. (Sa pagdinig sa malakas na agos ng tubig na mistulang musika at kiliti sa tainga, magsisimula ang pamumulaklak ng ating kamalayan.)

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Battling

FEATURES

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23

Odds the

STORY BY LEONIDO T. BELLEZA JR. A little girl dreamed of reaching the stars. Though it was so high, she still wanted to reach it… to touch it… to be it. Achieving it meant that she would be able to help her grandmother and mother. But in every little girl’s dream, there will always be a nasty old witch—in her case, it was reality.

Reality hit her so hard she was barely able to stand. Imagine a little girl, who just dreamed of reaching the star—her own definition of star—for her family, left alone…lost in this cruel world full of uncertainty and obstacles. The people who she can always count on, who she can always run to, who she dedicates her dreams for, gone. Will she be able to stand firm and continue walking the path of her dreams?

This is a story of how a woman stood tall and triumphed, despite losing her two pillars at a very young age. She is Dr. Ameera Sarah Baylon, an astounding alumnae of CSPC.

Once upon a time Once upon a time, there was a girl named Ameera Sarah Baylon, who was born to a family of three members—her grandmother, mother, and she. She wasn’t even born yet when her foreign father abandoned them. Even so, her mother and grandmother were enough to fill her with the love and care she could ever ask for. They lived in a simple, yet filled with love home at San Roque, Nabua, Camarines Sur. Ameera is a regular 90’s kid. She played games on the streets with her friends in her neighborhood— chasing each other while laughing, hops and tosses pamato in the game Piko, and many more. During breaktimes in school, she and her classmates went to schoolyards and played tags. Then, after school, she helped her mother and grandmother do household chores.

Ameera is a brilliant child. She took her elementary education at Nabua Central Pilot School.

Her mother was very strict about her studies.

“If she’s busy working at our sari-sari store or small farm, she would leave me a math problem to solve, due when she returns home,” Ameera said.

Her mother inculcated to her the importance of education. This is why she always do her best in school. She showed her vigor in extracurricular activities—from quiz bees, scouting, campus journalism, to sports such as badminton and track and field.

“My elementary years were great.

However, it [was] also the lowest point in my life in terms of trials,” Ameera stated.

experienced multiple heartbreaks at a very young age.

Ameera loved her grandmother very much. Her grandmother, Josefa Baylon, had hypertension. Every time her mother was away, she would take care of her like a little nurse. The supposed-to-be usual day in Grade 4 turned deepest blue. The nineyear-old Ameera was hospitalized for acute gastritis (sudden inflammation in the lining of the stomach).

Coincidentally, her grandma had a heart attack and was rushed to the same hospital as hers.

“I was literally shaking sa kaba that time na nakita ko siya, dahil tanaw mula sa room ko ‘yung outside part ng emergency room,” Ameera recalled.

As she looked at her grandmother’s bed, she felt pathetic.

Her little self couldn’t do anything about their fate. She could only pray and watch if her grandmother’s book would end or would continue to another chapter. Her grandmother was resuscitated, then transferred to a tertiary hospital. Unfortunately, the little hope was cut off the next day, when her grandmother was declared dead…lifeless. One of her greatest pillars passed away and she was left shaken and limped. Will she be able to stand?

Ameera loved her mother like her other half. She and her mother, Mercy Baylon, were able to cope with their loss. “Mas naging close kami ni mama, kasi dalawa na lang kaming naiwan sa bahay,” she said.

They became closer—a team. As much as possible, they would cherish their moments together. Ameera would always help her mother. She became more obedient and her mother became sweeter to her.

It was supposed to be an ordinary day. It was two o’clock in the afternoon when 11-year-old Ameera was attending industrial arts class at school. She was making an extension cord, which Mercy taught her earlier that day, when a great storm abruptly stirred her life. Her mother was at the sidewalk, in front of their house, sweeping dried leaves.

Then, a rampaging truck made chaos when it charged at their house.

Unexpectedly, the truck rammed Mercy, putting her in a brink of death.

It was like a bomb when she heard the news after class.

Ameera rushed home and witnessed the grimacing outcome of the truck’s turmoil. Red… Their place was tainted by blood. Their fence was ruined like a crumpled paper. The nearby streetlight was knocked out.

But her mother was not there. Mercy was still rushed to the hospital, however, she did not make it. She was declared dead on arrival.

Reality was just too cruel. Her once laughter-filled home became more silent. Her last pillar crumbled.

She was left unable to stand— distraught.

“I was left alone in a home which

“

The odds may seem great, but our grit should be greater.

”

When tragedy befalls A fairy tale isn’t a fairy tale without a tragedy. Sleeping Beauty was afflicted with a curse, putting her in a deep slumber. Cinderella was maltreated by her stepsisters and stepmother, like an abused maid in her own house. Snow White was jailed away by her stepmother, hiding her from the entire kingdom. Just like those Disney characters, Ameera

was previously w r a p p e d with love and happiness, despite moderate financial struggle. Such was the time when my 11-year-old mind was thinking, what now? Where should I go? Will I still be able to continue my studies?

Is there anyone who can love me as much as my mother did?” Ameera said.

Learning to stand again Her aunts decided to adopt her and gave her the chance to study for high school and college. “On the other hand, I am lucky to have aunts and cousins generous enough to help [me] holistically,” told Ameera.

Ameera graduated as second honorable mention in elementary.

Then, she entered Nabua National High School. “I eventually recovered from those losses by focusing on my studies,” Baylon explained. She came back joining quiz bees, campus and religious organizations, clubs, cultural and journalism contests, and sports. She was hailed as the valedictorian of their batch (2007).

Ameera has always dreamed to be a doctor—that was the star she badly wanted to reach. She was inspired when she was still taking care of her grandmother and her frequent visits to the doctor. The first step she took towards reaching her dream was to enroll in Bachelor of Science in Nursing at CSPC as her pre-med course.

Just like any other student, Ameera had a lot of struggles — not just hitting the deadlines for projects and such, but also financial constraints. During those times, there was no free tuition policy. So,

there was really a need for t h o s e unprivileged students to look for scholarship grants to aid them in their studies. She was one of them.

“I have to do good back in high school to avail college scholarships and maintain it that way, so that I can also help my aunt pay a little less for tuition and other school fees,” she reasoned.

Though college was a tough battle, Ameera was not a student who has a study routine. She was very erratic and slept if she wanted to. “Matulog kapag inaantok na. Pero siyempre, ‘di talaga pababayaan ang pag-aaral, lalo na ‘pag may exam.

Tapos kapag stressed, I have to unwind. Sports really has benefits, both to the body and mind,” she advised.

After graduation and passing the boards, Ameera started working as a review lecturer for midwifery and nursing board exam and saved as much as possible for med school.

However, her savings were just enough for her first year med at Mataas na Pamantasan ng Maynila and continuing masters course in CSPC (she simultaneously studied 1st year med at Manila while she’s getting her masterate at CSPC).

Second year med came, Ameera ran out of funds. So, she started writing for another scholarship. She accepted research interpretation jobs, both for masters and undergraduate courses. “Naalala ko

pa, gumawa ako ng plano ng isang architecture student sa Manila for a fee just to sustain my everyday living there. Hindi ko alam kung pinaano ko, pero nagawa ko naman,” Ameera shared. Eventually, she became a United Laboratories’ scholar which helped her to have a smooth sail throughout med school.

Her focus and grit paid off really well. Ameera graduated as Magna Cum Laude in BS Nursing at CSPC. She aced the board exams, ranking ninth in Midwifery Licensure Exams in 2009, fourth in Nursing Licensure Exams in 2011, and she got 88 percent on last year’s Physician Licensure Exams.

Now as Doctor Baylon Now, Dr. Baylon actively renders her time for her patients. She is a Medical Officer III at Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center. She is studying anesthesiology at the same med school.

“This is my chosen profession, and somehow no matter how tired I am, I feel utmost gratification when I see my patients recovering, and even just a simple thank you makes me feel alive again,” she imparted.

She is an epitome of a strong fighter. The loss of her family caused her to be limped at first, but then she learned to stand tall, along with her new loved ones, and has been defiant. The little girl who just dreamed of reaching her star, despite how far it was, actually became the star she wanted to be—a doctor.

“The odds may seem great, but our grit should be greater.—Dr. Ameera Sarah Baylon

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THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

USMAN’S AFTERMATH:

Resiliency amidst Devastation STORY BY HANNAH RUTH P. CHUA

N

ine months had passed after Usman brought massive destruction to the whole town of Buhi. The scar that the typhoon depression had left the place, and the people, is hard to ignore, but their resiliency is far stronger than any calamity that will strike their land.

“

Resilient family Today might just be another typical day for the people of Buhi, including Benrey. He prepares to trek down from their home in Iraya Buhi, Camarines Sur to the lakeside, where a motor-powered boat is docked waiting for people from his barangay to be transported to the central part of the town. Everyday, he spends 45 minutes just to reach Camarines Sur

experienced various heartaches that almost crushed them, literally and figuratively speaking.

Growing up, life had already thrown so much at Benrey. But what etched on his memory was that one time when things seemed to fall apart altogether: his sister was rushed to the hospital to be operated because of myoma, her mother was holdupped of the supposed money for the operation which led to her working for the hospital to pay for the bill, and then he was diagnosed with typhoid fever. Just when he thought life was done with him, it gave another tragedy to move on from: typhoon depression Usman.

The faith amidst hopelessness In Iriya, the people, including

Family preparedness is crucial in times of disasters and calamities, that’s why it is their [MDRRMC] goal to reach them.

Polytechnic Colleges-Buhi Extension Campus, where he studies his second year of Bachelor of Science in Office Administration.

Benrey N. Gabalfin comes from a simple family with his father, Nestor Gablfin, and mother, Francia Gabalfin, along with seven other siblings. Life hasn’t been kind to him as it were for most of us. But Benrey’s and his family’s resilience is something everyone should take heed on. They

”

Benrey’s family, are dependent in growing different kinds of vegetation and rice farming which serves as their source of income. Most of them own farmlands that they inherited from their parents. The effect of Usman to these inherited lands had sunken the heart of many Buhinon because it was almost harvest season when the typhoon depression hit the place.

Usman destroyed every palay rice that was supposed to give them

the money needed for their living expenses for the following months.

Hopelessness dawned on them as the rain poured and the landslide happened. They listened, staring at nothingness, as the sound of the falling rocks rumbled across the place. They know that the sound indicated the loss of many things: farmlands, animals, and even lives.

Aling Francia and Manong Nestor could do nothing, but mourn for the loss that they experienced.

During the interview with TheSPARK, Aling Francia narrated how Usman had affected their lives greatly. It was hard getting out of the slump that Usman brought them in. They woke up in the morning and saw how their house, vegetations and farmlands were ruined. Their farmlands are the most devastated as the rocks from the mountain parts were pushed by the landslides directly to it. They failed to retrieve some parts of it because the rocks were too large for them to move.

Their family had no choice but to start from scratch.

Benrey told the same story, but in a very different perspective.

He also worried about the same things—he even considered giving up on his studies to work and help his family. But his strong heart decided that they should focus on how they would survive after the tragedy instead of worrying about what were already gone. Not long after this, help poured from the Local Government Units (LGU), Nongovernment Organizations, and different organizations from across the country.

Start again According to Benrey, they were given relief goods from ABS-CBN

Foundation, GMA Foundation, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and even universities around Bicol extended their help toward those who were greatly affected by typhoon depression Usman. The relief goods included food, kitchen kits, and even sleeping kits which provided for their everyday needs and necessities that time. These aided them while they were recovering from the obliteration caused by Usman.

Among the assistances that they received, Benrey said that it was the financial aids from Tzu Chi Foundation and the LGU that helped them the most. The LGU gave P30,000 to those who had totally damaged houses, while they gave P10,000 to those whose houses are partially damaged, which Benrey’s family was included. 12 out of the 38 barangays in Buhi are located on the lakeside and all of them received the aids given out by the LGU. The Tzu Chi Foundation on the other hand, had the number of the members of the family as basis on the amount of money they gave. These supports played a big role in the starting over of the people distressed by the typhoon depression Usman. Through the assistance that they received, they were able to start their farming and vegetation again. They also used some as starting money for their mini sari-sari store.

What they lack Benrey is contented with the life he is living with his family. But living in an area with a lake separating them from the urbanized area is as hard as it looks. When TheSPARK went to Iraya for the interview, it occurred to us how prosperous the place is.

But it lacked as many things as it is

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abundant in others. For one, they lacked medical facilities and professionals in the area. Immediate response to emergencies is close to impossible. The nearest clinic is at the other side of the lake which is 15 to 45 minutes away from the area and can only be reached through lancha(motor-powered boat).

This has not helped during typhoon depression Usman. If any, it only made it hard for the Municipal Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) to help them before, during, and after the typhoon depression.

According to Carmelita C. Marquez, Local Risk Reduction Management Officer III, the typhoon Nina and typhoon depression Usman were the most devastating calamities that occurred in Buhi. The amount of rainwater accumulated during that time exceeded their expectations. Being the only permanent personnel in the MDRRMC office was also a challenge especially when the landslides and flood started to come about. People from all over Buhi started panicking and she told us how three of the emergency phones were ringing all at once. As the municipal was short on people, they asked for responders from other municipalities and the responders were trapped at Nabua, because of the flood which made it even harder to rescue the people who were in danger. When it became too risky for them to help, all they could do was comfort the people who were calling to avoid more casualties.

Buhi MDRRMC After Usman, the Buhi MDRRMC had started preparing again in case another calamity arises. Marquez stated that even though she was the only personnel in the MDRRMC office, she gets help from the Job Order and Local Chief Executive when planning and doing operations that involves calamities and other incidents.

They follow the framework of the National Risk Reduction Management Council which revolves around four thematic areas: Prevention and Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Rehabilitation and Recovery, and Disaster Response. The municipal allots five percent of their budget, calamity fund, which is used for the realization of the projects and programs included in the plan made by the MDRRMC. In year 2019, the calamity fund of Buhi is roughly P10,000,000, while their budget for year 2020 is P11,000,000. The budget is not necessarily limited to five percent. If the project requires more

DEVCOM

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than the given budget, they can expand in the Development Fund or Gender Development Plan of the municipality.

Seventy percent of the calamity fund is allotted for the first three of the four thematic areas (Prevention and Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, and Rehabilitation and Recovery). They can use the budget to buy the necessary materials for preparedness. While the remaining 30% is reserved for the fourth thematic area (Disaster Response). It can only be used if there is a declaration of a state of calamity.

Programs and projects under the four thematic areas Prevention and Mitigation. The MDRRMC has various projects aligned under prevention and mitigation.

Included in their five-year plan is the assessment of both the vertical and horizontal infrastructures of the whole town. The maintenance of evacuation centers will also be observed in this area.

Another matter involved in prevention and mitigation is the making and drawing of plans for infrastructures to be established in the area.

Disaster Preparedness. Under disaster preparedness, they will conduct trainings for survival and rescue which includes standard first aid training, ambulance management, fire suppression, and water search and rescue. Purchasing relief goods and goods stockpiling is also monitored in this area.

Rehabilitation and Recovery. The rebuilding and fixing of damaged infrastructures is under the rehabilitation and recovery area. It also focuses on identifying the safe relocation area.

Disaster Response. In disaster response, the 30% of the five percent budget allocation is used when there is a declaration of a state of calamity.

Marquez emphasized that the target audience of the plans of the MDRRMC is the smallest organization of the community: the family. According to her, it is no use if only the barangay officials attend the trainings and activities that they implement. Family preparedness is crucial in times of disasters and calamities, that’s why it is their goal to reach them.

Although there are seminars conducted by the DSWD through

4P’s which discusses education, information, and communication regarding disaster preparedness, it is still a must that the community attends the trainings and programs of the MDRRC. Can one ever be really prepared for a calamity? Benrey said that his family will try to be more alert in such times. Marquez said that if a calamity happens now, they aren’t prepared. Not because they didn’t follow NDRRMC’s framework, but because we can never really know the intensity of the calamity. It might get a

lot stronger a millisecond after a human scale measured its strength.

But as the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” It is better that we do something before the calamity to avoid bigger loss or damage.

Listening and doing preventive measures wouldn’t do any harm, it might actually save us.

Resiliency is a trait that each of us must have. The calamities will pass along with the pain that it has caused.

But we must also open our eyes, minds, and hearts to possibilities and learnings that may improve our knowledge of the things which we need to survive in this world. Being precautious and resilient at the same time is a combination that we must muster as we go through our lives.

These attitudes will surely help us before, during, and after any calamity.

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About Time to Take the Leap FASTBREAK | FELIMON L. GOZUN JR.

Lack of support and facilities in the field of sports bring a massive effect in any athletic competition.

These result to poor performance of the athletes and a degrading overall standings. A deep hole that other schools are trying to escape.

Bicol University (BU) is considered as one of the biggest and well established schools in Bicol. It has the amount of sports facilities that can support its athletes with their trainings and conditioning. These facilities are well supported by the provincial government that enables the school to produce highly talented athletes. And the results of this are evident.

During the 2018 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Meet at Mandaon, Masbate

Province last December 9-14, BU easily topped the annual event with a whopping 101.5 gold medals, stretching a wide margin of 43.5 against the runner-up Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology.

Meanwhile, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) only able to settle the same spot as the last edition at fifth place, garnering a total of 22.5 gold medals, 31.5 silver, and 11 bronze. However, Christian Puso, the sports coordinator of the institution, said that the school improved last year with only a 0.5 gold medal short to steal the fourth spot from the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture.

Puso stressed out in an interview with TheSPARK that the low number of delegates is what keeps the school from climbing on top. This can be traced from the problem of limited school’s sports facilities. CSPC has only a gymnasium which can

accommodate a few sporting events such as basketball, volleyball, futsal, and badminton. The first three sports that were mentioned share the same court, thus limiting their on-court practices. The basketball team who had the most time of practice in the gym was able to produce gold medals both in Men’s and Women’s category.

In contrast with the volleyball team who went home medalless in both categories. These facilities help the athletes grow and develop their full potentials.

If you can’t break the wall, just climb through it. Adding of sports that doesn’t need big courts to set up can nurse the problem of lack of facilities to reach the top spot of the overall standings. Knowing that arnis is the second most medal-rich in SCUAA behind swimming, it is the best solution for now for the school to lift its overall standings. It has a total of 69 medals to be competed from 23 different arnis categories both for Men’s and Women’s. It became the most crucial

sport for the BISCAST to finish runner up, where it pulled them up to 29 gold medals or half of their 58 total gold-medal output.

With the goal to improve in mind, Puso stated that the school will add arnis to the pool of sports events that will gear up for the annual athletic meet. He even said that they hired

“

A chain of small steps will soon take a mile.

Based on the previous school’s performance in SCUAA, it proved to garner more medals than team events. In fact, the school bagged a total of 10 gold, 12 silver, and 5 bronze medals, respectively in athletics only which was considered as the most productive sport of the institution.

If we look into our country, its primary focus is basketball, which is a team event with only one medal to bag. Thus, we are falling behind against our neighboring Southeast Asian countries in different international sports events.

Compared to us, they are more focused on individual events that are medal-rich like gymnastics and swimming. In this kind of situation, we must choose practicality over wants.

A chain of small steps will soon take a mile. As CSPC blooms as one of the premier SUCs in Bicol, the sports program must cope with it, too. And by time, we can take the big leap to the top.

”

Ely Banania, the Regional Director of Philippine Kali Arnis Federation of Bicol, to help the athletes with their training.

CSPC must focus on adding and nurturing individual sporting events.

Pahingi ng Isang Araw STRIKEZONE | ANTHONY JAY A. COMBATE

“ESports sa Intrams!”

Paulit-ulit na linyahan ng ilang makukulit na CSPCeans. Mapalalaki o babae, lahat nahuhumaling sa larong kung ituring ay larong millennial, ang eSports o electronic sports. Sa kabila nito, ilan sa atin ang tutol pa rin dito. Nagbubulag-bulagan at nagbibingi-bingihan—masasamang epekto lamang ang nakikita’t pinakikinggan. Hanggang kailan kaya nila tatanggalin ang kanilang mga piring sa mata at takip sa tenga?

Kailan kaya nila matatanggap na ang eSports ay hindi na isang simpleng laro lamang—sa araw na tayo ay napag-iwanan na naman?

“Ang eSports ay isang hamak na laro. Walang basehan para isali ito sa intrams.”

Talaga? Sa pagkakaalam ko, ang eSports ay hindi na lang basta isang laro. Ito’y itinuturing na rin bilang isang tunay na isport sa Pilipinas. Sa katunayan, taong 2017, ang mga manlalaro ng eSports ay kinilala na at pinahintulutan ng Gaming Amusement Board, isa sa mga opisina sa ilalim ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, na magkaroon din ng lisensya katulad ng ibang mga propesyunal na atleta.

Bukod pa rito, magiging isang ganap nang medal sports ang eSports sa susunod na edisyon ng Asian Games sa Tsina. Kabilang na rin ang eSports sa darating na Southeast Asian Games sa Nobyembre 30 hanggang Disyembre 11 na gaganapin sa Pilipinas, tampok ang anim na medalyang paglalabanan, bilang isang medal sports.

Sa ngayon ay mayroon nang dalawang asosasyon ng mga unibersidad at kolehiyo sa bansa ang nagpasimula ng kanilang liga at mga torneo sa eSports. Ito ay ang

Philippine Collegiate Champions League at ang Philippine InterSchools Colleges and Universities Athletic Association.

Kung hindi mo rin nababalitaan, maraming grupo at institusyon na sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa ang nagdaos ng mga torneo para suportahan at mas lalo pang palakasin ang eSports. Isa na rito ay ang Bicol University na sa ngayon ay mayroong organisadong mga polisiya patungkol sa pagpapatupad ng mga kompetisyon sa eSports katulad ng Mobile Legends (ML) at DOTA 2 sa kanilang institusyon.

Magpapahuli ba tayo?

Nagsagawa ang TheSPARK ng isang online survey sa mahigit 150 randomly selected na mga estudyante at ilang mga guro sa CSPC, mula Agosto 23 hanggang 24 sa kasalukuyang taon, sa tanong na kung payag ba sila na isali ang eSports sa Intrams. Lumabas na 129 o 86 porsiyento sa mga estudyante ang pabor na isali ito, habang nasa 21 o 14 porsiyento lamang ang nagsabing hindi sila sang-ayon dito.

Ngunit, hanggang pangarap na lang ba ang eSports sa CSPC? Unfair!

Gayunpaman, isang estudyante ang nagbahagi ng kaniyang pagtutol sa pagsali ng eSports sa intrams, dahil hindi raw ito tumutugon sa mga kailangan at kahalagahan ng nasabing palaro.

Ayon pa sa kanya, ang intrams ay isinasagawa para mahubog at maipakita ng mga estudyante ang kanilang mga abilidad at talento— physically at mentally. Binigyang diin din niya na ang layunin ng intrams ay upang maiwasan ng mga estudyante ang iba’t ibang uri ng bisyo gaya ng paggamit ng ilegal na droga at sobrang paggamit ng mga electronic devices.

Sa isang panayam naman kay Christian Puso, ang Sports coordinator ng CSPC, sinabi rin niya na, “As a PE instructor, we

promote physical fitness, so everyone should be indulged with physical activities. The only benefit that I can see in playing eSports is purely entertainment.”

Ang isports ay ginagamitan ng pisikal na katawan. Ganyan ang palaging sinasabi ng karamihan. Bakit kapag sinabing isports, kailangan talaga pisikalan? Nasa modernong panahon na tayo. Ang isports ay hindi na lamang para sa mga larong ginagamitan ng pisikal na lakas at katawan. Kung pagpapaunlad sa pisikal na katawan lamang din ang pag-uusapan, hindi ba’t malinaw na hindi rin karapat-dapat na ipasok ang chess sa intrams? Aminado ako na hindi lahat sa atin ay mayroong interes pagdating sa eSports, ngunit hindi rin ibig sabihin nito na lahat ay gusto at kayang maglaro ng mga pisikal na isports.

Salungat sa mga ipinahayag ng ilan, ang eSports ay ginagamitan din ng mentalidad. Kung pagbabasehan ang kanyang mga sinabi, malinaw na tumutugon ang esports sa mga layunin ng intrams.

Bukod pa rito, may mga estudyante talaga na may talento pagdating sa ganitong larangan.

Magandang entablado ang intrams para maipakita nila ang kanilang mga abilidad at galing sa paglalaro ng eSports.

Gusto ko ring linawin na ang eSports ay hindi isang bisyo, lalong hindi natin siya pwedeng ikonekta rito. Bagkus, batay sa aking obserbasyon, nakatutulong pa ito upang mas maiwasan at malayo tayo sa mga bisyong sinasabi at paggamit ng ilegal na droga.

Ang paggamit ng mga elektronikong kagamitan ay natural na sa atin. Wastong disiplina lang naman ang kailangan. Alam ng estudyanteng nasa kolehiyo na

“

nais matupad ang pangarap sa buhay kung ano ang dapat na mas iprayoridad niya. Base sa aking karanasan, ang paglalaro ng eSports ay isang uri din ng pampalipas-oras kagaya ng paglalaro ng volleyball, basketball, at iba pa.

Kung ako ang tatanungin, ang pagsali ng eSports sa intrams ay magsisilbing daan upang matanggal ang kaisipan ng ilan na nagdudulot lamang ito ng mga negatibong epekto sa pag-aaral ng mga estudyante.

Isang patunay rito ay si Engr. Teofilo Gregorio Ayo IV, pumangatlo sa ginanap na Mechanical Engineer Board Examination noong Setyembre 2017, na kilala rin sa kanyang hilig sa paglalaro ng DOTA 2 at iba pang mga eSports.

“The very reason kaya ako mahilig mag-DOTA noon pa is to improve

Hanggang pangarap na lang ba ang eSports sa CSPC? friendship among my classmates. […] It keeps me motivated in school.

Kasi nababawasan [ang] pressure and yeah it’s “fun” in a nutshell,” pagbabahagi ni Engr. Ayo. Para sa akin, sa pamamagitan ng pagsama ng eSports sa intrams, mas maiintindihan ng mga magulang at mga guro ang mga mabuting dulot ng eSports, na maaaring magresulta upang magtakda sila ng isang responsableng gaming habits para sa kanilang mga anak at mga estudyante. Sa ganitong paraan ay mas mararamdaman ng mga

estudyante ang suporta ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanila. Dahil kapag mas pinipigilan mo ang isang tao, mas lalo lamang sumisidhi ang kagustuhan niyang gawin ang isang bagay.

Paglilinaw naman ni G. Puso, “We can include eSports in intramurals, but as a demo sports. Meaning, the result of this event will not be included on the medal tally of each department. Para mapagbigyan lang iyong interest ng mga students.”

Ang pagsali ng eSports sa intrams bilang isang demo sports ay tunay na magsisilbing malaking hakbang.

Ang kailangan lang naman dito ay magkaroon ang kolehiyo ng sapat na mga alituntunin para sa mga manlalaro ng eSports. Isa sa mga suhestiyong nais kung imungkahi ay ang pagpapatupad ng No Failing Grades Policy o isang Maintaining Grades Policy.

Sa ganitong paraan, ang eSports ay magsisilbi na ring inspirasyon para mas mahikayat pang mag-aral ang mga manlalaro ng eSports. Kung maaari ay mayroon ding pahintulot ng magulang ang kanilang paglalaro at kung kinakailangan ay magsumite rin sila ng medical report.

Sa huli, nasa estudyante pa rin mismo nakasalalay ang lahat. Ang maipapayo ko lang ay kinakailangan talaga na magkaroon tayo ng higit na disiplina upang hindi maging sagabal ang eSports sa ating pag-aaral. Sabi nga sa isang kanta, “Ang DOTA [eSports] ay isang larong imbento. Ito ay libangan ng mga tao.

Ngunit mag-aral muna ng mabuti para sa kinabukasan mo, upang sa hinaharap maipagmalaki mo.”

Sa pamunuan ng kolehiyo, sana, kung mayroong sayawan, sana’y mayroon ding pa-eSports sa intrams—isang araw na kasiyahan na walang masyadong gagastusan.

”

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019| VOLUME XXXIX | NO. 1

SPORTS

TheSPARK

27

Arnis: Ang Pagpapayabong ng Pamana LATHALAIN NI EMMANUEL D. BRISENIO

Laro sa pagitan ng dalawang magkalaban, malakas na

depensa at malupitang opensa ang kailangan, upang manaig sa sagupaan. Patpat ma’y ‘wag ismolin, dahil payat may nakasasakit din. Maingat at mabilis ang galawan ang kailangan upang manaig sa umaatikabong hampasan. Sa duwelong ito’y isa lamang ang matitira, ang mandirigmang mabilis, malakas, at may mala-lawing mga mata.

Kung ang Japan ay may Kendo at Karate, sa China naman ay may Kung fu at Tai chi. Kung ang Kanluran ay may Jujitsu, Boxing at Wrestling, aba, hindi pahuhuli ang Pilipinas! Mayro’n din tayong sariling martial arts—ang arnis.

“Hindi lamang siya pandepensa sa sarili, ang arnis ay isport na hindi masyadong nakasasakit. Hindi tulad ng ibang isports, ang arnis ay mild lang ang tama,” paliwanag ni Coach Ely Banania tungkol sa kaibahan ng arnis sa iba pang mga martial arts.

Eskrima o Kali ang ibang tawag sa sining na ito na ngayon ay ang pambansang isports at sining pananandata ng Pilipinas. Nag-ugat ang larong ito mula sa mga sinaunang Pilipino bago pa man dumating ang mga Espanyol sa bansa. Yumabong ang arnis dahil sa mga alitan at digmaan sa pagitan ng mga tribu sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng iba’t ibang mga datu. Ito ang nagsilbing estilo ng pakikidigma ng mga katutubo, at minsa’y nagiging sayaw sa ritwal ng ibang mga tribu.

Ang pinakaunang ulat sa kasaysayan tungkol sa arnis ay noong Abril 27, 1521, na tinaguriang Battle of Mactan, kung saan nagsagupaan ang magigiting na puwersa ng mga Pilipino at hukbo ng mga mananakop na Kastila. Gamit lamang ang mga bolo, kawayang palasok at purong kaalaman sa arnis, nagapi ng mga katutubo, sa pamumuno ni Lapu-Lapu, ang malakas na grupo ni Ferdinand Magellan.

Nagkakaiba-iba ang mga sandatang ginagamit sa arnis depende sa estilo nito. Ang pinakatanyag na armas na ginagamit ng karamihan ay ang baston o yantok, na gawa sa rattan. Maaari ring gamitin ang balisong, bolo at iba pang matutulis na mga sandata.

Upang higit pang pagyamanin at pasikatin ang tradisyunal na sining ng pakikipaglaban sa Pilipinas, pinirmahan ni dating pangulong Gloria Arroyo noong 2009 ang Republic Act 9850 na nagdeklara sa arnis bilang pambansang isports at martial arts ng bansa.

“RA 9850 is expected to help propagate arnis as modern martial arts/sport that can compete with its popular foreign-originated brethren like taekwondo, karate, and judo,” ayon sa Malacañang (ABS-CBN News).

Sa batas na ito, magiging mandatory course o subject ang arnis sa mga eskwelahan at isasama na rin ito bilang

regular event sa Palarong Pambansa.

At upang mas lalong mapalakas at mapatibay ang pundasyon ng mga kabataan sa arnis, nagbukas ang pintuan ng Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges para sa isports na ito ngayong taon. Layunin ng programang ito na mas mapalaganap at mas mailapit sa mga kabataan ang sariling sining ng pakikipaglaban sa Pilipinas at upang makasabay ang akademya sa mga paaralang lumilikha ng ingay sa larangang ito.

Sa ilalim ng pagtuturo ng Regional Director ng Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) ng Bikol na si Ely Banania, masasanay at mahuhubog ng mga kabataang arnisador ang disiplina na itinuturo ng arnis. Layunin ni Coach Ely na mas lalo pang mapalakas ang Arnis sa Rehiyon V, upang makahabol ang rehiyon sa mas lumalakas pang hukbo ng mga arnisador mula sa NCR, Mindanao, at Visayas kung saan matatagpuan ang Arnis Capital ng mundo, ang Cebu City.

“Dito sa Bicol Region, naiiwanan na tayo, kasi sa Visayas, Mindanao, at NCR, malakas talaga ang arnis du’n. Nandu’n kasi ‘yung mga grandmaster sa arnis, wala rito sa Bikol,” ayon kay Banania.

“Kaya pinipilit ko na palakasin ang Bikol. Para sa susunod na event sa national, makasama naman ang Bikol,” dagdag pa niya.

Gaano nga ba kahalagang aralin at ilapit sa mga puso ng kabataan ang larong ito? Ayon kay Coach Ely, “Mahalaga kasi naiwanan na tayo ng ibang martial arts. ‘Yung arnis, nasa ibaba na, hindi na sa itaas.” Ani pa niya, “Hindi na kilala ng ibang kabataang Pilipino ang arnis, kaya ngayon, sinisikap namin ni Senator Zubiri, presidente ng PEKAF at isa ring arnisador, na lahat ng […] eskwelahan pinapasok ko para mas makilala ng mga kabataan ang arnis.”

Isa pang nakikitang kahalagahan ni Coach Ely ay ang pagkahubog ng disiplina ng mga kabataan. Ayon sa kanya, “Maraming disiplina. Unang-una ay ang paggalang sa kapwa arnisador at sa ibang tao. Pangalawa, hindi masyadong mainitin ang ulo, dahil alam nila na delikado kapag nagamit nila ang kaalaman nila sa arnis sa mga masamang bagay.”

Ayon kay Grandmaster Remy A. Presas Sr. ng Modern Arnis Remy Presas International Association o MARPIO,

mas napayayabong ng eskrima ang pagkatao, kagandahang asal at katapatan ng isang tao. Tinuturo ng arnis na higit sa anumang karangalan, ang dangal at dignidad ng isang tao ang mahalaga kung kaya’t sa panahong marami ng kabataan ang naliligaw ng landas, magandang daan ang isports na ito upang maitayong muli ang dangal, na unti-unti nang bumabagsak, ng mga sumisibol na punla ng bansang Pilipinas.

Bilang pambansang laro ng Pilipinas, nahuhubog din ng arnis ang kamalayan ng mga kabataang Pilipino tungkol sa masidhing pag-ibig sa sariling bayan. Pinupukaw ng larong ito ang mga mata ng mga manlalaro na kahit maliit man ang ating lahi, mayroon pa ring maipagmamalaki ang mga Pinoy—ang pagakaroon ng isang combat sport na sikat hindi lamang sa mga Pilipino, kundi pati na rin sa mga dayuhan.

Sa darating na 2019 Southeast Asian Games, mula sa anim na medalya lamang sa patimpalak noong 2005 ay magiging 20 medalya na ang pagaagawan ng mga arnisador mula sa mga bansang nasa Timog Silangang Asya. Ang nasabing edisyon ng palaro ay gaganapin ngayon dito sa Pilipinas mula Nobyembre 30 hanggang Disyembre 11 ngayon taon.

Hindi lamang kapulisan at militar sa Pilipinas ang nagsasanay sa arnis bilang pandepensa sa sarili. Ngayon, sa pamamagitan ng Senior Kombatan Master na si Randy Remolin, maging ang mga banyaga ay nakapag-aaral na rin ng isports na ito. Nadala na ni Remolin ang isang estilo ng arnis na Kombatan sa iba’t ibang panig ng Europa gaya ng Italy, Norway, Spain, Finland, Czech Republic, Australia, at Denmark.

Ang Kombatan ay isa sa mga estilo ng arnis na gumagamit ng pares ng baston bilang pangunahing sandata, maaari ring gumamit ng kutsilyo, o kaya nama’y mano-manong labanan lamang bilang self-defense.

Hindi lamang sa pulisya at military namamayagpag ang arnis, pati sa mga pelikula at komiks ay naitampok na rin ang larong ito na kung ituring ay Filipino martial arts. Bukod pa rito ay bumandera na rin ang arnis sa maraming mga Hollywood action movies tulad ng Spy noong 2015, kung saan ang bidang si Melissa McCarthy ay nagsanay sa ilalim ni Diana Lee Inosanto na anak ng training partner ni Bruce Lee at master sa aris na si Daniel “Dan” Inosanto. Maging sa Fast and Furious 7, sa huling fight scene ng mga bidang sina Vin Diesel at Jason Statham, ay binida rin ang Eskrima na gumamit ng mga tubo sa halip na baston. Dagdag pa rito ay ang The Equalizer, kung saan tampok sa pelikulang ito ang paggamit ni Denzel Washington ng mga shot glass at corkscrew bilang punyal. Si Washington ay kilala ring estudyante ni Dan Inosanto.

Ang arnis ay may napakalaking simbolismo sa Pilipinas. Payak ngunit malupit ang katangian ng arnis. Tulad ng mga Pilipino, kahit kayumanggi, maliit at pango man, ay may maipagmamalaki pa rin at handang makipagsabayan sa ibang lahi ng mundo. Simple man ang baston na pangunahing sandata sa arnis, malaki ang epekto nito sa mga Pinoy. Para sa mga arnisador, ang baston ay isang mahalagang bagay na kailangang ingatan, na tulad ng dangal at integridad na labis ding pinahahalagahan ng mga Pilipino.

Sa unang taon ng pagbubukas ng arnis sa CSPC, aminado si Coach Ely na pawang mga baguhan sa arnis ang sumama sa grupo. Ngunit umaasa siya na sa susunod na mga taon, sa suporta ng pamahalaan ng CSPC ay mas mapalalakas, mailalapit, at mapayayaman pa ang arnis. Higit sa lahat, sa pamamagitan ng kaalaman ni Coach Ely, ay inaasam na makabubuo ang CSPC ng magagaling na arnisador na handang makipagsagupaan sa iba pang arnisador hindi lang sa Bikol, kundi pati na rin sa buong bansa.

Delgaco continues to shine, bags 2 medals for PH STORY BY FELIMON L. GOZUN JR.

Photo Credit: Joanie Delgaco

ROWING FAIRY. Joanie Delgaco represents the Philippines during the Junior and Senior Rowing Championship last June 23, 2019 held at Pattaya, Thailand and finishes with one gold and one silver medal. -JUDE ZYMON CASYAO

Bringing honor for the Philippines is now just becoming a habit for Joanie Delgaco—a Philippine Rowing Team member.

J

oanie Delgaco and Melcah Caballero of Philippine Rowing Team delivered a lone gold medal for the country in the Women’s Double Sculls of the 2019 Asian Rowing Coastal Championships at Pattaya, Thailand last September 20 to 22.

The Delgaco-Caballero tandem carved out a 19:56.7 minutes time in the 4000-meter coastal course to clinch the top spot.

The last time that the 21-year old Delgaco of Iriga City competed in Thailand in June, she contributed a solo gold medal for the country in the Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls and added a silver medal in the Lightweight

Women’s Double Sculls with Caballero.

Meanwhile, Roque Abala in Men’s Solo and Nestor Cordova and Zuriel Sumintac in Men’s Double Sculls finished with silver medals.

Dennis Almerio, Ma. Concepcion Fornea, Edgar Ilas, Cris Niervaez, and John Oliver Patanao settled for bronze medal in the Men’s Coxed Quadruple Sculls.

The team will have another international exposure in Korea and Hongkong in preparation for the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games on November 30 to December 11 in Subic and Olongapo City.

EDITORIAL TheSPARK

ISSUE NO. 1 | VOLUME XXXIX | JUNE-SEPTEMBER 2019

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT-COMMUNITY PUBLICATION OF CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES

On February 14, 2019, our rice farmers’ hearts were shredded into pieces after the passage of the Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law. This law has lifted the quantitative restrictions in importation, exportation, and trading of rice in the country. In a nutshell, this is a massive import liberalization— no import quotas, just an unlimited quantity of imported rice flooding the Philippine market.

In lieu of the non-tariff restrictions, the aforesaid tariffication will be charging a levied tax of 30% from the ASEAN members; 40% from the non-ASEAN members, but within the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) or the allowed volume of imported rice; and 180% from the non-ASEAN members, with rice imports higher than the MAV. Fundamentally, the principal aim of this act is “to make the agricultural sector viable, efficient, and globally competitive,” and “to protect the local producers of agricultural products.”

Ironically, what it has brought is a chaos in the already chaotic world of agriculture. It has rung a thousand of golden bells and its resonating sound is unequivocally destructive and fathomably uninviting.

Based on the records of the Philippine Statistics Authority, the inflation rate of the country has skyrocketed to a nine-year high of 6.7% on September 2018, which was triggered by the rice shortage during that year. As a counterattack to the crisis, RA 11203 targets to lower the price of rice in the market, alongside its mission to subside the inflation rate of the nation.

Blatantly, this law is pro-consumers, yet paradoxically, anti-farmers. As of present, the price of rice and the inflation rate are continuously falling and so are our farmers. With the open competition in the market, it is evident that our locally produced grains are of no competition with the imported rice,

FEATURES 19 FEATURES | 23

Ang pagtanggal Battling the Odds ng busal

Personified Pests for imported rice are cheaper than the wholesale local grains. In this case, consumers will be able to save a penny in their purses, while our local farmers will barely have a coin in their pockets.

This law has sacrificed the welfare of our almost three million rice farmers by saving the majority and it isn’t heroic at all. Rice farmers are found in one of the most marginalized sectors of our society and RA 11203 further accentuated that.

Furthermore, as of the third week of September, the farmgate price of palay or the net value of grains when it leave the farm, has continued to decline to P15.96 per kilogram, 1.4% lower than its last week’s P16.18/kg. More so, it has diminished 30.1%, in the same week, from its last year’s price of P22.84/kg. This farmgate price of palay is at its lowest level in nearly eight years.

With this fact, what’s the goal of this law again?

The cost of palay production in the Philippines is approximately P12/kg.

With the recent farmgate price of palay, our rice farmers will only acquire a profit of P3.96/kg. Imagine, in some agricultural provinces, their farmgate price of palay is at P12/kg or even much lower; how much do you think they would gain at the break-even point and worse, at a clear loss?

With this statistics, vividly, our rice farmers are at the brink of the cliff, continuously collapsing into the lowest point of their own muddy farmlands. As their feet thrust deeper into their muddy grounds, the deeper the uncertainty of their profit would be

“

in the following weeks.

According to the principal author of this not-so-brilliant act, Cynthia Villar, “It’s too much to ask na maging P21 [per kilogram ang presyo ng palay], because it’s not normal.” What is normal these days, anyway? How can it be too much when our rice farmers are barely surviving with the nearly non-existent profit they are currently earning? Moreover, during the rice shortage crisis last year, the farmgate price of palay surged up to P21/kg and

Rice farmers are found in one of the most marginalized sectors of our society and RA 11203 further accentuated that.

”

even higher. Do we really need to wait for another crisis like such to arise, before we execute a gargantuan change for our rice farmers; or even as little as increasing the farmgate price of palay to a reasonable price?

To expound further, the law has also tamed the regulatory roles of the National Food Authority in the agricultural market. It has been limited into securing sufficient buffer stock only, to be solely released for the purpose of responding to catastrophes and emergencies. As a result, the volume of palay they’ll be sourcing out from our farmers are at limitation as well.

On the flipside, as stated in the aforementioned law, the accumulated

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Arnis: Ang Pagpapayabong ng Pamana

tariffs will be secured in a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund or the Rice Fund, which has an annual appropriation of P10 billion for our rice farmers within the span of six years. The budget will be dispersed for various projects, viz.: rice farm machineries and equipment (50%), rice seed development and propagation (30%), expanded rice credit assistance (10%), and rice extension services (10%).

First, how can this budget allocation be impossible to be non-synchronous with the unlimited importation of rice?

Second, these projects can be executed without this kind of liberalization and without inflicting further damage to the agricultural sector. Lastly, this allocated P10 billion budget for our rice farmers is nowhere near reasonable even without comparing it with other countries’ government subsidy for their rice farmers. In this era of globalization, what our rice farmers really need is a proper assistance, from their pre-planting down to their postproduction, including a gigantic amount of support from its supposed fertilizers of hope. Appalingly, Philippines is an agricultural country, yet agriculture is one of the government’s least priorities.

Evidently, the purpose of this law is at the other side of the shore. It is creating turmoil in our rice farmers’ already crumbling status—waves after waves and tsunami after tsunami of destruction. When this continues, the rice self-sufficiency of our country will not only be viable, but totally

LITERARY | 14

be impossible. And the worst thing scenario, our farmland tillers will have no option, but to give up their source of living and sell their lands, due to lack of sufficient budget to buy seeds, pesticides, fertilizers and such, in order to plant further. Their lands will be agricultural lands no more and might even be transformed into subdivisions and villages in no time, after it were acquired by greedy real estate agents lurking just around the corner.

Without beating around the bush, why shouldn’t the government just focus on destroying the rice cartels monopolizing the flow of product distribution in the market, instead of concocting an aesthetically alluring trance which is rotten to the core? Why would they entrap our innocent rice farmers into a dilemma, where they will not benefit in the long run and will just be stuck at a clear disadvantage?

Why can’t they do their research and discover the root cause of the problem of our agricultural sector? Research is necessary before catapulting a massive strike. It is essential for the betterment of the community and those who can’t see that is clearly absurd.

In addition, as for us, consumers, we should start to buy and to patronize our locally produced rice products, in support to our rice farmers, who provide our staple food in the table.

Yes, the price of imported rice is lower, but supporting our own blood should be deeper than this rice liberalization law. Let’s lift those who are carrying the load of a mistake. A consolidated effort will create maybe not waves, but ripples of change at least, and that counts. We should inculcate this Polish Proverb in our minds and reflect through it—“If the farmer is poor, then so is the whole country.” When they lose, we lose.

And as for those who are behind the realization of this law, what you’ve created is a pest, and it takes one to create one.

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