2 twsopinion
the weekly sillimanian 16 august 2013
Haywire Drastic changes in the university like the “Five-Day Week Scheme” and the enrollment undertaking have been misunderstood since the beginning of this semester. Many students see both as hindrances to the excellent quality Christian education they wish to attain in Silliman; some, because of the shock delivered by their implementation, still cannot fully grasp their individual objectives while others simply remain doubtful of the purposes of the abrupt changes. The Weekly Sillimanian commends the Silliman University Administration for acting nobly in conducting a general assembly with university student leaders in order to address questions regarding the changes within the university and issues concerning students’ welfare. Various concerns ranging from the proper budgeting of expenses for the upcoming Founders Day, elaboration of student rights with regards to teachers’ performance and the clarification of the university’s policies were just some of the topics discussed during the meeting. In addition, student representatives were also tasked to listen to the administration’s aspirations for this school year. Discussions like this enable different university sectors to express their concerns regarding matters that directly affect them. However, the Weekly Sillimanian believes that the administration has committed a procedural lapse in implementing the changes within the university. Although it is true that the SU Administration is not obliged to ask a consensus from parents and students about the implementation of the new school day system and of the undertaking, the university’s constituents deserve to receive prior information about the changes for them to sufficiently prepare for it. This is crucial especially when changes involve important documents for enrolment and those that would affect the academic performance of students. Consultations are also important as they aid in formulating policies that would not leave any party shortchanged. For future projects and major overhauls in the university, the Weekly Sillimanian sees it fitting for the SU Administration to have a dialogue with parents, students and faculty and staff before any move for implementation. Though not written under law, this should be done in the spirit of democracy and in accordance to Christian values that this university upholds. Moreover, open communication dispels confusion and anxiety on the part of parents and students and relieves the administration of the burden of having to answer every complaint and inquiry thrown by people who were not properly informed in the first place. The SU Administration can exhaust different methods such as online polls or meet with representatives and experts to scrutinize the feasibility of policies. This way, gauging the reaction of the affected population is more convenient and more efficient. The need for open dialogues between the administration and the university’s constituents can never be stressed enough. We must first resolve the haywire communication system that we’ve been having for us to truly find effective solutions to the problems we currently have.~
editorial
sillimaniansspeak Compiled by Nectarina Catada
“What can you say about organizations having to spend less money on booth-building this coming founders week?” “It’s great. The money can go to other activities that could help the community. You can have a great Founders without an expensive booth.” Steven Credo, AB Pol Sci III “It’s better as long as the quality is good. More cash spent doesn’t entirely mean good output. Cutting cost on booth budget can mean more budget for org activities on Founders Week.” Deniel Magaso, BMC III “If they will spend less, it would be okay as long as they get resourceful and creative so their booths will get noticed. It’s not about making the most expensive booth.It’s all about having the best strategy in managing the booth.” Renerio Yuan Jr., BsCE III “There is no need for a budget limit because if we want to spend more money for our booth, we will. As for our org, we want to spend more money for it because we want to showcase our organization at is best by putting our pride in our booth because it is representing us.” Raina Inez Baldado, Architecture II ** Next issue's question:
“What can you say about this year’s Founders Week Celebration?” For your answers, just text the Circulation Manager (09279878522). Indicate your full name (with middle initial), course and year.
Editor-in-chief Michiko Je M. Bito-on Associate Editor Royanni Miel M. Hontucan News Editor Keren Ann V. Bernadas Features Editor Danica Grace B. Gumahad Business Manager Justin Val R. Virtudazo Senior Writer Samantha L. Colinco News Writers Katrin Anne A. Arcala, Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia, Kristine Ann M. Fernandez, Kristine Felva P. Licup, Princess T. Abellon, Nova Veraley V. Grafe Feature Writers Roberto Klemente R. Timonera, Maya Angelique B. Jajalla, Michael Aaron C. Gomez Photojournalists Dylzaree D. Recentes, Nelly May S. Dableo, Yuys Fatima L. Escoreal Cartoonist Nicky F. Maypa Circulation Manager Nectarina M. Catada Office Manager Honey Grace A. Suello, John Lee D. Limbaga Web Manager David Mupe Layout Artist Jae Jireh P. Nejudne Adviser Warlito Caturay Jr.
The Weekly Sillimanian is published every week by the students of Silliman University, with editorial and business addresses at 1/F Oriental Hall, Silliman University, Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City 6200, Philippines. SU PO Box 24. Telephone number (35) 422-6002 local 243. www.facebook.com/ towardsaprogressivecampuspress theweeklysillimanian1314@gmail.com Opinions expressed in the columns are those of the columnists and not of tWS or of Silliman University. Comments, questions, and suggestions are highly appreciated. All submitted manuscripts become the property of tWS. Manuscripts will be edited for brevity and clarity. Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Test of time
“Remember there’s a reason God limits a man’s days.” Somewhere in my past, I used to ask the One above why my memories are made in grief. For two long years, I’ve been asking that question. And for the same length of time, I’ve been trying to consider all these as a challenge to become a better person after losing two very important people in my life. I have a brother but I still long for another man’s existence in my life. When I was three years old, I lost my father to a disease. When I started uttering “I love you” to everyone, I could no longer say it to him. The first time I celebrated Father’s Day, I could no longer have one. When I was eight, I wished that my dad could have had a few more moments on earth with us so I can experience how it feels to be hugged, loved, cared, supported and kissed by a father. I wish I had more time with him also so I can express how thankful I am for being his daughter. Mitch Albom, in his book Time Keeper didn’t fail to capture my being as he wrote about the importance of time. It tells about the convergence of three different people with three stories, each having a request all in the name of time. One who wished to stop it, one who spoke to it, “Go slower” and the other one, “Go faster.” Dor was a child who did nothing but pile sticks, stones and sand for one reasonto measure time. Living in exile, he and his wife, Alli, stayed in the high plains. On the
fifth notch of the third stone, as the sun prepared to set, Alli was sick to death. Dor spoke to her, “I will stop your suffering. I will stop everything.” Sarah was the smart, insecure girl who asked for more time. After being rejected by her first love, she almost killed herself as she let poison suffocate her. She wanted more time to be with the guy she first fell in love with. Victor, the last character, was an eightyyear-old businessman who suffered from kidney disease. He knew that there was
“What do I wear today” can be any Sillimanian’s dilemma before going to school. We subconsciously ask ourselves this question because we want to pose an image of a well-dressed college student in front of our peers, teachers, school administrators, and of course, those who “inspire” us to go to Religion class. Unless your closet is a never ending spiral of Forever 21’s, Folded and Hung’s, Penshoppe’s, Artwork’s, and ukay-ukay’s, you will most definitely need some tips to make it through the school year with just a definite set of clothes while still maintaining the façade that was mentioned earlier. Here’s a few cheats to make it out of the school year alive: MIX AND MATCH. Let’s say you have outfit Set A, Set B, and Set C to for the next two weeks. You can go ahead and pair Shirt A with Pants B and Shoes C. You can also play with Shirt B, Shorts C, and Shoes A. It looks complex, but it’s really simple. Just go ahead and mix it up! No one will notice you wore Shirt A last week because you paired it up with a whole new look. The point of Mix-andmatch is to never wear the same set, from head to toe, twice. GET ORG SHIRTS. This is where your membership in organizations will do you good. If it seems that you have exhausted the skill of mixing and matching, grab your regional org’s shirt and pair it with some pants or a skirt or anything under the sun! Plus, you can wear it over and over again simply because it’s an org shirt – no rules broken.
POP SOME TAGS. If you only have a limited set of clothes and a limited budget to get new ones, thrift shops (or the localized term ukay-ukay; also coined as UK) are your best friend. The price of one shirt in a branded clothing store in Lee Plaza is worth 3 equally branded shirts in UK. And I give emphasis to “equally branded” because what you get in UK are the well-kept Abercrombie & Fitch tops. You just have to know how to dig deep. WHAT ARE FRIENDS FOR? Arbor clothes from them. ‘Nuff said. FOLLOW THE TTH-
She’s the Dreamer Keren Ann Bernadas
little time for him to live. Cryonics is a technology only rich men can afford and since was wealthy, he wanted be frozen for centuries, leaving Grace, his wife, his only family. I feel very sad of God’s will for me. Having no father takes away my happiness in life. But at least, I am with my brother and my mother—a family that picked up broken times and did everything to keep ourselves whole. However, my mother, after fighting cancer for two years, died. I felt no reason to be happy. Perhaps, there is no time for me to experience something good on earth. Sometimes, I think heaven never
granted enough time for me to be with my parents. Why wasn’t I blessed with enough time with them? Dor, for trying to measure time, was punished by God. He was banished to a cave for centuries. To be able to save himself, he has to save Sarah and Victor. So in between lives, Dor turned the only hourglass in hand. Time stopped. Ashamed and guilty, Sarah learned that love fits perfectly under heaven’s time while Victor in spite of his riches, admitted that it was not his choice to delay his death. In real life, there is no stopping time; every bit of sand in the hourglass never stops falling. There is no turning back. As much as I want to sacrifice anything just to have my parents back, I would rather continue life. Yes, everything that happened wasn’t easy. It is painful to know that before I reach all my dreams in life, I wouldn’t see two proud parents alive. Dor said, “There is still time for you. There are more things for you to do in life….” And as the hands of the clock point at 0:00, I am ready to accept my fate; not to start all over again but to continue this journey. I got one answer: To make life precious, God, the Father Time, limited my parents’ days for me to appreciate mine. They died so that I can use my life better- take care of it, live it, explore and then enjoy as long as the ticking never stops, as long as there is time for me.~
HOW TO SURVIVE 365 DAYS WITHOUT A SCHOOL UNIFORM
Wanderlust Val Amiel Vestil
PRINCIPLE. Never heard of it? Good, because this was never meant to be put into writing. The TTH-Principle is actually an unspoken law among fellow fashionistas (and fashionistos). It simply goes: Kung unsa imong nasuot sa TTH, ayaw na i-suot sa TTH usob, sa WF nalang. Now you know the deepest secrets of the everyday Sillimanian. *wink-wink* NEVER WEAR SOMETHING FLASHY TWICE. And to add to that, never waste money on flashy clothes unless it’s for a debut or a themed party. The first time you wear your leopardprinted leotards, people will stare at you
and compliment you. But when they notice you wear the same loud leotards again, it’s game over. Point is, when you wear something that turns heads, never wear it again. DOUBLE-CHECK. Check out your wardrobe again. You might miss out a few nice garbs that you haven’t worn before that have made it back to the fashion charts. Somewhere in there, a forgotten plaid, long-sleeved polo is screaming, “Please, wear me.” TELL YOUR MOM. If all else fails confess to your mom that you have nothing to wear anymore. And this works 91.99% of the time. It wouldn’t hurt to inform the woman who raised you that you’re out of stuff. Chances are, she’ll even bring you to Robinson’s and let you choose at least a new shirt or two new shorts or even new shoes! However, you have to take note that it’s all about perfect timing. (You don’t ask your mom for something new when the electricity bill just arrived. ) PEOPLE DON’T CARE. And in the irony of it all, at the end of the day, is that people won’t really care. You always have to remember that you’re in Silliman University, and here, no one really cares what you wear. Ever since its inception in 1901, it has always been about wearing what you feel comfortable in and loving the way you look. Sure, people will notice you’ve worn that shirt thrice in one week, but it will be the least of their problems to even give a hoot. ~