TOLENTINESTAR TOLENTINE
first semester AY 2015-2016 LXX No.2
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL - RECOLETOS MEMBER, COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES
TrUTh As iT hAppeNs
STILL THE SAME
UNO-R retains place in NOPSSCEA LITMUS by TishA CeliNe erikA OCAmpO AND mAegAN FrUTO
photo by JOSEPH EMMANUEL SARABIA
Proving its versatility in both literary and musical fields, the University finished as 2nd runner-up during the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural and Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) 2015.
Caritas et sCieNtia. parol entry #3 of the class of Joel Tambuson highlighting the uno-Rian spirit won third place.
Christmas village lights up Rekoleto spirit by TishA CeliNe erikA OCAmpO
With the theme Christmas around the world, the Rekoleto way, the grounds of the University were illuminated with the different belens at the Paseo Rekoleto and the Founders’ Park, Dec. 3. The “switch-on” ceremony of the Christmas village was led by the University President, Rev. Fr. Eduardo Celiz Jr.; UNORSSGO President, Mark Edwin Jereza;
and UNOFELA President, Engr. Noli Ortiz In his speech, Rev. Fr. Eduardo Celiz Jr., OAR, highlighted the coming of Jesus Christ as the center of the celebration. “We prepare for His birthday. We prepare for the coming of Christ in our lives, to His grace and to the sacrament of gift-giving,” Celiz emphasized. Initially proposed by Property Administrator Rev. Fr. Loreto Dacanay, OAR,
Benedicto ranks 7th, UNO-R places 3rd
by TishA CeliNe erikA OCAmpO
the Christmas Village exhibited different nativity scenes while showcasing the various Recollect Apostolate countries. “[The objective of the program is] to create awareness of the different Christmas celebrations around the world, especially countries with the presence of Recollect schools,” Carlos Eduardo Legaspi Jr., Director of the External Affairs Office stated. “It presents the ten countries where Recollect education is present as we are celebrating the International Year of Recollect Education,” said Legaspi, adding that during the Year of the Poor and the Jubilee of Mercy, prayers for peace, for the poor, and for mercy were the main objectives of the celebration. On the other hand, Joselina Basa, head ChrisTmAs VillAge lighTs/10
After garnering 98.61 percent passing rate, producing a seventh placer in the September 2015 Medical Technologist Licensure Examination and ranking third place in the Top 10 Performing Schools, the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos welcomed the newly registered Medical Technologists, Sept. 30. Heading the 76 RMTs, 7th placer Maria Inez Benedicto took the podium and spoke on her experiences and her sentiments, stressing on preparation and faith in God, as well as expressing her gratitude to those who had given their support. “Until now, [I feel] very overwhelmed and very happy at the same time, because this is not only my success, but success of the parents and the entire school,” Benedicto said. Benedicto shared that studying and preparing for the examinations was not hard because she managed her time well and went on to encourage other students to strive hard and pray so that another placer and top-notcher can be produced. The welcoming program featured the speeches from the University President, Rev. Fr. Eduardo Celiz Jr., OAR,
uno-R ReTainS place/10
UNO-Rians celebrate Augustinian Recollect Days by ANgelikA kiNg
To foster and imbibe the significance of being a Recoleto, the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos held its very first Augustinian Recollect Days, Dec 1 – 5. The event was bannered with St. Augustine’s motto, “Caritas et Scientia”. Dr. Dennis Madrigal highlighted the importance of the celebration which aims to provide a venue for deeper understanding and practice of the Tatak Recoletos core values, and to foster the spirit of Advent and Christmas seasons in the academic community. Various activities were prepared for the five-day celebration which includes the University-wide Belen Making Contest on Dec 1; On-the-Spot Parol Making Contest on Dec 2; and the University-wide Daigon Competition on Dec 4. The High School Department bested all uno-RianS celebRaTe auGuSTinian/10
OAR admin awards teaching, non-Teaching Personnel by DANielle FrANCis OlseN
the Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences Sheila Arnibal, the Department Head of the Medical Technology Department Fatima Medel, and Richard Benedicto. Medel expressed her gladness at the outcome of the result as she recounted how this year has been a great improvement from last year, and hopes that next year’s batch would produce a 100 percent passing rate. “We are happy with the achievement and we give that to the faculty, the staff, the Medical Technology Department and to the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences,” Fr. Celiz concluded.
Changes in three years page 6
UNO-R’s Hiphop group bested the other colleges and universities through their intricate choreography and synchronized movements. “The boys did very well in executing their performance though they had conflicting schedules because of their studies,” said Barbara Cordova, LITMUS committee head. Innah Marie Brodit and Kervin Villarias dominated the dance floor and championed the Dance SportModern Standard Category. “I feel happy and proud to have represented the school. Our hard work really paid off and I’m so thankful for the support of the school,” said Brodit, adding that they started practicing during the semester break. Medical Technology freshman Floyd Ryan Perez paved his way to the first slot through his wit and confidence in Impromptu Speaking-English. “Perez is smart. He knows what he says and he really can convince the judges and audience with his ideas,” Cordova said. “It’s the first time that the University has a representative in Impromptu for WVPRISAA, and I’m confident that Perez would win,” she added. Perez said that he is excited to experience another fun competition and adds that he is “thankful to God for this opportunity and I feel motivated to be the best that I can be and hopefully bring [honor] to our University.” The University also landed second runner-up during the NOPSSCEA 2014 LITMUS contest. When asked about why there was no change, the Physical
Education instructor said that although that they had ample time to prepare, the students encountered problems like hectic schedules and academic pressures. “There is no problem for the financial support. But, we could not pull them out because the students themselves did not want to miss their classes,” Cordova explained. Meanwhile, Yasmine Cabalfin bagged the Ms. NOPSSCEA Sports title in the search for Mutya ng NOPSSCEA. Cabalfin said that she was very thankful that she had the chance to represent the University. When asked about her newly
To give recognition to UNO-R teaching and non-teaching employees for their years of service, and to provide incentive for the personnel to remain loyal to the institution, the University held the Service Awards 2015, last Sept. 10 at the main lobby. The said activity also served as the OAR administration’s annual tradition of expressing gratitude to the University’s workforce for being dedicated and loyal in giving service in the field of education. “Tonight’s recognition [to employees] is also very meaningful for it coincides with the recognition of the Augustinian Recollect as an order, 103 years ago, on September 1912,” Rev. Fr. Enrico Peter Silab, VP for Administration said during his welcome address. Three distinct awards were given
Guarded by a dream page 4
based on the employees’ tenure, namely The Diwa Rekoleto, St. Ezekiel Moreno, and Star of Tolentine Service Awards. Awardees were categorized into teaching and non-teaching staff and were grouped into sets based on their number of years of service. Diwa Rekoleto 10th year awardees for the teaching staff included Maria Luz Cabarles (Gradeschool Department), Ma. Olive Jamandre (CAS), Roseminda Lamig (CNAHS), Ana Maria Melocoton (CNAHS), Liezl Uy (CNAHS) and Fanelia Villanueva (CNAHS). The non-teaching staff awardees included Avelino Kalalang, III (MIS) and Ma. Cristina Tamayao (School of Law). Fifteenth year awards were received by Pamela Delgado (Graduate School) and Jerry Vallejo (Maintenance Department), both from the non-teaching staff. The last batch for the Diwa Rekoleto
Alamat sa Makabagong Panahon page 12
TOLENTINE STAR IS THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL - RECOLETOS
awards for 20 years of service included Ma. Elena Doruelo (CoEd), Anacita Egana (ReEd Department) and Genie Pedrosa (ReEd Department) for the teaching staff and Nathaniel Balbasin (Maintenance Department), Sarah Jane Gayat (Scholarships Office), Riza Deocadez (SDPC Gradeschool Department), Gil Relatos (Maintenance Department) and Sandy Serato (Maintenance Department) for the non-teaching staff. The St. Ezekiel Moreno Service Award was given to full time teaching and non-teaching personnel for their 35th, 30th and 25th year of service. Recipients of the award include Ma. Joselina Basa (CoEd), Elmer Haro (CIT), Dr. Ma. Riza Manalo (CAS), Nilda Palma (Gradeschool Department) and Nena Samillano (CoEd) for the OAr ADmiN AWArDs/15
Huling Hatid sa Daang Matuwid page 11