may-june 2013
New ‘pirate ant’ species found in Laguna
Balitang Unyon ◄
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by Jojo Malig, ABS-CBNNews.com
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malapit na trabaho o pagkakakitaan. Kahit ang mga mismong empleyado ng UP ay walang sariling bahay at pag minsan ay kasama rin sa mga binabansagang informal settlers. Tinitignan natin na ang demolisyon at pagdemonize sa mga maralitang tagalungsod ay isang duwag na sagot ng gobyerno sa pagharap sa usapin ng kahirapan. Sa halip na gawin ng gobyerno ang pangako na ating naririnig tuwing eleksyon, na iaangat nila ang kalagayan ng mga maralita, walang habas ngayon na ginigiba at pinagtatabuyan sila sa malalayong lugar. Hindi solusyon sa kahirapan ang simple pagtaboy ng mga maralita sa lugar kung saan hindi sila makikita. Internasyunal na Kumperensya tungo sa Internasyunalisasyon sa mga Institusyon ng Mataas na Edukasyon binatikos ng mga progresibong guro
Naganap nitong nakaraang Hulyo 3-4, 2013 ang isang International Conference on Strengthening the Internationalization Strategies of Philippine Higher Education Institutions. Ang mga co-sponsor ay ang Comission on Higher Education
(CHED), Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) at Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Nagsalita sa kumperensya ang ilang tinaguriang “internationalization experts” na nagbahagi ng kanilang kaalaman para diumano makatulong sa pagprodyus ng UP ng mga gradweyt na maibebenta sa pandaigdigang pamilihan at upang gumanda raw ang internasyunal na reputasyon ng UP. Naglabas ng pahayag ang mga gurong progresibo (Congress of Teachers and Educators for Nationalism and Democracy-University of the Philippines) na kumondena sa aktibidad na ito. Ayon sa kanila, “We should never be seduced by the false promises of such marketization that simply aims further commodifying education further. As educators, we should never allow the conglomerates and conduits of imperialist pedagogical machine define our national agenda according to their profit-driven whims. Education is a weapon for social transformation, not a tool in the hands of neoliberal corporate managers to advance the interests of their imperialist masters and their local supporters.”
‘Adarna’ jumpstarts Dulaang UP’s 38th season
Bernal medallion turnover. The Ledesma family turned over to the university the National Artist (for Film) medallion of their brother, UP English alumnus Ishmael Bernal, which was secured for safe-keeping by the late film director Marilou DiazAbaya, a close friend of Bernal. The turnover rite was held at the Ishmael Bernal Gallery, UP Film Institute, College of Mass Communication (CMC), UP Diliman, Quezon City. In photo are (front left) Tino Gregorio, Carmen Ledesma Gregorio, Prof. Joni Gutierrez, UPD CMC Dean Rolando Tolentino, Lily Ledesma, Prof. Sari Lluch Dalena, Dr. Arminda Santiago, filmmaker Keith Sicat, Ging Luciano Ledesma, and Linda Alcantara Ledesma.
Filipinos. The tale is re-imagined through a multimedia theatrical presentation. Adarna is adapted for the stage by Vlad Gonzales. Set and lights design is by Lex Marcos; puppetry by Don Salubayba; costume design by Brenda Fajardo; music and musical direction by Jeff Hernandez; and direction by José Estrella. Adarna runs from July 17 to August 1, 2013 ( Wednesday t o Friday, 7 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM and 3 PM), and July 26 at 2 PM, at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, Palma Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman. For sponsorship and ticket inquiries, please contact the Dulaang UP Office at 926-1349, 981-8500 local 2449 or 433-7840.
MANILA, Philippines - Scientists have discovered a new ant species with a bizarre pigmentation pattern in Laguna province in the Philippines. Cardiocondyla pirata or the “pirate ant” was named as such because of a black ribbon across its eyes that is similar to a pirate’s blindfold, according to Universität Regensburg PhD student and ant researcher Sabine Frohschammer. Frohschammer, in a study published in the open access scientific journal Zookeys, said the ant’s bizarre pigmentation pattern has no equivalent worldwide. The ant species was found living under large rocks at a streambed at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños’ Hortorium in Laguna. “The tiny ants were nearly invisible. Under bright light and a magnifier, we detected the nice stripe across the eyes,”
Frohschammer said in a statement. The ants’ markings remain a puzzle for scientists. “The poor vision and the fact that these ants mate in the dark exclude one of the most obvious hypotheses that the dark patch serve as a sign for sexual differentiation and thus a cue for recognition during mating,” Frohschammer said. “A possible guess about the function of this bizarre pirate-like coloration pattern is that it serves as a tool to distract and confuse the enemy,” she added. “The combination of the dark stripes together with a rather translucent body when living could leave the impression in predators that the anterior and posterior body parts are in fact two separate objects.” (Article and photo from http:// newswatch.nationalg eog raphic. com/2013/05/29/pirate-ant-discoveredphillippines/)
Cardiocondyla pirata, or the pirate ant, can be distinguished by a dark stripe across the eyes similar to the eye patch of a pirate.- Photo by Bernhard Seifert
Photo courtesy of Dulaang UP
“Adarna,” the well-known Filipino folk tale, opens the 38th theater season of Dulaang UP. “Adarna” tells the story of Don Juan, the youngest of three princes who went on a journey to find the elusive mystical bird called Ibong Adarna believed to be the cure for their ailing father, the king of Berbanya. Don Juan’s quest sends him to adventures in different lands, encounters with sage men and beautiful princesses and challenges that will test the young prince’s courage. Director José Estrella (“Umaaraw, Umuulan Kinakasal ang Tikbalang”) and her artistic team breathe new life into this story of adventure, magic, courage, and love popular to generations of
U.P. News 11