The Augustinian Mirror, October 2014

R E S P O N S I V E

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D E V E L O P M E N TA L

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R E S E A R C H - B A S E D

MODERN NATIVES Journey of Nagpana aetas through the fast-changing world

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LEAP OF CHANGE HOW WELL DO WE WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?

GUYS behind the art of staining

BUILDING

[FOREVER HOMES] FOR OUR FURRY FRIENDS

VOLUME VXXXI, NUMBER 1 OCTOBER 2014

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN Iloilo City, Philippines

TRANSFORMATION GASTRONOMIC STOPS

I N V A D I N G C A F E P A N A Y, M I D W A Y A N D G A B ’ S P I Z Z A A N D G R I L L B A R

RESPONSIVE + DEVELOPMENTAL + RESEARCH-BASED

VOLUME LXXXI, NUMBER 1 | OCTOBER 2014

JOYCE GEM M. CAÑETE JOEL S. SASTRILLO | EDITORS-IN-CHIEF STEPHANIE KAY L. URQUIOLA | MANAGING EDITOR SEULGI J. HAN GIZELLE ANNE D. VILLA VICTORIA JADE V. ESTRADA | ASSOCIATE EDITORS STEPHANIE KAY L. URQUIOLA GIZELLE ANNE D. VILLA | LITERARY EDITORS EDRYLLE G. COFREROS | WALLNEWS EDITOR DARYL S. SELERIO | ART DIRECTOR JOHN ELMER J. BALAN | PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR JORDAN C. GALACHE | CIRCULATION MANAGER EDRYLLE G. COFREROS ROCHELLE LOUISE D. DOROMAL HANNAH GRACE S. TABA EDCEL B. FAJUTAG RESTY JOHN L. PALETE | SENIOR WRITERS KEVIN JERROL C. EREBAREN FRENNIE M. TABABA KRISTIN JOSEFF R. GAGAJENA AIMEE ANDREA D. GAJE STAFF WRITERS MARIA CLARISSE T. JARO | ARTIST

M IR R OR R E FLE CTIONS

Continuing the legacy of USA Publications now lies in the hands of the fresh batch of aspiring writers.

With the guidance of the few remaining seniors, the 25 strong ones decided to do something rejuvenating and lifechanging. Hence a magazine with the theme “Transformation”.

We would like to express our utmost gratitude to the people behind the success of this magazine. To Sir Jeff, our moderator, thank you for pushing through this semester’s theme; to Rev. Fr. Frederick C. Comendador and the rest of the respondents for accommodating the staff during the interviews; to Justine Win Cañete for sharing her craft and sacrificing her nights of comfort just to make our artworks awesome; to the Panorama family, especially Nong Rogel, Nong Archie, Nang Narlee and Ma’am Terry for chasing the deadlines with us; to our production staff, especially to the models who took the creative challenge, and the many people inside and outside the University who have shared their story and catalyzed a change.

Lastly, to the readers who continue to flip the pages of this proud magazine. In service to Almighty Father and His people,.

To God be the glory!

MARA ELAIZA A. FLORES MARY JOHSYEN T. PABALINAS SHALAYNE G. DEL PILAR | PHOTOJOURNALISTS

Justine Win M. Cañete FRONT AND BACK COVER ARTIST

Kevin C. Mercado FRONT COVER MODEL

KAREN PEARL E. AMBURGO JESSA MADELEINE P. GANGE MARIE JULIENNE V. CABALLETE | APPRENTICE WRITERS

Kryzza Mel M. Hilay BACK COVER MODEL

Mara Elaiza A. Flores

JEFFERSON B. MAGBANUA | MODERATOR

PHOTOGRAPHER

Jo Moses R. Beramo HAIR AND MAKE UP

Marrz G. Capanang BODY PAINTER

Joyce Gem M. Cañete Joel S. Sastrillo John Elmer J. Balan Maria Clarisse T. Jaro

THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR is the official student magazine of the University of San Agustin. It is published once every semester by the USA Publications. Comments, contributions, and suggestions may be sent to the editors. No part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission and approval from the USA Publications and the authors of the articles.

OFFICE ADDRESS 2/F Alumni Bldg., University of San Agustin Gen. Luna Street, Iloilo City, Phil. 5000 PHONE NUMBER (+63-33) 337 48 42 LOCAL 189 EMAIL ADDRESS usa.publications@rocketmail.com WEBSITE www.usa-pub.blogspot.com REAL-TIME NEWS WEBSITE www.usa-publications.journ.ph

PRODUCTION

ABOUT THE COVER Breaking away from the dullness of his own existence, a man evolves into a person of bursting colors and goes beyond the mediocrity and mundanity that the world naturally possesses.

COLOPHON This magazine was materialized in Adobe InDesign CS6, Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Adobe Illustrator CS5. Typefaces used here are Gotham Rounded, Caecilia, Swift, Futura and Avenir to create an exciting yet breathable reading experience.

MAGAZINE LAYOUT ARTISTS Joyce Gem M. Cañete Justine Win M. Cañete

Transformation is not merely an aftermath of a heartbreak or a nirvana. It is being the person you choose to be every single day.

The world demands change.

Everyday we experience things that drive us to deviate from being someone we thought we are - some we have control of and others none.

Dear readers, this issue shows you that the world is both harsh and beautiful, both disappointing and inspiring, both destructing and rejuvenating - it’s just up to us which side to take. Either way, we tranform.

We are aetas who have embraced modernity, the fat who have ran a marathon, the working students who have strove for excellence, the juvenile delinquents who have found shelter, the city that has built legacy and humans that have proven that we are way, way beyond mundanity.

With the USA Publications, offers you a chance to be moved, a chance to become different, a chance to become better.

Flip the pages and read the stories that made a difference. Maybe it could change you, too.

EDITOR’S NOTE People tend to compare only the “before’”and “after,” that’s why they fail to see the many little glories that fall between failure and success. With this magazine, I’m giving you the chance not to look back or ahead, but to see the “you” RIGHT NOW. THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

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P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M A R A E L A I Z A A . F L O R E S A N D V I C T O R I A J A D E V. E E S T R A D A

YOUR CHANGE COULD CHANGE A LIFE.

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[4] Theory of EBOLAtion Joel S. Sastrillo

[5] Only in the Philippines Joyce Gem M. Cañete

OPINION

Contents ENVIRONMENT

RELIGION

[27] Phoenix: A Symbol of Protection and Transformation

[14] A Man with a

Golden Heart

Resty John L. Palete

Victoria Jade V. Estrada

[28] Sounds Like Junk Daryl S. Selerio

INFOGRAPHICS [21] Famous Failures Justine Win M. Cañete [30] Climate Change Daryl S. Selerio

[24] Living in

Extremes

Frennie M. Tababa

[25] USA Through the

Crucible of Fire

[31]Thinking

FOOD & LIFESTYLE

Outside the Bun

Stephanie Kay L. Urquiola

[32]1+1=3 Seulgi J. Han

SOCIETY

CAMPUS

[6] Love is PAW-sible: Animal Welfare Association

Rochelle Louise D. Doromal and Karen Pearl E. Amburgo

Gizelle Anne D. Villa

[9] Young, Wild and Almost Free Kristin Joseff R. Gagajena

[10] Are We Chasing

Gold or Pyrite?

ARTS & CULTURE

[12] Talk to My Hand

Joel S. Sastrillo

[15] Avant-garde

Nagpana Aeta

Kevin Jerrol C. Erebaren

Edrylle G. Cofreros and Marie Julienne V. Caballete

[17] Plain White Envelopes

to Masterpieces Edcel B. Fajutag

[19] Pricks and Ink Won’t Pierce My Skin Joyce Gem M. Cañete

[34] INGRESS: Bringing Gaming Outdoors

[22] Siksik Noon, Seksi Ngayon

Joyce Gem M. Cañete

Hannah Grace S. Taba

FACES

REVIEWS

[36] Three Degrees of Transformation Aimee Andrea D. Gaje and Jessa Madeleine P. Gange

THE THE AUGUSTINIAN AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR MIRROR [3] [3]

OPINION

“It’s payback time!” – this is a very popular statement by the-once-underdog in the society who found his inner strength and had revenged against his oppressors. But I would like to relate it to the epidemic Ebola crisis that every nation is guarding itself from. It’s time for Mother Nature to have its vengeance against us, human beings, who harmed her body and soul through our cruelties and undying wants of man who is said to be “the highest form of creature on land.”

EFFATHA Joel S. Sastrillo

The wickedness of ours had brought about nature’s retaliation. Now, the question is, are we ready to suffer our own cause?

The World Health Organization (WHO) had already warned the community of the spread of contagious diseases caused by climate change – and Ebola was considered to be the product of it.

But how did this happen?

According to some scientists’ theory, the virus started among animals, such as monkeys, pigs and bats. This could be transferred when it has come in contact with our body. In places such as Africa, where famine is a major problem, it is less not to consider the possibility that people in this area have crunched “bush” meat to fill their stomach. Because of the area that they were living with and maybe lesser product of modernization, they couldn’t asked for a “fresh meat-fromour-farm-to-your-home” in a supermarket, thus relying on what they have harvested to make them alive. After all, nobody listened.

Why would they go on flying above your roof when they have enough food in the forest? The answer would be – do we still have a healthy forest? Man’s [4]

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grievousness in trespassing the shouldbe restricted area could be counted as one of the causes of the spread of the said disease. Men have activities, such as agricultural expansion and urbanization, that further rapid deforestation. With these as examples, animals that carry such disease will transfer places to look for food and when humans catch the opportunity of fresh meat, there comes the food chain!

How could the climate change serve as the reason? The WHO reported that the rate of global warming has accelerated further over the last 50 years and with that, temperature rises by over 0.18 degrees Celsius per decade causing rainfall pattern to change and extreme weather become more intense and frequent. Rooted on this is the abnormal growth of plants and the time it bears fruit. When the presence of food scarcity being dominant in such area, species will transfer to other places and

look for their needs. Now, you don’t have to wonder why fruit bats are flying on your garden rather than butterflies.

Are my researches and explanations enough to convince you that when you drove your car to school earlier this morning (rather than walking the short distance), you have added to the power of Ebola virus? Not only should the alarming death of the virus’ victims inject fear for

our wrongdoings, but also the undying diseases roaming around the room such as malaria and dengue that scientifically spread due to climate change.

Unfortunately, we still haven’t realized that every little thing we do has a counter-attack in return. The alarming status of our world is definitely a wide topic to discuss. Yes, climate change has never been abnormal as it is now. People should learn that once a cycle in the environment has been interrupted, branches of negative effects will be sprouting. Not only that the natural disasters brought about by the worsening climate change will live but also its unrecognized hands of epidemic maladies will continue to move.

Recognizing the fact that we cannot stop it abruptly, this virus will launch an attack to our country in an “unprecedented” level. Together with the government, we should also prepare for this. As long as there is an entrance and exit of goods and people in our country, there is no assurance that our country will be at least 50% virus free.

We should not wait for “balikbayan boxes” that might contain another specie of virus that will harm the Filipinos.

The cliché quote, “prevention is better than cure” should be practiced now. Simple ways on mitigating climate change, such as recycling rather than burning, walking when your destination is very near, and planting trees, could bring a great impact to the interrupted cycle of our environment. When will be the right time to act? It should be now.

Worse, if you’re patient enough, just wait for your “balikbayan box,” not only with plain chocolates, but a special delivery brought to you by your loved one whom you miss so much. Now, he is there, right in front of you and he misses you too.

Unfortunately, he is cold and not moving.

Can you give him a hug?

OPINION

Jennifer Laude.

This name has been circling the media since October 11. If you happened to read the news, then you would’ve known the twist in her story. This is not your classic Daniel Smith-Suzette Nicolas 2009 Subic Rape case - hers is a special one due to the fact that it’s the first of its kind this year.

To give you a background of the story, Jennifer’s real name is Jeffrey and yes, she is a transgender. As how the other stories go, she was found murdered in a bathroom, with neck injuries, at a lodge in Olongapo City.

The reason of her death? Autopsy showed she died by drowning. Who was she with during that night? The CCTV of the lounge revealed footage of her arm locked with that of a Private First Class United States (US) Marine soldier whose name is Joseph Scott Pemberton. As of this writing, the suspect remains in American custody and there’s no guarantee that he will be turned over to Philippine authorities.

As you would have imagined and expected, the Lesbian-Gay-BisexualTransgender (LGBT) community would have been furious about what happened - and yes it was. Not only that, the whole Filipino community was spurred by the incident, ranting that the government wasn’t able to uphold justice once again and that President Benigno Aquino III showed that he is a puppet of the Americans.

I think that the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) is worth-mentioning in this article. In a nutshell, the PhilippinesUnited States VFA consists of two separate documents (VFA 1 and 2) that apply to temporary troops in both countries. VFA 1, which is more related to Laude’s case, allows the US government to keep its power to judge US military personnel accused of committing crimes in the Philippines, unless the crimes are of “particular importance” to the Philippines. This means that if the crimes are of no certain significance, the US can refuse to detain or arrest the accused personnel, or may instead prosecute them under US jurisdiction.

Article V Criminal Jurisdiction, section 1, paragraph (a) states that, “Philippine authorities shall have jurisdiction over United States personnel with respect to offenses committed within the Philippines and punishable under the law of the Philippines.”

Trivia 1: Did you know that the US has at least used this 16 year-old agreement

twice to keep accused military personnel under US jurisdiction? One example is that of infamous Smith-Nicolas Subic Rape case.

Well, unfortunately, Laude was not raped.

She was murdered.

Trivia 2: Smith was released from American custody after Nicolas’ recanted.

There’s no wonder why some believe that the said agreement is biased, unfair to Filipinos, and contrary to the sovereignty of the Philippines. It is viewed by some sectors as granting immunity from prosecution to US military personnel who commit crimes against Filipinos and is seen by some as treating Filipinos as second class citizens in their own country.

Even the German fiancé of Laude wrote in his letter that “well-known hospitality is limited to normal poor people” and answered his rhetorical question “what is the government and the mass of the society?” with the expression “corrupt to the bone.”

Furthermore, Laude said that you can get away with any criminal act if you are a foreigner. “It just entails money. No wonder the monster soldier did think he would get away with it. You show him that every day.

Your society does. How should a foreigner respect people like Jennifer if your own society doesn’t?” he remarked.

Hearing this from a foreigner just makes a Filipino nod his head in agreement.

Of course, we’ve been experiencing the same issue for a long time already. Who could ever deny the fact that such incurable disease is inherent not only to the politicians but also to the whole system?

There are a lot of suggestions given by the people on how to go about this issue.

Some demand the abolishment of the VFA, others want the Americans gone, while some do not care at all.

No absolute decision was reached as of this writing but three things are certain.

First, being a developing country, it is inevitable for us not to rely on developed nations like the US. We Filipinos have removed our caps and embraced their military and financial aid, among other

INQUISITIVE Joyce Gem M. Cañete

forms of help. But in times like this, we need to help the truthful policy protectors. If we couldn’t protect our own race from such injustice, then who would?

Second, this issue is not new to us. It has happened to “Nicole,” the victim to the Subic rape case and perhaps some others whose stories were left unheard because of their fear to appear in public and speak up.

In this light, have we forgotten the efforts of our heroes in fighting the abusive foreign invaders?

Lastly, killing is a grave offense, regardless of it being a “hate” crime or not.

The longer we ignore or delay the dawning of the obvious realization, the more we show the weakness of the Philippines in protecting its own jurisdiction.

The incident that happened to Jennifer has given the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) a reason to call the Philippine presidents “puppets” of the US government. But we should remember that we’re all casts of the so-called puppet show if we keep on dismissing this issue for the sake of diplomacy.

This is not just a call for justice for the LGBT community, but for each and every Juan or Juana (it doesn’t matter anymore).

After all, justice is not gender-biased, nor is it money-oriented and class-dependent. It is for all.

Once is not enough, twice is still not.

Well, only in the Philippines.

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LOVE IS PAW-SIBLE: ANIMAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION FINDING “FOREVER HOMES” FOR OUR FURRY FRIENDS

BY GIZ E LLE ANNE D. VILLA PH OT OS BY S HALAY NE G. DE L P ILAR

Imagine yourself in a car on your way to the plaza. Beside you is your dog, a ball of cream-colored fur with two gigantic, glowing eyes, falling asleep to your warmth. Imagine the car windows, damp and slightly blurry from the rain. Imagine yourself leaning to a strange sight, right over there, just a little bit to the left, a white strange thing. Surprisingly, what you just saw was a puppy, searching for food in a pile of garbage. It was just about the same age as your dog, with its ribs visible against its white fur, its head marked with mud (or was it charcoal?), its legs shaky from the cold, and its back glowing pink from mange. And then you look at your dog, all well and cozy, loved. Then you ask yourself, “What did the puppy outside ever do to deserve something less?

How could something as innocent as my dog be deprived of love?”

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SOCIETY Finding a spot in Iloilo without any strays in sight is a rare occasion. There are the usual strays from uncontrolled pregnancies, strays from being abandoned by owners, strays from being lost, etc. There are a lot of you who may have noticed this, and that’s good. A good way to solve a problem is for the problem to be noticed. Fortunately, among those who have noticed is Ma’am Anna Marie Wharton who has formed AWA Iloilo, an organization whose aim is to find stray pets their “forever homes.”

DIGGING DEEPER I found myself in AWA’s temporary office at Spa Riviera one day after learning about them through photos being shared on Facebook. I wanted to know about the organization and the woman behind it.

Surprisingly, Ma’am Anna Marie Wharton came out to be a lady with a happy spirit.

“It’s not just the dog. It’s about what we become as people, as human beings,” Ma’am Wharton, with passion etched in her smile, says when asked about the organization.

AWA Iloilo mainly focuses on the neglected, abused, and maltreated animals.

The rescue usually starts with a message from a citizen, stating that he/she has found a stray who needs help. The witness is then tasked to look after the animal until volunteers come to rescue the poor creature. It is then placed under veterinary care, from something as basic as ointments to something as serious as surgery. After treatment, the angel is then placed in a safe place for it to be taken cared of.

They’re usually available for families with open hearts (aka “forever homes”) or for kindhearted sponsors who could give them the love and care they deserve.

From what root of Idea was this organization born from? Ma’am Wharton says it all started when she was driving along the Diversion road where she suddenly passed by a chained dog. She noticed its head was bloated from an infection caused by a really tight collar. The sight caused her to feel frustration, sadness, and helplessness.

She felt so down because she couldn’t do and didn’t know anything.

“Maybe it was a vow I made to myself.

Before I die, I will do something for the dogs,” she says, leaning against soft sofa cushions as she tells her story, adding, “When you have so much love in your heart, you have so much to give away.”

FIGHT THE PROBLEM, NOT THE ANIMALS AWA Iloilo stands by the Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act. This Act protects animals from abandonment, maltreatment, torture, and subjection to experiments (not authorized by the Committee on Animal welfare) or fighting games. Recently, the organization was able to visit our mayor, Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog to discuss more on the protection of the Iloilo’s animals. AWA Iloilo aims, not

to be against the government, but to be allies with them. Their recent visit was also a form of respect, to give the government awareness on the organization.

It is quite visible that progress is raining in the city of Iloilo, but ignorance should not be given towards the innocent animals that roam our roads. The way we handle our strays could make Iloilo better than the pictures.

How could such a glowing city house people who are capable of hurting innocent lives? As found in the page of AWA Iloilo, if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.

Don’t deny it. Most of us have seen some form of animal cruelty some time in our lives. I remember witnessing a chicken crossing the road and successfully got to “the other side” because it got hit by a car.

I’ve also witnessed a dog being kicked by some random guy in a carinderia. Some of us have seen worse.

Ignorance doesn’t make the problem go away. It’s best to accept that there is a problem and then do something about it.

Ignorance of the law excuses no one.

NOT GONE TO THE DOGS AWA Iloilo has saved many lives since its start on April 6, 2013. It has gathered many volunteers from all around Iloilo and has received donations even from outside our country. Its facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AwaIloilo) has reached 2,812 likes as of August 31,2014.

When asked on how the animals are doing, Ma’am Wharton says with a giggle, “Very much loved.”

Even with the lack of means of

transportation and the dealing with a temporary office, this group was able to harvest many blessings. “I am amazed by the spirit of volunteerism. It is very powerful!”

Ma’am Wharton says enthusiastically upon asking about their success. “We’re relentless! Unstoppable!” she laughs and throws a fist of triumph in the air.

For her, the whole journey is just incredible. Frustrating, but incredible.

Ma’am Wharton is looking forward to more adventures during the course of this organization. Her love for animals shows within the way she talks and the way she smiles when she speaks about the growth of the animals they have rescued.

A MEOW-MENT AND A REALIZATION Before leaving the office, I remember her telling me about a stray cat they’re taking care of named “Garfield” who I may have encountered. Unfortunately, due to being in a hurry, I didn’t get a glimpse of the cat just before I went inside. I tucked my stuff inside my bag, expressed my gratefulness, said goodbye, and left.

As expected, upon exposing myself back to the sunny world of busy Iloilo, the orange feline was there, lying under sunshine. It went closer after I whispered a small “miming!” It rubbed itself against my leg. I decided to pet the creature’s head and it purred with happiness. At that moment, I realized that love for these animals truly is possible. No matter the number of scars, the years that have gone by, the mark of ribs against skin, the inability of limbs.. no matter how many stories are tattooed on their innocence, love truly is possible. Or should I say, paws-ible?

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“Maybe it was a vow I made to myself. Before I die, I will do something for the dogs,” she says, leaning against soft sofa cushions as she tells her story, adding, “When you have so much love in your heart, you have so much to give away.”

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www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/

SOCIETY

YOUNG, WILD AND ALMOST FREE CHANGING THE WORLD ONE CHILD AT A TIME

BY K RIST IN JOS E F F R. GAGAJE NA PH OT O BY JOHN E LME R J. BALAN

Buster* could still remember hearing the struggles of the girl lying below him while holding her in place and his sweat rolling down his face as he savors the predatory pleasure. Leaving quickly to escape from his felony, all before his 15th birthday, he grimaced at the thought that he was finally caught seven years later and was sent to live in what seems to be the rest of his life in a strange, unfamiliar place. With his head bowed down and a frown on his face, he spent his nights knowing he couldn’t achieve freedom and comfort because he still needs to pay big time.

AN INSIDE LOOK There are about 50 youths from all over Region VI, lovingly called “residents,” currently staying at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth also known as the Social Laboratory for Children in Conflict with the Law located at Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. The crimes that serve as gate pass are usually murder, illegal possession of deadly weapons, theft, drug abuse, homicide and rape.

Unlike what you’d usually expect to see in a conventional prison, the residents have a less demeaning stay at the Rehabilitation Center. They undergo a holistic approach in rehabilitation, more specifically through case management, counseling, stress debriefing, group sessions, spiritual activities and livelihood activities.

Regional Information Officer May RagoCastillo said, “Some of the most effective parts of the program are case management and counseling because through these methods they are able to find out the roots of the residents’ deviant behavior and help them change for the better.”

She also mentioned that spiritual and livelihood activities help the residents to learn things such as religion, playing musical instruments and vocational skills like planting, slipper making and stone pot making which will help them to be more productive and do better things with their

time. In fact, the residents applied some of what they have learned when they served as resource persons in a workshop on climate change last April.

Of course, while the staff gives their all in helping the residents improve themselves, there’s still a common and burdening occurrence of residents to escape. The staff would even find their belongings missing only to find them later in the hands of the residents. However, in the later stage of rehabilitation, the residents willingly stay to continue the rehabilitation program.

TROUBLED PASTS At this point, you’re probably wondering why the residents don’t seem to be punished. After all, these people have committed serious crimes, right? Well, take note that these people are still young and probably didn’t know any better.

There are actually a few possibilities behind their actions that will put them in the sympathetic light. One of the reasons behind their deviant behavior could be that they grew up with dysfunctional families wherein they were either neglected or abused emotionally, psychologically or physically. Another possible reason is that they grew up in a hostile environment and were influenced into thinking that the crimes that they committed were perfectly normal and acceptable. Given these reasons,

we can’t really blame them that much for what they did.

“Children in conflict with the law are not criminals; they are victims, too,” Castillo explained, adding, “They deserve another chance in life. A lot of opportunities awaits them.”

STARTING ANEW The Head of the Rehabilitation Center Julian Ledesma stated, “90% of the residents are rehabilitated and reintegrated to their families and relatives. Many of the 90% are now law enforcement officers, teachers, nurses, welders and social workers and they also have families of their own,” adding, “It really delights the staff to see positive changes in their residents and they owe all their hard work to a method they call the CHT method of rehabilitation, wherein CHT stands for Caring, Healing and Teaching.”

The youth is the hope of the future.

With the said cliché, one should consider helping these juveniles fulfill this prophecy by making sure that they don’t stray onto a path of delinquency.

At present, Buster, now 30, walks up to the Department of Social Welfare and Development office with an application form in his hands and with hopes of having better opportunities. *not his real name

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SOCIETY

ARE WE CHASING GOLD OR PYRITE? GEARING UP ILOILO CITY FOR THE APEC SUMMIT

BY KE V I N J E R R O L C . ER EB A R EN PHOTO BY M A RY J O H SY EN E. PA B A L INAS

We Filipinos hardly back out from a challenge even if we know we are capable or not of doing so. The impressive thing is, regardless of nationality or hometown, regardless of religion or the color of skin, any person born with Filipino blood within his veins carries that mark and attitude within him. Even if we Ilonggos are more passive and pacifistic than our brethren, we are more than capable of rising out to meet any challenge that comes our way.

When the horns of conflict are blown, we arise from where we came and gladly meet it headlong. One such challenge is looming just around the corner for us. We have called the bid and the task was placed on our shouldersa task we willingly accepted. Iloilo City is to be one of the hosts for two major Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings by 2015 in Iloilo Convention Center.

“The National Organizing Committee made site inspections and found out that Iloilo is capable, having enough venues, the city and provincial government are working hand in hand. We are ready to host international events,” said Junel Ann P. Divinagracia, Executive Director APEC 2015-Iloilo Organizing Committee.

COSTING AN ARM AND A LEG Such a prestige and honor for us to host such an event and this is the first time that we, Ilonggos are entitled in doing so. The burden is heavy and tasks quite numerous to be done. Expectations are heavy considering that we are competing with some richer and more industrious and progressive countries.

During the last APEC summit in 1996 that [10]

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was held in Subic, they fashioned and built impressive looking mansions and 18 villas in just 10 months to house the delegates.

Think of all the money and manpower plus resources that they may have used up to make it possible; we can’t do that now.

Even China herself cleared up three mountains bald in order to build a multicultural expo that amounted to 364 million dollars. We do not have that kind of budget so what do we do? We do what we do best, make do and improvise.

PREPARE THE GROUND Preparations undertaken are nothing to be sneezed at. In an attempt to pace up and show that we are indeed capable, the Iloilo Organizing Committee formalized and coordinated smaller committees that will cover specific tasks: Security, Peace and Order plus Emergency Preparedness headed

by National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).

Bases are being built and maintained by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Chief Executive Office (CEO). Other smaller agencies and groups were tasked to handle shipping and logistics, tourism, cultural promotion, hospitality and site enhancement, reception and associated cases, partners program, protocol, business and investment promotion, APEC host priorities, finance, budget and procurement, strategic communications, and conference management by the vice

presidents, Academe.

They also made contingency plans in coordination with several National Government Agencies (NGAs) and the lobby for budget of the Iloilo City government.

They also devised a cultural events group, selected delegation/liaison officers from the academe, private sector and called for volunteers. They also formulated and planned site enhancements of urban centers and activities for delegates, including landscaping and covering the eyesores, putting additional traffic lights, and making ready for the simulation/ dry-uns.

That is but one of the many plans that the city government has undertaken. Our governing body is ensuring the success of this event.

BEST OF ALL WORLDS As leaders, they were the first to answer the call of challenge, the call to rise up against the odds and prove what we are capable. As members of this community, it is expected that we should also pool in our efforts to this endeavor. Success can only come if all the parts can work together to make the whole thing, right?

Otherwise, one liability is fully capable of tearing up the foundations that the leaders have set up and this would eventually lead to the total failure of the whole endeavor.

“Primarily, it is an opportunity to showcase investment areas. Policy-wise, it is a venue to align our national economic

priorities with the rest of APEC economies and localize it for expediency,” Divinagracia stated.

On the cultural side, it will catapult Iloilo City’s culture and noble history in the upper echelon of Asia’s best cities, as fitting to the massive upheaval progress we are experiencing today, which highlight the memoirs of our rich past.

LAST STRAW By the way I look at things and how our history has been written, I fear that we are chasing gold and untold riches. All these preparations that we are actually doing may end up as the biggest rehearsal for the biggest con that our city has encountered on the day it was founded-a con that will not only deceive and lie to our future investors, but also a very big deception of ourselves.

The inflow of cash and the promises of riches

are very tempting and everybody is striving to make that dream a reality.

Many alchemists tried to create gold from other materials in the past. Right now, this APEC summit may be the very reagent that we need to create gold. What if our own steady income flow will make some of our politicians’ lives more comfortable? After contracts have been signed and signatures penned, what now? Are we stuck in the rut of stagnation until the call of hunger strikes the greed in our hearts again or do we finally make the effort to finally better ourselves?

Is this APEC Summit truly an opportunity for us to better ourselves not only economically but also culturally?

Chasing the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Or are we to be disappointed that it was only pyrite - pleasing and deceiving momentarily our eyes before realizing its worthless value?

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CAN PEDAGOGICAL PUPPETRY BE MORE THAN JUST ENTERTAINMENT?

BY JOEL S. SASTRILLO PHOTOS BY JOHN ELMER J. BALAN

Eventually, the calendar stroked red. Noddy* just woke with a galactic smile on his face. “I am free today!” he said to himself. He ran in front of their 14’’ cathode tube television, pushed the power button and watched his favorite show. There’s this big fluffy bird who walks and sings, a green monster that lived in a trash can and a nice guy in red who is a friend to everyone – all of them have huge eyes!

Well, Noddy wasn’t afraid of those creatures. In fact, that was his day – back when he was still eight.

Right now, his eyes are still unto it.

Yet the difference is that, they’re actually in front of him – colorful, young and old.

Noddy is with the crowd still enjoying the show he had grown up to.

OUR LESSON FOR TODAY IS A puppet, by definition, is a figure moved by human, not by mechanical means, for theatrical purposes. Usually the puppet manipulator or puppeteer is screened from the view of the audience. The smallest and the simplest is the finger puppet, in which a little paint or make-up and some clothes form a human finger into a make-believe character. However, the four most common types are hand or glove puppets; rod puppets; shadow figures; and string puppets or marionettes.

Recently, a new show had “love-struck” the eyes of every Ilonggo. Young at its form, [12]

THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

strolling in the city’s vicinity, pedagogical puppetry had changed the lives of everyone from just plain entertainment to “havingfun-while-learning.” Somehow, the “I have just seen only in television,” had turned to “hey-I-could-touch-it “words. It does not only affect the lives of the viewers but of the puppeteers as well.

Pedagogical puppetry is the defiance of art and education. It started its way in Iloilo City last July 15 through the efforts of Nathan Sotto, Youth Adviser of Tunog sang Pamatan-on, a youth ministry of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Jaro, Iloilo Citty; considered himself a pastoral worker as well.

For 15 years, Sir Nathan had been training and teaching puppetry in the country.

“Our aim in Pastoral Liturgical Theater Ministry, Manila is to have a theater ministry in every parish in the country and to use puppet as a tool,” acclaimed by the young parishioner.

At present there are 15 puppeteers that have dedicated their lives in serving God through serving their fellow men.

LET THE SHOW BEGIN Every Saturday, despite the lack of necessary funds, Tunog sang Pamatan-on spare some of their time to entertain and to educate people, most especially children in the Barangay that they have chosen.

“Through the use of puppets, children were encouraged to learn. Their attention span could reach at least 30 minutes because of the show,” Nathan explained.

The organization were not being paid with any amount in the show. Instead, they were given old clothes and linen to be used in making puppets. Notably seen, all of their puppets were dressed with recycled materials.

For Shammy Enriquez, President of Tunog sang Pamatan-on, also one of the puppeteers shared that, “the feeling of doing the puppetry to help others cannot be exchanged with any material things the world could offer.”

Recently, the organization was invited by the Bantay Bata to schedule a puppet show for the children.

“We always aligned our script with the theme. Since it was nutrition month, we gave the children what they were supposed to learn,” Sotto shared.

SOCIETY

Through the use of puppets, children were encouraged to learn. Their attention span could reach at least 30 minutes because of the show.

Yet, not all everyone around them could understand why they were doing such thing, spending some of their time in this art rather that with family. All of them have been tested along the path they have chosen.

To Shammy, her beginnings were just like everyone. “My parents scold me for going home late because of practice [on puppetry].” She as a student balanced her time between academics and theater. “After class, I went straight here to join others in our practice. Perhaps, this has been a part of my life,” she shared.

For every teacher, the challenge is on how to let the students absorb what he or she wanted to share, thus experienced too by Nathan. “How to master that art of puppetry is not that easy. I had a hard time training puppeteers to manipulate the puppet and to make one. But with a heart and determination between us [Sir Nathan and puppeteers], they have somehow improved their skills,” he noted.

that, “in the age of modern technology, it’s amazing for children to see a puppet in reality than in computers and tablets only,” he further added that “on the puppeteer’s part, instead of wasting their time on net café, they could show their creativity on making puppets and puppet manipulation.”

At a young age, Shammy too realized that with puppetry and with the group of people she is with, her pessimistic attitude had changed.

“I felt confident with myself now.

Because of this [puppetry], I have something to be proud of. I’ve just realized, that some people could understand you and willing to be with you,” she shared.

Puppetry is a new way of educating people, most especially children in Iloilo City. This new kid- in-the- block does not only catch the airwaves of the city but had transformed lives of everyone who is experiencing the said art.

For Shammy and with the rest of the Tunog sang Pamatan-on. They voiced out that “it is also a step closer to God.”

WITH STANDING OVATION

ROLLING DOWN THE CURTAINS

CUT THE ROPE

Being partaker of this dream, their works do not mean to defy the odds but it had made their lives and others change as well.

Growing up in the age of “Sesame Street” and our passion for art, Nathan exemplifies

Every day is just another beginning.

Who knows what might come next, right?

This is just a humble start for the organization. At a very young age of puppetry in the city, it has still struggling to go above the mediocrity of mundane life.

For Nathan, what matters still are the experiences that he, the puppeteers and the viewers have- all of it could be used by them someday.

But beyond that, Nathan has still a dream and that is, “for every parish to have a theater ministry.”

At the end of the show, Noddy realized that no one is really old to enjoy and to experience something that he had watched before on screen. While the show is closing off with Jim Henson’s Kermit the frog singing, Noddy smiled as he remembered in his mind the memories that he had with the Muppets and with the Sesame Street back when he was still eight years old. *not his real name

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RELIGION

A MAN WITH A GOLDEN HEART A PRIEST THAT DOES NOT ONLY PREACH BUT TEACH

BY VICTORIA JADE V. ESTRADA PHOTO BY MARA ELAIZA A. FLORES

WORDS FILLED WITH PASSION “The way he speaks, it’s like he’s speaking not only to preach but also to inspire and teach not only the young ones but everyone regardless your age,” Clarissa Ortega expressed.

Ortega is one of the mass goers that attend the Holy Eucharist on Sundays in St. Anne’s Parish. She noticed the little changes that transpired ever since Fr. Celis started his service in Molo such as the greater attention and population of people during Mass. These little changes somehow ignite the hearts of the mass goers.

Donabel D. Abrahida shared, “Fr. Celis takes time in explaining the word of God unto us. He is very patient and passionate when it comes to his Homily,” adding, “My family and I come here every Sunday not only to attend the mass but also to participate and hear the good news.” She said the ambiance changed on the very first week that Fr. Celis celebrated mass in Molo.

ACTIONS CAREFULLY WRAPPED WITH LOVE

“JESUS CHRIST YOU ARE MY LIFE. YOU ARE MY LIGHT, ALLELUJIAH...”

As I stood there on the front pew, I sang this song along with the other people as well. The voices of the choir members sang the song with warmth and resonance that fills our hearts with an inexplicable feeling of tranquility. The clarity of the voice of the reader, the warm welcome of the laymen who usher the mass goers inside, the ambiance of St. Anne’s Parish in Molo and everything in between are things that make me feel at home; but what stands out the most is when he takes his place on the pulpit and start his Homily. This has changed everything.

THE MAN WHO STARTED IT ALL He is tall, quite stern and strict (as what other people would say), with his grey hair that symbolizes the wisdom he has acquired through the years that had passed, his loud and clear voice not only filled with conviction but with the utmost passion to deliver the words of God to everyone, Rev. Fr. Espiridion “Boy” Celis has caused a ripple of change in St. Anne’s Parish. He led the parish of Mandurriao before he was assigned in Molo. He was also in charge for youth ministry for almost 20 years.

Prior to my interview with Fr. Celis, I asked some people how they would define him. “He looks strict at first but once you get to know him, he is very welcoming and accommodating to everyone.”

This was the answer I got when I had the chance to talk to some people who attend the 6:00 p.m. mass. But my perception about him changed.

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“For almost 3 years that Fr. Celis had served here in Molo, I noticed a lot of improvements. There’s this weekly catechesis during Wednesdays wherein parishioners come and ask questions about our faith or any question under the sun or even ask any question about the sun!” with glinting eyes and a warm smile, Antonio V. Sibug, one of the readers, shared.

Antonio partakes in the feeding program Fr. Celis had organized for street children, beggars and those who are hungry and seek the help of the Church. This program is a part of the New Evangelization.

“I believe that in times of hardship, God will provide. The church should find a way to help and provide the needs of those who experience hunger, suffers marital and spiritual poverty,” Antonio expressed. “The program has improved since it is done three days a week. Little by little, Fr. Celis aims to make this program seven days a week to help our brothers and sisters who are in need of our help.”

I remember very well one of Fr. Celis’ homilies wherein he emphasized the true meaning of love. An act of sacrifice, love as well as the importance of extending our help wholeheartedly to others is taught by Christ Himself. By doing these, we come to love God with all our heart, mind and soul.

TRANSITION Rev. Fr. Espiridion Celis continues on being a good example to his brothers and sisters. With his words of inspiration filled with sincerity, he was able to get through them and touch their lives. The seeds of his good deeds are now starting to grow and sooner or later, will blossom into life that brings hope for everyone.

Fr. Celis is a man with a golden heart - selfless and passiondriven in spreading the good news to his brothers and sisters, with the hope of not only changing their lives but leaving imprints that would serve as guidance to each and everyone.

I experienced the touch of inspiration from this charismatic priest and found myself reflecting after the mass, trying to reiterate the words in my mind and understanding it with my heart.

Every good deed, no matter how big or small it is, can help and transform other people’s lives. Fr. Celis’ story does not only prove that we are capable of bringing miracles to our brothers and sisters, but also shows that we could all be individuals with golden hearts. www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

ARTS & CULTURE

AVANT-GARDE NAGPANA AETAS THE LIVING PROOFS OF HUMAN EVOLUTION

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY EDRYLLE G. COFREROS AND MARIE JULIENNE V. CABALLETE

Traversing the narrow and winding path, our car was shaking occasionally. The sharp turns, the painful bumps along the road and the setting will remind you of the famous Max Rider. Just like the said ride, it must come to an end, but the journey definitely does not end there. We stepped out of the car thinking that this will be nothing but a simple stroll, but we were wrong. An angry current of water welcomed and awaited us. As we stepped in the cold water, different emotions enveloped us - fear, worry and doubt. With sweat looking like raindrops trickling down our foreheads, we continued to hike along the long, rocky and sludgy road. After what seemed to be an endless journey, we finally reached our destination: Sitio Nagpana, Brgy. Lipata, Barotac Viejo.

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LITERACY AGAINST DISCRIMINATION

STEREOTYPING THE ATI TRIBE In the long history of Panay, aetas were the first inhabitants. As years passed by, from being the first settlers of Panay, our aeta brothers and sisters were deduced into a minority in the island. We often see them in the streets just minding their own business but that is not the case of the Nagpana aetas. They are far from the stereotypical aetas that we often see in the city. As the world and society evolve, so is the humble community of the Nagpana aetas.

“In the present, we now own the land here in Nagpana because the government had decreed that the aetas will be considered as permanent settlers of the said sitio,” Pastor Jessie Elesendo, pastor of Nagpana Ministry, said.

Oftentimes, aetas are referred as to as nomadic and homeless individuals but as we took a step entering the world of the aetas in Nagpana, Barotac Viejo, our perspective about these people changed.

Pastor Elesendo informed.

With that being said, the spirit of hesitation and worry enveloped us. After a few tries of convincing Pastor Elesendo, he eventually gave us the chance to interview him.

He went on to explain how things are different for them now. Back then, they were nomads - people who do not stay in one place. But because of the land given to them by the Causings, their nomadic ways were transformed. At present, they are now staying in one place with their own houses.

Pastor Elesendo also mentioned that back then aetas are foragers, which would mean that they would gather all the available resources in their surroundings.

This kind of thing is slightly not present in their society as of now, as they are starting to adapt to the fast-changing world.

“We view Panay as the whole property of the aetas since we were the first settlers of this island,” Pastor Elesendo said in Hiligaynon.

Even though their lives were full of obstacles and challenges, they still chose to adapt to the fast-changing world. Due to their eagerness to earn respect and trust from other persons they struggled and tried so hard just to get the education that they want. With the aid of foreign missionaries and other kind-hearted individuals, they were able to go to school and learn a lot of things.

“Our ancestors and the older men in the tribe were not able to go to school to learn things and to be aware of the happenings around them,” Elesendo added.

According to him, due to lack of education, they are still being subjected to society’s discrimination and are considered as social outcasts. This viewpoint about the aetas built a barrier among people of different skin colors, a barrier which is the main reason of the wide gap between the world of the aetas and the others.

“But today, we [aetas] are not trying to cope up with the society’s demand. Most of us were able to attain education and some of us are now professionals,” Elesendo said with pride.

For Pastor Elesendo, their willingness enabled them to earn a living and to stand firm against odds carrying the rights they deserve. Aetas are now aware of their rights and freedom and they must not be maltreated. They too are individuals trying to live and strive to survive in the complex world. They too need love, respect and care from their fellowmen.

“Some of us are not active voters and participants in government activities,” Elesendo said.

Through education, aetas are now literate to participate in various aspects of human life, even in the field of politics. They are now more aware about what’s new and they think they could already balance the worth of individuals which they think could make their area a better place to live.

We may not have a high regard of these aetas but who knows, they could be assets of the country (in one way or the other) in the near future.

AETAS OF THE 21ST CENTURY We don’t know what to expect when we finally reached Sitio Nagpana, Barotac Viejo. In our minds, we were waiting to see the signs of the usual aetas that we often see wandering the streets of Iloilo City, but in Nagpana, those things were nonexistent.

As we reached their community, we were received with smiles and warm greetings, those things alone cannot be seen from the aetas in the city. Upon arriving in their place, Pastor Elesendo greeted us.

We chatted a bit, which led to him telling us that the Nagpana Aetas are protected by the National Commission on Indigenous People or (NCIP).

“There are certain rules that need to be followed. If people wanted to conduct an interview or study, they need to make a formal letter to the NCIP for a permit,” [16]

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But today, we [aetas] are trying to cope up with the society’s demand. Most of us were able to attain education and some of us are now professionals.

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ARTS & CULTURE

PLAIN WHITE ENVELOPES TO MASTERPIECES IS LOVE REALLY SWEETER WHEN WRITTEN THE TRADITIONAL WAY?

BY EDCEL B. FAJUTAG PHOTOS BY CARINA MORENTE

Swiftly rendered by a magical hand with the aid of exquisite pens and startling calligraphy; these simple plain white folded sheets were turned to alluring touched pieces of paper. Little receptacles that were turned into incomparably stunning envelopes filled with heart tickling speech marks that were dramatically stroked.

SIGNED WITH LOVE Carina Morente, a junior Architecture student of University of the PhilippinesDiliman, is a self-proclaimed snail mail revivalist. With a crafty aim of reviving the “snail mail,” which is concerned on the exchange of letters through envelopes, Carina spools back the threads of time and tries to stretch out the traditional creases that the internet era has folded away.

One can imagine the sensation our ancestors feel as they write each word in a piece of paper, with every drop of ink poured from their hearts. Undeniably, the sincerest feelings are expressed through inscribed words with every letter stroked by the very hand of the sender.

“Technology is rapidly conquering the world and almost everything is instant nowadays,” Carina said, adding, “This is why I want to bring this special touched letters back to life.”

Waking up the seemingly sleeping mail posts in the country through her

creative craft, she expressed that ‘e-mail is convenient but receiving a simple handwritten letter from someone emits a particularly strong sense of personal touch, rendering it special’.

Carina narrated, “I’ve always had a fascination for handwritten letters since I was younger,” adding, “During my grade school years I and my friends used to pass notes around the class and I would safely keep some in my home.” Undeniably, that’s what brought her to this thing right now.

SEALED WITH ART It all started around December last year when Carina gave manual typography (hand lettering) a shot. Her university had a two-month extended vacation due to some academics calendar shift, so she thought of doing something productive. Before she was into calligraphy and making her own stationary sets, she already did hand lettering. Her fine-looking strokes suggest that she was not fresh to calligraphy, in fact

she used to practice this during her grade school years. She also used other media such as watercolor which she started smearing on her stationary sets during her 2nd year in college – when she shifted to Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

“The idea just came to me one day that I should try making my own stationary sets with the initial intention of having a trademark when I give my friends letters – something that would make them know it’s from me as soon as they lay their eyes on it,” Carina shared. But the thought didn’t stop here, she started opening her works to everybody, finding it as a business that could help her financially.

DELIVERED WITH UTMOST CARE Most of her clients are high school and college students from Roxas and Iloilo City. She also gets orders from Manila and other cities in Visayas. It was not so hard for Morente to find customers. She was even able to extend her masterpieces to some of the prominent people in the country, including the Vice Mayor of Roxas City, by updating her friends of her craft via Instagram and Facebook.

“I knew Carina’s craft through her posts on facebook and Instagram. We’ve been Facebook friends for quite a long time and finally we met and I saw how she worked on her calligraphy skills,” Nellene Delota, Carina’s Augustinian client, stated, adding, “She is really creative when she is making her products and I find them unique because not all sellers thought of selling something that could revive and give appreciation to the past.”

Morente’s commitment to calligraphy made Delota recognize her creative works and convinced her to get some of them. “The

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snail mail is a great idea for revival. I am with her,” Nellene uttered with a smile.

This hobby that Morente has been spending time with has taken her to places.

She got invited to become a media-partner of Palanca award-winning play because the director and the sales-head wanted her to design their business cards. She also had a recent collaboration with an online magazine. A packaging company also contacted her to design the prints on their boxes. The country’s pride, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, also follows her in Instagram. Her stuff amazingly brought her big opportunities - something that has changed her life at a young age.

“These may be small things to some people, and they may be ‘orders’ or collaborations and normal work by nature, but they all make me feel like I achieved something with this hobby,” Carina expressed.

This stuff may seem to be little for people’s eyes, but Carina’s works of art are diggers of history - something special that was unheeded by some thus missed its essence when it could’ve imparted a deeper sense of communication.

Every single stroke was made perfectly by hand, sincerely felt by heart and personally touched by a loved one. What will be greater than the feeling you feel while reading a personal touched message?

Well, Carina just turned the plain white envelopes into meaningful masterpieces.

The idea just came to me one day that I should try making my own stationary sets with the initial intention of having a trademark when I give my friends letters– something that would make them know it’s from me as soon as they lay their eyes on it.

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A R T W O R K B Y M A R I A C L A R I S S E T. J A R O

Using the plain envelopes, draft your desired style or design using your pencil, you may use some straight-edged instruments to make it more pleasing to the eyes.

Put some artistic drawings such as flowers, doodles, butterflies, and the like as you desired. You may also look for quotes that may bring great effect to your receiver as an additional aura to your message. It will be better if you have background on calligraphy and if you have beautiful handwriting.

After drafting your design, use your rendering materials to add shades and tints of colors and to render some drawings on your envelopes. Note: The simpler the better.

Check every detail of your envelope if it will look appealing to your receiver’s eyes. Do some final touches to get the perfect envelope that you want.

If you think that your envelope is ready to be a holder of your words, then it is now your time to write your message. Goodluck!

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ARTS & CULTURE

PRICKS AND INK WON’T PIERCE MY SKIN THE ART OF TATTOO COVER-UPS

BY JOYCE GEM M. CAÑETE PHOTOS BY JUSTINE WIN CAÑETE AND JOHN ELMER J. BALAN

Isak Niccolo Barba knew that he had to camouflage the permanent mark on his right arm when his friends started to ridicule his first tattoo teasing, “why don’t you put a frying pan beneath and let’s cook it?” Well, the apparently undersized female and male koi on his skin may have been fine for him, but it didn’t impress his bros and in fact, it was a joke on him.

INK IN DISGUISE

LUNA: Neil had a tattoo name under his left eye in remembrance of his deceased mother.t

Isak approached his friend Cris Louie Antig and had his “small and funny” fish design masked by a bigger fish.

Isak said, “He made a prepossessing work of art that gave me confidence,” adding, “I give it 9 out of 10.”

Cris, a tattoo artist for eight years, has been doing a lot of tattoo cover-ups, most of them because of “break-ups.”

“I have a cousin who had a portrait tattoo of his wife’s face on his skin, after two months he came back to me to have it covered up with a skull design explaining that they had a fight and separated. Then after another month, they got back together so I was a bit guilty for doing such work,” he shared.

For eight years, Cris has seen how the acceptance of tattoo changed - from mothers and grandparents considering it as a form of dirty stain to grandparents being the ones to actually have their bodies tainted. He even revealed that his oldest client was 60 years of age.

“I was already drawing and painting before but I was hooked to such stuff when I realized it was a different form of art,” he said with a smile. “My work of art is worn by

someone; he brings my piece wherever he goes and so I eventually become a part of his life.”

HARD TO CONCEAL Just across the University of San Agustin you’ll find Flesh Art Tattooz shop owned by partners Niel and Jake. With three years of craft, Jake expressed the difficulty in making cover-ups in cases where in the pre-existing tattoo is a solid black and when it is in bold and cramped images.

Jake disclosed, “Once [the design is] solid black and too complicated, it’s a magician that you are requiring to do the job,” adding, “If it’s beyond my capacity, I’d just tell him that to leave it as it is than to give him false hope.”

According to him, among the main reasons why people get tattoo concealment is that they didn’t like the design or if it was done by artists with poor execution, or in some cases, clients had fewer budgets which forced them to seek the service of street tattooing. He also noted that most of the clients would ask him to mask tattoo names with designs of flower, butterfly and the like.

“I started experimenting with henna in my home by getting the idea from my

It came to a point wherein tattooing became my passion and business.

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brother’s friend that is hennaing in Boracay.

I saw a tattoo magazine with the equipments and so I tried to get one for myself - that’s when I made my first tattoo which is a dark image with fangs. It came to the point wherein tattooing became my passion and business,” Jake revealed.

Among his first clients were his friends.

When asked what he does if ever his work fails, he said between chuckles, “I’d tell them, ‘Meg, shot shot lang ta karon ah’ [Dude, let’s just drink to that later].’’

ART OF MAKING SENSE Niel, with three years of experience just like Jake, shares a different story. Almost covered in ink, including all his limbs and even his face, he laughed as he mentioned that the history of him tattooing is when he envied his friends. Ironically, he does coverups when he is plain bored or when he just feels like doing it.

But what makes Niel a little special is that despite being covered in tattoos, he manages to point out the most significant ones on his body, specifically the portrait image of his deceased mother on his inner arm and her name inked under his right eye.

Apparently, we all have different ways of staining ourselves - a meaningless scribble on our palm when the math lecture’s mindnumbing, a careless coffee spill on our clothes after chasing deadlines or a hidden teardrop tattoo upon wounded by someone or after a traumatic event. We, too, have different reasons for permanently marking our skin - be it after a major heartbreak, or due to boredom, or for the sake of art and self-expression.

Again, I glanced at my right wrist and smiled at the sight of my inked skin which I am very proud of. Isak’s last words during the interview echoed and I can’t help but

Isak Niccolo Barba’s koi pair on the left persuaded him to cover it up and make it into a single bigger koi half sleeve tattoo, as shown on the right.

My work of art is worn by someone; he brings my piece wherever he goes and so I eventually become a part of his life.

Neil’s tattoo on his right arm is a portrait of his deceased mother.

Jake, owner of Flesh Art Tattooz shop, won as first runner-up during a tattoo contest with this original piece of his.

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Tattoo is a body art, a story of my life, an investment, and a way of expressing myself.

The first pointillism tattoo that Cris made for his Antiqueño client Val Delubiar takes the form of a sea horse. remember him saying that some claim that having a tattoo makes someone look like a drug addict or a lazy guy with no future.

“That’s not true. I’m a decent dude with a job and I’m working hard for my future,” Isak said. “Tattoo is a body art, a story of my life, an investment, and a way of expressing myself.” To Isak and the rest of these guys, tattoo means more than just pricked skin and permanent ink. It means being the person they chose to be. www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

ARTWORK BY JUSTINE WIN CAÑETE

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FACES

SIKSIK NOON, SEKSI NGAYON HINDI LAHAT NG PROBLEMA AY MAGKASINGBIGAT ISINULAT NI HANNAH GRACE S. TABA LITRATO NI MARA ELAIZA A. FLORES

Mala-Coca-Colang boteng hubog ng pangangatawan. Mapapayat na braso. Maliit na tiyan. Ilan lamang iyan sa mga salitang maglalarawan sa pisikal na anyo ni Jeva Mariz Botante, isang fresh graduate ng kursong Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management dito sa ating Unibersidad. Ngunit sinong mag-aakala na ang seksing babaeng ito ay may bigat na 70 kilos noon?

“Simula pa lang noong Grade 1 ako, chubby na talaga ako tapos tumaba na ako hanggang second year college,” kwento niya.

Naniniwala si Jeva na ang maaaring naging dahilan ng kanyang pagiging “malusog” ay ang hilig ng kanyang ina sa pagluluto. “May catering business kasi kami tapos noong Grade 1 ako, nagluluto din si mama sa canteen namin sa school,” paliwanag niya.

Maituturing nga talagang isa sa mga lumalalang kaso pagdating sa kalusugan ng tao sa ngayon ang obesity o labis na katabaan.

Ayon kay Gng. Ma. Luisa Q. Golez, isang Registered Nutritionist Dietitian, ang malusog na

pangangatawan ay masusukat sa pamamagitan ng body mass index o BMI. “Ang ninanais na BMI range para sa matatanda ay mula 18.5 hanggang 24.9 kg/m. Ang isang tao na mayroong BMI na 25 hanggang 29.9 kg/m ay maituturing na overweight samantalang ang mga mayroon namang BMI na 30 pataas ay masasabing obese,” paliwanag niya.

Base sa pagsusuring isinagawa ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute o FNRI noong 2011, lumalabas na 22.3% ng mga Pilipinong may-edad ay maituturing na overweight samantalang 6.1% naman ang obese. Lumabas rin na ang paglaganap ng bilang ng mga Pilipinong may sobrang timbang ay magkakaroon ng makahulugang pagtaas sa darating na taong 2015.

Sinasabing ang karaniwang dahilan ng obesity at pagiging overweight ng isang tao ay ang kawalan ng balanse sa enerhiya OCT 2014

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sa pagitan ng mga kinokonsumong kalorya (calories consumed) at ginagastang kalorya (calories expended). Ayon kay Golez, nararapat na sapat lang ang kaloryang kinokunsumo natin sa mga pang araw-araw na gawain.

Kung labis naman ang kaloryang nakonsumo ng isang tao at wala siyang paraan upang masunog ang mga ito, ang sobrang enerhiyang ito ay magiging adipose tissue o fats.

Kung madalas gugulin ng isang tao ay ang kanyang oras sa panonood ng telebisyon at paglalaro ng video games, masasabing mayroon siyang inactive lifestyle kung kaya’t siya ay maituturing na sedentary person.

Ang pagkakaroon ng inactive lifestyle ay maaaring magdulot ng pagkakaroon ng karagdagang timbang at maging obesity, na maaari ring humantong sa Type 2 diabetes, mataas na antas ng kolesterol, at altapresyon.

Hindi rin naman nawawala ang isyu ng bullying na kadalasang naiuugnay sa mga kaso ng mga taong overweight at obese.

“Nagkaroon na rin ako ng ilang mga masasamang karanasan na may kaugnayan sa bullying. Ang isa sa mga pinakamasakit ay ang ma-bully hindi lang ng mga kaklase ko kundi pati na rin ng mga taong nakakasalubong ko lang sa daan,” pahayag ni Jeva.

Batay sa pagsasaliksik na isinagawa ng Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity ng Yale University, lumalabas na ang probabilidad na ma-bully ng isang obese ay 63%, mas mataas kumpara sa isang tao na may magandang pangangatawan.

Ayon kay Gng. Marjorie E. Calagsing, Guidance Counselor dito sa ating Unibersidad, ang bullying ay maaaring magdulot ng pagbaba ng self-esteem o pagpapahalaga sa sarili ng isang tao. “Magiging malimit ang kanyang pakikihalubilo sa ibang tao, at may posibilidad na ibukod niya ang kanyang sarili sa lahat na maaaring magdulot ng matinding depresyon at pagkabahala na

pwede pang mauwi sa pagpakamatay,” dagdag pa niya.

Kung kaya’t sa kabila ng mga panghuhusga at pangkukutya ng mga tao, mas pinili ni Jeva na paligiran ang kanyang sarili ng mga taong nagmamahal at handang umunawa sa kanya. Sa katunayan, itinuturing niya ang kanyang kasintahan bilang isa sa mga taong nagsilbing inspirasyon niya para magpapayat.

“Pinaramdam [niya] sa akin na hindi ako naiiba sa lahat. Siya ang aking inspirasyon at lakas. Hindi ko ito magagawa nang magisa. Ako ay ako ngayon dahil sa pagtitiwala niya sa akin,” paglalahad niya.

Mula sa bigat na 70 kilos ay nakapagbawas si Jeva ng 18 kilos sa loob lamang ng anim na buwan at ang dating waistline na 34 ay ngayo’y naging 28 na.

“Araw-araw akong nagjo-jogging at nagzu-zumba. Noong nagsisimula pa lang akong magpapayat, hindi ako kumain ng kanin ngunit madalas akong kumain ng oats, mga prutas, manok, karne ng baka at umiwas ako sa pagkain ng matatamis at junk food,” sagot ni Jeva nang tanungin kung ano ang kanyang sekreto sa kanyang pagpayat.

Ang pagkakaroon ng malakas na pangangatawan ay isang basehan ng pagkakaroon ng mabuting kalusugan at pagkatao. Kung malusog ang isang tao, magkakaroon siya ng abilidad na gawin ang mga bagay na puno ng sigla. Habang bumubuti ang uri ng pamumuhay, bumubuti rin ang kalusugan dahil sa pagkakaligtas sa anumang uri ng sakit.

“Huwag kayong sumuko. Kung gusto ninyo talagang pumayat, matuto kayong kumain ng wastong uri ng pagkain at regular na mag-ehersisyo. Maaaring magkaroon ng mga problema sa kahabaan ng proseso ngunit kinakailagan ninyong mag-focus sapagkat lahat ng paghihirap ninyo ay siguradong magbubunga sa huli,” mungkahi ni Jeva. Para sa mga kagaya ni Jeva, hindi na bale kung “siksik” sa laman noon kung seksi naman ngayon.

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LIVING IN EXTREMES HE WHO SUFFERED AT FIRST ENJOYED AT LAST

BY FRENNIE M. TABABA ARTWORK BY EDCEL B. FAJUTAG AND JOHN ELMER J. BALAN Noel didn’t proceed to college right after high school graduation.

He stopped for two years, helping his mother in the farm. He is not like any other “tambay” that doesn’t lend a hand in his hometown.

Noel actively participated in church as a choir member and did join the Kabataang Baranggay (now Sangguniang Kabataan) as chairman.

After two years serving his family, church and his native land, it is now time to serve himself. His auntie’s husband sent him to college taking up Electronics Engineering but after the first semester, he stopped because of financial problem. As a boy, he was left to the custody of their distant relative in Jaro. For two years, he earned P3,800 (which was a big amount already at that time). To add up to his earnings, he also worked as a waiter in a restaurant.

As an initial funding to his college education, he enrolled at University of San Agustin taking up Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Accounting. On his first year, he applied as a working student and was given a scholarship grant. He was assigned at the Registrar’s Office. His auntie provided him allowance, a weekly allowance of P50 and he had to divide the money for all his expenses.

Since it cannot sustain him, from being a school working student, he served as a “counter boy” in a Dunkin Donut stall. On his third year, in Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Tigbauan, he was hired for on-the-job training with allowance assigned in accounting.

And on his last year, he was employed as janitor in the school.

THE CHANGE EXPERIENCED

“In everything that I plan and do, I always put God first,” Noel expressed in a dignified tone. Who would ever think that a working student years ago will now become the branch manager of Philippine National Bank assigned in Antique?

Well, there is no way we choose where we come from. But what you can do is to choose where you go from there.

THE PAST THAT CULTIVATES Noel N. Menchate is a native of Dao, Antique. His father, working hard as a farmer and his mother as a housewife with eight children, they experienced many difficulties in life. Having his parents separated at an early age, he was sent to be with his grandmother and his father. There, together with his sister, he was not treated as a family. The purpose of being with the elders is to be a helper doing the household chores.

His auntie sent him to school, supporting him by paying his miscellaneous fees. He did strive harder and with his perseverance, he was a consistent honor student. Repaying his hardships, he finished his high school years as salutatorian.

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Everyone deserves a second chance, a chance to make life more meaningful and worthwhile. Noel didn’t just dream, he made his dreams possible.

After College, he applied to many establishments - soft drink companies, banks, and computer schools. But in the end, he was commissioned by Allied Bank (now merged with Philippine National Bank.) When he was in the position, he learned to love and made his work his passion. Now, with his 21 years of perseverance and dedication in service, he became the sales and service head and the branch manager of the Philippine national Bank in Antique.

Noel didn’t only elevate himself but he also helped his siblings and also his nephews to be sent to school. He didn’t give up. The imperfection of his parents is not a hindrance to him to achieve what he has right now. Instead, it served as a challenge to him to make himself a better person.

THE FUTURE The time ahead seems so far yet for Noel, it seems like it’s so near. He has many plans not only for his own good, but also to the community.

In the near future, he wanted to cultivate the farm that he had owned and put up a project hiring his poor relatives and friends.

As for his community, he wanted to help build a chapel in their barangay where he served as a Panimbahon leader and communion minister.

Maybe he was poor on his younger years but he didn’t content himself of being one during the rest of his lifetime. He suffered at first but it paid off. His persistence and motivation to be a millionaire someday defied the odds.

With a humble heart, Noel left a message for all the working students out there. “Don’t consider your status in life. Poverty is not a barrier to achieve success. Just stay focusedw, stay positive and stay close to God.” www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

CAMPUS

USA THROUGH THE CRUCIBLE OF FIRE SOARING BEYOND VIRTUS ET SCIENTIA

BY ROCHELLE LOUISE D. DOROMAL PHOTO BY MARY JOHSYEN E. PABALINAS

Imagine this. You’re stuck in school due to heavy rain falling from the sky and the grumbling of your stomach becomes louder each passing minute. Unfortunately, the cafeteria has already closed for the day, yet you still have class. There is nowhere else to buy food that could assure you of staying dry and comfortable. To choose between your stomach and your comfort is a great ordeal among Augustinians.

Such is the problem encountered by both Medical Laboratory Science students, Kristia May Rapista and Gia Airaye Ami. Having classes until 7:30 in the evening, they are desperate to satisfy their hunger.

LOVE IN A CUP AND A FULL TUMMY In partnership with the Philippine Vendo Corporation, the University of San Agustin (USA) currently has a total of 14 vending machines, 10 of which are for drinks, while the remaining four are for stop snacks. These metal boxes are a handy way for students to buy food on the go, especially during hectic days and last minute hunger.

These machines are conducive according to the students’ reactions, although there are spaces for improvement.

In regards to the student’s concern on empty OCT 2014

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vending machines that give out plain water, a refund may be given. The corporation has left their contact number wherein students may use to communicate with the corporation for refunds and inquiries.

They also have a stay-in crew who refills each machine and to whom students may directly ask for compensation.

FOUNTAINS, WALKS AND POOL IN SCHOOL The University has thought of a way to beat unbearably hot days. Many metal drinking fountains could be seen placed in different areas within the campus.

Unfortunately, in spite of the fact that some of these water dispensing equipment are fully functional, they seem to be ignored and left alone to the point of being dented. Based

on the comments of some Augustinian students, the safety and drinkability of its water is questionable and some pakubas have expressed that these drinking fountains are slowly becoming damaged.

Aside from beating the heat, students can now beat the rain. The blue covered walk, originally from Urdaneta Hall, has been transferred in between Gamboa building and the cafeteria. This keeps Augustinians and visitors from being drenched by the rain. In addition, the covered walk from Urdaneta Hall to Blanco Hall is on the process of finishing. Students would finally be able to move around the university from one building to another without getting entirely wet, once this covered walk would be finished.

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bound to become more exciting with the soon-to-be-functional swimming pool of the University. Due to some delays, such as the unpredictable weather and slight setback on materials to be used as explained by Architect Lorena Villabos, the opening has been pushed this November, as of this publication. This 50x25 meter addition to the university may be used by alumni and outsiders whenever it is not used by the students during their class.

BREAKING GROUND Another new facility within the university, which is expected to be turned over next year, is the Dr. Edgar “Injap” Sia II Center for Continuing Education. Intended for short courses, Injap Sia himself, an esteemed alumnus of the university, has donated this soon to be addition to the many foundations of the University for astounding professionals.

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“It is my way of thanking my alma mater and I hope that it will be a breeding ground for more Ilonggos and Capizeños who will excel in their chosen fields,” Injap stated. The courses offered may range from the simple use of the cell phone or internet to the more complex training of those in high positions such as mayors and local government units, according to Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, OSA, the University President.

Although this donation will mainly be for those enrolled in the said program, Father President envisioned that the training centers may be used by the regular Augustinian students when not used by the continuing education. Reservations may also be made in conducting trainings for youth development in this center. This program is a partnership with teachers of the university and external providers, aiming to promote the university as a Center for Professional Continuing Education.

MORE TO COME The future is yet to come. It’s amazing to see how the university is growing and moving gently towards a brighter future.

But, it is not yet the end. It is only the start of the new home of true blooded Augustinians.

The administration is still planning for the development of the University and its community. Comendador stated that they have put up two new breakthrough goals, namely, academic excellence and organizational sustainability, without changing the older vision, but making it more precise and effective, instead .

Although there are a lot of new facilities sprouting in the university, the administration assures the students and their guardians that tuition fees will not be affected. Most of the new facilities and renovations are from donations and consignment. All of these changes are as recommended by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

With these new facilities, students in the campus may now live their college years in a more convenient and enjoyable way. Although there are tweaks to be done, Augustinians and even visitors can now buy food in nearby vending machines to feed their hungry stomachs and go from one place to another without getting wet. There is also no need to travel and rent swimming pools for their PE classes once the pool is done.

The University truly cultivates from a simple academic institution to a more convenient and easier one. As a growing and developing campus, USA has flaunted its optimism and bold leap toward changes through structural, physical and man power development this year and in the many years to come. With the undying support from hardworking faculty and staff, participative students and alumni, dynamism of the current administration and the solid cohesion of its key officials, the university can really mold proud Augustinians. www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

ENVIRONMENT

PHOENIX: A SYMBOL OF PROTECTION AND TRANSFORMATION LEARNING THE SUPERTYPHOON WAY

BY RESTY JOHN L. PALETE PHOTOS BY PROJECT CLIMATE TWIN PHOENIX

Lifeless bodies trampled on the ground unidentified. Houses and properties vanished as if there was a monstrous beast that has unleashed its ravage. Families mourned and have nothing but their remaining life and a handful of hope in regaining its broken pieces. Tragedy became our teacher and we are her students who failed to learn. With this vicious cycle seemingly unstoppable, will a change of roofing or repainting job be enough? Or are we just waiting for another calamity to come?

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o

will be able to cope with natural disasters which are projected to increase in intensity and frequency due to climate change.

Climate change is one of the most challenging issues confronting country. As globalization continues, nature reacts to its progress, resulting to drastic damages to the environment. The PCTP is just one of the products of few concerned organizations which aim to reduce the impact of climate change.

We can’t stop disasters and calamities. That is a given. The roofing of typhoondamaged houses may have been repaired, the wall repainted, and the brightness of life slowly regained. But unless we take our lessons seriously, we’ll still be left staring blankly at what we have lost because of tragedies. Prevention is still better than cure and by this time, we should have learned already.

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Implemented by the Philippines Climate Change Commission through the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Australian Government, The Project Climate Twin Phoenix (PCTP) is the first stage of a more comprehensive and long-term capacity development program for cities and municipalities addressing both risks from climate change and other related natural hazards.

“The Project Climate Twin Phoenix started last 2012 and aimed at helping the local government units’ mainstream climate change adaptation and mitigation into their land use plan by giving them technical assistance,” Erwin Husmalaga, information officer of Climate Change Commission, said.

Tropical storms Sendong (2011) and Pablo (2012), which left a remarkable effect to the regions of Mindanao, led to the launching of the Project Climate Phoenix Twin. People of Mindanao are vulnerable to disasters but the project assessed and raised awareness towards the calamities and their impact.

“Indeed, the devastations we have encountered from Typhoon Yolanda and from previous natural hazards, and our country’s position as the third most disastervulnerable country on earthaccording to the World Risk Index of 2012, has opened up countless opportunities for strategic convergence,” Antonio M. Bernardo, chief executive officer of Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB,) said during the launching the project.

Activities such as trainings on the basics of climate and disaster risks, climate change adaptation and disaster risk management, as well as trainings on geographic information system, were conducted. Such undertakings help local

Pro

ject

o Climate Twin Ph

e

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partners to develop a tool of trainers proficient in the basic concepts of disaster risks and climate change. Also launched was the Resilience and Preparedness for Inclusive Development (RAPID) program, which is an expansion of Project Climate Twin Phoenix in Yolanda-affected areas, especially in Western Visayas.

Moreover, such activities aim to create awareness among people and promote informed decision-making or policy change in communities. By empowering the local government units to work together in coming up with better plans, policies, and regulatory measures, the whole community

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Our country’s position as the third most disaster- vulnerable country on earth according to the World Risk Index of 2012, has opened up countless opportunities for strategic convergence.

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SOUNDS LIKE JUNK JUST HOW FAR ONE’S TRASH CAN GO?

BY DARYL S. SELERIO PHOTOS BY SK OF BRGY SAN RAFAEL, MANDURRIAO

Iloilo City alone generates about 160 tons of garbage per day. With the advent of commercial buildings and residential expansions, no wonder mounding those up will mean eventually drowning us poor Ilonggos. But lose no hope, because not far from the busy highways of Iloilo, these residents have established a program that if had been long gone exercised, would spell a big difference to our soaring waste generation.

TRASH BEFRIENDING Waste is merely anything unusable or unwanted and they are literally given least considerations among houses, offices and schools. But not for the people of Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao who have earned means of livelihood and even recreation from what we think is useless after we have used them up into “nothingness”?

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“Yes you cannot force everybody to practice proper waste management, but there are really those who participate. Good thing is that even children are noticeably segregating their wastes and sorting out those which can be sold. Residents who don’t know such exists, now know that it really does; that trash is not merely trash and that it can benefit anyone,” Ma. Fe Tamesis, a resident of Brgy. San Rafael said in Hiligaynon while drawing a faint smile recognizing the changes that had gone like a virus in their barangay.

“Even old ones who are no longer capable to do hard works are now finding sort of leisure through cutting out plastic wrappers. They are always seen picking up empty “chis kurls” and some would even wash them with water and Downy,” she gladly shared.

Tamesis never ceased to believe that one day, the place where she and her family had chosen to establish a home will get

“better.” And so it did. To some this sounds like a piece of trash, but to them this is just the start.

UNIVERSAL DESTINATION OF ALL CREATED “BADS” “This new Beautification and Solid Waste management Program is far better because it not only makes the community observe cleanliness but also be aware about waste segregation,” Barangay Councilor Rea Kapaw-an, chairman of the said program, exclaimed when asked about their Waste Management and why is it better than any of their former programs that concern the environment.

Waste which includes biodegradables like food and kitchen wastes and composite waste like plastic and toys, are segregated already by each house and are collected by a garbage truck scheduled to go door to door every Saturday and are delivered to Calahunan, Mandurriao dumpsite. www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

ENVIRONMENT

They separate their garbage to three kinds: recyclable, compostable and residual.

While some are thrown away, the recyclable waste like plastic bottles, metals and cans are left behind and brought to their Material Recovery Facility (MRF) for selling-andbuying.

THE SHAPING UP The recyclables are turned into bags, envelopes, hypo-allergenic pillows, paper charcoals - alternatives to the tree-basedones. Each amounts from five pesos to 200 pesos depending on the type and size of the product.

“These products are put on display and are made available whenever an interested buyer comes along,” Kapaw-an explained.

This program had also became the “talk of the town” when they launched their first ever “Miss Eco-Savers” last May 14. To be crowned, each candidate should compete on whoever has the most garbage collected.

Collectively, it had generated a sum of money which was given back to the candidates and was used to fund their existing program.

A CALL TOWARDS THE SAME-END Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000, defines MRF and Solid Waste Management as a “facility designed to receive, sort, process and store compostable and recyclable materials efficiently and OCT 2014

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an environmentally sound manner” and “a discipline associated with the control of generation, storage, collection, transfer and transport, processing, and disposal of solid wastes in a manner that is in accord with the best principles of public health, economics, engineering, conservation, aesthetics, and other environmental considerations, and that is also responsive to public attitudes,” respectively.

Through this (Solid Waste Management), the Government with the aid of the General Services Office had established a favorable environmental condition for the residents of Iloilo City.

Despite the emergence of many waste sources like business establishments and houses, Iloilo was still able to manage to regulate its waste production in compliance to the mandate of Republic Act No. 9003.

According to Ruth Prado, supervising environment management specialist from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, the 160 tons of garbage generated by the City is 50 percent lower than the waste the city produces way back three to four years ago.

“This program turned out fine because you practice proper waste segregation. Also this program proves that one can actually benefit from trash like through recycling the recyclables,” Tamesis added.

Sounds like junk? It’s time to change your view.

Residents who don’t know such exists, now know that it really does; that trash is not merely trash and that it can benefit anyone.

THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR

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ENVIRONMENT

ARTWORK BY DARYL S. SELERIO

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www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

FOOD AND LIFESTYLE

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BUN NOT ALL BURGERS ARE MADE EQUAL BY

ST E P HANIE

KAY

L.

URQUIOLA

Good News: You finally found “the one.”

Bad News: It’s black.

No, we’re not racist. We’re actually talking about something more universally common– burgers. To be more specific, charcoal burgers.

Charcoal burgers have sprung up as a culinary trend with its origin being traced back to food commonly being dyed black in other parts of the world using squid ink or bamboo charcoal. It also goes by another burger name, Kuro Burger, as Kuro means “black.” Exotic food is hardly anything to be surprised at but for a transformation of what we have deemed as a staple food in the fast food industry, this is new.

BLACK IS THE NEW BROWN According to an article by USA Today published on September 19, Burger King Japan has started to sell Kuro Burgers made with beef patty (regular beef colored), a black bun (dyed with squid ink), and black cheese (made with bamboo charcoal).

Japanese customers apparently liked Burger King’s new look on their limited edition burgers as a “favorable response” was reported by Burger King in a recent press release. The makeover apparently caused enough of a stir that it spawned a black bun burger creation from McDonald’s Japan. The two fastfood chains have offered the burgers as a Halloween-themed creation available only for a limited time.

BLACK IS BACK The international fad has reached the local scene as Charcoal Burgers have prompted some creative minds to try this

creative transformation.

Jamie Divinagracia, 31, is an entrepreneur from Iloilo City whose business is selling Charcoal Burgers online.

“B n B Burgers was actually inspired by one of my family’s trips to Kuala Lumpur after we stumbled upon a restaurant selling charcoal burgers and they were really delicious. After coming back home, I decided to try making some.

The taste wasn’t like the original because the ingredients weren’t as easy to come by but I wanted to try something new,” Divinagracia relayed.

Divinagracia admits that she didn’t plan on getting into the profession of culinary as her chosen course in college was Medical Technology; she was merely giving her apron a test run when she went through with her plan. “This business was born and made purely out of passion. As long as your dreams are fueled with your passion, don’t stop,” she added.

BLACK MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL One reason she’s passionate about her charcoal burgers may have something to do with the fact that they are proven to be great detoxifiers. “There are a multitude of health benefits twhen it comes to OCT 2014

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eating charcoal burgers. These aren’t just another by-product of fast-food chains, these actually have health values.”

Edible charcoal is all the rage nowadays as different countries around Asia like Japan, China, and Malaysia are mixing edible charcoal into their baked goods to create a new taste and an even newer look. However, more than their supposed tastefulness is their benefit to our body- detoxification.

“The reason activated charcoal has such great health benefits because it flushes out all the toxic heavy metals that are stored in your body— even some that have been there for decades. It leaves you feeling like a brand new person,” Dr. Al Sears, a medical practitioner, said in an article on Activated Charcoal Benefits.

Apparently, the new look for burgers have changed on the inside as much as they’ve changed on the outside, too.

Today’s modern trends have left us with short breaths, desperately trying to catch up. Innovation is what this generation is all about. The bigger the transformation, the better. Trying to look for something new is no longer a piece of cake. Sometimes, you have to think outside the bun. Pun intended.

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FOOD & LIFESTYLE

1+1=3 WHEN MATHEMATICS IS NO LONGER APPLICABLE TO GASTRONOMY

BY SEULGI J. HAN PHOTOS BY MARA ELAIZA A. FLORES

Do you ever get tired of the same thing everyday and you just want to change things a bit? Probably the eggs in the morning with a sprinkle of malunggay or chicken feet curry for lunch. No rules or limitations are necessary, just a brave heart and a genius mind.

Opting for something light, we had Fried Ibos with mango compote and tablea dips and Iced Kape ni Inday. At first bite I thought the Fried Ibos was a bit hard but it’s rewarding when you find the chewy core and when the sweetness of the dips kick in. Without having a choice, I dipped the delicacy in both tablea and mango compote which tasted like Jollibee’s mango and chocolate mallow pie. Iced Kape ni Inday, on the other hand, is a tall bottle of native coffee which was like oasis on that hot day.

It has a special blend of iced coffee with coffee jelly,milk, muscovado caramel sauce and ginger. Each ingredient is incorporated in the right amounts so it doesn’t mask the others but expresses its own flavor.

Ilonggo breakfast on the menu include Adobong tabagak, Fried dilis, tocino- all served with purple rice and egg; while merienda options include Chorizo Recado de Ilonggo, Pan de sal sandwiches, halohalo and turon with muscovado caramel sauce.

Cafe Panay also offers souvenirs and local products that are not commonly found anywhere else like balimbing jigger, dried and powdered oyster mushrooms, nutrimix made of rice, legumes and soya from antique and candied bignay.

A whole day culinary tour is available at Cafe Panay costing P2450 good for 10 persons. The tour includes stops at Casa Mariquit, Jaro’s Millionaire’s Row, Calle Real and few of Iloilo’s famous gastronomic stops.

Cafe Panay is open from 9:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. You can contact them at 330-1769.

MIDWAY

CAFE PANAY Thank God for Cafe Panay. Now I can skip the part where in I have to go through the hustle and bustle of the wet market just to satisfy a sticky rice craving, by that I mean the authentic one.

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Launched last January 12, Cafe Panay is becoming a one-stop-cafe for every Ilonggo.

The vibe of the cafe is somewhere between the time where our ancestors ate everything made from rice and today where carbs are eaten only on special occasions like cheat days.

People passing by, no matter how busy they may be, would glance at this cozy little restaurant by Marymart Mall. It’s almost like it was meant to be built by a farm overlooking the fields of green.

Outside, mini chalkboards display the prices of pesticide-free vegetables and fruits harvested by their own farmers in Passi.

Kangkong at Php35/kg, diamante tomato at Php35/kg, banana at Php60/ kg are some of their produce. They also sell banana chips with homemade mayo for Php 69 which is www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

a healthy substitute for the sugary banana chips we usually buy.

The menu also stands out like the place itself and most of the ingredients they use especially on the salads are from their own farms. Everything seemed interesting but curiosity led us to Alugbati Chicken Pesto and Crocodile Sisig.

Alugbati is a local vegetable which is present every once in a while in a Filipino meal. Merging that with an Italian dish is a mystery that Midway solved deliciously.

Although the pesto was made entirely of alugbati, it wasn’t overwhelming. Parmesan delivered the Italian side to it and grilled chicken was the protein on top and just the right contrast to the smooth pasta.

Crocodile sisig, on the other hand, is made from their own culture of crocodile in Palawan. Some say it tastes like chicken, others say it tastes like pork so I guess the best way to describe is that it tastes somewhere between chicken and pork. Good thing about crocodile meat is that it’s lean and chewy so it has more texture to it. Slices of chili are the best partner there is and with rice, it’s a meal that can’t be crossed out on your list of cravings.

The list of farm fresh dishes on the menu goes on: Eggplant caviar pasta, grilled pizza, homemade ice cream and to be introduced soon are new desserts like Durian Tablea Cheesecake and Mango Avocado Cheesecake.

Midway is also located in Brgy.

Bacuranan Passi, Iloilo admidst beautiful gardens selling fresh produce as well.

Contact them at 335-1340 (Iloilo) and 311-6388, 311-6285 (Passi)

GAB’S PIZZA AND GRILL BAR Pizza + shawarma = Pizzawarma. This exists. A little past Total gasoline station in Sta. Barbara Iloilo City is a simple restaurant serving pizza, pasta and pizzawarma.

Flavors ranging from Hawaiian and supreme to All meat and Margarita cost only Php 50.

We ordered Hawaiian and Supreme Pizzawarma’s and judging from the cone-like shell, it resembles a shawarma. Look inside and you’ll find pizza sauce, cheese, cabbage, hotdog, ham, pineapple, a fusion of the two. You can imagine that eating it wasn’t easy but that’s the fun that comes with it.

Taken from the shawarma ancestry, the cone allows more stuffing in it especially the vegetables. Flavor wise, the pizza ancestry takes over with sweet to sour tomato sauce, a little pepper, a little sweetness from pineapple slices and of course, cheese. One pizzawarma is a complete meal all by itself and it is a fun snack to enjoy with friends.

Synergism is a phenomenon that simply means 1+1=3. The possibilities are endless to what one can create from two completely opposite things. It’s a risk worth taking and I’m thinking of a masterpiece as well. Perhaps lechon sushi or bacon wrapped turon, I’m in a bit of a dilemma.

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REVIEW

INGRESS: BRINGING GAMING OUTDOORS HUMAN BY TODAY, AGENT BY TOMORROW WORDS AND SCREENSHOTS BY JOYCE GEM M. CAÑETE // AGENT INQSTVE Virtual or reality? Why not have the best of both worlds?

Ingress, which means entry, allows you to look at the world differently through agent eyes and blurs the lines separating digital and physical by transforming the real world into the landscape for a global game of mystery, intrigue and competition.

Ingress, an augmented-reality and location-based game by Google’s Niantic Labs, was initially released on Android in 2013, and is now available on iOS. The storyline is about a mysterious energy unearthed by a team of scientists in Europe. The origin and purpose of this force is unknown, but some researchers believe it is influencing the way we think, and that it could lead to evolution of humankind or an Enlightenment.

At the start of the game, a voice will make you choose which side to takecolored either green for Enlightened or blue for Resistance. The former seeks to embrace

the power that the “shaper” force bestows upon us and attempts to help it infiltrate the Earth. On the other hand, the latter struggles to defend and protect what’s left of our humanity and is seen as fearful of change or progress. After this, you need to choose an agent name - so make sure yours is an epic one.

The starting screen will then show a road map of your location with Exotic Matter (XM) appearing as glowing particles in the map. If you are lucky enough, a portal may be near from where you’re standing. These portals could be landmarks, public art, and similar locations; and it is colored according to the faction it belongs to.

Now, the game play is seemingly simple: tap sources of this energy, find portals and capture them, acquire objects by hacking such portals, increase the number of Mind Units by forming Control Fields all over the map, and ally with other players to advance [34]

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the cause of the faction. Do all these to gain Access Points and level up as to acquire more powerful items, make and destroy stronger portals and to take over more Mind Units.

But in my case, it is not that simple.

It may be routine in nature, but sticking your fingers onto the screen is no easy job.

You have to understand the more in-depth technicalities and terms that will aid you in forming strategies - if you really want to career your role as an agent. There is this embedded complexity when you try to explore the program unless someone summarizes to you the basicst- which is by the way, not that easy.

I’ve been playing this game more than three months now with some inconsistencies. The app is creative and imaginative in a different level. I mean, who is weird-genius enough to think of bringing gaming outdoors? Now that is idealistic and realistic at the same time!

The visual graphics is stunning with the www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror

futuristic animation and minute details playing a vital role in making your mission almost believable. Moreover, the app has an amazing user interface with its sound effects summoning the inner agent in you.

I highly suggest you use headphones to maximize the sound quality and of course, as not to bewilder the people around you.

What caused my inconsistencies in playing this game is the absence of local Wifi.

Moreover, the app drains out the battery of my phone and consumes a lot of space in the device with updates that seemingly contribute little to the overall improvement of the app.

The other barrier of this game is that it is quite boring if you are a one-man faction. Being a standalone agent won’t do much help in taking over portals as much as killing the boredom. The key to maintaining this social app? Make new friends and form an ally.

Also, there is an apparent difficulty in levelling up when you happen to reside in a small town or rural area since there are fewer portals and fewer agents, making it less challenging. The portal acceptancesubmission is slow with some players complaining that it even takes over six months.

Some technical glitches that are seen include unresponsive scanner and inaccurate GPS, mismatch between portal photo and its location, phone modeldependent game quality (although the app is fine with my Samsung Mega), and slightly short range. Lastly, I also experienced annoying log in’s in cases of portal submissions when syncing is required.

But what makes me keep this app on my phone is that it shows me different OCT 2014

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places and structures that I never thought exist; and makes me appreciate the art, history, and culture that surround me.

There is this little girl squealing within me when I spot portal galore at dense cities. As a natural walker, the game gets me moving thus giving me a daily dose of exercise and at the same time allows me to enjoy the reality in front of me - a certain lifestyle that this app has transformed.

Moreover, it is a good map to someone who is new to the community. It kills time when travelling to distant places, enhances your techie vocabulary (be acquainted with terms like resonators, Intel map, XMP), and it is good for egoistic and territorial people because it grants them a sense of gratification after pursuance of a certain mission.

In this sense, this real world-anchored

game requires teamwork and camaraderie.

It is by socializing with your fellow faction members that makes this game a bliss. You get to meet people of all routes of life and who knows, you might even bump into an agent who happens to be your soul mate.

Ingress received a handful of awards such as Top Game of 2013 at Google Play Player’s Choice Awards, Best Android Strategy Game Runner-up at Android Central Best of 2013 Awards and was one of the Best Android Apps of 2013 by Gizmag.

I give this app 4 out of 5 stars considering that it still has to be developed and that playing this in Philippine setting poses a greater challenge.

Nevertheless, Ingress is a game that everyone should give a try - not only because it is weird-genius but because it could make you feel like you are an agent, even for once.

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REVIEW

THREE DEGREES OF TRANSFORMATION: LIFE, FEATURES, MIND THE USA PUB’S PROBE ON THIS SEASON’S EXCITING PICKS

BY AIMEE ANDREA D. GAJE AND JESSA MADELEINE P. GANGE

If you’re a self-proclaimed certified cinephile just like us, then you’re most probably at the edge of your seat every time you hear about a new movie. To certify the validity of the masses’ claims about how awesome some of this year’s films were, we decided to check out three of the most popular and most trending motion pictures of 2014. And so, after spending hours upon hours of tears & laughter – along with a few bowls of popcorn and a couple of fizzy drinks – we’ve finally reached a conclusion. These films were amazing indeed, and certainly deserved all of the hype and publicity they’ve received. From being undeniable tearjerkers to certain funny-bone ticklers and action-filled jaw droppers, these movies are worth the money well spent. Read ahead to find out more!

If I Stay

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What would you do if you were given two choices; would you leave or would you stay? But, just like everything in this world, there’s a catch. Leaving would mean being with your family in the afterlife; staying would mean facing the unknown and uncertain future ahead of you with the people you have left. For seventeen-yearold Mia Hall, making a choice is the biggest dilemma she has ever faced.

“But the you, who you are tonight, is the same you I’ll be in love with tomorrow.” –Adam Wilde After leaving our tear ducts dry and left hanging by the incredibly frustrating ending, we strongly recommend to those who haven’t watched the film yet to go and check this out, because you would be missing half of your life if you don’t! A young-adult fiction about love, life, sacrifice and a choice, If I Stay is definitely a truly touching and tearinducing film worth spending your money on. Although it might leave you at the very edge of a mental breakdown right after it ends with a very infuriating cliffhanger, you certainly won’t regret ever watching the film because a sequel, entitled Where She Went, is in the works!

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The Gifted

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Lucy

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Your best friend can either be two persons: your best friend or your worst enemy. Indeed, it was proven true by brainy girls Zoe Tuazon and Aica Tabayoyong, whose friendship started with a series of unfortunate events involving them as the most gifted children in school. Growing up together as the best of friends, their world is suddenly turned upside down when the undeniably handsome, but incredibly dimwitted Mark Ferrer carelessly steps into their lives.

Being tricked by your new boyfriend to deliver a bunch of drugs for him certainly has its side effects; that’s what twentyfive-year-old Lucy had to learn the hard way. After being captured by a Korean drug lord, life as Lucy knows it is suddenly going to disintegrate into thin air. As a bag of the drugs accidentally break inside her stomach, Lucy acquires enhanced physical and mental abilities and powers that she soon finds out is a threat to her life.

“Love is nothing but a series of chemical reactions inside the brain.” –Zoe Tuazon

“Life was given to us a billion years ago. Now you know what you can do with it.” –Lucy

First off, let us start with a fairly mild warning: STAY PUT AND GLUE YOUR EYES TO THE SCREEN UNTIL YOU’RE SURE THAT THE MOVIE HAS FADED TO BLACK. And no, we’re not talking about the ending; we’re talking about THE ENDING. A film that definitely turned the air-conditioned movie theater sizzling hot, The Gifted is another of those films that truly exceeded our expectations. Although we guarantee that the ending is going to have you pulling at the hairs on top of your head, we suggest that you watch it to find out what we’re talking about! (SPOILER ALERT: Nothing in the movie happened in reality after all.)

Let’s face it, having the ability to do almost anything your mind can think of is incredibly cool. And of course, who wouldn’t want to use the full 100% of their brain capacity, right? A film that definitely had us in awe at every new power that the main character shows, Lucy surely is another blockbuster film worth spending your money on. A combination of different psychological theories, Lucy teaches us about the price it takes to have everything at your disposal: ULTIMATE DEATH.

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ARTWORK BY JUSTINE WIN CAÑETE

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