The Augustinian, May 2012 (News Fold)

NEWS

SPORTS

FEATURES

Ocampo ranks 6 in Pharmacist Licensure Exam Page 3

Augustinians invade nat’l dance floor

Kalibo: a worship and party mecca

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Page 4 of Features Fold

Accounting Tech junior is new SC prexy DENN REED MAE MAGBANUA, Accounting Technology 3, now sits at the helm of the University of San Agustin Student Council (USASC) for AY 2012-2013.

When two roads meet

See full story on Page 2

See Page 3 on

Features Fold

THE GOLDEN EAGLE AND HER EGGS. Tribu Pan-ay in one of the highlights of its performance during the Dinagyang 2012 Ati Tribe Competition on January 22. The tribe won the championship crown and represented Iloilo City in the Aliwan Fiesta in Manila where it also triumphed. (USA Publications Photo / Kristine Louise L. Andrade)

named best mag ARKI DROPOUT GETS Mirror in national press awards DOCTORATE DEGREE 2 members among Ten Outstanding Campus Journalists

2 Augustinians, TOSIA awardees

By JOSEFA MARIA A. CASTRO

GIAN BERMUDO, CASBS Psycholog y 4, and Patrick Daniel Ladrido, CBA A-BS Accounting Technology 4, were among the finalists given the Ten Outstanding Students of Iloilo Award (TOSIA) at a recognition program held on March 11 at Cinema 6, SM City Iloilo.

Bermudo made it to the Elite Circle of Five having been ranked 4th among the awardees.

Selected on the basis of their academic performance, leadership, community involvement, and faith in God, the awardees went through a screening process that included the submission of their transcripts of records, certification from the school that they had no grade below 82%, their resume, and their Bid Book, a compilation of all their affiliations, awards and activities, together with the supporting documents.

After evaluation of the submitted documents, the applicants were 2 AUGUSTINIANS Page 3

By KIM ERIC J. DEL ROSARIO

EDGAR “INJAP” J. SIA II, founder and vice chairman of Mang Inasal Philippines, Inc., received the degree Doctor of Humanities in Business Administration, honoris causa, in a conferment ceremony held during the 104th Commencement Exercises on March 31 in the USA Gymnasium.

An Architecture drop-out, Sia said in his commencement address, “I have dreamt of getting my diploma; now I have fulfilled that dream, and I did it in a big way.”

The conferment ceremony started with the imposition of the academic gown, hood, and cap by Rev. Fr. Eusebio

SIA

B. Berdon, O.S.A., Chairman of the USA Board of Trustees, followed by the presentation of the ring and diploma by University President Rev. Fr. Raul M. Marchan, O.S.A. Atty. Jose Mari Benjamin U. Tirol, BOT Secretary, read the Board resolution on the approval of Sia’s doctorate degree conferment.

The Universit y cited S i a’s a c h i e v e m e n t s a n d contributions in the field of business and entrepreneurship as the bases for recommending him for the honorary degree to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) which, sitting en banc, granted approval through Resolution No. 0472012, making Sia only the 13th recipient of such honor in the University’s history as an academic institution.

Sia gained national recognition when he was named in 2011 as one of the country ’s Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for Entrepreneurship. He also received awards and recognition from various business and media

Photo courtesy of FORBES.COM

INJAP Page 2

BY JAMES MARTHY M. ESLEYER

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP. The issue of The Augustinian Mirror which earned Best Magazine, Best Magazine Cover Design, and Best Magazine Layout honors. Macalalag and Elmido pose with guest speaker Aaron ‘CY’ Untalan who lectured on the topic ‘Injecting Humor In Features’. Art Director of Runners’ World Philippines and Women’s Health Philippines Glen Concio comments on the Mirror’s layout and page design. With him is Pub EIC Macalalag. (USA Publications File Photos)

THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR was adjudged as the best magazine in The 2nd National Campus Press Awards held during The 8th Spectrum Fellowship on January 26-28 at Nature’s Village Resort, Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

With the theme “redemption”, the magazine

also took home the best magazine cover design and the best magazine layout awards.

A m o ng t h e To p Ten Campus Journalists were R ay Adrian Macalalag , The Augustinian editor-inchief, and Genessa Buenafe, associate editor, who joined the writers from De La Salle

University – Manila, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, University of Negros Occidental – Recolletos, Kabankalan Catholic College, and Negros Oriental State University in the roster.

Macalalag was also awarded for the best opinion BEST MAG Page 2

2 « News

VOLUME LVII • NUMBER 3

MAY 15, 2012

Accounting Tech junior is new USASC prexy

By RIC MARTIN L. LIBO-ON

MAGBANUA

FILE PHOTO

DENN REED MAE MAGBANUA , Accounting Technology 3, now sits at the helm of the University of San Agustin Student Council (USASC) for AY 2012-2013 after having been elected president during the USASC s i ng l e -par t y el ec t io n o n February 27.

Running under the Partido

Aguila party, Magbanua said in her campaign speech during the USASC Grand Rally that the balance of talent, education and experience would serve as her platform of governance for the betterment of the student body and the University. She quoted St. Augustine in his book, City of God (11, 25), as the basis for her platform: “For man to be more mature, he needs certain equilibrium in these

things: talent, education and experience.” Magbanua added, “All three are geared towards the betterment of the student body, their maturity, their common good.”

She also said, “ We aim to answer the challenge of empowering every student in his/her academic performance and strengthening the rules and regulations of our school… We aspire to give the experience

of Augustinianism to every student in the University, giving them opportunities to be catalysts in the community using their talents and acquired education.”

Magbanua told The Augustinian that she plans to concretize her vision in the new academic year after the strategic planning and team building activities are done .

Meanwhile, in his

v a l e d i c t i o n a s o u t go i n g USASC President, Patrick Daniel Ladrido expressed his thanks to the students of the University of San Agustin “who have shown the USASC so much support, participation and understanding.” He also said he was “looking forward to getting the same” kind of involvement from the students for “the new leaders next school year.”

USA-NSTP hosts PRC holds computerization orientation Walk for PEACE

By MARYLEX G. SUMATRA

THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN N AT I O N A L S E R V I C E TR AINING PROGR AM (US A -NST P) cel eb rated the 10 th year anniversary of the implementation of the NSTP Law by hosting one of the Dinagyang Festival’s official events, the Walk for P.E. A .C.E.(Public Health & S a f e t y, E d u c a t i o n , A l l e v i a t i o n o f Po v e r t y, Community Development and Environmental Protection), w h i c h s t a r te d f ro m S M City Iloilo and ended at the University of San Agustin football field where a Taebo session followed.

Mr. John Paul Petrola, the USA-NSTP Academic Coordinator, said: “Walk for P.E.A.C.E. was organized in coordination with the USA Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the SK Federation of Iloilo City, the Iloilo Doctors’ College and the West Visayas NSTP Advisers and Directors Association Inc., and in cooperation with ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya Fo u n dat i o n , i n o rd er to establish solidarity among schools through the NSTP and the SK Federation, to advertise our institution to other schools, and to raise funds for the victims of Bagyo Sendong.”

Mr. Petrola further said that he proposed the inclusion of this event to the Dinagyang

Organizing Committee through Mr. Benito Jimena, Chairman of the Dinagyang Foundation.

“Since 2002, USA-NSTP has supported the Dinagyang Foundation by being part of the crowd control team.

Recently, however, we saw the need ... to extend our services, so we wrote a letter to the foundation, the mayor and the traffic enforcement bureau.

Fortunately, they all approved the proposal,” Mr. Petrola disclosed.

USA-NSTP is not just involved in cultural events but also in community service. “In the wake of the devastation wrought by Bagyo Sendong, we were one of the first five donors who offered help to the victims of the typhoon and the flood in Cagayan de Oro by sending boxes of food items such as instant noodles and canned goods to the victims through the GMA (TV network)Foundation.” Mr. Petrola added.

B e f o re t h e Wa l k f o r P.E.A.C.E. event concluded, thirty-five prizes of 15 Micro SD cards, 10 4GB USBs, 3 cellular phones and 7 tickets to the Star Magic Basketball Game were raffled off . Mr. Petrola, together w ith Ms. Sheen Marie Mabilog, Iloilo City Councilor (as SK Federation President) and USA-NSTP President for A.Y. 2011-2012, drew the winners among the participants.

INJAP from Page 1

In October 2010, Jolibee bought out Mang Inasal for three billion pesos, giving the fastfood market leader 70% majority ownership of the company, leaving Sia with a 30% ownership share of the company he founded, but making him, at 35 years old, a multibillionaire.

Forbes Magazine took notice and included him in its 2011 list of the 40 richest Filipinos, the youngest at that.

Before the Jollibee buyout, Mang Inasal had employed 8,000 Filipinos in its 303 branches (24 company-owned, 279 franchised) located all over the country.

Presently, Sia is engaged

associations.

Before Mang Inasal, Sia had already put up the FourSeason Hotel (now People’s Hotel), the first business that he established when he was only 20 years old. A year later, he opened Mister Labada, a laundry and dry cleaning shop that has 3 branches in the city; he also put up Injap Photo Express, a photodeveloping business.

In 2007, Sia acquired Deco’s, said to be the original maker of the iconic Ilonggo delicacy, batchoy. As of this writing, it has 10 branches nationwide.

GO ONLINE, NOT IN LINE. PRC Commissioner Jennifer J. Manalili (with glasses) talks on the on-line application process for taking licensure examinations. At right is Dr. Carmen N. Hernandez, USA HRDO Director. (USA Publications Photo / Kristine Louise L. Andrade)

By ANDRE KARL S. FACULIN

Jennifer J. Manalili said that the OAS belongs to the platform on the Licensure Examination and Registration Information System (LERIS) which the PRC is currently developing as part of its e-Services package.

“With R.A. 8981 [or the PRC Modernization Act of 2000], the PRC is mandated to f u l l y co m p u ter i ze i t s operations and functions for the benefit of our applicants

in real estate development. His investment company has already built People’s Condominium in San Rafael, Mandurriao and is currently constructing Uptown Place, a commercial building along General Luna Street, and a 21-storey condotel, the Injap Tower, on Diversion Road.

Sia also sits as the youngest member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Bank of Communications.

A s he revealed in his co m m en cem ent ad d ress , Sia owns a diverse business portfolio, applies textbook concepts and common sense in running his businesses, employs a number of people representing various sectors of society, gives importance to his family, appreciates Filipino culture, declares his pride as an Augustinian, and shares his wealth with the less fortunate.

These, in essence, have made him an embodiment of the Augustinian motto, Virtue and Science, thus, deserving of the honorary degree conferred upon him by the University.

BEST MAG from Page 1

THE PROFESSIONAL R E G U L A T I O N COM MISSION (PRC) conducted an orientation/ forum on the pilot-testing of its On-line Application System (OAS), a component of its computerization project, on April 17 at the USA President’s Conference Room.

PRC Commissioner Atty.

ar ticle for his “No more next time” article which was about the SM Pampanga fatal shooting incident last year; Buenafe received the second best feature article honors for her write-up, “Honor to kill for,” which focused on the culture of honor killings here and abroad.

Meanwhile, Jerson Elmido, wall newspaper editor, also won second place in the onthe-spot news writing contest (Filipino category); his article, “Katakatakang Tuko,” which discussed the prohibited sale of geckos, received recognition as the second best investigative report.

Co -w r iters Febr iely n Tumines and Ayah Danica Granada, literary editor and magazine apprentice writer, respectively, shared the third best human interest story award for their article, “That Side of Paradise,” which illustrates the ‘hopelessness and hopefulness’ of prisoners.

and our stakeholders,” Manalili said in her speech.

With the tagline, “Go online, not in line,” the PRC aims to cut the queues and to allow the applicants to apply anytime, anywhere.

“Under the OA S, the applicants will now be able to apply on-line, that is, at home, in the office, or wherever they are, as long as they have access to the internet,” Manalili said.

After the encoding process, the applicant may visit the nearest PRC Office for the validation of documents, verification of data, payment of fees and the issuance of Notice of Admission or the test permit.

Manalili added they are further developing the On-line Renewal System and the Online Registration System for the benefit of professionals.

At the forum, the participants , particularly the graduates, were requested to try out the OAS through a hands-on session at the Internet Laboratory.

Dr. Carmen N. Hernandez, University Human Resource D i re c to r, e x p re s s e d h e r gratitude to PRC for selecting the University as a partner in this breakthrough.

Also present at the forum were: PRC Regional Director Lily Ann R. Baldago, University Registrar Gemma B. Halili, Central Philippine University Registrar Ruth G. Fernandez, USA deans, department heads and students.

Iloilo is the fifth among 10 areas in the country covered by the OAS pilot-testing.

RED-AND-GOLD MEETS GREEN. Standing between tall columns at The Ruins, Talisay City, Macalalag and Elmido (extreme left and second from left, respectively) share a bonding moment with fellow writers from De La Salle University-Manila (from right to center): Malate Folio editor-in-chief Joanna Paula Queddeng, The LaSallian arts and graphics editor Jerome de Dios, and editor-in-chief Jessy Marie Go. (Malate Photo / Joanna Paula Queddeng)

The Spectrum Fellowship is an annual event sponsored and hosted by The Spectrum, the official student media corps of the University of Saint La Salle, Bacolod City.

It has two components: a campus journalism conference which has national media practitioners as resource

speakers for seminarworkshops on various types of journalistic work; and a campus press conference w h i c h g i ves recog n i t i o n to high school and college publications from different parts of the country for their excellence in the various aspects of journalism.

News » 3

VOLUME LVII • NUMBER 3

MAY 15, 2012

Pharmacy grad ranks 6th in licensure exam USA awards top H A NN A M AY EC A R A N OCAMPO, a BS Pharmacy graduate (May 2011), obtained an average rating of 89.45 percent to put her in sixth place among the top ten passers of the Pharmacist Licensure Examination given last January 15 and 16 by the Board of Pharmacy of the Professional R e g u l at i o n Co m m i s s i o n (PRC) in the cities of Manila, Baguio and Cebu.

Ocampo was one of the 576 examinees out of 1,109 who passed the board ex amination nationw ide.

Compared to the national passing rate of 68.91 percent in the previous examination, the latest result showed a decrease of 16.97 percent. However, Dr. Adeno Bermejo, head of the USA Pharmacy Department, said that our average school performance, which is 75.26 percent (79.55 percent for first timers and 33.33 percent for repeaters) is above the national passing rate of 59.16 percent.

“Part of our curriculum

for graduating students is t h e p h a r m ac e u t i c a l a n d comprehensive exam which is also a requirement for their graduation. This helps the students prepare for the board exam,” Dr. Bermejo says.

According to Ocampo, the exam was “d i f f i c u l t ” because she was expecting that most of the questions w o u l d be taken from the Philippine Association of Colleges of Pharmacy OCAMPO (PA CO P) rev iewers.

However, it turned out that most of the questions were the “mustknow” type which she said was the reason for her not to expect to top the board exam. “The fact that we had ample time to

review and to make use of that time to review past lessons was an advantage.” Ocampo added she still had to get used to being called a “board topnotcher,” but she felt “overwhelmed and happy” nonetheless because all her “sacrifices and efforts have paid off.” She tells her fellow students: “Manage your time, gather as much review materials as you can, and use them e f f i c i e n t l y.

Believe in yourself and in God.” M r s .

Jesusima Monserate, a registered phar mac i st and a faculty member i n t h e Depar tment of Pharmac y shares, “Ms. Ocampo is very diligent, dedicated in her studies and hard working. She is the silent type... but she was expected to top the board exam Photo courtesy of YEARBOOK OFFICE

By JOYCE GEM CAÑETE and CHRISTINE JOY SABER

because she had been in the dean’s list and had the qualities of a topnotcher even though she did not graduate as an honor student.”

Like Ocampo, Monserate also has this to say: “...There is no substitute for being prepared. Being nervous during examination is normal, but it can be minimized by studying harder, leaving no notes, books and reviewers unread. Spice up your hard work with prayers for God’s holy presence will calm your nerves...”

Meanwhile, Dr. Bermejo plans to enhance the department’s performance by encouraging the faculty to pursue continuing education so that they can also impart their knowledge to their students by starting with the basics in their respective subjects.

Ocampo plans to be employed in a pharmaceutical company or a hospital pharmacy and to put up her own pharmacy in the near future.

The oathtaking of successful examinees was on February 29 in Manila.

Augustinian takes Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2012 crown

By JERSON ELMIDO

KIMMY VILL ANUEVA , a BS in Tourism Management student of the College of Arts and Sciences won the Miss Iloilo Paraw Regatta 2012 crown in a pageant held on February 17 at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.

Aside from the title crown, Villanueva also bagged the Best in Interview, Best in Talent, Miss Photogenic, Miss Juicy Cologne, and Miss City Salon awards.

“By being part of this beauty pageant, I expect to gain a chance to discover my strengths and perfect them, realize my weaknesses and change them into my strengths,” she answered during the interview portion when she was asked what she expected to gain from participating in pageants.

In an online interview, she told The Augustinian that 2 AUGUSTINIANS from Page 1

shortlisted and the finalists selected ; then they were interviewed by a panel of judges to validate their academic ac h i evem ent , l ead er s h i p skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and moral integrity.

During the awarding , a v i d eo p re s e n t at i o n o f the awardees giving their statements on how they created positive change was shown.

Only after the individual awards were given that the Elite Circle of 5 was announced. All 5, including Bermudo, delivered their speeches.

SIGNATURE SMILE. Villanueva (center) is flanked by the other beauty titlists during the awarding ceremony held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, February 17. (Photo by Dadoy Ignacio)

her victory over the other contestants was unexpected.

“I never thought of winning the title because I was not that prepared. I won maybe because I had the talent

and I answered the interview question concisely.”

Villanueva represented Iloilo in the search for Miss Aliwan Fiesta in Manila on April 8-15, 2012.

Iloilo Governor Hon. Ar thur Defensor Sr. and Iloilo City Mayor Hon. Jed Patrick Mabilog were present during the ceremony and gave inspirational messages.

Having been recognized as an outstanding student, Bermudo has this message to share with the Augustinian community: “Don’t settle for anything less than excellence; and by excellence, I mean giving it your best shot, not just settling for “pwede na”; be it in sports, academics, extra-curricular activies or even love…bigay todo..., that way, you know you have done your best and you’d have no regrets.”

PRISAA from Page 8

thankful for the support of the Augustinian community most especially Rev. Fr. Pederito Aparece, OSA (Vice President for Student Affairs), Dr. Isidoro Cruz (College of Arts and Sciences Dean), Miss Victoria Sustento (College of Pharmacy and Medical Technolog y Dean), Mrs. Marvie Melocoton (USACPA Treasurer), Dr. Lilia Teves (Nutrition and Dietetics Head), and Miss Jesusita Hifarva (PE Faculty).”

With the semifinal finish, the eagle has now taken the first step towards the dance floor of the National PRISAA.

Suppor t ing the local young people and helping to preserve the city’s cultural heritage, Villanueva, now a title holder, is set to promote Iloilo tourism.

feeder schools

By WILHELM C. LIZADA

STRENGTHENING THE BOND. Mary Joy G. Bernas (3rd from left) of the Iloilo City National High School, the first placer among the top feeder schools, shows the plaque of recognition she received from Dr. Nenita Villanueva (extreme left), Fr. Generous P. Gonesto, OSA (2nd from left) and Fr. Pederito A. Aparece, OSA ( 4th from right). (USA Guidance Services

Center File Photo)

THE UNIVERSIT Y OF SA N AGUSTI N awarded scholarship grants to its top three feeder schools for Academic Year 2011-2012 during a recognition program held on February 16 in the President’s Conference Room.

The top three among the ten feeder schools that have provided the University with a high number of enrollees for three consecutive years since 2009 were: Iloilo City National High School, Iloilo National High School, and Oton National High School.

Rounding up the top ten were: Colegio de San Jose, University of San Agustin, Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus, Iloilo Central Commercial High School, Ateneo de Iloilo, Ramon Avanceña National High School and Tigbauan National High School.

According to Dr. Nenita Villanueva, Director of the Guidance Ser vices Office, each of the top three feeder schools will receive one USA Special Scholarship Grant (USASSG) for the school’s chosen graduate who will get a 100% discount on tuition for the entire period it will take him/her to complete all academic requirements of his/her preferred course, in compliance with the University’s retention policies on scholarship. Moreover, a

selected faculty member from each of the three schools will receive another scholarship grant of 50% discount on tuition if he/she will enrol in the USA Graduate School.

The rest of the schools, represented by their respective administrators or guidance counselors, received plaques of recognition.

During the program, the USA Guidance Counselors who v isited the different schools in Iloilo and conducted career talks with the graduating students also received recognition.

D r. Vi l l a n u e v a s a i d , “This recognition will help build educational partnership between the University and the feeder schools,” and that “...it would also bring the University closer to the heart of the students in the school, in the city and province.”

Representing the administration during the awarding were Rev. Fr. Pederito A. Aparece, the Vice President for Student Affairs, and Rev. Fr. Generous P. Gonesto, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, who gave the plaques of recognition and delivered messages.

The Guidance Services Office together with the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs organizes the annual recognition program.

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4

VOLUME LVII • NUMBER 3

Impetus

“...what is important is that we recognize its existence in our corporal bodies.”

RIC MARTIN L. LIBO-ON

NOTHING was spared in its deadly path.

In a mad instance, Typhoon Sendong not only blew away homes and cultural institutions but also shredded thousands of human memories as it swirled in fury, wreaking havoc along the way, leaving swaths of destruction, particularly in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

In the comfort of our homes, it would have been plain callousness on our part just to stare at the television screen showing images of the aftermath of the typhoon, or to listen to the uproar on the

radio over the death toll and the number of missing persons, without the reports evoking in all of us the need to respond.

The force of nature brought about widespread physical devastation; however, it also caused something more benign to happen, an inundation of local and international aid for the typhoon victims and the affected areas. I can safely surmise then that many sincere and helpful individuals are still around in this world. In fact, they do acts of kindness to people they have never met; their kindness goes a long way and their sincerity is never wasted.

Maling Akala 1. Lindol lang naman pala Ika-6 ng Pebrero nang kuyugin ng magnitude 6.9 na lindol ang kabisayaan bandang 11:49 nang umaga. Bagaman nasa pagitan ng Negros at Cebu ang sentro nito, hindi nakawala ang Iloilo at mga karatig na bayan sa magnitude 5 na lakas ng pagkuyog nito.

Siyempre, damay na rin dito ang ating Unibersidad na binulabog sa kalagitnaan ng eksam. Nakaka-aliw panoorin ang mga estudyanteng sabaysabay tingin sa kanilang guro at nagtanong kung ano ang susunod na gagawin. Mayroon din namang nagsibabaan na nga ang lahat ay nanatili pa rin sa ikaapat na palapag, dumudungaw sa pasilyo at kumakaway sabay sabing “Hi!”. (Hindi ba dapat ay sumunod na rin siya dahil sa pagkakataong ito ay inaasahan ang mga aftershock? Ang kyut!)

May mangilan-ngilan namang sa kabila ng takot ay nanatili paring mahinahon.

Pagkatapos nang sunudsunod pang pagduyan ng lupa, sinuspende na nga ang mga klase. (Yes! Walang pasok!)

Nagsi-uwi-an na ang lahat ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, masasabi ba nating handa ang ating Unibersidad? Alam ba ng lahat ang dapat gawin sa sandaling lumindol muli? Sa tingin ko, ang sagot – hindi.

Fire drill lang ang mayroon tayo, hindi pa nga lahat ay na k a k arana s ma k i ba hag i dito. Ang kalamidad ay hindi nagsasabi kung kailan at saan darating. Hindi ito ka-date na magpapadala nang text at sasabihing “punta na ko dyan”.

Isa itong sorpresa na akala mo lang wala, pero meron.

Siguro hintayin nalang

natin na dumating ang sorpresang ‘yun. Wala pa naman eh. Tsaka nalang tayo maghanda kapag tapos na tayong iduyan at nakawan ng mga mahahalaga sa ating buhay.

Makakarekober naman tayo agad. Pinoy kasi tayo, doon tayo magaling.

2. Gaya-gaya puto maya, katabi mong nangongopya Mahirap k apag hindi mo alam ang sagot sa isang pagsusulit. Ang lagay na kahit anong piga mo sa utak mo eh walang lumalabas. Ngunit ang mas mahirap, todo kayod ka sa paglingon, pagpapahaba ng leeg at pagpapalaki ng iyong mga mata pero wala ka namang makukuha sa katabi mong tila may malapad na likod.

Nagpapakahirap ding tinatago ang sagot sa white notes niya.

A n g k ato to h a n a n ay hindi mo siya masisi at wala kang karapatan para magalit dahil lamang sa ayaw niyang magpakopya sa iyo. Marami ang kanyang dahilan para maging maramot sa pagsusulit.

Ilan lamang sa mga dahilang ito ay nagpakahirap siyang mag-aral; nagsunog ng kilay sa gabi, nagpatubo ng eyebags, naubusan ng lakas sa pagkakabisado ng mga terminolohiya, at natuyuan ng utak sa pag-susuri sa mga proseso.

Na k a k a s a m a s a l o o b na nagbuhos ka ng lahat nang pwedeng sakripisyo, samantalang kokopyahin lang ng lintang katabi mo ang mga sagot mo? Aba! Anong pakiramdam niya? Parang bunga lang ng mangga sa likod nang Gamboa na kahit hindi kanyang pag-aari ay simpleng

MAY 15, 2012

Within What compels us to be charitable to those who are in misery, in trouble, in need?

Besides sharing a similar experience, as when Typhoon Frank pummeled and knocked down Iloilo several years back, we realize that there is something in all of us that reaches out to total strangers, for we believe that they are worth our efforts.

It doesn’t matter what we call it: heart, soul, inner core, anima, vital force, voice, conscience, intuition; what is important is that we recognize its existence in our corporal bodies.

Everyday life may seem fast-paced yet there are golden moments when we pause from the whirlwind of our lives and actually take notice of what’s going on with the rest of the world. Some of us may ask why

we need to help those living so far away from us but our confusion has never stopped us, the spirit within us, from actually reaching out and being involved.

It is comforting to know that, in the greater scheme of things, people are still aware of the bond that links all human beings regardless of their color, culture, and creed. We realize that the universe actually conspires with and relates to humankind and Mother Nature.

We are the links that form the big chain of society, thus, each one of our actions affects the rest in ways we may not understand.

Disasters such as the typhoon open our eyes to the reality of the need to value our ecology, and to the opportunity to search for that voice within each one of us that brings us closer to the rest of humanity.

“Tsaka nalang tayo maghanda kapag tapos na tayong iduyan at nakawan ng mga mahahalaga sa ating buhay.” sungkitin lamang? Hindi biro ang lumiban sa paglalaro ng kompyuter, mag-peysbuk o internet, at sumaglit-saglit sa pagtetext para lang unahin ang aralin.

Isa pa, malaki ang posibilidad na mas mataas na marka ang makuha ng nangongopya kaysa sa pinagkokopyahan. Iyon ang nakakainis. Ikaw na nga ang pinakinabangan, ikaw pa ang mukhang nawalan. Hindi patas!

Kung sino ang nagsakripisyo, marapat lang na siya ang magkakamit ng gantimpala.

Ang pinakamasakit, damay ka kapag nahuli siyang nangangahoy sa mga sagot mo.

Maraming unfair na paraan ang mga guro sa mga modus na ganito. May roong +1 puntos sa nangongopya at -1 naman sa nagpapakopya. Ang nakakatuwa dito, kung minsan walang kamuwang-muwang kang kinokopyahan at saktong nahuli kayo ng guro. Binawasan ang markang sana’y nakuha mo sa pagsusulit. Ang leksyon ay dapat bantay-sarado ka sa iyong apel. Doon naman sa nangongoya, sana ay paligu-an ka ng konsensya.

Ilan lamang ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit pati kaibigan mo ay nagiging maramot kapag eksam o may pagsusulit. Dapat kanya kanyang kayod lang, walang kopyahan. Sa atin namang mga guro, nawa’y tayo’y maging makatarungan. Hulihin lang ang may kasalanan at hindi

Tsismis ni Gusting

ang walang kamuwang-muwang na pinagkokopyahan. Maging masusi tayo sa pagmamatyag sa mga paraan ng pangongopya, pati na rin ng pangongodigo ng mga estudyante. Paraan man nila ito upang makapasa, hindi ito ang sagot sa layunin nating matuto.

3. Tagu-taguan, maliwanag ang buwan Ika-14 ng Pebrero, ang araw ng mga puso. Ito ang isa sa pinakahihintay ng mga magsing-irog. Dahil punungpuno ng pag-ibig ang araw na ito, punung-puno r in ng mga magkaparehang nagbabakasakaling m a k a p ag n i l ay n i l ay n a n g dalawahan lang. Pasimple lang kung makapagtago sa mga lugar na hindi abot ng mga ilaw at paningin. Sa likod ng Tekno, sa mga upuan sa gitna ng mga halaman, nakatalikod sa may daanan, at kapag nakarinig ng mga yabag ay kunwaring nakatingin lang sa kalangitan.

Ang nakakatuwa dito, patay malisyang maglalagay ng gapulgadang pagitan, halata namang dinapu-an lang ng kaunting hiya.

Sa mga security guards natin, kung maari po sana ay dalasan po natin ang pagiinspek syon sa mga tago at may kadilimang lugar sa Unibersidad. Kung gayong akala ng lahat ay wala nang tao, sa dilim pala ay may sikreto pang nagsasalu-salo.

Inbox is moving to The Augustinian. Share your views, opinions, and suggestions by texting us at 09283206395.

EDITO

Taking two steps backwards?

EDUCATION. We believe in it. That is why we are here in this University. Nothing will ever be more important than our college diplomas. These pieces of parchment paper fed into a laser printer and signed by those in authority are our tickets to the destination that will make us survive for the rest of our lives – the workplace.

Recently, the K-12 system of basic education has been implemented. From mandatory kindergarten, one has to go through elementary following the usual six-year curriculum; but in high school, instead of just four years, one has to hurdle six years: four years for junior high school and two years for senior high school.

This new curriculum is supposed to give students the specialized knowledge and skills that will make him ‘more prepared’ either to join the ranks of the employed, become his own employer as an entrepreneur, or proceed to take up tertiary education. But will he get the assurance of reaching this point of decision-making on a three-fold choice when he still has to spend not just extra time but also money?

For decades, the graduates of the old system have survived and become productive members of the global community. Why should there be two more years when the old system worked just fine? “Why fix it when it ain’t broke?”

The website eduphil.org recently published the following statistics: In the last two years, 15% of elementary-level children all over the country are not enrolled, while 39% of high school-level youth are not in school. On the other hand, the grade 1 students this year number 3.15 million, while the grade seven students number 1.71 million.

The same source said the cohort survival rates are: 66% in elementary; 42% in high school; and 25% ‘will go to college’, noting that this is not the college survival rate.

Now do the math. How many of the 1.71 million first year high school students enrolled this year are going to finish high school and to be in college at all? The figures are clear but the future of the “hope of the motherland” is hazy when they may not even continue their education.

USA PUBL

FOUNDE

EDITORIAL BOARD

RAY ADRIAN C. MACALALAG MARY LESLIE S. EREGIA Editors-in-Chief JOSEFA MARIA A. CASTRO Managing Editor JESANNY I. YAP ANDRE KARL S. FACULIN GENESSA A. BUENAFE Associate Editors Literary Editor FEBRIELYN S. TUMINES Wall News Editor JERSON E. ELMIDO Art Director NICOLE FERNAN L. CAMINIAN Photography Editor KRISTINE LOUISE L. ANDRADE Circulation Manager JOHN LOUIE E. ESMAYA GLADYS T. CONFESOR Moderator

« Opinion

ORIAL

K-12 has been implemented. Will it solve our country’s educational and employment problems? Will it make the Philippine educational system at par with those of other countries?

The new system is like a real-world snakes-andladders game where one throws the die, counts the number of boxes to go over, then finds out that he has reached a box with the head of a snake, indicating he should take two steps backward and farther away from the finish box. The player needs to throw the die again and again, risking dangers and setbacks but hoping for a clear path until he reaches the last box; and there are no guarantees for a safe and smooth journey.

The University of San Agustin is not spared from the impact of K-12 because it has also adopted the new curriculum. However, our school has other mechanisms that assure and safeguard the quality of education it offers, regardless of the K-12. All we have to do is continue with what we have been doing right, do it well, adopt the features of the K-12 that will promote excellence – and hope they will help us succeed.

LICATIONS

ED 1928

EDITORIAL STAFF

Senior Writers Ric Martin L. Libo-on, Mia Rose V. Emboltura Hannah Grace S. Taba, James Marthy M. Esleyer Staff Writers Kim Eric J. Del Rosario Joyce Gem M. Cañete Newspaper Apprentice Writers Wilhelm C. Lizada Marylex G. Sumatra, Joel S. Sastrillo Magazine Apprentice Writers Diane Danica C. Dy Christine Joy A. Saber, Ayah Danica V. Granada The Augustinian is the official student newspaper of the University of San Agustin. It is published by the USA Publications with editorial office at the 2nd Floor, Alumni Building, University of San Agustin, General Luna Street, 5000 Iloilo City. Comments, suggestions, and contributions may be sent to the Editorial Board through the email address usa. publications@rocketmail.com.

Telephone: (033) 337-4842 local 189 Website: www.usa-pub.blogspot.com

5 Catholic’s cool A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY – that is the University of San Agustin. We are enriched with the values and ideals of our patron Saint Augustine. In reality, we acquire at least 18 units of theology courses when we graduate from our chosen field – some even have more. As we graduate, the University expects us to practice what we have learned from those subjects which are not limited only to the lives of saints, the sacred vessels, the sacraments, or the biblical verses, but are also extended to good manners, right conduct, and morality.

R ecent l y, a Cat h o l i c school in Cebu penalized its students by banning them from joining their seniors’ bash, baccalaureate mass, and commencement exercises.

There were five of them – young, pretty, high school young girls. Now, why did their school ban them? In an official statement, the school administrators said the girls uploaded ‘lewd’ photos to a social networking site.

As luck would have it, I was able to see the leaked photos of the five girls. There was no nudit y but there was something sexual in an offensive way in their gestures.

The ladies were in bikini in the

shower, and they were making sexually suggestive hand and body movements. For me, the pictures were OK, but the fact that they were published in a social networking site viewed by millions really bothered me. What was their point in publishing those on the web?

They could have just printed out the photos and kept them in their wallets for their private viewing.

In a social networking site where you can also display the name of your school, the images you publish are also reflective of what your school teaches you. Whether we like it or not, people who view our profile on these sites may make generalizations about the entire student body and the school.

The administrators did what is right, that is, to uphold its vision, its mission, and its identity as a Catholic institution. Those five girls were their responsibility for as long as they were enrolled in school to be nurtured and imbued w ith values. The school had the right to punish them because it deemed their act a violation of its moral code of conduct, considering it was a religious institution.

The parents of the students filed a temporary

“Graduating from a Catholic institution is one of the best things a Catholic student can be proud of.” restraining order so that their children could join the commencement exercises.

Some parents even asked for less damaging punishment such as making the girls clean the entire school campus.

The question is how will you make someone understand that he has done something wrong if you will not give him a punishment that will make him learn accordingly?

In the Augustinian contex t, if you love your neighbor, you really need to make the person feel that what he has done is wrong. It is for this reason that our teachers, our parents, and sometimes even our colleagues scold or reprimand us because they love us.

The school rejected the parents’ appeal and went ahead with their form of punishment.

One might reason out that publishing the photos was the students’ choice. Well, there is a limit to what one can publish on the web. Since they are neither movie stars nor supermodels whose jobs

Hindi ko ito ginusto, ngunit heto NAKATAPOS na nga ako!

Kahapon na kung maitutuing ang apat na taon nang pakikipagbuno ko sa masalimuot, masaya, at nakakaitress at walang katulad na buhay bilang estudyante sa kursong nursing at bilang bahagi ng USA Publications.

Lumipas na ang mga araw na kailangan kong matulog lampas hatin gabi para maipasa ang requirements kinabukasan.

Hindi ko nain muna kailanagng g umi sing ng maaga para maiwsan ang extensions sa duty at patuoy na habulin (ang hindi maabut-abot) ang deadline ng mga dapat ipasa sa Pub. Nakakahiya man ngunit kailingan kong aminin madalas rin akong mahuli sa pagpasa.

At dahil ditto, humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa aking mga editors,tagapayo, at lalunglalo na sa mga mahal naming mambabasa.

Talaga naman mahirap pagdugtug-dugtungin ang mga salita bago pa man ito makabuo ng mga ideya na tunay na makakapagpahayag ng tunay mong saloobin. Lalo pa itong mahirap kung kailangan mo nang magpaalam sa mga tao at gawaing hahanap-hanapin ng iyong puso at isipan.

S a m g a n ag i n g g u ro ko sa Unibersidad sa loob ng apat na taon, maraming salamat sa pababahagi niyo ng inyong kahusayan, paggabay at pagsuporta na naging sandata ko sa mga panahong nais ko

nang umayaw. Salamat din pos a pagpapasensya sa paliban ko sa klase, pagigin late a syempre sa ingay na nagawa ko. Sana naman kahit minsan ay naging musika din ito sa inyong pandinig.

Ng u n i t sa ser yo so ng usapan, mahirap pagsabayin ang nursing at pagsusulat.

Pagod sa duty, tuyo pa ang utak pagdating sa pagsusulat.

Ganyang ang kadalasan kong nararanasan lalo pa kapag nagbabadyang lumag apak ang grado ko. Subalit sa paraang ito, natuto akong balansehin ng mabuti ang aking oras at prayoridad. At sa sinumang magnanais na pumasok sa pamilyang aking iiwan, tiyak, marami kang matututunan, at wala kan pagsisisihan.

Sa mga tunay at hanggang kamatayan kong mga kaibigan sa Mango Club, (Al, Julz, Sherwin, Abby, Jose, Arvin, Deviane, Beverly at Fellah), Gossip Girls (Melanie at Cynthia), La Diva (Chinny, Krista, Krisna, Michelle at Norjan) at buong pamilya ng BSN 4A Batch 2012, hinding-hindi ko ninais na maging kaibigan kayo pero wala akong magagawa, sadya t a l a g a s i g u r o n g t ay o ay nakatadhana. Hindi muna ako magpapasalamat at nang ako ay makauit pa. Makaulit pang gumawa ng mga magagandang ala-ala. Hahahahahaha!

Sa mahal naming Dean, Sofia Cosette Monteblanco,

RAY ADRIAN C. MACALALAG

demand publicity through all media platforms, the students somehow made an error in judgement. Publishing their photos on the web is parallel to their wearing bikinis before an audience of millions rather than just the hundreds or a few thousands on a popular beach.

A social networking site may have its privacy settings but when one’s account is hacked, the leak gets bigger than an oil spill and goes faster than a failed missile launch in North Korea.

Graduating from a Catholic institution is one of the best things a student can be proud of. We are taught by our mentors to become responsible children of God. We are enriched with moral values to become excellent professionals. Being punished for what we have done wrong is not a terrible thing ; it simply shows that our school cares for our social and moral development; that a Catholic school like ours molds us into respectable persons in the eyes of our neighbors and our God.

“...ang minsang pakikisalamuha sa inyo ay mag-iiwan ng aral na higit pa sa natutunan ko sa apat na sulok ng silid-aralan.”

Ma’am Lorna Badian at Ma’am Mary Espino at sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Nursing Faculty and Staff, salamat sa patuloy na pagbibigay pag-asa kahit pa tila mga yelo na kaming n at u t u n aw s a m a i n i t n a paglapit ng araw ng pagtatapos habang nakabinbing matapos ang aming scrubs. Mabuti na lang ma’am, sir, at sadya pa ring mahabagin ang ating mahal na Panginoon.

Sa aking mga kasamahan sa USA Publications, “Do you think it’s funny now?” sabi pa nga ni Gen malungkot ko ng l i l i s an i n ang at i ng mumunting tahanan. Ngunit sana ay hayaan nyo akong baunin ang mga ala-alang tumanda man ako ay hindi ko malilimutan. Nagpapasalamat ako dahil sa kabila ng aking mga kakulangan ay patuloy niyo pa rin akong pinatutuloy at sinasalubong ng mainit at mahigpit na yakap-kapatid sa ating pub-bahay. Kina Leslie at Ray, patawad dahil isa ako sa mga sakit ng ulo ninyo at salamat sa pag-intindi at sa kabutihan nyo. Sa mga kinakapatid kong sina Tinay, Feb, Gen at Josefa, salamat at napansin ninyo ako sa pamamagitan ng pagkulay

Razor Edge

Naiveté

MIA ROSE V. EMBOLTURA

sa aking mga kuko at hindi niyo r in p inalampas ang buhok, nunal, kilay at pilikmata ko. Kina Nong Jerson at Loiue, salamat sa pagiging kuya at mapagkakatiwalaang kaibigan. Lou, tandaan mong hindi ko planong magsolo h a n g g a n g m a g u n aw a n g mundo. Makakahanap rin ako.

At sa mga Pub babies, masaya ako at hinayaan niyo akong “paglaruan” kayo. Napasaya niyo ako at sanay naibalik ko rin ito sa inyo.

Higit sa lahat salamat sa Panginoong Diyos sa pagbigay sa akin ng aking malaki at masayang pamilya. Wala na akong mahihiling at masasabi pa sa swerte ko na ako ay nabubuhay sa piling nila.

Kayong lahat ay bumubuo sa i sang Mia . Hindi ako mapagsidlan ng galak na sa kabila ng ligalig sa mundo, may masasandalan akong tulad niyo. Higit kailanman, ang minsang pakikisalamuha sa inyo ay mag-iiwan ng aral na higit pa sa natutunan ko sa apat na sulok ng silid-aralan.

K ai b igan, salamat sa pagsubaybay at sa wakas, natapos ko ring isulat ang kahuli-hulihang sulat ko na mababasa mo.

6 « Opinyon Wanted

“...oras na nawalan ka na ng bilib sa sarili, dun ka pumapangit...”

FEBRIELYN S. TUMINES

KUNG nasa Araneta Coliseum ako, nasa top five ng isang prestihiyosong beauty pageant at napunta sa akin ang palagiang tinatanong na “You are now looking in the mirror, if you are to change anything about what you see, what would that be and why?” Ano kaya ang magiging sagot ko?

Kukunin ko ang microphone at sasabihin ang palagi-an ring isinasagot rito“Thank you very much. Let me answer that in Filipino. Minsan naisip kong ipa-renovate na

ang buong pagmumukha ko.

Maraming beses kong hinangad na sana bukas-makalawa , pagkagising ko, magmukhang Shaina Magdayao o Angel Locsin ako. Pero, naisip ko rin, sino ba naman ako kung hindi dahil sa pagmumukhang ito? Ano nga ba naman ang kagandahan? Pahiwatig nga ni Bob Ong, “ Ang pagmumukha, pauso-uso lang yan!” Kung this year patok itong itsura ko, baka sa 2013, laos na. Ang beauty kasing tinatawag ay kung paano mo tratuhin ang kapwa mo.

Para sa inyong Kaalaman

“Kinakailangan ang mahabang pasensya... tungo sa isang matuwid na daan.”

HANNAH GRACE S. TABA

SIMUL A noong una itong ibalita sa telebisyon mga ilang buwan na ang nakalipas, kumalat ang isyu tungkol sa ‘Noynoying’ na parang isang epidemya. Bilang resulta, nagkaroon na ito ng kahulugan sa Wikipedia at maging sa Wall Street Journal.

Nagsimula ang ‘Noynoying’ sa isang grupo ng mga nagpoprotesta hinggil sa patuloy na pagtaas na presyong langis. Wala silang ginagawa kundi ang maupo at magtamadtamaran gaya na lamang daw ng kawalan ng aksyon ni P-Noy sa iba’t-ibang isyung panlipunan tulad ng pagtaas ng presyo

ng mga bilihin, estado ng edukasyon sa bansa, at iba pa.

Noong isinagawa ang ikalawang SONA ni P-Noy taong 2011, hindi maikakailang marami na rin ang nagawa niyang pagbabago sa bansa.

Isa narito ang pinaigting na kampanya laban sa wang-wang.

Bumaba rin di-umano sa 15.1% mula 20.5% ang porsyento ng bilang ng taumbayan na nagsasabing sila ay hindi nakakakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw.

Subalit tila sa umpisa lang naramdaman ang pag-aksyon ng pangulo sa mga problema na kinakaharap ng bansa. Sa

Epikia

“Huwag sanang maging bisyo ang hindi pagsunod sa mga alituntunin...”

JAMES MARTHY M. ESLEYER

ANG guard, mga estudyante at ang panuntunan.

“PST! ID mo…?” Paulitulit na lang na pangungulit sa pagpapatupad ng walang k amatayang NO ID, NO E N T RY P O L I C Y d i to sa Unbersidad. Ito ay isa lamang sa napak araming panuntunan na dapat sundin ng papasok sa gate ng San Agustin. Merong sa tsinelas, sa maikling shorts, hikaw ng mga lalaki, sa sleeveless, sa naka paldang above-the-knee o di naman kaya’y sa butas-butas na pantalon. Nakakasawang senaryo. Kailan ba matututo ang mga estudyanteng ito na sumunod sa mga panunutunan?

Animo’y mga batang nasa elementary na napakakulit.

Kapag binawalan ng guard, humahanap ng palusot. Kapag

hindi pinayagang pumasok, magdadabog paalis at kung anuanong salita ang binibitiwan.

Kapag hinayaang pumasok, i p i nag mamay abang pang nakapuslit. Anu ba namang klaseng mga estudyante yun?

Konting kahihiyan lang po sa ating mga sarili.

Dito natin makikita ang iba’t ibang klase ng mga p a s aw ay n a e s t u d y a n t e.

Papasok pa lang ako ng side gate at napahinga ako ng malalim sa mga grupo ng mga estudyanteng naka shorts na nagpupumilit makapasok .

Kesyo may practice daw, wala naman daw silang klase o di kaya’y dadaan lang papunta sa front gate. Mga gasgas na palusot pero paulit-ulit nang ginagamit sa maraming pagkakataon.

VOLUME LVII • NUMBER 3

MAY 15, 2012

Para sa mga gandang-ganda sa sarili, pag-isipan nyo po ‘to Kung mabuti ang iyong hangad sa mga bagay-bagay, doon ka lalong gumaganda. In short and in English, “The more you do good things, the prettier you become.” Kaya kung may babaguhin man ako sa sarili ko, hindi yung panlabas na ganda kun’di doon ako sa long-term investment – ang panloob na kagandahan. Sabi nga ng Myra 300 E, “Be beautiful inside and out!” Thank you!” sabay kaway ng aking ambisyosang kamay.

No o n ‘ y o n . Pe r o s a isang mundong lulong sa mga panandalia’t materyal na bagay hindi sapat ang ugali lang. Malungkot mang sabihin, minsan ang panlabas na anyo ay sapat na. Ang pananaw kasi sa kagandahan ay unti-unti na ring nagbago. Paano ba i-define

ang ‘maganda’? Ang ideya’t konsepto ng kagandahan na ipinapakita sa mga magazines, advertisements at telebisyonay slim, maputi, pouty lips, 5’4” plus ang height, mahaba’t straight na buhok at matangos ang ilong -‘yan ang beauty.

K ay a nau u s o na ang mga retoke, iba’t-ibang diet, cosmetics at kung anu-ano pang kacheche-an sa katawan na nangangako ng kagandahan.

Hindi naman sa tutol ako sa mga ganitong bagay. Hindi masama ang magpaganda lalong hindi rin krimen ang magbago for good. Hindi ko kinukundina ang pagreretoke, pero kahit nga ang bahaghari may hangganan. Siguro binigay ng Diyos ang kaalaman sa agham at teknolohiya, upang

P-Noy tamad? paglipas ng panahon ay tila nawala ang momentum ng administrasyon . Isa lamang ba itong paraan ng pagpapakitangtao na gaya ng ginagawa ng mga pulitiko tuwing eleksyon at matapos mailuklok sa puwesto ay isasawalang bahala na lang ang responsibilidad na nakalaan sa kanila?

Naging isyu rin ang madalas na pagliban sa trabaho ni P-Noy. Ayon sa artikulo ni Ramon Tulfo na isang kolumnista ng Philippine Daily Inquirer, gaya ng dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada, nagtatrabaho si P-Noy kapag madalingaraw at natutulog sa umaga dahilan kung bakit madalas siyang mahuli sa kanyang mga pagpupulong.

Sa kabilang banda, hindi naman natin masisisi ang pangulo sa mga nangyayari sa bansa dahil ito ay naging sakit na

ng lipunan. Kahit siguro sinong pangulo ang maupo sa pwesto ay hindi pa rin makakaligtas sa pambabatikos ng ilan.

Marahil ang mga isyung ito ay nagsisilbing hamon sa kakayahan ng pangulo upang pagsilbihan ang bayan ng mabuti. Kinakailangan ang mahabang pasensya at kagustuhan na mabago ang baluktot na pamamahala dito sa bansa tungo sa isang matuwid na daan.

“Kayo ang boss ko…”, ito ang mga katagang binitiwan ng pangulo sa kanyang talumpati noong inagurasyon. Hanggang sa may mga taong walang pinupuna kung hindi ang pagkukulang ng pangulo at hindi ang mga bagay na nagawa niya para sa bansa, mananatiling maliit ang tsansang pag-asa na umunlad ang antas ng ating pamumuhay.

Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan?

Yung isa, sasabihin pang “eh’hindi ko alam eh!” Ano yun, nagbubulag-bulagan? O di kaya’y nagte-tengang kawali?

Sa araw-araw na pagpasok sa Unibersidad ay hindi man lang nabasa ‘yung mga nakapaskil sa karatula? Anung silbi ng Student Manual kung hindi rin lang naman binabasa? Gaya nga ng isang kasabihan, “Ignorance of the law excuses no one”. Kaya kahit anu pang sabihin, dapat lang na sundin ang batas.

Hindi lamang ito replek syon ng kanilang pagkatao ngunit isang litrato ng kung ano o paano sila pinalaki sa kani-kanilang tahanan.

Hindi rin lang mga estudyante ang may kakulangan sapagkat ang mga nasa pwesto [guard] ay may mga kakulangan din naman. Minsan may sekyu na hindi pinayagang pumasok ang lalaking naka short pero may mga nak ak alusot na babaeng maiikli ang palda.

Unfair ha? Ilan lamang ito sa mga nakagawiang praktis ng

ating mga poging guard. Ang tama at nararapat lang naman sana ang kailangan at iyon ay pagiging patas sa lahat.

Kawawang bata. Halos mapaiyak ang first year na estudyanteng nasigawan ni manong guard dahil hindi daw suot-suot ang ID. Nakalimutan lang naman daw isuot. Pwede namang pagsabihan sa marahang pamamaraan at hindi na kailangang ipahiya. Lahat naman ng bagay ay nadadaan sa marahan at mahinahon na usapan.

Ang batas ay batas. Tulad nang sa programa sa telebisyon, dapat walang kinikilingan at walang pinoprotektahan – maging estudyante o guard man. Lahat dapat may disiplina sa sarili para magsilibing ehemplo sa karamihan. Huwag sanang maging bisyo ang hindi pagsunod sa mga alituntunin ng Unibersidad upang hindi tayo sirang plakang sabihin ang mga katagang “Kailangan pa bang i-memorize yan?”

gamitin ito para mas mapabuti pa ang ating pamumuhay. Kung pangarap mong pumayat, sige magbawas ka nang magbawas ng timbang. Pero dapat, huwag na huwag mong pagsisihan kung ano man ang maging kapalit nito sa huli. Dahil oras na nawalan ka na ng bilib sa sarili, dun ka pumapangit, kinakain ka na paunti-unti ng kagandahan.

Eh ano kung light brown ang mukha at ebony naman ang skin tone ng leeg mo ‘te?

Ano ngayon kung mukha kang pandesal? Problema ba nila kung parang tuhod ang cheekbones mo, kung feeling mo naman ang ganda-ganda mo inside and out? It takes not only attitude but guts and all confidence to be beautiful, so cheer up and chin up!

Kung tatanungin ako ng parehong tanong ngayon, dadagdagan ko pa sigurado ng mga katagang… “… kung may gusto man akong baguhin, ‘yun ay sa nakikita ko ngayon. Gusto kong baguhin ang konsepto natin ng kagandahan. Hindi slim, maputi, pouty lips, 5’4” plus ang height, mahaba’t straight na buhok at matangos ang ilong ang dapat na kahulugan ng kagandahan. Dapat good attitude at confidence. Ang tunay na maganda ay mabuti sa panloob na ugali at ang mga gandang-ganda sa kanilang sarili. Thank you Araneta! Thank you so much Philippines!”

Siguro kung si Belo’t Ca l ay an ang i s a s a mga judges,malamang , four th runner-up lang ako.

PRESSRELEASE EDITORIAL BOARD AND STAFF Academic Year 2012-2013 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Ray Adrian C. Macalalag (CEA)

Josefa Maria A. Castro (CAS) MANAGING EDITOR Jerson E. Elmido (COE) ASSOCIATE EDITORS Jesanny I. Yap (CPMT)

Stephanie Kay L. Urquiola (CAS) Genessa A. Buenafe (CPMT) LITERARY EDITOR WALL NEWSPAPER EDITOR ART DIRECTOR PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR CIRCULATION MANAGER

Febrielyn S. Tumines (CBAA) Ric Martin L. Libo-on (CPMT) Anne Catherine D. Malazarte (CEA) Kristine Louise L. Andrade (CAS) John Louie E. Esmaya (CAS)

SENIOR WRITERS Ayah Danica V. Granada (CAS)

Wilhelm C. Lizada (CPMT) Joel S. Sastrillo (CEA) STAFF WRITERS Joyce Gem M. Cañete (CPMT)

Jeremiah John P. Vardeleon (CBAA) Marylex G. Sumatra (CPMT) Shea Angela M. Cordova (CEA) PHOTOJOURNALISTS Thongenn Lanz B. Patiam (CAS)

Shila Lowesse Patryxia G. Lao (COE) MAGAZINE APPRENTICE WRITERS Seulgi J. Han (CPMT)

George L. Lozada (COE) NEWSPAPER APPRENTICE WRITERS Christine Joy A. Saber (CPMT)

Edrylle G. Cofreros (CPMT) Rochelle Louise D. Doromal (CPMT) MODERATOR Gladys T. Confesor

UNSHAKEN from Page 8

Argentine security personnel to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Casimero and his team, exposing them to grave danger. The ambassador of Argentina in Manila was also summoned by P-Noy to explain his countrymen’s lack of immediate action to protect the Filipino delegation.

Here in the countr y, the same incident led Filipino box ing superstar and Sarangani congressman Manny Pacquiao to urge the Games and Amusement Board to come up with guidelines that would ensure the safety of professional boxers competing in the country and abroad.

On the positive side, the Argentina incident showed that Filipinos cannot simply allow any person, organization, or nation to put the welfare of their fellow citizens at risk, especially those who bring honor to the country.

It could have been cultural differences or simply an extreme game of odds but if other nations could doubt the stability of their morality, the Philippines couldn’t. Our country’s values of hospitality, cooperation and optimism remain steadfast and strong even in the midst of flying chairs, crashing water bottles and screams of anger and resent, and in a foreign land at that.

VOLUME LVII • NUMBER 3

MAY 15, 2012

USAMPS holds 2nd Reg’l GEM Fest

By RAY ADRIAN C. MACALALAG

THE USA MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICS SOCIETY (USAMPS), in partnership with the Department of Math and Physics, hosted the 2nd Regional Golden Eagle Math (GEM) Fest, February 14, at the USA Conference Room.

Three competitions made up the regional fest: t h e 1 0 th R e g i o n a l H i g h School Mathematics Quiz Bee on mathematics, physics, and statistics for individual students; the 2nd Regional Onthe-Spot Poster Making Contest that required the contestants to incorporate rec yclable materials in their artworks; and, introduced only this year, the Regional Bridge-Building Competition where students put to use their skills in physics by designing and constructing according to given specifications a miniature bridge made up of barbeque sticks and yarn.

Huber t Yao of Iloi lo Central Commercial High School – Ledesco, topped the mathematics quiz bee, while Karlo Jose Calderon and Allan Magno Pecundo, both of the Philippine Science High School, took the second and third places, respectively.

In the poster-making contest, Pavia National High School bagged the gold, Cabatuan Comprehensive National High School grabbed the silver and the University of Iloilo – Phinma Educational Network claimed the bronze.

T h e b r i d ge - b u i l d i n g competition winners were: the Ateneo de Iloilo–Santa Maria Catholic School team composed of Juan Miguel Defensor and

Jickob Eddan Lim, first place; the Cabatuan Comprehensive National High School team composed of Jother John Tirador and Ryan Bordeyos, second place; and the University of Iloilo – Phinma Educational Net work team composed of Nikkie Joyce Cuadra and Kissrhyl Tonogbanua, third place.

Six other schools participated in the 2 nd GEM Fest: Alimodian National High School, Iloilo Scholastic Academy, Negros Occidental Science High School, Sun Yat Sen High School, University of San Agustin, and the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo.

The judges for the three co nte st s were : D r. A l e x Facinabao (Dean, College of Education), Engr. Jeruel Canales, and Engr. Edgar Allan Vargas (both CEA faculty) for the Mathematics Quiz Bee; Engr. Reynaldo Asuncion (Dean, College of Engineering and Architecture) and Engr. Eryl Lazarte (CEA faculty) for the bridge-building competition; and Interior Designers Profs.

Mary Grace and May Sabadisto, and Prof. Alma Hermo, all CEA faculty, for the on-the-spot poster-making contest.

Prof. Rhodora Cartagena is Chair of the Math and Physics Department, while Joel Sastrillo is president of the USAMPS. THE WIZARDS. (Top) Yao, Iloilo Central Commercial High School Ledesco, Math Quiz Bee; (Middle) Defensor and Lim, Ateneo de Iloilo, Bridge-building Contest; (Bottom) Pavia National High School, Poster-making Contest.

(USA Math and Physis Society Photo / Lendell Pastrana)

Special Report » 7 NEWSBRIEFS

9thAdfest promotes creativity, values

THE College of Business Administration and Accountancy Marketing Management class held its 9th Adfest with the theme “Creativity and TV” on March 19 at the USA Auditorium.

Thirteen entries submitted by third year Marketing Management students competed in the Adfest. The winners were: 1st place, Perri Todd, directed by Mary Shanne Basa who also received the Best Director award; 2nd place, Nikon, directed

by Edgardo Amar, and its tagline, “captures your story, captures your life”, which won the Best Tagline award; and tied at third place, two Pepsi ad entries, directed separately by Ronnie Gelilang and Renel Jamolo .

According to Ms. Carina E. Raylos, CBAA-MM faculty incharge of the event, this year’s adfest aimed not only to enhance the Marketing Management students’ skills and creativity in conceptualizing a television advertisement but also to integrate values in its message.

“This way, they put theory into practice,” Raylos said.

The Adfest was made possible through the sponsorship of “partner companies”- restaurants, retail stores, and service providers.

Mr. Eric Divinagracia, Coordinator for Co-curricular Activities, Patrick Daniel Ladrido, USASC President, and Ms. Loi Gamboa, Best Director during the 8th Adfest, served as judges for the said event.

FEBRIELYN S. TUMINES

CBAA stude tops design tilt

DENNIS PEDROSA, a third year BS Accounting Technology student, representing the University of San Agustin, won the first prize in the T-shirt Design Contest held at SM City Iloilo, a prelude to the celebration of Dinagyang 2012.

In contrast to the colorful entries of the other contestants, Pedrosa’s black and white design stood out. One of the criteria used as basis for selecting the winner was the saleability of the T-shirt with the contestant’s design. Based on the bigger number of his T-shirts sold, Pedrosa’s design won. The contestants from John B. Lacson University Foundation- Arevalo and Western Visayas College of Science and Technology were the 2nd and 3rd place winners, respectively.

As the grand winner, Pedrosa received a cash prize and a gift pack. “...I did not even expect that with the slim chances I had, I could win over the contestants from other schools. But despite the tight competition, my design was chosen as the best,” he said.

Pedrosa was grateful for the support extended to him by his family and the Vice President for Student Affairs Fr. Pederito A. Aparece; and he also thanked God for the talent that “He has entrusted to me.”

JESANNY I. YAP

UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN STUDENT COUNCIL | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Photo courtesy of TECHIE JOY B. GABALES

Women’s Track Team dash to PRISAA victory

Overall champs second year in a row

By JERSON E. ELMIDO

FOR the second consecutive year, the USA women’s track and field team grabbed the overall championship in the 2011 ILOPRISA A (Iloilo Pr ivate School s Athletic Association) Meet held on November 16-25 at the Iloilo Sports Complex, with the theme “ILOPRISAA and the Filipino Youth: Engaging Mind and Ennobling Heart towards the Good Life.”

Leading the medal reapers was Techie Joy Gabales, BS HRM 3, who won the gold in the 100m and 400m hurdles, 4x100 m and 4x400 m relay, and the silver in 100m dash.

Coach Joey Catequista attributed the team’s victory to

training, proper execution, and discipline. “We started working out since the opening of school,” he said.

Gabales expects another grand slam next year. She said, “ With the potential of our athletes, I think we can do even more if we have more support from the University.”

Joining Gabales in the winners’ circle were: Mylene Pagdato, BS ME 5, who seized the gold in 400m dash, 800m run, 4x100 m and 4x400 m relay, and the silver in 1,500m run; Sheena Pabida, BS HRM 3, who snatched the gold in 50,000m walk, the silver in 100m hurdles, and the bronze in 5000m run; Noche Grace Badilla, BS BA 3,

who got the gold in the 100m dash, 4x100m and 4x400m relay, and the bronze in triple jump; Janine Arrey, BS Tourism 1, who went for the gold in the 3,000m, 5,000m, and 10,000m run; Leemarie Carugda, BEED 1, who took the gold in 200m dash, long jump, triple jump, 4x100m and 4x400m relay, and Janette Bayalas, BS HRM 3, who bagged the gold in shot put and the silver in discus throw.

The champ ion L ady Eagles advanced to the regional ga m e s , t h e W V P R I S A A (Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association), where they eventually settled for 3 rd place in the over-all ranking.

Augustinians invade nat’l dance floor DANCING couple Francesca Marie Abelarde, BS MLS 1, and John Palma, BS Psyc 3, were among the top seven semifinalists from 24 participating pairs coming from 15 regions in the dance sport modern standard category in the National PRISAA held at the Cebu Coliseum, April 22-28.

One of the t wo pairs representing Western Visayas, the couple earned the right to the national competition when they waltzed their way to the ILOPRISAA championship in November 2011 and glided to the 1st runner-up place on the regional level WVPRISAA. Abelarde and Palma’s coach, Prof. Eva Zaldivar, Chair of the Physical Education Department, never expected that the couple would make it to the semifinals.

According to her, both

Photo courtesy of PE DEPARTMENT

By RAY ADRIAN C. MACALALAG

ABELARDE and PALMA

dancers were very good but so were the other dancers; thus she was pleasantly surprised to know when it was announced that the couple had made it to the top seven. Zaldivar added that the the pair’s achievement was a “first time” for the University of San Agustin, that is, to reach the national level,

then making it to the semifinal round.

Zaldivar would like to thank all those who were “kind and considerate” in funding the participation of the school.

“This is the first time we have been elevated to the nationals and I am very PRISAA Page 3

Unshaken Divergence

GENESSA A. BUENAFE

“...a lot could happen in 10 minutes during a massive, uncontrollable riot without security.”

FLYING chairs. Crashing water bottles. Screams of anger and resentment.

After adding another world boxing crown to the country’s brimming collection, a boxing champion, I must say, deserves a lot more than this violence. Casimero, the Pinoy champ, earned that victory but it was overshadowed by the riot that broke out after he had been declared to have won the IBF light flyweight title against Argentina’s Luis Alberto “Mosquito” Lazarte at the Estadio Club Once Unidos in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The grumpy “gauchos” started throwing objects into the ring and, if that was not enough, began to enter the ring, moving towards Casimero’s corner. They were looking ready to crush not just the Pinoy team but also the referee, Eddie Claudio, who called a deduction of points from Lazarte’s score in the sixth round.

Such v iolent reaction was not expected since the spectators were all adults capable of putting out the sparks of their temper, and not reckless, unruly children.

Furthermore, the ugly revolt

was led by some members of the Argentinian Truckers Union which, according to promoter Sammy Gello-ani, counts Lazarte as a member.

It seemed as if their support remained strong, very strong, even though Lazarte lost. It was clearly forcible enough when they inflicted minor injuries on Casimero’s group, including trainer Cristopher “Pingping” Tepora and Gelloani.

It was an act meant to regain their lost pride as a people after the loss, but that act showed the world just how shabby people there behaved.

It would be uncivilized for us Filipinos to throw chairs and stage a riot when our own Pinoy boxers lose in a fight but maybe in Argentina it was the norm. The security system in Argentina also proved to be inadequate in controlling the crowd and escorting the Filipinos towards safer grounds. According to the Department of Foreign Af fairs, its Buenos Aires mission reported that the rioting lasted more than 10 minutes until local police escorted Casimero and his team to the hotel and gave

them police guards for protection. The security during the fight itself may have had lapses in the system because the local police were still 10 minutes away. Hey, a lot could happen in 10 minutes during a massive, uncontrollable riot without security.

Fortunately, TV footage later showed that Casimero was unhurt as he stood alone in the ring while waiting for security to take action. Still, his team suffered bruises from protecting him against the Argentine rioters. And more importantly, no matter the violent reactions to the first verdict, the International Box ing Federation (IBF) decided in favor of the Pinoy boxer.

Despite the reverberating effect of the riot, the Filipino team still retained a positive outlook as they celebrated Casimero’s 22 nd birthday as a gift to the entire Filipino nation. Meanwhile, the IBF banned Lazarte from boxing after the incident.

O n e t h i n g i s c l e a r, though – the riot was an act that violated the foreign visitors’ rights to security; and ever y violation has a consequence. The Argentine officials failed to recognize and respect the Filipino boxing delegation’s right to safety and security. Thus, the Philippine embassy in Buenos Aires, filed a diplomatic protest in February, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez, over the inabi lit y of the UNSHAKEN Page 6