The Augustinian, October 2012 (Features Fold)

IloIlo’s newesT eco-ParK

AugustiniAn the

FeAtuResfold VOLUME LVIII • NUMBER 1

unveIlIng The new cITy hall

PAge B2

PAge B2

the OFFiCiAL student neWsPAPeR OF the uniVeRsity OF sAn Agustin

urdaneTa hall

PAge B4

BooK revIew: The PerKs of BeIng a wallflower PAge B7

iloilo loilo city, philippines

OCTOBER 5, 2012

new chaPTers of rIZal’s novels

PAge B5

Calle Real: Long-lost Elegance Restored

By Wilhelm c. lizaDa

S

he witnessed majestic structures that were more than just symbols of luxury. her eyes envisioned the splendor of her colonial past, considered the hub of various investments.

She invigorated her heart with colonial-era moldings, admired the beat of architectural rhythms, and became the center of flourishing trade and commerce. her colleagues tread the path that led them to the gateway of her magnificence, a street of grandeur. She overwhelmed herself with pride and lifted her crown in glory. however, her glorious past receded into the murky depths of time, decayed and nearly forgotten.

Those grandiose structures, reminiscent of a bygone era, have been taken for granted.

Vendors trash her, the masses ignore her historic value, billboards and signages hide her real beauty. She’s ugly, she’s damaged. having seen these damages, the city government initiated development projects and implemented guidelines on her makeover.

Aimed to revive and preserve what has been lost, the restoration of Calle Real is underway.

USa PUB PhOtOS / ray adrian c. macalalag

The Boom and The gloom Found in the heart of Iloilo City, Calle Real, otherwise known as the Central Business District, was built during the sugar boom years. The thriving economic activity was one of the reasons why Iloilo was given the title, “Queen City of the South.” A leading center of business and commerce, Calle Real was a street full of different shops, stalls, business establishments,

restaurants, foreign offices, and entertainment buildings such as movie houses and social hubs. It even provided Iloilo with goods and items from foreign countries including Spain. Calle Real opened Iloilo City to world trade in 1855.

“Before, Calle Real was one of the premiere areas where everything could be purchased. Say it and the merchants would give you what you needed. even Jose Rizal, before going to Madrid, Spain, visited Calle Real just to buy his hat...,” Architect Regina Gregorio of the Iloilo City Engineering Office said while she browsed the book entitled “Iloilo City.” She continued, “…but that was at the time when Iloilo City was at its peak during the sugar boom. What hampered Iloilo from becoming a more progressive city was the Japanese invasion in 1945,” Gregorio explained Doomed to destruction during the Second World War, the city was left in ruins and its economy in shreds. Revolving around the “central”, the sugar economy collapsed, leading to Iloilo’s downfall. Although many of its structures were buried in the rubbles of war, a few survived. And like the legendary phoenix, it rose again from the ashes of destruction to resume production activities and revitalize the trading business.

Today, Calle Real, representing the city’s history of economic struggles and survival, is a beehive of all sorts of businesses, from retail shops and food establishments, to sidewalk stalls and hole-in-the-wall cubbies. Calle Real has returned to become the heart of Ilonggo business and

commerce once more.

BacK on TracK With many of its structures having colonialarchitecture designs, Calle Real mirrors Iloilo’s old splendor, reminding everyone that it is still the city’s architecture-themed business district to beat. however, with the passing of time, its grandiose architectural designs have been obscured by such modern eyesores as billboards and posters, the accumulated grime of development through the decades, and the detritus of daily life.

Thus, the city leaders and concerned stakeholders saw the need for the restoration and revitalization of the tarnished art deco structures of the city’s premier shopping center.

“Together with the local government of Iloilo City and its private partners, the newly-created Iloilo City Cultural heritage

Conservation Council (ICChCC) passed City Ordinance No. 00-054, also known as the Local Cultural heritage Conservation Ordinance,“ Gregorio stated.

The council, on much solid ground now to set the wheels of restoration in motion, is responsible for the inventory of the city’s cultural heritage icons and the promulgation of rules and regulations for their preservation.

BrIngIng The sheen ouT of The TarnIsh The main target of this conservation effort is the Central Business District, which consists of the streets of J.M. Basa, Aldeguer, Mapa, Guanco, and Iznart.

Collectively, they comprise what has been declared as the city’s heritage Zone.

Owners, administrators, or any persons in-charge of the structures at Calle Real are prohibited from undertaking any repair, rehabilitation or construction of any kind unless there is a recommendation from the ICChCC. “We are really making sure that the façade showing the architectural design of the building is retained, restored and preserved.” Gregorio affirmed. “We are also giving incentives to business owners who will take or have taken some action on the restoration processes of these buildings,“ Gregorio added.

The hearT of IT all Revitalizing the Central Business District (CBD) is the first phase in encouraging investments to move toward the heart of the city. It will propel economic advancement as far as tourism is concerned.

Tourism will encourage more investments and boost its full potential of becoming a premiere city. Calle Real will not just be a historic winding road full of shops and stores, but it will be a tourist spot telling the old and new stories of Iloilo City as it gradually reveals its natural beauty and elegance long concealed by the frenetic hustle and bustle of a city on a journey toward modernity and progress.

B2 Features

Augustinian the

October 5, 2012

Unveiling the NEW City Hall

T

USA PUB PHOTOs / ray adrian c. macalalag

Volume LVII • Number 1

he need for a bigger space for accommodation and efficiency in service of its constituents spurred the reconstruction of the Iloilo City Hall in 2007 under Mayor Trenas’ administration. And now, after Jed Patrick Mabilog assumed the position, the new 7-storey Iloilo City Hall Building has been brought to completion becoming a landmark that symbolizes the identity of the city.

The city hall was constructed at its old location beside Plaza Libertad while the Iloilo City Government was temporarily housed at the 3 rd floor of Robinsons Place Iloilo after it vacated the centuries-old City Hall that was demolished. The Sangguniang Panglungsod

By Jesanny Yap and Rochelle Louise Doromal

(City Council) and the office of the Vice Mayor were moved to the 2 nd floor of the Iloilo Terminal Market Building.

With the master plan made by Arch. William V. Coscolluela and the building contractor, F.F. Cruz & Co.

Inc., the modern city hall features a solar-powered 7th and 8th floors, expansive working area, centralized air-conditioning system, four service elevators, three staircases, and fire alarm systems with sprinklers.

Located in the heart of

the city where almost all city-bound jeepney routes pass, the building is very accessible to everyone.

It is a one-stop place for all business and legal transactions that the people and the city government engage in.

Iloilo’s Newest Eco-Park

I

t was the power of the Ilonggos to make a side road into a “show road” where everyone can show off his form and endurance in walking, running, jogging; or just unwinding after a long, tiring day at the office or in school.

This spanking-new structure is not just a road but more of a park, an eco-park.

It is Iloilo’s newest lifestyle venue - the Esplanade.

The 1.2-kilometer Efrain Treñas Boulevard is Iloilo’s first brick-paved road that stretches from Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue to Carpenters Bridge. It offers an exhilarating boardwalk,

By Wilhelm C. Lizada

a viewing deck over the Iloilo River and breathtaking landscapes. The roadway is also a pleasurable place for doing exercises, especially for fitness enthusiasts who come either in the early morning or late afternoon; it offers a spectacular view of the famous Ilonggo sunset.

“The city government initiated the construction of the eco-park which has now become a preferred venue for promoting a healthy lifestyle,” Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources, Department head, Noel Z. Hechanova said.

The 70-million peso boulevard has become one of the city’s major eco-tourist destinations, envisioned to revive the Iloilo River. An ideal place for all ages, the Iloilo Esplanade welcomes everyone, locals and tourists alike, searching for escape from the demands of urban living.

Hechanova added, “The Iloilo Esplanade is a solution to the issue of lack of public access to the Iloilo River.

It is also a mirror of the Ilonggo’s appreciation for our river that has been rehabilitated in

order to address the current environmental concerns of the city.”

Iloilo Esplanade is very accessible to anyone who wishes to visit and relax after a long stressful day brought about by the pressures of the busy metro.

Esplanade is a park in the heart of the city, a place where one can spend a day bonding with family and friends.

Visit the Iloilo Esplanade and see why the Ilonggos love going back to it again and again.

Augustinian

October 5, 2012

Features B3

the

Volume LVII • Number 1

MY RIVER, MY LIFE

By Marylex Sumatra and Joyce Gem Cañete

after

Before

PHOTOs courtesy of city environment and natural resources office

A

ll great cities in the world were born out of the belly of a river.

Without the river Nile, Egyptians could not have built the ancient pyramids of Giza. The Mesopotamian civilization would not have prospered without the bounty provided by the Tigris and the Euphrates.

And in the present times, Thailand’s floating market wouldn’t have become a major international tourist attraction if it were not for its rivers and klongs.

In 1855, Iloilo City opened her doors to world trade showcasing her rapid economic growth centered on the winding Iloilo river.

The thriving economy led to the city being crowned as the “Queen City of the South”.

Looking at the current state of the river, one can not tell that it used to be a living, vibrant river.

The Irony Iloilo River was and still is the major artery of the city. Just as blood flows throughout our body, so does the river give life to this buzzing, bustling city.

Fifteen kilometers long, the river played host to the galleon trade between the Visayas and the Moluccas back in the mid 1800’s.

Today, its banks cradle 2,995 business establishments, 35 villages, and thousands of homes for no less than 53,000 people, not to mention the additional “settlers” such as illegal fish pens, rusting and non-operational vessels, and the most abundant of all, the ubiquitous garbage. With all these “residents”, can we still call this a living river?

However, all is not lost.

The river is not dead yet.

The Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) issued a statement saying the river “is breathing and bringing in flourishing

Before

after

potentials, given our proper attention and preservation priorities.” coming together for a river Born out of the minds of the Iloilo River Development Council (spearheaded by Sen. Franklin Drilon) and the Iloilo local government (led

by Hon. Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog), the very first International River Summit signalled the rehabilitation of Iloilo River. It aims not only to launch a communal river clean-up but also to address four (4) important issues: Governance, Biodiversity Conservation Management, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction Management, and Water Quality Management.

“The International River Summit is primarily a sharing of the best practices when it comes to river concerns, by experts from different countries,” CENRO Assistant City Environment Officer, Ma. Kristina Octavio said in an interview. “Also, in line with this summit, is the hope for the duplication of this event in various parts of the country.”

Youths shoutout With the theme “My River, My Life”, the summit was successfully held at the Centennial Resort Hotel and Convention Center, Alta Tierra Village, Jaro, Iloilo City last May 30, 31 and June 1, 2012. CENRO reported a total of 34 speakers— 95 percent of them foreigners—presented their scientific papers to delegates during the threeday assembly. In addition, a total of 86 foreign and 761 local and national delegates attended the said event.

Kelly Binder, a fourth year high school student of the University of San Agustin Basic Education Department and at the same time a delegate to the International River Summit shared, “I didn’t appreciate it that much at first, for they were talking... it’s hard to grasp what they were talking

Before

after

about.” As a representative of the ‘Samahan ng Bagong Kabataan’ organization, she joined the summit as a young leader passionate about the state of her land. “In the end, it’s more about realizing that if other countries could make their rivers more productive, so can we; it’s a challenge, especially for young leaders like us who would like to develop our own areas.”

Today and tomorrow With 280 tons of solid waste collected by volunteers during the regular clean-up drive within an 11-month period, including10 sunken ships and 6 derelicts removed and transferred, we can already see some major improvements on the current state of our river.

The Iloilo River Development Council, one of the prime movers behind the International River Summit and the development of the

Iloilo River, saw the potential of the river as a center for the promotion of urban diversity.

In the video report, “Iloilo River Development Project”, presented by Mayor Mabilog at the finals of the International LivCom Awards, the Council gave the following objectives for the river, “Promote ecotourism through leisure travel along Iloilo River, experience exotic bird-watching and visit rare mangrove areas.”

Till then…

It is in the Iloilo River that our civilization took root, flourished, and grew.

With the wastes removed, this winding stream of life will slowly flow back again into the heart of Iloilo, slaking the Ilonggos’ thirst for change and development. It is not only the government and the private sectors’ actions that matter, but also every living Ilonggo’s effort that matters more.

B4

Volume LVII • Number 1

October 5, 2012

Urdaneta Hall: Against the Tides of Time

August

By Febrielyn S. Tumines and Jessany I. Yap

“Let the past bury its dead!”

I

t’s an oft-quoted retort used to whenever something in the past which one wants to forget surfaces again from one’s memory and makes him remember the horrible things that had happened. But no matter how hard one tries to forget them, their scars and the faded photographs will again remind him that he may be able to run away from the past, but he will never be able to forget it.

USA PUB PHOTOs / ray adrian c. macalalag

photos courtesy of university center for research and publications

Scars, photographs and buildings are mediums of reliving the things which no human memory can remember in detail. Take Urdaneta Hall; who would ever believe it was the only building in the University that survived the dark days of the Second World War? If you look at its present grandeur, you would never think that its “life story” could qualify for a Maalaala Mo Kaya episode.

Presently seeking a National Cultural Treasure or Important Cultural Property title, Urdaneta Hall faces another milestone as seventythree years of colorful history unfolds before our eyes.

Following neoclassical architecture, Urdaneta Hall was built in 1939, two years before the outbreak of World War II. The building was designed by Julio Rocha, through a faithful interpretation of the aesthetic forms of Spanish architecture in the Philippines. Rocha was a famous architect in the Philippines at that time and he was the same man behind the designs of several pavilions at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila.

Even its “associated character” signifies the famous Augustinian cosmographer and navigator, Fr. Andres de Urdaneta, after whom the building was named. Architect Edwin Gregorios, in his book, “The Urdaneta Hall: History and Architecture,” says,” As seen in the apparently heavy and monumental structure, the building manifests a dignified

character which can be easily associated with the personality of Fr. Urdaneta.”

This same dignified character was tested during the outbreak of World War II. Due to suspicions of the presence of Japanese civilians in the vicinity of the campus, on January 6, 1945, the Americans conducted heavy air raids and bombings on the main school buildings of the Colegio. What was left, aside from the tragic memories and faded sepia photographs, were stones and ashes, but Urdaneta Hall still stood with minimal damage to its structure.

Despite the appearance of bullet holes in the interior of the auditorium, still the building managed to serve as dormitory for the Augustinian fathers. “…Without the Urdaneta Building we would have stayed in the street, absolutely in the street.

With it, we can continue with honor in the Philippine Islands,” writes Fr. Garcia, in his letter to Fr. Vidal Yraeta.

As the only intact building on campus, it served as a movie house to entertain American soldiers after the U.S. took control of Iloilo City.

The Colegio opened again in the second half of 1945, with classes concentrated at the Urdaneta Hall. After the war, the pain and bad memories it contained slowly disappeared through renovations which continue up to the present.

Its last major renovation was in 2007.

Screams of wounded soldiers and civilians are not the only memories Urdaneta Hall holds within the walls of its auditorium; it is also a witness of great concerts by renowned artists. In 1948, it was the venue for the violin performance of Yehudi Menuhin, a renowned World War II musician. Magnificent dance performances by Ballet du France on its stage were well-applauded by the Ilonggo audience. Even Ruth Slencynska, a piano prodigy, also shared a number of her piano pieces and enveloped the interior of the building with her music in 1964.

Medical Technologists and elementary school pupils also went up and down its stairways before it was renovated in 2007. Presently, it houses the University review centers, medical and dental clinics, and the medical and clinical laboratories.

For several years, it has also served as a venue for the school’s literarymusical contests and other school activities.

Gregorios further says, “It serves as the living testimony of the historical development of the school. It makes the memory of

th

B5

Circulo: a circle of art

F

rom the rustle of the leaves to their silent fall to the ground, from the cascade of droplets forming on glass windows on a rainy day, to the tapestry of checkered red and green skirts swarming about on a Monday morning, there we can see art, a painting, a sculpture, a message.

According to George Dickie, a work of art in the classificatory sense is an artifact and a set of the aspects of which has had conferred upon it the status of candidate for appreciation by some person or persons acting on behalf of a certain social institution (the artworld). On the other hand, Ayn Rand stated that art is “a selective recreation of reality according to an artist’s metaphysical value-judgments”. While, according to an organization in the University of San Agustin, art could only mean one thing.

“Circulo means circle, circle of arts, which means

by Genessa A. Buenafe

infinite. Art is a circle. It is infinite.”

Defined by Marc Anthony B. Suyom, president of the USA Circulo, art is simply a circle. Such definition did not come out of proven theories or long biblical analysis but from pure understanding of how art feels and what it stands for.

“It was started in 1991 through the efforts of Frank Nobleza,” said Suyom, “First of all, it was an organization for CEA artists, Pubukad, but some asked, what about the other enthusiasts from other departments?”

Not everyone has that gifted hand, or a bright mind, but sometimes emotions and expressions pave the way for a memorable work of art.

Circulo gave the chance for other people, not necessarily artists, to be themselves, and express themselves through art, “This is not about who paints the best paintings, this is mainly about expression which is the main goal of Circulo,” adds Suyom, “We

do not aim to impress; we simply aim to let other people express what they feel.”

Like a crack in a sculpture, Circulo became vulnerable and eventually ceased its function for nine years since 2002, when the lack of leadership crippled the whole organization.

But on the first semester of academic year 2011, Circulo was revived and made a major recovery through a series of exhibits, standing up to the purpose of expression.

“In our third exhibit after 2011, many people became interested to join,” said John Raine Bawiga, member of the USA Circulo, “our membership forms became full all of a sudden.”

According to the organization, additional members are a blessing and the positive impact from the people spending time just to watch the exhibit already meant success of the entire event. In a short span of time, Circulo humbly acknowledged the efforts of the contributing artists who

led to the realization by the people that an infinite circle of art still exists in the University through them and the USA Circulo.

“Guys, this is an opportunity for your feelings to be expressed, despite your lack of talent in art, so that you can grow out of your shell. Our Art is not after all made for perfection,” Suyom and Bawiga concurred, “If you just want to be heard, Circulo is right here for you.”

The leaves will rustle, they will fall, and the day will pass. Everything we see is art that starts with our own emotions and ends with a few paint scribbles on canvas: art that does not embody perfection or complexity or superiority but simply art that shouts out loud, tells a story, makes other people see, that for once in each of their lives, we have felt the same anger, the same sadness, and the same happiness.

In a continuous cycle of sharing, we have made our mark, told our story… all for the circle of art.

New chapters of Rizal’s novels

H

the past “real and tangible” to the present generation. It is the concrete animation of the stories, pictures, and books that the students are reading and hearing. Finally, it is a reminder of how the University of San Agustin has developed through the years.”

It seems that the Urdaneta Hall doesn’t follow the saying, “Let the past bury its dead.” Because its past will always be a part of the edifice - the soft giggles of school boys, the moans of the wounded and dying during the war, or the haunting strains of Yehudi Menuhin’s violin will always remain within its walls and will always go against the tides of time.

References: Arreza, Rodolfo M., O.S.A. The University of San Agustin through the Years. Iloilo City: University of San Agustin, 1994.

“The Urdaneta Hall: History and Architecture” by Arch. Edwin L. Gregorios. In Augustinian Legacy, Volume V, No. 1, 68-81. Iloilo City: UCRP, University of San Agustin, 2003.

Funtecha, Henry F. Ph. D. Universidad de San Agustin in 100 Years (19042004): a Historical Review, 2009.

istory repeats itself. This is probably what Ciento Cincuenta: Mga Makabagong Kabanatang Noli at Fili wanted to serve up before our very eyes. Intertwining the life stories of the undying historical characters, Sisa, KapitanTiyago, DonyaVictorina, Maria Clara and Basilio, with their modern-day counterparts, the play features a contemporary twist to which many young hearts in the audience can relate.

The limelight shines on Rizal’s elegant stature.

With his refined articulation and precise words, he stresses finding the cure for the social cancer, and the audience becomes part of the healing process itself.

Sisa, who now represents women struggling in a world dominated by men, evokes a feeling of claustrophobia as she projects the fear of being confined within the walls of social and personal pressures. The scene where three men encircle her in confusion is particularly beautiful. Despite the lack of dramatic sound effects, the cast exude such palpable emotions on stage that the need for production effects disappears.

Doña Victorina bursts into the scene with her laptop and contemporary outfit. Through blogging, she fights it out with

Filipino and foreign critics who seem to get a kick out of putting our country down.

Portrayed by a group of children clothed in ragged shirts, Basilio is a stark depiction of abused children’s agony. Using the group’s melancholic bawlings as “music” for some scenes, the play sees no need for other sound effects. That is just plain genius. The actors simply have it, portraying the life of abused children and letting the audience experience it through their felt acting.

Projecting on the stage backdrop well-researched and relevant statistics on Philippine child abuse cases is also a smart move as it provides the viewers concrete facts and figures.

The techniques used in this play are simply ingenious.

Some smiles are not meant to flash a picture-

perfect life, but to mask a dreadful reality. This is best portrayed in Maria Clara’s story. Using an interactive method, this part of the play is simultaneously humorous and poignant, combining comedic lines and heartbreaking dialogue, provoking laughter and inducing tears.

The life of the OFWs is depicted in the scene with Kapitan Tiyago. It is in this part of the play that those with parents or other relatives working abroad realize how lucky they are to have loved ones who sustain their needs.

Being pretty much austere, this part somehow lacks the fireworks that enliven the other scenes; but the achingly beautiful chorus of complaints and agony somehow made up for it.

By the end of the day, our cravings for pure Augustinian theatrical arts have been

artworks courtesy of circulo artists group

Features

By Joyce Gem M. Cañete

satiated. The play also gratifies the predominantly young audience’s need for contemporary jokes. It is safe for us to declare that this is what the crowd had been waiting for. Definitely, no one left the auditorium without laughing his head off. At the end of the play, almost everyone had doubled over in laughter despite some of them having leaking lachrymal glands, too. This simultaneous emotional response to the play is what makes Ciento Cincuenta unique.

Like other stage plays, however, you can’t expect this one to be flawless. The venue, the auditorium, is more than big enough for an audience of 500 but surprisingly, the production staff said only 250 would be accommodated Yet, on second thought, this must be due to the fact that the

production staff did not want the actors to shout just to be heard in such a huge venue. The definitely inevitable, but perhaps avoidable, technical glitches, such as an unresponsive projector and the too-modulated sound volume, have been noted during the play but these are minor because they have not totally blurred out the message the story likes to convey - thanks to the free use of the dialect and the actors’ consummate skill in ad-libbing.

Overall, despite the flaws, the show itself is well worth the effort of the cast and the production staff and the slight discomfort of the audience. The USA Little Theater did put on quite a show.

More presentations of other “modern historical” plays are most welcome.

USA PUB PHOTO / Daniel P. AButas

tinian

he

AugustiniAn

B6 Filipino

the

Volume lVII • Number 1

October 5, 2012

balsa nga bulawan sang Panus-on

M

ATAWhAY ang amon panglakaton p a d u l o n g sa Sitio Panus-on, Brgy.

Nabitasan – ang ginaaduptar nga komunidad sang Unibersidad.

Naganami nga naganami ang amon istoryahanay sang kami nagapalapit sa mismo nga lugar. Ugaling nauntat ini sang isa sa amon mga upod gulpi lang nag-una dalagan nga daw may ara siya sang lain nga nakit-an.

“Tanawa bala ninyo ang lalaki sa unhan!” singgit sang amon upod.

Naglibog gid ang amon ulo kung ano ato ang iya nakita. Tungod sang pagkatingala, nagdali-dali kami apas sa iya.

Kag didto gid kami tanan nalipay sang amon nga nasaksihan.

Isa ka lalaki, mataas, maniwang kag may pulupang-idaron na, kaupod sini ang iya bata nga nagabulig man bugsay para sa iya. Nagapani-od sila sang mga isda nga halin sa isa ka bakante nga punong paagi sa isa ka balsa nga lain kung ikumpara sa masami naton makit-an. “’Floater boat’ ang panawag namon sini diri,” siling ni Danilo Pusoc sang siya amon ginpalapitan kag ginpamangkot.

“Ang ini nga ’floater boat’ ginhimo lamang halin sa apat ka plastik nga ginagamit sadto sa lukunan (isa ka pamaagi sang pagsikop sang pasayan kag lukon) nga gintipon para maghimo nga padilwil kag ginsipit sang duwa ka mabakod nga kawayan,”dugang ni Danilo.

Ang pagpangisda amo

ang nagapanguna nga palangabuhi-an sang mga pumuluyo gani dako ang nangin bulig sang ‘floater boat’ nga ginhuman lamang paagi sa pag-usar sang mga bagay nga ara na nga daan sa palibot.

“Naga-culture man kami sang bulgan (isa ka sahi sang isda). May ara man kami sang gulamanan kag talabahan kun sa diin nagasikop kami sang tilapia, bangrus, pasayan kag lukon,” sugid ni Manong Danilo.

Ang mga isda kag iban pa nga ila makuha sa punong gilayon nga ginadala kag ginabaligya sa Leganes Public Market kung sa diin makakita sila sang mga manugbakal.

“Kung makabaligya kami sang 40 kilo nga isda nga nagabalor sang apat ka libo, husto gid ina para mapakaon namon ang amon

mga pamilya sa malawig nga tion ugaling tunga-on pa na namon,” dugang pa niya.

Si Manong Danilo, bilang isa ka haligi sang pamilya, may asawa, apat ka bata kag apo, todo gid ang paghimakas para mahatagan lang sang maayo nga buasdamlag ang iya pamilya.

Ang ‘floater boat’ nagapatimaan lamang nga ang mga taga-Panus-on mapisan kag may diskarte sa pangabuhi paagi sa pagpanginpulos sang mga bagay nga para sa iban wala na sing gamit. Ang ila pagpaninguha para mabuhi ang ila mga pamilya bulawanon kag maayo nga ehemplo sa tanan. Pareho kay Manong Danilo kag upod ang iya pinasahi nga ‘floater boat’, magabugsay siya padulong sa kadalag-an nga ginala-um niya.

USa PUB PhOtO / daniEl P. abutas

ni chRistine Joy a. sabeR

Pagsikat ng Translation Dictionary (Diksyunaryo ng Pagsasalin) naging malaking pagsubok sa kanya ang makipag-usap sa kapwa. Lalo na at kapag may pagsusulit siya sa asignaturang gumagamit ng hiligaynon Ano ang kwadrado bilang midyum nga ugat sang apat, ng pagtuturo, palaging padamuon sing pito kag nakadapa ang gintunga sa lima? kanyang mga iskor.

Alinsunod (What is the square root sa Deped Order of four, times seven, No 74 s. 2009, divided by five?) ang mother-tonguebased multilingual education (MTB-MLe) program ng Kagawaran ng edukasyon na nagsasaad midyum sa na ang gagamiting pagtuturo ay ang sariling dyalekto ay binigyang bisa mula pre-school hanggang ikatlong baitang sa elementarya. Isinakatuparan ito upang mapa-unlad ang ating pamana, kultura, at pambansang wika sa maagang pagkatuto ng mga kabataan.

Ayon kay Dr. Myrna S. Castillo, Schools Division Superintendent; Division of Iloilo, mas magiging

DiBUhO ng USa PUB / JErson E. Elmido

H

INDI lubos maisip ni Iyah*, anim na taong gulang at nasa unang baitang, kung papaano na naman niya lalampasan ang panibagong araw sa paaralan. Maliban sa nahihirapan siyang makihalubilo sa mga kaklase at nalilito sa mga bagaybagay na nakapaligid sa kanya, dinagdagan pa ang kanyang mga pasanin dahil sa mga nakakalitong salita na ginagamit ng kanyang guro. Lingid sa iba, si Iyah ay lumaki sa ibang bansa kaya natuto siya sa lahat ng bagay sa wikang Ingles. Kaya noong lumipat ang kanyang pamilya dito sa Pilipinas,

ni eDRyllle G. coFReRos

mabisa ang pagkatuto at pag-aaral kung ‘mothertongue’ ang gagamitin sa pagtuturo, “Naging pokus ng programang ito ang mga mag-aaral mula pre-school hanggang K-3 dahil sila ang mga ‘early learners’. Sa kanilang murang isipan mas lalong napapalawak ang kaalaman tuwing natututo sila sa kanilang mga aralin.” paliwanag niya.

Ang MTB-MLe ay pinangunahan taong 2010-2011 sa 879 na mga pampublikong paaralan sa buong bansa. Nobyembre 2011, umabot nang 2,288 na field officials, local government units, nongovernment organizations, parent-teacher associations, at mga guro ang sinanay para mapabisa ang pagpasimula ng kurikulum na ito.

Ano nga ba ang epekto ng programang ito sa buhay at pakikitungo ng mga bata sa kanilang pag-aaral?

Si edmelyn Balabagno, maybahay at guro sa Mababang Paaralan ng Oton, ay tutol sa pagkakaroon ng ordinansang ito. Batay kasi sa kanyang pagsubaybay, nagbago ang ugali ng kanyang anak tungo sa pagaaral nito. Lagi daw itong tinatamad dahil nahihirapan itong unawain ang mga takdang aralin niya.

Ayon naman kay Ma. Rocelyn Cheng, kinder teacher ng Doane Baptist School, merong positibo at negatibong epekto ang MLe sa pag-aaral ng mga estudyante. “Dahil sa MLe mas napapadali at nagiging maayos ang pagpapaliwanag sa kanila ng mga leksyon.

Sa kabilang dako naman, merong mga pagkakataon na nagkakaroon ng pagkalito ang mga estudyante tungkol sa

leksyon sapagkat nasanay na sila na ang pagpapaliwanag ay nasa wikang Ingles.”

Diniin din niya na nasa ‘stage of adjustment’ pa ang mga bata dahil bago pa sa kanila ang ganitong istilo ng pagtuturo. “Subalit, kapag ito ay nakasanayan na nila, siguradong mas mapapadali para sa kanila ang pag-aaral”. dagdag niya.

Sa 2008 Social Weather S t a t i on sur v e y , 76 na bahagdan ng mga Pilipino ay nakaka-intindi ng wikang Ingles. May 75 bahagdan naman ang marunong magbasa at may 61 bahagdan ang nakakapagsulat ng wikang ito. Samantala 46 na bahagdan lamang ang nakakapagsalita at 38 bahagdan lamang ang nakakapag-isip sa parehong wika. Ayon naman sa 2000 Philippines census, 65 milyon sa 75 milyong Pilipino ang gumagamit ng pambansang wika bilang pangunahin at pangalawang linggwahe.

Ang programang MTBMLe ay hindi magiging pasanin sa bawat estudyante sapagkat kasabay ng pagpapatupad nito ay ang matinding hangarin na sila ay matuto.

Patuloy pa rin ang delubyo ni Iyah at habang hindi pa siya naliliwanagan sa dayuhang panuntunan ng kanyang pag-aaral, mananatili siyang kumakapa sa dilim.

Ang pagkatuto at kakayahang matuto ay naayon pa rin sa ating determinasyong malaman ang mga bagay na hindi pa abot ng ating mga nalalaman.

Ang ating kinabukasan ay hindi lamang naguguhit ng ating mga kamay, kung hindi ay nabibigkas rin sa dulo ng ating mga dila.

AugustiniAn the

October 5, 2012

ni JeRson e. elmiDo

Keep a secret, be that secret T

the Perks of Being a Wallflower

“So, this is my life. And I want you to know that I am both happy and sad and I’m still trying to figure out how that could be.”

ni JeRson e. elmiDo

heRe is a great probability that the audiences of The Mistress were mostly likely also scandalseeking viewers of the wellknown affair movie, No Other Woman, starring Derek Ramsey, Christine Reyes and Anne Curtis, released last year. At first you may think, “Same storyline, different actors. What’s the big deal?”

John Lloyd Cruz plays the role of Federico Torres, Jr., a Ferrari-driving affluent son and architect who has shallow affairs with junior, social-climber types of women. Then he meets a young woman named Sari, portrayed by Bea Alonzo, who works for a small, but successful tailoring shop.

Despite her superficially natural personality, Sari actually leads a sly life: she’s the mistress of a rich,

BOOKREVIEW

By ayah Danica V. GRanaDa

ni JeRson e. elmiDo

By ayah Danica V. GRanaDa

spectacle B7

old, company-owning man (Ronaldo Valdez) whose wife (hilda Koronel) reveals to her son the name of his father’s kept woman. It’s a tangled web, and almost like a foursided love story.

Society has stereotyped mistresses as either evil witches, or ones who break up families and send wives and kids packing and leaving.

Because of this movie, some viewers might just be drawn to take a second look at mistresses, before looking the other way. But it still doesn’t mean that the lives of mistresses are right, or ought to turn customary. even with a quite predictable storyline, it’s the compassionate complexity of the characters that make it such a gripping film. The broken family pasts of Sari and eric and the way they share their lives in terms of

PhOtOS COUrteSy Of star cinEma

“keeping a secret, and being that secret” form part of the chemistry that pulls viewers in. Its ending sets it apart from the mainstream ideas shown in films; it shows the reality of a hopeless love affair, leaving us to ponder on the price of happiness and love. Bittersweet, yes, but it definitely has a fitting finale to all that has come to light.

A negative plus a negative doesn’t always make a positive. The Mistress isn’t guaranteed to fulfill your ‘happily-ever-after’ expectations. Sometimes the right thing for one person is the wrong thing for the other.

“Di dahil gusto mo, makukuha mo” (just because you want it, doesn’t mean you’ll get it), indeed.

Wall-flow-er: (noun) A person, usually in high school, who sees everything and knows everything that’s going on but doesn’t say a word. They aren’t loners, they are shy and don’t choose to be in the mix of thing;a person nobody pays attention to, one who fades into the background, but is really genuine if one takes the time to get to know him.

This is Charlie’s story, presented through letters sent to someone that he addresses as a “Dear Friend,” someone he has just heard about and chooses to confide in. His letters begin in August 1991, as Charlie begins, shyly and uneasily, his first year of high school. Before long, he makes friends with two seniors, Sam, and her stepbrother Patrick. Throughout the story, Sam, Patrick, and Charlie’s teacher, Bill, introduce him to many new experiences - good and bad - and the letters he writes show his progress. Charlie slowly starts to grasp the reality, normalcy and awkwardness of teenage life. Used to being on the sidelines, Charlie becomes adept at observing and listening.

What initially appears to be an incredible knack for empathy actually turns out to be his natural inclination to be a ‘sponge’; Charlie absorbs everyone’s problems and provides a shoulder to lean on, but is incapable of filtering his own emotions which would allow him to interact naturally. he gives support but can’t express his own wants and needs. As Charlie writes his last letter to his friend, he mentions that he hopes to be less of a wallflower in the next school year, and plans on being more outgoing.

Written by Stephen Chbosky, published by MTV Books, the soon-to-be a motion picture, The Perks of Being a Wallflower has to be one of the most insightful young adult novels I have read in less than 3 sittings. Chbosky makes no secret that his book resembles J.D. Salinger’s classic, The Catcher in the Rye - though a modernized version. And unlike Catcher, this is sweet rather than obnoxious, a happier, more hopeful, and more sociable version. Various works of literature (To Kill a Mockingbird, Hamlet, The Great Gatsby and Peter Pan, etc.) and films (Dead Poets Society, M*A*S*H, Saturday Night Live) are referenced and their meanings discussed, adding to the interactive aspect of the novel.

“We accept the love we think we deserve.” each word spoken by Charlie tugs at my heartstrings. It is both remarkable and surreal how honest and deep Charlie remains despite his struggles in figuring out the nitty-gritty of being youthful. he gets you to thinking about the good things and what really matters in life. he ponders about and questions everything, and looks at things in a unique way. Charlie’s perceptions are what a great deal of people, including me, love about this book and why it is so often quoted. he is very naïve and innocent at the beginning of the novel, his voice distinct and unlike the average teenager.

Charlie’s revelations don’t hold much back and they read very naturally and strongly. The characters serve are far more than mere devices to support Charlie, as each of them is infused with their own unique qualities that help build the plot.

The issues addressed in this story are complex, and though I may not have personally experienced all the difficulties that Charlie and his friends face, the author has done an admirable job of sympathizing with them as they go through their problems.. Chbosky absolutely nails the letter part, and as I read further along, it was easy to imagine that I was the pal in whom Charlie was confiding. With its details, it almost felt like reading a letter from a good friend, or having a pen pal (minus writing back a response ). even though a story about a problematic juvenile may seem so prevalent these days, Chbosky’s spot-on grasp of teenage identity makes it a perfect coming-of-age book for any teenager. I mean, duh, what teen doesn’t have issues, right? After reading Perks, I assure you that Charlie will be your friend forever.

PhOtO COUrteSy Of mtv booKs

Volume lVII • Number 1

“We are who we are for a lot of reasons. And maybe we’ll never know most of them. But even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose wherever we go from there. We can still do things.

And we can try to feel okay about them.” -Charlie

USa PUB PhOtO / thongEnn lanZ b. Patiam

Beaut y

the OFFiCiAL student neWsPAPeR OF the uniVeRsity OF sAn Agustin

iloilo city, philippines

USa PUB PhOtO / JErson E. Elmido

VOLUME LVIII • NUMBER 1

USa PUB PhOtO / daniEl P. abutas

USa PUB PhOtO / thongEnn lanZ b. Patiam

PAnORAMA

USa PUB PhOtO / thongEnn lanZ b. Patiam

USa PUB PhOtO / ray adrian c. macalalag

the

AugustiniAn OCTOBER 5, 2012

UnDiSCOvereD

USa PUB PhOtO / shila loWEssE PatryXia g. lao