The Augustinian, February 2010

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Prom-inent

The Unattractive Truth

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ISSN 0115-9226

Excellent Campus Journalism for the Common Good THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN AGUSTIN ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES

VOL. 55 NO. 4

DECEMBER 1 2009 - FEBRUARY 5, 2010

Gen. Luna flyover to rise by April

By RAY ADRIAN MACALALAG

ILOILO City will now have not just one but two flyovers this year.

A new flyover is currently being constructed in the Jalandoni-General Luna Intersection to ease up the building population of vehicles in Iloilo City. This is a national project brought about in cooperation with the Presidential Bridge Program Office, the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) – Regional Office VI, and the Iloilo City Government.

The flyover will occupy a length of 282 meters while the actual structure will be occupying 195 meters. It will appear similar to the Infante flyover in front of the University of the Philippines – Visayas (UPV).

According to Engr. Rolando Asis, the Regional Director of the DPWH – Regional Office VI, the total budget for the flyover is PhP 386.6 million.

The budget came from a soft-loan ( with zero percent-interest) from the French government. The construction will be supplied and supervised

by Matière, a French contracting company.

Stunted construction “The flyover was planned last 2008 pa. It was supposed to be constructed by September of 2009 and finished on January 2010 in time with the Dinagyang Festival so that it would not cause disturbances. However, due to some circumstances like the transfer of utility ports and repair of drainage systems in the city, the construction was stunted. “ We j u s t s t a r t e d l a s t December 22, 2009 in constructing. It is projected that the flyover will be finished by June 22, 2010 but according to Director Emil Saddain, head of the Presidential Bridge Program, it will be completed in four months. So hopefully by April 2010, it will be finished.” Asis said in an interview with The Augustinian.

Indicator of progress Necessary preparations were done in order to give way for the new flyover. Trees were chopped down and plants were uprooted from the road dividers. The sidewalks were modified to widen the road at the bottom of the currently-constructed flyover.

“I was feeling bad about the trees that were cut down, as well

TICK TOCK. Workers hasten to finish construction of the flyover in front of the University of San Agustin by April.

Inset: A DPWH worker surveys at night with his transit.

CoEd regains Level III status, offers new course

By RONALD SORRILLA

THE FEDERATION of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) has confirmed the Level III status of the College of Education (CoEd) on December 16, 2009.

as the plants that were destroyed because of the construction of the flyover. They are also living things.

But on the contrary, this flyover is an indicator of the city’s progress. And there is really a need for that,” ViceMayor Jed Patrick Mabilog stated in an interview.

“After finishing the flyover, we will get services of landscape artists to redecorate its [flyover] site,” he added.

Continue to page 3

Christmas gift for the College “I am overwhelmed with the results after the rigorous preparation from July 2009 until we mailed the pertaining documents to PAASCU last August 28. The Lord has really made me realize that I have much to be thankful for,” CoEd Dean Alex Facinabao stressed. “It is a Christmas gift not for me but for the whole College. Bringing back the Level III status is the greatest achievement we’ve got, since this is my first deanship. It was really a challenge for me.”

Established in 1977, FAAP is

Medtech students present best oral paper in microbio October 23 to 24, 2009 at the Punta Villa Resort.

With the research title “Parasite Larvae in Soil Samples from Barangay Calaparan Arevalo, Iloilo City,” the team of researchers Serren Lor Gallinero, Ellen Mae Cerena, Diane Lorraine Loreña, and Rachelle

Maintain Level III When asked by The Augustinian of his future plans for the College, Facinabao wanted to maintain the Level III status by improving the instruction, research and community extension; making the passing percentage of Licensure Exam for

Teachers (LET) at least 75 percent; and achieving the accreditation of Bachelor in Library Sciences, the Hotel and Restaurant Management and the Nutrition and Dietetics courses.

Teacher Certificate Program The College of Education has also opened a revived short course early this semester, the Teacher Certificate Program (formerly the Diploma in Teaching) that gives opportunity to non-education graduates to pursue teaching. Under the Republic Act 7836 or the LET Law and with Article II of CMO 30, s. 2004, the enrollee will be taking 18 units of Professional Education Courses and 12 Units of Experiential Learning Courses (Field Study and Practice Teaching).

San Ag ranks 9th in CE board exam

By RAY ADRIAN MACALALAG

By MIA ROSE EMBOLTURA AND DIAM QUEENIE PERMOCILLO

THE TEAM OF FOUR Medical Technology students won the Best Oral Paper Presentation in the undergraduate category during the 17 th Annual Convention and Regional Scientific Meeting of the Philippine Society for Microbiology Inc., Visayas, Regional Chapter on

the mother agency of all accrediting agencies in the Philippines and is authorized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to certify the quality levels of accredited programs at the tertiary level for the purpose of granting progressive deregulation and other benefits.

“PAASCU recommends the status of all institutions to FAAP until they confirm the results,” said Ms. Gladys Confesor, Executive Secretary of the Accreditation Office.

Ann Sayomac bested six other groups from the three competing schools: three from University of the Philippines - Visayas, two from the Riverside College and another from the University of San Agustin.

The group defended their study Continue to page 2

THE November 2009 Civil Engineering Licensure Exam yielded new Augustinian civil engineers who helped propel the University as ninth Best Performing School in the said exam.

In the national scale, 46% of the examinees from around the country

passed the licensure examination.

The University obtained an overall passing percentage of 68% and ranked ninth among schools with 25-50 examinees. In addition to this feat, 83.33% of the civil engineering graduates of Batch Continue to page 3

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NEWS/FEATURE

THE AUGUSTINIAN

Diving to the New Wave

Legaspi elected CTGP–RVI President

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

By JOSH VON IRON TONDO AND RONALD SORRILLA

AS children, most, if not all of us, have encountered the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This question repeats again and again over our elementary years and is reiterated in our senior year in high school where it gets a “saner” answer.

Most of us then, perhaps, have answered the typical reply “I want to be a doctor because I want to cure sick people,” or the usually easy-toforget “I want to be a teacher because I want to teach children.” No one wants to be a construction worker, a balut vendor, a janitor, or the father of your seatmate who happens to be unemployed and drives him to and from school. The thing about this is that everyone wants to be great and make a name for him or herself in the future in the best way he or she understands things. Everyone wants to be conventional, except for the few who wants to be a ninja, a power ranger, a super hero or a crocodile, and earn the usual degrees which are known to make the world go round. But these dreams are back then when we were kids.

Now that all of us are in college, and that some of us have forgotten those dreams which they vouched for when we were kids, surely we have encountered our own “what ifs” which goes like “What if I’m taking a program in Forensic Chemistry, Robotics or Ninjutsu?” and it can go as weirder as it can get. These “what ifs” are normal because these are the college version of the “I want to be a’s” that plagued our minds back when we were kids. The problem with these “what ifs,” however, is that most of the academic programs which we fancy of are not usually offered in schools here in our country… and some of them are not even real.

Over the net, some universities and colleges around the world have begun to offer a broader range of academic programs for young people. And these programs are quite a deviation from the conventional ones. Campbell University’s School of Theology in Kentucky for example offers Sports Ministry where prospective students are given the opportunity to major in the subject which involves relationship building, witnessing, and ultimately preparing to teach sport in a Christian environment and under the eyes of God. It is also stipulated that students must complete 18 hours of core Christian studies. Mississippi State University in the US, on the other hand, offers a degree course in Floral Management where the graduates may become floral display artists, designers for special events, and flower wholesalers, via an in-depth learning of horticulture, design, maintenance, and business. And what could be stranger is the Melbourne University in Australia which offers a Doctorate Degree in the Philosophy of Ufology which, needless to say, educates students on the cultural history of UFOs and the philosophies held by those who claim to have been abducted. Academic programs similar to these may as well be offered in our University.

Knowing that, we came to fancy such ideas here in the Pub (USA Publications). We came to imagine some academic programs that, as students, we might have as well taken instead of the conventional academic programs our University has. And here are those which made our top 10:

DECEMBER 1 2009 - FEBRUARY 5, 2010

THE Catholic Teachers Guild of the Philippines (CTGP) has recently elected former College of Arts and Sciences dean Dr. Nora Legaspi as regional president during its regional conference and board of directors’ election for Western Visayas held at the Iloilo Grand Hotel on December 4, 2009.

Four other Augustinian faculty members also gained top posts in the said organization. College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology Dean Victoria Sustento was elected as vice-president and Humanities Department Chairman Abraham Pinuela was elected as secretary.

Faculty members Flora Hojilla and Reynold Tavares, on the other hand, were elected as treasurer and board member, respectively.

With the theme “The Role of

the Catholic Teacher in the Mission of the Church,” the seminar was co-sponsored by Fr. Jonas Mejares of the Department of Theology.

Outgoing CTGP President Dr. Belen Tangco opened the event and spoke about the organization’s goals of infusing Catholic ideals in improving educational values in the country and living up to the virtues of being a Catholic teacher. Other speakers of the event included May Erika Bolaños and Archt. Susan Petilla from the University of Santo Tomas who respectively spoke about religious values in learning and the implementation of new technology in the classroom, better known as “e-learning.”

The organization was originally founded back in 1957 as a Catholic Action organization mandated by the

Legaspi

Archdiocese of Manila. It is a national member of the Union Mondiale des Enseignants Catholiques (World Union of Catholic Teachers).

USALT, Stage One Company stage Café Shakespeare

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

Continue to page 7

TAKE A BOW. Actors bow at the conclusion of the first staging of Café Shakespeare on December 16 at the fifth floor of the Alumni Building.

In the fourth volume of IrongIrong, Mico Janver Fajura was listed as one of the contributors without having any of his poems published in the said volume. His poems

“Iyak” and “Rigdya lang Kita” shall be published in the fifth volume of Irong-Irong.

Our sincerest apologies.

Announcement

Irong-Irong5 We are calling out to student writers who want to try their knack for poetry and short story writing.

Write NOW and be PUBLISHED! HOW? • Literary works (poetry and short story) must be written in English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, Akeanon or Kinaray-a.

• Manuscripts must be typewritten, double-spaced, on short bond ...Continued from page 1 in front of the panel composed of microbiologists inside and outside of the country.

The contest had three categories: high school, undergraduate, and graduate school. Each group was given a 10-minute brief presentation of

paper. Soft copies m u s t also be submitted together with the

manuscript.

• Submit your contributions on or before April 9, 2010 to the USA Publications Office. You can also e-mail your works to donne_2590@yahoo.com.ph.

• Contributions must include a short bio-data (which includes your name, course, and literary achievements if any).

• Anonymous works will not be entertained. the study and an open forum wherein panelists, the other contestants, and advisers are allowed to critique the study and ask questions.

“Our study is primarily concerned with the increased cases of parasitism in our place although health organizations are common in

SINCE life itself is an entire stage play, a Shakespeare-inspired experimental play was staged by the USA Little Theater together with the Stage One Company at the 5th floor of the Alumni Building on December 16, 2009.

With the theme focusing on the universality of love and coffee, the Christmas presentation was

still “a process in the making,” according to former artistic director Edward Divinagracia. Inspired by famous quotes from some of William Shakespeare’s classic plays, the story revolves around a coffee shop owner’s son who struggles to win the heart of a an avid customer in the shop who fully ignores his affection for her. The full

play is set to be performed in its full and expanded version on February.

Also introduced after the play was the USALT’s newly-appointed artistic director, Edison Sicad, who is an active member the Stage One Company and a faculty member of the University’s Social Science department.

USANSC spearheads HIV & AIDS forum

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

IN line with this year’s World AIDS Day, the USA Nursing Student Council (USANSC) conducted a university-wide seminar on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) awareness at the USATraining Center on December 3, 2009.

The seminar focused on the “Five

Basic Facts One Should Know about HIV & AIDS” headed by the Regional HIV/AIDS Coordinator Charity Perea, Alita Basco and George Bartolome citing the three modes of transmission, the four body fluids that are capable of HIV transmission and five ways to prevent or control infection from the said disease. The forum also briefed

participants on the Philippine AIDS Law (Republic Act 9504) which condemns any form of discrimination towards HIV and AIDS patients.

Spearheaded by the NSC officers together with their adviser Andrew Edang, RN, Bibiano John Aranda and Yvonne Rose Juaneo served as the masters of ceremony.

the vicinity,” said Gallinero. The data for the study was obtained through the collection of soil samples from five sites (particularly in Barangay Calaparan, where reported cases are high) identified by the researchers.

The group was given three months (June to August) to finish the study as part of their requirements in their research subject with Mrs. Christine Villanueva, RMT, MSMT and Mrs. Lerma Paris, RMT, MSPH, as their advisers.

“Actually, there is no great difficulty when it comes to data

gathering, because all you have to do is to secure the necessary letters and other papers to the respective offices and personnel. But what we were really afraid of is for the possible negative result of the study. What if we wouldn’t find any of our target parasites?” shared Gallinero.

“I think what is best in our study is that it is new. We have used a modified Baermann technique for the experiment and it has greater benefit to the public: there is still hope for parasitism incidence here in Iloilo to be controlled or lowered now that

we have found out one reason why is this so and it is the presence of the parasite itself in the soil,” Gallinero stressed.

“We really felt so proud since it is the first time that our school joined the competition and then we became the champions,” Gallinero said. “Even though the people behind the event were Augustinians, it is just then that our school had participated and it turned out to be a good start.”

The group of Gallinero, Cerena, Loreña, and Sayomac is now preparing for the national competition.

NEWS/FEATURE

DECEMBER 1 2009 - FEBRUARY 5, 2010

THE AUGUSTINIAN

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Nursing holds first-ever capping for sophomores Martin de Rada Human Rights Bureau

By MIA ROSE EMBOLTURA and DIAM QUEENIE PERMOCILLO

conducts forum on Youth Rights

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

“HUMAN Rights of the Youth, Youth for Human Rights” was the slogan during the 6th Martin de Rada Human Rights Forum in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights –VI (CHR) held at the USA Conference Room on December 10, 2009.

Coinciding with the World Human Rights Day, the event was conducted together with the participation of various student groups and government agencies in the region. The open forum and dialogue tackled on the 10-point Youth Agenda by the crafted by

representatives of youth groups throughout the region containing social issues that have to be tackled by the new set of leaders who will be governing in the region after this year’s national elections.

Headed by Research and Advocacy Associate Ramonita Pico, also present during the event were CHR Regional Director Atty.

David Bermudo, National Youth Commission representative Mark Borres, Iloilo City Councilor Julienne Baronda and Iloilo City Vice-Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

FULL REGALIA. Nurses of Class 2012 proudly wear their new pins and caps.

FOR the first time, 401 sophomore nursing students of the College of Nursing Class 2012 of the new BSN Curriculum had their capping, pinning and candle lighting ceremony on December 4, 2009 at the USA Chapel.

With the theme, “One Mind, One Heart, Our Way to Success and Excellence, by the Teachings of St. Augustine,” the candidates celebrated the Eucharistic headed by their Regent, Fr. Jonas Mijares,

OSA together with their parents, Clinical Instructors, Head Nurses from different affiliated hospitals, and Augustinian friars.

The imposition of caps and pins led by head nurses and team chairpersons served as the central part of the event.

Afterwards, candles were lighted as the sophomore student nurses sang their class song.

Guest speaker, Jose Vicente Faderon, RN, MAN from Notre

Dame of Dadianggas in General Santos City, specfically adressed the parents in his message, “To the parents, this is now the time that we can say, we don’t own our children anymore. It means that in some time, we will be spending our Christmas, holidays, and other important family events without them. For these aspiring students are halfway near towards their profession (and) that is to serve and render service to other people…”

USA Pub launches Irong-Irong4

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

THE fourth volume of the Irong-Irong Literary Journal, the University’s official student literary portfolio, was launched at the Student Center, Alumni Hall on December 19, 2009.

Published annually by the USA Publications, the said journal contains contemporary poetry, short stories and creative nonfiction written by students from various universities throughout the region, including selected essays taken from the 7th San

Agustin Writers Workshop.

According to first-time IrongIrong editors Donna Isabelle Fresnido and Noel de Leon, they wanted this year’s volume to be free from any theme as opposed to the previous three issues of the said journal.

“It’s both our first time to helm Irong-Irong. We decided to give the writers free reign in choosing whatever topic they want to write

about. We don’t want to box them,” Fresnido said.

The invocation was led by the USA Little theater followed by opening speeches given by Fresnido and USA Publications Moderator Erwin Sustento. A poetry reading event was then carried out by contributors of the literary journal, which ended with a ceremonial handing out of first copies to the contributors.

Damming the Nation by Isidoro Cruz

By NOEL DE LEON

THE USA Coordinating Center for Research and Publications (UCRP) published another book of award winning poet Isidoro Cruz entitled Pungsod with the byline Damming the Nation: Region/Nation and the Global Order in Contemporary West Visayan Literature.

According to Cruz, his book, Pungsod, examines the discourse of contemporary West Visayan literature on region/nation and the global order, which may reveal a particular imagining of the nation from a regional standpoint.

It describes how the region and the nation are constructed and deconstructed in writings in the three lingua franca (Hiligaynon, Filipino and English), published from 1986 (EDSA Revolution) to 2003.

The author would like to thank the following experts: Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, Dr. Cirilio Bautista, Dr. Isagani Cruz, Dr. Estrellita Gruenberg, and Dr. Leoncio Deriada for making themselves available during the

defense panel of his book.

Cruz is currently the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. His first book, Cultural Fictions: Narratives on Philippine Popular Culture, Politics, and Literature (published in 2004), won a National Book Award for Literary Criticism from the Manila Critiques Circle.

Isang Pagsanib Pwersa mula sa SanAg 8

By NOEL DE LEON

FOUR VOLUMES AND COUNTING. Contributors of Irong-Irong4, members of the USA Publications, and other invited guests pose after the ceremonial giving of first copies during the book launching on December 19 at the USA Student Center.

...Continued from page 1 Mabilog shared to The Augustinian that there are 10 flyovers planned all throughout the Philippines, two of which are in Iloilo City – the one in Infante that has been functional since 2008 and the Jalandoni flyover that is currently under construction.

According to Mabilog, the flyovers cost to the Iloilo City Government nothing since the funds came from the Presidential Bridge Program.

Roads with traffic In an interview with City Mayor Jerry Treñas, the participation of the Iloilo City Government was to come up with three locations of high traffic

congestions and submit the names of these locations with statistical data on traffic to the Presidential Bridge Program. The city government noted that the Infante-General Luna Intersection, Jalandoni-General Luna Intersection, and the road that connects Mandurriao and Jaro were the three locations with traffic problems.

Among the three, the InfanteGeneral Luna was the first site chosen to have a flyover. The second one was supposed to be built on the road connecting Mandurriao and Jaro.

However, as the engineers surveyed the quality of the soil, they have discontinued the plan because the said site is not fit for the weight of

the flyover. In addition, the road could no longer be widened. So the plan for the second flyover was redirected to the Jalandoni-General Luna Intersection. ...Continued from page 1 2009 passed.

Among the successful examinees were Arturo Araneta II, Katherine Ariston, Cywen Baltero, Jaypee Cabingasan, Hervic John Cabial, Claudio Cabrias Jr., Antonio Caliston Jr., Sheryl Calumag, Aileen Castro, Cheryl De Los Santos, Michael Dilag, Ryan Garces, Christian Jalbuena, Kristan Aris Meren, Marven Pabe, Lorimar Semic, and Dionice Gabriel Tamayo.

ANG SanAg 8, ang pampanitikang dyurnal ng Fray Luis de Leon C r e a t i v e Wr i t i n g I n s t i t u t e , ay naglunsad na naman nang panibagong antolohiya nitong nakaraang taon, Nobyembre 2009.

Isang antolohiya ng mga bagong akda na sumakop sa buong Panay, isang malikhaing antolohiya mula sa mga manunulat ng Western Visayas na sumasalamin sa iba’tibang kultura at paniniwala, galing at ilang nakakaaliw na tagpo ng buhay.

Nahati ang tomo ngayong taon sa tatlong klase ng malikhaing pagsulat – ang maikling kwento, tula at sanaysay. Kasama rin sa isyung ito ang ilan sa mga bagong likha mula sa Aklan ng mga Aklanong manunulat sa pangunguna nina Melchor Cichon at John Barrios.

Espesyal rin ang isyung ito dahil napasama sa unang pagkakataon ang mga gawang Bikol sa seksyong Mga Rawitdawit Mula sa Bikol sa tulong ng isang magaling na manunulat mula sa Bikol na si Kristian Cordero.

Ang isyung ito ay nagbukas ng daan upang sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay marinig ang muling pagbuhay ng relasyong pampanitikan ng dalawang rehiyonang Panay at Bikol. Isang pagsanib pwersa ang bagong isyung ito dahil naririto ang mga manunulat na noon at ang mga manunulat

nang kasalukuyan, mga batang manunulat sa Panay na patuloy ang pag-angkas sa agos ng kasalukuyang panahon at mga manunulat na noon na walang sawang sumusuporta sa ikagaganda pa lalo ng literatura sa Panay.

Hindi matatawaran ang galing na ipinapamalas ng SanAg mula noon hanggang ngayon. Ito ay isang institusyon na humihimok ng isang malikhaing pagbabago at pagaalsa upang hindi natin tuluyang makalimutan ang kahalagahan ng isang bagay na bumubuhay ng isang malusog na bansa – ang literatura ng rehiyon.

Dapat ring pasalamatan ang founding coordinator at editor ng SanAg at FLDCI, si John Iremil Teodoro sa walang sawang pagpapamalas ng kanyang suporta at tulong sa nasabing institusyon na ngayon ay kinikilala sa buong Panay at Pilipinas.

Nawa’y maging malaking hapon para sa ating lahat ang paglilimbag ng bagong isyung ito ng SanAg, na maintindihan natin na hindi lamang nabubuhay ang tao sa pera, relasyong sosyal at baluktot na paniniwala, datapwat nabubuhay tayo para rin sa salita at pagbasa ng mga akda na sumasalamin sa totoong estado ng ating bansa, mga akda na magpapaintindi kung sino at ano tayo at kung ano ang kaya pa nating gawin para sa ating bansa.

4

OPINION

THE AUGUSTINIAN PRODIGY “The ad war is more intense than the ground war, PCIJ tells us.

Villar is ahead of the pack when it comes to total ad value.”

JEFFERSON MAGBANUA EVEN before the official campaign period began on Feb. 9, 6 of the 10 presidential candidates have already spent some P1 billion on political ads.

But the real advertising value of all those ads could actually amount to about P2.1 billion.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) released in its latest report, “War on the air waves: six top bets spend P1-B on pol ads,” by senior researcherwriter Che de los Reyes. This is part of PCIJ’s series of reports for the project “Pera at Politika (PAP) 2010.”

PCIJ’s two-part report reveals that in the last three months before the election campaign period began, six of the 10 candidates for president had already “racked up advertising values on television, radio and print media worth a whopping P2.1 billion.”

But minus the discounts and commissions that, according to media networks executives and PRs, reach about 50 percent, the real spending of the six candidates would be about P991 million from Nov. 1, 2009 to Jan. 30, 2010 or close to P1 billion.

These so-called “negotiated rates” are still a staggering amount. The spending on political ads after Feb. 9 is another story.

PCIJ points out, is that five of the six candidates have “by now exceeded the limit on TV airtime minutes, if these pre-campaign ads were measured against the Fair Election Practices Act or Republic Act No. 9006.” Will these candidates who have defied the law and overspent be penalized?

ANG SA AKIN LAMANG “Hinulma tayo ng nakaraan kaya sana’y huwag nating kalimutang pasalamatan ang mga taong naging bahagi nang ating pagkatao...”

RONALD SORRILLA SARIWA pa sa aking kukote ang mga magagarbo at makukulay na ilaw na naglipana sa kalawakan kasabay ng paghihiwalay ng taong 2009 sa bagong taon 2010. Napangiti ako sa aking sarili, nanumbalik ang mga panahong nakita ko ang aking sarili.

Waring malapad na puting telon ang tumambad sa aking harapan at isa-isang naglabasan ang iba’t ibang larawan. Larawan ng kasiyahan, kalungkutan at mga kaganapan na nagsisimbolo sa aking pag-usad sa taong nakalipas.

Dahil ba sa mga pagkakataong ito ay natawid ko ang aking sarili sa lugar na na sa ngayon ako’y ipinako. Sa mga larawan bang nakikita ko, makikilala ko ang tunay na ako? Ang paglalakbay kung saan kakambal na rin ng ating buhay ay tiyak na maihahalintulad, patuloy ang ating paglalakad sa isang pasilyo na walang tiyak na kahahantungan. Gayunpaman, tuloy pa rin ang pagsusumamo sa inaasam na pangarap.

Bagong Taon: Bagong Pilipinas Nalalapit na naman ang halalan at unti-unti nang bumabango ang paligid sa panghihikayat ng mga masigasig na pulitiko sa kabila ng kaliwa’t kanang batikos na maging personal na buhay ay tinatapakan.

DECEMBER 1 2009 - FEBRUARY 5, 2010

Overspending on Ads Well, they could get away with their overspending by saying that those ads fall under “advocacy ads.”

Whatever! Think of all those precampaign period “advocacy ads” that made some candidates for president, and candidates for other positions as well, look like they were God’s special gift to this world.

For her report, De los Reyes reviewed the AGB Nielsen Media Research ad spending data base.

According to PCIJ executive director Malou Mangahas, PCIJ manages the subscription to the data base on behalf of its PAP 2010 partner organizations, namely, Lawyers’ League for Liberty, Center for Electoral Reforms and the Association of Schools of Public Administration in the Philippines.

Let’s go back to the P2.1 billion figure (advertising value). About half of this, the PCIJ report says, represents the ad buys of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer, Sen. Manuel Villar.

PCIJ points out that a presidential candidate’s maximum campaign spending limit is only P500 million or P10 per voter. PCIJ adds that Villar’s party may however spend another P5 per voter or P250 million.

PCIJ tells us that “Villar’s TV ads also logged a total airtime of 758.5 minutes on GMA channel 7, and 696 minutes on ABS-CBN Channel 2 during those three months before the campaign period. Four other presidential candidates racked up formidable totals for their respective TV ads on the two stations as well, most of them posting total airtime for the placements at both GMA and ABS-CBN in the three digits.”

Here is the ad duration in minutes of the other candidates (from Nov. 1 2009-Jan. 31, 2010): Benigno Aquino III (218.77 ABS-CBN, 136.75 GMA), Joseph Estrada (96 ABS-CBN, 44.5 GMA),

Richard Gordon (248 ABS-CBN, 127.5 GMA), Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (291.75 ABS-CBN, 257.75 GMA), Eddie Villanueva (24.5 ABS-CBN, 161.75 GMA), and Manuel Villar Jr. (696 ABS-CBN, 758.5 GMA).

PCIJ adds that Villanueva who has equity interest in QTV 11, a joint venture of his Zoe Broadcasting Network with GMA, recorded an additional 221.5 minutes of ad buys on QTV 11.

It is obvious that candidates took the opportunity to splurge to campaign during the pre-campaign period in order for them to avoid the spending limits of the campaign period. PCIJ says, these candidates took advantage of the amended Election Modernization Act that says, one is considered a candidate only “at the start of the campaign period for which he filed his certificate of candidacy.”

In fact, they could also invoke the Supreme Court’s Nov. 2009 ruling that says that a candidate’s political acts become unlawful only when the campaign period starts.

Here are the ad values that PCIJ took from AGB Nielsen data and computed based on rate cards. TV ad values were reduced by 50 percent to arrive at the indicative real ad cost.

The ad war is more intense than the ground war, PCIJ tells us. Villar is ahead of the pack when it comes to total ad value.

There is more to the PCIJ report than the figures (You may visit http:// pcij.org). Media and ad executives who crunch numbers also tell us what all these mean and amount to.

By understanding all these, voters can discern better and will not be overwhelmed by these ads that don’t really tell us the entire truth.

Take them as entertainment. But if you can’t stand them, reach for that remote.

Mga “B” ng Buhay Ikinalungkot ng sambayanang Pilipino ang kalunos-lunos na kaganapan sa isang bayan sa Mindanao, na tumatak sa bawat tao hindi lamang sa ating bansa kundi pati na rin sa buong mundo, ang “Maguindanao Massacre” na limampu’t pitong walang kamalaymalay ang nadali. Suspetsado ang pamilya ng Ampatuan sa nasabing krimen. Maraming haka-haka at espekulasyon ang namayani sa katuturan ng lahat na kaganapan,ang mga ito ay: sakim sa kapangyarihan, pulitikal at personal na interes ang mga nakitang kadahilanan kung bakit ito ay naganap. Ang katunggaling pamilya na ang mismong nagsumite ng reklamo sa kapanahunang inilalagak na ang COC (Certificate of candidacy sa COMELEC).

Sana naman ngayong halalan ay maging mapagmasid tayo sa kinang na ipinapakita ng mga pulitiko?

Atin silang busisiin at isa-isang pagaralan kung ano naman ang kanilang plataporma at ito ba’y makakaahon sa pagkakasubsob ng ating bayan sa dagat ng kahirapan at kawalan?

Bumoto nang tama. Huwag tayong masilaw at maganyak sa salapi na kanilang iniaalok at maging responsableng botante. Palaging isaisip na sa ating boto hinahabi ang kapakanan ng ating bansa.

Bagong Taon: Bagong Pagsubok Ang halimuyak ngayon ng isyung “Renewable Marriage” na nais ipasa ng “Ako Babaeng Astig Aasenso” or 1-ABAA ay nagdulot magkakaiba’t-bang perspektib. Na

pinagpipilitang itaguyod o itigil, ang pagpasa sa Law-Making Body ng bansa- ang CAMARA at Senado.

Naalala ko kaagad ang binili kong tinapay sa isang bakeshop. Tapos nakita ko na ito’y mapapanis na sa araw ng aking pagkakabili. Kung ang bawat tinapay na pinaghirapang pasarapin, inuluto’t binigyan ng pangalan ay matatapos rin lamng nang madalian. Ano pa ang silbi ng sampung taong pag-ibig na ipinakita ng mag-asawa sa harap ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng Sakramento ng Kasal kung ito’y may kakambal na pag-renew na may nakaatang na bayarin?

Naguguluhan na ang madlangtao na halos hindi na rin matanggap ng panig ng CBCP (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines) dahil hindi na ito naayon sa moral na pagtuturo ng Simbahan na ang kasal ay sagradong sakramento na pinagbuklod ng pagmamahal kasama ang Diyos at walang kinikilalang hangganan.

Sa isang jornal, idinepensa ni Margie Tajon, Presidente ng 1-ABAA na hindi na gugugol nang mahal at mabagal na “annulment process” ang mag-asawa kung ito man ay maitataguyod sa Kongreso at mababawasan na rin dito ang paglobo ng “annulment cases” na nakatambak sa Korte. Ang nagudyok lamang sa kanya, sampu nang kanyang kasamahan sa partido ay dahil na rin sa nasasaad sa Article 20, Chapter I of the Family Code of the Philippines na “A marriage license is Continue to page 5

Still Poor FOR Liberal Party bet, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, the way to solve the poverty problem in the country is to eliminate corruption.

For Nacionalista Party standard bearer, Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar, the way to eliminate poverty is to have a pro-poor economic program.

For the Pwersa ng Masa presidential bet, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, to solve the poverty issue is to restore peace and order in this country, for the investment climate to grow, and for the country to be able to move forward.

Taking it one by one, Aquino’s solution is really no solution at all.

Corruption in government can hardly be eliminated and worse, can hardly be the solution to poverty, mainly because even minimizing corruption in government levels, will hardly translate to alleviating the living conditions for the poor. Aquino must also know that even during his late mother’s time in Malacañang, and even with that “wave of change” that the nation believed would come about but never did, there was graft and corruption, where especially the Aquino-Cojuangco relatives, known as then as the infamous “Kamag-Anak Inc.” were reported to have been engaged in corrupt practices, and where family members certainly took advantage of the Aquino presidency, with them buying up sequestered assets for song, not to mention Cory Aquino, using her power and position, exempting her Hacienda Luisita from the Agrarian Reform Law, and even using her presidency to ensure that the court’s decision to parcel the hacienda to the workers was thwarted. And just who was the “Jueteng King” during his late mother’s time?

More to the point: Was poverty even minimized during Cory Aquino’s presidency? It was, but through a change of criteria in gauging the poverty level, such as the criterion of more people drinking beer, ergo, since they can afford to drink beer, they can no longer be considered below the poverty line.

But here is a question for Noynoy Aquino: Since he started his political career in the House of Representatives, has he, as a legislator, ever come up with pro-poor programs, or even anti-corruption laws, or, for that matter, a bill that would provide farmers and tillers land — especially the Hacienda Luisita farmers? Why, Noynoy even abstained from voting in the Carper Law. If genes are to go by, in solving the problem of poverty and corruption in the country, then evidently, Aquino will go the way of his mother who used her power and position to benefit her, and her family members’ personal interests.

Villar’s solution to eliminate poverty is to have a pro-poor economic program. What other pro-poor programs can there be? More housing from the Villar properties? More giveaways of homes through the TV program of Willie Revillame? More C-5 types of road extension projects that have not benefited the poor, but the wealthy property owners — himself included — for their land values to go up and their business to grow in profits?

The cash gifts to the poor then? But even Gloria’s cash program has hardly lifted the poor from their squalor. They still have no job opportunities, for them to be able to work in their own country and live a little more decently.

Not even his billions go to the poor, come to that. He is said to have spent thus far at least P2 billion for his political ads. But didn’t these billions go to the media establishments that are already wealthy, with their profits by the billions? What did the poor get out of those Villar billions spent?

While the usual sanctimonious and hypocritical civil society that incidentally, also made a pile during the first term of Gloria Arroyo through its PeaceBonds scam, as well as the anti-Estrada media, mock the Erap plan of restoring peace and order as the first step to eliminating poverty, it is a more practical solution, since having peace and order reign in the country once again will bring in the investors — foreign and local — and generate more jobs, which is what is needed at this time.

And Estrada can do it, because in the short time he was in the presidency, there was peace and order in this country, and he did wage a successful war against the Muslim separatists that had them scrambling for cover.

It was the civil society types and the Makati businessmen that didn’t want Estrada to succeed in his program for the poor, which was the reason for the unconstitutional power grab in 2001, for which they themselves created political turbulence.

Editorial

OPINION

DECEMBER 1 2009 - FEBRUARY 5, 2010

THE AUGUSTINIAN

Minsan Nag-enrol Ka

YUNG TAGALOG “Minsan hindi maiwasang magkasamaan ng loob at magkasisihan. Minsan, hindi rin maiwasang hindi makahanap ng gulo...”

JOSH VON IRON TONDO LUNES, alas sais ng umaga, huling linggo ng bakasyon. Isang espesyal na araw. Gulat kang tatayo mula sa kinahihigaan. Mag-papanik.

Ayaw mo pa sanang masira ang nakasanayang tanghaling gising pero kailangan mong bumangon dahil ayaw mong mangulelat sa pila. Lakadtakbo kang papasok sa geyt ng skul, pipiliting umiwas na makipagdebate sa guwardiya at pawisang pupunta sa iyong department. Pagkarating, agad kang babatiin ng magkahalong amoy ng mamahalin at mumurahing pabango, pawis, init ng ulo at hiningang galing sa mga bungangang kung hindi nakikipagdaldalan ay nagmumura.

Enrolment na naman: hudyat ng pasukan at wala ka nang magagawa roon kung gusto mo talagang mag-aral at makapagtapos.

Sa mga araw ng enrolment, isang magandang esksena ang makikita.

Halata man o hindi, lahat ay tila bang nagkakapantay-pantay (maliban nalang sa mga magaling sumingit at sa mga taong hindi na pumipila dahil sa may kakilala sila sa opisina kaya ligtas sila sa dinaranas ng nakararami). Ina, lola, katulong, drayber, estudyante, kaibigan, barkada, nerd, tigasin, fratmen, emo, rakista, pankista, mahirap, mayaman at kung sinu-sino pa—lahat makikita mong nakapila.

Lahat iisa ang pakay at alam mo kung ano iyon dahil gaya nila, pipila ka rin at maghinintay para sa nasabing pakay.

Gaya nila, kailangan mong tanggapin ang katotohanang mageenrol ka’t malaki ang posibilidad na hindi ka makatapos sa loob ng isang araw.

Kailangan mong tanggapin na lahat, ano man ang estado, paniniwala’t hitsura ay papantayin ng enrolment.

Lahat, pati ikaw.

Para sa mga matitinik at masisipag, ang pag-enrol ay hindi lalagpas sa mahigit kumulang kalahating araw hanggang tatlong araw. Pero para sa mga astig-astigan, tamad, tanga, hindi nagbabasa ng iskedyul sa buletin, mga alpabeto ang grado at sadyang minamalas lang talaga, sa kasamaang ...Continued from page 4 valid for only 120 days (4 months) from the date of issue. It will be deemed canceled if the contracting parties have not made use of it upon the date of expiry.”

Kung anu man ang hahantungan

My Hero

palad, ay umaabot ito ng isa hanggang tatlong linggo at ilang rounds ng kanta sa playlist ng MP3 player.

Kung tutuusin, magandang sitwasyon na ang isang linggo ng paghihintay para makapag-enrol kaysa mawalan ng dokumento sa opisina ng dean at masisi sa pagkawala ng mga papeles mo. Hindi mo alam kung bakit, basta kasalanan mo lang.

Minsan, bukod sa mawawalan ka ng mga dokumento ay kakapitan ka lang talaga ng malas. Minsan sa kasagsagan ng paghihintay mo, hindi mo maiiwasan ang mga taong talagang sadyang may talentong mamerwisyo sa gitna ng perwisyo. Minsan may maririnig kang sisigaw, “%$#@! ninyo, kanina pa kaming alas kuwatro ng umaga dito!” na para bang may magagawa ang pagmumura’t pageeksadyereyt. Minsan mapapansin mo rin ang isang baklang naglilider-lideran na magyayaya sa mga kasamang balot sa make-up na magrebelde na lang sa paniniwalang mapapagaan nito ang sitwasyon ninyo. At higit sa lahat, minsan mapapaisip ka talaga kung totoo ba ang iskedyul na nagsasabing alas dos hanggang alas singko ng hapon bukas ang opisina dahil mag-aalas tres na wala paring taong umaasikaso sa inyo. Sa mga ganitong araw ng kamalasan, ang tanging pag-asa mo lang ay yaong mga magkakabarkadang magagaling magisip. Magkakayayaan silang mag-dota o kung ano man at ipagpapabukas na lang ang pag-enrol sa paniniwalang sila lang ang nakaisip ng ideyang iyon at dahil nga sa sobrang eksklusib iyon sa kanila ay hindi sila mahihirapang mag-enrol sa umaga ng susunod na araw. Dahil sa kanila iiksi ang pila at mapapabilis ang paghintay mo.

Sakaling ganoon nga ang mangyari, m a g i n g m a p a g p a s a l a m a t k a ’t napapaligiran ka ng mga henyo.

Matapos ang ilang araw at ilang kanta sa player mo ay aabot ka na rin sa mga huling bahagdan ng proseso ng enrolment. Kaso lang, minsan hindi rin maiwasan ang masarahan ng akawnting opis dahil nga sa hapon ka na nakatapos. Siyempre, hindi mo maiwasang hindi mainis lalo na kung pumila ka’t nasa harap ka na ng teler pero itataboy ka niya dahil sa alas kuwatro y medya na’t oras na para magbilang siya ng pera’t magligpit

ng gamit. Paglabas mo ng opisina ay iinisin ka pa ng mga kabarkada mong tapos na’t bumabalik na lang sa skul para sa alawans at para uminom.

Maiinis ka rin sa mga taong alam mo’ng leyt nag-enrol pero nauna pa sa’yo makatapos. “Badtrip” sigaw ng utak mo. Pero maiisip mo rin na pagkatapos ng araw na iyon ay hindi ka na pipila nang matagal at may malaki ka pang kupit (para sa mga gumagawa nito). Maiisip mo na kaunting bahagdan nalang ng proseso ang tatapusin mo’t estudyante ka na ng San Agustin. Dahil diyan hindi matatapos ang araw mong malungkot ka.

Sa ilang taon mo sa kolehiyo, kailangan mong tanggapin na parte na talaga ng buhay estudyante ang enrolment pati ang mga bagay na hatid nito. Puno ng drama, aksyon, kumedya at romansa ang mga eksena rito’t isa ito sa mga maituturing na teleserye ng totoong buhay. Pero gaano man kahirap o kadali ang mag-enrol, katulad pa rin ito ng damit: depende sa kung paano ka magdala. Depende parin ito sa diskarte mo kumbaga.

May kaniya-kaniyang proseso ang bawat departamento –ang iba mabilis, ang iba sobrang kupad—kaya’t kaniya-kaniyang diskarte rin ang mga estudyante’t mga tagapamahala. Minsan hindi maiwasang magkasamaan ng loob at magkasisihan. Minsan, hindi rin maiwasang hindi makahanap ng gulo, magkasingitan at magkasungitan.

Minsan din hindi lang talaga pwedeng ipilit ang kung ano’ng gusto mo, mapaestudyante, guro o taga-pamahala ka man. Pero ang mga ganitong tagpo ay parang sa damit lang din na maraming hindi maaring iwasan. Minsan may mga disenyo lang talagang hindi bagay sa’yo kahit gaano mo pa ito kagusto. Minsan hindi lang talaga maiwasang hindi ito magkagusot. Pero gayun pa man, ang enrolment kapag may gusot (kagaya sa damit) ay pwedeng “plantsahin”.

Hindi ito rich man’s crumple na kahit magusot basta pwedeng isuot, okey na. Ito ay isang damit na hindi kayang “plantsahin” ng isang tao lang o ng pagmumura, paninisi’t paniningit.

Ito ay mapaplantsa lang kung hindi magbubulag-bulagan at tamarin ang mga Agustino sa paghanap ng paraan para maayos ito.

Kung gusto may paraan.

HAVE you met you own hero?

Heroes come in a variety of form but most often they wear sexy and fancy costumes that reflect their characters, they have supernatural powers and they always help other people. In real life, before someone will be declared a hero, he or she must perform a heroic act rooted in kindness and selflessness.

These two virtues are the most prominent qualities of heroism, genuine heroism that is not merely a form of showing off or is just for the sake of becoming famous.

Heroism can also be seen in simple ways that you may not have known.

Doing random acts of kindness like giving alms and food to a beggar you met at the overpass beside Marymart Mall or offering an umbrella for the stranger you met on the way to San Agustin on a cold rainy day, or perhaps trying to help that terror teacher of yours carry a load of voluminous books.

Random acts of kindness are but forms of heroic acts that we fail to recognize because we are either so engrossed with our own lives or because we are preoccupied of what society’s definition of heroes is. People who perform random acts of kindness are heroes because they went out of their way to try to help the needy. For me, this act of random kindness is the first quality that a hero possesses.

Most heroes accidentally became one out of their inclination to share the fruits of random kindness towards their fellow.

Another great characteristic of true heroism is selflessness. Most heroes gave up their lives for the sake of the common good. They did not have any second thoughts in sacrificing their lives. They did not consider their own selves when trying to help others. Selflessness is the true mark of a leader.

Selflessness is simply delaying one’s pleasure for the sake of others. It is the virtue that must be possessed by our leaders.

They must be selfless. They must know how to delay their personal gratification for the sake of their

ng panukalang ito ay sana mabigyan ng nararapat na kasagutan ang mga perspektib ng mga tao dahil ito ay sensitibong isyu na pumupukaw sa sa pangunahing yunit na ating kinabibilangan sa lipunan – ang pamilya.

Bagong Taon: Pagbabalik Tanaw sa Nakaraan Hinulma tayo ng nakaraan kaya sana’y huwag nating kalimutang pasalamatan ang mga taong naging bahagi nang ating pagkatao, na naging sila ay instrumento sa ating pagbabago.

Bagkus, lahat ng ating mga karanasan ay kakambal ng pagsubok at paghihirap, masasabi nating may

malaking naidulot ito sa paghubog ng ating katauhan.

Sa pag-usad ng panahon, natututo tayo sa bawat pagkakamaling nagawa natin kaya’t nararapat lamang na mabigyan nating ng kaukulang aksyon ang bawat galaw na ating tinatahak.

Tumatak sa aking isipan ang mga linyang narinig ko sa isang programa sa telebisyon: “Makikita mo ang kanilang mukha sa salapi, maging papel man o

THE

AUGUSTINIAN Editors-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors

Senior Writers Staff Writers

Photographer Staff Artist Circulation Officer Moderator

Pietros Val Patricio Jefferson Magbanua Donna Isabelle Fresnido Aljun Padisio Ray Adrian Macalalag Mia Rose Emboltura Emmanuel Barcelona Ronald Sorrilla Josefa Maria Castro Diam Queenie Permocillo Josh Von Iron Tondo Mary Leslie Eregia Noel De Leon Nicole Fernan Caminian Sheena Capindo Erwin Sustento

The Augustinian is the official student newspaper of the University of San Agustin.

It is published six times a year by the USA Publications with editorial office at the 2nd Floor, Alumni Hall, University of San Agustin, Gen. Luna St., 5000 Iloilo City.

Comments, suggestions, and contributions may be sent to the Editorial Board through the email address pubpipol@usa.edu.ph.

TWEETER.NICOLE

5

BIBLIOPHILE “People who perform random acts of kindness are heroes because they went out of their way to try to help the needy.”

EMMANUEL BARCELONA constituents. If only our leaders are selfless enough maybe we may not languish in poverty because of their graft and corruption. Our leaders must always remember that they run for a particular position not for the perks, privileges and the prestige attached to that position in government. They must not forget that they are there to serve and not to be served.

As for me, I have met my own hero. She does not wear a cape or a fancy costume. She did not die in battle or in war. She does not have supernatural powers but she has does one power that no one else can imitate. She didn’t run into a burning building to help a distressed victim or performed CPR for the drowning victim.

She did not fit society’s definition of heroism yet she had done something worthy of erecting an effigy in her memory. My hero is no other than my own mother, the woman behind my success in life. She wears ragged clothes in order to buy my expensive clinical uniforms. Her only power is her love for us her children - the power that gave her the will to take in almost everything only to send her children to school the same power that made her swallow her pride in asking help from my aunties despite objections and discouragement. That power also made her sick because of hard work. It was also that power which made her fought cancer just to make sure that I will graduate with a nursing diploma.

I felt sad that she will not be able to see me graduate because she died of lung cancer last January 22. I am giving her this recognition because it is due to her. I am also offering this article to her so that others will know of her heroism and that others will love their mothers as well and see that mothers are truly heroes. barya,sa mga rebolusyon ay kinakikitaan sila ng kanilang pagkamasigasig, may monumentong inialay sa kanila, bawat pahina ng libro ay nakaukit ang kanilang mukha, ngunit tayo’y may kani-kaniyang paraan upang maging bayani kahit na sa simpleng paraan, bayani na nakaimprenta na simula pa ng bago nating imulat ang ating mata sa pagdungaw ng mundong ating paglalagakan.”

6

THE AUGUSTINIAN

Prom-inent

By DONNA ISABELLE FRESNIDO

IT is February, and high school or college juniors and seniors are tittering over tonight. Facing a hotel crammed with crowds of girls with sleek gowns and boys unused to the stiff starched collars of their tuxedos, yet another stretch limousine pulls up and a couple goes out of the limo. As the evening progresses, used plates are pushed back. The room darkens, brightened only by the sporadic reflection of light from the disco ball. The rustle of taffeta skirts and the pounding of leather shoes fill the dance floor.

This is a night to remember, a night to deliver society’s rite of passage, and a night when girls and boys become ladies and gentlemen.

This is prom.

Derived from the French word “promenade,” meaning a march of guests into a ballroom to announce the beginning of a formal event or ball, the term “prom” was first used by a student of Amherst College who described his invitation and attendance at an early prom at the nearby Smith College in 1894. The context was most likely just a ball for seniors; back then, prom was only limited to colleges, starting with those in the Northeast, and its iconic status for the youth is yet to be achieved.

Prom’s precursor, the debutante ball, was held by upper class American families for their daughters who are to be formally introduced to society, following the European custom. Rigid etiquette was observed

By JOSEFA MARIA CASTRO and MARY LESLIE EREGIA

NEW Moon, the second of the dark, popular Twilight series, is built more on adventure and suspense as Isabella Swan’s life dips into a ew level of intrigue with a melancholy feel to it, unsettling changes in Bella’s new life in the small town of Forks make it hard for readers to pry their eyes away from the novel and just ignore the seemingly building tension as the plot thickens with new characters being introduced in the senses.

The story kicks-off with Bella’s unwelcomed nightmare reflective of her upcoming birthday where she

envisions herself standing in front of a mirror next to Edward where she sees herself as an old lady while Edward remains to be his perfect, 17year-old self. She is greeted by a rude awakening when she collects herself and realizes that it is in fact her 18th birthday. She goes to school looking like a dead fish on her birthday with the thought that she was dying by the second.

The plot heightens when Edward breaks up with her and leaves her curled-up in the wet and mossy forest grounds. Low and behold, this is where Jacob enters the picture. In a desperate

FEATURE

DECEMBER 1 2009 - FEBRUARY 5, 2010

and the young people only wore their finest apparel. The first proms started when the middle class wanted to replicate their rich counterparts, though on a less lavish and less expensive scale.

The result was a social gathering of young men and women who met in their best clothes and dined and danced as they learned social etiquette together.

Historians believe that college proms have been around since the nineteenth century but it was in the early 1900’s that high school proms came into being, simple get-togethers for the youth in their Sunday best. With the advent of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties, dancing had become an integral part in proms, as did arriving on the prom venue in cars.

By the 1930s, proms were common and the popularity of “prom stories”, sharing both good and bad memories, were published in school papers all over the country and added to the mystique. Other schools would acquire and distribute other school paper’s stories so these circulated from state to state and were taken very seriously. It was implied that participation in proms meant you were a good citizen and supported your community (http:// cmerry.wordpress.com/2006/12/18/ the-history-of-the-prom/).

Owing to World War II, proms had declined during the 1940’s but

they soon came back with the postwar economic boon of the 1950’s.

By then, opulence had replaced the simplicity of the early high school proms. From high school gyms, the venue was moved to fancier locations like country clubs and hotels complete with a live band. Fancy dresses and tuxedos were considered the standard clothes, not just Sunday best. The Prom King and Queen titles were also more hotly contested because they were given much social prestige.

Nowadays, proms are elevated to a status equal with debuts, stag parties, and other coming-of-age events. In popular literature and cinema, proms are typecasted with the “golden couple,” usually a jock and a cheerleader, being voted Prom

attempt at moving on, Bella spends most of her time within the comforts of Jacob’s garage as they stir-up new ideas of satisfying Bella’s undying thirst for an adrenaline rush. This is because Bella realizes that whenever she has a near-death experience, Edward’s velvety voice conveniently pops into her subconscious and gives her the much-needed restriction that Edward would’ve said if he was actually there. In an ultimate cliché ending, the movie closes to credits with Edward and Jacob feuding for Bella’s love and the unforgettable “marry me”.

An unexpected evolution of one of the characters has got to be Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner. His transformation from being the “boynext-door” to becoming a raging, hot werewolf has left the hearts of thousands of women craving for more. Most women would prefer Jacob, or more appropriately “team Jake”, because he is an attainable guy with a warm and appealing glow to him, unlike Edward who will forever remain 17, perfect, unrealistic and a fantasy.

The movie did have its expected downfalls, such as the fact that its entirety was based mostly on slowmotion scenes intended to build-

up the drama and intensity, however, that attempt failed miserably since people grew tired of watching approximately 15 slow-mo scenes.

Also, the lighting in some of the scenes, especially in the forest at night, was so poor that it made the audience have to listen twice as hard to the conversations.

Another glitch in the story is the message conveyed by Bella to females all over the world. She portrays how it’s OK to become overly-obsessed with your boyfriend up to the point that break-ups can cause one to submit to an ultimate black-out of thoughts and any other emotion. Stephanie Meyer wrote it so graphically that you can’t help but wonder if she herself went through all of that.

The film did get a percentage of thumbs-up from the men since Alice Cullen, Edward’s sister, was a total eye candy and somehow became “hotter” compared to her cold, lifeless-self in Twilight. Alice did have a huge

King and Queen. Of course, an “ugly duckling” twist may be in the form of the socially awkward girl being made over into a Prom Queen goddess.

With the changing times, prom dates are being redefined by samesex couples. Girls are also showing more freedom in picking a prom date. Whereas the past had dictated that a boy should ask a girl out, girls today are taking the initiative to ask their partners out. Some students even attend prom alone or in groups, shifting the focus away from a romantic evening to one of friendship and bonding.

Photo credits: www.flickr.com www.google.com

participation in the story since she helps Bella find her to Edward just in time before he was about to kill himself.

Edward’s perfectly rehearsed lines managed to crawl their way up to the second book.

Girls can’t help but cringe every time Edward delivers these infamous lines.

Other than that, the movie and the book seemed to have met perfectly in terms of how Meyer envisioned it and how the Director, Chris Weitz, drew it on the green screen.

As romance and suspense are intertwined in a supernatural love triangle, New Moon, as well as the entire Twilight Saga is bound to keep blood-thirsty aficionados hungry for more adventure. It sure is on its way to a trip of literary immortality.

Photo credits: - http://images.eonline.com/eol_ images/Entire_Site/20090227/425. pattinson.stewart.lautner.022709.jpg - http://www.horror-movies.ca/albums/ TwilightNewMoon/twilight-newmoon.jpg - http://bcms.leesummit.k12.mo.us/ bcmslmc/images/New%20moon%20 poster.jpg

FEATURE

DECEMBER 1 2009 - FEBRUARY 5, 2010

THE AUGUSTINIAN

7

The Unattractive Truth

By JOSEFA MARIA CASTRO

SIPPING my way through a can of soda on a lazy afternoon at the Cafeteria, I can’t help but notice a group of girls getting all giddy and excited. I conspicuously turn my head

to what some of them were pointing at.

It was a varsity player. You know the type, tall, handsome, buff and oozing with ego. I turned back to the girls and chuckled when I saw their love-struck faces. I scanned through the vicinity and something caught my eye. It was the reaction of the other boys in the cafeteria; I tried interpreting out the expressions on their faces and raised eyebrows.

It’s all about image Face it. Girls inevitably squirm every time a campus heartthrob passes by. A person’s image is how he presents himself to the world. When a guy has managed to create a certain “image” that is appealing to most girls, he is dubbed a heartthrob, a.k.a., Prince Charming, Edward Cullen, or any other noted unrealistic and lame excuses for real men.

Girls are very particular about the way guys talk, walk and dress. It might seem shallow, but that’s just the way it is. Standards are made according to women’s preferences and are basically summed up to what a girl wants and don’t want her man to posses.

...Continued from page 2 1. BS Facebook Engineering Major: farmville harvesting Minor: fishworld stealing

Mars, Jupiter or strolling in Uranus.

There will be space launch every after semester as prescribed by NASA for Astronomy Courses.

Course Description This course is especially designed to computer addicted persons who impeccably live a day without

3. Kiniray-a 110

spending a couple of hours in front of their PC’s or even their up-to-date laptop. Facebook should not be the least of the favorite surfing-stuff of people nowadays. From changing your profile picture, uploading videos, posting shout-out on walls and the like makes Facebook an escape from boring moments with its zynga games, one could not resist. In this course, the students will learn to manipulate database and manipulating games in which they will be assigned to following creative corporations.

Farmville as the major field will boost up skills and techniques in farming using high-tech agricultural strategies, forming new effective fertilizers, upgrading product with quality while Fishworld stealing will open doors to more advanced stealing skills that no one would caught.

2. Bachelor in Outer Space Sciences Major: Asteroidal studies Minor: Blackhole Construction Course Description With the space-shortage here on our beloved planet earth, taking BOSS would be the probable answer in these problems. Life is easier and efficient in living outside Earth. About a minute or so, you can be there in

Course Description The Mother-tongue has been the embracing medium for all of us to understand e a c h o t h e r.

This subject is intended to furthermore relieve the doubt on some kiniray-a terms that made some of Ilonggos take some difficulties in understanding it. Visayan literature will be one of the lessons, and as well as cultures, traditions that had been still existing in our respective vicinity.

4. AB Psychitetical Technology Major: Voodoo Doll Design Minor: Chanting and Rituals Course Description This course is engineered to suit today’s necessities. The idea on how to formulate rituals and chants that has been one of the primordial activities of our ancestors has to be evolved again.

Learning such craft also embrace us the way our ancestors have hundreds of years ago. The learners will also be oriented on making Voodoo dolls as symbols of the craft.

5. Principles of Urinalysis and Analysis Course Description The etiquette in comfort rooms seems to be forgotten, so this subject will really teach the essence of proper health care and sanitation in as much as our health is concerned. In this way, the students under this subject will be much aware of the importance of being clean and hygienic as an answer to today’s epidemic. This will also

The bf/gf thing In a century where relationships are of magnified importance as compared to a generation ago, adolescents feel the need to confide themselves to someone of the opposite sex simply because they wish to be heard, understood, taken care of and loved.

In the case of us, college students, finding a partner should not be in our priorities, but is inevitably a raging want deep within all of us. So, the hunt for our future spouses tends to begin right within the four walls of our school. You’ve been through High School, I’m sure you know exactly what I mean.

Raised Eyebrows Going back to the issue of unrealistic standards, men respond by coping to these standards and masking themselves of the red-necks they really are. They are completely aware of what women want, so, their hidden Adonis is tapped and ultimately forces them to conform to the norms of vanity and self-obsession. This obsession is oftentimes the primary reason why men shift their gender preferences and lose their eyes on the real prize,

Females.

Confession I admit it, I have a checklist.

You got that right, a checklist for all my requirements of the perfect guy. Before you say anything else, I’d like you to know that that checklist was a result of my childhood spent watching Disney Movies, where happy endings seemed to be all the rage.

My checklist was made to ensure that I end up choosing Prince Charming. Lately, I’ve realized that my checklist seemed to be gathering dust and nowhere near completion.

I noticed another thing, I felt like I wasn’t looking for a real guy, I was looking for a checklist with feet, which was a bad idea.

Perfection is key Girl’s standards are primarily based on perfection. But what exactly is perfect? It varies from one girl to the other. For the sake of argument, let’s put Edward Cullen back in the picture.

10 New courses that we want the University to offer in

2010

prevent the spread of diseases that had bombarded lives of the people.

cellphone user’s way of spending their money in reloading.

6. BS Electronic Loading

7. AB International Cuisine

Course Description With the extent of today’s modernization, advances in technology had improved the quality of life we have. This course would possibly be on top of every students list on the course they wanted to get in college. BSEL will open its heights in economizing the needs of every

Course Description This course intended to fill our empty stomachs to the world of cuisine. The students will be introduced to Oriental, Western and even exotic dishes that savors the tongue of the most discriminating Filipino culinary critics.

He’s physically a two thumbs up, his rehearsed lines are breath-taking, and his aura is addictive. But, do we all want to be Bella? I didn’t think so, too. Imagine living eternity with the same, perfect, flawless cardboard cut-out husband. Yes, he is tall, white, handsome, and….perfect? of course not, nobody’s perfect, deal with it.

All this time, I’ve been looking for someone who fitted my cookie-cutter outline of the perfect boyfriend but, the truth is, we’d all much rather want to end up not with someone who is perfect, but with someone who is perfected by us.

Photo credits: Yahoo images 9. Bachelor of Arts in Occultism Course Description Occultism is the study of occult or hidden wisdom. To the occultist it is the study of “Truth,” a deeper truth that exists beneath the surface: “The truth is always hidden in plain sight.” It will involve subjects concerning magic, alchemy, extra-sensory perception, astrology, spiritualism, lithomancy, and numerology along with the strong religious elements to these studies and beliefs such as adherence to religions namely Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Luciferianism, Thelema, and Neopaganism.

10. Bachelor of Arts in Filmmaking Course Description This program offers basic and advanced knowledge in filmmaking skills which includes developing ideas, directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing and sound production and will focus on both the practical and theoretical elements of filmmaking. A comprehensive range of filmmaking proficiencies will be covered in the intensive programs.

Students will be working with topof-the-line to develop and

8. Bachelor of Arts in Investigative Journalism Course Description This academic program will offer an exclusive track for students who want to specialize in investigative journalism. The students will be entitled to intense courses in investigative skills and techniques.

They will spend their academic years specializing in investigative reporting and are required to do an investigative report for their master’s project. In addition, high-level investigative courses will be offered in the program.

realize short films each term and will be given internship opportunities in the said academic program.

Photo credits: www.facebook.com www.google.com

8

SPORTS/OPINION

THE AUGUSTINIAN

Ilang Mga Mapapel na Tagpo at Eksena ng Buhay

DEAN’S LISTERS First Semester (Academic Year 2009-2010) College of Business Administration and Accountancy BSA 1 DE LA CRUZ, Kenneth 1.18 DE LOS REYES, Jeric 1.35 CASTRO, Roy Jr. 1.38 SASANA, Mylene 1.39 VIAJAR, Vanessa 1.40 TUBALOR, Khiendy 1.41 SALVILLA, Cherry Joy 1.43 JAMOLO, Elemar 1.48 FALALIMPA, Jessa Mae 1.53 AREVALO, Louise Joy 1.538 ROQUIOS, Anthony 1.541 DESIERTO, Norebeth 1.55 CASQUERO, Sieg Fred 1.57 EBOJO, Christen Joy 1.58 HACHUELA, Jodelyn 1.60 SEDOTES, Darwin 1.64 PINUELA, Acel Joyce 1.68 BUÑOL, Maria Rhica 1.71

College of Nursing BSN 1 FERRARIZ, Rhio Mae NIEVES, Grace PALARCA, Dyan Erika GARCIA, Roman HIÑOLA, Sofia Laureen DORONILA, Jacky Lyn PAGAYON, Ma. Vanessa PRESAS, Bianca LOPEZ, Anzen Kate DELA CRUZ, Christy Marielle PEÑAS, Kevin DIAZ, Charisse Nicole FADULLAN. Karen CARREON, Jogene NIELES, Patricia Ann BESARIO, Karla Jane TRIVILEGIO, Vanessa ABDUA, Michelle Grace DAAROL, Lourilwin

BSA 2 LOMOSAD, Winnie Ann PENDON, Joezen GALLENERO, Aj NALUIS, Foreverly SAJONIA, Ma. Jessa NARANJA, Monique ERMITA, Celeste VEGA, Mary Joy FUENTES, Amur Jessica MAGADA, Tiffany TEVES, Joy (Irreg.)

BADILLES, Cynthrose BEGAS, Phoebe YAP, Eduardo CACHERO, Mary Nj Rose ESTRELLADO, Rizza NAVIGAR, Virlyn JASPE, Dave Ryan CANCEL, Louvillee TILANO, Daryl TAYO, Mary Hazel POMPERADA, Joffer ESCORPISO, Kathleen LIBRE, Michael Carl BALLESTEROS, Lenny YAMAGUCHI, Yukie

BSN 3 ESTILLORO, Vins Mary

BSA 3 GASTALA, Jaimer DANGALLO, Catherin Joy CALALIMAN, Maricar PALACIO, Geneve HIPONIA, John Niel ARANETA, Genevibe Hope TOROY, Rosemarey SENUPE, Emmanuel BSA 4 NISMAL, John Thomas SANTILLAN, Don Cezar SANTANDER, Niño Louie CHIN, Cherryl Joy INAGUAS, Reyshiel TAPIA, Jyznareth BSC 2 SALVOZA, Lady Ashiree BANGCAYA, Stella Joy CAMARIÑAS, Francis Robert LADRIDO, Patrick Daniel ROBLES, Melsa Blanche HIPONIA, Michelle Gee MAGBANUA, Denn Reed Mae (Irreg.)

ALONSABE, Joesie Jean TACUEL, Joannie CAÑO, Mila RODRIDO, Roselyn ANTONIO, Jose Jr. GUILLEM, Kaybelle Jane (Irreg.)

ALLONES, Sheena Lei LAGINDAY, Sychelle Joy CALISTON, Shella Mae TILLAFLOR, Jonah (Irreg.)

BERNABE, Clarisse ALEGONERO, Mary Joy (Irreg.)

SALANIO, Shane GAVILAN, Jessa Mae

1.33 1.36 1.46 1.479 1.483 1.50 1.50 1.51

1.51 1.52 1.54 1.58 1.60 1.61 1.66 1.68 1.72 1.73 1.68

College of Engineering and Architecture BS Arch 3 NAVARRO, Goldwyn 1.56

1.519 1.524

1.22 1.37 1.44 1.50 1.53

1.53

BS CE 3 PETES, Carl Niegil

1.32

BS CE 5 SUDARIO, Edward Joseph

1.48

BS ChE 3 RUBINOS, Jose Alfred

1.63

BS CpE 2 GEOLLEGUE, Evnel

1.56

1.39 1.47 1.61 1.62 1.64 1.68 1.69 1.73 1.53 1.56 1.63 1.70 1.72 1.74

BS ECE 1 JAVELLANA, Joshua Rey

1.47

BS ECE 2 SOTES, Marie Vonne Kris GUANGA, Jomielen

1.48 1.54

BS ECE 5 CLAVE, Eddie Jr.

1.50

College of Education BEEd 2 FRANCISCO, Ellen Rose SASANA, Rey Francis

1.51 1.66

BEEd 4 PABIONA, Dayle SUPAN, Sherryl Grace BANGERO, Zyneth PATRON, Marry Lou

1.32 1.36

BSEd 1 PLANA, Narielle

1.40 1.44 1.47 1.496 1.497 1.55 1.56

BSEd 3 DEL ROSARIO, Kim Erick SESPEÑE, Shayne

1.58 1.638 1.639 1.645 1.65 1.66 1.67 1.68 1.703 1.704

BSC 3 PEDROA, Frenie TUCAS, Michelle Anne ANAUD, Irene LABIAGA, Renalym VILLANUEVA, Nissa Leslie (Irreg.)

GAJISAN, Narlaine DE LOS SANTOS, Rona Mae MACEDA, Meshelle PAMPLONA, Karell Jean COOPERA, Roiza MONTECIR, Karlyn Jane (Irreg.)

GONZALES, Mae Juafel LAGROSA, Marygold HINAGUIN, Victor Jr. MILLARE, Peter Jason HORMINA, Roxanne (Irreg.)

1.62 1.63 1.67 1.71 1.73 1.74 1.744 1.76

BSC 4 FERRER, Sharlyn Joy (Irreg.)

1.62

BS AccTech 1 ELBAO, Ann Lorien (Irreg.)

MAGABULO, Gazel (Irreg.)

1.51 1.72

BSEd 4 ENDONILLA, Emmie Jan EUDELA, Maria Hope VOLCAN, Rhoma Grace BS HRM 1 JUAN, Thea Joy ELARMO, Joseph GILO, Joylyn SOLDEVILLA, Mary Irma DEGALA, Rita May VALERO, Ma. Dessa BS HRM 2 FLORES, Mio

1.61

BS HRM 4 (Irreg.)

ADIO, Ma. Shyne

1.45

1.46

BS CE 1 GICANO, Danny MACALALAG, Ray Adrian DIONIO, Robert Jr. BAUTISTA, Hya May LICONG, Cherry Ann

1.55 1.57 1.58 1.590 1.593 1.61 1.638 1.66 1.69

BS HRM 3 (Irreg.)

VILLANUEVA, Krizza 1.45

1.48

1.46 1.47 1.52 1.61

College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology BS Phar 1 LAO, Julienne Adele 1.38 BERNALES, Julie Anne 1.44 MULETA, Helinda Marie 1.46 TIU, Clarissa Joyce 1.50 CHAPLIN, Breann Katrina 1.55 ISMAEL, Shane 1.57 PAQUIBOT, Dianne JARANILLA, Danica 1.66 MONTES, Rhea Mae 1.68 BS Phar 2 BUNDA, Ranee Joy DE GUZMAN, Charry Grace DUMALI, Ma. Ye Lhen Grace YOUNG, Krystal Ann NG, Karen Joy CABARLES, Pearl Joy GACHO, Violy Mar SCHLIESKE, Shiemee Joenim

1.27 1.35 1.57 1.59 1.60 1.65 1.67 1.68

BS Phar 3 OCAMPO, Hanna May

1.70

BS MedTech 1 FACULIN, Andre Karl SIA, Christine Marie DE ASIS, Harrold Glenn JAMANDRE, Erika Jiline EREGIA, Mary Leslie FUENTES, Dann Vincent MUNION, Humprey Kent GANZON, Kevin Nomer Wilfred ALAYON, Carmela DE LA CRUZ, Joey Zandrew Jr. SIA, Danna Jane JALANDONI, Jessa Krista Riina LAUD, Karlo Jay BS MedTech 2 JAPITANA, Francis Marie QUERRI, Charmaine BUCAYAN, Christie Gill SUMACULUB, Iris Isobelle TAYONA, Christine SUCLAN, Jel Ann LAGON, Arianne Marie AMARANTE, Ellen Mae FULLO, Kevin Bryce HARO, Ma. Allyssa Joy POLLENTES, Stephanie Marie QUIMPO, Sharon Joy YU, Joie Francine AVELINO, Paul Eugene EMBOLTURA, Allin Joy PECAOCO, Cheena Marie

1.32 1.34 1.39 1.41 1.46 1.47 1.49 1.52 1.59 1.60 1.61 1.69 1.27 1.45 1.46 1.48 1.49 1.50 1.52 1.57 1.58 1.59 1.60 1.67

BS MedTech 4 ALMENDROS, Maria Jilyn

1.44

BS Phar 2 (Irreg.)

ESTEBAN, Ever Clyde GOROSPE, John Paulo

1.52 1.58

BS Phar 3 (Irreg.)

VILLAR, Yvonne Antonette ROXAS, Maude Anne

1.54 1.67

College of Arts and Sciences AB 1 MISAJON, Anthony (Irreg.)

1.57

AB 2 RUBINOS, Lara Nikaela

1.68

AB 3 BERMUDO, Jocphimirth (Irreg.)

MAGBANUA, Jefferson CANINDO, Cherie May

1.26 1.37 1.59

AB 4 SANCHEZ, Kristine CAÑAMO, Andrew Marvi (Irreg.)

1.44 1.59

BSIT 2 ARMENDARES, Jad Joseph BAYOGOS, Donnah Mae TAN, Jane Mariz SAQUIBAL, Nikko ALAMAR, Cristine Joy

1.43 1.61 1.62 1.63 1.65

BSCS 4 SEGOVIA, Andrea Krizzia SY, Arlil NAM-AY, Rossan Joy

1.28 1.60 1.62

BS Psych 2 BERMUDO, Gian

1.44

BS Psych 3 FRESNIDO, Donna Isabelle

1.53

BST 4 ENDERES, Milky

1.46

1.67 1.44 1.60 1.36 1.48 1.51 1.44 1.49 1.53 1.56 1.58 1.66 1.45

1.50 1.51 1.55

BS HRM 3 MILARPES, Gerald BACTUNG, Remo

1.59 1.66

1.58 1.59 1.60

BS HRM 4 RENTON, Ricky

1.41

BS ND 3 JO, Gracielle Pauline

1.66

BEEd 4 (Irreg.)

GUINGAB, Ma. Ingrid AMISTOSO, Rona SUGANOB, Mechell Ann RENDAJE, Suzette LASAFIN, Rogielyn

1.38 1.50 1.55 1.61 1.68

BSEd 2 (Irreg.)

TABANERA, Merly

1.52

BSEd 4 (Irreg.)

PAGUNSAN, Ruth Ar-tee RUFINO, Ma. Luisa REBELLOW, Sr. Angel

1.42 1.49 1.65

DECEMBER 1 2009 - FEBRUARY 5, 2010

“THOSE who think that our writers in English are better than our writers in Pilipino should think again.” Ang salaysay na ito ay mula sa rebyu ng batikang manunulat na si Isagani Cruz nang ikumpisal niya sa libro ni Ricky Lee (Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon) ang kagalingan ng manunulat.

Naging isang malaking hamon para sa akin bilang batang manunulat sa Filipino ang salaysay na ito ni Cruz. Ito ang naging inspirasyon ko upang simulan ang kolumn na ito.

Nagkakaroon lamang ng lalim ang isang salita kung ang pagtahi nito sa iba pang tinaga ay nagpapakita ng isang makabuluhan at makatotohanang pagganap ng isang malinaw na mensahe.

Bukod sa nangangailangan ng puso at pagbasag ng kumbensyon at tradisyon ang makabagong likha ng kasalukuyan, dapat ring unawain ng mga artists, manunulat man o direktor na hinuhubog natin ang mundo sa pamamagitan ng mga ediya at likhang sining natin, na may obligasyon tayong magpamulat at mag-organisa para sa tunay at ganap na kalayaan ng Filipinas.

Naging matagumpay ang taong 2009 para sa akin. Una, dahil natapos ko na ang unang koleksyon ng mga tula ko na may pamagat Isang Botelyang Alaala at iba pang mga tula na nasa ilalim ng publikasyon ng Coordinating Center for Research and Publications ng University of San Agustin. Ikalawa, naging fellow ako ng 7th San Agustin Writers Workshop, naging Co-Editor ng Irong-irong4 Student Literary Journal at lumabas sa SanAg 8 ang tula kong Sa Apat na Sulok ng Madilim na Kuwarto. Ikatatlo, nagkaroon ako ng Lingguhang kolumn sa isang lokal na pahayagan sa Iloilo na pantay ang pagtingin at dignidad sa iba’t-ibang wika tulad ng Ingles, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a at Filipino. Ikaapat, ang unang maikling eksperimental na pelikula kong Panunumpa sa Bayang Kasumpa-sumpa ay natapos ko na at handa nang isali sa isang paligsahan para sa paggawa ng alternatibong pelikula, at huli, matagumpay na nairaraos ng aming grupong MPG o Mirror Poetry Guild ang Lingguhang Poetry Critique Session na dinadaluhan ng masisipag at matiyagang mga batang manunulat na may interes sa pagsusulat ng tula at iba pang obrang pangpanitikan.

Naging matagumpay ang nakaraang taon ko sa tatlong kadahilanan: Una, dahil ito ang interes at gusto ko. Napakahalaga na maintindihan ng isang tao ang gusto niya sa buhay, ang landasin na gusto niyang tahakin at pagtagumpayan.

Naniniwala ako na sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng tiwala sa sarili ay magagawa ng lahat ng tao bata man o matanda na magtagumpay sa kahit anong larangang gusto nito para sa buhay niya.

Ikalawa, malinaw sa akin ang rason ng bagay na gusto ko.

Kinailangan kong magbasag ng tradisyon at kumbensyon upang mas maintindihan ko ang buhay na gusto ko. Hindi ko sinasabing kailangan nating lumabas sa tradisyonal na paniniwala o tradisyunal na pagawa parati, sa sitwasyon ko mas naintindihan kong mas marami

ESMYUSKY “Ang pagkakaroon ng maaga at direktang ambisyon sa ating buhay ay dapat nating matutunang lahat.”

NOEL

DE

LEON

akong matututunan kung handa akong sumagap ng bago at sariwang hangin sa panitikan, peryodismo o pelikula man. Mas nauunawaan ko ang mundo ko sa paglalakad, pagpuna at pagsali sa mga bagay na akala natin ay walang halaga at simple.

Ikatatlo, kilala ko ang sarili ko.

Sa totoo lang ito ang pinakamahirap na bagay na dapat nating unawain, ang pagkilala sa sarili at paghanap ng sarili nating tinig. Kung bakit mahirap, dahil sa pamamagitan ng pagkilalang ito ay nasusukat natin ang kakayahan natin bilang nilalang, marami tayong nauunawaang bagay tungkol sa sarili natin, nadidiskubre natin ang kahinaang taglay natin at minsan ang mga kapangyarihang hindi natin alam at lantad sa ibang tao.

Tinanong ako kamakailan ng kaibigan kong direktor na si Elvert dela Cruz Baňares kung ano ba talaga ang gusto kong pasukin pagkatapos ko sa kursong Masining na Komunikasyon, simple lang ang sagot ko sa kanya, ang makagawa ng mga bagay na angkop sa pinaniniwalaan ko sa buhay, ang makapagsulat at makagawa ng pelikula na magpapakita ng tunay na estado ng Filipinas/Filipino at kung paano bigyang halaga ang isa sa pinaka ahalagang aspeto ng pagiging Filipino ko, ang Sining.

Masyadong ammisyoso ang naging sagot kong ito, pero wala akong magawa dahil ito ang gusto ko sa ngayon.

Ang pagkakaroon ng maaga at direktang ambisyon sa ating buhay ay dapat nating matutunang lahat. Tandaan nating tayo ang gumagawa ng daan na pwede nating hakbangan sa hinaharap, tayo mismo ang humuhulma sa pagkatao natin upang sa hinaharap ay karapatdapat tayong tawaging mga professionals.

Uulitin ko sa kolumn na ito na walang kinalaman ang pagiging matalino ng isang tao sa pagsasalita ng Ingles sa katalinuhan niya, ang kagalingan ng isang tao sa pagsasalita ng Ingles ay kagalingan niya lamang sa pagsasalita nito, wala itong kinalaman sa pagiging matalino niya, dahil kung meron, siguro dapat ay matatalino nang lahat ang mga Amerikano, na alam naman nating hindi.

Sa pagkakataong ito nawa’y gawin nating trip ang pagbabasa ng libro kung saan interesado tayo, dumalo at makiisa sa poetry reading, magsulat ng mga bagay na may kabuluhan, suportahan ang mga lokal na artists natin at tumangkilik ng mga gawang Pinoy at huli, huwag nating hayaan ang sarili nating kontento na lamang sa pakikinig at pagpalakpak para sa ibang tao, makialam tayo sa paraang alam nating tama at may kabuluhan.

Kanya-kanyang trip, kanyakanyang style sa buhay ang mahalaga ay may natututunan tayo, napapasok natin ang mundo na hindi ordinaryo para sa iba.