Counter-clockwise
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Dinagyang in the eyes of neophytes
issn 0115-9226
Eighty Years of Excellent Campus Journalism for the Common Good VOL. 54 NO. 5
In the 4 th issue of The Augustinian (November 16, 2008 – January 15, 2009), we have committed an error in commission in the 6th paragraph of our banner news headline by erroneously stating that the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology was yet to be assessed for PAASCU Level II re-accreditation this February. Please be informed that the University’s Medical Technology program has already passed the PAASCU Level II re-accreditation assessment during the evaluation conducted by the accreditation team earlier last September while the Pharmacy program has been recently reassesed this February. In the same issue, we have also mistakenly announced that the research proposal of Claudine Navarra (BS FS 4) has been adjudged by the panel of the departmental Research Proposal Presentation of the College of Arts and Sciences as this year’s Best Research Proposal but the fact was no such statement on the said distinction had been announced. Our sincerest apologies.
the Official student newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF san agustin iloilo city, philippines
Usa reaches semis in gma debate By Donna Isabelle Fresnido
The University of San Agustin Debating Team has reached the semi-final rounds of the GMA IloiloIntergrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Debate Competition held in the SM City Activity Center on January 17 before it was eliminated by the University of the Philippines – Visayas (UPV). Debating in Hiligaynon on the proposition, “Resolve that the Reproductive Health bill be enacted into law”, USA took the negative side against UP. The Augustinian debaters were Donna Isabelle Fresnido (BS Psych-2), first speaker; Ma. Jilyn Almendros (BS MT-3), second speaker; and John Paul Petrola (AB Philo-4), third speaker, along with their researchers: Jefferson Magbanua (AB PolSci-2), Edjelyn Jamolo (BSN-1) and Noel Sinco (BS FS-4). Almendros, who also assumed the role of rebuttal speaker for the negative side, bagged the Best Debater award. According to Almendros, the debating team was challenged to explore a new approach in tackling arguments because UP’s style of debating was different from the usual debates here in the University. “Right then and there, we were forced to be flexible, adaptive, and responsive to their debating styles. Even if we didn’t win, we still put up a good fight,” Almedros added. Headed by their coach and adviser Rodolfo Betito, Jr., the rest of the USA Debating Team who participated in the GMA-IBP Debate Competition were Daisy Dawn Macahilo (AB PolSci-3),
Shean Marie Castro (BS FS-2), Kristine Sanchez (AB Lit-3), Jeneil Dumancas (AB PolSci-3), Rynilyn Quichon (AB PolSci-4) and David Abraham Garcia (BS FS-3). Ramonita Pico, Edison Sicad, Khristopher Ian Magboo and Sedfrey Cabaluna served
THE College of Arts and Sciences dean, Dr. Nora P. Legaspi, was reelected president of the Association of Philippine Colleges of Arts and Sciences (APCAS) VI, Inc. during the said organization’s General Assembly and Conference held at the Educational Media Center of Central Philippine University, January 23. Legaspi, whose first term of office as APCAS president lapsed early January this year, shall serve the association for another four years. In her president’s report during
go up against St. Paul University – Iloilo (SPUI) with the proposition, “Resolve that the parliamentary system of government be adopted” but the latter backed out, making USA the winner by default with a slot in the semi-finals.
USA Conservatory of Music hosts ‘Handa...Awit!’ By Ronald Sorrilla
The USA Conservatory of Music, in coordination with the Teresian Association International, Inc. (TAII), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and Alumni of the University of the Philippines
By Jefferson Magbanua
the said assembly, Legaspi said that she’s geared to work for the very purpose of APCAS VI Inc. – to bridge member schools and to discuss and address the vital academic concerns in each of these educational institutions. Right after the closing remarks done by Dean Leopoldo Millamena, member of the Board of Directors of the said association, Legaspi and the new set of officers went on with their first business meeting. Moreover, Dr. Alex Facinabao, Mathematics and Physics Department Chair, was elected member of the Board of Directors. The APCAS VI Inc. conference gathered teachers and student journalists from all over Western Visayas. The campus writers present in the convention formed the Campus Student Writers’ Association of Western Visayas and ratified its Constitution. The Augustinian was represented by its Editor-in-Chief Pietros Val Patricio; Associate Editor, Jefferson Magbanua; Senior Writer, Donna Isabelle Fresnido; and Staff Writer, Daisy Dawn Macahilo. Other schools which sent their campus writers to the conference were the University of Iloilo, Iloilo Doctor’s
as resource persons. The USA Debating Team was awarded a cash prize of Php10,000 as well as a trophy for being the second runner-up. In the quarterfinal round last December 2008, USA was slated to
HALA BIRA! The Kawilihan-USA dancers performed as a non-competing group before the crowd during this years’ Kasadyahan Festival (See story on page 3). Photo by Rev. Fr. Pederito Aparece, OSA
Legaspi re-elected APCAS VI prexy
Legaspi
January 16 - february 20, 2009
College, and Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, among others. The Chancellor of the University of the Philippines-Visayas Miagao Campus, Dr. Minda Formacion, graced the event and gave a speech focusing on the gathering’s theme, “Culture of Creativity for Educational Transformation”. Formacion said that teachers, students, and administrators have individual roles to fulfill in transforming the Philippine educational system. Also present during the event was the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Supervisor, Dr. Christy Laurente. Laurente and Formacion served as resource persons during the open forum. In the open forum, it was discovered that the two most pertinent issues among the teachers were the lack of funds for their research work and the difficulty in revising a curriculum. Also, student journalists were encouraged to submit their annual accomplishment report to CHED. The assembly ended with the distribution of Certificates of Attendance to the representatives of the schools which participated in the event.
Madrigal Singers, organized a series of fund-raising workshop-concerts for the USA Choir and Troubadours entitled “Handa…Awit” held at the USA Conference Room and USA Chapel-Main Campus on October
18, 2008 and December 12 to 14, 2008. TAII, the brain of the activity and the civil entity of the Teresian Association in the Philippines, put Continue to page 3
Fine Arts majors, Pubukad Artists Group launch exhibit By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO
Initiated by the University’s Fine Arts students and Pubukad Artists Group, in cooperation with the Center for Culture and the Arts, an art exhibit showcasing the latest artworks of young Augustinian painters and sculptors was launched at the newly-renovated Ground Floor of the Urdaneta Building, February 10 to 20. The event, entitled ‘Paghinugyaw sang Taliambong,’
was conducted as one of the main events of the 15th USA Arts Festival which coincided with this year’s University Week. The art exhibit included several acrylic and mixed media paintings, pen sketches, as well as clay and metal sculptures crafted by students of the Fine Arts program. The occasion was graced by students, faculty members, as well as the artist community of Iloilo.
Spectators gaze at the respective artworks of selected young Augustinian artists held at the newly renovated ground floor of the Urdaneta building.