The Augustinian, March 2010

Flying High in Sky City

page 6

Who’s Your Bet?

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issn 0115-9226

Excellent Campus Journalism for the Common Good VOL. 55 NO. 5

the Official student newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF san agustin iloilo city, philippines

FEBRUARY 6-28, 2010

USALT stages ‘Tarangban’ at CCP, St. Benilde

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

HUMADAPNON AND HIS COURT. USALT members portray the reunion of Humadapnon and his princess. Inset: The binukot (kept women) take the stage. (Photo credits: USALT)

Cas rules inter-college, reg’l bio qiuzzes

THE USA Little Theater (USALT) has once again made history after staging “Tarangban” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the College of St. Benilde-De La Salle University Manila (CSBDLSU) earlier this February.

For the first time in its 35year existence, the USALT staged performances at the said venues, coinciding with this year’s National Arts Month.

The Augustinian theater group performed “Tarangban” during its participation at the 14th Tanghal National University and College Theater Festival and Conference from at the CSB-DLSU, February 1 to 5, 2010.

The play was then restaged by the thespians on February 7 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as their official entry to the 2010 Pasinaya CCP Open House Festival.

The screenplay was written by former artistic director Edward Divinagracia based on Dr. Isidoro Cruz’ Palanca Award-winning poem which was inspired by Panay’s

indigenous Bukidnon tribe.

Accompanying the USALT members in their week-long performance tour in Manila were artistic director Edison Sicad, former executive director Eric Divinagracia, several alumni of the USALT and the Stage One Company, and local musicians who performed for the play’s musical scores.

Despite initial difficulties in raising funds for the Manila tour, the theater group’s performances managed to garner positive reviews from the national broadsheet The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI).

In a PDI article entitled “Theater of the young, the here and now” by Walter Ang dated March 8, 2010, the USALT’s offering was called a “damn good show.”

In his write-up, Ang elaborated further: “The show was great fun: There was adventure, a serach for love, magic, monsters, battles. The chanting (by members of the Panay Bukidnon Society) throughout the tight show added a unique aural texture; the rousing music and sound design was exhilirating.”

University names 45 service awardees

By RAY ADRIAN MACALALAG

By NANCY LATUMBO and DONNA ISABELLE FRESNIDO

A month after winning the University Inter-college Biology Quiz Bowl, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) BS Biology majors Marisol Soliva and Karen Claire Ebreo made the University proud by clinching the championship in the 5 th Regional Inter-college Biology Quiz Bowl on February 17, 2010 at the Review Room of Urdaneta Hall, University of San Agustin.

Twelve tertiary schools in the region participated in the said event.

Western Visayas College of Science and Technology landed second and the West Visayas State University came in at third to round up the top three places.

This was the very first victory for the University since the competition

started. The contest was co-sponsored by the Department of Biological Sciences in coordination with the Biology Teachers Association (BIOTA) Philippines, Inc., Western Visayas Chapter.

Nancy Latumbo, a CAS faculty member, was the team coach.

Previously, CAS had also dominated the 10 th Inter-college Biology Quiz Bowl on January 21 at the USA Conference Room.

After nearly a decade after it had last held the championship trophy, CAS reigned over the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology with a six-point lead.

The Artian team was composed of Soliva, Ebreo, and Jocphimirth Bermudo, a junior AB Philosophy

ARTIAN DOMINATION. CAS students Ebreo and Soliva beam after emerging triumphant in the Regional Inter-college Biology Quiz Bowl with team coach Latumbo (left) and Biological Sciences chair Gange (right).

PEARL jubilarians. Awardees for 30 years of service strike a dignified pose during the University of San Agustin Personnel Recognition on February 13, 2010. (Photo credit: Cecilia Macalalag)

Forty-five service awardees were recognized during the University of San Agustin Personnel Recognition on February 13, 2010 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.

There were five sets of awardees this year according to the number of years they have served the University: 40 years, 35 years, 30 years, 25 years, and 20 years of service awards. Sebastian Isiderio and Rolando Zabala were the awardees for 40 years of service.

Corazon Buenvenida, a perfect attendance awardee, and Leodegario Zabalo were awarded for their 35 years of service.

Among those who belonged to the 30 years of service awardees were Adelino Beaniza,

Segundina Buenasflores, Edison Digon, Josephine Gellecanao, Dr. Nora Legaspi (former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences), Cecilia Macalalag, Ramon Maquiling, Rolando Medel, Romeo Mirasol, Joel Piñas Sr., Ruben Santacera, Paul Saul, Marie Lou Serantes, Victoria Sustento (dean of the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology), Perfecta Solocasa, Lynn Feliza Tonko, and Jose Espinosa Jr. Leonida Alolong, Fely Caturas, Juana David, Jesusima Monserate, and Mary Sonia Sollano were awardees for 25 years of service.

The recepients for 20 years of service awards were Adalia Adricula, Ronelia Agero, Ma. Eden Aguirra, Diana Albelar, Marifel Anatan, Edna

Basillas, Sylvia Calantas, Gladys Confesor, Atty. Julius Elvas, Rosalie Espartero, Ester Gaitana, Nancy Latumbo, Dr. Jane Manila, Lerma Paris, Godofredo Sorgon, Maria Nemia Sudaria, Josephine Tandug, Ma. Psyche Dolorosa Valencia, and Joyliet Velez.

The USA Personnel Recognition 2010 started around 6:00 pm and was attended by the awardees, personnel, Augustinian friars, and other invited guests. The USA Troubadours entertained the audience during the dinner. A raffle draw was also held during the program. The recognition program ended at around 11:00 pm. The masters of ceremony were Arlene Moscaya and John Paul Petrola.

student, with Latumbo as team coach.

The annual Biology Quiz Bowl is sponsored by the Department of

Biological Sciences, with Professor Ma. Delsa Gange as chairperson, and BIOTA Philippines, Inc., USA Chapter.

Dr. Minda Formacion, Dr. Ebonia Seraspe, and Dr. Rogelio Guzman composed the panel of judges.

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NEWS

The Augustinian

FEBRUARY 6-28, 2010

CN studes hailed Mr. and Ms. USA

By Emmanuel Barcelona and Mia Rose Emboltura

University awards student orgs, achievers

By Aljun Padisio

The recognized student organizations and exemplary students were awarded by the Office of the Prefect of Students and the Office of CoCurricular Activities during the Recognition Day on February 19 at the USA Conference Room.

A new design of medal which was based on the theme “USA @ 106: A Continuing Gateway of Academic Excellence in the Service of the Society” was presented by the award-giving bodies.

These medals were also given during the inter-departmental literarymusical contests.

The program also included the awarding of the winners of the Operation Linis contest and the presentation of newly-elected USA Student Council officers for academic year 2010-2011.

USA ROTC undergoes tactical inspection

By Josefa Maria Castro

The USA ROTC Unit underwent this year’s Regional Annual Administrative Tactical Inspection on February 19, 2010 from 2:00-5:00 in the afternoon at the USA Football Field.

Cadette Jenecel Kabayao, a first year BS Accountancy student, scored 99/100 in the Basic Theoretical Examination given by the tactical inspectors.

Kabayao said she was excused from her class a day before the examination for her to study. She told The Augustinian that the result of the test was “unexpected.”

CDT Major Denn Reed Mae Magbanua, BN S3 of the ROTC Unit, was also given a citation for her outstanding performance during her Method of Instruction (MOI) lecture which was named the best in the entire Western Visayas.

CEA celebrates Tekno Day

By RAY ADRIAN MACALALAG

The College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) celebrated its foundation on February 8 and 9 as part of the University Week celebration.

On February 8, a series of alternative classes were organized by each of the College’s department. Students taking up various courses had their own alternative class, focusing on their chosen programs and future professional careers.

The highlight of the celebration was on February 9, the Tekno Day, where all the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the College paraded outside the campus.

A quiz bowl was then held after the parade and it was won by the Civil Engineering Department. Booths as well as exhibits along the corridors on the first level of Blanco Hall were opened by the different departments. A videoke room and a movie house were opened later that afternoon. Parlor games were also conducted.

February 9 ended with a party at Marina Restaurant in Mandurriao, Iloilo City at around 6:00 pm where the awarding ceremony and disco was held.

CAS orients freshies to major fields

By Josefa Maria Castro

The Guidance Services of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) held an orientation to major fields for its first year students on February 24 from 1:30 to 5:00 pm at the USA Conference Room.

The main objective of the program was to educate the College’s freshmen about their major fields and what to expect after graduating from their respective courses. Selected personalities were invited to be guest speakers for said event, namely, Mr. James Mozart Amsua, Ms. Hyzent Aurelio, Mr. Sedfrey Cabaluna, Mr. Gilbert Marin, Mr. Rolando Medel, Mrs. Maria Lucy Muralla, and Mr. Elsed Togonon.

The speakers discussed the programs they took and where it has gotten them today.

The entire orientation program was headed and organized by the CAS guidance counselor, Mrs. Myrna Sazon.

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 paper. Soft copies must also be submitted together with the manuscript.

• Submit your contributions on or before April 16, 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.

Salmon, also from the CPMT and Maude Anne Roxas, also from the HS Department placed as second runners-up. Special and minor awards were also handed out.

Judges of the said pageant were Robert Alor (chief-judge), manager of The Grand Hotel, Ronilo Golipatan, co-owner of Beauty Dynamics and Nathalie Grace Roberts, Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2009.

Categories during the pageant include the A BREAK FROM HOSPITAL DUTIES. Baldevieso production number, and Cagas set aside their nursing garb in favor of casual wear, evening formal wear for the Mr. and Ms. USA 2010. (Photo gown for females and credit: Lance Baldevieso) formal wear for male Lance Baldevieso and Marilla Cagas, contestants, talent and advocacy both from the College of Nursing presentation, and final interview.

The USA Student Council (CN), were proclaimed Mr. and Ms. USA 2010 at the conclusion of the (USASC) organized the said pageant University-wide pageant held at the with the help of several sponsors and partners.

USA Auditorium, February 12.

“Primarily, we wanted to uplift Paul Eugene Avelino from the College of Pharmacy and Medical the Augustinian image. The pageant Technology (CPMT) and Kriezel was not just a search for beauty and Justine Mata from the High School brains but it was a means for us to look (HS) Department won as first for an ambassador and ambassadress runners- up while Steven Lejandro of the University,” USASC President

Noreen Mae Orquinaza told The Augustinian in an interview.

“The feeling for me was weird.

I had mixed emotions. I was just enjoying the moment. I wasn’t nervous not until the interview portion. But then, the cheers of the Nursing [students] gave me strength to do my best not only for myself but also for everyone who have helped me/us all throughout the preparation and the competition,” said Cagas, adding, “I wasn’t even expecting it. But for me, I did my best.”

As the new Mr. and Miss USA, Baldevieso and Cagas will implement their advocacy programs with their adopted barangay, Barangay Camambugan, in Dingle, Iloilo on June or July this year.

The Mr. and Miss USA pageant was revived after it its last staging in 2003 wherein the contestants from the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology and High School Department were then named as Mr. and Miss USA, respectively.

Since 2004, the contest was never held again because the student council administrations then found it hard to handle and manage such a huge production.

Bombet Marin was the director and the overall in-charge of the production of the 2010 Mr. and Miss USA.

Languages dep’t holds culminating activity

By Diam Queenie Permocillo

MOBILIZING the emerging language skills through practice, the University’s Department of Languages held its annual culminating activity during the finale of the University Week on February 12 at the USA Gymnasium.

The College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology (CPMT) emerged as the champion in this year ’s Language Olympics, the culminating activity of the Department of Languages. In second place was the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) while the College of Nursing (CN), was

declared as second runner-up.

The contest was opened to all first year bonafide students of the University currently enrolled in English 102 and Filipino 102. Six colleges participated in the tilt and each college was allowed to field three contestants to play as a team.

The event stressed the value of developing the knowledge and language skills of the Augustinian students in English and Filipino.

The Language Olympics which had questions in English and Filipino covered different language categorical tests, including tests for grammar

skills, proofreading skills, vocabulary skills, and listening and reading comprehension skills.

In light with the said activity, Ms. Nenelyn dela Fuente, chairman of the Languages Department said, “We, the teachers, find it imperative to link with one another to establish a network by which we can work together in pursuit of our common goal- to give only the best language education to the students by giving them the opportunity to learn the language skills relevant to what the Augustinian students’ real world needs.”

CAS topples HS in 2010 debate series

By Jefferson Magbanua

Debating on the proposition “Resolved, that, political ads be banned,” the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) debating team edged out the High School (HS) debating team during the final match of this year’s St. Augustine’s Cup Interdepartmental Debate Series held at the University Auditorium.

The CAS team, composed of

debaters Josefa Maria Castro (AB Lit 1), Gian Bermudo (BS Psych 2), and Donna Isabelle Fresnido (BS Psych 3), ended the HS team’s dream to be the champion of the said debate tilt for the second time around. The HS team from the Sambag campus won first place last year, defeating the then defending champion, the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology

IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. Artian debaters keep their hands on the much-coveted championship trophy along with Dean Isidoro Cruz. (Photo credit: Gian Bermudo)

(CPMT) debating team.

Castro won the Best Speaker and Best Debater awards during the final round of the 2010 inter-departmental debate contest. Castro was also a debater of the HS team last year.

It has been almost five years since the CAS won the said debate series.

Coached by Mr. John Cabales and trained by Mr. Eric Divinagracia and Dr. Nora Legaspi, the CAS team was the affirmative side during the finals on February 12. Kristine Sanchez (AB Lit 4), Daisy Dawn Macahilo (AB Pol Sci 4), Pietros Val Patricio (AB Pol Sci 4), and Jefferson Magbanua (AB Pol Sci 3), shared the stage with the CAS debaters as researchers of the team.

In the preliminary and semifinal debate matches of the CAS team, Mr. Edwin Samis served as the coach. In the semifinal round, the CAS debating team won against the College of Education (CoEd) debating team while the College of Nursing (CN) debating team was CAS’ opponent during the preliminary round.

In the earlier matches, Edson Paguntalan (AB Philo 4) was the CAS team’s rebuttal speaker.

NEWS/RESULTS

FEBRUARY 6-28, 2010

SanAg Awards comes back

By RAY ADRIAN MACALALAG

The University of San Agustin Publications, recipient of the Gawad Lopez-Jaena Award, held the 2010 SanAg Campus Press Awards on February 13 at the President’s Conference Room, after the regional contest was cancelled last year.

Among the victorious schools were: Central Echo of the Central Philippine University (CPU) that won Best College Magazine, Best Tourism Page, Best Literary Page, Best Sports Page, Best Travel Writer (Monika Fuertes), and Best Columnist (Jo Jan Paul Peñol); The Spectrum of the University of St. La Salle (USLS) that won Best College Newspaper, Best News Page, Best Editorial Page, and Best News Writer (Epi Ma. Kassandra Dajao); The Dolphin of the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Arevalo (JBLFMU-A) that won Best Gender-Sensitive Page; Pagbutlak of the University of the Philippines Visayas – College of Arts and Sciences (UPV-CAS) that obtained Best Investigative Writer (Elizabeth Ramos Gonzales); Ripples of the Ateneo de Iloilo – Santa Maria Catholic School (ADI-SMCS) that won Best High School Magazine and Best Layout; and The Ilonggo of the Iloilo National High School (INHS) that won Best High School Newspaper.

A citation award for best poem was given to Ricardo Enriquez, a grade school student of the St. Benilde School. This award was given to Enriquez because among all the

All the way from negros. Staff members of The Spectrum flash their certificates of recognition at the conclusion of the SanAg Awards.

poems both in college and in high school according to one of the judges, Isidoro Cruz, dean of the USA College of Arts and Sciences, it was his that stood out by means of construction and format.

The members of the panel of judges for this year’s SanAg Campus Press Awards were Jigger Latoza, director of the University Coordinating Center for Research and Publications (UCRP) and former editor-in-chief of the USA Publications; Isidoro Cruz, dean of the USA College of Arts and Sciences and also a former editorin-chief of the USA Publications; Mona Pico of the UCRP; and Francis Allan Angelo, editor-in-chief of The

Guardian, a local newspaper.

The USA Publications held the SanAg Campus Press Awards annually since it had been banned for five years by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) from joining the Regional College Press Conference (COPRE) due to being awarded “Best Magazine” in the region for more than five consecutive years.

In addition, the USA Publications wanted to recognize publications from other institutions.

As the ban expired this academic year, the USA Publications eyes a comeback in the regional COPRE this December 2010.

CoEd wins Operation Linis

By MARY LESLIE EREGIA

SAVE THE EARTH. Students segregate waste during Operation Linis. (Photo credit: Office of the Prefect of Students)

Th e C o l l e g e o f E d u c a t i o n emerged as this year’s champion in the “Operation Linis” contest in the awarding of winners during the Recognition Day of Student Organizations for academic year 2009-2010 on February 19, 2010 at the USA Conference Room.

Placing second was the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology followed by the College of Engineering and Architecture.

The contest was judged based on the following criteria: classrooms and organization bulletin board (including the bulletin board at the USA Student Center), council or organization’s office and corridors, parks (the ingenuity in devising methods or ways to maintain the cleanliness of the parks for the succeeding years), and comfort rooms.

The contest was judged on a

preliminary and final basis with the daily monitoring starting on January 18, 2010. The final judging was unannounced and on-the-spot.

The various college councils which took part in the said contest were: The Junior Institute of Business Administrators and Accountants (CBAA), Arts and Sciences Student Council (CAS), Educators Council (CoEd), Epsilon Alpha Chi Organization (CEA), Epsilon Chapter (CPMT), Nursing Student Council (CN), and the Conservatory of Music Council.

The “Operation Linis,” organized by the Office of the Prefect of Students in cooperation with the college council presidents, aimed to initiate, promote and maintain conducive learning instruction to students through a clean and healthy environment.

Grad school presents researches

By Ronald Sorrilla

The USA Graduate School (GS) conducted its yearly Research Colloquium on February 13 at the USA Training Center with three research papers presented by Rowena Bañes, Nelda Sumaculub, and Audy Morphy Deasis.

Dr. Remedios Somcio, head of the GS research management group, stated the objectives of the research made by the presenters.

Bañes, pursuing her doctorate degree in Philosophy, discussed her paper, “Youth, Sexuality and Psycho-Sexual Lifestyle: Keystone Towards a Gender Responsive and Transformative Psycho-Educational

Program.” Sumaculub delivered her paper entitled “Kakayahan sa Talasalitaan at Kaalamang natamo sa Filipino ng mga Estudyante sa Unang Taon sa Kolehiyo.” Deasis, taking up Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling, presented his paper “Study Habits and Attitudes of the High School Students of the University of San Agustin: Basis of Guidance Program on Academic Excellence.”

They were given certificates of appreciation after the conduct of the activity.

An open forum was also took place with Dr. Rojane Deleña of

the Math and Physics Department as moderator.

The Augustinian

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Student Awardees AY 2009-2010

Charlson James Guirjem SPECIAL AWARDS TO Marriane Joy Mallorca GRADUATING PERFORMING Francis Louise Montenegro ARTISTS Joem Junsan A. USA BAND Quezzy Claire Pedregosa

Pablo Aranas Jr. Angelica Edang

Kevin Mark Prado Karlo Jay Laud

Marvin Diestro

John Villavicencio ACHIEVERS AWARDS IN ARTS

Crystal Dawn Marcaliñas Reymark Palomo B. USA KAWILIHAN Marrz Halley Capanag

Crimson Guirjem Jesgrae Blancia C. USA LITTLE THEATER Marilla Cagas

Christopher Tan Donna Isabelle Fresnido

Manilyn Glemer Josefa Maria Castro E. CONSERVATORY OF Jefferson Magbanua MUSIC Christine Sanchez

Marie Dannette Joaquin Joevic Mondejar E. USA PUBLICATIONS Patrick Daniel Ladrido Emmanuel Barcelona Ar-jun Carumba

Sheena Capindo

Noel De Leon ACHIEVERS AWARDS IN

Aljun Padisio LITERARY-MUSICAL

Pietros Val Patricio Kevin George Barrios F. OUTSTANDING PEER Jesel Aynaga FACILITATORS Nora Rose Basa

Cheryll Joy Chin (CBAA) Ron Kenneth Briones Tanya Rose Dedase (CBAA) Ivan Anthony Cabrera

Jerome Paul Lahan (CBAA) Carl Anthony Delmo

Junet Malacaman (CBAA) Wilhelm Delos Reyes Thomas John Nismal (CBAA) Karen Joy Flores Rosette Yambao (CBAA) Gramarie Gabut

Aliza Marie Simpia (CN) Reynan Garino Ricci Besana (CPMT) Reg Terrence Gentica

Ma. Evelyn Chiquito (CPMT) Serjoe Orven Guttierez Ruiza Mae Dalipe (CPMT) Marie Danette Joaquin

Naemae Grace Dayaday (CPMT) Alexa Marie Mamaril

Jeascon Fortin (CPMT) Jayron Maprangala

Serren Lor Gallinero (CPMT) Therese Marie Militante

Julie Ann Sajo (CPMT) Deza Mae Mongato Edwin Santos Jr. (CPMT) Christy Mosquera Ramon Angelo Sinco (CPMT) Alejoe Noble

Monna Marie Valle (CPMT) Arianne Parohinog Roxanne Mula (CPMT) Arjiel Resurreccion Vanity Flogio (CEd) Johna Love Segovia Don Sidayon ACHIEVERS AWARDS IN Joel Silorio SPORTS Nove Mae Tamayo Ronalyn Claire Singson Denn Reed Mae Magbanua Alexandra Nicole Catolico Noreen Mae Orquinaza Edsel Kenneth Pasaporte Jezza Mae Arroz Mary Jales Tadlas Eddie Yap ACHIEVERS AWARD IN JORNALISM ACHIEVERS AWARDS IN Donna Isabelle Fresnido COMMUNITY SERVICE Robe Jan Ivan Pagulong ACHIEVERS AWARDS IN Carmelo Soriano Jr. LEADERSHIP Daisy Dawn Macahilo Ronald Sorrilla Zaldy Nelson Mansilla III Serren Lor Gallinero Edwin Santos Jr. Carmelo Soriano Jr. Jumie Rose Botante Daisy Dawn Macahilo Carl Clint Lingaya Carl Clint Lingaya Alvin Jan Acac Jumie Rose Botante Patrick Daniel Ladrido Junet Malacaman Eroll Jay Taylo Alphie Figueroa SPECIAL AWARDS Mark Anthony Nepomuceno Alvin Jan Acac Serren Lor Gallinero ACHIEVERS AWARDS IN Syra Ann Ycoy DANCE Wilhelm Delos Reyes Dyezel Moya Johna Segovia Peter Deocos Alexis Kerr Alvior Crimson Guirjem Nikki Marie Blanco Mark Divinagracia Jeff Ryan Modilla Kristoffer Paborada Rey Thomas Magbanua Kissa Kipte John Palma Mary Jane Momper Angelo Oro Roxan Eslaban

Education students conduct catechetical day

By Ronald Sorrilla

USA Student Center - The University of San Agustin, in cooperation with the Theology Office and Education students, sponsored a Catechetical Day on February 27.

Theology 110 classes (Lay Participation in the Church) under Sis. Eva Lotilla (EED 3-1) and Prof.

Reynold Navares (SED 3-1) came-up with this activity to further enhance the social participation as well as the

continuing education of the students as active citizens of the Church.

Invited pupils from Mabini Elementary School took part in the different competitions like poster making contest and Bible drill.

Winners received prizes from the organizers.

“This activity will serve as an eye-opener for us, Augustinians, that we have our responsibility in

making our community, the Church and as well as ourselves in leading our path to God, by involving in activity like this. Future mentors like you (Education students), will be the bright future of these children for you have helped them embrace the Christianity through helping them in molding their cognitive domain as well as their spirituality,” Lotilla said during the event.

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OPINION

The Augustinian Insert Latin Phrase Here “I would have paid the amount he asked for had he been courteous...”

Donna Isabelle Fresnido

How far would you go in fighting for the principle found in a measly peso?

I asked myself this question on a late Monday night while in the front seat of a red Jaro Liko Tagbak jeepney. My classmate and I boarded the jeep at SPED-ISEC and I paid my usual fare of eight pesos for the ride up to Lawaan Village, Jaro. The driver, a stocky dusky fellow in his middle age, asked me where I’ll get off. After knowing where, his voice raised a notch when he said, “Dapat pulo na ya imo bayad kay malibot pa ni daan.”

I base my fares on what the drivers usually take from my ten or twenty pesos – and yes, I tell them where I’ll get off instead of keeping quiet in the hope of being charged the minimum fare. As far as the change I’ve been receiving, eight pesos is my fare but to be quite honest, I don’t know whether what I paid was exact and right. Was the correct fare really eight pesos, or should it be seven?

Nine? Ten? If I were wrong, I would eat my words (or socks, as mentor of mine would say) and in this column address an apology, no matter how belated, to that jeepney driver. But it seemed that the point of the exact fare took a backseat to questions of

Prodigy “ R e a l l y , i t ’s important to throw in some charisma in the mix—it’s the reality of mass elections.”

FEBRUARY 6-28, 2010

The principle of a peso (or two) manners and respect.

As the jeepney stopped by the Shell gasoline station near Robinson’s Mall, the driver looked at me straight in the eye and said that it would be better if I took my money and got off. Alarm bells rang in my ears as his eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared. There were mercifully few passengers in the jeep (I dislike public scenes, whether I’m in the right or the wrong). My classmate and I have not said a word of recrimination. We have not raised our voices, nor have we shown in our faces or tone of voice any negative emotion. All we were interested in was reasoning out like the mature adults we were supposed to be. Unfortunately, the driver was of another caliber.

He slowed down near the public market and called out to the driver in the next jeepney, “Nami na bala pre nga masakay siya sa bangga San Ag bayran ya ka lang siete pisos?”

It seems that our driver was a bit of a press relations man himself. It was annoying how he seemed to be calling attention to the issue, and how his fellow driver snickered. Birds of the same greasy feather do flock together, I guess.

By then, his voice could be heard at the very back of the jeepney by my other classmate. He kept sermonizing: “Bayad lang kamo bala sang husto.

Kamahal sang krudo subong. Amo na gani nga-a indi ko gusto magpasakay sang estudyante.” There was no malice in me paying the eight pesos fare because that was what drivers

always ask of me. Still, I would have paid the amount he asked for had he been courteous – which you, dear reader, could surmise otherwise.

To avoid further arguments, my classmate who’ll get off at LJ Ledesma paid eight pesos, a peso more than what she usually gives. The driver demanded two more pesos from me.

“Ti nong, nga-a dos guid imo patong sa akon nga bayad nga indi man makalab-ot isa ka kilometro ang layo sang LJ (Ledesma) sa Lawaan?” I asked. “Damo ka pa halambalon,” the mature, mild-mannered driver replied.

If there’s one thing I absolutely hate, it’s being told to shut up even when I’m clearly within my right to argue simply because the one you’re arguing with is older and therefore more mature, experienced, and learned. God bless Ilonggo culture and its hierarchy of respect based on age! The moment he said those words, I did shut up – because I’m thinking of how I could get his plate number and report him to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

When he kept going on and on about the same thing, I silently wore my earphones and turned the music to full volume. I offered one of the earphones to my classmates. She laughed wryly, saying “Sige lang, basi mabungol pa ‘ko” while throwing an amused glance at the driver who still kept on sermonizing at full volume from Mabini to Valeria Streets.

What tribulations one must endure for the principle of a peso or two!

Third force to win national elections?

billion), so the country could start on a clean slate (imagine the savings in not having to pay interest). It turned out, not surprisingly to many observers of Philippine politics, Gil was not the Jefferson Magbanua real McCoy. One day he was detained for using worthless checks for his THAT the Kapatiran party hotel bills while campaigning. The actually had to issue a press statement guy reportedly was nothing but a con seeking interested candidates to join man, with nothing but fake property its national and local line ups for deeds and phony documentation of the 2010 elections is a testament to his wealth.

To be sure, pockets of successes the sorry state of third-party politics in the Philippines. You want to be indicate the possibility of victory over a candidate for vice president or traditional politicians awash with cash. senator? Just visit the party’s web But the few David vs. Goliath stories site, send the party organizers a are mostly in local contests, where note expressing your interest, and an incumbent manages to lose all you could be Kapatiran’s official credibility often by self-destruction, and thus a decent challenger becomes candidate.

I’m not endorsing this party nor well-positioned to launch an issueI am with them. I’ve just realized oriented (read: negative) campaign that their method or expanding their and draw mostly anti-incumbent membership is actually good and fair votes. Vigilant supporters, a media enough for the poor people. It’s a good unafraid to report anomalies, and an way to recruit members and expand its active local election watchdog can grassroots base for sure, but clearly, help contain any vote-rigging money it banners the sad fact that the party can buy.

At the national level, it requires does not have the bench strength to billions (the amount bandied about is field its own leaders.

The major reason of course why between 2 to 3 billion pesos) to run a third parties have trouble challenging presidential campaign that is able to established parties, other than sheer mobilize down to the election-watcher organizational ineptness, is money. level.

One exceptional case was when Give the Kapatiran a busload of cash (make that several busloads), and now Senator Miriam Santiago ran political bandwagons will trail them for office in 1992. A one-woman in no time. In the US, one of the more thunderstorm, Santiago almost won successful third-party runs in recent the elections without the benefit memory was that of Ross Perot, of a well-oiled political machine. garnering a remarkable 19 percent Unfortunately, the prospect that of the national vote in 1992. Perot another Santiago will emerge is a was a billionaire, so funding was not snowball’s chance in hell. Even Santiago herself, if she decides to an issue.

One instance when a “billionaire” run again, will be a faint shadow of was going to do a Ross Perot in the her old (but at that time infinitely Philippines was Eddie Gil in 2004. Gil refreshing and entertaining) political actually promised to just pay off the persona.

It’s important to note that one entire Philippine national debt ($53

factor that helped Santiago launch a credible presidential campaign was the support of a major media organization (ABS-CBN). It helps to have a giant network provide you free media mileage (especially inviting you as guest in top-rated shows).

It’s certainly a boon to a thirdparty candidate to have the greater ability to reach voters simply by being in the news or widely broadcast public forums. While TV ads the likes of Villar and Roxas can afford may still be beyond the third-party candidate’s budget, it’s not exactly impossible to get noticed if that candidate has the savvy to gain free media mileage.

As in the development of most social events and phenomena, “confluence” is the operative word in elections. For a third party to shake up the 2010 Philippine elections, there should be a sufficient mix of favorable variables.

What a third party lacks in money can be compensated by a sympathetic media, and the Internet can probably help generate a couple of hundred thousand votes and some funding (unfortunately, that’s far from having the same impact as in the 2008 U.S. elections, in which the Obama campaign mobilized supporters and raised millions efficiently through its web site, and arguably won because of it). What it lacks in Miriam-like personality can be compensated by issues that reverberate. Okay, perhaps that’s a tad too wishful.

Really, it’s important to throw in some charisma in the mix—it’s the reality of mass elections. Otherwise, it will be business as usual—another well-intentioned and principled run coming to naught or, from pragmatic Machiavelli’s point of view, just a bunch of people trying to deal with voters as they wish the electorate to be, not as the voters really are.

Their dilemma ON March 25, 1978, Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., martyred icon of freedom and democracy, called teachers “the collective conscience of the nation.” Writing from his isolation cell in Fort Bonifacio, Aquino described teachers as “the shock troops in the front lines of our democracy.”

Indeed, during elections and other political exercises such as plebiscites and referendums, the teachers work hard and perform their tasks beyond the call of duty, skipping days and nights of rest and sleep, and even their meals. They even risk their lives and limbs in a sincere and determined effort to protect and safeguard the sanctity of the ballot.

For example, Filomena Tatlonghari, a teacher of Mabini, Batangas, was gunned down as she protected with her body and arms the ballot box which heavily-armed men tried to snatch from her. Years later, Nelly Banaag, a teacher of Pinagbayanan Elementary School in Taysan (also in Batangas province), who served as chairperson of the board of election inspectors (BEI) in the May 14, 2007 elections, was killed when hired goons set the school building where voting was being held on fire.

Not too long ago, 18 teachers of Tatalon Elementary School (now renamed Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School for obvious reasons) were caught in a “crossfire” between warring political factions in Quezon City.

These teachers were harassed and charged with politicking despite a preponderance of documentary evidence and testimonies proving their innocence. The cases dragged on for several years, forcing the accused teachers to borrow money for their defense.

It is disturbing and disappointing to note that the Commission on Elections, which hires and deputizes the teachers for poll duties, acted as the prosecutor, rather than the protector, of the poor teachers in this instance. They were even arrested when they could not immediately post bail. Finally, justice prevailed and their innocence was proven beyond reasonable doubt.

There had been other cases where teachers were subjected to harassment. That’s the reason they shy away from serving as chairs or members of the BEIs. Now, once again, the teachers have been deputized to man the polls in the May 10, 2010 national elections. This will be the first time that people will use automated machines in casting their votes. But up to now, teachers have not been properly and sufficiently trained in this new election system because of the dillydallying of the Comelec.

In this situation, the teachers are really in a dilemma: Can they effectively and efficiently discharge their sacred duties in the coming elections?

Editorial

THE

augustinian Editors-in-Chief

Managing Editor Associate Editors Senior Writers Staff Writers

Photographer Staff Artist Circulation Officer Contributor 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 Nancy Latumbo 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.

OPINION

FEBRUARY 6-28, 2010

Modus “Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo kung naging parte ng sentimyento ninyo ang kalamidad na ito. ‘Yun nga eh, hindi pa namin narinig.”

Ray Adrian Macalalag MaramiNG problema dulot ng El Niño ang nagaganap sa Pilipinas.

Sa Luzon, ang mga magsasaka’y wala nang pangtustos sa kanilang kumakalam na bituka dahil hindi pa panahon ng tag-ani. Walang awa nang pinatuyo ng mabagsik na init ng araw ang kanilang pananim. Naiwan na silang gutom at kasama ang kanilang mga pamilya, unti-unti nang nawawalan ng pag-asa na mabuhay pa nang matiwasay.

Sa ibang probinsya naman ay may outbreak ng mga sakit na dulot ng sadyang pag-iba ng panahon - dengue, typhoid at hepatitis. Nakakalungkot namang isipin na sa ngayon, hindi lamang ang matatanda ang bumibilang sa kanilang natitirang oras sa mundo.

Pati mga musmos ay napapaisip na rin. Mas malubha ang problemang ito kung ang kinabibilangan mong pamilya ay pamilya ng magsasaka.

Paano na lang kaya ang panggastos nila kasi lugi na sila sa ani?

Pinapalala pa ng halalan sa Mayo ang problemang dulot ng tag-init.

Hindi na hinaharap ng gobyerno ang mga kalamidad bilang hadlang sa pagunlad ng bansa sapagkat karamihan sa kawani ng gobyerno ay nagiging sakim na sa pera at kapangyarihan.

Sa katunayan, ang pangulo nga’y minsan lang nilalantad sa media ang kanyang mga solusyon para sa mga problemang nabanggit. Parang sabik na sabik na siyang maging kongresista ng Pampanga.

Kaakibat ng pagpapabayang ito, ay ang takot na ang susunod na pangulo ay hindi makapagdudulot ng magandang pagbabago para sa buong bansa.

Tingnan na lamang natin ang political ads ng mga may ambisyon

Pulchritudinous “With these tactics presented by the running candidates, are we really sure that temptation has not won us over?”

Mary Leslie Eregia As I sat on my desk thinking of a possible topic for my column, it suddenly dawned on me that election day is no more than fifty days away and most, if not all, voters have already made up their minds on who among the presidential candidates would be the most likely to uphold the Philippine nation and save it from drowning among the raging waters of corruption, poverty, and the growing wrath of Mother Nature.

Given that I am still not eligible to vote, I content myself in listening to the various opinions of my elders regarding the candidates and watch them do their own version of “Ang lolo ko ay__________. Hmm! Wala kayo sa lolo ko.” (It’s a gag show in “Eat Bulaga,” if you know what I mean.) Fifty days before elections.

Eight aspiring presidentiables. Can one of them make a difference?

For the past few months, television sets, radios, newspapers, and other forms of media have “showered” the people with all sorts of advertisements and election paraphernalia of the various candidates running for the different positions. Taglines like “Laban natin ito,” “Sipag at Tiyaga,” “Galing at Talino” and other labels

The Augustinian

El niño del país na maging susunod na pangulo. Lahat sila nagpapakyut at tila nangangako lamang. Nakakawalang gana, hindi ba? ***** El niño del país, El niño ng bansa...

Ano nga ba ang patutunguhan nito? El Niño, bagong deskripsyon para sa kondisyon ng ating bansa – laganap na pagdami ng mga mahihirap at mga walang trabaho, paglantad ng napakaraming sakit at may sakit, at higit sa lahat, ang pagpapakitang gilas ng mga epektibo nating lider at ng mga nag-aambisyong maging lider.

Sarcastic lang po.

Sa mga kandidato sa pagkapangulo, anong solusyon ang kaya ninyong gawin bilang pangkontra sa napaparaming bilang ng mga magsasaka na nawawalan ng trabaho, sa mga kabataang nagkakasakit ngayon, at iba pa? Kahit na alam nating hindi pa nila mabibigyan ng solusyon ang problemang ito sapagkat wala pa sila sa puwesto, sana naman ay sumagot rin sila sa simpleng mga tanong na ito. Ano pa ba ang bisa ng kanilang mga sinasabing, “galing ako sa mahirap,” “ipagpapatuloy ko,” o kaya’y “galing at talino”?

Nagiging mali na ang kanilang estratehiya sa pag-eendorso ng kanilang mga sarili sa telebisyon.

Oo, naranasan nila ang lahat ng hirap sa kanilang nakaraan. Namatayan sila ng mga taong mahahalaga sa kanilang buhay. Pero hindi naman dapat ganito ang daloy ng kanilang paligsahan sa posisyon. Dapat ay panagutan nila ang kinakailangan ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Balikan natin ang mga nauna nang natalakay, ang pangyayaring ito ay nagwaldas ng milyon-milyong ari-arian sa Isabela, Cagayan pati sa Kabisayaan at Mindanao. Damangdama na rin ito sa mga hindi direktang naaapektohan ng kalamidad na ito.

Ang mga pangunahing bilihin tulad ng isda, bigas, karne, gulay, at manok

ay paakyat na ang presyo. Hindi pa nga naaagapan ang bilang ng mga kapwa nating Pinoy na nagugutom ayon sa Social Weather Station (SWS) ay tuluyan pang nadadagdagan.

Hindi naman lahat tayong mga Pilipino ang nakakarinig ng mga plataporma ng ating mga kandidato sa pagkapangulo sapagkat maliit lamang ang posebilidad na makapunta sila sa ating mga paaralan at magsabi ng tig-sampung pahina ng kanilang plataporma. Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo kung naging parte ng sentimyento ninyo ang kalamidad na ito. ‘Yun nga eh, hindi pa namin narinig.

Mas maganda pa sanang pakinggan ang mga magiging estratehiya nila sa pagreresolba ng tuyong kalamidad na dinaramdam ng taumbayan. Para sa mga magsasaka, hindi ba’t masarap pakinggan na bibigyan sila ng mga dekaledad at mateknolohiyang mga kagamitan at pamamaraan sa irigasyon? O kaya’y mura, kung hindi man libreng edukasyon para sa kanilang mga anak?

Para sa mga may sakit, naaalala pa ba natin ang isang patalastas ng isang kandidato sa pagkapangulo?

Mayroon siyang pinakita sa atin na larawan ng isang magandang plano ng pagpapatayo ng isang ospital ngunit ayon dito, dahil sa korupsyon, naging bulok na klinikang pambarangay ang naipatayo. May respeto din naman tayo kung sinuman ang gumawa ng ad na iyon pero hindi ba’t alam na natin ang sakit na korupsyon sa ating bansa?

Kaya naman, sana mas ipamahagi ng ating mga mamayang lider ang kanilang kayang gagawin sa pagbangon ng ating bansa. Hindi por’ke mula sila sa mahirap o kaya’y korupsyon lang ang sakit ng ating bansa ang palaging ididiin nilang punto sa kanilang patalastas na pinapanood ng mamamayan.

El Niño en nuestra nacion! El Niño sa ating bansa!

For better or for worse? are etched in the hearts of many civilians nowadays and have beaten even the heartwarming lines from different box-office hits. Campaign jingles aired every now and then have caused most people, especially children, to acquire the LSS (Last Song Syndrome) for singing the songs over and over again. Stores all over the nation have featured items like hats, ball pens, and shirts printed with names of the different candidates.

Truly, the election fever has reached a thousand degrees hotter than the temperature brought about by the El Niño phenomenon. With these tactics presented by the running candidates, are we really sure that temptation has not won us over?

This coming May 10, 2010, the Philippines will undergo a period of change. Seeing that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro will be stepping down from their positions, the future of the Philippine nation will now be in the hands of an unknown leader whose identity will only be revealed on election day. What has transpired during Mrs. Arroyo’s nine years of service as the President of the Republic of the Philippines will hopefully be revolutionized into something much better for the country. Indeed, we need someone who can really show us that we can become better individuals for tomorrow, and that tomorrow is drawing near.

As a Filipino, it is with deep

remorse that I see my country being plagued with various disasters and catastrophes. With the El Niño phenomenon still striking the country and threatening the livelihood of most of the populace, I am with hope that the next president would be able to solve, one by one, the problems inflicting the country at this moment.

Considering that all presidentiables have, in one way or another, certain plans to uplift the country, we can be able to confer that each of them also

Mindscapes “They have to torture themselves to master the ethics of math, science, physics and chemistry in order to gain good fruits...”

Pietros Val Patricio Quite early have I learned in my youth that for some children, parental love can only be earned by making it a habit to gain high grades.

By being the perfect son or daughter, they seemed to have indoctrinated this odd belief their mindsets that the more perfect grades and recognition they get, the more love and affection they will receive from their parents in exchange. This is what is commonly known as the rewards or exchange system wherein a child learns at an early age that it has to do a good deed or achieve a certain degree of excellence/recognition in academics, skills, looks or talent in order to be worthy of their parents’ love. Most of them apparently follow this behavioral norm up to adulthood until they finally realize that something was wrong with their upbringing, that they’ve actually missed so much of their childhood life. Do you happen to belong to this bracket of the lost generation?

I am actually referring to a wrong psychological belief of upbringing done by many parents and followed by students while growing up. They strongly believe that love from family can only be attained by deeds and achievements - that they have to win in every competition and bag every major award in school for them to be recognized as worthy offspring for their parents. This often leaves countless children confused and quite discontented when they grow up. They gain too much pride in themselves that they never seem to feel at ease with themselves. They often become too anxious about their relationships with others and towards their families – to selfconscious and preoccupied. By thinking that their worth and value in society is measured by some wants a certain improvement for the status of the Philippines as of today.

All of them want to make a difference.

The question is who would be the lucky one?

A complete 360-degree transformation is what we all aspire in this generation. All of us want to see not only ourselves, but also our country, elevate into a higher level of success. We want to see the Philippines be included as one of

Tweeter.nicole

5

The lost generation academic standards or qualification, they tend to look at every discussion or aspect of their lives as a debate or competition. And this eventually puts them into a serious life crisis.

Often, these people grow up with so many problems and end up thinking what went wrong during their childhood realizing that they’ve surely missed a lot. That many things were lacking in their upbringing.

They must be thinking back then: Passing class is never enough; that will dishonor their parents for they have way too many expectations.

They have to torture themselves to master the ethics of math, science, physics and chemistry in order to gain good fruits; they have to drill themselves and get grilled by learning the ethics of discipline, hard work and the art of war, business and survival at a very young age that they tend to miss the many social and emotional engagements that they need in their youth. I pity them because they often get restrained from their personal desires and social liberties by being unconsciously threatened and tortured into militarystyle training to aim high, be the best and beat the rest only in favor of their parents. They are barely aware that that through this, they miss out many beautiful aspects of their young lives burdened by so much high expectations without exactly knowing the cause and purpose of what they are doing. I bet these people aren’t even happy with their lives at all. They must be even suffering from this silent humiliation. And in the end, most of them just grow up to realize that they’ve actually just become average and normal individuals in society just like everyone else.

I just hope that these people eventually find their freedom, do the things they want to do and learn to enjoy their lives to the fullest while they are young. And so should you. the “Most Industrialized Countries of Today” instead of “One of the Most Corrupt Countries in Today’s Time.”We want change and only the next president can help us fulfill this long-term goal of ours. Will our country change for the better, or will it be for the worse? The answer lies in your hand armed with a ball-point pen, ready to shade that one small circle that will eventually alter each and every one of our lives.

6

FEATURE

The Augustinian

FEBRUARY 6-28, 2010

Cast Your Vote for Our Country’s Sake A sneak-peek on the 2010 Presidentiables

By Mary Leslie Eregia

The clock has already started ticking madly as May 10, 2010 draws near. With nine hopefuls vying for the presidency, we hope that one of them can make a difference in the state of the Philippines as of this time. Be ready to cast your votes as the election fever grows hotter day by day. Take a peek at the following people who can change your lives in one shading.

Movement in EDSA, Former Pres.

Estrada makes a comeback in the political arena with his platform envisioning “a democracy that is truly pro-poor, a country with peace and order, and a government of transparency and accountability.”

vision of genuine change for Filipinos which aims to “reclaim and regain the wealth, sovereignty and dignity of the Filipino people and nation.”

She focuses primarily on genuine equality, empowerment and dignity of women.

Richard Juico Gordon Dick Gordon Born: August 5, 1945

Nicanor Jesus Pineda Perlas III Nick Perlas Born: January 10, 1950

Benigno Simeon Aquino III Noynoy Aquino Born: February 8, 1960

Being the candidate under the Bagumbayan-Volunhteers for a New Philippines and dubbed as the “Transformer” along with his running mate Bayani Frernando, Sen. Gordon intends to transform the nation with his “Manifesto of Change” which aims to embark on a massive investment and productivity program to raise national economic output, raise the quality of education, and expand the tax and revenue base of government among others.

As one of the Philippine presidential aspirants in the 2010 elections, activist Nicanor Perlas III focuses more on building partnerships for social justice, promoting creative education and inner change, and to mainstream visionary initiatives in his platforms, unlike other candidates.

As the standard bearer of the Liberal Party and currently leading in various presidential surveys, Sen. Aquino has made a social contract with the Filipino people which focuses mainly on transformational leadership, economy, government service, gender equality, peace and order, and the environment.

Jose Marcelo Ejercito Joseph “Erap” Estrada Born: April 19, 1937 Sworn in as the 13th President of the Republic of the Philippines but was ousted on January 19, 2001 during the People Power II

Maria Ana Consuelo MadrigalValade Jamby Madrigal Born: April 26, 1958 As the only woman running for the presidency, Sen. Madrigal has a

John Carlos de los Reyes JC de los Reyes Born: February 14, 1970 Currently serving as the councilor of Olongapo City, Councilor de los Reyes dreams of not only serving his hometown but halso the Philippine nation as he decides to file his certificate of candidacy for the presidency under Ang Kapatiran Party. The platform of de los Reyes

centers on unceasingly working to fight and defeat massive, enslaving poverty. He also gives importance towards good governance, economic development, and polititcal culture.

Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo Teodoro, Jr. Gibo Teodoro Born: June 14, 1964 Former Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro is LakasKampi CMD’s standard bearer for the May 2010 elections. Neck-to-neck with co-presidentiables Senators Aquino and Villar in most surveys, Teodoro’s campaign platform includes encouraging political growth in the provinces and improving healthcare and education.

Eduardo Villanueva Brother Eddie Villanueva Born: October 6, 1946 Brother Eddie, as he is known to his followers, has captured the eyes of most people when he ran for president during the 2004 elections.

However, the bitterness of losing does not seem to hit him as he once again asks for the support of the people by running for the elections this 2010 under the Bangon Pilipinas Party.

Known as one of the spiritual leaders of the country because of his Jesus is Lord Church, Brother Eddie’s basic proposition is that “for the country to

recover from the terminal cancer of corruption, injustice and poverty, both the leadership and the people must weave back the basic tenets of love for God and love for country into the fabric of Philippine politics and governance.”

Manuel Bamba Villar, Jr. Manny Villar Born: December 13, 1949 Considered as one of the most intriguing presidentiables of today, Sen. Villar has enveloped all basic forms of communication with his campaign advertisements and jingles (the line “Nakaligo ka na ba sa dagat ng basura?” is still ringing in everyone’s ears). With his popular campaign line Sipag at Tiyaga, Sen. Villar’s platform includes combating poverty and corruption, two major problems between which he believes there is a strong link.

The presidentiables have spoken their beliefs on the various ways of improving the country. Now, it’s your turn to distinguish who among these worthy presidentiables is worthy enough to be called “the one.”

Photo credits: www.google.com Philippine Graphic Magazine (Vol.20 No.28)

By RAY ADRIAN MACALALAG

Technology evolves every day.

On Thursday nights, I hasten to grab the television remote just to pave some space in TV traffic at home. I make some kung fu moves just to get the remote before someone else does.

Now, it’s a cliché to watch primetime soap operas on the local TV networks, especially in a typical Filipino home.

But me? I don’t take much interest on these, though.

I rush to see some highdefinition TV shows on the National Geographic Channel (NatGeo). Why Thursday nights? It’s Mega-Thursday on NatGeo, where they show big

airplanes, big buildings, and the like.

What struck me most was an episode of Megacities in NatGeo featuring a city in South Korea. It was all about the widening of roads, interconnecting flyovers, and plans, plans, plans to improve it even more.

Iloilo City is a growing city.

Further developments might win the attention of NatGeo. Not for the sense of being a megacity, but more probably, a fly-sky city – two consecutively located flyovers in just one street and a multiple number of skywalks standing on almost half of the number of major roads.

Multipurpose skywalks When there is safety, there is ease. That’s why skywalks were put up on major roads in Iloilo City. These structures provide us more confidence in crossing the streets without breaking our bones or splitting our bodies into several blood-soaked pieces caused by accidents.

More or less, there are ten skywalks sprinkled over the cityscape of Iloilo. All of them have not only have the same design in essence but the same purpose as well - to ensure the safety of pedestrians as they move from one side of the street to another.

Let’s have a visit in Luna Street, Lapaz, where a roofless skywalk is standing before I was even born. Is there anybody walking by here? I guess not yet. We’ll check on that later.

Meanwhile, let’s go shopping in the malls along Valeria Street. All four corners of the street’s intersection with Delgado seem to have a lot of restaurants, shops, and kiosks.

Hundreds of people and sometimes even thousands go shopping in these areas. With this number, you would be expecting also a number of cars. Now there is really a need for a skywalk

here. This is to minimize accidents because of the sheer number of people and the equally numerous vehicles passing by.

Wait a second - is there really a need for it? I don’t see people walking along those interconnected skywalks.

It seems that just like all shoppers, even I just cross the street. The effort of putting up these is gone in the wind. Let’s glance again towards the skywalk. It still has a function. At least vagabonds have a place to live in and ask for alms – no wonder no one passes there, they might lose their spare change.

Let’s go back to Luna Street, Lapaz to check who’s passing by the old skywalk. I see a lady approaching, this must be it – someone will finally

pass by. No way, she just walked and crossed the street immediately on the bottom of the skywalk.

Going back to these skywalks, a lot of inspirational messages can be read on these. Guess who authored them? Of course, politicians in the city scene. These skywalks not only serve as shelter to the underprivileged but also as inspiration to the motorists.

There are more skywalks that I have not mentioned. I give the judgment to you. Anyway, the thought of this article is just halfway.

Like flying I acquired my high school diploma from a university along the Infante-General Luna intersection. I Continue to page 7

FEATURE

FEBRUARY 6-28, 2010

The Augustinian

7

Who’s Your Bet?

A backgrounder on Iloilo City mayorables

By Emmanuel Barcelona and Ronald SoRrilla

Raul Gonzales, Sr.

“A man of integrity, a man of courage” Born on December 3, 1930, Raul Maravilla Gonzalez is the fourth child of the late Delfin Gonzalez, the last sitting mayor of the town of Jaro before it was incorporated as a district of Iloilo City, and Estrella Jover Maravilla, a school teacher. He is married to Pacita Gonzalez, a former congresswoman, and proud parents of Cong. Raul Gonzalez Jr. Jose Mari Gonzalez, Dennis Gonzalez, Marigold Gonzalez and Charmaine Gonzales Castillo.

He started his academic pursuit in both public and private schools and was consistently on top of his class. He was conferred a bachelor of Arts degree in the then Colegio de San Agustin (University of

San Agustin) and was a Rector’s Scholar. Achieved the Bachelor of Laws at University of Sto . Tomas on top of his class and passed the Bar examinations with a grade of 99% in Remedial Law and 95% in International Law. His academic pursuit did not stop after passing the Bar and with that he was given the title Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa by the Ramon Magsaysay Technological State University. He held various government positions which include being a congressman for 9 years and a Secretary of Justice for 5 years, among others.

He is also a member or a fellow of both local and international law organizations which includes among others president of the Manila IV Chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and President of the

Lorenzo Jamora

“An Ilonggo who loves Iloilo” Larry Jamora is the offspring of Juan Lacson Jamora and Ester Ledesma Habanam born on May 27, 1947 here in the city of Iloilo. He was married to Gilda Ledesma and their wedlock produced two children, Simon Martin Lawrence Jamora and Patrick Vincent Joseph Zafiro Jamora. Mr. Jamora was educated at Lincoln College here in Iloilo City during his elementary and secondary years, whereas his tertiary eduction he garnered the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at De la Salle University in Manila in 1967. He also held various government positions and currently he is the Presidential assistant on

Jed Patrick Mabilog “A man of vision and outstanding performance” The present vice mayor of the city of Iloilo, Jed Patrick Mabilog is vying for the mayoralty position in order to provide the City with a fresh and dynamic leadership.

He is the 5th in the eight children of Jose Mabilog and Melchorita Mabilog of Brgy. Tap-oc, Molo. He was born on september 20, 1965.

He graduated from Assumption Iloilo for his elementary and he was educated at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biological Science degree in 1987 at the West Visayas State

University. He was conferred a Masters Degree in Public Mnagement at the Ateneo de Manila University in 2008 and presently he is taking up his Doctorate Degree in Human Resource Management.

He has held various government positions. He was the city councilor from the year 2004 to 2007. Presently he is the Vice Mayor of the City. He was the chairman of Iloilo city Task Force on Economic promotion and Vice Chairman of on Iloilo city peace and order task force and Iloilo city anti drug abuse council He is active in socio-civic and community activities with the HALIGI Foundation Inc. as one of the

...Continued from page 6 always find difficulty in arriving in school early because traffic consumes the road as early as 6:30AM. As a result, I’m always late in first period algebra. It was during my late sophomore year that the Infante flyover began its construction. It continued even up to my junior year when it was finally completed.

During its construction, a lot of things were done as preparation. Trees were chopped down and plants were destroyed. In addition, roads were

widened so sidewalks were minimized from three to four meters wide into a mere one meter. Waiting sheds along the sidewalk were demolished. One of my schoolmates as I remembered, was hit by a falling debris when he passed by the minimized sidewalk.

At completion, many were curious of what it feels like to be crossing the top of this flyover. Many said it was like flying especially when you are seated in the front seat of the jeepney. So being one of the curious citizens, I ate my lunch at

Photo credit: http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/5284301.jpg Philippine Bar Association, fellow of the Scandinavian Institute for Asian Studies University of Copenhagen Denmark, governor of Asian Legal Research instituite with headquarters at Kochi City, Japan etc.

Former Sec. Gonzalez will capitalize more on the educational system of the city where he plans to put up a college for Technical Courses who in partnership with TESDA will serve as stepping stone of poor city dwellers to escape from the quagmires of ,poverty. Aside from that he proposes to free the elementary and secondary education of Ilonggos because he believes that educating the people will promote social justice. He will also prioritize the health and welfare of the people and promote urban development through the construction of proper housing facilities. He will be strict in enforsing the laws but he will appy it in a humane way. Through the

strict yet humane law enforcement he believes that it will impose discipline among hardheaded people that will in turn help solve the major problems of the city which includes but not limited to garbage traffic and power. For him to solve the city’s problem thewe must not be emotional and would rather be practical. He also agrees with the construction of the coal fired power plants which he pointed out to be necessary with the economic survival of the city which is suffering from rotating brownouts that paralyzes the city’s businesses.

Water(undersecretary). An active member of the Rotary Club of Iloilo and the Two hearts Foundation. He is the director of the Jamora Enterprises which owns the Marymart Mall and SM City Delgado Branch.

He clarifies his position in an interview that he is not a politician but rather an “an Ilonggo who loves Iloilo.” He is famous with his slogan “Tion na sang Pagbag-o para sa Iloilo.”

He envisions the city as the center of Tourism and educational hub for the entire Visayas, recognized for its quality environment, people friendly services, empowered homegrown talents and en hanced economic opportunities for all the Ilonggos. His long term goal is for the city to become a Clean, Healthy and Wealthy Iloilo.

His priority programs and projects are to make Iloilo slum-free by 2020 or earlier, to establish a viable and robust economic base, improve the environment within three years and within six years, to make Iloilo city the cleanest, greenest and healthiest city in the country. Turn the city government into a full committed, efficient, wellorganized, resource oriented and equipped local government office capable of first rate services to the residents. He will provide proper housing facilities and sites to informal settlers. He will make the city more business friendly by giving incentives to top payers. Develop a plan to have a proper disposal of garbage plus the construction of a sanitary landfill. He will also strengthen the private and public sector partnership. He also

tesstament, where he is the founding chairman. Honest and Accountable Living for Ilonggos and a Graft-Free Iloilo (H.A.L.I.GI.) Foundation, Inc. is an organization that recognizes, maintains and develops strong values and virtues of the Ilonggo community. Aside from that he is the Zone Chairperson Region VI Zone I Iternational Association of Lions Club District 301-B and the immediate past president of Iloilo City Host lions club. He also garnered various awards as testaments of his service impetus.

He passed as many as 936 laws that benifitted the Ilonggo populace.

Mabilog’s first priority shoould he win is the setablishment of a public city college that will benefit the less fortunate ilonggos. He will make the city more freindlier to busness in

order to generate more stabe jobs for the people. He will provide a decent and low cost housing for the poor city dwellers. In order to continue the legacy of formenr mayor Jerry Trenas he will double the coverage of PhilHealth here in the city. He will provide quality infrastructure through the construction of good roads, comprehensive drainage system, Iloilo city Hall and the iloilo city convention and sports astrodome. He had other plans to do when he won as city mayor.

His message for the Ilonggo voters is: “It is not about me but of the future of Iloilo City. Wrong leaders will men sacrifice for the future…I envision Iloilo as the next rising city of the South.”

Jollibee – General Luna and walked far in front of Hotel del Rio to ride a jeepney; my primary purpose was to cross the flyover and feel the “flying” experience.

To cut the story short, the jeepney I rode didn’t pass the flyover; instead, it journeyed below the flyover. I did not give up, I rode again and again, day after day just to pass there and I did succeed.

University of San Agustin, I come again with one more curious thought as one more flyover is currently being constructed in front of my new school.

As an indicator of progress according to Vice Mayor Mabilog, the flyover aims to ease more traffic problems in the city. Like the Infante flyover, Jalandoni was budgeted by the national government under the President’s Bridge Program. It had no cost to Iloilo City – not even a centavo.

One more curiosity Now that I’m here in the

His message for the Ilonggo voters: “Before casting their votes they must first consider two things - one, the candidate and his backgroad and performance and two, his platforms and whether these will lead to a progressive Iloilo?” added that “ in order to have better government the people governing that is those who are in the city hall must be changed first”.

He said in an interview that he will provide a plan and budget to free the education not only of preschools but the elementary and the secondary as well.

His message for the Ilonggo voters: “Look at the candidates closely.

Enough of the drama, the showbiz type, the popularity contest. Ang akon thoughts with these issues is natilawan naman naton si Trenas, si Gonzales kag Jed. Judge for yourself of their outputs. Again, I have not seen anything conrete being done in the City of Iloilo.”

One more curious thought is that, how does it feel to be crossing two flyovers going up and down in a single sitting? Will riding a Villa jeepney at St. Paul’s all the way to Molo Plaza seem like a rollercoaster, only much cheaper?

I can’t wait.

Photo credits: http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/ yy335/Haldir07/DSCN2869.jpg http://prestressinternational.webs. com/skywalk.jpg

8

FEATURE

The Augustinian

FEBRUARY 6-28, 2010

Voter’s Guide for the May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections Prepared by The Office of the City Election Officer, Iloilo City 1. MAG-GAMIT SANG MODERNO NGA BALOTA Mag-gamit sang moderno nga balota sa May 10, 2010 nasyonal kag local nga Eleksyon. Sa sini nga balota makita ang nakabalhag nga ngalan sang tanan nga mga kandidato halin sa nasyonal tubtob sa local nga posisyon lakip na ang mga nagapadalagan sa Party List Election.

Indi na kinahanglan magsulat sang ngalan sang kandidato nga luyag mo

imo botohon, gamit ang marker nga igahatag sang BEI. Sa sini nga paagi makaseguro nga maisip sang PCOS machine ang imo boto.

botohon.

Tan-awon kon pila ka kandidato ang paga-botohon. Markahan ang oval ( ) sa kilid sang ngalan sang kandidato.

Indi magboto sang sobra.

2. ANG PAG MARKA (SHADE) SA TION SANG PAGBOTO Sa pagboto, du-agan mo ukon markahan ang mga ovals ( ) sa ingod sang ngalan sang kandidato nga

3. ANG BOTO NGA KINANGLAN SA KADA POSISYON INDI PAG PA SOBRAHAN PRESIDENTE VICE PRESIDENT SENATORS PARTY LIST CONGRESSMAN MAYOR VICE MAYOR CITY COUNCILORS

1 1 12 1 1 1 1 12

4. USISAON ANG IMO BALOTA Usisaon sing mayo ang imo balota sa wala pa masulod sa PCOS Machine.

Tandaan nga indi mahigkuan ukon mamarkahan ang balota.

Shade the

val

What’s the fuss with automated elections?

BY DONNA ISABELLE FRESNIDO and MARY LESLIE EREGIA

With the 2010 national and local elections looming in the horizon, Philippine voters, candidates, and government officials are waiting and watching –some with trepidation, others with hope – at the introduction of the automated election system.

Since the government had already pledged a whopping estimated Php11.3 billion for “supplemental appropriations for an automated election system and for other purposes,” as stated in RA 9525 of 2009, it seems that the automated elections will get as much limelight as the election results it promises to efficiently and swiftly deliver.

Already in use No longer would the Commission on Elections (Comelec) toil with the manual tallying of election results.

With the passage of RA 9369, or the Amended Elections Automation Law, the Comelec is now authorized to use the automated election system (AES), of which there are two kinds: Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) system, where photos of candidates are presented and voters simply press the image of their chosen candidate. A receipt is issued afterwards, which can help the Board of Election should there be complaints. However, the DRE can only be used in areas with available and reliable communications – which cannot be said for remote places in the country.

What the government is deploying this May 2010 elections is the second kind: the Optical Mark Reader System (OMR) technology “that uses paper ballots, records and counts votes, tabulates, consolidates, canvasses and

transmits electronically the results of the vote count.” Voters shade the oval on their paper ballots, which are then scanned and recorded by the automated counting machine.

The OMR is already in use here in the Philippines by such departments such as DepEd for its National Scholastic Achievement Test (NSAT), the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) for tests like Civil Service Commission Licensure Exam and even the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for the lotto.

The Philippine government chose the Venezuelan firm Smartmatic as its guide through the first-ever automated elections. Despite controversies, it’s “all systems go” for Smartmatic and the 82,200 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines it will use this coming May. The counting capacity per machine is 1,000 ballots from four to five precincts, with 80,122 precincts all over the archipelago.

Results in two days Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez is confident in the speed and efficiency of the automations: “With the automated counting, the counting will be done in one minute. After you vote in the old system, you put it in the ballot box, then leave the place. In automation, after you finish filling it up (the new ballot), you bring it to the counting machine, feed it in and it will be counted.” Precinct results will be forwarded to consolidating machines; final results for local elections can be released after two days and national elections, within thirty-six hours.

The process of counting and transmitting the results to local and

national servers is so fast that it seems all the human participation is in guarding the machine as it eats up the ballot and counts the votes. As such, it is a far cry from the manual elections where counting could take painstaking weeks or sometimes even months during which ballot boxes could be snatched. Also, automated elections need only ovals to be shaded, unlike the previous practice of writing the candidates’ names which could be misspelled and/or misread, illegible, or confusing due to having the same surname.

Naysayers So it’s fast, effort-saving, and a whole lot easier to register one’s voting choices. A bed of roses for automated elections? Not exactly. With a change in election counting process this abrupt and this encompassing, naysayers will always abound.

For one, Information Technology experts are shaking their heads at automation. Professor Pablo Manalastas, a computer science lecturer at the Ateneo de Manila and the University of the Philippines, expressed his fears that ballots may jam the scanning machine, the computers used in consolidating scanned data may be rigged even before the day of voting, GPRS connection fails in connecting the scanning machine to the national and local servers, or someone might just simply steal the laptop to get it done with.

The Computer Professional’s Union (CPU) also voiced out their concerns over insider threats, software engineering limitations, network vulnerabilities and required auditing

5 . A ng botante amo ang personal nga mag gulo sang iya balota sa Precinct Count Optical Scan Machine (PCOS)

Precinct Count Optical Scan Machine (PCOS)

procedures.

A group of citizens for transparent and honest elections, the Automated Election System (AES) Watch, have warned about “internal rigging,” or having an insider tamper with the election results.

Says AES member, Professor Bobby Tuazon: “The system’s vulnerabilities make the whole AES fragile and prone to internal rigging, tampering, retail and wholesale cheating all over the country.”

Apart from that, questions of mobile phone jammers, broken scanning machines, and brownouts still linger.

In response to all these naysayers and more, Comelec Spokesperson Jimenez has this to say in his Wordpress blog: “…you have lawyers and businessmen, judges and academics, all spouting the same half-truths and misrepresentations being peddled by those who would see the country yet again prevented from discarding a flawed electoral system.”

Whether automated elections could actually bring about faster and cleaner elections is still subject to much debate by warring sides. However, one may predict the outcome of the May 2010 automated elections by looking at its predecessor: the ARMM elections last August 11, 2008. Apart from being the first automated elections in the Philippines, the ARMM elections were quite pleasantly surprising since winners were announced in less than two days without – hold your breaths

GABAY SA PAGBOTO 1. Mag kuha sang balota.

2. Mag kadto sa Voting Area kag duagan ang imo balota.

3. Mag boto paagi sa personal nga pag gulo sang imo balota sa PCOS machine.

4. Magpabutang sang indelible ink sa maestra sa imo nga tudlo.

– being contested. There were no reports of voter disenfranchisement and the election’s rate of failure was less than one percent. Is the ARMM elections a freak of nature in an otherwise extended history of fraudand cheating- plagued Philippine elections or was it really the start of good changes?

Only May 2010 can tell.

Online sources: http://jimenez.wordpress.com/ http://www.philstar.com http://thestar.com.my/news/story http://iskwiki.upd.edu.ph http://www.cbcpnews.net http://www.malaya.com.ph Photo credits: http://cache.daylife.com/ imageserve/09g4am71pZ7Ee/610x.jpg http://www.myreviews101.com/wpcontent/uploads/2009/12/automatedphilippine-election-300x222.jpg