A2 Augustinian the
Volume LXII • Number 5 May 29, 2017
news
USA Law Grad places Iloilo campus journalists: End Impunity 4th in 2016 Bar Exams b y phil ip r ob e r t c . al ab an
b y ERIKA DANIELLE M. PEPITO The University’s College teamwork between the University of Law boasts of Allana Mae and College administrations, Babayen-on, who took the fourth faculty, staff, students, and topnotcher spot with her 88.75 alumni; one that is based on percentage for the 2016 Bar highly motivated students and Examinations and together with professors; and one that is guided Babayen-on, 60 others passed by our University’s motto, Virtus and are now legal eagles hailing et Scientia,” offered Dean Jose from the University. Mari Benjamin Francisco Tirol On the national scale, 3,747 of the College of Law on the out of 6,344 examinees emerged passers’ performances mirroring successful from the 115th Bar the efforts of the college. exam, administered by the “Because our country is Supreme Court and the national a society governed by the rule rating of 59.06 percent for last of law, and not the arbitrary year’s test is a huge leap from decisions of one or a few, it will the previous 26.21 percent (1,731 always need lawyers. And not out of 7,146 takers), with passers just any lawyer, but one whose from provincial intelligence law schools and intellect is topping the list guided by his this year. conscience,” Tirol On why she answered when wanted to take asked on what up law, Babayenit takes to be a on shared that “I lawyer. wanted to be part Measures of a profession done for the renowned for c o n ti nu ou s BABAYEN-ON its exclusivity enhancement of members, in a sense that so many take the Bar but only a few generally pass. Also because it was my father’s dream for me. Later however, it was because I wanted to be part of the administration of justice.” Babayen-on, who follows 1988 Bar seventh placer Atty. Cyril Regalado in the list of topnotchers from the University, chalked her fourth spot up to the desire of making her family and school proud, fear of failure, grit, determination and consistency. “Ms. Babayen-on’s fourth place finish and our 60/71 passing rate in the 2016 Bar Examinations are clear indications of the quality of legal education that we provide. One that is based on
of the college’s educational provisions include the quality admission, quality retention policy, the administration of a comprehensive examination on the fourth year of the course, outreach programs, participation in national and regional moot court competitions, and the ongoing program for law professors to obtain post-graduate law degrees (Master of Laws), among others, this according to Tirol. “If it can happen to me, it can happen to you. If you want it that bad, then do something about it because dreams have a price,” Babayen-on tipped for those who aspire to be a lawyer and for those who are on the road towards becoming one.
‘End Impunity, Justice Now!’ This was the theme of Maguindanao Massacre’s seventh commemoration led by the University of San Agustin’s Publications, November 23, 2016. “Impunity is the reason why the attacks and killings of journalists on particular and any others in general continue to happen and still, there is no justice served,” Nestor Burgos, national director of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), said in an interview with the Augustinian. The program consisted of educational talks, film viewing and an open forum on media violence followed by a mass and candlelighting rites offered for the 33 fallen journalists. “It was an uplifting experience for me since I was able to share my experiences and provide insights from a fellow millenial’s point-of-view and it gave the students information on how to take precautions as a student journalist. It made me realize the value of lessons you learn on field no matter how simple or how basic,” remarked Angelica Louise Pfleider, a fourth year AB Mass Communication student. Aside from the different
UNITED SCRIBE FOR ONE HEEDED JUSTICE. The USA Publications spearheads the commemoration of the 7th Anniversary of Maguindanao Massacre by a candlelighting rites held in the USA Chapel, together with other publications in Iloilo City and NUJP. USA PUB PHOTO • CLYDE ALLEN E. SOLLESTA departmental publications inside the University, student publications such as The Central Echo of the Central Philippine University and The Seagull of the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University – Molo as well as representatives from Panay News, Daily Guardian, Radyo ng Bayan and ABS-CBN. “Our role in this event is to
After earning less than half of the student population votes and being the sole running party, issues regarding the credibility and validity of 2017 University of San Agustin Student Council (USASC) elections piled up upon the running candidates of Partido Aguila, March 17. Erika Mae Draper, a Political Science 3 student and also the incoming USASC President, got 2,587 or 37 percent votes being the highest among her constituents wherein the speculation about reelection rooted. In her defense, Draper said “The Student Commission on Election (SCOMEL) told me that we need 4,699 votes, twothirds of votes from the total population of students to claim majority, to be declared as the new USASC officers.” She added that a written proof or resolution with signatories of the friars would be enough to clear the issue out and fortunately, the Director of Student Affairs and Welfare Office (SAWO), Eric Divinagracia, assured her the guarantee on the rules of suffrage being based on popularity not on majority of votes. According to Article V, Sec. 2 of the Constitution and by Laws of USASC, the election
of the officers of the USASC shall be done by annual popular voting. Popular votes as defined by Collins English Dictionary is the vote of all country’s voters as opposed to that of a particular group such as an electoral college or parliament. When asked about other factors that could have affected the results of the election, Draper shared, “Compared with previous election, this is the speediest. We were given two days to campaign because it was two days before the election that we [Partido Aguila] passed the deliberation to run. I believe that we did not have enough time to campaign and encourage the student body to vote for us. There are only few voters. For example, the sophomore students were busy with their activity on cosplay, the medtech students ended their semester earlier; another thing is that the voting precincts were not accessible for the students.” Then again, Dave Garin, outgoing SC president, emphasized that SCOMEL is stricter and should deliberate more the results and as to the incoming SC officers, “the lesser number of votes earned should serve as your challenge to earn the trust of their fellow Augustinians.”
In the words of Frennie Tababa, editor-in-chief of the USA Publications, “Even though we lacked time and resources, I can say that we pulled off an event that reached our expectations. It may not be perfect but for us, it is one of the biggest milestones that the pub achieved, to be part of a cause where justice needs to be served.”
Marketing Mgmt, PolSci students, Youth of Rizal “We should remember Rizal and be like him. We are still the youth Rizal referred to,” Binder said.
THIRD TIME’S A CHARM “The experience was very thrilling and enjoyable. It was my third time to attend NRYLI but the fun never fades away for its variety. The geek in me was enjoying because the topic was about Rizal and meaningful change which is very relevant as I am a Political Science student,” Emilio shared on the whole experience. Anchored on this year’s theme, “Embracing Rizalian Values Towards Meaningful Changes”, the said organization is dedicated to the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal and the Rizalian ideals, all related to Emilio’s chosen advocacy of Rizal and his heritage. “I believe that the most essential thing a young Filipino could have is a dream he is willing to achieve no matter how difficult. That dream should also be for the benefit of the nation. Now that we are divided in preferences and opinions, the only thing that could unite us in one common aspiration for the good of the Filipino people,” Emilio reflected on how Rizal is an exemplary figure to the youth and how the nation should remain its ties amidst diversity.
Kelly Binder, a Business Administration Marketing Management student, and Edward Dominic Emilio, an AB Political Science student, were hailed as the Most Outstanding Jose Rizal Model Student and Editor-in-Chief of the Ang Lider Publication, respectively. On December 29-30, 2016,
the 29th Annual Search for the Ten Outstanding Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines was conducted while last December 14-17, the 54th National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute (NRYLI) was held at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City, where Emilio also won a silver medal in extemporaneous speaking.
CREAM OF THE CROP Binder and the other nominees from all over the country were deliberated on the grounds of their academic excellence, student leadership and co-curricular activities, community involvement, knowledge on Dr. Jose Rizal, verbal communication, and personality projection and appearance. “He must have a selfless commitment to the country wherein the welfare of the majority should prevail over selfinterest. If the words of Jose Rizal are lived by the youth, then the Philippines can have Filipinos rather than merely having citizens.” Teresita Balgos, coach of Binder and also the adviser of the Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal (KAPARIZ) USA Chapter, remarked. Binder, who, according to Mr. Eric Divinagracia, director of the Student Affairs and Welfare Office (SAWO), follows the footsteps of 1999 Rizal Model Student Cynette Mirasol.
nation’s best
journalism history. It is what I call, competitive journalism, a type of campus journalism that aims for high-class and modernized technicality in spreading issue-oriented truth and influencing critical thinking, not just merely recording activities, marketing the school, and writing what is being ordered to be written,” Macalalag added. Along with the group awards, USA Publications’ Editor-in-Chief, Frennie Tababa, was awarded as the sole Campus Journalist of the Year. “I wasn’t expecting to be
hailed as the Campus Journalist of the year, but having this award is such an honor and a privilege because this award serves as my proof on how well I performed my duties and responsibilities in the pub,” Tababa shared. Tababa said that they are dedicating the awards garnered by the different publication to the people behind their success, the staff, their mentors and the people who entrusted their stories to them. “The talks awakened something in me that reaffirmed why I chose to be a campus
journalist - that is to share the truth, the hard truth, in all circumstances,” Erika Danielle Pepito, staff writer and delegate during the fellowship, expressed. Organized by The Spectrum, the official student media corps of the USLSBacolod City, the said event aims to promote excellence in campus journalism that is responsive to present social changes and knowledgeable in this age’s media transition and camaraderie with the league of campus journalists all over the Philippines.
passing rate
percentage in the Board exams in the future, [and] will serve as the driving force to the students to put more effort in their studies.” The changing of passing rate was based on the existing academic policies of the University stated in Article XXII, Section 107 of Manual of
Regulations for Private Higher Education, and “the final grade or rating given to a student should be based solely on his scholastic performance in any subject [...] provided by an academic policy, and provided that the adjustment is relevant to the subject content and requirement.”
SC Prexy-elect butts out election issues by r j jun say
make the people aware of what is happening in our field and what we are sacrificing just to deliver a just and rightful news. Also, as a campus journalist, we seek justice for them because this case hasn’t been given a thorough investigation and there is no one who will be put in blame,” Jaydan Laboro, managing editor of The Seagull, stated.
MODERN FACES OF RIZAL. Kelly Binder (leftmost) and Edward Dominic Emilio (rightmost), together with Rev. Fr. Wilson Capellan, OSA (center), come with their awards during the courtesy call. PHOTO credits• vpafm by wilkienson c. muro and erika danielle m. pepito
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why each time the magazine joins, it just wins the top title,” Engr. Ray Adrian Macalalag, moderator of USA Publications, shared when asked about the milestone the Publications has reached. Irong-Irong (Literary Folio) and The Augustinian (Newspaper), won second in Best Literary Folio and second Best Editorial, respectively. “Through these continuous harvests of titles, the USA Pub is making a new genre in campus board exams
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we are asking from them. That all of them will pass. It is always my challenge to the students,” and “The challenge is to continue the streak of the College, to prove that it is not by chance that we had this success,” said Salvilla.
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mentioned the possible strategies for teachers to adjust to the passing rate. Gellecanao also weighed the positive change that the new passing rate offers, “I believe, this will raise the passing