The Augustinian, October 2015 (Features Fold)

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The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin • Iloilo City, Philippines CLYDE ALLEN E. SOLLESTA

Volume LXI Number 2 • October 22, 2015

Two-wheeled culture emerges in Iloilo THE CITY OF LOVE HAS ADVOCATED BIKE RIDING AS A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND BURGEONED A BICYCLE CULTURE

By STEphANIE kAy L. uRQuIoLA

Iloilo City’s recent developments are a sight for the eyes. Gone are the twolane roads that car owners, commuters, and motorists have to share during rush hour at the Diversion Road; they were replaced with a six-lane highway, pedestrian lanes, and bike lanes. urban mobility in the city is no longer limited to gas-pumping vehicles; proper road allotment has welcomed cyclists, bike enthusiasts, and plain bike riders.

Cycling in the City Rock Drilon, one of Iloilo’s most known advocates for bicycle culture, relates how the past year’s advocacies have affected Iloilo as a whole.

“There is definitely a thriving bicycle culture in Iloilo City, it’s no longer an advocacy simply because it has become mainstream. There are ordinances that are bike-friendly [wherein] establishments are asked to put up bike racks, and

more and more people are into biking now.” Drilon said in an interview with The Augustinian.

The finished bike lanes are 35 kilometers in length extending from the Jaro district to Iloilo International Airport is among the plans for Iloilo in the near future. Iloilo City has also been cited by the Office of the President for its effort to build safe bike lanes and walkways for its citizens; these programs have helped recognize the fact that roads can be shared by everyone.

Drilon added, “With more bikes, [there will be] less traffic.

[There is] less pollution and less space being taken up. Instead of 20 cars on the road, there will be 20 people on bikes; 20 bikes can actually fit in one car parking spot, we’ve tried. This will [also] result to healthier citizens; [we are] advocating the environment, not just sports.”

FitStop Bites and Bikes, Iloilo’s Bike Café Owned by Augustinian

CaMPUS liFe

Augustinian starter pack: what makes your college life special?

Article at Page B2

Architect Wilfredo Sy, Jr. and co-managed by Vida Aurora Llevares, FitStop Bites and Bikes is Iloilo’s first bike café which opened August of 2014.

“We decided to open this because I’ve always known that stress is part of [my job in] the construction industry and that fitness sometimes no longer becomes a priority. I’ve also seen during my travels abroad that they promote bicycle culture and that it’s normal for them. Here, some people still have a hard time understanding where bike lanes are,” Sy remarked.

Business Insider named several European countries, Denmark and Netherlands, as two-wheel paradises due to their cycling conditions that lessen the fear of urban cycling.

Iloilo is taking things one step at a time as the bike café has provided an environment where families, friends, and even young professionals can rent bikes and not have to worry about traffic.

“Parents rent their own

usa pub pHOTO / JOHN ELMER J. BALAN

The city’s transformation can be seen with the recent developments and establishments mushrooming their way around the city; constructions are fast-tracked by the city government especially along the roads. The 1st Iloilo Bike Festival was held April 2014 with newspapers branding Iloilo City as the bid for the nation’s bike capital; the past year has seen different advocacies and changes this 2015 to develop a more livable, bike-able, and environmentallyfriendly city.

bikes with their kids and we’ve heard stories na dito una natuto magbike ‘yung mga kids and teenagers. It’s very encouraging on our part kasi we’re part of their bonding moments and memories,” Llevares fondly narrates.

FitStop Bites and Bikes will soon launch bike tutorials for beginners and advanced learners and is located at Diversion Road, Mandurriao.

‘Bike for every home’ Subgroups of bike riders have formed around Iloilo.

Example are the Iloilo Folding Bike Riders (iFold), Centralian

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50 years of worldclass theater Article at Page B4

Cruisers Cycling Club (C4) and BMX Riders among others.

Drilon relates how some groups use biking as a sport and how some use it for recreation.

“Join a group before venturing out on your own.

Know the psychology of the street. More experienced bikers can give you tips,” Drilon advises.

Mass rides, or a group of organized bike rides have been incorporated with different activities to explore and appreciate different parts of the city. Some of the activities are VisiTOUR, a mass ride where tourists and visitors ride bikes

to explore the city, and Iloilo Art Bike showcases different art destinations every month.

“There is definitely bicycle culture emerging. Biking is slowly moving from a form of sports to recreation,” Sy relayed.

The city of Iloilo has turned heads with its steady rise; a bike-able city won’t be an impossible feat for this city to attain.

All roads should be connected, and for this wonderful city of love, embracing a culture of sharing the road will only be a matter of time.

SPeCTaCle

Are video games really better than reality?

Article at Page B7

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The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin • Iloilo City, Philippines

Volume LXI Number 2 • October 22, 2015

GET READY, GET SET, GET STARTED M E E T T H E STUDENT GUIDES YOU N E V ER EX P EC T ED

By FRENNIE M. TABABA AND GIZELLE ANNE D. VILLA

There is absolutely nothing that will prepare you for your college life -- the sleepless nights, the teachers that will leave your jaw open after giving an exam that you’re pretty sure they didn’t include in their lessons, attending activities you know you’re going to be telling your siblings about just to make them jealous, and the friends you know you’re going to keep for life.

To get through your college life’s hazards, these items are a must-have and must-do! ones. Find some time to look for a shoulder to cry on. Share your worries over coffee and homework, go on a walk, hug it out, or even just chat through text messaging. Motivational words from the people you love will keep you hopeful and going strong. Stress is all well and good if it motivates you but when you have too much of it it can affect you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Hold on to the people who keep the stress at bay; they’re a reminder that you’re not alone and that college stress will always lose to love and friendship.

For-emergencies starter pack Life is so surprising. There are times when we are caught off-guard during the most unexpected moments. They can happen anywhere, even in school, so always be prepared.

For girls, always be ready for red alert situations. Don’t forget to carry extra tampons or sanitary napkins in your bags.

It’ll keep you from freaking out when the time comes. This is not only limited to the females of our campus, though. Males can show their support by bringing tampons or sanitary napkins, too, to help out on their female friends.

The occurrence of handouts cannot be avoided in college. Almost every class requires a bundle of papers to be photocopied and it could take a toll on a student’s wallet.

To keep from getting heart attacks from the sight of hands asking for your money, always bring extra cash. Twenty pesos in a secret pocket is enough to get you through, even for just a while.

“Life is so surprising. There are times when we are caught offguard during the most unexpected moments.”

Almost everybody in the campus has a cellular phone. It is used to take pictures of notes, to text other classmates, to call friends, to do math, to play games, etc. Without it, survival is still possible, but it’s going to be really hard. Unfortunately, there is an insufficient amount of electrical sockets to support all cellular phones in the University, and that’s where the next emergency tool comes in: The Powerbank.

If you can afford to buy a Powerbank, buy one. It’ll keep you from freaking out during those moments when your phone decides to slowly die, just when you need it the most. There’s no need to run to the Alumni building to hunt for a free socket anymore.

There aren’t a lot of Rihannas in the school, and

if it’s raining, you can’t stand under just anybody’s umbrella.

With the weather being really crazy nowadays, it’s essential to bring an umbrella anywhere you go. There are so many kinds of umbrellas with so many designs to choose from.

Not only are you protected from the wrath of the rain and the anger of the sun, but you can also show off that you’ve got style, rain or shine.

Be-appealing starter pack In college, the saying, “Looks don’t matter” is not applicable anymore. It doesn’t have to be about beauty; it’s mostly about how neat and tidy you look. In college, we have to look our best to appear as professional as possible.

We are after all, going to be a part of the work force soon and some companies have a strict policy about making sure that you have a neat and tidy appearance so you better start cracking!

Lipstick has been women’s best friend since the early ages.

Not only will it add a little oomph to your appearance, but it’ll show people that you’re ready to take the day head-on even if you’ve had only an hour of sleep.

Wherever you go in the University, there is no getting away from crowded places.

To avoid getting sweaty and smelly, your body powder is your life-saver. It will make you smell nice and feel fresh despite the stress and heat that’s threatening to make you smell like an old sock. Powder comes in many sizes so you can pick whatever is suitable to

your needs.

It takes about 15 minutes for a guy to get his hair to cooperate through wax and gels. Styling hair takes up a lot of time and is one of the many factors that heightens the possibility of arriving to your class late, especially if you have early classes. Even if you really did put extra effort to it, it will just mess up after being blended by the polluted winds during jeepney rides. Solution: bring your wax/gel with you.

You can use the comfort room’s mirror and re-fix it so that every corridor, with all the confidence in your shining glory, will turn into your runway.

The most important part of a girl’s daily routine that we cannot do away with is the eyebrows on fleek routine.

These days, having the perfect eyebrows significantly improve your appearance and your social status.

With the hot and humid weather, hair tends to stick all over your face and neck.

Not only will it irritate you, but it will also give people the impression that you don’t care

about your hygiene. The wet and greasy look has already been buried along with the trends we thought were coollooking (Hello, bell-bottom pants!) To avoid looking greasy, bring hair ties. They come in many designs and colors. You can tie your hair in many ways, too. You’ll feel cleaner and look more tidy in an instant.

Lastly, always use deodorant or tawas, (depending on your “strength” level) to keep from smelling like a ripe guava. Gone are the times when people depended on body odor to determine the perfect mate. After slapping on some deo, a spray of perfume wouldn’t hurt. It’s always much appreciated when you smell nice.

As a last-minute tip though, the simpler you look the better! At the end of the day, your winning personality will always be what people will love most about you. These starter packs consist of little stuff that make your college life a tad bit easier but the best starter pack will always be motivation, love, and faith!

usa pub PHOTOs / GIZELLE ANNE D. VILLA AND JOHN ELMER J. BALAN

Stress-buster starter pack Projects, assignments, deadlines, are just some of the many things that cause stress in our academic lives. When things go hectic, the first thing you should turn to is your faith. As a student, we all have our own secret strategies but prayer is one way to calm your nerves down. Through prayer, you submit your worries to God and it’ll assure you that everything’s going to be okay in the end. It’ll strengthen your faith in Him, and will also give you the feeling that somewhere up there, someone has a lot of faith in you, too.

The second thing you should be looking for is candy.

Sweets will make you forget about the bitterness of pressure and your problems. They are known to increase your dopamine levels – the happy hormone. There’s no harm in grabbing a bar or two of candy to chew on while you’re down.

It’ll keep your stomach from growling and your tears from falling.

Third, get some rest. Sleep while you can. In college, your sleeping schedules will go berserk, so if you have a few hours to spare, instead of scrolling through social media, why don’t you sleep? It’ll make you feel fresh and ready for the challenges coming your way. Not only will sleep give you the energy you need to conquer the day, but it’ll also make you look livelier. Trust me when we tell you that your brain won’t function with your constant #TeamNoSleep mantra.

Lastly, don’t forget to get emotional support. Find love and support in your loved

Volume LXI Number 2 • October 22, 2015

Augustinian

Features

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The Play FEST’s The Thing usa pub PHOTO / CLYDE ALLEN E SOLLESTA

R eviving AU GUST INIA N tradition T hrough P E R FOR MA NC E A RT S

by Marie Julienne V. Caballete

Armed with nothing but her activity pad, Kristia ran towards the piece of tarpaulin that was hanging imposingly a few meters away from her. Tired as she may seem, she headed straight to the conference room. At first, she was not really amazed at what she saw. Plays are plays. It could be some sort of cliché that she’s looking at. Still, she decided to give in anyway. Why not? It could be fun. After entering the crowded conference room, she was greeted by a throng of students who seemed energized and excited. She was not convinced though.

“Just endure an hour of watching people on the stage.”

Crazy faces, fits of laughter and occasional tears here and there. These are the usual things that people would often expect from plays.

How can they not? While plays are considered forms of entertainment by others, they are an integral part of the University tradition taken on by world-class Augustinians.

PLAYed Back Just recently, on its annual Patron Saint’s Day, the University of San Agustin added an event that had people talking. Different acts were expected to be performed at the Play Festival 2015.

This year’s play festival was far from being a pilot project. According to Mr. Eric C. Divinagracia, director of Student Affairs, play festivals preceded the creation of the Little Theater.

The play festival had its

humble beginnings during the time of Reverend Father Eduardo Perez, O.S.A, former University president and also the founder of the USA Little Theater. According to Divinagracia, back then, Father Perez would often ask, “Why is there a play or theater in the University? What is its relevance to the University? Does it only exist because of the celebration of the Patron Saint’s Day?” “Father Perez would then answer that the play is the occasion. Then, people would ask him again, what is the occasion? No, the PLAY is the occasion,” Divinagracia recounted.

The former President began to see the importance of having plays in the University, which eventually started the play festival in the University, and thus, paved the way for the creation and foundation of the Little Theater in 1965.

PLAYing Forward Reviving the play festival this year is timely since USA little theater (USALT) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Divinagracia also saw that there is a threat that the culture of theater might be dying as an art here in Iloilo and the University. “For the past years, it’s only the Little Theater doing legitimate theater in the University, so we thought of reviving the tradition,” Divinagracia expounded.

Reviving the play fest was also done to look back at where it all began and to make theater thrive in the University.

It was only during this year’s Patron Saint’s Day celebration when the play festival opened its curtains once more.

Divinagracia shared that he was surprised

by the reception of the students towards the play festival.

“I was actually expecting or thinking of seeing some old works or adaptation of Shakespeare but no; they actually wrote their own material. I think, it is a testament to our students being creative, critical thinkers, social communicators and community builders because theater is an act of community and of being in a community.”

Despite the play fest being new to the students, the reception of the students was positive.

“For me the play festival was fun and heartwarming.

Fun, because, surprisingly, we enjoyed it. Heartwarming, on the other hand, because we can actually see their effort to make their performance

worthwhile,” Faye Jantican, a BS Foreign Service shared after she watched the plays.

The Conservatory of Music presented Ang Istorya ni Inday; the College of Engineering and Architecture, Blossoms; the College of Arts and Sciences, Isa ka Istorya; the Basic Education Department, Pagtingub; the College of Nursing, Salamism; the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Kimera; and College of Education, Jose, showing that 7 out of the 8 colleges participated the said festival.

“It was fun, and I am very glad that the school gave us a chance to act on stage and produce a play. I am amazed that they were able to organize the event even though this was the first time that the school had this kind of event

in years,” Angelica Pflieder, AB Communication student, commented.

The College of Pharmacy and Medical technology was hailed as the winner of the Play Festival 2015. The awards were called the Eddie’s named after the founder of the USA Little Theater, Rev. Fr. Eduardo Perez, O.S.A. EXEUNT As for Kristia, she went to watch a play for the sake of attendance but got more than what she bargained for.

“It was through the plays that I was able to realize that the University breeds individuals who do not only excel in their specific fields but also have the talent and skills that can make them stand out in the field of theater arts.”

Juan nation, wh-one god? by erika danielle m. pepito

Have you ever entered a home where the sight of a feng shui mirror greeted you?

illustration / herod A. montiel

What about the grandiose altar filled with numerous images and figures of saints, and a huge crucifix with dangling rosaries?

The Philippines, although regarded as the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia, stays firm to its roots.

Since time immemorial, our ancestors believed that nature, in all its elements, held power and authority over all. Paganism, as the belief is called, infused with other convictions such as superstitions and horoscopes, and the advent of Christianity during the 1500s, proved that the Filipino religiosity is a mixture of faith and culture.

This is what we consider as the split-level Christianity.

Fr. Jaime Bulatao, S.J. described the split-level Christianity as “the coexistence within the same person of two or more thought-and-behavior systems which are inconsistent with each other.” He elaborated that “a study of the two levels may bring out the following analysis: the top or surface level is the more “Christian” part, which is made up of rules and beliefs picked up in school or in church. In large part, it is conceptualized, or at least verbalized, usually in a foreign language like English, Spanish or Latin. Much of it is learned

by rote, from catechism or from books.”

As the Spaniards colonized the country, they brought forth various changes in the Filipino way of life. Although unfortunate happenings took place during their rule, they handed onto us one very important heritage that sets the country apart from the other countries in Asia – Christianity. The coming of Christianity changed the beliefs of the indios, how Filipinos were called by the Spaniards back then, through coercive or convenient conversion. It all started in Limasawa Island in Cebu, when the first mass was celebrated on its shores.

Rajah Humabon (Carlos) and his wife Hara Amihan (Juana) led the people in accepting God in their lives, and received the Sto. Niño de Cebu as a gift from Ferdinand Magellan.

In addition, our country will be celebrating its fifth centenary celebration after its conversion to Christianity on 2021. It was implemented in 2011, that ten years after, the Philippines is to be re-evangelized in commemoration of its 500th year as a country of Christian

faith.

This ten-year period is a “journey for the New Evangelization” with themes to emphasize the importance of Christ’s teachings in the modern-day Philippines.

Our forefathers, before the

Spaniards discovered the Philippine land, treated nature with utmost reverence because they relied on it in every aspect of their lives. In return of nature’s favor upon them, they offer whatever they can to their bathalas and

anitos to compensate for the various needs and wishes satisfied by the entities of nature.

Alongside this, the Filipinos believe in supernatural elements such as the dwende (dwarves), diwata (fairies) and spirits that possess healing or cursing powers to reward or punish humans. The anting-anting or magic amulets were believed to bring luck or invincibility to those who wear it. The albularyo or quack doctors and faith healers still exist to cure illnesses medical practitioners cannot cure. A number of Filipinos still believe that witches or mangkukulams inflict pain and suffering on other people.

The Chinese culture also played a role in influencing the beliefs of the Filipinos. From lucky numbers and important dates to Chinese zodiac and Buddha figurines, Filipinos make it a habit to ensure their luck. The horoscope in the daily newspaper piques the interest of the reader as well. It has been a tradition to ring in the New Year with fireworks to ward off evil spirits and bad luck and to make sure that there would be no empty pocket by the time the clock strikes 12.

Chinese amulets are worn to protect the wearer from unlikely factors that could affect his or her lifestyle.

“A large part of it is never verbalized, but acts as

a sort of unspoken philosophy, spontaneously flowing into action when the occasion calls it forth and the inhibitory forces are removed,” Fr. Bulatao adds. Although these beliefs clash in terms of principles and teachings, it is a manifestation of the firm faith and historical culture of the Filipinos. We may have different interpretations of God, but we believe with a strong conviction that someone or something with greater force exists to guide us in our daily existence. We never fail to see and seek God every day, and it shows how much we value our faith. Our connection with nature and our adoption of other Chinese customs make up a big chunk of our culture. We may be Catholics by faith, but we continue to look back from where we came from, which is a trait we the Filipinos possess.

It is innate for us to evolve and develop so that we can adjust to the various changes taking place.

Torn between beliefs? The Filipino religiosity is a mixture of faith and culture. This is what makes us different. We’ve set our own mark by knowing that our culture led us to our faith, and that our faith made a huge turn in our culture. As Saint Paul VI, who in his Encyclical, Ecclesiam Suam, stated, “When the Church distinguishes itself from human nature, it does not oppose itself to it, but rather unites itself to it. The Church should enter into a dialogue with the world in which it exists and labors.”

Features Augustinian the

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin • Iloilo City, Philippines file PHOTOs / Jemuel b. garcia jr.

usa pub PHOTO / daniel p. abutas

Sandosenang Eksena: 12 years, 12 scenes USA Little Theater: Home of world-class actors for the past 50 years By andrea nicole c. parce

As the red curtain rose and the stage lights flickered on, the mellow music signalled the beginning of an amazing journey, one could possibly imagine; Twelve theatrical acts all in one stage— in one day—and one grand play.

Over the years, the University of San Agustin Little Theatre has created and honed not only brilliant actors and actresses, but also depicted several beautifully crafted plays, which were originally made by Augustinians. For its 50th Anniversary as an exemplary organization and world-class theatre committed to the conservation of Filipino Heritage through the depiction of original works especially from the local scene, Sandosenang Eksena, along with 7 more productions were brought to life.

Sandosenang Eksena, a brimming play composed of twelve acts, mostly from past plays summed up the best of USALT for the past 12 years, including the people who were behind these curtains twelve years ago. The Stage One Company, with the addition of the new apprentices and the current members completely blew our imaginations away, tore our hearts apart and made us cackle, in an hour and a half

of original material.

One Day Rehearsals were not that easy for the USA Little Theatre.

While they were planning on staging Sandosenang Eksena, they were also organizing 7 productions and events at the same time. Their preparation for Sandosenang Eksena lasted only for a day or two, and even some of the plays were not rehearsed at all. “… but it was easy because theatre comes natural,” Eric Divinagracia, USALT Director, said after recalling the strains that they have encountered. “It was easy because people were passionate about what they’re doing.”

The whole play started with Tarangban, a play written

by Dr. Isidoro M. Cruz, the former Dean of College of Arts and Sciences, and the current Dean of the Graduate School who has received more than five national awards for creative writing including the first prize in the 2003 Palanca Awards,

and first prize in the Philippine Panorama Literary Contest in 1996; this play featured the native people of Central Panay, specifically the locals of Tapaz, Capiz locally known as PanayBukidnon.

The first play was followed by 10 more plays and ended in a quirky interpretation of Ang Bayong kag Ang Banga by Flavio Zaragoza Cano, which was aimed to remind young women of the importance of

The USALT showed a diverse and live experience of today’s generation.

For instance, the Basura Busters, a lesson-filled play made for the University’s Waste Management Program, featured 3 ordinary people who became super heroes and saved the entire humanity.

Basilio, the third play, together with Miss Philippines and Maria Clara, were plays extracted from Noli Me Tangere

“Theatre is home, and we are at home.” keeping their virginity, and this balanced the heavy dramas and made a smooth halt to the entire play.

One Stage After 50 years of showcasing their talent, USA Little Theater once again proved that they are definitely one of the finest theatre companies.

Through the collaboration of different generations of actors and actresses, from the oldest of the group to the youngest, and the apprentices to the most experienced, they have all together pulled off a hairraising and spectacular show.

and El Filibusterismo which showed the recurring social issues of today, including child abuse, gender inequalities, and colonial mentality.

Rugya sa Riyadh and which were rendered through a contemporary dance, both tackled the migration of the Filipinos to look for greener pasture.

One of the most awaited acts was Maria Clara where five generations of actresses who symbolized the typical Filipina, confined within the walls of femininity and vulnerability, set foot on stage and made the crowd laugh and

cry. Despite the generation gap, lack of preparations, priorities and distinctiveness of each “Maria Clara”, the USALT has merged everything in place and produced an astonishing rendition of the Maria Clara the theatre has been performing through the years.

“That part of Sandosenang Eksena was phenomenal.

The Maria Claras of each era were notable and sensational and gathering all of them to perform on one stage is genius,” Kent Tomulto, a second year AB Literature student, and a member of the USALT for two years now, reveals as he proudly says that the play did not even have stage blocking and pure talent, years of experience, and the passion were the only things they brought as they performed in front of the audiences.

The stage also became a venue to recall the cruelty of Super Typhoon Yolanda to the people of Panay and to reminisce how the Little Theatre acted as a de-stressor to the locals of Lemery, Iloilo, which was damaged by 95 percent last November 22, 2013.

“It was an eye opener especially for Ilonggos like me, who have not experienced the wrath of Yolanda. It made me feel like I was actually in that same situation as depicted in the play,” said Vince Orquinaza, a Psychology

student and member of the Augustinian TV member, who is an advocate of humanitarian affairs as he explained the effects of the raging emotions circulating the entire platform during the performance of the plays.

One Play It was hard coming back to what was before. These required supposedly, a lot of catching up, to unscrew all those rusty hinges of the people who were the pillars of the USA Little Theatre.

Stage One Company, who made its comeback after more than 50 years, was a blast.

Performing Hangin by Joseph Espino, they proved that theatre was really their home.

Passionate as he is, Edward Divinagracia, former USALT’s Artistic Director, and also the oldest member of the Stage One Company, accompanied by his daughter, Ehlana Marie Divinagracia, performed an over-night masterpiece of a poem entitled Hidlaw Sang Manugpuli and its counterpart, Home, written and performed by his daughter.

Played with a mellow music, the Divinagracias justified that their homes in Dubai, in the Philippines, and the Theatre represent a single place.

“Theatre is home, and we are at home,” Divinagracia states.

Volume LXI Number 2 • October 22, 2015

Augustinian the

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a diner with an attitude

food enthusiasts are going crazy over how the city of love has been welcoming more and more restaurants and diners that cater to the uniq ue ilonggo and filipino taste !

WORDS AND PHOTOS By MARA ELAIZA A. FLORES AND NICOLE AILICE F. SERISOLA

Looking from the glass wall, you may think of it as a little restaurant, with two long tables paired with metal bar stools, adding a modern feel to the crisp white walls with giant Scrabble tiles on brown planks. On the opposite side of the area, a stale grey wall is accentuated by a pair of wide minimal lines, in red and dandelion colors which travels across the whole wall. To balance the color scheme, red and mild-yellow chairs are cleverly arranged on each metal table. But hold your horses; it’s a diner, well, a sassy diner to be exact.

Pan and Griddle is a mix of a restaurant and a diner, with a modern and unique twist. The place first opened doors on their soft opening last 28th of August. They serve the customary and popular diner fare of burgers, hotdogs, and ice cream, which can be a hit to students who seek new places for blogger-like Instagram posts to add to their feed.

As I entered, barely taking my seat, a waitress eagerly attended to me and placed an orange and black

theme, laminated menu sheet in front of me. I took my time reading each dish, but settled for Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders with fries, their House Special burger, and homemade Dulce de Leche ice cream.

Before my orders arrived at the

table, water was served in a green glass bottle and utensils in a tin can.

The Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders proved true to its name. Served a la diner style in wax paper on top of a pie plate/pan, the chicken tenders were accompanied with a bed of fries, and condiments of tomato ketchup and honey mustard on small glass bowls.

Each bite started off with the crunchy coating, and was taken over by the milky, soft chicken meat, every taste a

roller coaster of textures and flavours. The greaseless fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Surprisingly, they are not like those fries from fast food chains that would clump into one piece and get soggy after they have cooled down,

instead they stay crispy as ever.

Moving on to the dish that can only be tasted at Pan and Griddle – the House Special burger, consisting of their premium beef patty, cheese, red onion jam, herb garlic aioli, lettuce, and tomato, with a side of fries – once more – on wax paper on a pie pan.

The bright yellow bun, clearly made of potatoes, was soft to chew on. The piquant beef patty dominated - claiming its savory importance to the fundamental composition of

the burger, its hint of ground black pepper completing the burger experience. The cheese minimizes the liberal spice from the patty, including a right amount of creaminess to the burger. I recommend adding a couple of squirts of mustard

and ketchup for more zesty flavor.

After sailing on the savory sea, I took a short stop to Dessert Island to top off my voyage. The homemade Dulce de Leche ice cream was a great treat to end the

meal. Two scoops of luscious amber-like ice cream were placed on a white dessert plate with a generous swirl of chocolate and dulce de leche syrup. The ice cream was creamy and just has the right amount of sweetness – as they say, sweet but not too sweet. As some chocolate syrup got stuck on my spoon, a flavourful perfection tickled my taste buds upon indulging on my nectarous dessert.

The right bitterness from the cocoa in the chocolate syrup compliments the dulcet ice cream; the phrase in your mouth was demonstrated perfectly by that ice cream.

Dining at the Pan and Griddle was a timely experience.

Here, unlike any other places, you get to experience eating diner style without the stereotypical boisterous noise and greasy

food– well, except for eating literally on a pan!

The Pan and Griddle is located at Donato Pison Avenue in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Prices range from Php90270, quite pricey for average students but it’s a good deal if they want to change up once in a while, and experience the peculiar feel of having pans for plates. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tender with fries costs Php170, the House Special burger costs Php230, while the Dulce de Leche ice cream costs Php130. Their burgers, hotdogs, and sandwiches are all served in potato buns with crispy fries. If you’re on the light side and craving for greens, they have The “Pan” Salad (pun intended). They also serve Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders and Crispy Fish Fillet with rice, for those who just love their grains.

Filipino Augustinian the

B6

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin • Iloilo City, Philippines

Volume LXI Number 2 • October 22, 2015

ANO ANG ITATAYA MO PARA SA BAYAN? Pum ili ka! Bayan o sar ili? ni frennie m. tababa

file photos / heneral luna website

“Mas mahalaga ang papel natin sa digmaan kaysa sa anumang nararamdaman natin sa isa’t isa.”

Artikulo Uno. Ang sino mang lumabag sa utos ng punong heneral ay tatanggalan ng rango at papatayin ng walang paglilitis.

Bayani ang tawag sa iyo kapag ikaw ay namatay para sa bayan. Ito ang pagkakahulugan ng bayani sa mga nakaraang taon. Namatay si Jose Rizal dahil sa kanyang prinsipyo, si Andres Bonifacio dahil sa Katipunan, at si Heneral Antonio Luna dahil sa kanyang pakikipaglaban sa mga Amerikano. Tinawag silang mga bayani dahil produkto sila ng kanilang panahon. Sa ngayon, bayani ka kahit na isa kang guro, kahit na isa kang Overseas Filipino Worker, kahit na isa kang janitor. Ang importante sa panahon ngayon ay marangal ang iyong trabaho at nakatulong ka sa bayan.

SI Heneral Luna (John Arcilla) ay ipinakita sa kuwento na isang mandirigma na ang pagmamahal sa kanyang bayang sinilangan ay para ipaglaban ang kasarinlan na nagtungo sa kanyang brutal na pagkamatay. Ang kanyang dedikasyon ay nagdulot sa kanya na gumawa ng mga desisyon na pwedeng makapahamak sa kanyang buhay. Isa pa sa kanyang mga karakter ay ang pagiging hotblooded na nagpamalupit sa

heneral ngayon. Ayon nga kay Christian Evren Lozañes, Operations Director ng Dakila Collective Iloilo, “He is a brilliant man, but not the best.

[Siya ay matalinong tao pero hindi pinakamagaling].”

Ang dalawang oras na pelikula ni Jerrold Tarog ay mabagsik at makabuluhan.

Mabagsik sapagkat ipinakita ang samo’t-saring karahasan at kahirapang natamo ng mga Pilipino sa panahon ng Pilipino-Amerikanong digmaan. Makabuluhan dahil kahit na gaano kaseryoso ng mga parte sa pelikula, nagawa paring lagyan ng mga kwelang dialogo. Kahit na ito ay ang pinakamahal na independent film ng produksyon, hindi ito ginawa para pagkakitaan ng organisasyon kundi ang magpalathala tungkol sa ating bayani. “This movie is a campaign for modern heroism.

[Ang pelikulang ito ay para sa kampanya ng modernong pagkabayani],” dagdag ni Lozañes.

Isa ito sa mga pelikulang nagpapa-alala sa ating nakaraan na hindi natuturo sa

paaralan, na hindi nababasa sa mga libro. Katulad na lamang sa pulitika, hindi maikakaila ang kurapsyon sa pamahalaan, ang dogma na hindi pa rin nagbabago, ang pag-aagawan sa teritoryo, at pakikipaglaban para sa kasarinlan na nananatili pa rin sa mga Pilipino para pahalagahan ang bayan. Sabi nga ni Heneral Luna, “Mas magandang mamatay sa digmaan kaysa magpasakop sa dayuhan.”

Sa kabilang banda, naipakita rin sa pelikula ang hindi maitatangging katotohanan na maging sa sariling bayan ay nanaig ang sariling interes ng na untiunting lumalason sa kariktan ng bayan ni Juan. Ang realidad na mismong si Luna ang nagpahayag sa kanyang sinabi na “Ang totoong kaaway ng mga Pilipino ay ang kanyang sarili”.

Hinihikayat ng organisasyong Dakila ang mga estudyante na panoorin ang pelikula sapagkat marami ang aral na nakapaloob dito.

Ang mga estudyante ang pakay na manonood nito para

KASAYSAYAN AT KABAYANIHAN. John Arcilla, ang aktor na gumanap kay Heneral Luna, at ang Direktor na si Jerold Tarrog ay dumayo sa FDCP Cinematheque Iloilo para sa isang advanced special screening at forum kung saan dumalo ang iilang miyembro ng The Augustinian. (file photo / christian evren g. lozañes)

habang nasa murang edad ay mamulat na sila at mapalawak ang kanilang pag-iisip. “It is something they should not miss. [Ito ay hindi nila dapat pinapalampas],” komento ni Lozañes.

Kahit na iba’t-iba ang ating tinahak na daan, may iisa parin tayong adbokasiya, iyon ay

makamit ang dapat makamit ng ating bayan. Malaya nga tayo pero sapat na ba ang kalayaang natamo natin para tayo’y maging progresibo? Sapat na ba ang kalayaan para mawaksi ang kahirapan at korapsyon sa bansa? Habang tayo ay nabubuhay, may magagawa tayo. Sabi nga ni Tado Jimenez,

miyembro din ng Dakila, habang siya pa ay buhay, “Hindi dapat ang mamatay ng dahil sa’yo kundi ang mabuhay ng dahil sa’yo.” Ikaw, ano ang taya mo? Sa isang bansa na madalas na isyu ang katotohanan sa mga nanunungkulan, ano ang magagawa mo? Ano ang pipiliin mo? Bayan o sarili?

spectacle AugustiniAn the

B7

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin • Iloilo City, Philippines

Volume LXI Number 2 • October 22, 2015

LIVING THE “GAME” A M OVI E R E VI EW ON ‘PIX ELS’

By FRENNIE M. TABABA

BOOK ReVieW

How to say I love you out loud A S TO RY THAT CHANGE S THE DE F INITIO N O F A L OVE S TO RY

By STEphANIE kAy L. uRQuIoLA

piXels THe MOVie / GAMEZONE

Semester

Blameless Society

Back Off

Columbus, the guy behind Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, and the first two Harry Potter, the Pixels truly conveyed the addictive pleasures of gaming.

Bringing the outmoded characters into a destructive life, the visual effects were skillfully integrated with live-actions.

of us actually fit the description of what video gaming really looks like, or truly conveyed the addictive pleasures of gaming, rather than serving up another clump of witless one-liners, strained reaction shots and unnecessary celebrity cameos.

The best part for me was

“Parents can watch this with their children, despite this not being 100% perfect.”

Some characters were wasted like Jane Krakowski as the First Lady, whose most important scene requires her to laugh and decorate a cake.

If only the movie in front

when the Japanese owner of the Pac-man tries to reason out to his creation but eventually, he was bitten off in the arm by the yellow menace. Adding fun to the excitement of the movie, the

most engaging character in the is the adorable life sized version of q-bert.

Even though, in the duration, the film has received many laughs, critics say that Pixels has went down as one of the season’s bigger disappointments in the way that it easily gives up its ghosts.

Adam Sandler was bashed and labeled as someone trying to scrape the bottom of the comedy barrel as he fails to entertain once again; but if you belong in the generation where Pac-man and Centipede was played, then, the movie may bring a feeling of nostalgia about your childhood life.

This is the movie that shows patriotism to our planet saying, in a weirdly comedic way, “It’s now high time to save the World.”

By RoNNyL B. BuLAhAN

By hERoD A. MoNTIEL AnD hANNAh T. ALINSANGAN

By DARyL S. SELERIo

snuGGlYOranGes.COM

WHEN aliens misinterpreted the video feeds of the classic arcade games, they declared war against the Earth using life sized arcade characters.

President Will Cooper (Kevin James), with the intention of not losing the earth to the extraterrestrial creatures after 3 games, employed his friends, Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), Eddie “The Fire Blaster” Plant (Peter Dinklage) and Ludlow Lamonsoff (Josh Gad), professional arcade gamers, with Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten (Michelle Monaghan) supplying them with pixel-blasting light canons. The film ended with the saving-the-world final game “Donkey Kong”, the game which Brenner fails at when he was still 13 years old, and this time, with his team, they won.

Directed by Chris

JORDYN MICHAELSON has an autistic brother and needless to say, most of the family’s choice and attention has left her in the background. She’s resentful, but not to the point where her character irritates you for being the cliché rebel-girl-I-needattention character. This book offers a perspective on family and personal growth and the struggles in between.

Philip, Jordyn’s brother, goes to a special school that shut down due to lack of funds so he has no choice but to attend Jordyn’s elite high school where reputations are built by a careful set of bricks. Jordyn is determined to hide the fact that she has an autistic brother especially from her love interest slash best friend, Alex. Alex is the prince of all prince charming’s – a guy with a heart strong enough to accept the world and its disappointments; Alex is a genuine character that was written and portrayed as more than just Jordyn’s other half.

Just like any other story, the main character had her struggles.

What made this book stand out, however, was that the characters weren’t portrayed the way they normally would be in YA book.

This story gave depth to the characters in a way that only a good book can. Jordyn, her family, Philip, and Alex were characters you someday hope to find and have.

Alex was impossible not to fall in love with. He was such a wonderful friend and so supportive to no end. Phillip realistically showed his struggles with his disability, as well a show it affected his entire family and everyone else surrounding him.

The way the kids at school reacted to the incidents he was involved in seemed pretty accurate and honestly broke my heart at bit. It was nice to see the strong parental presence Jordyn’s mother had in her family. Rarely do I get to read YA books emphasizing the importance of this relationship..

K n o w i n g her brother’s condition, she can come across as a bit selfish but the way her character was narrated made up for it. All of the attention has always been on her brother. Her family has the philosophy that equality in the love and time the kids receive doesn’t need to be equal, but based on how much they actually need. Growing up in that kind of environment, it’s not hard to imagine why Jordyn grew up to resent her brother, albeit unconsciously.

This story will stick with me forever. This book teaches you a lesson without peppering the whole book with details; it allowed you to feel things on your own.

The pacing of the story was well-written and gave great scenes regarding Jordyn’s rocky relationship with her Mom and Philip. The author didn’t leave anything out but also didn’t put too much emphasis to make it too heavy a read.

“It’s really hard to say the words I love you when you know you’ll likely never hear them back.”

The good thing about the story is that Jordyn’s love interest or social life wasn’t the highlight of the story. This book casts a much-needed light on mental health awareness and how families cope, and different perspectives and perceptions readers need to feel and understand. It emphasized how some people are emotionally closed off for a reason, and that sometimes they have to work through it on their own. This book reminded me that happy endings don’t always mean having the perfect relationship.

Sometimes, a happy ending means just being happy.

Panorama Augustinian the

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Agustin • Iloilo City, Philippines

Volume LXI Number 2 • October 22, 2015

usa pub PHOTOs / John eLMER J. BALAN, CLYDE Allen E. SOLLESTA, mara elaiza a. flores, and mary johsyen e. pabalinas

ALL HEART

by Mary Johsyen e. Pabalinas AND CLYDE ALLEN E. SOLLESTA

The Augustinian spirit cannot be described specifically through any sentence or any choice of words; being an Augustinian means sharing your talents to the world even when the sacrifice sometimes seems greater than the reward. These pictures that we have captured show how Augustinians bare their hearts and their spirit towards everything that they do; thus bringing greater glory to our University. We are also able to share one goal -- a harmony of interest that creates a shared identity of love and charity.