Forum-Dimensions Online Newsletter

Vol. I No. 1

he FORU T M Integrity. Reliability. Commitment.

The Official University Student Newspaper of West Visayas State University, La Paz, Iloilo City

August - October 2016

INCONVENIENCE. Daily routines are disrupted, whilst the ongoing road construction takes place. JOHN GLEN L. TEORIMA

Traffic problems endure, vex Taga-West

by MARJOE RENZ DOMINC P. DEITA & CHARMAINE ROSE P. MONTE

Aggravated reactions started to flare up from taga-West students as the road construction in Luna St., La Paz started to take effect last August 2016.

The road construction was, according to Engr. Ray Macalalag of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), an upgrading of the road from asphalt to concrete.

“The road construction in

front of the campus is a grating situation. We are constantly faced by the predicament of being late in class because the roads are congested and because rerouting of vehicles like Jaro Liko Tagbak jeepneys causes much delay. The struggle is definitely real,” Dorothy Causing, a student of the College of Business and Management, said.

“I have to make adjustments in

my sleeping schedule for me not to be affected by the mad traffic jam.

Not to mention we have to look out and be cautious for vehicles passing by puddles on the road caused by the construction because we don’t want going to school with grubby, dirty uniforms with muddy water,” Patricia Mitchelle Parcon of the College of Arts and Sciences added.

“We have been experiencing

problems in the regulation of traffic flow inside the University effected by the road construction. We have also witnessed how the students struggle to get passenger jeepneys or cabs, so the overcrowding in front of the main gate is also a burden for us,” said Mr. Ryan Valentin, security personnel.

According to Engr. Ormel

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MIS gears up for major upgrades

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By FRANCIS CEDIE F. PALAO

To cater the growing needs of the University, the Management Information System (MIS) will conduct a major upgrade on both of its hardware and software systems, especially to the Integrated University Information System (IUIS), amounting to about six million pesos for the academic year of 2017.

“You can consider this major upgrade as the IUIS version 2.0.

It will include enhancement in its security, underlying technology such as its back-end database, system and web servers. It is a comprehensive update for the evolving need of the university in the next five years,” said Mr. Louie Cervantes, MIS director.

IUIS 2.0 will see an enhancement in its student, faculty

NEWS UEDC inaugurates new building page 2

and academic management modules among others which is accessed online for various university transactions.

Furthermore, the upgrade will also include the full integration of the SM Bills payment system to the IUIS. The previous hardware system request was installed last 2010 and the upgrade for it has been acquired this year which includes server with higher specifications.

“The reason why, at least annually, update the underlying operating systems, web servers, database servers, is to keep up with the patches and improvements of its manufacturers. This upgrade is timely because the average lifetime of a hardware before it needs an upgrade is five years,” Cervantes

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EDITORIAL Filipino's AntiIntellectualism probed page 4

INCREASING AWARENESS. Physical Science Department

oversees the studies being presented at the forum. WVSU WEBSITE

Forum discusses research on smoking

By Ryan Nicole R. Flores

A public research forum, as a highlight of this year’s Science Day, discussed the results of the research study entitled: “Cigarette Smoking in Iloilo City Schools: Smokers’ Profile, Awareness, Intervention, and Enforcement,” by the Physical Sciences Department, September 5.

Prof. Agatha Z. Senina, Prof.

Grace A. Manajero, Prof. Eileene L. Loreno, and Prof. Ritchell O.

Tuvillo headed the said forum convening students who are taking physical science subjects at the Cultural Center.

Fortifying this year’s theme, “Building a Science Nation: Utilizing Science Knowledge to cope with Global Health Problems,” the study’s results were presented and discussed through

FEATURE

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Depths Within: Kuliatan's Guarded Waters page 7

www.forum-dimensions.com

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NEWS

August-October 2016

The

FORUM

UEDC inaugurates new building

By Jonel P. Amio

ENHANCING THE CAPABILITIES. UEDC raises new structure to accomodate more innovative and creative research. JOHN GLEN L. TEORIMA

WVSU offers new masters, Ph.D.

By FRANCIS CEDIE F. PALAO

To broaden its scope in the field of post graduate studies, West Visayas State University (WVSU) is now offering three new master’s programs in music, information technology and business management and will offer a new Ph.D. and another master’s program in the fields of language teaching and industrial technology.

Since the second semester of AY 2015-2016, The College of PESCAR and the recently accredited College of Information and Communications Technology has been offering its Master’s in Music and Master’s in Information Technology programs, respectively.

The University also gained the approval of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to offer the Master’s in Business Management under the College of Business Management

(CBM) for the first semester of this academic year.

Furthermore, the Office of the Director of Instruction and Quality Assurance (DIQA) is now working on the program Masters in Industrial Technology to be offered in the WVSU Pototan Campus for the first semester of AY 2017-2018.

Moreover, the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Language Teaching has already been proposed to the Academic and Administrative Councils and the DIQA is waiting for the additional requirements to be submitted to CHED. “All these programs, they already have their proposals. We are only waiting for the Board of Regents’ approval for the Master’s in Industrial Technology and CHED Endorsement for the Ph.D. in Language Teaching,” explained Dr. Alona M. Belarga, DIQA.

To provide quality facilities for research and extension programs, the University Extension and Development Center (UEDC) inaugurated a new building, October 20.

Located near Magsaysay Village annex to the General Services Office, the new Research and Extension (R&E) Building Complex is to serve as both an office and cradle for programs and activities of the UEDC and other related offices.

Moreover, Dr. Noemi S. Nepomuceno, Director of the Extension Office said, “The news building complex will be an enabling and conducive office for research and extension professionals and faculty of the University.”

Being a building complex, the ground breaking rites of the soonto-erect Science Research Center, the twin infrastructure of the R&E building, was also a part of the program.

“The building complex is to enhance the capabilities [of the professionals and the faculty] to a more innovative and creative work that is research-based for technology transfer, promotion and training,” Dr. Nepomuceno added.

The inauguration program kicked off with a mass and a tree planting activity followed by a Techno Forum.

An exhibit and bazaar book launching of DAGAYA: Success Stories of WVSU’s Extension and Development Office Projects was also featured.

Bloodletting advocacy brings in Taga-West, community donors

By MARJOE RENZ DOMINIC P. DEITA

With the utmost aim to amass blood benefactors for the advocacy of blood donation and to alleviate the suffering of other people, the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Blood Bank Center, BS Biology Pre-med 4-A and 4-C, BS Nursing Batch 2019, and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Extension Unit joined forces for a bloodletting activity with the theme: “Blood is Life… Be a Donor” held September 27 in Rizal Hall.

“I am very happy because the support for the event is overwhelming and because my students realize the value

of donating blood. This year, we got more than 200 bags. For that, we were named the fifth ‘bloodiest’ program by the PNRC,” Prof. Celia Magno, extension coordinator of the Biological Sciences Department of CAS, said.

The said event that brought in donors from inside and outside WVSU also gathered support from Dr. Gerard L. Penecilla, chairman of the Biological Sciences Department, Prof. Hilda C. Lorilla, CAS extension coordinator, and Dr. Nancy Surmieda, dean of the Office of Student Affairs.

IC hosts 11th Nat'l Youth Parliament

By REX MENARD L. CERVALES

With the aim of upholding youth-centered legislation, 200 youth leaders from all over the Philippines flocked to Iloilo City for the 11th National Youth Parliament (NYP) held at Sarabia Manor Hotel, June 1-4.

The NYP is a gathering of the country's "brightest and most passionate" 15-30-yearold leaders who applied for their participation.

Furthermore, this biennial gathering of young leaders organized by the National Youth Commission (NYC) also aims to craft policies and recommendations that will be used as basis in the creation of the commission's programs.

Aaron Joseph Castaño and Erika Mae Javier of the College of Communication and Eleazar Danila and John Carl Alonsagay of the College of Education represented West Visayas State University in the event.

"It was the first time to hold the prestigious gathering of youth leaders here in Iloilo City. It was a great timing, especially that the SK reform law has been approved and waits its full implementation through an election this October," said Alonsagay.

The constituting of the Youth Parliament is mandated by the Section 13 of the Youth in Nation Building Act of 1995 or the RA 8044.

HUMBLE VICTORY. Regidor bows her head to receive her fruit of labor. RAFEL M. MACARIO-REGIDOR

Taga-West lands in Guidance Counseling Exam top spot

By ALYSSA JUDE M. MONTALBAN

A graduate of Master in Education with specialization in Guidance and Counselling of West Visayas State University (WVSU), Rafel M. Macario-Regidor topped the August 2016 Guidance Licensure Examination at 4th place with a rating of 85.90%.

With a passing rate of 71.43% against the national passing percentage of 61.28%, Ruby P.

Faunillo, Ruel F. Java, Daisy P. Peñano and Annie Rose D. Magbanua along with MacarioRegidor comprised the five passers coming from the University.

The seven examinees from WVSU were comprised of 6 new takers and 1 repeater.

The examinations were held simultaneously in Manila and Cagayan De Oro.

The

FORUM 3 NEWS Ilonggas partake in global breastfeeding August-October 2016

By RIGGS ZYRILLE G. VERGARA

With the goal of promoting and normalizing breastfeeding worldwide, more than 100 Ilongga mothers join the simultaneous breastfeeding event of the Global Big Latch On (GBLO) 2016, organized by the Breastfeeding Ilongga held at SM City Iloilo, August 6.

In celebration of the World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1-7), the GBLO gathers mothers every year at registered locations worldwide, wherein they will have to simultaneously breastfeed their babies in one minute.

“We’re happy that we’re over the normalization,” said Mrs. Adhara Sebuado, head organizer, emphasizing the achievements of

their 3rd year participation to the global event.

Sebuado also said that with the growing number of participants every year and the current support of the government, their goal of promoting the upkeep of breastfeeding is going near to success.

To show his support, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog came to the event, saying that he was happy to see the participation of mothers in the event.

“Our goal is to work with [Iloilo] city for our breastfeeding rate to be sustainable…to prolong the desire duration of the mothers to breastfeed,” Sebuado added..

Rita De Leon, mother from

from Forum discusses...

the course of the event with Dr. Venus P. Diaz as moderator in the open forum.

Guest speakers from different agencies also graced the event, such as: Mr. Inigo D. Garingalao from Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force; Sr. Health Program Officer John Richard La Pascua from the Department of Health; OIC Superintendent Clarissa G. Zamorra from DepEd Iloilo Division; and Mr. Jayson Troy Bajar, president of Central Philippine University Republic.

“The Research Paper is a research done by the Physical Science Department Faculty under the URDC, we were able to complete it actually in 2015 last year. Then we are looking forward to publicly reveal the results of the research paper. The different agencies which were mentioned were very glad. You know, doing some research related to smoking is very timely and relevant at this point of time because as we all know smoking is a worldwide problem,” Prof Manajero said.

from MIS gears up....

explained.

Another recent upgrade of the facility such the Unified Threat Management (UTM), a set of software which acts as a firewall to defend the network system, is already in place.

MIS also included on their 2017 budget proposal, the Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), a device that can examine the data passing through the network, impose from Traffic problems...

A. Santos, officer-in-charge of the Construction Division of DPWH Region VI, it would be “hard and costly” to maintain the asphalt road as it gets deteriorated every three to five years, thereby necessitating concreting.

Santos explained that the road in front of the University has been overlaid with asphalt two times previously and that both overlays have gone through

network traffic rules like the UTM, identify the specific origin of the network traffic and immediately determine where the threats are coming from when intrusions happen.

“The device costs around half a million. There is still no assured budget. We are hoping that we will have enough funds to purchase the IPsec that will improve the network,” Cervantes said. damage already because of the frailness of the material.

“Sa tanan nga mga gakaapektuhan, we apologize for the inconvenience. Agi lang man na ah, antus lang danay gamay.

Pagkatapos sini, nami naman dayun ang pagbiyahe ta. Dugangdugangan ta lang ang pasensya ta, because we cannot deny that this is development. Gamay na lang gid nga antus ah,” Santos added.

HANDS UP. Ilongga mothers raising their hands as they finished the one full minute. JOHN GLEN L. TEORIMA Leganes, was awarded as the longest breastfeeding mother during the event. She has been breastfeeding her child for almost 4 years.

“The experience is very

fulfilling and it gives us more time to bond with each other.”, said De Leon.

The said event also featured raffle draws and peer support to guide mothers with concerns about

NEWS BITS

Geroche refurbishes Hinilawod

By JONEL P. AMIO

After 37 years, Sir Art Geroche, artist of Hinilawod, run smack into his masterpiece for a sole reason–to restore it.

The 70-year old artist restrokes his paintbrush on the vandalized painting as the start of its restoration process at the Cultural Center lobby, July 25.

“Ina challenge sa akon

eh, kung paano ko mapabalik kag mapatahum pa. Amon na akon plano,” Geroche said.

The Hinilawod is one among four of Geroche’s works in the university. Three others are the ‘Barter of Panay’, ‘Jose Rizal’s Visit in Iloilo’ and ‘The Ten Datus from Borneo’, all located at the president’s office.

CAS co-spearheads IP forum

By ALYSSA JUDE M. MONTALBAN

To promote and protect the rights of the Indigenous People of Panay, West Visayas State University College of Arts and Sciences co-sponsored the Kinaiya kag Kinamatarong: A Lecture Forum on the Indigenous Peoples of Panay at WVSU Center for Teaching Excellence, October 29.

In collaboration with University of the Philippines Visayas - Center for West Visayan Studies (CWVS), Indigenous Peoples Resource Center (IPRC) and in partnership with National Commission on The road construction is bound to end in January 2017 but may get extended due to inclement weather.

“Just a little sacrifice.

Personally, I feel nga tani it had been done before the rainy days,

Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region VI and VII, the activity is in line with the Indigenous Peoples Month celebration.

Aside from the forum, the Iloilo Cinematheque showcased a three-day Indigenous Peoples Film Series featuring Bontoc, Eulogy, a 1995 drama mockumentary by Marlon Fuentes, Ang babae sa Likod ng Mambabatoc, a film about the last traditional tattoo artist of Kalinga and Busol: the Last Headhunter that mirrors the head hunting practices of some groups in Kalinga. but of course, all we can do now is to have a little sacrifice kay kung mag-ok na na ang road, it will make travel easier for us,” said Dr. Nancy Surmieda, dean of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA).

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August-October 2016

OPINION

Backward Evolution

The

FORUM

How a man turns into an ape in just one click Just like Filipino time, crab mentality, and other negative Filipino traits, there is another item for the ever-increasing list, anti-intellectualism. Anti-intellectualism or simply smart-shaming can be summarized in 5 words, “Sige na, ikaw na matalino!” You hear them in every day conversation or in an everyday online post. It has ostracized those who think outside the box and were told, “Ikaw na ang magaling!” This cancer of society has its origin in the Spanish era and has slithered its way to the modern Filipino society.

Anti-intellectualism puts an end to intellectual discourse, and those who Editorial present an unusual way of thinking are immediately stereotyped–and the casual exchange of ideas is halted. Anti-intellectualism is defined as the hostility and mistrust of intellectual pursuits. Those who present an atypical way of thinking are immediately stereotyped. The supposed-to-be intellectual exchange of information suddenly turns into a nonsense bashing just because that person presented a fact-based opinion.

Since smart-shaming puts an end to intellectual discourse, hence it is also used by powerful leaders, throughout history. For example, this was used as a tool by totalitarians to avoid intellectuals from questioning norms.

The Khmer Rouge of Cambodia lets civilians with elementary education live while executing those with higher education, including those with glasses because they indicate literacy.

In Marcos regime, intellectuals were declared as subversives and were detained, tortured or executed individually or en mass during martial law. In today’s peaceful times, these horrors are subconsciously transmitted even to the most casual retorts like “Puro ka reklamo, ano bang nagawa mo para sa bansa?” subconsciously preventing the human mind

from relieving times where questioning societal norms is deadly.

Aside from its bloody origin both outside and inside the country, anti-intellectualism has its origin in the Spanish era education which ultimately cultivated mediocrity and limited out-of-the-box thinking to the modern Filipinos. According to Dr. Virgilio Enriquez in his book “Sikolohiyang Filipino”, we, Filipinos developed a sense of togetherness or “kapwa” throughout the history of our education. During the Spanish and American colonization, only wealthy Filipinos had access to formal education thus creating a gap between Filipinos relationships. These social relationships were carried to the modern times by a sense of togetherness that common Filipinos are poor. As a result, most of the people ostracized those that are not there “kapwa mahirap” and stereotyped those who have alternative opinions as aloof, elitist, arrogant and “matapobre” (anti-poor).

When meditating, one of the major obstacles is overcoming the monkey’s mind. It is only an itch preventing one from concentration. Just like the road to progress, anti-intellectualism is only one of the multiple invisible itches of the Sick Man of Asia. Just like what Thomas Edison said, “Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress." If we are always contented with what we are given and refuse to ask questions - and if we condemn those who actually do - then we accept our step backward while everyone else leaves us behind. Our failure then becomes no one's fault but our own.

Imagine the social media a year from now bombarded with people throwing nonsense rebuttals against someone who presented something factual. Imagine yourself scrolling through your social networking timeline without reading anything informative because the ones who used to post these kind of stuff decided to stop sharing their thoughts because they are bashed and labeled as “knowit-all” or “arrogant” by the people who knows less than what they know. This situation is almost synonymous to a picture of a professional lost in the jungle and made fun by a bunch of monkeys around him. No matter how smart and knowledgeable he is, he’s powerless just because he’s outnumbered, so he chose to escape instead of presenting his idea to the monkeys who will never ever understand.

Same goes with the people who suddenly burst out with the words, “Oo na, ako na ang bobo!” instead of listening to the thought of the other. They may be even proud for they left the other party speechless, thinking that they nailed the argument but little did they know, they just turned monkeys out of their own selves.

The

OPINION

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August-October 2016

Blood Ties

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away from the shore, away from the lighthouse. I ventured the field of media. Focused on journalism, photography and film. I stopped trying to be an arnisador, a dancer, even a beauty queen. I took routes I didn’t even know existed. I was even more passionate in my craft. And somehow amidst the underlying expectations of being just like them, I found my bourne.

There are people out there like my sisters, people who are good at everything. Those who don’t even have to try so hard. But I am not one of them, I am not even near to being one of them. I have sisters whose perfection drives me to try, even if I fail. I am still a work in progress.

Some people know their place in this world, those who know exactly what they want, those who have it all figured out, the lucky ones. You may not believe it, but such people do exist. But I am not one of them.

Since I was young, I’ve always lived behind the shadows of an athlete, a dancer, and a beauty queen. I looked up to my sisters more than anyone. They excelled in their chosen fields, people knew

who they are.

At 10 years old, I sought to be just like them. I wanted what they wanted, wore the clothes that they used to wear. I was your typical sister following her older sisters like a stray ship in the middle of the sea and they were my lighthouse.

At 12 years old, I entered the same high school my sisters were in. During the entrance exam, the proctors and teachers knew me because of them. They had high

hopes for me. There and then I realized that I had big shoes to fill.

I forced myself into ambition, all for the sake of keeping up with my sister. I trained to be an arnisador.

I took dance classes. I trained to be poised and graceful like a true queen. But failed. I lost every 'labanan', I became a frustrated dancer, became a laughingstock in pageants. I was pushed around and I had to push back. I knew that I had to stop following my sister's footsteps. Stop following the light and start a new voyage. Find a new destination.

Growing up, I took different courses and programs from my sisters. I went further and further

When was the last time you felt left out? When was the very last time you felt lost, shattered, and betrayed?

Can you still recall the times you felt like your heart stopped beating—not because you are dead but because you felt useless? Ask me, I’d give you the most nonsense answer. I can’t.

I can’t remember the times people treated me like I’m the worst person in the world. I can’t remember the last time people, faceto-face, showed me my flaws and imperfections. I can’t remember the last time that my best wasn’t good enough. Why? Because they made me feel that way so many times

that I couldn’t even imagine how I accepted it all. I can’t think of the ways how I dealt with all those criticism, and how I managed to continue living. Or did I really? Did I really accept it the way other people would’ve accepted it? Is it really possible to be alive after being killed so many times?

Yes. I think it is. “There’s always a sunshine after the rain”, it means hope. I know that hope is cruel because it reminds us of what almost was, but it would also remind us that we shouldn’t be dragged down by those people who doesn’t even know how to appreciate. We’re worth more. We deserve more.

I know that I once wished for my heart to stop beating, I honestly did. And the feeling of doing such wish made me realize that this won’t do me any good. Yes, I may be broken, but to tell you frankly, I don’t want to stop this heart from serving its purpose anymore. Its job is to make me alive, and that’s what I’m going to do. I will stay alive. I should. I don’t want to be like those people who appreciates no one, yet

criticizes everyone. Why? Because I know how it felt to have no heart, to have no feelings. And you couldn’t call it an escape. You can’t call it anything, because it shouldn’t exist.

So get up and live your life the way you should be living it.

All you need to do is to be perfect for yourself. You’ll live. Trust me, I’ve been there and I’ve done that.

If I died because of all those, you wouldn’t be reading this.

it all. The demand is even greater.

The lectures alone are exhausting as it doesn’t just require your learning capacity but you also need to have great self-control and the ability to not answer back and slap the hell out of your unjust and unfair teachers.

You will have so much stress that by the end of the semester you have drained out all of yourself. And that’s what I exactly felt the night before the deadlines of everything – empty and tired of trying.

I was contemplating all of this while walking my way home; that maybe I have chosen the wrong

course and I am not capable or fit for any of this. But my thoughts were then disrupted by a meek voice beside me. “Nong, pwede ko kapanilhig sa inyo balay?” she uttered. “Ha? Ngaa haw?” I confusingly replied. “Para may inugbalon ko bwas magskwela.” she said, still shy for her words.

Then I gave her my plastic bag filled with food and walked away. But I suddenly stopped on my tracks and came back, and gave her money as her “balon”.

I suddenly stopped not only to give her money but to thank her as well, because in that moment it was only not her who was blessed with something. It was in that moment that I realized that this girl is not one of those common mendicants who do nothing but be in the streets

all day. This little girl is trying hard to find a job, even short-lived ones, just to suffice her education. She understands that in this world you can’t just beg for something to get what you want; that the world is not some wish-granting factory.

She made me realize that I cannot reach anything great with all this procrastination and blame game that I’m always doing with my college life. Her presence made me see that it is not yet too late for me or for anyone. And that we should not only settle for what we have right now; that we have something greater ahead of us if we just keep trying, and that success is not something that is to be waited until tomorrow, but something that we need to do now.

Tormented

I have always been a procrastinator since I was in high school. I do all the work at the very night before the deadline, when all of the outputs, projects and requirements and even publication articles had all piled up into one big mountain of stress. And until now, my procrastination hasn’t wavered even one bit. It works for me. It’s not because I have lack of motivation or I feel lethargic and lazy. I used to think that I work better under pressure.

And I usually yield, if not great, reasonable results.

But entering college changed

An Epiphany

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FEATURE

August-October 2016

The

FORUM

depths within: Kuliatan's Guarded Waters

By ALYSSA JUDE M. MONTALBAN Photos by Marjoe Renz Dominic P. DEita

The small cottage perched in a tall stone formation fondly called as Babaw Bato was its main attraction. Offering a scenic view of San Joaquin’s pristine waters and soft salty breeze of the sea, it was a salve to broken and wandering hearts.

However, to George Mendoza, operations manager of Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary in Sinogbuhan, San Joaquin, Babaw Bato was more than just a tourist attraction. Initially built as a fortress to protect him from the two-hectare coral garden from illegal fishing, Babaw Bato became a testament to how one community, from being exploiters had been transformed to vanguards of the sea.

Untouched beauty A two-hectare protected area off the coast of Sinogbuhan, San Joaquin, Iloilo, Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary is one of the established marine reserves protected by 15 coastal baranggays and the

local government unit.

Described by one visitor as a pearl “wedged on a ledge between the mountain and the sea,” Kuliatan is one of the identified marine sanctuaries that can be accessed by tourists. Boasting a small cottage atop a coral formation accessed via wooden bridge known as Babaw Bato, Kuliatan brings wonder and magic to many. A small enclosure with cool and pristine waters with a passageway leads to a cavelike-structure, resembling an outstanding pool.

However, Kuliatan reminds its visitors that the area is not another tourist spot.

“Kay ang ja protected area damo ini siya siling nga ginabawal namon. Parehas abi, bawal mangisda, bawal manguha corals, shell kag ang pinaka importante ang basura, amo na ang pinakabawal diri,” shared Manong George.

Way back then As a native resident, Manong George recalled how Kuliatan witnessed his formative years. Without slippers on, Manong George could still easily navigate through the sharp edges of the coral formations.

He also narrated how they frolicked in the small pools of Kuliatan and explored the crevices o f

the coral formations, leading to accidental discovery of hidden passages, but he also witnessed his degredation. “Sang una nga tiempo, 1980s, ang isda, dalagko pa katama, asta sa nag abot ang 1990, tag amo pa ni sya (points to his arm) asta nga sang 2000, tag amo nalang ni sya (gestures to his palm), ti kung sigehon mo to siya, maubos gid siya. Kag wala na may mabilin.”

It was when Kuliatan was surveyed by a group from the University of the Philippines – Visayas and declared a marine sanctuary by virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 7 series of 2009, Manong George volunteered to protect and supervise the marine reserve.

However, the establishment of a marine sanctuary in the coasts of Sinogbuhan was met with hostility and resistance.

“Sang una, nagasunggod ang mga tawo sang ginprotektaran namon ang two hectares, ti ang mga tawo daw nangakig kay siling nila ginkuhaan namon sila livelihood, ginsampolan namon sila dakpon kag ako may yara man sang threats,” shared Manong George.

Renewed Kuliatan brought the change not entirely limited to the rehabilitation of the aquatic resources in the area, but to its people.

“Imbis sang una nga ako ang

nagabantay sang mga tawo diri, subong ako na ang ginabantayan sang tawo kay naga income na ang Kuliatan,” Manong George imparted.

“Subong, kung may makakita sa imo nga dira ka nagapangisda sa sulod, damo na ang naga report, indi lang ako,” he added.

Currently, the marine sanctuary is playing a key role in bringing the baranggay to development by providing jobs to the residents.

“Ang pinaka nubo namon nga income kung indi peak season is Php 30,000, halos 35% sina nagakadto sa baranggay tapos ang iban gina divide sa munisipyo kag sa tag-iya sang lupa.

Kung summer makadangat kami mga Php 150,000 to Php 190,000,” shared Manong George.

Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary is more than just a tourist destination. It is the living and breathing proof of how one community struggled to humble themselves before nature and preserve what was bound to be lost.

The

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Superhuman

August-October 2016

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& BEYOND

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago: UNCENSORED

By ELLA HYACINTH R. GOLEZ & MARY ZELIET L. PARIS Illustration by JOE RENZ T. CATALAN

It’s a normal day in Iloilo City circa 1949-1950. She had just entered kindergarten in Lincoln School. She had the prettiest curls and she was smart─ they would say.

She would answer the questions on the board without a sweat, but here comes her teacher’s niece, repeatedly erasing her work from the blackboard. She was smart, yes, but that didn’t mean she’s patient.

Grabbing the girl’s hair, she dropped her to the floor and wrestled her.

Well, that little wrestler grew up to be Asia’s Iron Lady.

She was Inday Miriam.

She conquered the world with her brilliance, winning the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize. The first Asian from a developing country to be hailed as one, she was also awarded as one of the Outstanding Young Men for Law, the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World by the Australian magazine, and elected as judge of the International Criminal Court.

But what’s scribbled here are the little stories in a giant’s life that make her THE Miriam These are the raw, uncensored, Miriam moments.

The Iron lady of Asia I’m Zim Dela Cruz, the biggest fan of Sen. Santiago.

Who wouldn’t be proud of her achievements and intelligence that ridiculously stand out among her contemporaries at her days as the Immigration Commissioner? I was one of her volunteers in Youth for Miriam Movement─ Iloilo and that couldn’t make me any prouder. Her jokes were genuine products of a

brain with high IQ. If there was no MDS, the Senate and the Philippine politics would be boring.

Diehard fan And here comes the moment I would never forget in Sarabia Manor Hotel. I, and the other volunteers waited for her after her campaign in the University of the Philippines-Visayas in April.

During that time we were no longer volunteers but fans! I was lucky to have a selfie with her then. The funny thing was my phone only had two percent battery life. Luckily, I was successful to have a selfie with her. She was very approachable far much different from tough appearance.

Miriam Power It was surely a breathtaking moment, looking at her face and listening as she answers the questions of the media. Her slogan “will to win” during the 1992 Presidential Candidacy had a simple appeal but illuminates that once you’ve lost your passion to do what you’ve always wanted, your hope becomes frail to finish what you’re supposed do, these three words can enlighten your weary soul.

Honesty, if you please.

I am Engr. Salvador “Boy” Baldoza, assistant to the President of Narciso Santiago (NarSan) Security Group.

“Are you honest?” that was the question that had caught me offguard as I entered her office a few years ago.

It was an appallingly simple question but if we really ponder, it was definitely difficult! I didn’t

immediately say yes or even no. It wasn’t because I had no idea what to reply but I was still contemplating on my answer. If I told her that I was honest, of course, she would not be convinced. If I told her no, I might appear dumb, so I came up with the most genuine answer there was, “I believe that honesty is an important value that one should possess. Being true to your words, if we speak.”

An illuminating smile signified her satisfaction, giving me the best life lesson I’ll treasure forever.

Member of the brood As daylight kissed the entire surroundings, Sen. Miriam called me for breakfast. Since I was busy then, I thought I wouldn’t be able to join them. As persistent as she was, she invited me again. On the second thought, who was I to turn down a senator to breakfast?

I came over to their house and saw her and her family still on the dining table, waiting for me.

At that exact moment, my heart was overwhelmed when I heard her say, "We couldn’t start eating breakfast without you, Boy.” Guilt immediately engulfed myself for keeping them wait. Right there, I remembered what her Mommy Dimpna used to say, “Boy is already part of the family.”

Philippines’ lost sparkle MDS pulled off a lot of projects in parts of the country including in Iloilo without wanting to publicize her developments. There were times when some politicians claim

her projects as their own, but they didn’t hear a single thing from the senator. Since it was really Sen. Miriam’s idea of putting up that project, I really took a big leap forward to claim back what was rightfully. If only she was given the chance to lead the country, the first project that she would raise was the Iloilo-Guimaras Bridge.

The Miriam Magic She fearlessly holds unto the right and just convictions even if that would mean to brawl with some ginormous names behind this anomaly-stricken country. With that, she was tagged with numerous names like the platinum lady, the tiger lady, the incorruptible lady, the dragon lady, the iron Lady of Asia, the woman who eats death threats for breakfast, the queen of hugot lines, the queen of popularity polls, and the campus champ. But to millions of people who continue to look up to her, she was best known as the “Miriam magic”.

There was never a battle she left undefeated, often coming home a victor. Four years ago, another foe dared the mighty heroine to clash life and death ─ cancer.

Unfortunately, not all the time the heroine is hailed triumphant. The four-long year battle concluded in September 29 with Senator Miriam’s demise. She decided to “fade into the night like Batman” for the reason that she finally served her nation. She might have gone to another dimension, but her priceless memories and undying legacy will forever find abode in this world.

Sports The

FORUM

August - October 2016

The

BASKETBALL

Tatay

By MARJOE RENZ DOMINIC P. DEITA &PARVANE MAE A. LAGON Photos by Charmaine Rose P. Monte

Noel Gaban, seemingly “petite” for a man, may not be your classic towering basketball coach with a muscular physique and ostensible sinews, but he defies the usual man’s expectations like the nobleman of feeling and flair that he is.

Myriads of Taga-West students, especially from the College of PESCAR and those from other colleges who were placed under the wing of this sporting chap, got hold of what it was like to get some fatherly care away from the comfort of their biological father’s arms.

Jump Ball Sunny and easygoing Noel wiped the sweat off his forehead after making sure every nook and cranny of the Commission an Audit office was spic and span. This was not the job he intended to do; nevertheless, he was still full of mirth after finishing his janitorial duties for the day. Later, he’ll shoot some hoops and channel the inner Alvin Patrimonio inside.

But for now, work comes first.

And then it came. An announcement for a job opening.

To be the CoA driver, that is. Dr. Piamonte fired the CoA driver after recklessly beheading a statue of Jose Rizal in the University grounds. Just then, a landslide of opportunities flashed in Noel’s mind.

Noel wanted the job badly he summoned the president for it. He was given car keys and some sort of a task, and he finished it – dutifully and exceptionally even.

And then a memo was passed by the President’s office, establishing him as the new University driver for the CoA.

Child Prodigy Noel lived in a fishing community, and the bread and butter he had seemed to be a strife for him and his family.

“Grabe gin-agyan ko ya sa pageskwela ko mu. Sang elementary ko, gapanalom pa ko nay-a sa dagat sang isda dala akun pana para may kan-on kag balunon ko. Kaagi kami sang magulang ko nga ginbagyuhan kami sa tunga sang lawod. Abi ko mapatay na kami sang magulang ko mu. Gapangamuyo lang kami.

Abtan kami bagyo, gahibi mother ko sa higad sang baybay kay wala pa kami ka pauli. Sa dasun pa kami nga adlaw nakapauli. Gahibi kami sang magulang ko sa kagutom. Ginsakaan niya ang lubi higad baybay kag amu na lang ginkaon namon,” Noel recalls his childhood memories with his brother.

Little Noel had a certain indescribable penchant for basketball. It was a guilty pleasure for him, something for which resistance is futile.

And there he was every day.

Dribbling. Passing. Shooting. Setting the court ablaze with his lightningfast moves and the kind of agility and endurance that only he can pull off.

“Sang bata pa ko, basketball na ang akon ya kabuhi. Naga-intra na ko sa mga liga. Nagtanom sa isip ko nga magdako ko, ma-basketball gd ko ya. Player na ko ya sa basketball sa amon barangay ya,” Noel added.

“Ang mangin point guard gid ang nagustuhan ko sa basketball.

Nubo ko nga daan. Ang point guard dapat kabalo tanan; siya ang gaplan, ga-direct sang game. How to make the play in general.”

The Becoming of COP's

Tatay Gaban Jump Shot Year 1970, Noel was a janitor at the CoA office. After a topsyturvy turn of events, comparable to plot twists of a basketball match, he became the driver of the said office in year 1976 and in year 1994, Dean Piamonte of the College of PESCAR gave him a special job: to be coordinator of the sports office.

“Sang 1992, naga-eskwela ko marine engineering samtang nagadrive sa CoA. Sa mga field trip ko kis-a sang ga-eskwela ko, ginkinahanglan ko gid kwarta. Te sige lang ah, sige eskwela, sige drive,” Noel said with a winsome smile that of an MVP who just snitched the turquoise deluxe.

At that time, when Dean Piamonte assigned him the position of the sports coordinator, he was filled with what-ifs; he then went to the President’s office to ask permission if he could go to school for the second time – now with the willpower to harness his expertise in the basketball court in a training center in Baguio City.

“Sang year 2000, dungan kami graduate sang akon subang nga doktora. Magna Cum Laude sya sa iya BS Bio. Amu na waay ko nagsakay sa barko kay tungod sa iya.

Pag-graduate ko marine, ginabitbit ko pa na siya mu,” said Noel.

Twice a Tatay “Pirme ako gina-example sang presidente sa mga janitors da.

Gahambal siya, ‘Lantawa niyo bala si Noel o, halin sa janitor, nag-driver, nag-instructor, subong nag-professor.

After five, ara ko ya sa basketball court, sila ya ara sa ilimnan,” Tatay Gaban would say.

Currently, Noel is the family’s patriarch, together with his wife and their three daughters – one of them a doctor and the other two nurses.

But more than being a “Tatay” to his real children, he’s also nicknamed “Tatay” by his students whom he holds dear.

“One time, may taga-PESCAR, nagkadto sa akon. Hambal ya, ‘Tay,

indi ko ka eskwela dason tuig kay wala na si Tatay kag si Nanay’.

Kag kun makit-an ko man nga daw mapisan man, hambalan ko lang nga mapa-enroll lang sya kay pirmahan ko lang. Sang nagligad gani, nadumduman ko grabe akon salary deduction. Pero ang mga kabataan nga mga nakatapos, nagabalik sa akon kag magpasalamat, mahambal, ‘Tay, kung waay ka, waay ko nangin amu ni’,” discloses Noel.

An MVP in His Own Right “Kun may ginahandum ka gid sa life, tagaan mo gid way. Parehos sa akon, sang una gusto ko gid mag-Baguio, ginpangitaan ko gid na way. Sang una, wala-wala gid ko ah. Subong, ako na ginasaligan sa city as head sa basketball. Ako na tournament manager sa Division of Iloilo City. Kun ano gusto mo, focus ka gid. 63 na ko, pero kaya ko pa man. Blessed gid ko kay si God gahatag strength sa akon. Isapupo Ya gid ka kun maayo imu ginawi.

Ga-trust lang gid ko kay God kay basta ga-trust ka, indi ka gid na niya pagpabay-an.”

Tatay Gaban’s life is like basketball.

Just like having the toughest opponents, anxiously standing in the free throw line, and even being fouled out in a game, he had experienced countless difficulties himself from growing up in a family with the tightest budget to winning the SCUAA for three consecutive years now.

Most importantly, in order to successfully end the brilliant game of basketball, determination and patience are two of the things one has to embody.

And sir Noel? He surely has it all.