Parents cry foul over sex ed pilot test

The Varsitarian
Founded 1928
The Official student publicaTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
Vol. LXXXII, No. 1 • July 1, 2010
www.varsitarian.net
Manila, Philippines
Noynoy to nation: ‘Work with me’
President
spells out
agenda in
letter to ‘V’
NEW TIGERS' LAIR. Workers rush the construction of the P800-million UST Sports Complex located at the back of the Multi-Deck Carpark. The center will be inaugurated in
December 2011 in time for the culmination of the Quadricentennial celebration.
PAUL ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO
Publishing
House
axes 18
employees
EIGHTEEN former employees of the UST Publishing
House want the University to
reconsider their termination,
demanding an explanation on
why their jobs were deemed
“redundant.”
All 13 employees from
the printing division, three
layout artists, and two clerks
were
given
termination
letters last April 22, effective
May 31.
The letter said the
Publishing House’s board
of trustees, together with
the Office of Planning and
Development, had decided to
“restructure” the University,
leaving the employees’ posts
in the Publishing House
“redundant.”
Cesar Medina, a layout
artist who served the press
for nine years said, the
terminated workers were
“extremely
disappointed”
with the order, and added
they would file a complaint
with the Department of
Labor and Employment
(DOLE) if their appeals are
not heard.
“We just want them to
talk to us first. If nothing
happens, we’ll go straight to
DOLE,” Medina said.
Retrenched
layout
artist Arcelin Galang said
they were informed of
the “restructuring” of the
Publishing House last year
and were told they would
be transferred to another
department instead of being
terminated.
“We felt really bad
because we were discharged.
Others still have pending
Publishing, Page 3
Parents cry foul over sex ed pilot test
FOLLOWING the uproar over
the Reproductive Health Bill,
the teaching of sex education
among elementary and high
school students has drawn
staunch
opposition
from
Catholic Church and pro-life
advocates.
With the issuance of
Memorandum No. 261, implementing the “Adolescent
Reproductive Health Project”
(ADR Project), the Department of Education (DepEd) is
conducting a pilotest on teaching sex education in 80 public
elementary schools and 79
public high schools this school
year, despite objections from
the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) has stressed that
parents are responsible for
teaching their children about
this matter, not their school
teachers.
“CBCP
has
always
maintained that it (sex
education) should be left
to the responsibility of
parents, especially if we are
talking about children who
are underage,” said CBCP
Media Office Director Msgr.
Pedro Quitorio in a statement
published in CBCP News
website (www.cbcp.net).
Quitorio said that sex
education should only be
taught among college students,
since older students have
higher understanding of the
idea of sex, compared to
younger ones.
Faculty of Theology dean
and UST High School Regent
Fr. Rodel Aligan, O.P., echoed
the Church’s opposition on
sex education, saying sex
education should not be the
government’s priority.
“The quality of education
in elementary and high school
is poor and not all of them can
go to college. The government
should focus on providing
education opportunities to
less fortunate students first,”
Aligan said, adding that
parents should be the ones to
teach their children on matters
pertaining to sex.
“One of the primary
responsibilities of the parents
is to teach their children
on sex education,” Aligan
Church, Page 9
Occupational Therapy grads can now work abroad
UST
OCCUPATIONAL
Therapy
(OT)
graduates
will have an easier time
getting work abroad now
that the course has obtained
accreditation of the World
Federation of Occupational
Therapists (WFOT).
“We just saw the
announcement
from
the
Internet last [June 7]. However,
we are still waiting for the
Special Report
By JEREMY S. PEREY and
ALEXIS AILEX C. VILLAMOR
WHAT’S with the
National University (NU) that
some Tigers are lured into
becoming Bulldogs?
The school now owned
by business tycoon Henry Sy
has convinced at least three
UST athletes to join its lineup,
in an apparent bid to improve
its showing in upcoming
sports competitions.
But the transfer of
volleyball siblings Dindin
and Aliya Santiago and exTiger Cub Kyle Neypes has
raised ethical questions over
the manner of recruitment—
official documents from the
WFOT,” said College of
Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS)
Dean Jocelyn Agcaoili.
Agcaoili said recognition
by the WFOT is necessary
for UST graduates to be able
to work in other countries.
The international certification
followed full accreditation
from the Occupational Therapy
Association of the Philippines
(Otap) last March 14. Otap’s
nod is a requirement for WFOT
recognition.
The University had been
seeking Otap’s accreditation
since 2003. The program was
granted “partial” accreditation
last September after that an
ocular inspection conducted in
March last year. Agcaoili had
cited “instruction or teaching”
as one of the criteria that had to
be reviewed.
CRS
forwarded
the
application to WFOT last April.
Sally Jane Uy, occupational
therapy department chair said
the international body had
reviewed the recommendations
given by the Otap.
“By saying ‘meeting the
requirements, these are the
minimum standards set by the
OT, Page 10
AFTER all the promises made,
it’s time to walk the talk.
President-elect Benigno
“Noynoy” Aquino III has
vowed to solve the problems
he has inherited from the
Arroyo administration by
fighting corruption, creating
jobs, improving the education
system and establishing a
credible judicial process.
“For almost a decade,
we
suffered
under
an
administration whose mandate
has been mired in corruption
and cheating. But now, I have
been given an opportunity to
uplift people’s lives,” Aquino
said in a letter sent to the
Varsitarian.
He said he would improve
the quality of education and
health, generate jobs, and
implement judicial reforms.
In his first months in the
Palace, Aquino also plans to
create a commission that will
study possible amendments to
the Constitution.
“When amendments are
proposed, it will be ensured
that they reflect a broad public
consensus,” he said.
He added that he wants to
create a body to probe graftridden transactions left by
President Gloria MacapagalArroyo.
“We will coordinate with
the [Office of the] Ombudsman
to investigate and gather
evidence related to pending
corruption issues [involving
the Arroyo government], and
file charges as warranted by
evidence,” Aquino said.
Aquino said he would
select public officials who are
competent and passionate.
“Qualification standards,
especially on eligibility, will be
strictly enforced,” Aquino said.
Aquino
is
being
bombarded with suggestions to
increase taxes. But he said there
would be no new tax measures,
dropping Finance Secretary
Noynoy, Page 10
UAAP piracy turns Tigers into Bulldogs
some call it “piracy”—in
collegiate sports.
Neypes’
team
mate
Cederick Labing-isa similarly
opted not to enroll in UST for
college, while former athletics
director Francis Vicente is also
a goner. Where they will end up
remains uncertain.
Volleybelle Alyssa Valdez,
a key member of the UST
champion team, has reportedly
joined the Ateneo De Manila
University. But she has yet to
be officially released by the
Institute of Physical Education
and Athletics (IPEA).
Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P.,
athletics director and a member
of the UAAP board, said UST
would not play into the idea of
signing up top athletes primarily
with hefty monetary packages.
“There is no way [to prevent
athletes from transferring] if the
players are offered something
much higher than what is offered
here [in UST],” he said.
“I don’t think it’s a good
idea to just compete in terms
of money because the moment
we do that, people
Illustration by Rey Ian M. Cruz
will end up playing…just for
money.”
De Sagon said the Bulldogs
were apparently bent on having
“an immediate impact in the
league that’s why they are
getting well-trained athletes.”
“Nevertheless, we will
never go to the point of being
unethical when it comes to
scouting players. After all, UST
is not a chain of business
establishments.
Even if we are, we
will not do such
thing,” he said.
De Sagon said
the school would
stick to its current
package—a
monthly
allowance (P1,500 for team
captains, P1,300 co-captains,
P1,000 for regular players),
full-scholarship, free food
and board and lodging, and
health care.
No release
One of the tallest
players in the league at sixfoot-one, Lady Spiker Dindin
Santiago joined NU after her
first UAAP championship
last season as a rookie in the
seniors’ division. She is now
enrolled at NU as a hotel and
management student.
“I think they (athletes)
UAAP piracy, Page 8
The
Varsitarian
news
2 JULY 1, 2010
Charizze L Abulencia, Editor ; Jilly Anne A. Bulauan, Assistant Editor
Papal nuncio urges Thomasians to uphold truth
APOSTOLIC nuncio Archbishop Edward Joseph
Adams has urged Thomasians to “work for truth,
understand it more deeply and make it known
to others in a way that corresponds to their
particular role [in] research, studies, works, and
responsibilities.”
In his homily during the annual Misa de
Apertura (Opening Mass) last June 15, Adams
said that in order to serve the truth, “it is not
enough to direct our efforts towards skeptical
or scientific knowledge nor is it enough to let
ourselves be guided by wisdom of a purely human
mind. We know well that this is not the way of
Christ.”
Theoretical or practical knowledge alone,
without faith, has led to the “opposite” instead of
producing progress, blaming the present crisis and
difficulties on negligence of the “eternal verities.”
“It resulted in a world of contradiction and
confusion which has led to uneasiness amid the
many lights that today offer men hope. There are
also dark shadows that torment and distress,” he
said.
In this time of crisis, being able to foster living
faith will enable both professors and students to
become “light and shine in the darkness.”
Opening the academic year, Adams invited
Thomasians to always be attentive to Christ and
to his vicar on earth and asked the Blessed Mary’s
intercession so “that all of us might, as a fruit of
Papal nuncio, Page 9
Lumina
Pandit
binuksan
sa publiko
Freshmen from the AMV-College of Accountancy cheer for their college during the Thomasian Welcome Walk last
June 23 at the UST Grand Stand. Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., presided the Mass before the Q party at the
Quadricentennial Park.
PAUL ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO
New ‘V’ staff named
THE QUADRICENTENNIAL
batch of the Varsitarian, the
82-year-old student publication
of UST and the countr y’s
premier Catholic campus paper,
will be led by journalism majors.
Sitting on the editorial
board are former news reporters
Cliff Harvey Venzon as editor
in chief and Adrienne Jesse
Maleficio as acting associate
editor. Venzon and Maleficio are
both Journalism seniors.
Other Journalism seniors in
the staff are Charizze Abulencia,
who was named News editor;
Jilly Anne Bulauan, assistant
News editor; Jeremy Perey,
Sports editor; Rose-An Jessica
Dioquino, Features editor; Mika
Rafaela Barrios, Literary editor;
and Lester Babiera, Circle editor.
Journalism junior Robin Padilla
was named Witness editor.
Danalyn Lubang, also a
Journalism senior, is acting
Filipino editor while Journalism
junior A ntonio Ramon
Royandoyan was named acting
Science and Technology editor.
Legal Management junior
Alexis Ailex Villamor, Jr. was
appointed Special Reports
editor.
Advertising Arts junior
Carla Gamalinda was named
Usapang Uste
Art director. Architecture senior
Paul Allyson Quiambao is still
the Photography editor.
Completing the list of
this year’s staff are: Justinne
Chynna Garcia, Kalaine Nikka
Kay Grafil, Charmaine Parado,
Rommel Mar vin Rio, and
Darenn Rodriguez (News);
Angelo Nonato Cabrera, Rey
Ian Cruz, Anne Marie Carmela
D ay a u o n , a n d Fr a u le i n e
Michelle Villanueva (Sports);
Ian Carlo Antonio, Marnee
Gamboa, and Monica Ladisla
(Special Reports); Margaret
Rose Maranan and Alma Maria
Sarmiento (Features); Jonas
Eleazar Trinidad and Azer
Parrocha (Literary); Patricia
Isabela Evangelista (Filipino);
Jennifer Orillaza and Brylle
Tabora (Witness); Camille
Anne Arcilla (Science and
Technology); Maria Joanna
Angela Cruz, Ana May de la
Cruz, John Ernest Jose, and
Alyosha Robillos (Circle);
Fritzie Marie Amar, Rey Ian
Cruz, Patrick de los Reyes,
Jasmine Santos, Jilson Seckler
Tiu, and Karla Mides Toledo
(Art); Josa Camille Bassig,
Isabela Mar tinez, Lorena
Staff, Page 8
Rector gives first
Quadricentennial
service award
RECTOR Fr. Rolando de la
Rosa, O.P., has launched a
new tribute to Thomasians
a nd non-T homasia ns who
have given assistance to the
Thomasian community.
T he f i r st “ Q u a d r ic e ntennial Award for Service
to the University of Santo
To m a s ” w a s g i v e n t o
lawyer Rafaelito Garayblas,
executive secretar y to the
Office of the Mayor of Manila.
Garayblas is also a professor
of Legal Management at the
Faculty of Arts and Letters.
“I’m humbly honored for
the award coming from my
alma mater,” Garayblas said.
Garayblas was one of
those who helped start the
rehabilitation of the España
Boulevard to ease the
peren nial f loodi ng i n the
campus, De la Rosa said.
“ We s u r v e y e d o u r
alum ni, not necessar ily
teaching in the University,
but anyone who helps in any
Theology para sa mga hindi Katolikong Tomasino
Ni dANALYN t. lubang
Dibuho ni Rey Ian M. Cruz
BILANG pagsunod sa
direktiba ng Santo Papa na
nagsasaad na kinakailangan
ang pagtuturo ng Religion sa
Unibersidad, ipinag-utos ni
Rektor P. Serapio Tamayo,
O . P. n o o n g 1 9 2 4 a n g
pagtuturo nito na kalauna’y
tinawag na Theology para
sa mga Tomasino, Katoliko
man ang mga ito o hindi.
Nagsilbing tugon ito sa
lumalaking bilang ng mga
kabataang nais mag-aral
sa Unibersidad na walang
Katolikong edukasyon sa
pinanggalingang paaralan.
Ang pagtuturo ay
isinagawa ng mga paring
propesor isang beses sa
isang linggo. Ngunit nang
lumaon ay kinailangan nang
magkamit ng dalawang
yunit sa Theology ang bawat
way,” he added.
The award was given to
Garayblas before Civil Law
Dean Nilo Divina’s Discurso
de Apertura last June 15 at the
Santissimo Rosario Parish.
Garayblas, who finished
AB Literature in 1963, took
his master’s degree in the
University of the Philippines.
He has taught at St. Mary’s
College, the UST College
of Commerce and Business
Ad m i n i s t r a t io n , a n d t h e
faculty of Civil Law.
The award aims to
recognize the suppor t
extended even by nonThomasians to the University.
“He is always there to
help. I thin k that is what
is missing in [our] alumni.
We d ist i ng u ish t hem; we
r e c og n i z e t he m for t hei r
a c h i e ve m e n t s . A l t h o u g h
somet i mes when we need
their help, very few really
respond,” De la Rosa said. J.
C. V. Garcia
Tomasino sa isang semestre.
Sa paglipas ng mga
taon, ginawang requirement
ng UST ang Theology bago
makapagtapos ng kurso ang
isang Tomasino. Dahil dito, may
ilang di-Katolikong mag-aaral ng
Unibersidad ang nagtanong kung
ang pagkuha ba ng Theology ay
magbubunsod sa pagpapalit nila
ng relihiyon bilang Katoliko.
Mabilis namang
pinabulaanan ito ng
administrasyon kung kaya’t
hindi na rin tumanggi pa ang
mga di-Katolikong mag-aaral sa
pagkuha ng Theology bilang isa
sa kanilang asignatura. Gayon pa
man, nagkaroon ng ilang bihirang
pagkakataon kung saan tumanggi
ang ilang mga mag-aaral na
kumuha ng Theology, bagay
na nagtulak sa noo’y dekano
ng Religion na si P. Paulino
Gonzalez upang magbigay ng
special classes para sa mga ito.
Sa kasalukuyan ay bahagi
pa rin ng edukasyong Tomasino
ang Theology, na kinukuha pa
ring asignatura ng mga Katoliko
at di-Katolikong mag-aaral.
Tomasino siya
Sa murang edad na 18,
kinilala ang Tomasinong
si Jethro Dionisio bilang
kauna-unahang diAmerikanong nakapag-uwi ng
pinakamataas na karangalan
sa World Speed Shooting
Championships (WSSC)
na ginanap sa California,
Estados Unidos noong 1990.
Ta o n g 1 9 9 4 n a n g
magtapos ng kursong
A c c o u n t a n c y s a U S T,
nagsimula ang hilig ni Dionisio
sa baril dahil sa kaniyang ama
na noo’y pangulo ng Metro
Gun Club, isang asosasyon
na nagbibigay ng shooting
classes, firearms safety, at iba
pa para sa mga miyembro nito.
Madalas siyang sumama sa
mga ensayo nito hanggang sa
Usapang Uste, Pahina 3
BINUKSAN na sa publiko ang
“Lumina Pandit: An Exhibit
of Historical Treasures,” kung
saan tampok ang mga katangitanging aklat at koleksyon ng
Miguel de Benavides Library.
“Sana sa exhibit,
mabuksan ang mga mata ng
Tomasi no sa kahalagahan
ng mga aklat,” ani Rektor P.
Rolando De la Rosa, O.P., sa
pagbubukas ng exhibit noong
Hunyo 17.
“Ma y Lu m i n a Pa n d i t
help dispel the darkness of
in dif fe re n c e th a t e ng ulfs
many of us, especially as
regards to our common task
of understanding, preserving,
Lumina Pandit, Page 8
Ched fetes UST scientists
TWO PROFESSORS from the College of Science were feted
by the Commission on Higher Education as their research won
the 2009 National Capital Region Outstanding Research and
Publication (Republica) Award for the Natural Sciences last May
19.
College of Science professors Dharmatov Rahula Albano
and Fortunato Sevilla III won the biyearly award, besting 28
other researchers with their paper titled “Piezoelectric Quartz
Crystal Sensor for Surfactant Based on Molecularly Imprinted
Polypyrrole.”
“I’m happy of course, but this [award] is for UST,” Sevilla
said.
The winning research was based on the thesis done by Albano
in the UST Graduate School under the supervision of Sevilla. It
was first published in 2007 in Science and Actuators B: Chemical,
a highly recognized international scientific journal published by
Elsevier Science Press in the United States.
The paper also received the 2008 Gawad San Alberto Magno
for Outstanding Research Work during the Dangal ng UST faculty
recognition ceremony. Darenn G. Rodriguez
Alumnus win int’l quiz bee tilt
A FACULTY of Arts and Letters alumnus placed second in
the Philippine leg of World Quizzing Championships held at
Murphy’s Irish Pub in Makati City last June 5.
Wilfred Ritona, 26, a graduate of political science in 2004
took the second spot for the second year with a score of 81 and
ranked 259th among 1175 participants from 28 countries.
World Quizzing Championships is a worldwide quiz bee on
culture, civilization, entertainment, lifestyle, sports and leisure,
media, sciences, and world organized by the International
Quizzing Association.
Ritona was a champion in the individual category of
Pautakan, an annual quiz contest of the Varsitarian, in 2004. In
2002, during his sophomore year, he represented the University
and topped the Fifth Annual Tagisang Talino, a nationwide
contest sponsored by Kulturang Pamana, a non-governmental
organization which promotes the country’s culture. Charmaine
M. Parado
V staffer first in poetry contest
A VARSITARIAN writer and alumnus both placed first in
the English and Filipino division in the Poetry Wirting Contest
sponsored by the Miguel de Benavides Library last June 17.
Fourth year Architecture senior John Ernest Jose, a
Varsitarian circle writer, emerged first place in the English
category for his poem “The Unending Radiance” while Faculty
of Arts and Letters alumnus and former Varsitarian associate
editor Louie Jon Sanchez clinched the first place for “Lumina,”
his poetry collection in the Filipino category.
UST High School senior Jeanne Marie Camello came in
second with “To wear a Thomasian’s slipper” for the English
category. Accountancy junior Xaviery Cañaveral ranked third
for her work “Unending Flame.”
Meanwhile, in the Filipino category, Genro Esquivias a
Faculty of Law alumnus in 1977, won second place for his work
“Pamantasang Hinirang.” Library Science junior Julie Ann
Dominique De Leon came in third for her work “Ang Dilaw na
Liwanag.” Kalaine Nikka Kay C. Grafil
The
Varsitarian
filipino
IKA-1 NG HULYO 2010 3
Danalyn T. Lubang, Tumatayong Patnugot
Ang muling pagkabuhay ng
Departamento ng Filipino
Ni PATRICIA ISABELA B. EVANGELISTA
“KUMBAGA sa bangka, hindi na
kami hiwa-hiwalay na sumasagwan
sa iba’t ibang direksiyon, kundi isa na
lamang ang tinatahak naming daan.”
Ganito inilarawan ni Aissa
Jimenez, propesor sa Filipino sa
Faculty of Arts and Letters ang muling
pagkakaroon ng sariling tahanan ng
wikang Filipino sa Unibersidad—
ang Departamento ng Filipino na
muling nabuhay matapos manatili sa
Departamento ng Wika kasama ang
Ingles at Espanyol sa loob ng 31 na
taon.
Sa bisa ng proyektong vertical
articulation na nagbibigay pansin sa
isang departamento upang magkaroon
ito ng sariling opisina, pondo, at
tagapangulo, ang Departamento ng
Filipino ay muling ibinalik upang higit
na mabigyan ng atensiyon ang wikang
Filipino sa Unibersidad.
Itinatag noong 1938 ni Jose Villa
Panganiban, manunulat ng pinakatiyak
na diksyunaryong Ingles-Tagalog
at tagapagtatag ng Varsitarian, ang
dating Kagawaran ng Tagalog na
ginawang Kagawaran ng Pilipino
noong 1967. Naging matagumpay
ito mula 1971 hanggang 1978 dahil
na rin sa suporta ng kauna-unahang
Filipinong rektor na si P. Leonardo
Legazpi, O.P. Sa panahon ding
ito nakilala ang UST dahil sa mga
respetadong Tomasinong manunulat
sa Filipino kagaya nina Genoveva
Edroza-Matute, Rolando Tinio, at
Rogelio Sicat. Ngunit nang bawasan
ng dating Department of Education,
Culture and Sports ang mga yunit
sa wikang Espanyol noong 1979,
napagpasyahan na ipagsanib na
lamang ang lahat ng wikang pinagaaralan sa Unibersidad sa ilalim ng
isang departamento na tinawag na
Departamento ng Wika.
‘Tamang panahon’
“Hindi naman nahuli [ang
pagkatatag ng kagawaran], bagkus
ay nasa tamang panahon lamang ito,”
ani Imelda De Castro, tagapangulo ng
Departamento ng Filipino.
Dagdag pa niya, hindi naman
nawala ang tahanan ng wikang Filipino
sa Unibersidad, kundi napasailalim
lang ito sa iisang tanggapan kung
saan nabigyan naman ito ng sapat na
atensiyon.
“May sapat namang alokasyon
ng pondo para sa Filipino noong nasa
Departament of Languages pa ito,” ani
De Castro.
Ayon naman kay Jimenez,
ang lahat ng programa ngayon ay
nakatutok na lamang sa
kagawaran kung kaya’t mas
mapapaunlad ito.
“Kumbaga
sa isang bahay, mas makakikilos ka
nang maayos at maluwag,” aniya.
Hindi naging madali ang
tagumpay ng Departamento ng
Filipino. Kinailangan muna nitong
makapasa sa mga itinakdang
pamantayan ng Unibersidad bago ito
maging hiwalay na departamento.
Kabilang sa mga pamantayan ay
ang pagkakaroon ng tagapangulo
at propesor na may doctorate,
espesyalisasyon, at pananaliksik sa
Filipino.
“Talagang kinakailangan ng
Unibersidad na magkaroon ng isang
Departamento ng Filipino sapagkat
may mga institutional membership
gaya ng Sanggunian sa Filipino sa
Unibersidad ng Pilipinas na hindi ka
magiging miyembro kung wala kang
sariling departamento,” ani De Castro.
Ngunit dahil na rin sa pagsisikap
at paggabay ng tagapangulo ng
Departamento ng Wika na si Prop.
Marilu Madrunio, Bise-Rektor ng
Akademikong Gawain at Pananaliksik
na si Prop. Clarita Carillo, at ni
Rektor P. Rolando dela Rosa, O.P.,
naisakatuparan ang minimithing
departamento.
Bisyon at misyon
Upang magkaroon ng
patutunguhan ang departamento,
iminungkahi ni De Castro ang
Dibuho ni K. M. C. Toledo
Usapang Uste
Mula pahina 2
siya’y natuto at napagtagumpayan
ang kauna-unahang shooting
competition na nilahukan niya sa
Nueva Ecija.
Matapos ang tagumpay niya
sa WSSC, namayagpag pa siya sa
nasabing kumpetisyon nang tatlong
magkakasunod na taon. Bukod dito
ay nagwagi pa siya ng anim na
kampeonato kabilang na ang World
Shoot Off Championship sa Colorado,
Estados Unidos mula 1993 hanggang
1995.
Dahil sa kaniyang natatanging
galing, binansagan si Dionisio bilang
“fastest steel shooter alive” noong
1996 ng Gungames Magazine na
nakabase sa Estados Unidos.
Taong 2001 nang nag-uwi siya ng
medalyang pilak para sa ating bansa sa
ginanap na Southeast Asian Games sa
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nang sumunod na taon ay muli
siyang nagdala ng karangalan sa
Pilipinas nang magtagumpay siya
sa Asian Clay Championships sa
Bangkok, Thailand at Asian Games
Shooting Event na ginanap naman sa
Busan, Korea.
Bukod sa galing ni Dionisio sa
larangan ng baril, siya rin ay mahusay
sa paglangoy, kick-boxing, horseback
riding, at badminton.
Si Dionisio rin ang naging
Publishing
Tomasalitaan:
hulalay (pnr) – nakahilata o
namamahinga sa isang upuan
Halimbawa: Naabutang
nakahulalay sa oras ng trabaho si
Randy kaya’t napagalitan siya ng
kaniyang amo.
Mga Sanggunian:
De Ramos, Norberto V. (2000).
I Walked with Twelve UST Rectors.
UST Publishing House.
The Varsitarian: Tomo 77 Special
Sports Supplement, Hunyo 2006
From page 1
Medina said the UST-Samahan
ng Manggagawa (UST-SM), the
employee’s union of non-teaching
personnel in the University, is
negotiating with the Office of the
Vice Rector regarding the case.
UST-SM president Restituto
Llamas refused to talk about the
matter.
The other relieved employees
are Renato Aguilar, Benedick
Arceo, Allan Bundang, Joselito
Bustamante, Maria Irene Canlas,
Antonino Dela Cruz, Eduardo
Gadiane, Romulo Gonzales, Ramil
Lajara, Macario Cassius Lipata,
Analou Pajarillo, Gaudioso Pasajol
Jr., Marcelo Payopay, Joel Ponce,
Anita Rivera, and Luisito Salvador.
Last September, the Publishing
House decided to outsource
printing operations after incurring
P30 million in losses.
Former Publishing House
director Jocelyn Calubayan had
attributed the losses to the “400
Books at 400” project, citing high
production cost since the project
required at least 40 titles per year.
However, former Publishing
House director and now Office for
Admissions Director Mecheline
Zonia Manalastas had said the
project, which started in 2001,
would push through.
Last February the Publishing
House launched 38 new titles,
requiring it to produce 24 books
to complete the project next year.
Darenn G. Rodriguez
proyekto ng departamento ay ang
pagkakaroon ng academic linkages
sa pandaigdigang komunidad sa
pamamagitan ng Advanced Filipino
Abroad Program ng Fulbright
Hays. Ito ay isang programa ng
Departamento ng Edukasyon sa
Amerika kung saan ang mga guro
at mga mag-aaral na Amerikano ay
nabibigyan ng oportunidad na mapagaralan ang wikang Filipino sa bansa
tuwing bakasyon.
Wikang Filipino sa pagtuturo
Naniniwala rin si De Castro na
maaaring ituro ang mga asignaturang
gaya ng matematika at agham sa
wikang Filipino upang mas lalo itong
maintindihan.
“Bilang guro, kung ituturo mo
ang [mga asignaturang nasa Ingles] sa
wikang naiintindihan mo, nagtuturo ka
na, natututo ka pa. Nakapagtatanong
ka pa sa mga estudyante mo nang hindi
mo iniisip kung tama ba o mali ‘yong
grammar mo. Sa halip na mag-focus
ka sa content, mas nagfo-focus ka
sa way of delivery mo. Ganoon pa
man, may [tamang] istruktura rin ang
Filipino,” aniya.
Sa kasalukuyan, tanging ang
Unibersidad ng Pilipinas lamang
ang nagtuturo ng kursong AB
Filipino sa bansa. Dahil dito, plano
ng departamento na magkaroon ng
AB-Filipino Major in Translation
Studies na nakatuon sa print media
at documentation. Nilalayon din na
mapalawig ang kursong ito hanggang
sa graduate school.
Bagaman bata pang maituturing,
layunin ng Departamento ng Filipino
na masungkit ang Center of Excellence
in Filipino mula sa Commission on
Higher Education sa lalong madaling
panahon. Naniniwala si De Castro
na sa tulong ng mga guro sa Filipino
ng Unibersidad, hindi imposibleng
makamit ng departamento ang mithiing
ito.
Sa may ER
Ni RANDELL SUBA*
NAGKAKATITIGAN
ang mga hindi mapanatag
na kaba
habang tahimik
at palihim
na tumatakas
ang mga kamay
ng nalalabing pag-asa.
Nakalulugmok
ang malamig na pagbabanta
ng unti-unting
paghina
ng mga alingasngas
ng pagliligtas.
Sa pagtakas
ng pintuan ng paghihintay,
sumalubong
ang nakatalukbong
na pamamaalam
at ang lumalangitngit
na paglisan.
Dibuho ni Jasmine C. Santos
cases but were transferred to other
department,” Galang said.
In-house counsel Arsenik
Pagaduan declined to comment,
saying the case is still under
consideration.
Former Publishing House
officer in charge Augusto Antonio
Aguila also declined to comment,
saying what happened was “out of
his hands.”
Medina wants an explanation
on the grounds for termination,
saying the “redundancy” of their
jobs was not explained clearly.
“What do they mean by
redundancy? The [management]
couldn’t even show us a study
on the redundancy of our jobs,”
Medina said.
kinatawan ng Pilipinas sa Athens
World Olympics noong 1994.
pagkakaroon nito ng sariling misyon
at bisyon alinsunod sa pangkalahatang
misyon at bisyon ng Unibersidad.
Saklaw ng mga ito ang pagpapalawig
ng wikang Filipino sa Unibersidad at
ang pagsuporta sa mga guro nito.
Palalakasin ang kultura ng
pananaliksik ng mga guro sa Filipino
upang mapainam ang kanilang
kakayahan hindi lamang sa pagtuturo.
Layunin nitong itaas ang kalidad at
kritikal na pag-iisip ng mga guro nang
sa ganoon ay higit na mapainam ang
antas ng kanilang pagtuturo sa mga
mag-aaral. Kasabay nito ay hihikayatin
din ang ilan pang mga guro sa Filipino
na tapusin ang kanilang pag-aaral
hanggang sa doctorate.
“Sa ibang mga unibersidad
kagaya ng Ateneo [de Manila] at De La
Salle, hindi sila partikular sa mga titulo
[ng mga nagtuturo roon] sapagkat lahat
ay doktor,” ani De Castro.
Magkakaroon din ng ‘buwanang
kumustahan’ ang departamento
upang talakayin ang mga suliranin at
kalakasan ng mga guro.
Ngayong panuruang taong 20102011, ang silabo sa mga asignaturang
Filipino ay papalitan pati na rin
ang mga aklat na gagamitin dito.
Magkakaroon din ng “Pambansang
Seminar sa Filipino” sa darating na
Oktubre at “Seryeng Panayam Jose
Villa Panganiban” na magbibigay ng
palihan ukol sa pagpapayabong ng
pambansang wika sa mga paaralan.
Pagsapit naman ng Buwan ng
Wika ay plano ng departamento
na magkaroon ng “Kolokyum sa
Pananaliksik” kung saan ilalahad ng
mga guro ang kanilang mga nakalap na
saliksik ukol sa wikang Filipino.
“Ang magbabahagi rito ay
iyong mga guro rin ng departamento.
Halimbawa, kung mayroon silang
pananaliksik, ‘yong masteral thesis
nila o dissertation nila, [iyon ang
ibabahagi nila sa kolokyum],” ani De
Castro.
Isa pa sa mga panukalang
*Mula sa koleksiyong “Atbp.” na nagwagi ng unang gantimpala para sa Tula
sa Gawad Ustetika Taunang Parangal Pampanitikan noong 2001. Si Suba ay
dalawang beses nang hinirang na Makata ng Taon noong 1999 at 2000.
The
Varsitarian
OPINION
4 JULY 1, 2010
Editorial
‘Oversexed’ DepEd
THE FIRST thing to be said about the integration of sex
education by the Department of Education’s Memorandum
No. 26 in the curriculum from Grade 5 to senior high school
is that it is overkill: the subject will be integrated in Science,
Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP), Health,
Heograpiya, Kasaysayan, at Sibika, and Mathematics. The
subject may as well be called Sex in Excess.
It is quite galling that at a time when Filipino students
– going by world comparative scores in basic literacy and
math skills – are just a step removed from cretins, the
DepEd wishes to further burden them with a subject on the
more titillating aspects about the birds and the bees beyond
basic biology where their scores are similarly appalling.
The second thing to be said about it is that it’s
unconstitutional. The Constitution upholds the rights
of parents to be responsible for the development of the
moral behavior of their children. At the least, the DepEd
didn’t consult parents about its initiative and discarded
subsidiarity which soundly leaves to the parents an area
where they have the better competence—moral formation
especially about sexual matters.
Of course, everyone knows why the DepEd and other
agencies would like to get in on the sexual act of minors. It
is because of the money. If they don’t introduce curricular
innovations and, in the case of Health Secretary Esperanza
Cabral, come up with outlandish campaigns like condomdistribution, they will not be able to justify asking for a
bigger budget
The subject is called “Adolescent Reproductive
Health.” Obviously, this was the sex education subject
that was being proposed in the Reproductive Health bill
that failed to pass in the last Congress, since it was hardly
a health, but a birth-control, measure. When it failed to
pass muster, Cabral, like DepEd Secretary Mona Valino,
a careerist who has been on government payroll since time
immemorial and who has to come up with just about every
project to keep taxpayer’s money coming to the DOH and
pay her payroll, went ballistic and distributed condoms—
funded by taxpayer’s money—at the Dangwa flower market
in Sampaloc, Manila last Valentine’s Day ostensibly to stem
the rise of HIV-Aids and sexually transmitted diseases.
Who was she fooling? There’s no HIV-Aids epidemic
in the Philippines: as epidemiologists who are not being
quoted by the media would tell you—4,000 HIV-Aids cases
out of a population of 89 million do not an epidemic make.
(In contrast, the media and the World Health Organization
say that condom-happy Thailand’s HIV-Aids situation
—half a million HIV-Aids cases and half a million dead
—is under control!) But for Cabral and her overwrought
imagination, that middling statistics are enough to scare the
wits out of everyone, enough for her to spend taxpayer’s
money on harebrained schemes like calling for an Aids
summit and justify her relevance and her payroll.
Valisno is stirring the same panic to justify sex
education. But she betrayed her real intention when she
Editorial, Page 5
The Varsitarian
Founded Jan. 16, 1928
CLIFF HARVEY C. VENZON
Editor in Chief
Illustration by Carla T. Gamalinda
‘News’ paper
”Journalists are reminded
that in the word ‘newspaper,’
‘news’ is more important than
paper.” - Philippine Daily
Inquirer’s Alexanda PrietoRomualdez.
WHILE distributing the 14th
and final issue of the previous
Varsitarian
staff,
some
students expressed dismay
over our return to newsprint
(the paper used by dailies).
Some readers regarded it
as counter-progressive and
a cutback of what we are
supposed to give them.
The Varsitarian did not
endure its eight decades of
existence on shiny sheets.
In fact, its 81 volumes were
mostly in newsprint. The
glossy paper was only used
in
2008-2009––the
80th
anniversary of one of the
oldest campus papers in the
country. A commemorative
backdrop on the masthead was
also introduced to give a new
look to the then 80-year-old
campus paper, but it was not
intended to be permanent.
The publication year
2009-2010, where I served as
news reporter, continued the
same set-up. But it was not an
easy decision for the previous
editorial board (EB) to stay
glossy. Heated discussions
ensued during the paper’s
mid-year planning becasue
the EB wanted to return to
newsprint and remove the
News Justine Cynna V. Garcia, Kalaine Nika Kay C. Grafil,
Charmaine M. Parado, Rommel Marvin C. Rio, Darenn G. Rodriguez
Sports Angelo Nonato P. Cabrera, Rey Ian M. Cruz
Anne Marie Carmela L. Dayauon, Frauleine Michelle S. Villanueva
Special Reports Ian Carlo B. Antonio, Marnee A. Gamboa
Monica N. Ladisla
Features Margaret Rose B. Maranan, Alma Maria L. Sarmiento
Literary Azer N. Parrocha
Filipino Patricia Isabela B. Evangelista
Witness Jennifer M. Orillaza, Brylle B. Tabora
Sci-Tech Camille Anne M. Arcilla
Circle Ana May R. De la Cruz, John Ernest F. Jose, Alyosha J. Robillos
Art Fritzie Marie C. Amar, Rey Ian M. Cruz, Patrick C. de los Reyes,
Jasmine C. Santos, Jilson Seckler C. Tiu, Karla Mides C. Toledo
Photography Josa Camille A. Bassig, Isabela A. Martinez,
Lorena D. Mondragon, Jilson Seckler C. Tiu, Karla Mides C. Toledo
FELIPE F. SALVOSA II
Assistant Publications Adviser
JOSELITO B. ZULUETA
Publications Adviser
Letters/comments/suggestions/contributions are welcome in the Varsitarian. Only
letters with signatures will be entertained. Original manuscript contributions must be
typewritten, double-spaced, on regular bond paper, and should include a signed
certification bearing the author’s name, address, year, and college. The identity of
a writer may be withheld upon request. The editors will not be responsible for the
loss of materials. Contributions must be sent to The Varsitarian office, Rm. 105,
Tan Yan Kee Student Center Bldg., University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.
commemorative
backdrop.
Perhaps focusing on the
frequency of issues to be
released, the EB managed to
come out with 15 issues last
year and set aside the decision
of whether or not to return to
newsprint.
So why did we return to
newsprint and the “old” look?
The Varsitarian, the
82-year-old official student
publication of UST, far older
than some of the leading
broadsheets in the country––
started as newsprint, albeit
there were occasions that it
was printed on other kinds
of paper. It became the most
respected Catholic campus
paper not because of its
shimmering look. It spawned
literary giants, intellectual
heavyweights and high-caliber
journalists.
While texts and some
photos may appear better in
the glossy pages (although
veteran newsmen and editors
swear that colored photos
appear better on newsprint),
we don’t want to make the
physical makeup as your sole
basis in reading the campus
paper, unless we want to
breed a shallow and “dense”
readership.
We want you to get
hold of every issue because
of its content––the stories
we research, the issues we
do legwork on, and campus
scenes we capture.
We don’t want to be the
best campus paper under the
guise of a shiny paper and
high-resolution photos. We
want to the best campus paper
by how you, our readers,
come up with intelligent and
informed judgement based on
the stories we write.
Try
perusing
the
Varsitarian from cover to
cover and you will find out that
we are more than just a printed
matter.
We
reserve
the
An open letter to Noynoy
ADRIENNE JESSE A. MALEFICIO
Acting Associate Editor
charizze l. abulencia News Editor
JILLY ANNE A. BULAUAN Assistant News Editor
JEREMY S. PEREY Sports Editor
ALEXIS AILEX C. VILLAMOR, JR. Special Reports Editor
ROSE-AN JESSICA M. DIOQUINO Features Editor
MIKA RAFAELA A. BARRIOS Literary Editor
DANALYN T. LUBANG Tumatayong Patnugot ng Filipino
ROBIN G. PADILLA Witness Editor
ANTONIO RAMON H. ROYANDOYAN Acting Sci-Tech Editor
LESTER G. BABIERA Circle Editor
CARLA T. GAMALINDA Art Director
PAUL ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO Photography Editor
The Varsitarian
did not endure its
eight decades of
existence on shiny
sheets
glossy pages for our other
publications like the Tomasino
(formerly
Breaktime)
magazine that is set to come
out next month. Our Montage,
the literary magazine, is set to
be released in the latter part of
the publication year. The book
“400 Greatest Thomasians”
will be produced next year as
UST turns 400.
The Varsitarian has also
improved its website (www.
varsitarian.net) by providing
breaking news, photo galleries
and past issues that can be
downloaded from its archives.
We have also decided to
maintain a fortnightly (twice a
month) frequency––except on
months when major exams are
scheduled––to chronicle and
give you the latest happenings
inside and outside of the
University.
Some call it suicide but
we call it justice. The justice
of generating a campus-based
newspaper with content that is
“new” and timely to the readers.
Our extra-editorial endeavors
are also in place––the Fiction
Workshop in September,
Inkblots: National Campus
Journalism Fellowship in
October, Ustetika literary
awards in November, and
Pautakan intercollegiate quiz
contest in February.
Now, think again. Are
we really reducing the service
to our readers, especially the
students?
DEAR P-Noy,
Since the day I found out
that you were running for the
presidency, I couldn’t help
but think that it was nothing
but a “spur-of-the-moment”
brought about my your
mother’s death..
I
doubted
your
competence in leading a
nation that has sunk in deep
problems of poverty and
corruption.
However, as I see the
election surveys in the news,
with you ranking solidly in
the leader boards, I started
considering the idea that you
may really be the one that
people trust to help them
climb up from the slumps of
poverty.
I would like to think that
you earned this trust not only
because of what your parents
had accomplished, but what
you have achieved.
Now, let me give you
some unsolicited advice on
ways I think you could do to
Lastly, I dare you
to stay out of the
shadows of your
parents and create
your own legacy
save your people.
First, I challenge you not
to appoint relatives or close
friends to your administration
Assign men and women
who are not only experts in
their chosen fields but also
have unstained integrity.
Appoint them because they
are capable and not because
they are close to you.
Second, I ask that you
remain true to your word.
Everyone was moved by
your election slogan, “Kung
walang
corrupt,
walang
mahirap”.
Filipinos
are
hungry and thirsty for clean
and honest government. Take
the first step toward sincere
leadership.
Third, I insist that you
continue investigating on the
lawsuits against outgoing
President Macapagal-Arroyo.
If you believe it is just that
she has to be investigated for
corruption, do so.
Fourth, your mother
restored democracy when
she vanquished the Marcos
dictatorship. Now bring back
the democracy by electoral
reforms. Make sure that in
2016, the voice of the people
shall prevail and not the voice
of somebody like “Garci.”
Fifth, serve justice to the
victims of press killings. The
inability of a leader to solve
these cases and serve justice
to the victims reflect on his
capacity to direct the nation.
Solve
the
extra-judicial
killings left by Arroyo. Bring
back law and order and respect
for life and human dignity
under your administration.
Last, I dare you to stay
out of the shadows of your
parents and create your own
legacy. I challenge you to
prove that you have the
making of another hero and a
compassionate president. At
the very least, be decent.
Make the most of your
term because, as they say,
six years is too long for a bad
president and too short for
a good one. Show that you
deserve the highest office;
that you won it because you
earned it, and not because of
birthright.
The
Varsitarian
OPINION
Myths about Rizal and the University
FOR philosophers like
Aristotle and John Locke,
human beings are born with
a tabula rasa or “blank slate,”
which dissembles genuine
potentiality that only becomes
actualized due to education
and experience.
Upon entering the world,
people hold nothing but
merely a blank slate waiting
to be sketched on according
to how its author wants it to
be. Character, intelligence,
success,
and
personality
are determined by how one
“writes” his life on the tablet.
Defining the content of one’s
personhood requires maturity.
Thus, education plays an
important role in nurturing not
only a person’s intellect, but
his personhood as well.
When I first entered the
University, I hoped that it
would imbue me with the
right kind of learning that
woud free me from the veils of
ignorance. And yes, UST has
done that.
When I was browsing for
books in a shop, a man’s shirt
caught my attention. Printed
on it was Jose Rizal and his
remark, “In Ateneo, I spent the
happiest days of my life.”
I smirked. The shirt was
probably made to bash
Rizal’s “other” school—UST.
Biographer-historians Leon
Maria Guerrero and Gregorio
Character, intelligence,
success, and personality
are determined by how
one “writes” his life on
the tablet
Zaide, among others, say that
the national hero was “below
his usual standards” while in
the University, because the
“Dominican professors were
hostile to him” and “Filipino
students (including Rizal)
were racially discriminated.”
It is undeniable that Rizal
indeed spent his happiest days
at the then Ateneo Municipal,
but it does not follow that his
worst days took place in UST.
Most people would admit that
they are most happy in high
school, and Ateneo was only
a secondary school back then.
In Fr. Fidel Villaroel O.P.’s
Jose Rizal and the University of
Santo Tomas, Rizal confessed
at the eve of his departure from
Ateneo, that he was nostalgic
for “that spirit of most sweet
tranquility in which my soul
used to dwell.”
And as Rizal moved out of
Ateneo, where all activities
were regimented by the Jesuits,
and into UST, he underwent a
transformation.
It is different in a university.
Here, a greater measure of
freedom is given to students.
And while Rizal experienced a
huge transition, he could have
found it difficult focusing on
his studies, given the usual
“distractions of youth.”
Villaroel adds that it was
during Rizal’s stay in UST
that he had his first courtship
-- with a lady named Segunda
Katigbak. It was a romantic
relationship that, perhaps,
produced his first heartbreak.
Furthermore, while Rizal had
excellent grades in Ateneo,
he he did not perform as well
in the University where he
took up medicine. It might be
because his interest was really
in poetry and the arts. It was
his father’s decision for him to
take up medicine.
It is a myth that Rizal was
unahppy and shabbily treated
in UST. Here, he was granted
the rare permission of studying
simultaneously the preparatory
course to and the first year
of medicine, which proves
that the Spanish Dominicans
did not racially discriminate
against him. Rizal also attained
the grade, “notable” (very
good) during his fourth year,
placing him behind Cornelio
Mapa who earned the mark
sobresaliente (excellent).
He earned a licentiate in
medicine at the Universidad
Central de Madrid in Spain
with the help of the knowledge
he had gained from UST.
Rizal might have spent his
happiest days in Ateneo, but
he must have spent his most
meaningful days in UST.
If it was not for my Rizal
Course, I could have just
fallen for the t-shirt’s uneven
claim hook, line and sinker.
But because I, a tabula rasa,
have been instructed well by
a great institution, I have been
enlightened from the blunders
and unfair declarations of
Rizal biographers regarding
UST and the Dominicans.
As my junior year starts,
I know that this tablet of
mine will be continuously
inscribed excellently though
quality education, helping
me in developing moral
character and a well-integrated
personhood.
Defying limits
“To live a creative life,
we must lose our fear of being
wrong.” – Joseph Chilton
Pearce
UNLIKE Sherlock Holmes,
I have yet to master the art of
“detaching my mind at will” - at
least in two writing disciplines
I’ve ventured in.
While being an intern
for the sports section of the
Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI)
for my on-the-job training, my
mentor sheepishly pointed out a
word I purposely used
for a lead in an article which
ironically enough earned a
byline to my bewilderment.
“It takes guts to use that
word for a sports lead,” he
amusingly pointed out, as I
cringed in my seat. “I will wait
for the day
I could use that
word for an article.”
He was pertaining to my
usage of the word “epiphany”
through the context that a
player finally found an open
man who eventually fired the
game-winning shot. Although
my mentor understood what
I was trying to say with the
word, it sounded laughable for
a straight news article.
He appeased my bruised
ego by saying that it was a very
creative choice, but I couldn’t
help but blame a year of writing
Editorial
From page 4
absurdly connected HIVAids with population control:
she said she would push
for full implementation of
Memorandum 26 “because
the country needs it, and the
country’s prevention [of HIV]
will just be put to waste if the
population continues to grow
at an outstanding rate.” Ergo,
Adolescent
Reproductive
Health is an excuse to
implement birth control.
We credit her at least for her
for the literary section for the
onslaught of superfluous words
and ideas.
Although I kept in mind
that PDI has its style of
delivering news straight to the
point as most broadsheets do,
I was torn. Shouldn’t sports
writing require a certain degree
of “literary” creativity as well?
It is no mean feat to weave a
story engrossing enough for
a reader not in the very least
interested in what happened in
the game, but only on the game
winner. Even a rout deserves
an interesting lead to back
it up. Everything seemed so
confusing.
Now thrust into the
Literary section again, I feel
guilty when nitpicking on
other writers’ traipse with the
muses. It is the feeling I felt
before when a poem of mine
was lashed with red correction
marks all over. But it has to be
done, despite the fact that I have
been preoccupied with sports
jargons all summer long.
Many writers are guilty
of sticking to their comfort
zones, some even going to the
extent of belittling writers of
other fields and parading their
own as superior to mask their
cowardice. Some attach good
writing to extensive research,
a barrage of highfaluting
words or even awards, which
is a common misconception.
Research can only go so far –
you can have all the material in
the world and still fail to come
up with a substantial article.
Highfaluting words are a bane,
to be honest, and should be kept
at a minimal. Awards are just
the cherry on top of a job well
done.
Although both areas seem
poles apart, my stints in sports
writing and creative writing
eventually meet halfway in
the sense that both require
the same degree of patience
and perseverance (along with
a good deal of practice). In
the end, it all boils down to
structure and substance. Writing
is actually like basketball – you
have your off days, you have
your good days, you win the
championship, you get beaten
to a pulp – either way, you have
to deliver.
I’m not the greatest sports
nut in the world. Nor do I
appreciate every literary piece
out there. But I am determined
to improve my craft.
Journalism majors and
aspiring writers shouldn’t be
afraid to venture out of their
field of expertise. For someone
who never had an inkling
of basketball rules before, I
gathered enough nerve to write
for a broadsheet. My closest
literary training was writing
overly sentimental poems
brimming with teenage angst
back in high school. Lack of
experience, training, knowled
ge or even awards should never
be a hindrance. The limit that
only exists is one’s self, as long
as the passion for the written
craft is kept aflame.
candor.
The growing population
has always been the scapegoat
for the nation’s poverty and
illiteracy. Going by the logic
of Valisno, the high dropout
rate should also be blamed
on it. Of course, she and
Cabral are not expected to
see the moat in their eyes
since one reason for the
country’s poverty is the size of
government and its corruption
and mismanagement. With
too many bureaucrats and
careerists on the payroll,
there would never be enough
for the poor. Worse, the
poor themselves are blamed
for their poverty! They’re
perceived as rabbits with
voracious sex habits and
rampaging
populations!
Valisno and Cabral perhaps
should go back to school and
learn lessons from Nobel
economists
like
Simon
Kuznets, who denies any
negative correlation between
population and economic
growth, and Amartya Sen, who
urges that money spent for
birth control be used instead
for poverty amelioration. Valisno
and
Cabral
should at least appreciate
the principle of subsidiarity.
Things are better left
discussed where people
are more knowledgeable
and more experienced than
adolescents are – the home
and the family. Parents are the
ones who should guide their
children in growing up as
responsible, sexually healthy,
and morally sound persons.
It is in the home where basic
education begins. While sex
may be a queasy topic for
both parents and children,
the cardinal rule still applies:
parents know what is best for
their children.
The limit that only
exists is one’s self, as
long as the passion
for the written craft is
kept aflame
JULY 1, 2010 5
Welcome to UST
LAST year, Rector Fr. Rolando
de la Rosa, O.P. emphasized in
his annual report that UST and
its achievements are its birthright
and destiny. There is no doubt that
one does not become a Thomasian
by accident. The fact that the
University has been around for
four centuries is a testimony that
it has already pervaded public
consciousness. The thousands
of hopefuls who took the UST
entrance test (Ustet) are proof that
the University has made a lasting
impact in education and in nation-building.
I hope I don’t sound presumptuous if I say that there is
always something innately “Thomasian” in every one of us,
since UST has been true to its mission since 1611 to provide
quality education to Filipinos, many of whom become leaders,
trailblazers, innovators, movers and shakers here and abroad.
This is the legacy of the Pontifical University.
As director of the Office for Admissions, it is important
to note that being accepted in the University is the first step to
experiencing genuine Thomasian education.
One must first apply, take the entrance examination, pass
it, and be able to comply with other requirements of a degree
program. It is a process that all applicants must go through.
Once an applicant makes it, it is now his responsibility to
do well in his studies up to the time that he is supposed to
graduate.
Rumor has it that it is rather easy to pass the entrance
examination; I would like to contest this. While we wish to
accommodate everyone, there are still thousands of applicants
who, unfortunately, do not pass the Ustet. Academic standards
have to be maintained, which is why we constantly review
the entrance examination. The many applicants every year
show that people trust UST as an educational institution and
it is one of the top priorities of parents for their children’s
education.
But more important than
academic achievement is the fact
that our students aim to achieve
something with a conscience
UST is an institution that does not only emphasize
academic excellence, because many other equally good
schools do the same. It also strives to instill virtues and
values in all students. Theology courses and a sufficient
number of Humanities and Social courses are offered in all
degree programs to make the Thomasian experience more
holistic.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to get ahead or
with wanting to be on top. In fact, the University encourages
this. Proof of this is our outstanding performance in
licensure examinations.
But more important than academic achievement is
the fact that our students aim to achieve something with
a conscience; that they do not develop intellectual hubris,
and for them to realize that learning is the ultimate prize
and that it has a nobler purpose than mere statistical
accomplishments.
Many companies say that they prioritize UST
graduates during hiring season because they are not only
competent, but are also eager to learn more. They are also
respectful and determined, while keeping their values
intact.
The University is, first and foremost, not an elitist
school. Its clientele is so diverse, with students coming
from different social and economic backgrounds, providing
the University with more opportunities to bring out the best
in them. A few years ago, a University representative was
interviewed on television and he said that UST accepts
basically average students and make them excellent
individuals.
This is more challenging than having a clientele that
is composed of a “charmed circle,” whose members come
only from the upper echelon of society. Thus, this makes
the Thomasian experience more genuine, more realistic,
more sincere, and more human and humane.
*The guest columnist is the director of the UST Office for
Admissions.
Corrections
In the June 18 (Vol. LXXXI No. 14) issue of the
Varsitarian, the Page 1 headline “Accountancy Examinations
Goes Automated,” was obviously ungrammatical.
In the same issue, UAAP Athlete of the Year Marlon
Avenido was mistakenly identified as a College of Fine
Arts and Design student. Avenido is a Behavioral Science
student in the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
Our apologies-Ed.
The
6
Va
FEATU
JULY 1, 2010
Rose-An Jessica M.
Enrique “Buko” dela Cruz Jr.
Photos courtesy of Enrique “Buko” dela Cruz Jr.
A scholar’s legacy
E
NRIQUE dela Cruz Jr. had a
“loaded” relationship with the
University of Santo Tomas—
he was a full scholar, part of the
debate team, and an official of the
Arts and Letters Student Council.
But in between his duties to
the Artlet student body and years
of training to develop structured
arguments, this scholar made sure
that he had his daily two-hour
date with his textbooks and class
notes. He knew he was still—and
foremost—a student.
“It was just a matter of personal
discipline,” he said. “We go to
school every day. Everything else
is secondary.”
Known as “Buko” after giving
away buko juice during a student
council election campaign, the man
who has become of this international
debater is now a partner at the Ponce
Enrile Reyes and Manalastas Law
Offices, a part-time professor in the
Faculty of Arts and Letters, a former
three-term councilor of Baliuag,
Bulacan and now a newly-elected
board member of the province.
A n d t h e 2 0 0 1 Yo u n g
Outstanding Thomasian Achiever,
only in his 30s, is determined not to
stop at that. Buko is still to impart
his leadership skills by serving his
townsfolk by offering free legal
consultations among the locals of
Baliuag.
Taking the path
The door of opportunity to study
at UST opened for Buko when he
joined in an extemporaneous speech
in high school, where Rev.
Fr. Rolando dela Rosa, O.P.,
then UST rector, took part
as a juror.
Buko’s gift of gab
turned out to be his saving
grace, as the Rector offered
him a timely and muchneeded scholarship which
he readily accepted. His
father, Enrique Sr., is a mechanical
engineer by profession who was
forced to take the job of a jeepney
driver after he got sick. His mother,
Isadora, suffered from a stroke and
sold lutong ulam to augment the
family income.
It did not take long for Buko to
bounce back, as he secured himself
a scholarship after he took the
screening tests in UST.
Though he admitted that he
wanted to take up Physical Therapy
to pursue his dream to become a
doctor, he still decided to take up
Legal Management because it was
what he really wanted since he
was young. This sudden change of
mind became his stepping stone to
the Faculty of Civil Law after he
graduated in 1996. He emerged
third in class when he finished law
in 2000.
“For once, I wished to be a
doctor because my parents then got
sick, but I always knew I was meant
for law school,” he shared.
B u t B u k o ’s d u t i e s a s a
Thomasian did not end by hitting
the library and doing well in class.
He was also politically involved
in his home faculty, where he was
elected president of the Freshmen
Society. He was also elected
as public relations officer, vice
president, and president of the
Artlets Student Council during
his second, third, and fourth year,
respectively.
With his public speaking skills
as his passport to UST, nights of
honing his debate skills eventually
paid off for Buko. He was able
to lead the University to three
consecutive national championships
at the Association of Law Students
of the Philippines Conflicts of Law
Debate Tournament.
He was also named Best
Speaker at the fourth All-Asian
Intervarsity Debate Tournament in
Singapore, where he led UST to
a gold medal in 1997. Two years
later, he led the Philippine Law
Debate Team in advancing to the
ASEAN Law Debate Championship
never failed to evade the Españabased institution.
“I couldn’t forget this instance
when the University was flooded
and the first floor of the building
were underwater. We had to get food
from Jollibee while riding on a small
wooden boat. Then, we had to pass
through the windows just to deliver
the food to the students who were
stranded along with us,” he recalled.
For the Outstanding Young
Leaders of the Philippines awardee,
At the end of the day, it’s not about
how many medals you’ve earned.
Experience is still the best standard.
college was made fun by widening
his horizons and making friends. He
also advised students to invest in
their interests and engage themselves
in extra-curricular activities where
their interests best fit.
“You can’t spend your college
life in your own little hole, you have
to be a part of the community,” he
said.
Buko benefited much from his
college experience and uses it well
through a well-paying job that keeps
him busy. But he still keeps his ties
with the University by teaching
part-time at the Faculty of Arts and
Letters, where he tells his students
that while it is important to prioritize
academics, success in school is not
measured by grades.
“At the end of the day, it’s not
actually how many medals you’ve
earned. Experience is still the best
standard,” he said. Margaret Rose
B. Maranan
in Indonesia.
During the late Pope John Paul
II’s Manila visit in 1995, Buko was
the AB student council’s second
highest leader. The Arts and Letters’
centenary followed the next year,
sending Buko, then a senior and
the president of the Artlets student
council, out like a spinning top.
While the events were an
overall success, Buko regretted not
being able to meet the Holy Father
despite the fact that his father had
something to do with the big event.
He just had to take comfort in the
fact that his father used to work for
Francisco Motors, which designed
and built the Pope’s mobile.
Thomasian ‘baptism’
But what Buko considers
as one of his best memories
in college lie not in the big
moments attached to his
string of achievements, but
in the humbling flood that
THE PEOPLE’S PERSON. The young lawyer and government
official with one of his constituents.
Moments of stutter
in which sounds, syllables, or words are
repeated or prolonged, disrupting the normal
flow of speech. This may be accompanied by
struggling behaviors such as rapid eye blinks
or tremor of the lips.
While stuttering is an actual medical
condition, many individuals who may
not have contracted the disorder also find
themselves repeating their words when faced
with awkward or nerve-racking situations.
“The causes of stuttering may vary
from a physiological cause or generally by
an unexplained origin of extreme tension or
anxiety,” Sunico said.
Illustration by Jasmine C. Santos
ONE DAY in English class, Cheska*, a
Physical Therapy junior, was summoned
in front in what would turn out to be a
harrowing experience of sorts. Never the
type to speak in public, she was asked by
her professor to deliver an extemporaneous
speech.
“We were given this topic and my mind
just went blank,” she recalled.
She felt the words at the tip of her
tongue, but just could not utter them. It didn’t
help that all eyes were on her, especially the
scrutinizing pair of her professor’s. She was
frozen.
“I knew she [the professor] would knit
pick every phrase I could have uttered,” she
said.
A classroom scene such as this is no
ordinary thing, particularly to those who are
not used to getting the attention of the whole
class. Many fill the gaps in their sentences
with “Uhm,” or by repeatedly saying the
words until they could proceed.
“Stuttering is a student’s usual reaction
when faced with recitation, reporting, or
stage performances,” said Carmen QuesadaSunico, guidance counselor of the College of
Science.
Stuttering has emotional efforts on a
person, she said.
“Technically, its emotional aspect is
triggered because it embraces both the
cognitive and motor skills,” she explained.
“It usually occurs when students feel nervous
and are asked to recite in class or during
classroom reporting activities.”
Word cuts
According to the National Institute
on Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders, stuttering is a speech disorders
Little solutions
While stuttering could become quite
a habit for many, Sunico pointed out that
there were ways to avoid being completely
embarrassed when talking in front of the
class.
She said that some stutterers would
resort to word substitution—replacing a
word they’re stuttering in with another word
having a similar meaning. They may also use
expressions such as “you know” and “let’s
see.”
But the guidance counselor noted that
the most effective way to avoid stuttering in
class was to study and come prepared.
“Be like a boy scout—laging handa—so
you won’t be surprised with recitations,” she
said. Margaret Rose B. Maranan
arsitarian
URES
JULY 1, 2010
Dioquino, Editor
7
Overcoming
professor fright
Karla Mides C. Toledo
STUDENTS, teachers used to say, are like
in a fish bowl. Whatever they do in class—
the cheating and all the horsing around, for
instance—are not left unnoticed by the man
behind the desk.
But come to think of it, who’s actually
under scrutiny in a classroom setup?
Especially with the advent of social
networking sites generally accessible in
class, teachers can easily fall prey to their
students’ profiling on any given day. There’s
Ma’am Y who dozes off during group
reporting. Or Sir X who gives the front row
a “sprinkle” or two.
So make no mistake about it:
Teachers—much like their students—are in
a fish bowl, too, so to speak.
Accounts by upperclassmen add to the
profiling. By their descriptions, a professor
could be the quintessential disciplinarian
who talks tough and carries a big stick,
literally.
“It is sometimes a projection of past
experiences which triggers one person to
label or think of a person a certain way,”
Kristine Cadano, guidance counselor of the
College of Architecture, explained.
These labels, according to Cadano, are
eventually
passed on to other students
who might easily develop an
impression on professors that they
will meet for the first time.
Ma. Regina De Leon-Atinaja,
guidance counselor of the Faculty
of Arts and Letters, said labeling
professors could be a result of the
students’ lack of responsibility, which
probably led to their bad experiences
with their teachers.
“Labeling professors, if you will
look at it, sometimes come from the
shortcomings of the students—their
experiences with them,” she said.
Joel Adamos, the College of
Education’s chair for education programs,
said some students, particularly freshmen,
had the tendency to compare their
professors’ attitudes and teaching styles.
“You can’t prevent that, especially for
first year students who just finished high
school. Their teachers were their friends
then, unlike in college where the professors
prefer a distant relationship with their
students,” he said.
Unblocking perception
Adamos noted that professors are
individuals with different personalities,
Illustration by R. I. M. Cruz
which unconsciously reflect their teaching
styles.
“They (professors) are different types of
persons; students should learn how to deal
with them. This will train them (students) to
be more competent professionals,” he said.
Cadano said understanding professors’
various personalities could help students
learn things which can mold them as
responsible, open-minded adults.
“Your professors are willing to assist
you to be the best person you can be. Their
style [of teaching] just varies,” she pointed
out.
She added: “Communication is really
the key. It is important for the students
Your professors are willing to assist you to
be the best person you can be.
Their style [of teaching] just varies.
- Kristine Cadano, College of Architecture
guidance counselor
For
to have an open relationship with their
professors and an open mind.”
Breaking barriers
Atinaja described a student-professor
relationship as a two-way street, and advised
students to be responsible and do their part.
“Come to class prepared and always
be attentive to what your professors are
saying,” she said.
Adamos added that this would not be
hard because professors set high standards
for students to maintain the quality of
education.
The guidance counselor of the Faculty
of Arts and Letters also advised students not
to let fear stop them from performing well
in class.
“This [fear] is the reason why students
tend to lose confidence,” she said.
Cadano reminded students that their
professors are persons too. “They are
there to assist you in achieving your full
potential,” Cadano said.
But with this realization at hand, she
noted that students should not forget to
respect their professors.
“These people, for all you know, may
be your future colleagues,” she said. Alma
Maria L. Sarmiento
IDentification Purposes
THE RULE is simple: Wear IDs on campus. But students,
time and again, are finding (if not, repeating) 1, 001 reasons
to avoid it. Even with the introduction of colorful lanyards,
there are still not a few like Marlon Castaño of the College
of Commerce who find it “uncool” to wear IDs. He believes
IDs ruin his get-up, finds it necessary to wear one only when
he has to get inside a building and attend classes.
“I feel like I’m a high school student when I wear it.
Pangsira siya ng porma,” he said.
Computer Science sophomore Hiro James Elizaga doesn’t
wear his ID to save himself from an embarrassing “blast from
the past.”
“I wasn’t able to have my haircut before the ID picture
was taken so I didn’t look okay,” he explained.
Following norms
Josephine Placido-Aguilar, sociology professor of the
Faculty of Arts and Letters, said that it was typical for the young
wanting to look and feel they were different from others.
“In our society, you can never please everybody. They have
reasons why they want to be different, and we must respect that,”
she added.
Despite this, Aguilar still argued on the importance of
wearing their IDs inside the building’s premises.
“Whether you look like a monster or not in your ID, it
still has to be worn. Because the ID is still part of the uniform,
and the uniform is part of the institution,” she said. “In general
terms, it is one of the major norms set by the institution—so it
has to be followed because you are moving within the norm.”
But there are students like Shawn Kylie Juan of the College
of Science, who feel better when they have their IDs on.
“I always wear it because it would be a hassle if you take it
off and put it back on again, unlike when you’re just wearing it,
all you have to do is swipe,” he said.
Seeing the act as a way to live by UST’s reputation as a
Catholic institution, behavioral science senior Mark Anthony
Abisado, takes pleasure in simply abiding by the roles.
“Being a part of the Catholic institution portrays students who
are molded
s p i r i tu a l ly
and always
observes
r i g h t
conduct.
A good
way of
showing
this is to
simply
follow
t h e
rules
set,” he
said.
Pastrana
said that going
by this policy
showed willingness
to be a part of this
entire institution, or
in a larger context, the
culture in itself.
“If students have
a strong regard for their
Thomasian identity, wearing
their IDs would not be a problem
at all,” Pastrana said. Alma Maria L.
Sarmiento
Illustration by Fritzie Marie C. Amar
By the rules
While students are constantly reminded that wearing
the gold plastic card is obligatory, many students take it for
granted.
According to the Code of Conduct and Discipline
(PPS 1027), “students must wear their validated University
identification card (ID) at all times within the University
premises.”
Noting the importance of wearing ID at all times,
Susan Maravilla, assistant dean and Student Welfare and
Development Board (SWDB) coordinator of the College of
Nursing, said an ID holds a legitimate piece of information
that enables someone to identify you.
“Wearing IDs is for the students’ own safety. If not for
IDs, anyone can come inside the college building and pretend
to be a student of the University,” she said.
Echoing Maravilla is College of Music SWDB Coordinator
Allan Pastrana, who said that students saw the policy as an
empty rule.
“But if you just dig deeper, IDs serve as the students’ bondage
with the University,” he noted.
Pastrana explained that students who didn’t wear their IDs
probably wanted to be “different.”
The
Varsitarian
SCI-TECH
8 JULY 1, 2010
Antonio Ramon H. Royandoyan, Acting Editor
Al Gore tells Filipinos
Face the Inconvenient Truth
Floods
Climate change, according to Gore, is
characterized by an unusual rise and fall of
temperature from time to time.
Widespread diseases, extinction of
species, and the spread of vectors such as
fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks, are just some of
the evident effects of the phenomenon.
During his talk, Gore explained that
planets Earth and Venus both have ‘shells’
of atmosphere to protect it from the entry of
solar light waves. But compared to Venus, the
Earth has a thinner layer of atmosphere that
makes it difficult to control the infrared rays
inside it.
Thickened by pollution, a huge amount
of infrared radiation and greenhouse gases is
trapped inside the atmosphere, which causes
the “greenhouse effect”.
“There was really a medieval warming
after all,” Gore said, pertaining to high
temperature points in his chart.
He said that temperature and carbon
dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the
atmosphere are equally dependent with
each other. When CO2 levels increase, the
temperature also rises.
According to Gore, a record of the world’s
total annual rainfall shows a tremendous
increase in levels all over the world. A boost
in flood levels among South American and
Asian countries such as Mexico, Argentina,
Brazil, Guatemala, India, China, Bangladesh,
and the Philippines has been evident for the
past ten years.
Moral issue
Addressing
his concerns on
global warming to
the Filipino people,
Gore believes that
today’s actions would
greatly
affect
the
future.
“It
[global
warming]
is
a
moral issue because
decisions made by the
present generation will
have such a profound
effect on future generations,”
Gore said.
He enumerated three factors
of collision between the human
civilization and the Earth: population
explosion, science and technology
revolution, and people’s way of thinking.
Ballooning populations, according
to Gore, has a negative impact on our
ability to help our environment. The
population inflation rate among third
world countries like the Philippines
is higher compared to developed
countries. At present, the country
ranks 12th in the countries with high
UAAP piracy
have financial problems and
they were offered a way
out,” De Sagon said. “She
(Santiago) was saying she
would like to play for UST
but she cannot do anything.”
Coach Cesael de los
Santos said that Santiago’s
departure was a family
decision. De Sagon said he
told the spiker to defer to her
guardian’s decision when she
came to him for advice.
Volleybelle
Valdez’s
failure to secure her release
papers from the IPEA will
force her to follow the UAAP
rule requiring her to spend a
one-year residency in the
other school she hopes to
play for.
Such a provision will
no longer apply if she is
officially released by UST.
“If we will release her,
we are also bound to release
other players who have left
us like the Santiago sisters,”
De Sagon said.
In the case of exathletics moderator Vicente,
his departure came with the
allegation that he had in fact
been booted out of UST. De
Sagon denied this, saying
Vicente had opted to retire
“to take care of his children
and his family.”
The departure of Tiger
Cubs Neypes and Labing-isa
combined to our old habits, consequences are
dramatically altered,” he said.
Gore also considers “way of thinking” as
most important.
“People are like frogs on a pot of
boiling water. When the frog jumps into
it, immediately jumps out after feeling the
heat. But when a frog is put inside a pot of
slow-warming water, it stays there until it is
rescued,” Gore said.
Defending himself from critics, Gore
explained the misconceptions which led
queries to his campaign against climate
change. Together with the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Gore
addressed errors from his previous
documentary. He argued that a massive
scientific research was done on every article
on the documentary.
However, other researchers and scientists
claim that global warming is a theory rather
than a fact.
Illustration by Carla T. Gamalinda
THE BEARER of the inconvenient truth
was in Manila and Albert Arnold “Al” Gore
wanted Filipinos to act with resolve. Now.
The Nobel laureate and former United
States vice president challenged Filipinos to
face the inconvenient truth about the harmful
effects of climate change in his two-hour
forum titled “Face the Inconvenient Truth: Al
Gore Live in Manila” held at SMX Convention
Center, Pasay City last June 8.
“There is no excuse for us not to react.
There have been many changes [in Earth] and
people can see the reality,” he said.
Gore’s presentation discussed the
indicators of climate change such as warmer
ocean temperature which causes frequent
visit of storms, hurricanes and typhoons, the
unusual rise and fall of temperature, and the
interchanging cycle of El Niño and La Niña.
caught their coach, Allan Ascue,
by surprise. “I expected that they
would continue their career here
with the Tigers,” the coach said.
Help NU win
In an interview with the
Varsitarian, Neypes said he
was yet to enroll in NU, but was
already listed in its official lineup
for UAAP Season 73.
“I want to help NU’s team
because they have always been
at the tail-end for the past years.
This time, I want them to move
up,” said the skipper who placed
second in the MVP race last
From page 1
season.
After Season 72, Ascue
recalled seeing Neypes and
Labing-isa still training with
him in preparation for the
National Basketball Training
Center D-League.
Both dribblers also
belonged to the elite RP
Fiba U-18 pool and were
training for this year’s Junior
Olympics.
“After
they
asked
permission to join the [RP]
National team, I have not seen
them for some time. Then,
speculations rose saying that
they already signed up for the
other team (NU),” the coach
said.
Unlike Neypes who
came to UST to personally tell
his coach that he was leaving,
Labing-isa is yet to explain his
decision not to join the senior
team, according to Ascue.
Tigers
coach
Pido
Jarencio said he had been
eyeing to recruit Neypes and
Labing-isa, but was surprised
when they opted to play for
another UAAP team.
“Last year, they agreed to
play for us but suddenly, they
were gone,” he said. “I have
no regrets because it’s their
decision. It’s hard to force
someone whose heart is not
with the team.”
population in
Asia,
with
three babies
born
every
minute.
“Population
explosion
puts
pressure to food demand, water
demand, and other vulnerable
natural resources,” he said,
emphasizing that higher demand
would just lead to abuse of
resources.
He added that science and
technology revolution would
abruptly change the usual
weather patterns of the Earth.
Breaking from the traditional ways
to new ones, according to Gore, will just
bring ‘unpredictable’ consequences.
“With ‘old habits’ and ‘old
technology’, we will have predictable
consequences, but with new technology
Fighting climate change
For Gore, the best way to save the planet
from climate change was to replace current
energy sources by alternative and Earthfriendly ones such as wind power, solar
energy, and geothermal energy.
He
acknowledged
the
Filipinos’
continuing efforts to save energy by
prompting the use of biofuel and electric
jeepneys.
“We can do great things in this world,”
he said. “The choice is between the hard right
and the easy wrong.”
Taking part in the lecture is broadcast
journalist Cheche Lazaro who asked Al
Gore regarding his thoughts about the
Philippines’ situation on its environment. In
response, Gore said that the Philippines was
now decreasing its population rate by 21%
per family. From an average rate of seven
children in one family two years ago, it was
reduced to five to six this year.
When asked about the possibility of the
Philippines to experience a climate change,
Gore posed the challenge to the country’s top
official.
“The challenges would be on the
president,” he said. “I believe that the
president can lead the nation in facing the
inconvenient truth about global warming.”
Camille Anne M. Arcilla
Lumina Pandit
appreciating, and utilizing
o ur rich historical and
cultural heritage,” dagdag
pa ni De la Rosa.
Ta o n g 2 0 0 8 n a n g
simulan ni P. Angel Aparicio,
O.P., prefect ng library,
ang pagpaplano ng exhibit
upang maipakilala ang
kontribusyon ng aklatan sa
ika-400 taon ng Unibersidad.
Kasama ni De la Rosa
sa ribbon-cutting sina
United Nations Educational
Scientific and Cultural
Organization SecretaryGeneral Preciosa Soliven,
vice chancellor P. Quirico
Pedregosa, O.P., at Fr.
Javier Gonzalez, O.P., ng
Provincial of the Holy
Rosary Parish.
May anim na bahagi ang
exhibit na sumisimbolo sa
kontribusyon ng Unibersidad
sa pag-unlad ng Pilipinas.
Ang mga ito ay ang
“Threshold 400,” “Realm of
Print,” “Sphere of Change,”
“Routes of Globalization,”
“Nascent Nation,” at “Curve
of Nationalism.” Makikita
rin dito ang replika ng
palimbagan noong 1593, ang
“Incunabula;” ang aklat na
“De Revolutionibus Orbium
Celstiom [On the Evolution
of the Celestial Spheres]” ni
Nicolaus Copernicus; ang
“Doctrina Christiana;” ang
“Plantin Polyglot Bible;”
mga makasaysayang mapa at
peryodiko, at mga grado noong
nag-aaral pa ang mga kilalang
Staff
Mondragon, Jilson Seckler
Tiu, and Karla Mides Toledo
(Photography).
The publications adviser
is still Joselito Zulueta, an
editor and editorialist of the
Philippine Daily Inquirer,
professor of jou r nalism
at the Faculty of Arts and
Letters, and holder of the
Irwin Professorial Chair
in Literature at Ateneo de
Manila University.
BusinessWorld associate
Mula pahina 2
Tomasino tulad nina Jose Rizal
at Apolinario Mabini.
“Namangha ako sa mga
aklat na nagpapatunay lamang
na may apat na raang taon na
tayong maipapamana sa mga
susunod na henerasyon,” ani
Julio Perez, isang alumnus
ng College of Architecture
and Fine Arts noong 1977 na
dumalo sa exhibit.
“Sana ay makinabang
ang mga mag-aaral sa exhibit
na ito, gamitin ang kanilang
mga natutunan, at magkaroon
sila ng magandang karanasan
dito,” ani Aparicio.
“Kakaiba ito sapagkat
makikita sa exhibit ang
resulta ng kasaysayan ng ating
institusyon,” dagdag pa niya.
Kalaine Nikka Kay C. Grafil
From page 2
editor Felipe Salvosa II remains
the assist ant publications
adviser. Salvosa also teaches
journalism in Artlets.
T h is ye a r’s sele ct ion
committee was headed by
Christian Esguerra, a Journalism
professor, Philippine Daily
Inquirer senior reporter and
former Yuchengco Media Fellow,
as chairman; Pennie Azarconde la Cruz, Sunday Inquirer
Magazine executive editor and
former Varsitarian associate
editor; Nestor Cuartero, Artlets
professor and Manila Bulletin
assistant entertainment editor;
and Department of Languages
chai r ma n P rof. Ma r ilu
Madrunio.
The screening process for
this year’s applicants consisted
of qualifying and specialized
examinations, followed by a
panel interview. The staffers
underwent series of trainings,
workshops, and seminars last
summer.
The
Varsitarian
WITNESS
Robin G. Padilla, Editor
JULY 1, 2010 9
Fruitful end for Year of Priests
AIMING to strengthen the
spirituality of the Catholic
clergy through a year of prayer
dedicated to them, the Church
celebrated the Year of Priests
for the first time, acknowledging
the crucial role of priests in the
Catholic Church.
With the theme Faithfulness
of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests,
the feast was concluded with an
International Meeting of Priests
held in Rome, Italy last June 9
to 11.
“Holiness, as we know, is
proper to God, who is himself
the absolute truth, goodness,
love and beauty. As ministers of
Christ, priests bring us into lifegiving contact with the mystery
of God’s holiness,” said Pope
Benedict XVI in one of his texts
released during the year, Munus
Sanctificandi: Catechism on
the Priesthood. It discussed the
“essential” responsibilities of
priestly ministry in the life of the
Catholic laity.
With some 5,000 priests
from different parts of the globe,
the congregation formally
kicked off with a conference
on Conversion and Mission
by Berlin Archbishop Joachim
Meisner at the Basilica of St. Paul
Outside-the-Walls, and ended
with a mass also presided by the
Pope in St. Peter’s Basilica.
The convention highlighted
the role of priests, which
according to the Pope, were given
the special tasks of teaching,
sanctifying, and governing the
people.
“I acknowledge priests
who preach the Gospel and
God’s celebration of the
sacraments. Through them,
we are able to approach God
Church
From page 1
said. “Perhaps, it would help
maintain the population. But
then, if not executed properly,
we are afraid of its ethical and
moral effects to the young
generation.”
But in a statement released
last June 8, former DepEd
Secretary
Mona
Valisno
emphasized the necessity of
teaching the subject to gradeschoolers.
“The implementation is
meant to raise awareness of the
youth about sexuality, hygiene,
interpersonal relationships and
premarital sex,” Valisno said,
citing an increase in the number
of Filipinos infected with
Human
Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV), and number of
teenage pregnancy cases due
to premarital sex this year.
Valisno clarified that
classroom discussions on sex
education is not about the
sex act, but on the science
of reproduction, physical
care and hygiene, and rules
of interpersonal relations to
prevent pre-marital sex and
teenage pregnancy.
“There’s
a
different
and be transformed
gradually into the
divine image,” the
Pope said.
The Holy
Father noted that the
sanctifying work of
Christ is constantly
made present and
effective through
the celebration of
the sacraments of
the Eucharist and
Reconciliation,
resulting in a
stronger relationship
of the laity with
Christ.
During the
course of the
celebration, the
Vatican released Central Seminary students attend the Mass of the Holy Spirit last June 15.
a decree granting
plenary indulgence to “truly the Pope’s prayers and messages masses, but in every gathering
repentant” priests who have to the laity throughout the and celebration they have,” he
received absolution from their celebration.
said.
sins. Recently, the Catholic
“The Holy Father has given
Beltran also said the yearChurch has bombarded with us a special intention to celebrate long celebration helped them to
issues of pedophilia and this year,” said Angel Lagdameo, better understand their role as
homosexuality. A zero tolerance who served as CBCP president “bridges” between Jesus Christ
policy was implemented in during the Pope’s declaration and the Catholic community.
some countries such as the of the Year of the Priests. “It
“Through the Year of the
United States, removing from is likewise a call to our lay Priests, we are reminded that we
their vocation priests who have faithful to pray with priests do not only represent Christ, but
been found guilty.
and for the priests, especially we are Christ,” he said.
A partial indulgence through the Eucharist,” said
With this responsibility
was also granted to faithful Beltran in a statement released resting upon their shoulders,
who devoutly participated in in CBCPnews.
Beltran said their noble ministry
Eucharistic celebrations and
Fr. Franklin Beltran, O.P., can surpass challenges, and be
confessions.
parish priest of the Santisimo strengthened if they continue
Rosario Parish, also saw the to love their divine calling from
A call to the laity
need for active participation God.
To encourage participation from the laity. He said fervent
“When a priest moves, the
from the Catholic laity, the prayers from the Catholic faithful Church moves. The Church has
Catholic Bishops Conference strengthen their will to continue always been, and will always
of the Philippines (CBCP) their ‘blessed’ ministry.
be a missionary church going
launched a special website
“We are glad because most to every corner of the world,
( w w w . c b c p o n l i n e . n e t / of our parishioners continue to spreading the word of God.”
yearforpriests), which collated pray for priests not only during Jennifer M. Orillaza
connotation of sex [in sex
education]. It is not in the
modules [of teachers] to teach
their students on the act of sex
or the use of contraception. We
are guiding them so that they
will be able to decide what
is good for them,” Valisno
said in an interview with the
Varsitarian.
Valisno also believed that
some parents may be hesitant
to teach sex to their children
because they don’t know
when and where to begin with.
This hesitation, according to
Valisno, can deter a child’s
learning.
“The school is not the
sole institution that can teach
children on sex education.
Parents are the guidance in
teaching their children [in sex
education], not only [school]
teachers. But without the right
exposure on that subject, they
[parents] are welcome to learn
with their children,” Valisno
said.
Grade five and grade
six students among schools
in Olongapo City, Ifugao,
Mountain Province, Masbate,
Bohol,
Eastern
Samar,
Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur,
Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Sultan
Kudarat will be adopting the
memo included in subjects
Papal nuncio
deep study, and of an intense
light of piety, be strong in the
faith to be able to respond
to the expectations of the
Church and of our world.”
Another year of study,
of intellectual seriousness,
is another opportunity for “a
period of intensification of
the faith,” he said.
D u r i n g t h e h o m i l y,
From page 2
Adams recognized the
University’s mission to “lead
many”.
“Surely, this venerable
institution, this Pontifical and
Royal University of Santo
Tomas which prepares to
celebrate the very special
anniversary, has done much
this past 400 years to extend
the Master’s presence and
like Science, Edukasyong
Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan
(EPP), Health, Heograpiya,
Kasaysayan, at Sibika, and
Mathematics.
Meanwhile,
in
a
phone interview with the
Varsitarian, Department of
Health Secretary Esperanza
Cabral supported Valisno,
saying that children in the
kindergarten level (4 to 6 years
old), should be taught about
their sexuality even at an early
age.
“Children at that age
become curious about males
and females, boys and girls.
Parents, including teachers,
must be ready to answer their
questions [regarding sex]. We
must also be ready to tell them
certain parts of their body that
nobody else should touch,”
Cabral said.
Parents cry foul
To
nullify
the
implementation, 24 petitioners
from Ang Kapatiran Partylist
filed a class suit last June
21 against the education
department.
Petitioners headed by
CBCP Legal Office secretary
Jo Imbong appealed that
teaching sex education in
lower levels violates Article II,
to make known His truth,”
Adams said.
“The 400th anniversary
of this University is drawing
near, and it provides dictation
to contribute to what this
ancient institution, this
alma mater has always
offered: intellectual growth,
contemplation, and zeal for
right living and mission,
common mission which all
Christians had; to extend
the Master’s presence and to
make known His truth, His
Section 12 of the Constitution,
which states the rights of
parents to rear the moral
character of their children.
“It’s a suit filed by
parents, families, community
leaders, lay organizations,
and professionals who do not
want other people outside their
family to corrupt the minds and
hearts of their children whom
they nurture with family and
moral values,” Imbong said.
The memo read that
“teaching subjects of human
sexuality in the classroom
assumes the role of the
parent’s primary responsibility
in teaching their children
in matters about sex.”
This violation, according
to Imbong, could tarnish
children’s understanding of
human sexuality.
Responding to the suit
filed by AKP, Valisno said
they will just run a pilot-test to
determine if the program will
be effective.
“There isn’t a nationwide
implementation.
I
don’t
understand why they are trying
to stop the modules, which are
scientifically done by scientists,
clinical psychologists, and
medical practitioners. They
are specifically designed for
student’s understanding,”
unending grace,” he added.
UST administrators,
professors, non-teaching
staff, alumni, and students
gathered at Santissimo
Rosario Parish to celebrate the
Holy Eucharist last June 15.
Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa,
O.P., and Vice Chancellor Fr.
Quirico Pedregosa, O.P., were
co-celebrants of the Mass of
the Holy Spirit. Charmaine
M. Parado and Jilly Anne A.
Bulauan
Thomasians take sides
on sex education
Compiled by JENNIFER M. ORILLAZA
DESPITE strong opposition from the Catholic Church,
the Department of Education (DepEd) is pushing through with
the pilot testing of sex education in elementary and secondary
public schools, aiming to prevent premarital sex and educate
the youth about sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The
Varsitarian asks some Thomasians for their opinions on this
controversial issue.
What is your stand on sex education in public schools?
Personally, I agree with its implementation in public
schools. I believe sex education would be beneficial. It can
reduce the number of early pregnancy cases in the country.
– Jan Vincent Arafiles, third year, Biochemistry
It is not right to teach sex education in public schools
because it would only intensify the curiosity of the youth about
sex. – Dennis Bryan Gabuat, Security Guard
It is necessary that everybody should be informed about
the nature of sex, including its morality. The government
should really take steps to enlighten the society about sex. –
Vincent Aljon Cifra, fourth year, Philosophy
I don’t agree because it contradicts tradition, culture,
and religion. – Caren Maxine Bernabe, College of Tourism
and Hospitality Management alumna
I agree with the implementation because it will control
the increasing population in the Philippines, and hopefully,
lessen the cases of poverty in the country. – Virgilio Pascual,
fourth-year, Medical Technology
The youth don’t have to learn [sex] in school. As long as
you know what is right and what is wrong, that is more than
enough. – Edna Sanchez, Institute of Physical Education
and Athletics professor
I agree with its implementation because lack of
awareness on [sex] will just lead to the youth engaging in
premarital sex. – Ivan Valencia, fifth year, Architecture
What would be the effects of sex education on the
youth and our society?
If DepEd will implement it, young people can distinguish
right from wrong. However, out of curiosity, they will tend to
be experimental and try doing the act. – Franz Geronimo,
Central Student Council treasurer
They [youth] could obtain adequate knowledge about sex
even at an early age. Knowing what is right from wrong at an
early age could eventually lead them to refrain from engaging
in premarital sex. – Hector Balagtas, property custodian
Since it increases the youth’s awareness about sex, then
cases of unwanted pregnancy will decrease. – Jeric Fortuna,
third year, Marketing Management
Educating children about sex will have both its pros and
cons. It could have a good effect in the sense that it would
make the youth more aware and prevent the occurrence of
pre-marital sex. It could also have a bad effect to the point
that it would make kids more curious and try engaging in
a sexual act. – Felucci Clarice Asuncion, fourth year,
Communication Arts
It would change the society because the youth will
become more liberated. – Leandro Santos II, Central
Student Council President
Illustration by Patrick C. Delos Reyes
The
Varsitarian
LIMELIGHT
Carla T. Gamalinda, Art Director
10 JULY 1, 2010
Towazinos
By Jasmine C. Santos
España♠Blues
By Patrick C. de los Reyes
Bits of USTe
By Fritzie Marie C. Amar
Tomahawk
By Jilson Seckler C. Tiu
Tigers
help f rom the Nat ional
Universit y Bulldogs, who
spoiled De La Salle Green
A r ch e r s’ h o p e s t o fo r c e
playoffs with the Tigers for
the fourth and last spot in the
semis.
Luck was not enough to
OT
WFOT. This includes looking
at the curriculum, faculty
profile, facilities—including
library
and
laboratory
facilities—and
activities
the program is engaged in
promoting the profession,”
Uy said.
“More
importantly,
they are looking at how the
educational system was able
to contribute to the growth of
the profession,” Uy added.
The WFOT accreditation
will
not
only
enable
Thomasians to get a job
abroad, it will also give them
access to higher education.
“Pursuing a master’s
or doctorate in occupational
therapy requires one to be
a graduate of a WFOTrecognized school. There
are no graduate programs in
occupational therapy offered
in the Philippines yet,” Uy
said.
As
part
of
the
accreditation process, each
member school has to reapply
for accreditation every five
years. Upon doing so, the
international body sends
feedback on how the school
From page 12
carry the Tigers in the Finals
though, as they suffered a
64-81 drubbing in the hands
of twice-to-beat Ateneo. The
Blue Eagles went on to win the
championship. Anne Marie
Carmela L. Dayauon
From page 1
can improve the occupational
therapy
program
by
determining its strengths and
weaknesses.
“We have to constantly
work on these things, and we
have to be updated with the
current trends in occupational
therapy—both in OT practice
and OT education—so that
we could be at par with the
international
standards,”
Agcaoili said.
UST is now one of the six
occupational therapy schools
in the country accredited
by the WFOT alongside
University of the PhilippinesManila (accredited in 1968),
University of Perpetual
Help-Laguna (1990), Velez
College
(2000),
Cebu
Doctors’ College (2001), and
Emilio Aguinaldo College
(2006).
In September 2008,
the Varsitarian reported a
complaint of an OT graduate
who was unable to take a
United States licensure exam
despite of being a board
topnotcher because UST
was not accredited. Rommel
Marvin C. Rio
Noynoy
Margarito Teves’ proposal to
raise the value-added tax rate
to 15 percent from 12 percent.
Despite opposition from
the Church, Aquino believes
sex education will help parents
deal with teenage pregnancy.
“We are not talking
about overpopulation, but the
state’s lack of capacity to start
addressing the problems that
are already here,” Aquino said.
On the economy, Aquino
said he would invest on farms
and rural enterprises to achieve
food security.
He also plans to create
more jobs in the country, so
that working abroad will be “a
choice rather than a necessity.”
But when citizens choose to
work overseas, their rights will
still be protected, he said.
According
to
Alvin
Ang, director of the UST
Research Cluster for Cultural,
Educational and Social Issues,
one of the worst problems in
the country today is failure to
create quality jobs resulting in
the growing number of Filipino
workers abroad.
“There is not much
‘quality’ jobs available here
in the country. There is also a
huge mismatch between what
firms want and what schools
offer,” he said.
If Aquino fails to address
that, people will choose to
work abroad instead, he said.
Faculty of Arts and Letters
political science professor
Zenia Rodriguez echoed Ang,
saying that Aquino must be
From page 1
able to provide jobs so that the
country will not lose competent
students after their graduation.
Ang said that while
Aquino plans to the sustain
economy’s growth at 7.3
percent in the first quarter of
the year, he must also consider
the “external environment.”
“Euro (currency) is facing
crisis and [the United States of]
America is still recovering. Our
economy is a part of the global
market so the sustainability [of
the economy] hinges on some
external factors,” Ang said.
Environmental protection
is also included in Aquino’s
main concerns, saying he
will plan alternative urban
development programs and
encourage sustainable use of
resources.
However, in Aquino’s
official written platform, no
specific program for education
has been discussed yet.
“From my vantage point,
one of the concerns that
President Aquino considers
most important is education,”
said Ronald Llamas, Akbayan
party-list president and former
Varsitarian staff member.
“An educational program
cannot be created in a vacuum.
Planning must be in relation to
economic and political goals.”
Llamas pointed out that
in order to change the political
system of the country, the
people must first be welleducated.
Asked where Aquino
should focus, Ang said, “that is
everybody’s question.”
“The President cannot
focus on so many aspects. He
has to focus on something first.
He has to attack one problem
at a time,” Ang added.
But
for
Rodriguez,
Aquino should not single out
an issue.
“All the problems that we
are facing now are interrelated
with each other, and he has to
give equal importance to all of
these,” Rodriguez said.
Aquino’s
campaigns
are anchored on his mantra:
“Kung walang corrupt, walang
mahirap.”
Rodriguez said that it
would be hard to eradicate
corruption but it can be
lessened or minimized.
“His (Aquino) mantra
is too idealistic but it makes
sense,” she said. “He can make
initial steps.”
Cynics doubt Aquino’s
gratifications, citing his failure
to author any law during
his nine and three years as a
representative and senator,
respectively.
“He has co-authored many
laws. But as to whether he had
or had not solo-authored a law,
it will have no impact on his
presidency for it does not mean
that he is a lousy or a leader
who does not have a stand,”
Rodriguez said.
For Llamas, Aquino is a
politician who does not brag
about his accomplishments.
“He does not publicize just
to create a legacy for himself.
After all, people chose him not
because of what he can do, but
because of his character—the
lesser evil,” he said.
Akbayan first supported
the presidential bid of Manuel
Roxas II in 2009 but later
endorsed Aquino’s candidacy
after Roxas withdrew from the
presidential race.
“He may neither be an
intellectual nor a manager.
His leadership may still
be questionable, but for us
(Akabayan), his tendency to
perpetuate himself is lesser, if
there is any,” Llamas said.
Rodriguez said people
should not judge Aquino at the
moment.
“We cannot conclude
anything yet because he
(Aquino) has not even started
yet,” she said. “Let us re-judge
him after six years.”
Llamas hopes Aquino
will first repair “damaged”
institutions left by expresident Arroyo—that is to
remove corrupt officials in
departments and agencies.
“Now, only a few believe
in what the government can
offer. People’s trust has long
been lost,” Llamas said.
Despite Arroyo’s exit,
many say that there is still
a number of “pro-Gloria”
lawmakers in the House of
the Representatives who may
hamper Aquino as legislative
agenda.
Aquino said he cannot
make a paradigm shift with
no sufficient support from the
people.
“I cannot save those who
do not want to save themselves.
It must be a collaboration of
you and me,” Aquino said.
Alexis Ailex C. Villanor, Jr
with Ian Antonio and Monica
Ladisla
The
Varsitarian
sports
By REY IAN M. CRUZ
THIS TIGER isn’t going
anywhere.
Coach Pido Jarencio has
dismissed rumors that he
would leave the Tigers after
four years to join National
University (NU) Bulldogs.
“I love UST,” he said in
Filipino.
Jarencio, a former
Glowing Goldie who took
the coaching cudgels from
Reonel Parado in 2006, was
responsible for the Tigers’
miracle of a championship in
his first year. But a string of
heartbreakers afterward led
to speculation that he was on
his way out last year. It didn’t
help that he, himself admitted
that he was unsure of his status
as UST coach.
Articles from daily
broadsheets Business
Mirror and Manila Bulletin
claimed Jarencio, was set
to replace Bulldogs coach
Manny Dandan. Reports also
mentioned the coach being
fired by UST.
Jarencio confirmed he
received good offers from NU,
but said he preferred to stick it
out with his alma mater.
“There have been some
offers but I never thought of
leaving UST unless they don’t
want me here anymore,” he
said.
Fr. Ermito de Sagon,
Institute of Physical Education
and Athletics (IPEA) director,
refused to comment on the
Tigers’ dismal performance
after their 2006 championship.
“There’s nothing to talk
about his performance, what
matters is that he [Jarencio] is
here and he’s staying with us
[UST],” he said.
Tigresses can be tournament darkhorse
HEIGHT—or the lack of it—
will not matter for the Tigresses
in Season 73. What they lack
in size, they’ll make up with
speed, agility and defense,
“I am confident that any
player [in UST’s lineup] can
handle the best of the other
teams,” coach Juli Amos said.
Despite giving the Far
Eastern University (FEU) Lady
Tamaraws a good fight last year,
the Tigresses lost a close 71-74
decision which pinned them at
fourth place.
Calling the shots for the
UST Tigresses in her second
straight year, Amos looked
poised that these España-based
cagebelles would secure a spot
in the final four after a rigorous
training during the off-season.
“To make their [Tigresses]
ball handling more polished and
fluid, they start their roadwork
at six in the morning,” Amos
revealed.
Licking wounds
Missing the services of
some of the team’s ace players,
Amos will have to rely on a
deep bench and a high level
of maturity to cope with the
powerhouse teams of Adamson
University Lady Falcons and
FEU Lady Tamaraws.
UST will miss the services
of shooting guard Katrina
Fermin who will be leaving
after her graduation while
fellow Tigresses Lore Rivera
and Reg Divina transferred to
another school due to academic
deficiencies.
The Tigresses welcomed
two aspirants from Team B–
Keri Salvador and Kim Reyes
to reinforce mainstays Nikki
Leonardo, Juvi Torregosa, and
Paola Bombeo.
Rookie Angie Cabaylo of
St. Stephen’s High School is the
team’s lone newcomer this year.
Although UST did not
reach the finals last year, Amos
said she was happy with the
team’s overall performance.
“I am not disappointed
because I saw that slowly but
surely, they [Tigresses] are
developing,” she said.
Despite the threat of the
taller and more experienced
Lady Falcons, Amos is still
confident that her wards would
make up for their shortcomings
with teamwork and tenacity.
“Now, as long as they
[Tigresses] remain composed
and at par with the level of
maturity of other teams, we
should be able to keep them on
their toes,” Amos said.
The Tigresses claimed
the Metroball Championship
with rookies from Team B, but
faltered in the Fr. Martin’s Cup
where they finished fourth.
The team’s ferocity also
showed as they trounced the RP
Youth team Under-16, 80-59, in
a tune-up game at the UST gym
last June 12. Rey Ian M. Cruz
Lady Spikers skip
Shakey’s V-league
to focus on UAAP
By ANNE MARIE CARMELA L. DAYAUON
FILE PHOTO
Football
From page 12
grassroots level, subsidizing
local football associations,
especially in Mindanao,
and providing budget for
competitions within the age
bracket of 14 years old and
below. They also promote
girls’ competition aside
from the men’s and women’s
event. Because there are no
legitimate national leagues
in the country, leagues are
usually sponsored by local,
regional or private sector
oftentimes by companies
with owners who are football
fanatics.
UAAP Football and the UST
football community
Football has been among
the list of sporting events
in the UAAP since it was
introduced in 1938.
For almost 15 years of
playing and coaching for UST
in UAAP, Allado observed
that the students’ interest in
football today has become
low, compared to that of the
previous seasons. The number
of students who watch the
football games, usually held in
Ateneo de Manila University
field, really depends on which
team is playing.
“[The audience] depends
on whose team you are
playing against. During the
FRESH from their victory
against the San Sebastian
College-Recoletos Lady Stags
in Shakey’s V-League last
May 27, the Lady Spikers will
take a break and will not join
the second conference of the
tournament.
“Our players requested for
a break,” coach Cesael delos
Santos said in Filipino. “They
needed to rest because of the
continuous games in the last
conference.”
To give consideration to
NCAA teams which will be
holding volleyball games this
second semester, V-league is
set to start on July 11, earlier
than previous conferences
which usually start in October.
In the meantime, the
Lady Spikers sought to
focus on their studies as
well as their preparation for
UAAP Season 73.
“Our formal training
has not yet started and we
have decided to focus on
our studies first,” Lady
Spiker Katrina Carangan
said in a phone interview.
She said the team will
go on a vacation in Hong
Kong before resuming their
training.
I n prev iou s ye a r s,
the España-based squad
also skipped the league’s
f irst conference of the
fifth season in 2008 due to
academic reasons.
championship, there is a
bigger audience if you’re
against Ateneo or La Salle.
But if you’re playing against
UE or FEU, there is less,” said
Allado, who started playing
for UST in 1995.
Thomasians, through the
Thomasian Goodwill Games,
developed their interest and
love for the sport.
“In truth, the intramural
championship [here in UST]
is more watched than the
UAAP. If you will compare
the UST football community
to other universities, we are
number one, because there are
a lot of football players here,
every college,” Allado said.
Football for the Filipinos
The likes of Filipino
power striker Paulino
Alcantara has disappeared in
the memory of this basketballcr azy co u n tr y. F r o m t h e
football bailiwick of Visayas,
with an astonishing string
of 357 goals, Alcantara still
holds the goal scoring record
when he played his glory
years from 1912 to 1927 with
the Barcelona Football Club,
David Beckham’s former
squad. He is in fact the first
Asian and the first Filipino to
play in a European football
club. He did so when he was
just 15 years old, making him
FILE PHOTO
Jarencio stays with UST,
eyes Final 4 return
JULY 1, 2010 11
Jarencio
Upgrade
From page 12
Eduardo Daquioag Jr.
Height: 6’1”
Position: shooting guard
Hometown: Dingras, Ilocos
Norte
Da qu ioag is a pr i zed
catch who can at t ack the
lane without hesitation and
slash through the opponents’
defense. This high-f lying
shooting guard can also finish
with fierce dunks.
Fritz Delgado
Height: 6’0’’
Position: shooting guard
Hometown: Quezon City
This daredevil f rom
Quezon City is out to give the
Tigers additional fire power
with his fearless drives and
deadly jumpers.
Edcor Marata
Height: 5’10”
Position: point guard
Hometown: Cebu
This Cebuano hotshot
w a s n a m e d a s t h e Mo s t
Outstanding Player in Nokia
National Basketball Training
Center (NBTC) D-league last
May. Apart from being one
of the top guns of University
of Visayas Baby Lancers,
Marata was also a part of the
Nike Elite Camp last summer.
Expect his playmaking and
scoring ability to shine this
season.
Sambuang
Daquioag
F. Delgado
From page 12
was picked because of his
experience in coaching and
handling different athletes
throughout his career.
Aside from teaching
korfball, handball and
beach volleyball prior to
his appointment, Sambuang
also mentored junior UST
volleyball teams, worked
as an assistant coach of
the Philippine Christian
University’s (PCU) volleyball
team, and served as coordinator
for various sporting events.
the youngest player to don
the jersey and score in the
said team.
Although Filipinos do
not seem to care much about
running in the fields while
kicking some black-andwhite ball, we may be looking
forward to a wrong goal
since Filipinos are naturally
gifted with a built somewhat
more fit to play football than
basketball.
“There are many
Filipinos who want to play
football because it caters
to Filipinos when it comes
to their built. It is not like
basketball that requires
height. Even though you’re
not tall, if you’re footwork
is good, you’ll turn out better
than those who are taller,”
said Allado.
The average Filipino
height is only 5”4,’ too short
to be at par with top playing
Americans and other races
who are much taller. Though
we are at a losing end at
basketball with the liability
of our height, this may be
something we can capitalize
on in the field of football.
“Basketball has not really
reached its potential here in
the country. It’s been stagnant
for the last 20 years already.
I think reality has shown that
we cannot really dominate
basketball. Football must take
the initiative,” Caslib said.
The Varsitarian
sports
12 JULY 1, 2010
Jeremy S. Perey, Editor
Tigers on track for ‘Glory Road’
THE TIGERS need to grow
up. Fast.
The departure of Most
Valuable Player (MVP) Dylan
Ababou and other veterans has
left UST with a young squad
that will need a good dose of
maturity and poise for a return
trip to the Final Four.
Coach Pido Jarencio is
optimistic that teamwork will
do the trick for a lineup with
no clear superstar.
“I always emphasize to
them (Tigers) that basketball
is a team game,” he said in
Filipino. “Right now, we are
playing as a team both in
defense and in offense.”
Without a go-to-guy in
the lineup, big man Chris
Camus, Carmelo Afuang and
the backcourt tandem of Clark
Bautista and Jeric Fortuna
will lead the UST charge
this season. Not to mention
sophomore Jeric Teng, who
was a revelation in his rookie
year.
Jarencio expects former
Ateneo Blue Eaglet Paulo Pe
and ex-Rizal Technological
Un iver sit y Blue T hu nder
Eduardo Daquioag Jr. to step
up this season as Kenneth
Mamaril, a former Team B,
is recovering from a nose
surgery and will be back in
harness next month.
As part of their preseason
groundwork, the Tigers joined
the Millennium Basketball
League and finished fourth
place. They also had several
Guard-heavy Tigers
get size upgrade
THE BIG boys are here.
Ceiling will no longer be a problem for the hitherto
guard-heavy Tigers with the entry of tall and agile players
in this year’s lineup.
All but one of the seven newcomers stand over six feet,
much to the satisfaction of coach Pido Jarencio.
Tinte
Paolo Pe
Height: 6’4”
Position: center
Hometown: Quezon City
Former School: Ateneo de
Manila University
This for mer Ateneo
Blue Eaglet, who gave the
Tiger Cubs a lot of headaches
from down low, pledged to
help the Tigers in the title
bid this year. Expect this
big man from the Faculty
of Engineering to give UST
solid defense.
Lo
Photos by lorena D. Mondragon
Kenneth Mamaril
Height: 6’5”
Position: center
Hometown: Antipolo, Rizal
The low-post is this
fo r m e r S a n S e b a s t i a n
S t a g l e t ’s p l a y g r o u n d .
His huge, athletic built
could pose a threat to his
defenders in the shaded
area. He can aggressively
box out opponents and pluck
offensive rebounds.
Mamaril
Vince Tinte
Height: 6’6”
Position: center
Hometown: Urdaneta City,
Pangasinan
This towering rookie
f r o m t h e Fa r E a s t e r n
University Team-B will now
man the paint for UST with
his hard drives and lowpost finishers. He will also
be useful in the defensive
end with his long reach and
blocking ability.
t une-up games with other
c ol leg i a t e va r sit y t e a m s
aside from their twice-a-day
training at the UST gym.
The fiery coach sees a
bright future for UST in time
for its grand Quadricentennial
celebration next year.
“(Year) 2011 is a different
story. By that time, I see a
more complete line-up for the
team,” Jarencio said. “The
team should not be pressured
because we did not recruit any
player who has established a
name in high school. Those
who allot a big amount of
money just to get their recruits
should be.”
UST entered the Final
Four last year with a crucial
Tigers, page 10
Sambuang
new sports
moderator
By Angelo Nonato P.
Cabrera
UST HAS a new athletics
moderator as it guns for
another general championship
this Season 73.
After almost two decades
of serving as a faculty member
in the Institute of Physical
Education and Athletics
(IPEA), Rodrigo Sambuang
took on his first administrative
job, replacing John Patrick
Vicente effective last June 1.
Sambuang is now tasked
to manage training camps,
make sure athletes have
everything they need come
game time, and to release
official line-ups.
“I still have to cope with
several things demanded by
the job description. I think I’m
getting the hang of it now,”
said Sambuang, who had been
teaching PE subjects in UST
for 19 years.
Sambuang is also a
batch 1992 alumnus from the
College of Education, where
he finished his PE major.
IPEA Director Fr. Ermito
de Sagon O.P., said Sambuang
Sambuang, page 11
Sinubukang makipagsabayan at di nagpatinag ang isang Golden Booter sa sikat at batikang
manlalarong si Philip Younghusband (nakapula)
JOSA CAMILLE A. BASSIG
Booters ‘di umubra sa San Beda,
nanatili sa ikalawang pwesto
PINALUHOD ng San Beda
College-Mendiola ang UST
Golden Booters para sungkitin
ang kampeonato sa iskor
na 4-1 sa 5th MuntinlupaParañaque-Las Piñas Football
Association na ginanap noong
Hunyo 27 sa Alabang Country
Club.
Hindi kinaya ng Booters
ang koponan na kinabilangan
ng magkapatid na James
at Phil Younghusband na
mga batikang manlalaro ng
National Team.
“Sa second half, last
fifteen minutes, sumuko
iyong ibang mga players.
Hindi pa nga tapos yung
laro, parang tinanggap na nila
na talo na,” sabi ni Golden
Booters coach Marjo Allado.
Unang umiskor para
sa San Beda si Fracis Dee
Sumudivila sa unang 19 na
minuto ng laro. Sumagot
naman si Fidel Que sa ika-31
minuto upang itabla ang laban
sa iskor 1-1.
Ngunit nakapuntos muli
ang San Beda sa huling minuto
ng first half nang malusutan
ni Phil Younghusband ang
UST goalkeeper na si Ramon
Borigas nang lumayo ang
huli mula sa goal post at
sinubukang pigilan ang bola
habang ito ay nasa loob pa
lamang ng goal area.
Sa mga huling labi ng
second half, kumamada si
Christopher Pedimonte sa
ika-79 na minuto na sinundan
ni Phil Younghusband sa
huling pitong minuto ng
laban.
Hindi nakapaglaro para
sa UST si Nicanor Palacio at
si David Pornea para sa San
Beda. Kapwa sila nabigyan ng
red card sa unang paghahanap
sa pagitan ng dalawang
koponan noong Hunyo 20.
Na-forfeit ang laban matapos
magkainitan at magsuntukan
ang mga manlalaro sa huling
28 na minuto ng laro.
Bago ang kampeonato,
nagtala ng 2-0 win-loss card
ang Golden Booters matapos
talunin ang Liberia Football
Club, 6-1, noong Mayo 16 at
Giligans Football Club, 1-0,
noong Mayo 23. Frauleine
Michelle S. Villanueva
World in football frenzy except the Philippines
By Frauleine Michelle S.
Villanueva
Pe
Kim Lo
Height: 6’1”
Position: small forward
Hometown: Manila
Defense is Lo’s A-game.
This rookie from St. Jude
College is not af raid to
pounce hard against his
opponents to def lect their
jumpers. He is also known
for his hustle and sticky
defense.
Upgrade, page 11
ALL OF a sudden,
Johannesburg, South Africa
has become the most popular
place in the world.
Football fever is all
over as the 2010 Fédération
Internationale de Football
Association (FIFA) World
Cup took center stage last
June 11 as the most widely
viewed sporting event in the
world – except for Filipinos.
In the Philippines, FIFA
has a limited reception
in terms of viewership
compared to the National
Basketball Association (NBA)
championship series between
the Los Angeles Lakers
and Boston Celtics. From
professionals to students,
tricycle and jeepney drivers
to the ordinary man on the
streets—everyone seemed to
have followed NBA.
Jose Ariston Caslib,
technical director of
the Philippine Football
Federation (PFF), said that
although the sport was
developing in the country,
the progress was slow and
unstable, and must therefore
be sustained.
He said the popularity of
Philippine football could not
be on the same
level as that
of basketball
because the
latter was the
darling of the
media, hands
down.
“We cannot
compare with
basketball right
now,” he said.
“(It has) the
attention of the tri-media
group, so we’re very far.”
UST Golden Booters
coach Marjo Allado said
likewise, that the sport’s
popularity was diminished
because of the absence
of professional premier
competitions such as the
Philippine Basketball League
and Philippine Basketball
Association, as compared to
the heydays of the sport in the
1970’s and 80’s.
“ L e t ’s s a y y o u ’ r e a
varsity player, a member of
the national team. After you
graduate, you’ll
have no place to
go since there’s
no professional
league. What will
happen is that
you’ll just go
look for work,”
he said.
Caslib said
that the PFF was
not yet focused on
running a national
league but the federation
recently formed a committee
to develop a Luzon-wide
tournament.
“There are initiatives to
have a league but then these
people must observe what
the technical and the non-
technical needs of a league
are,” he said.
Football also faces the
biggest obstacle of most
sports in the Philippines:
funding constraints worsened
by leadership issues between
national sport associations
and the Philippine Sports
Commission.
Despite receiving
donations from the private
sector and a $250,000 annual
support from FIFA as part of
its “Goal Programme,” the
country still could not run a
football program with such an
amount, Caslib said.
“In order for the
Philippines to run a football
program, it needs P60-80
million in one year. And that’s
even a conservative budget
to have a complete football
development program in all
aspects of football,” he said.
Some of the development
programs by PFF are in the
Football, page 11