RP Dominicans to take over UST

The Varsitarian
Founded 1928
Volume LXXXII, No. 11 • March 15, 2011 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas Manila, Philippines
RP Dominicans to take over UST
RECORD-BREAKING. Around 24,000 members of the Thomasian community gathered at the UST open field on Ash Wednesday to form the “largest
human cross”. This is UST’s second attempt to be in the Guinness Book of Records, after the staging of the “largest human rosary” last December 8.
Photo by PAUL ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO
Thousands of Thomasians form ‘largest cross’
By Brylle B. Tabora
THE THOMASIAN community
formed the “largest human cross”
on Ash Wednesday last March 9,
in its second attempt to enter the
Guinness Book of Records.
A n estimated 24,000
Thomasians gathered at the UST
Carpark owner
sues ‘V’ editor,
reporter for libel
IN WHAT could be a test of
campus press freedom, the owner
of the company operating the UST
carpark building has filed a libel
complaint against the Varsitarian
for reporting on the University’s
lawsuit against the firm and its
tenants.
In a three-page complaintaffidavit filed before the Makati
Prosecutor’s Office last February
16, businessman Edgardo Angeles,
president and chief executive
officer of Selegna Holdings, Inc.,
said the Varsitarian article “UST
sues carpark operator, tenants,”
published in the January 26 issue,
was “patently libelous and written
in the guise of news reporting.”
Cited in the complaint were
Varsitarian editor in chief Cliff
Harvey Venzon and news reporter
Rommel Marvin Rio, who wrote
the story on the carpark case.
The two Varsitarian staffers
have submitted their joint counteraffidavit, maintaining that the
paper was merely performing its
duty to report on an issue that is
of interest to its readers, who are
mainly UST students. The Makati
Prosecutor’s Office is conducting
Libel Page 8
field to form the black-and-white
Dominican Cross, symbolizing
the Catholic and Dominican
identity of the University.
Campus Ministry head Fr.
Winston Cabading, O.P. said the
idea of forming a cross came from
the students, after the formation
of the “largest human rosary” in
December was not accepted by
Guinness as a world record.
“We wanted the event to be
spiritual in nature. We are not
only celebrating Ash Wednesday,
but also the 400 years of the
University,” Cabading said.
In his homily during the
Mass after the Guinness attempt,
Fr. Filemon de la Cruz, O.P.,
vice-rector for Religious Affairs,
said that during Ash Wednesday,
people must remember that they
came from ash and that they are
not immortal.
“ [ F i r s t , y o u] s h o u l d
remember you came from dust
and into dust you will return.
Second, [you should] turn away
Cross Page 8
UST cops 38th UAAP crown
By anne Marie carmela l. dAYAUON
IT’S 38 and counting.
UST athletes continued their
dominance in the University
Athletics Association of the
Philippines (UAAP), bagging
t hei r 13t h st r a ig ht ge ne r a l
championship and bringing to
38 their total overall titles since
the league was born in 1938.
Thomasians also grabbed
their 13th overall title in the
juniors’ division with 128 points.
The University of the East was
second with 113 points, while
Ateneo High School finished at
third spot with 109 markers.
UST ruled in seven divisions
in the seniors’ tournament en
route to a total of 313 points,
which was way ahead of De La
Salle University’s 263 points. The
Far Eastern University placed
third with 219 points.
In all, UST collected seven
gold medals, 10 silver, and five
bronze, besting La Salle’s 4-6-6
gold-silver-bronze medal haul.
The rest of the UAAP teams
were no match for UST in men’s
badminton, women’s taekwondo,
men’s table tennis and women’s
judo during the first semester.
Thomasians then dominated
men’s volleyball, men’s tennis,
and baseball in the remainder
of the season.
UST collected silver medals
in men’s beach volleyball, men’s
swimming, men’s taekwondo,
men’s judo, women’s volleyball,
men’s chess, women’s chess,
women’s athletics, women’s
football, and men’s football.
T hen ca me t he bron ze
medals in women’s basketball,
women’s table tennis, men’s
fencing, softball, and men’s
athletics.
UST got a bit of a scare in
the first half of the season when
it led La Salle by only 13 points,
154-141. The University of the
Philippines and FEU were also
not far behind with 111 points
apiece.
But Thomasians pulled
away for good in the second half,
led by the Tiger Spikers who
grabbed their fourth straight
title. They demolished FEU,
29-27, 26-24, 25-23, in the bestof-three finals. The Lady Spikers
settled with second place after
falling against La Salle.
T he Golden Sox r u led
the diamonds after finishing
a lowly f if th place last
season, while thei r female
counterparts failed to retain
their crown and place third.
For breaking news and digital copy, visit www.varsitarian.net
Graphics by CARLA T. GAMALINDA
T h e UST Te n n i s t e r s we r e
champions as well while their
female counterparts settled for
fourth. The UST Woodpushers
improved to second place after the
men’s team landed at third and the
women’s team at sixth last season.
T he Tr a ck st e r s’ ef for t s
were good for second and third
places in the women’s and men’s
divisions, respectively.
THE ORDER of Preachers has set a 2013
deadline for the complete turnover of
UST to the Filipino Dominicans from the
Master of the Order in Rome, to resolve
“difficulties and misunderstandings” in the
way the University is administered.
According to the Acts of the Elective
General Chapter of the Order of Preachers,
a documentation of the decisions and
deliberations during the 2010 General Chapter
in Rome, Fr. Bruno Cadore, O.P., Master of
the Dominican Order, was tasked to appoint
a commission for the transfer of UST to the
jurisdiction of the Dominican Province of the
Philippines. Cadore is chancellor of UST.
“We commission the Master of the Order
to appoint a commission to formulate the
concrete measures required for the transfer of
the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Manila
to the jurisdiction of the Dominican Province
of the Philippines,” the Acts said, noting that
the decision to transfer UST to the Filipino
Dominicans had been made way back in 1995,
during the General Chapter in Caleruega,
Spain.
“The work of this commission is to be
completed and submitted to the Master and
his council for approval and implementation
by 2013,” the Acts said.
The General Chapter gathers heads of the
Dominican provinces all over the world every
three years and is the supreme authority of
the Order. Last September’s chapter in Rome,
attended by Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, O.P., prior
provincial of the Dominican Province of the
Philippines, led to the election of the French
friar Cadore as Master.
The top Dominican in the country said
there would only be “few changes.”
“As [to] what are the implications [of the
said transfer of jurisdiction over UST], I don’t
want to say much on this because I don’t want
to pre-empt the work of the commission,”
Pedregosa, the vice chancellor of UST, told
the Varsitarian. “I think we have to wait
for that commission to spell out what are the
concrete steps and implications.”
The 1995 General Chapter started the
process by ordering the transfer of the Priory
Dominicans Page 8
Ex-rector back
in Dominican Order
FORMER UST rector Fr. Ernesto Arceo,
O.P. has returned to the Dominican Order
after taking a two-year canonical leave of
absence in 2007 following a dispute over the
redevelopment of UST Hospital.
In an e-mail to the Varsitarian, Arceo
said he was happy to be back in the University
in time for the Quadricentennial celebrations.
“I was there during the Quadricentennial
celebration and I was glad to be around. It was
really an amazing and inspiring celebration,
which I think the whole Thomasian community
found so meaningful,” Arceo said.
Arceo did pastoral ministry in the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California. He
came back to the country after his leave of
absence expired in June last year.
He is now assigned to the Aquinas
University in Legazpi City in Albay as senior
vice-president.
In 2007, Arceo resigned as rector along
with the prior provincial of the Philippine
Dominican province, Fr. Edmund Nantes,
O.P. and vice rector Fr. Juan Ponce, O.P.,
following the Dominican Order’s decision
to terminate the P3-billion redevelopment of
UST Hospital.
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. was
appointed acting rector by the Vatican, and
formally reappointed on June 10, 2008.
The hospital expansion plan involved the
construction of a new hospital tower to be
funded by a P3-billion loan from a consortium
of banks. However, the transactions were
deemed illegal under Canon Law as they were
not approved by the Dominican Curia and the
Vatican.
In a letter sent to the Varsitarian in
Ex-rector Page 8
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2 News
The
Varsitarian March 15, 2011
Editor: Charizze L. Abulencia
SecGen: Nothing wrong with ‘bonus’
Official clears Theology professor, cites ‘academic freedom’
A HIGH-RANKING University official found
nothing wrong with a professor’s decision to give
“incentives” to students who would go public
with their position against the controversial
Reproductive Health bill.
Theology professor Aguedo Florence Jalin
drew the ire of the left-leaning Akbayan Youth
Group when he encouraged his students to post
their opinion on the bill at the group’s Facebook
fan page last month.
Sought for comment, Secretary General Fr.
Florentino Bolo, O.P. said Jalin and other UST
professors enjoyed “academic freedom” so long as
they would not violate student rights and University
policies.
“The UST professor’s actions were entirely his
personal initiative, and not that of the University,”
Bolo said in an interview. “I asked Father Rector
about it, and he also said that the University allows
academic freedom among its constituents, as long
as they do not violate the rights of the students
and the ideals of the University as a Catholic
institution.”
Jalin, who admitted to giving bonus points to
students voicing out their sentiments on issues such
as the alleged corruption in the military, defended
the practice of giving incentives.
“The incentive, a means of increasing the
grade, is not an isolated case,” Jalin said.
Jalin’s student, Journalism sophomore Brian
Agustin, said they were not forced to do the
assignment.
“It will only be bad if we were forced to post
in the Internet,” he said.
In its website, Akbayan Youth criticized the
“manner on how students are motivated to register
their opposition [to the] RH bill.”
“Akbayan youth welcomes the posts made in
the spirit of open and respectful debate. However
… we lament the manner on how the students were
motivated to register their opposition,” Akbayan
Youth said in a statement.
But Jalin said he just wanted to bring the
‘Bonus’ Page 8
Artlets cuts units
in ‘over-crowded’
curriculum
THE FACULTY of Arts and Letters (Artlets) will
trim its subjects by 12 units starting next academic
year in a bid to streamline an “over-crowded”
curriculum, Artlets Dean Michael Anthony Vasco
said.
Vasco said the faculty’s 195-unit curriculum
was way above the requirement set by the
Commission on Higher Education (Ched), which
mandates only 152 units for a Bachelor of Arts
degree.
“In this way, the curriculum becomes more
flexible,” he said. “The students will have more
time to concentrate on their area rather than taking
many subjects [that are] sporadic.”
The revision in the curriculum led to the
abolition of Mathematics of Finance offered in
the second year; the replacement of Experimental
Psychology with the Ched-mandated General
Psychology; the merger of Introduction to
Economics and Taxation and Agrarian Reform
into a single subject called “Integrated Economics
and Agrarian Reform”; and the upgrade of Basic
Computer to Computer Science and Information
Technology. Meanwhile, Dynamics of Philippine
Politics, usually taken in third year, will only be
offered to Political Science students.
Incoming freshmen will be the “pilot batch”
for the revised curriculum, while sophomores,
juniors, and seniors will continue with the old
curriculum.
Vasco recalled that when he was still student
in Artlets, he and his classmates took up only 174
units.
“We benchmark with the prestigious
universities like Ateneo and La Salle. Their courses
are ranging from 160 to 170 units,” Vasco said.
“We cannot benchmark with University of the
Philippines because they have a different system.”
Vasco said plans to change the curriculum
started during the term of Dean Armando de Jesus,
but they were shelved due to the change in the UST
administration.
“My point is [the way] how I look at the
curricula. [It is] not on the number of units but on
the quality of units [taken by] students. It is unfair
for students to be asked to take courses that are not
essential. You are penalizing them,” he said.
Experimental psychology professor Arlo Luis
Artlets Page 8
KARLA MIDES C. TOLEDO
Thomasian
is new AFP chief
of staff
By Alexis Ailex C. Villamor Jr.
DECAYING. The replica of the statue of UST founder Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P. at the old Plaza Santo Tomas in
Intramuros stands at the center of urbanization as more vendors surround UST’s original site.
Wreath-laying rites moved to 2012;
rehabilitation of old campus sought
THE
SYMBOLIC
wreathlaying rite at the University’s
original campus in Intramuros
has been moved to next year,
with UST officials taking steps
to rehabilitate the old Plaza Santo
Tomas in Intamuros.
The ceremony at Plaza Santo
Tomas—which hosts a replica
of the statue of the founder,
Msgr. Miguel de Benavides,
O.P.—was earlier scheduled
last February. But because of
the flurry of events last January
for the Quadricentennial Week,
UST officials have decided to
reschedule it to January 12 next
year for a “more meaningful
celebration.”
“It has been realized that
there had already been enough
big-scale activities that marked
the ‘Q’ Week of 2011, and
that the wreath-laying may be
given better significance and
appreciation if done during
the closing in January 2012,”
Secretary General Fr. Florentino
Bolo, O.P. said in an interview.
This was a suggestion of Fr.
Isidro Abaño, O.P., assistant to
the Rector for Quadricentennial
Activities and Highlights, and
was approved by the members
of
the
Quadricentennial
Commission headed by Fr.
Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., Rector
of the University.
‘Not very decent’
Bolo said Plaza Santo Tomas,
rehabilitated by UST nine years
ago to honor the founder and the
54 UST alumni who drafted the
Malolos constitution, has again
fallen into decay.
Wreath-laying Page 8
A THOMASIAN, Lt. Gen. Eduardo
Oban Jr., is the new chief of staff of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP), taking command over
130,000 members of the military
after the retirement of Gen. Ricardo
David Jr. last March 8.
Oban, who studied at the
Faculty of Engineering from 1972 to
1974, is the third AFP chief to come
from the Philippine Air Force since
1996. He belongs to the Philippine
Military Academy class 1979.
Prior to his appointment, Oban
served as deputy chief of staff and
air force vice commander.
“Oban’s extensive knowledge
of the AFP’s modernization program
will definitely propel institutional
efficiency as soldiers take the moral
high ground in [their] fight against
armed threats to internal peace and
security,” David said in a statement.
A list of candidates of ranking
AFP officials was submitted to
President Benigno Aquino III by
a five-man Board of Generals, but
Oban appeared to be Malacañang’s
“early favorite,” reports said.
He bested Lt. Gen. Arturo
Ortiz, AFP operations chief, Maj.
Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, AFP
deputy chief of staff for operations,
navy commander Rear Admiral
Alexander Pama, air force chief
Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, AFP vice
chief of staff Lt. Gen. Reynaldo
Mapagu, and Maj. Gen. Jessie
Delloza, commander of the army’s
2nd Infantry Division.
Oban was part of the
government negotiating panel that
ended the Oakwood siege in 2003.
He holds a master’s degree
in business economics from the
University of Asia and the Pacific.
Oban will retire on December
13 this year.
Independents rule CSC polls again; Students’ Code passage eyed
By JILLY ANNE A. BULAUAN
IN A REPEAT of last year’s
Central
Student
Council
(CSC) elections, independent
candidates once again ruled
the polls and grabbed five of
six council positions for the
academic year 2011-2012.
The highest seat in the
council, however, was won by
Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino
(Lakasdiwa) party bet Lorraine
Taguiam of the Faculty of Civil
Law, who got a total of 13,661
votes
against
independent
candidate Justin Tan of the
Usapang Uste
Ni PAT R ICI A I S A B EL A B .
EVANGELISTA
ISANG tanong ng mga Tomasino,
isang sagot ng Varsitarian.
Ang mga mag-aaral noon
sa Unibersidad ay nagkaroon ng
pagkakataon upang magtanong
ukol sa mga pamantayan, batas, o
ano pa mang may kaugnayan sa UST
sa pamamagitan ng Varsitarian.
Ti n a w a g n a “ S e r v i c e
Column,” ang bahaging ito ng
pahayagan ay nilikha noong Mayo
1968 (Tomo 40, Bilang 1) sa ilalim
ng pamumuno ng punong patnugot
na si Hernando Masangkay. Ito ay
isang serbisyong-publikong handog
ng Varsitarian upang magbigaykasagutan sa mga katanungan at
College of Architecture who
acquired 10,993 votes.
Taguiam,
the
lone
Lakasdiwa winner, said the
failure of her partymates to get
elected won’t hinder her projects.
“At the end of the day, we
will serve the students and not
our parties,” she said.
Tagiuam said she was
confident the Students’ Code
would be passed under her term.
Peter Carlo David of the
Faculty of Arts and Letters was
elected vice president with 13,894
votes, against Lakasdiwa’s Jeff
Maniquis who got 10,419 votes.
Karizza Kamille Cruz of
the College of Tourism and
Hospitality
Management
and Erik Paul Ponce of the
College of Accountancy were
elected secretary and treasurer,
respectively.
Cruz, with 15,040 votes,
had a margin of more than 5,000
votes against rival Richelle
Divina’s 9,582. Ponce got
14,445 votes against Jeroen De
Leon’s 10,220 votes.
Giorgia Maxine Parayno of
the College of Commerce and
Business Administration won
as auditor with 12,636 votes
against 11,925 votes garnered by
Lakasdiwa’s Ralph Allen Sales.
Service Column ng ‘V’
hinaing ng mga mag-aaral tungkol sa
Unibersidad at sa buhay mag-aaral.
Ang mga hindi taga-Unibersidad
ay m alaya r i ng m ag t a nong
basta’t ito ay kinalaman sa UST.
Ang pangalan ng mga magaaral na magbibigay ng komento,
tanong, o pahayag ay maaaring hindi
ipalabas sa pahayagan, ngunit ang
mga sulat na ipinaabot nang walang
pangalan ay hindi kikilalanin.
A ng mga katanu ngang
ito ay sasag utin ng mga
taong sangkot o kabilang sa
departamentong tinutukoy sa
susunod na isyu ng pahayagan.
Ang unang “Service Column”
ay inilimbag noong ika-15 ng Hulyo
1968 (Tomo 40, Bilang 3) na tungkol
sa pagkasusulat ng diploma ng
UST sa wikang Latin. Ang tanong
Dibuho ni
JASMINE C. SANTOS
na ito ay ipinadala ni Luz Fiel ng
Avanceña High School sa Maynila,
at agad namang sinagot ni P. Fausto
Gomez, O.P., ang noo’y secretary
general, na sinabing pinalitan na sa
wikang Filipino at Ingles ang mga
Rjay Yu, meanwhile, was
elected public relations officer
with 14,015 votes versus Misa
Christina Manansala’s 10,776
votes.
The new batch of CSC
officers will assume office on May
2011 and will replace incumbent
council officers Leandro Santos
II (president), Edrem See
(vice president), Kristine Mae
Urbi (secretary), Franz Kevin
Geronimo
(treasurer),
Joan
Charmaine Lim (auditor), and
John Ryan Sze (public relations
officer).
The University-wide election
was held from February 16 to 18.
diploma noong taong 1968-1969.
Ang “Service Column” ay
tumagal ng halos dalawang taon
sa Varsitarian. Ito ay huling
lumabas noong ika-21 ng Oktubre
1970 (Tomo 42, Bilang 32). Ang
huling tanong na nalimbag ay
tungkol sa laboratory deposits
na binabayaran ng mga magaaral sa Faculty of Medicine and
Surgery. Ang tanong na ito ay
ipinadala nina Rolly Bautista at
Jun Calimag, na agad namang
ipinaliwanag ng Treasurer’s Office.
Sa kasalukuyan, ang mga
puna, komento, o hinaing ng mga
Tomasino ay maaaring ipadala sa
Varsitarian upang mailimbag.
Maaari namang magtanong ng
mga bagay tungkol sa agham at
teknolohiya sa bahaging “Info
Quest” ng seksyong Science and
Usapang Uste Pahina 3
ika-labing lima ng marso 2011
Patnugot: Danalyn T. Lubang
‘Azkals fever’:
Nasyonalismo
o Panatisismo?
Ni PATRICIA ISABELA B. EVANGELISTA
Dibuho ni JASMINE C. SANTOS
SA PANAHON ngayon, hindi na
asong kalye ang naiisip ng maraming
Filipino sa tuwing naririnig nila ang
salitang “askal.” Sa halip, ang agad
pumapasok sa kanilang isip ay ang
Philippine National Football Team
na mas kilala sa tawag na “Azkals.”
Binansagang “Azkals” noong
2005, maihahambing sa mga “askal”
ang mga naturang manlalaro dahil
minsan na ring nagpalipat-lipat ng
lugar ang mga ito dahil sa kawalan ng
lugar para sa ensayo at kakulangan
ng suporta mula sa pamahalaan.
Naging saksi ang mga Pilipino
sa isang makasaysayang tagpo
sa larangan ng palakasan nang
gumawa ng pangalan ang “Azkals”
sa kanilang pagkapanalo laban sa
bansang Myanmar noong Disyembre
sa Asean Football Federation Suzuki
Cup 2010 na ginanap sa Vietnam.
Ang tagumpay na ito ay naging
hudyat ng pagbabago ng mukha ng
larong football sa bansa.
Ngunit sa kanilang pagsikat,
masasabi nga bang dahil ito sa
nasyonalismo ng mga Pilipino o ito’y
sanhi lamang ng panatisismo ng mga
ito, lalo pa’t ilan sa mga kilalang
personalidad sa “Azkals” ay mga
dayuhang manlalaro?
“Bayani” ng bayan?
Maituturing na bayani ng bayan
ang mga “Azkals”, kaya maraming
Pilipino ang sumusuporta rito. Ito
ang naging pagsusuri ni Fernando
Pedrosa, tagapangulo ng Department
of Social Sciences, kung bakit sikat
ngayon ang “Azkals”.
“We identify ourselves with
these apparent heroes who we badly
need these days especially when
there’s a feeling of no direction. They
serve as unifying factor because they
won. Had they not won, we would not
rally for them because their success
is our success,” ani Pedrosa, isang
sosiyologo.
Itinuturo ni Pedrosa ang colonial
mentality bilang sanhi ng pag-iidolo
ng marami sa mga manlalarong
Fil-foreigner na matagal nang nasa
kultura ng mga Filipino.
“We still rely on our deepseated colonial mentality that what
is foreign is what the best is. We have
this unconscious feeling of looking
up at anything that is foreign,” aniya.
Dagdag pa niya, maituturing
na pseudo o hindi tunay ang
nasyonalismo na ipinakikita ng mga
Pilipino sa pagtangkilik sa “Azkals”,
ngunit maganda na rin itong simulain
para sa atin.
“Let’s face it, some half-Filipino
The Varsitarian Filipino
players are good-looking. They are
potential actors and models so young
people gravitate towards them. But
it’s a good start. From pseudo, let us
try to process it, deepen it, and raise
it to a higher level,” aniya.
Isang dugo, isang laban
Para kay “Azkals” forward
Chieffy Caligdong, ang pagkakaroon
ng mga Fil-foreigners sa koponan ay
hindi isang balakid dahil kung anong
kaya ng mga Fil-foreigners ay kaya
rin ng mga Pilipino.
“Kung nandoon ka na sa loob
ng field, kailangang magtiwala ka
sa sarili mo. Ang oras at ensayo sa
‘Azkals’, sobrang hirap. Palagi kong
sinasabi sa sarili ko na kung ano ang
kaya ng Fil-foreigners, kaya rin ng
mga Pilipino,” aniya.
Hindi naging sagabal sa
kanilang koponan ang wika dahil
tuwing sila’y kinakausap ng kanilang
coach na isang Aleman, wikang
Ingles ang gamit nito. Samantala,
marunong namang magsalita ng
wikang Filipino ang ilan sa mga
manlalarong Fil-foreigners.
“Si
Phil
(Younghusband),
marunong mag-Tagalog. Si James
(Younghusband), nakaiintindi ng
Tagalog pero hindi makasalita. Si
Neil (Etheridge), English lang talaga.
Kapag ang buong koponan ang
kausap, English ang ginagamit, pero
kapag isa-isa, Tagalog na,” ani ng
“Azkals” forward na si Ian Araneta.
Para naman kay Marjo Allado,
coach ng UST Golden Booters,
malaki ang naging epekto ng
“Azkals” sa imahe ng football sa
bansa dahil na rin sa atensiyong
ibinigay ng media.
“Ang absence ng media noon
sa football ay malaking bagay.
Sa ngayon kasi, halos araw-araw
mayroong mga clip tungkol sa
‘Azkals’,” ani Allado.
Para kay Araneta, layunin nila
sa “Azkals” ang maipakita hindi
lamang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong
mundo ang galing ng mga Pilipino sa
paglalaro.
“Hindi laging masaya ang
katapusan ng bawat laro. Nagumpisa kaming tinatambakan lang.
Simula nang magsimula ang ‘Azkals’
hanggang makarating kami sa
kinalalagyan namin ngayon, kami na
lang dalawa (Caligdong) at iilan ang
natitira, kaya sinabi namin sa aming
mga sarili, balang araw mag-iiba
rin ang pagtingin at respeto ng mga
Pilipino sa football,” ani Araneta.
Sa pagsikat ng “Azkals” sa
bansa, maraming mga Tomasino ang
Sagad sa Buto ni Romulo Baquiran Jr.
Pagkamulat sa iba’t ibang mukha ng mundo
Ni DANALYN T. LUBANG
MARAMING pangyayari sa ating
buhay ang nagbibigay-aral at
inspirasyon sa atin. May mga
m a g a g a n d a ng k a r a n a s a n n a
nagdudulot sa atin ng ligaya, ngunit
kadalasa’y mula sa mga mapapait
na pang yayar i nag mu mula
ang mga aral na habambuhay
na tatatak sa ating sarili.
Ito ang mapagtatanto ng sino
mang bubuklat ng mga pahina ng
Sagad sa Buto (UST Publishing
House, 2010) ni Romulo Baquiran
Jr., isang propesor sa Unibersidad
ng Pilipinas sa kauna-unahan
niyang akda na nasusulat sa paraang
impormal o “creative verities”.
Nagsimula ang lahat nang
aksidenteng dumupilas sa dyip
si Baquiran noong Agosto 2008,
m a t a p o s m a l a si n g s a i s a n g
kasiyahan sa bahay ng isang
kaibigan. Nabiyak ang sakong,
nahiwa ang pagitan ng kaliwang
hintuturo at palasingsingan; at
napilay ang kaliwang paa ng mayakda na nagdulot sa kaniya ng
pagkaospital nang ilang linggo.
Karamihan sa mga sanaysay na
nasa akda ay tungkol sa mga
naging karanasan ni Baquiran
sa pamamalagi sa ospital, at sa
pagpapagaling niya mula sa mga
natamong pinsala. Halimbawa nito
ay ang pagsusungit ng mga doktor
at attendant sa ospital sa Quezon
City, kung saan siya unang dinala
ng lalaking tumulong sa kaniya.
Sinasalamin ng Sagad sa Buto
ang masakit na katotohanan sa mga
pampublikong ospital, kung saan
kapag wala kang pera ay hindi ka agad
bibigyan ng atensiyon. Mahihinuha
rin ng mambabasa mula sa akda
ang palasak na diskriminasyon na
nararanasan ng mga mahihirap mula
sa mapang-usig na mata ng lipunan,
tulad ng hindi agad pagbibibigay
ng sapat na atensiyong medikal
hangga’t hindi pa nakapagbabayad.
Gumamit si Baquiran ng mga
met apora upa ng i ha mbi ng a ng
kalagayan ng mga pasyente sa ward
sa mga pampublikong ospital, na
nakatulong upang mas maunawaan
ng mambabasa ang kalagayan ng mga
ito. Nariyang ihambing niya ang silid
sa isang basement kung saan haluhalo ang mga pasyente at may dalawa
o tatlong natutulog sa isang kama.
Dahil isang guro, may bahagi
ng mga sanaysay kung saan makikita
ang likas na kaalaman ni Baquiran
sa mga bagay. Bagaman maaaring
mabagot ang mambabasa sa dahil
tila mga bahagi ito ng isang aklat
na pa ng-a kademya , t iya k na
kapupulutan naman ito ng mga
kaalaman, tulad ng pagbibigayhalimbawa ng may-akda sa mga hayop
na ayon sa kaniya ay “nagtagumpay
na samantalahin ang sakong para
sa bipedalismo,” na t umut ukoy
sa mga hayop na na kalala kad.
Naging daan ang aksidenteng
tinamo ni Baquiran upang magkaroon
siya ng bagong pagtingin sa iba’t ibang
mukha ng mundo. Ang mga bagay na
dati’y kaniyang pinagwawalangbahala ay napag t uu nan niya
ng pansin, t ulad na lamang
ng kagandahan ng kapaligiran.
Mabisa ang paglalarawan
ni Baquiran sa kaniyang mga
sanaysay kaya hindi magiging
mahirap para sa mga mambabasa
ang maisalarawan sa isip ang
mga pa ng yaya r i ng ka n iya ng
tinutukoy. Bagaman may mga
sanaysay na may mahahabang
talata, hindi ito magiging dahilan
upang tamarin ang mambabasa
dahil mga payak na salit a
lamang ang gamit ng may-akda.
Naipakita ng may-akda sa
pamamagitan ng pagkukuwento
ng kaniyang pamumuhay kasama
a ng k a n iya ng mg a k a p a t id ,
pamangkin, at mga apo ang isa
sa mahahalagang kaugaliang
Pilipino—ang matibay na samahan
ng pamilya. Samantala, may mga
bahagi na posibleng magdulot ng
kalituhan sa mambabasa dahil
may ilang tauhan na hindi naman
ipinakikilala ng may-akda ngunit
mababanggit sa ilang bahagi
ng sanaysay, tulad na lamang
ng mga taong kasama niya sa
bahay na kalauna’y malalaman
na lamang ng mambabasa na ito
pala ay kaniyang kamag-anak.
Gayon pa man, nagtagumpay
si Baquiran sa pagsasalaysay ng
mga pangyayari sa kaniyang buhay
na kapupulutan ng aral ng mga
mambabasa at mga realisasyon
at puna tungkol sa ating lipunan.
3
naging inspirado upang makilala
nang husto ang larong football at
gumaling sa larangan ng larong ito.
Para kay David Basa, team
captain ng UST Golden Booters
at miyembro rin ng “Azkals”,
napalawak ng “Azkals” ang
pagtingin ng mga Pilipino sa football.
Marami sa kanila sa Golden Booters
ang nagpupursige sa paglalaro ng
football upang makasali sa “Azkals”.
“Marami
sa
amin
ang
nangangarap na makapasok sa
‘Azkals’. Ngayon kasi may nakikita
na kaming kinabukasan sa football,
hindi tulad dati na pagkatapos ng
kolehiyo, wala na talaga,” ani Basa.
Para naman kay Dwiljoy Hao,
mag-aaral ng Faculty of Arts and
Letters, sinusuportahan niya ang
“Azkals” dahil sa karangalang
ibinibigay ng mga ito sa bansa at sa
layunin ng koponan na makatulong
sa kabataang Pilipino.
“Ang kanilang layunin ay hindi
lamang upang manalo bagkus ay
upang maibahagi ang kanilang mga
laro sa mga Pilipino. Ang ilan din
sa kanila ay mayroong kampanya na
gawing prayoridad ang edukasyon
kaya’t sila ay tumutulong sa ilang
kabataan upang makapagtapos,” ani
Hao.
Ayon naman kay Mary
Marasigan, isang mag-aaral din mula
sa Faculty of Arts and Letters, ang
mga manlalarong Fil-foreigner ay
ang kaniyang inaabangan sa tuwing
may laro ang “Azkals”.
“Gusto ko sila (‘Azkals’) dahil
nagbibigay sila ng karangalan sa
bansa. Tuwing nakikita ko si Phil
(Younghusband), mas lalo akong
nabubuhayan at lumalakas ang sigaw
ko para sa kanila,” ani Marasigan.
Usapang Uste
Mula pahina 2
Technology. Ang sagot ay ilalathala sa
susunod na paglabas ng Varsitarian.
Tomasino siya
Alam n’yo ba na isang Tomasino ang
nasa likod ng isa sa mga nangungunang
paggawa a n ng t ubo sa ba nsa?
Si Jacinto Uy, tagapangulo ng
Moldex Group of Companies, ay
nanatili sa Unibersidad mula 1971
hanggang unang semestre ng taong
pampaaralan 1972-1973. Itinayo niya
ang isang maliit na kumpanya noong
1967 upang magtustos ng plastic at
tubing materials sa mga pabrika. Hindi
naglaon, lumaki ito at nagsimulang
magtustos ng mga materyales na
ginagamit sa sewerage system at mga
construction project tulad ng tubo.
Noong dekada ‘90, lumago
ang Moldex Group of Companies
sa Moldex Realty Inc. dahil sa
pagbebenta nito ng mga lupa at bahay.
Ilan sa mga ito ay ang Metrogate
Communities at Heritage Residences.
Taong 2006 naman nang matapos
ng Moldex Realty, Inc. ang 1322 Golden
Empire Tower, ang pinakamataas
na residential condominium sa
lungsod ng Maynila na mayroong 57
palapag. Sa taon ding iyon, itinayo
ang The Grand Towers sa Maynila.
Sa kasalukuyan, ang Moldex
Group of Companies ay higit-kumulang
40 taon na at may apat na iba pang
mga kompanya, ang Moldex Land,
Inc., Moldex Realty Marketing,
Inc., Moldex Construction, Inc. at
Moldex Insurance Agency, Inc.
Si Uy ay pinarangalan
noong Oktubre 2010 bilang isa sa
mga Outstanding Thomasian
Alumni Business Leaders.
Tomasalitaan:
H id law ( pnr) - sabi k
Halimbawa: Ang mga
m a g- a a r a l ng Un ib e r sid a d ay
hidlaw sa mga pagdiriwang na
gaganapin sa susunod na buwan.
Mga sanggunian:
T h e Va r s i t a r i a n : To m o
4 0, Bi l a n g 1, M ayo 19 68
T h e Va r s i t a r i a n : To m o
40, Bilang 3, ika- 15 Hulyo 1968
The Varsitarian: Tomo 42,
Bilang 32, ika-21 Oktubre 1970
Welcome to Moldex Group
of Companies. (n.d.). Moldex .
Retrieved February 16, 2011, from
http://www.moldex.com.ph/index
4 Opinion The
Varsitarian March 15, 2011
Editorial
New RH bill: Deadly,
anti-constitution
PRESIDENT Aquino III should be commended for
dropping the reproductive health (RH) bill from his
legislative agenda. But his minions in the House of
Representatives just the same are prioritizing the
passage of the bill. They have in fact consolidated
several versions of the bill and rammed it through
the process so that, despite the denial of House
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte that they were rushing
the bill, it’s now on its second reading and up for
plenary debates. What the right hand giveth, the
left taketh.
The consolidated version incorporates the
President’s version of family planning, “responsible
parenthood,” and further pushing the envelope,
now uses the word “population,” making Edcel
Lagman and his battened likes eat their word since
they had been claiming before that heir original
version of the bill was not a population-control
measure. Considering that just about every shade
and nuance of the population-control movement
has been incorporated into the consolidated
version, the bill is now known as “The Responsible
Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population
and Development Act of 2011.”
With 35 sections and more than 5,800 words,
the bill promises to become the most extensive
measure by any Congress in history, and should
leave no doubt to anyone about its Stalinist conceit
and social-engineering intentions. Just about every
possibility of unwanted pregnancy and regeneration
by the poor is checked by the bill. While ostensibly
declaring it does not set “demographic and
population targets,” it declares that the ideal
family size is two, which is just about saying that
the population growth target should be zero. (The
ideal population growth for the Philippines is
zero, according to RH backer and former health
secretary Alberto Romualdez!) The bill adds that
the state “shall assist couples” to achieve that size.
Those who say that there’s nothing wrong with
this should be reminded that the state is not exactly
wet behind the ears: it is after all the state and its
bureaucracy that have fostered the corruption
and waste that characterize the debacle that is the
Filipino republic. Considering the sorry tale of the
tape as far as the Philippine state is concerned,
should the state, which has an overpopulation of
bureaucrats battening themselves like Lagman and
congressmen on people’s money, have the right
to suggest, much less, declare that there’s such a
thing as an “ideal” number of children for couples
to have?
Much more, should the state have any right to
add what follows after the bill’s arrogant discourtesy
of declaring how many children Filipino couples
should have: “Attaining the ideal family size is neither
Editorial PAGE 5
The
Varsitarian
Founded Jan. 16, 1928
CLIFF HARVEY C. VENZON
Editor in Chief
ADRIENNE JESSE A. MALEFICIO
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 Patnugot ng Filipino
ROBIN G. PADILLA Witness Editor
ANTONIO RAMON H. ROYANDOYAN Sci-Tech Editor
LESTER G. BABIERA Circle Editor
CARLA T. GAMALINDA Art Director
PAUL ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO Photography Editor
News Kalaine Nikka Kay C. Grafil, Charmaine M. Parado,
Rommel Marvin C. Rio, Darenn G. Rodriguez
Sports Angelo Nonato P. Cabrera, Anne Marie Carmela L. Dayauon,
Frauleine Michelle S. Villanueva
Special Reports Marnee A. Gamboa, Monica N. Ladisla
Features Margaret Rose B. Maranan, Alma Maria L. Sarmiento
Literary Azer N. Parrocha, Jonas Eleazar B. Trinidad
Filipino Patricia Isabela B. Evangelista
Witness Jennifer M. Orillaza, Brylle B. Tabora
Science and Technology Camille Anne M. Arcilla
Circle Maria Joanna Angela D. Cruz, Ana May R. De la Cruz,
John Ernest F. Jose, Alyosha J. Robillos
Art Fritzie Marie C. Amar, Patrick C. de los Reyes, Jasmine C. Santos,
Jilson Seckler C. Tiu, Karla Mides C. Toledo
Photography Josa Camille A. Bassig, Isabela A. Martinez,
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.
PDA: Proper display of affection
ARE SECURITY guards
and closed-circuit television
cameras (CCTV) not enough,
or is it because Thomasians
have become too liberated
these days?
Two years ago, while I
was with a friend walking
through the corridor looking
for a certain office, we
happened to pass by a dark
room and accidentally saw a
girl and a boy in their uniform,
kissing each other.
From bits of stories by
folks a year ago, another
couple, also in their uniforms,
was caught having sex in a
comfort room in the campus.
Too bad another student
saw them and immediately
reported them to college
administrators.
Everyone
waited for the couple to finish
their business, and later got
reprimanded by the officials.
These acts, which fall
under the category of “public
display of affection” or PDA,
have become very common
among teenagers, even in
the premises of the Catholic
university of the Philippines.
PDA is defined as the
physical
demonstration
MEMBERS of the last
graduating batch of the UST
Grade School pooled their
savings of P25, 000 and
donated them for the grand
Quadricentennial celebrations
of UST.
But
unlike
others
who simply handed over
their donations, posed for
the cameras, then left, the
group—accompanied by the
principal, the regent, and the
student council adviser—also
entertained Fr. Rolando de
la Rosa, O.P. with a unique
turnover
presentation
of
poetry and a song-and-dance
number at the Rector’s office
on the morning of January 21.
Upon knowing that the
Rector wanted to meet them
personally, the kids rushed
a simple poem, addressed to
De la Rosa, which they used
as an introduction for the
turnover, which read: “Ito ay
bunga ng aming adhikain/
Na kami’y maging bahagi/
Sa paghahanda sa nalalapit
na pagbubunyi/Ng ating
pamantasang naging haligi
at saksi/Sa paglinang ng mga
bayani at ng mabuting ugali.”
Delighted, Father Rector
told the group to come back
for that afternoon’s press
conference, where they would
have the chance to present
their donation along with other
This is a basic
concept that
students must take
into heart; one
must learn that love
and lust are two
different things.
of affection for another
person in public, like kissing,
hugging, holding hands, and
worst, neck-sucking, touching
another’s private parts, and
having sex.
According to the Student
Handbook,
“engaging
in
indecent or lewd conduct
is contrary to the mores
of Catholic behaviour and
morality.”
The handbook further
defined indecent behaviour
such as inadequate display of
public affection like “torrid
kissing, necking, and petting,”
where violators can be
suspended or expelled.
In other universities like
the Far Eastern University,
holding hands is also strictly
prohibited, and the policy
is strictly enforced and
implemented. Gizelle, 20, even
attested that students only
hold hands once the Office
for Student Affairs is closed.
Guards and administrators
also reprimand those who
merely hook their arms around
their beau’s arms.
Despite these prohibitions,
it seems that students have
become inclined in engaging in
“wild” and immoral acts inside
the University, while officials
remained reticent on sensitive
issues like this. But the explicit
content presented by the mass
media to the youth and peer
pressure isn’t all to blame. The
Re: Generosity
These kids would grow
up not only as thinking
individuals, but as
generous ones, like
many Thomasian alumni
who have become the
University’s gifts to the
world.
big-shot patrons of the UST’s
Quadricentennial.
According to Mary Jane
Ramirez, UST Grade School
student
council
adviser,
the idea of giving a share
for UST’s 400th year came
during the meeting of the
student council officers, who
sat down to brainstorm for
their major project, which,
incidentally, would become
their swan song as they bid
adieu to the University’s unit
for primary education.
Student council president
Nina Jessica Pasno admitted
that she was sad about being
one of the last “babies” of the
University, but added that she
and the other students took it
as a challenge to prove that
their batch could uphold the
quality rearing that the Grade
School has provided for many
years.
The challenge would
come with good results.
Instead of mere solicitation for
cash, the student council, with
the help of other Grade School
organizations, called for inkind donations—such as old
but barely used clothes and
toys, saucers and teacups, and
white elephant figurines—
from
students,
faculty
members, and student teachers
in November last year.
These products were then
sold at a small “garage” sale
outside the Education building
that ran from December 15 to
the first week of January. The
items’ prices ranged from P2
to P50, which were patronized
by the “grade schoolers” and
their parents, high school and
college students, janitors, and
security guards.
lack of guards and the PDAfriendly sites in the campus
just give couples reasons why
they should do it, even within
the University premises.
The idea of the act (sex)
being ‘common’ is disturbing
enough, even more alarming
that the youth treat it as a
normal thing to do.
Sex should not only be
taken in the proper context,
but should also be done in
the proper time, and most
importantly, in a proper and
decent place—definitely not
in the campus. This vital
detail should be reiterated in
Theology classes, even more in
Marriage and Family courses.
Moreover, the students
should be aware of the do’s
and dont’s. Doing it in the
campus is but plain ignorance
and defiance of the good and
the bad. This is a basic concept
that college students—who
are supposed to act as mature
individuals—must take into
heart. Most importantly, one
must learn that love and lust are
two different things; exhibiting
love to another is totally
different from displaying lust.
The students’ total sale
amounted to P5, 000, but
their principal, Assoc. Prof.
Nenita Caralipio, who was
“so happy about it”, chipped
in an additional P20, 000
from her own pocket before
the donation was given to the
Rector.
In a response letter to the
Varsitarian, De la Rosa said
that he “felt greatly humbled by
their example of generosity,”
adding that he is “happy that
our elementary students have
acquired, this early, a sense of
belong to the University and a
deep sense of gratitude.”
The amount that these
children offered may have
not been much to be written
in a huge cardboard cheque,
but it goes to show that it
doesn’t take three wise men
or a business magnate to bear
gifts that come from the heart.
In the simplest way, they
have shown the Thomasian
generosity that spills over
different sectors, not only in
the academe, but also in the
nation and the Church. With
this early initiative at hand,
perhaps it is safe to say that
these kids would grow up not
only as thinking individuals,
but as generous ones, like
many Thomasian alumni who
have become the University’s
gifts to the world.
March 15, 2011
The Twitter revolution
They say it’s the start of the
apocalypse.
For the past few months,
nature wrought its ire on
unfortunate countries, leaving
a path of destruction at its
wake. Just recently, Japan
experienced their strongest
earthquake to date, registering
8.9 in the scale as coastal
villages were also swept away
by a 23-foot high tsunami. The
great flood “Ondoy” became
a thing of 2009. Apparently,
Australia and Brazil have
been getting their fair share of
floodwaters touching roofs and
overturning massive vehicles.
Likewise, Mother Earth’s rage
was as potent as those of her
inhabitants. Some of them
were, after all, busy staging a
revolution.
The
defacement
of
Egyptian treasures, such as the
mummies inside the pyramids,
sent waves of shock all over the
world as households gaped on
their television sets, watching
the ongoing turmoil in full
detail on CNN. OFWs working
in Egypt were being sent home.
The Internet was jam-packed
with documentations of the
people’s fight for change against
the autocratic governance of
President Hosni Mubarak. Even
those not tuned in to their TV sets,
including myself, were being
Editorial
FROM PAGE 4
mandatory nor compulsory.
No punitive action shall be
imposed on parents having
more than two children.” One
should rightly cringe at that.
“Assisting” couples to attain
the ideal family size wouldn’t
be hard for the state since the
bill sanctions just about any
contraceptive means and,
making free use of taxpayer’s
money and funding from
foreign donors that support
abortion, makes them available
to all. Those who argue that
the bill is pro-choice but not
necessarily pro-abortion should
look at the bill’s liberal sanction
of contraceptives, some of
which even physicians admit are
technically abortifacient. And
they should look at sections 2
and 3 on “Declaration of Policy”
and “Guiding Principles.”
While the bill enshrines
“reproductive health” as a
“universal basic human right”
and exalts “freedom of choice”
– where do you find such in
the Philippine Constitution?
– it doesn’t mention key state
policies in the charter that
should be the guiding principles
of any law relating to family,
life, demographics, and sex
education for the young, the
most important of which is:
“Section 12. The State
recognizes the sanctity of
family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic
autonomous social institution.
It shall equally protect the life
of the mother and the life of the
unborn from conception. The
natural and primary right and
duty of parents in the rearing
of the youth for civic efficiency
and the development of moral
character shall receive the
support of the Government.”
Why the very telling
bypass of such a very relevant
constitutional policy in a bill
that seeks to use hundreds
of millions of pesos to
shower contraceptives and
abortifacients on the poor;
to provide sex education to
the young and teach them
how to have “safe sex,” even
if the education ministries,
the biggest bureaucracies,
The medium is not
always the message.
In fact, it still bore
down to the attitude
of the person using
what could’ve been a
tool for change.
updated by the minute via the
microblogging website Twitter.
However, social networking
websites were banned in the
revolting countries, with the
Egyptian government jamming
the Internet through censorship
to avoid further intrusion from
the outside.
Interestingly, social media
in the Internet are now viewed
as a threat to tyrants raring
to extend their reign further.
Twitter and Facebook were
the tools to mobilizing people
towards awareness, instilling
the flame of nationalism even
more so in their hearts. To the
repressive government, the
social media’s purpose of merely
gaining friendly connections has
breathed its last. To the modernday tyrant, it was the ultimate
enemy; the dragon no one could
slay.
Just a few weeks ago,
my thesis mates and I were
still struggling with our thesis
on the effect of Twitter on
mass mobilization. Testing the
global phenomenon described
by sociologists as the “Twitter
Revolution” on a smaller
scale, we surveyed a sample
population of 200 Thomasians.
Our research yielded
disappointing results. Despite
how convinced we were that
this “Twitter Revolution” has
reached our shores, Twitter
reliance did not generally
institute mobilization into the
respondents. In the case of our
Thomasian respondents, it was
a case-to-case basis, with those
who did not depend on Twitter
at all still being hugely aware
of the nation’s issues with the
added initiative of staging their
own fight for change even more
can hardly teach school kids
properly the three R’s; and
generally to neuter the poor by
mass ligation and vasectomy?
Amid the mass of
words and declarations and
provisions and platitudes of
the consolidated RH bill, try
to search for constitutional
principles such as “the sanctity
of family life,” “(protection
of) the life of the mother and
the life of the unborn from
conception,” “promotion of
social justice,” and “dignity of
every person.”
So sorry, but you search in
vain.
did the condoms that Cabral
distributed in Dangwa come
from? Didn’t they come from
the money of ordinary people
who were taxed by the state into
supporting such an unsavoury
stunt as condom distribution
during a religious feast which
is supposed to enshrine human
love, not animal lust?
Meanwhile,
the
blasphemous stunt of Cabral
last year was restaged on
Valentine’s this year by the
Akbayan party-list group at
the Nepa Q Mart in Quezon
City. Its youth arm, Akbayan
Youth, is the same group that
criticized
UST
Theology
professor Aguedo Florence Jalin
for giving incentives to students
who would post criticisms on
the Akbayan stunt and the RH
bill on Akbayan’s Facebook fan
page.
It is quite galling that a
group that by and large receives
international funding, some
of them from groups that
espouse “reproductive rights,”
should take to task a Catholic
educator who gives incentives
to students doing a completely
optional assignment to defend
the pro-life stance of the
Church against RH and safesex proponents. Considering too
that the professor did not force
his students to do the posting,
even making it clear to those
who support RH among his
classes that they need not join
the opposition to the measure,
considering further that hardly
anyone fails Theology (except
those always absent) in UST,
Akbayan doth protest too
much. Hasn’t Akbayan heard
of “academic freedom” and
“intellectual honesty”? Jalin was
teaching Social Issues of the
Church and he had the perfect
right, nay the responsibility,
to tackle the RH bill and the
threat it poses to things which
the Church holds dear—the
natural law, the dignity of the
human person, and the sanctity
of life. By urging his students
to post their criticisms of RH
and of Akbayan’s attack on
religion through its distribution
of condoms on Valentine’s, a
religious feast, Jalin was merely
asking them to stand up for what
they believe in. To put their
money where their mouth is.
Which cannot be said of other
Ona, Akbayan, Jalin
Department of Health
Secretary Enrique Ona, should
also be praised for sticking to
his job as health agent of the
state and shunning outlandish
stunts like the ones staged
by his hopeless predecessor
Esperanza
Cabral,
who
distributed condoms at Dangwa
Flower Market last year during
Valentine’s Day.
Eager to strike back at
the bishops who had been
holding back the passage of
the RH bill, Cabral found a
bogeyman last year out of the
increase in HIV cases to press
for safe sex. Insisting that she
was within her jurisdiction
as a state health official, she
distributed condoms near UST
on Valentine’s Day. In doing
so, she merely showed the
arrogance of the state because
Valentine’s is a Catholic feast.
Apparently, she had thought
February 14 was Motel Day.
Those who cry separation
of church and state whenever
the bishops and the clergy
criticize the RH bill should
learn from Cabral’s case.
The constitutional provision
is really a re-expression of
the republican dictum, “nonestablishment of religion”; thus,
separation of church and state is
really a prohibition against the
state, not against the church.
Cabral’s case shows that it is
often the state that transgresses
on the church. And whatever the
alleged meddling of the church
on state affairs is, it’s merely
one that is suasive, unlike that
by the state which, because of
its police and taxing powers, is
coercive. For example, where
so than their Twitter-dependent
counterparts.
Just as we were citing
our recommendations to the
study, the possibilities of
further research on social
media just unfolded before
our eyes. Filipino students,
particularly our respondents,
were apparently misguided in
the maximization of their social
networking accounts. Yes, some
of them insisted to have seen its
purpose of inducing change with
its wide reach, but one element
was
always
lacking—the
initiative to actually do so.
Due to the results of our
thesis, I surmised that the
medium is not always the
message. In fact, it still bore
down to the attitude of the
person using what could’ve been
a tool for change. Maybe those
who staged revolutions backed
by the Internet in Iran, Egypt,
Tunisia, and Libya had the same
blaze in their hearts as those who
fought in the first EDSA. In this
revolution of 1986, the radio
had nothing to do with it. The
wrath of Mother Nature may
be uncontrollable, but thorough
preparation can still save
millions of lives. Mobilization
was seen not merely as an effect.
It was the answer.
Perhaps, the true apocalypse
only starts where action ends.
educators, such as the Ateneo 14,
who oppose Catholic teachings
on birth control and flaunt their
defiance despite teaching in
Catholic schools: they put their
money where their pocket is
while completely chucking
intellectual honesty.
Akbayan should be
reminded that it is part of
the administration coalition
and technically, a part of
government. Since it has
representation in parliament
and its people occupy key posts
in the administration, it has no
choice but to consider criticisms
and opposing views. No one in
power has the right to be onionskinned.
Agony of Japan
No words can fully
describe
the
magnitude
and shock of what Japan
suffered last March 11: the
9.0-magnitude earthquake and
30-foot-high wall of ocean
that the undersea upheaval
unleashed
were
never
conceived even in the exacting
calculations of the Japanese,
probably the most disasterprepared people on earth. The
deadly combination of temblor
and tsunami has left in its
wake whole towns, industries
and populations swept away
from the map. Now, Japan
is struggling to contain the
damage of the disasters on its
nuclear power plants. We pray
that they will be successful in
that regard.
The crisis is the worst
that has happened to Japan
since the atomic bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in
the Second World War and
the surrender that followed.
Judging from that experience,
the world knows that in due
time, Japan will heal and
recover. We know from
the history of the Japanese
people about their remarkable
resilience and strength of
spirit. We know that in the
face of many calamities, the
Japanese compose themselves
with admirable dignity, honor,
and optimism. We pray for—
and expect that—Japan will
heal and be back on its feet. In
this terrible time of adversity,
the Japanese should not forget
that the world is with them in
prayer and commiseration.
The
Varsitarian Opinion
5
24 months to create,
gone in two
GONE too soon, they say. I recently
had a chance to design Swatch
watches in commemoration of
UST’s Quadricentennial in January
2011. My journey with Swatch
started in 2009, just after I submitted
an entry for their annual art contest,
hoping to win for myself a few
thousand pesos. I suggested the idea
of having a commemorative Swatch
watch to the Office of Public Affairs
with the enthusiasm that I would be
the one designing it. After endless
brainstorming, soliciting design
concept from at least 50 individuals, and tons of revisions, I
ended up designing it myself.
Nobody said it was easy
In April 2009, the UST Office of Public Affairs team,
headed by Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla, met with Swatch chief
operating officer James Locsin at the Swatch Office for the first
time. We sat in their conference room with no idea it would
take so long to create. If you were wondering how that UST
Swatch became what it is now, you would forget about that line
you waited for hours to move just to have one wrapped around
your wrist. Swatch is known for its hip yet elegant, Swissmade watches. I remember having one when I was in grade
school, my mom gave me one when she was working abroad.
A few weeks later, I lost it. She never got mad at me for losing
it. However, she haunted me whenever I got to see a Swatch
watch, hoping that someday I would replace it. Now I got four,
designed it, and shared it with thousands of fellow Thomasians.
After a year of conceptualization, we finally had a concrete
idea of what to put in the watches. But we ran out of time.
Designs would have to undergo a series of approval from the
bosses at Switzerland, which took time.
The best thing about being the
designer of the UST Swatch is I get
to add four more watches to my
growing collection, and prove that
when I lose something valuable, I’ll
get it back someday, somehow.
The clock is ticking
In December 2009, UST started the 400-day countdown
to the 400th anniversary. The Swatch “Beatman” was unveiled
before at least 50,000 Thomasians. For some, it bore the
number of days left until UST’s Quadricentennial. But for us,
it was a race to finish what we started a year ago. It was a
constant reminder to have it done and over with, to make our
mark in time.
The first of four Swatch Designs (Thomasian Swatch) was
sold at the Thomasian Global Trade Expo in October 2010.
It was a blockbuster! The second Swatch, (Quadricentennial
Series) was then sold during the Paskuhan 2010 festivities in
December. The last design (Dominican Duo) was released just
in time for the Quadricentennial celebration in January. Today,
all four designs are sold out. I even encountered people selling
theirs on the Internet for a higher price. It made me think that
it was so valuable to people that some even try to buy watches
from other owners at point blank. I had a taste of my share
of complaints over the phone why we made so few. Then I
explain, but at the back of my mind, I said, “you were just a
little too late, or terribly late.”
Collector’s fantasy
I am, you may say, a beginner at collecting. My room
is a myriad of non-thematic collections of everything I love.
I have a collection of masks that were mostly given to me
by friends who travel. I have a dozen kinds of weapons and
several model cars I could never buy in real life. Lastly, my
collection of watches sits in one level of my shelves. Almost
ten of them I use alternately.
The best thing about being the designer of the UST
Swatch is I get to add four more watches to my growing
collection, and prove that when I lose something valuable, I’ll
get it back someday, somehow.
* Jonathan Gamalinda was the Assistant Art Director of the
Varsitarian from 2006 to 2007. He is completing his Master’s
degree in Cultural Heritage Studies at the UST Graduate School
while working in the UST Office of Public Affairs.
Corrections
In the story “UST sues Carpark owner, tenants”, published
in the January 26 (Volume LXXXII No. 10) issue of the
Varsitarian, fastfood chain Jollibee was mistakenly reported
as being included in the lawsuit filed by the University last
December.
In the same issue, the paper erred when it mentioned
that the Roman Curia approved the film St. Dominic: Light
of the Church, because it was the Provincial Council of the
Dominican Province of the Philippines that gave the consent
of making the film.
In the article “Untouched Golden Sox reach semis” of the
same issue, Golden Sox coach Jeffrey Santiago was mistakenly
identified as Jeffrey Santos.
The Varsitarian regrets these mistakes. -Ed
6
THE CHANGES in the curriculum of
the College of Fine Arts and Design
have led to the demise of its fashion
design course, which used to require
a yearly fashion show organized by
the junior batch. The last installment
of that series was Cirq Regal, a
spectacular feast of wondrous couture
and theatrical apparel.
Cirq Regal was held last February
9 at the NBC Tent in Bonifacio Global
City in Taguig.
“Not only is this a
Quadricentennial event, but it also
bears the 10th anniversary of our
college and is the last of this annual
tradition,” said event chairperson
Kaye Sordan as she talked about
the Advertising juniors’ fashion
production, a requirement that started
sometime in 1977.
The show featured 120 fashion
de sig n s c re at e d by t h i rd yea r
Advertising Arts students.
The designs were classified
Editor: Lester G. Babiera
into eight collections, or “houses”,
inspired by the attractions seen in a
circus. These scenes served as Cirq
Regal’s sub-themes: mimes, dolls,
freaks, animals, illusionists, acrobats,
clowns, and “pyros” or fire breathers.
The first collection, “House of
Theatric Mimicry”, paved the way
for the other collections as there
was a transition from the black and
white pieces to the bloom of colors
in the next collection of clothing. The
collection featured monochromatic
clothing with modernistic designs.
T he “House of Fragile
Perfection” exuded a softer feel, with
lots of dainty tulle skirts, sewn-on
buttons and larger-than-life bows. The
collection also showed men’s clothing
in earth tones.
T he aud ience bu zzed wit h
excitement as the “freaks” were
revealed through the “House of
Eccentric Distortion”. The designers
paid attention to detail as some of
their models came out as twins, a
monkey boy, and even a reptilian
man. The collection was comprised
of outfits that featured bold metallic
embellish ments. Without these
extraordinary metal accessories, the
clothing line seemed friendly enough
for everyday wear. Their avant-garde
piece featured lines of golden wire
woven into detachable wings and
a cage-like structure encasing the
model’s skirt.
T h e “ H o u s e o f Te m p e s t
Savagery” unleashed the primal side
of Cirq Regal with authentic looks
that brought to mind an African
savanna. The collection consisted of
apparel featuring bold animal prints
and native raw materials.
On the other hand, the “House
of Dramatic Deception” played a lot
of tricks on the eye, literally and in a
couture sense. Its avant-garde floorlength gown grabbed attention as
the bottom part seemed to be made
from umbrellas. The collection was
both functional and fashionable,
with some pieces appearing as mere
accessories, and with a single pull
or when unzipped, transformed into
a bag.
The “House of Aer ial
Absolution” displayed eccentric and
futuristic designs with popping colors
as their main characteristic, while the
“House of Colorful Mischief” mainly
combined pastel shades and bright
hues with carefree designs that were
more ready-to-wear.
The “House of Crimson Lustre”
ended the show with its edg y,
glamorous collection, showcasing
the sensual color palette of flames
along with flowing clothing outlines
seen in its gowns and dresses.
Adver t isi ng ju n iors outdid
themselves with what they fondly
called their “epic finale,” as this was
the last batch fashion show. They
were able to execute a
fashion production with a dramatic
and daunting theme, which they
themselves thought too ambitious
at first.
“Even before the show starts,
the fact that you’re here, it’s already
a success,” Cirq Regal adviser Ma.
Rhoda Recto told her students before
the runway spectacle commenced.
Alyosha J. Robillos
Photos by JILSON SECKLER C. TIU
Conservatory of Music performs
Italian classic Cavalleria Rusticana
CLASSIC Italian opera Cavalleria
R u s t i c a n a w a s t h e h ig h l ig h t
perfor mance of the 65-year-old
Conservatory of Music in a two-part
show titled Opera Gala at the Medicine
Auditorium last January 26 as part of
the Quadricentennial week.
Selected scenes from various
renowned musical plays such as The
Barber of Seville, La Gioconda, and
Norma were also performed on the
second part of the play.
“The event was a milestone
for the Conservatory,” said opera
conductor and music professor
Herminigildo Ranera. “Usually, these
types of production are only done by
professionals. Our students are very
fortunate to be given this opportunity
to perform in a major production.”
Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria
Rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) is a love
story of Turiddu, who finds out, upon
returning from military service,that
his wealthy fiancée Lola has married
Alfio, a wealthy horseman. Out of
vengeance, he seduces a young woman
named Santuzza. The story then tells
an interweaving tale of forbidden love
and treachery between the four.
The second part was kicked-off
by a well-orchestrated rendition of the
prelude of Georges Bizet’s Carmen.
Notable performances included
Léo Delibes’ “Flower Duet” from
the opera Lakmé, which exhibited
a fantastic synergy of the voices of
student sopranos Kim Sung Hye and
Cynthia Sy.
Giacomo Puccini’s “Un bel di
Vedremo” from Madame Butterfly
was also noted for its pizzazz as it was
performed as a song-and-dance routine
by professor Thea Perez-Prosia.
Other songs presented in the
second act were Emmerich Kalman’s
“Heia in Den Bergen” from Die
Csardasfurstin (The Gypsy Princess),
Noel Azcona (left) and Rachelle Gerodias performing “Don Basilio! Giusto
cielo!” from Gioachino Rossini’s Ill Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of
Seville). Josa camille a. Bassig
Vincenzo Bellini’s “Casta Diva” from
Norma, and Vicente Martin y Soler’s
“Pace Caro Mio Sposo” from Una Cosa
Rara (A Rare Thing), among others.
Gioachino Rossini’s “Don
Basilio! Giusto cielo!” from Ill barbiere
di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) was
the closing performance. The comedic
skit was perfomed by soprano Rachelle
Gerodias, Lemuel dela Cruz (tenor),
Jun Francis Jaranilla (bass), Noel
Azcona (baritone), and Christoval Tan
(baritone).
Ranera said that rehearsal were
the most difficult parts in preparing
for the opera.
“We had to learn all the songs
in the opera, and we started doing
practice just a few days after New
Year,” he said.
Ranera said that there are already
plans for the Conservatory of Music
for another musical in celebration of
the Quadricentennial year.
“We will be making a musical
on the life story of [UST founder] Fr.
Miguel de Benavides, O.P., which will
be held at the Cultural Center of the
Philippines,” he said. John Ernest
F. Jose
USTv
circ
(From left to right):
The “bird woman” flaunts the
House of Eccentric Distortion’s
avant garde piece.; A playful
ensemble from the House of
Colorful Mischief; One of the
models strutting down the
catwalk; The umbrella dress:
another avant garde; A model
made to look like a life-size
doll
making time to honor the media amid
your Quadricentennial celebration,”
Soho said. “USTv awards provide
inspiration to us media personalities.”
Other winning GMA
programs were Mel & Joey (talk
variety program), Doraemon (full
animated program), Pepito Manaloto
(situational comedy), and Hole in the
Wall (game show).
Meanwhile, emerging media
giant TV5 received the Students’
Choice award for Catholic Program
and Reality Show for The Word
Exposed and Talentadong Pinoy,
respectively.
Studio 23’s coverage of the
UAAP games bagged the Students’
Choice for Sports Program. Recently
disbanded alternative rock group
Bamboo got the Students’ Choice for
Local Music Video Artist, while Star
Record’s acoustic singer and former
MYMP vocalist Juris Fernandez won
the Students’ Choice for Local Music
Video for her song “‘Di Lang Ikaw”.
“This is my first award as a solo
artist,” Fernandez told the audience.
M c D o n a l d ’s c o m m e r c i a l
“Tweens” was given the Students’
Choice Award for Value-Laden
Adver t isement, wh ile t he new
category Students’ Choice for Music
Channel was garnered by MYX,
ABS-CBN’s music channel.
Former UST Secretary General
Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P. was honored
as the “Father of USTv.”
This year, the USTv tried to
survey all Thomasian students, but
the online survey facilitated by the
Educational Technology Center
encountered technical problems.
However, more than 20,000 students
were able to cast their votes, higher
than the previous years when only a
statistical sample of enrolled students
got the chance to participate in the
selection.
Piolo
Daughter
FROM PAGE 7
FROM PAGE 7
Moreover, he said that the still
photos of sunset and landscapes are
his favorites because they give him
the feeling of serenity amidst his
hectic schedule in show business.
Pa s c u a l r e c e nt ly m o d ele d
f o r s c u l p t o r R a m o n O r l i n a’s
“QuattroMondial,” the monument
which was erected last January in
commemoration of UST’s 400th
anniversary.
Orlina, in an earlier interview,
said that he got Pascual as model
becau se he ha s good physique
and he has a strong inf luence on
Filipinos as a famous actor.
“There are a lot of successful
Thomasians, but they are not as
well-k now n as Piolo Pascu al,”
Orlina said. Ana May R. Del a
On the other hand, the calm
and meditative mood of “Call of the
Winds” is inspired by the landscapes
of China.
Though she had been successful
and living comfortably in other
countries, Valderrama-Savage has
never forgotten about the Philippines.
This is evident in “Sagingan,” a
landscape of banana trees common in
the Philippine countryside, which she
said she painted while in the United
States, basing it solely on her memory
of the country.
“I was bound to come back,”
said Valderrama-Savage. “This is my
home even if I have lived in so many
other countries. The more I travelled,
the more I realized that I am very
attached in my home land.” Maria
FROM PAGE 7
Cruz
Joanna Angela D. Cruz
cle
7
The Varsitarian march 15, 2011
Rector tells 7th USTv patrons, TV networks
‘Uphold Thomasian values through media’
By ANA MAY R. DELA CRUZ
and JOHN ERNEST F. JOSE
THE SEVENTH USTv Awards
for television were given out
last February 17 amid what
many critics admit is a general
decline in the quality of TV
programming and rampant
com mercialization of the
broadcast media.
Father Rector Rolando
de la Rosa, O.P. reminded TV
networks that the recognitions
were not intended to bolster
their ratings, but to inspire
shows that upheld moral values.
“The USTv award was
not made for boosting the
networks’ ratings, but to uphold
Thomasian values through
media,” said De la Rosa during
the awards night at the Plaza
Mayor.
“ [ USTv] a l s o a l low s
students to be involved with the
media and contribute towards
the improvement of the quality
of local television,” Father
Rector added.
T he ju r y was headed
by Secret ar y General Fr.
Florentino Bolo Jr., O.P. and
c omp o s e d of T hom a sia n
student leaders and media
exper ts, including Movie
and Television Review and
Classification Board chair
Grace Poe-Llamanzares.
ABS-CBN (Kapamilya)
and its sister networks received
the most number of recognition
with 15 out of 27 trophies.
Kapamilya broadcasters
Ted Failon and Karen Davila
were awarded the Students’
Choice for Male and Female
News and Current Affairs
Program Host, respectively.
Receiving the award for
the second time, Failon said
that it would be a constant
source of inspiration for him.
Maalala Mo Kaya
received its seventh straight
w i n f o r t h e S t u d e n t s’
Choice for Drama Program
category, while Matanglawin
and Salamat Doc got their
third Students’ Choice for
E d u c a t io n a l a nd P u bl ic
Service Program, respectively.
A B S - C B N ’s T h e
Bottomline was awarded
the Students’ Choice Award
for Talk Show Program and
The Buzz won as the Best
Entertainment News Show for
the fifth time. Boy Abunda,
who hosts the two shows,
accepted the award.
“This is the clearest way
for us to show to our viewers,
especially the Thomasians,
that they are important to
us and we consider their
preferences,” Abunda said.
ABS-CBN celebrities
also dominated the awards for
entertainment as Coco Martin
and Angelica Panganiban won
the Students’ Choice Award
for Actor and Actress for Kung
Tayo’y Magkakalayo and Rubi,
respectively.
“I have been to different
award-giving bodies and
received recognitions as well,
but the USTv award makes
(Left) Coco Martin expresses gratitude to the Thomasian community for making him the Students’ Choice for Actor; (Center photos)
Comedian Michael V. strikes a pose as he comes up the stage to receive the award for “Bubble Gang”, while ABS-CBN president
Charo Santos-Concio thanks her staff for making “Maalaala Mo Kaya” the unbeatable show in the Drama Series category; (Right) Host
Boy Abunda receives the award for “The Bottomline”. Photos by PAUL ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO and JILSON SECKLER C. TIU
me nervous because students
are the ones who gave me this
award,” Martin said in Filipino.
Other Kapamilya
prog rams which received
USTv prizes were ASAP Rocks
(Students’ Choice for Variety
Show), He is Beautiful (foreign
soap opera), and Agua Bendita
(drama program).
Pe rhaps t he r a mpa nt
Lolita Valderrama-Savage
A Thomasian daughter
of fine arts returns
Valderrama-Savage said. “There were
drawings that I did at the Academy of
Fine Arts in Florence, then I selected
some from the ‘80s, some from the
‘90s and some paintings from the year
2000, so that people can have a picture
of how my work has developed.”
Her oldest works are paintings
which dated from 1975 to 1976. They
are mostly charcoal-like sketches
of scenes from Sweden such as
“Hallström’s Old Kitchen” that
depicts a small, simple, cottage style
kitchen.
tale about clawing women in
the fashion business always at
each other’s throats.
M e a n w h i l e , G M A7
primetime newscast 24 Oras
won the USTv award for Best
Local News a nd Cu r rent
Affairs Program, while Bubble
Gang received its sixth Best in
Gag Show award.
Comedians Ogie Alcasid
ACTOR and matinee idol Piolo
Pascual is at home in front of and
behind the camera.
Pascual, who studied at the
Faculty of Arts and Letters in the
mid-1990s, takes photographs of the
places he’s been in.
His nature photographs were
exhibited in SunPIOLOgy, which
ran from December 12, 2010 to
January 12, 2011 at the Art Hall of
The Enterprise Centre in Makati
Cit y. The photographs are still
on auction on the SunPiology’s
website.
“I love nat u re because
it is excit i ng; it’s a m at t e r of
composition,” Pascual told the
Varsitarian. “I got to feel better
whenever I take photos.”
The exhibition raised funds
for the benefit of Hebreo 12:1, a
foundation Pascual established
w it h h is sibli ngs. It g ra nt s
scholarships to poor students.
Pascual said he started taking
photographs 10 years ago with just
a 1-megapixel digital camera.
“The photos were taken from
local and international tours,” he
said. “I bring my camera wherever
I go because beautiful pictures are
always waiting to be taken.”
The multi-awarded actor said
Valderrama-Savage
reintroduced herself to her homeland
after being away since earning her
degree and accepting a scholarship
to the Academia di Belle Arti in
Florence, Italy.
“It’s about my coming home and
about me presenting myself again to
my country because I have been away
for so long,” said Valderrama-Savage.
“So, instead of putting different titles,
I used my name for the exhibit title so
that they know I’m coming home.”
The works on showcase exhibited
her range and versatility.
“I selected different artworks
that I did through different times,”
The landscape paintings of
Valderrama-Savage serve as her
artistic diary and a storybook for the
public.
“I love to watch the changes
of the season, I love to paint the
winter, the autumn, the spring, all
the changes of the climate, because
it’s almost like watching life itself,”
she said.
“ Fa l l Abla z e,” wh ich wa s
inspired by parks in Connecticut,
United States, shows the aggressive
shedding of leaves in autumn.
Daughter Page 6
and Michael V received the
award for Bubble Gang.
I-Witness won its
f ifth Students’ Choice for
Documentary Program award,
while Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho
won its fourth Students’ Choice
for Magazine Program award.
“ T h a n k you for st i l l
USTv Page 6
Piolo’s other love
LESTER G. BABIERA
A DAUGHTER of visual arts has
finally come home.
After almost four decades of
studying in Italy and Europe and
becoming a wife and mother in the
United States, Lolita ValderramaSavage came back to the Philippines
and displayed her paintings in her first
one-woman exhibit dubbed The Art
of Lolita Valderrama-Savage, which
was held last February 9 to 21 at the
Ayala Museum Artist Space.
Valderrama-Savage, a graduate
of UST’s Fi ne A r t s p r og r a m ,
com mercialization of
primetime programming is
seen in the top two finalists
of the Soap Opera category.
Agua Bendita and Magkaribal
are over-the-top melodramas,
the former a fantastic tale of a
girl whose constitution is water
that leaves viewers wondering
why she never evaporates, and
the latter a shrill misogynist
(Left photos) Two photos among Pascual’s photograph
collection. (Right) Pascual in an interview with the
Varsitarian shortly before the unveiling of the QuattroMondial
last January 27. Josa camille a. Bassig
his shots focus on nature’s exquisite
si mplicit y, capt u r i ng d if ferent
nat u r al scener ies such a s logs
and lush f lora, breaking dawn, a
rainbow arching over waterfalls,
and even the Chocolate Hills of
Bohol.
Pascu al said t hat t he most
memorable picture he had taken was
the immense rainbow on Angkor
Wat, Cambodia, which he toured
with his mom.
“The scene was just perfect,
it gave the feeling that I just can’t
explain,” he said.
Piolo Page 6
8 Limelight The
Towazinos
Varsitarian March 15, 2011
Art Director: Carla T. Gamalinda
by Jasmine C. Santos
Bits of USTe
by Fritzie Marie C. Amar
Brgy. San Tomas
by Karla Mides C. Toledo
Dominicans
FROM PAGE 1
of St. Thomas Aquinas, which
has jurisdiction over UST,
to the Philippine Province
from the Master. It sought
“concrete measures” for the
transfer of UST to Filipino
Dominicans under a “climate
of mutual understanding
and of fraternal search for
consensus.” The 1995 chapter
said the Master should remain
the “guarantor of autonomy,
security, and continuance of
the University as a Dominican
center for higher and special
studies.”
The
Filipinization
of UST reached a climax
with the appointment Fr.
Leonardo Legaspi, O.P. as
the University’s first Filipino
rector in October 1971. In
December of the same year,
Filipino Dominicans split from
the Holy Rosary Province of
Spanish Dominicans, which
had jurisdiction over UST
since its foundation until the
1970s, when the University
became common territory
under the Master of the Order.
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa,
Libel
FROM PAGE 1
a preliminary investigation.
T h e Va r s i t a r i a n
has tapped former senator
Aquilino Pimentel Jr. as its
chief legal counsel.
The lawsuit filed by UST
last December 29 against
Selegna Holdings accused the
carpark firm of entering into
fraudulent lease contracts,
and of failing to secure the
approval of the University.
A ngele s cla i me d t he
Varsitarian article intended
to destroy his family and
b u s i n e s s e s’ r e p u t a t i o n ,
pointing out that the
newspaper came out during
UST’s Q u a d r ic e nt e n n i a l
celebration.
“ T he a for e s a id news
report was, as already stated,
written, and released only on
January 26, 2011, perfectly
in time for the 400th year
O.P., Rector of the University,
said questions about the issue
would be addressed once
the Master of the Order has
formed the commission.
Pedregosa
said
the
commission has yet to be
formed, but the names of the
members were expected to be
submitted to the Master of the
Order by the end of summer.
“Offhand, I would say
[that] it will never touch
[or] change the hallowed
character of [UST]: its royal,
pontifical,
and
Catholic
[characteristics],” Pedregosa
said. “Secondly, it will
never touch the office of the
Master of the Order as Grand
Chancellor of the University.”
In his report as outgoing
Master of the Order in the
General Chapter in Rome, the
Argentine Fr. Carlos Azpiroz
Costa, O.P. said the position
of Chancellor of UST “must
not be reduced to a decorative
or ceremonial role.”
Aspiroz, in his report
titled
Relatio
Magistiri
Ordinis De Statu Ordinis,
explained that he saw the
position of Grand Chancellor
as the one who assures
that all “centers of studies
must perform their mission
according to the laws of the
Dominican Order.”
According to the General
Statutes of the University, the
Grand Chancellor “assures
that the Ecclesiastical Laws,
by which the University
is governed, are faithfully
observed and executed.”
“The community of
priests … has been under
the jurisdiction of the
[Dominican] Province of
the Philippines since 1995,
while [UST] is still under
the jurisdiction of the
Master,” said an English
translation
of
Aspiroz’s
report, which was written
in Spanish. “This situation
has led to some ambiguity
in the government and
administration [of the Order],
causing many difficulties and
misunderstandings.”
He said these problems
have been gradually resolved.
“UST has spent turbulent
times. An attempt was made
to accompany the process [of
addressing the problems], but
there are still open wounds,”
Aspiroz said.
The
former
Master
said he believed the process
launched at the General
Chapter of 1995 has not been
anniversary celebration of
the University in order to give
it the widest publicity and
readership,” Angeles claimed.
A ngeles faulted the
Varsitarian for writing that
Selegna Holdings’ failed 2006
bid to get cou r t approval
for cor porate or f inancial
rehabilitation was the same
process undergone by preneed firms College Assurance
Plans and Pacific Plans.
He a l s o a c c u s e d t h e
Varsitarian of fabricating
portions of the article and
misleading its readers.
“While claiming that the
statements [Rio] made therein
were just quoted from the said
complaint filed by UST against
Selegna, a comparison of the
said complaint vis-à-vis his
said statements would readily
disclose that there were no
such statements contained in
the UST complaint,” Angeles
said.
A ngeles also claimed
t h e r e p o r t ’s m e n t i o n of
Seleg na Holdings and
A s i a n C o n s t r u c t io n a n d
D e v e l o p m e n t C o r p .’s
(Asia Konst r u k t) com mon
ow nership was malicious
insinuation.
“In saying that
AsiaKonstrukt was a ‘favored
contractor of the graft-ridden
Expo Pilipino theme park
project,’ Mr. Rio was clearly
maliciously i nsi nu at i ng
that—(1) government laws
or rules on public bidding
were violated and, hence,
the said project was awarded
t o t he c omp a ny, a nd (2)
AsiaKonst r ukt criminally
conspi red , colluded or
other wise colluded or
otherwise confabulated with
certain government officials
in the commission of graft and
corruption,” he said.
Angeles pointed out that
all cases against him and
AsiaKonstrukt in connection
with the Expo Pilipino
project had been dismissed.
Jennifer M. Orillaza
sufficiently fulfilled.
De la Rosa, in a letter
sent to the Varsitarian, said
the “open wounds” stated
by Azpiroz referred to the
“effects of the many turbulent
vicissitudes [or unexpected
changes] that the University
has encountered throughout
its existence,” and not on any
conflict between UST and the
central administration of the
Dominican Order.
In a rare intervention,
A z pi r oz , d u r i n g a 2 0 0 7
canonical visitation of UST,
ter minated the P3-billion
redevelopment plan of UST
Hospital. The int ra- order
dispute led to the resignations
of then rector Fr. Er nesto
Arceo, O.P., vice rector Fr.
Juan Ponce, O.P., and Fr.
Edmund Nantes, O.P., prior
provincial. Rommel Marvin
C. Rio
Artlets
Cross
FROM PAGE 1
from sin and be faithful to the
Gospel,” De la Cruz said in
Filipino.
D e la Cr u z s a id t he
human cross was very “small”
compared with the “Cross of
Christ.”
“Ang krus ni Kristo ay
kayang sakupin ang ating
kahinaan, ating kasalanan, at
kaya tayong ibalik sa tamang
daan,” he said.
Manila Mayor Alfredo
Lim and Far Eastern University
President Lydia Echauz were
invited to serve as witnesses
to the formation of the human
cross.
Also invited were
re present at ives f rom Fa r
Eastern University, Adamson
U n i v e r s i t y, a n d R a m o n
Magsaysay Hig h SchoolManila.
UST Public Affairs chief
Giovanna Fontanilla said the
event was meant to highlight
the importance of penance in
the season of Lent.
According to the Guinness
website, Oslo, Norway holds
the record for the largest human
cross, with only 900 participants.
Documentation of the event
was to be submitted to Guinness
for confirmation.
Lim congratulated the
University for mounting the
record-breaking event, and
pointed out that the Philippines
remai ns a predomi nantly
Catholic country.
“It broke the record, and I
want to congratulate [Rector] Fr.
Rolando de la Rosa for making
this huge event possible,” Lim
said. with reports from Darenn
G. Rodriguez
Salvador, who is also president
of the Artlets Faculty Club, said
the whole faculty agreed to the
revised curriculum.
“The system will be more
efficient for the students. It will
also mean less payment in their
tuition, so it is better,” he said.
Two
new
academic
programs—AB English and
AB History—will compensate
for the reduction of the teaching
load of some professors,
Salvador said.
Communication
Arts
‘Bonus’
Wreath-laying Ex-rector
FROM PAGE 2
FROM PAGE 2
message across that the
government should not spend
P3 billion a year to implement
the measure.
Last
February
14,
Akbayan members, led by
former Rep. Risa Hontiveros,
distributed condoms at Nepa
Q Mart in Quezon City to
promote the passage of the bill.
Saying the Internet is
an “online parliament,” Jalin
said he asked his students to
identify themselves with their
respective sections when they
posted their comments.
He said students supporting
the RH bill need not avail of the
incentive. But should they wish
to comment in the Akbayan
page, they were encouraged to
include the Catholic Church’s
position before explaining why
they wanted the bill passed, he
added. Kalaine Nikka Kay
C. Grafil
junior Cris Edward Jose said the
curriculum change would be
advantageous to students.
“I think it is better because
the subjects to be abolished
might come out as not really
needed,” Jose said. Ana May
R. Dela Cruz with reports
from Kalaine Nikka Kay C.
Grafil
FROM PAGE 2
FROM PAGE 1
“The present state of
the Plaza Santo Tomas has
not been very decent. This is
due to the informal settlers
that have little by little made
their presence in the location,”
Bolo said.
The
University
has
brought this matter to the city
government, Bolo said.
“We hope for the same
[support] as we continue our
year-long celebration until its
closing in 2012,” he said.
In July 2005, a wreathlaying ceremony was held
at the Plaza Santo Tomas
in celebration of the fourth
centenary of Fr. Miguel de
Benavides. His monument,
now at t he UST ca mpu s
in Sampaloc, Manila, was
or igi nally i n I nt ramu ros.
2007, Arceo said the P3billion loan was signed with
optimism that Fr. Carlos
Alfonso Azpiroz Costa, O.P.,
then Master General of the
Dominican Order, would
regularize the transaction
by virtue of a “post-factum
approval.”
“I would like to apologize
to the [Thomasian] community
for taking the risk (like the
other members of the hospital
board) of deciding to sign the
loan agreement with the banks,
hoping that the Master and his
Council would understand …
the irregular process we had
done for the welfare of the
University and the hospital
(Canonical irregularity is not
necessarily a sin),” Father
Arceo wrote. Jennifer M.
K a l a in e N ikk a K ay C.
Grafil
Orillaza and Darenn G.
Rodriguez
March 15, 2011
Editor: Mika Rafaela A. Barrios
The
Varsitarian Literary
9
Lectures held in honor of Thomasian
THOMASIAN passion for writing
and teaching letters was the central
theme of memorial lectures held
in honor of two of the University’s
celebrated literature pedagogues,
Paz M. Latorena and Carolina
Garcia.
Now on its third year, the Paz
M. Latorena Lecture was held at
the AMV-College of Accountancy
Auditorium last February 2.
A project of the
College
of
Hos pit al it y
a
n
d
Garcia
I
T STOOD about 100
meters tall. Its features
possessed
Gothic-like
attributes such as three-tier
elevations, shafted piers,
and flying buttresses. The
doors were set into pointed
arches. The large, central rose
window had multi-colored
glass panes. The inside,
constituted of a longitudinal
floor, was intersected at one
end by a portion that ran in
right angles to the long central
part of the nave—like a Latin
cross.
At least that was how I
remembered an old friend of
mine describe it. He was the
art and architecture expert,
not me. I was the expert
guesser, but not at all times.
I used to tell him that all it
seemed to be missing were
gargoyles and it would have
probably looked like the Notre
Dame Church. Of course, that
didn’t seem likely from where
we lived. So instead, above
the arched doors was a row of
statues of angels surmounted
by more windows and a row
of columns.
The church this old
friend and I used take photos
of, draw sketches of, and hear
mass in every Sunday looked
the same as it did some ten
years ago. The only difference
is, now, I take photos, draw
sketches, and hear mass in
there every Sunday by myself.
I’m not sure why or
how I stopped seeing him.
literature pedagogues
Management, this year’s lecture
aimed at paying homage to the
history of the University as well as
to the many Thomasian writers who
established a name for themselves in
literature. The lecture started with
an exhibit of paintings depicting the
legacy of Latorena (born 1907) as
interpreted by College of Fine Arts
and Design students.
“Her stories transcend time
since it did not conform to the trend
of its day,” said National Artist for
Literature Bienvenido Lumbera,
who led the audience to the exhibit.
“Moreover, the issues tackled
and discussed in her stories are
timeless. For a woman whose
writings represented a great part of
the female voice and the Filipino
soul, Paz M. Latorena is truly a
‘matriarch’ of Filipino writing in
English,” said Lumbera, who was
mentored by Latorena before her
untimely death in 1953.
Lumbera also gave a rundown
of UST’s renowned writers and
showed how UST’s contribution was
considerable Philippine literature.
“It is unfortunate that, as a
result of the failure to name the
big writers that UST has produced,
UST earned some kind of reputation
as perhaps a third-rate producer of
writers,” Lumbera said. “After this
lecture, I hope that those of you in
this audience will take pride in what
UST has contributed to Philippine
literature.”
Latorena belonged to the first
generation of writers. Together with
Paz Marquez-Benitez and Loreto
Paras-Sulit, she became
part of the triumvirate
of “literary matriarchs”
to the next generation
of writers in English.
Her short stories such
as “Desire” and “Small
Key” disclose the image of
the Filipino women during
the first half of the 20th
century in transition. She
also became the second literary
editor of the Varsitarian, after Jose
Villa Panganiban, the “Father of the
Varsitarian”.
When science meets literature
Meanwhile,
the
second
Carolina Garcia Memorial Lecture
tackled the intersections between
science and literature. The theme
of the lecture was “Crossing
Boundaries, Rethinking Science
Education: Humanizing the Science
Curriculum through Literature”
at the Thomas Aquinas Research
Complex Auditorium last February
16.
Ferdinand Lopez, literature
professor in the Faculty of Arts
and Letters and a former student
of Garcia’s, said Garcia was a
phenomenal “teacher’s teacher”.
“[She was] an animated
teacher who transported us to
different dimensions of imaginative
existence,” said Lopez. “Garcia
never came to class unprepared. She
interpreted us students like living
texts.”
J. Niel Garcia, a UST alumnus
and University of the Philippines
professor, expounded on how poetry
is used in the language of science.
“Science is a cultural practice,”
said Garcia. “At the same time,
poetry has become marginalized
as an artistic activity. The scientific
ideas are nothing but instruments
to help us see truth. Science cannot
offer us truth, it can only offer
descriptions.”
The concept of the universe has
become so abstract that it can be
compared to poetry, Garcia said.
“Poets have a claim to science
because science has become
poetic,” he said. “Scientists have
these metaphors that have become
completely naturalized that no one
sees they are metaphors anymore.
Like, when they say, ‘the heart is a
pump,’ it is not really a pump; it’s a
metaphor.”
However, Garcia underscored
the point where these two fields
clash.
“Poets don’t mind that there is
mystery in the world, they live it,
and they revel in it. Science cannot
stand it; if there’s a mystery, they
solve it,” he said.
Faculty of Medicine and
Surgery Dean Graciela Gonzaga
said she believes that science and
literature go hand in hand.
“Literature opens our eyes to
the world,” she said. “It makes us feel
the world, understand its intricacies
and [the] frailties [of human beings].
It makes us more human, more
humane,” she said. “There is always
a marriage between science and
literature. I believe they are part and
parcel with each other.”
“Science is critical thinking,
literature is creative thinking,”
she added. “Literature is even for
doctors.”
Citing the negative effects
of removing humanities from the
Science curriculum was literature
professor Nerisa Guevara, who took
up BS Biology in UST.
“If humanity and literature
subjects will be taken away, where
will you get your art? What will you
know about the complexity of the
human soul?” Guevera said.
“From the 1980s to about
1997, majority of the winners in
the Ustetika awards [for literature]
would be Science or Medicine
students,” she added, explaining the
impact of humanities subjects have
done for the students of medicine
and the sciences.
“I wonder if it is just a decision
of the administrators to remove the
humanities from the curriculum.
I wonder if the administration
actually asked their student council
or is this just a decision of the
administrators,” she said.
Capping the seminar was
children’s author and practicing
physician, Dr. Luis P. Gatmaitan,
who is best known for his children’s
books, “Mga Kwento ni Tito Doc,”
which explain to children the
different ailments that affect young
people, including tooth decay, dogbites, wound-healing, sore-eyes,
common colds, fractures, intestinal
problems, diarrhea, and tonsillitis.
“Writing for children is a serious
thing because I am writing for the
most discriminating audience of
all,” said Gatmantan, whose books
have been used as supplementary
Churches
are not supposed to have
in them
gargoyles
By AZER N. PARROCHA
He never bothered telling me
anything, so I figured he was
dead. At one point, I almost
grew frantic looking for him,
until his parents told me he left
without warning. He must have
taken off to France to study
architecture or maybe even
marry some French girl. That
was always his dream. Or at
least I thought it was.
As a child, each time I
went through old photos of
churches and cathedrals in his
pre-20th century architectural
books, I grew accustomed to
thinking that gargoyles were
designed to scare off all the
mischievous boys and girls
from entering places that were
said to be for public worship.
That was an imprecise notion, I
soon found out. Gargoyles were
more purposely designed to
clear rainwater off the building.
There was not much of a reason
for its grotesqueness unless
whoever carved it meant it that
way. I never saw the sense in
people creating something so
ugly.
The years that went by
gifted me with more common
sense. I realized then that,
miraculously, all kinds of
people were permitted inside
church—the rich and the
poor, the good and the bad,
the beautiful and the ugly. Of
course to the Creator, all things
were beautiful.
Nonetheless, it was quite a
surprise for me to find an actual
“gargoyle” lurking about inside
church one Sunday morning.
That day should have been as
ordinary as every other Sunday.
I, as always, was five minutes
early. It was to make certain
I got to sit somewhere in the
front (the second bench at the
right side end of the church, to
be exact) because it was the best
place to get a good view of the
projector with the oh-so tiny
Old English Text font. Also,
this was the part of the church
that was closest to the strongest
air conditioner.
During the exchange of
peace-be-with-yous I would
turn around to smile at the
elderly women who, like me,
had the same routine every
Sunday: church, lunch, home.
But today, when I turned around
to utter the same sacred words,
it was not the wrinkly smiles of
elderly women that met me, but
the piercing eyes and furrowed
brows of a “gargoyle”.
Before I could turn to face
front again, having hoped it
hadn’t noticed me, it spoke with
a tone of genuine surprise, not
of the ambiguity that his facial
expressions implied. It inched
closer to me, so that only I
could hear its voice.
“What are you doing
here?” its voice was deep,
though mellow, almost even
sweet. If I closed my eyes and
listened only to its voice, I
might have mistaken it for—
no, it still was a “gargoyle” clad
in a cotton-white polo shirt and
loose jeans. I struggled to come
up with an answer without
showing the slightest hint of
emotion. I could have chosen
not to reply, but that was a rude
thing to do inside God’s home.
reading
materials
in
public
elementary schools. He also writes
children’s books for institutions like
the United Nations Children’s Fund,
World Vision International, and
World Health Organization.
“Magkaroon kayo ng sining,
para hindi n’yo maramdaman na para
kayong mga robot,” said Gatmaitan,
in response to how science students
these days feel like they have been
programmed to perform tasks and
memorize a great deal of information.
Azer N. Parrocha
A portrait sketch of the young Latorena
“It’s hot outside,” I said,
instantly realizing that what I
had said sounded stupid even
if I meant to sound sarcastic. I
could only hope the “gargoyle”
would read through its context.
It did. I think it tried its best
to grin. I turned front again.
I realized that the question it
asked me did not make as much
sense as the reply I gave it.
The mass ended and the
priest told everyone told to go
in peace but that was hard for
me to do this time, considering
how the sight of the “gargoyle”
made me want to execute it by
strangulation. Instead, I avoided
unconsciously committing any
more sin, by making a quick
exit at the door closest to where
I sat.
I was already outside the
church and was about to make
a run for it when the “gargoyle”
called my name. I kept walking
pretending as if I hadn’t heard
it.
“I think you left something
behind,” it finally said, and, at
that moment, I searched my
purse to find my wallet missing.
It was only then when I turned
around to face it. I heaved a
sigh and opened my palm,
instructing it to return it to me
or else. It returned my wallet. I
mumbled an insincere thanks,
because it was the right thing
to do even if it was against
my will. Then, I marched off
without saying goodbye.
“Do you want a lift?” it
said, its voice hopeful. “I think
I still know the way to your
house.”
I was not about to give it
a chance to revel in the idea
of both of us finally being
reunited after almost two
years. Two years wasn’t that
long. Every so often I forget
why I was angry in the first
place. Still, I was.
“Normal people would
tell their friends and family
about their intentions to
leave,” I said, quietly, with
resentment. “But you aren’t
normal, are you?”
It was taken aback. It
seems to have forgotten how
its old friend can sometimes
be a little too emotional.
It was the opposite. It was
emotionless—the
only
expression it wore on its face
was uncertainty, hence, the
piercing eyes and furrowed
brows.
Emotionless like a
gargoyle made of stone.
I flashed my old friend a
smile, and with full effort, he
returned one too.
We took our time to
admire the church—the
exquisiteness of its form and
the grandiosity of its structure.
While he took photos outside,
I slipped inside the church
again and fixed my eyes to
the altar. To the all-knowing,
all-powerful Creator of the
universe, I told Him this: Dear
God, thank you. Please don’t
let him make a “gargoyle” out
of himself again.
10 Sports The
Varsitarian March 15, 2011
Tennisters post a repeat performance
By JEREMY S. PEREY and ROBIN G. Padilla
ON E T EA M celebrated
its triumph while the other
languished in defeat.
The UST Male Tennisters
seized back-to-back titles
via a 3-2 classic against rival
De La Salle University in
Game 2 of their best-of-three
championship series. But their
female counterparts finished
the season at the opposite end,
landing at the bottom of the
standings.
The championship was a
fitting send-off for coach Karl
Santamaria, who was set to end
his stint with UST. After the
final UAAP game on February
19, he was scheduled to fly to
Sri Lanka for the World Junior
Championships.
“It had to be the best
(because) I have to tell you that
this is my last (year with UST),”
said a tearful Santamaria, who
led the Male Tennisters to seven
titles in the last 10 years.
“ Wei rd a s it sou nd s,
sometimes when you’re very
successful, you want to look for
other challenges. But I hope I
was able to provide a winning
tradition for UST,” he added.
Rookie Kim Saraza became
the man of the moment as he
won the marginal third singles
match, 6-1, 6-1, against John
Will Baldonado to complete the
UAAP lawn tennis Finals sweep
(2-0) in Rizal Memorial Tennis
Center last February 19.
Saraza, one of the topr a n ke d t e n n ist e r s i n t he
country, won both of his games
in the finals to make up for
his elimination-round setback
against Ateneo de Manila
University’s Mark Balce and
De La Salle’s Ernesto Pantua.
Most Valuable Player
R alph Kev i n Ba r t e, who
never yielded a single match
in the tournament, stuck the
first dagger in the Archers’
hearts after clobbering Pantua
in opening singles, 6-0, 6-1.
Prized rookie Bernanlou Bering
outsmashed Fidel Regis with his
fluid ground strokes, 6-1, 6-3 in
the second singles.
“I always give my hundred
percent for the team to win,”
Barte, the 21-year-old Davao
hotshot, said.
But the green-and-white
squad bounced back in the
doubles’ play as the tandem of
UST Male Tennister Bernardine
Bering and last year’s Rookie of
the Year Arn Procianos bowed
Back-to-back champions UST Male Tennisters take a bite of their “gold harvest” together with Athletics
moderator Rodrigo Sambuang, assistant coach Alexander Diego, and outgoing head coach Karl Santamaria.
josa camille a. bassig
to Ed Amor and Jericho Alina
of De La Salle in a three-setter,
6-3, 2-6, 1-6.
Season 73 Rookie of the
Year Alberto Villamor and
Michael Basco tied the match
at 2-2 with their sizzling volleys
and kills, after winning against
UST’s Gerald Pinili and and
June Montalbo, 6-3, 6-3. But
Saraza, who was just recovering
from his left wrist injury, sealed
the deal for the Thomasian
netters.
“I was a bit pressured, but
the moment I got the first set,
I had the feeling that I could
handle this,” Saraza said. “I’m
also used to this kind of pressure
because of my experience in
tournaments abroad.”
‘Four-peat’
Golden Booters carve
double runner-up finishes
By JEREMY S. PEREY
THE UST Lady Booters waltzed their
way to a do-or-die game but stumbled
in the end against the Far Eastern
University (FEU), 1-0, in Game 3 of
the UAAP women’s football finals
at the Ateneo de Manila University
Erenchun Field last March 6.
Small but terrible Frea Fado
played big for FEU as she struck the
winning goal in the 16th minute from
a Sharmaigne Saluria assist, scraping
past keeper Zipporah Luna. UST
played without Nikki Regalado, while
FEU missed the services of Jayneth
Mercado, who were both ejected from
the match in Game 2.
“It was not really meant for us,”
said coach Rozano Estrabon, who led
UST to its first-ever championship in
2009 during his coaching debut for
the women’s squad.
“We had a lot of missed attempts.
Ang mindset nila one game lang” he
added.
Prior to the finals, UST poised to
enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage, but
the UAAP board decided to make it a
best-of-three series in response to the
protest made by FEU that both teams
were tied in terms of points.
Both teams capped the
elimination phase at the top spot
with a 5-1-2 win-draw-loss card, but
there was confusion on the tie-breaks.
UST made up for the loss with
special awards. Marriane Narciso was
Tracksters
FROM PAGE 11
run (58.5) while Colangoy collected
twin bronzes in the javelin throw
(35.16) and heptathlon (3395 points).
Del Socorro, Jilla dela Rosa and Trecia
Ricalde got their share of bronze medals
each in the 3000-meter walk (17:46.2),
1500-meter run (4:48.1) and hammer
throw (29.71) events, respectively.
Up a notch
The Male Tracksters finally
barged into the Top 3 with 156 points.
A lone point separated champion FEU
and runner-up UE, which scored 202
and 201, respectively.
UST’s medal tally was far from
its off-season performance in the 2010
Philippine Inter-Collegiate Athletics
Meet (PICAM) wherein the team
FROM PAGE 11
hailed as the Best Striker, Luna as the
Best Goalkeeper, and Pearl Aguilar as
the Rookie of the Year.
The Lady Booters lost to the
Morayta-based strikers in the opening
game of the finals, 2-to-nil, via a penalty
shootout after a scoreless draw in
regulation time and two extra periods
last February 27.
UST tied the series after copping
Game 2, 1-0, courtesy of Jowe-Ann
Barruga’s header at the 15th minute of
the game.
Twice the misery
An erratic UST Golden Booters
missed the formula in conquering the
law of averages against twice-to-beat
University of the Philippines (UP),
a team they were yet to defeat in
the eliminations this season, 2-1, in
the UAAP men’s football finals last
February 27.
UP redeemed itself from a winless
basketball spell as they went home
with the football championship after
parading an unblemished record in
Season 73.
“There were a lot of errors at the
start and the players were slow to react
at the defensive end,” said coach Marjo
Allado, who steered UST to another
finals appearance only to be beaten by
Far Eastern University despite a twiceto-beat incentive. The Golden Booters got a lot of
scoring opportunities in the second half,
but they had a problem in converting
those attempts into points.
emerged as champions.
Promising rookie Rizal Kasim,
along with James Borres and Edgar
Bardel, brought the three gold medals
for UST in the javelin throw (54.34),
triple jump (13.69) and 5000-meter
walk (24:15.5) events, respectively.
Bardel placed second in the
10000-meter walk (52:24.2) to chip
in another medal for UST while Ernie
Sabiduria’s throw of the javelin at 49.02
also landed him at second.
Team captain Emmanuel delos
Angeles and Michael Baay contributed
two more silvers in the 110-meter
hurdles (14.8) and long jump (6.35)
events respectively.
Marvin Lupinario contributed a
double bronze after jumping the length
of 6.35 meters and garnering 5226
points in the decathlon event. Jordan
Billones grabbed another bronze in the
800-meter run with a time of 1:57.8.
Bad luck
The Lady Tennisters ended
their campaign on a miserable
note. But coach Dennis Sta.
Cruz said his wards “fought our
best despite handicaps.” It was a
sad farewell for two-time MVP
Kat Castro, who is graduating
this year.
UST stumbled against
Ateneo de Manila University in
its last match of the season, 4-1,
at the Rizal Memorial Tennis
Center last February 12.
Manalo had a bad start for
UST, failing to break the serve
of Ateneo’s Michelle Pang,
2-6, 0-6.
But UST bounced back
with the double’s tandem of
Dianne Bautista and Chrizanth
Helar, who defended the
baseline and the net effectively
for a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
UST’s Andrea Regino
succumbed to fatigue in the
third set and withdrew from
the match against Mary Grace
Rivero, 2-6, 6-4, 1-5.
Castro and Lis Magaway
failed to get another game
for UST and were thoroughly
outhassled by Angela Angelo
and Jessica Lagman, 0-6, 4-6.
Linda Santos was blanked by
Ma. Akita San Andres, 0-6, 0-6.
An emotional David Basa (center) embraces his teammate John Caballero, who also
bursted into tears after the heartbreaking championship game against the University of
the Philippines, while Joel Bones taps his teammate's back for comfort.
Paul Allyson R. Quiambao
Ghana booter Nii Aryee Ayi scored
the first goal for UP from long range in
the 31st minute off a sensational feed
from teammate Gerardo Valmayor.
Valmayor, this year’s Rookie of the
Year and Best Striker, broke the hearts
of the Golden Booters with his ninth
goal in the season at the 51st minute
that caught UST goalie Ramon Borigas
off-guard, 2-0.
But UST was yet to raise the white
flag, with ace striker Javier Clarino
firing a breathtaking penalty kick in the
60th minute due to a handball violation
by Miguel Roy inside the box.
Season 72 best rookie Christian de
Juan, Mar Mungcal and Clarino tried to
kick in three straight desperation shots
that went off the mark for UST as
time expired.
G ol d e n B o o t e r S h i n m a r
Felongco was named as the Best
Midfielder.
Meanwhile, Philippine football
team mainstay David Basa, who
kissed the UAAP goodbye, said he
had no regrets in choosing to play for
UST before his graduation.
“This is really my target for
my last year in UST, and despite the
loss, I’m still proud of my teammates
because reaching this far is already
hard. After this, I’d be going back
to the ‘Azkals’,” he said . With
Golden Sox
the second round my playing was off,”
said Reyes, a second year Commerce
student.
Meanwhile, the UST Softbelles
failed to defend their crown as Adamson
ran away with an elimination sweep
which made them eventual champions.
In the last game of the tournament,
the España-based softbelles outran fifthseeded Ateneo de Manila University,
3-2, last January 22 at the UP field.
An unyielding Ateneo team was
evident in the first inning as they scored
first, 0-1, but UST banged Ateneo’s
defense and tied the match, 1-all.
At the top of the seventh inning
the Katipunan-based softbelles scored
an RBI giving them the lead, 2-1
but UST solidified the match with
another run in bottom of the seventh
inning. Frauleine Michelle S.
FROM PAGE 11
T he bla ck-a nd-gold squ a d
continued pounding on the opponent,
scoring a point each in the fifth and
sixth inning.
In the fifth frame, Arvin Plaza
made another run from the second
base after Argel’s fly ball and NU
centerfielder Russel dela Cruz’s error.
In the bottom half, NU retaliated by
making a run via a stolen base after
UST’s third baseman Arcel Aligno also
made an error, 4-3.
The España-based batters also took
home special awards. Reyes snared the
Most Runs Batted In with 13 RBIs, Most
Homeruns and Best Slugger awards. He
was also hailed as this season’s Most
Valuable Player.
“I did not expect all this because in
reports from Angelo nonato p.
Cabrera
Vill anueva and Anne Marie
Carmela L. Dayauon
Roland Tonquin. But Tiger Spikers’
Ramos and Harby Ilano bounced back
with hits followed by Kerr Ucang’s
service ace to trim the lead down to
one, 20-21.
Ramos sealed the win with a
winning ace to close the match for UST
in the third set, 25-23.
Ramos was named Finals MVP
and chipped in 11 points for UST along
with Salvador Depante, who added 11.
Nestor Molate led FEU with 11 markers.
John Paul Torres bagged three
special awards for UST in the men’s
division as he went home with the
MVP plum, Best Scorer and Best
Spiker honors while teammate Paul
Jan Doloiras was donned with the Best
Receiver award.
Tables turned
I n c o n t r a s t t o t h e i r m a le
counterparts, UST Lady Spikers
succumbed to their perennial rival De
La Salle University in Game 2 of their
best-of-three finals, 18-25, 17-25, 28-26,
to settle for a runner-up finish.
“What we have achieved is not
bad at all (given) the fact that our team
lost a lot of important players,” coach
Cesael De Los Santos said. “With what
they’ve done, they are still the champion
team for me.”
Eyeing for a rubber match, UST
opened the third canto banking on Aiza
Maizo’s down-the-line hit solidified by
Judy Caballejo’s corner attack, 16-15,
while La Salle was having a hard time
on their offensive attacks. With 24-19 in
favor of the Espana-based volleybelles,
they were expected to clinch the set.
But La Salle made a strong comeback
to win, 24-25.
Maruja Banaticla played the
hero’s role with her one-man block
at Jaqueline Alarca, 25-25. La Salle
immediately retaliated with Alarca’s
tip, 25-26. Maika Ortiz offset things
with her signature quick attack, 26-26,
but the game eventually slipped of
UST’s hands that paved its way to La
Salle’s victory.
“The game just collapsed and they
[Lady Spikers] did not handle the game
well,”said De los Santos. “Maybe, it’s
[game] not really for us.”
Prior to the intense match-up,
team captain Aiza Maizo’s volleyball
prowess surfaced and pocketed two
individual awards for the league—Best
Scorer and Best Setter.
Recently, the Lady Spikers
have withdrawn themselves from
the Shakey’s V-league season 8 first
conference come this April for them to
focus on academics.
March 15, 2011
Editor: Jeremy S. Perey
The Varsitarian Sports
11
UST captures ‘four-peat’ on its 400th year
By ANGELO Nonato P. CABRERA and anne Marie carmela l. dAYAUON
Roar for four. The jubilant Tiger Spikers savor their championship
win with heads and fists up high to celebrate UST’s 400th year with a bang.
Photo by JOSA CAMILLE A. BASSIG
UST ROLLED down the curtain in this
year’s UAAP volleyball tournament with split
performances as the Tiger Spikers grabbed
a fourth straight title while the Lady Spikers
failed to keep their crown this Season 73.
The Tiger Spikers prevailed against
rivals Far Eastern University (FEU) in a
pulsating three-setter, 29-27, 26-24, 25-23, in
Game 2 of the best-of-three series at The Arena
in San Juan last February 26.
Coach Emil Lontoc had been confident early
on of winning a fourth straight championship on
the occasion of UST’s Quadricentennial.
“That was our goal. They [Tiger Spikers]
had a high morale playing it today,” coach
Lontoc said.
The España-based tossers found themselves
chasing after FEU who led by as much four
points in the action-packed second set, 17-21.
But UST struck back with Jayson Ramos’
superb performance near the net to give the Tiger
Spikers a boost as he whammed down quick hits
backed by a couple of blocks for a 5-0 run in the
second frame, 22-21.
And then again, the grizzly FEU team
would pull off momentary advantages against
UST in the final canto with the frontline attacks
of FEU trio Pitrus de Ocampo, Arvin Avila and
Woodpushers
place second
in chess tourney
By ANGELO Nonato P. CABRERA
THE UST WOODPUSHERS concluded their conquest in
the UAAP with a pair of runner-up finishes in the men’s
and women’s divisions at the Far Eastern University
(FEU) East-Asia College Building last February 20.
The Male Woodpushers totaled 36.5 points, while the
Lady Woodpushers finished with 37.5 markers in 14 rounds
of the tournament, an improvement from last season’s lowly
19-point output.
UST coach and International Master Ronald Dableo
said the teams’ rigorous practice, discipline, and talent
carried them up to a better performance this season.
“They had been training well. And their talents really
paid off,” he said. T he Ma le Wo o dpu she r s sc o op e d t wo gold
medals courtesy of Joey Florendo (Board one) and Steven
Dacanay (Board five), while team captain Gerald Ferriol
(Board two) delivered the bronze for UST.
UST’s chessboard stalwarts faltered against topfinisher FEU in their non-bearing final game in the men’s
event, 1.5-2.5.
The men’s team played a game of three draws to
score three 0.5 finishes in their last match, but lost sight
of Board four as John Zacarias was outwitted by FEU’s
Kevin Mirano in 47 moves (0-1).
In their previous matches, the España-based squad
ripped the University of the East (UE), 3-1, last February
19.
Joey Florendo outfoxed Nelson Mariano III in 62
moves in Board four before Ferriol’s 55-move takeover
against Amram Rivas in Board two. Jude Fronda’s Boardfour victory over John Paul Cruz ended in 34 moves.
The Male Woodpushers carved an identical 3-1
win against De La Salle University last February
13 and National University last February 12 before
thrashing Adamson University, 3.5-.5, last February 6.
In the women’s event, the Lady Woodpushers, who
hauled three medals for UST, capped a remarkable runnerup performance from last season’s erratic sixth-place
finish.
Team captain Ma. Zayrah dela Cruz (Board two)
and Carina Lumacad (Board three) took home gold
medals, while Lorraine Salinas (Board four) bagged silver
for the España-based team.
The Lady Woodpushers dropped their last round
match against eventual champions De La Salle, 1.5-2.5,
with Jamie Manzano clinching the lone win for UST in 37
moves against Susan Neri, while Lumacad and Taft-based
opponent Angeli Dimakiling finished with a .5 deadlock
in 110 moves.
In their recent matches, the women’s team secured
the second spot after prevailing against FEU, 3.5-.5, last
February 19 as Dela Cruz, Lumacad and Salinas pulled
out victories in 31, 31 and 71 moves respectively. Christine
Laz settled for a draw with FEU’s Jedara Docena in 80
moves (.5-.5).
UST dealt a 3-1 victory against UE last February 13
and dominated Adamson via 4-0 board sweep last February
12 as Laz, Dela Cruz, Lumacad, and Salinas whipped out
their foes in 31, 57, 38 and 53 moves respectively.
‘Four-peat’ Page 10
Golden Sox end six-year title drought
REIGNING champion UST
Golden Sox demolished the
twin towers of UAAP baseball
in their last two games to sweep
the tournament at the Rizal
Memorial Baseball Park.
UST cr ushed last
year’s r unner-up National
University (NU), 6-5, last
January 27 after escaping
past defending “three-peat”
champions Adamson University,
4-3, last January 20 to finally
stop its six-year championship
dry spell.
“We worked hard and
this is the result. I told them
to think as if it were just an
ordinary game so that they won’t
get pressured,” coach Jeffrey
Santiago said. “I also told them
not to be overconfident.”
The Golden Sox took over
the game with a series of runs
after the fourth inning. They
were then trailing NU, 0-2.
Leading by a whisker at
the top of the eighth inning
and with two team outs, UST
scored another runner via John
Pedracio’s right field hit and
errors committed by NU’s third
baseman Mick Natividad,
6-4. In the bottom half, NU
responded with a run of its to
inch closer, 6-5.
However, that was only
Newly-crowned baseball champions UST Golden Sox are swept away by the winning moment as the gold is
now on their hands after six years of title hibernation. josa camille a. bassig
as far as NU could go as the
team went scoreless in the ninth
inning. NU’s biggest headache
then was pitcher Amber Plaza,
who was called at the last minute
to relieve Gerald Mitra on the
mound.
“I was a bit nervous but
I really wanted to pitch. I did
not expect that coach would let
me so when he did, I just gave
my all. I knew I could do it,”
said Plaza who is on his second
playing year.
“I was really thinking of
using Plaza in the last inning.
He has great speed and a lot of
variations [in pitching]. He is
really for the kill,” said Santiago,
who had tapped Best Pitcher
Glenn Tuazon and Mitra in most
of the previous games.
In the fourth inning, Rookie
of the Year Arvin Plaza made
the first run for UST followed
by Kasulhay Argel and Nikko
Reyes’ twin runners to lead the
game at 3-2.
Golden Sox Page10
Lady Tracksters finish second; Male Tracksters
land at third spot in Athletics meet
By FRAULEINE MICHELLE S.
VILLANUEVA
THE FEMALE Tracksters
again settled for a runnerup finish next to Far Eastern
University, which seized its
eight straight title in the UAAP
meet.
The women’s team landed
in the same spot for the sixth
consecutive season after a
6-7-9 gold-silver-bronze medal
output
during
t h e
Season
73 track and field competition
from January 26 to 31 at the
PhilSports Complex in Pasig.
T he Male Tr a ck st e r s
improved on their four thplace finish last season by
placing third this year with
t h r e e gold me d a l s , fou r
silver, a nd th ree bron ze.
The Female Tracksters scored
a total of 252 points behind
FEU’s 330. The University of
the East (UE) was third with
102 points.
Season 70 Rookie of the
Year Luville Dato-on led charge
for UST by dominating in
the long jump event
with 5.49 meters,
while Viena Mae
Banebane topped
t h e 10 0 - m e t e r
hurdles (15.1). Dato-on, Banebane, Pedriña
and team captain Meriam
Colangoy won gold in the
4x100-meter relay by clocking
in 48.3 seconds. Except
Colangoy who was replaced
by Manilyn Clavejo, the same
group also topped
t h e
silver medals apiece in the
100-meter dash (12.1) and
3000-meter walk (17:21.2),
respectively while Raquel
del Socor ro placed
second in the
5000-meter
w a l k
(31:15.0).
J o y
A lbi n io
a l s o
placed
second to
FEU’s Mirasol Merto
Photo by JILSON SECKLER C. TIU
Ke i z el
Ped r i ña
a n d
Jan ice
Ma rquez
finished first in the 400-meter
run (57.3) and 5000-meter
walk (30:40.7) respectively.
T he UST qu a r tet of
4x400-meter relay (3:57.5)
Pedriña grabbed
a triple silver in the
200-meter dash (25.6),
400-meter hurdles
(1:03.1) and 800-meter
run (2:17.6). Dato-on
and Marquez bagged
in the heptathlon events with
3589 points.
Banebane brought home
three bronze medals in the
100-meter dash (12.2), 200-meter
dash (25.7) and 400-meter
Tracksters Page 10
10 Sports The
Varsitarian March 15, 2011
KARLA MIDES C. TOLEDO