1

Atenews “End thE SilEncE of thE gaggEd”

News Briefs

First year, eh? Well worry no more, help

is on the way! How to survive in the big A.

p 6

The world at your fingertips at Atenews.com (coming soon)

Atenews receives award for Best

Magazine. Photo by Karla Degrano

p 4

Oil companies announced a P2-per-liter diesel price hike and a P1-per-liter gasoline price hike scheme on July 4, Friday night, to be implemented the next day, up from the previous P1.50 hike scheme.

As of July 5, fuel prices soared to about P51.00 to P52.97 per liter for diesel, P55.10 to P58.30 per liter for kerosene, and P58.10 to P60.07 per liter for unleaded gasoline. The price of an 11-kilogram LPG container in Davao City is about P670 to P690.

This marks the 18th time oil companies increased fuel price rates this year.

The latest price hike brings a total increase nearing P18.09 per liter for diesel, P16.80 per liter for kerosene, and P16.93 per liter for unleaded gasoline.

The weekly local price hikes began in early May, when the price of Asian region benchmark Dubai crude rose to an average of $119.46 a barrel from $103.41 a barrel in April.

On January 2 oil prices hit a record high of $100.09 per barrel. Oil retailed for $110 a barrel on March 12. On May 9, oil sold for $125 per barrel, increasing to $135 per barrel on May 22. The retail price of oil is $146 per barrel as of July 4. The price of oil rose by $45.91 from January to July 2008.

In comparison, the price of oil rose by $21.50 from January to

Not all red lights mean stop. PUJ drivers still come to gasoline stations to earn their living even as rising gasoline prices eat holes on theirpockets. Photo by Kriszle Muit.

July 2008. January 2008 was the first

time the $100 price range was breached.

Oil prices around the world increased as a result of the weakening US economy in late 2007; investors backing away as forecasts estimate oil to retail by $150 a barrel by July 4; and political unrest in Nigeria, Iraq, and other oil-producing countries.

The continuous rise cannot be expected to halt soon, according to the oil price monitoring of the Department of Energy. “[…] Crude may soon fall,” it said. “But with demand for oil growing in

the developing world, and little end in sight to supply problems in producing countries such as Nigeria, few analysts are willing to call an end to crude’s rally.”

Since it was first implemen-ted, the oil price hikes was negatively met by the populace. Said a head of a household with one elderly parent, “Kahit ang basic needs, mahal na. Kailangang i-give up ang kotse para lang ma-budget pa ang mga necessities.” One jeepney driver said, “Gamay na ang akoang ginansya. Pait kaayo.”

Yet another tuition and other fees increase: the

good (?), the bad, and the indifferent.

p 5

Vol 53 No. 1 July 2008

Asia-wide org sets human rights summit in AdDU

the official student publication of the ateneo de davao

A Timepiece Memorandum

CHED Memorandum Order No. 13, Series of 1998, which was issued on February 12, 1998 and otherwise known as “Guidelines on the Procedure to be Followed by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) Intending to Increase their Tuition Fees, Effective Begin-ning School Year 1998-1999”, is the grimmer precursor to CHED Memorandum Order No. 14 which, innocently enough, proclaims to be simply “guidelines and procedures to be observed by (HEIs) intending to increase tuition and other fees and to introduce new fees”.

Under Section 8 of CMO 14, “increases of tuition and other fees above national infla-tion rate shall be subject to consultation with stakeholders and approval of CHED.“ This memorandum order was suspended early 2007. At present HEIs could use CMO 13 as a means to justify unreasonable increases in tuition and miscellaneous fees, which under this older memorandum need not be properly consulted on with student body representatives, teaching and non-teaching staff, and other representatives cited in these documents.

The re-implementation of CMO 13 ef-fectively removes the cap on tuition hikes based on the national inflation rate and mis-cellaneous fees from the items that require student consultation. It cannot be denied now that quality education such as offered in this university comes with a vertiginous price tag.

By Hope Charmaine D. Mangabang

Acont page 8

By Karlo James Bringas

News Feature

Oil price hikes continue

Feature

2

With the dismal state of our government’s credibility, one

can only wonder what ulterior motives lie beneath their pathetic self-portrayal as the savior of this country.

Our food security, which our government failed to prioritize by emphasizing massive imports over self sufficiency, is under threat. You do not have to look far ahead to see that the rice crisis is affecting each and every one of us as manifested by the smaller servings rice (and increasing prices) in the university canteen.

The government, instead of admitting their failure with securing a stable rice supply have blamed and demonized the so-called rice hoarders. They insist that the rice crisis is a myth, and what we are experiencing right now is a price crisis. However, despite the deceit, the mounting evidence of dwindling food supply aggravated by climate change and natural disasters are too blatant to ignore.

What’s wrong with their logic is that it is exactly the government’s fault why we have a rice shortage in the first place.

It was the government’s incompetence and lack of

foresight that put us in this grave situation. The chief cause of the crisis is not the unstable global market but from poor and unsound implementation of policies on agriculture and food security. Judging from the Fertilizer scam (the DAR’s corruption scandal under then Secretary Bolante), to massive promotion of cash crops like jatropha (a species of herbs, succulent plants and trees which can be used as biofuel) and the alleged corruption in the National Food Authority (due to the massive financial losses incurred

every year), one can only wonder if the government is really serious in securing food for every Filipino.

There is also the massive urbanization and conversion of agricultural lands to other uses (such as the conversion of agricultural lands for tourism in Nasugbu, Batangas), which the government, upon realizing their error , did imposed a two year ban, but not before the damage was done. Had they not approved the conversion in the first place, they shouldn’t have had to ban it afterwards

What the government should be doing in order to

secure a stable food supply is to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.Because the crisis might be worse than we realize, long term solutions should be imposed. One such solution is implementing a good land reform that will distribute lands to farmers for agriculture. In one fell swoop, this would help secure the food supply and provide a livelihood opportunity for poor farmers. The farmers would have opportunities to alleviate themselves out of poverty, and with proper education from leading agricultural research institutes such as the IRRI, a stable food supply can be achieved. Another solution is heavily subsidizing the production of rice. Instead of having the farmers borrowing seed money from loan sharks with abusive lending practices, Maybe the money that is pocketed by our corrupt politicians could go instead to subsidizing our farmers?

If the current government fails to solve the rice crisis; one can only hazard a guess on what a hungry populace can do to our country’s stability and order. Kung sa tagalog pa, “Walang kilalang amo ang gutom”.

EdiToriAl

Famished

A

OPINION

Atenews StaffEditorial Board

EdiTorS-iN-CHiEFSantigo Paulo PascualHyangelo Henry Hao

ASSoCiATE EdiTorKarlo James Bringas

MANAGiNG EdiTorJobelle Obguia

NEWS EdiTorMick Jethro Basa

FEATUrES EdiTorMa. Elaine Dy

SENior WriTErSCarmel Jade BualKheycee Matarlo

Sonito MoleBlossom Madulin

Hope Charmaine Mangabang

STAFF WriTErSKathleen Dominique Aliño

Bai Shaima BaraguirMa. Cristina Elizaga

Maryam Ross EmbalsadoGabriel Farofaldane

Maria Katherina GalopeMerill Jem LlerenaMa. Cristina Ramos

Syaza Farrah SamanodiJanina Patrice Dominique Surposa

Cherry Vale

PHoToJoUrNAliSTMar Vince Reyes

Jan Michael MercadoKrisini Nanini

illUSTrATorSPaul Anthony CrooksErwin Dirampatun Noli Jane PacunlaAudree Tacastacas

Ruki Trumata

lAYoUT EdiTorKarla Degrano

Darwin Caballero

ModErATorSDr. Macario Tiu

Dr. Victoria Tatad-Pre

MEMBEr oF THE CollEGE EdiTorS GUild oF THE PHiliPPiNES

‘End the silence of the gagged’

The Atenews is the official student publication of the Ateneo de Davao University,

Jacinto St., Davao City. We accept articles, letters, poems, pictures, comics and other contri-

butions for publication.

3

T he consultation process for Tuition and Other Fees Increase, more affectionately known by less than

rich students as TOFI, is absolutely rubbish. In fact, I believe it is a farce, a social dance required by the CHED to take before the one sided sexual intercourse called TOFI. To begin with, the school merely presented financial papers during that “multisectoral consultation process.” Unlike when people consult their doctors, the administration panel never asked us of our opinion regarding the increase. That alone is reason enough for me to suspect the school’s eagerness and earnestness to consult with the different sectors of our community. And that suspicion of mine was resolved without doubt when a SAMAHAN officer asked a member of the school’s panel whether the then proposed 6% increase can still be changed. The panel member replied

a cold, cold “no.” Of course, the normally docile SAMAHAN officer indignantly quipped to the panel member, “Sir, if this is the case, then what is the point of all this?” or something to this effect. After that officer said that, I remember just laughing. However, it was not the kind of laugh you do when you find yourself to be happy. It is the kind of laugh you take when you are insulted to the highest degree and you can’t do anything but just snicker at the sheer injustice. If I am to apply the school’s way of consulting when I consult with my physician, this will be what I would be doing: First, I will present to the physician what I think are the facts regarding my health. Then the physician will start to say something. Then I will cut him off with my own diagnosis of my own sickness. Then I will prescribe my own prescription and I will expect the good

doctor to agree. Perfectly idiotic. The administration should not conduct make-believe consultations. A real consultation is when the opinion of the party being consulted with is given ample weight. And the impression I have gotten during that “consultation” is that no opinion at all is being sought. In fact, the proper way to call that occasion is a “presentation” since the admin panel saw fit to merely present handpicked data to support their proposal and expect the other sectors to immediately concur. I am convinced that the only reason the school conducts this comedy(or tragedy) of a consultation is to comply with the CHED’s requirements. Because under CHED memorandum order no. 13, no school can effect tuition and other fees increase without first conducting a multisectoral consultation. A sad farce

indeed. Truth be told, I am not completely against tuition fee increase. The school has the right to protect itself from financial disasters. However, any increase should be justified. A justified increase is an increase that is of the right amount and must be absolutely necessary. The best way to insure that is to allow the other stakeholders, for example the studentry, to inspect and question increases. Furthermore, even if consent is not necessary whether rightly or wrongly, the school should listen and consider the opinions of these stakeholders with utmost sincerity.

ROCKS FROM HEAVEN

Of Farts and Farces

OPINION

I am not happy with my teachers. Spending almost thirty thousand

pesos this semester to obtain the elusive Jesuit education is a bit pricey. Our division is currently lacking teachers since most of them (the good ones, at least) are sent overseas to pursue their graduate studies, and now we are unfortunate enough to be left with teachers with questionable… methods. Consider Miss Pride. Miss Pride likes to think of herself as the omniscient master of the subject she teaches. In fact, she is so convinced by her own omniscience that it radiates out of her body, like a radioactive field. But Miss Pride is under this disturbing delusion. Sometimes, her delusion is temporarily dispelled when a student asks something she doesn’t know… like the answer for the particular problem she is discussing. And since Miss Pride has to live her own notorious reputation, she just delivers her deadliest line, to the confusion of the poor student, “You should know that, I taught it already.” Or the more enigmatic line (more like moronic) “I know the answer, but I won’t tell.” (Really now?) Although I am against spoon feeding students, there should be a little humility emanating from Miss Pride. She could just admit that she doesn’t know the answer. That way, her students could find it for themselves (which encourages initiative) and respect is given because she’s honest. But NOOOOO, Pride is the luxurious sin that she can dearly afford,

at the expense (and utter resentment) of her students. And now we have Professor Beans. Teacher Beans is at his late thirty’s but with the maturity of a five-year-old. It is miraculous because he has a dirty tongue, so he is on a run-away from goons and hooligans. He loves to label people as idiots, especially his students. I know we can be lazy, but we are not stupid, and we don’t need the labeling thank you very much. He is not as smart as he think he is, since most of the time, he just reads the lecture notes, sitting like a very haggard drag queen. His enunciation is somehow comparative to someone with a very disfiguring oral disability. He constantly jokes about things, which is always about our assumed stupidity. I know my division has the toughest courses and passing the requirements is always an ecstatic affair, but to ridicule our intelligence is just rubbing it. I shudder to think the other students who are discouraged by such derogatory remarks. I know it’s a joke, but sometimes it can be really annoying, especially at our expense. Maybe he was brutally teased “dumb” as a kid. You never know. If Professor Beans spends time degrading our IQ’s, Madame Incredible just loves elevating the IQ… her IQ. Now, she is not my teacher this semester (hopefully, I won’t have to endure her the second time around as long as I stay here) but she would always leave an impression on my mind (scarred for life is a better

term, really). I know she is brilliant, because she usually spends a third of the time talking about how brilliant she is. Aside from that, Madame Incredible also quacks about her own “noble” pursuits such as helping the “poor”. (I know the needy need help, but please, if you really are sincere, you should just keep it to yourself.) I just hope that her tales are not full of air, as it might be a deadly origin of an impending Hurricane. Madame Incredible is somewhat related to Miss Pride since they both lacked the very thing that separates the greats from the dismal: humility. I admit that I can be arrogant at times, but she can put my arrogance level to shame. Oh my. And finally, we have the amazing Mr. Minus. Mr. Minus just loves giving grade deductions to anything that walks on two legs. In fact, he elevated giving deductions to a whole new level of art. He deducts due to the smallest mistakes that any student can commit, like for instance, the wrong color of ink for a particular lab report or the date. I know I seem to be whining, but the injustice lies on the fact that he just gives the corrections after delivering the minus. What is even more appalling is that he never tells us beforehand about the rules regarding on how to avoid these deductions. For example, if a student forgets to put the date (some of us can’t relax if there is a surprise quiz. Sometimes we can’t even put the answer, how much more for a simple date?) I know that negative reinforcement can

work wonders, but that type of method resembles Middle Ages type of torture. It’s not that hard telling his students that minus will be given without dates, instead he dishes the deductions in wild and total abandon. No wonder students never take risks or try something new. The deductions summarily nip what little creative juice flowing from our brains, producing robots. (And they wonder why the passing rate for board exams is low in comparison with other schools. Tsk tsk.) Of course, I am not a teacher, and I highly respect the teaching profession of only the most noble can handle. But as a student, I have a right to be not insulted, feel helpless, or bear the brunt of misplaced punishments that I certainly do not deserve. I do understand that teachers are only human, but they should also see that we are all humans. I mean, they should put themselves in our situations, and from that view, they should think and judge the weight of their actions. After all, they are tasked with molding our minds. If the sculptor has a shaky hand or a rusty chisel, then his creations could be one for the trash bin.

Soniel is currently a 3rd year student in Ateneo College. He chose a pen-name in fear of retribution from the subject of his own observations.

HYANGELO HAO

BLUE BLOOD

My Teacher, My Tormentor SONIEL

A

We would like to know what ateneans think. Submit your

Blueblood esays at our office near the covered court or email us

at atenews@gmail.com

A

4

THIRTEEN MEMBERS of the Atenews staff attended the College Editors Guild of the Philippines’s (CEGP) 68th National Student Convention and 34th National Student Congress last May 23-27 at Camp Alano, Toril, Davao City, along with more than 200 student journalists representing university-level student publications all over the nation.

The student journalists spent five days attending discussions on advanced and basic journalistic skills like feature writing, photojournalism and online publishing; as well as on various topics like the state of Philippine journalism, the state of the Philippine economy and the impacts of globalization; and an open forum on the ZTE

controversy with guest speaker Jose de Venecia III.

The participants also embarked on a masses immersion activity, wherein the students were assigned to different areas in the city to meet with different groups to probe on the indigenous peoples’ situation, the health workers’ situation, the teachers’ situation, and others. Various activities like cultural presentations were held in between the discussions and in the final night an awarding ceremony was held where the January 2008 Atenews magazine issue won the award for Best Magazine.

An election of new CEGP national officers was held on the last day.

divisions hold first year orientation programs Throughout the month of June, the different divisions of the Ateneo de Davao University held first year orientation programs to introduce the freshmen to their teachers and the facts and quirks of life in their selected divisions. The School of Business and Governance held their orientation on June 5-6; Business Management and Accountancy on June 18-20; Natural Sciences and Mathematics on June 20; Social Sciences and Education on June 23; Humanities and Engineering & Architecture on June 25; and Computer Studies, Philosophy and Nursing on June 27.

The Campus Clubs Organization (CCO) held their Executive Board Elections last June 20 to appoint new officers for AY 2008-2009. Crystal Gale Evaristo is CCO President and the PIGLASAPAT

party president; Earl Ian Uy is Internal Vice President and SAMASIKOFIL president; Rod Magtabong is External Vice President and BAHAGHARI president; Marichelle Apostol

is the CCO Secretary General and ACIL president; and Rhea Jade Cacdac is the CCO Finance Officer and ACLC president.

Faculty members Tiu, Amorado receive awards Two members of the Ateneo de Davao University faculty, Dr. Macario D. Tiu and Dr. Ronnie V. Amorado, were nationally recognized for their achievements. Dr. Tiu was awarded the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Awards for Chinese-Filipinos for Education last June 14 in recognition of his excellence in his field, as well as for serving as a paragon of patriotism and concern to his community. Dr. Amorado’s 2007 book “Fixing Society: The Inside World of Fixers in the Philippines” is to be awarded the Outstanding Book Awards of the National Academy of Science and Technology on July 10 at the Manila Hotel. Dr. Amorado’s book is available at the campus bookstore.

News Briefs

Atenews attends CEGP Convention

CCo names new officers

Proud Atenews staff show off their new trophy on the grounds of Camp Alano, Toril.

The Student Summit I, the first of two presentations intended to present proposed student activities and issues and to be presided over by the SAMAHAN at the start and near the end of the academic year, was held on the afternoon of June 16 at the 7th floor Finster auditorium. The event started at around 4:30 p.m. It was attended by about 100 students. All SAMAHAN officers were present. Various proposals were presented for activities like the Jacinto street party, the upcoming CCO and First Year Representative elections, Student

Insurance and the revival of Popcorn Night. The achievements of outgoing officers and the spending of the office over the summer were presented as well. An open forum, held later in the afternoon, tackled questions about this year’s Fiesta ticketing system, club funding by the Finance Office and the 6% tuition fee increase. SCB President James Earl Chew replied to these questions, saying that steps to be undertaken will be considered upon consultation with the rest of the SAMAHAN Central Board and the student body.

SAMAHAN Holds 1st Student Summit Asia-wide org sets human rights summit in AddUMarking the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, the Asian Congress for Media and Communication (ACMC) will organize an inter-national meet on August 21-23, 2008 in the Ateneo de Davao University.

“It is our duty to ensure that these rights are a living reality – that they are known, under-stood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. It is often those who most need their human rights protected, who also need to be informed that the Declaration exists – and that it exists for them”, UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon said during the launch of the 60th anniversary.With its theme “Media on Asia: A Tool for Human Rights Educa-tion and Monitoring”, the con-ference has Director of Special Projects Alan Davis as the key-note speaker for the event. Davis is from the London-based Insti-tute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR).

Along with Davis are experts in various disciplines to speak for the conference. Speakers come from different institutions such as University of the Philippines Diliman (UP), Southern Illinois University, De La Salle Uni-versity, University of the East, University of Asia and the Pacific and Mowelfund Inc.ACMC calls mass communication educators from the Philippines and neighboring Asian countries, students, media practitioners, government public information officers, people’s organization and other interested individuals.

The conference aims to ex-pose educators and practitioners to the complex interconnections between media, communication, languages and human rights at a time when both have become central tenets of political, cul-tural, and policy debate.

In line with the local Ka-dayawan Festival, the conference will culminate with a parade on August 24, the day after the con-ference ends.

5News Features

By Kheycee Mae l. Matarlo and Carmel Jade T. Bual

Tumaas ang matrikula? Patay! Saan na naman kami mangungutang

nito?” we heard a scholar fussed while her classmate told the news.

“Sus! Chox lang man yan! I don’t have to worry anyway. My parents can afford it,” said another student whom we think came from a well-to-do family.

Students have their own say regarding the issue. However, no matter what his or her state in life is, the real concern lies in the justification of the matter.

All of us are well-informed that the Philippines is experiencing a national crisis right now. The shortage of our country’s rice supply is increasing its prices. Soaring oil costs are leading to jeepney and bus fares hike. Ultimately, this means that other commodities have to follow suit. And now, we still have this issue regarding the tuition and other fees increase (TOFI) in the university.The dilemma

Money is, undoubtedly, the common problem of Filipinos today. This is why most students are asking, almost to the point of complaining, if justifications regarding TOFI are reasonable enough.

On June 19, we got a chance to interview the finance officer, Mr. Rolex Ratilla, regarding the TOFI issue. He confirmed that the university’s tuition and other fees increased by 6% this semester. This means that each fee we see in the statement of account has

increased by that much. We went straight to the point and asked why the school decided to increase the tuition and other fees this year. He said they just followed the CHED Memorandum Order No. 13, which removed the cap on tuition hikes based on the national inflation rate and allowed the inclusion of miscellaneous fees requiring student consultation. Simply stated, CMO No. 13 eliminated the limit to increases.

With regards to the student consultation, Mr. Ratilla stated that, last February, they conducted two sessions with the students and other people concerned. These meetings, scheduled prior to the implementation of the TOFI, were attended by the SAMAHAN Central Board, Atenews, Alumni, Faculty Union, and the Deans of all divisions.

“In the consultation, we presented [to them] why. The requirements and minutes are there,” said Mr. Ratilla.

When we asked if any parties opposed the increase, he said that nobody expressed such sentiments. But, he clarified

that, although the consultation was conducted primarily for the University Board, headed by its chair, Mr. Paul Dominguez, to present data about the planned TOFI, it did not restrain the audience from airing their opinions. They were free to do so. If any party disagreed, then their concerns would have been written in the minutes with their justifications. However, there were no disputes recorded during the consultation.

Mr. Ratilla said the bulk of the increase will be allocated to the salaries and benefits of the faculty and staff members of AdDU. A

small portion of it will be for infrastructure (referring to the new Engineering building under construction).

“Kulang pa nga ang 6%”, added Mr. Ratilla. He explained that when the Board computed for the percentage of the increase of fees, it should have been more than 6%. He told us that the university is actually running out of budget for its various payables.

When we asked him regarding the university’s effort on

implementing a TOFI in the midst of the national crisis tormenting the country, he said that he and the members of the University Board are aware and explained, “How can we address these increases (referring to rice and oil) kung ‘di rin kami mag-iincrease? How can we support our faculty and our students?”

We then asked Mr. Ratilla about his opinion regarding the call of PGMA to freeze tuition fee increases in state colleges and universities and her encouragement for private institutions to do the same. He said, “Encouragement lang

naman. It’s not an order not to increase. We are complying with CHED Memorandum 13 naman. I think the increase is justifiable.”

We asked, “If ever may order na talaga na i-freeze ‘yung increase, will the University be willing to reimburse?” He confidently responded, “We also have to fight before we reimburse.”

So, it seems that all of us students would, indeed, have

to face the TOFI. For a normal Atenean, what does this imply? It means that we have to start putting more value on what he have, especially the allowances we receive from our parents. It means not being able to buy the 27-peso palabok that we used to enjoy for only 20 pesos last year. It means not being able to ride the taxi when we want to. It means having to do away with small pleasures like playing DOTA, surfing the Internet at

Netopia, laag-laag, watching movies in malls, and even the occasional yosi. It means having to put more effort in studying to avoid failure and having to reenroll.

On the bright side, even if the TOFI would be a headache for everyone, it would also teach us to be more responsible and aware of the privilege we have as students of the Ateneo.

A d D U h i k e s t u i t i o n a n d o t h e r f e e s

So, it seems that all of us students

would, indeed, have to face the ToFi. For a [normal]

Atenean, what does this imply?

A

6 Features

By Blossom Ann Madulin

Several studies report that poor psychological preparation is one of the

highest factors of student’s dropout from universities. Encountering a new environment entails a different challenge especially to those who have become emotionally attached with their past associates. The adjustment period for others also becomes a heavy burden because of anxieties that most students have failed to acquaint themselves with… STALE! Breathe easy. This is not another toxic liturgy about going to school dilemmas, blending in with the crowd, catching up with campus influences, staying afloat despite the culture shock, screwing up quizzes and exams or surviving the whole untold romance of study hard- party harder life called COLLEGE. The truth is, this is not even meant to smother the jittery yet exciting appeal of college life on you. Crank a smile. Whattup freshmen?! You have just browsed this highly acclaimed page turner, award- winning, attrite magazine called ATENEWS! It is definitely fun gearing up one’s self to another phase of student life which is way better than the first two stages of innocence- keepings. College life is a time for adventure, discoveries, fun, learning, and mistakes. Making a rerun of everybody’s

first few steps on the elite pavements of AdDU brings nostalgia of I- wanna- puke kind of excitement and spine shivering anxieties. I bet this problem is not new to ‘being new’. The anticipation of campus spots on intense humidity and the

scrutinizing

eyes of the security guards create a full- packed tension of getting grilled on the spot because of dress codes and school policies (e.g.: ID)! Since we stand to the thrust of Ateneo’s Cura Personalis, here is a delightful treat that will feed you with ‘bumenta’ I mean ‘kumita’ information. (*insert connective phrase here*) What I really mean is effective ways to get you a suave drive thru to the gates of Ateneo. So huddle up freshies while we test the waters, this is a no- holds barred literary sendoff to the new kids on the block of AdDU. Enjoy your boat ride!

thE PhYSical toUR

Well it’s like parrrrang (stress on the R please) you have to see it this way. Ateneo has three strategic entrances: Roxas, Claveria, and Jacinto gates. So it wouldn’t hurt those peeps coming from places all over Davao. Why strategic? Because some say these could be ‘gate-AWAYs’ for prospective dress code violators. Unfortunately, the AdDU security team is full force in blocking them

thE hot accESS

There’s a new craze in Ateneo that drives students stumping on their feet. Introducing the newest addition to the many add- ons the school has to offer; I’m talking about the hottest Wifi access grounds in Ateneo that makes laptops a silver- platter necessity. Sure thing, the school has gone far too big time in its new facilities improvement. I bet all the techie guys out there were not far behind the grapevine.

THE BUILDINGS

Wonder why you keep hearing alfbets every time? Stare. They were coined after the Jesuit priests who took part in the great Ateneo history. And they stand for the giant infrastructures you see everywhere. Here’s a list of the go- to places inside Ateneo and how to stress ‘em out properly.

B= Bellarmine (it’s short i) F= Finster (no sweat!) T= Thibault (silent Lt) C= Canisius (as is!) M= Mitchell (not Michelle) G= Gisbert (carry over!)W= Wieman (as in Wayman) D= Dotterweich (mute the ‘ch’) R= Del Rosario (ask not why it’s R)

YoUR PhYSical PRESEncE

You may have found or are planning to have your new classroom BBF (aka Beadle) but you just can’t get away with the physical presence policy. Everyone’s blessed with 10 un/reasonable cuts on MWF’s and 7 for TTH’s including a 3:1 tardiness ratio and excluding summer classes of course. Get this, attendance could make or break grades so bear with this: ATTENDANCE IS A MUST! To the beadle: find your way to the OSA office to get and submit the slips.

nEW KidS on thE BlocK

cont page 8

Inverbati Question For the Next Issue: What are you hoping for the incoming school fiesta?Send your inverbati at atenews@gmail.com or key in

Atenews <space> Feedback <space> Message, name and send to 700-ADDU.(Open to Smart subscribers only.)

thE PUBlic REndESVoUZ

Sure it took almost everyone some Jurassic time and patience to find friends round the corners of the school but it only takes a week or two to find a place somewhere which you could eventually call yours or make that a barkada hub. If you and your friends are die- hard food fanatics, there is always the FOOD COURT to welcome you with a big hug. If you belong to a bunch of athletic berks, the COVERED COURT is far too wide to get you busting off some unwanted calories. If you love the company of dancerous peeps, the newly built DANCE HALL fronting the famous Ateneo elevators and the MINI- AUDITORIUM could be your nest. If you fall head over heels for books, the LIBRARY would love you in return. If you are mother earth’s advocate, go nature-

tripping at our BOTANICAL GARDEN somewhere between C and D buildings. If you can’t get enough with doing school stuff while chitchatting, the GAZEBO must turn out a haven for you. If you love doing the Lord’s work, you can never go wrong going at the CHAPEL. If you take pleasure

7

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING SHORT ADVERTISEMENTS FOR ACTIVITIES HAPPENING IN AUGUST ONWARD. SEE OUR DISSEMINATED LETTERS OR VISIT OUR OFFICE FOR MORE DETAILS.

Kamusta na mga Tinyo at Tinya? Sana naman sa hinaba haba ng ating bakasyon galore eh hindi naman kayo nabitin (kasi ako’y bitin na bitin!) dahil feeling ko maraming gusto pa ma extend ang bakasyon eh. Buti nalang mabait si Lord, kaya anong ginawa niya? Ayun, nilubog ang sari saring parts ng Davao city sa isang malamig at hindi kanais-nais na swimming pool na kung saan eh ikakamamatay ni Nemo, Dory at ang Tatay ni Nemo (yung mga clownfish!). Tignan nyo nalang nung isang araw habang nag e-enrol si Tinyo at Tinya sa Atenyu (napansin ko na kada Huwebes simula pa nung June 6 nagbubugso ang ulan), nilubog tuloy ang buong harapan ng Finance office sa isang maruming lungaan ng amoeba, typhoid at parasites (pero hindi na kailangan ng tubig para sa parasites. Madaming ganon sa school, ung mahilig mangheram ng ballpen, papel, assignments, exams, thesis pera, bahay, lupa... kulang na lang ang iyong soul.) Susmaria! Kayo kasi eh, humihingi ng extension. Yan tuloy! Pero pero wait! Dahil natural na natural na sa mga Tinyo at Tinya ang maging hydrophobic chuva tuwing galit na galit ang mga patak ng ulan; eh ginawa ba namang London Bridge ang mga monoblock chairs! (Kung pwede lang sana gawin un dati sa Bankerohan Tulay ano?) Talaga namang maasahan ang mga isipan natin pag sinisindak na tayo ay mabasa. Sayang ba ang pagpaparlor at pagpapagupit at ang bagong damit, sapatos, bag, panti, brip, boyfriend, girlfriend, papa, sugar dadi or mami kung mababasa lang? Hindi naman sa gusto kong mag finger pointing ah (pero gagawin ko na din) pero ano bang nangyayari ngayo sa Davao at bigla tayong nalulubog pag biglang lakas ng ulan? Pero yunowat, pwede nating gawing tourist attraction un! Everytime na lulubog ang davao eh pwede na natin silang I tour gamit ang mga banka, motorboat, yacht,

salbabida oh ung mga buwaya at pating sa BIR (may pakinabang din sila! Ingat lang at baka maubos pera mo) Wala ka nang usok galing sa Jeep, may thrill pa kasi iiwas ka pa sa sakit na usong uso pag tag ulan tulad ng Dengue at ang pagbubuntis (malamig kasi ang panahon, kaya naghahanap ng kaakap para maibsan ang lamig pag gabi… ahihihi) Speaking of init, eh mukhang yun ata ang layunin iparamdam ng mga bago nating mga freshman na pumapasok sa Atenyu.

Ewan ko lang ha, pero feeling ko pag nagkakaroon ng freshies sa Atenyu eh parang nagkakaroon ng Fashion Show. Yung mga bata, gustong magmukhang matanda dahil sa mga oh-so-fashionable na damit! (At ang mga matatandang tulad ko eh gustong bumata!) May iilan pa nga na nagsusuot ng medyo huling huli ang hubog ng katawan pero wala namang karapatan dahil kitang kita ang mga baby fats (cellulite?) na aalog-alog. Meron namang ibang mga bagong Tinya (at minsan mga Tinyo na din para… uh..., pogi?)na ibinababad ang mga mukha sa blush on at kung medyo poor eh gumagamit nalang siguro ng flour; pero dahil nagmamahal na din ang flour, eh gagamit nalang siguro sila

ng chalk. (At pag may gumamit na talaga ng chalk eh halatang nag-aadik) Ewan ha. Dapat talaga pag Freshman, mukhang Nene at Totoy palang (kung sa bagay, si Totoy nga kung minsan eh gustong maging Nene at si Nene gustong maging Totoy; sadyang liberal talaga ang Atenyu para pahintulutan silang i-express ang kanilang nilalaman sa luob. Sa ibang eskwelahan eh nasa Dark Ages pa din sila na kung saan ang kasarian ay

nagiging isang mabigat na batayan para sa edukasyon. Kaya pasalamat kayo dahil mabait ang admin.) Anyhuuuu, ngayong taon lang sila magiging freshies (at magmumukhang freshies dahil mabababad sila sa matinding stress dala ng teachers, subjects, gobyerno etc.,at meron ding magiging professional freshies kasi laging bumabagsak). Pagdating ng panahon na sila ay mga sophies na; eh marami-raming magmumukhang tumanda (gagamit kasi ng “Olay Total Effects: Fight the 7 signs of Skin Aging” para flawless.) May lilipat din sa other schools, at siguro naman eh karamihan ay nadala na para mag aral ng matino sa Atenyu. Meron pa palang nakahuli ng aking pansin; ang mga beverage

counter ng school food court. At meron pang mas LALONG nakahuli sakin ng pansin; ung mga bagay na ibinibenta ng mga beverage counter. Karamihan sa mga nandun eh mga produkto ng Coca-Cola industries. Hindi ko alam kung anong mala-sadistang isip ang nagpakana nito, pero parang gusto atang magkaroon ng diabetes si Tinyo at Tinya. (Meron namang binibenta na mga reduced sugar content na inumin, pero kung iinom nalang din ako ng Coke, eh gusto ko yung purong-puro para hindi mabagal ang progression ng Diabetes. Kumbaga, bakit ka ba iinom ng kape kung walang caffeine? Bakit ka kakain ng lechon kung ito ay fat free? At bakit ka kakain ng bangus kung walang tinik? O diba, figurative speech Pinoy version) Ang mas kahindik-hindik pa eh medyo mura ang ibinebentang mga softdrinks sa beverage counter. Tsk tsk tsk. Nasan na ang mga fruit juices at mga healthy drinks? (merong “Juice ko Dai” na nakatayo pero parang puro matatamis at matatabang chocolate ang pinpatos ng estudyante… Dios ko dai talaga!) Kung ako ang tatanungin, sana naman eh magkaroon pa

ng mas maraming healthy options ang mga Tinyo at Tinya sa canteen. Take note: mas maraming options, dahil meron din namang mga choices ng mga gulay gulay dyan sa 3Ms’ at iba pang food stalls, kaso lang nasasapawan ng ibang ulam dahil tinatabi ba naman sa talagang masasarap na kakainin (lagi ko nalang nakikita ang chopseuy sa menu. Wala na bang iba?) Anyway, hangang dito nalang muna ako mga friends, at hintayin niyo nalang ang aking next okrayang session sa next isyu. Ewan, gusto ko sanang mag comment sa Student Summit na naganap (na mukhang nilangaw.. tsk!) pero mukhang mauubos na ang space sa column ko. Kaya kayo, eh abang abang nalang ha?

Features

Wet, wild and… thirsty?

KAMOTE SHAKESo_You

A

WE aRE noW accEPting ShoRt adVERtiSEMEntS foR actiVitiES haPPEning in aUgUStonWaRd. SEE oUR diSSEMinatEd lEttERS oR ViSit oUR officE foR MoRE dEtailS.

8 Comics

The Public... From page 6

off the gates after what seemed an eternity of five minutes. I know it hurts but start kissing those Havies goodbye because brand names won’t work this time. And please keep your ID’s hung by the neck.

The Physical Tour From page 6

for feedback key in atenews <space> feedback <space> Message, name and send to 700-addU.

open to smart subscribers only.

in just making tulala or giving everyone a stare, you can peoplewatch at the ROXAS BENCH, FINACE AND OSA focal point where good, the not- so- good and the soo good friends meet. But if you think there’s a little less space in school, you can always explore the rest of the Ateneo premises and fit wherever you feel it’s homey.

The pure shore of Ateneo de Davao University is cleared but lemme take you to the real thing this time. There is always something special about having new faces. The challenge will definitely let you understand that everything, once started, must end. Now that you’ve already got the feel of your first few weeks of stay, may this serve to steer your soon- to- be fruitful hang about in Ateneo. Having the know- how of the what got’s and what not’s will definitely get you way above the rest. The gates of the fun- filled challenging life of Ateneans have just been opened for you and it’s high time to grab the paddle. It may take quite some time getting used to smelling some serious air but once you learn to puff a great deal of maturity, you will love the smell of college! Don’t get fazed on sailing new shores; testing the waters will get you ready to splash with the waves. So let go of the ropes. Sail on freshmen!

The crisis for education perturbs the minds of the student as well as our parents. It is the deregula-tion of fees which led to rising rates year after year. This dilemma is complicated. Students deserve quality education to boost them into a good future. Schools have to raise tuition in order to sustain its operation and pay off expenses, personnel wages, school improvements in terms of its facilities and other fees to retain its prestige.

Education is the finest treasure one could have, hinting of a promise of a bright future ahead of every individual. However, in the midst of social crises, education is unattainable for those who can-not afford it. Is there any way to lessen the cost of education? CHED is the governing body that should regulate the rising school fees and ratify laws that make education accessible for students, without de-priving the privilege of school owners. They must be able to monitor unabated fee increases and provide sanctions for schools that violate the rights of the student.

Students have the right to be consulted on what they will be paying for the next school year. Stu-dents themselves must take part in the issue, know what is going on, and voice out their opinions on the way school matters should be handled.

A Timepiece... From page 1

Calendar of ActivitesAteneo de Davao

UniversitySY 2008-2009

June 2 General Faculty MeetingJune 2-3 2nd Year Enrollment/ SAS 1st Year Orientation ProgramJune 3-4 3rd Year EnrollmentJune 5-6 4th year/5th year/Transferees Enrollment/ SBG and CoN 1st year Orientation ProgramJune 7 Parents MeetingJune 10 Classes BeginJune 10-16 Adding and DroppingJune 16 Student Summit IJune 18-20 BM and BSA Orientation ProgramJune 19 Mass of the Holy SpiritJune 20 NS Division Orientation ProgramJune 23 SS Division Orientation ProgramJune 25 Humanities/Engineering Orientation ProgramJune 27 CS / Philo / Nursing Orientation ProgramJuly 5 Opening of Palarong Atenista 2008 (Intramurals)July 15-19 Prelim/Advisory Exam____________________________________July 23-24-25 College Faculty/NTS RetreatJuly 30 Mass of St. IgnatiusJuly 31 Feast of St. IgnatiusAugust 1 Deadline of Advisory GradeAugust 14-16 College Fiesta/Palarong AtenistaAugust 15 Assumption DayAugust 26-30 Midterm Examination____________________________________September 12 Deadline of Midterm GradeSeptember 26 Student Summit IISeptember 27 PE DayOctober 6-11 Final Exam____________________________________October 18 Deadline of Final Grade

A

A