Today’sCAROLINIAN

University of San CarlosCebu City, 6000, Philippines

Vol. XXII, No. 1January 2012

Editor-in-Chief Dylan BrionesAssociate Editor-in-Chief (Internal) Louie VillanuevaAssociate Editor-in-Chief (External) Patrisha Yap Managing Editor – Administration Ki-Jeong “Jenny” ShimManaging Editor – Finance Christine PerezNews Editor (Main and South Campus) Christie AlgaNews Editor (Technological Centre) Reyster Mae PerezFeature Editor Ushabelle Bongo Literary Editor Paulo Frangelyco MagallonSports News Editor Margel Christine MallenOn-line Editor Gerard Theodore Alcuizar

Editorial Board

Miguel OuanoKim TiangcoKarina BernabeJoiezl Fern Piñon Kyle Suico

Art Direction Christine FranciaLayout Paul Vasquez Reyster Mae Perez Jamie JamandrePhotography Bernadette Jalocon Jessy Pearl Cartoon Karmina Cuzon

Smith Dwight CabeJohn Magno

Creative Department

Editorial Staff

Correspondents

Contributors

Photography Neil Angelo BrionesLiterary Kevin Sosas Sansan Batoon Joshua Luke Dagamac Redemptor Pantonial Kimberly Navales

Technical Adviser

Sam Narves

How to reach us

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, with the writer’s name, e-mail address and contact number, should be e-mailed to todayscarolinianusc@gmail.com. Letters may be edited for reasons of space and clarity.

The Cover

Cover image is a compilation of past Today’s Carolinian issues: Red pays homage to the history of the Paper; Black and White symbolize the Publication’s political neutrality.

Credits

Mary Jerica Pelaez; photographs for New Show Choir Takes CAS by StormTressa Ruelas; photographs and poster image for Leaders, Artists Draft Dream for CebuPhotographs/Images for Caveat Emptor (book review) 1. HBO/Helen Sloan, photo in inside cover page [through http://www.assignmentx.com] 2. Voyager Books, UK; Game of Thrones book cover in page 30 [through http://www.what-magazine.co.uk/articles/article_sixteen.php] 3. Carolina Webb; photo of George R.R. Martin in page 29 [through http://googledata.org/google-student-blog/game-of-thrones-author-george-r-r-martin-coming-to-google-2/] 4. www.westeros.org; book cover series in page 30

The USC-SSC and the USC-SSC COMELEC; Official Report on Uniform Policy Referendum and Symposium

© 2012. Today’s Carolinian. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.Today’s Carolinian publishes one to two issues per academic year. Today’s Carolinian may also publish occasional extra issues. An electronic version (PDF Format) of every publication is available in the Today’s Carolinian website.

ContentsToday’s CarolinianVOL. XXII, No. 1January 2012

6 PolSci Dep’t Holds First Political Science Southern Conference | Christie Alga8 Local Artists, Leaders Draft Dream for Cebu | Kim Tiangco11 CAFA Embraces BFA-Cinema | Margel Mallen12 SSC Organizes Pasko sa USC | Christie Alga 23 Still Dormant | Smith Dwight Cabe

NEWS

FEATURE

9 NOTEBOOK The USC-CFIU: Independent Teachers’ Union | Joiezl Fern S. Piñon10 Universal Idiosyncracies: New Year Traditions | Ushabelle Bongo15 Ang Gingharian sa mga Buta | Louie Villanueva16 Messed Up Priorities: Who to Blame? | Gerard Theodore Alcuizar 17 For Auld Lang Syne (Old Times’ Sake) | Dylan Briones25 New Show Choir Takes CAS by Storm | Ushabelle Bongo

INTERVIEW

13 Round Trip: From the Drivers to the Students | Patrisha Yap21 A New Sheen on the Cebuano Silver Screen | Reyster Mae Perez

LITERARY

27 The Lady and the Painter | Paulo Frangelyco Magallon

28 The Rain’s Lover | Kimberly Navales Ikaw | Sansan Batoon Kung Anu-ano Para Sa’yo | Kevin Sosas

32 020692 | Ki-Jeong Shim 082810 | Ki-Jeong Shim

23

29

EDITORIAL

7 ISMISery: A General Reflection

BOOK REVIEW

29 Caveat Emptor: A Game of Thrones Miguel Ouano

19 NOTEBOOKYES/NO to the Uniform Policy

Ki-Jeong Shim/Miguel Ouano

OPINION

21

New dorms in USC-TCawait approvalfor occupancy

Photograph by Bernadette Jalocon

George R.R. Martin, author of A Game of ThronesBook Review by Miguel OuanoPhotograph: ©2011 HBO/Helen Sloan

Misha Anissimov, BFA-Cinema Program Coordinator, during an interview on the First Festival BinisayaInterview by Reyster Mae PerezPhotograph by Neil Briones

Editor’s Note3

Counterpoint Rebirth of a PaperA Message from USC-SSC President FrancesVillarino on the revival of Today’s Carolinian

4 5

Vox Populi Today’s Revival: Unsa’y Say Ninyo?

Patrisha Yap

Our commitment, your paper.

W e stand at a crossroads in time. As students, as

Filipinos and as human beings. As Carolinians, we endure the many hardships - internal and external - that come with it. Rising tuition fees and low expectations, short on hope and high on apathy. As Filipinos we bear our country’s uncertain future; bombarded constantly with news of killings and corruption straight from our nation’s political circus while overseas the world’s economy staggers. As human beings we raise our heads bewildered at the turbulent times before us or drown our senses in the latest distraction.As an independent student publication, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you on ground level. We share your fears and doubts, concerns and questions, your hopes and dreams. From diverse colleges ideals and beliefs, we stand as one – as Carolinians - walking this road together. Behind us is a clouded but proud past: a university that endured world war and a student body that boldly faced the tyranny of martial law, rising victorious. Ahead of us is a future that will test the very core of our values and our ways of thinking. There are many battles to fight, and the odds are seemingly against us, but the future is not set in stone. We’ll be here through it all, through the tough road ahead of us, through that uncertain future. This is dedicated to you, our fellow students. This is our blood, sweat and tears.

EDITOR’S NOTE

3

It was not because I am proud I have the ability to hold rightly the position nor was it because I am confident I can finely pursue this grand endeavor. I decided to run because I have a goal nailed in my head and a purpose engraved in my heart that I hoped to carry out in SSC.

The Revival of the Today’s CArolinian is one of these goals. We emphasized the importance of an independent student publication as provided for by law- it shall serve as a mouthpiece for student rights and welfare, it shall be a venue for all information about the university matters, the programs, the events, the new policies, new achievements of USC and its students.

The question arises why does your SSC keep pushing for the revival of the Today’s Carolinian when there already is The Carolinian?

Two points on the matter. One is to promote responsible journalism in the distribution of the news and information to the whole

community. It is in this point that I would clarify the circumstances surrounding the revival of our student publication.

First, it is claimed that The Carolinian is a revival of the Today’s Carolinian as agreed or sanctioned by former Vice President for Administration Fr. Ernesto Lagura. That is not entirely true, for how could that happen when it was Fr. Ernesto Lagura who indorsed our Letter (for revival of the Today’s Carolinian) to Fr. Dionisio Miranda, USC President. And more so, the agreement to revive the Today’s Carolinian was between the students as represented by your SSC and the administration of USC as represented by the President and the Vice Presidents for Administration, for Finance and for Academic Affairs. And finally, what could best overturn the “goodbye Today’s” claim but the very release of this publication.

The second point is, as the Premiere University of the South, and as Carolinians, we deserve to have an independent student publication created within and following the bounds of the LAW. The implementing rules of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, the law which governs student publication in schools and universities provide that the selection of the editorial board shall be through competitive examinations prepared, conducted and supervised by a committee composed of representative of the school administration, one faculty member, one mass media practitioner who is acceptable to both (school administrator and editorial board) and two past editors to be chosen by the outgoing editorial board.

Reading carefully the law, it could be deduced that the intent is to have an agreement between the administration and the students belonging to the editorial board. Now, since the last edboard was in 2004 and most of the members have already graduated, if we are to revive an independent student publication, who then is the best institution to represent the students but the Supreme Student Council.

The Carolinian was created through a very questionable process if we be law-abiding citizens. The SSC was not informed of the selection, who then were there to select for the former editor in chief of the board and to agree or disagree with the mass media representative to be part of the selection committee? Clearly, the law is not followed. I believe they have good intentions, but good intentions cannot justify a wrong for not following the law, if by law it is created, then in law it must abide.

Carolinians, it is for these two major reasons that your SSC never ceased to fight this battle of reviving the Today’s Carolinian. And it is with intense gratefulness and tremendous appreciation to the USC administration for listening and responding the students’ cry for revival of our independent student publication, the Today’s Carolinian.

In so doing, the USC administration does not only recognize our rights as students to express our selves through an independent medium, more so, it erases the cloud of doubt that there is an eternal animosity between student publications and school administrations (thus the usual dismantlement of the later by the former. In so doing, the USC administration has taken a braver step in religiously proving its utmost consideration of the student’s rights and welfare (at least in this matter), and for so doing we immensely express our word-bereft gratitude.

Your SSC 2011-2012 are elected officers who are not hard to please and who wish not or need not be pleased, for it is only our earnest desire to carry out the will of the students.

Your SSC 2011-2012 are elected officers with human intentions to deliver to you the service that you deserve, bringing our independent student publication back, bringing SSC back to the students.

Ang Kadaugan sa SSC og ang Kadaugan sa Today’s Carolinian…….Kadaugan sa Kaestudyantehan!!!

In support of the Carolinians’ meaningful pursuits we remain. TC

REBIRTHPAPER

OF A

COUNTERPOINT

USC-SSCFRANCES JAN VILLARINO

February 2010 - I

decided to run for President of the Supreme Student Council.

4

UNSA’Y SAY NINYO SA REVIVAL SATODAY’S CAROLINIAN?

Akong maingon ana kay okay ra kaayo. Pero siguro ang frustration sa students ana kay kanang nganong naa ma’y duha ka paper. Ma’ypag i-usa nalang diba? Ako, mao sad na’y frustration nako, nganong na’y duha ka paper, dapat usa nalang na. Mao gyud na’y concern nako. Akong proposal gyud ana noh, i-negotiate jud na sa EdBoard sa The Carolinian ug sa EdBoard sa Today’s, pero wala gyu’y nahitabo. If you think about it, usa ra man ta ka skwelahan, so it shouldn’t really matter gyud. And then I don’t think na [because one is] student-pro [and the other one is] administration-pro [there is rea-son enough for the separation]. It’s a school paper; it’s not supposed to be biased. Mao gyud na.

Jodie, BS CS

For me, okay ra nga mabalik [ang To-day’s Carolinian], kay for me, it can help students fight for their rights. But at the same time, I am also against it kay aktibista kaayo sila. Pero sa tinuod lang, wala jud kaayo ko pakialam kung mabalik na sila or dili. Naa ra na sa mga pari ug sa [Administration] kung unsaon na nila.

Lira, BFA-AA 1 Okay ra man kay naa’y basahon ang mga tao. At least naa’y kalingawan ba. Boring kaayo kung wala, at least naay spice sa atong school.

Efren, BS CE

At least nindot man siya kay parihas sa pag high school gyud na naay mga news kabahin sa school. At least maka-read pud ta; at least ma-aware pud ta sa stuff na nahitabo sa other colleges. It’s just that I wish it’s more easy to avail of it.

Mr. DE, BS CE

Much better na kaysa sauna, di pariha karon na improved na kaayo ang USC.

‘Nya ang students pud ma-mold to be better and responsible Carolinians.

Dirnalyn, BS CE

Okay ra nako ang Today’s kay at least dili kaayo serious ang gipang tackle diri na problems about sa USC campus and at least naa pud part na “chill-chill” nya tan-aw-tan-aw lang ba kay naa man gud siya’y twists, like mga stories, unya nin-dot jud kay magazine man siya, di pare-has sa usa ba na serious ra kaayo.

Elyssa - BS ID

“Maayu mabalik ang Today’s Carolinian kay pure na nga views ug voice sa stu-dents, dili under sa Student Affairs...char!”

Ian, AB Anthro-ACH 2 Okay raman na siya kay at least mas daghan ta ninyo’g mabasa. At least naa ang atong student press, ma-inform ta about sa atong happenings diri, dili lang kay mag-focus ra ta sa atong mga kurso. At least sa revival anang Today’s Carolin-ian, maka-kita ra gihapon ta kung unsa ang wider vision sa mga nahitabo karon. Mao na’y nakanindot, kay sa revival ana - sa inyong pag-ingon na liberal na siya - makadungog na sad ta sa majority voice sa mga estudyante na sad, di lang sad kay mura ra tag mga robot.

Carlo, BS ECE

I think better gyud if ibalik ang Today’s Carolinian kay siya man gud to ang origi-nally established na student publication sa San Carlos. I think kana sad siya mao’y daghan na ang na-fight for ang mga stu-dents [from the time it was established]. If I am to compare it sad sa The Carolin-ian, dili ka’y ko makahibaw kung asa ang asa. [Unya] na-studyhan naman gud na before na separate ang administration sa student paper. [Pero] sa kasagaran nakong nakit-an kay murag ang posters [sa The Carolinian]- kato ganing pag-recruit ba - kay ibutang siya kasagaran sa mga Administrative Offices, sa OSA, sa Deans’. Mura’g wala kaayo nako nakita ang separation sa student publication [from the] administration, sa akoa lang,

mura’g na-defeat ang purpose.Ms. For Today’s Carolinian, BS IE

Bag-o pa ko nakabati ani na school paper (Today’s Carolinian). I’ve heard this from a friend. The first thing that comes into my mind is, it can serve as an instrument and as an eye-opener to us students about what is currently happening in our school and for us to be more aware. Pero naa pud part na wa koy care kay if we all notice, no matter how we are against the Admin, wala jud changes. Like mura ra og snob. Hahaha!

Kitz, BS ARCH 3

Nice gyud siya kay [because of] the fact na nabalik ang publication ba, ‘nya mas makahibaw ta kung unsa gyud ang na-hitabo sa USC; and it’s a way pud to ex-press our thoughts to the Admin, na dili ra pud sila dapat ang magbuot kay kita ma’y estudyante, naa pud tay rights na mu-voice out.

Mikhael, BS ECE

Lisud man gud kay mura’g naay 2 ka sides, and naay point ang 2 ka sides. Ang sa akong nadunggan ni Father Lagura last year, ang nahitabo kuno nganong nawagtang ang Today’s Carolinian kay ang su’d daw ato, murag ma-defeat ang purpose kung unsa gyu’y dapat ibutang sa Today’s Carolinian. [Wa na daw] kuno’y klaro ang ipamutang; ‘nya ang mga drawing, usahay green ba; mao na iyang gisulti. Diba tagaan mana’g funds ang Today’s Carolinian? Ang nahita-bo kuno kay imbes mag-print ug certain [number of] copies kay dapat daghan man, gamay ra ang ilang i-print ‘nya gamay ra’g makadawat. Mao daw na. ‘Nya ambot, wa sad ko kahibaw unsa na akong tuohan. Okay ra i-revive, pero naglibog lang ko, okay ra ma’g dili ma-under sa SAS, pero i-monitor ra gud kung asa na kuhaon ang funds. Ana lang ba, ambot nganong wa lang gihapon gidayun. Pero ang giingon sad ni Father ato last year kay dili na daw sila mo-kuha ug funds gikan sa mga estudyante. Ang ka-tong The Carolinian kay free ra daw na nila ihatag.

Mr.Kenny, BS EC [Let me] read it first, then I’ll comment.

Rembrandt, BS ARCH 3 TC

PATRICIA YAP

TODAY’S REVIVAL:Unsa’y Say Ninyo?

VOX POPULI

5

Various scholars from Visayas and Mindanao gathered to attend the inaugural event. This provided a

venue for the scholars of Political Science to converge and put forward their analyses and perspectives on Philippine politics. The conference was a three-day event intended for plenary sessions, paper presentations, and academic discussions by the scholars from the South. The participants who joined were from different colleges and universities namely: Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro; Seminario de San Carlos- Faculty of Theology; University of the Philippines, Cebu; Monash University, Australia; Sogang Univesity, South Korea; La Salle University – Ozamis; Central Philippine University; University of Cebu; University of San Jose-Recoletos; Cebu Normal University; Holy Name University, Bohol and University of San Carlos. Most of the attendees were Political Science scholars and others were from the disciplines of Philosophy and Economics. Third year USC Pol Sci students with a research course also participated in said event. Each day of the conference was considered to be filled with learnings and worth-remembering experiences as important people came to be part of the discourse on different political and social realities. Fr. Dionisio Miranda gave his keynote address

during the 1st day of the conference where he talked about educational reform agenda. Professor Felisa Etemadi of the University of the Philippines, on the other hand, came to tackle issues on inclusive growth and inclusive governance during the second day. In the afternoon of the same day, Dr. Josef T. Yap of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies attended and discussed meaningful economic integration. On the last day of the conference, the chair of USC’s Political Science Department discussed about Federalism and the Parliamentary System of Government. As had been observed by one of the organizers of the event Ms. Brenette Abrenica of the PolSci Department, the four plenary sessions mentioned represented the four academic tracks of the Department: Political Theory and Systems (PTS), Public Management and Development (PMD), International Relations and Foreign Service (IRFS) and Law and Policy Studies (LPS) respectively.

In between the papers showcased by the renowned scholars mentioned, other researchers presented a number of talks on the various issues of political science in the Philippines. These issues were subdivided into themes namely: Making Mindanao; Democratization and Social Movements in the Country; Politics and Religion; Local Governance, Poverty and Development,

Issues in International Relations, Politics and Ethics, Gender and Politics and among others which are timely and relevant to the scholarship in political science. The Southern Conference has been inspired by the Directional Matrix and Vision 2018, which the university’s Department of Political Science took the lead in organizing in order to provide an opportunity and venue for different scholars and teachers of Politics to present their research findings and formulate frameworks and theories to help solve the problems of the country, especially in the South.

The event ended with the awarding of certificates to the speakers, moderators and student-assistants. Finally, USC-VPAA Fr. Anthony Salas, gave his closing remarks and congratulations to the Pol Sci Department. The Political Science Southern Conference 2011 would not have been possible without the joint efforts of CHED, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Incorporated, USC School of Law and Governance, USC Office of Research, the USC Centre for Entrepreneurship and Life-long Learning, USC dance troupe, McDonalds, Carolinian Political Science Society; Br. Romualdo E. Abulad, SVD, PhD; and the presenters, participants, and significant others. TC

Pol SciDep’t

HoldsPOLITICAL SCIENCESouthern Conference1st

NEWS

Dec.1-3 saw the Department of Political Science of the School of Law and Governance hold its first-ever Political Science Southern Conference at the USC Main Campus, with the theme “Strengthening Southern Scholarship in Political Science”.

CHRISTIE MARIE ALGA

6

It’s beginning to feel as if at the end of every semester, the fates flip a coin and decide how the enrollment for the next one goes: heads for bearable and tails for headache, with varying results.

This is coming from a student of the School of Business and Economics (SBE) and one of the so-called unlucky 16 who have only had their enrollment finished two whole weeks after it began, mostly caused by the sys-tem’s failure to inform them of additional dues.

The glitches experienced by the SBE are the latest in a university-wide record of enrollment woes. While some colleges generally have it easier than most, others are almost always left hoping for the pro-verbial coin to fall heads facing up.

The Integrated School Management Infor-mation System (ISMIS) has for the most part, been a mixed bag - eschewing the long enrollment lines of semesters past and bringing in early morning vigils await-ing the servers to open. The experiences vary: from those of the fortunate who have theirs run smoothly, to those of the unlucky ones who are forced to make re-peated visits to their departments to sort things out.

It becomes scary when you consider that the enrollment week (or weeks, depending on who you ask) more or less defines the coming sem. Even scarier for graduating students, who dread that one subject that will be the difference between graduation and an extended stay in the University.

It’s a harrowing reality that those unlucky with enrollment have to face. Shiftees and irregulars, hoping against hope for that im-portant prerequisite subject to be offered this semester, hold their breath in suspense that the schedule turns out reasonable and even then, quake at the possibility of the subject’s dissolution.

Not actually something you would place on a coin flip now, is it? Granted, there are many things wrong with the ISMIS and our enrollment in general. Most can probably be attributed not to the clunky server and crash prone-system itself, but to the ex-ecution. An example of this case would be the different approach to enrollment used

for this semester by the BA Department. Its students filled-out pre-enlistment forms before the end of the last semester; and these forms were used as bases for sched-ules and the enrollment of the students themselves. The handling of the ISMIS however, was conducted by faculty and a select few students.

On paper, this approach would’ve lead to a more efficient enrollment for the students of the SBE. Alas, the department seemed unprepared for the sudden hang-ups of the ISMIS, and a significant number of its students suffered unnecessary delays and anxious helpless nights won-dering if they could even enroll at all.

One could cite many factors - internal and external - that caused this to happen. Fin-gers will be pointed and blames will be thrown, but the clock has already been turned. The second semester is already more than under way. We can breathe for the moment, our scheds set and our minds now focused on the subjects, but it is inevitable for the coin to be cast again for the

first semester of next year. Can we hope for something saner? For a time when we can finally breathe easily instead of wallow in the usual confused anxiety?

As of the moment, that’s all we can do: hope. Hope for less trauma-inducing en-rollment episodes for the duration of our stay in the University. Hope for a cool head when the unexpected happens and cross our fingers for a favorable outcome; for it won’t be long before we watch as that coin is cast into the air again. TC

ISMISery:A GENERAL REFLECTION

EDITORIAL

7

Local Leaders, Artists DRAFT DREAM FOR CEBU

groups, and each group was asked to reflect on their individual and collective vision of a livable Cebu.

The organization, formerly known as “Stop Cebu Flyovers Movement”, recently changed their name to “Movement for a Livable Cebu”. According to Joel Lee of MLC, the purpose of the reframing of their group’s name was to ‘shift the public’s awareness of the issues and to go beyond the resolution of flyover issues.’ TC

their creative selves to make an impact to society.

“This workshop is meant to put into perspective what we [at MLC] have been doing. Once we know what the people want, we can push for their agenda and provide the alternatives,” said Raul Puentespina, a former USC-SSC Vice President (1983-84) and member of MLC.

Local artists Budoy (musician) and Jagat Rubio (web designer) joined said event.

Towards the end of the workshop, the participants were divided into two

“The key question now is, ‘How do Cebuanos really want to live?’” said Perlas.

Taken part by over 50 participants from different sectors of society, talks and discussions on the creativity, courage, and power of civil society covered most of the event.

Sto. Nino de Cebu Augustinian Social Development Foundation (SNAF) executive director Fr. Tito Soquiño, who partook in the event, said the workshop is a good opportunity for different groups to come together and look into

The Movement for a Livable Cebu (MLC), in its endeavor to empower civil society by providing

sustainable alternatives, held a workshop dubbed “Pangandoy kong Sugbo: Workshop

Courage” November 22-23 last year, at West Gorordo Hotel. Facilitated by Alternative Nobel

Prize Awardee Nicanor Perlas, the workshop aimed to grasp the creative process in spite of its complexity and urged its participants to take a

leap of courage to commit themselves to achieving their dream of a livable and sustainable Cebu.

KIM TIANGCO

NEWS

Pangandoy Kong Sugbu This workshop is meant to put into perspective what we [at MLC] have been doing.

8

Headed by Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies (College of Arts and

Sciences) faculty Dr. Levy Lanaria, the University of San Carlos-College Faculty Independent Teachers’ Union (USC-CFIU) received its Certificate of Registration from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) March of 2011.

“In 1998, during my first term as president of the College Faculty Association (CFA) Board, we made an attempt to form an autonomous teachers’ association that will comprise of all the members of the USC college faculty,” said Lanaria in an interview.

However, the seeming lack of interest and enthusiasm from the faculty at the time resulted to the postponement of the undertaking. It was around 2009, during Lanaria’s second term as CFA Board President, when the proposal for the formation of the union was

revived. At the Board’s general assembly in 2010, what turned out to be the final of several attempts to create the organization finally paved the way to the formation of the CFIU.

The rest of the union officers are the following: Dr. Leny G. Ocasiones, Vice-president - USC North Campus; Dr. Darwin Goron, Vice-president - USC South Campus; Ms. Glory Ann G. Culanag, M.A., Secretary; Mr. Gino Jun Bagano, M.A., Treasurer; Ms. Leonila Adarna, M.A., Auditor; and Mr. Alan Tabanao, M.A., Public Relations Officer (PRO). As of this writing, the Association’s main office is in the USC Technological Centre.

USC-CFIU CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWSPREAMBLE, ARTICLES I AND II:

The USC-CFIU is naturally an independent teachers’ union of the University of

San Carlos which fosters solidarity and promotes understanding among the

College Faculty, in particular, and with the rest of the academic personnel of the

University in general. In addition, this union promotes the teachers’ general welfare

and provides an empowered organization which shall represent the academic

personnel in its working relationships with the administration of the university as co-

equal partners.

The USC-CFIU aims to promote the moral, social, economic and religious well

being of its members, in particular, and the academic personnel of the University of San Carlos in general. It shall seek to establish harmonious relations with the Administration of the University of San

Carlos in the promotion of mutual welfare and in the pursuit of the sound objectives

of the University.

The Union shall also endeavor to achieve the above objectives through unity

of purpose and action and collective bargaining; and it shall strive to establish linkages with the existing college faculty

associations or organizations in the province and in the region towards forging

a broader base of critically enlightened

The

USC-CFIUINDEPENDENTTeachers’

UnionJOIEZL FERN S. PIÑON

NOTEBOOK

Continued on page 319

Indeed New Year is a good excuse to throw oneself into the blissful state of the drunkenness, with its irrepressibility,

euphoria and ability to render one temporarily numb from the less-than-gratifying truths and problems that await solutions, it would be a shame to let the celebration pass without a drink. New Year is also the perfect opportunity to make vain resolutions to comfort ourselves that this year would be better than its predecessor-resolutions that most of the time gets eventually forgotten and left for the crows a good 3 weeks into the New Year. But enough of that shit. Getting drunk and making resolutions are well known New Year traditions, and having fireworks are just as universal. However, as much as there are these customs that are practiced worldwide, there are also obscure ones that are unique to a particular place. New Year Traditions that are uplifting and entertaining- as they are meant to be, and these rituals are greatly infused with the local culture’s colors. A word of warning though, some of these rituals may seem bizarre and even vulgar to you, but that may only be because of your ignorance to the reason as to why they are being practiced. That is why I advice you hold your judgments, because prejudice is only ignorance and knowledge breeds understanding. Simply enjoy these seemingly ridiculous traditions and perhaps you could even try them and this time, actually do something new for the New Year. Sporting polka dotted garments and serving round food is a common sight for Filipinos on New Year’s Eve, foreigners, however, find it nonsensical and rather silly. Which are exactly what you’ll also think when you read the next few paragraphs… In Sao Paolo, Brazil, women intrepidly

don brightly colored underwear. They deliberately wear it inside and out-yes, very much like Superman’s costume, as to make it visible to spectators. A rather flagrant sight for the conservatives, but a very normal one for these Brazilians. They have a reason for this - just as we do for the tradition of lucky circles, and it’s not necessarily for displaying promiscuity, rather they believe that it would influence their luck in the coming year. It is actually the color of the underwear that matters. If looking for love, one would sport pink underwear, red for passion, white for peace, yellow for money and green for over all luck. Their tradition dictates that the women are to wash their chosen underwear for the New Year and then wear them inside-out on the first Friday of the year for it to take effect. So if you’re single (and desperate) and you decide to visit Brazil for the New Year, you might want to wear pink underwear inside-out, and walk about Sao Paolo. Who knows, you might just have a couple of men falling on their knees. In Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, north-east of Scotland, they believe that it is important to make sure that the ominous forces of the last year are exterminated. So, in their Hogmanay festival, they employ the purifying power of fire to eliminate the bad spirits of the previous year so that the new ones can arrive immaculate. They do this by swinging fireballs made of chicken wire filled with old newspaper, sticks, rags and other dry flammable material. At the tolling of their town-house bells, the balls are set on fire and the swingers set off on a march in a parade, all the while swinging the blazing fireballs around their heads as they go around the town. The festival takes place on the 31st of December every year. This celebration is said

to date back as far as the Vikings. Now, if you’ve had a pretty bad year, trying this ritual won’t hurt. Well, unless you’re not careful. If you’re clumsy and think that you have the tendency to actually burn yourself or your house down accidentally, leave this job in someone else’s hand, someone preferably with finesse. In Denmark, the amount of luck and happiness and the number of friends you have and will have for the New Year is foretold by the amount of broken dishes you will find on your doorstep the morning of New Year’s Eve. The Danish collect breakable plates, bowls, and cups the whole year round, so when the New year comes, they hurl these dishes at their neighbor’s and friend’s doors. As violent as this sounds to you, the Danish finds this as a great honor. The family with the tallest tower of broken crockery is considered to be the luckiest one because it would mean that they have plenty of loyal friends. If you were to try pitching dishes at your neighbor’s door, which I highly doubt would bring you good luck, your neighbors will most probably meet your good intent with clenched fists, taking your action as an offense to them. So, instead of getting good fortune, you’ll get a good bruise around your eyes and a sore gut. Word of advice: Do not attempt this in a non-Danish neighborhood. In Tacla, Chile, the people celebrate New Year ’s Eve at the graveyard. Creepy? Well initially, yes, but you’ll soon realize that it’s actually very sweet-if not very logical. They do this because they believe that every member of their family must be around during the celebration of this event, and that their dead loved ones are actually waiting for them in the cemetery to start a New Year with

FEATURE

UniversalIDIOSYNCRACY:The

USHABELLE BONGO

New Year’s is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.

Mark Twain

NEW YEAR TRADITIONS

Continued on page 31

CAFA EmbracesBFA-Cinema

producer-editor Cierlito Tabay, USC Alumnus Remton Zuasola director and Cinematographer Ruel Antipuesto Cinematographer; the BFA-Cinema was finally made possible together with the collaboration of CAFA and the university as a whole.

“…So, we are planning to have a Masters in FA in Cinema studies to have a scholarly film program, designed to create Cebuano professors. My message to those who are interested in Cinema is to stop watching movies from the computer, through simply downloading it on the internet, and watch movies in the Sinekultura Program to experience

academic cinema journal in Cebu, the publication aims to encourage a broader awareness among Cebuanos the culture and world of cinema.

Misha Anissimov, a Mechanical Engineering graduate of the California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, California and a degree holder of Cinema in the San Francisco State University, cited the unexploited inherent talents of Cebuanos in film industry. Encouraged by his coworker and

“[In 2008], in a meeting with then-Dean Arch’t. Omar Maxwell Espina and other college administrators, we decided that for CAFA to become respondent to the times, it has to evolve into a design school where the student of a specific art program can interact with students of other art programs and benefit from the same to become more versed in his own field,” CAFA-Department of Fine Arts Chairperson Brenda Seno, MSAD stated in her message in this year’s first semester issue of the Sinekultura Film Journal.

In 2010, a year after it was introduced to the college by now-Sinekultura Film Journal Editor–in-Chief and Acting BFA-Cinema Program Coordinator Misha Anissimov, the course was automatically presented to the USC Administration by incumbent CAFA Dean Joseph Michael Espina.

Positive conclusions for a potential film school in the university led to approval of the program in 2011.

Being the only BFA-Cinema program in the region - second to that of the University of the Philippines-Diliman – as a university-based Cinema course, future plans for the development of said program have been found necessary to compete with other film schools around the globe.Thus the publication of the Sinekultura Educational Film Journal came about. The first

As a design school open to diverse state of the art courses, the University of San Carlos - College of Architecture and Fine Arts (USC - CAFA) embarks on a 4-year pioneering program stwarting school year 2011-2012: the Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Cinema (BFA-Cinema).

for CAFA to become respondent to the times, it has to evolve into a design school where the student of a specific

art program can interact with students of other art programs and benefit from the same to become more versed

in his own field.

“”

the world of cinema theater right before your eyes,” said Anissimov in an interview.

“For without strong cinema attendance, and film appreciation, the business of filmmaking is not sustainable in the long run,” he added.

“The BFA Cinema program is a valuable component of the CAFA future direction that is envisioned to complement its other programs

contributing toward a viable Cebuano creative industry,” Dean Joseph Michael P. Espina, MURP, said in the first issue of Sinekultura Film Journal.

With 32 student-pioneers in this year’s first semester, the Cinema department expects an increase in enrollment in the current term as of this writing. TC

MARGEL CHRISTINE MALLEN

NEWS

11

NEWS

SSC ORGANIZESCHRISTIE MARIE ALGA

In its commitment to promoting the general welfare of the

students, the University of San Carlos – Supreme Student Council (USC-SSC), organized “PASKO SA USC 2011” last December 12-17, 2011 at the University of San Carlos with the theme: “Carolinian Christmas in Harmony: A Time for Loving, Sharing, and Healing”.

Pasko sa USC 2011 was a one-week merry-making event and was considered to be one of the grandest celebrations in USC. The USC-Supreme Student Council, organized and sponsored the following major activities of the said event: The annual undertaking was already on its eighth year. It did not only give all the students a unique way towards socio-cultural understanding, it also provided for a Community Extension experience during the yuletide season - the time of year for giving and sharing. TC

December 12, 2011 Launching of Pasko sa USC ’11 and Pasko sa USC Gallery

December 13, 2011Worship Revive

December 14, 2011USC Christmas Fashion Show and Carolinian Got Talent

December 15, 2011USC Christmas King and Queen 2011

December 17, 2011Outreach Program

Worship Reviveat the USC-TC Gymnasium

USC-TC Gym During the USC Christmas Fashion Show and Carolinian Got Talent

Photographs by Gerard Theodore Alcuizar

12

The university shuttles. The shuttle drivers. Just some of the things, some of

the people we encounter in our everyday school life that we all probably take for granted.

More often than not, we students complain about the change of routes, the slow or the fast driving, and most especially the recent increase in shuttle fare from PHP4.00 to PwHP5.00. Have we ever wondered what it’s like for the shuttle drivers? For once, have we even cared to get to know the drivers better? In this interview, we ask the questions and take a sneak peek into the lives of one of the people who make the Talamban Campus buildings an easier place to reach.

Nganong nag-usab ang route sa shuttle?It’s because some of the faculty members have complained, kay most of the time, ma-delay jud ang shuttle especially kung peak hours, kay taas ang line sa taxi and other vehicles, so ma-trap ang shuttle. Di man sad pwede makagawas ang shuttle sa pikas lane, ‘nya limited ra baya ang time ninyo mga estudyante and faculty; so ni-

decide si Father Bucia na i-change ang route so di nata makaagi sa checkpoint. Ang bag-ong route kay tuyok man ‘nya naay tendency na ma-traffic gihapon sa intersection.Maybe naa gihapon ang traffic, pero less na siya unlike sa old route. Tuyok siya, pero mas convenient siya gamay. Wa na’y gamit ang parkinganan sa mga shuttle?Actually, as of now, wala gyud tay fixed na terminal, kay under development pa.

Nganong dili libre ang plete sa shuttle? Ang shuttle cab is owned by the cooperative, which is separate from the university. So, di pwede na ang students or ang tanan nga mo-ride free because of that; unlike sa school bus, na ang maka-use are only Nursing students. Nagbayad na sila, included na sa ilang tuition fee.[So] mao nang dili libre ang shuttle fee kay dili property sa school?Nahulog man ni siya ug private property, dili mani siya property sa University. Ang Cooperative, lahi ra gyud sa San Carlos?

Lahi. Separate siya.

Nganong na-associate man ang Coop with USC?Na-associate ang Cooperative sa University tungod sa members. Ang employees and staff sa University, members sa Coop, so nahulog na siya ug USC-Cooperative. [All the] members sa Cooperative, workers man sa San Carlos. Sa system sa driving, unsaon ninyo pagkahibaw kung kinsa’y una?Diri, depende ra siya sa maunang maabot. So ang first maabot, mao sad to ang first mularga. Naa lagi moy number-number sa una.Mao ra gihapon to. According ra gihapon to sa mauna. For example, number 10 ang unang [maabot], then followed by a higher number or lower number. Dili gyud siya ma-ingon nga by number. For example, from 9 to 20: from 9, 10, 11; dili ingon ana. Unsa diay workings sa inyong Coop? Unsa inyong i-invest, pila ka years, pila ang inyong kita na kailangan para after ana ma inyoha na ni ang shuttle?We have a contract through the cooperative. After ma-finish namo na

ROUND DRIVERS to the Students

INTERVIEW

PATRISHA YAP

TRIP: From the

13

ang among kontrata okay na. Pila diay na ka-years ang inyong kontrata?Actually, 36 months siya. Equivalent siya ug 3 years. 3 years to pay, called a Rent-to-Own Scheme Project. ‘Nya kaning makuha ninyo na plete from students, ang portion ana, inyong ibayad? Every day na inyong bayad?Mag-pay mi ug 500 a day sa Cashiers para lang adto sa Cooperative. Uniform na ang 500, pero mahulog na siya nga case-to-case basis because for example, dili kabayad ang uban karon nga day, so mutapal sila. Pero ang regular rental every day is 500 pesos gyud. If mulapas ug 3 years, okay ra ba na padayun gihapon mo diri? Or ilisanan na gyud mo?No, only the Board ang maka-decide. If mu-decide ang Board na mu-continue mo [until] asa sila ganahan, pwede ra. Board sa School or Board sa Coop?Sa Board sa Cooperative.

Mupetition sad mo ana or sila ra’y bahala ana?No, we have no right to file a petition. Mga pila diay ang range sa makuha ninyo sa shuttle?Mu-net ra mi’g tag-300. [That’s] only an average. Gikuhaan na ni siya’g para sa rental, gasoline, and other expenses. Kamo sad diay ang mubayad sa gasoline?Oo, sa tanan. The shuttle cab maintenance is the driver’s responsibility because this is a rent-to-own program.

Pila inyong gross na kita?Tag-P1,500. Sometimes P1,400. Dili man gyud na siya fixed na amount. Naay times na lower than that, pero [most of the time] ang average namo is P1,400 ra jud. ‘Nya kuhaan ug para sa gasoline na tag-500, rental na tag-500; ‘nya kuhaa’g [para sa] kaon, so mu-net na gyud na siya’g P300. Mura raman gihapon mi ug company worker. The problem is, amo man gud tanan [ang para sa] maintenance. In terms of maintenance, it’s so expensive, especially the spare parts. Ligid palang

daan, P1,000+ na gud. Unsa ang benefits ninyo ani?Only the [ownership of the] shuttle cab after ma-finish ang contract. Mao ra ni ang among reward. In a day, mga kapila mo makatuyok sa campus?Dili man maihap kung kapila makatuyok ang shuttle from morning to hapon kay dili man mi mag-mind. Basin ug na’y uban na mao na ang pirming mu-biyahe unya ang uban kay wala na diay to ka biyahe.Sa 12 ka shuttle, naa man gyuy uban na mu-absent; so ang mu-duty ana nga day, mao ra gyud to siya ang mag-service inside sa campus. Pila mo kabuok drivers na gi-hire sa San Carlos?Sa karon na batch, 12 mi kabuok. Tinuod ba na inig gabii kay libre na ang fare?Dili. Unsang orasa inyong last trip?Usually gyud until 6 p.m., pinakadugay is 6:30, kay wala naman gyuy musakay anang mga orasa. Ang passenger musakay, pero going up. Wala nay musakay para munaog. Pwede ra mo mu-extend?Oo, pwede. [What can you say] about students who don’t pay the shuttle fare because they find it costly?Kung imong i-compare siya sa gawas, every time musakay ka sa jeep, ma duol or ma layo, P7.00 gihapon, diba? Mao rana siya diri sa sulod: fixed atong plete. Either duol ka or layo ug adto-an, [you pay] the same [amount]. Ang right sa driver is to collect sa plete. Pero for some of the passengers na dili mu plete, dili na man nato sila ma-force, diba? Kay lahi na baya na siya nga issue. So it’s up to the passenger kung ma-pay ba siya’g di. Wala moy balak solusyonan ang problema sa pamokong, like lahi-on ang ways of collecting money?Kanang gitawag ug bokong, naa man na siyay option. Either kolektahon ang plete una or di.

Pero madugay man ang students ana.Anytime, ma-collect man namo ang plete. Pero ang disadvantage sa inyo na side, madelay ang biyahe. So ma-late mo’s’ inyong klase, unya ang shuttle ang i-blame. ‘Dugay kaayo nilarga ang shuttle, Ma’am.’ ‘Nganoman?’ ‘Nangolekta pa’g’ plete.’ Back in 2010, mao baya nay complaints sa mga estudyante, na ma-late sila tungod sa shuttle. Actually, pwede mana kolektahon [ang plete] kung regular time. Pero naa jud bayay time na di namo pwede i-apply ang imong patakaran diba? Like for example sa peak hours - naka-observe mo last semester? Order man to ni Father Bucia na one by one, [samtang] dili pa puno or wala pa nakalarga ang naka-parking na shuttle, dili pwede musunod ang nagsunod na shuttle. Under man mi sa Management, so kinang’lan sad mi musunod. So mao tong nahitabo last year na taas kaayo ang line. Sometimes, grupo man jud ang manakay; unya di man jud na nato ma-avoid ang mga grupo. Kinsa diay ang nag-buot sa increase sa shuttle fare?Actually naghimo mi ug letter. Gi-aprubahan to siya sa Admin sa University. Ang nag-approve kay si Father Lagura. Kay dili man mi makapa-increase or makapa-decrease [sa shuttle fare] without approval sa head sa University. If na’y mu-absent, walay kita?Wala, walay kita. No work, no pay. Future plans sa Cooperative? Increase sa plete?Actually, ang plete nato, magdepende na siya sa gawas. Every time na ang plete sa Public Utility Jeepneys sa gawas mu-increase, naay possibility na mu-increase sad ta, kay we have to keep up with the prices sa gawas. Benefits of the P1.00 increase [from 4.00 to 5.00]?Since nga ni taas ang price sa gasoline, Ni-dako mi ug gasto sa gasolina every day. So ang [additional] P1.00 per passenger who rides the shuttle, dako kaayu siyang tabang sa driver. For example, para sa gasolina namo na ma-tubil every day, naa nami adjustment gamay. Dako kaayu siyang tabang. [It’s just P1], pero kung ma-save nimo siya,

Continued on page 31

OPINION

Ang GINGHARIANsa mga BUTA LOUIE VILLANUEVA

Ngano man nakaingon ko niini? Kay kung susihon nato ang unod sa maong

video, makita gyud nato na mura kinig usa ka konspirasiya mahitungod sa kung asa naggikan ang kaadunahan ug gahum sa maong naasoy nga dinastiya. Maski ako mismo muangkon nga wala ako masayod sa kung unsa gyud ang tinuod nga storya bahin niini (ug siguro lisod na makuha ang kung unsa jud ang kamatuoran ). Makaingon ako nga tuod daghan pa gyud tingali tag dapat makat-unan bahin sa mga kinabuhi sa atong mga liderato ug dapat lang siguro nga atong susihun kung husto ba ang tanan nga atong nadawat nga kasayoran bag-o nato ni itipig sa atong alimpatakan.

Dili sad hinuon husto kung akong isaysay diri sa akong panumbok karun kung unsa man gayud ang mga detalye sa naasoy nga video apan gusto kong ipaabot sa inyo karun kung unsa man ang usa ka importan-teng punto nga dapat atong pamalandun-gan. Igo usab atong bisitahon usab kung unsa man gayud ang gustong ipaabot niin-ing naasoy nga video sa atong mga gum-agamit sa internet, mga kabatan-onan, ug labaw sa tanan, mga Pilipino. Sa kutob sa akong mabuhat, atong likayan o pagamyan ang mga lugaynong isyu nga gituki sa video ug ako lang gipili ang usa ka punto kung asa kita tanan makasugakod ug makasa-bot.

Ang akong tukion diri sa akong panulat karun kay ang isyu sa kakulang sa impor-masyon nga nadawat sa mga Pilipino. Ma-tod sa naasoy nga video, ang rason sa kung ngano padayon ang pagpatambok sa mga bulsa sa mga pulitiko ug ang ilang pagkusug sa ilang pugong sa gahom kay ang kulang, o mas daotan pa, ang sayop nga impor-masyon nga madawat sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino. Gibasol kini sa mga oligarchs (mga pipila ka adunahan nga negosyante-pulitiko nga nagkupot sa gahum sa kagamhanan) nga nanag-iya sa mga mantalaan, telebisy-

on, ug radyo – mga bugtong pamaagi kung asa makakuha ug balita ang ORDINARY-ONG Pilipino. Pero gusto ko pud isulti nga ang kining panumbok wala magakusar nga tanang impormasyong gipakatag sa ka-hanginan sa atong midya kay sayop, apan akong gustong ipasabot nga adunay mga higayon nga sayop kini o kuwang tungod sa mga media biases. Dili nato mawaksi ang kamatuoran nga ang panghunahuna ug mga desisyon sa taw kay nakabase sa ilang nadawat na impormasyon. Kung subayon nato ni nga pagpakaingon, maingon nato nga sayop ang mindset sa mga taw tungod sa sayop nga impormasyon na ilang nada-wat. Aduna poy punto ang video. Suma lang gud, basta makahibaw lang ta ug sale sa usa sa mga dagkong tindahan diri sa siyudad, dinaghan man ang atong pagpalit, samtang wala ta masayod sa ubang deta-lye sa produktong atong gipamalit sama sa kalidad ug sa lebel sa kahilwasan sa pag-gamit niini.

Susama sa atong gitumbok nga sanglitan-an, kulob kita sa pagbuhat ug mga sayop nga persepsyon ug desisyon labi na sa mga isyung pulitikanhon. Para sa kasaga-ran sa atong mga kabatan-onan, gibaliwala o gisalikway lang nato kining mga isyu apan dapat natong isuksok sa atong bagul-bagol nga ang kining maong mga isyu kay nagaapektar sa ato halos sa tanang bulu-haton nato gikan sa pletehan hangtod sa kung makatrabaho ba kita nighuman natog pagtungha. Mas nakita nato nga mas dali pa ang magabli sa Facebook o magtweet sa Twitter kay sa magbasa ba run ug man-talaan, maminaw ug radyo o mutan-aw ug balita sa telebisyon. Dili ko mabasol ang kabatan-onan sa ilang pamatasan karon. Nagkakusog ang kupot sa teknolohiya sa ato, ug kasagaran ato kining gigamit para atong mugbong kalipay.

Tungod sa atong pagkatamhang, nag-kakusog baya ang gahum sa mga pulitiko hangtod sa muabot ang panahon nga kita

maglagot ug magpost-post dayun sa Fa-cebook nga ang atong presidente retarded o ang among congressman kay murag batang walay buot. Apan, igo pod bang atong iingon sa atong kaugalingon nga kita ra pod ang rason nganong naa sila sa ka-tungdanan? Tungod pod ba kini sa midya nga naghatag ug kulang o sayop nga im-pormasyon sa ato? O idlas lang ba gayud ang kamatuoran para atong makab-ot ug malamdagan sa kamatuoran?

Dili paman sad ulahi ang tanan. Sa akong giingon ganina, ang teknolohiya kay adu-nay dakong impluwensya sa pangutok sa kadaghanan, labi na ang kabataan. Tungod sa teknolohiya, nikatap ang mga susamang video ug nagpresentar sa atoa ug mga laing habig sa mga naandang storya nga atong mabasahan, madunggan, o makita sa tri-media. Nakapakutaw kini sa imahinasyon sa atong mga tumatan-aw ug usab naka-pasilabo sa kalayo sa kaalam nga gutom sa kamatuoran. Mas dali ang pagpahibalo sa uban sa presensya sa maong video nga makatag lang pinaagi sa usa ka click sa mouse o usa ka tap sa screen.

Sa niining pamaagi sa pagkatag lamang sa usa ka video, nakita ko ang potensyal sa dagitpukot sa pagbalik ug gahum ngadto sa mga lungsoranon. Matod pa sa Seksyon 1, Artikulo II sa atong batakang-balaod, ang ka-gahum sa estado kay naggikan sa iyang mga lungsoranon ug tanang otoridad sa gobyerno kay naggikan kanila. Sa pipila ka tuig, wala na kini makita imbes kita hinuon ang gidaog-daog ug gipahimuslan sa mga naa sa kag-amhanan. Mura kitag napuyo sa gingharian sa mga buta, buta sa kamatuoran ug buta sa atong mga katungod ug atong potensyal para sa pagbag-o. Pinaagi sa pagpalapad sa atong mga nahibaw-an, hinay-hinay na natong mabalik ang atong gahum ug atong madawat ang kagamhanan nga atong pag-katakos. Sa pagpalapad sa atong kaalam, atong mawaksi ang talikala sa kapit-os aron kita makabangon ug magtukod pag-usab sa atong nasod. TC

Katimaan ko niadtong usa ka gabie kung asa akong nahimamat diri sa dagitpukot (internet) ang usa ka video sa Youtube nga mahitungod sa lugaynong dinastiyang Aquino-Cojuanco sa

Luzon kung asa ang Yellow Family kay labot niini. Mura uroy ug Da Vinci Code ang drama sa pagpresentar niini sa mga tumatan-aw.

15

FEATURE

GERARD THEODORE ALCUIZAR

Perhaps the phrase “Mind your own busi-ness” has been too seriously adapted

amongst us students. We care about who has the most profile picture “Likes” in Fa-cebook or the most up-to-the-minute fash-ion style. We care about waiting our [a****] off in a kilometer-long line just to eat some overly sweetened bread with a hole in the center. We care about where we went out to last weekend; who had been with us; and the number of liquor bottles we had consumed. But are these the only things that matter for us today? How about giv-ing a s*** on whether or not we understand the teacher’s lecture? Or perhaps what our society has now become and how it has consumed us? Or what the fallacies of a hypocritical education can do to our way of thinking? We are all entitled, to some extent, the freedom of speech and what to think and care about, but are we really cer-tain about where we got these ideas from and what has influenced us all along?

The truisms: blaming technology and mass media, consumerism, greed for money, power and recognition. These clichés are true – we more often than not really care about the “cool stuff”.

Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and acquir-ing godlike status in DOTA - all of these contribute to how the present society, most especially the students, behaves towards the things that should probably really mat-ter to us. In fact, Youtube’s ever-popular slogan “Broadcast Yourself” is one of the most obvious culprits to some students’ being self-obsessed. In the seemingly per-fect world of Facebook on the other hand - where users brag about having the most perfect life, the most perfect love life, the most perfect places to hangout, the most perfect pictures edited for hours in Pho-toshop - the apparently innocent question, “What’s on your mind?” encourages us all the more to broadcast our woes, concerns, feelings. He or she who has the most wit-ty phrase gets appreciated by getting a “Like”, of course; and that seems to be the very thing which some of us seem to be so concerned about.

Well, in a manner of speaking, there is

nothing wrong with being yourself; speak-ing your mind out to the world; sharing your feelings; giving a damn about your friend’s friend’s life. The point here is, aside from perceptively alleviating the common sce-nario where we are amid already messed up priorities at home, in school and else-where; these social networking sites seem to be furthering in us a sense of self-ob-session.

These isms, spurred by the wisest, most profit-hungry business conglomerates all over the world, ignite our desires and amplify it like wild fire. Masking the real, revenue-driven motives, they blabber to us about having the lifestyle we deserve. They feed upon our obsession to be ac-cepted by the norms of society. The more we think about ourselves, the more they will supply, and the cycle goes on and on and the whole seeming objective is lost. We can actually channel our energies about changing the system of leader-ship, changing the trend of existing social behaviors, altering the norms that do not work. But do we simply react to all these things? How about getting to our feet and doing something about them, rather than letting procrastination and indifference get their way?

We can’t deny the fact that the present in-structional practices lack “spices” towards motivating academic achievement. As the University administration tightens its rein, not only do students become more dis-couraged in getting involved with campus issues; we also generally tend to care less. This in the end propagates an even more apathetic culture. The indifference we have now spreads out and affects, ultimately, our general scholastic performance.

Take the results of the recently concluded university-wide symposium on the Male Uniform Policy. Out of the 9,178-strong male student enrollment of the first se-mester this year, only 2,081 male students

participated and voiced out their concerns on said policy. That is only 22.67% of the total number of the male students in the university – not even one-fourth of the population.

Ashley on loungeowl.com said:

How can the university graduates of today operate in a global economy, deal with smart political choices, and handle global threats such as terrorism if they cannot even perform significant academic challenges?

The Information Age can be both a curse and a blessing. Technological advancements are readily available and can be grasped easily. We can think of them as media of commu-nication to change the perspective of some individuals who lack the grease in their tin. The school, its staff, and the students can work hand in hand to battle student apathy and procrastination. Each element can be open-minded and must be willing to accept and transform into positives their respective blunders through open communication. The issues we face now can only be solved if eve-ryone contributes their part. TC

Who to Blame?

TECHNOLOGICAL DISTRACTIONS

CONSUMERISMCOMMERCIALISMMATERIALISM

INEFFECTIVE EDUCATIONALSYSTEM?

Teachers usually start class 5 -10 mi-nutes after class officially begins. Stu-dents usually chat, text, or sleep.Students are thinking more about their text messages than what’s happening in class.Teachers talk most of the time and stu-dents aren’t engaged.If students don’t have to participate in a class, they likely never will.Students are in the maddest rush to walk out the classroom door ASAP.Most students dread the “overachiev-ers.”Being liked by the teacher automati-cally translates to teacher’s pet.Students know they can pass certain courses without attending every class.Students who studied for a test often lie to their classmates that they did not.

16

1932

– E

l Est

udia

nte

begi

ns p

ublic

atio

n w

ith F

ulvi

o Pe

laez

as i

t’s �

rst e

dito

r, is

rena

med

The

Car

olin

ian

a fe

w y

ears

aft

er

1940

–

The

Caro

linia

n jo

ins

the

elite

ci

rcle

of

re

spec

tabl

e sc

hool

pub

licat

ions

in th

e co

untr

y

1948

- San

Car

los

beco

mes

a u

nive

rsity

. The

Car

olin

-ia

n re

cove

rs, r

etur

ns t

o its

pre

-war

sta

ture

. Dur

ing

the

reco

nstr

uctio

n ye

ars,

the

publ

icat

ion

focu

sed

on s

ubje

cts

that

mad

e st

uden

ts a

war

e of

the

ir m

oral

and

civ

ic o

blig

atio

ns t

o so

ciet

y. B

ecom

es a

w

ell r

espe

cted

ent

ity in

cam

pus

jour

nalis

m n

atio

n-w

ide

1955

- The

Car

olin

ian

feat

ures

Don

Ser

gio

Osm

ena,

th

e un

iver

sity

’s m

ost

dist

ingu

ishe

d al

umni

. St

a�

inte

rvie

wed

the

for

mer

pre

side

nt,

who

cite

d th

at

“the

foun

datio

n of

my

care

er s

tart

ed in

the

Uni

ver-

sity

of S

an C

arlo

s”

1960

-197

2 –

a tim

e of

un

rest

, m

any

stud

ent

mov

emen

ts e

mer

ge, T

he C

arol

inia

n re

�ect

s on

the

tu

mul

tuou

s pe

riod.

1972

- Mar

tial L

aw D

ecla

red

by P

resi

dent

Fer

dina

nd

Mar

cos.

The

Caro

linia

n on

ce m

ore,

cea

ses

publ

ica-

tion

Augu

st 1

983-

Ass

assi

natio

n of

Sen

ator

Ben

igno

Aq

uino

, m

ass

dem

onst

ratio

ns b

egin

to

reac

h to

th

eir z

enith

Nov

embe

r 198

3 –

Publ

icat

ion

is re

vive

d on

ce m

ore,

an

d is

ren

amed

the

Tod

ay’s

Caro

linia

n by

Edi

tor

in

Chie

f Jos

e El

eaza

r Ber

sale

s

1986

– P

eopl

e Po

wer

Rev

olut

ion

topp

les t

he M

arco

s di

ctat

orsh

ip

1991

- To

day’

s Ca

rolin

ian

win

s th

e be

st s

tude

nt

publ

icat

ion

awar

d fo

r ce

ntra

l Vi

saya

s du

ring

the

colle

ge e

dito

rs g

uild

of t

he P

hilip

pine

s co

ngre

ss.

1992

- Firs

t Red

and

Bla

ck re

leas

ed. N

ews b

urea

u w

as

also

cre

ated

to g

ive

repr

esen

tatio

ns o

f the

oth

er tw

o co

llege

ca

mpu

ses

of

the

univ

ersi

ty

thro

ugh

corr

espo

nden

ts. N

ews a

nd e

nter

tain

men

t sec

tion

of

TC n

ow p

ublis

hed

bi m

onth

ly.

*200

8-

CEG

P ho

lds

conv

entio

n,

hono

rs

toda

y's

caro

linia

n, t

he s

ta�

of t

he e

xecu

tive

chro

nicl

e (t

he

BA d

epar

tmen

t's p

ublic

atio

n) t

ake

the

stag

e an

d st

ate

that

the

TC is

no

mor

e

2009

--

refe

rend

um

on

whe

ther

st

uden

ts

are

amen

able

to

pay

a pu

blic

atio

n fe

e fo

r TC

to

be

inco

rpor

ated

in

the

stud

ent

asse

ssm

ent.

Maj

ority

vo

ted

"yes

" bu

t ad

min

doe

s no

t ho

nor

refe

rend

um

resu

lts s

ayin

g TC

sho

uld

regi

ster

und

er th

e O

�ce

of

Stud

ent

A�a

irs. T

C Bo

ard

refu

ses.

Adm

in �

oats

the

id

ea o

f rev

ivin

g Th

e Ca

rolin

ian

unde

r OSA

Augu

st 1

1, 2

010

- St

uden

t D

emon

stra

tion

held

in

Tala

mba

n Ca

mpu

s ag

ains

t "r

epre

ssiv

e sc

hool

po

licie

s" H

eld

durin

g th

e PA

ASC

U's

visi

t to

USC

, not

ices

adv

ertiz

ing

scre

enin

g fo

r th

e Ca

rolin

ian

are

sigh

ted

*201

1 - T

he C

arol

inia

n is

rele

ased

, fun

ded

by th

e O

�ce

of S

tude

nt A

�airs

. Den

ounc

es th

e TC

's hi

stor

y as

rot

ten,

dis

mis

ses

the

past

edi

toria

l boa

rd a

s ex

trem

ists

and

suc

h. C

laim

s to

be

the

new

ly r

eviv

ed

stud

ent p

ublic

atio

n.

Mar

ch 2

004

– Ad

min

istr

atio

n st

ops

colle

ctin

g fu

nds

for

the

toda

y’s

Caro

linia

n.

Last

Is

sue

prin

ted.

Pu

blic

atio

n ce

ases

1941

- Ja

pane

se in

vasi

on o

f th

e Ph

ilipp

ine

Isla

nds,

The

Caro

linia

n ce

ases

pub

licat

ion

1939

- Out

brea

k of

the

Seco

nd W

orld

War

Seven years ago, the Today’s Carolinian printed its last magazine entitled

“Sympathy for the Devil”; and in the pages the TC aimed to “show no mercy for the demons who make our lives a living hell” and proclaimed, “Down with them, show no sympathy for the devil”. Like the Spartans at the Hot Gates, it was to be its last stand, the final echoing cry. And what a valiant stand it was, were it not for the period of silence that followed. The proud publication, so valiant in its defense of student rights and press freedom, was hushed - not with a bang, but with a whimper.

For Auld Lang Syne(Old Times’ Sake)

Seven years is more than enough for the memory of the Today’s Carolinian to fade from the collective mind and soul of the student body. A slow death, one may be inclined to say. Naysayers tarnish its memory, dismiss its passionate writers as self-serving fools and insult its history, rubbing salt hard upon the wounds. Nevertheless we are here not to mourn, but to honor. Here, we look back at the TC that was, telling its story and reflecting upon

hard hitting issues of the time such as the Second People Power Revolution, the graft and corruption that afflicts our politics and on the numerous abuses of human rights. Speaking with bitter wit and calm passion, never bothering to sugarcoat them with fanciful languages, it was a publication not for the faint of heart. It brought the real

and the raw right into the consciousness of the students, furthering awareness and championing the cause of democracy. It was a publication that took pro-student stances on many of the harrowing issues of the era. Some issues one can say, plague us still. That was seven years ago… Here in the now, the world has grown

smaller, and the global economy fights to stay afloat. In the Philippines, the favored son of the indomitable hero of the People Power Revolution sits upon his desk at Malacañañ, but our nation still suffers from poverty and corruption. To reflect on freedom of speech and student rights that the TC stood for might even seem alien in a culture that seems to have lost

1932

– E

l Est

udia

nte

begi

ns p

ublic

atio

n w

ith F

ulvi

o Pe

laez

as i

t’s �

rst e

dito

r, is

rena

med

The

Car

olin

ian

a fe

w y

ears

aft

er

1940

–

The

Caro

linia

n jo

ins

the

elite

ci

rcle

of

re

spec

tabl

e sc

hool

pub

licat

ions

in th

e co

untr

y

1948

- San

Car

los

beco

mes

a u

nive

rsity

. The

Car

olin

-ia

n re

cove

rs, r

etur

ns t

o its

pre

-war

sta

ture

. Dur

ing

the

reco

nstr

uctio

n ye

ars,

the

publ

icat

ion

focu

sed

on s

ubje

cts

that

mad

e st

uden

ts a

war

e of

the

ir m

oral

and

civ

ic o

blig

atio

ns t

o so

ciet

y. B

ecom

es a

w

ell r

espe

cted

ent

ity in

cam

pus

jour

nalis

m n

atio

n-w

ide

1955

- The

Car

olin

ian

feat

ures

Don

Ser

gio

Osm

ena,

th

e un

iver

sity

’s m

ost

dist

ingu

ishe

d al

umni

. St

a�

inte

rvie

wed

the

for

mer

pre

side

nt,

who

cite

d th

at

“the

foun

datio

n of

my

care

er s

tart

ed in

the

Uni

ver-

sity

of S

an C

arlo

s”

1960

-197

2 –

a tim

e of

un

rest

, m

any

stud

ent

mov

emen

ts e

mer

ge, T

he C

arol

inia

n re

�ect

s on

the

tu

mul

tuou

s pe

riod.

1972

- Mar

tial L

aw D

ecla

red

by P

resi

dent

Fer

dina

nd

Mar

cos.

The

Caro

linia

n on

ce m

ore,

cea

ses

publ

ica-

tion

Augu

st 1

983-

Ass

assi

natio

n of

Sen

ator

Ben

igno

Aq

uino

, m

ass

dem

onst

ratio

ns b

egin

to

reac

h to

th

eir z

enith

Nov

embe

r 198

3 –

Publ

icat

ion

is re

vive

d on

ce m

ore,

an

d is

ren

amed

the

Tod

ay’s

Caro

linia

n by

Edi

tor

in

Chie

f Jos

e El

eaza

r Ber

sale

s

1986

– P

eopl

e Po

wer

Rev

olut

ion

topp

les t

he M

arco

s di

ctat

orsh

ip

1991

- To

day’

s Ca

rolin

ian

win

s th

e be

st s

tude

nt

publ

icat

ion

awar

d fo

r ce

ntra

l Vi

saya

s du

ring

the

colle

ge e

dito

rs g

uild

of t

he P

hilip

pine

s co

ngre

ss.

1992

- Firs

t Red

and

Bla

ck re

leas

ed. N

ews b

urea

u w

as

also

cre

ated

to g

ive

repr

esen

tatio

ns o

f the

oth

er tw

o co

llege

ca

mpu

ses

of

the

univ

ersi

ty

thro

ugh

corr

espo

nden

ts. N

ews a

nd e

nter

tain

men

t sec

tion

of

TC n

ow p

ublis

hed

bi m

onth

ly.

*200

8-

CEG

P ho

lds

conv

entio

n,

hono

rs

toda

y's

caro

linia

n, t

he s

ta�

of t

he e

xecu

tive

chro

nicl

e (t

he

BA d

epar

tmen

t's p

ublic

atio

n) t

ake

the

stag

e an

d st

ate

that

the

TC is

no

mor

e

2009

--

refe

rend

um

on

whe

ther

st

uden

ts

are

amen

able

to

pay

a pu

blic

atio

n fe

e fo

r TC

to

be

inco

rpor

ated

in

the

stud

ent

asse

ssm

ent.

Maj

ority

vo

ted

"yes

" bu

t ad

min

doe

s no

t ho

nor

refe

rend

um

resu

lts s

ayin

g TC

sho

uld

regi

ster

und

er th

e O

�ce

of

Stud

ent

A�a

irs. T

C Bo

ard

refu

ses.

Adm

in �

oats

the

id

ea o

f rev

ivin

g Th

e Ca

rolin

ian

unde

r OSA

Augu

st 1

1, 2

010

- St

uden

t D

emon

stra

tion

held

in

Tala

mba

n Ca

mpu

s ag

ains

t "r

epre

ssiv

e sc

hool

po

licie

s" H

eld

durin

g th

e PA

ASC

U's

visi

t to

USC

, not

ices

adv

ertiz

ing

scre

enin

g fo

r th

e Ca

rolin

ian

are

sigh

ted

*201

1 - T

he C

arol

inia

n is

rele

ased

, fun

ded

by th

e O

�ce

of S

tude

nt A

�airs

. Den

ounc

es th

e TC

's hi

stor

y as

rot

ten,

dis

mis

ses

the

past

edi

toria

l boa

rd a

s ex

trem

ists

and

suc

h. C

laim

s to

be

the

new

ly r

eviv

ed

stud

ent p

ublic

atio

n.

Mar

ch 2

004

– Ad

min

istr

atio

n st

ops

colle

ctin

g fu

nds

for

the

toda

y’s

Caro

linia

n.

Last

Is

sue

prin

ted.

Pu

blic

atio

n ce

ases

1941

- Ja

pane

se in

vasi

on o

f th

e Ph

ilipp

ine

Isla

nds,

The

Caro

linia

n ce

ases

pub

licat

ion

1939

- Out

brea

k of

the

Seco

nd W

orld

War

For Auld Lang Syne(Old Times’ Sake)

history, to remember the Today’s Carolinian of times past and the ideals which it stood for.

The TC was born in 1983, when expressions of public opinion were a crime and newspapers were banned. Its birth represented the students’ opposition against the heavy handed repression of the Marcos regime. Blood was shed - figuratively and literally – while fighting for our basic civil liberties as students: Freedom of speech and expression. The writers showed courage

in the face of oppression - a trait that I believe is central to the Filipino condition. Indeed, to quote TC Alumni Kaira Alburo (now Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines-Visayas), “To understand TC would be to understand, remember, and appreciate the struggles and triumphs of the student movement.” Throughout the decades that followed, the Today’s Carolinian never shied from showing the harsh realities in which we live – epitomizing what it is to be an independent alternative press. The TC spoke out on the

its grasp on what freedom truly means. Certainly it is a sign of the times we live in when to be liberated and free implies decadence and outright negativity. The truth of the matter is that liberation is not just about fulfilling our desires, but doing the right thing, being more aware and critical of the world around us. We need to be exposed

to these realities again. We need to be aware, to criticize, discuss and debate. For we, as students, as Carolinians, hold the future in our hands. It’s high time we started thinking on what kind of future we want to build. Today, you hold in your hands the Today’s Carolinian. We are not ashamed of our history; likewise we are not afraid of the

hardships that lie ahead. Time has come for us as students to break away from our docile lethargy, to shape the times to come and end the silence of apathy. It has to start somewhere. It has to start somehow. What better place than here? What better time than now? TC

DYLAN BRIONES

The referendum was conducted in partnership with department co-curricular organizations, and voting precincts were either inside department offices or in the lobbies of college buildings.

In support of the Carolinians’ meaningful pursuits,

Zachary SelmaUSC SSC Councilor AY 2011-2012

In congruence to the mandate of the Supreme Student Council to be a bastion of student’s rights

and welfare, the symposium on the male uniform policy was successfully held last September 16, 2011. As planned, the symposium was held twice, once in the Main campus for the male students of the Department of Political Science, School of Business and Economics, and the College of Education; and once in the Talamban Campus for the male students of the College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Architecture and Fine Arts.

The speakers of the symposium in the Main Campus were: Sir Patrick Torres of the Department of Political Science; Sir Neil Kintanar of the Department of Psychology; Ma’am Zona Hildegarde Amper from the Department of Sociology/Anthropology and History; Sir Alan Tabanao from the Department of Economics. Everything was the same in the afternoon except that a faculty member from Religious Education and another faculty from Philosophy were added to the roster of speakers. They spoke about the existence of the male uniform in the lens of their own fields. The political scientist talked about the uniform and the constitution; the economist on the costs and benefits; the sociologist on the social context of the uniform; the psychologist on the effects of uniform on the perception of others.

There was an overwhelming support from male students as there was a high turn-out of male students who attended the symposiums. The symposium in the Main Campus was attended by 800 male students, while the symposium in the Talamban Campus was attended by 1,500 male students. The discussions were very informative and the open forum of both symposiums were marked with interesting questions and comments from students which made the whole activity interactive, as there was an exchange of ideas from faculty members and students.

The Referendum on the Male Uniform Policy was held the week after the symposiums were held, September 23, 2011, which was spearheaded by the Commission on Elections of the Supreme Student Council. According to the Report of Miss Dixie Jane Patay, COMELEC Chairperson for the current administration, the referendum had a total voter turnout of 2,081 votes. Here is a table of the breakdown of voters:

October 24, 2011

Fr. Eleno Bucia, SVDVice-President for AdministrationUniversity of San Carlos

Dear Fr. Bucia,

Greetings to you in Christ!

Here is the official result for the MALE-UNIFORM POLICY REFERENDUM held last 30 September 2011. There were five (5) colleges and one (1) department covered as show in Table 2. The following colleges were not included as they are not covered by the uniform policy and/or they have a standard mandatory uniform to follow: College of Health Professions, College of Law, and Graduate School.

The referendum posed the following question: “Are you in favor of the continuous implementation of the male uniform policy?”

TABLE 1 shows the official vote turn outs. As seen in the first table, there is a third column presenting the “void” votes. These are the ballot returns where students made erasures to their votes; thus, unclear whether they voted for “yes” or “no.”

TABLE 2 shows the number of voters per college.

Thank you very much. Respectfully,

Dixie Jane N. PataySSC COMELEC Chairperson

THE NOTEBOOK

OFFICIAL REPORT ON THE POLICY SYMPOSIUM ON THE MALE UNIFORM POLICY

COLLEGE/DEPARTMENT TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERSCollege of Architecture and Fine Arts 474College of Arts and Science 443College of Education 72College of Engineering 643Department of Political Science 54School of Business and Economic 395

The official result of the Referendum on the Male Uniform Policy, which posed the question, “Are you in favor of the continuous implementation of the male uniform policy?” is as follows:

REFERENDUM OFFICIAL RESULTSVOTESYES NO VOID518 1511 52

TOTAL: 2081

THIS REPORT WAS SUBMITTED TO FR. ELENO BUCIA, VPAA :

Fr. Bucia said they dis-cussed on it 3 to 4 times. It has been forwarded to the Board of Trustees but the

board returned the issue to the cabinet for decision.

THEY WILL RETAIN THE UNIFORM POLICY.

MAY 31, 2011Closed door meeting SSC and USC

President with cabinet. Agreed to conduct the referendum with a

proviso that it can only be had after conducting an academic discussion

on the issue.

TABLE 1.

TABLE 2.

THE DECISION

19

Welcome to the University of San Carlos, an institution where, whether you like it or

not, every single student (with few exceptions) is required to wear the school uniform upon entering campus zone. Aside from the glorious Wednesdays we like to call “wash day”, every other day is a day of prim and proper school uniform wear.

As we all may know, the issue of the uniform policy together with other accompanying sub-ject matters has been brought up several times recently: during the rally in the early part of the first semester of the last school year; dur-ing the forum held at CAFA Theatre; and most recently, during the referendum on the male uniform policy. Why only male, you feminists ask? Up until recent years, our institution had only been requiring female students to sport the school uniform. Moving away from the gender differences, there are many different opinions on whether the rule on wearing uniform should stay or go. Allow me to present to you the bright side on the drag of having to wear the same thing as everyone else. Honestly speaking, everyone in the Univer-sity comes from different backgrounds. Some people can afford the Chanel, the Louis and every other money-draining consumerist brand there is. Some people might not be able to slash their credit cards like those in the higher caste, but are still able to walk into a mall and comfortably spend enough to fill their closets. On the other hand, there are people who have other more important things to spend money on. Being someone who bought two sets of uniforms, I will admit, yes, that they are pretty expensive. However, if you think about it, they are an investment compared to that of having to buy new sets of clothes for every freaking semester. You could say, “One doesn’t neces-sarily have to wear a different outfit every day of the year.” Yes, you do not. But tell me: for once have you not thought that it would be embarrassing to wear the same outfit twice in one week? As shallow or “arte” as this may sound, how many times have you insulted a fellow classmate for wearing the same thing numerous times? Then there come the competitions: who looks better than whom. Who has got the latest money-leeching brand? And there’s the super-ficial need to wear better clothes to belong in the “better” group. These are kept hush-hush and unspoken with humble smiles of seemingly uncaring individuals; but this happens. Then there is the always asked question: What about freedom? Rizal fought for freedom you say; the forefathers fought for freedom. What is freedom anyway? French philosopher Jean-

THE DECISION

OPINION

YES!to UniformPolicy

Ki-jeong “Jenny” Shim Paul Sarte said that the measure of one’s freedom is defined by neither God nor society and that freedom is something internal; that a human being in a cage can still be considered free if he chooses to be. It is how we, our-selves choose to react upon external matters. As Sir Ruby Suazo, a professor in Philosophy of the Human Person would preach; the common notion of freedom is the ability to do anything one wants or would like to do, in fact when that is caprice, not freedom. Just because one wears a shirt and jeans, does not neces-sarily mean one is free to express everything about himself. If you preach freedom of human expression, why not just stroll stark naked? That is how the original man supposedly was, according to the Bible.

NO!to UniformPolicy

As a student of the University of San Carlos, an institute which aims to (as per its very

own Mission Statement) develop competent and socially responsible professionals and pro-vide timely and relevant academic programs, I cannot help but question the things around me. USC has taught me to be a critical thinker, a very important thing in the modern profes-sional world for it helps in making important and educated decisions. In this vein, I have re-flected upon how the University has been living up to its Mission statement. Without a doubt, the University lives up to the Mission statement on the academic programs part. In fact I have met a Norwegian who said that the University has taught him a lot and is in top form aca-demically! However, I find it somewhat lacking. This is where I bring in my doubts about having to wear the school uniform and the practicality of doing so. First argument! It is a major inconvenience! First off, the materials being used for the creation of the uniforms is monopolized, mak-ing the materials alone expensive. Most of the time, the school would promote its own set of tailors to create the uniform while discourag-ing the employment of outside sources. This in turn results with the students’ having more or less just two sets of uniforms due to the high costs to create one uniform set. Following this mind set, we must remember that there are courses which deal with substances and situa-tions in which there are the hazards of clothes being marked and stained; and the fact that there are other students who have student activities outside of school which require exposure to other hazards to the uniform. Now imagine a scenario where one set is still being washed while another is being repaired due to these risks. What happens then? We are pre-vented by the guards and the SAO from enter-ing the school we have paid our tuition fee for! Where then is the practicality of the uniform if it in fact prevents a student from learning and

Second argument! Wear uniforms to help “prepare ourselves for our professional lives”! In my opinion, this is flawed. For one, not all professions require a uniform. In fact, quite the opposite is happening in the real world! People in creative fields such as marketing and advertising are encouraged to express themselves to the fullest to help with them with the creative process. In other fields such as Commerce, Engineering or Law, uniforms are not even an important cornerstone. As long as the person looks decent, there should be no problem with society at large. Third argument! “The uniform prevents dis-crimination!” In the long run, uniform policy is quite insulting to our maturity! We are barred from this choice because “it promotes discrimi-nation”! Now for the students of today, have we not gone through numerous wash days? Where then is the spectre of discrimination? Where are the numerous mental breakdowns of students who have been mentally harassed due to what they wear? Unsurprisingly, there is none. Why? It is simply because we are mature people with mature minds. We do not dwell on what other people wear for we dwell on our futures! We do not judge a person based on his attire for we know that a person is worth his own merits! If anything, it is the ones who sup-port the policy that are promoting superficial thought and discrimination! It is them who claim that “Students look untidy if there is no uniform”! It is them who suggest “Do not rely on him because his clothes are not nice”! It is them who warn “Do not go near him for he looks poor!” Historically speaking, our forefathers have fought, bled and died for the eventual inde-pendence of our nation to be able to deter-mine its own fate. Throughout the course of history, one thing remains clear, most great things which have been done were done to up-hold and sustain our rights as Filipino citizens! By merely allowing a cut to our freedom of choice and expression is to spit in the face of all proud Filipino patriots and the struggles and hardships they go through.

Lastly, we have to remember what is written in the Bible. Chapter 3, Verses 3 to 4 of the First Epistle of Peter: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” And it is with this verse instilled in our hearts and minds that we are awakened to the fact that we do not need a uniform to be identi-fied as a Carolinian. It is through our deeds and actions that the world may see our worth. Before we wrap up the article though, I would like to point out that there was a referendum held last semester regarding the Male Uniform Policy. 518 students voted in favor of keeping the uniform. 1511 voted in favor of discarding the uniform. Though the total number of votes does not equal the entire male populace, this is proof that there is an overwhelming desire for the uniform to be scrapped. Vox Populi, Vox Dei. TC

Miguel Ouano

20

A NEW Sheen

Something is radically emerging – or re-emerging – in Cebu; and part of this milestone we have witnessed within campus in the first half of this academic year, when USC officially became home to the pioneer university-based Cinema program in Visayas – second in the country to the University of the Philippines-Diliman – upon the launching of the Bachelor of Fine Arts-Major in Cinema (BFA-C) Program in the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA).

On the other hand, the macro-view reveals what is probably the more phenomenal installment.

In the 1960’s, the Queen City of the South’s film scene was square with that of Manila’s. However, Cebu’s talent industry fell into decline as Manila film producers started

“buying off” Cebuano actors and actresses. Local film production companies eventually closed or moved to Manila. Arguably, Cebu’s cinema suffered a piecemeal demise.

The present of course, is another story. Now more than ever, not only is Cebuano cinema alive again – it is growing exponentially; touching the lives of local film goers and reaching out even to what used to be a largely indifferent community. However, the raucous vitality of pop culture has probably got society so caught up in its bubble that only those who are involved in said industry are able to recognize how the recent years have beheld this important episode in the local film scene.

But there is no stopping a force backed by a long history of struggle. On December 2, 2011, the primordial celebration of what may be the Cebuano counterpart of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the Binisaya Festival, was held at the CAFA Theatre. Dedicated to building a paying Cebuano audience, the Festival will now be held annually and will serve as a showcasing spot for Cebu’s filmmakers.

In this feature, Festival co-organizer and

INTERVIEW

REYSTER MAE PEREZ

on the CebuanoSILVER SCREEN

This Page L-R USC BFA-C Coordinator Misha Anissimov, Filmmakers Remton Zuasola, Norbert Elnar, Keith Deligero

Opposite Page L-R Victor Villanueva; Keith Deligero during the Binisaya Festival at the CAFA Theatre

21

Photographs by Neil Briones

USC BFA-C Program C o o r d i n a t o r M i s h a Anissimov reveals how its first festival went. Read on for an excerpt of the interview.

What is Festival Binisaya all about?It is a film festival that showcases Binisaya films. It is about letting people know that we have good filmmakers here in Cebu, and that we want to build a paying audience for these unique regional films. Only through Binisaya fans demanding these films can we have a sustainable Cebuano film scene. We hope that the Festival will become an annual event, and that the films also be screened in other venues throughout the country. Our goal is to grow year by year, to increase attendance, to build paying, Cebuano audience.

Who are the people behind it and what do they do?There are some local filmmakers involved in Binisaya. [There is the] participation of the Provincial Government, but the main driver is Cebuano filmmaker and USC Advertising alum Keith Deligero. These people make films, but SM and Ayala do not show them, and because they have no big sponsors and producers their amazing indie films go unnoticed. But keep in mind, no one is getting paid, there are no significant sponsors as of now. People like Keith, I, and others are paying out of our own pockets to a certain extent to make things happen. This has got to change to make the event sustainable.

Is there a formal organization behind the Festival?There is no formal organization as of now, but I will have discussions with the team about changing this. They need a formal status to qualify for financial sponsorship. It will happen.

How and when did it start?Binisaya would show locally made films on occasion in barangays, and places like The Outpost in Lahug, whose goers are very supportive of local cinema. As the managing director of the Tioseco-Bohinc Film Archive, we lent support to Binisaya for their barangay screenings, since we’ve done it before as well. We supplied them with manpower, speakers, and amplifiers to screen some films for free for barangay residents. I know from my experience that

there is a thirst and appreciation for Binisaya films at the grassroots level.

Where does Binisaya intend to hold its future festivals?Well, this was the first one, and we had it at the CAFA Theatre. The Festival people were shopping for other venues - in Colon, the Cebu Cultural Center, etc.; but in the end CAFA was chosen because we have no profit motive. We have a great theatre and it’s very doable here. The Binisaya people and festival director Keith Deligero is a big fan of our free educational film screening series, the Sinekultura; and so it was a natural fit to make a “Binisaya Festival and Sinekultura Presents” event. The Sinekultura and Binisaya Festival have a common goal: to show film goers that there is more to cinema than SM Mall, Ayala Mall, Twilight, and Harry Potter. We show timeless film classics at Sinekultura. We cater to film goers that are tired of the mall movies, bad television, and Tagalog soaps. We are looking to connect with cinephiles looking for something special.

How did the festival become part of USC?When I heard that this group and Keith in particular were taking action in organizing this, I jumped at the chance to offer them the CAFA Theatre. This is what the BFA-Cinema program is all about: nurturing Cebuano Cinema and building an audience. Our goals are one and the same. We also had the full support of CAFA Dean Espina and Chair Seno, which was critical to the effort.

What does CAFA’s BFA-Cinema intend to achieve by taking part in the fest?Our graduates - the future filmmakers, screenwriters, editors, sound professionals, producers, festival organizers, writers, scholars - will all need a receptive, paying Cebuano film-going audience to sustain and help grow the local film scene. We need to connect with the Cebuano movie-going public that has an interest in our work. It’s simple economics. We will need customers. Let me add that there are 3 types of film goers: the first type only likes

blockbusters, comedies, etc. in the mall - pure entertainment. The second type of film-goer (and we see him a lot in the indie film scene) is the “filmmaker friend of a friend” film-goer. He’s the type who shows up only when a friend has made a film, or he is in it, or his name is in the credits. I call this the selfish “vanity” film-goer. And then there is the third type of film-goer: The Cinephile

- this is the person who seeks out quality cinema. Maybe this person is educated. Maybe not. But he is captivated by the art-form of cinema. He likes to think about the message of the film. He is enthralled by the artistry of the images. He likes early German silent films, Charlie Chaplin, French black-and-white films with couples debating the meaning of life. He loves Cebuano Cinema too – for itself, for its unique voice. This 3rd-category film-goer is who Sinekultura and the Binisaya Film Festival is designed for. We need to find HIM. He will help sustain the local film scene, and seek out our films.

What would you say is core to taking part in the Festival? The satisfaction of knowing that you are part of a movement to help revive the local film scene that will create work as well as art. The human soul needs art to flourish. The movies shown in the malls are not art—they are junk food for the soul, and they are making Hollywood executives rich, while Cebuano artist’s struggle. It makes no sense, especially since the locally made films are so good.

Who are the people who would benefit from the festival?Cebuanos of course! We cannot compete with Hollywood’s popcorn special effects, but a Cebuano film can touch the soul of a Cebuano film-goer like no other film. In February, there will be an organized week of movie screening featuring Cinema One-produced Cebuano films. Remton Zuasola’s

“Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria” will finally debut to the larger public in Cebu. The film is a masterpiece of Cebuano cinema, and if people actually take the time to see it, they will laugh, cry, and be touched like no Harry

Continued on page 26Photographs by Neil Briones

Inaugurated September 8, 2011, two new dormitories in the Talamban Campus await permit approval for occupancy to be allowed in January 2012. As of this writing, the dorms are still owned by its

contractor - the LARRM (Lara Aliño Rosario Ravina Migallos Architects and Associates).

“There are no occupants yet. The University is still waiting for the formal turn-over of the dorms, right when approbation is secured,” said Celestina Salapa, USC Dormitory Supervisor.

“The new dormitories have been built as a response to the students’ rising demand for available and [proximate] living space,” Salapa said.

However, some boarders of the old dormitory buildings feel that the opening of the new dorms is long overdue.

“Dugay kayo ang pagbalhin,” a female

Still DormantSMITH DWIGHT CABE

student currently boarding in the old dormitory said in an interview.

“July 2011 pa man unta daw na mahuman,” said a male boarder.

On the other hand, some of the current old dorm occupants are apprehensive of moving to the new buildings.

“Feeling nako huot ra [ang hallways]…gagmay ang rooms…usa ra ang TV sa kada building,” one boarder commented.

“Mura ka’g wala nag-dorm…huot ra jud didto sa bag-o kung i-kumpara sa karaan,” another student-renter said.

Located across the Arnoldus Science Complex and the Science and Mathematics Education Department (SMED), the 2 new structures can accommodate a total number of 587 persons.

SLUGGISH

FEATURES

NEWS FEATURE

Five-storey Building 1 will house a canteen in which select concessionaires will offer mainly food and drinks to the occupants. Containing about 117 bedrooms (including three Visiting Faculty Quarters), the structure can lodge 300 persons.

On the other hand, 4-storey Building 2 has 115 bedrooms and can accommodate a total of 287 persons. Found just behind Building 1, it has specific features to facilitate differently-abled students and

faculty.

All occupants will enjoy free Internet access via WiFi. Each bedroom has a number of study tables according to how many its tenants are. All buildings contain communal baths and laundry areas. Clientele may opt for air-conditioned rooms, which have either bunks or single beds.

Unfortunately, these dormitories are

available to female students and faculty only. The only males who may stay are visiting teaching staff.

All applicants for occupation have to undergo screening. The current retention policy in the old dorms shall be applied to the new ones.

As of this writing, fixed room rates remain unavailable. TC

Photographs by Bernadette Jalocon

USHABELLE BONGO

NEWS FEATURE

Founded by Department of Languages and Literature Chair Dr.Charity Tecson, the CAS Glee Club is coached by Mr. Genesis

Bedio and Mrs. Mary Jane Sabellon; and have Mary Jerica Pelaez, Mary Juelene Repunte, Gabewill Sanoria, Redgie Louie Campanillo, Janine Joyce Mesiona, Christabel Ann Buri, Abigail Ivy Sales, Michael Cano, June Paul Caballero, Muriel Lomadilla, Fritz Urot ,Tristian Laguardia, Kimbea Flor Biano, Rovee Marie Fernandez as its performer-members. According to Dr.Tecson, who also acts as coach, the main objective of the formation of the CAS Glee is to maximize the students of the said college’s potential in the performing CAS Glee had their debut performance August 22, 2011, during the “Pasidungog sa CAS”, a recognition event for the Dean Listers held at the CAFA Theater, where they serenaded the crowd with their own rendition of “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus and “Do I Make You Proud” by Taylor Hicks. They also performed as the opening number of this year’s “Abilidaray sa CAS”, an annual showdown of the college, where they rocked the stage with their version of Jason Derullo’s “Whatcha Say” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”. The level of the serenading group’s singing prowess was acclaimed by the throng of students who came to witness the event, as made clear by the crowd’s deafening cheer and applause.As a show choir, the group is a welcome departure from the usual intense choir performances. With their lightweight and groovy set list, they have the crowd swaying to the beat with them. Despite the fact that it had hardly

been a week since they had officially started rehearsing, the group was able to demonstrate great vocal ability, harmony and stage presence during their first recital. The casts also exhibited an upbeat personality and each had stamped their own brand on their recent performances - putting a twist to their renditions according to respective vocal quality. This is where their hours of training and the marks of their coaches become evident. Each singer has his own range of sounds where one is distinct from another. One might say that to use all of which in one performance may prove tragic if haphazardly done. Clearly, that had

not been their case; they had certainly trained well with their mentors, or they would not have been able to find a way to utilize all the talents at once while sounding as a cohesive unit. They were obviously successful in fashioning their differences; because each cast’s unique

voice melded harmoniously with that of the others’ at their final performance during the 2 CAS events. They sang the same song Adele recorded, but they sounded different from the original. They made the song their own, and as Randy Jackson of American Idol would probably have put it, “They definitely did not sound [like] Karaoke.” Being one of the resident performers of CAS, expect the Glee Club to be gracing the stages of future events and entertaining you during the college’s various activities. Under the tutelage of their three mentors, their promising potentials will be polished to a shine.

The singing group belts it out with their own renditions of some popular pop songs during a performance at the CAFA Theatre

New Show ChoirTakes CAS

by Storm

CAS Glee performs during the annual Abilidarray sa CAS held at the CAFA Student Lounge

Inspired by Fox’s hit musical series Glee(now in its third season), the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) recently launched its own singing group.

Presently, the CAS Glee Club is preparing for its upcoming mini concert - which still has no specific date, so keep posted! TC

25

A New Sheen onthe Cebuano Silver Screen

What does Festival Binisaya intend to do in the future?Organize itself better, raise money with sponsors, and put on bigger and better events and film festivals. Also there is a plan underway to take this group of Binisaya films and screen them in different parts of the country, including Manila. I hope the organizers charge money for tickets on those other venues as well.

Do the people behind it already have concrete plans on how to achieve this?I think they are licking their wounds, and recovering from this one! We will start organizing next year for the next film fest.

What would you like to say to everyone regarding the significance of organizing and keeping such an event?Let me put it in a historical perspective. I am a student of film history, and I know a little but about the history of the Cebuano “Lost Cinema”. In the 1950’s and 1960’s the Cebuano film scene made over eighty (80) 35mm feature films, made by local film production companies. Movie stars like Gloria Sevilla and Matt Ranillo (known as the “King and Queen” of Visayan Cinema) ruled the box office, and were big hits in Manila. Cebu was competitive with Manila. The problem was that Manila controlled the film distribution of Cebuano films, and there was a lot of talent poaching going on, so Cebuano Cinema withered away, and has been largely inactive for the last 20 years.

But now I am optimistic things are changing. Some of our talented Cebuano filmmakers went to Manila to work but, after a time, decided to move back to Cebu and give the local scene a second try. The migration of talent to Manila is slowing. The more activities we have here and the more we work towards growing the local film scene, the lesser reasons to move to Manila. Heck, even the filmmakers from Manila enjoy Cebu more than their own place! But back to the Binisaya Film Fest…it’s significant because it came from the grassroots. It came from local filmmakers, primarily through the obsessive effort of Keith Deligero, who spent money out of his own pocket to make it happen. It came from the bottom up, not the top down, and it is the first such event of its kind in over 10 year, I believe. I am not exaggerating when I say we are witnessing Cebuano film history being made, little by little. TC

advance in preparing the logistics of this event: Toton Cotapte-CAFA Projectionist, Juvey Tabay-Tioseco Bohinc Film Archive Technician who assisted Toton, and Cierlito Tabay who produced the event from the CAFA side and was the primary coordinator with Mr. Deligero. We also got several BFA Cinema students involved: Grace Lopez, Amaya Han, and Irene Escanilla took care of collecting money and the ticketing. Steven Atenta, Neil Briones, Karl Lucente shot some behind-the-scenes footage and are working on a short documentary on the Binisaya Film Festival - we need this to attract sponsors for next year, and to spread the word. Lastly I want to acknowledge the full support of Chair Brenda Seno and Dean Joseph Espina, without their backing and encouragement, none of this would have been possible.

Who were the guests?We had awesome guests! Keith brought 4 guests to the Binisaya Film Festival. They all participated in the Saturday morning Cinema Forum discussion: Lawrence Ang is a well known editor in Manila, a graduate of De la Salle, and a huge supporter of our local film scene. The films he edited have won many competitions and have been screened internationally. We keep joking around that we have to find him a girlfriend so that he stays here in Cebu for good! Then there was Bagane Fiola, and his Davao team of filmmakers. We screened some of Bagane’s Japanese-influenced Davao films. He is an interesting filmmaker with a good eye for cinematography. After the festival he visited our Tioseco-Bohinc Film Archive in Lapu-Lapu City (all the Sinekultura DVDs are provided from this collection), and was shocked and blown away by the resources we have here in Cebu for the study of cinema. Then there was Richard Bolisay, a film critic and writer from Manila. I always enjoy his writing about cinema in his website LilokPelicula.wordpress.com. He has an encyclopedia-mind about films and film history, and he is a graduate of the UP Diliman Film Program. Last but not least was the incomparable Ramon Bautista, comedian, movie action star, filmmaker, and film professor at UP Diliman—a very cool guy. He approached me about the Sinekultura screening program for the semester, and told me Diliman has nothing like it. He was visibly impressed with our efforts. He was also blown away by the quality of our Cebuano short films - and this is a guy coming from Manila who has seen it all.

continued from page 22

Potter or Twilight film can do.

What can you say about the first Festival Binisaya? How did the first celebration go?December 2, 2011-Friday evening was the first screening of the feature Biyernes,Biyernes. Saturday was a whole-day event, starting with the free Cinema Forum in the morning, followed by all the programs, finishing around 9 pm - in time for the after-party which featured Cebuano rock bands at The Outpost.

I spoke to Keith and our Sinekultura team beforehand as to what will constitute a success. We have to be realistic. The festival was organized only a month in advance, and had no significant sponsors, but I encouraged Keith to go ahead anyway, just to do it, and claim a victory for Cebuano Cinema. The goal was simple: make the technical programming screenings happen with no technical defects, and to collect money for tickets (similar to what the UP Film Institute does in Manila when screening Filipino Indie films). We charged only 50 pesos per program. I don’t believe in having free screenings for Cebuano films, because it is not economically feasible in the long haul. Besides, these films are a lot more interesting than the mall stuff. You will never find these films in a pirated DVD store. In the future, I have been told that these films will become available for sale in DVD format. We set the bar low, and we achieved our objectives. Next year, we will prepare in advance, get better organized and move the bar higher. It’s a process. Rome wasn’t built in a day, as they say.

What sorts of films were screened? Why [these films]?The films screened are considered to be the best of local indie cinema—well-produced, compelling, unique, and most have already been screened at established film competitions throughout the country. These films were chosen to show the quality and diversity of Binisaya filmmaking.

Who were the participants?There were many. Besides Keith who was the acting festival director, there were a number of people helping with catering, driving people, organizing the after-party, publicity, etc. I also want to acknowledge the Sinekultura team who worked well in

INTERVIEW (Continued)

26

LITERARY

In a distant land untouched by the modern machinations of this day, there lived a man

born of the paint and canvas. His name was Leon. And in that same secluded piece of the world lived a woman, born of elegence and beauty. Two people born in a world unknown to us and yet I am compelled to share with you their story. Their Episode of Love. She was sitting in the same spot, at the same cafe every Thursday. Leon steals a glance for the third time. He ponders on her features: the way she looks away from the book she’s reading to rest her eyes, the way she kept her hair neatly in a ponytail, and the way she holds that cup of coffee so gracefully like a feather touching the porcelain surface of chinas. “She’s beautiful, she’s calm... She’s sophisticated and she’s sitting a meter away from me,” Leon thought to himself.

The next time he was about to look at her, something peculiar happened. He found that she was already looking at him. Their eyes met. She turned away, shyly concealing a smile. Leon was dumbfounded. This was something new, something different. Sure it was. “Yes!” said the little hope within Leon’s thoughts, “That was the kind of smile I was looking for!”His heart leapt and his impulse took over. “Uhm, excuse me miss, uh, would you mind if I ask a favor from you ?” Leon said.

The woman replied, “It depends on what kind of favor.”

“Oh it’s, uh,” he clears his throat, “I want to make a portrait of you.” The woman was taken aback by the request but she composes herself. “Oh I’m sorry, I’ll have to say no.” Leon was crestfallen, disappointed and dismayed upon realizing what he had just done. He gave a curt nod then sheepishly went back to his table minding his own business, self-pity. The woman saw the obvious shame written on Leon’s face, realizing she was a bit harsh she called out to him like a gust of wind turned to soft whispers. “How long does it take to finish the portrait?” she asked. Leon’s eyes gleamed with a little hope. “It might take a little while, why?” The woman checked her wristwatch then turned to Leon, “But I have to go now. I’ll be here tomorrow at three in the

afternoon...”

Leon did not have the slightest idea what was going on. Everything was moving fast. The woman had already gotten to her feet and was about to leave. He too stood up as if to follow her but her looks froze him on the spot. She smiled that smile and nodded goodbye. Impulse took over.“W-wait” Leon stammered. The words just came out of his mouth without being thought of in the head. “I’m Leon Gama and I wish you would give me your name.” “Somehow that felt like it didn’t come out right.” he thought. The woman giggled, “Elle Hughe.” then she walked away just like that. Leon came to the coffee shop with his canvas and palette set the next day at the exact time Elle said she’d be. He sat at his usual spot looking at the table where Elle usually sits, a couple sat in her place. He was as excited as a girl finally getting the chance to ride a pony. Minutes turned to hours, and nightfall came it was time to go home. Leon looked defeated but he had not given up this was the first of many days to come. After a few days he simply brought with him his sketchpad to lessen the load still hoping but somewhat doubting her arrival. This standoff would end on the next Thursday when she finally shows up one afternoon. Leon thought to himself, FINALLY! There was a different atmosphere at the coffee shop. It smelled of luxury, a dash of leisure, and a slight pinch of awkwardness. Elle sets down her cup of coffee the way angels descend from heaven onto earth. “So,” Elle began, “how do we do this?” Leon still awestruck by the beauty that is in front of him, he stammered a response while getting his sketch pad, he felt excited and relieved to know all the wait was worth it. “I-I really don’t know usually I-uh I just sit where I am and start sketching my subject.” he said. Elle raised an eyebrow in a dignified but silent protest, “You mean you’re going to do it here? Right now?”

Leon nodded as he was already drawing lines for his sketch as if he was entranced by what he’s doing. After a few minutes the image was coming together but there was one thing missing, her smile. Leon paused a moment while Elle believing it was crucial that she remain stiff finally sighed a tone of concern which Leon noticed then said, “oh uh you don’t have to be so stiff just try not to move a lot I-uh I can manage, I’m almost done.”

Elle was relieved and managed to smile, she always wanted this attention and she’s getting it albeit from a stranger. But she looked at her watch and it was time to be going home.“Uhm could we put this off at a later date?” she said. Leon protested for he did not yet finish the image for it lacked Elle’s smile, he wanted it to be complete! Leon was determined and he thought that maybe just maybe that smile will come out again, “Only if you’ll let me take you home.” Elle amused by the sudden charm and

determination of Leon’s voice agreed.

There was only silence as they walked solemnly towards her abode. Upon reaching their destination it was time to part ways.

“Goodbye,” said Elle, “I’m really sorry we didn’t finish today”

“It’s alright Elly,” said Leon, “there’s always next Thursday.”

Elle took notice of the nickname she had just been called by, “Elly?”

Leon nervously at her and frowned, “Oh uh sorry I...I like it.” she said it with a smile, that one wonderful smile.

There it was his world stopped, his heart leapt, he ate butterflies for lunch.

She turned towards the door, held the knob but before turning it. . .

“Elly!”

Elle turned around to see the finished sketch of herself being held by Leon.

“It’s done!”

Elle smiled all the more, “Can I keep it?”

“Of course.” Leon said half-heartedly, he’s going to give up being able to complete a true masterpiece without the sketch.

“But it’s just a sketch, painting you would’ve been better.”

He hands the sheet of paper to Elle. She was beginning to blush she must hold on to every fiber of her being to not show him this.

“We’ll figure it out.” she said and for once in his life Leon noticed the promise made through their eyes.

“Y-yeah, I’m sure, I’m sure we will,” Leon said.

Elle goes inside clutching the paper gently to her heart; she went upstairs to her room and laid the paper beside a diary which she opened. “Dear Diary,” she smiled and looked up, “I sincerely hope that he looks for me again. . .” Leon stood on the spot where Elle left him.

He was not satisfied. “I seriously have got to paint her! Seriously!” then he started walking back home with a big grin on his face, “I do hope I see her again.” TC

TheLady andPainter

PAULO MAGALLON

27

The orange wispy ballerinaTwirls ‘round and ‘round the air

Gracefully falling to the earth,The others like arrows and spearsSwiftly and firmly hitting the ground;Whatsoever the wind must’ve whispered?That the trees laughed and giggled? The sheeps concealed the glaring orange bulb,The shadows flee awayAnd everything was equally dark.The bandmen beat the drumsAnd a light ignitedAnd vanished just as fast as it came;Then an angel got scaredAnd cried. Oh how splendid the music the thunders play in my ears!How magnificent the lightnings showcase!How warm the coldness embraces me!How gently the wind strokes my hair!How softly the water cascades down my cheeks!And how sweetly the rain kisses my parted lips! Oh rain do not stopKeep pouring and weeping!Tha darker the world,The brighter my heart would be;The gloomier the day,The gladder I’d be. Yes people be scared and hideThat only I remain in this wonderland.But if my friend,You are the rain’s lover tooCome, hold my hand!Let’s dance arms open and stamp our feetLooking up the gray skiesAnd the black and white rainbow.And when we’re tiredLet’s sit by this brown old treeAnd watch our happy reflections,If not on this pool,Through our dark dilated eyes! But rain,Please stop not still,If that’s not too much to ask.You are my lover,Now, can I keep this friend?

The Rain’sLover KIMBERLY NAVALES

IKAWSANSAN BATOON

Isang makislap na bituin sa kalawakan

walang katulad ang ningning at kagandahan

Binighani ng lubos ang aking kalooban

Di na mawaglit sa puso’t isipan

Sa kalayuan ikay pasulyap na tinatanaw

Minamasdan ang iyong bawat kilos at galaw

Sa tuwing dumadaan pusoy napapasigaw

Sa tindig at etsura mata’y tunay na nasilaw

Mahal kita ng labis ngunit itoy di mo

batidAking nadarama kailangan pa bang

ihatid?Sa iyong kanlungan na nasa

himpapawidAng tanging magawa ay mag abang

at mag masid

Ikaw at ako, agwat ay langit at lupanilupitan ng tadhana landas di mag

tugmahihintaying mapansin, gabi man o

umagabigo kong puso di kalian magsasawa!

Kung Anu-anoPara Sa’yoKEVIN SOSAS

Sino ba naman akoumiibig sayo

ang katulad koy di nababagay sayoat kahit na ganun pa man

umaasa pa rinna darating din ang araw na ako ay matutunang

mahalin

Isa yan sa mga kantang pinakikinggan kosa kadahilanang, wala, gusto ko lang ito

Ngunit, masasabi kong tinamaan din akosa ibig pinapahiwatig ng mga liriko

Sa isang punto ng buhay ko

di ko namalayang nagmamahal na pala akosa isang babaeng di ko pinapansin noon

ngunit hinahanap-hanap ko na ngayon

Nagdaan ang ilang araw, linggo at buwansiya lang laman ng isip ko kahit saan

hinangad kong maipadama itong nararamdamankaya naghintay ako ng tamang tyempo kung

meron man

Oo, minamahal ko lahat ng kaibigan kongunit siya lang talaga ang minahal ko ng todo

pilit ko mang tumingin sa iba diyanngunit pag ikaw ang kaharap, talagang

tinititigan.

Alam kong may mahal ka ng ibakaya suporta ako kung san ka masaya

kahit akoy nasasaktan at nagdurugomalimutan man kita, di ka makalimutan nitong

puso ko

Ako bay isang hangal sa nadaramang ito?ako bay bobo dahil sa pagtingin ko sayo?

o di kaya akoy isang tanga sa pagkakataong itona umibig sa isang taong imposible nang

mabihag ang puso.

bat ba ako nagmamahal ng iba na may mahal ng iba?

at eto ang mas matindi, pinagpapatuloy ko pa.bat ba ako nahulog sa kanya at naakit

kung alam ko ang makukuha ko lang ay hapdi at sakit

Alam ko rin na mapagbiro ang tadhana

ngunit biro pa ba ang tawag diyan?nagkamali lamang ba si Cupido sa pagpana?

wala na talaga akong naiintindihan.

Ngunit kahit ano man ang mangyarikung kailangan mo ako, akoy nasa iyong tabiako man ay kalimutan, saktan o kahit anong

gawin momahal pa rin kita kahit ang sakit-sakit na, yun

ang totoo.

28

of what would happen to their respective favorite characters. Something else worth mentioning is the characterization. First off, five out of the eight characters are children with the eldest of the child characters being 16 years old. This is a jarring thought when reading the book. Imagine it! All of the craziest f***** up s*** happens and you are reading it through the eyes of a child! This then reflects the morality of the book. The morality being there is no black or white in this world, much like our own, only different hues of gray. There had been many times where I know people would like a certain character while at the same time there is an equal amount of people who dislike the same character. This leads fans of the series to re-evaluate themselves, the characters, and their motives while putting everything into the framework of the story.

Normally fantasy is noted for its Magic, supernatural beings and deux ex machine; but in the world of the Seven Kingdoms, there is an extreme lack of magic. The beginning may throw you off with its introduction of snow zombies, but don’t be afraid. That’s only a prologue and has nothing to do with the main story. The entire book manages to pull off the fantasy feel without the need of elves, magic, huge battles, dragons or meddling gods. Instead it focuses on the people, the characters and the ever intriguing game of thrones where you play or you die. All of this comes together

though), I grew up with fantasy classics and was raised to revere Tolkien. In my travels around the literary scene, I have come across some fantasy authors who are creative enough to throw a few twists and turns instead of the regular bubblegum pop fantasy of underdog thief with a badly spelled name riding an airship with a goblin named Squee going after magical McGuffin to save the world.

Very few though have been able to come up with a world so engrossing and captivating as JRR Tolkien did. One such author that caught my eye was George RR Martin, dubbed by Time Magazine as the American Tolkien. Keep in mind that this was his first foray into the fantasy genre! The book is written very differently from most fantasy novels. For example, instead of the regular Chapter 1, 2, 3 with the point-of-view from one character, the book is split up into eight different characters. Each chapter is written in the third person semi-limited. You can only see the thoughts of the current character and see things through their perspective. Meaning if one character saw a death he could think it was totally justified, while another character would see it and believe it would be a murder. This gives a sense of urgency and frustration as you are drawn deeper into the book, investing emotions to these characters and forming a link with them. The way the transition of the scenes go makes you feel like you are watching a TV series, and this works with GRRM’s experience as a screenplay writer of the surreal Twilight zone, meaning only good things can come from this. Another thing notable about this book is that it’s drenched in realism. Martin is f****** heartless and has huge balls to constantly display of human depravity which would have normally been to risqué out of fear that it would turn off new readers. Be it murder, rape, incest, paedophilia or infanticide, Martin does it all with a heightened sense of realism which keeps readers on the edge of their chairs for fear

For the past few months now, anyone who proclaimed themselves to be into pop culture would have heard

of HBO’s hit fantasy series, “A Game of Thrones”. The TV series is based on the award winning series “A Song of Ice and Fire” and got its name from the first book of the series “A Game of Thrones”, which was published back in 1996 and written by George RR Martin. Considering this is labelled as a book review, we shall proceed to dissect the novel. The story kicks off in a country called Westeros (also known as the Seven Kingdoms, due to the fact that the land used to be divided into seven domains) which is about the size of South America. The land and culture resembles that of medieval Europe and has a surprising lack of any magic. The king of Westeros, Robert Baratheon, goes North to visit his best friend Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North to offer him a position of high standing. Things turn sour as courtly intrigues and plays for power get in the way for what is good for the land. Heads roll and wounds from a 15 year old rebellion open up as the stability of the kingdom goes up in smoke. All of this happens while the exiled remnants of the old dynasty is preparing to retake what they believe is rightfully theirs.

Fantasy novels have garnered a stigma after numerous years of being the go-to genre (along with Sci-Fi) for people whom society have wrongfully dubbed as social outcasts like “geeks” or “nerds”. Thankfully that veil is slowly being removed as more and more novels of the genre are being accepted by the general public. This shift started when Lord of the Rings series hit the bookshelves and culminated in the creation of its Movie versions.

Lord of the Rings without a doubt is a force not to be reckoned with, mainly due to its vast scope, its immersive writing and its detailed lore. Coming from a family of JRR Tolkien fanatics (I was almost named after an elf. My mother claims my dad is an elf

Caveat Lector:A Game of ThronesMIGUEL OUANO

GEORGE R. R. MARTIN was selected by Time magazine as one of the “2011 Time 100,” a list of the “most influential people in the world.”

BOOK REVIEW

29

into a delicious 800-page book coined as “Low-Fantasy”. Though it has numerous areas of uniqueness, A Game of Thrones at its core is a very solid and well written book. The author put this in as an afterword: “If the devil is in the detail, this book is hell!” This is his acknowledgement of how detailed the world he crafted is that it is not surprising to be reading a feast scene in the middle of the day, only to stop reading due to hunger. The words used in writing try to evoke the medieval feel all the while using simple modern terms as well. This works perfectly, making the book an easy read (if somewhat laborious). As mentioned earlier, the author is not afraid to kill off which leaves new fans guessing whether or not their favorite makes it to the end. The scope of the story is very vast and grand. This is literally an epic in every sense of the word! The world created is vast and detailed, populated by hundreds of characters. It is fully fleshed out to the point that there are maps in the book and the creation of one of the fictional languages presented is in the works! This denotes a high level of creativity and imagination which is always a good thing in making books. Martin has created a world so beautiful that he is actually releasing an encyclopaedia for the series. Lastly the lore, the overall feel of the story is very captivating. The story happens 15 years after a rebellion, wherein the current King and our main protagonist go up against a mad king. This isn’t the only major thing to happen in the country though, as there are numerous major wars, mythical heroes and malevolent villains that are referenced in the book which happened in the last 300 years of Westeros. Each of the Seven kingdoms were eventually united under one banner and evolved

into great houses. Each great house has a banner, a family motto, a family tree and the such that it makes the history more real. There are lots of songs and stories that are written to help supplement the book to the point that there is an equivalent to the Romeo and Juliet story. In the end, A Game of Thrones is a very good book. I would give it a 9 out of 10 and would recommend it to anyone who loves Epics and to avid readers who want a break from the mundane pace of Good conquers Evil always. TC

A Song of Fire and Ice was a series began in 1991.

30

The USC-CFIU: Independent Teachers’ Union

continued from page 9

teachers that will advocate teachers’ well-being.

To become a regular member of the University of San Carlos-College Faculty Independent Union, one should be a permanent faculty member in the tertiary level of the University of San Carlos who willingly pledges his or her support of the union’s Constitution and By-Laws. On one hand, any other employee of the University of San Carlos who pledges his or her support of the union’s Constitution and By-Laws is eligible for affiliate membership of USC-CFIU. Affiliate members enjoy the rights and privileges of regular members except the right to vote and be voted upon, and privileges derived from the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

As an established sovereign cooperation, the CFIU is currently upholding an education campaign. TC

Round Trip: From the Drivers to the Students

continued from page14

dako siya. Sa katong P4.00 pa, grabe gyud ka lisod, sometimes tabla, wala mi ma-income. Lisod jud ang time atong P4 pa ang plete. Sukad-sukad, P4 na jud ang plete aning shuttle?As far as I know - back in the 1990s, I think – it was first P2.00, and year by year ni-increase. Unsaon pag-hire sa Coop sa mga driver? Ang na-hire na shuttle driver, kato rang naay relative na immediate member sa University, sa Cooperative. In [other words],

nagtrabaho sa San Carlos. [Para atong willing mu-apply] as employee sa San Carlos, naa na silay letter. I don’t know sa next batch, pero sa amo nga time, kinahanglan siya’g direct, immediate member sa Cooperative. Bale mahulog siya ug co-maker. Unya dili na mo mu-undergo ug testing? Diretso na mo’g sud, hired na mo diretso?As long as you know how to drive. Unsaon ninyo pag pili sa inyong President sa shuttle drivers?Sa pag elect namo ug President, votation ra. Ang kita ninyo karon, sakto ra sa budget para sa inyong family?So far, kung pila ray ma-income, mao ra say amo. Dili man sad mi pwede magpa-increase ug P6.00 without approval from the management. Di man mi pwede magpa-increase kung di pa mu-increase sa gawas. Kung mu-increase sa gawas, there’s a possibility na mag-increase mi. Message ninyo to the students as shuttle drivers?Hopefully all students will cooperate. TC

The Universal idiosyncracy: New Year Traditions

continued from page 10

them so that they can welcome it and start a new life together. They hold their New Year celebration in the cemetery, by the grave of their deceased relatives. This way, they could be together in a sense. This tradition began in 1995, when a Chilean family conquered all odds and jumped up the cemetery rails to welcome the New Year beside their father’s graves. To this date, about 5,000 people have adopted this ritual. If you and you’re family are not

pussies and you guys don’t believe in specters, this would be an interesting addition on your To-Do-This- New Year List. Cook up a good feast, bring along your sound system, rig up some disco lights and party with the living and the dead. A heck of a good way to welcome the New Year. There are definitely a lot more “seemingly” bizarre customs observed on New Year’s Eve, others so weird that if you’re not prepared for them, you’d shit bricks. Yet despite their level of ludicrousness, all of these traditions have the same core message. That of optimism, and the hope we all need to keep us sane amidst the shitloads of bullcrap we all need to face every day. As humans, Homo-Sapiens Sapiens, we are also Homo-Festivus, we celebrate at every opportunity. Partying is our thing. The practice of New Year traditions is a global phenomenon and idiosyncratic to the human race, in the sense that anywhere around the globe, when year before is already history, humans-and only humans, mind you- of all skin color observe strange rituals in welcoming and celebrating a new beginning. TC

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LITERARY

Have a cup ofTea my darling forIt may take aWhile to properlyArrange the alphabetsTo only express aQuarter of whatI Feel for thee.Thoust may neverEven begin to know.Like the sand underneathThe waves,Times mayBe changing inevitablyBut at this tickThe beat's rythem ofMy heart. Jumps when myEyes are closed with

Ethereal happinessDelicate source of drunken joyOne must take a distanceFor as all sayAll pleasant things

020692KI-JEONG SHIM

You behind the barsOf my imagination.A Permanent resident,HaveYou become? Thoust be aHoarder on my mind.Never shall you lend thisBedspace to another.Stay, if you may,If eternity allowst it.Welcome, you are. TC

082810KI-JEONG SHIM

Must meet an end As how a raindropEnjoys it's journey fromHigh altitude only toDrop on cold cementA puddle it becomesClogging canals in aRusting rotBut another life it willHave when brought backUp to the skyMaybe in anotherLife, love.Perhaps then mayRaindrops float. TC

32

is realizing one simple thing:

MATURITY‘‘the superficial characteristicsthat we think

‘‘make us so different are insignificant to those fundamental characteristics

that make us the same.

Until you can understand this, you’re a child.

PARTING SHOT

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Cash Balance, Beginning P 0.00 Cash Receipts Cash received from USC SSC, 12/13/11 100,000.00 Total Cash Available for Use P 100,000.00

Cash Disbursements Publishing Fee P 93,500.00 Honorariums for Screening Committee 5,500.00 Screening Expenses 500.00

Total Expenses P 99,500.00 Cash Balance, January 2012 P 500.00

Prepared and signed by: Approved and signed by:

Christine Reyna Perez Dylan Briones Managing Editor – Finance Editor-in-Chief Today’s Carolinian Today’s Carolinian

LIQUIDATION

Today’sCAROLINIAN

University of San CarlosCebu City, 6000, Philippines

Vol. XXII, No. 1January 2012

Ikaw, kinsa ka?Dili imong pangan ug apelyidoO kang kinsa kang anak ug apoKun dili imong pagka-ikaw way labot sila

Ikaw, unsa ka?Dili imong trabaho ug gitrabahuanO, and grado ug kurso nga imong naabotKun dili imong gibuhat sa uban dili kanimo

Ikaw, ngano ka?Dili tungod kay nagmug-ot kaO ang rason sa imong pagkatawaKon dili ang imong tumong sa kalibutan

Karon, asa na ka?Dili sa lugar nga imong gikahimu-tanganO kung asa ka padung sa imong lakawKon dili ang imong panlantaw sa kalambuan.

Kevin SosasMangutana Ko

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