News

WITH nostalgia in their eyes, 12 former UST internees of the Santo Tomas internment camp during the Second World War went back to the University in a sentimental homecoming last Feb. 3 during the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Manila..

Accompanied by their families, the internees, most of them still children during the Japanese occupation, shared their experiences, recalling how it was easier for children to get by then than it was for adults.

After a series of near-fatal vehicular accidents involving UST students in Arsenio H. Lacson Avenue since January this year, University officials requested the city government for more safety measures to be installed in the area.

LAKAS Tomasino Coalition (Lakas) has sought the nullification of the Central Student Council (CSC) election results coming from the College of Nursing after the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) opted to push through with the CSC elections despite the postponement of its local elections due to the misprinting of ballots.

According to a letter addressed to the Central Comelec dated Feb. 19, the misprinting of ballots “caused confusion to (the) voters on whether the elections will push through (resulting) in a low voter turnout in the College.”

Nalalapit na ang itinakdang araw.

Sa loob ng dalawang linggo, siguradong magbabago ang takbo ng buhay ng mga kagaya kong magtatapos na. Sa kabila ng pananabik at kasiyahan, naroon ang takot at hiwagang bumabalot sa mga damdamin ng mga nagtatapos tuwing sasapit ang Marso.

Halos mabaliw ako tuwing iisiping unti-unti nang lumuluwag ang kapit ko sa Unibersidad dahil malaking pagbabago at maraming pagkakataon ang inilatag ng institusyong ito para sa akin. Maaga pa man, nais kong pasalamatan ang mga taong nagtiwala at nagsilbing gabay ko sa nilalandas na bukas.

Arts and Letters

After three years, the six-man team of AB finally brought home the bacon last year when they snagged the Pautakan revolving trophy. This grand slam victory was the pinnacle of the Artlets’ majestic comeback after a 12-year losing streak.

But now that Pautakan oldhands Armand Delfin and Wilfred Ritona are out of the game, eyebrows have been raised as to whether the remaining members can continue the legacy.

“It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed.” - (Habakkuk 2:3)

I LOVE all special occasions except one—Valentine’s Day.

The moment January ends, the town is painted red. Friends usually ask one another with whom they will spend the special day. Lucky ladies receive roses, cards, chocolates, or balloons, as guys think of all sorts of gifts to give them.

NAKAKAWILI pala’ang magpalipad ng saranggola. Sa unti-unting paghatak ng malakas na hangin, tila sumasayaw ang iba’t ibang mga klay at hugis nito sa kalangitan.

Ngunit mahirap pala’ng paliparin ito. Sabi ng iba, nasa hangin daw ang laban. Kung gaano ito kalakas, ganoon din daw kataas ang lipad ng saranggola. Pero para sa akin, hindi ko na pinapansin pa ang sabi-sabing iyon. Wala akong pakialam kung mahina ang hangin, basta ang mahalaga madala ko ang saranggola sa kalangitan.

TWO WEEKS ago a friend of mine was robbed and stabbed by two criminals near his house in Quezon City at around 2 a.m. The good thing was he came out of the incident alive as the four stabs he received were superficial.

Based on his account, the robbers slowly walked away from the scene of the crime as if nothing happened. His narration led me to think that the government is just wasting its revenues on barangay tanods who are supposed to roam the streets during unholy hours to help in the maintenance of peace and order.

COME FEBRUARY, local and university-wide politics heat up.

But the true essence of serving the studentry faces degradation. As in national and local elections, traditional politics invades the system of Thomasian governance and studentry. With all the magic formula of good looks, charm, and popularity, deserving and responsible candidates lose their chance to represent the whole student population.

MY NEXT allowance says 90 per cent of Thomasians (including this writer) dread that question or at least do not expect it asked of them out of the blue.

I did not. Especially from a taxicab driver. He was some sort of preacher for Jehovah’s Witness-es, and was waiting assuredly, before he launched into his preaching, of my reply: no, I haven’t been reading the Bible lately.