Tag: No. 9

IT IS ironic how a university that prides itself as the oldest Catholic university in Asia is also the home of students who are mostly morally selective and apathetic to Catholic teachings and values.

A voter-education survey of the Varsitarian showed that Thomasians consider morality as the most important quality of a candidate for the national elections (39 percent); followed by education (28), government platform (16), and experience (13). Popularity and “endorsements” came out the lowest with one percent each.

EVERY time I see the stream of polluted water beside our home in the province, I cannot help but wonder how clean and clear it was during the old days. Although it is still not as polluted as the other rivers in the country, time may come that its state will worsen.

My late grandmother used to tell us stories about them bathing, swimming and fishing in it. For sure, it was an amazing sight to behold. Unfortunately, my generation will never be able to see its former glory.

“UY, TUMABA ka!”

This phrase has become standard greeting between friends who have not seen each other for ages. Though it may be impolite, the fact it is often heard in presumably polite circles should indicate not only a contagion of impolite remarks but also of obesity.

As of 2015, three out of 10 Filipino adults were said to be obese, data from the National Nutrition Council disclosed. This has been a steady increase in the Philippines for the past two decades. In 1995, only 16.6 percent of Filipino adults were obese, but in recent years, the percentage has reportedly climbed to a staggering 31.1 percent.

Despite society being more open to diversity, being fat remains an object of ridicule.

PRESIDENTIAL debates have so far approximated the ambience of a circus rather than become occasions for intelligent exchange on socio-political platforms and vision. The sad consequence is that the electorate remains at a loss on the future of Philippine democracy.

Political entertainment at its most crass was seen in the first two debates in Cagayan de Oro in February and in Cebu City last March.

Debating issues regarding corruption, crime, leadership competence, and political vision, the candidates seemed to have abandoned substance for flair and the ability to work up the crowd.

THE COUNTRY’s next four administrations have a tough challenge ahead of them.

The results of a survey conducted by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) last March showed that majority of Filipinos want a “comfortable and simple life” by 2040.

The survey, conducted as part of Neda’s long-term vision program dubbed as “AmBisyon Natin 2040,” also disclosed that many Filipinos prefer to work in the country rather than abroad 25 years from now.

HOMOSEXUAL behavior seems to violate nature’s need for procreation, but recent research studies have found out that homosexual behavior in animals may be much more common than previously thought.

Several researchers have discovered that humans are not the only mammals that practice and express homosexuality and that evolution may have something to do with this behavior.

For instance, the University of Oslo’s “Against Nature?” was an exhibit last 2006 to 2007 that showed about 1,500 animal species that practice homosexual behavior, like in mammals such as bisons, bears and rats; in fish species such as salmon; reptiles like lizards; amphibians like frogs; and insects such as house flies.

THE PONTIFICAL University now has 17 National Artists with former Varsitarian literary editor Cirilo Bautista and the late architecture alumnus Jose Maria Zaragoza joining the roster after their conferment and elevation to the Order of National Artists (ONA) in Malacanang ceremonies by President Aquino III last April 14.

Also conferred as National Artists were Francisco Coching for the visual arts, Alice G. Reyes for dance, and Ramon Santos and Francisco Feliciano for music.

Manuel Conde (cinema), Federico Alcuaz (visual arts) and Lazaro Francisco (literature) likewise conferred the ONA posthumously.

Following the conferment rites was a performing-arts tribute to the new ONA honorees at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

A UST chemist represented the Philippines in an international meeting with Nobel laureates in Japan last March 6 to 12.

Karen Santiago, Ph.D. was selected by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as one of three delegates who represented the country in the 8th HOPE meetings, which aims to help post-graduate students, candidates in doctorate programs, and young researchers from the Asia-Pacific and African region to establish dialogue between their respective countries.

Santiago, together with biologist Emmanuel Ryan de Chavez from University of the Philippines Los Baños and physicist Jade Dungao from De La Salle University, joined 108 delegates in the international meeting.