Tag: December 5, 2014

Known as the Brains of the Revolution, Apolinario Mabini's contribution to the Philippines as both writer and revolutionist perhaps finds its beginning in one of his bequeathals to his fellow Filipinos—El Verdadero Decalogo or The True Decalogue.

The 10-item decalogue comparable to the Ten Commandments was intended as a form of instruction for all Filipinos even after his death in 1903.

Commemorating Mabini's 150th birth anniversary, the Philippine PEN (Poets, Essayists, and Novelists) used his decalogue as an inspiration for its annual conference titled, "Writing, Writers, Moral Regeneration and National Renewal." It was held last December 2-3 at the Henry Sy Hall of the De La Salle University, Taft.

THE COMMISSION on Higher Education (CHEd) has stood by its decision to remove Filipino courses in tertiary education.

In a statement released Nov. 27, CHEd proposed to use Filipino as a medium in teaching general education subjects instead.

“Filipino cannot merely be taught as a subject, but must be used in oral and written forms,” according to the statement signed by CHEd Chairperson Patricia Licuanan. “[T]he Commission shall support such aims by providing incentives to Higher Education Institutions (HEI) that opt to use Filipino in the general education courses or offer several sections of a given course in Filipino.”

THE FACULTY of Arts and Letters Student Council (ABSC) last Nov. 22 said money was stolen from its office last Oct. 23, confirming an earlier statement released by the Board of Majors (BOM).

The ABSC, in its own statement, said it lost about P50,000 in cash, which was supposed to finance activities like the Athena Cup, NGO fair, and the general staff assembly.

In a meeting last Nov. 11, ABSC officers and the BOM discussed statements made by students who were said to be in the council office when the alleged theft happened, namely: ABSC President Marie Jann Lazo, Treasurer Julienne Avila, ABSC Chief of Staff Emmanuel Arre, and board committee members Patricia Umali, Jancis Valera, and Richard Umali.

DELIBERATIONS on the “Campus Press Freedom Bill,” which seeks to impose tougher sanctions on violators of the freedom of the press in schools, have been put on hold until a new draft of the bill is submitted, according to the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE).

In a committee bulletin dated Oct. 22, CHTE chairman and Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo requested Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, author of House Bill 1493 or the Campus Press Freedom Bill, to revise sections 7 and 8.

Section 7 mandates the school administration to collect publication fees during the enrollment period, while Section 8 states that the collected funds shall be given to the student publication within 15 days after the latest enrollment.

THE UST Graduate School has established external linkages by offering some extension programs with other universities in the country.

Graduate School Dean Marilu Madrunio said the project was initiated due to the request for teaching assistance of the University of San Agustin’s Graduate School in Iloilo.

At present, the UST Graduate School has extension program arrangements with the University of San Agustin for master of laws and master’s degree (MA) in Pharmacy, and the Ateneo de Davao University for MA in Architecture.

Last year, extension programs were held in October during the semestral break, but due to UST’s new academic calendar, they will be offered in December this year.

THE UNIVERSITY posted better results in the November 2014 licensure examinations for chemical engineers, with three Thomasians landing in the top 10.

The University recorded a higher passing rate of 69.12-percent (94 passers out of 136 examinees) compared with last year’s 58.97 percent (69 out of 117 examinees), results from the Professional Regulation Commission showed.

Leading the new batch of Thomasian chemical engineers is second-placer Joseph John Liwanagan with a score of 83.40 percent, followed by Francis Jessy Liggayu at seventh place (82.80 percent), and William Macasero Jr. at ninth place (82.50 percent).

Hazel Dorothy Cesar of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman finished first place with a score of 85.40 percent.

DRIVEN by the need to keep up with the pace of today's world, we now see it only as a blur.

For almost four years now, I’ve been commuting from my home in Bulacan to attend classes in the University. During my freshman year, I was astounded by the bright lights and wide roads that led to the capital. Everything was new to me.

UST, Royal and Pontifical Catholic University of the Philippines, was simply majestic. The atmosphere of the Main Building was breathtaking. The vast open field was symbolic to the immense possibilities I could experience in this university.

WHILE most of the Filipino youth are able to eat three meals a day, live in a decent home, and have a proper education, many others are unfortunate to be maltreated and abused, even by the people who should be taking care of them.

Eight months ago, a 10-year-old homeless boy was rescued from the streets and brought to a temporary shelter managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Manila. But last Oct. 12, a police officer found the boy lying naked on the floor, unable to stand, walk or even speak, reduced to skin and bones. According to several reports, he was not fed well and was grossly maltreated by the staff of the temporary shelter.

DEATH penalty in the Philippines dates back to the time of Spanish colonizers and the American occupation where executions were conducted by firing squads, decapitation and drowning, among others.

It was not until President Corazon Aquino’s term that the death penalty was first abolished. However, President Fidel Ramos reinstated capital punishment, but it was later removed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Eight years later, with the spate of heinous crimes, come calls to revive the death penalty. Is the Philippines just letting history repeat itself once more?

BEING in a family that is used to receiving imported products and balikbayan boxes every now and then, since my father is out of the country, I frequently lavish myself with chocolates and imported stuff–from lotions, soaps, clothes, toys to shoes.

Somehow similar to commonly portrayed American culture, I had a taste of what it was like to get everything I wanted except the attention of a parent.