Tag: July 12, 2011

IT SOUNDS like a conspiracy theory—the Reproductive Health (RH) bill harking back to a secret United States (US) government document seeking to preserve American domination and exploit poor countries.

A declassified report, which details the agenda behind US population policies, reveals Washington’s powerful hand in convincing countries to implement birth control.

Henry Kissinger, former US national security adviser, wanted to curb the population of 13 least developing countries (LDCs)—the Philippines included—in his 1974 National Security Study Memorandum 200: “Implications of Worldwide Population Growth for US Security and Oversees Interests.” The “Kissinger Report” saw “overpopulation” in these nations as a threat to US security.

CHEMICAL Engineering freshman Justine De Guzman feared coming late for her earliest class during the first day of school. With only five minutes left before the clock turned to seven, she was still cast adrift along the corridors of the Roque Ruaño Building.

“I was going around in circles because I was clueless on how to reach our classroom,” she recalled.

Unaccustomed to the twists and turns of her new environment, a feeling of hopelessness started to form in her mind—was she going to make it on time?

“It was a good thing an upperclassman approached and helped me by giving the right directions,” De Guzman said.

DON’T forget your registration form. Memorize the school hymn by heart. Meet the “yema girl.” Beware of snatchers. And of course, expect the Great Flood.

Besides college education, so many things are in store for UST freshmen. Some call them tips, others see them more as a survival kit. Whatever the case, they now find them in a variety of social media, an honest, and occasionally irreverent, guide to Thomasian life.

Thus explains the popularity of sites such as Tumblr where Cheng Bigay posted what would become a viral blog post titled “My 30 Tips and Guidelines for the incoming 1st year Thomasians” (iamepic.tumblr.com).

“AND WITH your spirit.”

Expect this and other new responses in the Mass by Christmas season next year as the Philippines will soon adopt the newly approved English translation of the Roman Missal.

The new English translation will be used starting December 2, 2012, as decided upon by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in January 2011.

The new translation, which is closer to the original Latin text the rite adopted after the Second Vatican council, is the third edition.

To prepare the clergy for the liturgical changes, Fr. Anscar Chupungco, OSB wrote a book titled “The New English Translation of the Roman Missal: A Catechetical Primer.”

AMID “misunderstandings” on the implementation of the 2007 document liberalizing the Traditional Latin Mass, a follow-up instruction has finally been approved by the Vatican.

The instruction titled Universae Ecclesiae was released last May 13 to address problems encountered by the clergy regarding the apostolic letter Summorum Pontificum, the document that allowed priests to say the old Mass—now considered the extraordinary form of the Mass—even without the permission from the bishop.

Some problems in implementation include questions on who are qualified to say the traditional Mass, when it can be celebrated, and how to use the 1969 Roman Missal, the liturgy book before the reforms implemented following the Second Vatican Council.

THE REPUBLIC of China, commonly known as Taiwan, recently celebrated its centennial anniversary as an independent nation last June 29 and chose the Miguel de Benavides Library as one of the venues in celebrating the milestone.

The Miguel de Benavides Library hosted a photo exhibit titled Retracing Our Steps: A Photo Journey through 100 years of the ROC, which unveiled 20 photographs recounting Taiwan’s independence from China.

Manila Mayor and UST High School alumnus Alfredo Lim said that these events promote harmony between the two countries.

Vice Rector Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P. described having good relations between two countries as “godlike.”

THE COLLEGE of Fine Arts and Design is home to several of prominent names in the Philippine art scene. The college is responsible for molding National Artists for the Visual Arts Ang Kiukok, Jerry Elizalde Navarro, and Victorio Edades, father of Philippine modern art and founder of the University’s former College of Architecture and Fine Arts.

In the not too distant past, UST students dominated several local art competitions such as Petron, Metrobank, Phillip Morris, PLDT, and the Thirteen Artists Awards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. But observers have noted that UST students haven’t been competitive lately in art contests. Is this a sign that CFAD students lack competitiveness?

DESPITE the eyesore that tropical storm Ondoy brought in 2009, beauty was still found in the resilient spirits displayed by Filipinos amid disaster. This was uniquely captured by Advertising alumnus Mark Salvatus in an installation art exhibit titled C_rafts at the University of the Philippines (UP) Vargas Museum from June 17 to August 17.

The exhibit features seven improvised watercraft made of everyday materials that could supposedly transport people in floodwater.

AS ITS opening exhibit titled “Sunstruck—A Dreamer, A Believer, A Survivor,” paid tribute to the University’s patron saint from June 6 to July 1, the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences promised to boost Thomasian pride even more in its upcoming exhibits and events, especially with its Visual Arts Gallery slated to open on July 19.

“The UST Museum has decided to put up the exhibition every opening of the academic year so that the patron saint of the University may be properly introduced to the freshmen,” said UST Museum Director Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P.

This year’s exhibit was not only mounted to serve as a rite of passage for freshmen, but also to build hype for the unveiling of the newest feature of the oldest university museum, its Visual Arts Gallery.

A GOOD dramatic show blends all the technical elements of television in order to depict realistically and critically the human condition, its struggles, its highs, and lows. But more importantly, shows must also impart values to its viewers since media has power to influence its viewers.

With the violence popping up onscreen during primetime, is local TV simply giving the audience the adrenaline rush that keep their eyes glued on their screens, or are local TV stations merely taking advantage of the lax censorship by media regulating entities?

Guns and more guns