Tag: July 1, 2009

THE ZOMBIE-THEMED movie I Am Legend made me fascinated with the zombie apocalypse as well as with the possible end of the human race through nuclear war.

Recently, I stumbled upon the Shelter Management Manual, which illustrates how to build and manage a good fallout shelter. In the sixth page, something caught my eye: “Keep shelterees informed…This will help prevent rumors, which could adversely affect morale and shelter management control.”

Similarly, in an earthquake poster seen in government offices say something like “don’t spread rumors.”

Gossip has been our diet from the day we are born until the hour of our death. When babies nowadays get their first breath of life, they’re greeted by their mothers, as well as outgoing text messages from family members. Ditto with death. An example was Francis “Francis M” Magalona’s death some months ago—it was so hard to think of the Philippine hip-hopper as dead and gone.

IN HIS book “Asian Power and Politics,” the late Chinese political analyst Lucian Pye discussed the development of the political culture of the People’s Republic of China, which seems to be comparable with the culture I have learned to live with in the Special Reports section of the Varsitarian.

The impact wrought by Western contacts and the political turmoil at the start of the 20th century provided China the impetus in building a more competent and stable political culture. Thus, through many years of revolutions and economic reforms, and in spite of foreign criticisms, China’s foreign policy is anchored on a strong consciousness of its history.

I’VE ALWAYS had a soft spot for artworks (read: “frustrated artist”), especially for editorial cartoons. There is just something beautiful in fusing text and drawing to show a satirical stand. If given a choice, I would rather choose an editorial cartoon than an opinion piece, mainly because in an editorial cartoon, all it takes is one look to get an idea of how others see a relevant or not-so-relevant issue (again, read: Halili-Kho). Perhaps a huge part of an editorial cartoon’s appeal comes from being so simple, and yet so relevant and encompassing of an issue. And I’m guessing a small chunk of its charm comes from the cartoon’s humorous, and sometimes grotesque, portrayal of politicians and villains we love to hate.

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As I was scanning the latest issue of the Inquirer, I happened to chance upon a gripping editorial cartoon about the swine flu pandemic.

UST NOW has its first cases of influenza A(H1N1) virus. With more than hundreds cases nationwide and still counting, it was just a matter of time for A(H1N1) to strike the University campus despite a massive information campaign and tough precautionary measures.

The confirmed UST cases were all students, prompting University officials to shut down four University buildings, including the gym. Students from the Medicine, Engineering, Accountancy buildings were also placed on “automatic” quarantine, barring them from entering other University buildings up to June 30. We credit University authorities for the quick response.

But UST cannot afford to suspend classes every time a new case is discovered, considering A(H1N1) symptoms are mostly mild and treatment is no different from that required to cure the seasonal flu. One government official even compared it to sore eyes.

EVERYONE in the world may have contracted it at least once in their lifetimes, but history itself shows that the flu can become more than just a yearly guest. The influenza virus—particularly Influenza A—has already caused four flu pandemics in history: that of the Spanish flu, the Asian flu, the Hong Kong flu, and this year’s A(H1N1).

The effects of these flu pandemics are greater that of their seasonal counterparts: they can cause death tolls as high as the number of casualties of world wars.

1918-1919: Spanish Flu

WHILE influenza A(H1N1) has become the world’s immediate health concern, students should not forget that there are other diseases to watch out for as they go about their daily activities in the University this rainy season.

“Dengue fever, typhoid fever and leptospirosis and influenza are the most prevalent diseases,” said Dr. Ma. Salve Olalia, UST Health Service director.

Influenza has three types — A, B, and, C — but all produce the same symptoms of fever, muscle and joint pains, runny nose, and cough. People can catch the flu by simply staying in crowded and poorly ventilated places.

The A(H1N1) flu virus has arrived in UST, but Thomasians are not taking matters sitting down.

Following a new Department of Health memorandum, the school has modified its preparedness plan against the flu virus, refusing to immediately suspend classes and operations in infected areas.

Four Thomasians have gone down with the virus as of June 24, prompting school officials to shut down four buildings for at least a week.

As per government protocol, the patients were not identified. Health Service director Maria Salve Olalia said they were now “recovering.”

Despite the four cases, Secretary General Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P. said there would be “no university-wide suspension of classes in compliance with the DOH directive.”

Olalia said three of the patients had traveled abroad while the fourth one from the Faculty of Engineering was supposedly infected by a friend from another university.

THE UST Main Building, the Philippines’ first earthquake-proof structure, is qualified to be proclaimed a natural treasure and a UN World Heritage Site, but the University should work for its nomination before it’s too late.

Speaking at the formal opening of classes last June 15, Architecture Dean John Joseph Fernandez warned that the “focal point of the campus” is slowly deteriorating.

“The Main Building is currently experiencing a slow process of deterioration due to its age, drastic environment changes and numerous interventions that were done in the past,” Fernandez said in his Discurso de Apertura at the Santissimo Rosario Parish Church.

He cited repairs at the Faculty of Civil Law, Office of the Vice Rector, and the Public Affairs and Alumni Affairs offices that led to “unacceptable” interferences, which are contributing to the building’s deterioration.

YOU DON’T have to wait for the next Varsitarian issue to get the latest UST news. The paper now has breaking news on its website (www.Varsitarian.net).

The first breaking news stories appeared on the Varsitarian.net when the University opened the school year last June 15 with the Misa de Apertura, and the discovery of the first confirmed cases of Influenza A(H1N1) virus in campus. Stories were flashed online just a few hours after the events took place.

The website will also contain information regarding Varsitarian’s extra-editorial activities such as the V Fiction Workshop, Inkblots National Campus Journalism Fellowship, Ustetika Literary Awards and Pautakan quiz contest.

The paper has also created social networking sites in Multiply and Facebook to reach Thomasians even beyond the University borders.

The archives section will also continue to provide previously published articles.

LIVE simply, don’t party.

The Office of the Secretary General has banned acquaintance parties and other student-organized events outside the University, instructing student councils to practice “simplicity of life” in collecting membership fees and even in selling “identity” shirts.

In a memorandum issued last May 28, Secretary General Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P. said the University needs to conserve resources amid economic difficulties.

“Students, through the local councils, are allowed to sell only one college shirt starting academic year 2009-2010 priced at not more than P150,” the memo stated. “Membership fees to be collected by recognized student organizations must (also) not exceed P200.”

The Students Organizations’ Coordinating Council (SOCC) said it had notified all university organizations prior to the release of the memo.