Tag: October 29, 2010

NEXT time Filipinos wake up, they would probably be in ‘Las Vegas.’ It is certainly not over the wide array of casino resorts and similar entertainment, but because of quick weddings and just as quick divorces.

For almost three decades, a number of Filipino legislators have been introducing a bill to legalize divorce in the country. All of them have failed.

The divorce campaign has been revived in the new Congress by Gabriela, a women’s party-list group.

THE COUNTRY’S energy crisis is like a time bomb waiting to explode any time.

According to University of the Philippines professor Rowaldo del Mundo, the cost of electricity provided in the country is the third most expensive in Asia, with Iloilo’s electricity as the most expensive in the world.

Apparently, the Aquino government has seen solutions to this problem.

The mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is under wraps for reinstallation under P-Noy’s orders. Also, several international nuclear power producers have expressed interest on investing and constructing nuclear power plants in the country.

I CAN’T help but feel that I’m making a deal with the devil every time I start my computer:

“I have six hours to start and finish this paper, Computer. Please help me.”

“Oh, you know too well that I have everything you need, dear: a speedy internet connection and all the programs that you might need. Go ahead, go ahead…”

I would then lock my eyes to the screen, barely blinking. I would start to click time away, and end my own trance with a solid slap when I realize that I have managed to open 12 Facebook tabs, watch two Glee episodes, and waste three precious hours. During those times, I could swear the purr of the exhaust fan sounded like mocking laughter.

MAHIGIT 50 taon na ang nakararaan nang ipatupad ni dating pangulong Carlos P. Garcia ang patakarang “Filipino Muna” upang itaguyod at protektahan ang mga produktong Filipino laban sa mga gawang banyaga. Kung iisipi’y maganda ang layunin nito ngunit nang lumaon ay ito mismo ang naging sanhi ng pagbagsak ng ekonomiya dahil nawalan ng foreign investors na magpauunlad sana sa mga industriyang Filipino.

THE HISTORIC Biak na Bato National Park in Bulacan is now the site of a significant discovery.

It is where a team of researchers—including College of Science professor Mae Lowe Diesmos and husband Arvin of the Philippine National Museum—discovered a new frog species belonging to the Platymantis genus. With the group were Rafe Brown, Cameron Siler, and Charles Linkem of the Kansan University in the United States. The new find was christened Platymantis biak, in recognition of the natural reserve.

‘Limestone’ frog

In 2009, Diesmos and her team started a study on amphibians and reptiles at the park. After field surveys of reptile and amphibians in the area, they concluded that the find was indeed a new frog species.

PREVENTION is still better than cure.

This mantra rings true for dengue cases within the University over the past few months.

Unknown to many, UST’S Health Service has been setting up mosquito traps on campus to help prevent the spread of the deadly fever.

The OVI trapping or larvae trapping is done to prevent mosquitoes from reaching adulthood. They are then exterminated as soon as they are detected.

Health Service Director Dr. Salve Olalia says that this process has been ongoing for the past three years. The process starts with observation of the breeding grounds of dengue mosquitoes.

WHAT does it take to be immortalized on top of the Main Building?

We often find ourselves looking up to this historic establishment as we pass by, where 15 statues, grouped in threes, are located just below the high cross. Crafted by Italian expatriate sculptor Francesco Monti and installed in the early 1950s, the statues withstood the years and the calamities that passed. But the question that still remains to most Thomasians is: “Who are they?”

The three virtues

THE NATIONAL Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) took 300 participants from all over the Philippines for the Viaje del Galeon, a four-day educational trip from Manila to Cebu last October 8 to 11.

The event sought to raise public awareness on the galleon trade, the famous commerce through the giant galleon ships between Manila and Acapulco between 1565 and 1815 which opened Manila to world trade. The Viaje del Galeon was also held to develop and strengthen youth leadership, and educate the delegates on the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines from Spain. Most of the participants in the event were composed of young student leaders.

A FAMOUS German philosopher once said that to survive is to find meaning in suffering. In tough battles, such as that with cancer, it is inevitable to get down on one’s knees and give in to emotions. But three Thomasians have given the “Big C” a whole new definition, surpassing the idea of pain and replacing it with something more meaningful.

Bond of ‘komikeros’

One of them is Gerry Alanguilan, an Architecture alumnus, whose encounter with the disease came when it hit his close friend, Arlan Esmeña.

Sharing the same profession, Gerry and Arlan met through a local organization of architects to which they were affiliated. Their similarities, differences, and good vibes surfaced and mixed perfectly, forming a solid friendship.

ACCEPTANCE is the hardest step for all cancer patients, but the battle against the third leading disease in the Philippines had a lighter view with the presence of Benavides Cancer Institute (BCI) of the UST Hospital.

Armed with a wide variety of facilities for stages of treatment of all types of cancer, the Institute provides modern cancer accommodation, and also prides itself top surgeons, medical oncologists, and other sub-specialists of the disease.

Dr. Teresa Sy Ortin, chairman of the Institute, shared that while the intentions for its establishment were good, the staff did not immediately buy the concept of the center.