journFINAL

OUTGOING Arts and Letters Student Council (ABSC) President Leandro Santos II emerged victorious in the Central Student Council (CSC) presidential race after garnering almost double of his opponent’s votes. Santos gathered a whopping 15,886 votes, overwhelming rival Juan Paolo Perlada’s 8,784 votes. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) showed that 62.03% of the UST voting populace preferred Santos to be their next President.Artlet, page 2

Ready, Set, Doy! A SINCERE will to serve is what the Thoma-sians need. “It was accidental; our school needed a delegate and my friend recommended me for that position,” Central Student Council (CSC) presi-dent elect Leandro “Doy” Santos II told Insignia as he reminisced his first experi-ence in politics. From Muntinlupa’s Little Mayor, he is now UST’s CSC president.

Doy, page 12

NEWLY elected Central and Local Student Council officers were sworn into office last March 10 in a mass oath taking presided by Vice-Rector Rev. Fr. Pablo Tiong, OP. The affair was preceded by a thanksgiving mass con-celebrated by the Vice-Rector and other Thomasian priests.

Quadri page 11

‘QUADRI’ OFFICERS SWEAR TO BE OF SERVICE

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Artlet From page 1open for the students and this can be achieved by having the office renovated so that it would be more cozy and welcoming. “The CSC is for the students; whatever their problem might be, we will always be there to back them up,” he added. He also plans on having a large garbage can exclusively for plastic bottles that would be reused for environmental projects. Santos’ term in AB would be terminated as soon as the semester ends. “Though there were certain reservations, I believe I have done my part here in AB. Being a student you can only do so much; I had a capable set of officers, and we were able to push our projects through,” he said. By Don Joseph Dejaresco

getting the students involved and letting them feel our projects as these are especially catered for them. We want them to feel that the CSC is part of the quadricentennial celebration,” the incoming legal management senior said. Santos divulged his plan on having UST jackets in Adidas stores claiming that it would be marketable especially during the quadricentennial celebration. Another proposal is to have a yellow Krispy Kreme Donut named “unending glaze” to commemorate the University’s 400th year.

Visible projects The newly proclaimed president stressed that visible projects are those that would help students. Speaking in English and Tagalog, Santos said that the CSC office should be more

In only its second time conducting the automated elections, the COMELEC was able to have the ballots count-ed in less than 24 hours. Santos and other independent candidates swept the Alyansa ng Kristyanong Lakas (AKLAS) ticket as Edrem Eula, Kristine Urbi, Franz Geronimo, Joan Lim, John Sze won as Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.), respectively.

Quadri Year Dubbed as the “Quadricentennial President,” Santos, with the rest of the elected CSC officers are to spearhead multiple activities in the forthcoming quadricentennial year. “Our main challenge is

A GRAND alumni homecoming of the Faculty of Arts and Letters was held Saturday, February 13, 2:00 p.m. at the UST quadricentennial park. The annual event was to commemorate the 46th founding anniversary of the college, spearheaded by the UST Arts and Letters Alumni Association (USTAAA) and hosted by Batch ‘85, this year’s silver

jubilarians, together with Batches ‘65 (Sapphire), ‘70 (Ruby), ‘75 (Pearl), and ‘80 (Coral). Among the highlights of the program were the testimonials for mentors and the turn-over of Batch ‘85’s endowment fund to the college. The organizing committee for this year’s alumni homecoming prepared a program that brought back memories

of yesteryears; a Holy Mass concelebrated by AB Regent, Rev. Fr. Joseto N. Bernadas, Jr., O.P. with Rev. Fr. Victorino Cueto, Philo ‘85. Entertainment numbers from Bo Cerrudo (CA ‘85) and Lou Bonnevie (CA ‘85) harmonized with the surprise numbers from different majors on the motto “From all Corners of the Globe, we Reunite.”

Homecoming, page 8

AB holds Alumni Homecoming for 46th Foundation

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Action Man’s First ActBy ANNE JAMNAGUE and ALINA GALAGARAN

AFTER years of con-stant clamor, the AB student body’s plea for a “uniform change” may be granted this time. Arts and Letters Su-preme Council (ABSC) pres-ident-elect Vincent “Action Man” Cifra made clear that the Faculty’s “uniform change” is a top priority in the forth-coming academic year, UST’s quadricentennial year. Cifra continues to push the appeal until Dean Michael Anthony Vasco can finally take the mat-ter into deliberation. “Even what tradition you preserve, whatever mean-ing you put in the uniform, if the person is not encour-aged to study because he has no social distinction because he is ashamed of what he is wearing, he won’t be able to attain the primary goal of any education institution which is knowledge and wisdom” the incoming president said. The newly appointed dean has given Cifra the green light to take preliminary ac-tions on the project but added that to get full approval the clamor had to come from the students not the officers.

All systems go The issue on whether the Change is really what the

majority wants would hardly impede the project as many have already suggested it even before it was formally proposed. Many are for the project as seen on the freedom board in St. Raymund’s lobby. Cifra plans on estab-lishing a commission to head the documentation papers and development that would focus on the project processing this summer 2010. ”Hindi ito matutupad this summer kaya dapat matu-pad yan within this year para ma-apply sa 400th year (This will not be implemented dur-ing the summer but it has to happen during the year for it to be in accordance with the 400th year),” Cifra said. After the approval of the administration, they are to conform to the requirements needed for this project which includes the design for the new uniform. “Three professional fashion designers that are not

current AB students, are the suggested people to sketch the reformed uniform,” he said. With the right fabric, a new de-sign while preserving the bar-ong style for men and incorpo-rating a suitable meaning from the experts, we could own our identity as “Artlets.” He also mentioned that it is the tradition of change that is needed to be preserved; not the uniform.

New projects Cifra, who has yet to be sworn into office, unfurled other proposed projects for the next academic year includ-ing the institution of a “pool of staff” and the appointment of committee heads. The committee heads will be tasked to get a number of students to participate in the council’s projects to come to preclude being ‘short-hand-ed.’

Action, page 11

President elect Cifra defends his proposed uniform change at theMiting the Avance. DAN ALLAN DUPALE

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TWENTY-THREE outstanding bona fide graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Letters were invited to receive awards at the first ever UST AB Gantimpala Awards last March 13 the Rizal Conference Hall, St. Raymund’s building. The awards were divided into two categories: the AB Gantimpala or the Major Award, of whom sixteen of the candidates are included, and remaining eleven who are to receive the Gawad AB or the Special Recognition Award. The program commenced with the introduction of the awardees who were distinguished for their impeccable performances and great achievements

in their line of expertise, which incontrovertibly contributed to the augmentation of the scholar merits of the university as well as the amelioration of the country. According UST Arts and Letters Alumni Association (USTAAA) Chairman, Teddy Pereña, the sixteen major awards and 11 special recognitions will be given at the special night and that it was either an “Amazing Coincidence” or the doing of the “Divine Providence” that when the numbers 16 and 11 were put together the year 1611 will be the result that in which the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas was first established.

Also in attendance was Vice Rector Fr. Pablo Tiong, OP who came in lieu of the Rector, Fr. Rolando dela Rosa,OP to read the rector’s message expressing his love for the university in which he hoped to impart to the Thomasian community. The AB Gantimpala awards were finally conferred to the outstanding individuals who lived in the paragon of Thomasian values: God loving, upright citizen, with sterling moral values, integrity, honesty in his dealings with others and keeps an exemplary personal life befitting a graduate of the oldest Roman Catholic University in the country. Furthermore, they exhibited competence

ALUMNI HONORED IN AB GANTIMPALA

PHOTO BY DAN DUPALE

and excellence in pursuit of their dreams. The awardees are the following along with their respective category: Judge Oscar C. Herrra, Jr., Government Service, Mayor Ramon Ilagan, Government Service, Jose A. Garcia, Advocacy/Apostolate, Jose B. Javier, Nation-Building, Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio E. Aureada, O.P., Teaching/Philosophy, Jesus Carlos “Charlie” P. Villaseñor, Industry/Management, Glenda M. Gloria, Industry/Management, Herman C. Salvador, Entertainment, Emelinda “Emmie” G. Velarde, Media, Ruben V. Nepales, Media, Juanito “Lito” A. Tacujan, Journalism, Sandra L. Aguinaldo, Journalism, Lucien C. Dy Tioco, Advertising/Marketing, Atty. Nilo T. Divina, Law, Osias g. Barroso, Arts (dance), and Cesar Y. Apolinario, Arts (film). The eleven Special Awards, Gawad AB were given to Artlets who tried their best in their endeavors. They were Edwin Dela Cruz, Josefina “Pennie” Azarcon-Dela Cruz, Andrea and Emil Karlo all received the Gawad Angkan award. Meanwhile, Atty. M. Liza Lopez- Rosario and Ammanuel “Noel” A.

Albano were both given the Gawad Alab award. Butch Francisco attained the Gawad Adhika, while mother and son, Loida Flores and Cezar Viriña received the Gawad Bigkis. Luisa Mendez-Marshall obtained the Gawad Bigkis award and Gawad Binhi for Khristine B. Gabriel. The Gawad Alagad awardees are Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano, Dante E. Santiago, Ma. Victoria J. Alcantara and Justice Esperanza Fabon-Victorino. The affair which was made possible by the USTAAA in collaboration with AB Working Committee headed by Prof. Nenet Galang-Pereña. AB Dean Michael Anthony Vasco meanwhile gave his closing remarks. “Come and see what the marvels God has done for us awardees.” he said, wholeheartedly. By Christine Ma. F. Santos and Ma. Christina F. Santos

SEASONED PUB-LISHERS IN CMAPBy ALYOSHA ROBILLOS

TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2010—the annual Circulation Management Association of the Philippines (CMAP) Sym-posium was held at the TARC

(Thomas Aquinas Research Center), acquainting the stu-dents with the different mem-ber publications that participat-ed during the event. CMAP is a non-profit organization committed in promoting mutual coopera-tion and camaraderie among its members. Started in 1988, it was established for the welfare and interest of newspapers and magazines in the country. The CMAP also pro-motes responsible information dissemination to better serve publishers, member publica-tions, writers, news dealers, newsvendors and the public. Brainchild of the Jour-nalism Society, the CMAP sym-posium aims to familiarize the students with the major and minor publishers in the Phil-ippines. Representatives from the participating publications presented to the students an overview of sales and public de-mand statistics in order to give them an idea on what to expect in the newsroom. Some took a different approach and gave words of wisdom and encour-agement. The pu-pils were also given the chance to converse with the publication representatives during the open forum to clarify topics and raise concerns. Mostly attended by Journalism majors, the outcome of the symposium came as a warm surprise to Journalism Society President Joyce Reaño as the students participated actively, especially during the open forum.

Seasoned, page 7

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By BUENA RILYNE C. BERNAL

THREE students of the Faculty of Arts and Letters were awarded as quarterfinal-ists in the recently concluded 2nd Malaysia Debate Open held in Multimedia Univer-sity, Malaysia last March 4-9, 2010. The students were members of the Thomasian Debaters Council (TDC), the official debate varsity of the University of Santo Tomas. They were Kayleen Mae A. Ortiz (4th year, AB Communication Arts), Buena Rilyne C. Bernal (3rd year, AB Journalism), and Paula Beatriz L. Azurin (3rd year, AB Legal Management). They came in at 11th place in the preliminary debate rounds of the tourna-ment and eventually reached quarterfinals in the finals se-ries.

The 2nd Malaysia De-bate Open was participated by seventy-four teams from top universities across Asia. It was the official comeback of the University of Santo Tomas in the international debating scene as it is first international tournament of UST since the Australasian Debating Cham-pionship last July 2008. Despite having been gone for quite some time in the international debating scene, the said team received favorable feedbacks from ad-judicators across Asia. Two of the aforemen-tioned debaters ranked high in terms of speaker scores. Out of the two hundred and nineteen speakers who participated in this international tournament, Buena Rilyne C. Bernal and Kayleen Mae A. Ortiz landed at twelfth and thirteenth place respectively. Also, Kim Apple S. Carvajal (2nd year, AB Legal Management) was able to ad-judicate in the finals series and reach quarterfinals as an adju-dicator. She is the official com-peting adjudicator of UST for this tournament.None of this could have been possible without the support from the university. As the United Asian Debating Championship 2010 in Thailand is fast approach-ing, the team is looking for-ward to fight for the name of the University and to uphold

its goal of creating a condu-cive atmosphere for the free exchange of ideas and critical thinking among the members of the Thomasian community. I

ARTLETS WIN INTERNATIONAL DEBATE

The Political Science Forum with the Central Stu-dent Council (CSC), Student Organization Coordinating Council (SOCC) and the Fac-ulty of Arts and Letters Stu-dent Council (ABSC), held a series of seminars and forums last February 23-26 at the Tan Yan Kee Student’s Center Multipurpose hall. The forum’s aim is to inform the Thomasians with social issues regarding the up-coming May 2010 elections. A particular leg of the seminar, entitled as Voting as Power, discussed the dynam-ics of the party system in the Philippines and how political parties adjust policies in re-sponse to past election results. Another is Opportunities for Everyone which explains how the politicians climb the politi-cal ladder from local to nation-al government. The coordinator of the Political Science Prof. Zenia Rodriguez gave the opening remarks. “The students should

POLITICAL SCIENCE FORUM HOSTS VOTER’S ED

Impressed by the students’ ability to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom, the member publications also mar-veled at how the pupils’ per-spectives have changed through time. The CMAP symposium serves as a reminder for the stu-dents to pursue their passion for writing without compromis-ing morals or quality. I

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have a sense of duty and re-sponsibility for the nearing elections,” Rodriguez said. Translating Elections to Good Governance is a semi-nar regarding the importance of voting, how one govern-ment delivers goods and ser-vices for the people, efficiency of the people working in the government, change in the political system that we have now and, what is the individu-ality they consider in choosing the person who will speak and lead the country for them. Empowering Public Trust, a forum on how public accountability influences the result of elections, how to em-power public trust, responsi-bilities of a public official, and ethics of accountability. The chain of forums ended with such high level of hope urging Thomasians to stand for their rights and be not swayed with the majority.By Pamela Cabrera and Rachelaine Tubera

Seasoned From page 5

PRIDE AND PREJUDICEROSETTE ADEL

LONG LIVE THE AB VIBE

“ONCE AN ARTLET ALWAYS AN ARTLET,” a friend once said. True too that.It saddened me one day when I checked the calendar, it was February 25, 2010, a Thursday. A Thursday? Yes, the day I started missing Team AB’s Pautakan trainings. We used to have Tuesdays and Thursdays as our training day. And because the much-awaited Pautakan Competition is finally over, there would be no more train-ing. No more late dismissals, no more brain squeezing ques-tion and answer portions, no more slacking off at the SWDB Office, no more chitchatting on lunch and merienda breaks and most of all, I now have a lim-ited time to mingle with these amazing people, the AB tribe of Pautakan. From those realiza-tions that day I knew that even for a short time of joining the trainings, it will still be missed. It all started when my friend asked me if I’d like to ask a question for that day’s train-ing, and because I was bored that day, I joined in the train-ing. Ever since that day I’ve been training with my Com-mArts friends and eventually we were dubbed as the “Unof-ficial Honorary Members” of the AB Pautakan Team. It was good to be part of trainings because not only do we learn

and enjoy, but we also help the team on the process. We were serious about trainings even though there are times that we goof around because we know how AB’s pressured on winning since they have been the defending champions. And because we’re really determined to help the team win especially that my friend Racine Castro was a team member. It was a rewarding feel-ing to train actually, because one, you get to meet genius people who share the same in-terests as yours, getting com-pliments from adviser Rhodora Lynn Lintag is also another. Krissy, Dorothy, Joseph, Ra-cine, David, Kuya Zaldy, Ate Karla, all seven of them really are great people at their own rights. They are probably the reasons why I enjoyed training and why I’ll miss it in the long run. How can I forget that the Pautakan competition day was epic? February 24, we cre-ated a heartwarming scene when we cried for David Na-dora Jr.’s victory and for the team’s defeat and triumph. It was epic because al-though we may not know each other for a long time, I feel for them much as I will if I was re-ally part of the team.

Long Live, page 23

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By ERIKA DIZON

CANDIDATES gun-ning for posts in the AB Stu-dent council endured the scorching heat of the sun to impart their platforms to the AB student body in the “Mit-ing de Avance” held at Plaza Mayor last February 15. Party standard bear-ers commenced the Miting de Avance with guns blazing, drawing cheers from support-ers and spectators, “Everyone here is without a doubt ca-pable in their respective po-sitions” Dr. Carlos Manapat one of the event panelists said after the candidates wittily an-swered the economics profes-sor’s questions. Mostly debated upon was the issue on “uniform change” which time and again is bolstered by the artlets. Vince Cifra, a presidential as-pirant from DEKADA, in jest, said he was once mistaken for an attendant at a bookstore

while wearing his AB uniform. Rex Remitio of Grand Alliance for Progress (GAP) also cited a similar situation. Mrs. Florence Ledes-ma, another panelist, also complimented on how the can-didates remained unruffled af-ter a battery of questions were raised by the panel composed of selected professors and stu-dents. A student panelist posed an issue for the two in-cumbent officers, Cifra and Remitio, regarding their un-performed plans during their stay in the office. “Division is the reason,” said Remitio. “We can make this centralized even if we’re not the majority,” he added, agreeing with Cifra’s former statement that central-ization is the key to reaching goals in an administration. “By being a role mod-el,” SDP presidential bet Mon Gualvez replied to the ques-tion on how they could moti-

vate AB to be socially active. “Everyone should know social issues and everyone should know the stand of the leader.” Things got steamy to-wards the end of the forum that left the listeners in an even louder uproar as AB professor Dr. Flordeliz Altez brought up a matter about violating uni-form rules. “Leaders are supposed to be law abiders,” she said and alleged, “some are not following the prescribed cut of the uniform” without pin-pointing names but making an apparent reference to a few candidates. Clad in her altered blue skirt, SDP vice president internal candidate Charmaine Burdette stood up and gave her statement about the issue. “This represents my stand for changing the uni-form,” she said and added, “This represents that I am for the change.” I

MITING DE AVANCE CONCLUDES CAMPAIGN SEASON

The Homecoming Steering Committee Chair, Atty. Nilo Divina (Bes ‘85), Dean of UST’s Faculty of Civil Law, in behalf of Batch ‘85, handed over a generous check as a donation to the Simbahayanan Housing Project, a UST quadricentennial program which was undertaken in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga.

As a fitting tribute to batch ‘85’s former Dean, the organizing committee also formally launched the Dean Magdalena Alonso-Villaba – AB Batch ‘85 Scholarship Endowment Fund. This pet project hopes to fulfill the aspirations of poor but deserving students who dream of obtaining a degree from the prestigious liberal arts college of UST.

Other members of the steering committee were AB Faculty Secretary Lino Baron, Renato Cuisia, Noel Lansang, Ramon Ilagan, Nicky Salandanan, Teng Reyes-Castillo, Jocyline Almeda – Obispo, Nerissa Revilla, Ellen Mondez – Cruz, Arne Queenie Encisa – Madrilejos and Christer James Ray Gaudiano. Pauline Manlusoc

Homecoming From page 2

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By ALYOSHA ROBILLOS

AGE 19: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy “Cum Laude”; Age 21: Master of Arts in Philosophy “Benemeritus”; Age 26: Ph.D. in Philosophy “Summa Cum Laude”; Age 37: Dean of Faculty of Arts and Letters. The list will surely go on because these days in AB, there is only one way to spell impressive… V-A-S-C-O.

Promotion at a young age The credentials of rela-tively new Prof. Dr. Michael Anthony C. Vasco explain his promotion at an early age. At 37, he is already a veteran of administrative work. Before being placed in AB, he had been the Fac-ulty Secretary of the College of Nursing and the Graduate School. Although a mainstay in the administrative scene, he did not expect to become dean so soon. At one point, Dean Vasco, decided to take some sort of sabbatical from admin-istrative work to fully enjoy his professorial rank in UST. After only one semes-ter of teaching, he was sum-moned to become the next dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters. “I would look at it as a promotion. I’ve been an ad-ministrator for 14 years, per-haps they noticed my perfor-mance,” he told Insignia. Having been the coor-

dinator for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Faculty Development Pro-gram from 2002-2009, he has devoted himself to the revi-sion of the AB curriculum. This year, he initiated the review of the current cur-riculum so that the product could be effective by 2011 or 2012. “I think it is timely be-cause our present curriculum has been used for 7 years now and it is high time that we re-view it properly so that by 2011 or 2012, we can already implement the new curricu-lum for all courses and reduce the number of units of the pro-gram,” he said.

Homecoming It turns out that this promotion was actually more of a homecoming than a new job assignment. A graduate of AB Phi-losophy, Dean Vasco used to walk the corridors of St. Ray-mund’s building during his collegiate years. Absolutely no culture shock was experienced as he rose to the occasion. “It’s not a problem for me because I was a student of the Arts and Letters so I know the nature and character of all students here. I was here and I used the same rooms that you are now using so I know the temperament and exuber-ance of liberal arts students,” he said referring to the Artlet populace.

“The job of the dean does not begin or end in the office...”

In fact, he showed love for his roots when he became one of the major proponents for making the University a center of excellence for Philos-ophy in 1999 and eventually became Public Relations Offi-cer of the Philosophical Asso-ciation of the Philippines from 2001-2003. Most students see him as “pro-student”, as he al-lowed the AB Student Coun-cil to submit the proposal for uniform change as long as the clamor came from the stu-dents, and not only from the student leaders. He has to keep track of work on the various plans and

A FINE BALANCE

DR. MICHAEL ANTHONY C. VASCO

activities beyond the office walls such as academic link-ages and benchmarking activi-ties, student exchanges, semi-nar organization, and local and international conferences, to which he is no stranger to. He has visited some of the most prestigious insti-tutions in the world and has joined many international lectures, seminars and confer-ences. He assures the Faculty of Arts and Letters that their activities and concerns have been placed in able hands. He has attended nu-merous series of conferences in Europe (2005), cultural and educational visits to Paris and France (2005), a student program at the Yokohama National University in Japan (2006), and lectures at the Ma-cao Economic Services (2007). Despite the weight of his work, he still maintains the drive to do more. “The job of the dean does not begin or end in the office; I have to do other ac-tivities that will put the name of the college in the academic word bank,” he explained. “You have to balance everything,” he quips when asked about how he deals with being dean while preserving his personal life. For so long, AB’s live-ly disposition has often been misunderstood as fits of delin-quency or cries for attention. Now, it looks like the Faculty of Arts and Letters has finally found in Dean Vasco the fine balance it needs. I

Quadri From page 1 and getting the trust of their fellow thomasians was merely the first leg of the race. Now, they are in the second leg of the race the race of serving the thomasian community and performing their duties well as council officers. Professor Songco also commended the parents of the officers who were present in the celebration “for their fervor in supporting their children throughout the race”. Alyssa Ashley Cruz

Fr. Tiong referred to the elected official’s tenure in office as “different” as it would be during the University’s quadricentennial year. Consequently, the officers were clad in semi-formal attires which was not done in previous oath takings. “Everything must be new so that every year is like our first anniversary”, the Vice Rector said in his homily. He expects that the newly elected officers will not only be of service to the Thomasian community but to God as well, which was the essence of the Gospel. We see in you the hope of this University and the hope of this country” Tiong added. Central COMELEC (Commission on Elections) Chairperson Yanna Diorella Umali formally presented the newly elected council officers to the Vice Rector before the ceremony commenced. After the oath taking, Assistant Professor Anita P. Garcia, COMELEC Adviser, presented the sworn officers to make a sign of reverence before the whole assemblage. Newly appointed AB Dean Anthony Vasco and deans from other colleges were in attendance. The event’s final words came from the Director of the Office for Student Affairs Professor Evelyn A. Songco. She congratulated the “quadri officers” and said that winning their respective posts

Action From page 3 “Centralization of government ang tawag ko dyan”, he said. Another new concept is the ‘little plan’ of doubling the single ABSC bulletin board to keep the students updated. Two bulletin boards: one board is made for the complete list of officers, chairpersons, committee heads and members with their contact details for students to keep in touch; the other is for announcements, activities and updates for the AB community. Though the new council has a ‘blurred majority’, as other elected candidates are mostly from different parties he said that through the ‘basis of faith’, he would do all the best to serve his AB community for 7 months and that, “it takes an Action Man to work very seriously in a short period of time, let us dream together! Walang Iwanan sa AB!” I

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A woman behind everything His mother saw his potential to become a leader. “She encouraged me to run for student office because it became our bonding time,” he said. The moments he spent with his mother played a crucial part in his future plans to run for student office. His mother was the “heart” of every speech he made. “ W h a t e v e r accomplishments we have, it is not our personal accomplishments but it is an accomplishment of our parents,” he said. A 19 year-old Legal Management student and a Santo Tomas scholar, he still manages to be in the Dean’s List. Being a responsible student, he earned back the student body’s trust when he was the AB Student Council’s (ABSC) treasurer thereby winning the presidency for the next academic year. It is for this reason that when he was the ABSC treasurer he noticed that officers are not that intact; he

feels that he has to make the officers work to produce good results. Despite his busy schedule he sees to it that he accomplishes every task. “It is important that we know our responsibilities,” he added. From the Faculty of Arts and Letters political ring, Doy’s political career took a new turn as he won the CSC presidency bringing his experience as the ABSC president. Lakas Tomasino, his political party, aided his campaign and sealed his victory despite of the party’s suspension due to a faulty financial report. His edge over his opponents would be his love for communication. “I think we are equal. All I can say is that I really like to communicate with are people who are willing to help them. I find joy in communicating with people,” he says. As the Quadricentennial CSC president, he has to meet up the student body’s expectations. “It is going to be very

hard; because it is not only a faculty that he will be handling but the whole University,” he admitted.

Looking ahead The original plan is to strengthen university organizations, which will bring CSC closer to the students. He wants students to “feel that whatever problems they may have, CSC is always there for them.” He wants committees that will concentrate on student issues; another projected vision. He needs the Thomasian’s support and cooperation for upcoming projects that the CSC will be offering for the Quadricentennial. As CSC president, he promises that the projects proposed will be feasible. No wonder why he is often seen on ABS-CBN’s election awareness campaign; he deserves to be recognized as a leader. Leandro “Doy” Santos II surely is AB’s pride. By Milenette Sarah Uy

Doy From page 1

MARGINAL BLISS: AN INTERVIEW WITH CARLOMAR ARCANGEL DAOANABy: PERSIA PLAZA AND NOELYN TOLENTINO

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BORN on the 1st of February 1979, Carlomar Ar-cangel Daoana, a young poet, traveler, a pride of the Fac-ulty of Arts and Letters and a proud Thomasian proudly says that he was just an ordi-

nary student in college. A graduate of Bach-elor’s Degree in Literature (2004), 31 year-old Daoana was a young achiever having been the sole winner for poet-ry on the 13th Ustetika Annual

Awards for Literature, a for-mer UST Center for Creative Writing and Studies Junior Associate for poetry, and an Associate Editor of the Varsi-tarian, the official publication of UST.

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He also bagged a couple of awards both here and abroad.

On being an Artlet Despite his credentials, Daoana shared that he is just an ordinary student back in AB, “Basically, there is noth-ing special about me; I’m just one of those students wearing the typical polo barong,” he told Insignia. He described his life as an Artlet as ‘not quite event-ful.’ He even flunked a couple of subjects before being able to graduate with his course. Being a person who loves writing, the highlight of his college life was being a part of the Varsitarian. He expresses sincere gratitude for the University because it helped him a lot in exploring his full potential.

“My teachers back then,

I’m not saying that they are the most devoted, but they really are living for the written word,” Daoa-na said referring to Oph-elia Dimalanta, UST’s only writer-in-residence and preeminent poet who helped him wake up the ‘inner poet within him.’ He describes UST as “an institution where there is really this culture of writers like Jose Rizal.” He shares that ‘if it hadn’t been for the rig-orous training he experi-enced in AB, he will not be able to achieve what he has right now.’

“The perfect expres-sion of my craft is being able to publish a book,” he quipped. He has published two books, Marginal Bliss which is a collection of his own poems and The Fashionista’s Book of Enlightenment, a book that tackles about the technicalities in the world of Fashion. He is the current editor of Search Engine Optimization.

Ordinariness of life “My inspiration is the ordinariness of life, that I have to create something form this ordinariness.” He captures his inspi-ration with the prevalence of human life itself, thus he con-siders this as art, the way he points out the different places, the usual places where people live life to the fullest and try-ing to converse with it.

The challenge for him is to create purpose out of the terrible chaos people traverse with their everyday existence. He considers Baguio City as ‘his ultimate inspira-tion.’

“My inspiration is the ordinariness of life, that I have to create something form this ordinari-

ness.” In his first book, ten po-ems are about Baguio City. He also finds inspiration whenev-er he sees a blank white page of the Microsoft word; he feels the need to write.

Message for thomasians and future writers “If you really don’t like what you are doing then quit,” he says. He wants to tell his fellow Thomasians that with the 400 years of UST with the solid uninterrupted division that we are lucky to be a part of this community. “Let us always consid-er that other schools may look hip but they don’t have 400 years. They don’t have that set of alumni, archives and books” The life and experienc-es of Carlomar Daoana are eye openers for us Thomasians to work hard and be the best that we can. I

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LOCAL LORENZOSBy CHARISSE NUEVA ESPANA AND BETTINA PANGALANGAN

STUDENTS go to school to learn, but isn’t it more fun if we learn and work at the same time? For years, the Univer-sity of Santo Tomas has pro-vided a way for bright stu-dents who find the amount of the tuition daunting to their financial backbone to get into UST and thus get an excellent education.

Making the cut Scholarships like the San Martin de Porres and San Lorenzo Ruiz open the way for students such as Jennifer Ferrer, an 18 year old Journal-ism student currently working in the Office for Student Af-fairs (OSA). She is a full time work-ing scholar who needs to maintain a grade of 2.5 with no failed subjects to retain her position. “We were financially

challenged,” Jennifer told In-signia. A little luck and a leap of faith was what she need-ed, but mostly perseverance sprinkled with a good turn of faith. Anne Jeanette Priela, a sophomore Journalism stu-dent currently working in the Office or Community Devel-opment (OCD) says her family is very supportive with regard to her scholarship. There’s an apparent happiness etched on her face at the mention of her family. “Whenever I get home from work, obviously I am irritated; to see your mom preparing your food, telling you to eat and asking how your day was, that stress goes away,” she says.

Dealing with pressure When faced with pres-sure, Marie Angeline Pagu-

layan, a working student from Journalism, said that no one should think about pressure. “When doing activi-ties, one should not let pres-sure best them; in the end the quality of their work suffers,” Pagulayan said. “You should just do your best and try not to be stressed out,” she added. While it is a big task to juggle work and studies si-multaneously, Pagulayan is a consistent Dean’s Lister. She takes pride in her ability to manage her time properly. In the workplace, there is a sense of friendship that they cultivate within their col-leagues while working side by side giving them the advan-tage of expanding their social network. Scholars develop an almost too good to be true sense of camaraderie, patience and responsibility as they con-stantly work with people from different colleges and year lev-els. They have taken an ex-tra step of helping themselves and their family by serving fellow Thomasians. They have secured themselves a place in the demanding world outside by getting first class educa-tion, ready for what the world has in store for them. Let’s give them a warm round of applause, shall we? I

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ANDREWLY AGATON: DISTRESSING 101By ALEXIS LAGMAN AND BIANCA OSORIO

STRESSFUL – this is how Andrewly Agaton de-scribes his life as a regular em-ployee at McDonald’s. Aside from working part-time in McDonald’s, An-drewly Agaton is a graduat-ing student majoring in Jour-nalism and a Special Reports writer of the Varsitarian, the University’s official publica-tion.

Working and writing Agaton used to be an-other ordinary person, effort-less – laidback. His daily routine in-cluded attending class and go-ing home afterwards. When he was still a freshman, he want-ed to make the most of his free time by being participating in extra-curricular activities. He tried joining an organization but he failed to meet the deadline for the submission of required docu-ments. After a year of having no other activity besides his classes, he joined Earth UST. This was the first university-wide organization he joined. As expected, he be-came active and joined the trips promoted by the society. When he joined Thomasian Cable Televesion (TomCAT), he became more serious about journalism. Not everybody is blessed with financial security.His mother wanted him to

transfer to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in order to prioritize his sib-ling’s needs. But because of his determination to finish his studies here in UST, he decid-ed to make a bold move and took the risk of working so that he can help his parents in financing his education. Before applying at McDonald’s, he tried apply-ing in two call center agencies which later on phoned him for the job. Unfortunately, he was seventeen then and he needed to be eighteen to be employed so he turned to the fast food chain and worked there as part of the crew. “It was very hard,” he told Insignia referring to his first job experiences. The following academ-ic year was stressful and filled with activities. He had to go to school, work at McDonald’s and write for the Varsitarian and com-press these all in a day’s time. He only has Fridays to rest. When asked about conflicts in schedule, he said that if two events are happen-ing simultaneously, he would absent himself from his work at McDonald’s just to go to the other activity. According to him, his managers were very kind. “I can always give up McDo for my acads,” Agaton answered diligently. Going home to Cavite

every day was very hard for him. Despite the availability of student residences, it was too costly for him. His salary is just enough for his daily ex-penses. As for his social life, to him it means going out with his friends at night and sing-ing in videokes. He can only go out at night because of his work but he treats himself at times since he works hard for the things he is enjoying. With regards to his love life he says that he is not pursuing anyone right now. “Life is not scripted; we plan our life but in reality, we don’t follow it,” he quips. A day in the life of Andrewly Agaton maybe stressful but just like a real professional, he manages it well, putting up an attitude of an Artlet along with perseverance to succeed. I

ALBY HUNGRY NO MORE!By BIANCA BERNARDO

GATEWAY has Dairy Queen, SM San Lazaro has Po-tato Corner, and now, AB has Alby’s named after its owner, invading students by storm with its quick meals available for Artlets. Before, students need to battle the heat and dodge cars to purchase food since the AB building does not have any can-teen, now filling up their empty stomachs is just few steps away. Indeed, it is difficult for the students to have classes while they can feel their stom-achs grumbling. They can’t di-gest their lessons properly be-cause they are worrying about how they can buy food. Due to insistent student demand, a food stall was placed inside St. Raymund’s building made the students’ comfortable

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with their schedules. Artlets eating heartily inside the building became a fixture ever since the food stall opened. Located at the left wing of St. Raymund’s Building is Alby Gandamna’s food stall. The business started last No-vember 12 and since then, buy-ing and accessing food became quite simple and easy for the AB students. The prices are a little high compared to other stalls but AB students still pre-fer Alby’s food stall since it is the most available.

Grace under pressure Christie Avelin, the store keeper is perhaps known by almost everybody in the building. If you don’t know her, you probably haven’t been at the food stall. “I feel pressured espe-cially when there are too many students buying at the same time, I don’t know who to serve first because all of them are in a rush,” she told Insignia. Con-ceivably, the perfect description for her; grace under pressure. She gives a smile with every purchase sending posi-tive vibes. “It is easy to get along with them; they are really so-ciable,” she says when asked about the attitude of AB stu-dents towards her. During the student’s free time, some students hang out in the stall while talking

and laughing with Ate Christie. Given that there are students who start their class at 7am and need to travel for hours; they tend to go to school without having their breakfast. The food stall became a big help to those students who have jam-packed schedule. Jus-tinne Garcia, a Literature soph-omore is one of those students who purchase food from the stall. “The food stall is ben-eficial; we now have an outlet to regain our energy. Buying is also hassle-free since we don’t need to go outside the building. I like the food; it’s yummy and easy to eat,” Justinne says. Alby’s stall has a wide variety of food selections. Ranging from beverages, sand-wiches, pasta and doughnuts, every AB student will surely be full. Growling tigers? Still present. Growling stomachs? No more! I

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to make his/her family proud. Each of us bears this insignia in our hearts and minds; it is our driving force to keep trusting in a government that has forgotten its real intentions of running its people. Cliché as this may sound; the youth will never stop believing in a genuine idea of real change. The idea that someone will still believe in the unknown and do the impos-sible, something that will die in the hearts of this generation. Ideas that the previous generation kept within their hearts, preserved in paper for the next generation to read and to utilize. Words’ coming from a mouth of a journalism student, the future is not as grim com-pared to what people are saying, there is still something beneath the dark clouds that shroud this country: rays of hope and future emanating from us. The world is not what it really seems, with all the things in mass media; our role is to change the reality to something worth praising. Rizal’s poem, A La Ju-ventud Filipina depicts the Fili-pino youth differently from that of the Spanish. Comparing this to our generation, the Filipino youth today is much different from Rizal depicts, gone are the days where the youth was seen as future of this country, now we are only seen as mere memories of a distant past that we fail to embody. This is where Rizal succeeds, he still believes that every Filipino youth can still do something, he was not

E D I T O R I A L~ I N S I G N I A ~

THE WORD Insignia means mark or a symbol of something. Living in a world where it is run by technology, where people who are lost in their own social networks and fast-paced lifestyles rule the streets, how does one really make a symbol or an insignia in this world? Growing up in the time when blackouts were very com-mon and the Philippines was still known throughout Asia as a tiger economy, one can’t help but fathom and ask the ques-tion, what happened to this country? Do we still have to pity ourselves with the same problems that plagued the pre-

vious generation? NO, is what the youth should say. This generation can still do something to rise up from the problems that keep defacing the face of this country. This insignia is some-thing that this generation should epitomize, something that this generation will be proud of; be it campaigns for moral and so-cial awareness, global warm-ing or clean politics, all of these things make up the dreams of every child that walk the streets at night hungry and unclothed, every idealistic teenager that rally the streets for what they believe in and the simple stu-dent who vows to finish school

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wrong in plainly believing in what we could do. We bear the burden of this country; corruption, moral degradation, dirty politics, lack of respect for the environment, etc. Despite these problems, of its enormity, we bear this and leave a mark in the eyes of the old ones. We should not stop believing in that little spark of hope that resides in the darkest corners of our hearts, we should let it flourish. The youth is the

future of this country, encour-age not discourage, empower, do not belittle and trust not dis-trust. Technology played a big role in shaping our genera-tion; it has shaped what we are right now. Despite negative perceptions, why not harness its potential as a medium for change? Why not use to sway the masses and make them real-ize what WE can do? The mark of this gen-

eration lies on the power of the mind. What ways can we do to change this wayward country? What new way of thinking will empower this society? All these questions are for us to answer and shape; this generation’s In-signia. Distrust lives in the hearts of those who fear loss of power; let us make our stand in this society. I

CROWNING GLORYALEXANDRA SACLAO

ARE YOU THE ONE?

Ever wondered what it feels like when you are speak-ing in front of thousands of people reporting about what the coaches has to say during dugouts and huddles? Well, I do. That is why now that the hunt for the next Court-side Reporter of the Univer-sity Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) for the 73rd season has already be-gun, I won’t waste any of my time trying it out, and there’s no way anyone’s going to stop me. Anybody can try their luck on being a UAAP report-er as long as they are 18 to 23 years old, fluent in both, Eng-lish and Tagalog, is familiar with the UAAP players, can adjust to the game schedules and of course, has the will and spunk to do it. An interested

applicant may submit a Bio-data, one close-up and one whole body picture on or be-fore May 30, 2010. AB’s Communication Arts and Journalism students are encouraged to audition as the experience of being the university’s representative will be a big help in connection to their future careers. But for the past three years, the task of delivering blow-by-blow accounts of what is happen-ing inside the court has been given to non-AB students, in the likes of morena beauties, Diane Querrer (Season 70 and 71), from the AMV-College of Accountancy and Pach Cansa-na (Season 72) from the Col-lege of Architecture. Auditioning for the part is a no-easy task; you must endure long lines because of the hundreds of students from

different colleges and univer-sities all aiming to get the job, and the possibility of being rejected the moment you stut-ter in front of the camera. So those aspiring reporters out there better practice in front of the mirror so that when it is your turn to show what you’ve got, there is a little possibility that you will struggle. Also, one of the benefits of being your school’s representative is the privilege of having very good seats when watching any UAAP event and you also get stuff from Nike all for FREE! So guys, If I were you, I won’t let this chance get past through me without trying it. So join me in auditioning to be University of Santo Tomas’ Quadricentennial Courtside Reporter! GO USTE!

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A YEAR AGO, when I was riding a pedicab on my way to UST, I was surprised when the driver asked me, “Anong year ka na sa high school, iha?” Although it was embarrassing, I just dismissed it as a joke. I thought it was the first and last time that I will be asked with such a question. But the in-cident of me being mistaken as a high school student occurred more than a couple of times. Sometimes, I think that my petite appetite has some-thing to do with it – until one day, I finally figured out why. I was riding in a jeepney but this time, I was on my way home from school. A girl sitting across me caught my attention. She was wearing multiple-pleated navy-blue skirt, a white nakar blouse with white nakar buttons and a ribbon of the same color as her skirt was tied around it.

At first, I thought she was a student of the Faculty of Arts and Letters. But a glimpse of her I.D. revealed that she was a student in a nearby public school. These incidents were enough to make me realize that something must change in the style of uniform of AB.Honestly, before it was not a big deal for me. However, to see an almost perfect carbon copy of my uniform while riding a public vehicle or walking in the streets is getting annoying for I feel that I am losing my identity as an Artlet and as a Thomasian. Moreover, to be mis-taken as a high school student every time I wear my uniform is demeaning for my part. And the only thing that sets me apart as an Artlet is my I.D. I thought I was the only one bellowing these sentiments. To my bewilderment, class-

mates and fellow Artlets feel and experience the same things too. There was this amusing in-cident in which a good friend of mine was restricted to enter a mall in the morning because the guard also mistaken her as a high school student. Last February, the change in uniform has finally been proposed by the Arts and Letters Student Council (ABSC). The placing of a freedom in the St. Raymund’s lobby was a good starting point. In this way, the Artlets were able to express their feelings through the pow-er of a paper and pen duo. While it is understand-able that the Faculty Adminis-tration wants to retain the sym-bols that define our uniform, the truth is that the Artlets would forego them in exchange for a new uniform -

Identity page 20

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVEI D E N T I T Y C R I S I S

MARIE ANGELINE PAGULAYAN

Editor-in-Chief Ramon Royandoyan

Managing Editor Marie Angeline Pagulayan

Associate Editor Marianne Dee

News Editor Don Joseph Dejaresco

Features Editor Rosette Adel

Sports Editor Alexandra Saclao

Literary Editor

Isabella Mikaela Malonzo

Photography Dan Dupale

Layout & Art Editor Maxine Ann Velasco

Dennese Vzmyn Victoria

News Ma. Christina Santos

Buena BernalCristine Marie Santos

Ashley Cruz Anne Jamnague

Erika DizonMaria Alina Galagaran

Pamela CabreraRachelaine Tubera

Features Bianca Bernardo

Milenette Uy Bettina Pangalangan

Persia Plaza Noelyn Tolentino

Bianca OsorioAlexis Lagman

Glennie Lumahan Bianca de Mesa

Roznelette delos Reyes Alyosha Robillos

Literary Karlo Oropesa Neriza Dicion

Anna Krisha Santiago Ana Pascual

Monalisa Chuang Rome Sta. Ana

Beatrice Hermano Faye Saguiguit Joanna Conde

Daisy Jane Sande

Sports Peevi Jannsen Juan

Adrian CoMichaela Cortez

ArtNeil Carandang

Photography Mikolo Cadiz

~ I N S I G N I A ~

D Y S F U N C T I O N A L M I N DTHE ARTLET’S EXILE

WALKING down the spiral staircase, eyes burning through my back, scarring like heated iron on my blue skin, I look back, pairs of eyes like that of a tiger staring at their twin, voiceless yet criticising, silently pushing me further down into the spiral stair-case. Taking another step, not minding the darkness that slowly hugged me, making the colour of my skin fade, I told myself, it isn’t that bad, being exiled, at the bottom of the staircase I am free, to be myself and to do as I please, and yet in my heart, their cruel criticisms carved a spiral stair-case that I knew I’ll be using to heal my wounds, though I knew that I had no other vic-tim but myself. It will cause the warm and cold winds within me to form a spiral of destruction, dismantling everything in its path, fortifying the ache on my back, ensuring that I will never heal. Half way down, finally letting the darkness devour me, I feel a numbness that I knew would come to anyone damned to stand at the bottom. A smile forms on my lips, a sort of celebration, my wishful thinking somehow slipped from the dark pas-sages of my mind to the realm

of reality, the halt that would impede my descent. Stopping, balancing, feeling the pair of foundations that has seem-ingly disappeared though still visible, like a mere vision, or a dream, along with all these, I hope, feeling a sudden rush of curiosity or perhaps longing, my eyes wandering to see how far I’ve come down, if they are still watching me or not, I see nothing but darkness, but only for a moment, for a pair of eyes like those from before only of a different colour appears before me, suddenly feeling a force on my shoulders, in a flash I was falling, tumbling, my body hit every corner of each step, like a wheel going through rubble. The cause of my suf-fering playing a movie as I broke one bone to another, as I go down further, there would be neither scream of pain nor tears of sadness, for the numb-ness has taken over my whole body. Reaching the bottom of the staircase, my hip landing the bottom step with a crack that blurred my dream of ever climbing up again, I looked around, unfeeling, smiling at the thought that I have arrived earlier, and that now I have all the liberties that I wanted. Trying to sit up, I re-alize that my body is miss-

ing, searching the cold dark landing, a sudden burst of laughter from all directions alarmed my senses, straining my eyes to see who or what it is, I saw my torso, hands feet, legs, hip, and arms scattered, and has somehow grown a mouth they’re using to laugh hysterically, losing my mind, I saw them grow arms and feet, fighting each other to get to the top first, thus hinder-ing any progress, and in their failure they said in unison the words “It isn’t that bad”. I

one that would make an Artlet distinct wherever he goes. Like any change, Artlets should expect that it would be not easy.The process of decid-ing what will be the new design, what materials to use and ad in-finitum. Moreover, the willing-ness of the student body to spend money for a new uniform has a huge bearing (but then of course, money is not of the es-sence anymore). If change in uniform be implemented, Artlets should keep in mind that uniform is not the measurement of one’s intellect but rather serves as our Thomasian insignia. I

Identity From page 20

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MARIANNE ANGELA DEE

B AT T L E F U R YLET IT BE IN AB

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THE FACULTY of Arts and Letters was established during the latter years of the Spanish occupancy in the Phil-ippines, the faculty’s four walls were already there to witness the tyranny and oppression brought about by the Spanish hegemony. After more than a cen-tury those four walls are still amid oppression and tyranny. Not really much has changed since the country’s colonial pe-riod. Though botod friars are no longer existent, a new kind of greedy swine-like being has taken its place. Politicos, they are the modern day friars, not any-more clad in brown robes but in business suits and barongs, and while the poor in shanties suffer, they lavish themselves with material luxuries without any regard of how life is behind the walls of their grandiose mansions. I am no Conrado de Quiros so there will be no lam-basting of some politician or bu-reaucrat in this column (if you were expecting such). I merely want to point out certain factors on how to preclude having self-seeking leaders. The emergence of this kind of leader can partly be blamed on learning institutions, including AB. In fact, especially AB. Students to come from the portals of UST’s liberal arts fac-ulty are usually those on the frontlines in the battle against

corruption, they are those who would be lawyers, journalists, mentors, and even politicians. These are positions that have the capability to preclude the encroaching on civil liberties and the abuse of power and the Artlet must know that. Martyrdom can-not be imposed on anyone, but even the slightest ounce of cour-age and concern from each of us would do. One does not need to march down Mendiola to show his patriotism, all he needs to do is use his expertise to contribute in changing this dysfunctional system we call “Philippine Gov-ernment”; the Artlet must know that. AB students are trained to be experts in their crafts, but aside from that they must be re-minded constantly to be scruple in whatever they do and be nur-tured as concerned rounded cit-izens of this country. If that has been done, it should be done better. These are simple things that if put in a larger scale would cause vast results. It’s not only excellence that should be sought but also nationalism, with adequate technique and ardor towards his country the Filipino shall rise above what-ever daunting circumstance. It’s not enough to be idealists, as ideas need to be backed by actions and actions need to be guided by principles. The chal-lenge for every Artlet is not to be a mere spectator while our

DON JOSEPH DEJARESCO

country is being despoiled by botods; be part of the change, be part of the revolution. Let change start in AB, let change start in an artlet, it’s about time to deviate from what is and start shaping what is to come. As Edmund Burke once said, “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” I

A salvo of superficial images often arrives in our very vision nowadays and leaves us wondering “How on God’s green earth did that happen?” That’s the magic of post-processing. Back then, when film-based cameras were still the medium of imaging, people, conscious of the artistic value of their picture, tend to con-template thoroughly with their camera’s settings so as not to waste a precious frame on a 36 exposure film roll. That was before. What I see now are people with large, bulky, black pieces of plastic dangling on their necks. It might first strike you with the impression of awe that Philippines do have a lot of photographers.

Magic page 23

VIEW-FINDER

DAN DUPALE

MAGIC, SORT OF

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M I L L O F T H E O D D SOFF WITH YOUR HEAD

If we could only trust in ideas and not in men, I believe it would all be better. Yesterday was eventful; me trying to convince an activ-ist to participate in the coming elections and vote. It felt a bit weird because when I started the thread, I thought I would be the one empowered and more than ready to vote. Instead, what I got was the “you’re the one who is idealistic and you’re expecting nothing to come from nothing” talk. Well, if the problem with me is that I am too idealis-tic, I think that the problem with most people is that they don’t try to be idealistic enough. Sometimes, this is how things end up here in AB too. During the eventful February elections, a lot of things are proposed; a lot of promises are made. And then in the course of the year, when these young and comfort-zone promising students start to act, the rest of the students find out that what they have voted for are only student politicians and not stu-dent leaders. They find out that what they have bought is the idea and not the people who can achieve them. The apathy starts here; and then, when they have had enough dissatisfaction, these students are led to the idea of not voting anymore because their last attempt in giving the elections a shot was an epic fail-ure.

I believe that the prob-lem here and in our country’s issue of a lot of people not car-ing to vote is that people trust on people for results. We don’t buy their capabilities and in-stead buy the comfort zones they are promising, hoping that it would all be better for us if they do win. But it is not often that they do accomplish everything they promised; when our com-fort zone isn’t realized, we brand the whole as a hopeless failure. This is what we know – what is in our heads; and we trust them because we say that we have been there and done that and yet nothing still has changed. But why are we wait-ing for a single event that hap-pens once a year or every six years to change our lives? Let us forget about what has been re-peating in our heads. The road to change is not a once a year show. We have every day to start with and one or every six years to empower the changes we make everyday. It is true that no one in-dividual can change the whole, but who says that the entire government is one individual? Even the entire government still depends on people to be successful in their programs. So if they fail, what we must be is not the judging one and the condemning one. People fail; there never are perfect leaders. What we must do is to follow

the ideas behind the people; if the people fail, other people can come and help; and then we would all achieve the same thing because though there are different people, there is only one idea. So voting never is an idea too far for the pragmatist to try. Everyone who says they are looking for change should try and look for all the avenues they can find to breathe change; and voting I believe, is one of them. It has never been about what is only in our hands and what we know with our heads. Sometimes we need to go past our experiences and what we have known; to try again be-cause we can never really tell when and where change will come from. All we can really do is to start with what we can. With this, I wish to someday see the students of AB voting for ideas and not for men and the comfort zones they promise. I wish to someday see AB going outside of their boxes and still in the path for change. For when I have seen AB like this can I say that her promises of excellence are true and her aroma of liberalism is not emp-ty but progressive and is aimed at the right direction. I

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But whether or not they know how to capture an image is left to my wondering. And if you are to take a look at their camera’s mode wheel, you will see the camera is in full-auto mode. What the heck?! They might just as well settle with the point-and-shoot camera. I see a lot of photo-graphs, even some of it winning awards, with phony skies, and spurious reflections of what-ever in the water. Honestly, I am not astonished for I know that some elements of the pic-ture were sham and fabricated. It might appeal to other dream-ers, like them. But, it is down-right obvious for anyone with a keen eye for photos to discern the altered details. It destroys the “natural-ity” of the picture. And, until now, I still cannot comprehend why they result to post-pro-cessing when, in fact, they can master the picture even before they shoot. That is, by observ-ing the factors around you, where the light is coming from, and formulating the right cam-era settings. Tweaking their camera’s mode wheel until it is pointed at M, for Manual, looks like a very tough job for them. Yes, things are easier when in full-automatic mode. But the photographer in you is not developed. You are becom-ing a dependent wannabe. Post-processing it after-wards and adding phony lens flares promote your rank of a

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It was a defeat and at the same time a humungous tri-umph since the team have lost its title and won 2nd runner-up after a close fight against College of Nursing and AMV but the AB Vibe is still within them. Yet again, they made the AB community proud. They will always be the champion in my heart and in the hearts of our fellow Artlets. The team may not have regained their title but I still consider them as the winner. A winner for me is someone who battles out on challenges ar-

Magic From page 21 wannabe into an artificer and a dreamer. Where can you see a cerulean blue, cloudless sky above the Main Build-ing minutes after the typhoon drenched UST while it is still soaking from the flood? The picture looked as if it were ani-mated, three dimensional and, from a sci-fi movie. Post-processing de-stroys the very essence of pho-tography. It teaches the people the discontentment in nature, the stubbornness in contem-plating for the right camera set-ting, and the desire for what is not real. I pity them who miss the gratification and the joy of obtaining your well-contem-plated upon portrait and who rather would settle in hasty capturing but bask in medioc-rity. I fear the day when ev-erybody is on the bad side of creativity. I

Long Live From page 7

mored with wit, strategy, drive and the guidance of our God and they are all these. I believe they really de-serve to win because I know what they have been through. I knew how intense their train-ing was, it is just that it maybe it is not their year. With the sup-port of AB community, they can make it; I know they can. With our tears, stand-ing ovations, energetic cheers, applauses, exchanging of hugs and consoling each other I’ve come to define the AB Vibe. The warm support and camara-derie that I saw in my beloved Faculty of Arts and Letters was really comforting. It was also that defining moment after the Individual Category when the Artlet audience were really screaming and cheering hard for David. This is where AB ca-maraderie manifests. Even the Team Category rounds which got intense due to the Artlet crowd were an evidence of the AB vibe some claim to have been fading. But I also saw alumni supporting the AB team, even the former members of AB Pautakan team were present, indeed when you’re an Artlet you’ll always be an Artlet. With these I’ve proven that there’s no reason for us to revive the AB vibe, because I’ve seen it. Not just on this compe-tition but also on other activi-ties. I knew it will exist long as students will. It will never fade because this is already part of our identity, history and be-cause we are simply AB. I

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