What’s Inside News Editorial Opinion Features Lit
2 4 5 6 8
Volume 4 Issue 1 - 1st Semester AY 2006-2007 The Official Student Publication of the Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, UP Diliman
DCS sets First Grand Alumni Homecoming this February By Joebet Isaac V. del Rosario
In celebration of the twenty-five years of Computer Science in UP Diliman, the Department of Computer Science will hold its first grand alumni homecoming at the new Computer Science building along Velasquez street this coming February 24, 2007. Letters from Professor Evangel P. Quiwa were handed out to the CS alumni last October, inviting them to witness the achievements and the remarkable improvement of the department in terms of equipment, lecture rooms and computer laboratories, all in the department’s new home shared with the College of Engineering Library. He also said that aside from these devel-
By Felix V. Palabrica
opments, the department is proud to show the tradition of excellence that is being kept alive by the constantly reviewed and revised Computer Science curriculum, and department-sponsored events and programs designed to make the students well-rounded individuals. Aside from these, Dr. Cedric Angelo M. Festin, the department chair, said that this event is also set to celebrate the increase in student and faculty population and the introduction of the new graduate program. To be able to participate in this event, all CS alumni are encouraged to register at the UP Diliman Department of Computer Science Alumni Association website (http://www.updcsaa.com).
CS Team grabs 3rd place in the 2006 Marketing Congress By Erica Mae N. Abbass
Y4iT: A Big Bang on Its Fourth Year
Department of Computer Science who vied in the Marketing Congress along with other teams from the eight departments of the College of Engineering.
Their project, K-Mast (short for Karaoke-Master) is an intelligent karaoke software system that enhances the functionalities of personal computers. K-Mast is equipped with robust and unique features like the ability to predict the user’s favorite song and to suggest songs that the user may like. It also has a Friendster-like peer-to-peer connection over the internet among users and a set of rank listings of different song genres all over the world. From the left: Prof. Victoria B. Jardiolin, Joebet Isaac Del Moreover, K-Mast uses an effiRosario, Renz Darnell Noble, Michelle Ongkingco, Jas- cient string matching algorithm per Neil Castillo, Tristan Jed Roque and Ms. ___. in searching matches of the input Choleski emerged third in the previously held against all the song titles, artists and album Marketing Congress 2006 themed “Defy Contitles in the database. Also, K-Mast is said to ventions” and was awarded with Php10,000, be relatively cheaper than any other existing a trophy and medals during the finals night karaoke system. last September 22 at the Engineering Theatre. The second prize went to The League The Marketing Congress 2006 aimed to arm of the Chemical Engineering Department, the engineering students with corporate and while the first prize was won by team Proviera communication skills that will help them to of the Industrial Engineering Department. sell an engineer’s idea by holding a series of seminars and workshops which lasted from The Choleski group is the only team from the Aug 15 to Sept 13.
Now on its fourth year, the Philippine Youth Congress for Information Technology or Y4iT showcased events such as plenary sessions, panel discussions, paper presentations, job fair, and exhibits to widen the youth’s knowledge about the IT world. Over 12,700 participants made their way to UP Diliman to be part of this three-day event, which was held from September 13 to 15 at three different venues: Bahay ng Alumni, UP Theater, and UP Film Institute. The first day was greeted with talks about the interactivity design brought by Techfactors Inc., as well as topics concerning ubiquitous computing. There were also discussions about digital photography led by PH-Photo, and network services, mobile computing and embedded settings by UP-ITTC. The day was wrapped up with success stories in ICT. Plenary speakers include people from the Department of Education, House of Representatives, and Microsoft. The next day was as knowledge-filled as the first one. Talks about Sun Microsystems, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), mobile games by GameTel, software engineering and software practices by Accenture, and issues in Intellectual Property were conducted. Meanwhile in the UP Film Institute, there was a panel discussion regarding open source technology. Due to the growing popularity of the call center industry, the talk ended with topics concerning life in call centers held by ETelecare and Sykes. The third day was sure to be not the least of all. There were discussions on Voice over IP (VOIP), tech-based ... TO PAGE 3
2
NEWS
CS Department Welcomes New Batch of Freshmen
Sir JP named Outstanding Instructor
By Unaiza M. Garnica
By Josephine Gabrielle Ortiz
Last June 21, the Department of Computer Science marks the start of the academic year by welcoming a new set of future computer scientists with educational and fun activities made possible by the CS Network and the different CS organizations. First, the Association of Computer Science Majors or UP CURSOR hosted CS 4 CS: College Survival for CS Students, a freshman orientation program prepared to help the new CS students get acquainted with the different facets of the CS life, from the Department’s retention policies to the possible extra-curricular activities they could participate in. Afterwards, UP CURSOR conducted its annual computer seminar Computorient, where attendees were given an introduction to computer science and a brief discussion about Linux and UP web services. Shortly after Computorient, came The Amazeng’g Tour, another fun event, sponsored by the Association for Computing Ma-
Giving pride to the Computer Science Department, Mr. John Paul Petines received the Outstanding Instructor Award for the Academic Year 2005-2006.
chinery or UP ACM. Here, the freshmen were given a quick tour of our beloved Melchor Hall while performing certain tasks that, in turn, helped them bond as batch mates. But it did not end there. UP CURSOR conducted The Scavenger Hunt, another get-together for the new CS batch last July 5. Indeed, those who participated did not only enjoy the bonding activities prepared for them, but they also familiarized themselves with the Department, which would be their second home for the next four years or so.
CS student receives Dominador Ilio Award By Joebet Isaac V. del Rosario Geomar C. Lubaton, who graduated magna cum laude last April 23, received the Dominador Ilio Award for being the most allaround engineering student for 2006. Geo, as he is often called by his mentors and fellow students, had been very diligent in his studies. He had been consistently honored as a University Scholar and a College Scholar during his stay in the university. He was also chosen as one of the three BPI-DOST Science awardees from UP Diliman this year. Lubaton had been a part of many major research and software projects. He was the control layer programmer of Computerized Network UP Dormitory Management, the database administrator of PLDT Activity Log Online, and the project manager of Elections Online System, PLDT Performance Appraisal Monitoring System and iSay: Online Essay Evaluator, his undergraduate thesis. Aside from his academic achievements, Lubaton had been engaged in several extra-curricular activities. He worked with different people from several organizations in the university: Association of Computer Science Majors (CURSOR), Association for Computing Machinery UP Student Chapter (UP ACM), Society of University Math Students (SUMS+UP), Alliance for Responsive Involvement and Student Empowerment (ARISE), and UP Fencing Club. He was also one of the managing editors of the UP Parser. Moreover, he was named this year’s Most Valuable Player of the UP Fencing team. NEWS // UP PARSER
3
NEWS
During his senior year, Lubaton had been busy in fulfilling his tasks as a CS representative of the Engineering Student Council. He established the CS Network, the alliance of all organizations under the Department of Computer Science. He also spearheaded the department’s Mentor Program, which aimed to help the CS freshmen adapt to college life. When asked what he would like to say to future CS students, he said, “There is nothing perfect in this world. But as long as you’re doing the right thing, there is nothing wrong on trying to be one.”
CS
Sir JP, as he is often called, has been teaching full time since 2001, two years after his graduation with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science here in UP Diliman. Since then, he has been involved in various activities of our department and our college, as well as with organizations within and outside the university. When asked why he does all of this, he said that he simply loves challenges, and perhaps, he never wants the mind to be idle at all. He enjoys the university setting too, a very free and flexible one, as opposed to what he had in company work before, nothing more than a mere routine. This made him to decide to move to the academe and answer his real calling. Teaching is what he really wanted to do. In fact, right after his graduation he got into a part-time job at our department as lecturer. Sir JP now teaches CS and IT courses and has gained the fondness and trust of many CS students–-a probable factor contributing to his receipt of the award. He took his Masters in Information Management in Malaysia and is now finishing his Masters in Technology Management. He will continue to return the favor to his alma mater by teaching and sharing his knowledge to the students as long as he can.
Events
CS Network lays out this year’s projects Poised for greater heights, the CS Network has planned an array of projects to help the department achieve its goals for this year. The Mentor Program, headed by CS Representative Lew Arvin Sibal, looks for volunteers who are willing to offer their help in guiding the CS freshmen as they start out their college life under the very challenging Computer Science curriculum. In order to speed up our Grand Move-Out from Melchor Hall to the new Department of Computer Science building, the CS VolCorps, lead by Jose Paolo Ferrer, will assist the department in preparing and doing the actual move-out. Other tasks to be spearheaded by
UP ACM strikes three By Tristan Jed G. Roque
For two consecutive years, the Association for Computing Machinery, UP Student Chapter (UP ACM) was awarded by ACM International as Outstanding in Community Service among 750 local student chapters across the globe. It was the organization’s third international student chapter excellence award. One of the UP ACM’s event under this category was the Summer Computer Literacy Outreach Program (SCLOP), where members teach selected children ages 8-14 to use computers. This was in line with the organization’s advocacy of bridging the digital divide caused by differences in social status. UP ACM was also earlier tagged as the Microsoft Partner Organization of Excellence. It is also the Technical Organization Ambassador of UP to Microsoft Philippines and it will be the first to establish .Net Club in the university as its latest addition to its three Special Interest Groups - Java, ACM ICPC and Gaming and Graphics. Y4IT ...
UP ACM Amazeng’g Tour 21 June 2006, College of Engineering
CS 21 Quiz Bee 30 August 2006, MH 301, COE
1st Semester AY 2006-2007
entrepreneurship, 3D Modeling, Rendering & Animation held by the Animation Council, POD / VOD casting by Apple, and Bioinformatics brought by the plenary speaker from UP Manila. The last topic caught the attention of the mobile phone enthusiasts as the 3G phone technology was discussed. Also, Ms. Maricor Akol oriented the participants about the Philippine National IT Standard Examination (PhiNits formerly JITSE). 1st Semester AY 2006-2007
By Alexander Christian Raposas
the CS VolCorps are organizing the Grand Alumni Homecoming, to be steered by Alexander Christian Raposas and preparing for this year’s CS week, under the supervision of Christianne Mogarte. Aside from these department-related activities, the DCS was also proud to participate in MACH 4: the Engineering Cup 2006 organized by the Engineering Student Council (ESC). Moreover, CS students were given a chance to show our innovative ideas at the Marketing Congress held this August, which was also prepared by the ESC. Students are encouraged to take pride in being a part of the Department of Computer
Science by participating in these Department-based and College of Engineeringwide events.
DCS produces quality graduates By Tristan Jed G. Roque
The Department of Computer Science continues its legacy by producing 51 new, competitive and promising graduates, 21 or 41% of which finished their bachelor’s degree with honors last April 22, 2006 at the most recent Engineering Recognition Rites.
Moreover, the prestigious Dominador Ilio Award was given to Geomar Lubaton, who was also one of this year’s BPI Science Awardees. Also, three out of the five Oblation scholars who graduated with honors were also from the CS department.
Though this year’s Engineering Valedictorian did not emerge from the pool of CS graduates, 31% of the 66 Engineering honor graduates came from the CS department. CS batch 2006 was lead by Linda Sarmiento II who earned the second spot. The last college topper from CS was Leah Rutaquio from batch 2004.
On the other hand, CS faculty members Ms. Florence T. Balagtas, Ms. Rebecca U. Ong and Mrs. Joyce E. Avestro-Viray marched last April 23, 2006 at the University Commencement Exercises as they completed their MSCS degrees. They were the latest addition to the 19 MSCS graduates since 1999.
DCS welcomes its largest batch of freshmen By Tristan Jed G. Roque
The Department of Computer Science opened the academic year 2006-2007 with 149 CS freshmen, the largest batch in the department’s history. The CS freshmen were also the biggest among the eight departments of the college followed by the Department of Chemical Engineering. This year’s newest addition to the CS community was divided into 4 blocks and 8 CS
The participants were very happy to attend this event. Jose Paolo Ferrer, a BS Computer Science student, said, “Among all the topics discussed, I like Digital Photography the most.” Another BSCS student said, “I was enlightened by Sen. Francis Pangilinan’s speech about the responsibility of the Filipino youth. It inspired me to do more for my country.” Participating schools were given certificates as well as the chance to present their school
11 classes from last year’s 3 and 5 respectively. There were even CS 11 and 12 classes offered during Wednesdays and Saturdays just to accommodate the demands of the big population of freshmen and transferees. “They are lucky enough to experience the new CS Building in their whole CS life, that is if they’ll stay,” Dr. Cedric Festin said.
papers. A week after that, a victory party was thrown for all the people behind the event’s success. All these were made possible by UP Information Technology Training Center (UP ITTC), the Virtual Center for Technology Innovation in Information Technology (VCTI-IT), and the UP System I.T. Foundation (UPSITF). As for the participants, they are now looking forward to next year’s Y4iT.
UP PARSER \\ NEWS
4
EDITORIAL
UP PARSER First Semester AY 2006-2007
OPINION
A House Is Not a Home What are these present roles? If one can help someone else understand his lessons, then he should be a mentor. If one can write and has something to say, then he should write. If one has time to spare and the willingness to help, then he should do volunteer work. The list goes on.
Joebet Isaac V. del Rosario Editor-in-Chief Erica Mae N. Abbass Josephine Gabrielle Ortiz Tristan Jed G. Roque Associate Editors & Business Managers Jose Paolo L. Ferrer Christianne Mogarte Alexander Christian Raposas Lew Arvin Sibal Managing Editors / CS Representatives Unaiza M. Garnica Felix V. Palabrica News Editor Jose Paolo Sy Features Editor Jasper Neil P. Castillo Tech Editor Daniel Joseph R. Saracin Literary Editor Katrina Agbulos Michelle Ongkingco Layout Team Louis Andrew C. Dizon Head Artist Alyssa Bernice Cabanding Daniela Marie Delgado Mikael Francisco Francis Hans E. Mohan Mayee Tolabing Melissa Aileen Valentino Writers Ms. Florence Tiu Balagtas Adviser Dr. Cedric Angelo M. Festin Department Chair
The Department of Computer Science is at the brink of a defining moment in history. After twenty-five years of existence, the department is now moving into its new home, where it can provide its students and faculty with more conducive rooms for their study and research. People are excited to be a part of this momentous event. They want to be the first ones to use the new classrooms, to explore the new building and to enjoy their new house in the UP Diliman community. However, could we call it a home? Deny it or not, some people prefer to be on their own, minding their own business. Whether the department moves to its new home or not before their graduation, all they could care about are their own concerns. CS subjects are already a handful, why care for something else? With the demands the CS curriculum imposes to students, it is natural for some to lessen their involvement in extra-curricular activities. After all, it is their duty as iskolar ng bayan to excel in their studies and prepare themselves for their future roles in society. However, it is also their duty to fulfill their present roles in society.
EDITORIAL // UP PARSER
No matter how small and insignificant these present roles may seem, they are all needed. People differ in their views, abilities and personalities, and though this may cause friction among them, this is also the reason why everyone is so important. Everyone is a part of a bigger picture, with everybody’s roles fitting in together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Without the spirit of camaraderie and teamwork, the new house would someday become old, but it would never become a home. With this in mind, the CS Network has launched projects such as the CS Mentor Program and the CS VolCorps Program, in which interested students may participate and help one another. Similarly, other CS organizations are also initiating other projects not only to develop each other’s knowledge and skills but also to provide an atmosphere conducive for fellowship.
Sec. Gonzalez: Can of Worms, Anybody? By Mikael Francisco
On August 27, 2006, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez made some strong and disparaging comments about the University of the Philippines and its students, saying that the university breeds destabilizers and naked people running on campus. Sec. Gonzalez insisted that his comments were based on fact, stating that U.P. students, being the “destabilizers” that they are, are at the forefront of every movement against the past and current administrations. Sec. Gonzalez said that U.P. “breeds the destabilizers that haunt the country year after year” and that the U.P. students act “as if they are the only ones who know how to run this country.” To this I ask: “Haunt?” Aren’t the corrupt politicians and self-serving public officials the ones who do the haunting every day of every year? Aren’t they truly the ones who continue to haunt this country up to this day? Whatever happened to “pulling the problem at its roots?” Another thing: Why call the proactive U.P. students “destabilizers?” Just because the aforementioned students are opposed to the current regime, it doesn’t mean that they are destabilizers. The U.P. activists do NOT want to destabilize this country. In fact, all they want is justice, integrity and good governance. Where’s the destabilization in THAT?
As the wait for the glorious day of the department’s exodus to its new home is coming to an end, we are all urged to take part in laying the foundation of our true home, which resides not in the new, majestic building, but in each other’s company.
Furthermore, we, the U.P. students, do NOT act “as if [we’re] the only ones who know how to run this country.” There’s a huge difference between acting like one knows how to run the country and recognizing that the majority of the country’s top officials do NOT know how to run this country.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who helped us in making the release of this year’s first issue a reality. We dedicate this issue to all of you: CS students, faculty and alumni.
We, the U.P. students, are always at the forefront because we know that we owe our education to the country and its people, not to the government. It is the taxpayers’ blood, sweat and tears that give us hope for a
1st Semester AY 2006-2007
5
1st Semester AY 2006-2007
brighter future, and it is for them that we continue to make a stand. Sec. Gonzalez even made a crack at the APO fraternity’s oblation run, saying that he “won’t be surprised if they go to school with only their books, nothing more.” Did he even stop to think before he brought THAT one up? Doesn’t it seem to be a bit arrogant of him to criticize and belittle something he clearly doesn’t understand? One can’t expect a U.S.T. graduate to understand the U.P. culture, in the same way that a U.S.T. graduate should NOT talk about things he doesn’t understand about the U.P. culture. To his credit, Sec. Gonzalez clarified that he was not assailing the entire university population because “there are many students there who are bright and good.” However, isn’t that akin to saying “Charge!” and “Retreat!” in the same breath? One cannot speak about “U.P. students” and “the U.P. school system” and say that he is not talking about the student population. Either you talk about U.P. or you don’t. So much for balls. Sec. Gonzalez also said that he was “not degrading U.P. per se,” just questioning the kind of students that came from it. Now doesn’t that somehow go
CS
against what he said about not assailing the entire school population? He might as well question the leadership prowess of his boss, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself, who came from U.P. And what about his claim that “U.P. breeds destabilizers?” Isn’t that a derisive comment against U.P. itself? He ought to make up his mind. Funny, though: He said he graduated from the University of Santo Tomas; “That’s why I’m well behaved.” If being “well-behaved,” by his definition, means blindly defending the ruling party, ignoring the faults and shortcomings of the higher powers, making absurd and fiery comments that obviously draw more from opinion than solid fact, and laying the blame on the disgruntled and oppressed citizens who decide to make a stand for what they know and believe is right, then I’d rather be “unruly”, thank you very much. If I were from U.S.T., I would not be proud of Sec. Gonzalez and his statements: it tarnishes U.S.T.’s good reputation. Sec. Gonzalez’s time would be put to more productive use if, instead of pointing a greasy finger at us U.P. students, he actually sat down and did his job.
Events
CS Student-Teacher Dialogue 06 September 2006, Eng’g Theatre
Engineering Cup Opening 11 July 2006, College of Engineering
UP PARSER \\ OPINION
6
FEATURES
Can You Handle Him?
By Melissa Aileen Valentino and Jose Paolo Sy
21? A: It looked like an easy subject, but it wasn’t. (Laughs)
He’s sizzling, he’s hot, and he’s the Department of Computer Science’s newest member of the faculty. Meet the department’s freshest face, Mr. Benjamin Pio Claudio. Sir Pio, a Cum Laude, is a recent Computer Science graduate (Batch 2006) from this University. He is currently taking up his Master’s in the same department. Sir Pio is currently a member of UP CURSOR (UP Association of Computer Science Majors), and during his undergraduate course, he was a member of UP ACM (UP Association of Computing Machinery) and an artist of UP Parser.
Q: Besides CS 21, what other CS subjects do/would you wish to teach? A: CS 196 (Seminar on Ethical and Professional Issues in Computing), and CS 17X (CS Electives). If I were given a chance, I would like to hold a Flash elective. Q: Among the members of the faculty, who do you look up to? A: All of them. Q: How do you feel about having to fail students? A: It hurts. It hurts, you know. But, I want them to pass, so I won’t be seeing them next sem. (Laughs) Q: Did you fail any CS subject? A: Wala. (With conviction)
We threw him a bunch of questions, and here’s what he had to say.
Q: How did you feel after you have graduated? A: May bagong paghihirap!
Q: What inspired you to teach? A: I want to teach students and make them understand the subject more. Kung baga, there’s a higher percentage of learning through listening rather than through reading.
Q: Fish or pork? A: Fish, because I love fish fillet.
Q: How does it feel to be the freshest face in the department faculty? A: I feel so special, you know.
Q: Define CS in one word. A: Molder. Q: Define CS in two words. A: Life changer! (Laughs)
Q: How do you feel having to teach alongside with taking up your Master’s? A: Weird. Kasi, may reversal of roles. Teacher sa umaga, student sa gabi.
Q: What message would you give to your will-be students? A: Pick me! Pick me!
Q: Of all CS subjects, why did you choose to teach CS
Q: What message would you give to all CS students? A: Good luck with your studies! Join a CS org!
CS
CS Get Together 03 July 2006
FEATURES // UP PARSER
Events
Pinoy PC 20 September 2006, MH 233A
Y4iT 13-15 September 2006, University Theatre
1st Semester AY 2006-2007
8
LITERARY
Ang Aking Panulat
Joebet Isaac V. del Rosario
Presented at the CS Freshmen Orientation last June 21, 2006
Tangan-tangan ang aking panulat, Sa aking gunita’y may sumambulat. Aking mga mata’y biglang namulat, Sa katotohanang sa puso nagbuhat. Ako pala ay may angking talento Sa pagsulat ng tula at mga kwento. Pati balita, Ingles man o Pilipino, Kayang isulat, laman ng isip at puso. Sa aking paglalakad aking natuklasan, UP Parser, ang bago kong kaibigan. Pakiramdam ko’y tuluyang gumaan; Nailabas ko laman ng aking isipan. Ngunit ang Parser, di lang pang-makata; Pagguhit, pag-layout--totoong mahalaga. Basta may nais ibahagi’t ipamalita, Parser ang panulat ng iyong gunita.
Luha Unaiza M. Garnica
. asaktan walan. m t o k malung umasa sa ka sawian. p ka mahira ng dulot ng a g hang n t a i l a a p w a m g na pag-ibi g n p a mangar . masaya alayaan at karangak g n a . it ay gan makam tagump p g a n r a s t ma dulo is ang m a t a m lan. LITERARY // UP PARSER
Maskara Unaiza M. Garnica
Sa likod ng bawat walang malay na mukha, nakakubli ang malawak na karanasan. Sa likod ng matatamis na ngiti, nakatago ang isang naghihinagpis na damdamin. Sa bawat pagpatak ng walang katumbas na luha, saloobin ay malayang naihahayag. Sa bawat pagtangis ng sugatang puso, kaluluwa’y nalilinis, napapalaya nang husto. Ang bawat segundo ng katahimikan, katumbas ay malalim at matalinong kaisipan. Ang bawat minuto ng kaligayahan, nag-uugat sa pagdaig sa matinding kasawian at kalungkutan. Ang bawat oras ng paghilom ng pusong nasaktan, katumbas ay mahalagang aral mula sa nakaraan. Ang bawat awiting nag-iiwan ng kurot sa puso’t isipan, nagmula sa karanasan at sumasalamin sa katotohanan. Ito ang tunay na kahulugan ng buhay. Pag-ibig, pangungulila, kabiguan, at tagumpay Lahat ay bahagi ng pagiging nilalang sa mundong puno ng kahiwagaan. Bawat isa’y may tinatagong lihim, may pinagtatakpan. Hindi makakailang minsan sa ating paglalakbay, kailangang ikubli ang tunay na nararamdaman, kailangang magsuot ng pananggalang, kailangang mag-isip at magpahayag sa ibang pamamaraan, kailangang magtago sa likod ng isang maskara.
1st Semester AY 2006-2007