The Varsitarian P.Y. 2018-2019 Issue 07

Volume XCI, No. 7 • February 28, 2019 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSIT Y OF SANTO TOMAS Manila, Philippines

COMPULSORY. Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets practice their drills at the UST field during a training. On February, lawmakers approved on second reading a measure that would make the ROTC a requirement for Senior High School students.

MICHAEL ANGELO M. REYES

Mandatory ROTC revival opposed EDUCATION sector lawyers have expressed reservations on the proposed mandatory participation of Senior High School (SHS) students in the Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

Lawyer Joseph Noel Estrada, legal counsel of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lacked personnel to handle the ROTC program. There are also limited physical spaces available in senior high schools around the country to conduct the program.

WHAT'S INSIDE UNIVERSITY

UST soared in the industrial and improved in the mechanical licensure exams, with Thomasians landing in the top 10.

PAGE 2

EDITORIAL

ROTC will restore faciscm, abet corruption, killings PAGE 4

PLANNED RECLAMATION

Experts have warned against proposals for reclamation in the Manila Bay once it is rehabilitated.

PAGE 3

THEATER TROUBLES

Dwindling audience, red tape, excessive charges, lack of stage halls—is it time to ring the curtain down on Thomasian theater?

PAGE 7

“AFP said it would need at least one personnel per school. [There is not] enough AFP personnel to handle the ROTC program in every school,” he said.

For lawyer Teodoro Lorenzo Fernandez, the proposed mandatory ROTC participation could only be justified in cases of looming invasion. There is also no assurance that the ROTC participants will have a “meaningful” training, he said.

Fernandez, who teaches at the Faculty of Civil Law, said the government may require citizens to render personal military or civil

service as part of their obligation to defend the country under the 1987 Constitution. “[If] legal basis is concerned, walang problema, nasa Constitution ‘yan. Pero ‘yong actual enforcement noong batas and so far as the training is concerned, doon lang I think nagkaka-problema, unless matutukan ng AFP ‘yan,” he told the Varsitarian.

In February, the House of Representatives approved on second reading House Bill 8961, which seeks to make the ROTC program compulsory for students in Grades 11 and 12.

The death of former UST ROTC cadet Mark Welson Chua in 2001 had led to the abolition of mandatory ROTC, resulting in the passage of the National Service Training Program law that gave students the option to enroll in Civil Welfare Training Services or Literacy Training Services.

Chua, then a 19-year-old mechanical engineering student, was killed after disclosing to the Varsitarian in January 2001, together with his fellow cadet Romulo Yumul, the corruption in the University’s ROTC program.

Mandatory PAGE 9

Hospital PAGE 3

SHS students ‘most dissatisfied’ with academic services

The Securities and Exchange Commission earlier revoked Rappler’s license to operate, allegedly for violating the law on 100-percent Filipino Vigilance PAGE 7

Survey PAGE 3

By LOUISE CLAIRE H. CRUZ and NEIL JOSHUA N. SERVALLOS

Thomasians protest the arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa along Dapitan on Feb. 15.

MARK DARIUS M. SULIT

attacks on her news organization “tell the whole world that the government is using its power and resources to actually muzzle the free press and intimidate critical thinking.”

THE LABOR department is mediating between UST Hospital administrators and union leaders after negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement reached a deadlock.

The UST Hospital Employees’ Association filed a notice of strike before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in February.

On Feb. 11, 399 members of the union voted “Yes” to a strike, while only seven voted against it.

Talks were held on Feb. 15 and Feb. 22.

Union leaders, however, have refused to issue any statement as part of a supposed agreement with the hospital administration.

The USTH has 965 employees, 579 of which are part of the union as stated in the notice of strike filed before the National Labor Relations Commission.

SENIOR High School (SHS) students were the “most dissatisfied” with the University’s academic services while the UST Health Service scored lowest in support service, the annual satisfaction survey conducted by the Office of Planning and Quality Management showed.

SHS registered an average score of 2.71, the lowest average among all colleges, faculties and institutes in the University for Academic Year 2017 to 2018. SHS was followed by the College of Architecture and Faculty of Pharmacy, which posted average scores of 2.79 and 2.88, respectively.

John Patrick Nocedo, a senior high graduate, attributed the low scores to SHS’s “experimental” curriculum. “[S]iguro malaking factor din sa complaints ‘yong ano ba talaga dapat mangyari sa mga ‘performance tasks’ na tinatawag… Mayroong students na nagsasabi na parang hindi naman just ‘yong pagbibigay ng burden ng specific performance task na ‘to,” he told the Varsitarian.

Grade 12 student Jiego Tagaban said the shift to a completely different teaching approach from “integrated” performance tasks to focus group discussions was “shocking” for some students.

“SHS is implementing a whole lot of things in a short amount of time... [H]indi kami nabigyan ng time mag-prepare, para

Rappler editor calls for vigilance amid threats, attacks on press freedom A VETERAN journalist called for greater public vigilance, saying threats to press freedom in the Philippines were “more severe now.”

Glenda Gloria, managing editor of news website Rappler, sought to rally public support behind her organization, which, she claimed, was facing “intimidation and a pattern of attacks.”

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa is out on bail in connection with a cyber libel case filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng.

President Duterte earlier said he had nothing to do with the case, insisting he did not know the complainant.

Gloria, a journalism graduate of UST, said the

DEADLOCK: Labor dept. mediating in hospital, union dispute

2 News

Acting Editor: Kevin A. Alabaso

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

UST back in QS subject rankings THE UST MEDICINE program has made it to the 2019 QuacquarelliSymonds (QS) world subject rankings, ending the University’s seven-year drought in the list.

UST placed 451st to 500th in the specific subject ranking. State-run University of the Philippines (UP) ranked 301st to 350th in the same subject.

“This [achievement] speaks well of our University and the quality of our medical education. We are happy that we can use this opportunity to [further] market and brand our University as a whole [and not just its medical program],” Nestor Ong, deputy director for QS/THE Rankings, said in an online interview with the Varsitarian.

Ong said that other than the University’s medicine program, UST scored in six more subjects: education, hospitality and leisure management, social policy and administration, arts and design, modern languages and performing arts.

“Receiving a score for a particular subject does not guarantee a published rank in the subject. The [school] should The University’s medicine program placed UST back in the QS world subject rankings after a seven-year drought.

at least meet the minimum number

Industrial eng’g soars in state exams; mechanical eng’g improves record FOUR THOMASIANS made it to the top 20 examinees of the November 2018 industrial engineering certification exam, results from the Industrial Engineering Certification Board showed.

Angelus Eje led the newest batch of certified Thomasian industrial engineers, landing on the 12th spot.

Thomasians Bernadette Agustin and Mary Sirach de la Torre tied at 14th, while Christian Paolo Camba settled for 19th place.

UST posted an 86.36-percent passing rate, or 38 examinees out of 44 takers.

Marc Edelbert Villanueva of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna topped the certification exam with a score of 87.38 percent.

The national passing rate rose to 58.82 percent, or 540 out of 918 examinees, from last year’s 56.89 percent, or 512 out of 900 examinees.

Now on its 10th year, the certification examination was held on November 25, 2018 simultaneously at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City and University of San Jose Recoletos, Cebu City.

Recognitions were given to the Four BSIE Thomasian graduates who made it to the Top 20 during the Oath-taking Ceremony held on February 16, 2019 at the Marriott Hotel in Resorts World Manila.

Mechanical engineering The University registered a 58.82-percent passing rate in the February 2019 licensure examinations for mechanical engineers, with 10 out of 17 Thomasian examinees making the cut.

This was higher than last year’s 42.86 percent, or three out of seven takers.

Jayson Perez of the University of Batangas led the country’s fresh batch of mechanical engineers with a score of 92.40 percent.

Batangas State University in Alangilan, Batangas was named top-performing school anew, with a 90.15-percent passing rate or 119 out of 132 examinees.

The national passing rate improved to 50.49 percent, or 1,538 out of 3,046 examinees, from last year’s 47.04 percent, or 933 passers out of 1,983 examinees. MAREM A. DE JEMEL and ANGELIKA V. ORTEGA

MICHAEL ANGELO M. REYES

of [published] papers required to be considered in the latest edition of the rankings by subject,” Ong said.

UST was cited in the QS website for its graduates who consistently dominate the top 10 in board exams such as in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, engineering, architecture, accountancy and education.

In 2011, UST placed 101st to 150th in English language and literature.

UP ranked anew in four out of five broad subjects this year, placing 283rd in arts and humanities, 451st to 500th in engineering and technology, 401st to 450th in life sciences and medicine and 280th in social sciences and management.

UP figured in 14 out of 48 specific subject areas: development studies (51st to 100th), English language and literature (101st to 150th), geography (101st to 150th) and politics and international studies (101st to 150th), agriculture and forestry (151st to 200th), archaeology (151st to 200th), sociology (151st to 200th), Ranking PAGE 10

National Artist for Architecture Bobby Mañosa, 88

Honor guards carry the remains of National Artist and UST alumnus Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa during a necrological service at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Feb. 23.

MICHAEL ANGELO M. REYES NATIONAL Artist for Architecture Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa passed away after a bout with pneumonia on Feb. 20. He was 88.

Mañosa graduated from the old College of Architecture and Fine Arts in 1953 and is known as a pioneer of Philippine architecture,

having highlighted local designs and materials in his works.

In an interview with the Varsitarian in 2010, Mañosa spoke about his devotion to promoting Philippine architecture, and encouraged others to find inspiration in one’s native land.

“I was so touched by all the distinct architectures of the world that I convinced myself on pursuing this Filipino architecture. To do Filipino, I must know my country, and I have to believe in what my country can offer,” he said.

His works adhere to a

Usapang Uste Katapangan at

kagitingan ni Pius XI KINILALA ng isang debotong Katoliko ang yumaong si Papa Pius XI dahil sa kaniyang katapangan sa gitna ng kaguluhan sa mundo at pasismo ni Hitler sa isyu ng Varsitarian noong 1939.

Pinuri ni Benito Soliven kung paano nilabanan ni Papa Pius XI ang mga banta sa dignidad ng buhay at

karapatang pantao sa kabila ng

paglaganap ng komunismo, impleryalismo at totalitaryanismo.

Binansagan si Soliven na “resident bishop” ng Kongreso dahil sa kaniyang mga isinulat na panukalang batas tulad ng pagkakaroon ng panrelihiyon na asignatura sa mga pampublikong paaralan.

Dagdag pa ni Soliven, pinagtanggol ng Santo Papa ang Simbahang Katolika sa “Roman Question” o ang pagtatalo sa soberanya at kapangyarihan ng Romano Katolikong Simbahan sa Italya at iba pang papal states.

Matapos lagdaan ang Lateran Treaty, iniutos ni Papa Pius XI ang pagtatatag ng Radio Vaticana upang magkaroon ng koneksiyon at boses ang Simabahan sa buong mundo.

Ipinaglaban din ng Santo Papa ang mga malawakang pagtuligsa sa mga Hudyo sa pamumuno ng diktaturya ni Adolf Hitler.

Ipinaglaban rin ng Santo Papa ang mga manggagawa dahil sa kaniyang encyclical na “Quadragesimo Anno” kung saan binigyang-diin ang katarungang pantao at panlipunan laban sa kapitalismo.

Pumanaw si Papa Pius XI noong ika-10 Usapang Uste PAGE 10

philosophy called “organic architecture,” which uses materials and structures that work in harmony with the environment.

His prominent works are the Coconut Palace, San Miguel Building in Ortigas, the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), St. Joseph Church in Las Piñas and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Monument in Manila.

On Feb. 23, a necrological service was held at the Cultura Center of the Philippines in Pasay for the late National Artist.

Bambi Mañosa, Francisco’s son, paid tribute to his father’s efforts to establish the identity of Filipino architecture in the country.

“When my dad began his career, and often throughout him, many did not understand him and many defied him in his purpose and philosophy of practicing Philippine architecture. Yet his passion, determination and persistence paid off.

He paved the way for many local cottage industries to flourish,” he said in his speech.

Mañosa was conferred the title National Artist for Architecture last year at Malacañan Palace.

Mañosa’s other notable awards include a Knighthood from the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory in 1979, the Golden Award in the field of Architecture from the United Architects of the Philippines in 1989 and the Cultural Center of the Philippines’s Award for the Arts in the field of Architecture in 2004. KATRINA ISABEL C. GONZALES and J.A.C. CASUCIAN

Journalism schools launch news website SIX JOURNALISM schools have launched an online platform to promote community journalism among students.

The website, Talamitam.org, will produce news articles, feature stories, investigative reports and documentaries. Participating schools will produce content.

Deniece Maegan Diala, project head of Talamitam and UST Journalism Society external vice president, said the website aims to establish a network among different journalism schools. “[We are hoping] to produce more articles and widen our reach [and influence] with other journalism schools,” Diala told the Varsitarian.

The inaugural members of the partnership include the UST Journalism Society, University of the East Journalism Society, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Bulacan State University and its student publication Pacesetter, Lyceum of the Philippines University and the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila.

Journalism PAGE 3

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Experts warn vs Manila Bay reclamation

AN ENVIRONMENTALIST cautioned against reclamation projects at the Manila Bay, warning of sea level rise and coastal erosion that would put nearby communities at risk.

Rising sea levels would have a “significant impact” on reclaimed land, which is highly susceptible to liquefaction, a process resulting in reduced soil stability, said UST alumnus Rodne Galicha, country manager of The Climate Reality Project Philippines.

Around 5.5 million people stand to be affected by high liquefaction, he said.

“Higher sea levels can saturate the sandy soil usually found along the coasts, making the lands even more unstable.” Galicha told the Varsitarian.

Reclamation is the process of cultivating submerged land or waste land, making the area suitable for building infrastructures or for other purposes.

Measles outbreak blamed on vaccine scare MEASLES cases will persist during the dry season, an infectious diseases specialist from UST warned, urging the public to avail of vaccines.

Immunization rate in the Philippines went down in what health officials blamed on the fears triggered by the controversy over the anti-dengue vaccine dengvaxia.

“We expect (measles) cases to increase further in the next few months if we will not be able to control transmission,” Dr. Jay Ron Padua noted.

Measles, locally known as”tigdas,” is a respiratory infection caused by the measles virus which complications may include diarrhea, ear infection, pneumonia, infection in the brain, malnutrition and blindness, as per the Department of Health (DOH).

It is “highly contagious” and the virus can be transmitted via direct contact of infectious droplets or by airborne spread, according to Padua.

Most fatalities recorded are due to pneumonia or inflammation of the lungs and severe complications in the body, including the brain.

Based on a DOH report, 261 people died in 16,349 measles cases since Jan. 1 this year.

The DOH declared a measles outbreak in February in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas and Central Visayas.

Due to high number of measles cases, the DOH launched a National Immunization Programme called “Ligtas Tigdas,” and several regions such as Mimaropa, Ilocos Region, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos) are reportedly strictly monitored.

Vaccine scare Some doctors argued that the measles outbreak in several regions in February resulted in the vaccine scare caused by the Dengvaxia controversy in 2017.

“Because of the misinformation regarding the dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia), a lot of parents lost confidence on all the vaccines, or vaccines in general, and did not allow their infants and children to get vaccinated. Hence, they are most susceptible to get the [measles] infection,” Padua said.

Dr. Anthony Leachon, the independent director of Philhealth and a UST alumnus, stressed that the measles outbreak was caused by “lack of trust” in vaccination among the public.

“Any suspected case of measles must be contained or isolated to avoid transmission to susceptible individuals, and vaccinate these individuals who have no evidence of immunity to measles,” Padua said.

Individuals who are not immune to measles are those who did not have the measles infection in the past, or those who did not have the vaccine “Measles-Mumps-Rubella” (MMR)

or had incomplete doses.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), MMR vaccine is extremely safe and effective, and causes no side effects in most children.

In the Philippines, the MMR vaccine must be given to a nine-month-old baby, or as early as six months old when experiencing an outbreak.

Although the priority now is vaccinating children five years old and below, as they are most susceptible, adolescents and adults can also have the MMR vaccine in two doses, at least two weeks apart, he said.

Symptoms Leachon told the Varsitarian that children should be immunized with anti-measles vaccine and be brought for immediate check-up once they experience the symptoms of measles such as cough, red eye and runny nose.

Once a person contracts the measles virus, an incubation period of seven to 14 days, but mostly 10 to 12 days, occurs.

Padua explained that an infected person would develop cough, coryza or colds and conjunctivitis, followed by high grade fever with noticeable maculopapular rash, which is a reddish flat area on the skin that appears with small confluent bumps, on the hairline and at the back of the ears, face, trunk and extremities on the fifth day.

Until the rash reaches the soles of the feet, the fever would subside and the skin will start to peel upon the disappearance of rash.

Leachon noted that parents should “ m i n i m i z e interaction” between sick and well children, as children are especially susceptible to infection.

He added that it is necessary to ensure that children always use hand sanitizers, alcohol and face masks as a form of precaution against the v i r u s . B E AT R I Z AVEGAYLE S. TIMBANG a n d MIGUEL

HERRERA with reports from ROLAND IGNACIO

Journalism

Hospital

Philippine Star reporter Alexis Romero and desk editor Leo Laparan II, and Batangas Press Club President Joenald Rayos gave lectures on news writing, research and coverage of the barangay, respectively.

Other speakers were Presidential Communications Operations Office analyst Maria Danica Orcullo and lawyers Mae Anne Sandoval and Abraham Agmata. M.C.L. SERQUIÑA

The Labor department has reportedly put on hold the strike notice to give way to negotiations between the union and USTH administrators.

USTH administrators have yet to comment on the issue as well.

FROM PAGE 2

FROM PAGE 1

Outcry over ‘unjust labor practices’ Hospital employees, who refused to be identified, said they were grappling with poor working conditions of the hospital and vowed to strike if their complaints were not met.

Reclamation Last Feb. 1, President Duterte signed Executive Order 74 which transfered the power of approving reclamation projects from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), which is now under his office.

PRA Assistant General Manager Joselito Gonzales reportedly said at least 22 proposed reclamation projects in Manila Bay covering 20,000 hectares have yet to be approved by the DENR. Galicha argued that reclamation projects would pollute the waters of Manila Bay, contributing to the degradation of natural ecosystems and endangering thousands of lives.

“Land reclamation would not benefit these people in any way, but it will also put them at higher risk to hazards,” he said, citing a government report that pegged the number of informal settlers around the bay at 180,000 families.

Sci-Tech 3 Disastrous The Archdiocese of Manila earlier criticized the planned reclamation at the Manila Bay because of its negative impact on the ecology and the poor.

“It is a project for the rich and foreigners while the poor will suffer due to congestions and floodings in Manila,” Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo told CBCP News last month.

In a 2013 letter to then President Benigno Aquino III, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle warned that while reclamation projects would enhance business and tourism, they would result “in disastrous flooding.”

Tagle and fellow bishops said these projects should not be “determined only by financial considerations.”

“Will the projected economic gains sufficiently and justifiably compensate the damages in life, ecosystems and property in the future?” they asked.

Reclamation PAGE 5

Senior High students ‘most dissatisfied’ FROM PAGE 1

ma-cultivate ‘yong mga ginawa namin.

[Hindi rin] kami nabigyan ng time para magawa ‘yong mga extracurricular activities namin,” Tagaban said.

He said the “unstable curriculum” also forces peer evaluation, which could be subjected to the “manipulation” and “biases” of the students assigned to grade each other.

The Varsitarian tried to reach out to SHS Principal Erika Bolanos but she has yet to respond.

A rating of 4 in the University poll means “Very Satisfied,” 3, “Moderately Satisfied”, 2, “Somewhat Satisfied”, 1, “Not Satisfied” and 0, “Not observable or not applicable.”

Long queues, service delay The University’s Health Service ranked lowest in support services, registering an average score of 2.70, the only support office that received a grade below 3.00 in key performance rubrics provided by the survey.

Dr. Sheryl Dionisio, assistant director of Health Service, said the long patient queues and delay in attending to students’ needs contributed to the low survey rating.

Dionisio added that there was a limitation in terms of the physical structure inside the Health Service. “[W]e are trying to improve on our physical structure on our facilities so we are trying to expand to accommodate more patients,” she said.

The expectations of students, she said, were hard to meet given the uneven doctor-to-patient ratio in the Health Service.

“Mostly the students… don’t come on the scheduled time. [It’s actually a burden when they go by bulk and they are rushing for their deadlines… [W]e’re trying to accommodate all our patients A nurse representative said the lack of staff was forcing nurses to serve beyond their prescribed and paid working hours, resulting in the decline of hospital services to patients.

“Doon sa unjust labor practices [na] nangyayari sa loob ng hospital, mostly dinadanas ito ng mga nurses. Kulang-kulang ang staff, [dahil dito] nagsa-suffer ’yong patients at ‘yong quality of service,” said the nurse in an interview with the Varsitarian.

Standards set by the Department of Health for hospitals state that a ratio of one nurse to 12 patients must be maintained.

But at the USTH, “they give one nurse the workload of supposedly two nurses,” the representative said.

As a result, they are left to work 12 hours a day or 60 hours a week, as against the prescribed eight working hours or 40 per week.

“Overworked kami compared doon sa binibigay nila. They are maximizing our manpower. Hindi namin pwedeng iwanan ang trabaho namin unlike an eight-hour office job.

Sa amin, we need to take care of our patients 24/7,” the nurse said.

The Labor Code of the Philippines states that the normal work hours of any employee

but still maintain the quality of care,” she said.

The Health Service is in the process of employing a system that will accommodate online appointments, she said. “[W]e are also in the process of creating a system for scheduling the physical examination of students online so as to prevent the long queuing lines,” she said.

Top offices Faculty of Civil Law got the top spot in academic services, posting an average score of 3.61 out of four. The Graduate School and Institute of Physical Education and Athletics settled for second and third place, respectively, with average scores of 3.50 and 3.47.

Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina said the ranking would help “boost” the faculty’s appeal to aspiring law students around the country but admitted that technological facilities still needed improvement.

Civil Law was followed by the Graduate School and the Institute of Physical Education and Sciences with scores of 3.5 and 3.47, respectively.

The Office for Student Affairs got an average score of 3.28, the highest in the support service category, followed by the UST Miguel de Benavides Library with 3.23 and the Educational Technology Center with 3.10.

In the administrative service category, the Facilities Management Office emerged on top, with a ranking of 3.33. The Security Office and the Santo Tomas e-Service Providers clinched the second and third spots respectively, with average ratings of 3.20 and 3.16.

The annual survey was conducted between April to May 2018, among 33,296 respondents. JOB ANTHONY R. MANAHAN and KLYRA V. ORBIEN should not exceed eight hours a day. Beyond that, workers should be compensated with an additional 25 percent.

The nurse representative said they have suggested to the administration that the hospital close other units or wards to accommodate the number of patients. Instead, the USTH opened a new intensive care unit.

“Hindi ma-sustain yung staffing. So hirap kami na i-meet ‘yung expectations ng pasyente, expectation mo para sa pasyente at para sa sarili mo, [kaya] ang labo talaga,” he added.

Another hospital staff member decried the USTH’s contractual hiring process, which began in 2008.

“Majority sa amin graduate sa UST. Matagal na panahon ang ginugol at maraming sakripisyo ang ginawa namin para sa pagaaral. [P]agka-hire sa iyo, [you will just be] a trainee for five months with allowances but you will not be paid,” the staff said.

Newly hired staff were said to be required to pay for training fees costing P5,000 to P7,000, depending on their assigned division.

AHMED KHAN H. CAYONGCAT, KLYRA V. ORBIEN and NEIL JOSHUA N. SERVALLOS

4 Opinion

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Editorial

ROTC will restore fascism, abet corruption and killings WE NEED not tell and retell the story of Mark Welson Chua’s murder by his own fellow cadet officers in the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) every time talks there are talks of reviving mandatory ROTC. But for a nation with a poor memory and like the President, has a woeful if not twisted sense of history (he claims there’s no proof the Marcoses looted the country, that the country should be renamed “Maharlika,” an idea first broached by Her Imeldific and the other half of the Marcos kleptocracy who has claimed she’s of royal birth), the Varsitarian, to whom Chua confided the ills of the institution which he and his murderers were part of, finds it fitting to do so.

Alas, almost two decades since the UST student’s murder, the country has not learned its lessons. And as it seems, Chua’s death may once and for all be put in vain with the House of Representatives approving on second reading a measure that would make ROTC mandatory for Senior High School students.

House Bill 8961 states that the goal of reviving the mandatory ROTC is to “instill moral and spiritual virtues and respect for human rights and adherence to the Constitution.”

But on what moral grounds do the President and his government stand when talking about the ROTC as a way of instilling virtues and respect for human rights among the youth when they themselves want to put juvenile delinquents behind bars instead of rehabilitating them, or of outrightly killing drug pushers instead of curing them of their addiction?

It is not good to trust in the President and his cohorts in Congress’ desire to restore ROTC as it would only allow the perpetuation of machismo and violence on campus–the same values which evidently Duterte and those who follow him blindly possess.

In March of 2001, the body of the 19-year-old Chua, an engineering sophomore in UST, was found floating on the Pasig River, with his head wrapped with a silver packaging tape, his hands tied with shoestring and his legs bound by a packaging tape– all because he wanted change in the institution he had served.

Chua’s killers have been convicted and sentenced, but it is worthwhile to note that some of them remain at large. Children of high military and police officers, they have eluded arrest and up to this day, neither the military nor the police seem to have found the initiative to track them down, capture them and make them serve their time in prison.

It is for this reason that Duterte and his lap dogs in Congress are adding insult to injury by attempting to restore mandatory ROTC. Justice has not been fully served to Chua and his family and here are mad dog from Davao and his “galisin Askals” or scabbied dogs in Congress (with apologies to the everyone’s beloved native Philippine canine of Editorial PAGE 5

FOUNDED JANUARY 16, 1928 CHRISTIAN DE LANO M. DEIPARINE Editor in Chief KLIMIER NICOLE B. ADRIANO Managing Editor LEXANNE O. GARCIA Associate Editor JULIA CLAIRE L. MEDINA News Editor KEVIN A. ALABASO Acting Assistant News Editor MA. ANGELICA D. GARCIA Sports Editor ARIANNE AINE D. SUAREZ Special Reports LOUISE CLAIRE H. CRUZ Features Editor ELMER B. COLDORA Literary Editor LYON RICARDO III M. LOPEZ Circle Editor MICHAEL ANGELO M. REYES Chief Photographer NATHANAEL JONAS S.J. RODRIGO Acting Art Director News Ahmed Khan H. Cayongcat, Marem A. de Jemel, Angelika V. Ortega, Neil Joshua N. Servallos Sports John Ezekiel J. Hirro, Faith Yuen Wei N. Ragasa, Ivan Ruiz L. Suing, Theresa Clare K. Tañas, Justin Robert Valencia Special Reports Lady Cherbette Agot, Job Anthony R. Manahan, Klyra V. Orbien Features Alyssa Carmina A. Gonzales Literary Karl Ben L. Arlegui, Jessica Joy C. Buenafe, Briana Michaela C. Diche, Matthew Dominic D. Dimapawi, Hailord N. Lavarias, Therese Marie F. Ungson Filipino Vivienne Audrey P. Angeles, Malic U. Cotongan, Joselle Czarina S. de la Cruz, Francis Agapitus E. Braganza, Chris V. Gamoso Witness Eugene Dominic V. Aboy, O.P., Mariel Celine L. Serquiña Science and Technology Miguel Alejandro IV A. Herrera, Roland Adrian D.L. Ignacio, Beatriz Avegayle S. Timbang Circle Jiselle Anne C. Casucian, Beatrice Nolene H. Cruicillo, Katrina Isabel C. Gonzales Art Mariane Jane A. Cadiz, Alisa Joy T. del Mundo, Mari Kloie D. Ledesma, Jury P. Salaya, Rica Mae V. Soriente Photography Deejae S. Dumlao, Hazel Grace S. Posadas, Enrico Miguel S. Silverio, Jose Miguel J. Sunglao, Mark Darius M. Sulit, Mary Jazmin D. Tabuena Editorial Assistant Jose Miguel S. del Rosario FELIPE F. SALVOSA II Assistant Publications Adviser JOSELITO B. ZULUETA Publications Adviser Letters/comments/suggestions are welcome in the Varsitarian. Only letters with signatures and corresponding contact details will be entertained. Original manuscript contributions must be typewritten, double-spaced, on regular bond paper, and should include a signed certification bearing the author’s name, address, year and college. The identity of the writer may be withheld upon request. The editors will not be responsible for the loss of materials. Contributions must be sent to THE VARSITARIAN, Rm. 105, Tan Yan Kee Student Center, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

Manicad’s vain ambition, Erap’s plundered Manila TIME AND again political ambition makes one compromise his principles and the ethics of the profession. And once in a while, one mistakes that politics and journalism though both serving the public, can be the same.

There were Noli de Castro and Loren Legarda in the past, and this upcoming midterm elections in May, there is Jiggy Manicad.

The former GMA 7 reporter came under fire on social media after he said press freedom in the country is not under attack. He was responding to whether legal actions filed by the government against online news site Rappler –known to be critical of the Duterte administration and its policies –could be considered a muzzling of the press.

“Because of that handling, someone got angry and ordered an investigation, does it really translate to an attack on press freedom? How come in other networks, it’s not like that?”

Manicad said in Filipino.

But perhaps Manicad is forgetful of how President Duterte has threatened to close down national broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer and block the renewal of ABSCBN’s franchise in Congress – both of which have reported as well on his war against drugs.

Who will save the country’s capital?

Hopefully, its residents need not to wait for centuries the same way the people of God waited for their Messiah.

He too, may have forgotten, that the killing of journalists in the country continues and that the Maguindanao Massacre, where 32 journalists were killed, will mark a decade this 2019 with no convictions yet.

As someone who came from the media, Manicad would have been expected to advocate for the advancement of the rights of the institution that honed him. But alas, by joining presidential (or should we say, unpresidential) daughter Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago senatorial slate, he has defected to the enemy side of the free press.

Comparing his situation to that of Maria Ressa and those who have been persecuted in doing their duty, Manicad has

betrayed the noble profession where he once belonged and he has turned his back on colleagues who go beyond the limits of their duties to keep the public informed and informed well against the fake-news machinery and the thuggery of the Duterte regime.

***

The country’s capital is bound to meet another hapless three years of nothing but traditional politics and well, old and recycled promises, with a three-way mayoralty race of no less than convicted plunderer and former president Joseph Estrada, former vice mayor Isko Moreno who was accused of plunder by barangay leaders

in 2014, and Alfredo Lim, a former Manila mayor whose poor record of governance could be seen all over the place.

Seventy-four years since the month-long battle to liberate the City of Manila from the Japanese occupation, the city and its people faces its own demise, that is, its leaders.

Seemingly, these people have had the experience of leading the city for years and yet no one has solved its deep-seated problems but in fact abetted them--poverty, pollution, criminality, chaos, poor urban planning. Manila is still facing the very same problems bedevilling the country’s major cities. But things have gotten really worse since Manila has lagged behind neighboring cities in the National Capital Region.

In 2018, a report published by the Department of the Interior and Local Government revealed that 13 cities in Metro Manila passed the “Good Financial Housekeeping” report, which is based on how well cities comply with auditing standards and regulations set by the department and the Commission on Audit.

The cities of Caloocan, Malabon and Mandaluyong topped the report, respectively.

Not so surprisingly, Manila, the capital of the country did not Rock solid PAGE 10

China’s satrap is illegal workers’ best friend IN A PDP-Laban rally last February, President Rodrigo Duterte said Chinese nationals should be allowed to work in the country following the influx of illegal workers from China.

He explained he feared hat Beijing might retaliate against Filipino workers if the undocumented Chinese were deported.

This is a clear display of Duterte’s cowardice. A chief executive is spposed to uphold the laws of the country, but Duterte’s hesitation in enforcing laws shows how he’s violating his oath of office.

For someone who constantly flaunts his machismo, his decisions and statements reek of cowardice.

Filipino seeking employment abroad have to follow legal procedures of both the Philippines and the host country. Filipinos illegally working abroad have to face the consequences of their action.

While Filipinos here cannot find jobs or suffer the consequences of a contractual system that even the supposedly strong-willed president could not abolish, the Chinese have been allowed by the same president the free rein to work as undocumented aliens.

Anyone who dares to work abroad through illegal means will naturally bear the brunt of going against the law.

Duterte expressed fears that Beijing would retaliate by kicking out undocumented Filipinos. This is the first time for Filipinos to learn this; to be sure, this smacks of Duterte’s penchant for fake news.

This should be as simple as upholding the rule of law.

What are the laws for if the very person who swore to protect and enforce them talks carelessly about skirting these rules instead of addressing the real issues?

The Senate Committee on Labor continued last February the probe on the influx of Chinese illegal workers in the country, with the senators lamenting how the foreigners are taking away jobs from Filipinos.

Meanwhile, in an effort to justify the influx, Labor

Secretary Silvestre Bello said the jobs that go to Chinese workers are only those that Filipinos cannot perform.

But the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) cannot even keep track of all these workers, with the labor secretary himself not sure how much foreign employees are in the country.

In a budget hearing September last year, Drilon questioned DOLE’s count of 40,000 foreign workers, claiming instead that according to industry people, there are 400,000 foreign workers in Metro Manila alone. Bello maintained that there are only 40,000 workers with alien permits, saying the rest of Drilon’s claims must be illegal workers.

The DOLE requires

foreign nationals to apply for a Special Work Permit if they will engage in “gainful employment” for three to six months.

But if the employment is for more than six months, they need to apply for Alien Employment Permits, which will only be issued to foreign nationals if Filipinos cannot perform the job.

The President himself is unsure of the number of Filipinos working in China, but this did not stop him from announcing the huge number of overseas Filipino workers to justify his cowardly stance.

The population data range from 300,000 to 400,000, depending on the day and probably the President’s mood.

But what is even more disturbing is the way the figures he announces increase on a daily basis. It shows that Duterte is willing to spout whatever misinformation just to prove a point to his guileless followers who are always willing to nod at anything he says.

The statistical confusion of both the President and the labor department shows an administration tweaking facts to suit its fancy. It shows a delusional administration. This is the better possible explanation to Duterte’s sissy spinelessness toward Chinese illegal workers.

Opinion 5

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Academic affairs chief on ‘V’ editorial: ‘Sensationalizing an opinion’ LETTER TO THE EDITOR: This letter by Prof. Cheryl Peralta, UST vice rector for academic affairs, was sent to the Varsitarian on March 1, 2019.

Dear Mr. Deiparine: I write in relation to the recent Editorial article published in the January 28, 2019 issue of the Varsitarian.

While I support campus journalism and freedom of the press, I believe that Thomasian journalists should have the ethical obligation to ensure balance and fairness by striving for accuracy and truth and not to slant the story. This is consistent with the Thomasian Graduate Attributes (ThoGAs) which expect us to “show respect for the human person, regardless of race, religion, age or gender” and “express personal and professional insights through an ethical and evidence-based approach.”

I was interviewed by your staff, Ahmed Khan H. Cayongcat and his colleague, last January 31, 2019, two days after the publication date of relevant articles in The Varsitarian. I gave them a two-page paper on technology integration into instruction. I requested that the topic be properly taken in the context of the changing educational landscape that our academic programs are facing. All stakeholders must be appropriately informed of the reason for the initiatives and the challenges that they are facing. While some of the points have been mentioned, it is unfortunate that hurdles were sensationalized in a manner

that they provoked negative response at the expense of accuracy.

What concerns me most are the following statements which are inaccurate and misleading and I believe should be rectified: “But she has also blamed the problem on the resistance to the new system of “old professors” who presumably aren’t tech-savvy and who stick to their old ways.” I did not make this kind of statement at any time during the interview. I said that it might be challenging for some faculty members to teach new content and use new strategies, but we definitely recognize the efforts that they exerted. I asserted that, regardless of age and seniority in teaching, they understood the reason behind the initiatives and they cooperated in implementing them for the past two terms in spite of the challenges. The statement attributed to me is hideous and can cause demoralization among the faculty members especially to those who have been working hard to improve instruction with the help of technology. “[UST]… is trying to use technology just for the sake of using fancy technology and not for education and the needs of a developing nation.” Your opinion undoubtedly failed to grasp the full context of the initiative. Contrary to your short-sighted perspective that the initiative is just jumping on the bandwagon and engaging faculty members in a fancy undertaking, the goal is to deliver GE course on 50% face-to-face and 50% online which is viewed as a potential

supplemental solution to: Harmonizing the schedule of GE courses by matching the days and hours on MW, TTH, FS. This is expected to improve teaching load assignments of the faculty, allow them to be assigned to programs within the same cluster, and ultimately enable them to connect their course outcomes with the program outcomes expected of the students, consistent with outcomes-based education.

Maximizing the use of our learning management system (LMS) across disciplines. While initially, faculty members are taught to use utilize UST Cloud Campus in rendering alternative instructional activities, ultimately, the University’s LMS is envisioned to be used for monitoring achievement of program outcomes as students move from one year-level to the next.

Managing the workload of students. With heavily loaded curricula for freshmen, especially in the first two years of the new curricula when there are GE courses, arranging their class schedule for GE courses so they can be allowed to work at home on the 2nd day was envisioned to help manage student workload.

Furthermore, facilitating faculty members to design instruction so that preparations before, and outputs after, face-to-face sessions are already within the three-hour allocation for GE course, was expected to reduce the need for students to render additional hours beyond those dedicated to the course. This is expected to improve further when the faculty members continuously improve the alignment of their course outcomes with the program outcomes, such that

integrative assessments (e.g., one assessment targeting more than one course) are given to students. These integrative assessments may help facilitate deep learning and higher order thinking skills. Indirectly, these add value to GE courses beyond being just curricular requirements that should be completed.

Managing the workload of the faculty. While we admit that the initial implementation of the initiative will require additional preparations on the part of the faculty, allocating online sessions on the second day allow them time to do preparations, engage students, as well as check outputs within the hours allocated to the course.

Enabling faculty members and students to take advantage of updated information available through online resources, including those available in our own library. While we know that we hire faculty members who are experts in their own field, directing students to find, appraise and utilize resources online will help facilitate selfdirected learning. Likewise, faculty members themselves can take advantage of readily available content developed by experts all over the world and integrate this into instruction.

Facilitating opportunities for curricular international collaborations between faculty members and students, maximizing foreign engagements while minimizing costs. We have seen good practices of students and faculty members engaging foreign counterparts in learning similar content and producing similar outcomes and this may likewise Letter to Editor PAGE 10

Desperados: Bato and Bong Go go for show biz SOME candidates in the 2019 senatorial elections have become so desperate that they have invaded film and television – very influential mediums – to gain the attention—and affection—of voters. Indeed, Marshall McLuhan’s theory proves right when he said that the medium is the message.

Former police chief Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa and Christopher Bong Go, who used to be a special assistant to President Duterte, have been added to the list of candidates who have been subjects of TV or movie biopics which have been seen as attempts to prop up their candidacies. The former is through film, while the latter is through an episode of television drama anthology, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK).

Even before its release, the movie on De la Rosa’s life has already earned the ire of film critics, who have condemned it as a form of premature campaigning. Some sector have even called for a boycott of the film.

Critic Rolando Tolentino has said that “there is something to be said when filmmakers, artists and intellectuals become employees and cohorts of fascist politicians and the fasicst state.”

Filipino voters should stop traditional politics and screwball show biz from transforming Philippine democracy into a circues.

And as it seemed, the call for a boycott on the life of the police chief, who led the President’s bloody war against drugs which has resulted in thousands of deaths, including children, turned out a success.

The movie was immediately pulled out of the Greenbelt theaters in Makati, after a low turnout of viewers.

The film allegedly features how the Davao-born police rose from poverty—a cliché narrative in many politicians’ campaign advertisements.

Obviously, this type of narrative just intends to show that Bato is among those inspiring people who know the concerns of the poor. Just like any campaign, this could just be a bait and switch, and the narrative could be a way

of putting a misleading spin to create a good image of de la Rosa.

I just wonder if the film also shows Bato’s spearheading of President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug war. Of course, we do not know which parts of this film—if not true— are sugarcoated.

Similarly, Go’s life story being shown in MMK last Feb. 9 was nothing but an attempt to influence voters in the upcoming midterm polls. The episode, titled “Steak,” highlights Go’s close relationship with thenDavao mayor Duterte, whom Go considers an influential mentor.

The episode also included scenes showing how public service consumes much of Go’s time being a special assistant of Duterte, which often results

in Go sacrificing his time for his family. These particular scenes could be Go’s pomposity that tries to convey the message that he is a man of public service and a long-time personal aide of the President.

McLuhan’s “the medium is the message” posits that the medium itself is embedded in the message it conveys or transmits. People’s reception of the message has been influenced by the medium.

This media theory applies to De la Rosa and Go’s employment of the film and television mediums to boost their campaign. The message in these mediums is very clear: vote for these senatorial aspirants.

It is now up to the viewers if they will believe in these biopics on TV and film. More and more, Philippine democracy has been adulterated by TV and film entertainers and clowns crossing over to politics and politicians and harlequins crossing over to show biz.

The unholy alliance between show biz and politics should stop. Filipino voters should stop traditional politics and screwball show biz from transforming Philippine democracy into a circus.

Editorial: ROTC will restore facism, abet corruption and killings FROM PAGE 3

course) crying for the return of the bloody institution that in the first place bullied and beat up Chua and dumped him in the Pasi River.

The corruption in the ROTC as exposed by Chua, was only one of the many incidents. Over the years, though it was made optional after his death, such cases have continued, along with reports of physical abuse particularly hazing. Should we even have to wonder if these instances would spike should ROTC be made mandatory again?

Further, it is hypocritical for the Duterte government to speak of teaching patriotism

and love of country when it is government itself which commits treason by playing dog waiting for scraps of meat from his master that is Beijing, by weakening its own armed forces’s morale and compromising the country’s rights to the West Philippine Sea. In doing so, it would say one thing and do another, and the youth will only inherit the faulty logic that loving one’s nation is serving in the military and at the same time, playing accomplice to compromising our rights in our own territory.

UST, for her part, should

speak up on this matter. When a member of the Thomasian community died for the cause of cleaning up the ranks in the ROTC, then rector Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P. led the University Belt consortium in calling for the abolition of the mandatory ROTC, which other colleges and universities followed through. And through such move was the compulsory ROTC abolished and the National Service Training Program passed.

Let’s not forget too, that another Thomasian Horacio “Atio” Castillo III, died from another culture of violence, that is, of fraternities through

hazing.

Condemning violence is condemning it in all forms, not picking through and justifying those that may produce results because the end never justifies the means.

And so in 2018, months after Castillo’s death, hazing in all forms was banned through a legislation caused by the uproar on lawmakers.

Coincidentally, it had to cost Chua and Castillo their lives to spark changes in the country.

But certainly, we shouldn’t have wait for another incident. That is, if we have learned the lessons from their sacrifice.

Editorial Free and critical press bullied by fascist madman in Malacañang THE ARREST on Feb. 13 of Maria Ressa of the online news agency Rappler by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on a highly irregular cyberlibel suit is the Valentine’s Day gift to the independent press and the public of the crudely fascist, ideologically vacuous, and ultimately treasonous and anti-Filipino administration of President Duterte.

The administration has been very fond of harassing administration critics and dissenters by either concocting fictions or reviving old cases, so much so that the NBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have exhibited quite an interest in a cyberlibel suit by businessman Wilfredo Keng over a Rappler story in 2012 that alleged that the then chief justice Renato Corona had been used Keng’s vehicles.

The suit was filed only in 2017 after the new administration had come into power and started to exhibit severe allergy attacks whenever it would meet public dissent and criticism. The suit even at first blush already appears deficinet. It charges that Rappler’s 2012 report violated the cyberlibel law that had been passed in 2014, two years after the report came out.

Despite the obvious ex-post-facto deficiency of the suit, the DOJ and NBI seem to have taken an inordinate interest in prosecuting the case and rushing it to have it elevated to the courts, which should underscore how the administration of justice in the land is either bungled or compromised by the dumbbells in the DOJ and the nincompoops in the NBI. As if to underscore the truism that the most stupid people are also the most arrogant, the NBI denied Ressa’s offer to post bail, thus compelling her, one of TIME Magazine’s Persons of the Year in 2018, to spend overnight in detention.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo has denied the arrest is an attack on press freedom. But he has issued similar paltry denials in the past on his boss’ murderous rants against Malacañang critics.

When the bishops for instance criticized the President’s genocidal war on drugs, Duterte urged his Macoutes and fanatics, “Kill the bishops!” When uproard from critics greeted the call, Panelo said what the President meant was to kill the bishops “with kindness.” But we have to point out here that the that spin is what is called in Philippine press slang as “Salsal,” Salvador.

In any case, Malacañang critics seem to have been treated with more cruelty than kindness by the administration. Ressa faces charges of cyberlibe and tax evasion and Rappler faces the possibility of closure due to alleged foreign ownership. The Inquirer and the ABS-CBN have also been bullied and subjected to state squeeze play. The overkill against the independent press is typical of the genocidal madness of the Duterte administration.

While employing state instrumentalities against the press and its critics, the Duterte regime has witnessed the release high-profile allies accused of plunder – Bong Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, and Juan Ponce Enrile–who have all walked free from jail and are running for the Senate in the May elections.

As in the imprisonment of Sen. Leila de Lima, the revocation of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s amnesty, the quo warranto petition that unseated Maria Lourdes Sereno as chief justice, the arrest of Ressa should show that Duterte has been using legal technicalities to twist and distort the law, suppress human rights, and get back at his critics.

The state of this nation has so regressed that it seems we’re back to the dark days of martial law.

Free and critical press PAGE 7

Experts warn vs Manila Bay reclamation FROM PAGE 3

Band-aid solution’ Galicha described as a “band-aid solution” the massive clean-up of the Manila Bay, which began on Jan. 27.

Rehabilitation, he said, should not be limited to the baywalk area but also involve “nearby provincial coastlines and the coastal and marine ecosystems in it.”

“Its rehabilitation will not be finished by merely picking up garbage along the coasts,” he said.

Disposal Manila bay is the final destination the Laguna de Bay–Pasig River–Manila Bay Watershed, where water from more than 50 sub-basins is drained.

“If you’re going to

throw a piece of paper in Laguna Lake, since [it] is connected to the Manila Bay [through] the Pasig River, that paper, combined with other papers along the way, would eventually dump into the Manila Bay,” said UST professor Arlen Ancheta, head of the governmentfunded Manila Bay Studies project.

Ancheta said communities should be educated on proper waste disposal, “Doon pa lang, inuumpisahan na para hindi na lahat pumunta roon sa cleanup,” she told the Varsitarian. BEATRIZ AVEGAYLE S. TIMBANG, ROLAND ADRIAN DC. IGNACIO and MIGUEL ALEJANDRO IV A. HERRERA

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Editor: Lyon Ricardo III M. Lopez

CIRC

Couples stare at portraits in the exhibit “NIIG: An Exhibition of Initimate Conversations” at the Sigwata Art Gallery in Santa Cruz, Manila last Feb. 16.

HAZEL GRACE S. POSADAS

Artistic couples paint the language of love

By KATRINA GONZALES ALUMNI artists, many of them couples, mounted visual interpretations of love in the art exhibit, “NIIG: An Exhibition of Intimate Conversations,” which opened Feb. 16 at the Sigwata Art Gallery in Santa Cruz, Manila.

“NIIG” is a Filipino word that connotes a strong, intimate and idiosyncratic conversation between lovers, a fitting title for a collaborative love-themed exhibit.

Joum Valera and Mara Herrera mounted a mixed-media work on canvas of their family, which consisted of the couple and their only child, titled “Allow and Be,” an image of the couple facing each other while splatters of green, black, blue and purple hues emphasized greatly in the middle symbolized their child.

“It [relationship] is a test of understanding and patience on both sides, but one of the things we agree on is being progressive and expansive in experimenting with styles and techniques,” Herrera told the Varsitarian.

Herrera, an alumnus of the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD), sought to depict meditation and freedom.

“Allowing our hands to create with little or no design in mind and being in the moment of conception and creation...

we always wanted to incorporate our spiritualistic sense which is the core [character] of our work,” she explained.

Husband-and-wife Mideo Cruz and Racquel de Loyola, a 2009 Thirteen Artist awardee and performance artist, presented an interactive installation titled “Intersect,” in which the audience were instructed to connect strings of yarn from one end to another in any direction.

“This is how the work really [engages] the interpretation, it’s meaning varies from one person to the next, open and unpredictable, just like how a relationship would fall into place,” Loyola pointed out.

The piece was abstract, and the unpredictability of the outcome was the goal of the couple, who wanted to compare the process of building up the piece to that of a relationship.

Cruz, who studied advertising at the University, said that the strings also symbolized an extension of their life from the city to their life in the province.

“The link is not limited, we are part of a bigger community,” he added.

In 2011, Cruz mounted a controversial installation titled “Poleteismo,” which displayed religious images incorporated with pop culture icons. It was negatively received by catholic groups who deemed it

as “sacrilegious and blasphemous.”

Cruz believed that the purpose of his art was to invoke critical discourse and the controversy that circled around his piece merely “served as an extension of the work.”

The couple’s decision to live “off-grid” in the province was to “get away from the influence of the commercial mainstream,” and there they continue to shape art that incites more constructive and critical discourse.

Pamela Hopilos, along with artist Rem San Pedro, created a mixed-media work which used paint, thread, cloth and printed pictures titled “Magkatabi sa Kama.”

Hopilos, an accountancy graduate, said that the placement of the painting was inspired by a “meme” of the typical sharing space of a couple in bed, the woman’s side greater than the men.

The exhibit was inspired by the film “Frida”, where famed Mexican surrealists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera painted images of their 25 years of marriage, letting the people get a glimpse into their troubled yet passionate relationship.

NIIG was organized by Rezureccion Art Project, an artists-initiative cultural events outfit founded in 2008, in partnership with Sigwada Art Gallery.

“We got different artists and couples who practice different disciplines, and through their pieces they give the audience an idea of the chemistry that they have,” said co-organizer Recci Bacolor.

Other artists featured were

Bryan Araneta and Mara Sabado, Jonathan Cena and Jean Sioson, BLIC and Yeng Cruz, Diana Aviado and Luigi Azura, and Myke Montañez and Cham Cristobal.

“NIIG: An exhibit of intimate conversations” ran from Feb. 9 to March 2.

The NIIG exhibit was mounted couples who were UST graduates.

HAZEL GRACE S. POSADAS

UST Singers perform for cancer research institute INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED UST Singers mounted the concert, “An Evening of Music and Care,” last Feb. 26 in the UST Museum to raise funds for the UST Hospital’s (USTH) Benavides Cancer Institute (BCI).

This year’s fundraising event was a concert headed by USTH’s Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Medical Oncology’s Dr. JC Jacinto and Dr. Jamila de Veyra, together with BCI’s chairwoman Teresa Ortin as the project adviser The program included Albert Malotte’s “The Lord’s Prayer, “Jesu Elberdin’s “Cantate Domino,” Mervyn Warren’s “Hallelujah!” and Andrej Makor’s “O Magnum Mysterium.”

UST Singers also performed choral arrangements out of George Hernandez’s “Ay! Ay! Ay! O, Pagibig!” Tats Faustino’s “Dadalhin” and Lucia San Pedro’s “Dalaga’t Binata”.

They also obliged with playful encore performances of “Come Alive” from the movie-musical “The Greatest Showman,” National Artist Ryan Cayabyab’s “Hibang sa Awit,” rock band Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Jonathan Larson’s “Seasons of Love” from the 1996 Broadway musical “Rent.”

Since 2015, UST Singers has been

holding concerts to raise funds for BCI. This year’s concert launched the “Suporta Para sa Kanser” (Spark), a cancer awareness movement. Jacinto said BCI wanted to raise people’s awareness as cancer had become the third leading cause of death among Filipinos. Raising awareness would help early intervention as the earlier cancer is screened, “the easier (it is) to treat.”

“We have been part of their goal to support cancer awareness through our music...We are always willing to have a concert for them,” said Mark Agpasa, assisting conductor of the UST Singers.

“We fully support BCI’s efforts in raising cancer awareness. We believe that if we continuously educate people in taking care of our health properly and eradicating the stigma surrounding this disease,” said choral member Mars Manalili.

BCI’s fundraisers, held every February to coincide with the World Cancer Day, are created to help in funding the University’s Cancer Research Institute and University Hospital’s cancer patients.

Sixty percent of the proceeds of the concert will go to the cancer patients of the University Hospital’s clinical division (charity ward) while the rest will UST Singers perform during a concert at the UST Museum to raise funds for cancer treatment and go to Spark. BEATRICE NOLENE H. awareness.

HAZEL GRACE S. POSADAS CRUCILLO

RCLE

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FEBRUARY 28, 2019

What ails campus theater in UST? TEATRO Tomasino experienced a steep decline in its audience as it struggled through its latest production, “Agnoia,” which ran Jan. 16-19 at the Benavides Auditorium.

In nearly all of the 12 shows of the production, the official theater organization of UST enjoyed a mere some 50 members in the audience, according to artistic director Ingrid Villamarin, an English language studies senior. “[Theater on campus] has not gone that far, if I were to be honest,” Villamarin told the Varsitarian. “We try to keep our material relevant to today’s issues and we do our best to publicize the productions, yet we still have trouble reeling in the Thomasian crowd.”

Te a t r o p r o d u c e s t w o m a j o r productions and two minor productions annually.

For its second production this season, Teatro staged “Agnoia,” Palanca winner Liza Magtoto’s adaptation of Eli Rueda Guies III short story, “Horoscope.”

Directed by Teatro alumnus Lendro Enore, the play tackles the uncertain character of destiny and predetermined futures. “[I think] people should be more comfortable with the unpredictability of life,” Magtoto said.

Dwindling audience, red tape, excessive charges, lack of stage halls — is it time to ring the curtain down on Thomasian theater?

Teatro’s first production for this season, “Singhap,” was mounted last semester. It consisted of three short plays (by Aureus Solito, Cheska Marfori, and Jerome Ignacio) tackling sexuality and identity.

“Teatro Tomasino has always been an avenue for expressing timely social, political, and historical issues,” said Villamarin. “Thus, the plays are dependent on what [we think] currently needs to be addressed.”

Scripts of theater organizations go through a screening process at the Office of student Affairs (OSA), which may veto materials deemed too risqué or not fit for campus viewing.

Mikaela Tagaylo, president of Mediartrix, said that they didn’t experience any issues with OSA in the themes of Mediatrix.

“However, we are careful to handle themes on sexuality as UST is a Catholic university . . . and also,

political themes,” she said.

But apparently OSA has been more accommodating or less negative toward risqué or more adventurous dramatic materials. The more pressing concerns are the high costs of production, aggravated by the “excessive charges” by UST authorities for the use of venues, and dwindling ticket sales.

There’s also a difficulty in reserving theater venues because of “lengthy bureaucratic processes.”

Sheer lack of venues bedevils campus theater productions likewise.

At one time, all bookings at the Education Auditiorium had been eaten up by the College of Commerce, so Teatro had to stage its productions lately at the UST Pay High School.

Noted was the dwindling number of audio-visual halls where theater productions could be staged.

In fact, two such halls in the St. Raymund Building,

where Commerce and the Faculty of Arts and Letters are housed, have been transformed into classrooms.

Arts and Letters, which has programs in communication crts and the humanities and where there is a college theater group, the long-running Artistant Artlets, has transformed its audio-visual hall into classrooms.

Moreover, UST administration charges student organizations for the use of the venues, giving minimal discount.

“We are a student-run [organization]; we are barely able to break even the expenses – which include set, script and venue – it takes for one production with the meager amount we make from the tickets,” Villamarin said.

“We resort to different means such as sponsorship and support from the alumni so that we could earn back our expenses,” said Tagaylo.

The rent for the venues on campus pose the biggest problem, according to Villamarin.

“While maybe asking for all fees to be waived might feel like a stretch, a significant discount is of great help... It goes without saying that a performance venue can and will determine whether we’ll have a show or not,” added Theater PAGE 10

Rappler editor calls for vigilance amid threats, attacks on press freedom FROM PAGE 1

swimming in propaganda.”

“To lose press freedom is to lose the power to correct government and to have a diverse community,” she said.

“We cannot just be living in a society that listens to one voice [and] you cannot have a generation that would be very successful if it is fed only with propaganda.”

“To lose press freedom is to lose the power to correct government and to have a diverse community.”

Free and critical press FROM PAGE 5

Glenda Gloria, UST ‘85 Managing Editor, Rappler

PHOTO BY MARK DARIUS M. SULIT

ownership of mass media.

“Vigilance is needed especially during the dark days of democracy [and] shining the light is what the role of the press should be right now,” she told the Varsitarian.

“Without a critical eye, without the check and balance of power, the result is abuse of

power.”

Gloria was the news editor of The Manila Times when it was forced to shut down in 1999 under heavy pressure from then President Joseph Estrada, who filed a P100-million libel suit against the publication.

The pressure on Rappler today, she said,

also involved “the survival of the company itself.”

“This president is stretching it a bit too far,” she said, referring to Duterte.

Gloria said media, including the campus press, have an important role to play in educating the public so people “will be

It’s no wonder that the madman of Malacanang broods and loses sleep, and bristles and explodes, over the slightest criticism. It’s the same reaction of that defunct earlier madman who was kicked out of power, a fate that the incumbent now tries to elude but with growing desperation.

The press has fended the attacks of strongmen and withstood the test of time. Unlike the President, ithe press practices prudence: it knows when to act and speak up. Like the Church, the only real political opposition in the Philippines, the free press speaks its mind because it sees that something is wrong, because an injustice or corruption has been committed, and so the system can be corrected and reformed. The Church and the press are mouthpieces of the oppressed and the victims of injustice. They speak for those who are bullied into silence.

And they will not be silenced despite attempts to bully and silence them by that douche from Davao.

8 Literary

Editor: Elmer B. Coldora

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

The martyr, saint and champion behind V-Day BLATANT commercialism has made Valentine’s Day an idolatry of money rather than the worship of true love. Worse, even Filipinos, suckers for romance and priding themselves as the only Christian nation in Asia, seem ignorant or oblivious to the fact that the day is a religious feast.

Assoc. Prof. Allan Basas, faculty secretary of the Institute of Religion, said Feb. 14 has been listed in the Catholic Church’s Roman Martyrology as the feast of St. Valentine of Rome, a Roman bishop who lived in the 3rd century during the reign of the anti-Christian emperor, Claudius II. St. Valentine, or St. Valentine of Rome, was a Roman bishop who lived in the 3rd century, during the reign of an anti-Christian emperor, Claudius II. The emperor persecuted Christians and banned marriages, especially for men going to war. An account described how St. Valentine would marry couples, sparing the husbands from battle, and aid those persecuted by Claudius II. Because of these acts, St. Valentine was arrested.

The bishop was put under house arrest in the custory of Judge Asterius. Valentine befriended the judge and later healed the the latter’s daughter of her blindness.

Asterius was abashed and asked Valentine what he could do in return. The saint told him to break all the idols in the house, fast for three days, and be baptized.

The judge obeyed, and was baptized along with his 44-member household. After being baptized, he set free all his Christian inmates.

On the day of his execution, St. Valentine left the judge’s daughter a note, signed “your Valentine”.

St. Valentine was beheaded outside the Flaminian gate on February 14, 269 A.D. In the early 1800s, skeletal remains were dug up near Rome along with an ancient church and were associated with St. Valentine’s.

The saint’s alleged skull is adorned with flowers and is shown in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Rome, while his other relics are in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church in Dublin, Ireland.

Pope Gelasius in AD 496 made February 14 as Valentine’s Day in honor of St. Valentine of Rome who died on that day.

Chastity In the Philippines, Filipinos have deviated from the traditional way of celebrating the feast of the patron of love; and commerce may have something to do with it, according to Basas. “[Businesses] take advantage or see this as an opportunity for commercial purposes or for profit oriented intentions. Capitalism rides these kinds of events. As I’ve said, it’s an opportunity to earn more money,” Basas said.

Basas said remembering Valentine’s example is a corrective to present-day notions that Valentine’s is purely about sex, as what the Department of Health perceives it to be when it distributes condoms to young people on February 14 ostensibly to remind them to engage in “responsible sexual behavior.”

St. Valentine, the saint of love, would correct the mistaken notions that Valentine’s day grants people the opportunity to engage in acts that are violative of their chastity, or to use people as objects of lust instead of respecting them as temples of the Holy Spirit.

Basas pointed out that celebrating Valentine’s day meant expressing respect for one’s loved ones; an example of that is by not engaging in premarital sex, or any explicit sexual activities.

Basas, however, said Valentine’s day also has a positive effect on the FIlipino culture.

“It actually supports the tendency of Filipinos to be very loving persons, to be very affectionate towards Marytr PAGE 9

Scrabble

By HAILORD N. LAVARIAS

It had never really dawned on you the power letters hold, until it was finally your turn to try thinking of words, possible to be placed on board, with other words, through their beginnings, ends and if fortunate still, their middles.

If these words could only fall on squares that would give them more value, were there any chance for a change of placing, of decision?

A challenge, indeed.

How was it suddenly hard to make sense of sentences, how fast should the mind think to not keep the both of you too long, just waiting?

You were certainly not certain.

Arielle Abrigo and Samuel Evardone. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ABRIGO AND EVARDONE

UST alumni join Silliman writers workshop

Winning had never been really what you wanted, for to play this game was to spend hours on scrabbling— finding possibilities you could not see.

It was supposed to be this hard.

For it had never really come to you, the power words hold, until it was finally your turn to love

Box of chocolates “ARE YOU giving those flowers or are you having cold feet?” asked Tina right after she finished the last bite of her chicken sandwich.

“Dude, just look at Aubrey, look at her grace, she is beautiful,” John said. He was watching his beloved consume buffalo chicken wings without soiling her fingers.

“While I’m here, I am still wondering if she will even me.”

“First, instead of being a creep, go there like a big boy,” Tina teased her childhood friend. “You remember the plan right? Or do you need a brief runthrough?”

John shook his head as he leaned his back to the chair, placed the flowers on the table and looked at the ceiling as he took deep breaths.

John and Tina had known each other since first grade, and he knew that Tina was more discerning when it came to women.

Following her advice just seemed right.

He consulted every strategy with his best friend. The only thing John contributed to the plan was the idea of doing it on Valentine’s Day. “I really can’t help but wonder why

you will pick the same day a martyr was executed just because he wed a Christian couple,” Tina said while offering him a tissue.

“Nice remark, dude, it really helped with the pressure,” John said as he took the tissue to wipe his cold sweat.

Tina took care of the other details of the plan, such as where John should buy flowers, where he should confess and even what haircut and perfume to wear.

The plan was simple: he should confess to Aubrey during lunch at the famous chicken restaurant where Aubrey would be usually seen eating along with her friends.

As planned, John had to be wellarmed with a bouquet of red roses and tulips surrounded by pink carnation from Dangwa flower market. He had an index card in the left pocket of his trousers in case words betrayed him. The air condition unit was not broken but John still sweat.

Meanwhile, Aubrey was just there eating by herself. It was as if the universe conspired to help John achieve his dream.

Thanks to Tina.

TWO THOMASIAN alumni are set to join the prestigious 58th Silliman University National Writers Workshop.

Literature graduate Arielle Abrigo and communication arts alumnus Samuel Evardone will be fellows for poetry and fiction, respectively.

“The [w]orkshop is treated as a rite of passage for those who sincerely value the craft of writing. I am grateful to be a part of [its] 58th edition,” Abrigo told the Varsitarian.

Abrigo’s submission for the workshop is the extension of her “Lakása, the first place in the poetry category and the Rector’s Literary Award of Varsitarianorganized 34th Gawad Ustetika.

“It sustains my exploration of identity, which is rooted in the context of Ilocos. It delves into specific utterances, those I consider as complexities in my native language,” she said. “Questions I entertain daily, such as the notion of origin, became one of the inspirations in writing the manuscript.”

Abrigo, who is currently taking up her master’s degree in creative writing at the University of the Philippines Diliman, has participated in a number of writing fellowships inside and outside UST. She was a fellow of the Varsitarian Creative Writing Workshop, the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies’ Thomasian Students Summer Writers’

But even then, John still could not stop to fidget on his chair, maybe because of the thought of rejection or because of this weird idea that made him question his feelings.

Out of nowhere John asked, “Do you believe in the idea of soulmates?”

Tina frowned as she focused her eyes to his romantic friend and flustered to what she just heard.

“I mean, dude, do you really think there is this person called ‘the one’ meant for each one of us?” John gave back the gaze of his friend.

Tina laughed as she applied rubbing alcohol on her hands. She just nodded then took a deep breath.

“Why does it bother you?” Tina asked John as she grabbed her tote bag.

“I don’t know, dude, just answer my question.”

Workshop and the Ateneo National Writers’ Workshop.

Evardone, who is also taking up master’s degree in creative writing at the De La Salle University, was a fellow of 2018 Virgin Labfest Writing, a two-week drama writing mentorship program by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

“As a young writer, [I] want to get as much experience as [I] can, so I made a goal to get into a writers workshop. For me, you have to chase your literary idols,” Evardone said in an online interview.

One of the short stories that earned Evardone the fellowship is his “To the Shareholders of the Mabuhay Hotel,” a reimagination of a hotel president’s resignation letter that is “in the form of a corporate report to the board.”

Other works he submitted for the workshop is the short story “Paco’s Retreat” and an excerpt of his novel-in-progress titled “Manila Animal.”

Silliman University National Writers Workshop, the oldest creative writing program in Asia, was founded in 1962 by SEAWrite awardee Edilberto Tiempo and National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo.

This year’s workshop will be held on May 6 to 7 at the Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers Village in Dumaguete. JESSICA JOY C BUENAFE and BRIANA MICHAELA C. DICHE

“Well I believe in freedom. Such idea restricts freedom,” Tina said while she checked her bag as if looking for something.

John came closer to Tina. He felt the unusualness of that deep conversation with her.

“It is like a box of chocolates, not the Forrest Gump’s kind-of-box of chocolates. But you see, there are a lot of different chocolates in that box. Each piece has different taste, size and texture, but they are all meant for you. All you have to do is to pick one,” Tina said.

“But how will you know if you belong to someone’s box of chocolates?” John asked.

“Well, you will not know until you present yourself,” Tina said. Her face brightened as if she found what she was looking for inside her bag.

Box PAGE 10

Editor: Louise Claire H. Cruz

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Psychology alumna back-toback topnotcher of board exams AN EXPERIENCE of a loved one prompted board topnotcher Angeli Charmaine Tan to focus on the psychological vulnerabilities of members of the LGBT community.

The 27-year-old Tan, a graduate of UST, was the first ever to top the licensure exams for both psychometricians and psychologists in the country.

Tan is now part of the Philippine Association of Psychologist – LGBT Psychology Special Interest Group, the first organized association of mental health professionals dedicated to the LGBT empowerment and wellbeing in the Philippines and in the Southeast Asian region.

“Study shows na mas at risk

Features 9

[sila] sa mental health issues because aside from the usual problems na pinagdaraanan ng mga tao, mayroon pa silang additional stress coming from the stigma because of their sexual orientation,” she said.

Tan said members of the LGBT community were prone to “high levels of stress faced by members of stigmatized minority groups.”

“I hope that people will learn to be more open-minded and accepting. More people need to understand that sexuality is diverse,” she Tan, who also works as an instructor at UST’s psychology department. CHRIS V. GAMOSO Angeli Charmaine Tan

Mandatory ROTC revival opposed FROM PAGE 1

Reforms in the system ROTC Class of 2016 sergeant Patricia Joy Mobilla said UST’s ROTC unit had been “transparent” with its activities and funds as well as complied with all guidelines.

She added that they are “always in coordination” with Office for Student Affairs Director Ma. Socorro Guan Hing.

“As graduate military assistant, maayos na ‘yung system namin dito... That’s the change, we are really complying with what UST is giving to the department. Kung anong kailangan i-comply ng [aming] department, we comply,” Joy said in an interview.

Class of 2016 sergeant Patricia Ann Mobilla, meanwhile, pointed out that they do not handle ROTC funds upon the basic cadet’s enrollment to the program. All expenses are liquidated.

“May activities lang kami na puwede maglabas ng pera... Bale wala talaga kaming halos nahahawakan na pera unless magrerequest kami [kasi] kailangan mali-liquidate.

[Kailangan din kasi siya] for the year-ender [summary],” she said.

Joy said they are “cautious” in handling basic cadets during ROTC training. Officers keep in mind the guidelines of the Anti-Hazing Law and their standard operating procedure in handling basic cadets, which is revised annually.

They also conduct an orientation for the parents on the first day of training.

ROTC trainings are conducted openly in the UST field every Sunday.

“Obvious naman sa mga bata na maraming mabilis na magreklamo. So ‘yung mga ganon siyempre, kami rin, dahil hindi na nga mawala ‘yung tag kay Mark Chua, iniiwasan namin…

Puwede naman silang magsumbong,” she said.

UST-ROTC ‘prepared’ Should the mandatory ROTC commence, the University’s ROTC unit is “ready.”

“Kaya naman. Umabot din naman kami ng 2,000 basic cadets and na-handle naman siya. Siguro talaga mag-fofocus lang kami sa planning bago siya matuloy, may help naman ang training staff at administration namin,” Kate Manodon, UST ROTC corps commander, said.

Manodon said the SHS administration had reached out to them about the compulsory ROTC program.

“Recently kino-contact na kami ng SHS regarding that… napag-uusapan lang naman pero hindi pa official. Tinatanong din kami kung pwede kami mag-handle ng sa SHS. Kung mandatory kasi, libu-libo na,” she said.

But she pointed out that the University’s ROTC unit needs to “recover” from the K to 12 transition to normalize the number of basic cadet and cadet officers and maintain the functionality of the department. The number

Martyr

FROM PAGE 8 their beloved, it conforms to our culture as Filipinos,” he said Basas added that people have saints precisely to remind them of a particular virtue that the Church teaches.

“In the case of St. Valentine, it’s the theological virtue of love, and with that, we associate that with chastity, as well as fortitude

of basic cadet enrollees is necessary as the department’s funds depend on it.

“All of the funds used during the whole academic year is programmed based on the income from the enrolled cadets and to cater to the expectations of our accommodations and other activities,” she said.

The Varsitarian tried to reach out to SHS acting principal Erika Bolanos but she has yet to respond.

‘Address ills of the past’ Estrada said the government should first “strengthen” the ROTC program before planning to make it mandatory.

He said the ROTC was replaced by NSTP because of the “abuses, corruption, cover-ups and irregularities” in the military program.

The government, he said, should establish a grievance system for student complaints to ensure that there would be preventive measures against abuses, as some procedures are still not covered by the recently amended Anti-Hazing Law. He said the AFP personnel should be trained in handling student military lessons.

“If we revive the mandatory ROTC now without addressing the ills of the past, the noble intentions of our senators to instill discipline and a sense of responsibility to our youth would be overshadowed by [why] NSTP Law [was made],” he said.

‘Unjustified, unnecessary’ Akbayan Youth spokesman Bas Claudio said making ROTC mandatory was “unjustified” and “unnecessary” as it would not instill values important to all citizens.

He said the government could still promote active citizenship through NSTP. The community development programs developed under NSTP, he added, had helped many indigent communities.

“Practicality-wise, the [mandatory ROTC] is not very effective… Maraming communities and out-of-school youth na kailangan ng tutors.

It’s probably more efficient to divert your resources to those things na kailangan talaga,” he said in a phone interview.

The ROTC program, he claimed, would also promote “homophobia” and “misogyny.”

“There’s this misconception with ROTC that ties with the conceptions of manliness… [whether] you can do intensive physical and military training, so it is really these rituals of manliness that… instill that kind of misogyny,” he claimed.

Fernandez said the training program would be useless if not implemented properly. “[ROTC] is supposed to be preparedness for citizens to defend the state pero kung kulang ka naman ng training or sa actual combat skills, that’s the main problem,” he said. JOB ANTHONY R. MANAHAN and

LADY CHERBETTE N. AGOT and temperance.”

Other Valentines St. Valentine of Interamna (modern Terni, Italy) was a bishop who was also martyred. It is possible, however, that St. Valentine of Interamna and St. Valentine of Rome were the same person.

One account says that Bishop Valentine was born and lived in Interamna but during a temporary stay in Rome, he was imprisoned, tortured, and beheaded on February 14, 269 A.D. According to one historical account, the

Roman Emperor went to such measures against Valentine because the saint tried to convert him to Christianity. This enraged Claudius, who tried to get Valentine to renounce his faith. The martyr refused, so the emperor ordered him beaten with clubs and stones, and subsequently executed him.

The most recently beatified Valentine is St. Valentine Berrio-Ochoa, a Spaniard of the Dominican corder who traveled to Vietnam, where he served as bishop until his beheading in 1861. Pope John Paul II canonized Berrio-Ochoa in 1988.

English poet named Geoffrey Chaucer referenced Valentine in romantic ideals and concepts in his poem, “Parliament of Fowls,” which describes a group of birds that gather on Valentine’s day to choose their mates for the year.

It was believed that through Chaucer’s work, the celebration of Valentine’s day started.

Authentic love Fr. Jayson Gonzales, O.P. from the University lamented the commercialism of Valentine’s Day. “People think and feel they need to spend in

order to make their beloved extra special,” he said.

“Valentine’s day has become a venue to showcase one’s purchasing ability in the guise of creativity and affection. People who do not receive such effort from gifts and services feel less loved.”

Gonzales encouraged Filipinos to have a deeper understanding of love by citing St. Thomas Aquinas who said, “Love is to will the good of the other.”

“We should focus on what authentic love means. Love is therefore not simply based on material goods but more so on spiritual gifts one can offer to the person—the good of the person,” he said.

Despite the businesses that have leached the occasion for profit, the purpose of the saint’s feast should always remain.

“The celebration of Valentine’s day therefore should not merely focus on spending money for your loved ones but on spending your precious time with them. Presence is the best present, like what St. Valentine did with people whom he minister,” Gonzales said. J.J.C.BUENAFE and T.M.F.UNGSON

10 Limelight

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Acting Editor: Nathanael Jonas S.J. Rodrigo

TOMAS U SANTOS BY MARIANE JANE A. CADIZ

BUHAY BILLY YATO BY MARI KLOIE D. LEDESMA

CACA BY JURY P. SALAYA

Box

Theater

FROM PAGE 8

FROM PAGE 7

“Dude what are you looking at?”

John asked.

“Nothing, I thought I forgot my homework for our next class,” Tina said as she raised her face and closed her bag. “Look! Aubrey is about to finish her meal!”

“Now or never, wish me luck, dude,” John said as he took a deep breath as if it was his last.

“You can do this little boy! But don’t be late for major subject!” Tina said as she tapped John’s back.

“Good luck to me,” John said as he waved his hand. “Thanks Tina, I hope you find your lucky one soon!”

Tina showed a thumb-up. As John stood up, the slight breeze delivered Tina’s favorite jasmine scent. She watched her friend take each step closer to the one he had chosen. She observed how pompadour suited his face well and how he carried her favorite kinds of flowers.

Tina observed how John approached Aubrey, how he awkwardly offered the flowers and how Aubrey blushed as if she was just waiting for John. It seemed that the plan worked, and all was well.

“I guess a box of chocolate is not the best choice,” Tina whispered as she stood up to prepare for her next class—leaving a box of chocolates behind her. KARL BEN L. ARLEGUI

Villamarin.

Jonas Garcia, artistic director of Artistang Artlets, said that the administration must provide adequate venues for the performing arts.

“This is a sad reality in a university filled with amphitheaters and auditoriums,” he said. “It seems as though the facilities are being used for purposes that are not really in line with the function of such auditoriums.”

“We face difficulties in the ‘e-reserve’... at some point, we would find it necessary to bargain for event dates with [several organizations]. It’s a tedious process,” said Tagaylo.

The expense and difficulty to reserve venues inside the campus is not a foreign experience to most of the student organizations in the University, especially active ones.

The Varsitarian tried to get the side of the OSA, but it didn’t reply.

Rehearsal space also becomes an issue, none of these organizations have their own permanent spaces or studios on campus. “ We o n l y e v e r h a v e t h e [Quadricentennial Pavillion or Quadricentennial Park] as our rehearsal area and it’s quite difficult to create a conducive environment for rehearsals when there are a lot of external factors and noise to control and deal with,” Tagaylo said.

Villamarin also mentioned that the reach of the Teatro is an important factor in its hope for perpetuity.

“We used to get help from the faculty members; I think there was a time when the teachers gave incentives to students who watched our productions... we hope they’ll help in promoting plays like ours and plays of other theater guilds in the University,” she said.

Garcia lamented that theater community in UST seemed like they are “fighting for the art of theater” on their own.

“We also want to see the effort by the admin on helping us to at least mount the said productions. [...] there has to be a more reliable and constant communications system for the theater activities inside UST.” “We don’t do “art for art’s sake,” as many would assume; we do this to educate the Thomasian crowd... cases like this hinder cultural development and freedom of expression in UST because the freedom is not given freely by the administration itself.”

Villamarin said. LYON RICARDO III M. LOPEZ with reports from KATRINA ISABELLE C. GONZALES, JISELLE ANNE C. CASUCIAN AND NOLENE BEATRICE H. CRUCILLO

Tigresses FROM PAGE 12

After a dismal 4-10 campaign last Season 80, Reyes is confident his team is on the right track this year.

“Kahit natalo kami sa Ateneo last game, we are still in a good position. We will continue what we are performing. We will play like wala nang bukas,” he said.

UST is second in the league in spiking, third in service and reception, fourth in digging and blocking and fifth setting.

Despite an impressive showing early this season, the tactician said the team still needs to improve on their consistency.

The Tigresses are on a twoway tie with the Lady Maroons for second place in the standings with a 2-1 win-loss record.

UST will try to snatch another win against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on March 2, Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

THERESA CLARE K. TAÑAS

Rock Solid

Usapang Uste

Letter to the Editor

FROM PAGE 4

FROM PAGE 2

FROM PAGE 5

even make it to the list.

Clearly, this speaks of Estrada’s administration of the city, and as it seems, how he managed the country when he was president is how he runs Manila: by declaring that he is the champion of the poor but doing everything contrary to the letter and spirit of that declaration. Once a plunderer, always a plunderer, Once regarded as the “Paris of Asia,” Manila has found itself in decay and by the looks of those who will compete for its leadership, it is most likely the decay and decline will go on. Worse, one need not to even look far to say this, for the homeless and the destitute continue to live in the streets. Go to Rizal Park when dusk sets in and you will see its sidewalks and corners crammed with vagrants and the homeless retiring for the night. Go to Quirino Grandstand and you will see row after row of destitutes.

Perhaps Nick Joaquin, the great Filipino writer, put it best when he described the post-war Manila in the “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” in a sentence: Quomodo desolata es civitas Dei! (What desolation, City of God!).

Who will save the country’s capital? Hopefully, its residents need not to wait for centuries the same way the people of God waited for their Messiah. But surely, it’s just not in who will emerge victorious in this election.

ng Pebrero 1939.

apply to other programs. This not only contributes to internationalization of our curricula but likewise potentially facilitates development of a number of transversal competencies expected of 21st century graduates.

While you claim that the use of technology does not apply to all disciplines, we maintain that the abovementioned benefits of technology integration into instruction cuts across any discipline.

While it is true that the expansion of technology integration into the new curricula aligned with K to 12 is encountering hurdles related to internet infrastructure and adjustment to change, there are likewise good practices that we can learn from, in order to continuously improve the initiative. Thus, we have collaborated with the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education in conducting institutional researches that will help in evaluating program initiatives to guide future policy and program development.

In like manner, while some students may have claimed to have no access to internet and devices in order to participate in online instruction, there are existing University computer laboratory facilities in the library, the Educational Technology Center, and the respective academic units which may be used by the students.

Deriding initiative at its early stages of implementation is counterproductive, not to mention the manner by which the criticism was made i.e., using vulgar words which may be construed as violation of UST Code of Conduct. It is appalling that campus journalism in the University seems to have failed to contribute to the development of Thomasian Graduate Attributes. It is even more disheartening that campus journalism skews the balance and objectivity of the issue, just to sensationalize an opinion.

Accordingly, I believe that it is imperative that corrective measures be taken in order to properly inform the Thomasian public about the facts mentioned above. This is, however, without prejudice to my right to file an administrative complaint against you and the members of the Editorial Board.

Ranking FROM PAGE 2 to 200th), environmental sciences (251st to 300th), law (251st to 300th), modern languages (251st to 300th), economics and econometrics (301st to 350th), business and management studies (351st to 400th) and computer science and information systems (501st to 550th).

Ateneo de Manila ranked 339th in arts and humanities, 151st to 200th in English language and literature, 201st to 250th in sociology and 451st to 500th in social sciences and management.

De La Salle University placed 451st to 500th in social sciences and management, 351st to 400th in business and management studies, 151st to 200th in English language and literature and 251st to 300th in linguistics.

The latest QS ranking by subject is the world’s largest subject ranking, covering 48 disciplines. ANGELIKA V. ORTEGA with reports from NEIL JOSHUA N. SERVALLOS

Tomasino Siya Nagtapos si Geronimo Francisco ng kursong Applied Mathematics major in Actuarial Science sa Unibersidad noong 1988, at iba’t ibang matataas posisyon ang kaniyang hinawakan sa mundo ng negosyo lalo na sa industriya ng insurance hanggang ngayon.

Mula sa pagiging trainee noong 1989, umakyat siya bilang actuarial assistant manager sa Fortune Life Insurance Company.

Noong 2000, naging assistant to the vice president siya sa PhilamCare Health Systems, Inc. Makalipas ang dalawang taon, naging vice president si Francisco sa Maxicare Health.

Di kalaunan, naging pangulo at chief operating officer siya ng Fortune Medicare Inc. at noong 2015, isa siya sa mga tumulong sa paglunsad ng isang mobile application para sa kumpanya.

Kasalukuyang senior consultant si Francisco sa Willis Towers Watson.

Ginawaran si Francisco ng The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Award (Total) noong 2003 sa kategorya na Young Thomasian Achiever. FRANCIS AGAPITUS E. BRAGANZA Tomasalitaan Galámos – pangngalan. padaskoldaskol na paggawâ sa anumang bagay; walang-ingat na paggawâ Hal.: Hindi nadadaan sa galamos ang paglago tungo sa kahusayan ng isang tao; kailangan ng sigasig, sakripisyo at maiging pag-aaral.

Sanggunian: The Varsitarian, Tomo XII, Blg. 4, March 1939, 1933-1940, p. 693-711.

The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Awards 2003 Diksyunaryo-Tesauro PilipinoIngles ni Jose Villa Panganiban

Tigers FROM PAGE 11 With the team having eight newcomers, Ayo will bank on veteran scoring guards Marvin Lee and Renzo Subido to shoulder the leadership on and off the court.

Come Season 82, Ayo is confident that the Tigers will be at full strength since injured rookie sensation CJ Cansino is expected to be back on the court by May, a month earlier than his expected return.

UST will next face the CignalAteneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on March 7, Thursday, 2 p.m., at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Sincerely yours, PROF. CHERYL R. PERALTA, DrPH Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs

Editor’s Note: The Varsitarian would like to clarify that no vulgar word was used in the editorial.

Editor: Ma. Angelica D. Garcia

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Sports 11

Tigers seek chemistry in PBA D-League

By FAITH YUEN WEI N. RAGASA and JUSTIN ROBERT VALENCIA THE UST Growling Tigers will use their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Developmental League (D-League) stint to polish their system and build the team’s chemistry just in time for UAAP Season 82, head coach Aldin Ayo said.

Ayo has been working with a complete lineup as early as December, a privilege he did not have last season.

“This is our preparation for next season kasi gusto namin na, as early as now, mailagay na sa tama ‘yong sistema namin at sana mabuo na ‘yong chemistry this early,” he told the Varsitarian.

To fully establish his system, the tactician said his wards, especially the young guns, need the D-League campaign for exposure and experience in the semi-professional ranks, where they will be able to face veteran basketball players.

“We have young players and we want them to improve on their individual skills. We want them to gain confidence, to always make the best decisions come game time. Gusto ko rin na mag-enjoy sila dito kasi habang nage-enjoy, nagi-improve eh,” Ayo said.

The Tigers remained unscathed in the league with a 2-0 win-loss record, after trouncing Batangas-Emilio Aguinaldo College and AMA Online Education, respectively.

Although UST is filled with eight

rookies, the Tigers still got blue-chip recruits in Beninese forward Soulemane Chabi Yo, Season 81 boys’ basketball mythical team member Mark Nonoy, Rhenz Abando, Sherwin Concepcion and Brent Paraiso. “(I’m happy) kasi siyempre nakakapaglaro na kaagad (‘yong mga recruits) nang maayos, nag-adjust kaagad sila and unang liga pa lang namin na big league tapos hindi sila tight at nailalabas na nila ‘yong laro nila,” the multi-titled coach said.

Ayo added that this team was more competitive than last year, citing talent, height and athleticism as key ingredients.

“This team is different from last year. We have players who are bigger, more talented and more athletic. Mas desente ang team ngayon,” he said.

Chabi Yo led the team in terms of defense and offense, averaging 22 points, 14.5 rebounds and 3.5 blocks after just two outings, while Pangasinan native Abando tallies 18 markers, 6.5 boards and 2 blocks.

Nonoy, who just finished his juniors’ stint with the Tiger Cubs, went straight to the seniors’ team and became the youngest cager to play in D-League history. He averages 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5 assists per game.

But despite high praises for his team, the-41-year-old mentor said the Tigers still need to work on their ability to hold on to leads in their pre-season tilt.

Tiger Soulemane Chabi Yo tries to score a basket against AMA Online Education Titans defenders.

With the team having eight MARK DARIUS M. SULIT newcomers, Ayo will bank on veteran Tigers PAGE 10

Golden Sox dump La Salle for third-straight win

By JUSTIN ROBERT VALENCIA

THE UST Golden Sox used a huge 10th inning to outlast the De La Salle University Green Batters, 10-3, in the UAAP Season 81 baseball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Feb. 27.

With all the bases loaded in the 10th inning, La Salle pitcher Boo Barandiaran walked UST’s Mark Beronilla that sent Israel Antonio to home plate to push the Golden Sox ahead, 4-3.

“Malaking bagay na na-hold sa zero ang La Salle ng apat na inning.

Noong extra inning na, pagod na ang pitcher nila, nagkonekta naman ang batting namin,” UST head coach Jeffrey Santiago said.

The Golden Sox added six more runs in the 10th inning courtesy of Ivan Llave, Jayvee Selda, Ron Christian de la Cruz, Jan Santiago, Gio Martinez and Beronilla, to put the Green Batters away.

Trailing 0-3 at the bottom of the fifth inning, La Salle’s Diego Lozano reached home off a wild pitch before Kiko Gesmundo’s sacrifice run-battedin (RBI) sent Barandiaran back home, 2-3.

The Green Batters tied the game

in the seventh inning after Iggy Escaño hammered a RBI triple that sent Lozano to home base, 3-3.

Up by just a point at the top of the fifth inning, UST’s Beronilla hammered a two RBI single, 3-0.

Gaining momentum After losing their first game, the Golden Sox cruised to three-straight victories in the tournament.

UST lost their opening day game against Ateneo de Manila University via mercy rule, 13-3, before hitting in all cylinders en route to wins against defending champion Adamson University (10-7), National University (16-2) and last season’s silver medalist La Salle (10-3), respectively.

“Mayroon ng killer instinct ang mga bata. Simula nang manalo kami sa Adamson, palakas na nang palakas ang loob nila, may kumpiyansa na sila sa batting nila,” the 56-year-old mentor told the Varsitarian.

In its winning streak, UST’s batting was on fire and has been averaging 10.75 hits and 9.75 runs per game.

The tactician attributed the Golden Sox’s impressive showing to

their willingness and eagerness to play and contribute to the team.

“Lahat nag-de-deliver, from one to nine sa batting order, malalim pa ang bench kaya anytime, puwedeng humugot ng pupukol o papalo off the bench,” he said.

UST pitchers de la Cruz, Llave, Vince Mangapis, Jackson Acuña and Arson Lipalam also have a hand in the streak by holding their opponents at the pitching mound, allowing only 6.66 hits in their wins and 6.25 earned runs per outing.

Even with 12 rookies in the 20-man lineup, team captain Alwen Calbang said the newcomers are proving their worth in the six-team tournament.

“Matatapang sila, gutom sa panalo, at gusto nila magpakilala sa UAAP. Gusto nila may mapatunayan, lumalaban hanggang dulo,” the Sports and Wellness Management senior said.

The Golden Sox is on a three-way tie with Ateneo and Adamson for first place behind a 4-1 win-loss card.

Up next for UST are the winless University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on March 3, Sunday, 7 a.m., at the same venue.

Golden Booters force draw vs FEU Female Tennisters STRIKER AJ Pasion’s late conversion propelled the UST Golden Booters to a 2-2 tie with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 81 men’s football tournament at the FEU-Diliman pitch last Feb. 28.

Pasion netted a desperation attempt just inches away from the halfway line in the 94th minute to save UST f r o m suffering its first loss.

The Golden Booters remained atop of the standings with a 1-3-0 win-draw-loss record for seven points.

“The rhythm of the game

changed sa second half noong naka-goal si [John Renz Saldivar]. Pero nakita namin ang attitude ng players na never say die talaga,” UST head coach Marjo Allado said.

Tamaraw Chester Pabualan broke the 1-all deadlock after outlasting a UST defender in the 82nd minute for a 2-1 advantage.

Conrado Dimacali III gave the Golden Booters and early 1-0 lead in the 28th minute, before Saldivar sneaked in an equalizer in the 52nd minute.

After UST’s first goal, Dimacali III fell down and failed to recover due to a collision with FEU goalie Dave Parac.

Allado said Dimacali III will be out of action indefinitely after suffering a right knee injury. He is scheduled to undergo magnetic resonance imaging later.

The Golden Booters will try to get a win against the University of the East Red Warriors on March 10, Sunday, 9 a.m., at the same venue. JOHN EZEKIEL J. HIRRO

yield to Ateneo

THE ATENEO de Manila University Lady Eagles squeaked past the UST Female Tennisters, 3-2, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s lawn tennis tournament at the Colegio San Augustin-Bulacan last Feb. 24.

With the game tied at two matches each, the UST duo of Meann San Jose and Ingrid Gervacio fell to Ateneo’s Janelle Llavore and Nicole Arnistad, 4-6, 6-6, 4-7, in the last match.

“Maganda ‘yong laro ng players today pero, due to pressure, kinulang pa rin kami” Female Tennisters head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz told the Varsitarian.

Lady Eagle Shaira Rivera trounced Angelica Mosqueda in the opening singles match, 6-0, 6-4, before UST’s Mery Rose San Jose answered back with a 6-2, 6-0 win against Martina Bautista.

Female Tennister Erika Manduriao trounced Bettina Bautista, 6-3, 6-1, but the UST duo of Ingrid Gonzales and Shu Gitalan succumbed to Ateneo’s Jana Hernandez and Jana Pages, 0-6, 5-7.

UST, who fell to a 1-1 win-loss card, will next face the National University Lady Bulldogs on March 3, Sunday, 11 a.m., at the same venue. FAITH YUEN WEI N. TAGASA

Sports

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

Golden Tigresses subdue UP Lady Maroons

The Golden Tigresses celebrate their win against the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons last Feb. 24 at the Arena in San Juan.

ENRICO MIGUEL S. SILVERIO

THE UST Golden Tigresses took down the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 21-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament last Feb. 24 at the Arena in San Juan.

Filipino-Italian sophomore Milena Alessandrini’s block ended the Tigresses’ 7-4 burst in the fourth frame to give UST the victory.

UST opened the third canto with a 20-7 bomb as rookie Eya Laure sealed the set with an off-the-block hit for a commanding 2-1 set advantage.

With the second salvo tied at 22-all, the Tigresses ignited a threepoint swing, topped by Sisi Rondina’s crosscourt kill to equalize the game at one-set apiece.

Caitlyn Viray’s service error capped a 6-2 UP run that broke a 19-all deadlock in the opening canto.

“It was an unpredictable game kasi noong first set struggle talaga pero we overcame it. We did our all sa execution of our attacks and defense,” UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. said.

The Tigresses hit eight service aces while the Lady Maroons had three.

Alessandrini powered UST with 22 points while Laure and

Rondina chipped in 18 and 17 markers, respectively.

UP’s Tots Carlos scored 20 markers.

Young guns While team captain Rondina has taken over most of the scoring load for the Tigresses anew, averaging a league-leading 18 points per game (ppg), Reyes said he also found key players in rookies Eya Laure, KC Galdones, Mafe Galanza and Janel Delerio. “’Yong rookies, sila ang pinaka-backbone ng team. Sila ang takbuhan namin kapag hindi nagde-deliver ang seniors. Kung walang backbone, siguradong malalaglag kami,” he said in a postgame interview.

Former UAAP juniors’ Best Opposite Hitter Laure has been a solid contributor for the Tigresses, averaging 15.6 ppg, while Galdones tallied 5.6 ppg.

“Ito ang team na talagang matagal na naming hinahanap. Dati, si Sisi (Rondina) nakaka-30 points pero hindi pa rin kami nananalo.

But ngayon, may katulong na siya at nagiging balanse na ‘yong team. May back-up na siya at support system,” he said.

UST bags 9 medals in national taekwondo tilt THE UST Lady Jins took home six medals, while the Tiger Jins snatched three on the second day of the 2019 National Carlos Palanca Jr. Memorial Taekwondo Championships at the Mall of Asia Music Hall last Feb. 10.

Lady Jin Rhyshel Ramirez defeated fellow Thomasian Gabrielle Limjoco, 5-2, in the finals of the women’s senior featherweight division to cop gold.

UST’s Gabrielle Solomon grabbed silver after surrendering to Ateneo de Manila University’s Patricia Morales, 0-6, in the women’s senior middleweight division finals.

Rona Jalino settled for bronze after succumbing to fellow Lady Jin Ramirez, 3-4, in the semifinals of the women’s senior featherweight category.

Raimee Arugay picked up bronze after losing to University of the Philippines’ Amber Acosta, 2-6, in the women’s senior finweight division semifinals.

AC Asegurado also notched bronze after absorbing a 1-3 defeat against national team player Caila Delo in the senior women’s welterweight semifinals.

“It was good performance pero hindi ito ang best performance nila kasi nakikitaan ko pa ng mga kulang ‘yong ginawa nila,” UST assistant coach Gershon Bautista told the Varsitarian.

In men’s play, Tiger Jin Israel Cantos brought home UST’s lone gold medal after beating De La Salle University’s Algerico Ybanez, 8-3, in the senior men’s middle-heavyweight finals.

UST’s Rohann Mendoza faltered against national team player Romel Pablo Jr., 9-11, in the semifinals of the senior men’s finweight category for bronze.

Mark Gariega added another bronze after a 4-7 win against National University’s Edward Caño. IVAN RUIZ L. SUING

Tigeresses PAGE 10

Tiger Cubs crash out of UAAP Final Four THE UST Tiger Cubs missed the Final Four this year, finishing the UAAP Season 81 boys’ basketball tournament at fifth place behind a 7-7 win-loss slate.

The Tiger Cubs, who placed third last season, ended their campaign with a 21-point rout of the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Green Archers, 85-64, at the Arena in San Juan last Feb. 10.

With the game tied at 5-all in the opening canto, UST unleashed a furious 22-7 blast, capped by Mark Nonoy’s layup to never look back.

“Binigay ko na sa mga seniors ko ang game na ito. Sinabi ko na lang sa kanila na they have to remember that this is their last game,” Tiger Cubs head coach Bonnie Garcia said.

UST outpaced La Salle in fastbreak points, 23-0, and managed to score 16 second chance points while grabbing 12 offensive boards.

Nonoy poured 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in his last game with the Tiger Cubs, while Jomar Amador added 15 markers.

Henrie Subido spearheaded La Salle with 14 points.

Tiger Cub Mark Nonoy goes for a drive against Junior Green Archer Jac Macasaet.

GENIELYN ROSARIO M. SORIANO

Eliminated UST failed to defeat perennial

powerhouses Ateneo de Manila University, National University and Adamson University, as shown by their losses against the three teams in each of their six total encounters this season.

Garcia said one of the Tiger Cubs’ main problem this year was taking care of the ball. They averaged 19.3 turnovers per game, the thirdworst in the league.

But despite crashing out of the Final Four in his first year as head coach, Garcia remained optimistic of his team’s chances next season.

“Kinapos lang talaga kami kasi confused pa ‘yong team noong una dahil naghahanap pa sila ng identity kasi bata pa, but nevertheless, we had a good season and I can see na untiunting nag-peak ang sistema,” he said.

Garcia added that the Tiger Cubs will continue training to keep their bodies in shape.

The team will miss the services of Nonoy, who will be moving up to the seniors’ team.

With the loss of Nonoy, Garcia said team captain and mythical team member Bismarck Lina and Johnvic Casingcasing were expected to lead the team in terms of offense next