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NEWS/P2 FEATURE/P7 ENVIRONMENT/P10

JULY 3, 2008 THE SPECTRUM 5 1

Project COPS Beware of Pickpokets! Wake Up Call

THE SPECTRUM
www.thespectrum.ph | www.thespectrum.ph/forum
OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE, BACOLOD CITY
VOL. 52 NO. 1 • JULY 3, 2008

THESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUM

PreMed prexy qualifies as Bayer Young Environmental Envoy

By Neslie Faith V. Sianson Programme (UNEP) in the area of environmental envoys for their Campus-Wide Wildlife Conservation
youth and environment. It is a search countries. Program, which concentrated on the
Manuel Eduardo de la Paz, Pre-Med for the 12 young Filipino ambassadors The 12 young Filipinos automatically preservation of endangered biodiversity
Society president qualified the Bayer for the environment. Bayer selected become a lifetime member of the BYEE through education and ownership of
Photo by Jobelle Vallega

Manuel Eduardo de la Paz
Young Environmental Envoy (BYEE) from among hundreds of applicants Club-Philippines, a strong network of projects supporting protection which
Program 2008. all over the Philippines a roster of 12 young leaders from Luzon, Visayas will strengthen wildlife appreciation
Bayer is the first company in the college students who have displayed and Mindanao committed to promote and conservation. The project
world to enter a long-term partnership a particularly strong commitment youth environmental programs. implementation will involve student
with the United Nations Environment to environmental issues and become De la Paz focused his project on PREMED/3

Burglar victimizes University employee

Installation of security cameras and alarms, likely
By John Alexander M. Cuyoca
To install security cameras and
alarm systems, and to hire more
security guards in more sensitive
areas of the University.
These were among the
proposals of the University
Security Office headed by Security
Supervisor Dennis Tan to the
University Board of Trustees
regarding the rise in the number
of theft cases in the campus.
Early this school year, an
employee of the University was
victimized by an unidentified
burglar after her laptop was stolen
inside the Finance Office.
Finance Internal Auditor
Jan Ada Gerangaya was shocked
after she found out that her
80-thousand-worth laptop which
she left on the chair of her office
table last Monday of June 16 was
no longer to be seen.
The break-in was discovered
only at about 8 a.m. of June 17,
She added the case was an
inside-job because in the first
place it is very difficult for a thief
to discover such way to get inside
the office.
“The Bacolod Scene of the
Crime Operative (SOCO) Team
did not have a suspect yet but
based on the fingerprints found,
only one person was involved,”
Aragon revealed.
They will match the
fingerprints found to those of the
estimated 600 employees of the
University, she added.
On the other hand, the thief
also tried to enter the Center
for International and External
Linkages (CIEL) Office last June
16 because the aluminum screen
of its window was damaged.
CIEL Director Rhoderick
Samonte said the screen was tore
and the scanner was no longer to
be found in its proper place.
“I can’t believe that this is
still happening in our University
Photo by Randell T. Aranza

Tuesday. despite the strict security measure,”

“The thief passed through the
exhaust fan window of the ladies’
comfort room because the screws
were no longer there,” Dr. Jocelyn
Aragon, University vice president
for finance said.
Samonte added.
Meanwhile, one portable
LCD projector was stolen inside
the Multi Media Room of the
Solomon Building last April 20.
CONSTRUCTION OR DEVASTATION? Devastation. Mater Dei suffered the wrath of Typhoon Frank last June 21-22, leaving the whole site in a chaotic
BURGLAR/3 state.

More infrastructure dev’t for new programs Tuition fee hike, no effect By Epi Ma. Kassandra A. Dajao
Addressing to the demand for better
facilities to sustain new programs,
the University is pursuing more
infrastructure development plans
for the school year.
Vice President for Administra-
tion Geoffrey Bob Bergante said
University’s population is grow-
ing, thus, we should upgrade our
facilities and equipment.
“We are offering new programs
for this school year, therefore, we
should be ready to accommodate
these new programs,” Bergante
said.
Among the proposed devel-
Photo by Paolo Adonis B. Trio
the bookstore and Granada Eco
Park, renovation of the student
center and the purchases of
buses and air-condition for the
coliseum.
The Mutien Marie Annex
To house the facilities for
the professional school, the
construction of the Mutien Marie
Annex will be pursued.
Corporate rooms and moot
courts with multimedia equipment
will be at the MM annex for the
use of the professional school,
graduate school and the university
students.
Also the four-storey building is
for enrolment – Registrar
By Kathreen Joyce I. Tubid
Despite the four percent tuition
fee increase, students still prefer a
Lasallian education for College,
said University Registrar Frances
Mae Ferrer-Llamas.
According to the Registrar’s
Office, the University had a 4.8
percent rise in enrolment figures
with a total of 9,514 student
enrollees compared to last year’s
9,075.
Like last year’s records, the
Educ
Eng’g
Nursing
College of Nursing still has the
most number of students by
college with 2,893; followed
by the College of Business
and Accountancy with 2,802
enrollees; the College of Arts and
Sciences with 1,852; the College
of Engineering with 1,449 and
the College of Education with
518.
For the year level enrolment,
the freshmen comprised the
most number of students having
TUITION/3
POPULATION

opment plans is the construction planned to have an elevator similar

of the Information Technol- to the elevator put-up for Benilde CAS 2893
ogy Center for University’s IT Building. CAS CBA 2802
program and the Mutien Marie “The new facilities will Educ 1852
CBA
Annex for the professional school not only be exclusive for the Eng’g 1449
expansion. professional school but also for Nursing 518
_____________
Other proposed the other members of the Lasallian TOTAL 9514
MORE DEVELOPMENT PLANS. The Mater Dei Amphitheater was one of the
renovation plans of the University this school year, along with the Bookstore infrastructure developments for community,” Bergante said.
and the Patio de La Salle. this year are the expansion of MORE/13

Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13

2 THE SPECTRUM
Lasallians to be more responsible – Bergante, Ledesma
USLS prepaid SIM available soon
By Jamie F. Bentinganan
The exclusive USLS prepaid SIM
card will be formally launched on
July 7.
The USLS-Globe SIM includes a
special mobile school assistant feature,
exclusive rates and other Globe offers.
With the mobile school assis-
tant, students will be able to check
MassComm curriculum revised
By Kathreen Joyce I. Tubid
In accordance with the directive
issued by the Commission on
Higher Education (CHEd), the
College of Arts and Sciences has
revised its Bachelor of Arts in Mass
Communication program to A.B.
in Communication starting this
school year.
CAS Communication
Chairperson Ernest Marvin
Latiza said the CHEd directive is
meant to make the program more
competitive and relevant to the
demands of the changing times.
All schools offering
Communication or Mass
Communication courses are
expected to revise their curricula
as mandated.
“Since the new curriculum is
more general, it will cover almost
all aspects of communication and
this can be an advantage to our
graduates,” Latiza said.
New subjects such as
Interpersonal Communication,
Police force earns Master’s degree in Public
Management Program scholarship grants
Photo courtesy of USLS
INKED. Br. Ray Suplido signed the MOA with Dr. Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. and Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas
By Neslie Faith V. Sianson
120 Negros Occidental police
officers were granted their
Master’s degree in Public
Management Program with
specialization in National Security
their grades and have access to
updates from the University.
Voice charges are at P 00.10
per second and SMS is P 0.75 with
the special rates.
The SIM card is fully compati-
ble with other Globe features such
as UnlimiTxt, GCash and Globe
BIDA Kard.
Soft launching of the exclusive
Developmental Communication,
Communication Values
and Ethics, Community
Communication and Information
Management are included in the
new program.
Latiza added the program
will be unique in such a way that
it will give emphasis to Mass
Communication, but the students
will still have mass media subjects
like journalism, film, radio,
television and stage.
Under the new curriculum,
Communication students are
required to take six out of sixteen
major electives like Radio and TV
Production, Book Publishing,
Educational Broadcasting,
Media Law, Environmental
Communication, TV and Radio
Speech or Hosting, among others.
“These electives are meant
to further enrich the USLS
Communication program,” Latiza
said.
Although there will be changes
in the curriculum, the freshmen
and Law Enforcement through
the generosity of the Eduardo
Cojuangco Foundation in
partnership with the University
Graduate School.
The Graduate School
spearheaded by Dr. Donna
Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13
NEWS
By Epi Ma. Kassandra A. Dajao accountability.
“I am saddened with the
Vice President for Administration, reports of vandalism, littering
Geoffrey Bob Bergante and and removal of signage
University Student Government because I expect students to
President Joven Ledesma, urged take care of the facilities and
Lasallians develop ‘sense of equipment of the school,”
ownership’ to all facilities of the Bergante said.
University. Bergante believes if
Bergante stressed students Lasallians will be responsible
should cultivate sense of enough to safeguard the
belongingness, s e n s e of facilities of the school and
responsibility, s e n s e of learn to discipline themselves
ownership and sense of the budget for repairs
USLS-Globe prepaid SIM card will
be on July 3 at the Coliseum lobby.
The marketing program will
run until July 16 and giveaways
and prizes await those who will
purchase the USLS SIM Card
within the period.
The proceeds from the proj-
ect will support the One La Salle
Scholarship Endowment Fund.
Photo courtesy of Guidance and Evaluation Center
this school year will still be using
general AB until they pass the
screening given by the department
to proceed and have their majors.
In a related development, the
Communication Laboratory and
the Communication Department
Chair Office have been transferred
from the Performing Arts Building
Guidance counselors take oath
to the second floor of the CAS
Faculty Office.
The laboratory is now equipped
with the newly refurbished editing By Randell T. Aranza
machines, LCD television with
home theatre, computer with Seven guidance counselors of the
printer and scanner, digital camera, University took their oath under
video camera, and recorders. the Republic Act 9258 or the
A mini-conference room Guidance and Counseling Act of
will also be included for the use 2004 after passing the licensure
of the Comm students and the examination last May 19 at the
MassComm Society. Manila Hotel, namely: Rowena
“I am enthusiastic about Bañes, Donna Echaus, Robeeh
this latest development in our Ramos, Nonette Diaz, Lito Diaz,
department. I am positive that Marijoy Gaduyon and Noel
this will provide better education Marañon.
to the students and in turn, attract They were the second
more enrollees in the department,” batch of the licensed guidance
Latiza added. counselors of the University,
Management Program (MPM),
with specialization in National
Security and Law Enforcement is a
specially designed comprehensive
program that integrates concepts
of public administration and
governance with fundamental
concepts and issues on national
security and law enforcement.
This program aims to
strengthen the conceptual
orientation and knowledge of
program participants, hone their
professional and administrative
skills and promote a sound ethical
and social values-system in their
personal and professional lives.
The Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) was signed
by Br. Ray Suplido, FSC, project
grantor Dr. Eduardo Cojuangco,
Jr., PNP Regional Director
Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas and
PNP Negros Occidental Senior
Superintendent, Col. Rosendo
Franco and other local government
officials.
Echaus and the Eduardo PROJECT COPS is the second
Cojuangco Foundation launched collaboration of the University
the PROJECT COPS – Career with the Foundation which began
Opportunities for the Police the Project Free in 1999, which
Sector last June 14 at Santuario was graduated by 1,100 public
De La Salle. school teachers for their masters
The Master in Public and doctorate degrees.
and reconstructions can
be appropriated for other
purposes.
“We are not saying that
physical appearance is what
matters most because the
priority of the school is still
on academic and formation
programs which have long
term effects, however, we want
our students to get what they
deserve and avail the amenities,”
Bergante added..
Likewise, Ledesma said the
next to Dr. Evangeline Caper,
former director of the Guidance
and Evaluation Center (GEC)
who was the only counselor from
Western Visayas to qualify under
the Grandfathers’ Clause or
registration without examination
last February.
Robeeh Ramos, former
Children with Parents Abroad
(CHIPA) support group
moderator and newly-appointed
Guidance Director of the GEC
was among the licensed guidance
counselors.
“I just hope that the Lasallian
Bacolod Diocese appoints
Quijano as new chaplain
By Celine A. Chua
Fr. Ronald Quijano was appointed
by the Diocese of Bacolod as the
new chaplain of the University of
St. La Salle last April 15 starting
this school year.
However, he already started
celebrating the daily masses
since April 14.
Upon the start of his
term, he immediately effected
changes in the chapel such as
the improvement of the sound
system – the new microphones;
the dedication of a confessional
area at the right back side of the
chapel so that the people would
not confess inside the sacristy
anymore; the incorporation of the
Liturgical music in the 7:00 AM
mass enough for 20-25 minutes
so that the students, faculty, staff
and others who attend the mass
around this time may not be late
for their classes or duties.
Aside from the physical
changes, he also wished to be
LOGIN TO
JULY 3, 2008
students must learn to value and
secure the properties of the school
because after all it is all for the
students’ growth.
“We should own this because
this is our La Salle,” Ledesma
said.
On the other hand, Ledesma
said that the development plans
should cater the students’ needs
more than wants, prioritize
the students’ convenience and
comfort and put up environment-
friendly projects.
community will continue to
support the activities and services
of GEC,” Ramos said.
GEC contributes to the
fulfillment of the University’s
Mission Statement, in its goals
of providing holistic formation
of the youth and fostering
a culture of openness and
dialogue.
RA 9258 requires guidance
counselors to pass the
licensure examination, in
order to professionalize the
guidance and counseling in the
Philippines.
available for students as well
as the faculty and staff for
spiritual counseling to address
the problems that may not be
settled in the classroom setting.
He affirms the visions of
Brother Chancellor Ray Suplido
in providing value formation for
the young through his homilies.
His homilies are both
Biblically-based and student
and educators-friendly so that
they may practically relate to the
message in their daily lives.
Fr. Quijano is the first
university chaplain to handle
both the Integrated School and
the College unit since there were
two separate chaplains for the IS
and college before.
He is also the academic
dean of John Paul II National
Institute for Studies on Marriage
and Family now situated in
USLS.
He is teaching at the
undergraduate and postgraduate
school.

JULY 3, 2008
B&G suspects drinking fountains to be contaminated
By Randell T. Aranza
Drinking fountains in front of the
Audio-Visual Room, ground floor
of the Wester Hall and the Cody
Hall – except for the two drinking
fountains situated near the CAS
faculty rooms– were suspected to
be contaminated, after the Build-
ings and Grounds office discovered
that the galvanized iron pipes con-
necting to the said drinking foun-
tains from its source were rusty.
Energy Services Director
Engineer Jerry Uy clarified that the
corrosion of the pipes were only
external and it doesn’t necessarily
mean that the water coming out of
the drinking fountain was indeed,
Photo by Randell T. Aranza
NOT SAFE FOR DRINKING. This was the sign posted by the B&G office last June 18-20 at the drinking fountains,
particularly to those located in front of the AVR, after discovering that the external part of the pipes were rusty.
Burglar victimizes University employee
Installation of security cameras and alarms, likely
University Campus Exter-
nal Security Henry Daniel
said the LCD projector was
stolen 10 minutes after the
film-showing of the students
was ended.
PreMed prexy qualifies as Bayer Young...
volunteers from the University,
spearheaded by the BS Biology
students of the Department of
Natural Sciences, in partnership
with various government and
non-government environmental
organizations, scientists, and
experts.
The project aims to create
a sustainable, university-wide
Tuition fee hike, no effect for enrolment...
2,761 enrollees, seconded by
the sophomores with 2,481; the
seniors with 2,269 (1,954 for the
fourth year and 315 for the fifth
year) and the juniors with 2,003.
“The records just show that
Register. Be involved.
Get published.
www.thespectrum.ph/forum
contaminated.
“The College Clinic forwarded
to us some of the students’
complaints regarding the smell of
the water,” Uy said.
The College Clinic recorded
almost 10 cases of diarrhea since
June 18-20.
Health Science Center
in-charge Felamae Juntela said
most of the patients reported that
they drank from the drinking
fountains near the AVR.
However, Juntela emphasized
that the main cause of diarrhea
cases recorded on the said dates
cannot be determined and that
there might be other factors which
caused the medical condition,
from page 1
“If the pieces of evidence were
to get from the library, I think it
was really an inside-job because
the film showing was expected
to end at exactly 12 nn. Just ten
minutes after, the projector was
wildlife conservation program
in the Lasallian community by
establishing a center for conser-
vation in the campus that will
promote better appreciation of
wildlife and commitment to
wildlife conservation.
De la Paz will compete
for the Top 4 BAYER Young
Environmental Envoy to
the parents still continue to
believe the kind of education La
Salle extends to their students.
And this would be a big challenge
to us, the faculties of the school,”
said Llamas.
Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13
NEWS
THE SPECTRUM 5 3
other than the issues on the
drinking fountains.
“We had already shut down the
pipelines and had placed a sign at
the suspected drinking fountains
stating that the Water is not safe
for drinking,” Uy said.
Engineer Uy assured the
Lasallian community that their
office will take action upon the
matter as soon as possible.
Last June 20, B&G requested
the materials which will be used to
put up new pipes for the allegedly
contaminated drinking fountains.
The new pipes were finally
constructed last June 26,
Photo by Paolo Adonis B. Trio
resuming the operation of the
said drinking fountains.
ANGELS’ HAVEN. Children with autism spectrum disorder will be taught in this center.
USLS inaugurates Angels’
Center for special children
By Kathreen Joyce I. Tubid
Angels’ Center De La Salle and the
new facilities at the University of
St. La Salle-Integrated School Prep
Area were blessed and launched
last May 27.
During the inauguration,
a special message was given by
the Bacolod Mayor’s Wife Elsa
Leonardia wherein she thanked,
with tears falling down her eyes,
the whole Lasallian community
for building the center which will
help those gifted children as well
as the parents who are lucky to
have special kids.
The class program includes
Arrival, Greetings and Toileting,
Circle Time (prayer, greeting
song, attendance and finger play),
Table-top and Manipulative
no longer to be found in the Activities (communication,
room,” Daniel added. numeracy and fine motor skills),
Another lost of LCD Supervised Snacks.
projector in SE23 was also Supervised Indoor or Outdoor
recorded by the University Play, Toileting, Group Time for
Security Office last year.
represent the Philippines to
IPRA awards full grant to faculty
By Jamie F. Bentinganan
an all-expense paid weeklong
educational tour to Germany in Jean Lee C. Patindol, a full-time
November 2008 to experience faculty of the Department of
how environmental protection is Interdisciplinary Studies and a
practiced by people, government part-time faculty of the Graduate
and industry in one of the School, has been awarded a full
leading countries with regards to grant by the International Peace
technology and environmental Research Association (IPRA), to
awareness. present a paper at its upcoming
conference in Leuven, Belgium,
on July 15-19.
Asked as to what the full travel
Meanwhile, 58 percent or and accommodations grant would
5,505 enrollees of the current mean for her, Patindol responds,
University student population “It is special and most welcome,
consist of females, while the of course, especially coming
remaining 42 percent or 4,009 soon after the deaths of both my
percent consist of males. parents whom I helped care for at
the hospitals here in Bacolod and
then there in Georgia, USA, since
January this year. Like a respite
from the tidal wave of challenges
I've been undergoing,”
As to how she feels about
the grant, Patindol says she is
“Happy, gratified, excited at new
worlds opening up for me in the
international peace research arena,
which is also my passion, aside
from children's literature. I hope
stories and other quiet activities,
and Clean-up and Farewells.
The center is composed of
two official faculties, two student
assistants and a staff that includes
a head teacher, teaching assistant,
two volunteer Special Education
majors, one working assistant and
one shadow teacher.
Behavioral, Educational
and Family support program
components will be offered and
early intervention program also
includes an inclusion for possible
mainstreaming into the regular
elementary program of the
USLS-IS.
The team of SPED Committee,
Vice-President for Academic
Affairs Elsie Coscolluela, Assistant
Vice-President for Academic
Affairs Gloria Fuentes and Dean
of the College of Education
Annabelle Balor were the ones
who spearheaded the creation of
such program.
“Some Lasallian values that
to be able to learn much from the
other presentations and sharing
with participants there which
I can use in my own research,
teaching and peace advocacy, as
well as in helping further the cause
of conflict-sensitive journalism.”
Patindol, the National
Coordinator of the Peace and
Conflict Journalism Network
(PECOJON)-Philippines, will
be presenting her paper on
"PECOJON: Building A Peace
Journalists' Network from the
Ground". The paper will discuss
PECOJON's challenges and
lessons learned so far, to include
findings from two PECOJON
studies on the Philippine
journalists' working environment
and a content analysis of selected
Philippine newspapers' front
page stories for war journalism or
peace journalism techniques, and
their implications to peace journ
training and education.
“It's a review of the last 3 to 4
years of building PECOJON and
what the challenges and lessons
learned were, in aid of further
developing peace journalism
are manifested in this program is
compassion for the children with
special needs and commitment to
minister the needs of these kids. It
is not their fault to be like that,”
said Dean Balor.
The center which would cater
to the needs of children with
autism spectrum disorder ranging
3-10 years old, will offer facilities
like wash area, bathroom for boys
and girls, snack area, computer
room, reading area, mini-play area
and group instruction area.
Language development area,
gross motor skills area, receiving
area, circle time area, time-out
area or quiet room and some
Montessori materials.
Not like the regular categories
in college, the program will
only have a uniform tuition of
Php50,000 for one whole year and
Php5,000 for the materials.
“Pray for us. Just pray that the
purpose of the center would really be
accomplished,” added Dean Balor.
theory and practice. It will
include a paper by Antonia Koop
(2006) on the working conditions
of Philippine journalists, as well
as my own study (finishing 2008)
on the peace journalistic vs. war
journalistic techniques found in
selected Philippine newspapers'
front page news stories, and
the implications of these for
peace journalism training and
education,” Patindol explains.
“We need to be conscious,
mindful consumers of what we
consume. If we're beginning to
be careful about the food and
drink we eat to ensure healthier
bodies, we must also be as vigilant
in taking care of what we allow
into our minds. Our world is
shaped by how we think about it,
even before by what we do with
it, for our actions come from our
perceptions and appraisal of the
world and its challenges.”
“Conflict-sensitive journalism
can only succeed with a media-
literate citizenry as well as a more
professional, ethical and conflict-
sensitive journalism profession,”
Patindol finishes.
 OPINION
4 THE SPECTRUM JULY 3, 2008

EDITORIAL
One La Salle
At the height of the (Senate hearings on the) NBN-ZTE scandal,
the One La Salle prayer debuted on national television during
the live telecast of the Solidarity Mass at La Salle Greenhills.
The scene would be broadcast on primetime later on as Jun
Lozada read out the call for change on a Sunday morning.
But even before the arrest warrants for Lozada and Neri were
produced on January of this same year, the One La Salle
banners had became visible over the Coliseum and on the wall
facing the parking space beside Room 10, November of last
year while the NBN-ZTE deal was still insidiously creeping into
public consciousness.
The controversy that surrounded the corrupt deal eventually
lost its intensity as the nation became plagued with the rice
crisis, oil price hikes and the rising cost of basic commodities
but the call for change still remains. Are we as Filipinos ready
to rally and pull together as a nation or are we just going
to content ourselves with laying the blame on our less than
admirable government officials?
Along with the uniform ladderized curriculum for all
Lasallian schools and the Lasallian Youth Agenda, the One
LaSalle campaign aims to go back to our founder’s vision of
a school for the poor where quality education will be made
accessible to those who would not have been able to avail of it
otherwise. A part of its campaign, the One La Salle Scholarship
Endowment Fund has been launched and will require the

Massacring Trees
combined efforts of all Lasallians to raise One Billion pesos to
enable all Lasallian schools to have a 20% scholarship base.
The call for unity begins here with us as the University of
St. La Salle. Are we ready to make the transition from just According to the Book of Genesis, God
being USLS students to being truly Lasallians? We are already saw that His creation, the Earth, was good.
Fast forward to present times, is the Earth,
a district school under De La Salle Philippines, Inc. but are we
forthrightly speaking, still “good”?
One La Salle or is each of us really just One Lasallian to each Recently, the privatized Philippine
his/her own? National Oil Company-Energy
To aid us in answering that last question, Jun Lozada may Development Corporation (PNOC-EDC)
have been just one man, but he never could have done it was given permission by the Department
of Environment and National Resources to
without the support of the entire nation.
cut 4,213 trees for the construction of a new
geothermal power plant. That’s like allowing
a greedy monster to munch a treasured piece
of woody crackers on earth by the supposedly
powerful safe box of the country! What do I
mean by this?
The vision of DENR is to have “a nation
enjoying and sustaining its natural resources
and a clean and healthy
environment,” while its mission
mainly speaks of the “protection,
conservation and management
EDC to plant 50,080 trees on a 125.2-hectare
piece of land in its reforestation project, to
obviously pacify the environmentalists, the
Church and the NGOs.
Resident Observer
Randell T. Aranza
For feedback: randell_aranza@rock.com
But then again, wise ladies and gentlemen,
how long are we going to wait, to fully see
the bountiful beauty of these trees? Maybe a
couple of months? Years? Or never at all.
“One of the best ways to
becoming extinct. In this context, we should
always bear in mind that the negative effects
of cutting trees are already seen and felt in
our planet.
How many more trees are we going to
cut just because we badly need electrical
power, neglecting the possibility of having an
abnormal transformation in the biodiversity
and an increase to the negative effects of
climate change? What we must do, as human
beings, is to moderate our greed.
If you want to improve the air we breathe?
Don’t cut trees. If you want to prevent
flooding occurrences? Don’t cut trees. If
you want to reduce carbon dioxide and act
upon global warming? Don’t cut trees. It’s
just that simple. It’s plain simple that even
an elementary student can
understand the very thought of
it. Just don’t cut our precious
trees.

THE SPECTRUM
of the environment and natural
resources for the present and realize the importance of One of the best ways to
realize the importance of trees
F O U N D E D 1 9 5 6 future generations.” is to imagine our world without
ww w. t h e s pe c t r u m. ph
VOLUME 52 NUMBER 1 JULY 3, 2008
However, it’s quite a
slice of irony that this very
trees is to imagine our world them. See? Without trees, our
planet will never be “good”.
Member Alliance of Lasallian Campus Journalists and Advisers essential office in the country
whose mission is to protect
without them.” Lasallians, PNOC, DENR,
people of the Philippines, wake
Jamie F. Bentinganan the environment is also the up! Cutting trees is an act of
Neslie Faith V. Sianson one putting these 4,213 trees to the den of The forested area of the earth is steadily insanity. We are massacring the forests. We
Editors-in-Chief death. How can our nation enjoy its natural being depleted due to infrastructure projects are intruding the balance of nature. We are
resources if it’s not there? How are we able to and reasons of economic progress. In killing life itself.
Arjay D. Solitario bring back these tall and strong trees? exchange of that progress, our environment In the end, believe me, we are still the
Managing Editor Yes, there is this promise made by PNOC- is slowly degrading and more species are ones who will face the consequences.
Newspaper Editor Randell T. Aranza
Magazine Editor John Alexander M. Cuyoca
Asst. Magazine Editor Andrea Paz Y. Derecho
Layout Editor Timothy A. Escopete
Graphics Editor Jumpee P. Tipon
Long Bumpy Road Ahead
“Langga kuha ka Nursing ha para ka gwa so many of you and it could only provide
Photo Editor Krazelle M. Escarrilla ka dyon sa Pilipinas.” That is the common View Finder for a couple of persons. So you’re left with
Newspaper Writers notion in taking up Nursing. A lot of us, no choice but to buy them, and you need
Epi Ma. Kassandra A. Dajao myself included, have been constantly nagged to throw an arm and leg just so you can
Kathreen Joyce I. Tubid by our families to take up this course hoping pass this tedious course. Then there are
Magazine Writer
that it would alleviate all of our financial Krazelle M. Escarrilla make-up duties which add to the list of
Celine A. Chua problems in the future, but what about right expenses of nurses. It’s good if you won’t
now? Didn’t we ever think of the present For feedback: krazelle@gmail.com be able to have it, but what if you got sick
Layout and Graphic Artists / Illustrators and all of the problems that or what if you live outside of
Mark Romulo C. Tumbagahan goes along with it? I’m afraid town? It’s pretty much set
Jobelle G. Vallega
Patrick U. Ellaga we failed to foresee that part
and that is why we are having
“If you got connections then that you’ll get one or more
make-up duties. Still thinking
Photojournalists
Paolo Adonis B. Trio
problems in coping up with congratulations! If not, you’ll end up about continuing?
the requirements of this costly If so, let’s just say that you
Simon O. Ballados
course we’ve been pushed volunteering in some dingy public hospital did graduate and pass all of
Website Administrator
Cherished B. Alegroso
sideways to take.
I mean let’s face it, most of
with no pay and still living off your the exams. Big whoop! There’s
still one more thing left for
Editorial Assistants us only took it because there’s
a lot of “moolah” involved.
parents’ salary...” you to do before you set off.
You need to stay here for
Cheery Mae S. Degabi
Raylyne R. De Asis So now it is up to us and our two years to work. If you got
parents to think up of a creative way to find would be a surprise that there’d be some connections then congratulations! If not,
The Spectrum is the Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle.
moolah to cover all of the expenses and trust money left for leisure let alone money for you’ll end up volunteering in some dingy
Its editorial office is located at the USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave.,
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100; it can be reached through the telephone me, there is A LOT! It’s only good for those books, paraphernalia and duty uniforms. public hospital with no pay and still living
number, (034) 432-1187 local 172 and e-mail address, spectrum_usls@yahoo. people who are well off and can afford to buy Nursing books alone are very costly. off your parents’ salary, which is not the
com. all the dire needs of nursing, but what about Your C.I. (clinical instructor) may say that best feeling in the world for they expect you
All rights reserved. No part of The Spectrum may be reproduced in any form
without the written consent of the publication. All contributions become The those parents who are toiling night and day you don’t really need to buy a textbook, to be the breadwinner when you graduate.
Spectrum property and the Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to edit all articles just so they could pay off their child’s tuition? but they would give references in which the Your future may be set but there’s still a
for publication. With the prices skyrocketing these days it library alone could not suffice for there are long road ahead of you to reach that point.

Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13
 OPINION
JULY 3, 2008 THE SPECTRUM 5 5

Coins and Grains

For those of us who take two rides to get
to school, 20 PHP used to be just enough
to get us to LaSalle and back. Now that
the fare is up again, the carrot-colored bill
with Mr. Quezon's face on it may get us
to school but it just isn't enough to get us
back home again without the assistance of
4 little Rizals.
What other troubles beset us these
days? Tuition fee has increased by 4 %, the
number of working students has increased
and national statistics show that only 22%
of college freshmen actually finish college.
Our books rival the cost of
our tuition and despite the
price tag on the academic
paperbacks, some teachers
“True, finishing your rice will not feed
just can’t seem to make a malnourished hunger-sufferer but
the death of a few hundred
trees at least slightly throwing away good, uneaten food is
meaningful. Not that it is
always the teachers’ fault; a cosmic slap in the face of your fellow
sometimes we students just
can’t seem to appreciate the
starving human being.”
value of education. Rice is
now 40+ a kilo in the market and 7-8PHP
at the food court. Thankfully, like most
students, I’m a commuter so paying for
gasoline won’t really burn a hole in my
cheap knock-off wallet.
The list could go on and on and there
would still be so much more to add to the
troubles already mentioned. But one of the
things that disturbs me the most is the rice
crisis. We are an agricultural country with
a good percentage of arable land and yet
we are suffering from a rice crisis? We are
Restricted Sites
Our teacher dismissed us early in one
of my lab classes in CSL. Since it wasn’t
time yet and it’s too early to go to my next
class, I stayed for a while as I was waiting
for the bell. The internet was up and my
classmates grabbed the chance to check
their emails, visited their favorite sites and
even checked their Friendster accounts.
I decided to hang out for a while in the
lab. I barely surf the internet in the lab
to open my email, check personal sites or
do research because of slow internet con-
nection and some sites are
inaccessible. Instead of
directing me to the site,
a message is shown by the
“Are they also going to block the numerous
browser that the site is for-
bidden or restricted.
proxy sites found in the internet? That’s
There are some sites impossible and it will take them forever.”
blocked by the Computer
Center to be accessed by
the students. Famous ones are Friendster
and YouTube. But are they also aware
that students use proxy sites to access
them? It is somehow useless. Students
always find their way to get through and
they can easily dig up solutions found in
the internet. Are they also going to block
the numerous proxy sites found in the
internet? That’s impossible and it will
take them forever.
Personally speaking, I don’t like the
idea of restricting those sites. Friendster
isn’t just about “up to the latest thing” or
bragging your fab profile to your friends. It
is also used for communicating to friends
and family all over the globe. Even teachers
Window Seat
Jamie F. Bentinganan
For feedback: girlwholivedforever@yahoo.com
importing rice from the very countries that
learned irrigation and cultivation from us
not so long ago; does that not reek of irony?
Some government officials have actually said
before that there is no rice crisis, but if that is
true, what is the deal with the NFA rice and
why did the queues to buy rice run snake-like
with pregnant women who shouldn't be on
their feet five hours at a time, grandmothers
who are better off tending gardens in the
shade and men who could be earning their
daily wages standing in line? And now,
government subsidies are being given as dole-
outs that people can spend however they like.
I don’t claim to know much about politics
and economics but even I know that this
Eye Candy
Jumpee P. Tipon
For feedback: jumpeet@yahoo.com
have one. What’s so wrong in opening
these sites in the lab? It doesn’t actually
affect students’ focus in their studies. And
besides, a teacher’s approval is required
for one computer lab to have internet
access during class time. It’s the teacher’s
responsibility to handle their students
while having classes to open sites that are
only related to their lesson. I think the
students are mature enough not to watch
movies, open pornographic sites and the
like in the school lab. What’s the use of the
hidden cameras to monitor the students
inside the lab then?
Considering YouTube, there are some
videos found there that we can relate to
our lesson. For example history, literature
and arts, latest news, etc. This reminds
me of one of my subjects last summer.
isn’t something that happened overnight and
definitely not something that will disappear
by tomorrow. This is what bad government
decisions and policies have resulted to and we
as a people are in for some lean years unless
our leaders start thinking of reforms with
long-term benefits and not just temporary
band-aid measures.
According to a survey on self rated
poverty conducted by the Social Weather
Station and released on May 19 of this year,
two out of five (40%), or about 7.1 million
Filipino families consider themselves
"mahirap" or poor in terms
of food. And yet, casual
observation at the food
court here and at the malls
will prove that there are still
people who can afford to
leave half the food uneaten
on their plates. What a
waste! And to think that
there are so many people
in our country who have to
do without! True, finishing
your rice will not feed a malnourished
hunger-sufferer but throwing away good,
uneaten food is a cosmic slap in the face of
your fellow starving human being. Other
people are dying instead of you while you
line the garbage with structural violence
and wasted money.
So buy the books and learn the lessons,
finish school and finish your rice. We can’t
afford to be careless with anything anymore
simply because pretty soon, we may not be
able to afford much of anything.
“It doesn’t necessarily imply that we will only
Since I am an irregular student, it’s hard
for me to meet my vacant schedule with
my classmates. We have this project
that we need to come up with a video
presentation. It would be much easier and
of great help if we use the resources in the
campus to avoid hassle and save time as
well. We wouldn’t have crammed for our
presentation. We wouldn’t have assigned
work for the members individually. We
could’ve made it together as a group
to make the work easier and faster. We
could’ve presented a better
presentation, thus, higher
grade. It’s kind of ironic
how a minute site stems
into a bigger matter.
Internet nowadays
grows to be a huge part
especially in a student’s
life. It’s a big advantage
to those students who have their own
laptops that they can just bring it along
to school and benefit the WiFi in the
University. Not all of us have internet
access in our homes. Some of us just
need to use the lab or the library internet
for a long session of computer works and
deal with the slow internet connection.
Some would just choose to go to the
nearest café for a faster connection and
sacrifice a snack for a couple of hours
doing their projects and research. Isn’t
it ideal to have a school that you can
fully utilize and maximize the available
resources just within the campus? Left
with no choice… Carry on.
Where do you belong?
When I visited De La Salle Manila, I was flabbergasted seeing the students
carry loads of books and school-related stuff. It certainly manifests how
ready they were for a new school year. On the other hand, I was still in
the mood for vacation. Nonetheless, I was enjoying my three-day speedy
escape.
Straight away from my short vacation, the quest for knowledge and
the mental torturing started the ball rolling. Students will again have to
be cooped in the four walls of the classroom, buried in the pages of a
hand-out; memorize terms, jargons, meanings, and even all the existing
punctuation marks, study theories verbatim from their instruction
manuals and books.
In all my years
of college, having a
Social Light
prudent discretion of
the University, I was
befuddled at several
Neslie Faith V. Sianson
things taught inside
the classroom where For feedback: smashmouth1227@yahoo.com
students simply rely on
their teachers or professors as they are being spoon-fed with information
and knowledge that they should learn on their own initiative. It is similar
to a humongous jigsaw puzzle where a student yearns to learn by filling
up the empty spaces on that puzzle. Yes. It doesn’t necessarily imply
that we will only have to be enclosed in the four walls of our classroom
– to learn and exchange rational ideas. We can engage into creative and
informal education which is not momentary and one need not endure
mental torture.
The Lazybones
There are just some students who do not like attending their
classes due to the untimely schedule like the 7:30 a.m. Monday
mornings. Professors would simply call on the class list for answers
and you’ll be fine as long as you’re not absent when he/she shouts
your name. It’s either the students’ dislike the teacher or they
have to be enclosed inthe four walls of our
classroom - to learn and exchange rational
ideas. We can engage into creative and
informal education which is not momentary
and one need not endure mental torture.”
simply would want to consume their allowed maximum number
of absences. I have qualms about these students who have already
repeated the subject more than twice yet they can still manage to
skip classes or simply miss a quiz or a graded activity. Some of them
would rather laze around the campus, hang out in the coliseum
lobby as if they were spectators of a theatrical production, spend
time with friends in the hidey-hole, and redeem the beyond god-
like title in the computer stations.
With students like this in the University, just imagine how a professor
easily earns when half of the student population inside the classroom will
not attend the class. He doesn’t lose any single centavo. Unfortunately,
there are even students who do this, ignoring the fact that their parents
strive so hard to send them to this institution. Thus, they divert their
attention to peers, technology, computer games and boredom. I know
some lazybones who quivers in class once their professor shouts out their
names.
The Intellectuals
There are also students who possess the elements in climbing the wall
of success. They have the driving force of motivation and hard work to
attain their goals from the start of the school year. These are the learners
who yearn for knowledge and experience. It’s quintessential for them to
hang out with their books, manuals, calculators, dictionaries, and to do’s
schedule, among others.
For some, being attentive in class simply shows that they are
interested to learn yet for others, to earn a point. Beneficially, he/
she then gets his/her money’s worth. I am simply amazed by students
who excel in their respective fields whether in academics, arts, and
leadership. Keep the passion burning for the Lasallian values stay
with you! WHERE/6

Alcohol Mentality
“Inom na man ta bi karon. Dipuga, hubog-
hubog gid ko bala kagab-e.”
These were exactly the words uttered by
a not-so-tall blonde hair girl with dangling
earrings while talking to her friend along
the corridor of the Wester Building last
week. I stopped walking for a while and
listened to their conversation. Actually
they were just talking about their plans for
their “night out” at the Golden Field.
After a minute, I went to them and
asked the girl, “Excuse me Miss, what year
kana gane?” She immediately answered,
“Second Year.” “Ah okay,” I replied. I then
left the place and went to my next class.
Of course, I couldn’t help but smile to
what I have heard.
I asked myself jokingly, “Was it an
alcohol mentality? At that young age, why
do they engage themselves in such manner?”
Well, only two things came to my mind; and
those were “enjoyment” and “fun.” Maybe
they just want to enjoy and have fun drinking
alcoholic beverages in the bar together with
their friends. But are they in the right age to
do such things? I really don’t think so.
Summer has just ended and classes
have just begun. For some college students,
opening of classes is an exciting way to
be back in school once again; meeting
with their old and new teachers, having
fun together with their classmates and
enjoying the bonding moments together
with their friends. But for others, it is not
as exciting as some expect it to be, for
they will not anymore enjoy their “night
life” in bars and disco pubs.
When classes begin, I think going
to those places will be difficult for them
because they should focus and cope with
their studies now. Their usual “night out”
will not be as the same as it was before.
Mind You
John Alexander M. Cuyoca
For feedback: johnalex_cuyoca@yahoo.com
Some college students are really frantic
in driving themselves towards alcoholism.
Or should I say “alcohol mentality?” They
crave to drink at least two to three bottles
of liquor a day. Maybe it’s a way for them
to socialize and express themselves.
We can’t deny the fact that drinking
alcohol somehow helps us forget our
problems, even for just a short while. But
I think it’s not right to always rely on
drinking alcoholic beverages everytime we
have problems. For instance, if we drink
beers and wines, have we already solved
our problems? Obviously, not yet.
Problems always come and it’s
inevitable. We always have problems
“I am not an alcohol-hater. What I am trying
to convey is that drinking alcohol is not merely
the answer to our problems.”
everytime we face new challenges. Those
some people consider their problems
as their challenges in life. In solving our
problems, I think self-discipline is a must.
Alcohol, therefore, makes our problems
even worse.
I am not an alcohol-hater. What I am
trying to convey is that drinking alcohol
is not merely the answer to our problems.
Too much alcohol intake can lead to serious
health and mental problems across all age
ranges. Physical illness, mental health
problems and social distress are actually
the common products of alcoholism.
I, too, also drink a bottle or two of
beer occasionally, but not excessively.
Young as we are right now, we should not
engage ourselves in drinking alcoholic
stuff because the younger we are when we
start drinking, the more likely we are to
have problems with alcohol. Right?
As Lasallians, we should be great
examples to our fellow youth. There
are still other worthwhile things to
do that can mold and develop us into
good and productive citizens. Instead of
spending our time in drinking alcoholic
beverages, why can’t we spend our time
in studying our lessons? We are students
and we should learn the proper manners
Lasallians have and possess. Don’t ruin
our future. Great opportunities await us!
MIND YOU, we all know that
alcohol has always had an ambivalent
position in the society. Too much of it is
often a recipe for disaster.

Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13
 FORUM
6 THE SPECTRUM JULY 3, 2008

Bragging Rights LASALLIANSSSPEAK

Compiled by John Alexander M. Cuyoca
I remember long ago when my “yaya” would brag long, families may not even be able to literally put
to me that “Sang-una ang coke tag-piso lang na.”
Of course, in my innocence, I was amazed at how a
food on the table. It is times like these that those
who can afford three meals a day should consider
What can you say about How did you celebrate the
meager one peso could afford themselves lucky. Cliché the frequent brownout in Independence Day?
me a liter of soft drink. How
Pet Peeve as it may sound, but it is your locality?
I wish that that one-peso soft true. “During the morning, we
drink could become, for all of We Filipinos are known “Actually I’m used to had our parade together
us, a reality. How far-fetched as an optimistic race; but
it; in a way that it’s with the Volkswagen Club
it all now seems; when optimism can only endure
everything, even the most
Andrea Paz Y. Derecho as much. One cannot inconvenient especially around the streets of
basic of commodities, comes For feedback: pazderecho@yahoo.com expect much optimism after during at night.” Bacolod. Actually it was
with a hefty price tag. At the a devastating typhoon that - Sheila Ann Villares, Project just a simple activity. The
blink of an eye, prices of everyday commodities can has claimed the lives of many; in addition to which, Assistant - EGC (CIEL)
rest of the day, I was here in the campus.”
change; faster than you can say “price inflation”. price inflation, peso depreciation, and the never- - Andrei Tagamolila, Discipline Officer
What is the value of a peso nowadays? It can dying issue of corruption is enough to dampen the “Let’s save the electricity in our houses.
afford you, safe to say, a piece of hard candy. That's spirits of any positive Juan dela Cruz. I don't want Turn-off the lights and other appliances
pretty much to sound like “The Independence Day was just like an
it. Who a perpetual when not in used. I think this is improper ordinary day for me. But I
because we are paying
knows, by
tomorrow,
“...price inflation, peso depreciation, pessimist,
but I think the right amount of our
was very proud of it because
it made me realized how
your peso and the never-dying issue of corruption that these electricity bills. We want patriotic our heroes are.”
can't even are today's
afford you is enough to dampen the spirits of any realities that
to get what we paid for.”
- Paul Jireh Saballa CO2-B
- Charmayne Lori Keng BN2-B

anything do not merit

at all. Just positive Juan dela Cruz” a sugar “I celebrated it together
think that coating. “It really irritates me with my family at home. We
last night, I f t h e and it feels like you don’t watched the Independence
the price of gasoline was just 54 pesos, and by government does not take precautionary measures know what to do because
the time you woke up this morning, prices have to convene with the suppliers and entrepreneurs Day special coverage of
it’s brownout.” ABS-CBN.”
suddenly changed. Same goes for the price of rice; to negotiate and regulate prices, then we Filipino - Gallen Benjamin AB1-C
as we Filipinos are caught up in the “rice shortage” consumers are in for a bumpy ride as we brace - Bianca Celine Gonzales
COMA2-B
crisis. Is there really such? Or is this the effect of ourselves for continued price inflation of
what economists would call as “hoarding”? Lucky commodities. “It is very irritating because we are paying
are the few souls that benefit from the effects of this How especially enchanting the one peso soft our electricity bills properly. I really hope “I was irritated because of the heavy traffic
crisis. Well for us poor consumers, it may take a drink story sounds to me now, considering that that they will provide us with the right at the downtown. Well,
while before the truth surfaces. But what is evident with the soaring rate prices, it would be a welcome
service we really want. my mom and I had quality
is that the everyday common Filipino is suffering surprise to find that you can indeed find value for
from the effects of massive price inflation. Before your peso. It would just make me time together. We talked
think that they are just about the extent of my

“Janai Lang”
Hey mortals! It’s the start of another school year! university? A laptop and an LCD projector have
stealing the money of the
consumers.”
- Adelyn Maloloy-on BN2-B
independence. Hahahah…”
- Myka Ella Pahilanga
ABMC2-A

Before anything else, let me welcome the cutie been stolen and this is supposedly prompting “The Independence Day was just like a
freshmen to The Univehsehtee of Saynt Lah-sahle. increased safety measures. So should we be “I find the frequent brownout in our
I’ll be sure to make beso- expecting bouncers at the locality irritating especially at night. normal day for me. Even though I wasn’t
beso with all the newbies and university offices? Will I think it affects our able to celebrate it; still
not-so-newbies who have yet Sugar Says security cameras be set economy in such a way I was deeply touched
to make the transition from up in the corners of the by many Filipinos who
couture to the corporate university recording our
that it just decreases the
national production of commemorated it with
uniform should I ever every movement? Hmm…
pass you in the halls of the Sugar Will they then air these our country.” pride.”
- Giovanni Christian Ladines BN4-A - Kimberly Grace Fernandez ABMC3
University of the Future. recordings live and then
But anyhow, let’s get down again after prime time
to business. Some of the drinking fountains were for our viewing pleasure? Janai lang! Big Brother “I find it also irritating and “I went to my grandmother’s
out of order and the drinking fountains that were La Salle ring any bells? Before they go do all that, house in Silay to watch the
in order tasted like they should have been out of maybe they could remember to turn on the security
I can’t get things properly
done especially when I’m street dance at the public
order. Na-gets device thingy at
niyo man?! I the library just having a research and plaza. We also went to the
almost died of
thirst this first
“dying of thirst is infinitely in case the thief
decides that he
doing some office stuff.”
- John Earl Ciudad ENEC3-C
carnival to enjoy the rides.”
- Wilfredo G. Tan CO2-D
week of class!
Take note,
better than dying of wants to steal
books from the “I celebrated the Independence Day just
“I find it a hassle especially when I’m
ALMOST;
I’m immortal embarrassment from getting 1960’s too.
Well, I watching my favorite t.v. like the usual day. I think it doesn’t matter
whether we celebrate
after all! But
then again, diarrhea.” guess that's
pretty much all
shows, surfing the internet
and doing my assignments. it or not. As long as we
Photos by Simon O. Ballados and John Alexander M. Cuyoca

dying of thirst the chikkah I Our water supply is also could feel our freedom as
is infinitely better than dying of embarrassment can spare at this moment, it’s just the beginning of Filipinos, then everyday is
from getting diarrhea. the school year after all; more to come next time... affected because of this
And did you hear about the theft cases in the ciao! brownout.” Independence Day.”
- Danissa Olaybar BSN1-L - Patrick Gubaton ABPS2-A

Hating Kapatid: Sharing “I hate it because

I can’t make my
“I celebrated the
Independence Day by just

your Lasallian Education

simply appreciating the
assignments. I can’t freedom we all have as
also see in the dark.” Filipinos.”
- JL Guillergan ENEC2-C - Nikki Pereira EN1-F
Believing that education is an equalizing factor Project Description
in building a strong democracy, De La Salle The first Star Project of the University of St.

Where do you belong?

Philippines, Inc. launched the One La Salle
Scholarship Endowment Fund in 2007. The
fund aims to raise One Billion Pesos to enable all
Lasallian schools to have a 20% scholarship base
– where one out of every five students is a scholar.
This will enable gifted but financially challenged
students to avail of a Lasallian education.
In the University of St. LaSalle, a Multi-
Sectoral Fund Raising Body has been formed to
plan and organize Star Projects toward the One
La Salle Scholarship Endowment Fund objectives.
Star Projects are smaller fund raising activities that
will tap and harness the generosity of members of
the Lasallian community: students, faculty, support
staff, administrators, parents, alumni and friends.
Among the projects to be adopted for School
Year 2008- 2009 is the Hating Kapatid: Sharing
Your Lasallian Education project has been
implemented in other La Salle schools in the past
by making available 5 gallon bottles where class
members could contribute coins and loose change.
La Salle for School Year 2008 – 2009 is the Hating
Kapatid: Sharing Our Lasallian Educational
project. It will tap the generosity of ten thousand
Lasallians and friends to commit to save the loose
change in a container of their choice (plastic from page 5
bottles, cans etc.) This container can be turned
The Come What May to attract your guy’s attention? Well...Mrs.
over to the distribution and collection stations
I am totally upset with these students Balo abdicated her job and the DO’s office is
in the campus for proper acknowledgement and
who simply go to school just for the heck far afield from the Coli lobby. By the way, Ms.
accounting.
of it. And so what did you go to school for? Balo is the former Discipline Officer. Again, so
The project will be launched during the 56th
To entertain failures? To receive the daily what did you go to school for?
Foundation Day and will run from June to October
allowance? To show off your silhouette body
2008 and November 2008 to March 2009.
figure? To know what are the up-to-the- It’s a surefire that our parents and teachers do
minute-hottest “chizmax” (the hottest dude have expectations. And yes, we are of different
Project Objective
in campus, the virgins, the head turners, the personalities – one can be a part of the lazybones,
The project aims to raise Two Million in School
social climbers, the wannabes, top scorers the intellectuals or “the come what may” learners.
Year 2008 – 2009 by tapping ten thousand Lasallians
and the nerds?) To swank in your brand It all depends on one’s eagerness to learn.
(students, faculty, support staff, administrators,
new sleek car? To ramp along the Coliseum Furthermore, one should know his/her priorities.
parents, alumni and friends to contribute One
lobby which is becoming a status symbol So, as the school year begins, hopefully, you can
Hundred Pesos a semester or Two hundred Pesos
and scream at the top of your lungs in order now identify: where do you belong?
for two semesters by saving at least Twenty Pesos
(P 20.00) a month.

Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13
 UNIVERSITY
JULY 3, 2008 THE SPECTRUM 5 7

By John Alexander M. Cuyoca

All were there; the prevailing splendor, the astounding wardrobe, the earsplitting
crowd, and the shining glory.
In a typical evening night where colorful spotlights furnished illumination to the
breathtaking event, loud cheers from the crowd were heard as they shouted and
applauded for their favorite candidates who vied for the title to be the first ever
Freshmen Icon 2008.
Gorgeous competitors from five colleges of the University exuded their confidence and
charisma as they paraded their intricate costumes along the ramp of the Coliseum.
With her alluring “mestiza” beauty and unique modeling style, Nikki Drilon of the
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) stood out among others and stole the limelight
as she captured the Freshmen Icon 2008 title. Drilon also got the Students’ Choice
award.
Various themes such as “Futu Metallia Icon”, “Heavenly Icon” and “Negrense-Nature
Icon” flared as the flying green Artians graced the event with their versatile dancing
moves which brought the audience to scream loudly during the opening of the fashion
show.
College of Nursing’s (BSN) Nemah Magallanes triumphed as 1st runner-up while
Natasheen Tan of the College of Education (EDUC) landed 2nd runner-up.
University’s Maskara Theatre Ensemble, Musikat and Band also presented their one-
of-a-kind special numbers to the crowd which definitely added color to the event.
Meanwhile, the “Heavenly Icon” and “Nature-Negrense Icon” awards were bagged
by Magallanes while Maverick Juplo of CAS won the “Futu Metallia Icon” award.
Moreover, Marty Laoang of BSN and Goldie Cuenca of the College of Engineering
were the Mr. and Ms. Photogenic, respectively.
The judges were Roger Marapo, USLS Dean of Student Affairs; Ernest Thomas
Mariano, Negros Navigation marketing officer; Samuel John Solon, Sam’s Slim Gym
manager; and Jan Nicole Puentebella and Rosario Ann Sales, Masskara and Western
Visayas Tourism title holders.
Nikki Drilon- Freshmen Icon 2008
“I’m single since birth. I haven’t had a boyfriend ever,” Nikki reveals with a smile.
Obedient, determined and persevered. This is how she defines herself whenever
someone asks her what kind of person she really is and believes in the saying “If there’s
a will, there’s a way.”
“I was not expecting to win. I just did my best during the fashion show,” the 17-year
old lady says.
Nikki reveals that she is really hesitant to join beauty pageants. At first, she doesn’t
want to join this competition; but since Freshmen Icon is a modeling contest, Nikki
told herself that she can do this because modeling is her passion.
She articulates that what matters most is the friendship gained and the cherished
moment she had with her competitors. This good-looking lass loves to listen to RNB
music. Her favorite singer is Chris Brown and her favorite song is “With You.”
This BS Biology student has been a member of Bacolod Association of Models
(BAM) for three years now. She started her modeling career when she was in third year
high school.
Nikki is an alumna of St. John’s Institute and hopes to be a successful doctor
someday.

Photos by Krazelle M. Escarrilla

Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13

8 THE SPECTRUM
Postulants pronounce
First Vows at LSGH
By Neslie Faith V. Sianson
The De La Salle Brothers
congregated for the First Vows
Ceremony of the two (2) youth
brothers last June 7 at La Salle
Greenhills.
The ceremony was participated
by Br. Dante Amisola, Br. Ray
Suplido, Br. Dennis Magbanua,
Br. Augustine Boquer, Br. Armin
Luistro, Br. Felipe Belleza, Br.
Vincent Fernandez, and Br. Arian
Lopez among others.
In a written response to the
interview with The Spectrum, Br.
Alex Ervin Diaz, an alumnus of
the university and Br. Francisco
“Sockie” de la Rosa VI shared the
significance of their First Vows,
what inspired them to become a
Brother and what does it take to
be a Brother.
They shared the feeling was
comparable to someone who just
got married.
“It feels great! It's like a
graduation/confirmation/
marriage all rolled into one” wrote
Br. Sockie.
Br. Alex shared the First Vows
was a transition and another
chapter of his life.
“I have been living the vows
when I was a Postulant and
Novice. The ceremony solidified
that commitment and made it
even more meaningful and real.”
On the other hand, Br. Sockie
wrote the ceremony was the public
profession of the life he had been
living as a novice. “It doesn't mean
that when I took my vows it was
the only time I chose to be chaste,
poor, and obedient. It was a public
Lasallians receive Fulbright Scholarship
By Celine A. Chua
Allen Gabriel Iñigo, a sophomore
Electrical Engineering student
of the University, will receive a
Global Undergraduate Exchange
Program sponsored by World
Learning, Fulbright Scholarship
Program, US Department of
State and Philippine-American
Educational Foundation (PAEF).
Under this program, there are
a total of 180 participants and 90
of these will be coming from the
nine Asian countries.
Among the 13 delegates from the
Philippines, he is the only delegate
Grad School to open programs 1st in WV
By Epi Ma. Kassandra A. Dajao
The sprouting of the various
hospitals and the growing needs of
the faculty rooted the emergence
of the Graduate School’s new
programs which will be offered in
the entire region for the first time.
Dr. Irma Madonna Echaus,
Graduate School Dean said they
are offering such programs to
address the increasing clamors
from the hospital staff and the
elevating needs of the teachers.
The programs, catering the
needs of the University’s faculties,
will give merit to the University as
the pioneer of these programs in
Western Visayas.
Offering new programs such
as the Doctor of Philosophy in
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be sent to: The Spectrum Office, Coliseum
Ground Floor, USLS; or emailed to: spectrum_usls@yahoo.com, with the
writer’s name and address. Letters may be edited for reasons of space and clarity.
NEWS
affirmation of the values I had
chosen to live (and die for) over a
period of time.”
As on how they prepared for
their First Vows, the Brothers wrote
they underwent an intense 30-day
Ignatian retreat. It is a period of
intense silence, reflection, and
discernment where one becomes
intimate with Jesus.
“I was blessed by an opportunity
to do the Spiritual Exercises of St.
Ignatius (also known as a thirty-
day retreat). The experience was
probably the best way to have
prepared for the vows.” Br. Sockie
wrote.
Br. Sockie shared he had good
teachers and he wanted to be like
them “making a difference in the
lives of their students, bringing
out the best in kids. Also, I got
to know great Brothers who were
great teachers and great brothers
to me. I guess it was through
these people that I discovered my
vocation.”
“I am blessed to have the
Brothers as my teachers since grade
school. They taught well in class.
Also when I was invited for a week-
long live-in, I became attracted to
their life of communion-how each
one was available for the other, and
how they worked together in doing
the mission” shared Br. Alex.
Asked about their inspiration
in life, Br. Alex and Br. Sockie
answered their “students.”
On how they would promote
the Lasallian core values, the youth
Brothers wrote “by living them
out and being a good example
especially to students.”
Since Brothers are considered
in Visayas along with the other eight
students from Mindanao and four
students from Luzon.
He will be taking up one
semester of his second year
Electrical Engineering in Montana
State University during the
semester program in spring.
His expected arrival will be
January 8, 2009 if he will not
encounter any problems with
his papers and such, and will be
returning sometime around May.
They are the first batch of the
said program since this is the first
time that the sponsors had opened
an undergraduate program.
Nursing Education, MBA Major
in Hospital Administration and
Masters in Public Administration,
the University ensures quality of
the program through providing
competent professors.
“We guarantee the enrollees
with good and qualified teachers
which are already practicing the
profession,” Echaus said.
Echaus identified Dr. Maria
Teresita Sy-Sinda, Silliman
University College of Nursing
Dean; Msgr. Victoriano Rivas,
Diocese of Bacolod Vicar General
and other exchange faculty from
Silliman University to be one of the
professors of the new programs.
Supported by Silliman
University, the new programs’
curricula are benchmarked to the
Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13
VISUAL RELIEF
THE SPECTRUM JULY 3, 2008
COMICS
to be one of the rarest species on
Earth, they shared “generosity,
generosity and generosity. By
being generous, a person becomes
open to the many possibilities that
could happen in his life. Curiosity
- There's always something more
beyond the horizon. Integration
- Bringing all things together.
Head, Heart, Hands. Purpose -
It's not what you do, it's why you
do them.”
Furthermore, Br. Sockie
envisions La Salle to be the
seedbeds of Faith, Service, and
Community and to produce
graduates who will be leaders of
this country.
Alternatively, Br. Alex hopes
there will be more Brothers in the
classroom.
Br.Sockie describes a Brother as
the one who announces the good
news and is a humble disciple.
“My favorite image is from
Scripture. The Annunciation.
On one hand, we have the Angel
Gabriel, delivering the good news
(Jesus) to Mary. Brothers must
deliver and be the good news to the
young, especially in the world today.
On the other hand, we have Mary.
The first and perfect disciple of Jesus.
Who by her humility and obedience
allowed God's Grace (Jesus) to
flow into the world. Brother: one
announces the good news and is a
humble disciple” he shared.
“A Brother is a ‘kuya’ in every
sense of the word. He is more than
just a teacher. He is a friend, a
mentor, a colleague, a confidante,
a brother, a listener, an adviser,
and the list goes on” Br. Alex
added.
10 questions for the new prexy
Ms. Eda Mae Berio, faculty
staff of the College of Arts and
Sciences, is also the sole delegate
from Visayas participating in a
Fulbright Scholarship Program Ledesma speaks face to face with
wherein she is going to teach for The Spectrum about his presidency
10 months in a state university to
teach Filipino. for SY 2008-2009
A Lasallian teacher, Ms. Mary By Kathreen Joyce I. Tubid
Grace Alvarez, was also a delegate
theSpectrum: What do you think is the main reason
of the Fulbright Scholarship
why Lasallians voted for you?
Teaching Assistant Program,
Photo by Paolo Adonis B. Trio
Joven Ledesama: Because they trust me and they
who also spent ten months in
believe that I can. And I believe that they saw the
Stanford University Language
servant-leader within me.
Center to teach Fil-Am students
tS: During the counting of votes, intriguing allega-
the Filipino language as well as
tions were brought up between you and the
the Filipino culture.
other party’s votes, what did you do upon knowing
such issue? Joven Ledesma
JL: I stayed calm as much as possible knowing that
God is with me. I also believed that it
was for my growth. No matter what had happened,
Senior Nursing student, how would you
manage your time and priorities?
said university.
I must learn to be strong not only for myself but also JL: Well, for me, it’s through proper scheduling and
Likewise, the said university
for those people who believe in my capabilities. advanced planning. Since I’ve been in this position
will also send their professors to
tS: How do you evaluate the performance of the for almost two (2) months now, I have studied and
University of St. La Salle to be
USG 2007-2008? learned that nature of being a president and being a
among the instructors of the new
JL: In a scale of 1-10, where 10 is the highest? It student at the same time. And it is through adapting
graduate school programs.
would be 7. Specifically on former USG President the changes that I’ll be encountering. I know I can
The new programs will also
Amy Gargar, she was one brave soul who coura- survive with this wonderful life.
have international networking
geously faced the responsibility of presidency even tS: How do you define yourself as a President?
and linkages with the East Asian
with a nursing course like mine. JL: As a president, I believe in the maxim of Mother
universities.
tS: What are your plans for SY 2008-2009? Theresa, and it is through this that I define myself, “I
Echaus said La Salle’s
JL: My major plan is in line with the theme “My am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who
outstanding reputation, high
One La Salle” that is unifying the Lasallian is sending a love letter to the world.”
accreditation, good facilities and
community. This is backed-up with the Lasallian tS: What can we expect from the new USG Presi-
autonomous status assure the
Youth Agenda (LAYA) Five key points: Youth For- dent?
quality of the program.
mation and Transformation, Involvement in Societal JL: A true heart of a servant-leader that means there
Doctorate in Nursing
Issues, Government, Environment and Education. is volunteerism and open-mindedness; a leader who
Education and Masters in Public
tS: Are there changes that you would like to make? knows how to uphold the students’ rights.
Administration classes will start
JL: Yes, and it would be to change the idea of the tS: What’s your message to your fellow Lasallians?
this semester while MBA Major
students that they are confined to whatever JL: Let us be rooted to our Lasallian values. This is
in Hospital Management will start
things that are being fed to them. Rather, they have our home, our teachers are our second parents, our
on the next semester.
the right to SPEAK OUT. friends and classmates help us in our growth and
tS: What’s the most important thing that you would maturity, and our daily lives revolve around learning
like to make? in our university. Therefore we must start owning
JL: The five (5) Lasallian key point Agenda and the this school, learn to live the values of St. John Baptist
reorganization of PONOSA (Province of De La Salle in order to radiate love, peace and faith,
Negros Occidental Students’ Alliance). not only to our fellow Lasallians but also to our fami-
tS: Now that you’re a President at the same time a lies and in our communities.
 FEATURE
JULY 3, 2008 S THE PECTRUM 5 9
University of St. La Salle
Newly-Appointed Administrative
Line-Up
Independently Dependent Philippines
By Kathreen Joyce I. Tubid
College Unit With Reports from Jony Lei Veloso
the afternoon to show more significance Reality check: We Filipinos are
SY 2008-2009 to the celebration. "independently dependent". True,
Last June 12, the city of The parade went from Capitol within fact, we are still relying on
*** Bacolod celebrated the 110th Lagoon to SM City North Wing Parking foreign assistance despite being free
Philippine Independence Lot. It was one with the involvement from total foreign control and rule.
MA. THERESE V. JOCHICO Day in a usual, but unique of local government units, private Even our fellow Filipinos enslave us
Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs way. As done before, and public elementary, secondary and through injustice, graft and corruption.
Bacolod has once again tertiary schools which lasted for three When undoubtedly, we can liberate
ELSIE COSCOLLUELA hours – the very reason for the long and ourselves from poverty and hunger
commemorated the
Presidential Assistant for Special heavy traffic jam on randomly selected just by building a strong foundation of
Projects Independence Day
Program. A floral streets of Bacolod where the parade love, concern and cooperation in our
offering was given took place. Not only that, a concert local community; much more within
ZENAIDA AUNGON
at the tomb of the was also held in the evening to cap the ourselves.
Dean, College of Engineering
Unknown Soldier celebration. Relying on the Government will
LISA DY who symbolizes Aside from the program line-up, not give fast and easy results. Chances
Department Chairperson, Psychology the unidentified Mayor Evelio Leonardia enjoined the are either we don't get what we need
personalities who public, particularly vehicle owners and or we get stuck in the middle of
MA. GRACE ENGALLADO courageously those with commercial establishments, to waiting. We were born with our own
Department Chairperson, joined in battle display the Philippine flaglets as early as minds, own hearts and own rights to
Interdisciplinary Studies during World War II. May 28 up to June 30. stand for.
Secretary Angelo Reyes Mayor Leonardia had City Numerous "pro-poor projects" have
ANNABELLE MAGBANUA Councilor Alex Paglomutan appointed been launched ever since the start of time
OIC, English was the honored guest of
the celebration. He has for taking charge of the celebration. and they could only afford to offer us
been designated by the As what he had said upon planning temporary relief, short satisfaction and
STEPHANIE CALAMBA the event, the commemoration here most likely, false hopes. Especially now
Department Chairperson, Accountancy Malacañang to grace
the occasion, where in Bacolod was indeed colorful, that price hikes climbed much higher
CARNIT GEORGE CORDOVA he took part in the memorable; generally successful. Both than before, it made people realize that
Department Chairperson, Information wreath-laying cer- the government and private sectors there is really no space for "pro-poor"
Technology emony for the managed to participate in the activity intentions after all.
unknown sol- which emphasized unity. If only permanent help could be
KAREN HERIDA diers at the city However, no matter how many reached out to the least fortunate. If
Department Chairperson, Business plaza. In line times we have done this celebration, only every Filipino has a sensitive heart
Economics with this, we cannot deny the fact that most of to feel and see that there is a much
the city us are still searching for the absolute deeper crisis we are in for than what we
Artwork by Jobelle G. Vallega

FARA MAGADA image of independence and freedom. know. If only each and everyone will
govern-
Department Chairperson, Management The celebration would have been be given a chance to speak their minds.
ment set
Accounting more meaningful if it imposes freedom Then, we would have true independence
a Civic
Military from poverty, homelessness, graft and within our country, within our hearts
LEILANI BALTAZAR
Parade in corruption. and within our reach.
Department Chairperson, Chemical
Engineering

JENNLYN JARIOL

Beware of pickpockets!
OIC, Materials Engineering

RUEL MALAPITAN
OIC, Electronics and Communications
Engineering

CARLOS RESSURRECCION By Randell T. Aranza groups of twos or threes. petty thieves due to the small number of pickpocket’s hand will simply crawl
OIC, Computer Engineering PO1 Roldan Villa of Police Station 1 the police. into your pocket and relieve you of your
Pickpockets, often erroneously said they are working on these cases by valuables without using any style to
LORESITA ANTONIA A. CHUA referred to as pickpocketers, are increasing police visibility at key places The Modus Operandi distract the passengers. The pickpocket
Level 4 Chairperson petty thieves who steal from people’s tipped by their intelligence team. 1. Slashing – The criminals will will have disembarked from the vehicle
pockets and bags in public places However, slowly “slash” your by the time the victim notices the theft.
FE CORAZON ELEFAN
BSN Level 3 Chair
usually unnoticed.
Jeepney commuters, most of
he said they “...Instead of letting pocket to obtain
cannot focus on your belongings. How to Spot Them
FRANCES MAE LLAMAS
which are students, have witnessed pickpocketing or the police monitor the They will use a Spot the restless soul inside the
University Registrar and sometimes even experienced theft-related cases pickpockets, the pickpockets newspaper or a jeepney… pronto!
the illegal acts happening inside the alone because there folder to perform According to the pickpockets’ victims,
said public vehicle. The itchy hands are also other cases
are now the ones the slashing most of these petty thieves bring a folder
REBECCA DOCTORA of these so-called pickpockets often which they also monitoring the police...” method. This or a newspaper, which they will use as
Scholarship Officer take the passengers’ cellular phones need to attend to. method is also a prop to cover their hands while they
and wallets, and they usually go “The police ratio here in the city being used on bags. operate. They also tend to wear clothes
through the pickpocketing process in is 1:1200. Instead of letting the police 2. Coin Dropping – Pickpocket #1 which make them look like typical
ROBEEH RAMOS monitor the pickpockets, the pickpockets will intentionally drop coins to distract professionals, ditching the rugged and
Director, Guidance & Evaluation Center are now the ones monitoring the police,” the attention of the other passengers. Pick- obviously criminal-like outfits which are
Villa said. pocket #2 will then do “the move”, in only ever used in old action movies.
ELLEN MAE CARMONA
He added there are so many pickpocket search of your belongings. Doing this will However, the most commonly used
AVRC Coordinator
groups in Bacolod City alone and it is also require Pickpocket #2 to use a news- maneuver of jeepney pickpockets is
ERNESTO YBANEZ difficult for them to totally suppress these paper or a folder to cover the unlawful acts. transferring from one seat to another.
Computer Center Coordinator 3. Standard – This method is They often transfer seats because they
being used by expert pickpockets. The are still on the look out for victims, their
LEILANI CROCERO quest being still in progress, so to speak.
Science Lab Coordinator In addition, since these people keenly
observe the passengers and patiently wait
TERESA VILLANUEVA for the proper timing, it’s easy for you to
NSTP Coordinator distinguish them through the movements
of their eyeballs.
JOSELITO DIAZ
Training Development Program Officer
Tips
MARIJOY GADUYON Here are some of the tips given by
Job Placement Officer PO1 Villa to prevent you from being
victimized by pickpockets:
MARILOU LOZADA 1. Don’t show off your phone. As
VSO Director much as possible, don’t text. The gadget
strongly attracts the criminals.
ELAINE SALSILADA 2. Have your fare ready before riding
Coliseum Director a jeepney. Exposing your wallet will signal
the pickpockets to move closer to you.
LOIDA FERRANS 3. Always remember that you are
Bookstore Director riding a public vehicle. Presence of mind
is what you need.
RHODERICK SAMONTE
Center for International and External
Linkages (CIEL) Director PO1 Villa also reiterated that once you
have been a victim of these pickpockets,
IRENE GASTON always go directly to the nearest police
station and have your case included in
Artwork by Patrick U. Ellaga

Balay Kalinungan Complex Coordinator

the police blotter.
We’re living in a world full of
uncertainties. So next time you ride
a jeepney, make sure that all of your
belongings are safe and secure. Don’t be
the next victim!

Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13

10
The PNOC Controversy: A Wake up Call!
By Neslie Faith V. Sianson
The Philippines is tremen-
dously bombarded with inex-
orable adversity beyond the
economic and political tur-
moil, - rice shortage, power
crisis, inflation, interminable
Photo courtesy of MAUNSELL and Balayan
ENVIRONMENT
increase in gasoline prices, and
poverty.
And now, we are undeni-
ably encountering the wide-
reaching power crisis which
has been plaguing city resi-
dents, businessmen and vari-
ous operating companies. Is
this a wake up call to
all of us?
Recently, Bacolod is
experiencing intermit-
tent brownouts. Due
to the recurring erratic
brownouts in Western
Visayas, most house-
holds and offices have
complained that their
household appliances
and electrical equip-
ment are getting dam-
aged due
Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13
THE SPECTRUM
to the recurring poor power
supply.
Energy is fundamental to the
quality of our lives. Nowadays,
we are totally dependent on an
abundant and uninterrupted
supply of energy for living and
working. It is a key ingredient
in all sectors of modern econo-
mies.
Energy plays a vital role in
our daily living. As we perform
our daily activities, we are very
dependent on electricity, thus
making us more productive
and leading to development.
Unfortunately, it tends to
pressure our natural wealth
for this will be employed for
the utilization and exploita-
tion of our environment. One
concrete case is the potential
source of geothermal energy
in Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park
(MKNP).
Overview
Mt. Kanlaon is the high-
est peak in the central Phil-
ippines. It forms the north
westernmost tip of the border
dividing the Island into two
provinces of Negros Occiden-
tal and Negros Ori-
ental. The volcano
is prone to unpre-
dictable pyroclas-
tic explosions.
Mt. Kanlaon is
one of the six most
active volcanoes
in the Philippines
and is included in
the “Pacific Ring of
Fire.” It is an impor-
tant watershed area. Its slopes
are the origins of three Negros
river systems. These are the
Bago, Nahalin, and Ilog river
systems.
MKNP is home to an
immense number of flora and
fauna with high endemism
wherein most of these species
are in critical condition and
the majority are considered
critically endangered.
According to the Interna-
tional Union for the Conser-
vation of Nature, critically
endangered means species with
worldwide population that is
less than a thousand in the wild
and if we don’t save them today,
we will only see them in books in
3 to 5 years time.
Endemic species can only
be found in very specific areas
and nowhere else in the world.
In this case, the endemic spe-
cies can only be found in Mt.
Kanlaon and in Negros-Panay
floral and faunal region.
Its rainforests host a
number of endangered plants
like the Pitcher plant, stag-
hora fern, and orchid species
like the mariposa and waling-
waling, among others.
There are also 50 species
of animals distributed into 40
genera, 81 species of butter-
flies classified into 32 genera
and belonging to four families,
and 22 families of birds inside
the park. Among the birds is
the Yellow-backed sunbird
which is found only in four
islands in the Central Philip-
pines. Other rare and endan-
gered birds in Kanlaon are the
Blue-crowned racquet-
tailed parrot, Visayan
tarictic hornbill, White-
winged cuckoo-shrike
and White-throated
jungle flycatcher.
Philippine National
Oil Company –
Energy Development
Corporation (PNOC-
EDC)
Geothermal energy is
a great poten-
tial renew-
able source
of energy in
the Negros Island.
With the vision to lead in
the exploration, development,
production, and distribution
of energy resources for sus-
tained economic development,
PNOC-EDC will provide power
to Negros through its North-
ern Negros Geothermal Power
Plant (NNGP) in Barangay
Mailum, Bago City, and Baran-
gay Minoyan in the Municipality
of Murcia. PNOC, a total energy
company, is mandated to
engage in the utilization of con-
ventional energy sources such as
oil, natural gas, coal and geo-
thermal and other new renew-
able energy systems (NRES) in
order to provide electricity in
off-grid areas and to foster con-
ditions conducive to balanced
and sustainable growth of the
economy.
Currently, PNOC is produc-
ing 4-8 MW with a geothermal
capacity of 40MW. PNOC will
encroach the buffer zone to tap
into a greater source of geother-
mal energy.
In order to minimize its
impact to the MKNP, PNOC-
EDC is taking measures to miti-
gate the environmental impact
of its entry into the Mt. Kan-
laon Natural Park buffer zone in
order to fulfill its commitment
to provide cheap and renewable
geothermal energy to Negros
Occidental.
The PNOC-EDC assured
that 12.5 hectares of the 169-
hectares buffer zone will be used
for the geothermal exploration
which is expected to be com-
pleted in 2010.
Development vs. Environment
The emergence of environ-
mental concerns during the
past two decades has led sev-
eral people to question whether
growth of the cost imposed on
the environment through deple-
tion of non-renewable natural
resources will affect the envi-
ronment. The interrelationship
between the exploitation and
degradation of environment
and natural resources and devel-
opment defines a particular
characteristic of environmental
disruption.
JULY 3, 2008
A study was conducted by
Simon Peter Gregorio of the
Ateneo Center for Social Policy
and Public Affairs (ACSPPA)
which presents the indirect and
direct effects of the entry of
PNOC to Mt. Kanlaon Natural
Park.
PROS
These are the benefits and
advantages of utilizing the geo-
thermal power plant.
~Geothermal power stations
provide an excellent source of
clean, cheap, simple and renew-
able power.
~Additional Power. The
NNGP shall provide an addi-
tional 80 MW of power to meet
the growing energy demands of
Negros Island and the Visayan
grid. The Island should not wait
for a shortfall to occur before
constructing power plants lest
it suffer the fate that befell Min-
danao and Luzon in the early
`90s.
~Foreign Exchange Savings
and Reduced Dependence on
Foreign Oil: The project would
save the country the equivalent
of one million barrels of fuel-
oil imports costing US$16.8 M
annually for the next 25 years.
~Geothermal Power is an
environment friendly source of
energy: Compared to coal and
diesel-fired plants, it emits less
greenhouse gases like carbon
dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and
nitrogen dioxide.
~Electrification: Bago and
Murcia have a substantial
number of households that are
not serviced by CENECO. The
project shall energize barangays
that have yet to enjoy the ben-
efits of electricity.
~Financial Benefits to the
Hosting Communities, Munici-
palities, and Province:
In accordance with the
Local Government Code and
the Implementing Rules and
Regulations of the Energy Act
of 1992 or Energy Regulations
1-94, royalties from the sale of
energy generated shall be pro-
vided the hosting communities,
municipalities, and province.
~PhP 125 million in taxes to
the national government over
PNOC-EDC, the Green Alert Negros Environmental Network representing the environmentalist, local government
Editor’s Note: The author, together with the Newspaper Editor, attended the Dialogue organized by the
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary, Angelo Reyes. It was also participated by Bishop Vicente Navarra, the
officials, representatives from the business sector and the media last May 29 at La Proa, L’Fisher Hotel to discuss
the entry of PNOC-EDC to the geothermal source in the buffer zone and its impact on the biodiversity and the
flora and fauna at Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.

JULY 3, 2008
the 24-year period;
~PhP 15.6 million total in
royalties to the province;
~PhP 37.5 million total roy-
alties to the hosting municipali-
ties/cities;
~PhP 29.3 million total roy-
alties to the hosting barangays.
CONS
These are the disadvantages
of utilizing the geothermal
power plant:
~De-vegetation and the Sub-
sequent Fragmentation of the
Area: The plant would clear
forests and vegetation where
endangered species of flora and
fauna might be living. As a con-
sequence, the animals would be
disturbed from their habitats,
thereby disrupting their breed-
ing patterns.
~Subsidence of the Sur-
rounding Land: The geothermal
plant would use up ground water
faster than nature could replace
them; creeks and streams would
dry up and the surrounding land
would sink.
~Water Pollution: Oppo-
nents argue that geothermal
exploration and operation
would pollute watershed catch-
ments, the ground water, river
catchments, and tributaries
with toxic geothermal effluents,
chemical wastes discharges
compromising the quality of
drinking and irrigation water.
~Air Pollution and Acid Rain:
Air emissions from geothermal
plants contain hydrogen sul-
fide (H2S) and sulfur dioxide
(SO2). SO2 in the atmosphere
is the cause for acid rain. H2S at
certain concentrations is known
to harm the olfactory nerves
(nerves in the eye) and even par-
alyze them.
Presently, EDC is a private
corporation, formerly a Govern-
ment Owned and Controlled
Corporation (GOCC).
PNOC’s Mitigating Mea-
sures to alleviate the impact of
the Geothermal Exploration and
Development
• PNOC-EDC has invented
a new emission diffuser worth
P1.5 million to trap geothermal
sprays to prevent harm to the
forest cover
• Replacement reforestation
at a ratio of 1:10 or a total of
125 hectares will be imple-
mented.
• Biodiversity maintenance
Paul Aquino, Chief Executive
Officer of EDC said they sought
the clearance of the province as
the host of its geothermal proj-
ect. He also explained that the
project must be implemented to
avert the projected power crisis
in Negros Occidental by 2010.
The EDC has prepared the
requirements for use of the geo-
thermal buffer zone provided
by Republic Act 9154. Mt.
Kanlaon was declared a Natu-
ral Park by virtue of RA 9154
passed by Congress on June 6,
2001 because of the “diversity
of its biological resources and
its aesthetic, socio-cultural,
economic and ecological impor-
tance to the Island of Negros.”
The Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR)
Secretary, Lito Atienza, already
issued PNOC the issuance of the
Special Tree Cutting Permit and
the SP endorsement that they
had undertaken upon the advice
of the governor’s office in 2007.
On the other hand, Rey
Medrano, Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) Depart-
ment Chief of the PNOC-EDC
shared that the entry in the 169-
hectare buffer zone of the Mt.
Kanlaon Natural Park will tap
additional geothermal power to
help alleviate the power short-
age.
ENVIRONMENT
THE SPECTRUM 5 11
Sangguniang Panlalawigan
headed by Board Member Mae
Javellana approved the entry of
PNOC-EDC into the buffer zone
of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.
Some of the conditions of
the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
required PNOC to commit
electric cooperatives in Negros
Occidental be given first priority
in the sale of electricity from the
NNGPP at a rate lower than the
prevailing acquisition rate.
GREEN ALERT: MT.
KANLAON NATURAL PARK
IS NON-NEGOTIABLE!
Green Alert Negros represen-
tative Rusty Biñas stressed that The buffer zone consists An environmental accounting
of 169 hectares at the of the trees shows that a
Mt. Kanlaon is a protected area Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park
by virtue of the Republic Act 50 year old tree is worth
in Bago City. P7, 453,841.67 or P7.5 M
7586 otherwise known as the
equivalent to 1.5 billion
National Integrated Protected dollars.
Area System. Mt. Kanlaon is
also one of the 10 priority sites
in the Conservation of Priority
Protected Areas Project and is
further protected by the Water-
are
shed Law and Wild Life Act. The 169-hect By virtue of Republic Act
124
The environmentalist is a home to 9154, Mt. Kanlaon was
fied
species identi declared a Natural Park.
explained that there are still 69 ar e en demic
fauna, 54
unidentified flora and fauna ines
in the Philipp
in the
that can be found inside the 169 and eight (8)
na y faunal
hectares buffer zone, based on Negros-Pa
e
the biodiversity study of MAUN- regions. Ther
(6 ) sp ec ies
SELL-Philippines, the consulting are six
ngered. Three-fourths ¾ of
firm that PNOC commissioned. critically enda the park belongs to
so 69
There are al the Bago Watershed.
Bishop Vicente Navarra and ed sp ecies
unidentifi
some NGO’s opposed the entry of flora.
of PNOC-EDC into the buffer
zone claiming that the park
will be damaged by the drilling
operations.
Green Alert stated that the
forest is already degraded. 125.2-hectare reforestation area
“We are already in the emer- will require the planting of 50,080
gency room. Since 1990, the trees. This figure will meet the
Watershed is already in a criti- requirement of the Sangguniang
cal state and to decide in favor Panlalawigan to plant 42,130 trees.
t
of PNOC is a suicide” stressed The permanen
co nv er si on of
Biñas. es of
12.52 hectar
ne
the buffer zo
The Green Alert also volun-
teered to help the Energy Sec- ild in gs ro ads
for bu
retary come up with alternative and we ll pa ds
al
solutions to the present issue of for geotherm
expl or at io n is
the power shortage. They also
proposed an alternative which equivalent to
The Northern Negros Geothermal 4,213.
urges the Provincial Govern-
ment to look at the potential of Power Plant (NNGPP) has the potential
capacity to produce 49 MW of
other renewable energy source
geothermal power but it currently only
in the province like wind, hydro 15% of the big trees in the produces 4- 5 MW.
and solar. buffer zone will be cut. It
“PNOC’s game is EXPLORA- translates to about only 50
TION! Exploration has no limits. trees to be cut out of the 338
big trees in the buffer zone
The PNOC Geothermal Plant is area.
Venturing to the Unknown,”
said Biñas.
IF MAN IS THE PROBLEM,
THEN, MAN IS THE
ULTIMATE SOLUTION!
Who will benefit from all of
these controversies? Who will
bear the cost? Do we simply Civic Viewpoints like wind and solar.” in Negros is transmission
remain silent by ignoring all
these? When will be the right
James Chua: President, and not generation. Majority
time to wake up and face the Angelo Reyes: Secretary, Metro Bacolod Filipino- of the electricity are being
reality? Department of Energy (DOE) Chinese Chamber of Commerce transported to Manila. Why
It is a challenge to us Lasal-
lians to take action in the midst
“I am an environmental and Industry (MBCCI) not increase the transmission
of this plight. As catalysts for advocate. Mother Earth “We are urging the capacity in order to generate
change, we are expected to is a God-given gift. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan more energy in the province?”
commit to the cause of pro-
tecting the environment. It lies
environment has been to hasten the passage of Esteban “Sonny”
in our untapped energy and sustaining us. Man was a resolution to allow the Coscolluela: Mayor,
ingenuity. Our generation can in harmony with the PNOC-EDC to enter the Municipality of Murcia
be held liable by the future gen-
eration. The future lies in US.
environment and it is a buffer zone of Mt. Kanlaon
We need to DECIDE and ACT pleasure for man to explore Natural Park. He also “I believe that the area
NOW! and develop it. But this is shared that the intermittent of Don Salvador Benedicto
Sources:
a wake up call to all of us brownouts do not help in is a potential area for
• Ericson Alarcon: Program that the environment cannot the business sector because development. I am very much
Staff, BALAYAN perpetually sustain us.” it only delays and brings passionate on the entry of
• Carla Gomez: Editor, The
Visayan Daily Star
Joel Alapar: Non- havoc to the business PNOC to Negros to alleviate
• Simon Peter Gregorio: School Government Organization operations.” the power crisis. I am willing
of Social Sciences Faculty, (NGO) Representative Eleonor Cabanilla: to help the forest rangers
Ateneo de Manila University
• http://www.ipc-ateneo.org/
“We should say NO to the Representative, Victorias and together we will police
social_envtl_safeguards/discus- exploratory activities of PNOC. Power Consumers for Reform, the operations of PNOC as
sion.php?aid We have other renewable Inc. well as the illegal charcoal
• Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI)
• http://ec.europa.eu/
alternative source of energy “The energy problem here makers.”
research/energy/gp/gp_imp/
article_1081_en.htm
Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13

12
Educators challenged to start change during confab
The Spectrum Photo
LSPCon ‘08: One La Salle. One
Brand of Campus Journalism.
By Jamie F. Bentinganan
The University of St. La Salle
hosted the Fourth Lasallian Schools
Press Conference (LSPCon) last
May 2-5 at the Santuario de La
Salle.
Over 100 Lasallian campus
journalists participated in the
national confab of Lasallian
campus journalists from seven (7)
La Salle district schools namely,
De La Salle University-Manila, De
Photo courtesy of Balayan
HOPE OF OUR FUTURE. Street children partners and volunteers from the USA prepared a musical
number during the Balayan Summercamp, held last May 25-30.
RCY celebrates
WBD Day
In celebration of the World Blood
Donor Day, the College Red Cross
Youth Council, in cooperation
with the other chapters of RCY,
organized “Band n’ Bleederz” last
June 14 at the Provincial Lagoon.
Together with local bands,
RCY intensifies its mission
through their program entitled,
“Give a Blood, Save a Life.”
“It’s all about serving humanity
and if you want to be the change,
join us and save lives,” said RCY-
USLS Vice President Monresa
Marie Andrada. //RTA
20 kids cook with
La Salle-ICA chefs
Expanding its scope of catering
culinary arts program for the
university students, Institute for
Culinary Arts opened its culinary
school to kids who want to learn
basic culinary skills.
Twenty kids cooked with the
Institute of Culinary Arts resident
La Salle-College of St. Benilde, De
La Salle Araneta University, De La
Salle Lipa, De La Salle University-
Dasmariñas, La Salle University-
Ozamiz and the University of St.
La Salle.
LSPCon, a program initiated by
the National Alliance of Campus
Journalists and Advisers (ALCJA),
aims to promote excellence, uphold
campus journalism, and cultivate
camaraderie among campus
journalists, artists and advisers of
chefs during Thursdays and
Fridays of the month of May.
Mentoring the kids were Chefs
Richard Ynayan, Fredric Hojilla
and Richard Bringas and faculties,
Theresa Uhlmann, Judelyn Bigbig
and Julie Cortez.
During the nine sessions, kids
learned to prepare pasta, cakes and
pastries, waffles, pizza, cookies,
shakes, black sambo, among
others.
Bigbig, one of the culinary
instructors during the program,
said the children enjoyed learning
how to bake and cook their
favorite food.
The summer culinary arts
opened for children aging 10-16
years old. //EMKAD
Nursing SC, SNA
unifies their college
Governor Charmaine Claire
Parreño shared that SNA and the
student council are now working
as one team for the betterment of
their college and moving towards a
unified goal this school year.
Try outs were given in
Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13
NEWS
THE SPECTRUM
college publications under the De
La Salle Philippines.
With the theme, “One La Salle.
One Brand of Campus Journalism,”
the four-day conference included
topics such as Interviewing
Skills, Journalism Ethics, Peace
& Conflict Journalism, Webpage
Design for Student Media and
Graphics Illustrations, Feature
Writing and Writing Reviews,
Investigative Journalism, Layout
for Magazines, Gender-Sensitive
fasttNEWS
preparation for the college’s sports
events planned by the council
to give venue for the athletes to
practice and for those nursing
students who wants to engage in
some sports activities.
Meanwhile, some positions for
the college’s committees are still
vacant and they are still in need
of members, so the Governor is
encouraging all Nursing students
to join. //KJIT
National institute
celebrates new
school year
A mass of the Holy Spirit,
celebrated by Msgr. Victorino
Rivas, was held at the USLS
Chapel last June 25 for the John
Paul II National Institute for
Studies of the Marriage and
Family, which was witnessed by
the academic community, the
institute’s benefactors as well as its
alumni.
Along with Msgr. Rivas,
president of the center, 18 other
priests – one of which is the newly
ordained bishop of Jaro, Most
Rev. Father Gerardo Alimane
by Epi Ma. Kassandra A. Dajao
Educators were challenged
to implement changes in the
educational system during the
2nd Philippine Educational
Conference at Santuario de La
Salle on June 4-6.
Geared towards developing and
training world class teachers, 150
educators joined the conference
conducted by Troy University
professors, Dr. Robin Bynum,
Dr. Rodney Davis and Dr. Mike
Rippy in collaboration with the
University of St. La Salle’s College
of Education.
USLS Brother President
Raymundo Suplido and Guidance
Journalism, Photojournalism,
Creative Writing & Performance
Poetry and The Role of Campus
Journalists Today with renowned
speakers Yvonne Chua, Agnes
Lira-Jundos, Jean Lee Patindol,
Randy Torrecampo, Tanya Lopez,
Angelo Suarez, Jessica Zafra and
Rep. Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño.
The event was organized
by The Spectrum with special
assistance from the University
Student Government.
Alminaza – celebrated the mass
with him to show their support
for the new school year of the
institute. //CAC
Lasallians hear
lecture on wine The faculty of the Department
The founding member of the
Manila ladies branch of the
International Wine and Food
Society brought the 50 Lasallian
students to the “wonderful
world of wine” during her
three-day lecture on wine last
June 9-11.
As it was themed, “wonderful
world of wine”, the founding
member of the society, Cecile
Mauricio introduced wine to
students.
Press release said, Mauricio
showed the better approach
to wine tasting and making
distinctions between wine
varieties.
“It is vital that food
professionals should understand
wine and know each one of them,”
Mauricio said in a press release. //
EMKAD
Counselor Nana Yulo also
attended the three-day conference
for educators.
Teachers from selected
public and private secondary and
tertiary schools heard lectures
on ‘Servant Leadership’, ‘Data-
Driven Decision-Making’,
‘Evidentiary-Based Assessment’,
‘Motivating Students’, ‘Access to
Commendation’ and ‘Classroom
Discipline’.
As it was themed, “Training
World Class Educators”, the
confab aimed to equip educators
and educational leaders to become
world class and effective servant
leaders.
College of Education Dean
BALAYAN conducts
Summercamp 2008
By Randell T. Aranza
BALAYAN, the volunteer
formation and community
development program of
the University, conducted
Summercamp 2008 last May
25-30 at the University of St.
La Salle Grounds, to give an
opportunity to the forty street
children partners to journey
towards knowing oneself,
participate in fun-filled activities
and engage in meaningful
interactions with the BALAYAN
volunteers.
The La Salle Street Children
Program is a core apostolate
of the student volunteers
as a concrete expression of
commitment to the passion of
the founder, St. John Baptist De
La Salle, towards reaching out
to the youth, especially those
who are at risk.
The annual summer camp
of BALAYAN is a continued
commitment to the total
development of the personhood
of the partners.
The activities and modules
were prepared using strategies
on participatory learning and
integrated art approach.
These strategies ensure that
learning by doing is critical
PolSci, SocSci
faculty tour
historical sites
of Political and Social Sciences
went on an educational trip
last April 29-May 4 at the
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,
the Malacañang Museum, the
House of Representatives, the
Rizal and Aguinaldo shrines,
among others.
The SocSci and PolSci faculty
had caught sight of the historical
places in the Philippines that
were usually read in books
and being discussed inside the
classroom.
They also saw Philippine
gold works which serve
as pieces of evidence of a
flourishing pre-colonial society
actively engaged in local and
international trade.
“These artifacts provide the
much-needed pieces of evidence
in support of the contention of
Philippine History professors
JULY 3, 2008
Dr. Annabelle Balor with USLS
faculties, Ricuer Ureta, Ilde Halipa
and Cynthia Dy facilitated the said
conference.
Among others were Chrisalia
Iriso, Lovella Divinagracia,
Dolores De la Serna and Mila
Ethel de los Reyes.
Dr. Balor said through
implementing changes in the
classroom and applying the
principles of servant leadership
were the important insights she
learned during the confab.
“The opportunity to
collaborate all administrators and
teachers from various schools was
the most meaningful for me,”
Balor said.
in maximizing the learning
experience of the street children
partners.
The week-long camp focused
on the importance of ones self,
family, and community.
The participants were given
the opportunity to explore
the interrelatedness of these
three aspects through different
workshops, using visual arts as
a tool to freely let the children
express and explore themselves.
“I’m very happy to be part
of this summer camp. All of
the volunteers also felt the
same after the program,” said
BSIT sophomore student and
BALAYAN volunteer Ray
Martin Tupas.
The Volunteer Formation
Program is a serving to learn,
learning to serve program for
students of the University of
St. La Salle geared towards
social consciousness-raising
and deepening of community
service.
“The small and simple
things we do to them [the street
children partners] made them
feel glad. The same gladness
were also being shared by the
volunteers, making them part of
our lives… making them part of
our family,” he added.
that prior to the coming of
the colonizers, our ancestors
did not lack the wisdom… to
build a civilization at par with
the other great civilizations of
the region,” stated Department
of Social Sciences Chairperson
Marife Varela, on her brief
report of the said educational
trip. //RTA
Summer Splash:
Hinugyaw sa Balas
Lasallians who enrolled last
summer enjoyed the strong waves
and the heat of the sun, as the
University celebrated Summer
Splash 2008: Hinugyaw sa Balas,
held May 9 at Canonoy Beach
Resort.
Various physical activities,
such as the Amazing Race, the
Ice Scraping Competition,
among others, were led
by the University Student
Government.
This annual activity is
celebrated to cap the summer
classes of the University. //
RTA

JULY 3, 2008
The Spectrum relaunches website, forum
By Randell T. Aranza
The Spectrum, the official media
corps of the University officially
relaunched its online forum
today, to empower the students
by letting them address various
issues concerning the welfare
of the studentry, may it be on
international, national, personal
or campus matters.
Launched in the year 2006,
http://www.thespectrum-lasalle.
com/forum has been a venue for
OSA conducts Summer Training ‘08
By Lormi L. Rio
with Reports from Randell T. Aranza
and Kathreen Joyce I. Tubid
The Office for Student Affairs,
through the Office of Student
Activities, formalized its Summer
Training for Student Officers of the
University Student Government,
College Councils and Campus
Clubs with a series of orientations,
planning-workshop sessions and
seminars for this year.
General Orientation
Institutional officers gave a
General Orientation at Santuario
de La Salle last April 22 to over
100 student officers. University
President Br. Raymundo Suplido,
in his inspirational message,
challenged them to unleash their
powers.
The Brother President also
stressed that the officers must
remember to embrace every lesson
learned in all opportunities.
Other speakers for the
orientation included Vice-
Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Dr. Marie Therese Jochico who
gave student officers a glimpse of
the journey of USLS for 56 years,
while Dean of Student Affairs
Roger Marapo explained the
Vision-Mission of OSA.
The Business Office’s Zenaida
Musa and Christy Enrile gave
an orientation on Institutional
financial protocols.
Ernest Latiza, Mass
Communications department
chair and Hannah Mariveles,
former moderator of The
Spectrum, gave refresher sessions
on topics about public relations and
effective business correspondence,
respectively.
Another session on
Orientation-Workshop to
College Council Governors, Club
Presidents and Moderators was
done at the Santuario de La Salle
last May 15, with 2004 USLS
Summa Cum Laude and TOSP
awardee Primitivo Paypon as main
facilitator of the morning session.
Lormi Rio, Student Activities
Coordinator, oriented the College
Council and Club secretaries of
the new scheme for accreditation.
Executive Management
Sessions were also held for the
USG President, Vice President and
Treasurer with all the Executive
Secretaries, last April 26, May 10
and May 17.
During the last session at
Palmas del Mar, team building
activities were centered within the
Write to me.
spectrum_usls@yahoo.com
Lasallians to post hot threads.
Several discussions such as
Stingers’ Foodcourt, Fraternities
and Sororities, Librarians, among
others, were hot threads on the
forum before it was temporarily
shut down last January 18, 2007,
due to domain concerns.
This year, with a new domain,
a more hyped-up forum will be
experienced as the creative people
behind the online site, http://
www.thespectrum.ph/forum, will
intensify its “point system”.
USG’s theme for this year, “My
ONE La Salle”.
Senate Training
The Student Senate meanwhile
had an early Senate Training and
Team Building activity last March
31 to April 1 at San Jose Obrero in
Mansilingan.
Outgoing Senate President Kei
Bryan Dusaban led the pool of
facilitators.
Summer sa Senado
Through the initiative of
proposing and creating the Senates’
League of Bacolod, University
of St. La Salle University
Student Government Legislative
Department pioneered Summer sa
Senado last May 31 at Santuario
de La Salle.
“This is just a beginning full
of promise and vision,” said USLS
SG Senate President Ed Aligato.
There were 80 student senators
from nine different institutions
all over Negros Occidental who
were invited which includes
Bacolod City College, Colegio
de San Agustin- Bacolod, Carlos
Hilado Memorial State College,
Technological University of the
Philippines-Visayas.
Philippine Normal University-
Cadiz City, Riverside College,
University of Negros Occidental-
Recoletos, Visayan Maritime
Academy Global College and
West Negros University.
“This convention is the
gathering of brilliant leaders from
different institutions which would
not only create network but
would also broaden these leaders’
perspectives and knowledge in
leadership,” said OSA Student
Activities Coordinator Lormi Rio.
During the whole-day
convention, “togetherness”
among the student legislators was
emphasized as young leaders right
now are creating big impact to
nation-building.
“The challenge is to embrace
the idea that everyday, new insights
will be offered to everyone, to the
young leaders,” added Rio.
The convention proper on
the afternoon was highlighted
by lectures presented by both La
Salle alumni guest speakers Hon.
Monico Puentevella, Congressman
of the Lone District of Bacolod
and Hon. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue,
Councilor of the city of Bacolod.
When asked by The Spectrum
if political interest was involved
in the attendance of the event,
Cong. Puentevella clarified in
Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 51 Number 13
NEWS
THE SPECTRUM
This point system will rank
all the members of the forum
according to their number of
posts, which will also determine
their active online participation.
Upon registering, a forum
member is automatically coined as
a Newbie, with posts ranging from
1-100.
A forum member will level up
to another rank if one has already
reached the required number of
posts, as follows: Apprentice, 100;
Knight, 200; Hero, 300; Scribe,
his statement that no politics
was involved, for it has no place
to such gathering and that he
was just trying to do his job as a
public-servant.
“The event was very important
to me as a La Salle alumnus
because it is my only opportunity
of knowing the sentiments
of the studentry and their
present problems,” said Cong.
Puentevella.
Meanwhile, Councilor Jocelle
tackled the topic “Essence of a
Student Legislator” wherein she
included her stories of being
Bacolod City’s youngest Student
Government President, back
when she was still in second year
college.
“I feel like it was my
responsibility to contribute to the
development of young leaders,”
said Councilor Sigue.
She also added that student
leaders have to realize that their
positions are not at all a sense of
glory, but an opportunity to be
able to serve their fellow students,
at the same time to put test to
their leadership and capabilities as
young servant-leaders.
Lasallian Leadership Training
Seminar (LLTS)
The highlight of the Summer
Training was the Lasallian
Leadership Training Seminar
(LLTS) last May 27-29, with the
theme, “Be the Change, Proud
Lasallians”.
It was a live-in seminar at Balay
Kalinungan.
The five main objectives of
the said three-day seminar, are as
follows: to equip student officers
with necessary activities that will
enhance leadership skills and
potentials, to provide assimilating
situations that student officers will
possibly encounter for the school
year, to exercise decision-making
and sound judgment to leadership
activities and situations provided,
to create a venue for team building
and spirit of camaraderie among
student officers and to grow
in knowledge on the Lasallian
charisms of faith, service and
communion.
One hundred seventeen key
student officers attended the said
training.
USLS Alumni Student Leaders
facilitated the training seminar.
Among those facilitators were
May Ann Montano, 2005 USG
President; Dedric Yulo, 2006
USG President; Malou Eudela,
2007 USG Vice President; James
Gonzales, 2007 Senate President;
5 13
500; Junior Expert, 600; Senior
Expert, 700; Baby Sugar, 900; and
Master Sugar, 1,000.
The Master Sugar rank will
entitle that forum member to
surprise privileges.
The positive and negative
reactions, proposals and outcries are
welcome on this spot of the world
wide web, where every Lasallian
will be given an opportunity to
express their sentiments.
However, the forum
administrator clarified that irrelevant
Amy Gargar, 2008 USG President;
Dorsey Caratao, 2005 CAS
Governor; Nea Cecille Quiachon,
2008 Pre-med Society President;
Mikkel John Balodio, 2008 BSN
Governor; Hannah Veñegas, 2006
CAS Governor; Joy Ann Castro,
2007 Premed Society President;
and 2008 Outstanding Academic
Club President, Cherie Ong.
Also joining as facilitators were
Neslie Faith Sianson, an NSYL
delegate and the present Editor-
in-Chief of The SPECTRUM
and Rodrigo Casiano, a fourth
year Accountancy major and the
official representative during the
Aboitiz and Ayala Congresses for
2007.
The three-day seminar was
filled with Lasallian formation
sessions, leadership modules and
teambuilding activities.
Karol Zepeda, 2002 USG Vice
President, handled a session on
four disciplines of execution while
the rest of the Alumni Facilitators
discussed other leadership
modules.
Zepeda urged the young leaders
to create a compelling scoreboard,
focus on the wildly important,
translate lofty goals into specific
actions and hold each other
accountable, so that the members
of the organization will boost their
scale of commitment.
“It’s a rare opportunity for
you to serve in the course of your
training. I hope all of you here
will realize that you’re serving
the community with a purpose,”
Zepeda said.
During the first night, a talk
show was conducted to discuss the
Lasallians’ charism of faith, service
and communion from among the
students, alumni, faculty and staff
as guests.
Among those invited were
Cugie Loarca and Dr. Marty
Jacinto from the Alumni Office,
Dr. Gloria Fuentes from the
Administrators, Ryan Gamboa
from TV Patrol Negros, Frederick
Peronce and John Paul Gabriel
from the Volunteer Formation
Program of BALAYAN.
Nonong Jamora reinforced
the Lasallian formation sessions
as he led the reflections on how
Lasallian leaders can be the change
in the community during the
second night.
The third day was devoted
to team cheering and amazing
race competitions to animate the
spirit of camaraderie among the
participants.
replies and the use of vulgar language
on a particular thread will be deleted
Escopete added.
The online domain of the
by the forum janitor. media corps, headed by Website
“Everyone in the Lasallian Administrator Cherished Alegroso,
community – the students, will also relaunch its official
teachers, non-teaching personnel, website today, which will cater
alumni and even the brothers the Lasallian community with
– are encouraged to join the updated university news and an
forum,” Layout Editor and Forum informative online experience, in
Administrator Timothy Escopete cooperation with the news team.
said. This innovation will pave the
“No limits for registration. way for Lasallians to state their
People from all walks of life can stand on issues and be more
also join and be part of the forum,” empowered through technology.
Balayan urges Lasallians
to help typhoon victims
By Randell T. Aranza Disaster Coordinating Council
(NDCC).
Balayan, the community Dubbed as “Tabang
development and volunteer Lasalyano,” the donation run is
formation program of the part of Balayan’s commitment
University, strongly encourages to serve the community.
Lasallians to help the victims of Essential needs such as cash,
Typhoon Frank after it struck clothes, blankets and food can
Western Visayas and other be donated at the drop-off point,
parts of the country, which which is located outside the
caused great damage to both Balayan office.
lives and properties. Cash donations above 100
Frank left more than 38 pesos must be deposited to the
provinces with 198,224 affected Typhoon Frank Donations
families, according to the June account at the business office,
24 report of the National through cashier Cita Giron.
More infrastructure dev’t for new programs
from page 1
The IT Center The improvisation of the
IT, as one of the latest Eco Park aims to provide venue
programs offered by the for student recreations, camps
University will soon have its and the like.
own building. The project is currently
Bergante said the new in the planning stage and as
programs offered by the believed by Bergante, it should
University should be supported be done slowly and carefully.
with facilities and equipment.
IT’s four-storey building The Air-conditioned Coliseum
will be erected behind the An environment-friendly
main library which will also air-conditioning system for the
accommodate the planned coliseum is among the probable
library expansion. projects for the school year.
Speech Laboratories The University will adapt
and Mass Communications the air-conditioning system
Laboratory will also be in this with technology similar to
site while a portion is allocated United States which is intended
for offices and classrooms. to be more energy-saving.
Computer laboratories from The administration ensures
the Engineering building will the maximum use of this expensive
also be transferred to this new investment through expanding
building. the use of the air-condition units
to the nearby buildings.
The Two-storey Bookstore “Some environmentalists
From a single-storey will oppose to this idea, that
building with a basement, the is why we are highlighting the
bookstore will be expanded new technology used,” Bergante
with the additional floor to added.
provide facilities for career
advancement. The Additional Buses
As a special project, the Due to the present condition
second level of the bookstore of the buses, the University is
will be converted into media planning to purchase new buses
rooms and additional areas for primarily to ensure the safety of
the storage of books. the students.
Aside from the bookstore “We felt that our students
renovation, the alley near the deserve something better,”
bookstore will be repaired and Bergante said.
the drainage near the creek will The University is planning
also be improved to address the to purchase one or two buses
frequent flooding. and have the other buses
“The facade of the bookstore repaired and reconditioned.
will be better after the projects
were done,” Bergante said. Other Minor Development Plans
The bookstore expansion Listed in the projects to
is a collaborative effort of the pursue for campus physical
academic unit and the bookstore. development plans is the
renovation of the student center
The Granada Eco Park upon the request of the University
A pretty ambitious project. Student Government.
This is how Bergante Upgrading the hallway
d e s c r i b e d t h e p l a n n e d between the Wester and Cody
development project for the Halls and resurfacing the
55-hectare campus in Granada. Engineering building are some of
Bergante identified some the minor development plans.
plans for the Eco Park such as On the other hand, the
the building of new swimming renovations of Patio de La Salle
pool and pond for boating and and Mater Dei Amphitheater
fishing. were started last summer.
 THESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUM
THE SPECTRUM
www.thespectrum.ph | www.thespectrum.ph/forum
OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE, BACOLOD CITY
THESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUMTHESPECTRUM
Photo courtesy of Varsity Sports Office
University spikers win
SWEET VICTORY. Lasallian volleybelles, led by Coach Malot Lozada, were hailed champions during the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League.
volley national crown
USLS joins 1st Dapitan
ladies beach volleyball
Last June 21-22, the University
sent two teams to the 1st Dapitan
Ladies Beach Volley event in
Dapitan City, Zamboanga del
Norte.
In cooperation with the
Philippine Sports Commission,
the team was invited by the City
Government of Dapitan under
Mayor Dominador Jalosjos, Jr.,
the 2nd Congressional District
of Zamboanga del Norte
Representative Cesar Jalosjos,
the Tourism and Investment
Council Chair Carlos Vargas.
The two teams are comprised
of Kay Aplasca, April Hingpit
(Team A) and Sheryl June
Denila, Patty Orendain (Team
B).
Team A lost against host
Dapitan City, composed of
Florian Gutierrez and Josabelle
Brillo, 16-21, 17-21.
Team B on the other hand,
won its match against the other
Dapitan team, 21-17, 21-18.
Other entries were
Foundation University
(Dumaguete), Southwestern
University (Cebu) and Jose Rizal
Memorial State College (Main
and Katipunan branches).
I admire the perseverance
and hard work of the players, in
spite of the limited resources and
support given by the school,” said
Roger Banzuela, President of the
Negros Occidental Volleyball
Association of the Philippines
(NOVA) and University Sports
Varsity Consultant. //JVDA
SPORTS
VOL. 52 NO. 1 • July 3, 2008
By Randell T. Aranza
and John Vincent D. Angeles
USLS-IS captures Shakey’s Girls
Volleyball League national crown
against defending champion Hope
Christian High School of Manila,
led by MVP and Best Attacker
Gianes Dolar and Best Libero
Kristine Caro, held last June 12 at
the USLS College Covered Court.
Led by Dolar and Caro, the
USLS spikers battled their way up
through the championship.
Having won the first set 25-18,
the USLS players laid back and
Booters grab champ title
By Jessan M. Cabunsol
and Randell T. Aranza
University of St. La Salle defeated
University of Negros Occidental-
Recoletos (UNO-R) during 2008
Barotac Nuevo Fiesta Invitational
Football Tournament at the
Barotac Nuevo town plaza held
June 5-9.
La Salle booters shared the
Lasallian places 8th in Milo Marathon
Tourist, HS student champ 5K run
By John Vincent D. Angeles
The University took pride by
sending the most contestants
and getting a place in the 5K
marathon in the female category
through eighth placer Heather
May Perocho; while Matthew
Tyrell from the United States and
Romanito High School student
Mary Joy Caporas won the 5K run
in the male and female categories,
respectively, in the 32nd National
lost consecutive scores with the
score, 22-25 and 21-25.
They reset their tactics and
won the ensuing set, 25-21, and
they went on to win the last set,
15-12, to capture this year’s
championship.
Composed mainly of high
school players, this young squad
of USLS Sports Director Malot
Lozada was joined by college
veterans Kaye Zaldarriaga, Gianes
Dolar and Kristine Caro.
“My reminder to our players is
that they should be better in every
game. They must never compete
victory, namely, Agustin Aldrin,
Allan Alfaro, JR Baguioro, Kevin
Bonilla, Jose Emmanuel Diez,
Aldrian Dolino, Ferdinand
Gamboa, Jimmy Malalo-an, Sahir
Madini, Lope Mayagmo.
John Robert Mendoza, Gerard
Pacquiao, Joey Lacson, Joemart
Pasinabo, Juan Miguel Pornan,
Jomar Lestingio, Mike Pantoja
and Ralph Christian Layumas.
Milo Marathon held June 29.
The 25-year old Tyrrell clocked
17:53 for 5 km with the pace of
3:35 per km.
Trailing him by 19 seconds
was local runner Tiron Enlangan,
who clocked 18:12 with the pace
of 3:39.
Rounding off the podium
winners for the male category
was another local runner, Jezrael
Bayotas, who was third in 18:16
with the pace of 3:40.
against other teams, they must
compete against themselves,”
Lozada said.
The sports director said that
the drive and the spirit of their
team are some of the factors that
made them unique.
“When we lose, we go down
fighting,” she added.
High school students in the
squad were Fritz Joy Gallenero,
Maria Beatriz Tan, Jane Frances
Borrero, Patricia Rasmo, Karel
de la Cruz, Dancel Jan Dusaran,
Chiara Bantilang and Maria
Giselle Tan.
“We train harder, so as to retain
our titles. But then, of course,
I’m also reminding my players
to prioritize their studies first,”
Coach Freddie Lazarito said.
The coach also thanked the
Varsity Sports Office, under the
management of Lozada, for being
very supportive to the team.
He added that eight (8) of their
USLS team’s best players already
When asked about what he
felt about the competition, Tyrrell
answered, "It was fun. Lots of
good competition. The race was
nice and cool because of the rain.”
Tyrrell, who came to the
Philippines for a vacation, also ran
in a local race held in Victorias
City.
Meanwhile in the female
category, 14-year old Caporas
won the 5 km marathon for
women comfortably ahead by
65 seconds after registering a
time of 21:08 with the pace of
“We won the national SGVL.
We are the national champion of
PRISSAA for three consecutive
years. This shows that we can
produce national champions
here,” Lozada said.
She also told The Spectrum
that she dislikes people who
stereotypes athletes from outside
of Manila.
“Some people tend to have this
mentality that when an athlete is
from the province, that athlete
can’t compete well,” Lozada said.
“Well, I have news for you. We
have champions,” Lozada added.
graduated.
“We are training our new recruits
everyday, from Monday to Friday,
7-9 in the morning,” Lazarito said.
Last May, the La Salle Booters
was invited to join the Carlos O.
Cojuangco National Collegiate
Football Invitational at the Panaad
Sports and Recreational Park.
They won against Foundation
University of Dumaguete, 2-0.
4:14.
The other podium winners
were Melanie Poticar who clocked
at 22:13 and third placer Melany
Clamor at 22:57.
The top three winners were all
15 years old and below.
Caporas previously ran in
Panaad sa Negros and Palarong
Pambansa in 2006 where she won
gold.
More than 3,500 runners,
not including the 355 police
participants, ran in the marathon
events.