By Ma. Josebelle Bagulaya

THREE SILLIMANIANS WERE adjudged as this year’s Bank of the Philippine Islands-Department of Science and Technology (BPI-DOST) Science awardees. The awardees were chosen for the quality of their research work, academic performance and leadership background.

Senior students Kin Israel Notarte, Kharyl Mae Fulmaran and Rosette Jill Fernandez were selected along with thirty students from ten partner universities that include University of the Philippines and Ateneo De Manila University. Partner universities nominate top three students with the best research papers for the annual BPI-DOST awards, which “encourage promising scientists and researchers to reach the higher levels of excellence in their respective fields.”

First in the worldNotarte’s groundbreaking study

on “Fractionation, Phytochemical, Screening and Bioactivity Analyses on Green Alga, Bornetella oligaspora, Solms-Laubach, Using Sea Urchin Embryonic Development and DPPH Free Radical Scavenging Assay” focuses on the anticancer and antioxidant properties of green alga. His thesis, Notarte said, is the world’s first research study on the biomedical application of green alga.

“The effect was promising since the chemicals caused little apoptosis indicating that the compounds having anti-cancer property have less killing effects to normal cells,” the biology student said. The study attempts to extract the biochemical and therapeutic properties of green alga (bornetella oligospora) by separating its different chemicals. The sea urchin embryonic system was used as the anticancer test and the

years

TOWARDS A PROGRESSIVE CAMPUS PRESS | VOL. LXXXV NO. 15 | TUESDAY, 05 FEBRUARY 2013

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CBA pioneers automated student council electionsHALF THE TARGET MARK. Despite not being able to hit the 8,000 target mark to break the Guiness record, the Light Up for Peace event had a total of 4,792 participants who formed the human peace sign last Saturday at the Perdices Coliseum. PHOTO BY Henzonly Hope A. Alboroto

By Elana Joy Bartlett

LAST SEMESTER, a female dormer was hospitalized due to what she claimed was “bad dorm food”. Today, some dormers claim that they get upset stomachs because of the same reason.“How can they be so sure that the

dorm food was really what made them sick? Some claimed that that was the case, yet we later found out that they had also eaten somewhere else,” Jasmine Jean Espino, Silliman University Cafeteria Manager said.No Food poisoning “If the food was really that bad, if

there was really “food poisoning”, then it would affect a lot of people, not just one or two,” Espino added. She explained that if that were the case, the university would shoulder any liability, because the school is responsible for its students, especially minors.“Once, when a report came of

a cockroach’s part being served with the dilis, we stopped serving dilis to our dormers to avoid the reoccurrence,” she said.

Response from Dorm PresidentsPedro Mabanan, Woodward Hall

President, gave a written statement: “There are times that they [dormers] prefer to eat outside. [This is] probably because they don’t like the food that is being served [in the dorm]. Should they [SU Cafeteria] wait until such time that no dormers will decide to eat the food from our cafeteria?”SU cafeteria does have a supervisor.

But according to Espino, this supervisor is not always present. “It’s really up to the cooks to check the food,” Espino added.The cooks have been oriented

time and time again, and if their performances do not improve, they are reassigned. This is done to make sure that the dormers get “good food”. Espino said: “While we admit that we have lapses and that there are some dishes that the residents don’t relish, we must also recognize the fact that each person has his/her own likes and dislikes in food, and we cannot possibly satisfy everyone’s taste.”Justin Val Virtuzado, Vernon Hall

President, said: “Well, sometimes

the food has blood, and sometimes the meat is too tough… There was a time my dorm mates warned me to not drink the soup because a dead cockroach had been in it…but the food’s not really that bad. [Hopefully] there would be more variety, and the food would be well-cooked… I do understand it’s hard to cook the food well because there are so many dormers… There are times when the dorm food does taste good. I just hope it would be like that all the time.”Only used as reason“Dormers leave SU dormitories

because they say the food is terrible; when maybe in reality all they really want is freedom from the curfew rule,” Espino said.She added: “If the students claim

that the dorm food makes them sick, then they should prove it. [They should] preserve that particular piece of food, or at least tell their dorm managers right away. The dorm managers will then inform us. Then we can take the necessary steps to try to make sure the same thing will not happen in the future.”~

‘Rubber’ beef and ‘fly’ soup (Part 2)

by Kristine Ann M. Fernandez

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Administration (CBA) Student Council successfully tested the program for their first ever automated student council elections on March 8.

Spearheaded by Caesar Cavales III, senior Business Computers Application (BCA) student and Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chairperson of CBA, BCA department developed this application in order to speed up the

election process. Cavales said: “Due to the number

of student population in CBA…some of the students would rather not vote than spend a few of their time writing down their chosen candidate and put it in a ballot box. So I thought that all these problems would be solved if automated voting would be implemented, it will be faster, accurate, and you wouldn’t need any pen and paper.”

Instead of pen and paper, students only need to present their validated

identification cards to an assigned COMELEC member for verification. Once verified, the student will key-in her ID number in a box provided in the application to make sure that the voter is enrolled this semester and avoid voting twice. After the confirmation, students can cast their votes by clicking the picture of the candidate. A summary appears at the end of the selection in order for the voters to double check their choices. To finalize their votes, they only have to click the ‘VOTE’ button. The last

stage of verification is the imprinting of the voter’s thumb mark on a printed copy of their votes. COMELEC will keep the hard copy in case a party asks for a recount.

“We will have this system audited at the SU office of audit to assure the voters and candidates that the system that they will be using this coming CBA council election is true and correct,” said Cavales.

Junabeth Tamparong, incumbent Governor of CBA’s student council, says the project costs around P13,000

because they only spent for the printers and they utilized their available computers in their laboratories. But if they opted with the touch screen monitors and barcode readers, it would probably cost around P50,000.

The program was co-developed by fellow BCA students Andrea Caro, Clint Bush Casama, Al Polen Sincay Jr., and Mae Avanzado.

After last week’s test run, Cavales received a positive response from the student body assuring them of an efficient and effective elections.~

BPI-DOST names awardees

by Samantha Colinco

THE SUCCESS OR failure of political dynasties depends on an educated, discerning and watchful citizenry and not on the political families alone, Bais City Mayor Karen Villanueva said in a forum last Jan. 29.

“It is the opportune time for us to exercise the right that should a family be actually doing well they may be given the opportunity to serve again. But if not, then by all means eradicate the family from abusing the powers of government ever again,” she said.

A child of a political family herself, Villanueva said political dynasties are not “bad in themselves but only gain their mark when power corrupts the individual.”

“[It becomes a problem] when

members of the family begin to believe that they are exceptions and that they are above the law therefore they can get away with anything,” Villanueva told 150 students and teachers at the Silliman University Hall.

She added that the country does not need laws to prohibit political families from running for office, but it instead needs to educate citizens and put justice systems to address issues of abuse.

“Let us be acutely aware, watchful and evaluative of all individuals who enter into the field of public service . . . Should a law be passed to ban families from collectively serving their communities, it will only succeed to weed out the honest and well-meaning ones,” she said.

Villanueva also said that political

families, which people view as a “threat” to civil service, are just like any other family. She added that if society accepts generations of doctors, lawyers and teachers, then the same rule should apply for public service.

“Would it be so wrong if a child would pick up the traditions - with gripping intensity - of the passion to serve? Would it be so wrong for a child to admire her father or mother and dream one day of becoming like them?” she added.

Present in the forum on “Perpetuating political families: The pros and cons,” sponsored by the Salonga Law Center for Law and Development were Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen and Dumaguete City Vice-mayor Alan Gel Cordova.~

Mayor challenges political dynastycontinued on page 4

THE ABSENCE OF WAR Thousands of students from the different schools and universities in Dumaguete lined up and joined to make history happen last Sat-urday for the “Light Up for Peace” event. PHOTO BY Alexandra Iso

People just have this problem with listening. I mean, we tend to ignore things we hear and so sometimes, we end up messing up. I must admit, I too, have this kind of problem – we all have this problem. This is such a troublesome attitude that we usually take for granted. But you see, it is such a huge glitch especially when people in service have this problem. I am referring to those who provide services to us every single day.

Take a pedicab driver for example. I am not saying that all of them do not listen, but some of them just have a tendency of hearing something else (like if you’d say, ‘Hi – Top, what they’d hear is Unitop) which is really bothersome to passengers.

I remember there was this time when a friend and I took a pedicab from Robinsons one Thursday afternoon. It was clear when I said that our destination is at SU

Cafeteria, but he continued driving to the wrong way. He must have forgotten what I had said, that’s what I thought. For the second time, I told him the same thing,

he turned to me, then back to the road. That time, I was hoping that he’d maneuver the ride right, but he didn’t. For the third time, I repeated it, but he didn’t listen. He slowed down near the elementary building then asked, “Katipunan mo di ba?” and I was like, ‘Seriously?!’ I ended up being late in class that afternoon.

There was also this instance that happened in a local department store. I was looking for art supplies for a project that time, but I saw

none. Hoping that I must just have missed to find it, I approached a saleslady from the other corner. I was not yet even done speaking when she said, “Wala. (We don’t have that.)” How could she say that when I have not yet told her what I was looking for? Is she a mind reader? Lucky for her, I wasn’t in a bad mood that time. I just shrugged it off and looked for another store anyway.

People really have this problem in listening. Some do not listen carefully, while some refuse to hear anything at all. That’s the problem. It turns out to be a big thing whenever you’re into a business venture, I guess. You might not just fail your customers, but your employers as well. It isn’t too hard to listen, being clinically deaf is. But if it is in this case, I’d prefer the latter, because it wouldn’t be a fault at all if I cannot hear, rather than pretending to hear nothing at all.~

Only half the semester is over, and everyone is drained of blood and sweat in my department. We’d very much like to sleep through the week ahead, but that won’t get us anything other than a bunch of crappy midterm exam scores, so I guess it’s best to toil on. My analytic thinking seems to be on hiatus, so today must be a Saturday - the day for a cup of coffee and some relaxing music. Tomorrow will be a totally different scenario, but I prefer not to focus on that now. Today, we have a breather from all the stress we face at school, and it’s every higher-level PT student’s obligation to cherish this once-in-a-blue-moon breather. It doesn’t matter if we don’t know what to do during our free time anymore; what matters is that we are given free time, and we are thankful for that. Breathers are here one moment, and gone the next. These are the stress-less days of our lives that never really end up in our long-term memory. I mean,

I salute people who tell me “Hey, I remember the time when we weren’t doing anything or thinking about anything at all.” Not exciting news at all, true, yet these are what keep us sane. Not that we’re not all insane in one way or another, but you get the picture.

These small breaks, no matter how short they are, are always welcome to people with busy schedules. I can nod (with feelings) to anyone who can offer me a short rest from every academic reminder or exam alarm. I am not complaining though, no. In fact I am thankful that I am encouraged to read (and learn) a lot, this is what I came to Silliman for after all. But I also am thankful for static in the schedule (yes, even for just a day), because

they are scarce, and when I take in that breath, it’s nothing more than a memory. It’s a memory of a break that once was, and when I open my books, I would always wish to have had more of those breathers, because the last one was most likely spent on my bed, with me snoozing away to prepare for a long night of reading. This is how I choose to spend most of my breathers, and I don’t think I’m the only one in the department who does this, because honestly, sometimes we don’t really know where to go during breaks. It’s a typical scenario of “Hala wala tay klase? Asa ta muadto?”, and everyone else shrugs so it’s either we end up in a café to read for the next exam, eat late breakfast/lunch, or simply retreat into our homes to bond with our beds while we can. No matter how we choose to spend these small cracks of time, the fact that we are given them keeps us glued to ourselves somehow, and that’s a good thing.

Wants Cookies

Justine Alexis Nierras

2 twsopinion the weekly sillimanian05 february 2013

The rise of technology is present all around us. We buy products online, we communicate via electronic devices, and we are dependent on technology for our daily needs. Technology has become, much like eating and drinking, a part of our daily life. It’s only natural that we utilize it for matters concerning the voting system---and in this 21st century, it’s about time.

As staffers of the Weekly Sillimanian, we are proud to congratulate the College of Business Administration for the steps made towards implementing Silliman University’s first ever automated student council elections. It is where the voting process can be achieved with just a few clicks. The use of automated elections in Silliman, which has been set for March 8, is a move which highlights a commitment towards good governance and the youth’s decisions regarding the selection of their future leaders.

The process of implementing such a system was not an easy achievement, but a daunting task. Thus, the Weekly Sillimanian’s editorial board commends the passion and dedication of the College of Business Administration (CBA) Student Council in successfully developing this application, along with the support and assistance of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

A solid voting system is an incredible way of bringing together people, united in their desire for change and and the chance to solve the nation’s problems. Silliman University’s automated voting system may not mean much to some students, but the tWS editorial board applauds its use, as even something as small as adopting a better voting method means victory in our eyes.

The automated voting system will be used for upcoming student council elections, and yet we students should remain critical towards our student government, much like how we should be towards our local and national politicians, as well. We at the Weekly Sillimanian encourage students to utilize the power of the vote to attract our politicians towards their causes. We urge Sillimanians to question their local and national politicians, to question their platforms and to vote wisely. We believe that our student body is so much more than just a bunch of numbers.

Students should be aware that the voting process is a crucial one, as through it, we are able to ensure that our voices are heard in deciding our future leaders. We present those who lead us under the belief that they would be able to change our country and now, we need to be vocal about what is expected of them. The notion that voting can change the future and improve transparency and accountability has always been supported by the Weekly Sillimanian’s editorial board, and knowing that Silliman University has taken steps towards the improvement of voter participation and progress is definitely an encouraging thought for our future.~

Compiled by John Lee D. Limbaga

“How will you commemorate the first anniversary of the Feb. 6, 2012 earthquake?”

“Sleep, forget about the past. We should not linger on them too long otherwise we may be stuck on it.” Jayvie Boy T. Maglangit, BS-ACCY I

“I will celebrate my birthday by having dinner with my roommates. It is on FEB. 6!” Ivanna G. Marchan, BSMT III

“Drive to Valencia.” Kevin S. Villagonzalo, BSIT-IV

“I will commemorate it by offering prayers to the people who are victims of the quake.” Aloha Marie C. Albina, BSED SOCSTUD I

** Next issue's question:“Do you think that it’s time for the university to have a brand new

school bus? Why or Why not?”

For your answers, just text the Circulation Manager (09265304941) or tweet to us @tWS12_13. Indicate your full name (with middle initial), course and year.

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Kimberly LimpahanThe Weekly Sillimanian is published every week by the students of Silliman University, with editorial and business addresses at 1/F Oriental Hall, Silliman University, Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City 6200, Philippines. SU PO Box 24. Telephone number (35) 422-6002 local 243.

www.theweeklysillimanian.wordpress.comtheweeklysillimanian@yahoo.com

Follow us on twitter @tWS12_13

Like us on facebook at facebook,com/towardsaprogressivecampuspress

Opinions expressed in the columns are those of the columnists and not of tWS or of Silliman University. Comments, questions, and suggestions are highly appreciated. All submitted manuscripts become the property of tWS. Manuscripts will be edited for brevity and clarity.

Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Editor-in-chief Maya Angelique B. JajallaAssociate Editor Mariella S. BustamanteNews Editor Katrin Anne A. Arcala Features Editor Michiko Je M. Bito-onBusiness Manager Justin Val R. Virtudazo

Senior Writer Samantha L. ColincoNews Writers Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia, Elana Joy Bartlett, Kristine Ann M. Fernandez, Nova Veraley V. Grafe, Ma. Josebelle S. BagulayaFeature Writers Roberto Klemente R. Timonera, Royanni Miel M. Hontucan, Earl Paolo A. Jaculbe, Jaizer Jim R. NadalPhotojournalists Melissa Alexandra B. Pal, Alexandra Diane L. Iso, Henzonly Hope A. AlborotoCartoonist Rea Samantha P. MigullasCirculation Manager John Lee D. LimbagaOffice Manager Princess Jezrael A. FrondozoWeb Manager Federico B. Martinez VIILayout Artist Jae Jireh P. Nejudne

Adviser Warlito S. Caturay Jr.

the weekly sillimanian05 february 2013 twsfeatures 3

by Jaizer Jim R. Nadal

Quite an incongruence, the genre of film labelled as “the musical”. One could not

simply discern if these are movies in the guise of a music video or Broadway masquerading as blockbusters. Either way, the commercial appeal is undeniable; be it is a Disney movie in which the caricatures sing of undying love amidst a plethora of sky-lanterns or a high-school drama in which each and every enrolee is a certified musician. Children and tweens alike seem overtly ecstatic when news of yet another musical is in the works. But one cannot simply condemn these productions of birthing another staple meme in pop culture, however laughable it might seem to the self-proclaimed hipster. This particular form of media has been geared specifically towards the pre-pubescent audience, after all.

However, this is not always the case. For the traditional playwright, a well developed show equates to a Tony nomination, the Golden Globe of Broadway. It neither sheds integrity nor compromises vision for a quick buck. Critics treat musicals as formidable works of art in which the voice of the writer is as grandiose as that of his talents.

Such is the case of the 2012’s, “Les Miserables”. The film is based on the musical of the same name by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg which is in turn based on Les Misérables, the 1862 French novel by Victor Hugo. It is a major motion picture made even more extravagant by its stellar cast. Boasting names by no less than the leading men and

women of modern cinema, this is not merely a contender for some trivial awards show but a smart bet in the upcoming Academy Awards.

The film is not shy of theatrics, beginning with a surreal shot of a horde of prisoners hauling in a French battleship in the midst of a storm. Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is a prisoner who is granted parole

by Javert (Russell Crowe), a prison guard. After a stint with the church involving stolen silver, Valjean vows to live in redemption for his sins.

Commendable performances include that of Anne Hathaway in her portrayal of Fantine. She pulls out a show-stopper in her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream”, which

comes early in the show; her head shorn of flowing hair, her features blurred from abuse. This is proving to be a high point in her career as it has garnered her a Golden Globe for best supporting actress; quite a leap for the girl who starred in such family films as Princess Diaries. Mr. Jackman delivers an act that is truly worthy of his name. Despite gaining

recognition as Wolverine in the X-Men franchise, he has made his impression in other venues; starring in the musical “The Boy from Oz” which earned him a Tony for Best Leading Actor. Eddie Redmayne is the big surprise, a dramatic dynamo. A new-comer compared to his colleagues, he turns “Empty Chairs

at Empty Tables”, that anthem of anguishing loss, into a showcase for sung passion.

Then there is Javert, the implacable tracker of the piece. Mr. Crowe has the ruthless part down pat, and he’s an impressive physical presence in blue uniform. Yet this formidable actor hasn’t mustered the musical variety, and therefore the dramatic

power, to make Javert compelling as an individual. What’s missing most from his performance is demonic sizzle, a sense of the wild internal conflicts that make Javert’s demise necessary, not just inevitable. For those who might deem this project a tad too melodramatic, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron

Cohen enliven the piece with welcome comic relief as the scurrilous Thenardiers.

Director Tom Hooper uses unconventional methods to milk the most sincere performance from the cast. For one, he coerced the cast to sing live. This gives the audience the impression that these people are actually “performing” rather than just “acting”, as if it were live and the artists are at their most vulnerable. The risk pays off nicely as the songs sound raw at moments as supposed to slick throughout. Another quirk is in the shots which are, for the most part, focused on the cast member’s faces when they sing. Here we see every excruciating detail as it unfolds in uncut vulnerability.

There is much to be had in the 158 minute running time of the film. We are subjected to these multi-faceted characters and their profligate demise. We see a portrait of the French Revolution that might be deemed too graphic. And despite this, we are forgiven for laughing at the scenes specifically shot for comic relief. All of this culminates to what might be the undisclosed heart of the film, a man seeking atonement for his sins. This might not be as accessible as High-School Musical or what have you, but it is by no means without heart. Les Miserables is a Tour de Force of cinema that resonates long after its last note.~

A Barricade of Song

By Royanni Miel M. Hontucan

The tenuous angel of death shook hands with Ma’am Virgie as her life’s clock

came to a stop last Jan. 23, 2013. The compassionate mother by the blessed name of Mrs. Virginia Montebon to Silliman University would not be diminished by the absence of her physical lingering amongst us.

She was not only the former Director of Silliman University Office of Information and Publications, she was a genuinely dedicated mother of two and a beloved wife to her late husband, as well. Being in service for almost 35 years, Ma’am Virgie was an acclaimed and dependable colleague to everyone she collaborated with.

Ms. Celia Acedo, a very close friend of Ma’am Virgie’s, recalled her with the most genuine descriptions she could draw from her memories. “She was organized, efficient, capable, well-groomed, fragrant, thoughtful but strict, prim and proper lady. She seemed to be the complete opposite of me, yet we worked well together, or rather, I could work well and happily with her.” The undeniable perfectionism of Ma’am Virgie’s

management style was a legacy to her assistants as how Ms. Leonora Cedrome, Secretary of College of Mass Communications recalled her days as Ma’am Virgie’s student assistant.

“We would dust her table and made sure the placement of her things would not be changed because she would notice it. I learned to be efficient in my work here in Silliman, I make sure that in what I do, I should make it perfect because that’s what I saw in her,” Cedrome said.

Ma’am Virgie was also admired when it comes to her serene c o m p o s u r e . “What I can very well remember is that not once did I hear Mrs. Montebon raise her voice or say

something abusive to her subordinates, even at their worst times,” Acedo said. Being the premiere example of being thoughtful, it was not in her system to forget people especially during their birthdays. “During birthdays, she made sure that she had something for you,” Cedrome said.

Even after the graduation of her former student assistants, the way she remembers sending birthday and Christmas cards have greatly become nostalgic to all of them. “She was strict with our work but she treated us as her own children,” Blen Kinilitan, College of Law secretary said.

Ms. Basilisa Cual, Head of the Scholarship Section at the Registrar’s Office reminisced the most beautiful moment she had with Ma’am Virgie. “When we visited her during her last birthday last September 11, she could still remember and identify all of us. The most touching deed that she had done was writing a birthday card for me in shaky handwriting,” she said.

Ms. Gloria Moreno, secretary of the PE department said: “Through my experience with her, I learned to be humble, that whenever I become successful, I should not forget to put my feet on the ground.”

Ma’am Virgie’s generous guidance was proven to be exemplary when all of her student assistants reached the peak of their careers with her help. “Duna pa gani nahimong judge nga sa una student assistant ni Ma’am, si Judge Tirso Banquerigo. Daghan pang uban natabangan si Ma’am ug

Atty. Joe Montebon,” Acedo said. (One of her student assistants even became a judge. Ma’am and Atty. Joe Montebon were able to help a lot of people.)

Ma’am Virgie was also blessed with successful children: Atty. Riodil Montebon and Mr. Roberto Montebon, Silliman University Medical Center President.

With the intervals of ordinary moments that come in the story of any person’s everyday life, they even become extra special when shared with someone like Ma’am Virgie. Clichéd as it may sound, it is just to be declared that she wasn’t only just a mere boss but also a trustworthy friend and a second mother. Ma’am Virgie, wherever you might be right now, may peace reign over your longest and deepest sleep and rest assured, you will never be forgotten in the lives of the people you’ve touched.

(With Notes from MetroPost) ~

Reminiscing Moments with Ma’am Virgie

4 twsbackpage the weekly sillimanian05 february 2013

Three years ago, Carlos Celdran, a tour guide and a proactive supporter of the RH Bill staged his protest carrying a “Damaso” sign (referring to Padre Damaso of Noli Me Tangere) within the Manila Cathedral. On the other hand, people around the world have done more creative demonstrations for the causes they believe in: Compiled by: Michiko Je Bito-on Sources: http://www.oddee.com/item_96847.aspx

In 2003, Jolly Stanesby and Eddie Goreckwi of the United Kingdom dressed up as superheroes and stayed at London’s Royal Courts of Justice to fight for divorced dads who lost custody over their children. They were imprisoned for some time after their wacky spectacle.

theRANDOMspace:

roundup

By Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia

A NEWS PROGRAM and a magazine show solely produced by Silliman University Mass Communication students are now being aired every Monday at 8 p.m. on Fil Products Channel 6.

Silliman Insider, a 20-minute news program and #SU, a 40-minute TV-magazine show are now aired during SU’s block time. Both cover local stories from Silliman, Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.

These two programs are the only TV programs in Visayas and Mindanao produced by an all-student team. Twenty five Mass Com students who are taking up Communication 36-TV Production class are running the two shows.

“It’s not the typical class where you just learn from the four corners of the room. Ninety per cent of the learning is learned through experience [actual production],” John DX Lapid, teacher of the class said.

Lapid said that the production is done by the students like how it is in professional work. Students interview different people, shoot videos, edit videos and do live shows

inside the studio.“Hopefully, the government

agencies would be more open to student journalists for information. I wish that the Freedom of Information Bill would become a law so the government agencies would be mandated to release information to student journalists,” he said.

Lapid also hopes that complete equipment will be provided for the shows’ production, including a TV studio and a laboratory where students can work overtime.

“For students to be able to do this for the university I think is very laudable,” Dr. Maria Cecilia Genove, Dean of the College of Mass Communication, said.

Genove added that the Marketing and HR Manager of Fil Products, Girlie Bernardez, commented that #SU is one of a kind due to its fresh concept. She said that the program captures some of the things that people wanted to know about Dumaguete but were not given much attention yet.

#SU had its pilot episode last Jan. 2 while Silliman Insider had its pilot episode last Jan. 28.~

MassCom launches new TV programs

By Katrin Anne Arcala

GAWAD KALINGA (GK) awarded another set of heroes on the third year of “Parangal ng mga Bayani” in Negros Oriental.

Individual awardees were: Ivy Cerelyn Balilo; Bern Ygot; Dennis Caballero; Conrado C. Ambos; Catherine Praile; Hon. Arnie A. Teves; Hanz Denzil Villahermosa; Nicolas Sanchez Dumapit; Victor Panay Bagsit; Erla Almendral

The event aims to honor “new breed of heroes, new faces that planted the seeds of hope for the love of God and country and as active community servant/leader and as a responsible citizen of our [the] country.”

Joseph Ceriales, GK NegOr Missionary, said: “Parangal ng mga bayani is our simple way of honoring the Negrenses for their community service. Isa lang sila sa mga thousands of people in the province who really worked hard for the progress of this [Negros Oriental] land.”

Recepients were based on being “makatao, makadiyos at makabayan” (humane, godly and nationalistic).

The search initiated months ago was done by respondents who worked on the ground in pursuit of deserving awardees.

The Ten BAYANING NEGRENSE AWARDS named were: Jo Hannah Naranjo (Youth Leader); Felcon Rivera (Environment Champion); Bevs Saraňa (Child & Youth Development); RodNey Zamora (Youth Leader); Eminel Mata Perdiz Ogoc (Child & Youth Development); Rodulfo A. Saycon (Community Leader); Lucile Lou Bacol Morito (Health Champion); Rollie Meniano (Community Builder); Dindo Amorganda (Event Organizer); and Audie Michael S. Litrada (Environment Champion/Community Builder)

Cidni Mapa, Provincial GK Head, said: “A lot of the heroes go unnoticed and we just want to have the opportunity to also name them. When they do something we don’t really aim for recognition. But there are some things which we could put on a lamp stand and not just hide under the bed… what we’re trying to say is that these are the good things

they have done and if they [awardees] could do it then the rest might be inspired to follow them as well.”

The award was launched nationwide in the year 2002. However, it was only last 2010 when GK NegOr established the body in the province.

“Others think that bayanihan is the plain act of carrying a kubo above your shoulders altogether or maybe even just a dance company. But bayanihan, in reality, is a gathering of heroes. Each of us who also bring up heroism must come together to create greater things,” Mapa added.

Bayaning Samahang Negrense Awardees were: Pilipinas Natin Negros Oriental; Gabaan Youth Lead; Philippine Army- (79 ib, and 302nd Brigade); EDC, CPD; LYONESS; Caretaker Team (kakha); MIDNASTY; Girl Scout of the Philippines Silliman Chapter; Mc Donalds Dumaguete; and Boy Scout of the Philippines Province of Negros Oriental.

The event was co-organized by Ang Sandigan and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. It was held last Jan. 26 at the Audio Visual Theatre 1.~

GK honors modern day bayanis

DPPH (diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging was examined for its antioxidant property.

Notarte said his research is a spin-off of a high school investigative group project, which won in the International Science and Engineering Fair held in Reno, Nevada last 2009. He added that the therapeutic property of the green alga may be “due to chemicals belonging to the class terpenoid.” Terpenoid are widely found in plants and are used as traditional herbal remedies.Better than Chemotherapy

Unlike chemotherapy, the cancer-curing property of green alga is capable of killing cancer cells while rendering less harm to normal cells, Notarte said. “The problem today is on chemotherapeutic agents being not only effective against cancer cells but also having killing effects on normal cells,” he added.

Although the project has shown positive feedbacks as a substitute for chemotherapy, Notarte noted, the study still requires more testing to find out the true nature of the green alga’s compounds. “In order to establish that it is better than chemotherapy, more intensive analyses should be done. We are still so far ruling this out but the research, at least, is showing signs that it could

be an alternative,” he said.Meanwhile, in her research

project “The Effect of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Plastic Bottles as a Material for Class A Concrete Mixture”, Civil Engineering student Fulmaran studied the effect of adding shredded plastic bottles to ordinary concrete mixture.

Fulmaran said that her research stems from the idea of having quality concrete and the problem of increasing plastic wastes.

“My study targets two things. First, to help the environment by making use of [plastic] wastes. Second, to improve the type of concrete that can be made,” she said.

“Plastic bottles improve the compressive strength of concrete by increasing its load of capacity since plastic bottles are light, shatterproof and can fill the voids of the different components in the concrete,” she added.

Fernandez, a physics student, wrote a paper on “A Comparative Study on the Infrared Radiation Intensities of Common Pavements and Ground Types”.

To honor the awardees, the university will have an awarding ceremony at the Audio-Visual Theater on March 7. ~

CAMPAIGNING FOR A “smoke-free Dumaguete” is taken to a whole new level as KABSI 4, a comedy show, will be staged at Luce Auditorium on Feb 9.

“KABSI”, which originally meant “Kababayang Sillimanian”, is now officially “Kabarkadang Sillimanian”.

“We changed the name because we want it to be more relatable particularly to the Sillimanians,” said Arsenio D. Bulfa Jr., chair of KABSI 4.

The pre-production officially started last November and the entire cast is composed of Sillimanians.

“What makes the show unique is that there is no script, meaning, everything is spontaneous and based only on a pre-determined storyline,” Bulfa added.

KABSI was launched in the year 2011. Their previous themes include values on friendship, poverty and teenage issues.

For matinee and gala tickets, contact 09065593300 or 09057788116..~

KABSI prepares for fourth sequel

BPI-DOST... from page 1

Riot police in Brussels, Belgium got a taste of dairy violence as farmers protest over collapsing milk prices. Over 2,500 farmers showered police with chickens, bottles and squirted milk directly from cow udders.

“Lava la Bandera”, was what Peruvians called their protest against former President Alberto Fujimori. They washed their national flags as a way of symbolically ridding their government of dirty politics. The strange demonstration went on for a number of months.

A Hindu organization dedicated to ban the celebration of Valentine’s Day once blocked a road in New Delhi,and annualy burns Valentine’s Day cards and threatens to batter couples seen celebrating the Day of Hearts. The group desires to uphold traditional Indian values and condemn Western-style promiscuity.

FORTUNE COOKIE

BAYANI The 10 awardees of the 2013 Parangal ng mga Bayani receives applause from the crowd at AVT1 last Jan. 26. PHOTO BY JR Calicdan

In aiming to increase student participation, The Weekly Sillimanian has decided to introduce a new portion called “CAPTION THIS! “ Every week, photo/s will be published for any student to interpret. The winning cap-tion will be published in the following issue along with his name, course

and year level. To start off, here’s one from us:

Send your entries to theweeklysillimanian@yahoo.com

You can also post your entries on the digital version of the photos at http://theweeklysillimanian.wordpress.com

CAPTION THIS!