UNEDITED SAMPLE NEWS ARTICLE
By Therese Romaine Nalangan Rustia
IV-Michael Faraday
In order to prevent the use of illegal drugs, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) wants to revive their programs which educate elementary students about the effects of drugs.
Vicente “Tito” _____ Sotto III, Dangerous Drugs Board chairman, said that the program would help their campaign against dangerous drugs as it also builds a closer link between the police and the youth.
With the program, the police would give a discourse to fifth and sixth graders about the dangers and problems involving abuse and trade of illegal drugs.
Police Director General Jesus _____ Verzosa agrees with the program and is very cooperative with the promotion of the campaign.
Apart from the drug abuse education program, Sotto also wants to use sports and livelihood as a means for [drug] pushers to be productive and earn money without selling illegal drugs.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
IMMIGRATION OFFICER IN HOT WATER; 17 MINORS RESCUED FROM HUMAN SMUGGLING
UNEDITED SAMPLE NEWS ARTICLE
By Zatia Denise Danao Gammad
IV-Madame Marie Curie
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) collared two members of a human smuggling syndicate while escorting 17 female minors about to depart for Jordan and Syria last Tuesday night, 16 Sept 2008.
The NBI operation conducted was without coordination with airport officials due to information that an insider was serving as the syndicate’s contact. Agents of NBI received tips regarding the Middle East-bound minors who were escorted and given instructions by “Teng” and “Toni” to proceed to the booth of Immigration Officer Mindaya Ombawa.
Teng and Toni were later discovered to be Ombawa’s relatives. Ombawa is an Immigration officer assigned at NAIA I yet found time to operate in NAIA 3.
The passengers were about to board the flight for Jordan and Syria when NBI agents rounded them up. Teng and Toni fled immediately but caught later in Ombawa’s car pursued by the NBI agents.
Ombawa is now suspended from reporting to work at NAIA pending investigation and has been recalled to report back to the BI Main Office.
By Zatia Denise Danao Gammad
IV-Madame Marie Curie
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) collared two members of a human smuggling syndicate while escorting 17 female minors about to depart for Jordan and Syria last Tuesday night, 16 Sept 2008.
The NBI operation conducted was without coordination with airport officials due to information that an insider was serving as the syndicate’s contact. Agents of NBI received tips regarding the Middle East-bound minors who were escorted and given instructions by “Teng” and “Toni” to proceed to the booth of Immigration Officer Mindaya Ombawa.
Teng and Toni were later discovered to be Ombawa’s relatives. Ombawa is an Immigration officer assigned at NAIA I yet found time to operate in NAIA 3.
The passengers were about to board the flight for Jordan and Syria when NBI agents rounded them up. Teng and Toni fled immediately but caught later in Ombawa’s car pursued by the NBI agents.
Ombawa is now suspended from reporting to work at NAIA pending investigation and has been recalled to report back to the BI Main Office.
NINA DAMAGES 57 HOUSES AND P468T AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
UNEDITED SAMPLE NEWS ARTICLE
By Zatia Denise Danao Gammad
IV-Madame Marie Curie
As a result of the devastation brought by Typhoon Nina in the Cordillera, approximately 57 houses were totally destroyed in Baguio City and Benguet, and the same number of houses partially damaged in Baguio, Benguet and Apayao due to landslides and flooding in the past days. About P119,000 worth of agricultural crops and P349,000 in fisheries were likewise destroyed in Benguet, Mountain Province, and Apayao
According to the Cordillera Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (CRDCC), 1,030 individuals belonging to 205 families were adversely displaced by the tropical storm when it hit northern Luzon last September 22 and 23.
In Mt. Province alone, an estimated P84,000 of agricultural crops was washed away by strong winds and P35,000 either got eroded, flooded or rotted away.
As to damage to fisheries, in Apayao alone, approximately P141,000 was damaged by overflowing in the barangays of Imelda, Swan and Alem in the town of Pudtol; P63,000 was flooded in the barangays of Malayugan, Baluyan, Sta. Maria, San Jose, Malubibit, Tamalunog, Lower Atoc and Bagutong in the municipality of Flora; P56,000 was also flooded in barangays Panay, San Antonio, Marcela and Malekeg in the town of Sta. Marcela; while another P48,000 was also flooded in the barangays of Capagaypayan, San Sebastian, Tumog, San Isidro, San Francisco, Zumigui and Lappa in the municipality of Luna.
By Zatia Denise Danao Gammad
IV-Madame Marie Curie
As a result of the devastation brought by Typhoon Nina in the Cordillera, approximately 57 houses were totally destroyed in Baguio City and Benguet, and the same number of houses partially damaged in Baguio, Benguet and Apayao due to landslides and flooding in the past days. About P119,000 worth of agricultural crops and P349,000 in fisheries were likewise destroyed in Benguet, Mountain Province, and Apayao
According to the Cordillera Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (CRDCC), 1,030 individuals belonging to 205 families were adversely displaced by the tropical storm when it hit northern Luzon last September 22 and 23.
In Mt. Province alone, an estimated P84,000 of agricultural crops was washed away by strong winds and P35,000 either got eroded, flooded or rotted away.
As to damage to fisheries, in Apayao alone, approximately P141,000 was damaged by overflowing in the barangays of Imelda, Swan and Alem in the town of Pudtol; P63,000 was flooded in the barangays of Malayugan, Baluyan, Sta. Maria, San Jose, Malubibit, Tamalunog, Lower Atoc and Bagutong in the municipality of Flora; P56,000 was also flooded in barangays Panay, San Antonio, Marcela and Malekeg in the town of Sta. Marcela; while another P48,000 was also flooded in the barangays of Capagaypayan, San Sebastian, Tumog, San Isidro, San Francisco, Zumigui and Lappa in the municipality of Luna.
FELIX RESURRECCION HIDALGO: A QUIET ARTIST IN THE LIMELIGHT
UNEDITED SAMPLE FEATURE ARTICLE
By Vladimir Paat Villegas
IV – Sir Isaac Newton
When Juan Luna won the gold medal in the 1884 Madrid Exposition, a Filipino painter shared with him the limelight by securing the second place. It was non-other than Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo (“The Consumate Artist”, 1996).
He was born in Binondo, Manila on Feb 21, 1855 as the third of the seven children of Eduardo Resurreccion Hidalgo and Maria Barbara Padilla (“Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo”, 1996; Ocampo, 2008). He was reared by an upper-class family as showed by a commissioned portrait by Antonio Malantic, one of the most famous portrait painters those times (Ocampo, 2008). The portrait, finished in 1859, was named Narciso Hidalgo and his grandson; however, it was now known better as Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo and his grandfather (Ocampo, 2008).
There were no presented records of his early education, but there was a presumption of either a private tutor was hired or his mother, who formerly attended the Escuela Municipal de Manila (now known as Ateneo de Manila University) was the one who first taught him. All that was known was that he finished with a Bachelor in Philosophy at the University of Sto Tomas in 1871. He, as not well known, was implicated in a student demonstration that gained significance that followed the “Terror of 1872”. It was a period of grim which wiped out a whole generation of prominent people, as described by the historian O D Corpuz, which started at the martyrdom of the Gomburza (Ocampo, 2008).
This terror then let Hidalgo retire to his studio and devote his life to painting. He then enrolled in the Manila Escuela de Dibujo y Pintura (Manila School of Drawing and Painting), which was run by Agustin Saez. It was said that Juan Luna also studied here briefly and, according to different books, either left or was expelled for Saez was a good but not a kind of a nice teacher (Ocampo, 2008).
Here, he was trained very well. At first, he had an inferiority complex of being a probinsyano and was disappointed with the school and his classmates. But later, he told that “We lost our fear upon seeing the work of students here. We were greatly disenchanted on the other hand because we would like to have people who have more mettle as our classmates than the ones attending now for they would have served as stimulus to us (Ocampo, 2008).”
Hidalgo then won the second place when Domingo Vidal y Soler held a contest for the frontispiece of Manuel Blanco’s Flora de Filipinas. He would have probably won the contest if Saez did not compete with his own students. The frontispiece he made was not that extant, but a reader will find plates done by him upon going through the work (Ocampo, 2008).
The disappointment he had with his formal schooling was made up by living in the capital and being exposed to the Museo del Prado. He said: “I do not want to tell you about the museum because I have no more time. I will only tell you that it contains the most valuable collection of paintings, more than 30000, that is found in Europe. One leaves that building with a headache and despair in the soul because one is convince of the little he knows, that one is not even an atom compared with the colossi of art (Ocampo, 2008).” [Italics Mine]
It was also said that he must have even shown his talents earlier in Mania for some of his works were sent to the 1879 Philadelphia Exposition. With not much more to learn or to escape the “Terror”, he went to Spain and enrolled in the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid. It was also the same school where other Filipino artists like Esteban Villanueva, Manuel Zaragosa, Melecio Figueroa, Juan Luna, Jose Rizal, among others enrolled in (Ocampo, 2008).
No documents could be found now in the academy regarding Hidalgo but he himself was the one to provide the information in his letter to his friends on Oct 15, 1879. It then reads: “Our professor in the class of ancient painting and drapery from 8 to 10 is Mr Espalter; in that of coloring from 10 to 12, Mr Federico Madrazo; in that of pictorial anatomy from 1 to 2, Mr Ignacio Llanos; and in that of natural from 6:30 to 8:30 in the evening, Mr Carlos Ribera (Ocampo, 2008).” [Italics Mine]
He then added; “They are very good professors, but you can be very sure that what you can study [in Manila] with Mr Saez is exactly the same as what is taught here. The only difference is that there you draw and paint much more comfortably because you have the entire room. Here, we can hardly pick up a bad corner, often enveloped in darkness, and we have to stretch our necks to see the model, who, parenthetically speaking, is almost always poor, though very suitable for the study of the deviations of the human form (Ocampo, 2008).” [Italics Mine]
He also advised Rizal and Anson: “Do not lose your courage and follow the advice of our dear professor, Agustin Saez, and in that way you will advance greatly in such a difficult study that of painting (Ocampo, 2008).”
Like Juan Luna, who left Madrid for Rome to work with Alejo Vera, Hidalgo joined the company of Spanish painters in the Eternal City. It was there where was immersed in the history and stories of ancient Rome, thus producing the painting Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho (Christian Virgins Exposed to the Mob). It won a silver medal in the 1884 Madrid Exposition of Fine Arts, where Juan Luna won the gold medal for Spoliarium. From then on, he would always be a quiet shadow to Luna. From then on, Luna and Hidalgo became the first international Filipino painters (Ocampo, 2008).
The roads then led them to the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889, a commemoration of the glories of the French Revolution. Through this, they saw the Eiffel Tower. Hidalgo, with Luna, even established ateliers in 65 Boulevard Arago in a building called Cite Fleury, which stands still and is rented out exclusively to artists, painters, and sculptors. The building could be located; however, no one knows which apartments they occupied (Ocampo, 2008).
There were two other known paintings of him – the Assassination of Governor Bustamante (Church Against the State) and La Loba Negra (The Black Wolf) (Ocampo, 2008).
The first one was requested by Antonio Ma Regidor. It depicted the rousing of Governor Bustamante from his sleep in the year 1719 after he had Archbishop Francisco de la Cuesta of Manila thrown into jail. The Franciscans, Dominicans, and Augustinians came out from their convents carrying crucifixes and shouting “Long Live the Church! Long Live King Philip V!” He then ordered the discharging of the artillery from the fort upon knowing that a mob would come, but the cannons were aimed so low that the balls were buried in the middle of the esplanade of the fort. The mob then climbed up, dragging down the governor in ropes as if he is to be exorcised and breaking his right arm and a saber blow on his head caused him to fall like one dead. His son who tried to intervene was also killed that night (Ocampo, 2008).
That was the story of his painting narrated by an eyewitness, but when Regidor asked him to paint the scene, his imagination wandered. The crowd was depicted as a pack of furious religious identifiable by their distinctive habits, most prominent being Dominicans whom Hidalgo knew in the University of Sto Tomas (Ocampo, 2008).
The story of the first painting then spawned the second painting, which was once attributed to Fr Jose Burgos, which was available in manuscript doubted by scholars and translated from the original Spanish into English by the ex-Jesuit Hilario Lim. The story was however intriguing because the black she-wolf murdered friars at night as the avenging widow of Bustamante. The painter then later clarified that the painting referred not to Burgos, but to Jose E_____ Marco of Negros, whose forgeries were so successful that aside from La Loba Negra, he created Kalantiaw, a lawmaker predating the Spanish conquest (Ocampo, 2008).
Hidalgo then died on Mar 13, 1913 in Sarrea, Spain (“Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo”, 1996). His work, the Assassination, was exhibited twice in the last century: in 1974 at the National Museum and in 1989 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (Ocampo, 2008). Today, it was covered with scaffolding as it undergoes restoration and cleaning (Ocampo, 2008).
N B This article was written using the American Psychological Association documentation format. List of resources is available upon request
REFERENCES
(1996) Felix Ressureccion Hidalgo. In V S Almario, et al (Eds), Filway’s Philippine Almanac (pp 71, 124) Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines: Filway Marketing, Inc
(1996) Juan Luna: The Consummate Artist. In V S Almario, et al (Eds), Filway’s Philippine Almanac (pp 71, 124) Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines: Filway Marketing, Inc
Ocampo, A (2008, October). France in our heroes’ eyes Looking Back Retrieved October 1, 2008 from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Ocampo, A (2008, October). A gifted painter now almost forgotten Looking Back Retrieved October 3, 2008 from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Ocampo, A (2008, October). The education of Hidalgo Looking Back Retrieved October 8, 2008 from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Ocampo, A (2008, October). The mob of 1719 Looking Back Retrieved October 10, 2008 from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
By Vladimir Paat Villegas
IV – Sir Isaac Newton
When Juan Luna won the gold medal in the 1884 Madrid Exposition, a Filipino painter shared with him the limelight by securing the second place. It was non-other than Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo (“The Consumate Artist”, 1996).
He was born in Binondo, Manila on Feb 21, 1855 as the third of the seven children of Eduardo Resurreccion Hidalgo and Maria Barbara Padilla (“Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo”, 1996; Ocampo, 2008). He was reared by an upper-class family as showed by a commissioned portrait by Antonio Malantic, one of the most famous portrait painters those times (Ocampo, 2008). The portrait, finished in 1859, was named Narciso Hidalgo and his grandson; however, it was now known better as Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo and his grandfather (Ocampo, 2008).
There were no presented records of his early education, but there was a presumption of either a private tutor was hired or his mother, who formerly attended the Escuela Municipal de Manila (now known as Ateneo de Manila University) was the one who first taught him. All that was known was that he finished with a Bachelor in Philosophy at the University of Sto Tomas in 1871. He, as not well known, was implicated in a student demonstration that gained significance that followed the “Terror of 1872”. It was a period of grim which wiped out a whole generation of prominent people, as described by the historian O D Corpuz, which started at the martyrdom of the Gomburza (Ocampo, 2008).
This terror then let Hidalgo retire to his studio and devote his life to painting. He then enrolled in the Manila Escuela de Dibujo y Pintura (Manila School of Drawing and Painting), which was run by Agustin Saez. It was said that Juan Luna also studied here briefly and, according to different books, either left or was expelled for Saez was a good but not a kind of a nice teacher (Ocampo, 2008).
Here, he was trained very well. At first, he had an inferiority complex of being a probinsyano and was disappointed with the school and his classmates. But later, he told that “We lost our fear upon seeing the work of students here. We were greatly disenchanted on the other hand because we would like to have people who have more mettle as our classmates than the ones attending now for they would have served as stimulus to us (Ocampo, 2008).”
Hidalgo then won the second place when Domingo Vidal y Soler held a contest for the frontispiece of Manuel Blanco’s Flora de Filipinas. He would have probably won the contest if Saez did not compete with his own students. The frontispiece he made was not that extant, but a reader will find plates done by him upon going through the work (Ocampo, 2008).
The disappointment he had with his formal schooling was made up by living in the capital and being exposed to the Museo del Prado. He said: “I do not want to tell you about the museum because I have no more time. I will only tell you that it contains the most valuable collection of paintings, more than 30000, that is found in Europe. One leaves that building with a headache and despair in the soul because one is convince of the little he knows, that one is not even an atom compared with the colossi of art (Ocampo, 2008).” [Italics Mine]
It was also said that he must have even shown his talents earlier in Mania for some of his works were sent to the 1879 Philadelphia Exposition. With not much more to learn or to escape the “Terror”, he went to Spain and enrolled in the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid. It was also the same school where other Filipino artists like Esteban Villanueva, Manuel Zaragosa, Melecio Figueroa, Juan Luna, Jose Rizal, among others enrolled in (Ocampo, 2008).
No documents could be found now in the academy regarding Hidalgo but he himself was the one to provide the information in his letter to his friends on Oct 15, 1879. It then reads: “Our professor in the class of ancient painting and drapery from 8 to 10 is Mr Espalter; in that of coloring from 10 to 12, Mr Federico Madrazo; in that of pictorial anatomy from 1 to 2, Mr Ignacio Llanos; and in that of natural from 6:30 to 8:30 in the evening, Mr Carlos Ribera (Ocampo, 2008).” [Italics Mine]
He then added; “They are very good professors, but you can be very sure that what you can study [in Manila] with Mr Saez is exactly the same as what is taught here. The only difference is that there you draw and paint much more comfortably because you have the entire room. Here, we can hardly pick up a bad corner, often enveloped in darkness, and we have to stretch our necks to see the model, who, parenthetically speaking, is almost always poor, though very suitable for the study of the deviations of the human form (Ocampo, 2008).” [Italics Mine]
He also advised Rizal and Anson: “Do not lose your courage and follow the advice of our dear professor, Agustin Saez, and in that way you will advance greatly in such a difficult study that of painting (Ocampo, 2008).”
Like Juan Luna, who left Madrid for Rome to work with Alejo Vera, Hidalgo joined the company of Spanish painters in the Eternal City. It was there where was immersed in the history and stories of ancient Rome, thus producing the painting Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho (Christian Virgins Exposed to the Mob). It won a silver medal in the 1884 Madrid Exposition of Fine Arts, where Juan Luna won the gold medal for Spoliarium. From then on, he would always be a quiet shadow to Luna. From then on, Luna and Hidalgo became the first international Filipino painters (Ocampo, 2008).
The roads then led them to the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889, a commemoration of the glories of the French Revolution. Through this, they saw the Eiffel Tower. Hidalgo, with Luna, even established ateliers in 65 Boulevard Arago in a building called Cite Fleury, which stands still and is rented out exclusively to artists, painters, and sculptors. The building could be located; however, no one knows which apartments they occupied (Ocampo, 2008).
There were two other known paintings of him – the Assassination of Governor Bustamante (Church Against the State) and La Loba Negra (The Black Wolf) (Ocampo, 2008).
The first one was requested by Antonio Ma Regidor. It depicted the rousing of Governor Bustamante from his sleep in the year 1719 after he had Archbishop Francisco de la Cuesta of Manila thrown into jail. The Franciscans, Dominicans, and Augustinians came out from their convents carrying crucifixes and shouting “Long Live the Church! Long Live King Philip V!” He then ordered the discharging of the artillery from the fort upon knowing that a mob would come, but the cannons were aimed so low that the balls were buried in the middle of the esplanade of the fort. The mob then climbed up, dragging down the governor in ropes as if he is to be exorcised and breaking his right arm and a saber blow on his head caused him to fall like one dead. His son who tried to intervene was also killed that night (Ocampo, 2008).
That was the story of his painting narrated by an eyewitness, but when Regidor asked him to paint the scene, his imagination wandered. The crowd was depicted as a pack of furious religious identifiable by their distinctive habits, most prominent being Dominicans whom Hidalgo knew in the University of Sto Tomas (Ocampo, 2008).
The story of the first painting then spawned the second painting, which was once attributed to Fr Jose Burgos, which was available in manuscript doubted by scholars and translated from the original Spanish into English by the ex-Jesuit Hilario Lim. The story was however intriguing because the black she-wolf murdered friars at night as the avenging widow of Bustamante. The painter then later clarified that the painting referred not to Burgos, but to Jose E_____ Marco of Negros, whose forgeries were so successful that aside from La Loba Negra, he created Kalantiaw, a lawmaker predating the Spanish conquest (Ocampo, 2008).
Hidalgo then died on Mar 13, 1913 in Sarrea, Spain (“Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo”, 1996). His work, the Assassination, was exhibited twice in the last century: in 1974 at the National Museum and in 1989 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (Ocampo, 2008). Today, it was covered with scaffolding as it undergoes restoration and cleaning (Ocampo, 2008).
N B This article was written using the American Psychological Association documentation format. List of resources is available upon request
REFERENCES
(1996) Felix Ressureccion Hidalgo. In V S Almario, et al (Eds), Filway’s Philippine Almanac (pp 71, 124) Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines: Filway Marketing, Inc
(1996) Juan Luna: The Consummate Artist. In V S Almario, et al (Eds), Filway’s Philippine Almanac (pp 71, 124) Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines: Filway Marketing, Inc
Ocampo, A (2008, October). France in our heroes’ eyes Looking Back Retrieved October 1, 2008 from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Ocampo, A (2008, October). A gifted painter now almost forgotten Looking Back Retrieved October 3, 2008 from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Ocampo, A (2008, October). The education of Hidalgo Looking Back Retrieved October 8, 2008 from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Ocampo, A (2008, October). The mob of 1719 Looking Back Retrieved October 10, 2008 from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
UNTITLED
UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Jon Bon Jovi Endaya Timones
IV-Albert Einstein
All the students are cramming every now and then. Some are due to quizzes; others are due to projects or outputs, and most of the time, busy copying their assignments. They say, education is the key to success, so let’s not waste it. Yes, that’s true; so many people now are striving hard to get their diploma even if doing it the dirtiest way.
I commonly hear my co-students saying the word “G.C.”, which simply means grade conscious, every time a classmate of mine gets high scores in his tests. But what does grade conscious really mean? Is it just having high scores or high grades? Or you’re the only one in class who has done the assignment?
Grade consciousness, for me, is not a big deal; actually, I’m just surprised that it now became a lingo or expression that my batch mates say every now and then. For me, it’s just facing your responsibilities. Today, people are getting lazier and lazier, maybe because of the massive technological advancement that we are experiencing. But do we need to rely our education to these technological advancements? Yes it can help us gain a higher degree of education, but it doesn’t mean that it is the one that will do it for us. Grade consciousness is just a plain product of our imagination, no need for us to debate about it.
By Jon Bon Jovi Endaya Timones
IV-Albert Einstein
All the students are cramming every now and then. Some are due to quizzes; others are due to projects or outputs, and most of the time, busy copying their assignments. They say, education is the key to success, so let’s not waste it. Yes, that’s true; so many people now are striving hard to get their diploma even if doing it the dirtiest way.
I commonly hear my co-students saying the word “G.C.”, which simply means grade conscious, every time a classmate of mine gets high scores in his tests. But what does grade conscious really mean? Is it just having high scores or high grades? Or you’re the only one in class who has done the assignment?
Grade consciousness, for me, is not a big deal; actually, I’m just surprised that it now became a lingo or expression that my batch mates say every now and then. For me, it’s just facing your responsibilities. Today, people are getting lazier and lazier, maybe because of the massive technological advancement that we are experiencing. But do we need to rely our education to these technological advancements? Yes it can help us gain a higher degree of education, but it doesn’t mean that it is the one that will do it for us. Grade consciousness is just a plain product of our imagination, no need for us to debate about it.
UP @ 100: END OF A CENTURY, BEGINNING OF A LEGACY
UNEDITED SAMPLE FEATURE ARTICLE
By Vladimir Paat Villegas
IV – Sir Isaac Newton
UP was established in 1908 by the action of the Philippine Assembly (which was the legislature that time) and started with only a few colleges which when put together would fit the Manila campus, which was patterned after the land-grant universities of the United States. As World War II then tore Manila, it moved to a 493-hectare campus in Diliman, Quezon City (“About UP”, 2007).
These constituent universities nurture the intellectual and cultural growth of the Filipinos through its 246 undergraduate and 362 graduate programs, which shows its inclusion of almost all the disciplines and embrace to almost all interests and inclinations. 30 percent of the faculty have doctoral degrees and 42 percent have master’s degrees (“About UP”, 2007).
Statistics show that the more than 50000 student population thrives in the liberal atmosphere of the UP tradition, producing graduates which have become leaders in politics and governance, law, sciences, and arts. It has produced more than 25 National Scientists and 30 National Artists who worked in different diverse fields and maintains an exemplary performance record in different professional licensure examinations (“About UP”, 2007).
It is internationally recognized as the leading educational institution in the country for it has made records of being the only Philippine university in the Association of Pacific Rim of Universities (APRU) where membership is nominated and voted by the other member universities, the only Philippine university in Association of South East Asian Nations – European University Network (ASEA – UNINET), one of the two Philippine universities in ASEAN University Network (AUN), and one of the two Philippine universities which make up the top 500 universities worldwide (“About UP”, 2007).
UP ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
Today, the UP System consists of 12 constituent campuses throughout the archipelago. The system includes almost all disciplines and embraces all interests and inclinations through its 246 undergraduate and 362 graduate programs (“About UP”, 2007).
The Diliman campus is the flagship and the administrative seat of the system. It offers 296 graduate and undergraduate studies. It runs several centers of research, many of which are declared by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Centers of Excellence. The strong commitment to arts is also in the campus through such units as Vargas Museum, UP Film Institute, and Likhaan: Institute of Creative Writing (“UP Diliman”, 2007).
The Manila campus is the nerve center of medicine and its related professions. Its extension services and research centers renders service through academic training, research, and development. These units are the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), National Institutes of Health, and the Office of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod and Continuing Education, the UP’s volunteer outreach service (“UP Manila”, 2007).
The Los Baños campus is now the agricultural center for Asia. Sustainable productivity and efficient utilization of resources are the aims of its research works. It has a special focus on rice agriculture as spearheaded by the International Rice Research Institute. It also maintains stewardship of the 4000 hectares of Mt Makiling for its affairs in forestry. At the same time, it safeguards the biodiversity of the vicinity and preserves watershed areas for energy use and water consumption (“UP Los Baños”, 2007).
In Visayas, the UP System houses four campuses: Iloilo, Miag-ao, Tacloban, and Cebu. It focuses on marine and agricultural science and boasts on regional study programs with regards to culture at the same time (“UP Visayas”, 2007).
However, the Mindanao campus is for human resource development and democratization of access to UP education for all sectors. Currently, it is undertaking efforts to address food agriculture problems and issues in Mindanao (“UP Mindanao”, 2007).
The youngest constituent of the UP System is the Baguio campus. Formerly, it was just a regional constituent of the Diliman campus but was autonomized as a college in 1999 and was made a university in December 2002. The campus, in its research with the Cordillera Studies Center (CSC) aims to contribute to higher education in Northern Luzon through research expansion and collaboration with other institutions (“UP Baguio”, 2007).
Its Open University is the leading institution and pioneer of distant education in the Philippines in all degree programs. Students constrained by family and professional commitments are then given internet and learning modules. It was founded in 1995 (“UP Open University”, 2007).
CHARTER CHANGE AND UP AS A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
As chartered by House Bill No 2845 and Senate Bill No 1964, Pres Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9500 or commonly known as the University of the Philippines Charter of 2008 on April 29, 2008. Thus, it was proclaimed as the national university (“RA 9500”, 2008).
Through the new charter, the university was still given the same responsibilities; however, they were taken to the national level. Despite these responsibilities, the national university was encouraged to sports (“RA 9500”, 2008).
Another feature that the charter added to UP was the Board of Regents which is responsible for major actions in the national university. It composes of: 1) the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education as the Chairperson; 2) the University President as the Co-Chairperson; 3) the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture; 4) the Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education; 5) the President of the UP Alumni Association, which would serve as the Alumni Regent throughout his or her incumbency; 6) a Faculty Regent to represent all teaching personal; 7) a Student Regent to serve for a year; 8) a Staff Regent; 9) and three other Regents (at least two of which are alumni) (“RA 9500”, 2008).
PRELIMINARY CENTENNIAL FEATURES
The centennial was launched on June 18 this year as stated by the Memorandum No PERR-06-037 of University President Emerlinda R____ Roman. To kick off the event, an evening concert was held as sponsored by the UP System and UP Diliman for the entire academic community (Roman, 2008).
“UP: Excellence, Leadership, and Service in the Next 100 Years” is the theme of their centennial for the university moves into the future with goals that are ever more expansive as told by its administrators. It was decided upon during the 7th Centennial Commission Meeting April 25 this year. According them, the kinetic dash concretely involves rationalizing and firming up its programs, strengthening its position, and developing its community of intellectuals (“Centennial Theme”, 2008).
The centennial logo comprises of the Oblation, which is the famous symbol of the university for the sacrificing youth; the Sablay with yellow letters, which is the sash worn by students upon graduation and symbol of the commitment to remain as the country’s premier institution; and the globe highlighting the map of the Philippines, which is the representation of the rightful place of UP as the national university. The logo also has the colors forest green and maroon. This logo is used by every campus in all forms of communications (Roman, 2008; “Description of the UP Centennial Logo”, 2008).
UP Naming Mahal, the universities song, was a poem by Teogenes Velez, a Liberal Arts student, set into music by Nicanor Abelardo, a student of the Conservatory of Music. It was first sung in 1917 before an audience as UP Beloved. The Filipino version of the song is a product of seven translations thoroughly edited by a screening committee to be an emblem as much as the Oblation (“A Bit of History…”, 2008).
100 Kwentong Peyups, a series of columns in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and Philippine Star throughout the year, is another part of the centennial. People who write should be a person who is into UP. Its first column was published on February 12 this year (“100 Kwentong Peyups”, 2008).
Centennial television advertisements are aired. These commercials contain different famous personalities acting as former persons from UP, discussing what those persons had contributed in the last 100 years, and ending up with the slogan “’Pag tumaya ka sa UP, tumataya ka sa bayan” (“Pag tumaya ka sa UP, tumataya ka sa bayan”, 2008).
UPiktyuran Na!, another centennial feature of UP, is a photo contest supported by Smart Communications, Inc with the Wolfpac Mobile, Inc and UP College of Mass Communication. Through this, anyone into UP shares their stories through Multimedia Messaging System (MMS) (“About UPiktyuran Na!”, 2008).
THE CENTENNIAL AND ITS RESPONSE TO THE NATION
As said by Dr Roman (2008) in her letter, “We shall try simultaneously to beam to all campuses the centennial lectures. Campuses are therefore enjoined to submit to the UP System the list of lectures and other details.” [Italics Mine]
One of the lectures convened by Prof Mirriam Coronel-Ferrer (2008) had the theme Peace ngayon, war bukas, pwede ba ‘yon, telling the countries situations. Rep Saturnino “Satur” Ocampo’s (2008) centennial lecture, UP will forge through risked-filled neo-liberal era; so will militant activism persist, however, touched more about the liberal attitude of the persons into UP. However, Dr Cecilia A_____ Florencio (2008) said three important points in her lecture, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas: Pag-asa ng Bayan: “the university serves the nation and does its duties honestly; it is a community of scholars and right conduct; and every thing mentioned are interrelated in a national university.”
The one which was delivered by former UP President Dr Jose V______ Abueva (2008), Reinventing UP as the National University: Learning for Truth, Leadership, and Social Transformation, focuses on two topics: the university itself and the university’s duties as stated by its new charter.
Persons from other institutions also delivered lectures. Rev Fr Bienvenido F_____ Nebres, SJ (2008), the President of Ateneo de Manila University, delivered his lecture entitled Building Internationally Competitive Solutions and Overcoming Poverty: Can These Two Paths Converge?.
CENTENNIAL AWARDS
As also said by Dr Roman (2008) in her letter, “No decision has been made relative to the granting of awards, but campuses are urged to come up with proposals. After the meeting, a suggestion was made to recognize truly distinguished individuals (not necessarily UP alumni and not necessarily 100 in number) who embody the values UP stands for.” [Italics Mine]
The UP Institute of Creative Writing then held the Gawad Likhaan: UP Centennial Literary Awards. It comprised of two categories – English and Filipino. The winners Jose Marte A_____ Abueg (English Poetry, Bird Lands, River Nights, and other Melancholies), Criselda D_____ Yabes (English Fiction and Creative Nonfiction, Below the Crying Mountain and Sarena’s Story: The Loss of a Kingdom), Jerry B_____ Gracio (Filipino Poetry, Aves), Jose Rey Munsayac (Filipino Fiction, Duguang Kamay sa Nilulumot na Pader) and Lualhati M_____ Abreu (Filipino Creative Nonfiction, Agaw Dilim, Agaw Liwanag) were given Php200000 on July 8 at the Pulungang Claro M Recto, Faculty Center, UP Diliman. The affair was then opened to the public (“Winners of the UP Literary Awards announced”, 2008).
More are still to happen as the UP Film Institute will conduct the UP Centennial Digital Filmmaking and Photography Competition Festival and Awards Night at the Cine Adarna. There, semi-finalists are to be screened and awarded then (“UP Centennial Digital Filmmaking and Photography Competition…”, 2008).
NB This article was written using the American Psychological Association documentation format. List of resources is available upon request.
REFERENCES
(2007). About UP. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=2
(2007). UP Diliman. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=18
(2007). UP Manila. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=19
(2007). UP Los Baños. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=21
(2007). UP Visayas. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=20
(2007). UP Mindanao. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=23
(2007). UP Baguio. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=24
(2007). UP Open University. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=25
(2008). RA 9500. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/pdf2/RA_9500.pdf
Roman, E R DBA (2008). Memorandum No PERR-06-037: Centennial Celebration. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/wp-content/pdfs/Centennial_Celebration.pdf
(2008). Centennial Theme. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?page_id=27
(2008). Description of the UP Centennial Logo. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?page_id=26
(2008). A Bit of History: How “UP Naming Mahal” Came to Be? Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?page_id=30
(2008). ‘Pag tumaya ka sa UP, tumataya ka sa bayan. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?page_id=92
(2008). About UPiktyuran Na! Retrieved from http://upiktyuran.smart.com.ph/about.php
Coronel-Ferrer, M (2008). Peace ngayon, War bukas, pwede ba ‘yon? Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=99
Ocampo, S (2008). UP will force through risk-filled liberal era; so will militant activism pesist. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=102
Florencio, C A (2008). Unibersidad ng Pilipinas: Pag-asa ng Bayan. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/wp-content/pdfs/Unibersidad_ng_Pilipinas_Pag-asa_ng_Bayan.pdf
Abueva, J V A (2008). Reinventing UP as the National University: Learning for Truth, Leadership, and Social Transformation. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=104
(2008). Winners of the UP Literary Awards announced. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=101
(2008). UP Centennial Digital Filmmaking and Photography Competition Festival and Awards Night. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=117
By Vladimir Paat Villegas
IV – Sir Isaac Newton
UP was established in 1908 by the action of the Philippine Assembly (which was the legislature that time) and started with only a few colleges which when put together would fit the Manila campus, which was patterned after the land-grant universities of the United States. As World War II then tore Manila, it moved to a 493-hectare campus in Diliman, Quezon City (“About UP”, 2007).
These constituent universities nurture the intellectual and cultural growth of the Filipinos through its 246 undergraduate and 362 graduate programs, which shows its inclusion of almost all the disciplines and embrace to almost all interests and inclinations. 30 percent of the faculty have doctoral degrees and 42 percent have master’s degrees (“About UP”, 2007).
Statistics show that the more than 50000 student population thrives in the liberal atmosphere of the UP tradition, producing graduates which have become leaders in politics and governance, law, sciences, and arts. It has produced more than 25 National Scientists and 30 National Artists who worked in different diverse fields and maintains an exemplary performance record in different professional licensure examinations (“About UP”, 2007).
It is internationally recognized as the leading educational institution in the country for it has made records of being the only Philippine university in the Association of Pacific Rim of Universities (APRU) where membership is nominated and voted by the other member universities, the only Philippine university in Association of South East Asian Nations – European University Network (ASEA – UNINET), one of the two Philippine universities in ASEAN University Network (AUN), and one of the two Philippine universities which make up the top 500 universities worldwide (“About UP”, 2007).
UP ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
Today, the UP System consists of 12 constituent campuses throughout the archipelago. The system includes almost all disciplines and embraces all interests and inclinations through its 246 undergraduate and 362 graduate programs (“About UP”, 2007).
The Diliman campus is the flagship and the administrative seat of the system. It offers 296 graduate and undergraduate studies. It runs several centers of research, many of which are declared by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Centers of Excellence. The strong commitment to arts is also in the campus through such units as Vargas Museum, UP Film Institute, and Likhaan: Institute of Creative Writing (“UP Diliman”, 2007).
The Manila campus is the nerve center of medicine and its related professions. Its extension services and research centers renders service through academic training, research, and development. These units are the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), National Institutes of Health, and the Office of the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod and Continuing Education, the UP’s volunteer outreach service (“UP Manila”, 2007).
The Los Baños campus is now the agricultural center for Asia. Sustainable productivity and efficient utilization of resources are the aims of its research works. It has a special focus on rice agriculture as spearheaded by the International Rice Research Institute. It also maintains stewardship of the 4000 hectares of Mt Makiling for its affairs in forestry. At the same time, it safeguards the biodiversity of the vicinity and preserves watershed areas for energy use and water consumption (“UP Los Baños”, 2007).
In Visayas, the UP System houses four campuses: Iloilo, Miag-ao, Tacloban, and Cebu. It focuses on marine and agricultural science and boasts on regional study programs with regards to culture at the same time (“UP Visayas”, 2007).
However, the Mindanao campus is for human resource development and democratization of access to UP education for all sectors. Currently, it is undertaking efforts to address food agriculture problems and issues in Mindanao (“UP Mindanao”, 2007).
The youngest constituent of the UP System is the Baguio campus. Formerly, it was just a regional constituent of the Diliman campus but was autonomized as a college in 1999 and was made a university in December 2002. The campus, in its research with the Cordillera Studies Center (CSC) aims to contribute to higher education in Northern Luzon through research expansion and collaboration with other institutions (“UP Baguio”, 2007).
Its Open University is the leading institution and pioneer of distant education in the Philippines in all degree programs. Students constrained by family and professional commitments are then given internet and learning modules. It was founded in 1995 (“UP Open University”, 2007).
CHARTER CHANGE AND UP AS A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
As chartered by House Bill No 2845 and Senate Bill No 1964, Pres Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act 9500 or commonly known as the University of the Philippines Charter of 2008 on April 29, 2008. Thus, it was proclaimed as the national university (“RA 9500”, 2008).
Through the new charter, the university was still given the same responsibilities; however, they were taken to the national level. Despite these responsibilities, the national university was encouraged to sports (“RA 9500”, 2008).
Another feature that the charter added to UP was the Board of Regents which is responsible for major actions in the national university. It composes of: 1) the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education as the Chairperson; 2) the University President as the Co-Chairperson; 3) the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture; 4) the Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education; 5) the President of the UP Alumni Association, which would serve as the Alumni Regent throughout his or her incumbency; 6) a Faculty Regent to represent all teaching personal; 7) a Student Regent to serve for a year; 8) a Staff Regent; 9) and three other Regents (at least two of which are alumni) (“RA 9500”, 2008).
PRELIMINARY CENTENNIAL FEATURES
The centennial was launched on June 18 this year as stated by the Memorandum No PERR-06-037 of University President Emerlinda R____ Roman. To kick off the event, an evening concert was held as sponsored by the UP System and UP Diliman for the entire academic community (Roman, 2008).
“UP: Excellence, Leadership, and Service in the Next 100 Years” is the theme of their centennial for the university moves into the future with goals that are ever more expansive as told by its administrators. It was decided upon during the 7th Centennial Commission Meeting April 25 this year. According them, the kinetic dash concretely involves rationalizing and firming up its programs, strengthening its position, and developing its community of intellectuals (“Centennial Theme”, 2008).
The centennial logo comprises of the Oblation, which is the famous symbol of the university for the sacrificing youth; the Sablay with yellow letters, which is the sash worn by students upon graduation and symbol of the commitment to remain as the country’s premier institution; and the globe highlighting the map of the Philippines, which is the representation of the rightful place of UP as the national university. The logo also has the colors forest green and maroon. This logo is used by every campus in all forms of communications (Roman, 2008; “Description of the UP Centennial Logo”, 2008).
UP Naming Mahal, the universities song, was a poem by Teogenes Velez, a Liberal Arts student, set into music by Nicanor Abelardo, a student of the Conservatory of Music. It was first sung in 1917 before an audience as UP Beloved. The Filipino version of the song is a product of seven translations thoroughly edited by a screening committee to be an emblem as much as the Oblation (“A Bit of History…”, 2008).
100 Kwentong Peyups, a series of columns in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and Philippine Star throughout the year, is another part of the centennial. People who write should be a person who is into UP. Its first column was published on February 12 this year (“100 Kwentong Peyups”, 2008).
Centennial television advertisements are aired. These commercials contain different famous personalities acting as former persons from UP, discussing what those persons had contributed in the last 100 years, and ending up with the slogan “’Pag tumaya ka sa UP, tumataya ka sa bayan” (“Pag tumaya ka sa UP, tumataya ka sa bayan”, 2008).
UPiktyuran Na!, another centennial feature of UP, is a photo contest supported by Smart Communications, Inc with the Wolfpac Mobile, Inc and UP College of Mass Communication. Through this, anyone into UP shares their stories through Multimedia Messaging System (MMS) (“About UPiktyuran Na!”, 2008).
THE CENTENNIAL AND ITS RESPONSE TO THE NATION
As said by Dr Roman (2008) in her letter, “We shall try simultaneously to beam to all campuses the centennial lectures. Campuses are therefore enjoined to submit to the UP System the list of lectures and other details.” [Italics Mine]
One of the lectures convened by Prof Mirriam Coronel-Ferrer (2008) had the theme Peace ngayon, war bukas, pwede ba ‘yon, telling the countries situations. Rep Saturnino “Satur” Ocampo’s (2008) centennial lecture, UP will forge through risked-filled neo-liberal era; so will militant activism persist, however, touched more about the liberal attitude of the persons into UP. However, Dr Cecilia A_____ Florencio (2008) said three important points in her lecture, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas: Pag-asa ng Bayan: “the university serves the nation and does its duties honestly; it is a community of scholars and right conduct; and every thing mentioned are interrelated in a national university.”
The one which was delivered by former UP President Dr Jose V______ Abueva (2008), Reinventing UP as the National University: Learning for Truth, Leadership, and Social Transformation, focuses on two topics: the university itself and the university’s duties as stated by its new charter.
Persons from other institutions also delivered lectures. Rev Fr Bienvenido F_____ Nebres, SJ (2008), the President of Ateneo de Manila University, delivered his lecture entitled Building Internationally Competitive Solutions and Overcoming Poverty: Can These Two Paths Converge?.
CENTENNIAL AWARDS
As also said by Dr Roman (2008) in her letter, “No decision has been made relative to the granting of awards, but campuses are urged to come up with proposals. After the meeting, a suggestion was made to recognize truly distinguished individuals (not necessarily UP alumni and not necessarily 100 in number) who embody the values UP stands for.” [Italics Mine]
The UP Institute of Creative Writing then held the Gawad Likhaan: UP Centennial Literary Awards. It comprised of two categories – English and Filipino. The winners Jose Marte A_____ Abueg (English Poetry, Bird Lands, River Nights, and other Melancholies), Criselda D_____ Yabes (English Fiction and Creative Nonfiction, Below the Crying Mountain and Sarena’s Story: The Loss of a Kingdom), Jerry B_____ Gracio (Filipino Poetry, Aves), Jose Rey Munsayac (Filipino Fiction, Duguang Kamay sa Nilulumot na Pader) and Lualhati M_____ Abreu (Filipino Creative Nonfiction, Agaw Dilim, Agaw Liwanag) were given Php200000 on July 8 at the Pulungang Claro M Recto, Faculty Center, UP Diliman. The affair was then opened to the public (“Winners of the UP Literary Awards announced”, 2008).
More are still to happen as the UP Film Institute will conduct the UP Centennial Digital Filmmaking and Photography Competition Festival and Awards Night at the Cine Adarna. There, semi-finalists are to be screened and awarded then (“UP Centennial Digital Filmmaking and Photography Competition…”, 2008).
NB This article was written using the American Psychological Association documentation format. List of resources is available upon request.
REFERENCES
(2007). About UP. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=2
(2007). UP Diliman. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=18
(2007). UP Manila. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=19
(2007). UP Los Baños. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=21
(2007). UP Visayas. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=20
(2007). UP Mindanao. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=23
(2007). UP Baguio. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=24
(2007). UP Open University. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/content.php?r=2&c=25
(2008). RA 9500. Retrieved from http://www.up.edu.ph/pdf2/RA_9500.pdf
Roman, E R DBA (2008). Memorandum No PERR-06-037: Centennial Celebration. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/wp-content/pdfs/Centennial_Celebration.pdf
(2008). Centennial Theme. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?page_id=27
(2008). Description of the UP Centennial Logo. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?page_id=26
(2008). A Bit of History: How “UP Naming Mahal” Came to Be? Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?page_id=30
(2008). ‘Pag tumaya ka sa UP, tumataya ka sa bayan. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?page_id=92
(2008). About UPiktyuran Na! Retrieved from http://upiktyuran.smart.com.ph/about.php
Coronel-Ferrer, M (2008). Peace ngayon, War bukas, pwede ba ‘yon? Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=99
Ocampo, S (2008). UP will force through risk-filled liberal era; so will militant activism pesist. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=102
Florencio, C A (2008). Unibersidad ng Pilipinas: Pag-asa ng Bayan. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/wp-content/pdfs/Unibersidad_ng_Pilipinas_Pag-asa_ng_Bayan.pdf
Abueva, J V A (2008). Reinventing UP as the National University: Learning for Truth, Leadership, and Social Transformation. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=104
(2008). Winners of the UP Literary Awards announced. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=101
(2008). UP Centennial Digital Filmmaking and Photography Competition Festival and Awards Night. Retrieved from http://centennial.up.edu.ph/?p=117
FROM BIG BANG TO LHC: DISCOVERING THE UNIVERSE’S EVOLUTION
UNEDITED SCIENCE AND HEALTH ARTICLE
By Vladimir Paat Villegas
IV – Sir Isaac Newton
The universe was born by the time the Big Bang took place. As theorized, it was first a large mass of gases which exploded then. But still, many still want to find out what really happened a few moments after the large explosion (“About the LHC”, 2008).
To find out everything, the Project Large Hadron Collider (LHC) came out to be. This international research project is located at Counseil Europeén pour la Recherche Nucléaire (CERN, European Organization for Nuclear Research in English) in Geneva, Switzerland. It weighs 38 000 tonnes, stretches 27 km (16.5 mi) and is placed in a tunnel 100 meters beneath the Swiss-French border upon Geneva. The project consists of three essential parts: the collider itself; the detectors, which sit in 4 chambers around the tunnel; and the Global Resource Information Database (GRID), which is a global network of computers and software essential to process the data recorded by the detectors (“What is the LHC?”, 2008).
The project, if successful, will allow everyone to probe deeper into the heart of matter and further back in time than what has been possible using previous collider. Because of the cooling down of the universe and the lessening of its energy, it collides particles at very high speeds and produces energy for the further look into the evolution of the universe. Another theory it aims to prove is that of Professor Peter Higgs and other British physicists, which states all particles making up matter have different masses and particles making up light (photons) are weightless. The only thing they attempt to produce is the Higgs boson, which is a hypothetical particle whose observation would help confirm some of the predictions in the Standard Model of physics (“What will the LHC do?”, 2008; AP, 2008; Meyers, 2008).
Its gadget, which is known today as the biggest gadget ever made, then operates by accelerating two beams of particles in opposite directions around the collider and colliding particles upon reaching the maximum speed at 4 points. Upon collision, thousands of new particles are produced. Detectors then allow the scientists to identify the particles through behavior tracking and researchers peer deeper into the fundamental structure of the universe through the particles’ increasing energy (“How Does the LHC work?”, 2008).
Scientists, engineers, and engineers from 111 countries, led by the United Kingdom, teamed up to make this project by combining state-of-the-art science and engineering. It took them 13 years (1994-2007) to construct the project. The team collected 511 million pounds by including the United Kingdom’s annual CERN subscription. In totality, the cost of the project is 3.5 billion pounds (infrastructure and computing included) and is mainly paid by the 20 members of CERN as contributed significantly by the 6 observer nations (“Who is involved?”, 2008).
For the British scientists, they benefit from the project through: 1) a new understanding of the physical world; 2) training of world class scientists and engineers; 3) maintenance of their research; and 4) a leading role in an international project. However, the knowledge, the expertise, and the technology which they get from the project and could be used to develop other technologies are more easily appreciated (“Who benefits”, 2008).
Although the LHC is located at the Swiss-French border at Geneva, it crosses international borders as an international project. British scientists and engineers at 20 research sites are involved in designing and building equipment and analyzing data. Researchers are involved with all four of the main detectors and the GRID. Staffs based at CERN have leading roles in managing and running the collider and detectors (“Where is the LHC?”, 2008).
The LHC was formally launched on September 10 this year; however, the collider has been closed down for two months after suffering a technical fault as ordered by CERN. The LHC encountered a failure known as “quench” caused about 100 of the super-cooled magnets to heat up by as much as 100 degrees Celsius. The fire brigade was then called out after a tonne of liquid helium leaked into the tunnel. According to CERN, these were caused by a faulty electrical connection between the magnets, which probably melted at high current”. Although, the tunnel section will have to be “warmed up” for LHC even if a full investigation is still under way (AP, 2008; Meyers, 2008; Savvas, 2008).
The LHC is a machine made to open up new areas of physics and prove or disprove the existence of predicted new laws or particles. But it is still new and its successor, the International Linear Collider (ILC), is already being discussed. It is said to be a precision instrument that will allow scientists to explore in detail the discoveries made by the LHC. However, no one knows what may happen to both machines for one has just malfunction and for the other is still planned, has no agreed location, and still has to undergo many procedures. Some have even theorized that the experiments could go wrong even if the CERN has denied such threat (AP, 2008; “What next, 2008; Meyers, 2008).
NB This article was written using the American Psychological Association documentation format. List of resources is available upon request.
REFERENCES
(2008). About the LHC. Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc.html
(2008). What is the LHC? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/what-is-the-lhc.html
(2008). What will the LHC do? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about -the-lhc/what-will-the-lhc-do.html
(2008). How does the LHC work? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/how-does-the-lhc-work.html
(2008). Who is involved? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/who-is-involved.html
(2008). Who benefits? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/who-benefits.html
(2008). Where is the LHC? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/where-is-the-lhc.html
(2008). What next? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/what-next.html
Savvas, A (2008). Particle decelerator: technical fault hits CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. Retrieved from http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2008/09/22/232389/particle-decelerator-technical-fault-hits-cerns-large-hadron.htm
Meyers, M (2008). Large Hadron Collider faces two-month shutdown. Retrieved from http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,62046414,00.htm?scid=rss_z_nw
Associated Press (2008). Large Hadron Collider down for 2 months. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/09/20/hadron.collider.damage.ap/index.html
By Vladimir Paat Villegas
IV – Sir Isaac Newton
The universe was born by the time the Big Bang took place. As theorized, it was first a large mass of gases which exploded then. But still, many still want to find out what really happened a few moments after the large explosion (“About the LHC”, 2008).
To find out everything, the Project Large Hadron Collider (LHC) came out to be. This international research project is located at Counseil Europeén pour la Recherche Nucléaire (CERN, European Organization for Nuclear Research in English) in Geneva, Switzerland. It weighs 38 000 tonnes, stretches 27 km (16.5 mi) and is placed in a tunnel 100 meters beneath the Swiss-French border upon Geneva. The project consists of three essential parts: the collider itself; the detectors, which sit in 4 chambers around the tunnel; and the Global Resource Information Database (GRID), which is a global network of computers and software essential to process the data recorded by the detectors (“What is the LHC?”, 2008).
The project, if successful, will allow everyone to probe deeper into the heart of matter and further back in time than what has been possible using previous collider. Because of the cooling down of the universe and the lessening of its energy, it collides particles at very high speeds and produces energy for the further look into the evolution of the universe. Another theory it aims to prove is that of Professor Peter Higgs and other British physicists, which states all particles making up matter have different masses and particles making up light (photons) are weightless. The only thing they attempt to produce is the Higgs boson, which is a hypothetical particle whose observation would help confirm some of the predictions in the Standard Model of physics (“What will the LHC do?”, 2008; AP, 2008; Meyers, 2008).
Its gadget, which is known today as the biggest gadget ever made, then operates by accelerating two beams of particles in opposite directions around the collider and colliding particles upon reaching the maximum speed at 4 points. Upon collision, thousands of new particles are produced. Detectors then allow the scientists to identify the particles through behavior tracking and researchers peer deeper into the fundamental structure of the universe through the particles’ increasing energy (“How Does the LHC work?”, 2008).
Scientists, engineers, and engineers from 111 countries, led by the United Kingdom, teamed up to make this project by combining state-of-the-art science and engineering. It took them 13 years (1994-2007) to construct the project. The team collected 511 million pounds by including the United Kingdom’s annual CERN subscription. In totality, the cost of the project is 3.5 billion pounds (infrastructure and computing included) and is mainly paid by the 20 members of CERN as contributed significantly by the 6 observer nations (“Who is involved?”, 2008).
For the British scientists, they benefit from the project through: 1) a new understanding of the physical world; 2) training of world class scientists and engineers; 3) maintenance of their research; and 4) a leading role in an international project. However, the knowledge, the expertise, and the technology which they get from the project and could be used to develop other technologies are more easily appreciated (“Who benefits”, 2008).
Although the LHC is located at the Swiss-French border at Geneva, it crosses international borders as an international project. British scientists and engineers at 20 research sites are involved in designing and building equipment and analyzing data. Researchers are involved with all four of the main detectors and the GRID. Staffs based at CERN have leading roles in managing and running the collider and detectors (“Where is the LHC?”, 2008).
The LHC was formally launched on September 10 this year; however, the collider has been closed down for two months after suffering a technical fault as ordered by CERN. The LHC encountered a failure known as “quench” caused about 100 of the super-cooled magnets to heat up by as much as 100 degrees Celsius. The fire brigade was then called out after a tonne of liquid helium leaked into the tunnel. According to CERN, these were caused by a faulty electrical connection between the magnets, which probably melted at high current”. Although, the tunnel section will have to be “warmed up” for LHC even if a full investigation is still under way (AP, 2008; Meyers, 2008; Savvas, 2008).
The LHC is a machine made to open up new areas of physics and prove or disprove the existence of predicted new laws or particles. But it is still new and its successor, the International Linear Collider (ILC), is already being discussed. It is said to be a precision instrument that will allow scientists to explore in detail the discoveries made by the LHC. However, no one knows what may happen to both machines for one has just malfunction and for the other is still planned, has no agreed location, and still has to undergo many procedures. Some have even theorized that the experiments could go wrong even if the CERN has denied such threat (AP, 2008; “What next, 2008; Meyers, 2008).
NB This article was written using the American Psychological Association documentation format. List of resources is available upon request.
REFERENCES
(2008). About the LHC. Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc.html
(2008). What is the LHC? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/what-is-the-lhc.html
(2008). What will the LHC do? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about -the-lhc/what-will-the-lhc-do.html
(2008). How does the LHC work? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/how-does-the-lhc-work.html
(2008). Who is involved? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/who-is-involved.html
(2008). Who benefits? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/who-benefits.html
(2008). Where is the LHC? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/where-is-the-lhc.html
(2008). What next? Retrieved from http://www.lhc.ac.uk/about-the-lhc/what-next.html
Savvas, A (2008). Particle decelerator: technical fault hits CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. Retrieved from http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2008/09/22/232389/particle-decelerator-technical-fault-hits-cerns-large-hadron.htm
Meyers, M (2008). Large Hadron Collider faces two-month shutdown. Retrieved from http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,62046414,00.htm?scid=rss_z_nw
Associated Press (2008). Large Hadron Collider down for 2 months. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/09/20/hadron.collider.damage.ap/index.html
THE PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS: RECOGNIZING FILIPINO’S FINEST BLOGS
UNEDITED SAMPLE FEATURE ARTICLE
By Christine Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
Although blogging started years ago, it has become extremely popular with more than 70 million blogs in the Internet (The Blog Herald, 2005) on news, politics, education, entertainment, and all things of human interests. Indeed, these modern-day diaries have been spreading throughout the World Wide Web community, and now making their way to conquer the computer screens of the Filipinos. As they become more abreast on the expanding blogging industry here and in abroad, Filipinos find ways to bring out their best when it comes to blogging, but of course, their time and effort would never go unrewarded! There is the Philippine Blog Awards, which showcases Filipino blogging talents, for these notable Filipino-made and Filipino-owned blogs right at their respective niches. And now on its second year, the Philippine Blog Awards has been highly-anticipated by the local blogging industry, not only the blogging enthusiasts, but also the engaged readers from all over the nation.
Originally started in the latter part of 2006, the Philippine Blog Awards aims to recognize outstanding blogs with quality content, discussing topics ranging from arts, culture, technology, and politics. This year’s event continues what has begun by extending its reach towards network blogs written by Filipinos, blogs written by mainstream media practitioners as well as local corporations that use blogs as effective communication tools.
The event is also open to determine the Philippines’ best blogs and bloggers, in 36 categories with Best Blog, Best Single Blog Post, and special awards as the main divisions. These categories include technology, travel, culture, personal, photoblog, network blogs, and bloggers’ choice among others. The decision on who will emerge as the winning blogs will be determined by the judges, who will be selected from the persons from within and outside the Philippine blogging community renown in their particular field of expertise, based from the given criteria for the Best Blog division such as: content, 80 percent; and design and usability, 20 percent. Meanwhile, there is only one criterion for judging the Best Single Blog Post division, which is content that comprises 100 percent.
The Philippine Blog Awards was originally organized by the three forefronts of the local blogging scene, together with a handful of volunteers. The main propagators of the project are Abe Olandres, more famously known as “Yuga” on the worldwide web and acting as the head of the oraganizing team, Gail dela Cruz-Villanueva, and Jayvee Fernandez, who are involved in different areas of online media. These individuals have become attracted to a common passion of oraganizing the Filipino blogosphere and helped give Filipinos a louder voice in cyberspace.
With the growing diversity and richness of the blogging world, the Filipinos are definitely not being left behind. The Philippine Blog Awards is a proof that aside from our festive culture and heritage, we have also something to boast and to be proud of when it comes to the fast growing blogging community.
By Christine Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
Although blogging started years ago, it has become extremely popular with more than 70 million blogs in the Internet (The Blog Herald, 2005) on news, politics, education, entertainment, and all things of human interests. Indeed, these modern-day diaries have been spreading throughout the World Wide Web community, and now making their way to conquer the computer screens of the Filipinos. As they become more abreast on the expanding blogging industry here and in abroad, Filipinos find ways to bring out their best when it comes to blogging, but of course, their time and effort would never go unrewarded! There is the Philippine Blog Awards, which showcases Filipino blogging talents, for these notable Filipino-made and Filipino-owned blogs right at their respective niches. And now on its second year, the Philippine Blog Awards has been highly-anticipated by the local blogging industry, not only the blogging enthusiasts, but also the engaged readers from all over the nation.
Originally started in the latter part of 2006, the Philippine Blog Awards aims to recognize outstanding blogs with quality content, discussing topics ranging from arts, culture, technology, and politics. This year’s event continues what has begun by extending its reach towards network blogs written by Filipinos, blogs written by mainstream media practitioners as well as local corporations that use blogs as effective communication tools.
The event is also open to determine the Philippines’ best blogs and bloggers, in 36 categories with Best Blog, Best Single Blog Post, and special awards as the main divisions. These categories include technology, travel, culture, personal, photoblog, network blogs, and bloggers’ choice among others. The decision on who will emerge as the winning blogs will be determined by the judges, who will be selected from the persons from within and outside the Philippine blogging community renown in their particular field of expertise, based from the given criteria for the Best Blog division such as: content, 80 percent; and design and usability, 20 percent. Meanwhile, there is only one criterion for judging the Best Single Blog Post division, which is content that comprises 100 percent.
The Philippine Blog Awards was originally organized by the three forefronts of the local blogging scene, together with a handful of volunteers. The main propagators of the project are Abe Olandres, more famously known as “Yuga” on the worldwide web and acting as the head of the oraganizing team, Gail dela Cruz-Villanueva, and Jayvee Fernandez, who are involved in different areas of online media. These individuals have become attracted to a common passion of oraganizing the Filipino blogosphere and helped give Filipinos a louder voice in cyberspace.
With the growing diversity and richness of the blogging world, the Filipinos are definitely not being left behind. The Philippine Blog Awards is a proof that aside from our festive culture and heritage, we have also something to boast and to be proud of when it comes to the fast growing blogging community.
ALIWAN FIESTA: THE MOTHER OF ALL FIESTAS
UNEDITED SAMPLE FEATURE ARTICLE
By Christine Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
You do not need to hop from one island to another just to experience the non-stop street dancing and the loud drumbeating. You do not need to take a bus and roam all over Luzon and fly to Visayas or sail the high seas going to Mindanao. With just only one sitting, you will get to experience the country’s cultural repository and artistic reservoir as all its best gather in one single endeavor- The Aliwan Fiesta 2008, which is dubbed as the “mother of all fiestas”, showcases the richness of Philippine culture and heritage, not only to its people but also to the rest of the world. It is an annual event that is highly-anticipated by many as they witness the different contingents from all over the nation promote their respective regions both economically and tourism-wise. With prizes totaling to P3 million, the competition has gotten all the vibrant and colorful festivals of the country converge at the country’s capital, Manila. Originally began in 2003, the event was organized as a visual extravaganza for the Christmas season, but it has been held during summer months of either April or May. Now on its sixth year, the event was slated from May 1-3, and was sponsored by the media outfit, Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the local governments of Pasay and Manila. It showcased 24 festivals from as far as Angadanan, Isabela in the north to Lamitan, Basilan in the South, and featured a record number of over 20 floats for the Aliwan Float competition, while 24 festival queens vied for the Reyna ng Aliwan title.
The Aliwan Fiesta is actually divided into three categories: the Cultural Street Dance Competition, which is the main event, the Float Parade, and the Reyna ng Aliwan beauty pageant. Each of the country's 17 regions has the option to send up to two contingents representing its respective cultural festival, as well as an option to send a delegate for the float competition and or beauty pageant. However, the roster of entries for the cultural dance and float competitions are limited. In fact, MBC head Mr Jun Nicdao said that as early as January 2008, the organizers have already reached the maximum number of festivals enlisted for the May 1-3 affair. He also added that this year’s contest results will be tabulated by an independent auditing firm Carlos Valdez & Co. On the other hand; the event also includes side events such as a bazaar featuring different regional products, a photography contest, an inter-scholastic dance competition, Filipino street games, and a fireworks display.
The highlight of the Aliwan Fiesta is the Cultural Street Dance Competition, where each contingent—totaling up to 100 dancers as well as hundreds of musicians and support staff members—have undergone stringent elimination cycles during various local festivals before being chosen to compete in the Aliwan Fiesta. The competing festivals from all over the country show off their dance skills while parading for four kilometers along Roxas Boulevard, City of Manila from Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater grounds located near the Cultural Center of the Philippines, City of Pasay. The criteria for judging the street dance competition are 30 percent for choreography; 30 percent for performance; 30 percent for timing and rhythm; and 10 percent for costume. This is the most awaited part of the festival not only because it offers a new level of excitement to family and friends gathered together to enjoy the music, colorful costumes, and dances these groups has in store, but also it depicts the passion of the Filipinos in exhibiting our cultural and historical fortresses.
Meanwhile, the participating floats are only allowed to use local textiles, produce, flowers, and other products specific in their representing city in decorating the vehicles. Each float, portraying local folklore and indigenous traditions, is topped by a participant of Reyna ng Aliwan serving as muse who have competed a day before the parade.
The top ten contingents in the street dance and float competitions receive cash prizes, with the grand placer of the cultural dance group winning P1 million as well as the bragging rights of becoming the Philippine’s best festival. Second place winner gets P500 000 and third place winner pockets P250 000, while the fourth to tenth placers take P50 000 each. Meanwhile, the top float winner receives P500 000; the Reyna ng Aliwan beauty pageant winner takes home P100 000 and the runner-up gets fifty thousand pesos.
However, although a lot of festivals anchored their ways to foster their own native delicacies and display their feverish preparations, there can only be one emergence of a champion. The Lumad Basakanon, Sinulog Festival of Cebu City stood victorious among others who aspired for the title of “the king of all festivals” in the Cultural Street Dance Competition. It has the most number of wins with three straight championships from 2006 to 2008, together with the Halad Festival of North Cotabato in 2003; the Halad Festival of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato in Pamaskong Aliwan 2003; the Tribu Atub Atub, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City in 2004; and the Pintados de Passi Festival of Passi City, Iloilo in 2005. The Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City and the Sinulog Festival, Carmen Cebu got the second and third places respectively. Their dance routine mixed with their artistic prowess were rated by a respective panel of judges with the Philippine’s premier ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde as the chair of the board. For the float competition, the Pamulinawen Festival of Laoag City grabbed the first price followed by the Boling Boling Festival of Catanauan, Quezon and the Sinulog Festival of Cebu City, while Ms Davao City was hailed the Reyna ng Aliwan with Ms Pasay City as her runner-up.
Indeed, each and every festival, which has traveled a thousand mile all the way from the distant islands of the archipelago, has their own stories to share and honor to commemorate. Some celebrations may be rooted from our forefathers; others reserved for royalty; while most of them draw inspiration from mundane everyday tasks such as planting or pottery. There are also those that manifest worship and have institutionalized in song and dance the rituals our ancestors performed for the gods. But regardless of the origin of their performances, all the participants of Aliwan Fiesta have put in hours and hours of practice to perfect their craft – standing under the sweltering heat of summer, fully made-up and costume-clad, gyrating to the percussive beat, climbing, jumping, and flipping in perfect unison. A toast for the Filipino’s diverse cultural heritage and artistic legacy. It is a social valve for relationships as the Filipinos taste every bite and drop of it for leisure and entertainement, making the Aliwan Fiesta 2008 a reflection and revelation on what the Filipinos are worth living for.
By Christine Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
You do not need to hop from one island to another just to experience the non-stop street dancing and the loud drumbeating. You do not need to take a bus and roam all over Luzon and fly to Visayas or sail the high seas going to Mindanao. With just only one sitting, you will get to experience the country’s cultural repository and artistic reservoir as all its best gather in one single endeavor- The Aliwan Fiesta 2008, which is dubbed as the “mother of all fiestas”, showcases the richness of Philippine culture and heritage, not only to its people but also to the rest of the world. It is an annual event that is highly-anticipated by many as they witness the different contingents from all over the nation promote their respective regions both economically and tourism-wise. With prizes totaling to P3 million, the competition has gotten all the vibrant and colorful festivals of the country converge at the country’s capital, Manila. Originally began in 2003, the event was organized as a visual extravaganza for the Christmas season, but it has been held during summer months of either April or May. Now on its sixth year, the event was slated from May 1-3, and was sponsored by the media outfit, Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the local governments of Pasay and Manila. It showcased 24 festivals from as far as Angadanan, Isabela in the north to Lamitan, Basilan in the South, and featured a record number of over 20 floats for the Aliwan Float competition, while 24 festival queens vied for the Reyna ng Aliwan title.
The Aliwan Fiesta is actually divided into three categories: the Cultural Street Dance Competition, which is the main event, the Float Parade, and the Reyna ng Aliwan beauty pageant. Each of the country's 17 regions has the option to send up to two contingents representing its respective cultural festival, as well as an option to send a delegate for the float competition and or beauty pageant. However, the roster of entries for the cultural dance and float competitions are limited. In fact, MBC head Mr Jun Nicdao said that as early as January 2008, the organizers have already reached the maximum number of festivals enlisted for the May 1-3 affair. He also added that this year’s contest results will be tabulated by an independent auditing firm Carlos Valdez & Co. On the other hand; the event also includes side events such as a bazaar featuring different regional products, a photography contest, an inter-scholastic dance competition, Filipino street games, and a fireworks display.
The highlight of the Aliwan Fiesta is the Cultural Street Dance Competition, where each contingent—totaling up to 100 dancers as well as hundreds of musicians and support staff members—have undergone stringent elimination cycles during various local festivals before being chosen to compete in the Aliwan Fiesta. The competing festivals from all over the country show off their dance skills while parading for four kilometers along Roxas Boulevard, City of Manila from Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater grounds located near the Cultural Center of the Philippines, City of Pasay. The criteria for judging the street dance competition are 30 percent for choreography; 30 percent for performance; 30 percent for timing and rhythm; and 10 percent for costume. This is the most awaited part of the festival not only because it offers a new level of excitement to family and friends gathered together to enjoy the music, colorful costumes, and dances these groups has in store, but also it depicts the passion of the Filipinos in exhibiting our cultural and historical fortresses.
Meanwhile, the participating floats are only allowed to use local textiles, produce, flowers, and other products specific in their representing city in decorating the vehicles. Each float, portraying local folklore and indigenous traditions, is topped by a participant of Reyna ng Aliwan serving as muse who have competed a day before the parade.
The top ten contingents in the street dance and float competitions receive cash prizes, with the grand placer of the cultural dance group winning P1 million as well as the bragging rights of becoming the Philippine’s best festival. Second place winner gets P500 000 and third place winner pockets P250 000, while the fourth to tenth placers take P50 000 each. Meanwhile, the top float winner receives P500 000; the Reyna ng Aliwan beauty pageant winner takes home P100 000 and the runner-up gets fifty thousand pesos.
However, although a lot of festivals anchored their ways to foster their own native delicacies and display their feverish preparations, there can only be one emergence of a champion. The Lumad Basakanon, Sinulog Festival of Cebu City stood victorious among others who aspired for the title of “the king of all festivals” in the Cultural Street Dance Competition. It has the most number of wins with three straight championships from 2006 to 2008, together with the Halad Festival of North Cotabato in 2003; the Halad Festival of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato in Pamaskong Aliwan 2003; the Tribu Atub Atub, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City in 2004; and the Pintados de Passi Festival of Passi City, Iloilo in 2005. The Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City and the Sinulog Festival, Carmen Cebu got the second and third places respectively. Their dance routine mixed with their artistic prowess were rated by a respective panel of judges with the Philippine’s premier ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde as the chair of the board. For the float competition, the Pamulinawen Festival of Laoag City grabbed the first price followed by the Boling Boling Festival of Catanauan, Quezon and the Sinulog Festival of Cebu City, while Ms Davao City was hailed the Reyna ng Aliwan with Ms Pasay City as her runner-up.
Indeed, each and every festival, which has traveled a thousand mile all the way from the distant islands of the archipelago, has their own stories to share and honor to commemorate. Some celebrations may be rooted from our forefathers; others reserved for royalty; while most of them draw inspiration from mundane everyday tasks such as planting or pottery. There are also those that manifest worship and have institutionalized in song and dance the rituals our ancestors performed for the gods. But regardless of the origin of their performances, all the participants of Aliwan Fiesta have put in hours and hours of practice to perfect their craft – standing under the sweltering heat of summer, fully made-up and costume-clad, gyrating to the percussive beat, climbing, jumping, and flipping in perfect unison. A toast for the Filipino’s diverse cultural heritage and artistic legacy. It is a social valve for relationships as the Filipinos taste every bite and drop of it for leisure and entertainement, making the Aliwan Fiesta 2008 a reflection and revelation on what the Filipinos are worth living for.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED: MOVIE REVIEW OF GULLIVER'S TRAVEL
UNEDITED SAMPLE FEATURE ARTICLE
By Christine JOy Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
For the days you’ve been away, for the hours that were not spent with your family, for the minutes that you wander in various strange places, unknown and peculiar to your senses, and for the seconds of misfortune and disaster, do you consider your absence a total pruning? A scarcity? Do you consider those times to be futile? Especially if everything seems to be very unusual, extraordinary and does not end up what it has supposed to be. Do you consider your journey a waste of time?
Truly, expect the unexpected. That’s what I realized after I had watched the movie Gulliver’s Travel. I thought it was another boring film, but it stunned my whole being to the point that it somehow changed my life’s perspectives. And I think that makes a movie great- the “after shock” it caused us, the result it brought to us. Regardless of how popular the actors are, or how beautiful the effects are, the message of the movie is what that matters after all. But of course, Gulliver’s Travel would not be called a movie if it weren’t for the elements that comprise it. And let me point out these observations of mine. I loved the actors, the fantastic places and the trial-aspect and flashback method of telling the story. The characters were brilliant and effective; the roles being portrayed by them were given justice. The emotions, the characterizations, the way they spoke, the way they acted were all given life. The settings were great too! The time was also given justice because of the attires; the items used were classical as well, just right for the given period. The places were fantastic, the shore, the rocky mountains, the sea, and the forest. And certainly, the effects were amazing. How the real people were turned into Lilliputians and Brogdingnagans. How the island became a “flying island”, and how the horses were made to talk. Although some scenes were obviously computer animated, I think it is not a reason for the movie to turn out to be “not convincing”. And as for the story or the plot, which is the most important part of the film, I think Jonathan Swift was really an incredible writer for bringing such ideas that would surely touch many hearts, like mine. Better than the book, although some parts were changed, it was remarkably astonishing and excellent, and the morals were successfully delivered into a new phase of conviction.
And I think that was also the thinking then of Lemuel Gulliver- expect the unexpected. With a little hope of uplifting the life of his family in England, he sailed into the seas without realizing the circumstances that would happen before him. The uncommon events that he would encounter. But you know what was very wonderful about Dr. Gulliver? It was that in spite of the adversities he faced, he still looked at the brighter side of the story by having the urge to learn more. Just like the reason why he was not able to escape from the Lilliputians even though he could, because he wanted to know something more about their life, culture and tradition. Something beyond his imagination could reach, something significant that he would never ever discover in other places, in other times, in other opportunities. And for me, that was the best part of the movie… What I had discovered… from the film, from the story, from the characters, and from myself. The obvious proof of the Gulliver’s Travel being a satire. It dumbfounded me, my senses, my beliefs, my whole being. The beauty of a satire was seemingly shown that beneath the humorous lines and acts, lie the human imperfections and the society flaws. That humans eat even though they are not hungry. That humans drink even though they are not thirsty. That humans drink liquor even though they have not yet eaten. And that prostitutes are all around- the reason why the society gets sick. Let me take a simple glance at one scene in the fourth voyage, where Gulliver said that he treated people in England as Yahoos. Yahoos who were naked, dirty, had no reason for fighting, voted the most indolent of their kind to be their leader, licked their leader’s feet and let their leaders drag any woman for his unreasonable pleasure. And the sarcasm of the way Lemuel was treated in the lands of Lilliput and Brogdingnag. Where in the land of the small he was treated as a monster and a big plague. It was shown when the Lilliputians tied bravely Gulliver instead of being scared of his big height. While in the land of the giants, he was treated as a “good spirit” shown by the farmer taking advantage on him. The ironic way of thinking of the scientists, mathematicians and magicians and the sardonic turn of events. And all are in one satiric mode, revealed not literally but figuratively. Punching down its meaning into our souls, pinching and piercing our hearts by the knives of realism and conscience.
So why would you consider your adventure a wasted one? A useless one? If you have learned so much more than what you can imagine. For all the times that you were alone and gone, you witnessed great changes in yourself; you witnessed marvelous moments that would never ceased. And I believe that this experience is more than a gold, or a treasure ever found. No amount of precious stone can ever replace, for this is the best gift of your voyage…
“All the yahoo vices I can begin to accustom myself to once more. Except for pride. That I cannot tolerate. I see myself for what I truly am. I have lost eight years of my life... And yet, and yet, the moments I have had, the marvels I have witnessed, the wonderful truths I have seen. You see, when night falls and you close your eyes to sleep and dream, I have seen the things that you can only dream about. I have been there. I was lost at sea for a long time. But I have been there. Oh yes. All the way and back.”
- Dr. Lemuel Gulliver
By Christine JOy Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
For the days you’ve been away, for the hours that were not spent with your family, for the minutes that you wander in various strange places, unknown and peculiar to your senses, and for the seconds of misfortune and disaster, do you consider your absence a total pruning? A scarcity? Do you consider those times to be futile? Especially if everything seems to be very unusual, extraordinary and does not end up what it has supposed to be. Do you consider your journey a waste of time?
Truly, expect the unexpected. That’s what I realized after I had watched the movie Gulliver’s Travel. I thought it was another boring film, but it stunned my whole being to the point that it somehow changed my life’s perspectives. And I think that makes a movie great- the “after shock” it caused us, the result it brought to us. Regardless of how popular the actors are, or how beautiful the effects are, the message of the movie is what that matters after all. But of course, Gulliver’s Travel would not be called a movie if it weren’t for the elements that comprise it. And let me point out these observations of mine. I loved the actors, the fantastic places and the trial-aspect and flashback method of telling the story. The characters were brilliant and effective; the roles being portrayed by them were given justice. The emotions, the characterizations, the way they spoke, the way they acted were all given life. The settings were great too! The time was also given justice because of the attires; the items used were classical as well, just right for the given period. The places were fantastic, the shore, the rocky mountains, the sea, and the forest. And certainly, the effects were amazing. How the real people were turned into Lilliputians and Brogdingnagans. How the island became a “flying island”, and how the horses were made to talk. Although some scenes were obviously computer animated, I think it is not a reason for the movie to turn out to be “not convincing”. And as for the story or the plot, which is the most important part of the film, I think Jonathan Swift was really an incredible writer for bringing such ideas that would surely touch many hearts, like mine. Better than the book, although some parts were changed, it was remarkably astonishing and excellent, and the morals were successfully delivered into a new phase of conviction.
And I think that was also the thinking then of Lemuel Gulliver- expect the unexpected. With a little hope of uplifting the life of his family in England, he sailed into the seas without realizing the circumstances that would happen before him. The uncommon events that he would encounter. But you know what was very wonderful about Dr. Gulliver? It was that in spite of the adversities he faced, he still looked at the brighter side of the story by having the urge to learn more. Just like the reason why he was not able to escape from the Lilliputians even though he could, because he wanted to know something more about their life, culture and tradition. Something beyond his imagination could reach, something significant that he would never ever discover in other places, in other times, in other opportunities. And for me, that was the best part of the movie… What I had discovered… from the film, from the story, from the characters, and from myself. The obvious proof of the Gulliver’s Travel being a satire. It dumbfounded me, my senses, my beliefs, my whole being. The beauty of a satire was seemingly shown that beneath the humorous lines and acts, lie the human imperfections and the society flaws. That humans eat even though they are not hungry. That humans drink even though they are not thirsty. That humans drink liquor even though they have not yet eaten. And that prostitutes are all around- the reason why the society gets sick. Let me take a simple glance at one scene in the fourth voyage, where Gulliver said that he treated people in England as Yahoos. Yahoos who were naked, dirty, had no reason for fighting, voted the most indolent of their kind to be their leader, licked their leader’s feet and let their leaders drag any woman for his unreasonable pleasure. And the sarcasm of the way Lemuel was treated in the lands of Lilliput and Brogdingnag. Where in the land of the small he was treated as a monster and a big plague. It was shown when the Lilliputians tied bravely Gulliver instead of being scared of his big height. While in the land of the giants, he was treated as a “good spirit” shown by the farmer taking advantage on him. The ironic way of thinking of the scientists, mathematicians and magicians and the sardonic turn of events. And all are in one satiric mode, revealed not literally but figuratively. Punching down its meaning into our souls, pinching and piercing our hearts by the knives of realism and conscience.
So why would you consider your adventure a wasted one? A useless one? If you have learned so much more than what you can imagine. For all the times that you were alone and gone, you witnessed great changes in yourself; you witnessed marvelous moments that would never ceased. And I believe that this experience is more than a gold, or a treasure ever found. No amount of precious stone can ever replace, for this is the best gift of your voyage…
“All the yahoo vices I can begin to accustom myself to once more. Except for pride. That I cannot tolerate. I see myself for what I truly am. I have lost eight years of my life... And yet, and yet, the moments I have had, the marvels I have witnessed, the wonderful truths I have seen. You see, when night falls and you close your eyes to sleep and dream, I have seen the things that you can only dream about. I have been there. I was lost at sea for a long time. But I have been there. Oh yes. All the way and back.”
- Dr. Lemuel Gulliver
STEPS OF HISTORY
UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Christine Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
I had nothing for breakfast- none even a sip of Milo to energize my sluggish body, none even a piece of pandesal to help me get through the day, just a slice of curiosity and a cup full of excitement. As the sun shed its smile upon my fervid face, I rushed into the front door with my friends waiting for me. We decided to take a taxi and raced as fast as we could to get there on time. Unfortunately, we were late and our teacher, Mr Alixander Haban Escote, who happened also to be our tour guide, was about to end his speech about our first stop, the Manila Cathedral. I was very much eager to know what was more behind those sophisticated designs and styles but to my disappointment, I got only a little information about that antiquated yet ravishing piece of architecture. It made me realize the inconvenience of being late and that I should be back on my right senses in order for me to stay on track; after all it was up to me if the tour would be a worthy one.
As everyone was busy jotting down notes, I became conscious to the fact that I did not bring any pen and notebook to keep details from breaking out of my hungry head. Well, I actually did not intend to, for I believed that it was better to savor the tour by heart, and not just to taste it by what was written on a piece a paper. I reached for my recorder and camera from my body bag and took pictures of every astounding structures and panoramas flashing before my very eyes. I was still in a deep surge of amazement when Mr Escote unbelievably delivered all the facts and know-how’s about each spot, which gave me a clueless idea on how he was able to do that. He was indeed very great and very hardworking as a tour guide. And to store all that knowledge in my mind, well I guessed I had to take it by heart.
But it seemed like I was not only craving for something that would feed my empty head, I was craving for something that would feed my empty stomach as well. A couple of hotcakes and a cup of steaming hot choco hit the spot, and at last boosted my energy meter that perhaps would be just enough until lunch.
I, together with the rest, went to various places, learned a lot of things, and discovered more about our country’s past. But as I wallowed into wonderment, after realizing how dense my background was especially when it comes to my own country’s culture and history, I felt ashamed to myself. It seemed like I was seeing that place for the first time; well in fact I have been there for several times already. Hence, I promised myself that the tour would not be put into waste, and that I should certainly value each and every drop of it, delight in each and every little thing it had to offer, and cherish the opportunity it brought me as I broke out from the clutches of ignorance and oblivion.
With my steps leading me to something that would finally unlock my mind, I was struck by the dark dungeon in Fort Santiago. I could not imagine how a person could possibly survive in that cave-like prison, shrouded by pitch darkness and a deep feeling of solitude. All I could do was to plunge into the depressing waters of realization, with the thought that my fellow Filipinos had indeed experienced being isolated and beaten inside that nightmare.
With my steps leading me to something that would finally stun my mind, I would always remember the Casa Manila, which did not fail to leave off a remarkable mark in the pages of my Intramuros adventure. This wonderful piece of architectural design that houses a collection of antique furniture and accessories gave me an ambience of wealth and prosperity of a gracious, cultivated lifestyle manifested in strong family ties, lavish hospitality, grandiose festivity, and keen religion. I delightfully savored into pride and amazement as I looked into the eminent rooms, salas and cusina of the grand house that does not only shelter venerable relics of the past, but also the rich culture of the Filipinos.
With my steps leading me to something that would finally inspire my mind, I would always be enthralled with the ecclesiastical and historical institution of San Agustin Church and Museum that withstood fire, earthquakes and even great wars. It dumbfounded me as I witnessed the outstanding works of art and richly carved doors and images. The façade was truly magnificent in its baroque design with touches of Spanish and Chinese influences. Upon entering the church, I instantly marveled at the amazing paintings and intricate designs over the vaulted ceiling and dome that on the first sight appeared to be three-dimensional.
One of the experiences I would also never forget was when we all sat on the magnificent coro or choir loft above the narthex. The sixty eight intricately carved kamagong choir stalls encrusted with narra inlays had a giant lectern holding huge choir books, which was the focal point of the coro. There, I had the chance to relax and release all the fatigue and anguish my body was feeling. And also there, I had the chance to reflect on how really proud I am to be a Filipino.
With my steps leading me to something that would finally ease the exacerbating pain I was feeling all along, I took a very long walk from the church into our last stop. As I took my fragile steps on the jagged tiles of Intramuros, ignoring the arduous feeling and the annoying mud and dirt spattered on my feet, I sang with joy and gladness together with my friends and former classmates. I was with them all throughout the tour and we even made a group called “Tropang Algae”. It was a very happy and cheery moment to treasure and cherish forever; I would never ever forget it.
But my steps on the historical grounds of the past did not end at McDonald’s. There we had our dinner and relaxed until we had loosen up. Yes, it was indeed very fun and educational, and it made me realize many things. Though it was painful to the feet, though it was uncomfortable to the body, who cares? These were nothing compared to a basketful of knowledge and experiences I gained. A foot spa and a body massage would relieve my aches, but there would probably no remedy for an aching mind thirsting for understanding and discovery.
They say that a journey of thousand miles begins with one step. And my journey as I traveled thousand miles way back on our history began when I took one step on our country’s fortress of heritage and vanguard of culture. With my steps leading me to exhilarating experiences, once in a lifetime opportunities, rare and exceptional knowledge, overwhelmingly splendid discoveries, and proud realizations, a step was indeed worthy of my time and effort, for I knew in every step that I had taken, it brought me closer to my real destination.
By Christine Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
I had nothing for breakfast- none even a sip of Milo to energize my sluggish body, none even a piece of pandesal to help me get through the day, just a slice of curiosity and a cup full of excitement. As the sun shed its smile upon my fervid face, I rushed into the front door with my friends waiting for me. We decided to take a taxi and raced as fast as we could to get there on time. Unfortunately, we were late and our teacher, Mr Alixander Haban Escote, who happened also to be our tour guide, was about to end his speech about our first stop, the Manila Cathedral. I was very much eager to know what was more behind those sophisticated designs and styles but to my disappointment, I got only a little information about that antiquated yet ravishing piece of architecture. It made me realize the inconvenience of being late and that I should be back on my right senses in order for me to stay on track; after all it was up to me if the tour would be a worthy one.
As everyone was busy jotting down notes, I became conscious to the fact that I did not bring any pen and notebook to keep details from breaking out of my hungry head. Well, I actually did not intend to, for I believed that it was better to savor the tour by heart, and not just to taste it by what was written on a piece a paper. I reached for my recorder and camera from my body bag and took pictures of every astounding structures and panoramas flashing before my very eyes. I was still in a deep surge of amazement when Mr Escote unbelievably delivered all the facts and know-how’s about each spot, which gave me a clueless idea on how he was able to do that. He was indeed very great and very hardworking as a tour guide. And to store all that knowledge in my mind, well I guessed I had to take it by heart.
But it seemed like I was not only craving for something that would feed my empty head, I was craving for something that would feed my empty stomach as well. A couple of hotcakes and a cup of steaming hot choco hit the spot, and at last boosted my energy meter that perhaps would be just enough until lunch.
I, together with the rest, went to various places, learned a lot of things, and discovered more about our country’s past. But as I wallowed into wonderment, after realizing how dense my background was especially when it comes to my own country’s culture and history, I felt ashamed to myself. It seemed like I was seeing that place for the first time; well in fact I have been there for several times already. Hence, I promised myself that the tour would not be put into waste, and that I should certainly value each and every drop of it, delight in each and every little thing it had to offer, and cherish the opportunity it brought me as I broke out from the clutches of ignorance and oblivion.
With my steps leading me to something that would finally unlock my mind, I was struck by the dark dungeon in Fort Santiago. I could not imagine how a person could possibly survive in that cave-like prison, shrouded by pitch darkness and a deep feeling of solitude. All I could do was to plunge into the depressing waters of realization, with the thought that my fellow Filipinos had indeed experienced being isolated and beaten inside that nightmare.
With my steps leading me to something that would finally stun my mind, I would always remember the Casa Manila, which did not fail to leave off a remarkable mark in the pages of my Intramuros adventure. This wonderful piece of architectural design that houses a collection of antique furniture and accessories gave me an ambience of wealth and prosperity of a gracious, cultivated lifestyle manifested in strong family ties, lavish hospitality, grandiose festivity, and keen religion. I delightfully savored into pride and amazement as I looked into the eminent rooms, salas and cusina of the grand house that does not only shelter venerable relics of the past, but also the rich culture of the Filipinos.
With my steps leading me to something that would finally inspire my mind, I would always be enthralled with the ecclesiastical and historical institution of San Agustin Church and Museum that withstood fire, earthquakes and even great wars. It dumbfounded me as I witnessed the outstanding works of art and richly carved doors and images. The façade was truly magnificent in its baroque design with touches of Spanish and Chinese influences. Upon entering the church, I instantly marveled at the amazing paintings and intricate designs over the vaulted ceiling and dome that on the first sight appeared to be three-dimensional.
One of the experiences I would also never forget was when we all sat on the magnificent coro or choir loft above the narthex. The sixty eight intricately carved kamagong choir stalls encrusted with narra inlays had a giant lectern holding huge choir books, which was the focal point of the coro. There, I had the chance to relax and release all the fatigue and anguish my body was feeling. And also there, I had the chance to reflect on how really proud I am to be a Filipino.
With my steps leading me to something that would finally ease the exacerbating pain I was feeling all along, I took a very long walk from the church into our last stop. As I took my fragile steps on the jagged tiles of Intramuros, ignoring the arduous feeling and the annoying mud and dirt spattered on my feet, I sang with joy and gladness together with my friends and former classmates. I was with them all throughout the tour and we even made a group called “Tropang Algae”. It was a very happy and cheery moment to treasure and cherish forever; I would never ever forget it.
But my steps on the historical grounds of the past did not end at McDonald’s. There we had our dinner and relaxed until we had loosen up. Yes, it was indeed very fun and educational, and it made me realize many things. Though it was painful to the feet, though it was uncomfortable to the body, who cares? These were nothing compared to a basketful of knowledge and experiences I gained. A foot spa and a body massage would relieve my aches, but there would probably no remedy for an aching mind thirsting for understanding and discovery.
They say that a journey of thousand miles begins with one step. And my journey as I traveled thousand miles way back on our history began when I took one step on our country’s fortress of heritage and vanguard of culture. With my steps leading me to exhilarating experiences, once in a lifetime opportunities, rare and exceptional knowledge, overwhelmingly splendid discoveries, and proud realizations, a step was indeed worthy of my time and effort, for I knew in every step that I had taken, it brought me closer to my real destination.
MORNING AFTER
UNEDITED SAMPLE LITERARY ARTICLE
By Christine Joy Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
The pain woke me up the next morning, of not finding you on where you used to lay. What I found was a cold, wrinkled, immaculate sheet, stained with a shade darker than my tears’. I carved desperately as I tried to hold the pillow which still carries your aroma, as if I can bring you back by mere embrace. It still feels of your warm flesh engraved by my bubblegum nails; it still smells of your aftershave mixed with my innocence.
Then agony looms over me. I can feel my being broken into two as I try to get hold of my memories and sanity. What remained were strands of my long hair as you loved to stroke, black and blue marks on my broken nudity. I cried endlessly and you seemed like the old you the night before, who became my freedom of all I dreamt to be. We shared an ancient ritual, century of song, millennia of dance. You made me discover an exposed mystery. Then I realized… My sanity is gone.
But the pillow is still a pillow, yet you left a pain inflicted by reality. The dark stain was blood from my cursed purity; my severed aorta. You left me after you stole what I cannot reclaim; you left me after you gained. Now I realized… My sanity is gone, my sanity is gone.
To you, who lured me again to the trap of deception.
By Christine Joy Ombania de Asis
IV-Madame Marie Curie
The pain woke me up the next morning, of not finding you on where you used to lay. What I found was a cold, wrinkled, immaculate sheet, stained with a shade darker than my tears’. I carved desperately as I tried to hold the pillow which still carries your aroma, as if I can bring you back by mere embrace. It still feels of your warm flesh engraved by my bubblegum nails; it still smells of your aftershave mixed with my innocence.
Then agony looms over me. I can feel my being broken into two as I try to get hold of my memories and sanity. What remained were strands of my long hair as you loved to stroke, black and blue marks on my broken nudity. I cried endlessly and you seemed like the old you the night before, who became my freedom of all I dreamt to be. We shared an ancient ritual, century of song, millennia of dance. You made me discover an exposed mystery. Then I realized… My sanity is gone.
But the pillow is still a pillow, yet you left a pain inflicted by reality. The dark stain was blood from my cursed purity; my severed aorta. You left me after you stole what I cannot reclaim; you left me after you gained. Now I realized… My sanity is gone, my sanity is gone.
To you, who lured me again to the trap of deception.
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