28th Buklod spawns 19 Resos

Five Ateneo Schools

Pakiglambigit: Reaching the gap between Leadership and Service.

The 28th Buklod Atenista’s theme above, in connection to their motto – Ut Unum Sint (Many but One), was fulfilled at the summit held at the Ateneo de Davao University last 26-29 May 2011 with 45 plus participants.

The five Ateneo universities of the country participated in the said event including Ateneo de Naga (AdNU), Ateneo de Davao (AdDU), Ateneo de Manila (AdMU), Ateneo de Zamboanga (AdZu) and Ateneo de Cagayan or Xavier University (XU).

Four main groups were organized at the seminar, namely: the group of Presidents and Buklod Ambassadors, Faith Formation Cluster (FFC), Umbrella Organizations (UO) and Association of Ateneo Publications (APA) which had undergone break sessions in discussing important issues.

Buklod Ambassador Rafael Martin Magno, Supreme Student Government (SSG) President Ludel Maiello F. Mier, External Vice-President Kate P. Flores, Center for Christ – Youth For Christ (CFC-YFC) Representative Francis Victor Ruizo and SSG Moderator Patrick Balmaceda attended the event.

SSG had received more or less Php97000.00 from the Treasurer’s Office before its budget was blocked due to the non-liquidated funds of previous administration and the case regarding Ex-Commission on Election (COMELEC) Commissioner Jerome Montemayor.

“Our [with Magno] shared goal before going to the convention was to present the accomplishment report of the previous SSG administrations and the plans of action this academic year. During the event, there was benchmarking of all Ateneo Schools as we all learn from each other’s culture and programs,” said Mier.

There were also technology sharing, showcasing of best practices and good governance which could also be adapted by others,” furthered Magno.

Throughout the Congregation

            As contradicted to the most preceding conferences which were mostly done for tours and social interaction, the last summit conducted seminars, talks, workshops, service-learning programs and resolution-making.

            Ex-Secretary General Gio Alejo, changed by a permanent secretary, Catherine Sison, presided the parliamentary procedures of the gathering.

            Speakers of the program came from different fields, including Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ and Commissioner Earl P. Saavedra, Assistant Secretary of the National Youth Commission.

            Being held twice a year, the Mid-Year Conference every October and Leadership Summit (Buklod Atenista) every May, plans and preliminary meetings happened in preparation for the event while the evaluation regarding the past resolutions happened during the latter.

Resolutions for Students’ Welfare

As an alliance of tertiary institutions of all Ateneo schools, Mier said that they all made stands on different campus and national issues and submitted 19 resolutions [with joint authors] subjected to their own territories or which are common to two or more.

AdNU had instigated seven resolutions such as the ‘calling of the Student Governments of five Ateneo schools to check data gathering in order to determine the feasibility of lobbying more comprehensive programs to their respective institutions,’ ‘calling for the accreditation, renewal and monitoring processes of organizations,’ and ‘urging the Ateneo de Naga administration to revisit and properly implement the current uniform policy.’

A resolution gathering inputs on the different formation programs of Ateneo institutions was one of the seven decrees of AdMU while AdDU had composed eight rulings like the ‘restructuring and standardization of the FFCs of all UOs in all Ateneo Schools.

Meanwhile, Xavier University created four motions, for instance the ‘programs in reviewing the campus policies pertaining to the students in XU,’ whereas ‘initiating fora, symposia along with public and guided discussions on on-going GPH-MILF-NDF political talks was among the 4 passed pronouncements of AdZU.

Path of Challenges 

            “Successful man si summit, the fact that all the resolutions were greatly appreciated and approved by all Ateneo academes, our support to each other’s endeavors would mean a greater voice for the imminent implementation of the resolutions,” uttered Mier.

            “Pero ang challenge dito eh ‘yong pag-pursue talaga sa mga resolutions, na sa ngayon ay on the process para sa pagreview ng Formation Council in its next meeting. As we lobby the resolutions to the different offices for their realization, sana magawa ng students yong part nila,’ Magno ended.

DIA Camp trains incoming Seniors

In preparation for the Senior Production of incoming 4th year BS Major in Digital Arts and Animation (BS-DIA) students, the Digital Arts and Computer Animation (DACA) Department held the Animation Production Summer Camp last 4 April to 21 May, 2011.

“Since it started April 2008, the event is being carried out annually pero depende pa kung merong may mahandle na mga teachers. At kailangan din dapat yung mag-attend eh mga qualified na mag-4th year next semester,” shared Camp Director Omar Aguilar.

Also, only those not hindered by summer classes were accommodated to join the said affair for them to concentrate on the 2-month seminar-workshop. With these requisites, only 16 students, including one faculty from Ateneo de Zamboanga University as his refresher course, had experienced being part of the advanced lectures and film-making activities.

Being conducted with utmost preparation at the Ateneo de Naga University’s DIA Laboratories, no major problems were encountered during the workshop.

Triumph over the Odds

With the cooperation of all participants and the presence of Alumni and college faculty members, the activity resulted to the creation of four films, namely Paano Hulihin ang Araw, Himig, Delevery Boy and Emo si Pedro, from the formed four teams.

Event Supervisor Fr. Danilo Isidro, Aguilar, Technical Staff Magno Edilberto Conag III and Creative Staff Francis John Bozan were the organizers, aides and facilitators during the event.

“Masyadong intense at talagang paganda ng paganda ang mga films na nagagawa ng mga estudyante. It was really all worth it; despite the sleepless nights and stressful days which stumbled upon us, kahit bumabagyo o umaaraw , the partakers done their movie projects beyond expectations,” verbalized Aguilar regarding the incidents happened at the affair.

“We can say na nasa right track ang mga nagsidalo and this endeavor really enhanced their skills as well as work habits for greater technological know-how and outputs. They were all hardworking at kung ano man ang i-suggest sa kanila eh sinusunod naman nila at higit pa dun,” furthered Aguilar.

In connection to the success of the event, the said four motion pictures still undergo revisions based from the constructive criticisms of the college faculty.

 According to Aguilar, plans of incorporating them at various competitions, both local and international, are being considered at the moment like being part of Ateneo Digital Arts and Animation Festival on November, Animahinasyon and Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula.

Insights about 'Children are Beautiful' - An Inquirer Opinion/ Column

Indeed, children are beautiful. And I am not against child-bearing and youngster-rearing, because I myself was a baby several years back. But the fact that Filipino population is increasing as time goes by, it calls for a mobilization in controlling this rapid rate of births.

On one hand, it seems that I’m still on the phase of neutrality. I can’t attest the feasibility of Reproductive Health Bill, similarly with the promotions of Catholic Church in favor of natural family planning only. It’s just that the two prevailing views present benefits in their themes, yet drawbacks amidst their extremes. Well, it’s finicky to perceive sound decisions from legislators who are aware of the global dilemma in terms of overpopulation in correlation to poverty. As a matter of actuality, urban areas are the spots with highly dense number of people that the government could not definitely administer. Overcrowding, pollution, unequal distribution of essential reserves to continue existence, hyper birth and death paces will be mitigated as the population stabilized due to control and uniform dispersion of it.

However, the verities that they are deemed baptized Christians, their advocacy don’t exclude them from the divine discourses and biblical teachings of the Church. “Thou shall not kill,” an awfully unambiguous commandment of God, in which the propositions of the said bill contradicts as it contains implied abortion and contra conception.

Conversely, the bill upholds the protection of women and men in resistance to sexually transmitted diseases, like the use of condoms which was supported by Pope Benedict XVI, also aligned with the unwanted pregnancies of women and ineligibility of couples to enter the exigent world of parenthood. Nevertheless, it’s more significant to keep in mind that we are alleviating the population through just and humanitarian acts. It is on the discretion of lovers to decide about the number of kids they would have, mulling over about the resources they’re currently equipped with to sustain the toddlers, societal conditions, readiness to face new struggles and pleasures and with respect to the culture, religion, state policies and kind of era they are into.

CPTA, stude leaders exchange concerns

  “Gusto ming madangog ang tingog kang estudyante pagkatapos ming maipresentar an mga miyembro kan bagong CPTA asin mga project proposals.”

     This was the main agendum of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Student Consultation with the Ateneo de Naga University Colleges of PTA, Incorporated (CPTA, Inc.) in partnership with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) held last 13 November.

    Occupying the Xavier Hall, the PTA officers delayed the commencement of consultative meeting due to low attendance from student, co-curricular and extra-curricular organizations’ leaders, expecting to have more participants.

     “Syempre gusto kong maaraman if how the PTA could benefit the students, aside from the sake of attending this talk and representing my organization, ACIL,” said Joana Marie Africa, 4^th year BSBA-CMA student when asked about her presence during the discussion.

Getting to know each other

     Upon introducing the set of new CPTA officials, President Arnel Abiog made a roll call of 17 student organizations out of their expected 52 organizations which were supposed to attend the event.

    Faculty Club of AdNU, however, was not able to send three faculty representatives to eventually complete the list of CPTA officers.

    Despite this incompleteness, the CPTA members were able to present their Articles of Incorporation (since 1997) as well as their logo meaning, purposes, thrust for 2010-2012 and proposed programs.

Anticipated Rites of Service

     With their six newly-formed committees – Ways and Means, Student Affairs, Constitutional By-Laws (CBL) Reviews, Peace and Order, Projects and Teacher Affairs, CPTA are looking forward to serve the school better as being transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of school, students and teachers.

     With this, the CPTA plans to help in school-related operating expenses including support for university operations like food control (Php1M every year); students’ and educators’ welfare and development to cover trainings,  seminars, medical services, competitions, incentives and scholarship grants (Php825K and Php600K respectively).

    For a total of Php2,425,000 expenditures excluding the CPTA budget which has to be remitted yet, the CPTA can accomplish the aforementioned activities.

     Considering high finances to be spent, CPTA had given possible ways for funds procurement such as direct contribution from parents (Php50/parent every semester), income generating projects, and assistance form Local Government Units, senators and alumni, raffle draws, and sort of backing form foreign countries like Netherlands for flood control.

     “Through student orgs, kami po ang ma-channel kan samung mga programs/projects,” said Pres. Abiog on how to encourage students to participate.

     Subsequently, President Jessica of MENSA asked the PTA regarding their finished projects and got a response that the gates in Sta. Cruz and Queborac, bahay-kubo, drinking water stations were the CPTA’s accomplishments.

     For visibility and immediate actions, the CPTA plans to relocate their office at the Xavier Hall, an answer to a 4^th year BSBA Major in Banking and Finance student on where they could be found.

    

Student Concerns

     After tackling the issues of CPTA, the CPTA gave chance for student leaders to address their problems, reactions and suggestions.

     “Kaipuhan mi muna pong mahiling an saindong budget and project proposals for us to know for kung panu kami makakatabang saindo, dawa financially yan,” said Pres. Abiog to organizations, like Eagles and CCDVoltz, requesting for monetary assistance for their projects.

    When the issue about enrolment process was discussed, Vice-President suggested the adaptation of University of the Philippines’ way in enrolling students.

     Other troubles of the students which were conversed at the assembly were the new uniform policy, transportations allowances for organizations conducting outreach activities at remote areas, flood control, students who don’t belong to any school groups, fund-raising activities of different orgs and students’ role in helping the CPTA.

     Some were not directly responded and others were still to be talk about at the Board Meeting of CPTA.

     “Basta anong mangyari, tatabangan po kamo kang PTA ta mga aki mi baga kamo, with your support mayong imposible,” a CPTA message regarding their pledge of service to all students.

In relation to the story "Looking for a Rain God" - contemporary views

    Our contemporary world has evolved to its greater complexity and towering innovations. People are being driven by science and technology, economic progressions and repressions, political amendments and tyranny, cultural alterations and social interactions. Predicaments, however, are not yet out of the line because even if there continuous improvements, research and developments, adoption of advanced strategical operations and enterprise integration, imperfection is still prevalent especially  among the 3rd world  countries. In the extreme  of these circumstances, probabilities include starvation, wars, pollution, overcrowding and corpses scattered everywhere.

Let us take a look on our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). First and foremost, they were encouraged to leave our nation and just work abroad due to the terrible impoverishment they are into. Unfortunately, their desperation turned into ashes as they found out  that it is more difficult to subsist and co-exist in other countries, bombarded  with political oppressions and troubles, side by side protests, exploding terrains and economic instability at the end of the day. Take for an instance the Filipinos in Libya before, for the reason of administrative quandaries and intervention from foreign troops, their lives were at stake. Luck for those who were already rescued from that place, yet their dreams became futile due to unexpected commotions. This can be reckoned as a significant lesson that people should deliberately review all possible factors as they select concrete solutions for problems.

We are gifted by God with superb intelligence, freedom and talents. We must be all informed about the realities and even the falsehood of events. With this, people should try those works that are scientifically and economically or practically proven by experts and never be carried away by trivial and superstitious beliefs as in the case of "Looking for a Rain God".  We shouldn't drag ourselves to unsafe and ineffective  ways of solving problems, but rather search for acceptable decisions to uplift our status in the society. For sometimes, it's better to be interdependent and be assisted by others for help in facing any plight, rather than having overconfidence and pride. Being on the right path towards amelioration and satisfaction can be easily achieved if we know how to love others aside from our own selves or for nonsense cause. Respecting the dignity of men and women and ensuring the potential improvement of society can aid us to legally and equitably attain our goals and aspirations in life.

Our inner and  superb desires shouldn't prevail over the moral consciousness and virtues of humanity. It would be of great remorse if we choose an option realizing its failure at the end of the day. Therefore, be on the correct route in doing things right and executing the right things.

I. CIVIL SOCIETY

a. Civil society is considered as the countervailing force against the possible abuses of the state and market because it serves as the mobilization of cultural power and activism which uphold the beliefs and dignity of humanity. It is composed of institutions and movements that would counteract or rectify the dictatorship, authoritarianism and graft and corruption of government and the prevalence of poverty due to market's elite and foreign-induced policies, com-modification and oppressive labor acts. Undoubtedly, it tries to balance the economic and political spheres of society by simply promoting freedom, democracy, justice, human rights and other values and advocacy of immense significance.

Reductionism in the society can be made possible if one societal sphere dominates or a particular scope of influence of certain domain voluntarily submit to the demands and processes of the other milieu. However, this results to the diminution of a specific sphere as to its mechanisms, power and prestige. Consequently, the dominion of just one sphere won't last because of the absence and disappearance of other spheres' corresponding functions and obligations to society. In this regard, it is probably a necessity that the state, market and civil society should act as one. This social three-folding happens when they come together through a conversation, agreed covenants or partnership for the eradication of social dilemmas, without losing their unique and effective identities and responsibilities.

c. Civil society, which originally sprung from a cultural aspect, could foster cultural values as its fundamental norm of advocacy. Originating from this, culture involves the worthy interactions within and among the populace that mold their own personalities, convictions, aspirations, just and legal laws and beliefs. Uplifting the moral, spiritual, social and intellectual conditions of human beings need the very essence of ethical and phenomenological ideals and values.

II. SOCIAL JUSTICE AS VIRTUE AND VALUE

a. The contemporary life present complexities in our social existence by the emergence of different kinds of theories, norms, values, interests and contrasting worldviews and polarities of the world. The very fact that there are various factors affecting the lifestyles and crucial life requirements of citizens, people tend to demand for more than what is essential. There are gaps arising from the core of communication and trust among people even if science and technology ascertain truly amazing advancements. People crave for properties and goods that they think would elevate their status in the society but nevertheless, will only just bombard them with difficulties being realized at the end of the day. Sometimes, modern era activities and events encapsulate the objectivity and subjectivity of people, alienated and depersonalized away from their real existence as being-with-and-for-the-others. On one hand, there are more and more rules and regulations to follow not to be sanctioned with horrible punishments, diverse duties to accomplish and features of society that divert the attention of people from more important endeavors and chores. There are also conflicts appearing from the business world, from the administration and from the civil societies because their agendas could not compliment each other; affecting economic growth, social equity, environmental protection, sustainable development, power, wealth, equality and even principles of living.

a. We should foster social justice as virtue and value, hence giving respect to the rights of others by genuine will. Even if we have heterogeneous perspectives of whether it's a traditional or liberal way, acting in a rational or emotive manner, deeply reckoning the natural or humanistic values as well as for the common or individual good, injustices, domination, dogmatism and repression shouldn't happen. Moreover, we should not only care for our own desires, but rather help others in attaining their goals. We shouldn't do evil against other nations but showered them with love, justice, truth, service, appreciation and empowerment. If these things are properly rendered without causing damages, there will be subsequent prosperity, happiness and contentment.

Oust the Excruciating Incursions of Poverty

Have you ever experienced a day without something to eat or drink? Is it because the place where you live has no food outlets or local vendors? No! No! No! Poverty has come your way, having no capacity to get hold of the essential needs for survival – food, clothing, shelter and education. When you’re living in the street, pleading for alms from all passersby, ingesting the restaurant’s leftovers inside a trash can and other gruesome incidents of similar problem, you are deemed underprivileged.

On one hand, Margaret Fitzgerald from the film Million Dollar Baby entered the world of boxing, even if she has already a job as a waitress, because she could still feel impoverished. With her winnings on different boxing tournaments, it doesn’t change the fact that her family doesn’t care for her integral welfare. Being in poor state doesn’t only cover the economic aspect of existence but also the emotional, spiritual, social and physical conditions of subsisting. It entails suffering because of not having the ability to get what an individual wishes to achieve in life. It is flagrantly demonstrated by being penniless, considering that in this modern era, it seems money controls every human acts. As a matter of fact, the people in my hometown, Salvacion Poblacion, Tinambac, are so much eager to win the jueteng and lotto prizes to unchain them from the manacle of mediocrity.

But what could be the main causes of this terrible phenomenon? Actually, many economists, politicians and even simple human beings have shared their thoughts about this, but more concrete actions must be mobilized. The reason why scarcity is striking us could be the inadequate jobs on the market. Our country has many graduates of diverse courses but due to high unemployment rate, they are encouraged just to leave and work abroad. And yet the worst case is when parents, being jobless, could not definitely afford to send their children to school, making them uneducated throughout their lives. Could it be graft and corruption? Due to the greediness of some regime officials, no more funds can be conveyed to the public. Consequently, a conflict arises between equality and equity, power and justice as well as prestige and wealth. Without a doubt, this results to the demoralization and affliction of our nation’s populace making their lives more atrocious than rats’ subsistence.

Furthermore, poverty might be the effect of people’s indolence and reliance to others. But why do rich citizens, even if they’re just sitting on their sophisticated chairs, have all the things they desired to obtain? If someone keeps on accumulating affluence and material goods beyond his necessity, that isn’t proper anymore but rather a form of discrimination and crime stealing what is due to another person. In the case of Frank and Maggie, they were able to attain riches and fame because of their skills and knowledge. A person must only gain properties based on his lifestyle and crucial life requirements. He should share the excess and unnecessary assets to those who have inherent civil rights on them. Social responsibility as we call it, and when we instigate its commencement, we’re able to help out others in dire need of our service and transform the integral features of humanity and society. Just remember that the kind of living a specific person has reflects his country’s responses to nationwide upheavals.

Finally, the only thing that must be accomplished is to eradicate poverty and balance population dispersion and growth, especially to urban areas, by plainly working hand in hand with the administration’s assistance and interacting to all result-oriented activities for the betterment of all. Procurement and distribution of funds should be correctly addressed by government agencies to provide livelihood for the people. Budgeting at precise times and places also matters. As consequences, there would be no more fatal felonies, starvation, hyper birth and mortality rates and other lunatic scenes. These are hard, yet sound decisions, and if we give our best endeavor to reach certain degree of solidarity and moral obligation to our fellowmen, stern circumstances inhabiting our land will soon fade away.