186 studes say ‘Yes” to Ateneo

     Ateneo de Naga University - 186 out of 310 high school students from 32 schools around Bicol region said, in accordance with the evaluation result of College Open House (COH) 2012, that they will enroll in Ateneo next academic year 2012-2013.

     Conducted last 27 January, the COH “aimed to introduce to the participants the Ateneo community, to prepare them for college and to inform them about the necessary adjustments.”

     “Ang theme nung Open House [ay] The Golden Knight of the Blue Realm wherein knights si mga students tapos ung blue realm ang Ateneo mismo,” shared University Student Recruitment Office (USRO) Director Moi.

One-of-a-Kind Program

     Sir Moi said that the preparations of USRO, an Ateneo office that assists high school seniors to college, started last September 2011.

     Schools in Naga were visited to notify them about the event while a week before the COH was the time spent in informing other secondary schools. This also served as a backgrounder on the overall profile of prospective partakers of COH.

     Unlike before, this 10^th COH which commenced in 2002 changed the way it was conducted. One inspirational idea was the setting of Y Speak, a television program, wherein there were interactive productions, entertainment and informative discussions.

     A campus tour was held in the morning activity. Different colleges, departments and organizations took part in the programs with their own exhibits and presentations.

    There were 20 facilitating volunteers and 45 members of Ateneo Student Ambassadors. Various committees were also created – program, food, logistics, secretariat, promotions, freebies and giveaways – with Maria Josefa Almares as overall head.

     In the afternoon session, intermission numbers of Ateneo Dance Club, Ateneo Golden Cavalry, University Band and Choir, question and answer, games, raffle, awarding, movie presentation and talks were accomplished.

     Discussion speakers were two students from Manila, one parent, a faculty member, guidance counselor and staff of Admissions and Aids Office

     This year’s batch was participative according to Sir Moi, as seen from the behavior and unanticipated questions from students during the event.

     “Naging successful talaga iyong event. Nakikita naming inaabangan ang Open House… may mga nagtatanong kung kelan… kaya ginawa na itong regular affair. [Pinaplano nga naming] magkaroon ng isang career day for all senior high school students, a festival in one venue for one day,  in cooperation with the City government, Department of Education and other universities pero balak pa lang naman,” Sir Moi uttered.

     He also added that the “very success of the event was the impact it caused to students, that it benefited all – imparting learning, doing one’s responsibility well and dealing with people.”

Overall Upshot

     As an ender segment of the event, evaluation sheets were given to the participants who had casted a 4.3 rating (lowest), 5-score rating (highest assessment provided) and a 4.6 general mark.

    A senior student from University of Nueva Caceres, when asked about the program flow, said that the program was ‘okay lang’, but still undecided whether to enroll in Ateneo next semester. “Depende sa course,” he articulated.

    On one hand, Student Ambassador Loreine Balce expressed that one factor that might have affected the students’ ratings was the delayed arrival of the food while another ambassador said that COH 2012 was better than last year because more participants attended and more program innovations were featured.

     Even if the 500-student quota was not achieved, a happening which was only attained three years ago with 536 participants, Sir Moi believed that the number of schools was more important.

    He then pronounced that the plan of USRO to have the 40-60 percent of the total participants next school year was reached.

     “Kahit na isa lang iyong nag-attend sa isang school, pwede na niyang ipagkalat iyong nangyari tapos maka-encourage na mag-enrol sa Ateneo. Sulit ang nagastos na Php40, 000 [para sa event]…na nagkasya man dahil sa creativity and support ng lahat,” Sir Moi ended.

Reverence amidst Hitches

Indeed, God’s existence has been in question for so many years. I never doubt that the extraordinary things that happened in favor of me occurred because of God. However, there were times that I have also minor skepticism in God’s ability and presence. (Writing this composition, fright seems to encapsulate me within its boundaries and I’m faintly petrified that any moment from now, a lightning would thump me to death and overwhelming bereavement.

            For the purpose of ascertaining my skepticism on God’s attendance without rescinding and overlooking my current faith, I just couldn’t take away from my mind the inconsistencies which cover the real characteristics of God. Based from my observations, there are happenings that show no graciousness at all wherein people believe that God is good all the time. Aha! Isn’t this a big query in God’s power to create perfect miracles? Why is it that dreadful incidents come to pass on virtuous and upright citizens of this world? And why does God let appalling populace dodge the right punishments for them? OMG! It sounds so ironic that certain politicians are having all the riches in the world through illegal means, getting all the treasures of this planet yet at the end of the day, being saved from the wrath of God.

On the other hand, poor people are still suffering all the hardships and mistreatment for they are being deprived of their rights and privileges. Every time I think of these ominous milieus in this contemporary epoch, I can help but ask: “Where is God at the midst of corruptions, blunders and misdemeanor?” This omnipotent, supernatural being might just be fantasized in a fiction. When there’s a blessing received, ‘glory and thanks first to the all-powerful God’ where in fact the person who has obtained such recognition, all by himself, endured so much pain for it. Why offer it first to God if the latter didn’t do anything at all?

In my case, I’ve had wished so many things but I guess, only twenty percent of them were granted. In point of truth, I want to make an inquiry: “Is that the best thing you can do, God?” Whenever I acquire illness and subsequently get recuperated, even if I ask God’s help via prayer or attending a mass, it couldn’t be totally God who restored my well-being. The medicine, check-up and good lifestyle can be the bona fide  elucidation behind my abrupt recovery.

Another distrust of mine concerns the existence of different religions. If God is indeed supreme and perfect, why did God assent to the emergence of other gods and goddesses in which other people mull over? It seems that every religion never wants to be beaten by other religions. If God is definitely invincible, why did this divine life-force permit the materialization of idolatry and iconoclasm which have disadvantages to Christian ecumenism? Were all of these events part of God’s plans? Did they float up to situate sugar and spice into God’s religion for it not to become lackluster and mundane?

Moreover, this omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent being must somehow be empirical. However, something that is so much pragmatic is the constant need of the churches of the Lord for riches or donations, making them one of the most moneyed institutions in the world. Many of their members are bathing with coins and bills while other earthlings are enduring too much agony and impoverishment. I prayed to God many times, matters which are unfathomable or just trivial stuffs I’ve waited to acquire from an ideal God. But in the end, I turned to be a bit thwarted occasionally because the utilization of praying has been a remote means if God has already planned for our future. It’s God’s will even if it hurts like a third degree burn. I’m just hoping for the paramount undertakings to come in my life and it will start with my individual deeds for I am the one shaping my personal prospect with God as my guide, I guess.

In addition to those arguments, phenomenal marvels are always being attributed to God like when someone can heal ‘under the weather’ persons or can execute bizarre and exceptional talents. What if he’s really capable of normally performing such splendor given that he underwent training or special education? If God is undeniably associated with it, miracles should happen not just once in awhile. Moreover, when nature summons catastrophes, simply known as ‘acts of God’, to teach people a lesson, why are innocent natives implicated? But above all of these scrutinizes, something so enormous in me thrusts my inner self to muse on God’s role in my fruitful years of living. Indisputably speaking, I'm truly blessed.

http://www.facebook.com/acute.engle

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.