SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010

By Lovely Ulpindo

Napadpad ka na ba sa kahabaan ng admin building? Biglang napatigil sa harap ng CAS faculty, napakamot, sabay buntong hininga at napatanong sa sarili kung kaya mo ba o hindi?

Iyong tipong super tense ka na at wala ka ng magawa kung hindi ang abutin na lamang sa tanaw mula sa maliit na bintana ang iyong hinahanap? (Ito ay sa kadahilanang natatakot ka sa mikropono, o talaga lang na nahihiya kang magsalita.) Aalis ka, after a while babalik, at mul-

ing sisilip? At paminsan, sa sobrang hopelessness ay mas pipiliin mo na lang na panahon na lamang ang magtakda sa pagkukrus ng landas ninyo ng gurong iyong nais makausap. Ngunit kung mahig-

pit talaga ang iyong pangangailangan at wala ka ng choice kung hindi ang i-take ang challenge, huwag ka ng mag-alala. Narito na ang mga tips upang mabaka ng nagkukumabog mong dibdib sa pagharap sa hamon ng faculty room at ng mahiwagang mikropono.

By Joan Budchangan

Lorma launches School on Wheels

Students question 2nd sem ID fee
By Jesther Rowen B. Bautista

Una. Tiyaking maayos ang hitsura. Hindi naman kailangang magsuot ng bonggang damit o kung ano pa man. Sapat na ang malinis na uniporme, samahan na rin ng kaunting pagsuklay at pagpulbo kung kinakailanagan. Tandaan, ang pagiging presentable sa pagharap sa mga guro ay isang paraan ng pagpapakita ng respeto. Maayos naman silang humaharap sa atin, kaya marapat lamang na ganoon din tayo sa kanila. At huwag na huwag kalimutang ihanda ang malaking Lorma Smile=)

At ang pinakahuling habilin, ang pang-siyam. Siguraduhing isiswitch on muna ang mikropono. Jahe kapag nagsalita ka nang naka-off ang mic hindi ba?

Pangwalo. Habaan ang pasensiya. Kailangan ng napakahabang pasensiya. Minsan ay wala ang mga gurong hinahanap. Marahil ay may klase pa o di naman kayay kumain saglit. Balikbalikan ang lugar sa bawat sandali. Isipin mo na ang kinabukasan ng classcard mo ang nakataya rito. Magtiyaga dahil pagkalipas ng ilang sandali ay magtatagpo rin kayo.

As a part of the schools vision to enhance computer literacy, Lorma has launched the new Mobile Campus (School on Wheels) that will cater to the learning needs of employees from both government and private sectors in Northern Luzon. School on Wheels aims
to upgrade the skills of professionals and workers by providing basic, intermmediate and advance training and seminars that will include topics such as online teaching strategy, introduction to computers, Email and the internet, Basic Computer maintenance and trouble shooting, Digital Editing with Photoshop skills and other relevant topics to enhance computer skills. The project aims to enhance opportunities for promotion and options in the job market. Lorma School on Wheels features a customized bus loaded with twenty computers, a printer, a file server, a multimedia projector and a projection board, a white board and an air conditioning unit enough to main-

Many students raised their eyebrows during the enrollment for the second semester as they looked at their assessment forms.
They were bothered by a 113.40-peso ID fee that was included in the list of miscellaneous fees. Although it was said last semester that the school ID is good for an entire school year, many students asked why they should pay for the same ID this semester.
INNOVATIVE MOBILE SCHOOL. MITS displays the newly modified bus for its latest information technology program School on Wheels. PHOTO BY YUI

Pangalawa. Organize your thoughts. Isipin na ang lahat ng kailangan mong sabihin kapag nakaharap mo na ang iyong guro upang maiwasan ang pagkalimot. Mas maigi ito upang masabi ang lahat ng minsanan at nang makaiwas sa pagpabalikbalik. Hindi lamang ito makakatulong sa parte mo kung hindi pati na rin sa kanila. Busy sila. Isa ka lamang sa mga daan-daang estudyante, papel, o trabaho na inaasikaso nila sa boung mahapon.

Since they have charged us already during the first semester, paying it yet again will destroy the purpose of the semi-perpetual ID, Marie Joy Seneratna, a senior nursing student remarked. It can be recalled that two years ago, former SML Chairman Reginald Nang proposed during the studentadmin dialogue that instead of having an ID for a semester, students should be given a perpetual ID that will supposedly last for the entire four years in college. turn to page 4

Pampito. Build your confidence. Humugot ng confidence kahit saan. At kapag nakausap mo na ang iyong pinakahihintay, kumilos nang tama.

tain good ventilation and to maintain the good condition of the computer units as well. In addition, the project also offers seminars and training workshops on office skills applications. The target groups are leaders and core staff of educational and hospital institutions, government and non government staffs

and business owners and managers. The said seminar and training workshops on office skills application includes topics such as Strategic Intervention Materials, Assertiveness and Influencing Skills, Training the Trainer course, Finance and Accounting for nonfinance managers and other interesting and pertinent topics relevant to developing more equipped leaders and employees.

Pangatlo. Huwag gumawa ng ingay sa paligid ng faculty room. Paminsan ay naiiwan ang mikroponong bukas. Nakakaistorbo. At may posibilidad din na marinig ang mga pinaguusapan sa loob. Gusto mo ba iyon? Tandaan, sensitibo sa ingay ang mikropono. Pang-anim. Praktisin muna ang magic line nang sagayon ay makaiwas sa pagsablay. Maam/Sir goodmorning. May I speak with _____. Hanggat maari ay gawin ito sa hindi mataong lugar. Baka kasi may makakita sa iyo at mapagkamalan ka pang may depekto sa pagiisip.

By Precious Claire Mamaril

Alumnus gets Malacanang nod

MT Board Exam unveils 5 RMTs

By Michaela Viloria

Arnel G. Palabay, an alumnus of the College of Computer Studies and Engineering (CCSE) of Lorma Colleges, was recently conferred with the Pagasa award among several other public servants during the Recognition of Outstanding Public Servants on October 15, 2010 at the Malacaang Palace. The award was personally presented by President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Palabay was adjudged as national Pagasa awardee for initiating innovative accomplishments that contributed much to the development and operation of NEDA Regional Office I. He developed the eSystems which includes the Integrated Personnel Information System, Electronic Daily Time Record System, NEDA Personnel Information System and Electronic Payroll System, Communication Tracking System, eLibrary System and the eCalendar System of the said government agency. One of the most efficient programs which has made a huge difference to the departments systems profiling on work time is the user-friendly NOTABLE PUBLIC SERVANT. President Benigno Aquino Jr. and cost-effective e-DTR, shakes hand with National PAG ASA Awardee Arnel Palabay during an automated system that the awarding of the country's search for Outstanding Public Servants. records and provides realPHOTO COURTESY CSC time and updated staff time-ins and outs, pass agencies in Regions 10 and 5 to embed slip (personal or official), leave credits, overtimes and even de- the program and facilitate in the conduct and operation of the system. viances. In 2004, he was an OJT of This innovation has other NEDA agencies all over the Philip- NEDA Regional Office 1 and was repines request for a set up of the same quired to establish office work programs program in their own respective sys- and projects. He graduated with a degree tems. Thus far, Palabay has gone to turn to page 4

Five Lormanians are now registered medical technologists after they passed the recently concluded Medical Technologist Licensure Examination slated in September of this year.
Djamafe Aureen Madayag, Warley Nipales, and Jusaley Taracatac belonged to the first batch of Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (former BS in Medical Technology) who garnered a 100% passing rate. The other two are second takers. There were five board passers out of 11 examinees which is a slight decrease compared to last years seven out of 13 examinees. However, the passing rate for the first takers increased from last years 75% to 100% of this year. Overall, Lorma got a 45.45 % passing rate. Lorma also scored perfect from previous batches. Batch 1992, the first batch of BS in Medical Technology, Batch 1997 and Batch 2001, obtained a 100% rating for the first time examinees. turn to page 4

Pang-apat. Easy ka lng. Relax. Huwag magpadala sa takot. Makakatulong ang konting breathing exercise upang maibsan ang nerbiyos. Isipin mo na lang na isa lamang ito sa mga normal na pag-uusap na iyong ginagawa sa pang-araw-araw. Maaari ka pang mamental block kung magpapatuloy ka sa pag-eentertain sa iyong damdamin.

Panlima. Tiyakin na tama ang pangalan na iyong sasabihin. Banggitin ito nang maayos at malinaw para marinig din nang maayos ng mga guro kung sino ang tinatawag. Siguraduhin ding samahan ng paggalangmaam, sir,doctor, etc. Maaaring siguraduhin ang pangalan sa pamamagitan ng mga listahan ng mga guro na naka-display sa paligid.

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SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010
CODs to serve as initial data to be used for the comprehensive benchmarking and monitoring activity for all IT programs which would be implemented next year. On the personal assessment of CCSE Dean Ana Belen Noble, the college has fully grown since 2006 when CODE was awarded to LC for IT Education. The number of students taking the courses offered in the college such as BS Information Technology, BS Computer Science and BS Computer Engineering has risen in population. The quality of education has also tremendously improved with progressive changes noted in the instructional quality of faculty, laboratories, library and curriculum. Also a president of Council of IT Education Deans and Heads-Region I (CITEDHRI), Dean Noble is one of the main organizers of many IT seminars and trainings in Region I. With this advantage, the college is a forerunner in promoting IT education in the region and thus, facilitates easy aligning of courses and job trainings for future IT professionals. Being identified as CODE is a status symbol for the school. It wholly differentiates the institution from the rest in terms of performance and quality education. IT recognition and prestige is not new to LC as the school is known for the program nationally and even globally. The CHED, COEs and CODs inspectors, and LC is looking forward for the schools implementation of the plans and innovations towards excellence and to be better than today.

CHED inspects Lorma's CODE status in IT Education

By Christian Kelvin Gonzales

46 SNs receive caps, badges

By Jesther Rowen B. Bautista

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) inspectors visited Lorma Colleges (LC), the Center of Development for Excellence (CODE) in IT Education in Region I for the evaluation of progress and assessment of the current state of the College as CODE last September 24, 2010.
Inspectors positively noted the reports of the CCSE in its improvement and Innovational plans for the coming years. Together with CHED, the Technical Panel for Computer Science and Entertainment Computing (TPCSEC) and Technical Panel for Information Technology and Information Systems (TPITIS) join the inspection and monitoring team. The inspectors recommended that the instructors with more loads than the standard should be revisited by the department. The library on the other hand should be maximized for some of the syllabi of the faculty and emphasize a more conscious and direct use of these library books as resources. The inspectors assessed that the College made big improvements and is qualified to be one of the CODEs in the country. The purpose of the activity was to determine the current state of CODs and COEs, evaluate their progress in terms of instructional quality, research and extension, and gather data from COEs and

Ready for greater responsibilities, 46 BSN students finally received their caps and badges during the 45th Capping, Badging and Candlelighting Ceremony last November 5, 2010 at the schools AVR.
Of the 46, 26 are enrolled in the Ladderized program and in their 3rd year. Meanwhile, 20 are enrolled in the regular program15 of which are in their 1st year and 5 in their 2nd year. Dr. Diadema Francesca B. La Madrid, Dean of Academic Affairs of Lorma Colleges describes the ceremony as a rite of passage acknowledgement of becoming a nurse, and a

baptismal to prepare the students to unconditional service to ill persons. At the end of her inspirational speech, the dean shared a poem A Nurses Wish where she emphasized the lines Let my work be all that I want to beI ask the Great Healer to work through me. She encouraged the students to consider their course not as a course that makes them millionaires but instead a vocation that lets them serve with passion. The ceremony was attended by the College Director, the Nursing Dean, the Dean of Student Affairs, the Registrar, the Hospital Chaplain and other distinct personnel from the college.

the social network

By Arnel P. Manzano

Add me on Facebook at cuteako_27@yahoo. com.ph. Of the 18 million Filipino users, such request is but a needle in a haystack.
To date, the Philippines ranks 6th for the most number of users around the globe and it would be very likely that even kids who have yet to enter school have their own account. The advent of social networking has definitely seeped into our bloodstream. Facebook has 500 million members in 207 countries. Its currently valued at 25 billion dollars. It is no miracle that its creators were included in Forbes magazines richest billionaires. How this global prodigys story reached a massive success is surprisingly likened and blamed to your ordinary unrequited love bug. The Social Network tells about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his best friend Eduardo Saverin and how they developed the site into a huge online networking phenomenon. Because the website was such a big hit among Harvard students and has attracted over a million members in two years, Mark was later sued by Saverin and pioneer financers the Winklevoss and accused him of stealing their ideas. In the end, both parties settled and Facebook remains to be a high commercial success to date. Armed with good scriptwriting by Aaron Sorkin, Social Network dramatically illustrates the life of Zuckerberg as a teenager and his frustrations in college where a geek like him is an outcast to the schools exclusive organizations. Every character has been given the chance to build his own form without sacrificing the credibility of the actual facts about them. With great direction from David Fincher, he was successful not only to let his actors portray their character but gave chance for viewers to find a counterpart like them in the movie. Viewers will be absorbed in the story itself and find the plot incredibly surprising as it progresses. tinually changed todays culture of communication and recreation.

MITS implements paperless library for 2nd semester

By Michael John Mojica

60 computer units are now installed in the College Librarys Reading Area to accomodate more users who need to do researches and assignments. The room has become cooler as the two wall airconditioning units had finally been restored.
Renovations, which started during the semestral break, were done to provide a more conducive learning environment for students. At the same time, the installation of computer units provide an improved resource center for faster and paperless work. The Marketing and I.T. Services (MITS) are planning additional improvements in the College Library. MITS Department Head Mr. Rufino Macagba III reveals, At the middle of the 2nd Semester, there will be one or two reference computer(s) inside the Library. These will contain magazine subscriptions, journals, a place where you can watch reference videos to your subject. But these will be only a test for the meantime. The renovations are part of the MITS vision of uplifting the status of Lorma education. Mr. Macagba says, You can see now significant changes in students education. Improvement like these are done because we want to raise educational standards in Lorma, not because we are required by the government, but rather (it is) necessary to make our students become globally competitive. He further adds that there will be a minimum of 6 to 12 referencecomputers by June of next year that will replace paper magazines and journals. The school also plans to explore the opportunity to use iPads instead of the 21 inch monitors, replace monobloc chairs for couches and ultimately revolutionalize the reading culture in the library. With plans like these, the College Library will be the most popular spot in the campus, adds Mr. Macagba.

CODE REASSESSMENT. CCSE Dean Ana Belen Noble presents the reports on the improvement and plans of the college to an inspector from TPITIS. PHOTO COURTESY OF CCSE

Lormanians battle during English Week

By Ma. Criselda Abrajano

English Week became a war of the words as World Civilization and Literature students compete in various contests with the theme Bolstering English Proficiency through Cultural and Language Appreciation.
The said activity was conducted in two separate days, September 29 and October 2, 2010 for the Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday (MTW) group and Thursday-Friday-Saturday (ThFS) group at the college gymnasium. Students competed for the Mr.and Ms. World, World Dance, World Cuisine and Speech Choir. MTW Group Renzie Ivan Costales and Patrice Elaine Lim of BSN 3-1 who embodied Australia bagged the titles Mr. and Ms. World respectively. First runners-up for were John

Joseph Gamboa (USA) of BSN 3-3 Kashmir Marjorie Hernaez (Philippines) of RadTech 2 while Jonathan Pang-ot (Philippines), BSIT 3 and Eden Olbinado (Philippines), BSCS 3 landed as the second runners-up. Special awards were also given. Most Articulate awards went to Hernaez and Costales. Rockie Lachica of BSN 3-9 who embodied India and Hernaez for Philippines won the Best National Costume. Representing various ethnic and cultural regions of the world, students also showcased their dancing prowess during the World Dance Competition. Wasiwas dancers of CoE 2 triumphed in the said contest. Meanwhile, the African dance of BSN 3-1 landed them second. BSN 3-3 placed third with their Chinese dance. Using the contest piece Voice in Silence, BSN 3-1 was proclaimed champion surpassing BSN 3-9 and RadTech 2 who placed 2nd and 3rd correspondingly in the Speech Choir. In the World Cuisine

Competition, RadTech 2 succeeded as champion in their Filipino dishes. COE 2 who also represented Philippines finished as second and BSN 3-3 which embodied USA filled the third spot. ThFS Group Mr. and Ms. World titles were copped by Maverick Kaypee Colet, BSPT 2 who represented Philippines and Mary Jane Libatique, BSN 3-2 who stood for India. Representatives of Puerto Rico from BSN 3-4, Kevin Mendoza and Abegail Azzan bagged first runnerup. Filling the second runnerup are Jayson Clave (India), BSN 3-2 and Alethea Halabaso (Philippines), BSPT 2. Libatique and Francis Ballon (BSN 3-8) got the Most Articulate awards while Mendoza and Azzan triumphed in the Best National Costume. Juniors from Medical Laboratory Science department, who executed a Muslim dance, bagged the first spot. The Indian dance of BSN 3-2

Like him, there are hundreds who are regarded less or rather insignificant in the Lorma community. Majority find comfort in relating personal experiences through the use of the internet. In a virtual world of the web, having a nice picture of your own or a better picture of someone else can instantly attract The struggle for virtual friends. prestige, fame and money Even the has been part of our daily fact that we are a existence. We would not third world counwant to settle for unsat- try does not bother isfactory results when users with the exwe have the oppportunity penses required to get better. The movie in maintaining an also presents emnity be- account just so tween friends, foes and they could post free loaders like the The comments, upload Winklevoss who for an pictures or play apinstance claimed to be plications or games the original proponents of for hours in a cafe. Facebook when in fact A normal student they do not have the intel- in Lorma (kill me if Im lectual ability to create it. wrong) cant barely stand Everyone has an 2 hours of a single lecture idea for that pivotal grand subject but feels unsatisplan. What sets Mark dif- fied for 2 hours of surfing ferent from the others is the net. that he has taken an acOne has stayed tion to work that plan even connected with friends though he was an undergraduate at the time of the sites creation. Almost every individual of todays generation has a Facebook account. The global unexplainable phenomenon of a once just-for-fun site has been contagious over the past years and has con-

and has stalked other peoples lives through the internet. Filipinos have lived in a culture where talking about others is considered a just-fine -theywoudnt-know-thing and sowhat-if-they-know. And because of this networking site, many have discovered the perks of hawking over various profiles

from all corners of the globe at a technologically advanced level. The site has certainly put an added icing to the cake. Its like modern day gossip amped up or a passing new trend or a novelty for entertainment or for those who still have no idea, just log in to Facebook.

LITERARY CONQUESTS. Mr. and Ms. World Titlists Renzie Ivan Costales and Patrice Elaine Lim, showcasing their Australian outfits are joined by Dr. Amelia Vicente and Mrs. Avelina Visaya during the commencement of the English Week celebration. PHOTO BY JOHN JOSHUA GUERERRO

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LORMA HIGHLIGHTS

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010
By Sofia Michelle Garcia | Graphics by Dagim

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010
people transcend societal Fourth, the need to norms and professional take care of someone. Some ethics? teenagers enter committed relationships because they First, the fear want to baby another person. of being alone. Almost These people have the paeveryone wants to have tience to stay up late at night, a companion in lifeto stand like guards in front of have someone to listen to the classroom, carry bags for your stories, laugh at your their girl, and so on. It is not jokes, and give you a hug clear whether a gender prewhen youre down. Al- dominates the other in this though these can be filled aspect, but males do have by a friend, having a spe- the instinct to provide, while cial someone in your heart females have the instinct to makes things special and care. different. A friendly kiss and hug are no match for Fifth, the social syma romantic date. bol. Being in a relationship may uplift your social status. Second, inspira- They say that when you are tion. It is by far committed, your charisma and arguably ironically rises. People will the most fa- want you more than when mous rea- you were very available. son why people This may not be ale n g a g e ways true to some people. But in a re- winning the heart of a lovely l a t i o n - lady is a huge ego booster s h i p . from friends. Comments like, Inspira- Ang swerte mo, Matinik tion mo- and others surely makes the t i v a t e s head swell with a bit of pride. s t u d e n t s As long as one does not give to exert in too much, being proud of more in your partner is healthy to t h e i r both parties. school p e r - Lastly, the want to f o r m - mature. Sometimes, a person a n c e . seeks a relationship because Many peo- he wants to develop mentally ple claim and emotionally. Having a that inspi- partner is one way to exercise ration does responsibility and concern. not neces- It can also be a good sarily mean a way to learn how to handle boyfriend or a situations, give advice, and help another person grow. Nobody wants to be a kid forever. Eventually, we want to experience how it is to be old. You may not want it this time, but you will eventually do. If you are single, do not despair. Being in a relationship is not exclusive for couples. For the meantime, you can consider your studies or your work as your relationship. While you are still uncommitted, engage in social activities. Join clubs and organizations, discover what interest you really the most, meet new people and widen your circle of friends. At the same time, focus on your studies. After all, nothing would be better than to be entering a relationship and you are stablephysically, emotionally, mentally, and academically. *Note: The author of this article is in a relationship and is trying to keep up with NCM 105.

UFC dominates BM Ad Congress 2010

By Ma. Criselda Abrajano

Whether you are in an intimate relationship, engaged, married, or in a puppy love kind of mutual understanding, the decision to be in a relationship is and will always be a magnanimous and sometimes bittersweet decision for the individuals involved.
And yes, being single has its benefits. Who says being in a relationship has none? Engaging in a relationship may not be a solid manifestation of emotional maturity, but it has a lot of benefits. In Lorma, it is a common place phenomenon to see paired students in every corner of the campus. They may be hanging out inside the library, at the Saucy Balls, the gym, inside an unoccupied classroom or in the all time favorite hang out the quad. Often, these couples belong to the same class, or at least to the same department. In this way, they can see each other more often. Also, the chances that they will attend seminars, workshops and other events together is higher in contrast to interdepartmental sweethearts. The most common interdepartmental pairing in Lorma might be that of the couple where the male is enrolled in a computer course while the female is from the paramedical field. This can be attributed to the fact that males are more interested with computers while females are more interested with human relations and hospital work. Aha, and so goes the adage, nurses are for engineers (computer engineers at that), and vice versa. Pun intended. Meanwhile, homosexual relationships are considered taboo by many. Thus, third gender couples are very rare to come out of the open. Fearful of receiving the blunt of ridicule and discrimination, couples in these relationships maintain their contact discreetly. They may be a pair of two students, a student and an alumnus, a student a n d someone from a different school, or a student and a professional (a doctor, lawyer, or a teacer). There are still no published theories on why people enthe school, hospital or company. People like Tyron are hoping that one day, other people will understand their feelings, too. Yet another taboo relationship is that between of a teacher and a student. Such relationships are frowned upon. It is not illegal; although it warrants ethical sanctions of the school, it is not punishable b y

Bagging four of the six awards, Team United for a Cause (UFC) prevailed in the competition for project presentations during the annual Business Management Ad Congress held last October 8 at the Lorma San Juan Campus conference room with the theme Reborn.
Team UFC grabbed Best in Product, Best in Service, Best in Public Service, and Best in Advertisement, an outstanding feat ensuring their stint as the events over-all champion. Meanwhile, Best in BM Ad and Best in Radio Ad were triumphed by teams Innova and Youth Aiming for Education and Livelihood (YAEL), placing them 2nd and 3rd spots respectively. The congress was a search for the best team in various categories, and recognized the three teams efforts in extending services to different communities in the province for the last four months. Team UFC organized projects for residents of Brgy Victoria, Luna. These were Project BATO (Business and Arts Training Opera-

tion), which targeted stonepickers ages 6 to 15 and teaching them how to create new products out of stones; Project Tilafinra (Tilapia Fingerling Raising), where a seminar on fish raising was conducted; Project ARCO (Artificial Coral Making), where a seminar on building artificial corals was conducted; and Project F-PROC (Processed Fish Product), where locals were taught how to make fish shanghai, fish tapa, and fish tocino. Meanwhile, Team Innovas projects include Kwarta sa Basura, where young 5th and 6th graders sell garbages to fund the next workshop called Creamylicious Kendi, which taught the 15 pupils how to make pastillas; and Something Fishy, where 15 housewives were taught how to prepare fishbutido, bola bolang isda, and fish patties. Residents of Brgy Catbangen, San Fernando City were the teams audience.

Team YAEL conducted seminars for locals of Brgy Casilagan, Bauang. Among these were WINE (Way in Nurturing the Economy) where the locals were trained to produce rice wine; WORMS (Wonders of Reproduction and Market Sustainability), which trained ten heads of families how to design novelty items out of cocoon; and LIFE (Living in a Fashion-ate Environment), where gradeschool pupils were taught of the value of protecting the environment. With these accomplishments, the Business Management Program promises to continue training young public servants who will cater to needs of more communities in the province.

Galuba, Sabate place 2nd in PERAA Search

By Arnel P. Manzano

Fresh from last years victory, Dr. Henry Galuba and Florante Sabate both clinched the 2nd place in the Private Education Retirement Annuity Associations (PERAA) search for the most outstanding member for the year 2010 in the Administrative Staff Category Level A and B respectively. The event was held at Marco Polo Hotel, Cebu City last October 21.
Florante Sabate, the present Property and Supply Officer of Lorma Colleges, remains modest after winning. I was the youngest in my category and that his co-candidates were at least 10 to 30 years in service. But working for Lorma in the span of three years in various positions including being the checker and time keeper for employees in his earlier career to being the present Supply Officer gave him the advantage. Competing with veteran candidates, his community involvement raised his points because of active participation in the Lions Club International, Sepak Takraw coaching and founding the Lorma Employees Motorcycle club where he is the president. Considered to be an invaluable personality in research, Dr. Henry Galuba, Research and Faculty Development Coordinator of Lorma has his long list of working credentials that has propelled him to be one of the most sought after educators in research expansion, development and innovative teaching strategies in the entire Philippines. Meanwhile, Dean Ludivina Magpali has also qualified and was one of the 5 finalists for the Teaching Category Level A. PERAA is a major player in the retirement industry and the largest non-profit, non sectarian, multi-employers retirement plan exclusive for private education in the Philippines. Annually, Lorma Colleges sends candidates for the nationwide search and has been successful in bagging awards.

CREATIVE AND STURDY. BM Students build a tall tower out of newspapers during the Business Management Advertising Congress held at the San Juan Campus. PHOTO BY ZICHELLE MERCADO

MITS opens US content service to Lormanians

By Jesther Rowen B. Bautista
now

Lormanians are beginning to experience a chip of the schools latest innovation yet as the Marketing and IT Services (MITS) has officially piloted the implementation of the US Content Service this second semester. The service allows Lormanians, both students and faculty, to gain access to unlimited information from the world wide web but with an added twistwe now can view the same web pages that Americans view without physically stepping in American soil. During the enrollment, students were given their own accounts for windows live free of charge. The account can be used as storage for files such as document texts, video clips, images and others, and is still accessible inside and outside the campus. What are the benefits? With the implementation of the US Content Service, both the student and the teacher experience a long list of benefits. Students can now borrow up to date electronic books from local US libraries, thus there is no longer a need to buy and carry big, heavy textbooks. For instance, the bulky 2217-page Medical Surgical Nursing textbook of Joyce Black costs more than a thousand pesos. But with the US Content Service, students gain access to more than one book for nearly the same price.

Instructors can also download movie clips, films, videos and other media to be used for classroom lectures and discussions such as clips of surgical operations, short films regarding Philippine history, movies of Western literature, and more. They can also search for books that best fit the subject they teach, have them downloaded and shared with the students. Lormanians now have access to television shows that are used to be only open to the American public. Latest episodes of Glee, Criminal Minds and The Simpsons can be viewed at sites like Veco.com and Hulu.com. With features like these, Lorma is now the first and only educational institution in the country north of Manila that provides its students and faculty with unlimited access to exclusive online US content. Why is it implemented? Lorma envisions its students to become globally competitive. And Lorma Inc President Dr. Rufino Macagba, Jr. emphasizes that in order for this vision to be realized, quality education must be delivered. He believes that as the school gets older, it must renew itself. Facilities and services therefore must be up to date. The US Content Service opens new opportunities for Lormanians. It augments the need for textbooks. It bridges the knowledge

gap between Lormanians and their foreign counterparts. Mr. Rufino Macagba III, Director of the MITS says, Lormanians need to keep up with the rest of the world. And the best way to do this is to have an acess to the same information that our foreign counterparts have. got them the second place while the Chinese Fan dance performed by BSN 3-8 landed them third. Speech Choir champions for BSN 3-2 beat BSN 3-4 and 3-8 who are 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Indian cuisine of BSN 3-2 prevailed while BSN 3-6s Australiainspired foods and Chinese cuisine of BSN 3-8 got 2nd and 3rd respectively. This celebration aims to enhance the students communicative abilities and develop their aesthetic appreciation in both literary and cultural performances, on the word of Dr. Amelia N. Vicente, Chairman of the Organizing Committee which was comprised by Mr. Arniel Padrigan, Mr.Noel Sumingwa, Ms. Girlie Ricanor, and Mrs. Avelina Visaya from the College of Arts and Sciences faculty. Mr. Peter Patacsil, Ms. Lailanie Soriano and Mrs. Joyce Soriano served as the judges for the various events.

As a normal stu But sometimes, dent, rumors have not esmembers of a club or orcaped me. Though one is ganization end as couples, not interested with the latest too. There have been pairs buzz in the campus, being Mahirap pumasok aware of what is happening of student officers before. Usually, the relationship sa ganitong sitwasyon. Pero may come in handy. is hushed during the early parang nagigigng madali months of the dating proc- lang ito pag alam naming A friend once ess as the couples hesitate may mga tumatanggap sa frankly asked an instructo let other members know. amin. Happiness is a choice. tor regarding his rumored At ito yung pinili namin. relationship with a student. Though eventuInstead of denying the issue, Despite the more the instructor replied, It ally their secret will be out, they have to endure some open acceptance of gays in was never intentional. I still months with no intimacy the society, relationship be- love my wife and kids, but in order to prioritize their tween and among them is the temptation is still there. organizations projects and still a matter of questionable integrity especially for those So what is in a reendeavors. who hold high positions in lationship that lets some

gage in same-sex relationships. But according to Tyron Flores, a self-confessed homosexual, being in a relationship with someone of your own gender is not something one can easily publicize.

law. Ultimately, it is the judgment of other people that hinders such relationships.

girlfriendcrush will do. Nonetheless, they claim seeing that someone every single wake makes their day complete and gives them a jumpstart inside the class. Unless you become obsessed with the other person, a relationship as inspiration is not at all a bad idea. Third, the need to be taken care of. Teenagers sometimes seek relationships because they want to be babied. They want someone to remind them when to eat, when to go to sleep, greet them good morning, wish them luck during exams. Corny as it may sound, it is a human drive that roots from our childhood days.

HUMBLE AWARDEES, DILIGENT EMPLOYEES. College Director Jose P. Mainggang poses with PERAA Awardees LC Research Director Dr. Henry Galuba and Propery and Supply Officer Mr. Florante Sabate. PHOTO COURTESY OF FLORANTE SABATE

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SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010

Martial Arts guru says athletes need more training

By Jesther Rowen Bautista

Despite bagging four gold, four silver, and three bronze medals in the Regional Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Meet at Laoag City last October 27-30, Student Affairs Coordinator Noel Sumingwa thinks Lorma athletes need intensive training to stand out at the National Meet this February.
Also a nationally renowned martial artist, Mr. Sumingwa worries about the status of athletes in the college as he perceives many of them to be lacking in strength and physical stamina. Most of the students are enrolled in paramedical courses. And majority of the strong contenders come from the nursing department. As much as they want to join, they cant because they have clinical duties. As a result, we have limited athletes who are really strong. He also confessed that the passion for sports is gradually dying as students become less concerned with their extracurricular activities. When we join sports events, it is as if we are only joining for participations sake, he added. Nonetheless, the trainer does not point his fingers exlusively to the students. I cannot blame them. I dont blame their teachers either. Its the courses being offered, Mr. Sumingwa remarked. Students cannot really sacrifice their studies for their games. Naturally, theyll prioritize their academics. Indeed, he recognizes the athletes schedules as an another factor why their performance become less and less commendable. Although the athletes are given incentives through tuition fee discounts, Sumingwa claims that encouraging student athletes to master their sports through after class training and practices is becoming a major problem. He says that excusing the athletes from their classes is difficult when their instructors are not sports-oriented, as they deny his request for allowing them to train and practice for sports events. Their lack of practice then becomes a loophole for their performance. Although the La Union Team was given only a month to prepare for the Regional Meet, some Lorma varsity players managed to triumph. Gold medalist Simon Sudiacal and Kenneth Maynes for Lawn Tennis, and Victor Guray for Karatedo will be among the regions representatives at the national meet. With barely four months left to train for the Nationals, Mr. Sumingwa encourages the athletes to allocate time for after-class practice and learn to balance sport with their schooling.

By Jesther Rowen B. Bautista

OF TATTERED PANTS AND MARDI GRAS. The Bebemons shows off some astounding stunts and dance moves during the Surfing Break 2010. PHOTO COURTESY OF JAVIE JAMES MACAGBA

Lormanians top 5th Surfing Break fest

By Ma. Criselda Abrajano

Lorma Bebemons, mainly consisting of members of the Lorma Ambassadors, the official student dance troupe of Lorma Colleges, was proclaimed the champion in the Sala ti Dalluyon Street Dance Competition during the 5th La Union Surfing Break on October 29, 2010 at Urbiztondo, San Juan.
The group showcased their own interpretation of the three-day events theme WOW La Union: Surfing Break @ 5 with their tattered outfit. Meanwhile, Javie James Macagba, Radiologic Technology IV student, and partner Mark Joseph Gabaon, Lorma alumnus, landed 4th among 17 contenders in the Mens Beach Volleyball Competition. The two were known members of the college varsity team. Lormanians joined the huge crowd that flooded the beaches of Urbiztondo Student ID Fee from page 1 The school administration agreed with the proposition but made some modifications. Rather having an ID for four years, the administration suggested that the ID shall be utilized for an entire school year, including summer. The SML and the student bodies agreed to the proposal.

ions overall tourism industry and other business ventures. It features activities including Frisbee, Beach Volleyball, Sand Castle Building Contest, Photography Contest, Surf Board Design Competition, Fire Dance Clinic, Amazing Race Challenge and Surfing lessons during the night parties. It for an affordable fee. was a sunset to midnight This year, the beer festival and rockband concerts during the second organizers of the Surfing nights Oktoberfest, also an Break has launched two annual event sponsored by additional activitiesthe Pinta Alon Competition San Miguel Corporation. (skin art challenge tatAiming to educate too fest) which celebrates and expose surfing to the the human skin as a pergeneral public, Surfing Break fect venue to showcase is timed during the semes- art, and Sala ti Dalluyon tral break to attract students Street Dance Contest from Manila, Baguio, and which celebrates the provother cities from Northern inces natural scenery and Luzon who are the main tar- beaches that made it earn get market. the titles Surfing Capital Surfing Break is of North Philippines and celebrated to boost La Un- The Palace of Endless Summers. Kung magbabayad din lang naman ako, magpapagawa na lang ako ng bago, said Wilfredo Castillo BSN IV as he stormed towards the gym last enrollment. However, when he approached the library staff for a new ID, Mr. Romeo L. Manzano, Library Aid, said that the ID will still be good for the present school year and no retaking is necessary. Mr. Ismael G. Caasi, Chief Finance Officer of Lorma, Inc. said, The new ID actually costs Cebu and Davao served as the venues of the exam. The College of Medical Laboratory Science continues to implement measures to improve the results of the Med Tech Board Exam like seminar schedmga P250.00. Therefore, the ID fee charged last semester is just a half payment of the total ID fee. That is why you only paid about P110.00 this semester. It is a good thing that our fellow students are becoming more observant with regards to what they are paying for. After all, it is our parents who are working for the money, and not us, commented Jerome Alagao, Fourth Year Governor from the Nursing department.

Freshmen college students are typical candidates who run for the Sangguniang Kabataan, the youth legislature in every Filipino barangay.
When I was in first year, I thought of volunteering myself to run for a public office through SK. I was obsessed with the idea that the community needs a lot of reformsthe health center is used to stack sacks of rice, many youths are of school or become drug addicts, and greedy officials dominate the barangay with trivial projects such as additional monoblocs for the barangay hall. But as classes went on, I lost interest as I began focusing with my studies. Soon enough, my mind has completely abandoned SK. What is SK? Sangguniang Kabataan is the governing body in every chapter of the Youth Federation. Each barangay is legally mandated to have its own chapter of the SK. SK Officials are in the age bracket of 15 to 18 year old during the time of election. The Chairman acts as the Chief Executive while the Kagawad as the legislative council. The Kagawads approve resolutions of the Sanggunian and appropriates the money allotted to the council, a share in the revenue of every barangay. The Barangay SK Chair represents the barangay in every municipal or city federation, the municipal in the provincial, and so on. What is Faulty with the SK? Many critics describe the SK as futile and useless because the officials are merely after the benefits and honoraria and do not really serve the youth. True enough, many SK chapters are only implementing dance parties, beauty pageants, and singing competitions. Though such events may promote youth socialization, these are inadequate in serving the best interests of the youth. But not all SK are limited to pageants and parties. Some SKs have served their communities by funding the establishment of day care centers, livelihood and tree planting projects. ties (2008-2010), and many others. National SK President Jane Censorva Cajes claims, There is an SK who rehabilitated their river. In Lucena, the SK bought a multi-cab to use for collecting garbage. In Cagayan de Oro, they regularly hold debates and dialogues during the Youth Week. Though SK has a noble concept, it faces abolition because of many corruption issues. Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel, the very author of Republic Act 7160

RIDING THE 360. A local surfer battles the wave with his surfing board during the National Surfing Competition, a highlight of the Surfing Break 5 festivities. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICO SALAMANCA.

Alumnus from page 1 in Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in 2005 and was awarded Programmer of the Year and was also qualified for Cum Laude. He was also an academic scholar and a consistent dean's lister. There were three categories for the said recognition: Lingkod ng Bayan, Dangal ng Bayan, and Pagasa award.

Meanwhile, the Pagasa Award is granted to an individual or group for outstanding contributions that directly benefit more than one department of government on a certain degree of standards. Palabays notable achievements serve as an inspiration to all Lormanians, especially to those in the CCSE programs.

Nonetheless, students find the fee bothersome. They expect that only the transferees will have to pay for a new ID. But some students thought of requesting a new one. MT Board from page 1 A total of 910 out of 1,278 examinees nationwide having an average of 71.28%, passed the September 2010 Medical Technologist Licensure Examination. Manila, Baguio,

ule for 3 hours a week for the whole year and free review for 1 month provided by Dr. Victor Emperador Jr., the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the College of Medical Laboratory Science.

Some have passed nosmoking ordinances, curfew on minors, ban on waste chemical dumping, and sports facilities for the youth. San Fernando City SK President Leica Mariz Balanon attests that, The SK Federation batch 07-10 was able to formulate projects and activities deemed necessary for the welfare of the youth. The SKF has handled issues concerning the youth with programs such as the Green Brigade (2010), Anti-drug abuse campaign (2009), Adolescent Reproductive Health Program (2008-2009), Disaster Coordination and Calamity Management, Sports Development Activi-

SK is a voice of the youth. If they will abolish it, parang pinatay na rin nila ang kabataan,
or the Local Government Code which created the SK in 1991 is pushing for SKs demise. Many other legislators had filed bills proposing the abolition of SK. A study in 2007 commissioned by United Nation Childrens Fund and the Department of Interior and Local Government determined SKs impact in the local government process. The study revealed that abolishing the SK will not serve the best interest of children and young people now ill it shield them from negative influences of poli-

tics and politicians. It will only destroy a unique system and a mechanism that has great potential for youth participation in every governance and community service. What Needs to be Reformed? One of the major loopholes in SK is the young age bracket. 15-18 year olds are most likely fresh high school graduates or starting in college. SK Chairmen of this age are too young to enter politics. Although training them to be leaders at their tender ages. The young age bracket limits their authority. BP, SK Chairman of a barangay in Naguilian (he requested not to mention the name of the barangay), claims, OMG. Im so underdog. Kapag may sinasabi silang project sa akin, ginagawa ko. But if ako naman ang nagsuggest, nadedelay ang implementation. He became the SK Chair when he was 16. At this age, SK officials focus on their studies. Many SK Chairmen study far from their home barangays and thus, they are not fully aware of the status of their subordinates. Some SK Chairmen in the barangays of San Fernando study in Baguio, yet others in Manila. Also, they cannot transact money and prepare check and balance statements. Often, they can be easily influenced by politicians. With these reasons, many critics push the abolition of the SK.

However, youth representatives from various organizations strongly suggest a reform of the system rather than abolishing it. SK is a voice of the youth. If they will abolish it, parang pinatay na rin nila ang kabataan, says Aiza Nonog, SK Chairman of Boy-utan, Bauang. The Future of SK A new set of SK Officials has been announced, but the same old challenge remains. A reform has still not been done. Newly elected SK are again asked, What are your plans for the next three years? Kelvin Gonzales, the new SK Chairman of Mabanengbeng II, Bacnotan replies, We will try to uphold the noble mission of Sangguniang Kabataan. We will maximize our efforts to address any youths concerns. Sana ay kilalanin din ng Barangay Captain ang kakayahan naming mga kabataan. With their tender ages, our young officials have an idealistic mentality, blessed with vigor and the eagerness to serve. But again, at the same time, they are also preoccupied with their studies to personally prepare themselves for the challenges of the future. A dilemma now exist. But it is very interesting to find out how our young leaders will balance their personal priorities with the service to the best interest of every Filipino youth.

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By Renzie Ivan A. Costales | Graphics by MystGunn By Faye Rose Costales | Graphics by Tenjo Night are expensive but will surely cost a very favorable level of student interest. Corresponding fees will also be allocated accordingly in the existing fees stipulated in the students tuition. terest that leads exploration of what it can do. US-based internet sources opens oppurtunities for students to involve themselves in the exploration of what US residents do with their own internet connections. Students can Modernizing Lorma access international libraries Lorma is set to that has numerous books that change the traditional li- can aid in their researches. brary and convert it to an Libraries like Library of Chielectronic one. Subscrip- cago, Library of Michigan and tion to different volumes of the like will become an outlet books and journals will be for world-class information. done by the school and given Although the US to the students. In this way, content service promises tons students can easily access of advantages, not all students books that are not readily comply and maximize this available in the Philippines. facilityat least not yet, says Students can also choose a Mr. Rufino Macagba Jr. variety of books that is appropriate for their respective At present, not all courses. Lorma has opened students have laptops or any the US content service to all similar device that they can areas of the campus through use to access these sites. One wifi connection wherein an- factor is that some Lormaniyone inside the campus that ans are unmindful of these has a laptop can have access facilities because they are to this. Lorma is bound to confined to the traditional make the whole campus as a manner of living. Some teachvast, wireless library. ers view technology as a form of laziness and irresponsibiliThrough the US ty. Because students are given content service, instructors readily access to information, can supplement their lecthey will no longer exert effort tures with high end clips and to do research and burn eyemovies from the US internet brows at night. Some teachers connection. They could just do not yet embrace technolpause the clip, supplement ogy, and therefore their stuinformation then continue dents are influenced to be just thata bit conventional.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010

Despite the perks of the World Wide Web, most of us arent still privy to many of the western countries browsing capabilities. And even with Lorma placed in a technologically hyped environment with several wi-fi access points, many of us would still see ourselves, staring at our laptops and looking at the lcd with words flashing contemptuously. RESTRICTED ACCESS. Sorry our video library can only be streamed in the United States.
So yes, Filipino web browsing service is chronologically and technically classified as ancient. But what if the tables turned and you could type in any site youd like to visit. No holds barred. And just like any other American, you can access the web sans the restrictions? No more long hours of searching for references. No more bummed up buffering and loading of videos in host sites or in youtube. No more substandard information confinement. United States of America. Just open your laptops, type the URL, and tada! Welcome to the USA. US content service offers educational materials and resources from the internet that is not available here in the Philippines. Lorma Colleges is simply bringing USA to Lormanians through its accessibility to students and to anyone inwhich can only allow their users to attach a maximum of 10 MB file, the SkyDrive allows attachments up to 50 MB for each file. Since students can access the internet anywhere in the campus, an online storage for files and other documents would prove to be a cut over a flash drive. SkyDrive can serve as storage for back up files which can be retrieved with ease, anytime and anywhere. On the other hand, once a flash drive is lost, its contents can no longer be retrieved. Besides, since students are given free accounts in Windows Live, they wont need to buy a flash drive anymore. Tie ups with Microsoft USA has allowed also the school to offer downloading

Volunteer nurse, gang-raped.

Brutal gang rape to Filipina nurse, condemned. Rape victim nurse Florence, remains unconscious and paralyzed. Nursing groups seek justice for gang-raped nurse. The Philippine nursing profession was shook into its very core as these headlines fill the newspapers, television, and news sites online for the past few weeks. It has been reported that the victim, Florence (not her real name) was gang-raped, maimed and left for dead in a grassy area near the hospital she had been assigned to in South Upi, Maguindanao last September 25. Volunteerism, what? for help it can get amidst the constant neglect of people in power and harsh abuse of resources. It was an act of sheer patriotism, compassion and selflessness when Florence volunteered to be act as the Lady of the Lamp who would shed light to this place shadowed with lots of controversies. The children of South Upi are desperate f o r help.

in public hospitals begin from 3 in the afternoon until 11 in the evening. Though the City Police Department reports that there had been no cases of gang raping with nursevolunteers as victims, they encourage that women should keep on watch, especially at night. Elusive

one of the suspects who raped the volunteer nurse but instead of helping the investigation, he confuses the task force working on the case. What could be drawn from this? Whitewash! It might be an effort to conceal the truth. The policemen certainly need not zero in on the confession alone. This case not yet one hundred percent

The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9173, Article II, Section 2 - Declaration of Policy) stipulates: It is hereby declared the policy of the State to assume responsibility for the protection and improvement of the nursing profession by instituting measures that will result in relevant nursing education, humane working conditions, better career prospects and a dignified existence for our nurses. Underscore the word protection and phrase dignified existence of our nurses. It is clearly violated in the case of Florence. The nurses main objective as a professional is to give quality, safe care to Filipinos. But who is taking care of the nurses issues and concerns? Adequate, proactive, accurate, and timely responses need to be instituted through appropriate mechanisms to address this pressing issue that definitely sent the Philippine nursing profession under painful scrutiny and limelight of controversy. A newly-written resolution made last July 2010 was the creation of a National Nursing Oversight TASK FORCE referred to as NURSE WATCH PHILIPPINES. The resolution states that the duties of this Task Force are to: 1) actively anticipate and identify potential and actual issues and concerns affecting Philippine Nursing and obtain evidences or cues thereof; 2) keep watch over prevailing issues and concerns affecting nursing education and service as well as other concerns of nurses in private or government positions; 3) develop action programs to address issues and concerns through the formulation of position papers, organizing a Public Relations Bureau, holding press conferences, creating lobby groups in support of or against issues and concerns affecting Philippine Nursing and its pro-people health advocacies, improve the image of the profession, as well as inform the public of timely and relevant health and nursing issues; 4) monitor and alert concerned organizations and agencies both government and private on possible courses of action and healthy responses for Philippine Nursing; 5) evaluate all action programs engaged in for nursings professional growth and productivity. With these duties of the Nurse Watch Philippines, it is high time for them to act.

Florence is a volunteer nurse under the Nurses Assigned in Rural Areas (NARS) Program of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). NARS Program aims to address the glut in inexperienced nurses and the proliferation of "volunteer nurses" working in hospitals without being paid, but instead, they themselves pay the hospitals to obtain certificate of work experience; and to promote health of the people and bring the government closer to them. Unemployed nurses will be mobilized in their hometowns as warriors for wellness. Florence really exemplified a true Florence Nightingale, the Matriarch of Nursing and the Lady of the Lamp. While other Filipino nurses opt to work abroad and look for greener pasture, nurse Florence chose to serve in the remote area of South Upi, Maguindanao. This place is considered to be the ends of the earth where there is no electricity, no water, no radio, no television, and no transportation except for one or two motorcycles that come and go on rough and war-torn roads. It is a place teeming with poverty, a place that needs all the

This semester, Lorma has just given you the password to liberally browse United States of America. US content service What we consider as new information in the college, might have already been taught to Americans in the 70s. Thats a far cry from standards of global competitiveness. In order to address the big challenge of competing with the rest of the world, Lorma Colleges is training its students to be at par with the competency of students from other international institutions. Equipment and facilities are being formulated to fulfill this purpose of the school. A recent fulfillment of this purpose is the access to US content service. At present, the school commands 59.5 Mbps of bandwidth supported by 14 DSLs, subdivided into 3 segments which include 6 wifi hubs, 5 designated for the laboratories and 3 for the administration. This high speed internet access allows the ready downloading of educational materials, information, and entertainment files straight from all dimensions of

cam-

pus.

side the

How does it work? Each Lormanian is given a free account in Windows Live which will give them an exclusive pass to the US Content Service. According to Mr. Rufino Macagba, Jr, director of Marketing and IT Services, intructional materials like e-books will be sent to the students emails, therefore they will no longer need to buy one and endure their weight. With their accounts, students are given a 40 gigabyte storage of data that can be used both for academic and entertainment purposes. The email can accommodate an astounding 10 gigabytestorage of documents and texts. Meanwhile, photos, videos, and other media can be stored in a 25-gigabyte storage in Windows Live SkyDrive. Thats roughly saving about 35 full length movies, 500 audio files and around a thousand photos. This can be accessed by typing explore.live.com in your browser. Unlike other mail accounts like Yahoo!mail and Gmail

options of original and licensed softwares through their Windows Live account. Dreamspark.com basically hands out the students with licensed softwares such as Windows Server 2010, Visual Basic C++, Visual Studio 2010 Professional, SQL Server Express and even offers featured software on Robotics Developer Studio which will in time be introduced to Computer Engineering students. Educational prospects Resources are limited in the Philippines compared to the US. But the US content service entails different characteristics that provides the key for students to become globally competent professionals in the future and acquire the same jobs as that of a student coming from Ivy league universities. Students can now dwell in interactive lectures through movies and clips that will be shown to students through big screens that the school will provide. Proactive manner of learning will enable the students to learn like the Americans do. Little by little there will be additions of these types of advancements. Facilities like these

And of course, financial incapacity plays a huge role. Not everyone can afford a laptop. Some Lormanians are sponsored with scholarships, and a laptop may not be included in their regular expenses. But thus said, an edgy laptop is not a requirement. As long as a stuUSA is a prime dent has a wireless device that source of educational and can access the internet, may entertainment portal. Beit be their own or borrowed, ing able to access these will they can utilize the service. give Lormanians faster pace compared to other instiMoreover, the imtutions that just keeps on plementation is still on its pimodifying the traditional lot stage. The school will still educational system. This in- examine if the project will be novation revolutionizes the feasible. In time, students are educational systema first encouraged to maximize the in the country. use of the service. An institutions credibility is a major Generation tech factor in getting a job. ImThe level of proving the schools facilities quality has brought a big- will raise the chances for Lorger challenge on bridging manians land in a job in an instudents from the typical ternational company. Raising school life to a modern, the standards of Lorma Edutechnological one. Since the cation will give every student people belonging to the new an edge in the global market. generation are increasingly acquainted with the use of technology, it increases inplaying the clip. Lectures can now become interactive and students will have greater possibility for retention. Renewing the instructors manner of teaching will provide students more comprehensive learning.

They look h a l f their age because of malnutrition. The elders dont have access to medical care and health facilities. There was a lot to do yet she chose to serve in this far-flung and impoverished community. But somewhere between the heart of darkness and the municipal hospital compound in South Upi, the volunteer nurse was gang-raped by six to ten men. She was found in an abandoned cornfield half naked, with her body badly bruised and battered. Despite of her genuine intention and idealism to help, she ended up being a victim of this barbaric act. La Union is home to a staggering number of nurse-volunteers. While majority of these volunteers are residents of San Fernando City, there are also significant number of nurse-volunteers from neighboring provinces such as Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan. Afternoon shifts

Justice Weeks had passed and the cries for justice, protests and indignation rallies are still non-stop. All nurses and nursing students in the province had been wearing a black arm band as a sign of silent protest. At this point, Florence is currently recovering and her condition is reported to be improving, however, justice had been elusive. Investigations are presently ongoing. Astonishingly, an involvement of a person from an influential family in South Upi, Maguindanao is being looked upon by authorities. The person identified to be involved is the very vice mayor of the said town. He refused to cooperate and have his DNA tested with the evidences to rule out if he is really involved. Then, a certain former militiaman confessed and claimed to be

solved, as what Philippine National Police Chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said before. There should be no let-up in the efforts to arrest the real perpetrators behind the gruesome gang rape and attempted murder of Florence. Moreover, with no clear leads yet on the real masterminds, investigators seemed to be facing a blank wall. As time wears on, chances of whitewash are also increasing. Compared to the blast victims after the Bar exam in Manila, Florence who dared to serve a very isolated town despite the risks to her life, received very little attention from the government. Who cares for the nurses? A dramatic irony can be discerned from this. Nurses are always known as the one who gives care to patients of all ages from all walks of life but when the nurse becomes the one who needs care, who cares for them?

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By Renzie Ivan A. Costales

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010 Attempts in restoring the slowly deteriorating Mother Nature have been numerous. A lot of interesting and creative means have been established but it seems modernity continuously brings change to the environment. Since peoples external milieu are now considered polluted, the solution to this problem is simple, Cleanliness. A breakthrough regarding this matter involves the ecosan.
Ecosan, which stands for Ecological sanitation, is a means for a cleaner and greener environment. Ecosan is a urine-diverting dry toilet (UDDT) in which urine and feces are being converted to compost that will become fertilizers. No water is needed to flush human excreta but instead, ash is used as alternative.
revive Philippine tourism in the aftermath of the governments series of blunders was the final topping to our cake of international humiliation.

EDITORIAL When Publicitys at Stake

The Philippines has been cited as one of the most dangerous places for journalist.
A statement overemphasized in public; always underscored whenever issues related to media killings and repressions were featured on news programs; a vivid proof that Philippines is now on the verge of media extinction. So that those who should be concerned but who just opted to hibernate for a long time instead of solving this true-to-life man slaughtering, are now beginning to prove their existence. MEDIA HANDBOOK, a 48 pager safety and security manual personally intended for PRESS people was initiated by the Philippine National Police Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management. This is to respond to Pres. Aquinos order to ensure security for media workers. Incorporated in this handbook are some security tips which, according to them, will empower the media to effectively protect themselves as well as their families against threats and danger. And accompanied by this handbook are seminars which will enhance those information stated in the booklet. This is indeed, an impressive and persuasive plot which can save anyone from any competency check. But just like any other started plans by these authorities, this booklet attracted concerns from media organizations and groups, who were not even consulted about the handbook and its content. Hence, they found the handbook questionable and cannot help but to feel apprehension, thinking that this program will just take advantage of them, resulting to suppression of information dissemination to public. But as always, the authority has its own way of saving themselves from those striking complaints, saying that this is just a guide and will still be open to some suggestions and revisions. And this will now gain trusts, thus will keep them from any arguments or further interrogation. The number of abducted media workers continues to ascend.If this manual is expected to at least lessen the episodes of PRESS injustices, why was it plotted and released only now? To this very moment that number of slain journalists is already overwhelming in size? Is this really a show of solicitude towards these lurid mishaps as they want to portray or again just a mere publicity stunt? We cannot help but to feel this way because there were a lot of chances where these authorities did not portray any sign of concern towards the PRESS who are, nowadays, deeply aggravated because of numerous harassments and human violations they experience. No one was brave to give a helping hand when the press needs help. Worse, they are even accused for something to which they were never linked at any cause. Well, were not trying to spoil what this handbook can and cannot do but we just want to pinpoint the habitual errors of these officers-in-charge. Barely seen or maybe, intentionally ignored by them, all we can do initially is to wait and critically observe for some progress in case some might surface. Or be ready for something which will leave you gritting your teeth because of annoyance.

ing the ash while the urine is stored inside a sealed container that hinders the pungent smell from being released. When the containers become full, the waste products are removed and stored for 7 months in a separate store room before it can be used as fertilizer. After 7 months, the compost can

only feces is not as effective as that of a mixture of feces and urine. Feces have lesser fertilizing ability than with mixture due to three factors. PUK, which stands for Phosphorus, Urea, and Potassium, is the secret of the mixture. Rising from a failure The Centre for Advanced Philippine Stud-

gram is a millennium development goal (MDG)-oriented alleviation programme in which the ecosan belongs. Its on its second ISSUE that will end on December 2010. The ISSUE programme will now reach its third installment and will now reach farther areas. This programme enabled the former Mayor Mary Jane Ortega to choose two very poor barangays, one rural and one urban. San Agustin, San Fernando City, La union was one of the chosen pilot areas. San Agustins ecosan is one of the most recognized ecosans in the province. According to Mr. Anacleto Galvez, owner of one ecosan, ecosan have changed his life through not only the fame he received but

to the people for these people to give care and improve their ecosans. Continuity versus practicality Proprietors of the ecosan believe that smart sanitation is intended for smart people. Environmental status walks a miserable path. Pollution has brought a dispensable change in the atmosphere, yet people continuously add up to the problem. People do not follow proper waste segregation which is already considered as an outmoded, yet supposedly an effective take on reducing pollution. Alternative and new ways in reducing pollution, such as that of ecosan, are already been imposed for the people. All they need to do is simple, follow them. They just need to embrace the fact that humanity is settled in a living time bomb waiting to explode. Numerous factors affect the engagement of people in such ways like poverty, lack of initiative, and progressive laziness in implementing programs. People simply resort to living a more practical way than that of the ideal way, practical way that is focused on what is much easier and convenient. If people think that not actively participating in environmental programs is a more practical way than implementing programs, think again! Disregarding environmental programs will aggravate the condition of the environment resulting into harsh and life-threatening effects. These effects results to greater damages that will have an effect on all entities of the environment including human beings. Intelligent practicality pertains to complying with environment projects and finding ways to save Mother Nature. Just like the human body that gets old, nature also gets old which requires optimum care to maintain its normal status.

No wonder the Philippines is constantly barraged with criticisms left and right from the international community. Its plainly because we have been too lax in our manner of dealing with public reaction.
Firstly, there was the Quirino grand stand fiasco which officially made us the top headlines in CNN, Bloomberg and other international news programs. It wasnt for lack of attention that we had become international sensations. Commenting on how the wine sucks after Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet hosted a banquet in honor of President Aquino was way below the belt. Mai Mislangs uncalled for complaints about the non existence of handsome men in Vietnam, to quote, Sorry pero walang pogi dito #vietnam, was definitely a horrendous mark of Filipino sensibility.

It was WOW Philippines no more (literally) when they copied and allegedly plagiarized the slogan from the Polish Tourism website. And the even more lousy replacement of the slogan Pilipinas kay Ganda, wouldnt even amount to an ounce to the more renowned predecessor. It was even purportedly to have an allotted budget of 200 Million pesos to make the tourism campaign. Only to be junked by PNoy himself after receiving public ridicule insinuating it as something which sounds dishonest. The public can only take so much embarrassment. Even with the proverbial promise of kayo ang boss ko, if PNoy and his staff come up with excuses for every mistake that they make, they wont own up to anything only half baked promises. Tama na ang kahihiyan. Sobra na. Appearances matter. But public reaction matters more. I seriously hope none of these blunders would make it in real time broadcast and in international syndicated news. Please. Not again.

Ecosan is composed of an entry door, ventilation door, ventilation pipe, collection door, and urine diversion bowl connected to a separate urine and feces container. Ecosan bowl has two waste exits compared to an ordinary toilet bowl. The smaller waste exit is for the urine, while the other is for the feces. Only the feces are flushed us-

already be used as fertilizer. To witness better results, half compost and half soil should be mixed together before planting. Fertilizer which contains

Editor-in-Chief: Lovely Ulpindo Associate Editor: Arnel Manzano Internal Managing Editor: Jesther Rowen Bautista External Managing Editor: Rachel Dennise Galang Sections------------------------------------News Editor: Faye Rose Costales Features Editor: Renzie Ivan Costales Columns Editor: Rachael Ann Jimenez Literary Editor: Jabez Tarlit Creative Editor: MystGunn Senior Photojournalist: Joshua Abucay Joan Budchangan Senior Graphic Artist: Maynard Alviarne Staff Writers---------------------------------Ma. Criselda Abrajano Christian Kelvin Gonzales Precious Claire Mamaril Michaela Rubie Viloria Michael John Mojica

Photojournalists---------------Erika Alyanna Bobiles Junerey Casuga John Joshua Guerrero Paula Trinidad Graphic Artists-----------------Joanna Marie Lanuza Art John Sobrepea Ronnie Mark Zamora Adviser: Ms. Marisol Jane Jomaya Consultant: Mrs. Melba Ano Critics: Mrs. Helen Alimpia Ms. Girlie Ricanor Mr. Noel Sumingwa

It was because of our harried and substandard methods of dealing with a hostage taker who went amok despite several emissary and talks. Or maybe it was because we tried hammering down the glass windows and And even if apolodoors of the bus just for the hegies were tweeted to counroic feel of it. teract the mistake, it does Or was it because er- not show how less rude we rors were magnified by the cover- are because Mislang went age of our outdated security pro- out of her way to insult other tocols? No, we were too over the nationalities, no matter how top of our heads calling it a situa- unintentional it was. Again, PNoy just shrugged his tion which was under control. shoulders and managed to And then there were make light of the situation. the insensitive postings of anti Finally, the recent Vietnamese sentiments on facebook by PNoys speech writer. flop in the DOTs attempt to

ies (CAPS) introduced the Ecosan in a small rural town south of manila in 2001 but CAPS lack of implementation made the project fail. In 2003, the former mayor Mary Jane Ortega learned about CAPS proposal then she expressed her interest about the project. She thought of it as a means of fighting water shortage at that time. This compost promotes better growth in plants and will result to better quality of harvested plants. Impacts to ecological life involves minimized water budget by 95 percent compared to residential and establishment urinal systems. Ordinary urinals take its source from water mainline which costs higher compared to an ecosan that uses ash as water-alternative. Ordinary urinals use septic tanks as storage of urine and feces while ecosan uses storage materials that can be removed and stored at a separate storage. Contents of these storage materials can be used for a purpose. Ecosan promotes zero percentage air pollution. The ISSUE pro-

also the ecological results of feces and urine. Hindrances to sanitation Calamities ravaged the existing ecosans in the coastal areas of San Agustin turning it into pieces leaving two remaining ecosans in the village. The city government has tried to restore the destroyed ecosans but the possibility of having it destroyed by the coastal waves discouraged them from continuing the renovations. San Agustin has only two remaining ecosans left. Technology provides people an easier access to activities of daily living. Counteracting the advancement are different factors that proved to have hindered the expected effects. Ecosan is not 100 percent cost-free. Only the urine diversion bowl connected to a separate urine and feces container are provided by the city government which leaves the rest of its structure to the owner. Ecosan costs 500 pesos as counterpart to the urine diversion bowl connected to a separate urine and feces container. This is aimed at promoting a sense of ownership

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SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010
By Jesther Rowen B. Bautista | Graphics by Maynard it eventually turned out that there is a line and everyone knows who came first and who comes next). I patiently waited for two long hours standing, momentarily squatting and leaning on the walls to find some comfort and constantly struggling to ventilate myself with fresh the belief that majority of the air. people would also have the Suddenly a woman in a same idea as with my mother and will also be at the polling violet blouse and fitted black pedal in her mid-30s came out of the precinct early. voting precinct. For a while, she I eventually gave breathed the fresh air outside, fixed in and my instinct did not her long hair with fine hand movefail me to see a crowd of fa- ment and briefly putting her sunmiliar faces busy chatting in glasses on. She waved to the people groups forming what I can left in the line and finally walked see a frustrated line since gracefully as if she won a beauty adjectives such as crooked contest. She just voted. and irregular can not propKnowing that she was erly describe the queue. never on our line I sarcastically These are my asked my childhood friend who was barangay mates, some are next to me, Disabled? but he analso my relatives and past swered no. She is the daughter of school mates and it would *****, owner of ****, she is with her not kill me to join the flock senior citizen father and mother and wait for my turn (since blah blah blah he added. what I was doing in the area. I felt all my learning from Skills Laboratory abandon me every shift. I felt desperate and helpless. When I was a junior, I became scared of the impending senior year. I had convinced myself that being a Senior is a death sentence. Everyone will be looking up to youyour subordinates, your CI, the staff nurse. Everyone has high expectations. You must be aware of this and that, you must understand practically a lot of things.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2010
For a while I was considerate with the fact that she was with her senior citizen (aged 60 above) parents but eventually realized that she has taken advantage not only with the situation but also with all the people in the line. Justice in its simplest form should have been given importance. Anyone who thinks of himself more important than others in controlled situations should think twice or die a horrible death. The woman is definitely not an elderly, she was not pregnant, and she was not even disabled. She was but a mere Kikay socialite with self proclaimed grandiosity entitling her to go first before all of us. Blinded with her familys wealth and influence against simple barangay people, her time saved by not joining the line would be of the same value as anyones time who knows his right. with frustrations. I was really doing bad with my subjects. I was having a rocky relationship with my best friend, and darn it, I was still single! I could not figure out what was wrong back then. My deepest fear dominated my very interior during the first day of classes last June. This is bad, I said to myself. It will only be 10 months before I graduate. Over the years, rules and regulations have been polished for successful and hassle free elections. Lines are neither described nor discussed briefly in any election rule. We made it up since we have accepted that things cannot get as ideal as they should be. You can not just go there and have steps one, two, and three then you are done voting. Lines represent our culture of giving importance to the privilege of the firsts and the benefit of the reasonable few but not to the dignified-want-to-bes. You can be one of the first two and the third is a dumb choice. Discipline that comes from self can easily be radiated and reflected. In simple ways, learn to respect and to give justice. Start it from any line. and regular visits to the laundry station. Working as an RN requires a solid academic foundation. It is difficult to embarrass yourself in front of the doctor. If you fail, you might lose your license. Worse, you might kill somebody. That is why, most of the time, I become very dependent to the staff nurse or to my CI.

Attending to mothers in the labor room is a common role for the graduating student-nurse. While waiting inside the room, I often ask my clients whether it is their first time to have a baby or not.
Often, patients in the delivery room are multiparous (has delivered more than one child). Jokingly, I ask them why they want more children. I get various answers in return, some of them attuned to boredom, cant get enough, accidents in bed and to some the more the merrier. Go Forth and Multiply Despite the continuous growth of the countrys population, the number of jobs available for countless hopeful graduates is not increasing. Its a stark contrast to the sub par services being offered by public hospitals and frankly they are not improving. Many couples especially among the poor have more children than they can really sustain. The primary reason of having a lot of children is the mentality that more children mean more opportunities to get rich. With this thinking, parents of large families view their children as mere investments. Parents hope that their children will someday elevate their economic status. Although they cannot keep up with the costs of raising a child, many hold on to dear Aling Beths sarisari store for survival. In the end, the health of their children suffer. They grow malnourished, emaciated and stunted in height. They grow up not knowing the difference between their As Bs and Cs. They are either uneducated, undereducated, poorly educated or are elementary or high school drop outs with no hope of ever getting a future at all. And in the streets of San Fernando City, many Badjao children roam and beg for food and money. They may come in groups or you can see them working alone. Most of the time, they walk behind you, patiently waiting for the perfect moment when they can swiftly snatch your food out of your very sight. They will then run away from you very quickly. And as you turn left to an alley, you will see them ravenously eating what used to be your food. I know this for a fact because my friend was once a victim of three siomai snatching rascals in Midtown Restaurant. These children beg for spare changes. Most of them are even unapologetic of their very existence to annoy you for those few coins. Unfortunately for passersby, most of these children beg rudely. If they cannot be given anything, they utter swears and spit at your shirt, or even both. Their lack of access to education is also a factor why the country is experiencing overpopulation. Undereducated couples are hardly aware of the consequences of multiple pregnancies. Most likely, they are also not aware of the ways to reduce the number of pregnancies. Because they produce children almost every year, they do not realize the risks that the mother faces in every pregnancy and the days following the delivery. Soon, at the nth pregnancy, the mother will experience heavy bleeding and other complications. And when not attended properly, she will soon die. Mothers Health First An old Filipino proverb says, Ang nanay na nanganganak, nakabaon ang isang paa sa hukay. (A woman giving birth has her one foot in the grave.) This illustrates the risks mothers must face in order to bring another human to the world. The Department of Health emphasizes that No woman should die giving life. Pregnancy associated deaths had been a problem of the government for the past years. Because of their economic status and lack of access to immediate and adequate healthcare attention, many mothers had died because of complications during delivery. Meanwhile, according to the report of United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), 200 Filipino women die in every 100,000 live births. And roughly 11 women die every day. In order to prevent complications such as excessive bleeding and infection, the government recently imposed that mothers should not give birth outside a healthcare facility. In that way, proper medical attention will be given. But was this move adequate to respond to the needs of mothers giving birth? Proponents of the Reproductive Health Bill say no. The Reproductive Health Bill Due to the threats to the health of mothers during pregnancy and delivery, the Reproductive Health Bill was recent-

ly revived in the Upper and Lower Houses. It is a legislative bill aiming to guarantee universal access to reproductive health care services, supplies and information in the country. Some of the areas that the bill covers are midwives of skilled attendance, emergency obstetric care, access to family planning, maternal death review, and family planning supplies as essential medicinesall aiming to improve the reproductive health status of mothers. The debate whether to implement the bill or not has been a tradition between the government and the leaders of the Catholic Church. While the government pushes the bill in order to help reduce the population and protect the health of mothers and children among other purposes, the latter blatantly oppose the bill, calling it anti-life because they believe it legalizes abortion. Though both institutions present their own arguments, there is still no clear-cut decision whether the bill will be enacted into a law or not up to this time. A Wake up Call Since the population continues to grow and the bill remains to be heavily opposed, the government is left with

the decision to strengthen the concepts of Family Planning for the mean time. Additionally, more studies and researches must still be done to provide more scientifically guided information as bases for clinical practice. Because many mothers and couples have a lack of access to health care knowledge, the government must continue and extend their efforts to disseminate information. Campaigns for a smaller family size must be promoted. In San Fernando City, institutions like the City Health Office and the rural health units conduct health teaching programs to families regarding their sexual health and how they can maintain it. DOH programs are implemented, and health consultation is encouraged. Although there is free consultation, and even more free medicines and free birth delivery charges, the importance of family planning still hasnt sinked in well in the minds of many couples. Parents should be reminded that there is nothing wrong with having a lot of children. Philippines exercises democracy, and everyone has the freedom to make his own choice. In this case, that choice certainly has a limit.

The voting experience in the Philippines can likely be attributed to the native song Planting Ricebecause simply it is never fun. Carefully selecting our barangay officials before the 26th of October is not an easy task (for some who value their votes) and neither is the process of voting in the given date.
My mother has been nagging me the whole morning telling that I have to vote as early as possible since, according to her, voters usually flock in the midmorning.But I have ignored her for as long as I can since I have

(This might be the continuation of them to be. I was expecting what I wrote 2 years ago) them to be old, with white Four years back, I beards, wearing spectacles, considered college as the and aloof (Albus Dumblemissing link between high dore, anyone?). But boy were school and employment. they young and laughing a That after college, I will lot.

Nonetheless, being Now and then I immediately hunt for a The next year came And failing almost 98% evaluate myself in front of the in senior year is a tough chaljob and live independently quickly and I became less of my quizzes in Nutrition made mirroram I ready to work? lenge for everyone. It means from my parents. interested with my studies It was not too long before I stepped into college. I was excited of coursemeeting new people, new personalities, living in a new environment, and possibly a new special someone. At first, I was taken aback with my instructors. They were not as how I pictured (and my teachers). That was the time when I wanted college to be over. I wanted so much to graduate, find a good job and live by myself. It was not long before I had my first ever clinical exposure that I realized, I am definitely NOT ready. I was very unsure with me feel even worse. I felt absolutely unsure with my abilities. Do these quizzes reflect what I can and what I cannot do? I often asked myself. And everyday I get a consistent answera consistent failing mark and the hysterical laugh of my seatmate. My third year was filled Am I physically, mentally and emotionally prepared? It is difficult to answer yes everytime I recall that I cant even cook, wash and iron my clothes. Given these in-abilities, shall I survive living independently? Probably Ill be living with instant noodles, canned goods a lot of reading, a ton of confidence, and nearly-perfect skills. Though senior year marks the end of college, it signals a new beginning.

By teaching us to learn how to be independent, senior year is lifes tough prep-school. pabaya. At ang mga awtoridad na dapat nagpapasimuno ng displina ay siyang mga bulag sa mga batas. Kumikita ang marami sa kanila kahit ningas-kugon lamang; hanggang simula lamang. Di maglalaoy magkakaaberya at tulad ng dati ang pagkakamali ay isisisi sa mga mahihina. Nawiwili kasi ang karamihan sa nakasanayan dahilan para ayawan ang tawag ng pagbabago. Gawin nating pantay ang lahat; tapyasan ang sobra ng iba at dagdagan ang kakulangan ng isang uri. Patunayan natin na hindi pa tuluyang baldado ang bansang ito para gumalaw at tanggapin ang mga pagbabago.

Kakapiranggot na kung tutuusin ang kinikita ng mga tricycle at bus drivers, isama pa ang mga kundoktor na base ang kita sa mga komisyong natatanggap lamang sa mga bus kung saan sila nagbabarker. Kaya naman ang bawat kabawasan sa kitang ito ay mangangahulugan ng patuloy na pagkalam ng mga sikmura at mga payak na pangangailangang di matatamasa. Ito ang mga posibilidad na maaaring maranasan ng mga tsuper ng mga pampublikong sasakyan sa oras na ipatupad ang bagong proyekto ng MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority)

bilang solusyon sa patuloy na pagsisikip ng trapiko at sa mga aberyang dulot nito sa mga mamamayan sa mga piling lugar sa Maynila tulad ng EDSA. Tinutukoy ko ang ODDEVEN SCHEME, isang proyektong maituturing na batas pantrapiko na naguutos ng pagbiyahe ng parehong pribadong sasakyan at mga pampasaherong bus na nakabase sa nasabing lungsod o di kayay doon sa mga manggagaling sa probinsyang dadaan sa rutang

sakop ng programa sa mga piling araw lamang. May mga nagsabing mas magiging komplikado lang ang lahat kapag ipinatupad ang nasabing programa. Na magiging pahirap lamang ito sa mga mamamayang maaaapektuhan nito. Na itoy isa raw bias o may pinapanigang grupo. Isa pang punto ay tila wala raw sa bokabularyo ng oddeven scheme ang pagsalamin sa tunay na mukha ng kahirapan, na di maipagkakailang nasa lugar naman. At dahil karamihan sa pangkat na ito ay negosyante at ayaw nilang masira ang daloy ng negosyo at dahil kaya nila, bibili sila ng mga bagong kotse na may magkaibang plaka na akma para sa isang buong linggo na salitan naman nilang magagamit nang walang aberya na mararamdaman

dulot ng odd-even scheme. Ngayon, kanino ang benepisyo? Sa kanila. Samantalang ang di mabilang na tsuper ay magtitiis dahil sa tatlong araw na walang kita. At tulad ng nakasanayan, kanila pa rin ang dusa. Dito makikitang salungat ang hangarin ng programang ito. Oo ngat maaaring isa sa mga araw na ito, luluwag ang daloy ng trapiko tulad ng inaasahan na dulot ng proyektong ito. Ngunit kasabay nito ang pagkipot naman ng daan para sa kabuhayan ng mga taong nakaasa sa kitang dala ng kalsada. Batuhan ng putik kasi ang lagit lagiy isa sa mga buktot na sistemang umiiral sa bansang ito. Walang nakakaayos sa mga problemang dulot ng makupad na daloy ng trapiko dahil sa pagtuturuan at pagpa-

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LORMA HIGHLIGHTS

Ang huling pamasko para kay Ramon

Sa muling pagtunog ng relos eksaktong alas dose ng gabi, sumabay ang pagliliwanag na bumulag sa kanilang paningin na sinundan ng pag-uha ng langit. Sa unang pagkakataon, nabasag ang katahimikan na kanina pa bumabalot sa malaking silid.
Hindi gumagalaw ang lalaki sa harap ng malaking bintana at minamasadan lang ang puno sa labas na umiindayog sa ihip ng hangin. Tanging ang kandila lamang sa tabi ng kama ang nagbibigay ilaw sa loob. Kamusta ka na Ramon? tanong ng isang malambot na boses na nagmula sa kabilang dulo ng silid na kamuntikang dumurog sa kabuuan ng lalaki. Asul ang kanyang bestida na may kasamang bandana sa kanyang leeg. Nasa trenta pataas ang edad ngunit di kakikitaan ng katandaan dahil sa malaporselana niyang kutis. Inilapat ng babae ang kanyang mga daliri sa mesang abot ng kanyang kamay at unti-unti siyang naglakadkad sa gilid ng silid. Matagal na kitang hinihintay Regina, sagot ng lalaki na hindi pa rin gumagalaw sa tumba-tumbang kinauupuan pero ngayoy nakapikit na ang mata. Pinakikiramdaman niya ang malumanay na paglalakad ng babae at linalasap ang pamilyar na pabango mula sa kanya na kanina pa kumalat sa hangin. Wala yatang nabago sa silid sagot ng babae na ngayoy hinahawakan na ang mga pigurang hugis anghel sa aparador na gawa sa narra. Naaalala niya na ito ang mga koleksyong inipon niya noong sila ay magkasama pa. Kumikinang ang mga ito sa bawat pagguhit ng puting liwanag sa langit na nagbibigay ng karagdagang liwanag sa de-kandilang kwarto. Buwan ngayon ng Disyembre ngunit hindi kakikitaan ng anumang palamuti ang kabuuan ng malaking bahay. Napag-iwanan na ang istilo ng mga kagamitan sa loob pero napanatili ang eleganteng aura ng mga ito. Pinanatili ni Ramon ang dating disenyo at ayos ng mga gamit mula sa kulay ng dingding, ang mga narrang aparador, yantok na upuan at ultimo mga plorerang marmol. Ang lahat ng mga itoy nasa kanilang pwesto pa rin tulad ng sa limampung taon na ang nakakaraan. Nasaan ang mga alaala ni Consuelo, ang babaeng... siya ulit ngunit hindi natapos ni Regina ang pagsasalita dahil si Ramon ngayon ay humihikbi na sa kinauupuan niyang tumba-tumba na gawa sa yantok. Umuuga na siya mula sa kinauupuan niya at naririnig ang pagtangis niya mula sa pilit na pag-impit sa paglabas ng kanyang boses. Tama na... basag ang pagkakasabi nito. Ayaw na niyang balikan ang gabing nagaway sila dahil sa di pagkakaunawaan. Ang gabi kung kailan inihatid ni Consuelo si Ramon mula sa inuman dahil di na ito makalakad sa kalasingan. Naglayas noon si Regina dala ang nooy sampung taong gulang nilang anak na lalaki lulan ng bus papuntang Maynila. Isang kamay ang bigla na lang pumunas sa kanyang mga luha. Malambot at kasing bango ng kanina pa niya inaamoy. Ang parehong kamay na sinuotan niya ng singsing dalawampug taon na ang nakakaraan sa harap ng altar. Naramdaman niyang basa din ang kamay bago pa ito dumampi sa kanyang pisngi. Dumilat si Ramon at namasdang umiiyak din ang babae sa harap niya. Inapuhap niya ang mga malalambot na daliri at sinalat ang kinaroroonan ng singsing na pareho ng sa kanya. Natigilan silang dalawa sa ganoong posisyon sa pinakamatagal na pagkakataon. Darating sina Carlos at ang kanyang pamilya maya-maya galing sa bakasyon sa Maynila, sambit ng babae. Mababatid ang galak sa kanyang tinig sa unang pagkakataon simula ng dumating siya. Mahal kita habambuhay sagot ni Ramon. Inabot niya ang leeg ni Regina at unti-unting naglapit ang kanilang mukha. Dahan dahan nilang pinaglapat ang kanilang mga labi at pinakiramdaman ang pagmamahal na di naiparamdam sa nakaraang limampung taon. Mahal din kita, sambit ni Regina sa huling pagkakataon kasabay ng muling pagguhit ng puting liwanag at pag-uha ng langit at ang pagkawala niya. Bumukas ang pinto ng silid at makikita ang hugis ng tatlong tao na papasok sa silid.Si Carlos at ang kanyang mag-ina na kadarating lang mula sa bakasyon. Papa... ani Carlos at dali daling inakap ang ama. Dinalaw ako ng iyong ina. Sa huling pagkakataon tumulo ang luha ni Ramon, nahulog ang hawak niyang bandana ngunit kababakasan na ng ngiti ang kanyang mga labi.

By Sofia Michelle Amidst the deafening silence i am quietly seated in a dark corner of my cozy room busily comforting myself and holding back the tears that are about to fall from my lonely eyes.

LONGING

Tuksuhang kaibigan
By Ebol Jet, pasensya ka na, kung sa tuwinay puro nalang ako pang-aalaska, paminsan naman kasi hindi mapigilan ang dila. Oo, alam ko. Hindi na tayo bata pa para sa mga biruan. Peo hindi pa naman tayo matanda upang magseryosong usapan. Marahil nagtatampo ka na, nagagalit at naiinis pa, siguro ubos na rin ang pasensya. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, nais kong malaman mo, hindi ang pagtawanan ka ang habol ko(namin) bagkus ang tumawa kasama mo =)

The Audience
By Gema STEPS of busy people as they compete with the movement of the clock with colorful faces and fancy wardrobes filling the crowded place amidst the city. LAUGHTERS from their chit-chats of nonsense flings and scripted how-are-yous make helluva noise and world so annoying APATHY these elites and socialites make for children awke, thin and filthy waiting for nothing during the midnight in the darkness of the cold street. HIGH CLASSES as they call themselves educated with high reputations yet, honestly speaking, theyre but just nothing their lives are useless, as how they waste their time for paties, dancing and drinking along. SHOULD THEY NOT DARE to speak about love of charity and goodness for they dont really know these things as how their neurons degenerated from alcohol and nicotine. FOR THOSE PEOPLE who act like know-it-alls playing the concept of unreal love and goodness there are more intelligent people out there who raise their eyebrows for the dramas you make. AND, dont defend yourselves with the principle of free-will.

UNTIL
By neo Stood in the cold with no coat on.. Lived a life where smiles came scarcely With every thought just kept concealed inside.. For no person ever asked.. Why I was aching.. How I am doing.. What am I feeling.. Because in my world of encumbrances.. Its only my life that existed, Tried to reach out but rejected Tried to care but neglected.. I was a person of self-sufficiency.. Craved for moments alone.. Wished for moments alone.. Until.. You.. Passed by my road and said hello And at that point I wont regret To have seen the world with grace once more To have felt the warmth of friendship again And for the Nth time, I was ready to open myself For a friendship that I know will last for a lifetime Youve shown me again.. How it was to be appreciated.. How it was to be loved.. How it was to be appreciated.. And how it was to be a friend.. Like how a child finds his favorite rose.. Smelled its glorious scent before.. And sniffs it again once more..

WHITE HAPPINESS
By Ana Oyatse LAUGHTERS you ignite fire up the room with bursting energies and positive disposition. SMILES that light up those grim scenarios caught me before i fell lifted me from depression. WORDS OF APPRECIATION you unveiled will forever be kept the greetings, the commends will forever be remembered. EYES that speak of innocence I would love to stare and I can see the white in your laughters, smiles and words. No one could have that. No one could give me that. The WHITE HAPPINESS I felt ONLY FROM YOU.

LORMA HIGHLIGHTS

LORMA HIGHLIGHTS