Basic Ed launches Seedling Bank

The Basic Education department inaugurated the Seedling Bank last August 24 at the Araullo University Gymnasium.

Students from kindergarten up to 4th year high school, together with their advisers, participated in the program. Assisted by the Sci-Tech Club officers with their adviser Ms. Gladys Gumabao, each student brought at least two seedlings and provided their own materials needed for planting. John Michael Hipolito, Sci-Tech Club President, then gave a lecture on “How Seeds Grow?”

The said program is in line with the Green Project of the Center for Student Development and Leadership (CSDL). Celina Castillo

Palaro ng Lahi brings freshmen together

Freshmen students relived their childhood days last August 24 when they took part in the Palaro ng Lahi, which featured native Filipino games such as patintero, sipa, and luksong lubid.

According to Dr. Gerarda Rivera, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the event was envisioned to promote camaraderie and teamwork among the students under the college.

CAS faculty, with the help of the CAS student council officers, facilitated the event that brought back Filipino tradition. At the end of the games, an assortment of treats were given to the winners as tokens. Barry Sim

Araullians celebrate Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa

Araullians gathered last August 28 to commemorate the Buwan Ng Wikang Pambansa at the phinma Avenue Flagpole Rotunda. “Tatag ng Wikang Filipino, Lakas ng Pagka-Filipino” served as the central theme of the program organized by the Araullo University Supreme Student Government (AUSSG) under program heads Zynnia Bunag and Aren Siriban.

The program started with a prayer from AUSSGPresident Mark Kevin Vidar, followed by the Entrance of Colors conducted by officers of au-rotc. The national anthem followed, and then the college student council governors lead the “Panatang Makabayan” and “Panunumpa sa Watawat”. Highlighting the event was the performance from Company of Araullian Dancers (CADs). The officers and Basic Education students wore traditional Filipino attire for the event.

According to Bunag, the event was the aussg’s initiative to rekindle patriotism in the Araullian studentry. Laila Jamille Alvarez

COC plants 1,100

The College of Criminology broke records after they planted 1,100 narra seedlings in a single outing for AU-PHINMA’s Green Project last August 24 at Sitio Alorma, Palayan City.

COC students and faculty participated on the project in cooperation with the Civil Military Operations Office of Fort Magsaysay-Aviation led by Captain Eric Igat. The seedlings were part of the 55,000 provided by the DENR-CENRO for the National Greening Program (NGP) through Mr. Alberto Agonoy, Treasurer of Pinagbigkis Cooperative.

The Green Project is a university-wide initiative that aims to plant 5000 fruit-bearing and native trees in response to climate change and global warming. Bryan Joseph Peralta

JPIA AU-PHINMA conducts Operation Ahon

Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA), AU-PHINMA Chapter took charge of Operation Ahon last August 7 to 9 during the downpour caused by the southwest monsoon. JPIA members and officers, headed by chapter president Nikko Carlo de Leon, gathered donations using text messaging and social media. Donations were forwarded to partner institutions which then distributed the goods to the affected areas.

According to de Leon, the program was organized to promote social responsibility and to help people in the affected areas recover from the flood brought about by the habagat. Celina Castillo

Fresh Araullian leaders emerge from ILAW Camp 3.0

In keeping up with the tradition of molding future nation-builders, Araullo University-phinma gathered 106 active and potential student leaders for its Inspire to Lead, Aspire to Win (ILAW) Camp 3.0 Last August 10 to 12, in cooperation with Ayala Young Leaders Alumni Association - Central Luzon (AYLAA-CL).

Ilaw Camp 3.0 Brought together participants from the six colleges through teambuilding activities that tested their strength, willpower and unity, both as members of their respective groups and as a batch.

Aside from these, ILAW Campers also acquired nuggets of wisdom from Ayala Young Leaders Congress Director Mr. Simon Mossesgeld, who discussed the principles of servant leadership and its relevance to the studentry and society. Also, selected au-phinma alumni provided inspiration by sharing their experiences as former standard-bearers of their alma mater; Engr. Jose Ariel Domingo, Rommel Jorge Agapito, md., And dwne radio announcer Melicia Ciriaco answered questions about student leadership as well.

Capping off the affair, ilaw Campers convened through their group leaders and decided on their batch name and values. Batch GUYS (Group of United Young Servants) was founded upon integrity, unity, determination, trust, and fear of God. They will work on a project for the betterment of the Araullian community for the years to come.

The teambuilding activities were facilitated by invited aylaa-cl members and the camp itself was organized by au-phinma’s Center for Student Development and Leadership. Ma. Gladys Repollo

ViewPoint launches Newsletter

Ecija pols' rivalry spawns conflicting class suspension advisories

Political rivalries in Nueva Ecija seem to have spilled over to the aftermath of the sustained rains and resulting floods caused by the Southwest monsoon, leaving a public confused over conflicting advisories by public officials.

Governor Aurelio Umali and Cabanatuan City Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara gave out conflicting directives regarding the suspension of classes on Thursday.

Umali, through TV48, the local news frequency, announced that classes in all levels in the province are suspended due to the effects of adverse weather conditions.

But Vergara, on his own radio station, DWJJ, mandated that classes resume today, Thursday. On top of the chaos and fear brought by the calamity, Novo Ecijanos, especially students, had to deal with the confusion caused by the escalating power struggle in the area.

In the end, school authorities and students heeded the decree of the governor, he being the higher authority. They stayed away from classes even though the rains had stopped and the sun shone.

The political rivalry of Umali and Vergara which started from Vergara’s move to upgrade Cabanatuan to highly urbanized city (HUC) status has spilled over to petty matters and now threatens to further divide the province. 

President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III earlier  certified the conversion of Cabanatuan into an HUC after it satisfied the minimum requirements of population (at least 200,000 citizens) and annual income (P50-million). The conversion now only awaits ratification by a plebiscite scheduled in November 2012. Dan Kevin Roque

RSOs, Councils unite for ORG Fair

Araullians busy checking out the booths of participating Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) during the ORG Fair. (Photo by Jenzer Yute)

ThAmbsUp [O]rient [R]egister [G]ather! (ORG) Fair was held last July 26, 2012. A short program conducted at 10am officially kicked-off the event and introduced the members of the student councils and recognized student organizations (RSOs).

According to Araullo University Supreme Student Government President Mark Kevin Vidar, the ORG Fair aims to promote, raise funds, and recruit members for the student councils and various RSOs of the university to freshmen students.

Each student council and organization had a booth for selling a variety of commodities such as food, refreshments, and other merchandise. College-based RSOs Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants AU Chapter (JPIA-AU), Araullo University Political Science Student Organization (AUPSSO) and Hospitality and Tourism Management Society @ Araullo University (HTMSAU); and university-wide RSOs include You.Org, Quo Vadis Novo Ecijanos Youth Movement (QVNEYM), Musikalinga.Org and Christian Brotherhood International AU Chapter (CBI-AU) participated in the said event.

In line with the May 2013 elections, a voter’s education seminar was facilitated by YouthVote – Nueva Ecija in the afternoon at the AU Gymnasium. CSDL Directress Junely Moises, SWCI Unit Coordinator Darren Gonzales, CoE-SC Governor Edward Rodriguez and AYLC 2006 Alumna Sarah Baniaga gave informative speeches about the status of the Filipino youth and their role in nation building and transformation through responsible voting. Nathan Neil Beronio

Leksyon ni Maestro | Impluwensya ng Simbahan

Damaso, Carlos Celdran, Kulo Exhibit, Mideo Cruz, Pajero, PCSO Endowment Fund, Same Sex Marriage, at ngayon RH Bill. Sigurado ako na pamilyar kayo sa mga nabanggit ko sa itaas. Sa mga nagdaang Buwan ay sadyang laman ng social networking sites at mainit na pinag uusapan sa mga forums ang mga bagay-bagay na may kaugnayan sa kanilang lahat. Ngunit wala pa ding tatalo sa tradisyunal na pamamaraan ng pag atake gamit ang pulpito – ng Simabahang Katoliko Romano.

Predominantly Catholic ang ating bansa, isa sa tanging Dalawang bansa kasama ang East Timor sa Asya na maituturing na may mayoryang bilang ng katoliko. Kaya naman masyadong mahigpit at mainit ang mga usapin na bumabangga sa moog ng pader ng impluwensya ng tanang kaparian sa ating bansa. Simulan natin ang pag babalik tanaw sa mga nagdaang isyu na kinasangkutan ng “ating” simbahan.

 Si Damaso at si Carlos

Maaring nagtaka ka bakit biglang may ibinalitang ikinulong dahil lamang tumayo at may hawak na placard na may nakasulat na Damaso sa misa sa Manila Cathedral? Ang aking tinutukoy ay ang Sikat na tourist guide at social historian na si Carlos Celdran. Kilalang tagasuporta ng Reproductive Health Bill si Celdran at bahagi ng kanyang kampanya ay ang gisingin at ipakita sa pamunuan ng simbahang katoliko ang kanyang pinaniniwalaan. Ngunit hindi umubra ang kanyang pagtindig habang nag hohomiliya with matching early-20^th century costume pa at agarang ineskortan palabas ng katedral. Tsk tsk tsk naghimas ng malamig na rehas ang pobre.

Ang kumukulong Sining ni Mideo

Wala na sigurong sasakit pa kung itatakwil ka ng iyong pinagmulan...Ano kaya ang naramdaman ni Mideo Cruz, isang alagad ng sining at alumni ng Pamantasan ng Santo Tomas na kilalang tanging Royal and Pontifical Catholic University sa Asya; matapos siyang kondenahin sa isinagawang Kulo exhibit sa Cultural Center of the Philippines noong 2011. Alamat talaga ang interpretasyon ni Cruz ng salitang Poletismo, nag paskil ba naman ng mga imaheng sagrado sa simbahang katoliko at tinambalan pa ng reproductive organs  na may iba’t ibang hugis at anyo. Isama pa ang rendisyon niya ng krusipisyo na may ibang mensahe gusting ipahatid. Ang ending, ipinasara ang exhibit sa CCP at persona non grata na ngayon si Cruz sa UST. Sana nakuha na niya ang transcript niya, kung hindi malas lang! hahaha

Ang Pajero ni Juan

Isang eskandalo ng mapag alaman na humingi pala ng sasakyan at take note nag request pa ng brand – Pajero! ang isang Obispo ng simbahang katoliko sa katauhan ni Juan de Dios Pueblos mula sa dating panggulo na si Gloria Arroyo. Ayon sa ulat ay mula sa endowment fund pala ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office ang nasabing pondo na pinanggalingan ng pambili ng nasabing sasakyan. Agaran naman isinauli ng nabukong Obispo ang sasakyan at sinabing ito’y donasyon ng PCSO para gawing service vehicle ng diyosesis sa pagsasagawa ng mga apostolate nito sa Butuan. Lumabas din sa pag iimbestiga ng mga tauhan ni PNoy na hindi lamang pala si Bp. Pueblos ang nakinabang at may ilan pang matataas na tao sa loob ng simbahan. Manalangin na lamang tayo na hindi porke’t malapit ang kasalukuyang pangulo sa simbahang katoliko ay hindi mabibigyan ng karampatang paglutas ang nabanggit na iregularidad sa ating sistema.

Ang Rainbow sa Metropolitan Community Church

Naging napaka kontrobersyal ng Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City sa pangunguna n Rev. Ceejay Agbayani. Kinontra kasi nila ang millennium-old teachings ng Roman Catholic Church ng magsagawa sila ng same sex marriage rites sa Quezon City at sa lungsod ng Baguio noong 2011. Samahan pa ng kanilang lubusang pagsuporta sa LGBT community sa buong Pilipinas. Sumikat ng husto ang simbahang ito dahil sa liberal nilang paniniwala na Tanggap ka kung sino ka, ligtas ka kung ano ka! Hindi lang matanggap ng simbahang katoliko na may umusbong bigla na relihiyon na hahamon sa kanilang doktrina. Makulay at Masaya ang paniniwala ng MCC ayon kay Rev. Agbayani, nagpahayag din siya ng pag hamon sa turo ng katoliko na naka saad daw sa bibliya ang Homosexuality. Hanggang sa ngayon ay nananatiling tikom ang bibig ng mga pari at Obispo sa usaping ito.

Agosto Siyete!

Ngayong paparating na ika-7 ng Agosto ang nakatakdang araw sa paghatol ng kongreso sa usapin ng Reproductive Health sa Pilipinas. Tuwirang ipinahayag ng mga PRO na mayroon silang isang daan at apat napu’t tatlong kinatawan na boboto pabor dito. Hinamon naman ng mga ANTI sa pangunguna ng Simabahng Katoliko ang nasabing pahayag at nag daos pa ng malawakang prayer rally na tinawag nilang Power Prayer Rally to Junk RH Bill. Napaka dami ng diyalogo at pag uusap ang isinagawa para linawin ang nasabing panukala, ngunit masyadong mahigpit ang paghawak ng simbahan sa kanilang pinaniniwalaan. Labing pitong (17) taon ng naka binbin sa kamara ang pag usad ng RH Bill. Abangan natin sa darating na Martes ang hatol ng batas kung maipapatupad ba o hindi ang kontrobersyal na panukala.

Sa mga inihain kong isyu ay sadyang makapangyarihan ang impluwensyang ipinapakita ng simbahang katoliko. Ngunit dapat ay hindi rin maalis sa ating isipan ang hangganan ng mga lingkod sa likod nito. Sila’y mga tao din at may kakayahang magkasala at gumawa ng lihis ng itinuturong kabanalan ng bibliya. Subaybayan natin kung hanggang saan tatagos at dadaloy ang kanilang taimtim na impluwensya gamit ang panalangin at simpleng paraan ng pagtayo sa altar sa likod ng pulpito. #

ThumbNail | Araullians for TEN Moves

Araullians posed with their TEN Moves Pin during their visit at the Ayala Foundation (which serves as the Secretariat of the program) last August 1, 2012. (Photo credits: Ayala Foundation)

CMA and Presidential Scholars Go Green

College of Management and Accountancy (CMA) students, Presidential Scholars, and student journalists open up the doors to a greener future as they take part on Araullo University – PHINMA’s “The Green Project 2.0”. The said event was done in accordance with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) National Greening Program (NGP) held at Sitio Alorma, Doña Josefa, Palayan City last July 28, 2012.

Led by Forester and Chief Protection Officer of CENRO-Cabanatuan, August V. Fariñas, the AU students, specifically, members of Junior Marketing Association, Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – AU Chapter, Hospitality and Tourism Management Society, Junior Banker’s Club, Presidential Scholars, ViewPoint, and faculty participated on the tree growing initiative as part of the 430-hectare wide reforestation of the said location. On that day alone, a total of 500 Narra seedlings were planted on a hectare of land through the joint efforts of CMA and CON students, faculty, and CSDL staff.

Started last July 13, 2012, the project aims to plant 5000 trees across a ten-hectare area over a year. According to Darren J. Gonzales, Student Welfare and Community Involvement (SWCI) Unit Coordinator, the Green Project is an advocacy of the University not only to raise environmental awareness but also to encourage Araullians to actively join the crusade for a greener country. This project also supports the world-wide campaign against global warming and climate change. Jillian Vergara

ThumbNail | GREEN Project

CSDL Staff and Volunteer GREEN Warriors taking their pose after the GREEN Project 2.0 (A tree-growing initiative of Araullo University - PHINMA) last July 28, 2012 at Sitio Alorma, Barangay Dona Josefa, Palayan City. (Photo by Jenzer Yute)