Seniors join Look Ahead seminar, jobs fair

Graduating students participated in the Look Ahead Pre-employment Seminar and Jobs Fair conducted by the Araullo University Supreme Student Government (AUSSG) and Placement Office from February 27 to 28 at the AU Gym. For the first day, Mr. John Jacob Valino, administrator of Christian Faith Montessori Center, discussed the preparations needed in pursuing a career. Mr. Valino also provided lectures and workshops on resumé writing and job interview. Look Ahead attendees applied what they have learned from the seminar as 20 companies, including AU-PHINMA, offered job opportunities the next day. Ma. Gladys Repollo

Merez tops ReSA, NFJPIA Mock Boards

Rachel Merez from the College of Management and Accountancy outdid other Accountancy students across the country twice when she topped both the Review School of Accountancy (ReSA) First Pre-Board Examination last February 9 to 10 and the National Federation- Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA) National Mock Board last February 16 to 17. Aside from Merez, Aslainie Sultan and Kem Argil Pangilinan ranked 3rd and 19th respectively in the ReSA Pre-Board. Ma. Gladys Repollo

Whitewashed Truth

Whitewashing (Illustration by Kenneth Garcia)

“We are willing enough to praise freedom when she is safely tucked away in the past and cannot be a nuisance. In the present, amidst dangers whose outcome we cannot foresee, we get nervous about her, and admit censorship.” – Edward M. Forster, English essayist

The 120-day temporary restraining order (TRO) on Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 shall expire on February 6. We may not feel the effect of the Act at this point of time, but our youth leaders and bloggers think otherwise. In fact, the Supreme Court started hearing oral arguments regarding a number of RA 10175’s vague and unconstitutional provisions from these petitioners’ lawyers last January 15. While the Act aims to stop child pornography, cybersex, illegal access (hacking), identity theft, cybersquatting and other computer-related offenses, some of its sections clearly violate our most precious right: the freedom of expression.

Section 4 of RA 10175 includes libel, damage of an individual or organization’s reputation through publicized malicious statements, as one of its punishable acts. Anyone can cry foul and file a libel case, whether that person is innocent or guilty of what he is being accused of. Would this mean that we cannot openly assess a corrupt public servant anymore, for he can claim that he is being defamed? In addition, Section 5 (a) says that people who aided in the commission of a cybercrime shall be held liable. This would turn a netizen who retweeted a libelous statement into a cybercriminal, too.

Where is the freedom here then? Yes, the Act wants to protect Internet users from rampant cybercrimes but at the same time, its good intention tries to cover up its faulty parts. How do we exercise democracy if such law represses the very right that establishes democracy: public opinion?

Also, RA 10175 does not truly intend to punish but instead, it wills to whitewash issues plaguing the nation. Why exert so much time and effort to catch criminals online when we still cannot catch the real-life ones? Why punish people who kill reputations when we still cannot punish those who killed others many years ago? Is it not better to make the real world crime-free, not just its virtual counterpart?

We Filipinos have already defeated Martial Law, a period of our history that nearly killed the same freedom that is once again being threatened today. We may not be facing soldiers and tanks and tear gas, but we will be facing a fiercer and darker enemy: an unseen hand that will choke our freedom of expression to death if we allow it to. Ultimately, RA 10175 will conceal what is really happening in our country. If we allow the Act to have power over us, our socio-political issues will be buried deep, along with our freedom to clamor for these issues to be resolved. 

Repression is a crime; to be repressed is a choice. It is either we remain apathetic and suffer the consequences, or fight for what is duly ours. Ma. Gladys Repollo

Punctuation Philosophies

This is the 13th and last poem for 13b42013 Poetry Series.

Punctuation Philosophies

Ma. Gladys Repollo

Semi-colon, apostrophe, question mark, comma
ellipsis at tuldok. Isiningit man o nasa hulihan,
sila'y naglalahad ng mga kwentong hindi nasusulat
sa papel ng mga salitang humihiyaw, minamalat.

The semi-colon establishes a relationship
between two independent clauses.
Bakit hindi na lang niya sila hayaang
maging two separate sentences?

Itong apostrophe, masyadong possessive.
Kailan pa naging pagmamay-ari
ng salita ang kapwa niya? Meron
naman silang kahulugan kahit nag-iisa.

Ang queston mark nama'y nababalot
ng hiwaga; ikaw mismo'y magtatanong.
Tunay bang ang pangungusap ay nag-uusisa,
o sadyang mahirap lang itong tuldukan?

The comma, however, complicates things.
Maraming idinudugtong na mga ideya,
 isa lang naman ang nais sabihin. Ang buhay,
nagiging compound na, complex pa.

Paborito ng ilan ang ellipsis dahil kapag
idinugtong sa sentence, instant veil of mystery.
Parang question mark, nagpapaasa lang.
Pero siguro, meron lang ding hindi maamin.

Ngayon, talakayin natin ang tuldok.
Isa lang ang trabaho nito: end a statement.
Halimbawa: Hindi na kita mahal.
Simple lang di'ba? No frills whatsoever.
Ayan, nasabi ko na.

Ma. Gladys  Repollo  is a  Bachelor in Secondary Education senior in Araullo University-PHINMA and is the Editor-in-Chief of Viewpoint.  She was inspired by the power of punctuation marks and how they affect the meaning of sentences. She believes that holding back or saying a lot more than required  create the same effect on relationships. This poem is composed as a part of 13b42013  Poetry Series.

Long Overdue

“Old habits die hard” – Mick Jagger

The first semester of S.Y. 2012-2013 ended with students and parents flocking in front of the Accounting windows to settle their dues, making one of the most secluded areas in the campus a blockbuster hit. The long line meant rows of chairs and an extension of standing people all the way to the Admin Lobby. However, the line is not the only thing that has raised eyebrows and tempers; it is also how long a transaction takes to get done. It seems that receiving payments and issuing receipts require much time that a student spends as much as 3 hours waiting for his or her turn. It came to a point that a movie screening was held to make it less of an ordeal. We have just seen the longest and slowest-moving line in years, which still continues until this semester. What could have contributed to this scenario?

Of course, we can quickly point out that the cashiers are not doing their job well. Classic behind-the-glass stories of these people surfing the Internet and chatting idly while at work come out faster than showbiz gossip. Also, Araullians complain that they are not exactly warm and accommodating when dealing with them. Aside from this, the usual excuse of glitches in the school management system (SMS) also plays a part in the lengthy transactions. Instead of speeding the process up, the SMS has proven to be a culprit in slowing things down with its constant technical troubles. The quality of service does not seem to welcome profits and stakeholders (students, parents), driving them away instead. 

On the other hand, students can also be blamed for the congested lines. We are given three terms to pay for our tuition fees and yet, most of us choose to procrastinate and settle dues towards the end of the semester. This has led to weeks of clearing old accounts and shelling out more money for completion forms. What does this say about us? Some might argue that no one can really anticipate when financial difficulties will arise but then again, it might just be that we are not responsible enough to perform our duties as Araullians. If this habit persists, it might infect our attitude towards our studies, and in the long run, our work.

AU-PHINMA and its children appear to be taking opposite directions when it comes to all aspects of university life.  However, in this matter, both appear to be at fault in giving their best for quality service, which is crucial in providing quality education. What can we do to meet halfway and realize this?

We all know what to do. It is already long overdue. Ma. Gladys Repollo

Roque wins Lacaba Special Citation

Guilders as they perform during Lunduyan's Cultural Night

Viewpoint Managing Editor Dan Kevin Roque receives special citation in Poetry for the 8^th Gawad Emman Lacaba Lunduyan 2012, the Luzon-wide press convention conducted by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) at the Water District Training Center, Dagupan City, Pangasinan last October 22 to 26.

Roque, after receiving his Special
Citation for Poetry.

Roque’s winning three-piece poem suite includes That Bloody Day, a commemoration on the Maguindanao Massacre.

Aside from Roque, Editor-in-Chief Ma. Gladys Repollo and writer Bryan Joseph Peralta also represented AU-PHINMA in the event. For five days, student-journalists trained for various journalism skills and took part in socially relevant fora.

CEGP is the oldest and widest alliance of student publications in the Asia-Pacific while Gawad Emman Lacaba is a literary competition named after poet and martyr Emmanuel Lacaba. Bryan Joseph Peralta, Ma. Gladys Repollo

Life Can Be Better

AU-South Plan

The Philippine Investment-Management (PHINMA) Group of Companies remains true to its mission of creating a better quality of the Filipino life. Phinma’s brand of excellence has been creating waves in the business sector for the past 56 years; the vision of three optimistic gentlemen for the country is gradually building our destiny of being at par with the rest of the world. When the Group acquired Araullo University in 2004, Novo Ecijanos were given the opportunity to share the PHINMA dream, and make it real as well.

As we extend Hawak Kamay to everyone, we move forward to an era where studying in the province is no longer a cheaper alternative but a primary choice to make our lives better. Indeed, Araullo University-PHINMA has come a long way from the humble class of 27 law students in 1950. Ma. Gladys Repollo

As read by COO and SVP Ms. Ana S. Chua during the AU-South Campus Groundbreaking.

A Chapel Corrupted

Being a pre-dominantly Catholic country, most schools in the Philippines dedicate areas for religious purposes, be it a chapel or a small grotto. AU-PHINMA is one of the many non-sectarian academes with this feature: the Holy Family Chapel was a project of the Pamantasan ng Araullo Faculty and Employees Association 1983-1984. However, the gymnasium is currently the preferred venue for the Holy Mass since it can accommodate more people. Celebrating the Eucharist in the chapel is now a rare occasion; it has become a mere structure just like the rest of its concrete neighbors.

Ultimately, it has completely lost its essence with the students’ lack of discipline and respect for the place. They eat, gossip, and even date inside a supposedly place for prayer and reflection. Food wrappers, paper cups, and dusty shoe prints left on the pews are evidence of manifest irresponsibility and disrespect. Is the idea of caring for our second home, our alma mater, not reiterated enough? Paying tuition fees does not give us the license to litter, vandalize, and destroy. It should instead give us a sense of responsible stewardship for whatever we are paying for. The chapel deserves this kind of respect, as much as the rest of the campus does.

The photo of a child praying inside our chapel recently posted on Facebook gained comments from tagged student leaders, professors, and alumni. They shared sentiments regarding its misuse, and they all hoped that Araullians will soon realize that it is more than a hang-out place where one can kill time. Some of them also stressed that being a Catholic is never a determining factor of how an Araullian should treat the chapel. The wall post sparked a more important issue and absolutely drove the point home: regardless of spiritual belief, the chapel should be given utmost respect because it is still a house of worship, just like any other house of worship of any other religion. The logic behind this is another no-brainer: a Muslim would not want his mosque scattered with trash, and a Buddhist would frown upon anyone who would act intimately inside his temple. Simply put, a person would not be happy if somebody else is disrespecting his church in any way. Sadly, the possibility of Catholic Araullians defiling their own church cannot be ignored.  In fact, it might be a greater possibility than non-Catholics doing the aforementioned activities in the chapel.

When asked what he was doing, the child in the photo said he was praying for his sick mother. He definitely knew what the chapel is for, and he is not an Araullian to begin with. While everyone else satiates hunger and boredom in the chapel, someone had enough sense to seek refuge and guidance from his Divine Being. This incident does not call for any major spiritual transformation on our part. This just reminds us to shed the devil-may-care attitude and start giving the respect we want to gain in the first place. Ma. Gladys Repollo

Basic Ed, AUPA fight for nature; COC, CAS continue the Green Project initiative

The Basic Education Department (Basic Ed.), together with the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), took part in the fight against global warming and climate change through the Green Project held at Sitio Alorma, Doña Josefa, Palayan City last September 21. More than 100 students planted narra seedlings in the said activity; they were led by Basic Ed. Dean Corazon Esguerra, Language Department Head Shirley Pajarillo, and University Discipline Coordinator John Paul Vicencio.

Members of the Araullo University Performing Arts (AUPA) and seniors from the College of Criminology (COC) engaged in the same activity last September 28. They were accompanied by AUPA Director Michael John Esteban, COC faculty member Randy Maure, Guidance Counselor Alexis Ramirez, and Forester August Fariñas.

From the first tree planting activity on July 13 up to now, the site was prepared for tree planting by the Pinagbigkis Primary Multipurpose Cooperative led by Chairwoman Norma Lawas. Ma. Gladys Repollo

JPIA – AU rakes in awards in Regional MYC

Representatives of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – AU Chapter won in different academic and non-academic competitions in the Mid-Year Convention of National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – Region 3 (NFJPIA – R3) held at Club Balai Isabel, Talisay, Batangas last September 20 to 22.

In the academic category, Jayson dela Cruz won 2nd place in CAT Cup, Level 3, while Laydel Balaquidan placed 3rd for the Cup’s Level 2; Mhel Jon Legaspi earned 2nd place in the SGV Basic Accounting Wizard, while Maureen Joyce Angeles ranked 4th in the Manabat San Agustin Cup. Also, Angeles and Rachel Merez qualified in the Top 31 of CPAR Meet the Standards.

For the non-academic field,JPIA-AU was declared as champion in the Grand Variety Show with their rendition of The Little Mermaid and 1st runner-up in Laro ng Lahi. Christopher Cabural clinched the 1st place in Scrabble, while Sarah Pablo and Kevin Jose secured 2nd place in Poster Making; Rovi Mairel Martinez and Almira Martinez came in 3rd in the Paragons Video Making Contest. Lastly, Frances Danielle Mizona was hailed as Ms. NFJPIA – R3 1st runner-up and Voter’s Choice awardee, while Dominador Garcia was awarded Mr. Congeniality. Ma. Gladys Repollo

[Sour] Cream of the Crop

Teaching is a gift of immense power. As instruments of change, teachers are regarded as individuals worthy of respect and emulation. However, there is always a spot of imperfection to stain a pristine work of art that is the teaching profession. As we students continue to grow under the guidance of our so-called beloved teachers, this spot alarmingly grows too; it has now become a gaping hole that threatens to crumble the mighty wall of being a teacher.

As a graduating Araullian, I have seen too many teacher stereotypes pass through the haunted portals of our alma mater. I have encountered the enthusiastic and the apathetic. I have experienced the best and worst of classroom situations. During my 3 years of residency, the ugly truth gradually unfolded right before my eyes: we are not only haunted by ghosts living within the walls and pillars of our buildings. We are being haunted by the ghost of rotten traditional teaching.

You might ask, what is it I am referring to? It is authoritarianism, wherein the teacher is the sole source of knowledge and the students are just receptacles; the teacher is always right and the students cannot say otherwise. This shall never be a problem if the teachers are righteous in every aspect. Sadly, some of them who pass through our portals are either only waiting for their salary or the opportunity to slack off. Add to these the “ghost stories” about professors that create a steady buzz around campus: they seem to be traversing the wrong path in teaching by making things unreasonably difficult for students instead of facilitating productive learning.

On the other hand, we students allow the ghost to permeate our system as we continue to embrace mediocrity. We choose to remain silent despite our parents’ (or our own) hard-earned money going down the drain with the persisting presence of this culture. As for students who have already realized that they are deprived of their right to quality education, we are always given the choice to fight for what we deserve or to settle for less. Disrespecting or harassing these teachers is never an option, but expressing our desire for change is an imperative. After all, we are the center of the Araullian community. It is only proper that we contribute to the maintenance of the excellence we intend to showcase to the rest of the world. It is high time that we take the sour out of the cream of the crop. Ma. Gladys Repollo

Mentors train for tutorship

In spite of the power interruption, the College of Education (COE) pushed through its Training for Tutorship last September 7 at the AU Main Library, with the College of Education Student Council (COE-SC) as its organizing body.

Attended by 2nd year Mentors, the training comprised of lectures discussing different factors affecting tutorship. COE faculty member Ms. Anna Kristel Cuevas tackled Understanding the Nature of a Child; Basic Education Department Dean Corazon Esguerra’s lecture dealt with Tips on Tutoring Grade-School Children. Lastly, COESC Governor Edward Rodriguez ended the three-part training with a comprehensive talk on Understanding the Adolescent, Tutoring High School Students, and Ethics on Tutoring. Academic exchange between the participants and the speakers concluded every lecture. Ma. Gladys Repollo

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

Merez: Central Luzon’s Sole Qualifier for PICPA NAQDOWN

AU – PHINMA’s College of Management and Accountancy takes pride in the success of its 4^th year BS Accountancy student Rachel B. Merez as she placed 4^th runner-up during the 5^th Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants National Accounting Quiz Showdown (PICPA NAQDOWN) Luzon Eliminations held at PICPA National Office in Mandaluyong City last July 15.

Merez, the only qualifier from Central Luzon, competed with 63 participants coming from colleges and universities and will vie for a place in the competition’s final round on October 23 to 26 at Davao City.

PICPA NAQDOWN, which covers CPA Board related subjects, took place concurrently in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in cooperation with the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA). Ma. Gladys Repollo