NEWS | | BPSU Christian orgs share God’s words; Bible studies, cell groups conducted

By Mary Grace P. Santos

The Rescuer (TR) and Chi Alpha (XA), both Christian student organizations from Balanga and Main campuses respectively, in unison shared the gospel to fellow Peninsulares.

            The tandem of the two accredited society aims to share the Salvation of all which can only be achieved by accepting Christ to be the center of their hearts.

            “It is indeed an answered prayer. Salamat kay Lord, sobrang na-blessed ako sa pagta-tandem ng Chi Alpha at Rescuer. Iisa lang naman ang misyon eh, to reconcile the students to Christ, na maipakilala sa kanila kung sino talaga ‘yung lumikha at totoong nagmamahal sa kanila,” explained Lyka Forbes, XA Treasurer.

            Another XA officer, Christian Vitangcol, added that it doesn’t matter who started the revival in the university but rather, this endeavor takes much importance on the fact that the two organizations are now in unity for the purpose of glorifying the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Reaching out students for revival

            “Through prayers, it’s not us but it is God who’s reaching out those students, we will just follow His instruction, His will and that is to be a catalyst for change in the lives of the students. How can they become successful if they are not yet successful in the inside? Magsisimula ang pagbabago sa loob at hindi sa labas,” said Daisy Gerona, TR Secretary, regarding their way of getting in touch with their fellow Peninsulares.

            TR members are conducting room-to-room sharing during free time and Soul Touch every Thursday, 4:30-6:00 PM at the Plaza Peninsulares.

            Meanwhile, XA officers are also having their room-to-room in Main Campus and at the same time, they are executing a cell group they called “Carecell” whereas Dennis Ruba said, “Iyun ‘yung gathering namin, dun kami nagshe-share ng word of God, salvation, at dun kami nag-aalagaan ng brothers and sisters in Christ.”

            TR and XA combined their collaborative efforts in sharing the salvation of all on the wide scale, which was then made into realization through the adviser-ship of Mrs. Lorna dela Paz and Mr. Alex Baclig, of TR and XA, respectively.

From Impure to I’m pure

            The Rescuer organized an event termed as “From Impure to I’m Pure- How to be passionately in love and sexually pure?” with speaker, Mrs. Alma de Leon-Gorospe, Guidance Counselor of Bataan Christian School, during the BC-Extravagant last February 16.

 Leslie Suzette Gomera, President of TR, affirmed that through this, they are hoping to emphasize two major points: to preserve purity until the right one comes along at the right time and to present ourselves as a perfect bride before the Lord–pure and without blemish.

            “I have learned that virginity is not only the measure of being pure, kasi minsan, kahit gaano natin kasigurado na sexually pure tayo, still, we can commit sins through the bad words coming from our mouth. And to those who already lost their virginity, just try to hold on to Him. Along the way, we can still make ourselves living in purity with God,” claimed Jennelyn Dorion, BS Accountancy- 4B.

            Furthermore, Rhen Bernal, BS Nursing Level II of Main Campus, added that she realized that God is always ready to forgive and even though we have sinned a lot, we can still be pure in His eyes through confessing our impurity and asking for His forgiveness.

DEVCOM || Mixing up the Ingredients in Curriculum Baking

by Jerwin R. Vianzon

Curriculum is like molding dough which is twisted and shaped by the muscled arms and hands of bakers.  The final products, the breads, should not only satisfy our taste buds but also should contain nutrition to equally produce physically healthy persons which also connotes mind-healthy individuals.   Breads should not only be mouth-watering but also should sustain the minerals and vitamins needed by our body to continue the flow of our strive for survival.   Breads should not only be partially delicious and the rest deserves to be regarded as trash.  They should be wholly yummy, tasty and nourishing to produce holistic development among its consumers.

However, the present status of the Philippine curriculum is considered crammed.  For the past decades of the implementation of 10 years basic education which includes four years in elementary and six years in high school, it was baked under the highest possible degree of temperature that the critiquing eyes of those who are well-educated emitted, yet the product is undercooked.  It was given crucial attention and emphasis that it was revised and redesigned not only once, yet the proper amount of ingredients hasn’t mixed right.  It has been a long battle for the Department of Education (DepEd) the problem in the Philippine Education, yet the winners with the delicious idea and suggestion of how can we uplift the education system in our country haven’t been recognized and hailed, but not until now.  Maybe.

As the new administration takes over the 10 years spoiled government under the headship of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President Benigno  Simeon”Noynoy” C. Aquino (PNOY) laid on the table a new and alien program which is called K+12 that originates from the Western countries.    Is it nutritious? Or just delicious? Can it make the heaven open wide and the angels come at our sight when we taste it?  Or would it be just plain tasteless dough straight to the bin.

Behind technological revolution is the ballooning problem of our population.  This population problem resulted to many unsolved dilemma such as the increasing number of Filipinos who are unemployed.  An online news report of Asia News revealed that at the end of January 2009, 4.3 million Filipinos in our country are unemployed.  The new administration together with its DepEd Secretary Arvin Luistro believed that this problem can be resolved if the Philippine education will also go with the flow of innovation and revolution in this modernized world.   For this reason, the government proposed this new educational program, K+12, which they said can help reduce the digits of jobless people because the new curriculum will add two more years in secondary education which is called senior high school, wherein students will be allowed to take specialization in mathematics, science, music, arts and other fields.

Science and mathematics subjects are crucial in this technology-based world because it is needed in the alleviation of human suffering and giving the comfort of modern living such as the production of medicines and other human needs.  However, in these fields, international studies such as the latest Trend in Mathematics and Science Studies (TIMSS) 2003 which is an international assessment of the mathematics and science knowledge of fourth- and eighth-grade students (second year high school students in our country) around the world that allows participating nations to compare students' educational achievement across borders, showed that Philippines is lag behind the other countries, and the only way to resolve this dilemma is through redesigning our present curriculum.

For the grade IV level in mathematics area, the Philippines ranked 23rd among the 25 participating countries. In the grade VIII, the country positioned fourth to the last among the 45 participants.  In science area, for the grade IV level, the country ranked third to the last among 25 participants.  In the grade VIII level, Philippines placed 42nd among 45 participants.

Actually, PNOY’s proposed innovation in the present educational system in our country smells fragrant but Philippines is not yet ready for this change  since we haven’t resolve the perennial problems in the lack of school facilities, laboratories, teachers, chairs, textbooks and classrooms, as what the Teachers Dignity Coalition opposed.  

However, in the baking of breads with high quality of texture, taste and overall aspect, the most important values to be executed and internalized is patience. We can’t force dough to be baked and turned to delicious bread for few minutes only or they will be undercooked or overcooked.  For the dough to be completely cooked with nourishing content and appetizing flavor, we should learn how to wait and we will see that our dreams will suddenly and gradually grow just like dough. For the breads to have properly mixed ingredients, we should give our trust to the mighty hands of our premium curriculum bakers.

SOURCES:

Santosh Digal.At least 4.3 million Filipinos unemployed.http://www.asianews.it/news-en/At-least-4.3-million-Filipinos-unemployed-14779.html(March 30, 2009)

Juon.TIMSS 2003 Update: When Juan dela Cruz Went into Battle with a Tattered Textbook.http://juon.blogspot.com/2006/05/timss-2003-update-when-juan-dela-cruz.html(May 17, 2006)

Jason Faustino.Add’l 2 years to current 10-year basic education cycle opposed.http://www.tucp.org.ph/news/index.php/2010/09/add%E2%80%99l-2-years-to-current-10-year-basic-education-cycle-opposed/(September 30, 2010)

COMIC STRIP | | MAHAL

                                   BY: HANNAH LABRADOR

SPORTS || UCAAB hoops || Stallions run over Letran Knights

By Joven G. Moster      

 

The BPSU Stallions just proved to be too much to handle for the persistent Letran Knights, as the former dominated every aspect of the game on their way to defeat the Abucay-based cagers, 105-66, and follow up their convincing victory against ACLC last February 16, Bataan People’s Center, February 21, 2011.

With the win ensured going into the home stretch of the fourth quarter, Stallion big man Kevin Constantino reeled off an impressive dunk to showcase their dominance and bring the outnumbered Peninsulares’ crowd to their feet.

 “Actually pangit yung performance namen nung SUC-III Olympics, kaya iyun yung naging motivation nila babawi sila para ngayon makuha yung championship,” Stallion Cagers’ head coach Benjamin Adraneda said, on what motivates his players to win games.

Shooting guard Melvin Mangubat led all scorers with 29 points through his unstoppable drives to the rim. Helping out Mangubat in scoring are Constantino and Team Captain Gene Loyola, who scored 18 and 17 respectively.

“…matagal na silang magkakasama from SCUAA days then training sa school…sa tagal na pagsasamasama nila alam na nila yung galaw ng bawat isa so makikita mo kahit na hindi nakatingin naipapasa sa kakampi nila ang bola,”  Adraneda explained about the smooth execution of  his players in the hard court.

At start of the fourth canto, the Knights forge a rally led by the sharp shooting acts of  J. Dela Rosa, who sank back-to back triples to bring his team within 13 points, 60-47, taking advantage while Mangubat was resting on the bench. However, the jubilation was just short-lived as two other Knights graduated with still seven minutes left in the game.

“Yung coach namin at sa fighting spirit namin na wag matalo…dahil nung SCUAA natalo kami…so ngayon ibibigay namin lahat para makuha namin ung championship nang hindi na maulit yung nangyari nung SCUAA iyun yung iniisip namin…kasi kung baga nahihiya kami sa may BPSU dahil nung natalo kami so ngayon gagawin namin ang lahat para matuwa naman sa amin yung school,” Constantino said.

Meanwhile, in the third quarter the Stallions keeps on pouring on offense with a  10-0 rally, while nailing the Knights to 34 points though the exploits of  Mangubat and Loyola.

"…height at yung defense namin tsaka yung mga tinurong plays sa amin ng mga coaches,” Mangubat said,  enumerating the ingredients that brought their victory

Letran was able to keep it close until the end of the second canto through their consistent outside shooting.

 “…more practice pa tsaka sobrang laki talaga,  hindi talaga kaya, kailangang magpractice pa tsaka hihigpitan pa naming yung depensa namin. Gusto ko na lang humabol, gusto ko na lang ihabol yung team pero wala talag, underdog kami sa sususnod na lang kami babawi,” Dela Rosa articulated.

In the first quarter, the two teams engaged in a close battle with no team taking a huge lead through their own conversion exchanges.   

COMIC STRIP | | BLANKO

                                  BY: HANNAH LABRADOR

News || CSC kicks off 2nd BC Extravagant, BC hunt 3

By John Kevin Benigno

Equipped with their burning passion of molding the culture of Bataan Peninsula Peninsula State University- Balanga Campus (BPSU-BC), the Campus Student Council (CSC) kicked off the second BC Extravagant plus the part three of BC Hunt that focused mainly in the search for Gado de Peninsulares, February 16.

Hon. Aaron C. Rondilla, BPSU Student Regent, led various organizations as they execute their corresponding activities for the whole-day event namely: Quiz Bee of the Science Society and Math Major Circle, Film Showing sponsored of the Social Science Society, “Kanta mo, dugtungan mo” of Kapisanan ng mga Mag-aaral sa Filipino.

“Fulfilled. Grateful. Challenged. Fulfilled kasi inspite of CSC officer‘s busy schedule, we were able to offer BC EXTRAvagant as what we promised. Grateful to all the organizations and College Student Councils who supported the activity. Challenged. Balik ako dun sa tanong ko nung 2009 na are we there yet? I‘m being challenged about its effect to every Peninsulares na hindi pa natin nata-touch,” Rondilla claimed.

Other events that were also administered during that day were the following: Taksyapo of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Accounting Trail of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants, “Abnormal Day” executed of Psych Society and the program “From Impure to I’m Pure” spearheaded by The Rescuer.

“Kahit na nagkaroon ng aberya sa venue nung umaga, still, God is really good, ramdam namin ang provision ni Lord sa ministry. He really moved. Maraming na-share-an ng gospel about purity. ‘Yung pagiging pure pala ay hindi lang physically dapat, kundi pati na rin emotionally and most of all, spiritually,” said Liezl B. Trasmonte, The Rescuer, College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) coordinator.

Meanwhile, Louie Arth P. Reyes, JPIA Vice-President for Communications, affirmed that their organization was satisfied with the result of this activity, saying, “Nakakatuwa, kahit pagod eh nasulit naman. Nung una, medyo nahirapan kaming maghanap ng contestants para sa Accounting Trail, pero nung nawalan na ng klase, marami ng nag-volunteer. Sa mga challenges, nakita namin na creative mag-isip ang mga accountancy students. Over-all, masaya at puno ng learnings.”

Later that afternoon, CSC prepared Leadership Ball wherein different organizations of BC gathered as one in Lou-is Resort and Restaurant in recognition to every student body who spearheads activities for the welfare of the Peninsulares.

Much of all, the Social Science Society was hailed as the best Student Organization while the Best Student Council was bagged by the College of Business and Accountancy for two consecutive years now. 

Poetry || Innocently Guilty

By Kreshna Galicia

Wrecked papers and empty pens scatter

Head aching thinking on what should be the letter

That fits into this combination of words

For my hidden ideas to unfold

But… What to put? What to write?

When my mind is already out of sight

Flying to the abyss of imagination

Forgetting the realism of the world I’m in

Should I write the truth or the truth I know?
There’s a big difference with these two worlds that I saw

One is to where I’m being awakened

The other is what was taught when my eyes opened

Probably it’s my chance to speak my mind

To give light to those who are blind

Blind from the other side of reality

Reality where I found myself guilty

Newspapers showing pictures of agony

Paupers take over the scenery

Dying because of starvation

But those who have eyes resist observation

Deaths of innocents rises

By officials that should be ruling places

Power are abused, positions are hard to defeat

Why did we let the monsters have it?

What to do? What to say?

When I’m too young to speak today

I just hope my shouts are loud

Enough to be heard by the people above

EDITORIAL || RH Bill Mis(conception)

by Mhikie Manzanares

What is obviously needed is realistic information rather than black propagandas.

Maintaining the balance between the constitution and morality is a continuing challenge, especially in these crucial times of our country, where the warfare between the Aquino administration and Catholic Church over the Reproductive health bill escalates into a mutually damaging debate.

One of the main concern of the Reproductive health Bill is that the Philippines makes it the 12^th most populous nation in the world today, that in the 2008’survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS) in Manila, Parañaque and Cebu (country’s most crowded cities) from December 2008 to March 2009, it confirms that seventy percent of three local polls want family planning education in public schools, and seventy-one percent of the country’s catholic members are in good turn for the passage of Reproductive Health Bill. 

In effect, the result of the SWS’s survey triggers the insistence of Albay’ Representative Edcel Lagman to enact the House Bill 5043 or the Reproductive Health Bill, Responsible Parenthood, and Population Development Act of 2008. The bill on the other hand promotes programs that benefit the women reproductive health; this includes the sex education in public schools and grants an access to contraceptives such as condoms and pills, the focus of this bill is to raise the awareness of both natural and artificial methods of birth control, prevention of abortion and management of maternal complications, management of reproductive diseases such as HIV/AIDS and STDs and the elimination of violence against women.

In the recent collision of the Catholic Church and the Administration, the church remain at their stand  and still  insists their disapproval to the Reproductive Health Bill, and at this moment it seems like informing the Filipinos  is the only way to oppose the negative propaganda of Catholic Church.

The hierarchy of Catholic Church is insisting that the contraceptives will only lead to legalizing the abortion with the comparison to other countries, but as a subject of fact the Reproductive Health Bill itself promotes the prevention of abortion, just like what the catholic countries like Panama and El Salvador did. The Reproductive Health bill is often misunderstood as an ‘anti-life’ bill, but the truth one of the main plan of this bill is to decrease the mortality rate in the country by means of contraceptives and awareness through sex education. The contraceptives, on the other hand is said to have a life threatening side. Scientific evidence shows the risk of using pills is 1 in 200,000. The risk of dying from a vasectomy is 1 in 1 million and the risk of dying from using an IUD is 1 in 10 million. Compare to the ratio of 1 in 10,000 of death rate in pregnancies.

The Philippines has had a long and a colorful journey, which resulted to cultural diverged society. In our journey we encountered unusual barriers; catastrophic devastation, economic downfall, and now religious imperialism. Amidst the religious diversity we should maintain the national unity. The family as the center of the society must be protected, in all aspects of morality and constitution. RH Bill is a pro-life bill, because this bill will uphold all the provisions of the right for life. RH Bill is a pro-choice bill because with this bill every one will have the right to be informed and the right to make educated decisions. RH Bill is a pro-poor bill, for the reason that all the above-mentioned provisions are intended for poor. The RH Bill is pro-life, pro-choice and pro-poor, and these ‘pros’ are the catalyst for economic development. RH Bill is a deviation for an avenue of new culture of education and free agency, and these will lead us to the highway of progression.

COMIC STRIP | | BASAG

                                  BY: HANNAH LABRADOR

Sports Column || Sports Sanctuary

by Joey del Mundo

PROMISING START

UCAAB surges rivalries but will certainly tighten bonds among Bataeño student communities. This is like experiencing the UAAP or the NCAA atmosphere here in Bataan.

The commencement of the Universities and Colleges Athletics Association of Bataan (UCAAB) is not just aimed to forge sportsmanship and camaraderie among Bataeños student-athletes but also spark the competitiveness of the every college students in the province in fighting and cheering for their schools’ pride.

This is a promising start for the universities and colleges in the peninsula, who agreed as one to conduct this endeavor. UCAAB features 13 schools battling it out for provincial supremacy in seven sporting events.

Being the province’s prime contender in the regional sporting arena, Bataan Peninsula State University is hosting the opening season of this momentous event. The battle-tested Stallion athletes will showcase their talents in this another challenge with pride.

Stallion volleybelle ace hitter Alona Lazaro lit the torch that proclaimed that the battlefield for the first ever UCAAB has officially started. In addition, Stallion volleybelle team captain Katherine Mojica led the pledge of sportsmanship.

Adding to the Peninsulares’ shine were the Stallion dance floor bets who bested other contenders to get four gold medals for BPSU that will set the tone for a glorious campaign.

Although missing the support of the loud BPSU crowd on the opening day, the Stallions never failed to deliver which only proves the Peninsulares’ perseverance.

Truly, this is a promising start not just for BPSU but to all schools who participated in this event. This is a venue of rekindling the fire to participate and compete that will surely strengthen the ties of the educational institution in Bataan.  

Photo Journalism || Pro Life

PRO-LIFE. Simultaneous to valentine celebration, activists of RH Bill congregated at PICC in Pasay to show their disapproval on President Noynoy Aquino’s support to the bill, February 14. 

PHOTO FROM ph.politicalarena.com CAPTION BY MHIKIE MANZANARES

Photo Journalism || Winning Form

WINNING FORM. Displaying enchanting grace Peninsulares’ dance floor bets shone the brightest in the dance sport competition, bagging four gold medals for BPSU at the opening day of the first ever Universities and Colleges Athletics Association of Bataan, February 15, 2011, Bataan People’s Center.

PHOTO AND CAPTION BY JOEY DEL MUNDO

Poetry || Longing...

by Eidref Angela Christine P.Banzon

How I wish I still had a little bit of your love.

A little bit of your time to show you still care.

Before, I had,

A moment of your life with me so close.

A piece of your heart, understanding my tears.

Now, I’m hoping for,

A simple hello not a soon goodbye.

A mutual feeling to be shown without being shy.

How I wish, I’ll share,

A part of your life I want so badly.

A portion of your heart, I wish I will forever have.

Features || Roadway to Realization, Want to join?

by Kreshna Galicia

It’s already six a.m. and the morning rush can be noticed easily. As the sun peeks from its dark clouds, light paints a new art in the sky. The early dew freezes the wind breeze that creates a cold complexion in the student’s skin. The ritual of waiting for a bus sucks as everyday comes. Some students might enjoy the joyride. At my side, it’s going to be an hour of boring bumpy ride.

           

Living in a far place from the school is such a pain in the head. You have to wake up so early and yet always end up late. The worst of all the wasted time of commuting gives such headache and sucks up all the energy I saved for today. Isn’t it nice, right? The only thing that gives me the excitement is what is new to happen in school and what lessons are to be learned.

           

And after all the teaching I cultured, another one hour must be wasted again for me to be able to arrive home. I am bored. I am tired. I am frustrated. All I think is how to finish all my duties left at home. Staring at the window of my seat together with my phone and headset is my only way to escape this world-weariness.

           

One day, on my way home, doing my trip-to-home ritual, I suddenly stared at the window blankly and watched all the places that we pass through. I was thinking of the past preach by our parish priest about the true meaning of poor and rich- that the true deprived people are the ones who kept buying things that are barely needed and the wealthy ones are those who sees contentment in their lives without things that doesn’t really matter. My mind is in the moment of argument with this preach for I was striving to finish my studies to be known as “rich”. I was confused if I will be able to be called one by the time I will be successful.

While my mind was far to be reached, I noticed that the bus stopped in front of a house located at the side of the road that I was on to. Actually, it is a small nipa hut where maybe five to seven people live at and scatters all their dirty clothes and stuffs outside the door that basically don’t have any door but only a piece of cloth to cover what’s inside. I pitied them. But suddenly, a man came to the house and was welcomed by the children playing around the house. Out of the blue, I flashed a smile as I continued my trip and agreed to what our priest had said.

Having his family and enough necessities gave satisfaction in the life of this man. He can’t be known as “poor” for his rich in love. Though lack of money and stuffs, he has everything he needs in the world. And it answered the confusion in my mind.

I was wrong about my idea of everyday trip. I should not think that this one hour of my life is a waste of time for in every minute, every second, there are new things to see and a lot must be seen by bare eyes; one thing that I strived not to do for I was already contented in my life. I have to open my eyes and continue what’s my duty at school; to learn and apply what I have learned in my daily life.

So as another day comes, excitement thrills my soul as I await on what new to come- what new to know. Though I am already contented on what I have, I’m still craving for new experiences that will happen for me to learn what is beyond the book- lessons that are not only to be found in precious moments but also in times of nothing to do on the road.

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