A FTER almost two decades, the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and

Universities (PAASCU) once again granted initial accreditation to the San Sebastian College-

Recoletos de Cavite High School Department after passing the formal survey visit held last September 5-6.

In a fax message sent by the PAASCU

Board of Directors last November 25,

2013, the Association grants the High

School Department Level I

accreditation that is valid for three

years until November 2016.

The PAASCU is a government-

recognized member of the Federation

of Accrediting Agencies of the

Philippines (FAAP), and is responsible

for ensuring the implementation of

both national and international

standards in the areas of philosophy

and objectives, administration,

curriculum and instruction, faculty and

staff, student services, library, and

physical plant.

It was in 1994 when the last PAASCU

accreditation of the High School

Department expired.

Aside from the High School

Department, the Grade School

Department also passed the PAASCU

preliminary survey, making them

eligible to apply for Level I

accreditation. Moreover, the other

departments from the tertiary level

applied for accreditation as well.

The persons primarily in-charge of

this accreditation were Rev. Fr.

Cristituto Palomar, OAR (SSC-R

President), Rev. Fr. Albert Pellazar,

OAR (VP for Academics), Dr.

Belinda Quinio (Accreditation,

Planning and Development Officer),

and Dr. Ferdinand Callueng (Grade

School and High School Principal).

(Kyle Bance)

W ORK and classes in both the Main and Cañacao campuses of San Sebastian

College-Recoletos de Cavite (SSC-R) were dismissed after a bomb was reported to

reside in one of the campuses, but revealing later that it was an empty threat, June 26.

by Kim Robert Samuel

Schoo l o ffic ia ls were

alarmed after a plastic-

taped brown paper bag,

susp ec t ed to co nt a in

explosives, was thrown at

the Cañacao Campus by

t w o m e n r i d i n g a

motorcycle. This paper bag

was found by security

guard Cesar io Rivera

Romilla at the school’s

main gate at 8:46 AM.

Romilla said he picked up

the bag with a message

attached to it saying

“Bomba! Sasabog sa SSC-

R 9:45am”.

Romilla reported the bag to Dr.

Ferdinand T. Callueng, high

school and grade school

principal, who immediately

called the Cavite Component

City Police Station. The police

responded to the scene while

the students were instructed to

go home immediately.

After investigating, police

officials found out that the

bomb threat was a hoax.

However, to ensure the safety

of the Sebastinian Community,

the Philippine National Police,

the Bureau of Fire Protection,

and the Philippines National

Red Cross, had a series of

security operations.

At around 3:00 PM, the

Explosive and Ordinance

Division of the Naval Special

Operations Group (NAVSOG)

cleared both the Main and

Cañacao campuses and were

declared safe from any threats.

INSTITUTIONAL POLICY. Chief of Security and Safety Rev. Fr. Charlito Orobia, OAR ordered the stricter implementation of campus security procedures following the bomb scare incident. At present, only vehicles with SSC-R de Cavite stickers are allowed to enter the premises of both campuses. (Photo by Joshua Garduque)

Bishops oppose

Manila Bay reclamation by Kristine Joy Afable

T WENTY-ONE members of the Catholic Bishops’

Conference of the Philippines opposed the proposed

Manila Bay Reclamation Project after consulting experts

regarding its possible effects in the lives of the residents of

nearby cities and municipalities.

Led by Manila Archbishop

Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle,

archbishops and bishops from

the Ecclesiastical Province of

Manila sent an appeal to Pres.

Benigno Simeon Aquino III

that calls for a “favorable

decision with our people who

are opposing the reclamation

of Manila Bay”.

In a letter dated November 19,

2013, the bishops said that

they have studied the

proposed project and that the

consultation they made have

led them to have “deep

reservations on the projects

social and environmental

impact”.

According to the studies done

by Drs. Kelvin Rodolfo and

Fernando Siringan, the

ManilaBay reclamation is “a

very bad idea because of three

serious geological hazards

that reclamation proponents

are ignoring or dismissing”.

These hazards include

worsening flood situations,

combinations of surges and

storm waves, and liquefaction

during earthquakes that

destroys buildings in coastal

areas.

“In the light of these

considerations we have to

exercise our responsibility as

pastors and protectors of

God’s flock and be in

solidarity with all of humanity

in the call to be stewards of

God’s creation”, said the

bishops.

The bishop-signatories of the

petition include Luis Antonio

Cardinal Tagle (Archbishop

of Manila), Bp. Bernadino

Cortez and Bp. Broderick

Pabillo (Auxiliary Bishops of

Manila).

(Manila Bay, page 3)

Bomb scare ceases school operations

TOP: Newly appointed principal Dr. Ferdinand T. Callueng talks about the nature and process of accreditation prior to the PAASCU’s formal survey visit. (Photo by Joshua Garduque) INSET: Fax message from the PAASCU announcing the results of the surveys for the grade school and high school departments.

PH universities eye new calendar

According to an article

written in The Varsitarian, the

official student publication of

the University of Santo

Tomas (UST), shifting to the

September-June scheme is a

s t e p t o w a r d s

internationalization, and a

preparation for the so-called

“economic integration” of

ASEAN countries in 2015.

Aside from UST, the

University of the Philippines

(UP) and the Ateneo de

Manila University (ADMU)

are also reflecting on the

thought of adjusting their

calendars.

According to UP, the

country’s premier state

university, adopting the

September-June calendar will

allow them to immerse their

f a c u l t y m e m b e r s i n

in t e r na t io na l t r a in in g

programs that usually take

place in June and July.

ADMU, on the other hand,

plans to adopt the August-

May scheme in order to

allow “fuller participation”

in exchange programs

among universities around

the world.

Should this be widely

a d o p t e d , t h e b a s i c

education system may also

need to adjust its academic

calendar in the near future.

At present, the Commission

o n Higher E ducat io n

(CHED) has not yet forced

h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n a l

institutions (HEIs) to make

t h i s s h i f t . S i n c e

universities are usually

a u t o n o m o u s a n d

d e r e g u l a t e d , C H E D

reminds administrators that

a regular semester must

still be comprised of 18

weeks with corresponding

number of hours per week.

by Kyle Bance

T op Philippine universities eye the possibility of adopting a new academic calendar that

follows the Western scheme instead of the current June-March.

Clockwise: University of the Philippines-Diliiman, De La Salle University-Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University (Photo from PhilStar.com)

Sebastinians unite in

‘concert for a cause’

Organized jointly by the

Student Organizat io ns’

Coordinating Council (SOCC),

the Student Act ivit ies

Coordinator’s Office and the

Recoletos de Cavite Outreach

Program Office, the concert,

entitled “Paskong Sebastino: A

Concert for a Cause” aimed not

only to showcase the

Sebastinians’ talent in the

performing arts but also to raise

funds for outreach programs.

Proceeds of the said concert

were used as means for the

bundles of joy for the

residents of the school’s

a d o p t e d c o m m u n i t y ,

scholarship fund for the

Sebastinian Vision Grantees

(SVG), relief goods for

‘Yolanda’ victims housed in

Salinas, and pews for the

Cañacao Campus chapel.

Accordingly, students, teachers

and even families alike

R ecoletos 4th Centennial Gymnasium –

Sebastinians unite together in showing the real

spirit of Christmas in the first ever major Christmas

concert of the SSC-R High School Department, held

December 20, 2013.

admitted to having a good time,

describing the show as an

unexpected success.

Highlight of the show was the

grand finale, on which the

high school faculty members

led by the Principal, Dr.

Ferdinand T. Callueng, and

the Faculty Club President,

Mrs. Virginia M. Vejerano,

sung “Paskong Sebastino”, an

original song written by Mr.

Paolo Antonio C. Noceda and

arranged by Mr. Jonald

Justine U. Itugot, to which

club presidents danced.

Representatives from the pre-

service teachers, high school

PTA, other departments, and

the alumni also presented

during the event.

The concert replaced the

traditional per class Christmas

Party with the idea of a

community party.

by Frances Jade Gagua

THE VOICE. OVC members made the concert magical all throughout the night and made the spirit of Christmas truly felt by their angelic voices. (Photo by CK Torres)

New org bags golds in

inter-school cooking tilt

by Joshua Garduque

M embers of the newly-formed Sebastinian Junior Chefs bagged two gold

awards during the annual “Future Chef” competition hosted by St. Joseph

College of Cavite, Inc. (SJC), September 27.

Schools from within and

outside the City of Cavite

contended for the next

Future Chef Champion,

and for the two new

categories in Miniature

Cake Decorating and Fruit

and Vegetable Carving.

Among the participants

are fourth year students

from Rosario Institute,

Ca v it e B ib le B ap t is t

Academy, Sangley Point

National High School, St.

Joseph College of Cavite,

and San Sebast ian College

- Recoletos de Cavite.

Sr. Ma. Amada de Ramos,

AR, Ed.D., dean of SJC’s

HRM department, started

t he e ve n t w it h he r

ins p ir a t io na l we lco me

address. On the other

hand, Dr. Ruel Arcon,

Hote l and Rest aurant

M a n a g e m e n t ( H R M )

professor in SJC, said that

the said event aims to

explore the skills and

talents of the students in

the culinary field.

Mr. Jasper Señaris and

Mrs . E mlyn Cen iza l,

alumni of Cavite State

Univer s it y, and Mrs .

Evangeline Nierva, owner

of Health Tea atbp. in

Noveleta, Cavite, served

a s j u d g e s f o r t h e

competit ion. The main

rule is that participants

should use crabs as their

main ingredient in their

chosen recipes.

Placing first in the Future

Chef competit ion were

S e b a s t i n i a n s t u d e n t s

S h e m a i a h E m m a n u e l

Fresto, Dianne Christ ian

Basto, and Jyiann Patrixia

Sabate r , fo l lo wed by

runner-ups from Cavite

Bible Baptist Academy

and Rosario Inst itute.

St. Joseph College won

f i r s t p l a c e i n t h e

M i n i a t u r e C a k e

Decorating Competit ion,

while Sebastinians Claire

Micaela Presa, Joshua De

Castro, and Mon Matias

topped in the Fruit and

V e g e t a b l e C a r v i n g

Competit ion, followed by

Sangley Point National

High School.

IGNITE. Shem Fresto's flambe during the annual Future Chef Competition at Saint Joseph College Gymnasium. (Photo by Maria Theresa Guisihan)

confession took place the

succeeding day. Moreover, a

rosary rally, wherein chosen

delegates were given balloons to

represent the beads of the rosary.

During the cultural night,

each participating delegation

was given the chance to

showcase the talents of its

participants.

On the last day, the delegates

were given a tour around

Baguio City to give them a

chance to explore the place

and buy souvenirs.

Dur ing t he aw ard ing

ceremonies, delegates from

SSC-R de Cavite were able to

bring home the “Most Early

Birds” Award.

147 delegates from different

OAR and AR schools and

parishes from all over the

Philippines attended the

e ve nt . 20 o f w hic h

represented San Sebastian

College-Recoletos de Cavite.

The activity started with the

O A R F a t he r s g iv in g

inspirational talks to the

delegates, and subsequently

followed by a play centered

on St. Augustine’s life.

After which, the delegates

were introduced to their

“angels”, who are college

seminarians of the Order. On

the other hand, participants

were dubbed as “souls”.

A night of silence, prayer, and

Suffragan bishops Honesto

Ongtioco (Cubao), Francisco

de Leon (Kalookan), Jesse

M erc a do (Par a ñaq ue) ,

A n t o n i o T o b i a s

(Novaliches), Mylo Hubert

Vergara (Pasig), Gabriel

Reyes (Antipolo), Jose

Oliveros (Malolos), and

Buenaventura Famadico

(San Pablo) also signed the

request.

Retired bishops Deogracias

Iñiguez (Kalookan), Manuel

Sobreviñas (Imus), Teodoro

Bacani (Novaliches), Leo

D r o n a ( S a n P a b l o ) ,

Francisco Santiago (Pasig),

and Gaudencio Cardinal

TURNOVER. Colegio de Santo Tomas-Recoletos (CST-R) Principal Rev. Fr. Ferdinand V. Fornilos, OAR turns over the SCORES banner to Mr. Paolo Antonio C. Noceda, Students’ Activity Coordinator of San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite as the representative of the host school next academic year. (Photo courtesy of Mikee Presa)

SSC-R to host SCORES 2014 by Shemaiah Emmanuel Fresto

S an Sebastian College-Recoletos (SSC-R) de Cavite will be hosting once again the

Students’ Congress of Recollect Schools (SCORES) next academic year.

This news was announced

during the 28th SCORES

held at Colegio de Santo

Tomas-Recoletos (CST-R)

in San Carlos City, Negros

Oriental, November 26-30.

10 student delegates from

SSC-R de Cavite became

part of the 91-person

assembly, revitalizing the

meaning of the theme,

“ R e c o l l e c t Y o u t h

Revitalizing Interiority for

Moral Integrity”.

Sebastinian delegates took a

day off before the main

event, enjoying the warm

hospitality provided by

Univer s it y o f Negros

Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-

R), Bacolod.

Upon registering at the start

of the event, delegates were

turned over to the ir

respective foster families

and enjoyed the rest of their

stay with them.

The congress featured

notable speakers such as Mr.

Moses Joshua Atega and Mr.

Lloyd Luna to give student-

encouragement seminars.

Reco le t o s E ducat io na l

Apostolate of the Philippines

(REAP) President Fr. Julius

Marcos, OAR ended the

congress with an inspiring

talk, followed by a tour

around the city, encounter

with the mayor, and an

outreach activity.

The Cultural Night served as

the highlight of the said

congress, wherein all nine

participating schools showed

what t he ir respect ive

provinces have to be proud

of. The University of San

Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R),

Cebu won the competition in

bringing the festive feels of

their Sinulog Festival.

A “Lakbay-Aral” to Kinayan

M o u n t a i n R e s o r t ,

Guihingan, Negros Oriental

was also held, being

intended as an activity that

will help the participants

cherish every moment left.

Participants in this activity

include Francis Quitoriano,

Mikee Presa, Michelle

Ponsones, Shemaiah Fresto,

Helg i Bjarnason, Ja ja

Ponsones, Psalm Tolentino,

Yaneza Uy, Laika Baytan,

and Chrys ia Tr inidad,

together with Mr. Paolo

Antonio Noceda and Ms.

Karleen Veloria.

SVM holds 10th RAYS by Ma. Jedidiah Rile

T he Secretariat of Vocation Ministry (SVM) of the

Order of Augustinian Recollects (OAR) held the 10th

Recollect Augustinian Youth Summit (RAYS) at the

Casiciaco Recoletos Seminary in Baguio City with the

theme, “Go and make disciples of all nations”, November

25-29.

Rosales (Manila) also signed

the document.

Other local ordinaries also

signed the petition including

Bp. Leopoldo Tumulak

(Military Ordinariate), Bp.

P e dro Ar ig o ( Pu er t o

Princesa), and Bp. Edgardo

Juanich (Taytay).

Imus bishop Reynaldo

Evangelista also signed the

document, representing the

Roman Catholic community of

Cavite. It can be noted that the

development of air and seaports

in Sangley Point, Cavite City is

also one of the reclamation

projects along Manila Bay.

Manila Bay... (from page 1)

SDPC hosts seminar

on drug abuse by Josiah Keith Domingo

Canacao Campus Auditorium – The Student Development

and Placement Center (SDPC) hosted a seminar regarding

Drug Abuse Prevention, November 4. The seminar was

conducted by Mr. Felipe Costuna Jr., currently the Dean of

the College of Criminal Justice Education in the SSC-R

Main Campus.

Costuna tackled subject

matters and drug-related

issues such as the most

common drugs being abused

in our country (marijuana,

shabu and ecstasy).

He also stated these drugs’

adverse effects to the human

body as well as the

immediate and long-term

effects when abusing such

drugs. Lastly, he mentioned

numerous ways on how to

prevent drug abuse and

discouraged the students to

engage in drug abuse. In

addition to his lecture, Dean

Costuna let the students

watch a set of video clips to

further support his talk about

the topic.

The seminar was held from

8:00 AM-11:00 AM for

Grade 7 and Grade 8

students, and 1:00 PM-5:00

PM for 3rd year and 4th year

students. After each seminar,

an open forum was held to

allow the students raise their

inquiries to the speaker.

Baste joins 55th annual CMLI convention by Josiah Keith Domingo

F or the first time ever, sixteen student-delegates from San Sebastian College –

Recoletos de Cavite (SSC-R) participated in the 55th Annual National Convention of

the Childrens’ Museum and Library, Inc. (CMLI) held at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City,

October 23-27.

Joined by 915 delegates

coming from 33 schools

from all across the country,

workshops, discussions and

symposia were held to

develop the youth as future

leaders of the society.

With the theme “It Starts

with YOUth: the Filipino

Youth and Mass Media as

I nno va t o r s o f So c ia l

Awareness and Agents of

C h a n g e ” ¸ t h e C M L I

encourages the participants

to develop changes in

society using the different

forms of mass media.

Bagging awards for the

school were Frances Gagua

(Champion, Essay Writing

and Best Workshopper,

News Writing), Josef Tafalla

(Winner, Sony Headphone

Making), Aurel Umali

(Finalist, Extemporaneous

Speaking), Josiah Domingo

and Patricia Magallanes

( F ina l is t s , Po p Qu iz

Hotshots), and the whole

SSC-R delegat ion (2nd

Runner-up, Talent Variety

Show)

“It was a very memorable

experience,” said Frances

Gagua, the participant who

won the highest place

among other participants

f r o m S S C - R . “ W e

definitely enjoyed our stay

there,” she added.

T he c o n ve n t io n w a s

s p o n s o r e d b y S o n y

Philippines and Nest lé

Chuckie.

SECTION EDITORS & ASSISTANT EDITORS Section Editors: Josiah Keith F. Domingo (News), Moria Diela L. Vallido (Feature), Joshua I. Garduque (Art); Assistant Editors: Kyle C. Bance (News), Kristine Joy M.

Afable (Community), Leanna Mae S. Stuart (Sports), Kimberly Ann Z. Moral (Feature), Deanne Therese E. Martinada (Science), Maria Theresa S. Guisihan (Art)

CORRESPONDENTS Rani Isabel Cajigas, Kim Robert Samuel, Hannah Bernal, Ranz Custodio,

Lance De Leon, Natasha Ashley Austria, Daphne Aying, Graciella Ysabel Grepo, Jecelie de la Rosa, Alysa Claire Aquino, John Levi Perez, Patricia Mae Magallanes

RADIO BROADCASTERS

English: Jedidiah Rile (Director), Alexis Cruz, Johann Torrato, Joshua Garcia, Marco Bernal, Severo Macugay, Sharmilla Postre; Filipino: Shemaiah Fresto

(Director), Gabrielle Loredo, Jarren Mateo, Krishanae Sabal, Precious Filio, Renzo Camacho, Rachelle Macalindong

Photojournalists: Maria Isabela Pilapil, Czarina Kerstein Torres

Cartoonists: Reynold Cerbo, Joshua Lloyd Garcia, Josef Tafalla, Jaime Flores III Layout Artists (Collaborative Publishing): Patrick Mijares, Geoffrey Galvez

Trainers: Mrs. Farrah Jane Columna, Mr. Paolo Antonio Noceda

Publications Moderator: Mr. Jonald Justine U. Itugot

www.sebastinianecho.org

T URNING POINT, they say – or another issue destined to be buried. The revelation of the pork barrel scam, or the misuse of the country’s PDAF, ignited once more

the dying flame of change, sparking a new rebellion in the hearts of the Filipinos. Here it is, the ultimate proof of the web of lies surrounding us; finally, something to fight for. However, contrary to our expectations, it seems that the guilty are not in the verge of panic. Rather, they seem to be relaxed – and with a reason. For since the inception of the Philippine Republic, justice had been a one-sided game. The devil’s porky tail will hide for a while, until the fire fades into forgetfulness, leaving the rust to tarnish our country’s tainted wings. Again. In other words: the pork barrel scam may awaken the Filipinos into reality, but our current actions are not enough to make the red-handed atone for their sins. Sooner or later, the sugary speeches of the two-faced political figures will lull us into a false reality, making it appear as though we had moved forward when in fact we are sinking. Then, once more, they will integrate into our society these wrongdoings, bearing a different name, hiding behind a different mask. It is despicable, how we are helpless in facing our nation’s arch nemesis. We yearn for change, yet whatever step we take, it seems that we are brought back to square one. While our countrymen strive to destroy these abominations that litter our society, it seems that more and more give in to the temptation that the darkness offers us. Sadly, a lot of our fellow citizens are slowly accepting the chaos it offers us – as if it is alright to live with these injustices, when in fact it is not. The pork barrel scam is the ultimate symbol of how diverse and foreign our country has become. We are now living in a territory that looks and sound familiar yet is actually different. Sacked and plundered, our nation was replaced by something we do not know, something barely a nation. It is pitiful to see how we believe that we are united and strong, unable to notice the cracks of our crumbling society. Our selfishness resulted into a chaos, a monstrosity more terrifying than ever imagined. We ourselves created the chains that are pulling us down – and the misuse of our country’s funds is the main weight that contributes to the state’s downfall. It is truly disappointing to find that the land on which we are born is actually in shambles, opposite to the rise that we anticipated. The cheating of our supposed development funds contributed nothing but further despair in our part. We are dismayed by these turn of events, but perhaps it is also a blessing. At least, even for another short while, we are exposed to the endless cycle of our country’s darkest secrets, the reason why we are getting nowhere. But our current actions are not enough to create everlasting change. Rallies and outcries are only carried away by the dust. To express our disapproval, what we need is a revolution. And to begin this, we must counter the dualism or reality presented to us – awaken from this falseness, and distinguish the truth.

Editorial

Reality Dualism

THE SEBASTINIAN ECHO Rm. 409, San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite, Cañacao Campus

Frances Jade V. Gagua Editor-in-Chief

Aurel Maria T. Umali Managing Editor

But how did it really begin –

these national issues that

plague our soiled society?

What is e ve n mo re

surprising is that the people

who are do ing these

corruptive actions are well-

to-do, educated individuals

who had studied in schools

known across the world.

Analysts believe that it is

human nature and self-

interest that generated these

illegal activities. I, however,

believe that the surroundings

from which these people had

grown up to that influenced

them to beco me the

monstrosity that they are.

I am not just referring to the

historical dictatorship or the

national issues that they had

faced in their youth, no; I

am, in fact, referring to the

education that they had

received. Most will argue

that education had nothing

to do with what these people

are now, because a lot of

people who also belong in

t he ir g e ne r a t io n a r e

admirable citizens, earning

success in a fair way. I,

h o w e v e r , c o n s i d e r

otherwise. In fact, I believe

that their studies contributed

a lot to their less than stellar

behavior.

It is noticeable how the

lessons nowadays focus on

capitalistic topics. In fact,

our society teaches the

students to aim to be

wealthy and surpass others’

achievements. While the

boosting of self-confidence

is acceptable, there is a

lacking in terms of values

education and religious

formation. These two are

sidelined in terms of

schooling. In other words,

the pupils are far too focused

in their self-interest without

being taught the proper

virtues that should be

integrated alongside the said

t each ings , c r eat ing a

lo p s id e d r e l a t io n s h ip

between intellectual training

and attitude grooming. As a

result, the students grow up

short in the proper outlooks,

which is a primary reason

for the ferocious competition

and voracity of the people

nowadays.

The educational realm itself

might also be a root for the

immoral actions of our

leaders. That seemingly

innocent environment is

actually a world by itself.

Polit ics also exists in

education, and its system is

no t a s va r ie d f r o m

government politics. There

is unhealthy antagonism,

particularly among honor

students with competitive

supporters and parents vying

for their children to strike

the gold. There is pressure at

sides, particularly when it is

already the period when the

learners are already in

preparation for their future.

Cheating, blackmail – some

students, particularly the

wea lthy ones in big

universities, learn these

things to just to meet the

expectations of the crowd.

These seemingly small acts

of viciousness are obvious

contributors for their mind

settings and views to

change. Sadly, it seems that

education had become a

training ground for these

corrupt leaders – a possible

fact that may continue to

exist if no apparent action is

taken.

Corruption in relation to

e d u c a t i o n t r u l y i s

controversial at the very

least. It is hard to accept that

schooling may had been one

of the causes as to why

humans are fraudulent and

crooked in their beliefs and

ways. While it is not

applicable to all, no-one can

deny that there might be a

connection between the two.

Perhaps it is time that our

government – and even the

rest of the world – take heed

of what we are being taught,

not just changing the system.

It is not the structure that

needs changing, it is the

content. For only when

intellect and ethics are

balanced can truth and

amendment be considered.

We are taught never to look

back and only to look on

forward. I say we look back

and learn from the mistakes

of the past, so that we may

advance away from the

horizon of nowhere.

M ankind had been perpetually torn apart. Filipinos, in particular, find it a challenge

to link their horizons together with their countrymen – our countrymen. It seems

that the people supposedly acting as the means for our nation’s advancement are in fact

destroying it. We had strayed too far away from the path of stability, what with human

greed, selfishness and foolishness blinding us.

are uttered by the mouths of the

victims especially in Tacloban,

Leyte – the said center of the

typhoon. Understand that this is

not only the government’s fault

in lacking stable structures,

buildings, roads etc., but also

mainly ours for not giving

attention in preparing for this.

PAGASA concluded that this is

one of the most disastrous

catastrophes that happened to us. It

killed many lives and put people in

the state of vagrancy. Think of this

as a lesson for us to ponder for

generations. The positive thing is,

we at least learned our lesson: to

prepare and get ready to the

following incoming crisis to come.

Would we?

The truth is that the only thing

that is constant is change. We

need to accept the fact that as

time flies, people demand for

something new. Maybe, this is

out of their competitiveness, will

to cope up, or desire for the

better. Now, the question is,

“When will it take place?”

For others, the proposed idea

seems to be a little bit too rush

considering that we are still in

the adjustment phase regarding

the implementation of the K-12

program that was introduced

just last school year. On the

contrary, why can’t we realize

First on the list is the Maytinis Festival, an annual event

celebrated by the Kawiteños that

normally takes place on Christmas

Eve. It is a dramatic re-enactment of Joseph and Mary’s journey to

Bethlehem. This Christmas

tradition occurs on the streets with eye catching floats portraying

important biblical scenes such as

the annunciation of Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary.

Present in this Kawit tradition is

the piousness of the Filipino

people. We can see how devoted Filipinos are to religion that

cultural system has been

influenced by such belief. Good to know, it gives off positive effects

and encourages the strengthening

of one’s faith.

A centrepiece of the town’s

Christmas celebration is the

Christmas lights and sound show held in Aguinaldo’s shrine. It

starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.

As part of the annual Maytinis Festival, the House of Philippine

Independence was fully decorated with bright and dancing LED

lights. Local authorities even

managed to synchronize the lights

with lively and catchy Christmas songs. The environment around

the mansion helps in improving

the mood of every person who passes by. Also, it serves as an

attraction for the people who are

attending the holy mass in the centremost part of the shrine

where an altar can be seen fixated.

The mass usually begins at 8 p.m.

What makes the lights and sound show more interesting was that

there were market stalls set

everywhere by vendors who sell varying products. There were food

stalls, clothing stalls and even toy

stalls. Certainly it is the highlight of all the other Christmas festivals.

The first president’s mansion had

been greatly vitalized by the

youthful presence of those who had converged in front of the

house and admire the beauty of the

scenery. Genera l Emilio Aguinaldo once again gave us

freedom through modern lightning technology – the freedom to be

happy.

Aside from the Maytinis Festival and the dancing Christmas lights

in Aguinaldo Shrine, there are

still so many ways for Filipinos to celebrate the Christmas

season. Actually, the Philippines

is hailed as one of the countries who glorify the Christmas

season in a very long duration.

W i t h s u c h c r e a t i v i t y ,

individualism and passion, it is true that we can create even

more innovative ways on how to

revere holidays. Moreover, our country’s cultural heritage is so

rich and varied that it shapes our

ideas on matters like Christmas celebrations. And as Filipinos in

heart, mind, and soul it is indeed

our nature to give everyone

happiness. Aren’t we, the Filipino millenials, given the

title as the least stressed and

happiest people in the entire world?

A day before Yolanda hit the

Philippines, PNoy called to mind

all people to start preparing for

the incoming storm surge. They

(PAGASA) never stopped

reminding people over and over

again, but many chose to ignore

the reminders given, and that led

us to tragedy.

PAGASA knew beforehand how

strong the effect of this typhoon

will be, and that was the reason

why they warned us in the very

first place. They did not intend to

frighten us but help us overcome

this typhoon.

Now that we already saw the

effect of the said typhoon, when

will we ever learn? Many regrets

T he Philippines has faced one of the most disastrous calamity in its

history. Different catastrophes were survived by us Filipinos in

this past few years such as Ondoy, Maring and Habagat, but inspite of

all that had gone through, people still do not learn. Now we are facing

another crisis given by typhoon Yolanda.

T oday, major colleges in the Philippines are starting to accept

change as they plan to shift to the international school calendar,

similar to universities in other countries that begin their school year in

August-to-May. However, different opinions were heard.

that it is time for Filipino

students to come along with

others, such as those in our

fellow ASEAN countries?

This change will open more

opportunities for this country

especially if we will be able to

accept international students. We

need ASEAN 2015.

We had already started. Adopting

the K-12 program is just the first

step but we are not stopping. If

we want to fit in to this world,

why won’t we start now?

Because if not, we might just find

ourselves left behind.

H ow can one be considered a true Filipino? Simple. It’s the act of nurturing one’s

culture and values which makes a Filipino, Filipino. One value that was believed to

be the most treasured and long lasting is the Filipino’s uniqueness in Christmas

celebrations. And evidently, Caviteños took part in this inherited custom.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, Hello! I won’t beat around the bush any longer, so here is my question: Why does the school require PAASCU accreditation? What is its importance? Thanks, and more power to SebEcho!

-Valerie Rose T. Monton

+++++ Dear Valerie, Before all, thank you for taking the time to write to the Sebastinian Echo. The PAASCU Accreditation is not necessarily required; however, it is a certified proof that a school TRULY gives quality education and meets national standards. A PAASCU accredited school signifies that the school is one which offers an excellent educational environment for students.

-The Sebastinian Echo

(Send your letters to the editor through e-mail at admin@sebastinianecho.org and get the chance to be heard!)

F rom printed work text, to digitalized pixels. The students of San Sebastian “moves

with the flow” of technological growth. In this school year 2013-2014, our school just

released the first batch of tablets for pilot testing. But how would it turn out?

it’s cheaper but they have weighed the possibilities of it not being good.

Besides, it’s only a pilot test. There is a

very broad chance that these students

will change their minds and decides to switch next year.

And since it’s what

generations of students are used to, it is more likely that students will prefer

using textbooks. Some of which said

students are learning or getting more information when they read from

printed textbooks. Because it is more

fetching to study for them when they

are reading. Another argument is that it is not good for the eyes especially

when students tend to study late at

night or early in the morning. We seem to be shocked or overwhelmed

when we aren’t on “familiar waters”.

But there is always room for change and improvement.

Change is not an easy thing

to do. But you cannot do progress

when you won’t allow change to happen. There would come a time

when there are no more complications

in using e-tablets who would know that San Sebastian would be the first

school in Cavite that will apply this

curriculum of teaching.

In the end it is up to the one who has a heart for learning to choose.

If they are more capable of expanding

their knowledge when using books, then books it is. But there would also

be an instance wherein they would

refer to technology to siege their concerns. After all technology is

innovated to help people in the things

they do.

are not well aware of its uses. Third, what is the difference

between textbooks and tablets, and

what are the capabilities of an e-tablet

that textbooks don’t have? Basically there isn’t that much difference. E-

tablets are just more advance. Students

can easily access information while studying with just an internet

connection and this is one way of how

students can process information easily. Next is Accessibility. Students

can easily access apps like dictionaries,

math helpers, bibles etc. that will help

them be ahead. And through this students can be more hype to learn and

be more constant in studying.

Although it seems like e-tablets are very advance and useful, it

is indeed a way of distraction. When

you are studying you cannot hide the fact that you are tempted to do

something else, especially when the

connection is just right there. And the

only solution to prevent e-tablet users from opening other sites is pure

concentration and enthusiasm to study.

Based on the results and reactions of students who uses e-

tablets, there is a very diverse

perceptive. Some of them thinks it’s a

great way of improving and development. But there also times

when they would like to use the

textbooks. Majority of the students still

prefer being traditional by using

printed textbooks. Survey shows that more than half of the school’s student

population decided to stick with the

printed paperbacks. Not just because

Technology is considered the most acknowledged and renowned

advancement in the 21st Century. All

around the globe, people are starting to

adapt to the advancement that almost everyone depends on it and thinks that

it’s a necessity. When you look

around, you’ll realize that it’s actually true, everywhere you look people are

using different types of technology

sealed in small packages. This is what SSC-R is

looking forward to: a world of

knowledge filled with learning all

sealed in a small package. However, there are many objectives that should

be given attention to.

First, is it beneficial to the students who will comply with the

project? Let’s say it is beneficial

because of the fact that students these days have a really hard time carrying

heavy-loaded school bags when going

to school and going home. This factor

is one of the main reasons that some students got e-tablets instead of the

usual textbook. But is it worth the

sacrifice of paperbacks that is very engaging when someone read?

Another thing is that e-tablets

nurture the student’s capability to use

computer technology, because nowadays computers are regularly

used for research, and hands-on

activities done in the computer subject. Thus using e-tablets will expand the

student’s knowledge in that field and

they will be more innovative. I personally believe that this is true,

although there are many loops in this

matter. Especially when the students

The girl who changed his life. The girl who made him

break all the rules and guidelines he figured out. The girl who

made him fall truly in love once again. A girl whose name is

Rhiannon. Rhiannon who he wants a future with, someone who

he is determined to be the permanent thing he’ll have every

day.

But for A, that’s his weakness, his chink in the armor, his

fatal flaw. He cannot make any promises to her that he’ll be

there when she wakes up. And their love story didn’t end on a

nice note, instead on a tragic one.

Though a bunch of people thinks the ending is quite

boring and short, the totality and the wholeness of the novel

itself is a great keeper.

The novel shows its readers the complexity of life, and its

struggles. Through words on the paper, the author connects

deep down and leaves a mark. That living isn’t about the past

nor the future. What matters most is the present which covers

your past and changes your future. It isn’t about looking in the

future, and change it. It’s about living day to day. Living with

so much joy as worry.

Because in our life today we always resort to the “what

if’s” and not to the “Oh well’s”. We all know that simply living

this life is a risk itself and regret is another. Trying to change

the past will not work. Its mainly about how you take in what

happens to you day to day to make a great future.

“Every day a different body. Every day a different life.

Every day in love with the same girl.”

by DEANNE THERESE E. MARTINADA

W hat would you do if this is your life? It would be

very difficult. Nothing permanent, and nothing to

hold on to forever. And it sure is difficult for A.

A novel written by David Levithan that tend “to

captivate and fascinate its readers”. This captivating story

about dealing with changing lives everyday was published

last 2012, and sure is a hit to its readers.

Its narrates the life of a drifter named A. As he

narrates, he takes you to a world wherein living is very

complex, somewhat confusing. You would learn the how

complex life and love is in A’s world. And makes you

wonder, “can you truly love someone who is destined to

change everyday?”

The plot of the story is basically base on that idea. As

said, A is a drifter. Ever since A was born, life has been the

way it is. Waking up each morning in a different body,

living someone’s life for a day. Not even sure of what your

gender is, or what you are. The only thing A is certain, is

even though change comes upon on a daily basis, he

knows who he is, and been in love with the same girl.

Growing up, he thinks he has fully learned the twist and

turns of his destine life. Even setted guidelines in which he

needs to follow. Never get too attached. Avoid being notice

that something change. And Do not interfere with the life

you’re borrowing. But it all he has known for as long he exist,

vanishes as he wakes one morning in a Justin’s body and met

his girlfriend. He had felt himself connecting to this girl.

by JECELIE CLAIRE DE LA ROSA “God Bless you, Mama Mary loves you,” a famous line that is usually said by

Teachers, Priests, and catechists. Notice that the elaborate not only God but also

Mama Mary. Of course everybody knows who Mama Mary is. Everybody knows

that Mary was called by God to give birth to his son who will soon save the entire

world. But after all of these, not every knows what happened to her.

According to the religious experts, Mary was brought heaven with her earthly

body. Meaning she did not die. But she was brought by Jesus to be proclaimed as

Queen of heaven. As time passed by she had apparitions

in different places here on earth,

Her first apparition recorded after a long time was when she showed herself to

Juan Diego. It was 1531 where the Indian tribes were introduced to Christianity.

Mary told Juan Diego to create a church on top of a hill where she showed herself.

One of the most popular apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary was when she

appeared on Fatima to three little shepherd. She told them to pray the rosary to

save the souls in purgatory. The people of Fatima did not believe them and they

accused the shepherds being possessed by demons. Mary did many miracles, in

the end the people themselves witnessed Mary’s miracles

and they prayed the rosary with the shepherds.

Mary also had apparitions here in the Philippines, like when Judiel Nieva

claimed to have seen the Virgin Mary in La Union on 1987. She claimed that she

saw a bright light and she heard trumpets and angels singing “alleluia” and

“Salve Regina”. Then she saw the holy family on a cloud with St. Joseph holding

a shepherd’s staff and Mary sitting on a rock with baby Jesus on her lap.

There are more and more apparitions all over the world, too many to be

enumerated. Mary loved the world so much that she personally shows herself to

all of the people on earth and sends them a message a message that will help us

become good Christians and will help us enter the kingdom of God.

This proves the quotes of our dear catechists true,

it is true that Mama Mary Loves you!

by SYBIL JEANNE BELLO

W hen you are sixteen, you hang out, go to

part ies, or go shopping with your

friends. That is typically what a normal teenager does, right? But

what if you are not normal?

What if you are facing the worst enemy you could ever come up

against? What if you possess a very fatal affliction?

In John Green’s novel The Fault in our Stars, we got to see

how cancer patients attempt to survive each tormenting day of

facing this disorder. Hazel Grace Lancaster spent most of her

childhood undergoing treatments

and basically stayed home with excessively protective parents for

a whole sixteen years. To make it short, her life sucks. However,

her dull, black-and-white life

turned kaleidoscopic after she met a charming boy named

Augustus Waters and eventually t h e y f e l l d e e p l y a n d

unconditionally in love with each other.

All throughout the novel,

Green was able to play with the reader’s emotions, one moment

you are humoured and the next

you are already screaming in agony. Green’s way of writing is

exceptional and excruciating at the same time, considering the

tragic and abrupt ending. The

plot is fast-paced and is an exemplary blend of drama and

romance.

The Fault in our Stars is the kind of book that leaves a

mark in a reader’s mind and

heart. It makes us appreciate every second of every day and

accept what we have become and what we will be. Green

wants to give the message that

“the world is not a wish-granting factory”. We cannot

always be in bliss and indeed, pain demands to be felt.

A lot of countries had already produced numerous television dramas stretch-

ing from comedy to tragedy and fantasy to history, and our country seems to

keep up patently.

Surely most of us are familiar with the story of Pinocchio, the wooden boy

whose nose grows whenever he fails to speak of the truth. Recently, ABS-CBN aired a

show with a similar notion as the legendary tale of the puppet boy.

Honesto is a fantasy television program created by Rondel Lindayag, starring

Raikko Mateo. The program narrates the story of Honesto, a young lad whose nose di-

lates whenever he lies. The series premiered on October 28 this year and is directed by

Jerry Lopez Sineneng.

A grand strike to Filipinos, the concept of this program shows the exact persona

of today’s generation: brimming with deceit. Honesto has an impressive influence to

every one of us, especially to the youth, as it recounts about the value of candour and

the repercussions of our fallacies.

With all the enticement of evil today, programs such as this have a beneficial ef-

fect on the youth in this day and age. As this show acquaints us with integrity, may we

learn that the truth matters and we do not play with our own set of rules. William

Shakespeare once said, “Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.”

by SYBIL JEANNE BELLO

by DEANNE THERESE E. MARTINADA

The Philippines is no stranger to natural disasters. Typhoon, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, and floods seems to be a regular unending cycle. But even though this is the case, when disasters ravage the archipelago the results are unimaginable. According to the website of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Project NOAH, which stands for the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards, is the DOST’s response to President Aquino’s call for a “more accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas throughout the Philippines”. Project NOAH will contain data from PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), UP National Institute of Geological Sciences, and the UP College of Engineering. And the project leader behind Project Noah, a two-year old public-private venture to forecast rainfall and update the people using it, believes that to prevent these casualties the Philippine’s weather systems should enter the 21st century and use the technology available. That is what Project Noah is all about. It is a mesh technology that is made up of weather satellites and Doppler radars that give information on rain-bearing clouds; all-automatic weather stations, rain gauges and stream gauges that track the weather, amount of rainfall and depth of rivers; and manned ground weather stations that validate the data culled from these technologies. These stations will give its report to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for every 10 to 15 minutes. By these reports, the system manages to update the Project Noah users near-real time. These new reinforced weather systems tend to give 90 out of 100 percent accuracy and is said to be a user-friendly system. The main program itself is accessible to any person and said to be a “piece of cake” when people navigate it.

But are we really ready to make this shift? We are used to manual calculations and forecasts. PAGASA even have some reticence to this project, as shown with their insistence to validate it first. But that removes the essence of Project Noah in reporting near-real time weather forecast. Even the project leaders of this breakthrough in the Philippine weather system believe it to intangible. According to scientist Carlos Primo David, one of the people behind this project, it does not replace PAGASA as the national weather bureau. “One thing that’s different about Pagasa right now is they’re more receptive to changes and technology. Before, they relied only on manual. But they have realized this system is okay,” David said. “In fact, Noah was conceived to augment the functions of Pagasa, because by 2014, all of this will be transferred to them and one objective is to be able to provide weather information directly to the people,” he said. A parallel objective is to make forecasting “a little bit more high-tech.” “We want to bring forecasting of weather, of rainfall in particular, into the 21st century. That’s the idea,” he said. After the launch of Project Noah, results could be seen in some parts of the country. When disasters strike, Filipinos seen to be more ready and prepared. And this is a very good sign that it will work. It serves as a “warning program” so users will be well informed. It will also be a preventive measure to lessen casualties. As we approach a new era of development, we cannot hide the fact that things could be improved and this is Project Noah’s main goal. Wether or not the Filipino nation accepts it’s concept, in the near future programs and innovation such as this could really help. The Filipino nation and it’s perception in these kind of things could all change as we bring it to the 21st century. And in the end we would choose what we think is better.

F or many Filipinos the rain is just a natural occurring thing, and it comes and goes unnoticed. But with the “Project Noah”, the government’s multibillion-peso weather forecast and warning system being launched, it begs to differ.

by ALYSA CLAIRE AQUINO

A machine that imitates humans, a robot that only

consists of science fictions and an artificial being of

superior intelligence.

Humans have been a great

factor in creating a robot.

Nowadays, building machines

have been much more fun than

a material to play with. There are

over a million of these kinds that

are working for humans now.

Some robots may be like flaming

volcano’s that made us far

away to dangerous while some

are like papers, plain and

tolerable to kids of any ages.

Back in the day, humans started

at monumental sized mobile

phones. Today, a chip which

cannot even see from a naked

eye is used to give medications

to one’s body. Simple machines

are used to simplify or complete

the functioning of the body and

with the prolong applications the

robots imply closer interactions

with the user. It has been about

the shared out of goals that

improves the benefit of the new

friend of the society.

Machines are programmed for

expert skills and knowledge.

Programmed to do what is to

do and serve what is to serve.

They provide such work that

even workers cannot do with

their own power. Leaving

company owners prefer

machines to improve work with

time and expel threatening

strike of jobs in some ways.

Robots have been a part of

everyday fabric of life to

humans. Yet the future still holds on

to everyone’s hand whether they

accept it or destroy it. You, what

would you choose?

BUMPEE. A robot that executes another program when it bumps a wall such as moving backward and going to another direction. (Photo by Josh Garduque)

by ALYSA CLAIRE AQUINO

F rom reading stones to contact lenses, now

smart eyeglasses to help the blind see?

When people are defined as blind,

it does not entirely mean that

someone cannot see at all. ‘Blind

people’ who are often called as

impaired can partially observe

light and mechanism in a very

light way.

With this principle, products of

modern technology have been

presented to the public to help

those in need of clearer vision.

Now, smart spectacles are

invented to make the visually

impaired see and live life as most

perfectly abled humans do.

After numerous studies, a

researcher in neuroscience and

visual prosthetics at the

University of Oxford, Stephen

Hicks, successfully developed the

said special glasses. The

spectacles was said to be an

attempt to make the residual

vision useful as possible.

The smart glasses have two

cameras both with infrared

projector designed to describe

close-at-hand objects. The

findings also possess a gyroscope,

a device used in measuring; a

compass; and a GPS to

accompany the user. The final

arrangement is shown on

transparent OLEDs in high-

contrast colour fixed in each

shades.

Although these special glasses

have been known to the public, its

effects to individuals are not yet

discussed. It was not yet

addressed whether or not it is safe

for a long period of usage.

Presently, people are open in

accepting new innovations from

the experts.

The special glasses are currently

climbing the charts of the public.

As people absorb knowledge

about these, scientists are still

running for more researches about

the idea.

From average type of glasses used

by people to having becloud eyes.

Now,a creation that could change

the lives of thousands of people.

What more has yet to come?

SIGHTLESS. Woman struggling from blindness sitting at the facade of the San Roque Church. (Photo by Maria Theresa Guisihan)

by Leanna Mae Stuart

J uniors’ boys and Seniors’ girls carried their way to

the top in the Chess Competition held during the

High School Intramural Games of San Sebastian

College Recoletos de Cavite, October 21-22.

In the boys’ category, Juniors

Renzo Camacho, John

Ponsones, Manuel Abnuman

and Uriel Pacis scored a total

of 11 points and made

themselves champions.

Sophomores Jacob Casugbo,

Rhojonil Monton, Ranz

Custodio and Miguel Vanta

got seven points and were

hailed as the silver medalists.

The freshmen and the seniors

were caught in a tie both

scoring three points. But high

match points of seniors

Franco de Villa, Jaime Flores,

Maverick Sobrino, and Sean

Pacis saved the day and took

them to the third spot.

In the girls’ category, seniors

Rizza Escopin, Charlene Tiu

and Paula Buenaobra were

victorious in getting the gold

medal after achieving a total

score of nine points.

Sophomores Chloe Bernal,

Dara Aust r ia, Katr ina

Samson, and Romanna

Silvero settled for the silver,

while freshmen Sharmaen

Lim, Laine Munoz, Joanna

Mutia and Jean Esmael placed

third after acquiring seven

points.

by Frances Jade Gagua

S ebastinian delegates bagged awards at the Cavite City Meet 2013, at Julian Felipe

Elementary School, November 15, ousting hundreds of equally competitive

participants in the field of sports.

Leading the pack in the

team competitions are the

Basketball Girls, and both

the Volleyball Boys and

Volleyball Girls, all whom

struck 2nd place.

Meanwhile, Primo Miguel

Galgo (IV-SM), Zeonardo

Zapatos (II-BMSN) and

Karl Carganilla (III-SNT)

smashed their way to the

3rd place overall in the

B a d m i n t o n B o y s

c o m p e t i t i o n , w h i l e

Charlene Tiu (IV-SA) and

Angelique Dela Cruz(Gr.8-

BVSA) made the team that

bagged 2nd in Badminton

Girls-Doubles Division.

In the Individual Contests,

Shamtella Amante (Gr.8-

B M S A ) e m e r g e d

champion amidst other

compet itors in Badminton

Girls. In Chess, Franco

Matthew De Villa (IV-

SRC) proved his wits in

m o v i n g t h e p a w n s ,

placing 3rd. Meanwhile,

Sean Pac is ( IV-SRC)

kicked his way to the

silver medal while Amiel

Asis (III-SNT) and Jessa

Gail Repollo (III-SEM)

r o u n d h o u s e d t h e i r

o p p o n e n t s i n t h e i r

respective divisions and

p l a c e d g o l d i n

Taekwondo. In swimming,

Richardson Navo (Gr.8-

BVSA) swam away with

two gold medals and one

silver medal, while Nicole

Claude Takagi (Gr.8 -

BMSA) dominated the

waters with two golds,

two silver and a bronze

medal.

1st placers qualify to the

S o u t h e r n T a g a l o g

C a l a b a r z o n A t h l e t i c

A s s o c i a t i o n , m o r e

p o p u la r l y k n o w n a s

STCAA.

by Hannah Bernal

A nother hard to bear combat once again take place

in the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan,

Wednesday, January 8, 15-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-20,

15-13 it is, as to the winning score for the Ateneo against

Santo Tomas in the UAAP women's volleyball tournament.

The Lady Eagles sure did

gave a highly effect ive

teaming up as they seek a

lot to claim the victory for

it 's been a great time to

start the year by bringing

home the winner.

Having a lot of pressures

s inc e t he y ' ve go t t e n

t h e m e s e l v e s a f i v e

straight victories recently.

The opponent must'have

bo t he r e d a lo t no r

concerned the opponent,

but it came out good but

not a satisfact ion.

In a way, the UST had

come up a stratigic plan to

take down the Ateneo. But

Ateneo ain't had gotten an

inch o f hidden fear,

getting hit. Both were

desperate to the win. As

for them, the Ateneo had

still got it. They teamed

up. The defence was done

great.

Valdez' aim, exact ly a

same desire to pursue for

more victories. It is not

new for her since she

carried that desire along

with her, every fight. The

game was quite given to

Valdez since made most

of the shots as for their

victory, once again she's

the "Star of the Day", at

her best, she inserted a

delightsome shots of 28

points off 25 hits.

The fight gone well, there

w e r e e x c i t e m e n t

everywhere, for the UST

had thrilled the opponents

as they arise stronger and

stronger in the remaining

quarters.

But Miami brought home their

second consecutive championship

after defeating the San Antonio

Spurs at the score of 95-88. LeBron

James edged the core by giving

them their team the statistics of 37

points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2

steals. Because of this, LeBron has

been hailed as the Most Valuable

Player.

LeBron’s “partner-in-crime”,

Dwayne Wade, added 23 points

and 10 rebounds, while Shane

Battier got off the bench and gave

18 points for their team.

The Heat took the lead at the first

quarter by the score of 18-16.

Two teams, one goal:

Heat outscores Spurs by six points by Ranz Christian Custodio

LeBron James scored four

points and one assist, while Tim

Duncan of Spurs scored four

points, three rebounds, three

steals and also two assists.

Both team tied at the second

quarter with the score of 28.

At the third quarter of the game,

Heat outscored Spurs by the

score of 72-71 when Mario

Chalmers nailed a buzzer-

beating three-point shot.

And at the fourth quarter, Miami

outscored San Antonio by six

points.

T he Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs engaged in one of the greatest and

spectacular fights in the history of basketball.

(Photos from the Internet)

I n the past, traditional Filipino games like Patintero, Luksong Lubid, Taguan, Trumpo and Sipa have been popular to native children. But as years pass by,

observers started to notice that younger Filipinos become more interested in video games (like "DOTA”) than traditional ones. Because of this, a question started to pop inside my head, Have Filipino games been affected by Generation Gap? We are now in the 21st century, kids these days tend to prefer video games over traditional games. Video games help them unwind with less physical stress. Playing such will result to less sweat because you will just be sitting in front of a device pushing buttons and staring at a screen. Seems easy, right? But it has bad effects too. According to recent researchers, excessive playing of video games make a person socially isolated. Moreover, it also makes a child spend less time in doing much more important activities such as homework and interacting with one’s family and friends. In the past, the traditional games commonly played by children usually require native materials or instruments. Due to limited resources, children tend to come up with substitutes for toys they cannot produce. Traditional games help them improve tons of skills such as flexibility, confidence, sporty attitude, and cooperation.It also increases their communication skills. It makes their body healthy, they can move all the parts of their body freely. But, in rural areas, many population still played traditional games because they can’t afford hi-tech gadgets. Even in our school, SSC-R de Cavite, it is still very typical to see students playing sipa. And well actually, im proud of it because even a lot has been changed, it’s still being played. There, i was able to conclude that Traditional Games will never be “out". we love our country. That's who we are. Go out! Throw the game controller first, call-out your friends and enjoy the sweaty-fun day!

I n Greece, there is one sport that is very unknown to every one,

and it is called “Octopush”. What is Octopush?

Octopuch is a fancy name for “underwater hockey”. Invented in 1954 by Alan Blake. It Consists of two teams with 10 players (four of which will be subs). it is a team sport in which the teams compete to score points by directing a puck into goals across the bottom of a swimming pool. It requires aquatics equipment such as a mask and snorke l , f l i ppe rs , gloves, and water polo cap. And it also requires a very good swimmer.

According to some websites, the aquatic requ i rements a re important because it prevents players from being hurt. the gloves a r e p r o t e c t i v e , preventing hand injuries f rom pool -bot t om abrasion and from impact of the puck. The hat not only protects the ears, but can also be an indicator of the player’s team. Special equipment such as a goal, puck, and stick are also needed. The stick, also called a bat or pusher, is only about 14 inches long and is

sometimes called a squid. The puck is typically made of lead and has a plastic covering. The goals, which are also called gulleys, are typically created with aluminum or galvanized or stainless steel. This sport is Very popular in countries like New Zealand, Australia, and England. Octopushing is a h i g h l y a e r o b i c , enter ta in ing, and enjoyable. Although this game may seem obscure, it’s a fun way to get fit and have fun.

by LEANNA MAE STUART

I t is a year to remember for this year’s intramurals’ Most Valuable Player for

volleyball girls, Cleobel Pamienta. With her strong spikes, throws and catches this girl

bangs the MVP medal.

Pamienta is currently a third year student who has a great passion for volleyball. “Kasi masaya,

feeling mo welcome ka, family kayo eh,” she quoted. According to her, achieving the medal came

really unexpected. She acknowledged her teammates for covering up for her whenever she made

mistakes, “Sila talaga sumalo nung mga mali ko.”

Cleo, as she preferred to be called, trained for only four months in the said sport, not only for the

Intramurals but also for her game for the City Meet, wherein she played as well. Despite being an

obviously well-prepared volleyball player, for her, that is still not enough. She admitted that she

still needs to improve in some areas, “Marami pang bagay ang kailangan ko malaman tulad ng pag

spike ng baon.”

She wants to improve her volleyball skills but does not dream of joining bigger tournamemts like UAAP

because she has other goals in life, “Gusto ko kasi mag MAAP, para na rin sa parents ko”. She added

that playing volleyball is for fun and not for a career.

For Cleo, her team really contributed a lot in being the MVP, “Sobrang proud ako sa kanila”. She

indicated that they had a remarkable teamwork and trust; and that is the main thing needed in

playing the game, “Naging family kasi kami.” She stated that the best strategy is giving all your

best.

Cleobel Pamienta is one of the living proofs of humility among Sebastinians; she believes that

everything can be won by teamwork. A lot knew that she would be the MVP because of how she

played the game. Apart from being MVP, she also became the coach of the third year volleyball

boys who also had a great game.

Finally, she said, “Dinedicate namin ‘to para sa lahat ng 3rd year; champion tayo dito.”

by KIMBERLY ANN MORAL

R ECOLETOS 4TH CENTENNIAL GYMNASIUM – To signify the start of the 2013

Annual Intramural Games, a parade was held by the students, athletes and personnel

of San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite, October 22.

At 8 o’clock in the morning, students from

grade 7, grade 8, third year and fourth year

gathered together at Crisostomo Street to

welcome their intrams with the theme of

“Reach, leap, soar”.

The Citizen’s Army Training (CAT) Officers,

Cadet Officer Candidate Course (COCC) and

the “Anak Zapote Band” also participated on

the said parade.

Each year level was led by their two chosen

candidates for the Miss Intramurals 2013, one

candidate representing their year level’s

volleyball team and the other for their

basketball team.

The students wore their traditional shirts

depending on their year level: green for the

Grade 7 students, yellow for the Grade 8, red

for the 3rd year, and blue for the 4th year

students.

Upon reaching their destination, the Recoletos

4th Centennial Gymnasium, a program was

held to welcome the beginning of Intramural

2013. The Anak Zapote band lead the

invocation and the singing of the national

anthem, followed by the oath taking, led by

Marcial Pongyan III, captain for the senior’s

volleyball team. Meanwhile, Ivan Caraig,

captain of the seniors’ basketball team, ignited

the intramural torch to signify the start of the

event. Afterwards, candidates for the Miss

Intrams 2013 hung their respective banners as

they released the balloons.

by Kim Robert Samuel

T he male seniors’ Blue Lightning had played a tremulous start to overwhelm and

awaken the sleepy heads bring back their senses, early in the morning, October 24,

over the Junior’s Red Jaguar at the San Sebastian College-Recoletos de Cavite quadrangle.

by Hannah Bernal

Flaming hits of Marcial

Pongyan, covered up a yield

shield to put half of the

students to watch over the

other game under the roof-

covered gymnasium, but

instead under the blazing

sun.

Victory over 25-10 and 25-

14, the Blue Lightning

stroke a thunderous attacks

that downed the Jaguars in

the first set. Rossuel Saonoy,

who unloaded thirteen hits

which helped a lot for them

to stand against Jaguars.

Jaguars did their so called

“fightback” in the second

set. It was definitely

evident in the second set

w h e n t h e y s t a r t e d

block ing the st rategic

attacks their opponent

gave them. Each had

clawed back on track, and

combined to result their

must - r ega in- lo st - po int s .

The hard earned fighback

did great at first, but not

enough to neutralize their

plan. The Blue Lightning

made sure of the non-

guarantee of a smooth

sailing and made them on

top again.

T h e L ig h t n i n g s h a d

t e a me d u p , f o r me d ,

planned, and claimed the

victory and unloaded a 25

-point more than the

o p p o ne n t ha d . T he y

finished the last set, 25-14

for the win as fast as a

lightning.

Senior’s Most Valuable

Player, Pongyan stood out

a n d m a d e a n o t h e r

t h o r o u g h l y e x c e l l e n t

performance in doing his

best by firing nineteen

attacks and solid blocks,

topscoring, to help the

winning score possible for

them. As expected he

made tons of consecut ive

attacks which hardened

the “comeback” of the

Jaguars to defend theirs.

Although beaten up, the

Red Jaguars had dragged,

at least, the game into two

tight sets, and made a

breathtaking morning for

the crowd.

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