66th Ateneo College Fiesta

The scorching heat of the sun embracing the bosom of Davao City clearly isn't enough to withstand the fire that will set your spirits ablaze as the 66th Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) College Fiesta marks its commencement - this time with a new hope, a new atmosphere, and a new reality.

The summer time was prolonged as the Business Management division took Ateneo to the sandy beaches of Surigao.

The school's nine divisions shouted their hearts out as the fiesta parade started after the holy mass held at San Pedro Cathedral, San Pedro St., Davao City, yesterday morning.

University President Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ greeted the Ateneo community a happy fiesta, in an interview after the holy mass.

"I wish everybody a happy fiesta! This is a celebration of hope, and of Mary our patroness," he said.

The Group Dance Showdown set the Roxas grounds on fire after the ribbon cutting and banner raising events were held.

Standing tall and proud, the Accountancy division beams up for their twice-in-a-row victory in the Group Dance Showdown competition. Will they be able to be Hall of Fame-rs and steal the grand slam title next year?

Winners' Tally Recap:

Champion: Accountancy

First Runner-up: School of Engineering and Architecture

Second Runner-up: Humanities and Letters

Debaters and speakers also showcased their talents in the Ignatian Cup.

Winners' Tally Recap:

Debate Champion: School of Education

Debate First Runner-up: Accountancy

Extemporaneous Dialogue Champion: School of Education

Extemporaneous Dialogue Runners-up: Business Management,

School of Engineering and Architecture

Made by ArtCo. A student take a pose of her henna tattoo.

Ms. Gay University candidates strike a pose during the CCO Gimikan held at the Dot's Park. The coronation night of the said pageant will be held in September 20 at Cap Auditorium in Davao City.

Before the Musikan 2014: Stories of Love took place, there was a Fire Dance event first, which was held at the Roxas grounds at roughly 6pm.

The Social Sciences division during the parade.

Some of the events to be held today are Talentenista, Children's Hour, and Popcorn Night. The celebration will continue on the next two days.

Photo credits: Atenews

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Conserve Water

       Wanted: Water for survival!

Water is practically everywhere. In fact, over 75% of our planet is made up of water, but only a little percentage of it is potable and is usable for daily activities. But as societies grow and technologies rise, it is our duty to save the scarce resources—wherein water belongs—that could be slowly fading away at this day and age.

Every drop counts.

Water at its current state is abundant in the country but is rare in some parts of the world. In some parts of the Middle East, people buy water with an expensive price, while they recycle it in Singapore. Here in the Philippines, water is practically everywhere that is why we tend not to care whenever it is wasted.

Water is a daily necessity that is why it shouldn’t be taken for granted. It may be abundant but it is limited. We should be grateful that we are able to drink water eight times a day or so, or utilize freely when we bathe, or brush our teeth, or wash the dishes, or the clothes, or whatsoever actions that involve water.

In connection with this, there is a need within each one of us to be catalysts of nature in our own little ways, because our contributions, no matter how small, will save the next generation, and furthermore, the human race.

       Conserve water.

How to save water

Click the link below:

http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/

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Mobile Phones: So Much More

Wifi hotspots. 3G services. Portability. Touch-screens. The once futuristic perception of advanced technology is all offered by the gadget you are now carrying in your hands.

The modernization of the 21st century indicates a competent era when we speak about technological services. In the Philippines alone, you seldom or even no longer could observe a person who does not own a mobile or cellular phone. A concrete proof of this is our country being penned as the “text messaging capital of the world.”

In schools today, nine out of ten students own a cell phone and are very active Facebook users. According to Emerjon Seniagan, a recent high school graduate of Maryknoll Academy of Cateel in Cateel, Davao Oriental, cell phones are essential tools of communication.

“I use my cell phone on a daily basis to keep in touch with my family and friends,” he said.

Groupie

Consequently, he also utilizes the device for Internet surfing and researching.

“I browse the Internet using smart phones to be updated with the latest trends. I use it instead of laptops because it is portable and has easy access,” he added.

Text messaging and Internet surfing

Cellular phones have contributed to the progress of one’s nation. The reasons being:

First, we exchange text messages and calls in just the blink of an eye through the aid of cellular phones, whereas it is time-consuming through the old-school mail, or snail-mail;


Second, the consumption of cell phone loads implies that cellular networks are earning, therefore contributing to the country’s economy;

Third, having owned a cell phone implies that our economy is growing due to the fact that we can afford to buy such device.

Calls

Indeed, the widespread of cellular phones has created impact all over the world as technology unfolds more innovations of it. Internet, movies, music, games - all in one! A sign that we are progressing as time flies.

With cell phones around, life is so much easier.

Gaming

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Photo Fiasco: The 2013 NSPC Archive

The overwhelming experience at Ormoc still lingers my memories though this year's National Schools Press Conference has already signed off a month now - it still is fresh and very much alive.

It is in my humble beginnings that I became aware how big a writer will be if the very least of his fruit of labors is being a participant of the coveted confab. In a writer's case, if you have already paved your way throughout the NSPC, that only means one thing - you belong to the elite, the ones I consider as a natural gift and not a synthetic talent.

As my journey ends with my senior year just around the corner, the challenge was another regional victory and qualify for the Pampanga nationals in April next year. In any circumstance, as humble as I can bare these words, I now am part of the elite, and the reputation of being a national qualifier just recently will be put to a ruination if I face not only the brink of failure but failure itself. I may now be feared by my fellow contenders but I, myself must confess that I also am afraid of what surprises the future might bring. But there is no backing out now, it's now or never, it's do or die, confidence must kill the fear within me, within myself. 

And when the time comes, my battle cry for my slot at the nationals begins. No matter what occurrences may come, I will fight. I need to win this. 

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Newspaper Layouting: Not Just Some Work

Our different layouts

As for a student collaborative writer, lay-outing papers are not just some work, but a way of life. I, myself have ventured the art of honing perfect-looking papers for high school throughout the years, and since opportunity finally had the courage to show up, it might be the time to take some advantage of this humble talent.

The first layout of the team's collaborative publishing layout artist

Just recently jet-lagged from the national campus press tilt, the annual NSPC, when I was dumbfounded after halting to a realization that my teammates could have a chance to embrace the great probability of vying for the Collaborative Publishing victory come DSPC 2013 and even make it big in the regionals.

Collaborative Publishing is a new, fun and exciting press-con group event composed of seven members, each in English and Filipino mediums in elementary and secondary that are tasked to produce a four-page publication that contains a news page, an editorial page, a feature page, and a sports page.

Since my field of expertise specializes in Copyreading and Headline Writing, I could not enter myself in such event and had to select a few to be taught of. The way I see it, this was a hard job for me, but summer will be a great start to prepare the chosen team. "The more you practice, the less you bleed in battle," cliche that still brings incessant inspiration to us campus journos.

So what I did is start first on the lay-outing over the first week of the tear-jerking col-pub session. I have presented some of my works where my trainee may draw inspiration in creating her own design. I thought this could get far but the potential is clearly evident with her work that I am amply satisfied with it for a first-timer.

My layout for our school publication

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A Mother's Day Special: Kay Inay

“Ang awiting ito’y para sayo

At kung maubos ang tinig di magsisisi

Dahil iyong narinig mula sa labi ko

Salamat! Salamat…”

Hindi ko lubos na mawari kung sapat na ba ang maialay ko itong natatanging musika ni Yeng Constantino upang magantihan man lang ni katiting ang pawis at hirap na kanyang pinuhunan sa aming magkapatid magmula pa ng mahimbing pa kaming natutulog sa kanyang sinapupunan.

Ang aking ina’y sumisimbolo sa bawat inang nagsusumikap sa bawat tahanan mabigyan lamang ng karampatang buhay ang kani-kanilang mga anak sa bawat araw na ginawa ng Maykapal.

Gaya ng aking inay, bawat isa sa kanila ay nakikipaghabulan sa oras at pilit bumabangon bago sumapit ang bukang liwayway upang magtrabaho. Bawat isa sa kanila ay kinakaya ang mga pasakit na dala ng mga suliranin upang mapagtagumpayan ang hamon ng bawat araw. Bawat isa sa kanila ay pasan ang daigdig, daigdig na walang ibang ginawa kundi ang pagbuhatan sila ng kamay na mapait na karanasan lamang ang kinukubli.

Ang Inay ay hindi naiiba sa pangkalahatan. Nasa kanya na lahat ng maaaring makitang katangian sa isang natatanging magulang. Maaruga. Mapagkalinga. Maalahanin. Malambing. At higit sa lahat, mapagmahal. Ngunit ang mas nangingibabaw sa lahat ay ang walang katapusang sakripisyong kaya niyang ilaan sa pamilyang ito dahil lang sa mahal niya kami.

Kay Inay, marami pong salamat sa walang hanggang pagmamahal na ibinibigay nyo po sa aming magkapatid, at ipagpatawad nyo po kung minsa’y nagiging pasaway po kami’t sumusuway sa inyong utos na alam naman po naming kapakanan lang ng bawat isa sa ami’y inyong hangad. Wagas pong pagmamahal ang iniaalay namin para sa inyo ngayong Araw ng mga Ina.

Sa lahat ng mga magulang, taos-pusong pasasalamat ang nais kong iabot sa inyong lahat sapagkat naririyan at naririto kayo palagi upang suportahan gabayan kami sa bawat hakbang ng aming buhay.

Sa mga oras na ito’y maluha-luha ko pang ipinagpapasalamat sa Panginoon ng lubos dahil nabigyan ako ng isang natatanging inay. Sa iyo, minamahal kong nanay, “Salamat! Salamat…” at ika’y aking naging Tanging Ina. 



Photo credits: wishespoint.com

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Pro-Nature: Make the Right Choice

Burning plastics is a bad habit. Don't burn plastics.

Ignorance and laziness. Either of the two can create a huge impact from the human race that can later lead to impairment of the earth.

With these intolerable acts, incorporated with the human nature of being selfish, it is highly regretful to say that our very wealth in our forests are fading slowly, and even very noticeable no immediate remedy can humanity ever sustain.

With the unpleasant effect the raging storm named ‘Pablo’ has left to the people of Cateel, the town is now highly in risk of like disasters, and due to the fact that majority are unaware of their wrongdoings, they become instant contributors of distraction to the balance of ecosystem, resulting to another ‘Pablo’ episode that might strongly happen in the coming days.

The community is trying to rebuild the lost haven that is the once prosperous Cateel, but the way I see it, we were lured to the wrong road, that is why it is such a work to save this bosom place, let alone Mother Nature, especially the world.

Several months after the aftermath, people are still engaged with clearing operations, striving hard to attain cleanliness and beautification at best, but by using the method that is incorrect.

Burning garbage or pag-dok­ as locals used to say is extremely hazardous, not to mention the trashes I cautiously am talking about are purely made up of plastics. Our environs grew weaker and weaker whenever one of us involves ourselves in such activity.

Take it from science: burning plastics is a very unsafe practice of cleaning, let alone the risks to our health as well as our nature. The said process is cancerous and can ruin our respiratory system, and worse our whole body. In the other hand, the dark smoke conjured by burning plastics contain poisonous gases that depletes our ozone, resulting to global warming, and later climate change.

In my opinion, ignorance and laziness takes charge from here. If not uneducated, people become indolent in trash segregation, and only engages self to a much quicker way. Out of laziness, we aren’t even taking 
interest in recycling, let alone the rest of the four Rs – reuse, reduce, and restore.

At this day and age, each one of us are tasked to cure the unending wounds our nature has thoroughly suffered. The youth are the new generation and the future lies in our hands. We need immediate solutions, and I know we can put a stop to this illness that we, as one society, have once started.

Just an eco-friendly reminder: Avoid burning plastics.

Sea of Waste

Photo credits:
saamyspeaks.blogspot.com
badlani.com
sprinterlife.com

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