Parola

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Magkaisa, Huwag Mang-isa

Valedictory Address of
Joseph Jeeben R. Segui
BS Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude 2009
UP Diliman


Three contractors are bidding to do some minor repairs on the White House fence. One is an American, the other, a Mexican, and the last is of course a Filipino. They go with a White House official to examine the fence. The American contractor takes out his tape measure, does some measuring, and then works out some figures. “Well, “ he says, “I figure this will cost about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew, and $100 profit for me. “ The Mexican then does his measuring and says, “I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew, and $100 profit for me.” The Filipino scratches his chin, leans over to the White House official and whispers “$2700.” The official, incredulous, says, “What?! How do you expect me to consider your service with that kind of figure? Plus, you didn’t even measure anything.” “It’s simple,” the Pinoy explains, “$1000 for you, $1000 for me, and we hire the Mexican.” The next day, the Filipino and the Mexican are both working on the fence.

I first heard that joke more than three years ago. Fresh out of high school, a wide-eyed first year college student, I found the joke hilarious. It even made me more proud to be a Filipino. I thought to myself, “Hanep talaga ang mga Pinoy! Magaling na mag-add, ma-utak pa!” But four years of UP college life and an innumerable number of slaps from reality changes one’s perspective of things. When I read the joke again recently, I still found it funny but instead of pride, I felt frustration and shame. This kind of dishonesty really happens in our country and it happens on a much larger scale.

The joke alludes to an adverse yet prevalent attitude that we Filipinos have. My mother calls it the “mang-iisa-kung-magkaka-isa” attitude. We see it in the high-ranking politicians who give out grandiose promises of a brighter future and a better leadership but once elected in office, place their interests above the welfare of the people, to your run-of-the-mill traffic enforcer who capitalizes on ambiguous traffic signs to exact their “pangmeryenda.” Or to what we Bicolanos call the libong libong pabor. “Pare,” a guy says to his friend, “may utang ka sa akin diba?” “Hindi ko maalala. Magkano?” the other asks. “Hindi ba 100? Sabi mo babayaran mo ngayonng linggo.” “Oo nga,” the other affirms, “100 nga pala yun,” even though he knows it was really 150. Biro mo, magkaibigan na iyon; lalo na siguro kung hindi.

Manifestations of this Pinoy trait can be seen even in UP, especially during the enrollment period. I once had lunch with this girl I really liked. She was a registration assistant for most of her college life and we inevitably talked about her experiences during enrollment in UP. She shared with me the different strategies UP students would use to try to get the slots that they want. Basically there are four strategies; she got everything down to a science. The first is ‘persuasion.’ The student tries to be charming and funny in an attempt to befriend the RA and then possibly find a soft spot and persuade the RA to give him or her priority; nakiki-flirt ba. The second is ‘commiseration’. Here the student simply appeals to the pity of the RA; nagmamakaawa. The third is ‘intimidation’. Here the student tries to force his or her will onto the RA; nagtataray. The last is ‘tactics’. Two people who’ve struck a deal coordinate the timing of one’s cancellation of his slot to the other’s request for a slot. Just to let you guys know, this crafty scheme usually works.

Just from this story, it’s pretty clear how clever and resourceful we Filipinos are. Biruin mo ‘yun, enrollment na nga lang, may mga nalalaman pa tayong mga strategy. There is no doubt in my mind of how capable Filipinos are in achieving their goals. From sports: boxing, billiards, wushu, patintero agawan base;_to music and to the sciences, we continue to exhibit our prowess despite the tough economic conditions plaguing our country. Filipino kids who migrate to the US and anywhere abroad really, almost always find themselves at the top of their class. And often, we hear news of some Filipino making waves abroad. Time and again, we Filipinos have shown our capacity to do good work. Hindi talaga matatawaran ang galing ng mga Pinoy.

Some of you may be thinking, ‘If Filipinos are so competent, why then are we this ditch-of-a-situation?” I don’t have the absolute answer but what I do know for sure is that a big part of the problem has to do with the Pinoy’s “mapang-lamang” attitude.

It may not seem so serious, but this Pinoy quality is cancer to our society. It goes unnoticed but it is terribly damaging. This kind of self-centered mentality is precisely the root of corruption and dishonesty. Personal wellbeing outweighs communal, even national benefit. It pits Filipinos against each other in a struggle to get at an advantage over another.

As we prepare to leave the University and go on our own ways, we, the soon to be leaders of this nation, should be free of this detrimental quality. If we are to effect positive changes that would bring this nation to a better tomorrow, we should first start over with ourselves.

We must change our self-centered mindset. Let us refrain from engaging in ‘tactics’ that elevate our own status at the expense of others. We must change the way we view our fellow Filipinos. See them not as hurdles to our individual advancement; rather, as comrades in the struggle towards national progress. And we must constantly remind ourselves that our personal gain picayune compared to the nation’s interest.

Look at the person seated next to you. Look them in the eyes and reassure them that you have their back. Kahit mukhang kontrbida yan, Pilipino yan, komrad mo yan.

Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat.

Lifted from: http://www.upd.edu.ph/~updinfo/octnovdec08/articles/magkaisa.html
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Re-educating Ourselves of RA 7079 [Campus Journalism Act of 1991]

A large majority even in the tertiary education are not yet aware of the Campus Journalism Act. In RSU for example there are policies being cooked that might run contrary to this law, so it is but high time to re-educate everyone about RA 7079, the law that protects the campus journalists.

[REPUBLIC ACT No. 7079]
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF CAMPUS JOURNALISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. – This Act shall be known and referred to as the “Campus Journalism Act of 1991″.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State to uphold and protect the freedom of the press even at the campus level and to promote the development and growth of campus journalism as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and creative thinking, and developing moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino youth. In furtherance of this policy, the State shall undertake various programs and projects aimed at improving the journalistic skills of students concerned and promoting responsible and free journalism.

SEC. 3. Definition of Term. -

a) School. – An institution for learning in the elementary, secondary or tertiary level comprised of the studentry, administration, faculty and non-faculty personnel;

b) Student Publication. – The issue of any printed material that is independently published by, and which meets the needs and interests of, the studentry;

c) Student Journalist. – Any bona fide student enrolled for the current semester or term, who has passed or met the qualification and standards of the editorial board. He must likewise maintain a satisfactory academic standing;

d) Editorial Board. – In the tertiary level, the editorial board shall be composed of student journalists who have qualified in placement examinations. In the case of lementary and high school levels, the editorial board shall be composed of a duly appointed faculty adviser, the editor who qualified and a representative of
the Parents-Teachers’ Association, who will determine the editorial policies to be implemented by the editor and staff members of the student publication concerned.

SEC. 4. Student Publication. – A student publication is published by the student body through an editorial board and publication staff composed of students selected by fair and competitive examinations. Once the publication is established, its editorial board shall freely determine its editorial policies and manage the publication’s funds.

SEC. 5. Funding of Student Publication – Funding for the student publication may include the savings of the respective school’s appropriations, student subscriptions, donations, and other sources of funds.

In no instance shall the Department of Education, Culture and Sports or the school administration concerned withhold the release of funds sourced from the savings of the appropriations of the respective schools and other sources intended for the student publication. Subscription fees collected by the school administration shall be released automatically to the student publication concerned.

SEC. 6. Publication Adviser. - The publication adviser shall be selected by the school administration from a list of recommendees submitted by the publication staff. The function of the adviser shall be limited to one of technical guidance.

SEC. 7. Security of Tenure. - A member of the publication staff must maintain his or her status as student in order to retain membership in the publication staff. A student shall not be expelled or suspended solely on the basis of articles he or she written, basis of the performance of his or her duties in the student publication.

SEC. 8. Press Conferences and Training Seminars. – The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall sponsor periodic competitions, press conferences and training seminars in which student-editors/writers and teacher-advisers of student publications in the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels shall participate. Such competitions, conferences and seminars shall be held at the institutional, divisional, and regional levels, culminating with the holding of the annual national elementary, secondary or tertiary School Press Conference in places of historical and/or cultural interest in the country.

SEC. 9. Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, in coordination with the officers of the national elementary, secondary or tertiary organizations or official advisers of student publications, together with student journalists at the tertiary level and existing organizations of student journalists, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Tax Exemption. - Pursuant to paragraph 4, Section 4, Article XIV of the Constitution, all grants, endowments, donations, or contributions used actually, directly and exclusively for the promotion of campus journalism as provided for in this Act shall be exempt from donor’s or gift tax.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. – For the initial year of implementation, the sum of Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) is hereby authorized to be charged against the savings from the current appropriations of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: July 5, 1991

===============

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CAMPUS JOURNALISM ACT OF 1991

INTRODUCTION

Pursuant to Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7079, otherwise known as the “Campus Journalism Act of 1991,” the following rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the said Act are hereby promulgated.

RULE I
Title

SECTION 1. Title. – This body of rules shall be known as the Rules and Regulations for the Implementation of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 or “RULES,” for short.

RULE II
State Policy

SEC. 1. Declaration of Policy. – It has been declared a State Policy to uphold and protect the freedom of the press even at the campus level and to promote the development and growth of campus journalism as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and creative thinking, and developing moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino youth. In furtherance of this policy, the State shall undertake various programs and projects aimed at improving the journalistic skills of the students concerned and promoting responsible and free journalism. It is, therefore, the duty of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), school/college/university heads, campus paper teacher-advisers, and personnel involved in the campus journalism program in the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels of education to support and promote the campus journalism program policies and objectives under Republic Act No. 7079 and existing laws embodied as principles in the Constitution.

RULE III
Definition of Terms

SEC. 1. Definition of Terms. – For a better understanding of this Act, terms which are used therein are hereby defined or explained.
a) School. – An institution for learning in the elementary, secondary or tertiary level composed of the studentry, administration, faculty and non-faculty personnel;

b) Student Publication. – The issue of any printed material that is independently published by, and which meets the needs and interests of the studentry;

c) Student Journalists. – Any bona fide student or enrolled for the current semester or term, who has passed or met the qualifications and standards of the editorial board. He must likewise maintain a satisfactory academic standing;

d) Editorial Board. – In the tertiary level, the editorial board shall be composed of student journalists who have qualified in placement examinations. In the case of elementary and high school levels, the editorial board shall be composed of a duly appointed faculty adviser, the editor who qualified and a representative of
the Parents-Teachers’ Association, who will determine the editorial policies to be implemented by the editor and staff members of the student publication concerned. At the tertiary level, the editorial board may include a publication adviser at the option of its members.

e) Editorial Policies. – A set of guidelines by which a student publication is operated and managed, taking into account pertinent laws as well as the school administration’s policies. Said guidelines shall determine the frequency of publication, the manner of selecting articles and features and other similar matters.

RULE IV
Student Publication

SEC. 1. All educational institutions on the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels, public or private shall be encouraged to establish a student publication.

SEC. 2. Student Publication. – There shall be three categories of student publications, namely: a) eLementary level student publication; b) secondary level student publication; and c) tertiary level student publication. Once the publication is established, the editorial board shall freely determine its editorial policies and manage the publication’s funds.

SEC. 3. The members of the editorial board of the tertiary student publication shall be responsible to the school/college/university, to third parties for its decisions, actions, policies and legal consequences arising from such.

SEC. 4. Aims and Purposes of the Student Publications. – Student Publications shall be utilized to train interested students in a) the application of the communication arts in journalism; b) the basic mechanism and technical skills in journalism; c) the responsibilities and privileges in journalism in relation with the contents of articles to be published; d) the use of the student publication in support of the educational development of the learner/student, the school, the community and the country; e) train interested students in the application of the art and science of journalism for technological advancement; f) develop intelligent and responsible student leadership and good citizenship in a free and democratic society; g) serve as a channel for unifying all members for the school and the community towards desirable educational and cultural development objectives; h) serve as a pool of all learning experiences of student journalists; i) advocate social consciousness and uphold the interests of the Filipino people; and j) advance student’s rights and responsibilities as well as promote their general welfare.

RULE IV
Financing Student Publication

SEC. 1. Funding of Student Publication. – For public elementary and secondary school, publication fees, subsidy sourced from savings realized from the school’s appropriations, revenues realized from donations and grants, and advertisements shall be the sources of funding for the student publication. For private schools, publication fees, revenues realized from donations and grants, and advertisements shall be the sources of funding for student publications. Publication fees from the students shall be collected during enrolment period. In both public and private schools, all student publication funds shall be automatically released to the student publication staff one month after the last day of enrolment.

SEC. 2. Preparation of Student Publication Budget. – The editorial board, with the assistance of the student publication staff, shall prepare the student publication budget for each semester/year. The budget shall be posted on the school bulletin board and published in the student publication. The budget shall include expenses for the printing costs of the student publication, transportation and needs of the staff and the teacher-adviser during their work at the printing press, office and photo supplies, attendance of the student publication representatives at the annual divisional, regional, national press conferences or workshops, honoraria/allowances for staffers and teacher-adviser, and other incidental expenses. Disbursements of student publication fund shall be made according to accounting and auditing regulations.

SEC. 3. Publication Fee. -

a) The editorial board, in coordination with the school administration, may provide a mechanism for the collection of publication fees from the students. The publication fee shall be determined by the editorial board in consultation with the student body. In the private elementary and secondary schools, the editorial board shall determine the publication fee for each individual student in consultation with the student body. In the public elementary and secondary schools, the publication fee for each individual student shall in no case be more than what is provided for in DECS Order No. 40, s. 1988. The publication funds shall be deposited in the account of the student publication in an authorized depositary bank through at least two (2) authorized signatories of the editorial board.

SEC. 4. Printing of the Student Publication. – The printing of the student publication by a private printer shall be conducted by the editorial board and the student publication staff through canvass or public bidding.

SEC. 5. Financial Reports of Expenses. – A financial report of expenses shall be prepared by the editorial board and student publication staff at the close of the school year for the elementary and secondary levels, and every semester for the tertiary level properly audited by a COA/authorized auditor for the public schools. For the private schools, a certified public accountant shall properly audit the expenditures based on the approved budget of the editorial board. Thereafter, the audited summary financial statement shall be published in the student publication at the end of the school term.

SEC. 6. Use of Student Publication Funds. – Publication fees, savings, donations, grants and other funds collected from other sources for the student publication shall be for its exclusive use. The money collected shall not be spent for purposes other than those cited in Section 2 of this Rule. Violation of this rule by the editorial board, any student-staff, faculty-adviser, and/or school administrator/official shall be cause for administrative and/or criminal action against the violator.

RULE VI
Publication Adviser

SEC. 1. Publication Adviser. – The faculty adviser of a tertiary student publication shall be selected by the school administration from a list of recomendees submitted by the publication staff. The function of the publication adviser shall be one of technical guidance.

In the elementary and secondary levels, the teacher-adviser, exercising special parental authority over student staffers who are minors shall, jointly with the Parents-Teachers Association, be held fully responsible for the contents of the student publication.

SEC. 2. Working/Advising Load. – In the public elementary and secondary schools, student publication advising task/assignment shall be considered as one (1) teaching/work load.

RULE VII
Selection of Staff Members

SEC. 1. Selection of Student Staff Members. – The selection of the chief editor and other members of the staff of tertiary student publication shall be through competitive examinations prepared, conducted and supervised by a committee composed of a representative of the school administration, one faculty member, one mass media practitioner who is acceptable to both (school administration and editorial board) and two past editors to be chosen by the outgoing editorial board.

Secondary and elementary student publication staffers should pass a qualifying examination conducted by a committee composed of the student publication adviser, who shall act as chairperson, the past student-editor as vice-chairman, one (1) faculty member, and two (2) former student-editors.

RULE VIII
Security of Tenure

SEC. 1. Student Staffers. – A member of the student publication staff must maintain his/her satisfactory standing in order to retain membership in the staff. A student shall not be expelled or suspended solely on the basis of articles he/she has written, or on the basis of the performance of his/her duties in the publication staff.

RULE IX
Press Conferences/Training Seminars

SEC. 1. Press Conferences and Training Seminars. – The Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall sponsor periodic competitions, press conferences and training seminars/workshops in which student-editors/writers and teacher-advisers of student publications of the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels shall participate. Such activities shall be held on the institutional, divisional and regional levels culminating with the holding of the annual national elementary, secondary or tertiary school press conferences in places of historical and or cultural interest in the country.

SEC. 2. Expenses of Student Publication Staff and their Teacher-Adviser at Press Conferences and Training Seminars. – Expenses relative to the attendance of the student publication staff and their teacher-adviser in the divisional, regional and national press conferences and training seminars shall be subsidized from the student publication funds and from appropriations when funds are available.

RULE X
Tax Exemption

SEC. 1. Tax Exemption. – Pursuant to Paragraph 4, Section 4, Article XIV of the Constitution, all grants, endowments, donations or contributions used actually, directly and exclusively for the promotion of campus journalism as provided for in R.A. 7079 shall be exempted from donor’s or gift tax.

RULE XI
Appropriations

SEC. 1. Appropriations. – For the initial year of implementation, the sum of five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) is authorized by R.A. 7079 to be charged against the savings of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

RULE XII
General Provisions

SEC. 1. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) shall help ensure and facilitate the proper carrying out of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7079. It shall also act on cases on appeal brought before it. The DECS regional office shall have the original jurisdiction over cases as a result of the decisions, actions, and policies of the editorial board of a school within its area of administrative responsibility. It shall conduct investigations and hearings on these cases and shall report its decision of each case within fifteen (15) days after the completion of the resolution of each
case.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports may amend these “Rules” when there are compelling reasons for amendments provided that any amendment shall be made in consultation with the representatives of duly recognized student journalism associations and adviser associations as well as representatives of the administration, and provided further that all amendments shall be in accordance with R.A. 7079.

RULE XIII
Effectivity

SEC. 1. Effectivity. – These Rules and Regulation implementing the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 shall take effect immediately after publication and circulation in a DECS Order to all the public and private schools in the country.
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Rainwater brings life to San Jose, Romblon

The municipality of San Jose, located on Carabao Island, the southernmost tip of the province of Romblon, has clear blue waters and powder-fine white sandy beaches. Despite this idyllic setting, 61.8% of island’s population – approximately 5,300 people - do not have access to clean, potable water. The only option for households to procure water for their daily needs is to travel by pumpboat at 5am from San Jose to the mainland municipality of Santa Fe, and return by the only boat available for the day, at 10am. This time does not include the hours of land travel from their homes to the seaside. Much of the villagers’ time is spent fetching water, leaving little time for education and livelihood. Compounding the situation, electricity is only available only from 4:00 a.m. to 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Factors such as these have contributed to economic hardship in the area – an indicator of which is that only 7% of the household heads have reached high school and 4% have any college education.

Through a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation (Atlanta) access to clean water will soon become a reality for 500 households in the municipality of San Jose – each of whom will be given their own rainwater cistern through the Peace & Equity Foundation, one of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines’ partner NGOs. Last April 15, 2009, the Foundation attended the groundbreaking ceremonies beside the home of one of the beneficiary families. “The Foundation’s goal is to provide clean drinking water for the poor communities who have little or no access to water,” said Cecile Alcantara, President of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines. Ms. Alcantara also stated that the rainwater harvesting projects under the banner of the Foundation’s “Rainwater for Life” program, are part of the worldwide commitment of Coca-Cola to responsible water stewardship, an area the Company feels it has the most significant opportunity to make a positive difference. “The ultimate goal of the Coca-Cola system shall be in returning every drop of water used in all of our business and manufacturing processes worldwide back to the environment through locally relevant projects,” Alcantara noted.


Each rainwater tank can store 3,000 liters of water, providing an average family of 5-6 persons with enough drinking water to last them a month without needing to refill the tank. Families will also be given bio-sand filters which will ensure the potability of collected rainwater.

In attendance during the ground breaking ceremony were Filipino Tandog, Mayor of San Jose, Vice-Mayor Ronnie Samson, Vice-Governor of Romblon Province Alicia Fetalvero, all of whom acknowledged the help of the Coca-Cola Foundation in providing a clean water source for the community and pledged to support the project through to completion. Moreover, Ms. Veronica Villavicencio, Executive of Director of the Peace & Equity Foundation stressed that great efforts would be undertaken to ensure the success of the project. Representing the beneficiaries of the project, Joey Gusmo, a native of the area, thanked the Foundation for their help in the project and spoke of how the project would benefit the people of San Jose.
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RSC, University na!

nina Jeofel M. Almoheda at Rocky Lee F. Moscoso



Nilagdaan na nga ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang Republic Act 9721 o mas kilala sa Romblon State University Law noong Oktubre 14, 2009 sa Reception Hall ng Palasyo ng Malakanyang.

Sa isang panayam sa lokal na radyo, masayang ibinalita ni Dr. Jeter S. Sespeñe sa mga Romblomanon ang ganap na kumbersiyon ng Romblon State College sa Romblon State University. Ganundin naman ay ipinaabot din ng Kinatawan ng probinsiya, Cong. Eleandro Jesus “Budoy” Madrona ang kanyang kasiyahan at pagbati sa lahat Romblomanon sa pagtatagumpay ng pangarap na ito. Sila ang mga malalaking tao sa likod ng tagumpay na ito. “Parang ngayon ko pa nga lang naramdaman ang pagod, “ ayon pa sa kay Dr. Sespeñe.

Sa isang artikulo sa broadsheet issue ng The Harrow (RSC to RSU, sigurado na!) na kalalabas pa lamang, tinalakay ni kasamang Kin Fajiculay ang mga simulain ng kumbersiyong pang-unibersidad. Isinalaysay niya ang mahabang paglalakbay ng HB 3265, HB 1201, HB 5217 at SB 3079 sa kongreso at senado hanggang sa makarating nga ito sa Malakanyang. Naroon din ang listahan ng mga mambabatas na tumulong upang isulong ang panukalang batas na ito sa plenaryo.

Ngayong ganap na ngang unibersidad ang RSC, maraming inaasahang pagbabagong mangyayari ang taumbayan kagaya na lang ng pagbubukas ng mga panibagong kurso at pagpapasaayos ng mga pasilidad. Hinimok naman ng Pangulo ang mga propesor ng kolehiyo na patuloy na magpakadalubhasa sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng mga kurso sa Master at Doktoral upang patuloy na tumaas ang antas ng edukasyon sa pamantasan.
Kaugnay ng kumbersyong ito, isang misa ng pasasalamat ang ipinagdiwang noong Oktubre 19 sa Gymnasium ng unibersidad. Nag-alay ang mga guro at empleyado ng panalangin ng pasasalamat sa katuparan ng pangarap na ito.

Ayon kay Fr. Jose Falogme, ang paring nagdala ng misa, “We acknowledge that it is not of our own efforts that this college has been converted into a university. It is God who made all these possible. And it is but proper that we bring back all the glory and praises to Him!”

RSU San Andres Campus, nakiisa sa pasasalamat

Kasabay namang nagdiwang ng Main Campus ang Tablas Branch San Andres Campus kung saan ay nagkaroon sila ng Thanksgiving mass at parada sa buong bayan ng San Andres noon ding Oktubre 19.

Masiglang inikot ng RSU family sa San Andres ang buong bayan kung saan kanilang isinigaw ang ‘Mabuhay RSU!’ kasabay ng malakas na drumbeats ng RSU San Andres DMC. Sinundan ang kanilang mass ng isang Caravan at Trip sa RSU Agpudlos. Lubos din ang pasasalamat ng mga San Andresanon kina Cong. Madrona at Dr. Sespeñe sa malinaw na katuparan ng kanilang pangarap – isang tunay na unibersidad..

Taliwas sa napapabalitang ang main campus lamang sa Odiongan ang magiging unibersidad, malinaw na nakasaad sa RA 9721, Sek.1 ang ganito ‘The Romblon State College in the Municipality of Odiongan, Province of Romblon is hereby converted into a state university to be known as the Romblon State University, hereinafter referred to as the University integrating therewith the satellite campuses in the municipalities of San Fernando, Cajidiocan, San Agustin, Romblon, Calatrava, San Andres, Santa Fe and Santa Maria.’

Madrona: Kabataang Romblomanon, Matalino ka!

Lubos na pinasasalamatan ng masang Romblomanon ang Congressman para sa patuloy na pagseserbisyo publiko. Siya ngayon ay tinataguriang ‘Ama ng RSU’ kung paanong si dating Assemblyman Jun Ganan noon ang tinaguriang ‘Ama ng RSC’.

Prayoridad mismo ni Cong. Madrona, ang representante ng mga Romblomanon sa Kamara, ang aspetong edukasyon dito sa Marble Capital of the Philippines. Sinimulan niyang isulong ang conversion noon pang 1992 sa pamamagitan ng HB 3265 ngunit hindi ito pinalad na maging RA. Kaya nang mahalal muli bilang Congressman noong 2007, nagsumite siya uli ng HB 1201. Naging maayos ang agos nito sa kongreso, inamendahan at naging HB 5217. Ang HB 5217 ay matagumpay na aprubahan sa mababang kapulungan at ang counterpart nito sa Senado na Senate Bill No. 3079 ay parehong pumatok at naaprubahan din.

Mula noong Agosto, positibong nang naghihintay ang mga Romblomanon, pangunahin na sina Madrona at Sespeñe, sa pirma ni PGMA upang maging ganap na RA ang HB 5217. Ganun na nga ang nangyari nang pormal na lagdaan ng pangulo ang HB 5217 sa Ceremonial Signing sa Malacañang nito lamang Oktubre 14 ganap na 1:25 sa hapon at isinilang ang Romblon State University sa bisa ng RA 9721.

Si Madrona ay matagal ng katuwang ng estudyanteng Romblomanon sa edukasyon. Ilan sa kanyang mga programang pinakikinabangan ng mga kabataan ay ang Congressional Scholarship para sa mga masisipag na estudyante ngunit salat sa pera at ang Bayang Matalino Valedictorian Incentive Project (BMVIP) upang mabigyan ng tulong pinansyal ang mga brilyanteng kabataan na grumadweyt sa elementarya at hayskul na valedictorian. Sa kasalukuyan ay may 13 BMVIP scholars at daan-daang Congressional scholars sa RSU

Ngayong Romblon State University na

Hindi pa tapos ang pakikibaka ng mga Romblomanon. Ang pagiging RSU ay nangangahulugan ng panibagong hamon sa bawat Romblomanon upang masapatan at ma-comply ang requirements ng CHED. Ayon kasi sa RA 9721, Sek. 22, ‘The CHED shall conduct regular monitoring and evaluation to determine continuing compliance with the requirements on university status. In the event that the commission finds that the university does not maintain compliance thereof, it shall submit the appropriate recommendation for the revocation of the university status to the senate’.

Sa kabilang banda, pinatunayan ng RSU ang pagiging unibersidad nang muling makarekord ng 83% passing percentage sa Certified Public Accountants Licensure Examination (CPALE) ngayon lamang Oktubre. Lima ang bagong CPAs ng unibersidad na sumungkit ng mataas na passing rate kumpara sa national na 42%. Ang CPALE ay isa sa pinakamahirap at pinakamahabang board exams sa bansa at ang BS Accountancy program sa unibersidad ang may pinakakaunting estudayanteng nakakasurvive. Isang pagbati ang pinapaabot ng pamunuan ng Harrow kina Katherine F. Aldaya, Rex F. Catipay, Shiela Buen F. Faigao, Gay T. Famero at Erwil M. Roda.

Ganundin naman, lumabas din ngayong Oktubre ang resulta ng Mechanical Engineering Board Exam kung saan dalawa sa mga pumasa ay mula sa unibersidad. Taos puso ang pagbati ng pamunuan ng Harrow sa kanilang dating patnugot na si Ronel F. De la Rosa at ang kasamahan nitong si Rolyn F. Feudo.

Samantala, inaasahang ang RSU ang magbubukas ng pinto para maialok ang Nursing, Abogasya at iba pang kurso dito sa Heart of the Archipelago.

Patuloy namang inaasahan na ang RSU ay makapagprodyus ng mas maraming globally competitive graduates. Ngayong susunod na semestre o sa susunod na taon, inaantisipa ring tataas ang bilang ng magsisi-enrol at ang pagdami ng bilang ng mga propesor na may mga master’s at doctor’s degree.

Ang bumubuo ngayon sa RSU Board of Regents ay sina Hon. Nenalyn Defensor, CHED Commissioner, bilang Chairperson, at Hon. Jeter Sespeñe, kauna-unahang RSU President, bilang Vice Chairman. Ang mga member naman ay sina Sen. Mar Roxas, Rep. Cynthia Villar, Hon. Oskar Balbastro, Hon. Ma. Josefina Abilay, Hon. Antonio Gerundio, Hon. Jim Fondevilla, Hon. Teofilito Rufon, Hon. Venizar Maravilla, Hon. Orley Fadriquel, Hon. Rachel Tagalog at Prof. Nelson Fedelin, ang College Board Secretary.

Ang RSC Science High School

Samantala, bunga ng pagiging RSU ng RSC ay ang napipintong paglipat ng Science High School sa pamunuan ng Department of Education (DepEd) ayon na rin sa probisyon ng RA 9721, Sek. 3, ‘the existing high school shall be transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education (DepEd): Provided, that the high school shall be allowed to remain and operate within the campus of the University until its students, who are currently enrolled shall have completed their high school education.’ Naipatupad na ang probisyong ito sa ilang mga campus ng unibersidad.

Ganunpaman, binanggit din sa batas na maaring mapanatili pa rin ang isang laboratoy high school na meron lamang limitadong bilang kapag ang unibersidad ay mayroon namang College of Education.

Pagtaas ng matrikula, pinangangambahan

Kinatatakutan naman ng maraming estudyanteng Romblomanon, lalo na ng mga mahihirap na magulang, ang umano’y napipintong pagtaas ng matrikula at iba pang bayarin bunga ng kumbersyon. Gayunpaman, nilinaw ni Prof. Nelson Fedelin, ang University and Regent Secretary, na hindi karakara’y magtataas ang matrikula. Hindi basta-basta ang tuition fee increase dahil dadaan pa ito sa Board of Regents at konsultasyon sa mga estudyante. Ayon pa sa kanya, hindi dahil RSU na ang RSC ay kaagad-agad na magtaas ng matrikula. Idiin niya sa huli na walang pagtaas ng matrikula.

Ang Romblon State University ngayon ang nag-iisang unibersidad sa lalawigan at ang ikatlong unibersidad sa Region 4-B MIMAROPA kasunod ng Palawan State University at Western Philippine University. Read more...

Romblon State YOUniversity

ni Jeofel M. Almoheda

We’re taking our final examination in Cost Accounting then when our CPA instructress shared a big news to us. She said that RSC is now a full-fledged RSU after PGMA signed into law the HB 5217 which is now Republic Act No. 9721.

Pinaghalong saya at kaba ang naramdaman ko nang mga oras na iyon dahil maliban sa sumasagot kami sa aming papel eh sobrang pamatay din ang eksamin sa Accounting. Idagdag pa ang masayang balita na Romblon State University na kami, tayo!


Natupad na rin sa wakas ang matagal nang pangarap ng bawat Romblomanon na magkaroon ng unibersidad dito sa Marble Capital of the Philippines. Makikinita na rin ang magandang bukas na umaabang sa mga estudyanteng pumapasok sa unibersidad ng Heart of Archipelago.

Muli, isang masigabong palakpakan sa matiyaga’t masipag nating representante sa kamara, Cong. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, at sa masipag na pangulo ng ngayon ay RSU na, Dr. Jeter S. Sespeñe. Maging sa buong pwersa ng masang Romblomanon na patuloy na sumuporta para maging ganap na RSU ang RSC, maraming salamat at congratulations po!

Kung ating natatandaan, the quest for universityhood started early on 1992 when our Congressman Madrona on his first term filed HB 3265. This bill was dragged and approved both in House of Representatives (HR) and in Senate but unfortunately was not signed by then ousted sitting president.

Nang makabalik si Cong. Madrona sa Kamara after 2007 Election, one of his priorities is the conversion of RSC into RSU. He filed again HB 5217, ‘An Act Converting the Romblon State College in the Municipality of Odiongan, Province of Romblon into a State University to be known as Romblon State University and Appropriating Funds Therefor.’ This bill was approved in HR and has a counterpart in Senate which is the bill authored by Sen. Escudero, SB 3079.

And, just this 14th of October, Pres. Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9721 that makes RSC a Romblon State University. This calls for a big celebration!
-oOo-

Ngayong branded as university students na tayo, what do you expect sa ating RSU? A top-quality education? Competent instructors, masters at doctors? Sufficient facilities? Updated books? We can expect also of additional ‘invented’ fees to be imposed to us but Tuition Fee Increase (TFI) must not happen here in RSU. Hindi dapat! Kapag tumaas ang matrikula, mahihirapan ang aming mga magulang sa pagpapaaral sa amin. Kung magkagayon (‘wag naman sana…) sisigabo ang out of school youth at tiyak ding ipaglalaban namin ang karapatan sa edukasyon. Ang edukasyon ay karapatan ng bawat Pilipino at ito’y sinusuhayan ng ating saligang batas. Education is not a commodity; education is our constitutionally guaranteed rights!
-oOo-

Markahan natin ng pula ang ating kalendaryo sa petsang Oktubre 14, 2009 dahil ito ang araw ng pagbautismo sa RSC para maging RSU. Isa po itong malaking accomplishment ng bawat Romblomanong nakikibaka para sa ikaka-RSU ng RSC. Padayon RSU!

-oOo-

Romblon State University. Parang musika sa tainga kung pakikinggan at ulit-uliting bigkasin. Isip-isiping pumapasok ka sa isang university, sa univ[ersity] na nag-iisa sa Romblon. Anong swerte nating mga kabataang Romblomanon dahil tayo’y bahagi ng historikal na univ na ito!

Mataas na ang expectation ngayon sa RSU. Ang pagiging RSU ay hindi nangangahulugang dahil katunog nito ang MSU, CPU, FEU, DLSU at iba pang sikat na pamantasan ay kapantay narin nito ang antas ng edukasyon nila. Ang pagiging RSU ay hindi lamang nangangahulugan ng malaking pondo at university-marked na transcript. Tayo dapat ay hindi lang RSU sa papel! Ang RSU, bagkus, ay nangangahulugang makakaasa na tayo ng mataas na antas ng emansipasyon at liberalisasyon, masasapatan na ang ilan pa nating pangangailangang akademiko at makakapag-produce na rin ito ng mas marami at mas kompetibong gradweyt. Hindi magtatagal at sisikat ang ating ipinagmamalaking univ hindi lamang sa Timog Katagalugan kundi’y sa buong archipelago lagpas hanggang saan mang sulok ng mundo!
-oOo-
Tiyak, ang RSU ay malinaw na katuparan ng maraming pangarap ng mga Romblomanon. Ngunit, huwag nating kaliligtaan ang akademikong tulong sa atin ng Romblon State College at ang pagpupursige rin noon ng RSC’s Father, Jun Ganan, para maging State College sa pamamagitan ng Batas Pambansa Blg. 393.

RSU is far different from RSC but RSC has already helped and transformed numerous Romblomanon into brighter sides. Ngayon, may kailangang patunayan ang RSU. Kailangan nitong lagpasan ang naabot ng RSC. We have high hopes for that.

Salamat sa Ama ng RSC, Jun Ganan, at salamat sa Ama ng RSU, Cong. Budoy Madrona, para sa kanilang di-matatawarang pagpupursige para sa estudyanteng Romblomanon. Salamat po!
-oOo-

RSU is our new pride. RSU is our new gem here in Romblon. You are very fortunate to be part of it. The quest of our univ is the pursuit of all. You and your YOUniversity must have a win-win system for excellence! Padayon RSU! Padayon Romblomanon!
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Romblon has now a university

Lifted from PHILIPPINES TODAY


PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE -- ROMBLON, a third-class province in the Mimaropa (Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan) region, will now have a university that will offer major courses similar to those taught in big institutions in Metro Manila and other cities and provinces.

To be called Romblon State University (RSU), the project was made possible through a House bill jointly sponsored by Representatives Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Romblon) and Cynthia Villar (Las Piñas City) that was signed into law recently by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The new university was transformed from the former Romblon State College in Odiongan town to provide the “best and advanced but affordable education” to residents of Romblon, where the main source of livelihood is fishing and agriculture, according to Madrona and Villar.

RSU president Jeter Sespense said the school will also accept students from nearby provinces who can take courses in fishery, agriculture, forestry, science and technology, education, arts and sciences and other degrees offered in most of the country’s big institutions.

Romblon Gov. Natalio Beltran III said the school’s status as a university will be fully implemented beginning next school year.

Posted by news on 10/18/2009 08:44 AM [82 views]
http://www.philippinestoday.net/index.php?module=article&view=2083
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BAGOLAYAG: A Point Off Odiongan

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RSU, 83% in October 2009 CPA Board Exam

These are the five passers in the October 2009 CPA Licensure Exam. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 2,888 out of 6,929 or 42% passed the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi this October 2009.

Congratulations to:

ALDAYA, KATHERINE FORCADAS
CATIPAY, REX FABELLA
FAIGAO, SHIELA BUEN FERRANCULLO
FAMERO, GAY TAN
RODA, ERWIL MAQUIRANG

Here is the university performance.
First Timers: (3/3) 100%
Repeaters: (2/3) 67%
Overall Performance: 83% ( > 41% than the national)


BS Accountancy program of RSU is one of the most highly regulated programs in the university. It has high admission and retention policies, and training is one of the toughest and most rigid. Annual graduates usually range from 5 to 8 students only (survival rate usually plays from 15%-20%) . BSA Graduates have been performing well in the CPA board exam, with most of the examinees hitting > 80% overall ratings.
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TH EIC Tracer

TH is planning to have an article on its Kasing-Kasing Magazine December issue about former TH EICs. If you know one, please inform us by using the comment section below:

MARIO A. FETALVER JR. (1993-1994)
EZRA FORNAL (1994-1995)
RONALD S. MACATANGAY (1995-1996)
EDDIE G. FETALVERO (1996-1997)
MELONIE F. MACATUBAL (1997-1998)
METHUSALEM F. HAINCADTO (1998-1999)
HERMELYN PUTONG (1999-2000)
MARY GRACE HALLEGADO (2001-2002)
MARK MORADA (2001-2002)
RENANTE MARCEÑO (2002-03)
JAYNES FLORES (2003-04)
JIMVIM FABELLA (2005-06)
ALWAYNE REFE (2006-07)
NOLIE MUYARGAS (2007-08)
ALVIN MARIÑO (2008-09A)
RONEL DELA ROSA (2008-09B)
ROCKY LEE MOSCOSO (2009-2010)
NICO JAY JAYLO (2010-PRESENT)

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