Flambeau

After almost 7 dormant years, the college publication unit of Marinduque State College was awaken from slumber for the academic year 2011-2012. The college publication was not operating for years, after some “uncertain” reasons and loss of initiative.

Members of Flambeau senior staff were appointed as Associate editor, News Editor and Feature Editor by the school administration.

“I just hope that we will be serving the interests of the student body rather than the school administration. I believe that fighting is not wrong, but rather we should fight when there is something wrong. We owe nothing (as for being a college publication as mandate by the law) to the administration, as a college, they should not consider the college publication as a requirement for compliance for their ambitions but as a vehicle of student pulse. I repulse the idea that its as if the college publication was back in operation just because the college administration wants to suffice its requirements for accreditation. It’s a lame excuse, and it is not acceptable.” relates the Flambeau Editor in Chief.

“My role here would be to advance students rights and opinions. We are the most important stakeholder of the college. I notice that students here are treated with “shut-up-and-just-follow” attitude without giving regards to what we have to say. The student publication is the most appropriate venue for that, far away from power tripping officials and mentors. I am not emphasizing that students should behave as activists, but I am suggesting that we leave our irrationally submissive status.” she continues.

From SSTEd students

1.       Do you have a special someone? Nonelyn L. (MAPHE)

I have a lot of special people in my life—my friends, my family, etc. 

 

2.       What is your favorite Filipino food? Wenalyn L. (Music Ed.)

My favorite FIlipino food is banana shoots. I also really enjoyed the different fruits there, a lot of which I had not encountered until the Philippines. And, of course, the mangoes are the best I’ve ever had. As most of you know, I am a vegetarian and therefore don’t eat meat or fish. That kept me from eating a lot of Filipino food as both of those are staples of the Filipino diet.

 

3.        Why don’t you eat rice?)Bryan L. (Music Ed.)

I do eat rice. I just don’t eat it with every meal. It’s not customary to eat rice three times a day in the United States like it is in the Philippines, so I never got in the habit of doing it once I lived on my own.

 

4.       What’s your ideal man? Cristine J. (MAPHE)

I don’t think one should create an ideal of what his or her partner should be like. I think it’s important to keep an open mind whenever meeting a potential partner, because if you already have these expectations of what you want you may miss out of someone great because they didn’t fit you “ideals”.

 

On that same note, some traits that are important to me are: kindness, respectfulness and a sense of humor.  

 

5.       When are you coming back to the Philippines? Lorabel V. (TLE)

I am not sure when I coming back to the Philippines. I would love to come back, but there are many places in the world I’d like to visit. At the same, after living there for the last two years I’ve realized there are still a lot of places in the U.S. that I need to visit first.

 

6.       How was your homecoming to Las Vegas?  Carlo T. (Math)

It has been great to return home, but it’s been bitter sweet. I wasn’t ready to leave the Philippines nor was I ready to return home. Considering the circumstances that I returned home under, it wasn’t the big, glorious reunion I had anticipated for which was supposed to happen in December. I am also still not well, so I haven’t had a chance to partake in all the things I missed about home. With that said, I am happy to be with my family. 

 

7.       How did it feel teaching at MSC? Renalyn S. (TLE)

Teaching tends to feel the same wherever you are. Being on the other side of the world and teaching really furthered that sentiment for me. Students are usually looking to improve their lives and expand their minds with knowledge. However, culturally, it was pretty different. Students don’t traditionally greet their teachers in the U.S. like they do in the Philippines, if at all. I will definitely miss “Good morning, Ma’am” from all the students at MSC, especially because I won’t be called  ”ma’am” in the U.S. until probably another fifteen or twenty years. It’s just “miss” here because of my age.

 

 

8.       What was your most unforgettable moment in Marinduque? Mark P. (Math)

There are too many moments to recall, but I enjoyed the day-today life most. It may seem mundane to some, but really it wasn’t about the events or big activities—it was about sharing simple moments.

 

9.       What is the secret behind your good figure? Can you share any tips? Hazel M. (Bio. Sci.)

First, thank you for saying I have a good figure, although it makes me laugh. All I can say is eat healthy, exercise and think positively.

 

10.   What is your favorite attribute of the Philippine culture? Lloyd M. (Soc. Sci.)

My favorite attribute is the closeness of the family. I think family is important and I appreciate that about Filipino culture. 

 

11.   Do you know any Tagalog songs? Do you have any favorites? Ella V. (Soc. Sci.)

I know some songs, but I can’t recall any of the names. I was able to learn many from the endless hours of hearing people sing videoke.  

 

From Flambeau

1.       Why did you leave without saying goodbye?

As many of my students know, I had not been well since the end of the summer. I was misdiagnosed multiple times and put on unnecessary medicine during my last few months there. It started to take a toll on my body physically as well as weighing down my spirit emotionally. The last time I was in Manila, I ended getting incredibly sick and started having a lot of neurological problems. I thought I could at least return to Marinduque to say goodbye and pack up my things, but when I got back late one night I found myself unthinkably ill and had to return to Mania the very next morning. At that point, Peace Corps decided they did not have they means necessary to care for me and that they needed to send home on what is known as a medical separation. As difficult as it was to leave under those circumstances, my doctors here found a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection on my throat. We treated it, but still two months later I’m still having difficult-to-deal-with side-effects. Looking back, I’m fortunate I got sent home or something much more serious could have happened. 

 

2.      What were some of the most important lessons from your stay in the Philippines?

I learned more than I could ever share, both personally and professionally, but one thing I will take into other facets of my work is community involvement.

 

3.       If you could take back something or someone from Marinduque who or what would it be?

There are too many people I would want to bring back, so it would have to be some thing. I would bring back a jeepney or a tricycle. We don’t have either here and I think it would be fun to ride around in the only one in the U.S. 

4.       What was the highlight of your Peace Corps mission here in Marinduque? 

I won’t highlight any one thing, because my service there was about the journey—not any one particular moment. I’m forever grateful for my time there and learned more than I could ever put down in a questionnaire.

 

5.       How is your Tagalog? During your first interview you said you hoped to be able to strike up a conversation in Tagalog before returning to America. How would you rate your proficiency?

My Tagalog is worse than when I arrived in Marinduque! I trained in Bataan and used the language daily. When I got to Boac, people didn’t seem to want to talk to me in Tagalog (except for the faculty in SIT and the guards). Besides using it with some people in the community and at the market I didn’t use it enough to be at the level I wanted to be at when I left. Sayang! I still understand it for the most part and got to use a little bit of it with a nurse recently.

 

6.       Were any of your convictions ever challenged during your stay?

I never did anything in the Philippines I wasn’t comfortable with. I was challenged in my way of thinking, though, specifically about development work. 

7.       The Filipino cuisine cannot do without any meat, have you ever been tempted to taste a Filipino dish with meat? If yes, what dish was it?

Sorry, but I can’t say I was. I have a lot of disdain for meat and the thought of eating it makes me sick to my stomach.

8.            What will you miss about Marinduque?

The people, the market, walking home from MSC, the jeepney/tricycle rides, all the towns, holy week, the peanut-butter from Boac hotel, MSC, being so close to the sea, the quaintness of Boac, all the parties, the welcoming nature of the Marinduquenos, etc. …

 

9.       What can you advice to the students of SSTEd to improve their English speaking skills?

I don’t think any advice I can give would help. Learning a language needs to be desired. If you don’t truly want to learn it, you’re most likely not going to put in the time and effort needed to learn a language. Many Filipinos spend their entire schooling studying English, yet, can’t communicate in English. Why do you think that is? There are a lot of factors that contribute, yes, but those with the desire and will ultimately learn it despite outside factors.

A few suggestions to improve English: watch movies/shows you are familiar with in English with the subtitles on in English; read English books, magazines, online websites; learn the correct words of English songs, try to figure out the words you don’t know by context, try to think about what the song means; talk in English with your friends, especially at school; don’t be afraid of making mistakes, that’s the best way to learn.

 

10.   Finally, what is your message for all the people who love you in SSTEd? In Tagalog please. 

Maraming salamat po sa inyo,para sa lahat. Mamimiss ko kayong lahat.

 

Currently, there are one hundred eleven public higher education institutions in the Philippines. Public higher education institutions constitute only 12 per cent of all the higher education institutions in the Philippines. Marinduque State College is one of these state colleges and universities receiving subsidy from the government. However, the opportunities of the less privileged to gain tertiary education is on the verge of extinction when the budget for state colleges and universities for the year 2011 and 2012 is decreased despite the fact that higher education sector is allotted a meager amount compared to other government spendings. It is stated on the Philippine Constitution that “State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education AT ALL LEVELS, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.” (Article XIV, Sec. 1). Aware of the provision that basic education is free in public schools, it seems that this clause in the constitution is ignored. The assistance that the government spends should not be cut off, as the government plans to privatize higher educational institutions based from Pres. Aquino’s statement in the hearing of budget in the congress- “We are gradually reducing the subsidy to SUCs to push them toward becoming self-sufficient and financially independent.”

This policy is contradicting the constitution, which also states that the state will prioritize the education sector when it comes to budget allocation. (Article XIV, Sec.5).  But if we take a look at the present situation, we will notice that there is a serious breach because the government’s first priority is paying the country’s debt. The government spends about 356.1 billion pesos for debt servicing, while the education sector only receives 38 billion pesos, wherein public higher education institutions get around 22 billion pesos. One hundred eleven SUCs share this budget for their personnel services, maintenance and other operating Expenditures, while the capital outlay budget which is used for building new buildings and facilities is shouldered by the tuition and other fees of the students. State colleges and universities also rely on the grace of concerned individuals through donations.

The gradual reduction of SUCs budget can be viewed as a direct violation of the constitution. It does not only deprive the right of parents who can’t send their children to private and exclusive schools to attain an undergraduate degree, but it also goes to show what is this government’s perception of education. Education is a business to be profited from, and not a tool to be used for nation building. Education has become a privilege instead of a right. This right should be protected and adhered to by students of SUCs, and we should not just wait until the day that we wake up that there are no more state colleges and universities to accommodate young Filipinos who dream of a brighter tomorrow.

tensaiproject:

Flambeau

Constitution and by-laws

Article I

The name of organization

This organization shall be officially known as Flambeau-The Official Student Publication of the School of Secondary Teacher Education.

Article II

Nature and Purpose

Section 1. It shall be the purpose…

(Source: subversivethoughts)

Hindi mo ba napanood? Eto na ang winning moves ng Blue Flames sa MSC Olympics Cheerdance Competition 2011.

(Video courtesy of MSC Knowledge and Information Management Systems)

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pinoytumblr:

Filipino is the “language of the streets” – “how you spoke to the tindera when you went to the tindahan, what you used to tell your katulong that you had an utos, and how you texted manong when you needed sundo na.”

These lines, found in a “Manila Bulletin” column now circulating on social media, aroused sentiments that champion the Filipino language Thursday as the nation winds down its commemoration of August as the National Language Month.

James Soriano, who wrote the column titled “Language, Learning, Identity, Privilege,” contextualized his piece in his experience of learning English as his “mother language.” Soriano said he was required to speak English at home, had all his books in English, and even prayed in English.

“Filipino, on the other hand, was always the ‘other’ subject — almost a special subject like PE or Home Economics, except that it was graded the same way as Science, Math, Religion, and English,” he said in his column originally posted Wednesday.

“My classmates and I used to complain about Filipino all the time. Filipino was a chore, like washing the dishes; it was not the language of learning. It was the language we used to speak to the people who washed our dishes,” Soriano added. - GMANews.TV

Read Language, learning, identity, privilege by James Soriano here.