el obrero
DESCRIPTION
Vol. 5 No. 1 (Section A) June-September 2011 ISSN 2243-8319TRANSCRIPT
B1 B7
Guinness World Record. Craig Glenday measures the height of Junrey
Balawing at Sindangan Rural Health Center.
Community holds pro-life rally
Walk for Life. Students and faculty from Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc., residents, faith-based groups,
and the clergy carry placards with life-affirming slogans around the town center.
Sindanganon listed shortest living man SSC lines up
projects
SJCSI hires
nine teachers
T o cope with the in-
crease in enrolment
this school year and to
handle the student publi-
cations, Saint Joseph Col-
lege of Sindangan, Inc.–
High School employed
eight full-time and one
part-time high school
teachers.
A Guinness World Record
M ore than two thou-
sand students and
faculty from Saint Joseph
College of Sindangan, Inc.,
townsfolk, members of
faith-based groups from
neighboring towns, and
the clergy converged for
the Walk for Life and fo-
rum at the gym, June 29.
W hat Junrey Balawing—a Sindanganon teenager from Brgy. Imelda—lacks in
height, he makes up for in fame.
A boost to the cause of life
Fretzell A. Actub, IV-San
Lorenzo Ruiz adviser, teaches
physics and mathematics.
Actub has a diploma in
electrical engineering technology
(2006) and a bachelor‘s degree in
engineering technology manage-
ment (2008) from Mindanao State
University–Iligan Institute of
Technology, Iligan City.
Lourdes A. Amit, III-St.
Augustine adviser, graduated with
a degree in secondary education,
major in mathematics (2004),
from Jose Rizal Memorial State
University, Katipunan, Zambo-
anga del Norte .
Teachers A6
El Obrero Vol. V ▪ No. 1
June–September 2011
The official student publication of Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School, National Highway, Poblacion, Sindangan, 7112 Zamboanga del Norte, Region IX
“Writing is prayer.”
Community Maumag
in our midst
A8
Littéraire Interview
Mayor Nilo Sy:
A Josephian
leader B3
Littéraire Travelogue The Camelot
of Africa
MatchPoint
Champs
for the
nth time
C4
Littéraire Review
Hispano–
Philippine
Stories
E ffective Aug. 19, the
school was renamed
Saint Joseph College of
Sindangan, Inc. (SJCSI). Per Securities and Ex-
change Commission (SEC) regis-
tration, SJCSI uses hereafter its
official amended corporate name.
The amended articles of
incorporation of SJCSI were
adopted by the board of directors
and members on June 7, 2010,
and approved by SEC on Aug. 19,
2011.
The logo was redesigned to
show the amended name and the
year of establishment. (PR)
Welcome to SJCSI!!
The participants carried
placards with life-affirming slo-
gans and messages of opposition
to the reproductive health and
divorce bills as they went around
the town center at 9 a.m.
The pro-lifers then pro-
ceeded to the SJCSI gym for the
program and forum.
Richard Aliser, a religious
studies teacher, led the Rosary for
Life and the praying of the Oratio
Imperata for the rejection of the
RH Bill.
During the forum, Msgr.
Jose R. Manguiran, D.D., tackled
on the stand of the church on the
controversy caused by the pro-
posed reproductive health and
divorce bills.
Jan Louenn Lumanta, an
economics instructor and law stu-
dent, lambasted corruption in the
government, not the population
growth, as the cause of poverty.
Dr. April Lopez dealt with
the side effects of using artificial
methods to deliberately prevent
pregnancy.
Two families also shared
their experiences in testimonies to
the value of life and family.
Msgr. Enrico Montano,
V.F., a priest from Saint Joseph
The Worker Parish of Sindangan,
concluded the event with a prayer
and mass singing.
The other participants
came from the parish groups of
Siayan, Leon Postigo, and Brgy.
Siare.(Cynthia K. J. Nazario)
Balawing was officially
certified by the Guinness World
Records as the shortest living man
in the world at .5993 m tall when
he turned 18 on June 12.
Balawing broke the record
of Khagendra Thapa Magar of
Nepal who is 0.67 m tall.
From his looks, Balawing
may be mistaken for an infant but
he is the eldest of four siblings
from a Subanen family.
According to Reynaldo
Balawing, a blacksmith, his son
stopped growing in his first year.
His speech is stunted and
his conversations are only short
phrases. His condition prevents
him from attending school.
Balawing mostly stays at
home under the care of Concep-
cion, his mother. He needs assis-
tance to move around because he
cannot stand for a long time.
Balawing was always sick
at age two, and the doctors could
not find any medical remedy.
The Guinness team, led by
editor-in-chief Craig Glenday,
measured Balawing six times both
vertically and horizontally before
handing him a framed certificate
at Sindangan Municipal Hall.
―While we need to main-
tain a scientific, dispassionate
approach to documenting record
claimants, it is impossible not
to be moved by the plight of
these incredible, brave human
beings,‖ said Glenday.
(Judee B. Garsuta)
T he Supreme Student
Council, through the
leadership of Reymund
Danielle U. Jugalbot, has
lined up several projects
for this school year.
The council had recently
bought eight trash bins and put
them along the corridor. A mirror
was installed in each restroom.
SSC also repaired the per-
petual banner for the overall
champion of the intramural meet.
For its major projects, SSC
plans to construct benches under
the trees and a covered walkway
from the entrance to the admini-
stration building to protect the
students and faculty from inclem-
ent weather.
Since both undertakings
require financing, the council is
negotiating with the administra-
tion for financing counterpart.
According to Michael Ma-
salta, the newly appointed adviser,
he expects good governance,
transparency, and useful projects
for the students‘ benefit.
(Pamela Mennet V. Llorente)
Scribes to join
press confab
F ourteen staff members
of El Obrero and Ang
Manggagawa will attend
the Provincial Schools
Press Conference in Di-
polog City, Nov. 16–18.
The student journalists will
attend the lectures, discussions,
and workshop sessions; and com-
pete in the individual writing
events and photojournalism in
both English and Filipino media.
The delegation from Saint
Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.
will include Mara Aubrey Sistine
Scribes A6
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Faculty undergo multi-intel training
Scribes reap writing, broadcasting plum
Cooperative learning. Maria Rizalie Enoy, a science teacher, monitors
her groups of students while they complete the writing task.
Student population. A comparison of the enrolment during the past six
school years reveals an annual rise in the number of students.
Campus Ministry visits Tigbao
Enrolment
up by 6%
T wenty-three student writers of El Obrero participated and won awards in the an-
nual campus journalism seminar–workshop organized by the Zamboanga del Norte
Press Club (ZNPC) at Sindangan National Agricultural School (SNAS) gym, July 23–24.
H igh school teachers and college instructors participated in the seminar–workshop
on differentiated instruction at the audio-visual room, July 1 and 5.
A round 20 high school and college Campus Ministry
(CM) volunteers visited Brgy. Tigbao during their
first outreach program for this school year, June 2.
Dr. Rosalinda Baloria, vice
-president for academic affairs of
Saint Vincent‘s College, dis-
cussed differentiated teaching and
assessments based on the multiple
intelligences theory by Dr. How-
ard Gardner.
The faculty worked on the
learning style inventory, multiple
intelligences survey, and R. Sten-
berg processing preferences.
On the second day, Maria
Rizalie D. Enoy, a science
teacher, demonstrated on the proc-
ess of observation.
Participants were the 15
pre-selected freshmen who com-
pleted their group writing tasks
and presented their output.
Br. Rufinus Palen, FP, a
religious studies teacher, pre-
sented an integrated lesson on the
10 Commandments.
Elmira L. Colicol, an Eng-
lish instructor, presented a lesson
on idiomatic expressions to 15 pre
-selected college students.
They worked in groups and
displayed their posters with the
literal interpretation of the idioms
for the other groups to figure out
the idiomatic expressions.
Elizabeth A. Soledad, a
mathematics teacher and guidance
counselor, gave a lesson plan on
the cause-effect relationship.
Rhiza Mae T. Casalem, a
Filipino teacher, incorporated a
Hiligaynon epic with a contempo-
rary song for her lesson plan.
Jessril Ruales, a socio-
anthro instructor, discussed the
different social groups.
Emerald A. Soledad from
the business marketing depart-
ment explained a lesson with vari-
ous activities on advertising.
Ranie Jamila, a physical
education (MAPEH) teacher, pro-
vided a lesson plan on the benefits
of physical fitness on health and
the person‘s well-being.
Maria Fatima M. Calizar,
computer laboratory in-charge,
discussed the development of
computing devices.
(Zekaina Rose F. Siasico)
The two-day training was
composed of a lecture–workshop
series on the different aspects of
campus journalism given by the
members of the press club.
The topics included media
law and ethics; news, editorial,
feature, and sports writing; copy-
reading and headline writing, edi-
torial cartooning, photojourna-
lism, and radio broadcasting.
After each lecture, all par-
ticipants wrote an article based
on the given title or subject and in
the medium of their choice.
Reymund D. U. Jugalbot
was awarded as the best anchor
for radio broadcasting while
the team composed of Yanessa S.
Naval, Donalyn E. Aquino, Janine
T. Jalosjos, Fruitelyn Apple A.
Gamulo, and Mara Aubrey Sistine
L. Escoreal was named as the best
advertisement for radio.
In the individual writing
events–English category, Escoreal
bagged the second place in news
writing; William Andrew G. Bu-
laqueña won third places in edito-
rial and sports writing; and Cyn-
thia Kareen J. Nazario landed
third place in copyreading and
headline writing.
In the Filipino category,
Joelan M. Tongco grabbed the
second place in sports writing
while Francis J.T. Fuertes won the
third place in editorial cartooning.
For the group category, the
scribes‘ entry (Ora et Labora) got
the third place for photojourna-
lism and layout–English.
The 206 participants came
from Saint Joseph College of Sin-
dangan, Inc., SNAS, and the na-
tional high schools of Sindangan,
Siare, Siayan, Maras, Natividad,
Gunyan, and Sibuco.
The journalistic writing
seminar is a regular activity of the
club to help budding campus jour-
nalists hone their writing skills in
preparation for the schools press
conference from the division up to
the regional and national levels.
According to Rosemarie
Patangan–Miranda, president of
the ZNPC, the club has been do-
ing their outreach program for
more than two decades already;
and a number of successful pro-
fessionals are grateful of the train-
ing for inspiring them to read and
cultivate their passion for writing.
This year‘s seminar-
workshop was the first time since
the 1980s when the pupils from
Sindangan Pilot Demonstration
School and Mandih Central
School also competed in the dif-
ferent writing events.
The training was endorsed
by the Department of Education
and the American Embassy in
Manila, which provided the cash
prizes and trophies.
(William A. G. Bulaqueña)
Community outreach program
SJCSI celebrates Nutri Month
Annual journalism seminar-workshop
Egg relay contest. Roli V. Redoble (L) passes a hard-boiled egg to Mark
Bryan G. Resuento (R) only with the spoon in their mouth.
SJCSI–HS Enrolment (2006–2011) S aint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School
observed the annual Nutrition Month in July with
various activities relevant to the theme “Isulong ang
Breastfeeding: Tama, Sapat at Eksklusibo.”
S aint Joseph College of
Sindangan, Inc.–High
School enrolled 721 stu-
dents, or 6 percent higher
than the previous school
year enrolment.
The data gathered from
Cristina S. Bajalan, principal, also
revealed a consistent increase in
enrolment during the past five
school years.
Out of the 721 students,
336 are male and 385 are female,
representing 46.6 percent and 53.4
percent, respectively
The breakdown per year
level is as follows:
Freshmen, 208; sopho-
mores, 202; juniors, 148; and sen-
iors, 163.
According to Bajalan,
―SJCSI refrains from advertising
but relies on the word-of-mouth
endorsement by the alumni whose
children are also enrolled here.‖
―We also have transferees
from nearby towns and a consid-
erable number of new students
from Bacungan and Siayan,‖ she
added.
The Education Service
Contracting (ESC) agreement
between the government and the
school grants scholarship to 383
students, 115 of them are fresh-
men, who opted to pursue secon-
dary education at a private school.
ESC covers the tuition of
each grantee for four years, but
the students pay the differential.
Seventy-two students avail
of the Education Voucher System
(EVS), which will be phased out
in March 2014.
(Pamela Mennet V. Llorente)
They distributed snacks,
toys, and school supplies to pre-
school children. The goods were
donated by students last March.
According to Carol C.
Salimbagat, head of the CM, the
day care teachers were grateful
since the pencils, pad papers, and
bags would be needed for the
opening of classes.
The outreach program was
organized in coordination with the
college and high school student
councils.
The CM has already lined
up activities for this school year.
The volunteers held their commu-
nity building and facilitating
seminars and inter-school leader-
ship training in June–August.
Aside from the regular
mass every Wednesday and first
Friday of the month, the CM also
organizes the recollections for
students enrolled in the different
religious studies courses and re-
treat for the seniors.
The CM also spearheads
the Feast of the Nativity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary every Sept.
8 as well as the opening and cul-
minating activities for the Month
of Rosary in October.
The CM slated its Abot
Alay sa Bilanggo, a visit to the
prisoners at the municipal jail in
Brgy. Misoc, on Oct. 30.
For the second half of the
school year, the CM will sponsor
the mass for the Immaculate Con-
ception, Handog Pamasko, and
teachers‘ retreat set before the
Christmas break.
In 2012, CM will conduct
the retreat for college students.
(Reymund D. U. Jugalbot)
E El Obrero │June–September 2011 A2 News
A parade around the town
center kicked off the celebration
on July 2. An opening program
then followed where students pre-
sented their different talents.
In the essay writing con-
test, 24 students developed an
essay on this year‘s theme. Fila
R. Dagomo, editor-in-chief of El
Obrero, won the first prize for her
write-up.
For the slogan and poster-
making contests, both top prizes
went to Elda Mae P. Honungan
and her group of junior students.
Sidney Rico T. Rebollido,
a senior, outdid the other seven
contestants in the extemporaneous
speaking contest in Filipino.
During the culminating
activity on July 29, the students
sold fruits, vegetables, and food-
stuff in their respective stalls.
Parlor games were also
held. The St. Theresians won
both Maria Went to Town and egg
relay races; St. Rita students,
Vietnam War; and St. Christopher
students, straw planting contest.
Loryl Pelaez, IV-Rita, fin-
ished first in the banana-eating
contest while Mark Ryan Salim-
bagat, IV-St. Agnes, ate all the
pan de sal faster than the other
students.
In the Nutri Quiz, three
students from each section com-
posed a team. IV-St. Rita team of
William Andrew G. Bulaqueña,
Janine Claire T. Jalosjos, and Jas-
min Rose A. Castillon amassed
the most number of points from
the three sets of questions.
During the closing pro-
gram, the newly formed dance
troupe made their debut during
the intermission.
(Fruitelyn Apple A. Gamulo)
School Year
N
um
ber
of
Stu
den
ts
SJCSI holds annual literary–musical night
DepEd joins drive for Palawan River
News Briefs Compiled by the News Bureau
―Habanera Botolena.” The seniors perform their award-winning folk
dance during the literary–musical night at the college gym.
Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa. Ana Camille Pona leads the singing of
“SJCSI Hymn” during the culminating program.
DSWD marks Disability Week
T he Office of the Municipal Social Welfare and Devel-
opment initiated the observance of the 33rd National
Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week
with activities for the differently abled, July 17–23.
During the week-long cele-
bration, the OMSWD headed by
Yolanda B. Saile installed stream-
ers with the theme ―Making the
Rights Real for Filipinos with
Disabilities‖ in conspicuous
places in the town.
A free medical consulta-
tion for people with disability
(PWD) was held at the municipal
outdoor stage while the dental
mission was conducted at Sindan-
gan District Hospital.
Jose M. Maraguinot, a
visually impaired Sindanganon
who now works as a manpower
development officer at the Area
Vocational Rehabilitation Center
in Zamboanga City, was the guest
speaker during the program and
forum on July 21.
Maraguinot, the elected
president of Sindangan Associa-
tion of PWD, stressed the need to
promote the rights of the differ-
ently abled citizens and their par-
ticipation in mainstream society.
In the provincial celebra-
tion held in Dipolog City on July
22, Elsie Balawing, a visually
impaired pupil at Sindangan Pilot
Demonstration School, defeated
other contestants with her singing
rendition during the Talentadong
Zanortehanong PWD contest.
By virtue of Presidential
Proclamation No. 361, series of
2002, as amended by Administra-
tive Order 35, every third week of
July is declared as the NDPR
Week to encourage the participa-
tion of PWDs in the political and
public life.
(Sidney Rico T. Rebollido)
Promoting the rights of PWDs
New7Wonders of Nature
SJCSI observes Buwan ng Wika
T he Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has made it to the 28 official
finalists for the global search of New7Wonders of Nature. As of press time, the
Palawan River is one of the fastest growing entries based on the weekly voting trends.
Br. Armin Luistro, FSC,
secretary of the Department of
Education, supported Presidential
Proclamation No. 182 entitled
―Declaring a National and Inter-
national Campaign for the Puerto
Princesa Underground River as
One of the Seven Wonders of
Nature‖ when he issued a memo-
randum on July 7.
In his memo, Secretary
Luistro encourages the whole de-
partment to conduct activities and
other initiatives to support the
nationwide voting campaign.
―As a nation, what we lack
in material wealth, we compensate
with the richness of our natural
resources; hence, we should take
advantage of this by putting our
country on top of the world,‖ ac-
cording to Luistro.
The Saint Paul‘s Subterra-
nean River National Park is lo-
cated 50 km north of Puerto Prin-
cesa City, the capital of Palawan.
The park has a karst land-
scape, an irregular limestone re-
gion of sinkholes, underground
river, and caverns.
The main feature of the
park is the 8.2-km-long navigable
underground Cabayugan River
that winds through a cave before
flowing directly into the disputed
South China Sea or the ―West
Philippine Sea.‖
The river includes major
formations of stalactites and sta-
lagmites, and several large cham-
bers. The lower portion of the
river is subject to tidal influences.
At the mouth of the cave, a
clear lagoon is framed by old trees
growing right to the water's edge.
Monkeys, large monitor lizards,
and squirrels dwell at the beach
near the cave.
Over 10 million salanga-
nes (cave swallows) and bats live
in the cave. They contribute to
the exceptional biodiversity
within the river.
Biological studies are still
going on to determine if the un-
derground river is one of the most
complex, if not the most, karstic
systems in the world. The site
contains a full ―mountain-to-sea‖
ecosystem and has some of the
most important forests in Asia.
The underground river was
the world's longest until the dis-
covery of subterranean river in the
Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
It was inscribed by the
United Nations Educational, Sci-
entific and Cultural Organization
as a World Heritage Site on Dec.
4, 1999.
To vote for Palawan River,
text PPUR to 2861 (all networks).
You may log on to www.
new7wonders.com and register to
choose Puerto Princesa Under-
ground River as your entry.
(William A. G. Bulaqueña)
Literary–Musical Night Tally
E News A3 June–September 2011 │El Obrero
I t was a showcase of Josephian talents in acoustics and vocals, literary arts and public
speaking, and terpsichorean skills.
P ursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1041, series of
1997, Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High
School celebrated the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa in Au-
gust.
SJCSI fetes
Nativity of Mary Saint Joseph College of
Sindangan, Inc. commemorated
the Feast of the Nativity of the
Blessed Virgin Mary at the school
grotto, Sept. 8.
The Rev. Nathaniele A.
Denlaoso officiated the holy mass
to celebrate one of the oldest
Marian solemnities and one of the
cardinal feasts of the liturgical
devotion to Saint Mary.
The Society of Mary–
Sindangan Chapter is headed by
Alan Caboverde while the SOM–
SJCSI Chapter is led by Edralin
M. Deleña.
SJCSI organizes
dance troupe The Saint Joseph College
of Sindangan, Inc.–High School
recently set up its dance troupe
and opened its membership to all
dance enthusiast Josephians.
Ranie Jamila, a physical
education teacher, is the choreog-
rapher–trainer and adviser.
Fire razes seven shops Seven business establish-
ments were burned down when a
fire hit the Phase 6 of the Sindan-
gan Public Market, July 22.
Estimated damage to prop-
erty was around P3 million. Arson
was ruled out by the Bureau of
Fire Protection.
Aside from the eatery,
where the fire originated, a PCSO
lotto outlet, two optical clinics, a
storehouse, a pawnshop, and a
hardware shop were also gutted
down.
SJCSI held the slogan and
poster-making contest on Aug. 8
to mark the first week of the
month-long celebration.
The poster designed by
Reger Ed A. Caperig, Kathleen
Mae E. Pormento, and Clint A.
Morito of II-St. Christopher was
adjudged as the most relevant to
the theme ―Ang Filipino ay Wi-
kang Panlahat, Ilaw at Lakas sa
Tuwid na Landas.‖
The III-St. Therese team
represented by Fila R. Dagomo,
Mary Grace J. Parilla, and Meryl
Aurece R. Enriquez won the slo-
gan-making contest.
For the culminating activ-
ity on Aug. 26, SJCSI held for
the first time the Tagisan ng Ta-
lino at the gym.
All 14 class sections were
represented by three students each
who went through the three levels
of quizzes about the national lan-
guage and Philippine literature.
The IV-St. Rita team com-
posed of William Andrew G. Bu-
laqueña, Janine Claire T. Jalosjos,
and Yanessa S. Naval led with 71
points, followed by IV-St. Agnes
and III-St. Therese with 62 and 60
points, respectively.
Also held on the last day
was the talumpati contest where
the oratorical pieces were cen-
tered on the importance of the
national language.
The panel of judges,
chaired by Josephine Sanghilan
from Sindangan National High
School, declared Geraldson A.
Crispo of IV-St. Rita as the best
orator.
Each year level staged a
balagtasan. The participants de-
bated on different topics related to
the national language and Filipino
traditions.
(Jasmin Rose A. Castillon)
In the literary events, Pam-
ela Mennet V. Llorente, I-St.
Mary, was adjudged the best ora-
tor with her interpretation of the
theme: ―Shine as Light in the
World.‖
Reymund Danielle U. Ju-
galbot, senior; and Joyce Nicole
T. Jalosjos, sophomore, tied for
the second place. Jarrah Sophia B.
Saile, junior, was the third placer.
Meldrid B. Baculpo, also
from I-St. Mary, retold the story
of ―Little Red Riding Hood‖ that
gave the freshmen their second
win that evening.
Sidney Rico T. Rebollido,
senior; and Choly Marie A. Pad-
ayao, junior, were the second and
The annual literary–
musical night on Sept. 9 capped
the week-long 2011 Intramural
Meet.
For the musical category,
the juniors won both the acoustics
and vocal solo contests.
The acoustics group was
composed of Marc Caen C.
Aricheta, flute and beatbox; Judee
B. Garsuta, Anna Camille Pona,
and John Mark Dalogdog, vocals;
Franz Angelo Labadan and Heron
Dumajel, guitars; and Meryl
Aurece Enriquez, keyboard.
Garsuta outdid Ryan G.
Barrogo, a senior and previous
year‘s winner, with her rendition
of ―Sana’y Wala ng Wakas.‖
third placers, respectively.
For the balak contest, Billy
Jun C. Albilda, II-St. Elizabeth,
delivered his award-winning piece
on ―Ang Imong Pagsubang Hi-
moang Dan-ag sa Kalibutan.‖
Rhoian Erl Cabrera, senior;
and Kaiser Ed S. Bayawa, junior,
were the second and third placers.
It was a big night for the
seniors who earlier on that day
topped the 2011 Intramural Meet
Medal Tally, 27–25–9.
For the dance category, the
seniors swayed their way to a
grand slam in the four events:
ballroom dance, folk dance, group
impersonation, and hip-hop.
(Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario)
Contests/Year Levels I II III IV
Musical
Acoustics 2 2 1 2
Vocal Solo * 3 1 2
Literary
Oration 1 2 3 2
Storytelling 1 * 3 2
Balak * 1 3 2
Dance
Group Impersonation * 2 3 1
Folk Dance 2 3 2 1
Ballroom Dance * 2 3 1
Hip-Hop * 3 2 1
Ranking * 3 2 1
Fila R. Dagomo [email protected]
Brain pincers Crabs in the bucket
Many people have ob-
served live crabs in the market
that often compete with each other
to get out from their basket. Ven-
dors do not pay much attention to
these crabs when they try to es-
cape from their confines because
it would take some crazy luck if
one could get out without being
pulled back by the others.
Actually crabs are not en-
vious of each other; they just want
to be free. However, after this
observation one particular human
behavior is named after these poor
animals.
When someone gets very
successful, some people envy and
even ruin the reputation for their
own satisfaction. This way of
thinking is best described by the
phrase ―if I can‘t have it, neither
can you.‖
The same is true among
students especially those who are
competing for top honors. There
is more to the timeless sibling
rivalry in the classroom. A stu-
dent gets bullied for being the
smartest, the most popular, or the
most congenial in the batch.
Politicians are no different
either. If they failed their election
promises, they would blame their
constituents for not helping them.
Could this be a reason why
our country is not progressive?
The greatness of a country is a
collective achievement of its peo-
ple. If Filipinos keep on bickering
and trampling each other, this
country will never be great unless
its people are productive and uni-
fied with long-term goals.
Unlike the crabs who sabo-
tage their freedom to escape from
the boiling pot, Filipino can better
do the opposite. If someone is
very successful, why can we not
ask not to be left behind? Why
can he not bring us with him or
teach us what to do?
The crabs‘ untimely collec-
tive demise from sabotaging each
other is a valuable lesson for us
all. We all want to escape from
the harsh reality of our day-to-day
existence, but we remain stuck in
this dire situation.
There is no doubt we are
competitive as a people, yet we
are envious and short-sighted. As
the Haitian proverb goes, we are
no different from the crab that
walks too far only to fall into the
pot.
Or are we simply like the
crab, according to the comic play-
wright Aristophanes, that cannot
be taught to walk straight?
F ilipinos are often said to have an attitude called crab
mentality. Even though this is a universal attitude,
we strongly associate ourselves with it because we truly
understand this part of our humanity.
Opinion
Columnists: Donalyn E. Aquino • William Andrew G. Bulaqueña
Fila R. Dagomo • Mara Aubrey Sistine L. Escoreal
Judee B. Garsuta • Janine Claire T. Jalosjos
Commentator: Sidney Rico T. Rebollido
Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School
National Highway, Poblacion, Sindangan
7112 Zamboanga del Norte, Region IX
Tel/Fax: +63-65-224-2204
Email: [email protected]
W e are grateful to Canadian artist Timothy P. Schmalz
for allowing us to use images of his work for El
Obrero and Ang Manggagawa’s nameplate.
St. Joseph The Worker, a bronze sculpture, shows Joseph who is hard at work as a
carpenter nailing two boards together that form the shape of a cross. It foreshadows the
crucifixion of his Son (www.sculpturebytps.com). A1: Edralin M. Deleña; Guinness World Records. A2: Jerome E. Ochavo; Reginald Clement S. Pondoc.
A3: Gilbert B. Lamayo. A8: Municipal Planning and Development Office; Sindangan–Facoma.
B1: SJCSI Alumni Office; R.C.S. Pondoc; Kevin G. Siasico. B2: Department of Tourism; Agence France-
Presse. B3: G.B. Lamayo. B4–B5: Kim Batula; Facoma; GWR. B6: NCCA; Central Book Supply, Inc. B7: Co-
lumbia; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. B8: Associated Press; G.B. Lamayo.
C1: G.B. Lamayo; Dr. Amiel Caspillo. C3: Philippine Rugby Federation Union; Philippine Football Fed-
eration. C4: G.B. Lamayo; Mary Astrid P. Taco.
Photo Credits
Editorial Board Fila R. Dagomo Editor-in-Chief • Donalyn E. Aquino Associate Editor (Internal)
Judee B. Garsuta Associate Editor (External) • Janine Claire T. Jalosjos Managing Editor (Admin)
Mara Aubrey Sistine L. Escoreal Managing Editor (Finance)
Administration Gilbert B. Lamayo, MAELT Technical Advisor
Engr. Leonor A. Labadan, MPA Consultant • Cristina S. Bajalan, MAEd. Principal
Alfreda B. Calamba, Ed.D. Executive Vice-President
El Obrero is published semi-annually by Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School.
Opinions expressed in El Obrero are solely those of the writers‘ and do not necessarily reflect the views of
SJCSI, and do not imply endorsement thereof. El Obrero owns the copyright of all contents of this publica-
tion unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2011 El Obrero
“Writing is prayer.”
El Obrero
A4 El Obrero│June–September 2011
Commentaries
RH Bill: Anti-life, anti-Filipinos
T he Catholic Bishops‘ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) says the Reproductive
Health (RH) Bill is not just a Catholic issue but
―a major attack on authentic human values
and on Filipino cultural values regarding hu-
man life that all of us have cherished since time
immemorial.‖ The pastoral letter entitled ―Choosing Life, Rejecting the
RH Bill‖ also reiterates the call of the Catholic Church against
the controversial bill, saying that it is anti-life and anti-Filipino.
―Advocates contend that the RH Bill promotes reproduc-
tive health. The RH Bill certainly does not. It does not protect
the health of the sacred human life that is being formed or born.
The very name ‗contraceptive‘ already reveals the anti-life na-
ture of the means that the RH Bill promotes. These artificial
means are fatal to human life, either preventing it from fruition
or actually destroying it,‖ part of the four-page pastoral letter
reads.
Likewise, the CBCP contradicts the claims of RH sup-
porters that contraception will stop overpopulation, which re-
sults to poverty.
―Our own government statistical office has concluded
that there is no overpopulation in the Philippines but only the
over-concentration of population in a number of urban cen-
ters… . The causes of our poverty are flawed philosophies of
development, misguided economic policies, greed, corruption,
social inequities, lack of access to education, poor economic
and social services, poor infrastructure, etc.,‖ the letter says.
The bill proposes for a large-scale government funding
on artificial contraceptives.
9/11: 10 years on
W here were you 10 years ago? Most of us were still in diapers when four commercial
airliners were hijacked by 19 terrorists from the
Islamist militant group Al-Qaeda. Two of the planes were
slammed into the World Trade Center, one into The Pentagon,
and the other crashed in a field in Shanksville, PA. Osama bin
Laden, its leader, initially denied involvement, but the group
later claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Of the nearly 3,000 people killed, 20 Filipinos perished—
18 in the twin towers and two on board the planes.
Unknown to our innocent minds, the events on that fate-
ful day have changed the world. Our parents have lived
through the horrors of the news about the two ongoing wars
waged against terrorism. Filipino soldiers were deployed
briefly in Iraq for the ―Coalition of the Willing.‖ Angelo dela
Cruz, a Filipino truck driver, was kidnapped but spared from
beheading when the Philippine government gave in to the mili-
tant‘s demand on the withdrawal of troops stationed in Iraq.
Through the years, we heard about the notorious Guan-
tanamo Bay; the execution of the infamous Saddam Hussein;
torture in Abu Graib; terrorist attacks in Madrid, London, and
Mumbai; and the recent manhunt of bin Laden.
We enriched our vocabulary with terms like Taliban,
―invisible‖ weapons of mass destruction, war on terror, jihad,
fatwa, mujahideen, airport scanner, and so on. We expanded
our knowledge of geography: Afghanistan as the first country
alphabetically, Abbottabad, and all other places ending in –bad
or –stan, etc.
A decade later, we realized why the coordinated attacks
happened in the United States of America and the use of United
and American airliners on the symbols of economic power,
military might, and perhaps of democracy or world supremacy.
Al-Qaeda and bin Laden cited US support of Israel, the pres-
ence of US troops in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq as
motives for the attacks.
As a consequence, many countries have strengthened
their anti-terrorism legislation and expanded law enforcement
powers.
The Filipinos have to be vigilant because the risk of at-
tack is not a question of why but of when because we are the
haven of the Islamist, fundamentalist, and terrorist Abu Sayyaf
Group.
ISSN 2243-8319
Vol. V ▪ No. 1
June–September 2011
The RH Bill Controversy Francis Joseph T. Fuertes
W e recently conducted a survey to all 163 seniors about their preferred colleges or
universities as well as the courses they are planning to take up. However, only 102
questionnaires were returned and included in the tabulation.
Mara A.S.L. Escoreal [email protected]
The piggy pen
Survey Quo vadis?
The loss of innocence
A loss of innocence is a common theme in literature
and pop culture. Often seen as an integral part of
coming of age, it does not make Josephian students a cut
above the rest.
the consequences. But there is
still time to redeem ourselves and
earn our teachers‘ trust again.
First, let us show some
consideration for other students
by keeping our classroom as spick
and span as it was in the morning
when we arrived. Besides, it
would not hurt to pick up trash
and dispose of it properly.
Second, let us follow the
rules for order and harmony espe-
cially in a Catholic institution like
ours.
Finally, let us all grow up
and be responsible students and
citizens.
We may have passed a bad
period lately, but let us make that
experience widen our awareness
of the ―evil, painful, and suffer-
ing‖ to finally move on with our
respective lives.
On the first few days of the
school year, some students
showed off their best attitudes in
order to impress their teachers.
They came up with eye-catching
works to leave the teachers
amazed at their abilities.
In return, the teachers gave
good grades. Some of them even
considered their students like
barkadas—thus students could
easily approach them in times of
problems.
Without hesitations, the
teachers gave their students a lot
of chances in submitting their
projects and even to the point of
extending deadlines to be more
considerate.
When it comes to our
school rules and regulations, each
one of us is supposed to obedi-
ently follow them. Most of the
students are indeed steadfast.
Older students tend to be more
behaved.
Unfortunately, as they say,
some good things never last. In
just a few weeks, some students
began to be unruly to the point of
making the classroom resemble to
a zoo filled with wild animals.
Others simply did not care at all.
In fact, some teachers
started to suffer from their stu-
dents‘ disobedience. The once
friendly teachers became strict
and would scold students harshly
and often.
On the other hand, the stu-
dents have gone wild in different
ways. They broke more rules; and
the supposed-to-be model senior
students were no longer in the
right path.
After classes, most of the
classrooms were topsy-turvy and
littered with trash. The college
instructors who later use them
complained of the untidy class-
rooms that were no longer condu-
cive for learning.
To tell you the truth, we,
Josephians, have grown disre-
spectful not only to our teachers
but also to other students. Some
schoolmates are stubborn and
would skip their classes especially
after lunch.
Teachers are not the only
ones who are getting strict but
also our dear principal who just
cannot be lax in controlling these
shenanigans.
Let‘s face it—we all know
that these stupidities are done on
purpose for sheer enjoyment for
ourselves without even knowing
Donalyn E. Aquino [email protected]
Signs Philippine progress
Ora et Labora writes 30
S aint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc. has for
quite some time now adopted Ora et Labora—
the motto of the Benedictine Confederation—as
its motto, too. Even the student publication, which
had been in existence for only a few years until it
was printed for the last time two years ago, was
also named after it. With the re-launching of our student publication, we
have corrected the misnomer once and for all. We need to
change our nameplate to achieve the perfect identification
because identity creation is not just an occasional activity
but a permanent one.
We have chosen a new name that best represents
Saint Joseph College of Sindangan that is named after Jo-
seph the Worker: the patron saint of families, fathers, ex-
pectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and
buyers, craftsmen, engineers, and working people in gen-
eral. The nameplate has to be a distinct Josephian identity
that reflects the Catholic nature as well as the aspirations
of the institution. Thus, El Obrero was born.
It is also fitting that the maiden issue of the official
Filipino student publication carry the same translated
nameplate. Ang Manggagawa will be published simulta-
neously with El Obrero to provide another avenue of ex-
pression for those students who prefer the other medium.
Besides being among the few secondary schools in
Sindangan and the neighboring towns not having a Fili-
pino student paper, SJCSI was encouraged to establish it
in line with the campus journalism programs of both high
school and college levels.
Consequently, the college students will also release
the maiden issue of The Staff this first semester. Still con-
sistent with the Josephian identity, the tabloid and the oc-
casional magazine releases will be named as such as a trib-
ute to Saint Joseph‘s staff that bore the lily blossoms—the
image found in the core of SJCSI logo—as the legend
goes.
El Obrero is not just a change of name. And nei-
ther is Ang Manggagawa a mere translation of that Span-
ish phrase. Rather it marks the ushering in of a new era in
campus journalism at SJCSI that will unlock the immense
potentials of the students to develop the craft of writing
and to be competitive in the local, division, and even in
the regional and national schools press conferences; and
the papers themselves to be at par with the other local stu-
dent publications.
A change in name and the adoption of a slogan are
not meant to change our fellow students‘ perception of
their campus paper and the intangible associations that
come to the fore whenever ora et labora is seen or heard.
Even though misattributed to Saint Joseph the Worker,
―pray and work‖ has inspired us through the years to prac-
tise patience, persistence, and hard work as exemplified by
Joseph and the Holy Family.
However, we are not Benedictines.
Choices for other colleges/
universities include Andres Boni-
facio College (Dipolog City),
Negros Oriental State Univer-
sity (Dumaguete City), Saint Jo-
seph College of Sindangan, Inc. (Sindangan, ZN) University of
San Carlos, (Cebu City), and
Western Mindanao State Uni-
versity (Zamboanga City).
Other courses indicated by
the students comprise education
(13 percent), nautical science/
marine engineering (12 percent),
nursing (9 percent), engineering
(7 percent), criminology (7 per-
cent), and hotel and restaurant
management (6 percent).
June–September 2011 │El Obrero E Opinion A5
D iscontent is the first step in the progress of a man or
a nation, according to Oscar Wilde.
Extreme poverty, massive
corruption, organized criminality,
rising unemployment—all of
these compounded social ills con-
tribute to our economic misery.
With all the determining
factors a godforsaken country
could possess, could there be a
chance for Philippine progress?
To be aware of this break-
down in the institutions of this
society is hard enough to bear. I
would often wonder how Filipinos
live each day with optimism de-
spite the economic conditions.
Here are the very prevalent
questions: Can we stop all of
these from happening? Whose
fault is it that bad things befall
upon us?
It is reassuring that every-
one feels the same economic
crunch. We all want a resolution
to all the woes we face each day.
We want change for the sake of
change, change for the better, and
utmost change to catapult the
Philippines to progress.
After all, we are a democ-
ratic country. We take pride in
our democracy as the oldest in
Asia. We also have the other in-
gredients for prosperity. We have
enough natural resources. We are
a highly educated people. And we
can speak English much better
than our neighbors in the region.
Despite everything that is laid
before us, why is it hard to attain a
prosperous state of the nation like
theirs?
It is easy to blame the gov-
ernment for its inadequacies, its
lack of concern for the poor, the
untouchable corrupt politicians
and officials, and bad governance.
But are we not the government—
of, by, and for the people?
Oftentimes we are the vic-
tims of our own apathy. We lack
unity and the strength of character
for our actions to be consistent
with our beliefs.
Charity begins at home,
and so does corruption. Even at
school, students resort to cheating
and dishonesty for an easy way
out. Our actions defy the values
education that we are supposed to
learn and live by.
Lest we forget, we are the
building blocks for the develop-
ment of our country. If we put
them all together, we may even
build something beyond our ex-
pectations.
College/University
Decided
Course
Undecided
Silliman Uni-
versity (Dumaguete
City) and Saint Vin-
cent ‘ s Co l l eg e (Dipolog City) top
the list of preferred
colleges/universities.
22%
11%
69%
38%
The seniors
prefer to enroll in
business courses like
accountancy, man-
agement, admini-
stration, and ac-
counting technol-
ogy.
‗Writing is a form of prayer.‘ Our new slogan
W e want a memorable catchphrase to help estab-
lish our publication‘s identity and to add clar-
ity, not a translation of its name. Even if we also believe that ―the pen is mightier than the
sword,‖ we would not be original anymore if we adopted this quota-
tion by Edward Bulwer–Lytton as our catchphrase to complement
the new nameplate of El Obrero.
Instead, we have chosen ―Writing is prayer.‖ This is a quota-
tion by the Bohemian-Jewish novelist Franz Kafka who is better
known for ―The Metamorphosis‖ (1915) among his many works.
Taken from a diary entry, Kafka‘s confession about ―writing
as a form of prayer‖ enabled him to express many of his brilliant po-
etic perceptions of the world and of his own mind.
Along the same line, the slogan may suggest that the enthusi-
astic members of the editorial board and staff could not have proba-
bly chosen any other effective form of expressing ourselves but
through writing.
Kafka was most alive and most ―praying‖ when writing. Con-
sidering the tremendous sacrifices he made to his writing, it is only
fair to say that we are challenged when measured against the goal we
set to achieve for ourselves—your newly re-launched student publica-
tion.
Editorial
William G. Bulaqueña [email protected]
Eau Claire
Protogenos
Janine Claire T. Jalosjos [email protected]
Dive deep into reality
I n this universe of ambiguities, merely one being pro-
tects us from noxious annihilation: it is Mother Earth
—precious than any wealth, superior than any place.
The breakdown of nationalism
Not so long ago, much of
the world was wilderness. Trees
were abundant, resources were
bountiful, almost all were in a
state of equilibrium. Everything
was perfect.
But as time goes on in the
ever-shrinking wilderness, ani-
mals and plants are facing the
ever-increasing encroachment.
Everywhere their survival hangs
in the balance. At present, a third
one has been recently added to the
list of species under threat of ex-
tinction. It is Mother Earth.
Who could have such an
evil heart to interrupt the peaceful
existence of our Mother Earth?
Yes, it is correct if one will
say ―advancement in technology,‖
but then as we dig into the core,
we will find the true culprits of
destruction. It is us, our inven-
tions, that caused Mother Earth to
her breakdown.
As civilizations spread, so
did the damage to the land and all
organisms therein. Extinction of
species, deforestation, climate
change… all of these we have
done that altered the rhythm of
nature.
What predominates the
human mind is our escapist ten-
dency. We tend to ignore the man
-made problems, which we are not
innocent to begin with. Solving
them does not get into our minds.
Instead of facing them squarely,
we pass the blame to others.
It is our sole responsibility
as higher species to take care of
what is laid before us as custodi-
ans of the Earth. However, we
have abused her, benefited with-
out minding the dire conse-
quences of our actions, and ne-
glected her.
We are still subjects with
imperfections despite our achieve-
ments. As we keep on pushing
ourselves to even greater heights,
we have abandoned Mother Earth
to her decadence. We satisfy our
greed for wealth, power, and com-
fort to the point of the destruction
of our planet.
Have we ever thought that
if this being goes extinct, we have
nowhere else to go? There is no
other place where plants, animals,
and other living and non-living
things work in a harmonious cycle
that sustains life. Mother Earth is
exotically rare. Anything else can
be imitated, cloned, or even simu-
lated but she cannot be replicated.
Life is a gift. Each crea-
ture is given this vital driving
force. However, human beings
end up depriving the other living
organisms of this precious gift.
We are as destructive as we are
creative; opportunistic as we are
endowed.
We can speak, we can
move, and we can think. But with
a simple effort to save her takes so
much time for us. Even cleaning
after our mess takes a loud voice
of conscience for us to do it.
Enough damage has been
done already. Mother Earth is
dying. We must change our ways
of living and thinking for her
sake. We need her for our sake,
too.
Western music, Korean
fashion, Italian cuisine, and even
American accent… all of these
have seeped into mainstream cul-
ture; but we have not hesitated to
adopt them over the years to the
point of brainwashing us that any-
thing Philippine or Filipino is
cheap, substandard, outdated, and
corny. Worse, we have not been
patronizing anymore our own
works and products.
As a matter of fact, we do
not only reject our own but also
criticize them. We cannot help
but compare them with the im-
ported ones. To make matters
worse, we tend to look down peo-
ple who patronize these cheap
commodities, poor-quality items,
and good-for-nothing Philippine-
made products, as others call
them.
When it comes to music,
the situation goes the same. Teen-
agers nowadays prefer to listen to
Western music that has upbeat
rhythm and awesome music vid-
eos.
To top it all, teenagers to-
day are very fond of the Korean
and Japanese pop music, popu-
larly known as the K-pop and J-
pop, respectively; trampling our
own music industry, and dejecting
our local musicians and Original
Pinoy Music.
Moreover, one of the most
alarming threats is the slow disap-
pearance of our pure Philippine
languages. Partly to blame is our
educational system that eliminated
the use of the vernacular as the
medium of instruction or bilin-
gualism in the classroom. Our
schools encourage us to speak
English as if fluency in it is the
true measure of our academic
achievement. At home, parents
encourage their children to speak
English, albeit broken, or our own
variant of Philippine English.
Languages are dynamic
and they evolve like us, too.
However, mixing up the local
languages with English results to
students speaking comparably
better English with good diction
and accent but handicapped when
it comes to speaking and writing
in Filipino. And I am certain that
only a few students are proficient
in Cebuano-Bisaya either.
Indeed, nationalism has
taken a different course in this
country. After more than a cen-
tury of independence, we have
never learned to disassociate our-
selves with the colonizers. We
still look at foreign cultures as far
more superior than ours as we do
with our choices in music, cloth-
ing, food, and language. We do
not really care if we do not have a
strong sense of nationalism. We
just want to live uniquely – act
like Spaniards, think like Ameri-
cans, but behave badly as Filipi-
nos.
N ew generation, new era, new trends. These factors
cause our culture to slowly alter and fade away. Are
we not worried that time will come when even a trace of
our Filipino identity is nowhere to be found?
E A6 Opinion El Obrero │June–September 2011
About-face
Judee B. Garsuta [email protected]
Virtual addiction Letters to the Editor
Rhiza Mae T. Casalem, I-
St. Francis adviser, teaches Fili-
pino courses to high school and
college students.
Casalem obtained her
bachelor of arts degree, major in
in Filipino (2010), from MSU–
IIT, Iligan City.
Gilbert B. Lamayo, techni-
cal advisor of El Obrero and The
Staff, teaches language and litera-
ture courses to education students.
Lamayo earned his bache-
lor of arts degree in English
(1993) and master‘s degree in
English language teaching (1997)
at the University of San Carlos,
Cebu City.
He also completed the
course requirements for his mas-
ter‘s in literature (2002) at USC.
Marnie T. Madresta, I-St.
Mary adviser, handles religion–
values education, English, and
religious studies.
Madresta finished her
bachelor‘s degree in secondary
education, major in English
(2011), at SJCSI.
Michael A. Masalta, II-St.
Michael adviser, earned his
bachelor of arts degree in political
science (2010) from Andres Boni-
facio College, Dipolog City.
Mary Grace T. Rebollido, I
-St. Anne adviser, teaches English
for high school and psychology at
the education department.
Rebollido graduated with
a bachelor of science in psychol-
ogy degree (2005) at Trinity Uni-
versity of Asia, Quezon City.
Emerald A. Soledad, II-St.
John adviser, handles technology
and livelihood education classes
for high school and management
courses at the business admini-
stration department.
Soledad completed her
studies in management accounting
(2007) at USC and accountancy
(2008) at Saint Vincent‘s College,
Dipolog City.
Kimberly Paul C. Solito,
IV-St. Agnes adviser, teaches
social studies and religion–values
education.
Solito got his degree in
elementary education (2011) at
SJCSI. He is presently pursuing
his secondary education degree,
major in English, at SJCSI.
(Nikko R. Dagomo and Mary
Claire H. Villarias)
D o you sleep late at night but wake up early the fol-
lowing morning? If you do, chances are you check
your profile, write comments, tag photos, confirm friend
requests, like advertisements, or harvest virtual crops be-
fore retiring or upon waking up.
Teachers . . . From A1
Scribes . . . From A1
Café blues I cannot take my snacks properly because the canteen is very
crowded.—Nicola P. Lecciones, IV-St. Rita
I prefer that the canteen served more delicious food.—Cris
Cyril R. Campus, IV-San Lorenzo Ruiz
I suggest that our canteen be expanded because it cannot ac-
commodate all of us during break.—Rachelle J. Bayawa, IV-St.
Rita
Water-Closet We are complaining about our dirty and stinky ladies restroom.
—I-St. Anne students
Too hot to handle I suggest that the school install an air-conditioning unit in each
classroom so that students will be comfortable.—Faith Emer-
ald Lerin, IV-San Lorenzo Ruiz
Can we request additional fans in every classroom?—Hans
Christian G. Rasonable, IV-St. Rita
Facelift I recommend that the classrooms be repainted because the
walls badly need a paintjob for the school to be attractive in-
side and out.—Jarrah Sophia B. Saile, III-St. Therese
Missing issue Why is the student paper published only every other year?—
Mark Kevin B. Hilay, IV-St. Rita
Broken promises I can remember during the SSC campaign that the winning
party promised to hire janitors to maintain the restrooms. I
hope they can fulfill it before we graduate.—Roy Christian M.
Campaner, IV-St. Rita
High school library I wish the high school had its own exclusive library.—Sheyne
G. Dagondong, IV-San Lorenzo Ruiz
Heart of darkness Our classroom is very dark especially on cloudy days. We are
requesting a replacement of the busted fluorescent lamp.—I-St.
Cecilia students
Litterbugs I am complaining about the trashcans in the restrooms. We
need new ones with lids so that no stray cats or dogs can forage
into the garbage.—Marie Maricar Cachin, III-St. Therese
If you feel you cannot live
without Facebook, then you must
be addicted already. Count your-
self among the 50 percent of more
than 750 million users worldwide
who log on to Facebook in any
given day.
D a t a f r o m s o c i a l -
bakers.com, a social media statis-
tics site, reveal that the Philip-
pines ranks seventh out of the 213
states with its 26,056,340 Face-
book users.
About 26 percent of the
population are connected on the
most popular online network. Of
these many users, 38 percent be-
long to the 18 to 24-year-old
group. Teenagers from 13 to 17
comprise only 20 percent of all
users in this country. There are
more female users at 52 percent.
Is Facebook a boon or bane
for Filipinos? It depends who
your ―friends‖ are or what you
―like.‖
L. Escoreal and Donalyn E.
Aquino for news writing (English
and Filipino); William Andrew G.
Bulaqueña and Janine Claire T.
Jalosjos, editorial writing; Fila R.
Dagomo and Sidney Rico T. Re-
bollido, feature writing; Reymund
Danielle U. Jugalbot and Joelan
M. Tongco, sports writing; C y n -
thia Kareen J. Nazario and
Yanessa S. Naval, copyreading
and headline writing; Tanya
Grace Anne Benitez and Francis
Joseph T. Fuertes, editorial car-
tooning; and Judee Garsuta and
Kevin G. Siasico, photojourna-
lism.
(William A. G. Bulaqueña)
El Obrero ▪ News Bureau Pamela Mennet V. Llorente Director
Writers: William A. G. Bulaqueña • Jasmin Rose A. Castillon • Nikko
R. Dagomo • Fruitelyn Apple A. Gamulo • Judee B. Garsuta • Janine
Claire T. Jalosjos • Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot • Cynthia Kareen
J. Nazario • Zekaina Rose F. Siasico • Mary Claire H. Villarias Photojournalists: Reginald Clement S. Pondoc • Kevin G. Siasico
Design
Artists/Cartoonists: Meldrid B. Baculpo • Tanya Grace Anne A.
Benitez • Reger Ed A. Caperig • Francis Joseph T. Fuertes
Al Gabrielle V. Lañojan • Sean Maverick D. Realista
June–September 2011│El Obrero A7 “Y’a pas que la
rigolade, y’a l’art.” (There‘s more to life than
laughs. There‘s art.)
Raymond Queneau
Status: It‘s complicated. Reger Ed A. Caperig
A room with a view
RH: Really Heavy Meldrid B. Baculpo
Get a kick out of life Meldrid B. Baculpo
Break a leg Francis Joseph T. Fuertes
Lacy‘s breakfast Reger Ed A. Caperig
Horoscope Design: Meldrid B. Baculpo and
Francis Joseph T. Fuertes
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Smile all day long. Make people
wonder what you are up to.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Don‘t check your Facebook pro-
file today. You may find yourself
tagged in an uncensored photo.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Your future is not quite as un-
eventful as it is eventless.
Aries (March 21–April 19)
You are confused, unpredictable
and generally blurry today. So is
your future.
Taurus (April 20–May 20)
Don‘t waste your time reading
stupid horoscopes. Take a bath
instead.
Gemini (May 21–June 21)
You have two pairs of pants that
look absolutely horrible on you in
your closet right now. Throw them
out. Just throw them away.
Cancer (June 22–July 22)
People generally laugh and smile
in your company. Try to be the
butt of all jokes and make them
laugh some more.
Leo (July 23–Aug. 22)
You are going to feel very lazy
today. Stay in bed and go to sleep.
Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)
You could find love today. Stay
indoors. Avoid the perils of love.
Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 23)
When you cross the road, take the
first step with your left leg.
Scorpio (Oct. 24–Nov. 21)
Don‘t go to the dance troupe prac-
tice today. You may be thrown
out for body odor.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)
Today is your lucky day. But
don‘t take a risk. We may be
lying.
Text: News Bureau
Freedom of Choice. Al Gabrielle V. Lañojan
Game over Evolution
Fire alarm. Sean Maverick D. Realista
It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from man.
Design: A.G. Lañojan Quote: Woody Allen
Design: F.J.T. Fuertes Quote: H.L. Mencken
My fake plants died be-cause I did not pretend to water them.
I‘m hungry! Can you
fix cereal for breakfast?
Here‘s the cereal. Here‘s the milk. Do it
yourself!
I‘m not that
hungry!
I failed to make the chess team because of my height.
Hoi polloi Ondoy Meldrid B. Baculpo
Design: Tanya Grace Anne A. Benitez Quote: Mitch Hedberg
Sidney Rico T. Rebollido [email protected]
Follow-up Story
Community
Editor: Sidney Rico T. Rebollido
Contributors: William Andrew G. Bulaqueña
Janine Claire T. Jalosjos
A8 El Obrero│June–September 2011 Tarsiers discovered
in Sindangan hinterlands
W hat we thought all along that tarsiers (Tarsius syrichta) are endemic
to the island of Bohol was proven wrong when these tiny primates
were discovered by a villager in the forests of Brgy. Caluan, 10 km away
from the Sindangan town center, last April.
Map of the Municipality of Sindangan and its barangays. Inset: The
tarsier that was brought by the barangay captain to the town hall.
Women‘s group renamed to coop
Maumag in our midst
From BAWA to 4SPC
P lus ça change, plus c’est la même chose (The more things change, the more they stay
the same)—as the French saying goes.
Background The defunct Bantayan Ac-
tive Women‘s Association
(BAWA) was a grantee of the
Department of Labor and Em-
ployment–Region IX livelihood
project in Zamboanga del Norte.
As a recipient organiza-
tion, BAWA received an initial
grant for P50,000 as startup capi-
tal way back in 2003.
When the former President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo imple-
mented the ―Isang Bayan, Isang
Produkto , I sang Milyong
Piso‖ (One Town, One Product)
program, BAWA was one of the
recipients of the P100,000 loan as
capital for the Spanish-style sar-
dine business.
It was learned from Leonor
T. Aguilar, the manager of Public
Employment Service Office
(PESO) in Sindangan, that the
town qualified under the Poverty-
Free Zone program of DOLE–
Region IX.
The town was a benefici-
ary of the P1-million program.
According to Aguilar,
BAWA received the ingredients
for sardine-making such as pre-
serving jars and caps, cans of corn
oil, jars of pickles, labels, and
plastic seals aside from the 10
tanks of liquefied petroleum gas.
BAWA was provided with
the necessary cooking equipment
and utensils to standardize its pro-
duction.
BAWA received another
grant for P40,000 to buy the fish
for its operations.
As counterpart, the Local
Government Unit of Sindangan
constructed a sardine processing
plant in Brgy. Goleo.
Association BAWA initially had 32
members headed by Beverly For-
rosuelo as its president and Tere-
sita Bajalla, vice-president.
They produced bottled
Spanish-style sardines, which they
sold for P40 each, and four other
products.
Aside from sardines in oil
and in tomato sauce, BAWA also
bottled salted fish, sweet bagoong
(shrimp paste), and dayok
(fermented fish innards).
This livelihood undertak-
ing was overseen by the Depart-
ment of Trade and Industry, De-
partment of Agriculture, Depart-
ment of Science and Technology,
and the LGU of Sindangan.
Training for the women
entrepreneurs was handled by the
Technical Education Skills Devel-
opment Authority.
DOLE‘s project was cen-
tered on livelihood enhancement
to empower those in the informal
sectors to be engaged in gainful
employment.
The livelihood and em-
ployment-generating projects
were part of the government‘s pro
-poor initiatives to address the
economic woes of the majority
and the unemployed especially in
the rural areas.
Over the years, only eight
to 10 members of the association
remained active in the fish proc-
essing for BAWA.
Since most of them are
fisherfolk and would rely on their
regular catch for daily sustenance,
they would rather sell their catch
in the public market, said Forro-
suelo.
Since its establishment in
2005 until 2010, BAWA had pro-
duced almost 20,000 bottles of
sardines, which were sold in local
establishments, trade fairs, and
through the OTOP website.
On April 13, 2011,
BAWA filed an application to the
Cooperative Development Au-
thority to change its status from
an association to a cooperative.
Forrosuelo said that she
wanted to retire from the associa-
tion due to health reasons.
According to her, she was
stressed while managing the asso-
ciation because she would some-
times use her personal funds for
the day-to-day operations of the
association.
―Even though the associa-
tion was a recipient of a govern-
ment funding, the financial sup-
port is not sufficient to sustain it.
Until now, the loan from the LGU
as capital assistance has not been
paid by the (former) association,‖
she added.
According to Aguilar,
DOLE audits all recipient organi-
zations; and BAWA, as well as
the other beneficiaries, still has to
present its operation reports and
financial statements.
Cooperative
On May 11, 2011, BAWA
received its certificate of registra-
tion of the amendment by chang-
ing its name to Sindangan Spanish
-Style Sardine Producers Coop-
erative (4SPC).
On its 55th founding anniversary
Facoma restores old name
W hat‘s in a name? That which we call a cooperative
by any other name would sell as sweet.
Cooperative identity!
The board of directors of
the then Sindangan Farmers and
Teachers Multi-Purpose Coopera-
tive (SFTMPC) recently approved
the reversal of the cooperative‘s
name to its original founding
name to underscore the coopera-
tive‘s identity.
The popular Facoma
(Farmers Cooperative Marketing
Association) name was restored.
It had been in use since its estab-
lishment on Aug. 30, 1956, until
1998 when it was changed to
SFTMPC.
In 2006, it merged with the
defunct Sindangan Cooperative
Credit Union, Inc., and Sindangan
Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
In 2008, it moved to its
newly-constructed P8-million
two-story commercial building.
It also expanded its mem-
bership base when it began to
offer credit lending and function
hall rental aside from its core
services of rice and corn milling;
copra, rice, and corn trading;
warehousing, trucking, savings
and time deposit, mechanical and
solar drying, consumer store, and
farm input.
In the first quarter of 2011,
it put up branches in Dipolog City
and in Labason, Zamboanga del
Norte.
On the occasion of its 55th
founding anniversary, the coop-
erative, now known as Sindangan
Facoma–Community Multi -
Purpose Cooperative (SF–
CMPC), inaugurated its new elec-
tric corn mill at Sitio Balik-balik,
Brgy. Poblacion, on Aug. 30.
After the thanksgiving
mass and program, representatives
of SF-CMPC signed memoranda
of agreement with Bayside Multi-
Purpose Cooperative and the par-
ents for the scholarship program
to select high school students.
SF-CMPC has 4,202 active
members, a total acquired asset of
P113.1 million with a net income
of P4.1 million, and a capital
buildup of P18.8 million.
(William A. G. Bulaqueña)
Lone surviving founding member. Amor P. Espinas receives his certifi-
cate of appreciation from Aurelia P. Villegas, SF-CMPC general man-
ager; and Pecioleta E. de Castro, board of directors chairperson.
With their enormous eyes,
soft velvety fur, and long fingers,
the tarsiers were found clinging to
twigs. Curious and amazed by the
unusual creatures, which he saw
for the first time, the villager cap-
tured one of them and then later
sold it for P200.
Ronie Anseling, barangay
captain of Caluan, Sindangan,
accepted the man‘s offer with the
motive of releasing the animal
afterwards. But Anseling brought
the tarsier to the Municipal Plan-
ning and Development Office
instead to report this animal‘s
existence in his village.
―Sightings of the tarsier
were also reported in Brgy. Bato,
but no official report has reached
our office yet,‖ according to May-
belle Isagan– Cabañog, MPDO
head.
The tarsier, with its Grem-
lin-like appearance, caused com-
motion among the town hall em-
ployees who saw it for the first
time, too. Nobody ever thought
that such creature existed in Sin-
dangan or outside Bohol Island.
However, the tarsier died a
few days later after its captivity.
It has been documented by
tarsier conservation organizations
that the animal, traumatized with
loud noises while in captivity,
would commit suicide by con-
stantly hitting its soft head unless
it is released to the natural envi-
ronment.
The tarsier is among the
smallest primates in the world (so
small that it can sit in the palm of
your hand).
It measures only about 85
to 160 mm in height and weighs
between 80 and 160 g. The male
tarsier is usually heavier than the
female.
It is a member of the 45-
million-year-old family of Tarsii-
dae, derived from its elongated
tarsus or ankle bone.
They are endemic to a few
islands in Southeast Asia; and in
the Philippines, not only in Bohol
but also in Samar, Leyte, and
Mindanao.
Philippine tarsier sightings
were also reported in the islands
of Maripipi, Siargao, Basilan, and
Dinagat. The ones found in
Saranggani may be of a different
sub-species.
Called maumag in Ce-
buano, the tarsier was only intro-
duced to Western biologists in the
18th century. The Philippine tarsier is a
shy nocturnal animal that should
not be disturbed during the day. It
sleeps in the dark hollows close to
the ground.
It becomes active at night
to hunt insects for food. Due to
its territorial nature, a single tar-
sier needs at least a hectare of
space.
The species is listed as
endangered even though there are
no adequate data to make an as-
sessment of its risks of extinction
based on population.
Tarsiers can live up to 24
years in the wild, but as short as
12 years in captivity.
(Janine Claire T. Jalosjos)