September 2008

Special thanks to BLANCH, JHONEL, ANGEL, KAYCEE, PAUL, SHIELA, CHARMIN, MARIE, MYLEN, CATHERINE, AARON, ADRIAN, LEO, FAYE, MICHAEL, FRENCHELLE AND BABY GIRL

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Spectrum September 20082 OPINION

Cheers

East Ave.

Official Student Publication of the PUP-College of Engineering

Established: May 1993

ORLAND D. TUBOLA

ALEXANDER C. DEFEO

AMALIA B. TAMAYO

LAURICE B. VELASQUEZ

ROSE MAY P. MAGNAYE

REGINA C. VALENZUELA

JOAN C. SALAS

EDMAR L. MANGAHAS

ERWIN M. ESCALANTE

MA. CRISTINA L. MANGAHAS

ENGR. ALEXANDER CARRASCAL

Staff Writers Joana Inciong, Hazel Ildefonso,Shovie Flores and Edwin Abad

September 2008 Vol. XV No. 1

Contributions, reactions and opinions are accepted in the publication. It should bearcontributor’s name, address, course, year and section and signature. Name may be witheldupon request. Forward your contributions to Engineering SPECTRUM Editorial OfficeRm423, Engineering and Architecture Building, PUP-NDC Campus, Anonas corner PurezaSt., Sta Mesa, Manila or send it via email to pup_spectrum@yahoo.com

Editor in ChiefAssociate Editors

Managing EditorNews Editor

Sci-Tech Editor Features Editor

Circle EditorLay-out Editor

Art DirectorModerator

Editorial Consultants April Angela Gumban, Marvin John Perdido

Carioca... /p.3

Editorial

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WRITING was and still – not mypassion.

Unlike some of the former Editorsin chief of this publication, who werejust forced to take up engineering andjoined Engineering Spectrum to pursuetheir passion on writing, I choose mycourse because of the belief that it hasnothing to do with english grammarand literature.

In fact, I am even surprisingmyself that I am now heading a collegepublication. And again, unlike mostof the former EICs of this publication,who had been EIC during their 4th yearand retired the next year, I am carryingthe responsibility now that I am agraduating student.

I was wondering before why noone tried to do the same thing that Idid? Now, I know the answer and Ilearned it the hard way…

If anybody would ask, what canI or we in Spectrum can get from all ofour sacrifices? Or someone wouldthink, maybe we are getting a lot fromthis institution that is why we do allthese things.

The answer would be, yes, we aregetting a lot – a lot of experiences.

Most of the things in this firstissue were done in my laptop, whichis why most of the time I cannot useit for my assignments, programs,design and thesis. In fact, at this verymoment my thesis group still doesn’thave a proposal yet and my groupmate in design got angry with me whenI can’t lend my laptop because it isused for the layout.

In doing this first issue, we usedour own money. For food during theovernights, fare in doing transactionswith a lot of matters, mostly requiredfor auditing purposes andmiscellaneous things for us to continueworking while we are waiting for ourfund. And yes, we can reimburse it,but up to this moment we are notdoing so because our fund is justenough for the important things thatthe institution needs. And it breaks

our spirit when we are treated and wehear words as if we are financially ormaterially benefitting from thisinstitution.

Being a part of this institutiongives as more sleepless nights asidefrom those we spend for ouracademics. Stress and pressure thatthe staffs are getting from me and Igetting it from myself. And,sometimes, low grades and examresults, in my case, it is frequent.

If ever you are wondering ifquitting is in my dictionary? Honestanswer would be – yes. I thought of itfor a lot of occasions already. Whatkeeps me holding or hanging is thebelief that this institution plays animportant role in this College.

Engineering Spectrum acts as amedium for the student who cannotvoice out the irregularities they areexperiencing themselves for they weretold they can do nothing and forced tobelieve that they are powerless.

Engineering Spectrum is with thestudents when, in some cases, thestudent leaders in their department

I FELT the pavement wrap its armsaround me and console my yearnings.I heard the walls giving me advicesand I saw the center island greeted meand formed a smile. From this day on,this avenue won’t ever be the sameagain…

I was riding on a bus making myway to school. It was 9:30 in themorning and I’m catching my Risk andInvestment class by 10:30. Traffic jamhit and I’m stuck among busses.

Restfully sitting in an airconditioned bus, observing the sceneby the window and reading anythingalong the way from the giganticbillboard of Survivor Philippines, toLTFRB’s signage of BawalUmistambay Dito, the tarpaulin thatsays “I am Ninoy,” and the side walkvendor’s carton ad of “Pranela 4 for100.”

It was fun but I cannot deny thefact that I was late this time.

Sometimes I suspect this avenueset me up in traffic jams so it couldhear my thoughts—the innermonologues we used to have wheneverall we can do is to talk to ourselves.

Maybe the road was laughing withme when I was happy or at timesweeping when I was disappointed.Who knows?

I had crossed this road for almostfour years now. I knew its peak hoursas well as the best time to cross it

without hassle. I could tell thearrangement of fast food chains andgovernment agencies established alongthe way. And I could also tell whetherGMA 7 had changed its billboard orwhether any agency had repainted itsfaçade.

There, lying comfortably in an airconditioned bus overseeing a tiringavenue, I thought, somehow my lifewas like that busy street—pollutedby my environment’s influence,crowded by temptations of doingwrong, a venue for several accidentsof committing mistakes, a crossroadconfronted by different choices andsometimes a dead end where all I cando is to bump on the wall.

Almost four years had passed andthis avenue still wears the same makeup—though with some minimalchanges. But still, the basic formremained.

Same goes with my life…* * *

“Alam mo naman ako may fear ofthe unknown,” I heard my friend saidin a cold voice. And it’s true.

Nobody wants to take the risk ofbeing pained and of being wrong withtheir decisions. And staying on thesafe side seems to be the easiest wayto avoid such things. But with this,we are also risking the happiness thatwe could have delighted.

That was life all about—takingactions.

No matter how frightening anduncertain things might be, take actionsfor nobody knows what’s going tohappen unless it happens.

I only have one life, nothing else.I have to take the risks that the dailylife had set for me though I also fearthat this won’t bring me elsewhere.

Mistake has always been a partof my journey. But it has also shownme what was right and what wasnecessary, so I only have to do thethings for which I can only be grateful.

I have to pursue the things I’mdying to attain and to get hold of thethings I can’t live without.

I remember what my Nanay,through our experiences as a family,taught me. She once said that, if Icannot afford to lose something, Ishould hold on to it no matter howmuch pain it caused me.

She was right. I need to pursuesome things without even asking why;having only the reason that I just haveto. I just have to do it and explanation

THE entire College is already busy in preparation forthe events that will commemorate the College’s threedecades of playing an important role in impacting andimproving the Philippine society by catalyzing positivechanges through affordable quality EngineeringEducation.

By giving opportunity to the less fortunate butintellectually competent Filipinos, who want an

engineering degree, the College ofEngineering had improvedthousands of lives far greater than

other engineering institutions in the country.For years, the College envisions itself to be the

center of excellence in engineering education and therecent administration is initiating and implementingrules and standards in order to realize that goal.

But the College had standards ever since; the problemis, like in the Philippine setting, it was not implementedstrictly. The challenge to the administration is to have astrong will in implementing those standards. Standardsset for the students must be fully implemented as wellas those set for the professors and administrators.

But fully practicing the standards will not make theCollege a center of excellence. Engineering is clearlydefined as the application of basic sciences and it willbe hard to be excellent in our field if our laboratoriesoffer relics of the past.

If the University has a budget for beautification, it isnot wrong to assume that, maybe, they can have a budgetfor the College’s laboratory. Laboratories which willenhance the abilities of the students rather thansurrounding’s beautification for display purposes whichare all masking the real scenarios.

After all, our University—along with otherUniversities—would be ranked not by the painting ofits façade but of the quality of education it delivers.This is not same as saying that students are againstwelcoming environment. The point is, it is illogical toput much effort on things with least priority and worse,overlooking what is necessary.

However, this isn’t setting a limitation for thecollege’s celebration. In any perspective the college hasall the reason to mark its 30th year. It has survived thirtyyears of insufficiency – budget, professors, books,equipments, name it all. Despite all, it has producedgraduates who, somehow, become essential in theindustry. And, it has remained to its vision of excellence.

A proud member Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamahayag (AKM-PUP)

Carioca

East Ave... /p.3

September 2008

Touch and Go

3SpectrumOPINION

First Column

Pan de Inhinyerya

Meaninglessness of Life

Speak your mind. Why notshare your young, fresh and

new ideas about anything underthe sun. This space is then for

true- (and warm-) bloodCEans-- Ed.

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I hadtoiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;nothing was gained under the sun. So I hated life, because the work thatis done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, achasing after the wind.

- Ecclesiastes 2:11,17 (NIV)We all want to become successful engineers and make the most out of

our lives. But what would you feel if you hear King Solomon, the wisestman who ever lived, say, “All of life is meaningless, a chasing after thewind!”

As engineering students with high hopes of getting on top of our lives,we will do well to take heed of Solomon’s words of wisdom. This early, wemust realize that things are just empty without God. Blaise Pascal, therenowned physicist, understands this well when he said, “There is a Godshaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by anycreated thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”Not great riches, good career, fame, nor anything this world can offer, canfit in that emptiness in your heart. Until you invite Jesus into your lifeyou will always find yourself wanting even when you have achieved muchin life.

Would you want to see the day when you achieved all you can achievein life but still, say with Solomon, “All of life is meaningless, a chasingafter the wind!”? “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done forChrist will last.” Make your life count by living for the Greater Cause –Jesus Christ.

NEW BREED

It’s quite pathetic to think thatthere are still students who seem tobe ignorant in the college. They arethe students who pass in and out ofthe campus each day, climb stairs ahundred times and run in and out ofthe classroom yet seem to knownothing about what’s going on aroundthem. They are wanderers. They seeyet they are blind.

It’s quite funny that there are stillstudents who are maybe on their thirdyear but cannot unflinchingly say thatthey definitely know the where’s ofthe College premises- not to mentionthe library, the ES Room, which isCarpark A and which is Carpark Band even the clinic. Yes, some of theengineering students seem to beunaware of the status of the College.Some may not even know that thisyear, our college will be celebrating its30th Anniversary, if so, they don’tmind. They are insensitive...Impassive… Blunt…

Impressive. The College ofEngineering population is around5000, but what’s not so impressive isthat students who seem to care, riseand take lead are not more than ahundred. Stately, engineering studentsare the former leaders, valedictorians,salutatorians, honorable mentions,awardees and academicians of theirrespective high schools. But anyway,where are they? They get into usual.They cloak themselves. They chooseto live in a so-called ‘ordinary life’,free from pressures, free fromresponsibilities and yet they areimprisoned.

We have a lot of unseen potentialsin the college. Yes, we can count theseeds in an apple but we can nevercount how many apples can there bein a seed for we cannot limit one’sability to grow. We can never measurethe full extent of ones’ potential. Weare born not to put parameters in ourlives. Certainly, every student needsa ‘paradigm shift’- changing everysmall and ordinary perspective into amore colossal and more enormous one-the paradigm of ‘We’ rather than ‘I’and the perspective of ‘Ours’ ratherthan ‘Mine’.

Although our population is hugeas compared to other colleges, we arestill lacking of student leaders- leadersthat will take the lead in the collegefor the enrichment of its vision and

goal; leaders that will take effort tobuild walls for a stronger and bettercollege; leaders that shall motivatestudents and bring the best upon them;leaders that shall make leaders; leadersthat shall take risk and sacrifice forothers.

To rise and to take lead needsinitiative. As the saying goes, ‘Braveare those who volunteers’. You justneed to decide for it all starts within

you. For the only way to regenerateour College is to do the duty whichlies nearest to us not to search aftergrand.

Think about it. You are may be onyour third, fourth or fifth year here inour College. Soon you shall be leaving.What have you shared? What haveyou done? Who have you touched?Does five years of stay makes sense?It may be late but it’s never too late.Rise and move. Decide and work. Youcan still bring impact to our college.You just need courage to do this.

If you are on your first or secondyear, good for you… You still haveyears to make, years to proveyourself, years to influence, years toflourish, and years to serve…

Besides, the college has sevenacademic organizations and eightspecial organizations to choose from.These orgs are composed of studentswho rose and took risk. They arewilling to serve, inspire and giveselfless love to others. You have grownup and matured if you think less uponyourself and more and more untopeople around you.

So when you are about to leave oryou still have years of stay, touchhearts, touch lives. Let’s touch at leastsome people before we go…

JOCELYN DELGADO

Jocelyn E. Delgado is the presi-dent of the College of Engineering Hon-ors Society (CEHS). This is her wakeup call to the former leaders and aca-demic achievers that choose to be anordinary student to wake their passionsto lead again.

cannot be with them in fighting forwhat is right. For the so called leaderswere just mere followers and are doingthings for their own comfort.

Engineering Spectrum is there tocheck the actions of the members ofthis College when the people who aresupposed to do it are not doing it.

And Engineering Spectrum, insome way, defines and redefines theculture in our College.

Francis Kong said, “Truth istruth!” You cannot redefine it or bepolitically correct. Half truth is stillnot truth and half lie is not half truth.

Believe it or not, this column ismy way of recruiting for my belovedinstitution. This is my way of inviting

anyone to be a part of a greatinstitution. So that they wouldknow how it is as it is and so thatwe will not waste our timeinterviewing someone who willpromise with all conviction that heor she will never quit and, in a blinkof an eye, will be gone. We aresearching for those who value theirwords and are willing…

Khalil Gibran said, “You givebut little when you give of yourpossessions. It is when you give ofyourself that you truly give.”

***I was once told by my

professor that I am like an activist.I don’t know if he mean itnegatively but I don’t feel bad aboutit. It is something for me to smileabout because I’d rather be dynamicthan apathetic.

But to that professor I amthankful for he thought me wisdomthat I cannot read on books and isbeyond what is in the syllabus.

***I don’t know if I can be a good

writer for it is still not my passion.But, it is my passion that keeps

me writing…

I’M feeling the ache in my back. I havebeen doing my projects for two to threehours. What matters then? I do notknow where am I gonna show my joybut to Him. Thanks for His love, careand mercy for me. My happiness?Overflowing. I am really moved.Thanks to the Lord, everything couldbe this hard to do, but He eases it allto my heart and mind.

* * *As I entered my basic education

in a typical elementary school andblessed enough to enter in a secondaryschool, my eyes started to open tothe light of life. During those timeswhen life is less complicated, therewere not much of the big dreams inmy mind. But with less opportunityand stiff competition, I thought Ineeded a college degree in order tosurpass this life. I have to strive harderfor my future, for our future, I said.

Timing and determination was atmy side during those days when Ipacked my things up to acquire a

college degree. That was here inPolytechnic University of thePhilippines. Everything was certainlynew to me then, the place, the people,the culture, the lifestyle, my routine.Like a natural “probinsyana,” I haveto go with the flow and maintain myfocus at the same time. I have to exertthe best of my effort to keep mystudies atop.

At this point, being part of thepublication, this experience is all newto me once again. Since joining thisinstitution means dealing with theother people. I have met differentpeople who really loves reading andwriting –and that is really what theywant, what they want to do. This

transition was not easy at all. In mycase, it takes a month or two to finishan article. Beginning is really hard.

And, now that I have a chance todo things on my own, I can only domy best to keep my head high andmy mind soaring. Because with allthe noble things that are going on mymind, I cannot really go wrong.

Failure may come. But still, I willtry to fly. In these cases, I will helpmyself to see the view of thegrassland and the roads on thecrowded busy streets. Yet, I stilldon’t forget, I can still glide over thegrassland safely and exactly where Iwant my feet to take its first step onthe land of success.

I am afraid. I need to be strong. Ihave to have faith in Him. And, thisis the way I know I can make myselfone.

* * *What matters then?Thanks to the Lord, now and

more to come!

...Carioca /p.2

does not seem to be relevant. I haveto move on from there.

* * *Here I was, lying comfortably in

an air conditioned bus, overseeing thelively scene of East Avenue. Andduring these idle times of my life, Iget a grasp of what it is to be alive.

It was 10:00 in the morning andI’m about to descend...

...East Ave./p.2

Peace Letters

TIWAY.docEngineering Spectrum would like tothank: Prof. Angelina Borican of theOffice of the President for the support;Prof. Edelyn M. Mariano, TechnicalAssistant for Administrative Matters,for the advice and understanding on ourlate overnight letters; Sonia Amigable,CEA Librarian, for the generosity inlending us reading materials we need inthe publication; Engr. Remedios Adothru Engr. Rodolfo Talan of COE Dept.and Jocelyn Delgado of CEHS forsharing their PC for our overnights; AndElectrical Engineering Network for theall out support. Thanks!Nice shots! Thank you to Mr. JamesBrian Ona of Lente Club for giving timefor the pictorial and to Baby GirlPantaleon for sharing her story, straightand honest.Joan>> to the one who putme in the world of letters, NayPie,thank you. To Gpay, Apol, ULy &Germz sa pag-iintay sa LRT…at sa mgaboys: Doi, Phvz, Cj at Enche kamustaang mga biceps?!luv u boizWala daw hihigit pa sa pamilya. Salamatkay Amang Robeklue na pinalakikaming pantay-pantay at maalam sapagkeme, sa mga kapatid kong si jilen(na parating masama ang loob<labshu!>), si ezra (sige sumaiyo na anglahat! haha) si jenet (na punong-punong grasya) at si ayang (na paratingumaasa). Sa katulong naming si wady“frieeeeeeeeends!” Salamat porwan!* m i s s k a n a n i l i a Ü *Sa mga criticals lalo na sa mekmekgroup maraming maraming salamat!

Spectrum September 2008SCI-TECH4

“A UNIVERSITY is not a university withoutresearch,” Dean Manuel Muhi emphasized atthe very first Annual Research Awards (ARAW)organized by the College of Engineering StudentSociety for Research and Development (Cessrd)in coordination with the College of EngineeringResearch and Development Office.

The ARAW, which aims to honor theoutstanding researches of the CE students, washeld at Claro M. Recto Hall, July 8, with noother than the undersecretary of Department ofScience and Technology, Dr. Fortunato dela Pena,formally opening the event.

Moreover, the majority of fifth yearengineering students audience was inspired bythe multi-awarded Filipino inventor, Dr. VirgilioMalang who delivered to the crowd that, “It isnot the business of the university to fill thestudents’ minds with facts and figures but toput their brains on fire.” (See related article onthis page.)

Definitely, it is the same fire that producedseven exceptional researches.

FinalistsOut of all the researches in the College, seven

was recognized by the outstanding panel ofjudges composed of Vice President for Researchand Development Dr. Pastor Malaborbor,Ateneo de Manila Asst. Professor Dr. Celso Co,also an Association of Southeast Asian Nationand Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperationengineer, and Dr. Jesusa Padilla, TechnologicalUniversity of the Philippines-Director forResearch and Development.

The seven researches are “Digital ExtensionMeter for Monitoring Cracks through RadioTransmission in Tanay, Rizal,” “Monitoring theGrowth of Lettuce under ControlledTemperature and Humidity,” “Pedal PoweredElectronic Rice Grain Dryer and Dehuller forSmall Scale Farmers of Jaen, Nueva Ecija,”“Utilizing Plant Extract Scent in ElectronicGolden Kuhol Catcher for Small Scale Farmingin Brgy. Paombong, Malolos, Bulacan,” “LowCost Direct Audio Input Hearing Aid withBluetooth Connectivity for Hearing ImpairedPersons,” “Proposed Metro Manila SidewalkUrinals Powered by Urine with Introduction toUECA (Urine Energy Converting Attachments),”and “Growth of Fusarium Moniliforme uponExposure to Ultrasonic Wave: An In-vitroAnalysis.”

Winners were chosen in accordance with thejudges’ criteria which are divided into twocategories: the paper screening and the oraldeliberation. The former includes innovativenessand originality, significance of the research andquality of documentation, and write-ups. The

latter is composed of presentation andorganization, significance and impact of theresearch to life, mastery of the subject, and theability to answer questions and integrate ideas.

After extensive deliberation, a group ofbanana lover impressed the judges and won thetop prize.

And the winner isOur country is now on the verge of a crisis.

The worsening scenario of food shortagesrequires every Filipino to save and preserve foodfor the longest time they can. But how can wedo that if there are undesirable organisms thatare always ready to invade our food?

Fusarium Moniliforme, a kind of fungi thatis responsible in the decay of one of our country’scomfort food, the banana. Also, corn and ricegrains, the staple food of Filipinos happen tohave these fungi.

As an answer to a nationwide problem,Electronics and Communications Engineering(ECE) Batch ’08 students namely, Ryan Rivera,Dian Kristopher Amurao, Elriz JohnBuenaventura, Norman Deticio, FroilanFrancisco, Ma. Ilyn Ilao, Jericho Mapanao,Marlin Victoria and Resty Victorino come upwith a study entitled “Growth of FusariumMoniliforme upon Exposure to Ultrasonic Wave:An In-vitro Analysis” generally aimed to designa device that will generate ultrasonic wave andbe used to identify the possible inhibitory effecton Fusarium Moniliforme. The main concern ofthe study is the banana industry.

Saving the BananaPhilippines who ranked fourth among the

top exporters of banana worldwide has thismajor problem on preventing their industryfrom fungi. Indeed, this dilemma results toeconomic losses of different bananaplantations. If not to these fungi that invadethe fresh wound of banana hand which causesthe speeding up of its decay, who knows,maybe we can be the top banana producingcountry.

With the help of Prof. Armin Coronado fromthe College of Science (CS), the researchers gainenough knowledge on microbiology, especiallyon growing the fungi that aid them to cultureFusarium Moniliforme.

The sample fungi from banana were treatedalone in a new media using in-vitro analysis.From the rotten fruit, the fungi were transferredinto a plate for further observation. This seemedto be the hardest part of their study because thetreatment is somehow expensive and it requiresa lot of patience.

“Limited lang yung plate kasi mahal. Sakatime pressure din kasi hindi naman puwedengmadaliin ang growth ng fungi,” Ms. Ilao added.

Continuous proceduresAfter growing the fungi, three

variations of frequency level wereapplied to test the effect ofultrasonic wave using their ownmade ultrasonic device and otherequipments such as frequencycounter, voltmeter, alligator clips,power supply and probe alligatorclip.

The magnitudes of frequenciesare 21, 25 and 29 kHz. The testing,frequency and the output voltageof the device were based from theactual experiments beingimplemented in electronics field.On the other hand, the time of exposure issegmented every two minutes.

Four successive days of observations andup to 15 trials were done to complete theexperiment; the researcher noted that there is aninhibitory effect on the growth of FusariumMoniliforme, that ultrasonic frequencies areuseful in inhibiting microorganisms.

OutcomeThe thought of being the champion in

ARAW never crossed their mind because forthem, win or lose; they know in themselves thattheir study is something to be proud of.Determination and group work are their keys inmaking it to the top among others. According toRivera, “Kayang kaya basta nagtratrabaho kayobilang group.”

One of the great prices that they’ve achievedis the news that there will be a follow-up studyon their research. There will be collaborationbetween the CE and the College of Science totest the effectiveness of ultrasonic wave to thegrowth of other bacteria.

Runners-upDuring the awarding two researches were

given recognition as runners-up.The study about “Low Cost Direct Audio

Input Hearing Aid with Bluetooth Connectivityfor Hearing Impaired Persons” bagged the thirdplace. Their study aims to improve speechintelligibility, reduce noise and provides widehearing range with adjustability to differentdegrees of hearing loss at very low cost.

The second placer used the concept of electrochemistry that deals with the chemical reactionsthat produce electricity. The enhancement ofurinal’s function as a public toilet for male whichincludes installation of lighting independentlyfrom public’s electricity line to promoteeconomical consumption is the main purpose ofthe research entitled “Proposed Metro ManilaSidewalk Urinals Powered by Urine withIntroduction to UECA (Urine Energy ConvertingAttachments).”

As part of the recognition, certificates wereawarded to the finalists who made it to the topseven.

Indeed, ARAW will be a yearly venture tocompliment the outstanding researches in thecollege. “Kailangan, thesis naman natin angnasa ARAW next year,” an excited remark by agroup of ECE fifth year students.

HUMAN being will continue toexperiment for as long as there is lifeon earth- but these experiments do notappear to be well conceived, rather,

they are more appropriatelydescribed as simple trial and error.

Analogous to this is whatDr. Virgilio Malang said in hisspeech in this year’s AnnualResearch Awards (ARAW).He uttered that while learningsituations may not always endtriumphantly, it’s not thebusiness of a university to fillstudents’ minds with facts and

figures but rather to put thestudents’ minds on fire.

Earning a respectablereputation, Dr. Malang, inventor of

the vitamin beer and currently thepresident of the Manila Innovationand Development Society (Minds),described research as a celebration ofinnovativeness. Research challengesthe mind to bring out something thatis noble, useful, and even inventive. Itdoes not only dare the ingenuity ofthe professionals, but also, thecreativity of the student researcherswho can make out, one day, a betterway- a better alarm clock, or a betterskateboard or a much bettermousetrap. Hence, it is a challenge forevery researcher, imbued with aburning desire to change and transformthe world, to leave an incredible markof legacy, a genius who would leavehis world better than when he foundit.

Filipinos all over the world are

recognized for their ingenuity andcreativity- a breeding ground ofexcellence. In fact, the Philippinesproduce multiple talents every nowand then; drawn upon inspiration,determination and occasional luck. Itbrings us many inputs whether bydesign or accidents which sometimesturn out into useful innovations.

To visualize this point, Malangshowed some samples of inventionsshowcasing Filipinos innovativenessin research particularly in the areasof aquatic habitat restoration, air,water and soil quality improvement,energy maximization and wastemanagement.

For instance, isn’t it surprising tosee a fish falling asleep as it was beingtransported from a place and thenwaking them up upon arrival, energetic

Malang fires up ARAW

JOANA INCIONG AND HAZEL ILDEFONSO

SHOVIE FLORES

and alive? Sounds amazing, butinventor Boni Comandante made thispossible.

Well, nothing really is impossiblefor Comandante. He even put fishunder “ sex change” operation,transforms fishes, tilapia in particular,from male to female fish that growsbigger and faster.

In addition, another innovativetechnology is demonstrated thru adevice called the “KhaosTurbocharger,” developed by the auto-mechanic Pablo Planas which feeds theright amount of air and fuel onto carscarburetor for a lesser smokeemission.

All of these are just bits ofFilipinos’ astonishing inventions.Apparently, there’s still a need formore amazing and valuable inventions,our milieu lingers to be saved andexpect changes from our generation.Maybe it can be from you or fromany of us.

Banana saversARAW achievers

FOR THE BANANAS!Holding their certificates, the researchers won the first ARAW awards with their work,“Growth of Fusarium Moniliforme upon Exposure to Ultrasonic Wave: An In-vitroAnalysis” aiming to inhibit the growth of the fungus that speeds up decay of bananas. Thedevice below emits ultrasonic waves that do the trick.

September 2008 SCI-TECH Spectrum5

IN year 1969, a Filipino inventor Daniel Dingelcreated a one of a kind car powered by water(H

2O). It has a reactor that uses a 12 volts battery

to transform an ordinary tap water with a mixtureof salt into a deuterium oxide or heavy waternecessary to power up the car.

However, the government, the Departmentof Science and Technology (DOST), and thePhilippine National Oil Company (PNOC) saidthat it violates several laws and principles ofThermodynamics and claimed it to be fraud.

These laws are the Conservation of Massand Energy. Since, mass cannot be created nordestroyed, DOST and PNOC doubted when theyfound carbon on the sample of burnt gas inDingel’s car knowing that water is composedonly of hydrogen and oxygen. Moreover, he usedonly 1.188 kW battery wherein normally2246kW is needed to split hydrogen fromoxygen.

Since the car’s legitimacy is still questionablein principle, Dingle’s car ends up with nothingfrom the government which did not support theidea.

And yet, despite of uncertainties Japan hascome up with a similar technology (waterpowered car) recently launched in Osaka, Japan.

Now it’s JapanUnveiled last June 12, 2008, Genepax, a

Japanese company has invented a car that canbe ran by any kind of water.

In just a liter of water the Genepax’s car canrun for about 5o miles per hour. Although it maynot race against gas- powered car, it is easy topower up since water is abundant and can beobtained in the river, stream, rain, sea or even atea.

Typically, fuelled vehicle has an InternalCombustion Engine (ICE) which is needed topropel cars but this car breaks down water into

DO you know what a PlayStation Portable, aNokia E51, and a laptop have in common? Well,except that all these are hot gadgets, theseelectronic devices are capable of wirelessconnection through Wireless Fidelity or Wi-Fi.

This application enables gadgets with aninternet browser and a wireless modem to hookup to the internet through airborne radio waves.

Here in the college, our very own ComputerEngineering department has already installed aWi-Fi antenna recently, but its range is verylimited making its signal to reach only on thethird floor and very little on the fourth floor.

Supposing you are not satisfied with theWi-Fi service inside the college and you have

hydrogen and oxygen togenerate electricity.

Since water is justaround us, Japanesecommunity believes thatthe invention may solvethe oil crisis andrevolutionize theautomobile industry asthey move towards themass production of thiskind of vehicle.

Genepax’s vs.Dingel’s

Unlike Dingel’s car,Genepax’s uses anenergy generator, a membrane electrode assembly(MEA), which is located in the back of the carthat contains a material that is capable of breakingdown water into hydrogen and oxygen througha chemical reaction using a mechanism which issimilar to the method in which hydrogen isproduced by a reaction of metal hydride andwater.

When metal hydride is consumed in theprocess it becomes the ultimate source of thecar’s energy, making the car hydride – ratherthan water fuelled. The hydrogen is then used togenerate energy to run the car.

Some people have reacted with this scientificbreakthrough and questioned the legitimacy ofthe car, claiming that the technology appearsalso to violate the First Law of Thermodynamics.With this, Genepax is reportedly in the midst offiling a patent for its ground breaking technologyas an answer to this matter.

Eco-friendly CarThe water-powered car is not just an

alternative or a temporary solution to oil crisis.It also offers conveniences to our surroundings

and to car engines.Using water on cars will improve the engine

performance and reduce the operatingtemperature of the car engine. With this, itpromotes good water fuel system which lowersharmful emissions into the environment thatcontribute to the global warming.

Here in the Philippines, it is extremelyundeniable that the never-ending increase of fuelcosts is a burden for all of us. Recently, thegasoline price climbed up to Php 60/liter resultingto a minimum fare of Php 8.50 for jeepneys,which only notifies that we are definitely in themidst of a huge oil crisis.

Having an alternative medium (water) inoperating car is really a big help especially toour country that needs this kind of technology.Actually, if Dingel’s invention was just sustainedby the government or any non-governmentinstitution, we shouldn’t be struggling againstoil price hike.

If somehow, this kind of car will be widelyused in the world, we would no longer need gasstations, oil tankers and refineries. Hence, oilcrisis will be a thing of the past.

these Wi-Fi devices on your own, all you needto do is to find a “hotspot,” where there is astrong Wi-Fi signal and then, get connected! Butone problem is that, there are instances whereinyou would lose your Wi-Fi connection becauseof its limited coverage, especially when you areout of its signal radius.

If you’re not the type willing to get intothese kinds of hassle, you don’t have to worryfor these things will soon be a thing of the past,for the future is WiMAX.

WiMAX on the moveWiMAX short for Worldwide

Interoperability for Microwave Access is atechnology that provides data through wirelessconnection, making applications such as video

Japan Proves Dingel’s Idea Possible

Wireless, Widest, Wimax

e are the “Jurassic” in theliving generation. We dwell inthe jungles of numbers,

operations and complex equations. Weare, as the majority think we are, intotal chaos – constantly immersed inthe test of survival.

For thirty years, we have enduredthe challenges endowed by this era ofgreat need, an era wherein inventionhas been a necessity. And it is amazingto witness how we surpassed all these,with only our own instinct andcapabilities to lean on.

Our laboratories, our supposedlyweapon in this battlefield of buildingand recreation, is only a collection ofthe past – withered by thousand handsand depreciated by time. Yet, it hasnever been a reason not to makeourselves renowned.

We’ve embarked ourselves in thetimeline of excellence.

Yes, we are Jurassic. But we’re notjust merely myth; we are thecontinuity of an extraordinary legacy.

Guidelines and Contest Rules:1. The contest is open to allbonafide engineering students ofPolytechnic University of thePhilippines- Manila.2. The contest has seven (7)categories specifically:

a. Poetryb. Tulac. Essayd. Sanaysaye. Short Storyf. Maikling Kwentog. Visual Arts

3. Entries must be in short whitebond paper, computerized, doublespaced with 1 inch borders on everyside. Font must be Arial, 10. ForVisual Arts, any medium can beused provided that it should be onOslo paper or on long bond paper,substance 24.4. All entries must have a soft copy,in CD, and must be submittedtogether with the hard copy.5. Short stories should be 3-10pages only and 2-5 pages only forthe essay.6. All entries must be original andunpublished.7. All entries are judged accordingto the following criteria:Originality -30%Literary/Artistic Expertise - 30%Relevance to the theme -30%Engineering Touch -10%Total -100%8. An individual can join in allcategories.9. All entries should revolve on thetheme: “History, Historic andMaking History.”10. Only the title of the entryshould appear on the submittedarticle and not the name andaddress of the author.11. A duly accomplished entry formmust be submitted to theENGINEERING SPECTRUM, Room 423CEA Bldg.12. Submitted copies of all entriesshall remain with, and will be theproperty of the ENGINEERING

SPECTRUM and JURASSIC literaryfolio.13.The ENGINEERING SPECTRUM

and JURASSIC Committee has theright to compose the Board ofJudges. The judges’ decision isfinal and cannot be subjected tochanges.14. Three winners will be chosenfrom each category. All winningentries will be published in theJURASSIC Literary Folio 2008.15. Certificates and prizes will begiven to all winners.

conferencing, Internet browsing, streaming andbroadcast faster than Wi-Fi.

It has broader coverage with 48 km rangethan that of Wi-Fi with only 90 m signal reach.

WiMAX still bears the broadband speed ofits predecessor (Wi-Fi), 11 up to 54 megabitsper second (mbps), depending on the distanceof the device from the antennae. And becauseWiMAX signals are not distributed like LocalArea Networks (LAN) among internet shopsand offices, the 11 to 54 mbps that your gadgetreceives is in its purest form. Airborne signalsare allocated in an entirely different manner thanthat of fiber optic cables on computer networkhubs. Meaning whether you’re with hundredsof WiMAX user, you’ll still have at most theseamless and fastest wireless internetconnection.

ConnectivityIn fact, WiMAX is the fad of 17 cities in

Pakistan today, the nation acting as anenormous wireless internet hotspot that letsyou connect to the web virtually everywhere;be it on a moving car or train, along the creeksof the Indus River, or maybe even in the middleof the Thar Desert.

Locally, Taguig will also get connectedsooner wherein the entire public schools inthe city will experience e-learning system.

With this, the students will be updated onthe lesson and acquire the same content of thelectures that their professor is discussinginside the classroom while watching onlinewith their laptops at the comfort of theirhomes.

BlueMedia Communications, companywhich will provide the city with WiMAX,said that the project is already in the initialphase of linking city offices, buildings,barangay halls and schools through broadbandInternet Access.

Implementation of this project is then beexpected by the end of the year.

Technology, nowadays, are in termsgetting faster and wider. WiMAX and Wi-Fiare useful and constructive in terms of wirelessconnection and fast communication.

In this world defined by fast trackinformation exchange, having much wider andfaster internet connection will definitely putus into the edge.

JURASSIC

REGINA VALENZUELA

EDWIN ABAD AND EMMANUEL ZERRUDO

W

Running across Switzerland and France, this Large Hadron Collider (LHC) – 27kms long and the biggest ever physics experiment in history – is taking a full blowto unveil the mystery of the universe. By means of colliding protons in this LHCtunnel, scientists are expecting to find the so-called “God’s Particle” a theoreticalparticle believed to give mass to all other sub-atomic fragments. But this search forthe holy grail of physics has brought out different rumors like it will createantimatter and form a black hole that will eventually destroy the earth. So whatresult will this experiment bring? We’ll just have to wait.

Associated Press, AFP and www.yahoo.com

GOD’S PARTICLE

1st Engineering SpectrumLiterary Folio Contest

http://www.engadget.com

Spectrum September 2008

A

FEATURES6

History

s he entered the college in 1981, he witnessed how itstruggled from lack of facilities, faculties, and other

resources with only about 1000 minds to feed comparing to5000 of today.

It was the time when the students andprofessors had to provide tools and materials intheir classes in order to comply with thenecessary discussion and applications; timewhen most of the faculties were from otherschools and were only part timers in the college.

But despite all these, he still believes thatthis college is indeed dynamic.

The Witness“If I’m going to rate the college, 10 being the

highest, then it would be 11. Growth mustcontinue, we must always aim for somethingbetter than best.”

Engr. Cesar Buenavides, dearly known as‘Tatay’, utter these wordswithout any trace ofhesitations. It was a faceetched with pride and avoice with a distinct toneof loyalty that proved howpleased he was for servingthe college.

He had been in themoral and scholastic bodyof the college for almostthree decades (and stillcounting) and hadwitnessed how the collegehad strived and grew forits betterment despite ofinevitable hindrances.

According to him, italmost started out withnothing and education wasdelivered through the passion and attainedthrough determination.

The First BatchIt was in 1979 when the College of

Engineering took gradual initiation when theInstitute of Technology had been established.

As the first school year opened, the Institutethen offered courses such as Bachelor in ElectricalEngineering, Bachelor in Electronics Engineeringand Bachelor in Computer EngineeringTechnology.

Whereas now, having been added the wordScience in the different courses, it bloomed tosix different departments: CE, CmpE, ECE, EE,IE, and ME.

Living within the philosophy of servicethrough education to the poor but intelligentand deserving students, the college sought wayson optimizing the potentials of students and onpreparing them for constructive and productiveparticipation and leadership in the community.

During the early part of1985, Tatay affirmed thatthe college had startedproducing topnotchers. Ithad marked its excellence forit produced topnotchersamid short time and this iswhy it was often comparedto other schools which werebuilt way back during theSpanish era.

EdgeDuring the term of Dean

Ricafranca, with thepursuance of Engr. EstelitaDel Rosario, assistancefrom Japanese Governmentwas sought to help thecollege boost its educational

potential.As this has been granted, Japanese

International Cooperation Agency (JICA)required the construction of a building to thePhilippine Government so as to houseengineering, architecture and science laboratoryequipment worth P240 million.

Dr. Nemesio Prudente, head of thenew PUP Administration, negotiatedwith the government for the acquisitionof a lot for the “Science and TechnologyBuilding” at 10.3 hectare Universityproperty at NDC in Pureza St., Sta.Mesa, Manila.

Through JICA’s great help, thecollege was relocated to its new building.New facilities were given and expertisepractices were set for the faculties.

This had been one of the major leapsfor the College of Engineering. Itupgraded the performance of the collegeand thus, produced more competitiveengineers.

CEA has produced 5,052 graduatesfrom 1998 along with the board passersand topnotchers of licensureexaminations.

Currently, PUP- College ofEngineering through its continuouseffort of providing affordable but qualityeducation despite of reconditionedschool facilities and rigid competitionsfrom other engineering institutions, have

“

”

Approaching toits 30th year let it benot you beingrecognized as astudent of thiscollege. But youbeing recognizedby this college asone of its treasuredstudent.

“

”

If I’m going torate the college, 10being the highest,then it would be 11.Growth mustcontinue, we mustalways aim forsomething betterthan best.

GIMIEL ABUDA AND ANGELO MOLOBOCO photo by JOAN SALAS

been producing topnotchers and skillful engineerswinning the other colleges and universitiesrespect.

As Tatay reminisce what had been told tohim by his friend in a known company, he saidthat the company had received two applicantsapplying for the same position. The applicantswere fresh graduates from PUP and from arenowned university.

They were evaluated through machine worksin order to test their knowledge and performance.The employer then noticed that the one fromother school was uncomfortable with that kindof workplace and not attuned to the task. Onthe other hand, the PUP graduate remained well-suited and was the one hired.

Indeed, it was the skills and work exposureof PUP graduates that helped them to land a job.They have been garnering public praises andcompanies’ trusts for, as Tatay said, they werehoned up with both skills and passion.

PaybackAs future engineers, we will be a part of

CEA’s greatest achievements where ourpotentials, talents, and endowments will besharpened up and developed. We saw the effortsof the initiators and founders of this institutiontherefore we are obliged to pay them back withperseverance, good grades, good values, andcompetitive selves.

Tatay said that we are so lucky for we areacquiring our knowledge and exemplary skillsfrom one of the country’s best stateuniversities—the PUP.

“Not all will be accepted,” as he point itout.

Enrollment amongstudents had beenmomentarily increasingfrom 1986-2007, as itseffect, limitations inadmittance of students hadbeen in consideration to theannual budget intended bythe national government.

From the list ofexaminees and aspirantslast enrollment only 20percent (approximately) ofthem were accepted. Nowstop, think and realize: ‘Oonga noh ang swerte kopala!’

Main changes andimprovements greatlydepend on the leadership of the administration.

From his observations on the developments,achievements, and struggles, he formulated hisvision for the college being the “center ofexcellence in the near future.”

Now, dynamism must continue and so wemust all aim for a total university.

Just age“I’m proud to be a PUP faculty.”Passion, fulfillment, and commitment—

these are his principles for serving the college. It

was dedication for developing young minds overlow compensation.

He was asked when he will resign fromserving the college, he wisely answered, “Onlyold age would separate me from this college.”

Despite of the difficulties, the college is inits continuous progress. Although there werehindrances, the amount of determinism willalways surmount all of those.

The college had stood for a long while andthe proofs of its improvement are visible. Thefaçade and the building itself today were betterthan before and same way goes with the facilitiesavailable now. The faculties are gettingcompetitive and it reflects in the quality ofstudents they had produced.

Things are getting better. It’s just that,sometimes, we look mostly to what was lackingand not to what was improving.

There are flaws and it would always bepresent in an institution, same with anorganization, and same with a company. It wasthrough combined efforts that the flaws couldbe turned into something useful.

At 30Behind every story is its history and behind

that history is the realization that today is farbetter than yesterday. Indeed, history is nothingmore than the account of its unending struggle.

College of Engineering had started up withalmost nothing and now it has been making itsown name—making it something big.

It had served through decades and it continueto set forth to hone students. There are thousandsof Engineering Colleges and ours stood with arespected name.

The brilliance wasnow evident as it arrivesto its 30th year ofanniversary and all thedifficulties it surpassedwould always define thequality that its name bears.

Perhaps, somehow, ithad influenced Tatay intothe kind of respected manhe is today.

Our RoleAs this college writes

its own history, we arealso writing our own partfrom the moment we setfoot on its grounds.

We belong in thiscollege. Its honor isour honor as well as itsshortcomings is ourobligation. It’s a fact thatthe college mustserve the studentry and itis by will that wereturn its service.

Wherever will we be, it is the name and thereputation of this college that we would becarrying. It is our responsibility to make it proudas we offer the skills it instill in us to the outsideworld.

Approaching to its 30th year let it be notyou being recognized as a student of this college.But you being recognized by this college as oneof its treasured student.

AStory that

knows by heartTatay

September 2008 7FEATURES Spectrum

rue. Beauty speaks of elegance,order and perfection. It tends to

satisfy the thirst of our eyes to seepleasing things—the arrangement ofhues, the perfection of symmetry, thesoftness of whisperings. It has been asocial necessity.

HERSTORY

But life was not meant to be valued in accordance to beauty.Society-based belief of its standards was far too shallow to whatit truly conveys. The society only sees what it wants to see. Andmore often, what it sees is of no significance.

This story goes beyond to what is traditional—to what isconventional. This story leads to a deeper sense of what it is tobe beautiful…

Her StoryHer name is Baby Girl and she is the misunderstood.She has the beauty that has always been questioned and

contested for people saw her as a vain, self-centeredindividual—outspoken and defensive.

Outspoken for she never hesitates to say what ought to besaid, even if the price of doing so is losing her own reputation;and defensive for she had put up an image that eventuallydistanced her against the unsympathetic minds.

“Alam ko hindi maganda perception ng tao sa ‘kin, kungpa’no ko maglakad kung pa’no ko itrato ibang tao. Kapag maynagtatanong nga, ‘Kilala mo ba si Baby Girl’? minsan ang sagotagad ‘Ah, yung mataray sa dept. ng CoE?’”

Baby Girl has her distinct way of dealing with other peoplewhich was mistaken into beingarrogant and conceited. She cares notabout how people would react towhatever she does, to whatever shesays and to whatever impression shecreates. She just does things the wayshe believes it must be done.

She never let other peopleinterfere with the way she managesher life, not the type willing to wastetime for the sake of gettingcompliments.

Physically, people describe heras someone tall with a fair figure, nottoo fleshy and not too slim. Someone with a red burgundyhighlighted hair, with makeup on, high heels, and an inexplicablelevel of confidence to wrap it all. She is actually simple but withthe way she carries herself, she defines simplicity in a morerefined and explicit manner.

Some may hear and imagine these descriptions as plain as itis. But in truth, more often, it evoked connotations that build herimage in a subjective way.

EtymologyBaby Girl Pantaleon, 19, is a 3rd year Computer Engineering

student currently working as their department’s studentassistant. Her name ‘Baby Girl’ was, for her, a tragic story.

She grew up with the name Joan. All of her files bear a nameas such. Until the College enrolment, while preparing her papers,she found out that the name ‘Joan Pantaleon’ was not in therecords.

However, a ‘Baby Girl Pantaleon’ has the same informationwritten as her; same birth date, time, hospital place, Father’s andMother’s name and other identification data. Joan Pantaleon wasin truth not her real name and what comes next was a matter ofacceptance.

Now, after almost two decades of her life, she had acceptedthat the name that used to address her is no longer her own. Atfirst, it was unbearable to believe that she had been given a genericname. But life has to move along…and so she does.

In her first year, she joined modeling at the Broiler’s barduring their acquaintance party last 2006. And subsequentlywon as Ms. Computer Engineering 2007 2nd runner up andreceived special award on her second year.

Some says that it’s too much confidence for her to getinto pageants. But for her, equality is a virtue. If others can,then why can’t she? It is a matter of belief and taking actions—to be free to act in the way her manner dictates and not tolimit her potentials.

Behold“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. ‘Yun ang motto ko,

wala lang bagay lang talaga.”Sharing this with laughter, indeed, she has a different

kind of optimism that made her took the risk to gobeyond her fears—her fear of being rejected and of beingmisunderstood. Both unresolved fears from the past,which she was now able to manage, turned out to be oneof her utmost achievement.

To learn to value and make the most of what shehas, she opted to open her mind in the positive thingsand when it seems negative, to believe that it bearspositive fruits.

To put it in a philosophical doctrine, ours is thebest of all possible worlds—and that is how she rulesher world.

“I was prepared for this. I shall stand the test.”“Feeling maganda, maangas, mayabang, akala mo kung sino

paglumakad. Kahit ako alam ko ‘yon. Pero kahit ganun, chin uplang dahil kung wala ka naman ginagawang masama walangdahilan para yumuko.”

Indeed words are powerful; they hurt us as much as physicalaches give. It leaves unseen scars needed to tend on our own forwe don’t want pity to be imposed upon us.

With all the disapproval that she is getting she still carriesherself with immense confidence for she knew by heart that whatwas important is to develop self-respect. A kind of respect thatbuilds a sense of contentment.

“Okay lang sanay na ako. Tuloy lang nila dahil sa kanilatumitibay ako.”

Finding strength, however, she admits that she still needs alittle incentive from other people. Not because she’s expectingreward for the things she

had done. But because she needs appreciation to affirm herselfthat despite of the criticisms, there are still people who look theother way.

She needs a kind of assurance that there are people willing tobe there for her, to believe in her capabilities, to understand hernature, and to correct her flaws.

There are times that she tried to get sympathy. However, shejust ended up having small consolation and a big regret—for ittakes much of her effort to please other people.

She keeps asking herself why a single wrong move of hereyebrows has to define her as a whole. If it is the price of beingtrue to one’s self and if there is really a need to create another‘her’ to be what other expects her to be.

Baby Girl hid nothing to herself; her adverse nature was asbare as her constructive attributes. Perhaps, it is the true spiritof honesty—to be brave enough not just to express but to accepttruth even if it caters the worst in us.

The TendencyShe had learned how to be deaf when what she’s hearing

only makes her feel worthless and to be blind when what she’sseeing are only wounding looks.

“Nakikita ko sa mata nila. Meron dyan titignan ka mulaulo hanggang paa, mayayabangan, iirap. Kanino ba ako dapatikumpara? Hindi naman nila ako kilala.”

It was a mixture of anger and confusion as these wordscame rattling out of her. Anger for it pained her to realize that itis human nature to be judgmental. That we are in the age wherethe way someone dresses defines their personality, where theway people talk defines how educated they are, and where theappearance of individuals classify their status and limit the rightsthey ought to have.

The society unconsciously forced people to forget a part oftheir character for the sake of belongingness. We always haveto consider being sensitive and thus, have to adopt certainattitudes which sometimes contradict to our personality.

Still, it’s human nature. Most people were boxed withincommon beliefs, caged within supposed understanding.

And with this continuous mind set, true individualitygradually fades especially of those who are weak—of those whogive less importance to their worth.

It is better to let the minds fly,to let it soar and be beyond whatthe majority sided and realize thewisdom that our individualitydefines. Be able to reach the stateof mind that dares to hear, to feel,to touch and to see the unseen—astate of mind that is free andgrowing.

Much better if we free ourminds for all freedom is attainedfrom within.

It was, for baby Girl, moreimportant to accept the true nature of our individuality and notto be drowned into believing that we attain happiness and therespect of other people through pretension. Where in fact, we aremaking them believe in false assumptions and what hurts, we arefooling ourselves.

True to Form“Ganun lang talaga. Ito ako. Wala akong gustong baguhin

pa sa sarili ko. Sana lang hindi na maging judgmental ang tao.”Circumstances may have turned her into the tough lady she

was, yet still, she was not that strong to linger with insensitivity.She had endured a lot of pain in her soul and sometimes, there isno space to accommodate some more.

There are things that are worth accepting and worth changingin ourselves, in our lives. But there are those that, no matter howpainful, are still worth fighting and keeping for. For Baby Girl, itwas her personality—herself.

“Ganon na nga tingin nila sa’yo bakit kailangang ganon pamaging tingin mo sa sarili mo?”

Beauty is about faith—about our belief that we are alwayssomething more than what other sees in us. It signifies selfconfidence which is beauty and respect in its profoundest form.

To be beautiful is to believe you are beautiful, in whateverdefinition it may suit. Our uniqueness is God-given and that isunquestionable.

Beauty is far from what was visible. It has no standards nordoes it bear classification. It exists in all forms, sizes and shapesand by letting the form of an object be what it pleases to be…Light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.

Commit ourselves to the truth—see it as it is, tell it like itis—to find the truth, to speak the truth, and to live the truth. Andthat is where beauty manifests itself. Beauty is not a chance buta choice.

T

“ ”

Most peoplewere boxed

within commonbeliefs, caged

within supposedunderstanding.

“ ”

Beauty is inthe eye of the

beholder. ‘Yunang motto ko,

wala lang bagaylang talaga.

NITYANANDA SIMON, JUDY DY AND JOAN SALAS

thanks to HAROLD, LESLIE, RUBY, MARAH, ARIEL, LEO, NIKKI AND JONNHA

Spectrum September 2008CIRCLE8

Smart PillsOne day an engineering student and a HRM student were walking

through the woods when they saw some rabbit turds. One of the boyssaid, “What is that?”

“They’re smart pills,” said the engineering student. “Eat them andthey’ll make you smarter.”

So the HRM student ate them and said, “These taste like sh*t.”“See,” said the engineering student, “you’re getting smarter already.”

Half to DeathAn engineering student is walking along the road when he finds a

bottle. He rubs it and, you guessed it right, a genie appears.The genie says, “You are allowed to make three wishes. But, I must

warn you, anything you get, the other entire college student in youruniversity get twice as much.”

The engineering student says, “Okay. Give me a nice house.”The genie replies, “You now have one nice house and the other entire

college students in your university have two.”The engineering student says, “Give me a gorgeous woman.”The genie replies, “You now have one gorgeous woman, while the

other entire students in your university have two.”The engineering student says, “For my last wish, genie, see that stick

over there? Beat me half to death with it.”

PUKOY! ken licarte

SKETCH... SKETCH... SKETCH anonymous

LOADING... leo herreraSOPAS

MANONG

Ni Alagad ni Orig na Kurips ni

arimar, awww! Costenita soyCon mis abuelos crecí yo

En un lindo y cálido marQue todito me dióCuando al amor me llevó” (1000x)

NA-LVS (last video syndrome) si Pupoy sapinanood niyang video nila Moymoy Palaboysa YouTube. “Ha---hahaha! Hahahaha! Uboubo ubo. Bwahahaha!” Napakamasiyahing bata.Si Pupoy talaga… Siya ang pinakabagong bidasa ating sumbong novela na pinamagatang,M.I.L.F.!

Roll VTR (Ang Nakaraan)Tanghali sa harapan ng Wilgards Enterprise.

Detective Conan: (malaking boses) Pupoymakinig ka, mula ngayon ay ipinagkakaloobko na ang “magnifying glass” na ito sa’yo.Ipagpatuloy mo ang gawaing sinimulan naminni Naruto. Maaasahan ko ba ‘yun? Ikaw na angbagong magtatanggol sasangkaestupidyantehan han han han…

Pupoy: (Teary eyes)???At naglingunan ang lahat ng tao sa paligidsabay hagis ng confetti. “Whooooo!” Ditonagsisimula ang kanyang misyon. (bilis no?)

Isang araw…

Pupoy: Pagbilan pong yelo! Isa.Wink! At biglang umusok sa paligid hanggangsa wala na siyang makita. Lumipas ang ilangsaglit at unti-unting luminaw ang kapaligiran.Maraming tao, ilaw at pati na din camera. “Ano‘to?” sambit niya habang may nakalagay sakanyang noo na Loading 73%. Di niyamaunawaan ang nangyayari. Bigla na lamangmay nagsabing “Pupoy be ready” sabay bigayng script. “Take 634,507, lights cameraaction!” (Tan tan tanan tan tan —Imbestigador tune 1000x) Sa puntong iyon aytila baga batid na ni Pupoy ang gagawin, atnagsimula na nga siya.

Pupoy: Magandang gabi! Sa ulo ng mganagbabagang balita. Mga M.I.L.F. namataan saDoña CElyA Bldg. kaninang umaga! Alaminnatin ang kabuuang balita mula kay Boy Pating,Boy pasok!

Boy Pating: Yes Pupoy. Nagkalat na nga angmga M.I.L.F. dito sa Doña CElyA Bldg. at sangayon ay patuloy pa din ang kanilangpamamalagi dito. Ayon sa mga saksi, pawangnakabihis pormal pa daw ang mga ito. Sino-sino nga ba ang mga tinatawag nating M.I.L.F.?Para sa kaalaman ng mga estupidyante, sila ay

ang mga Masyadong Instructors na always Lateat Falaging absent na patuloy na naghahasik nglagim dito sa Doña CElyA Bldg. Kaya bilangbabala sa ating mga kaestupidyantehan, aba’ymag-iingat ho tayo anu ho? At iyan ang kabuuangulat sa mga oras na ito. Back to you Pupoy.

Pupoy: Maraming salamat Boy Pating! Ang mgapangalan ng mga M.I.L.F. na ‘yan ay nakaflashdyan sa inyong mga screen. Ayan oh,susmaryosep . Kaugnay po ng balitang iyan,atin hong pakatutukan at baka isa sa mga itoay inyong makilala, ho, narito si Enteng deLeon upang ihatid sa atin ang isa pang balitalive mula sa third floor, Enteng?

Enteng: Yes Pupoy, aking kakapanayamin angbatang kasama ko dito na itatago na lang natinsa pangalang totoy na siyang nabiktima diumano ng isang M.I.L.F. Totoy maaari mo bangsabihin sa amin kung pa’no ka nabiktima ngM. I. L. F.?

Totoy: Bale po kasi, bumili po muna ako ngyelo nun bago pumasok. Di din naman kasi akomalelate dahil lagi naman po mas late itong siSir Tutut Reindeer, kadalasan pa nga po ehhindi siya pumapasok. Nagpromise na po siyanoon na di na mauulit pero ganun pa din. Che.Wala kaming natututunan. Wala!

Enteng: Ah ganun ba iho, susmaryosep, yanPupoy ang balita! Back to the studio.

Pupoy: Nakakaawang mga bata anu ho?Samantala, kakapasok pa lamang na balita,isang binatilyo nagrereklamo din! Pepeng Tigreanong balita dyan?

Pepeng: Naku Pupoy, sa ngayon nga eh nasamasamang kondisyon pa itong tatawagin na langnatin sa pangalang boy sumbong na mula din salahi ng mga de Leon. Aniya, sana daw ay pumilana lamang siya sa NFA kaysa nga naman walanang laman ang kaniyang kumakalam na sikmuraeh pati utak niya wala ding laman! Inerereklamong estupidyanteng ito si Sir Alang Braso dahilsa di madalas na pagtuturo at pag-absent! Atkapag papasok naman daw ito ay magpapa-assignment lang pagkatapos ay magkukwentong kanyang talambuhay. Naku po. Ito si PepengTigre nagpapatrol. Pupoy?

Pupoy: Maraming salamat Pepeng Tigre.Samantala nasa kabilang linya naman po siMon Dragon upang iulat sa atin ang nangyarisa isang batang di umanoy di makapasok dahilsa isang masyadong propesor. Mon ano bayang balitang yan?

Mon: Karaniwan na sa mga estupidyante angni hindi man lang makabili ng libro sa hirapng buhay. Ngunit may ilang propesor pa dinang tila baga di alintana ang sitwasyon ng mgaiskolar ng bayan. At isa na nga ang propesorna ito na may kunek sa isang bayan ng Rizalang inirereklamo nitong si nene. Ayon sakanyang salaysay, pilit daw silang pinabibilinito ng bonggang bonggang lab gown kasamana pati gloves dahil kung hindi ay hindi silapapapasukin nito! “Chaka! Bakit kami bibilinun? Di ba nagbabayad naman kami nglaboratory fee?,” yan ang kaniyang tugon ngamin siyang nakapanayam kaninang umaga.Tama bang gawin ito sa mga umaasa kaysintang paaralan na nagbabayad naman nglaboratory fee? Iyan ang kabuuang ulat mula

rito sa fourth floor, Mon Dragon nagpapatrol,back to you Pupoy.

Pupoy: Salamat Mon, isang pahabol na balita,mga estupidyante humuhingi ng hustisya! Angkabuuang ulat na iyan ay ihahatid po sa atin niBuboy Og, ano ba ito Buboy?

Buboy: Pupoy, “hirap na at walangmatutunan”, yan ang hinaing ng mgaestupidyante nitong propesor na may kunek saisang magazine at singer na madalas daw hindiumatend ng kanyang klase. Papasok lamangsiya upang pasagutan ang mga exercises salibro at pagkaraan ay umaalis na agad ito. Diman lamang daw nagchecheck ng attendancesi ma’am. Dagdag pa nila, wala daw silangmapulot sa librong kanilang ginagamit narequired ng propesor na ito. Kahabag-habagtalaga ang kundisyon ng mga batang ito nabulok na ang pasilidad na ginagamit ay bulokpa pati ang mga inaasahang magbibigay sakanila ng kinakailangang kaalaman. Haaay.Buboy Og nag-uulat.

Pupoy: Tsk tsk, papaano nga ba tayomakakahuli ng mga ganitong M.I.L.F.? Sinoang dapat manguna, kanino dapatmagsangguni? Ang mga dapat ninyongmalaman ang ihahatid sa atin ni Omeng Agila.

Omeng: Papaano nga ba? Yan ang tanong ngating mga kaestupidyantehan kung paano silamakakapag sumbong-sumbong dito sa atingtanggapan. Simple lamang ang dapat ninyonggawin, kung kayo ay nabiktima o dumaranas nghindi patas na trato mula sa mga tiwali at unfairna tao at nagnanais kayo ng ng pagbabago,ipagbigay alam lamang ito sa amin at atin silangpaparamdaman. Sumadya o lumihan saEngineering Spectrum Office, Rm 423 CEA Bldg.Sta. Mesa, Manila. Magsumbong, makialam.Okay? Tandaan, sumbong sumbong kaybonggang bonggang Pupoy. CElyA, kay ganda,atin siya.

Pupoy: Hahaha! Maraming salamat Omeng, (uboubo) excuse me po! Sa punto pong ito kami aymagpapaalam na. Yan ang kabuuang ulat na amingnakalap sa nakalipas na kwatro siyento oras.Umasa po kayo na sa kabila ng pamemersonalng ilang M.I.L.F., patuloy po kami namaglilingkod sa inyo ng buong puso, patas atlumalaban para sa sangkaestupidyantehan. Sangalan ng mga bumubuo sa liga ng katotohanan,ako po si Pupoy. Dahil hindi natutulog angbalita! Pero natutulog naman kami. Nakatutokkami, oras oras. Maraming salamat sa inyongpagtitiwala!

“Marimar, awwww!”

M. I. L. F.He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

“M

illustration by ARNOLD LALONGISIP

September 2008 CIRCLE 9Spectrum

ow! Congrats! Top 4”!This was the text message

from his office mate who first informedhim that he had topped in theexamination.

In doubt and in shock, he lookedup at the newspaper the followingday. “Nanginginig kamay ko,” he saidas he scans the pages of the newspaper.

Reading the names: 1 2 3...4. Melvin Guttierrez Singayan –

Polytechnic University of thePhilippines

And that apparently confirmedeverything.

It started out as a dreamFirst, he dreamt of becoming a

Cum Laude but he failed for he got alow grade in one of his subject on hisfifth year—his last year. But Godreally has a plan. He was destined forsomething bigger...

Out of 2,985 examinees in theMay 2008 Civil Engineering LicensureBoard Examination, 1,094 had passed.And out of that 1,094, MelvinSingayan ranked fourth. Making ahistory, he now holds the title for thehighest rank that the Civil Engineeringcommunity had placed.

Who’s there?Like any other, he does not

expect topping the board. And likeanyone else, he wished for it to arrive.Lucky enough, with a blend of hardwork, he had been the fourth on thelist of the most outstanding CivilEngineers.

The number ‘4’ to him before washis mere boarding house number. Butnow, every time he looks at it, it wasa living sign for him. As what havehis board mates sometimes teased

Pumapang na ang mabalasik na karimlan nang mapagpasyahan kong itudlasa tulong ng tinta ng aking pluma at sa subyang na pagkakabulatlat ng

isang madilaw na papel ang payak na lathalain kong ito.Sa mabilis at walang humpay na pag-ikot ng salik ng makabagong kaunlaran,

alinsabay nito ay unti-unti na ring nababalahaw sa lusak ng pagkalimot angating panitikan.

Isa na marahil sa mga aandap-andap ang ningas ng pananatili ay ang atingpakikipagtalastasan. Sa kasalukuyang panahon, suntok sa buwan na angmakasugpong ka ng mga indibidwal na masugid pa ring tinatangkilik at pinag-iinam ang mapagganyak na pakikipag-ulayaw sa patnugot ng ating sarilingwika.

Upang mapaigting at makastigo ang mga naunang salaysay, maaari natingilakip sa kinahuhumalingang paghahatid mensaheng teksto gamit ang atingmga selulang aparatong pang-ugnay ang pagpapalaganap ng mga mabubulaklaknating panitik sa pakikipag-ulayaw.

Sa gayon ay makakalabit natin ang gatilyo ng baril ng makabayangpakikipagtalastasan sa pamamagitan ng selulang aparatong pang-ugnay. Hindidapat tayo mahiratang sa panuntunan sa pagsasaayos, pagtitipon, atpagpapahayag ng ating mga nais ipabatid sa porma ng mensaheng teksto nawala naman talaga sa alituntunin ng pagdadaglat.

Sa paggawa natin ng mga mensaheng teksto na ating ipinahahatid,kinakaltas natin ang ilang titik ng mga salita upang mapaikli ang ating kailangangitudlang hanay ng mga pangungusap na hindi natin alintanang pahaw na rinang pagpapakahulugan sa ating mensaheng ipinahahatid.

Ang inyong abang lingkod ay isang masugid na nagpapadala ng aking mgamensaheng teksto sa daloy ng ating mayamang pakikipagtalastasan. At tuladng nakararami, sabay na sa agos ng daloy-buhay ko sa araw-araw angpakikisalamuha sa pamamagitan ng mensaheng teksto. Sa pagputok pa langng araw, nawa’y wala namang nasabugan, ay ipinaaabot ko na ang malugodkong pagbati ng magandang araw sa mensaheng teksto na may haplos ng mgasalitang sadyang katutubo sa ating bayan. Tulad na lamang nito: “Isangbanaag sikat na umaga sa iyo. Nawa’y naging lubos ang iyong paghimlay saiyong lunang pahingahan sa lumipas na banig ng karimlan na lumupig saating mga gunita at iginupo tayo sa kawalang malay na paglalakbay. Isangmasigabo at mapagpalang araw sana ang landas na iyong tahakin.”.Nagsisilbi na rin iyong ehersisyo upang maging handa ang aking kalagayangintelektuwal para sa pagbayubay sa maghapon.

Sa paglubog naman ng araw ay ito ang malimit na patukoy ng akingpakikipag-ulayaw: “Maging lubos sana ang iyong pag-alagwa sa mahimbingna pamamahinga, malikom mo sana ang lakas na iyong inilaan sapagsasakatuparan ng mga maghapong pinagkaabalahan. Ang kumot ngaking pag-aalala nawa ang magbigay init sa iyong nanlalamig na magdamag.”Hindi ba’t kay inam na magpaalam sa araw na lumipas sa gayong masikap nasuyuan?

Sa pagsapit naman ng mapanglaw na oras sa katanghaliang tapat, kilitiinang talampakan ng tagatanggap: “Umaasa ako na natugunan mo na anghinaing ng nag-aalburuto mong sikmurang sabik sa nauukol na pananghalianupang makapagpatuloy sa pagtupad ng iyong mga gawain. Hangad ko dinna hindi malibak ng alinsangang hatid ng katirikang araw ang iyongkalugurang lakas at mithi sa pagsisikap sa iyong mga nakahanay natungkulin”.

Kung ikaw naman ay may katipan at sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari aymaaantala ka sa oras ng inyong pagkikita, maaari mo siyang abisuhan ngganito: “Ipagpaumanhin mo sanang lubos kung hindi ako makakadaop saating tipanan sa pinagkasunduang oras. Sa kadahilanang nasuong samarubdob na paghambalang ng mga pasadang-masa ang kinalululanankong karwaheng pinaiigkas ng krudo.” Sa gayong paliwanag ay nailarawanmo ang puno’t dulo ng iyong pagkahuli sa pagpandahaw sa inyong usapan.

Kung naglalayon ka naman na mag-alay ng isang pakikipag-kamustahangmay himig ng pag-aalala: “Mapukaw ko nawa kahit ilang saglit ng iyong oras.Nais ko lang na kamustahin ang iyong kalagayan, kung nakalagan mo naang gapos ng karamdamang gumupo sa iyo nitong mga nakalipas naaraw…dalangin ko ang iyong pag-igpaw sa malaong panahon buhat saiyong pagkakaratay sa banig ng karamdaman. Umasa ka na kalakip saaking mga dalangin ang iyong lubos na paggaling.” Ito’y mainam napampalubag ng kalooban upang mapasilab ang kugon ng pagnanasang bumuting taong pinag-ukulan.

Mala-bukayo ding panutsa sa pakikipag-ulayaw ang sumusunod: “Saaking sintang-tanglaw, dalangin ko lang na lumago ang binhi ngpagmamahalan na itininanim sa lupa ng ating mga pusong nagkakaunawaan,nais ko lamang ipabatid na hindi man tayo magkadaupang-palad sa mgasandaling ito, manalig ka na kaagapaymo ang aking pag-aalala at angmarubdob na alab ng aking pagsintasa iyo saan ka man pumaroon. Nawa’ylumunsad pa sa lawig ng himpapawirinang pagtatangi natin sa isa’t isa.”Naaangkop lamang na ang batis ngpakikipagsuyuan ay dumaloy sagayong lagaslas na may ligamgam athalumigmig upang mamukadkad pa angbulaklak ng mga nagmamahalan.

Lubha talagang makapangyarihanang mga salita. Maikukumpara ito saisang balaraw na kapag tumarak sa pusong pinag-ukulan ay malalim ang uwangna malilikha. Kaya’t gamitin ng maykawastuhan at yaong bukal sa kaloobanang bawat panitik na mamumutawimula sa ating mga labi at ibubunsod ngating kaisipan.

Naimulat ko sana kayo sa akingadhikaing maibalik ang mga ginintuangaraw ng ating kultura. Alalahanin na langnatin ang pamosong pahayag ng atingpambansang bayani Gat. Jose Rizal na,“Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika,ay higit pa sa hayop at malansangisda”.

akikipagulayaw

than just taking the two subjectswhere there has been an allegedleakage.

Before the examination, he filed aleave of absence on his work to study.Confident enough that he was stillequipped with the things he learned,he took the exam and the rest wasindeed a history especially for thecollege.

As of the Moment“I’m working as a junior structural

engineer at Albert C. Caòete andAssociates, company of the formerdean of PUP-CEA. Nagdedesign kaming mga bridges and buildings.”

According to him, one of the bestthings he experienced is that he getsjob offers from the line of designing,construction and even works abroad,yet still, he chose to stay.

Another thing is that he made hisfamily proud. “Nakikita ko sa kanilana very proud sila. Lalo na at hindinila alam kung papasa ba ako ohindi.”

As a reward for his hard work hehad bought a Nintendo DS. His family,on the other hand, had set up a smallcelebration for him.

Now, his dream was of having hisown design and construction firmtogether with his friends. Perhaps, thisis less impossible.

Whatever he had and will beachieving, for him it would always bebecause of the good combination ofstudying and luck as ingredients withGod as his Chef. “Masarap sapakiramdam, dream ko kasi ‘yon nanatupad.”

In the end, we are measured notby how much we undertake but bywhat we finally accomplished.

“W him, “the top four resides at roomnumber four.”

Tracing his life story, Melvin wasever since a consistent honor student.He graduated Salutatorian during hiselementary days and an academicachiever when he was in High school.

His stay in PUP was greatlyinfluenced by his friends andespecially by his guts. “Sa barkadako, dalawa kaming may dream magingcum laude, kaya dalawa kami masipagmag-aral.” He even got moremotivated when he was acknowledgedas the top student of their batch duringhis sophomore year.

He had been involved in differentacademic activities in and out of thecampus. He even represented theschool in the contest sponsored bythe Association of StructuralEngineers of the Philippine held at theUniversity of Makati where he rankedsixth.

“Full time review ako sa reviewcenter before the Nov. 2007 boardexam. Pumasa ako and then nagworkna ako. Kaya lang, may retake pala.Hindi na ako nag take nun. Hindi kokasi napaghandaan. So I decided totake the May 2008 examination.”

Take twoThe May 2008 examination was

actually his second. Not because hefailed on the first but because it wasthe controversial Nov 2007 batchwhere the Professional RegulatoryCommission (PRC) had ordered aretake for the two subjects.

Instead of taking the retakescheduled January 2008, he decidedto work and just wait for the nextbatch of the exam. He chose toretake the whole board exam rather

SEE WHO’S

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YOU’RE NEXT!Sitting among other Civil EngineeringTopnothers, Melvin G. Singayan wears hismedal after the oathtaking ceremony at theManila Hotel, May 31.---Photo from Mr. Singayan’s Friendster account

iting your dirty finger nails toescape boredom? Take it away!

(Typing…)www.youtube.comEnter(Typing…)Moymoy PalaboySearching…

Have a good laugh with MoymoyPalaboy, a lip-synching duo, who isnow making their comic careers frominternet grounds to television screens.

Here’s the catch! Bubble Gangmain stay, James (older) and Rodfil(younger) Obeso in real life, both tookcourse in Polytechnic University of

Click Here To Play!the Philippines. Rodfil having beenfinished his Business Managementcourse while James dropped out fromMass Communication.

Uploading personal videos hasbeen their most loved hobby since oneand a half year ago. They have nopurpose of doing such crazy stuff tobe recognized, “trip lang po,” as theysaid. It was in February 2007 thatthey first posted their video inYouTube (Dirty Pop by N’Sync) andamong their numerous videos, Volareis their favorite.

Adding up humor to the scene wastheir Mama Auntie who strikes in andout of the camera and sometimes seemsignoring the boys but all of a suddendances to the beat. Their mom diedtwo years ago.

Finally, leaving a message for theirfans, they said that they appreciateall the support for their stupid videos.

B

EDMAR MANGAHAS

Spectrum September 200810 ISSUES

Monthly PeriodESCALATING oil price in the world market gone out of control. Thething is, it dictates the inflation rate of an economy in every part of theworld to jack up with its every move. Consequently, it “fuels up” not justvehicles and aircrafts but also the basic commodity costs to “take off”.

Aside from oil crisis, artificial rice shortage, a locally craftedpredicament, is another burden that the Filipinos are shouldering at themoment. Abusive rice traders hoard rice supplies by conspiring withpoliticians and agricultural officials,thus, making the cost of this staplefood to hit the most prohibitive pricethat it could.

If these present crises could hurt every single wealthy family here inour country, how more do we? Let’s have the views of the CEans of thispoor man’s University on how they cope up with these challenges in adaily basis. How they cut spending and do necessary efforts to make theboth ends meet?

How does the crisis on oil and rice affect your life as a student?“Pumapayat na kami.” – Kenneth CoE V“Sa transportation fare malaki tinaas, halos lahat ng baon ko

napupunta dun.” –Cess CE IV“First, the price of the daily meal increased, pati yong pamasahe

kaya ayon affected ako, mga books hindi ko na nabibili kasi kailangangmagtipid.” –Wilson ECE IV

“Nagiging pahirap ‘to sa mga studyante, mahal pamasahe, mahalmga bilihin sa loob at labas ng school. Pagkakasiyahin mo maliit mongbaon, karamihan sa atin asa lang sa magulang kaso hindi namantumataas ang sahod. Dapat nating suportahan ang panawagan ng mgamagulang nating manggagawa para sa Php 125 wage increase.” – PaoloME IV

“Okay lang walang pinagbago naglalakad lang ako, tapos sa bahayna ako kumakain.” –Neng IE III

“Actually dati nga hindi ako nagbabaon ng pagkain, ngayonnagbabaon na para lang makatipid, mahal kasi pamasahe.” -Denz CE II

Apparently, the majority sounds the same tune. Everyone is sufferingfrom difficulties brought by the oil and rice crisis. Nobody prohibits usfrom eating and wandering elsewhere, but budget wise as the climate ofour economy demands, we should live the way our money can afford. Nomore, no less. If we can’t go ahead of it, then ride on it.

Regret is if thriftiness is too late when you find nothing at the bottomof your purse.

A Time for Frugal Instinct

used to have when it undergone with thecashier.

And so?The matter is, it has become a notion that

finance is essential in keeping an organizationalive. As the saying goes, money makes theworld go round. Funds are necessary toimplement all the projects and functions of anorganization. How could a publication be apublication if it’s incapable of producingpapers? Or how could a student representativestand up for the studentry if its self is feeblebecause of bankruptcy?

But it is, however, a different case “Maypera man o wala, tuloy pa rin” as Austero havesaid.

“Kilalang kritiko ni Dr. Guevarra ang SKMat Kata, bakit kaya nila ginagawa ito?”

Joyce Llanto Editor in Chief, TC

Failure to comply with the Internal Audit’srequirement has been the ground for TC andSKM fee’s exclusion according to Llanto.Guevarra decided to count out the said paymentfor TC and SKM in the official receipt so asnot to be liable with the complaints concerningthe two organizations.

But is it a fair decision? Is it reasonable toexclude TC and SKM’s fee just because,according to the two organizations, they have

not yet cleared their financial statement for onlyone semester?

In an article published in The Catalyst, VolXXXIII (June 2008), TC have cleared the issuewith regards to their financial condition,mentioning the funds that weren’t released forthe past three semesters and the transparencythey are implementing inside the organization.Moreover, Jan Paolo Austero, Vice PresidentSKM said that the SKM is doing its best tocomply with the Internal Audit’s condition.

“Ang pinakadahilan talaga niyan,pangunahing kritiko ng administrasyon angSKM.”

Paolo Austero, Vice President, SKM

In an isolated interview with TC and SKM,both affirmed that the Administration has beendoing all these things to hinder the organizationin criticizing them.”Ang nangyayaring ito ayform ng repression” Llanto said. “Definitely,repression ’to” Austero seconded.

For a long time TC and SKM has beeninvoking actions that thoroughly review theproceedings taken by the administration. Andfrom the way things are going, it can bededuced that administration has gone wearywith these pretty business and, let’s say, founda way to keep these organizations at bay. Tohold their funds is to paralyze and to keep them

shut. “Pinipilayan kami ng administrasyon”Llanto even said.

But, then again, this is a different case.Because this is PUP, the administration mightbe wrong.

This is PUPAktibista. This has been the brand of

university’s culture, a culture that is impartedup to almost its present successor. Everyonewho’s trained to be a student leader here in PUPis immersed in this situation of domination,cultivated in a manner that just one wrong movewill force them to bring the issue along incorridors and even on major streets. And thisis how we handle things.

No one can stop an organization who has,ever since, known how to play these games ofdespotism. The administration may have thepower to control crucial part of theseorganizations, but it can never stop the businessof these groups – to function in the service ofthe studentry.

“Being a student leader is serving. Patuloykaming lalaban.”

-Austero“Matagal na kaming walang pera. Hindi

nila kami mapapahinto ng ganito lang. Hindikami takot.”

-Llanto

ON July 3, policemen of Station 8Sta. Mesa came to the PUP MabiniCampus to arrest four accusedstudents who were allegedlyinvolved in a gang rape thathappened inside the universitypremises. The alleged victim was a16 year-old freshman marketingstudent of PUP. She was reportedlyenticed to join a non-accreditedorganization—more likely afraternity/sorority. Reports said thatthe incident took place within threedays (from June 25 to 27) at placesinside and outside the university,involving a close to 20 individual whileexercising an initiation rite.

But due to lack of evidence, thearrested students were released on thatsame day.

PUP administration consideredthe issue as an isolated case andsomething not to worry about but theuniversity regarded the matter for itput the name of PUP at risk. Thepeople involved were assured by theschool administration to be equallyprotected in accordance with the law.And on the midst of the issue in theinternet, Dr. Dante Guevarra, PUPpresident, even states that this willdiscredit PUP as a foundation oftertiary education

Subsequently, another issue wasbrought up: Security measuresimplemented in PUP are weak.

School administration, on thecontrary, stressed out that they weredoing their best to keep everybodyin the campus secured. Like everyschool, they said that they werestrictly implementing the ID systemthat allows only students, employeesand faculties of PUP to be

accommodated during class/officehours. Because of budgetaryconstraint, the university got only 45security guards to watch over the 15buildings in the university’s 10-hectare compound which resorted onasking police assistance for bettersecurity.

These matters brought prominentpeople like Sen. Kiko Pangilinan andCHED Deputy Exec. Dir. JulitoVictriolo, to stir school officials.According to them, this should serveas a “wake-up call” not just for PUP,but for every school to take a secondlook at their security operations.Since the incident happened underthe official’s nose, they see apossibility of PUP administration’snegligence or failure of performing theirtasks.

Almost a month after, August 2,PUP once again caught the attentionof the public when an investigativeprogram featured a suspected gaminghaven for students within thecampus. On the program XXX,“Jasper” sought the attention of ABS-CBN to put such thing to an end. Hecited that the shop invokes studentsto play even during class hours thataffects their interests in studying. Theprogram also detailed out maliciousirregularities with regards to theestablishment, like, it violates schooland city policies and it has nobusiness permit.

“Combat Ground” computerstation, formerly located in the 4th floorof Ninoy Aquino Library and LearningResource Center (Nallrc) Buildingstarted operating November last year.It was intended to provide studentsof PUP their computer needs without

going outside the university.Unfortunately, it then turned out tobe an amusement/gaming center forPUPians.

According to a city ordinance,amusement/gaming centers mustonly be placed outside the 50 meterradius around the school compound.Then, why Nallrc building is chosenas a site of this establishment?

With PUP administration’sapproval, proprietors have chosenNallrc over another option –Sampaguita Building – because of itsage and its tendency to collapse if toomuch people occupy the place.

Mr. Julius Mislang, owner of“Combat Ground,” asserted that theallegations or “misconceptions”about the establishment were nottrue. He said that the games playedin their shop were not initially there.Students downloaded files from theinternet and installed it on their units.And to prove XXX was wrong,Mislang, presented the businesspermit of their establishment.

The school administration triedto prevent the incident by issuingmemos to the said computer shop onputting these gaming sessions onhalt. Mislang stressed out that theyhave complied with the orders andeven reformatted their PCs.Furthermore, he added that “CombatGround” was launched for thebenefit of the students – it has servedas a testing ground for newly createdsoftwares and an extension ofcomputer laboratory.

According to CHED, PUP, beinga state university, is allowed to makeany partnership with establishmentsto help raise funds. But still, IncomeGenerating Projects (IGP) that arisesmust be conducive to learning andshould not affect student’s health andmorality.

The start of school year 2008-2009 was not that very good for PUP.For two consecutive months,PUPians experienced predicamentsthat nobody ever expected tocome: the gang rape, which is notresolved unt i l now, and thecomputer gaming in the library.Both put each PUPians to the testof what we really are – a questionof character.

Surely, these matters broughtdifferent tittle-tattle about ouruniversity. It raised differentquestions and opinions that readilyneed to be answered. But whateverimplications it has created, there aretwo sure things: one, there issomeone, in any way thecircumstances are, sexually abused;and two, no matter how theysensationalized the issue of CombatGround, we cannot deny the fact ofthe goodness of their intentions.

In a sense, one may also thinkthat if only ALL students behaveproperly (especially those freshmenwho still have their high school nametagged along with their own) PUP

InDepth ROLAND JAMES MELADLAURICE VELASQUEZ

TETE-A-TETE

will never experience such publicity.No matter how great the measuresof this university, it would be highlyimpossible if the problem is withinthe studentry. However, i t isirrational to collectively judgePUPians because of one or twomisdeeds.

There are raised brows inflictedupon us and there are fingerspointed towards us. The publicimage, for whatever it is, can eitherbe positive or negative. But PUP isstill PUP. It has gone well for a longtime and would continue to be. Thisis a momentary failure and theuniversity will, eventually, moveon.

THEY are the highest valued organization inwhat is ought to be the “Poor man’sUniversity”. They are the heart of activisms –the head of rallies, the initiator of walkouts,the main critic and the student’s defender.

Their mission of putting student’s rightabove anyone else in the university has chainedthem together. Jointly, they fight oppression,repression, corruption and dirty politicking.And now, as if fate planned to bond them more,they have to face, hand-in-hand, another battle– battle for their own survival.

A Tale of Two CriticsEarly April of this year, The Catalyst (TC),

official publication of the PolytechnicUniversity of the Philippines – Manila and theSentral na Konseho ng mga Mag-aaral (SKM)received a notification from PUP Pres. DanteGuevarra that the publication fee (for TC) andSKM fee will not be included in themiscellaneous fees stated on the enrollee’sofficial receipt.

As a result, both organizations resorted toa manual acquisition of fund, creating anotherline in enrollment procedure.

Since paying the said fees is not strictlyimplemented and depends only upon thestudent’s discretion, both organizationsdid not come up with the usual amount they

In the Service ofBullsEye AMALIA TAMAYO

illustration by JAN LEO HERRERA

September 2008 NEWS 11Spectrum

FOUNDED in year 1979, the Collegeof Engineering (CE) will celebrate its30th anniversary this coming February2009.

With the theme “30 Years ofAcademic Excellence towards TotalEngineering Education for the People,”the entire engineering community:administrators, professors, studentsand even alumni are collaborating forthe success of this once in a lifetimeevent.

As a share, the CE-StudentCouncil, College Consultative Boardand the different academicorganizations team up in thepreparation of the would-be biggestcelebration of the College. Every 30th

day of the month, different academicorganization will hold a variety ofevents as a way of informing thestudents and a countdown for the maincelebration.

The CE Research andDevelopment Office will also host its2nd Engineering Research Conference(ERC).

Year twoBeing one of the highlights of the

celebration and with plans of makingit bigger, ERC intends to invite nationaland international professionals in theindustry of engineering from variouscolleges and universities promoting thetheme, “Forging SynergisticPartnership with the Global Industrythrough Market-Driven ResearchInitiatives.”

The committee for the conferenceis proposing for it to be held indifferent locations such as in St.Benilde, but Engr. Marianito P.Gallego, head of the College ofEngineering Research andDevelopment and also the chairmanof the ERC, asserts to showcase ourown facility and still conduct it herein our University.

Unlike the 1st ERC’s five dayevent, the 2nd ERC will be two daysshorter. Engr. Gallego pointed out thatit is for the presenters to concentratemore on their research paper.

Ergonomics, Safety Engineering,Information and CommunicationTechnology, Transportation andTraffic Management, StructuralReview, Material Science, Micro-Structural Engineering, Medical andBio-medical Electronics,Microelectronics, Spintronics andRobotics are some of the thrusts andprior research concern of the saidconference.

Monthly endeavorEngineering students will be

expecting to see various activitiesduring the 30th day of the month,starting July up to January 30,conducted by the academicorganizations. The activities will serveas a way of countdown to the maincelebration and also aims to enlightenthe community of the rich history ofthe College.

Philippine Institute of theIndustrial Engineering (PIIE) hostedthe first 30th day event where they

CE Celebrates Pearl Anniversary30th day, ERC to top main events

New Handbook.../p.12

TO improve the quality of engineeringgraduates, College of Engineering (CE)Dean Manuel Muhi ordered the fulland strict implementation of thestudent qualifying examination (SQE)to all incoming third year students.

SQE is given to incoming thirdyear students with general weightedaverage of 2.5 and below excluding PEand NSTP and those who failed thestandards of their respective curricularprograms.

Every end of the school year, CEthrough the various departmentsconduct a scholastic evaluation to allincoming juniors for the purpose ofassessing their academic performance.SQE coordinator Engr. GuillermoBernabe said that the assessment willboost student’s performance,especially in board examinations.

Last year, 86.56% passed theassessment and were qualified tocontinue in their chosen degreeprogram. While the other 13.44% left,became candidates for dismissal fromthe College.

Students who failed to take andpass the exam were given a chance bysome department heads to enroll for3rd year curriculum. However, if theyfailed to pass their respective majorsubjects, they will definitely beremoved from the college.

Muhi Urges Qualifying Exam

started the countdown with the theme“Engineering: 30° Elevating,Countdown to Celebrate,” which wasled by CE Dean Manuel Muhi andProf. Adelio Sulit, chairperson of IEdepartment.

L ikewise , Assoc ia t ion o fConcerned Computer EngineeringStudents for Service (Access) putup an exhibit highlighting CE’sachievements from the previousyears and a video presentationabout the College’s history withthe theme of, “3D Imagineer1ng:3 Decades o f Exce l l ence . 1Engineering College.”

Ecess and EEN will be taking theirpart on the next two consecutivemonths with the plan of presentingdifferent successful researches madeby the students and of conducting afilm showing.

Intensive PlanningFor the 30th year, CE has

scheduled a series of activitiesfollowing the flow of the traditionalCollege Week except for some changesmaking the celebration moreremarkable.

A Holy Mass and an OpeningProgram would kick off the main eventto be participated by a number ofstudents and faculties.

Something to look forward to arethe awarding of the outstandingstudents, faculties, alumni andfeasibilities, series of informativeseminars and educational films(documentaries), and the alumnihomecoming.

CHESTER MIGUEL

Revision of handbook has started long before Prof. Jaime Gutierrez, Directorof Student Services take part as a Chair of the committee, together with itsmembers.

Among the committee was Faculty Regent Anastacio Gabriel, StudentRegent Ma. Sophia Prado, members Atty. Fernando Peòa, Atty. Felipe Cahayonand Prof. Dindo Manuel Bautista, consultants Prof. Albino Amoguis and HenrieEnaje and Committee Secretary Prof. Jimmy Dollaga.

Series of individual and group deliberations happened during the revisionof 1999 Student Handbook. The output of discussions has then forwarded todifferent concerned offices in the University for their comments and suggestions.

Such offices who reviewed the handbook were the offices of vice presidentsfor Administration Finance, Academic Affairs, Research and Development andStudent Services. Other offices were Coordinating Director, Legal Office,University Center for Cultural and Arts, Registrar and Admission, Ninoy AquinoLibrary and Learning Research Center, Guidance and Counseling Office, InternalAudit, security force, and students.

SHRC editor Dr. Milagros Canares did the final editing prior to thediscussions done with the said offices. It was presented to the Office of thePresident, Office of the Vice President and Board of Regents for approval andsubsequent formal reproduction.

Few WordsGutierrez encourages every PUPians to understand and absorb what was

written in the handbook not just to have it. “Rights, privileges and responsibilitiesfor freedom and rights to be heard and to be informed were written… it willserves as your bible throughout your stay in the University,” he added.

Aside from a ready reference material, it also proposes a glance into theworkings of the PUP academic community and place of the seekers of knowledgein our educational mainstream.

On top of these, Prof. Gutierrez said that the student will likewise receivetheir copy of the newly revised student handbook before this semester ends.

Lost and Found.../p.12“May nagagamit naman, yun

nga lang minsan sira. Kahit nga bygroup kulang pa din.” Shery-lyn, anElectronics and CommunicationsEngineering (ECE) studentcommented.

In the PastSixteen years ago, Japan

International Cooperating Agency(JICA) bestowed Php240 millionworth of equipment to the college.But it did not stand the test oftime.

“May 26 osci l loscopesdonated by JICA…as time passesby, nasisira dahil na rin sakatandaan. Since hindi nganadadagdagan, nung pumasokakong lab head more or less 13 nalang yung natira na pinilit nalamang i-maintain. Apat na taonakong naging lab head, at nangumalis ako pito na lang ‘yungoscilloscope,” Engr. MarianitoGallego, ECE former laboratoryhead said.

Lab fee, what for?These are apparent

manifestat ions of lack ofequipment. But every semesterengineering students are payingthe so-called “laboratory fee.”

Ms. Marissa Legazpi, VicePresident for Finance (VPF) saidthat the collected laboratory feeis used for the procurement andmaintenance of laboratoryequipments, where it is supposedto be spent.

But Ms. Legaspi also said thatthe collected fees from the cashierwere accumulated as a whole andtherefore, there is no specificallocation for laboratory needs.Any necessity of the laboratoryis provided through request oflaboratory heads.

According to Engr. GuillermoBernabe, Civil Engineering (CE)laboratory head, that while they arerequesting for the pieces of equipment,“ginagawan na namin ng paraan,minsan sariling bulsa, kailangangself-supporting, tumutulong namanang student organization, supportivenaman sila at may initiative,” he said.

“Hindi naibibigay [equipments],kahit ilang beses ng mag-request, kayamaliit na lang ang nire-request,” Engr.Alexander Carrascal, ECE laboratoryhead said.

In a sheet of paper, written arethe unchanging pleas of lab headsabout their laboratory needs. “’Yungmga request ten years pa bagodumating,” Laga stated.

VPF Legaspi explained that thereason for the slow processing of therequest is the low budget at hand andon the availability of funds for thelaboratories.

“Imposible, kahit paano meron,”Legaspi asserts regarding on thestatement of some lab heads that theyare not acquiring any equipment.

Engr. Perez stressed out, “Hindinaman sa walang naibibigay,[nabibigay naman] ‘yung mgaexpendables tulad ng contact cleaners,fuse, wires, ‘yung mga consumables,pero ‘yung mga equipment, wala.”

Due to insufficient budget, VPFLegaspi explained that they are moreprioritizing the urgent needs, basicneeds such as electricity and water tomaintain the utilities. “Hindi lang iyon[laboratory] ang consideration sapaggastos,” she pointed out.

Laboratory fee cannot be allocatedfor its particular use because it is justa tiny fraction of the whole budget.“Hindi pwede i-allocate, abonado pasa koleksyon ng lab fee ang admin,kulang pa talaga, dinadagdaganpa,”she ended.

Be Better ServedAs a result of these

predicaments, probable solutionswere initiated by the laboratoryheads. Allocating budget for thelaboratory needs every year forwhere it is supposed to be used isone of the best options according toEngr. Carrascal.

“Para gumanda ang equipment,taasan ang budget,” Engr. EdwinEsperanza said.

“Maliit ang lab fee, Oo, hindiako pabor tumaas ang mgabayarin pero kung maykalalagyan naman, okay lang,”CE-Student Council treasurer Ma.Cynthia Esquivel (EE IV)affirmed.

Moreover, laboratory headsare giving much effor t inmaintaining the laboratories. Justas some s tudents have theinitiatives to have fund raising likeBingo to acquire laboratoryequipment. They are also hopingand asking for some donations inthe industry.

In the meantime, “President[Dr. Dante Guevara] encourageseveryone to indulge in an IGP[income generating project] paramakapagpundar para sapangangailangan ng kolehiyo,”VPF Legaspi said.

Engr. Mariani to Gal legostressed out this question, “Sinoang maninindigan at magte-takeng responsibility in doing the firstaction?” as he challenged CEansto initiate in doing such changesfor the college.

With this, CEans are lookingforward for the genuine concernand action from the administrationin moving further the good of thestudents by providing themenough laboratory equipment.

Wireless and Broadband Equipment.“We are encouraged by the aggressiveness of PUP students to learn more”

Mr. Mar Tamayo, Engineering Head SMART Comm. Inc. remarked on the dayof contract signing.

According to Muhi, SWEEP phase two beneficiary will be more likely theCoE department since it is more inclined with computer and networking. “Purosoftware kasi, pang CoE talaga” Muhi reiterated.

Engr. Remedios Ado, CoE department head also expresses approval withthe new arrangement, “[nagbe-]benefit both parts, natatransfer sa’ten yungtechnology, in return, yung mga graduates natin when they go out [in thecollege] hindi na nila kailangan ng training dahil dito pa lang trained na sila.”

SMART extends SWEEP.../p.12

“Dapat lang naman talaga,”Engr. Napoleon Dela Cruz,chairperson of Civil Engineeringdepartment pointed out with regardson the strict compliance for dismissalof students. “Kasi may nag-istaydito ng seven years, eight years, nineyears na hindi naman talaga dapat,”he continued.

Miko Berroya (CE III), SQEpasser, in accordance with theexamination said, “Dapatpagdaanan [‘yung SQE], paramasukat kung natuto ba ang mgaestudyante sa paaralan.”

Scholastic Evaluation Committeecreated by the college Dean wasresponsible for developing thequestionnaire, implementation andfor the attainment of the guidelines.

Mathematics subjects such asAlgebra, Trigonometry, AnalyticGeometry, Calculus, as well asPhysical Science such as Chemistryand Physics are contents of the SQEquestions.

These initiatives, among othersare being urged by the College toproduce quality graduates who areglobally competitive in technicalknowledge and skills and, at thesame time, transform CE to becomea center of excellence in engineeringeducation.

photo by AMALIA TAMAYO

JOHN PAUL MURILLO

DEAL!Signing the memorandum of agreement between PUP and SmartCommunications (from left) Dean Manuel Muhi, Pres. DanteGuevarra, Mar Tamayo and Darwin Flores affirm the continuation ofSMART Engineering Education Program.

Spectrum September 2008NEWS12

TECHNOLOGY proved once againthat there is no hindrance when itcomes to information propagation.

Online database resources wereofficially launched exclusively toschool officials and college deans atthe ICT Lobby of Ninoy AquinoLibrary Learning Resource Center(Nallrc), July 18.

Powered by Athena system-software, these electronic referencesserved as a complement to booksavailable in libraries which will enablestudents to have quick access oninformation.

On the said launch, GALECEngage Learning and the C-E Logic(an affiliate of C&E Publishing)introduced how these references makegathering information truly efficient.

Preface of the system is presentedsubsequently to faculties of theuniversity as well in a series ofseminars for different colleges havinga satellite library.

The seminar happened on July24, in the College of Engineering andArchitecture Audio Visual Room(CEA-AVR), is one of it and still joinedby CE Logic and some library officials.

On the implementation of theseresources, eBooks and eJournal’s linkwas also created in PUP website.Better Library

To fully discuss matters governingthe scheme, PUP library officials wentto a 3-day Conference with C-E Logicand other associates in City GardenSuites, Manila, from July 23 to 25.

The event’s theme was:“Conference on Information Access:Internet and Libraries,” and amongthe topics discussed there are TheInternet Manifesto in a Library,Barriers to Internet Access,Censorship and Internet Use inPhilippine Libraries, and PhilippineLibrarianship Updates.

As a participant in the saidconference, Marcela Figura, Chief of

PUP Libraries welcome Athena

FOR 30 years of its existence,College of Engineering (CE) hasproduced more than thousands ofcompetitive engineers in the field.These engineers, who are currentlyfacing the real world, have beenhoned in the same laboratories thatexist several years ago and up ‘tilnow.

So, what has been the problem?In the field of engineering, it is

mandatory to have latest andfunctional laboratories that couldexplicitly provide learning access inthe recent trends of technology andscience. Engineering is defined as theapplication of scientific principlesand it is only in laboratories that

Lost and FoundRONALD ALLAN MADLA

BREAKDOWN

these theories and concepts are provento be true.

And to sustain these laboratories,we, aspiring engineers, are paying thelaboratory fee. But, as of the status ofthese facilities, it is necessary to askwhere do these payments go?

Sad truthIn a group laboratory activity, it

is ordinary to notice that one or twowill conduct the experiment while theothers simply observe, makeconversation and even worst, sleep.Because equipment is inadequate,some students tend to be impassivewhen it comes to experimentation.Sadly, this is the common laboratory

RONALD JAMES MELAD

Technical Services in Nallrc proudlysaid that we are the first stateuniversity to have such technologicaladvancement with CE Logic.

She also asserted that everybody(referring to all officials of PUP) hasthe credit of making this projectfeasible. Also, Director of Nallrc MonaLisa Lueb said, “it has been one of ourplans [for library].”

eLibraries in Construction“yun [eLibraries] ay di pa fully

implemented,” said Lueb. She pointedout that as of the moment, libraries ofPUP could only offer eBooks andeJournals online and a few units areinstalled in Nallrc only.

She even stressed: “BeforeDecember ang plan [start ofoperation], pero madamingintervening factors like budget.” Shealso affirmed that eLibraries will befirst to establish in Nallrc and SatelliteLibraries are to follow.

Moreover, the director believedthat soon as the facilities likecomputers are purchased, putting eLibup would be easy since electronicreferences are readily available andrenewable every year.

Setting BoundariesAccording to Sonia Amigable,

CEA Librarian, freshmen are the onlystudents to have an access to onlinedatabase resources in libraries of PUPstarting October 1.

She pointed out that since the SIS(Student Information System) fee ispaid during the freshmen enrollment,the unbound use of electronicreferences is granted to them by everylibrary in the campus.

To make things clear, DirectorLueb stressed out that the trial periodis only from June 1 to Sept. 30. Sheeven added, everybody can have anaccess between those dates but it willbe a freshman privilege afterwards.

Familiarizing the SystemAs posted on the internet and

tarpaulins in every library of PUP,All pertinent information in bookspossible may be retrieved onlinewith the help of its databases.

Furthermore, these adsshowcased that as ide fromproviding an efficient access toinformation, Online DatabaseResources offer benefi ts l ikecovering a greater, wider variety oftopics and saving shelf space.

They showed however thatthese resources also have somelimitations. It contains some datathat are subjective and unreliable,contents disappear without priornotice and some authors are notstated.

They also say that system hasbeen adapted by different librariesin the country and even offices, tobring out the best of informationtransfer. As Figura says,“Importante na talaga ngayon sa mgalibraries ang merong ganito, kungtutuusin medyo late na nga tayo.”

scene in the college.With this, students and

laboratory heads have commentedover the downgrading andmalfunctioning laboratoryequipments due to old age andintense use.

“Kulang sa tester, voltmeter,and ammeter. By groups angpaggamit ng mga estudyante, hindikaya ng paisa-isa,” Engr. VilmaPerez, laboratory head of ElectricalEngineering (EE) said.

Aside from the lack of facilities,Thea, an EE student lamented onthe unavoidable fall down ofapparatus, “Yungoscilloscope,kailangan pangpukpukin para gumana ulit.”

Moreover, Engr. JosephineLaga, IE Laboratory Head calledattention to the noticeable lack ofequipment, “’Yung IE Lab, readingcenter na rin, 10 years na iyongibang pc [personal computer] kayamahirap na ayusin, pinagsasama-sama ang mga parte na okay pa,iyong pwede pang magamit, paramakabuo ulit ng isa pang pc.”

At present, students find it hardto cope up with their laboratoryclasses because of the insufficientfacilities available for use.

POWDER, ANYONE?College of Engineering Fire Marshall Engr. NathanGacute exhibited how should one deal with fire everit may arise. Led by Dean Manuel Muhi and SF02Edgardo Raya, College of Engineering conducted itsFire Drill in pursuance of a city ordinance onSeptember 5, 2008.Photo by Edmar Mangahas

New Handbook on ReleaseThe fee that goes no near the LAB

FINALLY.Student Handbook Revision Committee (SHRC) has productively

completed the revision of student handbook. With more emphasis on the rightsof students, the newly modified handbook will soon be given out this semester.

Modified SubstanceUpholding its traditional mission based on its founding philosophy SHRC

has proposed changes that will significantly enhance the realization of missionin the milieu of a total university.

Added in the handbook are the 10 Point Vision towards a Total Universityand Core Values that aims to transform PUP to become a comprehensiveeducation powerhouse through its effective and efficient delivery of a globalizedquality of educational development that will lead to the development of theuniversity.

In close coordination of the committee, they also recommended a newgrading requirement to students seeking for honors such that to be Suma CumLaude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude, his or her weighted average must be1.0-1.25, 1.26-1.50, and 1.51-1.75, respectively.

“Nagkaroon ng committee para mag-review ng grades, itinama yongarrangement ng grades, tumaas ang interval para mas beneficial sa students,”Prof. Gutierrez explained.

Still, every candidate for honors must have no final grade lower than 2.5and Incomplete in any academic and non-academic subjects prescribed in thecurriculum.

University Disciplinary Measures (Section 17) was further explained inthe new handbook. It is for the students to know the corresponding disciplinarysanctions and penalties subjected upon them.

Handbook also includes matters of concern under headings such as generaldirectives, social norms, registration and academic loadings, scholarships, gradingsystem, graduation requirements, university disciplinary measures, accreditedstudent organizations policies and other relevant information.

Extensive processAfter the long and thorough reviewing of the handbook, the committee has

produced a comprehensive revised handbook for the students.

ROSE MAY MAGNAYE

LOST and found.../p.11

SMART extends SWEEP foranother phase

AS a continuance of giving back ten years of its business success, SMARTCommunications Inc. signed another contract for the extension of Smart WirelessEngineering Education Program (SWEEP) (Phase II) last August 28 at thepresident’s office.

With the cooperation of PUP Administration, PUP president DanteGuevarra and Dean Manuel Muhi, SMART under a memorandum of agreementwill soon be providing the college with wireless technology.

“SMART SWEEP is an industry linkage of PUP, particularly College ofEngineering in relation with the latest trends in technology.” Dean ManuelMuhi said in an interview. “linkage sa latest technology na ginagamit sa industryngayon” he added.

SWEEP is a project of SMART that aims to equip universities in MetroManila with various telecommunications equipment and to provide technicaland hands-on training for the faculty member.

In the college, SWEEP (Phase I) has started way back in May 2003 withthe ECE Department as the beneficiary. “…extension lang (ito) ng phaseI”.Phase two of SWEEP, however, focuses on the latest technologicaladvancement in computer and communications.” Muhi said.

Part of the agreement is the donation of three computers, 20 Sendfar accesspoint equipment, wireless broadband equipment and a router.

Moreover, the company will provide the faculty trainings with series ofseminars that tackles the following: Internetworking Fundamentals,Transmission Control Protocol/Internat Protocol (TCP/IP), Voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP), 3G Sytems and more about installation and configuration of

AMALIA TAMAYO

NEW Handbook.../p.11

SMART extends SWEEP../p.11

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