VOLUME II, ISSUE IIID E C E M B E R , 2 01 1

True leadership is the perennial premise of why the Central Student Council exists. It is the University of

Santo Tomas’ highest student-governing body which stands as the backbone of Thomasian student advocacies and social upbringings for Thomasians. This issue is a chronicle of what constitutes true Thomasian leadership, but with an extra ingredient. Starting anew with the student governing body under the CSC President Lorraine Taguiam, a student of the Faculty of Civil Law, the Council faces the entire year with a co-mmitment on tapping true student leadership as to what our nation needs. Tomasino Para sa Bayan is how the CSC names its leadership vision this academic year.

This issue has a distinction, as it features one of the biggest contributions of the Council and of the Thoma-sian Community to the environment. Tomasino Para sa Kalikasan, a major project headed by the CSC Secretary Karizza Kamille Cruz of the College of Hospitality and Ma-nagement, brings forth a stance that Thomasians can be pio-neers of environmental awareness. Preserving the beauty of nature, instilling love for nature and realizing its benefits on mankind and posterity, Thomasians gather to rethink and act.

Meanwhile, on this December issue, the CSC R.A.W.R. welcomes a new face: a new official logo which was created by two of the student artists of College of Fine Arts and Design, JP Pining & Jerico Inanuran. The new logo has the Dominican cross behind the black & golden circu-lar tiger seal, symbolizing the Publication’s commitment to God, as well as the Council’s dedication in informing the Thomasian community of the its semestral activities.

Backed by changes, surprises, and developments, the Publication is now a part of the TomasinoWeb, the of-ficial online-based student publication and organization of the University. Our Editorial board is a group of volun-teers who have been working well with their creativity and unique perspectives. To the record, UST-CSC R.A.W.R. has been one of the finest student publications in the University which shows student’s creativity and intellectual flexibility. With all this, allow me conclude this note with the line:

Read true leadership, read CSC R.A.W.R.

Arch John CampsEditor-in-Chief

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Editorial BoardS.Y. 2011-2012

Arch John CampsEditor-in-Chief

Rich Escolar ChuaAssociate Editor

Karizza Kamille Marcelo CruzProject Head/CSC Secretary

News Editor: Kristine Kate Fernandez

News Writers:Luzviminda LacboKaren Mae GuarinAbbijah Dulnuan

Oswald Fabi-Sablay

Features Editor: Rachel Ching

Feature Writers:Sherien De Villa

Denice Sharina Lao

Layout Editor: Bianca Padilla

Layout Artists:Odin Mari Therez Sayson

Mary Chris See CasasJericho Inanuran

Eco MatutinaJobo Nacpil

WilmArk Jolindon

Photography & Graphics Directors: Odin Mari Therez Sayson

Mary Chris See Casas

Photograpers & Illustrators:Jobo Nacpil

WilmArk JolindonShiao-Ying Chen

John Phillip PiningBryan Keith Aranda

Jeks InanuranAna Patricia Fango

Ken LavinMaria Astrud Villanueva

Gem Erika LeeBrikko Iyanev Dumas

Eco MatutinaKristine Francisco

Michael Powell BingcangAllyza Laurise Brucelas

CSC & LSC Correspondents:Cedric DomingoSherien De Villa

Spider Image [front] by Bono DiazBaguio Tree Trunk Image [back] by Ezra Acayan

Special thanks:iObscura Photography Club

Illustrator’s Guild of the University of Santo TomasCarlo Emmanuel Castillo

Bernadine SyTiong

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The University, a pro-nature

ALONGSIDE WITH THE UNI-VERSITY’S quadricentenary, the Central Student Council (CSC) spearheaded a yearlong environ-mental advocacy entitled “Toma-sino para sa Kalikasan.”

Although the University has already been involved in build-ing a greener environment, the CSC initiated this project to strengthen In the past years, the University has already been implementing the no smoking policy and stryo-free rules among others. It has also en-gaged itself into off campus activi-ties like the “Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig” marathon and the “No Min-ing to Palawan” signature campaign.The event aims to awaken the minds of the students to the current issues concerning the environment, to act upon what is needed by the nature and to build a better community through Thomasian values.

Celebration with a cause

A weeklong celebration for-mally launched the campaign at the Plaza Mayor last Sept. 19-23.

Bayang Barrios and Noel Caba-ngon, cultural singer and nationa-listic song writer-singer, respectively opened the event and gave a talk.

Barrios together with repre-sentatives of each faculties/colleges and administrators lead the crowd to a pledge of commit-ment with mother nature.

Eco panel boards were in-stalled at the Tan Yan Kee lobby about the effects of some dangerous materials and its effect to the envi-ronment. Representatives from the CSC, Student Organization Coordi-nating Council (SOCC), Earth-UST, UST-Mountaineering Club (MC), and Office of Student Affairs (OSA) inaugurated the event.

On the third day of the cam-paign, different non-government organizations such as Greenpeace and Bantay Kalikasan gathered at the Quadricentennial Square to pro-mote their respective advocacies. CSC, Earth-UST, Nursing Central Board of Students and MC were also present at the event.

Sept. 22, the Envi-Vid was officially released with the help of the Tomasian Cable Television (TOMCAT).

An ecstatic event occurred on the last day of the celebration as ABS-CBN’s Happy Yipee Yehey joined the Thomasian community with its advocacies toward the envi-ronment. John Prats and Pokwang were present as they host the “Ikaw ang Bida” segment.

To officially close the event, an environmental forum was held at the Continuing Medical Education (CME) Auditorium which tackled the progress in eco-bags, the plas-tic-ban for Talk 1 and the effects of using styrofoams for Talk 2 which were discussed by Carmona, Ca-vite Mayor Dahlia Loyola and Mr. Rodne Galicha, respectively. Miss Gina Lopez, Managing Director of ABS-CBN Foundation and an envi-ronmentalist was also present in the forum.

Another event of the project will be celebrated to highlight its ad-vocacies on 2012.

Thomasian took a great part in making the project successful not just through the opening week but all throughout the year.

“As a Thomasian, I can im-part to nature’s beauty by simply abiding the proper disposal of waste and by spreading the word to the people to also go by these rules,” said Journalism freshmen Kristelle Ann Batchelor.

According to Teresa Chris-tine Melecio, voice major at the Conservatory of Music, that she could be of great help through her selfless habits which has an effect eventually in the environment.

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Thomasians support Mother Earth’s call

by Oswald Fabi-Sablay

A Nature-PictureFixture by Arch John Camps

© MARY CHRIS SEE CASAS

When we are aware of consequences, it is certain to believe that every single action that leads to another

one is essential. We keep papers & plastic wrappers inside our pockets and we change our habits. This seemly sort of moment is like a simple mathematical equation that needs an immediate solution that we know no formula to ap-ply to, but we go solving anyway because we want a right solution. Our combined efforts will always impact the en-vironment, whichever way, good or not good; we are con-nected to the environment just as how it is connected to us, just as how we are connected to each other.

Sustainability is one of the prioritized agendas of the Central Student Council this academic year, promo-ting environmental leadership in the campus, and pre-paring students to do their part on protecting the planet’s natural resources.

To get involved of the Council’s environmental campaign called Tomasino Para sa Kalikasan (Thoma-sians for the Environment) is a defining opportunity for the Thomasian community. The initiative attempts to es-tablish Thomasians as leaders & men of environmental awareness, essentially because the Council emphasizes on reminding the Thomasian community about the impend-ing effects of environmental issues such as improper waste disposal, global warming, and the measurement of our carbon footprints. To some, scientific hypotheses may not sound at least interesting to heed upon because those are taken up in an ideal academic setting, but, when are we going to start acting by virtue of what our environment demands us right now?

To what extent does throwing away crumpled

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pieces of bubblegum and candy wrappers on the pavements of Dapi-tan is going to take effect once the objects go into the sinkhole, and thereby swim back when the floods come?

The Council conducts the year-long project with a series of environmental awareness pro-grams along with the Central Stu-dent Council Central Board/ Local Student Councils, Earth UST, UST Mountaineering Club, Students Or-ganizations Coordinating Council, Thomasian Cable Channel, Facili-ties Management Office, Office for Community Development, Harib-on, Bantay Kalikasan, Mother Earth Foundation, Green Peace Philip-pines, and Ayala Land Corporation.

Thomasians of various disciplines coalesce to become part of the environmental campaign of the year.

The so-called first leg of the project includes a nature-inspired parade, concert, pledges, and the drafting of a resolution about an appeal on making UST a selec-tive styro and plastic free.Also, a forum to orient students on protecting the environment, eco booths, eco-panel boards, waste seg-regation system, as well as a docu-mentary film contest is set to moti-vate everyone to act for sustainability.

It should be marked that the Council is now reaching to the University Administrators to make the University Multideck Carpark’s stalls and foodchains to be styro free.

The second leg consists of three major programs. First, an in-teresting startup program called Study Trips involves selected stu-dents & volunteers into planting thousands of seedlings in the donat-ed five hectares of land in Antipolo to maintain a lush green environ-ment. The maintenance or nursery of the seedlings will be handed over to the National Service Training Program (NSTP) classes on 2012 af-ter planting it. Second, the Council awards the best environmental doc-

umentary which made it to the finals on UST Envi-vid documentary com-petition. Finally, the year-long cam-paign flares up a culminating event of Eco-exhibit, otherwise called as NUVALI Evolving. The exhibit is an interactive and experiential dis-play that communicates NUVALI’s developments & its sustainable fea-tures. The display illustrates how one can benefit from Eco-living through water conservation and re-use, waste segregation and re-cycling, use of alternative modes of transportation such as the water taxis and bikes, and ways on how one saves energy through the use of simple, yet beneficial measures.

The Tomasino Para sa Kalikasan is a project that is indeed formulated to make an ennobling impact to the environment, but a sustainability campaign is all but a footnote towards a bigger pic-ture which shows more than tells that the action must begin with us.

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RH bill: A delusive provision? by Luzviminda J. Lacbo

In connection to the year-long advocacy themed Tomasino Para sa Bayan, the Central Student Council (CSC), toge-

ther with the Medicine Student Council (MSC), & Civil Law Student Council (CLSC) organized a forum entitled The RH Bill Colloquium: the Catholic Professionals’ Perspective at the Medicine Auditorium last July 22, 2011.

“We want to enlighten the students of the different sides and implications of RH Bill.” CSC Vice President Peter Carlo David says.

The whole forum pointed out how the bill itself ag-gravated the country’s perspective through its delusive provi-sion as it tries to correlate overpopulation to poverty.Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez opened the forum by warning people of the “sweeteners” RH bill offers.

“Mag-ingat po tayo sa mga pan-loloko ng mga Pro-RH, naglalagay sila ng mga provision of sweetness pangattract, pero actually it is already existing [in the Republic Act No. 9710],” Golez said.

He added that overpopulation has nothing to do with the development of the country; instead, it is because the country lacks right leadership and correct development strategy.

Economics professor, Carlos Manapat, agreed to Golez by arguing that there is no such thing as overpopula-tion, instead what the country has is population density.

“Ang mga bansang nakakaranas ng population growth means that they are developing. Overpopulation is just a myth. There is no clear-cut correlation between pop-ulation and per capita income, so why should we pursue something that is not proven yet?” Manapat said. Meanwhile, executive secretary of the Episcopal Commission on Family Life of the Catholic Bishops’ Confe-

rence of the Philippines (CBCP), Fr. Melvin Castro, pointed out that the RH bill is such a temptation that everyone must resist.

“RH bill would never be a medical term, it is a mar-keting term,” said Castro.

On the other hand, Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina said that the RH bill is ‘unconstitutional’ as it violates the Constitution particularly Article II, which is the Declara-tion of Principles and State Policies.

“What is right is not a question of number, it is the question of what is [conforms],” said Divina as he confidently assured Thomasians that the bill would never pass into law as it would be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the issue of scientifically educating people about the real capacity and accuracy of contraceptives was argued by Dr. Ma. Corazon Zaida-Gamilla, chairman of the UST Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“There’s nothing new to it,” said Gamilla. “Maga-up-date ba tayo ng law kung may ibang mga law na mas kailan-gan natin pero hindi man lang napapansin. They just want to propagate it and not to educate them.”

At the same time, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Ethics professor Dr.Angelita Aguirre echoed Gamilla’s call.

“They said that [the RH Bill] is not really against abortion because birth control is not 100% effective,” said Aguirre. “Contraceptive more probably causes cardio-vascu-lar effects, cancer and other side effects.”

Until now, the issue of passing the Reproductive Health bill as a law is still a hot debate in Congress.

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Freshmen Walk

At last, it happened.

finally pursued, stirred

Thomasian prideBy: Ryan Christian H. Hornillos

THE ANNUAL FRESHMEN WALK FINALLY COMMENCED AFTER TWO CONSECUTIVE TIMES THAT THE EVENT WAS POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. From the original date of June 23rd, the freshmen walk was moved to August 5th. Amid the wait, Thomasian freshmen were still jovial and upbeat toward the said ceremonial rite. Freshmen paraded the university with

banners bearing the names of their colleges. Flashing lights,gigantic stream-ers, flags and balloons courtesy of their local student councils added to the hype. The collective chanting of “Go USTe!” with the ever-popular drum-beating of the UST Yellow Jackets all the more pumped up the Thomasian pride.

During this annual “rite of passage,” first year stu-dents enter the historical Arch of the Centuries as a symbolic representation of their “official entry” as Thomasians.

“I felt like I will really graduate (here),” said Archi-tecture freshman Pauline Arnobit as she awaits and foresees herself graduating on her fifth year.

“Proud,” she added as if it’s the only word that she and her friends could say about the event.

“Masaya kahit nabasa kami ng ulan. (Happy even though we’re drenched with rain),” said Angeli Bena-vides, freshman from the College of Accountancy.

“(It) was really a blast,” said Karissa Kamille Cruz, Secretary of the Central Student Council (CSC). “We felt both relieved and overwhelmed with the out-come and compliments from the Thomasian commu-nity,” she said.

According to Cruz, the CSC and the UST adminis-tration had a hard time on choosing the best date po-ssible to move the freshmen walk. Only early weather forecasts and reports from CNN and PAGASA can be relied on, she added. But in the middle of it all, the event still pursued. And the Thomasian freshmen’s wait ended with the Rector’s declaration that they were now officially “Thomasian students.”

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© JP PINING & WILMARK JOLINDON

THE HUGE NUMBER OF THOMASIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ACCOUNTS FOR

THE ENDLESS STORIES AND TIPS YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD ABOUT SURVIVING COLLEGE LIFE IN UST. THESE WOULD MOST LIKELY IN-CLUDE STORIES ABOUT HOW FLOOD KITS IS A MUST-HAVE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OR MAY-BE CLICHÉ PHRASES LIKE “HINDI KA TUNAY NA TOMASINO KAPAG DI KA NAKAPASOK SA ARCH OF THE CENTURIES.” These bits of advice would probably give you a glimpse of the Thomasian culture but really, what does it take to survive college life in the well-known Royal, Pontifical, and Catholic University?

Learn the art of responsible time management. As students, pro-crastination is never gone. Knowing how to manage your time wisely and being serious

in following your set schedule will help avoid cram-ming. Whatever College or Faculty you are in, this will surely help you achieve the success you are aiming for.

Know how to prioritize. Many students belong to and are active in different organizations, whether they are local, Uni-versity-wide or even both. There is nothing

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wrong with that. In fact, joining organizations will help you develop your skills but remember that you are still a student and academics are still the most important. Learning how and what to prioritize is a skill that you have to learn for you to always be on the right tract.

Enjoy meeting new friends. Just like what Julius Fernandez, Arts and Let-ters Student Council President, says, “The first thing to do to survive college life is to

search for friends in the very basic school community unit and invest in them. In our case, in Communica-

tion Arts, we graduate as a single block section and I consider all of them my good friends. Should I be ab-sent, I wouldn’t worry that much for my friends will be helping me out. And when it comes to group works, we can all be assured that we will be helping each other out. In the success of an individual, others find success as well. We support the growth of each and every one of us. The idea of communal unity, geared towards fair-ness, will help not just the individual, but everyone in the team. Last but not the least, college life should not just be geared towards survival – let us think of success.”

Practice diligence, deter-mination and dedication. Ac-cording to Jacky Corpuz, Medicine Student

Council President, it is important to have “Diligence in studies (because there are exams upon exams that you need to study for), determination to take on the chal-lenges (there may be failures and disappointments but one must learn how to ‘keep calm and carry on’), and dedication to the constant pursuit of knowledge (learn-ing continues even after med school e.g. specialists, evi-dence based medicine).”

Focus and persevere. “At first, you would really feel the pressure and work overload but when you learn to focus you wouldn't complain or give up right away.

In order to achieve something you must persevere and of course add a mixture of fun and love to what you are doing. Plates may be hard and stressful but after all the hardships and cramming you would actually find yourself smiling and uttering the words, “Good job!” to yourself, says Tricia Platon, Fine Arts and Design Stu-dent Council President.

Be familiar with the rules and regulations of the University. Wearing of complete uniform and ID inside the campus is a very famous rule not just in

UST but in any other school as well. As Harriett Dela Cruz, UST High School Student Council President, says “A student must be good enough to obey the rules which are implemented to develop in them the discipline and the right values they should possess as Thomasians.”

Be proud of your color, yet remain humble. Love your school and be proud of it! Make sure that when you walk out of the four walls of the University, you

would carry with you the values of a true Thomasian.

Always remember that an intelligent mind partnered by the right attitude will never fail to bring you to the top.Way to go, Thomasians!

Qualities a ThomasianMust Haveto Survive

CollegeBy: Sherien M. De Villa

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ni Odin Mari Therez SaysonQuattromondial

OUTDATED ni Bricx Martillo Dumas

Freshmen ni Gem Erika Lee

MIKS KOMIKS

ni JP PiningTambayan sa USTe

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

KO

by Bernadine SyTiong

The University-wide band competition, SOUND-CHECK is back for its third year this 2011. Soundcheck is a huge band competition which traces its roots from the UST Scarlet, the Filipino and Chinese Multicultural organization of the University. The prime aim of the event is to showcase the Thomasian talents through mu-sic. On its third year, Scarlet has tied up with the UST Students Organizations Coordinating Council (SOCC), Musikang Sikat ng mga Tomasino (Musikat), Rotaract-UST and the Thomasian Cable Television (Tomcat) to bring an even better band competition and a whole lot more benefits for the winning band.

The Soundcheck Scarlet Scene

Students from different colleges came with their bands to audition for this competition last August and al-though many have done their best, a total of fifteen bands were admitted into the Pre-finals competition. After almost a month of preparation, the Soundcheck Prefinals happened last Sept. 23 where the fifteen bands at Area 05 Superclub in Tomas Morato. Thomasian stu-dents and the band’s friends and family came to support them as the night was filled with music and good vibes. They have proven to have what it takes as the audience

and the judges saw how good each band was. The night ended with only six bands chosen to continue the race for the Soundcheck Finals which was held on Nov. 25 this year at the UST Plaza Mayor.

The bands, Sugarplum Fairy, Passing 7, Harmonaia, Sandra Sanka, Camshot and Schizophrenic Epsdog all garnered high scores that landed them a spot in the Finals. Having passed the second round of the com-petition, these talented students had practice sessions in preparation for the final round wherein only one champion will be hailed and considered as the official Thomasian band ambassador.

The band Sugarplum Fairy won prize which includes an official recording sponsored by Musikat, entitled to rock the Thomasian community in the annual Pasku-han Festivities and a cash prize of P20,000. First Runner Up was awarded to the band Passing 7, and the second-runner up was the Schizophrenic Epsdog band.

The Thomasian community hails and congratulates all of the winners, and everyone who had participated in the event!

© BRYAN KEITH ARANDA