Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Scientia Issue Two
Scientia Issue Two
SCIENTIA
The Official Student Publication of the College of Science
Ground Floor, College of Science Library and Administration Building (CSLAB),
Velasquez St., University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101
onlinescientia@gmail.com
http://scientiaonline.multiply.com
2 3
Continued on Page 4
COMMENTARY
that was before Ondoy came breaks are the enemies of the students. Deadlines
COMMENTARY
Though the SAES1800 does not require high come to the fun that there is in UP registration!
us. Even if we have made it through the sun’s wrath to give us all a wake-up call. have been pushed and clumped together; exams
maintenance, costs will be allocated to pre- alive, we are now in a battle with our digestive sys-
I remember the time when registration was not as Now, don’t worry, I won’t were to be taken everyday; and worst of all, the
requisites such as enforcement of seminars tem. It is already our fifth hour. After more minutes
I am a proud graduate of ten CRS easy as today’s. In order to get my Bio 11, I had to wait of extreme patience, alas, the ACTUAL registration write about how it wrecked ominous thought of more sleepless nights loomed.
to train the election officers who will use the the country and the lives of
machine and production of several informa- enlistment rounds and a trium- from 9 AM to 4 PM in the room waiting for enough will now start. This went about in just a few min-
people to get inside in order to open additional slots utes: our application number was assigned as well people. We have all been af- These surprise holidays did more harm than good
tion campaigns to educate the public on how phant finisher of a ten-century line
as our precincts, the election officer approved our fected, and lives have been for us. Even professors admit that this semester
to vote, the automated way. towards registration for the nation- for the class. Much worse, others have to dance or forms, and our biometrics was taken which includes changed. I think there has was different from usual – it was much, much more
al elections. The feat still lingers in my veins. sing in front of their professors just to have that single our photo, specimen finger prints and signature and been enough talk about it. I’m here to talk about stressful. Examination schedules that were already
Moreover, cases of machine-related prob- class in his Form 5A. Others have an even more crea- personal data. After which, the long wait is rewarded how odd it really is. And not only Ondoy, but also perfect blew up on our faces. Sem-enders became
lems have been reported in countries that I have witnessed several faces of the CRS throughout tive prerog style – bato bato pick sessions until only by that thin slip of paper which states you are now the Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak, the death of sem-starters. It really caused so much trouble.
one remains, or maybe a raffle of IDs in which only a finally a registered voter.
employ automated voting methods. These my four-year stay in the university. Back when I was former President Cory Aquino, and the demise of
include occurrences of uncounted or reverse still a freshman, the CRS was in maroon. And since I few among them will be accepted. Years before, there Chivvies, lines, and patience – these two registra- Iglesia ni Cristo’s Ka Erdie Manalo. They all hap- After Ondoy, there’s Pepeng. And after Pepeng,
votes, multiple votes, number of votes great- was a freshman, I only needed to enlist my GEs as my was even a time when students had to stay overnight tion schemes both call for improvement. pened to have occurred in the last six months. And there’s Ramil. After Ramil, there will be a lot more
er than number of voters, and allocation of major subjects were already automatically enlisted. in front of the enlistment rooms just to ensure that during these six months, what did we get? Surprise typhoons on their way to the country. It is really
votes to wrong candidates. Highly-skilled Prioritization of classes came a semester after. You they would be first in line. All of these troubles are re- The UP registration process has already moved on vacations. fortunate that these storms did not hit the same
computer hackers were also known to have have to rank your classes from 1 to N, with a higher warded by that slip of joyous triumph – the UP Form 5. from being manual to electronic. Pre-enlistment is area consecutively. That would have been overkill.
now online. How about COMELEC moving on as well? The government has this holiday economics
invaded the network of these machines to ex- chance of getting class 1 compared to class 2. Moreo- What if everything would be computerized – filling
tensively infiltrate the system. ver, the Grades Viewing module policy, moving holidays which fall into the mid- If you think about it, it seems that Murphy’s Law
up of forms, assignment of precincts, verification of
has been added. Class cards have identity and all you have to do in person is to have dle of the week to Mondays or Fridays in order to is at work here: if something has the tendency to
Despite the assurance of the government
“It’s all a matter of survival of the fittest my friends. your biometrics taken and your signature and thumb improve the Phil- go wrong, it will defi-
become extinct. For the next se-
Hakuna matata not.” marks affixed? The long lines which take forever will ippine economy. “If something has the tendency to go wrong, it nitely go wrong. Every
that elections next year will be the neatest in mesters we have had the CRS2,
now become a history. Whether it’s work- will definitely go wrong” possible catastrophe
history, nature will always find ways to soil the whose prioritization scheme be- ing or not, I have seemed to have occurred
perfection. Candidates will inevitably do the came even more complicated. Ranking still persists, On the other hand, the UP registration hassle is Nevertheless, no matter how hard we try to allevi- no idea. I am not particularly tired of this holiday this year: flashfloods, landslides, deaths, and poli-
most silent but dirtiest tactic that they could and automatic cancellation of conflicting classes was seemingly just at par with that in the COMELEC. ate situations to make registrations trouble-free, dif- economics of the government, but during the first tics. A lot of people are starting to feel uneasy. For
do to make their million-worth campaign ex- also introduced. Priority status was also given to fresh- ficulties still persist. Perhaps, it just makes the finish semester, I say there’s been one too many of these one, we won’t be seeing the authentic moonwalk
penditures be paid off. men, graduating students and registration assistants. I only registered just a week before the dead- line more fulfilling, as you have grabbed that Form
5 or Voter’s ID with intense effort. Plus, that would holidays. The Monday classes suffered most, prob- anymore, nor will we be hearing patriotic rap lyr-
You also have to fill up a comprehensive form about line. Hence, when we arrived at the Parañaque City be a good start for the even more arduous semester ably meeting only half of the supposed number of ics any time soon. There will probably be no flower
Next year’s elections will be a phenomenal your personal details, and this form gets longer as the COMELEC office, I mean, blocks away from the of- ahead, or the upcoming unpredictable regime for the classes, their students required to go to school on festival in the coming February, and there will be
feat for the democratic rule in the country, semesters go by. fice at exactly 8 AM when office hours begin, over a next years. another day just to fulfill the requirements. no yummy strawberries either. Festivities for the
hundred people are already in front of us. We endured coming Christmas season might be toned down a
and will surely be even more phenomenal It’s all a matter of survival of the fittest my friends. A friend of mine, during the week-long break little, with money spent mostly on reconstruction.
But take note, this was just the first leg of the regis- the scorching heat of the sun for almost 4 hours.
once the results are released. Hakuna matata not. from Ondoy, suddenly proclaimed that it has al- Life, this year, has been one amazing ride.
tration process. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
T en minutes earlier, my heart was racing. Lit- Checking one’s grades is one of the most stress-
erally. It was beating at such a fast rate that I ful events in a student’s life. Whether a student has
thought my heart would have left my body had it not been a delinquent, a topnotcher or a regular student
On my part, I really strive hard
to pass all my subjects. It’s all
hard work; I never get out of a
Self-Indulgence I learned about UP Sagip Isko – not that it had the
her dad since the storm hit, and I saw one of my GE
classmates, whose family, I would find out later, had
name then – from one of the million posts calling for lost all three of their cars and had water in their house
been, you know, enclosed. for the semester, viewing his/her grades can actually major subject unscathed. GE
Y ou don’t need me to tell you just how bad On- relief goods and volunteers. And I went there largely up to the chandelier. And there were the people who
evoke the same feelings as the student tries to an- subjects are never a problem because it was the one volunteer effort that I could made UP Sagip Isko happen – all of the volunteers
I am sure you have all experienced this feeling too. swer the questions “Will I pass all my subjects,” “Will I for me; in fact, my grades pull doy was. It will be a long time before any of us
forget how Metro Manila looked like the End Times get to via Ikot jeep. I found my niche sorting clothes did, in a way, but I have to say that I have unabashed
be a CS or a US,” and “Will I maintain my scholarship,” up because of them. As for my on Day 1, and I never looked back from there. It admiration for the people who headed it, organized
Rapid heartbeat, or tachycardia, is a response of among others. majors, these subjects usually had come, complete with the mental image of Cris-
tine Reyes on her roof. wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say that it, made sure it worked until the end.
the body associated with various medical conditions determine my fate. A passing
I only left the Church of the Risen Lord to sleep, and
such as hypertension, arrhythmia, asthma, anemia For five semesters now, this scenario has never grade for every major is enough
I, for one though, didn’t know what it was like while then only when the Ikot jeeps were threatening to I don’t know how pure my own motives were for
and other heart disorders. However, rapid heartbeat changed. Probably, the degree of nervousness reason for me to celebrate. I do
it was going on. The power had gone out by virtue disappear for the night. And the hangover after thestaying on, how much of it was actually wanting to
can also be caused by the following conditions: physi- changes each occasion but it’s all the same. I consider get higher than passing most of
cal exertion, anxiety, emotion, excitement, anger, myself as a regular student. My grades are not stellar; the time and since I do not ex- of the transformer outside my window having had a week without classes was enormous. I found myself help people, and how much was just me not want-
stress and nervousness. in fact, I just hope to pass every subject I take. pect a high grade, I am happy minor explosion, and all that my housemates and I stealing back whenever I had the time, and feeling ing to feel helpless. (There’s a difference, really,
and contented, to say the least. had to go on were text message rumors in the candle- immensely bitter towards obligations (such as class-
there is, and the latter isn’t so much honorable as it
In my case, I think it is because of the last condition. Yes, grades do matter, but, trite as it may sound, dark. The reality and enormity of it all hit home when es) that were keeping me from the CRL. is a strange form of self-help.) Or how much of it was
I am very nervous right now. grades do not consummate the ability and intelli-What others say about me is self-indulgence – me simply not wanting to let go
not that important, that I know for sure. Honestly, “How much of it was actually wanting to help people, and how much was just me not of what I’d gotten myself into, to the exclusion of
You may know this sce- “Yes, grades do matter, but, trite as it may sound, grades do the only reason why I feel nervous every time I check wanting to feel helpless” everything else that needed seeing to (and I mean
nario very well: sitting in not consummate the ability and intelligence of a student.” my grades is because I just don’t want to feel uncer- everything - I am typing this and other articles on
front of the computer, tainty and there’s no other emotion I could feel ex- the electricity – and the news – came back the next the heels of a deadline because I didn’t work on them
clicking on your internet browser, typing “crs2.upd. gence of a student. This is something that all people cept being nervous. day. And it seemed just so unfair and wrong that I was But – and I have to emphasize this – on the grand then). Don’t ask why I didn’t want to let go, though.
edu.ph” in the address bar, logging in your account, should understand. Every time I check my grades, all right and unharmed and just sitting on my arse not scale of things, I was hardly doing anything. There I don’t think I could tell you. It could have been the
wiping the sweat on your forehead, clicking the my nervousness lies on what other people would say Right now, I am typing this article and at the same doing anything when there were so many people who were people who were repeatedly deployed to the feeling that I was part of something bigger than my-
“View Grades (Student)” tab while hands are shaking, about me when they knew what my grades were. Not time, staring at a blank table on another window. My had lost so much. I had a brief, sudden, absolute, stricken areas, sometimes returning to HQ in the self that was so genuine and good. It could have been
heart beating twice or more than its normal rate and really so much about my grades per se, but I’m wor- grades have yet to be posted. Tomorrow I shall expe- uncharacteristic attack of altruism, and I didn’t know space of time between midnight and sunrise that isn’t the free coffee. Whatever. I can only hope that all of
waiting for the page to load while you put your two ried how my grades will change how people will per- rience another rapid heartbeat moment again. what to do. properly tomorrow but certainly isn’t today anymore. my other weeks of self-indulgence will mean as much.
cold palms together to relieve their perspiration. ceive me afterwards. Some of the volunteers were victims themselves:
in 2007 to counteract brain drain, as plenty of scientists search for more lucra- Poll automation contract
tive work abroad. It aims to improve the scientific, agro-industrial and econom- Dr. Chung currently develops a low-cost TB test dubbed “Microscopic Others individuals who are expected to take an active part in the 2010
ic fields of the country and prioritizes Observation Drug Susceptibility assay elections include Ronaldo Puno, Secretary of the Interior and Local Govern- After a long process of bidding, the COMELEC finally awarded the poll au-
the following areas: alternative fuel, or MODS” which can detect the myco- ment, who intends to run for vice president; Manny Pangilinan, Chairman of tomation contract to Smartmatic and Total Information Management (TIM) -
biotechnology, information and com- bacterium tuberculosis and simultane- the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, a speculated aspirant to the the only bidder to pass the evaluation.
munications technology, pharmaceuti- ously yields drug-resistance. This method vice presidency; and Vice President Noli de Castro who has not yet declared his
cal and environment would be faster and cheaper than the intentions to run for a higher office, but is popularly considered a presidential “Everything is now on line for the 2010 elections. We are all set and there
current test for TB. He is also working on aspirant. Senator Francis Escudero has not yet announced what party he will will be no hindrance for the 2010 polls, let us hope and pray we will have peace-
The revised code includes two a project to determine why some can- be running for, but it is believed that he will seek the vice presidency next year. ful elections then,” COMELEC chairman Jose Melo said.
programs. The long-term program cer cells are not responding to particular
utilizes the expertise of the Filipino chemotherapeutic agents like imatinid Estrada’s participation Melo quoted an en banc resolution that “after due deliberation, the COME-
Scientist and Technologists with dura- and gleevec. He is also a professor in bio-
tion in the country of at least two years chemistry and molecular biology at the Joseph Estrada has declared his intention to join
for a Balik Scientist and three years in University of the Philippines’ College of the 2010 election race as a presidential candidate.
the case of new graduates. They are Medicine. This is consistent with his prior statements that he
entitled to a round-trip airfare ticket would be willing to run for the opposition in the event
with their spouses and two minor de- Dr. Merino conducts lectures on Ma- that they are unable to unite behind a single candi-
pendents, reimbursement of freight trix Factorization, singular value decom- date. Rufus Rodriquez, one of Estrada’s lawyers,
expenses, housing, and grants-in-aid position, polar decomposition, and ap- claims that the former president is within his rights
for approved projects. The short-term plication of matrices to pure and applied to do so because the prohibition banning re-election
NEWS
NEWS
program grants the visiting scientist a mathematics at the Institute of Math- only applies to the incumbent president. However, Fr.
duration of at least one month which can be availed several times. They are ematics, University of the Philippines Diliman. Joaquin Bernas and Christian Monsod, members of
given a free roundtrip economy airfare and a daily subsistence allowance of the constitutional commission that drafted the 1987
US$150 a day. Dr. Aleta will be a consultant on the reestablishment of a regulatory regime Constitution, have stated that the constitution clear-
for nuclear power plant licensing at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. ly prohibits any successfully elected president from
Six returning scientists will be under the program this year. They are Dr. seeking a second term at any point in time. Romulo
Francisco Chung, Jr., an expert in pathology and molecular medicine from Pe- Dr. Lapitan will conduct a series of lectures on the principles of selected ge- Macalintal, election counsel of President Arroyo, has Fill out your ballot. Review your ballot.
-In each column fill out -Before you place your
ter MacCallum Cancer Institute in Melbourne, Australia; Dr. Dennis Merino, a nome. While, Dr. Ines will conduct training for crop yield forecasting techniques clarified that the constitutional ban doesn’t prevent
as many ovals as you ballot into the PCOS,
matrix analyst from John Hopkins University; Dr. Carlito Aleta, a nuclear engi- to improve crops and the agro-industry and Dr. Pulmano will train future civil Estrada from attaining the presidency in the event double-check your votes.
are allowed to. This is
neer from Cornell University in New York; Dr. Lyssa Lapitan, a plant molecular engineers in infrastructure development. that he were to be elevated from the vice-presidency, different per contest, so
for example. Amidst these and other protests, how-
Kicks Off in 2010 ultimately it will be the people who will determine his
eligibility for office.
By Nelissa Marcos Early election campaigns
CS EVENTS
Philippine National Election Kicks Off in 2010
By Nelissa Marcos and Teresa Salud-Bautista OFW groups in Saudi Arabia appeal to the
I t was a two-chapter tragedy that left millions in distress: on September 26, 2009 rain from the epic storm Ondoy (in-
ternational name: Ketsana) mercilessly flooded the streets of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, killing an estimated
COMELEC to consider extending the Overseas ab-
sentee voting registration until 31 December 2009 Student Conduct
288 people, and damaging about P8.328 billion worth of property, by nine hours of non-stop rainfall, followed on October to give OFWs ample time to register and vote in the
3 by super typhoon, Pepeng (international name: Parma), which assailed Northern Luzon, where authorities reported 317
August 15-28 – KaSCIyahan. MBB
2010 elections. By Teresa Salud-Bautista
cheerleaders in pyramid. Photo taken by
T
dead, and estimated damage to infrastructure and agriculture was placed at P5 billion.
Garrick Bercero. he 2009 draft Code of Student Conduct (CSC) is being proposed as the set of rules that will govern
“As the duration of registration has been short-
Initial Attack matters of student discipline and student organizations in UP Diliman and its satellite campus in
ened from originally 1 year to 7 months by virtue
August 17 – CS Consultation on the 2009 Pampanga. Should it be implemented, it will replace all the current rules, which consist of a number of
In addition to the fatalities of Ondoy were 42 missing and 5 injured, and a total of 797,404 families or 3,899,307 persons of COMELEC en banc resolution, we appeal to our
Draft of the Code of Student Conduct COMELEC Commissioners to reconsider the origi- separate documents.
across the country were affected.
nal duration of 1 year so that our fellow OFWs could
The tropical storm did not spare anyone – the rich and poor, young and old, celebrities and the unknown, from the high- August 31 – National Heroes’ Day register themselves and vote come 2010 elections,” The story of the draft code began in 2006 when Chancellor Sergio Cao commissioned the formation of a
end residential enclaves to the squatters’ shanties of the impoverished, all suffered the wrath of Ondoy. said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle committee to review the existing rules, a move deemed necessary because of their inefficiency, their inabil-
In an attack that took lives, and destroyed infrastructure and agriculture, the typhoon dumped a total of 455 millimeters
East regional coordinator. ity to address the concerns of the times, and the falling standards of UP honor. No student sits on the review
of rain in Quezon City alone in 24 hours, compared to the 250 millimeters of rain that Hurricane Katrina brought to New committee, in spite of requests for student representation having been passed ever since it was formed.
Orleans in Louisiana in the United States in 2005, according to reports. On the other hand OFW Congress-Riyadh ap- Among the reasons given for this was that the committee was created to represent the University Council
peals COMELEC to extend the registration period (UC), the body that approves guidelines on discipline before they can be implemented, and no student is a
In placing Metro Manila and nearby provinces under a state of calamity, the National Disaster Coordinating Council and until 31 of December this year to give way to those
the Office of Civil Defense said the rains brought by the tropical storm Ondoy caused the “worst flooding in the capital in member of the UC, which is composed of all faculty with a rank of assistant professor and higher. To include
OFWs who now realize that 2010 election is very cru-
more than 20 years” because it brought an equivalent of one month’s rain in Metro Manila in less than five hours. a non-member of the UC in the drafting committee has been described as an “abuse of discretion” on the
cial for the nation’s democratic processes.
part of the Chancellor, should he happen to make that decision.
Ondoy surpassed the previous Philippine record of 334 millimeters recorded during a 24-hour period in June 1967 ty-
phoon Dading, according to chief government weather forecaster Nathaniel Cruz.
September 17 – Final Consultation on the CSC
with the students. Vice Chancellor for Student Af- Despite exclusion from the drafting committee, however, students are not being left out of the drafting
NEWS
NEWS
Pepeng Strikes fairs discussing the new CSC. Photo taken by Gar- process – their participation took place in the form of consultations held in the different colleges from July
rick Bercero. to September of this year.
As search and recovery operations continued for victims of typhoon Pepeng, it was found that 101 were injured, 43 were
still missing and 53,313 persons, 11,020 families in 122 barangays were affected from the weeklong rains brought by the
weather disturbance in the province. September 26 – Ondoy hits Metro Manila. Ci- The College of Science speaks up
vilians swimming through the flood brought
The Philippine Disaster Coordinating Council noted that 40 landslides have decimated communities across the western by Ondoy. Photo taken from http://www.pinoy-
half of the rugged Cordillera mountain range and damaged P38,067,296 worth of rice, corn and high-value commercial
The College of Science consultation was held on the 21st of August in the CS Auditorium. The attendees
vote.info/. included representatives of 11 of the 20 recognized student organizations of the college, as well as members
crops, while reported infrastructure damages reached a total of P100M including provincial and national roads, and flood WAITING TO CHANGE THE WORLD. Would-be voters wait
controls in the different towns.
in line during Botong Peyups to register for next year’s of the College of Science Student Council (CSSC) and the University Student Council (USC).
elections. Photo from the Botong Peyups Facebook account.
At the height of the typhoon, authorities evacuated 1063 families in Tabuk, Rizal and Pinukpuk to different evacuation Continued on Page 11
centers to pre-empt further fatalities.
BOARD TOPNOTCHERS:
8 9
in quick succession.
NEWS
NEWS
made for politics, but the people could only see her to bear the torch that her
when she spoke to the US congress: “As band, the late Ninoy Aquino. ple marching alongside her coffin at her funeral procession is enough
husband had left burning. Finally, in October 1985 Cory conceded that she would
I came to power peacefully, so shall I of a statement to the great emotion she stirred. For those of us who
stand for the presidency provided that Marcos called a snap election and that 1
keep it. That is my contract with my people and my commitment to God.” With did not live through those times, or were not of age to remember them, we may
million people petitioned her. The very next month Marcos stunned even his ad-
the same historic speech she entreated the US House of Representatives to give never understand the great impact that her very existence bore. For those who do
visers by announcing a snap election. One month later, Cory was presented with
aid to the Philippines that was impoverished and buried by debt incurred during understand it, it’s as if a part of them had died with the beloved Tita Cory.
more than a million signatures. The rest became what has become history familiar
to every Filipino. A woman clad in yellow stood up against the dictator. The nation
followed suit. Chanting Cory’s name, the citizens rallied to the streets, facing up
Continued from page 10... one actually ended with chants of “Junk the Code.”
CODE OF CONDUCT UPDATE
against Marcos’ armed military men in the most peaceful revolution the world had
ever seen. On the 25th of February Cory was declared president and Marcos left What happens next
During this consultation, several revisions to the draft code were unveiled:
Malacañang and escaped to Hawaii.
recognized organizations should have 20 members including officers instead of A second draft of the Code of Student Conduct was released to the USC and
0.5% of the eligible population; the one year residency necessary before a stu- to the local student councils in October, no copy of which was made available on-
dent can join an org was reduced to one semester; and the terms “recognized” line. This new document consists of each page of the first draft accompanied by
and “university-based” pertaining to student organizations were replaced with the comments and suggestions received by the drafting committee in the course
“registered’ for more clarity. The difference between college and university rules of the consultations, along with revisions made to the contents of the first draft.
was addressed, as were the operalization of some terms found to be vague (e.g. The CSSC submitted its comments on the second draft in the last week of Octo-
“breach of peace”), and the consideration of using students as resource persons ber: in general, the document is still seen as having vague provisions, and it is rec-
in disciplinary hearings. Points raised by the students included the demand for ommended that better policing be instituted instead of imposing more stringent
student representation in the drafting committee (it came out that there is no rules. It is also asked that all studies conducted that justify the creation of the CSC
THE WOMAN. Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the Mother of the Nation. specific provision in the UP Charter that says a student cannot help write up new be presented to the students.
guidelines on discipline), as well as the primarily academic nature of most CS
organizations, which, members of the orgs described as having helped in their Following the review of the draft CSC by the drafting committee, the docu-
adjustment to the UP environment instead of being detrimental to a member’s ment will be presented to the UC’s Committee on Student Organization, Activities
Maria Corazon “Cory” Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino was born on Janu-
performance in school. and Welfare, UP’s Executive Committee, the entire University Council, and finally
ary 25, 1933 to a politically prominent family that was the richest rice and
sugar empire in the province of Tarlac. She was raised as a devout Catho- the Board of Regents (BOR) for approval. Should the 2009 draft CSC be approved
The final consultation by the BOR, it will be take effect 15 days after its being posted on the UP Diliman
lic and a very good student. The young Cory finished grade school at St.
Scholastica College in Manila as class valedictorian. In 1946 the 13 year old website.
On September 17, 2009 the last of the series of consultations was held at
Cory left with her family for the United States. Cory enrolled at Ravenhill
the National Engineering Center, with representatives of student organiza-
Academy in Philadelphia, and later in the Notre Dame Convent School in
tions, alliances, and student councils filling the building’s AVR. Dr. Elizabeth
New York City. She entered the College of Mount St. Vincent in the Bronx,
THE BATTLE. Cory Aquino takes oath as the country’s 11th president finally putting an Enriquez, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and member of the drafting
graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts in French and a minor in math-
end to the dreadful Marcos dictatorship. committee, shared that they were already going over the draft code in the
ematics. In the same year she returned to the Philippines to take up law
light of the input from consultations with the faculty and both graduate and
at the Far Eastern University, a path she abandoned two years later when
undergraduate students, with revisions being made as deemed necessary.
in 1955 she married Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. Cory became the wife of a well-
The issue of student representation was repeatedly raised by the attendees,
acclaimed politician. The President
as were the concerns and stands of the individual organizations and alliances
concerning the draft code.
Ninoy was mayor of his home-town of Concepcion at the age of 22. At 29 In some ways Cory was not suitable to have been president, especially at such
he assumed position as the governor of Tarlac, and in 1967 became the young- trying times. Yet at the same time, she was the only person for it. She became the
Some students have purportedly expressed their appreciation for the job
est elected Senator at 34. People believed that he might have been the youngest rally point of a people who saw her as a ray of hope. Surely God would grant the
the drafting committee is doing. The opinion more strongly voiced by the
president as well. He was the leading candidate for the 1973 elections, following martyr’s widow justice for her loss and victory to the cause for which her husband
UP student body, however, is that of disapproval. Throughout the consulta-
Ferdinand Marcos’ completion of the maximum two terms in the position, but that lost his life. Cory became the “Mother of the Nation,” the symbol of the Filipino
tions, and even prior to them, demands were made for the scrapping of the
ambition was never realized. On September 21, 1972, President Marcos issued struggle for democracy.
2009 draft CSC, on the basis of both
Proclamation 1081, declaring martial law over the entire country in order, it was QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. Or demands and reprimands. There were
the manner of its conception and its
reasoned, to suppress increasing civil strife and the threat of communist takeover Of course Cory had shortcomings. An inexperienced politician, she summarily plenty of all of those during the student consultations regarding the 2009
content. This made for some tension
following a series of bombings. At the same time Marcos dissolved the constitu- dissolved parliament and had all the country’s governors and mayors, regardless draft CSC. Photo taken by Mia de Villa.
during the consultations. The last
tion, claiming supreme power and jailing his political opponents, including Aquino.
10 11
Continued on Page 11
FEATURES
macaques and chimpanzees while humans infected with it do not
FEATURES
Tacked show any symptoms of EHF. Notably, all species but Reston are
endemic to Africa while Reston ebolavirus is believed to be from
accelerate the mutations and evolution of the virus. The present
circulation of the virus in pigs further prolongs and, in turn,
Ebola the Philippines. increases the chances of genetic change. Signs that the virus
can undergo respiratory transmission also worsen these fears as
By Erica Fortuno Ebola Reston was discovered in 1989 when crab-eating this could potentially result in a deadly, airborne strain of Reston
N
ear the end of 2008, pork cuts were generally avoided macaques died of what was suspected to be Simian hemorrhagic ebolavirus.
by a scared public. Rumors circulated that one could fever in a Primate Quarantine unit of Hazleton Research Products
contract a deadly disease by eating pork. This was, of (now Covance) in Reston, Virginia. Investigations showed that the Should this happen and a human outbreak of the disease
course, false; at least, humans couldn’t get the pathogen, a macaques were imported from Ferlite Farms, a monkey breeding finally erupts in the Philippines, a potential disaster may occur
virus, by eating pork meat. It was true, though, that some of and export facility in Calamba, though the monkeys came as the country has neither the facilities nor the technology
the pigs in the Philippines harbored a virus that was considered from Mindanao. In January 1990, monkeys from Ferlite Farms appropriate in handling a deadly agent such as Ebola. Knowing
deadly to some primates. Curiously, the pigs didn’t show any imported by Hazleton Research Products in Alice, Texas also died
signs of sickness. Even more curiously, the virus had never been this, the Philippine government announced that the Department
of the Reston species of Ebola that was coinfecting with Simian
detected in pigs until then. The pathogen that perplexed the of Health and the Department of Agriculture are tasked to
hemorrhagic fever. Further, vin 1996, more macaques from Ferlite
scientific community was Ebola. limit the risks of the Ebola Reston virus to animal and human
Farms exported to Houston, Texas died and tested positive for this
health. The Centers of Disease Control and the World Health
species of Ebola. In all events, the shipment monkeys were killed
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Organization also promised to give aid where needed.
and the virus was successfully eradicated.
Ebola, named after the Ebola River and technically known
Recently, from mid-2008 to early 2009, pigs in farms in The rest of us, on the other hand, are encouraged to
as Ebolavirus, is a member of the Filoviridae family, a family of
Bulacan and Pangasinan tested positive for Ebola Reston. All pigs remain vigilant and to hope that Ebola Reston does not decide
threadlike viruses. It is the cause of Ebola hemorrhagic fever
(EHF), with a 90% fatality in humans and up to 100% fatality in – infected and not infected with Ebola – were sacrificed to prevent to pounce on us humans.
nonhuman primates, making it the “real-life Andromeda Strain.” spread of the virus. In January 2009, 5 individuals were tested
Only one other virus, the Marburg virus, is in the same family positive with the Reston species of Ebola; though none of them
as Ebola and it results in a likewise deadly Marburg hemorrhagic showed any signs of illness, their infection with the Reston species All monsters and beasts have their benign moments.
fever. The first recognized cases of the EHF were from near- THE FACE OF EBOLA. This is an image of Ebola Zaire under the shows that the virus can be transmitted from pigs to humans. – Dr. Karl Johnson, one of the discoverers of Ebola
simultaneous outbreaks in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of scanning electron microscope. It looks like a bunch of threads,
Congo) and Sudan in 1976 and were spread through reuse of doesn’t it? Or does it look like spaghetti?
FEATURES
and
FEATURES
para talagang sulit ang lakad na gagawin nila. ‘Pag Proceeds from Campaign of Folded and Hung ken by
puno na ito, dadalhin ito sa kusina kung saan lilinisin th e Re d fo r Life os s. Ph oto ta
National Red Cr
at pwede na muling pagkainan. *it does not exist (pasalamat ka’t odd number ‘yang The Philippine
tanong na ‘yan) M iji Dy.
Tinatanong namin kung bakit sobrang
bilis nilang magligpit. “Siyempre, kasi maraming Drinks anyone
Girls help prep the boys for the pinning ? Photo taken
customer,” sagot ni Kuya Emil. Tama nga naman. by Cherry Orte
CASAA ninja in action. Mukhang may special mission na naman itong si Kuya. game. Photo taken by Miji Dy. ga.
Kapag mas maraming kakain, kailangan mas mabilis
FEATURES
FEATURES
Because Scientia wanted to hear from NIP students themselves, we Swimming NIGS IB IC Karlo Victor Lumbao played three games of basketball for the I-Math
talked to Gino Leynes, the College of Science Representative to the University in this year’s KaSCIyahan. During these games, he observed different lines of
Student Council, and to Charmaine Rose de los Reyes, a second year student and Badminton IB NIGS IC attack from the six institutes, including from his home institute.
one of NIP’s participants in the Cheerdance Competition, an event in which NIP
did not compete in KaSCIyahan 2008. Football NIMBB NIGS IB Scientia: For the past years, I-Math has been triumphantly grabbing the first
place in men’s basketball. Unfortunately, IM’s men’s basketball team
Scientia: We heard that NIP won first in Sports Climbing. Has NIP always been a Ultimate Frisbee IB NIGS IM failed, quoting the cliché, to bring home the bacon this year. What do you
tough competitor in the sport? think is the major factor for this year’s setback?
Charmaine: I really don’t know. This is my first time kasi na sumali sa KaSCIyahan. Tug-of-War NIGS IB NIMBB Karlo: Uhm, I think it has something the do with the number of players from
Gino: Nope. Yung mga sumali this year are second year students. Medyo bata pa,
at hindi sila sumali last year. our institute and of course, the new set of players from the other institutes.
NIMBB. The NIMBB Men’s Basketball Team engages in a very Dodgeball NIGS IC IM We were really encouraging the men from Math, especially those who really
Scientia: We were told that NIP did not join last year’s KaSCIyahan Cheerdance light-hearted pre-game talk. Photo taken by Miji Dy. play the basket to support this year’s game, but we ended up with the same
Scavenger Hunt IM IC NIMBB group of people. Good thing, some graduates of the institute were still there
Competition. But this year you did. How do you feel about your presentation?
Charmaine: This is something remarkable because it took a long time before NIP Sports Climbing NIP IM NIGS to support and to play for the team. Also, I have to admit, NIGS has a bunch
joined the Cheerdance Competition again. First, wala kasing organizers at of good players this year, so we really had a hard time to pose our moves
walang magtuturo. Ngayon lang kasi nagkaroon. Kami ni Aya Cariño ang nagturo Cheerdance NIMBB IC & NIGS (tie) against them. I think they deserved to win the first. Our games with them
sa kanila. We did okay, and compared with the other presenters, I think we did were close fights, though.
well. Even though we lost, we still enjoyed performing our moves! OVERALL NIGS NIMBB IB
Scientia: I heard that were was one game that you chose to “let go.” Is this
Scientia: What can you say about NIP’s participation in KaSCIyahan 2009? Has sort of a strategy from the team or something?
NIP become more active? Karlo: Well, I wasn’t really part of that stretch. Kuya Chris (a teammate; an
Charmaine: Yes, makikita naman ang pagiging mas aktibo ng NIP ngayong taon na alumnus of IM) told me about that one game. I’m not sure whether it’s a
ito kaysa sa ibang taon. Katulad na lang ng Cheerdance na nakasali na ulit match against NIGS or NIMBB, but, well, the team opted to surrender the
ngayon ang NIP. game to the opposing team. It wasn’t a tactic though, according to him, but
Gino: Medyo halo, eh. For indoor sports, super nag-boost up. We got players for
all indoor sports (volleyball, basketball, table tennis, badminton, cheerdance). it was more of “admitting the defeat.” The opposing team was of a better
Pero for outdoor sports, nag-dip yung participation. hand of the game and IM already accumulated a fair number of wins at that
Football has usually been a strong sport for NIP, but this year we had to default time, so they thought that it was okay to let that game lay off. It wasn’t that
all games. Frisbee, though NIP has not really performed for this in the past year, bad after all; IM still placed second this year. Anyway, we promise that we’ll
we managed to play it out, but not with the players who really play the sport. try to recoup the highest place next year.
We have decent players sana, like those who played for the only Frisbee game
we won, but they were unavailable for the other games. This would be due to Scientia: Being a part of the men’s basketball team of IM, you might have
the fact that the SPP (Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas, a Physics Congress) deadline NIP. Can’t argue with a physicist especially when he’s some aspirations of being in a professional basketball team. If you were to
was scheduled, I think, the day of the games, then postponed a week after, waiting for the cue in KaSCIyahan 2009’s Cheerdance be a part of a local and foreign team, what team would it be and in what
which was the day of the finals of the outdoor sports. Competition. Photo taken by Garrick Bercero. position would you be?
I think over all, NIP came out better this year than last year. But I believe we can Karlo: In both teams, I would like to be the point guard. I don’t know, maybe
still do better. With a better schedule, I think NIP is a force to be reckoned with because I’d be better in that position. Local team? I would say Purefoods.
for next year’s KaSCIyahan. NBA team? Of course, I would like to be a part of the Lakers. C’mon.
NIGS. NIGS bags the trophy as the overall champion of KaSCIyahan 2009. Photo
16 17
taken by Garrick Bercero.
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encyclopedias to children’s fiction and, later, to in academics by the “grownups” as the indica- about how telling our breathers and stress- rotated throughout the year. For this season, whole family. Getting to Mall of Asia
teen fiction. The video games remained, im- tor of one’s potential and inclination towards relievers can be sharing what things are most there are four, namely, Jurassic Adventure, vorite is easy, but if you still think that it’s still
proving with every new console, more addict- a particular career is, of course, rational and important to us, what we take joy in, what we Cosmic Wars, Car Race and Roller Coaster. The among younger too far away, not to worry. X-rider will
ing with each new game. reasonable, I also think that it is also of great value most. Jurassic adventure takes you back through children. be opening branches in SM Fairview by
importance to take note of what the child loves time where you get to explore the wild terrain the end of November and in SM North
Out of all my free time larks, whims and pre- to do in his or her play time. (And, for the record, my love for books and while interacting with the various dinosaurs. If you’re more in to the celestial unknown Edsa probably around summer of 2010.
occupations, both my love for video games and video games is still strong, to this day, and I You get to move with the T-rex and get carried then dinosaurs, then you may prefer the Cos- Experiencing the magic of 4-D will soon be
for books were greatest. I would spend hours in I did not become a writer (although I had engage in going through both whenever I have in the air by the pterodactyl with this adven- mic Wars. Battling in spaceships amongst the only a jeepney ride away.
front of the telly, playing level after level, game considered it for a while when I was in the 5th the chance to. Michael Crichton and Chrono stars and dodging lasers will make you feel
after game. My mother even came to be friends grade) and I definitely did not become a pro- Cross, anyone?)
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bigotry. ativity and utter au-
Some of my family have only recently begun dacity. A throwback as one of three genders: two men, two women,
to accept the fact that exclusivity of culture has On the other hand, there are some to the hippies of or one woman and one man joined together, un- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
become outdated. Before my uncle’s wedding to Filipinos who treat Chinese people the era, Hair was a til the gods split them apart, causing the genera- [Atlantis Productions] – December 4 to 13, 2009;
his Filipina girlfriend, we’ve never had a mixed differently just because of their ap- flower child’s dream. tions after them to wander the Earth, searching Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Building,
marriage in our family. Now, my generation is pearance or heritage. Some would ste- Nearly 50 years have for their “lost half.” This song, aptly titled “The Makati
allowed to date non-Chinese girls and guys, al- reotype Chinese people as not being passed since then, Origin of Love,” is one of many that earned this
though still with a strong preference for Chinese able to speak in Filipino to the point and the show still show its cult following.
lineage. that they would exclude them from retains its charm, so
4.5 3 2 1
RED ORANGE DARKCOLORS VIOLET GREEN BLUE
22 SCIENTIA: ISSUE TWO SCIENTIA: ISSUE TWO 23
Scientia Issue Two.indd 22-23 11/11/2009 10:06:40 PM
DOPPLER EFFECT Younha (Secret Code 486)
Album: Secret 486 (2007)
Genre: Pop/Rock
GO GO GADGET ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → BA
BY MELLISSA ALCANTARA Similar artists: Taylor Swift
GO GO GOOGLE READER THE RISE OF THE SEQUELS
“Express your love 4 times a
Y ou’ve heard of Super Junior and Girl’s Generation.
And I’m sure that you’ve heard about the Wonder
day, laugh 8 times, kiss me 6
times - it’s the only password
BY JARED ASUNCION BY GERO LUMAIN
Girls and 2NE1. They are part of the Korean Wave, or to my heart”
S ince our academics usually come first, we tend
to have little time to browse our favorite sites.
as one of four different classes: the skull-crushing
Barbarian, the spell-slinging Wizard, the steel-fisted
S
Hallyu: the program of the Korean government that
aims to introduce Korean culture to different coun- In our country, it is “143” and ince our academics usually come first, we By now, most of us have a routine on how to use our Monk, or the enigmatic Witch Doctor. Whichever
tries. These four groups are probably the most popu- in Korea, it’s “486.” Know tend to have little time to browse our fa- ‘fifteen-minute breaks’ in between study time. Usu- hero you choose to play, the fate of the world is in
lar idol groups both in Korea and overseas, but there’s what it is? Yes, it’s the secret ally this involves opening all social networking sites your hands.
definitely more to Kpop than them, so let’s explore a code for “I love you!” The vorite sites. By now, most of us have a routine
bit, shall we? song tells of the playful in- and commenting on interesting topics. Some even go
on how to use our ‘fifteen-minute breaks’ in be- to read webcomics and other blogs. Typing in each of Diablo III is slated for release sometime in 2010
nocence of a girl in love and
her firm stand against being tween study time. Usually this involves opening world. This would definitely keep anyone inter- these URLs and checking back every now and then and will be compatible with both PC and Mac.
IU (Missing Child) cheated on. Younha is a tal- ested. Siguradong ‘di ka mababato!
Album: Growing Up (2009) all social networking sites and commenting on for updates can prove to be a time-consuming task.
Genre: Rock/Ballad ented pianist and a great vocalist, making her songs an Luckily, feed readers are here to save the day. What to expect: • While it is true that there are
Similar artists: Dido, Kelly Clarkson experience to listen to. interesting topics. Some even go to read web-
fewer classes to choose from compared to the previ-
comics and other blogs. Typing in each of these MJ’s Human Biology Blog In layman’s terms, feed readers are like your mag- ous two Diablo titles, the gameplay and progression
“My heart filled with gashes, the deep wounds make URLs and checking back every now and then for According to its description, this blog “high- azine subscriptions. You choose your topics of inter- of each class more than make up for the lack of other
me want to hate you” Kim Jong Kook lights recent items in the news or in scientific est and subscribe as you find them. A very popular classes. • The game features an immersive story that
(Today More than updates can prove to be a time-consuming task.
“Missing Child” is a very strong rock ballad which journals that cover new findings and hot topics feed reader is Google Reader, an online reader. You is sure to take quite a few hours to play through. Be
showcases the 15 year old’s unique voice, praised by Yesterday) Luckily, feed readers are here to save the day. can virtually read the latest updates wherever you are prepared to spend many an endless hour playing this
many for its raspy but clear quality. The song opens Album: Here I Am (2008) relevant to the teaching of human biology”. You (assumin Greetings and salutations, dear readers, game. • Some story characters from the first games
with a soft violin prelude, building up to a chorus with Genre: Pop/Ballad
Similar artists: David Archu- In layman’s terms, feed readers are like your can also comment on the posts and discuss these and welcome once again to this humble gamers’ col- are said to return in Diablo III. Popular rumors have
strong beats. The song is simple and easy to listen to; umn. In this issue we’ll be taking a look at some of it that the titular Diablo himself will reappear to rain
the type of song you’d want to tune out to whenever leta magazine subscriptions. You choose your top- topics with fellow biology-inclined people.
you’re stressed out or sad. the many game sequels that have been announced for hell upon the innocents once again.
“I have never met someone ics of interest and subscribe as you find them. release, namely StarCraft II, Diablo III, and Final
so important to me that it A very popular feed reader is Google Reader, an Dot Physics Fantasy XIII. These games might not be out yet but
hurts.”
G-Dragon (BigBang) online reader. You can virtually read the latest This site can serve to be a useful resource what we’ve seen so far of them have us salivating all Final Fantasy XIII
Album: Heartbreaker (2009) Formerly a hip-hop artist, when studying for your next Physics exam. over our controllers and keyboards. Since we can’t We can’t talk about video game sequels without
Genre: Pop/Electronic updates wherever you are (assuming wherever really give tips for games we have yet to play, we’ll be
Kim Jong Kook now dabbles mentioning the legendary Final Fantasy series. The
Similar artists: Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas in pop songs and ballads. Today More than Yesterday” you are always has wireless Internet access). By Though it sometimes posts about greater Phys- providing you, our dear readers, with some glimpses latest title in the series Final Fantasy XIII is not
“What was the reason why
is a song of confession. “I love you so much that it now, you’re probably excited to know how to ics, most of its posts are reader-friendly. Some- as to what to expect from each game. Now without just one game;
hurts” and “I don’t want to break up unless it’s a break further ado we go on to our first game.
you didn’t like me?” up to meet you again” are some of its more touching use such an amazing program. Well, I don’t one who took up Physics 10 might be able to it is three con-
lines. understand and appreciate this website. Give it a nected games that
The first time you listen to want to keep you waiting, so let’s start setting are to be released
the song, you’d think it was up your feed reader! try; add it to your reader. StarCraft II across different
being sung in English. The Se7en (Come Back to Me (Wajeoh)) It is once again time to command the forces of the platforms: Final
song, however, is controver-
sial since it is believed to be Album: Just Listen (2003)
Genre: Ballad/R&B First, you must have a Google account. If you FlowingData space-age Terran, psionic Protoss, or monstrous Zerg Fantasy XIII, Fi-
plagiarized from Flo Rida’s in the battle for galactic supremacy in the sequel of nal Fantasy Agito
“Right Round.” Despite all Similar artists: Justin Timberlake, Westlife don’t, go to Google and make one. Tired of presenting your reports with the de- the greatest sci-fi real-time strategy game of all time. XIII, and Final
the bad publicity prior to re- fault MS Office charts? Find new and innova- Fantasy Versus
lease, the track rose through “How am I supposed to carry
the charts, getting number 1 before the official release on? I’ll be right here if you Next, you must log in to your Google Reader tive ways to present your data by reading Flow- StarCraft II of- XIII. Given that
need someone.” ingData.com. The author is a statistician who fers not only a new the all three are
of the album. The upbeat, modern dance song is very (http://www.google.com/reader) using your ac- experience to those still Final Fantasy
catchy - sure to be your LSS for a couple of days. With a rather familiar melo- count. usually teams up with artists to present reader- unfamiliar with titles it is no sur-
dy, “Come Back to Me” easily friendly graphs about virtually any topic under the previous game prise that all three
sticks to one’s mind. A break-
S-Doll (Inhyeong) up song, it speaks of a man And finally, let’s add your subscriptions. Just the sun. He also provides sites where you could but also gives hard- are role-playing games (RPGs).
Album: Doll [ Single ] (2001) sharing his feelings, sadness, er challenges that
Genre: Ballad click “Add Subscription” and type in the title get data which might prove to be handy when must be overcome Agito XIII and Versus XIII are action RPGs while
and last goodbyes to the girl
Similar artists: Martin Nievera, Jim Brickman he loved, and hoping that she of the site. Google should take care of the rest. you’re doing your thesis. with new tactics to Final Fantasy XIII is more like the traditional turn-
will return to him. No need for all the unnecessary clutter of URLs. gamers who have based Final Fantasy. However, Final Fantasy XIII
“I’ll miss you, I can’t do any- played the first uses an improved version of the battle system used
thing about that, but I won’t YouTube StarCraft. To be in Final Fantasy XII which, as those who have played
give you a hard time.” Brown Eyed Girls (Abracadabra) Just when you think this program can’t be
Here is a list of potential sites you might released as three the game may recall, deviates from the classic Final
“Doll” is a song by a group Album: Sound G (2009) more magical, it also lets you go through your
Genre: Dance/Electronic want updates from: separate games Fantasy battle system by giving the player actively
formed by Shin Hye Sung, Lee Similar artists: Shakira, Madonna YouTube subscriptions – or anyone else’s, if each centered on a different race, Blizzard Entertain- controlled movement in space while in battle.
Ji Hoon, and Kangta. “Doll”, ment’s StarCraft II will be compatible with both PC
considered to be one of the
most beautiful Korean bal- “I used to be nice, soft and tender, but I’ll turn bad if Slacker Astronomy you’re that creepy stalker type. All you have to and Mac. These three games made by Square Enix are to be
lads, written and composed I go crazy like this.” Of course, we’re sure that this site is about as- do is add this URL to your subscriptions: released by the end of this year.
by Kangta, speaks about a tronomy. What keeps bugging me is why its title What to expect: • New units have been added to
man’s message to a girl he’s just broken up with, is Just as its title implies, the each side and new abilities have been added to al- What to expect: • These three might be different
a heart-wrenching song made more poignant by the song puts you in a trance. uses the word ‘slacker’. My best bet is that, its http://gdata.youtube.com/feeds/base/users/
“Abracadabra” is a very flirta- ready existing units. These additions to the StarCraft games with different stories but they are all con-
trio’s powerful vocals and the accompanying strings tious song, seducing a man to posts are short and concise so that lazy readers [username]/newsubscriptionvideos roster will challenge players to think of different nected to one another somehow and this connection
and piano. break up with his current girl- can instantly understand what the post is about. strategies to use against opponents • Characters from will greatly enhance and support the plots of all three
friend to be with the singer the first game return to the fray in StarCraft II. Ker- games. That’s just how good Square Enix is at writ-
instead. The girl questions the This site links to a lot of different articles that
KARA (Mister) rigan the Zerg Queen and Rouge Terran, Jim Raynor, ing storylines. • Another to watch for, rather, listen
Album: Revolution (2009)
man about who he really loves update us on what the latest discoveries are in are examples of fan favorites who will come back to for would be the fantastic musical score arranged
and offers to do anything for
Genre: Dance/Pop him if he chooses her. Interest- the world of astronomy. once more grace us with their presence. • We expect by none other than Final Fantasy veteran Nobuo
Similar artists: Wonder Girls ingly, the rap portions are in the storyline of StarCraft II to be much far better de- Uematsu who’s been responsible for most of the
the perspective of the man’s veloped than the first game’s because each race will series’ great musical accompaniment. • We haven’t
“Hey, Mister, look over here!” girlfriend. Geology.com have their good share of plot in the portions of the seen much other than official trailers and a scant
Wanna see something that ROCKS? Meh, game that centers on them. (Though we’re not saying few gameplay videos of any of the three games but
CULTURE
CULTURE
The song, which became a
hot topic due to the “butt Geol majors are probably tired of these types of we didn’t like the storyline of the first game.) • The from what we can gather we can safely assume that
dance” performed with it, is Norazo (Superman) jokes, so I’ll go straight to the point. Geology. first two games, which center on the Terran and Zerg all three Final Fantasy XIII titles will be great games
about girl hoping to catch the Album: Three GO (2008) races respectively, are due for release in 2010. The fi- in each and every right.
attention of a guy she finds Genre: Rock com provides updates about the latest happen-
Similar artists: Eraserheads, Parokya ni Edgar nal game, which focuses on the Protoss is, however,
attractive, and so calls him to ings in the world of rocks and minerals. Updates scheduled for release in 2011. • There is definitely one Platforms: o Final Fantasy XIII will be released
look at her. The strong beats “Be careful of imitations, it’s an S inside a pentagon. thing that we can all expect from StarCraft II and for the PS3 and XBOX360. o Final Fantasy Versus
of the song and the flirta- can range from current events, new discover-
tious lyrics make it a good Top and bottom, 100% Spandex.” that thing is: Sheer Epicness. XIII will be exclusive for the PS3. o Final Fantasy
disco song, thought still with
ies or simply photos of rocks from around the Agito XIII will be a PSP title.
a freshness and innocence in If you feel like having a good
the melody. laugh, Norazo is the band for
you. Their songs are so re- Diablo III
tarded you’d feel your brain SG Wannabe, which stands for Simon & Garfunkel Another great evil threatens to destroy the world
melting. With lines like: “Red Wannabe, is a three-member group that made waves and it is up to mighty heroes to vanquish that evil These games have all amazed and astounded us
Epik High (Love Love Love) undies over blue tights are my in Korea when they debuted Where [username] is your username or the
in the third already from their previews alone and they promise
Album: Remapping the Hu- charming point” and “I show without showing their faces. username of whom you want to stalk. hours upon hours spent glued to our screens, con-
man Soul (2007) up when there’s trouble, the installment of
“Crime and Punishment” Blizzard En- soles, and portables playing through each of them.
Genre: Rap/Electronic bat shape in the sky… wait, has completely blown away
Similar artists: Francis M. that’s Batman,” you really listeners, besting even songs After a hard day’s work of studying and tertainment’s Patience may be a virtue, but these games have im-
can’t ask for a better Super- by popular boy bands. The highly ac- pressed us so much that we are itching to get our
“Have you ever been in love man song, can you? song is about how a man who catching up with the latest scientific blogs and claimed action hands on them once they are released. This concludes
before? Falling at first sight, locked up his loved one for his journals, it’s also good to unwind to other sites r o l e - p l ay i n g this issue’s Konami Code and, this time, we’ll join
like in the movies?” own selfish reasons, and now, our favorite pink marshmallow copycat, Kirby, in
that interest you. So whenever you find a site game series,
The song deals with the con- SG Wannabe (Crime and Punish- with regret, he has to set his
that does catch your fancy, follow these five easy Diablo III. saying “Bye-bye~!”
ment) lover free. The song is very
cept of romance, why people heavy and filled with emo-
fall in love, and why people Album: As We Live (2005) tions. steps. Go to Google Reader, click “Add Sub- In Diablo
like falling in love even when their hearts just get bro- Genre: Ballad scription”, type in the title, hit Enter then click III, players can
ken. The last two lines of the chorus go: “Though it Similar artists: Boyz II Men Want to check out the songs? Drop by Scientia’s Mul-
hurts, I can’t stop. Love love love,” which is something Subscribe. That’s five easy steps to keep you up- choose to play
“As a last farewell, just tell me this: you loved me tiply site (http://scientiaonline.multiply.com/) for a
most of us wonder, too. preview and more information about the artists! dated with all your favorite sites.
24 25
even if a little.”
10
mention that we’re all probably on the verge university life gets The Blair Witch Project
of looking like Einstein, white hair and all. eerily familiar.
(We make nosebleeds look good, at least.) Questionable Content The strips revolve What makes the Blair Witch Proj-
http://www.questionablecontent.net around a group of ect scary is that it was presented as
CS students do have ways of coping though Recommended if: You’re looking for music to students and their
Although Eureka’s comedic factor isn’t as listen to, and you like indie pop culture refer- the ‘real life’ experi-
– whether it’s releasing their stress by jog- pronounced as those of other shows, it em- various exploits, ence of three students.
ging around the Academic Oval or going on ences or smart, sassy girls. from finding a table
ploys the quirks of its dynamic cast with the Updates: Weekdays at a very crowded The movie seems to
workaholic mode with their extracurricular talents of Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson Cyanide and Happiness has a very simple art
activities. But if you’re the type of CS stu- and Jordon Hinson to name a few. Its ap- style, a bit more sophisticated than xkcd’s stick canteen at lunch have been shot us-
dent who would rather not exert your body peal also relies on interesting fringe sciences figures, but very far from Questionable Con- time, to the idea of ing a common video
to its physical limits, we give you an easy like human cloning, applied nanotechnol- tent. As you browse through the strips, however, renting brains out at camera, giving it the
way out with the perfect list of TV Shows to ogy, alternate universes, ‘psychic’ abilities, you’ll realize that one doesn’t need much more isaw stands, and are
get you out of the mid-school-year slump. filled to the brim feel of a ‘home video’,
artificial intelligence and the list goes on. than lines, basic geometric shapes, and not-so- adding to the movie’s
occasional pools of blood to be weird and very, with jokes that tread
Community The series just finished running its very funny. A particular highlight is the yearly the very fine line realism. The shaky
Starring funnyman Joel McHale from E!’s third season and has been renewed for a “Depressing Comics Week” that is a strange between extremely and unstable way the
The Soup, Community is a comedy that re- fourth season slated to run on June 2010. kind of masochistic fun that may make you funny and annoy-
volves around McHale’s character, Jeff, a sus- ingly corny. It’s never expressly mentioned camera was handled
laugh one second, then feel slightly violated the may seem a bit tacky
pended lawyer who has to go back to college next. All in good fun, of course. where the characters actually study, but let’s just
in order to get a new degree after the State Nurse Jackie say that my friends from other universities find or cliché, but once
Bar discovers his old one had been falsified. Nurse Jackie is a medical dark dramedy that it only about half as funny as I do. we have been hooked
In community college, defined by the pilot premiered just last June. Its content is at the very Girls with Slingshots
episode as “loser college for remedial teens, Invincible by the movie, one can
least ‘atypical’ and some would even label it ‘con- http://www.gwscomic.com feel the terror set in.
twenty-something dropouts, middle-aged di- troversial’ compared to those of most medical Recommended if: You’re a girl (and that is not (Image Comics)
vorcees and old people,” Jeff befriends (or TV series. The dramedy’s storyline focuses on me being sexist). Newbies to the super-
rather antagonizes) his classmates, each with hero comic genre may
9
Jackie Peyton, Resi- Updates: Weekdays
their own quirks and strange backgrounds. dent Nurse, mother find Invincible a good The Others
QC is a great comic that is, to quote from the
of two daughters, website, “ostensibly about romance, indie rock, “So these two girls walk place to start, since
The show premiered only last September 17, it’s a fairly new story How soon af-
happily married, but little robots, and the problems people have.” It into a bar…” This slice
but it is already clear that the show has the mak- also adulteress and of life comic tackles life, that doesn’t have years ter we die do
ings of a huge hit. Joel McHale brings with him started out about Marten, a geeky indie music-
dependent heavily loving boy who hates his job and generally love, and the perks and and years of continu- we realize that we are
his biting sarcastic wit from The Soup to Com- on Vicodin and Oxy- pitfalls of being a girl. ity to catch up on in already dead? How
munity and the writing is just pure comedy gold. doesn’t know what he’s doing with his life. He
codone. (Sound like meets Faye, a smart, sexy “indie girl”, at a bar Best friends Hazel and Ja- order to enjoy. In the long do we stay igno-
any other flawed fic- and, by some twist of fate, they end up becom- mie get drunk, hallucinate comic, Mark Grayson
tional medical prac- talking cacti, and make seems like your aver- rant of our ‘change
ing roommates. The first few strips mostly re-
titioner we know?) volve around their (extremely witty) daily inter- you laugh too. If you like age boy-next-door. He of state’? Death sepa-
actions, coupled with crazy antics from Pintsize, Sex and the City (and hm, goes to a public high rates us indefinitely,
Though not re- Marten’s neurotic little robot. As you progress even if you don’t), you school, hangs out with if not eternally, from
ally outright funny, through the story, you’re rewarded with more should definitely give this gem of a comic a try. his friends, and falls in
the show’s sto- love. Pretty normal, ex- those we love. The
characters, art that gets better and better, and a
rylines, interest- whole lot of laughs. cept for a little glitch: he is also the high-flying, thought that it is pos-
ing outlook on the Penny Arcade punch-slinging, half-alien superhero, Invincible. sible to suddenly wake
stresses of the medi- http://www.penny-arcade.com The story may seem ordinary at first, but the up and realize that
cal profession and xkcd Recommended if: You really like video games. content is much lighter than regular superhero
even life itself make fare from other publishers, and makes for a fun we no longer are is
http://xkcd.com Updates: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
you think. It also doesn’t hurt to have such Recommended if: You get a kick out of finding read if you’re looking to relax. undoubtedly unset-
an eccentric and flawed cast of characters. science jokes funny because you actually under- A comic in which two guys make jokes about tling and it is this fear, precisely, that
10 Things I Hate About You stand them. video games, gamers, gamer culture and tech- makes this movie subtly frightening.
The US network, Showtime had so much Updates: Everyday nology in general. The humor can get pretty Tiny Titans
10 Things is based on the 1999 movie of the faith in the success of Nurse Jackie that it im- DC Comics
same name, and stars Meaghan Jette Martin as exclusive to those who are part of the gaming
8
mediately picked it up for a second season. culture, so if you are, prepare to be thoroughly Imagine the DC su-
Bianca, the typical girly teenager with dreams perheroes: Robin, The Silence of the Lambs
of becoming popular, and Lindsey Shaw as Kat, amused.
Flash, Wonder Woman, The mere mention of the name Hanni-
the postmodern feminist. Set in high school, 10 The Big Bang Theory Raven, Cyborg… in grade
Things brings with it a refreshing and funny Let’s end the article with a bang. Pun intended. school. Battling deten- bal Lecter sends chills down our spine.
look into the cliché caste system of American tion instead of super vil- His taste for human flesh may even inspire
public schools. Al- lains, racing to beat the some of us to become vegetarians for months.
though we are nei- morning bell instead of
ther in a public high He even outshines the serial killer Buffalo Bill,
to catch a crook, need I
school, nor in Amer- say more? Tiny Titans who skinned his vic-
ica, it doesn’t matter is a limited release series tims alive, but did not
because the show’s
CULTURE
CULTURE
full of fun, light humor, have a palate quite like
writers have a wicked rendered in an extremely
sense of humor, mak- that of Hannibal. Si-
cute art style. Who says
ing the show great only kids can enjoy this lence of the Lambs is
fun to follow. While stuff, anyway? a far cry from a simple
watching this series, slasher movie. We are
pssst.
I can’t help but liter-
ally LOL alone in my forced into trying to
room. (I know, sad.) This “webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, understand the work-
Big Bang is probably the funniest show and language” hardly needs introduction. For
about science geeks ever made. The series re- ings of the intelligent
The show’s first volves around theoretical physics geniuses
the average internet-savvy person, the word is A Softer World and disturbed mind
season only had 10 synonymous with nerdy, love-struck stick fig- http://www.asofterworld.com
Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon (Jim Par- ures. Recommended if: You’re looking for some-
Oo, ikaw.
of an incredibly intel-
episodes, but it has re- sons), their other intellectual friends, and
cently been picked up thing different. ligent serial killer and
Penny (Kaley Cuoco), their comparatively The site comes with a warning: “This comic Updates: Weekly
Kung ikaw ay nagsusulat,
for another season, premiering on January 2010. ‘dumb’ blonde neighbor. Watch this show and (Balita, kuwento, tula, features, blog, kanta, fanfiction, haiku, lab somehow causes us
occasionally contains strong language (which to doubt our sanity. Silence of the Lambs may
I guarantee laughs every time you enter your may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor reports, lahat na)
Eureka physics class and discuss the Doppler Effect or A Softer World is a bit of an outlier in the we- O kung ikaw ay marunong gumuhit, o kaya’y magaling mag-layout, disturb us visually, but it is the ideas that slip
Eureka isn’t your run-of-the-mill science (which may be unsuitable for adults), and ad- bcomic genre. For one, it uses photographs in-
perhaps Schrödinger’s cat. God bless whoever vanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable stead of drawings, and the “dialogue” is usually
o mahilig kumuha ng mga litrato,
into our minds that really give us the scare.
fiction TV series. Totally different from typi- brought together the cast of Big Bang and the O kung may gusto ka lang gawin sa buhay,
cal your sci-fi TV series like Star Trek or X- for liberal-arts majors).” Click away. just a caption with a line or two. The topics are
show’s writers. Put simply, the show is smart, completely random, and the strip has the type
Files, Eureka fills the void of comedy in the
7
comic, and literally and figuratively ingenious. of humor that makes you ponder a bit, and then Sali ka na sa SCIENTIA.
sci-fi genre with its charm and quirk. Natu- Psycho
ral science majors, especially physics majors Big Bang just started airing its third Cyanide and Happiness laugh. Sometimes though, it stops at the “pon-
would probably enjoy watching this series as http://www.explosm.net/comics der a bit” part. Kung may tanong ka Man’s best friend is not his dog.
season last September 21, and it is al- Recommended if: You’re a fan of dark, not- (o kung gusto mo na talagang sumali - mas maganda yun) ,
many of their episodes refer to theories and ready lined up to shoot a fourth one. mag –email lamang sa onlinescientia@gmail.com o kaya’y mag-
Man’s best friend is always his mother.
hypotheses postulated by big names in sci- quite-subtle humor. Purists and true believers worry not, for I have
Updates: Everyday some print comics to recommend as well. text sa 09177058811, 09183399949, o 09223337264.
ence like Higgs, Einstein, Tesla and so on.
6
of course, we get to see Johnny Depp be-
The Shining apple, place it in a
ing eaten by his bed and bathed in blood. bowl. Mix in about 2
“Heeeere’s to 3 spoons of may-
Johnny!”
2
onnaise with the ap-
The Exorcist ple. Drain the tuna
The thought of an The movie capitalizes on the Chris- and place it in the
axe chopping human tian Church’s belief that there is an bowl as well. I using
flesh, leaving gashing ongoing battle between the Holy and the Un- prefer Century Tuna
wounds, and severing holy. Not only is the Unholy One capable of (it’s good for the heart), but any brand of tuna is
body parts is more violent physical display (the green vomit, the fine. Mix these three ingredients well and season
than enough to make reverse crab walk, and the 360 degree head the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. The
us cringe. The pacing turn included) but of psychological warfare salad is ready once this is done. For added flavor
leaves us breathless. as well. Nothing dramatizes this more effec- and crunch, eat the salad using a stalk of celery
The different elements as a spoon. It adds to the fun of eating the dish
and it also means you take away the hassle and
and events of the mov- water waste from washing utensils afterwards!
ie give us near heart at- Now, how about that – a dish that’s both healthy
tacks. The chase builds and Earth-friendly!
up to such a climax that we are kept at the edge
of our seats until the end. This is probably one of
the most suspenseful movies ever. However, the Grandmother’s
terror comes not from the movie itself but from Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
the sort of thoughts it leaves us with in the end. I consider this one of the classics that has been
spiced up a little twist. These cookies are a de-
licious dessert, especially when they are baked
5 The Amityville Horror (2005) to a crisp and golden brown. One batch makes
about 24 cookies, with up to 15 minutes of bak-
Many articles have been published that ing per batch.
allege that the events from which the
movie was based were just a concoction to The ingredients needed are: • ¾ cup all-purpose
salvage a mortgaged tively than the scene where the Devil chants flour • ½ tsp baking soda • ¼ tsp salt • ½ cup
property from being the ‘Hail, Mary’. This attacks the very core of butter/margarine (softened) • ½ cup granulated
sequestered. The sus- the Christian faith and leaves the spiritually sugar • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar • 1 large
picions and wagging weak, doubtful, and disturbed. What if evil egg • 2 tsps vanilla extract • 1 ½ cups uncooked
fingers, however, could prevails? Will good always triumph over bad? oats • ¾ cup raisins
not diminish the hor-
ror of this movie. It Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). In a small
1
bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda and
has all the elements Halloween salt. In a large bowl
anyone could want in Curses affect only the superstitious. Ghost (with a mixer, ideally),
a ghost story: the blood, the gore, the scream- stories scare only those who believe in beat the butter and the
ing, the strange voices, the barking dogs, the ghosts. But, a thriller about a crazy serial killer granulated and brown
CULTURE
possessed dad, and even the spirit-seeing little on the loose is for everyone. Though the idea is sugars together until
girl. The Amityville Horror terrorizes us visu- a bit farfetched, the possibility, however small, is light and fluffy. Add the
ally, combining supernatural phenomenon and there. Although many of us do fear the supernat- egg and vanilla to the
suspense. It does not allow us time to think as it ural, the greater the chances that something may butter-sugar mixture.
takes us to the horrific chase through the snow. occur, the greater the fear it can generate. Re- After doing so, add the
member the Columbine High School massacre? flour mixture. Make
sure the ingredients are
4 The Ring Note: The horror movies were compiled from blended together before
Said to be among the scariest of the mixing in the raisins and
lists of various top horror films such as those oats. Line balls of the
scary movies, the Ring perhaps garners found on besthorrormovies.com, insidemov- dough on cookie or bak-
the highest startle score. Every time Sadako ies.com, and boston. ing sheets. Using a small
comes out of the screen off the TV set, we nearly com. The author of ice cream scooper helps in shap-
jump out of our skins and grip our seats for her this article chose the ing the cookies. Make sure to
next appearance. With her Kabuki white skin, movies she found most place the drops of dough about
long black hair, and unseen eye, Sadako is ter- bloodcurdling and 2 inches from each other so they
LITERARY
ror personified. also took into account don’t stick to one another during
the rankings given by the baking process. Bake until
golden for about 15 minutes per
3
a random sample of
Night- students from UPD. batch. If you prefer them softer,
mare reduce baking time by 2 minutes.
Remember to cool them before
on Elm taking a bite.
28 29
Street
But she swears that one day, one blessed day, she
will remember her umbrella.
Untitled
By Joey Cuayo
New World
By Erica Fortuno
LITERARY
the idea of never entering the university again. But
maybe he didn’t have to. Perhaps he should try the
bookkeeping position Father mentioned.
I
By Anon By Harriane Gasmen
was just five meters away from trespassing. I ran I loved her. I laid her down like she was a sleeping
Abuhin
Once there was a girl through a yard while evading security cameras as “Hello,” she answered the phone. Snow white.
Sa pinakawengwang mong panahon
she trailed behind crowds Palagay ko kaya pa rin kitang mahalin if I had been practicing it all my life. I swiftly and
tapped strangers on sleeves Pero, gently walked in the house just like I was walking “Hon, it’s me.” I tried to remain as calm as possible. Then, it hit me. It wasn’t my fault. It was their fault.
and asked for things for Play Wala na pala akong pag-asa on a landmine. I peeked through a small gap of a My wife was fine. She was still able to pick up the They did this. They should have not involved my fam-
She mingled with kids Kawangis mo ang kaagaw ko. door. And there was my target, the senator. He was phone. “Get out of there now. Take our kid and get ily in this. I clenched my fist. Daddy would make that
followed them all day Minamasdan ko ang larawan mo habang tinitipa ko ang mga titik hindi ko alam kung saan magmu- peacefully reading a book. But there was no hesita- out of the house. I don’t have much time to explain.” anybody who hurt them wouldn’t get away with it,
tried to make them love her mula, tion in my part as I took out my stiletto, my choice right hon? I knew what I had to do.
and asked for things for Play alam kong walang tama sa ginagawa ko, pero sino ba ang makakapagsabi ng tama of weapon: quiet but lethal. I charged towards this “Please leave your name and message after the
Kabaliwan man. I hoped to beat my personal time record of beep.” It was the answering machine. Curse it. Who would have thought that the sound of the
She tagged with old folks
Abuhin, kung ranas mo lang ten seconds. casings that fell was music to the ears? The distinct
in her clothes patched and frayed Ang siphayo “Take our daughter and get out of there. Just do smell of gun power was an aroma. Each employee of
worked to be useful Tila ang nagsabog na bituin He sensed my presence lurking behind the shadows, what I say.” I was at brink of falling apart. “Love ‘yah.” the agency received a fitting token of my apprecia-
and asked for things for Play na unti-unting nahuhulog sa pugad but he wasn’t able to run away. I became disap- I hanged up. I really hoped that I wasn’t too late. tion. They didn’t even struggle because they stood
Everyone got used to her sandamukal
pointed with myself since I could only bury the sti- no chance against me. They knew that resistance was
and gave her things for Play subalit walang dagitab
letto in his abdomen. He crawled away from me and I never imagined that the airport service was that futile. There was an unexplainable satisfaction as I
wondered how big her toy chest was Ganyan ang pagkabigo
reached for his gun in his drawer. I was not taunted. slow when you’re in a hurry. I kept calling home. saw each of them pleading for his life. They begged
until she vanished one day Sa hindi pa man umuusbong.
The agency trained me for this after all. His shaky They might be still asleep. After all, it was just four for their lives, as if I was the god of death.
They saw her again TC7 PREFACE + Brief histor y of Time right hand pointed the gun at me. His left nursed his in the morning. There was nothing to worry about,
beside a pauper’s grave, to pray Untitled By Harriane Gasmen wound. I could really tell that he has never fired that right? I felt tense. I ran down the taxi bay as soon “Let’s seee – ee ,” I replied playfully. “I wonder
she was quiet and listless as the plane landed. I could always get my baggage what the agency said when my wife pleaded for her
and never again asked By Anon thing in his entire life. This was going to be easy.
What could possibly go wrong? later. They still weren’t answering the phone. I raced life.” Then I pulled the trigger. Sure, I slit a couple of
Wisdom is a goal, strive for it TAO 1: Gusto mo bang ganito, ang mawala ang lahat
for things for Play. ng tao sa mundo mo? Na ang natitira sa’yo ay teorya at towards the door of our house and kicked it open. throats, but they all deserved it. Before I knew it, the
Faith is a road, work it
Imagine their surprise when they approached Compassion is a rarity, multiply it bulate sa integral ng dU equals U + C (∫ dU = U + C)? Kapag “You can’t kill me,” I smirked. “Not even if your life I shouted out my wife’s name out of desperation. deed was done. I really believed that I had done my
the dead was her sister, Success is a privilege, deserve it inubos ng bulate ang “dead U”, ikaw patay, at ang C, depended on it.” There was no answer. I tried again. It became harder family justice.
her once-sweet little sister, Optimism is a disease, spread it carbon, ang natira sa agnas? to shout after each cry. I called my daughter’s name
her once-sick little sister, Happiness is a choice, take it He shook his head. I took a step closer. in the most cheerful possible tone muster. Silence. I arrived home that night. An unusual silence echoed
Hope is a risk, chance it TAO 2: Some situations have breakpoints. At these points, through the house. “See? That’s what they get for
her sister Play the function is discontinuous. This discontinuity is caused
Loves is a trick, fall for it “Now,” I continued. “There’s no need to resist. And I felt a sudden movement. I turned around. My messing with daddy’s little girl,” I whispered. I stood
Desperadong House Keeper by the fact that the limit does not exist. besides, you’d be doing your country a favour,” I chest loosened. I saw my daughter with her cheerful without moving. Suddenly, I let out a loud cry. I
Life is an adventure, Go for it
By Ryan Madrid held his 9mm. He held it tighter. I smiled. “Let go of glassy blue eyes and soft chocolate braids. However, buried my face in my palms. I fell to my knees. I just
TAO 3: Stop me, tigilan mo ako, bakit ba tingin natin sa
the gun.” I said. He did as he was told. I wasn’t going I saw my little girl all covered in blood. “No.” I cried. realized something. No amount of effort, no amount
Madalas ang tanong sa akin math, e nagpapakumplikado sa mundo? Siguro dahil
to kill him with the gun, but I pointed it to his head, I repeated it so many times. I held her gently in my of pain, no amount suffering could bring them back
Kung may pinupuntirya ba’ng damdamin WHEN A SCIENTIST LOVES AN ARTIST mayabang tayo at hindi natin binasa ang Preface ng TC7
just to show him who was in control. “Now – “ arms. Tears mixed with her blood. She wiped of my to me.
By MAARS ni Leithold.
tears.
Madalas din aking tanungin It meant that
TAO 2: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, “Daddy?” A voice squeaked. I looked behind me. That fact still remained. They were already gone.
Kung bakit may kailangan pang puntiryahin the color is
but not simpler,” sabi ni Lol Grampi Einstein. And I saw a girl, about the age as my little daughter. “I told mommy that daddy would come.” She
how some waves smiled. “I knew daddy would come. And daddy did
Ang puso ko’y bukas sa lahat are stretched
Kahit sino’y pwedeng pumasok TAO 1: Reform with reason. “Get out of the room, sweetie.” I said just like how come. See, mommy. I was right. Daddy did come.” I
to some random
At magkalat -- I called my little girl. “Your daddy just has a friend caressed her frail body in my arms. I was already too
heart configuration.
TAO 3: Grampi Einstein said, “Equations are more im- over. Go to sleep.” late.
Ako na’ng magwawalis
portant to me, because politics is for the present, but an True Friends
Bawal kasi ‘tong madumihan:
It meant that
pigment by pigment
equation is something for eternity.” I would have just forced the stiletto through his “Daddy’s here now. Don’t be afraid.” I hugged her By Andrea Ocampo
T
May tumawag, kamakailan lang, the conversations throat. I could have just pulled the trigger. But I tighter. Her life was sucked before my very eyes. I
and makes the cut. here were these four high school friends
Tanong kung may libreng higaan. wake up in thought about that child. I saw image of my little wept. I tried to smile. “Daddy will make sure that
to a painting. girl through her eyes. How would she feel if she whoever bullied you will not get away with it, okay?” and after years of studying in college,
Wala siyang iniwang pangalan It could be supposed that the entire process would saw her father die before her very eyes? How much I shook her, hoping to revive her with my words. The it was finally time for them to gradu -
And we will paint be easier done with a scalpel, but she tried it with a sadness would she bear? How heavy might her reality dawned on me. I screamed in agony. ate. Weeks before their graduation day, they
Umaasang darating siya para magtingin, you press your hand scalpel once and found it to be immensely uncomfort- grudge be against that person who killed her father? planned to go out together and just have fun.
Ako’y nagpunas: kisame, sahig, at dingding. timidly, then the green able. She has become deft with the knife, anyhow: One of them brought a car and drove it. The
How could she possibly face the world without her I ran upstairs to our bedroom. I fell to my knees. My
Hanggang ako’y napagod at aking napansin: hardly, then the red she knows exactly where to cut, where to saw, where day was successful and all things went out
father? I could never imagine bringing her such sor- entire life crumbled before me. There, on the floor,
Malamang sa oo’y hindi na siya darating. See that floor is fragile to slice. according to their plan. On their way home,
row. I put down the gun and threw it on the floor. bathing in a pool of blood, was my beautiful wife. I it was already dark and they couldn’t see the
for its grayness. And I left as a failure. I failed for the first time in my embraced her. I just couldn’t let her go. “You said not road clearly ahead. Their friend, the driver,
Kaya sige, okey lang, dito ka muna,
When she finishes, the sliver of muscle lying in the life. even death could keep us apart! You told me that I’d didn’t saw an old woman crossing the road. She
Hindi pa agad ako maaabala And we will fall there palm of her hand is bright red with blood (freshly die before you do!” I moaned. I banged my head on m oved the car to avoid the woman. It swer ved
on the canvass
supplied with oxygen, she remembers from her high And how prepared am I for the consequences of my the wall. “WHY?” and hit a huge tree…
leaving a rainbow blot.
Protection - tepid sponge bath school biology, from the lungs), and it is still twitching actions?
By Tessa Salud with a rhythmic beat. She is confident that it will stop I searched for the gun in my wife’s dresser. It was On the hospital, the two sitting in the front
And our heart will also splatter. eventually. She puts it in a little glass jar, which she “Do not worry.” My commanding officer called as gone. No! It can’t be. I did not deserve to live. What seat were dead on arrival; the other two on
She’s more than a little crazy over him. More than kitchen, and whets its blade against a block of hides away with all the other pieces of her heart that soon as he had the chance. “We won’t dispose of purpose did I have left? I shouted and shouted. I took the back seat were on a critical state. After
a little crazy, more than a little obsessed, and more stone when she realizes it isn’t sharp enough. She she has removed, each labelled explicitly as to whom you just yet. We’ll get rid of the hindrances that out my stiletto and sat on a corner. “I’m sorry. It’s my 30 minutes, they eventually died. The doctors
made you fail the job.” entire fault.” I wailed. My hands were shaky. I kept were puzzled why the other two died because
than a little scared that she finds she can think of tests it on her finger and is satisfied at the thin they belong.
crying despite running out of tears. The stiletto found they knew that their two patients were already
very little else. She simply doesn’t have the time: red line that appears against her skin. stabilizing their vital signs. Maybe these two
there are exams this week, and other things, sig- The front of her shirt is ruined and the stains will “There was a kid in the scene,” I said. its way centimetres from my wrist. But I could not
LITERARY
LITERARY
bring myself to do it. patients thought that their life wouldn’t be
nificantly more important. No time to spare at all. When she first started doing it, she had to stand never come off, but it’s a small price to pay. She is no complete without their two other best friends.
“I see. We’ll take care of it immediately.” And the
in front of a mirror to make sure she got it just longer in danger of loving him.
There is a simple solution to that. right, but she has done it so often now that she
phone went dead. I took a glimpse of my wife lying a few meters away
from me. Her eyes still wide open as if pleading
Fire and Ice
could do it with her eyes closed in the dark. She
Reality sank in when I realized what my supervisor not to do it. It was as if she was telling me it wasn’t Continued on Page 35
She fishes out a carving knife from a drawer in the touches the knife point to the skin of her chest
Heard anything that fell from the horse’s mouth? Share it by sending to onlinescientia@gmail.com.
Fire and Ice world that you can’t notice because that’s all Too late for that now.
continued from PAGE X there is to it.
I’ll stop wasting time. There’s not much of
How do I know? I know, okay. I’m surprised it left, and there’ll be other things you want
Confessions at the End of the you don’t. But, well, it’s you. You don’t really to do. The final phone calls, kiss Mom good-
World notice things. You can be marvelously dense bye, all that. Right.
B y Te s s a S a l u d sometimes, denser, in fact – and you will have
to forgive the physics of this – denser than a There’s something you need -– no, that’s not
L
ike have you made rinig na people who make sikat na “make tusok tusok the fishball” and “make the girl they were making kwento about I’d be
kwento like this? Oh-em-gee lang talaga, it’s sara the pinto.” The people who make gamit this one like so ewww, kadirdir naman kayo no! Like you
like so nakakainis, no? Like why not talk na must always have “like” and “make” in their sinasabi. have to make muramura pa just to compliment!
lang in straight English or Filipino? Oh, well, Taglish Like you have to make bawi in your exam or you have
naman is okay pa, pero this is like sobra na, yan- to like be mabait na. This is like the pinakamadalas Since we’re like in the Unibersidad ng Pilipinas,
no. I really can’t make intindi why and how they that you hear. They’re like so nagpapaka-TH kaya! like we are so haggard in our studies, diba? I will
can make salita like this! It’s like so nakakapagod! make kwento to you an everyday conversation:
The dude Taglish naman yung the ones who like to
You know, like there’s this one time, I was making use like “pare” and “dude” in every sentence. Yanno, A: Grabe, pare, p*t*ng*na talaga yang subject na
ikot-ikot sa AS, and like there were these two BFFs like “Pare, you do this” and “Dude, that’s like so as- yan! P*cha, parang wala akong ibang subject a.
making kwento to each other. The friend was like, tig!” This is like medyo tolerable pa, coz like they That f*cking subject should just f*cking disappear.
“Oh my God, he made harana to you last night?” don’t make tusok the fiishball nor do they make sara B: Onga, pare, e. What the f*ck talaga.
Oh-em-gee. Pero she has a point naman, diba? Ser- the pinto. But like they’re kotse yanno is their favorite
enading is like so the 60’s naman, no. I wonder what topic! Once, I heard this dude saying: “Pare, yung ko- Like are they like nagkukulang in their vocabulary? Or
song the guy made kanta… maybe “Jai Ho?” But tse namin, nine years na, but it looks like it just came are they trying to make pagyabang? Anyway, if they
that’s not tapos pa! Once upon a time, I was in the out of a showroom.” At, of course, there’s like match- like pay a piso everytime they say the F-word or PI or
jeepney, and this girl suddenly said aloud, “Where’s ing movements pa. Pero it’s keribels lang naman. any other type of mura, we’d get like anim na piso na
your payong? Why don’t you have your payong?” to from that conversation! And if they do it like for every
her friend. I was seriously making antay for her to say, The sosyalin Taglish is the most keri of all kasi subject, let’s say they have five subjects a day, that’s
“It’s making ulan, can’t you see?” like 30 pesos a day na! For one month
There’s this collegiala Taglish, the dude Taglish, and the
we’d like get 600 pesos na! That’s
sosyalin Taglish. What naman the pagkakaiba? like my f-ing baon already! …Ooops!
There has been like so many times
na that I’ve gotten to hear those people who like to you can like understand why they do it. Kasi na-
speak like this. If you think about it, even celebrities man they like grew in this English speaking en- There’s like so many different types of nakakairita
are becoming the target of these people. Like in an- vironment so they really can’t help it. If you tu- na mag-salita, but, anyway, who am I to make salita
other jeep, this girl said, “You know what? I saw R***n log, I tulog too. O diba? Parang iTouch lang diba? naman? Like people can make pili how they want
P*****a in Powerbooks yesterday! He reads pala!” to make salita no. But still, I’m just nagmamak-
Like ohemgee why is it so surprising kaya? Like is there Another naman na nakakainis is the people who like aawa that people should like be considerate na-
anything masama with people who read? At least nga to f-ing say f-ing obscenities at every f-ing sentence. man to other people kasi it’s so irritating! Like how
he speaks properly no! In fluent, proper Filipino! Not Like ano ba naman! If you want to f-ing curse, like do you get irita with those lamok and langaw over
like this na parang making gulo-gulo lang my brain! it naman with reason no! Like my ears are making tulo your isaw, some people think that if you make sali-
dugo na because of your f-ing f’s. And like syempre, ta like this or like @#$(@#&@*#($)@*#)@* this,
But yeah, I guess it’s like trying to make pasikat lang. they want to use F*CK and not PI dahil they, like, want you’re like the langaw and lamok – so nakakairita.
Like trying to make pakita the people that they can to be astig, yanno. Like they just have to f-ing show
salita in English. Kasi naman it’s so saucy to hear! And the madla how amazing they are na they can put f*ck Kaya konting hinay-hinay lang, mga repapips.
like when you can talk in English, you are, like, so cool. everywhere. Puhlease, that’s like so immature kaya! Baka bugahan kayo ng Baygon n’yan. Patay.
But yanno, we’re like so sosyal that there are many ver- Like once, I was like in a jeep again (ohemgee, I
Neutral Bodies tain events for fear that doing so will compromise
neutrality. Doing that implies that some events You don’t have to agree with me. But that’s what
By V.L. Antigen III
I
are deemed unimportant, or that a news body I think. So there.
will not beat around the proverbial bush. is shirking from its responsibility to keep people
News is news. And news is supposed to informed, whether because it is scared to offend “Media? I think I have heard of her. Isn’t she the
inform, to let readers and viewers and listen- or because it simply can’t be bothered to do so. one who killed her children?”
ers know what is going on in the world. News is
not supposed to force an opinion down people’s It’s a fine and difficult line to walk. And consider- “Different woman,” said Mr. Nancy. “Same deal.”
throats, whether by the outright statement of ing how professional journalists can be bought, -Neil Gaiman, 2002
such or the clever use of words to give an article how some of them actively ask for money under
a desired slant without being obvious about it. threat of defaming the subjects of their stories,
News that pushes an opinion isn’t news anymore. maybe we just shouldn’t bother to try to be as
It’s propaganda, and passing propaganda off as accurate, balanced, and objective as possible.
news isn’t right. Maybe we shouldn’t look for all the sides there
are to a story or talk to people with a different
Truly objective, neutral, non-slanted news prob- stand from ours, because if they don’t agree
ably doesn’t exist. It probably can’t exist, except with what we believe in, they probably aren’t
as a hy- Truly objective, neutral, non-slanted news probably
pothetical doesn’t exist.
ideal, see-
ing as everyone has an opinion about everything, worth the ink and page space. Maybe be-
and a writer doesn’t have to intend to influence ing objective is just a silly, quixotic ideal.
people to think a certain way in order to give a
story a slant. But to not even try to be objective, Sod it. Everybody doing it doesn’t make it
to only print views you agree with, to pass propa- right, even if the said everybody includes
ganda off as news is a shameful, shameful thing. the big journalists and reporters. And if
you aren’t idealistic at some point, if you
On the other hand, though, neither is it com- just settle for the status quo, nothing will
mendable to not handle news, to not cover cer- get better, hm?