September 2008

cover by ALEXANDER DEFEO

Special thanks to BLANCH, JHONEL, ANGEL, KAYCEE, PAUL, SHIELA, CHARMIN, MARIE, MYLEN, CATHERINE, AARON, ADRIAN, LEO, FAYE, MICHAEL, FRENCHELLE AND BABY GIRL
2Spectrum OPINION September 2008

Cheers Carioca
THE entire College is already busy in preparation for WRITING was and still – not my our spirit when we are treated and we
passion. hear words as if we are financially or
the events that will commemorate the College’s three Unlike some of the former Editors materially benefitting from this
decades of playing an important role in impacting and in chief of this publication, who were institution.
improving the Philippine society by catalyzing positive just forced to take up engineering and Being a part of this institution
joined Engineering Spectrum to pursue gives as more sleepless nights aside
changes through affordable quality Engineering their passion on writing, I choose my from those we spend for our
Education. course because of the belief that it has academics. Stress and pressure that
By giving opportunity to the less fortunate but nothing to do with english grammar Most of the things in this first the staffs are getting from me and I
and literature. issue were done in my laptop, which getting it from myself. And,
intellectually competent Filipinos, who want an In fact, I am even surprising is why most of the time I cannot use sometimes, low grades and exam
engineering degree, the College of
Editorial Engineering had improved
myself that I am now heading a college
publication. And again, unlike most
it for my assignments, programs,
design and thesis. In fact, at this very
results, in my case, it is frequent.
If ever you are wondering if
of the former EICs of this publication, moment my thesis group still doesn’t quitting is in my dictionary? Honest
thousands of lives far greater than who had been EIC during their 4th year have a proposal yet and my group answer would be – yes. I thought of it
other engineering institutions in the country. and retired the next year, I am carrying mate in design got angry with me when for a lot of occasions already. What
For years, the College envisions itself to be the the responsibility now that I am a I can’t lend my laptop because it is keeps me holding or hanging is the
graduating student. used for the layout. belief that this institution plays an
center of excellence in engineering education and the I was wondering before why no In doing this first issue, we used important role in this College.
recent administration is initiating and implementing one tried to do the same thing that I our own money. For food during the Engineering Spectrum acts as a
rules and standards in order to realize that goal. did? Now, I know the answer and I overnights, fare in doing transactions medium for the student who cannot
learned it the hard way… with a lot of matters, mostly required voice out the irregularities they are
But the College had standards ever since; the problem If anybody would ask, what can for auditing purposes and experiencing themselves for they were
is, like in the Philippine setting, it was not implemented I or we in Spectrum can get from all of miscellaneous things for us to continue told they can do nothing and forced to
strictly. The challenge to the administration is to have a our sacrifices? Or someone would working while we are waiting for our believe that they are powerless.
think, maybe we are getting a lot from fund. And yes, we can reimburse it, Engineering Spectrum is with the
strong will in implementing those standards. Standards this institution that is why we do all but up to this moment we are not students when, in some cases, the
set for the students must be fully implemented as well these things. doing so because our fund is just student leaders in their department
as those set for the professors and administrators. The answer would be, yes, we are enough for the important things that
getting a lot – a lot of experiences. the institution needs. And it breaks Carioca... /p.3
But fully practicing the standards will not make the
College a center of excellence. Engineering is clearly
defined as the application of basic sciences and it will
be hard to be excellent in our field if our laboratories
offer relics of the past.
If the University has a budget for beautification, it is
not wrong to assume that, maybe, they can have a budget
for the College’s laboratory. Laboratories which will
enhance the abilities of the students rather than
surrounding’s beautification for display purposes which
are all masking the real scenarios.
After all, our University—along with other

illustration by ARNOLD LALONGISIP

Universities—would be ranked not by the painting of
its façade but of the quality of education it delivers.
This is not same as saying that students are against
welcoming environment. The point is, it is illogical to
put much effort on things with least priority and worse,
overlooking what is necessary.
However, this isn’t setting a limitation for the
college’s celebration. In any perspective the college has
all the reason to mark its 30th year. It has survived thirty East Ave.
years of insufficiency – budget, professors, books,
I FELT the pavement wrap its arms Nobody wants to take the risk of
equipments, name it all. Despite all, it has produced around me and console my yearnings. being pained and of being wrong with
graduates who, somehow, become essential in the I heard the walls giving me advices their decisions. And staying on the
and I saw the center island greeted me safe side seems to be the easiest way
industry. And, it has remained to its vision of excellence.
and formed a smile. From this day on, to avoid such things. But with this,
this avenue won’t ever be the same we are also risking the happiness that
again… we could have delighted.
I was riding on a bus making my That was life all about—taking
way to school. It was 9:30 in the without hassle. I could tell the actions.
September 2008 Vol. XV No. 1 morning and I’m catching my Risk and arrangement of fast food chains and No matter how frightening and
Official Student Publication of the PUP-College of Engineering Investment class by 10:30. Traffic jam government agencies established along uncertain things might be, take actions
Established: May 1993 hit and I’m stuck among busses. the way. And I could also tell whether for nobody knows what’s going to
Restfully sitting in an air GMA 7 had changed its billboard or happen unless it happens.
Editor in Chief ORLAND D. TUBOLA
conditioned bus, observing the scene whether any agency had repainted its I only have one life, nothing else.
Associate Editors ALEXANDER C. DEFEO
by the window and reading anything façade. I have to take the risks that the daily
AMALIA B. TAMAYO
along the way from the gigantic There, lying comfortably in an air life had set for me though I also fear
Managing Editor LAURICE B. VELASQUEZ
billboard of Survivor Philippines, to conditioned bus overseeing a tiring that this won’t bring me elsewhere.
News Editor ROSE MAY P. MAGNAYE
LTFRB’s signage of Bawal avenue, I thought, somehow my life Mistake has always been a part
Sci-Tech Editor REGINA C. VALENZUELA
Features Editor JOAN C. SALAS Umistambay Dito, the tarpaulin that was like that busy street—polluted of my journey. But it has also shown
Circle Editor EDMAR L. MANGAHAS says “I am Ninoy,” and the side walk by my environment’s influence, me what was right and what was
Lay-out Editor ERWIN M. ESCALANTE vendor’s carton ad of “Pranela 4 for crowded by temptations of doing necessary, so I only have to do the
Art Director MA. CRISTINA L. MANGAHAS 100.” wrong, a venue for several accidents things for which I can only be grateful.
Moderator ENGR. ALEXANDER CARRASCAL It was fun but I cannot deny the of committing mistakes, a crossroad I have to pursue the things I’m
fact that I was late this time. confronted by different choices and dying to attain and to get hold of the
Staff Writers Joana Inciong, Hazel Ildefonso,
Shovie Flores and Edwin Abad Sometimes I suspect this avenue sometimes a dead end where all I can things I can’t live without.
Editorial Consultants April Angela Gumban, Marvin John Perdido set me up in traffic jams so it could do is to bump on the wall. I remember what my Nanay,
hear my thoughts—the inner Almost four years had passed and through our experiences as a family,
Contributions, reactions and opinions are accepted in the publication. It should bear monologues we used to have whenever this avenue still wears the same make taught me. She once said that, if I
contributor’s name, address, course, year and section and signature. Name may be witheld up—though with some minimal
all we can do is to talk to ourselves. cannot afford to lose something, I
upon request. Forward your contributions to Engineering SPECTRUM Editorial Office
Rm423, Engineering and Architecture Building, PUP-NDC Campus, Anonas corner Pureza Maybe the road was laughing with changes. But still, the basic form should hold on to it no matter how
St., Sta Mesa, Manila or send it via email to pup_spectrum@yahoo.com me when I was happy or at times remained. much pain it caused me.
weeping when I was disappointed. Same goes with my life… She was right. I need to pursue
Who knows? *** some things without even asking why;
A proud member Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamahayag (AKM-PUP) I had crossed this road for almost “Alam mo naman ako may fear of having only the reason that I just have
four years now. I knew its peak hours the unknown,” I heard my friend said to. I just have to do it and explanation
as well as the best time to cross it in a cold voice. And it’s true. East Ave... /p.3
September 2008
I’M feeling the ache in my back. I have
been doing my projects for two to three
hours. What matters then? I do not
know where am I gonna show my joy
but to Him. Thanks for His love, care
and mercy for me. My happiness?
Overflowing. I am really moved.
Thanks to the Lord, everything could
be this hard to do, but He eases it all
to my heart and mind.
***
As I entered my basic education
in a typical elementary school and
blessed enough to enter in a secondary
school, my eyes started to open to
the light of life. During those times
when life is less complicated, there
were not much of the big dreams in
my mind. But with less opportunity
and stiff competition, I thought I
needed a college degree in order to
surpass this life. I have to strive harder
for my future, for our future, I said.
Timing and determination was at
my side during those days when I
packed my things up to acquire a
...Carioca /p.2
cannot be with them in fighting for
what is right. For the so called leaders
were just mere followers and are doing
things for their own comfort.
Engineering Spectrum is there to
check the actions of the members of
this College when the people who are
supposed to do it are not doing it.
And Engineering Spectrum, in
some way, defines and redefines the
culture in our College.
Francis Kong said, “Truth is
truth!” You cannot redefine it or be
politically correct. Half truth is still
not truth and half lie is not half truth.
Believe it or not, this column is
my way of recruiting for my beloved
institution. This is my way of inviting
...East Ave./p.2
does not seem to be relevant. I have
to move on from there.
***
Here I was, lying comfortably in
an air conditioned bus, overseeing the
lively scene of East Avenue. And
during these idle times of my life, I
get a grasp of what it is to be alive.
It was 10:00 in the morning and
I’m about to descend...
Peace Letters
First Column
college degree. That was here in
Polytechnic University of the
Philippines. Everything was certainly
new to me then, the place, the people,
the culture, the lifestyle, my routine.
Like a natural “probinsyana,” I have
to go with the flow and maintain my
focus at the same time. I have to exert
the best of my effort to keep my
studies atop.
At this point, being part of the
publication, this experience is all new
to me once again. Since joining this
institution means dealing with the
other people. I have met different
people who really loves reading and
writing –and that is really what they
want, what they want to do. This
anyone to be a part of a great
institution. So that they would
know how it is as it is and so that
we will not waste our time
interviewing someone who will
promise with all conviction that he
or she will never quit and, in a blink
of an eye, will be gone. We are
searching for those who value their
words and are willing…
Khalil Gibran said, “You give
but little when you give of your
possessions. It is when you give of
yourself that you truly give.”
***
I was once told by my
professor that I am like an activist.
I don’t know if he mean it
negatively but I don’t feel bad about
it. It is something for me to smile
about because I’d rather be dynamic
than apathetic.
But to that professor I am
thankful for he thought me wisdom
that I cannot read on books and is
beyond what is in the syllabus.
***
I don’t know if I can be a good
writer for it is still not my passion.
But, it is my passion that keeps
me writing…
OPINION
transition was not easy at all. In my
case, it takes a month or two to finish
an article. Beginning is really hard.
And, now that I have a chance to
do things on my own, I can only do
my best to keep my head high and
my mind soaring. Because with all
the noble things that are going on my
mind, I cannot really go wrong.
Failure may come. But still, I will
try to fly. In these cases, I will help
myself to see the view of the
grassland and the roads on the
crowded busy streets. Yet, I still
don’t forget, I can still glide over the
grassland safely and exactly where I
want my feet to take its first step on
the land of success.
I am afraid. I need to be strong. I
have to have faith in Him. And, this
is the way I know I can make myself
one.
***
What matters then?
Thanks to the Lord, now and
more to come!
TIWAY.doc
Engineering Spectrum would like to
thank: Prof. Angelina Borican of the
Office of the President for the support;
Prof. Edelyn M. Mariano, Technical
Assistant for Administrative Matters,
for the advice and understanding on our
late overnight letters; Sonia Amigable,
CEA Librarian, for the generosity in
lending us reading materials we need in
the publication; Engr. Remedios Ado
thru Engr. Rodolfo Talan of COE Dept.
and Jocelyn Delgado of CEHS for
sharing their PC for our overnights; And
Electrical Engineering Network for the
all out support. Thanks!
Nice shots! Thank you to Mr. James
Brian Ona of Lente Club for giving time
for the pictorial and to Baby Girl
Pantaleon for sharing her story, straight
and honest.Joan>> to the one who put
me in the world of letters, NayPie,
thank you. To Gpay, Apol, ULy &
Germz sa pag-iintay sa LRT…at sa mga
boys: Doi, Phvz, Cj at Enche kamusta
ang mga biceps?!luv u boiz
Wala daw hihigit pa sa pamilya. Salamat
kay Amang Robeklue na pinalaki
kaming pantay-pantay at maalam sa
pagkeme, sa mga kapatid kong si jilen
(na parating masama ang loob
<labshu!>), si ezra (sige sumaiyo na ang
lahat! haha) si jenet (na punong-puno
ng grasya) at si ayang (na parating
umaasa). Sa katulong naming si wady
“frieeeeeeeeends!” Salamat porwan!
* m i s s k a n a n i l i a Ü *
Sa mga criticals lalo na sa mekmek
group maraming maraming salamat!
Spectrum 3
Pan de Inhinyerya
Meaninglessness of Life
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had
toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun. So I hated life, because the work that
is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a
chasing after the wind.
- Ecclesiastes 2:11,17 (NIV)
We all want to become successful engineers and make the most out of
our lives. But what would you feel if you hear King Solomon, the wisest
man who ever lived, say, “All of life is meaningless, a chasing after the
wind!”
As engineering students with high hopes of getting on top of our lives,
we will do well to take heed of Solomon’s words of wisdom. This early, we
must realize that things are just empty without God. Blaise Pascal, the
renowned physicist, understands this well when he said, “There is a God
shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any
created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”
Not great riches, good career, fame, nor anything this world can offer, can
fit in that emptiness in your heart. Until you invite Jesus into your life
you will always find yourself wanting even when you have achieved much
in life.
Would you want to see the day when you achieved all you can achieve
in life but still, say with Solomon, “All of life is meaningless, a chasing
after the wind!”? “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for
Christ will last.” Make your life count by living for the Greater Cause –
Jesus Christ.
NEW BREED
Touch and Go
JOCELYN DELGADO
It’s quite pathetic to think that goal; leaders that will take effort to
there are still students who seem to build walls for a stronger and better
be ignorant in the college. They are college; leaders that shall motivate
the students who pass in and out of students and bring the best upon them;
the campus each day, climb stairs a leaders that shall make leaders; leaders
hundred times and run in and out of that shall take risk and sacrifice for
the classroom yet seem to know others.
nothing about what’s going on around To rise and to take lead needs
them. They are wanderers. They see initiative. As the saying goes, ‘Brave
yet they are blind. are those who volunteers’. You just
It’s quite funny that there are still need to decide for it all starts within
students who are maybe on their third
year but cannot unflinchingly say that
Speak your mind. Why not
they definitely know the where’s of share your young, fresh and
the College premises- not to mention new ideas about anything under
the library, the ES Room, which is the sun. This space is then for
Carpark A and which is Carpark B true- (and warm-) blood
and even the clinic. Yes, some of the CEans-- Ed.
engineering students seem to be
unaware of the status of the College. you. For the only way to regenerate
Some may not even know that this our College is to do the duty which
year, our college will be celebrating its lies nearest to us not to search after
30th Anniversary, if so, they don’t grand.
mind. They are insensitive... Think about it. You are may be on
Impassive… Blunt… your third, fourth or fifth year here in
Impressive. The College of our College. Soon you shall be leaving.
Engineering population is around What have you shared? What have
5000, but what’s not so impressive is you done? Who have you touched?
that students who seem to care, rise Does five years of stay makes sense?
and take lead are not more than a It may be late but it’s never too late.
hundred. Stately, engineering students Rise and move. Decide and work. You
are the former leaders, valedictorians, can still bring impact to our college.
salutatorians, honorable mentions, You just need courage to do this.
awardees and academicians of their If you are on your first or second
respective high schools. But anyway, year, good for you… You still have
where are they? They get into usual. years to make, years to prove
They cloak themselves. They choose yourself, years to influence, years to
to live in a so-called ‘ordinary life’, flourish, and years to serve…
free from pressures, free from Besides, the college has seven
responsibilities and yet they are academic organizations and eight
imprisoned. special organizations to choose from.
We have a lot of unseen potentials These orgs are composed of students
in the college. Yes, we can count the who rose and took risk. They are
seeds in an apple but we can never willing to serve, inspire and give
count how many apples can there be selfless love to others. You have grown
in a seed for we cannot limit one’s up and matured if you think less upon
ability to grow. We can never measure yourself and more and more unto
the full extent of ones’ potential. We people around you.
are born not to put parameters in our So when you are about to leave or
lives. Certainly, every student needs you still have years of stay, touch
a ‘paradigm shift’- changing every hearts, touch lives. Let’s touch at least
small and ordinary perspective into a some people before we go…
more colossal and more enormous one-
the paradigm of ‘We’ rather than ‘I’ Jocelyn E. Delgado is the presi-
and the perspective of ‘Ours’ rather dent of the College of Engineering Hon-
than ‘Mine’. ors Society (CEHS). This is her wake
Although our population is huge up call to the former leaders and aca-
as compared to other colleges, we are demic achievers that choose to be an
still lacking of student leaders- leaders ordinary student to wake their passions
that will take the lead in the college to lead again.
for the enrichment of its vision and
4Spectrum SCI-TECH September 2008

Banana savers
ARAW achievers
JOANA INCIONG AND HAZEL ILDEFONSO
“A UNIVERSITY is not a university without
research,” Dean Manuel Muhi emphasized at
the very first Annual Research Awards (ARAW)
organized by the College of Engineering Student
Society for Research and Development (Cessrd)
in coordination with the College of Engineering
Research and Development Office.
The ARAW, which aims to honor the
outstanding researches of the CE students, was
held at Claro M. Recto Hall, July 8, with no
other than the undersecretary of Department of
Science and Technology, Dr. Fortunato dela Pena,
formally opening the event.
Moreover, the majority of fifth year
engineering students audience was inspired by
the multi-awarded Filipino inventor, Dr. Virgilio
Malang who delivered to the crowd that, “It is
not the business of the university to fill the
students’ minds with facts and figures but to
put their brains on fire.” (See related article on
this page.)
Definitely, it is the same fire that produced
seven exceptional researches.
Finalists
Out of all the researches in the College, seven
was recognized by the outstanding panel of
judges composed of Vice President for Research
and Development Dr. Pastor Malaborbor,
Ateneo de Manila Asst. Professor Dr. Celso Co,
also an Association of Southeast Asian Nation
and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
engineer, and Dr. Jesusa Padilla, Technological
University of the Philippines-Director for
Research and Development.
The seven researches are “Digital Extension
Meter for Monitoring Cracks through Radio
Transmission in Tanay, Rizal,” “Monitoring the
Growth of Lettuce under Controlled
Temperature and Humidity,” “Pedal Powered
Electronic Rice Grain Dryer and Dehuller for
Small Scale Farmers of Jaen, Nueva Ecija,”
“Utilizing Plant Extract Scent in Electronic
Golden Kuhol Catcher for Small Scale Farming
in Brgy. Paombong, Malolos, Bulacan,” “Low
Cost Direct Audio Input Hearing Aid with
Bluetooth Connectivity for Hearing Impaired
Persons,” “Proposed Metro Manila Sidewalk
Urinals Powered by Urine with Introduction to
UECA (Urine Energy Converting Attachments),”
and “Growth of Fusarium Moniliforme upon
Exposure to Ultrasonic Wave: An In-vitro
Analysis.”
Winners were chosen in accordance with the
judges’ criteria which are divided into two
categories: the paper screening and the oral
deliberation. The former includes innovativeness
and originality, significance of the research and
quality of documentation, and write-ups. The
latter is composed of presentation and
organization, significance and impact of the
research to life, mastery of the subject, and the
ability to answer questions and integrate ideas.
After extensive deliberation, a group of
banana lover impressed the judges and won the
top prize.
And the winner is
Our country is now on the verge of a crisis.
The worsening scenario of food shortages
requires every Filipino to save and preserve food
for the longest time they can. But how can we
do that if there are undesirable organisms that
are always ready to invade our food?
Fusarium Moniliforme, a kind of fungi that
is responsible in the decay of one of our country’s
comfort food, the banana. Also, corn and rice
grains, the staple food of Filipinos happen to
have these fungi.
As an answer to a nationwide problem,
Electronics and Communications Engineering
(ECE) Batch ’08 students namely, Ryan Rivera,
Dian Kristopher Amurao, Elriz John
Buenaventura, Norman Deticio, Froilan
Francisco, Ma. Ilyn Ilao, Jericho Mapanao,
Marlin Victoria and Resty Victorino come up
with a study entitled “Growth of Fusarium
Moniliforme upon Exposure to Ultrasonic Wave:
An In-vitro Analysis” generally aimed to design
a device that will generate ultrasonic wave and
be used to identify the possible inhibitory effect
on Fusarium Moniliforme. The main concern of
the study is the banana industry.
Saving the Banana
Philippines who ranked fourth among the
top exporters of banana worldwide has this
major problem on preventing their industry
from fungi. Indeed, this dilemma results to
economic losses of different banana
plantations. If not to these fungi that invade
the fresh wound of banana hand which causes
the speeding up of its decay, who knows,
maybe we can be the top banana producing
country.
With the help of Prof. Armin Coronado from
the College of Science (CS), the researchers gain
enough knowledge on microbiology, especially
on growing the fungi that aid them to culture
Fusarium Moniliforme.
The sample fungi from banana were treated
alone in a new media using in-vitro analysis.
From the rotten fruit, the fungi were transferred
into a plate for further observation. This seemed
to be the hardest part of their study because the
treatment is somehow expensive and it requires
a lot of patience.
“Limited lang yung plate kasi mahal. Saka
time pressure din kasi hindi naman puwedeng
madaliin ang growth ng fungi,” Ms. Ilao added.
FOR THE BANANAS!
Holding their certificates, the researchers won the first ARAW awards with their work,
“Growth of Fusarium Moniliforme upon Exposure to Ultrasonic Wave: An In-vitro
Analysis” aiming to inhibit the growth of the fungus that speeds up decay of bananas. The
device below emits ultrasonic waves that do the trick.
Continuous procedures
After growing the fungi, three
variations of frequency level were
applied to test the effect of
ultrasonic wave using their own
made ultrasonic device and other
equipments such as frequency
counter, voltmeter, alligator clips,
power supply and probe alligator
clip.
The magnitudes of frequencies
are 21, 25 and 29 kHz. The testing,
frequency and the output voltage
of the device were based from the
actual experiments being
implemented in electronics field.
On the other hand, the time of exposure is given recognition as runners-up.
segmented every two minutes. The study about “Low Cost Direct Audio
Four successive days of observations and Input Hearing Aid with Bluetooth Connectivity
up to 15 trials were done to complete the for Hearing Impaired Persons” bagged the third
experiment; the researcher noted that there is an place. Their study aims to improve speech
inhibitory effect on the growth of Fusarium intelligibility, reduce noise and provides wide
Moniliforme, that ultrasonic frequencies are hearing range with adjustability to different
useful in inhibiting microorganisms. degrees of hearing loss at very low cost.
The second placer used the concept of electro
Outcome chemistry that deals with the chemical reactions
The thought of being the champion in that produce electricity. The enhancement of
ARAW never crossed their mind because for urinal’s function as a public toilet for male which
them, win or lose; they know in themselves that includes installation of lighting independently
their study is something to be proud of. from public’s electricity line to promote
Determination and group work are their keys in economical consumption is the main purpose of
making it to the top among others. According to the research entitled “Proposed Metro Manila
Rivera, “Kayang kaya basta nagtratrabaho kayo Sidewalk Urinals Powered by Urine with
bilang group.” Introduction to UECA (Urine Energy Converting
One of the great prices that they’ve achieved Attachments).”
is the news that there will be a follow-up study As part of the recognition, certificates were
on their research. There will be collaboration awarded to the finalists who made it to the top
between the CE and the College of Science to seven.
test the effectiveness of ultrasonic wave to the Indeed, ARAW will be a yearly venture to
growth of other bacteria. compliment the outstanding researches in the
college. “Kailangan, thesis naman natin ang
Runners-up nasa ARAW next year,” an excited remark by a
During the awarding two researches were group of ECE fifth year students.

Malang fires up ARAW and alive? Sounds amazing, but

SHOVIE FLORES
HUMAN being will continue to
experiment for as long as there is life
on earth- but these experiments do not
appear to be well conceived, rather,
they are more appropriately
described as simple trial and error.
Analogous to this is what
Dr. Virgilio Malang said in his
speech in this year’s Annual
Research Awards (ARAW).
He uttered that while learning
situations may not always end
triumphantly, it’s not the
business of a university to fill
students’ minds with facts and
figures but rather to put the
students’ minds on fire.
Earning a respectable
reputation, Dr. Malang, inventor of
the vitamin beer and currently the
president of the Manila Innovation
and Development Society (Minds),
described research as a celebration of
innovativeness. Research challenges
the mind to bring out something that
is noble, useful, and even inventive. It
does not only dare the ingenuity of
the professionals, but also, the
creativity of the student researchers
who can make out, one day, a better
way- a better alarm clock, or a better
skateboard or a much better
mousetrap. Hence, it is a challenge for
every researcher, imbued with a
burning desire to change and transform
the world, to leave an incredible mark
of legacy, a genius who would leave
his world better than when he found
it.
Filipinos all over the world are
recognized for their ingenuity and
creativity- a breeding ground of
excellence. In fact, the Philippines
produce multiple talents every now
and then; drawn upon inspiration,
determination and occasional luck. It
brings us many inputs whether by
design or accidents which sometimes
turn out into useful innovations.
To visualize this point, Malang
showed some samples of inventions
showcasing Filipinos innovativeness
in research particularly in the areas
of aquatic habitat restoration, air,
water and soil quality improvement,
energy maximization and waste
management.
For instance, isn’t it surprising to
see a fish falling asleep as it was being
transported from a place and then
waking them up upon arrival, energetic
inventor Boni Comandante made this
possible.
Well, nothing really is impossible
for Comandante. He even put fish
under “ sex change” operation,
transforms fishes, tilapia in particular,
from male to female fish that grows
bigger and faster.
In addition, another innovative
technology is demonstrated thru a
device called the “Khaos
Turbocharger,” developed by the auto-
mechanic Pablo Planas which feeds the
right amount of air and fuel onto cars
carburetor for a lesser smoke
emission.
All of these are just bits of
Filipinos’ astonishing inventions.
Apparently, there’s still a need for
more amazing and valuable inventions,
our milieu lingers to be saved and
expect changes from our generation.
Maybe it can be from you or from
any of us.
September 2008
Japan Proves Dingel’s Idea Possible
REGINA VALENZUELA
IN year 1969, a Filipino inventor Daniel Dingel
created a one of a kind car powered by water
(H2O). It has a reactor that uses a 12 volts battery
to transform an ordinary tap water with a mixture
of salt into a deuterium oxide or heavy water
necessary to power up the car.
However, the government, the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST), and the
Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) said
that it violates several laws and principles of
Thermodynamics and claimed it to be fraud.
These laws are the Conservation of Mass
and Energy. Since, mass cannot be created nor
destroyed, DOST and PNOC doubted when they
found carbon on the sample of burnt gas in
Dingel’s car knowing that water is composed
only of hydrogen and oxygen. Moreover, he used
only 1.188 kW battery wherein normally
2246kW is needed to split hydrogen from
oxygen.
Since the car’s legitimacy is still questionable
in principle, Dingle’s car ends up with nothing
from the government which did not support the
idea.
And yet, despite of uncertainties Japan has
come up with a similar technology (water
powered car) recently launched in Osaka, Japan.
Now it’s Japan
Unveiled last June 12, 2008, Genepax, a
Japanese company has invented a car that can
be ran by any kind of water.
In just a liter of water the Genepax’s car can
run for about 5o miles per hour. Although it may
not race against gas- powered car, it is easy to
power up since water is abundant and can be
obtained in the river, stream, rain, sea or even a
tea.
Typically, fuelled vehicle has an Internal
Combustion Engine (ICE) which is needed to
propel cars but this car breaks down water into
Wireless, Widest, Wimax
EDWIN ABAD AND EMMANUEL ZERRUDO
DO you know what a PlayStation Portable, a
Nokia E51, and a laptop have in common? Well,
except that all these are hot gadgets, these
electronic devices are capable of wireless
connection through Wireless Fidelity or Wi-Fi.
This application enables gadgets with an
internet browser and a wireless modem to hook
up to the internet through airborne radio waves.
Here in the college, our very own Computer
Engineering department has already installed a
Wi-Fi antenna recently, but its range is very
limited making its signal to reach only on the
third floor and very little on the fourth floor.
Supposing you are not satisfied with the
Wi-Fi service inside the college and you have
GOD ’S PARTICLE
Running across Switzerland and France, this Large Hadron Collider (LHC) – 27
kms long and the biggest ever physics experiment in history – is taking a full blow
to unveil the mystery of the universe. By means of colliding protons in this LHC
tunnel, scientists are expecting to find the so-called “God’s Particle” a theoretical
particle believed to give mass to all other sub-atomic fragments. But this search for
the holy grail of physics has brought out different rumors like it will create
antimatter and form a black hole that will eventually destroy the earth. So what
result will this experiment bring? We’ll just have to wait.
Associated Press, AFP and www.yahoo.com
SCI-TECH Spectrum 5 JURASSIC
e are the “Jurassic” in the
hydrogen and oxygen to
generate electricity.
Since water is just
W living generation. We dwell in
the jungles of numbers,
operations and complex equations. We
around us, Japanese are, as the majority think we are, in
community believes that total chaos – constantly immersed in
the invention may solve the test of survival.
the oil crisis and For thirty years, we have endured
revolutionize the the challenges endowed by this era of
automobile industry as great need, an era wherein invention
they move towards the has been a necessity. And it is amazing
mass production of this to witness how we surpassed all these,
kind of vehicle. with only our own instinct and
capabilities to lean on.
Genepax’s vs. Our laboratories, our supposedly
Dingel’s weapon in this battlefield of building
Unlike Dingel’s car, http://www.engadget.com and recreation, is only a collection of
Genepax’s uses an the past – withered by thousand hands
energy generator, a membrane electrode assembly and to car engines. and depreciated by time. Yet, it has
(MEA), which is located in the back of the car Using water on cars will improve the engine
never been a reason not to make
that contains a material that is capable of breaking performance and reduce the operating
ourselves renowned.
down water into hydrogen and oxygen through temperature of the car engine. With this, it
We’ve embarked ourselves in the
a chemical reaction using a mechanism which is promotes good water fuel system which lowers
timeline of excellence.
similar to the method in which hydrogen is harmful emissions into the environment that
Yes, we are Jurassic. But we’re not
produced by a reaction of metal hydride and contribute to the global warming.
Here in the Philippines, it is extremely
just merely myth; we are the
water.
When metal hydride is consumed in the undeniable that the never-ending increase of fuel continuity of an extraordinary legacy.
process it becomes the ultimate source of the costs is a burden for all of us. Recently, the
car’s energy, making the car hydride – rather gasoline price climbed up to Php 60/liter resulting Guidelines and Contest Rules:
than water fuelled. The hydrogen is then used to to a minimum fare of Php 8.50 for jeepneys, 1. The contest is open to all
generate energy to run the car. which only notifies that we are definitely in the bonafide engineering students of
Some people have reacted with this scientific midst of a huge oil crisis. Polytechnic University of the
breakthrough and questioned the legitimacy of Having an alternative medium (water) in Philippines- Manila.
the car, claiming that the technology appears operating car is really a big help especially to 2. The contest has seven (7)
also to violate the First Law of Thermodynamics. our country that needs this kind of technology. categories specifically:
With this, Genepax is reportedly in the midst of Actually, if Dingel’s invention was just sustained a. Poetry
filing a patent for its ground breaking technology by the government or any non-government b. Tula
as an answer to this matter. institution, we shouldn’t be struggling against c. Essay
oil price hike. d. Sanaysay
Eco-friendly Car If somehow, this kind of car will be widely e. Short Story
The water-powered car is not just an used in the world, we would no longer need gas f. Maikling Kwento
alternative or a temporary solution to oil crisis. stations, oil tankers and refineries. Hence, oil g. Visual Arts
It also offers conveniences to our surroundings crisis will be a thing of the past. 3. Entries must be in short white
bond paper, computerized, double
spaced with 1 inch borders on every
side. Font must be Arial, 10. For
Visual Arts, any medium can be
used provided that it should be on
these Wi-Fi devices on your own, all you need conferencing, Internet browsing, streaming and
Oslo paper or on long bond paper,
to do is to find a “hotspot,” where there is a broadcast faster than Wi-Fi.
substance 24.
strong Wi-Fi signal and then, get connected! But It has broader coverage with 48 km range
4. All entries must have a soft copy,
one problem is that, there are instances wherein than that of Wi-Fi with only 90 m signal reach.
in CD, and must be submitted
you would lose your Wi-Fi connection because WiMAX still bears the broadband speed of
of its limited coverage, especially when you are its predecessor (Wi-Fi), 11 up to 54 megabits
together with the hard copy.
out of its signal radius. per second (mbps), depending on the distance 5. Short stories should be 3-10
If you’re not the type willing to get into of the device from the antennae. And because pages only and 2-5 pages only for
these kinds of hassle, you don’t have to worry WiMAX signals are not distributed like Local the essay.
for these things will soon be a thing of the past, Area Networks (LAN) among internet shops 6. All entries must be original and
for the future is WiMAX. and offices, the 11 to 54 mbps that your gadget unpublished.
receives is in its purest form. Airborne signals 7. All entries are judged according
WiMAX on the move are allocated in an entirely different manner than to the following criteria:
WiMAX short for Worldwide that of fiber optic cables on computer network Originality -30%
Interoperability for Microwave Access is a hubs. Meaning whether you’re with hundreds Literary/Artistic Expertise - 30%
technology that provides data through wireless of WiMAX user, you’ll still have at most the Relevance to the theme -30%
connection, making applications such as video seamless and fastest wireless internet Engineering Touch -10%
connection. Total -100%
8. An individual can join in all
Connectivity categories.
In fact, WiMAX is the fad of 17 cities in 9. All entries should revolve on the
Pakistan today, the nation acting as an theme: “History, Historic and
enormous wireless internet hotspot that lets Making History.”
you connect to the web virtually everywhere; 10. Only the title of the entry
be it on a moving car or train, along the creeks should appear on the submitted
of the Indus River, or maybe even in the middle article and not the name and
of the Thar Desert. address of the author.
Locally, Taguig will also get connected 11. A duly accomplished entry form
sooner wherein the entire public schools in must be submitted to the
the city will experience e-learning system. ENGINEERING SPECTRUM, Room 423
With this, the students will be updated on CEA Bldg.
the lesson and acquire the same content of the 12. Submitted copies of all entries
lectures that their professor is discussing shall remain with, and will be the
inside the classroom while watching online property of the ENGINEERING
with their laptops at the comfort of their SPECTRUM and JURASSIC literary
homes. folio.
BlueMedia Communications, company
13.The ENGINEERING SPECTRUM
which will provide the city with WiMAX,
and JURASSIC Committee has the
said that the project is already in the initial
right to compose the Board of
phase of linking city offices, buildings,
Judges. The judges’ decision is
barangay halls and schools through broadband
Internet Access.
final and cannot be subjected to
changes.
Implementation of this project is then be
14. Three winners will be chosen
expected by the end of the year.
Technology, nowadays, are in terms from each category. All winning
getting faster and wider. WiMAX and Wi-Fi entries will be published in the
are useful and constructive in terms of wireless JURASSIC Literary Folio 2008.
connection and fast communication. 15. Certificates and prizes will be
In this world defined by fast track given to all winners.
information exchange, having much wider and 1st Engineering Spectrum
faster internet connection will definitely put
us into the edge.
Literary Folio Contest
6Spectrum FEATURES
History
Story A that
Tatay knows by heart
A s he entered the college in 1981, he witnessed how it
struggled from lack of facilities, faculties, and other
resources with only about 1000 minds to feed comparing to
5000 of today.
GIMIEL ABUDA AND ANGELO MOLOBOCO
It was the time when the students and As the first school year opened, the Institute
professors had to provide tools and materials in then offered courses such as Bachelor in Electrical
their classes in order to comply with the Engineering, Bachelor in Electronics Engineering
necessary discussion and applications; time and Bachelor in Computer Engineering
when most of the faculties were from other Technology.
schools and were only part timers in the college. Whereas now, having been added the word
But despite all these, he still believes that Science in the different courses, it bloomed to
this college is indeed dynamic. six different departments: CE, CmpE, ECE, EE,
IE, and ME.
The Witness Living within the philosophy of service
“If I’m going to rate the college, 10 being the through education to the poor but intelligent
highest, then it would be 11. Growth must and deserving students, the college sought ways
continue, we must always aim for something on optimizing the potentials of students and on
better than best.” preparing them for constructive and productive
Engr. Cesar Buenavides, dearly known as participation and leadership in the community.
‘Tatay’, utter these words During the early part of
“
without any trace of 1985, Tatay affirmed that
hesitations. It was a face the college had started
etched with pride and a If I’m going to producing topnotchers. It
voice with a distinct tone had marked its excellence for
of loyalty that proved how rate the college, 10 it produced topnotchers
pleased he was for serving amid short time and this is
the college.
being the highest, why it was often compared
He had been in the
moral and scholastic body
then it would be 11. to other schools which were
built way back during the
of the college for almost
three decades (and still
Growth must Spanish era.
counting) and had continue, we must Edge
witnessed how the college During the term of Dean
had strived and grew for always aim for Ricafranca, with the
its betterment despite of pursuance of Engr. Estelita
inevitable hindrances. something better Del Rosario, assistance
”
According to him, it from Japanese Government
almost started out with than best. was sought to help the
nothing and education was college boost its educational
delivered through the passion and attained potential.
through determination. As this has been granted, Japanese
International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
The First Batch required the construction of a building to the
It was in 1979 when the College of Philippine Government so as to house
Engineering took gradual initiation when the engineering, architecture and science laboratory
Institute of Technology had been established. equipment worth P240 million.
Dr. Nemesio Prudente, head of the
new PUP Administration, negotiated
with the government for the acquisition
of a lot for the “Science and Technology
Building” at 10.3 hectare University
property at NDC in Pureza St., Sta.
Mesa, Manila.
Through JICA’s great help, the
college was relocated to its new building.
New facilities were given and expertise
practices were set for the faculties.
This had been one of the major leaps
for the College of Engineering. It
upgraded the performance of the college
and thus, produced more competitive
engineers.
CEA has produced 5,052 graduates
from 1998 along with the board passers
and topnotchers of licensure
examinations.
Currently, PUP- College of
Engineering through its continuous
effort of providing affordable but quality
education despite of reconditioned
school facilities and rigid competitions
from other engineering institutions, have
been producing topnotchers and skillful engineers
winning the other colleges and universities
respect.
As Tatay reminisce what had been told to
him by his friend in a known company, he said
that the company had received two applicants
applying for the same position. The applicants
were fresh graduates from PUP and from a
renowned university.
They were evaluated through machine works
in order to test their knowledge and performance.
The employer then noticed that the one from
other school was uncomfortable with that kind
of workplace and not attuned to the task. On
the other hand, the PUP graduate remained well-
suited and was the one hired.
Indeed, it was the skills and work exposure
of PUP graduates that helped them to land a job.
They have been garnering public praises and
companies’ trusts for, as Tatay said, they were
honed up with both skills and passion.
Payback
As future engineers, we will be a part of
CEA’s greatest achievements where our
potentials, talents, and endowments will be
sharpened up and developed. We saw the efforts
of the initiators and founders of this institution
therefore we are obliged to pay them back with
perseverance, good grades, good values, and
competitive selves.
Tatay said that we are so lucky for we are
acquiring our knowledge and exemplary skills
from one of the country’s best state
universities—the PUP.
“Not all will be accepted,” as he point it
out.
“
Enrollment among
students had been Approaching to
momentarily increasing th
from 1986-2007, as its its 30 year let it be
effect, limitations in
admittance of students had not you being
been in consideration to the
annual budget intended by recognized as a
the national government.
From the list of
student of this
examinees and aspirants
last enrollment only 20
college. But you
percent (approximately) of
them were accepted. Now
being recognized
stop, think and realize: ‘Oo by this college as
nga noh ang swerte ko
pala!’ one of its treasured foot on its grounds.
Main changes and
improvements greatly student. college. Its honor isour We
depend on the leadership of the administration.
From his observations on the developments,
achievements, and struggles, he formulated his
vision for the college being the “center of
excellence in the near future.”
Now, dynamism must continue and so we
must all aim for a total university.
Just age
“I’m proud to be a PUP faculty.”
Passion, fulfillment, and commitment—
these are his principles for serving the college. It
September 2008
photo by JOAN SALAS
was dedication for developing young minds over
low compensation.
He was asked when he will resign from
serving the college, he wisely answered, “Only
old age would separate me from this college.”
Despite of the difficulties, the college is in
its continuous progress. Although there were
hindrances, the amount of determinism will
always surmount all of those.
The college had stood for a long while and
the proofs of its improvement are visible. The
façade and the building itself today were better
than before and same way goes with the facilities
available now. The faculties are getting
competitive and it reflects in the quality of
students they had produced.
Things are getting better. It’s just that,
sometimes, we look mostly to what was lacking
and not to what was improving.
There are flaws and it would always be
present in an institution, same with an
organization, and same with a company. It was
through combined efforts that the flaws could
be turned into something useful.
At 30
Behind every story is its history and behind
that history is the realization that today is far
better than yesterday. Indeed, history is nothing
more than the account of its unending struggle.
College of Engineering had started up with
almost nothing and now it has been making its
own name—making it something big.
It had served through decades and it continue
to set forth to hone students. There are thousands
of Engineering Colleges and ours stood with a
respected name.
The brilliance was
now evident as it arrives
to its 30 th year of
anniversary and all the
difficulties it surpassed
would always define the
quality that its name bears.
Perhaps, somehow, it
had influenced Tatay into
the kind of respected man
he is today.
Our Role
As this college writes
its own history, we are
also writing our own part
from the moment we set
”
belong in this
honor as well as its
shortcomings is ourobligation. It’s a fact that
the college mustserve the studentry and it
is by will that wereturn its service.
Wherever will we be, it is the name and the
reputation of this college that we would be
carrying. It is our responsibility to make it proud
as we offer the skills it instill in us to the outside
world.
Approaching to its 30th year let it be not
you being recognized as a student of this college.
But you being recognized by this college as one
of its treasured student.
September 2008
HER
STORY
rue. Beauty speaks of elegance,
T order and perfection. It tends to
satisfy the thirst of our eyes to see
pleasing things—the arrangement of
hues, the perfection of symmetry, the
softness of whisperings. It has been a
social necessity.
NITYANANDA SIMON, JUDY DY AND JOAN SALAS
But life was not meant to be valued in accordance to beauty.
Society-based belief of its standards was far too shallow to what
it truly conveys. The society only sees what it wants to see. And
more often, what it sees is of no significance.
This story goes beyond to what is traditional—to what is
conventional. This story leads to a deeper sense of what it is to
be beautiful…
Her Story
Her name is Baby Girl and she is the misunderstood.
She has the beauty that has always been questioned and
contested for people saw her as a vain, self-centered
individual—outspoken and defensive.
Outspoken for she never hesitates to say what ought to be
said, even if the price of doing so is losing her own reputation;
and defensive for she had put up an image that eventually
distanced her against the unsympathetic minds.
“Alam ko hindi maganda perception ng tao sa ‘kin, kung
pa’no ko maglakad kung pa’no ko itrato ibang tao. Kapag may
nagtatanong nga, ‘Kilala mo ba si Baby Girl’? minsan ang sagot
agad ‘Ah, yung mataray sa dept. ng CoE?’”
Baby Girl has her distinct way of dealing with other people
which was mistaken into being
arrogant and conceited. She cares not
about how people would react to
whatever she does, to whatever she
says and to whatever impression she
creates. She just does things the way
she believes it must be done.
She never let other people
“
Beauty is in
the eye of the
beholder. ‘Yun
ang motto ko,
interfere with the way she manages
her life, not the type willing to waste
time for the sake of getting
wala lang bagay
lang talaga.
compliments.
Physically, people describe her
as someone tall with a fair figure, not
too fleshy and not too slim. Someone with a red burgundy
highlighted hair, with makeup on, high heels, and an inexplicable
level of confidence to wrap it all. She is actually simple but with
the way she carries herself, she defines simplicity in a more
refined and explicit manner.
Some may hear and imagine these descriptions as plain as it
is. But in truth, more often, it evoked connotations that build her
image in a subjective way.
Etymology
Baby Girl Pantaleon, 19, is a 3rd year Computer Engineering
student currently working as their department’s student
assistant. Her name ‘Baby Girl’ was, for her, a tragic story.
She grew up with the name Joan. All of her files bear a name
as such. Until the College enrolment, while preparing her papers,
she found out that the name ‘Joan Pantaleon’ was not in the
records.
thanks to HAROLD, LESLIE, RUBY, MARAH, ARIEL, LEO, NIKKI AND JONNHA
FEATURES
However, a ‘Baby Girl Pantaleon’ has the same information
written as her; same birth date, time, hospital place, Father’s and
Mother’s name and other identification data. Joan Pantaleon was
in truth not her real name and what comes next was a matter of
acceptance.
Now, after almost two decades of her life, she had accepted
that the name that used to address her is no longer her own. At
first, it was unbearable to believe that she had been given a generic
name. But life has to move along…and so she does.
In her first year, she joined modeling at the Broiler’s bar
during their acquaintance party last 2006. And subsequently
won as Ms. Computer Engineering 2007 2nd runner up and
received special award on her second year.
Some says that it’s too much confidence for her to get
into pageants. But for her, equality is a virtue. If others can,
then why can’t she? It is a matter of belief and taking actions—
“ Most people
within common
beliefs, caged
to be free to act in the way her manner dictates and not to
limit her potentials.
within supposed
understanding.
Behold
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. ‘Yun ang motto ko,
wala lang bagay lang talaga.”
Sharing this with laughter, indeed, she has a different
kind of optimism that made her took the risk to go
beyond her fears—her fear of being rejected and of being
misunderstood. Both unresolved fears from the past,
which she was now able to manage, turned out to be one
of her utmost achievement.
To learn to value and make the most of what she
has, she opted to open her mind in the positive things
and when it seems negative, to believe that it bears
positive fruits.
To put it in a philosophical doctrine, ours is the
”
best of all possible worlds—and that is how she rules
her world.
“I was prepared for this. I shall stand the test.”
“Feeling maganda, maangas, mayabang, akala mo kung sino
paglumakad. Kahit ako alam ko ‘yon. Pero kahit ganun, chin up
lang dahil kung wala ka naman ginagawang masama walang
dahilan para yumuko.”
Indeed words are powerful; they hurt us as much as physical
aches give. It leaves unseen scars needed to tend on our own for
we don’t want pity to be imposed upon us.
With all the disapproval that she is getting she still carries
herself with immense confidence for she knew by heart that what
was important is to develop self-respect. A kind of respect that
builds a sense of contentment.
“Okay lang sanay na ako. Tuloy lang nila dahil sa kanila
tumitibay ako.”
Finding strength, however, she admits that she still needs a
little incentive from other people. Not because she’s expecting
reward for the things she
Spectrum 7
had done. But because she needs appreciation to affirm herself
that despite of the criticisms, there are still people who look the
other way.
She needs a kind of assurance that there are people willing to
be there for her, to believe in her capabilities, to understand her
nature, and to correct her flaws.
There are times that she tried to get sympathy. However, she
just ended up having small consolation and a big regret—for it
takes much of her effort to please other people.
She keeps asking herself why a single wrong move of her
eyebrows has to define her as a whole. If it is the price of being
true to one’s self and if there is really a need to create another
‘her’ to be what other expects her to be.
Baby Girl hid nothing to herself; her adverse nature was as
bare as her constructive attributes. Perhaps, it is the true spirit
of honesty—to be brave enough not just to express but to accept
truth even if it caters the worst in us.
The Tendency
She had learned how to be deaf when what she’s hearing
only makes her feel worthless and to be blind when what she’s
seeing are only wounding looks.
“Nakikita ko sa mata nila. Meron dyan titignan ka mula
ulo hanggang paa, mayayabangan, iirap. Kanino ba ako dapat
ikumpara? Hindi naman nila ako kilala.”
It was a mixture of anger and confusion as these words
came rattling out of her. Anger for it pained her to realize that it
is human nature to be judgmental. That we are in the age where
the way someone dresses defines their personality, where the
way people talk defines how educated they are, and where the
appearance of individuals classify their status and limit the rights
they ought to have.
The society unconsciously forced people to forget a part of
their character for the sake of belongingness. We always have
to consider being sensitive and thus, have to adopt certain
attitudes which sometimes contradict to our personality.
Still, it’s human nature. Most people were boxed within
common beliefs, caged within supposed understanding.
And with this continuous mind set, true individuality
gradually fades especially of those who are weak—of those who
give less importance to their worth.
It is better to let the minds fly,
were boxed
to let it soar and be beyond what
the majority sided and realize the
wisdom that our individuality
defines. Be able to reach the state
of mind that dares to hear, to feel,
to touch and to see the unseen—a
state of mind that is free and
growing.
Much better if we free our
minds for all freedom is attained
”
from within.
It was, for baby Girl, more
important to accept the true nature of our individuality and not
to be drowned into believing that we attain happiness and the
respect of other people through pretension. Where in fact, we are
making them believe in false assumptions and what hurts, we are
fooling ourselves.
True to Form
“Ganun lang talaga. Ito ako. Wala akong gustong baguhin
pa sa sarili ko. Sana lang hindi na maging judgmental ang tao.”
Circumstances may have turned her into the tough lady she
was, yet still, she was not that strong to linger with insensitivity.
She had endured a lot of pain in her soul and sometimes, there is
no space to accommodate some more.
There are things that are worth accepting and worth changing
in ourselves, in our lives. But there are those that, no matter how
painful, are still worth fighting and keeping for. For Baby Girl, it
was her personality—herself.
“Ganon na nga tingin nila sa’yo bakit kailangang ganon pa
maging tingin mo sa sarili mo?”
Beauty is about faith—about our belief that we are always
something more than what other sees in us. It signifies self
confidence which is beauty and respect in its profoundest form.
To be beautiful is to believe you are beautiful, in whatever
definition it may suit. Our uniqueness is God-given and that is
unquestionable.
Beauty is far from what was visible. It has no standards nor
does it bear classification. It exists in all forms, sizes and shapes
and by letting the form of an object be what it pleases to be…
Light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.
Commit ourselves to the truth—see it as it is, tell it like it
is—to find the truth, to speak the truth, and to live the truth. And
that is where beauty manifests itself. Beauty is not a chance but
a choice.
8Spectrum CIRCLE September 2008

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

“M arimar, awww! Costenita soy

Con mis abuelos crecí yo
En un lindo y cálido mar
rito sa fourth floor, Mon Dragon nagpapatrol,
back to you Pupoy.

Que todito me dió Pupoy: Salamat Mon, isang pahabol na balita,

Cuando al amor me llevó” (1000x)
NA-LVS (last video syndrome) si Pupoy sa
pinanood niyang video nila Moymoy Palaboy
sa YouTube. “Ha---hahaha! Hahahaha! Ubo
ubo ubo. Bwahahaha!” Napakamasiyahing bata.
Si Pupoy talaga… Siya ang pinakabagong bida
sa ating sumbong novela na pinamagatang,
M.I.L.F.!
Roll VTR (Ang Nakaraan)
Tanghali sa harapan ng Wilgards Enterprise.
Detective Conan: (malaking boses) Pupoy
makinig ka, mula ngayon ay ipinagkakaloob
ko na ang “magnifying glass” na ito sa’yo.
Ipagpatuloy mo ang gawaing sinimulan namin
ni Naruto. Maaasahan ko ba ‘yun? Ikaw na ang
bagong magtatanggol sa
sangkaestupidyantehan han han han…
Pupoy: (Teary eyes)???
At naglingunan ang lahat ng tao sa paligid
sabay hagis ng confetti. “Whooooo!” Dito
nagsisimula ang kanyang misyon. (bilis no?)
Isang araw…
Pupoy: Pagbilan pong yelo! Isa.
Wink! At biglang umusok sa paligid hanggang
sa wala na siyang makita. Lumipas ang ilang
saglit at unti-unting luminaw ang kapaligiran.
Maraming tao, ilaw at pati na din camera. “Ano
‘to?” sambit niya habang may nakalagay sa
kanyang noo na Loading 73%. Di niya
maunawaan ang nangyayari. Bigla na lamang
may nagsabing “Pupoy be ready” sabay bigay
ng script. “Take 634,507, lights camera
action!” (Tan tan tanan tan tan —
Imbestigador tune 1000x) Sa puntong iyon ay
tila baga batid na ni Pupoy ang gagawin, at
nagsimula na nga siya.
Pupoy: Magandang gabi! Sa ulo ng mga
nagbabagang balita. Mga M.I.L.F. namataan sa
Doña CElyA Bldg. kaninang umaga! Alamin
natin ang kabuuang balita mula kay Boy Pating,
Boy pasok!
Boy Pating: Yes Pupoy. Nagkalat na nga ang
mga M.I.L.F. dito sa Doña CElyA Bldg. at sa
ngayon ay patuloy pa din ang kanilang
pamamalagi dito. Ayon sa mga saksi, pawang
nakabihis pormal pa daw ang mga ito. Sino-
sino nga ba ang mga tinatawag nating M.I.L.F.?
Para sa kaalaman ng mga estupidyante, sila ay
ang mga Masyadong Instructors na always Late
at Falaging absent na patuloy na naghahasik ng
lagim dito sa Doña CElyA Bldg. Kaya bilang
babala sa ating mga kaestupidyantehan, aba’y
mag-iingat ho tayo anu ho? At iyan ang kabuuang
ulat sa mga oras na ito. Back to you Pupoy.
Pupoy: Maraming salamat Boy Pating! Ang mga
pangalan ng mga M.I.L.F. na ‘yan ay nakaflash
dyan sa inyong mga screen. Ayan oh,
susmaryosep . Kaugnay po ng balitang iyan,
atin hong pakatutukan at baka isa sa mga ito
ay inyong makilala, ho, narito si Enteng de
Leon upang ihatid sa atin ang isa pang balita
live mula sa third floor, Enteng?
Enteng: Yes Pupoy, aking kakapanayamin ang
batang kasama ko dito na itatago na lang natin
sa pangalang totoy na siyang nabiktima di
umano ng isang M.I.L.F. Totoy maaari mo bang
sabihin sa amin kung pa’no ka nabiktima ng
M. I. L. F.?
Totoy: Bale po kasi, bumili po muna ako ng
yelo nun bago pumasok. Di din naman kasi ako
malelate dahil lagi naman po mas late itong si
Sir Tutut Reindeer, kadalasan pa nga po eh
hindi siya pumapasok. Nagpromise na po siya
noon na di na mauulit pero ganun pa din. Che.
Wala kaming natututunan. Wala!
Enteng: Ah ganun ba iho, susmaryosep, yan
Pupoy ang balita! Back to the studio.
Pupoy: Nakakaawang mga bata anu ho?
Samantala, kakapasok pa lamang na balita,
isang binatilyo nagrereklamo din! Pepeng Tigre
anong balita dyan?
illustration by ARNOLD LALONGISIP
Pepeng: Naku Pupoy, sa ngayon nga eh nasa
masamang kondisyon pa itong tatawagin na lang
natin sa pangalang boy sumbong na mula din sa
lahi ng mga de Leon. Aniya, sana daw ay pumila
na lamang siya sa NFA kaysa nga naman wala
nang laman ang kaniyang kumakalam na sikmura
eh pati utak niya wala ding laman! Inerereklamo
ng estupidyanteng ito si Sir Alang Braso dahil
sa di madalas na pagtuturo at pag-absent! At
kapag papasok naman daw ito ay magpapa-
assignment lang pagkatapos ay magkukwento
ng kanyang talambuhay. Naku po. Ito si Pepeng
Tigre nagpapatrol. Pupoy?
Pupoy: Maraming salamat Pepeng Tigre.
Samantala nasa kabilang linya naman po si
Mon Dragon upang iulat sa atin ang nangyari
sa isang batang di umanoy di makapasok dahil
sa isang masyadong propesor. Mon ano ba
yang balitang yan?
Mon: Karaniwan na sa mga estupidyante ang
ni hindi man lang makabili ng libro sa hirap
ng buhay. Ngunit may ilang propesor pa din
ang tila baga di alintana ang sitwasyon ng mga
iskolar ng bayan. At isa na nga ang propesor
na ito na may kunek sa isang bayan ng Rizal
ang inirereklamo nitong si nene. Ayon sa
kanyang salaysay, pilit daw silang pinabibili
nito ng bonggang bonggang lab gown kasama
na pati gloves dahil kung hindi ay hindi sila
papapasukin nito! “Chaka! Bakit kami bibili
nun? Di ba nagbabayad naman kami ng
laboratory fee?,” yan ang kaniyang tugon ng
amin siyang nakapanayam kaninang umaga.
Tama bang gawin ito sa mga umaasa kay
sintang paaralan na nagbabayad naman ng
laboratory fee? Iyan ang kabuuang ulat mula
mga estupidyante humuhingi ng hustisya! Ang
kabuuang ulat na iyan ay ihahatid po sa atin ni
Buboy Og, ano ba ito Buboy?
Buboy: Pupoy, “hirap na at walang
matutunan”, yan ang hinaing ng mga
estupidyante nitong propesor na may kunek sa
isang magazine at singer na madalas daw hindi
umatend ng kanyang klase. Papasok lamang
siya upang pasagutan ang mga exercises sa
libro at pagkaraan ay umaalis na agad ito. Di
man lamang daw nagchecheck ng attendance
si ma’am. Dagdag pa nila, wala daw silang
mapulot sa librong kanilang ginagamit na
required ng propesor na ito. Kahabag-habag
talaga ang kundisyon ng mga batang ito na
bulok na ang pasilidad na ginagamit ay bulok
pa pati ang mga inaasahang magbibigay sa
kanila ng kinakailangang kaalaman. Haaay.
Buboy Og nag-uulat.
Pupoy: Tsk tsk, papaano nga ba tayo
makakahuli ng mga ganitong M.I.L.F.? Sino
ang dapat manguna, kanino dapat
magsangguni? Ang mga dapat ninyong
malaman ang ihahatid sa atin ni Omeng Agila.
Omeng: Papaano nga ba? Yan ang tanong ng
ating mga kaestupidyantehan kung paano sila
makakapag sumbong-sumbong dito sa ating
tanggapan. Simple lamang ang dapat ninyong
gawin, kung kayo ay nabiktima o dumaranas ng
hindi patas na trato mula sa mga tiwali at unfair
na tao at nagnanais kayo ng ng pagbabago,
ipagbigay alam lamang ito sa amin at atin silang
paparamdaman. Sumadya o lumihan sa
Engineering Spectrum Office, Rm 423 CEA Bldg.
Sta. Mesa, Manila. Magsumbong, makialam.
Okay? Tandaan, sumbong sumbong kay
bonggang bonggang Pupoy. CElyA, kay ganda,
atin siya.
Pupoy: Hahaha! Maraming salamat Omeng, (ubo
ubo) excuse me po! Sa punto pong ito kami ay
magpapaalam na. Yan ang kabuuang ulat na aming
nakalap sa nakalipas na kwatro siyento oras.
Umasa po kayo na sa kabila ng pamemersonal
ng ilang M.I.L.F., patuloy po kami na
maglilingkod sa inyo ng buong puso, patas at
lumalaban para sa sangkaestupidyantehan. Sa
ngalan ng mga bumubuo sa liga ng katotohanan,
ako po si Pupoy. Dahil hindi natutulog ang
balita! Pero natutulog naman kami. Nakatutok
kami, oras oras. Maraming salamat sa inyong
pagtitiwala!
“Marimar, awwww!”

LOADING... leo herrera

Ni Alagad ni Orig na Kurips
SOPAS ni
MANONG
Smart Pills
One day an engineering student and a HRM student were walking
through the woods when they saw some rabbit turds. One of the boys SKETCH... SKETCH... SKETCH anonymous
said, “What is that?”
“They’re smart pills,” said the engineering student. “Eat them and
they’ll make you smarter.”
So the HRM student ate them and said, “These taste like sh*t.”
“See,” said the engineering student, “you’re getting smarter already.”

Half to Death
An engineering student is walking along the road when he finds a
bottle. He rubs it and, you guessed it right, a genie appears.
The genie says, “You are allowed to make three wishes. But, I must
warn you, anything you get, the other entire college student in your PUKOY! ken licarte
university get twice as much.”
The engineering student says, “Okay. Give me a nice house.”
The genie replies, “You now have one nice house and the other entire
college students in your university have two.”
The engineering student says, “Give me a gorgeous woman.”
The genie replies, “You now have one gorgeous woman, while the
other entire students in your university have two.”
The engineering student says, “For my last wish, genie, see that stick
over there? Beat me half to death with it.”
September 2008
SEE WHO’S
IN ROOM
NO. 4
“W ow! Congrats! Top 4”!
This was the text message
from his office mate who first informed
him that he had topped in the
examination.
In doubt and in shock, he looked
up at the newspaper the following
day. “Nanginginig kamay ko,” he said
as he scans the pages of the newspaper.
Reading the names: 1 2 3...
4. Melvin Guttierrez Singayan –
Polytechnic University of the
Philippines
And that apparently confirmed
everything.
It started out as a dream
First, he dreamt of becoming a
Cum Laude but he failed for he got a
low grade in one of his subject on his
fifth year—his last year. But God
really has a plan. He was destined for
something bigger...
Out of 2,985 examinees in the
May 2008 Civil Engineering Licensure
Board Examination, 1,094 had passed.
And out of that 1,094, Melvin
Singayan ranked fourth. Making a
history, he now holds the title for the
highest rank that the Civil Engineering
community had placed.
Who’s there?
Like any other, he does not
expect topping the board. And like
anyone else, he wished for it to arrive.
Lucky enough, with a blend of hard
work, he had been the fourth on the
list of the most outstanding Civil
Engineers.
The number ‘4’ to him before was
his mere boarding house number. But
now, every time he looks at it, it was
a living sign for him. As what have
his board mates sometimes teased
EDMAR MANGAHAS
Click Here To Play!
B iting your dirty finger nails to
escape boredom? Take it away!
(Typing…)
www.youtube.com
Enter
(Typing…)
Moymoy Palaboy
Searching…
YOU’RE NEXT!
Sitting among other Civil Engineering
Topnothers, Melvin G. Singayan wears his
medal after the oathtaking ceremony at the
Manila Hotel, May 31.---
Photo from Mr. Singayan’s Friendster account
him, “the top four resides at room
number four.”
Tracing his life story, Melvin was
ever since a consistent honor student.
He graduated Salutatorian during his
elementary days and an academic
achiever when he was in High school.
His stay in PUP was greatly
influenced by his friends and
especially by his guts. “Sa barkada
ko, dalawa kaming may dream maging
cum laude, kaya dalawa kami masipag
mag-aral.” He even got more
motivated when he was acknowledged
as the top student of their batch during
his sophomore year.
He had been involved in different
academic activities in and out of the
campus. He even represented the
school in the contest sponsored by
the Association of Structural
Engineers of the Philippine held at the
University of Makati where he ranked
sixth.
“Full time review ako sa review
center before the Nov. 2007 board
exam. Pumasa ako and then nagwork
na ako. Kaya lang, may retake pala.
Hindi na ako nag take nun. Hindi ko
kasi napaghandaan. So I decided to
take the May 2008 examination.”
Take two
The May 2008 examination was
actually his second. Not because he
failed on the first but because it was
the controversial Nov 2007 batch
where the Professional Regulatory
Commission (PRC) had ordered a
retake for the two subjects.
Instead of taking the retake
scheduled January 2008, he decided
to work and just wait for the next
batch of the exam. He chose to
retake the whole board exam rather
Have a good laugh with Moymoy
Palaboy, a lip-synching duo, who is
now making their comic careers from
internet grounds to television screens.
Here’s the catch! Bubble Gang
main stay, James (older) and Rodfil
(younger) Obeso in real life, both took
course in Polytechnic University of
CIRCLE
than just taking the two subjects
where there has been an alleged
leakage.
Before the examination, he filed a
leave of absence on his work to study.
Confident enough that he was still
equipped with the things he learned,
he took the exam and the rest was
indeed a history especially for the
college.
As of the Moment
“I’m working as a junior structural
engineer at Albert C. Caòete and
Associates, company of the former
dean of PUP-CEA. Nagdedesign kami
ng mga bridges and buildings.”
According to him, one of the best
things he experienced is that he gets
job offers from the line of designing,
construction and even works abroad,
yet still, he chose to stay.
Another thing is that he made his
family proud. “Nakikita ko sa kanila
na very proud sila. Lalo na at hindi
nila alam kung papasa ba ako o
hindi.”
As a reward for his hard work he
had bought a Nintendo DS. His family,
on the other hand, had set up a small
celebration for him.
Now, his dream was of having his
own design and construction firm
together with his friends. Perhaps, this
is less impossible.
Whatever he had and will be
achieving, for him it would always be
because of the good combination of
studying and luck as ingredients with
God as his Chef. “Masarap sa
pakiramdam, dream ko kasi ‘yon na
natupad.”
In the end, we are measured not
by how much we undertake but by
what we finally accomplished.
the Philippines. Rodfil having been
finished his Business Management
course while James dropped out from
Mass Communication.
Uploading personal videos has
been their most loved hobby since one
and a half year ago. They have no
purpose of doing such crazy stuff to
be recognized, “trip lang po,” as they
said. It was in February 2007 that
they first posted their video in
YouTube (Dirty Pop by N’Sync) and
among their numerous videos, Volare
is their favorite.
Adding up humor to the scene was
their Mama Auntie who strikes in and
out of the camera and sometimes seems
ignoring the boys but all of a sudden
dances to the beat. Their mom died
two years ago.
Finally, leaving a message for their
fans, they said that they appreciate
all the support for their stupid videos.
Spectrum 9
Pakikipagulayaw MARK JAYSON IGNACIO
G umapang na ang mabalasik na karimlan nang mapagpasyahan kong itudla
sa tulong ng tinta ng aking pluma at sa subyang na pagkakabulatlat ng
isang madilaw na papel ang payak na lathalain kong ito.
Sa mabilis at walang humpay na pag-ikot ng salik ng makabagong kaunlaran,
alinsabay nito ay unti-unti na ring nababalahaw sa lusak ng pagkalimot ang
ating panitikan.
Isa na marahil sa mga aandap-andap ang ningas ng pananatili ay ang ating
pakikipagtalastasan. Sa kasalukuyang panahon, suntok sa buwan na ang
makasugpong ka ng mga indibidwal na masugid pa ring tinatangkilik at pinag-
iinam ang mapagganyak na pakikipag-ulayaw sa patnugot ng ating sariling
wika.
Upang mapaigting at makastigo ang mga naunang salaysay, maaari nating
ilakip sa kinahuhumalingang paghahatid mensaheng teksto gamit ang ating
mga selulang aparatong pang-ugnay ang pagpapalaganap ng mga mabubulaklak
nating panitik sa pakikipag-ulayaw.
Sa gayon ay makakalabit natin ang gatilyo ng baril ng makabayang
pakikipagtalastasan sa pamamagitan ng selulang aparatong pang-ugnay. Hindi
dapat tayo mahiratang sa panuntunan sa pagsasaayos, pagtitipon, at
pagpapahayag ng ating mga nais ipabatid sa porma ng mensaheng teksto na
wala naman talaga sa alituntunin ng pagdadaglat.
Sa paggawa natin ng mga mensaheng teksto na ating ipinahahatid,
kinakaltas natin ang ilang titik ng mga salita upang mapaikli ang ating kailangang
itudlang hanay ng mga pangungusap na hindi natin alintanang pahaw na rin
ang pagpapakahulugan sa ating mensaheng ipinahahatid.
Ang inyong abang lingkod ay isang masugid na nagpapadala ng aking mga
mensaheng teksto sa daloy ng ating mayamang pakikipagtalastasan. At tulad
ng nakararami, sabay na sa agos ng daloy-buhay ko sa araw-araw ang
pakikisalamuha sa pamamagitan ng mensaheng teksto. Sa pagputok pa lang
ng araw, nawa’y wala namang nasabugan, ay ipinaaabot ko na ang malugod
kong pagbati ng magandang araw sa mensaheng teksto na may haplos ng mga
salitang sadyang katutubo sa ating bayan. Tulad na lamang nito: “Isang
banaag sikat na umaga sa iyo. Nawa’y naging lubos ang iyong paghimlay sa
iyong lunang pahingahan sa lumipas na banig ng karimlan na lumupig sa
ating mga gunita at iginupo tayo sa kawalang malay na paglalakbay. Isang
masigabo at mapagpalang araw sana ang landas na iyong tahakin.”.
Nagsisilbi na rin iyong ehersisyo upang maging handa ang aking kalagayang
intelektuwal para sa pagbayubay sa maghapon.
Sa paglubog naman ng araw ay ito ang malimit na patukoy ng aking
pakikipag-ulayaw: “Maging lubos sana ang iyong pag-alagwa sa mahimbing
na pamamahinga, malikom mo sana ang lakas na iyong inilaan sa
pagsasakatuparan ng mga maghapong pinagkaabalahan. Ang kumot ng
aking pag-aalala nawa ang magbigay init sa iyong nanlalamig na magdamag.”
Hindi ba’t kay inam na magpaalam sa araw na lumipas sa gayong masikap na
suyuan?
Sa pagsapit naman ng mapanglaw na oras sa katanghaliang tapat, kilitiin
ang talampakan ng tagatanggap: “Umaasa ako na natugunan mo na ang
hinaing ng nag-aalburuto mong sikmurang sabik sa nauukol na pananghalian
upang makapagpatuloy sa pagtupad ng iyong mga gawain. Hangad ko din
na hindi malibak ng alinsangang hatid ng katirikang araw ang iyong
kalugurang lakas at mithi sa pagsisikap sa iyong mga nakahanay na
tungkulin”.
Kung ikaw naman ay may katipan at sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari ay
maaantala ka sa oras ng inyong pagkikita, maaari mo siyang abisuhan ng
ganito: “Ipagpaumanhin mo sanang lubos kung hindi ako makakadaop sa
ating tipanan sa pinagkasunduang oras. Sa kadahilanang nasuong sa
marubdob na paghambalang ng mga pasadang-masa ang kinalululanan
kong karwaheng pinaiigkas ng krudo.” Sa gayong paliwanag ay nailarawan
mo ang puno’t dulo ng iyong pagkahuli sa pagpandahaw sa inyong usapan.
Kung naglalayon ka naman na mag-alay ng isang pakikipag-kamustahang
may himig ng pag-aalala: “Mapukaw ko nawa kahit ilang saglit ng iyong oras.
Nais ko lang na kamustahin ang iyong kalagayan, kung nakalagan mo na
ang gapos ng karamdamang gumupo sa iyo nitong mga nakalipas na
araw…dalangin ko ang iyong pag-igpaw sa malaong panahon buhat sa
iyong pagkakaratay sa banig ng karamdaman. Umasa ka na kalakip sa
aking mga dalangin ang iyong lubos na paggaling.” Ito’y mainam na
pampalubag ng kalooban upang mapasilab ang kugon ng pagnanasang bumuti
ng taong pinag-ukulan.
Mala-bukayo ding panutsa sa pakikipag-ulayaw ang sumusunod: “Sa
aking sintang-tanglaw, dalangin ko lang na lumago ang binhi ng
pagmamahalan na itininanim sa lupa ng ating mga pusong nagkakaunawaan,
nais ko lamang ipabatid na hindi man tayo magkadaupang-palad sa mga
sandaling ito, manalig ka na kaagapay
mo ang aking pag-aalala at ang
marubdob na alab ng aking pagsinta
sa iyo saan ka man pumaroon. Nawa’y
lumunsad pa sa lawig ng himpapawirin
ang pagtatangi natin sa isa’t isa.”
Naaangkop lamang na ang batis ng
pakikipagsuyuan ay dumaloy sa
gayong lagaslas na may ligamgam at
halumigmig upang mamukadkad pa ang
bulaklak ng mga nagmamahalan.
Lubha talagang makapangyarihan
ang mga salita. Maikukumpara ito sa
isang balaraw na kapag tumarak sa puso
ng pinag-ukulan ay malalim ang uwang
na malilikha. Kaya’t gamitin ng may
kawastuhan at yaong bukal sa kalooban
illustration by PAUL LESTER CHICO
ang bawat panitik na mamumutawi
mula sa ating mga labi at ibubunsod ng
ating kaisipan.
Naimulat ko sana kayo sa aking
adhikaing maibalik ang mga ginintuang
araw ng ating kultura. Alalahanin na lang
natin ang pamosong pahayag ng ating
pambansang bayani Gat. Jose Rizal na,
“Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika,
ay higit pa sa hayop at malansang
isda”.
10
Spectrum ISSUES September 2008

Monthly Period A Time for Frugal Instinct

InDepth
ON July 3, policemen of Station 8
Sta. Mesa came to the PUP Mabini
Campus to arrest four accused
students who were allegedly
involved in a gang rape that
happened inside the university
premises. The alleged victim was a
16 year-old freshman marketing
student of PUP. She was reportedly
enticed to join a non-accredited
organization—more likely a
fraternity/sorority. Reports said that
the incident took place within three
days (from June 25 to 27) at places
inside and outside the university,
involving a close to 20 individual while
exercising an initiation rite.
But due to lack of evidence, the
arrested students were released on that
same day.
PUP administration considered
the issue as an isolated case and
something not to worry about but the
university regarded the matter for it
put the name of PUP at risk. The
people involved were assured by the
school administration to be equally
protected in accordance with the law.
And on the midst of the issue in the
internet, Dr. Dante Guevarra, PUP
president, even states that this will
discredit PUP as a foundation of
tertiary education
Subsequently, another issue was
brought up: Security measures
implemented in PUP are weak.
School administration, on the
contrary, stressed out that they were
doing their best to keep everybody
in the campus secured. Like every
school, they said that they were
strictly implementing the ID system
that allows only students, employees
and faculties of PUP to be
illustration by JAN LEO HERRERA
accommodated during class/office
hours. Because of budgetary
constraint, the university got only 45
security guards to watch over the 15
buildings in the university’s 10-
hectare compound which resorted on
asking police assistance for better
security.
These matters brought prominent
people like Sen. Kiko Pangilinan and
CHED Deputy Exec. Dir. Julito
Victriolo, to stir school officials.
According to them, this should serve
as a “wake-up call” not just for PUP,
but for every school to take a second
look at their security operations.
Since the incident happened under
the official’s nose, they see a
possibility of PUP administration’s
negligence or failure of performing their
tasks.
Almost a month after, August 2,
PUP once again caught the attention
of the public when an investigative
program featured a suspected gaming
haven for students within the
campus. On the program XXX,
“Jasper” sought the attention of ABS-
CBN to put such thing to an end. He
cited that the shop invokes students
to play even during class hours that
affects their interests in studying. The
program also detailed out malicious
irregularities with regards to the
establishment, like, it violates school
and city policies and it has no
business permit.
“Combat Ground” computer
station, formerly located in the 4th floor
of Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning
Resource Center (Nallrc) Building
started operating November last year.
It was intended to provide students
of PUP their computer needs without
ROLAND JAMES MELAD
going outside the university.
Unfortunately, it then turned out to
be an amusement/gaming center for
PUPians.
According to a city ordinance,
amusement/gaming centers must
only be placed outside the 50 meter
radius around the school compound.
Then, why Nallrc building is chosen
as a site of this establishment?
With PUP administration’s
approval, proprietors have chosen
Nallrc over another option –
Sampaguita Building – because of its
age and its tendency to collapse if too
much people occupy the place.
Mr. Julius Mislang, owner of
“Combat Ground,” asserted that the
allegations or “misconceptions”
about the establishment were not
true. He said that the games played
in their shop were not initially there.
Students downloaded files from the
internet and installed it on their units.
And to prove XXX was wrong,
Mislang, presented the business
permit of their establishment.
The school administration tried
to prevent the incident by issuing
memos to the said computer shop on
putting these gaming sessions on
halt. Mislang stressed out that they
have complied with the orders and
even reformatted their PCs.
Furthermore, he added that “Combat
Ground” was launched for the
benefit of the students – it has served
as a testing ground for newly created
softwares and an extension of
computer laboratory.
According to CHED, PUP, being
a state university, is allowed to make
any partnership with establishments
to help raise funds. But still, Income
Generating Projects (IGP) that arises
must be conducive to learning and
should not affect student’s health and
morality.
The start of school year 2008-
2009 was not that very good for PUP.
For two consecutive months,
PUPians experienced predicaments
that nobody ever expected to
come: the gang rape, which is not
resolved until now, and the
computer gaming in the library.
Both put each PUPians to the test
of what we really are – a question
of character.
LAURICE VELASQUEZ
ESCALATING oil price in the world market gone out of control. The
thing is, it dictates the inflation rate of an economy in every part of the
world to jack up with its every move. Consequently, it “fuels up” not just
vehicles and aircrafts but also the basic commodity costs to “take off”.
Aside from oil crisis, artificial rice shortage, a locally crafted
predicament, is another burden that the Filipinos are shouldering at the
moment. Abusive rice traders hoard rice supplies by conspiring with
politicians and agricultural officials,
thus, making the cost of this staple
food to hit the most prohibitive price
that it could.
TETE-A-TETE
If these present crises could hurt every single wealthy family here in
our country, how more do we? Let’s have the views of the CEans of this
poor man’s University on how they cope up with these challenges in a
daily basis. How they cut spending and do necessary efforts to make the
both ends meet?
How does the crisis on oil and rice affect your life as a student?
“Pumapayat na kami.”
– Kenneth CoE V
“Sa transportation fare malaki tinaas, halos lahat ng baon ko
napupunta dun.” –Cess CE IV
“First, the price of the daily meal increased, pati yong pamasahe
kaya ayon affected ako, mga books hindi ko na nabibili kasi kailangang
magtipid.” –Wilson ECE IV
“Nagiging pahirap ‘to sa mga studyante, mahal pamasahe, mahal
mga bilihin sa loob at labas ng school. Pagkakasiyahin mo maliit mong
baon, karamihan sa atin asa lang sa magulang kaso hindi naman
tumataas ang sahod. Dapat nating suportahan ang panawagan ng mga
magulang nating manggagawa para sa Php 125 wage increase.” – Paolo
ME IV
“Okay lang walang pinagbago naglalakad lang ako, tapos sa bahay
na ako kumakain.” –Neng IE III
“Actually dati nga hindi ako nagbabaon ng pagkain, ngayon
nagbabaon na para lang makatipid, mahal kasi pamasahe.” -Denz CE II
Apparently, the majority sounds the same tune. Everyone is suffering
from difficulties brought by the oil and rice crisis. Nobody prohibits us
from eating and wandering elsewhere, but budget wise as the climate of
our economy demands, we should live the way our money can afford. No
more, no less. If we can’t go ahead of it, then ride on it.
Regret is if thriftiness is too late when you find nothing at the bottom
of your purse.
Surely, these matters brought will never experience such publicity.
different tittle-tattle about our No matter how great the measures
university. It raised different of this university, it would be highly
questions and opinions that readily impossible if the problem is within
need to be answered. But whatever the studentry. However, it is
implications it has created, there are irrational to collectively judge
two sure things: one, there is PUPians because of one or two
someone, in any way the misdeeds.
circumstances are, sexually abused; There are raised brows inflicted
and two, no matter how they upon us and there are fingers
sensationalized the issue of Combat pointed towards us. The public
Ground, we cannot deny the fact of image, for whatever it is, can either
the goodness of their intentions. be positive or negative. But PUP is
In a sense, one may also think still PUP. It has gone well for a long
that if only ALL students behave time and would continue to be. This
properly (especially those freshmen is a momentary failure and the
who still have their high school name university will, eventually, move
tagged along with their own) PUP on.

BullsEye
THEY are the highest valued organization in
what is ought to be the “Poor man’s
University”. They are the heart of activisms –
the head of rallies, the initiator of walkouts,
the main critic and the student’s defender.
Their mission of putting student’s right
above anyone else in the university has chained
them together. Jointly, they fight oppression,
repression, corruption and dirty politicking.
And now, as if fate planned to bond them more,
they have to face, hand-in-hand, another battle
– battle for their own survival.
A Tale of Two Critics
Early April of this year, The Catalyst (TC),
official publication of the Polytechnic
University of the Philippines – Manila and the
Sentral na Konseho ng mga Mag-aaral (SKM)
received a notification from PUP Pres. Dante
Guevarra that the publication fee (for TC) and
SKM fee will not be included in the
miscellaneous fees stated on the enrollee’s
official receipt.
As a result, both organizations resorted to
a manual acquisition of fund, creating another
line in enrollment procedure.
Since paying the said fees is not strictly
implemented and depends only upon the
student’s discretion, both organizations
did not come up with the usual amount they
In the Service of
used to have when it undergone with the
cashier.
And so?
The matter is, it has become a notion that
finance is essential in keeping an organization
alive. As the saying goes, money makes the
world go round. Funds are necessary to
implement all the projects and functions of an
organization. How could a publication be a
publication if it’s incapable of producing
papers? Or how could a student representative
stand up for the studentry if its self is feeble
because of bankruptcy?
But it is, however, a different case “May
pera man o wala, tuloy pa rin” as Austero have
said.
“Kilalang kritiko ni Dr. Guevarra ang SKM
at Kata, bakit kaya nila ginagawa ito?”
Joyce Llanto
Editor in Chief, TC
Failure to comply with the Internal Audit’s
requirement has been the ground for TC and
SKM fee’s exclusion according to Llanto.
Guevarra decided to count out the said payment
for TC and SKM in the official receipt so as
not to be liable with the complaints concerning
the two organizations.
But is it a fair decision? Is it reasonable to
exclude TC and SKM’s fee just because,
according to the two organizations, they have
not yet cleared their financial statement for only
one semester?
In an article published in The Catalyst, Vol
XXXIII (June 2008), TC have cleared the issue
with regards to their financial condition,
mentioning the funds that weren’t released for
the past three semesters and the transparency
they are implementing inside the organization.
Moreover, Jan Paolo Austero, Vice President
SKM said that the SKM is doing its best to
comply with the Internal Audit’s condition.
“Ang pinakadahilan talaga niyan,
pangunahing kritiko ng administrasyon ang
SKM.”
Paolo Austero,
Vice President, SKM
In an isolated interview with TC and SKM,
both affirmed that the Administration has been
doing all these things to hinder the organization
in criticizing them.”Ang nangyayaring ito ay
form ng repression” Llanto said. “Definitely,
repression ’to” Austero seconded.
For a long time TC and SKM has been
invoking actions that thoroughly review the
proceedings taken by the administration. And
from the way things are going, it can be
deduced that administration has gone weary
with these pretty business and, let’s say, found
a way to keep these organizations at bay. To
hold their funds is to paralyze and to keep them
AMALIA TAMAYO
shut. “Pinipilayan kami ng administrasyon”
Llanto even said.
But, then again, this is a different case.
Because this is PUP, the administration might
be wrong.
This is PUP
Aktibista. This has been the brand of
university’s culture, a culture that is imparted
up to almost its present successor. Everyone
who’s trained to be a student leader here in PUP
is immersed in this situation of domination,
cultivated in a manner that just one wrong move
will force them to bring the issue along in
corridors and even on major streets. And this
is how we handle things.
No one can stop an organization who has,
ever since, known how to play these games of
despotism. The administration may have the
power to control crucial part of these
organizations, but it can never stop the business
of these groups – to function in the service of
the studentry.
“Being a student leader is serving. Patuloy
kaming lalaban.”
-Austero
“Matagal na kaming walang pera. Hindi
nila kami mapapahinto ng ganito lang. Hindi
kami takot.”
-Llanto
September 2008
CE Celebrates Pearl Anniversary
30th day, ERC to top main events
JOHN PAUL MURILLO
FOUNDED in year 1979, the College
of Engineering (CE) will celebrate its
30th anniversary this coming February
2009.
With the theme “30 Years of
Academic Excellence towards Total
Engineering Education for the People,”
the entire engineering community:
administrators, professors, students
and even alumni are collaborating for
the success of this once in a lifetime
event.
As a share, the CE-Student
Council, College Consultative Board
and the different academic
organizations team up in the
preparation of the would-be biggest
celebration of the College. Every 30th
day of the month, different academic
organization will hold a variety of
events as a way of informing the
students and a countdown for the main
celebration.
The CE Research and
Development Office will also host its
2nd Engineering Research Conference
(ERC).
Year two
Being one of the highlights of the
celebration and with plans of making
it bigger, ERC intends to invite national
and international professionals in the
industry of engineering from various
colleges and universities promoting the
theme, “Forging Synergistic
Partnership with the Global Industry
through Market-Driven Research
Initiatives.”
Lost and Found.../p.12
“May nagagamit naman, yun
nga lang minsan sira. Kahit nga by
group kulang pa din.” Shery-lyn, an
Electronics and Communications
Engineering (ECE) student
commented.
In the Past
Sixteen years ago, Japan
International Cooperating Agency
(JICA) bestowed Php240 million
worth of equipment to the college.
But it did not stand the test of
time.
“May 2 6 o s c i l l o s c o p e s
donated by JICA…as time passes
by, nasisira dahil na rin sa
katandaan. Since hindi nga
nadadagdagan, nung pumasok
akong lab head more or less 13 na
lang yung natira na pinilit na
lamang i-maintain. Apat na taon
akong naging lab head, at nang
umalis ako pito na lang ‘yung
oscilloscope,” Engr. Marianito
Gallego, ECE former laboratory
head said.
Lab fee, what for?
These are apparent
manifestations of lack of
equipment. But every semester
engineering students are paying
the so-called “laboratory fee.”
Ms. Marissa Legazpi, Vice
President for Finance (VPF) said
that the collected laboratory fee
is used for the procurement and
maintenance of laboratory
equipments, where it is supposed
to be spent.
But Ms. Legaspi also said that
the collected fees from the cashier
were accumulated as a whole and
therefore, there is no specific
allocation for laboratory needs.
Any necessity of the laboratory
is provided through request of
laboratory heads.
The committee for the conference
is proposing for it to be held in
different locations such as in St.
Benilde, but Engr. Marianito P.
Gallego, head of the College of
Engineering Research and
Development and also the chairman
of the ERC, asserts to showcase our
own facility and still conduct it here
in our University.
Unlike the 1st ERC’s five day
event, the 2nd ERC will be two days
shorter. Engr. Gallego pointed out that
it is for the presenters to concentrate
more on their research paper.
Ergonomics, Safety Engineering,
Information and Communication
Technology, Transportation and
Traffic Management, Structural
Review, Material Science, Micro-
Structural Engineering, Medical and
Bio-medical Electronics,
Microelectronics, Spintronics and
Robotics are some of the thrusts and
prior research concern of the said
conference.
Monthly endeavor
Engineering students will be
expecting to see various activities
during the 30th day of the month,
starting July up to January 30,
conducted by the academic
organizations. The activities will serve
as a way of countdown to the main
celebration and also aims to enlighten
the community of the rich history of
the College.
Philippine Institute of the
Industrial Engineering (PIIE) hosted
the first 30th day event where they
According to Engr. Guillermo
Bernabe, Civil Engineering (CE)
laboratory head, that while they are
requesting for the pieces of equipment,
“ginagawan na namin ng paraan,
minsan sariling bulsa, kailangang
self-supporting, tumutulong naman
ang student organization, supportive
naman sila at may initiative,” he said.
“Hindi naibibigay [equipments],
kahit ilang beses ng mag-request, kaya
maliit na lang ang nire-request,” Engr.
Alexander Carrascal, ECE laboratory
head said.
In a sheet of paper, written are
the unchanging pleas of lab heads
about their laboratory needs. “’Yung
mga request ten years pa bago
dumating,” Laga stated.
VPF Legaspi explained that the
reason for the slow processing of the
request is the low budget at hand and
on the availability of funds for the
laboratories.
“Imposible, kahit paano meron,”
Legaspi asserts regarding on the
statement of some lab heads that they
are not acquiring any equipment.
Engr. Perez stressed out, “Hindi
naman sa walang naibibigay,
[nabibigay naman] ‘yung mga
expendables tulad ng contact cleaners,
fuse, wires, ‘yung mga consumables,
pero ‘yung mga equipment, wala.”
Due to insufficient budget, VPF
Legaspi explained that they are more
prioritizing the urgent needs, basic
needs such as electricity and water to
maintain the utilities. “Hindi lang iyon
[laboratory] ang consideration sa
paggastos,” she pointed out.
Laboratory fee cannot be allocated
for its particular use because it is just
a tiny fraction of the whole budget.
“Hindi pwede i-allocate, abonado pa
sa koleksyon ng lab fee ang admin,
kulang pa talaga, dinadagdagan
pa,”she ended.
NEWS
started the countdown with the theme
“Engineering: 30° Elevating,
Countdown to Celebrate,” which was
led by CE Dean Manuel Muhi and
Prof. Adelio Sulit, chairperson of IE
department.
Likewise, Association of
Concerned Computer Engineering
Students for Service (Access) put
up an exhibit highlighting CE’s
achievements from the previous
years and a video presentation
about the College’s history with
the theme of, “3D Imagineer1ng:
3 Decades of Excellence. 1
Engineering College.”
Ecess and EEN will be taking their
part on the next two consecutive
months with the plan of presenting
different successful researches made
by the students and of conducting a
film showing.
Intensive Planning
For the 30 th year, CE has
scheduled a series of activities
following the flow of the traditional
College Week except for some changes
making the celebration more
remarkable.
A Holy Mass and an Opening
Program would kick off the main event
to be participated by a number of
students and faculties.
Something to look forward to are
the awarding of the outstanding
students, faculties, alumni and
feasibilities, series of informative
seminars and educational films
(documentaries), and the alumni
homecoming.
Be Better Served
As a result of these
predicaments, probable solutions
were initiated by the laboratory
heads. Allocating budget for the
laboratory needs every year for
where it is supposed to be used is
one of the best options according to
Engr. Carrascal.
“Para gumanda ang equipment,
taasan ang budget,” Engr. Edwin
Esperanza said.
“Maliit ang lab fee, Oo, hindi
ako pabor tumaas ang mga
bayarin pero kung may
kalalagyan naman, okay lang,”
CE-Student Council treasurer Ma.
Cynthia Esquivel (EE IV)
affirmed.
Moreover, laboratory heads
are giving much effort in
maintaining the laboratories. Just
as some students have the
initiatives to have fund raising like
Bingo to acquire laboratory
equipment. They are also hoping
and asking for some donations in
the industry.
In the meantime, “President
[Dr. Dante Guevara] encourages
everyone to indulge in an IGP
[income generating project] para
makapagpundar para sa
pangangailangan ng kolehiyo,”
VPF Legaspi said.
E n g r. M a r i a n i t o G a l l e g o
stressed out this question, “Sino
ang maninindigan at magte-take
ng responsibility in doing the first
action?” as he challenged CEans
to initiate in doing such changes
for the college.
With this, CEans are looking
forward for the genuine concern
and action from the administration
in moving further the good of the
students by providing them
enough laboratory equipment.
Spectrum 11
SMART extends SWEEP.../p.12
DEAL!
Signing the memorandum of agreement between PUP and Smart
Communications (from left) Dean Manuel Muhi, Pres. Dante
Guevarra, Mar Tamayo and Darwin Flores affirm the continuation of
SMART Engineering Education Program. photo by AMALIA TAMAYO
Wireless and Broadband Equipment.
“We are encouraged by the aggressiveness of PUP students to learn more”
Mr. Mar Tamayo, Engineering Head SMART Comm. Inc. remarked on the day
of contract signing.
According to Muhi, SWEEP phase two beneficiary will be more likely the
CoE department since it is more inclined with computer and networking. “Puro
software kasi, pang CoE talaga” Muhi reiterated.
Engr. Remedios Ado, CoE department head also expresses approval with
the new arrangement, “[nagbe-]benefit both parts, natatransfer sa’ten yung
technology, in return, yung mga graduates natin when they go out [in the
college] hindi na nila kailangan ng training dahil dito pa lang trained na sila.”
Muhi Urges Qualifying Exam
CHESTER MIGUEL
TO improve the quality of engineering “Dapat lang naman talaga,”
graduates, College of Engineering (CE) Engr. Napoleon Dela Cruz,
Dean Manuel Muhi ordered the full chairperson of Civil Engineering
and strict implementation of the department pointed out with regards
student qualifying examination (SQE) on the strict compliance for dismissal
to all incoming third year students. of students. “Kasi may nag-istay
SQE is given to incoming third dito ng seven years, eight years, nine
year students with general weighted years na hindi naman talaga dapat,”
average of 2.5 and below excluding PE he continued.
and NSTP and those who failed the Miko Berroya (CE III), SQE
standards of their respective curricular passer, in accordance with the
programs. examination said, “Dapat
Every end of the school year, CE pagdaanan [‘yung SQE], para
through the various departments masukat kung natuto ba ang mga
conduct a scholastic evaluation to all estudyante sa paaralan.”
incoming juniors for the purpose of Scholastic Evaluation Committee
assessing their academic performance. created by the college Dean was
SQE coordinator Engr. Guillermo responsible for developing the
Bernabe said that the assessment will questionnaire, implementation and
boost student’s performance, for the attainment of the guidelines.
especially in board examinations. Mathematics subjects such as
Last year, 86.56% passed the Algebra, Trigonometry, Analytic
assessment and were qualified to Geometry, Calculus, as well as
continue in their chosen degree Physical Science such as Chemistry
program. While the other 13.44% left, and Physics are contents of the SQE
became candidates for dismissal from questions.
the College. These initiatives, among others
Students who failed to take and are being urged by the College to
pass the exam were given a chance by produce quality graduates who are
some department heads to enroll for globally competitive in technical
3rd year curriculum. However, if they knowledge and skills and, at the
failed to pass their respective major same time, transform CE to become
subjects, they will definitely be a center of excellence in engineering
removed from the college. education.
New Handbook.../p.12
Revision of handbook has started long before Prof. Jaime Gutierrez, Director
of Student Services take part as a Chair of the committee, together with its
members.
Among the committee was Faculty Regent Anastacio Gabriel, Student
Regent Ma. Sophia Prado, members Atty. Fernando Peòa, Atty. Felipe Cahayon
and Prof. Dindo Manuel Bautista, consultants Prof. Albino Amoguis and Henrie
Enaje and Committee Secretary Prof. Jimmy Dollaga.
Series of individual and group deliberations happened during the revision
of 1999 Student Handbook. The output of discussions has then forwarded to
different concerned offices in the University for their comments and suggestions.
Such offices who reviewed the handbook were the offices of vice presidents
for Administration Finance, Academic Affairs, Research and Development and
Student Services. Other offices were Coordinating Director, Legal Office,
University Center for Cultural and Arts, Registrar and Admission, Ninoy Aquino
Library and Learning Research Center, Guidance and Counseling Office, Internal
Audit, security force, and students.
SHRC editor Dr. Milagros Canares did the final editing prior to the
discussions done with the said offices. It was presented to the Office of the
President, Office of the Vice President and Board of Regents for approval and
subsequent formal reproduction.
Few Words
Gutierrez encourages every PUPians to understand and absorb what was
written in the handbook not just to have it. “Rights, privileges and responsibilities
for freedom and rights to be heard and to be informed were written… it will
serves as your bible throughout your stay in the University,” he added.
Aside from a ready reference material, it also proposes a glance into the
workings of the PUP academic community and place of the seekers of knowledge
in our educational mainstream.
On top of these, Prof. Gutierrez said that the student will likewise receive
their copy of the newly revised student handbook before this semester ends.
12
Spectrum
PUP Libraries welcome Athena
RONALD JAMES MELAD
TECHNOLOGY proved once again
that there is no hindrance when it
comes to information propagation.
Online database resources were
officially launched exclusively to
school officials and college deans at
the ICT Lobby of Ninoy Aquino
Library Learning Resource Center
(Nallrc), July 18.
Powered by Athena system-
software, these electronic references
served as a complement to books
available in libraries which will enable
students to have quick access on
information.
On the said launch, GALE
CEngage Learning and the C-E Logic
(an affiliate of C&E Publishing)
introduced how these references make
gathering information truly efficient.
Preface of the system is presented
subsequently to faculties of the
university as well in a series of
seminars for different colleges having
a satellite library.
The seminar happened on July
24, in the College of Engineering and
Architecture Audio Visual Room
(CEA-AVR), is one of it and still joined
by CE Logic and some library officials.
On the implementation of these
resources, eBooks and eJournal’s link
was also created in PUP website.
Better Library
To fully discuss matters governing
the scheme, PUP library officials went
to a 3-day Conference with C-E Logic
and other associates in City Garden
Suites, Manila, from July 23 to 25.
The event’s theme was:
“Conference on Information Access:
Internet and Libraries,” and among
the topics discussed there are The
Internet Manifesto in a Library,
Barriers to Internet Access,
Censorship and Internet Use in
Philippine Libraries, and Philippine
Librarianship Updates.
As a participant in the said
conference, Marcela Figura, Chief of
BREAKDOWN
RONALD ALLAN MADLA
FOR 30 years of its existence,
College of Engineering (CE) has
produced more than thousands of
competitive engineers in the field.
These engineers, who are currently
facing the real world, have been
honed in the same laboratories that
exist several years ago and up ‘til
now.
So, what has been the problem?
In the field of engineering, it is
mandatory to have latest and
functional laboratories that could
explicitly provide learning access in
the recent trends of technology and
science. Engineering is defined as the
application of scientific principles
and it is only in laboratories that
illustration by ALEXANDER DEFEO
Technical Services in Nallrc proudly
said that we are the first state
university to have such technological
advancement with CE Logic.
She also asserted that everybody
(referring to all officials of PUP) has
the credit of making this project
feasible. Also, Director of Nallrc Mona
Lisa Lueb said, “it has been one of our
plans [for library].”
eLibraries in Construction
“yun [eLibraries] ay di pa fully
implemented,” said Lueb. She pointed
out that as of the moment, libraries of
PUP could only offer eBooks and
eJournals online and a few units are
installed in Nallrc only.
She even stressed: “Before
December ang plan [start of
operation], pero madaming
intervening factors like budget.” She
also affirmed that eLibraries will be
first to establish in Nallrc and Satellite
Libraries are to follow.
Moreover, the director believed
that soon as the facilities like
computers are purchased, putting eLib
up would be easy since electronic
references are readily available and
renewable every year.
Setting Boundaries
According to Sonia Amigable,
CEA Librarian, freshmen are the only
students to have an access to online
database resources in libraries of PUP
starting October 1.
She pointed out that since the SIS
(Student Information System) fee is
paid during the freshmen enrollment,
the unbound use of electronic
references is granted to them by every
library in the campus.
To make things clear, Director
Lueb stressed out that the trial period
is only from June 1 to Sept. 30. She
even added, everybody can have an
access between those dates but it will
be a freshman privilege afterwards.
Lost and Found
The fee that goes no near the LAB
these theories and concepts are proven
to be true.
And to sustain these laboratories,
we, aspiring engineers, are paying the
laboratory fee. But, as of the status of
these facilities, it is necessary to ask
where do these payments go?
Sad truth
In a group laboratory activity, it
is ordinary to notice that one or two
will conduct the experiment while the
others simply observe, make
conversation and even worst, sleep.
Because equipment is inadequate,
some students tend to be impassive
when it comes to experimentation.
Sadly, this is the common laboratory
NEWS
POWDER, ANYONE?
College of Engineering Fire Marshall Engr. Nathan
Gacute exhibited how should one deal with fire ever
it may arise. Led by Dean Manuel Muhi and SF02
Edgardo Raya, College of Engineering conducted its
Fire Drill in pursuance of a city ordinance on
September 5, 2008.
Photo by Edmar Mangahas
Familiarizing the System
As posted on the internet and
tarpaulins in every library of PUP,
All pertinent information in books
possible may be retrieved online
with the help of its databases.
Furthermore, these ads
showcased that aside from
providing an efficient access to
information, Online Database
Resources offer benefits like
covering a greater, wider variety of
topics and saving shelf space.
They showed however that
these resources also have some
limitations. It contains some data
that are subjective and unreliable,
contents disappear without prior
notice and some authors are not
stated.
They also say that system has
been adapted by different libraries
in the country and even offices, to
bring out the best of information
t r a n s f e r. A s F i g u r a s a y s ,
“Importante na talaga ngayon sa mga
libraries ang merong ganito, kung
tutuusin medyo late na nga tayo.”
scene in the college.
With this, students and
laboratory heads have commented
over the downgrading and
malfunctioning laboratory
equipments due to old age and
intense use.
“Kulang sa tester, voltmeter,
and ammeter. By groups ang
paggamit ng mga estudyante, hindi
kaya ng paisa-isa,” Engr. Vilma
Perez, laboratory head of Electrical
Engineering (EE) said.
Aside from the lack of facilities,
Thea, an EE student lamented on
the unavoidable fall down of
apparatus, “Yung
oscilloscope,kailangan pang
pukpukin para gumana ulit.”
Moreover, Engr. Josephine
Laga, IE Laboratory Head called
attention to the noticeable lack of
equipment, “’Yung IE Lab, reading
center na rin, 10 years na iyong
ibang pc [personal computer] kaya
mahirap na ayusin, pinagsasama-
sama ang mga parte na okay pa,
iyong pwede pang magamit, para
makabuo ulit ng isa pang pc.”
At present, students find it hard
to cope up with their laboratory
classes because of the insufficient
facilities available for use.
LOST and found.../p.11
September 2008
SMART extends SWEEP for
another phase
AMALIA TAMAYO
AS a continuance of giving back ten years of its business success, SMART
Communications Inc. signed another contract for the extension of Smart Wireless
Engineering Education Program (SWEEP) (Phase II) last August 28 at the
president’s office.
With the cooperation of PUP Administration, PUP president Dante
Guevarra and Dean Manuel Muhi, SMART under a memorandum of agreement
will soon be providing the college with wireless technology.
“SMART SWEEP is an industry linkage of PUP, particularly College of
Engineering in relation with the latest trends in technology.” Dean Manuel
Muhi said in an interview. “linkage sa latest technology na ginagamit sa industry
ngayon” he added.
SWEEP is a project of SMART that aims to equip universities in Metro
Manila with various telecommunications equipment and to provide technical
and hands-on training for the faculty member.
In the college, SWEEP (Phase I) has started way back in May 2003 with
the ECE Department as the beneficiary. “…extension lang (ito) ng phase
I”.Phase two of SWEEP, however, focuses on the latest technological
advancement in computer and communications.” Muhi said.
Part of the agreement is the donation of three computers, 20 Sendfar access
point equipment, wireless broadband equipment and a router.
Moreover, the company will provide the faculty trainings with series of
seminars that tackles the following: Internetworking Fundamentals,
Transmission Control Protocol/Internat Protocol (TCP/IP), Voice over Internet
Protocol (VoIP), 3G Sytems and more about installation and configuration of
SMART extends SWEEP../p.11
New Handbook on Release
R M M
OSE AY AGNAYE
FINALLY.
Student Handbook Revision Committee (SHRC) has productively
completed the revision of student handbook. With more emphasis on the rights
of students, the newly modified handbook will soon be given out this semester.
Modified Substance
Upholding its traditional mission based on its founding philosophy SHRC
has proposed changes that will significantly enhance the realization of mission
in the milieu of a total university.
Added in the handbook are the 10 Point Vision towards a Total University
and Core Values that aims to transform PUP to become a comprehensive
education powerhouse through its effective and efficient delivery of a globalized
quality of educational development that will lead to the development of the
university.
In close coordination of the committee, they also recommended a new
grading requirement to students seeking for honors such that to be Suma Cum
Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude, his or her weighted average must be
1.0-1.25, 1.26-1.50, and 1.51-1.75, respectively.
“Nagkaroon ng committee para mag-review ng grades, itinama yong
arrangement ng grades, tumaas ang interval para mas beneficial sa students,”
Prof. Gutierrez explained.
Still, every candidate for honors must have no final grade lower than 2.5
and Incomplete in any academic and non-academic subjects prescribed in the
curriculum.
University Disciplinary Measures (Section 17) was further explained in
the new handbook. It is for the students to know the corresponding disciplinary
sanctions and penalties subjected upon them.
Handbook also includes matters of concern under headings such as general
directives, social norms, registration and academic loadings, scholarships, grading
system, graduation requirements, university disciplinary measures, accredited
student organizations policies and other relevant information.
Extensive process
After the long and thorough reviewing of the handbook, the committee has
produced a comprehensive revised handbook for the students.
NEW Handbook.../p.11