AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2010 8 STARTING BLOKE....FROM P. 2


PEOPLE’S CORNER


The rain clouds swelled


that afternoon. My umbrella had just been turned inside- out, thanks to a strong gust of wind on my way to lunch yesterday. What a drag. For the remaining working hours on the 38th  oor, I studied and veri ed details of a company’s major event until a realization came up: I never knew one corporate year felt that long. The epiphany struck a


chord. It could only mean that for most of the past 365 days, I had sulked in a cubicle that begged me to sit in a chair for protracted periods of time— or maybe because I had not been able to be in Dumaguete, and of course, Silliman University. One year may


when I have to face the reality of “No attendance, no pay.” Was not visiting Dumaguete


something I had to helplessly resign myself to? When each day dragged like a heavy foot, I found my graduation vow broken due to the demands of pedestrian living: the morning traf c, the evening traf c, the unpredictable weather, the next sweldo, the balance dues, the thinning hair. Whereas in the past, all


I had been thinking of were my professors, my grades, my extracurricular activities’ extracurricular activities, my confidante’s idle talks, my


and sorrow that provided a sharp contrast of color to our of ce building’s solid grey. The separation is necessary.


One must detach oneself from the City to relive what makes the place so fascinating, so recognizable, yet fresh in every boulevard sunrise. Through this one sacri ce,


love, and longing continue for the City. And when the time to return comes, one will learn that every second of waiting was worth it. For if there is one thing I


will hate for Dumaguete to appear in my eyes, it is jaded familiarity.


not be a big deal for some, but it is for me. After graduation, I had committed to visit the City at least once a year for both reasonable and unreasonable excuses: catch up with dear acquaintances, tie loose ends (or feign good manners to people once or forever scorned), walk in the safe familiarity of the streets, cleanse the lungs off concrete dust, immerse in vibrant arts and culture like returning to the University’s national writers workshop, among many other things. This time, none of those


happened. Yes, opportunities to momentarily get away from work did sprout but they were mere dots in the bigger picture of sanity and practicality. In the end, I had to be back in the of ce at 8:00 a.m., Mondays to Fridays. “No ID, No entrance” is now the least of my concerns


PACMAN....FROM P. 1


divisions, and the  rst boxer in the history to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes, said his vision is clear: “I want to be remembered, not just a world class boxer, but as a passionate servant leader.” “Champions are not afraid


of storms, winners are not afraid of problems, leaders are not afraid of challenges, lawyers are not afraid of arguments, while eagles do not only survive in the boxing ring, they win world titles. They do not only deliver speeches, they deliver services,” Pacquiao said. “Champions do not rely


A new umbrella, among other things


allowance for my perennially- starving Ben. I was now channeling the mind of a brow- beaten man who needed to see where his tax money went. But just as it seemed that


the dregs of my ideals had been terribly stirred, I discovered them slowly descending into the bottom, finding peace. There must be more to this life than complaints. Thankfully, I was right. If not for the 12 full moons


that had drifted along with me whenever I trudged back home from work, I wouldn’t be longing for the City of Gentle People that badly, and I wouldn’t be thinking of going back. Even though the stronghold


of memories would always arrest me in many unexpected t imes, i t al lowed me to complete a mosaic of laughter


alumni who had just  nished a three-mile walk at the university’s east quadrangle, met the champ and had the  rst of a string of photo ops for the day. “This is my lucky day,”


gushed a fan. “Who would have thought we would have this chance to meet Manny Pacquiao?” Pacquiao, in a dapper barong Tagalog, looked pretty much at home amid the company of sweaty fitness buffs in their exercise attire. T h e h i g h p o i n t o f


walk the hallways, the stretch of grass of my college, and see students fresh from the school year’s first midterm exams all giddy for the Founders celebration, unmindful of some teachers still deciphering the relevance of a rock concert and beauty pageant completing the week-long event’s lineup of activities. That’s a fact. Yes, I can say it will be a


Now, it is August. I will soon


and other private institutions that do not in any way adhere to a particular religion that abhors pregnancy out of wedlock. But if they are going to insist


on a particular theology, religion precept for that matter which insists on high standards of morality and decency, that is an exercise of religion. Therefore, it contradicts the freedom of religion of a constitution in a community. A Catholic school’s role is to


ends when the impingement of the human rights of individuals begin. This was the reason why the law was passed because of instances where society looked down on women because their decisions do not conform with what is believed to be morally right by some sectors.” The opposing congressman


teach the Catholic faith and to inculcate in its students Catholic morals. Extramarital sex is wrong according to its moral theology. It is, therefore, a practice of the Catholic faith to impose sanctions on those who violate this moral teaching, among them, the denial of the privilege to teach or to study at a Catholic school. A pr ivat e educ a t iona l


institution has the freedom to choose whom to teach and who shall be allowed to teach. These people should be those who adhere to religion and standards of morality. So it’s just simple. Don’t enroll in a Catholic school if you do not want to follow their rules,” explained the congressman. One of the authors of the law,


however, pointed out that the issue was not about violating academic freedom of educational institutions but the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. “The right of academic institutions


also believes that letting pregnant students or teachers stay in school will create negative effects on other students. “If you allow her to stay, it will create so much confusion, ant ipathy, and antagonism. The concern is not only her, but the community. This goes for teachers who should be worthy of emulation. If they get pregnant out of wedlock, they will no longer be in compliance of their principal responsibility of being role models to the students.” Balawid also reported that


St. Scholastica College of Manila imposed the leave of absence policy on unmarried pregnant students which allowed them to re-enroll after giving birth and undergoing counseling. However, in compliance with


Jesus taught us is compassion. This dictates that we don’t expel a student who’s suddenly in a quandary because she got pregnant and she’s not married, and is going to give birth to a child who will not have a father…Its all about being humane, compassionate and giving the much-needed second chances.” The genesis of our University


Town was laid down by two of the oldest universities in our country, one founded by Protestant missionaries and another by Cathol i c nuns. Foundat ion Universi ty, a non-sectar ian institution may be characterized as conservative, meaning, it strictly adheres to traditional standards of conduct and moral values. Which makes me ask the


the Magna Carta, the LOA is now optional. The pregnant girl may continue going to school until two week before her due date, in which case, she will  le for a leave of absence. The SSCM dean of students


said: “We are a Catholic school and one of the major values that


Republic of the Philippines


Regional Trial Court of Negros Oriental 7th Judicial Region


Branch 63 Bayawan City


homecoming of some sorts for me, especially that I know a lot of people who have also weighed and decided the gravity of a much-needed break. I am not sure if they have  led for a vacation leave or went AWOL, as I can recall someone doing the latter before, unstoppable despite the most urgent delivery date or deadline, but I guess it was


TO PAGE 10


the number one pound-for- pound boxer in the world, said. Like his boxing style,


In the matter of cancellation of birth record of Dexie Cadiz Babor under registry No. 332 (C) 93 and correction of entries as to sex from male to FEMALE, date of birth from Jan. 18, 1982 to DECEMBER 18, 1982, and date of marriage of parents from June 20, 1958 to JUNE 26, 1958, and indicating the middle name of the father as AMARANTE and maiden name of the mother as JAPIN under registry no. 120(H) – 82 in the records of birth of Dexie Cadiz Babor a.k.a. Dexie Cadiz Bador


Dexie Cadiz Babor, Petitioner -versus- The Local Civil Registrar of Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, Respondent x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - / ORDER


question: “What is our University Town’s attitude towards teen pregnancy?” Do we have a collective and shared mindset regarding this social problem which, because of the provisions of the Marna Carta of Women, challenge our traditional beliefs about young people indulging in premarital sex and suffering the consequences of this behavior? As an academic community,


we pride ourselves as champions of environmental ethics. But where are we positioned in terms of human ethics? To answer this question, there is an urgent need for all of us in academe to break out from the walls of our campuses, parochial turfs, and mindsets, come together and address this issue of youth sexual behavior. I dread the thought that one


day, we shall have adopted the model in other countries where a girl, upon reaching the age of menarche, is advised to take contraceptive pills. I shudder at the thought that one day, our school clinics will be dispensing “morning-after pills” to girls and condoms to boys. There must be a sensible and


Spec. Proc. No. 332


intelligent way to confront and solve this urgent problem. Will somebody in University Town take the initiative to lead?


Petitioner in her veri ed petition alleges that she was born on Dec. 18, 1982 at


Barangay San Francisco, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, and her fact of birth was duly recorded before the Of ce of the Municipal Civil Registrar of Sta. Catalina Oriental. However, Petitioner found out recently that her birth was registered twice under Registry No. 120 (H)- 82 and under Registry No. 332 (C) 83, both registered at the Local Civil Registrar at Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental. However, in the records of birth under Local Civil Registry No. 120 (H)- 82, the entries as to her sex were entered as male instead of FEMALE, her date of birth was entered as June 20, 1958 instead of JUNE 26, 1958, and the middle name of her father and the maiden of her mother where not indicated which is AMARANTE and JAPIN, respectively. Thus, this Petition. The Petition being suf cient in form and substance let the same be heard


Pacquiao’ s speech was characterized by direct one- liners which drew a hearty applause from the mostly student crowd. College Law dean Mikhail


Lee Maxino said Pacquiao exemplifies hardwork and perseverance, dedication and humility.


on what they knew years ago. They have to keep learning, to constantly update themselves, the number one pound-for- pound boxer in the world, said. Like his boxing style,


Pacquiao’ s speech was characterized by direct one- liners which drew a hearty applause from the mostly student crowd. College Law dean Mikhail


Lee Maxino said Pacquiao exemplifies hardwork and perseverance, dedication and humility. He came, he was seen, and


he was loved. A crowd of adoring fans


couldn’t help but mob and applaud Filipino boxing icon and Saranggani Representative Emmanuel D. Pacquiao when he breezed into Dumaguete for several speaking engagements last Thursday. From the moment he


stepped off the plane from Manila, Pacquiao, who came to Silliman on the invitation of the SU College of Law, the College of Education and the National Service Training Program, was stopped every step of the way for photos, autographs and handshakes. From the airport, Pacquiao


motored to the home of SU President Dr. Ben Malayang III for breakfast. But before he could enter the President’s home, a group of Masscom


Pacquiao’s visit was a speaking engagement at 10 a.m. at the Luce Auditorium, where he spoke on the University’s 109th Founder’s Day theme “Raised on Eagle’s Wings”. “There’s an eagle inside


us waiting to be discovered, waiting to be developed,” Pacquiao said. Pacquiao said he discovered


the eagle in him in the midst of poverty, but did not allow the adversities and difficulties in life from pursuing and reaching his dreams. He said he remained


focused regardless of the obstacles and did not remove his focus from the target until he was able to grab it. Pacquiao, a 7-division


The Foundation University community


world champion, the first boxer in history to win nine world titles in seven different weight divisions, and the  rst boxer in the history to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes, said his vision is clear, “I want to be remembered, not just a world class boxer, but as a passionate servant leader.” “Champions are not afraid


of storm, winners are not afraid of problems, leaders are not afraid of challenges, lawyers are not afraid of arguments while eagles do not only survive in the boxing ring, they win world titles. They do not only deliver speeches, they deliver services,” Pacquiao said. “Champions do not rely


on what they knew years ago. They have to keep learning, to constantly update themselves,


announces with deep sadness the passing of its former Trustee


Pilar Sinco-Schnack


Aug. 15, 1930-Aug. 23, 2010 in Virginia, U.S.A.


She is survived by her daughter Mia Schnack-Seat. We ask the pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of her soul.


* For legal notices, display advertisements, and subscriptions, please call (35) 422-5161 or 225-0992.


on Oct. 14, 2010 at 10:00 in the morning at the session hall of this Court along Severino “Nene” Martinez St., Bayawan City. Interested parties are hereby enjoined to appear on the aforesaid date, time, and place and show cause why the Petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published immediately at the expense of the Petitioner for


once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Negros Oriental and its  ve component cities. Let copies of this Order be furnished to the Of ce of the Solicitor General,


the Municipal Civil Registrar of Basay, Negros Oriental, the Petitioner, and her counsel., So ordered. Given in Chamber this 24th day of August, 2010 at Bayawan


City, Negros Oriental.


(Sgd.) Ananson E. Jayme Presiding Judge


MetroPost August 29 • September 5 • September 12• 2010


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