Jasmin Lorraine Tan Character Profile

The underdog takes it all
By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

The underdog has turned into a monster, and if you are Jasmin Lorraine Tan, it's a good thing.

Tan, a 20-year old graduating Journalism student from Bulacan State University (BulSU) marks history before she leaves her Alma matter. Being the first Journalism major who takes the role of being the editor-in-chief of Pacesetter, BulSU's official student publication, she also serves as the "curse breaker" as the publication she leads once again reigned as champions after three years of placing second at the prestigious 13th Regional Higher Education Press Conference. After bagging gold medals for the Sports Writing, Devcomm and Opinion Writing English category, and for coming out as the individual highest pointer, the officials of the competition labeled Tan as a "monster".

"Beyond what words can describe," Tan explained her feelings after their big success. "Kailangan naming mag-champion, `yon talaga mindset ko."

Tan also expressed her joy for emerging as champions despite some people telling her that their batch is the weakest editorial board in Pacesetter history. But that wasn't the case when she was younger. Tan even believes that she has an unfortunate childhood, for she always struggled in reaching for her dreams. Tan finished her high school from Holy Spirit Academy and during her stay in the campus, she experienced being rejected from their school publication three times.

"Kahit sa mga essay writing contest within the school lang, hindi ako nag-pe-place," she said.

However, the rejection didn't disheartened her. During her freshman year in BulSU, she applied as a staffer in Pacesetter. This time, she finally made it in the cut. For a year, she became a newbie staff, a senior writer during her sophomore year and fortunately, she became the literary editor on her third year in the publication. But her time came during her senior year as she bested her other staffers for the EIC position. She became the first Journalism student to lead the publication.

Still, Tan has regrets during her four year stay in Pacesetter. "Kung gaano `yong tinagal ko sa Peys [Pacesetter] ngayong EIC na ko eh `yong dinalang ko naman no'ng literary editor ako. Sana mas naging malapit ako sa mga bata para hindi sila naiilang i-approach ako," Tan said.

Looking back, Tan said that she didn't expect to achieve everything she has won now. "Last year, ninth place lang ako sa Sports Writing," Tan said.

She then explained her "secret" for her success. "`Yong sports editor kasi naming noon, si Kuya Shin Jalothot, parati kaming pinagsusulat ng sports news."

Aside from being a trusted student-journalist, Tan is also an achiver in her academics. She is running for cum laude. She shared how she balanced her two responsibilities. "Nag-aaral ako sa acads at kapag papadilim na, saka ako mag-e- edit," she explained.

Inspite of her achievements, Tan admitted that her journey to success has never been easy. It was a road of tears and laughter, sucess and failure. But she gets her strength from the people who believes in her. "Sing dami ng iniisip ko ang mga taong sumusuporta sa akin," she said. The number of people who support her is overwhelming, and Tan humbly said that Jasmine Lorraine Tan is composed of three things: appreciation, love and respect."

Despite a good future ahead of her after college, Tan plans to take a break for at least one month after graduation instead of applying for a job. "Buong student life ko naman eh pagod na pagod na pagod na ko kaya magpapahinga muna ako," Tan explained.

She plans to work in a magazine, or in a broadsheet that fits her degree but she doesn't have a specific company in mind yet. Five years from now, Tan said she sees herself as a successful woman. "Someone na hindi na umaasa sa pamilya. Someone na sumusuporta na sa pamilya."

Tan also shared her motto ever since she was young that keeps her motivated. "Never think that God's delay is God's denial," Tan said. All of Tan's struggle has paid off, and she was grateful for it.

"Bawi na lahat ng failure ko simula kinder," Tan joked.

Students remark Angat Dam Break drill as a failure

Students remark Angat Dam break drill as a failure

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

Seven out of 10 students who participated in the Angat Dam Break Drill last December 13 don't believe that the drill would be helpful in a real-life situation.

The drill was performed to calculate how long it would take for the students in Malolos area to reach Bulacan Sports Complex, the official evacuation center the local government has decided on to be the safest place in the province.

However, most of those who participated in the activity said it was only a waste of time. The reason varies but the top explanation given was the weak foundation of the drill.

"Feeling ko naman hindi magagawa `yong drill kapag bumaha talaga. Hindi ako maglalakad papuntang complex. Magko-commute ako," Michiko Pineda, a second year Mass communication student from Centro Escular University (CEU ) said.

When it comes to real-life situations, Graccielle Solomon, a third year Journalism student from Bulacan State University (BulSU) believes that no preparation can really prepare the people from the possible chaos the catastrophe may bring.

"Sa totoong buhay, hindi magiging kalmado ang mga tao. Hindi yata nasaalang- alang `yong possibility na puwedeng mag-panic ang mga tao. Paano kung magka- traffic? O kaya magkasakitan sa pag-uunahan makapunta sa safety?" Solomon said.

One more thing the students complained about is the lack of proper explanation and instruction about the drill.

"Ni-require kaming maglakad dahil walang klase. Alam naming Angat dam drill siya, pero hindi namin exactly alam kung para saan `yon o kung ano ba ang mangyayari," Krishna Sankrea from CEU shared.

If ever the Angat dam unfortunately gets broken, flash flood would affect different areas of Bulacan. But most students who didn’t participate in the drill don’t have any idea on what has transpired, and what could possibly take place in an unfortunate calamity.

“Nakita ko lang `yong mga schoolmates ko na naglalakad pero hindi ko alam kung bakit. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na tungkol pala `yon sa paghahanda kung sakaling gumuho ang Angat dam,” Melvin Wu, a fourth year BS Computer Science major said.

Wu also said that it seemed like the university has lacked in spreading awareness about the event to the student body.

“Bakit pili lang `yong mga major na nag-participate? Sana man lang nagkaroon ng program na tumatalakay sa Angat dam break. Nababasa ko siya sa Facebook pero mas okay sana kung mas mapapaliwanagan kami. Kung totoong malaking peligro siya, bakit kaya kaunti lang ang aware?” Rissyan Jeheili de Guzman, BS Education major said.

BulSU’s men’s Track and Field team wins back championship

BulSU’s men’s Track and Field team wins back championship

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

After having the taste of defeat last SCUAA-III, Bulacan State University’s men’s Track and Field team gets back with a bang this SCUAA-III 2014 which was held at Nueva Ecija University Science and Technology (NEUST) last January 6-10.

Out of the 48 gold medals the Track and Field team bagged, 24 of them were contributed by the men’s team. Additional to its huge achievement were six silver and three bronze medals.

After placing second last year, the men’s Track and Field team celebrated as it finally emerged as champions once again.

“Masaya kasi last year second place lang kami samantalang champion `yong women’s team,” Jomar Rosas, a gold medallist from the Track and Field men’s team said. “Ngayon, champion na pareho.”

Rosas, who placed second last year for the 800 meter sprint run, now placed first for the Distance event. He bagged the gold medal for beating his opponents with the record of finishing the 10 kilometer run at 36 minutes.

But the gold medallist said that being a winner doesn’t mean he can relax now.

“May tune-up games kami sa Benguet sa February. Kung ano’ng laro ang puwede at kung sino ang puwede naming makalaban, hindi pa namin alam,” Roses said. “Pero hindi kami puwedeng papetiks-petiks. Tuloy-tuloy dapat ang practice.”

Continuous practice after being hailed as champions doesn’t mean their hard works didn’t paid off.

“Bukod sa medal, may cash prize din. Secret na lang kung magkano, pero malaking tulong `yon sa’min,” Rosas shared.

Aside from the recognition and cash prize, the BulSU Gold Gears are also set to go to Baguio this February for their victory party, to be sponsored by the university.

Joe Clemente opens doors to the past

Joe Clemente opens doors to the past

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

(c) Chona Robles

Joe Clemente, a Bulakenyo art enthusiast gave the Journalism students from Bulacan State University a trip to the past through opening the gates of Ciudad Clemente, a resort and a museum in Paombong, Bulacan that has been an ancestral house for 75 years.

The museum is sheltering thousands of art pieces and antiques that are more than a hundred years old. The values of these pieces are as precious as they are. This is the reason why Clemente has yet to open the doors to his private collection.

“For security,” Clemente answered when asked why he has yet to open the room that leads to his reserved collection of antiques. “Pero darating din `yong panahon na bubuksan ko sa publiko ang private collection ko. Hindi pa lang ako handa ngayon,” he said.

Clemente favors collecting antiques over the modern designs and architectures this generation could offer because he believes that the past era is timeless, and that one must always remember his roots.

“May kasabihan tayo na “ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan,” Clemente said.

The art enthusiast also added that he wanted his fellow Bulakenyos to love their heritage through the arts he collects that show the Filipino culture way back in the past eras such as the Spanish time.

Because of the long history of the ancestral house, Clemente is strict when it comes to the restoration of the place because its architecture couldn’t be taken lightly, thus he monitors every material that is being used in the renovation.

Though Clemente is yet to show the world his own private collection of his antiques, he said that he is working on a book about it.

Bulacan government acts on illegal logging

Bulacan government acts on illegal logging

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

Facing heavy downpour in the mountain rails paid off as Provincial Multi-Sectoral Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force (PAILTF) succesfully seized some 3, 857 board feet of illegally cut logs in Sitio Ipo, San Mateo, Norzagaray town last July 17.

Under Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado's executive order last November 2012, PAILTF was formed along with Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) headed by Eugenio Payongayong, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Power Corporation, Angat Watershed Area under team leader Mendel Garcia, Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society, Philippine Military and Bulacan’s Philippine National Police and they were tasked to focus on fighting timber poachers.

Bro. Martin Francisco of Sagip Sierra Madre Environmental Society shared that during their operation, it was evident that the houses have just been abandoned by the occupants who probably ran away in fear of getting caught. But he still sees hope in capturing the fugitives.

“May mga sticker ng census sa bahay. Most probably makukuha natin ang pangalan ng may-ari ng bahay sa barangay,” Franciso said.

Mendel Garcia, of Angat Watershed Area said the confiscated cut logs are composed of white lauan, guijo, yakal and kamagong, all are prime species.

The seized hot logs, which are hard wood, were turned over to BENRO to be used in the production of chairs and tables for different schools in Bulacan.

The timber poachers, when caught, would get a punishment of not less than six years and one day in jail and depending on the gravity, it could lead up to twelve or eighteen years behind bars. Depending on the volume of the logs illegally cut, the offenders would also be fined charges.

PAILTF also shared that they passed a bill in the congress called Forest Resources Bill (FRB). The said bill is about allowing legal cutting of logs for our country’s wood industry.

“Pero sa tingin din namin na ang Pilipinas ay kulang na kulang sa gubat. Kaya minumungkahi naming isa hindi lang ang primary forest – `yong mga hindi pa nagagalaw na forest – sa commercial logging ang secondary forest – `yon `yong tinayo, tinamin at gubat na gubat na. Minumungkahi namin na isasama na rin `yon sa huwag ila-logging. So pinagtatalunan pa na baka raw wala na tayong gamiting kahoy,” Francisco said.

They also shared that they are careful on carrying out operations, so there won’t be leakage of information to spies.

“Hindi naman titigil `yan kung bibigyan mo ng livelihood. They will not. Kaya ang nakikita naming more effective [solution] ay regulation. Kailangang mahigpit na mahigpit. Kung puro ka lang livelihood, walang reforestration, tree-planting, wala rin,” Francisco added.

BulSU athletes already up for SCUAA-III

BulSU athletes already up for SCUAA-III

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

As early as now, Bulacan State University (BulSU) athletes prepare to compete for the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association Region III (SCUAA-III) this coming December wherein Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) is the host school.

BulSU nicknamed Gold Gears, emerged victorious in the annual SCUAA-III for sixteen straight years and plan to keep its dominance this year.

Gold Gears Football team, who is a five-time champion in SCUAA-III already started its extra training menu.

“Araw-araw kaming nagpa-practice. Friday lang ang pahinga namin. `Yong Saturday, application day namin. Naglalaro kami. `Yong Monday to Thursday namin, puro drills,” shared Alvin dela Cruz, BulSU Football Team player.

Ernesto Reyes, assistant coach to BulSU’s Men’s Basketball Team, admitted that his team is not yet prepared for SCUAA-III and shared that they are having a litte problem with the team.

“`Yong ibang players hindi um-a-attend ng practice,” Reyes said. But he also said he is still confident about his player.

Gold Gears’ Track and Field team, who lost its championship last year, expressed eagerness to win the title back through excessive training.

“MWF takbo and weights kami. Tuesday and Thursday, work out ng sprint,” Joshua Gayta, four hundred meter sprint runner said.

SCUAA-III is still months away, but the coaches are already in hype about the training as much as the players.

“Mahirap maging champion, pero mas mahirap namang mag-defend ng title kaya training lang,” Emmanuel Robles, who’s been coaching the football team for seven years, said.

The exact date of the annual SCUAA-III has not yet been announced.