University welcomes foreign visitors

Multi-sectoral Committee to boost One La Salle drive

22 September 2008. VOLUme 40. NUmber 9. 12 pAGeS

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La Salle receives high AUN-QA ratings

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AbStrACt Art:the Meaning beyond the Surface

2401 (twen´te fôr´,o, wun) is a landmark number along Taft Avenue. It is the location ID of De La Salle University, home to outstanding faculty and students, and birthplace of luminaries in business, public service, education, the arts, and science. And 2401 is the name of the official newsletter of DLSU, featuring developments and stories of interest about the University.

With the theme, “Facing Emerging Issues and Building

Better Futures: A Call to Psychologists,” the conference

recognized the important role of psychologists in addressing the pressing issues of the country

today, particularly those that have a strong impact

in shaping the future of the Filipino people.

The conference featured several plenary lectures by

Philippine psychologists who talked about their current work

in Philippine psychology. Three issues were highlighted—leadership

and governance, indigenization and identity, and the environment.

Among the plenary speakers was Psychology Department Assistant

Professor Marshall Valencia, who discussed the prospects for Conservation

Psychology in the Philippines.Also, a conference symposium

titled “Values Socialized in the Development Environments of Filipino Youth,” which was headed by Associate Professor Dr. Madelene Sta. Maria, featured a departmental research initiative on the Filipino Youth.

The four proponents of the paper were

Professor Homer Yabut, Dr. Melissa Reyes, Jenifer Lajom, and Ma. Andrea Tirazona, all members of the Psychology Department.

Over 60 oral research paper presentations were given by psychologists from different universities and organizations in the country that showcased the most recent research investigations in the different subfields of psychology, with many papers in industrial/organizational psychology, applied social psychology, developmental and adolescent psychology, and clinical psychology, among many others.

The other paper presenters were Psychology Department’s Dr. Caridad Tarroja, Dr. Roberto Mendoza, Prof. Angeles Lapena, Roseann Tan-Mansukhani, Rajiv Amarnani, Patrick Garcia, Niel Steve Kintanar, Katrina Fernando, Sandra Ebrada.

At the same time, Raymond Gonzales of the Institutional Testing and Evaluation Office and Counseling and Educational Psychology faculty members Dr. Carlo Magno and Dr. Allan Bernardo also presented their papers in the conference. Bernardo, a University Fellow, is the president of the Psychological Association of the Philippines.

Aside from the paper presentations, there were over 20 poster research paper presentations on a wide range of topics. Continuing professional education workshops were also held in the conference, which aimed to develop the capacities in the different aspects of psychological scholarship and professional practice.

Faculty members of the departments of Psychology and Counseling and Educational Psychology discussed the latest issues in Philippine psychology and presented papers in the 45th Annual Convention of the Psychological Association of the Philippines last August 14 to 16 at the Brokenshire College in Davao City.

DLSU fAcULTy preSeNT pAperS IN ANNUAL pSychoLogy coNfAb

The AUN-QA results—a reflection of the University’s efforts to push its standards to the international level—were celebrated by members of the community, mostly students and faculty of the two programs, last September 15 at the Yuchengco Lobby.

The AUN-QA report was based on the information provided in the self-assessment report, on-site verification of the documents, and interviews with selected stakeholders including faculty, staff, students, alumni members, and employers.

For the Economics program, the quality assurance assessment was conducted by Associate Professor Dr. Damrong Thawesaengskulthai from Chulalungkorn University and Associate Professor Tan Kay Chuan and Jonathan Ong from National University of Singapore.

In their report, the assessors of the Economics program noted that “the College of Business and Economics has put in place quality assurance practices to

address the criteria spelt out in the AUN-QA guidelines.” The criteria on Student Quality and Output received the highest ratings, and all the remaining criteria, except Feedback Stakeholders, were rated better than adequate. There were a total of 15 criteria for both programs.

To strengthen its feedback mechanism for stakeholders, the same assessors suggested the creation of a formal feedback mechanism and not based solely on informal communication and relationships. They noted in particular the 60,000 strong alumni as a good source for consultation and feedback.

For the Chemical Engineering program, the quality assurance assessment was carried out by Associate Professor Dr. Wan Ahmad Kamil Mahmood from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Professor Amelia Guevara from University of the Philippines.

The assessors of Chemical Engineering gave the highest scores to two criteria: Programme Organisation and Output. Similar to the Economics

program, Chemical Engineering also received high ratings in most of the 15 criteria. The criteria on Feedback Stakeholders, as well as Staff Development Activities, were noted as points for improvement.

The team of assessors likewise gave suggestions on areas like the handling of General Education studies, curriculum development, and the establishment of more structured linkages.

In its overall verdict, the assessors agreed that Chemical Engineering is “a very established programme,” comparable to equivalent Engineering programs in the international front.

For their part, Titi Savitri and Kirbani from the Quality Assurance Office of Gadjah Mada University, in their feedback of the AUN-QA assessment, observed that “the documentation (was) rigorously prepared. The data presented were complete and depicted the true situation.”

LA SALLe receIveS hIgh AUN-QA rATINgSDe La Salle University recently received the official report by the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) on its assessment of the Chemical Engineering and Economics programs conducted last August 11 to 13, getting “better than adequate” ratings for the two programs.

A total of 178 high school students from 92 schools participated in the event. Bagging the championship trophy for the second consecutive time is Jubilee Christian School, with its fourth year student Mendelsohn Niel Chan, followed closely by fellow Jubilean third year student Ralph Ryan Ting. Melvin See of Xavier School and Dexter Archie Tiu from St. Stephen’s High School, meanwhile, tied for third place.

The Chemistry Challenge is a two-stage quiz contest taken by individual students, with participating schools

fielding up to two contestants each. The challenge is part of the University's continuing campaign for the promotion of academic excellence in the sciences, particularly chemistry.

Noting the need for more scientists in the country, Chemistry Challenge Event Coordinator Dr. Glenn Alea said the event also aimed to encourage intelligent students with remarkable interest in science to enroll at De La Salle University and continue their passion for chemistry.

Since the challenge started nine years ago, Alea’s legacy has been true

to its goal with the concrete examples of Andrew Pua, the pioneer champion and consistent dean’s lister who is a graduate of the College of Business and Economics, Mary Ann Ngo, the 2004 champion who graduated summa cum laude with a degree of BS Computer Science, and her second runner up, William Manalastas, who will graduate with honors in October 2008 with a degree of BS Chemistry and will receive the Excellence in Chemistry Award.

92 hIgh SchooLS compeTe IN chemISTry chALLeNge Now on its 9th year, the annual Chemistry Challenge organized by De La Salle University's Chemistry Department once more tested young intellects with a passion for elements, chemicals, and compounds last August 30 at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium.

From left: Dr. Glenn Alea (event coordinator), Shaira Narido (University of Perpetual Help, Rizal), Jillian Sy (Chiang Kai Shek College), Angeline Baniqued (St. Paul’s College, Pasig), Ralph Ryan Ting (1st Runner-up, Jubilee Christian Academy), Mendelsohn Chan (Champion, Jubilee Christian Academy), Dexter Tiu (2nd Runner-up, St. Stephen’s High School), Melvin See (2nd Runner-up, Xavier School), Flynn Saw (Xavier School), Princess Debbie Chua (St. Jude Catholic School) , Michelle Lao (St. Jude Catholic School) and Dr. Nancy Lazaro-Llanos ( Chair, Chemistry Department, DLSU).

More than 200 debaters and public speakers from 24 high school institutions in the country once again gathered to test their skills and knowledge for the 6th National Asians High School Debate Championship (NAsHDC) held last September 4-9 at De La Salle University.

Held annually, NAsHDC is a project organized by the De La Salle Debate Society and aims to advance the culture of debating in the Philippines and provide an avenue for the young to exchange their ideas and promote critical thinking and English proficiency under the spirit of a healthy competition.

The teams of Carlo Borromeo, Vito Borromeo and Martin Qui from Xavier School and Krisha Lim and Harvey Chua and Nicole Cordoves from Makati Hope Christian School emerged as Grand Champion and Novice Champion, respectively. Another team from Xavier School composed of Gabriel Kho, Walter Cheng, and Gregory Uy was the declared the runner-up. The team of Garie Ouano, Carl Ron Villamil and Charisse Aquisay from Saint Louis University Lab High School was the Novice Runner-up.

Awards for best speakers were also given to Gavin Chan of Xavier School as the Public Speaking Champion and Carlo Borromeo as the Finals Best Speaker.

Ten best speakers and top five novice speakers were also chosen.The grand champions received P15,000 in cash and P100,000 worth

of Philam Life Insurance (PLI) for each team member. The members of the runner-up teams each got P50,000 also from PLI. The over-all best speaker received 100,000 pesos worth of insurance from PLI and a limited edition International Herald Tribune (IHT) year book. All breaking debaters also got gifts from IHT and P1,000 worth of Havaianas gift certificates. The school of the champion team also received a one-year IHT subscription.

DebATe SocIeTy STAgeS 6Th NATIoNAL DebATe chAmpIoNShIp

the br. benedict Learning resource Center extends library hours

ABSTRACT ART: The Meaning Beyond the Surface, The Museum at De La Salle University’s second term show featuring works by some of the original members of the Neo-Realists and other abstract artists from the period 1950s-1990s, will be open for viewing starting September 25. The show will run until December 5.

On exhibit are works from the Wili and Doreen Fernandez and DLSU Art Gallery collections. Part of the exhibition is a gallery which carries the theme, “Colors of Harvest,” a satellite exhibit of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, which will show an exhibit from September 26 to January 13, 2009 entitled bayANInanding as a tribute to National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. The coined word bayANInanding is from the combination of keywords bayan (land), bayani (a hero, a gentleman, or a maestro), ani (harvest; also means “according to”) and Nanding (the artist’s nickname). The exhibit reflects on the shared fundamentality of rice and of Amorsolo in Philippine society.

The meaning beyond the Surface

To better serve the Lasallian community, the Br. Benedict Learning Resource Center (BBLRC), which specializes on science education materials, has extended its library hours.

Library patrons can now access the BBLRC’s collection and facilities located at the 18th floor of the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00 am to 12:00 noon on Saturdays.

The Center, with a floor area of 160 square meters and a seating capacity of 42, houses books and audiovisual materials and equipment donated by the Natividad Galang Fajardo Foundation.

It also has a viewing room which can accommodate 20 people and 7 television sets with DVD players for patrons who prefer individual viewing of video recordings. The Center’s collection is composed of 1,221 volumes of books, 887 titles of DVDs/VCDs/ AVDs/CDs, 125 teaching modules and other print resources.

In August 2007, the management of the BBLRC was turned over by Dr. Bee Ching Ong of the Science Education Department to the University Library. Cynthia Cordova, head of the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall Library-IMS, was designated to be in charge of the Center.

the br. benedict Learning resource Center extends library hours

Amorsolo is known for his mastery in the use of natural light and backlighting techniques in his works—his trademark and greatest contribution to Philippine painting. His portraits and landscapes followed the romantic ideals and classical composition, and focused on country life. Many artists considered his work as model and imitated his style.

The younger generation of scholars who studied abroad and returned to the country introduced a new type of art. They became a moving force in the development of modern art in the country

as they introduced new techniques and styles in artworks.

From the early modern painting, new styles in painting evolved—Cubism, Surrealism, Conceptualism,

Constructivism, Geometric Abstraction, Pop Art, and many others. Filipino modernists like Galo Ocampo, Vicente Manansala, Cesar Legaspi, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, H.R. Ocampo, to name a few, are leading

influences in contemporary art in the Philippines.

The exhibition ABSTRACT ART examines Philippine abstract art through

the works of some of the original members of the Neo-Realists group like H.R. Ocampo, Vicente Manansala, Cesar Legaspi, and Romeo Tabuena, as well as other members like Manuel Rodriguez, Sr., Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Fernando Zobel, and Arturo Luz. Works of other abstract artists like Jose Joya, Ang Kiukok, Mauro Malang, Federico Aguilar-Alcuaz, Roberto Chabet, Rodolfo Samonte, Nestor Vinluan, Lao Lianben, Raul Isidro, Justin Nuyda, and Cid Reyes, are also featured in the exhibit.

Remembered as “the catechist of slaves,” Blessed Brother Scubilion Rousseau inaugurated evening catechism classes for the enslaved

natives on the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean to whom he dedicated more than 30 years of his life.

September 27: Feast day of blessed brother Scubilion The evANgeLIzATIoN of The yoUNg

As a devout young

man in his native village in Burgundy, Jean Bernard Rousseau was serving as a catechist when he was introduced to the Brothers, who had just opened a school in a nearby town. He was born in Annay la-Côte, France on March 21, 1797. Jean Bernard entered the Paris novitiate in 1822 and gained the name Brother Scubilion.

For 10 years he served in elementary schools throughout France until he left the country in 1833. From then on Brother Scubilion devoted his life to the enslaved natives of Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. He devised special programs and techniques, suited to their needs and abilities, in order to teach the essentials of Christian doctrine and morality, and prepare them to receive the sacraments. His evening classes were well attended by the natives, even after a long day of exhausting labor. He won them over by his kindly manner and his respect for them.

After the emancipation of the slaves in 1848, he continued to care for them and to help them adapt to their new life of freedom and responsibility. In the last

years of his life, despite failing health, he assisted the local pastor in visiting the sick, winning over sinners, encouraging vocations, and even effecting what seemed to be miraculous cures. Brother Rousseau died on April 13, 1867 on the Island of Reunion. At his death he was venerated everywhere on the island as a saint. He was beatified on May 2, 1989.

Inspired by the La Salle Brothers, DLSU today continues its mission of evangelizing young people through the Brother Andelino Manuel Castillo FSC Religious Educational Foundation, Inc. (BAMCREF). Like the work of Brother Scubilion, the catechetical center has been extending religious instruction in public schools for more than 50 years.

Started in 1952, under the direction of the late Brother Andelino Manuel Castillo FSC, an American Christian Brother, the center started with 29 student catechists from its high school and college departments.

To ensure continuity of the catechetical program and instruction, Br. Manuel recruited a group of full-time religion teachers. Full-time teachers of

religion with college degrees joined the center in June 1957. He also drew up a systematic plan for training the full-time religion teachers, informing parish priests and soliciting the cooperation of the public school officials. The project was financed by charitable groups concerned with the University while the parish priests also contributed their share for the salaries of the catechists assigned to their parishes and public schools nearby.

Today, BAMCREF continues to provide catechetical services to 16 public schools and some parishes in the archdiocese of Manila and the diocese of Parañaque. Included in the various services of the center are Catechetical Programs that address four core concerns in the catechetical and spiritual Formation of Catechists, lay adults and pupils namely: (a) the catechetical instruction and formation of children, (b) the formation of catechists, (c) the Lasallian student volunteer catechist core group formation, (d) the catechetical instruction of adults, and (e) the catechetical immersion program of students of the Theology and Religious Education Department of DLSU.

Last September 5, Beckingham visited DLSU President and Chancellor Br. Armin Luistro FSC and Vice Chancellor for Lasallian Mission and External Relations Br. Bernard Oca FSC after Br. Armin invited him during the Leadership Series lecture of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani last month.

Br. Bernie said that the British Council is looking into the possibility of partnering with DLSU in terms of research collaborations with certain units of the University, particularly research on alternative sources of energy.

Aside from Beckingham, Tokyo Institute of Technology administrators made a courtesy call to Br. Bernie, together with Chemical Engineering Department Chair Dr. Leonila Abella and Associate Professor Dr. Josephine Borja, and briefly discussed the progress of the ASEAN University Network Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED-Net) project

on Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.

The administrators, who serve as co-advisors for masters students’ theses, also visited the Tokyo Tech Office of DLSU located at the Velasco Hall.

AUN/SEED-Net recently selected DLSU as its main facilitating institution for Biotechnology in the region, concurrent to the University’s position as ASEAN’s host institution for Chemical Engineering.

The project, which began the second phase early this year, will focus on researches in major global issues like biotechnology, disaster mitigation and management, global environment, natural resources and materials, and renewable energy. The first phase of the research began last 2003 and was completed early

this year.Established in 2001 with

the support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), AUN/SEED-Net is composed of 19 leading universities in 10 ASEAN countries with the support of 11 leading Japanese universities making it the largest academic network in engineering in the region.

UNIverSITy weLcomeS foreIgN vISITorS British Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham and administrators from the Tokyo Institute of Technology recently visited De La Salle University to discuss possible partnerships and ongoing developments on collaborative projects and activities with the University’s different units.

With the help of the AUN/SEED-Net, Southeast Asia has become an interesting option for higher education in engineering. This network serves as an avenue to promote collaboration and solidarity between academics and professionals in the region through the cross-border and region-wise development of engineering education and research capabilities.

British Ambassador Peter Beckingham visits DLSU for the first time.

Tokyo Institute of Technology administrators discuss the progress of the AUN/SEED-Net research project with Dr. Leonila Abella and Br. Bernie Oca FSC.

This year’s conference carried the theme, “The role of Catholic Higher Education in promoting the civilization of love and solidarity as responses to economic and cultural globalization.”

The conference, which coincided with the 10th ASEACCU Student Conference 2008, aimed to provide a forum for dialogue and discussion on issues and concerns of Catholic Higher Education Institutions in pursuing the goal of sharing good practices and promoting the civilization of love and solidarity as responses to economic and cultural globalization.

It also sought to identify possible collaborative projects among ASEACCU member institutions for the advancement of better intercultural awareness and understanding.

Participants learned from experts from different nations about the current trends and issues that Catholic colleges and universities are facing today, with

discussions on natural disasters and the threat or opportunities of globalization for Catholic colleges and universities. They also learned about the host country during their stay through a creative learning tour and a visit to a community development project in Garut in Java, Indonesia.

ASEACCU is a regional association that aims to promote Catholic higher education and to be a support for the local Churches. It also aims to contribute to educational dialogue on an international level beyond the Southeast and East Asian regions.

The association also serves as a forum towards the shared goals of member institutions, as with the collection, exchange, and dissemination of information, the organization of meetings, symposia, workshops and seminars on topics and concerns related to the mission of ASEACCU, and the exchange of faculty, administrators and students.

De La Salle University President and Chancellor Br. Armin Luistro FSC represented the University in the 16th Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) Conference 2008 held last August 28 to 30 at the Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung, Indonesia.

br. ArmIN pArTIcIpATeS IN ASeAccU coNfereNce

To help De La Salle Philippines generate P1 billion by 2011 for the One La Salle Scholarship Fund, De La Salle University formed a multi-sectoral committee that will collaborate in various activities to raise its contribution to the scholars’ funds.

mULTI-SecTorAL commITTee To booST oNe LA SALLe DrIve

Representatives from the Development and Alumni Relations Office, Student Council, Faculty Association, Parents of University Students Organization (PUSO), Employees Association, and the Right Eight Security Agency, Inc. gathered together last September 11 at the Yuchengco Lobby to formally launch the multi-sectoral committee.

During the launch, members of the different units in the University sold clothes, bags, and other novelty items in a garage sale at the Yuchengco Lobby. A portion of the

funds generated from their sold goods will be donated to the One La Salle Scholarship Fund.

Aside from a regular garage sale, members of the committee will also hold their own selling activities inside and outside campus premises to add to the University’s contribution.

Vice Chancellor for Lasallian Mission and External Relations Br. Bernard Oca FSC, who initiated the forming of the committee, said that the collaboration is in an effort to get everyone in the University involved in raising funds for the P1 billion scholarship, and not just rely on donations and solicitations from corporate sponsors and other external groups.

Lasallians browse through various garage sale items at the Yuchengco lobby.

AMBAHAN

Mundo ay nilakbay ko,

Tatlong ikot pa nito,

Aking hanap ay ginto,

Ngunit ang nanakit ko,

Ika’y na ganda’y puno,

Lahat napasa iyo,

Humahanga pa ako,

At ako’y nanibugho,

Puso ko’y nabihag mo,

Pagkat ika’y gusto ko.

-Jason Tan

is published bi-weekly by the Marketing Communication Office (L-163, intercom 144). Editorial deadline is 3 p.m. Tuesdays. Contributions should include the name, office and signature of the sender. Materials may be edited for clarity or space.

Jose Mari Magpayo, Executive Director; Brian Gail E. Bautista (bautistabg@dlsu.edu.ph), Operations Director; Ma. Ruby A. Carlos (carlosm@dlsu.edu.ph), Editor; Gian Vizcarra, AARichela dela Cruz, Anne Alina, Writers; Peter Varona, Art Director; Luis De Vera, Graphic Artist; Virginia Umacob-Gases, Secretary; Raymond Menor, Office Assistant. 2401 may be accessed online through the URL: http://www.dlsu.edu.ph

The Ambahan Writing ContestNow on its fourth year, the

Ambahan Writing Contest has become a source of excitement among students who want to write an Ambahan, a poetic rendition of an allegory, which often uses images from nature, etched on bamboo using the pre-Spanish native script of the Mangyans.

The contest is an annual project of BNSCWC to promote the country’s traditional poetic form, which may be expressed as a celebration of an occasion such as courtship, wedding, or any communal event.

With a measured rhyme of seven syllable lines (heptasyllabic), an Ambahan is vocalized as a chant without a determined melody or too much melodic variation. It is recited for the purpose of verbalizing in a metaphorical way certain human situations or characteristics without the accompaniment of musical instruments. An Ambahan can also be with the possible challenge of a matching answer in a dialogue fashion

in the presence of an interested audience.

The 4th Ambahan Writing Contest is now open for entries. Deadline is on December 15, 2008. Winners will be announced on January and are honored in a ceremony where they read their original works. For inquiries, you may e-mail BNSCWC at bnscwc@yahoo.com.

Craft LecturesAs one of BNSCWC’s most

well-received programs, the craft lecture series is an avenue for young writers and students of Philippine Literature to learn, through a dialogue, from those who have been recognized in their chosen genres by winning major national literary awards such as the National Book Award or the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature. It also offers a chance of hearing the writer give voice to his own works.

Invited prolific writers are asked to discuss the challenges of writing a specific genre and the techniques by which a writer overcomes them. Among

previously featured outstanding literary artists are the late Bienvenido N. Santos himself, Paulino Lim, Clodualdo del Mundo, Cirilo Bautista, and Isagani Cruz.

Leading the lectures are the Center’s associate directors of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, drama and, recently, literary criticism. They are appointed each year,

once every term, and also serve as advisers to the center’s programs.

Last term, Department of Literature Associate Professor Dr. Jonathan Bayot gave a lecture titled, “I, Me, Myself: What a critical craft!”This term, meanwhile, Assistant Professor Dr. Genevieve Asenjo, will present a paper entitled “Ang panahon bilang proyekto, ang nobela bilang produkto: Ang pagsusulat ng ‘Ang lumbay ng dila’” on October 11, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Ariston Estrada Seminar Room.

De La Salle University’s Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center (BNSCWC) announces its second term line-up of activities and programs for the Lasallian community to promote and cultivate the artistic expression of writing.

bNScwc hoLDS AmbAhAN, crAfT LecTUre SerIeS