The Dean Who’ve Been with Us

Professor Felix S. Billon, MA

              As the school welcomes a new year, College of Arts Sciences (CAS) will welcome major changes too. Professor Felix S. Billon had been the father of the College of Arts Sciences (CAS) department for four years now. But the 41-year-old educator, who had finished college and his master’s degree here at Holy Trinity College with the course of Bachelor of Arts in English, will soon be leaving his office.

                According to Prof. Billon, he is set to hit a new road. In an exclusive interview, he explained that he will be transferring to a government agency for personal reasons. Though we all know he’s been doing fine being the CAS Dean and the Student Personnel Services (SPS) director at the same time, The Pioneers couldn’t resist asking him some questions regarding his stay as the CAS Dean.

Here’s how our talk with Sir Billon went:

The Pioneers: How do you find heading the CAS department?

Prof. Billon: Okay lang. Hindi naman kayo ganun ka-pasaway…Being a Dean? No it’s not a problem. After all, your work is supervisory, so it’s not at all problematic.

The Pioneers: Will you be missing something here at Holy Trinity College?

Prof. Billon : Honestly, oo meron. Mami-miss ko yung… being with you, especially because I served as the father of this department and that is something na wala sa lilipatan ko.

On Students’ Concerns

The Pioneers: One student wrote this in  our FeedBox: he is “invisible” when he’s needed: How will you react to this?

Prof. Billon:  Maybe during those times that I was needed, I have classes or meetings.

The Pioneers: Bakit and tagal umaksyon ng dean pag may problema ang department? [Why does it take long for the dean to address problems in our department?]

Prof. Billon: Well, if there’s no problem addressed directly to me I’d be taking no action because obviously, there are no complaints.

The Pioneers: What’s your say about the matter concerning the CAS Intramural t-Shirt and it’s assurance of release?

Prof. Billon: I’ll be needing a list of names and their sizes. How many are they?

Last Words

The Pioneers: What message would you like to leave for the Red Dragons?

Prof. Billon: They have to strive harder to help the department in all aspects and to support whoever the new Dean of the college department.

The Pioneers: Message for the the CAS faculty?

Prof. Billon: If you gave me your 100% support, you give it 200% to the new Dean.

                The exclusive interview ended with a little exchange of jokes and pleasantries. As we leave his humble office, with the presence the piled up paper works and documents and him facing his turned on computer, we could tell that he’s preparing for his very near farewell.

Good luck Sir!

Thank you for being a part of our one-of-a-kind Good Holy experience.

-The Pioneers

CAS VISITS KAMPUHAN FOR LUMADS

By Aliene Pearl D. Condez 

The BA Communication students and Prof. Beverly Anne F. Santos (center) with the Lumads.

                With the hope to attain just and lasting peace, SANDUGO: A People’s camp for Peace, Unity and Justice was held last December 1-10, 2016 at the AMSUA Park, Mindanao State University, General Santos City.

                Three faculty staff from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) namely Ms. Beverly Anne F. Santos, Ms. Rocyl E. Bagatila and Ms. Pabnaveth

Bagus together with two BA Communication students namely Chrysa Hazelene Hazelene Sabuelo and Aliene Pearl Condez attended the said event on its 6th day.

                The peace camp involved Lumads and their leaders coming from different tribal community. According to the organizers of the peace camp, the Kampuhan served as a peaceful protest of the Lumads who experienced injustices and maltreatment in their respective native communities and were affected of the militarization.

                Lumad schools like an alternative learning center in Surigao have been made into a military camp resulting fear to the people living around the area. Two farmers are also reported missing and a missionary priest, Fr. Fausto Tentorio, PIME, a vigilant advocate and supporter of Lumads’ rights, was killed at his own church on October 17, 2011, inside the compound of the Mother of Perpetual Help parish church in Arakan. Mining and illegal logging are also a concern of the camp as it affects the source of living for the lumads, the forest and mountains.

                One of their supporters is South Cotabato Board Member Romulo O. Solivio Sr.

                “As a leader, we are the voice of the people. Apart from our legislative works, like signing documents and passing ordinances, we also need to initiate people to organize and ear their grievances like this Kampuhan…combined with my commitment to hear and listen, one way communication isn’t enough, there should also be government officials to join this kind of gathering,” Solivio explained.

                The said peace camp was organized by three NGOs namely the KALUHHAMIN, SOS Network-SOCSKSARGENDS and Sowing the Seeds Of Peace SOCSKSARGEN.

Exposure to a Not-so-common Community

By Chrysa Hazelene J. Sabuelo  

It was a cloudy afternoon of December 6, 2016 when we departed from Holy Trinity College to visit a peace camp held at Mindanao State University. With us are our course adviser, Ms. Beverly Anne F. Santos together with two CAS faculty namely Prof. Rocyl E. Bagatila and Prof. Pabnaveth Bagus. Setting foot on the wide, grassy campus of MSU, Pearl and I looked forward to knowing new things and seeing new perspectives.

We first mingled with the volunteer teachers of the Center for Lumad Advocacy Network and Services Inc. who offered to teach the young students of different schools coming from Malapatan, Palimbag, Kiamba and South Cotabato. One of the volunteer teachers, shared us that her reason is to help the students to learn. Jonalyn P. Balome, CEGP Chairperson, told us how the schools were ransacked and burned by the military and as a result, students were the ones greatly affected as they are deprived of their right to be educated. Balome added that the constant mining, logging and militarization are the reasons why the Lumads and Moro groups are struggling for forty years now.

Approaching the tent of Center for Lumad Advocacy Network and Services Inc.

Interview with the volunteer teachers of Center for Lumad Advocacy Network and Services Inc.

                Hearing these, I felt sympathy towards them. I may have not seen enough proof of accusations and claims but I cannot bring myself to accept that they could allow the young innocent mind of these children to be victims of their feud. Still, the Lumads and Moro group continue to shout and voice out, an action so brave and courageous and I thought I don’t blame these people. It is their right, and freedom to fight. Justice is the only thing they seek. Justice to retrieve what was taken and robbed from them.

                Next, we explored the MUSEO LUMAD. The exhibit showcased the four ancestral lands of the lumads which are Habagat (South), Kasadpan (West), Sidlakan (East) and Amihan (North). Each land has its own story of peace, war, struggle, loss and hope. Lito Roxas, Regional Chairperson Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas, said the purpose of the exhibit is to expose the condition the lumads are in and explain the reason for their fight. He told us how the lumads’ struggle for peace started when the once peaceful ancestral land were taken into the hands of David Consunji, a powerful businessman and is one of the richest person in the Philippines.

With Mr. Lito Roxas (center) as our guide in the MUSEO LUMAD

                Since then, the once rich and fertile land that provided the lumads with food, shelter and living were turned into a mining site particularly at Maasim where coals are being unearthed and in Sultan Kudarat, loggings were heightened. He also added that the militarization forced the natives to be evacuated against their will while those who resisted were harassed. Some were robbed of their belongings, others were maltreated and worse, several were killed.

                 Others may label these people as “activist” or “leftist”. I, for one, may not be a fan of these campaigns but honestly, I salute the the people who support this kind of movements. I may not be a supporter  myself but I do believe that as a member of this society, one should be practically aware of the conditions these people are in. After all, they are also victims.

                After the exhibit, we got a chance be acquainted with Hon. Romulo O. Solivio Sr. who is a board member from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng South Cotabato. We had the opportunity to interview him and he told us how events such as this could empower the people to be aware of the occurrences happening within our country.

The class with Hon. Romulo O. Solivio Sr. (second from right) after an exclusive interview.

                It was almost 6 o’clock in the evening when we left the place. Everything I saw, heard and observed in just hours of strolling in the campus gave me new insights of how our society is shaped today. Whether within the vicinities of our country or outside the boundaries of our state, it either gets better or it becomes worse.

                What I learned from this exposure is that you don’t need to be involved by actually placing your shoes in the movement itself. Be involved through awareness and knowing both sides of the story.  

Earning Success

“Success is not something you could easily gain. It is earned through determination and hard work.”

4th Weekly Wednesday Wardrobe

The last of our Weekly Wednesday Wardrobe features Ms. Devine Grace C. Alberca, proud Miss Pearl of Maasim 2015, as our model wearing a simple dress but nevertheless shows her elegant and charming features.

Week 4 FeedBox

The Pioneers: On it's Last Release?

Watch out for the upcoming 4th release of The Pioneers Weekly Edition.
Contents will be available for online browsing here at The Pioneers Update.

The Pioneers Update

Today marked another challenge but we conquered still.

THE PIONEERS is now celebrating the success of the 3rd release of its Weekly Edition.

Special thanks to Ave Del Rosario Cabel for technical support and to our models: Mr. Danjlou Ghol Nayre, Ms. Gille Tanjal and Ms. Kim Mikee

For more updates, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/CAS.RedDragons/

WILDCATS, PRISAA GENSAN OVERALL CHAMPION FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE YEARS

Photo courtesy of THE QUILL Publication

Hail The Champion. Wildcats beaming with pride as Overall Champion for Sports for 12 consecutive years, PRISAA Regional Meet 2016

By Chrysa Hazelene Sabuelo

                

                With 124 golds, 52 silvers and 29 bronze, Holy Trinity College of General Santos City was declared the Overall Champion of the local Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Meet 2016. This is the Wildcats’ 12^th consecutive year reigning the said private interschool competition.

                The final medal tally was posted on THE QUILL publication’s official Facebook page last December 3, 2016. Most of the gold medals were from the sports events. Some of these events were Soccer, Volleyball women, Basketball women and Swimming men.

                They bested Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC), Mindanao Polytechnic College (MPC) and Systems Technology Institute (STI) in the 3-day competition (November 30-December 2, 2016).

                “We deserve to be the overall champion of PRISAA 2016. No one can beat us,” Starla Rafanan, CAS President said.

                “No doubt, Trinitarians always pour their best. We deserve it and I am truly proud,” Jasmin Flores, CAS Vice-President, told the Pioneers.

                Meanwhile, NDDU, the host school, brought home the bacon on their own home court for Academics namely Quiz bowl and Extemporaneous speaking contest. Also, NDDU was the champion for the Socio-cultural events as they won in the Cheer dance competition and other events.

What I Want For Christmas

By Aliene Pearl Condez

I could still clearly recall how I’ve spent my Christmas way back 15 years ago.

                The sky was slowly turning orangey-red as the sun sets and the meadow was joyfully explored by me together with my cousins. We have spent our afternoon catching grasshoppers and chasing dragonflies. Before the sun bids its final goodbye, our mothers called to give us a thorough bath to wash off the dirt which was ‘drenched-with-sweat-after-playing-in-the-sun’ smell.

We were all giddy then, especially me. I couldn’t wait for the clock to strike twelve! After getting ready to bed and putting my sock to the highest, exposed space possible because we don’t have a chimney for Santa Claus to climb into, I uttered a short prayer of thanksgiving just as what Grandma told me to.

                Alas, the clock stroked twelve!

It was time to wake up and see what Santa brought for me! Chocolates and toys stunned me after I’ve opened my sock. Oh, just as what my little heart desired. It made me happy that Christmas eve. Then, Mamang, Papang and me would share a simple Noche Buena of a loaf bread, peanut butter and a cold bottle of soft drinks. There will be carolling and the Misa de Gallo. Families filled the church in thanksgiving of the whole fruitful year that passed. It was a joy to watch. My eyes used to glitter with happiness at those times.

But what happened now?

I honestly could fathom what Christmas really means. It doesn’t have the same atmosphere that it held before. As years pass by, people looked for new things.

 New things that would add colour to their holiday season. Advertisements suggest ‘You’d be happy to spend your holiday with this product, buy now!’  So we are tempted to buy those stuffs. Holiday Big Sale even made their offer more enticing as they already are. Disappointingly, we embraced the trend and even think that those material things could make our Christmas complete.

Where’s mama and papa?

Most of the Filipino parents now decided to work abroad in order to give their children the brightest possible future.

Yes, my mother is an OFW and she earns good enough for all of us. We could now afford delicious, sassy meals for holidays and can shop for new clothes. We are ‘lucky’ in the standards of the society.

But are we really ‘lucky’?

If being lucky, as this society says, is waking up without mother to prepare your meals, teaching you life’s lessons, guiding you through puberty and her absence during special occasions, and eating good food on holidays while she works hard in a foreign country, I’d rather go back to way things ‘used’ to be.

For years now, instead with our parents, my siblings and I had celebrated Christmas in our relatives’ house. I don’t want to sound sad this season, but my heart feels empty and that can only be filled with the presence of my parents. So, let’s appreciate the presence of our family even without excessive food and gifts. Let’s learn to spend Christmas with contented hearts and smiling faces for simply being together.

Towards Success

“Doing your best could lead you to success, much more if you’d put your mind and heart to it.”

Week 3 FeedBox

3rd Weekly Wednesday Wardrobe (November 28- December 2, 2016)

Featuring selected 4th year students in their OJT Uniform

Student Life Be like

By KarmaRaDiri

Read  this and review that.

You’ll have a quiz remember that!

Don’t forget to report about these,

Make a PowerPoint, if you please

Count off now! 1, 2, 3

Group yourself, have it for three.

Present your report tomorrow

Or else, you’ll get zero

Copy this and copy those.

Get your notebook, jot down notes!

Your lessons are these

Photocopy it, if you please

Exam’s coming, study your lesson

Settle your bills, pay your tuition

Have your clearance signed on time

Remember: No permit, No exam

The Unmarried Wife

MTRCB rated “The Unmarried Wife” R-13 for its bold and compelling screenplay and bedscenes.

This riveting and mellow dramatic movie by Direk Maryo J. Delos Reyes is another one of his beautifully crafted masterpieces. The screenplay was well written and fluid. Looking at their movie trailer, it may appear cliché but as go through the whole movie play, you’d see how realistic and comprehensive each scenes are. Emotions were magnificently captured by the camera.  The casts’ acting skills were just of right feel. This is a story of a woman, a wife and a loving mother trying to juggle her time for her family and career. Watch how Angelica Panganiban as “Anne Gonzaga”, wife of Dingdong Dantes as “Geoff Victorio”, and their third parties Maricar Reyes as “Cristina” and Paulo Avilino as “Bryan” live their lives of love, lies, adventures, decisions, pain, acceptance and forgiveness.

This movie would make you ask ‘what ifs’ and change your view upon how a family works. I highly recommend this movie to young couples and married ones and to teens who are products of a broken home. After watching it, you’d surely have a lesson or two and be able to contemplate on the “hugot” lines thrown by its exquisite actors.

In Depth

By Searching Souls

There are times when I want to close my eyes,

Permit sleep to steal away my consciousness

And let myself be absorbed by my dreams.

There are times when I just want to stop,

Consent my stubbornness to stay

And let those around me walk away

There are times when I get so tired

Drained, weary  from  chasing

Reaching for the things that keeps running

There are times when I ran out of breath,

Slowly consumed by the fingers of death

And I ended up waking from these nightmares

Forgive and Heal

“Only us can nurse our wounds and eliminate our scars. But it takes acceptance and forgiveness to heal one's soul" 

Apology Not Taken

By: Martsu Ressan Manibog Ladia

Let the Was be the Was, take the Is as it is.

And for that might I have, my ever lasting peace.

I am leaving to forget and I live to learn,

Living with regrets, for that sorry to be earned.

For now I might be asking, “Let me leave my life!”

Yet I live the usual, asking myself, why?

I spent the present, reading pages from the past.

Moral lesson was, nothing ever truly last.

Yet I come to argue, if I just know what’s right.

Might I still have that treasure, the laughters not the fight.

I shouldn’t have complained, now, it’s hard to comply

For that broken pieces, of my incomplete lie.

Oh yes! I still have them, herein my memory.

Reminiscing the sadness, the smiles secretly.

It’s tormenting I admit, that’s the choice of me,

Now you understand, letting go is no easy.

Maturity

“Maturity is measured the moment you learn to know when to act right and be right.”

Week 2 FeedBox

2nd Weekly Wednesday Wardrobe (November 21-25, 2016)

It's Kwek-Kwek Time!

By Chrysa Hazelene J. Sabuelo

                Are you bored, tired, sleepy and of course, hungry from long periods of classes? Nothing will satisfy you more than an egg coated in thick orange batter, deep-fried to crispy perfection, paired with either sweet, sour or spicy sauce and topped with freshly sliced cucumber. What’s it called? The Fried Orange Quail Eggs. Yes, it’s the Filipino favourite street food, kwek-kwek of course!

                This recipe has been present and available in the streets outside HTC campus and has long satisfied the growling stomachs of each Trinitarian who, after their tiring schedules, would head off to the nearby vendor to grab at least a cup of three balls.

                “Pasok kasi sa budget at masarap naman,” Irish Unel Gumilac, 4^th year BSA student said.

                “Nasasarapan kasi ako sa lasa niya. Nakaka-satisfy ang itlog tapos masarap din ang sauce,” Vanessa Sicilyenne Sabuelo, 2^nd year BSBA FM student said.

                On the nutrition aspect, Randy Mendoza, 4^th year BSCrim student said it has a lot of benefits saying it has protein and it’s good for the body tissues and muscles.

                “Actually nakakapalan ako sa flour pero gusto ko yung egg at ang sauce,” Recel Jay Arila, 2^nd year BA Communication student said.

Kwek-kwek only costs a minimum of 10 pesos per cup. Now, who would resist a budget-friendly snack that never fails to satisfy your famished organ? You too should grab a kwek-kwek! 

TRINITARIANS REACT ON MARCOS BURIL

   

             The Supreme Court’s 9-5-1 decision on the President Ferdinand Marcos burial to the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) joyed the supporters but triggered the martial law survivors and victims’ families to rally and to question the said decision.

“There are only two criteria [in law to be buried at Libingan]. And the problem is he fits both counts: as a soldier and/or president,” President Rodrigo Duterte explained. (Inquirer, November 22, 2016)

                All of us might have heard different stories concerning Marcos regime and the martial law that happened during his reign. A controversial advocacy advertisement even circulated at the social media and was even viewed on television showcasing college students’ opinion on Marcos regime’s historical imprints before and after knowing that they are talking to an actual survivors of the martial law ‘injustices’.

                The Pioneers’ then asked some of the Trinitarians of their views regarding this recent issue.  Do they agree or disagree with SC’s decision to allow the burial of the late dictator?

                “Marcos had been a productive president of our country based on the numbers of his project done during his administration. The bad part is that there are also lots of ‘injustices’ that happened during his term,” Maureen Basas, an AB student, told the Pioneers.

                “It’s okay for me to have Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani since he had contributed greatly in our country’s development. Of course, we also note that this is also painful in the part of those victims [of the martial law injustices] and their families, but like what we always say, we all have to move on in order for us to move forward,” Deofranie Grace M. Sionosa, a 3^rd year BSA student, pointed out.

                “People have to move on already. He’s already dead. On the other hand, there is really a fault on the side of the Marcos [family] for insisting the burial at the Libingan when in fact they can bury [late Pres. Marcos] somewhere else,” Kathleen Joy Salutan, BSED English 2 student, replied when asked whether the issue is worth to talk about.

                The youth of today had only read and heard about Marcos regime in history books, TV documentaries and classes. But their opinions matter as they will receive whatever outcome the Duterte administration or the SC takes on.

1st FeedBox

1st Weekly Wednesday Wardrobe (November 14-18, 2016)