Stimuli Faculty September 2007 Issue

Editor’s Note

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Inside this issue: 3

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A Teacher’s Portrait Why Teaching? PSITE Region IV Congratulations, You’re a Teacher!

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Event Scanner PCPS 3 Training Program The Art of Giving

On the Cover Two of a Kind STI Summer Faculty Training 2007

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Let’s Get Literary

Ma. Donna Diamante Ma. Cristina Magsino Roderick Mon Ferdie Ortega Rocky Manianglung

A Teacher’s life Evolve or Die Lunar Spasm Miss Marple’s Magic & Myth

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Film Recap A Beautiful mind

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Book Buzz Changing Perspectives

15

Teaching Tip Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

Tech Trend MP3 or MP4?

Smart up An Email Group Netiquette Guide

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Health Talk Diabetes Mellitus

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On the Road Team STI Conquers

The Faculty Stimuli is published every semester by the Faculty Services Department, Academic Services Group, STI Headquarters, 6/F PhilFirst Building, 6764 Ayala Avenue, Makati City

For comments, suggestions and/or contributions please call (02) 887-8447 loc. 5860 or send email at [email protected]. You may also join the publication’s group at Multiply-http:// facultystimuli.multiply.com

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By Edgar Eslit STI Iligan

f all the questions that my parents and colleagues asked me, the “Why teaching?” question lingers in my mind until today. My persuasive arguments did not succeed in gaining their empathy. But I guess my being a teacher now does otherwise. How I wish they can see this paper. As an Instructor of STI Iligan, I’m motivated by the desire to help my students find the same thread of joy in discovering and understanding new techniques and ideas. It is a worthwhile experience to work one-onone with my students as I witness the moment when they finally comprehend the essence of what I’ve taught them; the moment that surprises and delights my students, knowing how difficult the subject is. It always boosts my enthusiasm to provide motivation to my students.

Orientation Seminars (COS). Now, I learn to cherish both. I make sure that my lectures are interesting, challenging, lively and interactive with the hopes that my students will be motivated and will do their best. I also hope to capture the interest of my students by showing that I’m interested too. I have a great deal of empathy towards their struggles to learn. It is one of the reasons why teaching should be complemented with research and personal touch, to keep the sense of humor and humility alive in the face of an ever expanding quest for knowledge.

Our contribution to our students is a reflection of what we believe about human nature, and the relevance of the topic that we are sharing to them. It also reflects who we are and what we think, which serves as the backbone of our way of being a teacher.

I’m motivated by the desire to help my students find the same thread of joy in discovering and understanding new techniques and ideas. I joined STI Iligan in 2002 as a part-time instructor. In the subsequent years, I was also a Career Adviser. I taught the graduating students the right way of writing their résumés and application letters. It is also rewarding to see students who are just starting to learn simple business correspondence to finally understand a concept that seemed impossible to comprehend at first but turned out to be attainable and exciting. The students are required to learn the tenets of composing effective application letters and battle-ready résumés prior to their OJT proper. During lectures, I try to post a series of examples that will gradually develop their understanding and teach them some techniques. I ask them to stretch a bit to reach the goals of the subject and to believe that the goals are within their reach that is why it is necessary to make a careful and gradual development on the exercises. Our Operation Spoken English Environment Program or OSEEP and Job Placement Training in Cebu proved to be useful to this end, thanks to Ms. Fe Aquino and Ms. Babes Bonoan. In the past, I simply want to enjoy the class hours, although I don’t compromise the level of teaching. I admit that I love the challenge of a more difficult task like conducting Career

will contribute to students’ positive learning. Some of my most successful classes have used the traditional way rather than the use of modern technologies. In small classes, I often have goups of students working on the board. Extra whiteboard markers and visual aids are tried-and-tested technologies; these can visually support a broader discussion thread for the class. This leads to a more cooperative setting rather than having just one student deliver a report to the entire class. Team effort is important but individual effort is equally important too. I also believe that most learning occurs through individual effort. The moment of understanding can be an intensely intimate one. Because learning greatly depends on individual effort, it is rare to see that an entire class is ready for a unison quantum leap.

Edgar Eslit

Nevertheless, one of the challenges in my job is the use of technology in teaching. I have already experimented with various technologies available. I have tried using overhead projectors, computers and at times, LCD projectors. It is easy to be hooked with the promise of technology that learning will be easier. On my end, the challenge is to use it appropriately and to make certain that it

I have a great deal of empathy towards their struggles to learn. It is one of the reasons why teaching should be complemented with research and personal touch, to keep the sense of humor and humility alive in the face of an ever expanding quest for knowledge.

In the process, I have observed that mutual respect and support for the students play a major role to one’s success as a teacher. This is one of the areas in which I have seen a great deal of development during the past semesters. I respect my students as individuals and treat them fairly. It is important to have this basis for learning since respect for others seems to be taken for granted in our society today. The bottom line is, teaching requires dedication. It’s tough, right? Our contribution to our students is a reflection of what we believe about human nature, and the relevance of the topic that we are sharing to them. It also reflects who we are and what we think, which serves as the backbone of our way of being a teacher. Guided by the same principles, I choose teaching to be of service to others. We all know that no rewards or sufficient compensation can be found in this career but I will never regret my decision. So when somebody asks me, “Why teaching?”, my answer is: It’s the joy of doing it that keeps me going, that’s why!

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ong before the revitalization of Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators or PSITE Region IV, the STI Deans in Southern Tagalog have been very supportive and cooperative with the said professional organization with a concerted aim to represent their schools and promote STI’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Programs. It was during the Regional Convention held at the Lyceum of the Philippines Batangas Campus where I was voted as the Regional Vice-President which made me deeply involved in PSITE activities and events including the various National Conventions of PSITE. One unforgettable experience I had was when I represented STI in the National convention held at Cagayan De Oro City. I was on my own since my colleagues (Dean Vanie of STI College - Lucena, former Dean Rolly of STI College - San Pablo, and Dean Vic of STI College - Sta. Cruz) had very busy schedules. However, the most noteworthy experience I have encountered was during the PSITE’s National Convention in Iloilo, where I decided to run for a national position in the organization. Perhaps, I did not sound so convincing at that time and as a result, I did not make it. Funny though, during the recently concluded PSITE National Convention held in Baguio, majority of the delegates asked me to run again for the next election but such was not realized. One of my colleagues in Region IV requested me to give way for his candidacy. The question now is, why should we join professional organization? In the academe, it is a must for an educator to be a member of any existing legitimate professional organization. Being a member of a professional organization is already an advantage because you are updated of any related issues pertaining to your profession. Your inter-personal skills will also be enhanced, not to mention the contacts or circle of friends that you can establish and maintain. You will also have the opportunity to go places and learn various cultures, making you a flexible and well-rounded educator. You will discover new pedagogical ways of executing your profession as an educator or

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Being a member of a professional organization is already an advantage because you are updated of any related issues pertaining to your profession. academician. And the most important reason is, it becomes one of the highlights in your curriculum vitae. Now, as the Vice-President of PSITE Region IV, I was able to initiate trainings with the help of fellow officers for Information Technology (I.T.) educators in Region IV to give emphasis on I.T. research in support to the thrust of Commission on Higher Education or CHEd. We were able to promote camaraderie among I.T. students in Region IV by providing them a venue to showcase their theoretical and programming skills. It is just unfortunate though, we did not make it when PSITE Region IV had its tour in Hong Kong for an extensive I.T. school visit. Here in STI College - Calamba, there are already five active members of the PSITE namely Prof. Ryan E. Maneja, Prof. Khristian G. Kikuchi, Mr. Leo De Mesa, Mr. Romy Gangay, and Ms. Ella Fabros. And I really would like to thank them for making some personal financial sacrifices to join and be a part of PSITE Region IV. And to our new CEO, Ms. Mel C. Bravo for the support and encouragement she has extended to us and to the roster of STI College - Calamba Faculty in the pursuit of keeping them abreast of issues and trends in I.T. To my fellow educators and academicians, let us bear in mind that we are here to profess and not simply instruct nor teach.

As an educator, we must perform the following innate duties: to educate, to research, and to involve ourselves in the community. How would you enrich your skills to efficiently carry out those duties? It’s simple. Pursue post-graduate studies and join professional as well as civic organizations. Through these, we can proudly say that we are indeed educators providing quality education.

PSITE in Iloilo

PSITE officers during a CHED visit

As an educator, we must perform the following innate duties: to educate, to research, and to involve ourselves in the community.

Before the year 1000, the word “she” did not exist in the English language. The singular female reference was the word “heo”, which also was the plural of all genders. The word “she” appeared only in the 12th century, about 400 years after English began to take form. “She” is probably derived from the Old English feminine “seo”, the Viking word for feminine reference.

PSITE in Lyceum Batangas

The first Oxford English Dictionary was published in April 1928, 50 years after it was started. It consisted of 400,000 words and phrases in 10 volumes. The latest edition fills 22,000 pages, includes 33,000 Shakespeare quotations, and is bound in 20 volumes. All of which is available on a single CD.

Source: www.didyouknow.com

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5FBDIFSy By Prof. Sally Sestina, MA STI College-General Santos

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ne afternoon, I was checking the papers of my students when my attention was caught with the one million peso question thrown by Kris Aquino at the contestants in the game show “Game Ka Na Ba?” The question goes, “What is the name of the planet which is named after a Filipino teacher?” I knew the answer because I have read an item featured in the newspapers and have heard about it in almost all television networks. It was so disappointing because the contestant was not able to get the correct answer. (Sayang!) The correct answer? Planet “Biyo”-- it is a small planet located between Mars & Jupiter, rotating around the sun. It was named after a Filipino teacher – Dr. Josette Talamera-Biyo. Dr. Josette Talamera-Biyo is a science teacher from Philippine Science High School in Western Visayas who bagged the INTEL Excellence in Teaching Science and Engineering Fair held in May 2002 at Louisville, Kentucky, USA. She is the first Asian teacher to win the award since its existence in 1997. INTEL received 4000 applicants worldwide which was trimmed down to 90 finalists. Would you believe, she bested 89 other finalists from all over the world?

Because of this great achievement, the Massachusets Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory in Boston named a planet in her honor. Dr. Biyo was quoted as saying, “ I dreamt of stars; I got a planet!”

On one hand, teachers who TEACH TO LIVE regard teaching as an easy way to make a living. They believe that teaching is the easiest job opportunity available. On the other hand, teachers who LIVE TO TEACH are those who make teaching an integral part of their lifestyle, which means they are passionately committed to teaching. They absolutely love what they do. They have high motivation to continue learning and ensure their growth as individuals. Dr. Biyo is one great example of teachers who live to teach. She prefers to stay committed and dedicated to the teaching profession despite the low pay. There are still teachers out there, who work silently and give their hearts out to teaching without thinking so much of the benefits and rewards. They are the unsung heroes of this country.

I want to make a difference in the lives of my students—a difference that they would not have experienced if not for me. It would be a privilege to feel that I can be part of their growth and maturity as I influence them in some positive ways.

In one of her interviews, she was asked by the panel why she was teaching high school when she had a doctorate degree in biology, she answered “Who else will teach these children?”. The panel got even shocked when she told them that she’s getting a net pay of only $300 or roughly Php13,000.00 per month. Which brings me to one important point that indeed there are two groups of teachers; those who TEACH TO LIVE (TL) and those who LIVE TO TEACH (LT).

Dr. Biyo greatly inspires me to continue the dedication for my profession and further enhance my knowledge by enrolling in the doctoral program. I want to make a difference in the lives of my students—a difference that they would not have experienced if not for me. It would be a privilege to feel that I can be part of their growth and maturity as I influence them in some positive ways. All students have had a good number of teachers in their lifetime, but only a few are remembered as being exceptionally good. It really feels good when your previous students express their gratitude for all the things they have learned from you. We teachers are some of the most influential persons in a child’s life. Inculcating such a worthwhile attitude is the best investment that they will have in their lifetime. If each one of us has 30 to 40 students in each class, then, think of how many lives we can affect. So, teachers, let’s congratulate ourselves for having the “noblest profession”. I hope there will be more Dr. Biyos out there who LIVES TO TEACH.

We teachers are some of the most influential persons in a child’s life. Inculcating such worthwhile attitude is the best investment that they will have in their lifetime.

Meeting the Challenge of Meetings Many companies are seeing a need to keep business meetings short and even to do away with unnecessary meetings, reports The New York Times. So to curb waste of time at meetings, some executives have resorted to the use of such desperate measures such as stopwatches, whistles, and uncomfortable chairs, as well as having attendees stand rather than sit. Apparently, the executives are not alone in their view. In a survey of over 600 workers, “meetings that last too long” topped the list of time wasters. Patti Hathaway, author of a book that gives advice on handling situations at work, recommends that executives first look at the agenda to decide whether a meeting is really necessary. If the purpose of a proposed meeting is simply to disseminate information, then consider whether the information can be sent by e-mail.

Workplace Rudeness “Rudeness in the workplace can cost an organization time, effort and talent.” says The Wall Street Journal. A survey of nearly 3,000 people found that more than 90 percent “experienced incivility at work.” Half of these said they “lost work time worrying about the incident,” “25 percent cut their efforts on the job,” and 1 in 8 quit. According to the University of Southern California, holding back on work efforts, absenteeism, and even stealing can all be signs of an organization that is struggling with rudeness.

Source: Awake Magazine 2007 Collection

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ne of the most popular and widely used resources in the Internet is the electronic-mail or email. It is one of the first Internet applications developed. As most people would say it’s a “must-have” to fully use the communications features of the Internet.

Email enables a user of one computer to send message to another or multiple users of computers anywhere in the world within a few minutes. If the recipient is not online, the mail is then stored in an electronic equivalent of a mailbox and can be read any time. However, with the numerous activity involved through email, the risk of a virus attack is very high. At the same time, it may clog the available space on the user’s account. As an email user, one must take a precautionary measure in using it properly. An article entitled “An Email Group Netiquette Guide of Randy Ryan” provides a comprehensive guide and other pertinent topics about email lists. Some mailing lists have low rates of traffic, others can flood your mailbox with several hundred mail messages per day. Numerous incoming messages from various mailing lists by multiple users require extensive system processing which can tie up valuable resources. Subscription to Interest Groups or Discussion Lists should be kept to a minimum and should not exceed what your disk quota or you can handle for that matter. The primary problem with excessive clutter is that it takes away time and energy of the people reading the lists. This tends to cause people to drop out and create a lack of response to meaningful topics from numerous people due to the amount of time wading through the clutter. Randy Ryan suggests some tips on how to make the participation easier and more enjoyable without cluttering mailboxes and wasting precious time of the participants of these lists. 1. POSTING • Keep your questions and comments relevant to the topic being discussed. • Do not send or forward personal emails to a list or another person without permission. This is a copyright violation and a serious breach of privacy and you may be removed from a list for doing so. • Capitalize words only to highlight an important point or to distinguish a title or a heading. *Asterisks* surrounding a word can also be used to make a stronger point. Capitalizing the whole word that is not a title is generally termed as SHOUTING! • Be careful when using sarcasm and humor. Without face-to-face communications your joke may be viewed as criticism. • A one-line response can go in the subject. Enclose it in square brackets [like this] to denote that there is no text to follow. (This is useful for answering requests for www addresses, “800” numbers, and the like.) • Acronyms can be used to abbreviate when possible, though overusing it can be confusing and annoying to the reader. • If your post is really only of value to one or two individuals on the net, use private email and don’t send it to the entire list. 2. SUBJECT LINE • Be sure that the subject line reflects the topic. In other words, don’t auto-reply and start a new thread leaving the old subject line in the header. Unless your software will allow you to change the subject. • Don’t begin your message with a few words on the subject line and continue in the body of the message. This leads to discontinuity of the message and defeats the purpose of the subject line. 3. TRIM DOWN YOUR QUOTES • When quoting another person, edit whatever isn’t directly applicable to your reply. Don’t let your mailing or Usenet software automatically quote the entire body of messages that you are replying to unless it’s necessary.

• Take the time to edit any quotations down to the minimum necessary to provide context for your reply. Nobody likes reading a long message in quotes for the third or fourth time, only to be followed by a one-line response: “Good Idea!” This saves reading time, disk space, network bandwidth, and makes things faster and easier for everybody. 4. ME TOO and THANK YOU • Don’t send “Me Too!”, “Thank You”, and similar messages to the group! Send those out to the individuals email address directly. A private “Thank You” is nicer too! 5. WELCOMES • When people join an email group, it is great that members want to welcome these people into the group. Doing this on low volume lists helps to stimulate conversation. On high volume lists though, it is suggested that these people be welcomed using their private email address than to have several welcome messages cluttering up group related discussions. 6. MANNERS • Resist the temptation to “flame” others on the list. Remember that these discussions are “public” and meant for constructive exchanges. Treat the others on the list as you would want them to treat you. People disagree, sometimes strongly. State your opinion, clearly and freely in an objective manner and understand that others are also free to express their opinions. 7. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION • When signing up for a group, it is important to save your subscription confirmation letter for reference. That way if you go on vacation you will have the subscription address for suspending mail. 8. ATTACHING FILES • DON’T attach files. Instead, get it encoded and imbedded as part of the email. You must convert your file to a standard ASCII text file and include it in the mail that you are composing via copying and pasting, or using built-in file include commands. 9. COMMERCIALS/ADVERTISING • DON’T! Sending out unsolicited commercial email or posting inappropriate commercials is called ‘Spamming’. Unsolicited means sent to an email or Usenet group not designed specifically for the purpose of advertising. Reprisals for doing so can range from getting a few nasty letters reminding you that spamming isn’t nice, to several thousands of letters stating the same, crashing your site, the administrator being forced to remove your account and usually tacking on some administrative fees due to having to scramble to keep deleting enough mail to keep their site from crashing. 10. VIRUS WARNINGS - CHAIN LETTERS • DON’T! Check with the administrator of any list first. Most likely it is a hoax, particularly the warning “Delete and Do Not Read!” warnings since it is absolutely impossible to get a virus by reading email. Even if it is a legitimate program virus, it is up to individual users to know how to scan for viruses before running any program. There are thousands of programs with hundreds of viruses. It is not the function of an email list to serve as a clearing house of virus warning information (unless it is a virus warning list server) or to distribute chain letters. The same applies for the twice a year “Modem Tax” warnings. 11. MAILER CONFIGURATION • Mail to an email list should only be sent in PLAIN ASCII text format. Turn off HTML, MIME Encoding and “quoted-printable” formatting options. Do not attach or send business cards or signature data files. Used only on private, corresponding with people you know that have the ability to decode these properly. They will not work in lists for a huge number of users nor for the readers of a digested version of an email list.

Source: www.our-kids.org

By Marcos Ochoa STI College-Southwoods By Hazel de Guzman STI College-Lucena

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o revitalize the teaching and learning process in the Philippine public high school system, the Personal Computer for Public Schools (PCPS) training program was held at STI College-Lucena last October 19-27, 2006. Sponsored by the Government of Japan through the efforts of the Department of Trade and Industry, the training was attended by public school teachers from the different towns of Quezon– Pagbilao, Atimonan, Mulanay, Lopez, Buenavista, Heneral Nakar, Infanta, Tiaong, Tagkawayan, Mauban, Lucena, and Marinduque. The participants were provided with a training module on Linux and its applications such as Open Office, Mozilla and Encyclopedia Britannica. As part of the program, the participants were motivated by orienting them with the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training’s objective that is to explore more of their potential and innate skills when it comes to tapping various teaching resources such as computers and other technological devices. During the training, the participants were tasked to work on individual and collaborative presentations to ensure that they do not only acquire the knowledge of the program, but also its application or technical know-how. “The 64-hour training session was indeed a challenging task for us,” says Ronnie Padolina, one of the training participants. For him, the activity helped him in improving his qualifications as a teacher. Others stressed that this training was successful in making them realize that the industry needs dynamic teachers who are capable of bringing out the flexibility of the students by means of technology in order to cope in this fast changing world. Every meeting becomes fruitful for everybody since the trainers evidently maximize their effort in equipping the trainees with the information and skills that they have to obtain. “STI trainers are one-of-a-kind. Aside from being friendly and approachable, they also displayed competency and mastery of each lesson being delivered to us,“ says Jayson Devantes, one of the trainees. The training was facilitated by Prof. Alina Baldeo, assisted by Ms. Rhoda Rivares (both IT faculty members) and Mr. Vic Diaz, the school’s Laboratory Facilitator, while Mr. Giovanni Juntereal, Dean of Computer Studies, supervised the entire event.

t times people don’t realize that genuine happiness comes from the simplest gestures. Gestures like a simple “hi” and “hello” from the people you know, a sincere smile from a stranger or just three hours spent with the children who need our utmost attention. The holiday season is fast approaching and so is the long awaited Christmas break. As a tradition, students are busy decorating the hallway for the season, planning for their Christmas class get-together and even buying gifts for their kris kringle. These may be the typical holiday scenarios, but the College of Nursing of STI College-Southwoods has thought of a different way to celebrate the holidays, with selfless giving and sharing of happiness. Last December 12, 2006, this has become a reality through the “Maagang Paskong Handog” held at the Carmona Elementary School Session Hall in Carmona, Laguna. Inspired by the spirit of giving, the students celebrated their Christmas party with the special children of “Persons with Disability of Carmona Elem. School”. The school was a project of Mayor Dahlia Loyola and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). This serves as the children’s second home, where they are educated, loved and cared for. A program was prepared by the nursing students showcasing their different talents. A song and dance Christmas number was presented to the children. In return, a representative from the children serenaded their “Ates” and “Kuyas.” Games were participated in and enjoyed by the children despite their disabilities. You can see in the eyes of these children the joy and warmth they felt from our students. You could see the wide smiles and hear the resounding laughter of the children as our students participated in the activities. The entire experience of our College of Nursing was incomprehensible in words. These children opened up the eyes of our students on the realities of life and the genuine happiness you could find from simple things. It may be just a half-day event and yet the memories are infinitely embedded in their hearts. ERRATUM : In the last issue of the Faculty Stimuli (November 2006, Volume 10), a story entitled “Computerized voting system of STI Munoz-Edsa” was erroneously credited to STI Malolos. It should be STI Munoz-Edsa instead of STI Malolos.

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Two of a Kind

“Two thesis advisers share the trials and the rewards of being named the best.”

By Pacita Nicole Bontia with accounts from Clarissa Mabitasan and Ramon Almazan (MOTA 2007 winning Advisers)

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he thesis program is one of the most challenging pursuits an STI student partakes, and successfully passing the program makes them walk during the graduation march with pride. STI commends the hard work, determination, creativity, and technical know-how of all its students and recognizes the outstanding output they have produced. The Best Thesis Award is a national-level commendation for outstanding thesis projects across the network. This award is conferred upon thesis works that exhibit the highest standard of scholarly accomplishment. Among the best thesis works, the most exceptional will be awarded as the Most Outstanding Thesis and will be provided scholastic incentives. Since school year 2001-2002, the Most Outstanding Thesis Award or MOTA comes with a cash prize and a medal. The thesis adviser of the MOTA winner receives a plaque of recognition for his/ her invaluable support to the group.

STI COLLEGE-BAGUIO School year 2005-2006’s winner of MOTA for the Engineering track comes from STI CollegeBaguio, with their ingenious way of rationalizing water distribution to households through a digitized water meter system. Recel Ambacan and Junio German are the students who have undertaken the study, with Ms. Clarissa Mabitazan supervising their work and progress. A centralized system Ambacan and German’s project is composed of two parts: the digital water meter and the host application. Both are designed to integrate the g a t h e r i n g and processing of information which suppliers can study to gauge water usage in a certain area. More than that, the system is capable of operating as one unit: it can control water flow and monitor the status of meters that comprise its network. The system runs on electricity, and they have figured out a way to make sure it continues running even w h e n power interr uption occurs

in the area it operates. In fact, the meters can still capture raw data until everything is back in production. Ambacan and German’s project could eventually be a tool that will be useful in improving the technology currently in use. More importantly, the accuracy it provides is indispensable to suppliers who aim to cut their losses due to system errors, while improving efficiency when it comes to water delivery. Beginning the greatest challenge Ms. Clarissa Mabitazan, Ambacan and German’s adviser has been with STI College-Baguio for almost ten years, but she has only started being a thesis adviser three years ago. In that short span of time she has proven to be quite popular in the school – she has guided three thesis groups that have been nominated as representatives of STI College-Baguio to the MOTA. Graduating students have requested her to be their adviser so often that she has to say no sometimes to give herself an occasional break and to be able to spend time with her family. In fact, this year’s winner started out with no thesis adviser. “I initially refused…still carrying out my plans to rest for this school year as [the] thesis adviser. But the unexpected resignation of their adviser opened the door,” But with only two weeks left, Ambacan and German had to finish at least eighty percent of their system implementation which is part of their preliminary defense- a part their adviser knows is the most crucial part of the thesis process. She eventually had a brainstorm: she asked Ambacan and German to conduct and implement the system in the subdivision where she lives. She then helped them conduct interviews with her neighbors in order to gather raw data, and she has gone with them to ask the subdivision administrator for permission to carry out the system. Going beyond teaching Ambacan and German successfully defended their thesis during the preliminaries, but there was still work to be done. Producing a thesis is already a daunting task, and with the schedules that the students and the teachers keep, it is quite difficult to establish a reliable routine that enables the exchange of ideas and constructive criticism between the adviser and her advisees. She has gotten around this obstacle by willingly housing the students at her home and making sure that they all worked on the project. “We felt that we still couldn’t relax…even over the semestral and Christmas break, we were working everyday except on Sundays and holidays,” Ms. Mabitazan says. Eventually, though, Ms. Mabitazan suggested that her students find a home near the school to better accommodate their schedules. She visits them from seven to nine in the evening, then she goes home to be with her husband and children. More than anything, Ms. Mabitazan is a supporter of her students. Aside from inviting students to her home, she would also visit her students’ parents; even if it required her to go to

far-flung provinces. She firmly believes that her students have sacrificed a lot to complete their project. “My lectures do not end with theories. I converse with my students about the significance and value of what they’re doing”, Ms. Mabitazan said. So to her students, she’s more than just a teacher–she is a friend.

STI COLLEGE-STA. ROSA The group of Marlito Dungog, Jeffrey Manzano, May Ann Semana and Tristan Taytay from STI College-Sta. Rosa was nominated and bested other STI thesis students in winning the coveted Most Outstanding Thesis Award for the CS/IT last school year. Their thesis entitled Best Job Placement and Recuitment Agency is an online system targeted for job applicants in the CALABARZON area and provides a faster and more efficient means of communication between the employer and the prospective employee. A world of difference Applying for jobs online is not a new phenomenon. However, STI College-Sta. Rosa’s winning group has developed a system that will aid not only the job-seeker but the employer as well. Apart from it being locally-based, the system utilizes a scripting language called the PHP, or hypertext preprocessor, which can be tailored to a user’s specific needs. It can provide a more dynamic and user-friendly interface for both the applicant and the employer. The road to victory The students’ thesis adviser, Mr. Ramon Almazan, credits the success of these students not only on their perseverance and dedication but also on the combined efforts of the college dean, the thesis coordinator and the faculty. The support and encouragement of the people behind them has allowed the group to attain the MOTA. Mr. Almazan firmly believes that he didn’t do anything astonishing or extraordinary, “I just performed the role of an ordinary thesis adviser,” Mr. Almazan said, “I’m lucky that I was chosen as the adviser of these very dedicated and hardworking students.” Mr. Almazan further adds that every thesis adviser is challenged to bring out the best in every student and reinforce the idea that they can pass the subject. Positivism, and a constant reminder to think of their respective strengths, will make each member see his or her importance to the group. However, the adviser should serve not only as the group’s unofficial cheerleader but also as the critic against whom the students can work out their ideas. This realization will help them focus on what each can achieve and, therefore, contribute to the work. The winning groups and all students who have gone through the thesis program will not be able to survive the process without the guidance and care of their beloved parents/guardian, advisers, school administration, other members of the faculty, and the non-teaching personnel.

STI Summer Faculty Training 2007

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nother summer went by, school begins and the life of every student and teacher has gone back to normal… long hours in school, sleepless nights and paper works… Life in school is somewhat stressful, most of us would say… For students, spending summer vacation in the provinces, beach getaways with friends and relatives seem enough to unwind, regain strength and again be prepared for another year of mindand-body-crunching school works and activities. But for the teachers, these getaways and other forms of relaxation aren’t enough. They don’t just need to unwind and regain mental and physical strength to be considered prepared for another year at school. As mentors, they must also be equipped with new knowledge, skills and fresh ideas on how to make classroom teaching more exciting for them and the students. So it is not all fun for the teachers during vacation after all. In STI, we are all aware that faculty members undergo a series of trainings every summer and semestral break. This is the institution’s way of ensuring that faculty members are provided with a venue for learning new knowledge, acquiring skills and fresh ideas regarding the content and the delivery of the courses that they teach. STI provides three types of training for its faculty members; courseware-based training, development training and the Faculty Accreditation of Skills on Teaching Technology (FASTT) training. Faculty members are encouraged to attend these types of training depending on the particular area they aim to be developed in. Courseware-based trainings aid faculty members on how to deliver contents/ topics of a specific course using the developed courseware. Yes, STI faculty members are being provided with courseware materials. Courseware materials are used to facilitate teaching

and also as form of quality assurance. However, providing courseware materials should not mean that the faculty members would simply echo its contents. They need to understand and be able to deliver it effectively and efficiently to the students, thus courseware-based trainings are conducted for courses which teachers may encounter some difficulty in its delivery. This is based on the surveys & informal inquiries among schools and courseware developers. Faculty members, experienced or newbies, are all encouraged to attend these trainings. For new faculty members, it’s a totally fresh learning experience. For the experienced ones, it’s a means of confirming, sharing, and advancing the knowledge that they already possess. STI believes that faculty members should not be left in the confines of the classrooms. The institution recognizes that faculty members may perform diverse functions in and outside their respective schools and they must be prepared for these possibilities. As a focal representative of STI, faculty members must be attuned to new technologies and updates and this is what development trainings are all about – development trainings are provided to promote faculty members‘ professional and career development goals and needs. Admittedly, most faculty members raised their eyebrows when asked to attend development trainings, who needs it anyway? Topics are not even close to what they teach…anyone who have experienced being asked by students about the difference between a “core duo” and a “dual core” processor or a faculty member who was asked by a student to debug his/her “ruby” program and was totally unknowledgeable of these concepts might appreciate being present in one of these development trainings. Ever experienced advising a thesis group whose topic is totally out of your league? STI also provides Faculty Accreditation of Skills on Teaching Technology (FASTT) trainings. Many view this set of trainings merely as a component STI’s Faculty Proficiency Certification, and are

“forced” to attend just to “comply” with the certification requirement. However, STI has a different goal of providing these trainings; FASTT trainings are offered to build support structures that would allow faculty members to engage effectively with instructional technologies and learn best practices in teaching and learning with technology. STI acknowledges the fact that not all faculty members are “born teachers”. Many have the technical expertise and competency but they are not “teachers” in its purest sense; they were trained to be programmers, engineers, businessmen, etc. STI understands the need to re-orient them and instill teaching competencies to make them more effective and efficient educators, thus, the incorporation of FASTT trainings in the long list of trainings lined-up for each and every STI faculty member. Admit it, it always feels good to share and learn. One only needs an open mind, a willing soul and a humble heart to do it. So for all STI faculty members out there, next time you receive an invitation to attend one of the trainings, be sure that you are counted. Your colleagues who are as knowledge-thirsty as you are will be there and ready to listen to what you have to say. See you on the next series of faculty trainings!

By Erwin Escubio STI Headquarters

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or the past ten years, I’ve been involved with faculty training and the teaching profession. I graduated with an Engineering degree and it took me almost eight years to finish it (it’s really a long story to tell). I always tell my students, “quality education takes time!” followed by a simple advise -“never forget to finish your studies, no matter what happens.”

The next part of teaching old dogs new tricks is my experience in Bulacan. I was asked by my fraternity brother to teach in the Night College of their Center for Innovative Education. It is not the same with the regular or full-time students who are supported by their parents. I learned that my students are already working. Most of them stopped going to school because they have to prioritize the needs of their family.

I can never imagine myself teaching new tricks to students older than me. Just the same that I can’t see myself teaching young kids or toddlers the old tricks. But I always make it a point to teach them in different ways and go beyond what is conventional.

Now in their late 30s and even 50s, a part of their salary will be deducted for their education. Their dream is to finish college and hopefully, get a career promotion after graduation.

It was in the year 2001 when I got the chance to meet the public school teachers in a community project called Y2K or Yamang Kabataan at Komunidad (http://pnvsca.neda. gov.ph/Templates/Y2K.htm). During that time, the revised basic education curriculum is the focal program of the Department of Education (DepEd). Public school teachers are bombarded with concepts on learning styles, multiple intelligence, and the integration of subjects. Most of them are saying, “Naku dagdag trabaho na naman yan! Uunahin ko pa ba yan eh 50 estudyante ko!” But nonetheless, they had no choice. DepEd is like a military institution with the principle, “Obey first before you complain!” I’m glad to say that we have the Y2K project and that the Canadian government is generous to fund it. So there it goes, teaching new tricks to old dogs is a big challenge for us. It is really a paradigm shift to compel these teachers who have been teaching for more than 20 years. The great Confucian quote is still effective in a learning environment: “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” It is really a painstaking process for us -- weekly discussions, curriculum workshops, trainings and the actual teaching demonstrations. I am amazed that given the proper resources and motivation, these teachers are more creative than I expected. They can really find innovative means to better teach their students. Though in the end, the final output can only be seen in the eyes and works of the students. There is no more explanation and persuasion in the end. But the real challenge is sustaining the effort and that is more of a political question for the public education system.

It is very difficult to do both. After work at 6pm, they still have to attend my three-hour class in Mathematics of Investment and Financial Management, though I know most of them hate numbers. If you teach them the usual way, they will easily get bored considering that they will be sitting there for three long hours. They are a bunch of “ates” and “kuyas” for me as I try my best to give them a meaningful learning experience. I always tell them, “I’m not here to teach you but we are here to learn from each other.” I did short lectures and tried to change my methods by having them form teams, to work on problem exercises. And those problems are real-life scenarios that put value to numbers as points of decision-making. They work in an openbook and free flow discussion environment. The reality at work is: successful people don’t have to know all the answers, like the great philanthropist Henry Ford. The key is to ask the right question and find the right answer from the right person or from the right resource. To ask questions is to learn for free. An inquiring mind is a learning mind. So I encourage students to work as teams in problemsolving, creating an environment for flowing discussions and open learning. Even during examinations, it’s open-book & open-notes.

They can’t copy answers from each other since there are three sets of exams. At the end of the day, all of them have to explain their decisions about the problems they solved. In one of my assessment tests, I did something unusual. Instead of simply giving the questions, I included the solutions to the problems. The challenge: there is only one solution that is correct and the rest are wrong. They have to determine where it went wrong and how to solve it. Complicated enough but that is reality. Life isn’t getting the right answer to the problems. There are 1001 ways to solve it. But to identify what went wrong to a situation and how to solve it efficiently is the best learning experience I could give to them. These things happen to us everyday. After those grueling learning experiences, my students saw the value of the patience and the endurance tests (since we didn’t stop until they were able to explain their solution). And now, I am proud to say, “you can teach an old dog new tricks!” Just go beyond the conventional. Have no fear to innovate and try new tricks for yourself. And always get in touch with reality.

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or those new to the digital music world, the MP3 and MP4 formats are compressed technologies for converting standard analog audio tracks (like those on a commercial music CD) to smaller digital computer files.

The primary reason digital music formats have become so popular is that they deliver high quality sound at roughly one-tenth the size of the uncompressed original. As a point of reference, a standard Audio CD can hold roughly 20 songs while a CD encoded with MP3 files can hold as many as 200 songs. Normally when sound is compressed, the quality is dramatically diminished, but many empires were launched because of the MP3 format and its ability to deliver high compression rates with a minimum loss of sound quality. The MP3 format became an official standard in 1992 and began the chain of events that eventually created many popular music encoding programs and playback devices. Today, the sheer quantity of small handheld devices that can hold thousands of songs is mind-boggling, but the undisputed leader (by a wide margin) is Apple’s iPod, despite the fact that it was a latecomer to the MP3 player party. A big reason for the huge success of Apple’s music device was the launch of the iTunes online music store. It was the first commercially successful attempt at selling music at 99 cents per song but required an iPod if you wanted to take your purchased music mobile. At the time, Apple was successful (when others weren’t) in convincing the music industry to allow it to sell copyrighted music in a digital format because of something known as FairPlay digital rights management (DRM). Remembering that this all came on the tails of the massive music piracy problem created by the original Napster file sharing system (Napster is now a legitimate online music company), Apple had to demonstrate that it could control how these digital files were used. This is where the AAC format (Advanced Audio Coding, commonly referred to as MP4) came into the picture. Because Apple used a proprietary file format, it was able to limit how each file purchased on its system was used, which meant a single user could not purchase a song and share it with others. Along with this digital rights management system, Apple also made claims that the sound compression technology was superior to the old MP3 format. While the technical data may support this claim, the reality is that most listeners don’t have the playback equipment (speakers) or the ears to tell any difference. What is relevant about music purchased on the iTunes system in AAC or MP4 format is that it can only be played back in the iTunes software or on an iPod, while the MP3 format is supported by all music devices (including the iPod). Your choice of playback system will be the primary driver of which format is best for you, so be sure to check your players’ supported format before you begin buying or encoding your music. Source: www.lockergnome.com

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HFU _|àxÜtÜç Group Accounts By Glenda Busas, STI College-Parañaque Rowena Versoza, STI College-Caloocan Rodrigo Vibar, STI College-Southwoods Renato dela Cruz, STI College-Balayan People have said teaching is a noble profession. In the past, parents encouraged their children to pursue careers in teaching because they considered teaching a highly respectable profession, next to being a doctor or lawyer. This notion has drastically changed. The enthusiasm of individuals to pursue teaching as a career has lessened. Is it because more people now know what a teacher’s life is? The main task of teachers is to mold the minds and hearts of students. Their role is vital as well as crucial because they can either make or break the nation’s future: the youth.

Teachers should be role models since the students normally adopt whatever their teachers say or do. In addition, teachers impart values and skills that guide and help students establish careers. Indeed, teachers must inspire students to prepare for a good future. Only by continuously developing their competencies can teachers be ready to share the best of their knowledge with their students. Teachers also face a lot of challenges. They should exercise patience, especially when students are stubborn and unruly. They should be resourceful, even when schools are not always sufficiently equipped with teaching aids. They must be creative. They must do away with traditional methods of imparting knowledge. They must exercise objectivity in evaluating students. They must avoid inflicting verbal or

Group Accounts By: Nora Teologo, STI College-Global City Apple Marie Cruz, STI College-Angeles Manuel Tisang, STI College-Recto Mari Gizelle Idmilao, STI College-Meycauayan Charmaine Joy dela Cruz, STI College-Calamba Teachers today face a dilemma: either they evolve or die in the profession. Change is inevitable just as it is with the weather, fashion, gadgets and instruction. Enhancements and make-overs have proven to be indispensable in the world we live in. As a result, teachers have to adapt to the modern demands of teaching. How then have STI teachers transformed through times? In the past, teachers were labeled “Maestro,” evoking the image of a middle–aged, highly authoritative, and well-respected practitioner. Maestros were traditional directors of learning who dominated class discussions believing that a child’s mind is like a tabula rasa. They provided all the inputs through board work and negative reinforcement. They adhered to the principle, “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” The product? Tame and subdued students. In this regard, teachers today are more idealistic and want to be progressive. They want to break away from the conventional method of teaching. Unlike their predecessors, the new batch of teachers are more student-centered. They believe that learners should be at the core of the teaching-learning process. They are more eclectic in their approach. They empower their students to be independent through collaborative learning and the task-based approach. They use advanced instructional materials and promote positive reinforcement. Consequently, they generate a feeling of security among the students, who are more relaxed and comfortable in the classroom. Thus, learning is more effective. Many movies project technological advancements to be almost impossible and at times too fantastic to actually come true. Yet, time has proven that scientific and technological progress are limitless. Thus, the teachers will be armed with the latest computer gadgets as their most important tools in reaching their online scholars in different locations around the world. The continued introduction of new technology and enhancements will make electronic education the trend in the 25th century. Change might be intimidating. It might be risky, but it is necessary. If STI teachers are willing to take part in the continuous process of learning then they must take the necessary steps to stay in the cycle or be left out. They must follow the basic example of nature itself, evolve or die.

physical harm on their students while avoiding emotional attachment to students. To top it all, they must upgrade their technical knowledge in using computers and interactive programs which might enhance their teaching method. These struggles and frustrations are a reality. Teachers do experience difficult times. Unlike most of us, they must forget their personal problems whenever they face a class. What they cannot forget though are the mountains of paper work: quizzes, test booklets, research works and projects, not to mention the reports that have to be submitted to their supervisors. Everyone knows that teaching is not financially rewarding. People repeatedly say that if you want to be rich, then teaching is not for you. However, if you want to do something worthwhile, change your country and maybe change the whole world, but before that you can start in the classroom. Live a teacher’s life, because you will then know what it’s all about.

By Romeo Arnedo, Jr. STI Legazpi From the winds that blow and push this vessel To mild-mannered oceans of clearer depths To a whirlpool of dust that blurs a vision resolute For a thought delayed for sometime For earthen calls that guide sublime Sometime, somehow now so prolonged and thinned This lunar spasm awakens forty winks to offer a solemn smile Of a lesser guise that came to be present and refined Sometime, somehow, it has been a thousand mile So this is how I came to know of this unchosen precipice A panacea for the one that refuses to walk through leveled grounds But among more disheveled fields that tirelessly abound Just tell me will this ever suffice? This universe of such endless empathy Seemingly passing through bounds beyond human Only to give a gift of unplayful vanity Everyone presumes it is all but a hurried plan. Surely one thinks that nothing comes impossible To a lunar spasm, with a might so agreeable and achieving Surely one day when all things become improbable For this lunar spasm, fright disemboweled happens so unwavering Rouse me then from this inspiring slumber of mercurial construct In spiteful infrequency or phenomenal rarity Of the one frenzied by all things casual and miserly I articulate this lunar spasm… As I straddle through a genuine chasm.

By Ederlyn Dizon STI College-Taft

A BEAUTIFUL MIND By Bang Lawag STI Headquarters

Puff...and presto! The grades are finished, the students passed (or failed as the case maybe), the reports are submitted, and once more the semester is over. Sigh! The role of the teacher varies to being the magician of grades, the conjurer of sweet or sour feelings, the soothsayer of bright or dim future, and other “arcane” matter about school life – the saga of schoolmarm continues. The story below gives you a glimpse on how she began her trade as the “fairy godmother” of all the aspiring craftsmen assigned to her care. Once upon a time, in the days of yore, in a guild not far from the castle of Governance, Miss Marple, on completing her apprenticeship at the guild decided to try her luck as one of the craftsmen of minds. Thereupon, she started her trade armed with knowledge, skills and of course the inseparable magic wand bequeathed to her by Lord Merlin, her grandfather, the Wizard of Wisdom in the Land of Learning. Things were well at first for Miss Marple. The students were imbued with curiosity, eagerness, and active minds. Soon enough, she found herself receiving warm greetings, upturned faces, shy smiles, and raised hands. The novice teacher got deeply involved in pedagogy and methodology. She noticed that only few students are completing their assignments. However, the examinations were highly satisfactory until the mid-semester. Slowly her students interests had started to wane and led them to skip classes every now and then. She then found herself in quandary. She tried her best to be the ideal craftsman of the trade. Worried that the castle authorities might learn about the situation and the guild itself would be in question, she talked to other craftsmen and sought their sage advice. She was advised to change her tactics to maintain the interests of the students. The troubled schoolmarm pored over her manuals and tried to be updated on the latest techniques. She then resolved to put her magic wand to work. Halfway through the semester, she put on her charm, changed her attitude and approach, and improved her delivery of antics. If she had to recite ballads like a palace minstrel for the explanations, then recite she did. If she had to juggle crystal balls and swallow knives like a court jester or joked her way around the lessons and activities so that she could get the undivided attention of every student, then juggle she did. If she had to sing and dance, bend and twist or swing and tumble, then she did. Each time she enters the guild she waves her magic wand and weaves a spell of enthusiasm and the will to learn on all her aspirants. Glory and behold! By the end of her first term, she had regained her students desire to learn the craft. Moreover, these students have discovered that learning could be fun with Miss Marple. Thus, she was known as the “Sorceress of Students”- an apt accolade to the enchantress of the classroom. However not all was happy with the achievement of Miss Marple. One of the younger teachers stealthily hid Miss Marple’s magic wand in the hope of discrediting her before her class. She tried to use it in her own classes. But to the teacher’s dismay, she threw the magic wand away and it wasn’t seen anymore. What do you think happened to Miss Marple? Did she rant and rave about the loss? Did she scream her heart out at the malicious provocateur of mischief? Did she lose the magic touch that turned apprentices into masters of trade? The latter years would prove that contrary to common beliefs, Miss Marple had even surpassed the enchantment she cast over her students. She became the teacher par excellence and was sought by apprentices all over the guild. Did she find the magic wand and just kept it to herself? No Sire. Madame. Thou art mistaken. Miss Marple had found her own self. She had gained CONFIDENCE in her abilities and no magic was in play!

Shown in 2001, A Beautiful Mind, based on Sylvia Nasar’s biography of Nobel Prize winner John Nash, illustrates the power of one man’s mind. Beyond being a love story, the film also points out to the viewers the importance of reaching out in times of need and how you can be saved from it. This is the central theme that resonates throughout the film giving the viewers an insight into the life of a brilliant man and the burden he carries because of it. John Nash, a math genius, is in a quest to find one original idea that will change the world. In Princeton, he managed to catch the attention of several important people and was recruited to be part of the goverment think-tank. He then on becomes involved in a conspiracy which he believes is part of the reality that lives in. Despite his brilliance, he finds difficulty interacting with people. However, he meets and marries Alicia, a student whom he meets in one of his classes. Afflicted with schizophrenia, he is confronted and conflicted by the world that his troubled mind has created and it is through Alicia’s help that he transformed and finally lives with it. It would have been easy to have the film degenerate into a melodramatic movie. However, solid good actors and a wellwritten screenplay gives the viewer a reason to empathize and believe in the characters. Russell Crowe, an actor who can always be relied upon to portray his character effectively, shows John Nash unflinchingly – it is difficult to remain unmoved when John tries to re-integrate himself back into society even when his mind throws at him the people that only he can see. Alicia Nash is played by Jennifer Connelly, an underrated actress who was vindicated when she won the Oscar Best Supporting Actress for this role, providing the prop against whom Crowe’s character can depend on. Add Paul Bettany and Ed Harris to the group, the people from John’s imaginary world, and you come up with a powerful ensemble performance that resonates after seeing the film. Although the film is already six years old, its relevance cannot be denied. Brilliance may give you honor and recognition but it is ultimately unreliable to see a person through life. It is through the simplest act of reaching out to a person that we can actually define how life can become beautiful for us.

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By Mayette Bontia STI Headquarters

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ave you ever wondered how Philippine society can best be described beyond what is immediately obvious? Do you often find yourself contriving to explain culture without resorting to what can be immediately seen? Have you been nursing this belief that your personal history is somehow connected to the story that is Philippine culture? Ian Craib, author of Classical Social Theory, might be able to help you out. On the outset, you might be intimidated by the mere fact that words, classical and theoretical are part of the book’s title, but you don’t have to worry about a thing. If you consider yourself a serious student of the study of human interaction in society, then this book is for you. Sociology is broadly defined as the scientific study of how people interact with various social institutions – education and government, among others – that make up society as a whole, and vice versa. There are three theorists who are considered to be pioneers in Sociology: Emile Durkheim, a French philosopher; Karl Marx, an economist; and Max Weber, a man whose diverse disciplines include everything from economics to jurisprudence. These three people form the bulk of classical social theory and their ideas have influenced contemporary social scientists when it comes to forming their own theories about the world.

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In his book, Ian Craib presupposes that the reader has had basic knowledge of sociology and of Durkheirm, Marx and Weber. However, and in order to make the text more accessible to non-sociology students, Craib utilizes plain language philosophy wherein he doesn’t confuse the reader by making one long and tedious sentence into a five-line paragraph. Rather, he uses English in layman’s terms so that even a person who only has an inkling of sociology might be able to relate what he or she has learned from the book. Craib also includes George Simmel, a German sociologist whose knowledge across a vast field of interests brings an insight into the poor which will sound very familiar to Filipino readers. What is good about this book is the fact that Craib presents abstract theory and lets the reader explore the implications of it in his or her society. For instance, Craib discusses how Durkheim sees society as an organism with each social institution doing its part in order for the whole to function. In the Philippine context, this can be seen as government interacting with the private sector in order to keep the economy afloat, or in how schools act as conduits of learning from a family’s generation to another. On the other hand, Marx is more confrontational: he believes that society is eternally defined by the people who own money and by the people who have to work in order to earn money. A reader sees how Marx’s foremost thesis is on labor and how it has been commodified in order to achieve projected monetary goals at the expense of losing one’s creativity. This can be clearly seen in the assembly-line process of manufacturing products; everything is so mass-produced

that there is no way a laborer can express his or her identity through a process that should be seen as ultimately creative. Moreover, in Craib’s book the reader will read one of the more famous quotes attributed to Marx: Religion is the opium of the masses, and Craib explains why Marx thinks so. On the contrary the third sociologist, Weber, believes that religion played an important part in the development of capitalism in the West. He writes that because of the Protestant ethic, many people in the West adapted an attitude toward work and profit that made conditions very conducive toward building a capitalist economy. Meanwhile, Simmel argues that poverty is relative, and that the poor, as a group, is a social construct. It will always be defined in reference to another economic group. A student serious about learning his or her society by way of sociology shall enjoy this book immensely. There are good points raised by Craib when it comes to Durkheim, Mark, Weber and Simmel. More than that, the mere fact that Craib allows the reader his or her own assumptions about society should be impetus enough to at least peruse this book. Besides learning about society the way Western social researchers have seen it, the book also gives the reader a chance to apply what he or she has learned to Philippine culture. This is especially tricky considering the fact that even the term Filipino and what it constitutes is a hot topic among nationalists and globalists. Anyone who seriously thinks about studying Philippine culture beneath the surface of immediate social interaction should pick this book up and start brushing up on sociology and society.

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By Ma. Asuncion Gonzaga STI Headquarters

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iabetes Mellitus (DM) according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) affects an estimated 230 million people worldwide. A figure estimated to blast to 250 million by 2025. Each year approximately 6 million people across the globe develop the disease while 3 million succumb to the complication making diabetes the 4th leading cause of death globally. In the Philippines, the prevalence of DM has risen from 4% in 1998 to 4.6 based in 2003 National Nutrition Health survey, which translate to increase diabetic related morbidity and mortality. It has also tremendous economics impact in terms of lost work hours and productivity. Diabetes has been known to man since 2000 – 300 B.C. The Greeks and Romans gave its name diabetes from: Diabetes = Siphon (frequent urination) Mellitus = Honey (Sugar in urine) Diabetes is not a contagious disease. However, heredity and lifestyle plays a very important part. It is believed that diabetes is passed through generations in your genes.Therefore, Diabetes Mellitus is a metablolic disease, which our body breaks down the food we eat to reduce the energy we need to function. In Diabetes, the human body does not properly convert GLOCUSE from a simple sugar into energy. Types of Diabetes Because of the different types, Diabetes has different causes and underlying problems. There are also different treatment approach and different aspect of learning to live with the disease. A) Insulin Dependent Diabetes or TYPE 1 In this type the pancreas usually produce very little or no insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes therefore, DEPEND on daily injection of insulin to maintain life. They are called INSULIN DEPENDENT. They must carefully balance their daily food and activities

with their insulin shots. The 3 part system which is diet activity and insulin complex. If the system goes out of balance diabetic emergency such as insulin shock or Ketoacidosis may occur. This usually occurs as early as 3 months or any age, regardless of sex. There’s also a rapid loss of weight. It affects 15% to 20% of total diabetic population. B) Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes (TYPE II) This is more common than Type 1 or IDDM. More than 90% of all diabetic is Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) In this kind, the pancreas produce some insulin, sometimes normal or even above normal amount. Often, the insulin is there but it doesn’t work right. It doesn’t help the glucose to get into the body cell as efficiently as it should. NIDDM or Type 2 Diabetes is also called maturity onset. Women and overweight people are most likely to have it. Diabetes has a strong heredity connection, however, it develops slowly. It often occurs after 33 years old or earlier. Diabetes affects 80-85% of total diabetic population. One way to avoid complication is to have a diet exercise education and when necessary include oral medications and insulin. Early warning signs The 3 classic symptoms of diabetes are 3 P’s 1.) increased thirst (polydypsia) 2.) increased hunger (polyphagia) 3.) increased urination (polyuria) Frequent urination and great thirst When the excess sugar in bloodstream overflows through the kidney much water is release then you have to urinate more often thus your body loses a lot of water, this makes you thirsty Weight loss & Volume changes Weight loss can occur before the disease is diagnosed and brought under control. There may be rapid weight loss due to body’s inability to properly mobilize sugar. When much sugar is lost through the urine, the body then gets its energy from its fats and protein tissue & this causes weight loss and increase hunger. Other common symptoms are body weakness, where glucose is not properly used as energy; skin problems like itchiness especially on the genital areas, skin infections, blurred vision, occasionally stomach pain and vomiting, pain and numbness or tingling sensation in their toes and finger. More than anything else, prevention is still the best thing to avoid the risk of diabetes. One better way to do it is to have a healthy lifestyle. Eat food with right nutrition and exercise regularly. Keep in mind that everything should be in moderation whether it’s food or exercise. Too much of anything is not good for your body.

Introduce Your Children to Reading

“It has been noted that the children of good readers follow their parents’ example,” states neurolinguistics specialist Beatriz Gonzalez Ortuno, as reported in the Mexican newspaper, Reforma. Since children have a great capacity to learning, it is good to encourage their interest in reading even before they can identify vowels. Examples, stories can be read to them that will help them to develop their imagination. The study gives suggestions for introducing children to reading: “Sit down together, allow them to turn the pages, let them interrupt and ask question when they wish.. Ask them to talk about the objects and characters that appear in the story. Answer all their questions. Relate the book to the life of the children.

Panic Disorder

“Panic disorder can cause attacks at anytime, even waking victims at night with symptoms including chest pains, shortness of breath, intense fear, choking, sweating and an urge to flee,” says the Vancouver Sun newspaper. A recent report compiled more women reported of having experienced panic attacks than men. Those who suffer from the disorder “are almost twice as likely to use drinking as a coping mechanism and nearly three times as likely to smoke more than individuals without the condition,” says the paper. On the positive side, nearly 70 percent of those diagnosed seek professional medical help. The report states that Dr. Jacques Bradjn, chairman of the University of Ottawa, believes that although genetic and biological factors may produce the disorder, attacks “can be triggered by stressful life events.”

Source: Awake Magazine 2007 Collection

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"QP By Peter Paul Tero STI Kidapawan

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o you have any idea on how to spend your much needed break? Try whitewater rafting, or better yet explore the country’s highest mountain. And you might just have the time of your life. As for me, I just did!

September 24, 2006 – It was an ordinary day for everyone, but for me it was one of the most exciting days of my life. I headed towards the Davao Crocodile Park that morning to meet my college companions, Jepot, Rafsan, Adrian and Elmer, students from STI Kidapawan. Jepot, a wall climber and extreme sports enthusiast, invited us to experience whitewater rafting - a relatively new extreme sport in Davao. Moments later, we were called to go at the office-shop of the Davao Wild Water Adventure for a brief orientation - proper wearing of safety gear, proper paddling, staying afloat in case the raft will flip; is needed before going in the water. We traveled to Lower Tamugan, Calinan, Davao City to start the much-awaited adventure. We used five rafts, three triyaks and one kayak as we coursed through the river. Each of us had our own paddle and safety gears. It has been raining for the past few days, that made the water brown, we were virtually paddling along the murky water of the Davao River. The first phase of our trip was easy, practicing the basic stroke of paddling. No difficult rapids yet. But hey, do not think it was no fun. Just using your paddle is fun enough. Ely, our guide, would tell us to back paddle or paddle forward, and our paddles would hit each other like Jedi swords in Star Wars. Sometimes, we would scream because our raft would bump into the rocks along the river.

It was already lunch time when we reached the river bank where we ate and took some pictures. After a short rest, we resumed our adventure. If the first phase was a breeze, the next one was a near disaster experience. We would encounter a difficult rapid which they call the “Washing Machine”. Our guide told us that it was in this place where many rafts would overturn and rafters would end up swimming through the rapids. True enough, tri-yaks that drifted ahead of us overturned. And believe it or not, our own raft almost flipped. It did not really overturn but it just turned slightly to one side and went back. All my companions were thrown out because of the strong rapids that hit our raft. I was fortunate that my right foot was strapped securely to it. But then I was envious of them because I was not able to experience the plunge. It just happened so fast. One moment we were singing “Boom Tarat Tarat”, seconds later it happened, and soon all of us were back in the raft. Whhoooo! It was awesome! Another rapid that we encountered was called the “Drop and Suck”. It was also a strong rapid, but unlike the previous one, we passed through it unscratched. We were then able to do the “high five”, where we raised our paddles to signify a successful pass through the obstacle. From start to finish, we coursed through 13 kilometers of the Davao River, filled with rapids of excitement, screams and hard effort. And at the end of the day, we went home with ached and tired bodies.

While we were having lunch during our rafting escapade, the thought of trekking Mt. Apo as our next adventure came to the picture. So we planned and prepared for this much difficult endeavor. On October 25, during the semestral break, the same group from STI Kidapawan who did the water rafting, started our journey to scale Mt. Apo, the country’s highest mountain and here’s the daily account of our success. Day 1.Feeling excited about what’s ahead of the climb, we started hiking at around 9:30 am, via the Agko, Kidapawan City trail. For hours, we crossed the Marble River several times, passed through thick forests, ascending through mountains and the so called 87-degree wall prior to Lake Venado. By 4 pm, we arrived at the lake, near our camping site where we can settle down for the night. During summer, Lake Venado was an ideal site for camping because of its wide dry land space for setting tents. However, it was a rainy season in October and the lake was overflowing. No dry land can be seen even at the farthest side of the lake. Fortunately, there was a near alternative camp site - a bunkhouse set up by PNOC. But going through thick and wet vegetations cost us another two hours to reach the place. It was already dark when we arrived at the bunkhouse. We quickly set up our camp, prepared our meals and slept through the cold dark night. Can you imagine all five of us crowding in a tent intended for three people? Day 2. After breakfast, all was set to climb the peak. It was a cloudless sky and the peak was beautiful from where we stood. However, halfway to the peak, clouds began to cover the mountain and soon the rain fell, drenching us. By noon, we arrived at the peak, set up the tent and ate our lunch. There were occasional rain showers and there’s not much to do but to stay in the tent. Day 3. We were standing at one of the peaks of Mt. Apo taking pictures of ourselves and the beautiful scenery of sunrise. Anywhere we looked, it was a sight to behold. We proudly raised the Team STI banner. In the afternoon we explored the other side of the mountain near the crater, where we picked wild berries. We almost got lost though when the clouds started to cover the mountain, greatly reducing the visibility of the place. Day 4. It’s time for us to descend, so we packed our things. We walked down the mountain and passed through the forest and the river again. In the afternoon, we arrived in Agko, our starting point, and stayed for the night in the Lake Agko resort, where we took a relaxing dip in its hot spa. Day 5. It’s time to go home. After days of grueling adventure, we can now relax, albeit shortly, since we cannot wait to tell our friends and loved ones what a wonderful experience we had. Extreme adventures are a lot of fun. It will bring you closer to nature and will make you appreciate the wonders of the world. There is also a feeling of self-fulfillment when you’ve done something you never thought you are capable of. vFor my part, it was such a memorable, thrilling, and humbling experience. I was able to know myself better and discovered a strength that I didn’t know existed within me. Like how the clichés goes, “we only live once, so why not make the most out of it?”