QUIZ???

CICT’s Baguio Experience

One… two… three… Oh I see… I saw may name listed on Bus no. 28 with nine of my other classmates and other sections from BSIT and Comp. Tech students. I felt a sudden strike of being united as a one college.

I was only three years old when I first came to the City of Pines and that justify why it was hard on my part to remember a single detail of being in Baguio before. When I heard about the Baguio tour of CICT from my so-excited classmates, it made me long to be on the City of Pines again but this time, to capture memories that I surely can remember. Really, it saddened me when I was informed that Php. 1,700 closed the package inclusions. That is one night and two days stay. Most of us, (a good example were my classmates) fell back and decided not to join the fieldtrip anymore for it will cost us a lot. Maybe the organizers (CICT Faculty Officers) realized it’s not practical to settle for Php. 1,700 so they moved it to almost a half. Three of my friends wanted to join but only the two of us in the circle have been lucky to afford the tour’s payment. The day before, they start teasing me like “Tao ka na, makakarating ka na sa Baguio.” What I have told them is that it was my first time to visit the place.

Thank God there’s CICT Baguio Tour, I can now say that I’m able to do things that I wanted, not as a three year old little girl, but a more grown-up to treasure my experiences in my long-term memory!

When the buses came, students started prowling left and right while looking for their names in the bulletin board and on the bus where their names were listed. I saw students that midnight strolled the hallway to find bus numbers, I saw them jumped in and out of the bus and have seen some with huge bags (looks like they’re out for an out of the country vacation), almost sleeping beside the hallway waiting for the bus numbers to be posted. We hadn’t witnessed the skeletal road going up to the mountains of Baguio because we traversed the road where the night loses grasp of the light. But I’m thankful about it anyway, because I hadn’t experienced any drowsy feeling. Our tour guide with a thin but phlegmic voice really disturbed me, in fact almost all of us in the bus. For so many times, he will turn on the lights, get the microphone and would start announcing about the places were we would visit for numerous times over and over again. Nevertheless, he is a certified Baguio historian. I learned that Baguio came from an Ilocano word “Bagiw” which means a plant that grows in mossy and wet places and that Architect Burnham developed the Baguio’s structural design. That’s why Burnham park- the center of Baguio city is named after him.

I could vividly remember Baguio in an early morning. I think that’s the most beautiful part of the day. A foggish, mossy place on Earth plus the cold air – really makes Baguio different from any other places in the Philippines. I further understand why it is called the “Summer Capital” of the Philippines. One thing I enjoyed was when you open your mouth to speak; white smoke will come out of it [just like in Korean movies]. I did it when were having a coffee at six in the morning at Burnham. We’ve been to Bell tower next and there, lighted up five incense sticks in front of a huge Buddha and made our wishes. I enjoyed buying souvenirs at the strawberry farm. Ever heard of a strawberry flavored lengua de gato, strawberry taho, strawberry ice cream, and strawberry key chains? Baguio is really blessed with strawberries. We took most of the pictures in the Botanical Garden, The Mansion, the Wright Park, and Mines View Park—well, I can say that the vision of the mountain is so magnificent! You will surely fall in love standing over the deck! After that, we went back to Burnham Park for lunch- it was past one o’clock in the afternoon. Other went to SM Baguio for the last two hours. I stayed at the bus to steal a sleep. My legs were tired of walking and numb of the coldness.

At four o’clock in the afternoon, we started traveling off our way back to Malolos but this time-- no more tour guide. It was raining when we left Burnham- looks like even heaven bade goodbye as we drifted away from the cold city.

On our way home, we finally experienced the roads of Baguio. It seemed endless. From afar, I saw how blessed Baguio is. People there would not need to climb higher mountains or ride a helicopter to touch the clouds or even chase it away because during the sunset, clouds go down like bridging the top of the mountains and the sky. As the sky turned tangerine while the sun soaks through the downside of earth, you’ll see how heaven was touch by the earth through the clouds. It’s magnificent! It was past ten in the evening when the busses arrived at BulSU.

To walk back home carrying three brooms worth Php100.00, three strawberry wines, six peanut brittle, one kilo fresh strawberries and a dozen key chains is really tough especially when your legs ache. I felt loosing my feet but full of pictures of Baguio in my memory, in my camera and now, in my friendster account!

---Mira---

The Everyday Hero

This morning is maybe one of the most unspoken and poignant jiffy in my life. What is it? I am now handing a photograph, an old photograph to be exact, maybe a couple of decades older than I am. Of whom? Well, a person… a great person whom I barely know. We didn’t talk that much nor shares common visions or secrets. But no one and nothing in this world could ever veil the fact that I owe this person a lot!

Every morning, this person is one of those busiest bees. But oftentimes, many are too occupied to become aware of that, including me. This “someone” I am talking about almost dedicated her life just to provide us with healthy meals and good clothing. She was not able to enjoy the sweet taste of fruits or chocolates and I must know that because she always fakes me with the alibi saying she already had her part. I’ve only seen her with tears three to four times though in reality I know she is at all times in a deep pain. I remember attending a poster-making contest that implementing the theme of visualizing your hero, majority of the participants painted the battle over the high merit of history but definitely the one with a great edge that outstand in the competition was the one made by a young boy that beyond doubt I believe that he is owning an older heart. This art piece reminds me of something--the photograph I have seen this morning. With a trace of youthful glow and innocence, the picture reminds me of a youthful heart dreaming of a blissful life with her ideal family. She is undeniably one of the people who loves and cares for us unconditionally yet we often neglected this part of the story.

How much time we are spending with our friends laughing and crying? Does it equalize the time we spend with her? With a great advancement of technology that jammed up the attention of the youths -- even thought of technology as a powerful creator of virtual friends-- has anybody ever evoke paying attention to her advices or care for a minute of talk with her? I still retain the vision of the child’s eyes in the poster-making contest--that intense feeling of being proud as he received the medal while holding his masterpiece. The poster shows a picture of a woman, not a woman with a myth beauty but a woman holding the splendour that no words could ever cage. With a pearl-size sweat that runs in her dry skin traces with age-lines, the woman is seated on a wooden bench brushing dirty jeans out of the dirty clothes that was worn by the family over a week. Absolutely this naive child sees her mother as a hero. It is a shameful moment for me, for I have never thought of how she plays a big part in my life as much as the fact that I never thought of her becoming my hero.

While the photograph still jogs my memory of her beauty that gradually steals by time, everyday of our life would always hark back of her greatness as a woman of passion, patience, reverence, braveness, concern and fidelity. Now that I am hearing her cracking bones, seeing deep pain searing as she walk, completely aware of how much she fight the coldness of the night that caused her too much ache--I know that my hero is weak for a battle. But then, I do not think I have said how much I admire and love her. So before I and you loses our grip over the time, and before this materialistic world thwart us of appreciating extraordinary individual in our life, let us take time to be thankful for them and learn to know their worth. In this world we can be offered with unlimited stuffs but only our mother could offer us her life undoubtedly… So the next time you would think of your hero, would you consider her as one?

--- Alicia N. Magtira ---

INVITING ALL LAY-OUT ARTISTS


We are looking for LAY-OUT ARTISTS who have an idea on COREL DRAW. Interested CICT students may inquire at the CURSOR Office, Room 1, Right Wing, New CICT Building or send an email cursor_newsletter@yahoo.com or through our faculty adviser Mr. Kevin Francis B. Ople.

Why not try? This could be the chance you are waiting for.

CICT BAGUIO City Tour

I heard about the said fieldtrip right before our school’s Christmas break. I was informed from a survey made by the CICT faculty. The survey quoted where students would much likely to go for a one day tour. There have been three options in fact: Subic, Baguio, and Corregidor. More students opted for Baguio with their signatures in the survey material. I witnessed how my classmates talked about it. I even heard other CICT students getting excited for the tour to Baguio. Obviously, many of them chose Baguio. Now, what’s in there that most of us students want to explore? We were EXPLORERS right? A term ventured for us CICTians. It has said that January and February are months were Baguio experience very low temperature. That means really really cold!!! Imagine clouds are on your reach when the sun starts to go down. Maybe we love Baguio’s moist tropical pine forest conducive to the growth of mossy plants and orchids. Students would want to unwind from the pressures we get from school especially midterms’ only two weeks away.

This coming January 17, 2008, we are going to visit the City of Baguio. Let me give you some of the places we surely would visit. The first stop according to a CICT faculty officer is Burnham Park. There are different facilities for recreation and relaxation that are available in the park. You can row a boat, have a picnic, attend an outdoor concert, watch a football game, go biking, or just take a leisurely stroll around the park. After Burnham, the next route is the Wright Park. It is located at the eastern part of the city and fronting the main gate of the Mansion, and besides is one of the many scenic parks in Baguio City. We’ll also have a visit on the Philippine Military Academy where most of the bravest soldiers of our country were trained. Mines View Park is the next route. This is a breathtaking panoramic view of Benguet's gold and copper mines and the surrounding mountains of it. The organizers plan to drop by the souvenir shops after and then access the route to the strawberry farm at La Trinidad Valley and lastly to Baguio Public Market. There were also some school visit like University of the Philippines in Baguio and Baguio State University. We’ll also check out the Moog Controls Corp. and Texas Instruments, Smart, Globe, Sky cable and satellite centers that are related to Information and Communications Technology.

The packaging inclusions were services such as a Roundtrip land transfer (Malolos – Baguio - Malolos), city tour, travel insurance, permit and entrance fees, parking and toll fee, and Coordinator’s assistance. This is not compulsory. Those who are willing can join. All students of the college are invited. The fieldtrip fee is Php. 900.00. I had a copy of the tour schedule.

12:00 mn – 1:00 am Assembly
1:00 am Depart from BulSU
1:00 am – 7:00 am Travel time going to Baguio
7:00 am estimated time of arrival
8:00 am Start of Baguio City tour
8:00 am – 3:00 pm Baguio City tour
4:00 pm Departure going back to Malolos
10:30 pm expected time of arrival to BulSU

So on January 17 2008, let’s take the Baguio experience! Let’s unwind and feel the cooling breeze of the City of Pines. Maybe some of you have been to Baguio a couple of times and have fallen in love to it’s scenic views and the panoramic ambience everywhere and this time again, let’s capture memories there that will surely remain in us long enough to last.

“Ang Alamat ng Tamad” (Warning: Hindi Pambata)

“Sino ang nauna---tamad na estudyante o tamad na teacher?”

Second Sem na naman! Panahon ng bayaran at pakikipagtunggali kung sasama nga ba ako sa fieldtrip? Habang naglalakad ako sa makitid at marupok na tulay na siyang piping saksi sa labing-apat na taon ng aking pag-aaral, bigla kong naitanong sa sarili ko “ Paano nga ba naiba ang buhay kolehiyo?”

Isang kahon ng crayola, malaki, bilog at itim na lapis, isang pad ng papel at limampiso--- yan ang tanging dala ko noong kinder. Pero umuuwi ako ng masaya tuwing may nakatatak na pulang “star” sa likod ng aking palad at isang punong-puno ng aral na kwento mula kay ma’am!

Bag na puno ng luma at inaanay na pampublikong aklat, lapis, ballpen, ilang kwaderno,at labing-limang piso--- yan ang dala ko sa elementarya. Pero umuuwi ako ng masaya tuwing makakapagsagot ako ng problem solving at mananalo ako sa baseball baseball-an game!

Medyo naiba ang highschool, may bahid pulitika na ang pagtakbo sa class officers at SG election. Nagulat din ako nuong panahong hingan ako ni Ma’am ng apat na floorwax [‘yung naka-box] at hingan ako ni Sir ng apat na manila paper para daw mapirmahan ang clearance ko??!! Pero umuuwi pa rin naman ako ng masaya tuwing makakasagot sa biglaang recitation ni Sir at hindi ako napagtinda ni Ma’am sa school canteen!

Ngayong college na ako [sa wakas!] ibang-iba. Para akong magkakaroon ng manic depression dahil sa biglaang pag-shift ng environment. Mas malaki ang eskwelahan, mas maraming estudyante, at halos isa lang sa isang libo ang kakilala mo.

Kung excited kang pumasok tuwing pasukan noong elementary at highschool, SA COLLEGE—tatamarin ka!!! Dahil ang pasukan ay kakambal ng mala-ONLINE GAME na enrolment. By level ito: patibayan ng sikmura [bawal mag-lunch dahil tiyak na masisingitan ka!]; palakasan [pwedeng pisikal kapag nagkakagitgitan na; pwede ring Padrino System]; palinawan ng mata [baka pasimpleng nakikipagkwentuhan ‘yung nasa unahan mo at humahanap lang ng tyempo para sumingit]; at pakapalan ng mukha [kung hindi mo na natiis at sumingit ka na talaga!]. Ang masakit pa nito eh pagdating mo sa kuhanan ng ID picture, mukha ka nang nasalanta ng bagyo! Pero may mas masaklap pa doon at ito ay ang pagpapatibay ng sikmura upang suotin ang ID ng isang taon! [mahirap na baka mahuli ka ni manong guard!]

Sa highschool at elementary, kapag na-late ka pipila ka kasama ng ibang nasiraan ng alarm clock upang magkaroon ng sariling flag ceremony at mamumulot ka pa ng kalat pagkatapos. Mahihiya ka nga namang hindi pumasok ng maaga kinabukasan dahil magmumukha ka nang janitor!

SA COLLEGE---inuugat ka na at puti na pati ang eye balls mo kahihintay pero wala parin ang teacher. 15minutes ang grace period pero ilang ORAS ba ang grace period na nakalaan sa mga teacher para sa kaalaman ng mga estudyanteng manhid na sa paghihintay dahil baka nga naman mag-deklara ng LONG QUIZ si teacher kapag sakaling dumating! [kapag hindi eh di malas!]

Sa kinder matutuwa ka sa iba’t-ibang kwentong pambata, alamat, pabula, parabula, at maikling kwento na ibabahagi ni ma’am, may magagandang drawings pa!

SA COLLEGE--- mauubos ang 21 units na binayaran mo sa iba’t- ibang intriga/litanya/problema/kasaysayan/talambuhay/karanasan/at pakiki-pagsapalaran ni teacher! Para itong isang nakaligtas na kopya ng Mahabharata dahil laging “to be continue..” ang drama. Naubos ang oras ng walang pagkatuto! Halos one hour pa pero biglang puputulin ni teacher ang kwento [kunwari bitin kayo] at sasabihing “ Ay ayan, time na pala! Ok, sige next meeting na lang ‘yung susunod. Puro kasi kayo kwento ayan tuloy di natin matapos-tapos ‘yung Lesson 1. Sige sagutan niyo na lang ‘yung sampung activities na kasunod, may reporting nga pala kayo saka ‘yung project niyo asikasuhin niyo na rin.” Sabay sigaw ng mga classmates mo “Ma’am pagod na kami, huwag na mag-project!” Sasagot naman ang isa ng:“Oo nga ma’am! Fieldtrip nalang!!!”. At ng araw na iyon eh nalaman mo ang Alamat Ng Fieldtrip: ipinanganak ito upang takasan ang ilang bagay na nangangailangan ng tiyaga at sipag! [TRIVIA]

Ang bag ko ngayon eh puno ng mahal na modules at hand-outs na malabo pa sa letrang nakasulat sa tubig. Babayaran mo ito? SYEMPRE! Babasahin mo? MINSAN! Tatapusin ba ito sa klase? HINDI! Meron ngang module na hindi man lang nabasa. Pwede pa sana itong ibenta next year kung hindi lang pinapasa lahat ng activities. Sayang ang papel… sayang ang pera! SAYANG!

Pagdating ng exam: minsan hindi mo na alam kung saan hinugot ang mga tanong. Sa pagitan ng pawisang mukha at nanginginig na kamay, hindi mo na alam kung sino ang dapat sisihin sa mga ganitong sitwasyon! [multiple choice]:

  1. Ang sarili mo dahil hindi ka masyadong nakapag-review dahil sa ginagawang project na ipapasa na mamaya.
  2. Ang teacher mo na nag-te-text sa table niya[ wari nagbabantay] dahil hindi siya masyadong nakapagturo.
  3. Ang module/aklat mo dahil wala naman talaga dito ang sagot sa tanong na nasa harapan mo
  4. Ang kaklase mo dahil masyadong maliit ang sulat niya sa sagot at hindi mo ito Makita
  5. Lahat ng nabanggit

Ang dala kong pera—sitenta! Pero kapos na kapos ito sa pamasaheng patuloy na tumataas, compulsory concert’s ticket, at sandamakmak na membership fees, madalas iniisip mo kung talaga bang nag-eexist ba ‘yung sinalihan/pinasalihan sa’yong organization o sadyang mga kulto sila na may invisibility power at makikita mo lang ulit sila kapag renewal na ng pagiging “piping member mo”.

Noong kinder, elementary at highschool sumasama ako sa fieldtrip para makasama at makipag-bonding sa mga kaibigan ko at makapag-unwind paminsan-minsan. SA COLLEGE--- talagang mapipilitan kang sumama dahil sa umuulang incentives! At parusang project para sa mga hindi papalaring makasama.

Kung inaabangan mo ito, hmmmm…oo naman! May mga panahon namang umuuwi ako ng masaya:

  • iyon ay kung hindi nalimas ang bulsa ko sa dami ng binayaran at may pambili pa ako ng fishball sa terminal ng dyip
  • masaya kung hindi nakolekta ang ID ko at nakaligtas sa nagti-trip na guard na kapag maganda at kakilala eh balewala ang kasing haba ng listahan nang utang namin sa dami ng violations
  • masaya tuwing may klase ako sa iilang teacher na masasabi kong nagtuturo ng dapat ituro at sinusulit ang bawat segundo tulad ng pagsulit nila sa bawat sentimong inilalagay sa ATM CARD nila
  • masaya tuwing nakikita ko sa clascard ko ang bunga ng aking mga pinagsikapan at hindi iyong bigla nalang akong magugulat kung saang planeta ba nagmula yung nakasulat sa maliit na square o kaya naman pala ay baka may naimbento nang bagong formula ang mga teachers para ma-compute ang grades ng mga estudyante sa loob ng 3 seconds! [sana naman ituro nila sa’kin para makapasa ako sa math]

Ngayong pauwi na ako, pagtitiyagaan ko uling daanan ang makitid at marupok na tulay katulad ng pagtitiyaga kong pumasok sa paaralan na hindi batid ang kahihinatnan. Marahil patuloy ko paring kukwestiyonin ang sarili ko kung ano ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon sa paaralan at edukasyon sa totoong buhay? Nang kahalagahan ng pagpasok sa paaralan kung wala namang natututuhan? Nang pagiging masaya sa fieldtrip at pagbabayad ng utang pagkatapos? Nang pagbabayad ng membership fees kahit hindi mo naman makita ang kinahinatnan nito? Kung totoong may QUICK AND EASY WAY TO COMPUTE YOUR STUDENT’s GRADE THEORY ang mga teachers ko? Kung papasok ba sa tamang oras ang teacher ko bukas at magtuturo ng maayos? At kung reading ba ang major ko dahil lagi nalang kaming nagbabasa sa klase?

“Sino ang nauna---tamad na estudyante o tamad na teacher?” Para rin iyang pagtatanong kung ano ang nauna—itlog o manok? Patuloy ang pag-ikot ng tanong…Patuloy ang pagluwa ng tinta…Patuloy ang pagtipa sa mga letra…Patuloy ang mga tanong na walang sagot…at patuloy ang sisihan at turuan ng tamad na estudyante at masipag na teacher, ng masipag na estudyate at tamad na teacher. Kung sino ka man sa kanila may natira pa akong tanong para sa iyo!

“Kelan mo balak putulin ang alamat ng tamad? Naapektuhan ka ba sa binasa mo o pipilitin mo paring alamin ang alamat ng tamad na estudyante, tamad na teacher at bulok na sistema ng edukasyon para makaligtas ka sa pagsagot?”

Kung sawa ka na sa tanong, eh bakit hindi mo kaya subukang hanapin ang sagot?....

YEAREND GET TOGETHER






Holiday atmosphere is still in the air and even though Christmas day had passed, New Year is still yet to come. Gift giving and happy moments with our loved ones is not yet over. That is why the CURSOR family had a Christmas party, a year ender get together.

CURSOR, the College of Information and Communication Technology’s (CICT) official publication had celebrated its Christmas party last December 29, 2007. It was held in Max’s Restaurant, City of Malolos at 3:00p.m. Almost everybody was present with our dearest adviser Mr. Kevin Francis Ople. Smiles and laughter filled the whole room brought by the jokes and topics being said and discussed. We also shared foods with thanksgiving in our hearts. The party gets more exciting when each of us brought out the gifts for the traditional exchange gifts. The party was simple but still the essence of a true Christmas was felt by everyone.

Finally, the party ended at almost 7:00 in the evening. Everyone doesn’t want to stop chatting and telling stories with each other that’s why until outside we are quite noisy exchanging goodbyes to each other with smile not only in our lips but also in our heart.

SWITS UPHOLDS CHRISTMAS SEASON




To show their love to others as they celebrate Christmas season, the Society for the Welfare of Information Technology Students conducted a gift giving project last December 23.

Three known institutions namely TANGLAW, a rehabilitation center located near BSU gate 3, LINGAP, an orphanage, and EMMAUS, a home for the aged, received donations gathered by the SWITS Officers from students, as part of their activity for the month of December. The donation includes clothes, toys and other relief goods.

SWITS Adviser, Dr. Victoria P. Valenzuela, who happened to be the birthday celebrant that day, started the gift giving through a prayer. After the officers introduced themselves, they started to give the inmates a packed of relief goods with clothes in the table where they can freely choose what they want.

To thank the people behind the gift giving, the inmates showed their talents through singing and dancing which brought joy to the officers. They took pictures as a simple remembrance and while living the center, a smile painted a thousand words between the officers and the inmates. These only mean that outside the protected walls are images of innocence and reality, which reminded them that they indeed were lucky.

Holiday -- Ctrl + Pause Break!

A sweet smell of morning dew, a cold breeze of air, with a searing aroma of a hot, creamy coffee and a brunch over the table and joyful display of season’s emblems, feet over the table and hands behind the head, no worries about the whole day’s activities. It is a fun-filled morning and I own the day!—perhaps this is the way we visualize this season’s break, who would not like that scenario anyway?

But how exactly does this holiday break differ from other weeks-long vacation?

Two weeks! That would be the rest days that we have before 2007 ends and before we go back to the real world. Being a bystander of what is around me, I can state that everyone has its own elucidation about the meaning of this holiday break.

For a teacher: these are days of sleep. This is being allowed to absent from preparing their lesson plans and test questions. A declaration of worry-free day and an excuse of getting inside the guidance office and handle a naughty student.

For a student: for some these are days of rest and vacating academic schedule to gimmicks. But for most, these are days of completing their required OJT hours, researching for their thesis, doing projects, assignments and preparing for the midterm.

For a businessman: these are days of work and money. Another opportunity to grab the seasonal profit of blooming sales of Christmas decorations, foods and firecrackers. The Law of Supply and Demand definitely weigh ups in favor of them.

For a priest: these are days of long-list mass’ schedules, waking earlier in the morning and dealing with wedding appointments.

For the hospital staffs: these are busy days taking care of queue of accidents’ victims.

For an OFW: these are days of bonding. A time to pack back headed to their homes, wrapping packages for family and friends. But definitely these are gloomy moments for those who cannot flight back this year.

For a child: these are days of gifts and Santa Claus. It is a traditional fact that this season is a certified gift-giving time and a scene of a child going to their relatives and godparents is not hard to imagine.

For a godparent: these are days of bankruptcy. A short period of personal economic failure and formulating a unique sweet escape.

Christmas is one of the most colorful festivities celebrated in our country and even in the whole world. Thus, this holiday gives us all the reasons to be joyful and thankful for every blessing we have received even if it is material or immaterial. Whatever it is that occupy our humanistic body this season, the thoughts that we are with the special persons in our life, our family and friends even only for a day would surely means a lot and worth to be treasured. The main theme of this holiday lies beyond gifts, beyond time, beyond distance and beyond races, it embodies the souls outreaching God’s presence and paying attention to all our brethren dissolving the thick cloak of indifferences---and that makes this season different!