CURSOR: February 2008

TRIVIA. Quite Mysterious

Have you noticed the big circle in front of the new CICT Building? Is it a swimming pool? a BulSU logo? or a center stage??

Find out the story behind that circle!

As the end of the second semester draws nearer, here comes the election for the new set of officers for the Student Government (SG) to be conducted on March 6, 2008.

The campaign started last February 18 and they already set up their campaign paraphernalia. They had their leaflets, streamers and tarpaulins to be given away. And the rivalry between Alliance of Students for Action and Progress (ASAP) and the Partido Pagkakaisa ng Demokratikong Mag-aaral (PDM) again builds tension in the university. Sarah Jane Velasquez, the standard bearer of ASAP and Bianca Micaela D.L. Espelta for PDM, will try to vie for the most coveted position in the Student Government.

Moreover, The College of Information and Communications Technology played an important role in this election. The standard bearers of ASAP for the election of Local Student Council (LSC) are Jedmerick I. Bernardo, running for Governor, Karen C. Abobon for the position of Vice-Governor, Robert B. Parciuncula run as the Board Member of Information Technology and Roxanne M. Crisostomo run as the Board member of Computer Technology. On the other hand, the standard bearers of PDM are for Vice-Governor Jamie Jean S. Llanez and Board Member for Information Technology Marjorie Anne Santos. Ernest Timothy Flores presently the Board Member of IT is now running for senator under the party of ASAP.

Like the past election, students of CICT are expected to participate and vote to their designated places. The students will again exercise their right to vote for their selected candidates for the betterment of the college and the whole university.

--Nelsielene S. dela Paz & Joana S. Ombao--

I’m not just a Pen (The Writer of Alamat ng Tamad)

Is there any difference between a pen and an ink? How about between a parchment and a book?

I am a product of public schools, and still enroll in a public school [though what I really aim is to enter a private educational institution when I reach college]. That made me well sentient of how much sacrifices you need to pay to be able to reach your goal. I’ll tell you “Education does not come in a cheap package” -that is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life. Why did I dare to write “Alamat ng Tamad”? Honestly, when I was about to write an article that time, there was no single word that tried to slash my senses and it was so hard to chased ideas. I was left alone and---blank! Then I decided to walk and walk... until I reached the old bridge that is made of wood which I described as “makitid at marupok na tulay na siyang piping saksi sa labing-apat na taon ng aking pag-aaral”. If only that bridge can talk, I bet it will tell us millions of stories: of different people, of different lives, of different dreams.

And since that bridge cannot tell you those stories, I dare to share some to you. Just like how people keep on talking to communicate, how people keep on walking to arrive at their own destination, writers also keep on writing to express and inform. That somehow justifies the article I made. We are human but with different thoughts, equip with our own principles and purpose. I am not writing just to be famous nor to obliterate anyone and anything. I would like to emphasize that I have so much reverence on teachers. Teachers are persons that have a great impact in my being. I’ve learned countless lessons from them, even in the most painful way. But only good mentors imprint better influences.

Before, I am just a typical student like you—observing and listening. But I never have the guts to show my concern, because I thought, no one would listen. Just like a thin-skinned clam inside its hard covering, I’m afraid to step outside.

Then comes CURSOR, at first I was hesitant to join the team. Did I fit to be in? Am I ready to show concerns? Am I brave enough? Did we share common visions? And now, after almost a year, I can confidently say that in CURSOR, I found my second home! I am one of the voices heard.

Writers most often than not thread their pieces out of someone else’s chronicle: they are not only thinking about their own sake. Take note of this: A writer is a good listener. Now, if all of us would take time to pay attention, that is the time I can say, we are capable of hearing. If you hear something, you will understand and if you are able to understand, soon you would accept, and then if you are able to accept, soon you will learn. If learning comes naturally within you, I believe you will stop complaining and arguing. If you would take a brand new step out of your mistakes and embark on a new “you” I’ll tell you, you have the power to change what you wanted to change, because a new “you” could affect “us” in greater ways.

I am not just a pen! I don’t like to be just a pen that contains. I crave for becoming an ink! An ink that overflows…an ink that shows color-real colors. Same as, I don’t like to be just a piece of parchment. I crave to be the book that holds information…a book that tells my story, your story and our story… Believe me; what I am writing is not about what I scrutinize alone. I am an ear hearing thousands of voices. And these voices drive me to write. Your voice is the catalyst of CURSOR to keep moving. My story is your own, and let me assure you--- we are just around the corner, listening and trying to build changes.

CURSOR is not a cluster of nonsense pen. Our writings as I view it are reminiscent of a lesson in Philosophy “Sex and Imagination”. According to a philosopher, when you hear the word “sex”, your response would only be categorized into two: 1) ANXIETY and 2) HUMOR. Readers can laugh or even condemn our thoughts [falls into HUMOR]. But those who could read between the lines would react and grasp the reality that there are things far greater than the string of words, and these are the rallies of voices waiting to be heard [ANXIETY].

So what are you waiting for? CURSOR is waiting for your ink…

New Office for Cursor

Are you familiar with the domino-like effect? Well, you can feel and spot it as the students under the College of Information and Communications Technology begin to use the new academic building starting this second semester. It is like a chain of steps forward for the College.

In relation, we are proud to announce that Cursor, the Official Publication of CICT now has a new office, located at the right wing, third floor of the CICT Building. Yes, you have read it right, CURSOR is just doors away!

The said space was first meant to be a stock room but then temporarily, Dean Hilario entrusts the said room to Cursor. This is in response to the request of having a well-ventilated workplace to accomplish their objectives and goals in disseminating reliable information and promote the right to express and cultivate sense of creativeness towards the student body as well as to our society.

Let us have a quick glimpse of the room-make-over: Cursor team had a general cleaning last January 12. They have dedicated several days to make the office appear finer than what it used to be. The Editorial Board plays the role of being the interior designers in this moment of their lives. Computer? Chairs and tables? Supplies? —In! Curtains glaring as the wind blows, plus the mini-pine tree [as what we call it] cater the fresh and peaceful view and of course, the anticipated fish in the aquarium. All set!

This new space is not just an empty hole or a typical office. For the reason that this would always remind them of RESPONSIBILTY SHARING and working not as a single pen but WORKING AS TEAM!

Why don’t you try to stop over at the Cursor’s Office? The scene of being a stock room before would not ever dare to cross your mind. Every single effort has been well compensated as you pay attention to its every corner. A mixed-match of good ambiance, sharing of responsibilities and professional staffs make it an inspirational place for work.

So what are you waiting for? Visit your friendly-kapitbahay, Cursor is waiting for you ----- at their new home!

--Alicia N. Magtira--

CURSOR, Official Publication of the College of Information and Communications Technology, is in need of highly competent, energetic key players. If you are creative, self-motivated, can share your time and work under pressure, and is a 100% team player, we have a chair waiting for you in the CURSOR table. Join our dynamic team in providing in providing news, upcoming events of the CICT, and an avenue to show the creativity of CICT students.

Let us work together and make a difference.

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit CURSOR Office, at the 3^rd Floor of the CICT Building for application forms, membership inquiries, and position requirements from 10:00am – 04:00pm, Mondays through Fridays starting February 13, 2008 until February 29, 2008.

The CURSOR admission examination will be conducted on March 1, 2008. You will be notified by CURSOR staff when, where, what things to bring (and/or other requirements) on the said exam date.