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This Amazon.com link costs you nothing extra. . . but it helps SUACONA and SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY when you use it. Thanks! ******************************
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July 2010 Dear Fellow Sillimanian: O Lord, we thank You for all Your blessings and say Yes to every circumstance we find ourselves- whether ourselves personally or ourselves as a university community. We know that everything we are and have, and everything we can ever hope to be, ultimately comes from You. Keep us alive in us that sense of dependence upon You, and give us the grace and the wisdom to cooperate with Your principles of living that we may work together with You to do things which by ourselves we could never accomplish at all. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Founders Day prayer shared by Dr. Margaret Helen Udarbe Alvarez, Chairperson of the 109th Founders Day celebration. July is the best time to start the travel home for Sillimanians aiming to go island hopping from their hometowns to the campus by the sea. In the words of Dr. Alvarez, this is the “…time of the year when the toe part of the boot-shaped island we call Negros Oriental is somewhat heavier from the homecoming of many Sillimanians and guests to celebrate Silliman University’s founding.” The Silliman students participated in student/youth camps held outside the country. SU Student Government President Johanna Lei Bandoy attended the student camp hosted by Keimyung University on July 19-22 in Korea. Themed “The Earth: Our Choices, Our Actions and Our Impact,” the camp was organized by the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia (ACUCA). Mary Grace M. Nidoy, senior in the College of Mass Communication, attended a regional youth camp on “Debating and Producing Media” in Thailand on July 5-18. The camp was sponsored by the International Debate Education Association (IDEA).
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In another venue, Cebu-based artist Russ Raniel Ligtas and former Silliman Student Government president Razceljan Luiz Salvarita who is now based in Bali gave Silliman an afternoon performance art which drew a crowd on July 16 at the Luce Auditorium lobby. Their presentation was a five- act play on the fight to protect dolphins and to protest against the slaughter of marine mammals around the world. |
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Two members of the Silliman Kahayag Dance Troupe, Speech and Theater student Linwell Bongcasan and Computer Engineering junior Alexis Masangkay captured the seventh place out of 22 competitors in the Grade D Latin category of the Mid-Year Ranking and Competition of the Dance Sport Council of the Philippines Inc. (DSCPI). They may have the opportunity to represent the country in the Asian Pacific Dance Sport Championship in August to be held in Korea and the Macao Asian Championship in October. Students from the USA, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan wrapped up their duties as service-learners in Silliman University last July 26. SLP Director Prof. Emervencia Ligutom of the Social Work Department explained why the program has been attracting foreign students, “Service-learning is combining academic studies and community service. Learning is not divorced from serving…that would make our students think critically about what they can do to aid others.” There were five students from the International Christian University (ICU) of Japan, two from Chung Chi College of Hong Kong, two from Seoul Women’s University of South Korea and another batch of service-learners from George Mason University came in early June with their mentor, our very own Dr. Al B. Fuertes. Prof. Ligutom stressed that the students had expressed their appreciation to an enriching experience, having stayed with host families under the Habitat for Humanities, Gawad Kalinga, Little Children of the Philippnes and Casa Esperanza welfare agencies. The late Don Eugenio Lopez received his Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Silliman University on March 19, 1971. It was risky for Silliman University then to honor one of Marcos’ enemies at the height of the dictatorship. Thirty-nine years later, Don Eugenio’s son, Oscar M. Lopez, recalled the event as one who had accompanied his father, and how they were taken by the beauty of the campus. The son was back on campus on July 12 to turn over Php 3 million from the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and First Gen Corporation in ceremonies held at the Luce Auditorium. The Hawaii SU alumni will welcome Chief Librarian of the Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library, Prof. Lorna T. Yso, who is scheduled to participate in the 30th Annual American Studies Forum on American Literature at the Center for Asia Pacific Exchange (CAPE) from August 3 to 10. Meda Magdamo Palencia will guide her on a Waikiki tour, Alumni President Miriam Luz Somera de la Peña will host her for dinner and Eva Rose Repollo Washburn will give her a Pearl Harbor tour. It is fortunate to be a Sillimanian, there is almost always a welcoming line wherever one is in the world. |
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The 109th Founders Day theme “Silliman @ 109: Raised On Eagles’ Wings” is inspired by the 1979 song composed by Michael Joncas of the Vatican Council “On Eagles Wings” with lyrics based on the wisdom found in Psalm 91 and Isaiah 40:31. Request for copy of the Founders Day Calendar of Activities (available on Silliman website: su.edu.ph) can be e-mailed to Dr. Alvarez, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: cas.malvarez@yahoo.com. IN MEMORIAM: Atty. Federico B. Florendo Jr. (Business 1968 and Law 1973) on July 14; former Mayor of Siaton Atty. Teopisto Yap Jr. (High School 1953, Arts 1955 and Law 1959) on July 22; former Dean of the College of Engineering Cesar M. Gangsoso (BSCE 1955) on July 23; Silliman Orchestra pioneer Nora Lopez on July 25 and Atty. Alberto S. Roleda (Business 1968 and Law 1969). If you know of any Sillimanian who is not in our memorial list, please inform us. Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President’s Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph. You may also contact the Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanguidingstar@gmail.com. Sincerely, Jocelyn “JONG” Somoza de la Cruz cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III *******************************************************************
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June 2010
Dear Fellow Sillimanian: "Today marks the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people. It is not Noynoy who found a way. You are the reason why the silent suffering of the nation is about to end. This the beginning of my burden, but if many of us will... bear the cross we will lift it, no matter how heavy...." This and more points from the inaugural speech of PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO III inspire much of the sense of nationalism that is spreading like fever on campus. Nationalism as inspired by a historical event of the country, the inauguration of the 15th President of the Philippines, His Excellency Benigno Simeon Cojuanco Aquino III  , was chosen as main theme in the opening of the cultural season for school year 2010-2011. The June 23 salvo featured the Philippine Opera Company who filled the Luce Auditorium with Filipino classical songs. A call for the preservation of these songs at the end of the concert was made by the performing artists and in response, our University President Dr. Ben S. Malayang III told the members of the Cultural Affairs Committee to make sure that the traditions in Philippine music will be part of the mission of the University’s cultural program. |
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The 110th Founders Day theme “Silliman @ 109: Raised On Eagles’ Wings” is inspired by the 1979 song composed by Michael Joncas of the Vatican Council “On Eagle's Wings,  ” with lyrics based on the wisdom found in Psalm 91 and Isaiah 40:31. The highlights of the celebration in August include the Parada Sillimaniana. This year’s Founders Day parade will have background music consisting of an infusion of the tribal beat of Mindanao, the traditional cheer Silliman Whooper and the revival of the Silliman March. Each participating unit will have a choreography that goes with the beat. Alumni groups who are planning to participate may get an advance copy of the recorded music and the rules governing the parade. The new Chairperson of the Parada Sillimaniana is Dr. Elizabeth Susan Vista Suarez, the Dean of the College of Performing Arts. Any request for inclusion in the Founders Day Calendar of Activities (available on Silliman website: su.edu.ph) can be e-mailed to the Founders Day Chairperson Dr. Margaret Helen Udarbe Alvarez, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences: cas.malvarez@yahoo.comThere are 6,573 students enrolled in the college and graduate school levels for the First Semester of school year 2010-2011. Around 300 of them comes from 23 countries. Among the new programs offered is the PhD in Psychology with specialization in Clinical Psychology and Socio-Organizational Psychology. The Silliman Journal chosen as the best research publication in the country, was ranked No. 1 in the June 3 A-1 accreditation listing of the Commission on Higher Education. 2001 BBA Accountancy graduate Chad Ian Garcia Cahambing graduated with honors in two degrees, Master of Business Administration in Finance and Master of Business Administration in International Business - from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. 1976 Outstanding Sillimanian in Nursing Service, Dr. Luz Sobong Porter  , was recently honored as College of Nursing and Health Sciences Professor Emerita, as presented by the President and Provost of Florida International University (FIU). College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Jose Edwin C. Cubelo, is on a three-month fellowship at Purdue University in Indiana, as a Global Diversity Scholar in Residence at the university’s Diversity Resource Office. Dr. Cubelo left for Purdue University on April 17, 2010 and is set to return to Silliman University on July 22, 2010. This is under the Leaders Fellows Program of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA). 1988 College of Law alumnus Judge Rafael Cresencio Tan, Jr. was one of the nine honorees of the 7th Dr. Jose Rizal Awards for Excellence for Outstanding Chinese-Filipinos on June 19. Judge Tan is a multi-awarded public servant. The recognition is a project of the Manila Times and the Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran, Inc. |
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IN MEMORIAM: Journalist Henry Villalva (MA Creative Writing 1981) on June 4; Abigail Evaretta Maco (SUHS 1954, BSN 1968) on June 4; the Governor-elect of Negros Oriental and former Congressman Hon. Emilio C. Macias (SUHS 1950, Pre-Med 1952) on June 13; the former Dean of the College of Engineering Teogenes v. Magdamo (BSCE 1961) on Father’s Day June 20; Federico F. Genove (BSCE 1953) on June 26, sisters Flora Bartolo Roa (Gen. Norm 1947) and Salvacion Bartolo Abugan (SUHS 1949, ETC 1952), and David Resposo Sr. (former Silliman treasurer 1962-1966). If you know of any Sillimanian who is not in our memorial list, please inform us. Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Ben Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapters are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President’s Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph. You may also contact the Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanguidingstar@gmail.com. Sincerely, Jocelyn “JONG” Somoza de la Cruz Director of Alumni and External Affairs cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III ************************************************************ |
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May 2010
Dear Fellow Sillimanian: Time for summer adventure! Beating the summer heat in lowland Dumaguete, some faculty members rode up to Camp Lookout on mountainbikes. They conquered the hilltop challenge in time to participate in the opening of the 49th Silliman University National Writers Workshop at the newly developed Writers Village in Camp Lookout Valencia on May 3. Workshop Director-in-Residence Rowena Tiempo Torrevillas in her remarks, made a touching recollection of her own adventure at Camp Lookout. This experience has been captured in this poem written by her mother, Workshop Director Emeritus Edith Lopez Tiempo ROWENA, AT CAMP LOOKOUT It’s now a century, since
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As names for the five new cottages in the grounds are still being finalized, part of the opening ceremonies included the planting of fragrant blooms and the cottages were named after these plants. ROSE HALL named after the donor, Mrs. Rose Sobrepeña, is the main house. The first house down the slope from the main house is named Katsubong Cottage, followed by Jasmine, Kamuning, Champaca and Magnolia. In the future, these cottages will be renamed after the great names in Philippine Literature who have been part of the Silliman workshop, the first in Asia. Silliman welcomed 15 fellows to the 49th National Writers Workshop (they were also called “pioneers,” being the first group to reside in Writers Village): 4 for poetry, 8 for fiction and 3 for creative non-fiction. In addition to Rowena, this year’s panel of critics was composed of Dumaguete-based writers Myrna Peña Reyes, Bobby Villasis and Cesar Ruiz Aquino, as well as guest panelists Anthony Tan, Susan Lara, DM Reyes, Gemino Abad, and Alfred Yuson. Another innovation of the workshop this summer was the participation of internationally-acclaimed writer, Xu Xi |
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Camp Lookout, Valencia, Negros Oriental; is reached by a 45-minute ride from the city and is known as Negros’ own ‘little Baguio.’ The Writers Village was formally inaugurated as the Silliman University Rose Sobrepeña Writers Village on May 21, the last day of the Workshop, with donor, alumnus Enrique Sobrepeña, Jr. as Guests of Honor. Mrs. Sobrepeña failed to come but had her special message on video. Copies of her book “Fragments from Memory” were given to the writers and the audience in attendance. A touching tribute on video was presented to honor the project facilitator, the late University president Dr. Quintin S. Dormal. An inspirational message was given by Dr. Rowena Tiempo Torrevillas which included a tribute to the Sobrepeñas, Dr. Doromal and to her mother who was present to give the fellows their certificates of participation.The workshop, which is the longest running Writers Workshop in Asia, is coordinated by the Silliman University Department of English and Literature led by the Chairperson Evelyn Mascuñana.
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Silliman University hosted the 9th General Assembly of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines from May 24 to 29 on the theme “Discerning and Obeying God’s Will in these Critical Times.” We would like to congratulate the Sillimanians who have been elected bishops: Divinity School faculty member Rev. Reuel Norman O. Marigza who was elected General Secretary of the UCCP for 2010-2014. (Marigza, 51, earned his Master of Divinity, cum laude, from the Asian Theological Seminary and his Master of Theology from the Silliman University Divinity School); and the new Jurisdictional Area Bishops Reverends Melzar Labuntog and Modesto Villasanta. We congratulate the Sillimanians who won in the May 10 national elections as members  of Vermont. Chaos theory pioneer Fred Abraham of Blueberry Brain Institute was the Horace Brinsmade Silliman lecturer for 2010 on May 29. His lecture was on “Critical Theory and Emancipation” which was part of the 33rd Annual Conference of the. Philosophical Association of the Visayas and Mindanao(PHAVISMINDA) - International Conference on Critical Theory held in Silliman on May 27 ro 29. 2002 Outstanding Sillimanian Priscilla Magdamo-Abraham held marathon sessions with our voice students at the College of Performing Arts. She will be in Manila on June 7 to 8 to join her former student UP Voice Professor Kitchie Molina in the national workshop on McClosky Voice Technique. The two of them are the only McClosky voice technicians in the Philippines.IN MEMORIAM: Agriculture alumnus Oscar del Carmen Jr. (SUHS 1983, BSA 1989) on May 5; Carlomagno Calderon Caballero (BS Chemistry) on May 16 and the secretary of Cabadbaran City Sillimanians, Luisista Oga Monteclaro (BSE Home Economics 1964) on May 29. If you know of any Sillimanian who is not in our memorial list, please inform us. Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Ben Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapters are doing. Sincerely, Jocelyn “JONG” Somoza de la Cruz cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III ************************************************************ |
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Dear Fellow Sillimanian: “I have repeatedly assured our students that it is Silliman’s commitment to help develop the total human personality. Thus you have been exposed not only to academic preperation but also to opportunities for cultural refinement and spiritual well-being. We would like to think that in your quest for knowledge and truth here you have found your own identity and that finding yourself you now have found a deeper meaning in your lives. If this has been your individual experience, our efforts have been amply rewarded.” (Portal 1974) – Dr. Quintin Salas Doromal The biggest news in April came on its last day – sad news that shocked everyone as the victim was a recent campus visitor. A Manila taxi driver made a u-turn on Taft Avenue on the short trip from Cosmopolitan Church to Ellinwood at around 8:30AM, his passengers two lady pastors and former Silliman University President Dr. Quintin Salas Doromal, who sat in front.. The u-turn led to a collision with a bus that took the life of the frontseat passenger: 82-year old Dr. Doromal. He was the only one who was gravely injured while the others sustained slight injuries. He was brought to the nearby Philippine General Hospital but he did not survive surgery. At 1:55 PM he was pronounced dead. This well-loved leader of our community, King as he was fondly called by colleagues and friends, never stopped serving Silliman. The week before the tragic event, he was on campus to represent Enrique and Rose Sobrepeña during the soft opening of the Writers Village in Camp Lookout, Valencia. Dr. Doromal had facilitated this donation of the Sobrepeñas to their alma mater.Dr. Doromal was always here for Silliman, sharing the Silliman Spirit with us. Our story of the Silliman Family will always have this endearing chapter on the unselfish service and loyalty of the KING. (Other tributes to Dr. Doromal may be read on the SU website: http://su.edu.ph/thisweek/thisweek16.html) The legacy of the pioneers in Environemental Sciences James W. Chapman, AY Reyes, Dioscoro Rabor, Rodolfo Gonzales, Angel C. Alcala, Hilconida Calumpong and many more green earth angels led to another honor for Silliman University. Silliman University was the lone academic institution to receive the Fr. Neri Satur Awards for Environmental Heroism on April 22 at the Malacañang Palace. Named in honor of the late priest-environmentalist Fr. Neri Satur, the award is given to individuals, groups or entities from different sectors all over the country who have contributed to the protection of the environment. Fr. Satur was a deputized forest ranger who lost his life in the hands of illegal loggers in the forests of Bukidnon in 1991. In 2001, Silliman University was honored with a red and white gumamela variety of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis during her 100th birthday. Recently, the 1980 Outstanding Sillimanian in Journalism Domini M. Torrevillas was also honored with a Hibiscus rosa-sinensis named after her. The Domini Torrevillas gumamela is the first of the series of special tributes for women in media and the arts. The honor was presented by University of the Philippines-Los Baños Chancellor Ray Velasco. For the first time Silliman University hosted the national conference of the Philippine Association of Schools of Medical Technology and Public Health, Inc. (PASMETH, Inc.) held on April 21 to 24 with 90 attendees. 1982 Outstanding Sillimanian in the field of Legal Education Rolando del Carmen is the 2010 Outstanding Mentor awardee of the American Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The award was presented during the organization’s annual conference in San Diego. Dr. Del Carmen is also a recipient of the AACJS’s top three honors, namely the Fellow Awards (1990), the Bruce Smith Sr. Award (1997) and the Founder’s Award (2005). Two Silliman professors were named the regional winners of the 2009 REPUBLICA Awards by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for their research papers. Dr. Angel C. Alcala, Director of the SU Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Manangement won in the natural sciences category, and Director of Instruction Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope in the social sciences category. The President of the New York-New Jersey Sillimanians Dely Po Go is the only Filipino in the 2010 list of Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ, a magazine on business published by the New Jersey Business Industry Association. All the 50 women were honored during ceremonies held at The Palace in Sommerset, New Jersey on April 7. All efforts are now directed towards preparing for the 9th Quadrennial General Assembly of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines with the theme "Discerning and obeying God's will in these critical times". Silliman University and Silliman University Church will serve as hosts of this historic gathering on May 25 to 29. The Outstanding Students of the Philippines Central Visayas (TOSP R7) announced the 20 students who qualified to represent the Central Visayas in the national level of the search for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) regional director Amelia Biglete revealed the names of the students in a press conference held on April 16 at the BRIGHT Academy in barangay Banilad, Cebu City. Two former Student Government Vice Presidents of Silliman University Nikko Paulo Cablao who graduated magna cum laude in Biology and Harmone Jay Naparota who was a BPI Science awardee and graduated cum laude were chosen to be among the Top Ten students of Region 7. The regional finalists converged in Cebu City from April 21 to 26 for the formation program and judging. The ten regional awardees were honored at the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission on April 25. IN MEMORIAM: Reuben O. Espancho (LlB 1973) on April 11; Eufemia Navarro Pedrosa (SUHS 1956, BSCE 1961) on April 14; Iva Gayumba Verna Lazaruz (BSN 1955) on April 18; 2009 Order of Horace B. Silliman inductee Wilfred Uytengsu (SUHS) on April 18; former VPAA and Law Dean Dr. Teodoro V. Cortes (LlB 1958) on April 20; Silversity Anfone Madrazo (SUHS 1953, Education 1959) on April 20; former Librarian Emma Yuzon Gonzaga (SUHS 1942) on April 26 and former Silliman University President Dr. Quintin Salas Doromal (1973-1982) on April 30. If you know of any Sillimanian who is not in our memorial list, please inform us. Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Ben Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapters are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President’s Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph. You may also contact the Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanguidingstar@gmail.com. Sincerely, Jocelyn “JONG” Somoza de la Cruz Director of Alumni and External Affairs cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III |
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March 2010 |
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Meanwhile, the 1992 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Public Service Dr. Angel Alcala, Director of the Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, placed 15th in Readers’ Digest list of 80 most trustworthy Filipinos, in an article titled “The Philippines’ Most Trusted—2010.” Writer Sarah Etchells, in the article, wrote that a survey was conducted nationwide asking people to rate eighty influential Filipino personalities on their trustworthiness. Scores were taken from the scale ranging from the ‘Don't trust at all’ level to ‘Trust completely’ level. Popularity also had an impact in the selection, which had veteran actress and former National Red Cross Governor Rosa Rosal at No. 1, international star Lea Salonga at No. 2, and television journalist Jessica Soho at No. 3. With Dr. Alcala in the next 10 was another veteran film actress Ms. Boots Anson Roa, who ranked 14th, and TV news anchor Julius Babao at 16th. |
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Another expression of gratitude came with the induction of the Henry Luce Foundation into the Order of Horace B. Silliman on March 25. Luce Foundation President Dr. Michael Gilligan received the honor during ceremonies held at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. [The donation was in honor of Claire Isabel McGill Luce (1923-1971), wife of Time Magazine founder Henry Luce III. The couple visited Silliman University in 1968.] Part of the event was a dance concert featuring the Silliman University Kahayag Dance Troupe in a Manobo dance repertoire choreographed by Artistic Director Ronnie Mirabuena. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Gilligan expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed on the Foundation, and reiterated his joy of having witnessed first-hand the usefulness of this cultural center in Southern Philippines. Dr. Gilligan, with Silliman President Dr. Ben Malayang III, led in the ceremonies to unveil the plaque recognizing the major donors and other individuals who contributed in the realization of the Luce Auditorium in 1973. The new plaque includes the name of Architect Augustus Ang Barcelona who gave his services pro bono for Silliman to have this beautiful landmark. Also included in the ceremonies was the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA), which was represented by President Dr. Patricia Stranahan and Vice President for Programs Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann. The Order of Horace B. Silliman is the highest honor given by the University to express gratitude to an outstanding expression of generosity. |
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February 2010 Dear Fellow Sillimanian: We would like to share with you a Chinese New Year greeting from alumna Jocelyn “Josy” Sy-Limkaichong, Representative of the First District of Oriental Negros: “May the coming Year of the Metal Tiger give you huge earnings, fat savings, and most important of all, good health. May you have a heart free from sadness, a mind free of worries, a life free of stress, and a body free of illness. All of these blessings be with you always!” |
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In February, Silliman University—in cooperation with the City of Dumaguete, the City of Bayawan, the Province of Oriental Negros, SkyCable, the Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts, and other schools and universities in the city—celebrated the Arts Month with the entire country, following the call of the late President Corazon Aquino who declared February as the National Arts Month through Proclamation No. 683 in 1991. The celebration is meant “to promote arts and culture in our country, and nurturing the Filipino creativity and imagination.” The Arts Month celebration in Dumaguete City and Oriental Negros is called Kisaw—Magmugna Ta!, and the festivities started on the first of February with a dance concert by Ballet Philippines, the country’s leading dance company, at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium, under the auspices of Silliman’s Cultural Affairs Committee. The performance titled “Masterworks” was part of the company’s 40th season and was a celebration of its history as it paid homage to the most popular works—including Swimming the Ilog Pasig, Te Deum, and Igorot—by its esteemed roster of choreographers through the years. At the National Department of Education/Intel Science Fair and Festival held last February 6 in Legazpi City, Albay., Silliman University Elementary School teachers Preciosa Esturas and Jane Bokingkito won First and Second Places in their respective grade levels with their production of Strategic Integration Materials or SIM, a contest for science teachers. They triumphed in what would otherwise have been a Luzon-centric preference of the Board of Judges. Congratulations! Another Sillimanian triumphed in yet another national competition. Norman Marigza, a junior Physics student, won First Place at the National Astronomy Olympiad, which was held at the NISMED Auditorium of the University of the Philippines Diliman last February 19. Terry Joan Salaga of U.P Diliman and Candy Mae Cabayao of Mindanao State University garnered Second and Third Places, respectively. In a related note, Mr. Marigza was also elected Vice President by the Silliman University Church Christian Youth Fellowship, to serve in 2010-2011. Will he bring back the experience of that stargazing youth camp at Camp Look-Out? The First Sidlakang Negros International Festival—Adopt a Country tourism program of the Province of Oriental Negros last February 12-14 featured our very own foreign students, who are members of Higala International: Students from Around the World or HI:SAW. They participated as the welcoming showcase for all fourteen participating foreign embassies which converged in Dumaguete for the festival. |
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The internationally-themed week at Silliman that followed the Sidlakan Festival continued to keep our foreign students busy. They sponsored a forum on select global issues through the International Cultural Exchange (ICE) on February 23 at the World Bank Knowledge Development Center of the Robert B. Silliman and Metta J. Silliman Library. They also sponsored an ecumenical worship service at Silliman Church on February 24. Their crowning activity was the search for Mister and Miss Silliman International, a pageant already in its fifth year. This was held last February 26, with Nursing sophomore Patrik Norouzi of Iran bagging the Mister Silliman International title, and Psychology sophomore Emma Martin of Canada as Miss Silliman International. Mr. Norouzi was also adjudged Mister Photogenic, Best in National Costume, and Best in Formal Attire. Ms. Martin, a basketball varsity player, was also awarded Best Speaker and adjudged Best in Talent for her magnificent piano-playing. Philippine alternative music king Joey Ayala and his band Ang Bagong Lumad also took part in the Arts Month celebration at Silliman University with a concert at the Luce titled Raw last February 13, filling his repertoire with Tagalog songs with a touch of whimsy and ardent social realism. A gathering of works by Oriental Negros’ visual artists was placed in an exhibition titled “Kulay ug Hugis,” held at the ground level of Robinsons Mall, which ran from February 14 to 28. It also featured the National Commission for Culture and the Arts-sponsored artbox project of artist/environmentalist Razcel Jan Salvarita called “Damgo Quatros Kantos.” Salvarita’s work consisted of an interactive box with peeping holes that gave mall visitors a view into an interior filled with assorted classroom objects, including toys. The box—which had counterparts in Bacolod and in Dumaguete’s Quezon Park—also invited mall visitors to take part in the whole project by filling the box walls with graffiti of their own expressions. First-time filmmakers, mostly from the College of Mass Communication, also showcased an assortment of locally-made short films last February 19 for a public screening at Quezon Park titled “Putting Tabing sa Parke.” The program, spearheaded by Carl Vincent Lim and film teacher Ian Rosales Casocot, included short films by Ramon del Prado, Carmen del Prado, Jai Dollente, Eliora Eunice Bernedo, Karen Grace Yasi, Marc Cabreros, Anthony Gerard Odtohan, among others. The nationally-awarded theater group Young Advocates Through Theater Arts (YATTA) also mounted Leon Kilat and Other Short Plays last February 20, featuring the title musical on the heroism of Pantaleon Villegas, directed by Dessa Quezada Palm, with music by Emong Benitez. It also featured two other plays—an excerpt from the musical “Kikay Kalaykay,” which is about waste management and life in a dumpsite, and “Rape Buzz,” which is a heartbreaking look, in monologues, at a rape case. Fashion icon Amir Sali also made a comeback to Silliman University last February 23. He gave a talk at the Luce Auditorium about his amazing climb to glory as an internationally-renowned fashion designer. The talk was spiced up by a fashion show on glamour as defined by the Sali touch. On February 27, Silliman’s literary group LitCritters Dumaguete, led by local writer Ian Rosales Casocot, held an evening of Cebuano and Tagalog poetry and music titled “Balak, Balitaw, ug Uban Pa sa Boulevard” at the frontage of CocoAmigos Restaurant. It featured works by local poets, as read by Dumaguete’s young literary artists. It also featured local balitaw talents from Dumaguete City and Bayawan City. The Honors Day convocation last February 18 had the biggest number of University Honor awardees thus far in Silliman’s history. The twenty academic achievers included Jun Xavier B. Alonso of Electrical Engineering, University Service Awardee Korina V. Beley of Education, Most Outstanding Student of the Year Nikko Paolo R. Cablao of Biology, Mary Angeleen V. Cortes of Mass Communication, University Service Awardee Blaise Marice Diane Diga of Mass Communication, Karlenne April D. Enriquez of Psychology, Elal Jane L. Lasola of Education, Darell M. Limquiaco of Nursing, Gino B. Lisondra of Education, The Weekly Sillimanian editor Anthony Gerard S. Odtohan of Mass Communication, BPI Science Awardee Howell S. Palca of Biology, Raine Marie M. Reformina of Nursing, Mary Grace M. Saldon of Secondary Education, dance artists and twin sisters Angela and Angeli E. Sison of Nursing, Maude S. Tabigue of Nursing, James Thomas Wiseman of Nutrition and Dietetics, pianist Abigail Myrrh T. Yap of Performing Arts, and Bea Mara L. Zamora of Secondary Education. The Honors Day guest speaker was Mass Communication alumna Melclaire R. Sy-Delfin of GMA 7, who was also the 1999 Most Outstanding Student of the Year. Ms. Delfin is a recipient of the 2007 Global Media Awards for Excellence, the 2009 PopDev Media Award, and the 2009 PsorPhil’s Most Loved Reporter on TV Award. In her inspirational talk for the honorees, Ms. Delfin noted: “When I visited [an] evacuation site in Zambales, [the] families [we met] had almost saved nothing of their belongings. They had to make do with the rations they received. But…they still managed to offer me and my crew something to eat for lunch. Where can you find people like these? Only in the Philippines! I bet our foreign students here [can] understand…what I mean [by this]. You must learn to appreciate that our strength as [Filipinos] is our people—us, you, and me. So, as you are honored today, please don’t forget the goodness of Filipinos that makes us a truly honorable race….” IN MEMORIAM: Silliman University Elementary School Physical Education teacher Miguel Dominador Zerna Caballero (BS Education 1973) on February 15; Dr. Rodolfo Villaflores Loo (Pre-Med 1954) on February 17; Apolinar Incierto Arnaiz Sr. (SUHS 1947) on February 17; and 1999 Outstanding Sillimanian Awardee Batua A. Macaraya (AA 1947, MA 1968) on February 26. If you know of any Sillimanian who is not in our memorial list, please inform us. Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Ben Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapters are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President’s Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph. You may also contact the Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanguidingstar@gmail.com. Sincerely, Jocelyn “ JONG ” Somoza de la Cruz cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III ************************************************************ |
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January 2010 Dear Fellow Sillimanian: Blue Moon: get it twice! The big surprise was that our side of the planet Earth enjoyed a Blue Moon last January. The first full moon was in the sky on January 1, making the New Year truly bright, and there was another on January 30. Actually, there will be a double Blue Moon in 2010, as March will also have two Full Moons: March 1 and March 30. Imagine Van Gogh’s “starry night” when watching the blue moon from the boulevard or the amphitheater. It was poetry unfolding when the branches of the acacia trees welcomed the moon’s regal rising. Silliman Campus is still the most relaxing place for a moonlit promenade. Twice after their retirement in 1973, the Berans have made two successful homecoming journeys to Dumaguete, in 2001 for the Silliman Centennial and on January 27 to February 6 this year. Dr. George W. Beran, the founder of Van Houweling Laboratory at Silliman University Medical Center, his wife Dr. Janice A. Beran who was a Physical Education teacher at Silliman and author of PE textbook came with their grandson, Danny, a varsity basketball player (who had a jam session with our Silliman Stallions). After the establishment of the famous laboratory in 1960, the entire Negros island was rabies-free, and the program was extended to include Siquijor. The rabies control program was so successful that even hospitals in Mindanao availed themselves of its services. Dr. George Beran’s recent visit was not just for nostalgia but mainly to find opportunities to discuss concerns in Public Health. He had successful meetings with Governor Emilio Macias and Mayor Agustin Perdices. He also was able to discuss future possibilities with the staff of the Silliman University laboratories on medical microbiology, and he gave a lecture presentation for our Medical students. Back in Iowa State University, he is busy as curator of the newly established Museum for Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Janice Beran also had a reunion with the Physical Education family. A good number of former students showed up for the afternoon fellowship including former volleyball player , Naomi Baslot Romero, who came all the way from Davao. Mrs. Romero’s college life was with the Berans as she was their work student. With the help of Dr. Sam Gregorio who offered to drive them around, the visiting Silliman heritage builders (as the Berans are considered) were able to meet with old friends and children of friends who have moved on, who also had fine memories of the Berans: the Florendos, the Garcias, the Tiempos, the Ravellos, the Udarbes, the Vistas and others. In January, The Cultural Affairs Committee headed by Dr. Elizabeth Susan Vista Suarez presented two culture events at the Luce which featured groups from Mindanao. The acclaimed Sining Kambayoka of Mindanao State University performed the "Arkat A Lawanen," an epic of the Maranao people that is listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the audience on this January 16 tribal dance concert were homecoming alumni who had extended their Christmas vacation, and watching the colorful Maranao epic was indeed a highlight in their visit.
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The concert of Bukidnon State University Chorale on January 29 was facilitated by Dr. Angel Alcala who, as Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), knew of this choir from Malaybalay City. Bukidnon State University Chorale received a standing ovation from the appreciative Silliman Community prompting Culture writer Ian Casocot to state that, “it was a great concert by the Bukidnon State University Chorale. Their rendition of ethnic Bukidnon chants and sounds was the stuff of heaven.” An indignation rally was held at the Quezon Park in Dumaguete City last January 22 to call for justice for Mass Communication student Jayfel Rayoso who was brutally killed by an unknown person. Jayfel was reported by his grandmother as missing since January 11. News of a body found in Isugan, Bacong, Negros Oriental led to the confirmation of his death. It was his father who identified the victim from his clothes. Jayfel’s mother came home from Spain on the day of his funeral that was attended by the entire Mass Communication family of Silliman University. IN MEMORIAM : Rodolfo M. Nobleza (Chemistry 1952) on January 2; Nonilon Vergara (BBA 1955) on January 3; former Chicago Alumni president Jessie Baldado Klemz (SUHS 1960, BSN 1965) on January 21; Engr. Rustico Emperado (SUHS 1932, BSCE 1951) on January 18; and Dr. Bienvenido Yap Jr. (AA Pre-Med 1951) on January 23 . (If you know of a Sillimanian not in our memorial list, please inform us.) Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapter are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President's Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph or our Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanguidingstar@gmail.com.
Sincerely, Jocelyn “ JONG ” Somoza de la Cruz cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III
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December 2009 Dear Fellow Sillimanian: It was the 1985 Academy-award winner and the current Golden Globe nominee William Hurt, son of Claire Isabel McGill Luce, who said “All I know is that my best work has come out of being committed and happy.” |
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Halleluiah! To welcome the Advent Season, Professor Isabel Dimaya Vista organized a presentation of George Frederich Handel’s Messiah with 200 voices from alumni and friends, all campus choirs and solo performers, and choirs of the Calvary Baptist Church and Maranatha Full Gospel Church on December 5. This was a presentation of the College of Performing Arts and the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. Professor Vista’s strong commitment as director led to the success of the production. It was not just an evening of great music but an inspiring spirit of unity within the Silliman and Dumaguete community. The soloists included Evelyn Aldecoa, Francisco Agus Jr, Asenath Cadavos, Pearl Estacion, Rudy Juan and Salvador Vista. The orchestral accompanists were Berneval Montes, Nathaniel Bicoy and Mark Ian Caballes on keyboards and Elizabeth Susan Vista Suarez on the piano. After the concert, the participants and the audience shared in a packed dinner contributed by generous donors in the community and outside.
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Philippine Archery Queen Jennifer Germaine Dy Chan (SUHS 1981, BS General Science 1987) gave Silliman a valuable Christmas gift: a golden glory when she won a Southeast Asian (SEA) Games individual gold medal in archery on December 15 in Vientaine, Laos. Chan won the women’s individual gold against Myanmar’s Aung Ngeain, 115-112.This was her ultimate goal, and at the height of the jubilation she bade goodbye to SEA Games as an athlete. She expressed, “ I have achieved my dream of a gold in SEA Games and this will be my last (participation).” The 44-year old champion competed at her first SEA Games in 1991 in Manila, and her gold came from the women’s team event and not from an individual quest. Now Jen is “committed and happy” to be a national training coach and to her passion for giving Silliman more glories in archery by building and inspiring new talents at the Dionisio Flores Archery Training Center in Silliman University. The news of a massacre in Mindanao worsened the red stain on the face of this island known as The Philippines’ Land of Promise. Travel advisories stopped tourists from considering “the promise” in Mindanao. With the projection of a global “fear factor,” even local travelers are advised not to consider taking a trip to Mindanao.
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The General Santos City engagement on the 4th of December was sponsored by the Sillimanians in SOCKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) led by Mrs. Linda Bañas Alvarez, the chapter president. The concert was held at the only air-conditioned sanctuary in the city, the Dadiangas Baptist Church. The audience stayed even after the performance to express how inspired they were to have witnessed a family joyfully singing together. In Davao City, the concert was sponsored by Delia Advincula, the president of Davao Central College (DCC). It was a Christmas serenade for DCC faculty and students. There was another concert at the UCCP in Davao City which was an instant addendum to the afternoon service. Rev. Dr. Mariano C. Apilado expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Silliman for the beautiful gift of music. The QFQ wins their audiences’ hearts with a message of faith shared through music. It’s always inspiring to see a family united through music. It was the 80th year anniversary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Ozamiz City on December 13. The Silliman Band and the Campus Choristers who were also members of the band added to the festive atmosphere of the morning worship and celebration by playing marches and giving choral renditions. Later that day, the concert was held at the Medina College gymnasium, attended by students from different schools from around the city. They were dancing to the music. Ozamiz UCCP administrative pastor Rev. Ricardo Yul C. Yañez and his wife Pastor Lisa coordinated all concert arrangements, while the Young Adults Fellowship president Joan Missiona (also the Ozamiz City SU alumni president) made sure the hosting was complete with fiesta abundance. Young alumna Hon. Estela Obut, Mayor of Tudela, hosted a dinner on our first night in Ozamiz and another alumna April Ocampos – Aoanan with her parents Governor and Mrs. Loreto Leo Ocampos also hosted dinner after the concert. It was inspiring that wherever we went, the alumni were present with welcoming hearts. Next stop was the Christmas Capital of the Philippines, Tangub City on December 14. Indeed, lighted lanterns and running lights were all over. At the city park, giant Christmas symbols were shaped out of running lights. The welcome dinner had the performance of the Sinanduloy Choir and dance troupe, the pride of Tangub City. The choir is directed by Silliman alumnus and Tangub alumni president Noriel Erap. As part of the Christmas festival, the Silliman concert was a highlight in the festival calendar. Hon. City Mayor Jennifer W. Tan was there to take part in the welcome and in leading the audience in the expression of their appreciation. Many alumni who saw the concert in Ozamiz followed us to Tangub, and we had more time for fellowshipping after the performance as the fun flood of lights in this Christmas city kept us awake even beyond midnight. An indication that Mindanao is generally peaceful was seen in our next stop: Pagadian. Most parents of the students on tour were apprehensive about including this city in the itinerary. Being part of the Muslim Autonomous Region, many notions were entertained as to its peace and order situation. But when we got there, we witnessed a city with much business establishments, and our students had a fun riding on the city’s uniquely-positioned pedicabs. The Silliman alumni led by their president, Dr. Aurito Ampong and vice president Dr. Andreli Farrales welcomed us in the function room of a hotel. Serving as our home here was the school of basic education of the Pagadian UCCP. We loved the matinee concert here for the students from selected high schools and grade schools were very generous with their applause. They couldn’t help but scream at the rock and roll numbers. The gala show was also memorable for it was mainly with alumni and friends, many of whom stayed longer after the performance. We asked the alumni of the College of Performing Arts who are based in Pagadian today to serenade us, the visitors from the campus-by-the-sea, and it was fun reconnecting with them, who also expressed how much they miss their Alma Mater.
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Iligan surprised the Silliman delegation, many of whom were first-timers in Mindanao. They couldn’t believe that an industrial city do exist in Mindanao. They had thought of Mindanao as all mountains where NPA are always at war with Muslim rebels. To see factories and widely paved roads changed their concept of Mindanao. The first performance here on December 16 was for the Department of Tourismat an open plaza hall. The evening concert at the park served as the promotional event for the two major concerts on December 17 which were held at the cultural center of the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology. The most applauded number was Kahayag’s interpretation of Don McLean’s Vincent and Silliman Band’s capturing of the theme of the movie Mission Impossible. We are thankful to the 22 Sillimanians in the faculty of MSU-IIT and the former dean of the College of Engineering Art Ballesta, the alumni president, who successfully coordinated their hosting of the goodwill ambassadors.
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We arrived in Cagayan de Oro, the final stop of our concert tour on Friday, the 18th of December. We were welcomed at the most modern and the biggest hospital in the city, the Polymedic Medical Plaza owned by our alumnus Dr. Ruben O. Go. Some students in the delegation expressed that it was their first time to be away from home and Cagayan de Oro was the biggest city that they had visited so far. They were surprised to be in a hospital that felt like a hotel with escalators bringing them to the next floor where lunch was served at a function hall. After lunch, the Campus Choristers serenaded some of the doctors. The greatness of Cagayan was further confirmed with the biggest number of Silliman alumni in attendance during the concert night. Silliman Alumni President Angelina Bacal Guarin warned us earlier that day not to expect a big audience but even she was surprised at the turn-out. Rodelsa Hall, the best concert hall of the city, felt like our own Luce Auditorium. The aura of elegance that evening gave a bit of tension to our young talents and it pushed them to give their best. With every note totally heard, the Silliman Band and the Silliman Jazz Band awed their audience with the wonder of young talents giving life to the marches of John Sousa (with our four lovely band twirlers on stage giving their baton exhibition), a medley from the musical “Mamamia”, the themes from well-loved movies Superman,Mission Impossible and another medley of themes from Disney films and more applause as the Jazz Band gave them danceable music. Singing duets and solos with the Silliman Jazz Band were Silliman Idol winner Mico Lauron and the reigning Miss College of Performing Arts Katrina Saga. Kahayag’s Vincent again was well-applauded that evening. The audience, after giving the goodwill ambassadors a standing ovation, were dancing when we got to the finale with music from the musical Fame. We did not realize the flood of alumni in the audience until they were called to join us on stage for the singing of the Silliman Song. Over a hundred of them joined and some of them were in tears as they sang the song that brought them back home. “Tambal gyud sa kamingaw,” one alumna exclaimed. The goodwill tour was completed but the hospitality went on, with former Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees Atty. Noel Tan and his wife Elsie were all smile as he ushered us for breakfast the morning after the big night. With all humility, the Dean of the College of Performing Arts Professor Joseph Basa expressed his thankfulness to God for making this goodwill tour possible. We can’t help but admire this humble man’s commitment to generously share Silliman’s gift of music. IN MEMORIAM : Carmen Larot Rio (SUHS 1953, BBA 1958) on December 3; Roger Alano (SUHS 1978) on December 12, Mary Ann Ricardo-Young Chiu (BSN 1980) on December 12; Professor Emeritus Jose A. Ravello (AA 1937, AB 1938) on December 15; Socorro Abo Salatandol (SUHS 1971) on December 14 and David Lacson (SUHS 1985, BBA 1990) on December 30. (If you know of a Sillimanian not in our memorial list, please inform us.) Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapter are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President's Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph or our Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanguidingstar@gmail.com . Sincerely, Jocelyn “ JONG ” Somoza de la Cruz Director of Alumni and External Affairs
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SUAA-New York New Jersey Chapter held its Christmas Dinner-Dance on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel. The souvenir journal published for this gathering may be accessed by following these links:
Pages 1-11 Pages 12-19 Pages 20-30 Pages 31-41 Pages 42-52 Pages 53-63 Pages 64-72 ************************************************************ |
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DEAR FELLOW SILLIMANIAN: PRAY for JUSTICE, justice for Connie! Justice for the Maguindanao victims! Silliman University alumna Concepcion “Connie” Jayme-Brizuela was only 56 when she was brutally killed in the November 23 Maguindanao massacre of a fellow lawyer, more than a dozen journalists, politicians, women and other innocent victims. The parents of our Medical Technology student Stephanie Lechonsito, Eduardo and Cecille Lechonsito were in a red Toyota Vios on their way for a medical check-up when they unwittingly came upon the convoy that had been stopped by armed men, and they, too, were mercilessly killed. Classmates remember Connie who was only 4’8” tall but with an enduring campus presence in her own fashionista glory, complete with clogs shoes and looking lovely even in casual getup. Silliman community is very proud of Connie who was a Creative Writing and Journalism graduate. She became an active human and women’s rights lawyer in Mindanao. A founding member of the Union for People’s Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) and one of the conveners of Initiatives for Peace (INPEACE), she was a dynamic force in the movements to ensure peace and justice in Mindanao. It was in this capacity that Connie volunteered to be lawyer to leaders who could make a difference in Mindanao in her quest of bringing good governance to the country through the coming 2010 elections. Genalyn, the wife of the Local Liberal Party candidate in the town of Buluan, vice mayor Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu, and the rest of the brave team, with Connie as the volunteer lawyer, took that fateful trip to Sharif Aguak where Genalyn would be filing her husband’s certificate of candidacy for Governor. Toto Magudadatu, believing that his political opponents would not harm women and representatives of the media, had sent his wife and sister for that purpose. But he was wrong. The “expected” terror did happen on that sunny Monday morning. Like Genalyn, Connie was shot in the face and chest several times. Let Connie’s legacy of courage be our inspiration. We as Sillimanians, should continue the indignation and prayer rally that we first organized on Friday, November 27. We must put into action, within and beyond ourselves, the spirit of Connie’s message for change. Local media men have echoed this call from Silliman University. In Aklan, the Sillimanians had a prayer service and Chapter President J’Roel del Rosario read the University statement over a radio program. The College of Mass Communication through the assistance of the University Church Rev. Noel Villaba, also a MassCom alumnus, will have a memorial service to remember Connie on her 57th birthday on December 8, the service will be held on December 9 during the Midweek Prayer Service. The College of Engineering alumni are now preparing for a grand reunion in 2011, the 110th Founders Day of Silliman University. Starting in August 2010, they will have a general alumni fellowship with graduates from CE, ME, EE and ComEng coming together. Please e-mail John Orven Tia (orvenjohn@yahoo.com) and Jemar Patelona (jemar2X@yahoo.com.ph) for you to be invited to the site they have made for this purpose. Updates from the Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Tessie Cabije include an announcement about the 17 new Civil Engineers who took the Board Exams on November 21, among them is 9th placer Leizley Jen Serafin Sieras. Also included in this announcement is Silliman University’s placing second over-all in the October 2009 Mechanical Engineering exams with 94% passing rate. Please take note that in the October letter, we made a mistake of placing the 94% rating under the year 2008 when we reported the October 2009 results. Please accept our apologies for the error. ACTS Sillimanians or the Association of Central Texas Sillimanians recently had their election of officers. Elected president was Dr. Celan Alo, an epidemiologist. He belongs to the Silliman University Pre-Med Class of 1970. We would like to thank the successful entrepreneur Sam Tomale who is now based in New Jersey for his November 11 e-mail covering the elections held last October 31st. Update from ALOHA Chapter: The newly elected president of the Sillimanians in Hawaii is Miriam Luz Somera de la Peña is now teaching at Kipapa Elementary School of the State of Hawaii Department of Education. She succeeded College of Performing Arts alumna Meta Joji Jumawan-Tonko who had her homecoming last November 20. The Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Betsy Joy Tan and University Pastor Rev. Noel Villalba represented Silliman University in the 2009 Management Conference of the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia (ACUCA) held October 28 to 30 at Chang Jung Christian University in Taiwan. The theme of the gathering was “Service-Learning and International Cooperation.” The School of Basic Education High School Department was in great jubilation as the team of senior students Jay Y. Anderson and Julius Anthony B. Ragay clinched the Ana Alano Championship Cup in the Philippine Schools Debate held last November 7 in Ateneo de Manila. Silliman shone over debaters from La Salle and Ateneo. On November 5 at the Science Fair of the Dumaguete City Division of the Department of Education, grade six student Patrich L. Lozano won first place in Science Investigation Project (SIP). Teachers Jane Bokingkito, Romel Bohol and Preciosa Esturas also won first place in their respective grade levels in their production of Strategic Integration Materials (SIM), a contest for Science teachers. In the High School division, Jeff Nicolo Palad, Jasmin Mae Rabosa and Richard Gui-noo won first place in the Life Science category with their paper on “Seaweed Organic Fertilizer and its Effect on the Development of Corn Plant.” Genin Amiscaray also won first place in the Science Quiz, and Mejorah Roz Pangilinan was first place in the Oratorical Contest. Silliman University was introduced to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her Philippine state visit through a simultaneous telecast of an ABS-CBN forum dubbed “ABS-CBN/ANC Manila Forum with Hillary Clinton” on November 13 held in three historical campuses: the University of Santo Tomas, the Ateneo de Zamboanga and from our very own Silliman Hall grounds. The nationwide broadcast became an opportunity for students to offer Secretary Clinton a “i-heart” Silliman University pin and for Silliman Business Economics student Anna Espino to ask this question: “…will the effort of your government to reverse the recession affect your adherence to free trade principles?” Secretary Clinton responded that America and other countries are seeing a slow move back to economic stability. The Philippines, she added, is to be commended for posting positive gains for 34 or 35 straight quarters until the recession. She said that the USA is committed to free trade which benefits both the workers and the top of society, and that the environment needs to be taken into consideration in trade agreements. America will promote trade and economic activity that will have a positive impact on workers and the environment. |
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The Silliman University College of Agriculture is the new National University of Agriculture for Region 7 was chosen by the Commission on Higher Education. With this status, the College has been receiving grants from the Philippine Government to upgrade the technical and library facilities. Among the flyers to be distributed during the The Silliman Concert Band and SU Kahayag Dance Troupe Mindanao Goodwill Tour on December 10 to 20 include the announcement that SU College of Nursing ranks No. 1 in the Commission on Higher education’s list of Top Performing Nursing Schools for 2009. With 1,000 or more Board Exams takers for the last five years, Silliman got an average of 96.7%. Completing the Top 5 glory are: 2) Saint Louis University, 95.42; 3) Trinity University of Asia with 95.06; 4) University of Sto. Tomas, 95.06; 5) Cebu Doctors’ University, 91.89 IN MEMORIAM : Mr. Raphael Ongcog (husband of the late Natividad Ongcog and father of Sillimanians) on November 11; Judge Constancio Jaugan (LLB1956) on November 15, Elder Emeritus of UCCP Zamboanga City Umnui S. Funda (AB 1952) on November 17; former Miss Education Bethsaida “Betsy” Teves Ybañez (BSE-HE 76) on November 11; Edmund “Eddie” Liboon (SUHS 1953 and BBA 1953) and Jeremias Paul of Cebu City (AA Pre-Law 1948) . (If you know of a Sillimanian not in our memorial list, please inform us.) Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapter are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President's Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph or our Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanspool@gmail.com, alumni@su.edu.ph or sillimanualumni@yahoo.com. Sincerely, Jocelyn “ JONG ” Somoza de la Cruz Director of Alumni and External Affairs cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III ************************************************************ |
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DEAR FELLOW SILLIMANIAN: “ Chess problems demand from the composer the same virtues that characterize all worthwile art: originality, invention, conciseness, harmony, complexity, and splendid insincerity. ” - Vladimir Nabokov, Poems and Problems, 1969 . The saving grace for Silliman University during the national University Games that was held on October 28 at Central Philippine University in Iloilo was the Women’s Chess Team with its harvest of bronze over- all. The gold and silver went to FEU and La Salle respectively. Behind the Silliman Team is this brilliant coach Jason Bandal (in picture), many times a national champion. Bandal was 4-time University Games medalist and champion in the national PRISAA individual chess. Other wins for SU came from Swimming, Table Tennis, Badminton, Lawn Tennis, and Basketball women. What came as a shock to the people of Iloilo was the poor performance in soccer. This city is witness to many national glories of the Silliman soccer team, and having scored poorly in all the games here was frustrating for those expecting much from the Silliman team. In an interview with the soccer coach, he expressed that having a hard time gathering good players for the team as many of the good ones are now playing for other universities who have offered them full scholarships programs. The preparation to the games was also greatly affected by the lack of quality time to practice for players did not have a uniform schedule of classes. In the past, varsity players were given the privilege of advance enrollment to have a uniform free time. As the delegation went homeward bound, the word of Mother Teresa as shared led everyone to an easy acceptance: “ Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as you have done your best. ” With the possibility of Silliman hosting the 2010 University Games, the athletes promised to be prepared to define a rewarding hometown glory. The Silliman University College of Engineering and Design maintains its status as CHED ’ s Center of Development in Mechanical Engineering with the impressive results in the October 2008 Board Exams. With a 94% passing rate, Silliman ranks second among the top performing schools. The College of Engineering alumni are now preparing for a grand reunion in 2011, the 110th Founders Day of Silliman University. Starting in August 2010, they will have a general alumni fellowship with graduates from CE, ME, EE and ComEng coming together. Please e-mail John Orven Tia (orvenjohn@yahoo.com) and Jemar Patelona (jemar2X@yahoo.com.ph) for your to be invited to site they have made for this purpose. The Aloha Chapter , the Silliman Alumni Association of Hawaii had election of officers on October 25. Elected president was Miriam Luz Somera de la Peña of SUHS Class of 1961 and currently an HR Manager of an entertainment company in Hawaii. She succeeds Meda Magdamo Palencia as Chapter President. She was on campus last Founders Day and took part in the ceremonies of naming SC 110 as Gerardo Imperial Science Lecture Room. Chicago Sillimanians had an International Ball on October 30. Among the highlights of the event was a special citation given to Dr. Eusebio Kho as an Outstanding Alumnus of Silliman University, being a TOFA (Ten Outstanding Filipinos Abroad) awardee last year. The 1980 Outstanding Sillimanian in the field of Medicine continues to be recognized for his achievements. Last month, he was chosen one of the 20 Distinguished Alumni of the University of the Philippines. Accountancy student Galileo Gene Robin won first place in the provincial level of the Philippine Statistics Quiz on October 18. He will be representing Negros Oriental in the regional round in Cebu City. The School of Basic Education High School Department is proud of their reigning Miss Silliman Glenna Christina Duch who won first place in feature writing in the Dumaguete City Division Press Conference on October 20. In the same city-wide journalism contest, Alexis Faye Pal of the Elementary Department also won first place in Editorial Writing. IN MEMORIAM : Bernardo Nery (BSCE 1962) on October 29, Evita Gadiane Saavedra. (SUHS 1968) also in October. (If you know of a Sillimanian not in our memorial list, please inform us.) Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapter are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President's Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph or our Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanspool@gmail.com, alumni@su.edu.ph or sillimanualumni@yahoo.com. Sincerely, Jocelyn “ JONG ” Somoza de la Cruz Director of Alumni and External Affairs cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III ************************************************************ |
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Vincent van Gogh September 2009 Dear Fellow Sillimanians: “While Jesus was in the temple treasury, there were many rich people who gave way too much more than two copper coins. But Jesus said, ‘These people gave out of their wealth.’ In the other translations we read, ‘They gave what they did not need’ or ‘…what was in excess.’ You see, giving is always meaningful and powerful when it is sacrificial. And what is sacrificial giving? It is a giving that hurts. It is a giving that is costly. It is a giving that comes so deep from the heart. Giving is sacrificial not when we give out of our wealth. Giving is not sacrificial when we give out of convenience. Giving is sacrificial when we give out of our poverty and during our most difficult situations. King David captured this principle so well when he said, ‘I will never offer anything to the Lord that costs me nothing.’ We always hear the statement, ‘Times are hard, don’t expect people to be generous.’ But I have seen the opposite. I have seen otherwise. God’s people will always say, ‘Times are hard, but God is always good.’ ” This was part of the sermon of Rev. Bernadette Amistoso Morales to close the Christian Education and Nurture (CEN) Month in September through the celebration of The Parable of the Least Coin on September 27. The sermon inspired President Ben S. Malayang III to lead the Silliman comunity in responding to the call for help as the number of typhoon victims grew in Metro Manila and in Northern Luzon. The University gave an initial amount of P100,000 from its resources to the charity programs “Sagip Kapamilya” and “Kapuso Foundation” of the country’s leading television networks, ABS-CBN and GMA. Their track record of getting donations to their intended recipients is admirable.The commitment was made possible with responses from the faculty and staff and from the decision to reduce the planned expenses for the Christmas party this year. Colleges and schools, service units, alumni and friends shared amounts from their respective operational budgets. Financial donations from individuals, local communities here and abroad were also received. Donated goods, mostly clothing and food items were packed at the drop-off points in Alumni Affairs Office, Office of Student Affairs and Silliman University Church. The goods were shipped to Manila through Operation Blessing of the 700 Club and through the free service extended by Philippine Airlines. Silliman through our alumni also monitored the situations in the other affected areas in Zamboanga and Cotabato were rivers have overflowed. Other highlights during the CEN month included the United Church Men’s MIC (Men in Christ) which covered whole day of events concerning men’s health, sex life, career and other dimensions. Children’s Week had grade school children as speakers in dormitory devotions. Youth Week had a chancel flower arrangement contest among dormitory residents, which had surprising results as the entries from Ipil Cottage and the New Men’s Dormitory came out the winners, -- the men overshadowed the ladies in the making of center pieces using local exotic blooms and foliage. Also held was a Search for Silliman University Goodwill Ambassadors (SUGA) which was a celebration of God-given talents. Tap dance artist Iresse Patricia O. Bulos was chosen as SUGA after her impressive performance in the final challenge, which required the Top 3 young artists to deliver a sermonette on the theme, “Thy Will Be Done.” (the complete story: http://takenfromdwater.blogspot.com/2009/10/suga-making-difference.html ) The Good Governance Videocon, a forum with the former Congressman Neric Acosta of Bukidnon, was held on September 23 at the Knowledge Development Center of the World Bank Group, in Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library. Congressman Acosta was hosted by KDC Ortigas in Metro Manila. The interaction was participated in by the faculty and students of the SU Political Science department. Congressman Acosta discussed some models of good governance and cited his own experiences and the programs that made a difference in other local government units. Two university towns recently had their alumni chapter events. On September 27, at the residence of Drs. Alex and Myra Nacita, the Silliman alumni in Bukidnon had their Post-Founders Day Fellowship. Atty. Dorothy Sandalo Cajayon, national president of SAAI, and myself were the guests of honor. Among the highlights of the fellowship was the election and induction of officers led by re-elected president Dr. Annabelle Nochefranca Yebron. President Malayang could not make it to the affair because the roro transport system cancelled their services that day due to stormy weather. In Iligan City, the Iligan and Lanao alumni had their organizational meeting and dinner fellowship at the Iligan Gazpacho’s Restaurant. Out-going president Dr. Franco Teves presided over the meeting. Elected president was Dean Art D. Ballesta who, together with other officers, were inducted into office by no less than the mayor of Iligan City, Hon. Lawrence L. Cruz. Southern California alumni also had a turn-over of leadership from out-going president Dr. Rachel Silliman to President-elect Lady Hope T. Poculan-Robillos. The new set of officers was inducted into office during a dinner-dance held last September 19. IN MEMORIAM: Dr. Patrocinio P. Limpiado (BSE 1951, MA.Ed 1977, Ed.D 1990) on September 1, Rosita Malahay Gegoncillo (SUHS 1940) on September 2, Luis Trasmonte (SUHS 59) on September 14 and Crisanto “Chris” C. Sapaula (former student and DYSR talent) on September 18. (If you know of a Sillimanian not in our memorial list, please inform us.) Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapter are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President's Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph or our Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanspool@gmail.com, alumni@su.edu.ph or sillimanualumni@yahoo.com. Sincerely, Jocelyn “JONG” Somoza de la Cruz Director of Alumni and External Affairs cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III ************************************************************
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August 2009 DEAR FELLOW SILLIMANIAN: “Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things - with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope.” - Corazon Aquino August started with great inspiration in celebration of the life of Her Excellency Former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. Facebook uploads by many Sillimanians include yellow ribbons and pictures of the Philippine heroine of democracy. The Philippine flags on campus stayed at half-mast for ten days. Administration, faculty, staff and students wore yellow ribbons. Acacia trees along Hibbard Avenue had yellow banners. A memorial service was held at Silliman Church. Her life reminded and inspired us all of the value of humility. The 108th Founders Day theme had to be modified to echo Cory’s values and the message of President Ben S. Malayang the III (http://su.edu.ph/pres_speaks/bsm_ourmicahncalltoday.htm) became the basis of the final chosen theme: “LIVING JUSTICE, MERCY and HUMILITY with GOD” (Micah 6:8). Attached to the month-long Founders Day was the celebration of our national language, Buwan ng Wika and the two-day Annual Book Fair at the Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library. The 46th Annual Convention of the Pyschological Association of the Philippines (PAP) was hosted by Silliman University on August 13 to 15. Sillimanians’ favorite Dr. Betty C. McCann of the United Board of Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA) and an Outstanding Psychologist of the Philippines awardee gave the keynote speech. Alumni chapters also celebrated their Alma Mater’s 108th birthday in the following ways: Sillimanians in Cebu City sponsored a feeding of street children and a Basketball Friendship Game with Bradford Church. And University President Dr. Ben S. Malayang III was their guest preacher on August 16 for Silliman Sunday; Singapore alumni had a picnic on August 15 at Pasir Ris Park with young alumni excited that the first Miss High School to win the Miss Silliman crown was with them, they made sure they had photos taken with Atty. Carlisle “Jingle” Dans – Cortes. |
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And on the same day, the Bukidnon alumni also gathered for a Founders Day fellowship at Central Mindanao University. Former Silliman Church CYF President and now administrative pastor at UCCP Pasay City Rev. Bobby Alguso gave the sermon on Silliman Sunday, August 26 at Ellinwood Church Malate. Metro Manila Sillimanians led by their president, Mr. Rod Pepito had an evening of Filipino love songs during their annual fellowship dinner at the Ayala Ballroom of the Makati Sports Club on August 15. In Dumaguete, a job fair for overseas employment was Manila Sillimanians’ gift to Silliman. The successful job fair was held on August 21-22. Mrs. Gloria P. Belarmino came home early to facilitate the job placement program. The celebration on Silliman campus officially started with a worship service on August 16 at Silliman Church. The preacher, Rev. Bernadette Amistoso Morales, spoke on the Founders Day theme. The Rev. Dennis Duhaylungsod welcomed Sillimanians on August 30 at the Fil-Am United Church of Christ at Fremont, CA. Lay preacher Je Ygnalaga gave the sermon “The Way, The Truth, The Life.” Other leaders of the church service were Rev. Frank Beltran and the choir composed of members of the Silliman University Alumni Association of Northern California (SUAANC). P.S. It seems so easy to organize a choir with Sillimanians, like the Tipon Choral organized for the Orlando gathering last July by Ruby Ordinario Agnir gathered those who attended from the different states and came up with a remarkable performance. The 108th Founders Day was distinguished from previous affairs as a celebration loaded with lectures, mostly courtesy of Class of 1964’s Balik-Talent series, as a special way of celebrating their Sapphire Reunion. The lectures included: Dr. Evangelyn C. Alocilja of Michigan State University on “Nanoparticie-based Biosensors,” former BOT Chairperson Prof. Leonor Briones on “Economy: A Case Study of Negros Oriental,” Dr. Elsa Austria-Bulado on Faculty Evaluation, Dr. Marlinda R. Sardovia-Iyer of Ohio State University on “Trends in Newborn Screening for Inherited Disorders,” Dr. Viad Mariano on “Digital Image Processing;” Dr. Perla Maturan Tayko on “Thinking and Tinkering with Organizational Development in Large Systems Change;” OSA 2009 Eduardo on “Entrepreneurship: The Davao Experience,” OSA 2009 Dr. Kenneth E. Bauzon on “Career Options for Political Science Majors;” OSA 2009 Francisco D. Somera Jr. at the Church Workers Convocation; Dr. Rachel Gadiane Silliman on “Pilipino and The Quest for National Lingua Franca;” Engrs. Jovie S. Aclaro and Yolanda Tan Aclaro on “Engineering Education and Competing in the Global Market;” Sapphire Reunion prime mover Dr. Leslie E. Bauzon on “The Study of Philippine History and Building the Filipino Nation towards Sustainable Unity, Stability and Progress based on Cultural Pluralism;” Dr. Gideon Z. Alegado on “A Quest for Excellence in Higher Education: The Other Ingredients;” Jenny Lind Elmaco on “Global Governance: Panacea or Penumbra to Democracy,” Dr. Ruth Cang Chang on the “Role of Parenting in a Child’s Development;” Dr. Christian Emanuel Mancao on “Chronic Muscle Pain;” Little Village’s Sheilah Lynn L. Domalaon on “Streams: The Compassionate Life.” Lectures from SUCN ’59 and ’69 were given by Dr. Luz Sobong-Porter who gave the keynote address; Dr. Nancy Bohanon on “Cardiovascular Research and Diabetes;” Dr. Enrique Ostrea “Neonatology;” and Aspen-Meti Corporation Atty. Martin Laburada on “Trends on High-Fidelity Simulation in the Philippines.” This Founders Day’s Eminent Person Lecture had Mr. Bert Hofman, the Country Director of The World Bank Group on August 26 at the Luce Auditorium. Last year, we had His Excellency Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos. The 2009 Outstanding Sillimanian awardees (pictured below, l to r) are: EDUARDO A. BANGAYAN in the field of Entrepreneurship, KENNETH E. BAUZON in the field of Political Science, MACARTHUR F. CORSINO in the field of Foreign Service, and FRANCISCO D. SOMERA JR. in the field of Military Chaplaincy. |
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The culture of gratitude prevailed this Founders Day by honoring some of the faithful servants and former mentors who helped establish Silliman’s mark of excellence. Home Economics Professor Emeritus Evangelina Nobleza Bokingo was honored by naming the little center of hospitality at the main building of the Nutrition and Dietetics complex, Prof. Eve Bokingo Lounge. There was groundbreaking of the future Rev. Dr. Edmundo Pantejo Memorial Chapel at the Silliman University Medical Center Foundation grounds, led by his wife, Mrs. Ophelia Recla Pantejo. The circular road in front of the SUMC was named The Palmore Circle in honor of James and Mimi Palmore; the Law Library cyber corner as the College of Law Decenteceo E-Library in honor of former librarian Felicisimo S. Decenteceo; the road from Langheim Road to the amphitheater passing the new Nursing Education Building was named the Roman T. Yap Lane in honor of the Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees; also in honor of Col. Roman T. Yap is the ROTC Office now called the Col. Roman T. Yap ROTC Center; SC 110 was named the Rabor Science Lecture Room in honor of the Bird Man of the Philippines Dr. Dioscoro S. Rabor; SC 111 was named Imperial Science Lecture Room in honor of the First Filipino Chairman of the Chemistry Department Prof. Gerardo A. Imperial; the Biology Museum as the Rodolfo Gonzales Museum of Natural History in honor of Professor Emeritus Rodolfo Gonzales; the former soccer field beside the gymnasium as The Ravello Physical Education Field in honor of Professors Emeritus Jose and Sofia Ravello; the Archery Range as the Dionisio Flores Archery Field in honor of Outstanding Sillimanian in the field of Sports Development and former Archery International Coach Dionisio R. Flores; and the Marine Laboratory facilities as the Dr. Angel C. Alcala Environment and Marine Science Laboratories in honor of world renowned scientist in Coastal Resources Management Professor Emeritus Angel C. Alcala. The third batch of Silliman mentors who were honored as Heritage Builders include the founders of the Mission Hospital Henry W. and Eleonor A. Langheim, the first S.U. Filipino Science teacher Guillermo T. Magdamo, Music Education pillar Mercedes V. Magdamo, first S.U. Filipino Bible teacher Lorenzo B. Bernardez, Basic Education pillar Genoveva E. Bernardez, first S.U. Filipino Spanish teacher Mariano Muñoz, College of Education pillar Dr. Herman C. Gregorio, Law Library pioneer Felicisimo S. Decenteceo, the former President’s Social Secretary and Alumni Affairs Director Ludy S. Perez, Chemistry Laboratory pioneer Victorio Alaban, University Library pillar Gorgonio D. Siega and Leoncio Duran of Buildings and Grounds. Their names were added on The Heritage Builders Wall at the Silliman Hall grounds on August 25. Installed into the Order of Horace B. Silliman in ceremonies held at Silliman Hall grounds on August 25 were Dr. Romeo B. Ariniego who gave much towards the completion of the Udarbe Memory Chapel, the late Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees Roman T. Yap represented by Mrs. Mary Consolacion Yap, the generous former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Fred S. Dael and his corporate associates represented by Rachel Gadiane Silliman, Outstanding SUCN alumna and donor of the Nursing Education Building Olivia Villaflores Yanson, long time patron of the Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library and College of Nursing William Barry Thompson, and the donor of the Allied Health Sciences facilities and of the research arm of Dr. Angel C. Alcala, the Angelo King Foundation, Inc. represented by the President Teddy Kingsu. Present to do honors of the floral offering for Dr. Horace B. Silliman were Nathalie Yap and Allen King. Someone asked, “Why does your Founders Day feel festive with the people in high spirits?” We explained that the people who come are our alumni, most of whom join the re-unioning classes. Represented this Founders Day were the following: SUHS 1939, SUHS 1947, SUHS 1948, SUHS 1949, SUHS 1951, SUHS 1952, SUHS 1954 (donated a Verano painting to celebrate their Emerald year), SUHS 1955, SUHS 1956, SUHS 1957, SUHS 1959 (they launched the Rabor Bird Walk to celebrate their golden year), Law 1959, BSN 1959, SUHS 1962, a general gathering for Class of 1964 represented by students who graduated that year from grade school to high school, college to graduate school in celebration of their Sapphire year, SUHS 1965, SUHS 1966, SUHS 1969, Pre-Med 1969, BSN 1969, BSN 1989, Accounting 1970, SUHS 1974, SUHS 79 (mounted a photo exhibit to celebrate their Ruby decade), SUHS 1984 (celebrated their Silver year), SUHS 1989, SUHS 1990, SUHS 1994, SUHS 1999, Accountancy 1999, Elementary 1999, SUHS 2004 , the alumni groups from Aklan, Bacolod, Bukidnon, Cabadbaran, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu Alumni, Davao (with their winning colorful performance in Parada Sillimaniana), Dumaguete, SoCKSarGen ( South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos), Metro Manila, Misamis Occidental, Palawan, Western Samar, Tacloban, Tanjay, ZAMBASULTA (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulo and Tawitawi), Antique, Melbourne, Acacia (Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Western Pennsivania), Singapore, NCR(Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia), Honolulu-Hawaii, Central Texas and from the following organizations Demolay, Rhoans, Pan Hellenic, Beta Sigma and Rizal Youth Club. 15-year-old Glenna Duch, a high school student whose mother is a Filipina and the father from Denmark, was crowned Miss Silliman 2009. Joining her were the runners-up: Miss Silliman COED Joahnna Saad of the College of Engineering and Miss Silliman Headline Girl Djerica Mate of the College of Mass Communication. The College of Computer Studies won the University Cheerdance Competition. Junior Philippine Physics Society got Booth of the Year at the Hibalag Festival. The centerpiece of the celebration was the Sunrise Service which had the 2009 Outstanding Sillimanian Rev. Dr. Francisco D. Somera Jr. as preacher. The Rev. Dr. Federico Agnir was the speaker on Silliman Sunday, the 23rd of August. TIPON in Dumaguete was a huge gathering that lasted until the wee hours of the morning. IN MEMORIAM: Theonilo Pala (BSME 1977) on August 8; Leila Berenguel Alano on August 21. (If you know of a Sillimanian not in our memorial list, please inform us.) Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapter are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President's Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph or our Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanspool@gmail.com, alumni@su.edu.ph or sillimanualumni@yahoo.com. Sincerely, Jocelyn “JONG” Somoza de la Cruz Director of Alumni and External Affairs cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III ************************************************************
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Dear Fellow Sillimanian: …portraits hung in empty halls frameless heads on nameless walls with eyes that watch the world and can't forget… The lyrics of the song “Vincent” by Dr. Don McLean, the 2002 inductee to the Grammy Hall of Fame, somehow describe the photographs on the pages of the picture albums left by the American missionaries, like this beautiful portrait of an unnamed young girl in panuelo and used in Portal 1999 on a spread celebrating the Centennial of Philippine Independence (1898-1998). Who could she be? The daughter of Walter and Rebecca McIntire? Was she the young daughter of the Winternheimers who lived at what today is Ilang-ilang Cottage? She could be Kathryn Elizabeth or Anna Margaret,one of the two daughters of Charles and Henrietta Glunz? We are hoping an alumna can help us identify this precious memento. Hundreds of pictures are in the Sillimaniana, the archives section of the Robert B. and Metta J. Library, with no captions. We urge returning alumni to visit this room and help identify the people and events recorded in the collection of decades-old pictures. The 4th of July celebration was celebrated in Silliman University at the American Studies and Resource Center, a section of the Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library. Historian Dr. Joseph Raymond, a just-returned Fulbright scholar, gave a lecture on the American Presbyterian Missions in the Philippines. Included in the celebration was an extemporaneous speaking contest among students from overseas with quotations from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as topics. The University Christian Life Emphasis Week was celebrated on July 12 to 18 on the theme “Wellness is Wholeness” based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11; 5:16-24. Emphasized in the Galilean Fellowship that was hosted in the homes of faculty, staff and Church members was the idea that “a journey towards wholeness lays the foundations for a better world for all.” TIPON SILLIMAN 2009 in Orlando, Florida Congratulations to SUACONA and especially to members of the Silliman Alumni South Florida Chapter for hosting the successful TIPON 2009. More than 4oo participants registered. With the theme “Leaving Our Imprint For Tomorrow: Raising the Bar of Excellence”, the 5th TIPON in Orlando, Florida took place on July 8-12. It was double work for the hosts because majority of them do not reside there but in other parts of Florida. Truly, the Silliman Alumni South Florida members headed by their President, Gedie Zamora-Wilson deserve commendation for a job well done! |
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While in the US, Dr. Malayang touched base with alumni in Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey and Northern California. This was a good opportunity for those who were not able to attend TIPON to hear updates on our university. The Philippine Tipon delegation also witnessed the installation of Rev. Reuben D. Cediño as Pastor of the Fil-am United Church of Christ in Richmond Hill, New York. Pastor Bong, a former administrative pastor of Silliman Church, served as the officiating Pastor during the TIPON. We wish him the best in his new “mission.” Back in Silliman, the Cultural Affairs Committee sponsored internationally acclaimed pianist Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz in a concert at the Luce on July 10. Mr. Cruz also conducted a Master’s class for the piano students at the College of Performing Arts. 108th Founders Day of Silliman University The 108th Founders Day of Silliman University’s theme is a line inspired by Micah 6:8, “Living Justice, Mercy, and Humility with GOD.” It is a call to all Sillimanians to live lives that exude the virtues of justice, mercy and humility. Please check this site for the Calendar of Activities: http://su.edu.ph/108th FoundersDaySked.pdf See you here in Dumaguete in August. We are hoping you will start planning ahead to come home in 2011 for two important reasons: it will the 110th Founders Day, and Silliman University Church will turn 100 years old. IN MEMORIAM: Maria Doris Tan Arada (BS Accountancy ‘83) on July 20, Albino C. Divinagracia (BS Chemistry ‘65 ) on July 21, Marie Anggie Taleon-Noob (BSE-HE ‘76) on July 22, Dr. Romeo Zarco (AA PreMed ‘38)) on July 25 and Dr. Beatriz C. Medina (AA PreMed ‘47) on July 25. (If you know of a Sillimanian not in our memorial list, please inform us.) Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman. President Malayang has requested this office to regularly update you about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapter are doing. Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President's Office through this email address: pres@su.edu.ph or our Alumni Affairs Office through this address: sillimanspool@gmail.com, alumni@su.edu.ph or sillimanualumni@yahoo.com. Sincerely, Jocelyn “JONG” Somoza de la Cruz Director of Alumni and External Affairs cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III ******************************
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June 14, 2009
Dear Joel,
RE: Support for HR 2536 I hope this e-mail finds you, Jen, and the rest of the family well and in good health. You probably are quite busy with the upcoming TIPON 2009 to be held in Florida next month.
I am writing you to seek your support for a legislative measure filed in the US Congress, HR 2536, that seeks to provide relief to the nursing shortage there and also provide employment opportunities for our nurses in the US. The title of the bill is the "Emergency Nurse Supply Relief Act" (ENSRA). We believe that this proposasl should be supported as its passage would greatly help many of our compatriot nurses here who are all waiting for a relief from the visa retrogression there in the US. A lot of nurses are presently unemployed and "opening the lid", so to speak, should help the unemployment pressures here. In the Silliman Medical Center alone, there are 200+ pending applications with no available positions that we can currently offer. I am sure this number will grow as more nurses take and pass the Philippine Board examinations. Our friends from The Guardian Group are vigorously working at that end to help the measure pass. They were the ones who sponsored our trip in 2007 to visit some hospitals in Tennessee and Kentucky. They are suggesting that maybe the Sillman Alumni can communicate with the offices of their respective representatives. Attached is a draft letter that can be used to forward to alumni, friends and colleagues living and working in the U.S. They in turn could tailor the letter to suit their specific situation (nurse, nursing school advocate, etc) and then send it on to their Congressman/woman. I am attaching as well a copy of the salient features of HR 2536 and some talking points why it is necessary that this bill should be passed into law. In case, you want a copy of the full text of the proposed legislative measure, I can send you a PDF file. I have also e-mailed Ms. Alma Vierich, a moderator of the Silliman University College of Nursing Alumni Association International (SUCNAAI) based in Los Angeles, regarding this matter.
As Chair of the SU Alumni Council of North America (SUACONA), I hope you and the SUACONA can make this an advocacy so that our nurses here who dream of being able to work in the US can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Best regards and may God bless our plans and intentions. Bert Montebon Other attachments: Emergencry Nurse Supply Relief Act (summary) U.S. Nursing Shortage (talking points) ******************** |
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May 2009 Dear Fellow Sillimanian:
A bloom in May is captured by the brushstrokes of Dr. Elizabeth Susan Dimaya Vista Suarez, one of the country’s best choral directors. Painting is just one of her multi-faceted achievements.
Susan is the current Cultural Officer of Silliman University. She recently accepted the co-chairpersonship of the 108th Founders Day celebration together with Prof. Carlos M. Magtolis Jr. Preparations for the biggest alumni homecoming, the 110th Founders Day in 2011, will also be under their joint leadership. |
, our National Artist for Literature and etched on a tablet in front of the village main house:
, in with the panel. Based at City University, Hong Kong, Xu Xi has published several novels and essays and also edited anthologies. Future workshops hope to involve more Asian writers.
