“I Choose You”

This has been the most critical semester I’m being through with. Polyphasic sleeps and endless hustling are quite a euphemism of what really I’m going through right now. With over overload (thanks heaven-sent college staff and professors), lots of org responsibilities plus quasi-hidden agenda, it’s timorous I can’t catch up with myself to make these through. “Finally,” I’m getting a taste of UP. “Ahh, daw UP na gid.”
“Seize the day” – this line’s so cootish to be your motto you know, the thing you believe in =’) Until I realize I barely have a month, two weeks, and three days left to stay in this beloved university (unless of course of divine intervention, terrorizing crucial grades, or some so-hard-for-me-to-leave “friends”). My every day here then became so precious thinking that in a few weeks this is all over.
Nonetheless, it’s one heck of a journey – something that imparted me great (in)valuable lessons. Thanks to my org mates, friends, fellow staff, and my beloved blockmates (go Block A!) – I’m not good at showing people how I really feel but I need you to know that you’re special, beyond my empty expressions. This is my last sem in The Accounts (hopefully) – so my deep thanks and gratitude goes to the institution that served as an instrument that redeemed me to be a better student and molded and as a better person (I just hope it really did).
The Accounts has withstood 26 youthful years of existence and that is something to be proud of. It’s not just an organization; it’s not just a mere publication. It has been the voice of the unheard; has been a class clown of every block; has been a newscaster to the uninformed; has offered a soothing poem to those who can’t sleep at nights through the pain; has witnessed your noble rallies for change and reform; and most of all, has fought with you in your most crucial battles to unveil the truth. The Accounts has been every UPV CM student’s loyal friend, who, through all these years, has stayed with them.
Despite these, your friend has been gone for some time, but it didn’t say that it won’t come back. The Accounts has suffered the tight-holding arms of university bureaucracy (mora solvendi), press interventions, and mora accipiendi, that is, the delay on the part of the press to accept the performance of the publication. So the delay of the university cancels the delay of the press, and we The Staff were left empty-handed.
Yet a promise has to be fulfilled. So we get something to hold on to – and we’ve got YOU.
The Accounts is your student publication. The Staff are merely the agents of this paper. They come, and when their stay here ends, they have to go. Someday, time will come that I’ll need to let go of this university too. I have to move on, both literally and figuratively.
But your school paper stays. It is here to stay. And it chooses you. It needs you. Why should you ever let it go?

Filed under: Columns, choice, delectus personae

How to Ace a Calculus

by Ralph Dan Gillo

There’s this man in Texas, USA whom everyone hails as a “hero” because he saved thirty people from a roller coaster accident. He was wondering why the ride lasted three minutes longer than it used to, so he started to investigate. Realizing the vastness of the place, he asked for a pen and a piece of paper. Minutes after, he found out the exact location or part of the machine that malfunctioned, thus saving those thirty people who were suppose to be in that canceled ride. Amazing, isn’t it? Now, how did he do it? One word: Calculus.

According to 1993 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, Calculus is defined as any branch of mathematics that employs symbolic computations, especially integral calculus and differential calculus. Sounds alien? Try this: According to 9 out of 10 UPV students, Calculus is defined as hell, something enigmatic, perplexing, laborious, a.k.a difficult. Now I’m sure you’re wondering why the heck I am writing about this one. I am not any Calculus geek, because in fact, I am one of those 9 students! But come to think of it, isn’t there a room of optimism? There are a lot of ways to kill a cat – or in this case, Calculus. So maybe that’s the reason why this article existed, to shed light and hope my fellow students who are in the dark abyss of calculus. And at the same time, to inform those who will be taking it. So brace yourself for the combined tips from various internet pages and from Sir Ryan Ocumen himself (yehey!).

Tip Number 1: Know your Instructor. By this tip, I mean not only knowing the name, but also the educational background, the teaching techniques, and stuff of your instructor (or future instructor!). How? Well, one way is asking his/her former students. Now, this tip may be sometimes misleading as in the case of my Calculus instructor (and at the same time, my interviewee!) who was rumored to be a “terrorist”, who loves to fail students and give difficult exams, no other than…(drum roll, please)… Sir Ryan! Actually, he’s not a terrorist, In fact, he’s funny, and a very good teacher. Although it came from him that one out of every four students fails in his class, this may not necessarily mean that it’s completely his fault. It may be the student’s, right? Take it from me, he’s a great teacher.

So how to deal with your instructor? Just don’t be rude to them. Be polite and address them properly, and I tell you, at the end of the semester, it really pays!

Tip Number 2: Never miss a Class. Classes are held for our benefit. If it isn’t, then maybe a unit of this subject course will cost a peso only. Classes are important because it is in these hours that the instructor will give examples which are more likely not in the reference book. The instructor might teach you a shortcut or a tip on how to solve this and do that, and missing these wouldn’t help you. Time spent on classes are investments for our education, remember that.

Tip Number 3: Pay Attention and Jot Down Notes. Some problems might not be taken in the reference book, so its better to have your own copy of it. There’s a difference between staring at the board and jotting it down. You might be assured that you understand the topic, or the method but a week later, there’s a possibility that you’ll forget it, so its better to have a back up copy in case you need to refresh your memory. Pens and papers are also investments.

Tip Number 4: Ask. Sometimes, you’d realize that your instructor is speaking alien or maybe in such a haste that you don’t understand a thing he or she is blabbering. Ask for some clarifications, for some problems, or maybe additional examples, anything that would enhance your understanding of the topic. Dont be afraid to do so, because that’s the essence of going to school – to learn. Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re ignorant because, as what Socrates used to say, “ Ignorance is the first true act of wisdom”. Or something like that.

Tip Number 5: Do your Homework The fastest way to get intro trouble in Calculus is to not do your homework. Consider this, the problems given may be similar to the problems that would appear at the exams and quizzes where you are expected to work them quickly but accurately without the aid of the book or your notes. So consider doing your homework as a simulated exam, and when the real exams come, you’d realize that it really wasn’t that difficult.

Sir Ryan used to say that its not bad to copy the homework of your classmate, just as long as you understand it. Just don’t be too dependent on your classmate. Remember, you are graded based on your individual performance. So if you keep on copying your classmate’s work, you’ll end up making a fool of yourself. Why not have your own answer, and then compare with your classmate’s? That way, you’ll know your mistakes, and learn from them.

Tip Number 6: Study. I know this a very vague concept, but you know what I mean. Doing homework is studying. Reading and re-doing the problems is studying. Reviewing and understanding your notes is studying. Calculus is likely to require you to have a substantial investment of TIME. Just as you might play a lot of basketball or Rubik’s cube to be good at it, you must also do a lot of it in order to be successful. Understand the process of arriving at the answer, and it doesn’t really mean memorizing the steps or method because sometimes, your instructor would require you to find a different unknown. Don’t be contented on the examples given by your instructor. Exert extra effort in studying by looking for more problems, and answering them.

Tip Number 7: Engage in Group Studying One of the best ways to learn something is to explain it to someone else. And group-studies will give you this opportunity. You could do homework together, and then learn from each other’s mistakes. You could compare notes. Remember, your greatest assets are in the class with you– and those are your classmates! They might know something that you don’t, and by engaging in these activities, each member benefits.

Tip Number 8: Prepare for the Exam. Studying is preparing for the exam. Consult your instructor or the syllabus for the coverage of the exam. When actually taking it, read the problems carefully, because you might give an elegant answer to the wrong question. Do the easy problems first, you don’t want to waste time tackling the difficult ones when there are a lot of easy problems. Don’t leave a problem blank. It is a prerogative of a professor to grant you partial points for exerting effort. You may draw some illustration to show that you understood it. Just don’t ever leave a problem blank. Check or review your answers, because you may have overlooked something. And lastly, don’t beg. Get the grade you deserve.

Tip Number 9: Be Optimistic. As what Sir Ryan would say, “The worst enemy of your life is the fear that resides in you.” Believe in yourself. You are, after all, a UP student. Make room for optimism. Remember, its all in the mind and attitude. Ghosts exist because our mind created them. If the mind has this capability, then why can’t it make Calculus easier, right?

So there you have it, the tips on how to ace Calculus. Now I’m sure you would doubt these tips. The cynical in you would even scream, “Hey! These are just mere words! They are not effective!”. Here’s for you: Let’s just say that at this very moment, while I’m writing this article, I can say that I have passed my exams (so far) because of these tips. Now, it’s your turn to testify.

Filed under: Columns, Calculus, How to Ace a Calculus, math 100, Ralph Dan

Isang Daan: Life is a One-Way Street…

by Eloisa Fe J. Lusotan

Perspective I

Once in my life I met Doraemon, he handed me this gadget saying I was most suited…

With the advent of technology and the numerous misfortunes in life, from the trivial bubblegum sticking on your hair to the life-changing bubblegum sticking on your hair, would you not want a time machine to at least fix and straighten your hair?

Time machine, when I traveled to Miag-ao one Wednesday morning clad in the most ungodly costume plus lack of sleep, I felt as if traveling back time. Miag-ao liners do it that way, close your eyes and then you’re out of this world. Along the context of tampering the natural order of things we people are number one, trying to have things as planned, trying to make things possible to our elation.

However, in the ordinary course of our lives we strive to be better, the world is one big set-up, yours and mine, thus the commonplace penchant for a one-click away remedy. We are the stars of our lives, we need to memorize lines—- unfortunately the more complex ones; we have to look our best in our proud eye bags dying to be applauded by an insensitive crowd.

In our pursuit for excellence, to be as perfect as the oblation statue in his built and composure, we try to be as flawless as possible. To our dismay we are all defective robots, we fail exams, we drop subjects, we fail to read instructions… we fall short of expectations.

But what sense does it have being able to get away with everything, to seem to be as flawless as a sculpture? Give me the time machine and I will have that chance to answer the 82 points I missed in an exam, I will extend deadlines and have things going smoothly, I can have 8 hours or more for sleep, I can replay discussions whenever I don’t feel like paying attention, I can give in to every change of thought, I can corrupt your fates and maybe end up with your boyfriends. Like that? That sounds fun!

…but with all the silly things I can think of given the chance to have the time machine, I did not use it, I buried it under the fire tree. Well, I am a defective robot, I do stupid things, but I’d rather live with my 82 points gone, I’d rather run after deadlines than idle my way to everything I want, I’d rather watch from the CM building and behold the sight of interwoven fates– a web of people, of possibilities and of dreams.

Perspective II

Money is the catalyst that makes the automobile run, the body move and the mind work; needless to say it makes the world spin faster. What is for free? The stones are for free but use them for a money generating purpose and your futile stones will cost hundreds. Imagine stones costing hundreds, well, I can just imagine solving the rate at which ripples are formed as a stone is thrown in a still pond; given the radius of the ripples.

As the common phrase “Money does not make the world go round” is becoming obsolete, money becomes encompassing. Well one can breathe as much air as one wants, but what air is there to breathe in? An empty pocket is suffocating; imagine the delay of not having a peso at your disposal, of having to choose between having breakfast and photocopying a 100 page hand-out for an exam the following day.

At times it’s tough, your pride may not taste good but you’d rather swallow it than suffer an empty stomach. One of the best teachings in life perhaps is to humble oneself. “Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in the changing fortunes of time,” Max Ehrman would say in his Desiderata.

Everything under the sun spoils. And so does passion, a lot in this world are faith extinguishers. We just have to keep the flame burning through our defeats and failures, our triumphs and victories. In our 100 years of glory, or in our attempts of achieving one.

I do not have a lot of stones to throw into the still pond, and I was frustrated by that problem in calculus. Once in my life I had a bag full of stones, I threw them in the still pond trying to solve my calculus assignment. Until the time the bag was emptied, the assignment remained unsolved. Only then when I ran out of stones did I begin to see the many people throwing stones in the pond trying to solve their own problems, only then did I stop throwing stones and acted on the real thing.

(2am: If only my calculus teacher would accept this article as my answer to that problem on related rates… sigh.)

Filed under: Columns, Essay, math 100, perspective

A Freshman’s Life in UP

by Proud pupaCz
2008-53975
BSBA (Marketing)

“There are no secrets to success.  It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin L. Powell

Who would have thought college will be this great and tiring? This is what was in my head on surviving my first month in the University of the Philippines. For even before the opening of classes my feet ached because of my trips from the City Campus to the Miami Campus continuously submitting the requirements that the university asked for and to think that was my first time to be doing such things by myself. My dependency on my parents faded.

Then at last June 10 came, I was nervous because I knew from then on I will not be with my high school friends and also, during that time, I didn’t know most of my classmates except for the one I met during enrollment. Nevertheless, at least I knew somebody. Sooner I realized that confidence and friendliness are part of my arsenal in surviving college life.

I enjoyed my first week in the university; there were no more than two classes a day. Right now, I am looking forward to the upcoming activities hearing UP is unlike any other..

UP is enjoyable; I never thought it will be stressful though. I only found that out during our preparations for the Freshies’ Day. Despite the tension, it taught us the first lessons to keep.

Then the academic pressure came. Exams found their way through. We were all nervous not knowing what to expect, plus the impression that we were in a university where exams are not high school type. We discovered, however, that exams are answerable if one studies well and listens during discussions.

Lots of activities soon followed like the Urbandub concert, the Utalri (Marketing Acquaintance Party), and the CM Acquaintance Party making our stay in the university more comfortable.

Now that I’m almost in my third month in UP, I can say I have fallen in love with it, no regrets at all. The University of the Philippines is indeed like no other, I am proud I am an Iskolar ng Bayan!

Filed under: Columns, Dugong Bughaw, Essay, Inspired by a True Story, A Freshman's Life in UP, how's your 1st 100 days in UP?

101st Dates

by Saldy Cabarubias
BS Accountancy

It was not excitement. It was not due happiness. It was not what I was supposed to feel at the very time I first walked into the University of the Philippines Visayas—Iloilo City Campus. Instead of being grateful, I was discouraged.

What I saw that day was far from the University I overheard in the CPA Board Topnotchers’ List, from the mouths of my high school teachers and from the testimonies of Iskos from my school. Be with me in recalling what firsts fate has plotted into my UP life.

After the trail of the Typhoon Frank, the first I’ve experienced in Iloilo, I have transferred to Balay Ilonggo. My first night there felt exceptional with the soothing gushes of the cold wind and with past nights of reminiscing goodbyes with my high school friends. It was peacefully splendid, concluding that being in the dormitory seemed to suit me—clogging my hermitry and lessening my homesickness.

Now, talk about first quizzes. I remember mine was in Environmental Science. I was stunned when my answer sheet was given back to me. It was heart-breaking! In my high school life, I have never had a quiz grade as bad as 70— just a little above 3.0. Well, I just broke my record! Worst score ever, 3 out of 11 questions and that can never be miscalculated—5.0. That only tells how UP can break your bones and make your nose bleed, take this as a sort of pleasure to strive more.

Since my first weeks until now, I am in one trouble everyone in college has to face. That is, the improper budgeting of my allowance. As solution, I learned to eat kumos-kumos vended outside the campus. Well, I can’t afford everyday JD and Jobee.

But with these disastrous moments of my UP life, in my heart-breaking first one hundred days as an Iskolar ng Bayan, I have learned to persevere. I learned to fight—with myself, my quiz grades, home sickness, money matters and my stubbornness in studying. The greatest lessons I’ve learned.

Filed under: Columns, Dugong Bughaw, Essay, Inspired by a True Story, 101st Dates, how's your 1st 100 days in UP?