Alumni Letter September 2011
The major obstacle to conservation of wildlife anywhere in the world seems to be people themselves.
Humans consider themselves more important than, or superior to, all other species of plants and animals. Because of this superiority complex, people justify their actions on what are considered lower forms of life.
On ethical grounds, other creatures should be allowed to co-exist with humans through proper conservation. But what often happens is that humans tend to overexploit or make use of other species without regard for the sustainability and survival of these species…. – Dr. Angel C. Alcala
Silliman University hosted the 7th Philippine Bird Festival of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) with exhibits in the on September 24 and 25. The theme was “Langgam Paluparon, Lasang Palambuon.” All the “bird angels”of our islands and from other countries (the Asian Raptor and Research Conservation Network, Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, Borneo Bird Club, Chinese Wild Bird Federation, Kaoshiung Wild Bird Society, Malaysian Nature Society, Nature Society of Singapore and the Wild Bird Society of Taipei) were there, including the Silliman grade school and kindergarten kids had a great time who had a great time as their activities included lectures, games, coloring, face-painting, origami, film showing, a photo exhibit and, of course, bird watching! Everyone loved the story of the successful breeding program of the colorful Negros Bleeding Heart Dove (featured as the official logo of the event) at Silliman’s Center for Tropical Studies . Our very own “bird angel” Atty. Val, son of the Philippine Bird Man, Dr. Dioscoro Rabor, spoke on his father’s lifetime achievements. Silliman icon of environmentalism Dr. Angel C. Alcala and University President Dr. Ben S. Malayang III lent valuable presence to the event. The active participation of Sillimanian young environment heroes was also noted: Pol Cariño, Jean Utzurrum, Elise Basa and Dong Pading.
The SU Alumni Association of Southern California successfully celebrated SU 110th Founders Day and inducted its new set of officers with over 200 affected by the Silliman Spirit virus. Sillimanians are now looking forward to another fruitful, fun term under the capable leadership of Jaime 'Jumbo' Ponce de Leon.
Hosted by the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law, the 2011 moot court competition took place on 27 to 30 September. The fight got extremely tight in this year's National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law, as students from 17 law schools vied for the honor of winning in the largest moot court competition in the Philippines. Last year, the Silliman University team topped 13 other law schools and represented the country at the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Moot Competition, an inter-university competition for the Asia-Pacific region. This year the Silliman team placed second. Our team was composed of College of Law sophomores Zara Marie Dy and Kenny Melody Hotingoy. The Silliman team hurdled a series of elimination rounds and Dy was adjudged among the Top 3 Best Mooters. Their coach was Law professor and Salonga Center for Law and Development Deputy Director Atty. Sheila Lynn Catacutan-Besario. This annual competition for law students in the Philippines was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Philippine Association of Law Schools and the Supreme Court.
Silliman University got 100% passing marks in two national board exams. All the seven members of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Class of 2011 passed the Chemist Board Exam in August. In Medical Technology, the thirty-three 2011 graduates from the Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences passed the September Medical Technologist Licensure Examination. The national passing average was 52.5 per cent for Chemistry and 75.88 per cent for Medical Technology.
Silliman University Church celebrated Christian Education Month in September with the theme “Jesus Christ, Our Fortress.” Among the highlights were the Toddlers Class field trip which included a visit to the 7th Philippine Bird festival exhibits, a seminar on Prayer and Discipleship, the CYF visitation to an orphanage, a joint breakfast fellowship for all Bible study clusters and groups, an All-Men Fellowship Lindholm by the UCM, the Fellowship of the Least Coin and dorm devotions led by the CWA.
The Silliman University Church Pastoral Call Committee has announced the need for nominees as all four pastors now serving will soon reached their term ending. Nominations for Senior Pastor, Pastor for Christian Education and Nurture, Pastor for Campus Chaplaincy and Pastor for Christian Witness and Service are now open.
Silliman University joins the national movement for the immediate legislative enactment of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. A forum on reproductive health, “Population, Health and Environment,” was held on September 17 at the Luce Auditorium with Former Cabinet secretaries and staunch reproductive health advocates serving as speakers: former Department of Health Secretaries Dr. Esperanza Cabral and Dr. Alberto Romualdez, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources Dr. Angel Alcala, and Likhaan Executive Director Dr. Junice Melgar. This was made possible by the assistance of the S.U. Medical School and the Likhaan Center for Women's Health.
The Supreme Court, in cooperation with the Society for Judicial Excellence (SJE), honored Judge Jeoffre W. Acebido, a 1986 SU College of Law graduate, in ceremonies held on September 19, at the Centennial Hall in Manila Hotel. The 50-year old Manticao, Misamis Oriental native received JEA’s highest honor, the Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano Award. Aptly described by his nominators as the epitome of excellence in the Judiciary. Judge Acebedo, in his less than 10 years as a judge, has set the bar high for competence and efficiency as seen in his effective management of the docket of his court. He normally renders his decisions less than two months after the cases have been submitted for decision and resolves pending incidents within 30 days, well within the constitutional deadline of three months. In 2010, he has decided on the merits 131 civil cases and 68 criminal cases in his regular sala. As Acting Presiding Judge of RTC, Branch 22, he has also for the same period decided on the merits eight civil cases and 85 criminal cases. Remarkably, he has never requested for any extension of time to decide cases or resolve pending incidents. He has also earned the reputation of being punctual and prompt in his work. His colleagues, staff, as well as the litigants and their counsels in his sala, attest that he has never been late for work and starts court sessions not later than 8:30 am. With Judge Acebido setting the example, all lawyers appearing in his court have been punctual in their attendance.
IN MEMORIAM: Florencio A. Feraren (Law 1954) on September 20, Presencia Demerre-Aves (SUHS 1958, and BSHE 1965) on September 27 and Dr. Megdonio Bacal of Cagayan de Oro (all his children graduated from SU) on September 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 update you regularly 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: [email protected]. You may also contact the Alumni Affairs Office through this address: [email protected].
Sincerely,
Jocelyn “JONG” Somoza de la Cruz
Director of Alumni and External Affairs
cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III
