Alumni Letter June 2013
Dear Fellow Sillimanian:
June is the month of beginnings, and Dumaguete is abuzz once again with 9,349 students enrolled at Silliman University. The University activities for the students have ranged from convocations to weekend live bands and from Sunday afternoon praise and worship services to Meet You At The Pole prayer sessions.
GOVERNANCE
It is a “changing of the guard”, so to speak, at the Alumni Affairs Office. Mr. Ruben “Bobot” N. Bokingo, an alumnus of the College of Mass Communication, assumes the role of Director of the Office of Alumni and External Affairs effective this school year 2013-2014.
Mr. Bokingo replaces Prof. Jocelyn S. Dela Cruz who retired last semester. (OIC Director of Alumni and External Affairs, Moses Joshua Atega, holds a new assignment as International Students Adviser.) Professor Dela Cruz is now tasked to assist in the “A to Z” needs of TIPON International 2013 on August 21-24, 2013 in Silliman University. TIPON is a biennial gathering of alumni and friends of Silliman. Together with the University, Dumaguete City is preparing for the arrival of around 500 alumni for this year’s TIPON.
Bobot has been an active alumnus who has taken on leadership positions in the Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI) and in the Silliman University Church. He is also involved in various committees in the University. He is no new comer to the campus by the sea. He grew up at the Silliman Park with children of faculty and American missionaries in the 70s.
Mr. Bokingo spearheads the Professor Emeritus Evangelina Nobleza-Bokingo Memorial Scholarship campaign in honor of his late mother, who was a longtime Chair of the Home Economics Department.
The Office of Alumni and External Affairs extends its helping hand to Silliman alumni and friends. The Office can also facilitate requests for transcripts, diplomas and certifications, enrolment, university housing for students, and campus tours.
ACADEMIC
The start of a new school year this June has brought a number of changes which one has to be open minded about, such as the implementation of the 5-day Week Scheme. The “Scheduling of Learning Activities Across a Regular 5-Day Weeks” is a scheme that seeks to optimize class hours. A student still has five (5) days of learning activities in a week; only this time, classes, which constitute one type of learning activity in Silliman, are scheduled in four (4) days. The remaining one (1) day, which is the fifth day, becomes the common schedule for other learning activities, such as convocations, special events, and other co-curricular activities. The same fifth day can be utilized as replacement class day, in case classes during the other four (4) days are suspended due to fortuitous events, such as typhoons, or special holidays. Adjustments and a bit of sacrifice are all that take to make things work. Silliman University believes that scheduling of classes and related learning activities is for the school to do, base on its available resources and facilities. But the University always welcomes suggestions and comments to further improve its programs and services. A review of this 5-day week scheme within the school year will help refine its understanding, implementation and effectiveness.
RELEVANCE and REACH
The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) officers led by Ms. Aileen D. Macapili and Mr. Romeo D Ramirez, Jr. conducted an inter-agency community education and information campaign with third year and fourth year college students at the Cyber Lecture Hall on June 27, 2013. CFO officers expounded on various issues concerning migration, inter-marriages, and existing government policies and programs directed against illegal recruitment, documentation fraud, and human trafficking, among others. The open forum that followed showed a keen interest from the students in the mechanics of reporting abuses.
CHURCH
SU Church Leaders Retreat
June 29, 2013 SU University House
Silliman University Church officers for Ecclesiastical Year EY 2013-2014 had a whole day Church Leaders Retreat on June 29, 2013 at the University House with the theme: “Leadership Empowering.” Dr. Ben S. Malayang III challenged the current church officers to a leadership of ministering to other faiths within the University, furthering as well the ecumenical spirit of SU Church as it reaches out to a student population of over 9,000. The Rev. Dr. Noriel Capulong in his Biblico Theological Reflection also reminded church officers to proclaim Jesus Christ to all students, faculty and staff of the University, as Christ is the Via Veritas Via (the Way, the Truth and the Life).
A brief input on Silliman Church history was made by Prof. Carlos Magtolis, Jr. the current Church Council Chair, while the Rev. Dr. Lourdino Yuzon expounded on some of the salient features of the new SU Church Manual.
The music ministry at Silliman University Church has played a major role in uplifting weary souls, and the arrival of a new Allen organ has enhanced and enriched the church services in the past three weeks.
The new Allen organ will take center stage with organist Prof. Isabel D. Vista, and the different choirs and singing groups in campus during a memorial service for the late Ruth Imperial-Pfeiffer scheduled July 17, 2013 (Wednesday), 7PM at SU Church. Woman of Music Tribute to Ruth Imperial-Pfeiffer will be a mini concert to celebrate the life of an Outstanding Silliman in the field of music. The Silliman University Cultural Affairs Committee, in cooperation with the Alumni Affairs Office, the Silliman University Church, and the College of Performing and Visual Arts, is inviting everyone to a celebration of life through music.
ACADEMIC
Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario as Guest Lecturer in the First General Education Integrative Learning Series on the theme: “Philippine Foreign Policy”
Secretary del Rosario spoke to approximately 800 students from four universities in Dumaguete City on the Philippine Foreign Policy, as guest of honor and lecturer during the First General Education Integrative Learning Series of Silliman University. This was held June 18, 2013 at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. Touching on the sensitive issue of China’s claims, del Rosario said, that the last resort for the West Philippine Sea disputes is peaceful arbitration, after exhausting all political and diplomatic approaches.
Sec. del Rosario also announced that the DFA will soon establish a provincial operations center at Robinsons-Dumaguete during the third quarter of this year to make its services easier for residents of Dumaguete and those from other parts of Negros Oriental.
DEVELOPMENT
UNIVERSITY HOUSE, formerly known as the President’s Home, is now a guest house of the University. Official guests of the University are now billeted here. These include speakers, lecturers, visiting professors and members of the Board of Trustees. Prof. Ana Vee Alamillo-Riconalla, Chair of the Nutrition & Dietetics Department, is Guest House Manager. Prof. Riconalla, who has a Masters in Food Services Administration from U.P. Diliman, boasts that one must try the University House signature breakfast. The University President’s Office through Joy V. Salatandre takes care of all bookings for the University House.
IN MEMORIAM: Virginia “Gigi” Opeña Swezey (High School 1951) on June 1, 2013; Ruth Imperial Pfeiffer (High School 1949, AB 1952) on June 2, 2013; Edgardo Valin (BBA 1968) on June 3, 2013; Jesse Fernandez (High School 1971, former student) on June 13, 2013; Enrico B. Villanueva (High School 1969, BSPM 1970, former student) on June 15, 2013; Jeffrey T. Araula (AB Anthro 1975, LLB 1980) on June 18, 2013; Jude M. Tragico (High School 1984) on June 22, 2013; and Louella Yap (BSGS 1979-1981 former student) on June 23, 2013. If you know of any Sillimanian who is not on 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 the 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,
The Officers and Staff of the Alumni and External Affairs
cc: Dr. Ben S. Malayang III
