CSC director in NHI conference
Dr. Erlinda Alburo, director of the Cebuano Studies Center, presented an overview of regional research centers of the Visayas during the recently concluded First National Conference of Affiliated Historical Societies/Committees sponsored by the National Historical Institute. She was the only speaker outside of Luzon.
The conference, which was held last September 20-21, 2007 at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in Manila, was conducted with the theme “Re-visioning Philippine Historiography/ Kasaysayang Bayan: Batasan nga Pambansang Kasaysayan.”. It aimed primarily at establishing strong linkages between NHI and various historical organizations in the promotion and preservation of Philippine history and the country's rich cultural heritage.
Dr. Alburo’s paper focused on the Cebuano Studies Center: its history and role in the region, its various activities and projects, as well as the recognition it has earned through various local, regional and national awards.
Prof. Ambeth Ocampo, NHI chair, gave the keynote address while other speakers came from the Philippine National Historical Society, the Philippine Historical Association, and Asosasyon ng mga Dalubhasang May Hilig sa Kasaysayan (ADHIKA).
Author: J.E. R. Bersale
24 / September / 2007
27 September 2007
24 September 2007
Homily delivered by Father Theodore Murnane, SVD during the Funeral Liturgy for Father Eugene Verstraelen, SVD
Homily delivered by Father Theodore Murnane, SVD during the Funeral Liturgy for Father Eugene Verstraelen, SVD
Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 2 PM
Main Chapel
University of San Carlos
My dedication to Father Eugene is a passage from a fourth century Bishop of Milan, St. Ambrose:
He who reads much with understanding is filled. He who is filled, waters others…Let your discourses then, be flowing, let them be clear and lucid, so that you may bring pleasure to the ears of the people by your discourse on morals, and with the charm of your word soothe the faithful, that they may readily follow your guidance.
For a few minutes this afternoon, I will serve as the biblical lamp stand of the Gospel to allow the light of the person and life of Fr. Eugene Verstraelen, a member of the Catholic missionary congregation Society of the Divine Word (SVD)—a man who read much with understanding—to flood our lives: his simplicity of life and joyous openness to every person; his rich intellectual life as a scholar and a minister of the Word; and, finally, what because of training and temperament he himself could not articulate.
The first sketch—espying the simplicity of his life and his joyous openness to every person—includes a photo of Father Eugene, in swimming trunks and peaked, khaki cap, relaxing in the shallows off Dinagat Island with eight-year old Nikki, granddaughter of Waray and Mithese Baltar; secondly, the big floppy, blue canvass bag with yellow-strap handles bearing a change of clothes, electric razor, and two small, thumb-worn Bibles, one in Hebrew and the other in Greek, which Father Eugene carried early last Friday aboard ship to Cebu; and, upon arrival, the considerate gesture of choosing at breakfast to sit with a lone confrere when he could have enjoyed the company of a larger table.
The sketch reveals a man and a religious who acquired sense of peace with God and himself, together with a religious and an intellectual freedom that allowed him to treat everyone, everywhere, with the same impartial attention.
The second sketch—outlining Father Eugene’s rich intellectual life—is the daily reading of the Bible, both in Hebrew and Greek; his discussion in Cebu earlier this year of René Gerard’s anthropology of violence in the Bible and Murray Gell-Mann’s work on complexity, extrapolating quantum field theory to evolution, and to human and computer adaptive systems; and, further back in his career, his linguistic competence and scientific promotion of a formal-functional analysis of language analogous to that of Noam Chomsky’s generative grammar. The fruit of this labor appears in the work of his protégé, Mimi Borromeo-Trosdal and, in a second generation of scholars, Airlin Espina and Astrid Sala-Boza.
The second sketch elicits a sympathetic understanding of a retiring priest-scholar, saddened by the declining number of academically trained confreres at the University and the diminishing interest in things of the mind and the spirit in his own religious community. As he surmised, this situation would have implications for the institution’s future.
The third sketch—masking what Fr. Eugene himself could not articulate—or what is common lore of management workshops today—one’s blind spot—this sketch includes a lengthy manuscript where he presses into service the full range of his reading and his understanding of things scriptural on a critique—always with apology, of course—of Church policy and practice today; secondly, the decline of education in the Philippines, epitomized for him by the thoughtless absences of primary education teachers from their task for this workshop or that; and, thirdly, and blind spot I did say, his low estimation of things administrative. This was true whether they were:
School meetings—everything would be fine, if we only gave our lessons well;
Province or district assemblies—increasing deafness in one ear afforded him a beneficent shield;
Trips to Rome on Society affairs—unabashedly again, a waste time and money.
Curiously enough, this third sketch is nothing short of a patch over an inner eye that could see—but which he himself could not articulate. For Father Eugene held the tools for understanding—and dealing with—the shallow amalgam of a no-longer effective roles of ministry in the Church and contemporary—often popular—pastoral practice and, correlatively, a lingering worldview that is creationist, hierarchical and dogmatic. Human advancement, he understood, has not only shown human agency and hori-zontal relations to be rightful complements in the world today to the transcendence we seek, but also a modern world that is elbowing out the static, essentialist categories in which many of us were educated in favor of more dynamic, interactive or if you would—dialogical modes of engage-ment. Father Eugene was grounded in the theological anthropology in Karl Rahner’s Theological Investigations as exemplified in the human consciousness of the Redeemer, an understanding of the dialectics of pluralistic societies in Bernard Lonergan’s Method in Theology made intelligible through the notions of religious, moral and intellectual conversion and, finally, the work of a host of other authors, ancient and modern, that forms the seedbed of our modern democratic tradition and the ideals of purposeful communicative action.
But now, let us return to where we began. Back to the shallows—and the deep sea where he swam every day—off Dinagat Island, to Father Eugene’s adopted family, Nikki, Mithese and Waray; but also back to his former students and, perforce, to us, his companions on a common journey to the Lord. Let not our present grief choke off the gratitude we owe for the gift of Fr. Eugene, his simplicity of life and joyous openness to every person. In the irritants of our daily lives; in the decisions we face, both momentous and not so; in the suspicion, fear, and intolerance with which we cloth our relations with others, let us open our hearts to draw from the equanimity we experienced in Fr. Eugene, his joyous and unadorned presence among us.
And, back to the University where Fr. Eugene taught. Let not his retirement in Surigao or his quiet slipping away lead us to make light of the significance of the presence among us of one, who maintained a rich intel-lectual life as a scholar and a minister of the Word throughout his life. Through the example of a man—whom we could easily consider imprac-tical, we have a call to invest in the cultivation of our own minds, in a personal engagement in the substance of what we purport of offer our students. This intellectual and spiritual capital demands no less priority than that we give position and professional opportunities, celebratory events and awards, new buildings and decorous surroundings. Beyond mere human resource management policy, our own personal investment in the culture of the mind should goad us to an active recruitment of similar-minded confreres and lay scholars who, together with us, will renew the academic enterprise at the University.
Finally, back to the Philippine Southern Province. If we as SVD confreres to be fruitful in our self-giving—replicas of the kenosis of the Divine Word, our self-empting will be rendered fruitless unless we possess a certain fullness of mind and heart. Indeed, our present philosophical and theologi-cal training far outstrips, in breadth and relevance, the education Fr. Eugene and many of us had prior to the Second Vatican Council. But this knowledge must be made operative through reading, discussion and, above all, daily reflection on our pastoral and social practice. Beyond traditional sacramental practice, and in face of a lack of understanding of the practices we now espouse and the press of deadlines for reporting on funded social projects, we must re-infuse our pastoral leadership and management practices by a continual mining of the underlying principles—the dynamics of small communities and the ability to draw people together around their ideal of the Christian life—that alone will maintain our pastoral leadership and management practice effective and relevant today.
In conclusion, my essáy this afternoon contends that Fr. Eugene Verstraelen, SVD, in both his relations with others and his interior life, adhered to the exhortation of Saint Ambrose:
Let your discourses then, be flowing, let them be clear and lucid, so that you may bring pleasure to the ears of the people by your dis-course…Your sermon and treatment should need no bolstering from without. Rather, let your discourse be its own defense as it were, and see that you utter no empty or unnecessary word.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 2 PM
Main Chapel
University of San Carlos
My dedication to Father Eugene is a passage from a fourth century Bishop of Milan, St. Ambrose:
He who reads much with understanding is filled. He who is filled, waters others…Let your discourses then, be flowing, let them be clear and lucid, so that you may bring pleasure to the ears of the people by your discourse on morals, and with the charm of your word soothe the faithful, that they may readily follow your guidance.
For a few minutes this afternoon, I will serve as the biblical lamp stand of the Gospel to allow the light of the person and life of Fr. Eugene Verstraelen, a member of the Catholic missionary congregation Society of the Divine Word (SVD)—a man who read much with understanding—to flood our lives: his simplicity of life and joyous openness to every person; his rich intellectual life as a scholar and a minister of the Word; and, finally, what because of training and temperament he himself could not articulate.
The first sketch—espying the simplicity of his life and his joyous openness to every person—includes a photo of Father Eugene, in swimming trunks and peaked, khaki cap, relaxing in the shallows off Dinagat Island with eight-year old Nikki, granddaughter of Waray and Mithese Baltar; secondly, the big floppy, blue canvass bag with yellow-strap handles bearing a change of clothes, electric razor, and two small, thumb-worn Bibles, one in Hebrew and the other in Greek, which Father Eugene carried early last Friday aboard ship to Cebu; and, upon arrival, the considerate gesture of choosing at breakfast to sit with a lone confrere when he could have enjoyed the company of a larger table.
The sketch reveals a man and a religious who acquired sense of peace with God and himself, together with a religious and an intellectual freedom that allowed him to treat everyone, everywhere, with the same impartial attention.
The second sketch—outlining Father Eugene’s rich intellectual life—is the daily reading of the Bible, both in Hebrew and Greek; his discussion in Cebu earlier this year of René Gerard’s anthropology of violence in the Bible and Murray Gell-Mann’s work on complexity, extrapolating quantum field theory to evolution, and to human and computer adaptive systems; and, further back in his career, his linguistic competence and scientific promotion of a formal-functional analysis of language analogous to that of Noam Chomsky’s generative grammar. The fruit of this labor appears in the work of his protégé, Mimi Borromeo-Trosdal and, in a second generation of scholars, Airlin Espina and Astrid Sala-Boza.
The second sketch elicits a sympathetic understanding of a retiring priest-scholar, saddened by the declining number of academically trained confreres at the University and the diminishing interest in things of the mind and the spirit in his own religious community. As he surmised, this situation would have implications for the institution’s future.
The third sketch—masking what Fr. Eugene himself could not articulate—or what is common lore of management workshops today—one’s blind spot—this sketch includes a lengthy manuscript where he presses into service the full range of his reading and his understanding of things scriptural on a critique—always with apology, of course—of Church policy and practice today; secondly, the decline of education in the Philippines, epitomized for him by the thoughtless absences of primary education teachers from their task for this workshop or that; and, thirdly, and blind spot I did say, his low estimation of things administrative. This was true whether they were:
School meetings—everything would be fine, if we only gave our lessons well;
Province or district assemblies—increasing deafness in one ear afforded him a beneficent shield;
Trips to Rome on Society affairs—unabashedly again, a waste time and money.
Curiously enough, this third sketch is nothing short of a patch over an inner eye that could see—but which he himself could not articulate. For Father Eugene held the tools for understanding—and dealing with—the shallow amalgam of a no-longer effective roles of ministry in the Church and contemporary—often popular—pastoral practice and, correlatively, a lingering worldview that is creationist, hierarchical and dogmatic. Human advancement, he understood, has not only shown human agency and hori-zontal relations to be rightful complements in the world today to the transcendence we seek, but also a modern world that is elbowing out the static, essentialist categories in which many of us were educated in favor of more dynamic, interactive or if you would—dialogical modes of engage-ment. Father Eugene was grounded in the theological anthropology in Karl Rahner’s Theological Investigations as exemplified in the human consciousness of the Redeemer, an understanding of the dialectics of pluralistic societies in Bernard Lonergan’s Method in Theology made intelligible through the notions of religious, moral and intellectual conversion and, finally, the work of a host of other authors, ancient and modern, that forms the seedbed of our modern democratic tradition and the ideals of purposeful communicative action.
But now, let us return to where we began. Back to the shallows—and the deep sea where he swam every day—off Dinagat Island, to Father Eugene’s adopted family, Nikki, Mithese and Waray; but also back to his former students and, perforce, to us, his companions on a common journey to the Lord. Let not our present grief choke off the gratitude we owe for the gift of Fr. Eugene, his simplicity of life and joyous openness to every person. In the irritants of our daily lives; in the decisions we face, both momentous and not so; in the suspicion, fear, and intolerance with which we cloth our relations with others, let us open our hearts to draw from the equanimity we experienced in Fr. Eugene, his joyous and unadorned presence among us.
And, back to the University where Fr. Eugene taught. Let not his retirement in Surigao or his quiet slipping away lead us to make light of the significance of the presence among us of one, who maintained a rich intel-lectual life as a scholar and a minister of the Word throughout his life. Through the example of a man—whom we could easily consider imprac-tical, we have a call to invest in the cultivation of our own minds, in a personal engagement in the substance of what we purport of offer our students. This intellectual and spiritual capital demands no less priority than that we give position and professional opportunities, celebratory events and awards, new buildings and decorous surroundings. Beyond mere human resource management policy, our own personal investment in the culture of the mind should goad us to an active recruitment of similar-minded confreres and lay scholars who, together with us, will renew the academic enterprise at the University.
Finally, back to the Philippine Southern Province. If we as SVD confreres to be fruitful in our self-giving—replicas of the kenosis of the Divine Word, our self-empting will be rendered fruitless unless we possess a certain fullness of mind and heart. Indeed, our present philosophical and theologi-cal training far outstrips, in breadth and relevance, the education Fr. Eugene and many of us had prior to the Second Vatican Council. But this knowledge must be made operative through reading, discussion and, above all, daily reflection on our pastoral and social practice. Beyond traditional sacramental practice, and in face of a lack of understanding of the practices we now espouse and the press of deadlines for reporting on funded social projects, we must re-infuse our pastoral leadership and management practices by a continual mining of the underlying principles—the dynamics of small communities and the ability to draw people together around their ideal of the Christian life—that alone will maintain our pastoral leadership and management practice effective and relevant today.
In conclusion, my essáy this afternoon contends that Fr. Eugene Verstraelen, SVD, in both his relations with others and his interior life, adhered to the exhortation of Saint Ambrose:
Let your discourses then, be flowing, let them be clear and lucid, so that you may bring pleasure to the ears of the people by your dis-course…Your sermon and treatment should need no bolstering from without. Rather, let your discourse be its own defense as it were, and see that you utter no empty or unnecessary word.
USC International Students Night
USC 1st International Students Night
Part I - 5:00 p.m. - Registration
Part II - 5:30 p.m. - Cocktails
Part III - 6:30 p.m. - Program Proper
* Ecumenical Prayer
Indonesia - Bro. Gabriel Kabelen, SVD
Kenya - Mr. Bett Pius
Korea - Mr. Jin Joo
America - Ms. Roxanne Rebecca De Metz
China - Mr. Wang Ting
Philippines - Mr. Felicisimo Alingasa
* Philippine National Anthem
* Production Number – International Students with the
USC Dance Troupe
* Welcome Address - Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD
President, University of San Carlos
* Special Entertainment Numbers
Indonesia
Korea
Kenya
Pakistan
Philippines
* Special Song Number – Ms. Raki Vega
Haribon Ambassador for Conservation
* Introduction of the Guest of Honor
Hon. Michael Francis Lopez
Commissioner-at-Large, NYC and
Haribon Ambassador for Conservation
----- Speech: Mr. Piolo Pascual
Haribon Ambassador for Conservation
* Presentation of Plaques of Appreciation
---- To award: Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD
President, University of San Carlos
Fr. Louie A. Punzalan, SVD
Vice-President for Administration
University of San Carlos
* Song Number - Mr. Piolo Pascual
* Finale – “We Are the World”
Soloists: With:
Mr. Piolo Pascual USC Dance Troupe
Ms. Raki Vega International Students
Mr. Michael Banaynal
Ms. Reylan Adarna
Mr. Grant Dosdos
Mr. Alemdan Pio Garcia
* Closing Remarks - Mr. Bett Pius
President, USC Foreign Students Association
* USC Hymn
Part IV - 7:30 p.m. - Dinner
Lobby, Rudolf Rahmann
Cultural Center
Part I - 5:00 p.m. - Registration
Part II - 5:30 p.m. - Cocktails
Part III - 6:30 p.m. - Program Proper
* Ecumenical Prayer
Indonesia - Bro. Gabriel Kabelen, SVD
Kenya - Mr. Bett Pius
Korea - Mr. Jin Joo
America - Ms. Roxanne Rebecca De Metz
China - Mr. Wang Ting
Philippines - Mr. Felicisimo Alingasa
* Philippine National Anthem
* Production Number – International Students with the
USC Dance Troupe
* Welcome Address - Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD
President, University of San Carlos
* Special Entertainment Numbers
Indonesia
Korea
Kenya
Pakistan
Philippines
* Special Song Number – Ms. Raki Vega
Haribon Ambassador for Conservation
* Introduction of the Guest of Honor
Hon. Michael Francis Lopez
Commissioner-at-Large, NYC and
Haribon Ambassador for Conservation
----- Speech: Mr. Piolo Pascual
Haribon Ambassador for Conservation
* Presentation of Plaques of Appreciation
---- To award: Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD
President, University of San Carlos
Fr. Louie A. Punzalan, SVD
Vice-President for Administration
University of San Carlos
* Song Number - Mr. Piolo Pascual
* Finale – “We Are the World”
Soloists: With:
Mr. Piolo Pascual USC Dance Troupe
Ms. Raki Vega International Students
Mr. Michael Banaynal
Ms. Reylan Adarna
Mr. Grant Dosdos
Mr. Alemdan Pio Garcia
* Closing Remarks - Mr. Bett Pius
President, USC Foreign Students Association
* USC Hymn
Part IV - 7:30 p.m. - Dinner
Lobby, Rudolf Rahmann
Cultural Center
18 September 2007
University of San Carlos contact number
University of San Carlos is always glad to work hand-in-hand with the media in sharing information that concerns the public. For inquiries, and requests for interviews, coverage, or press kits, please contact: the Office of the President email: president@usc.edu.ph or phone: +63 32 253-1000.
13 September 2007
USC grad places 7th in chemist licensure exam
Results of the recent licensure examination for nurses listed 166 new Carolinian nurses where 149 are first time takers while 17 were repeaters. USC had a passing rate of 84% (149 out of 178) for first time examinees, while 17 out of 39 (44%) repeaters successfully passed the examination.
The complete list of new nurses may be seen in the Professional Regulation Commission website.
Desabelle placed 7th in the Chemist Licensure Examination
Meanwhile, Andrew Gil M. Desabelle placed 7th in the recently released results for the Chemist Licensure Examination. Desabelle graduated magna cum laude in March 2007 and was also awarded the Moises S. Soriaga Award for Academic Excellence.
The other new Carolinian chemists are Michael Francis S. Alquizalas, Karen Gladys C. Delizo and Roldan M. Vidas. USC’s passing rate was 3 out of 7 (43%) for first time takers, while only one out of four (25%) repeaters passed the examination.
Author: P. J. Lim
13 / September / 2007
International Math Education conference slated
International Math Education conference slated
The Philippine Council of Mathematics Teacher Educators (MATHED), Inc. has scheduled MATHED 2007: An International Conference in Mathematics Education on October 26–27, 2007 at the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus.
The theme of the conference is “Moving Forward Amidst Challenges in Mathematics Education.” The conference features plenary sessions, lecture-demonstrations, workshops and paper presentations by mathematics educators, researchers, and mathematics teachers at both basic and university levels.
The conference is designed to update educators and specialists on current trends and issues, identify effective teaching and research strategies, strengthen the commitment of educators in promoting the understanding of mathematics, and serve as a venue for sharing knowledge.
Serving as conference co–chairs for the event are Corazon C. Raffiñan, Ph.D., Chair of the Science and Mathematics Education Department, and Jovita N. Ravina, M.A., Chair of the Department of Mathematics. The secretariat is headed by Margie B. Martinez and more information about the conference may be obtained by email or by phone at (032) 344 3512 or (032) 344 3801 locals 321, 325, or 329.
Author: P. J. Lim
13 / September / 2007
The Philippine Council of Mathematics Teacher Educators (MATHED), Inc. has scheduled MATHED 2007: An International Conference in Mathematics Education on October 26–27, 2007 at the University of San Carlos Talamban Campus.
The theme of the conference is “Moving Forward Amidst Challenges in Mathematics Education.” The conference features plenary sessions, lecture-demonstrations, workshops and paper presentations by mathematics educators, researchers, and mathematics teachers at both basic and university levels.
The conference is designed to update educators and specialists on current trends and issues, identify effective teaching and research strategies, strengthen the commitment of educators in promoting the understanding of mathematics, and serve as a venue for sharing knowledge.
Serving as conference co–chairs for the event are Corazon C. Raffiñan, Ph.D., Chair of the Science and Mathematics Education Department, and Jovita N. Ravina, M.A., Chair of the Department of Mathematics. The secretariat is headed by Margie B. Martinez and more information about the conference may be obtained by email or by phone at (032) 344 3512 or (032) 344 3801 locals 321, 325, or 329.
Author: P. J. Lim
13 / September / 2007
Education dean named International Statistics Educators Association VP
Education dean named International Statistics Educators Association VP
Dean of the College of Education Enriqueta D. Reston, Ph.D. was recently elected as Vice President of the International Association for Statistics Education (IASE). She took office during the IASE General Assembly during the 56th Session of the International Statistical Institute (ISI) in Lisbon, Portugal on August 22–29, 2007.
Dr. Reston’s term of office runs from August 2007 through to August 2009. Dr. Reston’s trip to Lisbon was funded by the IASE.
Aside from attending to her function as vice president during the IASE General Assembly, she attended an organizational meeting for the ICOTS–8 in Slovenia in 2010 during the IASE Executive Meeting.
Dr. Reston also presented a paper at the ISI 2007 entitled “Models of Student Learning in Graduate Statistics Education: Towards Statistical Literacy and Research Competence.”
ISI is an international professional association of statisticians and statistics educators. Membership to the organization is by election based on one’s distinguished contributions to the fields of statistics and statistics education. Currently, there are only 10 ISI members in the Philippines. Dr. Reston is the lone representative from the Visayas–Mindanao region.
Author: P. J. Lim
13 / September / 2007
Dean of the College of Education Enriqueta D. Reston, Ph.D. was recently elected as Vice President of the International Association for Statistics Education (IASE). She took office during the IASE General Assembly during the 56th Session of the International Statistical Institute (ISI) in Lisbon, Portugal on August 22–29, 2007.
Dr. Reston’s term of office runs from August 2007 through to August 2009. Dr. Reston’s trip to Lisbon was funded by the IASE.
Aside from attending to her function as vice president during the IASE General Assembly, she attended an organizational meeting for the ICOTS–8 in Slovenia in 2010 during the IASE Executive Meeting.
Dr. Reston also presented a paper at the ISI 2007 entitled “Models of Student Learning in Graduate Statistics Education: Towards Statistical Literacy and Research Competence.”
ISI is an international professional association of statisticians and statistics educators. Membership to the organization is by election based on one’s distinguished contributions to the fields of statistics and statistics education. Currently, there are only 10 ISI members in the Philippines. Dr. Reston is the lone representative from the Visayas–Mindanao region.
Author: P. J. Lim
13 / September / 2007
11 September 2007
Dutch linguist Fr. Verstraelen passes away
Dutch linguist Fr. Verstraelen passes away
Fr. Verstraelen from a file photo taken during his arrival at USC in the late 1950s
Father Eugene Verstraelen, SVD passed away at 8 o'clock in the evening of September 7 due to cerebral hemorrhage. He was 85.
A Dutch anthropologist who specialized in Sanskrit and Javanese variants of the language, Fr. Verstraelen returned to Cebu from his current mission assignment in the District of Surigao as a special guest at the launching of the yearlong Philippine Centennial Celebrations of the SVD the following day.
Fr. Verstraelen marked his 60th year of ordination on August 17 this year and was doing parish work in Dinagat Island for years now prior to his untimely demise. He was a member of the pioneer faculty of the Department of Graduate Anthropology (later, Department of Sociology and Anthropology) at USC.
His body now lies in state at the USC Main Chapel. The Resurrection Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 12, at 2 oclock in the afternoon at the Main Chapel. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Talisay City, Cebu.
May Fr. Verstraelen rest in Peace!
Author: J.E. R. Bersales
11 / September / 2007
Fr. Verstraelen from a file photo taken during his arrival at USC in the late 1950s
Father Eugene Verstraelen, SVD passed away at 8 o'clock in the evening of September 7 due to cerebral hemorrhage. He was 85.
A Dutch anthropologist who specialized in Sanskrit and Javanese variants of the language, Fr. Verstraelen returned to Cebu from his current mission assignment in the District of Surigao as a special guest at the launching of the yearlong Philippine Centennial Celebrations of the SVD the following day.
Fr. Verstraelen marked his 60th year of ordination on August 17 this year and was doing parish work in Dinagat Island for years now prior to his untimely demise. He was a member of the pioneer faculty of the Department of Graduate Anthropology (later, Department of Sociology and Anthropology) at USC.
His body now lies in state at the USC Main Chapel. The Resurrection Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 12, at 2 oclock in the afternoon at the Main Chapel. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Talisay City, Cebu.
May Fr. Verstraelen rest in Peace!
Author: J.E. R. Bersales
11 / September / 2007
10 September 2007
SVD Southern Province celebrates jubilee, foundation day
The Society of the Divine Word, also known by its Latin initials SVD (Societas Verbi Divini), marks September 8, 2007 as a day of celebration.
On this day, the Society will celebrate its 132nd Foundation Anniversary as well as the Silver Jubilee of the Philippine Southern Province. This day will also mark the launching of the Centennial Celebration of the SVD in the Philippines (1909–2009).
A concelebrated Holy Mass at the Main Chapel is slated for 5 p.m. with Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal presiding. Dinner follows at the Fr. Bernard Wrocklage Yard. Earlier in the day, the renovated Main Library will be blessed and named after Fr. Joseph Baumgartner, SVD. Fr. Baumgartner is currently living in retirement in Germany.
The basic education departments will have no class on September 8, however in the tertiary level it will remain a regular working and school day. September 8 is also the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The SVD has administered the University of San Carlos since 1935.
Author: P. J. Lim
07 / September / 2007
On this day, the Society will celebrate its 132nd Foundation Anniversary as well as the Silver Jubilee of the Philippine Southern Province. This day will also mark the launching of the Centennial Celebration of the SVD in the Philippines (1909–2009).
A concelebrated Holy Mass at the Main Chapel is slated for 5 p.m. with Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal presiding. Dinner follows at the Fr. Bernard Wrocklage Yard. Earlier in the day, the renovated Main Library will be blessed and named after Fr. Joseph Baumgartner, SVD. Fr. Baumgartner is currently living in retirement in Germany.
The basic education departments will have no class on September 8, however in the tertiary level it will remain a regular working and school day. September 8 is also the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The SVD has administered the University of San Carlos since 1935.
Author: P. J. Lim
07 / September / 2007
Fr. Salazar to speak at international research conference
Fr. Salazar to speak at international research conference
University President Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD is slated to speak on “Ethical Values in Research Programs and Processes” as part of the distinguished line up of speakers in the International Conference on Research in Higher Education Institutions.
The conference will be held on October 24–27, 2007 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
The conference is organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and has as its theme “The Vital Role of Higher Education Research Towards Sustainable Development.”
Information regarding the conference may be retrieved from http://ched.mozcom.com.
Author: Staff
07 / September / 2007
University President Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD is slated to speak on “Ethical Values in Research Programs and Processes” as part of the distinguished line up of speakers in the International Conference on Research in Higher Education Institutions.
The conference will be held on October 24–27, 2007 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
The conference is organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and has as its theme “The Vital Role of Higher Education Research Towards Sustainable Development.”
Information regarding the conference may be retrieved from http://ched.mozcom.com.
Author: Staff
07 / September / 2007
09 September 2007
Baumgartner Central Library re-opens
Baumgartner Central Library re-opens
After two months of pounding, curing, painting and polishing, the University community will witness the re-opening of the Fr. Joseph Baumgartner Central Library at the 2nd floor, Dingman Building, Main Campus on September 8, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.
The ribbon cutting will be graced by the Board of Trustees Chair Engr. Jesus N. Alcordo, who will be assisted by Trustee Dr. Pericles P. Dakay and University President Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD. University Chaplain Fr. Samuel D. Clarin, SVD and Main Campus Chaplain Fr. Ruel S. Gado, SVD, will officially bless the Fr. Joseph Baumgartner Central Library and dedicate it to a priest who was instrumental in the development of the library through his untiring energy and enthusiasm.
Fr. Baumgartner was not a librarian by training, but he built an excellent collection of books in all fields of knowledge which earned recognition for the university library as one of the best libraries in the country.
The Central Library will open its doors for service to students and faculty on September 10, 2007.
Author: Staff
07 / September / 2007
After two months of pounding, curing, painting and polishing, the University community will witness the re-opening of the Fr. Joseph Baumgartner Central Library at the 2nd floor, Dingman Building, Main Campus on September 8, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.
The ribbon cutting will be graced by the Board of Trustees Chair Engr. Jesus N. Alcordo, who will be assisted by Trustee Dr. Pericles P. Dakay and University President Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD. University Chaplain Fr. Samuel D. Clarin, SVD and Main Campus Chaplain Fr. Ruel S. Gado, SVD, will officially bless the Fr. Joseph Baumgartner Central Library and dedicate it to a priest who was instrumental in the development of the library through his untiring energy and enthusiasm.
Fr. Baumgartner was not a librarian by training, but he built an excellent collection of books in all fields of knowledge which earned recognition for the university library as one of the best libraries in the country.
The Central Library will open its doors for service to students and faculty on September 10, 2007.
Author: Staff
07 / September / 2007
USC: One of the top 20 universities in the Philippines according to CHED and PRC
The University of San Carlos (USC) placed 11th on the list of Top 20 Universities and Colleges in the Philippines. USC is one of the only two schools from the Visayas region in the top 20. The other one is Silliman University in Dumaguete City, which placed at no. 4.
According to the Professional Regulations Commission(PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), here is a list of the Top 20 Universities and Colleges in the Philippines, based on the average passing rate in the BOARD EXAMINATIONS OF ALL COURSES.
1. University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus /Luzon)
2. University of the Philippines (Los Banos Campus/ Luzon)
3. University of the Philippines (Manila Campus /Luzon)
4. Silliman University (Dumaguete City / Visayas)
5. Ateneo deDavao University (Davao / Mindanao)
6. Ateneo de Manila University (Manila /Luzon)
7. University of Sto. Tomas (Manila / Luzon)
8. Mindanao State University (Iligan Institute ofTech/ Mindanao)
9. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (Manila/Luzon)
10. Saint Louis University (Baguio City / Luzon)
11. University of San Carlos (Cebu City / Visayas)
12. Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro / Mindanao)
13. Mindanao State University (Main / Mindanao)
14. Urios College (Butuan City / Mindanao)
15. Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Manila/ Luzon)
16. De La Salle University (Manila / Luzon)
17. Mapua Institute of Technology (Manila / Luzon)
18. Adamson University (Manila /Luzon)
19. Central Mindanao University (Bukidnon/Mindanao)
20. University of Southern Philippines (Davao /Mindanao)
Source
According to the Professional Regulations Commission(PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), here is a list of the Top 20 Universities and Colleges in the Philippines, based on the average passing rate in the BOARD EXAMINATIONS OF ALL COURSES.
1. University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus /Luzon)
2. University of the Philippines (Los Banos Campus/ Luzon)
3. University of the Philippines (Manila Campus /Luzon)
4. Silliman University (Dumaguete City / Visayas)
5. Ateneo deDavao University (Davao / Mindanao)
6. Ateneo de Manila University (Manila /Luzon)
7. University of Sto. Tomas (Manila / Luzon)
8. Mindanao State University (Iligan Institute ofTech/ Mindanao)
9. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (Manila/Luzon)
10. Saint Louis University (Baguio City / Luzon)
11. University of San Carlos (Cebu City / Visayas)
12. Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro / Mindanao)
13. Mindanao State University (Main / Mindanao)
14. Urios College (Butuan City / Mindanao)
15. Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Manila/ Luzon)
16. De La Salle University (Manila / Luzon)
17. Mapua Institute of Technology (Manila / Luzon)
18. Adamson University (Manila /Luzon)
19. Central Mindanao University (Bukidnon/Mindanao)
20. University of Southern Philippines (Davao /Mindanao)
Source
07 September 2007
Judge Francisco A. Seville Jr., named outstanding MTC judge
Law professor named outstanding MTC judge
The Society for Judicial Excellence of the Supreme Court of the Philippines has recently named Judge Francisco A. Seville Jr. as the Outstanding Municipal Trial Court Judge in the 2007 Search for Outstanding Judges and Clerks of Court.
Judge Seville is the presiding judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 7. He was cited specifically for his exception performance in the judiciary. Judge Seville is professor of law in the USC College of Law, handling Problem Areas in Legal Ethics and Practice Court.
Author: J. J. Largo
07 / September / 2007
The Society for Judicial Excellence of the Supreme Court of the Philippines has recently named Judge Francisco A. Seville Jr. as the Outstanding Municipal Trial Court Judge in the 2007 Search for Outstanding Judges and Clerks of Court.
Judge Seville is the presiding judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 7. He was cited specifically for his exception performance in the judiciary. Judge Seville is professor of law in the USC College of Law, handling Problem Areas in Legal Ethics and Practice Court.
Author: J. J. Largo
07 / September / 2007
College of Law hosts forum on anti-trafficking in person
College of Law hosts forum on anti-trafficking in person
The USC College of Law will host a lecture-forum on “Anti-Trafficking in Person” on September 12, 2007 beginning at 6 pm at the Fr. Theodore Buttenbruch Hall, Main Campus.
The invited speaker is T. March Bell who is a Senior Special Counsel for Trafficking Issues in the Civil Rights Division at the United States Department of Justice. He will be visiting the Philippines specifically to speak about this issue. Mr. Bell has an extensive experience in criminal litigation, and in providing leadership on trafficking policy and program design. Concurrently, he serves as coordinator with the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit of the Department of Justice on international anti-trafficking initiatives and policy issues.
This lecture-forum is made possible through the help of the United States Embassy in Manila.
After Mr. Bell’s lecture, reactions will be given by a select panel composed of Hon. Marilyn L. Yap, Prosecutor Pepita Jane A. Petralba, and Atty. Samson Inocencio Jr. representing insights on the topic from the perspective of the Judiciary, Prosecution and a Non-Governmental Organization.
Author: J. J. Largo
07 / September / 2007
The USC College of Law will host a lecture-forum on “Anti-Trafficking in Person” on September 12, 2007 beginning at 6 pm at the Fr. Theodore Buttenbruch Hall, Main Campus.
The invited speaker is T. March Bell who is a Senior Special Counsel for Trafficking Issues in the Civil Rights Division at the United States Department of Justice. He will be visiting the Philippines specifically to speak about this issue. Mr. Bell has an extensive experience in criminal litigation, and in providing leadership on trafficking policy and program design. Concurrently, he serves as coordinator with the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit of the Department of Justice on international anti-trafficking initiatives and policy issues.
This lecture-forum is made possible through the help of the United States Embassy in Manila.
After Mr. Bell’s lecture, reactions will be given by a select panel composed of Hon. Marilyn L. Yap, Prosecutor Pepita Jane A. Petralba, and Atty. Samson Inocencio Jr. representing insights on the topic from the perspective of the Judiciary, Prosecution and a Non-Governmental Organization.
Author: J. J. Largo
07 / September / 2007
Mexican envoy talks of shared past, issues facing Mexico and RP
Her Excellency, Madame Erendira Araceli Paz Campos, Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of Mexico to the Philippines, visited the University this morning where she addressed students and faculty on the shared cultural heritage and current areas of common concern between her country and the Philippines.
In her speech at Theordore Buttenbruch Hall, the Ambassador traced the colonial experience of Mexico and the Philippines, reminding the audience that globalization began with the Galleon Trade that was carried out for two centuries by the two former colonies of Spain.
Ambassador Campos
Moving beyond the past, Ambassador Campos also delved on the issues of migration and migrant workers that confront both countries today. She expressed her agreement to growing concerns of how to ensure that migrant workers are protected abroad. At the same time, she also hoped that both the Philippines and Mexico would be able to develop further so that the local labor force would stay rather than leave for opportunities abroad.
The ambassador, flanked by Fr. Teodoro Gapuz, SVD (right) and Consul Louis G. Ugarte, stand at attention as the Pambansang Awit is sung.
The ambassador, who was met by Fr. Teodoro Gapuz, SVD, the vice-president for academic affairs, also gave the audience a briefing about Mexico, its tourist sites, and opportunities for graduate studies, among others.
Joining Fr. Gapuz during the lecture at Buttenbruch Hall were Dr. Elizabeth Remedio, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the chairs of the various departments of the college. Mr. Louis Ugarte, the honorary consul of Mexico in Cebu, also joined the ambassador during her brief visit.
Author: J. Eleazar R. Bersales with Zona Saniel-Amper
04 / September / 2007
In her speech at Theordore Buttenbruch Hall, the Ambassador traced the colonial experience of Mexico and the Philippines, reminding the audience that globalization began with the Galleon Trade that was carried out for two centuries by the two former colonies of Spain.
Ambassador Campos
Moving beyond the past, Ambassador Campos also delved on the issues of migration and migrant workers that confront both countries today. She expressed her agreement to growing concerns of how to ensure that migrant workers are protected abroad. At the same time, she also hoped that both the Philippines and Mexico would be able to develop further so that the local labor force would stay rather than leave for opportunities abroad.
The ambassador, flanked by Fr. Teodoro Gapuz, SVD (right) and Consul Louis G. Ugarte, stand at attention as the Pambansang Awit is sung.
The ambassador, who was met by Fr. Teodoro Gapuz, SVD, the vice-president for academic affairs, also gave the audience a briefing about Mexico, its tourist sites, and opportunities for graduate studies, among others.
Joining Fr. Gapuz during the lecture at Buttenbruch Hall were Dr. Elizabeth Remedio, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the chairs of the various departments of the college. Mr. Louis Ugarte, the honorary consul of Mexico in Cebu, also joined the ambassador during her brief visit.
Author: J. Eleazar R. Bersales with Zona Saniel-Amper
04 / September / 2007
05 September 2007
New heritage group Hambin holds lecture on religious movements
Hamiling Binilin (Hambin), a newly formed heritage advocacy group, held its third monthly lecture last
Labajo discussing her work on religious movements at the Fr. Virgilio Yap Memorial Gallery of the Cathedral Museum of Cebu.
In her lecture, Labajo tackled the origin, growth, beliefs, and practices of 14 religious movements that have sprouted in
This latest lecture is the third since Hambin began tackling fascinating aspects of Cebuano culture and history. In June, Dr. Louie Nacorda, another Hambin member, examined whether Tamblot, the Boholano religious leader was male or female. Trizer Dale Mansueto, a faculty member of Department of History and the Department of Languages and Literature, followed Nacroda;s lecture a month later with a discussion on the construction of stone churches in Cebu as seen though the canonical Libro de Cargo y Data.
Hambin is composed of the first batch of graduates of the Certificate Course on Cebuano Heritage Studies initiated by the Department of History in tandem with the
Other than Labajo, Nacorda and Mansueto, the group is also composed of Gavin Bagares, Ernesto Chua, Joselito Costas, Lilia Tio, Jason Verallo and Dr. Hope Sabanpan-Yu.
Author: Trizer Dale Mansueto/J.E. R. Bersales
04 / September / 2007
03 September 2007
USC Nursing Popjazz 2007
Watch the USC Nursing Popjazz 2007 team, which won 2nd runner-up.
thanks manchiecute.
thanks manchiecute.
USC CAFA Popjazz 2007
USC College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) Popjazz 2007 Team.
thanks to anskitonks.
thanks to anskitonks.
USC Engineering PopJazz 2007
Watch the champions of the PopJazz 2007 - the USC Engineering PopJazz team!
View from the front:
View from the back:
View from the front:
View from the back:
02 September 2007
USC College of Engineering Cheerdance 2007
Watch the USC College of Engineering Cheerdance 2007, which won 1st Runner-Up last Intramurals.
Thanks m00nrhaey.
Thanks m00nrhaey.
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