Vol. 2, No. 5 Intramuros, Manila November 2017 PLM Ranks 4th Top Performing School in 2017 Psychometrician Board Exam; 6 Topnotchers Edith G. Habig, RPm

HE Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng PLM’s performance this year is also T Maynila maintains its good standing significantly above the national pass- as a pioneer learning institution as it ing rate of 56.97%. emerged the 4th top performing school A steady increase in PLM’s pass- in the 2017 Board Licensure Exam- ing rate over the years has been ob- ination for Psychometricians with 124 served. Since the board exam’s incep- passers and an 85.52% passing rate. tion in 2014, PLM has consistently Six PLM BS Psychology gradu- displayed above average performance. ates were among the top ten. Sharing Last year, PLM ranked third with an the Top 5 spot were Anfernee Karl 81.58% passing rate. In 2015, PLM’s Cuenca, Gemyr Faye Sapitanan, and passing rate was 74.40% while in Raissa Maurice Signo with 83.60%. 2014, it was 58.82%. These ratings Scanley James Cerrillo and Mitos were all above the national passing Vega were in 7th place with 83.2% rates of 50.46% in 2016, 46.15% in while Bea Camille Binay secured the 2015 and 39.29% in 2014. 9th spot with 82.80%. This year’s per- This year’s top performing formance surpassed last year’s show- schools are: University of the Phil- ing where only one PLM graduate ippines-Diliman (97.67%), Univer- landed in the Top 10. sity of Santo Tomas (96.53%), Ate neo de Manila University(96.43%), Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila PLM finishes 2nd Runner-up in Genetics (85.52%), Colegio de San Juan de Quiz Contest Letran- Intramuros (85.19%) and Rainier Ulrich D. Velasco, M. Sci University of San Carlos (81.43%). Four subjects were covered in blonde-haired woman was Center for Graduate Study and Research in the Psychometrician board examina- “A lying on the ground, swimming in Agriculture (SEARCA) in UP Los Baños, tion namely, Theories of Personality, her own blood. There was a clear sign where a team of PLM students fnished 2nd Psychological Assessment, Abnormal of struggle, as black hair strands were runner-up. The contest which showcased the Psychology and Industrial Psycholo- clenched between the victim’s fists. Three gy. suspects were identified and DNA samples use of modern genetic techniques in crack- were obtained from each of them. Find ing forensic mysteries like serial killings, The Professional Regulation the murderer using the clues left behind.” paternal tests, rape-slay cases, and many Commission (PRC) released the re- This was the theme of the 8th Na- more were participated in by 11 top col- sults of the October 2017 Psychome- tional Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz leges and universities from different re- trician board exam on November 7, Contest (NIGQC) held last November gions in the country, namely, Ateneo de 2017, four working days after the last 4, 2017 at the Southeast Asian Regional Manila University, Turn to page 4 day of examination.

PLM Profile: Meet the human dynamo of the PLM College of Medicine, Dean Angeline Alabastro - Page 8 PLM graduates ace at October 2017 Chemist Licensure Examination John Rafael N. Granada, RCh HE BS Chemistry program of the PLM College of Science once again achievedT a rating above the national passing rate in the October 2017 Chem- istry Licensure Examination. The said examination was administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro on the tenth and eleventh, a PLM BS Chemistry graduate, Mr. Carl Dar- men Y. Menese, was ranked 6th among those who passed the examination. For the first-time takers of the Octo- ber 2017 examination, 12 out of 16 passed, corresponding to a 66.67% passing rate. The overall passing rate for PLM, which Batch 2017 BS Chemistry graduates at the 2017 Oath Taking Ceremony of Chemists. also takes repeaters into consideration, is Standing, from left to right: Christine Joann Almarez, Marielle Ydel, Eriko Lois Reyes, 53.13%. This is above the national pass- Therese Anne dela Cruz, Mark Harold de Chavez, Clarice Faye Oñate, Maria Sofel ing rate 44.02%; out of 1,195 examinees from the entire Philippines, 526 passed the Taway, Rei Mart Alconera, and Michael Lagmay. Seated: Carl Darmen Menese. Not in examination. Those who passed the licen- photo: Ynson Aldrich Amiller and Bill Martin. sure examination were able to receive their certificate of registration and identification ly examinations on the core subjects of helped the graduates pass the exam. card at their oath taking ceremony held the BS Chemistry program. In addition In the 2016 Chemistry Licensure in Manila Hotel on November 10, 2017. to enrolling in review centers, many of Examination, the PLM BS Chemistry Graduates of the PLM BS Chemistry the graduates regularly met up for over- program was also able to achieve an over- program who passed the licensure exam- night review sessions. Proper planning all passing rate higher than the national ination credit their success to hard work and assessment during the review peri- passing rate. PLM’s was 61.90%, com- and perseverance. They also felt that the od also helped graduates to determine pared to the national passing rate which presence of the subject ‘Integrated Chem their weak points so that they can focus was 54.86%. Mr. Jonniel S. Vince Cruz, istry Concepts’ in their undergraduate on improving them. Ultimately, going a PLM graduate, landed in the 6th place curriculum helped them obtain a proper the extra mile in preparing for the exam in the list of those who garnered the 10 mindset regarding the licensure examina- ination and maintaining the goal in sight highest places in the examination. tion. This subject is meant to condition the students by making them take week- PLM College of Science Advocates Environmental Awareness; Spearheads Annual Tree Planting Editor-in-Chief Marivic G. Molina and Nemia T. Dacumos Kelly Vergel De Dios Writers sponsored by CS since 2015. H a r o l d P e r f e c t o R . G a l a n g The tree planting activity aims to Ludmila R. Labagnoy encourage participation in activities that would raise environmental awareness, Contributors E d i t h G . H a b i g preserve and protect the environment, and Rainier Ulrich D. Velasco contribute in mitigating the adverse effects J o h n R a f a e l N . G r a n a d a of global warming and climate change. Marivic G. Molina Faculty members from the College of N e m i a T. D a c u m o s F r a n c i s B . A g u i l a r Science, College of Education, College of Joy B. Gamad Humanities and Social Sciences, College CS with HAPI tree planters at the La Mesa of Nursing, CS alumni, and students from Photographers Watershed Forest Reserve. different colleges actively participated in Jonathan F. Flores Jeffrey M. Bagallon the activity. Around 60 seedlings of Mo- lave and Lanete were planted. Lay-out Artist N keeping with PLM’s values as an The participants received certificates Alyanna Beatrice M. Mendoza I institution that promotes social respons- of participation duly signed by the Dean Editorial Coordinator ibility, the College of Science (CS), to- of CS, Dr. Emelinda P. Sabando and the Lainna P. Ko gether with Humanist Alliance Philip- Executive Director of HAPI, Ms. Jennifer pines, International (HAPI), spearhead- G. Baltazar. The PLM Today is published by the Office of the ed the annual tree planting activity at La The activity was rated excellent by Vice President for Public Affairs with office address at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Gen. Luna cor. Mesa Watershed Forest Reserve in Lagro, the participants in terms of accomplishing Muralla St. Intramuros, Manila. For inquiries or information, Quezon City last September 24, 2017. its objectives, relevance and its alignment please call 02-643-25-18 or email us at [email protected]. This was the second tree planting activity with PLM’s core values.

2 | PLM TODAY | November 2017 Initiative for Automation Managing the Faculty Performance Francis B. Aguilar N end-of-course evaluation is an out usually covers only more than half or 50% their own smartphones or computers, students essential tool to accurately asses of the student population. This means the rat- can remotely access the SFES anytime and theA course and faculty effectiveness. Faculty ing is not representative of the entire popula- anywhere. This impacted to a 100% turn-out, evaluation ratings help ensure high quality in- tion. More importantly, it condones the lack more so that the completion of the SFE is now struction and promote excellence in teaching of responsibility on the part of the students to an automated requisite prior to receiving their and learning. perform their obligation to meaningfully par- eGrades in the online Computerized Registra- Despite the implementation of a com- ticipate in this evaluation process of ensuring tion System. puter-based faculty evaluation in 2010, it was academic excellence. With the ability to generate real-time, re- hounded by drawbacks due to limited through- Steadfast in improving processes and sults-based evaluation reports, the colleges are put, principally restrained by the limited access systems through innovative applications, the now granted direct access to the wealth of in- to the system since there were only twenty (20) Information & Communications Technology formation in managing the performance of their desktops used for this purpose. The first rating Office (ICTO) introduced the online version of faculty members. session is usually scheduled barely after the the Student Faculty Evaluation System (SFES) Under the direction of the Systems De- Midterm exams. as a multi-fold enhancement to the old system. velopment Office, the SFES was developed by One disadvantage of this early conduct Starting 1st Semester, SY 2017-2018, its team of programming assistants led by Pat- of evaluation is it fails to consider the entire registered students were able to evaluate them- rick V. Uri. The operations of the SFES -- sup- breadth of the learning process. selves towards the tail-end of the semester, or ervised by the Operations Management Office With a handful of terminals, the turn two (2) weeks before the Final exams. Using -- are governed by PAO No. 2017-28-ACA. Leyte Normal University Delegation Visits PLM Kelly B. Vergel de Dios

T was a hectic Wednesday: the Public Dean of the College of Education, Dr. by the Jesuits in 1590 was located. The school Affairs Office was juggling preparations Jimmy Romero, along with the Dean of the was first called Colegio de Manila and was forI three consecutive events when the visiting College of Engineering, Engr. Clydelle Rond- renamed Colegio de San Ignacio in 1626 in fifteen-member delegation from the Leyte Nor- aris, Dean of the College of Medicine Dr. memory of St. Ignatius of Loyola. mal University descended on the PLM Cam- Angeline Alabastro and Dean of Chass Risa He also pointed out the Rajah Sulay- pus. Asuncion all agreed that while the curricula man Gym (the renovation of which is now From Paterno Street in Downtown Taclo- in PLM’s 12 academic colleges and 6 academ- in its finishing stages), the 18th to 19th-cen- ban, twelve teachers and three office staff of ic support units is based on what the Com- tury design of the other buildings built in the LNU found themselves inside the historic mission on Higher Education prescribes, the the style of the Bahay na Bato of the Span- walled area of Intramuros. university’s education system exercises full ish era and the SMART and Globe antennae In two hours, they had wanted to check autonomy to alter or enhance these to maintain protruding from the Gusaling Villegas (in- out the laboratories, observe a class and inter- its edge. cluding its Accenture Ideas Exchange Room) view the faculty and talk to some office work- Public Affairs AVP Cuchis Erquiaga and Gusaling Lacson to boost their signal ers. and myself also shared that the University to serve the students and employees better. Problem was the laboratories were in the creates an environment that is conducive to Back to where they started after the short process of being fitted out with fume hoods, optimum learning and imbues its students tour, the party was invited into the cavernous equipment and furniture and classes were in with leadership skills and develops their crit- 500-seat Justo Albert to catch the dress re- session. ical thinking and learning by exposing them hearsal of the “Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog” inter- So we did the next best thing for them: to speakers of various persuasions who are active play as an example of a non-traditional we gathered the Deans of some of our Colleges invited to the Campus to challenge their approach to teaching financial literacy to stu- with the best licensure-exam performance, view on a certain subject or issue – or simply dents. two Vice Presidents and an AVP and went into strengthen an already existing opinion. There As chance would have it, the group stag- a huddle with them at the PRMEC to answer are close to 60 student organizations at PLM ing the interactive play performed just a weeks their questions and share some of our best and a slew of publications including the of- earlier at LNU and shortly after super-typhoon practices. ficial student paper Ang Pamantasan and the Yolanda hit and someone in the cast knew The LNU delegation – Nilda Jamora, Ade- university’s monthly newsletter that the Pub- someone from the school and pleasantries were lina Naing, Liza Barredo, Pearlita Vivero, Mar- lic Affairs office puts together, PLM Today. exchanged before the visitors had to head off ife Daga, Nelson–Mau reen-Andrei and Bre- After the exchange at the PRMEC that to City Hall for a courtesy call on the Mayor. ann Bernardo, Marife Catindig, Joseline Aboy, lasted for approximately an hour and a half, We’d like to think that they came away Candice Agui los, Marc Llarenas, Feliditha VP de Gracia took the LNU delegation on a with the learnings they had hoped for. All we Cagara and Joderic Navarette – were curious walking tour of the Campus – taking the cov- know is that if they came to learn from the about how PLM manages to sweep the licensure ered walk from the UTMT (“under the mango Greats, they came to the right place and both exams with mostly a 100-percent passing rate. trees” in front of the Justo Albert Auditorium sides ended up learning from each other. VP for Information and Communica- where generations of PLMayers congregate tions Technology, Engr. Garry Erwin deGracia, in between classes and winding up back at the explained to them that the University has a Auditorium. very stringent admission test that pretty much VP Garry – also the PLM’s resident histo- limits the entrants to the best and the bright- rian - pointaed out the building of each College Passages est. The PLMAT is a two-hour examination and gave a brief description of the facilities consisting of sub-tests on language proficien- therein while explaining the history of Gener- Vic Lactaoen cy, reading comprehension, mathematics, al Luna Street which runs alongside the PLM on November 23. He was a part- science and reasoning to ensure that passers Campus. South of the corner of Calle Real de time CHASS faculty member have the capacity to hurdle the rigors of an Palacio (now General Luna) was where one of teaching Senior High School. excellent yet exacting university curricula. the earliest educational institutions established

November 2017 | PLM TODAY | 3 PLM finishes 2nd Runner-up in Result of September 2017 Licensure Genetics Quiz Contest From page 1 Examination for Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Bulacan Teachers (LET) State University, Miriam College, Pamantasan Conchita V. Yumol ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Polytechnic Universi- ty of the Philippines, UP Manila, UP Baguio, HELET Performance of the University of San Agustin, Southern Luzon T College of Education, Pamantasan State University, and Xavier University. The ng Lungsod ng Maynila remains impressive PLM representatives, 4th year BS Biology stu- with a passing percentage for first timers of dents Mr. Jean Marke Flores, Ms. Xaileeh Di- 95.65% for the Elementary level and 94.5% maano, and Mr. Matthew Briñes, competed in for the Secondary level. a game of brain prowess and wits. They were However, combined with the repeat- assisted by their coach and Department Chair- ers, the overall performance of the College person, Asst. Prof. Rainier Ulrich Velasco. PLM’s Pride. Starting from left. Jean Marke is 88% for the Elementary level and 84.21% The quiz contest was divided into five M. Flores, Xaileeh L. Dimaano, Matthew T. for the Secondary level. This is still far be- rounds: 1) Synapsis (Individual written exam Briñez with their coach, Prof. Rainer Ulrich yond the National Passing Percentage which round) 2) Initiation (Easy round) 3) Elongation Velasco is 26.33% for the Elementary level and (Average round where you get deductions for 46.37% for the Secondary level. answering questions incorrectly) 4) Termina- The CED-PLM, Elementary level tion (Difficult round where you get deductions using various multipliers). though it attained an 88% overall passing both from leaving the question unanswered After five rounds, the Bulacan State rate, is not included among the Top Perform- and answering the question incorrectly) and University was declared the new Champion, ing Schools because the Examinees were 5) the Genetic Drift (Bottleneck round where followed by Miriam College and PLM as the less than 50. you get the chance to amplify points earned by runners-up. GNTV Learniversity at PLM: The Kapuso Network Advises Graduating Students How to Make It in the Real World Kelly B. Vergel de Dios HERE were long queues at the posts for each network: Joyce uses Instagram Ms. Maralag’s advice was simple: be registration booths of both the Uni- for her travel photos, twitter for her views on yourself in all that you do, keep it real. and T University Activity Center and the Justo social issues, Derrick posts about his gigs, work should feel like play in that it should be Albert Auditorium long before the event was new records coming out, on his website. something you enjoy doing, otherwise it will scheduled to start on Friday, November 24. They both also advise against giv- only be work. a deadend job. a bore. Almost as if the crowds were waiting for ing one’s opinion on issues about which one Also, she told graduating students there limousines to drop off movie stars at the mar- is not well informed because one cannot is no shame in being poor or coming from quee which, of course, they were. think critically unless one has a lot of rel- humble beginnings. The challenge is lifting Because movie stars and rock stars (at evant knowledge about the issue at hand. yourself to something better through sheer least the resource speakers and hosts who were Joyce reminded the audience that ev- hard work and good planning and the rest will not actually actors, were that - renowned or re- eryone is entitled to their opinion and that we fall into your lap. vered in their field of accomplishment) were should respect that instead of thinking that we She was living testament that it can hap- on four panels of speakers who were scheduled should always sway everyone to our point of pen the old fashioned way. She needed no to go on that day. view because then it could all quickly escalate backers. Did not call in any favors. She was And at the UAC, five learning booths into a heated argument or tit-for-tat exchange. just herself. featured a miniature SONA set where anchor Serving as host and panel moderator was A mutual friend at PANA or the Philip- wannabes could have themselves recorded Tonipet (Unang Hirit, Pop Talk, Art Angel, pine Association of National Advertisers - Ad doing a stand-upper (and get to keep the ma- Kids on Q, Tara Let’s Eat!, The Beat) Gaba Standards Council Executive Director Digna terial, yay!), a booth where they could try to who worked the Justo Albert crowd into sing- Dator Santos - describes her as very profes- beat GMA New Media’s Rubik’s Cube-solv- ing the Art Angel jingle, taking groufies with sional, driven. One who diligently does her ing robot Mr. Cuboto, a photo-booth with the the speakers and posting their thoughts and research even for something as simple as the PLM and Learniversity logos as backdrop photos on #Learniversity to make the GNTV case presentations of participants in PANA’s to commemorate the event, a freedom wall Learniversity event at the PLM trending and IMC Student Competition which is why she where they could stick post-its with their “hu- viral on social media. can ask relevant and spot-on questions of them gots” and thoughts/feedback on the interactive Next to go up onstage was Chief Mar- resulting to a very good learning opportunity booths and panels of speakers, and a game app keting Officer of GMA Network and President for both the students and the audience. - hop piko-pico - they got to play on available and COO of GMA Marketing and Productions, You believe it, too, seeing her in her ele- tablets. Inc. Lizelle Maralag who also masterfully ment with the Justo Albert crowd. The activity at Justo Albert began worked the full house by explaining that her If you’re pursuing a course that was only promptly at 9:00 a.m. with Panel 1 speakers - staff advised her to dress down because stu- forced on you by your parents or your circum- new Kapuso dream girl Joyce Pring (the radio dents responded better to someone in comfort- stances, her advice was to shift gears. There’s dj and celebrity blogger/vlogger – she’s on In- able clothing than someone in a stiff suit. still time, she encouraged. Or work part time stagram (Joyce to the World), twitter and ev- That and her talk that revolved around after graduation to finance one’s pursuit of erywhere else) and actor/dancer/singer Derrick numbers: the year she graduated at UP-Diliman one’s true dream or vision. Monasterio, who spoke on how to make social with a BS in Education, the age she graduated Panel 2 consisted of GMA News report- media work for you. (18), her first pay (P1,200) and key phrases like ers Mark Zambrano and Steve Dailisan and Their tips for PLMayers: choose social integrity even when no one is looking, made GMA 7 resident meteorologist and IMReady media platforms wisely and write individual up her formula for success. (public service) sa Dobol B on Turn to page 6 4 | PLM TODAY | November 2017 Visa brings play on financial literacy to PLM; bags in laughs, lessons Ludmila R. Labagnoy DUCATING and empowering the makiing smart monetary decisions to which stu- Filipino youth to make informed financial dents in the audience easily related. With mil- decisionsE may not be an appealing subject for lennials forming a large population in the Phil- learners. But PLM’s senior high school and ippines, the play emphasized the need for the college students chuckled and laughed through audience “ to manage their money well (even the hour-long rib-tickling stage play Lukot-Lu- ) at a young age, ” said Stuart Tomlinson, Visa kot, Bilog-Bilog, that tackled financial literacy . Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam The interactive play featured among others, during the play’s launch. national heroes Jose Rizal and Apolinario Mabini, a Nanding Josef, artistic director of TP, un- civet, and Mount Mayon, come alive from crum- derscores the power of the theatre to “ pled bills and rounded coins as Gwyneth, a young stimulate creativity and challenge its audience student, is challenged to make decisions between on their perception of money and spark critical her needs and wants. Written by Eljay Deldoc thinking on the value of money by presenting and directed by Abner Delina, Jr., the play was economic concepts in a realistic and entertaining performed by the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Com- situation that could help students easily apply pany at the Justo Albert Auditorium on Nov. 22 . their learnings in their daily lives.” Visa Inc., the world’s leader in digital pay- Ms. Pia Roman-Tayug, Visa’s head of fi- ments, brought to PLM the recently- launched play nance advocacy points out : “The innovative ap- on money management developed with Tanghalang proach of blending education and art can help Pilipino (TP), the resident drama company of the the government’s existing programs. Financial Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Bangko education should be introduced to learners early Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This is the first program of its kind launched by Visa in the Philippines in on, especially key concepts including budgeting, support of the government’s National Strategy investing, and setting financial goals.” for Financial Inclusion spearheaded by the BSP. The cast also indulged the theatre arts stu- Visa’s financial literacy initiative under its dents from the Department of Mass Communica- CHASS conducts Teach for the Philippines program was able to tion, CHASS under Mr. Mark Gutierrez, with an Gender-Fair Language reach out to the University’s senior high and col- open forum following the curtain call . The stage lege students from the College of Humanities, Arts, performers engaged the audience in a discussion Seminar and Social Sciences, College of Architecture and on the processes and initiatives that went with Joy B. Gamad Urban Planning, College of Business Management, the conceptualization, writing of the script and the and College of Education. other elements such as stage design and perfor- issue is not just a woman’s mance, among others. ENDER The play showcased various scenarios on “ issue, it is a human issue.” GIn response to this public concern, the College of Humanities, Arts, and So- The 4th & Penultimate Para La Musica: Nonpareil cial Sciences (CHASS) organized a Semi- nar on Gender-Fair Language on November Harold Perfecto R. Galang & Kelly B. Vergel de Dios 28, 2017 at the Bukod Tanging Bulwagan. Prof. Prescilla B. Vallarta, a seasoned social HEY usually pack them in at a great little worker and the former Department of Social Work club on Jupiter Street in Makati called Strumms chair in this University and at present, part-time butT as a bigger group called the Glass Onion. faculty, served as the resource speaker and echoed But on stormy November 9, a storm signal the training she recently received on Gender Re- (number 1!) sent them indoors from Plaza Roma and sponsive Case management sponsored by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. they had to hastily set up at the lobby of Gusaling PLM faculty, students, and staff were Emilio Ejercito at the PLM Campus, for a performance. introduced to what Sexual Orientation, Gen- Nonpareil headlined by lead male vocalist der Identity and Expression (SOGIE) is. They Boy Mendez – the Mick Jagger of the Philippines were presented ways on how gender bias lan- , female vocalist Cathy Melendrez (daughter of guage can reinforce gender stereotypes, in- tenor Jimmy Melendrez), Benjie Santos on drums, equalities, and marginalization in any commu- Cathy’s brother Billy Melendrez on lead guitar (with nicative setting. Prof. Vallarta enlightened the mean improvisation skills), Celso Mangharon, bass- They preceded that with another 1974 hit discussion by giving concrete options to make ist, Richard Reyes, keyboard, and – tadah! – PLM – this one by American rock/jazz band Steely Dan language respectful, gender-fair and empowering. President Ma. Leonora V. de Jesus alternately on - “Don’t Lose that Number” with the crowd stomp- A collection of biased and non-biased words keyboard, rhythm guitar, ukelele and flute – was ing their feet along and yelling “Rikki, don’t lose for analysis was presented which include: chair- the featured band that slayed covers of some of the that number!” whenever the band got to the refrain. man vs chairperson, businessman vs business ex- most popular artists of the sixties and seventies. The band went on to perform music they ecutive or entrepreneur, man and wife vs husband The concert commenced with the PLM Exec- grew up along with including the Beatles’ “Some- and wife, Lady Senator vs Senator, brotherhood utive Chorale singing the national anthem and “Fill thing in the Way She Moves,” Chicago’s “ Colour vs community, mankind vs humanity, ladylike vs the World With Love” from the 1969 American mu- My World,” Elton John’s “Daniel”, Frank Jr. and courteous or cultured, best man for the job vs best person for the job. The participants showed inter- sical Goodbye, Mr. Chips as front act for Nonpareil. Nancy Sinatra’s “Something Stupid,” Billy Joel’s est and commitment on the challenge posted by New Vice President for Public Affairs Kel- “She’s Always A Woman, “ Petula Clark’s “Down- the speaker that implementation of this advocacy ly Vergel de Dios in her opening remarks ob- town,” the Rolling Stones’ monster hit “Satisfaction” should start from the four corners of the classroom. served how music – through Para La Musica and ended the evening with Little Anthony and the The open forum that followed provid- – brings us all together and creates a warm feel- Imperials’ “Goin’ Out of my Head” with some im- ed the opportunity for the audience to share ing of camaraderie (no matter what the weather). portant guests joining the band onstage bringing the their personal experiences and concerns re- Almost as if they had expected the night’s free audience to its feet and applauding wildly that Non- garding abuses, to express their thoughts on concert to be rained out and brought indoors – Non- pareil had to do an extended version of the song to the role of the academe regarding the issue, pareil broke into Neil Sedaka’s 1974 hit “Laughter in give in to their clamor for an additional performance. and to encourage everyone to value life itself. the Rain” with a lot of baby boomers in the audience The rain did not let up all throughout Nonpareil’s The seminar also coincided with the com- singing along to “Ooh I hear laughter in the rain, performance but inside Gusaling Ejercito – the feel- memoration of the 18-Day Campaign to End Vio- walking hand in hand with the one I love, ooh how I ing was warm and fuzzy. The band truly lived up to lence Against Women (VAW), observed annually love the rainy days and the happy way I feel inside.” its name and the music they made, unrivaled. from November 25 to December 12.

November 2017 | PLM TODAY | 5 GNTV Learniversity at PLM: The Kapuso Network Advises Graduating Students How to Make It in the Real World From page 4 super Radyo DZBB host Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz who spoke on the humanity of journalism or how to retain one’s humility, honesty, fairness, empathy and vulnerability in this day and age when technology plays an increasingly important impact on the practice. All three shared personal experiences on the job when they realized their goal was no longer just to inform the public but to con- nect with them through stories and shared experiences. Mang Tani mentioned Yolanda when the people in the news themselves be- came the news…the reporters mentioned case studies whose tragic stories made it hard to (LEFT) From left to right: Host moderator Tonipet Gaba, Cesar Cosme, Suzette distance themselves from their subjects. Doctolero, Michelle Rivera and ‘Tetay’. Mark and Steve said the greatest reward (RIGHT) PLM officers with GMA Marketing and Events team. from the job is not the money to be made from the career – but the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing you have helped people they overheard, scenes they witnessed that could Glaiza however says to be careful when or got them help by telling their stories. be worked into the characters of the sitcom and one is using one’s celebrity to leverage online None of them imagined they would wind up end up on the script of the week’s episode while buzz because it can just as quickly backfire. Even doing the news or the weather: Mang Tani stud- Suzette likes to explore subplots and arcs (My something as innocent as a fan taking a selfie with ied to be an agricultural engineer, Mark was a husband’s Lover is the very first gay-themed se- you while you’re in a queue to buy concert tickets courtside sports reporter and Steve wanted to ries in Philippine television and Encantadia is a with the fan (who as it turns out was part of the be a pilot or a flight attendant but as fate would Filipino fantasy franchise with its own construct- group organizing the event) posting the photo on- have it, all three were sidelined to their true call- ed language called Enchanta with words like line and netizens suspecting you of having used ing: Mang Tani had to take a yearlong in-house “Avisala” (greetings) and “ Aisala Meist” (good- your celebrity to score tickets without queuing – training at PAGASA to be a weather forecast- bye) – that another speaker in the 4th and last can turn into something ugly with netizens heap- er and Mark and Steve became newsies. panel used to greet the PLM audience). ing hate on you for the imagined wrong, It’s a vocation, they told their rapt Cosme himself says he does not research Although Glaiza admits the incident affect- audience, and once you find yourself in from books (“I am not a big book reader”) or tele- ed her badly she advised against allowing one’s it, you have to take on the responsibility vision or films…but that real life and real people self to be provoked online. and accountability that come with it. are the canvas from which he draws his inspira- “Choose your battles wisely,” she says, “Just That means doing the job even when the tion.He encourages the audience to be the same let it go, the truth will out eventually.” going gets tough, working during typhoons and (“be original”). Doctolero likes to veer away Christian apprises his followers where other disasters, outbreaks, holidays, pulling from the common and ordinary – even a book to find him on which dates, from the time he long hours, going without sleep when neces- she’s published Ako si Alex, Babae which Filipi- won a reality singing show up to the time he sary but always mindful of one’s safety and that no novelist Lualhati Bautista (Dekada ’70, Bata started modeling, did album launches and con- of one’s crew, wearing safety gear, following Bata Pa’no Ka Ginawa? And ‘Gapo) helped her cert tours both here and in Southeast Asia, in- protocol and doing what’s right and fair. write – is a tagalog romance novel in the style of creasing his fan base as time went on. For the afternoon session, host and pan- the Mills & Boon paperbacks – dare to be differ- Both advised PLM students in the audience el moderator Tonipet asked a disembodied ent, seems to be her guiding principle. And Rivera to stay true to their craft and themselves, comport voice in the wings (that sounded very like a – well, she won the Likhaan Awards:Drama for themselves well in public and on social media showbiz host’s whinny singsongy speech) to Toilet Confessions at the 22nd University of the and to cultivate and keep on strengthening their join him onstage and who else came traips- Philippines National Writer’s Creative Writing brand so that fans and followers will continue ing in with a bit of a limp (she was nurs- Workshop – so she and direk Cosme appear to to increase in numbers and remain loyal. ing an injury) and in red flats but Kris – that have something in common in that they both like Aside from the speakers’ groufies with the is, someone impersonating her - comedi- to find their inspiration in the loo. audience after each panel discussion and open fo- an Kenneth “Divine Tetay” Ocampo! And on the fourth panel of speakers were rum, selected members of the audience were called T and T then introduced the third panel actress/singer and advocator Glaiza de Castro onstage to participate in impromptu contests and of speakers who spoke on how reel life can and singer/actor/host and model Christian Bau- win prizes from Learniversity’s sponsors. mirror real life through telenovelas, sitcoms, tista to talk on how to create one’s own personal A “Help Rebuild Marawi” video was films. On the panel was writer/director/actor brand. also shown to solicit donations for the sur- Cesar Cosme who is known for his work on Like Joyce and Derrick in the morning, vivors of the five-month-long crisis through Pepito Manaloto, Bubble Gang; author/screen- Glaiza and Christian said one should choose plat- the Kapuso Foundation and the heartwarm- writer for film and television Suzette Doctole- forms and assign one separate and distinct interest ing GMA Christmas Station ID was aired to ro (she is the creator of the genre-innovating to each so one’s followers know where to go to remind everyone to spread the love. telefantasya Encantadia and My Husband’s update themselves on their activities. Tonipet closed the event by saying; Lover); and head writer/brainstormer/two-time Glaiza has many interests including travel, ”GMA News TV Learniversity’s mission is not Palanca winner for Literature Michelle “Mike” her work as an actor (she is Sang’gre Pirena in to tell you which career path to take but only Rivera (Pepito Manaloto, Art Angel, Party the 2016 remake of Encantadia), her music and to help open the gates so you can see far be- Pilipinas, Idol sa Kusina, Personalan). her advocacies (she was part of the UN Women’s yond the four corners of your Campus, with PLM students were curious as to where Safe Cities Program to increase awareness and the hope that you will find your life’s purpose, they find inspiration or their muse and the an- stop street harassment and sexual violence against your own personal mission, your own bat- swers were as colorful as their body of work: di- women in public spaces; she is also the first am- tle and your own journey to success.” rek Cosme says he spends long hours in the john bassador of goodwill of the Philippine Chinese From the Kapuso Network to the Paman- or brainstorms with the cast of Bubble Gang, Charitable Association, Inc.) so she categorizes tasan ng ‘mga Lubos na Matatalino’: Here’s Mike Rivera asks the cast of Pepito Manaloto these interests into separate social networking to your Adoyaneva (future) and Amarteya to come to work with a baon of stories sites. (freedom)! Avisala Eshma (Thank you)! 6 | PLM TODAY | November 2017 Willie Nepomuceno: Celebrated Impressionist Kelly B. Vergel de Dios mimicking his teachers. He was an activist, too, He liked to say he was drawn to the arts by and did street theater, political satire, skits and a father who loved to dance and a mother who speeches that ridiculed or poked fun at the estab- played the piano. Willie himself had dreams of lishment, something that the activist in the artist becoming an actor (he acted in at least three mov- would carry with him throughout the years. ies between 1974 and 2013) or a singer (he could Willie Nep explains it thus: my audience not sing in his own voice for long because he kept laughed when I poked fun at political officials, at slipping into character) so none of those careers the establishment because I am able to verbalize really took off. resentments they might have and get away with While in college, he also took the odd sum- it. It’s a form of release for them. mer job or two working as an illustrator or either And for Willie, it was a chance to pursue wrote or edited textbooks (he was at one juncture, his advocacy on the sly, to serve as the means for managing editor of the Philippine Collegian) but those most vulnerable in society to have their he was at his happiest when playing to a crowd voice heard on issues that are important to them, and turning around to slip on a half mask, wig or safeguard their rights in a way that their targets moustache and facing an audience with someone can’t really be piqued about else they be labeled else’s voice, someone else’s face. a bad sport or pikon. More importantly, it made It was almost as if he had multiple person- the targets of his ribbing think and change their ality disorder. ways or at least tone it down or be more disim- But for those who want to delve into the art ulado about it. form for a living, the Maestro only had a handful Willie Nep perfected his art on the job of advice to impart: start with what you have, be a by going as far as to dig into the background keen observer, be true to your art and enjoy what of characters he impersonates, finding out why you’re doing otherwise, it becomes a job. just a comedian Dolphy walked with a stoop, for chore. (A recurring tip from most of PLM’s guest instance, (he was asthmatic) or why the late speakers). strongman Ferdinand Marcos put on a different Already, his pretty daughter Frida (who was persona depending on the kind of crowd he was coordinating her dad’s videos and orchestrating HEN I met him up close about addressing. He studied what made them tick or his performance from the sidelines at the Justo four hours before he was to go up on what ticked them off. This way he is able to play Albert Hall) does a pretty impressive Kris Aquino stageW for Willie Nepomuceno: The Art of Imper- “footsie” with or dance around the subjects of and will most likely evolve to be as versatile as sonation – he looked the part of a French mime his skits and acts without being thrown into jail her father. in stock images, in tight black jeans and a slimfit or roughed up. Then it struck me as Willie Nep wound up long-sleeved black top. He became so good at it that, once, while his act – his first in a year and a half after an al- It was almost like he was about to do a live rushing to a gig at a television station and en- most fatal stroke (he apologized for a bit of a slur performance right there in the foyer of the Execu- tering the premises already in full make-up and in his speech and a slight weakness in his gait, tive Building where we received him. costume, he would alternately have the gate explaining that he was still in therapy) – it wasn’t I have watched him several times before – guards and company officers saluting him (when a street mime in Paris that he reminded me of that including at least one Gridiron skit mounted by he came in as General Fidel Ramos) and shaking day – it was another of his characters: the legend- the National Press Club (having worked in the his hand and addressing him as Mr. President ary martial artist Bruce Lee. news media for the last 35 years) – but never at (when he came in as President Estrada at a func- A stroke might have sidelined this impres- such close quarters and always in character, never tion where the real president was also a guest!) sionist for more than a year, but the ‘dragon’ in just as Willie Nep. He is a myna bird. A parrot. A compleat him (a symbol of courage and strength) has awo- So, which one is he really? Impressionist, performer. ken. impersonator or mimic? So a millennial might well ask him: ‘how And government officials with skeletons in He does not answer you directly in his two- to be you, sir?’ and Willie Nep’s answer: start their closet better take cover because the dragon hour performance of stories, performance, videos with what you already have and make those is in the wings and is about to make another en- and song which the PLM hosted at the Justo Al- work for you. trance. bert Auditorium on November 23. For Willie, he started with his looks – ‘chi- But what I understood from his explana- nito na ako, so ang ginaya ko yung mga medyo tion of the distinction between those terms is that kahawig ko’ – and that included a slew of pres- what he is – is a complete impressionist in that he idents (owing to his activist and political-satire Happy Birthday! is the complete package: not just someone who beginnings): Ferdinand Marcos, Fidel Ramos, NOVEMBER 19 does voice mimicry of famous people, exagger- Joseph Estrada, Noynoy Aquino and more re- ates their accents, or copies their dress or singing cently, Rodrigo Duterte. style (although he admits he began there but start- Or, ‘kaboses niya’ – Frank Sinatra, Paul ed “diversifying” when he got bored with what Anka, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis, Jr., Tony he thought everybody else was doing) – he also Bennett (okay, him millennials probably only re- does voice, body movements, physical looks and member now as having cut an album with Lady mannerisms. Gaga or someone who did duets with the likes WILFREDO E. CABRAL Ex-Officio Member, Board of Regents He started developing his art of imperson- of John Mayer, the l ate Amy Winehouse, Sheryl ation as a young boy when his parents (both in- Crow, Josh Groban, Mariah Carey but, hey, there NOVEMBER 03 clined to the arts) would make him perform for were enough of us baby boomers in the audience JOANNA V. FRANQUELLI Consultant, OVPPA relatives by imitating a funny aunt or an eccentric and most of the audience still recognized Dolphy NOVEMBER 18 uncle. and in the video – Hitler, Fidel Castro, Muham- SANTIAGO G. YANGCO He always got applause for these mad Ali, Saddam Hussein, Gringo Honasan, Nur Dentist IV, UHS performances and he found he liked Misuari, German Moreno, Manny Pacquiao, the sound of an appreciative audience. Panfilo Lacson…) NOVEMBER 20 So gradually he started honing the art – He was so good at his art form that Marcos RITA LOURDES SOCORRO G. VILLADOLID adding bits and pieces here and there as he grew – during his term – would invite him to rallies to Executive Assistant, OVPA up. He would observe people and would imitate draw the crowds, singer Darius Razon – whose NOVEMBER 24 even sounds (a siren, for instance) and musical hit at the time he would do in sketches – actually DOLORES J. BALUYOT instruments. As a college student in UP-Diliman, waited for him backstage one time to give him Management and Audit Analyst IV he would jolt rowdy classmates to attention by his new recording to include in his act! November 2017 | PLM TODAY | 7 PLM PROFILES Angeline D. Alabastro, Dean, College of Medicine Kelly Vergel De Dios NGELINE Alabastro of the their significance and meaning is so crucial in med- A Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila’s ical decision making. This to Dr. Alabastro is their College of Medicine brings to mind a Norah Jones edge against their Western counterparts. song: Many areas in the Philippines are not equipped with enough resources making it difficult Feeling tired for the adequate delivery of health care services. By the fire That is why she hopes to see a better distribution The Long day is over of doctors in these places and significant improve- ments in our health care system. The wind is gone So to new doctors, including those she has Asleep at dawn trained at the University, her advice is: “Be com- The embers burn on petent in whatever field of Medicine you choose to practice and continue to be updated.Be prudent With no reprise and ethical in your decisions. Be compassionate to The sun will rise all your patients and always remember that all life The long day is over comes from God and so God alone has the right to take it.” Something about the song - perhaps its hai- The important thing is never to stop ques- ku-like conciseness – somehow sums up the good tioning and learning - and seeing Dr. Angie poring doctor’s personality. I see her petite figure walking over her medical books, defending the College of down the covered walk of the University with the Medicine’s budget and steering the CM’s faculty purposefulness of someone on a mission. to make sure PLM’s medical students have the She may be soft-spoken and retired but the best training they can possibly give them even if lady is far from ‘retiring’ or diffident. brave, strong and true. it means taking on that extra load gratis just so the In fact, she has big plans for the College of She carries her educational background students don’t lack for anything - you believe her Medicine. She wants to see it in what she calls “re- like a badge of honor: a Master’s degree in Gov- and find yourself rooting for her and her lean but search mode” with an accredited Ethics Board, a ernment Management ESP from PLM, a Doc- formidable staff. Level II PAASCU accreditation and with interna- torate in Medicine from the UST Faculty of Yup, the doctor is definitely in – and for the tional linkages to Asian Universities. Medicine and Surgery and a Bachelor of Sci- whole nine yards. She dares to go as far as to aspire for ASEAN ence General from the UST College of Science. University Network-Quality Assurance in terms of She undertook her residency in Pediatrics at the PLM’s mission, vision and objectives. the UE Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, “We also want to upgrade and update our fa- community exposure in La Union and Ilocos Norte and cilities no matter how limited our space is, “ she post-graduate internship at the AFP Medical Center. New At The U emphasizes and qualifies that with “although it is a She has been with the University for thirty • 11 at 11: dream come true to have a bigger building particu- years, starting out as an instructor in 1987 then Chair Soft opening larly on hospital grounds.” of its Department of Pediatrics and working herself of eleven con- Dr. Angie must have been born with a tongue up to Assistant Dean (2012-2014) then Dean (from cessionaires at depressor in her mouth and a stethoscope wrapped 2015 up to the present). the old prop- erty office this around her neck because she’s married to a doctor Concurrently, she’s also on the faculty of the month (Waffle (Dr. Victor Alabastro who’s with the De La Salle PLM College of Medicine (Pediatrics, Pharmacolo- Time, Master Health Sciences Institute), has a daughter studying gy and Therapeutics). Siomai, Fruit Haven, Chow To Go, Varda medicine and reads medical books even when she’s And, boy, is CM going places on Enterprise (Burgers & Fries), Barbara’s, not working and is supposed to be relaxing. her watch. Not only is the College one of M. Day Heavenly Food Delight, Diego’s And like Norah Jones’ The Long Day is the best-looking on Campus but there are plans to Fastfood, Oriondo’s Eatery, Mares (Mami Over, she does keep long hours – coming to work improve its wet lab and have an animal cage built as & Pares) + 1 more franchisee) on Decem- as early as seven in the morning and not knocking well as acquire new equipment and gear. Plans that ber 9/10 or 11 with a lounge at the mez- off until late afternoon. are going into action next year. zanine. But you won’t see the fatigue on her face nor It was a wise man who said “the best way to the droop to her shoulders. find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of oth- • The installa- Instead you’ll see the wisdom of the years ers” but Dean Alabastro didn’t always plan on be- tion of 2 “Sugod, Manila!” Christ- in her “unbearable lightness of being” as she coming a doctor as I initially thought. mas lanterns from meditates with some quiet music (instrumen- In fact, if she had her way, she’d have pre- City Hall at the en- tal, no rap) or putters around her kitchen co ferred taking up foreign service. But her parents trance of the main =oking Chinese or whipping up Italian pasta. wanted her to go into medicine and she had en- building. Like Milan Kundera in his novel, she ap- rolled in a pre-med course. After being accepted pears to adhere to the adage that we should not into the faculty of Medicine and Surgery, it seemed think of life as heavy or light – out to just enjoy the only logical to proceed where fate was leading her. • Musical- pleasures it affords. Going into the program with her eyes open, ly-inclined stu- For Dr. Alabastro, it’s achieving work-life she began to develop a healthy respect for Filipino dents and faculty balance. Raising two daughters with Dr. Victor. doctors. She admired their resilience, compassion of the PLM stage Taking time to go out with friends who are not in and dedication to their work. a street perfor- the medical profession to understand the world In the rural areas with meager facilities to treat mance (basking) from other points of view, finding comfort in their patients, Filipino doctors develop their “clinical every Monday at prayer. eye” or keen sense of clinical observation where the the main lobby of the University. Her colleagues describe her as all that is identification of key pieces of data and interpreting 8 | PLM TODAY | November 2017