TheBOOKSHELF

A bi-monthly bulletin of Aklatang Emilio AguinaldoDE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY - DASMARIÑAS

April - May 2014 Vol. 27 | Issue 11-12

Librarians as leaders: a foretaste of PAARL’s leadership academy for librarians by: Mae Lyn Baron

...continued on page 1

The Philippine Association of Academic/Research Librarians, Inc. (PAARL) sponsored a national summer conference entitled, “Library Leadership & Management: A Foretaste of PAARL’s Leadership Academy for Librarians” on April 28-30 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. Three librarians namely Mary Ann Estudillo, Joebert De Paz, and Mae Baron attended this conference in order to hone their leadership skills and apply whatever new insights gained in their respective work assignment at Aklatang Emilio Aguinaldo. The program opened with a keynote address by the Dumaguete’s Vice-Mayor Woodrow Maquiling who talked about morality in government with emphasis on graft and corruption. Afterwhich, Prof. Corazon Nera, director of Libraries, Sotero H. Laurel Academic Resource Center, Lyceum of the Philippine University, presented the basic competencies of library leaders. She started the session by enumerating the core competencies of a leader such as: motivating, leading, resolving confl ict, affi rming diversity in the workplace, delegating, fl exibility, commitment, among others and, posts a question: “Who is your favorite leader? [And] Why?” With this question, it throttled the participants’ interest to contribute personal anecdotes in the discussion. Prof. Nera emphasized that the participants should acquire the combination skills of a leader and a manager: “a leader takes control of the situation and creates vision and strategy while a manager learns

The BOOKSHELF

is a bi-monthly publication ofAklatang Emilio Aguinaldo

De La Salle University-DasmariñasCity of Dasmariñas, 4115 Cavite

dr. sonia gementiza.EDITORsmgementiza@dlsud.edu.ph

mary ann jimenez-salvador.rey peñalba.WRITERSmqjimenez@dlsud.edu.ph & rvpeñalba@dlsud.edu.ph

eson duque.IMAGING & LAYOUTjdduque@dlsud.edu.ph

sharon samaniego.ann derain & ethel torres.CONTRIBUTORS

tess poblete.OFFICE & CIRCULATION MANAGERttpoblete@dlsud.edu.ph

joebert de paz.PHOTOGRAPHERjadepaz@dlsud.edu.ph

marketing communications offi ce. FINAL EDITING

779-5180 direct Manila line(046) 481-1932 direct Dasmariñas line

(046) 416-1900 to 1930 local 3060/3168/3061http://www.dlsud.edu.ph/library

Library Wisdom

Donations

And the winners are...

Archives upgrades digi-equipment

Stats-To-Go...

Faculty and Staff in Action

Featured Book of the Month

Section Updates

From the Staff Mind

Birthday Celebrators

Library Visitors

Library Exhibit

Library Advertisement

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Contents...

News Briefs

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to live with the situation and implements outcome.” The session ended with a self-assessment wherein the participants had the chance to discover their leadership strength and other areas which need improvement. Atty. Vyva Victoria Aguirre, former dean of U.P. School of Library and Information Studies, discussed the leadership ethics in library workplace. She started by defi ning important terms such as 1) work ethics which means set of values based on hard work and diligence; 2) good work ethics as dedication to job which is deem valuable and 3) solid work ethics as successful people understand that productivity, organizational skills, reliability and good character are essential attributes in an organization. Moreover, Atty. Aguirre discussed the importance of work ethics and conveyed simple pointers yet essential in the working environment like punctuality, creating a positive atmosphere and learning to accept constructive criticism. Specifi cally, the grapevine, which is inevitable in the workplace, can be used for positive communication. She also wittingly shared practical examples of lapses in work ethics: claiming credit for the work of another employee, gossiping, using offi ce computers for personal matters such as online shopping, chatting, surfi ng during offi ce hours, posting negative remarks in the social networks against co-employees and boss, hoarding offi ce supplies and among others. In the workshop, Atty. Aguirre divided the delegates into groups and gave a practical situation for discussion. One examples of situation was “I always try to do a good job even if I am not motivated”. With this mind boggling attitude towards work, the librarians of Aklatan had a fruitful discussion with other librarians belonging to other institutions and came-up with a realization based from the earlier lecture of Prof. Nera that a leader should willingly “recognize and promote the need to accept change”. Maxie Doreen Cabarron, director of University of San Carlos Library, talked about traits and skills approaches of library leadership and management. The session started with question and answer regarding participants’ understanding on the role of a leader. Afterwards, she differentiated the traits between a manager and a leader based from Donald Riggs distinction of these two terms: 1) Manager administers while leader motivates 2) Manager is a copy while the leader is an original 3) Manager focuses on systems and structure while the leader focuses on people 4) Manager relies on control while the leader inspires trust 5) Manager has a short-range view while the leader has a long-range perspective 6) Manager asks how and when while the leader asks what and why 7) Manager imitates while the leader originates 8) Manager accepts the status quo while the leader challenges 9) Manager does things right while the leader does the right thing. Then, the speaker discussed different traits and skills that a librarian should possess as a leader in their workplace. Basically, the lecture of Cabarron affi rmed that indeed, “leaders are made not born”. Prof. Rhea Rowena Apolinario, from U.P. School of Library and Information Studies, expounded on library leadership and management as well as personality assessment. Prof. Apolinario reinforced the insight of Ms. Cabarron that “leaders are made not born” by presenting different scientifi c approaches that validates

this statement. Interestingly, she presented the six thinking hats that managers wear in decision making by De Bono: 1) white hat – facts, neutral, objective, information 2) red hat – emotions, hunches, intuition, gut feelings 3) black hat – critic, analyst, logical negative 4) yellow hat – sunshine, optimism, logical positive 5) green hat – creative, growth, possibilities, ideas 6) blue hat – cool, agenda, process, organizer, overview, decision. These thinking hats could be used interchangeably depending on the situation that a manager faces. In particular, Prof. Apolinario emphasized that each one has a different leadership styles. In order to assess the leadership style of the participants’, Prof. Apolinario presented in the workshop the “Leadership Style/Perception of Self developed by Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard”. In this workshop, the participants’ became aware of their leadership style. As a last note of the speaker for this session, “effective leaders must know their followers well to meet their changing abilities and demands. We all change and develop, thus, our leadership should change and develop accordingly”. Finally, Dr. Rina Diaron, director of Libraries, Saint Louis University acquainted the participants with succession planning in library leadership and management. She explained the importance of succession planning in the library and discussed strategies for developing staff. Dr. Diaron elaborated that comprehensive succession plan puts “the right people…in the right place… at the right time to do the right things”. As discussed, the library needs succession planning because of aging issues, tightening labor markets, shortage of skills, experienced, workers, and educated candidates and at times, strain on organizational coherence. The speaker generously imparted her knowledge on how to create a comprehensive plan. Essentially, Dr. Diaron stressed that current library leader should develop a competent librarian to lead the library through mentoring, coaching and training. This summer conference of PAARL has just provided foretaste of their leadership academy because for this year they have stored more trainings to further enhance leadership skills of the next generations of librarians who will become future leader in their respective organization. For De Paz, Baron and Estudillo, this learning opportunity opened new avenues for them on how they will handle challenging situations in their assigned unit and/or section.

Librarians as leaders: a foretaste...

Donations The Library would like to acknowledge the following donors:

Accountancy Department, 1 book Adamson University, 1 magazine, 1 newspaper Aldaba, Judith, 1 Lasallian bookBayer AG, 1 annual reportBr. Gus Boquer FSC, 3t/6v newsletters, 1 prospectus, 1t/2v newspaper, 2t/3v magazinesDe La Salle University – Manila, 1t/2v newsletters De La Salle University Publication House, 4 journals Deutschland, 1 magazine Hongkong Lasallian Family Bulletin, 1 newsletter Navarro, Cecillia, 1 journal Philippine Institute for Development Studies, 7t/19v policy notes, 1t/2v research paper series Scotia Bank, 1 annual reportTiongco-Manguera, Mercedes, 1 book

Library Wisdom“The quantity of books in a person’s library is often a cloud of witnesses to the ignorance of

the owner”

Count Axel Gustafsson Oxenstierna

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News BriefsAnd the winners are… Six library associates and one technical support personnel along with other DLSU-D support staff honored for their loyalty to the institution in the recent Staff Recognition Day 2014. Jesse Desingaño for fi ve years, Jayson Duque for 10 years, Jeenah Marie Galang for 15 years, Alfredo Vinoya for 20 years, Antonia Derain and Julia Camacam for 25 years and Bibiana Alcantara for 30 years. Derain was also a recipient of Juan Medrano Service Award for her exceptional dedicated service and long-term contribution as a Lasallian worker and partner, qualities in which Juan Medrano is a stand out example. This Award was introduced by the De La Salle Brothers to give recognition to faculty, staff and personnel with at least 25 years of rendered service in any Lasallian district school in the country in memory of Juan Medrano, the fi rst lay partner of the Brother, who, together with the Brothers from 1915 until his retirement in 1963, dedicated his life to teaching. With this award, Derain was so thankful to the University for the opportunities given to her such as the scholarship program to attend and fi nish her Bachelor Degree at the College of Business Administration and Accountancy evening program. She also acknowledged her creator for allowing her to serve La Salle with pride and dignity. The nominees for Outstanding Staff has been included AEA Institutional Secretary Felicitas Poblete. With regard to good attendance award, AEA personnel namely: Bibiana Alcantara, Julia Camacam, Antonia Derain, Jesse Desingaño, Jayson Duque, Edison Espineli, Benjamin Montallana, Dionisio Natanawan, Reynario Peñalba, Poblete, and Felix Sarreal, Jr. were among the recipients. This year’s motif for staff recognition was inspired by Junior-Senior Prom wherein the honorees performed cotillion de honor and all the attendees wore ballroom gown dresses for girls and coat and tie for boys. The event was made possible by the Human Resource Management Offi ce with Staff Recognition Committee 2014 where Poblete was one of the members.

Archives upgrades digi-equipment The Archives and Special Collection (ASC) Unit of AEA upgrades their digitization equipment by acquiring new Image Access’ Bookeye® 4 scanner. The Bookeye® 4 professional overhead book scanner and book copier is ideal for digitization projects that require high quality and maximum productivity even in 24/7 operation. With this equipment, all types of materials including books, magazines, posters or bound documents can be digitized at high speed and an optical resolution of 600 dpi. It is composed of the following hardware elements: V-shaped book cradle that can be fi xed in V position or lie in fl at position; TFT fl at screen where scanned images may be viewed; camera head with red light cross-hair laser and the lamps; touch-screen where all menus for setting-up and controlling the scanner can be found; and front panel where two USB ports and power switch may be located. The new V-cradle book scanner covers a wide range of applications due to its versatility. It uses integrated web-based user interface which enables access to all functions via structured set of menus. Moreover, it is an open system with a built-in high quality light source. To guide the AEA personnel in using Bookeye® 4, the Image Access’ Technical Executive Theenesraja Sivarata and product

managers Frank Dusich and Robby Viguilla conducted hands-on training on April 2 at American Learning Resource Center. Library personnel headed by ASC Head Mary Ann Estudillo together with Bibiana Alcantara, Jayson Duque, Edison Espineli, Malvin Martinez, Cristina Nera, Leslieann Gatdula, Felicitas Poblete, Felix Sarreal, Jr., Raquel Tined and Ivyjoy Viray attended the said training.

Jesse Desingaño

Jayson Duque Jeenah Marie Galang

Alfredo Vinoya

Antonia Derain

Julia Camacam

Bibiana Alcantara

Felicitas Poblete

Edison Espineli

Benjamin Montallana

Dionisio Natanawan

Reynario Peñalba

Felix Sarreal

Stats-To-Go... Summer Saya sa Aklatan! Instead of basking under the sun, some of our students chose to enjoy their summer escapade in the library. For the months of April and May, the Aklatan accommodated 10,125 students or 349 users per day. The top library users in the undergraduate program were students from the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) followed by College of Science and Computer Studies (CSCSC) and College of Business Administration and Accountancy. While in the graduate program, the top library users were students from the College of Education (COEd) followed by the College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC) and the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA).

I. April - May top 3 borrowers

To complete the summer escapade of our students, they borrowed books from Circulation, Reserve and Filipiniana. Below shows the top three colleges in undergraduate and graduate programs with the most number of books borrowed for the months of April and May.

The Electronic Resource Services registered a total of 3,680 users of its computer facilities for summer term. With regard to usage of online resources, EBSCOhost still the most frequently visited e-resources by our students and faculty members harvesting 465,320 searches/ 119,986 sessions. Next in rank is the GVRL with 6,066 searches/ 1,607 sessions while ProQuest accumulated the least number of searches and sessions with 612 and 238, respectively.

I. Undergraduate Students II. Graduate Students

I. Monthly Data on ERS Users (April-May 2014) II. Monthly Data on Online Databases (April-May 2014)

CLAC

COEd

CLAC

CSCS

CBAA

1,600

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

No. of Users 1,518

CCJE CEAT CLAC COEd CSCS CTHM

87 1,076 1,192 531 1,097 421 No. of Users 268

CBAA-GS CCJE-GS CLAC-GS COEd-GS CSCS-GS

124 491 859 252

0

100

200

300

500

700

900

Student

Alumni

Febuary 2014 March 2014

1,894

20

1,786

11

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

Searches (April)

Sessions (April)Searches (May)

Sessions (May)

EBSCOhost GVRL ProQuest

283,955

74,154

181,365

45,832

789

303

5,277

1,304

418

144

194

94

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

CLAC-GS

COEd-GS

CCJE-GS

II. April - May top 3 borrowers

Undergraduate Students (5,922 borrowers for April and May)

Graduate Students (1,994 borrowers for April and May)

1,800

2,000

300,000

250,000

200,000

3

1,400

400

600

800

Faculty and Staff in Action The members of Academic Services including the AEA had their year-end workshop on April 1 and 2 at DLSU-D Retreat and Conference Center. The group also set their performance target for the upcoming school year 2014 -2015, conducted budget sharing and echoed seminar on customer relations. Director Sonia Gementiza represented the AEA.

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On April 4, all library personnel attended annual outing for staff and faculty members, respectively. Support staff had a wonderful time at Villa Julia Resort in Silang, Cavite while Faculty members had an adventurous day at Amore Recreation & Leisure Park in Trece Martires City where they enjoyed all the amenities and savored delectable foodies.

Periodical support staff and KND Councilor Benjamin Montallana was present in the Kabalikat ng DLSU-D (KND) offi cers’ workshop and culminating activity held at La Virginia Resort, Lipa Batangas on April 11.

Director Sonia Gementiza and librarians Ludivina Cambay, Ethel Mendoza, Arlene Manzo, Sharon Samaniego and Mary Ann Salvador participated in the 34th Commencement Exercises on April 30, 2014 at Ugnayang La Salle.

AEA took part in the campus-wide Way of the Cross in preparation for the Lenten Season. This annual event was organized by the Campus Ministry Offi ce and University Chaplain Father Mark Anthony Reyes.

Librarian and AEA IP Representative Sharon Samaniego actively participated in the 2-day workshop to craft the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for University Intellectual Property Policy held on April 21-22 at Retreat and Conference Center. Specifi cally, she was assigned to prepare IRR for Trademarks along with MCO Director Rosanni Sarile.

Director Sonia Gementiza represented the AEA in Academic Services culminating activity dubbed Buffet 101 organized by the Academic Services Offi ce on April 22.

Reference Librarian Mary Ann Jimenez-Salvador was invited for the second time by the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation to share her faith experience to a group of young leaders from CALABARZON on April 25. The group belongs to Batch 12 of Ninoy and Cory Leadership Journey. The event was held at DLSU-D Retreat and Conference Center on April 25 to 27.

The AEA hosted the 2nd DLSP Library Committee Annual Conference at Luis Aguado Viewing Room on May 8. The Committee Chair and DLSU-Manila Library Director Ana Marie Fresnido refreshed the knowledge of the participants on Resource Description and Access (RDA)cataloging standards. The conference was participated by the library directors, selected librarians and library personnel of DLSP member schools. Technical Librarians Arlene Manzo, Ethel Mendoza and Dr. Sonia Gementiza welcomed and ushered our guests and colleagues.

All library personnel took part in the AEA culminating activity held on May 16 at Yakimix Restaurant where they were treated in an eat-all-you-can buffet menu.

On May 19-23, the DLSU-D College of Education hosted a mass training on K to 12 for Grade 9 teachers at CTHM Building. Library Director Sonia Gementiza was charged for this year’s event while Dr. Olivia Legaspi, vice chancellor for academics and research served as the over-all in-charge. Dr. Gementiza has been an active member of the K to 12 Mass Training Working Committee for the last two years.

Featured Book of the Month

Jose, F. S. (1988). My Brother, My Executioner. Manila: Solidaridad Pub. House.

IRC 4374

Deals with the story of two brothers living in two different worlds, Luis in luxury and comforts while Vic in deprivations and poverty. The brothers though lived together at fi rst possessed experiences which were shaped by situations brought about by their status in life; Luis an illegitimate son of a prominent man, Don Luis Aperri and Victor fathered by a poor peasant yet married to their mother. The brothers were exposed to the realities of life which gave shapes to their attitudes and values. Luis lived in an affl uent house complete with basic necessities of life, rewarded with good education, given the choice to work for an employment he could excel. Victor on the other hand hardly fi nished high school, exposed to scarcity of food and experienced working hard for the landlord. Indeed experience is the best teacher, because one learns how to survive in an environment he belongs to. The story pinpoints the role of the family, school, community, institutional government and even the Church in defi ning individuals in society. Do these enumerated institutions treat the rich and the poor equally? How do these institutions shape individuals in the community? What will be the foreseen consequences of these ironies? Despite of being educated, Luis cannot reconcile the passivity and docility of their helpers and their workers toward their masters…Don Vicente and him and the rest of their kinds. The offense of Don Vicente on the young girl, whom the former impregnated; who bore the shame of getting pregnant without a husband! The derange wife of the rich man who was never treated nor taken care of by medical personnel, left to anguish in isolation and in her demise forever forgotten in anonymity. The massacre of Sipnget by the military burned, so as not to leave any trace bulldozed and covered with earth. Luis studied in a Catholic institution, briefed on teachings and doctrines of the Church yet his demeanor contradicted his formation. His relationships with the two women spoke of his inner confl ict (Does mutual attraction breed sexual union immediately? Though practiced by medieval royalties, are cousins of the fi rst degree allowed to marry?). Victor joined the HUKBALAHAP movement setting aside all the learning he got from the school, the former supposedly imbibe upon all students the importance of pledging allegiance to the Constitution of the country. The unequal distribution of wealth and exploitation of the landowners outweigh the theories learned in the classrooms. At the interment of Don Vicente, the priest paradoxically extolled the virtues of the late landowner of his loyalty to the Church. The story ended with the revolution signaling the uprisings of the exploited. The rich position’s is represented by the anger of Luis brought about helplessness to resolve inner confl icts and the abandonment of those people whom he taught were loyal to him. His intelligence was dimmed by his conviction that despite of all the hostility and discrimination infl icted on those subordinates, they are indebted to his family. Victor’s triumph is considered short termed because even leftist ideas are short-lived ideology; at a glimpse they offer liberation. The story duplicates several happenings in the country’s struggle to solve the ancient problems of agrarian reform with the purging of systems practiced by country’s leading institutions. The pages of the book vibrate with truths forcing minds to consider options for liberation. The author’s conviction of the continuous ailment of the society will surely disillusion future Filipinos of the existence of the so-called institutions ideally functioned as liberators to the present generation. Though considered a fi ction, the story is a piece of prophecy willed to awake, disturb apathy and loose the bond of oppression. [Angelo Pio]

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My Brother, My Executioner

F. Sionil José

Section UpdatesThe Circulation Section highly recommend the following titles:

Berry, B., Byrd, A. Byrd, and Wieder, A. (2013). Teacherpreneurs: innovative teachers who lead but don’t leave. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

LB 1025.3 .B459 2013

We need a bold new brand of teacher leadership that will create opportunities for teachers to practice, share, and grow their knowledge and expertise. This book is about “teacherpreneurs”--highly accomplished classroom teachers who blur the lines of distinction between those who teach in schools and those who lead them. These teacherpreneurs embody the concept that teachers can teach as well as lead the transformation of teaching and learning. It’s about empowering expert teachers who can buoy the image of teaching and enforce standards among their ranks while all along making sure that their colleagues as well as education policymakers and the public know what works best for students.The book follows a small group of teacherpreneurs in their fi rst year. We join their journey toward becoming teacher leaders whose work is not defi ned by administrative fi at, but by their knowledge of students and drive to infl uence policies that allow them and their colleagues to teach more effectively. The authors trace the teacherpreneurs’ steps--and their own--in the effort to determine what it means to defi ne and execute the concept of “teacherpreneurism” in the face of tough demands and resistant organizational structures” Follows a small group of teachers who are leading the way in classroom innovation (Provided by the Publisher).

Hull, T. (2013). Project origami: activities for exploring mathematics. 2nd ed. QA 19.P34 .H877 2013

The book presents a fl exible, discovery-based approach to learning origami-math topics. It helps readers see how origami intersects a variety of mathematical topics, from the more obvious realm of geometry to the fi elds of algebra, number theory, and combinatorics. With over 100 new pages, this updated and expanded edition now includes 30 activities and offers better solutions and teaching tips for all activities. The book contains detailed plans for 30 hands-on, scalable origami activities. Each activity lists courses in which the activity might fi t, includes handouts for classroom use, and provides notes for instructors on solutions, how the handouts can be used, and other pedagogical suggestions. The handouts are also available on the book’s CRC Press web page (Provided by the Publisher).

Hadley, S. and George Yancy. Therapeutic uses of rap and hip hop. New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge, 2012.

ML 3920 .T343 2012

The text is divided into three sections that explore the historical and theoretical perspectives of rap and hip-hop in therapy, describe the fi rst-hand experiences of using the music with at-risk youth, and discuss the ways in which contributors have used rap and hip-hop with clients with specifi c diagnoses, respectively. Within these sections, the contributors provide rationale for the use of rap and hip-hop in therapy and encourage therapists to validate the experiences for those for whom rap music is a signifi cant mode of expression (Provided by the Publisher).

Feldman, R.S. (2014). P.O.W.E.R. learning: strategies for success in college and life. New York, NY : McGraw- Hill, Irwin. LB 2343.3 .F333 2014

P.O.W.E.R. learning : becoming a successful student -- Making the most of your time -- Discovering your learning styles, self-concept, and values -- Taking notes -- Taking tests -- Building your reading skills -- Writing and speaking -- Memory -- Choosing your courses and major -- Technology and information competency -- Making good decisions -- Diversity and your relationships with others -- Money matters -- Stress, health, and wellness. Maximizes students’ potential for success in college and in life. Using the scientifi cally-based, yet simple and class-tested principles of the P O W E R (Prepare, Organize, Work, Evaluate, and Rethink) system, this title helps students gain a sense of mastery and achievement as they move through the text (Provided by the Publisher).

6

Giving Direction

Good morning, may I help you? Three students were asking if they could visit University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and they bombarded me with questions like: aside from the university library, can they also visit other learning centers without letters? How long will their travel be from Dasma to UPLB? And what will be the best day for them to have research on the university? I answered all their questions with gusto, noting all those mixed reactions from them. Finally satisfi ed with all information, they left. Some hours within the day in the Reference Section are allotted to issuing referral letters. The personnel on call are expected to know basic information about academic/special libraries within Metro Manila. This basic information includes the library itself, rules for visiting researchers and of course, the availability of materials to be used. There were students barred from entering a certain university in Manila because of the inappropriate attire they wore. Later, the library personnel got the blames because his information were lacking! I handle restrictions in a business- like manner because overstressing them may give negative signals to the researchers parallel to the loss of enthusiasm in researching. Yet, failure to remind them of these restrictions would mean leading them to the pitfalls. What do I learn from all these situations? As an information provider I am expected to give direction with conciseness, briefness, and accuracy in details. Aklatang Emilio Aguinaldo shares its resources with other schools in the Philippines and hundreds of outside researchers plucked to library almost every day. Though most of the youth knows how to use the computer, yet I spend several minutes with outsiders to acquaint in locating their materials. I have painfully explain to them why a master thesis is prohibited to the undergraduates and the wisdom of checking fi rst our online catalog before deciding to research in Aklatan. My heart bleeds each time I hear from students lamenting about the lack of materials in their libraries and their almost helplessness to research in other libraries due to insuffi cient fares! I moved heaven and earth to search for alternative materials that they can use for their research. Who can bear to refuse researchers from Maragondon and insist that they need to procure referral letter before admission? Looking at both realities of Lasallians and those poor students, I see the microcosm of the state of Philippine educational system. Financial assistance from the government to public schools is scarce because education is not considered a priority. Having these situations at the back of mind, I admire how the Brothers are resolute in their programs to accommodate poor learners in the university through scholarships and related privileges. I began to appreciate information technology in its endeavor to use all of its skills for users to access available information without crossing borders. As a library staff, I concretize Aklatan’s endeavor to facilitate before every client to make use of materials for research be it for Lasallians or non-Lasallians though one reality remains: divisions which separate people are manmade especially when you are in the Third world. Now, it’s not surprising why Overseas Filipino Workers opt to work under pressure, discriminations and abuse under foreign employers just to gain the needed money. [Angelo Pio]

From the Staff Mind(Featured article by AEA personnel about his/her day-to-day experience in the library)

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Birthday CelebratorsLeslieann Piores-Gatdula

April 1

Rey PeñalbaApril 30

Ludy CambayApril 22

Tess PobleteMay 18

Sonia GementizaMay 25

Eastern Samar State UniversityMay 22

De La Salle - John Bosco, Bislig City

May 29

Lorma Colleges, San Fernando, La UnionMay 30

Library Visitors

8

Library Exhibit

Arki seniors showcase design theses

Twenty three graduating students from the Architecture Department under the tutelage of Architect Hilario Gutierrez, displayed individual design of their thesis with distinction, innovation and relevance at AEA Gallery from March 20 to May 30. Various architectural designs are classifi ed as shelter for disaster victims, welfare homes for girls, commercial complex, call center, ferry station, seaport, sport exposition hub, beachfront development, school, sports medicine and rehabilitation complex, convention center, agri-park/research center, inland conservation complex, hall of justice, cruise terminal, senate building, automotive showroom, student dormitories, retirement center for Filipino military, tourism park and freshwater sanctuary, mixed-used beachfront development, fi tness and rehabilitation for obesity. The proponents expressed in their design philosophy their keen awareness and sensitivity on the environmental issues, state of the health and fi tness confronting contemporary Filipinos and other demands for change of the modern times. Each of the thesis refl ects a common identity of Lasallian quests for what is best in the fi eld of architecture in Cavite as well as for the entire country. Three best theses in terms of presentation were of: Mikaela Hano (Balai Maria: A Proposed Welfare Home for Girls), Eliot Espiritu (Sage Classroom: A Proposed Model of Basic Education Institution Using Green Building Materials), and Jeannie Chrystel Dellosa (Proposed Laguna De Bay Ferry Station). Balai Maria is a house designed for the abused girls and functions to “serve as an architectural tool in responding to the contexts of this social issue through the translation of the needed welfare programs and services into spaces and faculties for the client while considering the characters of the place, function of spaces and analysis of the fl ow of the users.” Inspired by traditional Filipino home, the proposed shelter desires to provide a home life environment for the abused/ neglected girls while in the process of recovery in preparation for community reintegration. The design with genuine concern for the prospective occupants fi ts into its design philosophy inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s adage “Building knows architecture only when the mind of man consciously takes it and tries with all his resources to make it beautiful, to put concordance, sympathy with nature, and all that into it, then you have architecture.” Next in rank is Espiritu’s proposed green educational building. The objectives involved in the design are as follows: 1) employ an alternative construction method on building basic education institution; 2) reduce the development cost of classrooms; 3) generate more sustainable classrooms and; 4) achieve a progressive school development. The concept of the project claims to adapt with the environment, depending on the local source materials available within the site, similar from the concept of how the ants construct their colony. Dirt is the main material which the ants gathered together and use to build their structures. The dirt represents the natural alternative materials. Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Architecture is not static, it caters to desirable change which entail revolutionary shift what has been accustomed to something novel yet viable “is the design philosophy of behind this project. Espiritu is also awarded best thesis for his over-all performance in the architectural design class and the relevance of his design in today’s society. Also awarded best in presentation and third in the over-all rank, Dellosa’s proposed ferry station’s concept form is inspired by casting, how the fi shermen throw their nets in the Laguna lake. By focusing on functional and effi cient traffi c fl ow of users, she thought of utilizing “fl uid” movement method to show the continuity between facilities. Her design typifi es the hydrophobicity of lotus plants and kinetic architecture which specialized structural integration from mechanical, structural and material and characterized by lightness making structure moves similar to the buoyancy effect of a certain object. Other proponents who have made similar impressive designs and exhibit good performance in their theses deliberations are: Jobey Leen Garcia (Proposed hundred islands Marina: A mixed-use beachfront development); Ayn Carlo Del Mundo (Proposed Amadeo Coffee agri-park development and research center); Ma. Melissa Gomez (Proposed Philippine sports medicine and rehabilitation); Mari Ju Legaspi (Proposed Trece Martirez City Riverview tourism park and freshwater fi sh sanctuary); Patrick Dimaculangan (Proposed mixed-used shelter for disaster victims); Gilbert Javier (Academia: a learning hub of Balanga, Bataan); and Raham Bjion Bautista (Proposed regenerative convention center). In addition to these crème of the crop theses designers are the following students who also reached their fi nal years,

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Library Exhibit

accomplished and defended their theses successfully. They are Allan Edward Aliz (Proposed Aguinaldo-Sangley international seaport); Kivin Almendras (Proposed General Trias commercial complex); Clarence Buenaventura for (Proposed call center building); John Mikkhael Bulaga (Proposed Philippine extreme sports exposition hub); Allan Edward Alix (Proposed Dasmariñas City Hall of Justice); Jed Junel Dizon (Proposed Philippine Senate building); Myra Faye Fonte (Proposed inclusive elementary green school); Anne Maurille Gagno (Food-fi tness-fi gure: proposed fi tness and rehabilitation camp for obesity); Jerome Karikitan (Proposed auto empire); Algil Mae Magallanes (Perlas: Proposed Philippine international cruise terminal); Chona Mae Manliguis (Proposed retirement center for military with medical support facility); and Diomer Villanueva (Eco-resort: a proposed mixed-use beachfront community). This year’s architectural designs spell of the motivations, ideals and expression of students as well as the synthesis of concepts taught and values inculcated by their architect mentors namely: Daisy Palattao, Celesta Dawn Belmonte, Alvin Eber Arlanza, Rosauro Jamandri, Mark Garcia, and Gener Riego de Dios.