BAPS Batch 2011 Who Left Their Indelible Mark

For more than a decade that I have taught and supervise this department there is one impression that I know will stay with me for a long long time.   I am amazed how the culture of peace has been imbibed in the ways of doing and thinking of our students.  Most of our students are well-disciplined, humble and unassuming.  These are the characteristics and values we have been inculcating in them since day one that they came to the portals of Bicol University.  This year on behalf of the department we would like to honor and recognize along with the rest two distinguished students of Batch 2011.

Shonnaly Nerbes, Bachelor of Arts in Peace Studies with the distinction of Cum Laude.  An SCUAA athlete, sports minded, humble and assuming, but open and articulate.

Zottocles A. Bechayda, Bachelor of Arts in Peace Studies, President of the College Student Council, Hardworking, diligent and embued with leadership characteristics.

Bicol University Commencement Exercises 2011

Bicol University 2011 Commencement Exercises, Main Campus, Legazpi City
Theme: Bicol University Educating for Peace and International Understanding
March 30, 2011
Commencement Speaker: Hon. Juan Edgardo M. Angara

Ribbon Cutting of the New Front Gate and Blessing of the Symbolic Four Pillars of the University: LEADERSHIP,  SCHOLARSHIP, CHARACTER, SERVICE

The Gate

The Old Gabaldon Building that Houses the High School Laboratory School.  The Facade is an Icon of the Historicity of BU

The 2011 Graduates wearing their Blue Togas, The University Color

Cartoons for the Upcoming Issue of the Peace Oddesey

by Ana Marie Sabareza, BAPS III

By Fernando Parcia, BAPS III

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BAPS PASSERS OF THE NAPOLCOM EXAM

The Department of Peace Studies congratulates the following BAPS students who passed the exam for PO1 administered by the National Police Commission:

1. Kenneth J. Loterina
2. Ralph Ryan Tamano
3. August Ryan Ombao
4. Jennifer Bacudio
5. Kevin B. Capino

Merry Christmas from Bicol University

Merry Christmas to Everyone from The Department of Peace Studies and the Bicol Consortium for Peace Education and Development (BCPED)

The Proud Symbols of the University: the Four Pillars of Scholarship, Leadership, Character and Service.

Block A - B.A. in Peace Studies

Our student Jose Romulo Federico has created this picture.

The Many Faces of Mayon Volcano

Let me share with you some photos I have of Mayon Volcano.  I took these pictures at different times.

Mayon as seen from the Rice Fields in Padang, Legazpi City

I pulled over in the Highway in Basud Santo Domingo, Albay to get this late evening vies of the Mayon with the southern star in view

Mayon with the silvery afternoon sky in the background.  I took this photo in Basud, Santo Domingo, Albay

Mt. Mayon appears so close.  I took this picture in Bogtong Road, Legazpi City beside the Yawa River.

Mt. Mayon as seen from San Miguel Island in Tabaco City

Another view of Mayon from the  Island of San Miguel.  Notice the hills near the mount.  These hills shields the small town of Malilipot from potential danger from volcanic eruption.

A Blessed Christmas

To all our fellows and to all peace scholars and advocates, A Blessed and Merry Christmas. May the Prince of Peace bless us.

The Nativity Scene

Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to all men of goodwill

"Andurog kan Derechos": Tree Planting and Team Building Activities

On December 22, 2009, the Department of Peace Studies participated in a Tree Planting Activity and Team Building activity organized by the "Andurog kan Derechos" a local initiative group led by the Social Action Center - Diocese of Legazpi that provides protection for the victims of extra judical killings and the disaparecidos. The activity was organized with the objective of strengthening the relationship and bonding among the members of the group. The group decided to hold a tree planting activity at Misibis in Cagraray Island. Misibis is a tourist resort in Albay Province. Beside the resort the developers are creating an ecopark to highlight the importance of preserving our environment. Here are some of the pictures. This activity was particpated in by Church workers, the Police, the military and those in the academe.

Some members of the Andurog and their friends pose for a souvenir photo

Looks like we are in the Aegean Islands in Greece. But no, this is Misibis, in the Philippines

The Tree Planting Activity

The top soil was so sticky, it nearly ruined my running shoes.

A Taste of Tropical paradise at Misbis Resort

"overcome your fear of the heights" The eco-energy park is equipped with sports facilities that would enthrall sports minded people.

Its Almost Paradise. Service to the max with world class accommodations.

Bicol University Gubat Sorsogon Campus

I have the chance for this semester to teach again in our undergradaute program in Peace Studies at Gubat, Sorsogon. Gubat is around 20 kilometers from the City of Sorsogon. My schedule is every Wednesday each week. I use to leave very early from Tabaco some 70 kilometers away from Gubat Campus. It is a bit tiring but this helps break my daily routine. Gubat is small town. Life moves a little bit slower.

The Church of St. Anthony

This is the Building of the BU Gubat Campus. This building use to be the old Municipal Building but since the Local Government moved to another location, this building was renovated and restored to be the main building of Gubat Campus. This building is located adjascent to the Church. During Spanish colonial times both church and municipal building serve civilian administrative services. This explain why this building is located near the Church.

The Joys of Advent

Advent is one of the most joyous season in Philippine Culture. The simbang gabi or the nine dawn masses preceeding Christmas is a devotion most loved by Filipinos. It is anticipated by both the old and the young. It is believed that once you completed the nine dawn masses the Holy Child Jesus will grant your wishes and intentions for the novena. Aside from its religious significance it is also a tradition that binds families and friends together. After the mass, people buy home made cakes and hot chocolate for early breakfast. As the time nears, churhces are getting ready for this event. Our parish church is also preparing for this. Tonight while passing the Church plaza I took a picture of our church's belfry aglow in neon lights.

This is how our church belfry look like in day time.



At night time it is aglow with neon lights purposely placed to celebrate Christmas.

Peace Logo for Year 2009

Every year the undergraduate organization, The Junior Peace Advocates commissions the printing of commemorative T-Shirts. Some of the talented students of the BAPS Program submitted their entries.

Here is the entry of Judeen Celorico.

This one is by Raphael Soriano, Jr.

While this one is by Karen Monasterial.

The 2009 Graduates of BA in Peace Studies

Eco-Friendly New Years Resolutions

To each and everyone: HAPPY NEW YEAR. MAY THIS YEAR BRING US RENEWED STRENGTH TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR EVERYONE! - greetings from the Department of Peace Studies, BU-CSSP.

Candelabra at the Cathedral Cafe, Uppsala Domkyrka, An Ever present Advent Symbol

Consider the following New Year's resolution for an Eco-Friendly Year ahead:

1. If you are someone who drives your own vehicle daily for work, better consider taking public transportation. This way you will help the world conserve on dwindling gas supply. This will also lighten your own expenses and clear the streets of unnecessary traffic congestion.
2. If you are someone who uses disposable utensils and paper napkins, why not use porcelain or reusable utensils and cloth napkins? In this way you will help save a hundred trees and prevent the depletion of our natural forest resources. Remember it takes several hundred of years to make a forest grow but it takes only a couple of years to deplete them.
3. If you are carnivorous, why not try to be vegetarian? In this way you will prevent carcinogen from entering your system.
4. If you do not practice waste segregation, why not try waste segregation? In this way you will encourage recycling and prevent pollution. You will also teach yourself and others in the home the value of discipline.
   
5. If your passion is for branded and fashionable clothes, why not try the "Ukay-ukay"? "Ukay - ukay" [term used in the Philippines to call second hand clothes sold in surplus and second hand stores] as they are found in many second hand stores are also good. These stores sells good, reusable, branded and fashionable clothing. By using Ukay-ukay you will help reduce the production of unnecessary clothing and help reduce consumption of our forest resources from where most fabric are taken. You will also help reduce the production of wastes.
   

Consider adapting one or all of these suggestions and we shall have a merry new year!