Should You Grab Every Opportunity?

Grab Every Good Opportunity!
By: Jenesa Oranio BSHRM-2

We entered college with grand dreams. College, figuratively speaking, taught us to be greedy with our ideals. As a student, we have lots of opportunities - opportunities to take all the risks for us to pass in our studies.

Students are all the same, we study; we get grades according to our efforts. Opportunity to look for a part-time job if possible, which helps us to send ourselves to school. I think, several of us are inspired rather than provoked by the desire to learn more than the usual. True, our country offers less compensation. Graduates here in the Philippines cannot easily find jobs. So people can’t really blame us if we yearn for international flights and grab the opportunity waiting for us there.

We have also the opportunity to love our countrymen; we love even if we are just giving to people our advices. We love even if we are just giving to the needed people our small amount of contribution. We care, because we love. Aside from loving our countrymen, we have also the opportunity to love our opposite sex because we know that it could change one’s life. This could determine if we are ready to handle a relationship. College life is different from high school life. You must be responsible enough and much more mature with your attitudes.

Above all, we need to be brave enough, despite all the trials that come into our lives. And someday, we’ll see the fruits of our sacrifices…we’re blessed that we studied so don’t lost all the opportunities, study hard, strive and strive until you succeed. Go all with your grand dreams. #

Why Should You Speak English?

By: April Jane Brocoy

Our school is more decisive now than before in spearheading the implementation in using English language to a respective area or zone within the school perimeter. Both students and teachers are required to use English in communicating to each other. But several questions arise, is it too good to be true? Is it attainable? Or the realization of it would be next to impossible?

To come across with this requirement is a sense of matter which needs to be weighed in a balance for this consists to a higher degree of challenge. Variety of considerations needs to be acquainted with before going farther too some specified elevation. Few are striving, others are complaining, majority are struggling yet mostly are asking. With regard to language, who is responsible in deciding what is to be used or not?

Along with this vein of truth, lines, opinions, point of view “Something Better” would be somewhat an instant answer to get the peak point in the center. This should be the watchword of all learners “SOMETHING BETTER AND HIGHER”.

English language is used in almost all affairs of life. To be equipped for the near future’s challenges, students must endeavor to ensure their capacity to resolve a change to explore and to experience. So why not make use to speak it now?

According to some teachers that this implementation would somehow almost impossible yet attainable, they said that if we make it a rule we really can do it. They added that this would be a great gain and advantage to the students who are willing to be trained and developed.

On the other side, other students said that this is not convenient for them for they find it self-castigating instead of self improving.

In pointing this most and top leading controversial implementation, let us look more on the brighter side of the issue. In the actual affair of life, self-improvement and self-discipline are not actually self punishing. It may appear frightening at the start in speaking English, yet in a long run, if we got use to it, we would be more satisfied than frustrated. In facing this conflict, those who take side in striving, trying, and obeying will find themselves stepping to a higher knowledge than those who take side in complaining and murmuring. On which side you wish to belong?

Many do not come up what they might be because they do not put forth the capacity that is in them. With regard to life’s possibilities, who is capable of deciding what is great and what is small?

Let us be more courageous to comprehend the difference between IMPOSSIBLE and POSSIBLE which lies in a person’s determination.

Definitely, if we are determined to learn more in English language then, we should fix a goal for ourselves. After fixing it up, we then can consider ourselves extremely fortunate for we have taken our first move that will lead us to success.

Groundbreaking Ceremony:

Del Rosario Blesses ATC Groundbreaking Ceremony
By: Michael Pateres

Gov. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario of Davao Province, who was the honored guest, blessed the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the FV Millennium Building 2 of Aces Tagum College last August 8, 2008.

He commended Dr. and Mrs. De la Peña for their effort of continuing the course of excellence in their endeavors especially in constructing new facilities. “A new building means more facilities to make learning more conducive for students so that they may be able to acquire quality education,” he said.

He further added that this new development will become another exceptional characteristic of Aces Tagum College. He also assured the support of the provincial government to the education sector as it is one of the components of his RDR WHEELS program in which the first E stands for Education, Culture, Sports, and Human Development. “I will not get out of that Tahanan of the Governor until this building shall be inaugurated,” he concluded.

Dr. Francisco P. De la Peña Jr., President/CEO of Aces Colleges System, said in his opening remarks that the said event marked another milestone in the history of ATC. He stressed that this new development is done to provide the best education to the people of Davao Province as well as its adjacent provinces.

According to him that the half of this new FV Millennium Building 2, (which stands for Francisco and Violeta), constitutes incubation center for Hotel and Restaurant Management students. The first floor also will be for the Computer Hardware Servicing, Commerce Department, Automotive, and production center for all its products.

He also announced that they already went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Singapore together with other technical schools to have an international benchmarking on technical education. “This building will be used as a pilot incubation center for the entire region if not for entire Mindanao,” he added.

The President also mentioned his goal for the next 5 years to have business establishments here in Tagum City with a tagline: “This establishment is partnered by Aces Tagum College.” “We are going to realize that goal in less than 5 years and at the same time, we will be producing the best entrepreneurs in all courses that we are going to offer,” he concluded.

The construction of the 3 storey FV Millennium Building 2 is still going on with a target to finish its construction before the first semester of the next school year in 2009.

Aces HRM/BSHRM Studs to Malaysia?

Aces to Send Studs to Malaysia
By: Jenesa Oranio

Almost 30 graduating HRM/BSHRM students of Aces Tagum College will be sent to Malaysia for a 6 - month training this coming October 12, 2008.
Last September 10, 2008, a Memorandum of Agreement between Aces Polytechnic College of Panabo City and Transair Vacation Training Centre based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was signed during the press conference at Club 888 business forum at Marco Polo Hotel for the students of Aces Colleges System to avail training from international hotels.
According to the President and CEO of Aces Colleges System, Dr. Francisco P. De La Peña Jr., that this opportunity is provided for the students and graduates of Hotel and Restaurant Management to be exposed to international hotels specifically, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“This would be an edge of our students to have an international training in finding jobs here and abroad,” he said. He also added that this is part of their mission and vision to give and provide the best quality education to their students.
Mr. Alfonso R. Ventures, College Dean of Aces Tagum College said that the selected students from four Aces Colleges will be provided with free board and lodging with allowances. They will be covered also with an international insurance in addition to the local insurance systems they already have. They will be paying half of the total amount of $800.00 and the other half will be paid later by the trainees through their allowances and tips on the duration of their stay there.
This opportunity is voluntary which means that this is not an institutional requirement and the graduating students of HRM and BSHRM are not forced to avail this training. They can have their on-the-job training locally.
But according to Mrs. Welmie L. Arabaca, Aces Tagum College HRM instructress that much better if they will experience the different trends in international management of hotels. “At least, they already have the knowledge and experience so they can easily apply abroad,” she exclaimed.
Mrs. Gemma D. Padasas, Chairperson, HRM/BSHRM of Aces Tagum College said that such opportunity is a good avenue for our students to learn many things in the actual setting of an international hotel. “Obviously, there are big differences as to the style and setting of hotels abroad compared to our local hotels and so we would like them to experience the actual scenario,” she concluded.
Mr. Wilfredo F. Betiong, one of the beneficiaries of the program from Aces Tagum College disclosed that this is his dream to experience being there abroad because he can show his talent and skills in all the competencies of HRM and he will be able to see the actual difference of our hotels here and abroad. “I feel nervous but I have conditioned my mind to think positively because this is once in a lifetime break,’ he concluded.
The first batch of trainees will undergo a 10 - day training in Aces Polytechnic College together with other trainees from Aces Panabo, Aces Davao City, and Aces Nabunturan to refresh their knowledge on housekeeping, food beverage and waitering, and front desk services. They will also be educated and informed on the rules and regulations of the hotels in Malaysia as well as their language. #

ATC Champion Again!

2 Acesians Grab 2 Championship Titles
By: Joshua Balagot

Two BSHRM students of Aces Tagum College bagged two championship titles during the recently concluded Durian Festival of Tagum City last August 15, 2008 at Tagum Trade Center.

These two winners are Mr. Dennis J. Brunidor, 17 yrs. old, who won as the Champion and Best in Taste for the Flairtending, student category, with a trophy and a cash prize of P2, 500.00, and Mr. Ranel Ian P. Casium, 17 yrs. old, who triumphed as the Champion for the Coffeemaking Contest, student category, with a trophy and a cash prize of P2, 500.00.

According to Mr. Brunidor, that they really had a hard time on practicing each exhibition. He disclosed that they had a practice every 3:00 o’clock dawn for several weeks before the scheduled contest proper.

Mr. Casium also relates that they needed to bear the heat of the sun, and tiring body to win the contest. “We always listen to the advice of our coaches and we keep it in our minds for us to succeed,” he confessed.

These winners were trained by an Award Winning Flairtender of our school, Mr. James Francis Dagmil, together with the coaches Mrs. Meiloza C. De Leon and the Chairperson of HRM/BSHRM Dept., Mrs. Gemma D. Padasas.

Mrs. De Leon said that the training was so rigid which includes scolding and instant reminder for them to do their part and excel in this field. “We always push them to perform their best to the highest level to grab the most coveted championship trophy and reputation,” she added. She further disclosed that these awards only prove that ATC is offering the best and quality education to all students especially in technical programs.

Mr. Brunidor expressed his gratitude of winning the said event because as he said, he doesn’t expect to win because there were 30 contenders from different colleges and universities in entire Davao del Norte and Davao City. “I am very happy because I have borne the fruit of my hard labors of my stiff trainings and practices,” he said.

Mr. Casium encourages the future contenders that they have to work very hard and concentrate on their studies. “I must admit that we really had the hardest time to win the contest but we prayed incessantly to God for his guidance and we keep our self confidence intact,’ he stressed.
Both of them encourage all the students not to loss hope. “Even if you will be injured during the practice, don’t give up because it’s part of winning the game. You will not reach the peak if you will not experience it,” they said.

NEWS ITEMS

Education Dept. Heads 2 School Events
By: Luzviminda Ubalde

For the first time, the Education Department of Aces Tagum College took the lead in celebrating the Nutrition Month and Buwan ng Wika culminating activities this year.

According to Mrs. Lilia M. Sugaran, Chairperson of Education Department, that for the previous years, the education headed the celebration of Buwan ng Wika only because the nutrition month activity was handled by the HRM/BSHRM department. “We were advised by the President to encourage our future teachers to practice handling big school programs for their future professions”, she added.

Dr. Francisco P. De la Peña Jr., President/CEO of Aces Colleges System, confirmed that the new arrangement was initiated to train the education students to administer and lead the said events by themselves. He further stressed that these students will not experience much hardships anymore in the field because they were exposed already in handling such activities, personally.

In addition, Mrs. Sugaran said that it was a good avenue for the students to actively participate to such events. “As we have seen before, only the contestants from the department participated in those celebrations, but now all of them take their share in showing their talents and abilities,” she added.

The said annual school festivities were a plain presentation only without any contests being done. Last July 27, 2008, the school celebrated the nutrition month culminating activity which showcases the presentations of the education students including the display of different fruits and vegetables.

Mr. Alfonso R. Ventures, College Dean, urged everyone to make it a habit to eat fruits and vegetables. He even put emphasis on the word HEALTH and its meaning which are the following: H for happiness because healthy people are happy people, E – energy, they act promptly, efficiently and always ready for effective action, A – alertness, healthy people are always vigilant, alive, prepared and wide awake for action, L - longevity which constitutes for longer life, T – thriftiness, careful in management of their resources, spend for a reason, H – Habit, healthy people always exercise, maintain proper diet and self discipline in times of eating. “Follow this pattern the soonest possible and you will stay healthy,” he emphasized.

On the other hand, different talents of the Acesians were shown during the Buwan ng Wika celebration last August 20, 2008. These include Ethnic Dance, Balagtasan, Isahan at Dalawahang Tinig, Interpretatibong Sayaw, Modern Dance, Mukhang Bayani, and the presentation of different tribes in Mindanao.

Mr. Rewyn Manuel and Ms. Rogen Lagmay hosted the nutrition month celebration while the Buwan ng Wika was hosted by Mr. Jefferson Acedo and Ms. Glory May Aguilar. #

Campaign Against Illegal Drugs Intensified

By: Ulysses Intua

Through the initiative of the Supreme Student Council (SSC) of Aces Tagum College, a symposium on RA 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2008 was held last September 17, 2008 at ATC Assembly Hall.

According to Mr. Rene B. Milan, SSC President, that the said activity was prepared to educate the students about the dangers of using prohibited drugs and the ways on how to fight against its urge.

They also prepared different events like on the spot essay writing contest, poster-slogan, and team building. This was done to convey the importance of sports and other physical and mental activities to avoid engaging into illegal drugs as disclosed by Mr. Milan.

Personnel from Tagum City Police Office headed the said symposium. SPO2 Corsino L Luengas, Spokesperson of Anti Drug Abuse Campaign, TCPO, emphasized the importance of the said event by pointing out the dangers of using prohibited drugs like committing suicide, teen-age mental illness, unwanted pregnancy, accident, and sexually transmitted diseases.

He stressed that these can be avoided if proper information dissemination should be done like a symposium. With that end, the Local Government Unit of Tagum City intensifies the campaign against the use of illegal drugs in different establishments as well as the schools and universities.

Moreover, he further put emphasis on the role of the parents in helping their children not to get involved in using prohibited drugs. He mentioned the so called “quality time” as inappropriate and inadequate because the tendency would be that the young ones will find for confidants and companions outside their homes who sometimes happened to be a bad influence and will pressure them to abuse drugs.

He also added based on the recent surveys that illegal drugs is now the most profitable underground business that captive market of about 190 million addicts and users worldwide. It also estimated to be worth more than 400 billion dollars a year, bigger than the oil and gas trade, longer than the chemicals and pharmaceuticals business, and twice as big as the motor vehicle industry.
In most cases, according to SPO2 Luengas that the causes of this problem are peer pressures, family troubles, financial problems, and lack of parental guidance. He said that this dilemma could be avoided if we chose our friends wisely. ”Take what is good and cast away what is bad,” he concluded.