Behind the EIC’s desk

A friend once told me: “An EIC is someone who is tested by challenges of time.” Now the challenge that I have to face is becoming an EIC. Yes, folks, you read it right. The EIC, short for the editor-in-chief.

It was the afternoon of January 4 when our publication adviser finally announced the composition of the editorial board of The LATHE this academic year. And guess what? I was appointed as a section editor of two editions and EIC of one edition.

I felt mixed emotions after the announcement. True, I was expecting a position on the Executive Editorial Board (even though I was only a reporter last year), maybe a managing ed or an associate editor. But the highest position on the EEB? No way! Why me? I felt that I was not qualified. But as the days flew by, I remember our former EIC, Ate Joyce, telling us before that: “….kayanin mo.” So it stuck me with the realization that I have to lead the new set of staffers in upholding responsible scholastic journalism.

This is a challenge that I have to face. And a huge responsibility bestowed in my little hands.

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The first part of the challenge of becoming an EIC is how to establish a rapport between my co-staffers, because most of them are new to the student publications office. I tried to smile, talk to them, and later on share my little wisdom on what I had learned during my first year in the pub. My second aim was to set a good example for the co-staffers. I wanted to start a war against my dearest friend last year: PROCRASTINATION, for them to realize the value of time management (Well, dear friends, it’s up for you to decide if I won the war or not). Third and final task is teaching me how to exert authority without intimidating them. I do not want to become the future dictator or something synonymous to that.

The position also taught me a few lessons that I applied as I fill this blank sheet of paper with my ideas and opinions. I learned that a cup of coffee can be your best friend, especially if you have to stay up until the wee hours of morning. I realized that I can come up with ideas in unexpected time in unexpected places.

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Being an EIC also bestows you with a huge responsibility, serving the entire studentry through the promotion of responsible scholastic journalism. You must be able to voice out the opinion of the students, because you speak for their behalf, see their point, and then finally meet it in ink. We must also be unbiased on certain issues that concern them. We must also be vigilant, but democratic.

(P.S. We are currently working on all The LATHE editions.)

AIDS and Condom: What they have in common

AIDS…

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

This condition progressively reduces the effectiveness of the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors. HIV is transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid, and breast milk.

This transmission can involve anal, vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles, exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other exposure to one of the above bodily fluids.

AIDS is now a pandemic. In 2007, it was estimated that 33.2 million people lived with the disease worldwide, and that AIDS killed an estimated 2.1 million people, including 330,000 children. Over three-quarters of these deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, retarding economic growth and destroying human capital.

CONDOMS…

A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases (STDs—such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV). It is put on a man’s erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner. Because condoms are waterproof, elastic, and durable, they are also used in a variety of secondary applications. These include collection of semen for use in infertility treatment as well as non-sexual uses such as creating waterproof microphones and protecting rifle barrels from clogging.

WE KNOW AIDS AND WE KNOW CONDOMS. WHAT THE HELL KEEPS US FROM USING CONDOMS TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILY FROM SUCH  HORRIFIC DEATHS FROM ACQUIRING AIDS.

GOSH!!! AIDS IS DECLINING IN MOST COUNTRIES AND HERE WE ARE IN A ROLL IN THE PHILIPPINES.

THE GOVERNMENT AND MEDIA NETWORKS SHOULD MAKE A MOVE BEFORE ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE.

THE CHURCH SHOULD MAKE A MOVE… OR WOULD THEY?…