ARMS season 4

Synthesis and

Closing Remarks

Mr. Charles Roy P. Baguio

Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

To the organizers of this lecture series headed by Dir. Kathleen Villaneza and Dr. Alvin Zamora, guest lecturers, faculty members, students, good afternoon. As a rundown of this morning’s series of lectures we begin by asking: why are we here? 

Dr. Zamora opened the day by saying, “The power of language and communication has brought us here” which is manifested in the various facets and aspects of human life. This power and how to harness it is shared to us through today’s ARMS lecture which is a way of the USPF Alumni with the able faculty members to give back to the Alma Mater by sharing one’s expertise for the sake of development and philanthropy.

The first lecturer, Mrs. Nerves, ushered us into the fascinating world of myths, folklore, and legends which oftentimes titillates our imagination. She distinguished a myth from a folktale and a legend, discussed their purpose, and ended with a critical question as to what is the place and what meaning do these literary works have in our lives?

Mr. Nagal, the second speaker, began by saying that English is a “crazy” language and mentioned examples of these “crazy” things in the English language. He proceeded by stressing the importance of learning grammar and effectively teaching it with the use of interesting sample activities. He also went into what is good grammar, the components of good grammar, and how to teach good grammar. He ended his lecture by presenting Larsen-Freeman’s Three Dimensional Grammar Framework.

We were afterwards led by Mr. Talastas to the importance of learning foreign language and how it enriches us. He also stressed that learning a foreign language is not always easy, but one must grab any window of opportunity to learn such at an early age. This reminds me of my pre-college and college years when I studied 18 units of the Latin language, a dead language, in the seminary. It was indeed enriching for through it I get to understand better the meaning of many English words which are derived from it. However, it was the subject in which I almost failed --- not always easy indeed.

 

Dr. Suarez introduced us to the advocacy of using and learning the mother tongue. Language is the expression of a people’s soul. Any language, no matter how few are the speakers, is worth saving according to Dr. Suarez. She also deplored the deprivation of the use of the Cebuano language in many instances.

 

Fr. Monteron shared his African missionary experience, one in a foreign land with a language and culture. They, as missionaries, had to learn the local language and culture in order to effectively evangelize to the natives. He said that in learning a foreign language and culture, we also learn to appreciate the beauty of our own language and culture.

The sixth lecturer, Mr. Emerson Aller, opened by pointing out that speech and language is the most important cognitive function that distinguishes humans from other animals. But humans must not only communicate, the challenge is on how to communicate effectively. Effective communication process involves transmitting, listening, perceiving, and reacting or TLPR. Communication connects people and starts relationships.

 

The final lecturer, Mr. Francis Torres, introduced us to the world of literary criticism which is about the evaluation and interpretation of literary texts. Essentially, in this study we deal with the text, the status, the source of interpretation, and the reader. He also introduced some methods and approaches in literary criticism and the why of doing criticism.

ARMS participants register online.

USPian alumna and Miss USPF 2010

Aubrey Gelig graces ARMS season 4

as Lady of Ceremonies. 

The lectures have indeed made our morning more interesting and fruitful. Let me end today’s activity by affirming that language and communication is indeed powerful. We, for sure, are both beneficiaries and sometimes victims of its use and misuse. Effective communication is indeed a skill that is a must for learning because those who communicate effectively definitely have an edge. Thanks a lot to the organizers, lecturers, and to all of you for coming. God bless us all.

Photo op after the successful lecture (L-R): OAR director and ARMS chairperson Ms. Kathleen Solon-Villaneza, Mr. Francis Luis Torres, IMC director & ARMS co-chairperson Dr. Alvin Zamora, Mr. Emerson Aller, Mr. Julian Talastas II, Dr. Angeles de Pio-Suarez, Mr. Cornelius Roy Nagal, Mrs. Rowena Nerves, and partner college & CAS dean Mr. Charles Roy Baguio.

*photos from: USPF Instructional Media Center & Southern Scholar photo journalist