Sanggu holds series of FGDs to relay sectoral concerns
The Sanggunian conducted its first focus group discussion (FGD) on sectoral concerns on September 12 at CTC 105. Transferees discussed their lack of recognition as a sector and the absence of guidance for crediting subjects taken in their previous universities. Following this, members of Ateneo Gabay examined possible loan systems and concerns of academic scholars who require financial aid. Student athletes’ concerns, such some teams’ needs for financial support and adequate facilities, were also brought up. A second FGD for the LGBTQ+ sector was held on September 19 at the same venue. In attendance were members of the Ateneo Dollhouse, the Sanggunian: Commission on Anti-Sexual Misconduct and Violence, and the Sanggunian: Commission on Gender Equality. Participants discussed concerns regarding gender sensitivity, and sexual misconduct cases which included ambiguous definitions for offenses. As of writing, a third FGD is being scheduled for the persons with special needs and non-Catholic sectors. Margarita C. Gonzalez
Australian professor presents paper on informal ties in PH judiciary
Australian National University Associate Professor Björn Dressel, PhD presented his paper entitled “Navigating Law, Politics and Informality: A Study of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, 1986-2015” on September 7 at Escaler Hall. His paper, which was co-authored by Tomoo Inoue of the Faculty of Economics of Seikei University in Tokyo, Japan, discussed how the Philippine Supreme Court’s decisions in high-profile cases between 1986 and 2015 were influenced by informal ties between judges and other actors within and outside the judiciary system. According to Dressel, these informal ties include university connections and work affiliations. Similarities between them were found to increase the likelihood of judges casting similar votes. The forum also brought up how political ideologies are not common among judges and politicians in the Philippines, and how these ideologies usually do not predict local judges’ voting behavior. Margarita C. Gonzalez
Areté Sandbox conversation discusses effects of automation and AI on labor
The Areté held its 4th Sandbox Conversation on “Automation, AI, and the future of labor” in its Eduardo J. Aboitiz Sandbox Zone on August 29. The event aimed to begin conversations on how the labor force must adapt to the rise of automation. Attendees included professors from the Department of Information Systems and Computer Science, along with chief executive officers (CEOs) and founders of social enterprises and companies that work with artificial intelligence (AI). These included Rags2Riches, Inc. CEO Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, The Just League founder Peachy Pacquing, Indigo Research CEO Francis Bautista, and Exora Technologies Inc. CTO Enzo Bautista. Participants engaged in a dialogue on how machines with AI could monopolize jobs requiring manual labor, or allow for more specialized jobs and provide opportunities to learn new skills. Participants also discussed whether or not society is prepared for the consequences of rapid technological progression. Margarita C. Gonzalez
Ateneo Art Gallery presents the Ateneo Art Awards 2018 winners
The Ateneo Art Gallery awarded the Ateneo Art Awards 2018 winners in a ceremony held at the Areté on August 26. The three recipients of the Fernando Zóbel Prizes for Visual Art were Ronson Culibrina for an exhibition of drawings made with charcoal and resin entitled Talim, Johanna Helmuth for her installation entitled Makeshift, and KoloWn for a set of installations entitled Low Pressured Areas. Culibrina was granted a residency in Liverpool Hope University, while Helmuth and KoloWn were granted residencies in Artesan Gallery + Studio in Singapore and La Trobe Art University in Australia, respectively. The two winners for the Purita Kalaw-Ledesma Prizes in Art Criticism are Mary Jessel Duque for her essay “Pacita Abad: A Million Times a Woman, an Artist” and Alec Madelene Abarro for her essay “An Organized Chaos: Navigating the Looban.” Duque will be given a column in The Philippine Star’s Arts and Culture section, while Abarro will write six articles for ArtAsiaPacific Magazine. Margarita C. Gonzalez
Editor’s Note: Enzo Bautista is the CTO of Senti TechLabs, Inc., and not the CEO of Exora Technologies Inc. We have edited the article accordingly and sincerely apologize for the oversight.
