BEYOND THE BARCODE

In his message on the 25th anniversary of JRU as a university last October 2, 2025, Dr. Vicente K. Fabella, president of Jose Rizal University, reminisced about the physical changes in the campus since the year 2000. One in particular is of the Main Library being remodeled for modern times, hence getting its distinctive glass walls.

President Vicente K. Fabella mentions the modernization of the library in his message on the 25th anniversary of JRU as a university.

It is in this same progression that the library continues to evolve, most recently with its introduction of RFID technology. You might have heard the term already!

Going Wireless

RFID is short for Radio-Frequency Identification. It is a system that (as the name suggests) uses radio waves to identify and track RFID tags attached to objects, animals, or even people! (Think of wristbands or badges in concerts or music festivals.)

You might have already encountered RFID technology without realizing it!

This technology is similar to a barcode, but with significant advantages because it is wireless (meaning you don't need to point a scanner at a tag directly for it to work). It can hold more data (not just 12 digits), can simultaneously read hundreds of tags instead of simply one at a time, and can also read smeared or faded tags.

Seeing blue: the new RFID security gate at the Tower Library. This and the ones at the Main Library come with their own CCTV cameras.

Updated Technology in the Library

Phew, with all that said, you might've noticed some shiny new apparatus in our libraries. WISERF Technologies has installed an RFID Library Security System and added several hardware: smart tags, security gates, a Self-check Kiosk, and a Book Drop. Awesome!

Students and staff can check out books personally at the Self-check Kiosk.

This means more efficient scanning and faster inventory. If you haven’t already, come see these additions for yourself at the Main and Tower libraries. You have to admit, they look cool, right?

It's not everyday that we get to see an overhead RFID reader/security system, but we have one on the first floor of the Main Library.

Ah yes, the future is now!

And that's where we'll see each other again, Lib Lifers: the future! Remember to visit every now and then for updates. As always, have a healthy lib life!

REACQUAINTED: BACK IN THE SADDLE IN 2025

And just like that, another year is upon us.

How's your 2025 up to this point, Lib Lifers, good? Glad to hear it! Just popping in for a quick recap of some activities from the library. Ready?

Promote your Program

With the idea to advertise Jose Rizal University's postgraduate courses and the library, the Program Ambassador activity gave Graduate School students the opportunity to simulate being the face of their program.

Mr. Padernal as the face of the EDD program.

Ms. Romana only has good things to say about JRU's MBA program and the library.

As its model and spokesperson, participants produced infographics using their image and personal testimonies. The outputs could be great marketing materials, if you ask us!

Introducing a New Book Talk Showdown

As Jose Rizal University continues to welcome more Chinese Graduate School students, the chance for the Book Talk Showdown (BTS) to innovate presents itself once more. This growth together with the increased use of theses and dissertations at the Tower Library was an ideal mix for the newest version of the BTS.

Watch Mr. Zengkai Wu's video at https://fb.watch/xaCQq0tVW3/

The Book Talk Showdown for Chinese Students had participants submit a video recording discussing theses/dissertations that they use as references in writing their research papers. This is a key difference as earlier BTSs made use of circulation materials like novels and motivational books.

Two submissions were reviewed and their content found well done. These recordings were posted afterward on the JRU Library Facebook page.

Watch Mr. Huanzhen Liang's video at https://fb.watch/xaCUCS6Hr-/

Finding Your Inner Hero

And last but not least, Ms. Princess Odette Padua, Grade 11 SHS-ABM student, proved yet again that one can never be too young to start an advocacy. She became the JRU Library’s first Rizalian Community Hero by spearheading its "Adopt-a-Library Hub Program" outreach activity.

Arriving at Tongohin National High School.

Ms. Padua speaks about her advocacy and expressed gratitude and appreciation towards TNHS and JRU.

Manifesting JRU’s "Taos-Pusong Rizal" brand identity, Ms. Padua personally coordinated with Tongohin National High School (TNHS) at Infanta, Quezon and got the ball rolling. The successful program saw the donation of reading and learning materials for use in their collection development.

Kudos to our first Rizalian Community Hero, Ms. Princess Odette Padua!

And that's it for this brief post, Lib Lifers! Just providing a snippet of what we've been up to since last time. We'll pick up where we left off in the next entry, so stay tuned!

UNITED: THE EASTERN MANILA LIBRARY CONSORTIUM MOA SIGNING IN JOSE RIZAL UNIVERSITY

Happy 2024, Lib Lifers! Let’s start the year with some partnership news:

Fifteen institutions from around the metropolis officially became affiliates at the Eastern Manila Library Consortium (EMLC) Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing on September 27, 2023 at the Information Commons in Jose Rizal University.

As one.

These include Academia de Sta. Martha Inc. (Pasig City), Arellano University - Andres Bonifacio Campus (Pasig City), Arellano University - Plaridel Campus (Mandaluyong City), De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Antipolo Campus (Antipolo City), Don Bosco Technical College (Mandaluyong City), Harris Memorial College, Inc. (Taytay, Rizal), Infant Jesus Learning Academy (Rodriguez, Rizal), Jose Rizal University (Mandaluyong City), Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Parochial School (San Mateo, Rizal), Our Lady of Guadalupe Colleges, Inc. (Mandaluyong City), Rizal Technological University (Mandaluyong City), Sta.Cecilia Parochial School (San Mateo, Rizal), Tomas Claudio Colleges (Morong, Rizal), St. Paul College Pasig (Pasig City), and The Department of Education - Schools Division Office of Antipolo City (Antipolo City).

Before the signing itself, the new EMLC President, Mrs. Rosela D. Del Mundo from Jose Rizal University, reviewed the inclusions of the MOA to everyone present. Previously, areas of collaboration such as joint activities and programs, outreach, interlibrary loan, and more had been considered for the partnership, with the EMLC members ultimately agreeing to the sharing of resources, facilities, and best practices among others.

Mrs. Rosela Del Mundo reviews the MOA's content.

Also included in the program was the presentation of the new EMLC officers elected into position earlier on September 22, 2023. They are the following:

President - Rosela D. Del Mundo (Jose Rizal University, Madaluyong)

Vice-President - Francis Licup (Infant Jesus Learning Academy, Rodriguez, Rizal / Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu Parochial School, San Mateo, Rizal / & Sta. Cecilia Parochial School, San Mateo, Rizal)

Secretary - Juliet SJ. Belandres (Tomas Claudio Colleges, Morong, Rizal)

Treasurer - Cristina Avila (Don Bosco Technical College, Mandaluyong)

Auditor - Julie D. Dogillo (Arellano University, Pasig)

Public Relations Officer - Sunshine M. Mendaro (Arellano University - Plaridel Campus, Mandaluyong)

Board of Directors - Myla V. Magdalera (St. Paul College Pasig, Pasig)

Board of Directors - Bobby D. Cauilan (Rizal Technological University, Mandaluyong)

Board of Directors - Bernadette Baylon (DepEd Antipolo)

Introducing the new EMLC officers.

Mrs. Edna Cia-Cruz, Vice President for Information Systems at Jose Rizal University was present at the event as well.

Mrs. Edna Cia-Cruz welcomes our new partners.

Working under a common vision opens up incredible possibilities, and there is much excitement over the banding together of these institutions. The EMLC looks forward to increasing each members’ capacity as information providers with this collaboration.

Looking forward to the future!

Check back for news on future developments, Lib Lifers!

(Pictures are credited to Mrs. Rosela De Mundo, Mrs. Rechy Llamas, and Ms. Erin Joyce Del Rosario.)

GURONG PILIPINO, DANGAL NG SAMBAYANANG PILIPINO: SHS ESSAY WRITING CONTEST OUTCOME

Mabuhay, Lib Lifers!

We really don’t seem to run out of talented writers from the Senior High School division, as proven yet again by essayists who took part in the Main Library’s Essay Writing Contest in celebration of National Teachers’ Day.

Adopting the year’s theme of "Gurong Pilipino, Dangal ng Sambayanang Pilipino", our SHS participants produced an impressive quality of entries; their words paying homage to the teachers that have taught them through the years. After careful review, five essays were awarded last December 5, 2022 via online and Facebook platforms:

Infographic design courtesy of Mr. Charliemagne Padernal.

4th place was attained by Paolo Andrei Cruz’s "#AddingFuelToTheFire" in which he compared teachers to fire serving as guides and mentors.

3rd place was awarded to Lance Lester Givanim’s "Success Says Thanks" and his belief that a student’s success is the best way to show gratitude to their teachers.

2nd place was earned by Radjah Herman’s "Becoming Human: Teaching and its Social Importance", where he proposed that teachers are the backbone of human society.

1st Place was secured by Simon Theodore Fabros’ "What a Teacher Is" and his intent to express the essence of being a teacher.

And Sabrina Aiko-Mari Santos’ "The Master of All Trades" in which she likens teachers to heroes deserving of thanks and honor made her the contest champion.

Many teachers will take part in a student’s life and be remembered well after graduation. Starting as strangers, they develop into mentors, confidants, friends, and even second parents as they devote their lives to guiding, challenging, and inspiring the next generation of people who can make a difference in the world. They deserve all the honor and praise given to them, and it is especially encouraging to hear this coming from our youth. Congratulations to our winners!

The Essay Writing Contest was held in cooperation with the Senior High School Language and Social Science Department under the chairmanship of Mrs. Carissa M. Enteria.

THE MASTER OF ALL TRADES

This essay emerged as the champion in the SHS Essay Writing Contest of the Main Library. Congratulations to Ms. Santos!

The Master of All Trades

Sabrina Aiko-Mari Santos

Teachers are the master of all trades who will do everything and anything within their capability to ignite the fire in students' minds. They are the farmers behind students' sprouting seeds of knowledge, heroes for wandering ambition, and medics of shattered aspirations. Millions of minds brimming with knowledge and talents expertly cultivated by unsung heroes, known as teachers, would ignite a bright future for each student. The world set the 5th of October every year as International World Teachers’ Day for the much-loved teachers to feel appreciated. International World Teachers’ Day is a day allotted to honor teachers worldwide because words cannot express the immeasurable weight of appreciation people have towards them.

Simply saying "thank you" would mean a lot to our dear teachers because they make sacrifices in order to feed our hungry minds with knowledge and because, in addition, they act as our "parents at school." They stand as a parent to many students at school, so how can they manage so many students when some parents find it difficult to manage even only one child? Through this, it proves that teachers are a special kind of hero in our world with such long patience for multiple students, each with their personalities, traits, and behaviors, because they have the kind of amazing characteristics that heroes possess: determination, bravery, and resiliency. They are determined in their desire to teach, brave in overcoming obstacles within their path, resilient in handling difficulties, and in continuing to stand their ground despite suffering from backaches from lifting others. Along with having secondary children,  teachers also have families of their own, as well as those of their friends, parents, own children, partners, and, most importantly, themselves. Even taking care of oneself may be difficult when so many people are dependent on you. In spite of the burdens they bear, they remain compassionate, selfless, and loving individuals who recognize how to be kind. Therefore, a simple indication of gratitude, like a "thank you", would already brighten a teacher's day.

There are several out of many methods to thank the instructors. On International World Teachers' Day, sweet-scented flowers and sweets are displayed throughout the campus as a way of indicating gratitude toward our beloved instructors. Additionally, students provide other presents, such as thoughtful thank-you cards, or other tokens of appreciation. It is an old trick, but a common arrangement by Filipino students is to surprise their teachers by saying something along the lines of, "may nagsusuntukan sa room," which would bring a worried look to a teacher's face, but would be followed by Yeng Constantino's song "Salamat," which never fails to put a curved smile on their beloved teacher’s lips.

Relative to the topic, during my seventh grade, our surprise also brought smiles to our teachers. We brought instruments, like the piano and ukulele, to dedicate a song to our teachers while offering them our hands for a dance. We put our souls into the melody, feeling each word in the lyrics, and dancing to the rhythm to show our instructors how much we love them. We also performed spoken word poetry, purchased cake, and gave our heroes a lot of surprises and gifts! We felt content when we saw their tearful eyes and Duchenne smiles since we knew that our efforts had paid off because of how much bliss and warmth our small surprise had brought to their hearts. Although not all teachers may receive the same present, they should nonetheless, feel valued for their efforts on this particular day allotted for them.

There are countless ways to express our gratitude to our torch-bearers known as teachers, but there is only one main message we want to convey; we are fortunate to have a master of all trades who nurtures our knowledge and skills, shapes our future, and inspires each student to advance along the better course of life. Since the sacrifices they offer on our table open the door to our tomorrow, they deserve more than what they currently receive. Most teachers are underpaid, the higher-ups do not value them for what they are truly worth. The higher-ups must make all teachers feel appreciated, and pay them greater attention because they are essential in our society. Their obligations do not only influence an individual's future, but also the future of the nation. They serve as our compasses because they are not just teachers by profession, but also teachers who provide the lessons and directions that function both in academics and in our lives.

Celebrating World Teachers' Day serves as a reminder to everyone that teachers symbolize true heroes who spread knowledge by using their power: the ability to teach. It is a day to reflect on how important it is for everyone to honor and recognize the sacrifices and efforts they put into their profession. We all owe it to our beloved master of all trades, our wonderful teachers, for imparting information to each student for the advancement of their individuality and toward society.

 

WHAT A TEACHER IS

This essay won 1st place in the SHS Essay Writing Contest of the Main Library. Congratulations to Mr. Fabros!

What a Teacher Is

Simon Theodore P. Fabros

Teacher – someone who educates you, someone who helps you in school as you grow up. Across different subjects in classes and different departments in schools, teachers are the ones who help us develop knowledge and understanding about the seemingly colossal problems and issues we have in life. They are also the ones who tell us to make the neglected diminutive things matter in our life. They’re always there for you and ready to listen to you whenever you have problems that are either school-related or personal. To other people, they might view a teacher as they are. But for me, I view them not only as a teacher, but as their own,  human, and as a second parent as well.

From the very beginning of their careers, down to the end, having taught as a career requires our teachers to go to such great lengths to be recognized as a teacher. It takes unbelievable amounts of time, patience, and money to be considered a licensed teacher. In some cases, literal blood, sweat, and tears are even lost in the process. Our teachers may not be telling us about their problems, but we know for a fact that they go through many hurdles day by day. Thinking about how they could deliver their complex lessons in simple ways that their students would understand is very pressuring. It is also tiring to think about how they have to wake up early to be able to prepare themselves for the school day that is about to come just to come home late at night, tired and haggard, which is very gruesome. They also have to deal with responsibilities in their home after dealing with responsibilities at school, which is why seeing them every day with a smile on their face is captivating. The determination and motivation they have in them are inspiring, and they’re setting the bar for us students to follow their lead in doing so with our own lives.

All of the sacrifices that our teachers have made for us will not simply go unnoticed. Knowing the hardships that they have gone through; we should appreciate them for those. With the way that they are all treating us nicely with care and passion, we should learn how to reciprocate those same feelings and actions to them. There are many ways to appreciate a teacher, and some of those could be thanking them for teaching us and being with us, helping them carry their stuff around the hallways,  erasing whatever is written on the whiteboard after their lessons, and many, many more. The possibilities and choices to make their days a little better are endless. These acts may seem small, simple, and easy for us to do, but to our teachers, hearing warm words and receiving affectionate actions from us, the people that they consider as our children, are big to them.

Being a teacher is one of the most dignifying, rewarding, and fulfilling jobs a person can have. Teachers are the ones who can influence and help shape the hearts and minds of future generations to come. They are already becoming a strong foundation for the future by educating the hopes of the future, which is us. Our teachers are selfless in doing these. By teaching us information and guiding us in different scholarly and worldly subjects, we become better people and members of society as days go by. Aside from that, our teachers are also the ones who get to see how we develop as a person and as a student throughout the years, apart from our parents. We make them feel happy and proud every time we get achievements in school and our homes, may those achievements be big or small. Our teachers being happy and proud about our achievements are the rewards and fulfillment that they sow for being good to us.

Looking back, a teacher is simply not just a teacher for they are beyond just that. A teacher could also be one's second parent, support system, therapist, friend, and more. They sometimes go unappreciated, but we are here to change that and to make them feel loved. They change us and our lives for the better, little by little, and we should thank them for that. Honestly, we would go nowhere without them, without the school and life lessons that they wholeheartedly give to us, and without the sacrifices that they have made for us. They are not just teachers. There is more to them, and that is what a teacher is.