This is The FEU TAMBayan, an online Far Eastern University (FEU) student and alumni portal, online since September 25, 2006. The FEU TAMBayan aims to unite all FEU students and alumni online to discuss various ideas, grievances, and any other topics they wish to talk about, not limited within the walls of the university.

WHY TAMBAYAN?

TAMBayan, a fusion of two terms, namely Tamaraw (FEU’s mascot in sports events and considered as the university icon), and Bayan, Tagalog for community or group with common ideals. The term was suggested initially by Aldrin Vasquez, RN, one of the founders of the website and an alumnus of the Institute of Nursing, former artist and associate web editor of The Advocate. The administrators launched an online poll regarding the website’s new official name or identity last May 20, 2007, wherein other terms such as Piyo, Piyu, and Silanganan were also suggested. The term TAMBayan prevailed, as voted by the forum members, which suggests that the website would be a place to hang out online.

HISTORY

The FEU TAMBayan has been online since September 25, 2006. The website started out as an online forum alone of The Advocate, official student publication of Far Eastern University – Manila, and was named The Advocate General Discussion Forum, with Engel Ang Tong from the Institute of Arts and Sciences, and as The Advocate’s first web editor and Aldrin Vasquez, RN as the associate web designer. As months passed the forum has grown in terms of number of members and topics. However, in the year 2007 the forum eventually was invaded with spam messages causing the forum, along with The Advocate website, to be temporarily suspended. After a few consultations with The Advocate Editorial Board by Christian Evasco from the Institute of Arts and Sciences and one of the founders of The FEU TAMBayan, on May 15, 2008, the forum has been successfully transferred to its own domain online, www.tamarawbayan.com, to avoid any spamming incidents that might again suspend The Advocate’s website.

Last February 27, 2009, the Tamaraw Bayan ranked 2nd and won the People’s Choice Award at the Community and Portal category of the 11th Philippine Web Awards.

Last April 8, 2011, the Tamaraw Bayan was awarded Best Website, and defended its People’s Choice title at the Community and Portal category of the 12th Philippine Web Awards.

WHY TAMARAWBAYAN.com AND NOT FEUTAMBAYAN.com?

The website administrators removed the term FEU from the suggested domain name in order to welcome interested non-FEU students or graduates to the website, as long as they know how to respect FEU, its students and alumni.

FEATURES

One of the few features of the site is to allow FEU students & alumni share their experiences not only in the university but also their political, social views, as well as a venue for literary and other forms of artistic endeavors through articles or active participation and discussion of desired topics in our forum.

Also The FEU TAMBayan provides free email services to interested active forum members and regular site contributors powered by Google Mail.

Last January 23, 2011, Sagot Piyu was opened to the public. Sagot Piyu is an online question and answer or support forum intended for both “curious” and “all-knowing” online Tamaraws, wherein anyone can ask and answer questions in the community board.

DISCLAIMER

Not the official online portal of the university, and not recognized by the university administration, the site is built and currently maintained by FEU students & graduates with The Advocate alumni volunteers.

The website is not currently maintainted by information technology-educated individuals, some belong to the medical profession and some are in the financial world. In the event that the website is down or doesn’t function appropriately, please do send us an email at admin@tamarawbayan.com and we will do our best to attend to your concern/s as soon as possible.