The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 - Monday
MORE INSIDE
02 EDITORIAL Leash 03 NEWS 41st GASC junks ST System, OSFs 06 CULTURE Lazy-faire 07 FEATURES [Mis]guided Democracy 11 OPINION Midpoint
02 EDITORIAL
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday
E DI T O R - I N - C H I E F Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez A S S O C I AT E E DI T O R F O R I N T E R N A L A F FA I R S Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag A S S O C I AT E E DI T O R F O R E X T E R N A L A F FA I R S Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla M A N AG I N G E DI T O R Thalia Real Villela A S S I S TA N T M A N AG I N G E DI T O R Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari N E W S E DI T O R Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua F E AT U R E S E DI T O R Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang C U LT U R E E DI T O R Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza G R A P H IC S E DI T O R Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz
JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG
LEASH
T
HE BALANCE OF POWER remains skewed in favor of one of the world’s greatest imperialists as the people’s cries fall on intentionally deaf ears. As the administration continues to bend the rules and betray its mandate to please its foreign masters, it is the people’s responsibility to pull back and stand their ground. For months, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States (US) was praised and glorified by its supporters, as they continue to do today. However, those who know of EDCA’s true effects and implications did not hesitate to counteract this preposterous propaganda with their own. However, in a disheartening move, the Supreme Court (SC) affirmed the validity of the EDCA in its first en banc session of the year. The SC’s ruling was supposedly grounded on Article 18, Section 25 of the Constitution, which gives the President the authority to enter into executive agreements on foreign military bases, provided that such agreement is merely used to implement an existing law or treaty. In the case of the EDCA, the SC has argued that it is not an instrument for allowing foreign troops to enter our country, as the equally controversial Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) has done just that. This decision came at a time when the country is faced with the threat of China’s rising military power
continuously being manifested in the West Philippine Sea. It is this that many of EDCA’s supporters cite as a reason for its necessity. Yet, nowhere in the entire agreement is it stated that the US would come to the country’s defense should it ever come under attack. Furthermore, as Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares argued, the presence of US troops and military facilities in the country put it greater risk at being attacked by terror groups. This decision is also rationalized by some as a way of strengthening the deep bond shared by the US and the Philippines. Yet this relationship that so many praise and are grateful for is simply a result of the US’ prevalent imperialism. If the EDCA is the next big step between US-PH relations, then it must be the master’s stronger and tighter leash around the dog’s neck. This decision is also made without regard for the lives destroyed and/or lost at the hands of US military men – Nicole Smith and Jennifer Laude’s cases appear to have fallen short among the SC’s other considerations.
N E WS COR R ESPON DEN TS Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo F E AT U R E S C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera Katrina Maria Limpiada Perolino Angelica Natividad Reyes
Furthermore, despite the SC’s ruling, the matter of the EDCA’s validity remains contentious. As Senator Miriam Defensor – Santiago has argued, the EDCA remains invalid for two reasons: 1) it cannot be considered a mere executive agreement, as the SC argued, and 2) it was not submitted to the Senate for concurrence. Moreover, with regards to the claim that the EDCA is merely an implementation of the VFA, Santiago has not been submitted to the US Senate for concurrence. Like many policies and laws before it, the EDCA is just another link in the long, suffocating chain of oppression and exploitation the Philippines has suffered at the hands of foreign imperialists. As this game continues, it is the masses that suffer greatly as the corrupted elements within the US and the Philippine governments reap the rewards. In such times, it is the masses themselves who must muster the will to take a stand and oppose the bastardization of the country’s sovereignty.
C U LT U R E C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa Pia Kriezl Jurado Hernandez Jamilah Paola dela Cruz Laguardia Gabrielle Marie Melad Simeon R E S I D E N T I L LU S T R AT O R S Maria Catalina Bajar Belgira Jamela Limbauan Bernas Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes
O F F IC E 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000 EMAIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com W EBSITES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule themanilacollegian.tumblr.com MEMBER
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Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations
The Cover
If the EDCA is the next big step between US-PH relations, then it must be the master’s stronger and tighter leash around the dog’s neck. Illustration by Abigail Beatrice Malabrigo Layout by Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday
COLLEGE BRIEFS
41st GASC junks ST System, OSFs
NEWS 03
Proposed CRSRS ammendments, rejected
ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE AND SOFIA MONIQUE KINKING SIBULO
The University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine’s (UPCM) Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology brings you HEAVY ON DRUGS: Responsible Prescribing for Common Disease Conditions on June 28-29, 2016 in UPCM’s Buenafe Hall. The said seminar will have a registration fee of P2,500. However, for students and government employees, the registration fee will just be P2,000. Early bird tickets will also cost P2,000 and are only available on or before April 20, 2016. For further details and registration, please contact the UPCM Department of Pharmacology Secretary at 526 4248 or pharmafaculty@gmail.com The University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Society, in partnership with the UPCM Class ‘91, will hold Hay Buhay Medisina!, a program that brings together the best talents of UP Medicine for the benefit of the new UP College of Medicine Academic Center. The said showcase will take place on February 20, 2016, 6:30 PM in the Fleur de Lis Auditorium of St. Paul University Manila. For reservations, please contact upcm.1991@yahoo.com or 0975 593 9172.
The University of the Philippines’ (UP) 41st General Assembly of Student Councils, a system-wide assembly of all university and college student councils, adopted the resolutions to junk the Socialized Tuition System (ST System) and Other School Fees (OSFs) on January 8-9 at the University of the Philippines Mindanao. Only 37 out of 53 student councils were present during the assembly which was presided by Student Regent Miguel Pangalangan. The assembly discussed three resolutions, including a resolution to defend the democratic rights of UP students authored by UP Los Baños College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (UPLB CAS SC), all of which was adopted by the assembly despite all resolutions resorting to the division of the house. The first two resolutions, seeking to junk the ST System and junk OSFs respectively, were authored by the UP Visayas College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (UPV CAS SC), UP Visayas College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Student Council (UPV CFOS SC), UP Visayas Tacloban College Student Council (UPV Tac SC), and UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (UPM CAS SC). The resolution to junk the ST System was passed with 29 student councils in favor, 5 student councils against, and 3 student councils neutral. CRSRS amendments junked
ORGANEWS
Another highlight of the 41st GASC was the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) amendments
proposed by UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (UPD CSSP SC). The said amendment aims to impose a “one council, one vote” policy, minimum academic requirements, and three-year moratorium on further amendments. According to the supporters of the first amendment, the “one council, one vote” policy is better than the status quo, in which a predetermined number of electoral votes is granted to each unit. However, critics expressed that the UP system is not divided by population or units and it should be united in the call to serve the people. Furthermore, the UPLB University Student Council (UPLB USC) also added that democracy means hearing out the majority and the minority, while according to the UP Manila USC, university student councils ensure that each local council is being heard. Likewise, the second amendment, which aims to impose minimum academic requirements on the CRSRS, also sparked debate from supporters and critics. According to UP Diliman USC Vice Chairperson AJ Montesa, Iskolars ng Bayan are expected to do well and that the need for an academic requirement should not be questioned.
Meanwhile, UPD College of Education Student Council (UPD Educ SC) said that they believe that grades can never measure the capability of a person when it comes to public service. “Hindi nagbuwis ng buhay ang mga naunang lider-estudyante para lang pag-usapan natin kung sino ang may mataas na GWA,” added by UP Cebu Student Council. After a series of debates, the body moved to the division of the house which resulted to the rejection of the second amendment. Subsequently, the UPD CSSP SC moved to withdraw the third amendment. Also presented in the GASC were the council reports of the student councils and the SR report which featured several campaigns including the continuous fight for justice and free education and the rampant killing of Lumad in Mindanao. SR Pangalangan also stated that he had dialogues with several UP administrative officials regarding student-related concerns across regional and autonomous UP units. The next GASC will feature the selection of the next SR in June.
The University of the Philippines Manila Indayog Dance Varsity presents “Sayaw Manila 12: ISYU”. The said program features the stories and calls of the masses regarding the various issues pervading the Philippine Society. The presentation will take place on February 27 and 28, 6 PM, at St. Cecilia’s Hall, St. Scholastica’s College, Manila. For ticket inquiries, please contact Cla (0935 8663 547) or Migs (0927 7714 261).
Got sumvong?
I-spluk mo na, beh! - Lola P. Numerous student councils raise their fist after the resolution to junk the ST System has been adopted by 41st GASC. Photo by Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag.
04 NEWS
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday
Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang
Lola Patola
HARRY POTTER EDITION!
Howla howla, aking mga wizardz and witchez!!!! Avada kedavra ang trendsung ng 2016, no????? Kalurkey nemern da losing of papi Alan Rickman! Nahurtsung tu da max ang Lola niyow!!!!!!!!! As in!!! Bat ganern tuluguh, pag timing mo na, timing mo na, dibuh????? Anywaze, kumuztah nemern kayo aking mga afowz? Redi na ba kayong magpakahaggardo versoza ulet sa darating na sem?? Sa mga gradWAITING dyan, kapit lungs! Keri niyo nang i-wingardium leviosa itechiwang sem na ituuu!!! Isang sem nalang nyo nalang makakajumbagan ang mga death-eater na froppicino niyong minamahal at dementor niyong thesis advisers kaya i-SULITXT20 niyoh na itechiwa!!! BUT WEYT, DERS MORE!! Kahit 1 buwansung palang ang lumipas, madami-dami na ang naipon na hinanakets ng ilang afowz ko mula sa mga froppys at cluzmeyts nila!!! Grabitey!!!!! Itoh nah mga afowz!! Ang mga sumvong-sumvungan sa may YuFiEm!
Lumos expelyarmus sumvhong numbah wan: Hanger Games Sino pa nga ba ang bak-tu-bak star ng noche buena??? Walang iba kundi si mareng SAIS!!!!! Nagkahurt hurt na daw ang headsung ng aketch afowz dahil sa pagfufuyat para sa magikels na slots! Bat itong si SAIS, deny lang ang peg sa hindi nito pagpayag na maka-step tu ang aking afowz!!!!! OMFG NKKLK FTW!!! Fuyat at pagoda man ang mga kaweweyng afowz qu, makakabawi nemern dawsung sila sa lifting of restrictions. Kaya nemern, maaga muhlach palang, naggorabells na sila... Pero hay nako, nafako ang PSY por da second tym!!!!! Wala pang hating gabi ay nagcracrash bandicoot na si SAIS!!!!! Kaaczar!!!!!!!!!!!! Dear SAIS team end prens, pang-window shopping lungs powz buh yung “finish enrolling” sa SAIS??? Char! Pero itechiwa na, naggora na ang SAIS at makakapag-enroll nuh dapat ang afowz ko pero..... nagkaubowsan nuh daw ng magikel slots!!!!!!! ANEKSUNG??????? Eh di ayern, nag-level up tu da maxzimum levellings na ang aking afowz! Alas-quatro puhlung ng Breaking Dawn ay may mga Man Who Can’t Be Moved na sa LT walk!!!!! Kenya beliebs et???!!!!! Palaban ang aking mga afowz!!! In furness tho, mas naging kokey na okey ang add slot process!!! Spatial shout out rin sa ateng at
koyang Resbak Vroom-vroom Chariz (RVC) sa kanilang pagtulong sa aking afowz!!!!! Lumos expelyarmus sumvhong numbah tu: Pabebe Girls Froppies Editions Kalurkey tuluguh ung feeling na magreremovals ka na ng mashaket na mashaket, pero enrolling in the deep na pero wiz ka paring results sa exzum??? OMG!!! Sinetch itech na froppie na katagal-ugan talaga magrelease ng results sa removals????? Ass in tuluguh!!!!! Itong isang afowz qu tuloy, wiz makakuha ng subjects ng ayos good kase preRequiem for a Dream ang klase ni pabebeng froppiccino!!!!!!!!!!!! Nakakaynez veneracion itech!!!! Froppies, kung alam nyong the heavyweighting ang klase nyo, pakiusap lungs pow, i-let the dogs out mo na ang grades para hindi mastress drilon ang aking mga afowz!!!!! Remember, waleng poreber maliban sa amin ni Lolo Upo!!! Hihi! Abracadabrachella! Dat’s it por now. Stay ganditz and gwapitz, lalo na ngayong buwan ng mga pusa... este puso! Charot!!! See yu around the world, afowz! Huwag mahiyang ipa-reach for the stars sa aketch ang inyong sumvhongz, oki?????? M w a h mwah tsup tsuuup! XOXO
Militant groups slam Aquino administration’s injustice on political prisoners EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA
Following the death of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Peace Consultant Eduardo “Ka Eddik” Serrano on January 8, 2016, the League of Filipino Students (LFS) gathered with other progressive groups outside the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to protest the delayed justice for Serrano and to demand the immediate release of all political prisoners. Serrano was arrested on March 2, 2004 and detained in Camp Crame due to five trumped up charges on murder and kidnapping of Rogelio Villanueva, an allegedly high-ranking Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) official. Prolonged detainment According to LFS National Chairman Charisse Bañez, other political prisoners experience the same plight as Serrano due to the slow progress of cases under the Regional Trial Court. Bañez said that even after 11 years of languishing in jail, two more charges against Serrano are yet to be acquitted. “He would have been freed a long time ago were it not for the cruelty and insensitivity of the dominant political and justice system that treated him as dispensable and nonexistent for the longest of time. Ultimately and in a fundamental sense, the Philippine government is responsible,” said the former lawyer of Serrano and National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers SecretaryGeneral Edre Olalia . Moreover, Bañez stated that there are over 500 political prisoners remaining, some of which are already experiencing health problems. “Political prisoners like Ka Eddik were illegally arrested and detained because of trumped-up charges. They are accused of fictitious crimes and forced to suffer poor and oppressive prison conditions”, she claimed. Call for Justice
was abiding with the peace talks of the government with the NDFP. “In the first place, Serrano should not be in jail if the regime has respected the GPH-NDFP Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG). Serrano’s case together with the 18 NDFP consultants who were imprisoned prevents the Peace talks from moving forward,” she said. Bañez furthered that granting their previous agreements, the JASIG covers the release of political prisoners over the country. In line with this, fellow NDFP consultants of Serrano detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig held a hunger strike from January 12 to 17, 2016 to show their protest against the withheld acquittal and the prejudiced detainment of Serrano. Furthermore, they raised concern about his ill health and the inhumane prison conditions he was subjected to in a statement released on January 14, 2016. “Even more than these conditions, it was the utter rottenness, indifference and cruelty of the prevailing reactionary ruling system, and its systemic injustice that ultimately killed him”, they asserted. Bañez also condemned the justice system surrounding political prisoners. “The charges filed against these are activists and human right defenders are fabricated by the regime to justify their arrests. Usually, these activists and human rights defenders are already detained even without any charges filed against them”, she stated.
Furthermore, Bañez questioned the manner in which the administration
Congratulations to the College of Allied Medical Professions, College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Pharmacy for achieving 100 percent passing rates in their respective licensure examinations!
NEWS 05
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday
ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA
1
Ano
ang masasabi mo sa ginawang pagveto ni Pangulong Aquino sa batas na magpapataas sana sa pension ng mga miyembro ng SSS?
Pagpapatunay lamang ito na walang simpatya ang pangulo sa kanyang mga nasasakupan. Iniisip niya na “mauubos” ang pondo ng SSS kung maglalaan para rito, ngunit sana ay naisip rin niya na isa ito sa mga paraan upang kahit papaano ay makaahon sa hirap ang mga miyembro ng SSS. Ano na lamang ba ang kakarampot na halagang ito, diba? Uy PNoy, isip-isip rin! Malapit na eleksyon aba! Pinapahamak mo si Mar! - BrainlessScholar3.0/CD/2014-0xxxx Youth groups marched to the Embassy of United States of America on February 4, 2016 to mark the 117th anniversary of the Filipino-American War. Photos by Kyla Pasicolan.
Not surprised that the administration cares less about the masses. - Bitin, 2012-xxxxx, CAS Saan ba nagpapatapal ng mukha si PNoy at ganiyan siya kakapal? Mauubos ang fund ng SSS, eh di i-subsidize ng gobyerno, di ba marami kanyo tayong sobra? Kaya nga kayo nagka-DAP eh. Kung ‘yan ang Daang Matuwid aba matakot na tayo kung magpapatuloy pa ‘yan for another 6 years. - CucumberNut, 2013, CAS Dear PNoy and your *f**d up administration, dinaig mo pa ‘yong dati kong crush sa pagiging manhid. Dahil ba ‘yan sobrang kapal ng mukha ninyo kaya naging insensitive na? - ParisianMarlon, 2015 CAS
Isang araw bago ang Chinese New Year, nagsagawa ng simbolikong protesta sa Mendiola ang ilang grupong kabataan upang mapaalis ang “malas sa Malacañang” na si Pangulong Aquino kaugnay ng kanyang mga kasalanan sa sambayanang Pilipino tulad ng operasyon sa Mamasapano at patuloy na deregulasyon sa edukasyon. Larawan kuha ni Ronilo Mesa. LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY FROM PAGE 11
you look at it, some would think that it is a worthy cause. However, these people are not allowed to go out of the shelter and, while they are provided basic necessities, their current residence is said to be extremely overcrowded and under-resourced. It is not adequate for accommodating them in the long run. As we are all aware, or at least I hope so, the world is a place full of inequity. One only needs to watch the news or read the newspaper to realize that this is the stark reality. The problem is, people tend to dismiss the instances that I mentioned as a natural occurrence or, worse, consider it as the victim’s fault. They forget the fact that life does not have to be that way. Their needs and rights should not be undermined or dismissed because of band-aid solutions and exploitative interests that favor those in power. Programs and initiatives should be sustainable and be
able to meet the needs of the people. I admit, I was one of those people who thought otherwise. Over the past years, before I started writing for the Manila Collegian, I just had this particular knack of seeing things the way it ought to be. I did not act and just remained passive. I was not aware of what lies beyond the facade shown by the mass media. I just thought that the government was spectacularly failing to do their job. I was not able to use my knowledge or insights to effect real change. But, things have changed. I know now that people can still right a wrong, regardless of its gravity and consequences. Are you brave enough to do so? Oh, and I can’t believe Steven Moffat is leaving Doctor Who!
Walang utak at puso! 2,000 lang yung idadagdag, napakalaking bagay na yun para sa mga taong miyembro ng SSS. Samantalang, yung pagtataas ng sweldo ng Pangulo at iba pang opisyal, approved agad? - uno, cd, 2014-5**** Nakakaasar sobra, kitang kita ang kawalan ng malasakit ng gobyerno para sa ating mga senior citizen. Ang isa pang kinakaasar ko eh yung mga statistical data na kanilang pinalabas oo tama nga sila na mashoshorten ang fundlife ng SSS pero mangyayari lang yun kung hindi na kokolekta ang SSS sa mga susunod na taon. - JR30, cd Ipinapakita lang ng presidential veto na ‘to kung gaano katuwid ang “Tuwid na Daan.” Makamasa. Makatao. #SarcasmOverload Delena, CAS, 2013-19899 Isa lang ang masasabi ko - napakalaking $&%$(%$ ka PNoy - tortang talong, CAS 2014-44*** Bobo siya. Kung gagawa siya ng rason para lang hindi maitaas ang pension, pwede galing galingan niya naman?? Paano mababankrupt ang SSS eh patuloy na nagbabayad ng buwis ang sambayanang pilipino?? Baka by “SSS”, he actually means siya? Siya ang mababankrupt pag tinaas yung pension?? T** ng kalabaw. AgitIsidro, 2014
Pwede ring ipadala ang inyong mga sagot sa pamamagitan ng pag-text sa 0917 510 9496 o sa 0917 539 0612! (Pero bawal textmate!)
Di ko alam kung nag-iisip pa ba ‘tong presidente natin dahil mukhang sa pwet niya na hinuhugot yung mga desisyon niya sa mga mahahalagang bagay tulad ng pension. - firstweekpalangayokona, 2014***** Ayos lang naman, alam ko naman na pagbibida niya yun bago matapos yung term niya. Pero sa mga tutol dito, mahiya naman kaya sa lolo’t lola na naghihikaos sa gutom. Basta alam ko, kailangan nila ng pera. - KLangWithAPulse, 2014-*****
2
K amusta naman ang enrollment mo?
Kung kaya lang patayin ang enrollment ng UPM, matagal na siyang nakalibing. BrainlessScholar3.0/CD/2014-0xxxx Okay na sana eh pero hindi pa rin. - Bitin, 2012-xxxxx, CAS Bukod sa pagloloko ng SAIS, wala naman akong problema sa enrollment. CucumberNut, 2013, CAS Oh well, what’s new with SAIS being *f**d up? - ParisianMarlon, 2015 CAS Malungkot. Nakakapagod. Di ko nakuha yung isa kong course na required. So, para di ako maunderload, kumuha na lang ako ng kahit anong 3-unit course na itetake. :( - uno, cd, 2014-5**** NAKAKAASAR - JR30, cd Two years na, SAIS. Two years. Paasa ka pa rin? Ilang effort pa ba sa pagclick ang kailangan namin? Ilang oras ba kami maghihintay lagi para sa’yo? - Delena, CAS, 2013-19899 Iniisip ko nalang yung mga taga Diliman, kaya sad - tortang talong, CAS 2014-44*** Ayun. Walang pagbabago. Baka mas mabilis pa ang pagmomove on ko kaysa pag-improve ng SAIS na ‘yan. Yung pagabang sa SAIS dinaig yung pag-abang ng tao sa Star Wars eh. Lakas. - AgitIsidro, 2014 Tulad nga ni Armi sa isang kanta ng UDD, ako’y iniwan ng enrollment na ito na luhaan, sugatan, at di mapakinabangan. Charot. - firstweekpalangayokona, 2014-***** Uy besh, medj ayos na siya ngayon compare last sem. Tsaka yung pila for add slot, may improvement. Kinukuha na nila number mo tapos ittext ka ganern. Di na kailangan pumila ng buong araw. Pero kakashokot yung namumuno don sa cybernook. Perfectionist siya day! Sana may slot na para sa lahat next sem. - KLangWithAPulse, 2014-*****
06 CULTURE
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday
Lazy-faire
Capitalism and the Culture of Laziness in the Philippine Context THALIA REAL VILLELA ILLUSTRATION BY MARIA CATALINA BAJAR BELGIRA
Mornings are an exceptionally tiresome routine, especially when your 5-hour sleep is rudely interrupted by your alarm. The moment you wake up, it’s as if Socrates has possessed you as you suddenly ask yourself, “is my life worth living?” After 15 minutes of serious contemplation, you finally become aware of the reality that you are no philosopher, and you, my friend, are just lazy AF. We are well aware that we don’t just get lazy for no reason; as “materialists", at random times (like when we stare at nothingness), we are fond of speculating about the roots of almost everything, including laziness itself. Laziness is the very thing that gives us the “extra” time to think about anything and everything, and it’s actually the reason you’re reading this instead of working on your homework or going through your thick readings.
Laziness Kept Us Alive We are considered lazy if we reluctantly or unwillingly execute an activity because of the effort it requires. We either just perfunctorily perform the activity, or engage in some other activity that is less strenuous; or worse, we simply choose to be idle. We succumb to laziness when our desire to withhold any effort trumps our motivation to complete whatever task we are supposed to do. Interestingly, this phenomenon called laziness has evolutionary and psychological explanations. During the primitive era, when mere survival was the only goal, our nomadic ancestors had to conserve energy. They could not afford to expend their energy on anything because it was crucial for their very survival; they had to fight and/ or flee from enemies and predators. It’s no different today with us not
exerting the same effort for some school requirements. You have 3 papers due tomorrow, and yet you simply chose to sleep—or not, and instead spend the rest of the night procrastinating and being unproductive.
evolution. It protects us from getting overwhelmed by the strenuous amount of everyday activities, and allows us to handle the most difficult tasks in the most ingenious and easiest way possible.
As calculative creatures, we indeed refrain from investing efforts on longterm goals that have no guaranteed immediate gratification; thus, we only commence a project once we have an idea on the value of its return, or if we already know that it is not worth it, we might just not give our best effort. A perfect example of this is some subjects where we don’t give a single f*ck because we know that the professors rely on intergalactic vibrations as a basis for their students’ grades. Only selfconfident/optimistic people are more likely to fight natural laziness, as they are more goal-oriented.
Laziness Will Lead You Back
Furthermore, in the psychological perspective, the vast and advanced knowledge we have today is already a game changer. Take for instance more “successful” people would often look down and deride the less fortunate whom they presume to be lazy, regardless of how hard they actually work. For some, laziness is actually a comfortable escape route as they are, for some reason, not used to being in the spotlight—to be successful or excellent at something. On the other hand, some people who fear failure resort to being lazy because it is indeed easier to say "it's not that I failed, it's just that I never tried." Lastly, there are those who resort to laziness because they see their situation as hopeless that they cannot even begin to think through it, much less to address it. Laziness is one of the survival mechanisms humans have developed throughout the entire course of their
Laziness is not something that is woven into our genomes; rather, it is an idea planted in our minds. Ironically, the phenomenon of “Filipino time”, which has become a cultural trademark of our people, is actually an adaptive mechanism used to rebel against a “waste of time.” In a country where the working class is paid by the clock, nothing is more important than making sure that everything done in the corporate world is according to the rules of time. But if you promptly wake up each morning and still end up overworked and underpaid, and when everything around you (e.g. traffic, wages) works and operates laggardly, you eventually find yourself questioning the point of being on time. Soon, you’ll proclaim that spending 5 or 10 more minutes in bed is better than receiving a salary that is lower than what you expect or need. The alleged cultural trademark of having tambays lurking along the streets and sari-sari stores in the country is something that is not innate in our bones and skins, as well. After being colonial lapdogs for most of our known history, many of us have succumbed to being a tambay rather than being overworked and underpaid by the abominable capitalist system. However, you will still definitely end up starving to death, whichever way you choose. While Philippine society is said to still be semi-feudal and semi-colonial, we
cannot deny that capitalism has engulfed us as manifested by the establishments found in every nook and cranny in our urban spaces, most of which are run by large foreign businesses. With measly wages and inhumane working conditions, coupled with the rising costs of living and the worsening social services, one eventually realizes that he needs to find a way to “escape” this madness. Laziness is one such “escape.” These challenges faced by our workers can never be isolated from ours, the youth, who will one day join the labor force as well. Deemed as the pag-asa ng bayan, we are expected to excel in the academe. However, deeper roots of laziness may have begun with our current educational system—a colonialized, fascist, and commercialized system that caters not to our thirst for knowledge or intellectual curiosity, but to the demands of capitalism. From pre-school to college, students are pressured to study well not for the sake of learning, but for the sake of getting good grades, to land in a good university, and ultimately, to get a highpaying job. In this manner, students acquire a capitalist mindset wherein they perceive education primarily as a way to accumulate “capital,” and hence become “marketable,” rather than as a tool that will maximize their potential. Furthermore, students who feel that they are not up to par with the cruel standards of the society resign themselves to mediocrity and laziness as they fail to realize the joy and beauty of studying not solely for wealth accumulation but for self-fulfillment. This propaganda continues until one’s employment. The favorite quotation of capitalists, “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!”, is nothing but a promise of false hope —a deceptive propaganda to exploit labor CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
FEATURES 07
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday
[MIS]GUIDED DEMOCRACY
Exposing the Implications of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement’s ‘Constitutionality’ ANGELICA NATIVIDAD REYES AND JENNAH YELLE MANATO MALLARI ILLUSTRATION BY DANIE RODRIGUEZ
The history of the United States (US)-Philippine military relations is one of deception, exploitation, and betrayal. Looking back at the time when US military bases were present in the Philippines, it never was a strategic military relationship between the two countries more than it was a threat to Philippine sovereignty and interest, with the 1987 Philippine Constitution being the strongest safeguard of the nation against its return. In fact, in 1991, although political in nature, the Constitutional provision against foreign military bases has been one of the rationale behind the then Senate’s landmark decision to reject the renewal of the Military Bases Agreement between the Philippines and the US. This historical decision, however, has been bastardized by succeeding administrations by putting the USPhilippine military relationship under the cloak of different nomenclatures. Today, the opportunity presented by the growing tension in the West Philippine Sea, as well as the willingness of the Aquino administration to play as the pawn , opened the archipelago once again to the threat of military intrusion of the US. With the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) being pushed forth by the executive branch, the strongest hope of the people was vested to the Court. But the people were merely reduced to d i s a pp oi n t me n t , as EDCA gained approval from the Supreme Court with a 10-4 vote in favor of it – totally neglecting what is just and of service to the Filipino people and banking merely on the technicalities of the law.
GOVERNMENT DECEPTION No mutual benefit can be expected in an arrangement premised on exploitation and neo-colonization. To justify the existence of EDCA, the government emphasized the agreement provisions lifted from
the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) signed in 1998. As time and again that these have been been used to justify the US-Philippine military relationship, the agreement is said to be a tool in the modernization and development of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). However, this argument has also been time and again proven as fallacious. In fact, according to University of the Philippines (UP) Professor Roland Simbulan, the development of the Philippine military is deliberately stunted by the United States in order to keep the country dependent to the United States. He emphasized that the only improvement manifested by the Philippine military from the said relationship is counterinsurgency and not for external threats. Moreover, the AFP is being taught by the US forces to combat its fellow Filipinos and treat them as terrorists.
Moreover, with the implementation of EDCA, the country is exposed to further exploitation of its resources in order to provide assistance to the US forces. The principal component of the agreement is the utilization of the US military forces of land areas, known as “Agreed Locations”, where their forces are allowed to operate. The agreement also provides for the full conduct of “training; transit; support and related activities; refueling of aircraft; bunkering of vessels; temporary maintenance of vehicles, vessels, and aircraft; temporary accommodation of personnel; communications; prepositioning of equipment, supplies, and materiel; deploying forces and materiel; and such other activities as the parties may agree”. Moreover, the Philippine
the course of its relationship with the Philippines, has never attempted to grant the same privileges this nation has been providing it for already more than a century. The Filipino people suffer the brunt as the American government corrupts the nation militarily, politically, and economically.
government is to provide assistance in facilitating transit and temporary access other public establishments as needed by the troops. All of these are done without any compensation because the Agreed Locations will be provided to the US without rental costs or fees of similar nature. On the other hand, there are no provisions granting the AFP access to the weaponry and other military facilities the United States may bring in the Agreed Locations. All facilities, except that of immovable structures such as buildings remain in the property of the US Forces. Evidently, this is a one-sided agreement all favoring the United States.
The risk faced by the masses in the presence of the US soldiers may become proportional to their increased number. The cases of Nicole and Vanessa, both rape victims of American soldiers, along with the murder of Jennifer Laude, are only a few examples, which are still devoid of justice.
In line with this, the thinking that the threat exhibited by China and t h e
growing tension in the West Philippine Sea will be addressed by the agreement is also a misguided one. The agreement clearly debunks the said notion through its reiteration of Article I of the Mutual Defense Agreement’s provision, which states that both the US and the Philippines is bound by the principle of non-aggression of the United Nations; hence a non-reliable military alliance against a strong and aggressive China. Moreover, the economic interests of the United States in China is immense, enough to ensure its lack of involvement in any aggression against it.
The fact that one party will not provide the same privileges that the other party is granting is enough ground to terminate any agreement. The US, in
NATIONAL EXPLOITATION It is a known global fact that wherever there is US military installation, there is a host community subjected to abuse and harassment. EDCA, as opposed to the VFA, ensures the continued and increased presence of American troops in the country through its rotational p r e s e n c e . Representat ive Neri Colmenares approximates about 30,000 US soldiers will be present in the country – an alarmingly significant increase from 600-1,000 soldiers under the VFA. Apart from this, the Philippines is said to have no jurisdiction over soldiers who will violate Philippine laws.
Apart from the violence against women conducted by the soldiers, their presence also resulted to an increased number of extrajudicial killings. Tinay Palabay of Karapatan has claimed that the United States is funding the AFP’s war chest. In turn, progressive groups are silenced through the USled counterinsurgency program Oplan Bayanihan. The first quarter of 2014 saw a total of 21 extrajudicial killings and 23 frustrated killings. Additionally, the human rights violations are exacerbated by the rechanneling of budget from the social services to militarization as mentioned by Rep. Colmenares. CONTINUED ON PAGE 1O
08 GRAPHICS
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday
KABATAAN LARAWANG KUHA NI KYLA PASICOLAN
Mendiola. Nasaksihan ng bata ang protesta ng kabataang sektor hinggil sa programang K-12 at ang mga malubhang epektong idudulot nito sa sistema ng edukasyon.
UP Manila. Nagsagawa ng lokal na pagkilos ang mga mag-aaral ng Kolehiyo ng Agham at Sining laban sa Socialized Tuition System (STS) at ang komersyalisasyon ng edukasyon.
GRAPHICS 09
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday
Nagbabago ang mga nakaupo ngunit hindi bumubuti ang mga kondisyon sa lipunan, kaya ang paglaban ng mga kabataan - ang pag-asa ng bayan - ay magpapatuloy at magpapatuloy.
Kolehiyo ng Agham at Sining. Upang labanan ang 2.2 bilyon na budget cut sa unibersidad, lumabas ang mga estudyante sa kanilang mga klase at sama-samang ipinahayag ang kanilang pagtutol sa patuloy na pagpapabaya ng estado sa edukasyon ng bansa.
Roxas Boulevard. Kasabay ng anibersaryo ng digmaang Pilipino-Amerikano, namasdan ng mga bata ang kilos protesta ng mga militanteng grupo ukol sa konstitusyonalidad ng Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), isang kasunduan ng Pilipinas at ng Estados Unidos. Ang kasunduan ay nagpapahintulot sa Estados Unidos na ibalik ang kanilang mga hukbo at magpatayo ng mga base militar sa bansa.
10 GRAPHICS
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday MIDPOINT
FROM PAGE 11
If you want to do that, to jump head first into the great unknown without any doubt or hesitation, go ahead. It’s okay. Really, it is. And if you are one of the privileged people whose future has little uncertainty as it has been written in the stars, then kudos to you. But if you’re like me, and you feel like you need a time out to breathe, to collect yourself, and to gird your loins before facing the world and all that comes with it, that’s okay too.
[MIS]GUIDED DEMOCRACY FROM PAGE 07
Indeed, the present administration is keen on maintaining its allegiance to the United States and not to the people it is supposed to serve. US military bases are destroying communities, and no amount of military benefit can replace the dignity of the Filipino people.
CONSTITUTIONAL BETRAYAL The supposed greatest desecration of the newly inducted agreement is its blatant neglect of the Philippine Constitution, until it was declared constitutional by the Philippine Supreme Court. The 1987 Constitution clearly emphasizes a ban on the presence of both foreign troops and foreign military troops in the country. Article XVIII,
Section 25, of the Constitution states that “foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.” In order to mask this anomaly, the Aquino administration accentuates the agreement to be a mechanism that will empower and implement the VFA and MDT – two treaties rationalizing the presence of foreign troops in the country, under the nomenclature of an executive agreement. Although a military base in essence, the agreement was able to circumvent the law and escape due process particularly the ratification of the Philippine Senate.
Furthermore, the agreement is merely a ploy of the US Government to advance its intentions to the Asian region – opening the economies of different Asian nations. This goal is masked by seemingly noble intention of mutual benefit and protection to the agreeing parties. The Filipino nation is led to believe that its sovereignty remains intact despite the implementation of the agreement. While such provisions may look appealing on paper, but in reality, they are merely a ploy to reestablish US Military bases in the Philippines and use it as a stronghold for its imperialist ambitions. The Aquino government is indeed guilty of manipulating the Filipino people in order to execute an agreement that will only aggravate adversities in the country. The presidential office used its
seemingly insurmountable power to advance an anti-people agreement, and the Court failed in its duty to counteract such malicious betrayal to the Constitution. With its implementation, the masses and the country itself are pitted into exploitation as the EDCA bypasses of the established rule of the land just to provide assistance to the true “bosses” of the Aquino administration – the United States. The battle of the Filipino people against oppression and imperialism continues. With the three branches of the government all tied to foreign and self-interest, the masses hold the true power that will bring genuine freedom and sovereignty to the nation.
LAZY-FAIRE FROM PAGE 06
by projecting that loving your work and accepting your current working conditions are the only way to excel in life. It is only through recognizing “work” as “work,” and “education” as “education,” in the truest sense of these words, that we could rightfully set parameters for them. It is through demanding just compensation, humane working conditions, and knowledgeoriented curriculums, all of which allow for the improvement of ourselves and of society, can we truly defeat the evils of exploitation and laziness. Much like hitting 2 birds with one stone, a change in the system can demolish evils that only our minds can imagine, but our working class and the rest of the youth endure.
Laziness Will Set Us Free Our laziness is a sign of our alienation towards something we are supposed to fulfill or uphold. Our desire to do nothing means something, and it is actually a double-edged sword—a tool for resistance or a symbol of our surrender to a rotten system. Being lazy can be a form of resistance to a heartless system. We can have the
right to be lazy under a social order that strangles us through the worst possible working conditions and inhumane policies. Through laziness, we could gradually kill the capitalist system by producing less and less products with deteriorating quality because we are disinterested to do and produce anything. How lovely it would be to hear the landlords’ stomachs growl from hunger because our majority—peasants and farmers—collectively decided to suspend tilling the lands, lands that they should own to begin with. How lovely it would be to watch the capitalists’ lose their precious profit as the workers collectively refuse to supply their demands. We, however, should be careful in conducting this symbolic protest as its consequences could backfire on us. The worst kind of laziness is that which that makes us accept our “seemingly hopeless” fate and makes us too lazy to even fight the very abominable system that makes us lazy in the first place. There can be times when the institutions we want to fail blackmail us. The companies may comply with our demands, however, it would always just be a trap to fall into for us to compromise. Worse, they can also resort to institutionalized violence or
facism. We, though, should not be demoralized or disheartened for nothing can beat the collective action of the majority of our citizens—peasants and workers. While we seemingly promote laziness under an inhumane social order, we should be industrious in one thing: in shutting down the system while advancing the take over of a new one—one that’s inclusive and just for all. According to evolutionary science and psychology, a part of us is innately lazy but at the end of the day, it is not yourself which is to blame for not getting up early in the morning. Part of the blame falls on the exploitative system that alienates you from yourself and your job, and exhausts you physically, emotionally, and mentally. When you are caught between being lazy and being productive, remember that all evil—all the injustices and inequalities in the society--will prevail if you were to remain lazy, passive, and apathetic. Thus, you are left with only one choice: wake up, overcome your laziness, and overcome the system.
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OPINION 11
Volume 29 Number 09 February 15, 2016 | Monday
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
MIDPOINT
Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez
It’s 2 AM as I write this. I’m tired and sleepy, but somehow still conscious. I sit quietly, staring out of the window at the city lights and dark sky. And amidst this sweet serenity, I think to myself, “I’m halfway there”. I’m halfway through my 19th year of existence. The world is starting to expect more from me, and I feel completely unprepared. Adult-ing is a complex balancing art of responsibilities and taxes and freedom that I have no idea how to properly do. I’m halfway through my term as editorin-chief (EIC) of the very newspaper you’re holding right now. Unfortunately for me, being EIC is an uphill climb and I’ve still got a long way to go. I’m halfway through my (allegedly) final year in college. The symptoms of the very real and very serious disease that is senioritis are something I experience daily. New, strange faces pass me in the hallways of CAS and unfamiliar names appear in the Facebook groups of my orgs. “I don’t know these people”, I now often mutter.
If I find the will to continue my thesis, I would also be halfway through it. However, I’d rather not discuss that right now. I’m halfway through a lot of things. So, regardless of how you look at my life right now, I’m at the midpoint, so to speak. But as I inch closer and closer to full-
But as I inch closer and closer to full-fledged adulthood, I find myself faced with a sense of dread. fledged adulthood, I find myself faced with a sense of dread. Whatever notions I had when I was younger about how 20-year-old fresh grads were successful and set for life have most certainly been dispelled. I don’t know where I’m going to work, or more importantly, what kind of work I’m going to do. I have plans, a vague cloud of ideas and possibilities floating
DESTRUCTED DISTRACTIONS
Katrina Maria Limpiada Perolino
There are a few things in life we manage to take care of and keep, and fewer still which we love and hold close. You are both those things. You are the person that I look forward to in the mornings, as I sip my coffee; the person I worry about every night when it’s dark and the city lights remind me of the long trek home you take. You are the person I hope to receive a call from, get a message of reassurance, and a haphazardly-typed emoji next to the last message line. You are the person I know I want to keep in my life. But I am not yours. I am not the one who makes your weary bones settle in happiness next to mine, nor am I the face you look for when you’re too agitated and have had enough cups of coffee to power a rocket jet to space. My hands are not the ones to hold your trembling cheeks or stroke away the creases on your forehead; I am not the one who makes your heart skip with a lopsided smile. I am not the one. I know this; this is knowledge that is rudimentary. But it cuts me like a jagged edge of metal when realisation crashes down on me. I should know better than to hope for the best—when all you’ve had in your
life are the finer things, you’re bound to be let down somehow—but with you I seem to lose all perception and sense of reality and truth. You make my world not a better place, but a world that I would actually live in. Where there are fields of strawberries and vanilla tinges the air, and you and I walk through them with our fingers interlaced tightly; two people bound by more than just promises made out of words and air.
I am a revolving door, and my life story is made up of people leaving and going in my life, some leaving fingerprints, others, scratches.
But my world is not yours, and you are not in mine. I have never been a choice to you, but an option, one that made itself meagre enough to enter your train of thought. But I know I’ll never be the second choice; this I know. I am not the first one people choose to spend their life with or share the most breathtaking of milestones with. I am not the person that you send a message out of nowhere, or the pure agony of missing someone.
around in my head. But the questions outnumber whatever answers I have. How long will it take me to find a job? Will companies hire me? Will they keep me employed? That kind of constant uncertainty is haunting. It’s questions such as those that are partly responsible for keeping me awake through the night. But as I am typing this, I happened upon the most random of thoughts: I’m just 19. I’m young. I’m young, and I have time to make mistakes and learn from them. I’m young, and I still don’t know a lot of things, but I can still learn them. I’m young, and I’m still finding my own path and sooner or later, I’m sure I’ll find it. This world I’ve grown up in has become so fast-paced that it expects me to transition from four years of college to the professional world in a split second. But I don’t have to, because I’m young. I’m young, and I can take time. I can move at my own pace, and do things my way. And so can you. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
EN ROTATION What I am is a revolving door. Tall, polished, and made of glass. Easily breakable, but gives off the appearance of being strong. Having stature and togetherness. I am a revolving door, and you are the spiffy man who passes by and touches the glass. Briefly, a contact of skin on cold, lucite glassware, and fleeting, as you step out to a pavement with a brighter sun greeting you, luring you away. I am a revolving door, and my life story is made up of people leaving and going in my life, some leaving fingerprints, others, scratches. But you are my favourite person. Even though all you left is a ghost of your fingers on my skin, and hushed whispers before you left. I was lucky enough to have you, even for just fleeting moments that faded away. You are my favourite person, and even if I don’t get to keep you, I’m content knowing that I’ll be looking through the glass, as you’re in the arms of the one you get to keep and love. And I hope that person does the same.
Famous Last Words Aria Hernandez LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
It’s a new year. And still, old problems remain while new ones continue to crop up. As a result, the trying plight of Filipinos prevail. Contrary to what the reports from the mass media suggests, the so-called reasonable solutions to the country’s problems are merely temporary. It does not deal with the real roots of the problem. It does not even take into the account the numerous factors involved in each issue. In fact, it is neither sustainable nor receptive to the actual and concrete needs of the people. Take, for example, the recent “reasonable minimum fare” adjustment for public transport following a series of big time oil price rollbacks caused by plummeting world crude prices. It was a decision hailed by some consumers and was dubbed as a “win-win” solution for both commuters and public vehicle operators. But, did anyone really benefit from this occurrence? I don’t think so at least, not as much compared to the way it was presented. Why? It is simple. The prices of basic goods and services, the fares for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT), as well as the prices of spare parts are unchanged. In fact, the prices are still quite high because of inflation. So, there is nothing reasonable about this situation. Just think of the sentiments of commuters who value the worth of each centavo and are still struggling to survive like the rest of the nation. Just imagine how a jeepney driver would support his family with his meager income. The problem is, the government eased the burden on commuters and dismissed the valid concerns of jeepney drivers who do not have a fixed or stable income. Yes, I am aware of instances wherein drivers tend to charge a higher fare or refuse to give a commuter their change. However, this is not the norm and people should stop generalizing and casting drivers as the villains in this country. They too are victims who are trying to survive each day. Another example is the local government’s initiative to clear Manila of homeless people by the end of the month. These street dwellers were supposedly rescued from the streets and fed, cleaned, and interviewed before being brought to the Manila Boystown Complex while renovations of the homeless shelter is still pending. If CONTINUED ON PAGE 05