The Manila Collegian Volume 29 Number 13-14

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 29 Numbers 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

MORE INSIDE

02 EDITORIAL Rehas 03 NEWS Students appeal for RSA ammendments 09 FEATURES Strategic Crush 10 CULTURE Lights, Camera, Eleksyon!

15 OPINION The Vote is Sinking

02 EDITORIAL

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

A

NG MGA PROLETARYONG sama-samang pinapabayaan at pinapahirapan ang sama-sama ring titindig at magsusulong ng hustisya at kalayaan.

E DI T O R - I N - C H I E F Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez

Nalalapit na ang pagtatapos ng termino ni Pangulong Benigno Simeon Aquino, at sinusubukan na niyang hulmahin at impluwensiyahan ang magiging pagalala sa kanya ng sambayanang Pilipino at ng buong mundo.

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

Sa isang ulat mula sa Official Gazette, iginiit ni Aquino gumaganda ang ekonomiya at kaakibat nito ang pagdami ng trabaho sa bansa. Sa parehong ulat na nilabas noong 2015, para sa mga manggagawa na nasa edad 15-24, bumaba ang dami ng walang trabaho sa 15 porsiyento sa 2015 mula sa 17.3 porsiyento noong 2014. Iginiit rin ni Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda na nadagdagan ng mahigit isang milyong bagong manggawa ang kabuoang lakas-panggawa, na aabot na sa tinatayang 37.5 milyong katao.

Sa kabila ng mga datos at numero na ito at sa paggamit ng kritikal na pagsuri, makikita ang tunay na kalagayan ng manggagawang Pilipino.

Noong Mayo 13, 2015, niyanig ng isang sunog sa pabrika sa lungsod ng Valenzuela ang buong bansa, at minulat ang sambayanan sa katotoohanang sinusubukang itago ng estado. Umabot sa 74 ang namatay sa trahedyang ito.

Pinakita ng mga imbestigasyon at pagsusuri na sumunod na isang dahilan kung bakit madaming nasawi ay ang kalunos-lunos na pagpapatakbo ng pabrika.

Ngunit higit pa sa kawalan ng safety standards, pinakita ng imbestigasyon at pinatunayan ng mga nakaligtas sa sunog ang hindi makataong pagtrato sa mga manggagawa ng Kentex. Hindi lang ang bakal sa bintana ang rehas na pumatay sa mga manggagawa, ngunit pati ang tiwaling pamamahala.

Imbes na makatanggap ng nakasaad sa batas na P481 kada araw, ang mga manggagawa ng Kentex ay nakakatanggap lamang ng halos P300 o mas mababa pa. Dagdag pa rito, walang kahit anong mga benepisyo na natatanggap ang mga manggagawa, kahit na 12 oras nilang tinitiis ang hindi makataong kondisyon sa pabrika.

Maliban dito, napagalaman ding binigyan ng lokal na gobyerno ng Valenzuela ng business permit ang Kentex Manufacturing Corporation kahit na sila ay nailagay na sa delinquent status. Ang ganitong patong-patong na pagpapahirap sa mga manggagawa ay patunay lamang ng sistematikong

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 Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes N E WS COR R ESPON DEN TS Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Ronilo Raymundo Mesa Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo

ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO

REHAS korapsyon at pagwawalang bahala ng mga nasa kapangyarihan sa milyunmilyong masa sa ilalim nila.

Hindi na bago o iba ang kwento ng mga manggagawa ng Kentex. Maging ang mga manggagawa mula sa ibang sektor, tulad ng midya, ay may hinaharap ring unos: kontraktwalisasyon. Noong 2015, ang ilang mga empleyado ng GMA ay nagaklas at naglunsad ng kampanya para mabigyan sila ng parehong karapatan tulad ng mga regular na empleyado.

Ang kontraktwalisasyon ay isang sistemata na ginagamit ng mga malalaking kumpanya upang pagsamantalahan at abusuhin ang mga manggagawang, sa paningin nila, ay walang laban. Limang buwan ang taning bago maabutan ng “endo”, o end of contract, at kailanganing maghanap ng bagong pagkukunan ng pera – ito ang nakakasakal na paulit-ulit na pinagdadaanan ng masa.

Ang isyu ng kontraktwalisasyon, pang-aabuso, at kawalan ng pagpapahalaga sa mga manggagawa

ay bunga ng ideolohiya ng kapitalismo, kung saan ang mayaman ay mas yayaman habang mga mahirap ay patuloy na maghihirap.

Sa perspektiba ng mga ganid at makasariling kapitalista, walang magagawa ang sambayanan kung hindi tanggapin ang kasalukuyang sistema at patuloy na magtrabaho sa kanilang mga pabrika, kumpanya, at lupa.

Ngunit kasaysayan mismo ang magpapakita na hindi ito ang tunay, o ang dapat. Nasa kamay ng bawat manggagawang Pilipino na kamtin ang nararapat para sa kanila. At bilang mga Iskolar ng Bayan, ang mandato nating pagsilbihan ang sambayanan ay hindi dapat malimitihan sa teorya o ideya lamang. Sa paglubog sa masa at pakikiisa sa kanilang laban, sama-sama nating babasagin ang mga rehas na pumipigil sa atin at mararating ang isang mas maliwanag na bukas.

Sa kabila ng mga datos at numero na ito at sa paggamit ng kritikal na pagsuri, makikita ang tunay na kalagayan ng manggagawang Pilipino.

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 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

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

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations

The Cover

Illustration by Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo Layout by Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag, Joma Michiko Cruz Kaimoto, and Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo

NEWS 03

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

COLLEGE BRIEFS The College of Arts and Sciences lauded Professors Laurie S. Ramiro, Arnold V. Hallare, Rosario R. Rubite, Roy B. Tumlos, Marilou G. Nicolas and Associate Professors Marilen P. Balolong, Glenn L. Sia Su and Noel S. Quiming who were named Top UP Scientists among 111 awardees honored during the UP Knowledge Festival on April 17, 2016 at the Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay.

The Department of Social Science (DSS) week kicked off on April 25, 2016 with the theme “Social Science Matters: Reaffirming Our Role in Constructing Alternative Futures”.

The series of activities included: forums on the Kidapawan Massacre, Migration, and the “Botantea: Election Forum Series”; the DSS Sports Festival; talks such as the “The DSS Pillars Talk: An Affair to Remember”; DSS Career Talk; and the showing of “Gapok”. The weeklong events closed on April 29, 2016 with the book launching of Dr. Edberto Villegas’ most recent book, Mga Kuwento mula sa Lipunan.

ORGANEWS

Students appeal for RSA amendments Repressive policies condemned PATRICIA ANNE LACTAO GUERRERO

Students from the so-called “white colleges” of the University of the Philippines Manila reiterated their call for the amendment of the Return Service Obligation Program (RSOP), commonly known as Return Service Agreement (RSA), due to its repressive policies and unjust demands.

According to Yves Miel Zuniga, chairperson of College of Public Health Student Council (CPH SC), collected reviews and surveys from the students was proof of the exploitive and problematic nature of RSA. The results show that no proper orientation is given to the students and their parents before they sign the contract during enrolment period, as the RSA Handbook is given just after enrolment.

“Kung hindi ka pipirma hindi ka makaka-enrol kaya pipirmahan mo na lang,” said one of the student from CPH. In line with these, the CPH is said to be the college most greatly affected by the RSA due to its provisions that require the student to serve in the Philippines within 5 years after graduation. Likewise, enrolling for a second degree such as a master’s degree, Doctor of Medicine (MD), Bachelor of Laws (LlB), or other programs are not considered a valid form of return service under the current RSA. This is despite surveys from the

CPH having shown that from the 20102014, roughly 60 out of 70-80 students opt to pursue Medicine.

Previously, the CPH SC for Academic Year (AY) 2014-2015 submitted a petition letter for the amendment of the RSA for CPH to the author of the RSA, then Vice Chancellor Arlene Samaniego.

Similarly, CPH SC AY 2015-2016 submitted a revised petition together with a signature campaign signed by 9699% of the undergraduate population of the college.

Bogus Consultations Another contention raised by the students is that the RSA, through the Office of Alumni Relations and RSA Committee, did not allow for genuine student consultation and representation in its creation, planning, and implementation.

Last February 19, an RSA Workshop was

held in The Bayleaf Hotel in Manila, but only 6 students are able to attend.

Furthermore, despite being present at the said workshop, their views were allegedly not acknowledged.

Moreover, students that have not fully complied with the RSA were charged with P500,000 to P700,000 with no detailed breakdown of the cost.

Currently, there is an RSA fund that amounts to P2 million, but there has been no transparency regarding how this fund is used.

“It was a trap. Another income generating project of UP,” added Zuniga.

Hence, the students launched the campaign for the RSA amendment, #ServiceNotForSale, and continued to demand the UP Manila administration to maintain transparency and accountability in all RSA related activities facilitated by the university.

The UPM Indayog Dance Varsity conducted their summer workshops 2016 on April 25-29, 2016 at the Performing Arts Studio, Old NEDA Building, Padre Faura street.

Shoot UPM launched their photo exhibit “Luwalhati” on April 27, 2016 at the Museum of History and Ideas.

Open from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM from the launch date until April 30, his exhibit featured the first joint effort of Shoot UP Manila, UP Photographer’s Society (PhotoS) from UP Los Baños (UPLB) and UP Photograph Society (OPTICS) from UP Diliman (UPD).

Luwalhati 2016 was also held at the Ginhawa Art Cafe at UPLB from April 18-22, 2016 and at the Palma Hall at UPD from May 2-6, 2016.

Panuorin ang aming one-on-one video interviews sa mga kandidato para sa 38th USC. fb.com/ themanilacollegian

The youth sector, led by student leaders, joins workers in celebrating the International Day of Workers and in fighting neoliberal attacks on workers.Photos by Ronilo Mesa

04 NEWS

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang

Lola Patola

GAME OF THRONES EDITION!

Hallur hallur deeerrr mga afowz!!!!! Como estas nemern ang ating mga layflalu?! Haggardo verzosa na vah??? Kalurkey na ang mga happeningz sa Wazeteros!!!!! Buti nuhlung nakapagcheezmisan pa me wid Tita Cerzei and Papi Jayme!!!!! Yummysung tuluguh si Papi Jayme no????? Hihihi. Pero sshhh, huwag niyo nang isharesung kay Lolo Upo oki?????? Charot!!

Vat anyway, sovrang daming ganapsung sa YuFiEm at sa Filifins noh????? Dehins na alam ng Lola P. mo on haw to meyk bagsak diz chismaxes for yah!!!!! NKKLK kaze nemern, elekshunz ol around!!!!! Savay-savay tayow eng pegella ng YuFiEm stewdent elekshuns and nashownal elekshuns!!!!! Yerr byutipul Lola is betsin nemern on yu afowz na yu wheel meyk da ol rayt choicesungs!!!!! Togeder forever tayong susulong sa poshitibong pagchchangesung!!!!! Charot!!!!

Starting na din puhla ng Game of Profs AKA hell month!!!!!!!! Kaunting kapiting nuh lungs mga afows!!!!! Mageending din ang semester at makakapagresting na din you!!!!!! Pero before yu meyk return to your acads, let’s volt in muna diz stress drilong sumvhongs!!!!!

Valar burgis, valar tonsillitis sumvhong numbah wan: House Choosy Ava ava ava!!! Ilang afowz na eng nagsumvhong sa aken nitechiwa!!! Sinech itey ishang partey partey na very choosy patootie kung wheresung sila nag-Rak To Rak (RTR) at kung sinetch lang ang pwedeng mag-asking tu dem!!!!! Saying buh nemern niluh tu may afowz, ipa-LBC nuhlung tu der FB page and e-meyl addrezz ang kanilang questionz!!!!

may isang whitey white college daw na sa sariling auditoryum lungs ginanap ang recognishown day ng gradjueteng afowz ko!!!!! Keribells nemern sana, kaso mas malaley puh sa Winterfail ang auditoryum na itech!!!!! Ass in, parang may nag bang-bang intu da auditoryum ang peg sa dami ng sirang chers and faciliteas!!!!!!!!!! Kahiya nemern sa parentals!!!!!!!!

Anez nemern iz da rizoning por dis, aber?????????

I tot u will kinig to the bones for my afowz!!!!! Y u no make tanggap der questioning, huh??????

Ayan, feeling blue da boo dee daboo da na tuloy ang afowz kow!!!!! Charot!!!! Nakow huh, hindi papasa sa Wazeteros ang ganerng galawan!!!!!

Huwag niyong i-waiting na ipakain ko yu sa White Wonkers!!!!!

Nang mag-asking ang afowz ko why oh why ganito ang magaganap, ang answer ng admean sa kanila ay may one parental policy nuhlung daw so dat everywan will make kasya!!!!! Nakow nemern, sobrang unfair!!! Paano yung mga afowz ko wid two parentals?????? Dapat nemern kasi sa ibang mas byutipul and bigsung na auditoryum nuhlung ginanap ang recognishown day ng aking afowz!!!!!! Vat sa kabila ng everythang, haffy haffy recognishown day afowz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STP lungs ng STP, oki?????

Valar burgis, valar tonsillitis sumvhong numbah tu: Acting is Coming

Valar burgis, valar tonsillitis sumvhong numbah por: Khaleesi Froppie

Hay nakow afowz, may mga kendideyts paring YuFiEm Dramarama ang peg in lyf!!!!! Sinetch itey gwapi papi na berry trying hard tu da maxzimum leveling ang pagka-agit and pagkamad max kapag nag-RTR!!! Push mo yan, afow!!!!! Haggardo versoza tuluguh!!!!

Ilang cenchuries na me naninita ng noti noti froppies, pero may mga mahahard tuluguh ang headsung at ayaw madaluh!!!!!!! Yan sila!!!!!

Sinetch itey girlaloo froppie from anoder whitey white college na olways lampas lampas sa class hours!!!!! Juzkelerd!!!!! At ang mas malaley pa durr, ang fave pegella ni ate gurl ay lecture + chiz quiz!!!!!! Haggardness!!!!!!

Ayon sa ilang afowz kow, sovrang awkwardlalu na mag-watching dis kendideyt!!!!! Tama nemern ang pinaghuhugoatan ng kendideyt na itech, pero por sum reason, epic fail ang effort-ing niya!!!!!

Y u agit wen u not agit nemern tuluguh?????

Kalurkey ka!!! Magpa-trainsung ka muna sa Sand Sneks from Dorme!!!!! Char not char!!!!!

Valar burgis, valar tonsillitis sumvhong numbah tri: North of the Audi Itechiwang sumvhong na itu ang pinakastress dilon for mi!!!!! Tumaas ang BP ng lola mo from dis chismax tuluguh!!!!!!

Ayon sa aking dear afow,

GE Reform approved for UP system ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON

In a meeting held by the Board of Regents (BOR) on April 26, the highlycontested reforms to the university’s General Education (GE) program was ratified and approved for all University of the Philippines (UP) units, except UP Diliman.

The decision was passed after a vote which resulted in only one abstention and one objection, with the latter coming from Student Regent (SR) Enrico Miguel Pangalangan.

Under the proposed GE reform, the standardized 45 GE units required for each student shall be abolished and instead be left to the discretion of each college’s University Council (UC).

Based on the UC’s decision, students can be required to take anywhere between 21-36 units.

The said reforms were first proposed during the advent of the K-12 program, with supporters of the amendment citing the current GE system as redundant given the new senior high school curriculum which offered technical and vocational classes.

Strong condemnation In response to this, many progressive organizations have denounced the decision calling it a another step towards the commercialization of Philippine education. In a statement from the Rise for Education (R4E) Alliance, they further criticized the changes and described them as tactics to transform UP into a more marketable university.

“GE subjects are seen as mere hurdles in the students’ race for a diploma— not as means to promote nationalism, critical and creative thinking, broad perspectives, and sensitivity to the needs of the community and the nation.”, the R4E stated. “The core curriculum of UP education has, once again, been hostaged by international trends.”

According to UP Manila University Student Council (USC) Councilor Al Omaga, the implementation of these changes could also worsen UP’s battle with tuition hikes and other school fees (OSF). Omaga claimed that through de-regularization of the curriculum, schools could be exploited by administrators for greater profit margins under the guise of commercial partnerships and contracts.

In relation to this, Councilor Omaga has called for the student body to unite and vehemently oppose the impending GE reforms.

As of press time, no additional details have been released by the UP administration regarding the board’s approval.

Anek iz yur problem froppie??? Getsung ba u ang purpose ng class hourz??????? Learn how to pallow da rulez en regulashowns nemern powz!!!!!! If kaya nga olways ganyan ay dahil wala kang watch, lemme know oki????? Kausapin ko ang House Langister na pautangin muna u!!!!!!

Charot!!!! Hihihi.

Andami ko bung na-giving nuh sumvhongs?????

Hihihi. Sovrang random dibuh??? Vat eniwey, my lably dably afowzzz, don’t make takot to meyk sumvhong tu me ha!!!!!!! Yer lola iz olweys hear por yu!!!!! Tiwala lang yer Lola and to her super duper powerful parinig powerz!!!!! Luv u mah afowzzz!!!!! XOXO

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NEWS 05

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

UP Manila set to elect 38th USC, CSCs

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA

ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE AND SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO

With the student council elections concluding on May 6, Friday, the two biggest political parties in the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) continue to campaign seeking to secure as many seats as possible in the 38th University Student Council (USC) who will be serving UPM for Academic Year (AY) 20162017.

The Alternative Student’s Alliance for Progress – Katipunan ng mga Progresibong Mag-aaral ng Bayan (ASAP-Katipunan) field a full nine-person slate this year, with a theme of “Sulong sa Higit pang Tagumpay”.

ASAP-Katipunan has held the majority in the past two USCs. Bigkis ng mga Iskolar Para sa Bayan Tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago UPM (Bigkis UPM), on the other hand, fields just five candidates – four councilors and a vice chairperson – with the theme “Kasama ka sa Positibong Pagbabago”.

Five star leaders, nation-builders Established in the College of Medicine, Bigkis UPM rose from a former political party, Iskolar Student Alliance (ISA).

Bigkis UPM first introduced its principles and brand of leadership to students in the summer of 2007.

Bigkis UPM guides its members and allied organizations through its SHAPE principle: Service and empowerment, Holistic management, Academic excellence, Progressive multi-perspective activism, and Enduring integrity.

In addition, the party practices multiperspective activism, which is about being open to the multiplicity of perspectives and not subscribing to a fixed ideology or stand, instead having more student consultations and discussions about an issue.

Over the past 9 years, Bigkis UPM has produced 2 chairpersons, Angeli Guadalupe (AY 2010-2011) and Jason Alacapa (AY 2012-2013). This year, the party has no candidate for the chairperson position.

Moreover, Bigkis UPM has also set its stands on several issues faced by the students. They are for the reformation of the Socialized Tuition System (STS) and they advocate for the free lab fees for class D patients in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

Bigkis UPM was also the pioneer organization that led to the formation of the Return Service Agreement (RSA) Reform Alliance which aimed to amend several provisions on the said agreement.

Genuine, militant, nationalist ASAP-Katipunan was founded in January 1999 by the Kabataan Partylist (KPL).

Having been present for seventeen years, they are the oldest alliance in UPM and has produced three Student Regents and a number of chairpersons.

In the past three years, ASAP-Katipunan has been dominating the USC, starting with the Zubiri-Sampang tandem claiming the chairpersonship and vice chairpersonship in AY 2013-2014. The party asserts that education is a right and believes in a genuine, militant, and nationalist leadership. Alongside with it, their three core doctrines are being pro-student, propeople, and pro-environment.

Meanwhile, for their stands on issues, they are against the commercialization of education through the STS, Other School Fees (OSFs), and the General Education (GE) Reform Program. ASAP-Katipunan also supported #WeNeedSpace, a campaign for the student organizations, fraternities, and sororities demanding tamabayans and junking of costly rental fees.

Furthermore, they also spearheaded and supported various national campaigns, such as #StopLumadKillings and #BigasHindiBala.

Additionally, they asserted the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) for the free distribution of lands to the peasants who truly till the soil.

Accordingly, “[ASAP-Katipunan] believes that education is a people’s right and the youth should unite with other sectors of the society to achieve genuine social change.”

College student councils In the College of Arts and Sciences, ASAP-Katipunan’s five councilors run unopposed. However, their chairperson and vice chairperson bets, Alfe Omaga and Clark Trovela, face independent candidates John Christian Yap and Alex Buenaobra.

Meanwhile, the next Medicine Student Council will be a mix of independents and candidates from Tugon Medisina, led by unopposed chairperson bet Leonard Javier.

Meanwhile, Bigkis UPM also pushes for the extension of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms or CARPER and also advocates for the Freedom Of Information (FOI) Bill.

On the other hand, local parties face each other in the College of Nursing (Buklod and ONE), College of Public Health (Alab and Sibol), and UP Pharmaceutical Association (Change and Sigaw).

As of press time, the party has not yet released its General Plan Of Action (GPOA) for this year’s elections.

Finally, the candidates from the College of Dentistry’s Confedent and the College of Allied Medical Professions’ Kaanib UP CAMP run unopposed.

1

Ano ang inaasahan mo mula sa susunod na University Student Council?

Continuation of the We Need Space movement, and an even better upm Fiesta. - B1nay is Love, CAS, 20**

Pwede ring ipadala ang inyong mga sagot sa pamamagitan ng pag-text sa 0917 510 9496 o sa 0917 539 0612! (Pero bawal textmate!)

Inaasahan kong mas marami pang cultural events at syempre UPM FIESTA!!!!!!!! - Pabibe, CAS’ Walang politikahan. Kapag nahalal na, wala na sanang kulay pls. - damingalam, cas

Yung kayang mapag-isa ang UP para sa mas komprehensibong pag-unlad, at yung kaya ring katawanin ang buong populasyon ng estudyante, dahil tingin ko naman ay yun ang dapat na tungkulin nila. - undecided, 2012

2

Sana mas marinig yung boses ng mga estudyante. - artistanaaku, 2014, CPH

Binay, so he can hold me close with his strong nog nog hands while we cruise around his Makati. - B1nay is Love, CAS, 20**

Sana aside sa social issues, tulungan din nila kaming ipaglaban ang aming mga minamahal, charot! More parties, events, EDs, sana marami sa valentine’s!!!! - Quingina <3, CAS, 2014-****2

Si Mar. Gusto kong ma-try kumain ng kanin sa tasa at uminom ng tubig sa plato. Hihi -undecided, 2012

Mas organize(d) yung pamamahala and kayang tuparin yung mga platforms niya. mikkasa, CAS, 2015-xxxxx

Si Grace Poe. Baka makita ako sa TV pag niremake niya ang Ang Panday - artistanaaku, 2014, CPH

Nararamdaman din silang kumikilos ng shiftees at transferees. - sbxbdkks/CAS/2015

Si Binay. Galante yan. Bibigyan nya ko ng maraming cake. Puta bilyon bilyon ba naman ang nakaw eh! - Quingina <3, CAS, 2014-****2

Inaasahan ko na bababa ang tuition. missprettyXD, Cas 2014

WALA HAHA LOL - mikkasa, CAS, 2015-xxxxx

Sana mabawasan yung conflict sa loob ng konseho. Obvious na obviuos kasi pag may friction sa loob eh - freshie no more, 2015 Sana maging masunited ang konseho, kailangan magtulungan talaga lahat ng USC para maging masmaayos ung pagdeliver ng projects at campaigns sa mga estudyante. OnlyB1nay, 2014 Better performance compared sa incumbent na USC - getalife, CAS, 2012-xxx95 Bunuin ang mga kulang sa last na USC forMiriam, cas, 2012 To be USC is both an honor and a responsibility.

I want the USC to use their voice to influence the youth, and raise awareness to certain causes that are timely and relevant to the university and our country. I want them to show the students, the university rather, that they are confidently beautiful with a heart; a heart that is ready to serve, willing to sacrifice, and selfless enough to make an impact and bring forth change to our society. #utakatpuso - political will, CAS, 2014-xxxxx Sana totohanin nila yung mga sinasabi nila ngayong panahon ng kampanya. - blackbeauty, 2013 Panindigan nila ang plataporma na hinahain nila. Mas magandang programa para sa mga estudyante para ramdam naman naming may USC talaga. - huehue, 2013 Ang inyong pagkapanalo ay hindi niyo utang sa inyong partido, frat/soro, mass org, o diyos.

Utang niyo yan sa bawat Iskolar ng Bayan na bumoto at nagtiwala sa inyo. Sila ang unahin, sila ang pagsilbihan. - Tobias, CAS

Kung

makakadate mo ang isa sa mga presidentiables, sino ang pipiliin mo at bakit?

Si Miriam dahil sa palagay ko marami akong matututunan sa kanya - sbxbdkks/CAS/2015 Wala eh huhu - missprettyXD, Cas 2014 Si Roxas. Para iyaque si Korina hahahaha - freshie no more, 2015 Si Binay, para CGI na rin lahat ng train natin!

- OnlyB1nay, 2014 Ayokong maka-date si Duterte, pero sana ipamukha sa kanya na hindi pwede ang pagiging anti-feminist niya at sana may mangbara sa kaniya sa kanyang machismo talk and shiz. - getalife, CAS, 2012-xxx95 Si Miriam! Para turuan niya ako ng mga hugot lines. - forMiriam, cas, 2012 Well, the presidentiable that I want to date is Ate Pholyn, because, uhmm... Ate Polyn...

Ate Pholyn... Ohmygosh! Uhmm... Sorry guys because this was really my first time ever because I’m only 17 years old, and I did not expect that I came from one of the tough 10.

But I said, thöt, Ate Pholyn is such an influence to my life. Thank you! - political will, CAS, 2014-xxxxx Si Binay. Para kahit papaano mas maputi ako sa date ko. - blackbeauty, 2013 Si Roxas. Para ako ang bida sa susunod na issue ng comics niya. - huehue, 2013 Si Duterte. Kasi dapat mauna ang mayor.

- Tobias, CAS Duterte. Because I like abusing people who can never accept reality.

CAS. - Jon Snow, 2014-33212

To actually scrap STFAP after campaigning for it since the beginning of time. - Jon Snow.

Student number 2014-33212

Poe. Para malaman ko ang sikretong baretang gamit niya para sa maputi niyang damit.

- championbaotide, 2014-xxxxx

Ayokong mag-expect. Mahirap umasa. Chos.

Pero gusto kong magkaroon ng mas maraming culture projects, pang-detox na rin sa pamatay na acads. T_T - championbaotide, 2014-xxxxx

Mar Roxas. Para may chopper. - Delayed, CAS, 2010-51845

Safe space for rehearsals, org meetings, and performances inside the campus. Hirap maging nomads. - Delayed, CAS, 2010-51845 UPM FIESTA talaga huhuhu sana every year yun. - Sabawbawbaw, cd Isang mas malakas na #WeNeedSpace campaign. Ayokong pati sa space ng tambayan ay nakikipagsiksikan at nakikipag-agawan ako.

Ganun na ako sa crush ko eh. - Cakeislove, 2013

Miriam. Kasi ang cute niya talaga huhu parang maliit na angry bird - Sabawbawbaw, cd Binay. Gusto ko ng cake. - Cakeislove, 2013 Miriam tapos papakinggan ko lang syang dumada and talk about her problems in life like a true tita. - Pabibe, CAS’ Binay. I like men the same way I love my coffee: black. - damingalam, cas

06 NEWS

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

ASAP-KAT BALAHADIA, Ana Pholyn USC Chairperson

1.) Bilang bahagi ng UP Manila USC, nakita natin kung gaano hindi pinakikinggan ng nakaraang president ang mga hinaing ng mga estudyante. So sa susunod, na presidente ng UP system, inaasahan natin na one, magiging student-friendly siya. At hindi lang sa mga estudyante, kung hindi pati rin sa mga staff, sa mga faculty at sa lahat ng mga stakeholders na nasa UP. At siyempre dahil siya ay bahagi ng administrasyon na kung tutuusin ay nakapailalim pa rin doon sa commercialized colonial fascist educational system at may pressure from above na ipagpatuloy ang mga framework katulad ng roadmap for public higher education reform, inaasahan na kakampi siya doon sa mga estudyante sa paglaban na gawing nationalist scientific mass oriented ‘yung edukasyon. Kunwari sa budget, nangyari din naman before na sumama para taasan ‘yung budget para sa ating mga pamantasan. Dahil in the end, pwede naman natin labanan yung ganitong mga repressive policies. At napakalaking bagay at napakalaking simbolo kung ‘yung mismong presidente natin yung sasama sa kampanya ng mga mag-aaral, ‘yung mga professor at yung mga staff.

----2.) Kung mga imprastraktura na nakatutulong sa mga estudyante ang ipatatayo katulad ng mga dormitories, research facilities, mga classroom, laboratories, siyempre gusto natin nun dahil makatutulong ‘yung sa ating mga mag-aaral. Pero disturbing para sa akin, na katulad na lamang sa UP Manila yung funding ng mga nakaraang ipinatayong mga building ay mostly galing sa mga sources na hindi sa budget nanggaling. So humahanap pa tayo ng mga donors. For example sa College of Medicine, yung pinapatayo naming Academic Center, nakalap yung funds na yun galing sa alumni. So kung mananatiling ganito ang source of funds, hindi siya sustainable at all. At siyempre, makikita natin, pinapabayaan natin, kumbaga absolve ang government na i-fund ‘yung pagpapatayo ng ating mga structures. Dahil nga pababa nang pababa ang capital outlay, halos zero na. So katulad noon, nakikita naman natin na yung current government, mayroon siyang PPP, Public-Private Partnership. Kung titingnan natin sa framework na yon, hindi imposible na ang mga private companies, pumasok sa unibersidad at eventually ang pagkakitaan ang mga estudyante. Nakita naman natin yun sa UP Diliman, Acacia Dorm. Ginamit ‘yung UGPSI na galing doon sa napakataas na matrikula na siningil tapos nung tiningnan na, napakamahal naman ng dormitory fees na hindi naman affordable sa mga estudyante. So in the end, kailangan talaga na ‘yung budget nanggagaling sa gobyerno.

LIM, Mark Vincent

USC Vice Chairperson 1.) Hindi ako pabor sa implementasyon ng ROTC. historically ang ROTC ay nariyan para mag train ng skill sa kabataan tulad ng basic self defense, basic life support at disaster response.

Ngunit sa kasalukuyan ito ay ginagamit ng gobyerno upang i-pacify ang mga iskolar ng bayan na kritikal sa mga isyung panlipunan at lumalaban para sa ating mga karapatan. Sa katunayan sa ilang UP campus, katulad ng UP Diliman, mismong Armed Forces of the Philippines, katulad ng UP Mindanao na Armed Forces of the Philippines ang nagpapatakbo ng ROTC at hindi natin dapat kalimutan yung papel ng AFP, yung pandarahas at pananakot ng AFP sa mga mamamayan katulad nang mga ginagawa nito sa mga katutubo, tulad ng nangyari dun sa mga Lumad sa Mindanao. Kung saan tinatakot at dinarahas ng AFP ang mga katutubo o mga Lumad para protektahan ang mga interes ng mga nasa private sector o foreign mining companies na magreresulta sa pagkasira ng ating kalikasan at dislokasyon ng mga katutubo.

----2.) Ang problema sa pagpapatayo ng bagong UP Professional Schools ay yung pagpapangalan nito kay Henry Sy. Una, ito ay may kapalit na perang donasyon at ito ay implikasyon ng lumiliit na budget na binibigay ng pamahalaan sa UP kaya patuloy itong umaasa sa private sector sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahintulot nito na manghimasok at pagkakitaan ang idle assets at ang mga iskolar ng bayan. Pangalawa ang mga gusali sa UP ay ipinapangalan sa mga bayani na nagbuwis ng buhay sa mga Pilipinong nagbigay ng serbisyo sa mamamayan at kilala natin si Henry Sy bilang isang malaking negosyante na karamihan ng kaniyang mga empleyado lalong lalo na sa SM ay kontraktwal. Ibig sabihin bukod sa mababang sahod na kanilang nakukuha, wala silang kasiguraduhan sa trabaho at wala silang benepisyong natatanggap. Hindi ito pasok sa honor at excellence, honor and excellence na ina-uphold natin sa university.

Sa madaling salita ito ay implikasyon nang lumiliit na budget sa edukasyon at patuloy na komersalisasyon ng serbisyo sa UP.

Questions for the Chairperson: 1.) Anong katangian ang nais mong makita sa susunod na UP President?

2.) Anong implikasyon ng mga bagong tayo at ipapatayo palang na imprastraktura sa ating campus?

Questions for the Vice Chairperson: 1.) Pabor ka ba sa implementasyon ng ROTC? 2.) Ano ang magiging implikasyon ng bagong tayong UP Professional Schools?

NEWS 07

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

TIPUNAN

USC Councilors

ALJIBE, Miguel Sandino

DE GUZMAN, Lolo Maria

It would be Acad Calendar Shift because it forces a student under a system, under a schedule that is not appropriate for our climate. When I was a young undergrad at UP Diliman, I joined Stand UP and the Sunflower Brigade and we risked our academics, our exams and the bullying of President Pascual to register the students’ dissent with regards to the Acad Calendar Shift. Here in UP Manila, I am one with ASAP-Katipunan as we continue to oppose the neoliberal policy of the Acad Calendar Shift.

Ang Iskolar ng Bayan Law ay hindi sapat para matugunan ang ating gustong layunin para sa mga estudyante ng UP at sa estudyante ng ating bansa. As a member of the slate of the ASAP Katipunan we incur to think of the implications of what will happen sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa. Ilan pang mga doktor, nars at mga maglilingkod sa bayan ang mapipigilan natin sa pamamagitan ng pag iimplement ng isang batas na hindi sapat ang coverage para sa lahat ng mga Pilipino.

CORTES, Alana Ann Rey

JIMENEZ, Charles Ashley

Ang Iskolar ng Bayan Law ay I think ay hindi siya magiging accessible for most of the students na kung saan mag aapply yun, kung saan pwedeng mag aapply for this. Bakit? Kasi ang Iskolar ng Bayan Law meron siyang parang caveat na sasabihin na kunwari, taga ibang region ka tapos yung region kung saan ka nabibilang ay walang UP unit doon, hindi ka makakaapply for Iskolar ng Bayan Law o para dun sa mga benefits ng Iskolar ng Bayan Law pero naman if you are part of the region na kasama ka dun sa Iskolar ng Bayan Law, hindi ito kasiguraduhan na yung course na gusto mong kunin para yung profession na gusto mong kunin in the future ay andun sa UP unit na papasukan mo.

Ang isang pressing issue na hinaharap ng UP ay yung kaka-approve lang ng GE Reform Program, actually kahapon nung April 28 na-approve yung GE Reform Program ng Board of Regents. Ngayon, tayo po sa ASAP-Katipunan ay patuloy natin binitbit yung kampanya na tinututulan natin yung GE Reform dahil nga sa gusto natin na meron tayong holistic development, na magamit natin ito sa iba’t-ibang aspeto ng ating mga buhay itong mga GEs na natututunan natin. At gusto rin natin na ma-promote ang nationalism through the GEs na tinuturo sa ating mga GE subjects dahil ito yung magmomotivate nga sa atin na magserve sa sambayanan.

DANTES, Margarita Sa unang tingin at sa unang rinig, parang ang ganda ng Scholars ng Bayan Law kasi iskolar ng bayan tapos law na siya diba. Pero hindi kasi siya kung ano yung sinasabe niya eh, very tokenistic siya actually, kase yung mga implementing rules and regulations niya masyadong limiting na sa mga estudyante kase, hindi naman lahat ng regions ay merong State Universities and Colleges. Pangalawa, malilimit ka rin sa choices mo, kase kung meron mang State University and College, paano yung courses na gusto mo na wala dun? Pangatlo, parang hindi niya inoopen yung opportunity for everyone. Masyado siyang, sinabe lang na meron tayong law na ganito pero hindi niya talaga, parang very chosen lang for the very chosen few at, yung rules pa niya mas nilimit pa yung target niya. So we can see na its not what it is, its not what it wants to be. Parang its just shows us na parang merong Iskolar ng Bayan Law. Iyon lang.

JULIANO, Vincent Para sa akin ang GE Program Reform. Bilang ang chairperson ng Kabataan Partylist UP Manila, nagusad tayo ng napakaraming RTRs at nakipag-usap at nagpaliwanag sa sobrang daming organizations, at kumilos rin tayo mismo kasama ang mga iskolar ng bayan, kasi nakikita natin na itong GE Program bukod sa walang naganap na student consultation, ito ay direktang atake sa ating karapatan sa edukasyon at sa pampublikong karakter ng pamantasan ng bayan. Tingnan natin kung anong mga words associated sa GE Program Reform, yung mga words na pandescribe dito. International standards, international ability, internationalization, globalization, global market, globalization, at iba pa. Doon palang mapapatanong ka na kung para saan ba ang GE Program Reform. Sino ba talaga ang makikinabang dito?

BABAC, Frances Ruvy So ‘yung mga issues dito sa ating pamantasan ay ‘yung unang una is ‘yung OSF o other school fees, which is. For example pinagbabayad tayo ng culture and athletics fee well in fact dapat hindi na for me ay ang sports at mga wellness sa estudyante, ay basic services na pino-provide ng government. At ‘yung mga actions na nagawa ko para tugunan ang isyu na ito ay ang pag-update, constant update in partnership with the Department of Physical Education at CAS SC sa pinapatayong gymnasium dito sa ating pamantasan.

Questions for the Concilors: 1.) Taasahin ang Iskolar ng Bayan Law (Cortes, Dantes, De Guzman) 2.) Magbigay ng isang isyung hinarap ng UP. Anong konkretong aksyon ang nagawa mo tungkol dito? (Aljibe, Babac, Jimenez, Juliano)

v

08 NEWS

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

BIGKIS - UPM RODOLFO, Raphael Cecilio USC Vice Chairperson

1.) Naniniwala na ako ang mga estudyante ay dapat mabibigyan ng oportunidad na mag-ROTC kung gugustuhin nila, ngunit ating siguraduhin na dapat hindi rin pinipilit ang mga estudyante na mag-ROTC kung ayaw naman nila. Also kaagapay itong isyu na ito yung pagsstation ng mga militar sa loob ng ating unibersidad. So kailangan paring siguraduhin natin na marerespeto yung Sotto-Enrile accord na nagsasabi na hindi pwede mag-step foot yung mga militar dito sa ating unibersidad. Kailangan nating siguraduhin na yung ating military forces ay hindi makakapasok sa ating university ng walang pahintulot ng ating administrasyon at walang student consultation.

----2.) Sa isyu ng UP Professional Schools, naniniwala tayo na kahit bagaman sinasabi nila na ito ay regalo daw no sa ating unibersidad, maari parin itong maka-impluwensiya sa mga polisiya natin, sa ating status as a state university for the people at para sa ating bayan. So tayo ay naniniwala na tayo ay dapat lumaban para pataasin pa ang subsidy na, ang budget ng gobyerno para sa ating edukasyon. Dapat magkaroon tayo ng 6 percent of our GDP na nakalaan sa ating edukasyon, para hindi pa kakailanganin ng ating pamantasan na tumanggap ng ganitong mga regalo upang mabigyan ng quality education ang ating mga estudyante.

USC Councilors

ABESAMIS, Keith Gabriel

LINTAO, Ryan Cristian

So, I think the Iskolar ng Bayan Law is an important law for us Iskolars ng Bayan. I believe if in order to assess this law we have to have the proper knowledge, we have to know all about it before we can truly assess it.

Nakakalungkot po ano na kamakailan ay naipasa ang GE reform sa UP ng walang konsultasyon ng mga students. Last year nagkaroon ng sinasabing consultation mula sa UP admin, pero ito ay isang presentation lamang ng nangyaring GE reform program. Kaya tayo sa Bigkis UPM ay nanawagan na magkaroon ng mas konkretong consultation mula sa UP students at iorganize ito based dun sa mangyayari dun sa K-12.

CRUZ, Anna Rominia

SALAZAR, Leandro

Ang isa sa mga isyu na hinarap ng ating unibersidad, actually ikinakaharap parin natin ngayon ay yung Return Service Agreement. Kami po sa Bigkis UPM, noong mga nagdaang taon po, tayo ay gumawa ng mga proposal na inisubmit natin sa administration para matulungan ang mabilis na reform para sa RSA. Isa na po dito, napatupad ngayong taon, ay ang pagdevolve ng RSA provisions sa local college student councils. Dahil kinikilala po natin na ang RSA at ang trabaho ng bawat estudyante na gagraduate sa ibaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t-ibang kursa ay iba naman talaga, kaya dapat ito ay pinagdedesisyunan hindi ng USC or hindi ng kabuuan ng UP, kundi ng bawat estudyante at bawat student council ng sari-sariling layunin.

So ang Iskolar para sa Bayan Law ay isang batas na bawat top ten students ng public high school students ay automatically naadmit sa UP. So tayo ay hindi pabor dun. Naniniwala tayo na hindi pare-pareho ang standards ng mga public schools. May ibang public schools na angat, at may ibang public schools na hindi masyadong nakakaangat base dun sa sistema ng edukasyon na kanilang natatanggap. So tayo sa Bigkis UPM ay naniniwala na ang edukasyon ay karapatan at tayo ay patuloy na lalaban para sa standardization ng mga edukasyon na natatanggap ng bawat mamamayan dahil naniniwala tayo na ang edukasyon ay dapat makamtan ng bawat mamamayan. At kahit sino ka man, kahit saan ka man galing, ang edukasyon ay dapat mong makamtan.

Questions for the Vice Chairperson: 1.) Pabor ka ba sa implementasyon ng ROTC? 2.) Ano ang magiging implikasyon ng bagong tayong UP Professional Schools?

Questions for the Concilors: 1.) Taasahin ang Iskolar ng Bayan Law (Abesamis, Salazar) 2.) Magbigay ng isang isyung hinarap ng UP. Anong konkretong aksyon ang nagawa mo tungkol dito?

(Cruz, Lintao)

FEATURES 09

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday The pieces have been put into place, and the game is set to commence.

Armed with their own ideologies and strategies, the colors stand on each end of the board with steadfast and cautious stances, willing to outwit each another in order to secure the elusive checkmate.

As the pieces of red and blue continue to move towards each other, the clash only intensifies as obstacles are yet to be hurdled by each side.

The faces in the battlefield may be new, but the touch move rule remains unrelenting— any shortcoming from each side could prove disadvantageous under the scrutiny of the keen public eye.

But in the presence of all fiasco, the Iskolar ng Bayan anticipates and hopes for a suitable victor – those who will uphold servitude and remain true to their calling as student-leaders.

ASAP-Katipunan The Alternative Alliance for Student’s Progress – Katipunan ng mga Progresibong Mag-aaral ng Bayan (A-K) banks on their three-year grasp on the USC Chairpersonship.

Despite the setbacks brought by the Zubiri-led council in the Academic Year (AY) 2012-2013, the terms headed by Lorenzo in AY 2013-2014, and Manalo for the current AY established the credibility and stability of the party in providing service to its constituents – the Iskolar ng Bayan.

The party’s campaign tactics for this year’s election mimics the approach the party has employed the past years – candidates originating from various colleges across the University. However, compared to previous years, A-K has expanded the approach and presented only two candidates from the party’s stronghold, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)—namely USC Vice Chairperson bet Mark Vincent Lim and USC Councilor bet Vincent Juliano. The variety in the slate’s composition is evident, with USC Chairperson bet Ana Pholyn Balahadia and USC Councilor bets Miguel Aljibe and Lorenzo “Lolo” De Guzman all hailing from the College of Medicine (CM), USC Councilor bets Frances Ruvy Babac and Charles Jimenez from the College of Pharmacy (CP), and USC Councilor bets Alana Ann Cortes and Margarita Dantes coming from the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) and the College of Public Health (CPH) respectively.

Strategy-wise, such diversity will serve to

be beneficial to further extend the party’s ideologies and overcome the blockade caused by the reluctance of the healthrelated “white” colleges in relation to A-K’s brand of activism. Moreover, the variety will also be advantageous in clinching votes from colleges beyond the largest college, CAS. A-K also banks on its visibility this year as the party engaged in issues that perturbed not only the student population, but the masses as well. It could be observed that the party has remained steadfast in asserting rights and calling for accountability, particularly in the midst of the Manilakbayan, Kidapawan incident, and budget and general education (GE) unit cuts.

However, with the other slate’s principle of advocating a c a d e m i c excellence, A-K’s fatal weakness involves its candidates’ academic standing.

Despite A-K putting premium concern on the struggle of the people, the popular view coming from the students seems to question the capability of the party’s student leaders in balancing academics with their council responsibilities. Thus, the challenge that A-K continues to hurdle is proving the constituency that academic excellence does not equate to being a good student leader.

Under the pennant of #SulongUPM, the BalahadiaLim tandem intends to continue the struggle, persistently emphasizing the importance of collective action. Balahadia and Lim remain loyal to their ideology and militant stand, as they seek to address both the plights of the Iskolar ng Bayan and the masses as well. The slate’s General Plan of Action (GPOA) also presents programs and campaigns that aim to cater the needs of the students not alienated from the underlying social issues the party intends to address. This holistic approach gives them an edge in gathering votes for it breaks the common perceptions barbed towards the red ideology – one of the party’s

greatest stumbling blocks.

With the party revolutionizing its approach amidst the changing demography of students, A-K could be deemed more successful in establishing its assertive appeal to the constituency.

BIGKIS-UPM Bigkis ng mga Iskolar tungo sa Makabuluhang Pagbabago (Bigkis-UPM) presents an incomplete set of candidates marked with their principles of “five star leadership”. The slate is led by Raphael Cecilio “Raph” Rodolfo as the party’s USC Vice Chairperson bet, with Keith Abesamis (CD), Anna Cruz (CM), Ryan Lintao (CM), and Leandro Salazar (CPH) as USC Councilor bets.

The party also places emphasis on academic excellence as one of the strengths of their members— an aspect which has been considered an issue for the opposing party.

Girding with a more optimistic approach for this election season, Bigkis-UPM branded itself as “Bigkis +” and presented its tagline of “Inspiring Positive Change.

Together.” The party banks on its principle of “multiperspective activism”, where varying opinions from their constituents are cogitated through consultations. For the party, a single proposition or solution to a problem is limiting— instead, they engage with their constituents in order to formulate a united response to the issues they aim to address.

Such proposition has been Bigkis-UPM’s greatest asset, as a significant proportion of students shy away from the other party’s brand, in favor of a more conservative and less militant approach.

The party presented anecdotal statements that seemingly oppose belligerency, in the aim to capture votes from students who share the same sentiments. Moreover, the party presents itself as a council that prioritizes the plight of the students or “Iskolar Para sa Bayan” – focusing more on studentrelated issues and projects, instead of other sectoral or national issues.

However, the slate’s approaches have

seemingly waned for the last three years, as the party failed to clinch higher positions in the council.

Bigkis-UPM’s incomplete and less diverse slate also poses a major disadvantage for the party. With only five candidates vying for election, a decreased probability of garnering seats may be inferred. The lack of USC Chairperson bet from the party is also deemed questionable, and may be seen as a weakness, thus possibly leaving an impact to the integrity of the party. Moreover, the candidates hail only from three colleges, namely CM, CD, and CPH. This lack of representatives from other colleges affects the number of votes, especially those coming from the swing colleges in the university. The party also remains challenged in permeating its ideology to the College of Arts of Sciences – the opposing party’s fortress and biggest college in the university – translating to a significant number of votes lost.

With the party not releasing its GPOA and other proposed projects as of press time, Bigkis also continues to suffer under the scrutiny of the public eye--a disadvantageous blow for the slate.

Prognosis A-K USC Chairperson bet Ana Pholyn Balahadia’s only adversary on the race to the USC Chairpersonship are the Abstain votes as Bigkis-UPM presented no USC Chairperson candidate this year. Balahadia’s incumbency as the Vice Chairperson of the 37th University Student Council gives her a boost in this year’s election. Similar to last year’s feat, Balahadia automatically garners support from the College of Medicine and the College of Arts and Sciences – two of the biggest colleges in the University. Moreover, her visibility as the Vice Chairperson on several pro-student campaigns such as those concerning the Return Service Agreement (RSA) and various student organizations further establishes her credibility as a student-leader, worthy of support among the Iskolar ng Bayan. With the odds being in Balahadia’s favor, the Chairpersonship is bound to be in her hands.

The race for the Vice Chairpersonship will be dependent on the campaigns and programs presented by the candidates as both are experienced in handling council work.

A-K Vice Chairperson bet Mark Lim boasts his incumbency as the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council Chairperson this academic year. On the other hand, Bigkis-

STRATEGIC CRUSH PROGNOSIS FOR THE 2016 UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTIONS

10 CULTURE

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

Memoryado na ang script. Suot na ang mga costumes. Handa na ang entablado.

Pagbukas ng mga ilaw, iba’t ibang kulay ang binandera sa bawat palabas: puti para sa drama, dilaw sa komedya, pula sa aksyon, bughaw sa kwentong bayan, at lila para sa pantasya.

Sabik na ang sambayanan. Simula na ng pagtatanghal na huhukom sa ating kinabukasan.

ONLY BINAY TO RULE THEM ALL Sa isang lungga, may nakatirang Binay.

Hindi rito ganoon kadiri, marumi, o basa na pinaliligiran ng bulate at masangsang na amoy. Hindi rin gaanong tuyo, hubo, at mabuhangin sapagkat walang ibang laman kundi mauupuan at makakainan: ito ay Makati at ang katumbas nito’y ginhawa.

Mala-alamat ngunit mapagkumbaba – ganito mailalarawan ang pagsilip sa buhay ni Binay. Malawak ang naging karanasan at marami ang naipamimigay na yamang napulot mula sa kanyang paglalakbay. Nagumpisa ito sa kalunos-lunos na pagpanaw ng kanyang ina. Sa murang edad na 9, lumaki siyang wala sa piling ng tunay na magulang.

Hindi nagpapatinag sa kabila ng sumunod pang masalimuot na mga pangyayari. Batid kasi ni Binay na pinaglalaban niya ang tama.

Inaresto at dinetene noong Batas Militar matapos kumatawan sa mga bilanggong politikal, ngunit nang palitan ng Dilawing Kaharian ang malagim na rehimen ay hinalal siya ni Reyna Aquino bilang alkalde ng Makati. Saglit na huminto upang maging MMDA Chairman saka pinabalik muli ng tao sa tahanan niyang lungsod. Nagtuloy-tuloy ang biyaya sa tatlong dagdag na termino.

Pinakintab niya ang pulos ningning na siyudad. Pinanatiling naglalangoy sa dagat ng salapi ang mga bigating apelyidong kumakapit sa pagtakbo ng pera ng bansa.

At habang walang umaalma, pinanaig ang kapayapaan sa paghandog ng libreng edukasyon at pang-ospital.

Namimigay rin siya ng keyk sa matatanda tuwing kaarawan nila. Mula sa munting

Sa anim na taong pagmasid kay Prinsipe Aquino at mga pagkukulang nito, nakita niya sa Pilipinas ang sarili – isang ampong hapis sa pagdurusa. Dito niya napagtanto: ang nagsisiksikan, nagsisitangkaran, at nagsisilakihang mga gusali ng Makati ay kasingtayog ng kanyang mga pangarap — na isang nognog, pandak, at laki sa hirap ang tatakbo sa pagkapangulo. Maipagmamalaki niya ang lungsod na kanyang iniwan sa mga umaasa na mapapakintab din ang buong Pilipinas.

Gaano pa man kapuno ng pag-asa ang mensaheng kanyang ipinararating, hindi buo ang pakikipagsapalaran kung walang tunggalian. Animo’y uling na nga sa hitsura’y tinangka pa siyang lampasuhin ng mga dragonang Interyor sa ghost employees, ng Sandiganbayan sa pangungulimbat, ng pagtakas sa Rentas Internas mula sa bilyongpisong buwis, ng Hustisya sa hekta-hektarya niyang lupa, at ng Senado sa dummies na diumano’y nag-aalaga sa tinatagong net worth. Ang Singsing na kanyang ninakaw sa isang halimaw sa kuweba’y nagsilbing kanyang kalasag. Pagsuot niya rito’y naglaho siya mula sa paningin ng mga nag-iinit nang mga mata. Hindi niya alam na lalamonin nitong Isang Singsing ang kanyang isipan ng pagkaganid.

Hindi kalauna’y sa haba ng pagpapabango magsasawa ang taumbayan sa kabi-kabila niyang pag-ilag sa mga isyung binabato sa kanya at aatakehin na lamang ang kanyang pagiging nognog, pandak, at laki sa hirap.

Babanggitin lamang niyang paninira sa kanyang pagtakbo ang mga alegasyon ngunit ipagpalagay mang wala siyang bahid, binabala ng mga mahawagang entidad na kanyang mga masugid na tagapayo na ang pananahimik ay pagtatwa sa katotohanan.

Si Binay ang mangingibabaw na tunay na kontrabida.

Kalakip nitong kuwentong-bayan ang aral na balewala ang lahat ng iyong konkretong napagtagumpayan kung mababahiran naman ng dungis ang iyong prinsipyo’t paniniwala ng korapsyon at pagtitiwali, isang direktang pagtataksil sa bayan.

ISANG STOP IT KA LANG

pamayanan ay naging kagalanggalang na distrito, sapat nang matulak ang namumukod-tangi nitong lider sa mas matinding hamon – ang pagiging bise presidente. Lumawak ang kanyang nasasakupan at napalapit pa lalo sa mahihirap.

Kung patok na action film ang eleksyon, malamang sa malamang ay si Digong Duterte ang antihero na tagadala ng hustisya at sugo ng mga naaapi.

Hindi maikakaila ang lakas ng appeal ng bidang ito sa masang uhaw sa aksyon at disiplina. Daig pa ng mga script na isinulat ng mga

Lights, ELEKS

Ang Halalan Bilang Isan

PANGKAT N DIBUHO NINA JOSE PAOLO BERMUDE

premyadong manunulat ang mala-FAMAS na pagbuo sa karakter ni Digong: marahas na katunggali ngunit masugid na tagasunod ng batas. Kasukdulan nang maituturing ang pagtakbo ng ating bida sa pagkapangulo ngayong eleksyon. Bitbit ang listahan ng kanyang kahanga-hangang ‘kabayanihan’, ang magandang pamamalakad sa Davao ang nagsilbing badge of honor ng ating bida, na siya ring bala niya sa mga batikos sa kanyang mga kritiko.

Ang iron fist na pamamalakad ni Duterte bilang alkalde ay malaking parte ng kanyang charm bilang bidang may tapang—handang harapin ang kontrabidang adik, ridingin-tandem, at mga pasaway na hindi sumusunod sa ordinansa ng kanyang poder.

Lalo pang sumikat ang ningning ng kanyang tala sa kasagsagan ng trahedya ng Yolanda, kung saan ay tahimik niyang tinulungan ang mga nasalanta nang wala raw halong politika at pawang serbisyo lang. Tulad ng isang magiting na action star, nasungkit ni Duterte ang puso ng iilan dahil sa kanyang tapang at malasakit sa madlang inaapi ng marahas na sistema.

Subalit tulad ng isang bidakontrabida sa sineng panay lang sa barilan, hindi rin nawawalan ng butas sa kanyang karakter itong si Digong.

Ang kanyang agresibong pe rsonalidad ang nagdadala ng maraming kritikong kinikilatis ang kanyang mga aksyon.

A

n

g

kasalukuyang mga isyung pumapalibot kay Duterte—ang kanyang pagiging babaero, ang balak na pamamaslang sa mga kriminal, at ang kanyang tingin sa mga maykapansanan—ay rason ang kung bakit marami pa ring hindi nadadala sa kanyang kampanya. Isang action star na may loose morals, ang kanya mismong pagkatao ang nagiging malaking balakid sa kanyang pagtupad ng kanyang misyon.

Kung tagpo ang eleksyon sa pelikula, magaalangan ang bidang masa sa paglalagay ng tiwala sa isang tulad ni Duterte. Hindi nila matiyak kung poprotektahan ba sila nito o mananatili pa ring api dahil ipinupukol lang ni Digong ang pagtugis ng krimen sa mababang lebel nang hindi gaano nauunawaan ang pinakaugat ng korapsyon. Ang magaslaw niyang pananaw sa maseselang bagay ay pinangangambahan ng mga botante dahil katumbas na marahil ng kanyang pagtakbo ang paghasik ng pananakot.

Mala-sugo man ang dating ni Rodrigo Duterte sa malapelikulang realidad na paandar ng eleksyon, mainam pa ring tandaan na hindi siya ang tunay na magliligtas sa masa sa kasakiman at kahirapang kanilang nararanasan.

Mahalagang makita ng masa sa kanilang sarili ang lakas upang buwagin ang sistema at hindi ito iasa sa bida na mala-Mesiyas ang dating sa tagline at plataporma.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH MY POE-SO Kung isang malakihang teleserye ang eleksyon, tiyak na ang pinakapaborito ng mga maybahay tuwing hapon ay ang plot twists na tampok si Grace Poe. Wala nang hahanapin pang ibang elemento ng isang telenovela sa buhay ni Poe – lahat ng rekado para sa isang dramang tagos sa puso ng Pilipino ay naisahog na, mula sa

CULTURE 11

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

Camera, SYON!

ng Pambansang Dulaan

NG KULTURA EZ REYES AT PAULINE SANTIAGO TIOSIN

paghihiganti para sa natalong kandidatura ng kanyang ama noong 2004 hanggang sa “misteryosong” katauhan ng bida. Itong malulupit na tema ng kandidatura ay dahilan para maging kaabang-abang ang magiging mga hakbang ni Grace Poe. Kahit na bukas ang kanyang talambuhay sa madla dahil sa showbusiness background ng kanyang mga magulang, si Poe ay interesante at perpektong bida sa tipikal na telenovela: isang underdog na binudburan ng isang napakakomplikadong pagkatao – isang ampon at pinagbintangang isang hindi tunay na Pilipino. Kaya naman maituturing na highlight ng kanyang mala-telenovelang kandidatura ang paghuhukom ng Korte Suprema sa kanyang citizenship, na sa mata ng mga Pilipino ay isang importante at mainit na laban sa pagitan ng pwersa ng kasamaan at kabutihan na magdidikta sa susunod na kabanata sa kwento ng bida.

Sa kabila ng mga patama ng pwersa ng kasamaan, napapanatili pa rin ni Poe na kasing-puti ng kanyang mga damit sa kampanya ang imaheng kanyang gustong iparating sa tao.

Kalinisan ng personalidad at pagsasaliksik ang kanyang mga balang ginagamit para makuha ang simpatya at boto ng taumbayan – isang panibagong uri ng bidang ang puhunan ay hinahon laban sa maiingay at makukulay na karakter kapag eleksyon.

Bukod pa rito, hindi rin nakakainip ang kwento ng kandidatura ni Poe – mabilis at hindi patumpik-tumpik ang kanyang mga desisyon tulad ng mabilis niyang paghahangad ng posisyon mula pagiging MTRCB chairman, senador, at ngayon ay pangulo ng bansa.

Ngunit ang mabilis na pagdaloy ng

kwento ng kanyang kandidatura, at ang kanyang komplikado at misteryosong pagkatao rin ang mitsa ng hindi pagsubaybay kay Poe ng marami. Sa pananaw ng ilang mga botante ay para siyang isang nagsisimulang artista na itinapat ang kakayahan sa mga batikang aktor. Kung ikukumpara sa panonood sa sine ang botohan, nagdadalawang-isip ang mga botante kung dapat ba nilang isugal ang kanilang pera at oras para sa isang palabas na hindi pa subok at napapatunayang mahusay.

Pumatok man sa mga botante ang labang hinarap niya sa Korte Suprema, hindi naman nawawala sa isipan nila na may kasaysayan ng “pagtraydor” si Poe sa kanyang pagkaPilipino – tila isang artistang palipat-lipat ng istasyon para hindi mamatay ang karera.

Nakakaaliw ang mga palabas sa buhay ni Poe ngunit hindi ito nakakahalina para sa mga botanteng matindi ang paniniwalang pinanghahawakan sa sinseridad at kapatapan sa paglilingkod sa bayan.

Isang malaking telenovela pa rin ang eleksyon – ngunit kailangang maalala ni Poe na ang bida sa palabas na ito ay ang masang Pilipino, at hindi ang kanyang makulay na kandidatura at madramang kampanya.

LOOKING FOR THE FAULT IN OUR LP TOWNS It all started with a kiss...of death in Yolanda.

Nagsimula ang kwento ng “pag-iibigan” ni Mar Roxas at ng sambayanang Pilipino sa trahedyang dala ng bagyong Yolanda. Dito unang ipinakita ni Roxas ang dalisay niyang pagmamahal sa Pilipino sa harap ng kamera, at sa media, kung paanong hinuhuli nito ang banayad niyang pag-abot ng bigas at pagbigay ng gamot sa mga nasalanta ng araw na iyon.

Ngunit ang araw na pala iyon ng Abril ay simula pa lamang ng maraming susunod pang “panliligaw” sa masa.

kanyang pagsisilbihan ay ang masa na ang mayoridad ay nasa laylayan ng lipunang ‘di niya masyadong kilala.

Sa edad na 58, marami nang narating at nagawa sa buhay si Roxas...sinadya man niya o hindi. Hindi na rin nakakabiglang mataas ang natamo niya sa edukasyong; talagang hunghang na lang ang papalag sa kanyang Wharton degree – o UPenn ba?.

Basta, mangmang na lang ang kukuwestiyon ng intelektwal na kapasidad niya. Sa pananaw ng marami, at sa pananaw na rin niya, siya ang “Mesiyas”: disente, malinis, at makapangyarihang tagapagtanggol. Suot ang kanyang signature costume na polong nakatuck-in sa ilalim ng itim na slacks at black leather shoes, nakilala siya noon bilang si “Mr. Palengke” – ang superhero na tumutulong sa palengke at part-time traffic enforcer na rin.

Ito ang love story ni Roxas at ng sambayanang Pilipino — isang pagsasamahang mailap dahil walang tunay na impormasyon at pagkalinga sa mahirap ang kandidatong nangangarap.

Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, ang kanyang paglalakbay sa buhay ay malayo sa magaan at maaliwalas; bilang isang anak-mayaman kasi, hindi man niya hiniling, isang malaking dagok pa rin ang katayuang ito sa kanyang kampanya. Wala kasing masyadong drama ang buhay niya kaya hindi siya “inspiring” sa masa. Gayunpaman, sinusubukan pa rin niyang mag-fit in at matanggap bilang kaisa sa kanila kahit sa pamamagitan lang ng mga pasimpleng “fistbump” sa mga bata, pagkain ng kanin sa baso, at pag-inom sa plato.

Pero sa kabila ng ala-Batman (o Mewtwo?) na kwento ng pakikisalamuha ng hacienderong taga-Capiz sa mga maralita, minsan talaga ay hindi maiwawaglit na marami pa ring pagkukulang si Roxas. Parang isang ex-lover na hindi niya makalimutan, ang pagpili niyang dalhin ang bagahe ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, at ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan ng tinatawag nilang “tuwid na daan” ang isa sa kanyang mga kahinaan.

Ngunit taliwas sa sinabi niyang siya ang magiging “driver” ng sambayanan sa 2016, marahil ay hindi talaga sanay magmaneho si Roxas dahil ang isang tunay na driver ay alam ang direksyon na kanyang patutunguhan — hindi yata batid ni Roxas na wala talagang patutunguhan ang direksyon ng “tuwid na daan.”

Gayonpaman, sa pagkakataong siya ang manalong p a n g u l o , maidagdag na sana sa diksyunaryo ng haciendero ang salitang urgency sa pagresponde sa mga isyu ng bayan.

Makatutulong na rin ito para makapagbigay ng mas tumpak na impormasyon ang asawa niyang si Korina kapag nagbabalita ito sa ere o kapag nakikipagdebate sa isang foreign news reporter sa radyo.

Baka naman kasi medyo mabagal lang ang takbo ng oras sa tuktok ng tatsulok. Kung ganoon nga, kailangang tandaan ni Mar na ang

ONE PUNCH MA’AM Kung may personalidad mang tila parating naglalabas ng malupit na chakra sa mapaghamong mundo ng politika, walang dudang kay Miriam Defensor-Santiago ang titulo ng pagiging hokage – isang babaeng kasingbangis ng kyuubi ang pagmumukha at katauhan na kilala sa dilang singtalas ng shuriken.

Katulad ng buhay ng isang nakatakdang maging hokage ng bayan ng Firipin-desu, sinanay niya ang sarili at nagpakadalubhasa sa loob ng mahabang panahon upang makapaglingkod sa bayang salat sa pagbabago. Bukod sa matataas na credentials at mga parangal na kanyang nakamit, walang dudang ang kanyang utak ang magandang alay para sa bayan.

Sa kanyang ikatlong beses na pagtakbo sa pinakamataas na posisyon sa bansa ay sarisari rin ang haka-haka ng mga mamamayan sa napipinto niyang mga plano para sa bansa sakaling mailuluklok man siya sa pwesto.

Sa mata ng kanyang mga tagahanga, siya na ang tamang kasagutan. Hindi na rin naman matatawaran ang kanyang serbisyo publiko dahil naglingkod siya sa bayan bilang alagad ng batas magmula pa sa panahon ng Batas Militar hanggang sa pamumuno ng “daang matuwid”. Malakas din ang hatak ni Madam Senator sa mga kabataan dahil sa kanyang mga pamosong hugot lines at banat.

Sa panig ng mga naniniwala sa kanya, siya na raw ang solusyon. Kung ikukumpara sa anime, siya ang bidang may kakaiba mang katangian o pananaw sa buhay, ay patuloy pa ring sinusuportahan at kinakagat ang palabas dahil sa kanya.

Ngunit sa tagal na rin ng kanyang exposure bilang bida, tila yata nakakaramdam na ng pagkasawa ang ilan — ika nga’y mahahanay na lamang siya sa tinatawag na trapo.

Gaya ng isang series na patuloy na bini-binge watch, makulay din ang naging takbo ng karera ni Miriam sa larangan ng pagsisilbi sa bayan. Sa kanyang daan tungo sa pagle-level up upang maging ganap na hokage, marami ring mga bumabalakid sa kanya patungo sa inaasam-asam na titulo — mga kritikong kumukuwestiyon sa kanyang iniindang karamdaman at lalo na sa katinuan ng kanyang pag-iisip.

IPAGPATULOY SA PAHINA 13

12 FEATURES

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

BASSESSING EYO N D C O N T R A D I C T I O N S THE PERFORMANCE OF THE 37TH UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL OF UP MANILA THE FEATURES TEAM

The demands of the student body and the Filipino people must always be given focus, especially by the people who are elected to be the main voice that will represent the UP Manila population.

As the incumbent University Student Council (USC) nears the end of their term, it is necessary to evaluate if they have been effective in forwarding the pleas of the people and they have kept the trust of the Iskolar ng Bayan.

CO N V E RGENC E “Ako, sa tingin ko, ‘yong first step na talagang ginawa namin . . . [ay] ‘yong estudyante hindi lalapit sa council, ‘yong council ‘yong lalapit sa estudyante . . . through pag-create natin ng bawat committee na hina-handle ni councilor April Baldovino (Basic Students Services) ‘di ba and then ‘yong kay councilor Al Omaga, ‘yong People's Struggle . . . “ – USC Councilor Cherry Lindayag (in an interview with The Manila Collegian) One of the issues faced by the students in the previous semesters is the implementation of the Student Academic Information System (SAIS). Last academic year 20142015, when SAIS was first implemented in UP Manila, the students encountered numerous technical difficulties which made the enrollment utterly problematic.

Hence, within the term of the 37th USC this academic year 2015-2016, the USC has been active in ensuring that student enrollment is generally smooth. Through constant coordination with the SAIS team and the Registration Volunteer Corps (RVCs) of each college, USC Councilor for Basic Student Services April Baldovino said that any problems encountered by the students are immediately collated by the RVCs and reported to the council. The council then brings these concerns to the SAIS Team or

eUP for solutions. Aside from enrollment, student complaints regarding other matters were also tackled, as their batch representatives forwarded these issues to Baldovino for solutions.

The USC was also successful in promoting the rights and welfare of the university’s organizations, fraternities and sororities (OFS), most notably with their “#WeNeedSpace” movement. According to Vice Chair Balahadia, this movement was a result of consultations with the OFS, as the issue of space for their various activities was a constant complaint. The council’s initial initiative with writing a letter to the Office of the Chancellor yielded no results despite constant follow ups, as the Chancellor paid no heed to these letters. Following that, the USC extensively utilized social media and launched a signature campaign that attained more than 500 signatures, which – after being forwarded to the Chancellor’s office – finally got the administration to agree to a meeting with the USC. The latest dialogue between the USC and Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director Tristan Ramos sought for transparency on the administration’s part to clarify rules on rent as they demand that these venues, the Paz Mendoza parking lot for example, should be free of charge. In relation to organizational welfare, the USC was also successful in streamlining the accreditation process for these OFS through the minimization of requirements.

On the issue of the School of Health Sciences’ (SHS) lack of facilities as well as its apparent disconnect from the students of UP Manila, the council claims to have done short term as well as long term solutions.

In one of the League of College Student Council (LCSC) meetings, a discussion on the history as well as the current situation

PHOTO BY PATRICK LIWAG

of the SHS was done. Book drives were done in order to help fulfil the large gap of instruction materials in the SHS campuses.

When SHS students went to UP Manila to finish their practicum, members of the council tried their best to accommodate them and show them solidarity to their current situation. The greatest victory the USC claim to achieve as regard this issue was that they were able to make the SHS students feel that they are actually part of UP Manila.

A strong point of the USC could be seen here. It is very important that the council was able to recognize their responsibility not only to the UP Manila community but also to the SHS students. As USC Chair Manalo said, "Ang mode natin, ‘yong UPM na student council dapat yung naglalapit dahil tayo ang pinakamalapit sa 8th floor.”

Student demands were consistently pushed forward in order to call the administration's attention to the situation of the SHS campuses. The council also proposed to the OSA to include SHS students’ representatives in the leadership trainings it is regularly conducting. A universitywide planning together with SHS student representatives was also claimed to have been proposed.

Amidst the challenges and problems they have encountered throughout their term, the incumbent USC ceaselessly stood up and fought for what the Iskolar ng Bayan truly deserves. Collective in action and united as one, they became persistent and driven to serve their constituents – bringing the council closer to the Iskolar ng Bayan.

DI VERGEN C E They made sure that services are wellrendered, campaigns are immediately

immersed to the students, and projects are pushed through. However, just like any other councils, they have internal misunderstandings of their own. Their goal to fully reach out to their constituents and was not a total success as they lacked good feedback mechanisms making the students resort to their personal social media accounts and pages like The UPM Files, instead of directing it to the council itself.

As regards to the very few general assemblies conducted under “Ronda UP Manila”, the council still claims that it was effective as it translated to campaigns and activities. The mode used was also claimed to have been a different one as the observer status of the students was elevated into a participative one. As stated by one of the officers, "Hindi siya usapin kung ilang beses kayo nagmeet but how efficient you use your time.

Because how you use your time is how you will plan for peoples’ rights."

On transparency and accountability, the USC claims that all funds they handled, including that of the Tulong Kabataan, were well-documented. What they lacked was the quarterly release of infographics. With this, Councilor Lindayag said, “Ite-take ko na rin ‘yong blame especially bilang secretary general ng executive council no’ng first sem na eventually ay nag-resign ako come second sem . . . ang pagkukulang siguro ay ‘yong monthly/quarterly na ibinibigay sa mga estudyante especially nga no’ng first sem. And I take the blame."

Some promises given by the USC in the beginning of their term also did not materialize, such as the continuation of previous projects and campaigns from the 36th USC, specifically the UP Manila CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

GRAPHICS 13

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday LIGHTS, CAMERA, ELEKSYON! Matayog man ang kanyang mga nakamit sa buhay, na sapat nang patunay ng kanyang potensyal upang makapaglingkod bilang pinuno, tinitignan na lamang siya ng lipunan bilang traditional politician, tanders at wala nang lakas upang magsilbi. Kumbaga, naubos na rin ang lakas ng kanyang rasengan sa paglipas ng panahon at sa ngayon ay nangangailangan na lamang siya ng matinding medical ninjutsu.

Sa daigdig ng politika kung saan talamak ang labanan at batuhan ng putik, kailangang maging maalam ang masa sa pagpili ng kanilang iluluklok at hindi basta-basta iaatas sa kamay ng kung sino-sino. Dahil hindi tulad ng anime na maaaring isawalangbahala kapag napagod na sa kakahintay ng sunod na bakbakan, ang kahihinatnan ng bansa ay hindi nakakulong sa eleksyon kung hindi sa aksyon ng nahalal.

MULA SA PAHINA 10

Mala-pelikula man ang katuwaa’t kapanabikang dala ng bawat pagsibol ng panahon ng kampanya, marapat alalahanin ng masa na hindi lamang nakasalalay ang pagpili ng susunod na manunungkulan sa kung gaano kasikat ang genre ng aliwan na binebenta ng mga kandidato para masiguro ang kanilang boto. Dapat ay kilatisin natin ang mga ito base sa kanilang plataporma, kredibilidad, at abilidad na pamunuan ang ating bayan.

Sa gayong paraan, hindi lamang maikakahon ang ating pagboto sa mababaw na pagsusuri ng kung ano ang nakaaaliw at nakatutuwa, bagkus, maaari nang maaninag kung sino na nga ba ang kayang makatugon at makatulong sa paghilom ng mga karamdaman ng lipunan.

STRATEGIC CRUSH FROM PAGE 09 UPM USC Vice Chairpeson bet Raphael Cecilo Rodolfo banks on his incumbency as a USC Councilor. Lim is at a disadvantage because unlike Balahadia who is able to garner support from CAS and CM, Lim only has the College of Arts and Sciences to bank on and lacks public recognition in the white colleges. Meanwhile, the College of Medicine is known to support candidates hailing from them, which gives Rodolfo the dominant votes of the said college. Rodolfo is also affiliated with the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity, which gives him considerable political machinery to gather votes from different colleges across the university.

Indeed, Lim is the underdog of this year’s USC Vice Chairperson race but with A-K’s deliberate campaign, Lim might be able to gather votes from various swing colleges such as CPH, CN, and CP. Basing from the strengths and machineries of the standard bearers, a Balahadia-Rodolfo tandem is most likely to arise.

At least three USC Councilor positions will expectedly be filled by A-K candidates as Bigkis-UPM only presented four candidates on the race. Similar to the past set of student council members, the USC Councilors will be a mixed slate from both parties. All candidates are of equal footing as all of them are relatively new in University Student Council work – with only a few candidates banking on their incumbency in their local college councils. Majority of the seats will be occupied by the candidates from A-K with Alana Ann Cortes and Miguel Aljibe leading the race. Cortes’ incumbency on the CAMP Student Council gives her an advantage while Aljibe’s inclusion to CM will also gather votes similar to Balahadia

and Rodolfo. A-K’s De Guzman, Jimenez, and Juliano, and Bigkis UPM’s Lintao and Cruz are also strong contenders in the race for Councilors.

As the match nears the end-game, strategies are explored, propagandas are released, and moves remain calculated in order to ensure the sweetest victory— one that rests on serving the student populace.

In the end of another electoral battle lies the opportunity of gaining the maximum leverage to serve and represent the students through the University Student Council. Such is deserved only by a council capable of rising above politicking and ploys – a council promising to carry the genuine will of giving service to the Iskolar ng Bayan and the Filipino people.

Amidst the turmoil, the students hold the greatest asset – their power to vote and choose a council that will assert their rights and interests. With the students being the deciding factor in determining the victors, the hopes for a council that represents the aspirations of the populace and the masses ever remain ablaze.

In this game of strategies, ideologies, and proposed solutions, the decision still remains in the Iskolar ng Bayan’s hands. *As of press time, Bigkis-UPM is yet to release their General Plan of Action.

May sumvong ba u?

I-spluk mo na, beh!

- Lola P.

TALK IS CHEAP

FROM PAGE 15

goal and different means to serve the students. The end does not justify the means, and vice versa. We need a clear picture of their intentions and how they are planning to work as a member of a particular organization or party and as a representative of the student body.

As such, I implore you to choose the leaders who have faith in the intelligence of the Iskolar ng Bayan to recognize reality and their capability to fight for their rights. They should also understand the importance of integrating with the masses and the students — and unfailingly fight for the rights and welfare of the students.

We need leaders who are more than willing to represent our interests by joining the struggle of both the Iskolar ng Bayan and the masses.

We deserve nothing less.

THE VOTE IS SINKING

15

Your vote is as important as a turn in history, so please don’t let this vote sink by caring less once election is done. Because at the end of the day, once the tarpaulins have been shredded, once the votes have been tallied, the only thing that matters is not who wins, but what happens after.

BABAE

MULA SA PAHINA 15

hindi na siguro akin.

Mahal kita, at hindi iyon mababago ng paghihiwalay.

Mahal kita, magkasama.

kahit

hindi

tayo

Mahal kita, bilang isang babaeng kayang tumindig at lumaban para sa pag-ibig na kaniyang pinaniniwalaan.

14 GRAPHICS

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

BEYOND CONTRADICTIONS FROM PAGE 12 Agenda and the UP Manila Freshman Assembly. With regard to the Freshman Assembly, Councilor Baldovino said that “. . . we looked for the constitution of FA pero ang sa atin, they’re not under us. They’re a different body. Kaya it’s hard for us to decide."

Moreover, Chair Manalo added, "Sa assessment namin, na we really need to discontinue it as a council."On the other hand, the UPM Agenda was not pursued as the council needed to attend to immediate issues but it was assured that those drafted under the previous UPM Agenda were still incorporated in the campaigns they carried out.

Despite the eagerness to serve, inadequacy was still felt. But the 37th USC remained on their ground and stood firm on their duty to serve the students.

T RA N SC E NDENC E "[The term of the 37th USC] would be summarized into struggle. Struggle within yourself. Struggle within the council, struggle in the streets, struggle in the classroom, every day is a struggle. Encourage and appreciate the struggle kasi ‘yon ‘yong nagre-remind sa ‘yo na you’re alive, you’re still doing your purpose, you’re still here.

Encourage contradictions. Contradictions bring the sharpest line as always if you are in a room na maraming mga tao, different opinions, encourage contradictions, debate.

Because at the end of the day, something will prevail and that’s one thing na nakalagay sa UP Manila University Student Council na header natin palagi. ‘Yong sharpest line natin ay sumasagot sa tanong na para kanino? And that is, in the service of the Filipino people, we remain. Nananatili tayo dahil sa mamamayang Pilipino." - USC Chair Cid Manalo (in an interview) The 37th USC was successful not only in attending to the needs of their constituents but in responding to the louder call outside the university.

On the issues of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the incumbent USC was successful in the promotion of campaigns against its privatization. According to

Mga Uri ng Botante Ngayong Student Council Elections

Councilor for Health and Environment, Gil Catalan, the USC did not treat the issue of privatization separately from the issue of budget cut, as these issues are interrelated with the latter being the cause of the former.

With that in mind, the USC was successful in holding dialogues with PGH director Dr. Legaspi regarding PGH’s various repressive policies that affect both its patients and workers.

The incumbent USC was also able to play an active role in supporting the Lumad movement. According to the Councilor for Peoples’ Struggles, Al Omaga, from the very onset of the Lumad-killing issues, the USC, along with the workers’ union from PGH, academic unit unions, and the students, have played an active part in publicizing these occurrences and bringing them into the consciousness of the UP community, through the various infographics created by the committee for peoples’ struggles. More than that, the USC welcomed the Lumads when they arrived in the PGH Oblation Plaza, and acted as a medium that organized student donations (both monetary and in kind) for the immediate needs of the Lumads. The USC promoted the Lumad movement by bringing the issue closer to the students. Councilor Omaga stated that the USC would often talk to professors, asking for their permission to bring their classes to Liwasang Bonifacio in order to interact with, and better understand the struggle of these victims of militarization.

Educational forums on mining were also held in connection to the Lumad issue.

Supportive Friend

“YESSS. Classmate/batchmate/schoolmate/seatmate/busmate/playmate ko yan!”

Fangirl

“OMG. Di ko keri beh. Ang pogi!!! Sure vote na yan sa akin hihihi!”

Attack Dog

“UGH. Ang bobobo ninyo talaga. UNLIKE MY CANDIDATE. *Shares 700 pictures of said candidate*

Apathetic Intellectual

“I’m not voting. This place is all going to hell anyway. See you losers in hell.”

With all the challenges faced together and obstacles overcome, it is evident that the unity of the council became their building block for their victories.

They did not simply deal with the issues that concern their constituents inside the university but also the tribulations faced outside the familiar confines of the campus.

The incumbent USC has left more than just promises; they have left legitimate marks of success, as seen in the various programs that they have implemented and service rendered to the students and the Filipino people.

Responsible Iska

“ I need to know all the platforms of the candidates to choose the best one. With great power comes great responsibility. Spiderman ang peg ko no?”

OPINION 15

Volume 29 Number 13-14 May 5, 2016 | Thursday

MANILA OBSERVATION

THE VOTE IS SINKING

Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa

I am a prisoner of my own society.

Whichever presidentiable you wish to support, fine, I won’t debate with you.

I serve an indefinite sentence that seems Your heart is set and that already makes it difficult to change your mind, despite the arguments against each of them. I won’t bother anymore with “vote wisely”. That’s how much I trust your judgement. I just hope we’re at the same page with how we treat this election.

You see, I did not register. (It proved to be luck since the biometrics got hacked.) It might give you power over me to choose whoever you think is capable enough to run the country, but that doesn’t automatically make us unequal. As long as there’s something wrong going on, everyone – including those who won’t get to shade circles on ballots – can voice out. Instead of being dissuaded for maintaining my right to abstain, I need you to understand that we share the same responsibility: to remain vigilant, even after you exercise your power to vote.

I assume there are those who want to get this over with so they could go back to a life of comfort. Get these obnoxious campaigns out of their faces, while

they earn their salary and enjoy their privilege. Let these elected officials do their work, as they focus on reviewing their lecture notes.

Although it’s probably not their fault to be conditioned like that, it’s alarming to see they’re contributors to apathy.

The fact that the problems of our nation seem to have a one-stop solution – the social media-frenzied circus of a national election – deludes our

It is not your job to defend the government because it is us who must be defended in the first place. countrymen into thinking that placing someone on top post will lead us right to genuine progress.

Picking which candidate suits us neglects the needs of the underprivileged. Change is a process that doesn’t come as abruptly as an announcement. It might not be our job to pass bills and meet with heads of state, but it is our role as a people to sustain the potency gained from voting as the exact freedom to criticize.

BABAYLAN

Piliin mong magmahal, kahit masakit na. Piliin mong magpatawad, kahit sobra na. Dahil babae ka.

sa pagmulat ng aking mga mata, tiyak naman na wala ka sa tabi ko. At wala akong magagawa para baguhin ito.

Sabi ng nakausap ko kanina, ang solusyon daw sa lahat ay pag-ibig. Ang sarap makipagkuwentuhan sa isang tao na batikan na sa larangan ito. Taong pinatibay ng karanasan at kaalaman, na tila subok na ng panahon. Nagmahal, nasaktan, umasa, naghintay, sumubok muli, nadapa, nabigo, napagod, nagsawa, natakot ngunit kahit kailan ay hindi sumuko. Aktibista noon at ngayon pero sa pag-ibig iba ang tugon. May mga bagay daw na minsan hindi worth it na ipaglaban. May bagay na tinatapos at hindi na binabalikan. May mga bagay na kahit anong pilit nating ayusin ay mananatili nang sira. May mga bagay na dapat na lamang kalimutan. At may mga tagumpay na base sa kasarian.

Pero kahit mahirap, kakayanin ko. Kahit masakit, titiisin ko. Dahil sa lipunang ito, tanging paghihintay lang daw ang dapat gawin ng babae. Kayang pawiin ng ngiti at yakap mo lahat ng hirap at sakit na pinagdaanan ko gayong minsan ikaw din ang may dulot nito. Bilang babae, nahihiya akong isipin na baka sobra na ang pagmamahal ko sa ‘yo. Baka higit na ito sa gusto mo.

Mahirap at masakit ang araw-araw na paggising sa umaga na alaala natin ng magkasama ang nasa isip ko. Ngunit

If your presidentiable wins, cease the fanaticism. It is not your job to defend the government because it is us who must be defended in the first place. When people protest against your president, don’t fight against the protesters. Know what the people are protesting about.

Most likely, they won’t care much about the personality anyway, but rather with how the position is being used. Channel your support instead towards the state of the nation because it’s what affects everyone. If your bet loses, back up your aversion with scrutiny. Hate anytime you want as long as you trace your concern. (This usually stems from how they respond to pressing issues.)

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

BABAE

Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero

Pero sa kaso ko, bilang babae, sinabihan niya akong maghintay. Patriyarkal ang lipunan kaya hindi maiintindihan ng lalaki na puwedeng gumawa ng paraan ang babae. Magtiwala daw ako sa mga pinagsamahan namin.

This power is exercised not just solely for Election Day. It is practiced every day. It manifests whenever a scandal involving taxes shows up. It manifests itself whenever our rights are trampled on. We use this to call out the government for denying us of our basic social services through rampant privatization and ungodly minimum wages. This is the freedom we uphold when we defend the rights of the masses. This freedom has been fought for in the past. It is our duty to maintain and continue to fight for it.

Ngunit sa pagmulat ng aking mga mata, tiyak naman na wala ka sa tabi ko.

Isang panibagong buwan na hindi kita kasama. Kulang na sabihin na nangungulila ako. Alam ko nasa malapit ka lang pero alam kong hindi kita pwedeng puntahan at lapitan, dahil sabi nga nila babae ako.

Kulong ako sa sistemang tinutulak ako para kalimutan ko ang mga prinsipyong harapin ang mga problema. Sa pagkakataong ito, dapat bang talikuran

na lang ang lahat? Pero nasa akin ang desisyon. Hindi ka magdedesisyon para sa akin. At kahit ano pang sabihin nila, lagi akong hahantong sa konklusyon na gusto at kailangan kong lumaban.

Hindi para sa iyo, kundi para sa akin mismo. Ayokong umalis hangga’t alam ko na hindi ko pa nagawa ang lahat ng makakakaya ko. Dahil babae ako.

Alam kong nasasaktan at nahihirapan ka rin. Naniniwala akong naiisip mo rin ang sitwasyon nating dalawa. Gusto kong malaman mo na para sa akin hindi pa huli ang lahat. At sa oras na malaman ko mula sa’yo na bumitaw ka nga talaga, at sumuko, asahan mong irerespeto ko iyon.

Maghihintay ako pero hindi sa kadahilanang ito lang ang magagawa ko bilang babae. Sa ngayon, maghihintay muna ako ng tamang panahon at pagkakataon na makausap ka. May mga umuusbong na pagkakataon para makahakbang ako pasulong. Hindi ko man alam kung saan ako dadalhin nito pero nagtitiwala akong nasa mabuti akong landas. May dahilan ang lahat; hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ako tatagal. Basta, hangga’t kaya ko, mananatili akong sa ‘yo kahit ikaw ay IPAGPATULOY SA PAHINA 13

Famous Last Words Aria Hernandez TALK IS CHEAP It’s that time of the year again. The elections is just around the corner.

Everywhere I look, I would find the numerous campaign posters of politicians. Some of them seeking reelection while others are running as ‘alternative’ candidates who hope to beat the same old faces. All of them have the usual spiel, rousing speeches, and grand pronouncements that do not really come true. They claim that voting for them would either continue the so-called progress of the country or improve the lives of Filipinos who have been suffering because of the current government’s incompetence.

To be honest, I am getting tired being bombarded with these empty promises that are either forgotten or disregarded once they are elected. It’s the same old story: candidates present themselves as the savior of the country, but they are actually no different from those in power. What is more is that they employ the same tactics as the predecessors who excelled in deviating the discussion from issues that are of national interest.

In fact, I noticed that these people running for office would rather focus on lambasting other candidates and slamming their campaigns to get the votes of their constituents. It is no longer a question of what they can and cannot do for the people – it is now a question of which one of them is the lesser evil. This has been the case in both the national and our very own university student council (USC) elections.

Just recently, I saw a campaign material of a particular political organization, where I used to be part of, who resorted to politicking instead of showing the students what they intend to do to address existing issues and champion the students’ rights. How do they intend to move the interests of the students and Filipino people forward? What are their specific advocacies? What can they actually do for us?

Perhaps one of the reasons why I am quite aggravated by their actions is the fact that they chose to malign another party. Nevertheless, while history does speak for itself, we cannot rush head on and vote for the other party immediately. We have to exercise vigilance and ensure that their words will turn into actions.

We have to examine their competence and will to fight for the change that they are advocating. It is not enough to know that they have a particular CONTINUED ON PAGE 13