The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 - Friday
that question 10 opinion
of aces and kings 12 features
america is in the heart 07 culture
GROUPS COMMEMORATE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE
02 NEWS
02 NEWS
NEWS DOSE:
Pambansang Industrialisasyon at ang Independent Foreign Policy
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
Groups commemorate Maguindanao Massacre RYANA YSABEL NERI KESNER PHOTO BY AGATHA HAZEL RABINO
NIÑA KEITH MUSICO FERRANCOL
Mula pa 1898, matapos sakupin ng Amerika ang Pilipinas, hanggang sa kasalukuyan, kontrolado pa rin nito ang ekonomiya ng bansa. Tinitiyak nito na malaking ganansya ang makukuha ng mga dayuhang korporasyon mula sa murang paggawa, likas na yaman, at pagbebenta ng kalakal at serbisyo sa Pilipinas. Ang malawakang denasyonalisayon ng manupaktura dahil sa dominanteng pagmamay-ari ng dayuhang korporasyon sa 2/3 (65 % ) ng produkto ng bansa, ay sa kahirapan, kawalan ng trabaho at atrasadong industriya humahantong. Isang kabalintunaan na ang mga produkto na inaangkat sa ibang bansa ay naproseso mula sa mga hilaw na materyales ng ating bansa. Bukod dito, nananatiling nakasandig ang ekonomiya ng bansa sa industriya ng kalakal at serbisyo. Kaya’t mahalaga ang pambansang industriyalisasyon upang makalikha ng sustenableng trabaho at malayang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mamamayan nito tulad ng bigas, pagkain, pabahay, edukasyon, kalusugan at iba pang batayang serbisyo. Isang malaking hakbang ang pagdedeklara ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ng separasyon sa Estados Unidos sa usaping ekonomiko at militar upang tuluyang mapagtibay ang soberansya ng bansa at mawakasan ang atrasadong industriya at kahirapan. Gayunpaman, pananatilihin ng administrasyon ang diplomatikong uganayan sa Estados Unidos para sa kapakanan ng maraming Filipino.
*Layon ng News Dose na na magbukas ng serye ng mapanuring pag-ulat hinggil sa napapanahong balita.
Last November 23, the College of Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and other student publications marched to the Mendiola Peace Arch with the various sectors to call for justice for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre and to protest against state impunity. The groups criticized the impeded processes in apprehending those suspected in organizing the massacre, and slammed the inefficient justice system in the country. With 32 journalists out of the 58 murdered, the massacre was noted as the most violent action against journalists in history. It was reportedly orchestrated by Andal Ampatuan Jr., as the convoy killed and buried in Sitio Masalay was on the way to file candidacy papers for Esmael Mangudadatu, Ampatuan’s rival in the 2010 gubernatorial elections. Yet even after seven years, the Supreme Court has not yet forwarded any new decision on the case against the Ampatuan clan, which is still in the assessment process. Last Sunday, November 20, family and friends of the victims formed a motorcade from General Santos City and retraced the steps of the massacre as they neared Sitio Masalay, where they held a mass to remember the dead.
D emands for Accountability In Bacolod, the Negros Press Club (NPC) led prayers, offered flowers and lit candles to the fallen media workers at the Marker of the Fallen Journalists. NPC President Teresa Ellera assured that Negrense journalists would continue to support the family and friends of the victims. Furthermore, NUJP Secretary General Dabet Panelo added that this lag is due to the Ampatuans still being powerful enough to delay the legal process. Aside from this, NUJP explained that the massacre has encouraged the silencing of the press in cases where the positions of the powerful are at stake. Consequently, the CEGP maintained that despite the government’s tendency to suppress those who try to expose their abuses, it is still part of a journalist’s job description to “deliver the truth”. The guild also expressed their support to the families of the victims and condemned the continuing impunity and state fascism in the government. In addition, the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) held a protest at Quezon Hall by forming a human chain. During the rally, demonstrators challenged Duterte to take responsibility for the issue left unsettled by the previous administrations.
“Wala pong ibang solusyon dito kung hindi gamitin natin ang ating mga lente, mga bolpen, ating talino, at ating kakayahan sa pagsulat upang ipakita sa mga naghaharing-uri na hindi tama ang kanilang ginagawa,” College of Communication (CMC) Student Council Journalism Representative Mikko Ringia asserted. “Malakas ang kapangyarihan natin kapag sama-sama tayong kumilos.”
Case in Progress In line with this, NUJP stated that after seven years of waiting, 197 people were originally suspected of taking part in the massacre, with four already dead (including prime suspect, Andal Ampatuan Sr., who died of a heart attack last year). Out of the 193 remaining suspects, the Supreme Court (SC) added, 15 possess the Ampatuan surname, 106 are still awaiting trial, and 4 have been exonerated. "All bail proceedings having been resolved (except for accused Ampatuan Jr.),” the SC reported in a statement released last week. “The proceedings are already now at the stage of presentation of the evidence-in-chief.” Moreover, a defense panel is set to present these evidences to the lower court in January 2017.
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
STRAW Week, launched this November
NEWS 03
ADOLF ENRIQUE SANTOS GONZALES
In line with the International Students’ Day last November 17, the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) University Student Council (USC), together with local student councils, organizations, and publications, commenced the Student Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Week for this year. This week-long event included activities regarding academic policies, the implementation of an Independent Foreign Policy and Students’ Rights. Furthermore, the STRAW Week aimed to emphasize the students’ crucial role in bringing genuine change and in defending and upholding the rights of the Filipino youth and people. Following this, the USC led an opening ceremony last November 14 at the RH Lobby of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) to kick off the programs for the week, with USC Councilor Charles Jimenez as convenor. Then, the UP College of Pharmacy (UPCP) Junior Ambassadors of Music (PharmJAM) performed a rendition of “UP Naming Mahal” for the end of the ceremony.
Pressing Concerns Tackled On November 16, a entitled “Students’ Right
forum under
an Independent Foreign Policy”, was held at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Science Hall. The program was organized by the USC in cooperation with KASAMA sa UP, and focused on discussions by UP Student Regent Raoul Manuel and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Secretary General Eleanor De Guzman. During the seminar, UP SR Manuel expounded on the topic entitled “Neoliberal Attacks on UP and Education”. Manuel brought up issues such as the privatization of education and the unjust policies imposed on students. On the other hand, De Guzman elaborated on the subject “Asserting an Independent
Foreign Policy”. She explained the implications of the existence of foreign ties with the Philippines, such as potential alliances of the Duterte administration with the leaders of China and Russia. Likewise, De Guzman indicated how the process of pursuing independence from external powers could impact on the nation’s economy, politics and culture.
Campaigning Students’ Rights In accordance with the International Students’ Day March for Students’ Rights, several organizations and student groups including the USC, Gabriela - UP Manila, NNARA Youth, Alpha Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity held
separate gatherings at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Lobby and at Tipunan on November 17. Moreover, leaders from various student councils and formations vehemently demanded the implementation of pro-student policies. Throughout the week, the USC designated freedom walls and photo booths in different colleges. Aside from this, activities such as “Alternatibong Klase” (AKLAS) were held on multiple dates. Consequently, programs under the STRAW week were formally closed on November 18.
Luzon Island-Wide Student Congress concluded Student groups discuss general demands ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE
PHOTO BY AGATHA HAZEL RABINO
KASAMA sa UP, a system-wide alliance of student councils of the University of the Philippines, together with the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) and National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), conducted the first Island-Wide Student Congress (IWSC), a platform for the discussion of pressing issues in UP and in the country from November 12 to 13 at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. In line with this, various student leaders convened the formulation of plans to address such concerns on the last day of the event. System-wide launch
Pursuing Awareness
Following this, the Luzon IWSC was held in UP Diliman for all Luzonbased UP units such as UP Manila (UPM), UP Los Baños (UPLB), UP Baguio (UPB), UP DEP (UP Pampanga), UP Open University (UP OU), and UPM-School of Health Sciences (SHS) in Baler.
Primarily, the main goals of the Island-Wide Student Congress is to engage UP students, publications, and student organizations in resolving the problems and challenges within the UP system, and to establish different avenues in order to address those issues.
Furthermore, other student congresses were also conducted in Visayas and Mindanao for UP units based in the mentioned islands, respectively. These are composed of the UP Visayas (UPV) in Iloilo and Miag-ao, UPV Tacloban College, UP Cebu, UPM-SHS in Palo for Visayas last November 5 and 6 while UP Mindanao and UPM-SHS in Koronadal for Mindanao last November 8 and 9.
During the two-day congress held at UP Diliman, the participants were offered educational discussions (EDs) about the Philippine history and revolution. In addition, the students present involved in Basic Masses Integrations (BMIs) held at Bulacan to immerse in the community, especially with the farmers residing there. The goal of the activity was for students to be exposed to the struggles faced by the peasants, and for the consolidation of the students’ stance in solidarity with the masses. The highlight of the second day was the crafting of the UP Student Agenda and General Demands (UP SAGD) spearheaded by the OSR
Meanwhile, the Visayas leg of the IWSC was held in UP Cebu while the Mindanao chapter took place in UP Mindanao.
and KASAMA sa UP. Furthermore, The UP SAGD was initiated by 2014 Student Regent Neill Macuha.
Student agenda vision In line with the recent UP Presidential Selection last November 15, the OSR and KASAMA sa UP led various student publications and councils in formulating the draft of the new student agenda. The UP SAGD is a pro-student document that lists all the demands and agenda of the UP students highlighting the fight for free education, campus press freedom, and democratic rights of the students as compiled and organized by the OSR. Moreover, this aims to be passed to the Board of Regents (BOR) with the 21st UP President Danilo Concepcion at the helm, in order to confront several issues regarding academic policies and consequently, to gain the board’s recognition and approval.
04 NEWS Various student groups constitute SEAL
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA PHOTOS BY JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG
The commencement of the Rise UP! for Climate Justice summit at the Emergency Room (ER) Conference Hall in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on November 12 was an initial step for participant student formations to officially introduce the Science and Environment Assembly of Leaders (SEAL), with the objective of equipping the university to address environmental issues and the problems brought about by climate change in the nation.
Meanwhile, Committee Chairman on Natural Resources, Congressman Carlos Zarate and Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, Karl Begnotea delivered keynote speeches regarding climate justice and the politics surrounding it. On November 22, SEAL launched an educational discussion (ED) at the NEDA Building to further tackle issues in the Philippine economy and society impacted on by climate change in accordance with the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP 22) held by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Kalikasan People’s Network for Environment Zeph Repollo served as the key speaker for the discussion. During the ED, she brought up people’s movements directed at climate justice and demanding accountability major contributors of climate change.
D iscussions Held In line with the goal of the Rise UP! for Climate Justice summit, Representative Zarate focused his discussion on the correlation of the progress agricultural reforms in the Philippines with
the people’s fight for climate justice. He discussed the actions and plans of the Committee on Natural Resources in support of the preservation of the environment and potential produce from agricultural lands and forests of the country. Likewise, the committee pushed for resolutions backing up the peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In this light, Zarate indicated that the political and cultural struggle of the national minorities were a huge part in the resistance against the capitalist policies promoting the exploitation of their ancestral lands. He also urged that the students support the struggle of the masses and enjoined them to further participate in climate justice advocacies. “Mahalaga na tumindig tayo bilang mamamayan”, he asserted. “We still believe that it is in the mass movement that we will find hope in the future”.
The next speaker, Begnotea, elaborated points in relation with Zarate’s speech. He aimed that industrialization by powerful countries and their capitalist tendencies further elevated climate change. Furthermore, he explained how these implicated influence on the neoliberal policies of the administration, which encouraged the exploitation of the Philippine’s resources by foreign companies. Alarmingly, the policies of the past administrations have been veering in the same direction. "Domestically, ang gobyerno ay patuloy na nagpapagawa ng batas para lalo masira ang kalikasan”, he expounded. "Karamihan ng industriyang operasyon sa bansa ay sa dayuhan." Begnotea also encouraged participation in social movements with the purpose of resolving climate change. “Panagutin ang historikal na responsable at kumilos para sa depensa ng kalikasan”, he contended, "I-pressure natin ang gobyerno at palaganapin ang awareness”.
Agenda Consolidated Prior to the consultation of the focus for campaign of each participant organizations, the nomination for the officers for the SEAL executive committee was initiated. Following this, USC Councilor Miguel Aljibe was voted as the provisional chair, and Diego Mina was motioned by fellow nominee, Anna Sasil from Agham Youth-UP Manila, to be voted as provisional vice chair. Meanwhile, the members of the executive committee include Lorenz Caldito from UP Vector, Walter Villegas from UP Minggan, Alliza Andal from Biological Sciences Society (BSS), and Alex Hapitan and Nico Valdez from UP One Earth. Afterwards, the groups conferred the main points to constitute agenda of the alliance. The deliberation resulted in the four points of focus in the Manifesto of Unity, which directed at calls for resolving climate change, demanding justice for scientists and environmentalists, promoting national industrialization and improving health and environmental conditions in the country.
NEWS 05
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
Various sectors unite against Marcos burial Duterte’s support on interment, opposed EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA
Following the National Day of
Unity and Rage last November 25, progressive and youth groups led by the UP Manila University Student Council (USC) gathered at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Oblation Plaza to slam the authorization of President Rodrigo Duterte on the burial of the former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB). Earlier in the day, a snake rally was held around the UP Manila campus to further condemn the atrocities of the Marcos administration and call for justice for the victims of the Martial Law.
PHOTO BY KYLA DOMINIQUE LACAMBACAL PASICOLAN
The protest actions later led to the multi-sectoral program held at Luneta, where thousands joined to criticize Duterte’s honoring of Marcos’ interment at the LNMB.\
Separate Agenda Prior to the gathering at Luneta, Anakbayan led a rally in Mendiola, near the Malacañang compound. “Today youth and students and people from all walks of life unite to hold the Duterte regime accountable for giving a hero’s burial to a dictator, plunderer, and human rights violator”, stated Anakbayan National Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo, “Today we link arms
to denounce Duterte’s unholy alliance with the Marcoses. Meanwhile, Duterte defended his decision on the matter and maintained that his judgment was made objectively. He also denied that this was because of close relations with the Marcos family. "You just have to understand my position. We [lawyers] are trained with cold neutrality," he asserted. "You should not allow compassion, and sentiment, whatever, to taint your judgment." In a separate interview, Duterte indicated that there were no legal alternatives on the burial. “Wala kaming choice. We cannot
have a different interpretation because it simply says that a soldier and a former President are qualified to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani”. Aside from this, he brought up that the past administrations made no concrete amendment of the law following Marcos’ regime. In line with the protests against the Marcos’ regime, Duterte was firm on his stand. “Whether true or not, that's not my business to dig into the history. Whether or not he became good or bad, or worse, along the years, that is not for me to decide."
06 CULTURE
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
ASAL PAGKASALA
Ang Birtud ng Kapatawaran
JOSE LORENZO QUEROL LANUZA Nakapasok na ang susi, pero bago mo pa man itulak ang pinto, may narinig ka nang umuungol ng “Oh my god!” Naalala mo bigla ang sinabi ng roommate mo kanina, “Siya nga pala, bibisita nobya ko.” Kaya pagbukas, sumambulat sina Eba at Adan na nagkakasala sa ibabaw ng sarili mong kama. Ikaw ay naging si Satanas at agad mo silang pinagsukluban ng galit! Papatawarin mo sana sila kung hindi lang nila binahiran ang saping tanging ikaw lang ang dapat humihiga. Lahat tayo ay nagkakasala. Tayo rin mismo ay nagagawan ng mali. Hindi mahihiwalay dito ang usapin ng pagpapatawad, ang paghingi at ang pagbigay nito. Ngunit lingid sa kaalaman ng marami, ang tunay na kapatawaran ay mahirap makamit sapagkat nangangailangan ito ng tunay na pagbabago sa kalooban hindi lamang ng nagkasala kundi pati na rin ng biktima.
KUMPISAL Nagkukuda sa social media yung jowa mo tungkol sa relasyon niyo, na kahit Martial Law ang isyu ay tuloy pa rin siya sa pag-post ng kalandian. Gusto niyang humingi ng patawad, pero sa nakikita mo, “patuwad” ang gusto niya. Dahil hindi ka tulad ng isang Marcos apologist, humingi ka ng karampatang hustisya, humingi ka ng pagbabago, at saka mo lamang siya papatawarin. Likas sa ating humingi ng kapatawaran dahil sa ating moral na responsibilidad sa kapwa bunga ng kolektibong pakikipamuhay. Kolektibo nating tinatanaw ang tama at mali, at kung may nilabag tayong batas, makatatanggap tayo ng parusa mula sa komunidad. Upang matanggap muli sa lipunang kanyang kinabibilangan, ang nagkasala ngayon ay hihingi ng kapatawaran dagdag pa ang pangako na siya’y magbabago. Ngunit bago mapatawad ang nagkasala, may ilang bagay siyang dapat tuparin upang makumbinsi ang kanyang nasaktan na siya’y patawarin. Paano ba papatawarin ang isang tao kung ayaw niyang akuin ang kanyang pagkakasala? Tulad ng roommate mong humiram ng sabon, nang isinauli sa’yo ay may kasama nang bulb*l. Ayaw niyang aminin, at wala siyang ni-isang hibla ng pagsisisi. Aba, hindi naman siguro nagbibinata yung sabon. Mahirap siyang patawarin dahil isang rekisito sa pagpapatawad ay kailangang aminin at akuin ng nagkasala ang responsibilidad sa nagawa niyang pinsala. Nararapat lamang tandaan na sa bawat pinsala, merong mananagot — kung may biktima, may nagkasala. Upang mas maging kapani-paniwala na tunay ngang nagsisisi ang nagkasala, dapat niyang maipakita na talagang naiintindihan niya ang laki ng pinsalang naidulot niya. Halimbawa noong kasagsagan ng
bagyong Yolanda, libo-libong Pilipino ang nawalan ng kabuhayan, madami rin ang namatay. Ngunit ano na lamang ang naging tugon ni BS Aquino sa mga naging biktima? “Buhay pa naman kayo, diba?” Bagamat hindi siya ang pangunahing nagdulot ng pinsala, bilang presiTdente, malaki ang pinanghahawakan niyang responsibilidad na panagutan ang nangyari. Ang kanyang walang-pusong pahayag ay nakadagdag lamang sa pinsalang natamo ng mga biktima. Samakatuwid, kung gusto talaga ng isang taong humingi ng kapatawaran, dapat niyang lubusang maintindihan at pagsisihan ang buong abot ng kanyang nagawang pinsala. Para sa panghuling rekisito, dapat tandaan na ang mismong pahayag kung may ganap nang kapatawaran ay dapat na manggaling sa biktima at hindi sa nagkasala. Hindi maaari na ang nagkasala mismo ang maghahayag na siya ay napatawad na kahit wala itong basbas ng biktima. Halimbawa, naniniwala ang mga Marcos ngayon na sila ay napatawad na, o dapat na tayong mag-move on, at nararapat nang ilibing ang yumaong diktador bilang isang bayani dahil ito raw ang magdadala ng kapayapaan sa buong bansa. Ipinapakita lamang nito ang kawalan ng respeto at pakialam sa sentimyento ng sambayanang Pilipino. Kung isasawalang-bahala ng nagkasala ang mga saloobin ng kanyang biktima, para na rin niyang dinurog nang pangalawang beses ang buhay ng mga biktima, at lalo lamang binuksan ang mga sugat na hindi pa naghihilom. Mahalagang tandaan: ang paghingi ng patawad ay hindi “pagbabayad ng utang” kung saan pagtapos mong bayaran ay abswelto ka na sa iyong mga kasalanan at malaya ka nang gawin ulit ang ninanais mo. Dagdag dito, hindi naman “humiram” ang nagkasala, kundi sapilitang kinuha ang isang bagay mula sa biktima. Kaya naman ang dapat gawin ng nagkasala ay pagpapanibagong-hubog—pangako na siya ay magbabago para sa ikabubuti— at hindi tulad ng pagbabayad-utang kung saan matapos tugunan ay may tiyansa na muling magkasala. Sa kaso naman kung saan ang biktima ay yumao na, pinakamainam na gawin ng nagkasala ay ipagpatuloy ang pagpapanibagong-hubog. Bagamat wala na ang biktima, dahil kolektibo nga ang ating pamumuhay at may pananagutan tayo sa isa’t isa, lipunan ngayon ang may tungkuling akuin ang mga sentimyento’t alaala ng biktima at patawarin ang nagkasala batay rito. Mahalaga ang paghingi ng kapatawaran dahil binubuo nitong muli ang nasirang relasyon sa pagitan ng nagkasala at ng biktima, at sa pagitan ng nagkasala at ng lipunang kanyang kinabibilangan.
DIBUHO NI ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO
Hindi rin maikakaila na ang kapatawaran ay may malaki at importanteng bahagi sa pagsusulong ng sangkatauhan, at sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa lipunan.
PAGPAPAWALANG-SALA Sa wakas, politically aware na ang jowa mo. Nagsisisi na siya at humihingi na siya ng tunay na kapatawaran. Matapos mong makinig sa talamak na nakakadiring love songs tungkol sa second chance, tinawagan mo siya at sinabing pinapatawad mo na siya. Pero kinabukasan, nanggagalaiti ka pa rin, at bigla mo na lang sinusumbat ang mga kasalanan niya sa tuwing hindi niya sinusunod ang gusto mo. Hindi ganito ang pagpapatawad, at mas mahirap pa ito kaysa sa inaakala mo. Ang pagpapatawad ay isang porma ng komunikasyon. Isa itong two-way street kung saan kinakailangan ng pagsisikap sa magkabilang panig upang makamit ito. Hindi lamang ang nagkasala ang nangangailangan ng pagpapanibagonghubog, kundi pati rin ang biktima. Kung may mga kailangang gawin ang nagkasala upang siya ay mapatawad, meron ding mga bagay na kailangang gawin ang biktima upang masabing siya nga ay tunay na nakapagpatawad. Marami ang naniniwala sa kasabihang “Love the sinner, Hate the sin” pero hindi dapat pinaghihiwalay ang kasalanan mula sa nagkasala. Sa oras na hiniwalay ang nagkasala sa kanyang kasalanan, mahuhulog ang biktima sa patibong ng condonation, kung saan ang uri ng patawad na kanyang maibibigay ay magiging katwiran upang hindi managot ang nagkasala sa kanyang kasalanan. Ano na lamang ang mararamdaman mo kung ang depensa ni Brock Turner ay ganito: “Masama po ang manggahasa, pero hindi ako masama!” Aba’y deput@!
Marahil, kinikilala natin ang pagiging isa ng nagkasala sa kanyang kasalanan, ngunit marapat nating mapagtanto na ang kasalanan ay hindi ang kabuuan ng pagkatao ng nagkasala. Layunin ng pagpapatawad ay mapanumbalik ang tinatawag na “shared humanity” ng magkabilang panig. Hindi ito makakamit kung ang biktima ay aastang superyor sa nagkasala sa aspekto ng moralidad. Kumbaga sa langit-lupa, hindi dapat tumungtong ang biktima sa langit, at hindi rin niya dapat ibaba ang nagkasala sa impyerno. Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatawad, naibabalik ang dating mapayapang relasyon, at sila’y magkakaisang muli bilang magkapantay na indibidwal. Maraming naniniwala na ang pagpapatawad raw ay pwedeng unconditional, na pwedeng ibigay nang kusa na parang regalo. Lahat naman daw tayo ay nagkakamali, kaya lahat tayo ay karapat-dapat na makatanggap ng kapatawaran. Talamak ito sa social media, lalong-lalo na sa mga taong panay “Kristyano ka diba? Kung ang Diyos nga nagpapatawad, bakit ikaw hindi?” PERO HINDI KA DIYOS, bes, at hindi tulad ng sinasabi nila ang proseso ng pagpapatawad. Dapat matanto na kung ibibigay ang kapatawaran, kahit ano pang gawin o sabihin ng nagkasala (piliin man niyang magbago o hindi), wala rin itong pinagkaiba sa self-proclamation ng nagkasala na siya ay napatawad na, kahit wala namang sumasangayon. Sa kaso ng pagiging imperpekto, hindi ba’t mas nangangahulugan ito na dapat tayong maging mas responsable sa kapwa, at dapat maging mas masigasig na ipaglaban at pangalagaan ang karapatan ng bawat isa? Sa huli, nararapat tandaan na ang pagbibigay ng patawad ay hindi nakukulong sa pagkamit ng hustisya — sa pagpataw ng karampatang parusa sa nagkasala. Obligasyon ng lipunan na panagutin at singilin ang nagkasala, ngunit hindi mahahanap dito ang esensya ng kapatawaran.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 09
CULTURE 07
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
A M ER ICA IS IN THE HEART * PANGAKO AT PANGANIB NG AMERIKANISASYON
JOSEF BERNARD SORIANO DE MESA AT AGATHA HAZEL ANDRES RABINO DIBUHO NI JOSE PAOLO BERMUDEZ REYES Oh America, My America! Tungtungan ng mga pangarap, sabik akong makarating sa Land of the Free. Hindi magiging madali ang makipagsapalaran sa lugar mong hitik sa oportunidad. Ubos-kaya akong magpupursige sa ngalan ng ligaya, ng ginhawa, at ng American Dream.
akay-akay pa ng kanilang ina. Purong Pinoy ang dugo, pero yung pagbati ‘Kanongkano. “Welcome, Tita! We miss you.” Tinanong ko nga, “Do you know Tagalog?” Pagtanggol ng bunso, “Only when ‘Nay gets mad.” Sagot ko, “Keep her mad so you
nga lang ang presyo ng mga bilihin dito, pero ‘di na grabe ang pagtitipid kasi swak naman sa sweldo. Namimili na nga ako ng pwedeng tuluyan kasi nakakahiya nang makitulog sa hindi mo naman bahay.
Knowing that I have migrant co-workers and neighbors ensures safety. It just goes to show how diverse cultures are in this melting pot. Until recently, attitude went the other way around. At first, I thought their hatred was justified. The bigots came for the Arabs. Clearly, 9/11 had an impact. The ones wearing traditional clothing were easy targets, insulted them as “terrorists” and “suicide bombers”. Then, it went uglier. They called African-Americans “slaves” and “cop killers”, while us, Asians, were either “monkey boys”, “flips” and “chinks”.
Oh Say Can You See, Liwanag ng Liway way Makailang beses akong pumila nang kay haba-habang oras para sa pasaporte’t dokumento, marinig lang ang inaasamasam na approval ng embahada. Bata pa lang ako, gusto ko nang makakita ng snow. Nagpadala pa noon si ‘Insan ng litrato nilang magkakapamilya—gumagawa ng snow angel, ng snowman—nakasulat pa “Wish you were here!” Paskong-pasko, nakuha lang niyang mang-inggit. Siyempre, matatagalan akong makapag-ipon. Kilala ko lang ang imahe ng mga Amerikano sa mga tumakilya galing Hollywood at sa mga pinapadalang postcard at liham — lahat sila, nagdidiwang. Matutunghayan mo talagang walang kaparis itong bansa. Minsan lang magbigay ng balikbayan box ang mga kamag-anak namin. (Kadalasan, kung hindi segunda-manong T-shirt ay T-bone steak naman, de-lata, o gahiganteng mga sitsirya.) Ngunit sa tuwing dumadating ito’y wala pang isang buwan, ubos na ang perishables. Hindi ko aakalain na kakatok ang sorpresa. Bigla silang nagpadala ng pera para pamasahe ko.
something. My cousin once called through the phone. It’s been so long since our last contact. I heard her crying. She said she was harassed, got called an “illegal alien”. My parents’ fear came true, for I’m still undocumented. Cousin continued, apologizing that she failed to cover me the moment I came here in America. I told her, “I’ll find ways to protect myself”.
understand more.”
Dali-dali ang pagpaplano ng ibabagahe. Sa wakas, may pagkakataon na rin akong maranasan kung paano maging malaya. Nakapagpaalam na rin naman ako sa’king mga magulang na sasaglit lang ako doon. Biro nila na baka tuluyan na akong lumuwas. Sa umpisa ko lang patawang binanggit na magiging OFW na ‘ko. Ngayon, ako na ang nangungumusta sa kanila.
Wala pa naman akong asawa pero kung dito ako bubuo ng pamilya, hindi ko na pag-aaralin ang anak ko sa Pilipinas. At least dito, mabilis silang matututong mag-Inggles. Kung balak man nilang bumalik sa pinanggalingan ko, tiyak na pag-aagawan sila ng mga kompanya kapag nalaman nilang nagtapos sila rito. Imagine, imported ang edukasyon nila.
Madali kasi akong nadala sa agos ng tuwa mula pa lang nung nanawagan ang piloto na “We have arrived at our destination...” Accent pa lang, ramdam na ang simoy ng US of A. Kaya paglapag sa airport tuloy, tumango ako agad sa hinaing trabaho ni Pinsan. ‘Ka ko, “Travel visa lang ang dala ko.” Sabi niya, siya daw bahala sa’kin. May ‘twang’ na rin sa pananalita niya.
Gusto ko na nga ring hilahin dito sina Itay at Inay. Walang mag-aalaga sa kanila doon. ‘Di hamak na mas matino ang pagpapagamot dito dahil updated lahat ng makinarya. Nandito na yata ang kaunlarang mahihingi ng bawat mamamayan. Sa lagay ng mundo, milya-milya pa ang tatahakin ng bayang sinilangan bago matumbasan ang Estados Unidos.
Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala! Ang swabe pala sa freeway. Para akong nananaginip. Nagmukha akong ignorante kakatitig sa mga gusali. Halos magdikit ang mukha ko sa bintana ng kotse. Sayang, bumaba kami agad. Buti na lang dinagsa ako ng mga pamangkin ko. Huling kita ko pa sa kanila,
Pinaabot ko sa telegrama na may matino na akong hanapbuhay sa wakas, all thanks kay Pinsan. Dito lang pala mapapakinabangan ang college degree ko. ‘Di tulad sa ‘Pinas, agawan sa pagaplay. ‘Tagal ko rin kayang nagdusa sa pagiging underemployed. Medyo mataas
M g a magulang ko na ang tumawag sa’kin. Mahal ang longdistance; s i g u r o importante ‘to. Napangiti pa ‘ko sa telepono kasi may pindutan para mag-speaker; maririnig tuloy boses nila sa buong sala. Pagkatapos batiin ng kanilang pamangkin at ng magkapatid na laki nang west-side, nanlumo ang kanilang boses nang sabihan akong nauunawan nilang sa Istets ako masaya, natatakot lang sila na baka mag-TNT ako. Nagtaka yung panganay, “TNT? Like the bomb?” Paliwanag ni ‘Insan, “No, TNT means Tago Nang Tago. Hiding and hiding.” Paglilinaw ko, “Actually, yes. More like ticking bomb.”
Bayang Magiliw, Child of the Sun Returning I used to like winter back when I first went here. I now worry that the snow—the same thing I played with and cherished— could collapse the roof anytime. Grass is greener on the other side, they say. I think that’s why they called it ‘green card’. I’ve been paying taxes to this country for several years and yet the look everyone gives me says I’ve stolen
Our boss soon took notice, not of how we were treated but because the ongoing tension already hurts his business. He gently asked us, the non-white employees, to go find another job and he promised that he will pay us our respective salaries as soon as we get transferred. If we insist to stay, we won’t receive our money. If that’s the case, we may be working for free as well. He was the only ticket I could think of to be an official US citizen. Since he, the employer, wasn’t willing to sponsor, I might even get deported. You see, it would’ve been less difficult if my cousin posed as a sibling. That automatically makes me a Green Card candidate. And even if I get to have it, I still have to go through a mountain of bureaucracy—file for naturalization, pass an exam, make the officials know I own a permanent address, and wait a few lucky years— until they welcome me as one of them! No wonder, mail order brides get it easily. Racists shout “You don’t belong here!” or “Get out of my country!” but I have no one to live with in the Philippines anymore, save for some distant relative who barely knows me. Even if I had the chance to bring my parents here for treatment, we’d continue to pay the bills long after they’re buried. If I had raised children, they would face discrimination, student loan debts, and risk pursuing their preferred occupation or end up as an office drone. The economy just cycles through crashes and puts the burden on its people while the government wastes its soldiers on unnecessary wars, and they scratch their heads thinking “Why do veterans kill themselves?” I don’t get how we, the minorities, get the blame for degrading national identity. Like every person who struggles to make
CONTINUED ON PAGE 09
08 NEWS
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang
ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA
S TEMPERAMENTAL BRATS EDITION Haleer der my temperamental na afows! I hope you had a nayz taym lazt Priday, ezfecially dat der were people der who made labaz their ajiteyshun thru so-witty flacardz! It waz zuch an ober-whelming experienz, lalow na for da old but beautipul leydiez layk me. I am alzo willing to lizen to you my afows, zo you can alzo meyk labaz-labaz your xama ng loob to your lably lola! Ilabaz ang iyong ajietyshun, but syemfre in a respectpul manner to your lola! Mwah! Ilabazz ang ajiteyshun edishuun, sumvhong numbah one: Mizzing in Aksyun Frappy Returnzz! Aheeemm diz prof talaga from DaBiggestStadium where my afows are taking a minor suvject in, zumozobra az in! Grave ang taym na waley sa klazz becuz of seeing the worlds or whazz kaya namern ay puro meykup clazz ang aking mga afowsss. It izz nayz rin sana, but farang daw nagiging tila six unitz ang suvject na itow, ayon sa pretty at fogi kong afowzz. Like why namern do you zay to my afows na deezzz klazzes are not rekwayrd ferowz dizz prof nama gibs dem todo inshentibs when dey attend klazz! Anerk! Kawawa namay mga afowz ko na di talago makakafunta koz itz not talago their abeylable taym. Zo unfair namern to my lably afowz dat fight for the raytz of the vansa! Yezz tila itong prolonged-term, layk they zay! And there are kwizzez pa ushwally sa meykup klazzes. Tsk tsk. Vaka zumabog itong mga ajiteyted afoqz ko, lalo na sa pagliving ni Mah-khoy sa LablyNamernMgaBehz! At lalow pa ditey, nag-oobertaym pa klazzez niya. Pano namern kung guthumin ang aking mga afowz?? Pano kung dey hab other klazzes to meykk attend? Dibuh leyt na sila nun? PAK! Parang egztended stay pa like Mah-khoy ang klazz ng frappy na itey!
Ilabazz ang ajiteyshun edishuun, sumvhong numbah chew: Fatuloy lang za inkonzidereyshun na frappy za studenzzz!
Hayzz anek! Ahm so haggerd, teka wait! There’zz more pa itey mga zumbong na your fretty lola resheibed!
Huway namern dizz frappy prom DaSosyalStatuz izz meyk zow fa-sosyal! Zo zuper waley konsidereyshun sa aking afowz! Alam namern natin if da studenz hab medjikal certipikeyt to show to da frapzz ay fwedeng-fwede ng bongga na ma-exkyuz sa klazzez? I mean, da studenz ay nagkazakit namern sa kakafagaral at sa kakalaban fara sa institusyon at za bayan, but you gib dem no konsidereyshun t a l a g o ? ? If my afowzz is zo tired at still zo sick kahit dey meyk labaz prom da oshpital, huway naman dizz pasosyal frappy inzist dat my fresyuzz afowzz be inkluded in da skul aktibity dat needz energy?? Do you want my afowzz to return to da oshpital?? Pleaze namern frappy don’t meyk freshure my afowz, let dem rezzt and rekuyperate! Di na tuloy keri ng afowzz ko na maging frappy ka ulit, hayzzz!!! Let dem do other skul aktibitizz as an alternatib dat izz afrofriate namern for their kondishyun! Itz ztill payr namern for ebriwan, lalo na dizz afowzz izz still nanghihina ang helth! Hayyy naku naku nakku! Da kabataan iz da pew-churr of da bayan, zo pleaze namern teyk care of dem and bee nayz to dem! Or elze magagalith dizz afowz at magrerebolushyunn! Zow strezzpull namern dizz frappies tologo!
See you neksht taym mga afowzz! Ifaglalaban ko kayo koz your lola iz sztill malakash and magandah! Labyu all!! Laban lang mga afowzz!
XOXO
a pagkaupo ng panibagong pangulo ng UP na si College of Law Dean Danilo Concepcion, ano ang inaasahan mong reporma sa sistema ng UP?
JUNK STS JUNK OSF JUNK RSA JUNK EUP - .php, 2014-0xxxx INAASAHAN KO NA ITUTULOY NIYA YUNG ANTI-STUDENT POLICIES NI PAEP. PERO SANA NAMAN MABUKSAN ISIP NIYA AT MAS LALONG PAKINGGAN ANG HINAING NG MGA ISKOLAR NG BAYAN! - pessiMYSTIQUE, CAS, 2012-354xx junk sts. Junk sais. Junk osf. - novrember,2014 Uhm, may dapat pa bang asahan? *facepalm *cries - lagingsecondchoice, 2013 Lol. PAEP 2.0. - kulong, 201* Wala masyado. Wala nga daw kumokontra sa eUP, ‘di ba? - posible palang malunod sa papel, 2015 Pati ba naman dito, aasa pa rin ako? For sure naman ipagpapatuloy niya ang mga polisiya ng nakaraang administrasyon, since lagi naman nilang dinedeny na napa-bulok na sistema ng UP (nating napakamahal). - kambal ni mame dionesya, 2014 + 1 Hay nakooo. Kausapin ko nalang siya kung kailan siya may pake sa estudyante. - tiredAF, CAS He needs sense knocked into him. I expect more students to rally against the neo-liberal policies that he will be continuing. - basedonfax I don’t expect any change from this line of jokers. - doobydoobydoobydoo
A
no ang masasabi mo sa pagmungkahi ni Pangulong Duterte kay Manny Pacquiao na tumakbo bilang pangulo ng Pilipinas?
Magsuntukan na lang sila. - .php 2014-0xxxx Pati ba naman yan. Baka ma-jinx ulit yung eleksyon gaya ng nangyari sa UP Presidential Selection. oh LAWD - pessiMYSTIQUE, CAS, 2012-354xx Asdf. Masasayang lang panahon niya. Makipagsuntukan na lang siya sa ring. - novrember, 2014 Baka joke lang, you know naman our president dibuuh? #lul - lagingsecondchoice, 2013 Bakit di pa natotokhang yang si Duterte? Nagaadik na ata. - kulong, 201* Si Tatay Digong talaga, mga ka-DDS, ang hilig magjoke ano? (Sarado ang pinto ko d’yan—may deadbolt, bakal na gate, at nakaharang na asong ulol.) - posible palang malunod sa papel, 2015 Sa totoo lang mas kailangan pa ni Tatay Digong ng interpreter kaysa sa lahat ng non-English speaking contestants ng mga beaucon eh. Di ko siya gets beh, yoko na. - kambal ni mame dionesya, 2014 + 1 Hmmm ewan, sagutin ko kung may pake na ako sa Philippine politicians na wala nang pag-asa. - tiredAF, CAS Basta magka-brad at magka-DDS, pwede sumama sa “potential presidents for 2022” club! Wow! - basedonfax I’m not surprised, pati nga si BBM eh baka pwede na rin niya i-endorse. WTF, Philippines. - doobydoobydoobydoo
Mas okay ang UP with him for sure!! Okay siya for continuity. - baldemort, 201*
Hamunin ko siya ng suntukan. Lalaong babagsak bansa natin dian eh. - baldemort, 201*
Sana ay gawin niyang mas accessible ang edukasyon para sa mga UP students. - JanellaSalvador
Sana magkaroon na ng bagong Pilipinas para makalipat na ako doon agad-agad. - JanellaSalvador
Okay na sana kaso Duterte had to freakin’ endorse another of his bros. - Nhengnheng, 2013
Okay na sana kaso Duterte had to freakin’ endorse another of his PETS. - Nhengnheng, 2013
Tired of politics that ain’t going nowhere. I’ll just find somewhere to wait out the presidential term, tutal ay delayed na rin naman ako. - totallytired, 201x-xxxxx
Nakakaasar. Hindi ko rin alam kung matatawa ako o kung ano. - totallytired, 201x-xxxxx
GRAPHICS 09
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG
FROM P.12
AMERICA... FROM P.07
historical data, the government finds loopholes and raises other arguments that favor those who have the upper hand in this game—further failing those who they should be dutifully serving.
ends meet, all we ever wanted was a better life. The protests happening nationwide, from Dakota to New York, prove that we have problems as a society that are becoming graver by the minute. It’s hard to fight the establishment as you have to fight the culture of apathy. It’s hard to feel like you care when you’re used to comfort.
OF ACES...
The merit of President Marcos’ burial should not be a question in the first place. The data presented by NHCP and the accounts of the survivors of the Martial law era should have laid the issue to rest. However, it has been dragged on and on with the insistence of the President that it will bring national healing; therefore allowing the further politicking of the Marcos family, and the further whitewashing of the naïve populace. Yet such is not the case. National healing cannot simply come when a person, even the most powerful one, pronounces it. National healing is less likely to occur when someone who has been entrenched in the minds of the Filipino people as a plunderer, human rights violator and a dictator is revered as a hero and honored as one. As public servants, their positions should not be a basis to glorify them and secure a spot in the pages of history. As one cannot further condemn the dead, one must then hold the living responsible. President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for failing the people and spearheading the burial of one of the greatest criminals in Philippine history. It is not his duty as President to pay personal debts to his political backers and reinstate their place in the Philippine political arena. Only the sovereign Filipino People deserve to determine a President’s place in history. As long as the Filipino people are continued to be cheated on with a power deck, the government will remain having the upper hand. It is time for the Filipino people to pull out the Aces up their sleeves and wager a war where the playing field is levelled and justice is rightfully served. For in a country where impunity and injustice run the political game, the only choice left is to fight.
When morning comes, I stand in the room with my coffee in hand and the snow creeps into the crack of the window. I’ll check if there are available job listings for people like me. I guess this is what the American Dream looks like, a nightmare that paralyzes when you try to wake up.
RESISTANCE
KYLA DOMINIQUE LACAMBACAL PASICOLAN
MKULAY
ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO
AThe United States of America boasts itself as a bastion of democracy, but it’s far off from how it truly is: a surveillance state that protects selfish interests rather than solve the plight of its people. If only my native country provided not just me, but everyone who left and is leaving, of basic social needs and enough opportunities, we wouldn’t have gotten ourselves in this mess in the first place.
*Paumanhin kay Carlos Bulosan
ASAL...
FROM P.06
Ang tunay na pagpapatawad ay makakamit lamang kung malaya na ang biktima sa kahit na anong galit at hinagpis laban sa nagkasala. Samakatuwid, masasabi na ang pagbibigay ng kapatawaran ay isa ring porma ng hustisya, ngunit ang pagbibigay ng hustisya ay hindi katumbas ng pagbibigay ng kapatawaran. Sa pagpapatawad, nagsasama ang naratibo ng nagkasala at ng biktima. Habang ang isa ay nagpapanibagonghubog upang ituwid ang kanyang mga kamalian, ang isa nama’y sumusumpang tatalikuran ang paghihiganti, at iwaksi ang hinanakit. Mahirap humingi ng kapatawaran, gayon din ang pagbibigay nito, at ito mismo ang dahilan kung bakit ang kapatawaran ay isang birtud — nangangailangan ito ng praktikal na karunungan at mabuting pagpapasya.
10 OPINION Truth Be Told Mico Cortez A NEW HOPE* “Wala na eh, nailibing na.” That’s all my father said regarding the Marcos burial at the LNMB. My mother just let out an exasperated sigh, then returned to mindlessly scrolling through her social media feeds. My older brother, though busy with medical school, eventually got updated with the news. He too gave it only a few seconds of his time before returning to the piles of readings he had to go through. While many in our country outright deny the horrors of Martial Law and the evil of Marcos, there are also those who simply remain apathetic. They don’t care, because they don’t bother to care. They just want to move on, justice be damned. Thankfully, not everyone thinks like that. While it would be easy to think that the majority of our population does indeed want to just move on, there are still many who rightfully insist on seeking accountability and holding the Marcoses responsible for their crimes. Seeing students from UP march and mobilize against Marcos was not a surprise. But seeing students from other universities, and even grade schoolers and high schoolers, take to the streets made my hair stand on end. I see that hope is not lost, not yet. Our youth is often seen as a sign of immaturity, a lack of experience and wisdom that invalidates whatever decisions we make or principles we uphold. While we’re young, we must listen and obey. While we’re young, we have much to learn. But amidst the division and conflict in our country today, our generation has proven that we have listened and learned - that’s exactly why we proudly stand in defiance. We have heard the stories of the survivors, the pleas of the desaparecidos’ families, and the outrage from across the world. We know better than to obey laws and decisions that may seemingly be rational, but are far from just. We know better than to move on from the past without so much as an acknowledgment or apology. We may be young, but we know the truth. And we fight for that truth, because we - as the older generations always say - are the hope of this nation. I’ll catch you next time. *No offense to George Lucas for borrowing this.
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
LUCTOR ET EMERGO
BAKIT?
MARIE ANGELU DE LUNA PAGOBO
Inilibing na sa Libingan ng mga Bayani si Marcos. Halong galit at kalungkutan ang namuot sa aking puso habang pinapanood ko ang balita. Pauwi ako noon galing eskuwela habang ibinabalita ang mga pahayag ng taga-suporta ng diktador. Todo pa rin ang kanilang suporta at sa sobrang tuwa’y mayroon pang naiyak sa galak. Tayuan sa bus, at maraming tao. Pinipigilan kong tumulo ang mga luha upang makaiwas makaakit ng atensyon. Sa kabila ng mga luha ng kasiyahan ng mga taga-suporta ni Marcos, luha ng poot ang namumuo sa gilid ng aking mata. Naiisip ko ang mga biktima, ano na lamang kaya ang magiging reaksyon nila? Mas lalong umigting ang galit sa aking puso nang may narinig ako mula sa aking gawing kanan, isang babaeng kinu-kwento sa kanyang kaibigan ang sinapit ng kanyang mga nakatatandang kapamilya noong Martial Law. Sapilitang pinapunta ang kanyang mga lola sa isang lugar, at doo’y ginahasa. Ang kanyang mga lolo nama’y pinaghukay ng lupa na ang lalim ay kasing-taas ng tao, at doon mismo sila’y pinagbabaril. Tutol ang babaeng ito sa paglibing
ng presidenteng nagpahintulot ng mga karahasang katulad nito. Iisa lamang siya sa libu-libong pamilya at indibidwal na nabiktima. Tanong ko sa sarili: “Bakit?” Bakit may iilan pa ring kung hindi man walang pakialam, ay tuwang-tuwa pa sa mga oras na ito? Bakit ganoon na lamang ang kawalan ng simpatya? Kung hindi ililibing ang diktador sa
Oo, hindi namin naranasan ang mga kalupitang ito, at hindi na namin kailangan pang maranasan dahil may mga lumaban noon para sa amin. Libingan ng mga Bayani, ang mga nabiktima niya’y mabibigyan kahit papaano ng kaunting hustisya. Ngunit kung si Marcos ang ililibing, ano ang makukuha nila? Ang nakakalungkot pa’y karamihan sa mga taga-suportang ito na dumayo pa sa Libingan ng mga Bayani ay matatanda na, at kinukuwestyon pa ang mga kabataang dumating upang mag-protesta. Nakakabahala ang mga ginagawa
EASILY OFFENDED
I whip out my response, which by now has almost become a formula that I repeat whenever someone is curious about my sexual (or gender) orientation. The asker looks at me like they’re not convinced, and as if they’re disappointed with my reply. As if what I had just confided to them was not enough reason for me to be, or say that I am, gay. To fill up the awkward silence that follows, I ask in return: “What about you?” to which they answer by saying, “Oh, no. I’m straight.” Now, I am all for answering questions about my identity. It helps other people learn more about folks like me and erases the heterosexually imagined divide that exists between us and them, which is especially strong in a predominantly Catholic country like ours. That being said, I don’t really care about answering questions that require me to validate my sexual orientation. I especially don’t care about being asked something that I can’t ask a straight person in return, because “I’m straight” is enough of an answer for them. Which makes my story, a story of love, hurt and plain experience,
Hindi raw alam ng mga kabataan ang amin ngayo’y pinaglalaban dahil hindi pa kami buhay noong kapanahunang iyon. Pagpapasikat lang daw ang aming paglaban dahil hindi naman daw namin ito naranasan. Oo, hindi namin naranasan ang mga kalupitang ito, at hindi na namin kailangan pang maranasan dahil may mga lumaban noon para sa amin. Karamihan sa kanila’y nag-alay ng buhay upang hindi namin maranasan ang kung anong naranasan nila noon. Sila ang dahilan ng aming paglaban! Hindi niyo ba naiintindihan? Sila ang tunay na mga bayani at ang mga karapatdapat na mailibing sa LNMB! Ngunit oo nga pala, walang maililibing sa marami sa kanila dahil hanggang ngayon ay marami pa rin sa mga bangkay nila ang hindi makita...
THAT QUESTION
ANN GUEVARRA
“So… when did you realize you were gay?”
ng pamilya ni Marcos. Hindi niyo ba nakikita? Binubura na rin nila ang mga bakas ng kawalanghiyaan nila sa nakaraan. Hanggang ngayon ay kitang-kita ang produkto ng noo’y kanilang pagmamanipula. Gusto ko sanang intindhin ang panig ng mga taga-suporta ng Marcos, ngunit ang pinaka rason lang naman nila’y hindi nila naramdaman ang hagupit ng diktaturya.
something that has to be said just to prove to someone that I am allowed to love women. That my gender dysphoria, my frustration with my body, is not valid - that I’m just “some girl who wants to act like a dude”.
"It’s so frustrating that
something as innocent as a question, fueled by mere curiosity, can mean reiterating how we live in a heteronormative society and how, despite how natural it feels to love who I want to love, can remind me that I am still part of a minority being oppressed." It’s so frustrating that something as innocent as a question, fueled by mere curiosity, can mean reiterating how we live in a heteronormative society and how, despite how natural it feels to love who I want to love, can remind me that I am still part of a minority being oppressed. “Oh, you don’t look gay,” someone tells me, because I have to look a certain way to be gay. “Are you sure you’re gay?”
“Do your parents know?” Others ask offhandedly, disregarding the fact that coming out may have been a traumatic experience for some people. “Who’s the boy in the relationship?” “Can you be my gay best friend?” “Do you know this other queer person?” “You pass really well as a ____!” “That’s too bad you’re gay, you’re really attractive…” “That’s so gay,” my friend said once in front of me. Then they looked at me, eyes wide in realization, and they said, “Shoot, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.” But they did. Because if they said it unconsciously, they thought it unconsciously, and that means the idea of ‘gay’ as an insult is rooted there. Even something said offhandedly can be intended to be degrading, can be intended to be an insult - something with a negative connotation. Words are powerful. They can bring someone back from the edge of a rooftop, but they can also start a war. As subtle as sexism, words can carry stigmas about queers that do, in the end, cause damage. Homophobia still exists, even in the most unexpected places.
EDITORIAL 11
Volume 30 Number 6 December 2, 2016 | Friday
N E W S C OR R E S P ON DE N T S
Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Eunice Biñas Hechanova Anton Gabriel Abueva Leron Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales
F E AT U R E S C OR R E S P ON DE N T S Justin Danielle Tumenez Francia Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari Katrina Maria Limpiada Perolino Thalia Real Villela
MARIE ANGELU DE LUNA PAGOBO
C U LT U R E C OR R E S P ON DE N T S Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino
R E S I DE N T I L LUS T R AT OR S
Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes Danielle Montealegre Rodriguez
R E S I DE N T P H O T OJOU R NA L I S T Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan
OF 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 WEBSITES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule MEMBER
College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations
The Cover
Illustration Vince De Dios
Layout
Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan
A
DICTATOR WAS BURIED A hero in November. History and justice dissipated in the humid air without a trace. However, the Marcos burial was never just about the impunity of the rich and historical revisionism.
STRUGGLE that these policies are definitely not for the students and for the nation, but for the abolishment of the university’s public character through its own commodification.
government always responds with bullets, teargas and batons.
Fascism has never left our state. It has persisted since the days of salvaging and desaparecidos, Going beyond the situation of to our current situation where the youth and students, we can farmers are shot over sacks of rice To analyze this event in such a observe that almost the entire and indigenous people are run myopic manner does nothing to country feels the malevolence of over by police vehicles over specks explain the gravity of paint. Silence of the issues and fear is Because the end of Martial L aw never that continues to instilled in the scar Philippine hearts of many meant peace for any of us . Today ’s atrocities society. Even if as paramilitary are still murders and massacres - only the glorification groups burn of a dictator is schools and this time, endorsed and portrayed as a horrifying, what m a s s a c r e duty the government owes to its people. is scarier are com mu n it ies the things he of the innocent left to plague our in the name of country well into the 21st century neoliberalism. Policies such as “peace” - a word that has been - unjust neoliberal policies and contractualization, privatization used often, but never truly a long history of state fascism. and trade liberalization are been realized in this country. callously employed by businesses Every sector has felt the injustices to manipulate the working class Because the end of Martial Law brought about by the neoliberal for their own selfish interests. never meant peace for any of us. policies that began in the Marcos Furthermore, contractualization Today’s atrocities are still murders regime, the youth definitely not treats workers as sub-humans by and massacres - only this time, being exempted. Tuition fees depriving them of legal benefits endorsed and portrayed as a duty continue to shoot up in around 300 such as actual wage and hazard the government owes to its people. universities, and unjust academic pay, for the sake of cutting policies such as the socialized costs. Therefore, workers are We have been told to move on, to tuition system (STS), other kept trapped, with money only respect the dead and to let things school fees (OSF) and the return enough to survive the next day. take their course. These are ideas service agreement (RSA) leave On the other hand, privatization that will continue to keep the the students and their families and trade liberalization ensure masses in the dark, right where drained of resources. What’s control over basic social services those in power want them to remain. worse, there is no real change in for the people, leaving the masses their educational experience. In at the mercy of capitalists. However, in the face of all this UP, only 30-40 million pesos is despair, we struggle to enlighten, given to students in lower brackets Despite all these, the Filipino people educate and march as one people. from the 429 million pesos do not take injustices lying down, Because, neither bullet nor bomb accumulated by the university but always seek to free themselves can stop the triumph of truth and through STS and OSF. This proves from these chains. However, the justice.
OF ACES AND KINGS
An Analysis on the Supreme Court’s Decision regarding Marcos’ Burial
JOHN MICHAEL TRIBIANA TORRES
As the stakes continue rising and the chances become slimmer, the opponent had nothing left to play but his final card. Last November 8, the Supreme Court finally carried out its final move when the late President Ferdinand Marcos’ interment in the Libingan ng mga Bayani was approved. In a grandstand voting of 9-5, the Supreme Court remained firm with its decision - seeing no legal issue in burying the former dictator. Likewise, incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte supports the decision, initiating it as a personal opinion that eventually became a propaganda campaign which he weaved through the country. The decision has not only been judged by the court, but by the people and history as well. Yet like a rookie playing against seasoned professionals, the general public remains oblivious to the misdeals, cards, and wealth, well-hidden up the government’s sleeve.
TH E STA K E S When the clamour rose that the dictator’s war history was his ace qualification, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) was one of the first to call on the wager. In light of the proposal of Duterte and prior to SC ruling, the NHCP released a study on why the late dictator should not be interred at the LNMB. Released last 12th of July, the study provides evidence that Marcos lied about his military records and medals. As many of his followers cite these medals as his ticket to the national hero’s shrine, the NHCP only saw it fit to match these accusations one card at a time. In the wartime history of Marcos’s alleged guerrilla unit Ang Mga Maharlika purportedly by Marcos himself, it writes that he received the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest medal in US military, for having gone on reconnaissance missions alone and defeating fifty camouflaged Japanese soldiers all by himself. Written in 1945, it must be quite interesting to see how someone who faced enemy soldiers alone didn’t receive the highest honour and was only awarded the second highest. Another authorized biography would write that General Douglas MacArthur himself pinned the DSC while in a foxhole, while according to another that it was done publicly and that the general commented that Bataan would have fallen sooner if not for Marcos. The two diverging narratives of the same medal-awarding ceremony only leaves confusion to the mind of to those reading
these biographies. It is also quite difficult to accept that someone who reportedly delayed the Fall of Bataan for 3 months was not remembered by the “last man to walk out of Bataan”, Carlos P. Romulo. The NHCP also went so far as to look into US military archives to discredit the medals of Ferdinand Marcos. In one of their studies they found out that Marcos never received the DSC or the Silver medals that he claimed. Furthermore, the official websites of the U.S. Medal of Honour, Silver Star, and Order of the Purple Heart do not list Maj. Marcos as a recipient of these awards. General MacArthur pinning these medals on him personally wasn’t even viable as well. The General left the country in 1942 and thereafter was occupied with the military demobilisation of Japan. His guerrilla unit was never even recognized by the US Army as shown in various documents collated by the Commission. Even with all medals of valour discredited and disproved, the President played on with his cards and insisted on his decision stating that Marcos “was a former soldier and a former president of the Republic.” Asserting this as a primary qualification of the late President to be buried in the national heroes’ cemetery, the President seems to disregard the value of LNMB as a place where those who are noble and honorable are to be buried; not for someone who has done moral turpitude. A re-examination of the Martial Law era is no longer needed from the Historical Commission. The narratives of families of desaparecidos, and those who survived are enough to prove the ills of the so-called ‘Golden Age’. The imprisonment of nearly 75,000 activists, the torture of an estimated 35,000 Filipinos, and the killings of more than 3,200 during Marcos’ despotic rule is enough to disqualify anyone to be buried in a national shrine, much less one intended for heroes. And yet the President sees past these, stating that they are just “allegations, challenges” coming from the opposition—a proof that shows where the President’s true loyalties lie. The stakes are raised with Duterte’s insistence and a growing number of apologists taking up the former dictator’s side. More people are still blinded by unfounded and unverified historical data and a plethora of the infrastructure projects surfacing on the internet. To make matters worse, the government continues its whitewashing of the Martial Law era and ultimately revising history altogether.
TH E WAGE R When it became evident that there were
ILLUSTRATION BY DANIELLE MONTEALEGRE RODRIGUEZ
no more moves to play, the decision regarding the hero’s burial was left at the hands of the highest court in the country. The Supreme Court held two oral arguments on the petitions against the hero’s burial for Marcos last August 31 and September 8. The supposed burial was issued a status quo ante order until September 13, but was postponed further by the High Court until November 8. Justice Diosdado Peralta wrote the decision, which was concurred in by the other approving 8 justices who in a statement said that they viewed and judged Marcos in his totality as person. The various cases cited by the petitioners, which were decided with finality by courts here and abroad, was seen by the Court as having no bearing in this case since they were merely civil in nature and do not establish moral turpitude. This was quite dumbfounding, as the Court itself reassures that civil cases do not, in any way, judge the morality of one’s actions especially when one is a former President. Furthermore, President Duterte did not exercise grave abuse of discretion in ordering a hero’s burial for the dictator. As the President, according to the decision, he has the discretion on the use of public lands such as the intended burial site for Marcos under the Administrative Code. The Libingan ng Mga Bayani falls under such directive especially as it is under the direct control of the AFP, wherein the President also leads as the Commander-in-Chief. The Supreme Court also stated that as incumbent president, Duterte is free to amend, revoke, or rescind political agreements entered into by his predecessors, and to determine policies which he considers, based on informed judgment and presumed wisdom, will be most effective in carrying out his mandate. This is in reference to the 1992 agreement of President Fidel V Ramos and the Marcos family which allowed the return of their patriarch's remains on condition that Marcos would be buried directly in Batac, Ilocos Norte. But although the President is free to do so, the Marcos family however is not. In reference to this agreement, the Marcos family should have kept their part of the bargain. They have patiently waited for decades, securing the playing field for the return of their full glory. The grandest political play that would most signify their return to Philippine politics would only be the burial of their sins of the past. The Supreme Court also went so far to say that the 1986 EDSA People Power did not “dishonourably discharge” Marcos, since his provision applies only to military
men under the Articles of War, more specifically to those in "active service". The Court also cited that he was honourably discharged as he was recognized as a retired veteran by the Philippine Veteran Affairs Office. However, it is to be never forgotten by the public that while the 1986 EDSA revolt, one of the largest movements staged by the Filipino people, did not only oust a plundering military man - it overthrew a corrupt dictator who lived off the blood of his constituents. Justice Jose Portugal Perez, in a separate concurring opinion, cited the substantial votes garnered by the then running vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos during the last election as “proof” that there is no longer national damnation for the late President Ferdinand Marcos and his family. Justice Mendoza, also in concurrence with Perez, said that the burial of Ferdinand Marcos in LNMB would not necessarily rewrite history. He further adds that the question of whether Marcos deserves to be buried in the national shrine is a political, rather than a legal, issue and the High Court should not have a hand in this controversy to begin with. This decision was met with heavy criticisms within the magistrates of the Court itself. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was one of the five who dissented the decision. In her view, the incumbent President acted with grave abuse of discretion by allowing the burial because it violates domestic and international law "to do justice for human rights victims" – both monetarily and non-monetarily. She also believed that the burial is not a symbol national unity but an “antithesis of symbolic reparation”. Justice Carpio, sharing the same sentiments with the CJ, writes that "Marcos' ouster is beyond judicial review and must be accepted as an incontrovertible fact, which has become part of history." He further cited that the President’s decision to bury the late strongman runs contrary Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparations Act which is enshrined in the Constitution. Justice Marvic Leonen also cited that the President contradicts his oath of office as his decision encourages impunity, which is the result of rewarding the person who presided over human rights violations and who personally participated in the plunder of public treasury. The government failed in the eyes of Justice Leonen to provide factual basis to prove that Marcos’ burial would not violate RA 289, which created the National Pantheon, in relation to the findings of the NHCP. This exposes the continuous white-washing and tantamount historical revisionism. For despite well-researched and verified
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