The Manila Collegian Volume 28 Number 2

THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MANILA

MORE INSIDE

Thursday September 4, 2014 Volume 28 Number 2

02 NEWS UPM Chancellor Selection 06 FEATURES Shifts and Slips 10 OPINION Para Sa Masa 11 EDITORIAL Bating Panimula 12 CULTURE Through the (Bon)fire

02 NEWS

Volume 28 Number 2 September 4, 2014 | Thursday

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Aquino Proposes P2.6 Trillion Budget for 2015 Attempt to redefine terms raises concern CARLO REY RESURRECCION MARTINEZ President Benigno Aquino III submitted his P2.606 trillion national budget proposal for 2015 to the House of Representatives (HOR) on July 29, a 15.1 percent increase from the P2.265 trillion budget of the previous year.

savings was a result of the Supreme Court (SC) declaring the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) unconstitutional. The DAP is a program through which the executive branch collected unspent or excess funds, considered to be “savings”, and reallocated them to other projects not itemized in the national budget.

budget in the middle of fiscal year,” Colmenares explained.

The Department of Education (DepEd) received the highest allocation among government agencies at P364.9 billion.

Furthermore, Aquino suggested a one-year validity of appropriations. Aquino claimed that because the proposed budget would only be valid for one year, it was “counterintuitive to allow the declaration of savings and augmentation of deficient budget items only at the end of the year.”

“This will be tantamount to fully surrendering the congressional power of the purse to the President. Passing this new definition would usher in a new age of fiscal dictatorship…,” he said.

Aquino claimed that the DepEd’s proposed budget would be sufficient to address important deficiencies, such as the hiring of 39,066 teachers, construction of 31,728 classrooms, and providing quality textbooks, equipment, and Internet connectivity.

Moreover, Aquino requested the HOR to prevent unused funds from this year to be carried over to the next year, arguing that it would encourage government agencies to immediately make use of their budget and prevent the postponement of projects.

In addition to this, Aquino promised improvements in the healthcare system.

Excessive Fiscal Power

Improvements Expected The social services sector received the most funds with 37.1 percent or P967.9 billion. Refer to Table 1 for the full breakdown.

“With a P13.1-billion allocation for Health Facilities Enhancement Program, we will upgrade 1,242 barangay health stations, 587 rural health units/city health centers, 128 LGU hospitals, 19 DOH hospitals, and 11 treatment and rehabilitation centers,” Aquino stated.

Consequently, Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares argued that the new definition of savings undermines the system of checks and balances.

“This new definition will unduly delegate to the President the power to re-appropriate

Furthermore, Kabataan Party-list Representative Terry Ridon claimed that Aquino’s requests are part of his effort to legalize the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Consequently, Eastern Samar Representative Ben Evardone filed House Bill 4470 which aims to clarify the rules on savings and augmentation of funds.

Anne Kristine Natalicio Rivera from the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) has topped the Occupational Therapist (OT) Licensure Examination given by the Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy last August. In addition, four other CAMPers made it to the top 10: Alexa Jane Blas (5th), Edren Daeniel Santos (6th), Cessnalyn Fajardo (7th), and Maria Jennifer Estrella (10th).

Based on the results posted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) was the top performing school for the OT licensure exam with an 88.89 percent passing rate. Similarly, UPM recorded a 91.67 percent overall performance for the Physical Therapist (PT) licensure examination where 33 out of 36 students passed the board.

According to Evardone, the bill aims to maintain the fiscal autonomy of government agencies. “…Whenever the President suspends or stops further expenditure of funds, as public interest requires, the funds allotted to agencies or departments outside of the Executive may be declared as savings by the respective heads of departments or agencies, and used in accordance with this proposed measure,” he stated.

Redefined “Savings”

ORGANEWS The Manila Collegian reserves a space for announcements, gigs, and rendezvous tidbits of organizations in UP Manila. Send your announcements via text (09175109496), email (themanilacollegian@gmail.com) or private message on MKule’s Facebook page.

The All-Organizations Fair (Org Fair), organized by the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (CASSC), will be held at the CAS quadrangle and Little Theater (LT) walk from September 8 to 12.

Moreovoer, Paghubog, a team building and welcoming activity for freshmen will also be held on September 8.

Despite the promised improvements, some parties have expressed concern over changes Aquino has requested from the HOR, such as the new definition of “savings”.

In the 2015 national budget, the executive branch suggested that “savings” be defined as “portions or balances of any programmed appropriations” that have not been released for “justifiable causes”.

The University of the Philippines (UP) College of Mass Communication, Film Institute, and Cineastes’ Studio presents “Cinemalaya X Goes UP.” Films from Cinemalaya 2014 will be shown at the UP Film Center Cine Adarna, Diliman, Quezon City on August 30, September 1 to 5, and September 8.

Additionally, the executive branch may declare as savings any funds for projects not started within the first semester of 2015 and leftover or excess funds from implemented or completed projects.

Aquino admitted that the attempt to redefine

COLLEGE BRIEFS

Table 1: The breakdown by sector of the proposed national budget for 2015. (SOURCE: Inquirer.net)

The University Student Council (USC) Health and Environment Committee in partnership with OJO Vision Care spearheads EyeLoveIt, a program which offers free eye consultations and check-ups. Additionally, eyeglasses will be available at discounted prices from August 26 to September 20. The scheduled dates for each college follow: August 26 and 28 at the College of Pharmacy (CP), August 29 and September 1 at the College of Dentistry (CD), September 4 at the College of Public Health (CPH), September 8 at the College of Nursing (CN), September 9 and 11 at the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP), September 12 and 15 at the College of Medicine (CM), and September 16 and 1820 at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).

Mayroon ka bang gustong i-spluk kay Lola?

I-PM mo siya: facebook.com/lolapatola TAKING UP ARMS. In commemoration of last year’s Million People March, representatives from various sectors marched to Quirino Grandstand last August 25 to sign the People’s Initiative, which aims to abolish all forms of pork. Photo taken by Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag

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Volume 28 Number 2 Thursday | September 4, 2014

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Apat na propesor nominado bilang UPM chancellor ADOLF ENRIQUE SANTOS GONZALES AND RONILO RAYMUNDO MESA Sa nalalapit na pagtatapos ng termino ng matapos ang kanilang isasagawang kasalukuyang chancellor ng Unibersidad deliberasyon sa Setyembre 25, ayon sa Memo ng Pilipinas (UP) Manila, apat na propesor No. PAEP 14-39A. at dalubhasa sa medisina ng UP Manila ang naghahangad na pamunuan ang sentro Ang pagpili sa susunod na chancellor ay ibabase ng agham pangkalusugan ng pambansang sa mga pamantayan at alituntuning itatakda unibersidad. ng BOR at sa konsultasyon sa mga kasapi ng unibersidad.

Ang mga nominado ay sina Dr. Vicente Y. Belizario, mula sa College of Public Health; Nauna nang nagsagawa ng konsultasyon Dr. Charlotte M. Chiong; Dr. Godofreda Ruiz sa mga mag-aaral, guro, at kawani ng UP Vergeire-Dalmacion, at; Dr. Carmencita David- Manila noong Agosto 8, 11, at 12, kung saaan Padilla, pawang mula sa College of Medicine. inilahad ng mga kandidato ang kanilang mga plataporma para sa unibersidad.

Papalitan ng susunod na chancellor si Chancellor Manuel Agulto na nailuklok noong Nabatid sa naturang mga konsultasyon ang 2011. Magtatapos ang kanyang termino sa pagkakapareho ng mga pananaw ng apat na Oktubre 31. kandidato, kabilang na ang pagtaguyod sa unibersidad bilang isa sa mga nangungunang Alinsunod sa Memo No. PAEP 14-39A ng pamantasan pagdating sa pananaliksik. tanggapan ng pangulo ng unibersidad, isang Dagdag pa dito ay ang pagkakapareho nila sa search commitee na binubuo ng mga mag- pagpapaigting sa rehabilitasyon ng School of aaral, guro, at kawani ng pamantasan ang Health Sciences sa Palo, Baler, at Koronadal; itinatag upang pangasiwaan ang proseso mas malawakang pakikipagugnayan ng ng nominasyon. Isang ulat na naglalaman unibersidad sa mga lokal na komunidad; ng kumpletong detalye ng nominasyon ang pagpapabuti sa sistema ng pananalapi, at; ipinasa ng nasabing komite kay UP President pagpapalakas sa katayuan ng unibersidad Alfredo Pascual kahapon, Setyembre 1. bilang isang “environmental friendly campus.”

Nakipagpulong din ang search committee kahapon, Setyembre 3, kay Pascual upang talakayin ang naging proseso ng nominasyon, ayon kay Marianne Frances Montiel, kinatawan ng mga mag-aaral sa nasabing komite.

Batay sa Section 18 ng UP Charter, ang chancellor ay ihahalal ng Board of Regents (BOR), ang pinakamataas na lupong tagabuo ng mga patakaran ng pamantasan, batay sa rekomendasyon ng pangulo ng unibersidad.

Ilalabas ang magiging desisyon ng lupon Sa konsultasyon sa mga mag-aaral na isinagawa noong Agosto 12 sa Little Theater ng College of Arts and Sciences, sinagot ng mga nominado ang ilang katanungang nakasentro sa mga isyung kinakaharap ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan. Narito ang ilan sa kanilang mga pananaw at opinyon.

Sa isyu ng STS Dr. Belizario: “Sa pagkakaintindi ko, this is a simplified version of the STFAP, pinadali, mas konti ang requirements. Since this is a new system in terms of policy na dapat ipatupad, something that is not perfect. … Maraming hinaing ang students, may nabalitaan ako na ang daming requirements for appeal. Tanong ko, pagkatapos ng appeal, what happens, naibibigay naman po. So may proseso, may appeal, may requirements, kailangan po tayong dumaan sa proseso. …”

Dr. Chiong: “… In sum, the STS is a better system than the STFAP. Kung ako ang masusunod, wala ng bayad lahat ng estudyante sa UP Manila.

Dapat lahat tayo ay true scholars. This is the only way it will work out, yung wala kayong binabayaran at meron pang allowance.”

Dr. Dalmacion: “… Prior to STS, 14 indicators, ngayon 2. Dati, months ang inaabot, ngayon mabilis, three days. So this is an improvement over the old system. But as usual, meron pa rin daw very demeaning in that ‘pag nag-appeal, matagal. Para ka daw namamalimos. Perhaps, the intention is good, efforts are being made to improve it while it is being done and I’m sure nobody wants to demean anybody during the entire process. …”

ANG MGA NOMINADO BILANG UPM CHANCELLOR Vicente Y. Belizario, MD, MTM&H • Professor 10, Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health • University Scientist III • Dating executive director ng National Institutes of Health (NIH) Charlotte M. Chiong, MD • Research Associate Professor 7, NIH • Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine • Kasalukuyang Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development • Director, Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center (NHSRC), NIH

Godofreda Ruiz Vergeire-Dalmacion, MD • Professor 5, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine • Dating assistant director ng Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, NIH

Ayon kay Montiel, ang susunod na chancellor ay dapat umanong may pagkiling sa kanyang mga pamumunoan.

“More than anything, he/she should be able to discern the best course of action to improve the university kaya dapat visionary siya pero at the same time creative siya in such a way na he/ she can find ways to get things done legally, ‘di ‘yung parang for example walang budget, so wala nang improvements kasi walang means,” dagdag pa ni Montiel.

Dr. Padilla: “Ang pagkakaintindi ko, ginawa ang STS to simplify the life of the student. …

Nabalitaan ko ay dumami daw ang Bracket A, bakit ganun? Kailangang pag-aralan. Ang isa pa pala ay gusto kong pag-aralan ang lahat ng ABCDE magsimula sa E susunod ang D para malaman ang mga isyu. Subukan nating maayos sa susunod na enrolment.”

Sa pagtugon sa mga kapos-palad na magaaral Dr. Belizario: “… Ang daming gustong tumulong even student organizations meron silang scholarship program for poor students. Ito ba’y nata-tap natin? Ang nakikita kong isyu rito ay ang kulang sa kaalaman. … Lahat ng network ipaalam natin sa mga mag-aaral na may mga paraan. Hindi na pwede na walang pera, hindi na makakapag-UP. Iba na ang panahon ngayon.

Ang hamon ngayon, samantalahin natin ang pagkakataon. Walang estudyanteng hindi makakapag-aral sa UP dahil sa kahirapan.

Dr. Chiong: “… Hindi dapat nagkakaproblema sa enrollment dahil lang walang pera. Dapat may mechanism tulad ng scholarships, tap the alumni at gagawa ng centralized mechanism, pool the resources of the colleges at magkakaroon ng tinatawag na FLASH – Free Loan Assistance for Scholars na walang interes at puwedeng bayaran kapag kumikita na.

Makakaasa po kayong ito ay isusulong natin…”

Dr. Dalmacion: “… We are socializing the scholarships for the poor, why don’t we socialize those who have money? So kung mataas ang income bracket mo, mataas ang tuition fee mo.

This may be reverse discrimination but this is

Carmencita David-Padilla, MD, FPPS, MAHPS • Professor 12, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine • University Scientist III • Director, Newborn Screening Referral Center (NSRC), NIH

equity. …”

Dr. Padilla: “One of my big projects will be to increase scholarships not only through government but also the private sector. I will reach out to the alumni which are untapped potentials. …”

Sa isyu ng Return Service Agreement (RSA) Dr. Belizario: “I believe that its creators have a very good purpose for creating it. … It is not perfect, it will not please anybody. I don’t think we will ever get to a point where everyone will be happy with the RSA’s final version. …

The RSA should be used as an opportunity for many things: we can do research, we can do service, we can be employed, we can still work in the University while fulfilling a particular RSA program.”

Dr. Chiong: “I believe in the principle of the RSA. The RSA was not created to make things hard for the students. … The students should also not be afraid of the 2-3 years of return service as I can assure you that you will not regret it. You must not allow yourselves to be put in a place where you are not doing anything. Look for the activity which is not only near to your heart, but will also allow you to give the most service to your fellowmen. …”

Dr. Dalmacion: “… Where will you put the students about to serve their RSA? What about students who may need to work and earn immediately because their families depend on them? These are concerns which have not been addressed. … The RSA is a work in progress.

The devil is in the details.”

Dr. Padilla: “The RSA was discussed for 10 years before it was implemented. In life, most have good reasons (for creating/establishing something). Which is why we need to think about the greater good. With anything you start, the hardest part is the implementation. … Remember this: if the principle or reason (for creating something) is good, let’s not think first of the difficulty involved just to make it right.

Let’s think of the greater good.”

Sanggunian: Transcription nina Fedelynn Jemena at Cynthia Villamor ng Information, Publications, and Public Affairs Office (IPPAO), UP Manila

Ang application period ng The Manila Collegian ay extended hanggang Setyembre 9, 2014.

Kumuha lamang ng application form sa aming opisina sa 4/F Student Center, University of the Philippines Manila. Pagkatapos kumuha ng application form ay magpa-schedule ng application exam sa numerong 0917 510 9496.

04 NEWS

Volume 28 Number 2 September 4, 2014 | Thursday

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Palparan Arrested after Three Years in Hiding Militant groups denounce the apprehension as scripted EZRA KRISTINA OSTAYA BAYALAN After almost three years of hiding, retired Major General Jovito Palparan was arrested on August 12 in Sta. Mesa, Manila by the joint team of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Anti-Organized Crime Division and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Naval Intelligence Group.

Palparan, who is also nicknamed “Berdugo” or “The Butcher”, has a bounty of Php2 million and is considered as the most wanted fugitive in the country because of numerous extra-judicial killings and abductions. The most notable of these abductions are of two University of the Philippines (UP) students, Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan, in 2006.

Hope and Justice Some people and groups welcomed the arrest of Palparan, most notably the parents of Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan.

“Tuwang-tuwa ako. Naiiyak ako, nanginginig ang pakiramdam ko dahil sa wakas bumagsak na rin siya sa kamay ng kapangyarihan si Palparan,” Concepcion Empeno stated.

“Sana nga tunay na itong hustisyang makakamit. Sana nga po si Karen maibalik siya ng mayakap namin, makita naming ng

personal.” Concepcion added.

their eight year search for justice.

making progress.

Likewise, Linda Cadapan expressed joy upon learning that Palparan was arrested after almost eight years of searching for justice for her daughter. However, she warned Palparan against turning into a fugitive once more.

Cover-up and Scripts

“Even with his captivity, there are still other extra-judicial killings happening and ongoing in the country. It is already expected that after Palparan, it still won’t end there. There is even Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) where it calls for more future killings,” Bihag stated.

Furthemore, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) also welcomed the arrest and deemed it as a challenge to our legal and political system. They also asserted that Palparan should not receive special treatment.

“As today dawns, almost three years after a Bulacan court ordered his arrest, retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan is now within the reach of the law and hopefully, Lady Justice with the sword and the scales. He must be treated no different than any other in jail, and made to wait out the time until judgment day. His arrest is also a challenge to our legal and political system, in as much as it is a measure of moral fortitude and rectitude,” stated Atty. Edre Olalia, NUPL Secretary General.

Meanwhile, a second bonfire was lit up in the sunken garden of UP Diliman the same day Palparan was arrested. Linda Cadapan led the lighting of the bonfire; however, she asserted that Palparan’s arrest does not mark the end of

However, some have expressed doubts and dismay over the arrest of Palparan. Concepcion Empeno fears the possibility of Palparan receiving special treatment since there was no resistance in his arrest.

Moreover, some militant groups see Palparan’s arrest as a cover up for the major issues that the country is currently facing.

“The manner of his arrest and the length of the manhunt operation are not that convincing to us. Why is it only now? Why is the arrest timely when the country is facing endless issues that are like popping out from cans? We do not want to think that it is ‘scripted’ but yes, we are thinking it is,” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-10 (KMP-10) secretary general Richard Colao said.

Additionally, College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) northern Mindanao coordinator Rocha Bihag added that even with Palparan arrested, justice still has not yet been served.

According to KARAPATAN-Panay secretary general Reyland Vergara, Palparan’s arrest was scripted and took place when the president’s satisfaction ratings were waning.

“The government wants to show that it is doing something to earn the President pogi points,” said Vergara.

“If PNoy is sincere enough, he should solve all the cases involving Palparan, most of which were committed during the time of former Present Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He should create another team to re-investigate the cases involving Palparan,” Vergara added.

Vergara furthered that Aquino’s administration should also solve the 264 cases of extra-judicial killings that happened during his term.

However, they are still happy that the case is

Abduction of 2 UPDEPP Alumni Condemned

Link to Impeachment Raps Against President Aquino, Suspected EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA Suspected members of the 3rd Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) captured Gerard “Geary” Salonga and Gullier Martin “Guilly” Cadano, both alumni of the UPDEPP (University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program Pampanga), in Barangay RT Padilla in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija on August 9, 2014.

Salonga and Cadano are currently in the custody of the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in Cabanatuan City. The two were accused of possessing illegal firearms and working for the New People's Army (NPA).

Release Demanded Consequently, the League of Filipino Students (LFS), the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), Anakbayan, and Kabataan Partylist gathered outside the Department of Justice (DOJ) on August 11 to call for the release of Salonga and Cadano. Meanwhile, a separate rally was held at Quezon Hall, UP Diliman.

Meanwhile, LFS National Spokesperson Charlotte Velasco pointed out that the two former UPDEPP students have been participating in the struggle against an unjust government. Cadona served as the regional chairperson of Kabataan partylist and Salonga was an organizer of Anakbayan in Central Luzon.

Kabataan Partylist Representative Terry Ridon suggested the abduction was related to the roles of the Salonga and Cadano in the groups leading the impeachment raps against President Benigno Aquino III. “It may indeed be a form of retaliation on part of the Aquino administration,” he included.

Consequently, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) forwarded a complaint on

August 12 asking the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for an immediate response to the continuing violation of campus press freedom and democratic rights of youth organizations.

Oppression Continues However, the police and military denied that Salonga and Cadano were kidnapped.

According to Captain Mark Anthony Ruelos, information officer of the 7th Infantry Division (ID), they had been serving a warrant of arrest for communist leader Ely Taray when they nabbed the two suspects in Taray’s house.

Ruelos claimed they had recovered firearms and explosives from both Salonga and Cadano.

However, Velasco argued that this did not justify the brutal abduction but only exposed the attempt of Oplan Bayanihan to cover the offenses of the regime.

Oplan Bayanihan, or the International Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) was unveiled by President Aquino in December 2010. The IPSP aims to direct the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in countering obstructions to safety and order in the country.

“Aquino boasts about his pro-peace stance but his fascist suppression of members of youth organizations shows otherwise… The continuing violence against the people is a desperate measure undertaken by a regime under siege”, she stated.

“Abduction, illegal arrest and detention, then filing of trumped-up criminal charges referring to manipulated evidences – this has been the usual pattern of Aquino's Oplan Bayanihan,” Velasco stressed.

NO TO TAX INCREASE. Government union workers protested the added tax brought by the BIR Revenue Memorandum Order No. 23-2014 in front of the Supreme Court last August 12, 2014. Photo taken by Jenny Mary Camama Dagun

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Volume 28 Number 2 Thursday | September 4, 2014

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Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng N agjijisang

Lola Patola

First thingzz first, I’m the realest (realest) and I’m still the Murda Chizmizz! Haler halloo my beloveyds!! Sa aking mga fresh na fresh na affowz, kamusta nemern ang YuFiEm layf niyo so far? Aralz muna bago spraks ha?

Hihihi I hear yung iba kong affowz e after ng first week mukhang agozto na mag bakasyon hep hep, sayang naman ang ipinila niyo sa cybernook. Hangover lungz yan!! Heniweyz by the high ways, sigurow nemern by this time eh donetch na kayo sa enrollment pero grabigteh talaga hah! Out of diz world ang pasavog this sem, I mean, term na fala huhukels. Like oh no, dos, istress, umabot na ng dies-koow po sa kabibilang e buong week napa-nga nga sa pabalik balik ang mga affow ko. Firzt day “hay” talaguuh ang peg. So here na here na ang mga na-hear hear ko ober the week! I be that L-O-L-A and I have some sumvongz to throw!

I’m soooo fancy, you already know da SAISmaryosep part twoooo!!

Oh em gee as in graveng gravy talaguh ang nangyari during the enrollment week!!

Haggardo versoza na nga sa enlistment and everythaang hayun pala e di nemern nasunod. Some of my affowz were nag-panic ng bonggang bonggacious dahil viglaan nalung fala yung proceed to i-step twooo na iyern like I tot no longer hunger gamez but surbaybal of the fastezt interneyt connectionz lung rin fala!!

Sakit sa ulo ni Sabog Az In Sabog program na iteey. Sumvong ng apo ko ay meron daw inapprove na subjects but then the next day eh poof! Gonelalu na sa lizt! Magician va ang peg nituu?! Doon ka sa circus veh if appear disappear lung pala ang pakulo moh! KKLK! Sovrang sabog eh dehins na rin fala sila nagkakaintindihan like my affowz were hu to believe in na va? Anownzment here and there na paiba-iba. ANEEEK. Kawawa naman my beloved affowz hu make biyahe pa from far far away and made gising so early tapos wala lungz rin na fala. Yung iva iskobadayber na sa faura river coz of the bagyo pa huhu so cruel diva?! BUUUT HUWEEEEYT, THERE’Z MOOORE. KKLK super ultra mega hyper as in talagaaaa. Jiritz ng ilang affow ko e naprint na ang kanilang invoice, but since waley pa datung e di muna naka-pay agad and then when they make lookie lookie their Sabog Az In Sabog accounts eh na-waley ang ilang subjects nila! Dehins na daw sila enrolled doon. HUWAAAT?! Not once, not twice, like ano va ituuu hit me beybe one more taym all the taym?! 4r4Y k0uh v3h! Huway ba you always make paasa of my affowz, like puhlease kailangan vah talagang “I have died everyday huwaiting for you?!”Anyare sa pinavogang shiztem na iyan huh?! Pinavogang sakit sa ulo va?!

ng paraan, but sovrang no fair ha. Why are my affowz so kawawa when they do everything they can just to enroll HUHUHU KKLK!! Anyare na va?! Some of my preshuz affowz ay napurge out of their slots pa after all the hirap!

Sana namern kasii eh make shur everything is functioning ng maayos before you make sulong this stuff kasi sovrang sayang sa energy, datung, and time! Erkheeey?!

So there my affowz, the chakang experiencez ober the week. So far so istressful na. But doncha worry my affowz, your every fancy, ever fierce Lowla iz here to defend you! I’ll make your sumvongz heard so jirit lang ng jirit coz some thingzzz are better talaga to make ispluk nang matauhan ang iva kung tao nga va sila o ewan natin hihi. Heniweyz, I wish you all da beeezt my affowz! September na agaaad diva, so fast. Enjoy enjoy and gayahin nalang ang inyong pretty Lola, smile nalang us! Love you my affowzzz.

Mwaaaah!!!

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA isyu sa UP Manila ang dapat 1Anong i-prioritize ng susunod na Chancellor?

Sa aking palagay, kinakailangan atupagin ng susunod na UPM Chancellor ang pagkakaroon ng Gab Cafeteria sa lalong madaling panahon sapagkat ang mga mag-aaral ay kailangan pang maglakad patungong Robinsons Manila o dili kaya’y sa mga carinderia na nakapalibot sa labas ng unibersidad sa kabila ng kakulangan sa oras at ang kamahalan ng presyo ng pagkain.

- The Freshie Files, 2014-00***, CAS Marami, pero para sakin ayusin na yung SAIS. Ayoko na maranasan uli yung impyernong enrollment. Baka makapatay na ako ng tao sa susunod. - -oyseniornasiya, CAS, OrCom Sa tingin ko, ang dapat na pagtuunan ng pansin ng susunod na Chancellor ay yung isyu sa kawalan ng basurahan at maayos na segragation sa UPM at yung kawalan din ng canteen. - Exogee CAS 2013-*****

Pwede ring ipadala ang inyong mga sagot sa pamamagitan ng pag-text sa 09175109496!(Pero bawal ang textmate!)

Student Center! Umabot na ng 4 months na bakasyon tas hngang ngaun foundations pa lang nasisimulan nila. tsk tsk. - 2012-21923, CAS.Gym within the university, Cafeteria sa loob ng college. Ayun. Ay, tsaka pagbukas sa gate papuntang DOJ/Supreme Court. Hihi. :) AfowAketchNiLolaPatola, 2012-12345 Idagdag sa qualifications ng pagiging SA ang hindi mataray. Ay wala na pala siya. Hihi. Always, 2010-xxxx9 pagkain ang dapat ipalit ng 2Anong Jollibee sa Chickenjoy? Ipaliwanag.

WALANG MAKAKAPALIT CHICKENJOY FOREVER PLS. Kung papalitan man nila. ChickenSad na lang. Huehue. -oyseniornasiya, CAS, OrCom Fried baboy na lang. At least sa isang baboy mas marami ka nang mapapakain tapos crispy din at malaman. Yum yum! - Exogee CAS 2013-*****

Pagpapaayos ng SAIS. Nakakagago ang enrollment na naranasan ko ngayon. Sinubukan na nga ito nung bakasyon pero sumablay pa, tapos pinagamit pa rin samin. Nagpapatawa ba sila? P.S. pati wag nilang pa-parkingan yung PGH basketball court di naman parkingan yun, basketball court nga di ba? - Anonimus 2012***** CAS

Cream Pie - Anonimus 2012-***** CAS

ACCESSIBLE FOOD STALLS SA LOOB NG SCHOOLS, PLEASE - Raseac | 2010-33377 | Pharmacy

Mami Kanin ni kuya sa may baba ng OUR McAllister RooM

Canteen. - fetch, 2012-*****, CAS Gabcaf, STS, pati yung mga professors na masyadong antag. #kalmalangteh - Ibong Mandaragit, 2011-24839 Banyo at classroom. Walang tissue, walang sabon. #wherewillyoubewhenDiarrheastrikes McAllister RooM Lovelife ko. - subersibong erehe

Gulay. Marami na kasing obese na bata sa UPM and others dahil lagi silang nakain sa fast food chains.-fetch, 2012-*****, CAS Chicken McDo. Outsourcing. May farm sila diba? #weh - Ibong Mandaragit - 2011-24839

Pagpag ng KFC. - subersibong erehe Chickenhappy ~Kbye. -AfowAketchNiLolaPatola, 2012-12345 Chicken burger? Or something like that, pwede na yun. -Always, 2010-xxxx9 Maaaring pumalit sa Chickenjoy ng Jollibee ay Chickinoy dahil ito ay may tunay na bahid na ng pagkakakilanlan ng isang Pilipino. - The Freshie Files, 2014-00***, CAS

I’m soooo fancy, you already know enrolled na me but dehins parin sapat!!

Dehins ko na keribels and jirits ng mga affow kong itech. Laslas day of enrollment pasavog ang naganap like oh my gulalay talaguuh! Some of my affowz made bayad na after making balikbalik to YuFiEm for a week para matapos na once and for all, but then sino itechiwang mejo chakang froppie na dehins sila tanggapin sa class na naenlist nila. Eh chaka naman kasi ni Sabog Az In Sabog shiztem divaaa, hukay ukay ang ganap sa subjects!! Savi ni froppie, choose another section nalungz daw, but josme diva like huwat if there’s no more i-sloooots and optionzzz. KKLK. Buti nalungz eh nagawan

CHOOSING THE NEW CHANCELLOR. Students gathered at the CAS Little Theater last August 12 to attend in a forum regarding chancellorship nominees. Photo taken by Jenny Mary Camama Dagun

06 FEATURES

Volume 28 Number 2 September 4, 2014 | Thursday

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A

nother desaparecido screams and wails from pain under his torturing hands.

The fate of his victims, along with their hands and feet, is chained. His sanity is the last hope they could hold on to. Yet this hope was crushed as they realized that he is no longer sane, no longer human-- mercy has fully escaped his soul. His laughter was the last thing they heard before they were finally executed-- heinously butchered by the army general Jovito Palparan.

The scenario is a mere representation of reality, for justice has always been murdered by the administration that continuously patronizes underlying slaughters in order to curtail the voice of its dissenters.

The Butcher Having been assigned by the real perpetrator to do the heinous job, the butcher eagerly swings his knife and lacerates the victim, mercilessly letting his blade cut through the bone.

The victims were silenced, but the clamor for justice come alive again as the 12th of August, 2014 marked the capture of retired army general Jovito S. Palparan in his hideout in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Labeled by political activists as “Berdugo”, Palparan according to rights group Karapatan has been allegedly involved in 71 counts of extrajudicial killings, 14 counts of frustrated murder and 5 incidents of massacres.

His reputation, as he gradually ascended to higher positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has also been tarnished with different cases of enforced disappearances indicted on him in the past 25 years.

Palparan’s apparent “reign of terror” started upon serving in 1981 as the commander of the 24th Battalion in Bataan for a decade. In this span, he was accused of 7 cases of salvaging, 5 cases of harassment, illegal arrests and detention, two incidents of grenade bombings and a case of massacre, abduction, and aerial assault. But contrary to the various cases he had faced, the berdugo, known for his punitive anti-communist and anti-insurgency programs was rather lauded than convicted by the past administrations. This was seen in 1996, when he was first promoted by former president Fidel V. Ramos as colonel. He has also been promoted by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo twice in her term, from brigadier general in 2004, to major general in 2005. By then, Palparan has been serving in Eastern Samar as the Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division, in which he claimed to reduce the rebel presence in the area up to 80 percent.

However, his ruthless approach to suspected insurgents in the region had manifested in his record which showed 5 killings, two frustrated murders, 5 separate cases of abductions, illegal arrests and harassments, two cases of destruction of property, 4 aerial bombings, and a food blockade. Despite these allegations, the then President Arroyo has awarded the Distinguished Service Star medal to Palparan in March 2006, while he was in his term of being the Commander General of the 7th Infantry in Central Luzon. It was in the same year that his infantry division was accused of arresting farmers Ronald and Raymond Manalo in February 14, and later, for the abduction of UP student activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, along with farmer Manuel Merino.

Such cases were again disregarded by the Arroyo administration as the former president rather praised Palparan’s anti-communist campaigns in her 2006 SONA. Having been able to retire in 2006 without being sentenced nor even being questioned for the multiple allegations he is facing , it is only obvious that Palparan has fully enjoyed the indemnity that the government gave him.

Palparan, in his service, has been the instrument in slaughtering those who dare come across the government’s authoritarian objectives— the willing marionette of a government who unregretfully honors and rewards its efficient killing machines.

The Hunt Hounded by the families left crying for the blood of the slain innocent, the butcher now flees for his life, desperate to elude his punishment.

It was only in 2011, five years later, that Palparan’s actions have seemingly reached the attention of the halls of justice when a Bulacan regional trial court issued him an arrest warrant counting two cases of abduction, along with the serious illegal detention of Cadapan and Empeño. Despite his claims of being innocent over the accusation, Palparan attempted to depart for Singapore in December 19, 2011, but was blocked by the Bureau of Immigration.

A day later, December 20, he started running from the authorities and evaded the warrant by going into hiding for nearly three years until his capture last August 12.

Seemingly, Palparan’s arrest serves as a breather in the midst of the nation’s turmoil at the ongoing issues of DAP and PDAF, but the progress of his arrest did not come past public scrutiny as well. It is just plain incongruous that it took three years to capture Palparan, whose hiding places only revolved in Manila and Quezon City. In fact, the house in Old Sta. Mesa Manila where he was arrested was merely 350 meters aware from the Manila Police District Station 8. It is also questionable that there was no immediate action ordered by the administration after the president has received the surrender feelers that Palparan has sent, back in 2011, as confirmed by presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda in a press briefing. This only mirrors how lenient and inefficient the government is in taking steps to give justice to the desaparecidos under the berdugo’s reign.

Notably, it was also just on the recent 2009 that the anti-torture bill was placed on the spotlight of legislation and was passed into law. This is despite of the 'protection against torture' being embedded in the constitution as an inherent right of an individual. It only shows how ineffecient the system is in promulgating laws that uphold democracy and expand the rights of the people. In the present, there's still no significant change with this system as passing bills and laws against forced disappearances and abductions still proves itself futile under the Aquino administration. Having been signed into law in December 21, 2012, the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Bill purportedly aimed to sentence the culprits of enforced disappearances by life imprisonment. However, Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) itself has recorded 20 cases of enforced disappearances under Aquino by 2013. It only shows that the law exists only as one of the facade achievements listed under the current regime, without proper implementation. The Oplan Bayanihan, which served as Aquino’s counter-insurgency program aiming to use not only combative but non-combative methods in pacifying insurgents also did not fail in serving its real purpose. Karapatan particularly stressed the AFP’s alleged killing of Cristina Jose in March 2013 after leading Barug Katawhan (People, stand up!), a typhoon victims’ organization, to take action in Mindanao. This shows how much the administration is willing to execute arbitrary use of power in order to silence its dissenters.

With the continuing cases of enforced disappearances, the plight scales not only on penalizing the butcher for his crimes, but rather on making the administration accountable for

perpetuating the culture of impunity.

The Slaughterhouse Nobody but its benefactors is spared by the slaughterhouse that eagerly butchers its people who dare speak out of the despotic measures practiced by the regime ruling it.

THE KILLING FLOOR

Jovito Palparan is merely a name in the long list of people perpetuating the same tyrannical methods under the order of his commander in chief. Notably, General Eduardo Año, chief of the Intelligence Service of the AFP and also the leader on the manhunt for the butcher, is also facing accusations on human rights violations. He is arraigned for allegedly being involved on the disappearance of agriculturist Jonas Burgos, as well as in continuing Palparan’s “reign of terror” in Central Luzon. Another name considered as heinous as Palparan is General Ricardo Visaya, now Commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao.

Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay specifically cited Visaya being involved in the 2004 massacre in Hacienda Luisita, where farm workers disputed on the wage and land distribution scheme within the area. The said rights group has even recorded 204 cases of extrajudicial killings, 21 of enforced disappearances, 99 cases of torture, 664 illegal arrests and detention, and 39,800 victims of forced evacuation all having occurred under the Aquino administration. The figures speak for themselves; programs supposedly implemented by the government to uphold peace and order are nothing but a front for despotic measures resulting to human rights violations.

THE CASE OF JOVITO PALPARAN AND THE CULTURE OF IMPUNITY LIEZL ANN DIMABUYU LANSANG

Palparan’s arrest is not the symbolic saving grace on the culture of impunity that continuously plagues the supposed democratic borders of the country.

The nation is yet far from freeing itself from the shackles of corruption for as long as the government stays apathetic on the nature of leniency and indemnity condoned by its officials. Moreover, it would never escape such corruption because in reality, it is the killing machine that usurps absolute power, murdering its dissenters and protecting not the rights of its people but the culture that keeps it away from accountability, that is, the culture of impunity.

As long as this culture exists, the blood of the innocent shall not cease to flow.

Justice has never been served.

ILLUSTRATION BY JOANNE PAULINE RAMOS SANTOS

FEATURES 07

Volume 28 Number 2 Thursday | September 4, 2014

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The nation's political arena, intended for public service, has turned into a theatrical stage that exhibits nothing but the dramatic schemes of the powerful. The tune was set definitely not to cater to the interest of the audience, the masses, but to give way to the swift movements of the actors-- aiming to create an illusion of change—to delude public opinion and freely execute its disastrous choreography.

Backed by the rationale of economic advancement and societal progress, it was in 1972, under the Marcos rule, when the country has last undergone amendments in the constitution. Tracing down the history, the supposed reform, however, did nothing to resolve the then ongoing economic crisis but rather worsened it. The same changes also gave way to the heinous martial law that killed thousands of lives, committed a vast number of human rights violations and gave the then President Ferdinad Marcos an undue amounts of power making him able to stay in office for more than two decades. With these implications, it is now a huge question why different administrations after the Marcos era, who claim themselves as patrons of democracy, are still eagerly exhausting all means in order to emulate the same constitutional amendments.

The scene, peppered with fabricated drama and unabashed fallacies, is badly utilized to forward Charter-Change. The masses have never been entertained. No one enjoys the show except the few who are in the godly seats of the government with the corporate and capitalist interests behind them.

Sways of Deception Economic power yields political power. In the same vein, political power is tantamount to huge economic prosperity-- the virtue of bureaucrat capitalism.

Last March 3, 2014, the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments approved the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 1 aiming to amend the remaining protectionist economic

provisions in the constitution. The main rationale that the proponents offer is that the lack of capital causes the stagnancy of the Philippine economy. However, according to them, foreign investments would be able to suplement the gap in the domestic capital, and hence, could push the economy forward.

But the restrictions on foreign ownerships provided in the constitution discourage foreign investors from coming in; thus, removing these restrictions through constitutional amendments would be the ultimate solution to the domestic capital insufficiency. On the contrary, according to Ibon Foundation, annual inflow of foreign direct investment has already multiplied in great amounts since1980's, from $243 million (1981) to $3.6 billion (2013). This consistent increase in foreign investments, however, "has been accompanied by increasing unemployment, increasing labor export, falling real wages, shrinking domestic manufacturing and more volatile and exclusionary growth."

Both critical analysis and common sense could not see the reliability of foreign investments in terms of fuelling economic progress and national develoment in general. However, what could clearly be seen as a result of these amendments would be the abandonment of national patrimony and sovereignty. It would cater a wholesale bargain of country's remaining resources with the people as the collateral damage-- a contradiction to its supposed development goals.

According to p ro g re s s i v e g r o u p s , C h a r t e r Change is one of the requirements for the Philippines to be included in the TransP a c i f i c Pa r t n e r s h i p (TPP) agreement formulated by the United States. They added that Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is not the sole purpose of the US president in his recent visit in the country; it is also a form of reminder to the Aquino administration that “[we] have to change laws, issue executive orders and frankly, introduce amendments to the Constitution.” as the US already said

through the US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas Jr. at a forum on PhilippineUS relations last August, 2013. The said agreement aims to create a “free market zone” where the country would be compelled to remove all tariffs and protectionist economic provisions in order to fully liberalize trade among the member nations. Furthermore, the constitution could be amended through three recognized procedures: constituent assembly, constitutional convention or people’s initiative. However, Kabataan Partylist Representative Terry Ridon said that the proponents of charter change are trying to advance another option which is amending the constitution by legislation. By inserting “unless otherwise provided by law” after the economic protectionist provisions in the constitution, foreign entities can now dominate the country by unrestrained exploitation of natural and human resources as well as full ownership of different industries including the basic services of health and education. It is also to be noted that prices of commodities would have the highest tendency of skyrocketting as private foreign companies would have full hold to the country's enterprises.

It is an obvious reality that foreign investment is not the solution to the incessant problems of poverty and unemployment in the country. Nor it is an effective measure to promote domestic growth and national progress. Possibly, it could contribute to the growth of income, but only of the few political elites together with their local business patrons and transnational business partners. The government has to realize that as long as the economy is still chained in the shackles of the imperialism and feudalism, masked by globalization and perpetuated by the capitalist order, genuine development for the masses could never be achieved.

constitution to constrict the judiciary's influence on the executive and legislative branches of the government." The statement created clamor among the already outraged citizens following the president's previous disrespect and bastardization to the Supreme Court decision regarding the Disbursement Acceleration Program. Notably, the President was one of those who opposed the proposed Charter Change during the Arroyo's term. However, in 2012, when Charter Change was initiated under his rule, he also showed openness to the matter leaving reservations that the amendments should solely be on economic provisions.

But now, it is seen that the President did not just open his administration to constitutinal amendments regarding economic provisions but in a seemingly full blown ratification of the charter. Due to this series of hypocrisies, it couldn't be helped to speculate that the real agenda behind the Charter Change is to lift his term limits so as to continuously perpetuate in power along with his allies.

Moreover, under his term, the government has already implemented numerous policies that potentially caters to globalizing and opening the economy to free trade which in turn damages most aspects of the local industry.

The choreography behind the endless proposal to amend the constitution by different administrations speaks of the true interests being advanced by those in power-Continued on Page 09

Political Maneuvers The president exhibits a forward-backward motion as regards the Charter Change-- a lack of conviction and commitment totally jeopardizing his reputation.

In an interview with the President, he deliberately said that he was "considering t h e supporting changes in t h e

ANGELICA NATIVIDAD REYES

ILLUSTRATION BY DANIEL JOHN GALINATO ESTEMBER

08 CULTURE

Volume 28 Number 2 September 4, 2014 | Thursday

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#TRENDING Sawang-sawa ka na sa mga tumatawag sa’yo ng cute. ‘Di mo rin naman kasalanan na sa t’wing dadaan ka sa ‘yong kolehiyo, mas tinitilian ka pa kaysa sa ipis. Feeling mo nga eh para ka nang UPCAT—pinapaasa mo ang lahat. Gusto mo sanang mag-hi, pero baka mamatay pa sila sa kilig—gastos mo pa.

Na magustuhan ng lahat, tipong selfie pa lang ulam na —‘yan ang gusto ng karamihan sa’tin.

Ngunit sa isang lipunan kung saan ang lahat ay naglalaban-laban para sa atensyon, kaya mo bang lagpasan ang kahihiyan at maabot ang rurok ng ‘yong kasikatan?

‘PAGPAPASIKAT’ BILANG BAGONG TREND SA KULTURANG PILIPINO

ka lang ng video mo sa Youtube, at malay mo kinabukasan, guest ka na ni Oprah o Ellen.

Ang kasikatan ay isa nang pangangailangan ng tao. Sa panahon ngayon, ang kasikatan ng isang tao ang bagong sukatan para sa atensyon, pagmamahal, kapangyarihan, koneksyon, at tagumpay. Kaya nama’y kung gusto mong mapaunlad ang ‘yong sarili, at pataasin ang ‘yong ‘halaga’ sa lipunan, ang pinakamabisang paraan ay ang maging sikat. #HatersGonnaHate

JOSE LORENZO QUEROL LANUZA

GUHIT NI LIZETTE JOAN CAMPAÑA DALUZ

Ang isang manipestasyon ng pagiging selfdestructive ng pagkamit ng kasikatan ay kapag wala ka nang pakialam sa iisipin ng iba. Kahit mabwisit ‘yung ibang tao sa mga pagpapasikat mo, okay lang. Kadalasan pa nga, ginagamit ng iba ang mga pangyayari sa kanilang buhay bilang instrumento para sumikat. Katulad na lamang ng ibang mga nagpapa-like ng DP, at mga nagpo-post ng kung anong kinain nila.

Feeling nila’y obligasyon ng mundo na makita at mapansin ‘yon. Ang pag-iisip na ‘to ay tinatawag na egotistic. Ang tingin nila sa sarili nila’y sobrang espesyal,

#ImFamousAndIKnowIt Hindi mo maiiwasang magtaka kung bakit mas maraming likes ‘yung DP ng kaibigan mo kaysa sa DP mo kahit alam mong lamang ka sa itsura. Pasensya na pero ang totoo nyan, mas sikat lang kasi siya kaysa sa’yo—mas marami lang siyang mapi-pm na kaibigan at kakilalang magla-like sa DP niya.

Nakakainggit ‘no? Pero kung sakaling sumikat ka, mag-iiba na rin kaya ang buong profile mo?

Maituturing din itong shortcut upang matugunan ang ika-apat na pangangailangan ng indibidwal ayon kay Maslow—ang pagkakaron ng kompiyansa sa sarili, at pagkuha ng respeto mula sa ibang tao. Halimbawa, para sa mga tanyag na mga manunulat, artista, musikero, at mananayaw, nakakahanap sila ng kasiyahan at self-fulfillment sa t’wing may tatangkilik, o kumilala sa kanilang gawa. Para naman sa ibang tao, gusto nilang hangaan sila upang masabing sila’y “in” sa lipunan.

Lahat tayo gustong sumikat kahit panandalian lang. Kaya nama’y ang karamihan sa’tin ay sinusubukan ang iba’t-ibang paraan ng pagsikat. Kung sa tingin mo cute naman ang ‘yong mukha (bukod sa makapal), pwede mong isumite ang litrato mo sa iba’t-ibang pages sa FB tulad ng Chix University, Cute Spotted, o kaya sa UPM’s Cutest Faces. Kung may natatangi ka namang talento, mag-upload

Libre ang mangarap, pero ‘di libre ang maging sikat. Ang karamihan sa’tin, magbibigay lamang ng atensyon sa ibang tao kung bibigyan mo muna sila ng atensyon. Ang lagi nilang tanong, “Anong mapapala ko dyan?” Masyado nang nakatuon sa sarili ang karamihan— para bang ang mundo’y umiikot na lamang sa kanila. Hindi nila alam na sa tuwing mangingibabaw ang boses nila, kadalasa’y meron silang pinapatay na boses—ang boses ng mga naaapi. At imbis na sila’y marinig at matulungan, sila’y nababaon sa pinakailalim ng ating lipunan.

Pansinin mo ang mga balita sa TV. Nasaan ang mga balita patungkol sa mga paghihirap at pagdurusa ng mga ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino?

Bakit kaya mas matunog pa ang pangalan ni Kathryn Bernardo, kaysa sa mga pangalan ng mga aktibistang dinakip ng militar? Bakit kaya mas nabibigyan pa ng insight ang love life ni Kris Aquino, kaysa sa buhay ng mga magsasaka sa Hacienda Luisita? Simple lang ang sagot: dahil pati ang mga local networks natin, narcissistic na rin.

Likas sa bawat tao ang mangarap na maging sikat sa isang punto ng kanyang buhay. Aminin mo, minsan nauubos ang ‘yong oras sa pangangarap na kasinghaba ng pila nung enrollment ang pila ng may gusto sa’yo. Ang pagkamit ng kasikatan ay kasama sa self-preservation instincts natin. Ito’y isang paraan upang mapangalagaan ang identity ng isang indibidwal, at matugunan ang kanyang mga sosyal na pangangailangan.

Ang pagiging sikat ay kadalasang nangangahulugan na meron kang social distinction. Mas kinikilala’t pinapansin kasi sa lipunan ‘yung mga taong may natatanging talento o itsura. Ang talento at itsura kasi ay maituturing bilang kapital ng isang tao tungo sa kasikatan. Kung malaki ang ‘yong ‘kapital’, mas malaking audience ang ‘yong makukuha.

Kung mas maraming tao ang kumikilala at humahanga sa’yo, madadagdagan ang ‘yong self-esteem, at magkakaron ka ng sense of social security—matitiyak at tuwiran mo nang matutukoy ang iyong lugar sa lipunan.

ang buhay kung meron kang selfies, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, at blog. Pero ang masama, ay ‘pag nasobrahan tayo sa pagiging narcissistic— ‘pag sumobra ang pagnanais ng lahat na maging sikat. At sa lipunan natin ngayon, ‘di malabong mangyari ‘to.

“Napakabreast-taking ng She’s Dating the Gangster!” Malamang, na-bash na kung sino man ang nag-tweet nito. Eh ano naman kung na-bash, at least, sikat siya. Ang pagkamit ng kasikatan ay hindi lamang self-preservation instinct, ngunit maituturing ding self-destructive behavior.

Ang iba sa’tin handang magsakripisyo ng dignidad para lamang magkatikim ng konting kasikatan. Tulad sa panahon ngayon, mas sisikat ka ‘pag may scandal ka. Papakita ka lang ng konting balat at eksena, instant celebrity ka na. Minsan naman, ang iba’y handang magmukhang tanga, o tumanggap ng kahihiyan basta’t makakuha ng atensyon.

importante, at unique — kaya’y nararapat lamang na sila’y pagtuunan ng pansin.

Meron din ‘yung tinatawag na egoistic. Ito ‘yung mga taong sa sobra-sobrang pagpapahalaga sa sarili, wala na silang pakialam sa sasabihin at kapakanan ng iba. Minsan, gagamitin pa nila ang paghihirap ng ibang tao para makilala at mapansin sila. Tulad sa mga relief ops dito sa Pilipinas—umay ka na sa noodles, mauumay ka pa sa mukha ni mayor na nakatatak sa lata ng sardinas mo.

Ang kaibuturan ng buhay ay hindi dapat nakaugat sa pagkamit ng kasikatan. Sa sobrang pagnanais ng iba na sila’y magningning, pati ang ilaw ng iba’y handa nilang kunin, at ‘di maglalaon, sila mismo ay mabubulag ng sarili nilang ilaw. Dapat nating alalahanin na ang kasikatan ay hindi ginagamit upang bilhin at kontrolin ang buhay ng ibang tao, at hindi rin dapat ginagamit ang ibang tao bilang kasangkapan upang magkamit ng kasikatan. #WhoRunTheWorld Hindi masamang mag-asam ng kasikatan paminsan-minsan. Mas masaya naman talaga

Hindi nila ibabalita ang mga isyung dapat malaman ng lipunan, at sa halip ay ibabalita nila kung ano ang trending dahil ‘yon ang mas tatangkilikin ng tao at dun sila mas kikita. Tila parang ang sarili na ang kanilang pinagse-serbisyohan sa halip na bayan. Kaya nilang ipagpalit ang ikabubuti at ikauunlad ng lipunan, para lamang kumita sila nang mas malaki.

Ang epekto? Imbis na mamulat ang tao sa katotohanan patungkol sa mga kawalangkatarungan sa kanyang kapaligiran, siya pa’y mas nagiging ignorante at apatetiko.

Ang labis na pagnanais na magkamit ng kasikatan ay isang pwersang mapanghati.

Pupunoin nito ang lipunan ng mga mapagsariling indibidwal na iniisip lamang ang ikauunlad ng kanilang sarili. Samakatuwid, masisira nito ang konsepto ng kawanggawa at pagkakaisa, na kinakailangan ng isang komunidad upang ito’y umunlad at umusbong.

Ang kasikatan ng isang tao ay maituturing din bilang ang kanyang legacy. Dahil habang may tumatangkilik, at nagpapahalaga sa ‘yong mga likha at talento, nagkakaron ng kabuluhan ang ‘yong buhay—patunay ito na may importante, at malaki kang ambag sa lipunan.

Ang lahat ay may karapatang mangarap at maging sikat. Dahil sa isang mundong ‘di tumitigil sa pag-ikot at pagbabago, isang karangalan ang makapag-iwan ng bakas na siyang susundan ng mga susunod na henerasyon. Ngunit tandaan, hindi lahat ng sikat ay tama, at hindi lahat ng maingay ay may laman.

GRAPHICS 09

Volume 28 Number 2 Thursday | September 4, 2014

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apparently; it is not the interest of the people.

Change the charter with regard to economic provisions; open the country to more natural and human resources exploitations. Change the charter to lift term limits; the executive, packaged with the interests of the ruling few, perpetuates in power.

SA LAOT NG KARAGATAN

JENNY MARY CAMAMA DAGUN

With a government trying to manuever the law of the land, the country now becomes vulnerable to yet another fascist regime.

WHEN PLANS GO AWRY FROM PAGE 10

up quite a few bits. (Don’t use “stuff.” Only people who don’t know what else to say use “stuff.”) In the end, being a BA Organizational Communication student might be the biggest glitch in my original plan, but it sure is the most beneficial one.

After all, isn’t life all about taking unexpected trips?

THROUGH THE (BON)FIRE FROM PAGE 12

The UP administration which boasts itself as making the university the premier of its kind in the country, perpetually fails in removing that blind spot that hinders the government from seeing sports as a tool for unity and nationbuilding. The university and the country can only rely on sports-minded civil servants and politicians, as well as on private individuals hoping to extend their profiteering tactics, to grant the athletes’ clamor for prioritization.

UPM NGA: ORG FAIR

PRINCESS PAULINE CERVANTES HABLA

In the end, we call for the fair prioritization of sports, not just in UP, but for the whole country.

Besides catering the multi-facets of intelligence of the student body and upholding excellence in the field of sports, such prioritization is called to unite the whole Philippine society and to instill a more genuine “national pride,” for only through this, that citizens, as one nation, can march towards a holistic development.

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FLAT PROBLEMS

Each of our games, they play; in turn then, their needs, we continue to fight for!

JOANNE PAULINE RAMOS SANTOS

The flames and embers of celebration have burned out; as a revitalized UP, we are now to continue, with all the more persistence, the struggle for a significant sustainable development of our athletes and of sports in the university -- not only for individual growth, but also gearing for national, and even for international competence.

MATHALINO

CZARINA CATAPANG TUAZON

10 OPINION

Volume 28 Number 2 September 4, 2014 | Thursday

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A BLANK CANVAS

Joanne Pauline Ramos Santos

I

DID NOT INTEND TO STAY IN MY CURRENT PROGRAM FOR THIS LONG. I did not intend to study organizations, management skills, and public relations. I did not intend to conduct communication audits and write communication plans.

But here I am, on the fourth year of my tertiary education, and I am still doing all those things that I did not intend to do.

It’s been an unexpected ride.

My strengths are not in the corporate setting.

They haven’t been, and I suppose they never will be, no matter how much training I undergo.

It’s one of the reasons why I was so out of my element when I first entered the course, for this degree program is generally geared towards getting the most profitable result and making sure the business will flourish.

It’s all sorts of stressful and volatile, really. The corporate world is one demanding bitch. (That’s actually the first thing I learned. It’d do everyone good if they learn it, too, early in the game.) It will suck up your life force till you live and breathe missions and visions, strategies and tactics, structures and styles.

Given that, I find it hypocritical and very annoying when students from other programs deem mine so easy and simple. If you ever so much as mumble those words to me when describing this program, I can assure you that I will look at you with loathing and undisguised revulsion, and my only thought would be, “Darling, don’t v about which you know nothing.”

Sure, I don’t study cells and memorize

WHEN PLANS GO AWRY (AS THEY OFTEN DO) anatomical features. I don’t really know how oxidation levels might affect rigor mortis. I don’t even have the foggiest clue on the differences between a bundestag and a bundesrat. I have no idea about Pavlov’s behaviorist approach and how proper application of Gestalt’s theory could mess with one’s visual perception.

However, I do know that: Meanings are in people; You can’t just recite the periodic table of elements during job interviews and expect to be hired; and, if you want a good job, you must learn to weigh the benefits you’d get from one company versus another, and be sure to use and exploit any angles that would be presented to your fullest advantage (provided it’s within legal parameters, of course).

“

BE MANIPULATIVE, IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE MANIPULATED.

Be manipulative, if you don’t want to be manipulated. Does it seem easy? If you think so, you’re a fool. (I was a fool once. I know better now. It would be in your best interest if you follow suit.)

I also learned other useful things from my professors: 1. It is just like driving: no matter how careful a driver you are, if all those around you are bastards, you’d inevitably crash. (Lesson: Group discussions could be effective if the participants

KUWAGONG SINGKIT GOSTO 9, 2008

Ika-labindalawang kaarawan ko – Grade Six ako. At tandang-tanda ko pang ito rin ang unang beses akong napahintulutang gumala — walang kasamang bantay. Siyempre, unang beses ko ring mag-commute mag-isa.

Unang beses kong sinambit ang “Para po!” sa dyip nang nahihiya ‘t naiilang pa. At sa kaunaunahang pagkakataon, mag-isa akong tumawid sa malapad na kalsada at nanatiling buhay.

Nagtuloy-tuloy na ang kalayaang ito hanggang sa tumungtong at nakatapos ako ng Highschool.

Hindi ko naranasang mapagbawalan at mapagalitan ni isang beses kahit gabihin man ako nang sobra o kahit mag-overnight (dahil na rin siguro sa ako na ang mismong umaayaw sa mga pagkakataong baka ‘di ako papayagan at hindi ko rin naman din talaga trip).

Ang higit na kagandahan sa sitwasyon ko ay nanatili pa rin akong disiplinado sa kabila ng maagang pagkamit ko ng kalayaan at kontrol sa buhay ko. Ito’y dahil sa kinondisyon ako ng aking mga magulang noong umpisa pa lang na malaya akong makakagala’t liwaliw basta ba’y sarili kong pera’t ipon ang pinanggagastos ko sa tuwing lalabas ako. Bilang madali naman para sa akin ang makapag-ipon (dahil masinopslash-hardcore-kuripot ako noon), hindi ako nagkaroon ng problema sa ganoong set-up.

Noon, pakiramdam ko sobra-sobra na ang swerte at laya ko. Lalo na noong kinumpirma ng aking mga magulang kumbakit ganoon sila kaluwag sa akin: dahil malaki raw ang tiwala nila sa akin at sa murang edad ko pa lang daw kasi ay nakita na nilang ako’y responsable sa aking mga galaw at trabaho.

No, this is not my forte. I don’t feel comfortable plodding on commercial muck. I don’t like to meet new people and be forced to make a good impression. But this is what I’ve been given. It’s too late to back out now. I will carry on with my academic life. Living it might have been not a deliberate choice, but there we go.

Not everything goes according to plan. (This is yet another valuable lesson. Be sure that you always have back-up.) So instead of doing whatever I intended to do years ago, I will go on this path with my course mates. We’re all in this together for quite some time now, anyway.

We will continue to look for companies that consent to interviews. We will analyze their management styles and organizational structures and examine their communication processes. We will evaluate what climate they have and what culture prevails. We will write comprehensive papers on our findings, come up with plausible conclusions, and provide practical recommendations. It’s what we’ve been taught to do. I know people who are exceptionally good at it, too. Although I’m not one of them — not even close. However, I suppose I’m not that terrible, either. I mean, I hope I’m not. But if I were, well, at least I picked Continued on Page 09

SA PAGSAPIT NG IKA-LABINWALO*

Thalia Real Villela

A

are not bloody morons.)

2. The more you share, the more vulnerable you are. (Lesson: Be mindful when establishing relationships.)

3. Russians tend to go off agenda during business meetings, so be patient and flexible.

(Lesson: Cultural awareness would help you avoid awkwardness and unpleasantness when doing business with people from other cultures.)

Ngunit nang magkolehiyo ako, natuklasan kong wala pa palang binatbat ang kalayaang tinatamasa ko kahit sobra na itong kinaiinggitan ng aking mga kakilala -- at kahit pa sobra ko na itong ipinagmamalaki at ikinatutuwa.

Nabago nang lubos ang konsepto ko ng kalayaan. Ang tunay palang kalayaan ng isang tao ay matatamasa lang kapag napalaya na nito ang kanyang sarili‘t kaisipan mula sa lingid na pagkakakulong ng mga ito, at kapag naisalba na rin ang mga mata mula sa pagkakabulag dahil sa mga mapanlinlang at nakasisilaw na sistemang naghahari sa kapaligiran. Isang

“

NGUNIT HINDI NAMAN PAGKATUNGTONG MO SA UP AY MAMUMULAT KA NA; MANGYAYARI LANG ITO SA ORAS NA HAHAYAAN NG IYONG SARILI NA MAKILITI ANG IYONG KAMALAYAN

batayan para matukoy na nagawa na ang nasabing pagpapalaya ng sarili ay kapag natutukoy niyo na kung ano o sino ang dapat panigan sa ating lipunan.

Malaya kang tunay kapag nakasandig at nakapagsisilbi ka nang walang pag-iimbot sa masang aba -- mga taong kadalasa‘y hindi dinidinig. Ito ri‘y kapag natatagpuan mo ang iyong sarili (kahit may pangamba pa para sa seguridad) na kahanay ng iba pang mga mamamayan na nagmamartsa sa ilalim ng matinding sikat ng araw sa pagbaka para sa tunay na kalayaan ng bansa at panlipunang pagbabago.

Ngunit hindi naman pagkatungtong mo sa UP ay mamumulat ka na; mangyayari lang ito sa oras na hahayaan ng iyong sarili na makiliti ang iyong kamalayan at ito namang maguudyok sa iyo na imulat na ang yaong mga mata. Isang kapararakan lang din talaga ng pagiging estudyante ng UP ay narito kasi ang mga tama’t mainam na haliging magmumulat sa iyo sa katotohanan — mga tao (guro o kapwa mag-aaral) at espesyal na klase ng edukasyong makukuha sa loob at labas ng silid-aralan.

Sabi nila, life starts at 18, ngunit para sa aki’y hindi, dahil nasimulan ko na ito bago pa man -- noong oras pa lang na binuksan ko ang aking isip sa tunay na kalagayan ng bansa at yinakap ko ang tungkuling magsulat at maglingkod sa sambayanan.

Nagawa kong nang pumunta sa Baguio, sumakay sa eroplano, at makarating ng Mindanao, lahat nang mag-isa — walang kakilalang kasabay, bago pa man sumapit ang aking ika-18 taon dito sa mundo. Ngunit ang higit ko pa ring ikinagagalak sa lahat ay ang pagiging malaya ko bilang tao bago ako tumuntong sa legal na edad.

Mulat, singkit man. Takot, pero alam kung kailan gagapiin ito. At masaya, sa piling ng masa. *Sobra-sobrang pasasalamat at mainit na yakap sa aking mga magulang na kinakayang isantabi lagi, kahit mahirap, ang pag-alala para sa kanilang Unica Hija para lang masuportahan ang paglilinang at ang patuloy at hindi matatapos na paghahanap nito sa kanyang sarili dito sa mundo ng tunggalian

BASAG-ULO Lean Sandigan PARA SA MASA* Isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit ako nagsusulat ng column sa mga coffee o milktea shops ay dahil sa katahimikan. Kaunti ang maaaring pumukaw ng aking atensyon at hatakin ako tungo sa Petiks Land. Payapa. Tahimik. Isang sanktwaryo sa gitna ng Ermita. Ngunit hindi sa pagbibigay ng buhay, pumapatay rin ang katahimikan.

Hindi ako hardcore na aktibista. Totoong hindi lahat ng pagkikilos, pinupuntahan ko.

Pero ni minsan, hindi naging implikasyon ang pag-absent ko sa rally para sabihing irrelevant sila. Naniniwala ako sa kanila.

Ilang taon na ang nakalipas, narinig ko sa isang kakilala na irrelevant ang aktibismo — na walang patutunguhan ang pagra-rally kung ‘di sakit ng katawan at kawalan ng oras sa tunay na mahalaga — pag-aaral. Hindi ko na maalala kung paano niya eksaktong sinabi iyon, pero ang mas naalala ko ay ang katahimikan ng noon, habang sunod-sunod niyang nilait ang pinaglalaban ko.

Pagkukulang ko iyon bilang Isko. Ngayon, napagtanto kong ang talino nating mga tagaUP ay hindi natin nagagamit sa panahon na kailangan natin ito. Kaya ito, sasabihin ko sa inyo para hindi na kayo magkamali pang muli — ang bawat pagkakataong nananahimik ka ay nagdudulot lang ng mas matinding problema sa lipunan.

Sa bawat pagkakataong hindi ka umiimik, dumarami ang mga katulad ni Palparan.

Sa bawat pagpigil mo sa iyong kapwa na lumikha ng bagay na babago sa kasaysayan, tinuturuan mo at ang iba ng isang kulturang individualistic. Sa bigong pagsasakripisyo, nasasayang ang pagkakataong masolusyonan ang kasalukuyang problema.

Naroon ka na siguro sa punto kung saan ang boses mo ay nariyan para sabihin sa mga tao ang gusto nilang marinig, sa punto na nagiging komportable ka na sa pagsisinungaling sa sarili mo. Naging pampalubag mo na sa katangahan ng iba ang pagtahimik na lang imbes na itama sila sa mga mali.

At sa puntong iyon ko nakita na tumutulong pala ako sa pagkamatay ng mga tao. Hindi ko sila naipaglalaban dahil masyado akong nakatingin sa sarili ko, at sa maganda at malinis na imaheng gusto kong makita ng iba mula sa akin. Nawalan ako ng respeto sa kapwa ko dahil nawalan ako ng lakas ng loob na ipagtanggol sila.

Pero gusto ko pang magbago, at gusto kong may mga taong sumunod. Sana pilitin mo ring makita na ito ang silbi natin bilang isko at iska.

Sa panahon na kailangan ng bayan ang tinig ko, sisigaw ako. Nakakahiya para sa isang Iskolar ng Bayan ang maging manhid at magpaka-intelektwal nang wala namang nagagawang tulong para sa iba. *Salamat sa pagtulong at pagpahiram ng kanta, Eheads.

EDITORIAL 11

Volume 28 Number 2 Thursday | September 4, 2014

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T

HE UNIVERSITY IS HUNGRY FOR GENUINE CHANGE.

The term of the present UP Manila chancellor is nearing its end, and with it, comes a list of nominees vying for the chancellorship position. With the change of leadership, change is expected and demanded by its members.

NEWS CORRESPONDENTS Ezra Kristina Ostaya Bayalan Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez Ronilo Raymundo Mesa Gayle Calianga Reyna

A lot of controversies rattled the university in the past few years, putting Chancellor Manuel Agulto and the UP Manila administration in front of the suspecting eyes of the public. In these controversies, the university has embedded its image with anti-student policies and insufficient student representation in making decisions. Although the students do not elect who the chancellor will be, it is important for the chancellor to listen to their demands as guidance. Unsatisfied students will be the greatest adversary of university officials, and it will be wise to learn from their perils. Now, the search has started for the successor.

FEATURES CORRESPONDENTS Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari Angelica Natividad Reyes CULTURE CORRESPONDENTS Angelo Dennis Aligaga Agdeppa Jamilah Paola dela Cruz Laguardia Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza Thalia Real Villela RESIDENT ILLUSTRATORS Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz Daniel John Galinato Estember Princess Pauline Cervantes Habla Joanne Pauline Ramos Santos RESIDENT PHOTOJOURNALIST Janny Mary Camama Dagun

It is evident that the issues present in UP Manila are only catalyzing the decay of the public character of UP. The next chancellor should be steadfast in being the champion of students and workers inside UP Manila.

To be able to provide genuine service to the university, the administration should listen to its constituents before making decisions. Decisions should be weighed upon which is for the welfare of the students as well as the protection of the university from privatization.

The Socialized Tuition Scheme (STS) has failed to alleviate the state of students in the university. The grueling process of proving their family’s financial capacity, as well as the process of appealing for a lower bracket, are manifestations of anti-student policies implemented in the university.

Furthermore, with the cases of bracket misclassification, more students will be forced to loan, or leave the university.

As the testing center for the implementation of various policies, UP Manila has subjected students to more problems. Recently, the Student Academic Information System (SAIS) has been used in UP Manila that caused delay in enrollment. Glitches in the implementation of SAIS have proved that the administration should be keen in assessing the policies to make sure that each policy will not encounter significant delays.

RESIDENT LAYOUT ARTIST Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag OFFICE 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000 EMAIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com PRINCESS PAULINE CERVANTES HABLA

Job Description center, it is imperative that the university should have facilities that will be at par with the standards of a true premier state university. An outstanding and relevant institution of higher learning will still be an illusion as long as sports science buildings and additional research facilities are not concretized.

Such issues cannot be realized by bureaucrats that will not step down to the level of their constituents. It is, therefore, a requirement to the next administration

towards national development. The next chancellor should not echo the statements of higher institutions and individuals without thinking critically, but hear the cries caused by social injustice, and heed the calls for progress.

It is apparent that the character and priority of the next chancellor of UP Manila is crucial in the development of the university. The call for the successor should not only be heeded by the nominees, but also by the students

The succeeding chancellor should also look into the issue of the different food concessionaires that were dismissed from their stalls inside the campus. Such issues concern not only the students that are forced to go outside to buy food, but the concessionaires as well, as they were evicted without the administration considering their livelihood. The next administration should lead in providing the students with accessible and healthy food, without leaning to corporate giants for expensive food.

TO PROVIDE GENUINE SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD LISTEN TO ITS CONSTITUENTS BEFORE MAKING DECISIONS

Furthermore, the issue of providing the students with a safe, accessible, and state-of-the-art gym should be one of the priorities of the next administration.

Being dubbed as the health science

However, being the chancellor of the university is not limited to the issues inside the university. The UP Manila administration should also take a stand and unite with the students and its workers

to go down from the towering offices and assess the ground level situation. The chancellor must see these issues in the lens of a common Iskolar or professor, in order to determine what should be done without compromising the university and its students.

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The Cover

— to make sure that there is student representation in issues and policies that concern the Iskolars ng Bayan. Dauntless Iskolars are needed to initiate action whenever there are issues plaguing the university.

Vigilance becomes responsibility in order to assure that the next chancellor and its administration will be transparent, accountable, and democratic in making decisions.

Illustration by Daniel John Galinato Estember

On that fateful ninth day of August, University of the Philippines created hope and history.

After almost two years, our Men’s Basketball Team (MBT) finally ended its 27-game losing streak in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) by winning against Adamson Soaring Falcons.

To fully highlight the historic feat, an immediate bonfire celebration, symbolizing that sense of victory and hope, was held at the Sunken Garden in Diliman campus.

However, more than symbolizing the arduous scrabble for that miraculous triumph in basketball, the bonfire

celebration posts as an emblem for the Iskolars ng Bayan’s continuous struggle in calling for the government’s support to the enhancement and development of sports in the university.

As one team after all, the UP athletes, UP community, and UP Administration shall demonstrate incomparable teamwork.

Sports competitions are more than a form of entertainment, a commercialized human activity, or a pursuit for fame – it is about the shaping of camaraderie and socialization between players, and the harnessing of physical and mental competencies of the athletes for a more holistic development. It is a clear application of collective action in society.

The Frontliners

However, no matter how passionate and supportive the UP community is, the athletes would still be futile until a “coach” directs and manages their system of play – the kind of coaching only the UP administration can give or deprive.

One for All, All for One! Whenever UP athletes battle through victory in arenas, they do not fight alone – we, the whole UP community fights with them, establishing that first line of defense, the “frontline,” against opponents.

Here enters the matter of university pride which can be defined relatively. Our concept of university pride in UP is what probably set us apart from other universities. For us, it is neither about the number of fans in every game nor the gap of points scored between us and the opponent; it is not even about a flawless winning streak or the number of UAAP merchandise purchased per game. It is highly about our indomitable spirit as one university, to continue fighting despite being degraded because of previous bad performances, and being seemingly unsupported by the government – the same spirit by which the culture of activism in the university continuously thrives upon. To continue fighting against odds, that is how we struggle — and that is how we eventually win battles.

Just as how activism taught Iskos and Iskas that the struggle for genuine freedom and social change cannot be achieved overnight, but only through unrelenting passion and indefatigable devotion to become openminded, progressive, and militant about social issues, so is our struggle for winning different sports competitions. Victories cannot happen in a snap, especially without the whole UP community's unwavering support.

Activism also taught the UP community to never give up in its struggle for triumph, because history always has its way of repeating itself. The victory of numerous revolts of the masses over the course of time which overthrew abusive powers and endowed people with their inalienable rights, provides hope t o the activists of today that their struggles will someday pay off; the last '86 UAAP championship title of UP Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team, on the other hand, should stand as the UP community’s beacon of hope, that someday, our athletes can ace and triumph, again, not just in basketball, but in the whole field of sports.

But apart from the black and white, the win or lose, and the supported and unsupported sports, Iskolars view each game as an avenue to observe and learn from the unique kind of social interaction existing between players battling in the arena. The UP community, despite its motto, “Honor and Excellence,” also sees quality in losing battles.

Through losing, UP can come up to the top from intense analyses and self-criticism. Sports is a symbol for UP never to surrender, and never forget to be better the next time we battle. We, as a university, proved it in several cheerdance competitions.

THALIA REAL VILLELA

ILLUSTRATION BY CZARINA CATAPANG TUAZON

Our university also has a different perspective on UAAP. For us, student-athletes need to have a certain degree of excellence in studying before they could play. Even if there are no grade requirements, athletes from UP will continue to excel in many ways other than their chosen sport. We are not blinded by fame and glory, because in one way or another, the school and destiny put our feet back on the ground.

The Coach The One FOR All The state who is obligated to direct, manage, inspire and unconditionally support the Filipino athletes actually blunts the edge of developing and improving the field of sports in the country – the “coach” is abandoning its players in the heat of its arduous struggle.

It is already established that we, in UP, are not after a flawless winning streak -- what we’re really struggling for in its very core is to cease the “coach’s” negligence of duty to support and develop sports.

Surely, the UP Administration allowed the grand bonfire celebration as its manifestation of support to the UP MBT and the UP community, but we do know they could and shall do more than that. Besides intensifying the call for a higher government subsidy for public education (which should involve funds for sports development), the administration can also call for the rightful upholding of what is stated in Article XIV, Section 19 (I), of the 1987 Constitution: The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.

But if there is already misprioritization and unaccountability in sports in the university level, one can imagine the more treacherous evils and trials all Filipino athletes, in national level, are experiencing.

Whereas the constitution believes that sports is an essential tool for the education of the youth, and a unique instrument for nationbuilding, the government thinks otherwise.

One such manifestation is the lack of funds for sports development, as more and more athletes become heavily depended on private companies to fund their competitions, here or in abroad. No one can forget how Michael Martinez trudged the road alone to the 2013 Winter Olympic Games; no one can also forget how he financed his own training and competition expenses, (later to be financially supported by Manny V. Pangilinan), and how the government, after Martinez’ victory, was quick in claiming accountability for developing his skills in figure skating.

The reluctance of the government to put prioritization in sports is also manifested in its apparent contentment with the performance of the Philippine Sports Commission – a funding agency for Filipino athletes which can do little to send players to sports competitions, more so to subsidize the development of sports in the whole country. If only the government can establish a separate ministry or department for sports – a Department of Sports – then maybe we can hope for a more intense monitoring and maintenance of the various sports categories in the country, gearing towards victories in international competitions, but also towards more holistic developments for the country’s citizenry.

Continued on Page 09