The Manila Collegian Volume 28 Number 9

THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MANILA

Tuesday January 20, 2015 Volume 28 Number 9

MORE INSIDE

02 NEWS 39th GASC held at UP Cebu 05 CULTURE Pope Opera 06 FEATURES With in the Prison Walls 10 OPINION Selectric 11 EDITORIAL Serbisyon Hindi Negosyo

02 NEWS

Volume 28 Number 9 January 20, 2015 | Tuesday

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39th GASC held at UP Cebu

COLLEGE BRIEFS

ELIZABETH DANIELLE QUIÑONES FODULLA AND SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO

Forty-four student councils from different units of the University of the Philippines (UP) have gathered for the 39th General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) held at UP Cebu from January 9-10, 2015.

The assembly, the first for academic year 2014-15, was presided by Student Regent (SR) Neill John Macuha. Among the topics discussed in the GASC were local and national issues faced by UP students and the country, and amendments to the current Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS).

The student council assembly started with Macuha’s report, which covered the student regent’s response to certain concerns of the UP system, including the code of student conduct, human rights violations, and election of chancellors.

After the SR report, a discussion on the Rise for Education (R4E) Alliance Campaign was led by Jeffrey Ken Ecarma. This was followed by reports of student councils on their issues and accomplishments.

The assembly also discussed concerns on the UP Agenda. “Ang UP Agenda ay isang checklist ng mga issues at demands ng mga estudyante na nais nating iparating sa ating administrasyon. Ito ay isang katibayan na itong mga issues na ito [ay] tunay na nararamdaman ng mga estudyante,” said Macuha.

Approved resolutions Meanwhile, the 39th GASC adopted a total of six resolutions which aim to solidify the stance of student councils on certain issues concerning the university and the nation.

Among the resolutions adopted by the

body is the review of other school fees (OSFs), proposed by UP Visayas College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) SC. The body also approved a resolution by the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Arts and Letters (CAL) SC calling for the abolition of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 20, Series of 2013.

The said memorandum mandates the removal of Filipino subjects in the general education (GE) curriculum of tertiary schools.

Moreover, a resolution by UPM USC to stop the privatization and to junk the service fees in public hospitals was adopted by the assembly.

The 39th GASC also approved a resolution

by UP Cebu SC to campaign for the abolition of the pork barrel system and the eradication of corruption. It is, however, still subject to revisions.

A resolution to end militarization in all academic institutions, principally authored

by UP Mindanao USC, UP Mindanao CHSS SC, and UPM SHS Koronadal SC, was also adopted by the body.

Lastly, the resolution by UP Cebu SC calling for the 39th GASC to join the R4E was approved by the assembly, subject to ratification by individual councils.

Junked amendments On the other hand, proposed amendments to the Codified Rules for the Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) was discussed by the 39th GASC after the passage of the aforementioned resolutions. The said proposals were either junked by the assembly or withdrawn by their

proponents.

The “one vote, one council” amendment to the SR selection process, proposed by UPD USC and UPD CSSP SC, once again caused heated arguments between supporters and opposers. The said amendment was proposed by UPD CSSP SC, UPM Medicine SC, and UPLB CA SC during the 37th GASC held at UP Mindanao on January 25-26, 2014 but was junked.

According to UPD CSSP SC, their council proposed the said amendment because they find the current voting process undemocratic. Moreover, UPD CSSP SC mentioned that the current voting system makes way for misappropriation of votes, allegedly a “dirt” in the process.

Under the current selection process, each unit of the UP system is allotted a certain number of votes. Baguio, Diliman, Los Banos, Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao are given two votes each, while Pampanga, Cebu, Tacloban, SHS Palo, and SHS Koronadal are given one vote each.

However, UPLB USC maintained that the current voting process upholds representative democracy. UPD Education SC also added that the proposed amendment turns the voting process into a popularity game.

The proposed amendment to the voting process was withdrawn by UPD CSSP SC and was eventually junked by the body.

In addition, the assembly also discussed UPD Law Student Government’s proposal to have an elected OSR representative in each UP unit. The proposal was likewise junked by the body.

The College of Nursing continuing education and community extension services program presented: Integrating the WHO Multi-Professional Patient Safety Curriculum in BSN last Monday, January 12, 7:30am, to Wednesday, January 14, 5:00pm, at the 2nd Floor, UPCN Seminar Room, Sotejo Hall, UPCN, Pedro Gil St., Ermita, Manila.

On the occasion of the 100th founding anniversary of the College of Dentistry, they are inviting you to the Centennial Lecture Series “Dentistry at its Best: Only the Finest,” a two-day scientific seminar for free on February 3-4, 2015, 8:00am-5:00pm at the Lung Center of the Philippines Auditorium, Diliman, Quezon City.

ORGANEWS The University Student Council (USC) will be spearheading the first ever UP Manila Fiesta, a week-long event exposure on February. They are preparing for many fun activity and surprises. For more updates follow their Twitter account @ UPMFiesta or like their Facebook Page: UP Manila Fiesta.

The UP Manila Freshie Assembly presents the first Gawad FA, a part of the UPM Freshie Week that is from March 9-13.

In relation to the event is the search for Namumukod-Tanging Freshie that will start from January 20 to February 9. This aims to bring out leadership, promote camaraderie, and highlight the talents among UPM Freshies. For inquiries contact Denver Rancap at 09163846338 or Jana Negre at 09175423384.

read and download MKule issues at issuu.com/ manilacollegian like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ themanilacollegian follow us on Twitter: @MKule

Muling nagsulong ang ilang student councils ng mga amendments sa CRSRS noong nakaraang Enero 9 at 10 sa ginanap na General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) sa UP Cebu. Larawan kuha ni Joleen Aira Restero Estellla

NEWS 03

Volume 28 Number 9 Tuesday | January 20, 2015

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Commuters face LRT, MRT fare hike this 2015 Groups criticize excessive surge in train fees ARIES RAPHAEL REYES PASCUA AND EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

Following a decrease in jeepney fare last December, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) implemented fare hike for both the Light Railway Transit (LRT) and Metro Railway Transit (MRT) lines on January 4, 2015.

government’s supposed subsidy for the LRT and MRT operations will be adopted by the passengers

Based on Department Order No. 2014014 issued last December 20, 2014, a fixed increase of one peso for every kilometer from a base fee of P11 was imposed for all the three train lines.

“We must emphasize that around P 10 Billion will still go to subsidizing LRT and MRT passengers. But the premise of the user-pays principle is this: if what each rider pays is closer to the actual cost of his or her own trip, the P 2 billion savings can be used for development projects and relief operations to benefit those who never even get to use the LRT or MRT,” Abaya explained.

Consequently, the end-to-end trips for MRT3 (from Taft Avenue to North Avenue and back) have reached P28 from its original rate at P15, while both LRT-1 (Baclaran to Roosevelt and vice versa) and LRT-2 (Recto to Santolan and back) trips cost P10 more.

(See Table 1)

Furthermore, the DOTC secretary cited that the LRT-1 had only escalated its fare rates in 2003 while that of the LRT-2 and MRT3 has not inflated since. “While 2015 will see increased fares, it will also see marked improvements in our LRT and MRT services,” Abaya stated.

Unreasonable Raise

However, according to Bayan, Abaya admitted that the P1 billion in additional yearly revenues to be produced from the fare hike will be used to pay the multimillion-peso monthly fees to the private concessionaire that owns the train line.

Kabataan party-list Representative Terry Ridon slammed the adjustment in the train ticket fares and called this action as a “profit-seeking scheme” for the Aquino administration. Similarly, Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares maintained that DOTC did not offer a competent public hearing as compliance to due process.

Subsequently, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary-general Renato Reyes sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the implemented fare increase along with non-government organizations (NGO) including Riles Laan sa Sambayanan (Riles) Network and Train Riders Network (Tren).

“We will question the basis for the increase, the authority of the agencies who approved the hike and the process by which the increase was approved,” Reyes said. He also called for the support of the commuters to their cause.

Provisional Rollback The aforementioned MRT and LRT fare increase came after fare for all jeepneys covering routes between provinces and Metro Manila was settled on the P7.50 minimum fare last December 11, 2014 by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). (See Table 2) Meanwhile, LTFRB regional offices will authorize varying rates in different areas due to the differing prices of diesel products.

LTFRB Chair Winston Ginez said that the reduction was caused by the previous rollback of petroleum products in the market.

On December 22, Sen. Grace Poe, as head of the Senate public services sub-committee on transportation, pointed that DOTC should have coordinated with her regarding their decision.

However, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Chairman Elmer Labog enjoined that the fare decrease in public utility jeepneys (PUJs) was not in accordance to the global prices of petroleum products.

Senator Poe elaborated on the disadvantage of the imposed fare hike to the LRT and MRT passengers that are minimum wageearners. “The fare increase is an added insult and an injustice to the suffering riding public whose very lives are put on the line every day,” she claimed.

Labog appended that the decrease in the jeepney rates will greatly shorten the income of jeepney drivers. “Even before the rollback, jeepney drivers are only earning a maximum of P400, which is below the minimum wage rate,” Labog expressed.

According to her, the poor condition of the MRT proved the irresponsibility of the government. She also deemed the increase unjustifiable until the administration accomplishes the necessary repairs and upgrades.

Explained Action The said change in the ticket fare under LRTA and MRT-3 is under the MediumTerm Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2011-2016 by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). Due to the “user-pays” principle under PDP, the

Moreover, he pressed that private transportations should also undergo reduction in their fare rates.

Concurrently, Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston) National President George San Mateo requested the government to cut the prices of basic commodities and services.

On the other hand, Ginez mentioned that the board is currently deliberating necessary jeepney fare deductions in Regions 3 and 4.

He also hinted at further deductions in PUJ fee rates possible in the future.

ISKOTISTIKS

LRT 1 From Baclaran to:

Old

New

LRT 2 From Recto to:

Old

New

EDSA

15

15

Legarda

12

15

Libertad

15

15

Pureza

12

15

Gil Puyat

15

15

V. Mapa

12

15

V. Cruz

15

15

J. Ruiz

13

20

Quirino

15

15

Gilmore

13

20

Pedro Gil

15

20

Betty Go-Belmonte

13

20

UN Avenue

15

20

Araneta-Cubao

14

20

Central

20

20

Anonas

14

25

Carriedo

20

20

Katipunan

14

25

Doroteo Jose

20

20

Santolan

15

25

Bambang

20

20

Tayuman

20

30

MRT From North Ave. to:

Old

New

Blumentritt

20

30

Quezon Avenue

10

13

Abad Santos

20

30

GMA Kamuning

10

13

R. Papa

20

30

Cubao

11

16

5th Avenue

20

30

Santolan

11

16

12

20

Monumento

20

30

Ortigas

Balintawak

20

30

Shaw Boulevard

12

20

Roosevelt

20

30

Boni Avenue

12

20

Guadalupe

14

24

Buendia

14

24

Ayala Avenue

14

24

Magallanes

15

28

Taft

15

28

Table 1: The revised rates for LRT1, LRT2, and MRT as of January 5, 2015

Previous Minimum

Discounted

8.50

7.00 Recent

Minimum

Discounted

7.50

6.50

Table 2: The revised rates for passenger jeepneys within Metro Manila allowed by the LTFRB

UP-PGH granted P150-M for ‘better health care’ ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE

UP System and Department of Health (DOH) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) which aims to boost healthcare facilities for the patients of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and to provide the procurement of modernized medical apparatus initially amounting to P150-M, December 17.

According to UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla, this deal is a response to DOH’s challenge to take part on the extensive reserve of knowledge, expertise, and skills to develop and further improve the health setting of every Filipino.

“The UP System, through the UP Manila, is a constant, dependable, and reliable partner of the national government, and the DOH in particular, in giving much-needed medical and health services to the Filipino people through the decades,” Padilla said.

Between UP and the Filipino People Chancellor Padilla characterized the agreement as a “momentous partnership” not only between DOH and the UP System,

but also “between UP System and the Filipino people.”

She further expressed that the entire UP System will endeavor to be an equal partner of the DOH in its initiatives and major programs in health education and capacity building, health research, and policy development that will result in relevant programs and interventions for Filipinos.

Last 2013, the public hospital (PGH) had almost 11,000 trainees composed of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. PGH also provides service for 500,000 patients annually, a certain percentage of which are underprivileged.

DOH to Serve the People On the other hand, DOH secretary Janette Garin described the entire UP System, particularly UP Manila-Health Sciences Center and PGH, as “one of the national government’s best machinery to efficiently and optimally deliver public and community health care services to millions of underCONTINUED ON PAGE 09

04 NEWS

Volume 28 Number 9 January 20, 2015 | Tuesday

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Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA sa tingin mo ang makikita ng 1Ano Santo Papa sa Tacloban?

Kapalpakan at kapabayaan ng gobyerno.

Period. - Art Rescovin, 2011-xxxxx, Beh Sci The devastated situation of tacloban and the suffering people struggling to regain the life they once had before the typhoon. -

Nash Ambrosio, CAS, 2014-31904

Tao. Joke lang. - Starry, CAS, 2013-X13XX Maayos na mga kalsada at mga bagong tayong bahay ang makikita ng Santo Papa.

Sa ipinapalabas sa mga balita, makikita na pilit na pinagtatakpan ng gobyerno ang kabagalan ng progreso at pagsasaayos sa mga nasira ng bagyong yolanda. Puro kasinungalingan ang makikita ng Santo Papa sa pagbisita niya sa Tacloban dahil paniguradong minadaling ayusin ang mga kalsada at mga gusali roon. - Buchipitot, CAS, 2014-53180

Pagbangon, sana. - Think Positive, CAS,

2014-*****

Naglalangisang mukha ng mga politiko, at nakaplaster na mukha ng mga maralitang para bagang matagal na inayos para ‘di mabuko ang kadukhaan. -

nancydrewwhoyou, CN, 20**-***9*

May Santo Papa nga ba? Huehue. -

3PointDunk, CAMP, 2014-****9

I hope, hopeful faces. - humanbarricade,

2014-<341*

‘Yung kabagalan ng pagbigay ng “tulong” ng mga nakaupo, at pagtatakip ng midya sa kabalbalang ginagawa nila. - prolet,

naCAScas, 2014

Despite the fact that the people are still struggling to make ends meet, I think that the pope would be happy to see the strength their faith. We, as Filipinos, are characteristically fervent in upholding our ideologies and principles of our faith and religion, and I think that it has fully manifested in the way we treat incidents like Yolanda. It is a clear indicator to the pope, and even to the rest of our society, that our God is greater than the problems we currently face, and I think he’d be happy to see that. - Percy, CPH, 2013-51732 Smiling faces, kahit na-sira na mga bahay nila. - vamp, CAS, 2014-***** Devastation. - devastated, CAS, 2014-***** Sa iyong palagay, gaano katagal 2 ang magiging enrollment para sa ikalawang semestre?

Sa palagay ko, tatagal ang enrollment nang dalawang linggo. - Buchipitot, CAS, 2014-53180

Siguro kasing tagal ng pagmomove-on ko.

- CAS, dimakamoveon

Kasing tagal ng pag-ibig ko. Forevermore. -

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

Siguro natuto na ang mga namamahala ng enrollment. Siguro hindi na ganoon ang haba ng pila. Siguro kung dati’y maghapon ka nakapila, ngayon ay ‘half day’ nalang.

Siguro lang naman. Sana nga natuto na sila at sana may improvement na. - STARter,

CAS, 2014-60724

I don’t think it’d take long. There’d probably be some minor glitches with the system but I doubt it would be even remotely comparable to last semester’s enrollment.

- Percy, CPH, 2013-51732

Kasing tagal ng pagmamahal ko para sayo.

(Sobrang tagal.) - vamp, CAS, 2014-***** I know the struggle is hard, and the day is long, but I’m still hoping that it’ll be over in a heartbeat. - devastated, CAS, 2014-***** Nawa’y hindi kasing tagal ng prusisyon. religious, CAS, 201*-*****

Panindigan sana ang “walang forever” Think Positive, CAS, 2014-*****

Kasing-tagal ng pagmove-on ni Popoy.

(Ang tigas niyo, OCS!). Pero, thank you in advance sa RVCs -- ang mga bagong tagapagligtas. - nancydrewwhoyou, CN, 20**-***9*

Mabilis. May tiwala ako dyan HAHAHA 3PointDunk, CAMP, 2014-****9

Since freshie pa lang ako, sa nakita ko, kasing tagal ng unang semestre. huhu humanbarricade, 2014-<341*

Sana hindi kasing tagal ng paglabas ng grades huehue. GRADES!!!! - prolet,

naCAScas, 2014

Feel ko magiging okay naman. Ayusin lang ang dapat ayusin. - schadenfreude, 2012

UP-PGH GRANTED P150-M

FROM PAGE 03

privileged and under-served Filipinos.”

Garin also said that the UP System is widely recognized, for the wide breadth and deep scope of intelligence, knowledge, skills, and influence of its officials, leaders, and members to almost all the facets of national and social life. She further added that the UP students’ slogan of “serve the people” is most significant and resonant to all of workers of the DOH. She encouraged the UP System to influence and to contribute to the entire country specifically in the healthcare sector for its improvement.

“One of the priority health programs of the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III is to optimally improve the health condition and situation of the Filipino people by providing financial assistance to various health- and medical-related programs,” Garin added.

LolaPatola

Haluur to my dearest afowhz! Yor ever young and butipool lowla is bahack!!

How ar yur greyds? Keri boom boom pow pa namern? Itz owkey to hab so many tres atlist di bagsakers. Anyway highway musta namern ang feelings mo tungkol sa itetchiwang calendar shift? How is yur pers eber sem break na kasabay ang kurismasu and new year break? O bongga all in one break, kaya nagkakabreak break ang bones ng lola mo. So many ebents, kalerkey daming christmas party at reunions na pinuntahan and all the gala with yer lolo Upo. Hihi.

Malungkot namern kasi kung sa baler ka lang nagstey.

Anetch nga ba ang new? Betsung ko marami kang bagong gamit at experience.

Nakatanggap ka ba ng gift(s) from yer spacial someone (kung meron man)? Hihi.

But der are sooo maaannyy sumvhong that kips on repeating, their akshoon is just so tagalalu. So here are ma new chickkas. Gravvetihh aa, heto na, meron din aketch bagong pasabog kaya iwas-iwas baka matamaan. Haha. Kaleerkay!

Nakakalerkey ang mga boom booroom boom base ngeyerng bagong taern: Bagong taon na di pa maka-muv on sa mga nakalipas na taon kaya boom! sumvhong numvah juan!

Boom boom tok! So noizy wit da paputok, torotot and all but whut is dis I hear? May naghuhumiyaw?

Ow me radar is working, me sumvhong ang aking afow na der is nothing new about da system. Tineyk ng afow ko ang anthro juaneytpayb noon pang 2013-2014 at hanggang ngayern ay INC pa rin sila.

Halleerr! Pano gagradweight on taym tong mga afowhz ko. Kalerkey ah! Many years have passed and still Dakilang Babagal-bagal na Suso (you know, yung slimy?) is still berry slow. Itechiwa kasi, ilang beseseses nang nagpasa ng completion form tong mga afow ko pero wai raw natatanggap tong Dakilang Babagal-bagal na Suso na listahan ng pangalan para sa completion form. Ebri taym they check, wiz! How ken dis be? Nagpasa na sa

mismong opis then waley parin? Ilan bang opisina meron kayo? Ay teh! Kelan balak azikazuhin? Next year?! O e bagong taon na, bagong systema na rin. Gravveh namern my afowhz are studying hard for their greyds taphoz hanggang ngayern INC pa rin.

Nakakalerkey ang mga boom booroom boom base ngeyerng bagong taern: Bonggang walang bago sa systema sumvhong numvah tuh!

Haayy jusko! Kakajiritz naman iteng sumbeng ng ekeng epe tengkel se peglelebes neng greyds! Huy mga beh!

Nataphouwz na phouwszx kaya ang kurismasu buriyek-u at bagoong este bagong taon na tapos pa-hard to get pa rin ang greys ng aking mga aphows! At di lang itey sa jijisang tao, eng demeng wele peng greyds! Savi niyo January Five-O?! Anong year, 2048? Cheret!

Tapos zumbong fa ng ibeng apo ke, may subject daw silang nakalagay na Integrated Clinical Clerkship eh BA ang course niya?! Putekbells, edi wow! Pusa, edi meow! Hende ke meikelmeeeee!!! Ang gulo ng ZAIZ na ‘yan ah, mas magulowz pa sa lablayfzx ko! Cheret!

Boom booroom boom base! I need oxhhyjen!

So raming pashutok.

Ang noizhy pa ol ober di world but I can still hear di kries of my afowhz. Wititit mammy berry wrong talaga itech! New na new ang taern nangiisthrezz sila. I rhemember something thuloy, they sey wearing something red, polka dots or circols on new year’s eve will make yu lucky, did you wear one? Hihi, don’t worry mga afowhz even ip yu did not wear di lucky symbols, yu ar still lucky to hab me. Charut!

Happy New Year my beloved afowhz at Good Luck sa bagong Semestre.

Mga afowhz yu better prepare yerselves for dis enrollment for a long long ride on a motorbike, este long long line for da enrollment. Remember, Your Lola P. olweys labyu. Kaya pag-inaapi ka, yer lola will be at yur sayd. Study Hard. Keri niyo yan! Lablab :***

CULTURE 05

Volume 28 Number 9 Tuesday | January 20, 2015

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Pope Opera Papel ng Papa sa Pag-ahon ng Mundo JOSE LORENZO QUEROL LANUZA DIBUHO NI JAMELA LIMBAUAN BERNAS

Ok cut! Cut! “Hindi maganda. Lagyan natin ng konting pagbabago,” sabi ng Papa.

Sa direksyon ng bagong Santo Papa, ang simbahan ay muling nagkaron ng say at pakialam sa mga isyung panglipunan. Bagama’t ang Papa ang “direktor” ng simbahan at ng mundo, ‘di ito nakuntento sa panonood at pag-uutos lamang. At sa halip, mas naging hands-on ang Papa. Kaya nama’y sa kanyang pagbisita dito sa Pilipinas, nagbigay siya ng bagong siklab ng pag-asa sa mga Pilipino at pati na rin sa buong mundo.

The Pope and I Swabeng-swabe talaga ang timing ng pagbisita ng Papa—nasa tamang oras, sa tamang lugar. Laganap ang katiwalian sa Pilipinas at nakalubog naman sa matinding paghihirap ang mga Pilipino. Ito na ang pinakatamang oras para magkaroon ng isang tagapagligtas.

Iba’t-ibang klase ng tao ang sabik na makita o marinig at makasama ang Papa sa pagbisita nito sa Pilipinas. Nariyan ‘yung mga goody pakyutsie—‘yung mga down to earth sa pagiging banal at mabuti. Meron din namang mga feel na feel ang pagiging impokrito. Kung tutuusin, marami ang lenteng maaaring gamitin upang suriin ang pagiging messianic ng pagbisita ng Papa.

Sa perspektibong pangrelihiyon, ang pagdating ng Papa ay isang napakalaking “blessing.”Dahil nga predominanteng Katolikong bansa ang Pilipinas, ikinagalak ng marami ang pagbisita ng Papa dahil siya ang “spiritual head” ng simbahang Katolika. Naniniwala sila na may kakayahan ang Papa na linisin ang mga kasalanan ng mundo at itama ang mali ng ilang indibidwal o grupo, maging ng pamahalaan. Biruin mo, mismong pinuno na ng simbahan ang bumisita sa mga Pilipino. Kaya nama’y bilang respeto at pasasalamat, nagsagawa ng thanksgiving mass ang mga Pilipino at nagbigay ng mga regalo sa Papa.

Ang pagbisita ng Papa ay maaaring isang pagkakataon ng simbahan upang mapanumbalik ang loob ng mga Pilipino sa simbahang Katolika. Dahil sa sunodsunod na mga isyung kinaharap ng simbahan, maaaring ginamit ng simbahan ang pagbisita ng Papa upang maipakita sa mga Pilipino na sila ay hindi dogmatiko, awtoritaryan, at egotistical, ngunit mapagmahal, mahabagin, at mabuti.

Sa huli, bukod sa pagiging messiah na nagligtas sa mga tao, ang Papa ay naging messiah rin na nagdala ng salvation sa simbahang Katolika dito sa Pilipinas.

Sa politikal na aspeto naman, nakita natin ang puspusang paghahanda ng mga opisyal at ng gobyerno sa pagbisita ng Papa.

Maraming opisyal ang nagbabalik-loob nanaman upang mabawas-bawasan ang kanilang mga kasalanan sa taumbayan.

Marami rin ang nagpabango nang husto upang hindi maamoy ang langsa ng kanilang pagkatao. Ang gobyerno naman, inayos ang mga kalsadang dadaanan ng Papa at tinakpan ang mga posibleng “eyesore”—‘yung lugar ng mga mahihirap.

Gusto kasi nilang ibida sa Papa ang huwad na kagandahan ng lipunan, at itago ang naaagnas nitong mukha.

Para sa marami, ang ginawang ‘to ng gobyerno ay sinisira ang tunay na layunin ng pagbisita ng Papa. Ang Papa ay bumisita sa Pilipinas hindi upang magbakasyon ngunit upang tulungan ang mga naghihirap at nangangailangan. Nararapat lamang na makita at matulungan ng

Papa ‘yung mga tinamaan ng sakuna, nilimot ng lipunan, at binaon ng sistema.

Higit sa lahat ng perspektibong maaaring kilingan, nariyan ‘yung mula sa “ibaba.” Sa perspektibong ito, ang Papa ay itinuturing ding isang messiah na dumating sa Pilipinas upang i-ahon ang mga naghihirap na Pilipino mula sa kanilang kinalulugmukan. Ang Papa ang dumidinig sa mga hinaing ng mga Pilipino. Tulad na lamang ng mga taga-Tacloban at mga pamilya ng mga political prisoners na umasang matutulungan sila ng Papa na wakasan ang mga paghihirap at kawalangkatarungang kanilang nararanasan.

Samakatuwid, dala-dala ng Papa ang mga hiling ng napakaraming Pilipinong hindi binabatid ng gobyerno.

Kung susumahin, ang lahat ng perspektibong ito na kinikilala ang Papa bilang isang messiah ay marahil nagugat sa kawalan ng kapangyarihan ng karamihan ng mga Pilipino. Dahil sa tindi ng paghihirap at pang-aapi na nararanasan ng marami, nakita nila ang kanilang mga sarili na walang laban sa umiiral na mapaniil na sistema. Kaya nama’y kapag bumisita ang Papa, makikita ng ilan na ang Papa, dahil meron itong mas malaking awtoridad at kapangyarihan, ay kaya silang ipagtanggol mula sa mga naniniil at bunutin ang ugat ng kanilang paghihirap.

When Pope Meets World Hindi siya pang cover ng teen magazines.

Hindi rin siya ‘yung pang Bench Body na macho, cutie, gwapito, at may abs. Pero noong 2013 eh itinuring siya bilang Person of the Year ng TIME magazine. Ang kanyang liderato at mga naitatag na pagbabago ang pumukaw ng atensyon ng mga Pilipino at ng buong mundo.

Sa panahon ni Pope Benedict XVI, nabaon ang simbahan sa napakaraming isyu ng korapsyon, diskriminasyon, at pangmomolestiya ng mga pari. Tipong isang maling galaw na lang ng simbahan, magpapaconvert na lahat ng Katoliko. Marami ang nawalan ng tiwala sa simbahang Katolika.

Kaya nama’y nang maupo si Pope Francis, naging mataas ang ekspektasyon ng buong mundo sa kanya. At nagawa naman niyang ibalik ang tiwala ng marami.

Masasabing isang restoration period ang panunungkulan ni Pope Francis.

Maganda at wasto kasi ang mga isinagawa nitong desisyon. Pinatunayang mali ng Papa ang paniniwala ng karamihan na ang simbahan ay isang nakakasukang institusyon. Ipinakita ng Papa na ang tunay na ibig-sabihin ng pagiging Kristyano ay ang damayan, pagsilbihan, at ipaglaban ang mga mahihirap. Kaya nama’y para sa buong mundo, ang Papa ay isang “champion of the poor.”

Lumaki ang Papa sa isang third-world country. Ang kanyang kamusmusan ay hindi spoiled katulad ng kay Bimby.

Na-obserbahan ng Papa kung paano pinapalawak ng kapitalismo ang hindi pagkakapantay-pantay ng mga tao pagdating sa yaman at mga karapatan, at kung paano “pinapatay” at ine-alienate ng IPAGPATULOY SA PAHINA 09

06 FEATURES

Volume 28 Number 9 January 20, 2015 | Tuesday

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Within the Prison Walls

KATRINA MARIA LIMPIADA PEROLINO AND CHLOE PAULINE REYES GELERA

Convicts are victims too.

Whatever crime they have been involved with, punishment regarding the crime they have committed should not deprive them of their rights. Problems within prison camps amount to cruel, inhuman, degrading and unequal treatments which result to the violation of prisoners’ rights.

Exterior The ideal prison camp presents an image of a well-equipped and fully-operational institution, dedicated for the rehabilitation and correctional programs of those convicted. It is the mandate of the Philippine Bureau of Corrections, “to provide humane treatment by supplying the inmates’ basic needs and implementing a variety of rehabilitation programs”. However, the said mandate never materialized as the inmates are confined and congested within the meager living resources and inhuman living conditions in the Philippine prison camps.

To better contextualize, one of the biggest issues confronting the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is jail congestion. According to 2011 government statistics, there are 20, 497 inmates confined in the National Capital Region (NCR) in a facility meant for 5, 926 people. This overcrowding poses danger to the health and welfare of the prisoners as it breeds diseases, breaks down discipline and exacerbates tensions.

A particular case is shown in the Quezon City Jail, which was built to house only 815 detainees but now contains 3,400 inmates. Each prisoner has 0.28 square meter living space, way below the three-to four-square meter per person minimum standard set by the United Nations (UN) for the treatment of prisoners. The Quezon City Jail, like other jails across the Philippines, such as that in Makati and Navotas, operate fifteen times exceeding its intended capacity, leading it to be extremely overcrowded.

The detainees’ living space was repeatedly considered as a space no longer fit for human existence. Moreover, due to insufficient space and lack of beddings, prisoners have to take shifts in sleeping. One is considerably lucky if he or she could sleep on the floor, even without a mat, pillow or blanket since not everyone can afford the tarima (cot) which is priced at P300. With all the congestion, diseases are widespread, particularly skin infection, within the prison cells. In 2010, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the BJMP reported 871 deaths in prison due to various illnesses, including cardiopulmonary arrest and pulmonary tuberculosis. Many have also been deprived of proper and timely medical attention. Alongside the evident spatial insufficiency, prisoners suffer lack of provision for food, and are often consuming food poorly prepared due to lack of sanitation and allotment of budget.

Women remain the most vulnerable in the confines of the prison camps. Just Detention International cited that 4% of 552 female inmates surveyed reported that they had experienced sexual abuse while being detained. A more recent study found that 10% of the women detainees had sex with jail officials.

Most women have been raped while others were subjected to sexual and abusive treatment.

Furthermore, gangs within the facilities, often termed as “pangkat”, are evident for their abuse of other inmates who drift away from criminal gangs or groups. Some prisoners are forced to join such gangs resulting to abuse. Abuses include beatings and rape cases, often considered as initiation rites for the access as a member of a certain gang. The territories of the prison serve as gang boundaries, preventing gang wars unsuccessfully. Many murders within the confines of the prison have sprouted from gang rivalries, with those responsible for securing peace rendered useless through countless melees.

The living conditions of which ordinary people would consider abhorrent and abnormal is being normalized by those who suffer and live by it. The inmates live through every day, whilst being stripped of their right to humanity and living.

Interior Within the walls of prison are inequalities that echo throughout the lack of justice in most proceedings in the Philippines.

Upon their entry in prison, inmates are subjected into a life of severe conditions and stark contradictions. Poor prisoners are forced to live a life of self-mortification along with a hundred or more men in a cell. On the other hand, those who have the wealth and power are entitled to do what they want and bring in what they need. The inequality lies in the malfunction of the justice system—letting those who hold no power live in oppression, and those who do, in cells that are more suited to be called a lounge room than a prison cell.

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ASSERTING THE RIGHTS OF THE CONDEMNED ILLUSTRATION BY DANIEL JOHN GALINATO ESTEMBER

Some recent issues that have come to light—and omission—are that of Peter Co, Herbert Colangco and Jojo Baligad’s.

Discovery of drug lord, Peter Co’s luxurious life within prison walls proved inequality in the treatment of inmates. A storage area, secret pathway, entertainment appliances, and even a sauna facility were discovered inside the said prisoner’s room. Authorities were also able to seize papers containing a list of names with corresponding cash amounts from Co, adducing that the convicted drug lord is still able to conduct illegal operations inside.

Another case is Herbert Colangco, a notorious leader of a robbery gang, who was able to build his own 60-meter music studio inside the prison. Vaults containing expensive watches and wallets filled with cash were also discovered inside his studio. In addition, inside Jojo Baligad’s room, who was apprehended for drug trafficking were a hot tub, sex dolls, lumps of cash and shabu. Great stash of apparently hidden drugs were produced inside the prison cells and circulated to and from the inmates. Moreover, the production of drugs is very well-entrenched inside the confines of the prison. Since the prison is highly secure and untraceable, it became an ideal storage place for contrabands and big money from robberies. This only escalates the threat of low security within the confines of the prison, letting those who previously committed capital offences do it all over again—as many recidivists do.

The rampant challenges fought inside the prison root from manipulation of money, power and biased treatment.

As higher authorities and those involved in security further disregard the issues, the scene of corruption, inequality among prisoners and unfair executions happens again and again.

Ulterior Instead of a just system and authorized ruling, powerful offenders have become rulers able to mock the justice system.

For instance, when intelligence is received about corrupt officers and maltreatment of prisoners, often, no action is taken to tackle it. These, in turn, make a leeway to break the initially enacted rules, thus, a manifestation of in-house corruption. The acceptance of money under the table perpetuates the culture of corruption that started the crisis and commitment of crimes. In the end, ironically, instead of eradicating heinous crimes, it remains inside the prison walls.

The primary bureau concerned with law enforcement in the Philippines is also the premiere organization involved in corruption. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has repeatedly been declared by anti-corruption watchdogs as the most corrupt agency amongst others in the Philippines, along with its image of deconstruction and assault. The police units established for security and law enforcement serve as a salary provider and not as a job that carries the weight of protecting the Filipino people. Those tasked to correct and protect are the ones enmeshed in the act of corruption, and swindling, entailing the correctional program to be a complete mess.

The system inside the prisons carries the same pattern, with the flawed budgeting for food and other material expenses. Within the circles of officials, the act of obtaining kickbacks and huge chunks of what supposedly should be money for the inmates’ articles for living. Tricks of both police officers on the prowl and officials inside and among the prison walls include skimming funds for operations, a method called conversion where the previous allocation gets spent for another item, supposedly for the prison itself, but reserved for later use of the officials. Another includes the aptlytermed throwback, where projects are established and the funds are split and pocketed amongst those with their own cuts, leaving the projects unfinished and unaccomplished.

Despite demands of reforms and reconstruction of the system that operates within the prison, there becomes no resolution as of today, and the malfeasance continues on, the smoke of wrongdoings masking the acts of unlawful graft.

The haunting hour haunts on—with turned backs at tasks that must be ultimately delivered. The rule of corruption, malfeasance and abuse continues on within the walls that promised self-sustaining correction. The corruption within is rooted deep, and it would take more effort than switching officials and replacing stands. Its overall eradication can only be brought by real justice and a constitutional overhaul of the system. Without these, those on higher perches ultimately proceed unscrupulous, with only the masses left to terminate the reigning regime of error.

The correctional system maintains its flaws with sheen of a somewhat organized form—the inmates enmeshed in one rehabilitation system, regardless of personal needs and specific disciplinary measures, only showing the disregard for prisoners’ individual rights, the goal of correction and rehabilitation, and the opportunity to start a renewed life as one of the Filipino people.

08 CULTURE

Volume 28 Number 9 January 20, 2015 | Tuesday

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CyBerdugo

ANG CYBERWARFARE BILANG TAGALITIS AT TERORISTA JOSEF BERNARD SORIANO DE MESA DIBUHO NI JOANNE PAULINE RAMOS SANTOS

Parang Chess na idadaan ang diskarte sa pagbabantay-sarado. Parang Dama na pinapatakbo sa paramihan ng makakaingpiyesa. Parang Game of the Generals na lingid sa kaalaman ng kaaway ang patitirahin. Parepareho lang ang hangarin ng bawat laro, kailangan mo lang pangunahan ang kalaban nang masigurong hindi nila makukuha ang hindi kanila — sa cyberspace na ngayon ang larangan. Ito ang panibagong anyo ng pandaigdigang giyera.

Ngunit, hindi ito laro na maaaring ligpitin lang kapag may nanalo. Dahil sa tunay na mundo, imposibleng hindi pag-agawan ng mga estado ang pagmamay-ari na wala ang isa. Nasa hard disk na ang noo’y sa mga file cases.

Digital na ang paghawak sa impormasyon.

Hardware na ang siyang magpapanday ng dahas, software naman ang bubuo ng kalasag.

Sundalong Walang Pangalan Umiinog ang lipunan ngayon sa impormasyong hatid ng Internet. Kahit maginhawa kang nakaharap sa monitor, napakadali na lamang abutin ang lahat ng kayang marating ng iyong imahinasyon. Agaran nang pinatatakbo ng Internet ang pagpapakalat ng balita at mas napapadali rin para sa buong mundo na mailapit sa publiko ang kanilang nais iparating.

Impormasyon ang naging panibagong puso at kaluluwa ng buong mundo sa kasalukuyang henerasyon. Subalit, impormasyon na rin ang naging pangunahing target ng isang panibagong giyerang umuusbong sa buong mundo – ang cyber war, sa mukha ng sabotage at cyber espionage.

Tila isang trespassing ang akto ng cyber espionage kung saan nagmimistulang bahay ang inaasintang computer.

Ngunit bago sumiklab ang isang giyera, naglalagay muna ng mga espiya. Pipilitin ng isang cyber spy makalagpas sa mga harang. Kapag narating na ang loob, hahalungkatin ang alinmang nais niyang silipin. Sabotage naman ang kinahihinatnan kung sinira ang “bahay” para madali itong manakawan o para mapigilan ang pagpapalabas ng impormasyon na galing rito.

Sa Pilipinas, maraming websites ang ilang ulit nang hindi magamit dahil pinababagsak ito ng mga hackers.

Halimbawa noong makalipas na mga taon, nagkaroon ng cyber war ang Anonymous Philippines laban sa Tsina (dahil sa tensyon ng dalawang bansa sa West Philippine Sea at minsang panghuhuli ng mga Tsino sa mga hayop na nanganganib nang maubos galing Palawan) at Malaysia (dahil sa naging standoff sa Sabah).

Nakasagupa na rin ng nasabing lupon ng mga hackersang gobyerno mismo noong kasagsagan ng pagpapanukala ng Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Minsan na ring inatake ng Anonymous ang ilang government websites tulad ng Bangko Sentral at National Telecommunications Office. Dito mahihinuha kung gaano kailangang barikadahan ng gobyerno ang ganitong uri ng pag-atake.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang tanging elemento lamang na bumubuo sa sistema ng depensa sa Pilipinas ay ang mga information technologists ng Department of Science and Tehnology na naatasang pumigil sa DoS o Denial-ofService kung saan itinutulak ang mga websites na kumuha nang kumuhang data galing sa hacker upang hindi mapagsilbihan ang ibang gumagamit ng Internet. Kung ikukumpara sila sa mga naglalakihang pandigma sa cyberspace ng buong mundo, isang maliit na lata ng sardinas lamang sa tumbang preso ng buong mundo ang proteksyon ng Pilipinas.

Dahil ang cyberspace ay isang dimensyong ginawa at binubuo ng tao, nararapat lamang na siguraduhin ng isang pamahalaan na protektado pa rin ang mga karapatang pantao – karapatan sa mapayapa at ligtas na pamumuhay, karapatang mapaunlad ang identidad anumang plataporma ang piliin, kaagapay ng karapatan sa pagmamay-ari.

Subalit, kung pasibo ang estado, ang cyberspace ay nagiging isang lipunang nabubuhay sa pangangamkam ng kapangyarihan kung saan ang hiyarkiya ay naka-base sa dami ng hawak na impormasyon. Knowledge is power, ika nga. Ngunit, kaiba sa pisikal na mundo, walang iniiwang bakas ng identidad ang mga pugante sa cyberspace na walang kinikilalang awtoridad – walang mahuhuli, walang malilitis, walang mapaparusahan.

Kailangang maisaisip na ang citizenship ng isang tao ay hindi nagkakaroon ng hangganan sa cyberspace -masasabing ganap lamang na mamamayan ng isang bansa ang isang tao kapag malaya nitong natatamasa ang mga karapatan sa alinmang plataporma o dimensyon na piliin. Tungkulin ng estado na protektahan ang kanyang mga mamamayan sa alinmang uri ng pwersang kakalaban sa mapayapang buhay ng tao, paunlarin ang sariling pagkakilanlan at seguridad sa pagmamay-ari. Mandato ng pamahalaan na siguraduhing panatag at mapayapa ang buhay ng mga mamayan.

Gaya ng isang magnanakaw, hindi kailanman sasabihin ng hackers kung kailan sila manloloob sa database ng isang bansa. Sa magkatulad na porma, hindi kailanman dapat tumalilis ang estado sa tungkulin nitong ipagtanggol ang seguridad ng kanyang mga mamamayan -- sa pisikal na mundo man o sa cyberspace.

Digmaang Walang Sugatan Sa paglobo ng konektadong mundo, hindi birong pinaiigting ng iba't ibang nasyon ang seguridad ng cyberspace upang malabanan ang pagdami ng mga may motibong walang mukha. Pero ang cyber warfare na proteksyon ay maaaring gamitin din bilang panakot. Dapat ikitik sa isip na ang hangarin ng mas dominanteng mga bansa ay ang magpalawig ng kontrol Mapa-air traffic control man o electrical grid, kung pambansang imprastraktura na ang walang habas na sinalakay, lumusob na ang mga cyber terrorists.

Ngunit, kahit na madalas ay pare-pareho ang istilo ng pananakot, paninira at panghihimasok sa database ng mga pamahalaan, ang mga mandirigma sa cyberspace ay lumulusob sa iba't-ibang partikular na dahilan, ngunit lahat ay para sa pagkamit ng kapangyarihan.

IPAGPATULOY SA PAHINA 09

GRAPHICS 09

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MULA SA PAHINA 05

kasakiman sa pera ang ang mga tao. Kaya nama’y ginagawa ng Papa ang lahat upang imulat ang mga tao at hindi hayaang maghari ang kapitalismo at tuluyan nitong patayin ang mga tao at ang lipunan.

Isa sa mga malalaking pagbabago sa simbahan ay ang pagkawala ng diskriminasyon laban sa LGBT. Bagama’t may record ang simbahan sa pagiging homophobic, ang Papa ay isa sa mga aktibong nagsusulong ng equality. Basta’t mabuti raw ang ‘yong kalooban, okay sa’yo ang simbahan. Kaya kung meron kang inililihim eh iladlad mo na. Taon mo na ‘to. Bigatin ang magtatanggol sa’yo.

Para sa nakararami, ang mga aksyon ng Papa ang nagbigay sa kanya ng titulo bilang “man of peace.” Ikinatuwa kasi ng napakaraming tao ang kanyang sincerity sapagbe-bless at paghalik sa mga taong may malubhang karamdaman. Kaya nama’y sabik na sabik ang mga tao kapag bibisita ang Papa. Kaya bang gawin ‘yon ng mga politiko dito sa’tin? Hindi! Ang kaya lang naman kasi nilang halikan kahit na marumi ay pera.

PAGSALUBONG

PATRICK JACOB LAXAMANA LIWAG

EXPECTATIONS VS. REALITY: VACATION

GAYLE REYNA

CYBERDUGO MULA SA PAHINA 08

Pagdating sa motibasyong pang-politika, sinisikap ng isang mas makapangyarihang bansa na idikta lahat ng polisiyang ilalabas ng pamahalaan. Pagkontrol at pagkamkam naman sa galaw ng salapi at sa natural resources ng isang pamahalaan ang target ng isang cyber terrorist na pang-ekonomiya ang motibasyon. May iba namang nagnanais na ipaglaban ang isang bersyon ng paniniwala o kultura, gaya ng relihiyon o ideolohiya, na nais kilalanin sa ngalan ng pananakot at pagbabanta, sa buong estado.

attack.

Subalit, ang mas madalas na tinatarget ng mga cyber terrorists ay hindi mga pamahalaan, kung hindi ang kanilang mga diyos – ang mga naglalakihang pribadong kompanya. Noon lamang nakaraang buwan, napasok ng GOP o Guardians of Peace, ang database ng Sony Pictures sa Amerika. Matagumpay silang nakapagpasunod ng mga empleyado kabilang na ang hindi pagpalabas sa “The Interview”, isang pelikulang umiikot ang istorya sa pagpatay kay North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Ito ang naging dahilan para maghinala ang marami na North Korea ang mastermind sa likod ng cyber

Ngunit, kaiba sa pisikal na mundo, isang natatanging alas para sa mga developed at developing countries ang cyber warfare para maisakatuparan ang cyber terrorism.

Bukod kasi sa tipid sa bulsa dahil wala nang mga armas, tipid rin sa kahihiyan at accountabilit ang mga bansang kasali.

Wais talaga dahil hindi obligadong managot kaninuman.

Dito mapagtatantong hindi natatapos ang pakikidigma sa cyberspace sa simpleng paglagay proteksyon – kailanman, walang giyerang naganap na hindi nadungisan ng dugo ng kalaban ang mga mandirigma na nasa kapangyarihan. Hindi kailanman kinilala ng mga bansang nagbabangayan ang esensya ng diplomasya, sapagkat ang hiyarkiya ay mapapanatili lamang sa ngalan ng neo-kolonyalismo at imperyalismo.

Isang malaking pain sa cyber terrorism ang Pilipinas, dahil sa mabagal na Internet connection at kawalang kasanayan ng mga Pilipino sa Internet. Kung patuloy na magiging mahina ang pamahalaan sa

pagtalaga ng mga batas na magtatanggol sa kanyang mga nasasakupan maging sa cyberspace, ang Pilipinas ay magiging isang malaking talunan sa animo'y laro ng taguan sa cyberspace -- dinadaya, pinagkakaisahan, pinagpapasa-pasahan ng mga kaaway ng mga mandirigmang walang mukha at pangalan.

Nakasalalay na ang pang-araw-araw na buhay sa teknolohiya. Hindi malayong may gumambala sa katiwasayan ng mga tao kaya marapat lang na maging mapagmatyag. Kahit sa cyberspace man nag-umpisa ang tensyon, repleksyon ito sa kung ano talaga ang naglalaro sa totoong buhay.

Wala mang dugong masasakripsyo, mahalagang tandaan na nabubuhay ang tao sa modernong tanghalan ng pakikidigma. Sapat na upang makasira ng isang buong sibilisasyon ang simpleng pagmamanipula ng codes at programs. Nag-iba man ang takbo ng laro, mahalagang tandaan na walang pinagkaiba ang madugong digma sa digmaang walang-pagdanak.

Sa panahong matapos ang panunungkulan ng Papa, tiyak na magiiwan ‘to ng isang katangi-tanging legacy na tatatak sa buong mundo. Ang buhay at ang rebolusyonaryong liderato ng Papa ay hindi lamang magiging naratibo ngunit isang legacy na magsisilbing isang masusing gabay para sa mga susunod pang henerasyon ng mga lider.

Sa kasalukuyang henerasyon at mundo kung saan unti-unti nang nalilimot ng tao ang responsibilidad nito sa kanyang kapwa, ang naging mahalagang papel ng Papa ay ipaalala sa’tin ang tungkulin nating ipagtanggol at ipaglaban ang kapwa nating nahihirapan. Masasabi natin na kung hindi man nabuhay ang Papa, kinakailangang lumikha ang mundo ng isang katulad niya. Dahil isang epektibo, matatag, at rebolusyonaryong lider lamang na katulad ng Papa ang may kakayahang imulat ang mundo at baguhin ang sistemang nagpapahirap dito.

Ang Papa at ang kanyang mga rebolusyonaryong aksyong yumanig sa mundo ay dapat na magsilbing inspirasyon sa lahat ng tao. Sa pamamagitan ng iiwanan nitong legacy ng kanyang liderato, dapat tayong mamulat at mahabag sa paghihirap na nararanasan ng mundo nang sa gayo’y kahit wala na ang Papa, patuloy pa rin ang paglaban sa sistemang nagpapahirap.

Katulad ng Papa, huwag na nating hayaan pang maging impyerno ang lupa dahil sa mga mala-demonyong naghahari dito. At sa halip na hintayin ng tao ang kaginhawaang matatamo sa kabilang buhay, dapat niyang gawin ang lahat sa abot ng makakaya upang maging langit ang mundong ibabaw.

10 OPINION

Volume 28 Number 9 January 20, 2015 | Tuesday

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SELECTRIC

PAANO UMIBIG NG ISKO?

Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera

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alamig ang ihip ng hangin, bilang na bilang ang taong nagkalat at malinis ang kalsada ng Taft. Bahagyang maaamoy pa ang panakanakang samyo ng mga bulaklak ng Sampaguita, habang dimaiwasang pansinin ang magkakasunod na dyip na pa-Dakota o pa-Cartimar; nagbabakasakaling may UV na hindi paBuendia kung ‘di pa-Cavite naman.

Naalala ko nung senior year ko sa high school, atat na atat na kong magkolehiyo.

Bagong kaibigan, bagong aralin, bagong lugar, bagong kainan, bagong galaan — lahat bago. Oo, umasa ring magkaroon ng bagong ka-sparks. Charot.

Dahil sa academic shift, nalipat tuloy ang pasukan sa Agosto imbis na Hunyo. Lalo akong nainip sa bahay, sumawa sa tulog, nadagdagan ng timbang at naubusan ng paglilibangan. Nang sumapit ang Agosto, at ako’y unang nakatapak sa Unibersidad at natawag na Iskolar ng Bayan, hiniling ko na sana bakasyon na lang uli.

Kasabay ng pagpasok ko ang paghina ng tiwala sa sarili at takot makakuha ng mababang marka, mataas na ekspektasyon ng mga tao sa paligid ko, mga taong nanghuhusga sa aktibismo. Kabilang na rin ang pagsumbat ng ilan sa pagiging iskolar ko, ang bayang umaasa sa akin, ang acads na pressure, mga propesor na toxic, paglaki ng eyebags, kaibigang clingy, orgs, kolehiyong walang cafeteria, maruming politika, kawalan ng hustisya, pagkamulat sa magulong ikot ng mundo, at napakarami pang iba. Sa madaling salita, stress. Naging

jejemon na rin ako at napasabing “Prof, tr3sx lhAng sxzAphAt nhua.”

Ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas ay hindi lang basta pamantasan na humuhubog ng mga propesyonal. Ito ay isang komunidad na may layuning pantayin ang bawat isa, at linangin ang pagmamahal sa bansa.

Bagama’t isang semestre pa lamang akong namamalagi rito, malaki na ang nabago sa kung paano ko pagmasdan ang mundo.

“

Lalo, nang makilala kita.

AYOKO LANG MASYADONG MAPALAPIT SAYO. UNA KASI NGA KAIBIGAN LANG KITA, AT IKALAWA, DAHIL KAIBIGAN MO LANG AKO.

Kasabay sa pag-ihip ng hangin ang pagbuga ng dyip ng maitim nitong usok. Napaubo ako sa makapal na usok, dahilan na rin para tapusin ko ang gabing may pagkadismaya.

Kung hindi lang bahagyang kumirot ang kamao kong ipinang-suntok ko sa braso mo kanina, hindi ko sana maaalala ang mga pangyayaring naganap sa loob ng limang minutong nagkasama tayo.

Nararamdaman ko pa ang pagkakapatong

EPHEMERAL LIBERTY

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and exchanging our thoughts, as if none of us wanted to call it a night and end our day.

Here, we exist in this little makeshift dimension where everything and anything is possible. In this, we hold the two ends of a thread, weaving our words to a single blanket of a transcendent story that covers us both, and warms us up from the weary taste of reality. Within this little fraction of our time, I can lace my hand with yours.

But just like everyone else, you’re not perfect. For one, you’re ever forgetful of a lot of things, such as that one time when you almost forgot my birthday. I cherished it though, because that’s when I promised to be your time capsule—the one who makes you remember the important things and dates. That’s how we complement each other.

And how much do I love getting lost in the days that we condense into those hours?

Truth be told, I sometimes catch myself memorizing the lines on your olive skin whenever we talk, and despite the passing of months, I find it amazing how your face still mesmerizes me. You’re just so breathtaking even with the littlest of your antics, especially when you smile.

It is your wit, though, that made me gravitate to you no matter how hard I tried to restrain it initially. You know your way with words so much that I end up smashing the keys and laughing a little too hard at our bickers, as if it were that easy to make me to laugh. Ah, how I also find it relaxing to spend my midnights reading Murakami’s works to you whenever you ask me to read to you, only to pause in between whenever you drop a remark on the parts that you love. But my favorite part of the story is when we fall asleep in the midst of reading

Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa gitna ng mausok, matao at puno ng magnanakaw na siyudad pa tayo nagtagpo. Bakit sa isang panahong lahat ng tao ay walang oras, pressured sa acads, abala at nagmamadali? Bakit sa gitna ng sangkaterbang gawain, sandamakmak na aralin at ilang importanteng bagay pa ako magiging malapit sayo?

Sana ay hindi mali ang pagkakaintindi mo. Ayoko lang masyadong mapalapit sayo. Una, dahil kaibigan nga kita at ikalawa, dahil kaibigan mo lang ako. Kaya sa bawat pagdaan ng dyip sa harapan kong di ko naman kailangan, nananatili akong nakatingin sa stoplight. Nagbabakasakaling sa pagpula nito, kasabay ng pagtigil ng trapiko, ay tumigil na rin sana ang sakit na nararamdaman ko.

Sapagkat ang pagmamahal pala sa isang tulad mo ay higit pa sa stress na dulot ng SAIS. Ang paghiling na mapansin mo ko ay higit pa sa pressure ng sabay-sabay na papers, finals at org tasks. Ang bawat oras na nilalaan mo sa iba, ay kasing sakit pala ng singko. Dahil nang mahalin kita, at pasukin ko ang kabobohang ito, naramdaman ko ang saya at galak ng mga nakapasa sa UPCAT — medyo madali at masarap palang pumasok, pero ang hirap nang makalabas.

INTERSECTING CIRCUITS

Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang

e are intertwined, but we are not.

ng mainit mong kamay sa aking mga kamay.

Kung paano nabuo ang aking gabi ng dahil sa iyong ngiti, at kung paano ko nalimutan ang lungkot na bumabalot kani-kanina lang sa puso ko.

“

I FIND IT TOO DIFFICULT A QUESTION FOR I FIND MY THOUGHTS ABOUT YOU TOO INDESCRIBABLE FOR WORDS.

Our path’s not a smooth road, but once in a while, when someone would ask how much I adore you, I find it too difficult a question for I find my thoughts about you too indescribable for words. You’re just… iridescent. Heck, I could put either Magic or Ink by Coldplay into loop all day because they talk about all of what you are to me.

However, we are not.

We are not, because this is all just fiction, and we are merely normal humans behind the masks of our face claims, and that these emotions are only felt within that façade of yours. In reality, we are no more than between friends and acquaintances plotting their love story through circuits that bridge our 2,355-kilometer distance. We are not, because one day, when they start to lose their spark and everything starts to seem like a monotonous cycle, it is going to be over, and our paths will become parallel once more. It could happen any day, and I fear that I may not have the chance to say this when that time comes, so I’ll tell you now.

Albeit vicarious, thank you for letting me vividly feel everything, and for training with me in dealing with situations that might occur to us in this world where we live in. And thank you for our small conversations. They might be brief, but with your stories and advices, you always get to inspire me to travel and seek out all those opportunities just like you do.

Thank you for reminding me of my humanity. * Happy Birthday to both him and you—the other line that makes this intersection whole.

BASAG-ULO Lean Sandigan GUSTO KO LAMANG SA BUHAY*

Hindi na ako bago sa ganitong pakiramdam tuwing bagong taon.

Minsan pakiramdam ko, binigyan nanaman ako ng isang buong taong pupunuin ko ng mga alaalang hindi naman lahat ay gusto kong manatili. Binigyan nanaman ako ng oras para itulak ang sarili ko sa gusto ng lipunan, para simulan at tapusin ang sinisimulan at tinatapos din ng iba.

Panahon para baguhin ang sarili, panahon para makakilala ng iba, panahon para itama ang mga mali ng kahapon — ang daming kailangang gawin at alalahanin. Hindi mo maiiwasang magtampo sa tadhana dahil bigay ka nang bigay ng panahon sa ibang bagay at tao, pero wala silang oras para manukli.

Hindi ko maintindihan ang konsepto ng bagong taon. Kailangan ba laging bago?

Paano kung gusto mong makuntento? Paano kung ang pagbabago ay nangangahulugan na mawawala ang pinaghirapan mo ng buong taon?

Mas napupuno ng katanungan ang simula ng taon ko kumpara sa mga taong sinisimulan ito ng may linaw at direksyon.

Tila bula akong lumulutang sa ere, hindi alam kung saan liliko, yuyuko at aangat.

Para akong nasa isang malawak na dalampasigan, hinihintay na banggain ako ng daluyong ng responsibilidad, damdamin at pangyayari. Sa pag-iisip ako ay nagiging isang dahong napigtas sa kinakapitan nitong tangkay, na walang magawa kung hindi tanggapin ang pagbulusok ko pababa ng lupa, tungo sa walang kasiguraduhan.

Walang akong takas sa unti-unting pagbabago ng mundo.

Naisip kong kailangan kong magpatangay sa agos ng pagbabago. Tutal, ito lang din naman ang paraan para tuluyang humalo sa mundo, ang ituring ang sarili bilang isang nilalang na may pakay. Tinanong ko nanaman ang sarili ko kung ano ang gusto ko sa buhay, at siyempre, tulad ng iba, hindi ko nanaman alam ang isasagot ko sa sarili kong katanungan.

Sinubukan ko minsang kumuha ng sagot mula sa mga alaala, pero may mga alaalang tila natutunaw agad sa aking isipan, nagiging malabo, at sa kalauna’y tinatangay ng hangin.

Ganoon din ang mga tao. Darating sila, walang ingay at pasintabi, kukuha ng mga bagay sa mundo mo, at muling tutungo sa kawalan. Sa huli, wala ka ring makukuhang sagot mula sa kanila, tulad ng pagtangka mong kumuha ng sagot mula sa mga alaala.

Bagong taon na, pero wala pa rin akong sagot at direksyon. Minamadali ako ng lipunan, pinababagal naman ng kawalan ng sagot. Hay nako, magulo. Mahirap intindihin ang buhay.

Ano ba talaga ang gusto kong marating?

Kung may bulalakaw, ano nga ba talaga ang gusto kong hilingin? * Pahiram ako, Itchyworms

EDITORIAL 11

Volume 28 Number 9 Tuesday | January 20, 2015

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H

indi palaging nangangahulugan ng pag-unlad ang mas mataas na bayarin sa isang serbisyo.

Kasabay ng pagsalubong sa bagong taon ay ang pagdating ng isyu hinggil sa pagtataas pasahe ng Light Rail Transit (LRT) dahil sa partisipasyon ng mga pribadong kompanya ukol sa pagmamayari nito. Simula noong Enero 4, 2015 ay nagtaas na ang pamasahe sa LRT 1 at 2 ng halos 50-80% at sa Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT) ng halos doble sa orihinal na presyo na sasaluhin ng mga komyuter.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Angelo Dennis Aligaga Agdeppa ASSOCIATE EDITOR FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag ASSOCIATE EDITOR FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla MANAGING EDITOR Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari

Subalit malayo ang mga pagtataas na ito sa kaginhawaang makakamit ng mga mananakay ng tatlong tren. Bagkus ay magdudulot pa ng mas matinding hirap para sa mamamayang Pilipino, at mas malaking yaman para sa mga pribadong kompanya. Ang mga mamamayan ay naiipit sa pagitan pagsakay sa bulok na tren at pananagasa ng rumaragasang fare hikes.

NEWS EDITOR Ronilo Raymundo Mesa FEATURES EDITOR Angelica Natividad Reyes CULTURE EDITOR Jamilah Paola dela Cruz Laguardia GRAPHICS EDITOR Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz NEWS CORRESPONDENTS Ezra Kristina Ostaya Bayalan Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Gayle Calianga Reyna

Sa pagtataas ng pamasahe ng tren, tuluyang mabubutas ang bulsa ng mga manggagawang kumikita lamang ng minimum wage at mga estudyante.

Ang kakarampot na kita o baon ng mga mananakay ay mapupunta sa pamasahe, dahilan upang mas malugmok sila sa kahirapan. Subalit wala rin namang patutunguhan ang mas malaking ibinabayad ng mga mamamayan dahil ang mga kikitain ay hindi mapupunta sa pagpapaganda ng mga tren at estasyon nito.

Sa likod ng pagtaas ng pamasahe ay ang malaking Public-Private Partnership (PPP) sa pagitan ng Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) at ng Light Rail Manila Consortium (LRMC) ng Ayala Corporation at Metro Pacific Investment Corporation. Sa ilalim ng kasunduan ay mapupunta sa pangangasiwa ng LRMC ang LRT sa loob ng 32 taon. Ang pagtaas ng pamasahe ay mapupunta lang din sa mga pribadong kompanyang ito bilang paggarantisa ng gobyerno ng kita ng LRMC — malayo sa mas magandang tren at serbisyo.

Hindi responsiblidad ng pamahalaan na siguraduhing kikita ang mga kompanyang namumuhunan sa proyekto ng gobyerno.

Anumang kahihinatnan ng kanilang pamumuhunan ay nasa kanilang kamay, at wala sa kamay ng taumbayan. Hindi dapat isinasailalim sa hindi makatwirang bayarin ang mamamayan.

Ang pahayag ng Malacanang na ang pagtataas ng pasahe ng mga tren ay responsable at napapanahon ay isang paraan lamang upang subukang pabanguhin ang pagtataas-presyo. Ayon sa Ibon Foundation, ang kinikita na mismo ng pamahalaan ay sasapat sa maintenance ng mga tren kaya hindi na kailangan pang pataasin ang pamasahe.

Bukod pa rito ang bilyon-pisong alokasyon para sa mga tren ngayong taon. Walang mabigat na dahilan ang gobyerno upang magtaas ng pamasahe. Bukod pa, ang mataas na pamasahe ay hindi magiging makatarungan sa dami mamamayang napeperwisyo nito, lalo na ang mga manggagawa at estudyante.

FEATURES CORRESPONDENTS Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang CULTURE CORRESPONDENTS Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza Thalia Real Villela RESIDENT ILLUSTRATORS Daniel John Galinato Estember Princess Pauline Cervantes Habla Joanne Pauline Ramos Santos CZARINAH CATAPANG TUAZON

OFFICE 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000

Serbisyo Hindi Negosyo Bagamat maganda ang intensyon ng pamahalaan sa ekstensyon ng LRT papuntang Cavite, hindi naman ito naisasagawa nang maayos. Hindi dahilan ang pag-unlad para ipahawak sa mga pribadong kompanya ang serbisyo publiko tulad ng mga tren sa lungsod, dahil wala itong kahulugan kung hindi ang malaking gastusing nakaabang sa bayan. Ang kailangan ng ating bansa ay maayos na pamamalakad na makapagbibigay ng kaginhawaan sa lahat ng mamamayan ng Pilipinas lalo na sa mga taong naghihirap.

na makitang may napupuntahan ang kanilang mga buwis at hindi ang malaman nilang ipinambabayad lang ito sa mga kompanya. Ang mga luma at sira-sirang tren ay nagdadala na ng panganib sa mga mananakay, at sa pagdating ng taas-pasahe ay may dala itong bagong panganib — panganib na makaranas ng mas mahirap na buhay.

Ang tanging makatarungan sa mas mataas na pamasahe matinding kahirapan para mamamayan ay ang mariing

ganitong at mas sa mga pagtutol

HINDI DAPAT ISINASAILALIM SA HINDI MAKATWIRANG BAYARIN ANG MAMAMAYAN Malaking insulto ito sa mga Pilipinong masugid na nagbabayad ng buwis para sa ikauunlad ng bansa at mga serbisyo nito ang kasunduan ng gobyerno at mga pribadong kompanya. Ang nagpapalala pa sa sitwasyon ay ang tila pag-aalagang binibigay ng gobyerno sa mga ito imbes na sa mas nakararami.

Sa halip na gawing dahilan ang pagpapaunlad ng mga serbisyo sa taaspasahe, mas mainam kung ipinaramdam ng pamahalaan ang pag-unlad sa mga tren. Mas gugustuhin ng mga mamamayan

RESIDENT PHOTOJOURNALIST Jenny Mary Camama Dagun

EMAIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com WEBSITES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule themanilacollegian.tumblr.com MEMBER

College Editors Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications Guild of the and Writers’ Organizations Philippines

The Cover

dito. Ang mga tren ay simbolo ng kaunlaran, ngunit kung ang mga riles nito ay pinanday ng korapsyon at kahirapan ng nakararami, tadhana nito ang madiskaril at makapanakit.

Kailanman, ang tunay na pagsisilbi ng pamahalaan sa kanyang mamamayan ay hindi sa paraan ng pagpapahirap sa mga ito. Sa kabila ng mga malalaking kompanyang namumuhunan, ng mga malalaking negosyo, walang tunay na kaunlaran sa isang bayan kung ang mga mamamayan naman nito ay naghihirap.

Illustration by Angelo Dennis Aligaga Agdeppa