Police violence fails to thwart ‘Occupy Mendiola’ — Page 3 Philippine Collegian Opisyal na lingguhang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas - Diliman 12 Disyembre 2011 Taon 89, Blg. 20
Holiday blues Christmas stories we seldom hear Page 8 - 9
Christmas bonus Pagtubos sa diwa ng Pasko Ri
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Maximum tolerance
Tugon sa pandarahas
Ang pagbabalik ng Lucida Sky
Opinion Page 10
Editoryal Pahina 2
Komix Pahina 11
On a lighter note Terminal Cases Delfin Mercado
“Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy’s first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world’s one, and only, truth.” – Alphonse Elric, Full Metal Alchemist My mother always told me to save my smiles for rainy days. “Don’t laugh too much, you’ll end up crying as hard,” she often reminded me. It’s a family belief – that the number of smiles would be equivalent to the number of frowns, that crying all night forebodes the coming of great joy. As such, we grew up restraining our laughter, and cried when we have to. Of course, being the cynic that I am, I always tried to test my mother’s theory. And every time I did, it became clearer that she was right. Like the time Nina, my cancer-stricken sister, died six years ago. We all knew she was leaving us, but we still cried loads when she finally passed away. A week after, my mother got promoted in her job, my father won P22,000 in the lottery, and I, well, I received my UP admission slip. But I thought, were the tears I shed for my little Nina equivalent to the joy of passing the UPCAT? Was my parents’ grief for a departed child equivalent to the joy of winning the lottery or getting a promotion? And yet I continued to believe. And that is why I seldom smile or laugh. For I fear sorrow. There were even times when I intentionally watch tragic movies, knowing that if I cry, the intensity of happiness that will come in exchange will be phenomenal. Silly, but I stick to this belief. Even now, as a new chapter of my life unfolds. Apart from writing “thoughtprovoking” pieces, for more than six months, I wrote mostly about tragic, depressing stuff. And now, I think, I owe you all a lighter and happier article. We barely know each other. One day, she came up to the Collegian office, in the fourth floor of one of the dingiest buildings on campus. She invited the sleepless souls stuck in Room 401 to come down and attend an event her organization organized. “There’s free food,” she said finally, and we obliged. At the event, our eyes met more often than necessary, and our stares lingered longer than what was considered polite. Soon, we were texting. And eating lunch. And laughing at each other’s jokes. It has only been two weeks since we met but we are already planning on how to spend the holidays together. And the best part is, she shares my beliefs. “Ako din, nag-iipon ng ngiti. Para yata dito ‘yun,” she remarked when I told her about my family’s absurd belief. My mother may indeed be right. All the intentional sadness and restraint is beginning to pay off. Or maybe it’s just the season, I don’t know. One thing’s for sure, this Christmas, I’m happy. ●