SIDHI 2013 Special Issue Vol. 1 by Sidhi UPSE

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SIDHI

CONTENTS

SPARKS The Necessary Conditions (Economics of Love)

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Best Love Spots in UP

The Economists' Take on STFAP

A Talk with a True Econ Cutie

10 | Features EDSA Buses: A Tragedy of the Commons 19 | Features 8 Tips for a Successful Org Application 24 | Features SESC: Get to Know Your Officers More!

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The Merciless Five

30 | Literary The Apocalypse of a Man 31 | Literary Transition of Power 32 | Literary End of the Road

M essag e fr o m t h e ei c

Go Ahead Make My D ay By Rya n Sy

To my staff, I commend everyone for a job well done. We started this semester with only a handful of members but now we stand as 60 strong! Congratulations should be given to the News and Graphics team for publishing quality weekly online newsletters. As far as I know, we are the only school publication in UP Diliman that releases weekly! That alone is a testament to all your hard work and dedication. Of course, this first printed release would not have been possible without the combined efforts of the Features, Literary, Graphics, Layout, and Marketing team. Thank you all for your unrelenting support! To my fellow econ students, I hope that each of you find time to read the very entertaining and educational articles of our first printed release. Each piece was crafted with so much time and effort. We hope that Sidhi has met and even exceeded your expectations. That being said, all of this wouldn’t be possible without you, the awesome students of the School of Economics. Sidhi will continue to be a publication by the students, for the students. That’s about it. This is your EIC, signing off.

Whisper into the unknown, echo with intensity.. SIDHI

Perhaps the two most well-known words related to economics are the words “supply” and “demand”. It is not surprising, how the moment we hear these two words, the immediate thing we think of is the stock market and consumer goods. What is surprising is how these two words play another role in something more evident – barkadas. It is not just in Econ. Barkadas can be found among different colleges, in different universities, across different countries and age groups. For our purposes, let’s just focus on Econ. Everyday we see friends hanging out together – anywhere as formal as a tambayan to an informal meeting area like the lounge. Oftentimes we have encountered (or at least seen) these groups making their way towards Katipunan or SM North, eager to kill time or try something with friends. The efforts to bond are commendable, and do not display signs of trouble. At least, not overtly. Having a group of friends is good and fun, but these always carry with them an inherent flaw – exclusion. At this point I am sure you, dear reader, have an idea of what I am talking about. I refer to excluding others from one’s group. The reasons vary – being considered “uncool”, not knowing the person in question, unrest existing between them – but the result is the same. The more one is excluded from others, the more

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that person becomes invisible. The number of barkadas is growing as more and more people make friends. Likewise, the number of exclusions is growing as well. A vast majority of people (in general) find their niches in cliques, orgs, and likewise. But the people who don’t fit quickly find themselves silenced. The supply of these people is growing. As supply increases, ceteris paribus, demand for it falls relative. The more and more people make friends, the more and more exclusions appear, and the less and less they get thought of. To be impartial, we shall dissect this into two possibilities:

New P ers p ect i v es By A D R I A N c h r i st i a n cas t ro

Perverse Incentive

In my efforts to live up to the title of this column, I now attempt to produce views other than what is usually, or predictably thought. As logical elegance and rational neatness are highly valued in our discipline, it’s actually difficult to find a 1. that the excluded join together to form not-so-boring concept or theory. Yes, boring means there’s some value to a model, or there’s their own groups; and that, a mathematical proof for one’s idea. As good as 2. the excluded don’t get to know each its intent and intuition is, nothing can change the other, never developing groups. fact that it’s boring – not until it’s actually put to As possible as the first scenario is, so is the the test. second. It is not my meaning that we stop (Now, on to my article) hanging together with friends; anyone who chooses to interpret my words this way picked They say that Economics is the study of ‘Incentives’. the wrong article to read. I am saying that we The fact that people respond to incentives ought to not ignore others. As you walk past explains how the whole economy moves. As someone you know – even if just by face – humans are assumed to act in their rational, always give them a nod or acknowledge their self-centred interests, incentives act as tools presence, because you never know how close that mainly facilitate exchange in the markets. Bestselling author and economist Steven Levitt they are to leaving the market. notes that incentives are like bullets and levers Individuals in a market are – as a lesson – – often tiny objects ‘with astonishing power to generally too small to affect it. A single person change the situation’. Economists love incentives, will not likely be able to do anything to address thinking that they can always make up incentive a (perceived market) imbalance. The market structures for almost anything and everything.* itself has to change, requiring a cooperative effort from all (or most) participants before any One reality persists, however. Some incentives lasting impacts are made. Short-run solutions don’t actually produce the desired result, as like noticing people are good, but eventually theory, and mainstream economists would the market shifts around them as we forget to predict. This is what we call perverse incentives. notice, and we return to a position similar to A lot of examples can be seen out there, but let before. me share one that may be interesting*. Maximize social welfare. Make someone’s day. ■

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For many years, people believed that there is a link to how much incentive one gets and the

ability to perform better. The more motivated you are to succeed (as you are presented a tangible reward), the more effort you put into it. Makes sense, right? Of course! And corporate leaders do not think otherwise – they give out some of the highest performance bonuses to CEOs and officers. From Wall street to almost every other Financial district, top employees receive sky-high bonuses and if asked ‘why’, these people would quickly tell you “I earned it. I deserve it”. For the most part, people intuitively draw a positively increasing graph when relating performance and amount of bonus. Unfortunately, research will show the opposite.

However, when exposed to very high shocks, the rats performed worse, contrary to the assumption. One can say that the highest shocks led rats to panic, thereby reducing their memory of what the right path was, and eventually leading them to remain and never escape the maze.

Another study by American psychologists shows that financial incentives do not work in all cases. They conducted an experiment thousands of miles away, in India, to test the theory that higher incentives lead to better performance. Random walk-ins from a rural neighbourhood were given out six different tasks, ranging from About a Century ago, Psychologists Robert ‘roll-up’ to memory games to solving puzzles. Yerkes and John Dodson tried to find out Every time a person completes a task ‘well’, he or she receives a specific amount of ‘bonus’. Thing is, for every complete task, the individual is given the chance to do a more difficult version of a task, up to the ‘high bonus’ level. G r a p h i c s by erv i n h i la d o Results soon revealed that on something about rats. Each day, the rats would the average of all activities, higher bonus levels be placed in a maze with different colored posed lower levels of performance. Notably, the walls, representing the ‘right’ and the ‘wrong’ tasks which are cognitive in nature produced way. Electric shocks were delivered in different more significant results. intensities (mild, medium, strong) every time the rat passes through a wrong path. It must As it turns out, paying more actually works only therefore navigate the ‘safest’ path possible, with if tasks are mechanical. However, paying more the shocks supposedly acting as ‘incentives’ for makes people less productive when the task learning what color/wall pattern would lead to involved is cognitive – the same type of work a safest way out. Yerkes and Dodson specifically managers and CEO’s actually do (unless they wanted to find out, not only how fast rats could also do the factory work). Thus, in this light, actually learn, but also at what shock levels paying high bonuses won’t actually improve would they learn the fastest. In theory, they performance. Instead, it may give managers too suspect that the rats would eventually perform much motivational stress that it could actually better if they were to experience the more lead them to become not as emotionally sound as if they were to improve under a ‘smaller intense shocks than the milder ones. bonus’. For the most part, the results showed a similar intuitive pattern while others were quite In a time when most of the world has just gone unexpected. When the shocks were moderate, through severe crises, it’s important to note the rats became more motivated and thus that these kinds of peculiar behavior actually learned faster than previously observed. happen.

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Both the rat and human experiments reveal the actual effect of incentives, most notably in the labour market. While increased incentives do improve performance, there is a certain level that makes the use of these tools counterproductive. Corporations mostly use stockholders’ money to finance the obese checks top managers receive. And if we truly believe in the pursuit of more efficient uses of money, it calls us to rethink some of our intuitions, as they sometimes do not seem to in reality in this case, our views on rewards. *paragraph based on “Schoolteachers and Sumo Wrestlers” Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner

A Pint of B eer By n at h a n i e l e m i l legacion In Reality The United Nations adopted a resolution on December 9, 1948, which stated that “The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish.”

Take the instance of the United Nations; with one of its primary ideals being the mediator of peace and the defender of human rights. Built and designed as the “world government”, the United Nations slowly but steadily became the bastion of fairness and justice for lesser nations seeking reprieve from acts done with intent of malice by other more powerful nations.

**paragraph based on “Paying Less is More” of The Upside of Irrationality by Dan Ariely ■

We saw the triumph of the United Nations last year when despite strong resistance from other nation and powerful non-state actors, it took a step in recognizing Palestine as a state, by granting it a nonmember observer status in the said council. We also saw the powerful mediating capacity of the United Nations to solve conflicts that could have blown into wide-scale wars. It helped craft a series of agreements that helped end fighting between Iran and Iraq, led to the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan, established a broad-based coalition government in Cambodia, and ended El Salvador’s chronic civil war. However, there are glaring lapses in the performance of the United Nations. And in the context of the 1994 Rwandan Massacre, and how the United Nations failed in achieving a consensus to do anything about it, it is more apparent than ever. Clearly, it is a genocide. But what did the world do to stop them? Let us first contextualize what happened: The Extremist Hutus took the country by storm after the death of President Juvenal Habyarimana of Rwanda on April 6, 1994. Ever since the Arusha Accords that weakened the Hutu hold on Rwanda and allowed the Tutsis to participate, they blamed everything negative happening on the Tutsi. Less than 24 hours later, they took over the government, and began slaughtering them en masse. Thousands of Rwandans; whether it be Hutus or Tutsis, or even foreigners who have no stake whatsoever in Rwanda; they were massacred indiscriminately. They set up road blocks and killed all who were Tutsi using machetes, clubs, or knives. They even used mass media to mobilize and direct people to kill other human beings. Many were tortured before being killed.

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Purging of political opponents became common; even the Hutu Moderates did not escape the wrath of the angry Hutu mob; some were even paying for a bullet for a quicker death. While this was happening, the world just stood there and watched. Attempts were made, in the form of Romeo Dallaire, the commander, of UNAMIR. But he knew little of the intricacies of G r a p h i cs by Ca r lo s c h u a the country and its history; moreover, he only received 2500 troops instead of the 5,000 troops he ordered; most of these were ill-equipped and poorly-trained Belgians. After the killing of the 10 Belgians, they were reduced to just under 200. Soldiers coming from member countries were unwilling to increase troop deployment, all for the sake of them unwilling to become involved in other states’ affairs. The UN’s mandate forbids intervening in the internal politics of any country unless the crime of genocide is being committed. Canada, Ghana, and the Netherlands provided consistent support for the UN mission under the command of Dallaire, although the UN Security Council did not give it an appropriate mandate to intervene. Despite emphatic demands from UNAMIR’s commanders in Rwanda before and throughout the genocide, its requests for authorization to end it were refused, and its intervention capacity was reduced. The U.S., which makes up the biggest chunk of the forces of the Security Council, adopted a stance of isolationism at the

time; hence one of the reasons why the attempts at intervention failed. In the end, conflicting interests, the unwillingness of states to take a definite course of action, and indecision killed an estimated 500- 1 Million Rwandans. It becomes a question that must be answered. If the ideals of the United Nations are to ensure these things never happen, then why is it that it did not do much to prevent this conflict? A House divided cannot stand on its Own. Like a bundle of sticks bound together that is difficult to break, the strength of an organization is dependent on the strength and commitment of its members. If its members do not want to achieve the set goals that the assembly drafted, then the organization would find it difficult, if not impossible to live up to its principles and ideals. Initially, there was a classification of indigent Rwandans encouraged by the European settlers based on looks and characteristics close to being “European”; these were the “Tutsis” and were put into roles of responsibility. The rest were “Hutus” and were discriminated upon. This continued even after the First World War, and was even encouraged by the Belgians who took over after the Germans who orgininally managed this colony. When Rwanda struggled for independence, they reserved the roles and let the Tutsi be in charge of the New Government, which upset the Tutsi. This continued even for decades. Even ten Belgian U.N. Peacekeepers died as tried to protect the prime minister from assassination; causing in turn Belgium to start withdrawing its troops from the area. What happened? What is happening almost 20 years later? Is justice being done? What can be the solution? ■

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SPARKS

The Necessary Conditions (Economics of Love) By : B eat r i c e Ysa b el J u da n

the moment when a person in your life becomes more than just your roommate, more than just a stranger on the bus, more than just your best friend; this person suddenly had the capability to make your heart beat faster, turn your legs into jelly, and give you sweaty palms.

may not have a sparks story to share, but mind you, I’m going to make yours happen. Whether you want to break free from the friend zone, or are still looking for that special someone, you can find the optimal person to be with by way of economics. If you are having the “should-Ishift” crisis, thinking that economics is not for you because you cannot see the practical use of the theories, let me help you change your mind. Nothing is more practical than economics, and to prove that to you, I will help you find sparks by using economic tools and concepts. No more Friday nights spent with readings and half-drunk coffee mugs. I’m going to score you a date. The ideal person in your head has all the right quirks to sweep you off your feet, but I bet he or she is missing a face. Looks, humor, wit, and charm are qualities we look for, but these are not quantifiable traits. It is true that only you are the judge who can say whether he or she is attractive enough, tall enough, or smart enough for you. But there is one thing that everyone is looking for; it’s the one thing everyone feels before they can say, “I have found the one”. It’s sparks. That’s

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As it turns out, economics can help you get that person to feel the same way. And because of this I have developed the “Market for Sparks”, as I would like to call it, which is founded upon sound assumptions just like any well-functioning economic model.

th er e is o n e th i n g that 9 9 everyo n e is lo o ki n g fo r; it's th e o n e th i n g everyo n e feels b efo r e th ey ca n say, "I have fo u n d th e o n e". It's spa r ks.

First, let us assume that this market has heterogeneous goods. This assumption is intuitive since no two people in the world have the same characteristics. Next, the market for sparks has many buyers, which means other people are also looking for another person to experience sparks with. Carmi Martin couldn’t have said it better when she said “Ang mundo ay isang malaking Quiapo. Maraming snatcher, maagawan ka. Lumaban ka!” in the movie No Other Woman. When you want something, you should be aggressive enough to take it. Third, we assume that there is perfect information.

> > F E AT U R E S < < In this day and age where almost everyone, if not everyone, is on Facebook or has a Twitter account, back-checking, or more commonly referred to as ‘stalking’, that cute classmate has never been easier. Lastly, let us assume that you have rational preferences. I know that this means that more is preferred to less, but that will not apply for this model. Rather, we assume that you will hunt only within your league. It is irrational to expect to score a Ryan Gosling or an Emma Stone. We’re not capable of magic, so let’s limit our expectations to the possible ones. With all these in place, you are ready for the hunt.

considered all the costs and benefits that comes with that relationship. As economists, we should allocate the optimal amount of time for our daily activities knowing that everything has an opportunity cost.

How you get that person to say yes, is something I will leave to your imagination. Besides, there are many ways to win someone’s heart (try some witty econ pick-up lines!). However, it is one thing to pursue that person, and another to make the relationship work. I am no expert on relationships, but I have heard enough stories about relationship problems that keep recurring. Believe it or not, economics can solve most of these problems. Let me count the ways.

Before you enter in a relationship, you already know what you are getting into. You have

For my next point, allow me to first refresh the concept of monopoly. A monopolistic firm prices its goods at a price above the intersection of the marginal cost and marginal revenue (the equilibrium condition). Therefore, under a monopoly, we gain the highest profits. Just like in a relationship, there are higher returns if the relationship is under a monopoly.

99 i f yo u th i n k th e perso n yo u a r e w ith is n ot th e o pti ma l ch o i ce b ut yo u ch ose to co nti n u e yo u r r elati o n sh i p b ecause yo u have a lr ea dy i n vested so m u ch i nto it, it's ti m e to cha n g e yo u r m i n d

There is an incentive in being faithful. If in the first place, you chose the optimal person, having a third party will be inefficient. It costs too much to keep the third party a secret. Lastly, if you think the person you are with is not the optimal choice but you chose to continue your relationship because you have already invested so much into it, it’s time to change your mind. In Econ 121, we have learned that junk bonds are risky investments. They promise a high rate of return, but there is a higher risk of default. Do you really want to be with someone who is ‘junk’? Someone who is physically attractive, but has a bad personality? You would rather hold a safe investment, even if the return is low. It is difficult to gamble when your heart is on the line, so I say move on. ■

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EDSA Buses: A Tragedy of the Commons

By : R A FA E L M I R A F U E N T E

othing in the world will ever be more satisfying than driving along a vehiclefree EDSA. Nothing. Nothing can ever be compared to the pleasure of finally being able to roll down those windows, feeling that breezy wind, and having those tires firmly grip the concrete as the car glides down the motorway. Clocking in at over 80kph, what usually feels like cutting through a piece of wood with nothing more than sandpaper now becomes as easy as slicing through soft butter. Oh sweet joy that is a Pacquiao fight night: an easy cruise along Manila’s most majestic highway on a Sunday morning without another car in sight. Sadly, this is not a perfect world. What should be a 15-minute drive from San Juan to NAIA becomes an epic two-hour battle of horn honking, car cutting, rage raking madness. Kilometre-long lanes of lined up vehicles slug it out for every additional inch they can get. And at every major intersection, dozens of buses

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squeeze each other to get ahead of the queue, clogging up the rest of the “highway.” However upon closer inspection, it’s hard not to notice that each of these buses are, at very best, just a third filled.

6 6 Th er e clea r ly exists 9 9 a n oversu pply. B ut w ith so m a ny b us co m pa n i es a n d w ith little ba r r i ers to entry, w hy isn't th is "fr ee-m a r ket" o perati n g effi ci ently?

But why is that? Why is it, that instead of riding a single bus throughout a journey, commuters would rather hop off their bus and move up to the start of the queue upon arriving at the next intersection “terminal”? Why is the ratio of buses to commuters so high, when the capacity of

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these buses is not even close to half full? There clearly exists an oversupply. But with so many bus companies and with little barriers to entry, why isn’t this “free-market” operating efficiently? The field of economics has sought a theory to explain this social phenomenon. When a shared resource (in this case, commuters) has no barrier to entry, rational individuals will continue to

When the MMDA recently proposed a new number coding system, many people counterargued that the solution lies in a better public transportation system. Contrary to conventional economics, this is a case where the invisible hand does not lead to an optimal production point. The simplest solution to the tragedy is to assign property rights to a single owner. This is exactly

99 i n th e case o f M etro M a n i la, g etti n g r i d o f a ll o f th ese co m pa n i es a n d i n stituti n g a si n g le tra n spo rtati o n fi r m w i ll b e a m o n u m enta l cha llen g e.

deplete the resource until there are no additional profits to be gained. This is known as the tragedy of the commons. Assume that EDSA only has 50 commuters, and each bus can carry 50 people. A single bus company would only operate one bus to optimize its cost. However, if a bus only needs to pick up 5 fares to cover the company’s cost of operating 1 bus, other bus companies will enter the market and continue to operate more buses until each bus carries 5 individuals (marginal cost equals marginal revenue). So now, instead of having just one bus fully servicing everyone, the street is clogged up with 10 buses. The situation could worsen when these buses are allowed to post advertisements on and inside of them. Exaggerating a little bit, if this additional revenue completely covers the operating cost, theoretically there will be 50 buses in total!

why, in every other city in the world, there exists only one transportation company. More often than not, it’s regulated and subsidized by the government. However in the case of Metro Manila, getting rid of all of these companies and instituting a single transportation firm will be a monumental challenge. Not only will it be a logistical and operational nightmare, but it would certainly turn into a deadly political storm. It would mean cutting the jobs of thousands of bus and jeepney operators, each belonging to one of hundreds of transportation unions. And nothing spells trouble more than pissed off transportation unions. It would take a very strong and firm government to implement this, which sadly, is nowhere close to being up for the task. ■

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The Merciless Five By : A LF O N S O PA N I S

dislike the word “fast-paced”, not because of its triteness, but because of its accuracy. Being alive in today’s generation means new trends rapidly fading in and out of fashion and viral phenomenon reaching all corners of the globe almost instantly. It’s exciting, yes, but exhausting. Growing competition in all aspects of society means no room for slackers. Unfortunately for economics students at UP Diliman, the penalties for lagging behind are less than generous. The delinquency rules, similar to a carrot tied to a stick to motivate hungry economics donkeys, offer an unforgiving repercussion to those who do not comply: expulsion from the UP School of Economics (UPSE). Polling my fellow freshmen from the UPSE, I learned that more than half have not heard of at least one of the five delinquency rules. Six of those surveyed had no recollection of

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99 U n fo rtu n ately fo r eco n o m i cs stu d ents at U P D i li m a n, th e pen a lti es fo r lag g i n g b eh i n d a r e less tha n g en ero us.

any of the rules. While not exactly shocking, given that the rules are still not directly applicable to them, not knowing of at least one of them is a sign of many things, among them (a) being absent on the day of the orientation or (b) not listening during the orientation. Let’s assume the former.

> > F E AT U R E S < < To reiterate the basics, the scholastic delinquency rules are five rules that state the minimum requirements for a student in the UPSE in terms of academic standing. If the student does not meet the rules, he is put under probation (2nd rule), expelled (1st, 3rd, and 4th rule), or not allowed to graduate (5th rule). The rules are strictly followed in the SE. For reference, here is a complete list of the delinquency rules: 1. A student must have a GWA and EWA of not lower than 2.5 at either the end of his/her Junior Year or the summer term of it, otherwise he/she is dismissed from the SE. 2. A student must obtain at the end of every semester or summer: a) a GWA of not lower than 2.5; b) an EWA of not lower than 2.5; c) regular grades (i.e., excluding INCs and DRPs) in at least 60% of the units registered as of the last day of registration. Otherwise, the student will be placed under probation for the following term. Probation may be removed by satisfying requirements (a), (b) and (c) at the end of the semester or summer the student was on probation. 3. Any student who fails to satisfy requirements (a), (b) and (c) at the end of the semester or summer he/she was put on probation will be dismissed from SE.

in either Econ 101 or Econ 102, inclusive of the semester of first enrollment in either subject. Failure to comply with this scholastic delinquency rule will result in a student’s dismissal from the SE.

5. A GWA and EWA of not lower than 2.5 each is required for graduation.

Going back to the survey, the 2nd and 4th rules proved to be the least known among UPSE freshmen. Of the two, the latter is likely more difficult to fully grasp. Econ 106 and Econ 131 go beyond the theoretical approach of other economics courses by concretizing them with mathematical and statistical evidence. Econometrics, the main subject of Econ 131, is considered by many as one of the more difficult economics courses. All the more that you should take it as early as possible, to give yourself another semester to retake it should you fail. As no economics courses are offered during the summer, you’ll probably need that second shot. Like Newton and his discovery of gravity by observing an apple fall from a tree, we too can learn valuable life lessons in even the most mundane of things. Inspired by the delinquency rules, I came across one during a peaceful session in the bathroom. Most of the time, we don’t know shit. And in the UPSE, it definitely pays to know. Unless you want to be kicked out. ■

4. A student must pass Econ 106 and Econ 131 within four (4) semesters from first enrolling

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Best Love Spots in UP

By: M r. En ca r n a c i o n

very scholar in UP secretly wants to love and be loved in return, especially when they’re admired by getting that University Scholar merit. But for the rest of us, nonUniversity Scholar nerds who have lives and sex lives, we want some romantic love. But where to go for dates in UP, right? Screw the Sunken Garden and Chocolate Kiss, those are cliché. I’m here to share the more exciting and refreshing places where you can appease your libido.

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1 The Couch in SE 101 – You’re in love and what better way to tell the world than by cuddling up in the most public of places, SE 101! Tita Connie will surely be pleased at how cute your romance is, that is, if she doesn’t faint at how raunchy you two are getting. Plus points if Dr. Ducanes catches you two doing your lovey-dovey stuff, and then promptly tells you to “get a room.” Now you can schedule with him which room-for-rent in SE is best for you two lovebirds. Standard rates apply.

2 Mercanto/Area 2 – Who wouldn’t want to eat out with their date? Nothing says special more than eating home-cooked (and economy) food in a crowded area! They do say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach (That’s anatomically incorrect though, and quite tedious). And if you can’t afford a table, you can eat by a stall. Just be sure to make your date comfortable (aka a little elbow room) and you’re good to go!

> > F E AT U R E S < < 3 The Houses in UP – Want a little danger in your romance? Why not try breaking and entering one of the homes behind the Shopping Center with your significant other! There’s a kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom for sure—it’s a complete package! Couples can play house for a while, taking roles of fathers and mothers—or if you’re really kinky, parent and child—and proceed with how they would be if they were in a family. Just make sure the real tenants don’t catch you; no one wants an icky incestual relationship happening in their house. Or, you can call the police against those people, because they broke into your home.

4 Inside one of the derelict Jeepneys near the FA Building – This spot is for the ones who embrace role-play! Your man’s tsuper dreams can come true and your beerhouse girl fantasy can become reality when you step inside one of these rundown jeeps in the jeep graveyard. I’ve heard that the old drivers rent these out at high-prices, so this spot is reserved for those who have fat wallets.

5 DZUP Booth at CMC – The radio booth found in the College of Mass Communication is the perfect place for a little risk! What if, in your heated love-making, you two accidentally hit the “live” button, broadcasting whatever you two are saying to the entire listening population? Isn’t it thrilling? Besides, from what I’ve heard, doesn’t Boys Night Out do this sort of thing already? So let’s keep with the trends, we’re the premiere State University! 6 The Econ Tambayans – Let’s keep the fire alive, and do some traditional lollygagging! It’s been said that a panty was found in one of the org tambayans one night. Whoever left the place commando has no decency! But do go ahead and use the tambayans for your love because, out of all of these places, they’re free! Just be sure to not get kicked out by the orgs’ members for not keeping your hormones in check. ■

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The Economists' Take on STFAP

BY : A D R I A N c h r i st i a n S. CAST R O

he death of Kristel Tejada triggered a series of events that eventually put UP’s tuition policy into the spotlight. Calls for action from different groups resonated throughout social media, forums, and were even taken to the streets – some called for the scrapping of the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP), while others called for reform. In light of these debates, people may be curious what some members of the School of Economics faculty had to say about STFAP. The moment we asked some of them, they had a lot to say! The STFAP, as initially designed in the 80’s by Prof. Felipe Medalla, aims to give a fairer tuition scheme by charging different tuition rates according to the annual family income of a student. The first scheme, composing of Brackets 1 to 9 was later modified and adjusted through a study by the School’s former dean, Dr. Emmanuel De Dios. This scheme is composed of 5 Brackets - from the millionaires’ bracket A paying Php1,500 per unit up to the lowest Bracket E, paying nothing and those classified under Bracket E2 receive a monthly stipend on top of free tuition. Dr. Geoffrey Ducanes, the school’s College Secretary, took a bold start by asking “Ano ba yung goal ng STFAP?” He proceeds by stating that UP wanted to provide additional financial support to good students who can’t afford tuition and among many forms, it took the

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form of STFAP. Ideally, STFAP is a very good idea and it’s better than not having STFAP at all because a flat rate would essentially mean a higher subsidy. “Bilang ekonomista tatanungin mo, efficient ba yun? Equitable ba yun?” According to him, if you use government money to heavily subsidize students, who are mostly rich, it’s like giving out money that could have otherwise been used for other social services like hospitals, for Conditional Cash Transfers. You can improve the welfare of society by reallocating the money to other, better uses. A flat rate may be equal , but it’s not equitable, says the Development Economics professor.

th e pro fesso r a d m its that th e rates co u ld actua lly b e r eg r essive. It sh o u ld b e pro g r essive, as h e b eli eves th e r i ch i n effect sh o u ld n ot b e su bsi d ized at a ll.

Still, as good as it is, Dr. Ducanes stresses that there are a lot of things needed to operationalize STFAP. The system is subject to misclassification. To mitigate this problem, the UP administration must be more responsive in terms of allowing a misclassified student to prove that he or she belongs to a lower

> > F E AT U R E S < <

income bracket and allowing more time to pay the right amount. On the question whether he thinks the current rates are regressive rather than progressive, the professor admits that the rates could actually be regressive. It should be progressive, as he believes the rich in effect should not be subsidized at all. He was also quick to admit that if we actually shift to a more strictly progressive scheme, it’s going to be a big challenge because of the large income gaps. Instead of looking at tuition paid as a percent of income, Dr. Ducanes suggests that we can view it differently – subsidy as a percent of income. “In that way, it’s progressive”, he quips and adds that subsidy rates is a good area to look into. Dr. Ducanes ends by stating that the STFAP only affects the poorest UP students and UPCAT passers but in light of the larger context of education, where a lot of students do not even graduate High School, the STFAP has little effect. “If you want to improve the effect of the STFAP, you must improve [basic] education, both in quantity and in quality. On that note, it will be fairer.” National Scientist Dr. Raul Fabella said that he was, and still is, in favour of the STFAP reforms made during the 80’s and in 2006 De Dios report. He straightforwardly says “I don’t favor the flat rate. It’s unfair” and jokingly adds: “your classmates here, they come [to class] in 2013 Pajeros!” He proceeds by explaining that in Dr. De Dios’ 2006 report, he spoke of intergenerational fairness as a rationale in calling for the tuition adjustment, further adding that tuition rates should adjust over time. On the STFAP, Dr. Fabella thinks it’s a good system. A mixed system based on both income and consumption which ensures students will tell the truth and if otherwise, they would get kicked out. He further explains that while the system is good, it’s not perfect. “Perfection is not our goal here. It’s Perfectibility” in a strikingly accentuated voice. The solution is to have it [tuition rates] adjust over time. “But the left has a different agenda. Gusto nila free lahat, edi yung mga Pajero people dito masaya, but is that fair?” The humble professor adds in an academic fashion “Remember, UP is not the only obligation of government. It has many obligations. And our claim to these resources, is it paramount? Is it paramount over budgets to elementary schools, which is more urgent?” He ends by sending a message to those who call for full state subsidy “I don’t think abolishing the system will happen, unless we are placed under a communist government, or a communist takeover.” He then humors himself by adding “by which time we will all be equally poor”.

SidhI | 17

> > F EAT U R ES<<

Former NEDA-Director General, Dr. Cayetano Paderanga, had a different take, relating the issue of the STFAP on other issues concerning the University . Essentially, he agrees with the STFAP’s principle to address the situation where some people qualified for UP cannot pay, while others can pay more, even the full price. In technical terms, he refers to it as cross-subsidization and further notes that the STFAP is not purely of such scheme. He adds, “Everyone is not paying the full price. Even Bracket A people are not.” The esteemed professor notes that some people say it should be free. He then argues, “if you use the money to educate rich people, what are you giving up?” A flat rate of 300, or zero, which according to him is basically the same, means that you’re giving a higher subsidy. As such, the STFAP is definitely a better system and he believes that it can still be improved. Dr. Paderanga then chooses to slightly delve away from the issue by stating that in essence, “UP is different from other SUC’s. It is the National University.” He further notes that UP’s core mandate is to produce the future leaders of the country, which means that it must have high quality research and training. For him, other things are secondary, including providing tertiary education to the children of the poor, but clarifies that UP should still do that, to the extent that it can. He was stiff to argue that as the National University , the mandate of producing the future leaders in research, business and government is more important, noting that the poor can attend other state universities which he notes, perform very well. “But you want UP to be one, or two steps ahead .” He ends in saying that “The risk is that UP students would go abroad, but it’s a 6 6 U P is d i ffer ent 9 9 risk worth taking, especially when you talk about the fro m oth er country’s future.”

SU C's. It is th e N ati o n a l U n iversity.

Apart from these professors, other notable UPSE professors have played active roles in the University’s tuition policies . Dr. Felipe Medalla, Dr. Emmanuel De Dios, Dr. Emmanuel Esguerra and Dr. Edita Tan have conducted studies at different periods which have directly, or indirectly affected the implementation of STFAP. Not to mention the contribution of Professor Emeritus Solita Monsod, whose sharp thoughts graced the most recent Kapekonomiya. The debate still continues, but on our side of the university , the message is clear – that the scheme is good, but it’s flawed and we are bound to call for its reform. ■

18 | Sidhi

> > F E AT U R E S < <

8 Tips for a Successful Org Application

By: M I G U EL V EN T U R A

n high school, these are some ideas and words that personally made me thrilled to go to college: freedom, independence, maturity. High school can sometimes be scrupulously stringent that having these words associated with college made me think that college is all too carefree. Like many had been and are, I am also mistaken. Now I see more clearly the whole picture. Because of long breaks, absence of classrooms that you can call your own, college life can become dull and dry. If you don’t have friends, or just have a few, you’ll feel all by yourself— alone. All you have is the library and your books to accompany you in your long and winding journey in college. You’ll suddenly start to feel those “missing high school” sentiments and you want to go back. College organizations are usually there to accommodate different kinds of people who want to make their college life as enjoyable as can be by doing fun and productive stuff and making new friends. One of the most popular reasons why a lot of people want to join an org is because they want to meet new friends and become part of a family within a university. Others are doubtful in joining one, simply because they are pessimistic about it. Here are 8 tips from experienced upperclassmen that will answer a lot of those questions, and will motivate you to not only join an org, but also to successfully pass that org application and leave a good impression:

1 Advantages in joining an org: “Sa UP kasi, ikaw ang bahala—

ikaw ang bahala sa time mo, sa subjects mo, sa schedule mo. Kung hindi ka sasali [sa org], punta ka na lang lib.‘Pag sumali ka sa org, never ka magiging mag-isa. Hindi ka magiging lonely. ‘Pag may problema ka meron kang makakausap, saka isa rin sa importante [ay] mai-improve mo ‘yung skills mo.”

2 No-no’s in joining an org: “Don’t join an org just for your Angelica marie Tan, vp internals affairs, up organization of business econimcs majors (UP OBEM)

resume. Ang pagsali sa org pinaghihirapan, kasi pag-sumali ka you’re taking up a responsibility as a member of that org.”

3 Tip for a successful application: “Dapat ipakita ‘yong

commitment mo, immerse yourself with the members of the org para mas makilala mo sila, tapos makilala ka rin nila. Pinaka-importante: embrace the values you learned from the org sa buhay mo.”

SidhI | 19

> > F EAT U R ES<< 4 The best time to join an org: “Freshie, first sem.

Kasi ‘pag freshie ka pa, hindi pa heavy ‘yung load mo. You have all the time in the world. At saka, 1st semester is usually the time when a lot of people apply.”

5 On joining multiple orgs: “That’s fine, as long as you can balance.”

6 Academic Work vs. Org Work: “Always prioritize Alessandra Gaborni, Membership Committee Member, UP Economics Society (UP EcoSoc)

your academics. That’s what we’re here for, anyway. Parang supplement lang ang orgs. Pero in the first place, you don’t say ‘yes’ [naman] to a responsibility that you can’t handle or spend time for.”

7 Criteria in choosing an org: “Siyempre, you can

find people to make friends with kahit saan naman. So the first thing you look at is the benefits that it can give you. Does it meet your needs as a student? Then check if compatible ka sa org na ‘yon—if they can be like your family. Then last, tignan mo ‘yong kung ano ‘yong distinct o kakaiba sa org na yon, ‘yong Determining Factors.

8 Preparing to join an org: “Be aware of the trade-

offs: commitment, responsibility, time management, and things like that.”

Macon Davilla, VP Publicity, Economics Towards Consciousness (ETC)

College life may become “every man for himself.” But it doesn’t have to be. The price of that freedom doesn’t have to be solitude. Instead, one must use that freedom to explore and discover the wide, vast, and fascinating pastures of college life. ■

20 | Sidhi

> > F E AT U R E S < <

A Talk with a True Econ Cutie

e is the “Grand Master Duke or Canes”. He is a “Supah Papa Cutie”. He is “our hero”. He is the “best econ prof ever”. He “may not be so young anymore, but he knows how to jive with students”. He is “super cool and witty”. He always “offers coffee, daig pa Kapekonomiya”. He is a generous “rich kid”. He is the “STP (Siyang Tunay na Pogi) of Econ”. He is “in love”. He is a “teddy bear”. He is Geoffrey Ducanes and he is our college secretary. Dr. Geoffrey M. Ducanes is one of the most common faces you’d see around the UP

By: SA M C I N C O

School of Economics (UPSE). You would often see him lurking near SE 101 in his usual polo, slacks, and round-framed glasses. He may look like your typical college professor, but don’t be deceived though. There is more to this mysterious guy than meets the eye. He holds a Ph. D. in Economics. He is an awesome and cool professor according to his students, and, being the new college secretary, is one of the most hardworking people of UPSE. But who is he really? Well, I got the opportunity to have a talk with this college sec of ours and I dug up some pretty interesting things.

SidhI | 21

> > F EAT U R ES<< Family and Friends Dr. Ducanes’s father passed away when he was still very young. He has two brothers. One has his own business, while the other one works for a company that takes care of the statistics for PBA and UAAP. He, his mom, and his brothers always see each other every Sunday for lunch or dinner. Our College Sec is also really fond of his pamangkins. He brings his pamangkins to UP and they walk around the Acad Oval while sharing stories. His oldest pamangkin is 4 years old and he enjoys spending time with all of them. Dr. Ducanes has lived in the same barangay ever since he was born and spends time with his friends there. Up until today, he regularly meets up with his high school friends. He doesn’t particularly hang out with his college friends because he didn’t consider himself to be very sociable when he was still in college.

Likes and Hobbies This cool professor is a person who is fond of walking. He mentioned several times how he enjoys just walking around the Acad Oval. He is also a person who enjoys good music, particularly 70’s jazz. He often plays music in his office; and when he’s down in SE 101, he also plays it for the rest of his staff. Sir also enjoys watching movies, particularly comedies. One time, he even organized a film showing with some of post-grad students and they all watched “Sliver Linings Playbook” (this is not a comedy though) together. He also enjoys following sports such as basketball and major league baseball. He sometimes watches basketball games live and expressed how he particularly enjoys

22 | Sidhi

watching DLSU vs Ateneo games because he enjoys the intense rivalry. He also used to play badminton and table tennis.

Life in UP Dr. Ducanes is one hell of a good professor. Students really like him and that may be because of his “light” nature towards them. He knows the feeling of being a “normal” student and understands what students go through. He enjoys talking, interacting, and even teasing with students. He still understands, however, the fact that he is a professor, a person of authority, and that there is still that ‘line’ that he cannot cross.

> > F E AT U R E S < < Of course, aside from work, Sir occasionally spends time ‘bonding’ with faculty. They have gatherings or soirees every Friday afternoon, where they would sometimes drink and just talk about their lives when they were still students or talk about their current students.

Something Personal Every person has fears and Sir Ducanes is no different. His greatest fear would be to lose the people he really cares about. He also doesn’t like it when people are being inconsiderate of the feelings and situations of others. I also had to ask Sir about his love life, but sadly, he didn’t want to comment on that. So, I backfired with a question of whether or not he believed that a person needed a partner to be truly happy in life. He answered by saying that individuals can be happy even without having a partner. Sometimes, he said, having a partner limits you and the both of you cannot grow together. He also shared that break-ups were also kind of hard (Experience?)

Message for the students of UPSE Dr. Ducanes advises the students of UPSE to not only focus on keeping their grades up, but to also be active in other areas. He says, “grades will only help you in the beginning, but what you learned during your whole stay in UP will help you for the rest of your lives”. He also wants the students to have fun and enjoy their life and the experience of UP.

g ra d es w i ll o n ly 9 9 h elp yo u i n th e b eg i n n i n g, b ut w hat yo u lea r n ed d u r i n g yo u r w h o le stay i n U P w i ll h elp yo u fo r th e r est o f yo u r lives

A True Econ Cutie Now that’s one true econ cutie for you. Geoffrey Ducanes: professor, college secretary, a man with great taste, a man who’s principled, and a man who cares. He’s also a man who has cute dimples, round-framed glasses and a mole (asset). Although quite reserved, it’s easy to see why Dr. Ducanes is one of the most popular professors in school. His kindness, understanding, and patience are just some of the values he possess that we all look up to. ■

SidhI | 23

> > F EAT U R ES<<

SESC:

Get to Know Your Officers More! By: V i n c en t r a m o s

he School of Economics Student Council is the official student government of the UP School of Economics, composed of duly-elected and dulyappointed members. Get to know the other side of the 19 members of SESC for this academic year! Get an exclusive pass to knowing their favorite food, a word to describe them, one thing that most do not know about them, and a word to describe this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s student council. Darrell John S. Magsambol Chairperson Favorite Food: Kare-kare and Crispy Pata One word to describe you: Inspired One thing people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about you: I play the ukulele. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: Family

24 | Sidhi

DARRELL

"I PLAY THE UKALELE"

> > F E AT U R E S < < Arianna Ma. Francesca S. Zapanta VICE - Chairperson Favorite Food: Adobo One word to describe you: learner One thing people don’t know about you: I HAVE WEIRD TENDENCIES One word to describe SESC '13-'14: vibrant

R I AT E N D

"I H

E AV

IR WE

IE NC

Regine Rodriguez ECON REP TO THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL "I'm

ap RE dr rinc G ea es m s s.. . LO . i n L" my

Favorite Food: ANYTHING THAI One word to describe you: DYNAMIC One thing people don’t know about you: I'm a princess... in my dreams. LOL One word to describe SESC '13-'14: inspiring

Christine Anne Trajano Councilor for secretariat Favorite Food: pizza One word to describe you: patient One thing people don’t know about you: I try my hardest to control my feelings One word to describe SESC '13-'14: committed

o N E t to c N " A s

r nt

s e r d li n g a y h fee m y my tr

Allan Christopher D. Dacanay Councilor for education and research

"I l

ike AR g e pa r I S ek a y s nor tu m fF a l "

Favorite Food: daing na bangus One word to describe you: mabango One thing people don’t know about you: I like paranormal geeky stuff. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: humbling

SidhI | 25

> > F EAT U R ES<< Justine Victoria F. Nuque media and publicity councilor Favorite Food: Probably... fruits... or junk. One word to describe you: Secret..... (Victoria's Secret) JUS One thing people don’t know about you: h en I s leep! I am like a rock when I sleep! I can't wake up even " I a m l ik e a r o c k w d e n w it h l o u with loud noise or when people shake me. LOL I c a n 't wa k e u p e v e s h a k e m e . eo pl One word to describe SESC '13-'14: Promising! n o is e o r w h e n p O L" L

Hazel Lim Councilor foR MERKETING

HA "i li k e r ef Z EL li fe w lecti n g a h en I wo r k b o ut o ut"

Favorite Food: Pesto Chicken Sandwich One word to describe you: HAPPY One thing people don’t know about you: I like reflecting about life when I work out. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: FAMILY!

Celina Marie Hilario Councilor for INTERNAL AFFAIRS Favorite Food: Everything!!!! Honestly, how can one have a favorite when everything is just so delicious? One word to describe you: I'd like to think I'm delightful! One thing people don’t know about you: I almost got kidnapped when I was a baby One word to describe SESC '13-'14: DYNAMIC!!!

Y ed ER napp L E d "

i y t k ba b o g C s t as a o lm en I w a " I wh

/ EL

Kristopher Kevin G. Mesa FINANCE COUNCILOR "I h

26 | Sidhi

av K E e a VI he hug N igh e f ts ea r ." of

Favorite Food: SWEET AND SOUR PORK One word to describe you: DETERMINED One thing people don’t know about you: I have a huge fear of heights. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: COMMITTED

> > F E AT U R E S < < RINO LAMARCA Councilor foR SPORTS, ARTS, and culture " I'

M S RINO EN SIT IV

Favorite Food: BASTA BEEF One word to describe you: HAPPY One thing people don’t know about you: I'M SENSITIVE One word to describe SESC '13-'14: YOUNG

Franzine Foronda councilor for student's rights and welfare Favorite Food: pizza One word to describe you: INTROVERT One thing people don’t know about you: I'm Baba in school, but I'm Chin at home. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: YOURS

u l, b o o BA sch m e" in ho b a n at a hi mB " I' I'm C

ZIA ANGELICA CORNEJO SENIOR BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

"I c

an ZI b ba en d m A ck wa y f i n rd g s " e rs

Favorite Food: Lahat. Pero yung pinaka-favorite ko, FRUIT SALAD! One word to describe you: TERRIBLE One thing people don’t know about you: I can bend my fingers backwards. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: GROWTH

Rammarius Markus B. Advincula SENIOR BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

AM "W ei r d l y , I wa n t to r i en ce w h at i t s l e x p e i ke to b e a n o r ex i c."

Favorite Food: MILKSHAKES One word to describe you: STAR One thing people don’t know about you: Weirdly, I want to experience what its like to be anorexic. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: UPGRADED

SidhI | 27

> > F EAT U R ES<< LOICE NIPA JUNIOR BATCH REPRESENTATIVE Favorite Food: Teriyaki Boy Philly Cheese Steak One word to describe you: FUNNY One thing people don’t know about you: I love ghosts...to go kill themselves and vanish for real. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: INDESCRIBABLE

i ll E L O I C . . . t o g o ko r r e a l .

f ts h o s va n i s h g e v d "I lo v es a n " l se h em

VALERIE CALZADO JUNIOR BATCH REPRESENTATIVE Favorite Food: pizza One word to describe you: CRAZY One thing people don’t know about you: I suck at spelling. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: D' BEST

LLA

u "Is

VA t s p e

ng lli

Cara Gabrielle T. Latinazo  SOPHOMORE BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

" I u s ed CA R A to d o a pa i n t i n g i n h lot o f o i l igh sch o o l."

Favorite Food: ALL JAPANESE FOOD One word to describe you: DYNAMIC One thing people don’t know about you: I used to do a lot of oil painting in high school. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: QUALITY

Samantha Joy Uranza Cinco  SOPHOMORE BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

" I'

28 | Sidhi

l ly S A M an int

Favorite Food: NILAGANG BAKA One word to describe you: AWESOME One thing people don’t know about you: I'm really an introvert.  One word to describe SESC '13-'14: Service

.."

> > F E AT U R E S < < Richmoune Lavinne Sy  FRESHMAN BATCH REPRESENTATIVE "I

R ay I C H U lt M O U im at N E eF ris b

Favorite Food: STEAK AND PIZZA One word to describe you: PASSIONATE One thing people don’t know about you: I play Ultimate Frisbee One word to describe SESC '13-'14: DRIVEN "

Vincent Jerald R. Ramos  FRESHMAN BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

"Id

't e V I N C at an ENT yj un k

Favorite Food: SISIG One word to describe you: HAPPY One thing people don’t know about you: I don't eat any junk food. One word to describe SESC '13-'14: GREAT

It is undeniable that the best Economics institution in the country and one of the best in Southeast Asia deserves no less than a responsible, competent, and dynamic leadership representative of the students. The responses of the members of the SESC show that they themselves have their own share of a light and vibrant personality. A few months have passed and each member has shown a burning desire to perform their functions well. Through SESC, the whole student body of the School of Economics would get to maximize their active involvement in extra-curricular activities brought about by effective leadership. This year, an approachable, and interactive student council that best embodies productive leaders of the 21st century will surely be benefited by the whole UP School of Economics. ■

SidhI | 29

> > L I T ER A RY < <

The Apocalypse of a Man

A dog barks.

G r a p h i c s by erv i n h i la d o

By: A lt h ea M a r i Fi el Roxas

He stands up. Awaken. Alerted. He looks for his slippers and hurriedly puts on his shirt and pants. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no time to lose. He runs through falling ceilings covered with fire. Then, toasted children. Shit. Why now? He continues to run. He never stops. Stopping was not an option. A wolf howls from afar. Damn it. Why is it cold suddenly? Where am I? He stood up again for the second time and scans his surroundings. He found himself in a forest. He walks along a path that ended in a clean, serene lake. He looks at the waters and sees the reflection of the sky. Meteorites falling on Earth. He never thought much about it during his childhood days. He thought meteorites were nonexistent, something to satisfy the call of imagination.

30 | Sidhi

> > L I T E R A RY< < He just stood there, counting the gigantic curses God has sent to mankind. One, two, three…He never stops counting—he doesn’t dare to. He watches the meteorites fall. A patch of light shines in the sky as each one falls. He jumps in delight. He ran towards the direction of light. He never stops until he reached it. Is this what you call happiness? Fire. There’s fire everywhere he goes. He gallops like a horse, laughs like a drunk. He has never been this happy since she was gone. He jumps, laughs, gallops. He never stops. He doesn’t dare to. Now I can feel warmth. This is weird. Am I not happy? A rock from nowhere hit him. He is down and his mind is in parallel with his heart. At that moment, he feels a different kind of warmth. It’s from something I knew. Or is it someone? He falls to the ground flat on his back. I can feel her now. Her breath. Her lips. Her skin. All of her, I can feel them. Then he cries. He has never cried since she was gone. He can taste his own tears; the warmth of drops drenches his skin. I can’t take it anymore. I miss her. He continues to cry. He never stops. He can do nothing about it. I miss her. I am definitely missing her. Where is she? I need her now. I need her soul. I need her warmth. Without a second thought, he jumps into a pool of fire. Now, I can feel you, my love. ■

“If only the government will help the poor and the poor will help themselves get out of poverty, then there will be no poor in this world.” After a typical day filled with frustration, Morgan went to his bed, closed his eyes and imagined a world where there is no suffering and injustice. Suddenly, he gained access to the highest form of consciousness called ‘The Light’, the entity that can control all other human beings’ consciousness and remove their individualist mindset. His wish of a Utopian society was then granted. Thus, everyone cared for each other,

Transitions of Power By : M a r k Ba u t i sta

shared every excess that they have to those who lack, never let anyone in a state of hunger or sickness without aid. People abolished money and worked in order to serve. Happiness was not derived from material consumption but from love of others. Centuries have passed, the nation-states were gone and there was no government. Markets were determined not by prices but by ‘willingness’ but the world remained in peace and solidarity. Until one day, aliens found our planet. Coming from a distant galaxy, the Techslayers wield

superior weapons such that most rockets seemed like a child’s toy. Being universal competitors, they wanted to invade the earth for one reason, to expand their empire. ‘The Light’, which was passed from one generation to another, controlled humanity. However, unity without power cannot win. People did not waste time in fighting and surrendered easily—but Morgan’s 365th heir knows he will regain his world one day. “I am Celdric and welcome to my world, techslayers...” ■

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> > L I T ER A RY < <

End of the Road By : "G o ots "

Memories of the past echo across this field of emptiness No screams can be heard; only the groans of the dying remain. My last glimpse of this world awaits. Bricks and concrete lie on the far west— what once stood tall now lay broken in pieces. An exhibit of hard work, ruined; a showcase of perseverance, dismantled. Memories of the past mock my deeds on this cruel place.

2013-2014 EDITORIAL BOARD DOS PINGOL Editor-in-Chief CARLOS CHUA Associate Editor FRANCES QUEZON & NATHAN LEGACION Managing Editors RYAN SY News Editor

A necklace clutched on my right hand, a dream I once wanted to pursue, a forever I wanted to make mine, a promise I never had the chance to fulfill. Promises of the future look down upon me on this unforgiving plane.

RAFAEL MIRAFUENTE Features Editor

The sky is dark and cruel. Before, I look to the sky to find hope; it has always been the limit because it is unlimited. Now it shows nothing but the end of all dreams, Hopes of the present have left me in this doomed earth.

ARMON DE LA CRUZ Layout Editor

The ground beneath me begins to fall. My whole life flashes before me-a life full of memories, promises and hopes; a life ended by this apocalypse a life I wish I lived more of... ■

32 | Sidhi

KAYLEEN CALICDAN Literary Editor SAM GONZALES Graphics Editor

VALERIE CALZADO Events Organizer WRITERS Adrian Castro, Alfonso Panis, Beatrice Judan, Vincent Ramos, Rafael Mirafuente, Sam Cinco, Miguel Ventura, Althea Roxas, Mark Bautista GRAPHIC ARTISTS Lerizze Tan, Martin Consing, Ervin Hilado LAYOUT ARTISTS Vivien Romo, Jello Reyes