The GUIDON - September 2014

T HE OFFICI A L S T UDEN T P UBLIC AT ION OF T HE AT ENEO DE M A NIL A UNI V ER SI T Y theguidon.com

VOLUME LXXXV, NO. 4 · SEPTEMBER 2014

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SPORTS The Blue and Lady Tankers are ready for the UAAP.

BEYOND LOYOLA How Filipino children are fighting a losing battle

FEATURES Philippine hip-hop groups take home the crown.

INQUIRY Is there room left in the LS for the Sanggunian?

VANTAGE The people behind your favorite video games

OPINION Conscious negligence

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Atenean initiative provides avenue for social involvement

Yu-Jose: A pillar of cultural bridges

By Macneil A. Mendoza THE SUN has set for one inspiring woman who devoted years of her life to deepen the relationships between the Philippines and Japan.

Professor Emeritus Lydia Yu-Jose, PhD passed away on August 3 at the age of 70. She fought a six-year battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that originates in cells called lymphocytes.

Yu-Jose began teaching in the Ateneo in 1967 and laid the foundations for Japanese studies and research in the Loyola Schools (LS).

She became director of the Japanese Studies Program from 1989 to 1993, 1995 to 1996 and 2004 to 2007.

Aside from heading the said program, Yu-Jose also served as the chair of the Political Science Department from 1997 to 2001.

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Yu-Jose helped establish the Ateneo Center for Asian Studies in 2001 and became its director from 2004 to 2013 as well.

In commemoration of YuJose's life and works, her colleagues held a tribute for her on August 8 at Faber Hall.

During the tribute, YuJose’s students and friends shared their memories of her, with her books and paintings also displayed.

Yu-Jose’s husband, Rico Jose, PhD, received a token of appreciation from her colleagues during the program, Political science legacy

Yu-Jose left a lasting impression not only to the political science program, but to the people she worked with.

In an interview with The GUIDON, Political Science Dr. Lydia Yu-Jose ›› 3

Official website theguidon.com

SPARKING DISCOURSE. Usapang Ateneo aims to provide an avenue for discussing the sociopolitical issues within and outside the Ateneo.

PHOTO BY ANDREA G. BELDUA

By Joline S. Acampado IN RESPONSE to the Loyola Schools (LS) administration’s call for a consolidation of student opinion regarding sociopolitical issues surrounding the Ateneo, the leaders of several student groups created an initiative called Usapang Ateneo, a Facebook group open to the public.

According to The Ateneo Assembly President Pauline Carillo, Usapang Ateneo aims to provide Ateneans with an avenue to ask questions and express opinions on relevant

campus political issues.

As of press time, the Usapang Ateneo group has several posts on the 2014 Sanggunian Freshmen and Special Elections, and on the social formation of LS students.

A meeting between the administration and the leaders of select organizations was held on August 8.

Among the administrators who were present were Office of Student Activities Formator Rem Casiño, Office for Social Concern and Involvement Director Leland Dela Cruz and Vice President for Social Development Jaime Hofileña.

The following student leaders were in attendance: Carillo, Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA) President Karlo Abadines, Christian Union for Socia list a nd Democrat ic Advancement (Crusada) Premier Abbo Hernandez, Movement for Ignatian Initiative for Transformative Empowerment (Ignite) President Luigi Del Rosario, Matanglawin Editor-in-Chief Dyan Francisco and Alliance of Student Leaders Representative Ray Gomez.

Hernandez said that the particular groups were represented in the meeting because they

were the most active in terms of social involvement.

Inception

The meeting was set after the attendance of former First Lady Imelda Marcos at an Ateneo Scholarship Foundation, Inc. event on July 5 sparked criticism from the Ateneo community.

She was the wife of the late and former President Ferdinand Marcos, who declared Martial Law in the country from 1972 to 1981.

Francisco noted that it seemed Atenean initiative ›› 2

MORE INSIDE

Sanggunian emphasizes direction-setting

Five Ateneans triumph in 64th Palanca awards

Obscured by memory

Turning the tables

news, 2

news, 4

opinion, 6

sports, 9

Erasmus Mundus scholarships given to 5 Ateneans

Afarm disappointed over Aquino's SONA

The call to justify our existence

Making the weight

news, 3

news, 5

opinion, 6

sports, 11

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Editor: Ennah A. Tolentino · Editorial Assistants: Joline S. Acampado and Bianca N. Martinez Layout Artist: Colleen P. De Luna

Sanggunian emphasizes direction-setting

By Jin U. Lampasa and Samantha O. Subida THE SANGGUNIAN has initiated a planning process to redefine its purpose and craft a clearer direction for itself.

Sanggunian officers, along with several members of the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA) gathered for a planning seminar on September 8.

“The point of setting the direction is to ensure that all projects of the Sanggunian are aimed at this final vision, and this will allow us to deliver better results not only this year but also in the years to come,” Sanggunian Vice President Ryan Yu said.

In addition, Yu said that the driving force behind considering the entire planning process is the ambiguity of the Sanggunian’s purpose as an organization.

Yu clarified that the recent planning seminar served as the first installation for the entire strategic planning process which will continue until a final decision on the direction they will be taking has been made.

According to COA President K a rlo A bad i nes, set t i ng a direction is essential in ensuring a unified focus for an organization.

In addition, Yu mentioned that the Sanggunian is trying to identify the needs of the students that have not yet been addressed by both the school administration and other student groups.

Moreover, Yu mentioned that the Sanggunian is considering these needs when it comes to formulating the direction the council will take.

setting a solid foundation and direction for the organization.

“Making the most out of our few months in office means working towards making lasting changes that will allow the Sanggunian to create significant long-term impact,” expressed Yu. Currently, the student council’s main goal is to realign with future administrations of the Sanggunian to create an easier transition between administrations.

“We aim to provide sufficient transition mechanisms in order to ensure that the structural and functional changes that we implement can be sufficiently institutionalized and easily adapted by the future administrations,” Yu said.

Given the limited time of the newly elected officers, Yu said that the Sanggunian will not be able to match the number of projects implemented in the previous years.

According to a briefer sent

by Sangg unian SecretaryGeneral Polo Martinez to The GUIDON, students find the student government irrelevant, which resulted in an insufficient number of votes during the 2014 Sanggunian General Elections last February.

During the said elections, 28 positions in the Top 44 were left vacant, including the presidential seat.

Since the officers were only elected last August, they only have roughly five and a half months remaining to perform their duties.

According to the document, during their planning seminar, the Sanggunian attempted to create ways of proceeding with the realignment and restructuring despite this concern.

Long-term changes

Yu noted that the Sanggunian’s aim is to provide long-term benefits for the student body by

Initial procedure

During the planning seminar, participants were tasked to en-

STRENGTHENING THE ROOTS. Sanggunian Vice President Ryan Yu said they are setting a solid foundation for the direction the student government will be taking in years to come.

FILE PHOTO BY RYAN Y. RACCA

vision the Sanggunian’s role in 2020, not only in the Ateneo but also in a nationwide setting.

According to Representative for Block 2E Ejay Domingo, the Sanggunian is trying to plan actions for the future instead of dealing with solving the problems made in the past.

“The reason behind this is that, for far too long, the goals of the Sanggunian have been [to] patch up the mistakes of the past; in setting goals for the future, we would be able to decisively move forward instead of fulfilling only the present,” Domingo said.

The pa r ticipa nts were

divided into groups and were asked to present the roles they wanted the student government to assume. The results were presented and the remaining participants were asked to vote on a role they most agreed with.

After casting the votes from the workshop, the results revealed that participants saw the Sanggunian as an equal partner of the administration, an embodiment of Atenean youth participation and a proponent for environmental sustainability.

The top-voted roles during their planning seminar were explained further by Martinez in the briefer.

According to the document, the participants envision the Sanggunian as heavily engaged and involved in campus-wide, national and international political issues.

Furthermore, as an equal partner of the administration, participants view the Sanggunian as a structure precisely at par with the administration and one which wields equal power in determining the agenda of the student body.

Moreover, the briefer also disclosed that the participants aim to make the Sanggunian an embodiment of Atenean youth

participation by presenting itself as a “powerful structure that becomes holistically representative of the student agenda.”

Lastly, as a proponent for environmental sustainability, the Sanggunian also wishes to take part in environmental matters, not only in the “natural” environment setting, but also in encompassing development for urban settings.

“We aim to answer the difficult questions that we are faced with so that we will end up with a Sanggunian that is ready to face the challenges of the present and the future,” declared Yu.

Atenean initiative... as if Ateneans were afraid to speak up about their reactions.

“Aside from that fear, they didn’t know where to come from. They didn’t know how to respond and some of them were not really concerned,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Due to the incident, Casiño said that the administration “identified that there was a need for greater understanding and appreciation of contemporary Philippine history.”

Abadines said that, during the meeting, the administration and the student representatives discussed that there is a general lack of engagement and understanding of social realities beyond the university.

He said that the group came to an agreement that some form of action was needed to further engage students.

Hernandez said that the student leaders are having weekly meetings with the administration to create an output.

“The administration actually wants to hold forums [about social involvement] from September to February.

What’s different is that they [are] changing the frames of their forums depending on the student’s opinions,” he said.

Ca rillo explained that

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Usapang Ateneo is meant to “revive the spirit of student activism in campus by collectively brainstorming on possible activities, projects and other concrete efforts that would engage other Ateneans to talk and care about national historical issues and events.”

cussion regarding whatever is happening in the social environment and whatever is happening within campus," she said.

Del Rosario said that Ignite is part of the voice of the student body when it comes to responding and reacting to issues. “We’re not just a stakeholder; we’re also a direct constituent."

Org involvement

The student representatives hope to involve their respective groups in the initiative and to gather together as many Ateneans as they can.

Carillo said that The Ateneo Assembly remains committed in their role of providing opportunities for student awareness and involvement in political issues, both on campus and on the national level.

Moreover, Abadines hopes that COA leaders will become part of discussions on social realities that happen outside of the Ateneo.

As for Crusada, Hernandez said that they will continue to shape the students’ perception of the marginalized, “the people [that students] don't really interact with.”

Fra ncisco s a id that Matanglawin can involve itself through social journalism.

“We aim for Ateneans to involve themselves in the dis-

Outlook

Francisco hopes that in the long run, Ateneans will know more about the issues and events that happen inside and outside the campus.

“Our generation is more concerned with ourselves than others. I hope that we don’t just talk without knowing where we come from,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Del Rosario, currently a computer engineering senior, said that the initiative is the first time during his studies in the Ateneo that student political groups came together to talk about the events and issues within the campus.

He said that with this discourse, he expects that Ateneans will not just be politically aware, but will also think critically.

“We want to bring back the Atenean who knows how to go down the hill, to be a man and woman for others,” he said.

IGNATIAN VISION. The proponents of Usapang Ateneo hope that the Facebook page will eventually help Ateneans be true men and women for others.

PHOTO BY TYNIE ASPREC

News

The GUIDON September 2014

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Erasmus Mundus scholarships given to 5 Ateneans

By Katrina M. Bonillo FOUR UNDERGRADUATES and a graduate student will be studying in Europe for one semester under the Erasmus Mundus Mobility with Asia (EMMA) Programme.

Social sciences junior Patrick Balisong, communications technology management junior Jonalyn Campos, management information systems-master of science in computer science junior A nna Melga r a nd political science junior Niryll Nalda have all received full scholarships to European universities of their choice.

Balisong will attend the Universita Degli Studi di Padova in Italy, Melgar will enter the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu in Romania, while both Campos and Nalda will study at the University of Warsaw in Poland.

Furthermore, electronic engineering master’s student Robert Alfie Peña also earned a scholarship to the Universita Degli Studi di Padova.

The EMMA is a consortium among 10 Asian and seven European universities that work towards the financing of scholarship grants and research visits. The scholarship includes round-trip air fare, insurance and a monthly stipend to aid the scholars in their studies.

Courses that the scholars will take up in their respective host universities will be credited as part of their course requirements in the Ateneo. The Ateneo is one of the two partner schools for the EMMA in the Philippines, the other one being the University of the Philippines.

The nine ot her A sia n partners come from Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, while

the European partners are composed of France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania.

The EMMA scholars were evaluated in terms of their academic credentials, cocurricular work, leadership potential and a motivation letter.

In the said letter, the applicants explained their intentions and the qualifications that make them worthy of the scholarship.

Aw a r d e e s include undergraduate, master, graduate and post-doctorate students, and staff members of the universities from eligible countries in Asia.

Aspirations

In his letter, Balisong shared his aspiration to re-enter the academe as part of a faculty to conduct extensive research.

This way, he would be able to find a solution to the sociological problems that the Philippines

Residence halls community celebrates Cervini Hall at 50

By Carlos L. Arcenas THE ATENEO residence halls community kicked off celebrations for Cervini Hall’s 50th anniversary on August 31, with the theme, “50 Living Years.”

Originally built to house male students across all year levels, Cervini Hall now houses male freshmen and athletes.

Alongside Eliazo Hall and the University Dormitory, where female freshmen and upperclassmen, respectively, stay, the Residence Halls serve as on-campus living quarters for students from across the Philippines and the world.

“I wanted the theme to be ‘50 Living Years’ because to the residents, [Cervini Hall has become] their second home,” said Residence Halls Director Timothy Gabuna.

Ateneo Resident Students Association President Moses Cam noted that Cervini’s longevity reflects the success of its traditions and values.

“For something like the Residence Halls to have stood the test of time, our best practices to continue, for 50 years, that means that there’s genuinely something good in there that we can be proud of,” he said.

50 years of history

Cervini Hall, the Ateneo’s first building dedicated to resident students, was originally built to address the need for housing that can accommodate the growing number of students from outside Metro Manila.

Before the Residence Halls were constructed, different buildings on campus, such as Bellarmine Hall and the Blue Eagle Gym, served as shelters for students.

Over the past 50 years, the Residence Halls as a whole has housed over 15,000 students.

Gabuna noted that a considerable number of Cervini alumni have gone on to take significant positions in business, the government, the academe and the Church.

According to Gabuna, some of Cervini's notable former residents include Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon, Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino and Ateneo School of Government Dean Tony La Viña.

HOME. Cervini Hall—originally built to house students from outside Metro Manila—has seen students from around the world stay in its rooms over the past 50 years.

PHOTO BY ALEXIS A. CASAS

“These model citizens of the Residence Halls are products of the nurturing and developmentoriented atmosphere of Cervini Hall,” he said.

As for Cam, he feels that his time spent in Cervini and in the Residence Halls community has formed a significant part of his college life and has changed his values.

“It was really [in Cervini] where I learned not to just think of myself, thanks to the very strong culture of accountability and service here,” he added.

The fiesta

The year-long celebration was kicked off by Arsamahan, a month-long festival that incorporated commemorative Masses, prayer sessions and an inter-batch dormer dance competition.

In an interview with the The GUIDON, Arsamahan Organizer Rene Raymond Rañeses said that the annual fiesta was retooled specially for Cervini’s golden jubilee.

Raneses added that the fiesta, originally a week-long celebration, had been expanded to cover the entire month of August to serve as an opener for the 50th anniversary.

In previous years, the fiesta was dedicated solely to the patron saints of the Residence Halls, the First Companions of the Society of Jesus: Saint Ignatius, Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Peter Faber.

“We feel that what we do today will contribute in any way to help keep on the tradition of service and leadership the First Companions originally envisioned,” he stated.

This year’s Arsamahan, with the theme “Arsamundo,” is also in

honor of the Cervinians and the dormers who have found their calling and their vocations throughout the world, said Rañeses.

The year ahead

The Arsamahan celebrations mark the start of Cervini Hall’s golden jubilee.

The Residence Halls administration has scheduled a spate of activities for Cervini Hall’s golden jubilee. These were desig ned for both residents and non-residents, ranging from communityoriented events, such as a dorm hymn songwriting contest to fundraising initiatives, including the selling of naming rights for each of Cervini Hall’s 50 rooms.

Gabuna added that he plans to ask the Residence Halls alumni about the effect of living on campus on their professional lives.

“I would like to believe that the resident students, once they leave the campus, they will be the leaders of society, and I want them to be effective and good leaders,” he said.

Cam noted that in line with the official celebrations, graduating dormers have planned out their own initiatives to commemorate the golden celebration.

“As it is the 50th anniversary celebration, we want to have a ‘grand legacy’ project for the dorms, since we (seniors) are graduating this year,” said Cam. In addition to the seniors’ initiative, the administration aims to use Cervini’s 50th anniversary to help kickstart the development of the building.

Gabuna said that the renovation is geared towards developing a more environmentally friendly dorm that will last the next 50 years and beyond.

currently faces.

It was Universita Degli Studi de Padova’s programs in sociology, anthropology, history and cultural heritage that led Balisong to choose the Italian school as his host university.

Furthermore, he wants to study Italy’s culture because of its influence in global perspectives.

Likewise, Melgar is bent on providing solutions to societal issues, particularly those being faced by the marginalized sectors in society. For her part, she hopes to overcome these problems by means of “computing technology.”

According to her, she will be the only Filipino this year to attend the Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, where she will be taking up courses in its accredited Advanced Computing Systems program.

MAGIS. This year’s Erasmus Mundus scholarship recipients, including Patrick Balisong, are set on using their respective fields as a means to give back.

Five Ateneans ›› 5

PHOTO BY RAQUEL A. MALLILLIN

Dr. Lydia Yu-Jose...

Department Chair Maria Elissa JaymeLao, DPA said that Yu-Jose was key in hiring more faculty members and in pushing the younger teaching staff to develop research-wise.

Political Science Department Assistant Professor Alma Maria Salvador, PhD said that Yu-Jose also made sure that the Masters of Arts (MA) programs in political science became and remained active.

“She made sure that there are students [in the program] and she very much instituted the mentoring system,” Salvador said.

Currently, the Political Science Department offers two MA programs, one in public management and the other in global politics.

Salvador recounted that, at one time, Yu-Jose was both her chair and research mentor.

“When [Yu-Jose] was chair, she was scary... Because of the difference [of] age between [the Political Science Department faculty members] and her, she had to really mentor all of us, and her mentoring was rather disciplinarian,” said Salvador.

Salvador said that Yu-Jose remained just as strict as a research mentor. “It was a scarier experience because she enforced deadlines... There were no excuses.”

“But in retrospect, [I] also become that way to students and to younger peers. In fact, [I] learned now that it’s part of the learning process,” said Salvador.

As for Lao, Yu-Jose was “strict but fair” as a boss. “She gives her opinion, but she also makes sure that you have an opinion yourself.”

Lao said that Yu-Jose was also concerned about her colleagues’ non-academic life; she would ask them about how they were doing and how their children were. ‹‹ 1

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TEACHER FOR LIFE. Yu-Jose was a true mentor to her students and colleagues.

PHOTO FROM ATENEO.EDU

Fil-Jap relationship

In 2006, Yu-Jose received a testimonial signed by then Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Aso during the 50th anniversary celebration of normalizing diplomatic relations between Japan and the Philippines.

The said testimonial commended the Japanese Studies Program for promoting mutual understanding between the two countries by having excellent Japanese studies researchers who contributed to the advancement of cultural exchange.

In 2012, Yu-Jose was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in recognition of her contribution to fostering Japanese studies in the country.

The Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon is third of the six classes of The Order of the Rising Sun, a decoration given by the Japanese government to individuals who

have distinguished achievements in advancing their respective fields, promoting Japanese culture and international relations, developing welfare or preserving the environment.

According to Japanese Studies Program Assistant Professor Karl Ian Cheng Chua, PhD, “Dr. Yu-Jose, in her existence, is an integral person [to the Japanese Studies Program], so from what little she had, she was able to share generously.”

Cheng Chua said that the Japanese Studies Program will continue what Yu-Jose had instilled upon them, through “attracting more people to study Japan more deeply.”

Cheng Chua expressed how, through his experience with Yu-Jose as a research mentor, he learned that “[students] should appreciate [their] teachers no matter how strict they are.”

ERR ATA

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In the August 2014 issue of The GUIDON, the article "Movie verson of Sugod! Filemon Mamon! wins Famas award" was attributed to Vince M. Estrada alone. The article was co-written with Bianca N. Martinez.

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The article "Ateneans clear names from plunder and impeachment raps filed vs. 2 top gov't officials" stated that Jerome Flores was working on retracting his signature from the plunder charge against Budget Secretary Butch Abad. We would like to clarify that Flores only wants to remove the Youth Act Now!-Ateneo de Manila University chapter coordinator title attached to his name and not his signature.

In the same article, it was stated that Jian Gomez has not replied to The GUIDON as of press time. The GUIDON was not able to reach Gomez through his proper contact details. We have updated the article on our website with his statement.

The GUIDON apologizes for these oversights.

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ADRIFT. Two-time Palanca awardee Vicah Villanueva wrote about her personal experience of Typhoon Frank in 2008 and how awareness could have helped her and her family.

PHOTO FROM SHAIRA MAZO

Five Ateneans triumph in 64th Palanca Awards

By Vince M. Estrada THE ATENEO community continues its excellence in creative writing with a total of five winners in the 64th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards (CPMA) held on September 1 at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila Hotel.

Management engineering sophomore Vicah Villanueva was awarded second place in the Kabataan Essay, English Division category with her essay titled “Adrift on a Promise.”

Moreover, Filipino Department Assistant Professor Alvin Yapan, PhD received the top prize in the Maikling Kuwento, Filipino Division category with his piece entitled “Ang Bugtong ng Manok at Agila.”

Fine Arts Program Lecturer Ana Maria Katigbak-Lacuesta earned first place as well in the Poetry, English Division category with her poem, “We Won’t Be Tending Gardens.”

Likewise, Mikael De Lara Co (BS ES ‘03) grabbed third place in

the same category with his poem titled “This Tender Gravity.”

Another alumna, Ma. Nicola Loretto Sebastian (AB LIT ENG ‘08), was awarded fi rst in the Essay, English Division category with her work, “The Salt Price.”

Raising awareness

This year’s Kabataan Essay entries answered the following question: “How can the youth help in natural disaster preparedness in the country?”

For Villanueva, her response was influenced by personal experiences.

In her essay, the Iloilo native recalled when her home was flooded when Typhoon Frank hit her province in 2008. She lamented the fact that she and her family could have been more prepared if they had known of the incoming flood.

She also noted that in her high school, students would always be oriented about safety procedures. However, everyone would be disinterested because these protocols were yet to be put to use.

Villanueva said in a mix of English and Filipino, “[The essay] promotes awareness of usual safety procedures during disasters, but at the same time, [examines] our own response, the response of the youth during disasters, and how they can help.”

The t wo-time Pa la nca awardee expressed her happiness at receiving the award: “I was having a really bad, stressful week during that time, so let’s just say [winning a Palanca] was a silver lining during that week.”

Reigniting the flame

Yapan’s award-winning short story marked his re-entry into creative writing after a brief hiatus, during which he pursued filmmaking and screenwriting.

“I was actually doubting, having second thoughts [and] doubting myself with whether I could still go back to writing short stories [or not],” he admitted.

However, he said his love for the craft ultimately made him return to the field of creative writing. “I wanted to go back and hone myself again in writing fiction.”

“Ang Bugtong ng Manok at Agila” is inspired by an article that Yapan read back in 2008.

The story is about a tribal Filipino farmer named Bryan Balo-on, who was arrested and fi ned P100,000 for eating an endangered Philippine eagle.

“There’s a law prohibiting us from killing these birds, but of course, the tribal Filipino doesn’t know of the law. Pero, kinulong pa rin siya (But he was still imprisoned). So, for me, it’s a very disturbing news report, where issues of human rights and animal rights are being pitted against each other,” he explained.

Yapan initially wrote this short story as an addition to a book, an anthology of all of his short stories, that he will be releasing this year.

“It’s long overdue… People are asking when I will come up with my anthology of short stories, so I thought this year, since I am taking a rest from filmmaking, I could focus on publishing my short stories,” he said.

Yapan’s award this year marks

his fifth win in the Maikling Kuwento, Filipino Division category, three of which are first place finishes. For him, however, this latest victory is especially “emotional and significant.”

“It’s a pat on the back that I got to be noticed again in the field of fiction, [which is] where I first got noticed,” he said.

Continuing the passion

Katigbak-Lacuesta is no stranger to the CPMA, having won twice before in the Poetry, English Division category; she won third and second place in 2005 and 2009, respectively.

She said that one’s initial motivation in joining the CPMA stems from trying to gain a foothold in the creative writing industry. “In anyone’s early experience with the contest, the motivation for joining would be street cred.”

With her poem this year, however, her source of inspiration and motivation came when she was writing a book and was not looking for any other project to do.

“I felt a strong creative energy at work that seemed to have no motive or end in sight. That’s why I knew I had to trust it and see where it led me. It was beyond ego or ambition. Even though I felt somewhat depleted after the completion of my book, I knew I had to write this collection [of poems],” she said.

Katigbak-Lacuesta explained that “We Won’t Be Tending Gardens” is a collection of poems about migration and western exoticism. “It’s also about how language has no fixed geography.”

Katigbak-Lacuesta was “over the moon” when she first learned that her poem had won, but admitted she wanted to keep her win to herself initially.

“It was this large emotion I felt very possessive of—you’re bursting at the seams but it’s a private joy,” she admitted.

Editor’s note: Vicah P. Villanueva is a member of The GUIDON Inquiry Staff.

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The GUIDON September 2014

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Afarm disappointed over Aquino’s SONA

By Bianca N. Martinez THE ATENEANS for Agrarian Reform Movement (Afarm) expressed their discontent with President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s 2014 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in a statement released on August 12.

The SONA is an annual event wherein the president of the Philippines presents the current economic, political and social situation of the country.

In their statement, Afarm said they are dismayed over the inaccurate facts and figures contained by the SONA that Aquino delivered on July 28.

Afarm noted that in his SONA, Aquino claimed to have “certified as urgent” the passing of the Notice of Coverage (NOC) Extension Bill. However, Afarm said that there was only a commitment to submit the bill to Congress without calling for its immediate passing.

The NOC Extension Bill proposes to extend the issuance of the document that jumpstarts the Department of Agrarian Reform's (DAR) land acquisition and distribution (LAD) process beyond June 30, the LAD expiration of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (Carper) Law. Carper is the five-year extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), which mandates the redistribution of public and private agricultural lands to landless farmers.

Afarm also noted that there is a mismatch between what Aquino claims as the total distributed land of DAR and what other agencies have recorded. Different agencies on land reform have consistently been releasing discrepant records on land distribution.

In the 2014 SONA Technical Report released on July 28, DAR is said to have distributed 466,164 hectares of land from July 2010 to June 2014. However, the Land Registration Authority recorded 275,438.91 hectares of distributed land from 2010 until the first quarter of 2014.

In an interview with The GUIDON, Afarm Research and Advocacy Head Urania Lindo said, “As much as we would like to think that [these inaccuracies] are an honest mistake, we think that the [discrepancies are] too big for it to be a mere lapse.”

Afarm urged Aquino to audit the implementation of agrarian reform-related programs in the past years and to identify the major bottlenecks to the program.

Challenges for agrarian reform

In an interview with The GUIDON, Afarm Head Ace Dela Cruz said that Aquino’s administration is failing to give sufficient attention to agrarian reform.

He attributed the problem to three primary difficulties: Lack of government support, strong landowner resistance and the DAR’s ineffectiveness to address the situation of agrarian reform.

He noted that DAR has been financially crippled by the Congress since the inception of CARP, placing severe constraints on its full implementation.

Dela Cruz added that DAR’s budget in implementing land reform has also been significantly cut. The budget of DAR was reduced from P20.003 billion for 2014 to P10.26 billion for 2015.

With regard to strong landowner resistance, Dela Cruz pointed out that because land is one of the most profitable commodities in the Philippine economy, landowners and real estate firms have used tactics in hindering the implementation of land redistribution. According to him, these efforts range from

corruption to human rights violations.

Likewise, Afarm Research and Advocacy Core member Madeleine Ong said that there is a lack of attention in reported and unreported cases of agrarianrelated killings, land grabbing and cases of harassment among farmer communities.

Lindo said that a marketd r iven gover n ment even “supports policies that reverse ag rarian reform,” such as allocating special economic zones for mu lt i n at ion a l companies.

I n t er m s of DA R ’s ineffectiveness, Dela Cruz said that the department often fails to realize its mandate as a “social justice program.” He said that most DAR secretaries and top officials have only given half-hearted commitments in executing CARP. Afarm noted in its statement that DAR only had a yearly average distribution rate of 120,000 hectares from 2010 to 2013 as compared to its original annual target of 200,000 hectares.

Both Lindo and Ong said that the current administration has been yielding the lowest results in the 25-year long history of CARP. Moreover, Lindo shared that some major hindrances to agrarian reform are the absence of enabling laws, like the National Land Use Act, which aims to provide a “rational, holistic and fair allocation, utilization, management and development of the country’s land resources to ensure optimum use,” and the Freedom of Information Bill, which will allow for f ull transparency on the government ’s ef for ts for agrarian reform.

Hope for agrarian reform

Afarm said in their statement that they remain hopeful over the promise of Aquino to fully implement agrarian reformrelated programs before his term ends.

Dela Cruz believes that Aquino should pressure DAR in living up to “its constitutional mandate to be the champion of small farmers.”

“Land reform is one crucial step before we can fully industrialize our country.

It makes sure that no one is left behind in the national development, most especially the agricultural sector where most of the country’s poor reside,” said Dela Cruz.

On the other hand, Ong proposes that the Department of Justice and the Commission on Human Rights focus on the violations against farmers and indigenous people in rural areas.

She said that Afarm will continue to strengthen its ties with partner farmer organizations, youth groups and university student councils in advocating for agrarian reform.

As for Lindo, she said that Afarm is now even more determined to disallow the government from sweeping the issue of agrarian reform under the rug even if the attention towards it dwindles.

She reiterated A fa r m’s stance that they “will remain vigilant until social justice becomes concretized through land reform.”

STILL FIGHTING. Afarm remains hopeful that President Benigno “Noynoy” Auino III will follow through with his promises on implementing agrarian reform.

(From top to bottom: Ace Dela Cruz, Madeleine Ong and Urania Lindo of Afarm)

Despite the inaccuracies found in Aquino’s SONA,

PHOTOS BY ISABELLA OLIVARES

where she hopes to give back not only to her own family but also to the rest of her people.

to the needs and promotes the liberation of marginalized sectors in society.

He also handles public relations as part of The GUIDON Externals Staff and serves as a contributing writer for Verstehen, the online publication of the Sociology and Anthropology Department.

On the other hand, Campos has attended several leadership camps since she was in high school as part of the Ateneo Pathways to Higher Education program. The program aims to recognize deserving yet financially-handicapped public high school students by training them both academically and non-academically for a chance at quality college education.

As Ateneo Enterteynment

Erasmus Mundus...

On the other h a nd , Ca mp o s chose the University of Warsaw when she learned that its graduates had moved on to become successful entrepreneurs. “I hope to experience the quality education offered by the Faculty of Management of the [said university].”

She added that she is interested to learn how business is conducted abroad. She is particularly keen on learning more about management science, her field of choice.

For Nalda, it was political science senior Ace Dela Cruz who served as her inspiration to choose the University of Warsaw. Dela Cruz attended the same university under the ‹‹ 3

EMMA in 2013.

“He proved the caliber of a true probinsyano student and where hard work can lead you.

He is a great inspiration to the younger generation and I wish to emulate his work to my fellow Waray-Warays,” she said, referring to Dela Cruz, who hails from the Quirino province.

A Tacloban native, Nalda was further moved to apply for the EMMA after Typhoon Yolanda devastated her hometown last November.

“I just want to be able to holistically improve and be relevant to nation-building, or in my hometown’s case, rebuilding,” she said.

She said the scholarship gives her the opportunity to serve as a relevant figure in her community,

Magis

For Balisong, earning the EMMA scholarship exemplifies magis or doing more for God and for others. The program aligns with the Ateneo’s goal of expanding global relations and producing world-class professionals, he said.

Having grown up with the understanding that his academic performance would determine his next goals, Balisong considers his studies as one of the biggest facets of his life.

Beyond his textbooks, Balisong volunteers at the Institute of Social Order, a Jesuit social apostolate that responds

(From left to right): Erasmus Mundus scholars Jonalyn Campos, Anna Melgar and Niryll Nalda

para sa Tao, Bayan, Lansangan, at Diyos (Entablado)’s deputy for Theatrical Workshops, Campos prepares modules, and conducts and organizes workshops requested by Entablado’s partner organizations.

Melga r, mea nwhile, is a consistent Dean’s Lister who currently serves in the Sanggunian as a representative.

She has spearheaded various projects for the organizations in the Ateneo, including the Ateneo Management Information Systems Organization, the Ateneo Gabay and the Ateneo Special Education Society.

Furthermore, Melgar has been named one of the 10 fi nalists of the 2014 Ramon Magsaysay Youth Essay Competition. The contest is part of the Ramon

Ma g saysay Fou ndat ion’s efforts to inspire the youth to demonstrate the same servant leadership that was exhibited by the former president and by the recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

For her part, Nalda related her active social involvement in Tacloban, where she was elected as the community’s Sangguniang Kabataan chair for the term 2010 to 2013. As an ex-officio of the Barangay Council, the Sangg uniang Kabataan chair is in charge of youth and sports development in the council.

Nalda, also a dean's lister, is currently the associate vice president for Socio-Political Advocacy of The Ateneo Assembly.

PHOTOS BY RAQUEL A. MALLILLIN

6

Opinion

VOLUME LXXXV, NO. 4 SEPTEMBER 2014

The GUIDON Founded 1929 by Rev. Frank O’Hara, SJ First Editor-in-Chief, Manuel C. Colayco, AB ‘30

PURPOSE To serve as a record of Ateneo history in the making; to serve as an organ of journalistic expression; to serve God and country.

Mara Alyssabel D. Cepeda, AB COM ‘15 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Vernise Allison L. Tantuco, BS COMTECH ‘15 ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Katherine Mary E. Pearson, AB SOS ‘15

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY JOSEPHUS T. NUGRAHA

MANAGING EDITOR

Jan-Daniel S. Belmonte, BFA ID ‘15 DESIGN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Ennah Faye A. Tolentino, AB PSY ‘16

Obscured by memory

NEWS EDITOR

Ignacio Gregorio C. Razon, AB PSY ‘15 SPORTS EDITOR

Roxanna May Y. Ramirez, AB COM ‘16 BEYOND LOYOLA EDITOR

Pia Josefina H. Posadas, BS COMTECH ‘15 FEATURES EDITOR

Lyssa Minette A. Marquez, AB POS ‘17 INQUIRY EDITOR

Santiago Jose J. Arnaiz, BS LM ‘16 VANTAGE EDITOR

Ryan Paul Y. Racca, AB IS ‘15 PHOTOS EDITOR

Catherine Margaret C. Quintos, BFA ID ‘15 GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR

Arthur Jarred D. Tan, BFA ID ‘16 MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Karen Therese Romina G. Sison, AB HI ‘16 TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Julie Diane T. Lim, BS ME ‘15 EXTERNALS MANAGER

Ma. Josephine C. Unas, AB COM ‘15 ONLINE MEDIA MANAGER

NEWS Joline S. Acampado and Bianca N. Martinez, Editorial Assistants; Carlos L. Arcenas, Joff D. Bantayan, Katrina M. Bonillo, Vince M. Estrada, Jin U. Lampasa, Macneil A. Mendoza, Samantha O. Subida SPORTS Noelle M. Recio, Editorial Assistant; Robi R. Andres, Lorenzo C. Aycardo, Joseph J. Bautista, Raizza P. Bello, Faith R. Decangchon, Jeremias Esguerra, Beatrice T. Go, Gian Y. Go, Jaime Katigbak, Vincent D. Soliven, Cedric B. Teng Ampo BEYOND LOYOLA Frances P. Sayson, Editorial Assistant; Pamela P. Baluyot, JC A. Beltran, Regine D. Cabato, Alexa B. Fontanilla, Cristina A. Gadiano, Kyle N. Mitschiener, Ina M. Morales, Janella H. Paris, Chynna A. Santos, Aaron M. Tanyag FEATURES Marguerite R. Andrews, Editorial Assistant; Ishbelle L. Bongato, Patricia C. Concepcion, Marco G. Dayrit, Tricia T. Lao, Raf S. Nakpil, Isabel A. Rodrigo, Benny G. Tañedo, Jasmine P. Ting, Andrea V. Tubig INQUIRY Nathan V. Javier, Editorial Assistant; Alex A. Bichara, Nicolo A. Fortuna, Uriel N. Galace, Eugene G. Ong, Mivan V. Ong, Jairus I. Paul, Van T. Siy Van, Vicah P. Villanueva VANTAGE Katrina Pimentel, Editorial Assistant; Paul G. Alcantara, Deany R. Cheng, Dre L. Chua, Rissa A. Coronel, Gaby Gloria, Belle O. Mapa, Ashley Martelino, Matthew K. Olivares, Andre Orandain, Carlos A. Quiapo PHOTOS Pia R. Nicolas, Editorial Assistant; Arielle A. Acosta, Tynie Asprec, Andrea G. Beldua, Francine A. Bharwani, Joshua E. Cabalinan, Alexis A. Casas, RJ Dimla, Alexandra L. Huang, Raquel A. Mallillin, Pia R. Nicolas, Isabella Olivares, Chi D. Punzalan GRAPHIC DESIGN Ian B. De La Cruz, Editorial Assistant; Paulina L. Almira, Angelli J. Aquino, Diana F. David, Colleen P. De Luna, Czarina B. Dycaico, GM A. Espeleta, Ellan T. Estrologo, Josephus T. Nugraha, Joey D. Ochoa, Therese M. Pedro, Tommi G. Principe, Nikki G. Solinap MULTIMEDIA Nikki C. Vesagas, Editorial Assistant; Alfonso G. Abaya, Annie O. Coronel, Miguel Feria, Denise G. Fernandez, Princess T. Flores, Sam F. Ganzon, MV Isip, Igi A. Maximo, Angelo M. Mendoza, Arianna Z. Mercado, Thurees Obenza, Tin S. Sartorio, Shaira A. Mazo, Jillian C. Subido TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT Mariel A. Arboleda, Managerial Assistant; Andrea G. Guevarra, Hannah Guinto, Ysabelle D. Lebrilla, Pepper P. Limpoco, Enrique G. Lopez, Kimiko C. Sy, Ven G. Tan, Eli P. Uy EXTERNALS Sam C. Tacondong, Managerial Assistant; Kristi de Asis, Patrick L. Balisong, Sabina Co, Gio L. Cruz, Anica G. Gomez, Jus G. Lazaro, Marcy A. Miniano, Isabella Naguiat, Mika O. Reyes, Jeric Santos, Jelena Tiu ONLINE MEDIA Henna O. Yu, Managerial Assistant; Lea O. Bolante, Gayle G. Carabeo, Alexander V.C. Collado Jr., Carmel Ilustrisimo, Kian L. Paras COPY EDITORS Joline S. Acampado and Alex A. Bichara

Ruel S. De Vera MODERATOR

On August 20, University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ announced the renaming of the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) to the Ateneo de Manila University Benigno Aquino Jr. and Corazon C. Aquino School of Government, or the Ateneo Aquino School of Government for short. The name change is set to take place August next year.

According to ASOG Dean Tony La Viña, the proposal to change the school’s name dates back to 2007, just after he had been named dean and just before Ninoy’s 25th death anniversary. It was only in 2012, however, that La Viña decided that the timing was right.

In an opinion piece written for Rappler, La Viña said that “the rationale for this decision to rename the school is the record of public service and the example of heroic leadership that Ninoy and

Cory Aquino provide for all Filipinos.” He went on to write that ASOG students can aspire to be heroic public servants, much like the Aquinos.

The Aquinos, however, may not exactly be the perfect public servants that the general public views them to be. The issue at hand goes beyond the renaming of a school. The problem lies with how we remember and, subsequently, regard significant figures in history.

There is a tendency for us to either glorify or demonize our historical figures. Although the Aquinos both played a positive role in restoring democracy and rebuilding the nation, we also have to understand that they are more than their achievements. They have had acts and made decisions that may not necessarily be in line with how they are portrayed in most historical texts.

While Cory restored the Philippines back to a democracy, for instance, her administration was far from ideal. She had a difficult time controlling the military: Her presidency was rife with coups, the most serious attempt being the 1989 coup d’etat staged by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Blackouts were also common during her presidency, with Manila experiencing power outages that would last from seven to 12 hours. By the time she left office in June 1992, the national economy lost billions of pesos due to the blackouts.

It was during her term as well that the Mendiola Massacre occurred. This event saw the killing of 13 farmers and the wounding of several others who were all marching to Malacañang Palace to protest for land reform.

Laurels and achievements aside, there is also an inclination to limit our perceptions of historical figures to select facets. For Ninoy and Cory, the general public remembers them mostly as symbols of democracy, embodied by the signature thick, black-rimmed glasses and the yellow ribbon. For two of our national heroes, Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, a limited view is presented by their constant juxtaposition: The pen and the sword, reform and revolution. Most Filipinos are prone to dichotomizing them, instead of acknowledging that they were both catalysts in the struggle for independence from colonial rule, albeit in different ways. By generalizing these figures into metaphors and abstractions, we are not truly and fully giving them justice.

Furthermore, by boxing these individuals into the

BLUE JEANS

archetypes that we have set up for them, we fail to look at their actions and contributions, both positive and negative, in relation to the persons that they were and to the persons they eventually became. We limit ourselves to defi ning them by a single or a few acts rather than by the lives they lived as a whole. In turn, we become more disconnected from history and fail to recognize these individuals for what they are: Human.

ASOG’s vision is “transforming communities, building a nation.” While we recognize that the Aquinos were instrumental in the restoration of democracy in the Philippines, we must also remember that governance is so much more than that. Just as our heroes are more than symbols, nationbuilding involves more than the ideological.

Guest Column

The call to justify our existence

By Christian Dy The Jesuit pupil is taught a distinct way of proceeding— one that invites the person to overcome oneself, to exceed his limits and triumph over his selfish desires. As we conquer our own “inordinate attachments,” as St. Ignatius labels them, we are then called to “go forth and set the world on fire.”

The Atenean must then answer the call to be a person for and with others, or forfeit his claim to the title. One cannot be Atenean first, and serve the needy and the oppressed second. We have done so with students like Jose Rizal, Juan Luna, Evelio Javier and Edgar Jopson. It follows that the student council, as representative of the student body, should be the epitome of Atenean self-giving. I wish.

Having barely managed to reach voting quota, the student body has elected a new student council. This year could be a watershed year for student politics in the Ateneo. This year, the Sanggunian ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila has to promise and deliver significant reforms or face either extinction or permanent irrelevance.

Many recognize the urgency of the situation and have responded in different ways.

We saw social media efforts such as “WhI Care?” and “#saveSANGGU.” We saw a candidate standing near the Gonzaga Hall polling station wearing around his neck a cardboard sign that said, “Vote.” We heard platitudes about the need for reform.

The Sanggunian Central Board has assigned a Constitutional Review czar to consult with the student body and other “key stakeholders,” gather insights and submit a report for deliberation.

Well and good. One has to ask though: What do we really want to save when we ask the student body to “save Sanggu?” Is it the institution that has declined to speak loudly against political and economic injust ices or actively take up the cause of the poor and the hungry? Is it the institution that has been seen by some as “irrelevant,” or worse, “useless?” Is it the institution that has appeared self-serving to even consider “internalization” as a path?

Is it the institution that has pandered to our baser desires with such ideas as batch outings and block unity?

Now, for the more difficult questions: Is the hill that is our university a refuge for a suffering people, or is it but an elevation upon which we can look down on the rest of the nation? Will it be a platform for change, or will it be a monument to the status quo? In the eyes of the Filipino people, will the Ateneo try to be a light in the darkness, or will it simply be an unreachable star?

We hope and pray that after the reform process, we will be able to answer these questions.

In the pursuit of answers, I raise these propositions as modest, if relevant, contributions.

First, a comprehensive financial reform package that directs significant amounts for social impact projects, simplifies and democratizes the budget process, and institutionalizes solidarity with the marginalized as a permanent budget item.

Second, true to the Christian principle of subsidiarity, the Sanggunian will have to transfer from the Central Board to

the School Boards functions the latter can do themselves. This also means more money should be given to the School Boards.

Finally, the Sanggunian will have to proclaim a bold vision for social action, one that asks us to practice what the Jesuits would call “a faith that does justice.” This means a complete paradigm shift that will require introducing a certain degree of austerity where the Sanggunian is used to lavish spending. For instance, the Sanggunian needs to reevaluate its spending on school parties. We should find ourselves outraged that the Sanggunian, which in principle seeks to promote social development, spends sixdigit amounts on parties, every year, when the same amount of money could be spent for many worthy student initiatives. To put things in perspective, the Ateneo Center for Education Development says P11.50 is enough to feed a child one meal.

Imagine what P100,000 can do.

Before all these propositions could happen, however, we must ask ourselves the question we were once asked in the “Down from the Hill”

manifesto: Are we willing to pay the price in terms of personal and communal sacrifices? As the Sanggunian cannot be separated from the Ateneo, and the Ateneo from its social dimension, so must the Sanggunian never part from its moral responsibility to use its human, financial and logistical resources to take up the social obligation that Ateneans are called to fulfill. When the Ateneo undergraduate student council detaches itself from the realities of the hungering millions, departs from the universit y’s commitment to forward the cause of the poor, the suffering and the oppressed, or decides to turn its back on social action, it ceases to be a legitimate Atenean institution.

Dy, an economics-honors sophomore, is the sociopolitical co-head of Aguhon, the social responsibility arm of the Ateneo Resident Students Association.

He is also the Executive Management Staff chief of the Sanggunian School of Social Sciences secretary-treasurer.

The GUIDON September 2014

Caffeine Patch Jan-Daniel S. Belmonte jbelmonte@theguidon.com

Be nice, Binays I will not beat around the bush: The thought of this country being led by Vice President Jejomar Binay in the near future scares me to my core. In fact, the amount of effort that it takes me to dislike the Binay political dynasty is approximately zero.

It’s fairly easy to notice everything that’s being thrown against Binay

Per Se Kimmy E. Pearson kpearson@theguidon.com

Puso I would not go so far as to say that I am a casual fan of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas. I never really followed the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) World Cup or any competitions that the Philippine team participated in.

This year, when Gilas went to Sevilla to participate in the FIBA World Cup

Ithaca Pia H. Posadas pposadas@theguidon.com

A clean slate A few weeks ago, I came across an article about the nude photos of Jennifer Lawrence that were leaked and circulated online. Admittedly, I barely skimmed through it before clicking the next link that caught my eye. I was hardly surprised by my cavalier attitude towards such an obscene invasion of privacy. Sadly, in an era where every little

Hyper Drive Josephine C. Unas junas@theguidon.com

Safe and (un)sound I dream of the day when I no longer have to be afraid.

As someone who is always glued to her news feed, it’s not a surprise for me to see people sharing notes on unfortunate incidents that have happened to other people who use public transportation.

Before college, public transportation

The Stone Santiago J. Arnaiz sarnaiz@theguidon.com

Cinéma vérité The ‘70s was a tumultuous decade for the Philippines. Martial Law loomed heavy over the nation, censorship was the norm and fear of torture was an unspoken reality. But the era of disco and human rights abuse saw many silver linings in its art, most especially in cinema. In a time when there was so much to fight for, we found our revo-

and his family. From newspapers to online reports, mass media is ablaze with issues that the Binays have simply been dismissing as part of an agenda to spoil the vice president’s bid for presidency in the 2016 national elections.

Case in point: Many allegations have been brought up in the ongoing Senate Blue Ribbon Committee probe, ranging from overpriced birthday cakes given to senior citizens in Makati, to the alleged kickbacks in the construction of the 11-story Makati City Hall Building 2.

All of these, of course, are “politically motivated” according to the Binays. As of press time, none of them have attended any of the Senate hearings. Even then, their absence in official proceedings has not hindered them from looking like they’re out to fool the people.

Last August 20, vice presidential son and Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay defended his city’s two-billion peso building, saying that it was not just a parking facility but a “world-class” building. He stated some of its features: A landscaped roof deck, an atrium on its seventh floor and LED lights, among others—all of which seem like not-so revolutionary features that have existed even before his election into office.

To add to that, Junjun’s sister, Nancy, also defended the building by telling the media that “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” According to her, the same might also apply to the building. People may not see its beauty, but she and her family do, as it is incomparable to buildings owned by other local government units in the country.

Experts expressed their doubt in the Binays’ claims after inspecting the building last September 2. During their visit, quantity surveyor Greg Jackson and architect Danilo Alano said that the building was “standard” and that there was nothing unusual for it to be called world-class. They also pointed out that gypsum boards were used for its internal walls and that a vinyl similar to linoleum had been used to cover the floors.

To make matters worse, even the contractor of the building refuses to call it world-class. During the third hearing in Senate, a representative from Hilmarc’s Construction Corp. clarified that they neither agree nor disagree with the Binay’s claims.

This leaves us with more than enough reason for suspicion, and tons

of nonsense from the Binays. At this rate, these issues just seem like the tip of the iceberg. But then again, who are we to judge? Who holds the truth behind this whole political circus? It seems as if we are always forced to choose the lesser evil.

In a few months, I will leave the comfort of my university hoping to thrive in the “real world.” A little more than a year after that and a new administration is to be elected.

There will be changes in our country perhaps more radical than I can expect. And though I have no faith in how the Binays govern, I have no choice but to hold on to a sliver of hope that maybe—just maybe—I was wrong.

2014, I honestly was not very excited.

But upon finding out that before this year, the team had not qualified for the event in 36 years, the games seemed a little more interesting.

I am a Filipino-American born in the Philippines. One would think that I would be happily cheering for the team since this was their chance to compete on a worldwide scale.

Unfortunately, the whole idea did not appeal to me initially because I’ve never really felt like I was part of the Filipino community. Not to declare that I believe I am more American–it’s just that, in a sense, before this point, I felt that there was not much tying me to either culture beyond the usual tastes for certain foods.

However, watching the Gilas’ per-

formance in the World Cup, seeing the heartbreaking losses, made me feel that I was a part of something bigger than myself. So many people were rooting for their success; after the first few games, I found myself doing the same. This was partly due to the fact that I’m rooting for the underdog, which is very Filipino, but mostly because the heart that it took for them to keep going, even after falling out of the running for a spot in the next round, was more than admirable. This distinct pagka-Pilipino of the Gilas’ presence in the competition became the rallying call to all their supporters—“Laban, Pilipinas! Puso!”

Even when it seemed like it no longer mattered whether they won or lost, they pulled through. They showed

the world the strength of the Filipino spirit, despite it appearing like there was nothing to gain by trying. The Pinoy community continued to cheer for the team as well, and so did I. It helps to view the Gilas’ display of heart as an embodiment of the Filipino culture and values. The final game and the fi rst victory of the Gilas Pilipinas showed an international audience that Filipinos do not give up. Even as fans, there was no stopping the people in the arena or those watching on television from applauding the team. That is one trait I will always embrace as a Filipino: No matter how discouraging the odds, we continue to move forward.

This is a trend in the Philippines, apparent in the face of raging typhoons, insane traffic and long lines.

A lot of people would say that the whole competition was an upset, that the fi nal win did not really count for anything. Despite the failure of the team to advance in the World Cup, it was still a win that lifted our spirits.

It proved that there is potential in Philippine basketball and reminded us all that we are capable of competing in an international sphere. It also showed the audience that the underdogs can come out on top, even if there was no real and tangible prize that came out of the victory. As proud Filipinos, it was enough to create a spark of hope for the future. For the team and all their fans, the triumph came in the form of pride for country and of the Filipino character that was displayed.

misstep can and will be documented, celebrity scandals such as this have become a dime a dozen.

Lawrence wasn’t the only victim this time around—revealing photos and videos of more than 100 stars, including Kate Upton and Kirsten Dunst, were also posted on sites like Reddit and 4chan.

Their predicament speaks volumes, and not just about the continued objectification of women. This certainly isn’t the first time a person has been subjected to public humiliation, but as writer Ray Corrigan observes, “We have now, though, spent the best part of the last 30 years enabling… the building and operation of a communications mass surveillance infrastructure and ‘permanent’ digital memory store, unparalleled in the history of the human race.”

As anyone who has had embarrass-

ing adolescent photos or silly Facebook statuses resurrected will know, hindsight really is 20/20. Most of the time, the consequences are harmless; our friends usually have a good laugh at our expense. For others, however, the ability of a quick Google search to shed light on our past is no laughing matter. Some employers have even begun performing social media background checks on prospective employees—drunken party photos and crude jokes that were once entertaining can now potentially raise questions about an applicant’s character.

While people are taught to forgive and forget, it seems the Internet is less inclined to do so. Last May, the European Court of Justice took a major step towards changing this when it ruled that its citizens have a “right to be forgotten” online and can request

search engines like Google to remove links containing outdated, inaccurate or irrelevant personal information.

As it turns out, many people were raring for a fresh start. Within the first three months of this controversial decision, Google is reported to have received 120,000 requests and removed 457,000 links to articles, websites, tweets, photos and the like. The issue has become so contentious that just this month, Google began a European roadshow to better understand the different perspectives.

Both sides of the debate have made compelling arguments. While advocates of this ruling see it as a means of safeguarding our digital dignity, critics do have cause for concern. After all, who gets to decide whether or not information should be deleted, and can we trust how this person weighs public and private interest?

I’d like to think that this whole discussion especially resonates with us because we will be the last generation to have grown up appreciating the value of life before the Internet, before problems such as this were even conceivable.

Still, the questions we are left with aren’t so unfamiliar; George Orwell, for one, already warned us of the dangers of trying to alter the past to suit our current needs. While I cannot predict how this will all play out, I am certain of one thing: Google, in its most basic form, is nothing but an algorithm.

The impact it has on our lives is entirely up to us. If we had remembered to treat each other with greater respect to begin with, perhaps it wouldn’t even have been necessary for us to fight for the right to be forgotten.

for me was taking a cab from Point A to Point B and paying the amount in the meter. When I entered college, it was a different story. Since I don’t live near campus, and upon my parents’ insistence that I do not stay in a dormitory, I devote around three hours a day to getting to and from school.

When relatives knew what I was about to go into, I was immediately bombarded with tips on what I should be doing while commuting. I understood that their advice was to keep me safe, but to be quite honest, there was a point wherein I thought these were mere hyperboles of day-to-day situations. I was wrong.

There was one instance when someone purposely opened a pocket in my backpack, and while I was fortunate enough not to lose anything, I do all I can to

prevent it from happening again.

Added to this paranoia is the “disadvantage” of being a woman who uses public transportation. While it is scary enough watching out for people who want to steal your things, it is more nervewracking to always have that thought at the back of your head: Someone is bound to harass, or even worse, rape you.

Certainly, no one would forget the startling news from India heard around the world in 2012, when an Indian woman was gang-raped inside a bus by six men including the driver. Hitting closer to home, a woman who was coming home from a job interview was nearly abducted by men as she stepped off a bus just last August. In society today, the knee-jerk response is to come up with ways to not have your body be appealing for people to

hurt you. This breaks my heart, because instead of telling people not to physically or verbally harm others, we tell ourselves to do what we can to not to be harmed by other people.

No one deserves to spend most of his or her daily travels with a fear of being harmed, having fruits of hard work being taken away in an instant, or seeing a close friend or relative die because of people with ill intentions.

Whether or not it’s an overreaction, using public transportation and reading about these incidents have made me more wary of the people I encounter each day. I am not going to lie: There are moments where I find myself glancing back to check when I hear footsteps behind me while walking home. Safety in the public sphere is not something

that should be attained by someone by virtue of how one dresses or acts.

Whether or not one chooses to wear tiny shorts or a tailored polo, or whether one uses gadgets in public or not, safety should be rightfully provided for all.

Present day methods such as police deployment, set-up of checkpoints across cities and closed-circuit television cameras all contribute to safety, but all these combined simply aren’t enough to ensure everyone is safe.

While it is so easy to focus on the negatives, what these fears allowed me to do, however, was help me toughen up because I learned how the world worked.

The day in which this fear will be alleviated will undoubtedly take a little bit longer to come. For now, it’s another dance with (commuter) destiny.

lutionaries not on the battlefields but on the big screens. The likes of Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal led what we call the second golden age of Philippine cinema—an era of obra maestras, social commentary and Art with a capital “A.” Today, the harsh reality we face is that our local film industry puts profit before passion. Product placements, actors who can’t act, plotlines without stories, the Metro Manila Film Festival¬—all done in an effort to milk as much money as possible from a market that, quite frankly, doesn’t know any better.

Whereas the ‘70s was a golden age for cinema, the industry saw its worst years in the ‘90s, after which many believed it dead. Come the turn of the century, however, things began picking up. Alvin Yapan, PhD, assistant professor at the Ateneo and one of a new crop of film-

makers reshaping Philippine cinema, pegs this turning point at 2004, with the first-ever Cinemalaya film festival.

Shifting the standard medium from film to digital, Cinemalaya called on and funded indie filmmakers to bring back the artistry lost over the years. This festival was soon followed by Cinema One Originals, CineFilipino, Cinema Rehiyon and other festivals that together, mark yet another era in local cinema: The rise of independent filmmaking.

Films like Jay (2008), Ang Nawawala (2012), Sana Dati (2013) and many more prove year after year that Philippine cinema is not without talent. In fact, it has talent in buckets. And it’s not just the private sector keeping the industry alive: The Film Development Council of the Philippines, established in 2002, is a government agency tasked to preserve

and promote local cinema, acknowledging its role in both nation-building and the cultivation of the Filipino identity.

So with independent fi lmmakers getting seed money in the millions and the government helping out the industry, the question that arises now is: Who the hell is responsible for screwing us over with films like My Little Bossings every year?

The answer, unsurprisingly, is the industry itself. What many in the industry know as fact is that the problem doesn’t lie in a lack of talent, but lack of distribution. Larger production houses have nearly monopolized the industry and have the power to box out competition.

To put it practically, they have theaters both large and small in a chokehold—demanding exclusive use of these to screen their mass produced gems.

Forced to choose between independent filmmakers and the cookie cutter talent house commissions of big production studios, the question presented to these theaters is: Who will give you more money in the long run? It’s not a conspiracy. It’s business as usual.

This piece isn’t meant to throw shade at anyone, but to start conversation. Sure, there will always be a market for people who enjoy an hour and a half of brainless slapstick, just as there is a market for people who enjoy four hours of Lav Diaz realness. But until these two get the same level of attention, there will always be a problem. And quite frankly, the Filipino deserves more than My Little Bossings and any other bullshit sequel that franchise will surely spawn.

8

News

Atenean Voice Do you agree that President Aquino’s involvement with the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) warrant him an impeachment trial?

Why or why not?

Pauline Carillo President, The Ateneo Assembly

Enrique Leviste Lecturer, Sociology and Anthropology Department

“It is normal for governmental reforms to face resistance or criticism, but I believe that the [DAP] and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, although controversial, are both progressive reform initiatives of the administration for budget management and foreign affairs, respectively. However, from what we have learned from the DAP issue, adherence to the rule of law and to governmental processes are just as significant and consequential as the actual intent of any program or policy. Although talks of impeachment may cause political instability and affect citizen trust, the Congress’ act of filing complaints may possibly be seen as an exercise of checks and balance, granted, of course, that this was done for the sake of critical assessment of accountability and not for ulterior political motives. However, until it can be proven through thorough investigation that the president has actually committed a grave abuse of power or has violated stipulations from the Constitution, then I believe that we should withhold judgment, yet still remain vigilant, on whether or not Aquino truly warrants impeachment.”

“Any act deemed unconstitutional merits a coherent and definitive response. Proposals to impeach President Aquino over the DAP controversy are emblematic of such a response in view of his purported violation of the Philippine Constitution. I, nonetheless, have reservations about the political intentions or motivations surrounding these proposals. They reek of partisan politics as usual, more personality-driven than issuemotivated—which is essentially what the absence of legitimate and issue-based political parties has generated. What we need to focus on, therefore, is ensuring that the public understands the issue motivating certain sectors of Philippine society to call for an impeachment, opening channels for Filipinos of all walks of life to appreciate what the issue is all about. The impeachment process, in other words, shouldn’t be reduced to a weapon that members of the opposition or disgruntled former supporters of the status quo could wield with gusto. Only a few Filipinos understand what the issue is all about; make the information more accessible to the general public. Be more transparent in how the government works.”

Christian Dy 2 AB Eco-H

“During the course of an administration, it is but natural for certain measures of the executive [branch] to be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. This is how our republican system works—one branch cannot overreach. The executive clearly toed the line between the executive and the legislature when it initiated DAP. The program per se, however, is not a valid ground for impeachment. Unconstitutionality does not automatically equate to a culpable constitutional violation. The only time DAP can be used to justify the president’s impeachment is when it is proven that the president intended to undermine the constitution for his own benefit. Until then, DAP cannot amount to a culpable violation of the constitution.”

Aika Rey 4 AB MA POS

“Personally, I feel that his involvement with the DAP is unconstitutional.

He operated using his own executive powers. Personally, even though [the DAP was possibly created] out of good will, there are still procedures that he [had] to follow–for example, perhaps consultations with the Supreme Court. Because now, what’s happening is that there are certain moves towards impeachment because of what he did. Which, of course, roots from the unconstitutionality of the DAP. So yes, I do think that it warrants him an impeachment trial. I do feel that it would have been better if he was able to consult first with the Supreme Court within the extent of his executive powers.”

Saje Miguel Molato 2 AB POS

“The question people should continue asking is not whether or not what he does is ‘unconstitutional,’ but rather, if his collective actions are geared towards the best interest, presumably, of the nation. People have to understand that our constitution is, in itself, organic—every now and then, an issue arises that either our laws were simply not meant to cater to, or were simply not preempted during their drafting—and so it comes to the point where we have to realize that, at the very least, this constitutional ‘loophole’ arose during the reign of a president with ‘good intentions’ rather than a president who will be more than pleased to use the discretionary nature of these funds for his or her own benefit.

At least now, we can create a series of checks and balances that would prevent any future leader from gaining access to [an] easily accessible pool of resources without accountability. On the issue of the [EDCA]: Overlooking the paranoia of the general masses that the Americans are simply here to make the Philippines their new brothel in [South East Asia], we do gain a better foothold in terms of available defenses if—and if—China ever decides to escalate the issue on territorial dispute. So, do these issues suffice for impeachment? The president’s opposition is free to dream.”

Mikee Defensor, Secretarytreasurer, Sanggunian School of Social Sciences

“When we entrusted the president the mandate of the nation, we understood him to lead us with integrity and to uphold the public trust.

The question is, with DAP and the EDCA, did he violate such? Was he corrupt? Did he sell out the nation? A president will make mistakes and blunders in governance. At times, we may not agree with his policies, but doesn’t mean that they are impeachable offenses. So my answer is no.”

Jackie Jacinto, Instructor, Philosophy Department

“No, I do not agree that PNoy’s DAP involvement warrants impeachment.

Yes, the DAP issue was [a] mess, but I do not think PNoy intended it to be a mess. I also think that the impeachment complaints against PNoy are, more than anything, knee-jerk reactions. We should let PNoy finish the remaining two years of his term.”

Glimpses Atenean listed as TOSP 2014 awardee Atenean graduate Billie Dumaliang (BS MGT-H ‘14) was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) in a ceremony held on August 7 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Malacañang Palace. The annual awards program is organized by the RFM Foundation and endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education in search of Filipino student role models who personify academic excellence, exemplary leadership and social responsibility. Dumaliang graduated from the Ateneo magna cum laude and with a minor in German. She was also the Management Program Awardee of her batch. The list of TOSP awardees was completed by Jerry Ian Leonida and Frietz Arban Perales of the University of the Philippines-Visayas, Leo Kevin Mante of the University of Eastern Philippines, John Kit Masigan of St. Paul University Philippines, Ma. Angela Teresa Sebastian and Lancelot Yupingkun of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Jose Lemuel Silvestre of Far Eastern University, Alexandra Soledad of University of St. La Salle, and Justin Sucgang of De La Salle University. Samantha O. Subida

Ateneo University Press releases new textbook line The Ateneo de Manila University Press initiated the release of its new textbook line during its biannual book launch, Ani, on July 24. The new textbook line, Blue Books, focuses on academic titles, text books and workbooks for the Ateneo Grade School, the Ateneo High School (AHS) and the Loyola Schools (LS). Two books of the projected 24 under Blue Books have been released this year: A management textbook for the LS and an Ibong Adarna reprint for the AHS. Future titles to expect include two philosophy textbooks written by Fr. Roque Ferriols, SJ. Jin U. Lampasa

Ateneo breaks ground for The Areté The groundbreaking ceremony for the Ateneo’s creative hub, The Areté, was held on July 26. The ceremony marked the start of the hub’s construction, which is set to begin sometime in September or October this year, according to University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ. He added that construction is estimated to finish in the first quarter of 2016. The highlight of the groundbreaking was the lowering of a time capsule into the ground of the construction site. The time capsule included the initial designs of The Areté, the Ateneo’s letter to the Jesuit provincial superior asking for the approval of construction, the blueprints and floor plans of the building, a copy of the project’s profile, copies of creative projects done by fine arts and interdisciplinary studies students, and copies of newspapers dated July 26. The time capsule also included a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ateneo and Le Cordon Bleu, with the latter set to offer hotel and restaurant entrepreneurship courses in the Ateneo. The June 2014 issue of The GUIDON is also part of the time capsule. Vince M. Estrada

ASOG to be renamed after Cory and Ninoy Aquino The Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) will adopt “Ateneo de Manila University Benigno Aquino Jr. and Corazon C. Aquino School of Government” as its new working name, according to an announcement by University President Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ on August 20. The new name, with an alias of Ateneo Aquino School of Government, will be implemented on August 2015, in time for the death anniversaries of the Aquinos and the commencement exercises for next school year. The university’s Board of Trustees approved the renaming during a meeting on August 2.

According to the Ateneo website, the rationale for this decision is the record of public service and example of heroic leadership of the late Ninoy and Cory Aquino. The ASOG started as a unit under the Graduate School of Business and was formally established as an autonomous academic unit in 2001. Its mission is to work with effective and ethical public servants to build prosperous and just communities in the Philippines. Macneil A. Mendoza

Community Calendar European Union Lecture Series September 22 and October 6 4:30 to 6:00 PM JGSOM Building Room 111, venue TBA The European Studies Program lecture series, which focuses on various issues in the European Union, will be having its last two sessions. The fourth lecture, to be delivered by Honorary Consul of the Georgian Embassy Thelmo Cunanan, will focus on Philippine-Georgian relations. The fifth and final lecture will be delivered by European Studies Program Lecturer Tito Bernabe and will dwell on the problems faced by European Union countries regarding the movement of workers.

Cinemachina 2014 Awards Night September 26 4:30 to 6:30 PM Faura Hall Audio Visual Room The Cinemachina 2014 Awards Night is a gala event that honored student participants in the Cinemachina contest, a moviemaking competition aimed to promote the use of Chinese language and culture in the Ateneo. The awards night is organized by the Chinese Studies Program.

Ateneo College Entrance Test Ateneo de Manila University campus September 27 to 28

Sports

The GUIDON September 2014

99

TEAM FEATURE

Turning the tables

By Jamie S. Katigbak WITH THE painful memory of bottom four finishes in their last University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) campaign still fresh in their minds, and fueled by the desire to prove themselves as worthy competitors, the Blue and Lady Paddlers carry a certain mindset as they approach Season 77: Change.

The Paddlers have taken steps in order to minimize the possibility of a repeat of last year’s disaster, which both the teams and the Ateneo community still find difficult to forget. This year, the recruitment of the most decorated and talented rookies in the Metro, as well as the reinforcement of a winning outlook, prepare them for the first test of their mettle.

The sudden death of Floyd Lobaton, longtime head of the school’s table tennis program and beloved coach of the men’s and women’s teams, was an emotional blow to the Paddlers.

His loss likely contributed to the unsuccessful run of the Paddlers last season. Blue Paddlers Cocaptain David Dayao says in a mix of English and Filipino, “I guess one of the factors [of last year’s loss] was, since we lost our true coach in the team, we had a new coach, so the players had to adjust quickly to the new coaching style.”

However, adjustment to a new system was not the only problem that spelled midseason trouble for the teams. In the case of the Lady Paddlers, a shortage of players resulted in a greater shortage of gold. “Aside from the given that the other teams were strong, we really lacked players the entire season because we didn’t have an extra two,” says Team Captain Alyssa Balanzat in a mix of English and Filipino. “If someone is tired, other people can play, but it was only those six who could compete.”

Additionally, the Paddlers struggled to maintain some key recruits from across the country due to Ateneo’s rigorous academic life. The lack of recruits

affected the Blue and White.

Matching the level of talent displayed by rival universities was a roadblock for Ateneo. The boundaries set by high academic standards in the school played a crucial role in the eighth and sixth place finishes of the Blue and Lady Paddlers, respectively, during Season 76.

Despite everything, last season was undoubtedly a learning experience. Growth means change, and after their far from ideal finishes, the Paddlers are looking to bounce back and hit hard in Season 77.

“Na-experience po namin ang mga nagkakamali, so kinukuha ko ‘yung mga program na tutok lang talaga sa mga kamalian nila (We experienced mistakes, so I used the programs related to fi xing them),” explains Coach Mario Brevia. “‘Yung mga mistake,

the Most Outstanding Athlete of the Milo Little Olympics from Claret School of Quezon City, and Kathrina Cruz, a St. Paul College Pasig product and victor of the Pasig Private Schools Association, to the lineup. The three could be the edge that the teams did not have last year, and will definitely add much needed youth and experience to a squad seeking to satisfy its hunger for athletic glory.

With Season 76 behind them and an arsenal of youthful stalwarts ready to impress, the Paddlers look set to make a bigger and more positive splash than ever before.

A championship is not going to be easy to come by for the Blue and Lady Paddlers, but despite the previous season’s setbacks and the daunting prospect of challenge, the team is aiming higher than ever before.

I always tell my teammates to play well, train hard and put your heart in the game.

— ALYSSA BALANZAT Team captain, Lady Paddlers

‘yung mga error, inaaral ko ‘yan at in-improve, at ‘yun ang mga pinapraktis ko sa kanila para pagdating ng game, handa na sila (The mistakes and errors, I studied them and improved on them, and that is what I had them practice, so they’re ready when the time comes).”

The road to victory is a long and tough one, and the first step for the Paddlers is to increase their firepower, which means scouting the country for the most promising talents that the educational system has to offer. This led to the addition of rookies Jolo Matias, the winner of the Mandaluyong Cup from Gideon Academy, Paolo Rosete,

They are going to do whatever it takes to make it all the way with the school in full support. “You have to look at the same goal, and in your heart, you have to want to win, not just for yourself, but you have to always think that it’s for the team, and it’s for everyone exerting effort,” says Balanzat in a mix of English and Filipino. “It’s not just you who gets tired after training, it’s everyone, so the effort is required for everyone.”

“I always tell my teammates to play well, train hard and put your heart in the game,” she continues, “because no matter what happens, even if we lose, as long as you’re giving your best, it’s fine with everyone.”

A STEP AT A TIME. The Blue and Lady Paddlers patiently wait as they undergo a rebuilding phase in their program.

PHOTO BY PIA B. GUBALLA

Coming out... her experience in the UA AP. Both g raduates a re giving out their best effort to work harder this season, while managing their time with academic commitments.

Other veterans include Team Captain Jacqueline Cruz, breaststroker Ramona Datu, and Season 76 Rookie of the Year and butterfly specialist Thea Caluma.

The Lady Tankers will also feature national team player Hannah Dato this season. Like Lacuna, Dato was one of the team’s prized recruits last year, but she also had to serve one year of residency. During this time, Dato did not stop training and competing in international competitions, such as the SEAF 2014 and the FINA World Cup 2013. She proved to be a great asset to the team as she established a national record in the 200m Individual Medley during the SEAF 2014.

Aside from the veteran players, the team was also able to recruit potential rookies to the team.

Another national team player, Ariana Herranz, will don the blue and white this season in the backstroke events. Herranz has ‹‹ 12

COMING OUT HEADSTRONG. The combination of veterans and a talented crop of rookies propels the Atenean Tankers into championship contention.

PHOTO BY PIA B. GUBALLA

been part of the national training pool since she was 11 years old and has since consistently qualified for the SEA Age competition.

She has also been representing the country in other various international competitions such as the Asian Youth Games.

Other rookies who are ready to aid the team in redeeming the championship are backstroker Julia Balanag and butterfly specialist Nathania Rockwood.

Although the Lady Tankers are coming out strong this season, they are expected to work harder, and each swimmer has to step up in order to retrieve the championship title.

“This year is different because we have [a] greater chance of being champions compared to the other seasons,” says Cruz.

“It’s going to be a tough fight. It’s not going to be easy. We have to be better than last year.”

Preparation

The training of the Blue and Lady Tankers continues to be rigorous and workouts are intensifying as the season approaches.

The program design includes swim trainings that occur nine

times a week, with supplementary training of land or gym workouts in the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center.

In order to gauge the individual progress of the swimmers, the team recently joined the Inter-Ateneo Championship held in Davao last August 1, where they emerged as the champions in the competition.

The tune-up game did not only monitor the performances of each swimmer, but it also gave the Tankers the opportunity to bond and improve the unity of the team.

“Our usual twice a day swim training, land workouts and team activities are there to ensure that we are well prepared for the UAAP competition,” says Coach Archie Lim. “Of course, the team will perform better with unity,” adds Cruz.

With a strong pool of swimmers and a burning desire to win this season, the Blue and Lady Tankers are now ready to redeem the championship crown.

Editor’s Note: Jeric Santos is a member of The GUIDON’s Externals Staff. Beatrice T. Go is a member of the Sports Staff.

10

Sports

The GUIDON September 2014

GALLERY OF EAGLES

INEVITABLE CHANGE. There’s room for improvement for the Lady Beach Spikers in future UAAP seasons.

PHOTO BY ANDREA G. BELDUA

Lady Beach Spikers

Blue Beach Spikers

By Joseph J. Bautista

By Jeremias P. Esguerra and Cedric B. Teng Ampo

COMING FROM a third place finish last year, the Lady Beach Spikers’ lineup, consisting of Michelle Morente and Jhoana Maraguinot, ranked at last place with a 0-7 record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) beach volleyball tournament.

From main player to backup, Alyssa Valdez served as the Lady Beach Spikers’ bench player in this season. Despite serving as a reserve player for beach volleyball, Valdez will suit up for the Lady Eagles’ title defense next semester in the UAAP indoor volleyball tournament.

“At least naka-training kami sa buhangin. Na-feel namin ‘yung sand. Nakatulong naman kahit paano (At least we were able to train on the sand. We felt the sand. It helped),” Morente says of the new court.

Switching from the hardwood surface of the regular volleyball court to the sand of the beach volleyball is no easy task. It takes time to properly condition oneself to be able to move as efficiently.

Likewise, fi nding a nearby beach volleyball court isn’t easy.

With schoolwork and regular volleyball training on the side, training on campus gives our Lady Beach Spikers the convenience of not having to go to faraway facilities.

New court

Training has been different this season and in years to come with the addition of the beach volleyball court in the recently inaugurated Moro Lorenzo Football Field and Track and Field Oval.

According to Morente and Maraguinot, the new facility helped with their training.

The new court gives them the proper competition simulation in preparation for their matches.

Young guns

There’s no doubt that there is no way to go but up for the promising duo of Morente and Maraguinot. Although they were unable to tally a victory this year, their participation in the tournament served as a continuation of their training, as they were able to improve themselves and gain more experience along the way.

Morente understands that

she’s following in the footsteps of the veteran duo of Valdez and Bea Tan. “Last season, I was the third man. Ate Ly [Valdez] and Ate Bea Tan were playing, so I was just watching… There really is a big difference,” said Morente in a mix of English and Filipino.

Maraguinot shares the same sentiments as Morente, saying, “Parehas din kasi kaming bago.

Wala rin kaming masyado pang training (We’re both new. We don’t have that much training).”

Morente acknowledges in a mix of English and Filipino that they still have a lot to learn: “[Valdez and Tan are] better players, since Jo [Maraguinot] and I are new… But because of that, we need to step up even more.” Valdez and Tan set the bar for them last season, when they carried the team to a third place finish.

Despite everything that has happened in this season, our Lady Beach Spikers are ready to take on the challenge.

They’re stepping up and proving their worth amid the strong competition in future UAAP seasons.

AT TH E beg in n ing of ever y Universit y Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season, it is always easy to say that a team’s goal is to win the championship. The Ateneo Blue Beach Spikers, however, understand that this is much easier said than done—a team has to undergo a long and challenging process in order to win it all.

This process will have to continue for another year as the Blue Beach Spikers’ record of three wins and four losses in Season 77 place them in another year of waiting.

The lack of a championshipwinning season has haunted them since the inclusion of the sport in the UAAP last Season 69. Nevertheless, the team is on the right track. Asked about their goals for the future, one of the two players for the team, Ysay Marasigan, answers with a simple yet declarative, “Final Four.” Marasigan’s partner, Jeriel Apelar, immediately concurs that entering the Final

Four is definitely their first objective before anything anything else. “Final Four. That’s our first goal, of course. We’ll have higher goals after.”

Entering the Final Four does not seem to be too far-fetched in the years to come, especially with the various changes in Ateneo’s beach volleyball program. For Apelar, experience is one of the major differences of the past few seasons. His debut year in Season 76 was a stepping stone for him to gauge the UAAP. “Last year was like our first year playing, and we didn’t really get the whole jiff of it.”

The pressure of playing and carrying your school’s name can definitely affect one’s game, and in Season 76, the team members were not spared from the jitters that usually haunt rookies. They possessed a subpar record of three wins and four losses in the last go-around, not bad for a young team. However, the squad has a new asset for years to come—having a beach volleyball court to train in.

“We only trained last year like three times a week,” says the interdisciplinary studies junior. “Sometimes we had to drive to Parañaque

just to train. Here, we train like twice a day now. [We have] a lot more training, definitely.”

The new beach volleyball court, together with experience and a focused coaching staff, the team is ready to take the next step.

However, the road to the Final Four will be rough and full of potholes, especially with the University of Santo Tomas Tigers and the recently crowned three-time defending champions National University Bulldogs in the way.

Losing nail-biters against the top tier teams last season, Karl Baysa believes that they can go back more prepared and experienced. “I guess it really was experience and a matter of getting into the UAAP—I mean it really was our first time [in Season 76].

Hopefully we can get back.”

Even t hough t he tea m started the tourney hot with two wins in the first three games, they cooled off and ended up with the same record as last year, grabbing three games and dropping four, and missing the Final Four for yet another year. Despite missing out on their goal, the only way is up for the Beach Spikers of the Blue and White.

Sports

The GUIDON September 2014

11

Judo and Taekwondo Weight Divisions RESEARCH BY Vince D. Soliven ILLUSTRATIONS BY Nikki G. Solinap

JUDO WEIGHT CLASSES PHYSICAL AND MENTAL RESILLIENCE. Making the weight for a specific division entails more than just watching your calorie intake.

PHOTO BY CHI D. PUNZALAN

<60 kg

SPORTS FEATURE

Making the weight

By Robi R. Andres and Gian Y. Go “WHAT’S YOUR weight?”

Most people cringe at hearing this dreaded question, usually received from inquisitive relatives and out of touch friends.

But generally, many know the difficulties of trying to reach a certain weight and are mindful enough to keep the topic under hushed tones.

However, for the men and women who represent their schools in the martial arts, the matter of weight has lost its taboo.

Members of the Ateneo Judo and Taekwondo teams are no strangers to the practices of weight cutting and gaining. For them, their weight is but a number, an obstacle in the way of their ultimate goal: The gold medal.

33 pounds. “No one was in the [Middleweight] division; it was an empty division in the team.

We were short of members. The captain at the time told me that coach wanted me to play in that division. He thought I had more chance,” Bagos shares.

Faced with such a tall task, Bagos instead saw it more as a challenge to herself rather than a deterrent to her goals. “I felt I was up to the challenge. Since to achieve my goal, I had to be in weight, or else I couldn’t compete if I’m not in weight,” she says. “It’s discipline. If I am able to do this, it means I can control myself, I can make myself do things I never thought I can do. It’s my motivation.”

However, Bagos herself admits that the methods she used to achieve such goals weren’t the most ideal. Right after hearing of the division change, the next few

Additional calorie intake was not the only factor in reaching the weight class—he also had to avoid eating any unnecessary junk food. Furthermore, he had to adapt quickly and learn how to fight in his new weight class.

But whenever Alejandro competes in offseason tournaments, he drops to the lower weight divisions he can compete in. This puts the pressure on him to regain the weight that he dropped and gives himself ample time to prepare for his heavier UAAP division.

Support system and selfdiscipline

Despite weight watching being an individual effort, a strong support system is all but required of a Judoka in order to reach her goals. Lady Judokas Team Captain Dany Ty is proud to say that the team has a deep sense of camaraderie that keeps

Weight divisions

For their main tournament in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), players from both the Judo and Taekwondo teams compete in seven weight divisions. For the Blue and Lady Judokas, it ranges from Extra Lightweight (-60kg for men, -48kg for women) to the Heavyweight division (+100kg for men, +78kg for women).

For the Blue and Lady Jins, it ranges from Finweight (-54kg for men, -48kg for women) to Heavyweight (+78kg for men, +67kg for women).

For Judo Program Head and Coach Ali Sulit, there are several factors involved in deciding a Judoka’s division. Height, body type, matchups and technique are all factored in when deciding the weight a Judoka will end up in. Blue Jins Team Captain Joel Alejandro agrees with Coach Ali’s sentiments, but mentions that at times, some fighters are forced to fight in higher weight classes due to the number of jins competing in one weight class. So although rookies may come into training weighing just right for a certain division, it is no guarantee that they will be competing in that same weight come the UAAP tournament.

Such was the case for one Lady Judoka Elyza Bagos. Her rookie campaign started in her sophomore year, where she came into training weighing 85 kilograms, a clear-cut heavyweight.

However, circumstances forced her to go down an incredible two weight divisions, which means she had to lose at least

It’s discipline. If I am able to do this, it means I can control myself, I can make myself do things I never thought I can do. It’s my motivation.

— ELYZA BAGOS Middleweight fighter, Lady Judokas

months saw Bagos on a weight loss frenzy. During training, she would wear layers of clothing, even a sauna suit, to maximize her sweat loss. When not in training, she would be seen running around campus for 45 minutes, three times a day. All of this on a diet of oatmeal during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Another sacrifice that fighters, like Alejandro of the Ateneo Blue Jins, make is competing in a higher weight class. For the past two seasons in the UAAP, Alejandro has had to put on extra weight because the team needed players in the heavier weight classes. The jins were limited in their lineup because only one player can compete per weight division.

This served as a tough adjustment period for Alejandro, as maintaining the diet was a struggle for the veteran fighter.

them all together. “They do [open up] all the time. I’d be like, ‘Oh, how’s your weight?’ They don’t hide from me,” she says.

Bagos shares that alongside her teammates, it was her family that supported her throughout those difficult months. They were there for her when her diet was reaching radical levels. “My parents knew, my family knew.

They were supporting me. They knew I had a goal. They were just mad when I would not eat.

They prefer that I eat even if it was just oatmeal rather than I skip a meal,” she says in a mix of English and Filipino.

On the other hand, gaining weight is a much more difficult process than it seems. Aside from an increase on each fighter’s food intake, they have to train their body to carry the excess baggage.

On top of fighting heavier fighters during each competition, jins like

EXTRA LIGHTWEIGHT

<48 kg

HALF LIGHTWEIGHT

<66 kg Alejandro carry the extra weight into the offseason for their body to get used to it.

The constant fluctuation of weight shows the grit of the Ateneo Taekwondo team, as they endure a much more individualistic approach to the process. Alejandro shares that self-discipline and mental fortitude are integral components for each fighter as there isn’t a nutritionist who watches your every meal. Each fighter has to be on top of his or her weight situation, whether that means cutting his or her food intake or wearing sauna suits to training.

“My motivation in losing or gaining weight is that I have to play. If not, it’s either I or my teammate who doesn’t get to fight,” he says in a mix of English and Filipino.

<52 kg

LIGHTWEIGHT

<73 kg

<57 kg

HALF MIDDLEWEIGHT

<81 kg

<63 kg

MIDDLEWEIGHT

<90 kg

<70 kg

HALF HEAVYWEIGHT

<100 kg

<78 kg

HEAVYWEIGHT

>100 kg

>78 kg

Cutting it close

Ty remembers a story in her freshman year, when one of the veterans on the team was four kilograms overweight a day before weigh-ins. “He wouldn’t eat or drink for 24 hours. That was nine pounds? And he overcame it. I mean, he was dehydrated and he was really thin. He made weight but his performance was bad,” she says in a mix of English and Filipino.

Alejandro shares a similar story of one of his teammates, who was at risk of being overweight during the weigh-in that in order to prevent dehydration, he would intake water but immediately spit it out. This would allow him to weigh at his lightest come the weigh-in.

Years later, Ty now has a better grasp of fitness and proper nutrition. She repeatedly emphasizes that a Judoka should be in weight at least a month before a competition. This is done so that the player’s body is able to get used to the sudden change in weight. “It happens to everyone.

If you’re trying to make weight, your performance will really dip.

But later on, as they get used to their weight, they’ll get stronger,” she says.

Despite all that effort however, players and coaches alike admit that gaining all the weight back is inevitable once the UAAP is over. Nevertheless, the habits and mindsets these players have developed still remain.

“At the end of it all, if you eat healthy, it becomes a habit. It’s really hard, for me, to not eat healthy,” Ty says. “When I go back to my regular food schedule, it’s really healthy, I realize.

Except I have rice.”

TAEKWONDO WEIGHT CLASSES FINWEIGHT

<54 kg

<46 kg

FLYWEIGHT

<58 kg

<49 kg

BANTAMWEIGHT

<63 kg

<53 kg

FEATHERWEIGHT

<68 kg

<57 kg

LIGHTWEIGHT

<73 kg

<62 kg

WELTERWEIGHT

<78 kg

<67 kg

HEAVYWEIGHT

>78 kg

>67 kg

Editor: Chino C. Razon · Editorial Assistant: Noelle M. Recio · Layout Artist: Nikki G. Solinap

Sports

10 MAKING THE WEIGHT The weight on the scale entails physical and mental sacrifices.

Coming out headstrong for UAAP Swimming

By Beatrice T. Go AFTER LAST year’s lackluster season, both the Blue and Lady Tankers are now gearing up with greater motivation than ever for the 77th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

This year is looking even more promising to the teams, especially with the combined efforts of veteran team members and high-performing rookies.

As the UAAP swimming season gets closer and closer, the Blue and Lady Tankers become more determined to redeem both championship titles once again.

Blue Tankers

Dropping two ranks from the top spot of the podium finish did not discourage the Blue Tankers to work harder this year. The Blue Tanker’s lineup for this season comprises of skilled and determined swimmers who are ready to take on the challenge.

This season, Olympian and interdisciplinary studies sophomore Jessie Lacuna, who has served his

one year residency, is now ready to don the blue and white. During his residency, Lacuna has been using most of his time to prepare for his debut season. He has been training regularly all year round and competing in international competitions such as the Southeast Asia Federation (SEAF) 2014 and the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Cup in 2013.

“I’m excited for my first UAAP swim because I can help the team gain more points, unlike last year–I was in residency, so I was seated there on the stands– [when] I cannot do anything but cheer,” says Lacuna in a mix of English and Filipino. “I’m really looking forward to this season.”

Another key player to the team is record holder and Co-captain Axel Ngui. Ngui is currently holding the records of the 800m, 400m and 200m freestyle, all of which he broke last season.

This season, Ngui hopes to achieve his personal bests again and aims to own the records of the 100m, 800m and 1500m freestyle. Aside from regularly attending training sessions with the team, Ngui commits himself

to do supplementary training in the 360 Fitness Club and the Baron method diet with sports nutritionist Harvie de Baron.

Ngui claims that most of his motivation comes from the team’s goal rather than his individual goals. “Number one

Micco Pesuena, backstroker Jeric Santos, and butterfly and freestyler Gio Palencia. 2013 Graduate Benjo Ramos will also be playing in his fifth year as he takes his masteral degree in the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. Together with Ngui,

Number one priority for this year is to win the championship.

— AXEL NGUI Co-captain, Blue Tankers

priority for this year is to win the championship,” says the life sciences junior. “We’re currently training harder each day and we try to challenge each other to push harder during training.”

Coming back from last season to aid the team are Team Captain and breaststroker specialist

EAGER TO WIN. The Ateneo Blue and Lady Tankers are eyeing gold this season.

they are all set to step up in their performance this season.

Almost half of the Blue Tanker’s team surprisingly consists of top-notch rookies originating from different high schools. The creams of the crop are members of the multiple-time champions in

the UAAP Juniors division, Aldo Batungbacal and Getty Reyes from Ateneo High School.

Last season, Batungbacal made his exit from the Juniors division by owning the records of the 200m and 400m individual medley, and the 200m and 100m breaststroke events. Reyes, on the other hand, was crowned the Juniors Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second time in a row.

Aside from their success in the UAAP, both Batungbacal and Reyes were part of the junior national team, who represented the country in the Southeast Asia Age Group (SEA Age) competition held in Singapore last June 2014.

Other rookies ready to faceoff this season are Brandon Sing, David Mendoza, Paolo Mutuc, Sylver Sison, Franco Gargantiel, Steven Tiu and Giancarlo Silva.

Lady Tankers

Ever since they lost the championship title to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in 2008, the Lady Tankers have consistently remained second best to them for the last five years.

This season, t he Lady Tankers have the greatest chance of redeeming the championship title once and for all as they’re coming out headstrong with a veteran lineup.

Unlike the Blue Tankers, the bulk of the Lady Tankers consists of high-performance veterans coming back from the previous seasons.

Interdisciplinary studies senior Kimberly Uy is one of the swimmers who have been training all year round. She currently holds the record for the women’s 800m freestyle.

In order to aid the team in winning the championship, she aims to contribute as many points as she can and to clock her personal bests once again.

Playing in their fifth year are veterans Celina Gonzalez and Roanne Yu, who are both taking their masteral degrees together with Ramos.

Gonzalez has been a twotime MVP in Seasons 74 and 76, while Yu has been a consistent podium finisher throughout Coming out ›› 9

PHOTO BY PIA B. GUBALLA

Editor: Roxie Y. Ramirez · Editorial Assistant: Frances P. Sayson · Layout Artist: Therese M. Pedro

Beyond Loyola

02 POWER ON THE PRECIPICE What are some of the solutions to the upcoming 2015 power crisis?

Survival of the fittest About 3,500 Filipino children are diagnosed with cancer every year, with a mortality rate of 80%.

The social cancer is not knowing.

By Regine D. Cabato and Alexa B. Fontanilla

T

HE WALLS of the playroom are splashed in full, bright hues of red, yellow and blue. On the left are shelves of books, stuffed animals and all sorts of toys. Tacked to the bulletin on the right are children’s artworks: Cats and rabbits formed from clay and stuck to bond paper, a jellyfish with tentacles made of yarn, and a googly-eyed dinosaur called Stephen the Stegosaurus.

Grace* is cutting out circles to make badges for a paper sash.

She is 13, but is small for her age and sits at the low table. A gray beanie fits snugly on her head.

There are no signs of hair.

A volunteer from Kythe-Ateneo pokes his head through the door, announces: “The Ateneo Blue Repertory is performing.

Come out and see!” Grace grins from under the disposable surgical mask and gets up to grab her crutches. This is the first time we notice that her right leg is not there.

In the pediatric ward, the student actors are delivering a series of Disney songs. This is just one of Kythe-Ateneo’s special parties for the kids; the organization is comprised of hospital volunteers for psychosocial formation. Some of the kids they volunteer for are diagnosed with cancer.

The students are dressed for the roles; they’re Anna, Ariel, Pocahontas, Simba, Aladdin and Jasmine. A Nemo with a bulging belly rushes to take photographs. The kids clap their hands, their parents smile, and there are Kythers— Snow Whites and Incredibles and Wilderness Explorers—at every bedside. At the end of the hall is the isolation room where Grace is spending the week.

Diagnosing the problem

Grace came all the way from Leyte with her sister for her treatment; if Super Typhoon Yolanda had not delayed the results of her first biopsy, they could have prevented the cancer from spreading.

She is one of many; a United Nations report found that every year, about 3,500 Filipino children are diagnosed with cancer. As of January 2013, it is the third leading cause of death in the Philippines.

Cancer happens when the cells of a body start dividing uncontrollably, forming malignancies and moving to other tissues.

The process, called metastasis, leads to death—an internal betrayal from what is supposedly the basic unit of life. Cancer is the body at war with itself.

According to a report from Interaksyon, eight out of 10 kids lose the battle, often due to financial problems. The statistic is a whopping reverse of the 80% survival rate that Western countries boast. The most common cancer in children is leukemia, which has proven to be curable.

Dr. Amy Dy, pediatric oncologist and founder of the Cancer Treatment and Support Foundation, pegs expenses to reach over a million pesos in private hospitals. In public hospitals, the government shoulders bed and lodging, meals and doctors’ fees.

Patients have to shell out money for medicines in chemotherapy and services—like magnetic resonance imaging scans or surgeries—that are not available in their hospitals.

Drug price ranges from P50 to several thousand pesos per vial.

The frequency of purchase will depend on how many rounds of chemotherapy are needed, and how long the treatment lasts.

Dy says there are plenty of patients who could have made it. “Because we cannot buy the

medicines, we cannot afford some procedures... We lose them,” she says. “Not because they really had to die already, no. They just couldn’t afford [treatment].”

Government prescription

Cancer patients in the same situation as Grace usually seek financial assistance from government institutions such as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Office of the Presidential Management Staff and the Department of Health (DOH). Dy says that in the current state of the economy, it is difficult for the government

therapy, essential laboratory procedures and blood support.

Dr. Melanie Coronel Santillan of the PhilHealth Product Team for Special Benefits explains that the corporation’s primary mandate is to provide cancer support in terms of giving financial risk protection. “For all disease conditions, a member of PhilHealth should not get impoverished or be driven into poverty when hospitalized for an illness,” she says, “especially catastrophic illnesses such as cancers.”

Rough road to recovery

Santillan identifies low support value as a problem they

Children with chronic illnesses have a different outlook on life. It's very mature... Just because you have cancer doesn't mean that you don't deserve a childhood.

— THERESE TIOSEJO Vice president for Advocacy, Kythe-Ateneo

alone to provide for medicine.

Another government-owned and controlled corporation, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), developed a program called the Z Benefit Package in 2012. Available to PhilHealth members and their dependents, the package grants P210,000 to child patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The amount is supposed to cover a complete course of chemo-

encountered; patients and their families are led to source funds from out of their own pockets.

Dy says that there are donations, policies and support from DOH, PhilHealth and nongovernment organizations, but “it’s still not enough.” Then there are families like Grace’s, who do not subscribe to insurance, relying on PCSO funding that often comes late.

For a treatment worth a million, the government shoul-

ders P210,000, close to the P200,000 average household income that the average Filipino family earns in a year. However, the 1.6 million families living in extreme poverty earn less than P200 daily.

There is also a lack of information technology support.

Santillan says that there is no tracking system for important data like mortality rates, followups and transfers. Healthcare resources, such as equipment and manpower, are concentrated in the National Capital Region, making accessibility a challenge for those from far-flung areas. There are little over 20 actively practicing pediatric oncolog ists, most of them based in Metro Manila.

Therese Tiosejo, a psychology junior and the vice president for Advocacy at Kythe-Ateneo, also notices a lack of basic facilities, like wheelchairs, and cramped physical spaces for the patients.

“It’s sad, because a lot of children have cancer, and they have to come here from the province,” she says. “Sometimes, the hospital can't accommodate them…

These are lives at stake.”

Lastly, Santillan considers the political climate a challenge in cancer care. “Health priorities, especially for cancers, change depending on the current leadership and political health agenda,” she says. “For example, sin tax has been on the agenda for several years, but it is only during the Aquino government that it was approved.”

According to her, improvements in the cancer care situation in the country after the Z Benefit Package implementation cannot be measured as of now. “Utilization of the Z Benefits for leukemia in children has not been maximized because of the challenges [mentioned earlier],” she says, adding that adjustments to reflect financial support needs were underway.

Waiting room

“Children with chronic illnesses have a different outlook on life. It’s very mature,” says Tiosejo. “And as a child, it’s kind of hard to take in [your condition], but they’re able to do it. The strength that they have to actually smile after knowing what’s happening to them, what's happening to their body, after every injection, after every operation that they have… It takes a lot of maturity to be that way.”

But Tiosejo likewise adds: “Just because you have cancer doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve a childhood.”

At the table, Grace has come a long way from home. She is shy, but is not afraid to answer questions, ask for the scissors and grin under the mask. She has come a long way from where she was a year ago, believing that the pain in her foot was a mere sprain. But Grace is a good singer, her sister says. She wants to be a teacher in the future.

Dy expresses hope for the future because, with the help of the Food and Drug Administration, innovative treatments, like gene therapy, are now available.

There is a new batch of young oncologists, and she continues to encourage them to pursue their profession, to work in provinces.

The masks do not filter the children’s laughter as Tiosejo speaks. “A lot of people asked me, ‘Why do you stay in such an org? Why do you stay in an org that’s so depressing, [when] you know [that] they're going to die?’” she says in a mix of English and Filipino. “It’s this misconception that we’re here because they’re going to die.

We’re here, we’re Kythers, because they have life.”

Editor’s Note: The name of the child has been changed for her privacy.

Beyond Loyola

2

Power on the precipice

By Cristina A. Gadiano and Janella H. Paris

R

OTATING BLACKOUTS were observed in Metro Manila and surrounding areas as Manila Electric Company (Meralco) repaired poles, transmission wires and other equipment ravaged by Typhoon Glenda last July.

Not long after full power restoration in most areas, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jericho Petilla warned of an imminent 200-megawatt power supply deficit next year, not due to typhoon damage, but because of the scheduled Malampaya natural gas facility maintenance shutdown in March 2015. The facility provides gas for three power plants in Batangas province, namely the Sta. Rita, San Lorenzo and Ilijan plants. These then transmit power to distributors other than Meralco in the Luzon grid.

Petilla said that if not addressed as early as now, there could be rotating blackouts that could last a month in the summer, when demand is at its peak.

Energy reform revisited

Env i ron ment a l Science (ES) Department Assistant Professor Aileen Guzman, who has a doctorate in ES and specializes in renewable energy and energy return of investment, cites the failure of the market to respond

to the country's energy needs as the fundamental problem behind the looming shortage. She says this brings up a bigger question on the success of power industry reform in the Philippines.

Guzman is referring to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira), enacted in 2001, to privatize the power industry and forbid government ownership of power plants. Established to rouse competition in the industry, its long-term goals included bringing down electricity rates by deregulating power generation and supply through the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (Psalm) and forming the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure a competitive power market.

Through the Psalm, power plants formerly owned by staterun National Power Corporation (Napocor) were sold to independent power producers (IPPs).

Napocor's primary function now is for Mindanao and for off-grid electrification.

While partial deregulation has been achieved through the transfer of Napocor's assets to Psalm, Epira's goals have still not been fully realized. Competition in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market remains to be dominated by four main IPPs, namely the Aboitiz, Lopez, San Miguel and George Ty groups.

Lack of competition in power generation hampers the maxi-

mization of resource capacity— ERC restricts an IPPs’ control of installed capacity to 30% at the grid level and 25% at the national level—thus, raising electricity rates and limiting the supply.

No power emergency

In July, Petilla suggested that the president declare a state of power emergency. “I have been meeting with [President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III] about this as far back as February and March this year. I recommended [that he] invoke Section 71 of the Epira,” Rappler quoted him saying.

Section 71 of Epira allows the president to order the construction of power plants in the event of a power emergency.

Petilla recanted his statement in August, saying that there would be no need for the declaration should additional generation capacity be contracted to augment the projected deficit. The DOE is working with the Lopez group, one of the country’s top IPPs, to lease buffer capacity from First Gen Corporation’s power plant complex in Batangas. This will keep the three Malampayasupplied plants productive during the shutdown. As of August, there has been no final agreement.

Meanwhile, Meralco is looking into expanding the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), wherein large customers like business establishments and factories

will use their own generating capacity during peak hours. “This will ‘free-up’ a certain power capacity in the grid. The freedup power capacity can then be used by Meralco to serve other customers,” explains Guzman.

However, Guzman warns that the ILP is merely a short-term solution that depends on the supply and demand balance.

She says that demands will increase eventually and exceed the reserve capacity of those with backup generations leading, still, to power outages.

Life in darkness

Guzman says that the picture of the energy situation is bleak for Mindanao, where only 66% of potential electricity connections are served. Mindanao remains unconnected to the national power grid, preventing power surplus from Visayas from flowing in.

The city of Zamboanga, one of Mindanao's economic hubs, is reported to have daily outages that last for eight hours on average, and extends to 10 hours or more during bad days. Operations in different establishments, like malls and restaurants, are interrupted. The lack of warning as to when the power would go on or off results in the breakdown of appliances. In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Pocholo Soliven, president of Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation

said that the effect goes as far as losing profit from the added cost of broken equipment.

Soliven mentioned that micro, small and medium enterprises are the most affected because they remain dependent on the electricity from the Mindanao grid.

Collective effort

Efforts are also being made by non-governmental organizations like One Million LightsPhilippines (OML-PH) to alleviate problems brought about by the power crisis.

OML-PH provides people in off-grid areas with safe lighting, distributing solar powered lights to replace costly and potentially harmful kerosene lamps. Usage of kerosene lamps has a negative impact on both people’s health and the environment. Moreover, it is a costly expense for people who have a meager income.

“It’s durable and heavy duty, making it the best option for beneficiaries who need a reliable light for everyday use,” says OML-PH Externals Head Cassandra Deluria on “The Great White Light,” the solar light model that the organization usually distributes.

Binni Monfort, a management economics freshman and OML-PH head for volunteers, shares that most of the communities they visit are situated in the mountains and far areas,

RESEARCH BY Pamela P. Baluyot INFOGRAPHIC BY Jan-Daniel S. Belmonte SOURCES: nea.gov.ph, philstar.com, newsinfo.inquirer.net, atimes.com, veco.com.ph, kickerdaily.com

Key areas in 3 main islands with unsteady energization

Ilocos Norte

Based on the latest figures released by the National Electrification Administration, power supply in the country remains unsteady despite the fact that electric cooperatives are tasked to serve only 81% of all supposed potential connections nationwide.

Ilocos Sur Tugegarao

La Union

Problems in 2010 regarding the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids having registered insufficient capacity persist up until today, causing multiple incidences of power outages in different areas of the three main islands.

Isabela

Pangasinan

Kalinga

Quezon City Manila

Bulacan

Cebu Mandaue Talisay

Las Piñas

Minglanilla

Batangas

Cavite

Zamboanga Cagayan de Oro Butuan

Bukidnon Maguindanao

North Cotabato

Tagum

Compostella Valley

L

Sultan Kudarat Davao

General Santos

Koronadal

some even impossible to be reached by vehicles.

As of now, they have distributed a total of 11,940 lights throughout the Philippines.

Monfort says that for 2014, the organization's funds are mainly for post-Yolanda efforts.

About the impending 2015 shortage, Deluria believes that OML-PH’s solar technology can help, although the organization has not expressed direct involvement as energy issues concerning Metro Manila are outside their current scope.

“I personally believe that renewable sources of energy are the solution to our energy problems, and it will take a lot of collective effort and will on our part, the part of our government and the private sector,” Deluria explains.

“Perhaps it is about time that the government [revisited] the Epira and [looked at] possible ways to improve the system,” Guzman says. She adds that solutions should be based on longterm planning. This would entail looking into policies and not just immediate solutions.

Gu zma n sug gest s t hat demand-side management— providing incentives for consumers to lower their energy demand—be explored. The shortage would be felt during peak hours, but if initiatives to shift usage of power to nonpeak hours are undertaken, demand will be reduced.

Davao del Sur

Davao Oriental

V M

The GUIDON September 2014

RACE TO THE FINISH LINE. Many still doubt the Asean's readiness for its upcoming 2015 integration.

PHOTO BY MYANMAR MINISTRY OF INFORMATION

Asean integration races to 2015

By JC A. Beltran and Kyle N. Mitschiener

J

UST THR EE months away from its target year 2015, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) readies itself for the upcoming regional integration, which will ideally promote a free movement of labor and capital across all Asean member states.

The Asean is a political and economic entity that was founded on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok. The original five member states were Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. It has since grown to 10 member states and numerous observer states, including the United States and China.

The signing of the Asean Declaration, which states that its goals are to achieve regional stability, peace and economic growth through joint endeavors, marked the founding of Asean.

In line with this goal, the Asean began to envision a unified political and economic union similar—albeit still distinct—to that of the European Union.

On the 30th anniversary of the Asean, the Asean Vision 2020 was put into action by leaders to foresee development among member states while “living in peace, stability and prosperity.”

During the 2007 Asean summit held in Cebu, however, the Asean representatives decided to accelerate the planned regional integration from 2020 to 2015.

3

History of electricity shortage in the Philippines RESEARCH BY Aaron M. Tanyag

Rising underdogs

Challenges ahead

Is the Asean ready?

With a combined gross domestic product at $2.4 trillion in 2013, Asean would be considered the seventh largest economy in the world once integrated. In a keynote speech on Asean integration at Berlin last June 23, Stephen Groff, vice president of Asian Development Bank for Operations 2, predicted that the region could catapult to be the fourth largest by 2050.

According to economics senior Clifford Santos, vice president for Research & Development at the Ateneo Economics Association, the Asean Economic Community (AEC) fills a role in boosting regional competitiveness and equitable economic development among member states.

The Asean website states that the AEC hopes to have “areas of cooperation [that] include human resources development and capacity building; recognition of professional qualifications; closer consultation on macroeconomic and financial policies; trade financing measures,” and other endeavors to create a more uniform economic system.

During the Asean Youth Dialogues last August 12, community building and multiculturalism were also highlighted as key aspects in uniting the nations. “The main goal is not integration but to build a cohesive community,” says Teresita Daza, executive director of the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Asean Affairs.

Economics Department Chair Luis Dumlao, who has a doctorate in economics, says that a bigger market poses as a challenge and necessity, particularly for services.

As an example, he cites that an individual from an Asean country could practice the same profession in another Asean country.

“When we open up our competition, the ultimate beneficiaries are consumers. With bigger competition, each [professional] is forced to do better service and better goods,” he adds.

According to Dumlao, “the agricultural sector is something that has been neglected, in terms of insurance from force majeure (superior force) [and] lack of support in terms of subsidizing farmers.” He observes marginalization among farmers, so concrete action must take place.

Santos also says that people from the business sector doubt the readiness of Philippine industries for the AEC, asserting that local businesses shall fade considering the stronger competition. “The country must strive to live up to its commitment of accomplishing the integrationrelated measures and domestic structural preparations that would make itself ready for the AEC and for the benefits that such offers,” he adds.

Santos also says that there may be an unequal distribution of benefits from the AEC among the Asean member-states. He sees Singapore reaping the most while Vietnam reaping the least.

Many still doubt the Asean will be ready for integration by 2015.

“I think that the region is not yet completely prepared for the economic integration,” says Santos.

“There are still a lot of key measures across various AEC pillars that need to be initiated and accomplished. In fact, if we look at the data from the AEC Scorecard, we would see that, as of October 2012, only 74.5% of all preparation measures and targets have been achieved by the region,” he adds. The Scorecard evaluates AEC initiatives based on its progress, possible gaps and realization of goals by 2015.

Dumlao, however, believes that the changes to come are not as drastic as others believe. “The thing about this upcoming Asean 2015 is people think that there is going to be a big change but the reality is 2015 is already with us...It's already there whatever it is, it's not like it's gonna change in 2015. Whatever is going to happen in 2015 is already happening,” Dumlao says.

What is generally agreed upon is that there is a lot of untapped potential for the Philippines to benefit from.

“The AEC may be beneficial to the region in terms of facilitating freer flow of skilled labor and capital, increasing regional economic competitiveness and promoting equitable development among others,” says Santos.

He adds, however, “At the end of the day, the impacts of the AEC on the region will only be apparent after 2015.”

A timeline on the history of power shortage in the country.

1990

From 1990 until 1993, a severe power outage plagued the Philippines affecting millions of households, government offices and businesses. The Luzon power grid, which supplies electricity across Metro Manila and the 33 provinces in Luzon, experienced a shortage in supply for electricity. This resulted into daily disruptions that lasted from eight to 12 hours per day. According to an article by Los Angeles Times, the capacity shortage began after 12 of the 22 generating plants in Luzon became inoperative as a result of overdue maintenance, storm damage and low water levels at hydroelectric dams.

Aside from this, the crisis was also attributed to the government’s decision to decommission the controversial Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which was completed in 1986. The plant generated enough power to cover the crisis.

However, critics said the plant was unsafe and that its construction was tainted with allegations of corruption from the previous Marcos administration. The World Bank estimated that the power crisis caused an economic loss between $600 million to $800 M per year.

History of ›› 4

ERRATUM •

In the August 2014 issue of The GUIDON, the article “Traversing the local railway system” was attributed to JC A. Beltran and Regine D. Cabato. The article was actually written by JC A. Beltran and Aaron M. Tanyag. The GUIDON apologizes for this oversight.

4

Beyond Loyola

The GUIDON September 2014

Filipino workers undergo repatriation as Libya conflict worsens

By Ina M. Morales and Chynna A. Santos

A

S OF AUGUST 28, 74 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are still awaiting repatriation from Libya. Only 1,625 OFWs out of an estimated 13,000 have returned to the Philippines. Due to the worsening conditions in the North African country, workers have been highly encouraged to return home for protection.

The conflict reached a boiling point in July, after two Filipino casualties were reported. The first was the kidnapping and beheading of Antonio Espares, a heavy equipment operator, by militia in Benghazi. The other was a Filipina nurse, abducted and sexually abused by up to six men outside of her residence in Tripoli.

Nearly 100 people have been killed during the intensifying conflict between the various militia groups. The airport has been closed and great damage has been inflicted on power and fuel infrastructure. Because of the situation, residents are kept indoors and foreign missions have begun evacuating their staff and advising people to leave the country.

On July 18, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised the security alert level in Libya from 3 to 4, meaning mandatory repatriation due to the worsening peace and order condition.

Arrangements for the transportation of OFWs from Libya to the Philippines have already taken place since then. DFA Secretary Albert del Rosario said that he would travel to Tunisia, which borders Libya, to personally oversee the repatriation efforts.

The DFA has been appealing to those who have decided not to return to do so immediately for exit routes out of Libya are closing fast. Despite the government’s

efforts, many OFWs still elect to stay in Libya and risk their lives to retain their livelihood.

Middle eastern conflict

The situation in Libya has been rising since early 2011, when Libyan protesters demanded Prime Minister Muammar Gaddafi to withdraw from power. Since his fall, an Islamist-led militia group from the city of Misrata has been

The incessa nt f ight ing between these factions has greatly affected the normal operations of Libyan life, as well as the lives of Filipinos working there. “Inasmuch, Filipinos are deployed mostly as workers in the government or private businesses in the country, their livelihood were disrupted, not to mention that their lives were placed in danger,” Jungco says.

There is never a one-size-fits-all solution. All actions, however, are guided by one immutable directive: Protect the lives and ensure the welfare of Filipinos.

— LORENZO JUNGCO IV Special assistant, Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs

trying to seize control of the airport from the Zintan, an anti-Islamist group consisting of mostly ex-army forces.

In an interview with The GUIDON, Lorenzo Jungco IV, special assistant at the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) in the DFA, discussed Libya’s weak central government and its inability to impose control over these armed warring groups.

These groups are widely supported and exercise control over defined geographic areas. “Not one faction has the necessary strength to subdue all others, hence a low-intensity conflict is raging with no discernable end,” he explains.

OFW repatriation

Ever since the DFA raised Libya to Alert Level 4, the government has been trying to bring home the 13,000 OFWs residing in Libya.

The government has already secured ship rentals from Malta, which amounted to a total of US $1.8 billion. Arrangements have been made regarding the logistics of traveling back to Manila.

They have also stated that they would pay for the accommodations of Filipinos who have gone to Tunisia to escape conflict.

“There is never a one-size-fitsall solution. All actions, however, are guided by one immutable directive: Protect the lives and ensure the welfare of Filipinos,”

Jungco says of the operation.

Still, many refuse to be repatriated because it would entail leaving their jobs, and sometimes, all their possessions. “There is no guarantee that they can return to their former jobs once war or conflict in the receiving country [wanes],” explains University of the Philippines Assistant Professor Henelito Sevilla Jr., who has a doctorate in international relations.

“Their level of income while deployed overseas is high, and they are worried that they may not be able to find local employment that would be commensurate to their previous income level. Some are apprehensive whether they could find any work at all,” Jungco adds.

PHOTO FROM AFP

HISTORY OF...

2010

2012

The government’s response

In order to appeal to those still undecided, Jungco says they orient the Filipinos on the deteriorating security situation, point out that their lives are at risk and convince them to go back to the Philippines.

However, Sevilla points out that the repatriation problem does not end after the workers have returned home. The next and arguably more difficult step is to find secure and stable employment locally. “The greatest challenge for our repatriated OFWs and the Philippine government,” he says, “is where to relocate them, and—if they opt to stay in the Philippines— what sort of livelihood they will engage in.”

The government currently has a series of programs aimed at assisting the return workers. These include temporary lodging, legal assistance, free vocational training, scholarship assistance and even business loans worth up to P3 M pesos. Whether these programs will be enough, however, remains to be seen.

BACK HOME. Out of 13,000 overseas Filipino workers in Libya, less than 2,000 have been repatriated.

2013

In April 2010, a nationwide electricity outage hit most parts of the country. According to a report by Asia Times, the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao power grids registered insufficient capacity to produce electricity. This resulted in a blackout that lasted from an hour to half a day.

Mindanao, whose available capacity was at 785 megavolts against a dependable capacity of 1,682 megavolts, suffered the most with outages that lasted up to 11 hours. The electricity outage also raised concerns of a possible failure of elections since the crisis occurred a month before the 2010 presidential elections.

In the summer of 2012, an electricity power outage wracked Mindanao, resulting to power interruptions that lasted up to eight hours. The outage was a result of an insufficient supply of electricity from the island’s power systems which procured a deficit of 150 to 200 megawatts. In a study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the shortage occurred when Mindanao was hit by a drought, decreasing the generating capacity of the Agus and Pulangui hydropower plants. The Mindanao power grid relied on hydropower plants like these two to generate electricity. Thus, when the drought occurred, the power system of Mindanao was heavily affected.

Last May 2013, Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon experienced rotational blackouts after fi ve power plants supplying the Luzon grid underwent an emergency shutdown for unexplained reasons. According to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, a total of 3,700 megawatts went offline as a result of the shutdown. Aside from households and offices, the outage also affected the operation of the Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2. Both transits stopped their operations for about four hours. In addition, the blackout prompted concerns about possible disruptions on Election Day much like what happened in 2010.

Editor: Pia H. Posadas · Editorial Assistant: Marguerite R. Andrews · Layout Artist: Joey D. Ochoa

Features

04 TURN UP THE MUSIC DJ Carlo Atendido proves it takes a unique mix of style and skills to get the crowd going.

PHOTO BY ONLYWILLIAM

PHOTO BY JOHN SALANGSANG

PHOTO FROM DANCEMANILA.COM

All of the lights With the recent victory of the A-Team, all eyes are on the Philippine hip-hop dance scene.

By Patricia C. Concepcion and Isabel A. Rodrigo

I

t was at this year’s World Hip Hop International dance competition—more popularly known as Worlds— where everything changed for local hip-hop. In Las Vegas, the Philippine dance crew A-Team emerged as the champion of the MegaCrew Division, lighting up social media with roars of support from fans and fellow dancers all over the world.

It was a remarkable moment, especially for a country where dance, particularly hip-hop, has had difficulty being taken seriously as a profession. This doesn’t seem to stop the local dance community, though, from growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, if the international attention heaped on the A-Team’s victory is anything to go by, Philippine hip-hop groups are slowly taking the world stage by storm.

Center stage

The A-Team’s victory also marks the first time a Philippine group has won gold in the MegaCrew Division, which requires crews to be composed of 15 to 40 members. Other Philippine teams have taken home the gold medal for the Adult Crew and Varsity Crew Divisions in previous years, such as The Crew in 2012, the Philippine Allstars in 2006, 2008 and 2009, and C.I.D.G. in 2007.

The A-Team boasts an impressive 30 members from a variety of schools like the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, the University of Santo Tomas and the University of the Philippines. One of its members, communications technology management junior Immanuel Pacis, estimates that they trained for around a thousand hours to perfect

their winning routine. “I had to balance writing papers and going to school and going to training and conditioning… So I really had to sacrifice sleep in order to accomplish my requirements,” he explains.

“A lot of young dancers from high school teams, they dance to get to Worlds or to win,” says Europian studies senior Suzie Agustin, who herself competed in Worlds as a member of Legit

she joined the team that would eventually come to be known as Legit Status.

Five intensely competitive years eventually took their toll; Agustin remembers a time when she stopped altogether because she felt she couldn’t pursue dancing as a career. After some time, she realized that she couldn’t let her fears get the best of her. “It’s not like before, when it was about me, me, me. Right

It's not a question anymore of the Philippines being a dancing powerhouse in terms of international competition, but I think what these victories [do] is they put a stamp on it and solidify it.

— JAZZ ZAMORA Coach, LMN

Status from 2010 to 2012. “If you really get into the local dance community and go underground to see the freestylers, the battlers, you see that dancing is so much more than winning.”

As a freshman, Agustin entered the Company of Ateneo Dancers (CADS) with the unique advantage of being a Worlds veteran.

In 2009, she watched as Vimi Rivera, her high school dance coach at the Assumption College Dance Troupe and the coach of La Salle Green Hills’ team Airforce, gathered the seniors from both teams to form the first varsity team the Philippines ever sent to Worlds. The following year,

now, my drive comes from the dancers and that special bond with the team, because we look out for each other, we have a common purpose.”

Behind the curtain

Despite the fact that the Philippines has been blazing a trail in the world hip-hop arena, several misconceptions about the art form still exist locally.

Not many see the local hip-hop dance industry’s potential for growth, but Agustin certainly isn’t one of them.

“If you go to Worlds and meet other dancers from other communities, like Japan or New

Zealand, you see that their governments really support them,” she says. “In the States, it’s really an industry.”

Perhaps this is why it comes as a surprise that, despite all of the success that Filipino teams have experienced in international competitions, something similar has yet to happen here. “I hear foreigners say that they want to come to the Philippines because they think that it’s a dancing mecca, and they get sad when they find that we’re not wellsupported,” recalls Agustin.

A career in dance can actually be a financially stable one—just take Jesse “Reflex” Gotangco’s (BFA AM ‘10) word for it. A hip-hop instructor, choreographer, judge and winner of the solo category of the 2012 R16 Korea World B-boy Masters Championship, he certainly knows the rigors of translating one’s passion into a profession.

“You just gotta know how to work, work hard, and know how to get into the different aspects of dance,” he explains. “Most people think… 'I’m a dancer, I’m just gonna dance, I’m gonna wait for people.'” Gotangco does precisely the opposite, taking on a multitude of gigs, such as coaching CADS, teaching breaking and streetdance classes in the Ateneo, and hosting events.

He also notes that hip-hop often gets a bad rap from the way it is portrayed in the media.

“MTV today, it’s like rappers talking about hoes, drinks, drugs, stuff like that, you know?” complains Gotangco, adding that for him, this isn’t real hip-hop.

If anything, hip-hop can be a positive influence. “For me, hip-hop teaches self-worth and ownership, which I think is really important,” he shares.

“The art form promotes individuality and originality, and I think a lot of people today need that type of confidence.”

STEP UP. Local hip-hop groups have consistently been dominating various international competitions and exhibitions over the years.

PHOTO FROM PACIFICRIMVIDEO.COM

Spotlight

When all is said and done, there will always be more to hip-hop than the freestyling and battling that so often characterizes it. For Agustin, dancing in high school was an escape.

“When you’re a teenager, you have all these frustrations, and dance always felt like something constant, something to come home to,” she says.

According to Jazz Zamora, a professional dancer and coach of the LMN dance crew, one of the official Philippine representatives in the Varsity Division of Worlds 2013, “People forget to see the simple reason, and that is love for [dance]. A lot of people, I think, are just in it for a shot at fame, but now, a lot of people are here to express, learn and share and spread the community.”

With the constant evolution of dance trends, it’s easy to get left behind. “You have to really be knowledgeable about what’s happening, and you have to keep developing with the community,” adds Zamora.

Dance can even serve as a common language; Zamora recalls competing at the Singapore Dance Delight with Tha Project last summer and being welcomed onstage by a crazed audience that knew nothing about them except that they came to dance. “I

think it was my most fulfilling performance in my 10 years as a dancer, because it was a kind of personal validation; it’s the feeling that you’re part of something right.”

He believes t hat t he Philippines no longer has anything to prove to its neighbors. “It’s not a question anymore of the Philippines being a dancing powerhouse in terms of international competition, but I think what these victories [do] is they put a stamp on it and solidify it,” says Zamora.

Pacis agrees with this sentiment, crediting teams like the Philippine Allstars with opening doors for the A-Team.

“I think [our victory] just gave the hip-hop teams here in the Philippines more confidence, thinking [that] A-Team won nga, and before, we were just on their level.”

Agustin, on the other hand, sees the A-Team’s victory as a challenge. “There are no more excuses,” she says, referring to their success in overcoming the disadvantages of being a Philippine team. Filipino hip-hop dancers now have big shoes to fill, regardless of the lack of institutional support and respect for the craft. If the successes of today’s champions are anything to go by, there is nowhere else for the local hip-hop scene to go but up.

2

Features

COFFEE, TEA OR GLEE

Exploring niche cafés

By Ishbelle L. Bongato, Benny G. Tañedo and Andrea V. Tubig

F

rom the outside, The Appra iser y looks like your typical café—tables and chairs are set out, framed photographs adorn the walls. Couple that with the grime and the grit of neighboring shops, and the place seems like nothing special.

Its interior, however, blows away this first impression. A closer look reveals a clothes rack teeming with stylish finds that are up for sale, stacks of indie paperback comics and various collectibles sitting on end tables.

Upstairs, a shelf is filled with dozens of board games of all shapes and sizes.

The Appraisery is just one of several off-the-wall cafés that have been popping up around the Metro. Others include Rumpus Room, which is right next to The Appraisery at Cubao Expo, Ludo Board Game Café in Tomas Morato and DITO: Bahay ng Sining in Marikina. As these niche cafés continue to gain more ground, different crowds, like gamers, fashion lovers and art enthusiasts, can all find something unique to enjoy.

These cafés aren’t just serving the usual light snack and coffee or tea; they are also offering their own twists to the café experience with added elements like games and art. Drawing in the crowds is one thing, but as the owners of these cafés can attest to, quenching the thirst for coffee and culture is another.

used to think that the concept of a board game café wouldn’t be popular in the Philippines; in fact, the handful of board games he owned initially served as mere decorations on the café’s shelves.

Since encountering the local board game community, however, he has realized that it is a growing one. It appears to be diverse, as Prieto believes that The Appraisery and Ludo cater to different segments of this crowd. “Ludo is better suited for families, and [the Appraisery] is more of like your best friend’s crib. You come in, you’re hanging out, you guys are having fun, the people that come here turn into instant friends that you can mess around a lot.”

With his eye on the future of the café, Prieto says that he plans to revamp The Appraisery soon with fresh plans for communitybased events aimed at regulars and game lovers alike. But of course, this expansion can’t happen without a few setbacks.

Edu Ibazeta, a regular customer of The Appraisery, mentions how the upcoming events can’t keep on going around by word of mouth. “There has to be a better way of marketing this,” he says.

Rumpus Room

Kiko Aquino certainly owes a lot to the owners of The Appraisery, as they were the ones who suggested he open up a video game café. “Earlier

this year, I wanted to put up something, I wanted to build my own business,” he recalls. “Some of [The Appraisery owners] said, ‘What else are you into aside from video games? So ayun, try that! Try it here.’”

A possible force behind the rise of these cafés is the community that brings business to them. Aquino says two main groups support his café: Gamers and parents. Although the gamers were a crowd he was expecting, the presence of parents and their young children is something he adapted to.

“Sometimes, someone sees [other people’s] kids in [Rumpus Room] and they realize that it’s kid-friendly,” Aquino jokes in a mix of English and Filipino. “So I’ve got stations of kids and I’m like, ‘Wow, what should I do?

Are they allowed to play Mortal Kombat or Call of Duty?’”

While the common perception of video games is that it’s a solitary hobby, Aquino believes it can be “a social thing.” At Rumpus Room, old customers often teach first timers and many trade ideas, hints or tricks, and even the video games themselves. Even Aquino himself offers to play with customers or to teach them new games whenever they’re willing.

Several of Rumpus Room’s patrons have suggested that Aquino hold regular tournaments in the future, but this might have to wait as Aquino has

The Appraisery

For Victor Prieto, owner of the board game café The Appraisery, the goal has always been to create something out of the box. This café, in particular, started out with “recycled fashion.” “We [would] take in clothing styles or vintage styles, and then we would appraise them. That’s why we call it The Appraisery,” he explains.

The Appraisery hasn’t always been a board game café. Prieto

You come in, you're hanging out, you guys are having fun, the people that come here turn into instant friends that you can mess around a lot.

— VICTOR PRIETO Owner, The Appraisery

SERVED FRESH. With clothes, board games and art, niche cafés like Ludo Board Game Café, The Appraisery ,and Sip and Gogh are livening up the coffee shop experience.

PHOTO BY ISABELLA OLIVARES

other priorities. He notes that he first needs to establish the name and direction of his café before thinking of the business side of things. “You gotta get out there.

We gotta be way more present online. We’re not exactly the techiest people in the world, so effort siya,” he explains.

Ludo Board Game Café

PHOTOS BY ALEXANDRA L. HUANG

According to Jay Mata, Ludo’s vice president for Marketing, the idea behind their café came from his co-owners—Mark Fernandez, Carlo Sandico, Mario Sandico, Aaron Panco and Chrissy Palma—and their love for board games. As of now, Ludo’s shelves are brimming with around 400 games and counting, including Shear Panic, Claustrophobia and Legends of Andor, to name a few.

Armed with their background in marketing and the restaurant industry, Mata and his co-owners’ have established a place for yuppies and families alike to get together over food and games. “[People] are surprised about the kind of games we have, especially in the Philippines,” explains Mata. “Most people just know Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly, Scrabble, and it’s so hard to convince people to go past that.”

Although board game cafés

are not new abroad, especially in countries like Canada and the United States, Mata and his co-owners decided to bring the games closer to home because of their novel entertainment value. “We always say, ‘Think of [Ludo] as a bar, but instead of having a band playing, the entertainment we’re offering is board games, and the talent is that we have people who know the game,’” Mata adds.

Their strategy seems to be working out well for them, as Mata talks about how the team behind Ludo finds the growth of the board game scene pleasantly overwhelming. For their café alone, he remarks that there are always reservations made ahead of time. “Other board game cafés, they also have a lot of customers, and it proves that supply has yet to meet demand.”

DITO: Bahay ng Sining

Niche cafés are often created to cater to the needs of a specific community. DITO serves as an art gallery and a theater for stage and film productions because, as owner BJ Crisostomo (BFA TA and CW ‘10), puts it, “young artists rarely have space.”

True enough, the place itself appears to echo the life of an artist. Before making it to the café, visitors are greeted by a

large mural of a hunched, ghastly writer of surreal scale. Inside the shop, there are colorful couches, a bookshelf that doubles as a secret door and a mini theater complete with lights and curtains.

Crisostomo says that his café allows his team to meet the “beautiful weirdos” that keep art alive in Marikina, such as art enthusiasts, artists and curators. He even recalls a strange man who insisted on curating DITO’s art. “Some rent the space to do a play or hang paintings,” he explains in a mix of English and Filipino. “This weird guy said, ‘I’m a curator. I curate art and stuff.

I want to curate your stuff too!’

So, there, we let him,” he shrugs.

Despite the boom in visitors and theatergoers over the past year for DITO, he still admits he has his struggles, especially when it comes to marketing his café. “I just fear that our location [on J. Molina Street in Marikina] will kill us, because ayun nga, it’s difficult to go here,” he explains.

While Crisostomo may have his concerns, Krizelle Te, an information design junior who has visited the café, thinks that DITO has been doing just fine.

“They market in a different way…

It’s more of word of mouth than mass advertising, and I like that because it’s intimate,” she says in a mix of English and Filipino.

The GUIDON September 2014

3

Cut to the chase RESEARCH BY Marguerite R. Andrews

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what does a six-second video say? These winning Vine films from this year’s Tribeca Six Second Film Competition show that sometimes, time constraints can even enhance a director’s vision.

There is no sunny-side to this story

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION. Moviegoers often forget that behind every blockbuster lies a dedicated production team.

PHOTO BY ISABELLA OLIVARES

In the Auteur category, entries were judged based on the uniqueness of the filmmakers’ concepts. This film by user KevyPizza features a dozen happy eggs ambushed by a machine gun-bearing toy soldier.

The digital dilemma

By Marco G. Dayrit and Jasmine P. Ting

M

ovie magic may seem easy, but it takes much more to create a great film. We only see the finished product when it is projected in cinemas; behind the glitz and glamour of the silver screen, a lot of time and effort go into production and filming.

Ironically, many of us can spare neither the time nor the effort to even go to the movie theater. Nowadays, when we say that we plan to watch a movie, it often means that we’ll be downloading a torrent file while comfortably curled up in bed.

Illegal downloading and online streaming may be second nature to us, but the recent uproar over the uploading of Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival entries from 2012 and 2013 has some people thinking twice about the future of our film industry.

While the Internet makes local and international films more accessible to a larger audience, many filmmakers don’t get properly compensated for their work. With the Internet looking to become even more relevant to the film industry in the years to come, how the filmmaking community will respond is anyone’s guess.

Weaving through the web

Despite the Internet being full of “pirates” or people who download copyrighted files illegally, it has become a popular avenue for up-and-coming filmmakers. Quite a number share their works to the public free of charge on websites like YouTube and Vimeo.

Suc h s er v ice s wer e unimaginable a little over a decade ago, but technology has evolved since then. Loyola Film Circle Documentations and Publications Executive Emil Hofileña notes that YouTube has become advanced enough to recommend videos based on what users have previously watched.

“So instead of the user looking for the content, the content, in a way, finds them,” he explains.

“The Internet really is unparalleled in its potential,” Hofileña says on the subject of reaching a global audience.

“Everything is shared faster online, word of mouth is much more public, there are 10 times as many ways of spreading awareness about things.”

For Multimedia Information Resource Laboratory Co-head MV Isip, the Internet is an appropriate medium for the widespread online distribution of short films.

“For most budding filmmakers, [short films] are stepping stones towards full-length feature production,” she explains. “Generally, these are created less for profit and more for establishing the director’s style.”

The HBO documentary series Project Greenlight, produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, has certainly helped filmmakers do just that. The show, which gives amateurs the opportunity to compete for a chance to direct a Hollywood feature film, has run irregularly since 2001. In a statement announcing its return for a fourth season, Affleck said now is the perfect time to bring it back. “A whole new generation of filmmakers has grown up sharing everything, and the next big director could be just an upload away.”

This season, aspirants submitted their entries online, something that hasn’t been done before in the show’s history.

Aside from an online peer evaluation, the votes of Facebook users were also counted. A Filipino-American filmmaker named Joshua Ortiz made it to the second round as one of the top 200 entries. His threeminute film, Listen, was made with only $30 and in the span of five days; it now has more than 57,000 hits on YouTube.

The Cinemalaya scandal

These opportunities may not be enough to compensate for the challenges the online shift poses to filmmakers. Websites like Netflix, which requires users to pay before streaming content, do exist, but most people torrent the films for free instead. According to Jorel Lising (AB COM ‘14), a director and editor at Seabiscuit Films, filmmakers have more to lose by putting their work online.

“Sure, a lot of people can see it and appreciate your work, but it becomes more difficult to send it to avenues overseas, like festivals and such,” he shares. “If

it’s online, [there is] hardly any incentive for people to go out of their way to pay for a ticket for a seat in the theater.”

Ayo Supangco, director of the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Multimedia Communication, points out that there is a com mon m i s concept ion about the cost of independent films. “‘Independent’ is a kind of misnomer. People think independent films [don’t] cost a lot of money,” he says, noting that the budget can reach as high as two million pesos.

Filmmakers earn from the ticket sales of the movie’s cinema release and the sales of the DVDs, but often, this is only enough to settle the debt accumulated in the making of the film. “If you’re a person who does this for a living, who has a family, who has loans to pay, who needs to make sure the kid gets tuition, then it has its down sides,” adds Supangco.

“The Internet has this habit of democratizing a lot of things— making it available freely to the public—which is great for certain things, but then if you’re trying to turn a profit, then that’s terrible.”

This kind of context makes it easy to empathize with local filmmakers and critics like Philbert Dy and Jerrold Tarog, who were up in arms over the recent Cinemalaya scandal.

Although a technical personnel was blamed for the incident, many remained skeptical of this explanation. “The personal YouTube page is not the issue.

[It] was on your official website, @Cinemalaya2014. Embedded and catalogued. Not buying it,” tweeted cinematographer Mackie Galvez (AB COM ‘06).

Others refused to believe that this breach of intellectual property was an accident. In a Rappler article, Alvin Yapan, PhD, a filmmaker and assistant professor at the Filipino Department, said, “Cinemalaya sent us letters, dated August 7, asking permission for them to upload our films on [YouTube], for free. Mr. Cojuangco mentioned that they have this plan during his speech at the Cinemalaya reunion.”

For Hofileña, money isn’t the only issue. “The fact that a foundation violated the filmmakers’ ownership rights is disgusting to me,” he declares. “Even if

the films were eventually taken down, tons of people were able to watch or even download them in that window of time.

God knows where copies of those films have ended up now.”

#howto clear your garage from a scary ghost

Letters to the future

For now, it appears that the Internet truly is a double-edged sword. “People would prefer the immediacy of viewing things on the Internet. It’s frustrating because it’s a very arduous dilemma: You want to show what you create to people but you’ll get broke if you don’t show it in a cinema,” notes Lising.

Because our media consumption habits have changed so drastically over the years, it seems there is no turning back. According to Supangco, “No matter how much we resist it, we want to get our media fix when we want it, and as free as possible.”

When asked about whether or not he believes the Internet will be the future of filmmaking, Apa Agbayani (AB COM ‘14), a freelance filmmaker, believes traditional and digital media will complement one another. “Traditional cinemas are still going to be in use, but Netflix is really helpful… Some filmmakers were actually suggesting that sort of platform for the Cinemalaya films, sell them for maybe five to 10 dollars as a digital copy,” he recalls.

While nobody can say for sure what the future holds in terms of technology, perhaps one thing we can have faith in is the creativity of local filmmakers.

Agbayani mentions #Y by Gino Santos, a 2014 Cinemalaya entry about the so-called Millennial Generation, as an example of the diversity of the local industry.

“It’s filmmakers trying new things. People aren’t afraid to make films about what was once considered ‘burgis juvenilia,’” he says, referring to films that focus on the problems of the rich.

Regardless of the medium, talent always shines through.

With the local film industry and the online medium both continuing to grow, further conflict seems inevitable. As an audience, we’ll just have to wait and see if they can coexist sooner rather than later.

Editor’s Note: MV Isip is a member of The GUIDON’s Multimedia Staff.

The Animate category showcased works from filmmakers who attempted to recreate Hollywood special effects with a limited amount of time and money. This Vine by user Jethro Ames won for its clever demonstration of using a finger to get rid of pesky ghosts.

The Book Beetle

For filmmakers whose vision simply couldn’t fit into a single six-second film, there was the Series category. This trilogy from user Chris Donlon tells the story of a cutout paper beetle that burrows its way out of a book and into a man’s palm.

Shaking Free

The web audience also had the chance to vote for their favorite Vine. This year, audience favorite was Shaking Free by user Evan Hilton, a stop-motion short about a tiny pepper man breaking free from a peppershaker.

SCREENSHOTS FROM VINE.CO

Features

4

The GUIDON September 2014

Turned tables Fresh from the Red Bull Thre3style World Finals, DJ Carlo Atendido reveals the secrets to his success.

By Tricia T. Lao and Raf S. Nakpil

I

n July, disc jockey (DJ) Carlo Atendido (BS MGT ‘13) took on all of the country’s top DJs to become the first Filipino representative at the Red Bull Thre3style DJ World Finals, the world’s largest and most reputable DJ competition, in Baku, Azerbaijan. While he might not have brought the title home, officially becoming the world’s third best DJ is certainly a feat in itself.

Atendido wants to be remembered not because of popularity, good looks or being able to play good songs—this party rocker wants to be known for showing off the skills he spent years sharpening. As the truly technical aspects of DJ-ing as an art are being drowned out by the blaring sounds of pure pop fluff, Atendido is poised to make some real noise.

was the one behind the decks, I’d probably make people lose their minds. Not like this guy.”

He thought he could do better, and decided he would try. After finding the necessary equipment on the now-defunct sulit.com, Atendido booked his first gig through a friend. When asked about his first gig, an Ateneo Resident Students Association party in the Cervini Hall courtyard, Atendido shoots back immediately: “It was a nightmare.”

“So there’s a ton of people, everyone’s ready to dance.

‘Okay, now we have DJ Carlo.’

So I come up and I play my first song. I’m feeling awesome,” he says, making scratching gestures as he speaks. “I still don’t know anything about DJ-ing; I’ve only got the gear. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

The party was held outdoors.

It rained; his DJ gear broke. The music stopped. “People were like ‘Boo! Boo! What the fuck?’ so

The mixing, the beatmatching, the song selection, the choices. There are so many different factors that interplay in DJ-ing, the art form.

— CARLO ATENDIDO Third place winner, Red Bull Thre3style World Finals 2014

The beat match

Atendido’s interest was sparked when he first heard a DJ on television, back when he was growing up in Hawaii. He asked his mother about the sounds that he was making, to which his mother replied, “That’s the sound when a DJ does his thing.”

Atendido returned to the Philippines when he was seven years old and maintained a muted interest in DJ-ing throughout grade school and high school.

It wasn’t until college, however, that he actually tried his hand at it. Seeing that the local scene lacked luster, he thought, “If I

I was having a very, very bad time,” Atendido recalls.

Atendido, in a fit of desperation, continued the set by playing unmixed tracks straight from his iTunes library. The future Red Bull Thre3style Philippine Champion was ready to take it as a sign from the Almighty that he wasn’t cut out for DJ-ing. But a few words from his friend, Ana Hermosisima (AB PSY ‘12), got him to try again. She told him that despite his many failings, his song selection managed to get everyone fired up and dancing. “If she didn’t say that, I probably wouldn’t have continued,” he muses.

The mix

The only lesson Atendido took away from his first gig was the discovery that he possessed empathy for his audience, empathy that he had unwittingly used to surprising effect. This is a trait that spells a world of difference when it comes to building a successful reputation as a DJ. “If you’re going to a Saturday [event], but it’s actually ladies’ night, but you didn’t know that, and you’re actually a hip-hop DJ and you don’t have anything like Spice Girls, any throwback songs, anything that’ll really grab the attention of the ladies, then you just made a mistake right there,” information design senior DJ Arthur Tan elaborates.

Atendido still takes into his performances all the confidence he took into his first gig, only now, he has the skill to back it up. Aside from empathy, a DJ needs artistry to make a name on the scene. There are thousands of other DJs in town, and standing out takes more than playing Hardwell hits and every single featuring Matthew Koma.

“Mixing song A to song B, for some, that may be an art, but that isn’t an art for me. A machine can do that,” Atendido explains.

According to DJ Mig uel Sa nt i l la n (BS LM ‘13), de velopi n g t h e pr op er techniques is something that DJs need to consider. “The mixing, the beatmatching, the song selection, the choices.

There are so many different factors that interplay in DJ-ing, the art form,” he says.

Atendido sets himself apart from other local mainstream DJs by claiming that he is one of a select few who include advanced techniques in his sets.

He loves scratching, which is the process of warping tracks by manually playing them back on a turntable.

A good DJ, for Atendido, is someone who doesn't stick to one thing—someone who mixes electronic dance music, hiphop, rock and then some other crazy genre. “I like surprising people,” Santillan says, “People are just like ‘Boom. Whoa, what was that?’ and then once the song really kicks in and they recognize it and go crazy, that’s what I like seeing.”

FINE TUNING. DJ Carlo Atendido sets himself apart from other DJs with the advanced techniques he experiments with during his sets.

PHOTO BY RAQUEL A. MALLILIN

The build

Because of his inherent competitiveness, Atendido is wholly dedicated to his craft; this commitment can be seen in his continued efforts to win DJ-ing awards. Before winning the Red Bull Philippine title, he joined various other DJ competitions. “We had, like, the GSM Blue Mix Master Competition, the [San Mig Light DJ Spinoff ].

I joined all of them. I lost all of them,” he says sullenly.

Red Bull had never held the Thre3style competition in the Philippines before, and when they announced that they would this year, Atendido saw it as his time.

“I said, ‘Shit, this is my chance to win it,’ because it fits my style.”

Atendido left his job in December and practiced for six months straight to prepare the material he needed to win.

He says that coming up with creative ways to mix songs and hype a crowd takes “a lot, lot, lot, lot of time to figure out.” His winning 15-minute set opened with warped voice

announcing, “My style is the best,” and ended with Daft Punk’s “Robot Rock,” his favorite track to end a set with.

After arriving in Azerbaijan, he spent the days leading up to the last two legs of the competition in the practice room Red Bull had set up in his hotel. Up against the best DJs of their respective nations, Atendido knew he was in for a tough fight. “I was, of course, nervous and pressured. But I just said, ‘Hey, I won in the Philippines, I can win here,’” he explains.

But just practicing his performance and keeping his skills sharp wasn’t all Atendido was doing to win—he was also trying to tailor his set to fit his audience. By getting the production crew covering the World Finals to share the recordings of their interviews with the judges from earlier in the week, he managed to splice some of the judges’ choicest quotes, such as “It’s not Pitbull time,” or “You have to take risks.” The latter quote is certainly fitting, as it has always

been Atendido’s DJ-ing maxim.

Instead of “Robot Rock,” Atendido closed his set for the World Final with a traditional Azerbaijani folk song. “I thought it would be cool to mix into my set something emotional, so I thought of doing that,” he explains.

The drop

Before Atendido left for Azerbaijan, he was asked if he thought he would win. He replied with a throwaway “yeah.” He’s come home in third place, and is now more determined than ever to get first. He’s planning on going back “for vengeance,” he says.

Hours after returning to his house, he explains over the phone that he’s already preparing for next year. “I just really wanna top what I did this year, and that’s going to be really hard to do,” he says. “But thankfully I have a whole year to prepare.

So we’ll see where that goes.”

Editor’s Note: Arthur J. Tan is The GUIDON’s Multimedia editor.

Editor: Mint A. Marquez · Editorial Assistant: Nathan V. Javier · Layout Artist: Diana F. David

Inquiry

04 REVOLUTIONIZING REVOLUTION Does clicking for change beget change?

A realignment of purpose

By Alex A. Bichara and Nathan V. Javier

T

here are two striking things about the studentled bodies that govern the Loyola Schools’ (LS) student population: That we have an “irrelevant” student government, and a very strong culture of being active in student organizations.

On one hand, there is the Sanggunian, which continues to struggle to exist. Last year’s General Elections saw the vacancy of several positions in the student government, including the positions of president, vice president, secretary-general and finance officer. A number of pertinent positions at the School Board level were also left vacant.

The empty lines during the Sanggunian voting period can be starkly contrasted to the long lines to a crowded Manuel V. Pangilinan Center for Student Leadership Building Roof Deck during Recruitment Week. Aside from this, orgs are governed by their own council, the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo (COA), making the orgs more or less autonomous and separate from the Sanggunian.

An issue of redundancy

D u r i ng la st Aug u st ’s Sanggunian Freshmen and Special Elections, the Ateneo de Manila Secret Files Facebook page was littered with rants regarding the Sanggunian’s efforts to persuade students to exercise their right to vote.

One post read, “Ang tagal-tagal na dapat naayos ‘yung [system of persuading people to vote] na ‘yan. First year pa lang ako, ‘yan na mga problema ninyo. Hindi ramdam ng students kung ano ba ‘yung silbi ninyo (That system of persuading people to vote should have been fixed long ago. When I was a freshman, you already had the same problems. The students do not feel what your purpose is).”

“Of course, [the LS’ strong org culture] affects the perception of what Sanggunian does,” says Karlo Abadines, president of COA. “Especially when a lot of the things that Sanggunian, which I learned recently as COA president, is in the shadows, is in the background, is in the things that really can’t be seen.”

Abadines says that how students perceive the Sanggunian is affected by orgs because they are much louder and their projects

are more visible. This, in turn, gives the impression that the Sanggunian is less active, less present and less productive.

Another possible reason students lack enthusiasm for the Sanggunian could be attributed to the fact that the university already addresses most of their needs. Abadines notes that the university has “evolved to a level” where all offices and departments—like the Office of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Guidance Of f ice—a re approachable and accommodating enough for students to communicate

you to feel precisely that: ‘Hey, I belong, I’m happy here,’ right?”

These beg the question, then: What is the role of the Sanggunian in the LS? Place in society

Whether it is because of the strong org culture or because offices are readily available for student concerns, LS students often make the mistake that the Sanggunian is similar to other orgs—that its productivity and relevance are gauged only by its number of successful projects.

However, its very functions do not necessarily translate to the

If Sanggunian continues with its old structure, with its old paradigm, I don’t think it’s going to last.

—KARLO ABADINES President, Council of Organizations of the Ateneo

with, without the need for a middleman like the Sanggunian. “ I wou ld a ssu me t hat [approaching offices] used to be so difficult,” he says, “and that’s why the Sanggunian seemed so relevant [in the past].”

Christopher Castillo, director of the Office of Student Activities (OSA), shares that it is innate in the culture and identity of the Ateneo to look after the wellness and concerns of its students. He says, “The Ateneo has already put all the necessary things in place that are necessary for

same kind of tangible output that orgs come up with.

A r t ic le V I I of t he 2005 Constitution of the Undergraduate Students of the Ateneo de Manila Loyola Schools explains that the Central Board (CB) is both an executive and legislative body. As an executive and legislative body, the Sanggunian must create, review and approve policies for the good of their constituents and stakeholders.

The 2012 Undergraduate Student Handbook adds that

the CB is tasked with the formulation and execution of both policies and projects of the Sanggunian while the School Boards assist the CB and govern the constituents of each school.

The student body’s lack of enthusiasm about the concept of a student government, as seen in last year’s failure of elections, makes it difficult to avoid comparing the LS’ situation with the apparent enthusiasm for student governments in other universities.

De La Salle University (DLSU) is almost the perfect converse of the Ateneo—whereas the LS sees a thriving culture of being active in orgs, DLSU’s student government is arguably more visible. Their recent freshmen elections were met with much excitement. The candidates reached quota and no positions were left vacant.

In an article entitled “Freshmen Elections 2014: Santugon wins majority seats” published in The LaSallian last August, it was stated that on DLSU’s first day of voting, several of their schools “already received the 50-percent-plusone votes needed to make the election valid.” The freshmen were also said to have been eager to participate in the election process and “the competition between the two political parties was closer than ever.”

On the other hand, students from the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD) are also greatly involved in their student government and campus politics, which is perhaps a ref lection of how students from UPD are known for being very politically involved.

According to an article entitled “73 candidates vie for 34 USC (University Student Council)

posts” published in the Philippine Collegian last February, UPD students were to choose “from a pool of 73 candidates for the 34 seats” in the USC. Collaboration

Considering that the Ateneo’s strong org culture affects students’ perception of the abilities and jurisdiction of the Sanggunian, many wonder if the student body could stand without the Sanggunian and rely on COA alone.

ADSA Rene San Andres believes that an org-dependent system could work, provided all students would have formal representation in the university.

Every degree program, minor or major, would need to have its own “home” organization represented in COA. Without formal representation, students may “feel disempowered and become victims of injustice.” Currently, not all degree programs have home orgs, and some home orgs are not even accredited.

He says that the Sanggunian should constantly address the needs of their constituents, in the context of a “tertiary, Filipino, Jesuit and Catholic educational institution.” San Andres also hopes to re-evaluate the quota imposed on the Sanggunian elections. “It is not just about blaming the Sanggunian if they do not get the quota,” he says. “It is also about the Atenean as an engaged and responsible citizen.”

Abadines believes that COA could collaborate with the Sanggunian. “If Sanggunian continues with its old structure, with its old paradigm,” he says, “I don’t think it’s going to last.”

Organization presidents should, at least, be part of the realigning process to “move the school” as

different institutions.

He acknowledges that the past few years have been very competitive for the Sanggunian and COA. Even in terms of projects, he says, the Sanggunian only heads the work accomplished by other organizations. Abadines explains that he has been pushing for more discourse on how COA and the Sanggunian could achieve the Ateneo’s goals together. “I think there are some things that I know COA cannot do but only Sanggunian can really do as an institution.”

Ateneo Resident Students Association (ARSA) President Moses Cam mentions that around 10% of the Ateneo’s population is composed of dormers, and ARSA would be open to asking for dormers’ opinions with regard to helping actualize certain advocacies and changes in the university.

According to Cam, a sector must indubitably exist to voice students’ concerns and opinions regarding sociopolitical and national issues in the Ateneo.

Realigning governance

The recent Sangg unian Freshmen and Special Elections held last August were generally successful, despite a glitch in vote tallying for some course representatives.

The Sanggunian recognizes the success of the recent elections with renewed hope and optimism, as management engineering senior Ryan Yu, an independent candidate, was re-elected as vice president and acting president of the Sanggunian.

Yu wants to revitalize the A realignment ›› 3

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Listed here are the numbers of graduates and enrollees of the 10 most applied for honors programs in the Loyola Schools, in no particular order. The survival rate pertains to the percentage of students who graduate in the program that they enrolled into.

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BS Health Sciences

BS Computer Science

BS Electronics and Communications Engineering

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By Jairus I. Paul and Vicah P. Villanueva

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he battle for the honors program begins even before one has wandered down the halls of the Ateneo.

It starts with the university representatives who visit high schools throughout the country, pitching the undergraduate programs and facilities that the school offers. They put emphasis on how selective and prestigious certain degree programs are.

They give out primers. Among fields of white text on blue, listed are the names of degree programs with asterisks beside them. “Top 15% of the ACET” is the line that runs along the bottom of the pages.

This continues on to the application process, where high school students all over the country sweat over their forms.

The asterisk that accompanies some of the available programs inspires both fear and ambition. Some are willing to take the risk; some are not. There are those who have been prepared to fight this battle, perhaps even before the representatives came around. Conversely, there are those who would rather avoid it.

From there, the applicants wait for that day in September when they will sit down and take the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET). When they do, it is pressure served in shot glasses of time constraints and multiple choice questions. All throughout the test, “top 15% of the ACET” plays in their heads, a reminder that they cannot simply pass.

They have to leap yards past the checkpoint—they must excel.

Anything less and they lose the asterisk, the H tag.

In February of the next year, ACET results are released. This is when applicants gunning for the honors programs know if they are part of that top 15%.

When they learn that they are, they heave sighs of relief and trumpet their victory on their social media accounts.

But they cannot let their guards down just yet. In truth, this battle marks only the beginning of a four- (sometimes five-) year war.

Defining honors

Honors programs in the Ateneo are degree programs that only accept those in the top 15% of the ACET. Admission into these degree programs is highly competitive, and the academic challenges that students face tend to be greater. Many Ateneo hopefuls often choose honors programs for two out of their four degree program choices in their application. Among the most popular are management engineering (BS ME) and psychology (BS PSY).

Management Engineering Program Director Darwin Yu, PhD explains that honors programs are structured specifically to challenge and engage students academically. “The way how honors programs are structured here in Ateneo is that they require a more rigorous study than nonhonors programs. The demands on the students are greater, with the goal that we develop students who are more competent in certain ways,” he says.

Part of having a more rigorous study is having more difficult retent ion re qu i rement s .

Aside from the 1.8 cumulative Quality Point Index (QPI) that every freshman has to obtain, students in honors programs have to adhere to higher retention standards with additional conditions to meet. For instance, the BS ME program requires its students to maintain a cumulative QPI of at least 2.5. Additionally, they are only allowed to receive one letter grade of D throughout their entire stay in the Ateneo.

If a student fails to meet these requirements, he or she is asked to shift out of the program.

Health Sciences Program Director Norman Marquez, MD says that honors programs push students to work harder and manage themselves better. He believes that being in an honors program is “not a statement that you are the best,” but rather, “a statement that you are committed to greater challenges.”

Honors programs in the Ateneo are not specifically designed to be unique courses.

Some of them are more rigorous versions of their “standard”

counterparts. Popular examples of these degree programs include management and ma na gement-honors (BS MGT-H), and economics and economics-honors. Yu adds that the difference lies in the “depth and difficulty” of the subjects taken in these degree programs.

Dissecting retention

How t he retent ion requirements for honors programs are determined has been speculated among students.

Management-Honors Program Director Michael Tan does not provide further explanation beyond the fact that these requirements are set in place alongside the proposal of the program. This, he says, is also the reason why an honors program like applied mathematics, major in mathematical finance (BSM AMF) does not have retention requirements, as the proponents of the program did not see the need for them. Thus, when a degree program’s curriculum has been drawn up, it is the person proposing the program who assesses what the requirements will be. This will carry over once the proposal is approved.

The presence of retention requirements, however, indicates far more than a division between honors and non-honors programs. They serve as the basis for degree program departments to determine who can stay and who must shift out.

Tan’s view is that there is a dual aspect to the impact of retention requirements on students’ performance. “It’s… bad because it really adds pressure, good because it gives them focus in every subject,” he says. He adds that for BS MGT-H students, once they have passed second year, they gain maturity and are better able to handle the demands of the program.

But what does that mean, then, for those who miss the mark?

Historically, the student population of honors programs takes a huge hit on the first year alone. Data for the number of graduates from BS MGT-H versus the number of students who enroll show that the survival rate for the degree program

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72% 111% 79% 48%

BS CS BS ECE BS HSc BS MA

90% 92% 94% 62%

BS ME BS MGT-H

62% 17%

AB ECO-H BS PSY BS AMF BS CE

72% 87% 70% 66%

BS CS BS ECE BS HSc BS MA

86% 70% 96% 60%

BS ME BS MGT-H

59% 15%

A realignment...

Sa ngg unia n. To reach its goal of b ei n g r ele v a nt a g a i n , Yu e m p h a s i z e s realignment, reorganization and rebuilding. Realigning entails going back to the core of the Sanggunian as a student government and putting that into the school’s current context. Reorganizing includes reimagining the structure to improve cross-functional a nd interdepa r t menta l collaboration and unify the end goal and direction of t he Sa ng g unia n. Fina lly, rebu i ld i ng ca n be seen a s t he st reng t hen ing of t he Sa ng g u n ia n’s t h re e constitutive elements.

However, because the student body composes most of the con‹‹ 1

ranges from 83% to 89%. Darwin Yu says that for BS ME, the department expects around 40% of the students to shift out at the end of their freshman year.

Students in degree programs like BS Health Sciences (BS HS) fare better with a survival rate of 96% on average. Despite that, the statistics for honors programs are quite grim.

The fact of the matter is that a combination of external factors can prevent a student from rising to the challenge.

These can run the gamut from fabled terror professors to heavy student organization workload.

For Ryan Yu, a senior management engineering major, the retention requirements do not always provide an accurate test of one’s knowledge or skill. He

the reality exists that there is no other method available to ensure consistent academic excellence in the honor programs of the Loyola Schools. As the reputation of graduates from honors programs grows more favorable both in the academe and in their respective fields, so does the reluctance of the administration to be more lenient with the requirements.

Examining the gap

All of these things—from the stringent admission process to the retention requirements— contribute to a certain perception of students who come from honors programs. From the start, they are touted as the cream of the crop and are afforded privileges such as participation in

The demands on the [honors programs] students are greater, with the goal that we develop students who are more competent in certain ways."

— DARWIN YU, PHD Program director, Management Engineering

cites as examples the people who are not good at taking tests, and the people who are not good at particular subjects.

However, he believes that in the long run, retention requirements are still necessary. “The fact that an honors program is an honors program means some kind of standard has to be set,” he says. “[If ] the retention [requirement] wasn’t there, [ME] wouldn’t be the same degree program anymore.” Darwin Yu echoes the same sentiment. “The retention standards that we have are intended to maintain the quality of our output,” he says.

Though students may find these standards problematic,

competitions and conferences.

This kind of branding tends to alienate those who are in nonhonors programs, and while it may appear that the divide does not exist, some students think otherwise.

Ryan Yu does not deny that people may view students in honors programs differently, but he thinks that it is not so much elitism as it is a simple matter of what one’s social circle is. He explains that there is a natural tendency for students in the same degree program to stick together, and as a result, there is minimal interaction with students who are not taking the same degree

program. This, combined with the branding of honors programs, fuels the notion that these groups are “cliquish.”

For his part, Marquez believes that many students in honors programs are grounded. “We want to develop honors students who are also in touch with the world, who can engage the world,” he says. “So, to me, there shouldn’t be stigma against them,” he adds in a mix of English and Filipino.

In the end, what these perceptions boil down to is a hasty generalization made by those from the outside looking in. While it cannot be avoided that some students or groups do exude a certain exclusivity, often they are not representative of the whole. At the same time, those in non-honors programs are not necessarily less academically proficient than those in honors programs. The idea of a gap, then, is one perpetuated only by a select few.

A greater purpose

While honors programs hold a certain brand of prestige, they are not the only measured in a way that allows the testing of a student’s capacity to learn and ability to deliver. “We do encourage academic excellence of everyone, but that’s not the only quality we want to develop,” reiterates Darwin Yu. He emphasizes that the focus of the Ateneo is developing the whole person, and that virtues such as leadership and service play a vital role in forming the ideal Atenean graduate. These are qualities that honors programs cannot claim a monopoly to.

Marquez closes by saying that learning is not restricted to the four corners of the classroom.

Students are not just expected to exemplify academic excellence, but moral excellence and excellence in service as well. The Ateneo provides its students many opportunities to discover, develop and maximize their talents. The challenge, therefore, is to find the balance between academics and extracurricular activities in order to personify the ideal Ignatian virtue of magis.

stituents of the Sanggunian, it is still ultimately the students who will be necessary to the restructuring and reformation of the Sanggunian.

For San Andres, what students can do to show what they feel is still by participating in elections. He says, “Abstain.

[Refrain from not voting] if you want to make a statement about your student leaders.

Don’t disappear during election. Go and submit an abstain vote. That’s the loudest statement if you’re not happy. Or support your own candidate— or better still: Run. That’s the Atenean challenge.”

The OSA, who according to San Andres works more closely with the Sanggunian, is reportedly working with the

latter to create constitutional changes and restructuring throughout the school year, in preparation for the next.

These structural changes, Castillo hopes, could manifest into somet hing t hat t he Sangg unian could test out next school year. He also acknowledges that it probably will not be perfect, but it will be better.

Fo r the successf ul restructuring of the Sanggunian, Castillo says two things are necessary: Selflessness from other orgs, and the desire to proactively collaborate with the Sanggunian—in the hopes of creating a more purposeful Sanggunian with a significant role in the LS student body.

Revolutionizing revolution they feel it is not enough.

Their v iew of online activism is partly explained by the distance that the online medium offers. The Internet is a virtual space where anyone can create a cyberpersona under the guise of anonymity. Much of the content online is dubious, leaving many users predisposed to view online material skeptically.

Infographics and banners online may be regarded by the readers with the same skepticism, particularly because they are shared on popular websites in which any individual can upload content.

Additionally, the sheer amount of information available online makes it difficult for activists to send a clear message, because their messages are a few among millions. Most student activists use social media in order to better relate with their target audience. Amid the hundreds of status updates, photos and shares daily, news about animal abuse or farmers’ rights can easily be lost in one’s Facebook news feed or simply ignored by users. Without tangible followup for their causes—projects and petitions, for example—the information online is easily dismissed by the masses. ‹‹ 4

Moving forward

The Atenean activist organizations have made gains over the years, by informing the community both in and out of the Ateneo that a problem exists, rallying people to the cause and expanding their support base in order to move people in power to act. Although the issues they fight for do not seem to affect everyone on the surface as much as, say, individual rights during Martial Law, they are equally relevant.

The fact that people are not aware of the problems faced by some sectors of society means that a resolution may be achieved only if people are made aware. Despite the ground covered by today’s activists, the inequality and injustice that many people face show that there is still a long way to go.

“I think we’re not going to stop,” says Dela Cruz, on the question of Afarm’s reaching its full potential in helping the farmers. In addition to forwar-ding their manifesto to the president of the country, Dela Cruz says that they have included campaigning for the implementation of the National Land Use Act in their advocacy.

Similarly, Lok says that Agila will not stop improving and furthering its advocacy. Looking toward the future, Lok hopes

that they can start more animal welfare programs and battle maltreatment of animals in the future.

Hernandez hopes that Crusada can continue to fight for the rights of the margina-lized through traditional protest while making Ateneans aware of the different ways they can help. Hernandez says Crusada still uses traditional modes of activism “para maipakita na ang laban para sa buhay ng marhinalisado ay hindi na lamang nagaganap sa lansangan, ngunit nagaganap na rin sa ating silid-aralan (in order to show that the fight for the lives for the marginalized isn’t only in the streets, but also in the classroom).”

The use of online media to forward advocacies can be described as an extension of this development. Online activism was established as a response to the changing times to better relate to the movements’ target audience: The youth. Though clicktivism is convenient and useful, student activism cannot abandon its origins of physical protest and pragmatic action.

As Dela Cruz believes: “If you want to forward this specific advocacy, you have to go outside of the Ateneo. You have to know what these experiences are, and you have to know what [the marginalized are] facing.”

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Inquiry

The GUIDON September 2014

Moving the movements WRITTEN BY Mivan V. Ong and Van T. Siy Van

➊ Ateneans for Agrarian Reform Movement (Afarm)

AVENUES OF PROTEST. Ateneans have been actively participating in physical demonstrations of showing solidarity with the marginalized. Today, some of that action appears online instead of on the streets..

Photo by CHI D. PUNZALAN

Revolutionizing revolution

By Mivan V. Ong and Van T. Siy Van

T

he concept of a student activist has, for years, evoked the image of a group of students chanting, raising their fists in protest and marching in front of a government office together with laborers, farmers and other marginalized Filipinos.

From the era of Martial Law to the late 1990s, traditional activism was the only image of activism.

In the Loyola Schools (LS) community, the echoes of this battle remain. The activist group, Ateneans for Agrarian Reform Movement (Afarm), advocates for land reform, rural development and the fight against land grabbing. Last May, they penned a manifesto that garnered 6,000 signatures from Ateneans and students from other universities.

According to Ace Dela Cruz, chairperson of Afarm, this petition, titled “Laban Lupa, Laban Buhay: A youth manifesto to stop land grabbing and save land reform in the Philippines,” will be sent to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III through the vice president of the LS. This was done in order to show that students still support the full implementation of the Comprehensive Ag ra ria n Reform Prog ra m, which distributes land to farmers.

On the other hand, several organizations—namely the Alliance of Student Leaders, Matanglawin, The Ateneo Assembly, the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo and the Movement for Ignatian Initiative for Transformative E m p o we r m e n t— c r e a t e d a Facebook group called Usapang Ateneo as an avenue to foster political discussion and involvement in the university among the students. During the 1980s, such an action would have been almost impossible.

Today, it is called “clicktivism”— activism that uses the online medium.

Clicktivism not only refers to these discussion groups, but also online information campaigns, online charities for donations and online petitions—keyword: Online. These campaigns are becoming increasingly common for a variety of causes and issues, but the trend begs the question of clicktivism’s ability to get students to act beyond the keyboard.

Tried and tested

Traditional activism in the Philippines was the voice to counter the imposition of silence in modern Philippine h i s t or y. W hen for mer President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law on September 23, 1972, strong disciplinary mechanisms were established in order to silence opposition. Marcos’ critics were imprisoned; the writ of habeas corpus, suspended; the press, silenced; citizens of the country, put under strict curfew. At that point, silence was not mere compliance with government policy—it was necessary to survive.

It is no surprise, then, that activism took its form in protests and, sometimes, armed conflict.

Ateneans such as Edgar Jopson went on to defy the administration. Jopson joined the revolu-

consequences in secret—they would be visited by officers and disappear in the late night.

In the successful instances of gaining ground over tyranny, activists made their presence known. They gathered in large groups to fend of the growing military power. The culmination of this form of activism was the 1986 People Power Revolution, which united thousands of Filipinos.

The force of opposition was so strong that it could not be discreetly silenced, forcing Marcos to step down.

Clicking for change

With the coming of the next few decades, a shift from the traditional form of activism to online activism occurred.

When asked about the reason behind the change in medium, Kira Lok, executive vice presi-

They’re so removed from the reality because they see it from cyberspace. So for them, it remains there.

—KIRA LOK Executive vice president, Ateneans Guided and Inspired By Love for Animals

tionary movement and headed the National Democratic Front Preparatory Commission. He was arrested and tortured but he escaped, exposing the inhumane treatment by the state.

Another Atenean activist is Emmanuel Lacaba, who is also a former editor of The GUIDON. He later fought for the Filipinization of schools in the country as a poet and writer. When Martial Law was declared, he joined the resistance movement, took up arms against the regime but was captured and killed by soldiers.

Both of these activists rallied others to their concerns, and many more devoted their lives to sending the message of the importance of freedom and individual rights. But during an era that demanded unquestioning loyalty to the regime and its laws, individual offences were met with immediate punishment and

dent of Ateneans Guided and Inspired by Love for Animals (Agila)—an organization that promotes upholding animal rights in the Ateneo—points to this generation’s huge exposure to technology. She cites the ability of social media to reach the masses as a major cause of clicktivism’s popularity.

Dela Cruz agrees with this.

He mentions that through online news, Ateneans can be informed on the plight of the farmers and the country’s laws on land distribution, things of which not all students would usually be aware.

However, Lok and Dela Cruz cannot deny clicktivism’s limitations in furthering their causes. According to Lok, Agila’s main project, “Adopt an Ateneo Kitten,” has, as of writing, successfully facilitated nine Ateneo kitten adoptions through online promotion. In spite of this, Lok remains un-

satisfied with the system they currently have. She states that garnering attention does not always spur action. “We get a lot of likes, a lot of shares, but nothing is done. So far, we have a kitten who wants to be adopted, but everyone’s liking and sharing, [and commenting,] ‘Aw, what a cute kitten,’” she says.

Lok attributes the lack of action to the detached view that people have when they see Agila’s online material.

“They're so removed from the reality because they see it from cyberspace. So for them, it remains there.”

On the other hand, Afarm uses a mix of traditional activism injected with clicktivism to achieve their main goals. Dela Cruz states that clicktivism alone is not enough spur change.

He shares that on-the-ground activism is a must, especially for promoting issues such as land reform. “You won’t really get the feel of what you’re doing if you don’t go outside,” he says.

A sea of information

With the increasing use of social media and online activism, the place of traditional activism in the modern fight for rights may be questioned.

Christian Union for Socialist and Democratic Advancement (Crusada) Premier Abbo Hernandez, though, believes that it is a misconception to think of traditional activism as irrelevant. He states that it is still being widely done by student groups like Crusada, which uses modern methods of activism, such as online discussions, as well as traditional means like physical protests.

Furthermore, he states that the two expressions of activism go hand-in-hand and complement each other. For him, abandoning traditional activism diminishes the impact of a cause’s message. He says, “The reason why we rally is because it is the clearest translation of the language of the marginalized to the intended audience. We show solidarity in speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Dela Cruz and Lok agree with this sentiment. They view online activism as a means to generate awareness and inform their target audience about the bare bones of the problem, but Revolutionizing revolution ›› 3

Afarm is an activist group that stands for Filipino farmers and their rights concerning ownership of their land, land reform and representation in legislation. Among other things, Afarm organizes events to spread awareness.

One of these was a forum held last May that informed students of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (Carper) Law. Carper allowed land to be distributed to the farmers who worked on them, but its land acquisition and distribution component expired last June.

Another of Afarm’s recent projects advocated for the complete implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program through one of Afarm’s biggest campaigns, a petition titled “Laban Lupa, Laban Buhay: A youth manifesto to stop land grabbing and save land reform in the Philippines,” which which will be forwarded to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

➋ Gender Equality Society (GES) GES is a feminist organization that aims to raise awareness about gender issues. They also support and promote equality for other gender identities. GES aims to show students that gender stereotypes, inequality and sexism affect everyone— not just women. More than presenting the problems faced in society, GES also discusses the issues regarding gender on the ground level: Relationships, families and sexuality. By discussing real-life scenarios, they make concepts of gender sensitivity less abstract and more relatable. In line with the idea of acceptance and discourse, they have many public accounts on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. They create and distribute infographics and articles, and have open discussions about gender issues in order to spread awareness, and clear the misconceptions that people may have about gender and feminism.

➌ Ateneans Guided and Inspired by Love for Animals (Agila) Agila is a recently founded student organization that aims to promote animal welfare and the protection of animal rights in the Ateneo. Their framework for animal rights is grounded in the ethical and humane treatment of animals and is based on the Animal Welfare Act of 1998. This act was created in response to acts of animal cruelty, such as the neglect of animals in zoos, beating of strays, capturing wild animals for personal entertainment, and maltreatment and abandonment of animals.

As an organization, Agila is against the maltreatment of stray cats roaming the campus. One of its biggest projects is the “Adopt a Kitten Program,” which promotes the adoption of kittens through its Facebook page and on the Facebook group, Ateneo Trade. Agila is also affi liated with the Haribon Foundation, a national group that promotes the rescue of endangered animals in the Philippines.

➍ Christian Union for Socialist and Democratic Advancement (Crusada) Crusada is a political party that was founded in the Loyola Schools in 2010. It follows the principles of Catholic social teaching and social democracy. Since its inception, the party has taken an active role in shaping campus politics. The party has done this by going beyond involvement in political affairs; Crusada is actively fi ghting for the rights of the marginalized. For instance, last May, they joined the Labor Day rallies.

Members of the party are consistent in using the Sanggunian as a platform to stand in solidarity with the marginalized, and to promote equality, freedom and social justice.