Tug-ani 2015-2016 October-November Issue

OSA clarifies STS underassessment woe

Failing Grade of PNoy

We Shall Not be Silenced

BALITA | 2

OPINYON | 5

PANAGWAY | 10

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BALITA

A number of students who applied online for an STS discount are “misassessed” for this academic year. They may be “under” or “overassessed.”

Angel Trocio, a 4th year BA Psychology student, is one of the overassessed.

Upon receiving her Form 5, she noticed that her Cebu City Scholarship was not stated at the “amount less” column in the breakdown of fees. Her last school year’s socialized tuition was categorized as PD80 (P200 per unit). She was surprised to see that this year, it is PD40 (P600 per unit).

“Nahibong jud sad ko nganong na Bracket B ko karon nga year nga same ra man unta jud ang akong gi-input sa last year ug karon,(I was surprised why I was granted a Bracket B this year when my answers to last year’s STS application were similar to this year)”, Trocio said.

According to Ms. Annie Manzano, incharge of the STS & scholarships and counseling in the campus, a program has been created to automatically generate the student’s discount online. This program is based on two factors – the household characteristics and household income. Students who applied for this scholarship are given a set of ques-

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

tions which aims to determine the students’ standard of living based on the two factors mentioned. Whichever is higher between the two will be generated by the online system as the student’s discount. Manzano also added that if there is a big difference between the two factors, then the committee will see it through. The student can also file for appeal if ever he/she indicated a mistake while applying online.

The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) clarified that this is the first time that students were misassessed sine the application of the new STS bracketing system. During the enrollment period, the students were supposed to check their brackets for reassessment in the OSA first before going to their respective advisers; yet many skipped this step, according to Ms. Anecita Ompad, who is also part of the STS team. In addition, OSA made a suggestion to advisers to hide information regarding the STS discounts, so students will go to OSA for proper reassessment.

“Besides, ang problema jud ana kay sa SAIS jud mismo. I think sa system jud siguro pud ang naa’y problema. Aware man sad mo noh? Ng\a ang SAIS naa jud na’y problems,(Besides, the problem comes from SAIS itself. I think the sys-

tem is flawed. You are already aware that the SAIS really has problems, right?)”Ms. Marilou Mante, STS team and Junior Scholarship Affairs Officer, said.

Ompad added that the STS team suggested to the SAIS team in UP Diliman to automatically deactivate the system after one academic year, so that the students’ previous brackets will no longer appear in the next academic year.

Meanwhile, Trocio already went to OSA to clarify this matter and the office explained the reason behind the change in her STS categorization. However, she is incapable in paying for the remaining balance yet.

For those students who were overassessed, they have to pay the remaining amount in the Accounting office. A promissory note may be addressed to the dean considering the incapacity of the student to pay for the amount.

As of press time, the Accounting office is doing its best to finalize the list of misassessed students as the checking of the students’ Form 5 is still on-going. The publication is yet to hear the sides of those who were underassessed.

BALITA

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

UP Cebu as the 8th constituent university of the UP system is a good move however, it lacks student input according to Student Council (SC) Chairperson Justine Balane.

“We can’t just be passive recipients to whatever development there is,” Balane said in an exclusive interview with Tug-ani. In addition, he mentions that the admin has “no institutionalized move to involve the students in the planning” and that the he has only received a single informal invitation to a constituent unit meeting. “After sa Dean’s Advisory Council meeting namo, there was a CU meeting, then I got invited

pero it was also during the time nga nag Freshie Orientation, where I was needed.

Sa succeeding CU elevation meetings, walay any intent to include the students,” Balane said.

Nevertheless, Balane hinted at action to be taken by the Student Council to counter this saying that there must be a campaign towards a “united roadmap” where students are still included in the equation of UP Cebu as a constituent unit.

Elevating UP Cebu into a constituent university will provide the college with “better

access to funding and resources” as Corro promised in an interview also conducted

by Tug-ani last May 15, 2015.

In a recent interview with Dean Corro, she made it clear that the administration is currently clearing the papers to be submitted to the UP system. “We have to sit with the cluster chairs, together with the different members of the Constituent Unit (CU) Task Force,” Corro said.

UP Cebu is expected to be a constituent unit by 2020.

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PANAGWAY

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

It has been a guilty pleasure of some, if not all, to download their favorite music from the sites that offer download for free. This “free” music downloading has become a phenomenon not only in the Philippines but all over the world. And while we, as listeners of a music illegally downloaded, feel happy about it, what we do actually cripples the music industry—slowly but drastically.

sales aren’t high enough, record companies will offer lower advances to minimize the risk of financial losses. However, it extremely buries down the music industry more when we’re making bands play live for free and not paying them for gigs since we believe “Thank you” is enough.

As reported by Luis Quibranza, Sun.Star Lifestyle Editor and Lead Vocalist of Bethany, during his talk TEDxUSJR, decrease in CD sales is directly caused by illegal downloading. He emphasized that recording music overhead more than we expect. Recording music costs more or less P61000 and we Filipinos are taking this stated fact for granted.

To pay is to respect. It takes a lot of talent, time and treasure just to bring music to our ears. Keep in mind that when we steal an artist’s work, neither the record company nor the artist receives compensation.

Most record contracts are on provisions for both executives and artists before the release of the recording. If the music

No, “thank you” is not enough.

When Filipinos want music, there’s always this strong enticement to get it for free through file sharing in order to save us from the agony of spending. Just a little thrust and piracy will become part of our culture.

The problem is, when you steal music, you aren’t just hurting music executives who we often classify as rich and covetous people, but also the musicians who sweat off hardwork and sleepless nights.

Many people do this because sanctions aren’t strong to send them to prison. The musicians and recording companies are forced to take what they can get from their work of art.

Piracy is stealing—cliché as it may be, this holds true even up to this day. Piracy is the lightning rod of business. Bridging the technical gap between the music industry and the people who continuously devote illegal purchases will absolutely take years to resolve. In the meantime, we’re left with two choices: piracy boosting sales, as pirates use file-sharing to sort out their purchases; or people buying music and will eventually lead to end piracy.

Concerns Aired; New Curriculum Is Not a Justification for Lab Fee Increase -SR

by Korinna Lucero

A Student Summit was held in the AS Conference hall on November 9.

Among other concerns aired were miscellaneous fees and other fees paid during internship, STS underassessment, undistributed school IDs despite the No ID, No Entry policy, and the trees that were almost cut for future buildings.

In discussing the “UP situationer,” Pangalangan asserted that education is a right by saying “we cannot socialize hope, we can only provide;” further expounding his views on what he termed as the “Socialized Tuition Scheme.” “Our tuition will replace the entire role of the state,” he added.

Photo taken by CJ Matarlo

Student Regent Miguel Enrico “Mico” Pangalangan made it clear that the new curriculum is not a justification for the increase in

lab fees. In addition, a student consultation must be done by the administration before passing the proposal.

This report was first posted in Tug-ani's Facbook page on November 9, 2015.

Student Regent is the student representative in the Board of Regents (highest governing body of the UP system). Meanwhile, Kasama sa UP (Katipunan ng mg Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP) was organized to front the system-wide campaign to reinstate a student regent in the BOR, after Martial Law.

opinyon

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

ning Secretary. (Source: Cielito F. Habito, former Economic Planning Secretary, April 16, 2013, Opinion Section, “The Daily Inquirer”).

It has been five years since President Benigno Aquino is elected—it has also been five years since PNoy made the sweetest promises to the masses aka his “bosses”: to end corruption or what he termed as “Tuwid na Daan”; to reform the education system or what is now called the K-12 program; to end the case-hardened poverty ofmore than 25% of the country’s fast growing population; and to bring peace to the country for more than 40 years of fighting with the Mindanao based Muslim Rebellion and the armed campaign of Maoist in many rural provinces.

Now, that five years have passed and he is nearing the end of his term: w as he able to attain his “ideal country”? More importantly, what has he accomplished?

Was he efficient as a President?

In a nutshell, let me enumerate what PNoy wants to achieve in his six-year term: 1) reform on leadership specifically, the dispute against corruption and uphold good governance; 2) on the inclusive growth of our economy; 3) human rights and the rule of law; 4) gender equality; 5) end armed insurgencies in order to achieve peace and order.

End corruption, good governance campaign With the President’s Reform on Leadership and his constant opposition to corruption clearly surfaced on the beginning of his term, one must admit that PNoy has shown different— well at least not as much the same from his two predecessors—as what has been observed he does not use his position as a matter of augmenting himself. On several speeches, he reiterated that he does not tolerate any kinds of corruption and that any dubious officers of his administration will be terminated for the sake of his “bosses.” Undeniably, this kind of attitude towards the public earned him high positive ratings, and has contributed to the strong improvement of the international reputation of the country, which can then be an important psychological factor for the increased growth rates and the overall face-value of the country in international ratings. The impeachment of Chief Justice Corona was also a great contribution to the “Tuwid na Daan” campaign. However this good reputation is toppled down during the Typhoon Yolanda where there

was a slow and inadequate support extended towards the victims.

Inclusive Growth?

It is safe to say that nothing can stop the full implementation of Kto12 next year.

However, it is also safe to say that the country is not yet ready to fully implement the program— with a lot of facilities to reconstruct that were damaged during recent calamities, books and chairs to fulfill, etc. More has yet to be observed whether the said reform will do improve the country’s education system or not.

The administration promised stronger public-private partnerships, more opportunities that cater to the marginalized and better treatment as regards to the recognition of farms and rural enterprises. The administration also promised the betterment of local working conditions so as to dissuade the local workforce from going abroad. Ironic as it may seem, this scenario can be traced back to the Kto12 program as this kind of education system acts as a mechanism in sending our workforce abroad— it makes room for students to learn vocational skills in their last two years in the intermediate level; thus, proceeding to the tertiary level is deemed unnecessary.

Moreover, the issuance of Reproductive Health Bill by the President – which is still questioned at the Supreme Court – is also seen as an important step for medium- and long-term reduction of poverty for its supporters, as the law expects birth rates from the poorest families to lower down.

Numbers talk However, a look on the socio-economic development during the three years shows a highly contradictory picture. The economic growth rate in 2012 of 6.6 % has been the highest in a year without elections for more than 15 years. (“The Philippine Star”, Headlines, News, January 1, 2013). In addition, the reality of the real money flow from foreign investments shows a stagnation or even reduction on a very low level; merchandise exports fell by 15.6% in February 2013, the steepest decline in more than one year according to Cielito F. habito, former Economic Plan-

In the yearly worldwide ranking of the World Bank on “Doing business”, the Philippines, in spite of getting a better ranking in the corruption list of Transparency International, slipped down in 2012 again by 2 places to number 138 out of 183 countries. (Source: Yahoo! News Philippines, December 14, 2012).

Statistical figures from 2012 show that the high growth rate did neither lead to a relevant increase in the creation of new jobs, nor did it reduce the poverty rates.

In March 2013 unemployment among Filipinos at least 18 years old was at 25,4% compared with 18.9% in September 2010, shortly after the start of the Aquino Administration (Source: Social Weather Station Survey, quoted in “Business World” on May 2, 2013).

In its regular bi-annual report on April 23, 2013 the President of the National Statistical Coordination Board (under the National Economic and Development Authority) admitted that following the latest figures from the first semester 2012, poverty in the Philippines remained unchanged at about 28% (persons living under the absolute poverty line) since 2006.

Consequently, the administration’s high economic growth is not sustainable and is not even inclusive. Based on the figures, poverty is still prevalent all over Philippines and only the rich and not the marginalized experience the “better life.”

“What is clear is that trickle-down economics and business as usual simply won`t bring our poverty numbers down to where we all need them to go,” Habito wrote on the same article mentioned above. (Quoted in: “The Philippine Daily Inquirer”, April 16, 2013).

In conclusion, the Philippine’s problems can be describes as those tied up in a chain: poor performance from government bodies, high and worsening case of poverty, human rights violations and incapacitate rule of law. With the dominance of 200 political dynasties in our country, it is quite impossible to address these problems in a proper venue and context.

In addition, the Aquino administration failed to address most of its platforms.

Although, significant changes in the government can be observed; these cannot outweigh the adverse results.

The verdict: a failing grade for the Aquino administration.

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editoryal

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

Heightening the discourse In general, Filipino teenagers are expressive and are very profound during the break-up stages of their romantic relationships. While one is blurting out unnecessary statements of heart break on social media, a friend calms the storm by saying a relationship will only last if one not only uses his heart but also, his brain. The combination of the heart and the brain will make things work out. Translating this phrase into Tagalog makes “Utak at Puso.”

tic helpers sounds helpful to the growing unemployed population. However, this is a clear manifestation of exploitation of our own resources without us getting any substantial in return. Moreover, Japan has promised to “help” construct a railway project by lending us P93.457 billion. Such efforts will never be enough to achieve sustainability. In the end, Philippines will remain dependent on foreign countries; just as what is happening at present.

Utak at Puso is this year’s theme of UP Pep Squad for the annual UAAP Cheer dance competition. It is safe to say that every UP student has anticipated their win. However, the squad did not and this resulted to raging fans on social media saying, the squad will always be the champion in their hearts.

In addition to the country’s dependent state, investment of Php10-billion is a huge gamble and to a higher extent, a waste. Even former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno believes that the government spent way too much and that the expenses could have been lessened if the APEC Leader’s Meeting was held outside Metro Manila. But beyond Diokno’s logic of lessening the expenses, the main point here is spending this huge amount just to make foreign leaders feel comfortable is unjustifiable and will never be justifiable.

At the end of the day, it is not surprising to earn rage from tax payers who clamour for the nation’s well-being.

The logic behind “utak at puso” is not only applicable in teenage romance and cheer dance competitions; it is also applicable to the pressing issues in the country as well: APEC: Maginoo, pero medyo bastos APEC’s primary aim is to create and to maintain sustainable economic growth and prosperity. Growth and prosperity sounds music to the ears. Nevertheless, APEC perfectly fits the line “maginoo pero medyo bastos” from the song titled “Ang Tipo kong Lalake” by DJ Alvaro. In this case, APEC is not only medyo or slightly detrimental to our nation’s progress-- it acts as a mechanism subtly harming us while befriending us on the surface.

The way we see it, APEC policies are geared towards the milking of the country’s most valuable assets. On the surface, Japan offering jobs to Filipinos as domes-

With this “big event” on hand, the country had to patch up numerous dilemmas with band-aid solutions: (1) a “lockdown protocol” was imposed where road closures and rerouting transpired in order to secure the safety of the delegates and to speed up their travel as well, (2) for the same security reason, ambulant vendors, homeless and beggars were kept away from the streets. These are not just bandaid solutions but clear manifestations of how we cover the reality in order to have a taste of something adulatory. One might ask, did we really use the “utak at puso” equation to this?

Remove trees to ease traffic It seems like no one can stop Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama from removing trees and the center island along Pope John Paul II Ave. In his defense, the removal will not only be beneficial to the International Eucharistic Congress, but to the traffic situation in the area as a whole.

Attributing heavy traffic to one single cause-- which is the existence of trees and center island, is a pathetic mindset.

We, Filipinos know better than that.

Season of road repairs It is the season of road repairs. It has become common for us, Filipinos, to have road repairs when the election period goes near. Where is utak at puso in not providing sufficient rerouting schemes or in repairing the supposed to be rerouting roads at the same time? Where is utak at puso in having road repairs at the time of the year when almost everyone is in a Christmas shopping rush? Surely, no one can escape the heavy traffic situation.

Bringing the traffic situation in a metaphorical view, our country stuck in regression and is tied within the bounds of formulating decisions without the harmonious use of both utak at puso . Just as the traffic situation of our highways are worsening with the band-aid solutions the government provides; the nation’s problems are stuck in the middle of nowhere as it is patched up with short-term solutions which are primarily aimed to ease the pain we Filipinos feel.

As the 2016 elections goes to a near, let us all be critical in choosing our leaders. It is a challenge for us to use our “utak at puso.”

OPINYON

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

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UNITY “DAW” the Unity Mentality of UPC

by John Christian Trigo

Let’s cut to the sanguine introductions of how unity is being transpired in UP and introduce the dilemma on UNITY. Why do UPCs battles remain asymptotic?

Unity - a core value, wherein society or individuals with different beliefs and social status are working together in achieving their goals. It receives power in collective action and stands at the core of the revolution. However, the dilemma starts to present itself at a visceral point where everyone actually tries to “work-together”. The point present as contradicting by the very nature of unity to be asymptotic.

The political parties of UPC have been the stronghold of unity, promoting the student’s welfare and interest up to its best extent. Our political parties have tried to win the hearts of the masses with their romanticized actions.

Nagkahiusang Kusog sa Estudyante (NKE) and Union of Progressive Students (UPS) haves been long-standing bastions of genuine change in UPC. These political organizations receive their very support from the students and are revered as game-changers in our university – from activists to student council members to nationalists. Still, an answer begets, why is there a problem of unity in the first place?

LAB FEES. In a nutshell, UPC administration has recently made plans to increase the laboratory fees (lab fees) without informing and consulting the student body of such. The affected are Science-courses and Mass Communication students. Let’s review how these organizations attack the issue on-hand: NKE. Whip the Fees. “Quality education should not be attached with a price tag”. NKE highlighted on their statement on several previous lab fees have resulted to an “adverse effect” and presented the Student Regents’ policy of the use and implementation of the tuition and miscellaneous fee increases – which further supports the administration’s failure to maximize the funds. Hence, NKE wants to stop the increase of lab fees.

UPS. Make Lab, Not Fees. “Change… should not come at the expense of the students”. UPS explained on their statement on why they should not just oppose but also propose – reject exorbitant, redundant and unreasonable fees, call for a transparent UP budget process, etc. Also, they provided a substantiated calculation of the laboratory fees to prove their point. Hence, UPS wants to stop the increase of lab fees.

Both parties promise the goal of stopping the increase of lab fees. Both parties have evaluated and judged the lab fees as exorbitant and redundant. Both parties try to establish legitimacy on their policy. Hence, NKE and UPS want to stop the increase of lab fees. The problem

does not only present itself as Lab Fees but repackages the issue with asymptotic unity.

Is it necessarily harmful for the two parties to have different actions?

We cannot deny these two political spectrums their right to have separate actions in following their respective principles. The nuances in their actions make the political parties strategic in advancing their own various advocacies.

Parties take a different stand, and amicability is not a habit. They provide us with ideologies and political stands that molds liberal-radical thinking. However, given the fact that there is only one battle ahead that both parties desire the same end, is it even righteous to fight separately one enemy?

STUDENT COUNCIL. The power of the Student Council (SC) to influence the decision of the school administration and to prioritize the student’s welfare becomes its utmost responsibility. Fourteen out of fifteen of the council members are elected by the student body. The other is elected by the representatives of different recognized UPC organizations. Each member of the student council brings in the political party’s principles. However, the SCs nature is to provide an amicable discourse of a discerned resolution. The attack of the SC on issues becomes a default representation of the UPC student body. But how do they exactly decide their stand that whole-heartedly represents the student body and not their political parties?

No matter how glorified the power of the student council is, the decisive power on what stands should be followed is highly dependent on the winning party. The more members on the same politics, the better. Frankly, if NKE has the political affinity in the student council, it would take the UPSs advocacies as tentative.

The cycle goes on even if there is a political shift. This is not an accusation of false dichotomy or hasty generalizations. This has been a factual experience of how SC is ruled by the political parties urge for dominance.

First, during the NKEs long-dominance in the SC, there has been inattentiveness in addressing the issues of the LGBT community. UPS has been advancing the battle long before the NKEs guided attention on the issue. The SC chose not to focus that much attention on the advocacy of the LGBT. Maybe it’s because that its UPSs fight and not NKEs. In the same way, NKE has been aggressive in the fight for the Lumads. The killings of the lumads has taken its frontier up to the national scale. UPS, the current dominant party, has showed little attention to the lumad situation.

Given that fact, will the SC commit the same as the previous SC? Maybe it’s because that its NKEs fight and not UPSs.

Is it truly harmful to be passive on some issues?

The presence of the two different political spectrums in the SC should have been a leverage due to the diversity of ideologies allowing a substantiated discourse. The very same fact is constricting the SC that destroys the amicability of discourse. The presence of the affinity makes propagandas not mutually exclusive.

It should have made the SC easier in identifying all the pressing issues nationally, to instill awareness and amplify the call in the UPC Second, “Vote straight” – even in text messages and online, there has been a clear manifestation that political affinity is better rather than voting qualified individuals. This present itself as a simile of Philippine elections. It has become a political delusion that one cannot advance their advocacy in SC for affinity is a must. These political parties have fed us that affinity in the student council is powerful. Also, it provides the affinity an easier task of deliberation rather than going to the daunting task of actually collaborating the two sides of the coin. There may be realizations at the end but it stands as half-baked and uncomprehensive.

The student council has become the micromodel of the macro-political situation of this country living in damnation.

THE DILEMMA It’s true that the problem is not visible and implied in various form. Why should we even bother about it in the first place? It has dichotomized the unity of UPC. Political parties have been rampant and courageous in showing their stand and advocacies. Here, we have a student council who only shows the minutes of their meetings to prove their over-all transparency.

This is not a mockery on how the student council works but the failure of the student council to collaborate different ideologies to combat one single enemy. This is not just about lab fees nor the student council. This is about every battle of UPC has been indecisive enough for we have an SC that prioritizes political ideologies rather than what is must and just for all.

Politics has jailed the allegory of UPC by slumping tarpaulins in the shoulders of Oble discrediting the crux of unity it withholds. To what extent does the propaganda be compassionate if one covers the other? Even if it’s not intentional, should we herald unity in the condition of these political parties? The political parties need to communicate to one another in advancing the student’s welfare. Will we still wait for an unholy alliance to see a much more impact on the unison of two forces? They may not agree on what kind of education should be catered in this country, but at least in some point, they can agree to promote utilization of resources for the best student welfare possible.

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INFOGRAPHICS

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

PANAGWAY

Photos by Odyssey Kee, Zeke Sullano, Ryan Seismundo, Leia Pelobello and Sofia Olavides from the Official Facebook page of UP Cookout

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PANAGWAY

How ironic it is to see that the government which is supposed to uphold the welfare of the Filipinos and uphold the constitutional mandate of freedom of expression has turned its back on us; with the measures taken to silence the people who forward the rights and interests of the masses. The oppressive system allows such harassment and militarization to the people advancing one’s rights to pressing issues in education, extrajudicial killings and so on. To mesh and make sense to an otherwise incomprehensible irony would be likened to untangling a very tangled piece of earphone: almost impossible.

Budget Cut in State Universities and Colleges

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

“Reyes” asked questions in relation to the campaign against the 2.2 billion budget cut in UP. When asked who she was, “Reyes” claimed that she graduated as a Psychology major in UP Cebu two years ago.

The intelligence agent said that “Reyes” went to the Gender and Development Office (GAD) to inquire about a special event to be held supposedly at the Oblation Square. “Reyes” described the GAD Coordinator as a woman with curly hair, among other features, yet the GAD coordinator’s physical attributes did not match her claims. “Reyes” added that there was no need to worry because the encounter was simply a friendly exchange.

Representative Terry Ridon of Kabataan Party-list says that 59 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) will suffer budget cuts. Though there is an increase of the budget of SUCs, SUCs will suffer a cut on its Maintenance and Other Operating Services (MOOE) and Capital Outlay (CO).

“Reyes” continued asking more questions such as the student’s name, address, political affiliation, as well as the student’s contact number, the 2.2 budget cut campaign, and the planned APEC mobilization. Despite the student’s claim of being not so well-versed about these events, “Reyes” insisted to gather details.

In University of the Philippines (UP), 2.2 CO budget cut is expected. Since 2010, UP experienced budget cuts four times, 1.2 Billion in 2011, 3 Million in 2012, 156 Million in 2014 and another budget cut for 2016. As the students stand for their right for education, they prepared a system-wide walk out in UP on September 24.

After her interrogation, “Reyes” revealed that everything had been recorded from the start and that she had captured several shots of the student even before the conversation transpired. In the end, “Reyes” revealed her affiliations with the Philippine Information Agency and went back on interrogating the student on the details of the Budget Cut campaign.

In UP-Visayas, the police violently blocked the students, faculty members and other sectors as they marched on the streets of Iloilo. They arrested and detained student protesters and two UPV faculties with charges of “illegal assembly” and “civil disobedience.” The arrested protesters were released on the same day, according to a report by the Philippine Collegian.

After the reveal, the student excused himself claiming that he was going to have a class by that time. “Reyes” then inserted two one hundred peso bills in his pocket. The student tried to return the bills yet “Reyes” insisted and said “Amping ha. (Take care.)” “Reyes” finally left.

As the UP–Cebu prepared for “No to Budget Cut Campaign,” a Biology major in UP Cebu went through a questioning by an intelligence agent who introduced herself as “Ella Reyes.” The student was questioned while doing institutional works in the office at around 10 o’ clock in the morning last September 3, 2015.

Lumad Killings The indigenous people commonly known as “Lumads” were attacked, killed, arrested, harassed, and vilified in different parts of Mindanao mostly in Bukidnon, Davao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. These areas hosted privately-operated Lumad schools which were regulated by the Department of Education (DepEd).

The killings of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) Executive Director Emerico Samarca, chairperson of the indigenous people group Maluhutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (Mapasu) Dionel Campos and Campos’ cousin named Datu Aurelio “Bello” Sinzo by paramilitary Magahat/Bagani – said to be commanded by the 36th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army - caused the displacement of over 2,000 residents from their ancestral domains in Lianga, Surigao del Sur. This incident was allegedly accompanied by militaries believed to be a manifestation of Oplan Bayanihan, a counter insurgency program of President Benigno Aquino.

UP–Diliman (UPD) hosted a solidarity camp dubbed as “Manilakbayan 2015: Kampuhan sa Diliman” which started on October 26, 2015. An estimated 700 Lumads from militarized communities gathered together with other sectoral groups, students, and faculty members.

Five days before the event, the UPD Police and Special Services Brigade took six military agents into custody. They were believed to be doing some surveillance work in UPD, as stated in the Philippine Collegian report in a Facebook post last October 21, 2015.

The militarization in UPD violated a provision which states that the university must be notified of the presence of state force around campus. The agreement was made between the University and the Department of National Defense dated June 1989 and signed by then UP President Jose Abueva and then Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos.

Oppression will always persist if exploitation also exists in a community that hallmarks benefit and satisfaction targeted towards a privileged few. As long as the youth are barred from their right to accessible education; as long as the Lumads are violated and belittled from their own lands; and as long as the society permits the elites to contain the public’s rights in a bottle, the masses will always be here to continue the fight for we shall not be silenced. We shall remain. The fight lives on.

opinyon

TUG-ANI October - November 2015

The first time I heard about feminism, I was 10 years old and I did not turn an eye. What is it, anyway?

At 14, I saw my father for the man that he was: a man who believed so highly of himself that he could not find the respect to give to my mother as the woman that she was.

Just like that—the first time I understood feminism, I was 16 and indignant and conscious of the way women were being treated all over the globe, the way my mother was being held so carelessly by my father, and the way I was being treated as a 16-year-old girl who had the face of a lamb and thus, could not be taken seriously.

At 17, I learned to transform this anger into words.

When I was 10 years old and unwilling to learn about the world, feminism was a foreign concept. Back then, it was simply the idea of women fighting but, as I saw my father throw my mother’s heart around, I suddenly understood what they were fighting for.

This equality for women is not defined easily. Although we can say that it is a “movement” that aspires for equal political, economic, cultural, personal and social rights for women—truth is, it is so much more than that. It is so much more than just a

mere fight and a mere defense of ideology. It is more than just speaking in behalf of women and reforming laws to suit women.

One has to step into the shoes of a feminist to understand that feminism is not just a movement, but an inculcation of respect for women into daily life—an emphasis on the woman as a human being.

One of the advances that have been proposed is to standardize the use of the word spelled as “womyn”, which is the nonstandard variant of the word “women” so as to avoid the suffix –men. It does make sense, of course, that this spelling should be used since we now live in a world where feminism is starting to encompass even those who are not directly affected. That is a good thing. However, I would like to raise only one question: Where do we draw the line between feminism and superiority, between bigotry and sincere support?

Is feminism only the establishment of equal rights for women? Or has it become an avenue for women to idealize the inferiority of men? Is it only the fight against rape culture? Or has it become a reason for women to undermine the values, virtues, and dignity of some men? Is it the fight for women’s freedom and freedom of self-expression? Or has it become a method for women to use their words as verbal abuse to the point that they have become akin to the very men they have fought against for years?

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What is feminism? I’m certain it’s not either of the latter choices.

While it is true that, for centuries, men have dominated over women, that the patriarchy has lived on for too long, individuals should not be able to say that women are above men. To use the variant spelling “womyn” in order to avoid the use of the –men­suffix will only perpetuate this idea. It will only pit the men against the women, thus making the fight more difficult with its elements so divided.

We do not need to use another spelling to make a point. Still, it stands that we, women, cannot run this world alone. Balance should always be achieved, even and especially with our genders. There is still much to be done in the fight for equality, that much is true, but it should not be to the point of dividing ourselves even further. It should not be to the point of distancing ourselves from the greater goal.

At 17, I saw my mother begin to stand on her own, to pick up the pieces of what my father chipped away from her—slowly, but surely. It was through my mother’s small act of bravery in our household that I realized one important detail: feminism was never about making women more superior than men. We don’t want men to step down—no, we just want them to make room for us.

Break the Violence Against Women and Children

by Claire Obejas December 2, 2015 - A forum dubbed as “Break the VAW” was held in AS Conference Hall in line with the 18-day campaign to end Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC).

Among the issues tackled were about Webcam Child Sex Tourism. “The victims, the families, and the perpetrators are made to believe that they are doing nothing wrong,” said Mr. Arnie Fernandez Arquiza of Terre des Hommes, an international children’s rights organization.

Mr. Arquiza also introduced the “unorthodox, but essential” approach that the organization has created—Sweetie.

Sweetie is a 10-year-old virtual Filipi-

no girl (chat robot) who was generated to expose the perpetrators of webcam child sex tourism. Over 1,000 of these offenders were unmasked in just two months. Sweetie 2.0 was first launched in April this year and will soon be relaunched in early 2016. Arquiza ended his discussion by saying, “When you do not report it, you support it.”

Awareness on HIV and human trafficking were also discussed.

“We will have to meet whatever new cultural dimension of violence against women with a new cultural, technological dimension to fight violence against

This report was first posted in Tug-ani's Facbook page on December 2, 2015.

women and children,” Prof. Henry Francis B. Espiritu, UP Cebu Gender and Development (GAD) Office coordinator, said in his closing remarks.

The forum was attended by students and teachers from different schools such as University of Cebu and the University of the Visayas, and the Sidlak GRC-7 partners. It was organized by UP Cebu Gender and Development (GAD) Office, Sidlak Gender Resource Center (GRC-7), Office Against Sexual Harassment (OASH), UP Political Science Society (UPPSS), and Gender and Politics class of Ms. Rhodora Bucoy.

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TUG-ANI October - November 2015

TUGALHAB

Lumad Langyaw

by Erme

ni Chichi Rodriguez lumad, langyaw hinog, hilaw tambal, la kita, sila giduslak, tigduslak tinuod, bakak

Mga vayeetch! Abi ninyog nawala nako? Ha! Ha! Ha! Tulo ka ha! ala Amor Powers para sa inyong pagkakontrabida sa akong kaanyag. Paminaw nalang mo sa Shake it Off ni Taylor Swift para mo ma Alma Moreno 2016. Pills pa more!

Neweyyzzz balik ta, kamusta namo? Apir sa tanang nalingaw sa Rivermaya! Pero shudi avash sa mga igo ra ni hab hab sa libreng pagkaon sa pre-Cookout unya nang lupad dayun. Pero nganong magboot man ko sa inyong life oy, mura jud ko’g gwapa!

Himaya, kanus-a mubundak?

Korinna Lucero Editor-in-Chief

Matthew Torregosa Assistant Editor-in-Chief

Michelle Cabrales Managing and Finance Head

lumad, langyaw kalinaw, kayagaw luha, agik-ik hunghong, syagit kupot, kawat hatag, salamat.

Oh dzah. Dili nalang sa ko magpalabi karun kay kulang daw akong journalism skills ingon ang uban diha sa undergrad building—as if kinahanglan jud ang journalism skills sa satire writing. Lalalalala. Bato bato sa langit, ang matamaan, gabaan og mabokol og dili najud maayo hangtod sa kahangturan. Mga Leche.

Hustisya, kanus-a mahimamat?

So mao gihapon ang mag dagan sa sistema karun, eTSep gihapon ang naa sa Malacanang. Nag propose og 200, 000 pesos nga increase sa sweldo sa presidente, APPROVE DAYUN! Nag propose og 150, 000 pesos nga increase sa Vice President, APPROVE DAYUN! Pero ang increase sa sweldo sa ubang government employees sa sulod sa iyang termino, MAS GAMAY PA SA MGA BUHOK SA IYANG ULO.

lumad, langyaw bayani, hanggaw sinugdanan, kapildihan kahayag, kangitngit kaanyag, kasakit

Laysho kaayu katong senador nga ni ari ari sa UP Cebu kay ingon siya okay radaw ang political dynasty!

Hala dzai, mag chur ta. Lami kaayu ka isagpa sa mga officers daw diha nga nawng kaayug politika. I-apil nalang pog sugba ang mga organisasyon diha nga taman ra pasikat; mga organisasyon nga daghan kaayug tampuhon maong wala nalang noon koy ikapalit og lipstick.

lumad, langyaw kulturang nabahaw, kanus-a mabanhaw?

And then, murag si Dean Corro gihapon ang atong Dean, I love Dean Corro baya bisan pag igang kaayu ang ubang rooms sa UP Cebu. Pero nawerla jud ko sa proposal kuno nga pag increase sa lab fees without consulting the students. Of course, unsa naman say gibuhat sa mga political parties? Imbis na magkahiusa

Editorial Board

Nasudnong gugma, kanus-a muhingpit?

nga pugngan ang lab fee increase, nag iyahay naman hinoon ang mga nimels. Politics at its fnest. Bisag UP Cebu, wala naka ikyas sa kahugaw sa politika.

So mao to, tungod sa mga panghitabo sa mga niaging bulan, nakadecide ko nga mopahuway sa Tug-ani og mo-adto sa Oxford arun mo skwela og Ethics. Pero ayawg kabalaka kay naa nakoy nakit-an nga mopuli nako.

John Christian Trigo Online Manager

Alvin Pino

Layout and Graphics Head

Staff

Photojournalist CJ Matarlo Patrizia Aguilos Anfernae Ty Feeona Jyllian Espiritu

Writers Ed Samuel Bacaltos Alvin Dave Bensig Alexis Durog Angelica Galario Maria Resper Lagas April Martel Claire Michaela Obejas Lady Isabelle Perez Kayla Celestine Precioso Efrielle Delight Toledo

Layout and Graphics Marianne Lourdez Abenoja Alvin Dave Bensig Zarah Joanne Resano

Adviser Prof. Henry Espiritu Atty. Ian Manticajon

Member: College Editor Guild of the Philippines University of the Philippines Solidaridad Rise for Education Alliance

Atangi.

THE (MIS)ADVENTURES OF LOFFI : Food porn