UPLB Perspective Volume 46, Issue 2

Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

Ang opisyal na pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Los Baños 

Editoryal Pahina 2 →

Kabalikat ng Masa

Tomo XLVI, Blg. 2 | 12 Pahina

/uplbperspective

[2] Editoryal

The UPLB Perspective Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

Kabalikat ng masa

D

ala ng kabataang estudyante ang sigla at talino upang makiisa sa laban ng sambayanan.

Sa pag-aalay ng dugo’t pawis, sinasangkapan ng kabataang estudyante ang iba’t ibang isyung panlipunan at tinutugunan ito sa paraang wasto at nararapat.

Noong Agosto 20 ng nakaraang taon, nagkaisa ang laksa-laksang mga estudyante sa iba’t ibang pamantasan ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas upang labanan ang pagnanais ng AFP-PNP na pasukin ang Unibersidad. Sa panawagan ng rehente ng mga estudyante na si Isaac Punzalan, naglunsad ang mga estudyante ng malawakang walkout na umabot sa libo-libong mga estudyanteng nangahas na lumabas sa apat na sulok ng silid-aralan upang depensahan ang kanilang pamantasan.

Nakikita ng marami ang pagnanais ni Duterte na pasukin ang pamantasan bilang taktika upang patahimikin ang kritisimo at palawakin ang kultura ng impunidad. Nais nilang pasukin ang Unibersidad sa iba’t ibang porma katulad ng pagaamenda sa LFS-DND accord at paglulunsad ng mandatory drug testing. Layon ng panghihimasok na ito ang pagpapalabnaw ng kalayaang pangakademiko.

Kasaysayan na ang nagpakita kung paano ginagamit ang panghihimasok na ito ng estado ang militar upang kitilin ang mga kritiko nito, kung kaya't matalas ang pagsusuri at pagkilos ng hanay ng mga estudyante. Sa pamamagitan ng pagbubuklod at pagkakaisa ng mga estudyante ng UPLB, nabuo ang alyansang Defend UPLB na naglalayon na palakasin at patingkarin ang lakas-estudyante upang supilin ang pasismo at diktadurya sa loob ng pamantasan.

Sa ganitong konteksto ay makikita natin kung paano sistematikong ginagamit ng rehimeng Duterte ang diktadurya upang makonsolida ang kanilang kapangyarihan. Tahi-tahi ang mga isyung kinahaharap ng buong sambayanan—kung kaya’t ang pagkilos ng isang sektor laban sa pang-aapi at opresyon ay pagkilos para lahat. Sa ganitong diwa, hindi maiiwasan ng hanay ng mga estudyanteng mag-organisa at ipaglaban ang laban ang mas malawak na hanay ng sambayanan—sagka sa karanasan ng masang api't pinagsasamantalahan.

Sa isyung pang-agrikultural, kung saan ilang mobilisasyon at integrasyon ang inalay ng mga estudyante upang palakasin ang mga panawagan ng mga magsasaka. Walang Villar, Aguinaldo, Aquino, o ano mang panginoong maylupa ang

Since 1973 Tomo XLIV Bilang 02

Ang opisyal na pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Los Baños

Room 11, 2F Student Union Building, UPLB uplbperspective@gmail.com Kasapi ng UP Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations at ng College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines

nakapigil sa mga estudyanteng naglalayon na ibunyag ang kawalan ng lupa, pyudalismo, at malawakang pagpatay sa Pilipinas. Sama-sama rin na kinundena ng mga estudyante ang mga anti-mamayang polisiya katulad ng Rice Tarrification Law na nagbabaon sa mga magsasaka sa hirap at gutom.

Pinanindigan ng mga kabataang estudyante ang laban para sa karapatan ng mga mamamayan. Sa isyu ng kalayaan sa pamamahayag, ipinaglaban ng mga manunulat ang hustisya para sa biktima ng Ampatuan Massacre—na kinikilala bilang ang pinakamadugong pagpaslang sa mgamamahayag. Kasabay ng ganitong panawagan ay ang pagbubunyag sa mga abuso na ginagawa ng estado katulad ng pag-iimplementa ng mga anti-mamamayang programa katulad ng Executive Order No. 70. Sa pag-iimplementa ng Executive Order No. 70, lalong lumala ang opensiba ng rehimeng Duterte laban

sa kaniyang mga kritiko. Layon ng Executive Order na tugisin ang armadong pakikibaka—ngunit sa pamamaraan ng panlilinlang ng estado. Ang mga progresibong organisasyon at ang mga kritiko ay pinapatahimik, hinaharas, at pinapatay.

Ngunit sa kabila ng mga atake sa hanay ng mga estudyante, katulad ng pagkakalat ng pekeng balita at propaganda, hindi ito nagpapasindak at mas lalo pang sumisikhay ang pagkilos.

Kasabay ng multi-sektoral na pagkilos ay buong lakas ding tinutugunan ng lakas-estudyante ang kanilang mga demokratikong karapatan. Sa paghahain ng Students Agenda and General Demands (SAGD), layon ng mga estudyante na palakasin ang kanilang mga hanay upang makamtam ang mga karapatan na kanilang natatamasa.

Sa ilalim ng dokumentong ito, pinapanawagan ng mga estudyante ang espasyo para sa mga artista, pondo at kagamitan para sa mga atleta, mas maayos at murang

dormitoryo, mas maraming pasilidad para pag-aaral, at ang pagiimplementa ng mga polisiyang naka-angkla sa interes ng mga estudyante katulad ng pagpapatanggal ng freshman recruitment ban. Sa pagkamit ng mga maliliit na tagumpay, hahangarin ng kabataan ang mas malalaking tagumpay upang matugunan ang mga saligang isyung nagpapahirap sa mga estudyante.

Sa harap ng tumitindig pasismo at krisis ng lipunan, mas lumalalim ang halaga sa paggamit ng lakas at talino upang paglingkuran ang sambayanan. Sa panahon ng panunupil at kabila't kanang patayan sa ilalim ng estado, bumibigat ang timbang ng salitang 'para sa bayan.' Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng pagsubok at balakid, ang lakas ng estudyanteng kabataan ay lalong nag-aalab—hindi di nag-iisa, pagka't kasama ng mga kabataang estudyante ang buong samabayanang nagkakaisa para sa hustisya at kalayaan. Magkaisa, magmulat, at magpalaya, Iskolar ng bayan!

Juan Sebastian Evangelista

Michael James Masangya

Kristine Paula Bautista

Contributing Editors

Mark Ernest Famatigan

Philip Xavier Li

Ian Raphael Lopez

Mga Kawani

Kristine Paula Bautista at Mac Andre Arboleda

Sonya Castillo

Dean Carlo Valmeo

Jandelle Cruz

Reuben Pio Martinez

Punong Patnugot Kapatnugot

Tagapamahalang Patnugot

Alvin James Magno Patnugot ng Balita

Patnugot ng Lathalain Patnugot ng Kultura

Patnugot ng Produksyon Kapatungot sa Graphiks

Kapatnugot sa Litrato

Patnugot ng Paglalapat Patnugot sa Online

Tagapamahala ng Sirkulasyon

Julianne Afable, Katrina Sabangan Ellanie Malen, Felipa Cheng, Lindsay Peñaranda, Aynrand Galicia, Cyril Chan, Andrei Gines, Angelin Ulayao, Aubrey Beatrice Carnaje, Datu Zahir Meditar, Queenie Marie Dickson, Sophia Pugay, Caren Malaluan, Ma. Victoria Almazan, Paul Carson

Dibuho ng Pabalat

Lindsay Peñaranda

Balita [3]

The UPLB Perspective Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

SCs convene for 49 GASC th

Fifteen resolutions on different issues adopted

By Reuben Pio Martinez

Forty-eight out of fifty-four student councils all over the UP System flocked together and approved 15 resolutions on the 49th General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) in the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

The resolutions address the issues that mainly affect the UP student population, and also those who are in the marginalized communities.

The biannual assembly was overseen by Student Regent John Isaac Punzalan, who is the sole representative of the students to the UP Board of Regents (BOR), the highest policy making body of the entire UP system.

Before the resolution building, Punzalan reminded the student councils that they should always strive to serve the people and remain vigilant and steadfast on the attacks, considering the current socio-political climate.

“The only way we will go is up.

There is no reason for us to slow down… Andiyan na ‘yung threats, at ‘yung attacks. Ang tanong na lang, gaano tayo kahanda nang sama-sama?,” the student regent asked.

As with previous GASCs, the event allowed councilpersons from all UP campuses across the nation to serve as a platform to discuss and debate contemporary issues. Topics ranged from political corruption and abuses of power on a national level, to problematic policies within the UP system.

On government policies

Most resolutions emphasized the supposed fascist nature of the government under President Duterte.

Each discussed the prevalence of red-tagging in UP campuses, wherein students and progressive groups are accused or harassed under the impression of being affiliated with the CPP-NPA-NDF. This was said to have been used as an excuse by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to militarize campuses and increase regular patrols and investigations.

This issue also enveloped 55 Lumad schools in Mindanao, when they were all forcibly shut down by the Department of Education (DepEd) during the

Fighting forward Student leaders and journalists raise their fists in singing “UP Naming Mahal” as the GASC 49 draws to a close. CYRIL CHAN implementation of martial law in the area, on the grounds of allegedly teaching subversive ideas to students.

Government policies and projects were called-out in other resolutions. One such was Memorandum Order 32 (MO 32), which lead to Samar, Bicol, and Negros becoming hotspots for extrajudicial killings in a time when AFP forces were deployed to supposesdly maintain the peace.

Another was Executive Order 70, leading to government agencies such as AFP, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and PNP forming the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

This, in turn, was viewed as a manifestation of a de facto martial law.

Junking neoliberal policies that value economic growth over social welfare was another point raised.

Among such policies were the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, which increases the tax rates for necessities, and the Rice Tariffication Law, which places too much emphasis on rice importation.

The Build! Build! Build! Program was also discussed in one resolution, highlighting how P2.2 trillion worth of infrastructure

The only way we will go is up. There is no reason for us to slow down John Isaac Punzalan Student Regent

projects will, or are, displacing communities for perceived economic development in various areas.

Advocacies highlighted

Some resolutions endorsed advocacies and proposed projects to promulgate said endorsements.

One involved including the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in the 18th congress, which would allow for government offices to be transparent with the public on intra-agency matters, and for public documents to be available to citizens.

Another featured a call for the declaration of a climate crisis, which would invite activists, students, and organizations to recognize environmental rights, with the UP administration leading.

The current state of our country’s healthcare and agriculture

sectors were also raised. The resolution on health suffered substantial budget cuts, insufficient medical equipment, and increasing costs; the latter one discussed the need for a genuine agrarian reform, which would help farmers assert their land rights, and would help them receive justice for crimes.

On UP endeavors

Remaining resolutions focused on recognizing the students’ democratic rights within the UP system.

These “commercialized” plans included the Student Financial Aid (SFA) preventing students from having secured slots; the freshman recruitment ban that prevents freshmen from joining organizations and inducted members from organizing opening events; and the UP Master Development Plan, which emphasized aesthetic-based development rather than educational development.

Transparency issues with the Board of Regents (BOR), including questionable decision making processes during dean selections, and inefficient response times on system-wide concerns were raised in one resolution.

The Return Service System (RSS), which was listed under the Impending Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (RA

10931), was also discussed. In it, students would be required to pay their own subsidy if the scholars failed or dropped a course, in addition to having to dedicate a year working in a government office.

The remaining resolution offered to have the entire UP system take a stand against historical revisionism, in the light of an instance in September 2018 when Imee Marcos was allowed access into UP Diliman, and another in September 2019, when Irene Marcos-Araneta also entered. The two are daughters of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Immediately following the approval of all 15 resolutions, all councils should enforce the said amendments on the upcoming semesters and serve as guiding principles for their council’s endeavors.

Later that day, UP Diliman’s College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, once again, proposed amendments for the rules in student regent selection were debated by each council. However, none of the proposed amendments were approved.

[P] Online

GASC49: The list of approved resolutions https://bit.ly/2OraKHB

,

i

[4] Balita

 The UPLB Perspective Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

Are your student-leaders in action?

Attendance on general assemblies Special 1st GA Meeting Jun 10

2nd GA Jun 18

3rd GA Jun 25

4th GA Jul 9

5th GA Aug 12

6th GA Aug 21

7th GA Aug 26

8th GA Sep 8

Chairperson Patricia Mayor Vice Chairperson Jasper Sunga Councilor Clarice Anagao Councilor Esther Arrojo Councilor Jainno Bongon Councilor Ronald Daleon Councilor Aixian Ling

Candidates of Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan (SAKBAYAN), top, and Jainno Bongon, left presents their platforms for the University Student Council (USC) elections during the Campus Forum held last year. The following infographics chart the attendance of the student-leaders in General Assemblies (GA) and mobilizations that happened during the past semester.

PHOTOS BY PAULA BAUTISTA

Legend Present

Councilor Eleazar Luma Councilor Nico Rastrullo Councilor Brandon Velardo CAS Representative Hanz Majadas CAFS Representative OIC 1 CDC Representative OIC 1 CEM Representative OIC 1 CEAT Representative Eire Tagaban CFNR Representative Eunice Zuniga CHE Representative OIC 1

Excused Late

Unexcused Late

Absent

Unexcused Absent

N/A See notes

CVM Representative Jacob Barcena

NOTES 1 Representatives from the local student council were asked to come, as these positions were vacant before the special elections last October 3. 2 As a result of Patty Mayor’s resignation, Jasper Sunga became Chairperson and

Midterm report: How did it go?

USC leads dialogues and mobilizations as term reaches halfway

By Dean Carlo Valmeo

As the University Student Council (USC) reaches its halfway mark in office, its student-leaders have persistently campaigned to safeguard the interests of the university and its students.

In the first month of the first semester, the council sent its position paper to the Board of Regents (BOR) meeting to forward the numerous MRR extensions and

readmission cases in the campus.

It also opened the academic year with a Rage for Reg to decry the ‘anti-student’ policies within the university, especially the Student Academic Information System (SAIS), which has been called as “inefficient” and “faulty”.

The USC welcomed new freshmen students by providing a Freshie Registration Assistance help desk to guide them for registration concerns. A Freshie Fair was also organized which featured a series of cultural performances and educational discussions about the Southern Tagalog situation.

Throughout the semester, forums and educational discussions were

facilitated by the council to discuss the issues concerning attacks on youth, academic freedom, state fascism, and campus militarization.

USC also led a series of mobilizations such as LABAN KABATAAN, GUNITA, #NeverForget, and the systemwide UP Day of Walkout.

In August, the council slam-med the reported impending release of rape-slay convict Antonio Sanchez, who is guilty of ordering the abduction and murder of UPLB students Eileen Sarmienta and Allan Gomez.

Their statement appealed to the UPLB community to mobilize and reassert the call for justice.

The USC also led the commemoration in the campus of Martial Law

through a series of protest actions and educational discussions.

Raging for reg

The fight for the right to education has been one of the primary undertakings of USC. The council sent a letter to the Office of the Chancellor to extend the payment of fees for students who are not covered by the free tuition law.

It has successfully held a public dialogue with the UPLB administration, which extended the registration; however, it was only for one week.

In August, the council sent a position paper to the Board of Regents (BOR) meeting to assert the approval of all MRR extension and readmission appeals.

This paved way for the board to decide that USC and local councils must actively participate in the registration process implementation in the upcoming semesters. The BOR also committed to review all the existing registration policies in UPLB that prevent students from having their MRR or readmission approved.

Defend the university, Southern Tagalog

After a series of integrations to Mindoro, the council published a statement to slam the attacks happening in the region.

They also published a statement on AFP-PNP Human Rights Violations.

The USC also secured a dialogue with the administration concerning campus security, which was initiated after incidents of red-tagging among progressive individuals and mass organizations.

The likelihood of police and military entry on campus was also raised during the dialogue.

Correction An earlier edition of this issue contained an infographic on Pages 4-5, entitled “Are your student leaders in action?”, that erroneously said that Oscar Martinez was the CEM Representative during the last semester. In a statement to [P] it was cleared out that Martinez did not actually hold office. It also misstated the attendance of several college representatives on Page 5. The board apologizes for the oversight—Ed.

Balita [5]

The UPLB Perspective  Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

Attendance on mobilizations

After Patty resigned, there were changes in the roster. See footnotes 9th GA Sep 16

SM

Sep 24

10th GA 11th GA EGA Oct 7

Nov 4

SR Delib Freshmen Registration Assistance

Dec 5

Jun 6

Chairperson Patricia Mayor

Chairperson Patricia Mayor

Vice Chairperson Jasper Sunga 2

Vice Chairperson Jasper Sunga

Councilor Clarice Anagao

Councilor Clarice Anagao

Councilor Esther Arrojo

Councilor Esther Arrojo

Councilor Jainno Bongon 2

July 2

July 3

July 4

July 5

Rage Reg August 7

Freshie Fair August 7

UP Walkout FBA August 20 August 20

Councilor Jainno Bongon

Councilor Ronald Daleon

Councilor Ronald Daleon

Councilor Aixian Ling

Councilor Aixian Ling

Councilor Eleazar Luma

Councilor Eleazar Luma

Councilor Nico Rastrullo

Councilor Nico Rastrullo

Councilor Brandon Velardo

Councilor Brandon Velardo

Councilor Gelo Aurigue 3

CAS Representative Hanz Majadas

CAS Rep. Hanz Majadas

CAFS Representative OIC 1

CAFS Rep. Nikko Solatre 3

CDC Representative OIC 1

CDC Rep. Seth Pagulayan 3 CEM Representative OIC 3

CEM Representative OIC 1

CEAT Rep. Eire Tagaban

CEAT Representative Eire Tagaban

CFNR Rep. Eunice Zuniga

CFNR Representative Eunice Zuniga

CHE Rep. Bea Quidilig 3

CHE Representative OIC 1

CVM Rep. Jacob Barcena

CVM Representative Jacob Barcena

Jainno Bongon was elected as Vice Chair.

July 1

3 Aurigue, Pagulayan and Quidilig were elected in the Special Elections last Oct. 3. Their first GA was on Oct. 7.

Source USC Compiled by Alvin James Magno Infographic Design Ian Raphael Lopez

Four SC chairpersons vacate posts

By Alvin James Magno

The UPLB University Student Council (USC) and several college student councils faced a spate of resignations by its chairpersons in the past semester.

Chairpersons Patty Mayor from the USC, Gian Hernandez from the College of Human Ecology Student Council (CHESC), and Felizardo Encarnacion from the College of Veterinary Medicine Student Council (CVMSC) resigned from their positions on their respective student bodies.

They have cited personal issues that led to dismissal, mental health concerns, and graduating status have led their decisions to leave their posts.

Meanwhile, Lemuel Nur Castillo from the College of Development Communication Student Council (CDCSC) ended his

Who’s who

Patty Mayor

Gian Hernandez

Yvhuri Encarnarcion

Nur Lemuel Castillo

USC Chairperson Resigned

CHESC Chairperson Resigned

CVMSC Chairperson Resigned

CDCSC Chairperson Graduated

Succeeded by Jasper Sunga, former USC Vice Chairperson

Succeeded by Klebsiella Pasion, former CHE SC Vice Chairperson

Succeeded by Patricia Mae Odrada, former CVM SC Vice Chairperson

Succeeded by Camille Villanueva, former CDCSC Vice Chaiperson

term as he graduated in the first semester.

Mayor was the first to resign last semester, October 9, 2019, following the disapproval of her readmission appeal by the UPLB administration.

In her resignation letter, she vowed to continue the fight for the rights and welfare of the

students and the Filipino people. On the same note, CVMSC’s Encarnacion also resigned due to the disapproval of his readmission appeals.

Meanwhile, CHESC’s Hernandez vacated post on December 13, 2019, citing mental health issues as the reason why he committed some lapses on his

leadership.

The resignation was filed in the midst of an impending impeachment complaint concurred by the majority of CHESC members.

Castillo raised last January 20, 2020 his graduate status on leaving the CDCSC. Castillo finished his Bachelor’s degree last

December 2019. He expressed his gratitude to the CDC students who supported his projects during his term as chairperson.

Their respective Vice Chairpersons took the vacant positions — Jasper Sunga for the USC, Klebsiella Joiz Pasion for CHESC, and Camille Villanueva for CDCSC, Patricia Mae Odrada for the CVMSC. Meanwhile, Jainno Bongon was selected as the Vice Chairperson of the USC after deliberations in their general assembly.

According to 1984 UPLB USCCSC Constitution Article VII, Section 7 Subsection A: “Any permanent vacancy in the office of the Chairperson shall be filled by the Vice Chairperson provided that if the permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the Vice Chairperson, the Council shall elect from among the councilors a new Vice Chairperson.”

[6] Lathalain

Sandata ng Mangagawa

Simulan Dito

WELGA

The UPLB Perspective Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

Nina Mark Ernest Famatigan at Datu Zahir Meditar Kaliwa’t kanan ang pagputok ng mga welga sa rehiyon ng Timog Katagalugan sa mga nakaraang taon. Mula man sa iba’t ibang pinanggalingan at pinagtratrabahuan ang mga manggagawa ng NutriAsia, Pepmaco, Imasen, at Monde Nissin, malinaw ang pagkakapare-pareho ng mga kalagayan nila—ang pagsasamantala at pagsasawalang-bahala ng kanilang mga karapatan ng kanilang mga pamunuan. Pinapatunayan ng mga kaganapang ito na ang pagwewelga

Mayo 2017

Hunyo 16, 2017

Hun

Binuo ang Monde Nissin Labor Association (MNLA-LIGA) ng mga manggagawang tumatagal na ng 20 taon sa pagawaan ngunit kontraktwal pa rin.

Nagkaroon ng inspeksyon ang DOLE provincial sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Guido Recio.

Hindi pinapasok ni Ramon Estella, ang direktor ng Monde Nissin Sta. Rosa, ang inspektor at pinabalik na lamang sa ika- 23

Pinap ngun anom mga sa mg inspe sasab

MONDE NISSIN

ng mga manggagawa ay isang epektibong sandata sa pagkamit ng tagumpay at paghangad ng katarungan.

Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, hindi rito nagtatapos ang kanilang laban para sa tunay na demokratikong lipunan. Ang pagpapasya sa pagbalikwas sa umiiral na sistema at pagwakas sa pananamantala, ay hindi lamang nakaatang sa mga uring manggagawa kundi pati na rin sa lipunan na kaniyang hinubog.

Hulyo 30, 2018

Nauwi sa karahasan ang isang mapayapang ecumenical prayer service nang sumulpok ang mga guwardiya at tinira ang mga nagwewelga sa pabrika ng NutriAsia sa Marilao, Bulacan. Inaresto ang 19 na tao at mahigit kumulang 30 ang nasaktan, kabilang ang mga mangagawa at mga kasapi ng media

Huly

Nagsu mga m sa DO ireklam only c mga p Pepm

Ang Monde Nissin ay kilala para sa mga produkto nilang mga biskwit, instant noodles, at inumin. Pinamumunuan ito ni Betty Ang at matatagpuan ang isa sa kanilang pagawaan sa Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Agosto 1, 2018 Setyembre 7, 2018

Ang NutriAsia, Inc. ay isa sa mga pangunahing kumpanya na gumagawa ng mga condiments at pampalasa. Itinayo noong 1991 ni Joselito Campos na mayroon ring posisyon sa iba pang mga kompanya.

Pinalaya na ng kapulisan ang 19 na taong inaresto. Sinabi ni Jovelyn Bornales, isang manggagawa na naaresto, inakusahan sila ng mga pulis ng mga gawagawang mga kaso.

Ang Peerless Producers Manufacturing Corporation o Pepmaco ay isa sa mga pangunahing tagagawa ng mga kilalang brand ng sabon panlaba, toothpaste at shampoo.

Nasa ilalim ito ni Simeon Tiu at may pabrika sa Calamba, Laguna.

Ang Imasen Philippine Manufacturing Corporation ay isang tagagawa ng seat slide at reclining adjuster ng mga sasakyan. Pinamamahalaan ni Takamitsu Sakurai, ang kumpanya ay may pagawaan sa Biñan, Laguna.

Nauwi sa karahasan ang isang kilosprotesta na dinaluhan ng daandaang manggagawa ng NutriaAsia sa Cabuyao City, Laguna. Kasabay nito, inaresto ng mga pulis ang hindi bababa sa sampung lider ng unyon.

Haharap sa mga kaso ang 17 manggagawa kasabay ng marahas na pagtrato ng kapulisan sa isang kilos-protesta sa isang pabrika ng NutriAsia. Kasama sa mga naaresto ay sina Reyniero Maarat, presidente ng Kilusan ng Abanteng Sektor ng Anakpawis NutriAsia-Olalia.

Hulyo 21, 2019

Ang mga manggagawa ng Imasen ay magsasagawa ng kilos-protesta hinggil sa mga gawa-gawang kaso, ilegal na pagtanggal sa trabaho ng mga lidermanggagawa, hindi makatarungang pagdidiyalago, at iba-iba pang mga paglabag sa batas.

Hulyo 18-22, 2019

Marahas na binuwag ang picket line ng mga manggagawa noong ala-una ng madaling araw.

Ginamitan ng bumbero ang mga welgista at pinagbubugbog gamit ang batuta ng mga nakamaskarang lalaki na nagmula sa dalawang container van. Dahil rito, nagkasa ng isa pang protesta ang mga mangagawa noong Hulyo 4.

Katapusan

Binaril si Reynaldo “Ka Rey” Malaborbor, bandang 9:30 ng gabi, malapit sa kanyang tirahan sa Brgy. Banay-Banay, San Pedro City. Si Ka Rey ay kilala bilang isang beteranong aktibista na nanilbihan sa mga manggagawa at unyonista.

Oktubre 21, 2019

Marahas na binuwa guwardya ng Pepm Philippine National CALABARZON ang manggagawa sa kan Sugatan ang isang m Christian Mondido.

Nagkasa ng siyam na oras na welga ang MNLA-LIGA sa loob ng pagawaan sa Balibago, Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Nangako ang Monde Nissin na ire-regularisa na ang 176 na lumahok sa welga.

PMU-NAFLU-KMU

Nobyembre 15, 2019

Agosto 8, 201

Agosto 6, 2019

Nagkilos-protesta ang mga manggagawa at ibang sektor ng lipunan mula Timog Katagalugan upang kontrahin ang nalalapit na State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Duterte, bilang pagkundena sa mga kalabisan nito.

Matagumpay na naitayo ang protest camp ng mga manggagawa ng Korean Packaging Corp. (KPC) bunsod ng tanggalan sa kanilang hanay. Matatagpuan ang protest camp sa kanilang main gate sa Sta Rosa, Laguna.

Nagt Pepm mang sinib na lid kasam presi

Hunyo 28, 2019

Hulyo 6, 2019

Hulyo 8, 2019

Ininspekta ang pagawaan at natagpuang sinasapraktika ng Pempaco ang labor-only contracting, kasabay ng mga paglabag sa health and safety standards.

Ene

Setyembre 30, 2019

Nakiisa ang mga mangagawa ng Nutriasia sa matagumpay na tigil-pasada ng mga tsuper sa ilalim ng Cabuyao Workers Alliance (CAWAL). Nabigyan rin ng recognizance ang 17 mangagawang nakakulong pa rin.

MNLA-LIGA

Setyembre 21, 2019

Binuwag ng Cabuyao PNP ang piket ng mga manggagawa ng NutriAsia sa ngalan ng clearing operations nito. Ngunit wala pang ginagawang hakbang si Mayor Mel Gecolea ukol sa pagpapalaya ng 17 na manggagawa ng NutriAsia.

Setyembr

Sa matagumpay bargaining agre OLALIA-KMU, n mangagawa ng sahod, iba’t iban financial assista ng 126 na kontr

Lathalain [7]

The UPLB Perspective Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

nyo 23, 2017

Pebrero 23, 2018

pasok na ang inspektor nit nillinis na ang mga malya. Naghanda ang agency at nagturo ga ihaharap nila sa ektor kung ano ang bihin.

yo 6, 2018

umbong ang manggagawa OLE upang mo ang laborcontracting sa pagawaan ng maco.

ero 2019

tanggal pa ang maco ng 37 ggagawa at bak din ang apat der-manggagawa, ma ang bise idente ng Unyon.

19

ag ng mga maco at l Police (PNP) g hanay ng mga nto ng Airstrip St. manggagawa na si .

re 19, 2019

Hunyo 4, 2018

Inutusan ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ang Nutriasia Inc., na gawing regular ang 914 na manggagawa nito na nanggagaling sa kanilang mga kontraktor. Ito ay dahil ang kanilang kaayusan sa trabaho lamang ay itinuring na labor-only subcontracting, kung saan ay labag sa labor code ng Pilipinas. Ngunit, hindi ito sinunod ng kumpanya.

Nagsagawa ng picket line ang 200 tao na binubuo ng mga manggagawa at taga-suporta sa harap ng pabrika ng NutriAsia sa Marilao, Bulacan sa pangunguna ni Jessie Gerola, pangulo ng union Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng NutriAsia. Kumuha ng dalawang temporary restraining order (TRO) mula sa Regional Trial Court ang kumpanya.

DOLE.GOV.PH

Hunyo 22, 2018

Nagkaroon ng inspeksyon and DOLE sa pagawaan. Hindi umikot ang inspektor at lumapit lang sa Human Resources (HR) office nila upang mag-interview. Ang mga kontraktwal na ‘hats’ ay hindi pinapasok sa araw ng inspeksyon at ipinasara ang mga multipack o manual inspection ng noodles, at sa gabi pinapasok.

Hunyo 11, 2018

Hunyo 14, 2018

Nagtayo ng kampo ang MNLA sa harap ng pabrika upang kundenahin ang ilegal na pagpapatanggal ng mga manggagawa na hawak ng agencies na Bauer, Toplis, at Sevenel.

Daan-daang kapulisan ang bumantay sa pintuang-daan ng NutriAsia. Pinilit na paalisin ang mga taong nasa picket line. @ADRIANP ON TWITTER

Marso 2019

Nagfile ng Petition for Certification Election (PCE) ang mga manggagawa, ngunit hindi naapruba dahil bumili ng unyon ang Pepmaco sa National Workers’ Brotherhood na diumano’y may Sole and Exclusive Bargaining Agent (SEBA) Certification na.

Hunyo 3, 2019

Iligal na tinanggal ang 20 manggagawa na kasapi ng Pepmaco Worker’s Union, kasama ang lider nito na si Angelo Cañete. Tinanggal sila ng kanilang mga agency dahil sa pagpapahayag nila ng kanilang kalagayan sa pabrika.

Hunyo 5, 2019

Nilabas ang ulat ng DOLE hinggil sa paglabag ng Pepmaco sa occupational and safety standards.

Nakalista sa ulat ang mga pagkukulang ng kumpanya, gaya ng hindi pagbigay ng sapat na Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).

Hunyo 23-25, 2019

Nagkasa ng kilos-protesta matapos tanggalin ng pamunuan ng Pepmaco ang 148 na manggagawang kasapi ng PWU. Hinarang ang mga trak na papasok sana sa pagawaan na may dalang materyales. No-show ang pamunuan sa nakatakdang diyalogo.

Hunyo 13, 2019

Hinarap ng unyon ang pamanuan ng Pepmaco upang pag-usapan ang Notice of Strike. May mga kumakalat din na polyeto na sinisiraan ang Unyon.

Hunyo 6, 2019 Nag-ayos ng Notice of Strike and PWU sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Pormal na pumutok na ang welga.

Hunyo 12, 2019

Binasura ng DOLE Regional Office ang kaso hinggil sa inspeksyon ng Labor Inspector kahit nakalista na sa dokumento ang mga ginawang paglabag sa loob ng pagawaan.

PMU-NAFLU-KMU

Agosto 19, 2019

Pinalo, binombahan ng tubig, at itinulak ng mga guwardya ang mga manggagawa. Pinagtipontipon ng PNP Calamba ang 18 manggagawa, itinali ang mga kamay ng cable tie, bago isakay patungong presinto. Pinalaya rin kinabukasan ang Pepmaco 18 dahil labag ang naging pagaresto sa Memorandum Circular 016 ng DOJ.

ay na collective eement ng MUDSPCnagkamit ang mga dagdag sa arawang ng mga bonus at ance, at regularisasyon raktwal.

Agosto 19, 2019

Binantaan ang mga manggagawa ng malawakang termination sa trabaho.

Nagsagawa ng kilos-protesta noong Agosto 22 ang mga manggagawa upang kundenahin ang hindi pagtupad ng pamunuan ng Monde Nissin ang usapin ng regularisasyon.

TWITTER

Agosto 29, 2019

Natapos ang ikalawang welga ng mga manggagawang kotraktwal ng Monde Nissin. Napagtagumpayan nilang makamit ang kabayarang one month pay per year of service, kabayaran sa mga panahong hindi na pinapasok ng kumpanya, at financial assistance

Agosto 26, 2019

Ang mga manggagawa mula sa iba’t ibang alyansa ay tumungo sa bawat manggagawa. Maliban dito, Pumunta ang kawani ng NCMB sa Mendiola upang ipanawagan ang may certification na ibibigay ang pagawaan ng Monde Nissin upang pagtapos sa kontraktwalisasyon.

DOLE upang makakuha ng financial makiusap sa mga gwardya na palaba- Kasabay nito, ipinaabot rin nila sa assistance sa SSS, separation pay sin ang mga manggagawang panggabi mga kinauukulan na kilalanin ang sa mga hindi pa nabibigyan nito, at na nais ng lumabas dahil nakawelga kanilang karapatan na magfinancial assistance na rin sa kasapian ang manggagawa dito. Pinipigilan ng organisa at magtatag ng MNLA, na lumaban para sa mga ito. pamunuan ang nasabing paglabas. ng unyon.

Agosto 27, 2019

Kinalap nina Mark Ernest Famatigan at Datu Zahir Meditar Disenyo ng Infographic Ian Raphael Lopez

Undisputed territories [8] Kultura

What does the influx of Chinese nationals to the Philippines mean for our national sovereignty and territories? By Ellanie Marie Mallen

T

he current administration has seen an influx of Chinese nationals into the country. President Ro d r i g o D u t e r t e ’s a t t e m p t to warm up to China meant lowering immigration restrictions, which made access to the Philippines much easier for the Chinese. According to the Bureau of Immigration, 3.12 million Chinese citizens have entered the Philippines from 2016 to 2018.

With the reopening of Boracay to the public after being closed off for being a cesspool and ungergoing environmental rehabilitation, tourists once again flooded the island, with Chinese nationals making up 45% of the total tourist population, having a number of 149,019 from January to March 2019, according to the Municipal Tourism Office of Malay, Aklan.

The influx of these Chinese tourists produced rise in numbers of newly opened Chinese establishments, with a 30% increase in Chinese businesses in the area from under a hundred according to the same source. Though the government might view this as something that can contribute to the economic growth on a larger scale, considering tax incentives and smooth access to international trade, this viewpoint ignores the increase presence of competition by Chinese establishments conversely leading to a decrease in opportunities for the growth of our domestic businesses.

The domestic market in different local areas are currently experiencing continuous competitive struggles, especially in places such as Boracay, where the population of these Chinese nationals are concentrated. With the stagnant growth of local economic contributors and the thriving of foreign investors, this can in turn develop into a sort of economic

dependency that our country would find hard to mend later on—a time where the Filipino people will certainly “eat the money” of Chinese investors.

While the opening of businesses should mean more job opportunities for the locals in the vicinity, that is not the case for most Chinese establishments in the country. In Boracay alone, there are about 200-300 Chinese nationals are identified as workers in Chinese establishments, according to an interview with previous Malay acting mayor Abram Sualog back in 2018.

This resulted in stagnant job opportunities for local Fili-

Department of Labor and Employment Secretary, Silvestre Bello III admitted that they have no control over Chinese businesses, and that they lack credible men to serve as inspectors to sniff out illegal workers, causing imposed penalties for illegal workers to be unjustly compromised.

According to the same source, t h e r e are also about an estimate of 130,000

To submit to this masked invasion is to let our sovereignty slowly wither away. Our territory, integrity, and autonomy, little by little, is being estranged from us. pinos despite the increase in number of businesses; and of course, the continued increase of Chinese workers to rise, hindering opportunities for our own people, as Duterte further strengthens his relationship with China by visiting and discussing “both countries’ development.”

W

h a t ’s m o r e troubli ng, is the fact that the numbers that the government has of alien workers in the countries are only those that were accounted for. They are yet to be certain how many Chinese workers, legal and illegal, are operating in the country; it was estimated to be around several thousands.

GRAPHICS BY

Aynrand Galicia

The UPLB Perspective Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

Kultura [9]

The UPLB Perspective Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

offshore gaming operators, most of which are evading taxes.

So much for economic growth. They hand us a hundred while they rob us a thousand. We are being manipulated and being fed superficially enticing lies while being robbed blind.

A

side from the sovereignty dispute on the West Philippine Sea – which the current administration noticeably put aside, another impending territorial issue would be the proposed hold of Chinese firms on the tourism and economic development of 3 key Philippine islands: Fuga in Cagayan, and Grande and Chiquita in Subic Bay, Zambales – all of which are strategic points that could compromise national security, according to military officials.

Moreover, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed that the Department of National Defense, like the Philippine Navy, was not consulted when the islands were offered to the Chinese for development into tourist destinations.

Located in the country’s second northernmost island group, Fuga Island has access to the Pacific Ocean as well as the South China Sea – and the construction of a ‘smart city’ was proposed to be done there, patterned to Fuijan province’s mega infrastructure project.

While Subic Bay, aside from Grande island’s historical significance as part of the country’s defense perimeter when American’s took over Subic Bay back in the 1900s, it is only 260 kilometers away from Panatag Shoal that China clutched away from the Philippines back in 2012.

The analysis of this proposal leads to the preposition of the intent of possible gain of control on other territorial pieces within the vicinity, should this collaboration proceed with flying colors.

The need to ascertain the intent of these aliens’ presence in our land and establish a firm grip to our boundaries is of utmost importance in these trying times. To submit to this masked invasion, is to let our sovereignty slowly wither away.

Our territory, integrity, and autonomy little by little is being estranged from us as it is slowly sold and consumed by foreign power; to which the current administration views as “beneficial for its constituents,” but is no doubt a blatant precursor pivoting our course the other way around.

green capitalism Under the mask of

As environmental and climate problems take another turn for the worse, is green capitalism the answer? By Mark Ernest Famatigan

T

he products are not as they seem.

Over the years, we have seen a surge of “green” products in the market. “Green” straws, “green” cups, “green” eco-bags are currently being marketed to save the Earth, convincing other people that buying such products is sustainable, and would minimize consumption.

Thinking about it, there is actually some truth to their claims.

The green products we see today does indeed contribute to

preserving the environment.

Such is the case for the famous metal straws, in which straws made from stainless steel are manufactured to discourage the usage of plastic straws. Congress has even come as far as considering the banning the usage of plastic straws, for they saw these products as a problem that continues to pollute our oceans.

Then-Senator Risa Hontiveros wanted to completely ban plastic straws in establishments while then-Senator Edgardo Angara wanted to regulate its usage in establishments by imposing a small fee.

Aside from the straws, some local governments in the Philippines have imposed prohibitions from the usage of single use plastics. At the beginning of the year, the Quezon City government has completely banned the usage of the said product. City Ordinance No. SP-2876, signed by Mayor Joy Belmonte, also prohibited the distribution of single-use plastics.

Why feel the need to ban plastic? In 2018, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Barbers, citing the report of the Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center

In analyzing waste production, we see and criticize its aspect of consumption, but often fail to see the aspect of production.

GRAPHICS BY

Aynrand Galicia

for Business and Environment in 2015, revealed that the Philippines ranks third on the list of the largest source of ocean plastic. About half a million tonnes of this plastic waste leaks into the oceans, and eventually destroys marine ecosystems.

The existence of these policies raises a few questions in mind.

How effective are these policies in alleviating the environmental problem in the ocean? Are these practices sustainable?

S

o-called “green” and “eco-friendly” products aren’t as friendly as they seem. In analyzing waste production, we see and criticize its aspect of consumption, but often fail to see the aspect of production.

Taking the case of the eco-bag, the said product actually has a high carbon footprint multiple times larger than the production of a plastic bag. It takes a lot of energy to produce cotton yarn, and the production of cotton—its primary material—needs fertilizer for growth.

Meanwhile, metal straws produce carbon emissions equivalent to 150 metal straws, meaning it must be used over 150 times to balance out its environmental impact. These straws are made of nickel, which are extracted underground, destroying the landscape, especially in areas like Palawan where large scale mining is rampant. This rampant large scale mining has also led to the displacement of indigenous people from their lands, like what is currently happening in the regions of Surigao and Caraga.

Green capitalism, manifested by the existence of these products, is a mere illusion of environmental preservation.

No amount of metal straws or eco-bags will save the Earth, because the demand for these products will always lead to the exploitation of nature. It won’t be until its end, that this rotting system will stop this from happening. If you want to be pro-environment, you have to be anti-capitalist.

[10] Opinyon

The UPLB Perspective Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

Tuldukan ang bulok-rasya Mumblings Datu Zahir Meditar

In a highly esteemed national university that is mandated to provide an education rooted in honor and excellence, it is a huge disgrace that deep inside its reputation lies a squander system of governance and management.

UPLB has a long term issue when it comes to bureaucratic processes that affects a student from accessing basic services of the institution such as registration concerns as well as readmission and extension in residency concerns. Because of this, many students find it extremely difficult to procure what they aim to obtain.

As a matter of fact, the alarming rate of around 600 students who cannot register because of disapproved appeals, with inconsistent explanations from the administration, puts the administration in an embarrassing and agitating situation, further proving that they do not completely understand the welfare of the students.

It is also both sad and frustrating to know that the same administration, the one who is supposed to provide basic services and needs to its constituents especially the students, is the one that perpetuates harsh bureaucracy, making their lives more

difficult. Inconsistency and negligence lingers in their offices as they do not recognize the hardships that each student undergo because of these rigorous processes that happen every semester.

This problem has been happening for a long time already and it is obvious that they are not maximizing their efforts to change their routines. Bureaucracy in the university is not only limited to registration concerns. It is also evident in giving incoherent guidelines and unmentioned deadlines in certain circumstances.

They even prioritize other unnecessary matters rather than giving enough spaces for students such as to rehearse for their performances and practice for competitions. Additionally, whenever a student has a transaction in offices, sometimes they are told by the staff to go back again another time because the certain official who must sign is not present.

This adds to the burden of students since it is a huge hassle to go back to them and usually the deadlines come immediately.

No problematic system should deprive them from quality education and student life. The full potential and capabilities of students are being compromised by this bureaucracy. Now, they refuse to be victims by such failed management.

As a freshman, it is never an excuse for

Bureaucracy in the university is not only limited to registration concerns. It is also evident in giving incoherent guidelines

DIBUHO NI

Aynrand Galicia

me to be blinded by the reality faced by my fellow colleagues and students in this university. It may not happen to me right now but I can not stand the horror it brings to other people and it affects the entire freshmen as well since if this continues and no change will come, it will eventually occur to us soon enough.

We have had enough of this endless bureaucracy of filing appeals, unsure waiting games, and threats from the administration. Given that we have a repressive administration that turns a blind eye on the traumatizing problems faced by the studentry such as financial problems, mental health issues, shifting discrepancies, and physical disabilities, this calls for a wider and comprehensive call for a more decent student friendly system.

No room for regrets Kwentong Freshie Sophia Legion

2,600 freshmen; 418 kilometers; 3 weeks.

This is how far I’ve come. As a freshman, the baseline of my journey wasn’t on the first day of classes. My journey began a year ago when I signed and submitted my forms 1 and 2 and (im) patiently waited for the uncertain arrival of my test permit. With the recent deadline of application for this year’s UPCAT, I cannot help but reminisce my own #kwentongUPCAT—from what my batchmates and I went through in paving our own way just to be able to take the exam, to the bittersweet feeling of seeing my name on the list of passers in the same day of my senior high school graduation.

A month from now, the same hashtag will go trending again in social media as the new batch of aspiring iskolars ng bayan share their own experiences in taking this once in a lifetime opportunity. But does everybody really possess an equal chance?

Out of the hundred thousand aspiring iskolars ng bayan who were called to play the game, I belong to the 2,600 who were chosen to continue. With the annual passing rate, it is indeed a survival of the fittest. Yet compared to the difficulty of passing the exam, it was much harder to secure a slot. In our school, it is your own

prerogative to take UPCAT. Your own will, your own effort and your own money. We had to keep up with the schedule of our principal and registrar, miss some of our classes to accomplish our requirements, and play the mystery game of finding clues aka directions as to how we can finally take the exam.

Unlike most of my fellow passers who were personally guided and updated, there was no one to attend to our concerns and inquiries except the Internet. Lack of awareness, connection and updates made just the UPCAT application process already a humongous struggle for some.

It reminded me of a Facebook post from Joshua Sagdullas, retelling an occasion sometime within 2010-2012 where a farmer, together with his son, travelled from Samar to UP Tacloban for the UPCAT. The farmer assumed that it was a walk-in exam. Despite the availability of procedures for a case like this to be accommodated, the aspiring Isko wasn’t able to take a chance. The reality that lies here indicates that not everyone, especially the poor, are fully aware of the application procedures. Usually, only those who have access to the internet are.

This same dilemma I encountered a year ago made me worry about my schoolmates. Living almost 500 kilometers away from home, I wondered how they will be able to successfully file their application without someone to guide them. As an “older sister”, I did my best to answer

As freshmen, we can already do our part by encouraging these aspiring Iskolars ng Bayan that they deserve access to free and quality education their inquiries and help them prepare through reviewers and tips. Yet I cannot do so much especially with the demand of my current freshmen schedule. My knowledge is still limited and their only access to information aside from me and my batchmates are the bits and pieces of information from social media. Moreover, some of them already gave up and chose to apply for nearby universities, who have representatives visiting the school to guide them.

It was just three weeks since the classes started, yet it already feels like I’ve been in UP all my life. Whenever I get missed calls from my family and friends after a long and exhausting day, or in between classes and activities, the distance and loneliness I try to muffle all along sinks in to my consciousness. It awakens a pang of regret with the path I opted to take. It

brings back the memories of my UPCAT journey, and how a part of me now wants to retreat.

However, the main reason why I decided to enter UP—and the privilege of being an Iska—leaves me no room for regrets. I know I am here for a mission to serve, and this mission does not just start upon my graduation. It has already began.

As freshmen, we can already do our part by encouraging these aspiring Iskolars ng Bayan that they deserve access to free and quality education regardless of their limitations.

They say that UPCAT is the easiest part of an Iskolar’s life in UP. Yet seeing that most of my fellow freshies come from well-off families, I wonder how many less fortunate aspiring Iskos and Iskas did not even have the chance to take the exam and enter the university just because their limited resources cannot keep up with the current application process. This is not I saying that UP as a “national” university is not for the rich and the updated. This is I saying that UP, as a “national” university, should reach out to all aspiring Iskos and Iskas out there, especially those who are not reached by social media. Besides, UP education may be the best avenue to awaken the minds of these supposed-to-be Isko and Iskas on how they can be part of the mechanism towards national development. Because, as for me, I will never regret paving my way here.

Opinyon [11]

The UPLB Perspective Nobyembre 2019-Enero 2020

Students’ collective power No Fury So Loud Ian Raphael Lopez

DIBUHO NI

Aynrand Galicia

As a new decade beckons, there is no doubt that we are living in a tumultuous world. The geopolitical landscape of not only this country, but also in the international scene, is something to worry about. The rise of populism in the previous decade, exemplified by the likes of Duterte and Trump among others, seemed to signal the beginning of a calamitous decline in the state of governance in all parts of the globe. These populists, in the guise of being a “voice” for those disenchanted with previous holders of office, are actually still in bed with capitalists and oligarchs.

Take, for example, our very own President. Sitting in 2016 with a promise of “change”, it was a welcome respite when true-minded socialists and left-leaning leaders, where Duterte said he was most comfortable with, sat in several key Cabinet positions. But all along, he was also mingling with the elite: the people who held political positions concurrent with their business interests, those who cheat the masses through corruption and greed, those whose only aim is to cement their unduly influence

and vested interests.

And here we are, three years later, seeing how Mr. “I love the NPA” Duterte is now slagging off his critics, mostly from the left of the political spectrum. Through bureaucratic legwork, he has strangled progressive groups and activists from carrying on with their work especially in the countryside. Several leaders of these groups and leaders have been killed, under the guise of an executive order that seeks to eradicate the Communist “insurgency” within a given calendar year, only to be postponed to the following year. The media has been under attack from a bully hiding behind the Presidential seal. Duterte allies, who have been accused of corruption and other misdeeds while sitting in power, are being recycled into other positions.

And of course, who can miss today’s government’s preferential blowjob to China?

If all of the events in the previous paragraphs ring a bell, Reader, then it should be noted that these facts of life are worth repeating. There is no other way to rouse a sleeping person from bed than to wake him up loudly. Now, more than ever, it should be noted that

however challenging and thankless it may seem, today is the right time to take a stand.

History can attest to how the fascists and dictators of old times can treble upon hearing the united voice of the opposition. One can remember how the First Quarter Storm—fifty years ago on January of 2020—sent Ferdinand Marcos cowering with fear into his diaries, contemplating if he should declare Martial Law that time. (It took him another two years to do this).

The series of protests in 1970 was made possible, in some part, by university students. They were sensitive to the fact that, as Iskolars ng Bayan, they have a responsibility not only to fend for their own lot, but to heed the call to fight against a rotten system that has only perpetuated oppression, especially to those who work the most.

In times like this, where we see shades of failed dictatorships and military rule in our current political landscape, and where we see how social ills, like poverty, are only being entrenched by people who promised to take us out of it, there is a bigger challenge looming over us.

We must do everything to harness our collective power, as students who recognize our country’s dire situation, and use it—at last—for the common good.

Pakikipagsapalaran para sa bayan Sketchpad Alvin James Magno

Umaalingawngaw na naman ang mga usap-usapan tungkol sa kanila noong pumutok ang mga balita tungkol sa kanilang mga sunod-sunod na kilos protesta. Salot daw sila sa lipunan, ani mga aking nakakausap, dahil ang dami raw nilang ginagawa laban sa administrasyon.

Noong pumasok nga ako sa UP, binabalaan ako ng aking mga magulang at mga kaibigan na huwag sumali ng mga rally.

“Huwag na huwag kang sumali dyan sa mga nagra-rally ha? Baka kung anong masama ang mangyari sayo,” paalala sa akin ng aking mga magulang. Kapag nalaman naman ng ibang tao nilang sa UP ako nagaaral, palagi akong nakakarinig nito: “Taga-UP ka? Diba maraming aktibista don?

Buti di ka pa nila nare-recruit.”

Bilang isang freshie, nakakapangilabot kapag nakakita ka ng isang tunay na kilos protesta. Dati, nakikita ko lang ito sa telebisyon, ngunit sa personal ay makikita mo ang masidhing emosyon at damdamin na ibinibigay nila upang maipaglaban ang mga panggagago ng administrayon at sistemang ito.

Minsan, nakakasalamuha ko ang ilan sa kanila, at makikita mo sila ay may damdamin din. Sila ay tao rin. Parehas rin silang nag-aaral katulad ng bawat isa sa atin—nagka-cram ng mga acads,

gumugugol ng all nighter sa pagrereview, nagpapakitang gilas at nagpapabibo kapag may mga school activities. May mga minamahal na kaibigan at pamilya, kahit na mahirap dahil kadalasang hinahadlangan sila ng mga ito sa pakikipagsapalaran sa paglaban.

Pinagbabantaan ang mismong buhay, pati na ang mahal sa buhay, ng iba dahil sa pang-uusig ng nakararami at pampapasistang administrasyon.

Nakaramdam rin sila ng panghihina ng loob sa iba’t ibang kabiguan sa mga punto ng kanilang buhay; ngunit, kapag nakikibaka na sila upang palakasin ang tinig ng mga pesante, manggagawa, pamilyang nagdudusa sa pagkamatay ng kanilang mahal sa buhay dahil sa pamamaslang ng mga makapangyarihan, at iba pang naagrabyado, makikita mong matatag ang kanilang loob upang damayan ang mga taong n ay u y u ra k a n ang pagkatao.

Mga komunista raw sila, mga NPA, mga terorista, at kung ano ano pang masasakit na

pananalita ang ipinaparatang sa kanila.

Tahasang red tagging ang ginagawa sa kanila, lalong-lalo na ng kasalukuyang rehimen sa bansang ito, na ang tanging ginagawa lamang ay lumuhod sa Tsina, kung hindi inaatupag ang pampapasista sa sariling mamamayan.

Nagtataka ako kung bakit ang sama ng tingin nila sa mga aktibista. Hindi ko alam kung anong mali sa mga ginagawa nila.Ang tanging ginagawa lang naman ng mga ito ay itaguyod ang karapatan ng bawat mamamayan, ngunit sila pa ang naging masama sa tingin ng iba. Kung hindi nga sa kanila, hindi naikalampag sa gobyerno ang mga karapatang natatamasa nila ngayon.

Sa grabeng pangungupal ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, magagawa pa ba nilang magpahinga at tumahimik? Hindi! Ika nga nila, “kapag namulat ka na sa katotohanan, kasalanan na ang pumikit.”

Itong katotohanang DIBUHO NI

Jandelle Cruz

ito ang siyang gustong ipaabot ng mga aktibista sa bawat Pilipino, na dapat ay magkaisa sila sa iisang hangarin na mapabuti ang buhay ng bawat isa at kalabanin ang mga tagapagtaguyod ng opresibong sistema.

Ang tingin ng iba sa realidad ng bansang ito ay parang sabong, na mayroong dalawa ng manok na nagtutunggalian sa kung sino ang dapat manaig. Ngunit, dapat ay makiisang diwa ang bawat isa sa isinusulong na karapatan at reporma, na siyang itinataguyod ng aktibismo. Makikita natin ang pagmulat na pinangunahan ng mga aktibista sa buong mundo. Sa Hong Kong, France, Chile, Bolivia, Lebanon, Iraq, at sa iba’t iba pang parte ng daigdig, nagkaisa ang taumbayan upang paluhurin ang administrayon sa kanilang tunay na pinagsisilbihan.

Ito ang hamon sa atin ngayon bilang Iskolar ng Bayan. Ang paghihirap ng bawat isang nagdurusang Pilipino dahil sa ginagawa ng ng administrasyong ito ay hindi dapat natin isinapagwalang-bahala. Maatim mo ba na habang mapayapa at kumportable ang buhay mo ngayon ay maraming kababayan mo ang nagdanak ng dugo at naghihinagpis ngayon?

Paano kung baliktarin natin ang sitwasyon kung saan ikaw naman o ang mga mahal mo sa buhay ang nakakaranas ng pampapasista ng administrasyong ito? Gusto mo bang lumaban mag-isa? Dapat ay lagi’t lagi nating isapuso’t isa-isip na patuloy tayong maglingkod para sa sambayanan.

Students’ flair for theater A series of theatre productions marked November for UPLB students. (1) This year’s Isko’t Iska, themed “Perya ng Silanganan”, was flocked by freshmen. The yearly

production presents relevant social issues and is traditionally acted by a freshmen crew. (2) Die Inday, adapted from Jean Genet’s The Maids, and (3) Hukuman ng mga Buang, adapted

from Jean Giraudox’s Le Folle, was also well-received by the UPLB community. These two are manned by studentactors and producers.

PHOTOS BY JUAN SEBASTIAN EVANGELISTA AND POLA BAUTISTA

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