Ang Pamantasan 1st Issue (June-August 2018)

INTRAMUROS, MANILA JUNE-AUGUST 2018

TOMO MMXIV VOL. 39 NO. 01 The Official Student Publication of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

ANG PAMANTASAN

A member of Gabriela Women’s Party holding a protest placard at the United People’s SONA. Photo by Miles Sinfuego

First United People’s SONA calls to end TRAIN, ChaCha, and killings

BY MILES SINFUEGO

Around 330 political, civic, militant, environmental, and faith-based opposition coalition groups united to stage a historical protest, calling an end to the administration’s violations of human rights, charter change, tax reform, contractualization, and other pervasive issues by the Duterte regime, parallel in time of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s 3 rd State of the Nation Address at Batasang Pambansa, July 23, 2018.

Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Movement Against Tyranny, Coalition for Justice, Tindig Pilipinas, Sangguniang Laiko, Intercessors for the Philippines, #BabaeAko, Laban ng Masa, and Sentro.

Tthe mobilization joined by thousands of crowd from different broad and diverse groups consisting of urban poor, peasants, environmental advocates, indigenous people, informal settlers, and people from the academe in defiance of Duterte’s administration held various programs along Commonwealth Avenue on their

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way to their main stage situated in front of St. Peter Parish Church. ”Bukod sa SONA ni Duterte, marapat lang pong mapakinggan ang SONA ng sambayanang Pilipino; hindi ang mga kasinungalingan ni Duterte, kundi ang tunay na estado ng Pilipinas at ng mga Pilipino,” said Leila de Lima in her speech delivered for her by Fr. Albert Alejo, S.J. at the protest.

“Nandirito tayo, tumitindig para sa mamamayan ng Marawi, nadurog ang kanilang mga kabuhayan at bahay; nandirito tayo para sa daandaang mga Lumad na nagbakawit, hindi makabalik sa kanilang mga komunidad dahil sa militarisasyon; nandirito tayo para kay Sister Patricia Fox na pinapalayas ng gobyernong ito; nandirito tayo para sa limang daang mahigit na political prisoners na nakulong dahil sa mga gawa-gawang kaso; nandirito tayo sa mga pamilya ng biktima ng extrajudicial killings na hindi makasama pero kaisa natin sa labang ito,” Renato Reyes Jr., Secretary-General of Bayan stated.

On War on Drugs & War on Poor “Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives. The lives of

PLM MARCHES FOR EQUALITY ON 51ST FOUNDING ANNIIVERSARY

Gearing to break gender roles and stigma, flags of different colors paraded in celebration of...

our youth are being wasted and families are destroyed, and all because of the chemicals called shabu, cocaine, cannabis, and heroine,” Duterte’s SONA started an onset with his infamous Drug War, which he said, is far from and over and will be as “relentless and chilling” since the day it began.

The abovementioned statement of Duterte has created dismay on Sen. Risa Hontiveros, a steadfast critic of him, who implied that human rights and human life go both ways, stating “It really is chilling in the hearts of Filipinos because you now have 20,000 family members orphaned in this war on drugs, where many cases even lack independent investigations.”

As per the Philippine National Police (PNP) data, over 4,500 lives have been claimed in antidrug operations, which all have been asserted by the police to have fought back or “nanlaban.”

The aforementioned data does not include the deaths of other thousands of Filipinos killed by unidentified gunmen, which has rose to 12,000 death toll, where individuals with low

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income or informal jobs are the ones most vulnerable to, according to Human Rights Watch.

Additionally, the president stated that he cannot be dissuaded from continuing his war on drugs because of the “misdirected” demonstrations and protests of human right advocates and church leaders who are against thereof.

On Charter Change & Federalism The approved draft Federal Draft Constitution, ‘Bayanihan Federalism’ by the Consultative Committee (ConCom) which Duterte has created and was submitted on July 9 was given recognition in his speech.

The president added that it will not only strengthen the country’s democratic institutions in introducing the new fundamental law, but at the same time, “will also create an environment where every Filipino—regardless of social status, religion, or ideology— will have an equal opportunity to grow and create a future that he or she can proudly bequeath to the succeeding generations.”

Furthermore, Duterte debunked claims of proposed term extension

SACRIFICING CULTURE FOR CONVENIENCE

An ordinary Filipino citizen has at some point of his life ridden a traditionally-crafted Filipino jeepney. It has become...

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of his office under the new draft constitution, “I have no illusions of occupying this office one day longer than what the Constitution under which I was elected permits; or under whatever Constitution there might be.”

On the other hand, former Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno stated at the protest that having a Federalform of governance in the country would create more conflicts and disputes between regions, bankruptcy in the national government, and judiciary problems; instead, Sereno stated that, the congress should improve the local government code and add budget to provinces in aiding the issue.

“Ang draft Federal Constitution ay hindi isang dokumento ng pag-asa at ng pagpapahalaga sa kapwa, kung ‘di, isang dokumento ito ng desperasyon at kawalanghalaga sa mga maliliit,” she added.

On Foreign Policy & Selling the Country The president stated that the country will continue on asserting an independent foreign policy, in which, long-term national development and

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OUT AND PROUD: PRIDE AND THE SLOWLY RISING LGBT CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE PHILIPPINES Every June, the streets are painted not only red,but with the...

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ANG PAMANTASAN/ JUNE-AUGUST 2018

Food, transport hike causes 9-year high inflation

BY RAVEN VILLALUNA

Prices of food, transport, water, electricity, and gas caused August inflation rate to breach previous month’s level of 5.7%, soaring a 9-year high of 6.4%, the fastest surge of the prices of goods and the highest reading since March 2009, 6.6% during the Arroyo administration.

According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the uptrend was mainly due to the higher prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

The food index alone registered an annual inflation rate of 8.5% where nine out of 10 commodity groups under the food basket registered a higher annual increase in July. The price of galunggong jumped by P10 per kilo in the third week of June and has since held at P160; P50 to P180 in Cebu; and as high as P200 per kilo in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said the PSA. To help bring prices down, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol have pushed to import goods such as rice and fish, as well as legalize rice smuggling, in a bid to fight rising inflation, which later drew a public backlash.

He even accepted the critics’ challenge for him to eat the controversial bukbok (weevil)infested rice and galunggong, and shared a video of him doing so on Facebook.

“The presence of the bukbok in rice, while it may result in the deterioration of quality, is actually the best proof that the rice has not been sprayed with chemicals,” he said, explaining that this only showed that rice imports were sprayed with only little amount of insecticide which is good for public health.

Rice prices continue to increase due to National Food Authority’s depletion of the stock of cheap rice supply since April this year.

According to PSA, rice inflation rose to 5% in July, stating the price of milled rice at an average of P41.21 per kilo while fish prices rose 12.3% in April this year, which has mainly affected the poor as rice is considered as a Filipino main staple.

Aside from food and nonalcoholic beverages, annual increases were also observed in alcoholic beverages and tobacco

(21.6%), furnishing and household equipment (3.5%), health (4%), restaurants and miscellaneous goods and services (4%), and recreation and culture (2.4%).

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. blamed the upsurge to the “unfortunate confluence of costpush factors” and the “elevated oil prices” which lead to higher power and transportation cost.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo, meanwhile, said it has raised its inflation forecast for this year to an average of 4.9 percent from 4.5 percent announced in June because of the hike in jeepney fares, higher water rates, the P2.50 increase in the tobacco excise tax, and the continuous effects of higher world oil prices.

He added that they have also revised the inflation forecast of 3.3 percent last June to 3.7 percent in 2019, where their target forecast remains to be at two to four percent.

To date, Bicol’s inflation rate of 9.0% is the highest among regions in the country, having also the highest price of rice.

Bayanihan Federalism: ConCom passes constitution draft to Duterte

BY MAUREN MERCA

On July 9, 2018, a ceremony was held at the Malacañang for the submission of the approved draft federal constitution six months after the formation of the 22-member Consultative Committee (ConCom) ,tasked to view the revisions of the the 1987 Philippine Constitution, by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

“In drafting this proposed constitution, we were guided by one directive which you (Pres. Duterte) gave - do what is best for the people,” said ConCom chairman former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno in the opening message of the ceremony—submitting the draft constitution which was given the title, ‘Bayanihan Federalism,’ a 100-page document consisting of 22 articles and a preamble The draft constitution was given the title, ‘Bayanihan Federalism,’ a 110-page document consisting of 22 articles and a preamble, where it includes the change of the country having 16 federated regions, and regions of the Bangsamoro and the Cordilleras that governs itself; change of the country having 16 federated regions, and regions

of the Bangsamoro and the Cordilleras that governs itself; an election for the country’s President and Vice President but much of the executive power will be moved to the governor of each region, and; change of the senate composition with having 36 senators, 2 coming from each region that will be elected by the people to represent them.

“We (Con-Com), divided the powers of government guided by the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, where both federal government and federated regions govern the people, less in competition but more in cooperation and aligned with the maxim the welfare of the people is the supreme law, Salus populi est suprema lex,” said Puno, giving the overview of the draft constitution and cited that the draft constitution will be prohibiting political dynasties in the government.

Moreover, Puno added that the draft constitution will prohibit monopolies and oligopolies that are behind the decrease of competition in the market, claiming that federal constitution is “pro-poor.” “For the first time in our history, the

socioeconomic rights of the poor to adequate food, comprehensive health care, complete education, adequate and decent housing and livelihood and employment opportunities are included in the bill of rights,” he stated, also pointing out that it would fight graft and corruption in the government.

The ConCom completed the draft in 144 days, gathered in the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and assured that it is unbiased and uninfluenced by any political prejudice from when it started on February 19, 2018 until the draft was completed.

Puno asserted that Pres.

Duterte’s term is only until 2022 and the proposed draft also included a 10-member federal transition committee lead by the president that will handle the transition of the government system.

According to him, it is up to the President whether he will approve of the ConCom’s draft, but there is no certainty, and if the president will pass this on to the congress and to the plebiscite afterwards.

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rid P o k Is

PLM reaps 100% passing rate in ME Board Exam Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila’s College of Engineering and Technology (CET) posted a 100 percent overall passing rate on the 2018 Mechanical Engineering (ME) Board Exam, as released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) last August 31.

This year’s passers, together with the entire college was commended

by PLM President Ma. Leonora Vasquez-De Jesus, for their great display of excellence by maintaining the reputation of the university as a wellknown engineering school in the country.

The examination, taken by a total of 21 PLMayers, was conducted on August 25 and 26 at PRC Testing Centers in Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, and Lucena.

The national passing rate of the ME board exam is 60.81%, according to PRC.

PLM: Top PT school in the Philippines With a passing rate of 96.15% and notching four board spots, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) was recognized as the Top Performing Physical Therapy (PT) School in the Philippines in the 2018 Physical Therapist Licensure Examination.

Rose Anne Solde with an overall rating of 87.10% placed 2nd, Exequiel Amiel Ramirez, 3rd (87.00%); Shaina Marie Marbella, 4th (86.95%); and Immah Marie Pineda, 6th (86.70%) are the four Physical Therapy graduates of PLM Batch 2018 who prevailed over 931 passers and 1, 379 takers of the Physical Therapist Licensure Examination (PTLE) on August 2018.

On 2017 last year, PLM also dominated the PTLE with an overall passing rate of 88.61% and six PLM topnotchers..

PLM alumnus Manuel Mogato wins Pulitzer Award

BY ALAIZA MANANSALA

Colombia University grants PLM alumnus and Professor Manuel “Manny” Mogato journalism’s highest award, The Pulitzer Prize, for International Reporting for the series entitled “Duterte’s War, April 16.

“Pure joy, I was thrilled to the max. I never expected it. When Reuters was doing the series of stories on Duterte’s drug war, we were not expecting a Pulitzer,” said Mogato about winning the award.

Mogato is the fifth Filipino to win the Pulitzer Award and the first Filipino to win the award for International Reporting since Carlos P. Romulo, 75 years ago; and the first time Pulitzer recognized work on a purely international and Filipino issue, as the past Filipino winners of the Pulitzer all wrote about US issues.

“It’s a team effort, everyone contributed to that story,” he emphasized as he and his colleagues in Reuters, an international news agency based on London, United Kingdom: Clare Baldwin and Andrew R. C. Marshall, received the award.

His award-winning article is a ten-part story series that spans 17 months from July 2016 to December 2017,exposing the brutal killing campaign behind Philippine

President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

According to Mogato, the President’s war on drugs is compelling as thousands of people had died in just six months and it is their job as journalists to report and explain why these killings are happening, the people behind these, and the President’s objectives on his drug war.

“Of course, personally, there were fears but I have a job and responsibility to do. I take my personal security seriously, so I am careful with my reporting and see to it the reports are accurate, fair, nd free from any bias,” Mogato told Ang Pamantasan in an interview, stating that being a journalist includes facing danger situations and conflicts, based on his own experience in his 35 years in journalism.

Furthermore, he narrated some of his part life-threatening experiences as a journalist even before he joined the Reuters in the late 1990s.

“Journalists are under attack,” he stated, explaining that not only physically but also their credibility as the loyalists of the current administration have been trying to discredit traditional media and sending hate messages against them on social media.

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NEWS FEATURE

VOL. 39 / NO. 01

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F. Sionil Jose lectures “Why Literature?”

BY RAVEN VILLALUNA

PLMayers wears cape in different colors, representing a rainbow as they march for gender equality around Intramuros. Photo courtesy: Philippine Star

PLM Marches for Equality on 51st Founding Anniversary

BY MILES SINFUEGO | RAVEN VILLALUNA

Gearing to break gender roles and stigma, flags of different colors paraded in celebration of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila’s 51st founding anniversary with the theme of “Gender Equality Towards Equal Opportunities,” in Intramuros, Manila last June 22, 2018.

Basing on the theme that was conceptualized by the university administration, the events on the founding anniversary of PLM which included an ecumenical mass and color fest aside from the march for gender equality were organized by the Supreme Student Council.

The advocacy was not solely to raise awareness on the discriminations being experienced by homosexuals alone, but also included the gender discrimination felt by women in the society.

According to PLM Supreme Student Council (SSC) President Maria Patricia M. Laygo, it was a start anew for the PLM community to have awareness regarding the issue by instilling that gender does not limit a person’s capability.

Celebration of Freedom through Colors Shifting the norms, defying the stereotypes, and supporting gender equality were the main goals of the March for Gender Equality, wherein as members of the society, the contribution PLMayers gave was part-taking in a march where space to all humankind is encouraged.

“Nakita ko kung gaano kasaya ‘yung mg estudyante that they were given chance to celebrate kung sino sila,” Laygo stated, saying that there were students who personally went and thanked SSC for organizing the event as it helped them to feel freelywelcomed in the university.

However, this year’s pride march is not the first time that PLM have celebrated the LGBTQ rights and gender equality through a parade.

In 2013, PLM Propaganda, a university-wide and non-academic LGBTQIA organization in the university, held the first-ever PLM and Intramuros Pride March on August 20, 2013.

Led by the founding leader of the organization and the then 2014 SSC President John Rapid Canonizado, PLM Propaganda made history by being the first campus-based LGBT+ organization to helm a Pride March in Manila.

Long-Term Advocacy in the University Along with the Gender Equality March, the Supreme Student Council conducted educational discussions regarding the subject matter and is scouting concerns regarding sexual harassments and discriminations in colleges.

Additionally, Laygo asserted that a university-wide talk on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Bill, otherwise known as the Anti-

Discrimination Bill (ADB) is now underway, as SSC believes that supporting the aforementioned bill is their way to sustain the advocacy in the long run.

What Made the Gender Equality March Successful but Imperfect The SSC President said that the Gender Equality March was successful in delivering its main goal to make PLM a safe space for everyone by raising awareness on gender equality, but acknowledged that the event was not perfect at all.

“May mga pinapunta lang for attendance, may mga students na pumunta pero hindi alam kung para saan, may mga hindi nagseryoso ng event, and so on.

Some might even offended others sa ginawa nila,” Laygo stated.

Mikaela Ordiales, a 4th year BS Psychology student, expressed that it was not yet fully effective but was a big step in breaking the stigma about gender equality.

“There are people who are still ignorant about the SOGIE Bill, and some didn't understand the main point of that activity… I think it should also be tackled in our classrooms, to discuss how important this campaign is to us, not only as law-abiding citizens, but also as a member of the society,” she stated.

However, she commended the action of SSC in doing educational discussions as a long-running campaign thereof.

In the Philippines where conflicts of social classes and the endless colonialism are ruling, we are in dire need of catalysts of change that will transform us into a nation – a catalyst that may be in a form of paper and pen, service, commitment, and sacrifice for the country.

As part of the University’s Culture and Arts Program, hundreds of students of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila were able to hear National Artist for Literature, Francisco Sionil Jose, talk about “Why Literature?” last July 30 at the Justo Albert Auditorium.

Literature as a Building Block of Nationhood In a nationalist and artist’s perspective, Jose explained the important role of literature and the youth in nation-building, as he allows the young audience to reflect on themselves, and develop a love for the country and for literature.

Jose introduced the topic by mentioning how familiarity and memorization of facts are considered as the lowest form of knowledge, and describing wisdom as the way on how an individual uses his knowledge asking the most important question – not “who?” but “why?”, coining the title of his lecture, “Why Literature?”.

Also, he made use of notable writers: Goethe of Russia, Shakespeare of England, Homer of Greece, Cervantes of Spain, and Jose Rizal, as an example to present how literature enables the country and its citizens to develop nationhood.

“Everything is behind you but everything is ahead of you,” said Jose, expounding the function of the young people in the development of the nation to his audience, telling them that they are accountable of fastening the nation’s progress, and encouraging them to serve their own country and cease from working abroad.

According to him, Filipinos are naturally boastful and are used of criticizing the leaders but do not give love and sacrifice for their country enough due to the reason that “we [Filipinos] are hostage to so many things – family, religion, ethnicity, and working egos,” he stated.

“It is only corrupt society that elect corrupt leaders,” said Jose as he explained that there are aspects to be faced in our culture;, providing social hypocrisy as an example and that each individual’s worst enemy is themselves.

Nonetheless, despite the weaknesses of the Filipinos that he explained thereof, heencouraged everyone to think of those issues

that unite the country rather than divide country; stating culture, which include literature, as the most important element that unites all Filipinos.

Paper, Pen, and Commitment At the latter portion of his talk, a short conference was held where students was given the opportunity to ask the National Artist regarding on writing and F. Sionil’s experiences as a writer.

“There is no such thing as inspiration. I don’t believe at inspiration at all – what I believe in is commitment,” Jose answered the student who asked about his inspiration in writing and then he added that compared to inspiration, commitment is long-range. He elaborated that in the field of literature, one must have a deep passion and commitment in a way that an artist must master his crafts and a writer must know his words.

Ergo, although having several exceptional writers in the country, he explained that commitment is a significant tool for a writer to keep on writing because there is no earnings in this field; many writers gain all joy and sentiment but money.

Furthermore, he told the students not to focus on academic writing alone for they are more concerned with forms rather than substance, but also to be engaged in literature, because it is the only way that they learn ethics and discover themselves.

According to Jose, literature presents us with moral dilemmas and social problems that sometimes are also applicable or relevant to our own lives.

“You must also be your own worst critic,” Jose added an advice, pointing out that a writer must not settle no matter how excellent his works are already, and always be prepared to commit errors in his works and have a room for improvement.

Feat of an F. Sionil Jose At the age of 93, Jose have received several notable awards and recognitions local and international, but he claimed that he doesn’t feel successful at all.

According to him, he has so many regrets in life that are evident on the melancholic plots of all of his novels.

“Ang lungkot ng buhay natin.

Malungkot na malungkot ang bayan natin. How can I feel successful?

How can I ever?” he emotionally expressed as his final statement of his lecture followed by an applause of commendation from the PLM staff and students.

Nonetheless, Jose still continues writing at his bookshop, Solidaridad Book Shop, located at 531 Padre

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4 EDITORIAL

ANG PAMANTASAN/ JUNE-AUGUST 2018

EDITORIAL

SACRIFICING CULTURE FOR CONVENIENCE An ordinary Filipino citizen has at some point of his life ridden a traditionally-crafted Filipino jeepney. It has become a custom already for Filipinos to utilize this vehicle as a mean of regular transportation.

Riding a jeepney is just as Filipino as any Filipino could get. However, in 2015, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) proposed to eradicate the operations of outdated or now coined as “almost lethal” jeepneys to promote safety, minimize air pollution, and create innovative changes. Hence, paving way to the modernization of transportation vehicles. However, this proposal is not the solution.

Growing up, the masses have witnessed how these “pampasaherong jeepneys” have supported massive Filipino lives, thus, it has been innate to many that jeepneys are significant and efficient in strengthening Filipino’s livelihood status. Once jeepneys are completely abolished, jeepney drivers and even operators would lose their source of income. Consequently, it will be arduous to shoulder all the expenses and provide the basic needs of a family for the small-time drivers and operators. PISTON and STOP & GO COALITION objectified this cornerstone and opposed the banning of eccentric jeepneys as this could lead to livelihood threats and conflicts.

Secondly, the surmised e-jeepneys are deemed and expected to be costly and unaffordable. It would approximately cost about PHP 1.2 million to PHP 1.6 million which is extremely unfavorable for the lower strata. These vehicles are only beneficial and friendly for those who have secured a stable financial income, but not for drivers who are at the brink of the cliff, trying to hold on amid the financial adversities of life.

Finally, this trailed initiative of permanently putting the jeepneys on phase out demoralizes and emasculates the cultural value of the Philippines. Jeepneys originated from World War II Willy’s Jeep which was creatively transformed into a traditional jeepney by Filipino natives and locals. This wonderful innovation has ignited and produced magnificent contribution to Filipino culture as our Filipino citizens have graced their flair and skills through emphasizing nationalistic significance. As Filipinos, this distinct icon of Filipino sentiment must not vanish into oblivion only for the gratification of self-convenience.

Economically, financially, and culturally speaking, the modernization of jeepneys is still a hasty and hostile proposal. Hence, such initiative is opposed for now despite its promising benefits and advantages. Instead of abolishing such beautiful culture, the government must focus in preserving forests and lavish greens to fight pollution, in conducting seminars to strengthen self-discipline, in paving ways for expansion or roads to prevent traffics, and aiding our own Filipino drivers in beautifying and enhancing the operation of PUJs. When these are successfully done, Philippines could achieve modernization and simultaneously preserve a national sentiment.

How Do You Like Your Mocha?

SHAIRA MAE OCA

Cornerstone

The issue on “Federalism,” or a system of government which distributes the power to a central government which is responsible for the federal governance and issues affecting the entire country and to regional or local governments which shall govern the issues of the city or provinces, has been a serious concern in the country. The administration has proposed this shift under a new constitution, wherein the draft for charter change was reviewed and approved last July by the 22-member consultativecommittee (ConCom) tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte.

After several efforts on promoting the awareness on the proposal, it was revealed in a survey by Pulse Asia that that 55%

or more than half of Filipinos are knowledgeable about these effort.

Still, this is a small number.

Recently, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary and former entertainer Mocha Uson once again earned the spotlight after posting a lewd jingle-and-dance video with blogger Drew Olivar on her blog.

Olivar gestured to his chest and crotch areas as a dance while chanting “I-pepe...i-dede...ipederalismo.” Uson defended the controversy and said that it was only made for fun, and what is important is that Filipinos will talk about federalism. She also cleared that it is not part of the information campaign of the ConCom. As a Communication student, Mocha being in her position, being

paid by taxpayers of a six-digit salary without doing her job right, has always been an insult to me. The PCOO has been given P90-M budget for the federalism information drive and all she ever did was to make fun of it when it is a topic that should be taken seriously. Are they really promoting awareness when it is evident in the video that they, too, were not knowledgeable about it?

While Olivar was too confident with his jingle, he just read what federalism is, obviously reading the script for the first time, and even compared it to a rainbow.

They were even called out by Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel for saying wrong statements on their explanation about federalism...

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Ang Pamantasan

The Official Student Publication of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sofia Jan Manlapaz ASSOCIATE EDITOR Shaira Mae Oca MANAGING EDITOR Miles Erichelle Sinfuego NEWS EDITOR Raven Khate Villaluna ASST. NEWS EDITOR Alaiza Elaine Manansala LITERARY EDITOR Jeanne Mylanne Santos FEATURES EDITOR Keanne Andre Escobar FILIPINO EDITOR Moises Joshua Matibag SPORTS EDITOR Alvin Keith Martinez ONLINE EDITOR Nisha Hernandez

STAFF Mecaela Mae Gumade / Mauren Merca / Jerome Tresvalles / Peter Gabriel Buntan / Ina Francesca Gonzales / Dwight Justley Ulep / Allan Marco Padora / Sharmaine Mararac / Anne Nicole Carig / Kent Marvin Mojica / Elluna Jane Bigcas / Moira Macainag ART/ILLUSTRATION Peter Gabriel Buntan LAYOUT Keanne Andre Escobar / Raven Khate Villaluna / Anne Nicole Carig / Sharmaine Mararac BOARD SECRETARY Nicole Anne Mendoza CIRCULATIONS MANAGER Aristotle Castronuevo BUSINESS MANAGER Austin Lambert Angeles

TECHNICAL ADVISERS Prof. Norliza M. Nordan Prof. Luningning P. Gallindez

EDITORIAL

VOL. 39 / NO. 01

“Matatalinong Mahihirap”: On PLMayers’ Identity and Inferiority Complex Being a PLMayer means having the brand of being the lesser-known scholars. True enough, whenever someone asks where we go to study, sometimes we are used to hearing “PLM? Saan ‘yon?” Some of us will even respond at the top of our lungs saying how Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila is a home for bright scholars that produces academically accomplished people, but maybe most just get used not explaining what or where PLM is.

PLM was never my first choice for college—and by saying this, I am certain that most PLMayers did not also consider PLM as theirs’. When someone asks me why I chose PLM, I go back to the night where my mother cried telling me that she was so happy that I passed PLMAT. As for a family whose income is just enough to make the ends meet, we cannot handle to pay around 60K per semester if I go to University of Santo Tomas (UST), or pursue my education in University of Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) as it will costs us my daily living expenditures away from home more than the tuition itself. And believe me when I say that the last thing I wanted is to see my mother cry.

I had a former blockmate once who told me about the “Inferiority Complex” of PLMayers. That being said, we tend to feel underling or inferior below other ‘top’ universities, particularly the Big 4: University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and University of Santo Tomas. “Tingnan mo, saan ka nakakita ng university na ang mga estudyante nakasuot ng drawstring bag ng La Salle, naka-baller ng UST, suportado sa UAAP ang Ateneo pero hindi man lang alam na kasali ang PLM sa ALCU? Sa PLM lang,” she elaborated also pointing out encountering many people who when asked why they chose PLM to study at, will say, “’Di kasi ako nakapasa sa…” or “Gusto kasi ng magulang ko,” and seldom did meet students who said “Kasi gusto ko sa PLM.”

Do not get this misdirected as this does not generally speaks to all students of PLM. I’ve met students who said that without PLM, they will not be able to continue their tertiary education.

The point is, it adds more weight to the notion that PLM is just a fallback option for students.

What’s more bothersome is carrying the conviction that we, sometimes, is a dumpsite to those who did not pass University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT). This is problematic to the extent that we lose and maybe, as they say, cannot build our own identity as a university.

Sure, we are iskolar ng bayan who do not need to shoulder hefty amounts of money to fund our educaton, but are we really just strapped in the branding of “Matatalinong Mahihirap” or worse, “Iskolar ni Mayor”? Aside from “academic excellence,” what can we really be proud of outside the four corners of our classrooms? Sadly, I myself who’s already had 3 years of education in Pamantasan, is still unsure of what to answer to those questions.

“Studying in PLM is like being in a diploma-milling institution that always strive for academic excellence without really upholding why we are Iskolar ng Bayan” — that is, as “brightest scholars from the financiallystrapped spectrum of the society,” we should contribute greatly to nation-building; to give back to the public who funds our education. It is almost ridiculous to think that you can meet a student of PLM memorize the entire periodic table, but cannot correctly answer how much the Philippine National Budget is. Perhaps, being in an environment where the essence of being public servants is often forgotten makes the students of PLM lack in the involvement

on national issues; ergo, low political discourse amongst the student body.

The low political discourse in the university also contributes to the lack of identity of PLMayers as “Iskolar ng Bayan,” which can be seen every student council elections. There we can see PLM turning into a political jungle, with each candidate rolling programs and projects for the student body. What’s more alarming aside from their high school-like and unprogressive proposed projects, we have had political candidates who do not even know what Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is, or who said yes to Martial Law extension in Mindanao, or who claims the “Positive Activism” is the way to resolve disputes in the country.

One might say that the lack of identity of PLMayers lies within the inadequate programs and events which should promulgate camaraderie and support in the student body.

But I have witnessed that the accountability does not lie to the students. During our coverage of Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) 2018 in Mabalacat, Pampanga, I have seen how our student-athletes lack support from the university.

They were given an amount of less than two thousand pesos for their daily expenditures during their week-long stay in the area, which included food and transportation allowances.

It was heart-breaking to see our athletes walk from the school we are staying to the venue of their tournament, while athletes from other schools had their own service vehicle provided by their respective schools for them to take to different venues.

I remember how our badminton tandem had to wake up at 3:00 in the morning to hitch-hike on other school’s van to get to the venue in order to save transportation fare, while their game is scheduled at 11:00 AM. They told us that in other universities, like University of Makati (UMak), student-athletes were given sneakers for their comfort and ­­

for them to uniformly wear. But the abovementioned instances were not petty rants about how our athletes are unsatisfied with what was given to them, it goes to show how other state and local universities like us can give aforementioned services to their athletes. When asked why our athletes are still striving to do their best, they always say, “Passion na lang talaga,” which is as distressing as it gets as we know they deserve more for bringing our school’s banner in a national competition whilst not getting supported enough.

Truly, our pamantasan’s unsung heroes.

Claiming that PLM, a home for bright scholars, has an inferiority complex is odd. It’s even weirder ­

5

MILES SINFUEGO

Deerstalker

to prove the claim just by going around the campus, and not having a statistical proof to prove the conceived notion. The apathy lies not just within the students, but more importantly, to the environment we are being raised.

We do not want to be out in the world, branded with a degree of our beloved pamantasan, carrying nothing but just the academic excellence imbued to us. Would not it be great to be a PLM graduate who bears not just as someone “Matalinong Mahirap,” but also with an identity of a citizen of the nation who has a high socio-political discourse?

There are so much, so much more than what is inside our classrooms.

Opinion from page 4 How do you like... such as including France and Singapore to the list of countries which are under federal system.

Also, what I cannot understand is why do they have to inject the sensitive parts of a woman’s body? I mean, is it really relevant? Is it the only “smart” way they could think of to get the attention of the netizens to talk about federalism? Can anything be really treated as a joke by people Filipinos pay for?

She even has the guts to call the senators who criticize her “mas baboy”, accusing them that they were only taking advantage of the controversy to divert the attention from the hearing on the 2016 elections fraud, when she never talked about the morepressing issues of the country except those that concern the President.

According to the Section 4 of the government Code of Ethics (Republic Act 6713), “Public officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill. They shall enter public service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty.”

Another portion says that “They shall at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest.” Therefore, a presidential appointee and high-ranking government official, such as Uson, is expected to perform her duties with highest degree of excellence and skill. Up until this day, I do not see Uson being worthy and fit for the position and for the money and trust of the Filipinos. Her continuous presence in the government is not just an insult to me or to any other communicators, but also to taxpayers and most especially, to all hardworking public servants and employees who do more but get much less.

She cannot just “entertain” her followers with disrespectful and indecent contents she posts on her blog and expect that she could always “dance” her way to the top just like that. Lastly, she is bound to serve her countrymen, and not her president.

So, how do I like my Iced Mocha Federalismo? I like it FIRED.

6 FEATURES

ANG PAMANTASAN/ JUNE-AUGUST 2018

The Snowflake Generation: On Comedy and Being Politically Correct

BY KEANE ESCOBAR

A panoramic view of the Arrocerros Forest Park Photo courtesy: spot.ph

Arrocerros: The Last Lung of Manila

BY JEROME TRESVALLES

Pollution in Manila is rampant and rising, there is no denying it— and the people living in it, let alone passing through the city, is bound to see the typical atmosphere of a dense city. There is one crème of comfort though, and it is a 2.2-hectare wide relief from the smoky cesspool of garbage we call the city, and amazingly, it is right inside of the heart of it. This is Arroceros Park, located near the center of Manila, an urban park home to 61 different species of trees, 8,000 ornamental plants, and 10 different species of birds.

This forest park is the last lung of Manila City and the people of Manila has come a long way to keep it there.

Back in 2003, the park was closed in order for a school administration building and a teacher’s dormitory to be built on a portion of the park’s land. Sadly, despite protests from conservation groups, the plan pulled through.

The park reopened in 2007, and

the groups who protested claimed that of the 8,000 trees in the park in the year 2000, only 2,000 remained.

Now in 2018, the park is again in danger of another development plan by the local government.

Plans for a gym to be built has been in the works since 2017; although the plans were postponed, Mayor Estrada has not abandoned the prospects of building the proposed gym. Arroceros Park is again in the line of fire for development plans that no one really wants; so far, a Change.org petition started by the Manila Doctors Hospital a year ago has met immense support, meeting 35 013 signatures out of their target 50 000. In addition to that, a Facebook campaign, insisting that parks and open spaces with trees are needed now more than ever, and building a gym with the little space Arroceros Park has left is not helping the case for Manila.

In addition to that, with the proposed gymnasium now looming

closer than ever, support groups are rising up to file a petition to the local government to abandon the plans for the gymnasium, with the fight being led by Chiqui Mabanta, the president of environmental group Winner Foundation. They are looking for registered voters to rack up 1000 votes to bring the issue to city level; this will bring the citizen’s concern directly to the Mayor and possibly turn back the decision to create a gym in the park.

The harrowing reality is if Manila loses the only forest park it has, it will not be only losing a bunch of trees and some plants, it will be a symbolic gesture of the people giving away the future for change, turning our backs on proud grounds that signal our heritage.

Worst of all, losing Arroceros will be a gesture of taking a step backward on our oath as a citizen of this country, to protect and fight for what is right.

Recently, numerous Buzzfeed articles popped out explaining how the classic situational comedy F∙R∙I∙E∙N∙D∙S didn’t age well.

Numerous readers chipped in on their two cents, citing examples of homophobia, toxic masculinity, and fat-shaming jokes from the show.

And they’re not the only ones being called out: The Big Bang Theory is constantly under ridicule for its arguably misogynistic undertones.

The Jim-Pam duo from The Office is currently questioned because of how Jim is not the ideal guy he seems to be. Of course, attacking shows of this popularity is bound to draw some flak from its respective fanbases, (saying) that this generation’s political correctness is ruining humor.

This leads us to the question: is political correctness really ruining comedy?

The media both create and mirror the society that consumes it.

One can say that almost all pieces of media reflect the values of the time when it’s produced—with some exceptions, of course (e.g. historical dramas). Part of the appeal most sitcoms—and comedians, for that matter—have is that they voice out truths of the generation they are trying to portray and engage with. To take into context, the show FRIENDS is concerned with a group of New Yorkers trying to make it through adulthood in the 90s; therefore, it can be expected that the values they embody is what the people during that time period hold, particularly people of Generation X. This holds true for any sitcom—they take realistic situations that their audience might find themselves in and make something out of it.

This can also be the reason why some seminal works in media are considered “timeless”: their

creators work around and about universal themes and make a story out of it, not limiting themselves to just appealing to the audience that they’re trying to target. Movies like Shawshank Redemption, Finding Nemo, and practically any tearjerking classic have something in common: a universally shared humanity through the pursuit of happiness, be it with freedom or finding a lost family member.

With that being said, one can infer that much like the society that backs it, the media is also bound to evolve. Values change, and what appeals to the previous generation may not be the same for the current generation. This does not say that there are no absolutes in what should and should not be broadcasted: taboo topics such as sexual harassment, racism, and discrimination are still big no-nos.

However, it is our tolerance for offensive topics that has changed, mainly because of progressive ideals each succeeding generation embodies.

Back then, audiences were entertained when socially awkward scientists were the butt of the joke, when Ross forced his son to play a G.I. Joe instead of a Barbie, and when Barney Stinson found it easier to seduce drunk women—but the difference now is we are actually aware of what’s wrong. There’s a rising consciousness when it comes to what should/should not be in the media we consume, and we begin to realize that comedy should not be done at the expense of other people. With the rising awareness of the consumers regarding racism, ableism, and sexism, the market for offensive jokes has plummeted, paving the way for thoughtprovoking and profound shows that today’s audiences actually deserve.

Game Changers, Life Changers

BY PETER BUNTAN

In line with the growth of technology is an evolution in the field of sports.

According to Oxford English Dictionary, “[a] sport is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment” Electronic sports—also known as e-sports—do take some sort of physical exertion, such as when a competitive player in a tournament heart rate goes up. This can be modelled as perceived exertion,

which is acknowledged as physical exertion. It also takes skills to become a professional gamer/ athlete; a player must learn diverse skills and techniques to further improve themselves just like a regular athlete.

E-Sports is also an entertainment goldmine, with e-sport tournaments beginning to be broadcasted on ESPN in the United States and various networks all around the world. Tournaments easily average 1.15-million viewers on Twitch, a streaming website, also special

ESports arenas have been created to host such events.

The e-sports industry is now becoming accepted as a sport and competitive gamers are now being identified as athletes within society. It has even been introduced in colleges in the form of intercollegiate athletic sports. Some university athletic departments even made e-sports an official sport where scholarships are granted to collegiate e-sport athletes.

Recently, it hit the news that the Philippines will be getting its first-

ever franchised Esports league, ‘The Nationals’, which will feature four separate titles that will launch in the first quarter of 2019. It will be up of the league’s six founding corporate partners to invigorate the Philippines Esports scene including TheNet.com, HappyFeet Esports, STI Education Systems Holding Inc., BrenPro Inc., Cignal TV Inc., and PLDT Inc. The Nationals would be looking to bolster the Philippines’ established turf in Dota 2, and jumpstart the country’s contention in other titles as well, as

its homegrown talents will now be given their time to shine.

As a chief contributor for e-sports, DOTA 2 carry out the highest prize pool tournaments in the world, with the 2016 International’s prize pool of $20,770,640.00 (roughly ₱1,120,067,147.32), the International 2017 (Dota 2) with a prize pool of $24,687,919.00 (1,331,308,376.03 Php) and the recently concluded The International 2018 (Dota 2) with a prize pool of

continue on page 7

FEATURES

VOL. 39 / NO. 01

A Misinformed Nation

Features from page 3 “Game Changers...” $25,532,177.00 (1,376,835,410.81 Php) It was such a great inspiration for young gamers to build and level up on their own driven by passion, enjoyment and competitive gaming. After all, this is often give as a reason to celebrate and support sports in general. While the e-sports industry grows on the world stage, arguments against including it as an official sport, worthy of an Olympic medal, seem wanting.

The world knows how we fought challenges that led us to success. The time has come to show what Filipinos can do in the field of e-sports.

The future is bright and we can take part in it, are you ready to stand in the world stage?

BY JEROME TRESVALLES

Information in this day and age is at the tip of our fingers, just a tap or click away anywhere and everywhere.

We are well aware about the convenience it entails and the dangers this much information imposes, but as it evolves, there will always be new and creative ways to extort it, and the problem being faced now is in the form of the advent of fake news—specifically, fake news as political propaganda.

With good things comes ways to abuse and twist its purpose, and Philippine politics as well as its people has gone to the internet to confuse one another.

To be put simply, we are now in an age where we cannot trust what we see at face-value, especially if it concerns politics and government issues. Recent news stories constitute this

insufferable act of deliberately misinforming the public, with stories such as the proposed renaming of NAIA airport that spread back in March and the viral news story that reportedly said Senator Bongbong Marcos will replace current Vice President Leni Robredo under the current administration. Both stories spread like wildfire, but of course, all fake stories are met with disappointment regardless of what side of the story leans to.

There are various reasons why people go through the effort of writing fake news stories; writing articles to push specific agendas into the public’s head is not new. Yellow journalism has existed even before the internet came to be, and everyone is intimately aware of its damaging effects. In

addition to that, however, there still remain to be a few people, aptly named as “trolls” who do this merely for novelty. This is dangerous, especially when you take into account the spread of information these days. In a study recently published by Science, it is shown that false information spreads easier than true information, which now shows how a huge part of the responsibility lies in the reader to be critical with the news one sees—be it on the internet, television or in newspapers.

The Philippines as a nation is currently on a collision course headed for needless conversations stemming from arguments from baseless accusations, and the only way to steer this sinking ship to port is by educating ourselves and training our eye to be perceptive

7

Stigma of manipulated news stories.

It is also in the part of the consumer to not always believe in a story just because it suits certain beliefs.

The Filipino’s complacency with media consumption has made it easier for us to be victimized by fake news, and we will continue to be victims until we stop believing in what is good to hear and start being prepared to have our prejudices broken and our points-of-view challenged regularly. As the old adage goes, if the story sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

So, is the Philippines a misinformed nation? One could say yes; but continuing to be part of one is a conscious choice—a choice that the its constituents must make.

Out and Proud: Pride and the Rising LGBT Consciousness in the Philippines

BY KEANE ESCOBAR

Every June, the streets are painted not only red, but with the different colors of the rainbow as members of the LGBTQIA+ community flock together for Pride, a worldwide event serving as a celebration and a movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) people. This annual event is in remembrance to the Stonewall Riots, one of the first major events that marked the advent of gay activism worldwide, that happened in June in the late 60s. With the recent (closure) of Pride Month, the Metro Manila Pride Organization estimated that this year’s Pride March saw the largest amount of support at about 25 000 attendees, making the Philippines the home of the largest Pride demonstration in the Southeast Asian Region.

The Philippines—and the SouthEast Asian Region—saw its first Pride March in 1994, organized by ProGay Philippines, an organization concerned with urban-poor members of the LGBT, supported by the Metropolitan Community Church. Albeit a relatively small event, with an attendance of only 60 people, it created a mass media frenzy across the country due to it being the first openly gay (agenda) in the Philippines, a country that is openly religious. This marked a new

Fr. Richard Mickley delivering a liturgical message during the first Pride event.

Photo courtesy: Fr. Richard Mickley era of perception for members of the community, individuals whose existences were trivialized and only looked upon as parlorists and drag queens at night. In an interview conducted by Justin Ellis for Fridae, Jonas Bagas of the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB) says that “…We have always been conscious of focusing our message on the issues of diversity and equal rights. How it comes across to the broader public is entirely a different matter - for the right, a political call from a marginalized community like LGBT people is always threatening.”

Due to cultural differences and

the lack of a singular organization responsible for execution, there has been numerous discussions on the nature of Pride, whether it is supposed to be a celebration or a political platform. Its “paradelike” characteristic has been contested due to its roots in violent dispersals during the Stonewall riots. However, many gay groups agree that Pride is intersectional— essentially being both a celebration to LGBT+ visibility and a platform for political discussion. The 1994 march was done together with another protest that time, regarding Value-Added Tax reform. In addition to that, this year’s theme was

“Rise Up Together”, emphasizing the creation of a safe space for everyone part of a marginalized group. This adjacency is evidence to the intersectionality of Pride with numerous social issues and its inherently political nature.

Despite the Philippines being a beacon of acceptance in the SouthEast Asian region, our country is still far from being a completely safe space for LGBT+ people. They continue to face homophobia from the most minor of microaggressions even up to full-on hate crime, not to mention the glacial pace that SOGIE bill is going through in the Senate.

Although there are existing laws that

arguably protect our rights against discrimination, these laws are either only implemented on a city-scale (such as that of Mandaluyong’s recent city ordinance) or don’t have specific provisions focusing on the discrimination of the LGBT+ across many sectors. Additionally, the cultural attitude of Filipinos towards their LGBT+ countrymen is yet to improve. It is in Pride that our brothers and sisters find a shared safe space with fellow individuals, and its founders can only hope that it continues to be a platform for awareness and visibility towards an accepting and discrimination-free future.

8 LITERARY

ANG PAMANTASAN/ JUNE-AUGUST 2018

TO BE BRAVE IS TO...

FALSE BRAVERY

BY SHARMAINE MARARAC

Some days, we are burdened Blinded, wounded, or silenced.

Phases of indifference get the best Of those who care, Or maybe not? Not enough?

Lies linger; They are not all ignorant And where there is so much to do, We turn the other side; We love the dark.

We are not all ignorant.

Blood is shed.

At times, the worst, we hold the knife; More so: the grudge, the pain, the motive, And we deny.

Blessed are those who know to fight With words like knives, Suspicious, untrusting, in disbelief, Brave to be brave and say what he thinks, To ask the why and the how and walk with no guilt.

Guilty are those who crumble in fear, Ones who will always say, “I don’t know really,” But they do, They do, And it’s not their fault,

Courageous are those who speak And say, “Aha! Something is off?”

And cowards are those who shrug And we are called to lie To them or ourselves?

When writers write and do not care, they tell the truth and we are “partly” saved.

Never lucky.

Often, they pay the price Though ignorance

will cost us more And after all, doomed at last!

BY MYLANNE SANTOS

Lucky are those who see the message; They look and look Past the mist of flowers in gardens Until the stench of the damaged Becomes overwhelming and we are dead

Then He ran as far away as possible from me as I chased after him. I finally caught up to him and tripped him. He was no match for me. I was stronger, larger in comparison, and my agility was incomparable. He tried to shoot me, but before he could, I took his gun from his hand and threw it away. I then looked at him in his innocent eyes and shot him in the heart.

“Aray ko po!” My playmate touched where the pellet struck as he grimaced because of the pain. He said, “Masyado ka namang seryoso! Laro lang ‘to.”

“Sorry,” I said, “Baka kasi ako barilin mo kung sakaling ‘di ako mauna.” I then smiled and helped him up.

We are not all innocent.

Still, some are not blind.

We recognize privilege.

And we compensate.

We apologize.

We are not all rotten from the inside out.

We are hollow at times, But we cannot always be bad.

We know the truth when we know it And to tell, to do is to be brave.

So, many are brave.

WITHOUT THE PAY

BY MYLANNE SANTOS “Be strong for the both of us,” you’d say because you can’t handle being in the dark, so you lie under the sun and let the darkness in you burnout.

“Be strong for the both of us” because you can’t handle the problems you face everyday, so you tell me about the people who’ve wronged you and I comfort you, tell you it’s okay, tell you you’re beautiful because you need the constant reminder,

the “are you okays,” the “I love yous,” the shoulder to cry on.

“Be strong for the both of us,” you’d always say, but sometimes I can’t because sometimes I can’t even be strong for me and provide the love I need because I give it to you.

I let the darkness grow inside of me as I give to you all of my light.

I let the blades touch my skin and my blood drip out instead of yours

because you’re too delicate.

I step on the cracks and suffer the lifetime of bad luck, so you don’t have to because you’re slowly deteriorating.

All of the air I breathe, the food I eat I give to you because I have to be strong for the both of us.

I am so drained because loving you feels like work now without the pay.

Now “On my order.” Don’t breathe too loudly or they might hear; steady your heartbeat; hold your gun properly; make sure it is fully loaded. “Go! Go! Go!” I knocked down the door and entered the house we were about to raid with my troop. All eyes were on us, and among those eyes, I recognized two.

One of the people in front of us grabbed for a gun he pulled from under the sofa and fired, which became a catalyst. Soon enough, my troop and I were firing.

Everyone was bloodied and down except for one person.

It was him – the one I knew I’ve known before. He ran as far away as possible from me as I chased after him. I finally caught up to him and tripped him. He was no match for me.

I was stronger, larger in comparison, and my agility was incomparable. He tried to shoot me, but before he could, I took his gun from his hand and threw it away. I then looked at him in his eyes; as I did, he let out a deep laugh; he wasn’t the kid I used to play with when we were younger. This familiar face started saying, “I always knew you were going to be one of them. Remember when it was all still a game? You took it too seriously.”

I smirked. My voice was firm. I made sure he understood every word I said, “Ngayon hindi na ‘to laro.” I aimed my gun at his heart, pulled the trigger, and placed his gun in his hand. I then walked over the dead bodies of his family - one child and a grown woman - and towards the sofa; I slipped a small bag of cocaine out of my pocket and under the sofa.

I faced my troop and said, “Positive. There are drugs in this house.” His blood was on my hands, so was his family’s, but I was used to it.

AS THE SOIL SPEAKS

BY MECAELA GUMADE

As your bronze-colored face looks down upon my earthen body each day, I notice the creases that form on your forehead. Glistening beads of sweat fall from your temples every time you unfalteringly toil under the scorching rays of the sun. Your skin has wrinkled and sunken through time. For you, those inconveniences never really mattered. I’m wondering why.

Even on the days of pouring rain, you are still here, bending and sowing, burying seeds on my skin that would soon grow as grains of life.

You patiently water these seeds within me and I silently witness as you unfailingly raked out the weeds that might harm their growth. You don’t mind staining your clothes with mud; you don’t mind getting your hands dirty from all the sowing. You just solemnly focused on your tasks, on patiently waiting for these seeds to grow. Why are you enduring this arduous work each day?

Then, I saw them. The hopeful faces of children who look just like you – innocent, sunken faces who continually radiate hope despite their circumstances.

Now, I understand why.

At last, the awaited day of harvesting came. The fruits of your labors and patience bore abundant grains of life that you called rice. You can now provide for your family. You can now fill all of your sunken cheeks and hollowed skins.

But why are they – the men in suits who didn’t even stain their hands with mud or endure even a day’s work under the sun – shouting at you?

They took what you toiled for months and in exchange— few paper bills that can’t even satisfy basic needs.

I watched in awe of you and with boiling rage against your abusive fellowmen. You feed the nation, but why does your stomach remain empty?

Why can’t your countrymen see your sacrifices, your bravery?

LITERARY

VOL. 39 / NO. 01

9

DE JAVU

BY NICOLE CARIG

“Is this de javu?”, my eyes had been consistently pierced at a large canvass of a Filipino sentiment encompassing prejudice, cruelty, and oppression Behold thy naked eyes is a remnant of our melancholic yesterday; crimson blood dripped off the ground, stained cloth fabric long ago frayed

FATHER’S GUN

BY NICOLE CARIG

the howling masses, but never the shrill outcry of your own child

Four knocks.

I briskly sprinted to the doorway, driven by the rush of euphoria, and there stood a man in a battle fatigue

Every time you would leave the walls of home, I would feel that you are choosing the nation over me, ironic how you have become a hero to millions when all I have ever wished for is a father who stays.

Gone are the nights of fret, gone are the days of longing, I can finally heave a deep breath because my home is finally home.

Our days had always been on the brink of constant fear and distress, thus, every night, before I go to sleep, I pray for another tomorrow – for many more tomorrows, But the clock drew the partition closer, time is usually fleeting when we are together It went too fast that I have lost count of the days, too fast that now, your furlough is already done “Can’t you just not leave here?” I pleaded, as though you have ever heeded my words again and again, I have always tried, hoping that at some point, you finally would.

I have always yearned for your embraces but you want a country that is free from vile.

You have always heard

Over the long haul, I have gotten used to it -- convincing myself that you will be back tomorrow.

Every day, I would tell myself, “Perhaps tomorrow,” until tomorrows turned into weeks, months, and soon, years.

Three knocks. Pause.

I have waited for the fourth one, but there was no response – a humdrum followed “Three knocks mean nothing,” I fooled myself.

Cold bodies are damaged by fists, ruthlessly dragged and trampled on soil, tortured with reckless cuts and slits fallen gladiators had episodes of a life of toil In a facade of Roman despotism, Luna depicted his fellow countrymen who experienced perpetual calvary under the Spanish tyranny I was 4 when I learned to recognize colors, the yellow in sunflowers, the red in apples, And I was 18 when I learned to appreciate colors, how it induced a change, how it sparked a revolution Had the painting not been crafted, had the artist stopped during derision, would’ve we been saved from the peril of stagnation? would the ending be different?

“Is this de javu?”, the familiarity of the portrait crept in me, I heard the voices of the screeching masses, the outcry of their spontaneous dread Yesterday meets the present, the history is being rewritten impartiality gradually ebbs away and our rights are falling into a swoon

It hurts me that I am now perusing this; a frayed letter drenched with my tears and the words written at the back of the sheet were, “Do not read unless deceased.”

With the continuing fight of the masses against the descend of carcasses, I said, “the history is repeating itself,” But now, who will save us?

THE WOMAN

BY SHARMAINE MARARAC

BY SHARMAINE MARARAC

In the the morning, morning, In amidst the the grumble grumble of of the the busy busy street street amidst cars from end to end, never-ending cars from end to end, never-ending unravels the the weight weight my my insides insides were were unravels bearing the the acid acid pile pile up up bearing Fix my my notes notes II compensate compensate Fix The woman’s woman’s prompting prompting shadows shadows over over me me The seek aa space space to to fit fit II seek To think think about about the the class class II was was bound bound to to To miss, miss, breakfast II so so dared dared to to skip skip breakfast in my my head head II repeat repeat in Weighing, had had II missed missed anything anything Weighing, II think think about about the the mugs mugs II left left unwashed unwashed The woman woman must must teeter teeter at at the the burden burden The Each minute, minute, second, second, hour hour of of the the clock clock Each Belonged, reckless, reckless, solely solely on on my my watch watch Belonged, She does does not not know know to to own own her her time time She

The world world has has never never belonged belonged in in her her The hands hands She was was never never as as young young as as II was was She Timeless, she pummels through a lifetime Timeless, she pummels through a lifetime The years have only let her down The years have only let her down In the the middle middle of of the the day, day, In crumple my my sheets sheets full full of of writing writing II crumple There stood ink I’d rather stamp on my my There stood ink I’d rather stamp on skin skin The woman woman would would shake shake her her head head The With her thoughts incredulous With her thoughts incredulous Defiance marks marks her her expressions, expressions, Defiance In her her faith faith that that in in my my own own itit doesn’t doesn’t show show In am not not the the child child II was was II am The woman knows, but she sees right right The woman knows, but she sees through through had lost lost my my grasp grasp on on time time II had Disastrous deeds deeds have have pulled pulled me me filthy filthy Disastrous

The sun sun goes goes without without me me The The woman woman waits, waits, for for she she always always does does The And she cleans the mugs I leave behind And she cleans the mugs I leave behind In the the evening, evening, In When the the day day excites excites to to start start over over When And the the mugs mugs are are kept kept safe safe And In the the gloomiest, gloomiest, most most unattended unattended parts parts In of home of home promise, to to hold hold the the woman’s woman’s hands hands II promise, as frail, frail, as as tired, tired, as as calloused calloused as as they they had had been been in in the the morning morning as will come come home, home, to to the the woman woman II will The same same sunset sunset warmth warmth in in her her eyes, eyes, The As she she tells tells me me that that after after all, all, As she was was only only young young in in the the stories stories she And yet yet she she never never was, was, And And she she worries worries II relive relive the the same same old old And scars scars

And she she cries, cries, sometimes, sometimes, hoping hoping II do do not not And In the the evening, evening, In When II come come home home to to the the woman, woman, When And she thinks I lost my battles And she thinks I lost my battles promise to to wreathe wreathe her her solace solace along along my my II promise fears fears She need need not not to to panic panic in in my my sake sake She nor make me swear I won’t forget, nor make me swear I won’t forget, that II take take after after her, her, and and she’s she’s afraid afraid that The woman woman isis aa devotee devotee The Obedience is her religion, Obedience is her religion, She believes it is mine too, She believes it is mine too, But II do do not not take take after after my my mother, mother, But Never will will II be be as as strong strong or or as as willing willing Never As selfless, brave and hard-working As selfless, brave and hard-working And II am am nothing, nothing, ifif the the Woman Woman isis so. so.

And My mother mother isis my my hero, hero, My And that, that, II will will never never forget forget And

10 NEWS

ANG PAMANTASAN/ JUNE-AUGUST 2018

National ID System Act passes as law

BY MECAELA GUMADE

Last August 6, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the implementation of the Republic Act No. 11055, otherwise known as the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act on Malacañang, establishing the national identification system on the country.

The signed bill, with the purpose to create an official national identification card for all citizens that can be used for all government service, agencies and transactions without using multiple IDs, was written by Senator Panfilo Lacson.

According to the President, this national ID would be called “PhilID,” and he believed that this act would foster “good governance, enhanced governmental transactions, and create a more conducive environment for trade and commerce to thrive.”

Through the use of a single, national identification card, transactions between government agencies and citizens will be faster, as well as difficult processes to attain government services will be lessened. Identity confusions on records during such processes can also be minimized due to the singular data base of the people’s information.

According to Lisa Bersales, national statistician and civil registrar general of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the issuance of the Phil-ID is not mandatory but it is required in conducting business relations and necessary to receive government assistance.

“It’s really more about accessing benefits. But if they don’t want to access benefits from government, then they will not really need to have an ID,” she

added.

The national identification system will be consisted with citizens’ personal information including their full name, sex, biometrics, place of birth, blood type, Philippine passport number, taxpayer’s identification number, and more.

National ID Receives Mixed Feedbacks The administered law acquired various reactions and commentaries from different sectors of the country after being put into effect by the President.

Concerns on privacy breaches and data security were expressed by critics and some human rights group.

Karapatan, a human rights group, said that the signed Philsys Act will lead to “wholesale violations of rights under the present administration.”

Additionally, Computer experts from Computer Professionals Union stated that the law “will act as a virtual tracker for holders of the ID card.”

In response to these worries, Bersales assured the public that their information will be securely protected, “It is very explicit in the law as to how we will use the data, manage the data,” she said, emphasizing that only with the consent of the Phil-ID owner, or when the court permits, will information be used on other matters.”

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque remarked the implemented law, stating that “millions of Filipinos will soon enjoy the benefits of the Philippine Identification System Act.” He pointed out that the signage of the act means not having to present multiple identification

cards for an ordinary Juan de la Cruz in order to prove his identity.

Furthermore, Roque said that the Phil-ID can minimize the cases of identity thefts.

On the other hand, commendations from Catholic Bishops and law enforcers were also expressed concerning the PhilSys. “[It] would be especially beneficial to our overseas’ Filipino workers,” Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, said. “It can also protect them against bribery and red tape when dealing with different agencies.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo stated that the new system will help in secluding criminals from law-abiding citizens, and will aid to “promote and secure environment where terrorists, criminals and other unscrupulous individuals will have difficulty coping to pursue their evil designs and nefarious activities.”

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also affirms that the advantages of the national ID would far outweigh privacy concerns.

National ID System’s Budget For the pilot production of the national ID this year, the PSA is aiming for a P2.2 billion budget. For the next four years, the act will need P30 billion for implementation and the first national ID will be free of charge for the citizens.

Assistant Finance Secretary Tony Lambino said that the target citizens’ issuance of the Phil-ID will be 25 million every year.

News from page 1 “First United People's SONA...” national security goals are prioritize.

Although having Philippine ambassador to China, Jose Sta. Maria, identified that one of the componentsof his independent foreign policy is to have improving relations with China.

Duterte mentioned in his speech that the country’s re-energized relation with China does not mean wavering his commitment to defend our interests in the West Philippine Sea; rather, has seeked way to a cooperation between both nations on war against transnational crimes.

“This is why we engage China through bilateral and multilateral platforms such as the ASEANChina and the Philippines China Bilateral Consultation Mechanism,” he added.

On TRAIN Law and Anti-Poor Policies Duterte insisted that TRAIN Law must not be abolished in spite of critics saying that it has contributed

to country’s surged inflation rate.

Moreover, the president urged the congress to pass in succession an equitable tax system, which will include the submitting of five packages of tax reform to Congress by the end of July 2018—comprising of mining, alcohol, and tobacco tax increase, reform in property valuation, reform in capital income and financial taxes, and an amnesty program aside from TRAIN, rice tariffication, and Package 2.

On Media Disinformation and Attack on Press Freedom According to a joint report released by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Philippine Press Institute (PPI), and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), a total of 85 attacks against the media have been tallied since Duterte.

The cases include killing of

journalists, filing of libel complaints, online harassment, death hreats, slay attempts, harassment, intimidation, website attack, revocation of registration or denial of franchise renewal, verbal abuse, strafing, and police surveillance of journalists as well as media agencies.

“Bago pa maupo bilang Pangulo si Duterte, hindi lang paglala ‘yung gusto niyang pakikitungo sa Media. Ano bang sinabi niya, “Kaya namamatay ‘yan, karamihan niyan, sinasabi, nabayaran na. Just because you’re a journalist you’re not exempted from assassination if you’re a son of a bitch.”

Magmula noon, labingdalawa na sa hanay naming ang napapatay,” Nonoy Espina, Chair of National Union of Journalists in the Philippines, stated in his speech at United People’s SONA. On the contrary, Duterte’s SONA did not include any part regarding the issue of press freedom in the country.

21 arrested scores injured in dispersal of striking NutriAsia workers

BY ALAIZA MANANSALA

Violence transpired at NutriAsia factory in Marilao, Bulacan on June 14, 2018 when police started to break up their picket line, arresting 21 workers that were later brought to Marilao and Meycauayan Police Stations.

The workers were at their 12th day of strike, protesting against contractualization, low wages, and unhealthy working conditions. "Sila nag-umpisang tanggalin ang mga kubol namin. Dahil kokonti lang kami sa picket namin noon, pinilit kami i-disperse palabas. Tinulak kami sa batikwasan," Jessie Gerola, President of Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng NutriAsia Inc. stated.

"Gusto kong tumakas, gusto kong umalis para hindi ako mapalo sana. Lumusob [sila] tapos pinaghahampas ako nang pinaghahampas," said Quiza, a worker of NutriAsia that was also a part of the picket line, explaining that instead of showing restraint, the police cornered them and started hitting.

According to him, they thought that the police would not beat them if he and his fellow protesters would just lay to the ground, and remain

News from page 3 “PLM Alumnus...”

“In this age of post-truth, the pressures on journalism are getting bigger not only from trolls and bots but from technology and margins,” he noted.

However, despite the threats, he encouraged young journalists, including campus journalists, to always practice good journalism – be accurate, fair, and impartial, and report- based only on facts and the truth.

On the other hand, Mogato stated that he is planning to retire from active journalism and devote his time and energy mentoring young journalists to help improve media literacy and make people think more critically to defeat disinformation or fake news.

“I treasure the recognition given

non-resistant as they did.

"Hindi sila tumitigil hanggang sa may tao doon na nakahiga, papaluin nila yun nang papaluin," Quiza’s co-worker, Junel Padaylap said, who also received a heavy beating during the dispersal."Nagpapatay patayan kami. Kapag di kami umalis doon, dadalhin kami sa presinto tapos kakasuhan pa kami," he added.

However, the police denied the allegations of violent dispersal, saying it was merely a confrontation.

Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna, acting Bulacan police chief said that around 1:30 PM that day, the workers voluntarily left their picket but when the workers exited through the main gate, they allegedly came across the members of Kadamay of which members tried to remove the barricade to go inside the NutriAsia premises which started the disruption.

“Kung hindi lang dahil sa instigation ng Kadamay, walang gulong nangyari at very peaceful and paglisan sa picket line,” Bersaluna said. He also added that the police exercised maximum tolerance in dealing with the workers.

by my Alma Mater. It is better than awards from the Rotary or other institutions. It could be comparable to the Marshall McLuhan and Pulitzer given by my own peers, foreign government and academics,” he said as he expressed his gratitude towards PLM University President Dr. Ma. Leonora Vasquez-de Jesus, and to his editors: Vergel Santos, Rollie Fernandez, Noel Cabrera, and Fort Yerro for their help and contribution for him to receive the Pulitzer award.

Mogato was a former professor and an alumnus of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with a degree in Mass Communication. He was also a part of Ang Pamantasan, the official school publication of PLM, during his college years.

News from page 3 “F. Sionil Jose...”

Nonetheless, Jose still continues writing at his bookshop, Solidaridad Book Shop, located at 531 Padre Faura St., in Ermita Manila where one could purchase his works like, “The Rosales Saga” novels and other remarkable books and writings of Filipino authors.

In a 3-hour lecture, the celebrated

writer who outlived several decades of history introduced the role of literature in building a nation to the PLMayers, and allowed them to reflect, develop interest in reading and writing, and love for the country as he uttered – writers reinforce memory – there is no nation if there is no memory.

ISYUNG ISKO

VOL. 39 / NO. 01

ISYUNG

ISKO Hi,

mga ka-dead inside!

Kumakain ako kanina ng lugaw. Ubos na ‘yung paminta kasi sabi ng nanay ko, itaktak ko raw. Kaya… ayun, tinaktak ko sa sarili. Tamang taktak lang gaya ng ginagawa ng mga barker para

magkasya kami sa jeep.

Iba talaga ang kapangyarihan ng pagtaktak ng mga barker, mapapa-usog ka talaga sa pwesto mo. Tapos yung waluhan nagiging sampuan, bet? Pero what’s the point kung sa dulo ng byahe, hindi ka pa rin naman nun mahal. Aray, nangaattack!

Finally, nasa round table na ko!! Tamang kembot lang at charaaaan…

Pamintasan here I come!!!

Pero wait?

Bakit may

naaaninag akong giant selfie?

Okay, dedma. Rampa tayo ulit. At heto na naman tayo, bukas zipper, tusok-tusok. Parang si nanay na nagtitinda ng fishball sa tapat tuwing gabi.

Going back, wait… At sa kalagitnaan nga ng pagrampa ng lola mo ay nakasalubong niya na naman ang kanyang long lost friend.

Bakit long lost? Syempre matagal ko na sya iniiwasang makita pero mukhang itinadhana talaga. ‘Di niyo naitatanong eh crush ko ‘to dati kaya lang #PareZoned ako eh.

Truly, ouchy.

Pero hindi lang naman ‘yun ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw ko syang ma-sight. Galit ako sa kanya sa mga ginawa nya sa’kin. Hmppp.

Pero salamat nalang din Pare…

Talagang mapapatalon-talon ako na para bang nasa TRAPOLIN PARK sa sobrang #Blessed.

Alam niyo kasi ‘tong si Pare, dating action star yan ih, laging nakikita sa tv at sa big screen.

Doon ako nagstart na ma-fall sa kanya. Nakaka-hot kaya tignan pag sumasabak siya sa fighting scenes. Well, alam niyo naman, basta gwapo, basta sikat, botongboto dyan ang taumbayan!

At dahil nga na-fall na ako sa trap ni parE… ayun nabuwag na ang hiya’t nanaig ang aking katangahan habang ako’y todo-effort para maka-sulong at mapansin at baka sakali, baka sakali lang naman, na ma-inlove? siya sa’kin. Pero ayun, ligwak ganern ako sa parE n’yo sa bandang huli. Ang sakit pala pag na reject ka ng taong mahal mo!

Pero maraming salamat parin parE sa mga ginawa mo para sa’kin habang pinapaniwala mo ako nun na may pag-asa ang ‘tayo’ habang sa likod ko, niloloko mo lang pala ako. Asadong asado ang lola mo.

Pero parE, salamat sa pag-suyo mo sakin noon at nasangkot ka pa sa “plan dito, plan doon? Plan there!” para makabalik ka at lokohin ulit ako at mamulitika sa buhay ko.

AnU yon, Ha? Napasigaw tuloy ako “my God, is this a joke?!?”

Pero bakit ganun? May parte sa akin na sana totoo ito… na sana mahal mo talaga ako at hindi bagay kung ituring na ginagamit mo para makuha lang ang gusto mo.

Salamat sa mga pa-haul mo sa’kin nun na mga bigay na damit nung galit ako sayo nung nagkalat kayo ng isKwad mo ng basura sa pool para lang pala mabigyan kayo ng plus points pag pinulot n’yo. ‘Diba parang tanga lang??

Magkakalat kayo para kunwari meron kayong basurang pupulutin?

‘Bat di n’yo nalang itapon mga sarili ninyo para kayo nalang sana yung nalunod??

Pero ayun na nga, sa tuwing maaalala ko, napapangiti parin kasi pinag-isipan mo naman pala ng maayos na mga damit yung ibinigay mo sa’kin kasi kagaya ko yung mga damit na bigay mo… marupok.

Parang na-feel ko na gusto ko pang ibalik sayo kasi parang masama pa loob mo sa isang suot lang na damit, sira na. Balik ko nalang kaya sa’yo? O kaya bayaran ko nalang kagaya ng pagbayad at panunuhol mo para magustuhan ka ng ibang tao. Uxtoh mo ‘yon??

ParE, salamat kasi ikaw yung parE para sa mahirap na tulad ko.

Pero parE? ‘Bat sabi ni mare ikaw ang pinaka-mayamang leader sa barangay ninyo? Eh ‘diba sabi mo malinis ka naman palagi? Na ang gusto mo lang na pagsilbihan sila gaya nang pagsisilbi mo sakin.

May mga pa-survey pa kayong nalalaman. Kaso sa mga pagsusuri, ayan, napag-alaman ng aming team na 27 barangGAYS ang inyong nasuprtahan at napondohan.

Pero nasaan ‘yun? ‘Bat walang nakaramdam? Ni wala man lang nakaranas at wala man lang nakaita. Ano ‘yun? Multo? Balak mo pa ba na mag- ghost hunting kami sa mga pinakita mong peke? Pati ba naman sa mga nakalaan para sa iba, magpapaka-ala invisible ka gaya ng pagpapanggap na hindi mo ako nakikita Naalala ko tuloy bigla ‘yung sinabi ni pareng Honoré de Balzac, “behind every great fortune there is a crime.” Hindi ka naman tulad ng iba hindi ba? O pakitang tao ka nalang din talaga ‘tulad nila?

Pero bakit kahit anong paliwanag mo at pagintindi ko sayo, may mali eh. Meron talaga.

May mali dahil lahat sila, iba ang tingin sayo… Biruin mo, six years kang hindi nagparamdam! Six years na walang tawag, walang text! Dahil sabi mo naaksidente ka, na tinulungan ka ng babaeng “I’m Sorry” lang ang laging lumalabas sa bibig niya pero bakit bigla ka na lang babalik na parang walang nangyari, na parang wala kang kasalanang nagawa?! Nakahanap ka na ba ng iba?! Sino siya?! Nang matanong natin kung gaano ka kagaling manloko ng iba!

Sige, ayos lang, dahil mahal kita, tanggap pa rin kita… ganun kita kamahal! Oh diba walang hanggan? Kaso nagtrending ka na naman, #Top10World’s hindi dahil sa galing at husay mo pero dahil sa ooOoOPpsSs… wag na pala kasi hindi naman nakakatuwa.

Magiging proud na sana ako sayo dahil jowa kita pero hindi ko kaya, nakakawalang gana. ParE, umayos ka naman! Hindi ikaw ‘yan o mali talaga ako ng taong nakilala...

11

Humirit ka pa ng isa, sabi ng B AY R, magbayad ka naman ng utang mo na humigit P2.9 milyon.

Alam mo bang lugmok na lugmok na si Juan dahil sa’yo? Walang makain, walang matirahan, at nawala ang lahat dahil sa desisyon mong ipagkait ang dapat na kanila.

Ngayon daig mo pa ang sikat na celebrity sa luho at na iyong natatamasa. Ikaw ba talaga ‘yan parE?! Hindi ikaw ang nagustuhan ko pero bakit ganun parang iba na yata ang taong nasa harapan ko?

Sa dinami-rami ng iyong mga nagawa, hindi ‘bat parang hindi ka dapat nagpapakasasa sa karangalan ng pagkakalaya?

Ikukulong ka na dapat for life ‘diba? Pero bakit tila yata kami ang nakulong sa kasalang ikaw ang may sala? P735 milyon na naging P317 milyong piso ang iyong ibinalik matapos mo akong lokohin. Ano ‘to magic gimik?! Hocus pokus?!

Matapos kang tumaya sa “WEH TENG?” ito ang kapalit? Hanep ka talaga ParE! Saludo ako sa mga talent mo! Pasyal mo naman ako minsan sa mga bahay mo ah? Para dun tayo magdate dahil tiba tiba ka naman ehhh pero huwag yung sa Boracay, nakuha na nila yun eh.

Gayunpaman, ParE, kailan man, hindi ka nila nakalimutang paupuin sa dahilang nilimot din nila kung gaano magpasalamat tulad ko.

Ang dami nating pinagsamahan, pinagsaluhan. Napakarami nating ala-ala na ‘pag tumingin ako sa tubig o sa basura, ikaw ang aking naaalala.

Lubos silang nagpapasalamat sa iyo, makikita sa pakikipagkamay, sa mga TRAPOlin, sa mga sulok ng mayniLUH katulad ng PhLegM. Nagsponsor ng TRAPOlin at di ko maintindihan kung bakit isa ka sa mga pinasasalamatan namin pagkat kahit paano’y natatamasa namin ang aming mga karapatan: Karapatang makapag-aral, karapatang magkaroon ng pagkakapantay-pantay sa loob ng institusyong ito at ang karapatang magkaroon ng maayos na pasilidad.

Sa tingin ko, ang karapatan ay hindi dapat pinapasalamatan. Inilaan na ito para sa atin bilang bahagi ng pamayanan at bilang isang Pilipinong dapat parangalan ng mga natural na karapatan.

Sino ang higit na dapat pasalamatan?

Wala ang karapatang makapagaral kung wala ang taong bayan — sila… sila ang tunay at dapat pasalamatan!

Kaya ikaw na mambabasa, wag papalinlang sa mga TRAPOlin ‘nang di ka magaya sa’kin..

12 SPORTS

ANG PAMANTASAN/ JUNE-AUGUST 2018

NO DOUBTING FILIPINO PROWESS

Pinay athletes strike gold in 18th Asiad, Philippines secures 19th medal finish Olympian Hidilyn Diaz had set standards for Philippine team as she reaped country’s first gold in women’s weightlifting event preceding other three most-coveted crowns by Saso of golf together with Go and Pagdangasnan and Didal of skateboarding in Asian Games 2018 held at Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia on August 8 – September 22 to get off this year’s 19th medal tally finish.

These gold-medal winners bested 37 hopeful nations in those aforementioned events and proved that Pinay prowess could spearhead the country’s goal for gold.

Diaz, who delivered silver in the Rio Olympics two years ago, nailed the first medal of the country and showed that silver is just a stepping stone to harvest gold.

The 27-year-old skipper dominated the 53-kg weightlifting event after orchestrating a total lift of 207 kg, outshining Turkmenistan’s Kristina Shermetova (206 kg) and Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao (201 kg) in a tough battle for crown.

On the other hand, it was a heart-stopping finish for Yuka Saso

BY KENT MOJICA

STAND PROUD: Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz unfurls Philippine flag as she brings pride to the country.

Photo courtesy: gmanetwork.com as well who made it to the highest podium in the women’s individual golf and leading her squad with Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kate Go to seize another gold as a team.

Lurking behind silver Liu Wenbo of China, Saso surmounted the disaster-striking contest against Liu though after coming up with a

double-bogey, gave Day 3 leader Liu a firm advantage with a 2-shot lead.

But fortune favored the 17-yearold Saso giving her the title after eyeing the par5 18th from 10 feet, and saw Liu quadruple there, while Du Mohan of China who also gave Saso a fierce challenge bogeyed the par-4 16th and double-bogeyed

the 17th, paving the way for Saso’s gold-medal victory.

Another Filipina hopeful brought pride to the country, Margielyn Didal, after making the stadium her own in the women’s street skateboard competition, and rattling off with 30.4 points in the homestretch claiming her as the champion against equally-talented

Japanese pride Kaya Isa who barged 25.0 and Bunga Nyimas of host country Indonesia, with19.8.

These Filipina deserve to be called as legends as they showed the world, not only Asia, that women are capable of equalizing what men can do. Consequently, there’s more to be rewarded for these ‘golden girls’ as they are set to receive an additional P1 million incentive on top of P6 million bonus.

Saso is set to receive the biggest incentive after being a doublegold medalist in the prestigious tournament.

Sports can really be a room for women empowerment as being proven by these ‘golden’ Pinays who topped the country’s 21 medal holders (4 gold, 2 silver, 15 bronze) to secure 19th overall in JakartaPalembang 2018 medal tally of the games.

Saso, Diaz, Didal, Go and Pagdanganan are expected to deliver more pride and glory to the country as they have bannered Pinay prowess and women empowerment in the field of sports.

CONGRATULATIONS ALCU X 2018 WINNERS!

Arnis (Men) Champion – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st - TAGUIG CITY UNIVERSITY 2nd - DALUBHASAAN NG LUNGSOD NG SAN PABLO

Arnis (Women) Champion – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – TAGUIG CITY UNIVERSITY 2nd - PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MUNTINLUPA Arnis Team (Full Contact) Champion – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – TAGUIG CITY UNIVERSITY 2nd - UNIVERSITY OF CALOOCAN CITY / PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA Athletics (Men) Champion – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – URDANETA CITY UNIVERSITY 2nd - PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA

Basketball (Men) Champion – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA 1st – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MUNTINLUPA 2nd - UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI

Basketball (Women) Champion – VALPOLY 1st – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MUNTINLUPA 2nd - PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA Basketball 3x3 (Men) Champion – CITY OF MALABON UNIVERSITY 1st – UNIBERSIDAD DE MANILA 2nd - TAGUIG CITY UNIVERSITY Basketball 3x3 (Women) Champion – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – UNIBERSIDAD DE MANILA 2nd URDANETA CITY UNIVERSITY

Athletics (Women) Champion – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – GOVERNON ALFONSO D. TAN COLLEGE 2nd - GORDON COLLEGE

Chess Champion –UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – URDANETA CITY UNIVERSITY 2nd - PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA

Badminton Champion – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MUNTINLUPA 1st – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 2nd - GORDON COLLEGE

Cheerleading Champion –TAGUIG CITY UNIVERSITY 1st – UNIVERSITY OF CALOOCAN CITY 2nd - UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI

Dancesport Champion –UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – PLV 2nd - PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA

Mr. ALCU Champion – MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE 1st – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 2nd - CITY COLLEGE OF ANGELES

Swimming (Women) Champion –UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – GORDON COLLEGE 2nd - PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA

Football Champion –GORDON COLLEGE 1st – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 2nd - KOLEHIYO NG LUNGSOD NG LIPA

Ms. ALCU Champion – MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE 1st – CITY COLLEGE OF ANGELES 2nd - UNIVERSITY OF CALOOCAN CITY

Table Tennis Champion – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA 2nd - DALUBHASAAN NG LUNGSOD NG SAN PABLO

Futsal (Men) Champion – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – GORDON COLLEGE 2nd - KOLEHIYO NG LUNGSOD NG LIPA Futsal (Women) Champion – GORDON COLLEGE 1st – KOLEHIYO NG LUNGSOD NG LIPA 2nd - PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MUNTINLUPA Karatedo (Men) Champion –UNIVERSITY OF CALOOCAN CITY 1st – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MUNTINLUPA 2nd - UNIBERSIDAD DE MANILA/ KOLEHIYO NG LUNGSOD NG LIPA Karatedo (Women) Champion – UNIVERSITY OF CALOOCAN CITY 1st – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MUNTINLUPA 2nd - UNIBERSIDAD DE MANILA/ UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI

Rugby (Men) Champion – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA 2nd - PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MUNTINLUPA Rugby (Women) Champion – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA 1st – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 2nd - KOLEHIYO NG LUNGSOD NG LIPA Sepak Takraw Champion –UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA 2nd - TAGUIG CITY UNIVERSITY Swimmin (Women) Champion –UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA 2nd - GORDON COLLEGE

Taekwondo (Men) Champion – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA 1st – TAGUIG CITY UNIVERSITY 2nd - UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI Taekwondo (Women) Champion – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA 1st – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 2nd - UNIVERSITY OF CALOOCAN CITY Volleyball (Men) Champion – PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA 1st – UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 2nd - CITY OF MALABON UNIVERSITY Volleyball (Women) Champion –UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI 1st – TAGUIG CITY UNIVERSITY 2nd - UNIVERSITY OF CALOOCAN CITY