Vol. 64 No. 4 - 2nd Tabloid

Atenews The Official Student Publication of Ateneo de Davao University - Est. 1955

TABORA OBJECTS TO FREE TUITION ACT Free tuition threatens catholic schools | P6 BAKWIT SCHOOL Lumad youth fight for liberation through education | P12 FINDING SOLACE IN SERVICE The paradox in Kuya Guard's Story | P15

Election winners to assess citizen approval of Duterte admin Federalism, economic performance, and war on drugs among chief concerns that will face the upcoming elected officials.

Photo by Maxine Andrea Lumbera

Kyrie De Chavez

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ccording to Ramon Beleno III, Political Science and History Department Chair for Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), the midterm elections will leave a lasting effect on the second half of Duterte’s presidency as it will determine the administration’s public assessment of its first three years.

“This midterm elections would basically evaluate the Duterte administration. Kung karamihan sa mga mananalo ay mga opposition, it means hindi masaya ang mga tao doon sa

palakad ng administrasyon pero karamihan naman ng mga mananalo ay mga pro-administration ibig sabihin they want what the administration has been doing to continue,” he narrated.

ing magiging struggle and challenges sa kanyang [Duterte] mga gustong mangyari,” explained Beleno.

For Beleno, a pro-administration victory in the House of Representatives will mean that landmark programs such as federalism, TRAIN Law, and Build, Build, Build will be met with less resistance while an opposition victory will make passing said programs a struggle, if at all passed.

Women candidates are leading the senatorial race according to the recent Pulse Asia Survey conducted last December 2018.

“Very important talaga ito na election because this would make or break the Duterte administration. So kung karamihan ng makapasok are from the opposition, that will mean na maram-

NEWS

HIGHLIGHT

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Former presidential candidate, Grace Poe is the current front-runner with a voter preference of 75.6 percent.

Hopeful Cynthia Villar claims the second spot with an impressive rating of 66.6 percent.

Other notable women who topped the recent survey include the young-

MONTAGE

est-elected senator, Pia Cayetano at the fourth spot sporting a 55.4 percent rating along with Nancy Binay, and Imee Marcos at the sixth and tenth spots holding a 46.7 percent and 36.7 percent rating, respectively.

Recently acquitted from the pork barrel scam, former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla is hoping to make a huge comeback alongside another senator accused of the same crime, Jinggoy Estrada.

Also among the ‘Magic 12’ is Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law advocate Sonny Angara at the third spot with a 58.5 percent rating. Ranking fifth place is senate returnee and ‘Ang Probinsyano’ actor Lito Lapid at 49.8 percent.

Pro-Duterte candidates are well within striking distance of the 12 available seats as Bureau of Corrections’ chief Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa, and Special Assistant to the President Christopher ‘Bong’ Go rank 12th and 16th, respectively.

Former Senate President Koko Pimentel landed seventh with 45.5 percent rating while veteran senator Serge Osmeña placed eighth with a 38.8 percent rating.

The opposition’s best bets are not too far behind with Liberal Party’s senate returnee Mar Roxas and Bam Aquino placed at the 13th and 15th spot.

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Tabora objects to ‘skewed’ free tuition act Czar Ysmael Rabaya

PARLIAMENTARIANS CONDEMN ELECTIONEERING AT NYP Members of the parliament filed and adopted a resolution staunchly denouncing the “unwelcomed and unwarranted” electioneering of said senatoriables.

RISING ABOVE TRASH-FILLED WATERS When one small initiative of a student is given the right amount of attention and opportunities, it becomes a giant leap for the Badjao community of Matina Aplaya.

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UNVEILING THE HALL OF FAMES Inspite of harsh realities, the challenge for culture and arts continues in bringing forth dialogue amid diversity.

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teneo de Davao University President and Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) head, Fr. Joel Tabora S.J. raised his objections to the implementation of the Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTE) saying it would pose a threat to the very existence of Catholic schools.

vast majority of our Catholic schools have suffered deep cuts in their enrollment, killing or threatening programs that are crucial to the health of the System of Private Education,” Tabora said.

The president further opposed the Act by calling its implementation “skewed.”

In an official statement, CEAP declared that the act’s objective is

“[After] the passage of the law, the

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G A G G E D

Opinion

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Illustration by Fe Lourence Valente

ATENEWS 2018-2019 Editorial Board Rosvir Kate Flores Editor-in-Chief

Ram Manlatican Assiociate Editor

Avegail Gimeno Managing Editor

Jamrell Vincette Buynay News Editor

Yves Mathieu Africa, Julien Jame Apale, Joseph Nasser Art Editors

Allyster Berthe Astronomo Social Media Editor

Staff Kyrie De Chavez, Kimberly Maragañas Senior News Writers

Geraldine Antegra Senior Features Writer

Stephany Kate Bergado, Christian Hel Cemine, Maria Cyra Jane Dealca, Carlo Isiah Escarda, Demi Althea Padillo, Raf Maurince Tacder, Samantha Yap Senior Cartoonists

Hannah Lou Balladares, Jacymae Kaira Go, Loraine Rubi, Charlotte Billy Sabanal Senior Photojournalists

Overstretched

Ralf Vincent Bajo, Myrile Cadalzo, Mark Vincent Lerio Senior Layout Artists

Johanna Vaughn Dejito, Sofia Roena Guan, Czar Ysmael Rabaya, Percival Cyber Vargas Junior News Writers

Ronald Jay Ortiz, Gwyneth Marie Vasquez Junior Feature Writers

Fe Lourence Valente Junior Cartoonist

Maxine Andrea Lumbera Junior Photojournalist

Chloe Jan Cuaton, Moammar Nawang Junior Layout Artists

Rodrigo Pastor Jr. Junior Video editor

Allan Acera Jr., Sheena Allison Dela Salde Junior Field Correspondents

Dr. Cheryl P. Baldric Moderator

Ian Derf Salvaña Tabloid Design

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he joint congressional meeting of the Senate and the Congress recently granted President Rodrigo Duterte's request to extend martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2019. In total, 223 from the House of Representatives and 12 senators voted for the extension while only 23 congressmen and five senators voted against it. This staggering difference only shows that, even without sufficient oral arguments and data presentation to justify the said extension, the Congress is at the mercy of the President’s whistle. Dogs could really be submissive to whatever the master says, even if it means barking at the wrong tree.

Going back to the constitutional basis and implications of martial law, this extension clearly stands on shaky ground. Martial law is supposed to be the final resort in the preservation of peace in case of actual rebellion or threats to public safety. With the approved request, Mindanao would be under martial law for a total of over two and a half years. This suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the region would allow the military to arrest persons of interest without a warrant.

EDITORIAL This third extension of martial law in Mindanao strips the essence of martial law. The 2017 Marawi Siege was initially cited by the President as the main reason for the martial law declaration in Mindanao, yet, the president himself even declared that Marawi was no longer under attack. In his own words, he declared “Marawi City liberated from the terrorist influence that marks the beginning of the rehabilitation.” To somehow justify the said extension, Duterte cited how rebellion still persists and that public safety requires the continuation of martial law in the whole of Mindanao.

He identified the New People’s Army, Abu Sayyaf Group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Daulah Islamiyah (DI), and other terrorists that “seek to promote global rebellion.”

Pres. Duterte underscored that the extension was necessary to help military and police forces against threats of insurgency. However, one should not forget that it is within the power of the president to call out the military to respond to incidents of violence without the need to declare martial law.

Moreover, communist uprising does not have enough elements to qualify as rebellion because there were no actual public uprisings.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) claimed in press conferences that martial law has led to increased tourist and economic activity in Mindanao, especially in areas previously thought of as inaccessible to visitors from Luzon and Visayas. According to them, the development created more jobs and empowered residents to become active players in the peace and security of their communities.

On the contrary, there were numerous alleged human rights violations and abuse which perpetuated across the region brought about by the ML extension. According to the tally of local rights group Karapatan, 88 individuals were killed by state forces and paramilitary groups since the declaration of martial law in Mindanao. At least 1,450 individuals have been illegally arrested, while around 346,940 people were affected by bombings of communities by the military. The AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP), however, insist that there are no violations.

Ever since the declaration of martial law under the Duterte regime, the people’s opinions have always been divided. Supportive or not, one is torn between acknowledging possible consequences at the grassroots level and being pragmatic about the issues re-

lated with the ML extension. Supporters of the ML extension attribute the economic development and peace to the martial rule. Their apparent blind adoration to the vivacities that martial rule brought about ignores the sacred call to protect human rights, especially of innocent Filipinos. With this, opposition sectoral lawmakers and minority representatives expressed their fear on how this decision could contribute to a rise in alleged human rights violations.

In the end, the ML extension certainly shows how the government is able to manipulate and sensationalize uprisings to feed its hunger for power. The unjustified extension of martial law that continually perpetuates moral oppression and atrocities across the region should not be taken for granted. Its normalization serves as a prelude to an infinite ruling not only in Mindanao, but in the whole country as well. Lawmakers should not remain as dogs just following their master’s commands. Hopefully, they would realize that they have other factors to consider before making impetuous decisions. Martial rule in Mindanao is long overdue.

VOL 64 NO. 4

January 2019 issue

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Wanted: An apology and careful words

Rosvir Kate Flores IN MEDIAS RES

The year 2018 has been quite an ‘interesting’ year for people who find entertainment in the world of politics. In the local arena, our head of state, President Rodrigo Duterte himself, was creating a stir of controversies from time to time. Before 2018 ended, the acclaimed President dropped another one of his infamous ‘jokes’. This time, it was about his confession back when he was still a teenager.

Truth or not, President Duterte again crossed the boundaries of morality.

It was during his speech in Kidapawan City last December 29, 2018, where the president distributed more than five thousand Certificates of Land Ownership Award to agrarian reform beneficiaries in North Cotabato Province. Duterte shared in front of the crowd his confession to a priest about how he had supposedly tried to insert his finger inside their maid’s underwear while she was sleeping. Malacañang

dismissed this alleged molestation of someone employed by his family as just another tall tale to entertain his audience.

In the same speech in Kidapawan, Duterte once again attacked the Catholic Church for the (n)th time and even mocked the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the belief in saints. He once branded the Catholic Church as the ‘most hypocritical institution’ which he also challenged to solve their own internal issues before criticizing his actions as the leader of this country.

Ironically, the president claims to love and respect women while at the same time, jokes about an attempted rape, could actually be considered hypocrisy. However, it seems like the people are getting used to the president’s unconventional speeches.

Just because he is already known for speaking ‘that’ way, it does not mean that we should take this kind

of malicious joke lightly. We must not be tolerate such behavior. Even if the Malacañang is telling us that the President just made up a ‘funny story’ to entertain the crowd, his confession was disturbing, more so degrading. I could not see anything funny about it, no matter what angle I look into. Critics would say that this is just one way of the President’s distraction tactics while others say that his mouth has a mind of its own.

Nevertheless, he should not forget that he is now representing the whole country and not just Davao City. No matter what his reasons are behind this kind of jokes, we all know that this is beyond shameful.

We should never get used to this kind of joke. In our time when we push for women empowerment and campaign against any form of abuse, this is not a good example to live by. This is one reason why the rape culture continues to proliferate in our land. If misinterpreted, which most likely will happen, this could

spark similar decadent thoughts among the masses. If it was okay for the president to do such thing, then why could ordinary people not do it? One worst case scenario would be normalizing such disgraceful act, which would further create ripples of consequences. At the least, women deserve an apology for this.

One’s position should not give you the power to propagate offensive ‘jokes’ and take pride about one’s immoral acts. In the same way, one’s power should not be used to ignore public scrutiny and avoid the real consequences of such actions. Every person should be held accountable for the words that come out from his or her mouth. In the end, we are reminded to be sure to taste your own words before you spit them out. Whether you are the president of this country or a regular college student, you should be very careful because every word counts.

When bystanders become bullies

Jamrell Vincette Buynay OBSERVER

One of the recent videos in social media that elicited an out roar from Filipinos is of a bullying involving Ateneo de Manila junior high school students. The video explicitly showed a short boy named Joaquin Montes beating another student in the restroom.“Bugbog o dignidad?” the bully asked. Hours after the video was posted, thousands of people began shaming Joaquin online. The tide has turned. The bully is now the victim.

I am not going to lie, my blood boiled in anger as Joaquin beat the innocent student. Not only was Joaquin fortunate to study in a prestigious school, he was also a black belter in taekwondo. I smirked at the harsh comments degrading the boy and his family. I laughed at memes making fun of his height.

My laughter soon ended when I saw a post allegedly from Joaquin’s account asking people to stop

threatening him. He said he was sorry yet people continued commenting that he deserved the online bashing. One of his posts included a hashtag stating that he was suicidal.

Looking back at the video, I came to question how it all happened. How come the other students in the restroom just watched the bullying take place?

According to Judith Monroe Peterson’s book “How to Beat Cyberbullying,” bystanders witness the bullying and do not take any action to help the victim. By their inaction, they give their approval for the bully to continue his/her improper action.

In the video, the bystanders merely watched as Joaquin dealt the first blow. They stared as he kicked the victim multiple times. They observed as blood dripped down the boy’s face. They saw. They did nothing.

These realizations brought a question to mind. Are we not turning into bystanders and bullies ourselves?

By laughing at his demise or by threatening Joaquin, we think that we are exacting the punishment that he deserved. The harsh comments, memes, and threats are also going to push the boy closer and closer to committing suicide.

As much as we want justice to be served, we are not the justice system. In fact, making comments or faking information will only cause harm to the writers. This way of achieving a self-proclaimed justice may put n in danger of being accused of libel. In the Philippines, libel is punishable with up to 12 years in prison.

Does Joaquin deserve the online bashing? I don't think so. The trauma of getting punched and kicked while defenseless will continue haunting the victim. Online posts state that there are more victims who chose to

stay silent. Although this event may serve as a reminder for the abused to speak up, it does not give us the right to cyberbully Joaquin. Doing so does not make us any different from the bully. It only means that we are stooping to his level.

In this era, our voices are getting more and more powerful. With the click of a button, we can shame a person. With a tap on our phones, we can unveil the truth to billions of people. What we do not realize, however, is that this power is turning us into the same bullies that we so humiliate Joaquin Montes. We are turning into monsters hidden under the veil of anonymity that is social media.

An earlier version of this article appeared on the December 30, 2018 issue of SunStar Davao.

Gaps in the rainbow “This is for you, for those who have no visibility, no voice, because we all deserve a world of respect, inclusion, and freedom.”

Allyster Berthe Astronomo ACROSS THE BOARD

When Angela Ponce sashayed down the Miss Universe stage as Miss Spain, she broke barriers for transgender people everywhere. She did not take home the crown, but her participation as the first transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe was a historic triumph in itself.

Miss Universe has allowed transgender women to join since 2012, when Jenna Talackova won a legal battle against the organizers of Miss Universe Canada to be allowed to compete after being initially disqualified for being transgender.

Ponce’s appearance sparked passionate debates on and off social media, including some transphobic comments.

“Boys will be boys... Or else they will grow up and get themselves boobs and compete in beauty pageants,” wrote one account on Twitter.

Some took the transphobia to a

whole new level.

“He has a chance to win. But even if he wins, he’ll never become a woman.

Not. Even. Close.”

Others tried the same approach usually employed when they say something homophobic and try not to come off as such: “I respect transgenders, but…”

But nothing.

The common thread between all of the negative comments is the lack of basic understanding of transgender people and the lack of willingness to understand. Admittedly, sympathizing with, let alone figuring out, the struggle of the T in the LGBT is a lot harder than the other letters. Gender and sex are often confused as one and the same even in these progressive times.

But being unable to grasp the concept of being transgender is a calling for us to pursue ways to understand.

Even within the LGBTQ+ community, there are gaps in the rainbow; for example, an individual who is born male and identifies as male (whether homo-

or heterosexual) cannot immediately understand the struggles of an individual born male but identifies as a female.

Most of us lack the basic understanding of gender and the LGBTQ+, and it shows. The hateful comments stemming from Ponce’s Miss Universe run highlights just how dangerous the combination of lack of knowledge and fear of the unknown is.

Transgender people are humans, too. They deserve rights as much as any other cisgender individual. Their concerns are as legitimate as any other individual’s concerns, and should not be questioned or mocked by people who pretend to understand when they absolutely do not.

If anything, Angela Ponce shone a brilliant light on transgender issues and on the vicious transphobia that lies hidden in society.

Is she a woman? Yes. We need to learn to respect what people identify as. Gender is not merely about anatomy.

Does she deserve a spot as a contender for the Miss Universe crown?

Absolutely. The organizers allowed her participation and helped promote the idea that transgender women are women, too.

Does her participation mean that more transgender people will be joining pageants and eventually dominate over cisgender women? Yes and no.

Transgender women also fall victim to the patriarchal male gaze of pageantry, but that’s for another discussion.

Does her identifying as a woman invalidate the womanhood of “natural-born” women? No. Transgender women identifying as women does not make one any less of a woman. Also, recognizing another woman’s womanhood does not make one any less of a woman.

As we move further into the future, the lines that used to separate gender will become more and more blurred.

Even today, the concepts of non-binary individuals and gender fluidity are gaining traction in some parts of the world. We must learn to adapt to these new concepts as we begin to understand and accept that gender exists on a spectrum, and not on a dichotomy.

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News

SAMAHAN neutral statement criticized

statement,” he said.

The student goverment proposed a multi-sectoral to cater different narratives on martial law in Mindanao. Instead of choosing a solid stance, SAMAHAN stands in "gray" line.

“There's no black or white answer here. We stand in gray, because black-orwhite keeps on dividing this country,” Sinsuat emphasized.

Johanna Vaughn Dejito

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fter its release via online platforms, the official statement of Samahan ng mga Magaaral ng Pamantasan ng Ateneo (SAMAHAN) regarding the plan of a third extension of Martial Law in Mindanao was lambasted because of its “vague stand.”

Last December 5, SAMAHAN conducted a press conference simultaneous with the university’s celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace during the Xavier Hall, CCFC Building regarding its statement on the then possible extension of martial law in Mindanao.

“As members of an academic institution, SAMAHAN Central Board, holds no political biases on this pressing issue but calls upon the national government to let the public understand the wisdom behind this declaration and where are they now when it comes to their efforts in exterminating the terror brought by the “enemies of the state,” it initially said.

According to the SAMAHAN president, Jerry Herbuana, the student organization released a statement in order to present different narratives from the Mindanaons, who are directly affected by the proclamation.

“We are sending this message not to condemn the government but to provide a conversation amongst different universities, sectors, and communities,” as written.

When prompted during the open forum as to what stand the SAMAHAN holds, either for or against the Martial Law extension, Huerbana was not able to directly state the side of the organization.

“Personally, I am not for the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao. However, this is just the start of the conversation.

We still have to ask the students and the people about it,” he answered.

“Let the people in Mindanao declare what needs to be done in Mindanao...

A safer Mindanao is a prerequisite to a safer Philippines,” SAMAHAN External Vice Pres. Jorjani Sinsuat added.

Social media clamor As SAMAHAN posted its official statement a day after the press conference,

students from different schools in the Philippines and other individuals call out SAMAHAN for being an “event-organizer” and “Davao-centric”. @ampoonmrose quote-tweeted SAMAHAN’s statement with “A STUDENT COUNCIL THAT HOLDS NO POLITICAL BIASES IS AN EVENT ORGANIZER, AN ADMIN MOUTHPIECE, AND AN INFORMATION DISSEMINATION MECHANISM. That’s not an insult, it’s a fact. Sorry to burst your bubble.” @mjeuste also quote-tweeted its statement, saying “Not from ADDU but as a fellow Atenean (from ADNU btw), this speaks so much of our privilege for being safe from the evils of ML. People are literally dying but you chose to say ‘basta kami nag release ng statement — u guys decide.’

SHAME. Asan ang social justice?”

“It (SAMAHAN’s statement) came across as: ‘well, the government must have its reasons, and unless we hear those reasons, we're not choosing sides,’” she said.

should have chosen a side, especially when they chose to release the message in twitter, a platform that does not allow for much nuance or tolerance for political discussions,” she said.

She also stressed that SAMAHAN is “prominent and visible” with connections to other student governments which made its statement regarding a prevailing issue in Mindanao heavier.

Town hall meeting

SAMAHAN Pres. Jerry Huerbana was not able to directly state the side of the student government.

@damnitsmarianne quoted Desmond Tutu, a South African cleric and human rights activists: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

One of those who were vocal in social media was Ermily Frances Derecho, a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student of AdDU, referring to the statement as “the art of saying nothing with a hundred words.”

When asked about her stand regarding SAMAHAN’s statement, she emphasized that “SAMAHAN's message had no clear political stance.”

“SAMAHAN has been primarily concerned with internal affairs and it has done that job fairly well. But it still lacks a political identity and by extension, cannot make a clear political stance,” she added, saying that SAMAHAN should have been more sure in its stand on the nation’s politics before the body created a statement.

“Sadly, they have created a perception that we are privileged, self-serving and largely ignorant of the plights and pleas of those who feel the grave abuse of this law,” she said.

Derecho also mentioned that the message of SAMAHAN “presumes that we do not have enough information to make an informed choice” amidst the university’s facilities and capabilities.

“If SAMAHAN really wanted to create a meaningful message about martial law, then it should have been political.

It should have declared its stance or

Before the press conference, SAMAHAN cluster-school representatives and heads were able to share their respective views during an open and public town hall meeting at the SAMAHAN office last December 3 regarding the plan on extending Martial Law in Mindanao.

Majority (6.5/10) voted “NO to ML extension” (as stated in Sec. 2.5 of SAMAHAN minutes of the meeting); hence, in Sec. 2.5.1 of the document, it said that “it was established that the SAMAHAN will stand against the third extension of Martial Law in Mindanao.” However, the vote of the majority did not appear in SAMAHAN’s official statement. “[When] we ask ourselves what is your stand in martial law: honestly, the [SAMAHAN Central] Board voted No – they are not for the extension of martial law, but today we just want to start the conversation including those who are not from Davao City, who are from Mindanao,” Sinsuat said during the open forum.

When Atenews asked Huerbana about this, he admitted that indeed, SAMAHAN’s initial say was ‘NO’ but on the day of the press conference, SAMAHAN Top 5 Officers (President Sec.-Gen., Treasurer, IVP, and EVP) had a meeting to have a final discussion.

“It was decided by the SAMAHAN Central Board Officers that the final decision and statement will be reviewed by the SAMAHAN President together with the Top 4 Officers. I called for a meeting (for the Top 5 Officers) right after the town hall meeting to discuss about the finalization and crafting of

Middle ground

It was stated in the statement that SAMAHAN, as an organization, did not have a stand yet regarding the then plan of extending Martial Law, rather it aimed for discourses among different sectors, particularly in Mindanao.

“We are sending this message not to condemn the government but to provide a conversation amongst different universities, sectors, and communities to join us in making sure that there was no abuse ever since its declaration on May 2017 and to urge everyone to stand up and speak up if there were instances that human rights were gravely transgressed,” it said.

This, however, was what most people criticized, considering that just last September, human rights groups conducted a protest along Freedom Park, Roxas, fronting the university campus because of alleged militarization in their communities brought about by martial law. @therenzroc quote-tweeted with “We had a rally right in front of your doorsteps, ADDU. With microphones, the Lumad and sectoral leaders talked about their ML experiences. Our calls were loud and clear that day. It was impossible for you not to hear us. Can you tell these leaders that you choose to be neutral?”

‘Next step’ “Let us all be critical. Let us all take away our political biases and let us start having a culture of critical assessment as to [whether] this martial law in Mindanao is effective or not,” SAMAHAN Internal Vice Pres. Francis Consolacion said.

When asked as to how SAMAHAN may contribute in preventing or supporting the extension of martial law if it doesn’t have a black-and-white stand, Sinsuat again emphasized the desire of the organization for intellectual talks.

“We start conversations like this. We will make sure to have a multi-sectoral discussion,” he said.

Huerbana also updated that the SAMAHAN is now “working on having round table discussions and forum about ML extension in Mindanao and Talaingod incident with guest speakers from different sectors the earliest time possible.”

The martial law in Mindanao was officially extended since last December 12 up to the end of 2019. As of press time, there are still no follow-up results from SAMAHAN’s proposed multi-sectoral discussions.

Illustration by Christian Hel Cemine

VOL 64 NO. 4

January 2019 issue

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As part of the Memorandum No. 2018-071 enforcement, security guards were tasked to confiscate single-use plastics brought upon entrance, and to prohibit those who insist on bringing such banned items from entering the campus.

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s a response to the Pope Francis' call for the care of our common home, the University issued the memorandum of banning single-use plastics (SUPs) and reducing wasted energy, effective last October 19.

Memorandum no. 2018-071 bans single-use plastics including plastic straws, plastic utensils, balloons, tetra pack cartons, PET bottles, plastic stirrers, etc.

The policy also promotes the reduction of wasted energy through responsible use of LCD projectors, elevators, air-conditioning units, water dispensers, refrigerators, computers, and printers.

Preceding the issuance of the policy, the University Ecoteneo Office initiated a signature campaign in support of the said policy through a photo exhibit on a plastic-free world last June 5-9.

University-wide implementation Jacinto and Bangkal Campuses started full implementation of the policy on October 19, 2018, while the Matina Campus implemented the policy after the release of a plan of gradual implementation in consideration to younger learners.

As part of the enforcement of the policy, guards were instructed to restrict the entry of the now-illegal materials. Students who brought banned materials were required to surrender such at campus entry points.

AdDU goes plastic-free, reduces energy use No more single-use plastics are allowed inside the university premises. All aircondition units are to be set at 23oC and above. The use of tumblers is highly encouraged.

Story by Kimberly Maragañas Photos by Charlotte Billy Sabanal price of 250 pesos.

policy.

The Samahan Ecoteneo Student Unit encouraged the use of tumblers and reusable containers instead of SUPs through released pub mats, sales of discounted chocolate drinks and champorado, and the Bring Your Own Tumbler (#BYOT) campaign.

“It’s one of the best moves AdDU pulled off in quite some time. People say it’s too radical or too strict.

[But with] the way the plastics is affecting the planet, I think we should really be desperate for change,” Tambuang shared.

The same unit also sold eco-friendly Tupperware tumblers at the Samahan Office to further bolster the campaign.

The implementation of the policy was met with both praise and criticism from the student body of the university.

The university food court concessionaires began the switch from plastic cups and straws to paper variants and plastic utensils to wooden materials. Tumblers were also sold in the food court at the

Christian Dayrit, the Ecoteneo Student Unit Director, shared the success of the implementation of the policy.

“All I can say is that [the implementation] went smooth even with the concerns raised—the Ecoteneo Office took care of them,” Dayrit said.

Concerns and clarifications

The implementation of the policy was met with both praise and criticism from the student body of the university.

Rem Tambuang, a 4th-year psychology student, lauded the issuance and implementation of the

Concerns were also raised on the ambiguity of the policy primarily on the first day of its implementation.

Aimee Naomi Ang-Ug, a football student-athlete, expressed her concern on how the policy inconveniences athletes who generally use plastic bags to carry wet clothes and dirty shoes after practice.

Disposable gloves were permitted for food preparation and handling, clinic purposes, and laboratory use with the condition of strict monitoring.

The office clarified that hygienic products such as sanitary napkins and wet wipes were allowed.

The social media account also stated that “Items needed for academic purposes that are included in the list [of single-use plastics] must have permission from the Ecoteneo Office.”

Additional plans Due to the received support and positive responses, the Univer-

“Sobraan lang ang [total] ban kay ma-reuse kasi [ang plastic bags] sa amin athletes kasi ‘di kami pwede na ‘di gumamit ng plastic especially sa sapatos at mga basang damit,” Ang-ug stressed.

[A total ban is too much as we athletes have to use plastic bags especially for our shoes and wet clothes.]

Other concerns of the students included the restriction of entry for hygienic products such as sanitary pads, wet wipes, tissues, and the use of disposable gloves for educational purposes.

In response to the concerns, the SAMAHAN Ecoteneo Unit posted a follow-up in their social media account clarifying the gray areas of the policy.

Paper straws are used as an alternative of the nowbanned plastic straws

sity Ecoteneo office is looking to promote environmental protection further.

According to Ecoteneo Director Carmela Marie Santos, the office eyes to also inhibit the use of paper cups.

“This time, we are not only addressing plastics per se but single-use [items]. Maybe, when we are ready, we could address our single-use of paper cups because paper is still from trees,” she said.

For the director, the ban is a catalyst to individual change.

“The ban is not just a ban but a switch to reusables–tumblers and more. It is really the change of lifestyle and mindset which the ban is after. So far, with the support of the security, offices, student organization and student leaders, we are gaining ground,” she shared.

Santos disclosed that the new policy has decreased material waste in the Material Resource Facility (MRF) to 68 percent.

“We have seen positive results, as per our materials generation here in Jacinto [campus] has been.

There are some isolated cases of persistence but overall, what we are getting from the people are positive support and feedback that it is the way to go,” Santos explained.

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Tabora objects to ‘skewed’ free tuition act FROM PAGE 1 laudable but its mechanisms make ‘accessible quality education for all’ more of an empty slogan rather than a reality.

'Inequitable and unjust' Signed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte on August 3, 2017, the law gives full tuition subsidy for students in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Local Universities and Colleges and State-Run Technical-Vocational Institutions. It will also provide subsidy for those opting to enroll in private Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs).

With this, Tabora emphasized that RA 10931 is not a “free tuition in SUC’s law” alone, but it also recognizes the complementarity between public and private (HEIs) as demanded by the Philippine Constitution.

“RA 10931 is emphatically not a free tuition in SUCs law. It is as Sec. 1 states, the UAQTE provides access not only to students through SUCs but also private HEIs,” he argued.

Moreover, the implementation of the law destroyed the complementarity between public and private schools.

“The goal of UAQTE was good.

But by providing for free education only in SUCs was detrimental to the

Philippine System of Education,” Tabora said.

The university president further argued that destroying the complementarity between public and private schools would be unconstitutional.

“Free education in SUCs alone would draw students away from private schools which live on tuition and fees. [It] would [also] draw teachers away from private schools due to the higher legislated wages of the public schools,” he stressed.

As the law also allows free education accessible to the wealthy, Tabora explained that there will be an imbalance as students may be deprived of their right to study in SUCs. “It is considered inequitable and unjust that the children of the rich in such SUCs would enjoy free tuition while students who are poor would be turned away for lack of space,” he said.

In response to this, Ateneo de Davao Scholar’s Society President Allen Clark Esparrago stated that the government should take student financial capabilities into great consideration.

“We must prioritize those who really need assistance. It is their only way to have a decent education,” Esparrago said.

Questionable rules Crucial therefore in this law, as Tabora emphasized, are the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) of Sec. 7 and the Student Loan Program for Tertiary Education (SLPTE) of Sec. 8.

The TES would provide a subsidy equivalent to the cost of national public HEIs to qualified students opt-

The government should take student financial capabilities into great consideration.

ing to private HEIs while the SLPTE would be available to those whose tuition and fees were higher than what could be covered by the TES. “The TES and the SLPTE were therefore two major provisions of the law that would maintain the complementarity between the public and private HEIs,” Tabora stated.

However, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of the TES and SLPTE which should have been published sixty days after the passage of the law, as Tabora disclosed, are still yet to be promulgated, making the subsidy unavailable for use.

“One year and two months after the passage of the law, the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education has failed to clearly publish the IRRs governing the implementation of the TES and the SLPTE crucial for the private and Catholic schools,” Tabora said.

“Money has been allocated for 300,000 beneficiaries, but it is as of [now] not yet clearly accessible,” he added.

Education for all Amidst UAQTE’s criticisms, University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas student Xyra Mae Melendres believes that education is a right and that SUCs are for all regardless of economic status.

“Universal access to education should mean that the students must have the freedom to choose the school they want to enroll in,” she said.

According to Melendres, the government should provide support not just to SUCs but also to the rest of the private HEIs, because they also contribute to national development.

UP Diliman student Nadine Marie Nuñez affirmed that not all students in SUCs enjoy the free tuition system because SUCs like UP also provide options for the economically privileged students to opt out of free tuition.

“UP does implement the free tuition program, but ang mga dato pwede nila dili dawaton ang free tuition [but wealthy students may choose not to avail the free tuition],” she said.

Nuñez added that some of her batchmates who are able to afford their fees opted out of free tuition.

“Ang intention sa UP since open and national university siya [as an open and national university] is to serve the best interest of the students. So for me, saying that rich students are also benefiting selfishly from the free tuition system is a biased conclusion,” she explained.

Infographic by Myrile Cadalzo

Election winners to assess citizen approval of Duterte admin FROM PAGE 1 Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares, along with veteran broadcast journalist Jiggy Manicad are among those hoping to be the new faces in the Senate. Both will have a long road ahead of them as they own the 21st and the 22nd spots, respectively.

Providing context as to why newcomers have a hard time in garnering votes, Beleno pointed out that it is difficult to stand out as a candidate on the senatorial elections especially one without experience or a known family name.

“It’s a group voting unlike sa president na isa lang ang iboboto kong president. Sa senator kasi you have to vote for 12. [As a newcomer] Medyo mahihirapan ka talagang sumabay dito sa mga candidates that are already well-known. That’s why in the surveys karamihan talaga ng pumapasok sa Top 12 are the same people who had been in the same position before,” he explained.

Blue Vote For this coming May 13, initiatives and programs are again offering important political education to those in the marginalized sectors in the Phil-

ippines. Among those local initiatives is the Blue Vote which started in Davao, and is now spreading towards other regions.

The Blue Vote program, which started in 2013, is the electoral program of AdDU’s University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council (UCEAC) which focuses on political education of the marginalized sectors in Mindanao.

Among the activities done by Blue Vote are political education, election monitoring, voters’ assistance, and poll watching.

“We started the program with the political education. We call it political

education and not voters’ education kasi pag voters education, you just end up with an election. With political education, regardless kung may election or wala, itong tinuturo namin would be very useful sa mga constituents,” said Beleno UCEAC Chairperson Mark Paul Samante shared that the Blue Vote will coordinate with the Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS). AdDU will be in charge of facilitating seminars for voters.

“DACS is bigger in terms of scope but we have the resources in the Blue Vote that is why they are coordinating

with us to deliver these programs with them,” Samante expressed during the coordination meeting of Blue Vote earlier this year.

Renz Allan Lacorte, the current SAMAHAN Junior Administrative Secretary, hopes that the Blue vote will give young voters an idea of a candidate that will serve them best.

“I believe that platforms like the Blue Vote can eventually inspire the young generation to proactively engage to socio-political happenings and issues

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Infographic by Chloe Jan Cuaton

around us. I want the Blue Vote to contribute in providing a 360o change of perspective of the voting community for the millennials – that they’ll choose critically meaning, when they vote for senators, they should vote for policy-makers, legislators, platform and people-oriented principles, and not of party affiliation and popularity,” he stressed during the Blue Vote 2019 launching.

Beleno also shared that the Blue Vote is expanding. Initially operating only in Davao, the program is now aiming to travel in different parts of Mindanao to help their target audience.

“Our priority is the marginalized sector such as the indigenous people, urban poor, persons with disabilities, and etc. Our targets for now are schools so that if we gave the schools political education, that they would also help us disseminate the information,” Beleno added.

Parliamentarians condemn electioneering of Bong Go, Ejercito at NYP 12 After the two-hour delay caused by the abrupt visit of the former SAP Bong Go, members of the parliament filed a resolution, condemning the apparent politicking of the government-funded youth event.

Ram Manlatican

F

ollowing the controversial visit of Bong Go and Sen. JV Ejercito at the 12th National Youth Parliament (NYP) that happened on Sept. 21-25, 2018, members of the parliament filed and adopted a resolution staunchly denouncing the “unwelcomed and unwarranted” electioneering of said senatoriables.

NYP, a biennial mandated youth convention under the National Youth Commission, had 145 official delegates and 15 sectoral representatives for the 12th batch, and out of the total participants, only one member of the parliament objected to the approval and adoption of the said resolution.

“Candidates for the 2019 Senatorial Elections visited the 12th National Youth Parliament, preventing the prompt and punctual holding of its inaugural session, disrupting the conduct of its committee sessions, and delaying succeeding sessions,” the resolution reads.

the resolution further pointed out the electioneering activities, such as holding photo opportunities with the youth parliamentarians, promoting their respective bids for the Senate, and promising tokens like pomelos.

Yang condemned the actions of the senatoriables since the candidates

were not given consent by the body.

“Regardless of your political affiliation, kapag nag-file ka ng certificate of candidacy mo at pumunta ka sa isang event na government-funded, you’re using the government-funded event as a platform to campaign, and

Kumbaga may bahid na 'yun ng electioneering kasi nga he is a political personality na binibigyan ng platform makilala ng youth leaders.

Filed by Dexter Yang, a representative from Region 4A and a student of University of the Philippines Diliman,

that is something that we should not tolerate as youth leaders or as members of the parliament kasi it should be a nonpartisan event,” Dexter Yang told Atenews.

‘Be open-minded’ Prior to the talk of Sen. Ejercito on Oct. 23, National Youth Commission Usec. Ronald Cardema begged to the parliamentarians to “understand more” with regard to the commission’s “valued” partnership with Sen. Ejercito.

“We're not living in a vacuum.

Dapat you're open to all spectrum.

Kung ‘di niyo ina-accept ang sinasabi, OK lang. Pero para ma-feel ng isang national leader nabastos sila, dito sa National Youth Parliament, tapos 'yung bills ay ipapasa niyo sa kanila, sa Senado at Kongreso para isabatas nila,” Cardema exclaimed.

“Pakiintindi lang nang konti ‘yung kalagayan niya. Sino may hawak ng budget ng National Youth Commission 'tsaka 'yung pang-NYP? Sila rin. Dahil ang sponsor ng budget ng NYC at NYP ay si Sen. JV Ejercito,” he added.

After Cardema presented the draft of said resolution to Sen. Ejercito, the senator told Cardema that he would just like to “explain to the parliamentarians the youth’s vital role in nation building and nothing more.”

Cardema emphasized to the body that the said senator is the main politician who supports and lobbies the bills that were approved and adopted by the parliament. Despite the reaction of the delegates, Sen. Ejercito was still able to deliver his presentation that focused on national railway system.

However, for Yang, Sen. Ejercito’s presentation was still a form of electioneering although his presentation was part of the NYP official program.

A member of the parliamentary presenting her committee's final draft of bill two days after the controversial visit of two senatoriables.

Photo by Maxine Andrea Lumbera

“Kahit dumating siya at hindi siya nagbigay ng kung anong political motives, pero we have to go back to the fact na ‘yung presence niya alone dahil nag-file siya ng certificate of candidacy, it's very political in nature. Kumbaga may bahid na 'yun

ng electioneering kasi nga he is a political personality na binibigyan ng platform makilala ng youth leaders from different sectors and regions at tatakbo siyang senador,” Yang clarified.

More parliamentarians Following the circulation of the 12th NYP electioneering controversy around social media, prominent parliamentary organizations immediately released their official statement about the issue.

The National Society of Parliamentarians (NSP), a non-profit, non-stock network of parliamentarians in the Philippines, publicized their official statement on the matter.

“The blatant acts of electioneering and politically-motivated operations inside the parliament, perpetrated no less by notable senatoriables and one particular party-list deeply connected with the Commission leadership, can only be seen as a shameful travesty of the event; the otherwise timely and orderly dispatch of parliamentary business in order was disrupted to accommodate the political machinations and ambitions of these politicians,” the statement pointed out.

NSP emphasized that each parliament is “a chamber of the people and of reason.” They further pointed out that the parliament is the venue of voices and the locus of liberty.

"The National Youth Parliament, as is every parliament, is a chamber of the people and of reason. It is the venue of voices and the locus of liberty. No audacious act of gimmickry must be left unchecked. We refuse to witness this destruction of parliamentary independence."

“We urge the Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and formulate policies in order to prevent these unwarranted actions in future editions of the program,” the society ordered.

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D

espite the Consultative Committee’s (ConCom) goal to “give power back to the people” through federalism, a progressive group under People’s Campaign Against Tyranny (PCAT) said the approved federal constitution had provisions which oppress the marginalized.

Included in the provisions of the said oppressive federal charter are the removal of the proposed anti-political dynasty law and term limits for members of the Congress and local government officials, which is under the approved Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 15 as endorsed

by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“We have given so much to so few in the government. It’s time to reverse the situation. Let us give back power to the people,” ConCom head Wendell Tamayo said during the ‘Usapang Federalismo’ forum last September 20 in Finster Auditorium.

However, Emmanuel Moso, a Kilusan organizer under PCAT, compared federalism to a silver bullet - a simple but impractical solution to a complicated situation.

“Sa mga general statements like: ‘kani maghatag og kalambuan especially sa taas na nga panahon na gibiyaan ug gitalikdan ang Mindanao," siyempre Mindanawon ‘ta, for such a long time neglected ‘ta so murag positibo siya in the sense na murag naa’y gihatag sa atoa. But the challenge is more than that. Kani na mga provisions atong tanawon sa pinaka specific provisions,” he said.

[General statements like, ‘This will give us development especially in these times where Mindanao is 'left behind’ will of course sound positive to us as Mindanaons. However, the challenge is more than that. We have to look at these provisions at the most specific levels.]

As a member of Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND) under PCAT, Moso, shared that their feasibility study on all four drafted federalism proposals yielded disturbing results.

He noted its similarities include relaxing the constitution economic provisions, undermining the provision against political dynasty, and permitting foreign capital with regards to ownership in land, business, and resource for foreign corporations.

Questionable solution In the current constitution, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are controlled by the central government, and final decision is done by the central government.

With the federal constitution, regions would be given more power to self-governance, especially in the collection of taxes.

Approved federal constitution draft tagged ‘anti-poor’ Even though a federal form of government promises a better Philippines, some groups believe that federalism is not the answer.

Story by Sofia Roena Guan & Percival Cyber Vargas Illustration by Raf Maurince Tacder

for it in the changing of the code.]

from the national government.

Imperial Manila

“Malaki ang chunk ng goverment spending sa Manila at CALABARZON kasi ang IRA pala, ang computation kung magkano ang ibibigay sa mga city, is depende sa tao na nandiyan.

Hindi dahil Manila ka kundi dahil maraming taong nandiyan,” she said.

Another YND member, Myra Zyrene Andal, on the other hand, questioned why the existing 1991 Local Government Code, which provides the overarching framework of local governance in the Philippines, was not amended when it could solve the same problem.

During the Usapang Federalismo with Tamayo and ConCom member Atty. Antonio Arellano, the Philippines as a federal republic was introduced by tagging federalism as the solution for non-centralization of power, which is currently controlled by the few elites in Metro Manila.

“1991 Local Government Code every five years pwede siya baguhin kaya lang since 1991 in its inception wala pa siya nausab pero didto daw kung gusto nato og higher ang matanggap ng mga local government kung yun lang naman pala pwede na pala siyang baguhin,” she said.

Andal, however, denied the concept of Manila Imperialism, citing a 2016 study conducted by independent and nonprofit media agency Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).

[The 1991 Local Government Code can be changed every five years but since its inception in 1991, it has not been changed. If local governments want a higher share they can just ask

The study showed that of the country’s 81 provinces, only nine raised revenue collections large enough to cover for their respective Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA) in 2016. An IRA is a local government unit’s (LGU) share of revenues

The feasibility study on all four drafted federalism proposals yielded disturbing results.

[There is a large chunk of government spending in Manila and CALABARZON because the IRA computation depends on the area’s population. It’s not because it is Manila. It is because of the number of people living there.]

Only three (National Capital Region - Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and Central Visayas) of the proposed 18 federated regions have revenue collections larger than the fund transfers that they are getting from the national government in terms of IRA.

Because they similarly host large populations, the three regions have also consistently received bigger shares of IRA from the national government.

Enhanced people power Under Art. VI of the proposed constitution, Tamayo declared that the Filipinos would have more power to exercise their democracy by filing a petition to enact, amend, or reject a federal law.

“Under this constitution, we enhance the power of the people to exercise direct democracy under Section 6. The people now will enjoy plenary powers. You can actually enact laws. You can actually repeal laws. You can modify laws through people’s initiative."

“Under the 1987 Constitution there’s a people initiative provision, but it has never been successfully done. Why? Because it’s hard! They make it hard. Under the proposed constitution, it is easier to contact people’s initiative because there is power to the people,” he stressed.

One feature of all the drafted proposals is the amendment on Bill of Rights. The House Subcommittee proposal included the “Responsible Exercise of the Freedom of Speech.”

Moso, however, remarked that it is subject to various interpretations and human rights violations.

“Who will determine if that’s responsible or not, every law has a penal provision. Is an outright critic of an administration ‘responsibly’ exercising his or her freedom of speech or will he or she end up in jail?” he mused.

Highlight

Rising above trash-filled waters When one small initiative of a student is given the right amount of attention and opportunities, it becomes a giant leap for the Badjao community of Matina Aplaya.

STORY BY

Ronald Jay Ortiz PHOTOS BY

Hannah Lou Balladares

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Highlight

THIS PHOTO Badjao youth participate in coastal clean-up drive in their community as part of the Project Dyesabel.

BELOW Project Dyesabel volunteers also provide education on marine & other environmental protection & preservation to the Badjao communities as a form of the project's resident empowerment cause.

C

ellophanes and wrappers are afloat. Pieces of junk that people just toss away seem to substitute the reefs. Diapers remain buoyant even after days of being thrown in the water. Amid all the trash and junk, unfortunately, are the Badjao children, splashing around the waters in their shorts, still sporting their biggest smiles.

The issue of polluted waters is one that Davao City is already familiar with. Many projects and campaigns have been established in the past to address the matter of conservation and preservation of our city’s waters.

Regrettably, most of these projects were discontinued and others were cancelled, may it be due to the campaigning season ending or the lack of funding, no one can say for certain.

One recent project, however, stands as the exception.

This exceptional project started with one student throwing Php 10.00 into the coastlines of Magsaysay Park which turned into a mission to serve the environment, particularly the oceans, seas and those people living near the shores and coasts. Popularly known as Project Dyesabel, this student-founded initiative has been stirring up the populace of Davao City. By spreading awareness of marine conservation and the effects of wastes in the waters into more and more communities, the project ceaselessly moves towards achieving its objectives.

Project Dyesabel is a campaign lead by Amiel Lopez, a student of Ateneo de Davao University.

A firsthand experience with the Badjao children swimming and playing amid all the trash and junk of the coastline of Magsaysay Park rooted his desire to take the initiative of addressing the dilemma of the polluted waters in Davao City.

“Personally, when I witnessed them diving for money for those people na naga-pass by sa shore, it disturbed me because of the polluted shore. It is contaminated which is not good for their health. But still they continue to be in the water and ask people to throw them money so they can dive for it,” Amiel expressed upon encountering the children.

The project that Amiel started was inspired by what he had first seen, the Badjao children diving in the waters to collect money. He recognized the way they swam the waters looked like how a mermaid would and from there, Project Dyesabel entered the picture. Just as how the mermaid Dyesebel from the TV show with the same name took care of her home, the sea, Project Dyesabel also aims to take care and protect our home.

At first, Project Dyesabel was about how the Badjao children could be empowered into helping save the environment while at the same time providing them with money for their allowances to buy food for themselves. Amiel took it upon himself to pass by the coastline of Magsaysay

without respite, he expressed his thoughts.

I feel hopeful that these young learners will eventually be inspired to have their own initiatives as well to save our oceans.

Park and enact his idea for environmental reform.

“I thought na why not give them Php 10.00 as an exchange if they can be able to fill a big cellophane with garbage as they pick it up from the sea. That was my initial plan but the contaminated sea disturbed me a lot and it would not be sustainable if ganon lang gawin ko. That was the reason why I focused on the community residing near the sea,” Amiel explained about his initial plans.

From then on, Project Dyesabel’s plans were rescoped. Turning its attention from simply dealing with the garbage on the coastlines of Magsaysay Park to the reason why there was garbage there in the first place.

Project Dyesabel now focuses on providing marine conservation education to the residents of the barangays situated near coastlines. Amiel cited the feelings he had when he saw the Badjao children in the polluted waters in comparison to how others would see it. With fists clenched

“Of course the people are the main cause but the root of it is their knowledge so they are not to blame for not knowing the effects of their actions because it is culture for us to see what is wrong but leave it to the higher ups to deal with the problems.

However, initiative is seeing what’s wrong and actually doing something about it,” Amiel expressed.

Recently, an online social media campaign competition was held by the American Corner Davao. The competition dealt with advocacies that would promote social justice and environmental reform. The first place and the funding for project implementation of that competition went to Project Dyesabel. The panel of judges considered the project unique as it not only had a target audience but it also had a concrete plan on how to solve the problem at hand.

Not long after its first award in the competition held by American Corner Davao, Project Dyesabel applied for Ten Accomplished Young Organization (TAYO). Among the 200 applicants from all over the Philippines with different environmental projects, Project Dyesabel was chosen to be part of the 47 projects that would proceed to the qualifying round. Once again, Project Dyesabel piqued the interest of the judges as it not only taps into the indigenous people to be of great help to the environment but it is also a 3 in 1 package.

It educates the audience, sets forth a

VOL 64 NO. 4

January 2019 issue

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livelihood for the people and initiates coastal clean ups.

In its pursuit of “doing something about it” Project Dyesabel has made its debut in Bali, Indonesia for the Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit held by the United States along with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the United Nations. The summit also acts as a convention for 200 youth leaders who have taken up the initiative in advocating for a sustainable and clean ocean. It is here that Project Dyesabel found new collaborators.

One of which works for Conservancy International in gathering indigenous people across the world and has offered to help the project in gathering more indigenous people for ocean conservation.

Feeling overwhelmed, Amiel expressed his thoughts about Project Dyesabel’s new collaborators, “I feel thankful because it opens more possibilities for the project to grow and help better the community. I am hopeful that because of these partnerships sooner or later more will respond and help selflessly.”

Within months of its operations Project Dyesabel has gained the support of Amiel’s classmates, a big portion of the School of Education, Ecoteneo and even from people across the globe. More recently, Project Dyesabel gained the support of Ateneo de Davao University’s junior high school department. It started with Amiel giving a talk about his project with regards to the scientific investigatory project of the junior

high students. Amiel’s simple encouragement of thinking beyond science has moved the department to contribute to the marine conservation.

Project Dyesabel now focuses on providing marine conservation education to the residents of the barangays situated near coastlines.

“I feel hopeful that these young learners will eventually be inspired to have their own initiatives as well as to save our oceans while enhancing their scientific literacy in responding to environmental issues. I realized that why should students be limited with the traditional methodology of learning? Papers, pens and tests is not as effective in this century as it was on the last. As students of the new generation, we want to see how simple concepts we learn can be integrated to daily encounters in our life,” Amiel states.

In Project Dyesabel’s pursuit of a cleaner sea and a fresher ocean, it

has reached out to its fellow countrymen and to other countries for aid and has succeeded. The project started because of one student’s initiative in making a difference and has persevered because of the student’s passion to save our waters. Project Dyesabel reaches out its hand to all and any who would extend themselves in joining its quest for environmental reform.

With these, Amiel concluded: “Project Dyesabel wishes to inspire everyone to do something for the betterment of our society. It is my first step, and I hope others would join me or take a step of their own.”

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Features

Bakwit School: the Lumads' saving grace

For the hopeful Lumad youth, education seems to be the only way to achieve liberation against atrocities.

Geraldine Mae Antegra

“Gikan pa sa sugod, nakasinati nako og harassment sa military tungod sa among community dati, wala pa man jud ng mga eskwelahan. Ang gusto nilang mahitabo kay naa ang mga institusyon. Ang ilang plano kay ipa-undang siguro mao ako, gikan sa pagsugod, naka-experience jud ko og mga harassment. Pananglitan, kanang ipa-tawag ka nila sa barangay, ipa-tawag ka nila sa purok, para i-kwestyon ang imong pag-tudlo,” Jocelyn Zamora, one of the volunteer teachers from MISFI, narrates in a tear-stained voice. Red tagging has been a common practice for the different paramilitary groups, a feat that gives them license to commit grave injustices to anyone without so much as accountability on their parts.

F

or the typical Mindanaons, the purpose of education has always been a stepping stone: First, it could be the means to satisfy a personal conflict towards achieving one’s dream; a stepping stone that would pave way to the heart’s greatest desires. Or second, it could also be a means to solve the present class conditions in the family; a stepping stone that would pave way for a better life for them.

However, for the Lumad students currently enrolled in the Bakwit School in Haran, education holds a much deeper pull, for it has come to be their teenage lives’ biggest duty.

“Kay kung sila ang pasultihon, gawas nga nag-boluntaryo ka dira para makatabang sa mga batang Lumad, dili lang dira tamad ang among serve.

Naa pa daw mi lahi nga trabaho gawas nga nag-volunteer mi, kay ang kasagaran pangutana, gawas na teacher ka or volunteer teacher ka dira, unsa pud ang imohang lahi nga trabaho.”

The Lumads have had a long history of oppression brought to them not only by the destructive private entities who wish to drive them out of their ancestral lands for the different corporations’ self-serving motives, but most importantly by the state, an entity that should have been first in line in protecting them, in the face of the military who have continuously committed crimes against them.

The Lumads have not escaped from these atrocities, as well. Currently, the tribal leaders of the Haran community are faced with different

With the atrocities already embedded in their bloody history, and with the different retaliation tactics they have tried that remained unsuccessful, the Lumads felt that the only way left to defeat evil was through education.

The systematic struggles With the changes in their lifestyle, the trauma and adjustment period of vacating from the land that they were meant to be in the first place and knowing that a lot of their people has died as casualties in the midst of the encounter, it was evident that evacuating to Haran did not come easy, especially when almost everyone, including the leaders, was overcome by grief and sadness. With the chaotic headspace everyone was in, the establishment of the Haran community started out roughly; more so the Bakwit School.

With the lack of any state-sponsored help, the Lumad community found refuge in the hands of the different organizations clamoring for a better life for them. Some of which are the Save Our Schools (SOS) network, an alliance of academicians, child’s rights advocates, and volunteer educators lobbying for the natives’ right for education and self-determination, and Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc. Academy (MISFI), an alternative learning institution for Lumad children.

Last August, SOS volunteers and Atenean future educators, Portia Dalangin and Abbie Sawan have launched a weekend volunteer program called ‘Tudlo Ta Ninyo’.

“Ang current problems nila ay ang paramilitarization sa community by which madaming Lumad individuals na affected in terms of their education and their lands na it has come to the point na mag-force close ang school and they have to evacuate,” Sawan shared as she sat amidst one of the makeshift classrooms in Haran. “So, we took the initiative of forming ‘Tudlo Ta Ninyo’. It is a volunteer program that we have here in Haran and Bakwit Schools.”

Three years since the establishment

Photo by Loraine Rubi

With the chaotic headspace everyone was in, the establishment of the Haran community started out roughly; more so the Bakwit School. of the community, significant changes and development are yet to be seen and felt by the people. With still very little aid and assistance from the government, the students are forced to settle in a non-conducive and non-stimulating learning environment that may just be the reason for the gaps in their academic development.

“We see that their literacy and numeracy rate is very low. Here in the community, they have a hard time comprehending the lessons and the retention of the lessons, it’s because of [the] lack of facilities, lack of classrooms,” Sawan expressed.

The individual struggles Aside from the inherent systematic troubles surrounding the supposedly temporary Bawkit School, what remains to be the challenge is the government’s desire to force close the Bakwit and Lumad Schools in the face of different tactics. The struggles of teaching inside makeshift classrooms and the difficulties of overcoming any language barriers aside, what remains to be the most prevalent problem within Haran are the recorded attacks on the individuals.

“Habang nakaskwela mi, naa ang presensya sa military,” Isandralyn Andao, an 18-year-old graduate of the MISFI Academy, narrates, sharing her experience during militarization.

“Pag naa sila’y engkwentro, kami ang casualty.”

With statements above, one may think that the continuous alleged militarization in different ancestral lands all throughout Mindanao, especially in those areas with more advanced educational merit, was the state’s way of stifling their learning and education altogether. After all, when the Lumads are equipped with the right amount of knowledge, they would be able to ward off those capitalists who want to suppress their development.

Liberation through education For Haran's tribal leaders, education means self-determination, as well as an expression of resistance to those

who want to infiltrate them.

“Tungod kay gusto namong ma-educate ang among mga kaigsuonan nga mga Lumad para dili malingla sa mga gustong musulod sa among mga komunidad sama aning mga dagko na mga company na musulod sa among communities, ug labin na ang mga plantasyon na ilugon ang among mga ancestral domain,” said one of the tribal leaders The Lumad dreams have remained the same through and through: To come back to their ancestral lands and to live the lives that they were meant to; a peaceful life with no impending danger. But it’s very unlikely, knowing that they can just be easily infiltrated by those more powerful than them.

So, what they did, was compromise what they wanted, a peaceful life, and go get education instead. For they wanted to be able to fight for themselves.

Aside from the goal of getting back to their ancestral lands, the Lumad tribe leaders also wish to create a sustainable community that would equate to the privileges of those living in the urban areas that is led by their people. They want to produce a Lumad teacher, a Lumad doctor, and many more professions that is of their own people, so they can be independent from the shackles that tie them to the different entities that only wish to take advantage of them.

According to Gloria Arcenas, one of the oldest volunteer teachers in Haran, it would be better if the Lumads are the one who are to teach their own. After all, they are more familiar with their own way of life, thus guaranteeing the preservation of their culture.

In a society where education has become a privilege, Lumad students continue to be hopeful that their desire to learn is enough to elevate themselves from the kind of reality they have today. Though the Bakwit School is not the conventional learning environment most of us are used to, for the Lumad youth in Haran, it could be their only saving grace.

Lumad evacuees in Haran strive to continue their schooling despite being away from their homelands through Bakwit School's "Tudlo Ta Ninyo", a weekend volunteer teaching program.

Photo by Loraine Rubi

VOL 64 NO. 4

January 2019 issue

T

he cornfields of Tukanalipao, Mamasapano rung with the incessant firing of bullets, like accelerating drumbeats preceding the sharp command of death. PO2 Christopher Lalan, one of the two remaining commandos of the 55th Special Action Company (SAC), was crawling hopelessly amid the blood-stained and bullet-ridden corn stalks to avoid the enemies sniper fire. He was ready to join his fallen brothers. Just as he was about to resign to his fate, PO2 Romeo Cepron, grabbed his sleeve and said, “Classmate, sige lang, abante ka.’ The brave Cepron then stood up and received the enemies’ bullets. After rising up twice, he finally fell to the ground and his heart stopped beating.

Cepron’s noble act diverted the enemies’ attention and allowed Lalan, who later became the lone survivor of the 55th SAC, to escape.

just by framing certain stories, it is also powerless without a public who listens. The Agenda Setting theory may be used to satisfy the interests of a few, but in the end, it is still governed by perception.

“Experience plays a big factor in the way people receive media content. No matter how much you try to bombard them with information, to convince them to do this and that, but because their experiences, their cultures or traditions are contrary to what you are claiming, then you will really have a hard time influencing them,” Mr. Laroscain claimed.

In relation to disaster preparedness, Mr. Larosacain explains, most issues arise when people refuse to evacuate after being warned by the media and even the authorities.

Because they have survived floods or typhoons in the past, they find it outrageous to believe in people who do not even have firsthand experiences of such calamities in their locality.

This is only one of the few dramatic stories about the ‘Fallen SAF 44’ of Mamasapano featured in various national media programs which claimed to gather their information from personal testimonies by Lalan himself. Apart from being a narrative that showcases heroism and the SAF’s commitment to be ‘ready to die for the country’, however, it also reveals the power of the media and the way it shapes public opinion.

While both scholars and the ordinary Filipino agree on the heroism of the Fallen SAF 44, scholars argue that still, such heroism should not overshadow the real issues behind the Mamasapano case. To them, it was a clear manifestation of poor leadership and command from among the highest-ranking officials in the government.

Being one of the most accessible sources of information, the media also influences the public’s perception on the gravity of one aspect of an issue over another. According to the Agenda Setting Theory, media practitioners have the power to identify the information, which they believe is relevant, to be reported about a specific event.

Ms. Christine Faith Avila, Chair of the Mass Communication Department and Mr. Joseph Laroscain, Assistant Dean for Humanities and Letters at the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), further expounded on the theory and its relevance to the present time.

“Media practitioners are also known as ‘gatekeepers,’ which means that they are the ones who control the flow of the information— in and out. They are called ‘gatekeepers’ because they would decide what specific news to publish or stories to focus on,” Ms. Avila expressed.

The theory, introduced in 1972 by Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw, rests on two basic assumptions. First, it states that “the press and media do not reflect reality, but they filter and shape it.” Since the media has limited time and space in its various platforms, editors often determine which

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In contrast, stories of the Fallen SAF 44 appeal to the universal emotion of pain. In spite of the audience’s various cultural, social, and even economic backgrounds, the feeling of loss may be something that binds them as a nation who mourns. A story that highlights heroism could then be easily embraced by melancholic people in need of consolation.

Will the media ever be unbiased?

Dissecting the influence of agenda setting, opinions arise confirming its extent across various landscapes.

Story by Gwyneth Marie Vasquez Illustration by Samantha Yap

aspect of a news is most sensational or appealing to the audience. In some cases, however, they may choose to report matters which are less important than the underlying issues worthy of public attention.

In as much as the media is the gatekeeper of information, the presence of biases is also an impending threat to any news story.

Owing to this claim, the second assumption suggests that the more media feature a certain issue, the more likely the public will find it important. This is evident in mainstream media wherein top stories are repeated successively in a week or sometimes, even throughout the entire time that the event is taking place.

“Sometimes, instead of focusing on what really happened, the media may focus only on the victims. But if that’s the agenda of the media entity, then you won’t be able to do something

about it. And of course, if you’re an ordinary citizen and that’s the kind of news you see every day, then there is a very huge possibility that you will be influenced and that you will believe it,” Mr. Laroscain stated.

Aside from confusion on the role of Agenda Setting in the Mamasapano clash, it can also be relevant to the calamities that the country faces today.

While the media is highly influential in spreading information, it had also become a tool to disseminate measures in disaster preparedness.

“In the context of calamities, this is one of the ways agenda setting can help. Kung pag-uusapan siya, bibigyan siya ng pansin, halimbawa lahat ng TV stations will allot a time slot where they will invite experts to talk about climate change, then there is no doubt that the media can spread awareness and even help mitigate the impact of disasters,” Mr. Laroscain said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Laroscain also expounded on how the media can impact the way people perceive the aftermath of disasters. The media choosing to portray Filipino resilience opens an avenue for people to reaffirm their capability of bouncing back from the desolation of typhoons or earthquakes. At some point, it becomes the saving grace that could veer them away from sad realities and motivate them to rebuild their lives from the ashes.

“For a media practitioner who has the power to frame stories in a calamity, of course you consider, ‘would you want to focus on stories that would break the people’s hearts more, or would you focus on stories that would encourage them?’

Projecting resilience brings to the fore messages of hope that’s why we as a people were able to say that it is our strength. We believe that we are resilient because we see on TV that we are, and agenda setting plays a big part in that,” Ms. Avila expressed.

In as much as the media is deemed to be a gatekeeper of information, the presence of biases is also an impending threat to any news story. Because of the media’s power to choose which aspects of a story are more ‘relevant,’ the public’s judgment may be entirely contingent on this limited information.

“Let’s face it. Media is business.

They protect their interests. So isa talaga sa mga challenges is to be fair and objective, no matter how ideal it sounds. Dapat yung mga balitang lumalabas sa kanila ang main purpose lang talaga is to inform and to educate the public,” Mr. Laroscain emphasized.

Just like the incessant bullets that ended Cepron’s and his comrades’ lives, the media and even the public are constantly challenged to be restless in their pursuit of truth. There is no mistaking that PO2 Romeo Cepron was a hero and that the media played an essential role in portraying him as such. In the same way, there is nothing wrong with recognizing the small sparks of hope which, though threaten to mislead us, may also allow us to bravely move forward. Until there is publication of news, there will always be agenda setting and until the media wields this kind of power, there will always be a stark dichotomy between a fragment of reality and reality as a whole.

Not withstanding the power of the media to influence public opinion

Let’s face it. Media is business.

They protect their interests. So isa talaga sa mga challenges is to be fair and objective.

F E A T U R E S

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O

ne weekend in the sidewinding Pulangi River of North Cotabato reminded peace advocates, including me, that investing in concerted efforts to keep conflicts from arising between groups is the heart of peace-making. Settling conflicts caused by social, political, and cultural disparity that usually take many negotiations and compromises may be the common notion of peace-making in Mindanao. But, as I joined the convoy of advocates for a peace caravan in Carmen, North Cotabato last September, I could not understand why the 400 years of renewing a lasting peace between two distinct groups tied by a symbolic pact remained unnoticed and unappreciated by the public.

On the second week of September, Kakap Dulunan, co-organized by Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), gathered different tribes of indigenous peoples from across the Carmen-Bukidnon mountain ranges and different Maguindanaoan clans from the province of North Cotabato. Kakap Dulunan, a shared Maguindanaoan-Erumanen ne Menuvu term, refers to the spirit of “revisiting boundary” that intends to trace the territorial boundaries agreed by their ancestors. But beyond that, these ‘boundaries’ continually shape the relationship between Moros and Lumads in North Cotabato following the episodes of shared experiences in many wars over the past four centuries.

“Naningkamot ta na mag-live in peace na naa’y mga ing ani nga balik lantaw sa paglalum o pag-restore sa atong relasyon sa matag usa sa pagkakaron diri sa Kakap Dulunan. Kakap Dulunan is a shared Mahindanaw ug Aromanon term for visiting boundaries,” Lyndee Prieto, the Philippine coordinator of IID, explained during the opening program of the two-day event.

Boundaries After the stories of legendary characters of the great river of Pulangi (diwatas and dragon-like reptiles) that played an important role in mediating during the ancient wars between the highlanders and lowlanders, a profound insight dawned upon me: a boundary must serve not as a barrier to separate people of different beliefs but as a converging point where productive relationship fosters.

Datu Al Saliling, a tribal leader of Erumanen ne Menuvu, explained how powerful it is when we view and define a boundary not as a barrier but as a “point of connection” where peoples of different cultural and religious beliefs meet as neighbors.

“Murag boundary sa karon nga panahon nga gihisgutan kung asa ta magbulag, dili katong boundary nga gihisgutan asa ta magsumpay. Lahi ang termino ana, dili magbulag, kung dili magsumpay isip tao nga adunay magkalahing tinuhuan, nagkalahing kultura apan nagkasinabot.

“Mao kini ang kinauyukan aning tigom nga atong ibanhaw ug balikan kadtong mga bulawanon nga higayon diin atong mga ancestors ang nagmugna ug posible pa mahitabo mamaintain sa hangtud

Apo Lolito Saliling (L), an IP elder of Erumanen ne Menuvu, shaking hands with Sultan Dr. Maniaga (R) after the Maguindanaoan story telling forum of Kakap Dulunan in Carmen, North Cotabato.

Where boundaries are not barriers ‘Boundaries’ continually shape the relationship between Moros and Lumads in North Cotabato following the episodes of shared experiences in many wars over the past four centuries.

Story by Ram Manlatican Photos courtesy of Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) katapusan,” the datu narrated.

During the panel sessions, tribal heads and clan leaders shared their versions of stories that revolve around the mystical characters surrounding the Pulangi River, which led to the peace agreement between these two distinct groups.

Ta’ak According to the orators, the long-running peace pact can be dated back to the year 1612. Legend has it that two diwatas offered an artifact to both tribes to symbolize the peace agreement. The sacred artifact called Ta'ak was given as a peace token by Lumad elders hundreds of years ago and exists up until today under the care of the Maguindanaoan leader, who eventually gave us a rare chance of witnessing the 400-year-old Ta’ak.

What can you, the youth, do to sustain peace in Mindanao?

Even the son of Datu Al Saliling claimed that, due to its inherent power, the Ta’ak might have caused the strong earthquake that shook some parts of Davao del Sur

and Davao del Norte in the afternoon of Sept. 9 upon its public display. I didn’t believe the claim at first because it seemed just like an ordinary machete until I saw Facebook posts of cracked building walls and ceilings being blamed to said recent earthquake. While goosebumps crawled all over my skin, I realized that the artifact’s historical representation alone is powerful enough to shake any individuals who can hear this story. The Ta’ak binds these peoples like a glue, reminding them year after year that a call for war is never an answer to any misunderstanding and conflict.

Peace marker While going upstream of Pulangi River on a huge Banca, I was surrounded with Indigenous and Moro Peoples, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the group strongly advocating for the actualization of Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), and the rest of Christian peace advocates who had one common goal, that is to witness the enshrinement of the peace marker signed by the four tribal leaders of Erumanen ne Menuvu and Maguindanaoan.

A sudden thwack beneath the 80-seater Banca alarmed some on board, including me. I heard an old man behind me warning some passengers to stay calm and silent. Silence serves as a respect to the sacred river, as well as to the Philippine saltwater crocodiles that might have been swimming beneath us. Like Ta’ak, these reptiles reminded us of their uncanny semblan ce with the characters in the stories told to us by the tribal and clan leaders. They reminded us by knocking the boat we were in, as if telling that they’re as much alive as the stories that resonate the message of Kakap Dulunan.

Elders from Aromanon-Menuvu tribes and Maguindanaon clans, along with peace advocates, placing the peace marker at So. Pagalatan, Brgy. Lanuon.

As we arrived at the sacred ancestral burial sites, the greatness of Pulangi River yet witnessed another historical event where people shoot photographs of

peaceful objectives, instead of shooting enemies in the midst of unnecessary wars. The ripples of peace from the Banca graced the riverbanks of Pulangi, and not by the spilt blood borne out of unresolved conflicts.

I saw one Japanese researcher interviewing tribal leaders and locals. As she nodded along with their answers, behind and beside her, not far enough, were children swimming in the riverbank and playing around the burial site of their ancestors, without fully realizing that, before their innocent eyes, these people were crafting a brighter future for them. Without the knowledge of the general public, a historical event of the decade or even of the 21st century in Philippine’s pursuit for peace has just taken place.

Next in line I cannot forget the time when Datu Al Saliling threw my question back at me with a hint of sarcasm that went with his squinting, cloudy eyes and his gray hair that came with a tribal bandana. As one of the young facilitators of that group composed of Moro women and Lumad elderlies, I asked them with points for post-event discussion and reflection.

“Instead of us, who are very old, I ask you back, what can you, the youth, do to sustain peace in Mindanao?”

That question coming from the wit and wisdom of a chieftain caught me off guard for a moment. His question still reverberates inside my head. It's a challenge.

Upon receiving the unfortunate news months later, however, the deaths of Apo Lolito Saliling, then oldest living elder of the Erumenun ne Menuvu tribe and Datu Mantucan Mantawil, an elder who was a Moro counterpart of Apo Lolito Saliling, remind me of that question. It’s not a question that can be answered in just two to three minutes just like what I tried during the discussion, but it’s a rhetorical one that continually challenges and reminds the youth of today that we have the most crucial role in keeping peace in Mindanao a lasting one.

Just like what Datu Al Saliling emphasized, Apo Lolito Saliling and Datu Mantucan Mantawil carried that same role when they were young up until their last breaths. Now, as we carry that responsibility of investing in conflict prevention, we, as Mindanaoan peace advocates should meaningfully instill the profound definition of ‘boundaries.’

Boundaries may divide territories but not people. Boundaries should exist as points of connection, not as barriers.

Montage Finding solace in service

VOL 64 NO. 4

January 2019 issue

15

Raul de Guzman or Kuya Raul, who has worked in AdDU for years, was supposed to be an engineering degree holder before.

Photo by Loraine Rubi

For years, Kuya Raul has dedicated his life in creating a safety blanket for the Ateneans; more than bag-checking and issuing violation slips.

Geraldine Mae Antegra

C

ontent he may be with his life, one of our security personel in Ateneo de Davao University still cannot disagree from the fact that life would’ve been a lot easier if things did not turn out the way they did. Not just for him, but for his family as well. With almost a major part of his day spent doing his job, he couldn’t help but just worry and pray for his family while on duty. According to him, the Atenean guards have their own mantra that they religiously lived by: Secure the students’ safety more than anyone else’s, even their own lives, even their own families. After all, they are left with no other choice.

Raul de Guzman or "Kuya Raul" had been an ally to the Ateneans since the 1990s. He has been an unofficial guardian of the Ateneans in more ways than one. Not only was he a guardian for being tasked and paid by the management to protect its students, he was also considered one for having been a primary witness to the growth of many.

As a guard, Kuya Raul is required to report and do his job seven days a week. Leaving almost no time to spend with his family, leaving no time to protect them from danger.

With the decision he made several years ago, he already understood that he may have to compromise a lot of things in life in the next years to come. Choosing between being physically present to protect his family and providing them with a good life by being away from them, is just one of those.

He was in his mid-20s when he first set a foot in the midst of an Ateneo campus. Contrary to what one might think, it was not Jacinto, but rather, the older Matina campus. Kuya Raul stayed there for twelve years before he was ordered to transfer to the college unit. In the twelve years he served, he was able to witness right before his eyes the growth of the majority of the population that comprises the now-alumni roster of the older generation Ateneans.

When he was transferred to the Jacinto campus, as coincidence would’ve have it, he was able to see familiar faces that he used to watch over during his stint in Matina.

The young kids who radiated with innocence and vibrance, now with longer limbs and more prominent features seemed so distinct yet familiar to him. The said changes are telling him that they have matured and grown from the little human creatures they used to be.

Those kids he used to guard are now ready to take on another chapter of their lives. Kuya Raul was amazed and proud, like a parent seeing his child walk for the first time. It was then that he realized the grown attachment he had for the student body. He didn’t know it then, but he was already on his way to becoming a father.

Serving the Ateneans for almost two decades, he had his fair share of experiences that sets him apart from the newer guards in campus.

Stories have strengthened his bond with the students, and narratives have entangled together parts of their lives.

“Kadtong naghiwa sa kamot, sa college. Atong mga last year, kaming mga gwardiya ang nag-rescue. Kadto pong naay nag-collapse—ningsimba, nag-collapse. Nagkuha dayon ko og wheelchair ato ug nagtawag dayon og 911. Kato, abot ang rescue,” he shares, choosing the many times he had unintentionally saved people’s lives, suggesting to us that this is the part of his job that he values the most: protecting other people and keeping them secured.

But more than the experiences he had accumulated was his familiarity with the culture inside the community. And of course, what he decides to do with them. This would include grumbling and murmurs under their breaths every time he takes out the violation slip, the sharp side-eyes from the often sleep-deprived undergraduates, and whines of protest when they’re asked to open their bags. Having had the pleasure or misfortune, you be the judge, he had become accustomed to seeing these things happen on almost a daily basis.

“Sabton na lang jud nako, kay kabalo man ko unsa dyud ka-lisod muskwela, daghang himuon, kapoy dyud. Mao pud siguro na sila ingana ang batasan usahay,” Despite being accustomed to this, his heart did not harden for them. Rather, it only urged him to become empathic and more understanding. After all, it was what a father would have done.

Kuya Raul was led to the path of being a guard when he mistakenly joined a fraternity during his sophomore year in college. His supposed engineering degree at MATTS was then snatched away from his hand when his mother found out about it and decided that she wouldn’t pay for his college tuition anymore.

Most students would probably remember him to be a bearer of the words “Pag-skwela mo og tarong, ha?” and the words now held more

Many times had he saved people’s lives, telling us that this is the part of his job that he values the most: protecting other people and keeping them secured. meaning and history to it as it can be traced back to his frustration about his younger self. It was a cry of protest telling the younger generation to not repeat the mistakes he made. “...mangamusta pud ko sa ilaha, kamusta ilang pag-skwela dire. Ing-

nan nako nga continue lang ninyo na’g tarong, ayaw ba na binuangi inyong [pag-skwela] kay dili baya lalim ang tuition nga gibayad sa inyong ginikanan dire. Pirte ra bang mahala. [...] Pasalamat pud sila sa akoa,” Kuya Raul shared.

As if rubbing salt to his already

wounded self, Kuya Raul shared one of the most defining moments of his loathing and frustration: Seeing his batchmates from college living the lifestyle he could have been living himself, if only his path was not seduced by the fleeting cheap thrills.

Though still recovering from the wounded pride, the 48-year-old guard decided that it wouldn’t do him any good to dwell on the whatifs, knowing that it couldn’t be possibly altered anymore. Though sad and dispirited sometimes by how he was strayed away from the path by his own wrongdoings, Kuya Raul still remained content with how life turned out.

“Naa jud ko’y kaila nga gikan pa jud sa preschool sa una. Ang uban nanga-doktor na, nanga-abogado na. Usahay muadto ko og SSS, naa ko’y makita didto nga gikan pa sa elementary. Unya ni-graduate na.

Mutawag sila sa akoa, usahay dili na CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE

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M O N T A G E nako kailangan mupila pa sa area kay tungod sa kaila na nako gikan sa estudyante pa sila,” he said.

Sabton na lang dyud nako, kay kabalo man ko unsa dyud kalisod muskwela, daghang himuon, kapoy dyud. Mao pud siguro na sila ing-ana. ang batasan usahay.

Photo by Loraine Rubi

He may not be exactly where he would’ve wanted himself to be but being the optimist that he is, he decided to take matters into his own hand to find a silver lining amidst the vast sea of frustration and angst.

Raul de Guzman might have succeeded in becoming a true protector of the Ateneans, but he unsuccessfully did so to his own family. Nevertheless, he was able to provide them with a stable life and for him, that is what matters the most. After all, the sacrifices and compromises he has made today may just be what would pave way for a better life for his family.

Certain situations sometimes render us paralyzed and visually impaired, like a blind man threading through an unfamiliar surface.

Though that might be the case for Ateneo’s famous Kuya Guard, Raul de Guzman, that didn’t prevent him from taking advantage of the resources he has to turn his life around. Life may not be perfect but he swears to himself that he wouldn’t have it any other way.

After all, if things were the way he wanted, things and the people in his life right now wouldn’t have stayed the same.

Unveiling the Hall of Flames

Inspite of harsh realities, the challenge for culture and arts continues in bringing forth dialogue amid diversity.

Gwyneth Marie Vasquez

T

he hall is dimly lit, like a cave with an opening of promised light at the far end.

The promised light, ungraspable at first, is blocked by the image of a woman whose eyes silently speak to the souls of her onlookers. Illuminated by a faint yellowish glow that brings out the golden hem of her blue turban, she challenges her spectators to uncover her identity and to know her purpose for being at the center of a Jesuit chapel.

A depiction of "Jesus and the Samaritan Woman" while assimilating the Tausug culture by Mark Tolentino.

Photo by Jacymae Kaira Go

The painting of an “indigenized” Virgin Mary is a commonplace view for most Ateneans. As the centerpiece of the University Chapel, this image of the Virgin Mary welcomes churchgoers before they walk towards the altar and get a clear view of the cross. Despite the explanation that the woman with the blue turban is the Virgin Mary, still, most spectators are compelled to question why and how it is justifiable for a brown-skinned, Moro woman to represent the predominantly white, Caucasian Virgin Mary.

The AdDU chapel, noted to be uniquely provocative for its integration of Moro themes into Catholic iconography, is only one manifestation of how AdDU highlights the cultures and arts in Mindanao. Aside from being part of the university’s vision and mission, AdDU’s thrust for greater engagement in culture and the arts is also envisioned to be reflective of the beauty of diversity of the cultures and arts in Mindanao. Most importantly, it is deemed to underline the university’s aspiration for greater intercultural and interreligious understanding.

Mindanawon identity Mr. Vinci Bueza, Assistant to the President for External Affairs/Program Coordinator of the Madaris Volunteer Program (MVP) and faculty member of the Department of Languages and Arts, shared insightful thoughts on cultures and arts in the context of Mindanao.

“When we talk about the identity of being Mindanawon, it can be really complicated and political. It’s reflected in our cultures and arts.

The cultures and arts in Mindanao are very diverse compared to those in Luzon and Visayas,” Bueza expressed.

the society, culture and arts challenge its audiences to aspire for more and to hope for the better.

“Diba ang textile may warp at weft. Kahit iba-iba ang design niya, it’s still one whole piece of textile.

That’s peace. Unity in diversity, kumbaga. Kahit iba-iba ang threads natin, we can be woven into one textile,” Bueza commented.

Dialogue and peace Although prevalent in its vision and mission statements, AdDU’s commitment to interreligious and intercultural dialogue is also deemed to highlight its efforts to connect both ideals and action.

By mirroring the harsh realities that are prevalent in the society, cultures and arts challenge its audiences to aspire for more and to hope for the better.

In all this, AdDU as an institution has been closely involved in the pursuit of greater understanding through culture and arts. Around the Jacinto campus, for instance, several works of art depict various images with the same central theme— diversity, one that challenges spectators to engage in interreligious and intercultural dialogue. A classic example would be the textile collection of former university president, Fr. Antonio Samson, S.J., which features various textiles from Mindanao and even some from other parts of Southeast Asia.

Aside from this celebration of diversity, the aspiration for peace in the face of Moro, NPA-Communist, and indigenous people’s struggles have also given birth to the role of culture and arts as eye-openers for its audiences. By mirroring the harsh realities that are prevalent in

In 2015, the AdDU Chapel and the Community Center of the First Companions (CCFC) building, were built to create a venue of dialogue and interaction. In the same year, AdDU also started to collect and even commission works of art from local artists, such as Mark Tolentino, Victor “Bong” Espinosa, Elenita “Boots” Dumlao, and Alfred Galvez, among others. Perhaps most prominent among these works are Mark Tolentino’s “Sitti Maryam,” the centerpiece of the AdDU chapel as well as “Jesus in the Synagogue of Nazareth” and “Jesus and the Samaritan Woman,” both of which are huge murals that depict Jesus in a Tausug attire and are also found inside the AdDU chapel.

“It’s a form of saying that the university commits itself to dialogue. The arts, then, is an avenue, CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE

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M O N T A G E a medium for this dialogue,” Bueza explained.

Opportunity for reflection While dialogue and peace may seem like very ideal and farfetched notions for some, AdDU also devotes the promotion of culture and arts to its students. With constant exposure to the cultures and arts in Mindanao, students are not only given the opportunity to appreciate their identity but also understand the identity of others. In the diversity of cultures in Mindanao, they are challenged to reflect, which, in itself is a hallmark of Ignatian spirituality.

“The cultures and arts in the university should help students to take a look at themselves internally and also take a look at their society. Ultimately, this should challenge them to act on it,” Bueza said.

Despite AdDU’s efforts to highlight culture and arts, however, it is undeniable that a huge portion of the population is still fixated on the mentality that culture and arts exist for mere display and not for the profound purpose of internalization.

“Sometimes students can be very apathetic about these things. But our hope really is that culture and arts can perhaps change attitudes.

Yung papaisipin sila, ‘Why is it here and ano ito para sa akin?’” Bueza expressed.

In as much as interest for culture and arts cannot be imposed on the students, it is a growing challenge to continue enriching cultures and arts in the university and also to educate students on the importance of discernment and reflection that can be practiced through culture and arts.

Dominador Israel Burgos III, a first year Interdisciplinary Studies Minor in Media and Business student and member of the Ateneo Repertory, shared how the arts has been an avenue for him to reflect on his life experiences.

“Basically, the arts is my way of grounding myself to remind me of who I really am. Kahit na marami ng external influences that tend to sway me a little bit, I find my way back because of art,” he stated.

The cultures and arts in the university should help students to take a look at themselves internally

Breaking the apathy The challenge of breaking the ap-

athy continues for the vanguards of AdDU. Those who have long been battling to place culture and arts at the limelight hope that their efforts will not be in vain. Having recently established partnerships with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Archives of the Philippines, and even the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Center for the Arts, AdDU envisions to further fuel the liberating force that culture and arts provides to its students. Its Regional Center status of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Kaisa Sa Sining Network in Mindanao through the Ateneo Culture and Arts Cluster (ACAC), also promises a richer engagement for culture and arts.

Jesus Montajes, AdDU’s Program Officer for Culture and Arts, expressed his high hopes for the prosperity of cultures and arts in Mindanao that are being highlighted by the university.

“With this national recognition, the University has elevated its Culture and Arts Program(s) to be more integrated, engaging, culture-based, artistic-filled, and transformative. Thus, AdDU’s vision to be a vanguard cultural and

arts-based institution for Mindanao and the ASEAN Community is already happening and it will surely prosper in the years to come,” Montajes declared.

Ultimately, the case of cultures and arts in Mindanao challenges the Ateneans to more that just look, but also enter the world of the dances, paintings, and exhibits that they encounter; to more than just be stricken by the extraordinary, but also to be compelled to involve themselves in the fight for peace. Apart from valuing culture and arts for their own self-discovery, it also gives them a chance to live up to their identity of being men and women for others.

Just like the curious spectators of Sitti Maryam, we are all challenged to ask and to engage in dialogue— one that is envisioned to change the social and political landscape in Mindanao not just today but in the years to come. Only when this ordeal has been surpassed can the dark myopic cave be filled with the calm flames of a promised light.

One of the University Chapel's centerpiece: Mark Tolentino's painting of Mary, mother of Jesus, seen wearing a turban.

Photo by Jacymae Kaira Go

B L U E B L O O D

Pa-woke ka man uy!

Jupiter Cabig Jr.

I

t has become an Atenean’s duty to react when socio-political issues arise in the status quo. Given the numerous platforms where opinions are either respected or corrected, Ateneans never fail to enjoy the right to free speech. But, let us consider an incident when SAMAHAN, Ateneo de Davao’s student body, tried to engage in a simultaneous discourse at the moment. Despite its courage to express their stand on the issue of the Martial law extension in Mindanao, it gained deliberate criticisms from different institutions because of its arbitrary, safe-sided, and uninformed statement about the said issue.

Now, where do we draw the line between having our right to free speech and the prudence of making statements that certainly mat-

ter as they contribute effectively to the existing discourse? Is it true that Ateneans are just pa-woke?

In this series of analyses, I will present three arguments why the current pa-woke culture is a stagnant way of thinking by breeding a tokenistic approach to the issues; by allowing people to just ride along the bandwagon; and by inculcating a passive-aggressive approach when issues ascend. I will also incorporate ways to deviate from the trend of being pa-woke by putting our focus on long-term action-based approaches that give merits to educated opinions and rational statements.

Just recently, the participation of Ms. Spain in the annual Ms. Universe had sparked issues that confronted the LGBTQIA+ community and those who opposed against the act of allowing her to join the competition. Of course, Ateneans did not miss the chance to express their sentiments. Some have said

that Ms. Spain’s participation sends a strong message that the era of tolerance is already obsolete. Also, they claim that she is in the right position to continue her journey despite her male biological background. However, it is noticeable how sentiments have disappeared after days of constant clashes in social media. The hype was over, and no actions were made aside from tirades that bordered cyberbullying and mocking. What does this say? Isn’t it if we fight for something, we go beyond sentiments by translating these into actions? Sadly, microaggression, hate, disrespect, and unacceptance, which are the greater evils, were not addressed. Though, these are not resolved overnight, at least the discourses have centered on clarifying social dilemmas such as the lack of comprehension about SOGIE and gender sensitivity, rather than disgusting others for their ignorance.

In another perspective, it seems

clear that some just took advantage of these situations to increase their followers and/or friends; riding in a bandwagon as they say.

Let’s go back to the issue of Martial law extension in Mindanao. When it broke in social media, Ateneans have expressed their own dismay to the current administration by allowing abuses to occur in Lumad communities, farmers, and victims of EJK by intimidating the masses of the existing power gap. But what is hurtful is that most of their tweets have no substance. I believe that this is where social media also fall. Many speak without context and a lot of sentiments are misrepresented or misinterpreted. This is where the danger of bandwagoning enters when people try to simplify the struggles of the marginalized by retweeting or reposting memes, or hashtag movements without having the effort to study and research on the actual clamor and fights of these sectors.

Some of the freshest news is

the bullying incident in Ateneo de Manila’s Junior Highschool department that garnered mixed emotions from the social media warriors. Right now, if you run through your feed, you’ll be bothered by the bullying video, hate speeches, and attacks directed towards Joaquin Montes, the student bully. Of course, we can’t defend the consequences of Joaquin’s act because they really bring psychological trauma and disturbance to the victim and even those victims of bullying in the past as it opens their wounds. However, some handled the issue in social media in a state of irrationality where emotions overlapped their reasoning to the point of reciprocating bullying and hate. This says about our formation; that we do not respond proactively, rather reactively to issues that may or may not concern us. And, we know the greater danger after we lose our grasp of control – we contribute more pain, more suffering.

18 CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Diversions ACROSS 1 The annual literary folio of Atenews.

2 The academic study of the government and the state 3 A law providing the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

4 The Blue Macau is now considered ______.

8 The official organization of the LGBTQ+ community in AdDU 5 Widespread among students.

6 The famous night market of Davao City.

7 Graphics Interchange Format 16 A complex neurobehavioral condition 17 Clever like a cat.

18 A movie about the life of a current senatorial candidate.

19 A proposed form of government in the Philippines

PLASTIC SMUGGLERS DEMI ALTHEA PADILLO

Atenews Asks

With the approaching midterm elections, what are the characteristics of a "trapo" candidate?

"For me, "trapo" canddidates are politicians that would say or promise anything without having the intention to fulfill or materialize the promises that they have conveyed once elected. These candidates simply run in order to advance their personal interests. They even resort to dirty election tactics in desperation of securing victory."

- Omer Zedrique Abubacar, 1-AB PolSci "A trapo candidate is someone who shamelessly goes around telling everyone that they have the experience when in fact they just got a free ride for that and are only there for publicity.

They take advantage of it and use it as an edge but in reality, they don't even know what they are doing and doesn't have an actual output that the students or the peopl can benefit from.

- Noriele Therese B. Ramos, 4- BS CE

"A trapo candidate is someone who tells the people about his many platforms and promises but ends up forgetting them when he gets the position and someone na bigla nalang magbago ang persona or character during elections time."

-Martin Benjamin Boleon, 1-BS ECE "A TRAPO candidate or a TRAditional POlitician, is one who makes extremely fragrant promises during campaign period to intentionally deceive people, and then under-delivers thereafter. A TRAPO may already have a terrible background in his or her leadership experience yet can still have mind-blowing confidence to even dare to run for a higher position. This is someone who makes SHOWBIZ out of what is supposed to be SERVICE." - Teresa Marie Dumandan, 4- BSEd English "One characteristic of a trapo candidate is when he or she is just active at the start then disappears after. Putting forward his plans, visions and platforms and leaving all these things as promises only.During campaign period, he is seen in places where he does not usually go."

- Christian Dominic Ang, 4- BS Accountancy "A candidate with no clear platform nor good record in public service and relies merely on popularity or family dynasty."

- Mrs. Carmen Sabino, SOE Professor

DOWN 9 One of the Roman virtues along with pietas, dignitas and virtus 10 Author of ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” 12 Easily persuaded to believe something 13 Opposite of barbarism and chaos 14 Form of language without formal metrical structure 11 Liability + Owner’s Equity 15 Shoot me down but I won’t fall 16 A community-run Lumad School in caraga 20 Ariana Grande’s song, Thank You 21 Abnormal, unhealthy, unpleasant 22 A similar depiction between Ferdinand Marcos and President Duterte 23 Shorea astylosa; a tree endemic to the Philippines

FINDING A PLACE TO SLEEP CARLO ISIAH ESCARDA

VOL 64 NO. 4

January 2019 issue

19

BARYO TINYO | MARIA CYRA JANE DEALCA

kanus-a

BAG-O

SUDOKU

THESIS IS LIFE | DEMI ALTHEA PADILLO

DED: DEAN'S LISTER | YVES MATHIEU AFRICA

Ded?

Unsa naman sad? bagsak ka na naman? grabe delayed nasad ka ana? grabe jud nimo kapabaya. kanus-a pa man ka magtinarong skwela? wala kay plano sa kinabuhi nimo? unsa nalang iingon sa imong mama

GUSTO KO LANG NAMAN SABIHIN NA KASALI AKO SA GAWAD THIS SEM KASI DEAN'S LISTER AKO...

B

e y o n d

N

e w s

Grill Sessions | Carlo Isiah Escarda

TALA | Samantha Yap and Maria Cyra Jane Dealca

The art is always you.

Tita Lacambra-Ayala (1931-2019)