The Play of Follies
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Jasmine Joy Panes
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James Sacabin
Phew! The past eight months of 2024 have been nothing short of a circus for the Philippines—complete with its own dark twist. Behind the absurdity and humor lies a deeper reality: both the country and, in particular, the MSUans, have been enduring levels of incompetence from those in power. Despite repeated determined to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear
The silver lining? More people are starting to see through the facade, recognizing the failures and demanding answers. As such, now is not the time to remain silent; it's the moment to amplify our voices and keep pushing until more stand with us in demanding accountability and real change.
We all deserve better, and it’s time we claim it.
Jasmine Joy Panes Editor-in-Chief,
Bagwis AY 2024-2025
This semester 's cover highlights a cartoon illustrating how our government leaders continue to toy with the Filipino people. While many citizens laugh or express outrage from the sidelines, watching through livestreams, it’s the same public that voted these leaders into power.
As entertaining—and at times infuriating—as the spectacle of Senate hearings and public appearances may be, beneath the theatrics lie the grim realities of mismanagement and incompetence
Do Filipinos deserve this? Perhaps. After all, the “majority ” chose them. 6 10
14 12
Seeing Red
Hold your breath, for the all-seeing sees red. The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently included Mindanao State University - General Santos City (MSUGSC) among the top education institutions of the country in which alleged recruitment activities by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) have been observed. Unfortunately, Red-tagging in law enforcement's vocabulary is no different from painting them red.
Revealed in a Senate panel hearing on public order and dangerous drugs by PNP Directorate for Operations Colonel Randy Arceo, MSU-GSC was ranked 16th among PNP's recent list that enumerates and ranks about a hundred other educational institutions based on allegedly observed recruitments by the CPP.
To include MSU-GSC, one of the many campuses of MSU that share the singular chorus of aiming to become a National Peace University, and to foster students that shall help in the development of Mindanao, is no more than a making a mockery of all that the education institution was born and has always stood for.
The MSU system in itself has always been meant to resolve the 'Mindanao Problem', as stated in one of its unique and mandatory History subjects taught to its scholars, and it has already seen most of its efforts continuously coming to fruition. To taint the university with baseless
accusations, in a span of a moment, deals a heavy blow upon its core foundations.
It is no wonder, however, that such attention has been paid not only to MSU-GSC but to all other educational institutions among the rankings of PNP's watchlist, as well. What the university has in common with many others is the teeming population of educated scholars with the shared desire to bring about change within their county for the better, vocalized through rigorous participation in student activism- an enjoyment of freedom of speech and expression.
It must be an arduous task: differentiating educated criticism, commentary, and voicing out concerns as citizens enjoying their right to freedom of expression, with wishes for improvement and prosperity of their country… versus the radical vying for control and power of armed and extremist groups embroiled in violent struggles. The future generations are left with much and everything to be desired from those in power, whose every move holds sway over their lives.
To be fair, the PNP official stated in the same hearing that around 168 militant students have been accounted for by both the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines thus far. In comparison to the consequences of red-tagging and the half-blind grappling for the tail ends of alleged CPP-NPA recruits, however, the data from 2014 that amounts to a few hundred
barely scrapes past the countless thousands killed from the other multiple, unfounded, and barest of suspicions, starting from the past administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Activists, journalists, vocal critics, faultless civilians turned up dead left and right, so much so that international human rights watch statistics raised the alarm to be over 12,000 from the past administration alone, and for which the International Criminal Court (ICC) has yet to gain cooperation from the Philippine government for its investigation.
While the death toll’s rings lulled in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration, it does not mean that the human rights violations have completely stopped, and neither does it mean that the past human rights violations have been wiped off the record.
In its supposed objective to keep the country and its citizens safe, the wild goose chase of the PNP and all other law enforcement has shed the blood of many others in the process. Who, then, will save the aggrieved if the tormentors themselves are those who hold the authority and power?
If the men in blue had enough authority and resources to investigate educational institutions, then their efforts must be paid in kind: it is high time to question those in power as well. Mere students and faculty can be recruited, or so they've ‘observed’, but as for
the extremist, armed groups, there is always someone funding and supporting their operations, enabling them to expand and persist enough to withstand the test of time. Put out the fire rather than simply chase the smoke.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that radical groups exploit the social, economic injustice felt by their targets, all of which exist among the Filipino people as a whole. While these issues have existed like tales as old as time,
to dismiss these issues simply as one of the reasons why student militants get roped into their cause is no different from chalking up the real problems of the country into trivial footnotes. It is a surefire way to garner more dissent from the long-aggrieved, enough to convince them to find and attempt ways to address and console their burdens.
Listening to civil, educated voices of reason in peaceful protest and activism far outweighs the sound
of gunshots and enraged outcries from either side. Differentiating between peaceful protest, student activism and freedom of expression, versus antigovernment sentiments has yet to dawn upon those in power. Until then, scholars of the universities not only on PNP’s CPP-NPA list but Filipinos as a whole are underneath a veiled tyranny. Those whose hands hold the trigger have an unspoken creed: they paint red all that they see and suspect red.
photo by Katrina Elises
VCAA reaffirms no classroom shortage; explains
use of kiosks, other spaces
LOURENZ JAY LOREGAS, LYNXTER GYBRIEL LEAÑO
photo by Katrina B. Elises
Amid students’ sentiments regarding the insufficient classrooms within the university, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA), Mishell D. Lawas, D. Eng’g., reaffirmed that the university has sufficient classrooms to accommodate all classes within the 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM time frame.
In a recent interview with Bagwis, VCAA Lawas said there is even an excess in classrooms.
“Hindi po talaga [kulang ang classrooms] kasi before, gi map out naman kasi natin lahat ang mga classes natin because we have this harmonization before the enrollment and before the encoding of the subjects, lahat ‘yan, this office is actually doing harmonization and rationalization of the subjects offering and the teachers including ‘yung classroom natin. And it found out that during the harmonization, mayroon pa nga mga sobra [na classrooms],” VCAA Lawas highlighted.
If classrooms are sufficient, why are classes held elsewhere?
Despite the assertion of sufficient classrooms, students frequently report classes being held in non-traditional spaces like kiosks and the lobby of the university library, as experienced by Jasmine Joy Panes, a third-year BS Biology student.
“Naka-try mi klase sa library lobby during orientation sa FIL101A. Awkward kaayo kay daghan gaagi ug nagatan-aw sa amoa while naga-yaka mi didto. Tapos until now wala pami room kay nagalisod pud pangita among prof for vacancies,”
According to Panes, they also experienced conducting classes
in the history kiosk for their GEC109 course.
“Lisod kaayo maminaw kay walay tarong na classroom and also ma-distract mi sa mga lamok nga gapamaak—uso pa naman ang dengue karon. Thankfully, though, napangitaan na ug paagi sa among prof maong may room na mi for GEC109,” Panes remarked.
When asked about why similar cases occur, VCAA Lawas explained that it is because most faculty lean towards conducting their classes around 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, at the earliest which leads to the underutilization of classrooms during the earlier 7:30 AM time slot.
“Try to look at, try to roam around at 7:30 AM, bakante ang mga classrooms kasi walang gusto mag classroom [nang 7:30 AM],” the VCAA said.
However, the VCAA also acknowledged the convenience—for both professors and students, of conducting classes from 9:00 AM onwards.
“Kasi para convenient din siguro on the part of the students, on the part of the faculty na doon talaga sa 9 o’clock or 10 o’clock [AM] or even in the afternoon. Pero napaka challenging kasi talaga ng 7:30 AM. But all of the students I believe have to undergo the 7:30 classes,” VCAA Lawas stated.
Classes beyond 5:30 PM are no longer necessary
Despite an existing memorandum on the conduct of classes up to 9 PM, the VCAA clarified that extending class hours is no longer necessary, reiterating that classrooms are available to accommodate all classes within the regular schedule from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
“As an administrator, we see to it that all of our classrooms are functional. All of our classrooms are available starting 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Hindi na lang natin i-consider ‘yung beyond 5:30. So hopefully makukuha ‘yan ng mga estudyante,” she stated.
The VCAA also acknowledged faculty and student concerns regarding the extension.
“But since some of our faculty are actually not favorable on that memo, on that action that we have to extend our classes just to accommodate—because we are expanding and may mga enrollees tayo actually, result ito ng increase of enrollees natin,” she added.
Ongoing resolutions
In the meantime, the VCAA stressed that her office regularly coordinates with college deans and other relevant offices to address classroom concerns.
“We directly coordinated with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development as well as with the VCAF para ma-address nila. Kasi when it comes to classroom, talagang under that office, but of course [I] being the VCAA, I want everything to be in place,” she stated.
Moreover, she said that there are construction of new classrooms and retrofitting of buildings included in the plan for this year and 2025 to cater to the growing student population.
“I-re-retrofit or i-rehab natin to become functional. And functional siya doon na magiging classroom natin. And of course our existing facilities, meron na din tayong mga allocation budget dyan para ma-rehab natin yan,” the VCAA explained.
Engr. Randy Asturias, the new Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (VCPD), supported the VCAA’s statements, noting that a five-million-peso budget has been allocated for building new facilities.
“So that five million, mga nasa 4-5 classrooms ‘yan na maconstruct,” the VCPD said.
Furthermore, VCAA Lawas asserted that the administration wants to accommodate all the students as effectively as possible, to stay relevant as a higher education institution that receives substantial government support.
“Though we have this capacity, may mga capacity tayo na sinasabi, pero still we want to be relevant and we want to address that,” she added.
The VCAA also expressed the administration’s appreciation for students’ feedback as it allows them to be updated and expedite the resolution of such issues.
Gateway renovations to modernize campus security; part of broader ‘SMART MSU’
As part of the innovation of its facilities, the revamping of Mindanao State UniversityGeneral Santos’ (MSU-GSC) gateways has been mechanized in order to provide more organized access for the students, faculty, and visitors, with the goal of being a ‘SMART University’.
The university’s Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), the project leader of the said program, stated that the two gateways, the main and the back gate, will feature turnstiles, in which Radiofrequency identifications (RFIDs) to be provided will be scanned, and closed-circuit televisions that will bolster student access and security.
However, they emphasized that the renovation is currently prioritizing the back gate as many students are situated in that particular area.
“Di natin pwedeng ipagsabay
(main gate and backgate) kasi wala tayong dadaanan papasok. Pwede din naman gawan ng alternative way (the backgate).
Yung ginawa ng PPD, binutasan dito sa gilid. Kasi ‘pag sa main gate natin ginawa yun, wala tayong mabubutasan dun so kaya inuna ang sa backgate,” ICTO clarified.
They added that the project is divided into phases, in which the first phase is still ongoing since late June of the current year.
Step forward to SMART campus
The ICTO also emphasized retrofitting among laboratories, including the transformation of their old office, which will turn into a Digital Media Lab that will be opened for the students, faculty, and staff.
Additionally, libraries will also be included in the said renovation, with the installation of turnstiles to record attendance and
bookkeeping and kiosk online reservations that will quicken the book borrowing process.
“This time, yung may access lang ng WiFi is nasa mga academic buildings kasi yun yung kasali sa phase one, but in the phase two, all the buildings na ng campus ang may mga WiFi access na for student, including ‘yung open spaces,” ICTO stated on strengthening internet access for the students.
Students’ expectations
When asked for her opinion, Angel Grace Llamelo, a fourthyear History student, said she appreciated the efforts of the university on improving security, as it’s been a concern in the past.
“Ga-strive man pud ang university nga maging globally competitive in a sense nga hindi lang sa pagtudlo, pati pud sa technologies na ginagamit ta
diri,” Llamelo said.
Meanwhile, Alice Orayle, a first-year BAELS student, is glad that the higher-ups are starting to digitalize IDs in tracking the attendance of the students.
On the other hand, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD) and Physical Plant Division (PPD) Director, Engr. Randy Asturias declared that the modernization project is the biggest project by the university to date.
“By next year, ma-improve na yung ating ICT facilities. Yung internet natin, meron nang bagong connection,” Asturias optimistically said.
He added that this campus wasn’t only the recipient of the said project, but also other MSU system campuses.
IAN PAOLO VILLACENCIO, MARIA NICOLE SILVA
photo by Katrina Elises
VCAA clarifies BPA Policy Administration ‘miscommunication’, program not canceled
GUIA REBOLLIDO, JOHN PAUL SIAPEL, DAVE MODINA
Mindanao State University-General Santos’ (MSU-GSC) Office of the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs (OVCAA) responded to the claims of the program Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) in Policy Administration being canceled, clarifying there was a miscommunication as it was only open for reservations and not offered at all, during an interview last September 10.
In an interview with Bagwis, the OVCAA clarified that there was no cancellation since the program was not offered in the first place.
“Wala naman talaga na na-cancel kasi walang na na-open na program, kasi until the time nag-post kasi may presumptions konti kasi wala pa talagang authority approval from the office of the president in Marawi,” Mishell D. Lawas, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) explained.
According to Lawas, unlike other programs such as BS Psychology, BS in Agricultural Horticulture, BS in Agricultural Extension, and BSBA in Economics that were given a certificate of authority to offer prior to their announcements, the BPA Public Administration did not.
The VCAA explained that certain preparations must be made before the adoption of a program. These include complying with the requirements needed, a presentation for the evaluation committee, and the MSU president giving his permission or authority for a university to adopt a program.
“I am so happy because of course to the response of our constituents coming from yung sa labas na gusto talagang kunin ang program na public administration. Pero yun lang talaga na-post lang natin, pero hindi natin nakuha sa authority so there who was miscommunication na naganap,” she emphasized.Lawas emphasized that the university is fully capable of operating the program in terms of the number of faculty
and interested students.
She added that her understanding is that the administration is on the right track and that the program might “set in motion maybe in the next year to come.”#
Students’ views
Fayrouz M. Omar, a first-year student who initially reserved BPA in Policy Administration, recounted her disappointment after finding out about the unavailability of the program during enrollment.
“Thankfully, public administration wasn’t my first choice; it was closer to what I was interested in, so I simply took a chance and reserved a slot. But for others, it was their dream, their first choice,” she shared.
According to Omar, she was never informed about what happened to the program until she reached out to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) during the payment of departmental fees.
She said that she was worried since her schedule did not reflect on her portal, explaining that prior to this, she already reached out to the administration, “but even other administrators didn’t know the reason why it was canceled nor the steps to be taken.”
John Wynne Escolano, a student who enrolled in the BSEd Mathematics program instead, said that he and his friends who were eyeing the BPA program also felt disappointed upon finding out they could not proceed with their first choice.
“Kasi gateway siya to serve and to work with the government while also eyeing also sana na maging lawyer someday, mag study ng law, kasi ang pub ad kasi parang in line siya to the people eh, to the masses,” he stated.
Omar called upon the administration to
reflect on the situation to prevent it from happening again, emphasizing that the future of the students depends on the decisions the administration makes.
“As scholars and future leaders of the nation, we look to you not only for guidance but for the integrity and respect that we believe should be at the heart of our academic experience,” she said.
She hopes that the future actions of the administration will reflect a commitment to better communication and support for students who are striving to contribute positively to society.
“ Wala naman talaga na na-cancel kasi walang na na-open na program, kasi until the time nag-post kasi may presumptions konti kasi wala pa talagang authority approval from the office of the president in Marawi.
Weekend Whitewash
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has revived ‘holiday economics,’ more accurately described as a ‘long weekend whitewash,’ through Proclamation No. 90, Series of 2022. For us MSUans, this policy resembles a frequently altered exam schedule: while some may benefit from the adjustments, others might find their preparations undermined. Similar to that, although the holiday economics policy has its advantages, it ultimately defeats the original purpose of the moved holidays.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo introduced holiday economics, moving national holidays nearest to the weekends pragmatically to revitalize travel and bolster tourism. While the current administration has revived the policy to aid the country after an economic recession during the pandemic, only those people located at the higher socioeconomic echelons would truly get the benefit, leaving the lower portion of society deprived of what it has to offer.
According to the report of the World Bank in 2022, the Philippines still harbors income inequality, as evident in its ranking of 15th out of 63 countries. Given that 17% of the national income was contributed by the 1% of income earners, while 14% was heralded by the bottom 50%. For those who are employed by companies that have no-work, no-pay policies, the long weekend would only be treated as a rest day, since how can workers go on a vacation for only having paid a wage that is only sufficient for a day to survive?
Moreover, in an article pertinent to the exclusion of the EDSA People Power Revolution in the roster of holidays published by The Varsitarian, the official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Thomasian historian Jose Victor Torres stressed that holidays are significant because they are one way of remembering the value of our history, of what events have happened in the past, and the only way to remember the events of the past is also to remember the date. Thus, the administration should learn again why holidays exist in the first place, particularly, their relevance to the construction of this nation.
Additionally, Marcos stated in Proclamation No. 90, Series of 2022, that longer weekends will help encourage domestic travel and increase tourism expenditures in the country. The adjustments to holidays, however, erode the essence of them. One example is the Ninoy Aquino Day, which was conventionally held on August 21 every year, but in the Proclamation No. 665 released by Marcos, it was moved to Friday, August 23 of this year.
Suspecting the administration for ulterior
motives—now gradually shedding obscurity— is outright understandable. Because of all holidays in 2024, for the record, why was Ninoy Aquino Day the only holiday moved in congruence to holiday economics but not Labor Day, which landed on May 1 (Wednesday), and Independence Day on June 12 (Wednesday)? More so, it is not untrue that Marcoses and Aquinos have not been painting the same political color, as witnessed on the ousting of former President-Dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. This correlates to the fate of the EDSA, which we normally commemorate on February 25 every year as a holiday.
Justifying such exclusion from the roster, the Office of the President said that declaring a special non-working holiday on a day that aligns with most workers’ rest day has minimal socio-economic impact. Prof. Melanie Turingan, Dean of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters and a historian said that one way to show you are against a holiday is first, to change its date and give little importance to it; the second way is if you want to conceal something you’re involved in. Indeed, it is disrespectful to one of the foundations of freedom in this nation that, at least, a single important day to remember it, is not even considered a holiday and has been washed off like a bloody stain from the fabrics of people’s power who fought for the freedom that we ironically enjoy today.
To be fair, holiday economics is of course beneficial from some angles. In 2023, the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Albay Representative Joey Salceda, cited an analysis by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) through input-output tables, then said that a boost in domestic tourism by 10% will add value to several other industries, as this is what holiday economics referred to as long weekends could yield.
Notwithstanding, holiday economics still favors the higher echelon or
economy class that does not depend solely on their wages, as in fact, they do get wages beyond the minimum rate. How the administration is treating holidays nowadays is a fact that we shift the praxis of commemorating them from the purpose of what hardships and triumphs they entailed for the sole goal of drawing money thereof.
Not to mention the historical damage it will cause in the future, reflecting how this generation strives with history, as apparent in the recent television show incident where the contestants are asked about Dr. Jose Rizal’s nickname, in which Miong and Joe Joe were their answers, not even close to Pepe—Rizal’s legitimate nickname.
What could be a better substitute for holiday economics comes best from the voice of the working class themselves. Thus, Nagkaisa chairman Sonny Matula said, “There are many ways to promote local tourism, like increasing the government’s budget for developing green infrastructure and creating green jobs in tourism areas, but revising history should never be part of this menu.”
No one can escape from paying the cost of a long weekend whitewash policy, and historical discernment is the currency to hold us susceptible to historical impassiveness. Holiday economics does not make sense, after all, on a large-scale basis; while its benefits exist, it should cater to everyone. In the end, as MSUans, we may no longer get surprised by this; like a suspended exam, either we become happy or disappointed. There is always a narrative for everything; hence, we must understand why it is important for these holidays to stay on their specific dates—unmovable and unaltered, for there are also stories behind their establishments.
Noli Me Tangere – Not Food Poor Edition
JASMINE JOY PANES
cartoon by James Sacabin
Hanggang saan aabot ang 20 pesos mo…
… o kung ayon pa sa National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), 21 pesos?
Ramdam ko pa ang pagkunot ng aking mga kilay isang araw nang mapadaan sa aking feed sa X ang kontrobersyal na pahayag ng NEDA Chief Arsenio Balisacan sa isang Senate Hearing noong ika-13 ng Agosto. Hindi raw “food poor” ang isang pamilyang Pilipino na may budget na 64 pesos per day, o 21 pesos per meal.
Jusko! Noong golden era pa siguro ang huling tapak ng mga taga-NEDA sa pamilihan kung kaya’t sobrang out-of-touch ang mga ito sa reyalidad. Ito man ay nakakatawa, ang totoo ay kung iisipin, sayang lamang ang buwis sa mga buwayang ito kung hindi naman pala nila alam ang tunay na sitwasyon ng bawat Juan na dapat nilang pinagsisilbihan.
Sa depensa naman ng NEDA, ang food threshold na ito ay hindi raw nangangahulugang ito ay katumbas na ng isang disenteng pamumuhay, subalit ito ay magsisilbing gabay lamang ng mga
mambabatas sa pagpapatupad ng mga polisiya. Dagdag pa nga nila, iilan sa mga maaaring bilhin sa 64 pesos ay ang instant noodles na pitong piso ang isang pakete at apat na piso para sa isang 180-gramo na kape. ‘Bare minimum’, kumbaga, para lamang makuha ang sapat na sustansya at enerhiya na kailangan sa pang-araw-araw.
Subalit, nang napadaan ako sa sari-sari store, ang isang instant noodle ay pumapalo sa 11 piso at ang kape naman ay walong piso. Talk about inflation! Kung ‘bare minimum’ naman pala ang paguusapan, tila ayon sa NEDA ay hanggang noodles at kape na lang ang deserve ng mga Pilipino. Ang ending? Mas mapapagastos pa ang maralitang Juan sa pang-dialysis at maintenance sanhi ng mga pagkaing ito na puno ng mga preserbatibong nakasasama sa kalusugan.
Speaking of inflation, ngayong taon ay nasa 4.9% na ang tinaas nito mula sa 1.9% noong 2019 kung pagbabasehan ang pinakabagong ulat mula sa Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Samantala, ang national poverty rate naman ay bumaba sa 15.5% noong 2023 mula sa 18.1% noong 2021. Good news nga ba? Hindi! Ayon sa PSA, ito ay nangangahulugan lamang na parang bumalik na sa lebel na ‘pre-pandemic’ kung saan ang bilang ng
datos sa 2023 ay katumbas ng 17 milyong mga mahihirap na pamilyang Pilipino noong 2018.
Kahit bali-baliktarin ang mundo, hindi sapat ang 21 pesos per meal. Sa loob ng Dakilang Pamantasan ng Heneral Santos, ang pinakamurang presyo ng go-to pastil ay nasa 15 pesos, na hindi talaga nakabubusog, lalo na kung galing ka pa sa pagbabaktas sa mainit at maalikabok na 164-ektaryang kampus o sa apat na oras na tuloy-tuloy na aralin sa isang major subject. Kung magdadala ng sariling kanin, ang presyo ng ulam ay nasa 10 pesos para sa isang sunny side up egg, 15 pesos pataas para sa putaheng de-gulay, at 35 pesos para sa fried chicken.
Para naman sa mga nangungupahan sa palibot ng pamantasan, higit na mas mahal pa rito ang mga pagkaing binebenta sa mga karinderya na nasa 10 pesos ang isang serving ng kanin at 20 pesos pataas para sa ulam. Dahil sa isang buong araw na bakbakan sa mga silid-aralan, hindi rin sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay may sapat na oras at mental na kapasidad ang mga isko upang ipagluto pa ang sarili ng pagkain.
Kahit pa sabihing ang food threshold na iyon ay gabay lamang, it is not very demure and not very mindful, NEDA! Talagang ganoon na ba kababa ang tingin ninyo sa mga Pilipino sa pagtakda ng mga bilang na ito? Ang inyong datos na ibinahagi ay masyadong malayo sa reyalidad ng masalimuot na buhay ng milyon-milyong nating mga kababayan.
Hindi namin deserve ang instant noodles at kape upang buhayin ang sarili sa araw-araw; ang nararapat na laman ng aming kumukulong sikmura ay ang masustansyang Go, Grow, at Glow foods. Deserve naming hindi lang makita sa mga patalastas ng gobyerno kung ano ang Pinggang Pinoy, kundi maranasan din ito sa tunay na buhay. Deserve namin ang ideyal na mga pagkaing itinuturo mula pa sa elementarya!
Kaya’t panahon na upang maningil tayo ng pananagutan sa mga nagtatrabaho sa NEDA. Isang malaking insulto sa mga nagbabanat ng buto para sa minimum wage kung kayo ay patuloy lamang sa pagtanggap ng libo-libo, pero hindi naman ninyo ginagawa ang inyong mga trabaho. Ngayon ay hindi sapat na magpakita na lamang tayo ng pekeng resiliency sa mga ito dahil mas lalo nilang ibinababa ang mga pamantayan sa pamumuhay ng mga Pilipino.
Subukan niyo kayang magtungo sa pamilihan ng may 21 pesos sa bulsa, upang malaman kung hanggang saan iyan aabot? Tingnan na lamang natin kung makakabili pa kayo ng mga sangkap na kasya na para sa isang disenteng kainan.
Bilang isang mahirap na iskong gutom at pagod mula sa mga klase na bumili ng dalawang tig-15 pisong pastil, huwag ninyo akong hawakan! Mas mayaman na ako ng siyam na piso mula sa 21 pesos ng NEDA!
The Play of Follies
DANIELLA DOCE, LESLIE ANNE PAYONGAYONG
Set upon the national stage of the Philippines, an ominous and somber tune plays. Hark, the entrants! Figures with power at their beck and call, pulling ranks over the nation, the subjects over whom they rule, and the very people that have enthroned them.
The nation’s brightest scholars gather, and in the throng where they toil for honor, for better lives, the enthroned sees red. Rebellion, a coup! They cry, pointing fingers,
turning their only all-seeing eye towards the faultless, turning a blind eye to all else. The subjects starve and claw on their empty guts, and to the grumbling of their stomachs, those enthroned and nursing well-fed paunches answer with 64 pesos, declaring: let them eat cake.
And then the subjects, amidst the misery and toils of their lives, remember. The freedom now lived in was no more than a fantasy just a few decades before. They
remember he who was martyred in the grand escape from tyranny, but his memory no longer lies in history, neither in a calendar nor national recollection. All that remained was a grave: first, of the hero’s death, and second, of the moment when even their memory’s commemoration was forsaken.
Men of the throne, are you entertained? Do you laugh from up there, amused by having played your subjects for fools? You rode upon your predecessors’ coattails and cartoon by jezrah gamutin
somehow made a monarchy: with abject horrors of rule and a forced clean slate made for the next generation. You watch, delighted, the wretched lives of the masses you’ve befouled. We shall bear witness to your own undoing; so parade your gilded crowns, and continue to be blissfully unaware of the fool’s cap of a court jester with which they have been long replaced. In your play of follies, there are none the wiser.
The Emperor’s New Red Classics have long alluded to the ‘foolish leader’ archetype. In particular, there is the humorous yet painfully reflective story of Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’, wherein an emperor is fooled into believing that he saw the fabric that foolish or incompetent people cannot see, only to turn out to be conned into buying expensive air, purely out of his and his court’s evident folly. Now, on the other hand, we have a new version, that is, the Emperor’s new red
Mindanao State University - General Santos City found itself to be among the top universities in a ranking of about hundredsnot for merits, but for the nonexistent red that the Philippine National Police (PNP) saw within.
As stated in a Senate panel hearing on public order and dangerous drugs by PNP Directorate for Operations Colonel Randy Arceo, MSU-GSC ranked 16th among the hundreds of other educational institutions. The list enumerates the institutions in which they’ve supposedly observed, since 2014, more than one recruitment activity into the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
Heavens forbid that institutions, teeming with educated scholars, express any form of sentiment that remotely criticizes authority. By pure coincidence, other points of interest in most of the watchlist, apart from alleged CPP-NPA recruitments, include student activism within such institutions, either in protests or other forms well within the students’ rights to freedom of expression.
The confidence that the CPP-NPA university recruitment list is touted with begs the question to be asked: is it truly red that you see, or has your vision turned red from the educated criticism of the actions you’ve made, alongside the consequences and responsibilities you continue to evade?
A grumbling stomach? Here’s sixty-POOR pesos!
A simple yet well-deserved treat after a weary day finds you comfort. But staring at your one hundred fifty-peso drink, aren’t you disheartened that the price of your one drink could already sustain a whole family for two whole days? Does this soiled act not stir your stomach in various ways?
Living off of a dire sixty-four-peso meal for a day? That’s what’s revealed when the real cost of barely living on the minimum is examined. With the nation now uncovering the broader issue of general insufficiency, the disparity between income and living costs is becoming alarmingly evident. Behold the severe insufficiency of food budgets which cruelly compromises the nutritional health of the nation, indicating the harsh realities for Filipinos who deserve more than just making crucial ends meet only to restrict food supplies — definitely a cyclic trap set upon by the puppeteers of above.
Having the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) propose a despicable estimation of sixty-four pesos for daily expenses and twenty-one pesos per meal for consumption is an unbelievable outcome. Given that the daily minimum wage salary of individuals as stated by the Department of Labor and Employment in January 2024 only ranges up to six hundred and ten pesos, families of five or more detrimentally experience severe limitations in accessing adequate and nutritious food, according to Ria Formentera of the Familist (2024).
What could even fit in a sixty-four-peso meal? A pack of instant noodles for eleven pesos? A serving of pastil for fifteen pesos? Or a can of sardines that may cost twenty-two pesos and more? Like a domino effect, the scarcity of food adequacy will all eventually end up in poor nutrition among citizens, affecting the health and welfare of every citizen, be it physiologically or economically. As wrecked as it seems, it is still prominently undeniable that even the poorest of the poor continue to struggle to maintain such a meager amount.
With a heavy heart and a grumbling stomach, now is the right time to realize that the fools of the fools, the tricksters of all jacks, can succeed no more in playing the game of deception. It is now the right time to ensure every individual’s right to be sufficiently fed, having the means to fully live
a healthy and dignified life.
Out of spite, or for respite?
‘Holiday Economics’ is nothing new, but selectively applying it while conveniently besmirching the commemoration of one’s old heroic political rival (by proxy) is something new.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been shuffling around non-working holidays as of late for the aforementioned reason: holiday economics. With long weekends in mind, the celebration of certain holidays can be moved to the nearest weekends to create a longer respite rather than having an illplaced holiday in the middle of a productive work week.
What’s puzzling, however, is that other holidays such as Labor Day and Independence Day (May 1 and June 12, respectively), weren’t moved to be celebrated in the nearest weekends in a similar manner.
Only the Ninoy Aquino Day was moved with the reason of holiday economics, while the other two enumerated holidays were left as is. If it were done in good faith- why would one only move the holiday made in remembrance of a specific and historically significant figure? Whether this act of moving around holidays for one of the most prominent figures of our country’s illustrious past was done out of spite– or for the masses’ respite– what has happened makes either reason fit the bill. One can only wonder whether incrementally moving holidays such as this time would still leave remaining holidays untouched, or free of personal agenda.
Draw the curtains
The finale approaches, and as the cacophony of comedies coalesces into one grand effigy, the subjects’ chants of protests will grow louder as the mise-en-scene becomes too much of a burden to bear.
True, the ones perched atop their thrones hold power, but the subjects hold just as much, if not more.
Draw the heavy curtains; end the nonsensical play. The court jester’s fool’s cap has long been unperturbed as it kept up its proud farce– revive the true weight that comes with wielding power and the liability which it bears. Conclude the play of follies.
Gold Knows No Kryptonite
“I’m shooting for the stars” - Carlos Edriel Yulo, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist
“No one can stop us, because we’re humans too, and sports don’t have gender, so we can perform; we can do our best.”Hidilyn Diaz, Olympic Gold Medalist
These words from our Olympic champions were true feats to remember, a reminder to the spectators of the never-ending possibilities of true passion that outweighed stereotypes and hurdles, a feat that inspired an entire generation. However, how tough was the process they faced in the trenches—to go beyond horizons and seek gold?
Throughout history, traditional gender roles in the Philippines have been deeply embedded in society, catalyzing stereotypes, particularly in sports. In this context, sports like artistic gymnastics, which is often associated with grace and flexibility, and weightlifting, which is traditionally viewed as a male-dominated sport associated with strength and masculinity, have both been susceptible to the underrepresentation of men and
Carlos Yulo admitted, “In 2020, I wasn’t that confident in myself; I felt shy with my movements because I didn’t really know myself yet.” However, Yulo is well aware that the journey towards his dreams can be tough; therefore, resorting to enjoying the process and smiling has been helpful. Despite falling short of expectations at the Tokyo Olympics three years prior, that didn’t stop him from reaching his ultimate dream with the help of his team, which strengthened his mental and emotional toughness this year and enabled him to create history for Team Philippines in the Paris Olympics. Yulo successfully clinched two golds at the Paris Olympics’ men’s floor exercise and vault last August 3 and 4, 2024, and made the whole Filipino community immensely proud, together with Filipina boxers Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio, who both got bronze medals in women’s boxing. With these achievements, they continue to challenge these long-held beliefs of stereotypes and inspire a new generation.
Diaz, on the other hand, said that she had a lot of bullying as a kid because she lifted weights. “When I was growing up I
a remarkable merit at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She did not lift a heavy metal but rather raised her aspirations and the whole Filipino nation. Now that she’s in the spotlight, there’s no more hiding. Referred to as “Queen Hidilyn” by the Philippine media, she has emerged as a prominent figure for numerous women and embodied authenticity and grace in representing women in such a sport, which still remains eminent years after winning a gold medal.
They were no superwoman and superman; however, they shared the same values—to strive and stand up after storms. Athletes are primarily believed to be molded by numerous attempts to perfect a routine to earn a gold medal, unaware that they’re the true gold all along—valuable and strong that knows no weakness.
There may be areas in sports where gender classification is necessary for the reason that there are categories for men and women due to biological differences that affect a variety of traits, including strength, flexibility, balance, agility, and speed. What should be embraced is the notion that a person’s chances shouldn’t be restricted because of conventional gender stereotypes. “Kababae mong tao, nagbubuhat ka.” “Kalalaki mong tao, ang lambot ng katawan mo” these phrases we often hear no longer have a place to be espoused in today’s society. These are forces that degrade everyone’s limitless
Of nothing but static and solitude
“Mingaw na ko nimo. Uli siguro ko ugma, or unsa man? Wala ko palabot ah if need ko mag absent. Mingaw na ko. Pabalika ko dinha.”
A static crack. The break of dawn starts to get through me, and another day would pass with me lying down in this lifeless room of nothingness, its corners warped with solitude. I could hear the hesitance of the voice on the other line, a classic reminder of what cannot happen. I try to take a deep sigh and let the coffee from yesterday’s morning sorrows seep to my veins, each ounce of caffeine driving my wretched heart to pump out of longing.
“Ako ba, muuli dira. Pwede man, hangyo ra ko kay ma’am. Okay ra man guro ang isa ka absent.”
A static crack. I have no canned goods left in my cabinet anymore, and maybe by tomorrow what is left is for me to devour all this longing. I want to tell someone I have no 15 pesos left to have at least a grain of rice and a piece of chicken pastil. I am no good. In this exchange of four years I have placed myself in impending doom, and this sort of torture would start to strangle me out of this thing they call living.
“Mang, uli ko dinha. Mag impake na k—”
“Pagpuyo dinha. Ayaw balik dinhi. Paningkamot dinha sa MSU, nak.”
A static crack.
Nothing but pure silence, and a barely beating heart.
I lived in a fairytale of sadness and grief, Where I played as a queen in a kingdom jammed with tragedies. Darkness became my friend and the walls I built is my companion, Isolation and uneasiness formed an unbreakable union.
I lived in a fairytale of melancholy and nostalgia, There, despair and I lived like we deserved such a frightful trauma. The blood of isolation flowed freely in my veins, And a weight of remorse pressed as it racked my brain.
I lived in a fairytale—not so magical and free, At night sleep fled from my eyes, so I stayed up to see, How I remained roused and a lost spirit wandered in me, I was seized by remorse as a sense of guilt showed no mercy.
I wanna leave, but I have grown inclined with the fairytale I lived.
Ayaw na bawasi ug kinse Sputnik Star
Sama sa kalingawan sa panghitabo kagahapon, mao na ni ang kapalit sa akong pagka “tamad”—sa akong mga desisyon sa kinabuhi nga halos dili nako matawag na “desisyon”, sa akong pagkalisod nga halos wala nay makaon kada udto habang naa sa eskwelahan. Pagka pait na kinabuhi ni, nawalaan na sad tag 200. Pila man nang 500 subtracted to 200 bi? Ah, 300. 300 pesos bilin sa allowance na maayo unta sa isa ka bulan.
“Unsa ra gud nang kinse?”
Unsa ra gyud bitaw? Pila ra gud ang pagpalit ug pastil dinha sa Assa kung gigutom ka, tag kinse ra man nang pastil. Pero isipa daw, mamasahe pa ko padulong backgate, halos ma career na nako ang pagiging tour guide sa paglibot-libot nako sa MSU kay wala koy pamasahe mahatag sa rider. Hahaha, paita na kinabuhi. Akon nalang ni, magpuyo nalang ko.
“Te, ari akong bayad o sa fines, 200 na tanan.”
Gikuha nako ang 200 sa akong pitaka. Gihatag sa iyaha ug naghuna-huna kung unsa pay makaon sunod ugma. Paano nako pagkasiyahon akong kahago ug kalisod para ibadyet akong kwarta dinhi sa 250 na litera ni ining sulata ni? Unta mahuna-hunaan nila na kung ako galakat; akong pamilya gakamang para lang makapadayon ko dinhing skwelaha. Sa akong pitaka na halos wala nay unod. Sa akong bulsa. Sa suok sa akong cabinet. Mubalik pa kaha ang kwarta?
“Bai, pastil ta?”
Ikaw ra. Nawala na gani ang 200 sa akong pitaka, bawasan pa nimo ug kinse?
Llianah Marie Mora
Illustration by Michael Angelo Villanueva
Nawala na sad ang 200 sa akong pitaka.
Illustration by Ash Pio
The fairytale I lived Hezel Ann Sulan
Illustration by Jewel Tapel
Looped in a Limbo Rock
In a never-ending preparation towards advancing athletic excellence, Mindanao State University-General Santos City athletes remained trapped in a state of perpetual readiness that never leads into action, while for three consecutive years, the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) competition has escaped our sights, turning what seemed like a promising opportunity into a distant dream.
Regardless of the difficulties, MSUGSC athletes continue their rigorous training, motivated not only by the prospect of medals but by a profound commitment to growth and excellence, as highlighted by a volleyball team member’s August 27, 2024 post that captured the MSU community’s attention with its expression of frustration over being unable to showcase their skills beyond campus.
This sentiment reflects the ongoing frustration within the Sports
Development Office (SDO) and among athletes and coaches who, after their triumph at the Mindanao State University System Athletic Association Unity Games, eagerly anticipate the MASTS competition each year. Although they have worked diligently to secure this opportunity, the administration’s refusal to approve participation has cultivated a persistent sense of despair, highlighting a broader issue of unfulfilled athletic potential.
By uniting state universities across the islands, the MASTS competition highlights a broad range of athletic talents, promoting both individual growth and institutional unity. However, the administration’s ongoing denial of the opportunity for our dedicated athletes to participate has led to unfulfilled expectations and broken promises, leaving their potential unrealized despite repeated assurances. This continued impediment to achieving sports excellence has cast doubt on whether
cartoon by Ash Pio
the university sees itself as more than just academically strong, or merely a big pawn in sports.
Having last participated in the sporting event during the 2021 pandemic, MSU-GSC adapted to a virtual format, where student-athletes demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience despite unprecedented challenges. However, as the world transitions to a new normal, the university appears to have regressed rather than advanced, starkly contrasting with the spirit of perseverance shown during the pandemic and undermining progress in Mindanao-wide competitions.
Burdened by the competitors’ despair due to financial constraints imposed by the administration, the SDO is working diligently to secure participation in the MASTS Games 2024. Professor Sammielyn Lavente, the current SDO Director, reflects a strong commitment to supporting the coaches and players, emphasizing their willingness to make sacrifices to ensure that the team receives the exposure they deserve and is given the opportunity to compete.
Prof. Lavente mentioned that during the deliberation, the Vice Chancellor of Finance advised them that financial support for this year was not possible owing to budget restrictions. The university is confronting a number of resource management problems, with an emphasis on academic priority. Due to limited resources, hiring new faculty for the upcoming semester takes priority, while paying job order workers adds to the challenge.
She recalled that during the second negotiation, they were told participation “might still be possible.” After meeting with coaches, finalizing the budget, and securing support from an outside sponsor for jerseys, the local government coordinated the transportation arrangements for the athletes, ensuring everything was settled.
Anticipating the upcoming tournament, the Sports Office spent two weeks in August finalizing preparations and securing funds, only to be met with frustration in the third week when they were informed that participation was not permitted. This decision has disheartened not only the Sports Office and coaches but also the athletes, many of whom are in their final year and devastated by the lost opportunity to represent the college in their last competition.
Jane Vea Lendio, captain of the MSU-GSC women’s badminton team, expressed her
displeasure, saying, “I’m really upset about the university’s decision not to join MASTS, especially after they promised us we’d be participating. We were excited to compete at MSUSAA 2024 and represent the university at MASTS. We trained hard, sacrificed a lot, and then, when they pulled out at the last minute— just weeks before the event—it felt like we’d been robbed of something we’d worked so hard for.”
She urged the institution to involve athletes and coaches in the choice process, provide timely updates, and ensure that athletes feel respected as individuals within the university, not just as competitors, by offering clear explanations for any changes.
The decision, driven by a significant budget cut for the academic year 2024-2025, has forced the university to reevaluate priorities and resource allocation, underscoring the need to not only reassess but also enhance support and acknowledge athletes’ talents beyond campus activities.
By leveraging its influence to lobby the administration for increased support and funding for sports programs, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) faces the challenge of actively supporting and advocating for student-athletes by pushing for more athletic opportunities that can help ensure that athletes receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve both on and off campus.
Originally scheduled for September 10-15 at Josefina H. Cerilles State College (JHCSC), the MASTS Games have been postponed to November 23-30 due to accommodation issues, placing increased pressure on the Sports Development Office (SDO) and administration, who now face a critical juncture as they push for urgent dialogue to explore all options and assess whether there is still a realistic chance to participate this year.
With their demonstrated capabilities, our athletes deserve more than an endless cycle of uncertainty; they need consistent support throughout their preparation to achieve true sports excellence. Providing ongoing assistance not only enhances our university’s prestige but also reinforces our commitment to excelling in both academics and athletics. The time for warm-ups has passed; it is now essential to challenge these athletes on a larger stage where they can showcase their talents and elevate the university to greater achievements.
“ With their demonstrated capabilities, our athletes deserve more than an endless cycle of uncertainty; they need consistent support throughout their preparation to achieve true sports excellence.
AMPLIFYING VOICES DEFENDING FREEDOM PUBLISHING TRUTH