7 minute read
FACE THE PHASES: Through the Looking Glass
Amidst the timeless symphony of frames adorning the hallowed walls of the Chancellor’s Gallery, an MSUan stands in reverent contemplation. Each frame, depicts a history, holds within it the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of generations past. In this gallery of legacies, he gazes upon the mosaic of narratives which manifests as a mirror that reflects the current normality. Through the looking glass, he foresees a reality both recognizable yet at the same time not. The glimpse of realities depicts different eras, one which is obscured and shrouded, another seemed bright yet shadowed, and lastly, a golden haze filled with uncertainties.
As we welcome the Golden Era of Mindanao State University - General
Santos City and commemorate the 51st Anniversary of Martial Law, it is imperative to reminisce about the phases it lived through that prompt the narratives it currently embodies. Delving deeper to the roots of different mirrors in our Institution—from the grayest of its hues to the golden shimmers of today, may the journey through the looking glass direct the future we aim to attain as we touch the vital narratives in our status quo.
Mirrors of the Past: A Tale to Tell
Mindanao State University was established from the hopes and dreams of our predecessors. Its history trails back to a critical juncture — a year after the proclamation of Martial Law by
Ferdinand Marcos Sr. In the midst of this historical turbulence, Mindanao State University - General Santos City emerges as a tale of enduring courage, earning its rightful place as the revered “school of survivors.” molding resilient students, it still lacks action for a significant change and leaves a detrimental narrative to the students’ end. While being branded as such do not entail a negative note, it leaves a tainted mark to accountability. administration, casting a shadow on our accomplishments.
MSU-GSC started off as a public High school, to a community college that shares a small portion of land with Dadiangas campus, and gradually became an independent University that has its own. However, during the heights of Martial Law, it has threatened the community college’s existence. From there, MSU-Gensan strives its way to survive while delivering excellence, which now manifests in our status quo.
Moreover, as the Marcoses return to power, poses a great loom of historical distortion that affects the whole MSU system. It is undeniably true that this family has no intentions of making amends for the heinous crimes they have committed towards the Filipino people, nor of offering apologies for all the bruises they inflicted on our motherland. In this month of September, we commemorate the 51st Anniversary of the dark chapter in Philippine History – the Martial Law. Decades may pass, but the horrors of the past still remain in the minds, hearts, and bodies of the victims; their unwanted comeback further added salt to the wound.
A clear intention to burnish their name is evident on their recent directive to change “Diktadurang Marcos” to simply “Diktadura” in the Grade 6 Araling Panlipunan syllabus under the new Matatag curriculum. As shameless as they already are, the Department of Education (DepEd), spearheaded by Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s crony Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, is now on the move to corrupt the young minds of the next generations. It does not end there, as they have been manipulating history through fake news that circulate throughout social media especially during the last elections. Their attempts to shift the narratives reflect their motive to obscure the mirror of the past to make the Filipinos forget their wrongdoings.
In forgetting the remnants of Martial Law, means forgetting the roots of Mindanao State University - General Santos City which was built to be an institution of knowledge to those who are victims of injustice and poor leadership. The stories of triumph and chronicle of hope vanishes as the obscured mirror of the past seems too shrouded to tell.
Originally, Mindanao State University was built to accommodate the progress of Muslims and Lumads in Mindanao—a chance for them to enrich and showcase their culture that has endured a series of neglect as they aim for peace during the heights of Martial Law where the stereotyping towards our Lumads and Muslim brothers and sisters took height. Furthermore, a hope for General Santos City to have a public state college where indigents and residents can study. Yet, during the last enrollment period for the Academic Year 2023-2024, the admission process of MSU-GSC was unfair for some of the College Bound Program (CBP) passers and waitlisted students. Their efforts to attend classes in order to secure enrollment at the institution were in vain, as they were met with unavailable slots, and others were unknowingly placed on the courses that they had not chosen.
Face the Phases
Navigating through the different phases as we step into the golden era beacons us to ponder the sorrows of the past and the shadows of the present. In order for our advancement towards the future, it requires us to face the phases while reflecting on the narratives it holds. Now that the biggest tyrant’s son sits in his shimmering golden throne of irony, it is crystal clear that his primary ambition is to bury the unsettled past of his father’s regime, exploit the nation’s present resources, and leave the future crumbling. In the spiraling tapestry of time, it appears that history is weaving its intricate patterns once more – a reminder and, perhaps, a punishment for those who failed to learn from it.
Mirrors of the Present: Through the Looking Glass
As years continue to add up and the walls of MSU-Gensan begin to age, the narrative it holds also starts to deteriorate. Despite the current successes of the institution and its brand of delivering excellence and
Recently, the administration has shifted the narrative as it puts a premium on other aspects while neglecting the essential foundations required for quality education. Furthermore, branding excellence stands in stark contrast to its failure in providing basic amenities such as electric fans, comfortable chairs, and teachers’ desks, which raises significant concerns about the administration’s commitment. The shortage of classrooms has led to classes being held in uncomfortable, mosquito-infested cottages. Even the university’s varsity team has suffered from inadequate financial support from the administration, leading to subpar conditioning due to a lack of equipment and coaches. What’s even worse, they were unable to participate in the recently concluded Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Friendship Games 2023 due to budget constraints.
While we celebrate our achievements in Intramurals and the excellence of our board passing rates continue to rise, the gleaming mirror of the present is marred by the shortcomings of the
While the fiscal turbulence in our economy serves as a time teller, there’s still more to the unprecedented lows of the receding tides. The very hope for a bright future for our Lumad, Muslim and Indigent brothers and sisters quivers under the weight of budgetary slashes as their hope for free education comes into a spiral of doubt. Year after year, the university’s population grows, yet the repeating call for basic classroom amenities and sports funding seems to fall on deaf ears. Despite our yearning for optimism, the course we currently on leaves a hazy veil over our envisioned future, shrouding it with uncertainty.
As Mindanao State University - General Santos City celebrates its 50 “Golden” years of excellence, may every MSUan pay attention to the obscured mirror of the past, shadowed gleaming mirror of the present, and the hazy mirror of the future. Standing at the crossroads of our history, casting our gaze upon the tales of yesteryears and the unfolding narratives of today, let these reminiscences and reflections serve as a forge of a renewed perspective— an essential compass for navigating our golden path forward. May our realizations embody the long-sought peace and inclusivity, where everything becomes history, history becomes a mirror, and mirror’s reflection begets renewal.
