BCR legitimacy, on question
Rumors of the alleged illegality of the program Bachelor in Communication Research has put to an end after concerned parties agreed that the issue was resolved. The BCR, the newest program offered by the CoC, recently became a subject of inquiry as spreaded rumors includes that the said course was not accredited by the Board of Regents (BoR), and the possible invalidity would result to dissolve the BCR I-1 class. CoC Student Council Vice President Bianca Lapuz
BCR/see p2
BOR appoints Guevarra as AP
Katherine B. Garcia
Due to another legal impediment, the PUP Board of Regents (BOR) resorted to appointing Dr. Dante Guevarra as the University Acting President (AP) for four years, in the latest BOR meeting held last November 2 at the Hotel Rembrandt. The said decision was m a d e a f t e r a Te m p o r a r y Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QCRTC) was presented an hour before the meeting, prohibiting the BOR or any university official to appoint a university president and Dr. Guevarra from sitting and voting as member of the Board.
(November 2) should not be upheld for the said proceeding did not reach a quorum, disabling the Board to act as a body. The BOR, according to Ofilan has violated the Commission on Higher Education Law by counting Dr. Guevarra, the representatives of the National Economic Development Autority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Chairmen of the Congressional Committees on Education and Culture as members of the Board.
not to participate in the voting and left the Board room. According to Board Secretary Atty. Estelita Wi Dela Rosa, the four Regents gave up their right to vote, leaving the Board with only five remaining Regents. The appointment of Dr. Guevarra was unanimous since the remaining five all voted for Guevarra. The highest policy making body opted to appoint an Favoring Guevarra AP while there is a Faculty Regent Anastacio TRO hindrance and Gabriel, Alumni Regent Jose the other court rulings Abat, Student Regent Henry are still unsettled, STILL NO LEGITIMATE PRESIDENT. Dr. Dante Guevarra was Questioning legalities The petition for TRO was Enaje, Private Sector Regent in order to suffice, appointed as the University Acting President for four years in the latfiled by Mr. Joel V. Ofilan, Eleuterio Coronel and BOR if not really answer est BOR meeting held last November 2. Student Council President of Chair Dr. Carlito Puno all the urgent call of all the College of Law. favored for Guevarra to be sectors in the PUP community “With Dr. Guevarra as should never forget that the Ofilan cited in his petition appointed as the University for a legitimate president. the Acting President, he now community is in need of a that Dr. Guevara, being an AP. has the authority to answer legitimate president, we have Officer in Charge, has no voting On the other hand, Regents Same powers the pleas of all sectors in the to continue demanding for it,” power in any BOR meeting for Graciano Yumul of DOST, Dela Rosa also cleared PUP community but still we said SR Henrie Enaje. he is not a Board member. Atty. Roldolfo Noel Quimbo that although Dr. Guevarra He also pointed that the of Senate, Atty. Armi Mina was only appointed as an decision last October 16 to Dayot-Corpuz of Congress Acting President, he still has finally appoint a president in and Representative of Rolando the same powers of a legitimate the following Board meeting Tungpalan of NEDA decided president. Robinson Lagunday yells of “CoC Fight!” and “CoC, The College of Communication Galing ng PUP”. Pep Squad cheered all the way “Siguro yung nagpanalo to the top with its rhythmic sa’min ay yung spirit. Kasi inenjoy Student Council President The selection process was moves and awesome liftings namin yung competition,” Ma. Elena Abundo once headed by OIC Vice President and pyramids executed in full Juancho Bejar, one of the again brought pride and for Student Services Dante unison amid the uproar of the cheerleaders, said. honor to the College of V.Gedaria. Those who passed CoC students at the jampacked CoC dethroned the back C o m m u n i c a t i o n a s the paper screening were PUP Gym, October 10. to back champion PUP-Taguig s h e b a g g e d t h e M o s t interviewed by the chosen Dressed in white with who settled for a runner-up Outstanding Student Pylon judges from Land Bank, green and maroon lining while College of Business Award, the highest award Department of Education resembled to the CoC shirt, the finished a strong third. given to the five most and Marco Delos Reyes, cheering squad had a month of “Evident sa competition na outstanding students in the National Union of Students preparation to conceptualize united and CoC. Nakuha namin university. of the Philippines (NUSP) the cheer that was supposed yung support from the CoC, Dr. Abundo was chosen President. The selected to be held last September 29 Soriano, faculty, and students. a l o n g w i t h t wo o t h e r students were interviewed but was postponed due to the Talagang laban ito ng CoC,” Bejar students form College of according to their academic typhoon Milenyo. added. Office Administration and achievements, leadership Getting the full support Pe t e r A d e l b e r t h , J M Business Teacher Education qualities and community of the CoC community, from Valenzuela and Terrence (COABTE), one from College involvement. College Dean Dr. Robert J a m i l l a n o w e r e t h e of Science (CS) and another T h e P y l o n Aw a r d Soriano, the faculty staff and choreographers of the cheer one from PUP Laboratory was also given to the most the students, the Pep Squad together with the collective High School (LHS). outstanding faculty, employee came in high spirits at the ideas of the Pep Squad. They were awarded at and student organizations in actual event and truly enjoyed CoC last bagged the Intelligence and Dedication. Abundo proved that she has both after bagging the the Office of the President the university. their performance with the championship crown way back Pylon Award. last October 2. by Annabel Nuñez morale boosting chant and 2003.
COC Pep Squad Emerges Champ
SC Prexy, Pylon Awardee
PUP Cheering Competition held
PUP celebrates 102nd Founding Anniv
James Brian Ona poses beside his winning photo during the 6th Art Petron National Student Art Competition awards day.
Two COC students prevail in Art Petron
Two College of Communication students showed visual artistry with the use of their lens by winning in the 6 th Art Petron National Student Art Competition, Black and White Photography which was awarded last August 31 at the Petron Mega Plaza, Makati. Wi t h t h e t h e m e A l a y Sa Sining Pinoy (Diwa ng Pagkatuto) which focuses on the indigenous arts of the Filipino, James Brian K. Ona, and Jophel Ybiosa was able to depict the inherent creativity of the Filipino in art through images. Ona (BJ 4-1) bagged first place on the said category with his photo entitiled “Karunungan Mula Kay Lola”. The picture portrays a grandmother weaving a linen cloth of Barong Tagalog while her granddaughter watch how the art of weaving was forever woven to the fabric of grandmotherly love. On the other hand, Ybiosa (RC 4-4) capped two runnerup prizes in his entry “Sto. Niño ni Niña” and “Kultura ng Kasuotan”. Ybiosa pictured the innocent smile of Niña carrying the icon of Sto. Niño while his other entry depicts two men wearing native textile cloth with an attractive wall in the background. With a total of eight entry
in the competition, Ona was thankful in winning in the Art Petron. He said that he is doubly happy with his outright victory with only his first try. “Sa tingin ko ang nagpanalo sa akin ay yung choice ng subject ko at saka syempre yung knowledge ko about photography,” Ona disclosed. Though he didn’t have any formal visual training, Ybiosa proved that it is not a hindrance in winning in the Art Petron. Also a runner in the 4 th Art Petron Tilt in Photography last 2004, he said that his continuous joining on the said competition is instrumental in obtaining knowledge in photography. “Yung distinguishing factor ang isa sa mga hinahanap ng mga judges at yung pagiging unique ng photo ko ang sa tingin kong nagpanalo sa ‘kin,” Ybiosa said. Ona received P30,000 check, an Art petron trophy carved by National Artist and Art Petron Chairman Napoleon Abueva and souvenir form Art Petron. Ybiosa pocketed two P15,000 che an Art Petron trophy and souvenir. The National Competition had six Grand Prize winners and six runners-up. Art Petron has the full rights on the winning entries to be used in the 2007 calendar and other advertisements. by Robinson Lagunday
In cooperation with Art.Kom
Student Attache holds September Affair
Student Attache James Jan Casumpang in cooperation with Art.Kom and the Office of the Dean launched last September 25-29 the second “An Affair to Remember,” a weeklong activity and seminar for CoC students with the theme: Utilizing CoC Strengths thru specialized expositions. The event, which was an original concept by Bachelor in Journalism students back in 2001, was unfolded last September 25. The first day of the event featured Music Video Festival by the Second year Broadcasting students. Casumpang together with Art.Kom introduced on the second day of the event the Ad
Astra, the Official Newsletter of the office of the Student Attache and Art.Kom and Mind You Project. Heavy rains and typhoons didn’t hamper the RC 4-1 aand RC 4-3 to conduct the Aspects of Film Production, an exhibit and fashion show showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of broadcasting students in film diorama, prosthetics make-up, natural make-up, character make-up, musical scoring, and promotion and design. Supervised by College Dean Dr. Robert Soriano, the highlight of the event is the exhibit and the fashion show of RC 4-1 and Rc 4-3 clad in prosthetics and make-up. The seminars on Graphic
Bringing a festive atmosphere in the largest state university in the country, the Central Student Council spearheaded a series of activities in celebration of PUP’s 102nd Founding Anniversary, October 2-6, with the theme “PUP Fairsident. We Want You!” The weeklong celebration kicked off with a grand parade participated by thousands of PUP students. Theme building activities like the Obstacle Race and Laro ng Lahi were also conducted aiming to promote peace and solidarity among the students.
Broad Circle goes Radio
Voice of the Youth (VOTY), a non-partisan, non-sectarian, non-profit, civic, youth-led, information and advocacy yo u t h o r g a n i z a t i o n , h a s recently invited BroadCircle to join its roster of juvenile staff in their youth-oriented radio show, Voice of the Youth sa Radyo: Ito Ang Tinig Mo! This live radio talk show, which is written, produced and hosted by the people of VOTY, discusses ordinary youth issues with great impact on the teenage populace. Every episode, they invite guests to share thoughts and opinions on a specific topic. Other features of the show are segments such as Balitang Kabataan, Voluntime, and E-Liham. BroadCircle was made known to VOTY through Richardson ‘RS’ Mojica, Chairman of BroadCircle and also a member of VOTY. “When they learned that I’m a Mass Comm student and the chairman of BroadCircle, they requested me to ask volunteers for the show, and so here we are,” explains RS. Right now, core group members of the BroadCircle are exclusively given the opportunity to be on the show, a privilege for the active members of the organization. T h e s h o w a i r s e ve r y Sunday, from ten to eleven in the morning, over DZME 1530 KHZ Radyo Uno. by Jan Meynard Nualla Design and Desktop Publishing, English Proficiency and Lecture on Media Management which were postponed due to the typhoon Milenyo are expected to be conducted next semester. The CoC Photo Mural-an inauguration and exhibit of the officials of CoC expected to kick-off this semester. Asked on how did he come up with the second “An Affair to Remember,” Casumpang said, “It’s so hard for me to conduct this activity because I’m only one, so I lack manpower. What I did is to look for organizations to tie up with me. Also, this serves as training ground for me in my future as a good leader.” by Robinson Lagunday Ramon Josue
Mary Jane Mallari & Joanne Llobrera
The much awaited grand finals of the PUP Idol ’06 was held at the Claro M. Recto Hall on October 3, making College of Communication’s John Vincent Decena as this year’s campus singing sensation. In cooperation of Commission on Student Organization Accreditation (COSOA), a basketball friendship game and acquaintance party was held on October 4.
To close the celebration, the finals of the “Stop the Killings! Start the Jamming!” band festival was held on October 6, featuring local bands from PUP as well as from the mainstream. Prior to the weeklong celebration, an academic competition was also organized by the administration participated by different colleges from the Branches and Extensions.
BCR Legitimacy on question
from p1 made initial inquiry regarding the matter as information reached her the course is not yet in good position. Moreover, Lapuz talked to BCR president Ebenezer Bonbon to verify this claim and suggested that the class should make a letter of inquiry address to the CoC Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs to stop the doubts and queries of the program. But even before the letter is made, concerned parties believed that the issue was settled. In a letter addressed to Engr. Dante Gedaria, OIC-Vice President for Student Services and External Affairs, Dr. Robert Soriano said in his letter that the BCR issue was simply a ‘nuisance in communication’. Dr. Soriano requested for the copy of the minutes of the May 8 Academic Council Meeting to Engr. Gedaria which Ms. Lapuz sought to clarify and finally closed out the issue. But the document is still to be presented. Ms. Lapuz also had a casual talk with Prof. Randy Alcantara faculty assistant of Dr. Gedaria in which the former inquired about the possible implications if the course had not been approved by the BOR.
Prof. Racidon Bernarte, one of the proponents of the Communication Research Course said that VPSSEA is not the right office to inquire but the VPAA. The VPAA is accountable for all new programs and curricular revisions approved by the body. H o we ve r, M s . L a p u z claimed that it was just a casual talk. Engr. Gedaria lent Ms. Lapuz last September 7 a copy of the proposed curricular revision of COC at the Academic Council Meeting, also, the University Registrar Prof. Melba Abaleda confirmed that all new programs and curricular revisions were approved by the body. And the COC Student Council Vice president was convinced. “Hindi magiging legal kung hindi dumaan sa proseso, approved ang BCR ng Academic Council, VPAA at BOR,” Prof. Bernarte said “We just wanted to clear out the rumors and we believed that the issue was settled,” Bonbon said. The PUP is only the second university to offer a Communication Research Course, next only to University of the Philippines. by Robinson Lagunday & Ramon Josue
CoC holds annual Sportsfest Intrams
In line with the theme, “CoC: Soaring Higher Through Sports”, the MassComm students, faculty members and administrators, with full energy gathered for the annual sports festival, September 5-9. The five day celebration was organized by the Student Council, headed by Committee on Cultural Sports Chair Franco Tarnate Jr. On the first day, Nelia Arevalo of BBrC IV-3 emceed the invocation to formally open the sports activity in the CoC car park. Each game, which has been scheduled daily, was participated by year Basketball Green Team Volleyball (M)- Green (W)- Red Team Badminton (M)
levels. Color-coded scheme was imposed throughout the whole festival. Freshmen were identified as Green team, Sophomores as Yellow team, Juniors as Blue and Seniors, Red team. Due to lack of equipment, table tennis was pulled out from the game list. Declared as the overall champion for the CoC Olympics ’06, Green Team cheered for the victory. “Naging successful naman yung celebration ng sports fest, kasi suportado sya ng students as well as professors,” Tarnate disclosed. by Lovely Temporada & Ma. Victoria Conde
Single- Green Doubles- Green (Aljohn Agunday and Hector Agano) Chess Red (Leonard Hutulla RC IV-1)
Scrabble (W) Asia Carigma (RC II-4) Word Factory (M)Robinson Lagunday (BJ IV-1) (W)- Angelica Arra de Jesus
Editorial S
LEADERS
Editorial Board 2006-07
tudent leaders of this college should be reminded on to whom they are really for. The move by the CoC Student Council last August to once and for all clarify the appropriate functions of the Communication Society has heaved concerns not only from the members of the organizations in CoC but also from the whole studentry as well. For what it’s worth, it has brought back the long over due issue on who should be the governing student body in the college. For the record, student governance is not, and should never be the role of an academic organization or even by a student appointee, may it be done by the highest ranking official in the college. Leave the job to the Student Council. They are, in the place, voted by the students. But this is not just an issue on who should have the mandate and authority. It’s inadequate to just look at things that way. If there’s anything that the CoC students should learn from the issue, it is to look beyond the surface of everything that’s being spoon-fed to them by their leaders and even by the administrators. Primarily because in everything that’s happening within the confines of this college, the students are primarily the ones accumulating the effect, may it be on new policies or political bickering. It is about time they get involved. There should be no place for passivity, especially when their rights and welfare and of the people around them, are at stake. Complacency impedes development. In this case, it has led to years of malpractice, resulting to more conflicts between organizations. Overlapping functions are the proper term. More so, it has bred confusion from the ranks of the studentry. Such thing that student leaders must never do –to mislead the students. If so, their credibility will be put on the line thus, losing the trust of the students. Most importantly, student leaders hold their respective positions not for their own gratification (shame on them if they do so), but because they are committed to serve their fellow students. Rendering service in its truest sense. No more. No less. A true student leader does not isolate himself from the rest of his class. He lives and breathes with them. He serves not for prestige, but because that’s what he ought to do. More than three months have passed, and the issue is gradually dying down. But let it not be forgotten. The very same people who not once but for many times have wronged the students are still in this college. But this time, the students must know on what should be done.
Acting Editor in Chief Katherine Garcia Acting Associate Editor Annabelle Nuñez News Editor Robinson Lagunday Features Editor Ronalyn Paderes Literary Editor Sanipilip Umaguing Culture Editor Ian Emmanuel Urutia Ma Victoria Conde Juliet Capili Jerome Philip Ricamata Mary Jane Mallari Jan Meynard Nualla Joanne Llobrera Staff Writers Artists Edryan Lorenzo Karenina Claire Ramos Photographers James Brian Ona
member College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Alyansa ng Kabataang mamamahayag (PUP)
Pagharap sa panibagong kabanata Ronalyn Paderes Hindi ko maipaliwanag kung ano ang nagtulak sa akin upang sumali sa isang institusyong sinasabing ang kasaysayan ay tila higit pa sa isang alamat – isang pahayagang dumaan sa represyon, matagal na nanahimik, halos patay sa loob ng dalawang taon, napagkaitan ng karapatang magpahayag, makapaglingkod at makapagbalita ng ayon sa katotohanan dahil sa mga usaping may kaugnayan sa “hindi raw pagiging opisyal nito” at dahil na rin sa kawalan ng pondo mula sa mga estudyante… Muling nagbalik ang pahayagang inaakala ng iba na nabubuhay na lamang sa nakaraan matapos ang mahabang kasaysayan ng represyon. Ito na ang pangalawang isyu mula noon. Ngunit sa pagkakataong ito’y hindi lang bilang isang hamak na publikasyong sumubok bumangon, dahil sa mga oras na ito’y nakamit na namin ang noo’y tila suntok sa buwan na pangarap – ang kilalanin bilang Official Student Publication ng College of Communication (CoC). Noon, naiinis ako sa katotohanang ang College of Engineering ay may tinatawag na Spectrum. Wala akong hinanakit o kahit na anong negatibong puna sa nasabing pahayagan, nakakainis lang ang sitwasyon. Masakit lang para sa akin na kung sino pa ang mga engineering students ay s’ya pang may opisyal na pahayagan at malayang nakakapaglabas ng diyaryo nito. Bilang journalism student dito sa CoC, nakakahiya para sa akin na wala man lang tayong sariling pahayagan noon, na animo’y wala tayong sapat na kakayahan upang magsulat at maglathala. Subalit sa totoo lang, higit na nakakainis at nakakalungkot na tila walang masyadong pakialam ang karamihan sa estudyante ng CoC. Hindi naman masama ang magpakadalubhasa sa pagsayaw, pagkanta, pag-arte at paghubog pa sa ibang kasanayan. Ayos lang din ang magpakahenyo’t magsunog ng kilay upang magtamo ng mataas na marka pero sana naisip din ng iba ang kahalagahan ng official student publication, hindi lang dahil ang ibang kolehiyo sa PUP ay meron nito. Mahalagang mayroon tayong ganito, hindi para makipagsabayan sa iba, hindi lamang dahil ang isang pahayagan ay nararapat sa ating kolehiyo bilang tahanan ng mga susunod na media practitioners at hindi lang dahil insulto sa atin ang kawalan nito. Importanteng meron tayong sariling pahayagan dahil ito’y bahagi ng ating karapatan at kalayaang magsulat, magbalita, at makaalam ng kung anong kaganapan at isyu hindi lamang sa apat na sulok ng silid-aralan, sa loob ng CoC at PUP bagkus maging sa kung ano ang kalagayan ng lipunang ating ginagalawan. Ngunit ilan lang ba ang nakaisip na mahalaga ito? Ilan lang ba ang nakaisip na magtayo ng pahayagan? Ilan lang ba ang lumaban para sa Dakom? Ilan lang ba ang natira para hindi sumuko sa kabila ng katiting
na pag-asa para sa muling pagbuhay sa institusyong ito? Hindi ko sasabihing isa ako sa mga nanatiling matatag. Hindi ako magbubuhat ng sariling bangko at sasabihing may nagawa ako para sa muling pagbuhay nito dahil wala ako sa mismong simula. Marahil ay hindi sapat ang aking nagawa kumpara sa tila pagsuot sa karayom na ginawa ng ilan sa aking mga kasamahan at ng iba pang taong tumulong sa amin. Ngunit magkagayon man, natutuwa akong maging bahagi nito. Hindi ko na iisipin kung sapat ba ang aking naiambag, ang mahalaga’y sinubukan kong kumilos kasama nila. Hindi ko na rin iisipin kung ilan ba ang sumuporta sa Dakom, kung ilan ang lumaban at nagsulong ng karapatang magpahayag sa CoC o kung ilan ba ang nagkaroon ng pakialam sa kawalan natin ng opisyal na pahayagan. Ang mahalaga’y heto na’t nakamit na ang pagkakaroon nito. Pero salamat na rin sa mga estudyanteng pumirma sa pinakalat naming signature campaign noon upang kilalalanin ang Dakom bilang official student publication at sa panawagang labanan ang paniniil sa campus press freedom. At sa mga taong umalis at bumitiw sa Dakom sa pag-aakalang wala nang natitirang paraan upang buhayin pa ito o sa kahit ano mang personal na dahilan, salamat na rin sa kanila dahil gaya nga ng paniniwala ng dati naming patnugot, “ang pag-alis nila ang s’ya ring nagtulak upang muling magpatuloy”. Hindi nga pala tamang kitlin ang isang mabuting adhikain dahil lamang sa paglisan ng ilan. May mga pagkakataong dapat ka pa ring umusad at ituloy kung ano ang nararapat. Ang pagtalikod at pag-alis ng akala mo’y maaasahan ay hindi nangangahulugan ng pagtigil ng inog ng mundo at ‘di dapat maging dahilan ng pagkalimot sa kung anumang pinaglalaban mo. Parang kailan lang, hindi ko alam na may Dakom na tinatawag. Parang kailan lang, naiinis ako sa kawalan natin ng opisyal na publikasyon. Tila kay ikli ng dalawang taon ngunit sa totoo lang ay napakahabang panahon iyon ng kawalan ng boses at pananahimik. Kay bilis na lumipas ng panahon, hindi nga lang ito naging kasing bilis ng muling pagbuhay sa Dakom. Pero ang importante nga’y nakabalik na ito. Gayunpama’y hindi dito nagwawakas ang pangarap. Dapat tayong magkaisa upang matigil na ang paniniil at pagkitil sa kalayaan nating magpahayag ng katotohanan. Nawa’y magtuloy-tuloy na ito. Ito’y simula pa lang ng panibagong kabanata at ng pagharap dito. Maraming pwedeng mangyari. May lilisan ngunit may darating din na iba. Isang panibagong daan ang tatahakin ng Dakom – maputik man ito, mabato o maraming hadlang, hindi pa rin dapat basta-basta hayaang muling maglaho ang tinig at sa isang iglap ay payagang magwakas ang kabanatang ito.
Ronalyn Paderes & Sanipilip Umaguing Patuloy na lumalala ang krisis sa sistemang pang-edukasyon ng bansa. Ang pag-asa na magkaroon ng edukasyong tunay na Pilipino, nasyonalistiko at makamasa na s’ya ring huhubog sa bawat kabataan ay tila untiunting naglalaho at gumuguho dahil narin sa pagsibol ng mga anti-estudyanteng polisiyang ipinapatupad ng gobyerno. Ang pagkakamit ng dekalidad na uri at maayos na sistema ng edukasyon at mataas na badyet para dito ay tila sa pangarap na lang nabubuhay, malayo sa katotohanan, malabo na animo’y nababalot sa karimlan, lalo na ngayong sumisidhi na ang krisis pang-ekonomiya at pampulitika ng bansa Idagdag pa rito ang ginawang pagtalikod ni Pang. Gloria Macapaagal-Arroyo sa kahalagahan ng edukasyon at pagtanggal dito bilang pangunahing prayoridad mula pa noong siya’y maupo sa pwesto. UGAT SA KRISIS: MISPRAYORITISASYON Malinaw na nakasaad sa Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas 1987, Artikulo XIV Sek. 5, Tal. 5 na, “The state shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education...” Subalit, taliwas dito ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan at sa halip ay binibigyan nito ng malaking prayoridad ang pagbabayad sa utang panlabas at militarisasyon. At dahil nga dito’y hindi man lang mapunan ang malaking kakulangan ng mga klasrum na ngayo’y tinatayang umabot na sa 74,114, teksbuk na lalagpas sa apat na milyon at iba pang mga pasilidad sa mga pampublikong paaralang pang-elementarya at hayskul. Ayon sa Alliance of Concerned Te a c h e r s ( A C T ) , t i n a t a y a n g P190.49 B ang kailangang idagdag sa badyet para sa DepEd upang ganap na matustusan ang lahat ng pangangailangan nito. Kamakailan lamang ay naglaan si PGMA ng P1B pondo pambili ng bago at dagdag na armas para sa Philippine National Police (PNP) at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), para di umano sa “Counter Insurgency Program” na nalalayong sugpuin and New People’s Army (NPA) at Communist Party sa loob ng dalawang taon. Bukod pa dito ang P72B inilaan para sa “Regional Development Program” kaugnay ng all out war. Maraming aktibong kabataan ang nagtatanong kung bakit may p o n d o a n g g o b ye r n o p a ra s a pambayad sa utang panlabas, giyera at pagpatay, pero ang edukasyon na dapat pangunahing prayoridad nito ay wala? PAGTAAS NG HALAGA NG EDUKASYON “If you want quality education,
you have to pay for it.” Ito ang sinasabi ng pamunuan ng paaralan at ng dating pamunuan ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Ngunit ang dekalidad nga bang edukasyon ay makukuha at masusukat sa mataas at patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo nito? Sa kasalukuyan, mayroong 1,428 Philippine Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs). Tinatayang 390 dito ang nagtaas ng matrikula nito lamang Mayo 2006 at 196 dito ang nagtaas ng tuition fees na katumbas o mas mababa sa kasalukuyang 8.4 inflation rate ng bansa at 194 naman ang nagtaas ng higit sa inflation rate. Ayon sa tala ng CHED, 66 sa 244 kolehiyo at unibersidad sa Metro Manila ay humingi ng pagtataas. Ang Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) ay 6.75 % increase, mula P1,244.18 per unit patungong P1, 302.91; De La Salle University, 3.14%, mula sa dating P1, 645.47 per unit ito’y naging P1696.97; Saint Scholastica’s College, 6%, dati’y P1, 260 ang singil per unit ngayo’y naging P1, 335.60. Hindi lamang sa mga pribadong paaralan patuloy ang pagtaas ng halaga ng edukasyon. Maging ang mga paaralang pampubliko ay apektado kahit na pinahayag ng Malacañang na wala di umanong pagtaas ng matrikula sa mga State Colleges and Universities (SCUs) sa buong bansa. Sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP) halimbawa, itinaas ng 100% ang library fee mula P400 patungong P800. Bukod pa rito’y patuloy ang paniningil ng ibang bayarin at maanomalyang ladderized tuition fee at pagbuo ng mga Income Generating Projects (IGPS) sa iba pang mga SCUs. Gayundin sa mga pampublikong elementarya at hayskul na prinoklamang libre ang edukasyon ay nanatiling magastos sapagkat may mga bayaring gaya ng PTA, sports fee, club fee, mga raffle tickets at iba pa. At a n g r e s u l t a , m a ra m i n g bilang ng mga kabataan ang hindi nakakapag-aral. Ayon sa Kabataan Party 2.5 milyong kabataan ang hindi nakakapasok sa kolehiyo, samantalang 10 milyon naman ang kabuuan ng mga kabataang hindi nakakapag-aral. Sa tala naman ng CHED 50% ng bilang ng estudyante ang tumigil sa pag-aaral ngayong taon. CMO # 14: Suhol sa Kapitalista Edukador? Itinuturing na isang napakagandang negosyo dito sa Pilipinas ang Edukasyon. Noon taong 2003, ilang Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) ang napasama sa Philippine’s Top 1000 Corporations. Kabilang dito ang National Teachers College (NTC),
Centro Escolar University (CEU), Manila Central University (MCU), University of the East (UE), MIT, Far Eastern University (FEU), at Feati University. Ilang malalaki’t sikat na negosyante rin ang ngayo’y kumikita ng malaki mula sa sektor ng Edukasyon. Isa na rito si Emilio Yap, ang chair ng Philippine Trust Co., publisher ng Manila Bulletin at mayari ng Manila Hotel na may control din sa 55% stocks ng CEU. Si Lucio Tan naman na itinuturing na pinakamayamang negosyante sa bansa ay nagsimulang mamuhunan sa UE noon pang 1999. Siya rin ang may-ari ng Fortune Tobacco, Asia Breweries, Allied Bank, at Philippine Airlines. Ang MIT naman na dating pagmamay-ari ng pamilya ni Don Tomas Mapua ay nabili na ng Yuchengco Group of Companies na siya ring nagmamay-ari ng Malayan Insurance, Great Pacific Assurance Life Corporation at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation. Si Henry Sy na isa rin sa pinakamayamang tao sa buong Asya at Chairman ng SM Group of Companies ay namumuhunan sa Asia Pacific College. Ang Gokongwei Brothers naman ay sa School of Management sa Ateneo de Manila. Pinahintulutang magkaroon ng 8.4 tuition fee increase sa mga PHEIs ngayong taon alinsunod na rin sa nilalaman ng CHED Memo # 14 o ang Guidelines and Pocedures to be observed by PHEIs intending to increase tuition and other school fees and introduce new fees. Nakasaad sa CHED Memo 14 ang paglalagay ng ‘tuition cap’ o hindi paghintulot sa mga pribadong paaralan na magtaas ng matrikula na lagpas sa kasalukuyang tantos ng implasyon. Nililigalisa rin ng patakarang ito ang taunang pagtataas ng matrikula ng mga PHEIs kahit na walang maganap na konsultasyon sa mga magulang at estudyante kung ang pagtaas ay di lalagpas sa tantos ng implasyon. Kasama din sa saklaw nito ang iba pang panukalang pagtaas sa mga bayarin sa eskwelahan (miscellaneous fees) bukod sa matrikula. MALAKOLONYAL NA SISTEMA Sa kurikulum pa lang ng elementarya at hayskul ay mababakas na ang malakolonyal na sistema ng pagtuturo sa mga estudyante. Dahil sa Restructured Basic Curriculum (RBEC), malaki ang nabago sa sistema ng edukasyon. Lima na lang ang core-subject ng mga estudyante: English, Science, Math, Filipino at Makabayan na kung saan ay pinagsama-sama ang Araling Panglipunan, Musika, PE, Health and Technology, and Home Economics. Hindi nakasentro at hindi
napagtutuunan ang pagtuturo sa kasaysayan at lahing Pilipino at ito’y nakakapagpatingkad sa kolonyal na oryentasyon sa edukasyon sa bansa. Bukod pa dito, nagsulputan din ang mga paaralang nag-aalok sa kursong Nursing, Care Giving Courses, at Medical Transcriptionist kasabay na rin ng pangakong madaling makapangingibang bansa at pag-asang magtamo ng mataas na kita. Nariyan din ang mga paaralang may mga Telemarketing Courses na sumasabay sa biglaang paglobo ng call centers sa bansa na pinagsisilbihan ng pinoy ngunit ang mga negosyanteng dayuhan na namumuhunan sa bansa ang higit na nakikinabang. Itinuturing din na banta sa edukasyong Pinoy ang panukulang Charter Change (ChaCha) dahil bukod sa magaganap na pagbabago sa sisteng pulitikal ng bansa, maaamyendahan din ang mga batas sa 1987 Constitution gaya ng probisyon na nagdidiin sa papel ng kabataan sa lipunan at sa pagbibigay ng prayoridad, gayundin sa kanilang mga karapatan at pangangailangan pangunahin na ang edukasyon. Ibubukas din ng ChaCha ng halos 100% sa dayuhan ang mga kolehiyo at unibersidad na maaring magdulot ng higit na mataas na halaga ng edukasyon, pagsasapribado at higit sa lahat ay magpapalala sa kolonyal na oryentasyon nito. PUP: SALAMIN NG EDUKASYONG PINOY Sa PUP at CoC mismo masasalamin ang krisis sa edukasyon. Ang mga sira-sirang typewriter, kakulangan sa mga gamit, kompyuter at sub-standard na pasilidad ay larawan ng paghihirap ng ating state university. Ang hindi matapos-tapos na CoC theater, hindi gumaganang ceiling fans, kawalan ng speech lab, computer laboratory, at iba pang kagamitan na nararapat sa mga CoC students ay matibay na repleksyon na hindi sapat ang pondong binibigay ng gobyerno. Sinang-ayunan ng Dekano ng Kolehiyo ng Komunikasyon na si Dr. Robert Soriano na mababa talaga ang natatanggap natin badyet mula sa pamahalaan. Ngunit hindi daw ito dapat maging dahilan ng pagkakaroon ng mababang kalidad ng edukasyon dahil ang pagkatuto ng estudyante ay hindi lamang nakadepende sa kung anong pasilidad meron tayo. Sa kabilang banda patuloy pa rin ang sigaw at panawagan ng mga progresibong mag-aaral upang bigyang pansin ng pamahalaan ang sumisidhing krisis ng edukasyon sa bansa at itaas ang pondong nakalaan para sa edukasyon.
Ian Emmanuel Urutia
Once a major film clamor in Asia, the Philippine Cinema has lagged behind its neighboring countries. No longer are Singapore, Malaysia, China, and other Oriental countries stunned by the flesh-and-blood cinematic apparitions of Brocka and Bernal. Because at this point in time, they are starting to weigh importance on their culture’s new visionary machina, film. The plight of Philippine Cinema Philippine Cinema is on the verge of losing its competence. The number of films produced yearly decreased from less than a hundred. Producers and movie outfits suffered from piracy, competition with Hollywood and foreign movies, and the lack of support from government incentives. Even the legendary and most celebrated Sampaguita Pictures already closed its doors in producing yet another flopped flick. And what’s worst, the eminence of film quality has lost its sparkle. We see the same old theme; the clichés of teenybopper slash masa sensibilities, the carbon copy-story lines, the unconvincing portrayal of characters, and the injection of pop music on background. The idea to create movies today is to sell. It’s an excuse, since economically we’re screwed and the producers are loitering on ways to cash-in some money for purposeful interest. Who needs films that wear the cloak of pretentious glory? Box office rates are good, but making films is not all about raking sales and hypnotizing gullible moviegoers to feed on digestible crap. It is merely telling captivating stories through thematic and aesthetic concerns. Moreover it is a never-ending quest for realistic escapism and it toes not only to the safe, conventional subjects like love, teenage drama, Fernando Poe-clad gang wars and slapsticks. It excavates into the deep and incautiously breaks into the controversial, the dark and the reality that goes beyond the multi-hues of life. The Indie as the savor Luckily there are few ones who’d rather gamble their money just to express their craft of filmmaking. 2004’s Duda, the first digital full-length feature to have full theatrical run in the country was made with a measly budget of P200,000. And it reached the one million mark several months after the release. Director Cris Pablo recounts that since he worked on a very tight budget for this film, Production Management was very crucial. Shooting days had to be minimized and costs such as foods were to be augmented by X-deals with other companies. But on a lighter note, Duda gained profits through international distribution deals and exhibition on major film festivals abroad. Notwithstanding the sweat, blood and tears of producing a powerful film that could transcend into people’s consciousness, Duda commenced what could’ve been a solution to the cloying, local movie scene. And the new breeds of
talented, young filmmakers followed its heroic route, traversing to the winding road of low budgets, improvisation and compromised deeds from friends and even the people behind the production. They discovered the art of independent filmmaking. Since the prices of digital cameras are becoming somewhat low and the accessibility of editing software has reached into comfort zones, independent filmmaking set the challenge for amateurs and plain storytellers to freely express themselves and be heard. As Aurelius Solito, director of the critically acclaimed Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros states it, “Now even small producers and independent filmmakers can enter the arena formerly controlled by big and established producers and have a fighting chance.” Awards vacuum Solito’s breakthrough film, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros not only made “Maxie” an etched word in the gay lingo, but also elevated the local indie scene by winning countless of awards including the Golden Zenith Award for best film at the Montreal World Film Festival, the GMA Special Jury Prize at Cinemalaya Independent Film Fest and Competition, the best Feature Film award at the Imaginative Festival in Toronto, the grand prize in the Asian Festival of First Films in Singapore and the top nods at the Berlin International Film Festival. Aside from Solito’s masterpiece, other independent digital films that caught the yes of the international critics are Masahista, Mga Munting Tinig, Imelda and just recently the Jeffrey Jeturian film Kubrador – delighting foreign audiences with the delicate Filipino touch on celluloid. Indies towards distribution deals Through the efforts of Cinemalaya and other independent film festivals to introduce the potential marketability of digital indie films, major multimedia outfits such as Star Cinema and Viva Entertainment tried their luck on the distribution (so as to share profit) of the so called “indies” to nationwide cinema. Now it’s not only the whole Imperial Manila that cooks out the finest, local discoveries. Even the Igorots of the North and the Badjaos of the South can stand the chance to go cuckoo on the touching but riveting Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, the untold realities of Ilusyon and the Quentin Tarantino-parodies of Big Time. Beyond any single doubt, accessibility could be the key answer to mass acceptance, and may perhaps change the passivity of moviegoers. Hitches of Indie Independent filmmaking has its own set of repercussions. The technical aspects of the film alone leads into mediocrity because of insufficient budget. So to attain on the
level of aesthetics, one must learn the art of improvisation. Nap Jamir, cinematographer of Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros used car lights instead of luminous halogens during night sequences to produce clearer visualization. Jamir also used lighting improvisations like the lights emitted from the television and Christmas lights. He even made use of illustration boards and white sheets to aid the lighting on the actors; using the black parts of the illustration board to darken and white sheets to lighten the actor’s faces. Evidently, the cinematographer was working on a tight budget. Most film critics believed that visual elements of the location such as the background, atmosphere and lighting are great influences in the artistic integrity of filmmaking. Special visual impacts are attained when all of the elements in design evolve together simultaneously and successfully. However, when working on limited budgets – streets, apartments, slums and the like are the only places indie filmmakers can provide. Compare these to the production design of blockbuster giants such as Spiderman and The Matrix; or on local perspective, to Mano Po or Enteng Kabisote. Other elements like musical scoring, sound mixing, editing are triggered by small budgets. Creativity sans the aid of financial back-up is useless in the world of cinema. But creativity is not settling on the existing grounds. It further excavates and finds ways to properly execute the crisp visions, the edible sounds and the most receptive mood. Because independent filmmaking is all about taking risks. The vital key to success Recently, Vic Del Rosario of giant multimedia outfit, Viva Entertainment suggested to give a five-year holiday tax for independent digital films and be able to push its envelope to the mainstream market. Two great solutions, but indie being mainstreamized can be yet again another precursor for sell-out accusations. Creativity and exceptional story would definitely have a hard time balancing its pendulum with the necessitous packaging to sell and be embraced by the masses. But the pro here is that more and more people would be exposed to stories that veers away from the rotten formula that people tend to absorb. Isn’t it time to educate the masses? To introduce them to ingenious concepts and to let them accept the independent digital film’s quirky orientation towards reviving the dying Philippine Cinema? A critic once said that there are two types of acquired taste. It’s either you have taste or you don’t simply have. Bottomline is, are we really up for the drastic change? If not, then maybe there’s truth behind the critic’s statement.
Constant Craving
A
Showbiz
Jerome Philip Ricamata
n inevitable change “Ganon talaga, change is inevitable” I overheard the conversation of two call center agents and got an earshot of this one-liner inside an MRT coach. I still stood there wobbling while gripping onto a safety handrail. It took a while before it sank in. Then I started to ponder their dialogue. If change is really inevitable why isn’t it happening on my surroundings? On our country? How can an inevitable abstract be so elusive? Change… The Polytechnic University of the Philippines has fought long and strived hard for four years to have a legitimate president. An OIC is not an answer to the university’s long plea. Still, this change is yet to come. After controversial years of it’s existence, the appointment of a legitimate president is not yet initiated. “When will this long yearning end” says a classic song. When will this yearning last? An institution without a permanent president is like a jetplane with a blind aviator. How can we achieve our goals without a guide to look forward to? Change... As a student writer and a future media practitioner my heart is always filled with shrieks when I hear news about journalist killings. Hundreds of journalists have been killed and still counting. The Philippines is now considered as one of the most dangerous country for media. As a closely-knit industry, I am not wondering if after a few decades that real and noble journalists and broadcasters will extinct. This has to change. How can the society live without hipocrisy and lies if the watchdog of truth has muzzled voices? Change... In a democratic country like the Philippines, it’s not unusual if many people will speak their minds in search for change. But sadly people who long for changes are slowly losing its plight. Political killings
flutter in every part of the country. Today, 756 Filipino died and 184 are still missing. Activists and suspected leftists are abducted and killed to stop their process of change for the betterment of the society and the country. It’s so unfair that righteous and noble persons must deserve this kind of treatment from the government . Shame to them and to their various programs like “oplan Bantay laya”. An irony, a country that has freedom of speech and expression but active participants of this feedom are silenced. How can we progress if progressive groups and organizations are to slowly die? Change… Monthly worker’s wages are diminished by the taxes that the government imposed. These taxes are the fuel that runs the engine of the government. But are these taxes they are paying tantamount to the benefits people are receiving. A big NO! most of taxes paid goes to the hungry pockets of corrupt politicians instead of going to the hungry minds and mouths of the impoverished Filipinos. If not overpricing costs for infrastructures, they use the country’s machineries and budget for an upcoming election. Seeing poor Filipinos die of simple sicknesses, juveniles working on the streets and glutton officials eat and spend the citizens equal share from taxes really sadden me. How can future professionals be professionals if their last resort are engulfed wholly by those greedy politicians. So many questions, so many changes, but when can it be answered? They say changes must start within us but what if we have changed and morphed so many times. Yet, it’s still not happening. How many years will we wait? One, two, three, fourty. I don’t know. For as long as the tuko in the palace is there, all we have to do is wait and fight. Fight for a better and substantial change. Not a change in constitution but a change in the system and a change of the people in the system.
Breaking the Idea of Curiosity Ramon Josue “Student leader. Student body. Institution. A big no!” You’re asking what is it all about? Well, actually, those are some of the ideas coming out from the residents of our college when topic is moving closer to “Student Attaché”. I, myself got to think about it too, because it’s really intriguing and so I conducted a research about it. I could never blame the people in making an idea of curiosity, an idea of doubtness, and a matter of scrutinizing. What about the student attaché? What is its function? Where can we classify it in the College’s Organizational Structure? Is it a separate body or a removable element that can be replaced anytime? How about its duties and responsibilities? Is it making any conflict among Student Council and CommSoc? Is it a student leader? A student body? Or an institution? A Student Attaché is “a link”, “a connecting tool”, “a little dean” that serves as an ambassador, serves as an official representative of the Dean’s office in order to facilitate implementation of the student’s programs. As a little dean it also goes and supports student empowerment in campus. More specifically, a “student link” of the college that has to have all the connections among all student groups inside the college to support and also to hear their laughs and cries then report it directly to the dean. Furthermore, it is an appointee of the dean. It is requested by the dean to OIC Dr. Dante Guevarra and other officials of the university and was approved and acknowledged. The Student Attaché is requested to help the Dean itself in implementing his projects, helps hear the voices of students and disseminates the message of the dean. Logically, he will function according to what the dean instructs and says. He is not a student assistant because he functions without compensation but will be provided technical support from the college in terms of providing space and use of office supplies allowable by the dean’s office. He is not a student leader. A student leader
must be elected by the student. He’s not even a student body, because a student body must consist of numbers of persons, a group of leaders and followers, an organization or an institution. But he’s not more likely an institution. An institution is autonomous, independent and it has a separate law regardless of instructions coming from an adviser. In the case of the Student Attaché, the Dean is his adviser because based on the endorsement letter submitted to the OIC, he will function according to the dean’s instructions. Moreover, in our college, there are only two living institutions; the Student Council and the Publication. Talking about his functions, they are so limited to the point that his presence can be set aside by every student body conducting a conference, meeting and an assembly, more especially if it’s too confidential. His limited functions include not to have an external implementation, and an example of this is a class activity, it can be regardless and worthless if the class decided not to use his name. But he can help actually, when it comes to sponsorships and external affairs using his contacts and links. Logically, when we turn the issue on interference, a clash of duties and responsibilities among SC and ComSoc, have nothing to worry about; it’s not crossing over or stealing it. It’s up to the Attaché himself if he’s going to over-cross and extend his limitations. However, the Dean is there to watch his every step – forwards and backwards. And anytime, he can be released from function if the appointer himself sees it’s not functional, not in inclination and not workable anymore. That’s why the organizational structure doesn’t consider it as a permanent element. When you look at it, Attaché has a discrete line connected to the Dean. But the big question is, why James? What are his qualities that he was chosen to be? What are the qualifications of a student attaché? Well, maybe the dean sees him as a hard-working and a well
Sanipilip Umaguing
A
ng masscom na nga siguro ang pinakamaingay na kolehiyo. Hindi buo ang araw ng walang sumisigaw, sumasayaw sa daan, nagpra-praktis umiyak para sa play o kaya naman ay sumusulat ng mga kwentong paulit-ulit lang--- paikotikot--- walang katapusan. Kultura na nga siguro ng ating kolehiyo ang mga ito. Kinokonsidera na tayo ang isa sa mga outstanding college sa ating unibersidad. Tila nanonood ka lagi ng isang continuous na pelikula sa dami ng drama at aksyon; parang may mga nakatutok na kamera sa bawat isa. Maraming naka-pose, maraming ring conscious--- konti lang ang obvious na nagpapakatotoo. Subukan mong umupo sa lobby (na ginagawa ko ngayon) at matutuwa ka… babaha ang istorya ng buhay… involve nga lang ang lahat. Pangarap nga yata ang ng halos lahat ng estudyante ng kolehiyo na maging artista. Cool at nakakatawa, suggest kong tumambay din kayo sa lobby minsan. Malinaw naman siguro kung saan nagmumula ang drama ng Masscom. Lahat halos ng mag-aaral dito ay mga nanggaling sa mahihirap na pamilya, gustong makatulong sa mga magulang, at pag-aaral lang ang alam na susi para matupad ang mga ito. Sumugod sa isang tahanan na siguro nga ay hindi natin maintindihan minsan---ngunit dito ka rin naman matututo ng isang libo’t isang aral sa buhay. ‘DRAMA SPECIAL’ Marami ang nakakapuna sa mga taga-ibang kolehiyo sa kakaibang atraksyon na ito sa masscom. Bugbog nga tayo ng mga positibo at negatibong reaksyon. Cool nga daw ang ating kultura sabi ng iba. Mayroon din naman akong naririnig na kumento dati na “mas alam pa daw yata ng mga taga- masscom ang beauty pageant breakdown kaysa sa national at political issues.” Siguro nga ay totoo, sa halip na tayo ang dapat unang makakaalam ng mga bagay na ito dahil sa future communication experts tayo ay parang hindi ganon ang kinalabasan. Kakaiba nga siguro ang special college natin… outstanding din ang mga remarks na natatanggap natin dahil dito. ANO NGA BA, KUYA? Malaki ang papel na ginampanana ng pagiging independent college na hindi naka- attach sa PUPMain kaya tayo nagkaroon ng Social Identity. Halos labing apat na taon na nang lumipat ang kolehiyo natin dito sa compound na ito. Dahil na rin sa impluwensya ng mga faculty at pagsalin-salin ng personalidad ng ating kolehiyo mula sa bawat taon na dumadaan, tumitibay ang iisang pagkakakilanlan ng ating kolehiyo. Kaya nga ngayon ay tila nagsabog ng tawa si Dolphy, ng iyak si Julia Roberts, ng action moves si Wesley Snipes at ng mala-institusyon na pilantik ng daliri si John “Sweet” Lapuz sa buong lugar. Kaya nga tila naging ‘cultural melting pot’ ng glamour ng showbiz ang masscom ngayon. FAIRY TALE CONCLUSION Sumisigaw ang impormasyon sa bawat sulok ng PUP ukol sa pangangailangan ng ating unibersidad. Siguro nga, mahirap nang burahin ang nakasanayan ng pangingiliti o humor ng pamamalagi natin dito sa ating kolehiyo. Sana lang, mas maging ‘vigilant’ tayo sa lahat ng impormasyon na dumaragsa sa atin sa araw-araw. Mas maganda nga siguro and ‘tagged’ na bibo, matalino at updated tayo hindi lang sa pagkapanalo ni Ms. Puerto Rico kundi pati na rin ang labanang Lebanon/-Israel at maski ang lumalalang ‘heatwave’ sa California. Hindi rin naman kasi mabubuo ang bawat araw ko kung wala akong maririnig na humihiyaw, umiindak, humahagulgol at sumusulat ng kwentong umuulit lang---tila walang katapusan. dedicated individual who’s willing to work without any compensation. But still, for me, if it’s so needed, maybe we must have first the approval of students – an election. Besides it’s not for the officials, it’s for the students, right? Well, anyway, I’m glad that there’s someone acting like a dean to serve as a “connecting tool” among all points of the circles. How I wish that he not crosses over or else….
voice out “Only God can taketh what was given.” This is not what the Arroyo regime has in mind in its aim to turn their critics into a mute and cripple the discontented masses with fear. 786 extra-judicial killings while 188 others are still at the thick of their disappearance since Arroyo’s seat to power, that’s too much for a proof. Unsurprisingly, the killings have graced the newspaper stories more often than oil price hikes. In her State of the Nation Address held last July, Pres. Arroyo condemned the political killings in her harshest possible term. But just a moment before that, she extended retired Major General Jovito Palparan her warmest appraisals that brings the thought of a mastermind giving her mercenary a pat on the back and saying, “a job well done.” It can be said that wherever Palparan is designated, the killings and human rights violations reach an all-time high. What we are witnessing is
When GMA plays God
not just another spate of killings of activists and journalists, but it can be considered as a massacre. A massacre not just to the progressive ranks and the freedom of the press but also to the democracy that serves as the masses’ remaining domain. If only our prayers can keep them from aiming their gun’s nozzles at militant leaders and only if prayers can hold off the pull of their trigger. But this administration and its military is keen on doing something else, to protect the interests, not of its people, but of themselves and the system we are all enslaved. And this should come to us as a reason not to tremble, but to be challenged. As future media practitioners, let us show that their vicious acts would not thwart us to fear but bring us more motivation to seek the truth to further serve the people. As young Christians armed with prayers and vigilance, let us expose and oppose the
immorality and disservice of this current administration. And as students coming from a university with a rich tradition of militancy, let us unmask the fascist shade of the Arroyo regime and bring back the democracy that should reside with the people. We at the Student Christian Movement, condemns this present slaughter to our people. But we would not let this all pass with mere condemnation for we always believe that faith without action is dead. Stop all Political and Media Killings! Oust the fascist Arroyo regime! F o l l o w C h r i s t , S e r ve t h e People!
Erwin M. Lozano Chairperson Student Christian Movement SCM-COC
CONGRATULATIONS! Venus Aphrodite Casupanan (B Anne Dominique Santos (BJ II-Irreg) Lesther Baldamero (BBRC II-Irreg) Amado Ocampo (BJ BJ III-1) For passing The COmmunicator qualifying exam. Visit our office for your orientation.
The Communicator editorial board exam
Examinees must be bonafide COC student with atleast one year residency in the college. The examination will be held on December 8, 2006 at COC Audio-Visual Room from 1:00-4:00 pm. Bring your registration card.
TANONG KOMUNIKASYON
tinipon ni Ronalyn Paderes
“Anong masasabi mo sa ginawang pagsasaayos ng mga classrooms at iba pang pasilidad dito sa CoC para sa accreditation?” Puro panlabas ang naire-repair. Puro pintura at linis. Mas mahalaga yung paglalagay ng mga libro sa library. Ang pagpapagawa ng mga facilities ay hindi dapat sa mga accreditors kundi para sa serbisyo sa mga estudyante. -Penny BJ 3-1
KOMIKS . KOMIKS . KOMIKS. KOMIKS . KOMIKS. KOMIKS. KOMIKS . KOMIKS WANTED
Ploplo
Nagagalit tatay ko. Ba’t daw parang hayskul. Sa estudyante pinapaayos dapat gobyerno gumagawa at gumagastos. Kulang na lang magdala ng floorwax at walis tingting. ~Ms. Watson 4th Year Maayos sya. Talagang pinaghandaan ng CoC ang accreditation. I’m sure makakapasa ang CoC. ~Aubrey RC 3-1 Ok lang kasi isa din ako sa nag-aayos saka para sa accreditation naman eh. ~Margo BCR 1-1 Kaplastikan. Bakit tuwing may accreditation saka lang inaayos. Dati init na init mga estudyante kasi walang electric fans tapos ngayon lang nila pinapaayos. ~Pasaway 4th year Nag-iimprove ang CoC. Pero kahit maganda na yung paligid, dapat panatilihin pa rin ng mga estudyante. ~Jemma BJ 2-1 Ok naman. Mas maganda kesa dati. Para sa isang university kahit publis lang naging mas ok na. ~Mary Belle BJ 2-2
ASIN
Karenina Claire Ramos
Maganda yung ginagawa para sa accreditation kaso harsh sa mga estudyante kasi magastos. Bakit may blinds wala namang aircon? ~Marvin RC 3-2 Inaaayos ba? Bakit ngayon lang ginagawa? Napakaplastic naman! Show off lang talaga! ~Diosa, RC Cola Napakamahal ng binabayaran sa tarpaulin pati sa pintura. Sana hindi sa estudyante kinukuha ang mga gastusin dito. ‘Yung ibang prof. ginawa na lang na midterm at final exams yung pagbabayad. Di magandang gawi! ~Winner, BJ
Kalayaa’y kagalakan, kalungkuta’y kasawian Ramon Josue
Malaya bang maituturing ang isang paniki Kung ito’y mulat sa gabing sawi Ngunit gising sa umagang makinang At tinutugis ng mga nakatataas na nilalang? “Mas Malaya pa ang mga kuting ng mabangis na pusa Kahit balot ng takot na baka mawaglit sa ina Sapagkat gamay nila ang kaligtasa’t pagsinta Sa piling ng kabangisan ng kanilang kuta.” Ang mga mambabatas? “Marahil ay bilanggo rin ng sariling batas Kung ila’y sinususian sa tuwing kailangan lamang, Gaya ng mga alipin na pinahihirapan na sa dulo nama’y Iyaki’t kasangkapan; Gaya rin ng bawat pinunong ‘tuta’ ng bulong ng kasakiman.” Ang mga manunulat? “Sila’y malalaya habang lumilipad ang kanilang isipan Kasabay ng pluma’t dugong umaanod sa lawak ng kawalan, Sumisisid sa kaibuturan ng mga kaisipan, Humahapon sa ginto, humahalukay sa taniman, Umaabot sa kahutukan at tumataga sa bato At bumubutas sa mga dimensyong sarado.” BILANGGO! “Iyan ang singhal ng ilan. Oo, bilang g o kung sila’y hinaharang at nilalapastangan Sapagkat kinatatakutan sa lason at lunas nitong tangaan -multo sa lason, anghel sa lunasSila’y mga nananatiling malalaya sa iyak ng mga kapatiran Na nakikiluha sa kanilang dakilang lathalaan.” Ang isang mangingibig? “Malaya ito habang may sistema -patuloy sa pagpapakita ng kanyang kalooban Kahit ba walang mapipitas mula as puno ng palitanMagiging bilang g o lamang ito kung ang pinaglalaana’y papaderan Ang yaring kalayaan at ipinaglalaban, sisiilin at yuyurakan; Kutyain na kami ngunit huwag lamang igiit Na makulong kaming malalaya sa madilim na kalungkutan.
1204
*Katarina If it’s really true that I could have anything that I want, then you’d be sitting right here beside me, enjoying the sweet taste of hash as we inch by inch lose our senses while staring at the specter of the city night sky. But enough of the wishful thinking. This night is mine, with or without you. Then maybe, if the forces of the universe would grant, perhaps I would find the finest passerby, share the night with him and better yet, convince him to run to the nearest church with me. Maybe we could have a perfect family, after all. No laughing trip. Just chronic depression as I hear louder drum rolls from my chest. I’d really not prefer to die this way, the easiest, most non-sense way. I envy Sylvia Plath for her spectacular madness, Maybe I could die like her. I’d put my head inside an oven to literary burn my baggage of memories of you. The night is coming to an end. The stars would soon fade, like techni colored valiums losing their glow and flavor. Pardon my inability to find better words. The metaphors are not making any sense. May everything just go away along with my deep exhales. Then maybe I could stay like this forever, Finding art in every fiber of pain. Then shoot more dope. Afterall, Time is nothing. Waiting is nothing.
i.xiii.mmvi jumar mendoza
nais kong saktan ang langit upang siya ay tumangis at madiligan ang lupang uhaw sa pag-ibig ng kanyang luha nais kong parusahan ang lupa upang siya ay yumanig at gumuho ang buong itinayo sa pagkaguho ng iba nais kong hiyain ang hangin upang ako’y kanyang tugisin maging ang kapalit nito’y ang kasawian ng mga naghihintay lamang nais kong galitin ang araw upang tumindi ang kanyang ningas nang sa gayo’y maabot ng kanyang liwanag at init ang pinakamadilim na sulok ng ating pusong malamig subalit ako’y isang makata na ang ibigin ka lamang ang tanging nagagawa