FIAT LUX - Vol. XXIX No. I 2022-2023

ID Mishaps Stir Confusion, Admin Rectifies

BY MIA BUENCONSEJO

A long queue of NTCians seeking to process their ID Cards greeted the 3F Administration building of National Teachers College (NTC) on December 1, 2022. The unanticipated crowd was due to an information stating that the ID process accepts walk-ins.

Concerning this matter, NTC-VP for Administration Ms. Chris Fuentez specified that the ID schedule on December 1, 2022 was for students with onsite classes. To rectify the confusion, the NTC admin released on December 7 an official ID processing schedule.

However, hours before the official release of the new ID processing schedule, Room 324 was once again filled with both walk-in students and scheduled students. NTCians on queue prior to the announcement expressed their confusion as some walk-in students were still processed. The official schedule was released through the official Facebook groups of NTC.

Furthermore, on January 6, 2023, the NTC admin released another schedule anew as a continuation and supplementation to the schedule released on December 7,

2022. Prior to this, there were still students who tried to walk-in, resulting in another long queue.

The ID processing schedule ran from December 12, 2022 to February 4, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It was sorted by school, year level, and surname initials.

On January 30, 2023, NTC announced the continuation of the ID processing for College students who missed their assigned schedules. The processing ran until February 28, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Room 324. The new ID processing guidelines allowed students to walk-in for physical picture taking and distribution. Additionally, students who were unable to go on-campus were allowed to process their IDs online until February 24, 2023.

The implementation of the ID process was in preparation for the return of the face-to-face classes in NTC that occurred in March 2023. This was in response to CHED Memorandum no. 16, s. 2022, which mandated Higher Education Institutions to implement either full onsite learning or hybrid learning in the second semester of the Academic Year 2022-2023.

NTC Surpasses October 2022 LEPT National Passing Rate

BY DANNIELLE EISHA ROSALES

The National Teachers College (NTC) scored exam rates above the 2022 National Passing Rate Performance in both elementary and secondary level in the most recent 2022 results of the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on December 16, 2022.

The institution fell short, however, to maintain the 100 percent elementary level passing rate garnered by the lone LEPT taker in 2021. Meanwhile, the 72.045 percent overall elementary level passing rate of NTC garnered in the December 2022 results still managed to exceed the 54.43 percent 2022 National Passing Rate for LEPT elementary level.

Similarly, the secondary level result achieved a rating of 65.38 percent, which is 14.44 percent higher

than the 2022 National Passing Rate of 50.94 percent. Apart from NTC surpassing the overall secondary passing rate, the institution’s rating also improved and held its highest rating from 2017 to 2022, excluding the 2020 LEPT record, as examinations were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The October 2022 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers took place on the 2nd day of October, after rescheduling the date from its initial schedule of September 25, 2022. Similarly, the latest March 2023 LEPT date has been moved from March 26, 2023 to March 19, 2023. On May 19, 2023, forty-two (42) working days after the examination was given in 37 testing centers around the Philippines, the PRC announced the results of the March 2023 LEPT board passers.

A long line of students wait by the 3F left wing hallway to get their school IDs. — PHOTO BY ALDWIN MANAHAN

Filipino Seafarers’ Boarding at Risk

BY MARIELLE JOHANNA GLABO

The future of hundreds of thousands of Filipino Seafarers remained in limbo for months as they awaited the crucial judgment of the European Commission on their acknowledgment of Filipino seafarers’ certification to board across European waters. The decision was finally released by the European Union last March 31, 2023. The audit conducted by the European Maritime Safety Administration (EMSA) last 2020 found that the Philippines has not been in compliance with EMSA’s Maritime Safety Standard.

Previously, the Philippines has received warnings from EMSA regarding these lapses since 2006. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met the European Union transport officials in November 2022 in Belgium, in there he assured Filipino Seafarers that the current administration is taking steps to comply with European Regulations. Additionally, Edwin Dela Cruz, the labor rights group representative of Migrante International, has slammed the government’s response as “band-aid solutions”. He reiterated that the government is reliant on private institutions to provide maritime education but has not provided them any sufficient funding to improve their facilities and comply with the international standards.

LONG-TERM NON-COMPLIANCE

In the latest EMSA audit last 2020, Philippines has recorded 13 shortcomings and 23 grievances, including lack of training equipment and inconsistencies in construction and assessment. EMSA further declared earlier in 2022 that the training certification of the Philippines’ maritime education institutions failed to comply with the guidelines mandated by the aforementioned standard. EMSA aims to lower the risks of maritime accidents such as marine pollution from ships and loss of human lives at sea. In February 2022, the National Maritime Polytechnic had already warned that Filipino seafarers posted in European flag-registered vessels were at risk of losing their jobs if the Philippines did not comply with the Standard of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers.

CURRICULUM ISSUES

Among the concerns raised by the EMSA, the maritime studies curriculum and training standards are the most pressing topic. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega believed the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) together with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) should have fixed the curriculum earlier since these have been consistently raised by the European Union (EU). Instead, according to Samuel Batalla, the officer-in-charge of MARINA’s STCW Office of the Executive Director, the maritime institutions in the country often change their curriculum.

“Madalas tayong mag-change ng curriculum. So bago pa tayo nakakapag-adjust again, meron ulit tayong mga i-implement na mga bagong provisions (We change curriculum often. So before we can adjust [to the curriculum] again, we have new provisions we have to implement),” said Batalla.

As stated by Jorel Ramirez of CHED’s Office of Program and Standard Development, the reason for sudden and frequent changes in the curriculum was triggered by EMSA’s inspection findings. However, the sudden changes may instigate conflict in terms of learning concepts and probability of employment on the part of the students.

Moreover, retired Vice Admiral and MARINA head Robert Empedrad affirms that CHED governs higher education including maritime training, while MARINA is responsible for the post-schooling maritime industry. “EMSA is questioning education, so that is not MARINA’s responsibility. We deal with the seafarers, after their education,” said Emepdrad.

ASSURANCE FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Amidst the European Commission’s decision extending the recognition of the Filipino seafarers aboard European vessels, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is committed on following the education and training requirements as established by the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for seafarers.

However, the decision to extend comes with its own requirements that the Philippines will need to comply with in the improvement of the Philippine Maritime curriculum, according to the statement released by the DFA, Saturday, April 1, 2023.

On top of this, European Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean stated that the EU is willing to provide technical assistance to improve the skills training programs for the seafarers in the coming months.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO

About 50,000 of the 600,000-strong Filipino seafarers were in danger of termination had the European Commission decided differently. And now a huge weight has been lifted off their shoulders as they were given more time by the European Commission.

The Philippines remains to be the world’s largest provider of seafarers, followed by Russia, according to the data of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. The country has provided over P341 billion in remittance from the industry, with over 345,000 maritime laborers deployed last 2022.

PH Maritime Industries try to navigate plans on reaching European Maritime Safety Administration (EMSA)’s standard as EMSA issues warning signals for compliance last February 2022. — PHOTO BY MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY

A Sustainable Adventure at Brgy. Mambugan Antipolo

BY ANGELA GARCIA & JULIAN ESCALAMBRE

“I’ve seen people lose families, lose houses, properties because of landslides and very fundamental ‘yung requirement eh—we need trees to ensure that doesn’t happen.” - Mr. Eric Brian Inocencio, NTC NSTP Coordinator.

On November 26, 2022, the launching of the Tree Planting 2022 initiative took place at Barangay Mambugan, Antipolo City, Rizal carrying the theme “He Who Plants A Tree, Plants A Hope”. The project is the first partnership between the NTC Community Development Center headed by Dr. Maria Elma Cordero and the Local Government Unit of Barangay Mambugan, as well as Antipolo City’s City Environment Waste Management Office (CEWMO). Since then, the institution has conducted a series of tree-planting visits in the area. During the opening day of the initiative, a ceremony was conducted packed with NTC Administration personnel and the LGU’s relevant officials.

The program began with opening remarks from CEWMO Department Head Engineer Violeta Sabulao Faiyaz and Barangay Captain Hon. Marlon Zingapan. Their message to the NTC Administration, Faculty, Student Volunteers, and members of the community was a heartfelt call to pursue the advocacy of environmental rehabilitation and protection, particularly in the area of Barangay Mambugan.

“‘Pag mayroon po kayong activity na katulad nito [Tree Planting]... welcome na welcome po kayo dito sa lungsod ng Antipolo.” says Engr. Faiyaz in her informative yet moving statement.

An immensely participative and immersive program, the tree planting began as barangay officials accompanied the NTC Admins and students alike to plant

the seeds by their own hands in crucial areas of the community. The aim is to plant five different kinds of trees namely, Bamboo, Kupang, Cacao, Narra, and Ipil, which are chosen to respond to the environmental needs of the area.

The Barangay Hall sat atop an urban hill. The area for planting was divided into two, one being in the Barangay Hall’s garden that gradually inclined to a green pasture while the other snaked its way up a complicated slope divided by a creek. These areas are essentially the perfect planting spots. We were part of the latter group, and the challenge was to pick a strategic planting spot that will be most useful once it grows. Us student volunteers were mostly provided with the most essential bamboo tree plant, a natural absorbent of air pollution equipped with the ability to restore clean water. Engr. Faiyaz further satisfies our curiosity when she expounds on the multitude of benefits the community reaps from bamboo trees.

“...Of course ‘yung nakakain siya — ‘yung labong [Bamboo shoot vegetable], sino kumakain ng labong? Ginagawang lumpia. Okay, so ‘yan ‘yung mga uses natin aside from construction materials, gagawin din natin siyang mga furniture, pero ang pinaka-main uses talaga [is] to capture ‘yung maruming hangin, para at least pagbuga niya, malinis na ‘yung hangin. So pollution protection at the same time, paglinis ng maruming tubig para pag dumaloy siya papunta sa ating catching area, malinis na po.” Bamboo is a practical and multifaceted source of livelihood for the citizens of Mambugan.

As we hiked through the hill alongside the creek vying for a healthy and strategic spot of land, it became more and more

clear why this Barangay was chosen in particular. The citizens’ makeshift yero homes sit on top of each other, at the mercy of the ever-flowing creek. The land is difficult to traverse, with obvious battle scars from countless storms and landslides. The pollution accumulating from the creek has engulfed the people with a foul stench. With only a couple of hours in the community, we did not need any further explanation why this community was chosen. And yet, its people thrived in their homes and persevered in advocating for the environment. With Rizal Province’s Ynares Eco System (YES) program launched in 2001 and revamped in 2013 by incumbent Governor Rebecca “Nini” Ynares, each barangay of the province has since then pursued environmental change. The CEWMO consistently executes the YES program with initiatives such as the tree-planting partnership with NTC.

The planting of bamboo trees ensures that the community will gain sustainable aid from the institution, its proponents, and the volunteers. More importantly, as assured by the project leaders Dr. Cordero and Mr. Inocencio, the area will be consistently visited by the admin and the volunteers to check on the progress of the trees planted. As a result, a long-term partnership and communication are built and assured from this project.

“That’s why with the help of the CEWMO, we’ll be able to sustain the project… maybe next time mangailangan sila ng tulong, they can call us. Kasi when I had a word with Engr. [Violeta], [when] there are times na mag-tree planting [and] kailangan ng warm bodies, tatawagan nila tayo kasi active tayo.” - Mr. Inocencio

Making Mental Health Awareness Prominent: NTC Self-Care Workshop

By Chalmer Mempin & Mia Buenconsejo

The National Teachers College conducted an online Mental Health and Self-Care Awareness workshop, October 12, 2022, with the theme “Keep calm, be nice to yourself”. This online event was among the first installment of the ‘Sandbox’ project by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) which commences every Wednesday. NTC Assistant Vice President for Student Services (NTC-AVPSS) Ms. Joan Alaine C. Belen led the talks for the online workshop. Also in attendance were NTC Guidance Counselors, student leaders, and members of student organizations of the institution.

The workshop expounded on the struggles with mental health and was grounded on real-life scenarios during the time of the pandemic. NTC-AVPSS Ms. Joan Belen shared her expertise on matters concerning mental health and advised NTCians about gaining confidence and appreciating their self-worth. The online event welcomed a safe and collaborative environment by allowing the participants to share their thoughts and experiences in one giant Jamboard.

“Self-care is not being selfish, it’s about giving yourself importance.” advised by the workshop speaker Ms. Belen. She tells the audience that caring for oneself is not a selfish need, but instead an important goal that one should achieve. Learning to love oneself may be challenging, but according to her, a good first step to the process is to allow oneself to give attention to things that can be controlled. She also added that managing time to self-reflect and nurture self-awareness is part of the learning process.

Talks about psychological self-care were also discussed in the workshop, which aided the audience to recognize and understand the inner self. Ms. Belen also shared some advantages of psychological self-care such as developing the ability to listen accurately and to have a clearer sense of order in terms of what matters most.

Moreover, the speaker also mentioned the downsides and misconceptions of self-care. For instance, too much self-care may lead to increased stress, sleep deprivation, unhealthy eating habits, and behavioral challenges. The workshop then reminded the audience that uncontrollable situations are part of existence. A healthy response to this predicament is to create an action plan tailored for oneself and identify things that can be changed.

Furthermore, Ms. Belen said that being able to take care of the self also means reinforcing one’s worth of unconditional love. If all these recommendations are followed, an individual’s negative emotions could be decreased, their confidence could be strengthened, their goals—be achieved, and could have an overall deeper reflection about the inner self.

The webinar workshop ended after almost two hours with around 60 student participants. Guest speaker NTC-AVPSS Ms. Joan Belen ended the session with a timely quote from author and church leader Thomas S. Monson, quoting “If you want to give light to others you have to glow yourself.” —a fitting testament to the NTCian mission and a reminder that resonates with the NTCians and the Tanglaw community.

The seeds of a sustainable future start in the fertile soil and eager hands of volunteers. — PHOTO BY JULIAN ESCALAMBRE

Editors’ Note

After many months of delay brought about by various internal factors, FIAT LUX’ FIRST SEMESTER NEWSPAPER ISSUE IS FINALLY OUT! Even though the publication and its staff members hit a snag multiple times, suffered internal inconsistencies, and deafening lulls in the course of 5 months, it is proud to announce the release of this much-awaited newspaper issue. Many weeks, days, and minutes spread across the 5 months since this newspaper was conceptualized and crafted were spent for this release day to finally come. As you can observe, all of the news, features, and opinion-editorial articles are based on occurrences from the previous semester (October 2022 - April 2023). We admit that the articles were sourced and written in the aforementioned dates, during which all information remains true and credible as it was written. No major alterations were made to protect the integrity of the author’s writing.

We also do admit that these articles could now be considered irrelevant to the present situations, but may we collectively be reminded that the past gives context to the present and the future. Without reflecting from past occurrences, our present trajectory towards the future will be left unguided, and might lead us astray.

With this, we express our overjoy in sharing these highlights of the previous semester to all of you. May these reminiscences bring you joy in the thought that you may have been a part of these stories, may these remembrance compel you to continue reflecting on past events that got lost in the sands of time, and may these memories remind you that you are part of a close-knit NTCian community. We hope you enjoy reading this newspaper.

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

The Philippine History Education Crisis

By Julian Escalambre

The defenders of Philippine History sparked a formal movement in August 2018 when a group of Araling Panlipunan Teachers, Historians, educators, professionals, and students from various fields gave birth to the High School Philippine History Movement (HSPHM). Their main objective is the return of Philippine History as a dedicated subject in the High School Curriculum. By virtue of the DepEd order no. 20 s. 2014 signed by former DepEd secretary Armin Luistro, FSC, Philippine History — which was previously assigned to Araling Panlipunan 7 — was effectively removed and replaced by Asian History or “Araling Asyano.” Now, with over 28,000 followers on Facebook, articles published on reputable media outlets such as Rappler, Esquire, and most importantly, lobbying opportunities in Congress, the High School Philippine History Movement has established itself as a bonafide nonpartisan organization advocating for historical truth and the defense of Philippine history education. And yet, the movement still has ways to go.

From history “facts” arising on Tiktok, Facebook, and other unreliable sources of history, the Movement has its share of historical distortion to address. The rapid digitalization of information, combined with the removal of Philippine History from the curriculum, the Filipino youth in particular are most susceptible to disinformation. This became the bedrock of the movement’s establishment, according to its President, Araling Panlipunan Teacher and notable history advocate Mr. Jamaico Ignacio.

“I had students who fell for Blogspot posts that claimed Rizal was Jack the Ripper or that Rizal was the father of Hitler…These were malleable teenage high school kids who were exploring their identities. I realized that teaching Philippine History at the high school level is important because this is where people mold their personal identities.” said Mr. Ignacio.

For future educators, we understand the crucial developmental stages, particularly with impressionable High School minds. If left unchecked, the lapses in the curriculum will breed incompetence and indifference to our own history as students turn into professionals. The dominant adolescent population in social media are most susceptible to disinformation as they are left without defense from “troll farms” enabled by the current administration.

It is during these grade levels that nationalism and the Filipino identity must be instilled through quality, spiral education—a principle of education that is most obvious even to its students.

One would think that the Department of Education, the country’s leading authority on Basic Education curriculum development, would share this sentiment. Ironically this is not the case for the Department.

In defense of the current Araling Panlipunan curriculum, the Department released a statement in January 2022 to clarify “misleading claims” from one Atty. Wilfredo Garrido. The statement from Atty. Garrido’s Facebook post claimed that it was former DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones and her tenure at DepEd that removed “a huge chunk” of Philippine History as a school subject.

The statement did anything but stay on topic. It took the department a mere sentence to clarify that it was indeed during former DepEd Secretary Luistro’s term, not Briones’, then their succeeding statements were desperate attempts to deny the educational crisis. The main argument is “integration”; that Philippine History topics are being taught as the accompaniment of various subjects in Junior High School.

“Generally, it is highly impossible to discuss the said subjects without even taking into consideration the Philippine historical context,” says DepEd.

While this is a valid point, the meticulous study of history, especially one’s own, takes more than just a context-setting tool for another topic. The study of history as a discipline begins with a strong cohesive foundation that begins in Elementary, consistently streamed through the crucial years of Junior High and Senior High, culminating in thematic research in Higher Education. There is a reason why the STEM industry is doing relatively better compared to HUMSS, as this method of teaching and learning is cautiously observed throughout all of STEM education. We all have a memory of our notable Math or Science professors utilizing the 4th quarter as stage-setting for the next year level.

Why is it easy to understand the interconnectivity of each mathematics or science grade level while history classes are chopped into pieces and left optional?

History must be placed on the same pedestal as STEM studies are in the curriculum. Currently, STEM subjects as well as English subjects in JHS are

receiving 4 hours (even 5 hours) a week while Araling Panlipunan receives 3 hours. The gradual disadvantage lost from Araling Panlipunan and its courses is significant. The allotted time for AP subjects barely covers its subdisciplines, let alone “integrate” another complex subject area.

These inconsistencies defended and justified by the Department of Education are the built-up reasons why we witness statements like:

“History is like tsismis…” or blatantly incorrect elementary history facts like “MaJoHa”. The reckless rationalization and denialism of the lapses in the AP curriculum birth a generation of Filipinos who are illiterate in their own history or worse; a generation that cares very little for its historical identity.

A generation that can unconscionably say “...history no longer matters, for it is the past. It is time to move on.” To this, I paraphrase the great nationalist Rizal, that it is impossible to move forward without the guidance of the past.

Like the saying “forged in fire”, it is also during these times that the High School Philippine History Movement was born. Amidst the ocean of historical distortion and disinformation, the Movement stands against this raging tide. HSPHM is grounded on historical truth, historical education, and Filipinization. From a modest online petition, they have grown to an established organization completed by its Professional and Youth Wing, its Board of Trustees, its corresponding committees, and an official community of history advocates whose membership grows by the minute.

Which is why, to the NTCian community, the President and convener of the movement conclude with a fierce reminder.

HULMANG BABAE

“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” - Virginia Wolf (1929) Mayroong isang kuwento tungkol sa pagtuklas sa sarili na pumukaw sa isipan ng isang babaeng walang boses, dahil sa mga matitinding karanasan na nagudyok sa kaniyang mamulat sa gitna ng panahong talamak ang militarisasyon at machismo. Ang “Barber’s Tales” ni Jun Robles Lana, ay pelikulang nagbabalik-tanaw sa kanayunan ng Pilipinas noong panahon ng diktaduryang Marcos, kung kailan binuo at itinaguyod ang ‘Bagong Lipunan’, na nakabatay sa awtoritaryanismo, at pasismo ng mga nakaupo sa gobyerno. Ang pelikulang ito ay ipinalabas noong 2013 sa mga piling sinehan sa buong mundo. Si ‘Marilou’ ang bida sa pelikula, na binigyang-buhay ng batikang aktres at komedyanteng si Eugene Domingo. Siya ay nagwagi bilang Best Actress sa 26th Tokyo International Film Festival noong 2013 dahil sa katangi-tangi niyang pagganap dito. Kalakip nito ay ang pagiging nominado ng Barber’s Tales sa iba’t ibang International Film Festival Awards. Ayon sa isang panayam kay Bb. Domingo, “Kampante ako na Pilipino ako at mayroon tayong puwesto pagdating sa Asian cinema o sa World cinema. Gusto ko talagang maging instrumento na makilala tayo sa Asian cinema.” Kasama ni Eugene Domingo si Sue Prado na gumanap bilang si ‘Rosa’, Gladys Reyes na ginampanan ang karakter na si ‘Susan’, at Sharmaine Centener bilang si ‘Tess’. Kasama niya rin dito si Daniel Fernando bilang ‘Jose’, na siyang asawa ni Marilou sa pelikula. Sa kalipunan ng mapagmataas na kalalakihan, ang mga kakayahan ng kababaihan ay labian sa paningin ng masa. Ang kuwento ng Barber’s Tales ay nakasentro sa buhay ni Marilou na isang mapagmahal na ina at tapat na asawa. Ang kaniyang asawa ang nag-iisang barbero sa kanilang lugar at katuwang niya rito si Marilou. Sa unang pahina ng istorya, hinarap ng bida ang mabigat na pang-aalipusta sa kamay ng kaniyang asawa at pagpanaw ng kaniyang nag-iisang anak, hindi rin nagtagal ay binawian ng buhay ang kaniyang asawa. Dahil ito ang hanapbuhay na iniwan ng asawa, napilitan si Marilou na maging barbero at lakas-loob niyang pinatakbo ang pagupitan ng yumao niyang asawa, bagama’t hindi ito naging madali para sa kaniya. Bigo siyang makaakit ng kostumer dahil maliit ang tingin ng lipunan sa mga kababaihang tulad niya. Isa sa mga kaibig-ibig na tagpo

Aldwin Manahan

sa pelikula ay ang kaniyang mainit na pagtanggap kay Rosa na kerida ni Jose at isang babaeng mababa ang lipad, na siyang tumulong kay Marilou upang dumami ang kaniyang regular na kostumer sa barbershop. Si Rosa at ang iba pa niyang kasamahan ay nagbanta sa kanilang mga kostumer sa beerhouse na kailangan nilang magpagupit kay Marilou, at kung hindi ay isisiwalat nito ang kanilang mga tinatago sa kanilang mga asawa. Tahasan itong pangba-blackmail na kapag hindi sila nagpagupit, ang sikreto nila ang tiyak na kabayaran.

Ang pelikulang ito ay tunay na kahanga-hanga kaya hindi nakapagtataka na ito’y umani ng samu’t saring pagkilala. Isa sa mga katangiang taglay ng pelikula ay ang pambihirang ganda ng pagkuha sa mga eksena. Ang pelikula ay hindi pangkaraniwan, dahil ang bawat eksena ay may tinatagong kahulugan o mensahe. Bukod pa rito, ang masining na paglalahad ng biswal ay nagbigay-lumbay at nagdala sa mga manonood pabalik sa nakaraan. Kabilang din dito ang magaganda at mahahalagang puntong hatid ng pelikula na kailangan nating maintindihan at maisabuhay.

Una, ang pelikula ay taliwas sa nakasanayang kahulugan ng ‘Kuwentong Barbero’, sapagkat, ang naging talastasan ay sumasalamin sa mga karanasang pilit itinatago ng gobyerno. Tila ba’y inihayag nito ang totoong kuwento na siyang sumusukat sa dangal ng bawat tao. Ito ang patunay na hindi lahat ng tsismis ay pawang kasinungalingan, sa halip, ito’y maaaring maging daan patungo sa tunay na kalayaan.

Pangalawa, ang kapangyarihang taglay ng pagtutulungan ay nakapupukaw-damdamin sa bawat manonood na siyang dapat nating isapuso. Nagpapahiwatig din ito na hindi dapat mag-atubiling tumulong sa mga taong nangangailangan.

Panghuli, ang pelikula ay nagpapakita ng kalakasan ng mga kababaihan at inilalahad dito ang paraan ng pakikibaka para sa kanilang karapatan at kalayaan. Ang layon ng pelikulang ito ay mulatin ang ating isipan at mas palawakin ang ating pang-unawa sa kung ano ang magiging bunga ng mga maling nakasanayan. Tinalakay rin dito na ang kasarian ay hindi hadlang sa kahit anumang uri ng trabaho, basta’t ito’y marangal at walang tinatapakang tao. Bukod pa rito, naipakita ng pelikula ang diskriminasyon bilang isang uri ng kanser sa ating lupang sinilangan, kung saan talamak pa rin ang hindi pantay na pagtingin sa kababaihan, at iba pang kasarian. Ngayon, ano ang iyong napag-alaman? Hindi ba’t ang kasarian ay hindi basehan ng kalakasan?

EXPENSIVE CANDY: ADDICTION AND DECEIT A.L Garcia

In our society, there are certain types of professions accepted by people. In the Philippines, your worth is attributed to your job accomplishments, how honorable your job is will determine how “deserving” you are of respect. It is ingrained in the culture and everyday lives of Filipinos to ask “what do you do for a living?” Some ask this question to secretly gauge how much respect they should be showing you. Others might take it even further by asking “how much do you make?” and then start comparing notes with other relatives’ salaries. Ultimately, a job is seen as a benchmark for your worth.

In this light, Filipinos often see teaching as a “respectable” profession while sex work is thrown in the “immoral” pile. Sex workers are frequently portrayed as aberrant individuals, left out of discussions concerning the industry, and routinely denied social rights enjoyed by other members of our society. Derogatory terms such as “whore” and “hooker” are often used to describe them in our society.

Many people who seek connection, companionship, and emotional support may find solace in the idea of paying sex workers for intimacy and the services they offer. By employing a sex worker, some people may indulge in their fantasies and kink preferences as they please. These are all from the customers’ viewpoint. At the back of the house, sex workers deal with various risks, because of the ongoing criminalization of sex work and sex workers by society—a violence that feeds prejudice and stigma. Sex workers are more likely to experience extortion, abuse, sexual and physical assault, and sex trafficking even from their own clientele. Being a sex worker does not mean that everyone has a right to touch and treat you inappropriately. Sex workers deserve consent and control over their bodies and rights, just as much as everyone else. That is basic human decency.

Conversely, our teachers are perceived as noble workers, yet are still among the lowest-paid professional workers in Asia and the Philippines. Their salaries are further diminished by deductions from numerous compulsory loans and private lending organizations to compensate for deficiencies in their salary and today’s high cost of living. These socioeconomic issues are tackled in the movie ‘Expensive Candy.’

After being absent from the mainstream media for a few years, the award-winning writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana returns to the box office with his sultry film released on September 14, 2022. ‘Expensive Candy’ centers on ‘Candy’ portrayed by Julia Barretto, a proud prostitute who works in the red-light district of Angeles City. There she meets the self-effacing ‘Renato “Toto’’ Camaya’ portrayed by Carlo Aqui-

no, a History teacher who struggles to survive on his measly salary of Php 7,500.00, a typical Filipino son who surrenders his hard-earned money to his mother and has difficulties connecting with women.

The story revolves around Toto’s “virginity” and his growing obsession to sustain Candy’s services. At the start of the film, his virginity is being poked fun at by his students, there his student mentioned that losing virginity symbolizes someone wanting you or being attracted to you.

Toto’s frustration with getting romance and pleasure led him to a place called “Area” a slang term for “Women”. There he stumbled upon ‘TJ’ (AJ Mulach) who manages the business. TJ shows him different women who offer pleasure for a cheap price. Toto disagrees with TJ and said that he wouldn’t give in because he is a dignified man, but that decision of his suddenly changes when Toto meets Candy (Julia Baretto). Candy is offered Php 700.00 by, a price lower than Candy’s usual rate. He reluctantly left, but his desire got the better of him—changing his mind. It was not remiss to the audience that it is Toto’s first time. His confidence inside the classroom disappeared as soon as the beautiful Candy was before him. To make up for his discomfort, he quickly turned to what was familiar, immediately asking the history of the establishment they were about to have sexual intercourse in, confusing Candy. His inexperience became more obvious as soon as Candy’s lips touched his, blurting out that he loves her, much to her surprise. After they did the deed, he emerged with a triumphant aura from the Area, grading the experience 10/10 in a humorous and appropriate display of his satisfaction.

Similar to the first stage of addiction, he began to yearn for Candy’s touch. He began to work around his financial issues which already had very little breathing room, even resorting to lying to his parents on several occasions for extra money. His denial of why he deserved to get a taste of Candy once more will cause the much-dreaded protagonist’s downfall. Their second meeting was quite routine at the beginning. However, Toto’s profession of his “feelings” for Candy led them to a montage-worthy adventure. Filled with smiles, fitting music, and incredible lighting, it was as if all the burden of their situations faded. Their fun did not last long, as was foreshadowed, when three of his students caught him with the famed Candy of the area.

His obsession is further displayed when his students begin extorting him, threatening to tattle on the principal about his entanglement with Candy. A momentary display of guilt, he extinguished the situation quickly and saw no problem

in catering to their students’ whims. He accepted his student’s bribery for their academic dishonesty in exchange for passing them on all their assignments. With a clear conscience, he is more willing to keep his secret with Candy than the integrity of his job.

In the next act of the film, he pushes his luck even further. With more than Php 10,000 worth of borrowed money, he begins to indulge in his “Candy-addiction” with money he does not have. He acts like a big shot with his fancy-looking clothes and the expensive dinner. But even with all the money he borrowed, he still failed to get Candy’s attention. His fun was short-lived again when his students finally exposed his schemes to their principal. His deep regret for what he did was shown, as he begs for forgiveness.. Everything he did for Candy’s service led him to lose his license and teaching profession.

This film subtly reflects addiction’s realities, but those who recognize the cues can point out its signs. Other than Toto’s addiction to Candy’s service, it is also evident that Candy has her share in her inability to give up sex work after her pregnancy loss, she shows signs of relapse as contrives to perform sex work behind Toto’s back.

‘Expensive Candy’ romanticized Toto’s double-dealing ways, hiding behind the excuse that it was all in the name of love. Its ideals went awry when it came from a male gaze point of view on what job is considered respectable and immoral. This point of view adds stigma to sex work considering it came from a man. Toto’s hypocrisy becomes evident when he suddenly becomes judgmental of Candy’s occupation when he himself was obsessed with her and the service she offers. The film debased Candy as a person because she chose to be a sex worker and the romanticization of exploitation by projecting that Candy’s worth is based on how naked she gets.

As the film comes to an end, so did Toto and Candy’s unhealthy relationship. Toto still romanticizes his idea of dignified jobs while Candy, stuck in a perpetual loop in her job as a sex worker, sees her self-worth increasing as her paycheck from her clients accumulates. However, as we all know, fantasy is only just as good as the characters believe in a lie. Reality often catches up.

All that struggle risked and endured in the name of a Sweet and Expensive Candy.

DELETER: THE BACKSTAGE HORRORS OF THE DIGITAL WORLD

As the era of social media evolves over the course of time, users, too, have developed their own ways of utilizing it—some use it to hone their artistic skills, most for their leisure. Yet there are some who boldly use social media for their dark and sinister agendas, going as far as creating and posting content that directly violates social media community guidelines and human rights. There are indeed positive benefits from using social media, yet you cannot discount that there is indeed dark, hair-raising, and spine-chilling content, which could inflict mental trauma to potential audiences; truly an unfortunate downside…After all, most users obliviously accept the terms and conditions of social media platforms, opening an avenue to create and publicly expose distressing contents.

“Deleter”, a film directed by Mikhael Red released on December 25, 2022, stars Nadine Lustre as ‘Lyra’, Louise delos Reyes as ‘Aileen’, McCoy de Leon as ‘Jace’, and Jeffrey Hidalgo as ‘Simon’. This techno-horror film follows the story of Lyra as she works as a Content Moderator at a BPO company, wherein she filters inappropriate and explicit content being posted as she dives deeper into the virtual space. Her job entails filtering out explicit and inappropriate content mainly about disgusting video challenges, crime scenes, gruesome torture of both humans and animals, R18+ films, and the like. However, during her stressful workload, the vengeful soul of Lyra’s deceased co-worker, Aileen, troubles her, forcing her to witness how their job is an endless nightmare.

Before you continue, graphic and sensitive content will be present that is not for the faint of heart.

A TRIGGER WARNING IS IN FULL EFFECT AT THIS POINT.

The film touches on serious topics about the negative impacts of the corporate world in an individual’s mental health. There is an existing pressure for workers to accomplish their endless pile of

Chalmer Mempin

work just for them to earn a living, even if it means spending too much time in the office and letting the system eat their social life. Deleter also portrayed the conditions of drug dependency, showing how the employees in the movie continuously take pills during their long hours of work or during lunch breaks in order to ease their work’s mental burden all while being unaware of its severe side effects.

A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW

What seems to be antidepressant pills given to the protagonist play an important role in symbolizing how these became the means for Lyra to maintain her mental stability in her toxic working environment. Due to the long hours of sitting in front of the screen viewing discrete content, they have realized how cruel people can get when creating content until they can no longer bear to see it. The pills shown in the film are more than just a literal representation of her struggles in these working conditions; it is also a metaphor since it emphasizes how toxic their working environment is—their work is a hard pill to swallow. From having an abusive boss to extensive working hours, it is a perfect example of a toxic environment setting. Due to their financial situations, they have no choice but to abide by the tasks given to them by their manager Simon (Jeffrey Hidalgo) even if it means allowing him to harass his employees.

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT

The content moderators are the frontliners behind every piece of content that we see, they do the dirty job in making the internet squeaky clean against people who mindlessly upload anything that violates online community guidelines. Professions like these are the epitome of jobs that seem easy for some, but in reality, a risk to a person’s sanity.

“We view data not peo ple’’, said Lyra (Nadine Lus tre) in denial, this part of the story depicts a lot about their job and is indeed a serious field that should not be taken lightly. Looking at Lyra’s office mate Aileen (Louise delos Reyes), she is the polar opposite. During working hours, Aileen embodied a fraz zled and traumatized worker after she wit nessed a video of a woman committing suicide by ripping her face off with a box cutter. This sets her on the edge as she hysterically screams in fear and paranoia. However, it is obvious for the viewers that their boss Simon is showing signs of ill-intentions. He gives Aileen medication that supposedly ‘calms’ her down and afterwards sexually assaults her, inflicting more trauma towards Aileen. All of these combined brought Aileen to the breaking point as she commits suicide by jumping off the building, ending her suffering.

The horror genre can bring a powerful message in terms of bringing light to social issues and harsh realities of life. The movie itself would’ve stood alone without the supernatural elements provided because they chose to do a fresh new take on the genre, but what ended up as a brand new concept became a cliché Philippine genre about revenge.

The slow-paced build-up of the story only centered around how good Lyra is at her work but continued to be riddled by the fact that her colleague took their own life thus, leading to an unsatisfying climax. Although there were also some elements to the film that presented many social issues that are portrayed as horrors and have been brought to light in this film, the overall story was a letdown and a wasted opportunity on the new take of the genre.

PESANTE, MABUHAY KA!

“Pesante, mabuhay ka! Lupa mo ay inaangkin na! Mga hambog! Mga mandarambong! Baril ay pumuputok habang ako’y tumutugtog!” ‘Pesante’ ni: G. Khryss Arañas (2018)

Sa lipunang puno ng katiwalian, mga taong nasa laylayan ang siyang tunay na pinahihirapan. Pinagkaitan ng karapatan, binusalan ang bibig upang hindi makalaban. Tila ang mga nasa laylayan ay pilit na pinipiringan ng malulutong na salapi upang magbulag-bulagan. Tulad ng mga kababayan nating magsasaka, walang tigil na dumaranas ng masaklap nilang kapalaran. Mga anomalyang kanilang nararanasan saksi ang ating kasaysayan.

Pesante, sila ang bumubuhay sa sektor ng agrikultura ngunit nasa laylayan ng hiyarkiyang panlipunan. Ang awiting “Pesante” ay isinulat at inawit ni G. Khryss Arañas noong Oktubre 2018—na siya ring buwan ng mga magsasaka. Ginawa ito bilang pag-alala sa patuloy na pakikibaka nila laban sa kawalan ng hustisya at reporma sa lupa. Mapakikinggan ito sa Spotify, Youtube, at Apple Music. Si G. Khryss ay isang Bikolanong musikero at parte ng Anakbayan, isang komprehensibong organisasyon ng mga kabataan na ipinaglalaban ang karapatang pantao, trabaho, sahod, edukasyon, hustisya, at repormang agraryo.

PARATANG NA HINDI MALILIMUTAN

Nakapaloob sa kanta ang mga kaso ng red-tagging na patuloy na kinahaharap ng mga magsasaka. Ayon sa description ng music video ng kanta, “Laganap ang red-tagging sa mga magsasaka kahit na ang tanging bahid lamang ng pula ay ang dugo at pawis na binuhos nila—mantsa ng kanilang pagsisikap upang mapakain ang mga mamamayan.” Pangunahing paksa rin dito ang patuloy na pagpaslang sa mga magsasaka dahil sa pansariling interes ng mga manunupil na kapitalista sa bansa. Ayon sa Oakland Institute, isang organisasyon na nakatuon sa pagbibigay ideya ukol sa mga isyung panlipunan, pangkalikasan, at pang-ekonomiya, sa pag-upo ni dating Pangulong Duterte noong Hulyo 2016, naitala ang samu’t saring pagpatay sa mga magbubukid at mangingisda na may kaugnayan sa mga kaso ng alitan sa lupa at adbokasiya ng repormang agraryo. Ngunit ang katotohanan, kahit anong laban ng mga magigiting na Pilipinong magsasaka para sa kanilang kabuhayan ay hindi pa rin nabubuwag ang ganitong mapanupil na sistema. Ang mga pangyayaring ito ay patunay na hindi pa rin nakakamit ng mga manggagawa ang kalayaan laban sa mapang-aping pamahalaan at sistema. Magsasaka ang nagtatanim subalit sila pa ang walang maihain sa kanilang hapag, habang ang mga kapitalistang makasarili ang patuloy na umaani ng yaman at nanatiling nasa itaas ng ating lipunan.

KANDADO SA SARILING LUPA

Fatima Maglente

Bukod pa roon, tinalakay din sa awitin ang karanasan ng mga magsasaka sa isang malupit na lipunang mayroong mga hambog na pinuno. Isinalaysay din sa kanta ang mga linyang, “Mga kamay ay puno ng butil ng bigas. Sila ang bumubuhay sa mga taong nangangahas.” Ang mga magsasaka ang siyang bumubuhay sa ekonomiya, sa bansa, maging sa mga lider nito, ngunit silang mga nakikinabang ang gumigipit sa mga magsasaka. Umulan man o umaraw, hindi ito iniinda dahil prayoridad nila ang kaligtasan ng kanilang mga pananim.

MANDARAMBONG NG KAYAMANAN

“Lupang pinangako! Lupang minana! Gobyerno, alis! Umalis ka sa lupang ninuno!” Ang linyang ito ay naglalarawan kung paano sapilitang kinakamkám ng mga gahamang kapitalista ang lupang minana ng mga magsasaka mula sa kanilang mga ninunong katutubo. Kung matatandaan ang karakter sa nobela ni Gat. Jose Rizal na El Filibusterismo na si Kabesang Tales, ang lupang pinaghirapan nilang taniman ay unti-unting binawi ng mga prayle. Makikita na hanggang sa kasalukuyang panahon ay hindi pa rin nawawala ang ganitong mga suliranin—ang pagkamkam ng sakahan at pagpapatayo rito ng komersyal na gusali. Pati ang sapilitang pagpapalayas sa kanila ng mga sugapang may-ari ng lupa matapos ang buwis-buhay nilang pagpapayaman ng lupa.

(TRIGGER WARNING) KRIMENG PILIT BINAON SA HUKAY

Naging inspirasyon sa pagbabalangkas ni G. Arañas sa kaniyang awitin ay ang pagpatay sa mga magsasaka sa politikal at ekonomikal na dahilan. Sa katunayan, sa isang masuwerteng panayam, nabanggit ni G. Arañas na hango sa totoong pangyayari ang ilang bahagi ng music video—binase niya ito sa pangyayaring naganap sa Ragay, Camarines Sur noong 2018 kung saan natagpuan ang bangkay ng tatlong nawawalang magkukupra. Ang unang nahukay ay hubo’t hubad, may laslas ang leeg, at hinihinalang tinanggalan ng ari. Ang pangalawa’y nahukay na nakapiring, nakatali ang dalawang kamay, may malalim na saksak, tanggal ang ngipin, at may tama ng baril. Habang ang isa naman ay pinaghihinalaang inilibing ng buhay. Sa kasamaang palad, hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nakakamit ng mga biktima ang hustisyang matagal nang inaasam. Kaagapay ng pagsikat ni haring araw ay ang pagkatuyo sa pag-asa ng mga magsasaka upang mamuhay nang matiwasay. Gayunpaman, sa kabila ng ‘di makatarungang sinasapit nila, ang “Pesante” ay isa sa mga nagsisilbing liwanag at tulay upang malaman ng ating mga kababayan ang paghihikahos na sinusuong ng mga magbubukid. At bilang isang Pilipinong tagapakinig, nararapat itong pakinggan at tangkilikin, dahil tila ba’y tinig ito ng mga magbubukid upang magising at makawala ang Inang Bayan sa pang-aabusong nararanasan.

Tumindig at lumaban nang mayroong paninindigan, para sa buhay at karapatan ng bawat magsasaka!

NTC-COMELEC ADJUSTS DATE FOR SLATE OF CANDIDATES ANNOUNCEMENT

DANNIELLE EISHA ROSALES

The National Teachers College Commission on Elections (NTC-COMELEC) postponed on November 12, 2022 the posting of the official slate of candidates for the Student Government elections.

A notice was posted on their Facebook page stating the postponement of the announcement until November 15, 2022, from its original intended date of November 12, 2022.

Alliance of Concerned Students (ACS) Partylist

Executive Branch:

Aldreen Siplon

Kaurrie Chynd Talastas

Josel Blaise Macabantad

John Dahryl Tuazon

Kyle Gesolgani

John Heinrich Manese

According to the poll body, the absence of the offices in charge of the final verification was the cause of the holdup of the announce ment, since the Certificates of Candidacies (COCs) still have to un dergo verification through the school’s Admissions Office and the Student Affairs Office.

These are the respective partylists and its candidates that vyed a seat in the NTC-SG elections:

Legislative Branch:

Marcuz Red Tevez Aldrin Mananghaya

John Rey Jhaydenlyn Fajardo

John Tyron Estacio Jhonel Datul

Justin Malate

Rain Jerusalem

Systematic Unified Leaders of the New Generation Party (SULONG)

Executive Branch:

Zairuss Harold Lacorte

Rovilyn Catoy

Athena Minguez

Zyra Camille Ongsiaco

Borgie Padregano

Ralph Dizon

Ruffa Vergara

Legislative Branch:

Althea Claire Reyes

Abigail Francisco

JC Inocencio

Cyrine Abolencia

Ian Nicole Soriano Darel John Salen

Carl Albert Manalo

Ma. Christina Ollave

Matthew Jacob Magcanlas

For context, the ACS and SULONG parties both locked in their slots for the NTC-SG Elections on Friday, November 11, 2022, marking the end of the COC filing process which started on November 4, 2022.

In connection with this, the campaign period for the election was set to run from November 14 until November 22, 2022. At this time, students are allowed to report concerns and violations with regards

House of Representatives:

Abigail Prado

Junel Symon Dela Cruz

Reinbow Madarang

Barbara Nicole Dela Cruz

House of Representatives:

Julie Ann Doctolero

Hannah Mae Lumanog

to school’s campaign regulations, as well as reporting black propa ganda and other hostile behavior towards the candidates.

Furthermore, the voter’s registration for the NTC-SG Election was stretched from October 27, 2022 to November 22, 2022. NTCians from different Schools were encouraged to register on the referred links posted by the NTC-COMELEC on their Facebook page, which were open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Saturday.

The National Teachers College Commission on Election (NTC-COMELEC) declared on the eve of the 2022 Student Government Elections, November 24, 2022, an ‘Election Silence’ which took full effect until November 25, 2022, that essentially prohibited any type of campaigning, to give way for the elections.

This measure intends to espouse Section 3 of the Commission on Elections of the Republic of the Philippines Resolution No. 10488, which states that “It is unlawful for any person or any political party, or associations of persons to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity on [...] the eve of election day and on Election Day.”

Furthermore, according to NTC-COMELEC’s post, the ‘Election Silence’ also intends to provide the student-voters time to reflect on the upcoming elections.

However, the poll body has also limited the comments section in their election-related posts during the ‘Election Silence’—something that was not stated in their resolution. Students have branded this move as a deprivation of their freedom of expression, and have expressed their frustration through social media.

In the comments section, one NTCian student-voter has questioned the poll body’s move, saying,

In light of this, NTC-COMELEC have issued a statement of apology, posted through their Facebook page on the same day that the ‘Election Silence’ was posted.

In the statement, NTC-COMELEC remarked that “We acknowledge our faults and take full responsibility and accountability for this matter. We did not mean to suppress the freedom of expression of the whole student body. The previous post regarding election silence was meant for candidates only. The comment section on our official Facebook Page will again be open to cater to the student voters’ views, concerns and queries.”

The NTC-SG Elections commenced on November 25, 2022. The election process was conducted via Google Forms, released by NTC-COMELEC in a Facebook post. The official results were released on November 26, 2022 proclaiming the new NTC Student Government officials for the Academic Year 2022-2023.

Kung totoong democratic institution ang NTC bakit nililimitahan ang pagbibigay ng comments sa mga mismong kandidatong mamumuno sa mga estudyante nito? What’s with the comments para limitahan niyo ang pagsasalita ng mga students?

CHALMER MEMPIN

UP WITH NTC-SG

STUDENT-VOTERS MISSING AT NTCCOMELEC’S MDA

NTC-Commission on Elections (NTC-COMELEC) Miting De Avance (MDA) shunned student participation in the program proper on November 22, 2022. The highlight of the NTC-Student Government (NTC-SG) Election Season commenced at the NTC Social Hall from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Registration forms for officially registered student-voters were released via the Poll Body’s official Facebook page.

The MDA’s programme flow was announced at 12:00 p.m., an hour prior to the event. The Question and Answer and Debate proper opened the floor for NTC-SG Candidates to relay their platforms to the NTC community. No particular time slot was allotted for the questions of the attending student-voters. Student queries to the candidates were officially collated by the NTC-COMELEC on November 23, 2022, a day after the Miting De Avance. Former NTC-COMELEC Chairperson Angelina Beatriz clarified the exclusion of student queries for the programme proper of the MDA in a quick interview.

“So what’s gonna happen is because [...] maybe there would be questions that we cannot filter. There might be questions that can be quite offensive or something. So what we’re gonna do is that we’re actually gonna release another form where this form would be open for every NTCians of course that will be [...] they can submit their questions and then we’re gonna pass it to the candidates.” The Chairperson added further clarification that the filter will apply to “derogatory or offensive” words.

The said forms remained open for NTCians for one day, closing before 4:00 p.m. on November 23.

Furthermore, students expressed their concerns on the NTCCOMELEC’s decision to exclude direct student questions on the program proper. An NTCian student was interviewed regarding the MDA.

“Para sa akin naman sana nabigyan ng chance ‘yung mga [estudyante] kasi hindi rin naman tayo lahat mayroong same question at mayroon talagang nagkakaiba ng perspective sa pagpili ng leader.”

The elections for the NTC-SG occurred on November 25, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. The voting process was preceded by the controversial Election Silence on November 24. Election results were released on November 26 which declared the Systematic and Unified Leaders of the New Generation Party (SULONG) as the majority party in the NTC Student Government, effectively replacing the A.Y. 2021-2022 previous administration majority Alliance of Concerned Students (ACS).

2022 TOTAL VOTERS: 1921

Fiery Clash of Ideas in Debate of ACS and SULONG Party Softened by Warm Gestures and Friendly Interactions at Miting de Avance of NTC SG Elections 2022-2023.

Candidates Present Their Strengths and Visions at an Intriguing Miting de Avance of NTC SG Elections 2022-2023

NOEL FRANCISCO JR

Miting de Avance 2022-2023 of NTC SG Elections 2022 Highlights Sportsmanship: Candidates of ACS and SULONG Engage in Respectful Interactions. FIONA MORINES

NTC-COMELEC Prepares Outside Social Hall for the Voters’ and Candidates’ Registration. NOEL FRANCISCO JR

MROTC IN A TEACHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION: A MISALIGNMENT

In the worst of cases, abuse, corruption, violence, harassment, sexism, and red-tagging occurrences could become frequent and ‘normal’. Truly, a dangerous setting, most especially in an institution like NTC, who envisions becoming “the largest and most awarded teacher education institution” in the country

In December 15, 2022, the Congress of the Philippines swiftly passed the National Citizen Service Training Program (NCSTP) bill that seeks to revive the Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MROTC) program in schools nationally, and replace the National Service Training Program (NSTP) that was put in place after the death of University of Santo Tomas (UST) student Mark Welson Chua, following his exposé of the corruption within the MROTC program.

Throughout the legislative hearings to advance and enact the revival of the MROTC, we have heard the notions, opinions, and stands of politician-advocates and military men about the program—it is said that the MROTC will instill ‘discipline’, ‘patriotism’, and ‘leadership’ in the youth, who, as what have the politicians claimed, now become ‘soft’, like ‘babies’, and have taken interest in ‘trivial’ things such as social media, eGames, TikTok, and the likes. Furthermore, the program would also answer the call for the lack of manpower in times of calamities, and especially when the time that China will ‘invade’ the country. All these, MROTC would solve, the politicians said.

In an ideal and progressive nation, one would think that after a nationally traumatic occurrence in the death of Mark Welson Chua, the implementers of the said prwill learn a thing or two, yet sadly that has not been the case. ‘Lumansag’, an alliance of students and rights groups that calls to abolish MROTC, has reported multiple cases of human rights violations committed against student-cadets by ROTC officers of various colleges and universities throughout the country, even when the program is optional.

A notable post-abolishment case was Willy Amihoy’s death in 2019 at the hands of an ROTC corps commander. The victim was found lifeless inside the comfort room of the boys’ dormitory. Enablers and advocates of the MROTC program, in the form

of the Philippine Navy Reserve Command, and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Commissioner de Vera III, were quick to justify the situation claiming that at the time of the murder, the perpetrator, Elmer Decilao, was not anymore affiliated with the training program. True as it may, the action done by Elmer is a reflection of the program he has immersed in—a program that instilled a culture of violence and lust of power, which could be the reason as to why he resorted to a truly horrific deed. This case raises questions on the reliability of the program in its goal of ‘instilling discipline’, is it not one of the main points of enrolling under the ROTC program? Where is the discipline here that these advocates and enablers are claiming ROTC will try to inculcate to the youth? Was Elmer disciplined, the way that MROTC and its advocates intend to?

Several other cases were also reported ranging from red-tagging progressive students, paddling, sexual harassment, hazing, verbal abuse, psychological abuse, and as aforementioned, murder.

In 2015, campus journalists of UP Vista, the student publication of University of the Philippines Visayas, Tacloban College were tagged in an ROTC lecture class as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

It is cases such as these that makes MROTC detrimental to the students’ welfare—opposite to what its advocates claim. These disturbing and harmful cases are evidently prevalent even when ROTC is still optional, what would happen if it becomes mandatory? In the worst of cases, abuse, corruption, violence, harassment, sexism, and red-tagging occurrences could become frequent and ‘normal’. Truly, a dangerous setting, most especially in an institution like NTC, who envisions becoming “the largest and most awarded teacher education institution” in the country. And who also aspire to provide its learners the fulfillment of their “per

sonal and professional aspirations”. How would those be accomplished and satisfied if blind obedience, herd mentality and thinking, cultures of violence and impunity would be inculcated to the students?

Would the National Teachers College allow such a program to be implemented in its grounds, would it invite similar occurrences such as that of Mark Welson Chua’s and Willy Amihoy’s within its walls? What kind of teachers would this teacher education institution produce to the industry if this program is mandatorily implemented, ones that would justify and propagate blind obedience, sexism, and violence?

The youth should fight back against the railroading of the revival of the MROTC. We must not let the program that enabled the death, the trauma, and fears of other students be revived by out-of-touch politicians and military men. We must not let the evils of the culture of violence, repression, abuse, and impunity be let inside sanctuaries of learning, of knowledge, and critical thinking. We must protect our academic and personal liberties against the ideology of fascism, of herd mentality, and distorted patriotism. We must remember that even our national heroes were not forced by anyone to be patriotic, to exhibit leadership, and discipline—it is through their autonomous critical-thinking that they were able to see through the ills of society and government, with which they decided to render their own form of patriotism in the service of the nation and the Filipinos. This gives merit to the point that what educational institutions need are autonomy and genuine, quality educational support; and not coerced militarization.

LIBRO, HINDI BALA. EDUKASYON, HINDI MILITARISASYON!

MANDATORY RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS, TUTULAN, LABANAN, HUWAG PAHINTULUTAN!

SIM Registration Fraud: Just the tip of the Iceberg

‘We find ways,’ scammers have yet again proved this quote to be true by finding a new method to scam Filipinos, this time using the SIM card registration process.

Taking effect starting December 27 of last year, the Republic Act 11934, otherwise known as the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, compels all SIM card users to sign up for their personal identifiable information (full name, complete address, birth date, gender, nationality, cellphone number, and sim serial number) with telecommunication companies. It was filed by House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, the main author of the SIM Registration Act, and has since become the very first bill signed into law by the Marcos administration last October 10, 2022. Aside from personal info, the SIM subscribers are also required to submit an original and true copy of their government-issued ID with photo. Failure to register SIM cards will entail the SIM being deactivated and users having potential penalties. As of April 23, 2023 the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) reports that about 82,845,397, or 49.31 percent of SIM cards were already registered.

Under this Act, government authorities can access relevant data and personal information of SIM users if given a subpoena or order from a court or law enforcement agencies. It is expect ed that the Act would hasten law enforcement to address spam and scam text messages, many of which offer pho ny employment or incentives. The said law also has a provision that restricts online trolling. Although it is intended to help, it seems that it just made the problem of cybercrime worse. With only a few weeks since it was mandated, news emerged that the Sim Registration Act, which intends to eradicate mobile crimes, is now a new source of fraudulent schemes.

In a news report by Inquirer, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Department of Information and Commu nications Technology (DICT) announced strong cautionary statements about emerging novel frauds that may target Filipinos attempting to register their SIM cards—scams that pose as links to register SIM numbers, individuals demanding registration payments in exchange for help signing up, and vendors selling pre-registered SIM cards have all surfaced.

To recall, Gcash, a prominent e-wallet operated by Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (Mynt), also detected a fraud scheme that prompts their users to pre-register by clicking a link, a transaction that might possibly expose their personal information.

With reports about new schemes arising related to the registration process of SIM cards, the effectiveness of the Act to curb the scam rates remains questionable. It is not enough to just give sugges-

tions to register as soon as possible for authorities to detect crooks who take advantage of naive subscribers in order to counteract these crimes. Must the Filipino people carry the burden just because we have a few rotten apples?

Considering how some people, particularly most senior citizens, find the entire registration process complex and challenging. Another source of concern is the deferred registration deadline. In lieu of the original deadline on June 27, DICT modified it to April 26—two months earlier than the original date.

In an unexpected turn of events, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced a day before the supposed deadline, that the SIM card registration will be extended for another 90 days or until July 25, 2023. Even though the deadline has been extended, users who failed to register by the original April 26 period will have limited access to services until they do so.

The law’s objective is to limit the ability of particular organizations to illegally access the privacy provided by prepaid SIM cards for nefarious and criminal reasons. However, even if there is a reasonable and convincing basis for implementing this law, it does not guarantee the credibility and efficiency of its exe-

One other thing that stirs concern is how the SIM subscribers’ right to data protection and privacy is at risk in this law SIM Card act . Although the government has assured that the user’s personal identification information will not be exploited for red-tagging, state surveillance, or any other malicious purposes, are the assurances enough to suffice the distress that personal data will not be abused? Looking back, this is also one of the many concerns that the sole youth party-list group in Congress, Kabataan Partylist, pointed out in their Facebook post on October 10, 2022 that the passed law infringes on the privacy rights of individuals.

The SIM Card Act is said to be able to protect SIM subscribers against cybercrimes, but it seems that at this point, it is displayed as another burdensome task—prolonging inconveniences, risk of data privacy invasion, depriving the marginalized—and now opens an avenue for fraudulence. Besides, criminals can easily shift to a new scheme to trick people. They can always find a way to bypass these kinds of laws. Hence, the government must step up its response regarding the issues surrounding SIM registration and make it worth the paper it’s printed on.

This 2023, we are just at the tip of the iceberg—if not given appropriate measures, something much larger underneath may uncover.

CRONY REMULLA BLOOD STILL THICKER THAN PH JUSTICE sysTEM

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla’s son Juanito Remulla III was acquitted of charges of illegal possession of drugs on January 6, 2023, after a swift trial that ended on a shallow technicality. The drugs in question were reportedly 900 grams of Marijuana priced at about P1.3 Million, sealed in a package possessed by the accused. The verdict was an acquittal by Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Judge Ricardo Moldez II on the grounds that Remulla III was not “freely, consciously, and with full knowledge” in full possession of the illegal drugs. On the same day of Remulla III’s acquittal, his father, the DOJ Secretary, expressed in an ambush interview his satisfaction with the execution of justice in the case. He went overboard in his claim that “justice is served” and wished his son “further redemption”.

At face value, his remarks seem honorable. In all fairness, it is quite true (again, at face value) to rejoice that “justice is served” and to wish an acquitted their redemption. The irony begins when context is considered at how the country was pillaged by extra-judi cial killings (EJKs) and inhumane disposal of prospective drug users and/or push ers since Duterte’s regime. In the time frame of July 2016 to late December 2020, the official government tally is at 6,011 lives taken in drug-related operations. However, other human rights groups and international organizations would disagree. In 2021, the International Criminal Court (ICC) estimates around 12,000 to 30,000 lives claimed from July 2016 to March 2019, a year short of the official govern ment tally aforementioned. The Human Rights Watch adds that these numbers, these lives, mostly consist of the urban poor population.

Boying Remulla is known to be a supporter of the Duterte regime, even questioning the ICC’s investigation and prosecution of the former President on the grounds that the court does not have jurisdiction in the country. “We have our own judicial system. If they want to prosecute someone, let them show the evidence, provide this to us and we will prosecute because we have the responsibility over our country.” Remulla said in an interview with journalist Malou Mangahas last January.

His arrogance and denialism even pushed to the international

stage as he denied the presence of a “culture of impunity” in the country during the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review in Switzerland last November 2022. He claimed that these impressions of the Philippines are inaccurate, and he seeks to eliminate these notions.

His support of the Duterte regime and the benefits he consequently reaped are what makes his demeanor and comments superficial and ironic. Had his son Juanito III been part of the masses, had his socio-political class been any different, the results would be less desirable, as is the case of over 12,000 lives estimated. The regime Boying supported and defended would have been less forgiving towards his son if not for the “Remulla” surname. His sentiments of denial towards the injustices committed against citizens accused of involvement in illegal drugs would surely change had his son fallen victim of the EJKs he so unequivocally denies.

The swift justice and promise of redemption to Remulla III was deprived to thousands of Filipinos who were just as deserving of the “right to be presumed innocent”, as Boying remarked about his son. Had he, a notable government official, used his platform to ensure “justice served” in all the EJK cases, his statements would feel less disrespectful to lives lost.

Of course, the lines of injustice and hypocrisy would not be complete without President Marcos Jr. making the scene. In a characteristic and highly expected move, Marcos Jr. has come out to defend Boying Remulla from calls of resignation. The President cited that calls for resignation are for negligence of duty or misconduct in the post.

“You call for somebody to resign if he’s not doing his job or that they have misbehaved in that job,” said Marcos Jr. in a sideline interview last October 2022. While what the President said was true, it is quite a shallow and surface-level argument for the case, a mere dictionary definition of resignation in a clearly more intricate and in-depth issue of justice.

While what the President said was true, it is quite a shallow and surface-level argument for the case, a mere dictionary of resignation in a clearly more intricate and in-depth issue of justice.

Dannielle Eisha Rosales

ILLUSTRATED BY DARLENE FAITH LABOR

Julian Escalambre

ILLUSTRATED BY DARLENE FAITH LABOR

THE MOST COMICAL GRADING SYSTEM

Rewards and recognition ceremonies are a great way to celebrate a student’s accomplishments. For most students, it is the ultimate validation to be lauded as part of a school’s award list. While everyone might regard these awards as just a piece of paper or a medal, those accredited for recognition will consider it a lifetime honor—sort of something to look back to.

Some might define student achievement in purely academic terms: grades, test scores, projects, or the colleges we get admitted to after we graduate high school. Others look beyond grades to things such as letters of admissions, organization achievements, running for student councils, or simply earning a diploma. We all have various definitions of academic achievements that we celebrate. No matter how we define these, highlighting success should be a focus in every educational institution.

More than an honor the distinguished students of an institution earn, it is one of the points of enrolling in a school; the students enroll, show their competencies and excel, and they should be rewarded for those efforts—if the students do their part, the institution should also do theirs by recognizing true excellence. After all, this recognition could also uphold the school’s image and reputation. Was it not “the largest and most awarded teacher education institution” that they are envisioning for themselves?

Academic distinctions given to students with outstanding grade point averages in a college or university are generally in the form of Dean’s and President’s lists—two of the most sought-after academic awards. As a sign of academic dedication, it opens numerous avenues for graduate programs and positions in private businesses when applying for a job.

The current standards for a Dean’s List distinction at my school require students to obtain a semestral General Weighted Average (GWA) of 97-100 with no subject-based grade lower than 97. The students must not have a record of violation of any school rules and regulations and should not have incurred any In Progress (IP), Incomplete (INC), Unauthorized Withdrawal (UW), or Authorized Withdrawal (AW) marks. Obtaining the 97-100 GWA and subject-based grade standards is a ridiculous and unrealistic academic expectation. Students will place pressure on themselves just to achieve the school’s benchmark. These unrealistic educational goals also show my school’s detachment from the realities of their students. Even Ivy League institutions have a more realistic and attainable

bracket for awards. Their most prestigious awards do not necessitate students to reach the apex of the grading system. My school is an Ivy League wannabe in all the wrong aspects. Students who do not pass these grading requirements have sadly resorted to creating their own recognition event. It should not come from the students’ end to award themselves just to get the feeling that their efforts are being recognized—an inclusive recognition should come from the institution itself.

In an interview with a former Academic administrator of my school, he said that “One of the reasons for raising the bar of the Dean’s List and the President’s List is actually we want to capture the best of the best among [the school]… I think it is the prerogative of the Academic Council and that of the institution to set the bar of standards for our students… So if students would really want to qualify for that particular distinction, such as the Dean’s List [and the President’s List] they really have to work harder. So as a student, you could not say ‘Hey we only want this ceiling so that we’ll be able to qualify.’ I think that’s the job of the academic council as well as the institution to set that criteria of excellence.”

The former Academic administrator’s answer implies that students who do not meet the standards are apparently not hard workers. Students are stakeholders of the school, therefore they should have a say in the academic standards implemented by the administrators. Moreover, when one gathers data, it is crucial to consider your target audience. You cannot create a criterion for judging without considering the aptitude of your constituents. The previous Student Government administrations have already proposed to lower the standards, however, the student body plea was nothing but a series of discussions that was eventually put on the back burner. It is clear that the admin of my school, regardless of how many dialogues they arrange, would rather have it their way.

Indeed it is the prerogative of an institution to set its own academic standards. Yet it is also best to ensure that the criteria for excellence are met with a compromise to the aptitude of the students. It is understandable to urge students to work harder and meet the criteria. However, if the award system only leaves very little wiggle room, it goes beyond a privilege—it is now a restricting enigma only those with the best situations can acquire. The trend of unofficial and student-initiated awarding ceremonies, when taken under the microscope, is actually a sad indictment of the growing barrier between students and the school’s administration.

CRONY REMULLA BLOOD STILL THICKER THAN PH JUSTICE sysTEM

by Julian Escalambre

FROM PAGE 11

This vague non sequitur does not account for the probable instance of conflict of interest.

Just as legal representatives, jurors, and judges are not allowed to participate in cases that may involve people they have personal relationships with, it is in that same principle we hold Remulla’s inability to remain impartial in his tenure as an official of the justice system while his son is an accused agent of illegal drugs.

During the trial of Remulla III, his father has ensured the public of impartiality and denied any involvement in the outcomes of the case, statement that Bongbong Marcos has expressed his approval of. However, empty PR statements of assurance are not legally binding. It does not ensure that the case was handled impartially beyond reasonable doubt.

On October 11, 2022, the pandora’s box of hypocrisy and nepotism in the government was once more released to the public with Remulla III’s arrest. By January 6, 2023, another of the country’s prominent elite had received the swift justice that was deprived (and is still being deprived) of the Filipino masses.

At this point, I regretfully declare a time of death on the justice system of the Philippines. Respectfully, to the Filipino masses, how many more of these celebrities and politicians will we excuse from the consequences of the law while the rest of the general public suffer? How much more privileged blood must be put on a pedestal, crushing all those underneath?

ILLUSTRATED BY MAXINE MARTIREZ

A.L. Garcia

Sibuyas Ang Bukas

Sabay-sabay na lang ba tayong iiyak sa sibuyas na bukas?

Ano nga ba ang dapat unahin? Sibuyas, Bawang, o ang paghahanap ng bagong Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Agrikultura?

Isa sa mga pinakamahalagang sangkap ng mga Pilipino para sa panggisa, na nagpapalinamnam sa bawat putahe, ay ang Sibuyas—ngunit nitong mga nagdaang buwan, tila ang inosenteng Sibuyas na ito ay nakaiiyak na.

Mas mataas na ang presyo ng Sibuyas kaysa sa sahod ng mga manggagawa—implikasyon na tuluyan nang bumababa ang lagay ng ekonomiya. Nagsimula na ang ‘Golden Era’, dahil pati ang Sibuyas ay presyong ginto na. Hindi pa nga nahihiwa ang rekado ay nakaiiyak na ang presyo. Sino nga ba ang nakikinabang sa presyong ito? Ang magsasaka, mangangalakal, o ang mga comprador? Sa tatlong iyan, ang magsasaka ang pinakadehado at naaabuso. Talung-talo ang mga konsyumer. Akalain mo bente pesos halos ang naging presyo ng Sibuyas sa tindahan, susmaryosep kayo, Kagawaran ng Agrikultura! Atrasado sa pagkilos at pag-susuri!

Matatandaan na noong Nobyembre 29, 2022, bahagyang naranasan ng mga Pilipino ang pagsipa ng presyo ng Sibuyas—mula ₱200 ay naging ₱280₱300 kada kilo. Noong huling linggo ng Disyembre, sagaran pa itong tumaas at umabot pa ng ₱540 hanggang ₱700 kada kilo. Sumabay pa ito sa pagdiriwang ng Kapaskuhan at Bagong Taon. Marami ang pilit na nagtipid sa pagbili ng iba pang mga kakailanganin sa pang araw-araw dahil sa pagtaas nito.

Nadagdagan pa ang poot ng mamamayan nang umabot sa ₱600-₱700 kada kilo ang presyo noong una at ikalawang linggo ng Enero nitong taon. Sa nasabing buwan, binibili umano ng mga negosyante ang Sibuyas mula sa mga magbubukid sa probinsya ng Occidental Mindoro sa halagang ₱8-₱15 kada kilo, na siya namang ibinenta ng mga mangaangkat sa siyudad sa halagang ₱700 kada kilo. Masasabi ng iilan na parang anyong Sibuyas ang ating kinabukasan, na kapag hiniwa mo, tiyak na ika’y maiiyak at malulungkot.

Ang buong Pilipinas ay nagkagulo sa taas ng presyo ng Sibuyas. Tila ba’y sabay-sabay ang pagtaas ng mga bilihin sa bansa. Naging mainit na usapin sa Social Media ang walang humpay na pagtaas ng mga ito, na umabot sa punto na ang gintong Sibuyas ay

tumayong simbolo ng kapabayaan ng administrasyong Marcos Jr..

Sa katunayan, sagana sa likas na yaman ang ating bansa. Sa mga malalawak na pawang kabundukan, mga ilog, at sa klimang tropikal, sadyang angkop ito sa maraming klase ng isda at pananim tulad ng palay, mais, gulay, prutas at marami pang iba. Kung ang mamamayang Pilipino ang bibigyang pagkakataon na mamahala sa distribusyon ng mga likas na yaman ng bansa, hindi mauubusan ang mismong nagbubungkal ng lupa. Gayunpaman, ang mamamayang Pilipino ay pinipigilan ng mga imperyalismong pamamahala, pyudal na agrikultura at burukratang kapitalismo na gamitin ang likas na yaman para sa sariling bentahe. Sa ngayon, ang likas na yamang ito ay nililinang ng mga imperyalistang bansa at lahat ng alipores nito para sa sarili nilang ganansiya.

Mayaman tayo sa agrikultura ngunit bakit pilit tinatangkilik ng pamahalaan ang pag-aangkat ng mga produkto sa ibang bansa? Nakanino nga ba ang problema, na sa magsasaka ba o sa pamahalaan? Kung tutuusin may kakayahan ang ating mga magsasaka na makapagbigay ng mga dekalidad na produkto at suportahan ang pangangailangan ng ating mga pamilihan. Ito mismo ang problema ng ating bansa— kulang o sadyang walang suporta ang pamahalaan sa ating mga magsasaka. Sa tuwing tumataas ang presyo ng bilihin, hindi lamang ang konsyumer ang dumadaing, kundi higit ang magsasaka na siyang direktang naaapektuhan.

Sa patuloy na kawalan ng respeto at hustisya para sa ating mga magsasaka at manggagawang bukid, pilit pang nagpasok ng mga ilegal na puslit na Sibuyas ang mga mangangalakal. Noong Disyembre 21, 2022, nasabat ng Bureau of Customs ang $364,000 halagang puslit na Pulang Sibuyas mula sa Tsina na pilit na itinago sa mga pastry box. Kasunod naman nito, noong ika-23 ng Disyembre, Puting Sibuyas naman na nagkakahalaga ng $310,000 ang pilit na pinuslit at nasamsam. Ang problema ng pagpupuslit ay paulit-ulit na lamang. Walang permanenteng aksyon, kung kaya’t lumalala lamang ang gantong mga problema. Sino nga ba ang ugat ng problemang ito? Bakit ang Pilipinas ang laging napupuruhan? Maraming tanong si Juan, ngunit hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin itong kasagutan.

Kung tatanungin, sino ba ang dapat asahan na magbigay ng permanenteng aksyon? Hindi ba ang Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. na siyang kasalukuyang Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Agrikultura? Tila’y walang epekto ang mga inihahaing solusyon ng ating DA Secretary. Ni hindi niya magampanan nang maayos ang kaniyang posisyon. Noong ika-16 ng Enero ipinahayag niya na “Given the production and demand we have in the Philippines, it's impossible to avoid imports. We've tried to get products from smuggling, but the need was still not met. We had no choice but to import, so that’s what we’re doing.” Ang tanong, bakit laging importasyon ang nagiging solusyon, imbis na ituon sa lokal na agrikultura?

Napapabayaan na ang sektor ng agrikultura at kaakibat nito ang palala nang palalang problema. Tunay nga bang Sibuyas ang magiging bukas, kung ang presyo nito ay tuluyang tumataas?

Maging aral sana ang pangyayaring ito na kilatising mabuti ang susunod na pinuno ng bansa upang hindi tayo magaya sa Sibuyas na bukas na puno ng pighati at pagkadismaya. Hindi lamang dapat magsasaka ang laging gumagawa ng paraan, bagkus pangunahan dapat ng mga taong may matataas na posisyon ang pagbibigay gabay at tulong sa kanila.

At ngayon, kasalukuyan nang bumabalik ang dating presyo ng Sibuyas. Ngunit pangmatagalan na nga ba ito? Ang solusyon ba na ginawa ng administrasyon ay sapat upang tuluyang matuldukan ang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin? Dahil tila inantay lamang nila ang pagbaba ng presyo ng Sibuyas at ang paghupa ng boses ng mga muling naluging magsasaka. Hindi dapat tayo maging kampante sa unti-unting pagbabalik-normal ng mga presyo, maaaring bumaba nga ito, pero hanggang kailan?

Ang kawalan ng aksyon at prayoridad ng pamahalaan sa sektor ng agrikultura ay isa lamang sa mga indikasyon na hindi malabong tumaas pang muli ang presyo ng sibuyas. Anong bilihin naman sa susunod ang hahayaan ng pamahalaan na magmahal, at palilipasin ang pag.hihirap ng sambayanan hanggang sa huling piga?

Sabay-sabay na lang ba tayong iiyak sa Sibuyas na bukas?

HINDI DAPAT TULDUKAN ANG KATOTOHANAN

Ayon sa datos ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), hindi bababa sa 197 na mamamahayag ang napatay mula noong 1986, pinakamarami noong 2009 sa tinaguriang “Maguindanao Massacre” kung saan 32 ang namatay na miyembro ng mediya at itinuturing bilang insidente na may pinakamaraming napaslang na mga mamamahayag sa kasaysayan ng bansa. Mula naman sa pinakahuling datos ng Committee to Protect Journalists' (CPJ) Global Impunity Index, nananatiling pangpito ang Pilipinas sa mga bansang baliko ang sistema pagdating sa pagkamit ng hustiya para sa mga mamamahayag. Ito ay sa kadahilanang ang mga mamamahayag ay walang habas na pinapatay ngunit ang maysala ay hindi napaparusahan–maihahalintulad sa ibong walang hawla at patuloy na nangdadadagit gamit ang matatalim na mga kuko, sabay malaya na namang lilipad kung saan at kailan nila gustuhin. Tila nakalimot na sila na ang bansa ay demokratiko at malaya.

Dekada na ang lumipas mula nang makamit ng bansa ang demokrasya mula sa diktadura ni Marcos Sr., ngunit ang pagsasawalang-bahala ng karapatan at pambubusal sa mga mamamahayag ay matunog at nararanasan pa rin sa kasalukuyan. Puwersahang pinahinto ang kamay sa pagsulat at pinatikom ang bibig sa pagsasalita mga mga mamamahayag. Mula sa mga panulat na tinanggalan ng tinta, unti-unting pagkawala ng tunog at boses sa mikropono, hanggang sa pagagos ng kanilang mga dugo–sadyang napakasaklap dahil unti-unti nang namamatay ang demokrasya dulot ng pagpigil sa malayang pamamahayag na siyang pumipigil din sa katakot-takot na panunumbalik ng diktadura.

Malala at marahas ang kawalan ng pagrespeto sa karapatang pantao noong panahon ng Batas Militar ni Marcos Sr.. Noong panahon ng kaniyang diktadurya, kasama ang mga mamamahayag sa mga mararahas na sinupil. Pinahinto ang paglabas ng mga pahayagan, pinatahimik ang mga mediya, kaliwa’t-kanang pag-atake, pangaabuso, maski ang karumaldumal na pagpatay dahil sa kanilang kritisismo at pagtutol sa pamahalaan ng nakatatandang Marcos.

Subalit hindi nagsimula at natatapos doon ang ganitong sitwasyon at karanasan. Ilang administrasyon na ang lumipas at iba’t iba na ang mga umupong pangulo, talamak pa rin ang patayan sa bansa. At ngayong ang batang Marcos naman ang namumuno, mayroon na ring mga nawalan ng buhay, wala pa mang isang taon siyang naninilbihan bilang Pangulo. Kabilang dito ang brodkaster sa radyo na si Renato Blanco na kinitilan ng buhay noong Setyembre 2022. Nang sumunod na buwan, ang pagkamatay naman ng isang komentarista rin sa radyo na si Percival Mabasa o mas kilala sa kaniyang propesyonal na pangalan bilang “Percy Lapid” ang naging usapin sa mundo ng pamamahayag. Makalipas ang ilang linggo, maging ang guro-kartunista na si Benharl Kahil, na sumasali sa mga patimpalak ng editorial cartoon, ay karumal-dumal ding pinatay. Hindi nalalayo at napakalaki ng posibilidad na ang kanilang pagkamatay ay dahil sa kanilang propesyon bilang mamamahayag kung saan matapang nilang inilantad ang mga kaganapan at sakit sa lipunan. Mabibigyan pa kaya ng solusyon ang problemang ito kung ang mismong sumisikil sa malayang pamamahayag at buhay ng tao ay ang mismong estado?

Kung magpapatuloy ang ganitong sitwasyon at wala pa ring solusyon, lugar pa ba ito na masasabing malaya nilang magagampanan ang kanilang tungkulin bilang mamamahayag kung hanggang ngayon ay pilit pa ring tinatakpan ang kanilang bibig at patuloy na ginagapos ang kanilang mga kamay? Ligtas pa ba ang mga mamamahayag sa sarili nilang bansa, sa sariling pamahalaan? Mahirap at masakit mang tanggapin, base sa kinahinatnan nila, mukhang hindi. At kung magpapatuloy ang pamahalaan sa ganitong sistema, pinatutunayan lamang nila na sila ay duwag at takot dahil sa paraan nilang ito ng pagpapatahimik sa mga mamamahayag, mga kritiko, at mga aktibista—imbis na pakinggan at solusyonan ang mga hinaing, binubusalan nila ang taumbayan.

Gayunpaman, isa lang ang may kasiguraduhan, ang apoy sa puso ng mga matatapang na mamamahayag ay patuloy na mag-aalab at hindi kailanman mauupos. Pinagkaitan man sila ng buhay na dapat ay nasa kanila pa, ang kanilang pagtindig ay hindi kailanman mawawalan ng saysay. Ang kanilang mga ipinaglaban ay palaging tatatak sa puso’t isipan ng mga patuloy na tumitindig o mga taong may pakialam sa bawat mamamayan, patunay na parating mananaig ang katotohanan.

Sa panahong nilalabanan natin ang kasinungalingan at ang pilit na pagbabago ng kasaysayan, malaking kawalan ang mga buhay ng mamahayag na nawala sapagkat sila ang nagsisilbing mata at boses sa mga pangyayari sa bansa. Ang pagkitil sa kanilang mga buhay ay hindi lamang paglabag sa karapatang pantao, ngunit ito rin ay nagpapakita ng kontradiksyon sa kalayaan. Sa isang demokratikong bansa, ang mga mamamahayag ay dapat lamang na bigyang-karapatan at bigyang-laya sa pagpapahayag ng balita at komentaryo nang buo at malaya.

Hindi natin dapat palampasin ang kawalan ng hustisya na ito, bagkus pagbayarin ang tunay na mga may sala, kahit na sa panahon ngayon, tila kasalanan na ang paglalahad ng katotohanan na siyang pinagbabayaran ng mga mamamahayag. Huwag nating hayaang manaig ang mga gahaman sa kapangyarihan, tiwali, at mga taong lantarang nananamantala. Walang puwang ang pagtapak sa karapatang pantao ng sinuman, lalo pa kung ang kaniyang ipinaglalaban ay para sa kapakanan ng bawat mamamayan at ikabubuti ng lipunan.

ANG ISPEKTRUM NG KABAYANIHAN: SI BONIFACIO AT RIZAL

Ang karaniwang pananaw sa mga pambansang bayani ay nababalot ng ideyalismo at ng matinding nasyonalismo. Sa kabutihan o kasamaan, ang mga kwento ng makasaysayang katauhan ay nahahaluan ng sensasyonalismo tuwing ito’y napag-uusapan sa kontekstong kolokyal. Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ng nakararami, na ang kasaysayan nina Gat. Jose Rizal at Gat. Andres Bonifacio ay na sa magkasalungat na ispektrum ng nasyonalismo. Si Gat. Rizal, isang simbolo ng diplomatikong kilusan sa pagkamit ng kasarinlan, habang si Gat. Bonifacio ang simbolo ng aktibismo at ng armadong pakikibaka. Ang mga katangiang ito na inaakibat sa dalawang bayani ay may bahid ng katotohanan. Si Jose Rizal ay siyang tunay na diplomatikong rebolusyonaryo at si Andres Bonifacio naman ay tanyag na lider ng aktibismo. Ngunit nabibigyan ng peligrosong miskonsepsyon ang kasaysayan ng dalawa, na siyang nag-uugat mula sa nosyon na ang kanilang pamamaraan upang makamit ang kasarinlang Pilipino ay salungat sa isa’t isa, na magkatunggali ang dalawang nagkokooperatibang bayani, na mayroong iisang pamamaraan ng isang bayani na tama, habang ang iba naman ay mali at walang dulot sa ating kasaysayan. Ang nosyon na ito ay malayo sa katotohanan. Isa itong palasiya at mababaw na pag-unawa sa karakter ng isang bayani at ng kasaysayan sa kabuuan.

Naging matunog ang usaping ito partikular na sa konteksto ng mga NTCian noong nakaraang Miting De Avance para sa NTCSG elections. Sa ginanap na MDA nitong ika-22 ng Nobyembre, 2022, sinuri ng mga botante ang mga pahayag at paninindigan ng mga tumatakbong opisyal. Isa sa mga katanungan ng NTC Commission on Elections sa mga tumatakbong pangulo ay ukol sa pananaw nila sa usapin ng aktibismo. Magkasalungat

ang pananaw nina ACS Presidential hopeful na si G. Aldreen Siplon at SULONG Presidential hopeful (kasalukuyang Pangulo ng NTC-SG) na si G. Zairuss Lacorte. Kay G. Siplon, siya ay hindi sumasang-ayon, habang si G. Lacorte naman ay sang-ayon. Ang nakababahala ay ang naging kasagutan ng ACS Presidential Candidate na si G. Siplon, dahilkaniyang binigyang pabor ang pagiging diplomatiko ni Rizal at tinawag na “madahas” ang pakikibakang Bonifacio.

“That’s why naniniwala ako na hindi kailangan makibaka sapagkat si Jose Rizal ang itinanyag na Pambansang Bayani, sapagkat tinuturuan niya tayo na maging diplomatiko… Hindi si Andres Bonifacio, sapagkat inilungsad ni Andres Bonifacio ang pagiging madahas…” ani G. Siplon.

Sa aming gulat, ang payahag na ito ay sinalubong ng mga hiyawan at palakpakan mula sa mga mag-aaral. Ang rason man sa likod ng hiyawan ay pagsang-ayon sa kaniyang sinabi o pagkadala sa emosyon. Kung alin man sa dalawa, hindi nararapat na hiyawan ang isang pahayag na may maling pananaw sa aktibismo at sa kabayanihang Rizal at Bonifacio. Mas maigi pang katahimikan na lamang siguro ang sumalubong sa ilohikal na pahayag na ito, sapagkat hindi tono at lakas ng boses ang nagbibigay lohika sa argumento, kundi sa nilalaman nito.

Responsibilidad ng mga mamamayan ang maging maalam sa kasaysayan ng kaniyang bansang tinubuan. Kasama ang pamahalaan at paaralan, ang pagkakakilanlan ng isang bayan ay dapat panatilihing buhay sa patuloy na pagpapalaganap ng wastong impormasyon tungkol sa kasaysayan sa kamalayan ng masa.

Daisy Vargas

DIBUHO NI DARLENE FAITH LABOR

A.L Garcia & Julian Escalambre

MULA SA PAHINA 15

ANG ILUSTRADO AT REPORMISTA

Nagawa niyang pukawin ang pagmamahal ng mga tao para sa bayan, inilantad niya ang mga pang-aabuso at tiwaling aral ng mga Prayle, at korapsyon ng kolonyal na pamahalaang Espanya. Ang kaniyang sandata upang labanan ang mapang-api ay ang kaniyang pluma at ang kanyang madahas na mga likha. Siya ang kinikilala ng karamihan bilang Pambansang Bayani, si Gat. Jose Rizal. Nakilala siya ng sambayanan bilang isang diplomatikong manunulat, kabilang ang mga sikat na akdang Noli Me Tangere (The Social Cancer) at El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed) sa kaniyang mga naisulat.

Isa sa mga rason ng pagkakakilala kay Rizal bilang intelekwal na repormista ng bansa ay dahil sa kaniyang paglunsad ng La Liga Filipina noong Hulyo 1892. Layon ni Rizal na pagbuklurin ng liga ang bansa, makapagbigay ng tulong sa edukasyon, labanan ang ‘di makatarungang sistema, magpautang ng kapital, at pagtatayo ng mga kooperatiba sa mga Pilipino.

Nakasasama ang miskonsepsyon na ang pakikibaka ay palaging madugo. Ipinahahamak nito ang mga human rights defenders, mga mamamahayag, magsasaka, manggagawa, at maralita. Mabatid sana ng mga nagpapalaganap ng miskonsepsyong ito na ang konteksto ng mga akda at mga likha ng diplomatikong si Jose Rizal ay hindi naman nalalayo sa kilos at konsepto ng pakikibaka, hindi naman ito naglalayong maging mapayapa—bagkus pinatutunayan pa nito na hindi madugo ang pakikibaka. Mapayapa niyang ipinakita ang marahas na epekto ng pananakop, pang-aabuso ng mga Espanyol, at ang hindi patas na pagtrato sa mga Pilipino. Ipinakita niya ang marahas na pinagdaanan ng Pilipinas gamit ang kaniyang pagsulat sapagkat kahit siya’y pasipista, hindi niya itinago ang dahas na pinagdaanan ng Pilipinas.

Si Jose Rizal ang nanguna sa kadakilaan gamit ang kaniyang pagkatao at buhay, mga talento, at sukdulang sakripisyo. Hinarap niya ang hindi makatarungang sistema ng panahong kolonyal nang may dignidad at paninindigan sa kaniyang ipinaglalaban.

Totoo na ang bala ng mga Kastila ang pumatay kay Rizal at tumapos sa kaniyang buhay, ngunit ang mga ideyang kaniyang itinanim sa isipan ng mga Pilipino ang pumuksa sa pamahalaang Kastila. Sa kanyang kamatayan, inihanda nito ang pundasyon na tutuntungan ng bansang kumakawala at nagnanais na maging malaya.

ANG PAMUMUNO AT HIMAGSIKAN NI BONIFACIO

Ang imaheng nabubuo tuwing ang pangalang “Bonifacio” ay nababanggit ay siyang isang mabangis, makatarungan, at madugong lider ng mga Katipunan at ng himagsikan. May katotohanan ang imaheng ito. Kilala bilang ama ng Himagsikan, si Gat. Andres Bonifacio ang isa sa mga nagtatag at nagpalaganap ng Kataastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan o KKK noong taong 1892. Isang ganap na kritiko at tanyag na rebolusyonaryo laban sa korona ng Kastila, kasapi si Bonifacio sa mga pangunahing nagdeklara ng kasarinlan ng Pilipinas sa Espanya. Ayon sa sulatin ng historyador na si G. Ambeth Ocampo, ang deklarasyon ng kasarinlan sa Pamitinan Cave sa Montalban noong Abril 1895 ay isa sa mga tinaguriang pangunahing deklarasyon ng ating kasarinlan—isang makasaysayang desisyon para sa taumbayan. Ayon rin sa akda ni G. Ocampo, isinulat ni Bonifacio ang deklarasyong pangkasarinlan sa mga pader ng kuweba. Dawit rin ang pangalang Andres

Bonifacio sa isa sa mga sinasabing pangyayari na kabilang sa deklarasyon ng kasarinlang Pilipino, ang matunog na Sigaw ng Balintawak noong Agosto 1896. Isa rin itong popular na imahe ni Gat. Bonifacio nang kanilang punitin ang sedula sa nasabing pangyayari.

Ayon sa kilalang historyador na si John N. Schumacher, ang doktrina ni Bonifacio bilang isang lider at bahagi ng himagsikan ay may mahalagang impluwensya sa mga sulatin ni Rizal, isa na ang La Solidaridad. Malinaw din na mayroong pinagsamahan sina Bonifacio at Rizal, bilang si Andres ay isa sa mga pangunahing miyembro ng La Liga Filipina, isang ugnayan ng mga repormista, dalumat, at mga aristokrat. Ngunit nagkaroon ng dibisyon ang

liga nang maging klaro na si Bonifacio at ang kaniyang grupo ay may mas radikal na hangarin. Ang pasipistang pilosopiya at repormang politikal at ekonomikal ng liga ay hindi naging sapat para sa iilan, kasama na si Bonifacio, na siyang nagbunga sa Katipunan. Makikita rito ang pinagkaiba ng repormista laban sa rebolusyonaryo. Rizal at Bonifacio.

Ngunit ang kaibahan ng pamamaraan sa pagkamit ng inaasam na kalayaan ng Pilipinas ay hindi dapat ginagamit upang maliitin ang impluwensya ng dalawang bayani sa kanilang sari-sariling larangang repormista at rebolusyonaryo. Hindi rin ibig sabihin na dahil rebolusyon ang sigaw ni Bonifacio ay lahat ng kaniyang kontribusyon sa kasaysayan ay pagiging madahas lamang. Bilang pinuno (karaniwang tinatawag na Supremo) ng Katipunan, karamihan sa mga opisyal na kaganapan ng samahan ay kinakailangan ng demokratikong pamamalakad. Ang mga manipesto, dokumento, pagpupulong, at hirarkiya ng Katipunan ay ebidensya ng organisadong kilusan—ebidensya ng pagiging demokratiko ni Bonifacio. Ayon sa ulat ni Santiago Alvarez, isang katipunero, noong ika-3 ng Mayo 1896 ay nagkaroon ng malawakang pagpupulong ang mga katipunero. Ayon sa memoir ni Alvarez, kabilang sa mga dumalo ay ang iba’t ibang mga kinatawan ng Katipunan sa mga probinsya, tulad ni Emilio Aguinaldo ng Cavite. Bilang Supremo ng Katipunan, si Bonifacio ang punong-abala sa isang diskurso at botohan. Ang pangunahing usapin sa pagpupulong sa Pasig ay ang desisyon ukol sa paghihimagsik laban sa Espanya. Kahit na si Bonifacio ay matagal nang naniniwala na rebolusyon ang kailangan upang makamit ang kalayaan, sinunod nito ang pagpapasya ng karamihan na konsultahin muna ang pananaw ni Rizal. Alinsunod sa kagustuhan ng nakararami, inatasan ni Bonifacio si Pio Valenzuela upang konsultahin si Rizal na nakakulong na sa Dapitan noong panahong ito.

Ang mga demokratikong pagpupulong, ang mga proklamasyon ng kasarinlan, ang pagbubuo ng isang tanyag na kartilya (na siyang sinulat ni Emilio Jacinto, Utak ng Katipunan), ang pagkilala ng mga Katipunerong maka-Bonifacio sa kapatiran alinsunod sa mga tradisyon ng Mason, lahat ng ito ay ebidensya ng pagiging demokratiko kasabay ng pagiging rebolusyonaryo ni Bonifacio. Hindi lamang dahas, hindi lamang dugo, kun’di matinding pagmamahal sa demokrasya at sa bayan ang patas na representasyon kay Gat. Bonifacio. Bigyan ng hustisya ang kaniyang pangalan! Bigyang dangal si Supremo Andres Bonifacio!

PLUMA O ESPADA?

Narito na tayo sa mahigit isandaang taon mula sa panahon ng ating mga rebolusyonaryong bayani. Patuloy na ipinagdiriwang ang alaala ng kanilang kabayanihan sa kontemporaryong panahon ng lumalagong pandaigdigang pag-unlad. Sa wakas, unti-unti nang nakakamit ang bunga ng kanilang sakripisyo at ngayo’y nagsisilbing gabay sa mga Pilipino. Ngunit malayo pa rin ang kanilang inaasam na kaunlaran.

Tayong mga Pilipino ang nakikinabang sa kanilang mga sakripisyo. Tiyak na hindi natin makakamit ang kalayaan ng bansa kung walang marangal na sakripisyong iniaalay ng mga magiting na kalalakihan at kababaihan, na sa harap ng mga kakila-kilabot na pagsubok at matinding pag-uusig ay nagpagal, nakipaglaban, at pinatay—lahat ay walang inaasahang materyal na kapalit, pansariling interes, o mga gintong medalya. Nais lamang na muling makamit ng Pilipinas ang kalayaan na nararapat.

Ang pagiging patas ayon sa itinala ng kasaysayan ay nararapat na batis sa kontribusyon ng ating mga bayani. Ngunit hindi kailanman mababawasan ang impluwensya ng isang bayani kapag ito’y kinumpara sa kaniyang mga katuwang sa laban. Totoo na magkaiba ng pamamaraan si Rizal at Bonifacio sa pagkamit ng inaasam na kasarinlan, ngunit sa kani-kanilang mga pagkilos ay nabuo ang Republika ng Pilipinas.

Ang representasyon ni Rizal na maka-pluma, habang si Bonifacio na mas hiyang sa taga ay may katotohanan, ngunit ang kanilang husay ay nagmula sa sariling kakayahan na i-ayon sa sitwasyon ang pakikipaglaban. Pluma ba o espada? Mahusay ang siyang marunong piliin ang dadamputin.

CORRESPONDENTS

Mia Camille Buenconsejo

Marielle Johanna Glabo

Chalmer Mempin

Danielle Eisha Rosales

English Writers

Mary Fatima Maglente

Marc Aldwin Manahan

Daisy Vargas

Filipino Writers

CREATIVES

Noel Francisco Jr.

Katrena Mercado

Fiona Morines

Jazztine Zacarias

Photojournalists

Maxine Martirez

Darlene Faith Labor Cartoonists

Abigail Villanueva Graphic Artist

Ysabelle Dela Cuesta

Layout Artist

WE’RE LOOKING FOR LIGHTBEARERS!

If you’re interested to be part of Fiat Lux, we are looking for English and Filipino writers, photojournalists, cartoonists, graphic artists and layout artists. Scan this QR code and prepare the following requirements if you wish to apply.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Application Letter

Portfolio with 2-3 sample works

Ruth Balagat Fiilipino Adviser Member

Panitikan | Pahina 19

Manong,Kasya pa?

Ni Mia Camille Buenconsejo

Oh, sakay na, sakay na! Linyang maririnig kasabay ng maingay na busina. Katawan, dugo’t pawis ang puhunan, upang pamilya’y maitaguyod at matustusan.

Tatapak na sa maruming silinyador ng dyip, senyales na ang tsuper ay handa nang mamasada. Nagtitiis sa kakarampot na barya, umaasang balang araw ito’y tataas pa.

Lubhang hindi alintana ang init ng araw at buhos ng ulan, sapagkat patuloy mong tinatahak ang hamon ng buhay, na sa bawat pag maniobra ng kambyo, maingat mong naihahatid ang iyong mga pasahero.

Huwag ninyo naman sana silang husgahan, na parang sabik sa barya at gahaman. Hindi ninyo ba nakikita ang tunay na kahalagahan? Kapalit lang nito’y maibsan ang kumakalam na tiyan.

Kaya pasensya sa pasahero na isinisiksik sa upuan, iniisip lang nila ang darating na hapunan. Dahil kung hindi nila ito pupunuan tiyak bulsa nila’y walang magiging laman.

Saan nga ba ang sunod na ruta?

Sa kasaganaan? o sa karukhaan?

Nawa’y mabigyan kayo ng pag-asa, sa lugar na kung saan ang paghihirap niyo’y ‘di makita.

Kaya’t ang tanong ni manong,

May sasakay pa ba?

MangJuan Ni Fatima Maglente

Karit ang ginagamit pantabas ng pananim, hindi ito ginagamit bilang patalim, pinipilit nilang siya’y rebeldeng naghihinaing. Tanging hangad ay reporma para sa lupain.

Ani niyang palay sa tao’y bumubuhay. Ngunit bakit sa kaniya’y walang umaalalay?

Nais niya lamang ang masaganang buhay, bagkus napalitan ng nakabibinging ingay.

Magtanim ay ‘di biro, Maghapong nakayuko, ‘Di man lang makaupo, ‘Di man lang makatayo.

Magtanim ay ‘di biro, sa tirik na araw mistulang nakabilanggo. Nakakadena ang paa habang nakikipagbuno, sa pananim na ninanais niyang maging malago.

Maghapong nakayuko, para sa mga taong nakadekwatro. Hindi iniinda ang pawis na tumutulo. Kahit na ang katawa’y tila susuko.

‘Di man lang makaupo, sa dami ng sakong pinupuno. Kailanma’y hindi sumuko, kahit lalamunan ay tuyong tuyo.

‘Di man lang makatayo, lakas ay unti-unting naglalaho. Marami sa kaniyang umaasang búhay, kailangang maging matatag at matibay.

Si Mang Juan ay puno ng pagsasakripisyo, pinaratangan siya ng hindi totoo. Dinukot at kinitil gamit ang patalim, kailan kaya makakamit ang hustisyang ipinagkait?

Pagal sa Bawat Hakbang

Ni Dannielle Eisha Rosales

Abot taingang ngiti ang masisilayan sa batang si Fidel, papadyak-padyak sa bisekletang may dagdag na dalawang maliliit na gulong sa gilid nito. Masayang naglilibot sa mga kalapit na kanto sa kanilang lugar kasama ang kaniyang mga kabaro.

Sa pagsalubong kay haring araw, ngiting hindi pumapanaw sa silaw nito ang makikita sa mukha ng dalawampu’t limang taong si Fidel. Ngunit sa paglubog ng liwanag makikita ang kadilimang kaniyang sinasanggalang. Malabong larawan ng kabataan ang kaniyang nasisilayan sa tuwing magbabalik-tanaw, ngunit iisa lamang dito ang malinaw, nilayuan siya ng kariktan lalo na ang pagdilat nito na gumuguhit sa balintataw.

Sa kaniyang kabataan, tanging silay lang sa hindi pa yaring bintana ang nagagawa ni Fidel, hindi tulad ng ibang kabataang nakapaglalaro sa labas, na tumatakbo’t ngumingisngis. At sa espasyong kinauupuan niya, makikita ang munting paglayô ng kaligayahan ng kaniyang musmos na pangangatawan at kaisipan.

Hindi pinagkaitan ng pisikal na hitsura at pangangatawan si Fidel, ngunit naging mapaglaro ang tadhana ng supilin nito ang umuusbong pa lang na kamusmusan matapos ang hindi makakalimutang pangyayari na pumigil sa binhing pausbong.

Nang tumungtong siya sa edad na lima, nangyari ang pagnanakaw ng isang pangarap. Rumaragasang sumagi ang isang dyip sa kaniya na atay-atay ding pagwalay ng ngiti sa labi niya.

Luha ay umagos kasabay ang paghiyaw ng hindi matantong tunog ng sakit, pagsuko at pagdaing. Sa liit ng katawang mayroon siya, napuno ng sisidlan ng sakit na nadarama niya.

Lubos na naapektuhan nito ang kaniyang mga paa. Gayunpaman ay nakapaglalakad siya, ngunit kita ang kaibahan ng pantay at patindig na paglalakad, dahilan upang ang mga mauusisang mga mata ay maibaling sa kaniya.

“Tamang hilot lang ang gamot, kasi, wala naman masyadong pagamutan dito,” sambit ni Fidel. Kasabay ng mahinang halakhak, nagtatago ang walang katiyakang pagbalik ng dating porma ng mga paa, dating pagkatao, at gayundin ang pakikitungo ng ibang tao sa kaniya. Hindi nakatakas sa malapusang tingin ang paggana ng katambal nitong bibig. Kung kaya’t sa pagpasok niya ng elementarya, halos itago niya ang kaniyang kondisyon sa hiya sa mga mapanuri.

Hanggang baitang pito lamang ang natapos niya sa isang pampublikong paaralan, salat man sa pera, hindi ito naging balakid sa pagkakaroon ng dedikasyon at pagpapakita ng kagandahang-asal.

Ginawa niyang kalakasan ang bagay na sa kaniya ay katangi-tangi. Ang kaniyang paang may kondisyong hindi man naabot ng kaniyang kaalaman ay tinanggap nang lubusan.

Malinaw na nararamdaman niya ang sakit, matapos siyang mabundol ng umaarangkadang dyip. Dulot nito ang unti-unting pagkauhaw sa karunungang di na naaaninag.

Subalit ang mga pagkukulang na batid ng mundo kay Fidel ay hindi naging hadlang sa kaniyang buhay na ngayo’y pasuray-suray.

Sa pamamagitan ng bisekletang may dalawang balanser sa gilid, nagagamit ito ng dalawampu’t limang taong si Fidel sa kaniyang paghahanap buhay.

Pagsipot ng araw sa kalagitnaan ng hapon, magsisimula na niyang lupigin ang kahirapan, hindi man dumaraing, may halinghing siyang tinatago. Ngunit pilit pa rin niyang sinusuong ang maingay at maalikabok na lansangan, hinihiling na maging maayos ang daloy ng kanyang paghahanap-buhay.

“Balot… chicharon… pugo…” ang maririnig na hiyaw ni Fidel sa mga kalapit na kanto, eskinita, at kalsadang araw-araw na tinatahak. Sa kaniyang kinikitang limang daang piso, ay kaniya itong iniipon upang maipamuhunan kinabukasan at may maibigay sa mga gastusin sa bahay.

Ilang taon na rin siyang naglalako, iba’t ibang pangyayari na rin ang kaniyang naengkwentro. Sa negatibong karanasan, dânas na niya ang panggagantso, pagmamaliit, at ang mga mapamintas na tingin ng ibang tao sa kanyang kapansanan. Bagaman may mga buktot siyang karanasan, mayroon pa ring mga nakatatabang pusong salamisim din siya sa kaniyang hanap buhay. Tulad na lamang ng pagpakyaw ng kaniyang paninda na nagdudulot sa kaniya ng masidhing kasiyahan.

Sa kabila ng kaniyang pagsisikap, alam niyang ang kanyang pangarap na maging isang piloto ay manananatiling pangarap na lamang. Ang kaniyang naging karanasan sa pag-usad sa kabila ng pagal niyang pagpadyak ay ang pangarap niyang makatulong, sa pamilya, kaibigan, pati na rin sa ibang nangangailangan. Minimithi na sa katititing na kinikita sa bawat padyak sa paglalako ay maging sapat balang araw upang maibsan ang ‘di makakamit na inaasam sa buhay.

Panitikan | Pahina 20

aNg taguMpaY Mo ay SIYA RIng taguMpaY Ko

Ni Daisy Vargas

“Bakit ba kasi ‘yan pa ang kinuha mong trabaho? Lagi ka na ngang pagod, ang baba pa ng sahod.”

Kabisado ko na ang linyang iyan ng aking ina. Ngunit wala rin akong maisagot sa katanungan niyang iyan. Kung nasa wisyo lang ako para magbiro, baka sabihin ko pang dahil gusto ko ng tsokolate at regalo. Pero kahit ang magsalita ay hindi ko na magawa dahil nakapapagod ang araw na ito.

Kinabukasan, dala ang lumang laptop at mga libro, agad akong tumungo para pumasok sa trabaho. Malayo pa man, ramdam ko na agad ang lagkit sa aking mga paa. Gusto ko mang tanggalin at pagtuunan ng pansin ang putik at mga dumi na dumidikit dito, ayaw ko namang mahuli sa aking patutunguhan. Ganito kasi talaga sa probinsya, pahirapan.

“Ano ba ‘yan, sana hindi na lang siya pumasok.”

“Hay naku, nandito na naman siya.”

Rinig kong bulungan ng mga bata nang makita ako.

Hindi na bago sa akin ang mga ganiyang salita. Hinahayaan ko na lamang dahil siyempre mga bata pa sila, marami pang mga bagay ang kailangan nilang maunawaan.

Subalit may mga pagkakataong hindi ko rin maiwasang mag-isip kung ano ba ang problema. Hindi ba ako magaling o sadyang ayaw lang talaga nila sa akin?

Ganoon pa man, ginawa ko pa rin ang aking mga tungkulin. Bagaman ramdam na ramdam ko na ang pananakit ng aking mga kamay at lalamunan, minabuti ko munang ipagsawalang bahala ito sapagkat marami pa akong mga gawain na kailangang tapusin.

Sa ilang taon ko sa propesyong ito, hindi ko na alam kung magpapatuloy pa ako. Kahit ako’y nalulungkot at nagdududa sa trabahong pinangarap ko. Subalit hindi rin naman

nawala sa akin ang katanungan na, “Paano sila kapag umalis ako?”

Nandito ako ngayon sa lugar na pilit kong iniiwasang mapuntahan. Ang tanging naaalala ko lamang ay ang pagkahilo at pakiramdam na bumagsak bago ako mapunta rito. Kasama ang aking ina, ngayon ang nakatakdang araw ng aking paglabas. Halos dalawang araw rin ako rito at habang naghihintay sa mga resibo, sumasakit na agad ang aking ulo.

“Puwede na po kayong lumabas, wala na po kayong babayaran.” nakangiting sambit sa akin ng babaeng nakasuot ng puting uniporme.

Ang gulat sa aking mukha ay hindi ko napigilang ipakita sa kaniya.

“Ano ho? Paano ho nangyari iyon?” buong pagtatakang tanong ko.

“Ito po, pinabibigay ni Doc.” sabay abot sa akin ng isang maliit na sobre.

Nang buksan ko’y bumungad sa akin ang iilang halaga at isang kalatas.

“Ma’am, magandang araw po! Tanggapin niyo po ito, pangbawas lang sa gastusin. Wala na rin po kayong dapat problemahin sa mga bayarin bago lumabas ng ospital. Pasensya na po at hindi ko na kayo na kumusta bago ka umalis, may kailangan pa po akong tapusin na operasyon. Masaya po akong nakita ulit kita kahit hindi ko inaasahan na sa ganitong paraan pa! Parati po kayong mag-ingat at huwag masyadong pagurin ang sarili. Si Ian po ito, dati mo pong estudyante na ngayon ay isa nang ganap na doktor.”

DIBUHO NI REINALYN VILLALUNA

apoy Na Hindi nauuPos

Ni Kyle Dave Labong

Saan ako lulugar?

Saan ito patungo?

Bakit ang kasamahan ko ay naglalaho? Ito ba ang mga kuwentong pilit na itinatago?

Ang gawain ay maghayag, pero ang lipunan ay hindi pumapayag, katotohanan ang siyang ipinaglalaban, ngunit kasinungalingan ang naghahari-harian.

Propesyong patuloy na binabatikos, mga kamay ay pilit na ginagapos. Lahat ng ito’y para sa mamamayan, upang maglahad ng katotohanan.

Hilakbot ang aking nararamdaman, pagod ay hindi nasusuklian. Tulog ay hindi sapat na pahinga, lumalalim na ang bawat paghinga.

Patuloy na liliwanag sa gitna ng kadiliman— na ang bawat tao ay mamulat sa katotohanan. Kahit buhay na ang siyang maging kapalit, ang propesyong ito kailanma’y hindi ipagpapalit.

Hubad Na Katotohanan

Ni Aldwin Manahan

Kasabay ng pagkalugmok sa’yo ng pandemya, unang hubad na imahe ang siya mong naibenta. Imbis na lapis at libro ang iyong dala-dala, sa kwadradong silid sila’y bibinigyan mo ng saya.

Sa bawat himas sa iyong katawan, siya namang pumapawi sa sikmurang walang laman. Nang isara ang pinto’t pinatay ang ilaw, marangyang kinabukasa’y iyong tanaw.

Upang may mailagay sa hapag-kainan, katawan mo ang ginawang puhunan. Katulad mo rin ang ibang manggagawa, ang iyo lamang ay may laswa.

Sa iyong hubad na katawan, buhay marangya ay iyong nararanasan. Tingin man ng iba ito’y kasalanan, naisip ba nilang ito’y iyong kagustuhan?

Nasanay na sa pagbibigay pantasya, na siyang pamatid uhaw ngmadla, patuloy na naghuhubad dahil sa sistemang sira. Kakayanin pa kaya ng sikmura?

inANg BaYaRan

Ni A.L Garcia

Nakasakay ka na ba sa dyip na ang tinatahak ay masangsang at maruming kalsadang puno ng ingay at may madilim na sistema, at ang iniaabot na bayad ay ang kaluluwa?

Sasakyang naglalabas ng nakamamatay na usok, na ang mga pasahero ay halang ang bituka. Sila’y lumalason sa isipan at kumukuha ng kaalaman.

Sa lahat ng kanilang madaraanan, ika’y mapupukaw sa nangungulila nilang mata. Ang kalsada’y lubak at tila walang katapusan. Ang dyip na luma’y bibigay na.

At sa gilid ng kalsada makikita, si Inang Bayan ay minomolestiya; ginagahasa ng kaniyang sariling mga anak, na nangakong manunungkulan at mamamahala sa bayan.

Ipinagkanulo ng sariling ‘manlilingkod’, ipinahipo ang maselang katawan, dayuhan ang siyang nakinabang, pinag pasahan ng mga pulitikong puro pasarap lamang.

Masarap bang makita ang mahal mong bansa na nagiging babaeng puta?

Na kulang na lang ay bumukaka sa mga gahamang Imperyalista?

Walang awang tinanggalan ng saplot, nilaspag, dinungisan ang puri, at pinabayaan, ang mahal kong Bayan.

Inang Bayan, isa kang bayaran!

NTC Ginunita ang Ika-94 na Taong Anibersaryo Ng Tanglaw

NI FATIMA MAGLENTE

Noong ika-27 ng Setyembre 2022, ipinagdiwang ng National Teachers College ang siyam na dekada’t apat na taong pagkakatatag ng Inang Tanglaw sa paglunsad ng Foundation Week. Ang nasabing pagdadaos ay may temang “Sa Bawat Sandali, KAKAMPI” kung saan may mga inihandang aktibidad na siyang ginanap on-site at online.

Makalipas ang ilang taong pagkakaroon ng limitasyon sa mga on-site activities dulot ng pandemya, muling binuksan ang paaralan para sa mga NTCians na nais makiisa sa nasabing pagdiriwang.

Nabanggit ni Dr. Maria Elma Cordero, Chairperson ng nasabing Foundation Week at Head of Office for Student Affairs (OSA), ang iba’t ibang aktibidad ay inihanda at binuksan para sa partisipasyon ng mga mag-aaral.

Ang selebrasyon at mga aktibidad ay hinango sa bagong tatag na core values ng institusyon na “Kahusayan, Katapatan, Malasakit, Pagkamalikhain, at Integridad” o KaKaMPI. Webinar, Zumba sessions, Exhibition games, Massage and Facial Services, Yoga sessions, Wellness Talk, Flu Vaccine Drive, at Sandbox ang ilang sa mga programang inihandog ng Inang Tanglaw sa mga mag-aaral at empleyado ng institusyon.

Bida rin sa paggunita ng Foundation Week ang mga booths na inihanda ng iba’t ibang Academic Organizations at Interest Clubs na may temang naka-base sa teoryang Multiple Intelligences ng sikologong si Howard Gardner. Narito ang mga nakiisa sa aktibidad at ang kanilang booth:

• Tanghalang Tanglaw, NTC Likhaan, at GES Society (‘Visual-Spatial Intelligence’ Booth)

• NTC Junior Association of Office Administrators Club at Samahan ng Ikatlong Sanlahi Club (‘Naturalistic Intelligence’ Booth)

Pagsasama ng NTC at APEC, Kasalukuyang Isinasaproseso

NI DAISY VARGAS

Sa isang anunsyong inilabas ng Ayala Corporation noong ika-2 ng Disyembre taong 2022, pagsasamahin na bilang isang institusyon ang mga paaralang National Teachers College (NTC) at Affordable Private Education Center Schools (APEC), kung saan ang NTC ang siyang magsisilbing “surviving entity” at “main campus” ng mga estudyante mula sa APEC.

Mula sa pahayag, ang planong ito ay aprubado na ng lupon ng dalawang paaralan na parehong pagmamay-ari ng Yuchengco Group of Companies’ House of Investment at Ayala Corporation na nananatili sa ilalim ng kumpanyang iPeople, Inc.

Ayon kay NTC at APEC Chairman Alfredo I. Ayala, ang pagsasamang ito ay makabubuo ng mahigit 24,000 mga estudyante mula Kinder hanggang Grade 12, College, at Graduate School. Aniya, sa pamamagitan nito, ang hangad ng maraming mag-aaral na abot-kaya, mataas na kalidad, at makabagong edukasyon ay kanilang makakamtan.

Sa naging panayam kay NTC Executive Vice President Pamela Wu, isinumite na ang mga kinakailangang rekisito sa Commission on Higher Education (CHED) at Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), kabilang na rito ang pagpaskil ng mga tarpaulin sa loob ng paaralan at mga publikasyon sa dyaryo maging sa social media bilang anunsyo sa pagsasanib ng dalawang paaralan.

Inaasahan din ni EVP Pamela Wu na susuportahan ng buong komunidad ng NTC ang magiging pagbabago sa paaralan.

“I ask that the students support that, and welcome our APEC counterparts. Marami tayong matututunan sa kanila and marami rin silang matututunan sa’tin. I think this is a big thing for NTC and I hope and pray that integration that follows after would be very smooth and seamless. And I ask that the students support that, the same way I ask all the employees to support that,” ani Executive Vice President Pamela Wu.

Dagdag pa niya, karaniwang tumatagal ng 90 araw ang SEC upang magbigay ng desisyon, kaya’t umaasa ang EVP na maaaprubahan na ang aplikasyon na ipinasa sa SEC at CHED nitong Enero.

• Physical Education Club, Hospitality Management Club, at Himig Tanglaw (‘Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence’ at ‘Musical and Rhythmic Intelligence’ Booth)

• Home Economic Club (‘Interpersonal Intelligence’ Booth)

• Student Government at College Youth Club (‘Existential Intelligence’ Booth)

• Science Club at Math Club (‘Logical Mathematical Intelligence’ Booth)

• Social Studies Achievers Circle (‘Intrapersonal Intelligence’ Booth)

• Association of Tourism Students Club, English Club, at Samahan ng Gabay ng Wika Club (‘Linguistic Verbal Intelligence’ Booth)

Si Bb. Maila Lagman, dating NTC Student Life and Leadership Development Office Manager ang naging tagapangulo ng programa. Ang ‘Multiple Intelligences’ booths ay siya ring naging launch ng sandbox activities sa institusyon.

Samantala, kasabay ng pagdiriwang sa anibersaryo ng institusyon, ginawaran at kinilala din ang mga mag-aaral ng National Teachers College mula elementarya, sekondarya, Senior High School, at kolehiyo na nagkamit ng karangalan sa nakaraang taong panuruan 2021-2022.

Naglunsad din ng ‘Donation Drive’ ang NTC Scholarship and Financial Aid Office sa pamumuno ng dating tagapangulo nito na si G. Vincent Jerome Agustin para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong ‘Karding’ na tumama sa Central Luzon noong kasagsagan ng paggunita ng anibersaryo ng paaralan. Ani G. Agustin, bahagi ito ng misyon ng isang institusyong pang-edukasyon tulad ng NTC na tumugon sa oras ng pangangailangan.

Alituntunin para sa Pagbabalik ng F2F Classes, Inilabas at Ipinatupad ng NTC

Bilang pagsunod ng National Teachers College (NTC) sa ibinabang Memorandum Order No. 16, s. 2022 ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED), naglabas ng ‘Tanglaw Advisory’ ang administrasyon noong ika-21 ng Nobyembre 2022, na naglalahad ng mga alituntunin para sa unti-unting pagbabalik ng mga mag-aaral sa paaralan. Noong Nobyembre 11, 2022, inilabas ng CHED ang nabanggit na kautusan na may layong ibalik nang unti-unti ang pag-aaral sa dating pamamaraan ng pagtuturo. Nakasaad din dito na dapat ilaan ng mga paaralan ang limampung porsyento (50%) ng kabuuang oras nila sa face-to-face classes, at ang natitirang oras naman ay maaari nang isagawa sa makabagong pamamaraan ng pag-aaral o online learning. Bukod pa rito, kailangang magpasa ang mga kolehiyo at unibersidad ng disenyong aangkop sa pagdaraos ng on-site classes at ang pagpapatuloy ng hybrid classes o ang pinagsamang face-to-face at online classes.

Ang mga alituntuning nakapaloob sa ‘Tanglaw Advisory’ ay tumatalakay sa pagpasok ng ikalawang semestre na pagpaplanong damihan ang blended learning courses sa institusyon. Nakatala rin dito na mayroon pa ring Google Classroom access para sa mga mag-aaral na hindi makasusunod sa bagong alituntunin ng eskwelahan.

Kung matatandaan, ang NTC Academic Affairs ay naglunsad ng ‘advisement process’ noong ika-24 ng Nobyembre 2022 na ipinadala sa email ng mga mag-aaral upang malaman ang kanilang opinyon sa pagkakaroon ng face-toface classes at ang unti-unting pagbubukas ng paaralan. Ito rin ay nagsilbing gabay ng admin sa pagsasaayos ng panibagong learning modality, na siyang ipatutupad nila para sa mga susunod na semestre at taong panuruan.

Nagsimula ang plinanong onsite classes sa institusyon nitong Marso 13, 2023, pagsapit ng ikalawang semestre ng kasalukuyang taong panuruan. Patuloy ang pagpapatupad ng alituntunin hanggang sa huling yugto ng semestre ngayong darating na Hulyo.

Ginawaran ang mga kagila-gilalas na NTCian sa Social Hall para sa ika-94 anibersaryo ng

Kaliwa

Dam:

Banta sa Kalikasan at Kabuhayan

“Huwag lang nila tingnan ‘yong mga mayayaman. Kanila ring kalingain ‘yong mga mahihirap na kagaya namin na walang pinagkukunan kundi sa mga halamang bundok, at ‘yong aming lupa ay huwag nilang ipasara sa malalaking kumpanya na mayayaman naman,” panawagan ni Bb. Baleriana Dela Corsada, isa sa mga katutubong nakiisa sa Alay-Lakad laban sa proyektong Kaliwa Dam noong ika-15 hanggang ika-23 ng Pebrero.

Ang pagtatayo ng dam ay isa sa mga pangunahing paraan upang masigurado ang sapat na suplay ng tubig sa mga komunidad. Isa ang ‘Kaliwa Dam’ sa mga halimbawa nito. Bahagi ang nasabing dam ng programang ‘Build, Build, Build’ ng gobyerno sa pamumuno ng dating pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte, sa taong 2018. Popondahan ng bansang Tsina ang 85 porsyento nito sa pamamagitan ng loan agreement na nagkakahalaga ng P12.2 bilyon. Layunin nitong matugunan ang kakulangan sa suplay ng tubig sa Kalakhang Maynila na siyang magdaragdag ng 600 na milyong litro ng tubig kada araw.

Sa kabilang banda, ang proyektong ito ay isang malaking hamon sa mga katutubong nagsisikap na pangalagaan ang kanilang lupain at kabuhayan. Ito ang nagtulak sa pagbubuklod ng Dumagat-Remontado— mga katutubong nagmula sa bayan ng Quezon at Rizal upang tutulan ang pagtatayo ng dam.

Nitong Pebrero 2023, nagkaisa ang mga katutubong Dumagat-Remontado sa pagsagawa ng siyam na araw na alay-lakad bilang pagkondena at paglaban sa Kaliwa Dam. Binagtas ng humigit-kumulang 300 na mga katutubo ang mga kalsada mula sa General Nakar, Quezon hanggang sa palasyo ng Malacañang na nagtatayang umabot ng 150 kilometrong paglalakad sa hangaring makapanayam ang Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa pag-asang iba ang pananaw nito sa dating pangulo pagdating sa proyektong Kaliwa Dam.

Sa kasamaang palad, hindi nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makipagdiyalogo ang mga Dumagat-Remontado sa kahit sino sa gobyerno matapos silang harangin ng kapu-

NI DAISY VARGAS

lisan sa Mendiola. Mga midya at maliliit na pahayagan pa ang nanghingi ng kanilang mga sentimyento . At nang sila’y hingian ng kanilang saloobin, iisa lamang ang kanilang ipinaglalaban—ang kapakanan ng kanilang tahanan, kalikasan, at kanilang kabuhayan.

Mariing tinutulan ni Bb. Mayeth Bonifacio, isa rin sa mga katutubong nakapanayam ng pahayagan, ang pagtatayo ng Kaliwa Dam. Ayon sa kaniya, ito’y magdudulot ng pagkasira ng kalikasan, partikular ang kabundukan ng Sierra Madre. “Gusto namin maipakansela para mailigtas ang Sierra Madre, gayundin ang aming pangkabuhayan,” saad niya. Sa lumipas na mga dekada, mahalaga ang papel nito bilang bahagi ng likas na yaman ng bansa hindi lamang sa mga katutubo, kundi pati na rin sa marami pang Pilipino. Ito ang nagsisilbing pananggalang sa mga malalakas na bagyo upang protektahan ang mga taong naninirahan sa mga probinsyang nasa ilalim nito. Naninirahan din dito ang iba’t ibang uri ng halaman at hayop na malaking parte ng ekosistema.

Ayon naman kay Bb. Ma. Clara Dullas, ang pangulo ng Samahan ng mga Kababaihang Dumagat ng Sierra Madre, “Kapag ginawa ang Kaliwa Dam, ang tubig ay tataas at papasok sa aming pamayanan. Kaya [namin] tinututulan dahil saan kami titira? Ang alam namin ay iyon ay aming pagmamay-ari kaya gano’n kasakit sa amin at kahit kami’y hirap na hirap, tinyaga namin ‘to.” Totoo nga namang maaaring magkaroon ng pagbabago sa pagdaloy ng ilog at pagbaha ng mga lugar sa paligid nito, kabilang ang mga kabahayan ng mga katutubo. Ayon pa sa kaniya, dahil sa pagtaas ng lebel ng tubig, halos tatlo sa apat na bahagi (¾) ng kanilang barangay ang lulubugin at maski ang mga taong naninirahan sa matataas na lugar ay madadamay.

Bukod pa rito, mawawalan aniya sila ng hanapbuhay na siyang kanilang pangunahing pinagkukunan sa araw-araw. Ang pagkasira ng kalikasan ay malaking dagok sa mga katutubo sapagkat dito sila dumidepende upang mabuhay. Ito ay nagbibigay ng kanilang pagkakakitaan sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng likas na yaman tulad ng pagkain, gamot, kahoy, at iba pang mga

produkto na kanila ring ibinebenta sa mga bayan at lungsod sa paligid ng kabundukan. Ang mga naninirahan naman malapit sa baybayin ay nabubuhay sa kanilang mga huli sa pamamagitan ng pangingisda. Dahil sa mga tanyag na destinasyon ng mga turista at mga taong mahilig sa adbentura, marami ring mga katutubo ang nagtatrabaho bilang mga tour guide, porters, o kaya ay nag-aalok ng mga serbisyo tulad ng pagluluto at paglilinis. Kung mawawala ang mga pook pasyalan, mawawalan din ng hanapbuhay ang mga lokal.

Hindi lang iyan, napakahalaga rin ng mga lupaing minana pa nila mula sa kanilang mga ninuno. Ang kasaysayan ng kanilang lahi ay naka ugat na sa lugar na ito.

Panghuli, maaapektuhan ang kanilang kultura. Ito ay maaaring magdulot ng malawakang pagbabago sa buhay at kultura ng mga Dumagat-Remontado. Maaring maapektuhan ang kanilang tradisyon, paraan ng pamumuhay, at pag-iisip na siyang mahalaga sa kanilang kultura, sapagkat ito ay isa sa mga salik na nakatulong sa pagbuo ng kanilang mga paniniwala at pagpapahalaga sa kalikasan.

Ang proyektong Kaliwa Dam ay tunay ngang isang malaking perwisyo sa mga Dumagat-Remontado at sa mga katutubo sa pangkalahatan. Kahit pa ang layunin nito ay matugunan ang suplay ng tubig sa Kamaynilaan, isipin din nawa ng gobyerno na hindi dapat ipagsawalang bahala ang magiging epekto nito sa kalikasan at sa mga taong apektado. Sa halip, maghanap na lamang ng mga alternatibong solusyon sa pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng tubig.

Oo nga’t bukod sa pagkain, kasuotan, at tirahan, isa rin ang tubig sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng isang tao. At hindi natin maikakaila ang katotohanan na may mga lugar na kapos sa suplay ng tubig. Gayunpaman, ikintal din natin sa ating mga isipan, na ang pagpapalawak ng mga imprastraktura para sa tubig ay hindi dapat magdudulot ng pinsala sa mga tahanan, ancestral domain, at kabuhayan ng mga lokal na komunidad. Sa usaping ito, dapat balanse. Walang mauuhaw at walang malulunod.

Holiday Flights sa NAIA, Sinalubong ng Aberya

Malaking aberya agad ang sumalubong sa unang araw ng buwan ng Enero at Mayo taong 2023 sa mga pasahero ng Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)—na siyang isa sa pangunahing paliparan ng bansa. Sa kabuuan, mahigit kumulang 65,000 na katao mula sa mahigit 600 na biyahe mapa-Internasyonal at Lokal ang naantala noong Enero, habang 9,000 na pasahero naman noong nakaraan Mayo 1 sa NAIA Terminal 3. Sanhi ng mga aberyang ito ay ang mga power outage na nagdulot ng malawakang air traffic management system glitch at fault electrical current.

Ang mga aberyang ito ang siyang nagdulot ng pagka-istranded na libo-libong mga Pilipino, turista, at Overseas Filipino Workers sa paliparan.

Ayon sa isang panayam mula sa Rappler, isa si alyas “Nets” sa mga domestic workers na naapektuhan sa nangyaring aberya noong Enero. Aniya, noong kasagsagan ng aberya, kinakailangan na niyang bumalik sa Hong Kong upang ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan niyang kontrata sa kanyang employer.

Samantala, noong ika-22 ng Enero, kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Chinese New Year, naiulat na mayroong humigit kumulang 3,000 pasahero na naman ang muling naapektuhan sa pagpalit ng Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) ng cooling fan ng kanilang uninterruptible power supply (UPS) na ginagamit upang bantayan ang sistema ng trapiko sa paliparan.

Gayun din, noong Mayo naman, ultimo mga opisyal ng gobyerno ay naantala rin ng mga aberyang ito. Nagbigay ng saloobin si Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District Rep. Wilter Palma patungkol sa nangyaring delay sa flight ng kanyang mga anak. Aniya, “I [am] a little bit disappointed because my children were booked... to attend sana sa oath taking ng mga kapatid nilang lawyer sa May 2 eh nangyari cancelled from Cebu and other areas in Mindanao…”

SOLUSYON: PAGSASAPRIBADO NG NAIA?

Isa sa mga nakitang solusyon ng gobyerno sa problemang ito ay ang pagbubukas ng usapin ng privatization ng NAIA. Ani Department of Transportation (DOTR) Secretary Jaime Bautista sa naganap na pulong sa Senado noong ika-12 ng Enero, sinusuportahan niya at ng administrasyong Marcos Jr. ang planong pagsasapribado ng naturang paliparan.

Dagdag pa niya, “Right now it [is] the only major airport in Metro Manila, it has reached its rated capacity. It even exceeded its rated capacity. That [is] why we need to improve and modernize NAIA.”

Sa isang panayam ng CNN Philippines sa programang “The Source”, nabanggit ni Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Senior Assistant General Manager Bryan Co nitong ika-3 ng Enero, na nagsisimula nang bumalik sa normal ang operasyon ng NAIA. Aniya, “We’re starting to normalize already… we don’t have any canceled flights anymore, although we expect some delays on certain flights.”

Kamakailan lamang ay naulit na namang muli ang aberya nitong Hunyo 9 na tumagal ng 37-minuto. Ayon sa ulat, ito ang ikalawang insidente sa NAIA Terminal 3 at ikatlo kung bibilangin ang nationwide na pagsara ng airspace noong Enero.

Kaakibat nito, klinaro ng DOTR ang nasabing pagpaplano sa pagsasapribado ng NAIA ay hindi kinokonsiderang binibenta, ayon din kay Chief Justice of the Philippines Jonathan Gesmundo, “The emphasis here is this is not a sale. We are not selling the airport”.

Sa kabilang banda, nagbigay komento si Minority Senator Risa Hontiveros sa planong pagsasapribado. Ani ng Senador, ang sunod-sunod na aberya ay buhat ng kapabayaan sa sistema ng pamamalakad ng NAIA at iba pang paliparan ng bansa.

“[...] services at the NAIA will not improve, even if the private sector will manage it, if there will be no reforms in the system of management of the NAIA and other airports in the country.” aniya. Dagdag pa ng Senador, mas mainam na sundan ang sistema ng operasyon ng mga kilalang state-owned airports sa ibang bansa.

“There are plenty of good practices in [their] airport operations for us to emulate, if the government is indeed serious about fixing our airports,”

Hindi rin daw dapat laging umasa ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno sa pribadong sektor sa tuwing hindi nila magampanan ang kanilang mga trabaho.

“Sometimes, there is no alternative to demanding that our public officials actually do their jobs well. [...] We should demand more from our public officials and not encourage further complacency in the bureaucracy by bringing in the private sector everytime our public officials are unable or unwilling to do their jobs.”

Nina Mia Buenconsejo At Aldwin Manahan

MGA KUHA NI JAZZTINE ZACARIAS AT REINALYN VILLALUNA

DUGO, PAWIS, LUHA: ANG BAGONG KAHULUGAN NITO

Nasanay tayong lahat na kapag binanggit ang mga katagang “Dugo, Pawis, at Luha,” inilalarawan nito ang pagsasakripisyo ng isang partikular na indibidwal. Isinasaad nito Nakatatak na rito na tila luha, pawis, at dugo na ang kapalit makuha lang ang isang bagay o makamit lang ang isang mithiin. Kadalasa’y ginagamit ito upang ilarawan ang paghihirap na dinaranas ng mga magulang upang buhayin lamang ang kanilang mga anak at pamilya, ngunit kadasala’y inilalarawan din nito ang sakripisyo na ibinibigay ng mga manggagawa—ng Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), ng minimum-wage earners, nars, titser, atbp. Sa mga nagdaang panahon, unos, at mga pangyayari sa ating lipunan, pamahalaan, at bansa, unti-unting nagiba na ang sinisimbolo nitong katagang ito. Tila naging literal na isinasakripisyo na ng masang Pilipino, partikular ang mga manggagawa, ang kani-kanilang Luha, Pawis, at maging ang kanilang Dugo—makamit lang ang mithiing ginhawa sa buhay.

Dahil sa hindi magandang takbo at kalakaran ng pamamahala sa ating bansa daang taon na simula pa lang sa pananakop ng mga Espanyol, lumala nang lumala ang estado ng pamumuhay sa bansa. UMAARAY ang mga konsyumer, manggagawa, at maski ang simpleng mamamayan sa laki, lala, at walang tigil na pagsipa ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Sa bagal ng pagpapanukala ng pag-umento ng sahod ng mga manggagawa (na maituturing din namang mga konsyumer), humihirap lalo ang naghihikahos na nilang buhay.

LUMULUHA ang mga manggagawa sa kawalan ng pakikinig at aksyon ng mga nahahalal sa kapangyarihan upang tugunan ang mga hinaing at dinaranas na kahirapan. Kaya naman mismong mga manggagawa na ang kumikilos upang punan lamang itong hindi katanggap-tanggap na kakulangan, matinding PAWIS ang dinaranas nila mapunan lamang ito —dala-dalawa ang kinukuhang trabaho, matamo lamang ng nakasasapat at nakabubuhay na sahod pantustos sa kani-kanilang pamilya, kapalit nito ang matinding kapaguran at pagkahapo. Kadalasan din ay lumilipad pa sila papuntang ibang bansa upang doon makahanap ng trabaho at

manilbihan sa mga dayuhang amo. Ang reyalidadna ito ay hindi nararapat para sa mga manggagagawa. Hindi rin dapat magpasimuno sa pagpapahintulot ang gobyerno sa pagpapadala ng mga manggagawa sa ibang bansa, dahil ito ay nakasasama sa lokal na ekonomiya at lipunang Pilipino—nariyan ang epekto ng ‘Brain Drain’ o ang paglagas ng mga propesyonal na dapat sana ay sa Pilipinas mailagak ang kanilang husay at galing. Nakasasama ito sapagkat hindi nagkakaroon ng pag-unlad sa ating lokal na ekonomiya. Kung matatandaan, noong Pebrero 2022 ay binuo ang Kagawaran ng Manggagawang Mandarayuhan o Department of Migrant Workers—nakalulungkot at mas lalong nakagagalit dahil mismong gobyerno ng bansa ang nangunguna sa pagpapadala ng mga Pilipino upang manilbihan sa ibang bansa.

Mas nakasasapat sa kanila na mapadali ang proseso ng pagkuha ng trabahong may nakabubuhay na sahod, mas nakasasapat sa kanila na hindi ipitin kapag sila’y nananawagan ng kanilang benepisyo’t karapatan, bagkus ipagkaloob sa kanila ang mga ito, at mas nakasasapat para sa kanila at sa kanilang pamilya kung sila ay hindi na mangailangang lumuwas pa sa ibang bansa, makahanap lamang ng trabahong nakasasapat.

Naghihikahos na nga sa hirap ng buhay, nagiging biktima pa ang manggagawa sa kawalan ng hustisya na mismong mga nasa kapangyarihan ang nagpapasimuno—kaliwa’t kanang arestuhan, pananakot, panreredtag, at ang mas malala sa lahat, kaliwa’t kanang patayan ang kinahaharap ng mga manggagagawa at mga taong nananawagan at tumitindig para sa kanila. Ang mamamayan at manggagagawang Pilipinong naghihirap mismo ay nag-aalay at dumaranak ng DUGO upang pagbayaran ang kanilang mga hiling, panawagan, at sigaw na reporma, hustisya, at kapayapaan. Hindi ito kailaman nararapat.

Hindi na nakasasapat ang sinasahod, hirap nang makipagsabayan sa presyo ng mga pamilihin, iniipit pa ng mga awtoridad at opisyal ng pamahalaan— ito ang panibagong inilalarawan at tinutukoy ng katagang “DUGO, PAWIS, AT LUHA” sa makabagong panahon. Kaya’t bilang kabataan, kinakailangan palaka-

sin natin ang mga panawagan ng mga manggagagawa: ang panawagang pagpapapataas ng sahod, at pagpapababa ng presyo ng mga bilihin, dahil bukod sa tayo ang magiging bagong pulutong na manggagagawa, ay saklaw pa rin tayo ng hirap na dinaranas nila—mataas na presyo ng bilihin, pahirap na pahirap na estado ng pamumuhay, at malalang panggigipit ng estado—napapailalim din tayo sa mga hamon at paghihirap na ito.

Bilang kabataang makabayan, humanay dapat tayo para sa kapakanan ng mga nasa laylayan, humanay dapat tayo sa mga maralita, humanay tayo sa mga nangangailangan ng karagdagang boses at tinig. Utang ng mga kabataang makabayan ang kanilang liksi, oras, at serbisyo para sa masa, dahil kung hindi tayo titindig at hahanay para sa kapakanan nila, sino na lamang ang mananawagan at mangunguna sa pagkamit ng pagbabago na matagal na nating gustong matamasa?

Inaalay ng Fiat Lux, opisyal na pahayagang mag-aaral ng National Teachers College, taong panuruang 2022-2023, ang digital na diyaryong ito—ang kaakibat nitong mga sulatin, artikulo, at likhang sining—sa mga manggagawa at masang Pilipino. Inaalay namin ang mga likhang ito buhat ng sakripisyo ng masa para pangalagaan ang demokrasya at kalayaang nakamit ng ating mga dakilang ninuno; ang demokrasya at kalayaang patuloy na sinusubok ng mapang-api, gahaman, at pasistang estado.

Kung hindi dahil sa mga manggagawa at masang Pilipino, walang maihahayag ang mga mamamahayag-estudyante tulad namin. Magsilbi sanang makabuluhang ganti ang alay naming ito para sa kanilang mga ibinigay na sakripisyo upang manatiling nag-aalab ang tanglaw ng mga kabataang tulad namin.

SAHOD ITAAS, PRESYO IBABA!

PHP750 NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE, NGAYON NA!

MABUHAY ANG MANGGAGAWANG PILIPINO!

MABUHAY ANG MASANG PILIPINO!

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