Theme: Student’s Awareness on Women’s
Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness
MSC PRE V-DAY CELEBRATION Theme: Student’s awareness on Women’s empowerment and
LGBT consciousness
Copyright Š 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the author (s).
Published 2014 Marinduque, State, College Marinduque, Philippines
INTRODUCTION As a requirement for the subjects Afro-Asian and Anglo-American Literature under Mr. Randy T. Nobleza, the AB-English III conducted a five-day forum for the MSC Pre-Vday celebration with the theme “Justice” of this year’s event for women, One Billion Rising which is celebrated worldwide during the month of February. Students’ papers and researches were presented and discussed in a plenary session, and later, the exchange of information and ideas between the presenters and the audience was organized in the open forum proper wherein the topics that were discussed were mostly literary pieces in line with the subjects. In the discussion, the presenters related their papers and researches to the theme of the event as a way to give information and more importantly to spread awareness to the students with regards to the empowerment of women and consciousness to the existence of LGBT. This book which served as the output documented from the event is a collection of papers of different abstracts presented in the fora. This book contains the proceedings, summary of ideas, comments and suggestions that were shared and talked about by the students as well as the teachers. Also through this event, the presenters were able to bring learning outside the normal classroom setting to encourage the practice of sharing ideas among students.
MSC PRE V-DAY CELEBRATION
TABLE of CONTENTS CHAPTER I DAY 1: February 10 Venue: SAS (Parallel Session) Chinese theater Japanese Noh Theater African Theater Venue: SSTED (Plenary Session) Marxist Approach in Reading the Hunger Games Trilogy Like Water for Chocolate, Laura Esquivel
CHAPTER II DAY 2: February 11 Venue: SBM (Plenary Session) My Bondage and my freedom, Frederick Douglas Django unchained, Quintin Tarantino
CHAPTER III DAY 3: February 12 Venue: SAM (Plenary Session) Magic Realism in the Novel “Life of Pi Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas: Nation’s Becoming and a Jeremiadic Reading Venue: SIT (Plenary Session) Miracle, Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman Selected poems, Pablo Neruda
CHAPTER IV DAY 4: February 13 Venue: SENG (Plenary Session) Myanmar’s Political Economy and Language Policy Mahamaya, Rabindranath Tagore
Venue: SCJE (Plenary Session) The Motorcycle Diaries, Ernesto Guevara On the Road, Jack Kerouac
CHAPTER V DAY 5: February 14 Venue: SICS (Plenary Session) Heteronormativity in Psy’s Viral Music video The Changing Morals of Korean Students, Kim Tae-gil
MESSAGES Miss Jofel Maalindog School of Business and Managements I am grateful that the AB English third year students conducted this kind of forum to impart awareness especially to those who have less knowledge about women’s empowerment and LGBT consciousness. However, it would be better if an organization promoting women’s rights and equality among the LGBT community will be established in MSC in order to gain respect with each other. For instance, the LGBT community grows in number yet only few people accept who they are. As a result, we should all be informed about our equality in spite of our gender differences that all of can highly contribute to the development of our society. Sir Wilfredo Dalugdog School of Law Enforcement Administration I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to the students of AB-English for inviting the students of School of Criminal Justice Education to be a part of the celebration of V-day with its theme “ Students Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness” on February 14, 2014 held at the MSC SAEd Students’ Lounge. Inviting the students of Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration on this celebration is such a great idea because it’s good to see the BS-Lead students that women has rights and these rights must be given equally to all individual. Having an open mind will accept whatever sexes the individual has, would it be lesbian, gays, bisexual and transgender. Awareness of the equality of rights and justice that we were expecting would be of help to reduce the violence against women and allow me to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Let us all speak and rise for the justice that are beloved friends and relatives were asking. Mr. Marvin Plata School of Allied Medicine Gender equality is part of the 8th Millennium Development goal that will expire in 2015. As one of the goals which fosters equality of rights among women, the fulfillment could be seen nowadays due to the numerous activities conducted. One of the concrete proofs is the spread of the information around the globe. And you as students are doing your part in effect, most women are already empowered. In fact, majority of the government officials are engaging themselves in activities concerning women’s empowerment. To show gender equality means giving opportunity to the girls and at the same time even to the LGBT. And of course, violence against women was also discussed.
And in behalf of our Dean, we are so thankful that SAM students were included in the activity. It is good to know that you as students can see the needs of the fellow students around. Nhonnie Jean Mayores Preident, SAS Litera Club With this year’s theme Justice, for V-Day One Billion Rising, the event is timely and worth to talk about. The organization really hopes that this event has helped the students to become aware and conscious against violence as the rights of every individual, and to be sensitive enough with regards to different genders and other things around us. This event, also served as a way to bring together the students of Marinduque State College, in sharing ideas and having a fruitful conversation with each other. I wish that this will mark a big impact in the perspective of every student at their daily living. I am glad that we were able to come up with this kind of activity, because it serves as a training ground for the students like us. I really hope that this will not be the last time that we’re going to share a room with the other students from different schools, and discuss things that will shape our present and future concerns. Let us get out of our boxes and help create positive changes by reaching the consciousness of each other using our field of specialization. The world is wider and wilder, so let us BE AWARE AND BE CONSCIOUS. Randy T. Nobleza SAS Faculty & GAD Director My commendation to all AB English 3 students and the SAS Litera Club. Becoming part of the One Billion rising and V-day is a worldwide phenomenon. It is important that MSC students, faculty members and employees get to be aware and conscious. There are at least two immediate concerns for this year’s One Billion rising and V-day: the idea of Justice both for women and LGBT concerns. And the other is about ICT (information and communication technology) and Gender Friendly Technologies along with Post Haiyan Disaster response. Thanks and regards to all MSCians, may these efforts a trajectory to the future.
FEEDBACKS/ COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS I guess students have been knowledgeable about the worth of celebrating the Valentine’s Day. They are somewhat enlightened that it is not really about the traditional Valentines. As they discover that there are still other aspects and also maybe they will understand more, particularly on the woman’s worth that they should not be underestimated. Women should fight also. They should not let anyone to defeat them. The time that they spent is worthwhile. Mr. Kiervin A. Villaruel: The objectives of the program are good but if the location of your program is here on the Philippines, why are you focusing on Korea and not on the Philippines? You should use the Philippine context as your focus. Thank you for including our department in this kind of program. Mrs. Annie Ruiz: The forum is good because Education students are not aware of the program. It gave them insights. The activity is good. Actually, it is really new for me. I am not familiar to it. When it comes to your program, I noticed that the focus is on the issue of gender.
CHAPTER I School of Arts and Sciences February 10, 2014 (Monday) 1:30- 4:00 pm “African Theater” Jethros Pineda Ronalyn Manlisis ABSTRACT The story “Woyengi” was shared to the students of School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) for the celebration of V-Day with the theme “Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness”. The story of Woyengi is about the Goddess and her human creation. In her creation, people can choose their own identity, their gender, destiny and death. However, the consequences of their choices leave them full of regrets and insecuritiesjust like in the real life setting. The concept of this story is present in the real life situation where some people are given a chance to live free life while some are being discriminated and judged by their choices in life, not even considering their worth as humans. In connection to V-Day, the story was analyzed through the approaches - Feminism and Animism, since this story deals with the concept of gender issues or gender sensitivity. These approaches are relevant to this story in a way that it tackles the different issues regarding human’s choice and freedom.
Keywords: Feminism and Animism, creation, freedom, choice
“Chinese Theater” Paul John Bugarin ABSTRACT I aimed to present the development and background of drama in China through a literary piece entitled The Price of Wine. It is a comedy believed to be written in the sixteenth century. Inclined with religion as the main idea in the first part of the story, Chinese drama is said to have originated from primitive religious ceremonies. I tackled some dynasties which contributed to the development of Chinese drama, religious festivals and rituals. The Post-Colonial approach was used in discussing the drama. After sharing the story to the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) participants, an open forum was held. The forum followed the relation of the story to the activity, MSC Pre V-day Celebration with its theme “Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness”. One participant shared about Confucianism and the Golden Rule “Do not do unto others what you don’t want others do unto you”, in relation to the topic. This rule was related to the consciousness of gender specifically of women within and outside the story. Thus, the relationship of the presentation to the main theme of the activity was clearly shown.
Keywords: drama, china, Post-Colonial approach, Confucianism (Golden Rule)
DISCUSSION African Theater Chinese Theater The topic that was discussed by Mr. Jethros Pineda and Ms. Ronalyn Manlisis was entitled “Woyengi”, an African literary piece. It was presented to the SAS students. After the presentation, an open forum was held. Ms. Camille Logmao suggested that the story could be viewed with Animist Approach as it mentioned of animals, their features, powers and skills and associated them to humans. One example is the two bird-like creatures that symbolizes the spiritual power of one of the characters in the story. Also, there is the great significance of every element of nature. Animism is an old religion in which the animals are viewed as holy and god. It is closely related to Paganism. The second presentation is about the Chinese drama, The Price of Wine. He started with the background of how the Chinese drama existed. The dynasties which contributed to the development of the Chinese are also discussed. The presenter shared one of the Chinese plays (Comedy) during the 16th century entitled “The Price of Wine” having an anonymous author. The values depicted in the story were related to the theme of the activity. Inclined with the beliefs from the story, Ms. Nhonnie Jean Mayores from AB English 3 related it to “Confucianism and the Golden Rule”. She stated that Confucianism comes from the code value called “The Analects” -that was believed by people who followed Confucius. Ms. Camille Logmao also an AB English 3 student elaborated further the connection of the Golden rule. For instance is this saying “Do not do unto others what you don’t want others do unto you”. She related it to the story’s characters- how the emperor acted towards the treatment of a poor girl and vice-versa. The stand of women in that society was pointed out based on the story.
School of Secondary and Teachers Education February 10, 2014 (Monday) 1:30- 4:00 pm “Marxist Approach in Reading the Hunger Games Trilogy” Camille Logmao ABSTRACT The Hunger Games is a trilogy composed of novels by Suzanne Collins comprising of The Hunger Games (2008), Catching Fire (2009) and Mockingjay (2010). The trilogy narrates the struggle of the protagonist Katniss Everdeen, against the society in their post-apocalyptic country- Panem, which was ruled by its ruling city, the Capitol. She volunteered to be their district’s tribute to the 74th Hunger Games, “a gladiator-like televised event in which one boy and one girl, aged between twelve and eighteen, from each district must fight each other to the death” (Collins, 2008) until one victor remains. A research study about the Hunger Games was adapted to be discussed and related to the MSC Pre V-day Celebration with its theme “Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness”. This study was applied with Marxist theories along the process of content analysis. Marxist criticism provides theories and philosophies about economics, sociology, history and politics. These elements of the novels were elaborated to the respondents from the School of Secondary Teachers Education (SSTED): themes, plot, conflict, characters and settings. Besides the Marxist approach, Gender approach was used to analyze and relate the story to the activity’s theme. This is also because Marxist says that a society is responsible for its people’s awareness, actions and philosophies. The patriarchal society existing in the story proves that even in a post-apocalyptic setting, men are still superior to women. Though, there is no specific exploitation of women, there is, when it comes to each person, regardless their gender, under the ruling society. Keywords: Marxism, gender, society, heroin, ruler
“Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel Adelfa Sapungan & Rhea Malco ABSTRACT The main objective of this presentation is to uplift the consciousness and awareness of students towards women’s empowerment. The story written by Laura Esquivel is a best example of a situation that showcases the traditional treatment of the society to women. Feminist approach and post-colonial approach was used in analyzing and scrutinizing the story. The protagonist in the story was being deprived by her mother as well as her sister. There is an existing custom in this story which is to prohibit the youngest daughter in the family from marrying because she will be the one to take good care of her mother until her (mother) death. The other custom is to pass the family’s legacy which is the expertise in cooking to the youngest child. But, she was given a change to be superior, wherein she’s the expert on the kitchen. She knows how to cook palatable dishes and let her dishes touch the heart of those who eat it. From that scene, I can therefore connect with the ideology of Keith McHenry which is the so called “Food not Bombs”. Since the story was written in Mexico which is prone to wars, rebellions and chaos, the idea of having food instead of bombs can truly be practiced and associated in the story. In line with this, since that the Philippines had experienced wars especially in Maguindanao; the “Food not Bombs” ideology can be beneficial to all Filipinos if this will be practiced in our context. This will decrease the inflating number of scarcity of food and as well as increase the percentage rate of the population who eats regularly or three times a day. With this new ideology, the Philippines will be diverted on limiting the tremendous wars in Mindanao region.
Keywords: feminist and post-colonial approach, family traditions, food not Bombs
DISCUSSION Marxist Approach in Reading the Hunger Games Trilogy Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel The second presentation and open forum was held at SSTED. The participants were given the thesis Marxist Approach on Reading the Hunger Games Trilogy and the story Like Water for Chocolate in connection with the theme Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness. Before the presentation, Ms. Nhonnie Jean Mayores introduced first what the activity is and what V-day is. Some were shocked upon knowing that V stands for Vagina and not Valentines. They were told that it is a movement which uplifts the rights of women. So to elaborate and relate it to the participants, as part of the activity, literary readings were presented and analyzed using Feminist and Gender approaches. Marxism was first applied while lending the readers the story of The Hunger Games as it was originally used in the thesis of Ms. Camille Logmao. As she went on, she focused on gender issues inside the trilogy, The Hunger Games (2008), Catching Fire (2009) and Mockingjay (2010) by Suzanne Collins. She mentioned that even in a post-apocalyptic setting, the society is still governed by men for the heroin’s (Katniss Everdeen) country. Panem is ruled by men, their district’s mayor is a boy and their president is President Snow. Though, no women were abused in the story individually, physically as women, there’s still the hint of a patriarchal society. Katniss was not called by most of the people especially those in the Capitol as Katniss but “the girl on fire”. This is because, according to a feminist analysis of the story, as part of the tradition, women do not have their own name if they’re not yet married because it is their husband’s name they will carry. Also, the factor that greatly affects the society is the media which is controlled by the bourgeoisie, and directs the people to what standards to view in a man or a woman which practically manipulates and oppresses the proletariat. In the process of the open forum, it seemed that the trilogy was related clearly to the theme so the only question raised was: What is Marxism? Marxism rooted from Karl Marx. He believed that social classes should be abolished. He termed the working class, usually the poor in a society, the proletariat and the owning class, the businessmen and/or the middle class, were the bourgeoisie. He supposed that a revolution by the proletariats against the bourgeoisie could erase social difference and there will be equality in every society, no rich, and no poor. So Marxism is a philosophy, theory, literary approach etc. which focuses on the economics, sociology, history, politics and religion within a writing. The next presentation was presented by Ms. Adelfa Sapungan and Ms. Rhea Malco in which they related Lara Esquivel’s story, Like Water for Chocolate to the activity’s theme. The story revolves around a girl who is prohibited to marry because of a tradition that the youngest daughter should inherit the family’s mastery in cooking and should be the one to take care of her parents so she should never marry. The conflict here is that Tita, the protagonist fell in love with Pedro who’s also in love with her. But, in the end, they never marry instead Pedro married Tita’s older sister just to be near her.
There’s a thick issue about gender and women oppression in the story. Why? In the first place, it is only the youngest girl who is prohibited to marry. Why not the youngest son? A society should never take the right of a woman to marry and live with her beloved husband. She should never be obligated of what she must or must not do and should not be deprived of what she wants to do in her life unlike the heroin in the story. She must have the freedom men are enjoying. These are the insights shared to the participants during the discussion and open forum. Interestingly, one participant asked regarding the story’s title, Like Water for Chocolate’s meaning. There were different interpretations regarding this title. One said that somehow, it’s like Rosauro for Tita and Pedro. This is because he decided to marry Tita’s sister, Rosauro, in order to be near her. Water is for Rosauro, in the place of the chocolate, which Tita stands for. Moreover, the title suggests that the chocolate was the tradition embraced by Tita’s family, which prohibits her to marry but on the later part of the story, she and Pedro commits adultery, which is the water in the story. Their resistance or decision towards the tradition is like a chocolate being “unthickened” by adding water. On the last part of the activity and discussion for the SSTED participants, Mr. Randy Nobleza elaborated the significance and foundation of the activity, the V-day and other activities such as the round table discussion, entitled Let’s Talk about Sex, Baby! on February 14, the ICT and Gender Friendly Technologies and Post Haiyan Disaster Response on February 17- 18 as a post V-day celebration and the Sulat-kamay Collective Literary Workshop for a pre-Women’s Month celebration.
Chapter II School of Business Management February 11, 2014 (Tuesday) 1:00 - 3:00 pm “My Bondage and My Freedom” by Frederick Douglass Ma. Graciel Retardo ABSTRACT The autobiography of Frederick Douglass entitled My Bondage and My Freedom is an Afro-Asian literary piece written in 1855. This tells his story plainly, allowing history and experiences speak for it. According to him, one cannot easily forget to love freedom. He serves as one of the inspiring persons who strive hard and show dedication to escape from the box where he witnesses degradation among other persons, even in his very own life. In his writing, he raises impact describing characteristics of simplicity and dignity through his straightforward choice of words and facts about his life The MSC Pre V-day Celebration with its theme Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness brings curiosity to relate and analyze Frederick Douglass’ autobiography. Through the use of Feminist and Gender approach, situations that we encounter before and until our present time such as social and racial prejudices are justified. Specifically, the author informed the readers how Black Americans were deprived from education, and being treated as lowly as dogs. Some students from the School of Business and Management (SBM) became the participants of our discussion and forum. The relation of the topics within the story and the story itself to the event’s theme was pointed out to them. They actively proved their awakened awareness of the purpose of the activity and existence of such conditions encountered whether by them or other people. They shared their insights together with their rationalization about the deprivation of rights to every individual. Keywords: Black Americans, social and racial prejudices, deprivation
“Django Unchained by Quintin Tarantino” Pamela Marie Delda and Jemma Abella ABSTRACT During the Marinduque State College (MSC) Pre V-day Celebration with its theme “Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness”, the movie “Django Unchained” by Quintin Tarantino was discussed. The topic was chosen to show some details on how “blacks” are degraded as well as how the social status affects their lives. In connection with the theme, the movie served as the students’ guide to understand the importance of awareness to these important issues: racism, slavery and violence against individual specifically women. The movie is about an African- American man, Django (Jamie Foxx), who was rescued and freed by a con dentist, Dr. King Schultz (Cristoph Waltz) from the slave traders. They will rescue Django’s wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from the cruel plantation owner, Candie (Leonardo D’Caprio), a white American. The story was set before the civil war wherein black people or the Africans or Niger were the slaves of the White Americans. This story reveals the grievous situation of a slave-master system and racial discrimination. This story proved that most of the women in the society experienced violence and degradation. This situation was being related to our contemporary scenario which was carried through the open forum. In conclusion, it is proven that students especially our participants experienced discriminations and other oppressions even inside the school. Significantly, they are now aware of the truths about women and gender rights, situation and violation against them.
Keywords: African- Americans, unchained, racism, slavery, violence and women
DISCUSSION My Bondage and My Freedom Django Unchained On February 11, 2014, the second day of the activity was held at SBM. The participants were the first year Public Administration students. The autobiography of Frederick Douglass entitled “My Bondage and My Freedom” and the movie of Quintin Torentino “Django Unchained” are the assigned literary pieces needed to be discussed which fall under Afro-Asian Literature. The V-day Celebration with its theme “Justice” has something to do with the two literary pieces where the real scenario are presented on how Black people were degraded and oppressed by White American people. After the presentations of the two speakers, questions and suggestions were given for more clarification until they reach the broader essence of the celebration into reality. Students asked questions such as who is the founder of V-day and how can they relate those pieces to feminist approach since portion of the situation talks more on women. As an answer, we discussed Eve Ensler as the founder of the V-day Celebration, originally from her play “The Vagina Monologue”. According to her, if only the female reproductive organ has given a chance to talk, possible that it may expresses copious revelations about her and what she observes or experiences. The feminist approach was related to the topic because it justified the relevance and distinctive nature of women. Though the main focus of the activity is women, it’s not only pertaining to women itself but also about being a person aiming to stimulate the concept of having an equal right and treatment. To create interaction between the discussant and the participants, the speakers asked students to provide specific instances of injustice, inequality, strength and rights that happen to them as a girl or an individual. A girl shared her experience in ROTC. She emphasized that women can also do what man can despite of the fact that some punishments and rules are suited only for the capability of man. On the other hand, one LGBT member said he is against discrimination among women and other LGBT members. They justified that everyone is created equal. No one has the right to degrade and look down other people. One of the participants believed that, “Kahit na babae o lalaki o tomboy o bakla man ang isang tao, gusto nyang ma-experience ang nararanasan ng iba na hindi pa nya nararanasan basta’t walang ibang taong natatapakan. Gusto nyang maramdaman ang pagigging masaya ngunit mas maraming pagkakataon na nasasaktan tayo bilang tao at nangangarap na palaging malaya at walang bakod na humaharang”. In conclusion, the wider context of justice varies through social status, gender, positions and situation in life. True justice is not impeded by these variations instead we have to go out of what is usual. Freedom is for everyone, whether you are a boy or a girl, poor or wealthy, weak or strong. We must know how to treat each other equally and to find justice through fair treatment and judgment. This piece is one of the suitable stories which suggest awareness to strengthen and empower not just only women but all living creatures who desire to uplift their right.
CHAPTER III School of Allied Medicine February 12, 2014 (Wednesday) 1:30-2:30 pm “Magic Realism and the Novel Life of Pi” Ma. Marineth L. Magaling ABSTRACT The presentation is a research study, an analysis of Yann Martel’s novel “Life of Pi”. It is a story of an Indian boy and his magical experiences and adventures in life. The mainstream of this novel is his shipwrecked venture as he survived two 227 days in the Mariana Trench at the Pacific Ocean -which is said to be the deepest channel on earth- with an adult Bengal tiger as his only companion.
“Life of Pi” is dominated by ideas of culture, reality and existence. Its’ different attributes coincide with Magic realism, and like most Magic realist pieces; post colonialism is conspicuously portrayed in this narrative. Magic realism as a literary mode used in this fiction serves as an avenue to bring consciousness on the magical elements of life and reality, which was shown on the experiences of the protagonist of the story – Pi Patel. The amalgamation of human (ego/self) and - what the author called - the Other, challenges readers to understand meaning and existence. “The Other” pertains to the existence of cultural and religious beings/objects as well as the nature and its inhabitants. On the other hand, the political issues that their country is facing -which trigger them to migrate to other country- is a strong portrayal of post colonialism and also serves as the novel’s major conflict. To connect this to the MSC Pre V- Day celebration, it is noticeable that the novel presents and gives emphasis to the experiences of every human striving to survive life’s challenges. All incidents in the novel could happen in any person of any gender, social class and culture, since there’s a balance in this novel, seeing that the author focuses not only on the person but also to other things that exist. This novel somewhat shows equality between people and appreciation of “The Other”. It shows that we humans have our own weaknesses and strengths, and we need each other or somebody else to live. Keywords: Magic realism, post colonialism, the other, equality, survival, existence
“Jeremiadic Analysis of the play “Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas”: Island Becoming of Inang Bayan (Motherland)” Nhonnie Jean Mayores ABSTRACT The paper aims to analyze the Philippine literary play “Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas” written by the playwright Aurelio Tolentino. It was a postcolonial drama emerged during the period of American regime. An anti-imperialist play used to show how the Filipino resists oppression and afterwards prophesied freedom from the dominant authority at the end of the play. It showed an impression that Philippines will achieve freedom by means of reform. Seemingly, it shows a utopic community that overcomes social struggles from social realities through resistance. The study will use the Jeremiadic Rhetoric in analyzing the forms and shapes of oppression and the social struggles that enforce a behavior to resist and reform. The concept of Jeremiadic Rhetoric implies social movement in order to shape the ideal community with the agent of self and social improvement. Thereby finding the agent, individual or collective that enforce activism in our social and political context, from the affinity of the present to the past social realities and for the futuristic becoming of Inang Bayan, to draw a more relevant and modernistic image of the Island according to the voice echoed by the drama, and how the voice of the drama echoed, nestled, and conserved within the Island. The topic will see if the ideal is attainable, or possible to exist. In relation to One Billion Rising’s this year theme Justice, MSC celebrates Pre V-day with its theme “Student’s Awareness of Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness”, the topic was presented in the School of Allied Medicine (SAM) during the third day series of fora held on February 12, 2014. The topic viewed Inang Bayan like a maiden, serenaded, abused, and molested by the foreign admirer, that later turns to be her oppressor. Inang Bayan experienced being a slave in her own land, inequality which forces her children to revolt. The Bukas echoed by the play is continuum, and the goal to achieve a positive future of Inang Bayan is seems to be a none-stop struggle. People are still resisting to be hoodwinked in our social conditions and political struggles. Keywords: Jeremiadic Rhetoric, utopic, oppression, becoming, hoodwink.
School of Industrial Technology February 12, 2014(Wednesday) 3:30-4:30 pm “Miracles” by Walt Whitman Guellan Grace P. Regio ABSTRACT This literary piece from Anglo-American Literature, composed by Walt Whitman is one of the great and unusual figures in American Literature. His poem “Miracles” reveals his experiences about miracles; he nurtures the idea that life is a big miracle. Besides, it displays the everyday happenings in our life, that according to Whitman he considers as the miracle in human lives. Even the simple wave of the ocean’s water belongs to miracle. This poem deals to the different edges of V-Day Celebration, most especially with regards to gender equalities and rights. It has something to do with the perception of human about miracles in our lives. This poem committed different objectives that led the session for a great purpose. It aims to inform the School of Industrial Technology (SIT) students about the V-day celebration. The whole poem was discussed and related to the theme Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness. The participants were informed that not only in the Philippine setting does human discrimination happen but all over the world. Also, they are told what the relevance of the discussion to the activity is and enlighten their understanding about gender equalities. The discussion/forum happened all over the MSC Campus, which was conducted on February 10-14, 2014. The poem of Walt Whitman was discussed on the 3rd day of the pre VDay celebration at the SIT wherein the participants were the drafting students. The Pre V-day celebration resulted to a good work. The participants got conscious about and what is V-DAY. Keywords: Miracle, V-day, Human Discrimination
“Leaves of Grass” Ericka Antonette T. Valisno ABSTRACT The paper aims to analyze the book “Leaves of the Grass”, this book was first entitled “Poem of Whitman” in 1856 and is composed of 12 poems in ninety-five pages. It was published in Brooklyn at the Fulton street printing shop of two Scottish immigrants. On July 4, 1855, Whitman paid and did much of the typesetting for the first editions of him also a total of seven hundred ninety five copies were printed. When the book was first published, Whitman was fired from his job at the Department of Interior after Sec. of the Interior James Harlan read it and said he found it offensive. Critic Rufus Wilmot Griswold reviewed “Leaves of Grass” in the November 10, 1855, issue of the “The Criterion”, calling it “A mass of stupid filth” and categorized its author as a filthy free lover. Griswold also suggested that Whitman was guilty of “that horrible sin not to be mentioned among Christians” one of the earliest public accusations of Whitman’s sexuality. It was related to the theme of MSC pre V-Day “Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness”. The sense of equality in the first place, along his poem conforms to the idea of justice and sensitivity. The paper included in the study the life of the author in relation to his works.
“Body of a Woman” Charisma J. Montiano and Jevylyn L. Ricaflanca ABSTRACT This poem is written by Pablo Neruda, a poet born in the Chilean town of Parral in 1904, a person who devoted himself to poetry. Body of a Woman is a poem that can show passion towards a woman and also to the country. Literally, the poem describes the body of a woman and the writer’s relationship towards his subject. But in the deeper sense, the reader could also imagine that the woman is just a representation of a general subject matter. With this poem, the author wants to inform the readers to be respectful to every woman especially to those they loved most, as well as to give their loyalty and equal treatment that every individual deserves. And this equal treatment has something to do with the “gender sensitivity as well as the women’s empowerment and LGBT consciousness”. We say that women are less capable rather than men but there are things that a woman could also do like a man does. This poem was used as an instrument to inform the students of School of Industrial Technology (SIT) to accept and respect every gender in our society, especially to respect the rights of every individual. We related the poem to the main theme of the forum, and with that students of that department now realized that they must respect woman and LGBT members and so woman must also respect them for the sake of equal treatment.
Keywords: respect, equality, woman and country
“Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines” by Pablo Neruda Jhoanna Mae Dahab ABSTRACT We later learn that his overwhelming sorrow over a lost lover has prevented him from writing about their relationship and its demise. The speaker’s constant juxtaposition of past and present illustrates his inability to come to terms with his present isolated state. Neruda’s language here, as in the rest of the poem, is simple and to the point, suggesting the sincerity of the speaker’s emotions. These lines also contain images of nature, which will become a central link to his memories and to his present state. The speaker contemplates the natural world, focusing on those aspects of it that remind him of his lost love and the cosmic nature of their relationship. He begins writing at night, a time when darkness will match his mood. The night sky filled with stars offers him no comfort since they “are blue and shiver.” Their distance from him reinforces the fact that he is alone. However, he can appreciate the night wind that “sings” as his verses will, describing the woman he loved. This poem is related to the celebration of V-Day on February 14 because the speaker shows his emotion and feelings for his lost love- a woman. This of course includes feminism in which pertains to the compassion, love and care of a man towards a woman. This was conducted and discussed through the participation of the School of Industrial Technology (SIT) students during the Pre V-day Celebration at Marinduque State College. As a matter of fact, due to the poems timely theme- love, the participants got more interested with the discussion. Some of them related their present life when it comes to romantic relationships.
Keywords: love for women, care of men
DISCUSSION Magic Realism and the Novel Life of Pi Jeremiadic Analysis of the play “Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas”: Island Becoming of Inang Bayan (Motherland) “Miracles” and “Leave of Grass” by Walt Whitman Body of a Woman “Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines” by Pablo Neruda The third day of the forum was conducted to the School of Allied Medicine and School of Industrial Technology. In line with the theme of this year’s One Billion Rising, Justice and the MSC Pre V-day themes: Student’s Awareness of Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness, the forum highlighted two of the research proposals of the third year AB English students such as the research paper entitled The Magic Realism in the life of Pi by Marineth Magaling and the Jeremiadic Analysis of the play “Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas”: Island’s becoming of Inang Bayan by Nhonnie Jean Mayores both presented in the School of Allied Medicine. During the said discussion, the first presentor, Ms. Marineth Magaling was asked about the relationship of the V-Day in her research topic. She said that this novel presents the experiences of every human striving to survive life’s challenges. The events happened in this novel could happen in any person of any gender, social class and culture. While the second presenter discussed the relationship of her topic to the theme Justice and Equality, the topic viewed Inang Bayan like a maiden, serenaded, abused, and molested by the foreign admirer, that later turns to be her oppressor. Inang Bayan experienced being a slave in her own land, inequality which forces her children to revolt. Mr. Randy T. Nobleza shared his knowledge of the play KNB and its author Aurelio Tolentino to his experience from the event he had attended. He had a little queries about the original language of which the play was written. And in response, the presenter Ms. Nhonnie Jean Mayores based from her readings clarified that it was first written on Tagalog and was then translated by the same author on Kapangpangan dialect which was entitled Napun, Ngeni at Bukas. Mr. Nobleza showed a photo of the author and added some more details about the Kapangpangan playwright. The second part of the activity was presented in the School of Industrial Technology, where the poems written by Pablo Neruda and Walt Whitman were discussed. The book Leaves of Grass as the collection of Walt Whitman was first presented by Ms. Erika Valisno. She had related the book and life of Whitman to equality. And the instructor Ms. Jhoanna Ocampo, agreed that the author was able to justify the essence of equality through his inspiring and encouraging poems, that taught man to respect and act fairly to one another. Then, the next discussant Ms. Guellan P. Regio tackled one of Whitman’s poems entitled Miracle. She shared its affinity in the aspects of gender equality and about the edges of human perspective in life. Along the forum she asked the listener about their belief in Miracle. And she explained that it was not only the supernatural phenomena that creates miracle. Not just when a corpse rose from dead or a mute speak but by simply waking up every morning. There was also a question of who believes more in miracle, a man or a woman? And the answers from both the participants and discussants concluded that it will always depend on the people regardless of gender. The last
discussants, Ms. Jhoanna P. Dahab, Ms. Jevylyn Ricaflanca and Charisma Montiano presented the poems of Neruda entitled Tonight I Can Write the Saddest Lines. They related this to the aspects of feminism and how a man must give importance to a woman. They focus on the way Neruda imparted this concept in a relationship. This reflected how a man must adore and value a woman just as the author shared in his poem. It was the most captivating part for the audience, who also took the chance to recite the poem orally along the discussion. It caught their attention, because of the idea of Love and Relationship. After this Ms. Ocampo summarizes the whole idea of the poem which is a man longing for his long lost love.She also clarified that the idea of the faithfulness between a man and a woman when it comes to a relationship depends on the individual and not on the gender.
CHAPTER IV School of Engineering February 13, 204 (Thursday) 1:30-3:00 pm
“Myanmar’s Political Economy and Their Language Policy” Deah Rose L. Jalimbawa ABSTRACT Political economy has been a subject for studies due to the ascendance of economic issues in the global politics as Charles Lindblom (1997) claimed that the realm of politics and realm of economics almost always overlap. Language policy has also been an issue around the globe as nations argue how effective their policies were in the economic development of one’s country. In connection, this study aims to analyze the political economy of Myanmar and the relation of their language policy toward economic development. It attempts to show the relationship between the country’s history and economic status; determine the effect of having English in the country’s language policy in their economic development; and find out how Myanmar evolved with the life of Aung San Suu Kyi. The study used a descriptive type of research where documentary analysis was the primary method in analyzing and interpreting the documents such as the country’s official history, economic development, constitution concerning language policy and Aung San Suu Kyi’s biography. The political economy approach was further employed making use of the aforementioned documsents. In relation to the MSC Pre V-day Celebration with its theme “Student’s Awareness of Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness”, February 10-14, 2014, the role of Aung San Suu Kyi as a political leader in Myanmar where oppression of human rights, justice and democracy were rampant was given emphasis in one of the forums conducted in the different schools in Marinduque State College (MSC), specifically in the School of Engineering (SENG). A number of engineering students attended as participants, particularly those who are part of their school publication, Matrix Today together with some of their instructors. The discussion was mostly centered in Aung San Suu Kyi as a highly appropriate figure of a woman whostands and fights for justice in relevance to the 2014 One Billion Rising with its theme “Justice”. Furthermore, the forum has made known to the participants the importance of introducing such kind of topic as one of the ways in preparation to the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2015 as we aim to be competitive enough as other ASEAN nations are. Keywords: Myanmar, Political economy, Language policy, Aung San Suu Kyi
“Mahamaya by Rabindranath Tagore” Jea Mae Jimenez and Rubelyn Cagape ABSTRACT This literary piece looked at the work of Rabindranath Tagore, a genius, mystic, poet, painter, composer, short story writer, novelist, playwright, and actor who was born in Calcutta, State of Bengal, India in 1861 to a family known for wealth, position, learning and culture. One of his literary pieces is entitled “Mahamaya” which presents the awful, estranged life of a woman, Mahamaya, who became a widow after her wedding. In this story, Tagore focused on the ongoing social changes and lives of ordinary people during the period of the Bengal Renaissance and the rise of nationalism between the 1880s and 1920s. He also characterized the female condition, and the forces that oppress women, with particular sensitivity. This short story introduced the relationships and personalities of the characters which lie on the Indian culture, social mores and beliefs. There is a tradition when the burning of widows was customary. This literary piece used feminist approach to understand and study the role of the protagonist in the story, Mahamaya, who has been bounded in a marriage practice and Indian tradition wherein a widowed woman must be burned together with his dead husband. This story emphasized that in Tagore’s time, all women in India were treated unequally. The main goal of this is to know the story’s relevance to the celebration of One Billion Rising for Justice to promote and end violence against women. Raising the students’ awareness and consciousness about women’s empowerment and LGBT was the purpose of the discussion, as well. This activity was also conducted to let them know that the month of February is not only for Valentine’s Day but also for Vagina Day which emphasizes justice for all women and their rights in this society. To generally inform the students or the readers about the importance of social status in India wherein the poor can’t be wed to a person who is in the higher social status. It opens the eyes of the reader to one of the most hostile fate of a woman. Keywords: Mahamaya, Indian Culture and Tradition, Women Oppression, One Billion Rising
The Motorcycle Diaries, Ernesto Guevarra Krystel Mae Uy and Roxanne Guison ABSTRACT The novel entitled The Motorcycle Diaries written by Ernesto Guevara was chosen to be a piece for the awareness of the Vagina Day because this story has something to do with the discrimination of women and the inequality given to other members of the society. V-day is a movement which is against women violence. The novel is about the road journey of the two friends, Ernesto Guevara, a leprosy student and Alberto Granado, a biochemist. Their journey became the way on witnessing the oppressive government, discrimination among the people, and deprivation of human rights and freedom which pushed Ernesto to join a Military Revolution in which he became its commander, Commander Che Guevara. However, the discussion focused on the three women mentioned in the novel relating it to the activity’s theme Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness. The first is Chichina, Ernesto’s Girlfriend who has strict parents and prohibits her to be with her love one. The other is the Inca woman who was being oppressed. She narrated that she is deprived of education. This culture is still happening in the present in some other countries. The last one is Silvia, the leprosy victim. Women are weak. This story somewhat give her courage and hope to fight against her disease. If Ernesto could swim towards the other land though he has asthma, Silvia could also be well from leprosy if she wanted to. She will fight. If man can, why can’t women? The Motorcycle Diaries has given certain situations such as discrimination, injustices and deprivation which prove that these occurred in many countries in real life. Keywords: Road journey, Discrimination, Inequality, Women, Violence Military Revolution, Education, Fight
Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” Jean Grace Solina ABSTRACT The novel entitled “On the Road” written by Jack Kerouac is a real life adventure of the author himself together with his friends across America which is considered as an essential work of the post-war Beat and Counterculture Generation during 1940’s. In addition, alternative sexualities and experimentation with drugs are two of the central elements of Beat culture. In relation to the said central elements, this paper focused on the issues about sex, drugs and violence which are noticeable on the novel. The BS Law Enforcement Administration students from the School Of Criminal Justice Education (SCJE) were the respondents, particularly Lex Coercitors, their school publication with the support of Mr. Wilfredo Dalugdog and Ms. Mapacpac. The MSC Pre V-day celebration last February 14, 2014 with its theme “Student’s Awareness On Women’s Empowerment And LGBT Consciousness” and the 2014 One Billion Rising had a connection to the novel “On the Road” as explained in the discussion of the issues about sex, drugs and violence in accordance to every individuals rights and justice for the reduction of aggression as people gain awareness. Keywords: life adventure, America, post-war Beat and Counterculture Generation drugs, sex, violence
DISCUSSION “Myanmar’s Political Economy and their Language Mahamaya by Rabindranath Tagore (short story) Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Guevarra (novel) On the Road by Jack Kerouac (novel) To continue the five-day MSC Pre V-day celebration, the fourth day forum was held at the School of Engineering (SENG) and School of Criminal Justice Education (SCJE). In connection with its theme “Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness” as well as with the One Billion Rising: Justice, the research topic, “Myanmar’s Political Economy and their Language Policy” by Deah Rose Jalimbawa; literary pieces entitled Mahamaya by Rabindranath Tagore (short story); Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Guevarra (novel) and On the Road by Jack Kerouac (novel) were presented. The forum conducted in the School of Engineering highlighted the research topic presented by Ms. Deah Rose Jalimbawa and the short story by Ms. Rubelyn R. Cagape and Ms. Jea Mae Jimenez. During the first presentation, Ms. Jalimbawa emphasized the significant role of Aung San Suu Kyi as a political leader in Myanmar where oppression of human rights, justice and democracy were rampant. It was mostly centered in Aung San Suu Kyi as a highly appropriate figure of a woman who stands and fights for justice. She was an icon, inspiration and unifier of peace and democracy. With her desire and actions towards attaining democracy and equality, she was highly-respected and admired in the international community. As a result, numerous recognitions and awards were bestowed upon her. She was a recipient of Jawaharlal Nehru Award (India’s most prestigious award); Sakharov Prize from the European Parliament; Presidential Medal of Freedom from the USA; Outstanding Woman in Buddhism Award from the United Nations Gender; Religious Department; Time Magazine Asia’s Hero in 2004 and Nobel Peace Prize. Inspite of the over two decades of emotional torture and imprisonment, her love for Myanmar never changed and became more persistent in achieving freedom for their country. With that, Alan Clements, founder of the Burma Project USA, described Aung San Suu Kyi as "...a dynamic woman with an unshakable conviction, inseparable from her principles and sustained by a sense of justice and duty. She abhors hypocrisy, while admitting her own shortcomings. Her compassion is tangible. The one quality that I feel best defines her is sincerity, at the core of which is her conviction in self-improvement. Aung San Suu Kyi is a seeker, one who makes her life a vehicle for an awakening to deeper and deeper truths." Aung San Suu Kyi is also known as “The Lady of No Fear”. For her, fear is not the natural state of civilized people which made her say that, “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” In line with this, one of the arguments raised by Mrs. Sheryl Mendoza, an instructor, was the issue of choosing topics outside the country. As a response, Ms. Jalimbawa answered that it
is one of the ways to make the students aware of what is happening in other countries and to prepare us to the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2015 as we aim to be competitive enough as other ASEAN nations are. Meanwhile, the second presenters, Ms.Jimenez and Ms. Cagape talked about the short story Mahamaya. They stressed the awful, estranged life of a woman, Mahamaya, who became a widow after her wedding. In this story, the presenters showed that Tagore focused on the ongoing social changes and lives of ordinary people during the period of the Bengal Renaissance and the rise of nationalism between the 1880s and 1920s. They also showcased how the author characterized the female condition, and the forces that oppress women, with particular sensitivity. They added that this piece introduced the relationships and personalities of the characters which lie on the Indian culture, social mores and beliefs. After the discussion, one of the students asked whether the Indian Tradition also encompasses the practice of burying the husband together with his deceased wife. However, the tradition seen in the story only reveals the case of a widow who’ll be buried with her husband’s dead body. The forum was also conducted in the School of Criminal Justice Education wherein the two different novels written by Ernesto Guevara and Jack Kerouac were punctuated. The first novel was discussed by Ms. Crystel S. Uy and Ms. Roxanne L. Guison while the latter was presented by Ms. Jean Grace M. Solina. The first one focused on the road journey of Ernesto Guevara and Alberto Granado through the use of motorcycle which caused them to discover the discrimination and oppression given to the people specifically to women. They highlighted the three qualities encompasses women: women are oppressed, women are cared for and women are weak. On the second part of the discussion, in the novel “On the Road”, Ms. Solina focused on the issues about sex, drugs and violence. The novel is about the author’s real life adventure together with his friends across America in which he appears as the narrator, “Sal Paradise” with his buddy “Dean Moriarty.” In relation to the aforementioned theme, Mr. Arnold de los Reyes, an SCJE student shared his insights about the laws concerning violence against women and children which is known as R.A. 9262. He also made mentioned of the Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code that tackles the information about the rights of women which aims to reduce inflating rates of abuse. Aside from that, another student asked the status of the Drug Cartel in the Philippines. To give the factual answer, Mr. Wilfredo Dalugdog, an instructor, said that there is no tangible evidence yet regarding that issue. However, there are possibilities that there are similar cases due to the increasing rumors.
CHAPTER V School of Information and Computing Sciences February 14, 2014, Friday 10:30- 12:00 HETERONORMATIVITY IN PSY’S VIRAL MUSIC VIDEOS Paola Kristina Malacas ABSTRACT The concept of Heteronormativity has shaped the society in every aspect. Its influence has reached the media and in a way has created strong impact into everyone’s life. This generation has witnessed the greatest and fastest evolution in terms of ways of living. People are now referring to Entertainment to satiate themselves specifically through watching music videos. It is a very common scenario but it seems that most people are not aware of the recurring ideas and themes that music videos keep on portraying to the public. The representation of heteronormativity in music videos is so strong and usual that people tend to accept it as the standard ideas to follow, indeed its impact has already manifested in the way how people think. The launching of Youtube has also brought to the popularity of music videos. With Psy’s viral music videos “Gangnam Style” and “Gentlemen” becoming one of the most-watched videos of all time, its strong portrayal of ideas in mocking a certain lifestyle, and in discriminating and degrading women, is seemed very superficial in how the viewers appreciate these two music videos. Its “hilariousness” and “catchy beats” seem to be the only main points for giving thumbs up for these videos and nothing more with its real essence. With this, the study interprets the meaning of images in Psy’s viral music videos through Heteronormative reading. This study educates the viewers about the concept of explicit portrayal in music videos. With the different mindsets and opinions of the people towards heteronormativity, the study analyzes how the concept of heteronormativity as presented in music videos, has already crossed the line in stepping the right of every woman and every homosexual being. Most music videos only give importance in portrayal of heterosexual characters in the screen in which there are norms to be considered as standard masculinity and femininity. With this, the study has able to trace Confucianism as the main reason behind the idea of how people views women in a patriarchal society like South Korea.
Keywords: Heteronormativity, viral, music videos, Psy, Gangnam Style, Gentleman, standard, Patriarchal society, homosexual and woman’s right.
The Changing Morals of Korean Students, Kim Tae-gil Jennifer Roncale ABSTRACT The piece entitled Changing Morals of Korean Students is an essay which was written by Kim T’ae Gil. It was discussed in the School of Information and Computing Sciences (SICS) with the general objective of sharing the information about how the Korean students today are now changing their moral aspects which were related with the activity, the Pre V-day Celebration with its theme “Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness”. Specifically, this essay aimed to discuss the principle that was taught by Confucius and how these are now drastically revised and obsolete. These changes are as follow: (1) the Korean students are now revising the traditional moral that was taught by Confucius in a matter of filial duty, in which a man should or required to take care of his parents during their old age but today Korean students don’t think that it is right to sacrifice their opportunity in somewhere far from their parents just to take care of them; (2) in equality between sexes, before a father and son is superior to the mother and daughter but today they want an equality between sexes; (3) in terms of marriage, the final decision should be made by the couple involve which is now trespasses by the youth today, (4) in funeral and burial, they want to shorten the mourning period from the three-year mourning before; and (5) in premarital sex, Confucius is very strict in this matter, the boys and girls cannot sit in the same place after they turn seven. The participants of the discussion and forum were from the School of Information and Computing Sciences (SICS). The discussion involves equality between sexes, as what stated a man is superior to that woman, a woman needs to become equal to their man. Keywords: Korean, Changing Morals, Confucius, Equality between sexes
DISCUSSION The first discussant presented the topic entitled “Hetonormativity in Psy’s Viral Music Videos”. The presenter just focused on the three subtopics: The Concept of Heteronormativity, Culture vs. Rights, Heterosexuality vs. Homosexuality, and Masculinity vs. Femininity. In this, the ideology of Heteronormativity was firstly introduced to the audience as a way to educate them about this unfamiliar term that they are not aware of. This concept is a very common theme in music videos but ironically viewers are not aware of its existence for they are used to see this in every media that it can possibly portray. Within this topic has emerged contrasting ideas, including the conflict between culture and rights, males and females, and heterosexual and homosexual, which lead to the issue of discrimination among different groups. There are norms inside a society, with view and expectation attaching to both genders (male and female) that people are bounded and depended to. In connection with this, the concept of heteronormativity is already incorporated in music videos which infused people to think the same way as this media presents to the public. As the discussion went on, the presenter had let the audience to watch the viral music videos of Psy, and allowed them to analyze the videos for themselves. The topic entitled “Changing Morals of Korean Students” discussed by Jennifer A. Roncale, which was related to the theme “Student’s Awareness on Women’s Empowerment and LGBT Consciousness” in a matter of highlighting the subtopic which was about the equality between sexes. The principle of Confucius that was taught to Korean students is now obsolete and drastically revised. These are the principles that we’re taught by Confucius; filial duty, equality between sexes, marriage, period of mourning, political aspects, sexual morality. In a matter of filial duty, a man should take care of his parents more than what he does to his family, the equality between sexes, the father and the son is superior to the woman and daughter, in marriage the couple involved are the one who are responsible for the final decision, in period of mourning there was three-year period, lastly is the sexual morality, in this matter Confucius is very strict and he doesn’t want girl and boy sit at the same place after they turn seven. In the second part, the open forum started when the first question was asked to the first presenter. The question was intended to explain how the presenter was able to conclude that men go for beautiful women as their ideal girlfriend. To answer this, the presenter was able to clarify the sense of the question in stating that the idea of having a beautiful woman as ideal partner is a standard that is already infused in one’s mind. The sense of being beautiful can be attached to perfection which people are aiming for. In addition to this, the media specifically music videos have great part in influencing people in this way. Other question did ask for examples about how the presenters got to experience being oppressed by others. Based on different experiences and observations, the presenters were able to explain that women were the ones prone to discrimination and degradation in such a way that women become the subject of humiliation by men especially when women do not able to fulfill the expectation and standards that the society has constructed in terms of gender roles, sexual orientation, etc. In the same way, social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and others are being used by the people in giving opinions that demean and embarrass others. Many are using social networking sites to
discriminate and degrade people of any colors, genders, and social status even if they do not even know them on the first place. They are using their freedom to say what they want to say without even measuring the essence of it and without considering the feelings of the ones who will are going to receive the message. The audience was also asked to give their own ideas on how they will able to raise awareness about women empowerment and LGBT consciousness using their field of specialization and in return they all agreed to create a website to help spreading information about gender discrimination. Also, one of the participants asked a question with curiosity on the essence of conducting a forum if people do not apply what they have learned from there. The presenters and other organizers were able to clarify that conducting this kind forum was very important in spreading information and awareness. And if the audience would choose to ignore the truth that they learned and discovered, then it wasn’t anymore the problem of the ones who gave the information; the important thing was, the organizer was able to do their part. In connection to the theme of the event, the presenters were able to associate the topics to the theme of empowering women. The topic of Heteronormativity is related to the celebration of V-day because it gives awareness to the viewers about the recurring themes and ideas of heteronormativity that can normally be seen in most music videos. It educates the people about the concept of Heteronormativity and how in a way it creates division, discrimination, and degradation among genders. It gives realization for the people on the way they view gender in their society. While the topic entitled Changing Morals of Korean Students is related to the Celebration of V-day, most especially in the part that we took up the equality between sexes. Before, the mother and the daughter are inferior to the father and the son. The V-day activity encourages us to become more aware in discrimination and equality between sexes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Firstly, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to our ever supportive instructor Mr. Randy T. Nobleza who always shares his precious time in imparting his ideas and knowledge to us. Through him we were able to experience the privilege to speak before our fellow students to help spreading awareness and bring realization about the things which seem insignificant nowadays. Because of him, we were able to practice our artistry in observing and criticizing every little thing that people especially the youths become unmindful of. More importantly, through him, we got to meet some talented persons whom we never imagined we would be meeting in person. Through these opportunities, we were blessed enough to learn from these persons. Our mind tends to get bigger and broader with new insights and ideas from them. Secondly, to Mrs. Cherrie Ann Morales-Luna who is very kind and considerate in understanding our situation, giving us the courage to go on even if we were experiencing difficulties and struggles being third year students. Through the experiences that she kept on sharing to us, we were uplifted and encouraged to continue doing what we have already started. Thirdly, to Dr. Julieta L. Go, our ever loving Dean who taught us to aim for the best. Through her constructive criticisms that were specifically being pointed to us, we were able to learn and change for the better. Fourthly, to every person who was behind the success of our event, to the different schools wherein we conducted the series of fora. Specifically we acknowledged the Dean of each school who welcomed and supported the conduction of our event. We would also like to thank the students as well as the teachers who spent their valuable time to mingle and joined with us in celebrating the first MSC Pre V-day Celebration 2014. We also appreciate their active participation along the progress of the activity. Fifthly, to Mr. Arnel Lantita whom we always disturbed every time we needed to rush the papers that we hoped for and aimed to get done with before five PM would come to pass. We thank him for the times he made himself available to scan the letters, announcements, programs etc. that we made. And we also thank him for being patient with the recurring mistakes that we seemed not to avoid, but we were glad enough to share our success as well as our bloopers with him. And lastly, the most important of all, we would like to give back the glory and honor to God for His wonderful works that He had done in making the success of this event possible. We thank Him for everything and acknowledge Him as the sources of all the things that we needed to accomplish. We believe that He was with us during the first day of our event up to the last day.