The Manila Collegian Volume 29 Number 04

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 29 Number 4 October 12, 2015 - Monday

IS YS L A 08 AN ES

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02 EDITORIAL Kislap 03 NEWS Ika-43 anibersaryo ng Batas Militar, ginunita sa UP 08 FEATURES An Analysis of APEC and its Implications to the Philippine Economy 11 OPINION Deux(s) 12 CULTURE IndiGenesis

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02 EDITORIAL

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

Minsan nang pinagdaanan ng ating bayan ang pamahalaan na nagpipiring sa ating mga mata upang hindi tayo makakita, nagtatakip sa ating mga tainga upang hindi tayo makarinig, at pumuputol sa ating mga dila upang hindi tayo makapagsalita. Pinatunayan na mismo ng kasaysayan na ito ay isang pamahalaang naglilibing sa atin sa mas malalim na hukay ng kamangmangan at nagkukulong sa atin upang hindi makamtan ang tunay na kalayaan.

Iba’t-ibang militanteng grupo ang samasamang nagmartsa noong Setyembre 21 papuntang Mendiola upang kolektibong salubungin ang ika-43 anibersaryo ng pagdedeklara ng Martial Law noong rehimeng Marcos. Kaugnay nito, kinondena rin ng mga raliyista ang kasalukuyang administrasyon dahil sa patuloy na paglaganap ng extrajudicial killings at ang walang habas na pagyurak sa mga karapatang pantao. Pangunahing halimbawa nito ay ang pang-aapi sa mga Lumad sa Surigao del Sur kamakailan lamang. Ayon sa mga grupo, nasa ilalim pa rin ang Pilipinas, hindi man hayag, ng marahas na batas militar sa pamamagitan ng umiiral na Oplan Bayanihan.

Mahigit apat na dekada na ang nakalipas nang bihagin ang Pilipinas ng isang mala-delubyong pamahalaang; kulangkulang tatlong dekada na rin nang tayo’y nakalaya mula sa diktadurang ito. Ikaila man natin o hindi, karamihan sa kabataang Pilipino ngayon ay wala nang ideya sa konteksto ng Martial Law at bulag sa mga paghihirap na dinulot nito. Nakakalungkot mang isipin, ngunit ito ang pinatutunayan ng mga pahayag ng ilan na “ginintuang panahon” ang Martial Law at sa mga paniniwalang si Makoy umano ang “best president in Philippine history”. Marahil ang mga nagpapalitaw ng ganitong perspektiba ay ang mga bulok na buntot ng mga Marcos. Maaari din namang karaniwang mamamayan lamang na pagod na pagod nang umasa sa kasalukuyang administrasyon at sa mga susunod pa, kaya’t napupunta na lamang ang kanilang atensiyon sa mga alternatibo – isa na nga rito ang kahilingang maibalik ang Batas Militar.

Tunay ngang masarap kumiling sa gobyernong may kamay na bakal, lalo na’t hindi napabibilib ng rehimeng Aquino ang mayorya ng populasyon ngayon sa Pilipinas. Napasidhi pa ang pag-aalinlangan ng mga tao sa gobyerno ngayon dahil sa mga kaso na hindi napagtutuunan nito ng lubos na pansin tulad na lamang ng Mamasapano misencounter, sunodsunod na pagkasira ng MRT at LRT, hindi mapigilang paglala ng trapik sa kalunsuran, paglobo ng korupsiyon, at kahirapan. Ang mga ito, marahil, ang naghahatid sa mga Pilipino sa pagkapit sa nakababahalang kislap ng karimlan.

Pero tama nga bang umasa tayong muli sa gobyernong may kamay na bakal na minsan nang lumamon at yumurak sa ating mga karapatan?

N E W S C OR R E S P ON DE N T S Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez Ronilo Raymundo Mesa Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo F E AT U R E S C OR R E S P ON DE N T S Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang Jenna Yelle Manato Mallari Angelica Natividad Reyes C U LT U R E C OR R E S P ON DE N T S Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa Pia Kriezl Jurado Hernandez Jamilah Paola dela Cruz Laguardia Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza Gabrielle Marie Melad Simeon Thalia Real Villela MARIA CATALINA BAJAR BELGIRA

KISLAP Kailanman ay hindi mapapantayan ng mga dambuhalang gusali, kongkretong kalsada, at iba pang mga imprastraktura ang libo-libong buhay na nawala, nakulong ng walang sapat na batayan, pinahirapan, inabuso, at pinatay sa kasagsagan ng batas militar. Pilit na napagtakpan ng administrasyon ang mga butas nito sa pamamagitan ng pagsilaw sa mga mamamayan ng pekeng ‘progreso’.

Ang progreso na ito ay naghatid umano sa mga Pilipino ng mas matibay at mas epektibong pampublikong serbisyo.

porsiyento ng buwis na binabayaran ng mga naghihirap na masa ay napupunta sa pagpuna ng mga utang na ito.

Walang tunay na progreso para sa mayorya sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng isang pamahalaang diktador kung saan iisang tao na hindi na makatarungan ang taglay na kapangyarihan ang may kontrol ang lahat. Sa ganitong sistema ng pagpapalakad sa ating bansa, lalong mapapaigting ang pangunguna ng sariling interes at kapakanan ng mga nasa kapangyarihan, habang patuloy na pinahihirapan ang sambayanan.

Ngunit, ang dumanak na dugo at mga nawalang buhay ang siyang magpapatunay na hindi kailanman naging at magiging susi ang Batas Militar para sa pag-unlad ng Pilipinas.

Ngunit, ang dumanak na dugo at mga nawalang buhay ang siyang magpapatunay na hindi kailanman naging at magiging susi ang Batas Militar para sa pag-unlad ng Pilipinas. Ito lamang ang siyang nagpalubog sa atin sa mas malalim na hukay ng kahirapan.

Noong panahon ni Marcos, patuloy na nagbabayad ng malaking buwis ang mamamayang Pilipino ngunit hindi ito ang ginamit ng administrasyon upang makapagbigay ng mga serbisyo sa madla.

Bagkus, walang pakundangang umutang nang umutang ang pamahalaan sa ibang bansa kaya’t lumobo ang ating utang panlabas ng 28.3 bilyong dolyar noong 1986 mula 355 milyong dolyar noong 1962. Napakabilis din ng paglago ng utang na ito dahil sa hindi maiiwasang pagpatong ng interes dito. Ilang dekada na ang lumipas, hindi pa rin tayo nakakaahon sa utang at malaking

R E S I DE N T I L LU S T R AT OR S Maria Catalina Bajar Belgira Jamela Limbauan Bernas Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz R E S I DE N T L AYOU T A R T I S T Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag

OF F IC E 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000 EM AIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com W EBSITES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule themanilacollegian.tumblr.com MEMBER

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations

The Cover

Dalawampu’t siyam na taon na tayong nakaalpas sa kamay na bakal ng isang represibong gobyerno.

Dalawampu’t siyam na taon na tayong tumatamasa ng demokrasya, bagamat maaring hindi pa ito ganap.

Dalawampu’t siyam na taon na nating napatalsik ang rehimeng Marcos, ngunit ‘di pa rin tayo tuluyang nakatatakas sa bulok na sistemang pinalaganap nito.

Hindi maaaring ibigay na lamang natin sa susunod na administrasyon ang tadhana at kapangyarihan upang baguhin ang sistema at solusyonan ang krisis na dala nito. Kailangan nating magkapit-bisig at patuloy na sama-samang kumilos upang basagin ang madilim na kislap ng umiiral na takbo ng pamahalaan.

Illustration by pauline Santiago Tiosin Layout by Joma Michiko Cruz Kaimoto

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

Ika-43 anibersaryo ng Batas Militar, ginunita sa UP Patuloy na paglabag sa karapatang pantao, kinondena

NEWS 03 COLLEGE BRIEFS

In commemoration of UP Manila’s 17th Annual Immunization Week under the Nakiisa ang mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP) at ilang theme “People with Immunity, progresibong grupo sa malawakang protesta nitong Setyembre 21 hinggil sa Make Healthy Community”, students and employees were pag-alala sa ika-43 taon ng deklarasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos ng offered discounted vaccination Batas Militar. prices on September 21-25, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM in Binigyang-diin ng mga raliyista counter-insurgency program ng Ipinagpatuloy naman ng mga Iskolar several designated colleges.

LEAH ROSE FIGUEROA PARAS

at Iskolar ng Bayan sa kanilang pagmamartsa mula Plaza Miranda patungong Mendiola ang patuloy na paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng administrasyong Aquino, partikular na ang ilegal na pagdukot at pagkulong sa mga aktibista, pagpatay sa mga Lumad, at militarisasyon sa Mindanao.

Ayon kay Marie Hilao-Enriquez, tagapangulo ng grupong Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights), bagaman ilang dekada na ang nakalipas nang patalsikin si Marcos, hindi pa rin lubusang nakararanas ng kapayapaan ang bansa sapagkat sa halip na tuldukan ang karahasan, nagpapatuloy lamang ito sa kasalukuyan at tila lalo pang lumalala.

Iniugnay ito ng mga aktibista sa pagpapatupad ng rehimeng USAquino ng Oplan Bayanihan, isang

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na naglalayong supilin ang New People’s Army (NPA) at mga aktibistang itinuturing na kalaban ng estado upang pigilang maipakita sa sambayanan ang tunay na kalagayan ng lipunan.

ng Bayan ang komemorasyon ng Martial Law sa Rizal Hall Lobby sa pamamagitan ng pagdaraos ng cultural night na pinamunuan ng mga lider mag-aaral ng UPM University Student Council (USC), ORGANEWS College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (CASSC), College of Public “Ipinahayag ng pangulo na wala Health Student Council (CPHSC), silang patakaran na pumatay Sigma Delta Pi Sorority, at Sigma In line with the release of the film ng tao, subalit iba ang sinasabi Kappa Pi Fraternity.

Inside Out, a Filipino version ng AFP. Tatlo sa bawat apat na Lumad ay NPA at ang mga base Ayon sa UPM USC, itinuturing nang written by Jazz Reformado ng NPA ay komunidad ng Lumad. kalaban ng estado ang sinomang was presented by UP Manila Innamorato on Ang mga pinaghihinalaan nilang magsulong ng kanilang karapatan Maralitang September 25 and 29, 6:00 PM at sumusuporta sa rebolusyonaryong dulot ng lumalalang militarisasyon the College of Arts and Sciences, puwersa ay nagiging target sa bansa.

RH 303. ng pagpatay, pag-evacuate at pananakit upang pangalagaan ang Dagdag pa nila, nararapat lamang na interes ng naghaharing rehimen makibahagi ang lahat sa pagtatanggol Meanwhile, the UP Manila at ng mga pribadong kompanyang sa karapatan ng mamamayan upang Indayog Dance Varsity celebrated nananamantala sa Mindanao,” ani maiparating ang sinapit ng mga the event CRAZY on September Renato Reyes Jr., secretary-general bilanggong politikal mula sa UP 27, 2015 at the Market! Market! ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan tulad nina Karen Empeno at Sherlyn Activity Center at the Bonifacio (Bayan).

Cadapan na siyam na taon nang Global City, featuring the talents nawawala.

of dance groups Crissa Campus Dance Synergy and the Ego Supreme Crew Wars.

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Several progressive organizations marched to Mendiola to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the Martial Law declaration under the Marcos regime. Photo taken by Gabrielle Simeon.

04 NEWS 12 activists arrested in Iloilo budget cut protest RAM RENIEL PUSPUS SEVILLA

They were eventually released at 1 am the next day.

The said mobilization was part of a series of system-wide protests to denounce the highest budget decrease in the history of UP, as well as budget cuts in other state universities and colleges (SUCs), tuition and other fees increase, and commercialization of education.

Violent dispersal At least 500 UP students, faculty, staff, and activists marching to the Iloilo provincial capitol from UPV were blocked and violently dispersed by about 200 riot police armed with truncheons and shields. The majority of the protesters involuntarily returned to the UP campus, but some 100 protesters were pushed back and squeezed to the sidewalk, where a stand-off with police persisted for an hour. As the police allowed the smaller group to retreat, they picked off the identified leaders of the groups.

Congress sets December deadline for BBL passage JOSHUA REYES VILLANUEVA

Iloilo police arrested 12 protesters, including two University of the Philippines-Visayas (UPV) professors, during a walkout protest in Iloilo City on September 25 against the impending P2.2-billion budget cut in UP for 2016.

Those arrested and detained were Erick Dasig Aguilar and Gretchen Velarde, UPV professors; Fr. Marco Sulayao, vicar general of the Diocese of Iloilo of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente; Hope Hervilla, chair of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Panay; Karapatan-Panay Secretary General Reylan Vergara; Anakbayan-Panay spokesperson Bryan Bosque; Anakbayan-Iloilo member Gabyel Guillen; and Bayan-Panay staffers Rea Ogoy, Anne Primalion, Randy Vergara, Wilfredo Doblizo, and Rene Paredes.

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

According to Sarah Elago, spokesperson of Kabataan Party-list, the dispersal shows “how the government is increasing using an iron fist against legitimate peaceful assemblies in Iloilo, mostly after to the city’s hosting of one of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings.”

Moreover, Anakbayan National Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo likened the brutality to a “virtual martial law,” expressing dismay that political repression remains a reality in the country even after the fall of Marcos dictatorship decades ago.

“They (the government) are only too eager to please APEC delegates to the point of inflicting violence on protesting students,” he added.

Repression of rights Meanwhile, the UPV University Student Council (USC) denounced the antiriot police harassment which repressed student’s right to freedom of expression and speech.

Proponents of the peace process in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) expressed their firm stand that the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law will be passed before December 16, the deadline set by the Congress.

The Bangsamoro Basic Law, now acknowledged as the Basic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (BLBAR), is currently under deliberations in the House of Representatives. If passed into law, ARMM will be replaced by Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

and management of natural resources in the Bangsamoro territory such as Lake Lanao located between Lanao del Sur and Marawi City. According to official data, six hydroelectric dams were built on the lake’s outlet and could provide 60 percent energy requirement of entire Mindanao area.

However, deliberations in the House have been sluggish due to a lack of quorum and support for the bill.

“It has been the consensus that these provisions that we removed – there were many deletions as well as amendatory language – are really very important and necessary to make the bill constitutionally compliant,” said Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chair of the committee.

The BBL was supposed to be submitted

by Malacañang to Congress in May last year, with the expectation that it would be approved by the end of 2014. However, Aquino submitted the draft only in September 2014, and the discussions on the bill were overtaken by the Mamasapano incident. The encounter, which left 44 dead Special Action Force troopers on January 25, 2015, had set a major setback in the proposal of BBL drafts.

Amended and deleted provisions Meanwhile, at least 28 provisions in the original draft submitted to the plenary were deleted or revised by the House ad hoc committee on BBL. Excluded and amended provisions focus on several issues of taxation, as well as control

“The alleged police harassment was a violation of the constitutionally guaranteed right of students to assemble and protest in order to assert their legitimate demands, “said UPV USC Chair Stephanie Lucena.

The student council also pointed out that the perceived security threats of the authorities are students just armed with their principles and voices to defend their right to education. They emphasized that “fighting for the right to education is never a crime.”

As a symbolic protest, Oble was covered with a black cloth which depicts the dying public character of UP. Photo taken by Kyla Pasicolan.

Moreover, government peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer lamented that several amendments were done out of distrust and fear that Bangsamoro will secede. For instance, the word “territory” was replaced with “area” to refer to the geographic scope of the Bangsamoro even though “territorial jurisdiction” is used for local governments in the Local Government Code.

On the other hand, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said the BBL is “supposedly an enhancement of the organic act for peace” but it offers nothing new other than sharing of resources.

NEWS 05

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang

Lola Patola

HENERAL LUNA EDITION

Magundung daysung mga iniirowg kong afowz from YuFiEm! Naka-watching na buh kayow ng amazeballs na pelikulang Heneral Luna?!?!? Kung hindi pa, aner buh!!! G na tu da cinema before it appears disappears!!!!! At sa mga naka-watchsung na... OMG afowz!!!!! Kinilig to the old rinarayuma bownez ang Lola niyow sa mga naggwagwapuhang hunks este heroes!!!!!!! Char! Hihihi. Bagobells natin patawan ng artikulo uno ang mga nakakalurkey na sumvhongs natin today, gusto ko munang i-make shore na nagparegistering for the voting na kayo afowz! Impoortanteng mag-votella tayo in 2016 because like sayang namun dins ang pinag-fighting to the death ni Heneral Luna no!!!!!!!!! At siyempre, votella wisely mga afowz, para dehins na dumami ang mga backstabbing beachez like Aguinal---ay wait!!! Kalurkey!!!!!!!!!

Puntahan na nga natin ang mga foonyetan traydor!

Fuego pa more foonyetang sumvhong numbah wan: Afowz Got Talent Alum nemernn siguro ng everybody ang schedule ng kani-kanilang classes, dibuh!?!? Knows ketch nemern mga afows na you make bonggang bonggang bongbong effort tuluguh para makagorabells sa klase niyo on time. But diz pak na pak froppie na sinumvhong ng aking afowz, may humiliating class policy daw!!! Kailangan daw mag-the voice or dance dance revolution or kung aneksung mang Peelipinas Got Talent performance levelz ang pinapagawa sa mga afowz kong nalelate!!!!! And froppie can’t stop and won’t stop there puh tuluguh!! Kahit nag-weewee or nagpoopoo ka lang habang nag-checking siya ng attendance, counted as late ka nuh!!!!! Anek nemern, froppie?!?!?

At waley na waley daw si Heneral Mascardo sa kawalan ng paks to give itong si froppie, dahil siya mismo ay latesung din daw pumapasok to diz class!!!!!

Juzkelerd!!!!!!!!

Unfairness na unfairness na to my afowz ha! Gusto mong paputukan kita ng canyon, froppie?!?!?! Boom pak ganern!

Fuego pa more foonyetang sumvhong numbah tu: Pagkatapos mag-alab ng damdamin ng Lola niyow after watching Heneral Luna, g na g nemern aketch to support da wan en onli super champion in our hearts na YuFi Pep Squad sa UAAP Charot Diz Competishown!!!!! Napalaglag ang jawz at napataas ang balahibowz ko sa naging performancing ng atechiwang Pep Squad!!!!!

But like the sudden pak na pak na pagambush kay poor Heneral, ganern din kashocking ang naging rezults!!! 2nd runner up lung daw ang aking poor afowz!?!?!?!

Haler haler, judgez??? Nanunuod ba kayo ng pirated verzion ng Heneral Luna while my afowz were giving their puso and utak and everything in der performance?????

Kahit afowz from other school bukols, nag-agree na may something fishy like a fish sa results!!! Nalurkey aketch na hindi nag-activating ang smoke detector at fire alarm sa MOA Arina despite in spite of the pagluluto na naganap!!!!! Charot!

Waitsung lung afowz, nastress akow don! Pak! Hingang malalim!!! Tandaan mga afows, kering keri lang mag-beast modez basta corrected by ang ifinagluhluhban! Pero wag masyado pastress mga afowz, baka malowka anaconda kayow lalo and mawaley ang focusing sa acads!.

Anditow lung palagi sa mga side side ang Lola niyo! G lang ng g sa pag-sumvhong!!!!

Labyu mga afowz, hart hart! xoxo

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA

1

Pwede ring ipadala ang inyong mga sagot sa pamamagitan ng pag-text sa 0917 510 9496 o sa 0917 539 0612! (Pero bawal textmate!)

Anong masasabi mo sa naging marahas na pagpapakalat sa protestang ginanap sa UP Visayas laban sa nakaambang P2.2 bilyong budget cut?

karapatan sa pagpoprotesta’t pag-aasembliya!

Pwe! - prolet, naCAScas, 2014

Hindi makatao at hindi makatuwiran ang ginawa nila. -chicharon cuneta, 2013-69696, CAS

2

Parang naulit lang ang nangyari sa political prisoners: bakit mo ikululong ang taong nais lamang ipakita sa sambayanan ang mali at ang kawalang hustisyang nagaganap sa lipunan, more specifically, sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas?

Lumalaban tayo dahil may mali.

-kalaw, 2015xxxx5, CAMP matatalino po ang mga iskolar ng bayan. -apingapi walang makakapigil sa atin. -2014-0***4 It’s messed up. It’s a constitutional right to protest and assert ones rights and to be treated like criminals is beyond insane. -Maybeni, 2013xxxx, CAS Nakakalungkot kasi, icucut na nga yung budget, cinucut pa nila yung freedom para maipagtanggol ang karapatan ng mga mag-aaral. -Sensodyne

It’s like the government is doing everything but their job wala na ba silang ibang magawa ugh -Bad Wolf 2014-xxxxx CP

Bakit nakaupo lang si Apolinario Mabini sa kabuuan ng pelikulang ‘Heneral Luna’?

Oo nga, hindi ba sumakit balakang niya?

-chicharon cuneta, 2013-69696, CAS Kasi napagod na siya kakatakbo sa utak ni Aguinaldo “Amigo.”

“Amigo.” heart emoticon -kalaw, 2015xxxx5, CAMP tinatamad lang po tumayo si Mabini. -apingapi para po maganda yung anggulo niya. -2014-0***4 Kasi pagod na siya kaya nagpapahinga lang.

-Maybeni, 2013-xxxx, CAS ‘”Cause his legs don’t work like they used to before...”

-Sensodyne

Isang malakas at malutong na p(+4n6!na !!!!!

Aalisan na nga ng pondo, aalisan pa ng karapatang magpahayag? Anong shit ‘yan?!?!?! -qtp2t, CAS

Itanong niyo kung bakit nakaupo sa puwesto ‘yung mga korap na opisyal? -qtp2t, CAS

I don’t see the point of pacification by authorities.

Payapa naman eh. At wala namang mali sa pinaglalaban nila. - Bewilderedfreshie, 2015-07714

Nagpapahinga yun kasi pagod na siyang marinig yung mga katarantaduhang nangyayari sa loob ng gobyerno. -Bewilderedfreshie, 2015-07714

Budget cut na nga, pati ba naman rally, may cut din.

-AldUUUb6evs

Nakaupo siya dahil siya ang chairman ng gabinete ni Aguinaldo. Pangalawang rason lamang na lumpo siya dahil sa sakit. -aldUUUb6evs

Dapat lang na mamulat ang masa na nagaganap ang ganitong mga pangyayari. Ang marahas na pagtrato ng pulisya sa payapang pagtitipon ng ating kapwa Iskolar ng Bayan ay hindi dapat ipagsawalang bahala. Wag nating hayaan ang patuloy na pagnakaw sa ating karapatan sa malayang pagpapahayag. -Sardinas 2015-09457, CAS

Upo daw muna si Mabini. Nakakapagod ang patuloy na pagtayo bilang tagapayo ni Aguinaldo.

Nakakastress. -Sardinas 2015-09457, CAS

Hindi ito makatarungan! -Pichi-pichi 2014-xxxxx CAS

Hmm... cost-cutting yata sila tongue emoticon -Pichi-pichi 2014-xxxxx CAS

Is there really a need for dispersion when people are holding a peaceful protest?

-GeneralArticleOne, 2015-*****, CAS

Diagnosed with polio not stricken with laziness.

(Rants about Phil Histo miseducation*) -GeneralArticleOne, 2015-*****, CAS

Bakit hinayaang umabot sa karahasan ang dapat simple lang na protesta laban sa budget cut..

- Pogi, 2015-*****, CPH

May polio si Mabini xD -Pogi, 2015-*****, CPH

Si Apolinario Mabini ay tinaguriang Utak ng Rebolusyon.Masyadong mabigat ang utak nya,di nya keri. -Lh4dÿ mh4Lditxz 2015-**** College of Dentistry

Nakakapagod tumayo sa buong filming kaya siya umupo. LoL -naiinisna, 2015-*****, CAS

Tinatanggalan na nga tayo ng budget, tatanggalan pa nila tayo ng karapatang lumaban sa pagkaltas sa budget. #jusko -naiinisna, 2015-*****, CAS

“Apolinario! May sunog”

Wala namang mali sa kanilang ipinaglalaban, ito ay ating mga karapatan. Nabulag na ba ng gobyerno ang mata’t isipan ng mga otoridad?

-blockheadkuno, 2015-*****, CAS

“Apolinario, mahal kita, ‘di mo rin naman alam db?”

May 2.2B budget cut na nga, bawal pa 2mu2l?

Enebeyen -Majayjay, 2015-*****, CAS

“Heneral! Pilay ako, ‘di mo ba alam?”

“Heneral” “Apolinario” -blockheadkuno, 2015-*****, CAS

Masama na ba ang ipahayag na tinatanggalan ka na ng karapatan? Tinapakan ka na nga, bawal ka pang masaktan? -I gib af, CD, 2014-xxxxx

‘Kung hindi mo alam, bumalik ka na muna sa elementary’ -Majayjay, 2015-*****, CAS

PUNYETA! Parang Martial Law na nangyari . D:< -TagaIrog, 2014-***** CP

Sabi daw kasi sa script nakaupo dapat siya eh.

HAHAHA -I gib af, CD, 2014-xxxxx

Pati ba naman prof at religious leader, dinedetain?

Sige po, I volunteer to be detained na rin po. Hello?

Tama po yung pinaglalaban namin. -EarnedIt, 2015-*****, CAS

Anong gusto mong gawin niya? Maghandstand? :)) -TagaIrog, 2014-***** CP

Malungkot yung pangyayari kasi kahit freedom of speech pinipigilan nila. Sasabihin nila na walang permit, pero yung mga nagrally nga sa edsa na INC walang permit sa unang araw pinayagan parin eh (unvalidated info though). Nakakaaliw din siya kasi saktong anniversary ng martial law yung nangyari -e-gnorant 2014-***** CM Kalapastanganan ito ng kanilang demokratikong

Sawang-sawa na siyang tumayo upang ipaglaban ang mga Pilipinong makasarili at hindi iniisip ang kapakanan ng bayan. -EarnedIt, 2015-*****, CAS bakit? bawal na ba maupo? jk :)) uhhh duh? kasi medyo lumpo na siya? -e-gnorant 2014-***** CM Sit-down protest daw e. - prolet, naCAScas, 2014 Nakaupo siya kasi napapagod na siya na marecognize as someone other than dakilang lumpo -Bad Wolf 2014-xxxxx CP

06 NEWS ‘APEC: Kontra-mamamayan, kontra-kababaihan’

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

NIÑA KEITH MUSICO FERRANCOL

Sa pangunguna ng Gabriela, nagsagawa ng kilos-protesta ang kababaihan sa harap ng Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) upang kondenahin ang isinagawang Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 Women and the Economy Forum noong Setyembre 16, 2015.

Panandaliang solusyon Ayon sa Gabriela party-list, lalo lamang palalalain ng APEC ang kalagayan ng mga kababaihan tulad ng kawalan ng trabaho at kahirapan.

Nakabatay sa limang haligi ng Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) ang mga programang pinag-usapan sa APEC—access to capital; access to market, skills, capacitybuilding and health; leadership, voice and agency; at innovation and technology.

Pahayag ni Joms Salvador, pangkalahatang kalihim ng Gabriela, hindi makatutulong ang limang haligi ng PPWE para mapaunlad ang sitwasyong pang-ekonomiya ng mga kababaihan.

Dagdag pa niya, mga panandaliang solusyon lamang sa kahirapan tulad ng conditional cash transfer (CCT) ang pag-uusapan sa forum.

Maaari rin daw pagmulan ng korupsyon ang ganitong mga programa.

“Maaring pagmulan ng korupsyon ang mga ganitong klase ng dole-outs, tulad ng CCT. At sa huli, mahirap pa rin ang mga benepisyaryo,” ani ni Salvador.

Di-tiyak pasahod

na trabaho, mababang

Kaugnay din ng forum, kinontra ni Luzviminda Ilagan, Gabriela Women’s Party Representative, ang kasinungalingan ni Pangulong Aquino sa naganap na APEC Women and the Economy 2015: Public Dialogue on Women and the Economy. Ayon sa kanya hindi makabubuti para sa mga kababaihan ang mga nakapaloob sa APEC. “Mapipilitan lamang ang mga kababaihan na tanggapin ang mga mababang pasahod at panandaliang trabaho na nakapaloob sa APEC,” puna ni Ilagan.

Ilang dekada na rin diumano ang liberalisasyon ng ekonomiya ng bansa, pero sa halip na mapabuti nito ang kalagayan ng mga kababaihan ay lalo pang pinalalala ng kontraktwalisasyon at two-tiered wage system.

Binigyang-diin din ni Ilagan na mga pribadong dayuhang kompanya lamang ang pinayayaman ng APEC at pagsasamantala ang ginagawa nito sa mga kababaihan.

“Tinitiyak ng mga kasunduan sa APEC

na ang mga bottom-level outsourced job markets ay matatagpuan sa Asia-Pacific para ang mga global na monopolyo sa electronics, garments, crafts at serbisyo ay maaring makakuha ng malaking tubo mula sa mga kababaihang napipilitang magtrabaho ng gabi sa mga trabahong kontraktwal na nagproprodyus ng murang produkto,” dagdag pa niya.

Binatikos din niya ang estadistikang ipinakita ni Pangulong Aquino mula sa DTI kung saan ipinapakita na 54 na porsyento ng mga rehistradong nagmamay-ari sa mga micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) ay mga kababaihan. Lalo lamang umano nitong pinatutunayan ang kawalan ng maayos na trabaho sa bansa.

“Hindi ito nangangahulugan ng inclusivessness at gender equality.

Lalo lang nitong pinapatunayan na ang kawalan ng trabaho ay nagiging dahilan para maging self-account vendors at home-based sweatshop ang marami para makatakas sa gutom at kamatayan,” pahayag ni Ilagan.

Tunay na women empowerment Sa pangakalahatan, puna ni Joms Salvador, hindi ginagampanan ng gobyerno ang tungkulin nito sa tao

Veteran journalist red-tagged for defending Lumads

dahil sa pagpabor nito sa interes ng mga pribado at dayuhang negosyo.

“Sa patuloy na pagsasakatuparan ng mga neoliberal na polisiya, lalong maliliberalisa ang agrikultura at pangangalakal habang ang mga pampublikong serbisyo ay isasapribado.

Ang gobyerno ay patuloy na papabor sa interes ng mga pribado at dayuhang negosyo at hindi gagampan sa mga tungkulin nito sa sambayanang Pilipino.

Ito ang pagkukunwari sa economic integration ng Asia Pacific,” dagdag pa ni Salvador.

Pahayag nina Ilagan at Salvador, dapat nakabatay ang women empowerment sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga kababaihan tulad ng tunay na reporma sa lupa at seguridad sa trabaho kung saan may tiyak at ligtas na trabaho at maayos na pasahod.

Nagtapos ang tatlong araw na Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 Women and the Economy Forum noong Setyembre 18, 2015.

Nakalinya sa darating na mga pagpupulong ng APEC sa Nobyembre, inaasahang magsasagawa pa ang kababaihan ng mga kilos-protesta kasama ang ibang sektor upang kondenahin ito.

ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON

Inday Espina-Varona, a renowned journalist, was labeled a propagandist and an asset of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army (NPA), and the National Democratic Front (NDF) for her work on the human rights violations surrounding the Lumad people.

On September 18, the Facebook page “Justice and Truth shall Prevail” released a photograph of Varona with a hammer and sickle in the background.

In the post, they chided the journalist for her articles on the recent evacuation of the Lumad from their ancestral lands and the killing of several of their tribal chiefs. Varona was accused that her articles on the issues were greatly onesided and thus they entitled the image “Media ba o Propagandista?”

She added that “[i]t betrays the mindset of dangerous people who do not know how to distinguish between criticism and dissent and rebellion.”

The journalist quickly released a statement regarding the post, expressing concern not in the act itself but in the page releasing the remarks.

Aside from Varona’s own response, the post was met with harsh backlash from both netizens and national institutions alike. As the former chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), numerous organizations released their statements in solidarity of Varona.

“I am a firm believer in free expression.

If, on the comments thread on my FB wall or even on Twitter, you call me “communist,” I won’t mind that. People say the all sorts of things in the heat of debate…But this meme is different.

It was a deliberate effort. It is on a page that exists solely to tag people as communists,” Varona commented.

Additionally, Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of the human rights group Karapatan, has recently been the subject of red-tagging by the Facebook page.

Outpouring of support

The NUJP quickly denounced the post against Varona as “a cheap and desperate move to discredit a highly respected and multi-awarded journalist who

has consistently fought for the rights of journalists and against unjust and oppressive acts on the marginalized.”

Additionally, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) also released a statement regarding the post citing that it was evidence of the increasing encroachment on the rights of “journalists, activists, human rights defenders, and common people” alike.

“The Philippines remains as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. These separate incidents of red-tagging are serious and should not be taken lightly as life and security are put in jeopardy,” CEGP stated.

Sign of a greater struggle Rather than focusing on the act itself, Varona called attention to the mindset that enabled this type of action.

“We report threats. We put these out

there. To send notice. And to show people what kind of people issue these threats...Expression is not a threat. The view that espouses that is the threat. We must expose that mindset, whether it targets a journalist, an activist, a priest, a lawyer, a judge,” Varona said.

The multi-awarded journalist also insisted that only by addressing the prevailing mindset can these threats be opposed.

“Some have asked me to move for the closure of the page. I don’t think closure is the answer. It’s not just because I’m a true-blue liberal when it comes to expression. They can always make a new page tomorrow, the day after, the week after. It is the mindset behind that threat that needs to be addressed. There is no shortcut to that. The only solution is to slog through it, to resist being silenced, to continue writing stories,” she explained.

CULTURE 07

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

HUGOT HENERAL

Ang Bersyon ng Kasaysayan Ayon sa Paghabi ng “Heneral Luna” DEINZEL ROBLES UEZONO DIBUHO NI JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG

“Si Heneral Luna? Kaano-ano siya ni Juan Luna?”

Nang lumabas ang trailer ng pelikulang “Heneral Luna”, dalawang tanong ang pumasok sa isip ng mga tao: una, “Sino si Heneral Luna?”, at pangalawa, “Bakit si Heneral Luna?” Sa isang lipunang humahanap ng bayani sa pigura ng Avengers, at umaapuhap ng konsepto ng pagbabago sa Game of Thrones, ang Heneral Luna ay isang matapang na paghananap ng pwesto sa naiibang panlasa ng mga Pilipino.

Ngunit sa panahong higit pa sa pagusbong ng isang panibagong bayani ang kinakailangan ng lipunan, ang noo’y maliit na misyong maihiwalay ang Heneral sa pagkatao ng kanyang kapatid, ay napalitan ng isang mas malawak na misyon na yanigin ang paniniwala ng mga Pilipino ukol sa kanilang kasaysayan. Ang likha ng sining ay naging isang malakas na boses sa isip ng mga Pilipino na may dalang katanungan: sino ang tunay na kakampi o kalaban?

Pagbuwag sa Nakaugalian Kung magiging batayan ng pagiging isang bayani ang pagkakaroon ng isang imaheng good boy, malamang ay hindi na pasok si Antonio Luna dahil sa taglay niyang agresibo at dominanteng pag-uugali. Ngunit ito mismo ang kaisipang sinisira ng Artikulo Uno sa pelikulang Heneral Luna – ipinapakilala nito sa mga manonood na hindi iisa ang tipo ng mga indibidwal na maaaring maging “bayani.”

Sa ating lipunan, nakasanayan nang nakabase ang bawat yugto ng ating kasaysayan sa mga taong nag-alay ng kanilang buhay.Halimbawa, kapag tinanong mo ang mga Pilipino tungkol kay Rizal, agaran nilang masasambit ang wagas na pagmamahal ng bayani sa Pilipinas dahil sa dramatikong pagkamatay niya sa Bagumbayan.

Sa pagkiling sa piling personalidad ng bansa, mismong ang mahahalagang pangyayari sa ating kasaysayan ay lumiligis lamang sa mga maliliit na pagkakaiba sa personalidad o ugali ng mga personalidad. Isinasantabi na rin ang mahahalagang politikal, sosyal, at pangekonomikong mga kondisyon, at motibo sa kasaysayan.

Ito ang isa sa mga mahahalagang “mito” ng interpretasyon ng kasaysayan na sinikap ng Artikulo Uno na bakahin sa pelikula. Halimbawa na lamang sa pagtalakay sa esensya ng “Treaty of Paris”, ipinakita ng pekikula na, taliwas sa pinalalabas ng ilang mga libro sa kasaysayan na “pasibo” ang mga Pilipino sa pagbebenta sa

kanya ng Espanya sa Amerika, may kakayahan ang Pilipinas na ipagtanggol ang kanyang kasarinlan noon. Ngunit ito ay nagapi ng pagpursigi sa sariling interes sa pangunguna nila Felipe Buencamino at Pedro Paterno. Dahil itinuturing na pinaka-makapangyarihan sa kanyang panahon ang Amerika, mas ninais nila na maging protektorado nito ang Pilipinas upang makinabang din sa pabor na ibibigay ng bansa.

Ipinakita rin ng Artikulo Uno, na kahit na ang pangunahing tema ng pelikula ay umiinog sa buhay ni Antonio Luna, hindi maiaangat sa isang mataas na lebel ang personalidad ng Heneral nang hindi kinikilala ang mobilisasyon, pangarap, at interes ng mga Pilipino, sundalo man o hindi, na tumulong sa kanya upang maipagtanggol ang kasarinlan ng bansa sa bawat araw na pakikidigma. Hindi mabubuo ang pagkatao ni Heneral Luna, kung wala ang kanyang mga kanang kamay na sina Colonel Paco Roman at Kapitan Eduardo Rusca. Maging ang paunang pagtitiwala sa kanya ni Emilio Aguinaldo, at ang antagonistikong pakikitungo sa kanya ni Heneral Tomas Mascardo. Higit sa kanilang lahat, ang pagtitiwala ng mga sundalo sa hukbo sa kakayahang pandigmaan ng Heneral ang higit na nagpakulay sa kanyang pagkatao.

Ang pagsasapelikula ng Artikulo Uno sa buhay ni Antonio Luna ay pagpapakita ng kaniyang katauhan bilang isang bayani at mamamayan ng Pilipinas. Binigyan nila ng pagpapahalaga si Luna bilang isang bayaning biktima ng paraan ng pagtanaw natin sa ating kasaysayan.

Natatanging Heneral ng Pilipinas Isa sa mga mahahalagang aspeto upang magtagumpay ang isang pamumuno ay ang pagsigurong ang interes ng lider at ng bayan ay iisa – lalo pa’t ang awtoridad ng lider na mamuno ay magmumula mismo sa mandatong ibibigay sa kanila ng bayan, na nakikita tuwing eleksyon.

Ang dahilan mismo sa pagsulpot ng isang lider o gobyerno ay ang tao, at ang tungkulin nilang pagsilbihan at unahin ang kapakanan ng lipunan.

Ito ang isang prinsipyong malinaw na ipinakita ng Artikulo Uno sa interpretasyon nila sa identidad ni Antonio Luna bilang isang lider.

Ngunit ipinakita rin ni Heneral Luna na hindi sapat na may pagbuwag lamang sa sariling interes sa paglilingkod sa bayan – sa panahon ng pagtatanggol sa kasarinlan ng bansa, kritikal din ang pag-iisa sa sentimyento at isip ng buong bayan. Pinalakas ang konseptong ito sa pelikula noong nagkaroon ng distribusyon ng pare-parehong uniporme sa mga kawal. Ang pagpapagawa ng iisang uniporme ay katumbas ng pagbuo ng identidad na sila ay nagkakaisa at

handang lumaban sa mga Amerikano.

Ipinakita rin ng Heneral na hindi sapat na maging isang lider lamang – kailangang mamumuno nang may katwiran at konsensya. Alam niya ang hangganan ng kanyang kapangyarihan, at batid din niyang ang magiging pagkalugmok ng kanyang hukbo at ng bayan ay dahil sa kanyang sariling kapabayaan. Sa ilalim ng prinsipyo ng command responsibility, lagi siyang handang managot para sa kanyang mga tauhan, at para sa masa. Kaya naman hindi hinahayaan ng Heneral ang aniya’y traydor na mga pakiwari ng ilang miyembro ng gabinete, dahil batid niyang nasa kanilang mga kamay ang magiging kapalaran ng kasarinlan ng bayan.

Subalit kasabay ng paglipas ng panahon ay ang pagkabura na rin yata ng pagkaintindi ng mga lider ng bansa sa tunay nilang mandato.

Eleksyon pa lamang, makukulay na mga salita at pangako ang ibinibigay sa atin ng mga kandidatong lider ng bansa subalit pagkaupo sa posisyon ay nakalilimutan na nila ang tungkulin at responsibilidad nila. Ang pagkabulag sa kapangyarihan ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit biglaang kapakanan na lamang nila ang isinusulong at ang interes ng mga taong nagluklok sa kanila ay nakalilimutan Dagdag pa rito, may mga lider ang ating bansa na hindi rin pinananagutan ang mga aksiyong ginagawa nila. Tulad na lamang ng paggastos sa pera ng bayan, hindi maiiwasang magkaroon ng mga politikong walang humpay ang pagwaldas dito para sa sariling mga interes nila. Kapag tinanong kung ano ang nangyari sa perang dapat sana’y nakalaan para sa mga mamamayan, kanyang-kanyang turuan na ng daliri ang nagiging eksena, at biglaan na lamang nawawalan ng pananagutan sa nasabing gawain.

pamilyang Pilipino. Makikita ito sa pelikula sa eksena kung saan inimbitahan ng mga opisyal ang kanilang mga pamilya upang sumakay ng tren kahit na nakalaan ito para sa mga sundalo ni Heneral Luna. Hanggang ngayon ay matindi pa rin ang pagpapahalaga ng mga Pilipino sa kapakanan ng kanilang pamilya – isa sa pinakamatibay na manipestasyo nito ay sa larangan ng politika kung saan laganap pa rin ang political dynasties at nepotism.

Kung minsan, may masamang epekto ang kagustuhang maitaguyod ang mga personal na interes. Halimbawa nito ang pagkamatay ni Heneral Luna na maaaring nag-ugat sa mga opisyal na naramdamang banta ang heneral sa mga posisyong hinahawakan nila. Lalong pinagtitibay nito ang kagustuhan ng mga Pilipinong maisulong ang kani-kanilang interes.

Hangga’t hindi nababago ang ganitong kaugalian, mananatiling kaaway nating mga Pilipino ang ating mga sarili.

Totoong ang pagkalugmok ng isang bayan sa kahirapan o kawalang kaunlaran ay maaaring bunga ng isang pamahalaan na kaiba ang isinusulong sa pangarap ng kanyang mga mamamayan. Subalit hindi dapat ipagwalangbahala na tayo man bilang mga Pilipino ay may obligasyon na umako ng responsibilidad para sa pag-unlad ng ating bayan.

Nakakabahala ang takbo ng pag-iisip ng isang lipunang nawalan na ng tiwala sa esensya ng pamahalaan – wala na silang konsepto ng bayan, kung kaya’t inilalagay na nila sa kanilang mga kamay ang batas, at umaakto para sa kanilang sariling interes. Kailangang tulungan natin ang isa’t-isa na maging kritikal at mapanuri; na magtiwala sa kakayahan ng taumbayan mismo na itayo ang kanyang sariling dignidad, at makipaglaban para sa kanyang karapatan.

Kung buhay siguro ngayon ang Heneral, isang malutong na “P*nyeta!” ang matitikman ng mga lider ng bansang kanyang pinag-alayan ng mga pangarap at paghihirap.

Dahil sabi nga ni Heneral, higit pa sa mga banyaga at imperyalistang kolonisador, at sa pamahalaan, ang higit na kalaban ng bawat Pilipino ay ang kanyang sarili.

Para sa Ikabubuti ko Lamang

Ibinubunyag ng pelikulang Heneral Luna ang sakit nating mga Pilipino. Sinasalamin nito ang kasalukuyang estado ng ating bansa at minumulat tayo sa nangyayari sa ating lipunan. Anumang sakit na mayroon tayo ay dapat nang iwanan sa nakaraan. Tunay nga na dapat lahat ay magkaisa tungo sa interes na makabubuti para sa ating bayan.

Hindi naman maipagkakailang patuloy ang pagdausdos ng nasyonalismo sa Pilipinas.

Kadalasan ay nalilimutan natin ang mas malaking larawang kinabibilangan natin at iyon ay ang bansang Pilipinas.Kung ang pagsulong sa interes ng Inang Bayan ay mangangahulugan ng hindi pagkatugon sa mga agarangpangangailangan, agad na itong binabalewala.

Kadalasang kabilang sa mga personal na interes na ito ay ang pag-uuna sa kapakanan ng

Dahil hanggang sa matapos ang kwento ng kasaysayan, patuloy nating tatanongin kung sino ang tunay kalaban o kakampi, hangga’t hindi natin kayang pagkatiwalaan ang ating mga sarili.

08 FEATURES

Decades after its establishment, the promised economic development of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) remains out of sight. Rather, it has subjected the country to the same themes of weakening nationalism and aggravated exploitation veiled as globalized development.

ABOLISHING NATIONALISM: APEC AND THE IMPERIALIST TRAP In its willingness to succumb to international agreements, the government is continuously demolishing the remaining vanguards supposedly shielding the country out from imperialist threat—the trade barriers.

Article XII of the 1987 Constitution on National Economy and Patrimony asserts that it is the mandate of the government to “promote industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and efficient use of human and natural resources, and which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. However, the State shall protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign competition and trade practices.”

This provision is strongly aided by the implementation of protectionist policies such as trade barriers in the form of tariffs and quotas.

Conversely, this year’s APEC summit reiterates the need for the member economies to take tariffs down on goods, as well as to regulate non-trade barriers in order to realize the goal of trade liberalization. Such process purportedly aims to raise equality in trade advantages among member countries along with

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

raising profits on intra-APEC business and trade, through participation in various free trade agreements (FTAs). However, while this may seem ideal, agreements and implementation regarding tariff reduction remain futile and detrimental to the country in practice.

The concept of “development” already proves to be questionable under the aim of trade liberalization since the country has already been a participant of other FTAs containing similar goals with the APEC agreements. APEC members alone have already enforced 144 FTAs but progress remains absent in the developing countries such as the Philippines.

Conflict of interest is also reflected on the discussions concerning the FTAs involved in the consolidation of APEC’s top agenda—the Free Trade Area of the AsiaPacific (FTAAP). Being advocated as the key to Asia-Pacific economic growth, the FTAAP includes three FTAS that will serve as pathways--the United States-led TransPacific Partnership (TPP), the ASEANbased Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) process, and the Pacific Alliance. Since China is part of the RCEP but not the TPP, APEC prescribes for the two trade agreements to converge in order to integrate the two major world economies together, eventually securing FTAAP’s success altogether. However, with the presence of geopolitical tension between US and China, such convergence is easier said than put to practice. In turn, the FTAs have rather become the avenues of the two major world economies in securing power in the ASEAN region.

In his opinion piece in the New York Times William M. Daley, Obama’s former chief of staff implied that the US must push for countries to sign the TPP, stating that “if we

(US) don’t set the rules for commerce in the Asia-Pacific region, China will”. Since the mere difference of the two agreements are the “higher standards” of compliance set by the TPP, Daley asserts that if countries become signatories of the TPP, then there will be no need for countries to sign the RCEP in which China is included.

Meanwhile, the RCEP proponents have been trying to accelerate negotiations in potential signatory countries and are aiming for the agreement to take effect by December. With the two major economies pressuring countries to sign the FTAs that they dominate, what ensues is the race for dominance and geopolitical power in the Asia-Pacific.

Applied to the Philippines, both FTAs pose potential threats on the policy decisionmaking of the country. For instance, in a meeting of the US-Philippine Society (USPS), American investors have raised the topic of limits to foreign ownership in the country, and suggested that the Philippines must come in compliance with the TPP regarding the issue. Since the TPP encourages the abolishment of the state’s protectionist policies such as the 60-40 Rule, the country is at the risk of being held by many foreign companies on the neck. Meanwhile, the lack of local industries would strengthen the country’s dependency to cheaper imports such as products from China, in the event that the RCEP gets implemented. Such possibility of stronger Chinese economic control in the Philippines proves to be a precarious consequence to the nation, given the ongoing territorial disputes between the two countries. For instance, while the South China Sea is an important component of world economy due to its abundance in natural resources and being that it is a pathway through which $5 trillion in ship-

borne trade passes annually, talks regarding the dispute have not been raised as a part of the APEC meeting. Furthermore, the government merely proved its lack of assertion with regard to raising the issue of the dispute, with President Aquino planning to tone down the talks on the issue and rather focusing on “China’s major role in the world economy” during the meeting.

As seen, the country remains trapped on the losing side upon signing the trade agreements prescribed by the APEC, given the political consequences of complying with the two major world economies. At any rate, both US and China would not only affect economy, but could also impinge on the sovereignty of the Philippines through the FTAs, thus strengthening the hold of imperialism in the country.

The APEC indeed serves as the bridge that legitimately links the developing and developed countries—a bridge constructed by neocolonialism, where the major world economies could further subjugate the poor countries. The Philippines must be reminded that economic diplomacy, a principle which has been carried by such international economic agreements, must always be banked on the mutuality in benefits, which this APEC agreement clearly lacks.

AGGRAVATING EXPLOITATION: APEC AND THE PHILIPPINE UNDERDEVELOPMENT The Philippine experience of underdevelopment has been centuries of battle between the ailing masses and the government’s weak nationalist will yet strong subservience to foreign colonial masters. This reality is best manifested on the country’s concurrence to the true goals

FEATURES 09

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

AN ANALYSIS OF APEC AND ITS IMPLICATIONS TO THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY PAOLO BUTED, LIEZL ANN DIMABUYU LANSANG, AND JENNAH YELLE MANATO MALLARI ILLUSTRATION BY ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO

of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Agreement.

APEC’s new strategy for structural reform was said to have three pillars: the opening up of markets for integration across economies, deepening the participation of all groups of society in marks, and setting up social policies which will aid the nation in recovery during times of disaster. Although this new strategy sounds economically beneficial, the implications behind it are detrimental as it promotes further entry of international enterprises and totally abandons the country’s local industries.

According to the Asian Institution of Management, the Philippine local economy is heavily dependent on its local MicroSmall-Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as these industries account for 63% of total employment in all business establishments.

Among these industries, however; only 22% could be considered “key industries” (potential export industries that focus on manufacturing and production), and the others are mainly on retail industry.

Given the small number of Philippine key industries, and their nature of being MSMEs, totally opening the country’s market to its heavily industrialized neighbors will absolutely kill these local enterprises. Some of them might be forced to partner up with transnational companies (TNCs) in order to survive. As a result of partnering with TNCs, these MSME’s will become mere subcontractors and will be deprived of development as a local industry.

In the agriculture sector for example, farmers have continuously protested in the claim that lower tariffs have further impoverished them through the years, besides the lack of subsidy given by the government. On a larger scale, Secretary General of Kilusang

Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Antonio Flores stated that “free trade destroyed our country’s food self-sufficiency and food security”. Data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics have shown that by 2010, imported rice have comprised 19% of the country’s supply, whereas Philippines is an agricultural country. Since there is a lack of local industries and a backward agricultural system in the country, free trade only encourages dependence on imports from countries that have more supply of agricultural products.

Various socio-economic problems in the country as well as the flawed national governance also hinder the development of local industries. For instance, access to finance remains one of the biggest concerns of MSMEs as it is a difficult task to obtain a loan from formal financial institutions.

While policies like the “Magna Carta” policy (banks must set aside 10% of their loanable funds for MSME’s) exist, MSMEs are still unable to obtain loans due to the high interest rates and their inability to produce the necessary collateral. Government corruption has also been a huge part of the local industries’ underdevelopment for 72% of MSMEs was reported as have been asked for bribes, discouraging growth.

Aside from its gross neglect to the development of its local industries, the government also instigated reform on its education system so as to aid the need of the industrialized countries for cheap labor.

The inauguration of the K-12 Program is in line with APEC’s cross-border education where the educational sector is open to all foreign students. Moreover, the program is also a requirement for the ASEAN Integration that again promotes crossborder education and employment. Instead of allowing Filipino graduates to serve the

country, each of them are prepared towards cheap labor in foreign countries.

The Department of Education (DepEd) argued that the program is for the betterment of the students as it prepared them for jobs needing technical skills, such as housekeeping, plumbing, welding, carpentry, and beauty care. The Department argues that the new system will produce more highly-competitive graduates under global standards. Opportunities are said to arise which will enable them to pursue higher education or even work abroad.

Notably, it is a fact that these technical jobs are not readily available in the country, hence, pushes K-12 graduates outside.

Moreover, tertiary education is also highly inaccessible leaving the country’s K-12 graduates no choice but to sell their labor abroad, even with low compensations. The presented arguments only show that the K-12 program is ultimately geared to support labor export.

The state of education is also further compromised through privatization.

Educational institutions are commercialized in order to compensate for the insufficient funding provided by the government.

Now, this condition is exacerbated as private investments penetrate educational institutions. State Universities and Colleges are treated as commodities and are operated by the private sector. This in turn, results to higher tuition rates that renders education inaccessible to the masses. The University of the Philippines (UP), for instance, has faced series of budget cuts – now P2.2 billion – which forced the University to implement income generating schemes such as the Socialized Tuition System.

Schools are obliged to change their curricula and other policies in order to

cater the requirements of APEC’s globalized education system. The University of the Philippines, along with other Universities and Colleges, changed their academic calendar in order to facilitate the entry of foreign students. Schools are forced to implement policies that will consider them as globally competitive and fit for the skilledlabor market. This, as a result, compels schools to focus on profitable curricula and cut courses that are considered “unprofitable” such as History, Filipino, and the Humanities as demonstrated by the aforementioned K-12 program through its preference of technical courses. These changes are implemented to attract foreign investors that would further commercialize education.

The current educational system of the Philippines is framed to adapt to the self-serving goals of APEC. With the implementation of the K-12 program and the privatization of tertiary education, the government has taken away the real essence of education which is for societal development—the country allowed itself to be a mere factory of semi-skilled young workers trained for the needs of the capitalist countries.

Poor countries, such as the Philippines, have removed their protectionist policies and have privatized social services-- reforms that were said to uphold improvements.

In reality, these mechanisms produced a society stripped off of its own industry, with a mechanized labor force all ready for export.

Tracing back the development schemes of the country, APEC is merely a repackage of the former neoliberalist policies that have further impoverished CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

10 GRAPHICS

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

MGA PESTE JOSE PAOLO BERMUDEZ REYES

Signos

ASHES OF THE AGGRESSOR Kyla Pasicolan INDIGENESIS

MULA PAHINA 12

sectors sa lipunan, ay pinaghaharian na rin ngayon ng mga sektor mula sa kalakhan ng populasyon ng bansa.

Maging ang pagiging signatory ng Pilipinas sa United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples ay parang isang kinakalawang na palamuting hindi rin mapakinabangan ng mga katutubo sa pagpapahayag ng kanilang mga karapatan.

Ang displacement ng mga katutubo, hindi lamang sa Mindanao, ay isang malinaw na indikasyon na maraming mga Pilipino ang nawawalan ng karapatan sa marapat na titulo sa pagkaPilipino. Kakaunti na nga ang bilang ng mga katutubo ay higit pang nabibigyan ng dahilan para ipakitang may malinaw na dikotomiya sa mayorya at minorya sa populasyong bumubuo sa bansa. Ang hindi pagkilala sa mga karapatang dapat makamit ng mga katutubo ay isang anyo ng pagwaksi sa kanilang identidad hindi lang bilang mamamayan kundi pati bilang tao. May pagkakaiba man sa gawi at pamumuhay o wala, dapat ay natatamasa nating lahat ang ating mga karapatan dahil isa itong manipestasyon ng ating pagkakakilanlan.

Hindi rin sapat na may pagkilala sa kanilang karapatan, ngunit wala namang kaalaman sa esensya ng kanilang paghihirap at pakikipaglaban.

Ang paglaban ng mga katutubo ay hindi naiiba sa paglaban ng buong Kapilipinohan – ito ay paglaban para sa pagkilala ng karapatan sa kasarinlan nang hindi sinasakal ng dayuhan o kapitalistang interes ang minanang

lupa, kultura, o boses. Wala halaga ang isang cultural identity na nakapaloob lamang sa limitadong interpretasyon ng pakikipaglaban – ito ay dapat nakaugat sa malawakang pagtatanggol ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang malayang pagkakilanlan.

Ang malalim na ugat ng ating kasaysayan ang isa sa mahahalagang pundasyon ng ating pagkakakilanlan.

Ang pagtagpi-tagpi ng ating identidad bilang Pilipino ay hindi lamang nagmumula at hindi lamang nagtatapos sa ating hilig sa karaoke o paggamit ng nguso kapag nagtuturo ng isang bagay. Ito ay nagmumula sa lahat ng dugong naialay, kulturang binubuhay, mga lengguwaheng pinapayaman, at kasaysayang inililimbag.

Kahati natin ang mga katutubo sa pagsulat ng ating kasaysayan. Nararapat lamang na sila ay galangin, hindi lang bilang kapwa Pilipinong malaki ang naibahagi sa paghulma ng ating kasaysayan at pagkatao, kundi pati na rin bilang kapwa tao. Pakatandaan natin na maliban sa mga tradisyon at paniniwala, isa ring parte ng ating pagkakakilanlan ang pagpahalaga sa ating karapatan. Parte man ng minority groups o hindi, ang ating mga karapatan at pagkakakilanlan ay dapat pinapahalagahan.

AN ANALYSIS OF APEC...

FROM PAGE 08

the Philippines. In the present, its prescriptions ought to only nurture the country’s survival on the export of human capital, and the import dependency on goods. First, policies working under APEC serve to breed a nation dependent to labor export, through a population of semi-skilled workers who will serve as the holocausts in the industry of cheap labor. As such, applying APEC’s goals regarding local businesses only lean on maintaining the absence of local key industries in the Philippines, and allowing foreign corporations to continue being able to exhaust the country’s resources. Rather than genuinely allowing the Philippines to develop and be self-sufficient, it also drains down to the fact that the APEC is operating under the guise of allowing the economic progress and development of Third World countries while in truth and in fact, it serves as the façade of major economic powers on their race for geopolitical dominance.

Fostering the country’s colonial nature, its provisions prove to be a looming trap that will further drive the Philippines on the hands of the imperialists.

But despite being threatened on the bouts of underdevelopment and imperialism, the nation is steadfast in the continuous call for independence.

The clamor for genuine national industrialization will never cease for as long as it is not achieved. In the search for genuine development, the masses will continue to seek just and equitable distribution of resources, as well as sovereignty as a country.

For the masses believe that the struggle for genuine development is not over—a development that starts from below.

OPINION 11

Volume 21 Number 04 october 12, 2015 | Monday

DESTRUCTED DISTRACTIONS

Katrina Maria Limpiada Perolino

It bothers me that I’ve found no solace in the arms that once used to encapsulate me in euphoria and giddy giggles. It bothers me that the smile I’m used to seeing no longer holds the brilliance that anchors me and keeps me from floating. It bothers me that what remains of yesterday are fading jokes and jabs on either sides of my ribs. It bothers me that we’re drifting apart more than the continents of what they once called Pangaea.

It bothers me that our friendship is no more.

I’ve always believed that I could go on better if I were alone, that solitude was my best friend and no one else. That friendship is nothing but a mere belief, a silly pragmatic approach to curing someone’s depression or chasing away the demons.

But that was before I met you.

You weren’t unique—in a sea of people wearing black and milling around, it seemed unrealistic to say that you were standing out, sticking out like a sore thumb. But you grew on me, like a mushroom on an old tree bark, persistent and budding. And even as I erected fortresses as durable as titanium, you were able to melt every defense, every mechanism failed to be triggered.

Past two weeks of shared secrets and stories exchanged, I started to be conspicuous of the end, the evident conclusion to what I perceived as a short-term phase of friendship granted to me. I sensed it coming like the predictability of humid days in March, and I accepted it. I accepted the fact that there was no other way for it to end but to eventually fade away, and that I’d seen the same situation and known it all too well.

But you stuck around, like a weed on a wellmanicured lawn.

Two months before December, I got used to your warmth. I remember thinking that there were more than a hundred ways to feel the essence of warmth but nothing was like sitting next to you, elbows brushing and voices intermingling in a harmonious arrangement of lilting tones and laughs.

I would always look forward to the times when our clanging forks and spoons signified the

And even as I erected fortresses as durable as titanium, you were able to melt every defense, every mechanism failed to be triggered. lunch time that we used as our escape, the consistent pads of our well-worn rubber shoes on the somewhat slippery, freshly-waxed floor of the halls. I would always anticipate the jokes and the innocuous teasing, and the goodbyes that meant another chance of laughing the next day.

I would always appreciate the way we stuck together, like vines and tendrils.

DEUX(S) heart shattered like thin sheets of glass thrown against concrete walls. I thought I was being hypersensitive, that I was closing myself off to the possibility of other friends, other companions, other people who would make you laugh better. And in a way, I was right and I was wrong.

That’s where I always fall, with you. There are no grey areas, only blocks where buzzing sounds are made when I make the wrong move, and rewarding tinkles when I’m right.

More often than not I hear the buzzer.

Two semesters after that fateful meeting, I’ve realized that I was always right, and maybe you were the one who made me wrong.

That our friendship was built on nothing but convenience, and that you were never my biggest supporter or my most eager cheerleader.

And it hurts to believe that once, we were like a spring bouquet, delicately arranged, each flower meant to accentuate the characteristics of the other.

But as I’ve learned with you, I’m once again wrong.

Two hours after I sat with you on the familiar wood benches, I realized that all we had and all we’ll ever have are jokes, quips and memorable quotes to maybe immortalize on social media and digital screens.

But that’s where I went wrong.

But we don’t have what I thought we once had—a real friendship.

Two days after the start of 2015, I sent a greeting that wasn’t reciprocated, and my

And so we fly off to the push of the wind, like dandelions. Flying and yet flightless all the same.

ELECTROPHILE

Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag

The once public character of this year, the University faces its UP has long been tarnished. biggest budget cut yet. History will tell that the state had slowly It is a fact that it’s hard to get pushed UP to commercialization into UP. No, I’m not pertaining through insufficient state to the UPCAT. I’m pertaining to subsidy. For several years, the Socialized Tuition System the UP administration has that’s in place. Implemented implemented a socialized tuition last year, the STS is the product scheme and sold its idle assets of reforms in the old STFAP. to cover the deficit brought by Like its predecessor, the STS the lack of budget. To make creates the illusion of equality in tuition due to the discount Because of the system. However, this is not the state’s ignorance, the University of the case as students are assumed P hilippines has slowly to be rich until proven poor in lost its character as a this system. Students have to state university answer vague questions to prove that they are poor and worthy of receiving a discounted tuition. things worse, UP’s budget has A large number of students are only kept in decreasing through either placed in Bracket A or in a the years, as it is being forced to higher bracket that they cannot become self-sufficient through afford. Statistics show that less the government’s RPHER. than 8% of UP students systemwide receive free tuition.

It is clear that the University is forcing its students to And if the threat of the Socialized compensate for the lack of state Tuition System is not enough, subsidy by making them pay

TARNISHED high tuition rates. Because of the state’s ignorance, the University of the Philippines has slowly lost its character as a state university, because here, education is now merely a privilege given to those who can afford it.

It is the state’s mandate and responsibility to provide quality and accessible education to all. However, in the current regime that promotes commercialization of education, we are left to fend for our own with flawed systems such as the STS. It is our responsibility as Iskolar ng Bayan to fight for our right to education by calling for higher state subsidy and the removal, not reform, of the current tuition scheme, which stands as a mockery of University of the Philippines’ nature as a state university. It is our responsibility as Iskolar ng Bayan to bring back the public character of UP.

Famous Last Words Aria Hernandez BEFORE WE WERE STRANGERS*

My heart sank to my feet.

Two years had passed since I last saw my exboyfriend. I was on my way to the mall when I heard his voice. He was explaining the merits of joining the campaign to reform the Socialized Tuition System (STS) to a group of people. He said that instead of junking the system, students should just focus on calling for lower tuition rates, which he emphasized was a means to achieve a more accessible and quality education. I did not know what to make of this.

In reality, STS only reinforces the idea that you have to pay for quality and relevant education. This is contrary to the fact that education is a right – not a privilege made exclusive to the few who can pay for it. And yes, there is a system that will determine your bracket and the corresponding amount you will pay. But, consider this: is it not ridiculous for a student in a state university to be considered rich unless proven otherwise?

That is why I actually felt out of place during that time. I admit that I used to believe in this line of thinking. But, not him. He was one of those who convinced me to think critically and stop parroting what our organization was saying. He questioned their motives too — except he decided to go abroad instead of fighting for what he believed. And, here he was, saying the things he used to loathe.

And even though I knew I should not stay, I could not help but stop and watch him.

Why was he here? He stopped talking after a few minutes and answered questions from the audience. He was sincere and I could not detect any sarcasm in his voice. He sounded like he believed whatever nonsense he was saying. I could only hope these people had enough sense to think twice before believing him. How ironic.

The thing is, I thought I used to believe in him. We had been together for three years.

I knew how determined, progressive, and confident he was when he was fighting for what he thought was right. He shunned shallow analyzations, band-aid solutions, and armchair activism. I used to laugh at him because I considered him an activist trapped in a bourgeois family. He had no choice but to join the organization, but he told me that he at least knew the truth about society which was enough at that moment.

But, that is not the man I saw today.

Everything changed between us, that I was sure of. I mean, once upon a time, he had been the guy I was constantly chasing. And I loved him so much. For two years, I had held on and hoped that he would come back for me. A part of me then kept on hoping that he would be here regardless of my choices.

I remembered telling myself to hold on and just wait for him.

Yet, I should have not been surprised by this, not after two years of radio silence, sleepless nights, and depression. He never told me goodbye and just left me to fend for myself. He used to be my anchor whenever I was at my weakest. It just hurt to think that the man I knew might be gone for good.

Is it time for me to move on and let him go? *Apologies to Renee Carlino

IndiGenesis PAGSUSURI SA KRITIKAL NA PAPEL NG IP SA FILIPINO IDENTITY AGATHA HAZEL ANDRES RABINO DIBUHO NI DANIE RODRIGUEZ

Pilipino ka kung mahilig ka mag-videoke at may tabo ka sa banyo. #PINOYquirks Mula sa mga Facebook posts, Twitter handles, at maging sa mga binder notebooks na binebenta sa National Bookstore, hindi na bago sa atin ang makakita ng mga katagang “Proudly Pinoy”, “Pilipino ka kung...”,“You know you are Filipino when...”, at marami pang iba. Aminin—lahat naman tayo ay natutuwang magbasa ng mga bagay na nagpapaalala sa atin ng mga quirks sa ating pagkakakilanlan.

Subalit hindi lang limitado sa mga nakakaaliw na tweets at posts ang kabuuan ng ating pagkakakilanlan. Sa buong 7, 107 na kapuluan dito sa Pilipinas ay may ilang daang tribo pa ng mga katutubo tayong makikilala. Sila ay mga Pilipino rin na may maibabahaging mga mahahalagang parteng makatutulong sa ating paghabi ng ating identidad bilang mga Pilipino.

pagdating sa ating pagkakakilanlan.

Mula sa mga napapanood nating teleserye at iba pang palabas ay naengganyo na ang karamihan sa atin na dumayo sa Maynila. Tumatak na sa ating isipan na mas maraming pagkakakitaan sa Maynila, sapagkat maraming trabahong naghihintay para sa atin. Maynila na ‘to e – concrete jungle where dreams are made of, na nga, ani ni Alicia Keys.

Kung ating titingnan ay mistulang anyo na ito ng Manila-centrism, kung saan ay naka-pokus na ang ating pagbuo ng identidad sa siyudad. Bukod sa pag-iisip na kapag in ka sa trends ng Maynila, ay parang may golden ticket ka na sa mas maunlad na pamumuhay, ang Maynila ay tila isa ring mas maliit na bersyon ng Pilipinas dahil sa samu’t-saring taong makikilala dito. Dahil na rin pagiging arkipelago ng Pilipinas, isang kritikal na impluwensiya ang regionalism sa kahirapang makabuo ng isang buong identidad bilang Pilipino – sa pagpokus sa Maynila ay mas nagiging maliit ang mundo ng mga Pilipino at nagiging isa ang kanilang kultura.

Maliban sa ating mga pangalan, ang ating identidad bilang mga Pinoy ang ating pinanghahawakan at ginagamit upang ipakilala ang ating sarili sa mundo. Likas sa ating mga Pinoy ang pagiging proud sa ating identidad. Halimbawa, may nakita lang tayong sikat na celebrity sa Hollywood na may 1/8th na pagka-Pinoy ay ipagsisigawan natin ang mga katagang “Uy! Pilipino siya! Nakaka-proud!”.

Tuwing may pagpapa-trend sa Twitter ay hindi rin nagpapahuli ang mga Pinoy – bawat gabi ay may makikita ka sa worldwide trends na Filipino-related.

Ang ating nakagisnang fixation sa Maynila ay naging balakid sa ating pagkilala sa isa pang mahalagang susi ng ating pagkakakilanlan ang pagkilala sa ating mga katutubo. Kung tutuosin, sila ay maituturing na mga kapatid na kasama natin sa paghulma ng kasaysayan. Ilang libong katutubo ang nakatira sa Pilipinas subalit kakaunti lamang ang ating nakikilala sa kanila.

Marahil ay naaalala nga lang ng iba sa atin ang mga katutubo tuwing cultural week sa ating mga paaralan noon, kung saan karamihan sa atin ay magsusuot ng malong, o bahag, o magsasayaw ng singkil sa isang engrandeng entablado na nakikita ng lahat.

Maaaring may epekto ang ating nakagisnang kultura sa ating dulog

Ang pangyayaring ito ay porma ng culturalism, kung saan ay nakakalimutan

#filipinosbelike

nating may mas malalim pang ugat ang mga cultural icons na ito tulad na lang ng tradisyon at gawi ng mga taong gumagamit nito. Ang culturalism na ito, kaakibat ng ating nakagisnang Manilacentric na kultura, ay isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit hindi natin masyadong maaninag ang kasaysayan ng ating mga katutubo.

Kung ating lalaliman ang ating pakikipagkilala sa sarili nating mga katutubo ay makikita natin ang isang mahalagang parte ng ating pagkatao bilang mga Pilipino. Makikilala natin ang nakagisnang kultura ng ating mga ninuno na magsisilbing paalala na minsan ay namuhay tayo sa isang lipunan na walang bahid ng impluwensiya ng mga mananakop. Makikita natin ang mga kaugalian at ideyolohiyang nabura na ng oras, ngunit maaari pang buhayin ulit sa kasalukuyang panahon: ang pangangalaga sa lupang tinubuan at ang pagmamahal sa sariling bayan.

Sa pagkilala natin sa mga katutubo, makikita natin na iisa lang naman pala ang pinag-ugatan nating lahat.

Kailangang hanapin ang pagkakamukha hindi sa mga konkretong bagay o kagamitan – kailangang hanapin ito sa pagkakamukha ng asal at pananagutan bilang Pilipino. Iisa lang ang kasaysayan natin, katutubo man o hindi. Dahil dito, tayo rin lang naman ang magtutulungan sa pagbuo natin ng ating pagkakakilanlan bilang mga Pilipino.

#identitycrisis Kasagsagan siguro ng Twitter break mo nang makita mo ang hashtag na #STOPLUMADKILLINGS sa timeline mo.

Ang mga headlines sa diyaryo, balita sa telebisyon, at hashtags sa Twitter tungkol sa ating mga katutubo ay nakababahala hindi lamang sa kanilang

pagkakilanlan, kung hindi para sa lahat ng Pilipino rin.

Ang pagbuo ng pagkakilanlan natin bilang mga Pilipino ay hindi isang oneway street na k a p a g nabigyan na ng mas maayos na pagkilala ang mga katutubo ay mas “buo” na ang pagtingin natin sa ating mga sarili.

Mahalagang maintindihan na ang tunay na pagbuo ng identidad bilang Pilipino ay mangyayari lamang kung lahat ay pantay-pantay at nabibigyan ng patas na pagkakataon gaya ng lahat – walang paghahati sa mayorya o minorya, sapagkat “iisa.

Subait sa ngayon, kung ating titingnan ang sitwasyon sa Mindanao, mas malala pa sa sinasabi nilang ethnocide ang nagaganap – ethnic cleansing na ang kinahihinatnan ng ating mga katutubo. Ang ethnic cleansing ay isang konsepto kung saan ang isang grupo ay gumagamit ng dahas upang mapaalis ang isang mas maliit na grupo sa isang lugar. Kadalasang ang ugat ng ethnic cleansing ay mga isyu tungkol sa ibang lahi. Ngunit iba ang nagiging ugat ng ethnic cleansing dito sa Pilipinas.

Ang patuloy na pag-usad ng Pilipinas pagdating sa ekonomiya ang nagiging ugat ng pangyayaring ito – bunga ng kapitalismo ng mga mining companies ang nagaganap na displacement sa Mindanao.

Kung susuriin, masasabing isang manipestasyon ang mga nagaganap sa Mindanao ng pagwaksi sa katutubong kasaysayan at pagkakakilanlan ng ilan sa atin. Nawawalan tayo ng pakundangan at pagrespeto sa mga katutubo at lumalabas na ang tanging habol lang natin ay ang kanilang mga lupain. Tila tayo na mismo ang nagbubura ng isang mahalagang parte ng ating kasaysayan kapalit ang pag-unlad ng ekonomiya at pagsusog ng sariling interes.

Bukod pa sa banta ng militarisasyon, makailang ulit na ring nagkaroon ng pagsasamantala sa mga batas na nakalaan sana para sa kapakanan ng mga katutubo. Halimbawa, ang partylist system na itinakda ng Saligang Batas para sa mas demokratikong representasyon sa panig ng mga marginalized at underrepresented IPAGPATULOY SA PAHINA 10