The Manila Collegian Volume 29 Number 07-08

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

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02 EDITORIAL Paniniil 03 NEWS APEC, sinalubong ng kilos-protesta 08 FEATURES Rehabilitation 10 CULTURE #AlDrug 15 OPINION #APECtado

02 EDITORIAL

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

ANG MAPANLINLANG NA SISTEMANG pangekonomiya ng mundo, na ginawang kaakit-akit dahil sa paggamit sa mga prinsipyo ng kalayaan at ang pangakong mabilis na pag-unlad, ay patuloy na umuusig sa mga mamamayan na unti unti nang nauupos. Ang mga entidad na nagpapasulong dito ay nabigyan pa lalo ng motibasyon dahil sa di pagpili ng mamamayan sa pagiging kritikal at pagiimik nito sa mga maling desisyon ng kanilang pamahalaan.

E DI T O R - I N - C H I E F Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez A S S O C I AT E E DI T O R F O R I N T E R N A L A F FA I R S Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag A S S O C I AT E E DI T O R F O R E X T E R N A L A F FA I R S Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla

Ang Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ay isang poro na binubuo ng 21 kasaping ekonomiya sa paligid ng Karagatang Pasipiko. Sa kasalukuyan, halos kalahati ng pandaigdigang kalakalan, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), at populasyon ang sakop ng APEC. Naglalayon ito na isulong ang kooperasyong teknikal at pagkakaroon ng malaya at mabilis na kalakalan sa mga kasapi nito. Prayoridad din ng APEC 2015 ang pagaangat sa pandaigdigang partisipasyon ng mga maliliit na negosyo, pagpapaunlad sa yamang-tao, pagkakaroon ng mga bataskalakalan, at ang pagbubukas ng mga serbisyong pampubliko sa kumpetisyon at pagaari ng mga dayuhang mamumuhunan.

Para sa porang ito, naglagak ang pamahalaan ng halos P10 bilyong badyet na sinangayunan naman ng maraming mamamayan dahil sa panandaliang epekto nito sa ekonomiya.

Nakalulungkot na bilang lamang ang may kamalayan sa mga unos na dala nito at lalo pa itong nakukubli dahil sa pagkikibit balikat ng iilan at sa mga nakakakiliting layunin mismo ng APEC. Pilit ding ikinubli ng rehimen ang labis na kahirapan sa bansa pati na rin ang mga protestang bayan. Sa mga pang aabuso na kinakaharap ng bayan, hindi lang dapat tayo may alam, dapat din ay matutong makialam.

Ang pagsulong ng APEC sa mga repormang liberalisasyon na magpapabilis sa paglabaspasok ng mga produkto tulad ng pagbababa sa taripa ang papatay sa mga maliliit na negosyong Pilipino. Sa sarili nitong lupa, magiging talunan ang produktong Pilipino sa mga malayang pumapasok na dayuhang angkat na galing sa mga multinasyunal na korporasyon. Nagpapadehado pa lalo ang kawalang proteksyon mula sa pamahalaan.

Upang pumantay at manatiling bukas, binababaan ng mga negosyong Pilipino ang mga sahod ng mga manggagawa at pinaiigting pa nito ang kontraktwalisasyon. Ang lalong pagbansot ng mga industriya ng bansa, tulad ng agrikultura na nagdudulot ng kakulangan sa suplay ng pagkain, ay bunga ng repormang liberalisasyon.

Dagdag pa rito, ang World Trade Organization, isang samahan na ka layunin ng APEC, ay kasama ng APEC sa pagbibigay ng mga di patas na mga kasunduan na naglulubog pa lalo sa mga mahihirap na bansa. Ani ng WTO, kung isaalang-alang ng mga pamahalaan ang kundisyon ng mga manggagagawa nito, mababawasan ang lamang nito sa ibang kakumpetensyang bansa sa pandaigdigang kalakalan.

Nakakagalit na sa kabila ng mga ito, inaakit pa lalo ng pamahalaan ang mga mapaminsalang transnasyunal na korporasyon sa pamamagitan ng pangangalandakan sa masaganang likas-yaman at sa mabilis na pagpasok ng mga dayuhan sa mga sektor ng lipunan tulad ng pagmimina, edukasyon at serbisyong pangkalusugan. Ayon sa mga datos, bagama’t pinakamalaki ang bahagdan ng puhunan na pumapasok sa Asya, ang mga Asyano pa din ang isa sa may pinakamababang sahod. Dahil dito, mahihinuha na ang mataas na kita na dulot ng mababang halaga ng produksyon ang habol ng mga mamumuhunan at hindi ang pagpapa-unlad sa pinuhunanang bansa.

Hindi din lahat bumabalik sa bansang

M A N AG I N G E DI T O R Thalia Real Villela A S S I S TA N T M A N AG I N G E DI T O R Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari N E W S E DI T O R Ronilo Raymundo Mesa F E AT U R E S E DI T O R Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang C U LT U R E E DI T O R Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza

ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO

PANINIIL pinuhunanan ang kita ng dayuhang namuhunan na gumamit sa mga yaman ng bansa. Nagdudulot din ito ng pang-aabuso sa kapaligiran, manggagawa, at pagkukubkob sa mga agrikultural na lupain. Kung susuriin, ang mga minahang may dayuhang presensya ang mga pinakamahihirap na lugar sa bansa.

Sa APEC, hinihihikayat ng US ang Pilipinas na tanggalin na sa konstitusyon nito ang pagbabawal sa mga dayuhan na buong mag-ari ng lupa at negosyo sa bansa upang makasali ito sa iniinganyo Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). Nilalaman din nito ang masahol na patakaran kung saan pinahihintulutan nito ang mga kumpanya na kasuhan ang pamahalaan ng mga mahihirap na bansa kung ito ay gumawa ng mga aksyon na hahadlang sa malayang pagnenegosyo at pagkakamal sa mas malalaking tubo.

ng tubo ng mga malalaking korporasyong dayuhan. Sa kasalukuyang tulin, ayon sa UNICEF, 200 taon ang kailangang hintayin upang lahat ng bata sa mundo ay nakatapos na ng primaryang edukasyon.

Sa ilalim din ng pribastisasyon, napagkakait sa mga Pilipino ang mga subsidyo habang tumutubo ng bilyon-bilyon ang mga kapitalistang nakakopo sa mga proyekto sa ilalim ng Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Sa 26 taon ng APEC, makikita na kapakipakinabang lamang ito sa mga mauunlad na bansa at ito ay nagsisilbing entablado sa tunggalian ng mga ito habang inaapakan ang mga atrasadong bansa. Ito din ay mahalagang medya sa pagsusulong ng mga sangkap ng neokolonyalismo – pribatisasyon, denasyonalisasyon, deregulasyon at liberalisasyon.

Sa mga pang aabuso na kinakaharap ng bayan, hindi lang dapat tayo may alam, dapat din ay matutong makialam.

Ang malawak na pinsalang dulot ng APEC ay naabot maging ang sektor ng edukasyon. Ang “export-oriented” na K-12 ay isang manipestasyon ng pagsunod ng pamahalaan sa idiniktang kurikulum ng pandaigdigang pamilihan, sa pagmimithi nilang mapanatiling mataas ang dami ng manggagawang ipinapadala natin sa ibang bansa.

Kasabay ng K-12 ang pribatisasyon, isa pang neoliberal na prinsipyo na nagreresulta sa pagbabawas subsidiya sa mga pamantasan.

Bilang tugon, tinatapyas ng mga ito ang mga programa ukol sa Humanidades at Araling Panlipunan. Dagdag pa rito, magdadagdag din ito ng matrikula at workload ng mga guro.

Kung magpapatuloy ang mga nakahahamak na polisiyang ito, hindi na maiiwasan na ang masang Pilipino ay patuloy na magsisilbing murang lakas-paggawa para sa paghuhuthot

Sa panahong magkaanib ang pamahalaan at mga imperyalistang bansa sa paguusig sa lipunang Pilipino, gamit ang mga neoliberal at makaburgesyang polisiya, nararapat na sumulong at lumaban ang mga anak ng bayan. Kailangan nilang itaas ang bandila para sa isang pangsarili at alternatibong ekonomiya na magsisilbi, higit sa lahat, sa mga hanay ng masa at marunong tumumbas sa pawis na dinaranak ng mga ito.

Sa pandadaluhong ng kasulukuyang sistemang pangekonomiya, bilyunbilyong tao pa ang uungusan nito ng karapatan at uupusin. Darating ang araw na ang sistemang ito ay matitibag mismo ng mga prinsipyong nagpapatakbo dito. Ang kakulangan ng basikong pangangailangan ang laging panimulang baga ng lahat ng mga rebolusyon sa kasayasayan ng tao.

G R A P H IC S E DI T O R Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz N E W S C O R R E S P O N DE N T S Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo F E AT U R E S C O R R E S P O N DE N T S Angelica Natividad Reyes C U LT U R E C O R R E S P O N DE N T S Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa Pia Kriezl Jurado Hernandez Jamilah Paola dela Cruz Laguardia Gabrielle Marie Melad Simeon R E S I DE N T I L LU S T R AT O R S Maria Catalina Bajar Belgira Jamela Limbauan Bernas

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The Cover

Illustration by Danie Rodriguez Layout by Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag and Joma Michiko Kaimoto

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

COLLEGE BRIEFS The National Day of Walkout Against the Commercialization of Education was held on November 13 in the College of Arts and Sciences Rizal Hall Lobby to protest against budget cuts and fee hikes. The mobilization was the last of its kind for the year.

In preparation for the UP Manila Christmas Celebration, the UPM University Student Council invited all cultural organizations, fraternities, sororities and other students to a meeting at the ILC Conference Room on November 12, 2015 to form an organizing committee for the occasion.

The UPM University Student Council also called for volunteers for the youth-led Presidential/ Vice-Presidential Debate to be held in January next year in line with the upcoming 2016 national elections. Over 28 organizations, fraternities and sororities and student institutions teamed up. For registration, contact Al Omaga at 0927125-0648.

APEC, sinalubong ng kilos-protesta

NEWS 03

Tahasang pandarambong sa bayan, inilantad LEAH ROSE FIGUEROA PARAS

Kinondena ng daan-daang raliyista mula sa iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan ang mga pinaniniwalaan nilang imperyalistang globalisasyon at mga neoliberal na polisiyang isinusulong ng Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting noong Nobyembre 18 hanggang 19.

Sa kabila ng pagharang ng kapulisan, hindi nagpatinag ang mga militante sa kanilang pagsasagawa ng programang People’s Caravan against APEC and Imperialist Globalization (PCAIG) sa kahabaan ng Gil Puyat. Ang nasabing Caravan ay nais sanang dumiretso hanggang Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) kung saan idinaos ang okasyon.

Iginigiit ng PCAIG na dapat magkaisa ang sambayanan sa paglaban sa mga kapitalistang dayuhang nais dambungin ang ating likas na yaman, bagay na lubhang makapagpapalala sa kalagayan ng kabataan, paysano, kababaihan, at manggagawa.

“Hindi matatapos ang mga demonstrasyong ito hanggang sa malaman ng buong mundo kung gaano isinusumpa ng mamamayang Pilipino ang APEC”, ani Charisse Bernadine Bañez, tagapangulo ng League of Filipino Students (LFS).

Ayon kay Bañez, nagbibigay-daan ang kooperasyon sa pagsasapribado at

komersyalisasyon ng mga serbisyongpampubliko, partikular na ang kalusugan at edukasyon, na pinag-ugatan ng pagtaas ng matrikula at pagkaltas ng badyet sa State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

Binigyang-diin din ni Bañez ang tahasang paglabag ng APEC sa karapatang pantao, partikular na ng mga Lumad, sapagkat mismong mga lider ng kooperasyon ang nasa likod ng militarisasyon sa Mindanao na humantong sa pang-aabuso ng ancestral lands upang gawing minahan ng mga mineral.

Dagdag pa rito ay ang malawakang pangaaresto at pananakot ng awtoridad sa mga aktibistang kontra sa rehimeng US-Aquino, ang di umano’y pagtatago ng mga taong nakatira sa kalye, at ang pagtatabing ng billboards sa mga iskuwater upang hindi makita ng mga pinunong bibisita sa bansa – gayong taliwas ang mga ito sa ipinangako ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino na pagwawaksi ng pambansang kahirapan.

“Iniimbitahan ko ang mga world leaders ng APEC na bisitahin ang mga kalapit na komunidad o kahit tumawid man lang sa kalye upang inyong makita ang katotohanang itinatago mula sa inyo”, paghahamon ni Teddy Casiño, punong kinatawan ng Bayan Muna.

Alinsunod sa okasyong ito, naglunsad din ng youth summit ang mga kabataan noong Nobyembre 17 sa National Press Club sa Intramuros, Manila upang talakayin ang papel ng APEC sa pagpapababa ng sahod ng manggagawa at pagpapataas ng presyo ng mga bilihin.

Magugunitang inulan din ng batikos ang pagpupulong ng APEC noong 1996 sa Subic, Zambales bunsod ng polisiyang free trade and investment. Kasulukuyang nananagot sa 60 porsyento ng global output at halos kalahati ng pandaigdigang kalakalan ang APEC na binubuo ng 21 member economies sa rehiyong Asya-Pasipiko.

ORGANEWS A lecture on Basic Speakers and Room-to-Room (RTR) Training was offered by the UP Manila Pre-Law Society last November 7, 2015, from 1:00-4:00 PM at the ILC Room.

The UP Manila Indayog Dance Varsity participate in the final dance battles for the Ego Supreme Crew Wars and Crissa Campus Dance Synergy on November 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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Larawan kuha ni Ronilo Mesa at Niña Ferrancol.

Students hold Nat’l Day of Walkout UPM students decry tuition increase, APEC ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE

Students nationwide, including students of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, staged a “National Day of Walkout” on November 13 to voice out their complaints regarding the commercialization of education suffered by the students. Furthermore, the students also slammed the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in the country as it purportedly pushes and manifests further privatization of education.

Progressive organizations such as National Network for Agrarian Reform Advocates – Youth (NNARA-Youth), Gabriela, Karatula UPM, League of Filipino Students, ASAPKatipunan, College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (CAS SC), and the UP Manila University Student Council (USC) led the local action protest from the Rizal Hall lobby to the CAS Oblation garden.

The protesters burned a mock US flag to express their disgust and condemnation towards the said country which they claim pushes its neoliberal policies through APEC in the guise of globalization, consequently worsening the state of education in the Philippines.

“The National Day of Walkout last November 13 is our last major mobilization for this year to show the youth’s rage against tuition increases, Other School Fees (OSF), and democratic rights,” said Cid Ryan Manalo, UPM USC Chairperson.

“It is interconnected with our campaign for the Lumad’s right to education and the APEC’s thrust to the neoliberal globalization which are economic policies which pushed for skyrocketing of tuition, decrease of SUC budget, K-12, etc. which are the main issues confronted by our education system today,” Manalo added.

After the program, student organizations and other individuals started marching to Mendiola to unite with students from other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the region to denounce the relentless tuition deregulation in the country.

According to Manalo, the ceaseless actions of progressive groups and individuals, both in the congress and in the street, have resulted in initial increases in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of 42 SUCs and they are still waiting for the

increases requested for the Capital Outlay (CO).

Meanwhile, CAS SC Chairperson Mark Lim reiterated that mobilization held in front of the US Embassy condemned APEC as it was allegedly the prime reason for the continuing commercialization of education and several basic social services in the country.

He further exclaimed that the neoliberal policies implied by APEC further promotes free trade and deregulation and privatization of basic social services as dictated by economically-powerful countries in order for the private sector to profit from the needs of the people.

04 NEWS

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

Marsta Amianan heads to Manila ‘March of the North’ held in opposition of APEC PATRICIA ANNE LACTAO GUERRERO

CAS Student Center inaugurated by admin; open to students ANTON GABRIEL A. LERON

A group of approximately 750 participants from Northern Luzon joined the people’s caravan to Manila, dubbed the ‘Martsa Amianan’, as they staged a series of protests during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Manila on November 1819. The said caravan aims to bring their collective voice in order to defend our land, life and natural resources against capitalist plunder.

Chancellor Carmencita David-Padilla formally inaugurated the newly constructed College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Center at the CAS Parking Lot on November 14.

Delegates of Martsa Amianan, including peasants, workers, indigenous peoples, and environmental advocates from the different regions of Ilocos, Cagavan Valley and Cordillera, were joined by the delegates of Manilakbayan ng Mindanao as part of the nationally coordinated People’s Caravan Against APEC and Imperalist Globalization (PCAIG). The PCAIG aims to raise awareness on the massive and destructive impacts of APEC’s neoliberal policies on mining on the lives of the people in the North.

Though the building is now open for public use, only the first floor is accessible and food stands have yet to be erected within the premises. The three-storey construction was originally set to open in August and was touted as the replacement for the college’s Gusaling Andres Bonifacio (GAB) Cafeteria, which was torn down in early 2014 amidst protests by the students.

Amianan Salakniban, the Northern Luzon environment and human rights network, together with Katribu, UP-Minggan and other progressive organizations in Northern Luzon, organized and welcomed the delegates as they camped at the Episcopal Church in the Philippines for the whole event.

End Imperialist Plunder Martsa Amianan delegates converged with the indigenous peoples’ leaders of Manilakbayan ng Mindanao on November 18 at Morayta to march in front of the Mendiola Peace Arch and conduct a sacrificial rite of a wild boar, signifying the solidarity among indigenous peoples and other progressive groups from across the state.

In line with this, the Igorots presented a cultural performance together with the Lumads from Mindanao to show their unity pact to defend their ancestral lands against militarization and mining plunder.

mounting cases of human rights violations of the military among their communities.

Furthermore, they called for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to end the militarization in the countryside and cease being a “foreign mining protectionist”.

Despite the group’s peaceful demonstration, they were met with water cannons and loud music by the AFP and police.

Stop Extrajudicial Killings Meanwhile, according to Fernando Mangili, spokesperson of Amianan Salakniban, five environmental activists and mining advocates were killed by elements of the AFP in the last year alone.

“Those who fight to defend their lands become victims to various human rights violations and extra-juridicial killings.”

Mangili said.

Data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau on mining tenements shows that out 999 mining applications in the Philippines, 497 of them are in Northern Luzon.

Additionally, three of the oldest mines of Lepanto, Benguet Corp,. and Philex are still operating in Benguet.

“The people must be ready to resist this corporate plunder of our resources,” added Mangili.

According to Jill Cariño, second nominee of Sulong Katribu partylist, “this was performed by the Kalinga and Tinggian tribes during Martial Law, to unite against a common enemy, the US-Marcos Dictatorship, which wanted to put up four giant dams on Chico river. Now, we use it as Filipino people to unite against the USAquino regime and to defend our ancestral lands and the environment.”

Consequently, the group proceeded to Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City and held a program commemorating the

Larawan kuha ni Anton Leron at Adolf Gonzales.

For the students

In an interview, CAS Student Council (SC) Chairperson Mark Vincent Lim said that it was good that after the inauguration, the Student Center had been opened for use to the students of UP Manila. Nonetheless, one of the demands of the student council is that the concessionaires to be contracted for the proposed food court must be affordable and healthy, similar to that of the GAB Caf, rather than the usual fast food chains.

Aside from the food concessionaires, Chairperson Lim added that the Student Center should also have a photocopying service. Since the photocopying station in the ground floor of GAB was removed together with the GAB Caf, students have been inconvenienced by having to leave the campus in order to photocopy any documents.

Likewise, the Student Council has sent its demand that the second or third floor of the building be converted into a conference room for various student organizations.

According to Lim, an increasing number of organizations are requesting use of the school’s singular Conference Room.

Moreover, the CAS “No Room Use” policy prohibits student organizations from using any classrooms for org functions.

Ongoing negotiations University Student Council Chairperson Cid Manalo also commented that though the inauguration of the Student Center went well, it was mostly ceremonial since the building had not been completely opened.

He also stated that Chancellor Padilla has since apologized that the building is not yet fully operational and has promised that there have been talks with the Association of Parent-Counselors about supplying the Student Center with air-conditioning units and the conversion of one of the floors into a conference room.

According to Manalo, the student council had been part of the technical working group which composed the guidelines for possible concessionaires. Nonetheless, he had still raised concerns to the Chancellor over a number of issues such as the late opening of the building and the lack of lavatory facilities in the establishment.

For the planned food court on the first floor, five vendors are to be housed at the start of the first semester. As of press time, no food vendors have been contracted for the Student Center since the ocular inspection of the site and the pre-bidding conference by interested parties were held on November 24. Meanwhile, on December 8, the actual dropping and opening of bids shall be conducted for a one-year contract of operation within the Student Center.

NEWS 05

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang

Lola Patola

ONE MORE CHANCE EDITION

Halleeerrr halleeerrr tu yu, mah dearest afowz!!! Muling nagvavalik ang nagjijisang evah byutipul and pooreber ganditz na Hugoterang Queen... Lola B!... este Lola P!!!

Hihihi. Can you fillet na sa airwaze ang kalamigan op da Krizmas air?!?!?! Bat bago yan, needsung niyo munang i-make it through the fire ang katacute-tacute na Hell Week!!!!! Huhukells. Nako fowz, feels na feels niyo niyan por shur ang hugots sa acads, na dagdagan pa ng Second Chance movie!!! Juzkelerd, paano na mah feelings nitech????? Na-Reachie Nadal ng aking radar na marami ang naba-Basha at napoPopoy sa inyo dahil sa mga graviteehhh pahirap na mga subjects!!!

Oh well papel, bettering na i-ready set go na ang infinity pool na galong kapeng barako para gorabells lungs ng gorabells poor da finals countdown!!!!! Palaging remembering, sa December ang pagsisi!!! Char! Hihihi. Anywaaay, leggo na tu da hugot na hugot sumvhongs of mah afowz na jirits na jirits na wit ol deez pasaway pipols!!!!!!!

Akez nalang ulit, tayuman nalang ulit, sumvhong numbah wan: Christmas froppie-cino with extra shot of tardiness Sinetch itey daw dis froppie, na dehins ko na iispluk ang department, na imbes na 3 units ang klase ay almost 1 unit na lungs! Why oh why Delilah, you ask. fm??? Palagi raw kasi later rather than earlier mag-appear sa class itech si froppie!!! At lucky me na dawsung ang akez afowz kung pumasok siya at owl, dahil may mga time and space daw na dehins na siya um-enter at all!!!!!!!

Your face sounds familiar, ba afowz???

Kalurkey tuluguh dis froppies oh!!!!!

Ika nga ng afowz ko na si Justin Beebur, what do you mean froppie?!?!?

Kapoorness mah afowz. Waley na nga silang na-learn, waley din daw examination na nagaganap!!! Hawhaw de carabao will you computing the grades ng aking mga afowz, aber?????

Akez nalang ulit, tayuman nalang ulit, sumvhong numbah tu: Unidentified Floating Objects (UFO) Nakaka-at traction buh ng alien ang

matitinding feels niyo, afowz???

Kasi nemern, dumadami na daw ang nagpapakitang UFO (Unidentified Floating Objects) sa mga CRs around YuFiEm!!!!!!

Ewww nemern!!!!!!

Kaderder diz!!!!!!! Aba aba aba, mga afowz, tinuruan ko nemern kayo ng manners di bah? Vaket niyo hinahayaang maglutangers lungs ang... ang... yung ano niyo!!!! Juzko Poe!!!!!

Apartmently, kaya nemern daw hindi niyo naflushing ang ano niyo ay dahil dehins gumagana ang flush sa toiletries!!!!! At yung iilang toiletries na part-time working ang flush, yung door or lock nemern ang broken hearted!!!!!

Vaket mo nga nemern paghihirapang jumerbaks sa cubicle na sira ang doorlaloo?!?!? Eh di habang jumejerbaks ka, kailangan mong hawakan yung doorlaloo at da seym taym????????

Kalokalike diz tu da maximum levelings!!!!! YuFiEm Campus Painting, Draining, and Making ayos Office (CPDMO), please ayos nemern diz!!!!

Der yu gorabells and jinglebells na, afowz! Kahit na busy ang Lola P niyow sa dramakells ko wit your Lolo Popoy este Upo, nagmemeyk timing parin aketch poor yu!!!!!

Hihihi. Nandito parin ako tu meyk pakinig and parinig owl of your sumvhongs, oki??? Vavoosh muna aketch! Xoxo.

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA Anong masasabi mo sa paglalaan ng 1naganap gobyerno ng P10.4 bilyon para sa na APEC Summit?

Sino ba bobong nagbudget no’n? Kaya palang gumasta ng ganoong kalaking pera ang gobyerno eh. Sana ginasta nila ng maayos???? Edi sana walang nagugutom na Pilipino at lahat ay may access sa edukasyon. -qtp2t, CAS Para sa ‘kin, masyadong malaki ang budget na nilaan para sa ilang araw lang naman na pagpupulong.

Sana nilagay na lang yung pera sa mas praktikal na bagay na siguradong makikitaan ng aksyon.

-WumboApprentice, CPH Hindi tama na naglaan ng ganoong kalaking pera para lamang sa isang pagpupulong na magdudulot lang din ng lalong paghihirap ng Pilipinas. -Ketchup, CPH Walang sense of priority ang gobyerno. Kapag para sa mga dayuhan kayang maglabas ng ganoong kalaking pera pero pag sa mga mamamayan na ng ating bansa, hala sige ang bulsa ng kaban ng bayan.

-WumboMaster, CPH Sa tingin ko sobra sobra ang halagang inilatag para sa APEC summit. Maraming mas murang paraan para sa paghahanda sa APEC. Hindi kailangang dukhain ang bansa para sa pagtitipon. -Bookworm, CAS Lakas makapaglabas ng budget kapag para sa mga dayuhan. Kapag para sa mamamayang Pilipino, nganga. -SoyaMilk2013CAS Hindi ko na alam. Bakit palagi na lang yung mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan natin eh binibigay ang lahat para sa iba? Ganun ba talaga tapos sa amin tira tira na lang? Bakit ba hobby niyo ata ang manakit at magpaasa? Kaya sorry na lang kung may iba na kaming pinaglalaban ha. -patglow, CD, 2014-05844 san nanggaling bigla ung pera? -singing gorilla, cas Walang kwenta. Kung pinakain niyo na lang ang libo libong Filipino na gutom kaysa sa gastusin sa pagpapakitang tao niyo. Alam naman ng buong mundo na bulok na bulok ang Pilipinas. Parang tinatakpan niyo lang ng makeup ang isang pangit na tao kahit ano pang makeup niyo, pangit padin siya -OmegaUltralord CP 2014xxxxx No comment on the 1st question haha idk what to say medyo galit ako na medyo okay lang.

-Bang, 14-57641, CAS May mas magagandang bagay pa na pwedeng paggastusan non. Nagpakitang tao lang sila para sa mga presidenteng dumating. Sobrang bilis ng gobyerno magprepare pero tingnan mo ‘yung mga victims ng bagyo’t lindol, wala paring napaparating na maayos na tulong. Ilang buwan na sila naghihintay, taon na yata? Ang unfair. - Archibi, CAS Ako’y nasa APEC Kasama ang ibang bansa Di ko na nakita Ninanakawan na pala Sayang lang pera ko Sinayang sa APEC Sa mamamayan sana Umunlad pa ako. *iyak* -GetRekt, 2014xxxxx CP kung kaya nilang humugot ng 10.4B para magpaimpress sa iba, bakit di na lang nila ginamit sa pilipinas para di na nila kailangan magtago ng baho nila -taimis, 2014-xxxxx, CP Kingina. Ang daming biktima ng kalamidad tulad ng Yolanda, ng mga pagpatay at mga nagugutom sa Pilipinas. Pero san nilagay ito? Sa pansamantalang pagkukubli ng pamahalaan sa kabulukan ng bansa para sa mga imperyalistang dayuhan. Nakakahiya.

-BrainlessScholarVersion2.0, 2014-09xxx, CD That’s a very big investment for something we’re less likely to benefit from. It’s like going all in in poker without even having a formation in mind.

(I’m not certain of the validity of this statistics though) When the Chinese held the conference in their country, they were able to do it with a smaller budget. Why can’t we? I only hope PNoy made the right move taking a calculated risk in investing this much for a 2-day conference. Go PNoy! I hope you made the right move. Goodluck :)) -GoodLuckPhilippines CM 2014xxxxx Sana naman ganoon din nila iprioritize ang budget nila para sa edukasiyon, mga pampublikong ospital, atbp. -Jonn Randel M. Anonuevo 2013-18945 CD Sana 8.2B na lang para may 2.2B ulit tayo -Pagudpud, 2014-xxxxx CAMP Ang dami palang pera ng Pilipinas! Ang hilig natin magtapon ng pera. Kung sana napunta yung budget

Pwede ring ipadala ang inyong mga sagot sa pamamagitan ng pag-text sa 0917 510 9496 o sa 0917 539 0612! (Pero bawal textmate!) sa mga sektor na nangangailangan nito. -blahh, CAS, 2013-xxxxx Hindi na sila nahiya sa mga Pilipinong naghihirap.

Wala silang pakialam sa bansa at para sa kanilang ikagaganda ng imahe ang kanilang paglalaan ng atensyon. -fed-up, 2013-56*** Nakakaawa ang Pilipinas, considering na nagsusuffer tayo under conditions put together by terrible people who have no regards for their country and their fellowmen. To hell with them. -wide awake, 2014-6***6, CAS Andami nating pondo sa pagmamalinis para sa mga dayuhan pero sarili nating mga kababayan na naghihirap hindi man lang mailaanan kahit katiting ng pondo.

-kailanganpabangsagutinyan?, CN, 2014-xxxxx Nasaktan ako. Kaya nila maglaan ng malaking halaga para maganda ang makita ng mga dayuhan pero hindi nila kaya maglaan ng malaking halaga para magbigay ng magandang serbisyo sa mga Pilipino. Nakakahiya. Sana man lang maglabas sila ng statement kung paano ginastos ang APEC budget.

- Aling Choleng, 2014-5***5, CAS ang yaman po talaga ng Pilipinas kaso nasa maling pamamahala. -2014,CAS ung ikaw si K aren Davila, ano ang 2Kitatanong mo kay A lma Moreno?

“uhh... one last question Ma’am. Would you like us to still televise this interview?”

-GoodLuckPhilippines CM 2014xxxxx May malasakit ka ba talaga sa mamamayang Pilipino? -Jonn Randel M. Anonuevo 2013-18945 CD Ilang beses ka umikot? -Pagudpud, 2014-xxxxx CAMP Saan matatagpuan ang grassroots mo, Alma?

-blahh, CAS, 2013-xxxxx Bakit ang tanga-tanga mo? -fed-up, 2013-56*** Regarding APEC: yes in all forms or yes with reservations? -wide awake, 2014-6***6, CAS Iboboto mo ba si Deez Nuts? -water those. 2014-778**, CAS Karen: Pills?

Alma: Pills!

-kailanganpabangsagutinyan?, CN, 2014-xxxxx Anong pumasok sa isip mo para tumakbo sa senado.

-AlDavFan/201*-****6/CD Same. Just like what karen davila said, kung gusto niyang tumakbo for higher position, she should know those basic issues na ilalatag sa senado. -Wag na beh 2014-xxxxx CD “Ms. Alma Moreno, anong sign/s ang hiningi mo kay Lord para malaman na mananalo ka?”

- Aling Choleng, 2014-5***5, CAS To alma moreno, for you, what would really be an effective solution to the traffic problem in the metro -FitNRight 2020, CD Alam mo ba pinagkaiba ng legislation sa legislator?

Kung alam mong tatakbo kang senador bakit di mo pinagaralan yung mga kontrobersyal na bill na pinasa na as a Law? Hindi ba dapat yun yung main concern mo?

Alam mo bang marami ng palpak sa senado at hindi kailangan pang madagdagan pa?

-Bang, 14-57641, CAS Anong gusto mo? Sipa o Tadyak?

-OmegaUltralord CP 2014xxxxx Feeling ko keri na mga tanong ni Karen. Kulang lang medyo sa sense? - Archibi, CAS Bukod pa sa mga itinanong niya: Gaano ka kaconfident na makakapasok ka sa senado? or HANDA KA NA BA MAPAHIYA? -GetRekt, 2014xxxxx CP Anong ilaw ba dapat ang gamitin para mas effective?

Incandescent o LED? -BrainlessScholarVersion2.0, 2014-09xxx, CD negosyo o kalayaan, bayan o sarili pumili ka!!! ((PILLS!!!)) -taimis, 2014-xxxxx, CP Alam mo bang hindi ang mga katulad mo ang kailangan ng bayan na ito? -2014,CAS Wala na bang paraan para bawiin mo yung pagfile mo ng candidacy mo??? -Victoria, 2013,CAS Alma, anong tinira mo? -century egg na mapanghi, 2014-xxxxx CP

06 NEWS

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

SHAM: AN ANALYSIS OF THE POLARIZING SALARY INCREASE FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

ISKOTISTIKS

SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO

As Christmas songs start to play and political ads flood the airwaves, the generosity of government officials have appeared to reach their peak.

In compliance with the Joint Resolution No. 4 of Congress of 2009, President Aquino endorsed the Salary Standardization Law of 2015 (SSL 2015) to Congress last November 9 at the awarding rites of the 2015 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees.

The said resolution authorizes the president to modify the compensation and position classification system of civilian personnel as well as the base pay schedule of military and uniformed personnel in the government, and for other purposes. This gives the president the power to adjust the salaries of government employees in the scope of three years. However in the year 2012, Aquino did not propose any.

(See table 1 for the 2012 Salary Schedule) “Because we have dependable civil service, we now have the courage to suggest to congress our proposed Salary Standardization Law 4… What we want is to give a reasonable salary to our employees and bring what those in government get closer to that of those in the private sector,” said incumbent president Aquino.

Aquino’s proposed bill mandates a four-year P226 billion compensation increase for the national government’s 1.53 million civilian, military, and uniformed personnel that will take effect in 2016, after the expiration of his term.

Indecisive Increase Despite the fact that workers have long clamored for a salary increase to cope with the increasing cost of living, the proposal is still seen as indecisive. Based on the analysis of progressive groups, the proposed bill gives bigger increases to those who are relatively highly-paid and widened the gap between the lowest and highest paid government employees.

At the hearing for SSL 2015 last November 11, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Representative Antonio Tinio opposed the misleading figures presented by Department of Budget Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad. In his counterargument, Tinio presented a review of the new pay structure from salary grades 1 to 33, showing increases by as low as 11.46% (See Table 2).

From the table, an employee under Salary Grade 1 who receives P9,000 monthly will get P11, 086 in the proposed SSL 2015. In contrast, Salary Grade 33, which is the president’s salary, will become P388,000 monthly from the current P120,000.

Meanwhile, Salary Grades 9-11 will have the smallest increase ranging from 11.46- 11.99%. This salary grade includes Teachers I and Nurses I, both of which have demanded higher wages in the past.

“Abad and Malacanang are trying to cover up the fact that SSL 2015 will give only paltry salary increases for low-and middle-income earners,” Tinio argued.

Furthermore, Tinio explained that the figures presented by Abad are bloated because they included the 14th month pay and the Performance Based Bonus (PBB). He added that “tax-exempts do not deal with retirement and social security benefits.”

Unjust Policy As the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting took place last November, the All Workers’ Unity (AWU) staged a protest opposing the SSL 2015 which they claimed adhered to APEC. AWU is comprised of groups from workers in the private sector, government employees, teachers, doctors and health workers.

“SSL 2015 perfectly illustrates the Liberal Party’s ‘Tuwid na Daan’ and APEC’s unjust policy on wages and salaries: high for the few on top, low for the majority at the bottom. That’s the same policy for the private and public sectors, and for agricultural workers,” said AWU’s spokesperson

Rea Alegre.

The group has been demanding a National Minimum Wage of P750 daily for private sector and P16, 000 monthly for the public sector. They also call for the increase of salary of workers, not politicians, and demand the junking of APEC as it will lower wages.

“We have no doubt that APEC Summit 2015 will uphold and expand the government’s unjust policy on wages and salaries. We’ve seen the effects of APEC 1996, and APEC’s current goals and agenda show it is getting worse,” stated Alegre.

Standard of Living “A national minimum wage of P16, 000 monthly would bring the salaries closer to the P32, 000 a month Family Living Wage or the government estimate of what a family of six members needed to live decently,” stated Confederation for Unity, Advancement and Recognition of Government Employees (COURAGE) president Ferdinand Gaite. He furthered that the minimum wage should be given entirely and not in tranches.

“The increase, spread out in three of four years, would be insignificant by the last year of implementation since, by then, the salaries are way behind the cost of living,” said Gaite.

On the other hand, IBON Foundation head of research Rosario De Guzman said that the main issue is that the salaries of workers are incongruous for a decent living. “In other progressive countries, an increase in basic commodities is an automatic increase in salary… that inflation is only a secondary basis to give salary increase,” De Guzman added.

De Guzman says that another reason is monopoly of pricing.

Table 1: 2012 Modified Salary Schedule for Civilian Personnel implemented in tranches (source: www.gov.ph)

Table 2: A computation of the SSL 2015 salary increase (source: act-teachers.com)

“Unlike in other countries, the corporations are somehow disciplined in increasing their rates…

Sometimes people get used to living a difficult life they tend to forget their basic struggles, to demand salary increase is an assertion of everybody’s right to live decently,” De Guzman explained.

Furthermore, De Guzman said that the role of unions is crucial to awaken the oppressed, overworked and underpaid workers, health workers and public teachers as well as those who are in private sector.

“Unions and progressive groups calling for a salary increase serves as a reminder that, yes, ‘this is our right, and we have a right to live a decent life’.” reiterated De Guzman.

De facto, the government lowered the standard of living of Filipino families by lowering the poverty threshold to P52 a day; meaning that a person earning P52 is not poor.

Matter of Fact “For the succeeding years, the increases in hiring by the government were seen to be ‘negligible,’ hence the rise in expenditures for personnel services would be slower than the annual budget growth,” said Abad.

With the introduction of SSL 2015, hope was brought back to the thousands of workers who would be affected by it. However, like many others on the Aquino administration’s so-called tuwid na daan, the SSL 2015 is less of a fast lane to progress and more of a poorly disguised pothole.

The promise of higher wages was betrayed by the reality that only those who sit higher in the organizational charts would truly benefit from it. Meanwhile, those at the lower end of the scale continue to bear the brunt of a living wage that is simply not enough.

As another promise is broken, the call for a fair and adequate living wage continues, together with the rest of the workers’ struggles.

Graph 1: graphed computation of the SSL 2015 (source: act-teachers.com)

NEWS 07

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue In an administration that remains in denial of its inadequacies, even the services of the country’s primary airport has been compromised for the sake of being able to prey on the innocent.

Being one of the gateways of the country, airports are expected to be the first in upholding the safety of local and foreign passengers going in and out of the Philippines. But with the tandem of futility existing between the government and airport administration, the opposite remains as the reality even in the services of these terminals. From the dangers of decrepit infrastructure and the ordeals of delayed flights, the airport has further expanded its function—it is now the home of predators ready to extort at any chance possible.

With every opportunity of planting a bullet, no passenger is spared.

THE INITIATION Acting as the Philippines’ primary airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) caters to more than a thousand flights and cargo shipment exchanges daily. Given its vital role in transportation, it is thus expected to uphold tight security measures that will ensure safety for the people and the shipped items going in and out of the country. However, not even the NAIA has been spared from the plague of controversies and extortion schemes reflecting the grave and systemic corruption within the administration.

Such has been reflected in the prevalent cases of the laglag- or tanim-bala scheme, which has victimized not only Filipinos, but different nationalities leaving the country. Reported incidents of 9 mm bullets being found in the baggage of unmindful passengers have reached an alarming influx, creating fear and paranoia in the minds of airport customers and the general public.

In such instances, a person caught with the bullet will be held back from his or her flight for further investigation by the security officers, as they claim that it is pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The said act sanctions those carrying unauthorized ammunition, regardless of their intentions. The extortion scheme commences during the investigation—security officers threaten the passenger of being imprisoned, but offer them the chance to walk free once they give a sum ranging from PHP1, 000 – PHP 50, 000, or even more. Being trapped in the snare of the bullet scam and its consequence, the victims are left with no choice but to deal with the plot made by the settlers.

The transpiration of the tanim-bala scheme and the adversity experienced by its casualties had hastily bombarded and caused an uproar both in the national and international news. Even overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have faced the risk of getting kicked out of their jobs due to them allegeldy carrying bullets concealed within their baggage. This was the case of 56-year old OFW Gloria Ortinez, who was fired by her employer from Hong Kong after she

missed her flight and was detained for failing to pay the bail of PHP 80, 000 on charges of illegal possession of ammunition. Such incident is just one of the 139 where people have been caught with live bullets in this year alone, and an increase in the 1, 510 cases that have been recorded last year in NAIA. Despite the volume of taxing reports sent by victims of such extortion schemes, the airport officials and government itself have done little to none regarding these cases.Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya has even outrightly dismissed the issue as isolated cases, claiming that they only constitute to 0.004 percent out of the 32.4 million passengers who have departed from NAIA. Had it not been for the demand of the people on probing and pursuing the case, the administration would not have acted at all. Their scrambling to place extra security measures, including additional CCTV cameras and protocols such as not allowing screeners to open the baggage themselves, is a manifestation of their abrupt reaction to this issue. This only proves that without the call of the people, the administrations would have been tolerant regarding the corruption and incompetent security inside the airport, which they had the responsibility of eradicating from the very start.

With the inutility exhibited by the government in resolving the issue, those who are defenseless against the schemes remain to be the targets of the bullets that they are not even aware of.

THE INTEGRATION With the nonchalance of the government when it comes to pulling the trigger of the incompetent security measures at NAIA, the cases piling on top of one another have not been given due justice—rather, they have been buried into oblivion.

In lieu of the extortion scheme being probed, guidelines which are merely band-aid solutions have been released by lawyer Joseph Plazo for the public to avoid getting trapped. Passengers are advised to use hard-cased luggage without external pockets, wrap the entire bag with cling wrap, and even ask for the screenshot of their baggage in the X-ray scanners as well as CCTV footages. The mere need for the passengers to take such drastic action simply implies that they are already vulnerable, a state further exacerbated by the inadequate security measures offered by the airport. But while these tips and reminders constitute short term safety measures, there is a need for the people to not be taught how to avoid being victimized—instead, the perpetrators must be held accountable to their actions.

However, the purview of the administration does not begin and end with the tanim- and laglag-bala schemes at the airport, as it has proven to tolerate

AMMUNITION HANDLOADED

The Upshot of the Laglag-bala Scheme MARILOU HANAPIN CELESTINO AND KATRINA MARIA LIMPIADA PEROLINO

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL LORENZ DUMALAOG RAYMUNDO

similar problems encountered in the past. Scams regarding cargo shipments and money laundering have been reported, and unfortunately, have not ceased since a decade ago. Baggages declared as lost or mishandled were promised to be brought back to NAIA, but only in exchange of a hefty sum to be given to the employees of the airport. Even Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima herself has posited bribery and corruption within immigration officials in cases of South Korean fugitives being able to depart from the Philippines, in 2011 and 2013 respectively. Security has been compromised in exchange of money, but employees reason out that they are resorting to such schemes due to low wages and the allure of extra income. Thus, beyond the issue of corruption exacerbating inside the institutions of the airport is the fact that the administration has done little to none to improve the treatment and working environment of the airport staff.

Despite having dropped the title of ‘worst airport in the world’ in 2013, NAIA currently remains 8th in the list of worst airports in Asia. The lack of runways and upgrades in infrastructures has also caused air traffic congestion, causing roughly 150-200 flight delays per day, which then amounts to P7 billion worth of fuel being wasted annually. Low wages have also been a source of discouragement for many airport employees, who would rather work abroad or even take part in extortion schemes. Such case was mirrored in 2013, where 8 aerobridge operators resigned to work in Doha Airport, where their starting monthly salary is around PHP 80, 000 , in contrast to their salary in NAIA, which amounts to only PHP 13, 000 monthly. The airport’s state and staff is something to be pitied and prioritized, but all the while, their rights and fair treatment have been pushed back by the administration as a petty concern. As a result of their desire to gain more for their own interests, the corrupt have compromised the quality of service they offer to their clients who deserve nothing less than the quality of service they should rightfully enjoy.

The continuing dilemma brought about by tanim-bala scheme does not only bring the issues of corruption and extortion to light—rather, it serves as a symbolism of the unceasing inefficiency of the administration in ensuring security and competence within the airport’s services.

As this ensues, justice remains deprived not only from the framed passengers, but also to the people who have developed the fear of being the next casualty.

Furthermore, what remains even more alarming than the scheme itself is that, not only does the prevalence of corruption and nonchalance circulate within the issues of the airport, but that the same pattern is observed in the several linkages of the government and its bodies.

This, in turn, will soon create more and more consequences taken wholly by the people. And as long as the perpetrators enjoy being free from the destruction

08 FEATURES Section 13 of Article XIII embedded in the 1987 Constitution states that “the state shall establish a special agency for disabled persons for their rehabilitation, self-development, and self-reliance, and their integration into the mainstream of society”. Given that mental health is part of a person’s total well-being, it is only imperative that this right be extended to every Filipino having access to programs and policies that would ensure their positive mental state.

However, due to the absence of comprehensive mental health laws and programs that will address many of the country’s mental health needs, the number of patients affected and mortalities caused by mental disorders and psychological problems have continued to rise. This has been mirrored by data from the 2010 National Census which stated that out of the 1.4 million Filipinos with identified disabilities, 14% or more thaan 200, 000 involved problems with mental health.

With the evident neglect of the government amid the prevalence of these sensitive issues, the overall condition of mental health in the country remains dire and undervalued.

Chronic Condition The grave dispossession of the citizens’ rights on mental health care has only been responded to by acquiescence— accepting rather than improving the grim reality of mental health in the country.

As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

It is not simply the absence of any psychiatric disorder; it also includes the overall condition of one’s mental well-being. Moreover, troubles on mental health are not merely enclosed in the customary and traditional mental disorders, but also the problems and concerns of daily life which can subject a person to psychosocial risks.

A mental disability can also be a result of traumatic life incidents such as accidents, catastrophes, near-death experiences, involvement in crimes, and the like or could also be hereditary and caused by familial influence.

In 2011, the WHO named the Philippines as the country with the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia. In 2004 alone, the Department of Health (DOH) reported over 4.5 million cases of depression. Furthermore, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the suicide rate in the country from 1984 to 2005 increased, with a total of 2,558 Filipinos committing suicide in 2012 alone.

In addition to that, the Global Schoolbased Health Survey of 2011, conducted

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

by WHO, shows that in Philippines, 16% of students between 13-15 years old have “ever seriously considered attempting suicide during the past year” while 13% have “actually attempted suicide one or more times during the past year.”

Meanwhile, in a study conducted by the DOH among government employees in Metro Manila on 2006 revealed that 32% out of 327 respondents have experienced a mental health problem in their lifetime.

Beyond these facts and statistics, what is highlighted is the existence of an obvious lack of programs that must take the country’s psychiatric patients and their special need for medical attention into consideration. The state also lacks mental institutions, with the two largest—namely the Sanctuary Center for mentally-ill women and the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH)—concentrated in urban areas and located in Mandaluyong City, while some regions and far-flung areas do not even have one. Exacerbating the situation is the lack of mental health care personnel in the country; as of 2014, the ratio of Filipino psychiatrists to the population is a mere (less than) 1 to 150,000. Moreover, there remains a strong stereotype or traditional belief that reduces mentally-ill people to the notion that they are just merely sad, insane, or even possessed by the evil.

With the stigma attached to the thought of consulting psychiatrists, coupled with the lack of prioritization on creating and maintaining proper mental health facilities and programs, the situations of mentally-disabled Filipinos only continue to aggravate further.

The reality of the overall mental health condition of the country only presents the lack of importance given to the citizens—the individuals who make up the nation. While the government focuses on developing a well-skilled population, it continues to discount the well-being of these individuals, which is an integral facet in keeping human resources healthy. Marginalized and ignored, the vulnerable sector of mentally-ill individuals in the society are just usually not given any priority at all.

With an inadequate administrative framework and the lack of initiative in giving attention to providing proper mental health amenities, the government still fails to provide accessible, affordable, and equitable mental health care to Filipinos.

Intervention As the need for a mental health law intensifies, the government continues to ignore the issue –neglecting its obligations to protect and promote the rights of its citizens to mental health.

Mental health problems affect the most vulnerable of the world’s populations and is highly prevalent in already marginalized and discriminated groups of society. And in a developing country such as the Philippines, the demand for

a mental health law is expectedly high. A mental health law would bring about necessary changes to the society’s view on the issue– destroying the stigma, raising awareness on its importance, and thus, preventing casualties brought about by mental illnesses.

It would also bring about better access to mental health services and information. Unfortunately, the Philippines has yet to pass a national law on mental health.

In 1998, the first mental health-focused law, Executive Order 470, was issued.

It sought to create a council which would be responsible for formulating p o l i c i e s , guidelines, and plans regarding mental health.

However, due to its poor implementation, the council that was supposed to give way for further progress on mental health was not well established and thus, was not able to not carry out its responsibilities.

Meanwhile, there have been several attempts to legislate a mental health act which includes policies on the rights of those with mental health needs, provision of wider access to mental health services, promotion of education, research and development on mental health, and reorientation/ training for all mental health professionals. In fact, the country’s first bill for a Mental Health Act was filed as early as 1989, but was not passed and did not materialize as an actual law. Since then, there have been at least 20 Senate bills and 10 House bills relating to mental health, which continued to discuss the need to provide a mental health act. However, while all of those passed the first hearing in the Congress, none of the mental health bills ever reached the second hearing.

The Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) has been pushing for a Mental Health Act for 15 years and has attempted several times, all of which were in vain. With its goals of achieving integration of mental health in general health care, development of standards for acute psychiatric care in hospitals, and extending mental health service to the whole country, it continues to act, including partnering with the Department of Health (DOH) to start a campaign to pass the Mental Health Act.

REHABIL

A Diagnosis of t Mental Healt

PAOLO MIKHAIL PASCUA BUTED, JUSTIN DANIELL ILLUSTRATION BY JAM

FEATURES 09

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

LITATION

the Country’s th Condition

LE TUMENEZ FRANCIA, AMANDA ERIKA MITERIA LIM MELA LIMBAUAN BERNAS

Only in 2015 has the campaign been noticed, when it was finally taken into consideration by some lawmakers through House Bill 5347, or An Act Promoting / Advocating Mental Health, Promulgating a National Mental Health Policy Towards the Enhancement of Integrated Mental Health Services, the Promotion and Protection of Persons Using Mental Health Services and the Establishment of a Philippine Mental Health Council, and the Senate Bill 2910, or the Philippine Mental Health Act of 2015.

The proposed laws, both having the goal of ensuring that all Filipinos are mentally healthy, defines the role of the different sectors of the government in promoting and protecting the rights of the mentally ill. It states that the rights of the mentally ill include having the ability to exercise basic human rights, receiving proper treatment and rehabilitation to be able to be included in society as soon as possible, and being informed about their illness and its corresponding treatment and keeping confidentiality of both.

Meanwhile, the government’s role is to ensure that the condition of the mental health facilities are safe, ensure that proper treatment is being administered, inspect for instances of abuse in mental health facilities, investigate cases of abuse of the mentally ill, include mental health in the curriculum of all medical and allied health courses, provide vocational courses on mental health, and perform research to develop better mental health services.

However, due to the late recognition of the issue, both HB 5347 and SB 2910, as well as the other mental health-related bills and acts, still remain pending in their respective committees, with none having reached the second hearing as of press time.

Provided that the bill will be passed, it should also be noted that proper implementation must be underscored—changing the situation that has transpired during the incompetent execution of EO 470.

But as the of afflicted signify the country to that ought

aggravating numbers citizens continue to urgent need of the establish legislations to promote mental

health wellness, the lawmakers remain laggards—maintaining nothing but the slow and problematic passage of bills.

Comorbidity Beyond the need to push for solutions that will alleviate the condition of mental health in the Philippines, the larger problem must also be addressed—the commercialization and privatization of health services that continues to plague the whole health service system of the country.

Privatization of public hospitals and health services has already been evident under the Marcos regime, and mental health institutions have not been exempted from the list.

Promulgated during 1968, Republic Act 5260 legitimized the public bidding on the sale of the 118-hectare Welfareville Property, on which the NCMH currently stands. With the intensification of placing various social services under public-private partnerships under the Aquino regime, the bidding was again pushed and led by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman. In one incident in 2011, a stakeholders meeting regarding the conversion of the area for commercial and residential purposes materialized without the prior consultation with and invitation of the residents of Welfareville. The people were alarmed, for the success of the bidding and sale of the property will result in the displacement of 6,340 living-in patients, 56,000 out-patients, 1,713 health workers, and 20,000 residents.

To make matters even worse, the actual relocation plan of the government proved to be problematic. According to the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), the NCMH will be transferred either on a 10-hectare land in Inarawan, Antipolo or on a 10.2-hectare land in Rosario, Cavite—both locations a stark difference to the 47 hectares of land currently used by the NCMH. With the challenge brought about by the lesser number of patients the NCMH will be able to cater should its relocation push through, other patients will be transferred or referred to regional hospitals.

Such decentralization has been supported by the Local Government Code of 1991, which placed the responsibility of providing health care to local government units (LGUs).

However, LGUs have always faced the challenges of the lack in training and expertise, especially in the field of mental health, thus compromising the quality of services received by the people. The continuing privatization of public hospitals has also drastically lessened state subsidy on health, which in turn affected regional hospitals since they could not avail of facilities and employ skilled mental health professionals, further reducing their capability for handling mental patients.

For instance, the Bicol Sanitarium, based on the discovery of the AHW in 2011, has catered to more or less 300

patients despite having just one nurse and one nursing attendant manning the facility. The urgent need for properly trained mental health education and professionals to cater to the mental health care, especially in far-flung areas, has so far remained unaddressed.

Budget cuts allotted to mental health due to the privatization and modernization of hospitals and institutions have also been continuously decried by the people, employees and unions. For instance, the allotment of the DOH to NCMH patients as of 2014 only amounted to a meager PHP 150 per bed—this amount consists of PHP 60 for food, PHP 12 for medicines, and the remaining PHP 78 on utilities such as water, electricity, and fuel. The palpable lack of subsidies, especially on medicines, extends to and affects 87% of the in-patients who remain to be subsidized by the NCMH. Even as the employees and the institutions strive in making ends meet with the scant budget, the challenge of mitigating problems on mental health remains inauspicious due to the lack of state support.

Instead of mitigating the problems of mental health in the country, the state not only abandoned its mandate of integrating the sector of the mentallyill to the society—it has only further subjected them to exclusion, as it continues to bar them from the access to proper health care.

Despite the fact that mental health care constitutes a big portion of every individual’s total well-being, the Philippines continues to face the obstacles of lacking not only a comprehensive law on mental health, but also the institutions, facilities and professionals that will provide due mental health services to its citizens.

However, instead of seeking solutions to alleviate problems, the government continues to compromise the overall state of mental health in the country as it persists on commercializing and privatizing the Philippine health service system.

The reality that the Philippines is considered as one of the most depressed Southeast Asian countries all in terms of the social, economic, and even psychological aspects of life remains to be an obstacle to be hurdled and a problem yet to be mitigated. As the state continues to abandon its mandate of serving the people, basic health services and human rights continue to be denied not only to those affected by mental health problems, but to the whole Filipino population.

But in the absence of the government’s political will and lack of prioritization concerning the problem, the masses remain steadfast in the collective effort to spread awareness regarding the situation and to truly obtain the right to access mental health care.

The people are ready to rise beyond the neglect, and beyond the stigma.

10 CULTURE

#AlDrug Pagtanggap ng Masang Pilipino sa Penomenang

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue Tumutugtog ang “Ikaw Lang ang Aking Mahal” habang kumakain ka sa McDo; napaisip ka, ano nga ba talaga ang mas gusto mong kagat-kagatin at kainin— chicken fillet o si Alden? Dati’y sa Internet lang sila sikat, ngunit ngayon ay aatakihin ka na rin ng kilig hanggang sa iyong paglalaba dahil kahit ang sabong panlaba ay sila ang iyong makikita. Iba talaga ang AlDub effect! Tunay ngang AlDub is love, AlDub is life!

AlDub

mga traditional Filipino values na sinasabi ng karamihan na natutunan nila mula sa panonood nito.

Dinala at pinakilalang muli ng AlDub ang mga limot nang kaugalian ng mga Pilipino.

Kung hindi mo napanood ang isang episode ng AlDub ay ‘di ka maiintriga kung ano ang ‘tamang panahon’, siguro ay hindi mo ngayon ito magagamit bilang mantra at depensa sa mga nagtatanong kung bakit wala ka pa ring lovelife. Sa panonood mo nito sa TV, pakikilahok sa Twitter party, at pakikipagtalastasan sa mga kapitbahay, natatanim sa isipan mo ang aral na may mga bagay na hindi dapat minamadali. Ayon nga sa Golden Rule ng AlDub: sa tamang panahon.

Pinapaalala rin ng programa na sa pagtanaw ng respeto sa desisyon ng mga nakakatanda ay may naiiwang matatag na samahan sa pagitan nila at ng mga bata.

Gayundin, tinuturing na inspirasyon ng isang indibidwal ang pagkakaroon ng tunay na pag-ibig upang baguhin ang kanyang sarili para sa nakabubuti. Nagsilbi itong instrumento sa pagpapatibay ng mga magagandang asal natin at pagpapaalala ng mga tradisyon na naging importanteng parte ng ating pagkakakilanlan.

Sa kabuoan, maliliit lamang ang mga ito kumpara sa pinakamalaking ambag na nabigay ng AlDub sa masang Pilipino. Ang kilig na nararamdaman mo mula sa dalawang bida sa serye ay pampalubag-loob na para sa mga masasalimuot na balitang natanggap mo ngayong araw. Sa loob ng 30 minutes ay nakakalimutan mong may paper ka pa palang dapat tapusin, may oral exam na dapat paghandaan, at may potential lovelife na dapat suyuin. Manonood ka ng Kalye-serye para mahawa sa good vibes ng programa, baka sakaling sumaya ka rin tulad nila kahit na mukhang nagsisimula na ang quarter-life crisis mo.

AGATHA HAZEL ANDRES RABINO DIBUHO NI CZARINAH CATAPANG TUAZON

Sa kabila ng sea of kilig feels ng tandem ni Maine at Alden at ng nakakatawang sigaw ng “Rogelio, Rogelio, Rogelio, Rogelio” ni Lola Nidora, ang penomena ng #AlDub ay naging salamin din ng mga magaganda at masasalimuot na katotohanan tungkol sa masang Pilipino sa kasalukuyang lipunan. #ALDUBAngSugoNgMasa Aminin mo, minsan ay pinangarap mong masabihan ka rin ng “AlDub you” o “MaAlden kita” sa totoong buhay.

Ang paglaganap ng mga katagang ito ay iilan lang sa marami pang mga nadulot na impluwensiya ng Kalye-serye sa masang Pilipino. Ang tila stroke of fate na pagtatambal ng dalawang bida sa serye, na nagsimula lang sa split-screen, ay naging mitsa sa mala-rebolusyong suporta na nakikita natin ngayon. Marami ang pumuri sa creativity at abilidad ng mga showrunners hindi lang sa improvised script at live format ng palabas, kundi pati na rin sa

Ang masugid na pagtutok sa palabas na ito ay naging ugat din ng manipestasyon ng mga hangarin ng mga manonood—lovelife man, lalaking mala-Alden Richards o babaeng tulad ni Yaya Dub— na sumisimbolo sa mga bagay na nais nilang makita sa lipunang kanilang ginagalawan. Ang nakakakilig at nakakawiling pakulo ng Eat Bulaga! ay nagbahagi ng pansamantalang kaginhawaan at silong sa mga manonood mula sa lupit ng realidad ng buhay.

Mistulang sanity break ang AlDub sa mga naghahanap ng pagkukunan ng saya at inspirasyon sa gitna ng kanilang mga problemang nararanasan sa buhay. Sa pagtangkilik sa palabas ay kahit papaano’y naiibsan ang bigat ng pakiramdam ng madla mula sa masalimuot na realidad sapagkat nakakakita sila ng isang alternate reality kung saan mas simple ang mga tunggalian na nararananasan at pagmamahalan ang namamayani sa lahat. Tulad ng isang fairy tale, ang tambalang AlDub ay nakapagbigay pag-asa sa mga taong nangangarap na makakaranas din sila ng happy ending.

Marahil ay tamang panahon din na dumating ang programang ito dahil sa kaliwa’t-kanang mga isyu na kinakaharap ng masa ngayon.

Naging mabisang paraan ang panonood ng palabas na ito upang panandaliang

paginhawahin ang pagal na lipunan mula sa bagsik ng mundo at realidad. #ALDUBBagongOpyoNgLipunan Bato bato sa langit, sa AlDub ‘wag magalit!

Alam mo bang may unspoken vow ang mga tagasunod ng AlDub? Ito ay tahasang iligtas ang AlDub mula sa makasisira nito. Ang debosyong ito ay isang senyales ng madlang nakundisyon na sa kultura ang palabas.

Ultimo mga kasabihan at ideyolohiya ng AlDub ay mas napagtutuonan ng pansin at naisasabuhay kaysa sa tunay na nagaganap sa lipunan.

“Sa tamang panahon,” ika ni Lola Nidora.

Sige, subukan mo ‘tong gamiting mantra ‘pag 8 years ka na sa UP pero hindi ka pa rin guma-graduate. Kelan pa kaya darating ‘yang tamang panahon mo? ‘Pag 10 years ka na sa UP? Ang pagsunod sa doktrinang ito ng AlDub ay nagiging problema dahil imbis na kumilos upang makamit ang isang bagay, nananatiling pasibo ang masa sa paniniwala na lahat ay may tamang panahon. Kaya nama’y sa halip na “sa tamang panahon,” ang iyong nararapat na gamiting mantra ay “ngayon ang tamang panahon.”

Isa pang nararapat nating suriin ay ang konserbatibong paniniwala ni Lola Nidora sa pananamit. Mainam daw na huwag maikli ang suot para hindi masutsutan ng kalalakihan; pero nagtataka ka pa rin dahil kahit wala nang makitang balat sa’yo ay puro sipol pa rin ang nakukuha mo. Nagbibigay ito ng mensahe na babae pa rin ang dapat mag-adjust para hindi sila bastusin, imbis na ituro na ang lalaki ang dapat rumespeto sa babae kahit ano pang damit nila. Ang mga ganitong kaisipan ay itinuring ng masa na katotohanan ng lipunan, sapagkat hirap na silang ihiwalay ang katotohanan sa kathangisip lamang bunga ng over-exposure ng palabas.

Saksi ang mga tao sa social media sa pamamayagpag ng AlDub nation. Kasabay ng pag-angat ng AlDub ay ang pag-usbong ng kultura ng smart-shaming at kababawan.

Nahati ang viewership sa dalawang klase ng audience: ang mga nagsasabi na mababaw ang tumatangkilik sa palabas, at ang mga nagsasabi na feeling matalino ang mga hindi tumatangkilik nito—sa madaling salita, ang “elites” at ang “masa.”

Ang simpleng plot ng AlDub ay naging dahilan ng pag-atake ng tao dito. Sa paglapit ng masa sa mga seryeng walang masyadong komplikadong tema, nawawalan ng pagkakataon ang madla na patalasin ang kanilang kaisipan at palalimin pa ang kanilang kaalaman. Dagdag pa sa kababawan ng AlDub ang pagdadala nito mismo sa kanyang sarili. Ang karaniwang komento tungkol sa ‘cheap humor’ na ibinibida nito ay nagsisilbing pang-uyam ng ilang kritiko sa mga manonood na pinipili ang mindless humor kaysa sa katatawanang nakapagpapagana ng pag-iisip. Nagbubunga tuloy ito ng isang lipunang hindi kritikal at nananatiling sarado ang isip.

Ang labis na pagtangkilik sa ganitong palabas ay maaaring makasama sapagkat mas madaling madadala ang manonood sa pagpapaandar ng programa imbis na makinig sa mungkahi at kritisismo ng iba tungkol sa mga palabas na ito, na siya

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue Handa nang gapasin ng karit ang kasaysayan ng bayan sa ginintuang bukirin.

Dugo’t pawis ng mga magsasaka’t manggagawa ang lakip ng bawat butil ng kaning nasa iyong hapag ngayon, kaya nama’y nararapat na magdalawang-isip ka sa susunod na ika’y magtitira sa iyong hapag—dahil hindi lamang kanin ang iyong aaksayahin ngunit pati na rin ang oras at pagod na ginugol ng mga taong nagtrabaho para lamang maihain sa iyong plato ang mainit na kanin. Nararapat lamang na maintindihan ng mga Pilipino ang moda ng produksyon ng bigas at ang kultura ng konsumerismong kaakibat nito.

Palay; Umaga Babangon ka sa banaag ng araw upang makapagsaing, at habang sinasala ang hugas-bigas ay madadama sa bawat basang butil ang nagtatagong pawis buhat ng aning buong taong pinagsikapan. Pagsasaka na marahil ang pinakamatagumpay na likha ng sangkatauhan.

Ilang milenyo nang napatunayan na amin ang trabahong hindi basta-basta maglalaho. Dala ang tungkuling mapunan ang sikmura ng lipunan, pasan din namin ang pinakamalubhang problema ng bayan.

Kasabay ng tumitinding init ng panahon at pagbibitak-bitak ng lupa sa katuyutan.

Mabuti sana kung mahihingian ng tulong ang mga asendero, tutal sila ang may napakaraming pera. Ngunit imbis na tugunan nila ang patubig sa natutuyong lupain, kami pa ang ipinagbayad sa irigasyon. Kami pa ang may utang sa sarili naming hanapbuhay.

Habang lumalaki ang utang, paliit nang paliit ang aming kita.

Silang hindi naaarawan, ang mga panginoong maylupa, ang siya pang bumubulsa sa aming pinaghihirapan. Minana pa raw nila ang lupa mula sa kanilang ninuno kaya sa isip nila’y karapatan nilang magmataas, tanggalan kami ng pagkatao, at gamitin bilang mga piyesa sa kanilang pagpapayaman.

Wala raw kaming karapatang magreklamo dahil may batas naman daw na nagsasaad na makukuha namin ang lupa pagkaraan ng ilang dekada. Pero bakit hanggang ngayon, wala pa rin kaming nadadatnan pagbabago?

Balita pa, sa tambiolo pa pinaikot-ikot ang kapalaran ng mga magsasaka at ang masuwerteng mabubunot ay siyang mababahagian ng sariling lupa. Para saan pa ang batas kung ito naman ay ginagamit upang pagtibayin ang kawalan ng katarungan?

Tumatanda na ang populasyon namin.

Paano namin ipapamana ang pagiging magsasaka sa susunod na henerasyong tanaw na mas makabubuti ang kanilang kalagayan kung lumuwas sila sa siyudad?

Hindi ko rin naman sila masisisi. Kaliwa’t kanan kasi ang kaguluhan dito sa kabukiran lalo na’t kung tatangkahin naming mag-alsa laban sa mapang-abusong sistema. Minsan ay magigising na lamang kami sa ingay ng putok ng mga baril, masisilayan ang barikada ng militar at ang kanilang pagsira sa aming mga pananim. Nakakagalit, nakakadurog ng puso. Kaming mga nasa pinakababa— ang pundasyon ng lipunan—ang binhi ng nasyon, ang siya pang binubulok ng mga nasa itaas.

Nalalapit na ang panahon ng pag-aani. Ang panggapas ng mga magsasaka ang siya ring gagamitin upang tabasin ang opresyon at kawalang hustisyang nagaganap sa kabukiran.

Bigas; Tanghali Tirik ang araw. Pinagmasdan ko ang mga katrabaho kong babad ang kuwelyo sa pawis; hindi ko mawari kung dahil ba sa alinsangan, sa pagod, o sa kaba.

Simple lang naman ang

trabaho namin sa warehouse. May mga kargador na naglilipat ng mga sako sa trak habang may nangangasiwa sa forklift upang masalansan ang mga saka na tila mga tore ng bigas. Pagdating sa merkado, handa na itong ipadala sa siyudad.

Bago pa man makarating ang bigas sa amin, bumabiyahe pa kami papunta sa palayan upang bilhin sa mga magsasaka ang kanilang pinaghirapang ani. Mula sa mga kamalig, aming titimbangin ang mga sako at saka kokolektahin. Sa aming paglisan ay mapapasilip na lang kami sa pagyuko ng kanilang ulo habang taimtim na binibilang ang salaping kanilang maiuuwi. Sa haba ng biyahe ay hindi maiiwasang mapaisip: sa amin na lang ba sila umaasa ng kita dahil wala naman silang nakukuha sa sinasaka nila? Sapat ba ang bayad namin upang maresolbahan ang utang nila lalo’t kadadaan lamang ng bagyo?

Dahil nga madalas dalawin ng bagyo ang Pilipinas, tungkulin din namin ang magbantay ng warehouse para may maihandang relief goods. Gobyerno ang may huling salita ukol sa pamamahagi ng relief goods, at saksi kami sa pagiging inepisyente at iresponsibilidad nito.

Kadalasa’y nabubulok ang bigas bago pa ito maipamahagi sa mga nasalanta, at kung ipapamigay man namin, minsan ay nilalagyan pa ito ng presyo basta’t mapagkakitaan.

Saksi rin ako sa isa sa mga nakakasukang mga modus dito sa imbakan kung saan pinipigilan ang paglabas ng supply ng bigas.

Kapansin-pansing nanatiling sarado pa rin ang mga imbakan matapos puntahan ng trak nang isang beses. Magugulat ka na lang, may magbubukas nito pagkaraan ng unos, kung kailan mataas ang pangangailangan para sa bigas. At dahil nga marami kaming naimbak na bigas, mas malaki ang aming kikitain dahil maaari namin itong ibenta sa mas mataas na halaga. Iyon ay kung hindi pa ito bulok sa sobrang tagal nitong nakatago.

CULTURE 11

rin pala. Kumalat ang reklamo na yari diumano sa plastik ang nabiling bigas.

Malayo man sa lugar ng pinagbilhan, nadamay pa rin kami sa gulo. May dumulog na taga-gobyerno at nagsagawa ng surprise inspection. Ang hindi alam ng mga umiinspeksyon, kagagawan rin naman ito ng pamahalaan. Nasaan na ang sinasabi nilang “proteksyon mula sa itaas”? Mahirap mag-akusa pero kung naghihirap ang bansa, malamang ay may mapapakapit sa patalim.

Bulok na bigas, tinatapon. Pekeng bigas, tinutugis. Tao na lang ang hindi pa sinasala.

Kanin; Gabi Malalim na ang gabi, ngunit hindi pa rin nasasalat ng aking dila ang maski isang butil ng kanin sa buong magdamag.

Karga-karga ang aking natutulog na nakababatang kapatid, patuloy ang aming walang direksyong laboy sa lansangan, nagbabasakaling may mahanap na tumpok ng basura’t may makalkal na kakarampot na kanin at ulam. Pagtapos naming makakuha ng sapat na makakain, babalik na kami sa maliit at kinakalawang na barungbarong na bahay para lutuin ang pagpag at magtira ng kanin na pwede pang sangagin kinabukasan.

Minsan naman kung may kaunting kita mula sa pangangalakal ng mga papel at bote, nakakabili kami ng kanin, toyo, at asin. Ngunit sa totoo niyan, malimit kaming makakain nang tatlong beses sa isang araw, kaya nama’y namamalimos kami malapit sa mga restawran sa pag-asang may magbibigay sa’min ng kanilang tirang pagkain. Habang nasa labas ako’t pinagmamasdan ang mga nakakatakam na pagkain ng mga nasa loob, naiisip ko na ang mga naglalakihang salamin na kaharap ko ngayon marahil ay IPAGPATULOY SA PAHINA 14

Hindi lang nabubulok ang bigas, napepeke

Isang Tahig, Isang Tuka

Konsumerismo, Produksyon, at Pagkonsumo ng Bigas JOSEF BERNARD SORIANO DE MESA

DIBUHO NI PAULINE SANTIAGO TIOSIN

12 CULTURE

With the divide between the wealthy few and the impoverished multitude growing wider every day, their clash for resources and power – including control of the press – rages on.

However, political and economic power is a prerequisite to shaping our mass media, which at the current time has no identity of its own. And because this power is wielded by the minority, the Filipino elites, it is their ambitions that currently prevail.

Our pursuit of a free and independent media is a reflection of our desire to attain genuine freedom. For us to be able to say that we are no longer puppets of our colonial masters, we must establish and strengthen an alternative media – one that frees the masses by exposing the truth and shattering the false reality perpetuated by the elites and the bourgeois.

The framing of the Philippine-hosted Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the perfect opportunity to observe the split of our Philippine mass media.

On one hand, there is the seemingly iceice-water childhood game played by the mainstream media: the one that freezes our socio-political consciousness. And on the other, the alternative press: the one that painstakingly melts our illusions with social realities that then awaken us.

MAINSTREAM: APECtive “Building inclusive economies, building a better world” Newspapers, radio, and television stations have long been privatized and developed into market-oriented mediums. Generally, they are popular in style (chummy, hipster, showbiz, etc.) and dominated by sensational stories. Also, by mapping their direct and indirect connections with large and diversified corporations, we can deduce that these relationships indeed put limits on what gets reported. This also entails that they prioritize profit over the truth: reporting what the people want to hear rather than what the people need to hear.

A part of the manipulation by the mainstream media is its magnification of events. Note that one of the biggest TV stations in the country was directly reopened by the first Cojuangco-Aquino regime. One, therefore, cannot avoid thinking that this is the reason, aside from it being an international affair, behind the intensified sensationalized reporting of the “most important” feast-like

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue event the Philippines had before the end of the current Aquino president’s term.

Every deceiver and its machineries follow the basic marketing strategy: package the product beautifully for the people to buy it, no matter how deadly it is in reality.

Concealed with the prestige of hosting world leaders and the fanfare that comes with it, APEC’s aims of bringing forth inclusive growth among its member countries is subtly forced down the masses’ throats.

Bombarded with pro-APEC propaganda by the mainstream media, many Filipinos have succumbed to APEC’s tantalizing offers, especially after being continuously failed by its government. State-induced sufferings which Filipinos deal with, such as poor postcalamity response and restoration, make us eagerly adhere to APEC’s false promises such as “building resilient communities”; thus, we see our government’s active participation in APEC as its saving grace.

To project our good image, the mainstream media didn’t fail to showbiz-ly tell the world of the Filipino people’s “hospitality”— how we extravagantly took care of the international leaders who, like wolves at a banquet, desire nothing more than to feast on us, the lambs.

Always expected to highlight the “good” side of the coin alone, and being well aware of the people’s weakness, the mainstream media usually diverts public attention to petty things, especially when the alternative media starts to take the limelight. One typical political maneuver to steer online critical discussions about APEC is publishing essentially senseless news, just like the #APECHottie. The large amount of publicity given to the hashtag ensured that it would trend amidst the protest actions launched by activists against APEC, reinforcing the illusion that APEC is beneficial to the country.

Unfortunately, the mainstream media succeeds at times in cooling down the visible rage of the protesters and the alternative media. It undermines the class struggle and bourgeoisie rants of the APECtados, promoting that all inconveniences are temporary and that all we need to do is endure a little sacrifice for our country’s development. This, in turn, maintains their apathy from the importance of participating in one way or another in political actions, and from the detrimental effects of APEC in the long run.

In essence, the mainstream media reduces

the economic and intellectual debates to a banquet. It always downplays the people’s struggle in order to create an illusion of development-- a development that, in reality, is only for the few and never for the majority.

ALTERNATIVE: APECfail “Advancing Property/ Poverty, Endangering Communities” In a country where the dominant media is being controlled by powerful figures and entities, developing an alternative press is an imperative. Unlike the reactionary and passive nature of the mainstream media, the alternative press dispels falsehoods with truths and breaks illusions by surfacing the reality. And while the public is often quick to denounce alternative journalists as “leftists”, they are yet to realize that these journalists are simply logical critics armed with social realities.

The alternative media always goes beyond the supposed violence during mobilizations that remains to be the sole focus of the mainstream. They expound on the calls being shouted by the protesters, and provide context and hard facts and figures.

As with the APEC, they dispel the people’s delusions that economic development for all will emerge from the predicted influx of foreign investments. While this is partly true, this kind of development brings with it foreign businesses that will inevitably make our small and medium enterprises suffer and support the trend of contractualization.

Similar to their reaction to other forms of alternative media, such as vandalism, the public reacts to the alternative media’s actions with indignation and disparagement. An irony, come to think of it, considering how we fight for our freedom of speech and expression but continue to despise any form of dissent or deviance.

The public fails to realize, however, that such actions – from spray painting calls on a wall to publishing critical articles – are an effort to resist the oppressive and elitist status quo.

The world leaders and business tycoons we lavishly catered in our arms are, in truth, the big imperialists and plunderers whom people have failed to recognize as such because of how the mainstream media introduced them to us — as our saviors. This is one reason Filipinos rushed to the defense of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, one of the so-called #APECHotties, who was blamed for the tons of trash imported

THALIA REAL VILLELA ILLUSTRATION BY JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG

from Canada. While Trudeau is not directly at fault, as head of state he is still somewhat responsible. But instead of asserting our sovereignty and pressuring him to act accordingly, our lack of political will as a people is manifested in the way our jaws dropped and our cheeks blushed.

The smart-shaming or anti-intellectualism in Filipino psyche is evident in the way we perceive the alternative media, the voice of the toiling masses. The derogatory term “maraming alam” is quickly hurled at anyone who tries to raise a logical counterargument, to expose the truths shoved under the rug.

Acting in such a way in a fast-paced world maneuvered by neoliberal globalization, we are reinforced to maintain our consumerist behavior and colonial mentality as well as being further engineered to disregard the worsening economic and social squalor we have been subjected to.

For systemic change to occur, reconstruction is a necessity and deconstruction is an inevitable prerequisite for it. We cannot champion one thing without subjugating its counter -- we cannot fight for the marginalized without offending the dominant and hegemonic. And in this process, we have to be vocal about it. That is why no matter how little and belittled the alternative media may be now, it is not labeled as a mosquito press for nothing. The significant fact remains: it stings.

In a society run by the social elites, mass media will always be an effective ideological state apparatus. With millions of Filipinos relying on and being influenced by what they see on the TV screens, hear from the radio, and read from the broadsheets, the mainstream media remains an invaluable tool in the state’s arsenal of maintaining control and propagating its agenda.

So long as the media is controlled and dominated by patrons of neoliberal ideas who continue to subjugate the masses and hinder genuinely progressive national development, in all aspects of our society, we will remain a people who are misinformed and manipulated.

As the mainstream media continues to blind us, cut off our ears, and twist our tongues, we must remain steadfast and seek refuge from the onslaught of lies and falsehoods. Amidst this storm, the alternative media, armed with their critical insight and genuine intentions, is a beacon we must cling to.

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

GRAPHICS 13

Kulturang Lumad, Kulturang Ginto ANG PATULOY NA PAGLABAN NG MGA LUMAD LARAWANG KUHA NINA PATRICK LIWAG AT KYLA PASICOLAN

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Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue #APECTADO FROM PAGE 15 new and higher standards for global trade by lowering tariffs on certain products for member nations, and expanding intellectual property (IP) rights, among others.

Now, since a lot of people were talking about it, I decided to research about TPP. I found out that it was not included or was a part of APEC. In fact, members were pursuing a different agreement - the Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific which was meant to be an even bigger deal compared to the United States-led TPP or China’s Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

But, I knew that these agreements were still all related because they pursued the liberalization of the economy. This would undoubtedly require the Philippines to change its constitution to fit with the requirements of membership. It might mean reducing constitutional limits to foreign investments or ownership, or implementing a stricter rule in patent protection that will expand monopoly of prices and curtail competition from generic pharmaceutical companies. Despite all of these, I think it is quite ironic that people still wonder why

APEC was not worth it.

I think this would have been surprising for those who believed that Filipinos just opposed APEC because of the inconvenience, caused by road closures and tightened security measures. Large protests took place because these people oppose globalization and free-trade policies championed by APEC. Although, the mainstream media did not even help highlight these issues. No, they decided to focus on things the ‘APEC hotties,’ the ‘bigger gains’ APEC will provide, and subtly condemned those who thought differently.

Now, why are all these relevant? Why should students care about APEC? Why am I writing about this when I should be busy studying to be a doctor? Even greater than the inconveniences brought about by the Summit, the appalling attempt of the government to hide street dwellers, and the amount of money that hosting APEC incurred, I believe that students should be aware of the ugly truth and the consequences of this forum - not just its

supposed impact on the economy. I mean, is it not ironic that we seek enhanced trade relations to solve domestic problems when, in fact, such engagement causes, worsens, and sustains that certain problem?

If there was one thing I have learned from being a columnist for the Manila Collegian, it is the fact that we cannot just look at our country’s problems and expect that programs boosting our economy’s growth, which the government normally equates with more jobs and opportunities, are the only solution. I have found out that the world does not work that way. There are many factors that should have been considered, such as the country’s political system and our culture. I think that it is about time the government stops trying to do so and focus on what the country really needs.

Are we, as Iskolars ng Bayan, willing to let the government sacrifice much more than the country’s limited resources for the benefit of the few? I hope not.

#ALDRUG namang nakikita ngayon sa pagtugon ng iilang manonood sa mga kritiko ng Kalyeserye.

Umusbong ang smart-shaming bilang sagot ng mga fans sa mga kritiko. Katunaya’y namamayagpag ang mga AlDub defenders sa Internet na handang lumaban sa ngalan ng programa. Ang mga paratang tulad ng pagiging elitista, hindi maka-masa, at ang karaniwang sinasabi na “feeling intelektuwal” ay ginamit ng mga masusugid na manonood bilang tugon sa mga nagbibigay ng komento sa kababawan ng palabas.

Kung susuriin, mistulang naging relihiyon na ang AlDub na may mga tagahanga at panatikong sumasamba at ipinaglalaban ang kabanalan ng kanilang ‘Diyos’—ang

tambalang AlDub. Subalit ang kilig, o mas malala, ang pagkalulong ng mga panatikong nahuhumaling sa AlDub ay mistulang naging opyo na nagpapamanhid sa pakiramdam at kamalayan. Mananaig ang paglimot ng masa sa laban ng bayan at mas madaling masasamantala ang kanilang kahinaan.

Sa patuloy na pagtangkilik sa opyong nagpapalimot sa lupit ng sistema, nagiging desensitized ang iilan sa mga mahahalagang bagay at isyu na dapat nilang alamin bilang mga mamamayan. Itinuring man ng masa bilang lunas ang AlDub sa sakit na dala ng kahirapan at baluktot na sistema, ito rin ang naging sanhi ng unti-unting pagkitil sa pagkamulat ng madla sa tunay na nangyayari sa kanilang lipunan.

Baliktad na nga ata talaga ang lipunan, ang tinatapon ng iba, ang siya namang inaasam ng mga katulad ko. Hindi man lang naiisip ng karamihan na ang pag-aaksaya ng kanin ay katumbas ng pagnanakaw sa aming mga mahihirap. Napapansin ko nga sa tuwing ako’y nangangalkal ng basura, minsa’y may makikita akong mga sisidlan na may napakaraming kanin na parang halos hindi man lang nagalaw o nabawasan.

Nakapagtataka, hindi ko lubos mawari kung bakit ang mga tao ay bumibili ng sobra sa kanyang makakain at pagtapos ay itatapon ang napakalaking tira. Tunay ngang ang kahalagahan ng kanin ay hinding-hindi makikita ng mga taong nabulag na ng kanilang karangyaan sa buhay.

Bago ako matulog sa gabing ito, muli kong tatanungin ang aking sarili, kailan nga ba magiging patas ang mundo? At sa aking

mabubuo sa pagsabuhay ng mga ginintuang aral ni Lola Nidora. Higit at mas masalimuot pa sa tunggalian sa Kalye-serye ang tunggaliang nagaganap sa realidad. Kung kaya ng masang mapatrend ang AlDub araw-araw sa Twitter ng worldwide, kaya rin dapat nilang ipa-trend at ipaalam sa lahat ang mga mahahalagang isyu na nangyayari sa lipunang kanilang kinabibilangan.

Ang kilig na nararamdaman sa panonood ng AlDub, kung magagamit nang tama, ay isang mabisang instrumento ng lipunan na siyang may kakayahang magtulak sa mga tao upang gumawa ng produktibong mga bagay na tutulong sa pagbuo ng nasyon, at paghulma ng isang matatag na lipunan.

Ang identidad ng masa ay hindi lang MULA SA PAHINA 11

AMMUNITION HANDLOADED 07

paghimlay, patuloy akong mananaginip na balang araw, may maglalakas ng loob na tumindig at ipaglaban ang aming mga karapatan, nang sa gayo’y wala nang magiging katulad naming nabubuhay lamang sa sobra ng iba.

they’ve created, the Filipinos will continue suffering from the bullets they never wanted to take.

ISANG TAHIG, ISANG TUKA isang simbolo ng inekwealidad at dibisyon sa lipunan—ang mga may-kaya ang siyang nasa loob, at kaming mga mahihirap ang nasa labas.

MULA SA PAHINA 10

Ang palay, bigas, at kanin ay marahil hindi na maihihiwalay sa buhay ng isang Pilipino sapagkat nagsisilbi rin ito bilang sinulid na humahabi sa kanyang identidad at kultura. Ngunit ang sinulid na ito ay may kasamang lason na siyang sanhi ng labis na pag-aaksaya ng pagkain – ang kultura ng konsumerismo.

Ang siklo ng kaharasan na nararanasan ng mga magsasaka, manggagawa, at mahihirap; ang kultura ng pag-aaksaya at ang kultura ng konsumerismo, ay mabubuwag lamang kung makakamit ang isang tunay na repormang agraryo, kasabay ang isang rebolusyong kultural na siyang babago sa balyu at atityud ng mga Pilipino, hinggil hindi lamang sa pagkain, ngunit pati na rin sa kanyang kapwa.

The need for halting the rising number of victims only reiterates the need for the destruction of the continuing fraudulence inside the system. And as long as the ill of corruption remains rampant within the government’s structures, the masses will remain vigilant and continue to clamor for transparency and accountability.

Amidst the heat of the matter, the hunger of the people for justice remains bulletproof.

OPINION 15

Volume 29 Numbers 07-08 Special Online Issue

TIME CAPSULE

UNTITLED

Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua “What if the only way to fix you is to get rid of you?”

I always get butt hurt whenever anyone tells me to straighten things up and fix myself. I mean, who wouldn’t get annoyed when you are told that you are a mess right. I mean, really queen?

But then again, where does this annoyance come from? Surely there is a reason why there is this uneasy feeling when you are told how to live your life.

Maybe, you just don’t like it when people tell you how to live your life.

Everybody has their own ways of living their lives. But sometimes, our ways of living are not the ways accepted by the majority, even our families, friends and acquaintances. What really hurts you is that these people who you consider very close to your heart cannot accept you for who you are.

Or maybe, you can’t accept the fact that you are a mess. You are in denial that the person you are now is a walking pile of rubbish. You are frustrated that every time you try to fix your life, it ends up being messier and even more complicated. You get hurt because no matter what you do and no matter how

What really hurts you is that these people who you consider very close to your heart cannot accept you for who you are. you try to clean up this huge mess you’ve made, you find that it is undoable, unfixable. And finally you realize that the only way to fix it is to get rid of it. But you can’t. You cannot get rid of your life, you cannot get rid of yourself.

You cannot get rid it. You cannot get rid

KISAPMATA

Ang linyang iyan na lamang yata ang naaalala ko sa loob ng apat na mahihirap ngunit masasayang taon ko sa hayskul. Linya na paulit-ulit na pinaintindi sa akin ng aking mga guro, kaibigan, at pamilya, bago ako humakbang patungo sa "mas grandiosong" entablado. Linya na noon ay pinagtawanan ko lamang. Linya na binalewala at ipinagsawalambahala ko lang noon sa pagaakalang mali sila, sa pag-aakalang tinatakot lang nila ako, sa pag-aakalang alam ko na ang lahat.

Hindi pala.

Naniniwala ako na hindi lang naman ako ang nakaramdam ng malaking pagbabago mula hayskul tungong kolehiyo. Malamang ay pare-pareho lang naman tayong nagulat sa pagpasok sa pamantasan. Sigurado rin akong hanggang ngayo'y wala pa ni isa sa atin ang may hawak ng monopolyo ng kaalaman sa mapanlinlang na unibersidad na ito. Aba! Sasambahin ko ang taong magsasabing alam niya ang lahat ng dapat gawin at kabisado niya lahat ng pasikot-sikot dito, sasambahin ko siya sa kaniyang matindi at "kamanghamanghang" kamangmangan sa buhay.

Para sa akin, may tatlong bagay na dapat isipin at ihanda bago pumasok sa kolehiyo.

Una, ang sarili. Kilala mo na bang tunay ang iyong sarili? Alam mo na ba ang iyong mga kalakasan at kahinaan? Tanggap mo na ba ang lahat ng pilat na iniwan ng mga pinagdaanan mong pagsubok sa buhay, at sa tingin mo ba'y magagamit mo ito upang mas maging mabuti sa mga susunod na pagkakataon? Puwes, kung oo ang sagot mo, nice naman! Naka-isa ka na! Buti ka pa. Ako, hindi eh.

Pangalawa, ang paraan ng pakikisama mo sa mga tao. Magaling ka bang makipagsayaw sa mga nakasasalamuha mo kahit saang

There is this little voice inside your head reminding you of all the good things you’ve done and you could still accomplish. There is this little voice in your head reminding you of all the people around you. How’d they feel, how’d they be disappointed when you’re gone, should you try to leave this world.

There is this little voice inside your head saying that you still have lots things to do. You have a lot more to offer, a lot more to prove, and a lot more to give. There is this little voice in your head saying that this is not yet the end. You can do this. You’ll get through this. If not now, then eventually, eventually.

BUTI KA PA!

Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua "College is a reset button from high school!"

of it because no matter what you do, no matter how you try, there is this little voice inside your head saying, “Stop. No. Don’t do it.”

lugar? Marunong ka ba ng Rumba, Boogie, Ballroom, o kaya'y Cariñosa, nang sa gayo'y handa ka sa kahit na sinong kasayaw. Hinog na nga kaya ang kakayahan mong maging kapartner ng kahit sino, na hindi naapektuhan ang mismong piyesa ng inyong pagsasayaw?

Kung oo, naks! Ikaw na! Buti ka pa. Ako, hindi eh.

Pangatlo, alam mo ba ang pinapasukan mo?

Oo, wala ngang nakakaalam ng lahat, pero inuulit ko, may alam ka ba sa pinapasok mo?

Kahit papaano, may alam ka lang ba? Uulitin ko ulit, may alam ka ba?! Oo? Sige, sabi mo iyan ah! Wow naman for you! Buti ka pa.

Ako, hindi eh.

Nakakatuwa ka naman! Mukhang kayang kaya mo na pala mag-college. Ako, hindi.

Hindi ata. Hindi pala.

Sigurado rin akong hanggang ngayo’y wala pa ni isa sa atin ang may hawak ng monopolyo ng kaalaman sa mapanlinlang na unibersidad na ito.

Second year na ako ngayon, at akala ko, kilala ko na ang sarili ko eh. Natatanggap ko naman ang mga pagbagsak ko sa exams, hindi pagkakuha o kawalan ng tapang sa mga audition, pagiging blangko sa mga recitation, at pagkadismaya sa mga numerong lumalabas sa SAIS account ko.

Hindi naman bagsak, pero hindi iyon ang mga inaasahan ko. Kamot-ulo, tawa, sabay sabing "okay lang, bawi next sem" ang peg ko lagi, ngunit paghiga ko sa kama at pagtingin sa kisame ng aking kuwarto, untiunti at mabagal na lumuluha ang aking puso kasabay ng pagkapunit nito. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.

May mga kaibigan naman ako, mayroon

naman kahit papaano. Masaya ako kapag kasama ko sila, masaya rin naman siguro sila kapag kasama ako ako, sana. Marami silang naitutulong sa akin, marami rin naman akong naitutulong sa kanila, ata?

Marami akong natutunan sa kanila, marami din silang natutunan sa akin, sa tingin ko.

Sila lang ang kaibigan ko, wala nang iba pa; hindi nga lang ako ang kaibigan nila, marami pang iba, nakalulungkot. Minsan nga'y may nakapagsabi sa akin, masyado raw akong magpahalaga sa pagkakaibigan, kaya parang ang dali ko lang daw bitawan. Hindi ako agad sumang-ayon pero nang lumaon, naniwala rin ako. Ganoon nga siguro. Masama bang mahalin ang mga kaibigan higit sa iyong sarili? Hindi siguro. Mali lang iyon kung mali ang taong napili mong maging kaibigan.

Ewan ko, hindi ko na iniisip iyon ngunit paghiga ko sa kama at pagtingin sa kisame ng aking kuwarto, unti-unti at mabagal na lumuluha ang aking puso kasabay ng pagkapunit nito. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.

Ayun! Alam mo na siguro ang sagot ko sa ikatlong tanong, may alam ba ako? Oo, dati'y alam ko ang lahat, kaya nga't sinasamba ko ngayon ang aking sarili dahil sa matindi at "kamangha-mangha" kong kamangmangan sa buhay. Ang galing, ano? Nabubuhay ako sa ilusyong tanggap ko ang lahat, na kaya kong umayon sa pabago-bagong daloy ng tadhana, na masaya ang mga taong nakapaligid sa akin, na masaya ako sa piling nila, at sa ilusyong may alam ako, wala pala. Kinakaya ko naman ngunit paghiga ko sa kama at pagtingin sa kisame ng aking kuwarto, unti-unti at mabagal na lumuluha ang aking puso kasabay ng pagkapunit nito.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit.

Buti ka pa, oo ang sagot mo. Ako, hindi eh.

Nakakainggit ka naman! Sh*t! Nainggit na naman ako.

Famous Last Words Aria Hernandez #APECtado Should we tolerate APEC in exchange for economic prosperity?

I am sure that you are no stranger to APEC. For the last two weeks, residents of Metro Manila and nearby provinces have been bombarded with news related to the country’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

It is composed of twenty one member economies, wherein members are mainly concerned with trade and economic issues and frequently tackles the Asia-Pacific Region’s development and sustainability challenges. The APEC summit was recently concluded, following the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM) apart from numerous meetings and discussions in the past year.

I daresay it was hard not miss it. The media, whether through the internet or social media sites, broadcast, and print, reported the progress of the country’s initiatives for APEC and various protests condemning it. Several government officials, big businesses, and politicians hailed it as a means to achieve inclusive growth through integrated economies, and sustainable and resilient communities. My mother, who even attended a senior officials meeting held in Pasay, would not stop talking about it and tried to stop me from believing what the ‘naysayers’ were shouting about.

According to her, the APEC summit discussed programs and initiatives that would address income disparity and ‘development gaps,’ and liberalize and facilitate trade and investments, in order to pave the way for an integrated Asia-Pacific region. This, allegedly, would benefit local communities, provide consumers more choices, and enable local micro, small, and medium enterprises to participate in the regional and global economy, either through global value chains or as direct exporters. Yet, based on what I have read online and the people I managed to talk to, the common tao knew and experienced otherwise.

For one, the so-called benefits mentioned beforehand will only be achieved by opening the country’s economy to more foreign investors and businesses, who will inevitably compete with our local businesses. These businesses are, more often than not, unable and ill-equipped to beat this foreign opponent due to lack of resources and appropriate technology. As such, they would have no choice but to hire contractual employees, pay lower wages, and eventually close down their business to achieve inclusive growth.

Moreover, I learned that APEC only produces non-binding agreements since it is merely a cooperative forum - this means member economies are not legally bound to adhere to initiatives or programs endorsed or adopted during the forum.

Nevertheless, APEC was still a venue to move forward agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which sets CONTINUED ON PAGE 14