The Manila Collegian Volume 29 Number 11

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 - Thursday

MORE INSIDE

02 EDITORIAL Pananagutan 03 NEWS Students walk out against tuition and other school fee increase 06 CULTURE Appraise the Lord!

11 OPINION Mood River 12 FEATURES Entrapment

02 EDITORIAL

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

A

NG SIGLA, TAPANG AT IDEYALISMO na tangan ng kabataan ay ang mga katangian na nagbibigay kilanlan sa pangkat na ito. Sa darating na eleksyon, isang makapangyarihang pwersa sa pagbabago ang pangkat ng kabataang Pilipino, isang pwersa na matagal nang humuhubog sa lipunang kinabibilangan nito.

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

Ayon sa Republic Act 8044, ang salitang ‘kabataan’ ay sumasangguni sa mga mamamayang edad 15 hanggang 30. Sa taong 2015, ang tantiya ng Philippine Statistics Association (PSA) sa bilang ng mga Pilipinong nasa edad 15 - 24 ay 19, 780, 300. Ngunit, hindi pa kasama dito ang mga mamamayang nasa edad 25 30. Pinapatunayan lalo ng datos na ito na isa nga talagang napakalaking pwersa ang masa ng kabataan sa pagpapasya sa tatahakin na landas ng bansa.

Kahit na mayorya ng mga Pilipino ay kabataan, nakakadismaya na ito rin ang pinakanapabayaang pangkat demograpiya at pinakapinagsasamantalahan dahil sa mga katangiang namumukod dito. Ang pangkat na ito ay ang labisang inaatake ng ng sarili nitong pamahalaan gamit ng mga represibong polisiya tulad ng mga pagtataas sa matrikula, deregulasyon sa edukasyon, sistemang K to 12, kakulangan sa libre at abot-kayang edukasyon, at iba pa.

Dahil dito, hindi mawawaglit na bigo ang pamahalaan sa paglinang ng pinakamalaking potensyal ng kabataan.

Inaasahan na hindi ito mangyayari dahil sa palyadong sistema na pilit na isinusubo sa malikhaing pagiisip ng mga kabataan.

Sa darating na eleksyon, isa itong importanteng konsepto na dapat itatak ng mga kabataan sa kanilang kamalayan.

Hindi dapat minamaliit ng kabataan ang isang boto nito. Mainam na isipin ng kabataan na ang hindi pagseryoso sa kanyang boto ay tila pagwawalang bahala niya sa mismong lipunang kanyang ginagalawan.

Dapat ay linangin pa ng kabataan ang kritikal na pagiisip na pinapatakbo ng mga makatotohanang datos at ginagabayan ng mga prinsipyong nagsusulong sa interes ng kapwa nitong masa.

Hindi dapat nalilimita ang kabataan sa paglinang sa kanyang sariling pamantayan ng pagpili. Bagkus, bago at sa araw ng eleksyon, inaasahan na sila’y makikilahok, makikialam at makikibahagi sa pagpapataas ng pamantayan ng mga mamamayang sa proseso ng pagpili ng kandidato. Isang armas na maaring gamitin ng kabataan upang lansagin ang mga maling ideya sa isip ng sambayanan ay ang social media, sapagka’t ito ay isang moda ng komunikasyon na kanilang gamay at pinangungunahan.

Dapat ring linangin ng kabataan ang

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 Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua 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 G R A P H IC S E DI T O R Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz

ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO

PANANAGUTAN sarili nitong kamalayan sa mga isyu na bumabalot sa lipunan. Ang mga isyung ito ay isa rin sa mga daan upang kilatisin ang kandidatong mamarkahan nila sa balota. Ang mga isyu tulad ng edukasyon, repormang agraryo, pagtataas sa basikong sahod, pagsusulong sa pambansang soberanya, kapayapaan at tamang paggamit ng pondo ay ilan lamang sa mga isyung tinutukoy. Ang karakter at karunungan ng kandidato sa paglutas ng mga isyung tulad nito ay isa sa mga maaaring primerang batayan ng pagboto.

Maging sa pagsuri ng mga plataporma at datos na ibinibida ng mga kandidato ay kailangan ang maiiging pagtimbang ng kabataan. Hindi nila dapat hayaang lubos na makaapekto ang kanilang

tiwali, o makasarili.

Kung susuriin, makikita na ang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas ay bunga ng mga progresibong pagbabago na pinangungunahan ng sektor ng kabataan. Ito ay kasaysayang iginuhit sa pagsisikap na isulong ang karapatan at kinabukasan ng mga mamamayan. Ang mga lumipas na henerasyon ng liderestudyante, mga tunay na makabayan na masigasig na lumaban para sa kalayaan na ating tinatamasa ngayon, ay dapat magsilbing inspirasyon bagong henerasyon ng kabataang Pilipino.

Kailangang tanggapin ng bagong henerasyon na ito ang responsibilidad na kaakibat ng pagiging pag-asa ng bayan, at harapin ang hamon ng

N E WS COR R ESPON DEN TS Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Ronilo Raymundo Mesa Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo F E AT U R E S C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera Katrina Maria Limpiada Perolino Angelica Natividad Reyes C U LT U R E C O R R E S P O N D E 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 D E N T I L LU S T R AT O R S Maria Catalina Bajar Belgira Jamela Limbauan Bernas Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes

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

Mainam na isipin ng kabataan na ang hindi pagseryoso sa kanyang boto ay tila pagwawalang bahala niya sa mismong lipunang kanyang ginagalawan. personal na konsiderasyon, gayundin ang ang popularidad at personalidad ng isang kandidato. Sa huli’t-huli, maaaring mahusgahan ang isang botante sa kandidatong binoboto nito.

Dapat ding halukayin ng mga kabataan ang mga proyekto at batas na naipasa at pinapasa ng kandidatong tumatakbo, o ang kawalan nito. Ang mga ginawa o hindi ginawa ng isang kandidato bago siya tumakbo ulit ay isang mabuting indikasyon ng mga aksyon na gagawin nito kung sakali siya ay muling manalo.

Walang lugar sa ating gobyerno ang mga kandidatong kilala na bilang kurakot,

MEMBER

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

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

The Cover

pagboto at pagpili sa tamang mga lider ng ating bansa. Ang kanilang kritikal at aktibong pakikilahok sa halalan ay indikasyon ng kagustuhan nitong bantayan ang mga pundasyon ng isang hilaw na demokrasya.

Ngunit hindi sa pagboto natatapos ang pananagutan ng mga botante. Kaakibat ng pagboto ang responsibilidad na subaybayan at pakialaman ang mga lider ng bansa, at siguraduhin na lahat ng kanilang gagawin habang nasa puwesto ay tunay na makakabuti sa sambayanang Pilipino.

Illustration by Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz Layout by Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

COLLEGE BRIEFS

NEWS 03 Students walk out against tuition and other school fee increase NIÑA KEITH MUSICO FERRANCOL

The College of Dentistry (CD) posted a 100% passing rate (10 out of 10) in the December 2015 -January 2016 Dentist Licensure examination with Lara Rebekah Gimelo placing 8th with a score of 82.80 percent.

On the other hand, the College of Pharmacy (CP) also garnered a 100% passing rate (37 out of 37) in the January 2016 Pharmacist Licensure examination. 5 CP students landed in the Top 10 with Holymn Faith Buan having clinched the top spot with 92.50 percent.

Meanwhile, the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) also posted a 100% passing rate in the recently concluded February 2016 Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist Licensure examination as 37 out of 37 Physical Therapists and 20 out of 20 Occupational Therapists passed the boards. Kevin Ralph Genoguin placed 9th in the PT boards while seven CAMP OT students landing in the top six of the OT boards, with Jay Allen Villon at the top spot with 84 percent.

ORGANEWS The University of the Philippines Manila Indayog Dance Varsity presents “Sayaw Manila 12: ISYU”. The said program features the stories and calls of the masses regarding the various issues pervading the Philippine Society. The presentation will take place on February 27 and 28, 6 PM, at St. Cecilia’s Hall, St. Scholastica’s College, Manila. For ticket inquiries, please contact Cla (0935 8663 547) or Migs (0927 7714 261).

Got sumvong?

I-spluk mo na, beh!

- Lola P.

Hundreds of students from different state and private universities joined the nationwide walkout and stormed Mendiola on February 24 to denounce tuition fee and other school fees increases (TOFI), the K-12 system, and other forms of commercialization of education.

Students from University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, UP Diliman, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and other schools from university were led by Kabataan Partylist (KPL). Local actions were also held by Manila Science High School and Ramon Magsaysay High School as well as other students from Visayas region also held local actions.

Soaring school fees The youth groups warned that school fees are again set to increase exorbitantly as schools nationwide hold bogus consultations starting this February.

Furthermore, Anakbayan national chairperson Vencer Crisostomo also said that cutting government subsidies forced state universities and colleges (SUCs) to increase their tuition and other school fees.

According to a recent study of KPL based on data gathered from annual financial reports of the Securities and Exchange Comission (SEC), under the Aquino administration, annual tertiary level tuition rates have doubled from P30,000-P50,000 to P60,000-P100,000. Moreover, there has been an incessant increase in profitability of some of the country’s University

biggest private higher education institutions (HEIs) in the last 5 years.

Refer to Table 1 for the data.

KPL first nominee Sarah Elago explained how the education system has continued to degrade under the Aquino administration.

“With the highly deregulated nature of the Philippine education system, college education has become a very lucrative business, with many private universities posting billions upon billions in profit. These data show that under President Aquino, this system of money-making in education has clearly gone from bad to worse,” Elago stated.

In addition, the protesters also demand to end education deregulation policy through the scrapping of the Education Act of 1982 which allows universities and colleges to set their own tuition rates without any government regulation.

Commercialization of education Moreover, the group also condemned other forms of commercialization of education such as the K-12 program.

“K-12 program further leads our educational system toward the interest of foreign countries through cheap

labor,” Crisostomo stated.

Based on the data from the Department of Education, approximately a million students cannot enroll in senior high school because of the limited capacity of public high schools. Furthermore, out of 7,500 enrolled students, only 2,000 are able to avail of the voucher program which subsidizes the fees of Grade 10 students.

Furthermore, the youth groups also slammed the proposed reforms to UP’s general education (GE) curriculum as they assert that it is a another scheme to serve the interest of foreign countries.

“GE reform is another scheme to sell UP and UP education to the foreigners,” Crisostomo argued.

Subsequently, they asserted that they will not allow another student be killed by the “colonial, comercialized, and fascist educational system”.

According to them, they will continue to intensify their fight against tuition and other school fee increase in the following days. In line with this, there will be another walkout on March 11 as they continue to demand for nationalist, scientific and mass-oriented education.

Growth in net profits

2010 2015 Far Eastern University (FEU) P713 million P1.8 billion Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU) P272.6 million P657.6 million University of the East (UE) P352.3 million P463.5 million University of Santo Thomas (UST) P941 million P1.3 billion De La Salle University (DLSU) P381.9 million P734 million Table 1. Data on growth in net profits by some of the top private universities. (Source: Kabataan Partylist)

04 NEWS

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA

Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang

Lola Patola

WOMEN’S MONTH EDITION!

I Cayman lyk a wrecking booowlllll!!!!! Hallur hallur, mah lably afowz!!!!! Kamusta na u????? THESIS! Ay sowree, bad word!!!!!! Hihihi. Knowz niyo buh kung aneksung eng hanash brown diz March????? Op corz, op corz, National Gurly’s Month naaa!!!!! Yaaaas gaga, yaaaas. Rak na natin ituuu, oki???!!!!!! Forwardsung, girlaloos!!!!!

Unpoortunately, meron at meron paring mga pasaway na panira ng ating celebrashown!!!

Let’s get diz partee started!!!!!!

Abante girlaloos sumvhong numbah wan: Major Major PAbebe Kawawachi nemern ang aking mga dearest afowz, at haloss 1/2 disappear appear ng class ang naheherdingan ko ng sumvhong na itechiwa!!! Diz sumvhong is about diz notey notey froppy prom da Department of Avenida Circle!!!!!

Sa isang major major class ng mga PAcute kong afowz tungkol sa Spanish bread tradishowns eh nakakalurkey raw magteaching!!!! Merown nemern daw syllaboos, but waley ang laman!!!!! Tipong mapapa-supercalifragilisticexplialidocio us ka nuhlunh, ganern!!! Buto buto lang, charot!!!! Iteywabum pa, ang pagteaching ni froppy ay mas sabaw puh daw kay Kuya Mar!!!!! Kung gaano ka-far daw si Matt Damon sa Earth sa The Martian, ganern din ka-far ang mga sayings ni froppy mula sa dapat tuluguhn topic!!!!!!!!!!! Kalurkey ka, froppy!

At hindi pa contenting si froppy diyan, huh!!! Nirerequire puh daw tuluguh niya ang aking mga afowz to different eventz na waley nemerng relationship sa course!!!!!

Anek diz????? Froppy, truelaloo ka bangs froppy or pretendering to the throne ka lungs?????!!!!!!

Abante girlaloos sumvhong numbah tu: Game of Charot Anetch iteywang aking nahearing about dis b r a n d spanking new froppy

prom da Department of Pochi, Snickers, and Mentos????? Imbes na my afowz ay makapag-play date ng larong Pinoy ay pinagrereport lungs daw sila!!!!!! At itong froppy mismo, super mema-ness lang ang teachings, dahil wit nemern siyang knowing about da topic!!!!!!!!!! Hala kaaa, froppy??!!!

At hindi lungs sa teaching the biggest loser itown froppy, pati sa grading daw!!!!!

At hindi pa there nafinish ang reign of terroring ni froppy!!! May discriminating peg din siya, yan siyaaa!!!!! Juan day, nagpplaying ng pateentero ang isang cutie na medyo chubby afowz ko!!! Nang may i-failing na magawa ang afowz ko, nagmouthing ba nemern si froppy ng “Tanguh ka! Why wititit ka nag crossing the street?

Tatanga-tanga ka mag playing. Buti nga seyo mapitpit ka diyern”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wit kang heartsung, froppy?????? Failsung ka na nga as a froppy, mean gurls pa ang peg mo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nagrraising ang kilays ko to you ha!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop mo na ‘yan, or else... karma karma karma karma karma chameleon ang babalik to u!!!!!!!!!!!

Umaapaw sa human rights violationz ang simula ng month natin, sissies!!!! Haixt!!!!!

Kaya kayo afowz, always remembering na your lovely byuti Lola P is here lungs por you!!!!! Don’t staff beliebering!!!!!!!

Pag may sumvhongz din kayo na gustong i-sharing, don’t be shy ha?????? Never heshitate to talakero’t talakera tu me!!!!!!

Lab lab yu all!!!!!

Mwah mwah, tsup tsup!!!!

XOXO

1

Anong mga isyu ang dapat talakayin ng mga

kandidato sa pagkapangulo sa mga darating na debate?

Yung mga isyu na hindi madalas ipinapalabas ng media ngunit nangangailangan ng malalimang talakayan. Tulad ng mga isyu ukol sa mga Lumad, sa komersyalisasyon ng edukasyon, same-sex marriage at iba pa. Dahil kahit hindi man ito ipalabas ng media, dapat malaman ng taong-bayan ang kanilang pananaw ukol sa mga ito. GaucheMan, 2014-09xxx, Dent LUMAD KILLINGS, BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES AT EDUKASYON, PLEASE!!!

- qtp2t, CAS Kung paano nila sosolusyunan yung population congestion in metro manila bilang presidente and if ever anong province ang priority nila na idedevelop para madivert yung pagpunta ng tao sa Metro Manila. - Z, cd Issues concerning mental health - RaMen, CAS Gusto kong talakayin naman nila yung issue tungkol sa environment, kasi puro sila pagbabago at pag-unlad eh wala namang nangyayari. Atleast kahit iyon man lang mapaganda nila, matutuwa pa ako. #NatSci4and5HartHart - Diwata, 20**-*****, CAS Equality. IN EVERYTHING. So, gender equality, wealth redistribution, etc.

Related: LGBT rights, separation of Church and State, agrarian reform, etc.

Also, bakit nila ginawa ang K-12 at anong kabobohan ang pumasok sa isip nila para ipush to. -stannous chloride Dapat pag-usapan sa susunod na presidential debate ang mga isyu na may kinalaman sa mga minorities (Lumad killings, etc.) dahil dito malalaman ng sambayanan kung alin ang pinapaboran ng kanilang mga iboboto, kung ang Pilipino ba o ang dayuhan. - Snorlax, 2014-51905 Their stand on same sex marriage, LGBT, women’s and children’s rights, and sana mapag-usapan rin yung pagpreserve ng kultura at kasaysayan ng bayan natin. Atapang Atao, 2014-xxxxx, CP Agriculture. Anong kalokohan yung agricultural country ang Pilipinas pero sa ibang bansa tayo nagiimport? - anuraw, 201300*3*, CAS Yung bakit low-tech pa rin ang military kahit napakalaki ng budget for them sebenpipti, 2013***** Lumad Killings, Wealth Distribution in relation to our supposed “economic growth”. - KK, 2013, CAS isa sa mga isyung hindi nabibigyang

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

pansin ng gobyerno ay ang karapatang pangkalusugan ng mga mamamayan.

Sa tingin ko ay dapat talakayin ng mga presidentiables ang pagreporma sa philhealth benefits na magbibigay ng mga mga mas accessible na healthcare solutions para sa mga kababayan nating mahihirap. - CC, 2012-****5, CD

2

Kung

magiging sikat ka sa social media tulad ni Carrot M an, anong gulay ang gusto mong ikabit sa pangalan mo? Bakit?

Nais kong maging ampalaya upang mabigyan kahalagahan ang napakagandang benepisyong hatid ng gulay na ito sa ating mga katawan. - Kahit Ano, 2014 CD “I am the Basura Man, I live in the garbage can!” *to the tune of Popeye, the sailor man* - effort, 2015, CPH Wala. May self-identity ako. - char, 2015 Onion kasi kahit saktan mo man ako, ikaw pa rin ang uuwing luhaan. - Sifu Hotman, 2015-XXXXX, CN Gusto ko maraming gulay ang nakalagay sa ulo ko, tapos nakabowl pa siya na may maanghang na sabaw. Ako si TantanMen. - RaMen, CAS PrinXcesXZh PatatazXXzh, kasi mahilig ako sa french fries, basta kahit anong patatas. - Diwata, 20**-*****, CAS Gulay naman ang chocolate di ba ;P ChocoladyBuddy, 2014-0***0, CP Gusto ko maging...Kangkong Man. Wala eh. Masarap ang kangkong katulad ko. wink emoticon #NoInnuendoIntended KK, 2013, CAS Gusto ko maging si Chopseuy Man dahil nasa akin na ang lahat. Hihihi - CC, 2012****5, CD Kalabasa girl. Ako ang kailangan mo para luminaw ang mga mata mo (para sa feelings ko). - Tralala, 2013, CAS Pechay Girl kasi laging handa PECHAYahin (pasayahin) ka HAHAHAHAHAAHHA Pechay Girl, CPH Okra. Para ipakita sa kanila na dapat hindi inaalis sa bahay kubo ang okra - Littleimee, cd Talong man. Para “man” na “man” talaga.

HAHAHA IYKWIM - uno, 2014, cd Ampalaya. Ampalaya Girl. Bitter kasi ako af. - sebenpipti, 2013***** Gulay? *war flashbacks* - Atapang Atao, 2014-xxxxx, CP patatas bc fries, chips, mojos, love. stannous chloride

NEWS 05

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

IP groups blame military for Lumad shelter fire

UPM COFS asserts for tambayans and abolition of rental fees

Following the fire that broke out at the Haran Compound in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Davao City, on February 24, three Lumad children and two adults were injured with property damage amounting to PHP900,000.

The Coalition of Organizations, Fraternities, and Sororities (COFS) led a silent protest around the University of the Philippines Manila’s (UPM) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Rizal Hall Lobby and Paz Mendoza parking lot last February 19 to assert their right for adequate tambayans and condemn the unreasonably high rental fees for rooms and venues.

EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

The injured children were identified as Magno Kulot (14 years old), Ludicia Dumol (12 years old), Daimon Manayab (2 years old) while the adults are Yoloy Manayab (30 years old) and Londia Dumol (45 years old).

A lleged militarization In a statement released hours after the incident, Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns information officer Eule Bonganay said that the fire was intentional. This was confirmed by the San Pedro Police Station which also said that the arson was started by five men near Gate 2 of the compound.

Moreover, Bonganay alleged that the fire was an escalation of the government and military’s attempts to intimidate the refugees to leave.

Subsequently, Pasakkaday Salugpongan Kalimuddan - South Mindanao Region (PASAKA-SMR) Secretary General Crestoni Latiban Monzon claimed that the attack was planned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In line with this, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and Gabriela Women’s Party both claimed the arson was committed

by Alamara, a paramilitary group under the wing of the AFP. “It is imperative that a thorough

investigation must be conducted and that perpetrators are made accountable.

The violations, harassment and killings continue and the Lumads are being attacked without end”, Gabriela Representative Luzviminda Ilagan voiced.

“This fact alone shows the Aquino government’s tolerance, if not its outright imprimatur to this ethnocide”, Ilagan furthered.

On the other hand, the 10th Infantry Division stated that they will wait for the findings of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) before making a decision.

Meanwhile, Task Force Davao (TFD) Commander, Col. Cristobal Zaragosa denied accusations that the military was involved and even suggested that the fire was a set up by the Lumads themselves.

Concurrently, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte instructed Davao police to confirm whether the fire was premeditated.

“I deplore the burning if it’s intentional.

The police should dig deeper and find out who did it”, Duterte maintained.

Demand for justice CONTINUED ON PAGE 07

EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

The said protest was conducted with the support of the University Student Council (USC), League of College Student Councils (LCSC), and the Rise for Education (R4E) Alliance.

There are currently 123 universitywide and college-based organizations, fraternities, and sororities in the campus that aid in student’s holistic development but cannot fully achieve their purpose because of the inaccessibility of spaces for meetings, trainings, and other activities.

According to the survey and data collection of COFS conducted last January 23-30, 2016, a total of 91 organizations have no tambayan or office and 72% of OFS paid for rentals to have an avenue for their organizational activities.

Moreover, the survey also showed that the half of OFS resort to out-of-pocketexpenditure for rentals ranging from PHP 500 to PHP 15,000 per semester.

Furthermore, some OFS have even reported spending around PHP 30,000 to PHP 70,000 per year just for room and venue rentals.

The average rental cost for the rooms rended by these OFS are: PHP 1,200 per

Iskolar ng bayan, nagpatiwakal Komersyalisasyon ng edukasyon, sinisisi

hour for auditoriums; PHP 1,000 per hour for large classrooms; PHP 250 per hour for regular classrooms, and PHP 200 per hour for sports facilities.

Bureaucratic hindrances According to Mark Vincent Lim, CAS Student Council (CASSC) chairperson and convenor of the R4E Alliance, venue reservation is tedious and takes up to 2 weeks to process. Also, there are not enough rooms for the usage of all OFS and these few facilities are lent with highest rental fee possible which Lim claimed is a clear manifestation of further commercialization of Philippine education.

Hence, the COFS asserted that it will continue to call for the provision of affordable an d adequate spaces/venues.

Subsequently, their movement #WeNeedSpace launched a signature campaign, room-to-rooms, and posted online materials coupled with the submission of a new letter to the Office of the Chancellor issuing their suggestions and demands.

Previously, a letter was submitted to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

ARIES RAPHAEL REYES PASCUA

Ilang linggo bago ang paggunita sa anibersaryo ng kamatayan nina Kristel Tejada ng University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) at Rosana Sanfuego ng Cagayan State University (CSU), isa na namang Iskolar ng Bayan ang piniling tapusin ang kaniyang buhay dahil umano sa hindi mabayarang matrikula.

Bagong biktima

pambansang kaunlaran.

Si Jessiven Lagatic, isang graduating agriculture student ng Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), ang ikalimang naitalang kaso ng pagpapatiwakal dahil sa kawalan ng kakayahang makapagbayad ng matrikula sa ilalim ng administrasyong Aquino.

Sa programang ESGP-PA, ang bawat benepisyaryo ay dapat makatatanggap ng P60,000 kada taon para sa kaniyang matrikula, matitirhan, mga libro, at iba pang gastusin sa paaralan, ngunit ayon sa mga ulat, ang natitirang P30,000 para sa isang semestre ni Lagatic ay hindi na naibigay sa kaniya dahil sa pagkakaroon niya ng ilang palyadong marka. Inalis sa kaniya ang kaniyang scholarship nang walang kaakibat na kongretng dokumento.

Isang benepisyaryo ng 4Ps Scholarship Grant sa ilalim ng Expanded Students’ Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) si Lagatic. Ang nasabing programa ay naglalayong magbigay ng oportunidad sa kabataan upang makapasok sa kolehiyo at magkaroon ng mas magandang bukas at sa paglao’y maging bahagi ng

Sa kagustuhan ni Lagatic na makapagaral, nag-enroll pa rin siya para sa susunod na semestre kahit na hindi alam kung saan kukuha ng perang pangmatrikula. Matapos ang kaniyang

midterm, hindi na nagpakita sa paaralan si Lagatic dahil sa hindi na niya makayanan ang gastusin, at noong Pebrero 11 ay pinili nang tapusin ang kaniyang buhay.

Lumang dahilan Kaugnay ng balitang ito, nagpahayag ng pagkondena sa pamahalaang Aquino ang iba’t-ibang grupo dahil sa pagpapabaya nito na magtaas nang magtaas ang matrikula sa state universities and colleges (SUCs).

“In the strongest possible terms, we condemn Aquino for the death of another student. We demand justice for Lagatic, Tejada, Sanfuego, Azaula, and Habibun. There are too many student

deaths under Aquino. The repeated cases of students committing suicide tell us that there is terribly wrong with the education system in the country.

We cannot allow our education system to continue killing our youth with impunity. The president and his cohorts needs to be accountable for perpetrating this system,” pahayag ng League of Filipino Students.

Dagdag pa rito, nagpahayag din ang College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) ng pagkondena sa administrasyong Aquino.

“Deregulation and commercialization of the country’s education system is what Aquino will leave as a legacy to the IPAGPATULOY SA PAHINA 10

06 CULTURE

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

Ang isa sa mga doktrina ng kapitalismo ang siyang nagturo sa ating lagyan ng presyo ang lahat ng bagay na maaaring pagkakitaan, materyal man o hindi materyal. Sa patuloy na pagsunod ng lipunan sa mga kautusan ng kapitalismo, marami ang nagiging deboto at alipin sa relihiyong ito na masugid na sinasamba ang pera.

Lead me, Gold Birthday na ni best friend-slashultimate crush! Oras na para makahakot ng points sa puso niya.

Siguradong napagdesisyunan mo nang dumaan sa mall para bilhan siya ng regalong angat sa kanilang lahat.

Branded dapat para wala kang katapat; hindi naman lahat kayang makabili ng authentic. Pagkakataon na ito para malaman niya ang lihim mong pagtingin sapagkat ikaw lang ang may puso at bulsang handang magsakripisyo para sa pagmamahal mo sa kanya. Dahil ikaw lang ang namumukod tanging makapagbibigay sa kanya ng sosyal na regalo, paniguradong matutuwa siya sa’yo. Sa wakas, sa mata niya, ikaw na ang bida.

Appraise the Lord!

PAGSAMBA NG TAO SA PERA AT PRESYO

JAMILAH PAOLA DELA CRUZ LAGUARDIA AT AGATHA HAZEL ANDRES RABINO DIBUHO NI PAULINE SANTIAGO TIOSIN

“...Dumulog ang negosyante sa presensya ng Panginoon at nagwika, “Panginoon, ano pa ba ang dapat kong gawin upang tuluyan na akong maging perpektong kawangis mo?” At sinabi ng Kapitalismo sa kanya, “Kung nais mong maging perpekto at tingalain sa mundong ito, humayo ka’t magparami ng ari-arian.

Gamitin mo ang impluwensiya ng pera upang pataasin ang estado mo sa lipunan.

Mangamkam ka ng napakaraming yaman hanggang sa malula ang lahat sa dami ng pera mo, at patawan mo ng presyo ang lahat ng bagay na pwedeng pagkakitaan.”

Ang pagkamulat natin sa isang lipunang nakasandig sa kapitalismo ang nagturo sa atin na salain ang mga materyal na bagay sa dalawang kategorya: cheap/ walang class o pang-mayaman/sosyal.

Nasanay tayong pinagpapasiyahan ang pagiging cheap o sosyal ng isang bagay base lang sa kung gaano kamahal ang presyo nito. Kadalasan, hinuhusgahan natin ang mga gumagamit ng cheap at iniiwasang mabansagang ganito, habang pinapangarap nating makita tayo sa lipunan bilang mga sosyal na kayang makabili at makagamit ng mga mamahaling kagamitan.

Malaki ang inambag ng media sa ganitong klase ng pag-iisip. Nagsilbing panghuli ng kiliti ng madla ang ads ng mga artista pagdating sa pagpili ng produkto. Sa pagpapalaganap ng ads na ganito, nabubuo sa isip ng mamimili ang ilusyon na makaaangat na sila sa buhay at magiging kalebel na nila sa estado ang mga idolo nila kung bibili sila ng produktong ito. Halimbawa, kung fan ka ni Anne Curtis at nakita mo ang shampoo commercial niya, susubukan mo ang ginamit niya dahil nagbabakasakali kang magiging malaAnne Curtis din ang buhok mo, kahit na butas na ang wallet mo sa presyo ng shampoong ito na animo’y gawa sa ginto.

Nakaaapekto rin ang hatid ng mass production na “large quantities and low-cost” sa pagtangkilik ng mga

mamimili sa isang produkto. Bago pa man nangyari ang industriyalisasyon, sanay na ang masa na direktang naaapektuhan ng presyo ang halaga ng isang bagay dahil sa hand-crafted na sistema ng produksyon noon. Ngunit sa pag-usbong ng mass production, nabebenta sa murang halaga ang mga produkto, at dahil maramihan at mura lang ang mga produkto, naiisip ng mga tao na mas mababa ang intrinsic value nito kumpara sa custom-made na produkto. Naitatanim tuloy sa isip ng mamimili na cheap ang dating nito at nakikita nilang walang saysay ang pagapresya sa mga bagay na maituturing nilang tipikal at mura lamang.

Mas kinikilingan na rin ng mga mamimili ngayon ang pagbili ng mga bagay na maikokonsiderang status symbols, o mga bagay na naglalantad ng yaman at status ng isang indibidwal sa lipunan.

Sa paglaganap ng popularidad ng status symbols, nahihikayat ang madla na tangkilikin ang mga bagay dahil sa kakayahan nitong iangat ang kanilang estado o imahe sa lipunan.

Mahalagang lumabas tayo sa pagtingin kung saan ang presyo lang ang makakapagsabi kung ano ang halaga ng isang produkto. Imbis na tingnan ang presyo bilang pangunahing basehan ng halaga ng isang bagay, dapat nating matutunan ang simple ngunit mas malalim pag-apresya ng mga bagay, kung saan ang halaga nito ay nakaugat sa kung paano nito binubuo ang iyong pagkatao at kung paano ito nakakaambag sa iyong kasiyahan. Kailanma’y hindi matutubos ng pera kahit ang simpleng mga ngiti ng minamahal mo, dahil may mga bagay sa mundo na hindi nabibili o nasusukat ng pera, bagkus ay natitimbang lamang ng puso.

Go forth and Commodify Sa kulturang Pilipino, may dalawang bagay na madalas ginagawa para maging mayaman sa mabilis at dagliang paraan: tumaya sa lotto, at magdasal sa paborito mong santo na sana’y manalo ka sa lotto.

Sa isang lipunang lumaki sa sinapupunan ng kapitalismo, sa kabataan pa lang ay itinuturo na ang halaga ng pagturing sa pagkita ng pera bilang misyon sa buhay.

Kaya naman kalakip ng pangaral na ito ay ang walang-kamatayang payo ng mga pantas sa larangan ng pagkakamal ng pera ang doktrinang, "Lahat ng bagay ay pwedeng pagkakitaan." Kaunting talas ng isip at banat ng buto lang daw, ay mapagtatanto mong mayaman pala sa mga pang-kabuhayang oportunidad ang ating bansa.

Subalit ang kasalukuyang lipunan, partikular na ang mga nasa "middle

class" ay lipas na ang pagkasabik sa mga materyal na bagay. Matagal na idinikta ng mga presyo sa merkado ang paginog ng kanilang mga buhay, at ngayon ay naghahanap naman sila ng bagong "opyong" hihithitin. Ang opyong ito ay kanilang natagpuan sa paggalugad ng mga "values" at mga relasyon na kanilang nawala sa pagpasok ng kapitalismo.

At ngayon nga, ang mga bagay tulad ng pag-ibig na dati ay kailangan mo pang hanapin sa ilang libong blind dates ay "for sale" na. Sa Japan, may rent-aboyfriend, at rent-a-girlfriend dispatch services na handa kang samahan sa lahat ng okasyon, basta’t bayaran mo ang dami ng oras na gusto mong kasama sila. At kung panandaliang kaluguran ng kalamnan naman ang iyong hanap, madali ito sa mga clubs o escort services, kung saan nakabatay ang sarap na mararamdaman mo sa dami ng perang handa mong iluwal. Kung gusto mo naman ng "sariling sikap," madali ring makabili ng mga pornograpiya sa merkado, mapa-video o erotic novels man ito.

Ngayong nalalapit na rin ang mahal na araw, kung pinagpapawisan ka na sa pangambang baka hindi matubos ang iyong mga kasalanan, maraming mga relihiyon at mga religious group na nagooffer ng ticket sa langit – sa isang mura o mahal na halaga. “Donasyon” naman daw ito – isang dalisay na pag-aalay ng pera ng isang tao. Pero kung gusto mo talagang masalba sa pagtatapos ng mundo, laki-lakihan mo na ang iyong mga “donasyon” – more donations, more chances of winning kumbaga.

Pero, tip lang – kailangang magaling ka ring pumili ng sasambahing relihiyon para masiguro ang slot mo sa langit.

Tandaan na sa ating kultura, kung sino ang may mas magandang sambahan ay siyang mas makapangyarihan; kung sino ang may mas kilalang mga miyembro at pastor ay siyang mas nakakaangat at tila may mas "mabuting" diyos.

Kaya lang, kung gaano kabilis at kadaling makuha sa pamamagitan ng kayamanan ng isang tao ang mga hindi materyal na bagay tulad ng mga emosyon, relasyon, at relihiyon ay siya ring bilis at dali ng pag-alis ng merkado ng "intrinsic value" sa mga bagay na ito. Dahil ang nagiging puhunan na lamang ay pera, nawawalan ng halaga ang mga pagpapakahirap na dapat sana'y nakapaloob sa mga bagay tulad ng pag-ibig. Halimbawa, dahil napakabilis namang makapagrenta ng kasintahan, ang mga pundasyon dapat ng isang relasyon tulad ng pagtitiwala at pagkakasundo ay nababalewala at napapalitan ng dami ng perang mayroon ang isang tao. Ang proseso ng sosyalisasyon ay nawawalan ng IPAGPATULOY SA PAHINA 10

FEATURES 07

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

ENTRAPMENT FROM PAGE 12

under the assumption that many of the subjects to be trimmed down have already been taken under the K-12 curriculum. However, what fails to be seen is that these subjects allow for a common ground to be built that ought to solidify and improve the basic education acquired by students from different high schools. For instance, assuming that some subjects have already been taken in high school will place a challenge to those who were not able to acquire quality secondary education per se. Thus, cutting the units of GE subjects would potentially diminish their purpose as the building blocks for all the UP students, who have different backgrounds on secondary education.

Whereas the new framework is said to be in line with the internationalization of educational standards and global competitiveness, it must also be noted in comparison that the top universities in Asia are actually those that give importance to their GE subjects. Schools at the top of the 2015 QS Rankings such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) require or maintain at least 36 units of GE core subjects in their curriculum.

Meanwhile, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) does not only require 36 common core GE subjects to their students, but also 12 units of English and 6 units of Chinese, amounting to 54 units all in all. For NUS, there is an importance in going beyond major units, as unrelated subjects “allow students to explore greater breadth or

depth in any subject and at any level”.

But such figures stated remain very far from the potential mere 21 units of GE subjects that may be required by some colleges in UP. Thus, “innovation” only proves to be akin to depriving the future Iskolars of their rights to quality and holistic UP education, which had molded numerous intellectuals in the past.

Entr enc hment Working under the guise of delivering quality education, the proposal of reviewing the relevance and revising the present GE framework only seems to create a student body that will fit the demands of a global labor market – another manifestation of the commercialization of Philippine education.

The act itself of reforming the GE program represses the holistic development of individuals in a sense that it limits and isolates students to their own areas of expertise, thus defeating the program’s purpose of innovation. The irony of the new framework, which focuses on broadening intellectual horizons and not merely on specialization, could be seen in the mere slashing down of GE units, giving way for the strengthening of “specialist or major programs to meet international program accreditation standards”. If such is the case, the students will be further limited to the courses related to their programs, hindering them from learning outside the box and widening their horizons.

This leads, as to what National Artist

and UP Professor Emeritus Bienvenido Lumbrera states, to the reduction of the UP graduate to a “mere technical school product”.

While the reform is rationalized under the premise that it “reflects the increasingly rapid pace of change”, it is clearly apparent that such proposed changes manifest the state of our education system in the country—a system which prioritizes producing graduates that are tailor-made for the current global labor market. Education as a basic social service remains undermined, so as long as skilled individuals are produced that better suit the needs of big capitalists and big business companies all over the world.

On a larger-scale, the GE reform program will serve not to increase the competency of students, but rather their profitability, as it sees the Iskolars ng Bayan as mere marketable commodities in the eyes of foreign companies. The curriculum change is also firmly connected to the implementation of the K to 12 program—another profiteering scheme that has only proven to induce labor export, and one that tailors individuals to cater to cheap labor demanded by more powerful countries.

Thus, the implementation of these kinds of changes only give license to further colonialism in education and commercialization of it, which will further lead to more deprivation of education to majority of the Filipino youth.

The fact that such reforms have been the centerfold of debates on Philippine education while undermining the

long-neglected problem of the lack of proper facilities in the country’s public educational institutions also reveal the priorities of the government. This only shows that while the government willingly invests its people in the labor market, it remains resistant in delivering proper and quality education that the masses deserve.

The GE reform program is a critical matter that must be consulted to the majority of the UP constituents, especially the student body and the faculty. The fact remains that it is of prime importance to the holistic development of students, and that it is necessary to further analyze and scrutinize the proposed revisions on the said program.

However, with the impending decline of the GE program, the UP education system which was supposed to equip the Iskolar ng Bayan with all the knowledge they need to become critical and competent, only paves way to the further decline in quality tertiary education and the deprivation of the students’ right to it. As the government remains focused on serving large-scale foreign demands, it continues to close its eyes to the actual need of its people to be properly educated.

But the power to fight for quality education remains in the hands of the students and the people, who remain resolute in bringing forth a genuine change to the country’s educational system.

IP GROUPS BLAME MILITARY FOR LUMAD SHELTER FIRE FROM PAGE 05

Consequently, Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KATRIBU), a national coalition of indigenous people, reported that there have been over 51 cases of violence against the Lumads under the regime of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III. In response to Zaragosa’s denial, KATRIBU Secretary-General Piya Malayao refuted the accusation that the Lumads did the arson in order to gain sympathy from the public.

“We all know that no one would believe them [AFP]. But just the same, this statement is dangerous. It really goes to show how they would never hold themselves to account for this crime”, countered Malayao.

According

to

Kabataan

Partylist

Representative Terry Ridon, there have been previous attacks on the evacuation shelter since Lumad refugees arrived in March 2015. Aside from this, Secretary General Monzon also claimed that they were threatened beforehand by the mentioned paramilitary group.

Additionally, Secretary General of the PASAKA said that the victims were rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) but were denied medical treatment.

“The victims were attended and given first aid treatment by local health workers in Haran”, Monzon indicated.

In line with this, Senators Francis Escudero and Miriam Defensor – Santiago urged for a thorough investigation on the matter.

“Every Filipino, Lumad or not, has equal rights and should never experience any kind of discrimination”, Escudero asserted.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the alleged arson of the lumad evacuation center in Davao City and I urge authorities to investigate the incident promptly. We have failed the Lumad. Let us not renege further on our obligation,” Santiago stressed.

On the other hand, former Department of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima sympathized with the plight of the Lumads. “The evacuees have been driven away from their lands. Now, they’re being driven away from their temporary shelter. Where do we want them to go?” she expressed.

Read and download MKule issues at issuu.com/ manilacollegian Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ themanilacollegian Follow us on Twitter: @MKule

08 GRAPHICS

EDUKASYON LARAWANG KUHA NI KYLA PASICOLAN

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

GRAPHICS 09

10 GRAPHICS

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

dinamiko at buhay, at nagiging isang commodity na hindi na kailangang paghirapan pang makamit ng tao gamit ang oras, pagod, at dedikasyon.

Sa kasalukuyang henerasyon, patuloy pa ring ipinagtatanggol ng maraming mga mayayaman ang nabubulok na krus ng kapitalismo. Ngunit dahil sa pagkaubos ng mga materyal na likas na yaman dahil sa kanilang pagkagahaman, walang ibang pagpipilian ang mga kapitalista kung hindi gumawa ng demand para sa mga hindi materyal na bagay at i-commodify ito. Sa huli, marapat tandaan na taglay lamang ng tao ang kakayahang makadama ng mga emosyon o humabi ng mga relasyon, at hindi ito pwedeng angkinin ng kapitalismo. Samakatuwid, tao lamang din ang makagagapi sa komodipikasyon ng mga emosyon at relasyon, at makapagbabalik ng sigla ng sosyalisasyon sa lipunan.

MULA SA PAHINA 06

Ang “presyo” – ang krus na sinasamba ng mga kapitalista – ang pinaka-malaking ilusyong sumukob sa lipunan; ang pinakamalaking mekanismong patuloy na nagpapalaki ng agwat sa pagitan ng mga mahihirap at mga mayayaman.

Ang kapitalismo ay ang relihiyong naglayo sa mga tao sa pagsamba sa mga prinsipyo ng pagkakapantaypantay at pagkakasundo.

Hanggang ang pananampalataya ng mundo ay sa ispiritu ng “presyo,” patuloy lamang isusugal ng makapangyarihang iilan ang moralidad at mga karapatan ng lipunan sa pusta ng kapitalismo – kung saan ang magiging batayan sa “araw ng paghuhukom” ay hindi dami ng kabutihan, kung hindi dami ng kayamanan.

POLITICKING FROM PAGE 11

of Mindanao, have access to education?

Do impoverished Filipinos living in deplorable conditions now have better lives? Ask, observe, and analyze. Can you really see the so-called progress?

There are also those who believe that Filipinos would be better off under a dictatorship – downplaying the past and disregarding extreme corruption, the widespread human rights violations, and oppression of many Filipinos. They refute the facts supported by evidence and testimonies of survivors and next of kin of those who were killed during that time. Whatever plans or promises cannot justify or make people forget about the men, women, and children who were slain, tortured, raped, and murdered mercilessly.

At the end of the day, as much as

Waywaya 2016 is the literary folio of The Manila Collegian. Visit tinyurl.com/Waywaya2016Guidelines to find out how you can submit your own entries.

APPRAISE THE LORD!

these people would like us to think so, our problems cannot be solved by shallow promises, band-aid and abstract solutions, and outright lies.

And competent leaders of the country are few and far between. This begs the question: when we are faced with the chance to choose our next leaders, can you make the right choice?

I can only hope that we will elect the people who will focus on issues that matter by investing in social services, ensuring gender equality and education for all, striving for peace and sustainable development, working to reduce and eradicate poverty and hunger, raising incomes and increasing the number of quality jobs, and making our uncertain future seem brighter—particularly for the impoverished masses.

UPM COFS...

FROM PAGE 05

Academic Affairs on December 18 but the concerned office failed to respond.

Consequently, as the lack of tambayans, limited access to venues, and skyrocketing rental fees are deemed a result of the decreasing state subsidy for the university, a national walkout will be launched on March 11 as students are encouraged to assert their right to free and accessible education.

ISKOLAR NG BAYAN...

05

Filipino youth. We will ensure that as he steps down on his seat, we shall put him to jail for depriving us the right to accessible and quality education and for forcing our fellow youth to end their lives. His hands are already full of blood and this has to stop,” ani CEGP. Kaalinsunod ng mga ulat na ito, nagkaroon ng pambansang walkout bilang protesta noong Pebrero 24 at masusundan ito ng isa pang walkout sa Marso 11 upang ipahayag na ang kabataan ay kontra sa lumalalang komersayalisayon ng edukasyon sa bansa at upang singilin ang adminstrasyon para sa buhay ng mga biktima nito.

OPINION 11

Volume 29 Number 10 March 10, 2016 | Thursday

BANYUHAY

TIME’S UP

Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino Unti-unti na akong nakakalimot. Naging mabuti sa akin ang oras. Sa bawat araw na nagigising ako, may ilang oras na akong hindi na napupuno ng kaiisip sa’yo, may ilang oras na akong hindi na naghahangad na kausapin mo ako.

Ang tagal na nating hindi nag-uusap.

Noong una, hirap pa ako. Ganyan ka naman kasi talaga. Mag-iiwan ka ng ilang marka na matagal mawala, magpapabaon ng ilang sugat na matagal bago maghilom. Magpaparamdam at aalis bigla, at lilingon lang para makita kung sumusunod pa ba ako, o kung nakadapa na ba sa lupa. Babalikan mo akong nakaraan mo’t susubukang gawing kasalukuyan, pero sa huli naman ay bibitawan mo lang din naman.

Patuloy lang tayong umiikot sa siklong hindi na natapos sa tayaan at habulan, sa pagkapit at pagbitaw, sa pagbalik at paglisan.

Gusto ko pa sanang makipagtayaan.

Saktan pa ang sarili bago tuluyang magpagaling. Kaso, masyado na atang maraming sugat ang iniwan mo— ang iniwan nating dalawa sa sarili ko.

Nakalimutan ko ring desisyon ko ang

lumapit at magpagamit. Ngayon lang ako nagigising, nasasaktan, ngumingiwi sa sakit. Ngayon lang ako naghahanap ng lunas pero mabuti na rin at natauhan.

Naghihilom nang unti-unti ang galos at sugat na dala ng ‘bawat pagkikita’ natin.

Hindi ko na kayang tawaging ‘relasyon’ ang nabuo sa atin noon. Masyado kasing hilaw sa lahat ng aspekto. Wag na tayong maglokohan. Kulang tayo ng pagmamahal para sa isa’t isa, maging sa

Wag na tayong maglokohan.

Kulang tayo ng pagmamahal para sa isa’t isa, maging sa ating mga sarili. ating mga sarili. Wala tayong oras para sa isa’t isa at wala tayong planong maglaan ng oras. Ano nga ba ang nagtutulak sa atin para balikan ang isa’t isa? Siguro ay alaala. Pero kahit ang alaala natin ngayon ay napalitan na ng kalungkutan, ng walang katapusang habulan at iwanan.

Akala natin ay may mapanghahawakan pa tayo sa mga alaala natin. Sa dami ng nabuo natin noon, wala na rin palang masasayang alaalang matitira.

MONAD

My mind is the ocean. Okay no, I’m thinking too big.

My mind is a lake, a pond, a puddle. It’s so hard to find the perfect mix of poetic imagery and self-depreciation without sounding too dramatic or depressWAIT. It’s the Pasig River.

My mind is the Pasig River in its day-today glory. Thoughts float around like trash caught in a current. Paranoia is a tattered plastic bag. Self-deprecation is Choc-Nut wrapper. Anxiety is a big pile of god-knows-what. The painfully bad metaphors just continue drifting about, and suddenly I’m at a loss for words because there’s too much noise in my brain. I try to grasp at them, trying to contain them in order to make sense of everything, but they just end up floating away.

Basically if I look lost or frozen it’s either a dramatic episode or intestinal gas (tip: use your nose!).

There are days when the sun shines on this river and the waters change from the color of dark sewage to a relatively more comforting Milo-ish color. The rays of light make the plastic bottles sparkle until you end up wondering whether or not you’re watching bioluminescent organisms communicate with each

POLITICKING Nagsusulat ako ngayon para ilabas ka sa aking sistema. Alam mo bang nauubusan na ako ng mga salita? Ramdam kong malapit ko nang masulat ang huli kong piyesa na ikaw ang laman. Dadating ang panahon na magiging lumang piyesa ka na lang. Magiging alaalang bumabalik lang kapag nababasa ulit, pero hindi na nagtatagal.

Hindi mo na ako makikita sa bawat paglingon mo sa nakaraan. Sinisigurado kong wala ka nang babalikan. Sa bawat paglingon mo pabalik sa nakaraan ay siyang hakbang ko lagpas sa kinatatayuan mo.

Ito na siguro ang pinakahuling pamamaalam na gagawin ko sa lahat ng pinagdaanan nating dalawa. Sakali mang magkita tayo sa hinaharap, sana ay masabi na rin nating ganap na tayong nakalaya mula sa nakakapagod na siklo na tayo rin naman ang gumawa.

Sana sa hinaharap ay masabi na nating nahanap na rin natin ang tunay nating kasiyahan.

MOOD RIVER

Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes other. It’s a day when my thoughts slow down and my mind knows peace. It’s a day where I can cover my feelings with a smile, a corny joke (or 5) the way the large clumps of water hyacinths hide the muck and grime of the river with their lavender blossoms and you tell yourself “I guess there IS still hope for this place after all.”

Then you realize that it’s on the hottest, sunniest days where algae blooms and the fish die and the corpses fester and the stench rises up to the sky. When the

The painfully bad metaphors just continue drifting about, and suddenly I’m at a loss for words because there’s too much noise in my brain.

sun sets you end up with nothing but the foul odor of the canals and the heaviness in your heart.

Then a typhoon hits and everything goes to hell. All the negativity starts building up inside and I burst like the floodwaters spilling over the riverbanks.

All the muck and grime, the hatred and the sorrow rushing out of my eyes and my mouth, drowning me and washing away everyone that tries to help. The same way the torrents litter the streets

Famous Last Words Aria Hernandez

with garbage my emotions are laid bare for everyone to see. Even if it ends up as a very raw and cleansing moment perfect for a music video, I just end up feeling ashamed and horrible. Like I’m a monster made of toxic sludge that was washed up on shore by the rains.

The worst part of all of this is that it’s just one never-ending sequence.

The numbness, the buildup and the breakdown happen over and over again.

This isn’t some cheap way to glorify my problems and I don’t want to live the rest of my life just succumbing to the idea that my feelings are just some biogeochemical cycle. There are some things in my brain that I really can’t change, the same way you can’t stop the wind from blowing or from the waves from rolling, but that doesn’t mean that I should be complacent with the way things are. There are people out there who need me and want to see me get better but I need to take initiative to fix myself as well.

So I’ll take small steps. Like someone fishing out litter out of the Pasig River one by one with their hands. …Maybe I’ll start by cutting it out with the metaphors.

As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

For the past few days, my social media sites’ news feeds had been bombarded with my friends’ views and opinions on recent events, such as the presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro and the stands of various politicians running for office.

It was a welcomed surprise. Most of the time, people talk about their personal lives, their fandoms, and what not.

Usually, there is no room to discuss real and pressing issues in the country.

Some of my friends even miss the point and disregard my attempts to divert their attention to discuss things that matter – not just the next ‘hottie’ or the hottest love team to grace our television screens.

The thing is, most politicians exploit this kind of weakness to their advantage.

You might have noticed in the recent debate that most of the candidates are merely giving motherhood statements, citing their track record and supposed achievements, and reiterating the same points over and over again. While I would like to believe that the majority of our population is getting tired of these shenanigans, there are still some who seem to think otherwise.

Take, for example, those who believe that the only way the country would prosper is if we elect the people who can continue implementing and expanding tried and tested methods, despite the fact that these have already proved to be ineffective and inefficient.

What is worse is the fact that, more often than not, these are geared towards the achievement of economic prosperity that benefits those who are already wealthy and in power.

Economic growth and sustainable development are not – and will never be – synonymous, although I am quite certain that people would refute this statement, citing figures and data from national government agencies.

Yet, have you ever stopped and asked yourself if the actual methods and indicators are reliable? Do they actually determine and reflect the actual picture of, let’s say, poverty and hunger? Are the existing policies and programs sustainable and effective?

Are people still burdened by several procedures that they have to comply with before availing basic social services? Are children, like the Lumad CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

ENT RA PM E N T Assessing the Implications of the Proposed GE Program Reforms in the UP System CHLOE PAULINE REYES GELERA AND JUSTIN DANIELLE TUMENEZ FRANCIA ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL LORENZ DUMALAOG RAYMUNDO

The decision of the University of the Philippines to restructure its educational system is one that completely and blatantly contradicts it’s holistic, nationalistic and massoriented roots.

In order to allegedly align the university with the uniform global standards on education, the UP administration proposed to once again revise the current General Education (GE) Program. One of the main agendas of the reform is to decrease the GE units that an Iskolar ng Bayan is allowed to take, abating many courses from the social sciences and humanities. But with the premier university curtailing the GE program, which has been known to imbibe the “Tatak UP” to its students, the importance of the omitted subjects in contributing to the holistic development of the Iskolar ng Bayan is disregarded.

In the end, the Iskolar ng Bayan is the greatest casualty as amidst the increasing costs on tuition and other school fees, he continues to be served with a deteriorating quality of education.

Enticement As the University of the Philippines prepares its system for the supposed globalization of education, in line with the implementation of the K-12 program, the future Iskolars ng Bayan face the dilemma of having their tertiary learning experience severely degraded.

The General Education (GE) program in the UP system started in 1958. The curriculum required students to take units of GE courses made up of 63 units in English, Spanish, Math, Logic, Humanities and Social Science, and Biology and Physical Sciences courses. It aims, first and foremost, to provide a well-rounded education for all UP students by offering courses that will strengthen them with learning experience in other fields of interest. It intends to mold skilled and educated individuals able to think comprehensively.

In 1986, the program was first revised.

The number of units was reduced to 42 and interdisciplinary courses such as Social Science I and II, Natural Science I and II, and Science, Technology and

Society (STS) were introduced. In 2001, GE units were increased from 42 to 45, with the university adopting the ‘cafeteria’ model. This meant that the students were given the freedom to select other offerings apart from the prescribed five courses each under the domains of the Arts and Humanities (AH), Social Sciences and Philosophy (SSP), and Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST).

The rationale under the increase in units and the adoption of the ‘cafeteria’ model was stated by former UP President Dr. Francisco Nemenzo Jr., who proclaimed that general education should not promote a particular line of thought. Rather, it is supposed to acquaint the students with the diversity of knowledge and expose them to various ways of appreciating reality so they may think for themselves and form intelligent positions.

However, in October 2013, the UP system released a proposal to revise the UP GE program once again. The said reform is supposed to take place due to the implementation of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 or K-12 program, and the “internationalization of higher education” which is aligned with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration.

According to the memorandum presented by UP President Alfredo Pascual, the University has to implement several changes in order to affirm its leadership role in education, including revising its teaching pedagogy, curricular program, quality assessment, and reviewing its current GE Program.

The current program, while still not the ideal form of nationalistic, scientific, and mass-oriented education, has given students the freedom to choose their subjects and explore beyond their areas of specialization. And yet, it is now on the verge of being replaced by a reformed version that will drastically reduce the GE units that the students ought to take.

Effacement With doubt and scrutiny arising due to the GE reform’s questionable purpose, the battle ensues as the Iskolar ng Bayan continues to rattle the UP administration and its proposition.

The 2015 GE Framework has been proposed with the aim to “develop leadership characterized by integrity and honor, excellence in scholarship, and public service—the hallmarks of a UP Education”. Its purported objectives for the students include broadening intellectual and cultural horizons, honing critical and creative thinking, developing a passion for learning and scholarship, cultivating a high sense of intellectual and moral integrity, and fostering a commitment to service and social justice. Such objectives are almost similar to the 1986 framework, but lacking the aim of seeking to foster nationalism and a sense of nationhood balanced with internationalism.

A part of the proposal aims to reduce the number of required GE units from 45, to a minimum of 21 and a maximum of 36 units respectively. Each department is now free to determine the total number of GE courses and choose what specific GE courses are necessary for their students to take from the list of choices to be approved, instead of listing a number of specific courses to be taken by all UP students.

However, instead of the domain-based GE system, the new proposal suggests a thematic classification of courses that includes this initial set of themes: Culture and Identity, Language and Expression, Social Systems, and Natural Systems. It adopts an interdisciplinary ‘synthetic-integrative’ teaching model for GE courses. Unlike the current domain-based structure, the hybrid model purportedly gives equal importance to the perspectives from different disciplines, and integrates these various themes for the courses.

However, after the proposal’s formal release, various discussions and debates were held regarding the necessity for GE reforms. Several organizations and institutions expressed their opposition against the proposal, such as the UP Sagip GE alliance, which consists of a group of professors and students sharing a dissenting opinion regarding the framework. One of their major reasons for opposing would be the portent of unemployment among lecturers and instructors handling the current GE classes.

Downsizing GE units was also pushed CONTINUED ON PAGE 07