The Manila Collegian Volume 30 Number 4-5

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 - Thursday

eulogy

14 opinion

boys boys boys 16 culture

dangerous clash 10 features

DUTERTE TO REINVESTIGATE MAMASAPANO INCIDENT

02 NEWS

02 NEWS

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

Duterte to reinvestigate Mamasapano incident Decision met with widespread support RYANA ISABEL NERI KESNER “Let us go for the truth,” President Rodrigo Duterte declared during his recent diplomatic visit to Beijing, China last October 20, after he called reports on last year’s Mamasapano massacre.

The bloody exchange in question caused the deaths of an estimated 60-70 Filipinos, including civilians, members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and 44 Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) constituents on the 25th of January last year. In line with this, President Duterte hopes reopening the probe would clarify the role of the United States in the incident, as well as the whereabouts of the $5 million reward for FBI most wanted terrorist Zulkifli Abdhir, otherwise known as Marwan, who also died in the encounter.

Mass Support In response, Anakbayan SecretaryGeneral Einstein Recedes expressed the group’s support for the probe’s reopening, and urged that the role of the United States on the matter must be emphasized.

Besides this, Recedes clarified that the American Embassy has denied having a hand in the affair, despite the fact that American officers were in the area a day before it occurred.

He added that these officers were even in possession of high-technology communication devices at the PNPSAF tactical command post, while PNP-SAF officers themselves were not able to communicate with their own outdated gear in the field.

Consequently, this was enough to raise the group’s suspicions as to what US intentions were.

“Once again,” Recedes maintained, “Filipino troops become sacrificial lambs to further US imperialist interests. This is a form of US meddling in our domestic affairs and must be investigated.”

Additionally, several partylists share sentiments with the youth group.

Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Elago suggested that requesting the head of the Joint Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) and US Ambassador Philip Goldberg to attend the hearing may help clarify the role the US played in the massacre.

In the same fashion, Bayan Muna Representative Karlos Zarate also expressed his group’s support for the

possible probe reopening.

Aside from this, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also expressed their support of Duterte’s proposal. Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez stated that the CBCP felt that the previous probes left many questions unanswered. Reopening the probe, they explained, would serve justice to the families of the fallen and, in turn, help the south find peace.

“There were lies and inconsistencies in the whole tragic affair. Even the role of the USA needs to be clarified,” Arguelles added.

Poe: It’s Pointless Despite this, Senator Grace Poe, who participated in the investigation on the massacre last January, stressed that there is no need to reopen the probe. As president, she explained, Duterte has the power to obtain the information he wants directly. “Hindi kailangan ng report sapagkat, bilang pangulo meron na siyang direktang access sa PNP intelligence, sa AFP intelligence,” she stressed.

Regarding the missing reward, Poe added that she and her committee have already confirmed the existence of a recipient. However, she said that no names were given nor asked for in order to protect the individual.

Still, Poe admitted that it is not up to her to decide whether the probe will push through, since that decision is in the hands of Senate Panel Chair Panfilo Lacson. Even so, she suggested that an agenda must be made and religiously followed if ever the probe is to be reopened. She explained that this action is necessary so as to not stray away from the discussion at hand and to avoid discussing something already investigated in a previous probe.

Aquino At Fault Meanwhile, evidence from reports during the incident as well as from those presented by Senator Poe’s committee during the previous probe conducted earlier this year seem to implicate former President Benigno Aquino III as responsible for the massacre. In fact, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was one to ardently support the reopening of the probe earlier this year, stating he possessed proof Aquino was “actively and directly involved” in Oplan Exodus

since the planning stage. He also claimed Aquino had been monitoring the situation from Zamboanga City and did nothing to prevent the deaths of the 44 PNP-SAF members.

Moreover, the draft report submitted

by Poe’s committee accused Aquino of involving then-PNP Chief Alan Purisima in the operation despite him knowing Purisima was suspended at the time. Evidence was also found which implied Filipinos were not the only ones involved in planning and performing the operation. However, Poe mentioned that despite the draft report having concluded Aquino’s involvement, it did not recommend filing charges against him, due to him being president and therefore immune from suit at the time.

Even current President Duterte (then mayor of Davao City) admitted to being with Aquino in Zamboanga City at the time of the massacre. He explained that Aquino was worried casualties would rise if he sent reinforcements to aid SAF troops already in the operation, which is why he refrained from doing so. However, he did not directly blame Aquino for the turn of events, only stating he would be willing to testify in last January’s probe.

Tentative Arrangement Given his animosity towards the US for their criticism of his war on drugs, he may have brought up the possibility of US intervention in the fated PNP operation merely as retaliation.

The president even went as far as to compare the fallen SAF units to American Special Forces soldiers.

“It [the US] is not ready for war because they are not ready to die anymore.

And you can see it when the Special Forces go home, there’s a lot of crying and criticism and a congressman talking there, filibustering about the loss of an American life,” he said.

“Forty-four Mamasapano soldiers, they went inside, they died.

No dramatics, no nothing except that we grieve for our soldiers.”

Ultimately, the decision to officially propose the reopening of the probe belongs to the President, as Malacañang is yet to verify his statement. Be that as it may, the President has already made his statement, which has garnered widespread support, and he may have no choice but push through with his proposition.

NEWS DOSE:

Pambansang Industriyalisason at ang Independent Foreign Policy NIÑA KEITH FERRANCOL Pangunahing layunin ng peace talks ay maresolba ang ugat ng armadong labanan sa pagitan ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas at CPP-NPA. Kahirapan, kawalan ng soberanya, kawalan ng tunay na pag-unlad, pang-aapi at pagsasamantala ang mga dahilan ng patuloy na armadong pakikibaka, at dulot ng mala-pyudal at mala-kolonyal na katangian ng lipunang Filipino.

Apat na dekada na tayong nakasandig sa mga dayuhan at sa mga dala nitong hindi pantay na kasunduan at mga neoliberal na polisiya. Mayaman ang Pilipinas sa iba’t ibang uri ng rekurso, ngunit naghihirap pa rin ito. Sa buong mundo, Pilipinas ang pangatlo sa ginto, pang-apat sa tanso, at panglima sa nikel--mga pangunahing hilaw na materyales sa pagtataguyod ng iba’t ibang industriya--ngunit sadlak pa rin ito sa kawalan ng lokal na industriya at mga sustenableng trabahao.

Sa kasalukuyan, tinatayang 28.7 milyong Pilipino ang walang trabaho, hindi regular, nasa impormal na sektor, at hindi nababayaran na miyembro ng pamilya. Samantala, ang mayroong trabaho ay nakararanas ng pangit na kondisyon sa trabaho tulad ng mababang pasahod, iregularisasyon at kawalan ng kaligtasan. 80% ng populasyon ay nagtitiyaga at nagdarahop na mabuhay sa P120 sahod kada araw habang ikaapat ng populasyon ng bansa ay nabubuhay sa matinding kahirapan kung saan halos walang makain at walang tirahan. *Layon ng News Dose na na magbukas ng serye ng mapanuring pag-ulat hinggil sa napapanahong balita.

NEWS 03

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

Devastation of Yolanda, remembered Neglected relief efforts of the government, assailed SHAILA ELIJAH PEREZ FORTAJADA AND EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

In commemoration of the wreckage of super typhoon Yolanda hugely on Samar and Leyte three years ago, UP Saribuhay, ASAP-Katipunan, Agham-Youth, College of Arts and Science Student Council (CASSC), University Student Council (USC) and other progressive groups organized a candle lighting ceremony last November 8 in front of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Oblation Plaza to demand government’s pursuit of genuine change and accountability for victims of the disaster.

Likewise known as typhoon Haiyan, Yolanda holds the record of being the typhoon that cost the most damage and highest death toll in the Philippines. This year, November 8 was assigned as a holiday for Tacloban.

Youth groups demand justice for Yolanda victims. Photo by Genevieve Seño

Relocation Promised On the commemoration of Typhoon Yolanda’s third anniversary, Tacloban City Mayor Maria Cristina Romualdez thanked the international community for lending a hand to the stricken province.

According to her, the improvement on the town’s business sector and damaged regions has progressed by ninety percent this year.

Prior to the date of commemoration, Romualdez managed the distribution of temporary shelters to over 136 families. Accordingly, she remarked on the inefficiency and slow progress of livelihood and housing projects and brought up the concern of illegal settlers who established residences along dangerous areas by the coastlines.

Moreover, Romualdez pointed out

that only 2,500 of 14,400 people were relocated despite the fact that the National Housing Authority (NHA) was ordered to build 14,433 houses in 11 sites. The lapses were said to have been caused by inclement weather and document processing.

Having to grace the same event, Vice President and Chairman of Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Leni Robredo indicated that the housing projects were planned to be finished by 2018.

In addition, President Duterte has announced in his speech in Leyte that families who were not part of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) will receive P5,000 each under his administration. For this to push through, the President would need to allot P1B, according to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary

Judy Taguiwalo.

Furthermore, the Duterte administration aimed to start giving the assistance throughout January to March in 2017.

Slow Response Consequently, multiple protests were held in the provinces of Iloilo, Aklan and Roxas on the same day. The people petitioned for the government to answer to its delayed assistance and to release funds to the survivors who were not aided during the past term of former President Benigno Aquino III. The actions were lead by Kusog sang Pumuluyo, an alliance in Panay formed by Yolanda survivors and their supporters.

On the other hand, protesters in Estancia, Iloilo pressured the local government on the accomplishment of housing projects and to

immediately distribute shelter to the homeless. Due to the wide-spread oil spill that occurred as an aftershock of the typhoon, demonstrators from other coastal towns also asked for the settlement of the P225-million suit filed against the government.

Following this, BAYAN Chairperson Raymond Palatino cited the insufficient action of the government after the calamity.

“Tatlong taon na po ang nakalipas mula nang hinagupit ng Bagyong Yolanda ang ating mga kababayan sa Eastern Visayas, pero mas malaking delubyo pala ang kapabayaan ng gobyerno dahil sa mabagal na pagdating ng tulong, mabagal na rehabilitasyon, mabagal na relokasyon para sa mga kababayan natin”, he stated during the commemoration of the disaster at Plaza Miranda, Manila.

04 NEWS

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

Brutal state enactment of force in indignation rally, investigated Resistance against US imperialism, upheld by national minorities SHAILA ELIJAH PEREZ FORTAJADA AND EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

In lieu of the violent dispersal of activists at the US embassy last October 19, 9 activists filed a legal complaint of attempted murder, illegal arrest, physical injuries and other administrative charges against the police involved.

The complaint was filed on October 26 and the following day, protesters marched back to the US embassy for the final leg of the Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya.

On October 19, protesters, along with indigenous people and Lumad groups assemble in front of the US embassy to rally against US imperialism and compel the government for their right for self-determination. The program was about to end when the police violently dispersed the protesters, as ordered by Senior Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo, by attacking them with teargas and hitting them with a police vehicle.

SANDUGO sought the convening of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) over the investigation on the said dispersal.

“We hope that our complaint filed before the GRP-NDFP JMC would

In line with this, the UP ManilaLakbayan Campaign Network released a statement in solidarity with the national minorities. It conveyed its “strongest condemnation of PNP’s violent response, a great disregard of their preached principle of serving the public and a violation of the people’s democratic

In line with this, 50 activists were injured and were brought to the Philippine General Hospital and Ospital ng Maynila. Aside from this, police also arrested 29 protesters including 2 minors and 6 health practitioners who responded to help treat the wounded. Those detained were also released on the same day.

Those injured and threatened by the police cited in the complaint that the “intent to kill” was backed with evidence.

Additionally, they pointed that Kho was responsible for attempted murder.

In compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL),

Accordingly, SANDUGO esteemed the president’s stance on junking EDCA and considered his actions towards consolidating just and lasting peace in the country. The alliance also reminded Duterte that the independent foreign policy should prevent the dominance of foreign powers in the country.

"Iyong recommendation namin is the exercises will go on except na bawasan ang major exercises na involving landing exercise," he explained. With this, military exercises will continue and will fix the number of involved American troops to 1,000 yearly.

Furthermore, the police filed a legal complaint following the dispersal.

The secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Renato Reyes and Piya Macliing Malayao of SANDUGO were among those who were charged of physical injuries, assault, and illegal assembly. However, Reyes and Malayao were also the ones ran over with the police vehicle.

On the other hand, the protesters also filed a complaint of attempted murder, illegal arrest, physical injuries and other administrative charges against the police on October 26. This caused Pedrozo, Kho, and 8 other policemen to be relieved from duty.

Meanwhile, Duterte stressed his objection on the presence of foreign troops in the country last October 25.

However, last November 7, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that Duterte agreed on the recommencing of the Balikatan joint military exercises between the Philippines and US.

Blaming sides

Despite this, the driver of the said vehicle, PO3 Franklin Kho denied that he started the violence. He insisted that he drove the vehicle backward because the demonstrators tried to take control of the police mobile.

Pending Justice

“Ang matitira is counterterrorism, at saka 'yung humanitarian response, 'yung mga special operations na mga counterterrorism, mga engineering projects, civic action. 'Yon na lang muna," he elaborated. Nevertheless, Lorenzano said that the EDCA will still persist.

Photos taken by Kyla Pasicolan raise the continuing state-sponsored violence against our people and ancestral lands as a flashpoint concern in the pursuit for a peace based on justice”, indicated SANDUGO Spokesperson Piya Macling Malayao.

Expressing Opposition Despite the injuries, rallyists organized a multi-sectoral program at the Mendiola Peace Arch on October 21 to urge President Duterte to cut ties with the US, specifically the oppressive Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), among others. Furthermore, they enjoined foreign companies to move out of their ancestral lands.

rights

to

massively

mobilize”.

Following this decision, SANDUGO leaders ensured the continuous fight against imperialism. Malayao declared, “We national minorities will not allow the submission of the Philippines to any other foreign power. We should lay down the foundations of an independent foreign policy with a pro-people economic policy of land reform and national industrialization at its core”.

For the last day of the Lakbayan caravan, national minority groups gathered at the US Embassy on October 27 to continue their call on the government for self-determination and just peace.

Despite the challenges faced by national minorities during Lakbayan 2016, Moro leader and SANDUGO Convenor Jerome Succor Aba acknowledged the caravan as a success.

“The forming of an alliance from different Moro and indigenous people’s tribes all over the country is historic and unprecedented,” Aba appraised.

SANDUGO and other national minority groups extended their appreciation to the masses that supported their endeavor. “The national minorities’ struggle for self-determination and against foreign domination is also the Filipino people’s struggle,” reiterated Aba.

NEWS 05

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

Suspensiyon sa kumbersiyon ng mga lupang sakahan, suportado ng mga progresibo LEAH ROSE FIGUEROA PARAS AT ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON

Sa pangunguna ng Anakbayan, aktibong nagdeklara ng suporta ang mga progresibong grupo sa nakabinbing pagpapatupad ni Pangulong Duterte ng dalawang taong suspensiyon sa kumbersiyon ng mga lupang sakahan para maging pook komersiyal o residensiyal.

Ito ay bilang tugon sa opisyal na posisyong papel na nilagdaan nina Bise Presidente Leni Robredo, NEDA Director General Ernesto Pernia, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, at Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez na naglalayong baligtarin ang pagpapasabatas ng moratorium.

Pagtalikod sa

ipinangakong pakikibaka “Ito na ba ang kabayaran ni Robredo sa mga dilawan at oligarko na sumuporta sa kanya sa huling eleksyon? Pinakikita lamang ng mga tutol sa moratorium ang kanilang tunay na kulay bilang tagapagtanggol ng mga real estate developer, panginoong maylupa, at ng mga oligarkong nangangamkam ng lupa,” ani Einstein Recedes, kalihim ng Anakbayan.

Ipinaliwanag ng kalihim na noon pa man ay ginagamit na ng malalaking oligarko tulad ng mga CojuangcoAquino ang “modus-operandi” na kumbersiyon ng lupang sakahan para sa komersiyal, industriyal o residensiyal na pangangailangan upang matakasan ang pamamahagi ng lupa sa mahihirap na magsasaka ng malalawak na ariarian tulad ng Hacienda Luisita.

Giit ni Recedes, ang panandaliang suspensiyong ito ay tutugon hindi lamang sa problema sa lupa ng mga magsasaka, bagkus ay makapagsusulong din ng hustisyang panlipunan, seguridad sa pagkain, at makapagpapalakas ng maralitang sektor na taliwas sa sinasabi nina Robredo na paghadlang nito sa pagunlad ng bansa.

Dagdag pa rito, ayon kay Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, makatutulong ang hakbang sa pagsagot sa problema sa bigas ng Pilipinas at matutuldukan din nito ang malawakang pagdagsa ng mga magsasaka, manggagawangbukid, at mga pambansang minorya sa mga sentrong urban.

Panaghoy ng masa Bunsod ng pagtutol sa moratorium ni Robredo, inulan siya ng binatikos mula sa grupong mangingisdang

Pamalakaya sapagkat ayon sa kanila, ang mga kumbersiyon ng lupang agrikultural ay nagdudulot ng kawalan ng tirahan ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda na nagtutulak sa kanilang dumagsa sa mga sentrong urban bilang iskuwater.

Katuwiran ni Robredo, tutol lamang siya sa suspensiyon dahil nagbubunga ang kumbersiyon ng lupang sakahan ng pabahay sa mahihirap, bagay na kinondena ng grupong Kadamay National Alliance of Urban Poor sapagkat. Ayon pa sa Kadamay, hindi naman maayos ang lagay ng mga tirahan sa pabahay sa kabila ng mataas na amortization rates dito.

"Kung hahayaan nating magpatuloy ang kumbersiyon ng mga lupang sakahan at ang pagpapatayo ng mga pabahay, kapwa magdurusa ang mga maralitang rural at urban sa Pilipinas. Umaalingasaw ito ng politikang ‘daang matuwid’ na

walang kapalya-palyang pinaboran ang kita kaysa mamamayan,” ani Gloria ‘Ka Bea’ Arellano, tagapangulo ng Kadamay.

Ang dalawang taong suspensiyon ay inihain ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) at inaprubahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa unang pagpupulong ng Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) noong Setyembre 12 makalipas ang isang dekada.

Panandaliang mapatitigil ng inihahaing moratorium ng halos dalawang taon ang pagpoproseso ng mga aplikasyon kaugnay ng kumbersiyon ng mga lupang sakahan. Humigit-kumulang 4.6 milyong ektaryang lupa na nasa ilalim ng mga repormang agraryo Republic Act 6657 at Presidential Decree 27 ang sakop nito.

SERVICE BURNOUT FROM P.09 status was bound to foster a divisive notion of college as being exclusive to the privileged. Even when besieged at all fronts by protests from progressive organizations, Pascual stubbornly clings to his own delusion that “enrollment in UP by qualified students with financial difficulties is not an issue at all”. These repressive policies have evidently gone from bad to worse, further taxing the Iskolar ng Bayan with additional burden. He is now forced to swallow the bitter truth that quality education now exacts a costly price. Far more worrying is the disturbing fact that this apparently sits well with the majority who can afford to sleep soundly at night without the fear of debt haunting them in their sleep.

Yet the Pascual Administration’s “Electronic UP” or eUP Project is, quite possibly, the kindling that has set Pascual’s term ablaze the most.

Considered as the flagship project in Pascual’s term, the eUP Project aims to realize PAEP’s “One University, One UP” vision through the interconnection of

all Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems and infrastructures across all CUs in the UP System. Costing at PhP 745 million, the said project utilized Oracle, a database management computer software made in the US. Five information systems are included in the said database software, which include the Student Academic Information System (SAIS), Human Resource Information System (HRIS), Financial Management Information System (FMIS), Supply, Procurement, And Campus Management Information System (SPCMIS), and the Executive Information System (EIS).

The use of such systems, according to the administration, will ensure a more efficient tracking system for academic and administrative records, transactions, data, and documents.

However, despite PAEP’s expectations that the eUP Project will be able to “provide an environment conducive to academic excellence” and to enable UP to achieve distinction as an institution of higher learning in the

Asia Pacific Region and as a university that can be of greater service to the Philippines, its implementation has caused many controversies instead. The implementation of a technologically-advanced program – and a high-costing and foreign-made program at that--only points to the further commercialization of what should originally be a pro-student and pro-state education. The massive budget allocated for the said project, which is only a further addition to the already existing registration systems across the university, is an obvious failure of the Pascual Administration in terms of proper budgeting. Even more so, the acquisition of a foreignmade software obviously points to the Pascual Administration’s failure to consider locally-developed registration systems in UP, such as SystemOne in UP Los Baños, MyPortal in UP Open University, or the Computerized Registration System (CRS) in other UP CUs. This, then, strengthens the justification that the promotion of an efficient, affordable, and accessible

UP education is not the goal of PAEP’s administration, but of the promotion of the commercialization of state education instead.

The role of a leader of any institution is very critical. UP presidency is not a typical administering job. As the stretch of Pascual’s term comes to an end, it is important for the succeeding president to preserve what UP is originally for - to uphold quality education and serve the people.

With the flames of commercialization and privatization licking UP down to the ground, the already flawed system becomes even worse. However, despite the flames that continue to devour it into ashes, UP, together with the Iskolar ng Bayan, continues to stand firm with its principles and upholding nationalism and refuse to accept and be governed by such repressive policies. UP remains and will remain as an institution pledged to serve the masses from where it owes its continuing existence.

06 NEWS

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

Marcos’ burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani, granted Youth groups yet to denounce SC decision PATRICIA ANNE LACTAO GUERRERO

Students of University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) led by the University Student Council (USC), College of Arts and Science Student Council, Anakbayan-UP Manila together with other student organization of National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) held a protest action in front of the Supreme Court (SC) along Padre Faura on November 8, 2016 while waiting for the decision on Marcos’ burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).

In line with these, Martial Law victim-survivors joined the program to call for justice and resist revisionism of our history as they recounted the terrors of mounting numbers of grave human rights violations, massacres, tortures and hundreds of desaparecidos during Martial Law.

The UP College of Medicine Student Council (MSC) lead a candle lighting ceremony in front of Calderon Hall last November 9 as symbolic action against the Supreme Court’s decision on the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB). Photo by Jazmine Claire Mabansag Following the announcement of the SC ruling on the authorization of Marcos’ burial at the LNMB last November 8, youth groups and mass organizations gathered at the front of the Supreme Court along Padre Faura to condemn the said decision. Photo by Justin Francia

Injustice served Consequently, SC voted 9-51 to dismiss the consolidated petitions of Martial law victims, human rights advocates, environmentalists, teachers, campus journalists and student activists demanding to stop Marcos’ burial at LNMB. “Giving Marcos a hero’s burial sends a wrong signal that crimes against humanity and plunder will be celebrated by the state,” said Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan Chairperson.

However, SC decided that the cases of allegations regarding human rights violations committed by the former dictator have no significant bearing as they do not establish moral turpitude against Marcos.

“The nine Supreme Court magistrates betrayed the memory of Filipinos who struggled to

stand up at a time that the Philippines was being raped by a certain Ferdinand Marcos,” supposed Bonifacio Ilagan, spokesperson of Campaign Against the Return of Marcoses in Malacanang (Carmma).

Accordingly, the Kabataan Partylist cited Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was among those who opposed Marcos' burial, in their statement.

“For the Court to pretend that the present dispute is a simple question of the entitlement of a soldier to a military burial is to take a regrettably myopic view of the controversy. It would be to disregard historical truths and legal principles that persist after death”, Sereno maintained. “As important, it would be to degrade the State’s duty to recognize the pain of countless victims of Marcos and Martial Law.”

Fight for repeal

Following this, an indignation rally was held at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), Quezon City. The protesters burned a Marcos banner to show their anger and disappointment with the served resolution deeming it as an “act of betrayal’ to the Filipino people.

Moreover, UPD USC Councilor Ben Te expressed that SC decision should not be accepted.

He encouraged the youth to remember the crimes of the dictatorship to the Filipino masses.

Furthermore, the protesters and petitioners will immediately file a motion for reconsideration and will be asking to repeal the decision before the high court.

Subsequently, the Kabataan Partylist encouraged the masses to urge President Duterte to halt

the execution of the SC decision regarding Marcos' burial.

“The issue here is not simply whether or not there is legal basis for Marcos’ burial at the LNMB. Consciously or not, the High Court’s decision allowing Marcos’ burial is tantamount to absolving him and the Marcoses of the crimes they’ve committed during Martial Law”, the Kabataan Partylist asserted in their statement.

In line with this, another protest action was conducted

by UP Manila students in front of the SC on November 11 to condemn the ruling in favor of the dictator's burial. Likewise, various universities and colleges also held separate events to convey their dissent against the Supreme Court's latest ruling.

NEWS 07

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA

A HARRY POTTER EDITION To the left to the left, everything you need in the bed to be left.

Ay! Halluuu over there ma afhowz! Nakaka-sleepingbells ba pa ba kayiz? Kumuzt4h namern ang lyf? Needsung ni0 na berz ang akeywang profpotions to dendenden dishwashing soap este sem?

Feelingerz na fillingers ni0 n4 buzz ang fantastic beasts ng UFiEm? Hayy nakkloka! Der r sum flying over d mountainz. U olso noticesambum somewhere over their own rainbows. Others r crawling on your brain cells. Ayy charot! Donut worry mi afowz.

Knowsungwables ng inyong grate lola ang na-e-expiriencing niows dazz y i wheel splukembangbang d hardships of ur co ishtudents.

Huway pha vha are derr zhow meni dementors dat meyk my afows so defressed? Alohamoragosh namern! Hwell, I jhuz asked mah dear Lolo Finch eherm I eman Upo.. to search the Hogwartz CAStle for any chismakz.

Expecto proftronum sumvhong numbah one: sobrang brainy ni proffy, di ko keri Nakakaancha mga bes. Why u make some negative black and white commentum?

I tot a ghoul appeared b4 me.

Graveyard namern kc kung ma k a-reac t ion ism iteywang proftractor na i2 to what mi afowz do. Iz lyk pushing mi afow 6 ft underground river to shame.

Perfecto ata ang lolo mong proftractor from the galaxy of the living division. Nakerz namern.

Remarkings pang from d other u-never-see-tea raw si afow cuz cannot coconut follow inztrucshown.

Anque mga mars? E wititit namern inexplain ng formalization. Nakowz lungs talguh. Disco balls should nut be tolerated. Wiz mong i-callsung ang aking mga afow na bobitaamor por itsy bitsy wrong doings. Berry wrong talaguh.

Expecto proftronum sumvhong numbah two: kind but not organ-iced Nakerz namern. Aneque na mga marz?

I understand dot we make like sobrang sabaw at times but for the rulers of the class for the whole nut sem, please lang namern, make it ayos ayos cuz mah afowz are having a harder times magazine.

Iteywa na nga, i herd overheard a

splookembang a boat diz proftronum from the social security system, lyk a model for bulalo sa sobrang kasabawan.

Haixt! Ur kind butternut consistency in the rulers in class. Nakez talaguh.

Kc namern my berry hard working afowz, yah know, r givesung same sum-times more de-duct tape este grade compare 2 the lesser hard working. Dizzy sow merry berry unpaired of grating. Piece of slice lungs, donut beast Troll mi afowz. Never tlaga.

T h a n k youbells na lang at k a ma k a i la n ay inalis na rin ang mga basura sa PGH court at unti-unting na ring lumiliniskintab-ayos ang lagay!!!

Naexcite na ulit maglaro ang aking mga afowz ng favorite gamez nila!

At sana, hindi na ma-part 2 ang naganap na pagtatambakerz ng basura sa PGH court ano bae laruan dapat iyon at hindi tapunan!

Stressfullness is next to haggardness. Ay ay ay! Haggrda versoza talaga to d maxx. Sabi nga Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus!

In other words never tickle a sleeping dragon. Kaya to all of you. Do not make bobokaness and under construction ang rules to serve ma afowz. Ayan.

Pak na pak na ang profpotions kows to serbivore y mah soup-er belevodenesses afowz. Never evah hesitate calling mah name to save ur day. I am always ready.

Eveready to list-en 2 ur problemos mi afowz. Knowingbels namern natin ang existence ng mangga scattering beasts, we just havaianas to bee jolly.

Until nestling bird. Zee yah! XOXO

no ang masasabi mo sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema na pabor sa pagpapalibing kay Marcos sa LMNB?

Marami akong masasabi ukol sa opinyon ko tungkol sa desisyon ng Supreme Court sa pagpapalibing kay Marcos sa LNMB ngunit walang salita o pahayag ang makakapagpaliwanag ng lungkot, galit, at pagkadismayang nararamdaman ko ng dahil dun.

- Remember The 21st of September, 2014 Sobrang bullshit, for the lack of a better term. Mas bullshit din yung fact na yung 9 na pumabor sa pagpapalibing kay Marcos ay siyang mga pabor rin sa pag-acquit kay GMA. Pero ang pinakabullshit para sa akin ay ang pagsasakonkreto ng realidad na may historical amnesia na nga ang bayan natin.

Sa paglibing kay Marcos sa LNMB, para mo na ring nilibing sa limot ang lahat ng karahasan at pang-aapi na naganap noong Martial Law. Para mo na ring nilibing sa limot ang lahat ng sakripisyo at sakit na dinanas ng mga nawala, nawawala, pinahirapan at pinapatay na mga biktima ng Martial Law. Anyare sa #NeverForget???

- kalerqui ng lyf, 201*-1234 Official day of mourning ang November 8. Pati na rin ang pagpanalo ni Trump.

- anuhnamums? CAS, 2012-354xx Perhaps the term "democracy" should be defined as a small group of people representing a larger body. BBM is not a hero, whatsoever he had done to or "for" the country...

- SUITSARETHEBEST, CAS TANGINA LANG. PARA TAYONG DINURAAN SA MUKHA LAHAT. WALANG HUSTISYA!!! - Kulong, 201* Patunay lang 'to na hindi ka talaga pwede magtiwala sa gobyerno. No such thing as justice under this system. - trumpparinmgaulol, 201x

Buti pa kayo, ang dali nyo lang makamove-on. Samantalang ako, eto inaantay pa rin na pumabor din sya sa akin. - 4 years, CAS, 2014-2XXXX Sobrang nakakalungkot dahil mukha atang gusto na lamang kalimutan ng Korte Suprema ang mga kahayupan na ginawa noong panahon pa ni Marcos. Ang mas nakakalungkot pa, hindi nakamit ng mga nanakawan ng pamilya at kabuhayan ang kinakailangang patawad na kahit man lang hindi binitawan ng pamilyang diktador. - Kimberly baby, CAS e tangina matalino si marcos malinis siya gumalaw huhu hirap pag legal based mailulusot yung martial law at mga liquid finances ng pamilya niya - Kendall Ginir, CAS

T

apos na ang Araw ng mga Patay, pero bakit pa rin ako dead inside?

Kasi araw araw akong pinapatay ng UP sa acads at ng comments section sa Facebook - Bring Me To Life By Evanescence, 2014 2 words, mumz: HELL WEEK/S - kalerqui ng lyf, 201*-1234 Why? Politics and justice today has become one fucking sick joke. anuhnamums? - CAS, 2012-354xx Hindi naman dead inside haha kabado lang... - SUITSARETHEBEST, CAS yung magaling na diktador ginawang bayani, eh. - Kulong, 201* Kasi kinain na ng acads ang kaluluwa ko :-- -- --) - trumpparinmgaulol, 201x Buti ka nga dead inside lang. Ako, dead inside and out.

-livinThePangitLayf, CAS, 2014-2XXXX Dead inside na nga, deads pa sayo.

- file extension, AS, 2014-XXXXX Kasi landi lang hanap ko - Kimberly baby, CAS Hindi ko rin alam. Nagising na lang ako isang araw, tapos biglang wala na.

- Ok?ok, 20** Sino ba namang mabubuhay sa hell week??

- Kween, cas, 2014 Kasi 'di ko alam kung paano magstay kahit wala nang kakapitan.

- nanayniwallynakosaforever, 2013 Kasi mahal ko siya kahit meron siyang iba. #Querida - #Kanye2020PaRinMgaUror, 2014 Pati ba naman ako, patay na patay na sa sarili ko?

- College of Paperwork, sana 2015 pa rin sinama ng mga kaluluwa sementeryo yung will to live ko - Kendall Ginir, CAS

sa

Kasi wala pa siya lol. Internal CPR please.

-Diwata, CAS and 20.

SERVICE

B U RNOU ent of P

An Asses sm

T

r Pascual’s esident Alfredo E. Term

MARILOU HANAPIN CELESTINO, RONALD SATORE SIMYUNN JR., AND ANNA YSABELLA CULATA YAO ILLUSTRATION BY SHIRLEY NICOLE APOLONIO

Standing as the country’s premier academic institution, the University of the Philippines is bound to cater high-quality education.

In line with this, UP is ought to uphold its cardinal essence to serve the Filipino nation by catering nationalist education and providing policies which are bound for the fulfillment of public service. However, in the last 5 years under President Alfredo E. Pascual (PAEP), the university’s kernel essence remains an illusion, making its already imperiled condition much worse. The current handling of the Pascual administration had failed to exhibit the institution’s supposedly pro-masses policies and left terror to its students and people instead.

The UP system, as a whole, has been stuck with the highly neoliberal orientation of the present administration. With the surge of exploitative actions, the pretense to be the university of the people remains an ideal as long as an immense antagonist takes control, holding back the body from fulfilling its core purpose.

THE EMBERS Prior to PAEP’s ascendancy, the university has been a wreck of

problems--from lacking government support to policies compromising the welfare of its people.

The past administration handled by former UP President Emerlinda Roman faced problems on unfair budget allocations by the government and made even worse by controversial actions which are anti-student and anti-people. During the term of Roman, the decline in the budget given by the government had been continuous.

From 2005 to 2011, the government, on the average, had provided only P8 for every P10 expenditure of UP, leaving the university no choice but to shoulder the remaining portion of its fiscal needs.

Having this dilemma on government subsidy, commercialization started entering and festering the system.

The failure of the state to provide support on education had left the students the weight of paying extreme increase on tuition and other fees.

As an upshot of declining financial support, the administration under Roman had resolved government incapability by passing the burden to the students. In 2006, a year after Roman assumed presidency, the UP admin approved a 300-percent tuition hike, making the base tuition per unit

amounting from P300 to P1000. This increase was implemented as soon as the start of the next academic year and had made a huge gain on the total fees collected from the students. At the end of Roman’s term, the university had garnered P2.4 billion and defended that the total income generated from the Tuition and Other Fee Increases (TOFI) would be used for the “increasing cost of power and other utilities, procurement of equipment and upkeep of facilities, purchase of books and maintenance of journal and library subscriptions, and enhancement of teaching and research”as stated in the 2006 TOFI Primer. However, this alibi is not reflected on what UP has developed. In 2011, only P210.1 million of the generated funds was used to build dormitories among units in Diliman, Manila, and Mindanao.

Where the remaining amount of the income has gone remains a huge question. Clearly, the increase hit the students harder than anyone can think. Because of the drastic surge of fees, several students who can’t afford to immediately pay their dues, resorted to applying for loans. The number of student applicants has risen to 380 percent a year after TOFI had become effective. Having the population of students holding on

to loans proliferate, it is even more saddening that several supposed UP students choose not to enrol because of the terror brought by the increase. This action of the past UP admin took away the right of any student to have quality and accessible tertiary education.

Aside from the continuous budget cut, the Roman administration was infamous for the re-bracketing under the Socialized Tuition Fee Assistance Program (STFAP). Roman justifies that re-bracketing will help underprivileged students pay their tuition, also, the new bracketing system would be providing “wider stipend coverage and higher stipend rates.” This was not the case; stipend coverage is only available to only 10 percent of undergraduate students, which is a minute part of the number of those who truly needs it. UP earns more and more money from higher bracket students but fail to subsidize those who are in need, even if the population of Bracket E students is very small. Under the term of Roman, the university have largely milked income from the students who wanted nothing but education.

Aside from compromising the accessibility and availability of CONTINUED ON PAGE 09

FEATURES 09

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday UP education, it is also under the administration of President Roman where the university had entered leasing idle assets to private corporations.

This include the controversial UPAyalaLand Technohub in Diliman.

Partnered with private entities, these leases earned P9.3 billion during the stretch of Roman’s term, not to include the income gained from the collection of tuition fees from the students.

Seeing that the partner establishment of UP is becoming sufficient to support the finances of the university, it chained a reaction to the decision of former President Benigno Aquino, III regarding the P1 billion budget cut in 2011. The partnership of UP to huge private bodies has only worked for the benefit of those who want to earn profit, and only left the students to continuing misery of struggling just to get through tertiary education.

Roman leaves the horrors of commercialization and privatization in UP, as Pascual enters and swears to run the university “for the people”, hopes were up to win back what UP is supposed to be.

THE KINDLE The desire to recover from the atrocities of the past UP administration intensified with the appointment of President Alfredo E. Pascual (PAEP).

The kindle of light he brought upon the people projected a light of hope bright enough to almost blind those who were aiming for change.

For along with his aim to fulfill excellence in his term, the glimpse of commercialization sedately stepped out of its cage. The Philippine General hospital (PGH) which is supposed to provide affordable medical services for the people, has adopted radical policies under PAEP’s term. As early as May 2011, the rates of payments for patients have increased incrementally.

The deposit fee at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which was once P10,970, has increased to at least P40,000. This drastic action towards the privatization of basic social services even gone fatal in 2013, where the government had allocated only P2.1-billion budget for PGH to be used for treating an average of 600,000 patients annually.

This revision in policies and rates are manifestations of the administration's apathy towards the masses--denying them accessible health care services which were supposed to cater them.

Manifestations of privatization and commercialization under the term of PAEP have also increased. In accordance to Republic Act (RA) 7916 or the Special Economic Zones Act of 1995, all research and development centers throughout the university system have been registered by the UP

administration under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

This means that 21% of the total landholdings of UP had been entered under PEZA. Instead of adhering to the principle that the university’s lands must strictly be dedicated to academic purposes, the administration chose to have these parcels certified as economic zones, gearing them to commercialization. UP had its lands rented out to private entities through partnerships in order for both to gain more investments and generate more income. During PAEP’s term, two UP properties were declared as economic zones, the UP-Ayala Technology Business Incubator in 2004, and the UP-AyalaLand Technohub in 2009.

Taking that the income gained from the private establishments and the huge amount of money that the university gets from the students, UP has become exploitative. Projecting to gain profits, UP has become largely commercialized and privatized under PAEP and goes distant from being the state university it supposed to be.

Defending that with the declaration of these areas as economic zones have made UP self-sufficient, it is also one of the huge factors that UP has been experiencing huge budget cuts in the past five years, where only a third of the proposed budget is approved. Through Pascual’s term, UP was obliged to shift the burden of the deficiency caused by budget cuts on the students through the inclusion of exorbitant fees, in spite of its recognized status as a government-subsidized university.

This is where the Socialized Tuition System (STS) becomes an instrument to further perpetrate commercialization of education. The second of STS’s two-pronged strategy is its façade of making “UP education affordable, despite tuition increases for students, particularly those from poor families”.

This is sustained through annual applications for tuition discounts that goes through a rigorous screening.

Amid PAEP’s claims that implementation problems and conceptual issues have masked the merits of its precursor, the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP), reality speaks otherwise despite his attempts at upgrades in the form of inflation adjustment and streamlining of bracket assignment and appeal process.

Mismatches between assigned brackets, followed by a tedious reconsideration that coincides with the similarly exasperating registration, still persist. Release of monthly stipend, on the other hand, for students placed in the Full Discount plus Stipend (FDS) category even takes three months on average, forcing them to acquire excess debt apart from what they already owe since enrolment.

More importantly, what trumps this list of liabilities is the program’s inherent inclination to discriminate the student body based on one’s socio-economic status. This breeds, alongside calendar shift, an environment of competition wherein high paying, especially foreign students, vie for public education that was in the first place intended for the poor that comprises the majority of us Filipinos. In order to be placed on a desired lower bracket, one has to also endure the frustration and shame of disclosing personal matters which will be subjected to the assessment of a panel, whose only source of reference happens to be a mere two-page application form.

Behind this rhetoric of international competitiveness lies the next to PAEP’s line of supposed reforms, which resonates with PNoy’s vision of the government “gradually reducing the subsidy to state universities and colleges (SUCs) to push them toward becoming self-sufficient and financially independent”. Implementing budget cuts is proposed as the logical move, "given their ability to raise their income to utilize it for their projects and programs". It is further justified by referring to the objectives of Road for Public Higher Education Reform (RPHER), which are to “rationalize higher education, improve its internal and external efficiency, optimize resources utilization and maximize resource generation.” Within this blueprint engineered by the Aquino administration, budget will be accordingly distributed with regards to the performance, enrolment, and passing rates as quality indicators. This rewards system particularly grants priority for budget allocation to SUCs where courses that produce graduates in line with the government growth sector and emerging industries take precedence, such as agricultural and fisheries, tourism, business processes outsourcing, and electronics. This scheme, however, ignores the apparent correlation and causation between the lag in development and the insufficiency of the budget, which effectively forms a seeminglyunending loop of low performance.

Inefficient and inappropriate funding consequently backs SUCs in a corner as they pursue their goal of providing accessible and quality education, compelling them to either increase their tuition or impose additional, redundant fees in trying to compensate for their meagre budget. UP has been burned by what it thought was light. Pascual’s term has opened a pit full of policies favoring commercialization and privatization, bringing its people under deep misery.

Education which is supposed to be the primary service that the institution provides, has been compromised

for

the

proliferation

of

THE FLAME

profits.

The UP Administration, headed by PAEP, stands firm in its initiatives of thrusting UP into the unending race towards internationalization and globalization.

President Alfredo E. Pascual himself has determined the cornerstone on which the foundation of his administration is erected upon: intensifying internationalization.

Calendar synchronization with foreign countries had been deemed critical as the first in its baby steps. This synchronization of academic calendars with our neighbouring states, as seen in the eyes of Pascual, puts an emphasis on academic exchanges with which students and faculty are exposed to intercultural interaction and academic collaborations with their foreign counterparts, thereby permitting the cultivation of broader sociocultural, political, and economic perspectives. More so, this calendar shift has supposedly paved the way for Pascual’s agenda of fortifying UP’s reputation as an internationally competent academic institution through foreign partnerships; partnerships which would eventually lead towards even greater business opportunities for foreign investors and further commercialization of the University. The academic calendar shift serves as an invitation that reeks of a veneered agenda with which to lure a horde of prospective consumers who clearly have more than enough space to spare in their deep pockets.

Consequently, the Socialized Tuition System (STS) is included among the roster of supposed “achievements” by the Pascual administration.

Following its 27-year-old predecessor - the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP)—the STS takes on a tuition discount system instead of the STFAP’s bracketing scheme. The Pascual Administration notes that aside from more streamlined data-gathering methods and adjustments in bracket cut-offs, the STS grants a wider range of tuition discounts to its applicants, ranging from Bracket A (with no granted discount) to Bracket E2 (Full Discount with Stipend or FDS).

Yet, far from its expected promises of casting a wider net with which to assist more needy students financially, it was only met with a failure marked by a subsequent increase of re-bracketing appeals across the UP system. In the first place, a so-called reformed bracketing scheme that gauges one’s capability to pay for tuition with respect to his family’s socioeconomic CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

DANGEROUS CLASH:

Evaluating the University of the Philippines Presidential Nominees THE FEATURES TEAM

The Iskolar ng Bayan are molded as warriors to fight an unending, everpresent war; the selection of a new commander, thus, is a vital and deadly choice for their imminent battlefields.

Hoping to find victory in rectifying the plights of the oppressed, they use their skills, talents, and intellect to change the system and steer the future towards a better direction. As such, since its establishment in 1908, the University of the Philippines hasn’t failed in dutifully serving as a training ground in shaping the Iskolar ng Bayan and raising them as champions of the underprivileged.

Scattered across the country in fifteen different campuses, UP is divided into eight parts, with seven constituent universities and one autonomous college--altogether putting the roof over at least fifty thousand students.

Being the country's premier and national university, UP seeks to pursue the interests and ideals of the Filipino people by personifying the nation’s entire character. Thus, there is also the need to have a leader who will not only spearhead projects for the prosperity of the institution itself, but who will also cultivate the path for which he/she will guide the university into achieving its ultimate goal - to serve the Filipino people.

With UP having such a great influence in the country, the leadership of the university and the election thereof, ought to attract attention from the general public – the individuals whom it ceaselessly offers its oblation and trademark of honor and excellence.

THE PRECEDENT Throughout its rich history, the university has been colored by the management of various presidents – leaders who have brought both setbacks and comebacks for the fights and struggles that the Pamantasan ng Bayan, along with the masses, continue.

Starting from 1911, twenty administrations have served the university: two were headed by Americans, stemming from the institution’s early days; and eighteen were led by Filipinos--one of which is the university’s current one, governed

by Alfredo E. Pascual.

Commonly referred to by the studentry as PAEP, Pascual’s administration has been characterized by controversy.

Backlash and criticism became the resounding response towards many of his initiatives, such as the partnerships that gave rise to the eUP and the UP Town Center, and decisions that paved the way for the Socialized Tuition System and the Academic Calendar Shift. Protected by claims of benefiting the Iskolar ng Bayan, these projects were greenlighted, only to fail on fulfilling the promises they sworn.

Countless tales of inconvenience attributed to these programs have been told, from the difficulties in enrollment to the lack of student housing. However, one of PAEP’s most saddening moments can be seen in his reaction regarding Kristel Tejada’s death by suicide. Through his refusal to acknowledge the role of the oppressive system in her death, PAEP ultimately showed his apathetic disregard and

misguided priorities, proving himself to be detrimental to the students and the university, as a whole.

As President Pascual’s unsatisfactory term comes to an end, the University of the Philippines and the whole of its system, yet again, face the dilemma of having to predict who will the successor be, and the challenge of eventually having to cope with an administration that may possibly agree and be on course with the university’s objectives, or one that may go astray.

Being the sole body that has both the privilege and burden of choosing the next UP President, all eyes are firmly set on the university’s Board of Regents as they make a decision that will greatly affect and influence the spheres of society in and outside the university for the next six years.

While a great responsibility lies on the hands of the BOR, a rather minimal participation is vested upon the whole studentry - the university’s primary and largest component - in actually choosing its next administrator as it only gets one vote to cast through its representative - the student regent. But in a general manner, the studentry, through its many protests and petitions to call for action, substantially sways the dynamics of the election of the president by affecting the judgements of the BOR and the whole UP community.

In great contrast to the outgoing administration, and to PAEP himself, the UP community expects and hopes for an administration that is much more considerate and sensitive to the needs of its people.

The country’s national university deserves to have a leader that is not

only a facade of the institution, but a leader who promotes and embodies the University of the Philippines’ core values - honor and excellence.

Staying true to its image as a microcosm of Philippine society, the UP Presidential elections are also, at one point, fraught with controversy.

Initially having a list of nominees (as determined by those whom filed for candidacy) comprised of ten individuals, trouble arose when the UP employee age requirement was invoked. With the rule meaning that the elected president must complete his/her presidency before turning 70, four nominees were cut down from the list, including current UP Diliman Chancellor Michael L. Tan. Tan, with his support in various campaigns highlighting the struggles of the indigenous people (such as the Manilakbayan) and opposition with the incumbent administration regarding different university issues, has been lauded for his pro-people approach and emerged as an early favorite. However, as evidenced by the present situation, his staut supporters are likely to be disappointed and to remain that way, with Tan’s consequent inaction.

Hence, this brings the list down to six candidates: Prof. Danilo Concepcion, Prof. Gisela Concepcion, Prof. J. Prospero De Vera III, Prof. Rowena Gueverra, Prof. Benito Pacheco, and Prof. Caesar Saloma. As clearly stated in Republic Act 9500, also known as The University of the Philippines Charter of 2008, the Board of Regents has the power “to elect the President of the University for a single term CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

FEATURES 11

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

of six (6) years following a process of democratic consultation with the university community based on the standards and guidelines set by the Board.” However, with a selection of esteemed and highly-qualified individuals all vying to be the next UP President, the Board of Regents now truly has its work cut out for it.

With not only the UP system but the entire country as its eager audience, the pressure is mighty for the BOR as it chooses among the nation’s best to lead the Filipino youth’s brightest.

As the groundwork of the university depends largely on the trails blazed by its leaders, the choice of its commander in the battlefield is crucial and essential to the institution’s strength of character and determination.

The Proximate The choice of a leader that will strengthen the whole university must be decided on critically as the university needs the establishment of a president that will embody and uphold the Iskolar ng Bayan’s legacy of being the people’s armour and servant-leaders.

While the candidates may share commonalities in terms of being UP alumni, having been part of the faculty, experience in administrative duties, and in their desire for a better UP, their visions for the future of the university differ from one another.

One of the candidates is Dr. Benito Pacheco. Pacheco is the current ViceChancellor for Academic Affairs in the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Apart from his previous working experiences as a professor in Civil Engineering (UPD) and as the Vice-Chancellor of Research and Development, Pacheco is also the recipient of multiple awards, being lauded as “Most Outstanding Faculty” by UP Engineering Society in 2011 and “Honorary Fellow” by the University of Tokyo.

Pacheco’s platform was focused on two main goals: the need for UP to continually strive to be a leader of higher educational institutions and for the university to embody both “honor and excellence” and “public service”.

In order to achieve the aforementioned goals, Pacheco has several plans that he believes will help in the holistic development of the university.

The first of these plans involves the increase of salary grades for all administrative personnel, faculty, and research, extension and professional staff (REPS). According to Pacheco,

this is essential to his first goal, as the well-being of the staff heavily affects the functionality of the university as a whole. His second plan involves the promotion of athletics/athletics plus academics in order to induce healthy cooperation and competition among the students, leading to the furthering of their development.

In relation to his second plan, Pacheco also stressed the need for “a comprehensive development of its systems of teaching, curriculum and educational technology” in order to improve academic competency and socio-political awareness among the institution’s students. Other plans of his include having the university engage with underprivileged communities, and include the history of UP in their GE units as a means of strengthening the foundation of “Tatak UP”.

The second candidate is Gisela Conception, UP’s current VicePresident for Academic Affairs and also a professor 12 in the college of science. VP Conception’s stance is related to her “One UP for One Nation” campaign, which entails building “one community of scholars devoted to helping our country’s leaders and citizens” for a “just, humane, peaceful, and progressive Philippines”.

Concepcion plans on doing this through collaborations between the university and NEDA, CHED, DOST, and DTI for the development of the nation’s structures. More than just the collaborations however, Conception also stressed necessity of UP to “increase its number of experts in various areas of study and development”, with plans of making the UPCAT more accessible (especially for students in the province) and possible student training in world ranked universities.

Emphasizing on the university’s need for an increased budget, Concepcion aims to fight for higher education allocations as close to “1 percent of GDP per annum” as possible while simultaneously seeking for more support in the research and development regions.

On a university wide aspect, Concepcion also plans on updating the university’s education through updating its curricula, simplifying student assessments, keeping track of academic performances of the whole UP community and infrastructural construction within the various campuses.

The third candidate is J. Prospero De Vera III, the newly appointed commissioner for the Commission of Higher Education. Aside from his discussions on national and political issues on DZMM Teleradyo, De Vera has also had administrative experience

as the UP Vice-President for Public Affairs, and currently acts as an adviser for the government in regard to peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

De Vera’s main platform revolves around the reaffirmation of UP’s public character, emphasizing on the enforcement of RA9500 (An Act To Strengthen the University of the Philippines as the National University). Given this, his stances can be summed up into three key points, namely: equitable and inclusive access, academic excellence, and transformative impact through service.

In terms of equitable and inclusive access, De Vera plans on reviewing and reforming the Socialized Tuition Scheme (STS) and the admission process of the university as a means of democratizing access to UP education.

More than just that, De Vera also aims for higher state subsidies, the construction of dormitories and the expansion of the UP Open University. On his points on “academic excellence” and “transformative impact through service”, De Vera also promised to provide more support and grants for faculty research.

The fourth Candidate is Caesar Saloma, a former dean of the College of Science from 2006-2011, and a chancellor for UP Diliman from 2011-2014. Giving a presentation entitled “UP into the Third Decade of the 21st Century”, Saloma’s stance revolves around the standardization of productivity (in terms of research, PhD completion, teaching, etc.) between UP units and addressing the “productivity plateau” currently experienced by university. Given this, Saloma’s plans revolve around the following areas: administration and employee welfare, planning and development, and student welfare and finance.

Saloma aims to increase the number of slots for admission and eventually make UP education completely free, as a means of giving more inclusive access and opportunities to Filipinos from far flung places and financially struggling families. Apart from that, Saloma also plans on decongesting the population density of UP Diliman and UP Manila by transferring a number of their colleges to other campuses such as UP Mindanao or Clark Green City. On the notion of increased productivity and “honor and excellence”, Saloma also aims to establish more competent and successful doctorate programs that produce graduates in a timely manner.

The fifth candidate is Rowena Cristina Guevarra, who currently serves as the undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services of the

Department of Science in DOST. Guevarra obtained her doctoral and post-doctoral from the University of Michigan and University of California, Berkley, and has also had administrative experience as a former Dean of the UP Diliman College of Engineering from 2004 until 2010.

Giving a presentation entitled “The University of the Philippines as the National University That fulfills the Aspirations of the Filipino People”, Guevarra’s focus is based on improving the quality of UP education, the increase of investment on both the artistic and scientific fields, direct involvement of UP constituents in problem solving in the community, and in the continuation of the Pascual administration’s “One UP” initiative.

Starting with the quality of UP education, Guevarra outlines the need to review and update teaching methodology in order to increase teaching efficiency. Apart from that, Guevarra also intends to review and alter the university’s general education programs (GE) in order to increase UP’s quality of education. On the aspect of increasing investments, Guevarra plans on maximizing UP’s private partnerships as a means of enhancing the students’ learning environments, and in order to help performers and artists expand their reach both in the local and international community.

In terms of community involvement, Guevarra also plans to promote faculty and student engagement in the various problems faced by the nation, while maintaining the “One UP” program which serves to unite and standardize the educational programs of the various UP units.

The final candidate for the UP Presidency is Danilo Concepcion the current dean of the UP College of Law and the director of the UP Bonifacio Global City Campus. Conception graduated Cum Laude on 1983 in the UP College of Law and was also a bar topnotcher in the same year. He has also had administrative experience as the president of Dela Salle Araneta University from 2000 until 2002.

Concepcion’s platform revolves around the notions of student and staff welfare, research productivity/publication, administrative transparency, and on the “cultivation of a culture of compassion” for the country’s betterment and development.

On the grounds of student and staff welfare, Concepcion vies for the possibility of free tuition through resource management, returnservice contracts, and in increasing the number of foreign admissions CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

12 GRAPHICS BOYS BOYS BOYS

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

naman talagang kapansanan). Sa amin yung mga gabing nakahimlay sa kama, nakatitig sa kisame, at napapapikit sa dami ng mga nasayang na panahon dulot ng kapiranggot na mga kamaliang saka mo lang napagtanto.

Makikinig ka na lang ng mga awiting senti at magugulat na meron ka palang mahahapding alaalang nito lang nagbukas, kahit hindi naman siya ganun kasakit nung mismong sandaling naranasan mo iyon.

May ibang babaeng gusto yung mga lalaking basag, dahil tingin nila kami yung kaya nilang ayusin.

Kung may mga babae nga naman daw na nagkakainteres dala ng appeal namin, galawang hokage lang umano namin yun. Saka ko lang namalayan, may ugat pala ng kamanhiran sa ilalim ng malamlam kong pagkilos. Sinisira daw namin ang masculinity. Ang totoo ay pinalala pa namin ito. Hindi nito nabura ang paniniwala na layunin lang ng kalalakihan ang mang-akit ng babae.

FROM P.16

KILLING ME SOFTLY “Kung hindi makuha sa tingin, daanin sa lambing.”

Iyan ang mantra para makakilala ka. Unahin sa chat. Simpleng “Hi. Nakakain ka na ba?” hanggang sa masanay nang madalas may katext, tapos paabutin na sa tawagan kapag dis oras ng gabi. Mukha mang borderline stalker pero ganito talaga ako magpaabot ng aruga, lalo kung sa babaeng masayang kaibiganin. Call it intrusive, if you want. Concerned lang naman ako sa tao.

Kung ako ang tatanongin, masarap makipagkilala sa mga may girl next door na vibe. Yung tipong puwedeng sabihan ng kahit anong sikreto.

Ganyan ako sa kanya. Halos arawaraw ko siyang nakakausap. Hindi sapat yung chat eh. Dapat text o tawag sa magdamagan. Madaling araw na pero hindi pa rin natatapos ang pag-uusap namin. Usually, mga problema sa bahay at sa buhay hehe. Paggising sa tanghali (dahil nga puyat), babatiin ko na siya agad.

Nakakasawang mabuhay sa expectation na lalaki ang siyang malakas, ang tanging nagbibigaykalinga, at ang tagasalba. Kaya nga tila bagong himig sa ere ang makasalamuha ng tulad kong lasing sa feels kahit walang toma. Matagal nang ipinupukpok sa atin kung paano dapat umasta sa publiko kahit wala namang pinatunayan ang kulturang pa-macho kundi pagyayabang at pang-aalipusta. Ngunit, wala rin kaming kinaibahan sa kanila dahil pinamukha ko lang na mahina ako para may magkagusto sa’kin. Imbis na sirain ang pamantayan, lalo pa ‘kong nagpaapi.

Kapag naghihinagpis ako tungkol kay crush, itong kaibigan ko’ng puntahan ko. Kahit papaano, nagkakaroon na ‘ko ng feminine perspective.

Kaya laking pasasalamat ko talaga; madalas kong sabihing mahalaga siya sa’kin. Siya lang napagsasabihan ko ng ganito. Sa sobrang malapit namin, may nagtataka na kung may namamagitan ba sa’min. Namumula siya; natatawa lang ako. Alam naman naming wala! Misery loves company lang, kamo. Nagsama lang kami dahil komportable kami sa isa’t isa. Don’t get me wrong ha; I care for her a lot. Hindi nga lang sa paraang may malisya.

Sa katunayan, wala pa naman akong balak ligawan yung crush ko eh.

Posible siya, hindi nga lang sumasagi sa isip ko’ng makipagrelasyon.

Ganun din pagdating sa chat/text/ call-mate ko. Nakikita ko naman siya, kahit papaano, na kasama sa hinaharap.

Pero, ayokong pangunahan. Ayoko namang isiping pinagsasabay ko sila kasi wala namang romansa. Nag-request pa nga ‘tong kaibigan ko na halikan ko siya nang maranasan niya kahit minsan kung anong pakiramdam nun.

Isang araw nga lang, nasampolan ako: “Hindi ko na alam kung emotional sink ba ‘ko o pretend girlfriend. Buti pa yung f*ckboy, tapat maghayag ng intensyon.” Batid na niya ang estado namin nung umpisa pa lang, tapos nakuha niyang sabihin na pinaglaruan ko raw ang feelings niya.

Hindi ko maintindihan. Ipinakita ko naman sa kanya ang tunay na ako: maalaga, maalalahanin, good listener naman ako. Saan ba nagtatapos ang pagmamalasakit?

Nagsayang lang ba kami ng panahon?

Sino ba kasing nagtatakda na lalaki dapat ang maunang magpakita ng motibo? Sana kung matagal na niya ‘kong gusto, umamin na siya agad. Nagi-guilty tuloy ako.

LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO Hindi masamang magdrama. Sabi nga, “Don’t become your sadness.

Make sadness work for you.”

Sanay kasi tayong madalang magpakita ang lalaki ng emosyon. Kaya ako, para hindi mabigla yung iba, dinadaan ko sa biruan (internet memes) at dating tips sa kapwa lungkutin. Kung

ANGELU PAGOBO magpapakatotoo ako, may susuotin na kong itim na cap at hoodie. Tikom ang bibig, magkasamang nakasara ang mga kamay, squat sabay yuko.

Aesthetic nga raw namin ‘to ng mga #sadboys.

Tuksohin man ako sa pagiging sensitibo, wala na akong pakialam.

‘Ika nga ng sabi-sabi riyan, “I wear my heart on my sleeve.” Puwede raw maging malungkot, pero bawal magmukhang malungkot. Puwede raw magpakita ng damdamin, huwag lang daw sobra kasi hindi naman daw kami mga lampa at bakla. Ibang tao pa’ng may probisyon kung paano ka makakaramdam.

Likas naman sa ating makadama ng pagkasawi. May pasaglit-saglit, may nanunuot. Sadyang lantad lang yung akin. Iba pa ‘to sa depresyon (na isa

Bilang payo sana, likas mang maging malungkot, kung dito na nagwawakas ang ating pagtugon, ipinagkait na natin sa sarili at sa lahat ang pagkakataong itaguyod kung ano ang tama.

Sa lipunang pinanday ng daantaong patriyarka, maging ang kalalakihan ay nakukulong sa kahong sumisikil sa kanilang pagkatao. Nauudyok tuloy sila na makisabay sa idinidikta at hinihingi ng mapanghamon at makompentensiyang pagturing sa kababaihan bilang tropeo.

Itong mga pribilehiyong dala ng pang-lungsod na pamumuhay ay siyang nakapagpapalayo sa kanila mula sa pagkamulat sa tunggalian ng uri.

Makapagpapanibagonghubog lamang ang kalalakihan kung uunawain at lalabanan ang di-pagkakapantay ng oportunidad sa kasarian na ito namang mapagtatagumpayan lamang nang lubosan kapag ganap na rin ang pagpapalaya sa mga uri sa lipunan.

GRAPHICS 13

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

DANGEROUS CLASH FROM P.11 a s a way of lower ing tuition for loca l students, stating the need to rev iew the socia lized tuition scheme and the implementation of the rev ita lized GE program.

Concepcion a lso added that it is necessar y to examine policies on housing, hea lth benefits, contractua lization and retirement benefits in order to increase work productiv it y among the universit y ’s sta ff.

STRUGGLE KYLA DOMINIQUE LACAMBACAL PASICOLAN KAKAI-BABE

on the 11th of September 2011--where I gave our boss an incriminating evidence against someone who threatens him--and again on the 12th of July 2012--where I shredded an incriminating memo that I feared will implicate him in a lawsuit.

The events in that July emotionally strained and confused our relationship.

Someone revived an old case against him (re: accusations of burying evidence and fraud). Afraid of the implications against him and seeking to protect him, I hid the truths from him. He nearly committed perjury as a result, and it was only our fave human(H)'s quick actions that prevented him from doing so. After H had informed him that I found the document, he stormed into the ladies' room to confront me. A bitter argument ensued, during which I accused him of keeping things from me and revealed that I shredded the memo. Feeling furious and betrayed, he told me that he’s not going to fire me but might kill me. That made our relationship extremely tensed. Both of us are used to being perfectly in sync with each other, and for the first time in a long time, we were out of step. It frightened and confused me that I could have misread the situation (and him) so badly. He, on the other hand, was swamped by his feelings of fury, hurt, and betrayal, and could see little else. He was hurt and upset that I did not trust him enough to come to him with my problems, and a part of him was frightened that I would go to such lengths to protect him. He was afraid that that was something he could not fix. We are both the type of people who typically know what to do in any situation, and for the

FROM P.14

first time, both of us were at a loss. These feelings were further compounded when I was fired by our boss where I felt hurt and betrayed because he didn't fight for me the same way he fought for H, while he was uncertain as to how to fight for me. His own personal credo of "tough, but fair" created a conflict within him: on the one hand, he loves me and views me as essential to his being; on the other, my actions made my termination more than justified. He was at a loss as to what to do, and he is lost without me (and vice versa).

While I managed to go on with my life away from him in July and early August of 2012, he was incapable of moving on without me. His grief over my departure was so strong that he became incredibly reckless, and no one could hold him in check--not even H or the boss. It was only at the end of August 9 that he informed his boss in no uncertain terms that he was bringing me back, and it was only in August 16 that the rift between us was finally mended.

can of San Mig Apple. He stepped into my place and I closed the door, after which he leaned over to kiss me, and the rest is history. Afterwards when he got a new job, he asked me to work with him to which I agreed on two conditions: a large signing bonus and never to speak again of us sleeping together.

While it is implied late in 2011 that my feelings for him may not be platonic, I informed him in August 16, 2012 that I love him like a brother or a cousin, and that I am not in love with him. It was unclear if you could take me at my word, however, since I am also an excellent actress and I’ve fooled him before.

To cut it all short: I might be in his corner every step of the way but that doesn’t mean I’m his simpering secretary. When he makes a mistake or acts like a jerk, I am the first in line to point it out—that what he did is, or he, himself, is a bullshit. But at the end of every day, you have, and he has to love my loyalty (despite many people’s disapproval of it). No matter how many twists and turns my relationship with him take, I will always have his back.

Always.

Came August 20, 2013, it became clear that he once tried to pursue me, but due to my policy of not mixing work with pleasure, I resisted his advances. However, when we both quit our first job, he visited me as I was already waiting for him with a

By the end of March 2015, after working for nearly 13 years together, I quitted being his assistant to work for someone else who was needier because his assistant has died. I also came up with that decision because my relationship with him was not working for me anymore. My new boss said to me in a conversation that he is unaware how lucky he is to have me. Anyway, before leaving, I told him that I love him.

Nonetheless, after H was arrested in the middle of June 2015 and March 2016, I was fired by my second boss so that I could become his secretary again and help him help H. I owe this all to you, Wikia.

*Kakai-bes **[P.] or [roBeRTaLOME]

In ter ms of research productiv it y and publication, Concepcion ack nowledged the impor tance of the production of UP facult y ’s research findings. Given this, he aims to incentiv ize them through monetar y incentives when they produce papers and research in UP ’s jour na ls, especia lly for those w ith impact on nationa l development.

Additiona lly, Concepcion a lso plans on promoting administrative transparency, accountabilit y and objectiv it y in the addressing of per tinent issues w ithin the universit y and among its var ious sta keholders.

Though the candidates have differ ing opinions and sk ills, one goa l remains ev ident ly the same—a ll aim for the bet ter ment of the universit y as a whole. The clash for a president that w ill tr uly represent the students and advocate their r ights has begun.

Wit h new leaders tr ying to win t he presidentia l bat t le comes a new challenge for an electora l process t hat will duly and crucia lly decide not only for t he Iskolar ng Bayan’s future but for t he countr y ’s as well. The Universit y of t he Philippines deser ves a leader that will uphold t he vir tues embodied by its constituents. The armor of t he Iskolar ng Bayan must not be def ined by fame and credentia ls, but by t heir f irm stands and principles, t hat will soon be t he underpinning of t he universit y.

Only an effective commander, with dreams and aspirations built with a foundation built to uphold t he vir tues and t he rights of its constituents and t he masses, can ma ke a brilliant inf luence to its soldiers who are bound to be t he future and bearers of change in our societ y.

14 OPINION Truth Be Told

Mico Cortez A WORLD WORTH SAVING

“Ililibing na daw si Marcos!”

I was walking up the knee-breaking stairs in the CAS Student Center when I heard some random student say that. As soon as I got to my classroom, I checked Twitter to confirm what I heard. True enough, the Supreme Court, voting 9 - 5, allowed former president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

It is a grave insult (pun not intended) to every Martial Law victim for the man - no, the monster - responsible for so much suffering, tragedy, and loss to receive such a burial. And in a cemetery for heroes no less.

It was a bad day, I thought to myself. But of course, things would get even worse.

The day after that were the United States presidential elections. I was aware of each candidate’s faults and failures, and I knew that it - like most elections - boiled down to choosing the lesser evil. But after thinking about it, I wanted Hillary to win. Of course, as you know by now, she didn’t.

Trump won. Trump. Won. A racist, misogynistic, homophobic, fearmongering, hateful man would sit in the most powerful office in the world.

The implications of that for the US and the entire world shook me. Another bad day.

Looking back, 2016 has pretty much been a series of bad days. So many efforts have been made to achieve equality, justice, and fairness for all, especially the oppressed.

And yet, for every step we take, it seems we still take two steps back.

Sexism, racism, bigotry, and historical revisionism continue to spread. And with leaders like Duterte and Trump leading the way, they probably won’t die down anytime soon. They certainly won’t do so without a fight.

The ignorance and hatred that blind people is rooted so deeply in their minds, in their collective psyche, that it seems almost impossible to do away with.

And so, I asked myself: is this world worth saving? Is it worth fighting for? Even dying for?

I say yes. I say, now more than ever before. The Manila Collegian has been around for almost three decades, and even just by browsing through its past issues, I could see how hard it has fought - to inform, to educate, and to inspire action.

It will not be easy. It will be incredibly frustrating and demotivating at times.

But even amidst all of this godforsaken sh*t, this world IS worth saving.

I’ll catch you next time.

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

POIKILOTHERMIC HOMEOTHERM THALIA REAL VILLELA

I am someone’s trusted subordinate, close friend, and confidant; I am the right-hand woman to his general. We trust each other implicitly. We met as secretary-ADA, respectively; we’ve been a team since then. After working for two years at that office, he took me with him to another.

We are extremely close. I self-proclaim that he loves and trusts me absolutely.

He relies upon me and views me as essential to his being. As what I’d like to believe, he tells other people that I am irreplaceable. I, in turn, adore him and am incredibly loyal to him, to the point where I would take a bullet for him. We tend to view each other as two halves to the same whole, and I put him above all other relationships more than once. We take great pleasure in each other's company and enjoy verbal sparring, and most of the time, silence. (We have an unspoken ritual and inside jokes involving sofas & guards.) Over the years, we have developed an ease of comfort found only between best friends, and are

KAKAI-BABE BY DONNA B.*

very good at reading the other. No one knows him better than I do, and although he generally tends to keep his feelings close to the chest, he is more open and vulnerable with me than he is with anyone else.

No matter how many

twists and turns my relationship with him take, I will always have his back. Always.

I am privy to most of the details of his private life--I know about his mother and brother, and am fond of his nephew. (I am also the one who informs him of his father’s other messages.) I am also one of the few people whose opinion he values, and he listens carefully to anything I tell him, even if he does not always acknowledge it at the time. When upset, he sometimes falls back upon establishing the bossemployee boundary--a boundary I am

EULOGY

AGATHA HAZEL ANDRES RABINO

Ano kaya ang magandang pagusapan? Nako, kilala ka naming lahat.

Alam naming ayaw mong nakakarinig ng pambobola. Iyon naman ang dahilan kung bakit mahal ka namin.

Katotohanan lang ang gusto mong marinig. Kaya imbis na mag-reminisce ay isisiwalat na lang namin lahat hanggang sa magpanting ang tenga mo riyan sa langit o nirvana o kung nasaan ka man naroroon. Sino ba naman kami para itanggi iyon sa ‘yo?

Ilang dekada ka na kasing nawawala, pero kahit ganoon ay hindi kami nawalan ng loob na babalik ka.

Mukhang malabo nang mangyari iyon, kaya nga ngayon lang kami nagtipon upang magbigay ng parangal sa ‘yo. Overdue na ‘to, pero mabuti nang mayroon kaysa wala ‘no?

Magsisimula ako sa komentong maganda ang panahon ngayon para sa isang libing. Nai-imagine kong nakahimlay ka sa ilalim ng malawak na espasyo ng asul na langit, kasabay ng lalong pagtingkad ng luntiang damuhan. Para sa amin, doon ka lang dapat ihimlay, kasama ng iilang magigiting na lumaban para sa kasarinlan ng bayan.

I am a gold mine of information [opinion] for him and I listen to all his conversations in his office (something he does not discourage, since he leaves his intercom on for me). I am excellent at anticipating his needs, and takes great pride in being able to provide him with what he needs without him asking for it. I view my job as to protect and take care of him, and will go to any lengths to do so. This was first proven CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

BANYUHAY

Pinagpala kami’t nagkaroon ng pagkakataong magtipon ngayon upang sariwain ang mga alaalang naiwan noong ikaw ay kasama pa namin.

smart enough to know when to ignore, recognizing it for the emotionally distancing tactic that it is. I am likely the only person capable of keeping his reckless tendencies in check. He, meanwhile, is equally good at reading me, and although he is not essential for the mechanics of my life, I rely heavily upon his unswerving loyalty, devotion, and emotional support.

Despite being protective of his privacy, he has let my parents stay at his place before (after I faked tears--a fact he just found out), and I have the spare key to his unit and access to his bank accounts.

Pero hindi raw kasi iyon ang himlayan para sa ‘yo.

Mas bagay ka raw kasi ihimlay sa maalinsangang kalye ng Padre Faura, sa tapat ng grandiosong Korte Suprema. Ang hatol kasi nila sa ‘yo ay ang mahimlay ka kasama ng iilan pang nawawala at hindi napapangalanan.

Magsisimula ako sa komentong maganda ang panahon ngayon para sa isang libing.

Hindi katahimikan ang sasalubong sa puntod mo, kundi ratsada ng ingay ng kalsada, palahaw na iyak dulot ng inhustisya, at nagngingitngit na galit ng mga mamamayang ipinaglalaban ka pa rin hanggang sa huli mong sandali.

Itatayo raw nila ang puntod mo sa lugar kung saan din nila ibabaon ang madilim na kasaysayan ng lipunan.

Pero hindi pa roon nagtatapos ang sorpresa nila para sa ‘yo. Surprise, surprise, ang taong may pakana ng pagkawala mo ang ililibing sa lugar kung saan ka dapat ihimlay. Hanggang sa kamatayan, ipinagdadamutan pa rin nila sa ‘yo ang katarungan.

Lumaban kami para sa iyo, pero hindi pa rin magkamayaw ang pagpapaulan nila ng kantiyaw. Matuto raw

kaming magpatawad. Lahat ng tao nagkakamali. Tanggapin na lang daw ang desisyon. Kalimutan na raw ang nakaraan at magsimula ulit.

Mabuti sana kung napakadaling lumimot ng apatnapu’t apat na taon ng pagpapahirap. Hanggang ngayon, ramdam na ramdam pa rin namin ang pamana ng berdugong lumapastangan sa ‘yo. Hindi pa sapat na kami na ngayon ang tumutubos sa lahat ng utang nila, nagbaba pa ng hatol ang kataas-taasang hukuman na karapat-dapat bigyang parangal doon sa sagradong Libingan Ng Mga Bayani ang ex-president nating maraming inutang na dugo.

Tama. Bayani na ang taong nagpakana ng Martial Law. Ang lupa na dapat sana ay para sa ‘yo ay paghihimlayan na ng taong dahilan ng paghari ng pasismo apat na dekada nang nakakaraan.

Patatabain niya ang lupa gamit ang dugo ng iilan pang nawawala at hindi na makikita.

Mapupuno ang mapayapang hardin ng masangsang na amoy ng kamatayan. Ang libingan para sa tulad mong bayani ay himlayan na ng isang berdugong hanggang ngayon ay nangungulimbat pa rin.

Patawad, mukhang hanggang sa kamatayan ay ninakawan ka pa rin niya ng dignidad.

EDITORIAL 15

Volume 30 Numbers 4-5 November 24, 2016 | Thursday

JUSTINE VINCE DE DIOS N E W S C OR R E S P ON DE N T S

Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Eunice Biñas Hechanova Anton Gabriel Abueva Leron Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales

F E AT U R E S C OR R E S P ON DE N T S Justin Danielle Tumenez Francia Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari Katrina Maria Limpiada Perolino Thalia Real Villela

C U LT U R E C OR R E S P ON DE N T S Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino

R E S I DE N T I L LUS T R AT OR S

Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes Danielle Montealegre Rodriguez

R E S I DE N T P H O T OJOU R NA L I S T Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan

OF 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 WEBSITES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule MEMBER

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

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

The Cover

Illustration Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes

Layout

Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan

B

Y SIDING WITH THE MERE legalities and technicalities of Philippine laws and undermining the social and moral implications of their decision, the countr y’s judicial system has yet again proven that the rule of law is not equal to the rule of justice.

More than forty years after the imposition of the Martial Law, the Supreme Court of the Philippines has decided this November 8, 2016 to allow the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB). Dismissing all the legal appeals petitioned by the Martial Law victims to stop the impending burial, the Court has voted 9-5 in favor of allowing Marcos’ remains in the LNMB in honor of his role as a former president and commanderin-chief, soldier, and a Medal of Valor awardee. Vindicating President Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier order, the Court has asserted the president did not commit a grave abuse of discretion in allowing the burial to take place as he was just acting under his mandate.

Such decisions were mainly based on the contention that Marcos was never convicted of crimes that involve moral turpitude—an essential factor which qualifies him to having a spot in the LNMB under legal bases.

In the first place, it is an irony that the countr y’s justice system decided to lay blind eyes on the numerous crimes against humanity perpetrated by Marcos during the dark days. At least 3,257 extrajudicial killings, 35,000 torture incidents, and 70,000 imprisonments have been recorded under the Martial Law

SIX FEET UNDER era—an evident manifestation that the human rights of citizens have been bypassed under his reign. Up to this day, justice for the victims of the Martial Law era and their families have been reduced to the reception of meager compensations that do not equate to the lives lost.

But the grim legacy of the Marcos administration did not only haunt the Filipinos of the “past”. In fact, the burdens that it created are still being carried out by the citizens of today, for billions of the countr y’s

moving on, but this is the same action that affirms how impunity is continuously being cultivated in the already rotten and corrupt government. By tipping the scales away from the citizens and in favor of the Marcoses, the judiciar y has only proved how the countr y’s justice system has always ser ved for the benefit of the powerful few.

It is a great contradiction to give Ferdinand Marcos an honorable burial at the LNMB, when in fact, bodies of many citizens who have disappeared during the Martial Law era continue to be missing up

In

such a time where the people are asked to forgive and forget all the atrocities of the past, all the more should the voices of the masses be heard. money still fall under ser vicing the debts that have been incurred during the dictator’s presidency.

What is worse is that the Marcos family still remains unapologetic, and refuses to return the ill-gotten wealth that they have milked out of the nation.

It is alarming that justice has not been ser ved to the victims of the Martial Law up to the present, but what is more jarring is the fact that the Philippine justice system has allowed Ferdinand Marcos and his family to just get away from the atrocities that they should be accountable of. The administration justifies this action as a step towards healing our nation and

until this day. And it is the grossest insult to dignify a dictator who has blatantly bastardized the nation by concentrating the countr y’s wealth to his own hands.

In such a time where the people are asked to forgive and forget all the atrocities of the past, all the more should the voices of the masses be heard. The late dictator’s remains may be buried six feet under, but the stories of the actual heroes— those who fought for the countr y’s democracy—will continue to rise.

The system is skewed in favor of the powerful, but the people will not be silenced until genuine justice to be served.

BOYS BOYS BOYS Pagsulyap sa Modernong Anyo ng Patriyarka

AGATHA HAZEL ANDRES RABINO, JONERIE ANN MAMAUAG PAJALLA, AT MARI LOREAL MARQUEZ VALDEZ DIBUHO NI JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG Kumalas man ang kalalakihan sa makalumang machismo, napalitan naman ito ng panibagong pakulo na nagpapabalik pa rin sa maling kagawian na “Palibhasa, lalaki�.

Gayunpaman, sa likod ng painosente at mapanlinlang na patibong ay nagtatago ang pagkalito at takot na manatiling bilanggo sa kanilang kinalalagyan.

Tunghayan ang pakikipagsapalaran ng tinaguriang mga fu*kboy, softboy, at sadboy.

SORRY FOR PARTY ROCKING Marunong naman kaming magvalue ng babae, lalo na if she’s smokin’ hot.

Siyemps, kung habol namin pachix, basic lesson na kung pa’nong magpahabol. Name it, we got it.

Tambay sa gym in the morning.

Don’t forget the protein shake.

Ladies love it when we flex our #gainz on IG. Sa campus, we make sure our outfit’s fly. Sarap kayang mag-tally how many times kang tinititigan. Mag-aya ng barkada for Happy T. Drinks on the side, vapes up the roof. ‘Pag may target, lock it down.

Tabihan mo lang then chitchat.

Exchange numbers. Lead her to the dancefloor. If she grinds, boom.

Jackpot. That means, she nasty. 5 seconds, walang malisya. “My place or yours?� Hayaan mo siya magdecide. Kung hindi makapaghintay, the backseat is totes fine. I bet I gave her a favor.

Maipagyayabang na niyang may naka-hook-up siyang sikat. Sana

lang, hindi niya ‘ko kulitin sa FB. (Locked my Twitter account already đ&#x;˜‚đ&#x;˜‚đ&#x;˜‚ just in case). Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Hindi ko lang gets kung bakit may instances wherein patay na patay yung babae

sa nangyari eh that’s all there is to it — a f*cking experience! Isn’t it enough na pareho naman kaming nag-enjoy?

Me as boyfriend? That’s just asking for trouble, woman. I mean bruh, ‘wag head over heels sa “foreverâ€?. If I’m to get settled, it’d be like that wonderful opener from Closer (ft. Halsey đ&#x;”Ľđ&#x;˜œâ?¤): “I was doing just fine before I met youâ€?.

I’ll prolly meet this girl someday, like real soon. Sa ngayon, no labels muna.

Just let me Snapchat muh nudes in peace para less hassle.

Nakakatawa lang tho na some call me “Fuccb0iâ€? as an insult. I can get more roasted than that, mehn. Akala siguro ng iba hindi ko alam yung etymology nitong terminology (lit AF rhymes y’all!! đ&#x;‘Œ). Originally, f*ckboys meant wimps and losers. Plebs should know better; we elevated that word. Yung na-stuck sa orig definition, here’s one thing I can say. Hate the game, not the playah đ&#x;™Œ Alam naming we’re not perfect, and I doubt haters notice the pressure na mag-maintain ng ganitong lifestyle. It catches on us, hangovers and burnout.

Gets you laid, but drains the soul. No one pretends na hindi ito illusion.

That’s why I’m making the most out of it while it lasts. Yes, gumagana naman siya, only if you’re after that adrenaline

rush.

Kasi ‘pag nandiyan na yung araw, it’s time to stop the music.

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