The Manila Collegian Vol. 31 Issue No. 7-8

T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 • DEC 14, 2017

NEWS

04

MINOR CASUALTIES: COUNTING THE DEATHS OF CHILDREN IN DUTERTE'S ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN

FEATURES 08

SUPRESSED

OPINION

14

FOR THE DEMONS

Free Tuition Law, nababalot pa rin ng anomalya 02 NEWS

02 NEWS

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 DEC. 14, 2017

Free Tuition Law, nababalot pa rin ng anomalya LEAH ROSE FIGUEROA PARAS

Patuloy ang kampanya ng kabataang militante sa loob at labas ng kanilang mga pamantasan upang ipahatid sa pamahalaan ang kanilang hinanaing. Larawang kuha ni Kyla Pasicolan.

Bagaman naisabatas at napirmahan na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ang Republic Act 10931 o mas kilala bilang Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, hindi pa rin absolutong natatamasa ng kabataang Pilipino ang libreng matrikula sa mga state universities and colleges (SUCs) at local universities and colleges (LUCs) sa bansa.

Saklaw at Limitasyon Sa inilathalang Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED), nakasaad na planong higpitan ng mga SUCs ang kanilang admission at retention policies alinsunod sa nasabing batas na magbibigay ng subsidiya sa matrikula at iba pang mga bayarin.

Ayon sa pahayag ni CHED Commissioner Prospero de Vera III, tanging ang mga estudyanteng naka-enroll ng full load at ang mga on-time makakatapos ng kanilang kurso lamang ang sakop ng batas na ito. Hindi rin saklaw ng Free Tuition Law ang mga estudyanteng kumukuha ng kanilang ikalawang

Bilang pagkondena sa komersiyalisasyon ng edukasyon, mas pinalalakas pa ng mga lider-estudyante ang paggiit ng kanilang karapatan sa pamamagitan ng mga plakard na naglalaman ng kanilang mga panawagan. Larawang kuha ni Kyla Pasicolan.

Photo by Agatha Hazel Rabino.

kurso, at ang mga transferee mula sa mga pribadong institusyon.

wika ni USC Councilor Luke Wesley Borromeo sa isang panayam.

Ang mga anomalyang kaakibat ng Free Tuition Law ay nadarama rin sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Maynilla, partikular na ang isyu ukol sa tuition refund ng mga estudyanteng nagbayad ng matrikula noong Agosto bago pa man maideklara na wala munang sisingiling bayarin sa mga SUCs.

Samantala, ayon naman kay Miguel Aljibe, USC Chairperson, wala pang nakukuhang bagong balita ang konseho mula sa administrasyon ng pamantasan hinggil sa isyung ito.

Mga iregularidad sa implementasyon “Ang bagal ng naging proseso para maisaayos ang free tuition policy, at ma-refund ang mga nakapagbayad na. Mayroon ngang free tuition policy, pero di naman nito sakop ang lahat ng kabataan at may requirements pa na dapat sundin para lamang ma-avail ang free tuition. ‘Di pa rin kasi nabigyan ng free tuition ang ating med students, post-grad students at mga estudyante na hindi eligible ayon sa requirements.

Manipestasyon pa rin ito na bagaman nagkaroon ng panukalang gawing libre ang matrikula ng mga SUC, ayaw pa rin ibigay sa lahat ng estudyante ang karapatan nito sa edukasyon,”

“Students have already filed for refund but many have not yet received it. For us, at the Council, this is not acceptable.

Moreover, not all students enjoy free tuition and other school fees as we’ve seen in the College of Medicine and College of Dentistry. Much needs to be done, there are more battles ahead for the student body,” pahayag ni Aljibe.

Dagdag pa ni Borromeo, nakalulungkot isipin na ang badyet na inilalaan para sa edukasyon ay hindi natatamasa upang gamitin ng kabataan sa kanilang pag-aaral. Aniya, bigo rin ang pamahalaan sa pagsusulong ng isang kurikulum na magsusulong ng edukasyong makabayan, siyentipiko, at pangmasa.

Katwiran ng CHED, ang mga hakbang na ito ay binalangkas upang makontrol ang enrollment sa SUCs at LUCs at

mapigilan ang open admission. Dahil sa limitadong badyet, iniiwasan ng CHED na gawing daan ang Free Tuition Law ng mga institusyon upang taasan ang dami ng kanilang mga estudyante para makakuha ng mas malaking subsidiya mula sa pamahalaan.

Nakasaad sa IRR na higit P51.4 bilyon ang kinakailangan upang pondohan ang nasabing batas. Nakalaan ang P22.6 bilyon para sa libreng matrikula at sa iba pang bayarin, P7 bilyon para sa edukasyong tech-voc, P21.6 bilyon para sa subsidiya ng edukasyong tersyarya, P50 milyon para sa national student loan program, at P100 milyon para sa administrative costs.

“Hindi dapat tumigil ang laban ng kabataan para sa libreng edukasyon dahil hindi pa ito naisasakatuparan ng lahat ng estudyante. Hindi ito matatawag na tagumpay dahil ito ay binigay lamang upang pakalmahin ang lumalakas na sigaw at pagkilos ng mga estudyante.

Nararapat lamang na ituloy ang laban para sa libreng edukasyon na walang kinakailangang patunayan o hindi na kailangang pinipili kung sino lang ang malilibre,” panawagan ni Borromeo.

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VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 DEC. 14, 2017

Pandaigdigang Araw ng Karapatang Pantao, ipinagdiwang sa pamamagitan ng kilos-protesta ARIES RAPHAEL REYES PASCUA

Nagtipon-tipon ang mga kabataan, kababaihan, katutubo, manggagawa, magsasaka, at iba pang sektor sa Liwasang Bonifacio upang kondenahin ang iba’t ibang paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng rehimeng US-Duterte sa pamamagitan ng mga mapaniil na programa at polisiya nito, Disyembre 10.

Matapos ang programa sa Liwasang Bonifacio, nagmartsa ang bulto patungong Mendiola upang lalong idiin ang kanilang mga panawagan hinggil sa pambubusabos ng estado sa karapang pantao ng mamamayan.

Ayon sa grupong Karapatan, mula Hulyo 2016 hanggang Oktubre 2017, nakapagtala na ng 113 kaso ng political killings, 81 biktima ng pandarahas, 54,573 biktima ng pananakot, 364,617 biktima ng pagpapasabog

at pamamaril, at 426,170 na biktima ng pagkadisloka dahil sa giyera, sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte. Dagdag lamang umano ito sa 13000 na kaso ng pagpatay sa ilalim ng giyera kontra-droga ni Pangulong Duterte.

“There is widespread condemnation against the intensifying fascist attacks that the Duterte regime and his State forces have instigated.

Recent pronouncements by Duterte, including threats to arrest progressive organizations and foisting the anti-terror law to charge activists, have further escalated the violations,” ayon kay Cristina Palabay, secretary-general ng Karapatan.

“The military is shameless in denying its atrocities. On the other hand, its Commander-in-Chief – when sober and comprehensible –

admits to killing the poor and wears the crown of a dictator wannabe proudly”, dagdag pa ni Palabay.

Samantala, ayon naman kay Vencer Crisostomo, tagapangulo ng Anakbayan, may mas malagim pang motibo ang Pangulong Duterte sa kaniyang mga kinikilos. Sa pamamagitan umano ng ektensiyon ng Batas Militar sa Mindanao, inilalapit ng pangulo ang Pilipinas sa pambansang pagpapatupad nito upang maglunsad ng diktaduryang pamamahalaan.

"The real target are government critics tagged as rebels and terrorists to satiate Duterte's tyrannical hunger for total power. Martial law extension is a license to intensify fascist state terrorist attacks against the people," dagdag pa ni Crisostomo.

“We have no need for a government

that kills, maims and attacks its people. The U.S.-backed Duterte regime relentlessly sticks to its fascist policies that have massacred, bombed, and imprisoned people especially those who oppose his neo-liberal economic policies and repressive programs, all the while mouthing that it is ridding the country of criminality.

As far as we are concerned, this oppressive and exploitative system, this fascist regime and its infamous henchmen are the ones that need to be disposed of,” pagsasara ni Palabay sa isang panayam.

Nagtapos ang programa sa pagsunog ng effigy ni Pangulong Duterte na kapag ibinukas ay magpapakita ng imahe ng demonyo kasama ng mga programa na ipinatupad ng rehimen na lumalabag sa karapatang pantao ng mamamayan.

UP Manila stands in firm disagreement against medical cannabis

ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE

In a forum held last December 1, the technical working group on Medical Cannabis Legalization and Concerned Faculty Members of University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) expounded their stand on their strong opposition against House Bills (HB) 6517, 180, and 4477 which aim to legalize cannabis for its medical use.

They further explained that there is no sufficient evidence regarding the effectiveness of the Cannabis plant in the treatment of any disease to date. Although the statement acknowledged its efficacy in the treatment of several symptoms like chronic pain in adults, painful spasms in persons with Multiple Sclerosis, and treatment-resistant epilepsy for children, the technical group cited the lack of strong evidence to fulfill drug regulatory approval requirements.

The group also cited that current studies on legalization of medical Cannabis have shown an increase in Cannabis use and dependence and diversion to recreational use.

In contrast, the group proposed the conduction of local scientific studies to determine the long-term efficacy

and safety of medical Cannabis in legitimate research institutions adding that these researches should be under the regulation of Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

Congressman Lito Atienza was also present in the said forum to support the dissent against the use of medical Cannabis. “I will not allow for the Philippines to become a guinea pig,” said Atienza. He added that Cannabis would only destroy lives and it is important to witness results firsthand.

In addition, Dr. Lynn Panganiban, a former head of the National Poison Management and Control and chairman of the Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) relayed the synthesis regarding the opposition to medical Cannabis.

“When it comes to harmful effects, we could say that there is substantial evidence as far as harmful effects,” said Panganiban.

Lastly, the group which is headed

by Dr. Leonor Cabral-Lim called on the creation of a Medical Cannabis Study Group at the National Institutes

Dr. Lynn Panganiban, a member of globally harmonized system - technical panel of experts and adviser to the World Health Organization on matters pertaining to Toxicology gives her synthesis speech regarding UP Manila’s stand on medical Cannabis. Photo taken by Angelu Pagobo.

of Health (NIH) to initiate, conduct, and lead local researches on Medical Cannabis. The group also reiterated that public education on

the benefits and risks of Cannabis use based on the best available scientific evidence should continue.

04 NEWS

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 4-5 DEC. 14, 2017

ISKOTISTIKS

Minor casualties: Counting the deaths of childre RYANA YSABEL NERI KESNER

INFOGRAPHIC BY ERIN CAMYL VELAZCO ALVIAR

Within a year of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency, numerous minors were reported as victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs).

Notably, a number of deaths occurred during police operations. However, it was the inconsistency in Caloocan police reports regarding the demise of 17 year old Kian de los Santos that necessitated an inquiry. The subsequent killings of 19 year old Carl Arnaiz and 14 year old Reynaldo de Guzman occurred within the same week, resulting in public outcry and reopening the discussion on the multiple deaths of children under the Duterte administration.

Unjust Targets As of press release, an estimated 50 children aged 19 and under, including two unborn infants, have been listed as victims of police or vigilante operations.

Many cases, however, were accidental, with multiple reported instances of stray bullets and mistaken identities. Additionally, non-government organization Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC) noted that the losses mostly impacted lower-income families.

"Marami sa kanila ay mula doon sa mga komunidad na matagal nang deprived ng economic opportunities, so ito ‘yung mga pinakamahihirap sa bayan,” CRC Deputy Director Eilek Manano remarked. “'Mahirap pa sa daga,' kung tawagin sa ibang quotations.”

Moreover, as early as March 2017, reports of policemen using tactics similar to those observed in the de los Santos case surfaced. This is substantiated by the testimony of an unnamed 13-year old drug pusher, who quit school four years earlier to peddle shabu and support his family. He detailed multiple abuses by the hands of the police, and said he was beaten, shot and

filmed before being put in jail.

“They arrested me. The police officer told me to run, so I ran very fast. I thought he was letting me go. But he shot me,” he disclosed. “I know what I did was wrong. But I still don’t understand why he shot me.”

Shifting Stance In October 2016, the matter initially gained international attention when President Duterte referred to children as “collateral damage” in the war on drugs. He stated that upon meeting a “gangster”, an armed policeman could kill bystanders in self-defense and not be criminally liable. He then compared US airstrikes to the situation.

“When you bomb a village you intend to kill the militants but you kill the children there... Why do you say it is collateral damage to the west and to us it is murder?” Duterte questioned.

The president then offered an apology in December 2016, remarking that he had initially underestimated the complexity of the drug problem present in the country. Unsatisfied with the progress of his anti-drug campaign, he emphasized that he would continue despite the consequences.

“Until the last pusher is out of the street, I’ll be very frank with you, until the last drug lord is killed, this campaign will continue until the very last day of my term,” he declared. “I would admit there were killings that were really unintended, like the children who were caught in a crossfire.

Collateral damage, and I'm sorry.”

Mass Unrest However, the circumstances surrounding the consecutive killings of de los Santos, Arnaiz and de Guzman in August and September 2017 led many to

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VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 4-5 DEC. 14, 2017

en in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign speculate intentional murder on the part of the Philippine National Police (PNP), who were involved in the three cases. President Duterte responded by denying claims that he had ordered the executions, while Malacañang released a statement calling the incidents “suspicious”.

The president then pledged to enact punishment on policemen proven to be associated with the killings.

Meanwhile, it was the death of 14 year old de Guzman that caused members of the Senate to persuade Duterte to rethink his anti-drug policy. Senator Grace Poe also called on the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs to probe how the police handled the arrest of children. Poe expounded on Senate Resolution No. 498 and said it was also intended to aid grieving families and ensure stricter practices by law enforcement, such as requiring body cameras to be worn during police operations.

“The senseless killing of innocent Filipinos, especially minors, under the cloak of addressing the country’s drug problem should be addressed by relevant legislation, policy recommendations, and impartial investigation,” Poe elaborated.

Concurrently, eyewitness testimonies and close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras from the night de los Santos died enabled his parents to file a lawsuit against four suspected policemen, including Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo, the head of a Caloocan police station. Autopsy reports detailing torture, as well as inconsistencies in the statements of the police, have prompted investigation into the Arnaiz case as well. Meanwhile, Metro Manila Police Chief Oscar Abayalde relieved the entire Caloocan police force from their posts.

Legalized Killings Accordingly, the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs opened a preliminary probe on the de los Santos case and held three hearings from August through October. The Department of Justice (DOJ) also initiated its own investigation in September. Ultimately, the findings concluded that the three cases could be considered as common killings but not as EJKs, as it did not fall under the definition provided by Administrative Order (AO) 35, Series of 2012.

AO 35 specifies victims of EJKS to be “a member of, or affiliated with an organization, to include political, environmental, agrarian, labor, or similar causes; or an advocate of above-named causes; or a media practitioner or person(s) apparently mistaken or identified to be so.” It has been used by former Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella to justify that there have been no EJKs under the Duterte administration.

"Sila Kian Delos Santos ba, sila Carl Arnaiz at si Kulot [de Guzman], sila ba ay members ng media, sila ba ay member ng cultural minorities?

Hindi,” DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II clarified. “Isa lang ang purpose nila, gusto nilang pasamain ang Duterte administration at gusto nilang papasukin yan sa EJK,” he said of critics aiming to change the said definition.

However, public uproar again intensified in November, when a two-hour fire ravaged the Caloocan City Police Headquarters and reached fourth alarm despite a fire station being located nearby.

A number of documents, including those detailing the cases of de los Santos and Arnaiz, are estimated to have been destroyed in the fire.

Authorities attempted to quell the outrage by reassuring the public

that other copies existed at higher police headquarters in the metro.

Demand for Action In response, human rights groups and other progressive organizations emphasized the need to put an end to the severe mismanagement of Duterte’s antidrug campaign. The issue sparked multiple protests within the country, as well as abroad. Many spoke out against the mistreatment of children by law enforcers, which they said noticeably worsened with the death of de los Santos.

“We do not believe any supposed evidence by police,” Rise Up for Life and Rights (Rise Up) Spokesperson Fr. Gilbert Billena asserted. Rise Up is comprised of relatives of Oplan Tokhang victims. “Their pattern is already well established.

They have no conscience and will plant evidence on anyone.

This situation is flatly barbaric.”

Two days after delos Santos’ death, Rise Up, along with other human rights groups, joined Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahirap (KADAMAY) as they led a protest at Scout Rotonda in Quezon City. Here, rights group Hustisya expressed their fears of the killings turning the country into “a nation of orphans and grieving parents”. The same sentiments were conveyed during another protest on August 22, which coincided with the death anniversary of Benigno Aquino II. “The apparent willingness of Philippine police to deliberately target children for execution marks an appalling new level of depravity in this so-called drug war,” Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phelim Kine stressed.

“A fundamental obligation of every government is to protect the lives of its children, not to empower police and their agents to murder them.”

NEWS

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 DEC. 14, 2017

Mga manininda sa CAS Student Center, nanganganib na mapaalis

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 DEC. 14, 2017

Mga estudyante, gumawa ng aksiyon laban dito EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

Iginiit ng mga grupo ng estudyante sa mobilisasyon noong ika-1 ng Disyembre sa Kolehiyo ng Agham at Sining sa labas ng opisina ng dekano na kontra sila sa nanganganib na pagpapaalis sa mga manininda sa CAS Student Center.

NEWS DOSE ISYU SA ESPASYO (PART 3/3) SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO

Noong araw ring iyon, nakapasok ang konseho sa tanggapan ng dekano upang makipag-dayalogo sa administrasyon at mga manininda.

Ang kampanyang #WeNeedSpaceNow na naglalayong magamit ng mga estudyante ang mga pasilidad ng unibersidad ay patuloy na pinag-aaralan at binabantayan ng mga estudyante sa pangunguna ng University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) University Student Council (USC).

Kaugnay nito, sinabi ni UPM USC Chair Miguel Aljibe na konektado ang kampanyang ito sa paglaban ng libreng edukasyon kung saan ang dagdag na Other School Fees (OSF) na sumasaklaw sa bayarin sa mga pasilidad ng unibersidad ay hindi na dapat sinisingil sa mga estudyante.

Dagdag pa ni Aljibe, mauugat ang paniningil na ito sa komersiyalisasyon at malakolonyal na uri ng edukasyon sapagkat ang edukasyon ay dapat malaya at mapagpalaya.

Patuloy na nagtitipon ang mga organisasyon para pag-usapan ang isyu sa espasyo at hinihingi rin ang paglahok ng mga indibidwal sa sususnod na pagpupulong na gaganapin ngayong Nobyembre.

Mula sa mga pagkilos at pagpupulong kaugnay ng kampanya, ibinahagi ni Aljibe na papalakasin ito sa bagong pangalan na #TheSpaceWeNeed.

Ang bagong kampanya ay maghahain ng mga tinukoy na espasyo na nakitang mapakikinabangan ng mga estudyante.

Idiniin ni Aljibe na mapapagtagumpayan lamang ang kampanyang ito sa sama-samang pagkilos ng bawat mag-aaral ng UPM.

Sa kasawiang palad, hindi natuloy ang nakatakdang pagpupulong sapagkat may ibang gawaing nakatakda ang dekano ng kolehiyo sa araw na iyon.

Upang magkalinawan, kinausap na lamang ng mga manininda at ng CAS SC ang dekano sa pamamagitan ng telepono, at napagpasyahang magkaroon ng pag-uusap, Disyembre 4.

Ang pagpupulong ng mga manininda at student-lider ng CAS kasama ang administrasyon noong ika-4 ng Disyembre.

Larawang kuha ni John Michael Torres.

Dito, nagbukas ng diskusyon ang administrasyon sa mga manininda ukol sa posibilidad na pagpapatanggal sa kanilang mga puwesto sa CAS Student Center. Kasama rin sa diyalogo ang ilan mula sa CAS faculty at mga lider-estudyante.

Kabilang sa mga isyu na napag-usapan nitong huling pulong ay ang mga naipon at lumobo nang bayarin ng ilang mga food concessionaires. Ito ay dahil hindi umano sila pinahihintulutan na magbayad ng kanilang renta sa puwesto nang walang naipapakitang payment order, na siya namang hindi naibigay sa kanila ng administrasyon..

Samantala, napagkasunduan naman sa pulong na ito na kailangan makipagusap ang mga manininda sa Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration.

Sa oras na pumayag ang tanggapan na ang prinsipal na bayarin nalang ang sisingilin, saka pa lamang maghahain ng areglo ukol sa isyu na ito.

Sa pagpapatuloy, idiniin naman ni Paco Perez mula sa Anakbayan UP Manila na nararapat lamang na magkaroon muna ng demokratikong pagsangguni kasama ng mga magaaral at manininda ng kolehiyo bago pa man makabuo ng desisyon hinggil sa pananatili ng mga manininda sa CAS Student Center.

Hanggang sa panahong ito, wala pang panibagong balita ukol sa isyu.

Chancellor Padilla's congratulatory message to the publication On behalf of the members of the UP Manila community, I congratulate the Manila Collegian on the celebration of its 30th anniversary. I congratulate the past and current editorial teams of students who were responsible for every issue of the student publication that came out.

Student journalism is part and parcel of a vibrant and democratic university life.

During the past 30 years, the Manila Collegian has served as an important public resource on our campus that kept students aware of and engaged on pressing issues affecting the university and the nation.

So much has happened to UP Manila through the past decades. The university has grown physically and organizationally as part of its vision to be both excellent and relevant. Its engagement with the constituents and the public was made possible through the support of many sectors.

The Manila Collegian has been one venue to generate among the students informed discussion of major issues and concerns that impact on their welfare as well as those of other members. Campus journalism exemplified by the Manila Collegian and other student publications here remains a portal through which students – whether as participants or simply as readers – engage with the larger world outside the walls of the school.

For being a partner of UP Manila in allowing students to echo the larger media field and building their writing, speaking, and reporting skills, I thank the Manila Collegian for being a part of campus life in the university for 30 years now.

Mabuhay ang Manila Collegian!

CARMENCITA D. PADILLA, MD, MAHPS Chancellor

MGA FULUNG-VULUNGAN NG NAGJIJISANG

NEWS

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 DEC. 14, 2017

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA PA L A B A N E D I I S H O O W N! Hallluuu derrr my dear afows! Your lola is here again to share you some stresh! Your lola level upppsss her tivak self these days coz naloloka ang lola mo to reshent ganafs! Kaya your lowla ish out in the shhhtreetsch even more! Di va nagwander ang aking mga afowsh dahil naka tivak fashown akes kahitch Christmash Season na? Waley kashing fahinga dafat ang atichiwang mga fights! Dahil push ng push lagi ang evils na nagfafahirap sa aking mga afows! Eniways, your lola will shpluk na da shumvongs from your brothas and sistas!

GAWAN NG EFFIGY NUMVAH ONE: LEZZZ GO CRAM! Anetchiwa naman these breed of froppies na gushto pa lalo iekshtend ang semester! Duhhhh eh na ekshtend na nga mga madame divuh? Tafos, these froppish daw gives lots of pahabol requirementsh sa last week of da shem ng s h a b a y shabay!

A n e q naman t h e s e froppies!

A n o tingin nila sa afows quo? Hindi na fa fagod?

Makina lang na tanggap nang tanggap ng werq werq?

Nafafagod din ang aking mga afows noh! Kaya nga shila lumapit sa Lola P. nila eh! At chaka vukod diyan, hindi niyo va na flan ng mavuti yung schedules niyo veforehand? KKLK naman kayo! Kung shino pa ang role model sa flanning ay shila fa yung nag cacram! Maawa naman kayo sha aking mga afows!

GAWAN NG EFFIGY NUMVAH TWO: ACCHOOO! STRESH AKUUUU! Juiceco naman dis health institution na nawawalan ng mga dishcounted na mga vaccines! Faano na ang aking mga afows na short sa datongs

tapos kailangan na nila ng vaccines for internship or kahit frotection for their daily lives! Shabi fa daw, it takes months daw fara ma suflay yung mga matataash na demand na mga vacchines! Graveh, kawawa naman my afows, they will go to streetsh of MNL ng walang defense against vacteria and virusesh! At vakit nga fala mayroong vayad sa mga vaccshines na iyan? Fublic daw dis health i n s ht it ut ion fero may v a y a d yung mga

vaccshines!

A NEQ?!?!?

At wait ha, don’t let your lola shtart! Shabi daw ay through da yearsh, unti-unti daw nagkakaroon ng frices yung other shervices! Hay nako, this topic deservhes a full seminar from your lola ha. Anw, shana naman ay maging shtable na ang shupply of vaccshines in this institution naman, tafosh, sana ay gawin siyang free and akseshible!

We need vacshines to stay vyutiful!

Sho, ayun my lovely and precious afows, iyan na ang last time na mag chichika ang lola niyo for this year!

Homaygad shana your lola ish less shhtresshed sa next year! Shana mag vaghong vuhay na all the streshfull fifol here in this world! Anw, keep your sumvhongs coming mga afow ko ha!

Together with your lola, makivaka tayo on da streets! Labyu ol!

ANO ANG MASASABI MO SA NANGANGANIB NA PAGTANGGAL SA KASALUKUYANG MGA MANININDA SA CAS STUDENT CENTER?

Grabe! Dapat hindi matulad ito sa GAB CAF noon!

- ci acoe, 2014 So saan tayo gustong pakainin? Sa Ministop? Sa KFC? Sa Rob? Aba! Aba! - sunflower, 2015, CAS Dapat nga mas marami pang manininda eh. Anyare?!?! Aalisin pa nila??

- gwapito, CAS Ang mahal na ng pagkain sa labas. Tapos gusto pa nila tanggalin mga manininda sa loob. Sapilitang paggastos mehn - Tulog pls, 2015, CAS #NoToFoodBlockade - LastJedi, 2015 Please lang. Ayokong makita na arawaraw puro fast food at convenience store food ang kinakain ng mga tao. Pero sana naman less oil yung pagkain nung mga manininda.

- omani gnat, 2015 GAB Caf part 2. #thestudentsremember #never4get - ANONGPROBLEMAMOSADELAYED Dapat accessible at affordable ang pagkain para sa mga estudyante. Also dapat bigyan ng hustisya ang mga concessionaires na maaayos naman nagtutupad sa end nila ng agreement.

- The Pessimist, 2012-354** Sana di tuluyang magtakeover ang pribatisasyon at corporitisasyon sa UP. Ang pagpoprovide ng food stalls within the school premises na reasonable and affordable ang price ay alituntunin na dapat ipabatid na nakakamtan ng mga mag-aaral.

- itsmeagainb*tches, CAS, 2012 'wag po nila kaming gutumin na ang mabibili na lang na pagkain ay mas mahal pa sa baon ko sa isang araw -gradwaiting

ANO NA ANG NAIS MONG BAGUHIN SA IYONG SARILI SA SUSUNOD NA TAON? Gusto kong pumayat. Legit.

- ci acoe, 2014 Study habits ko huhu - sunflower, 2015, CAS Wala! Oks na ako sa kung ano ako ngayon. Hmmm..

- gwapito, CAS Commitments :(((( - Tulog pls, 2015, CAS Ang single status ko. *wink* - LastJedi, 2015 Basta add at least 10 kg to my body weight pls - omani gnat, 2015 Maging mas pasensyoso sa mga mababagal na tao sa kalye, sa groupworks, sa chatbox, sa pagbigay ng sagot in general. Kapagod mag-antay chz -ANONGPROBLEMAMOSADELAYED Ano pa bang point ng new years' resolution if you keep on repeating the same mistakes and never learn from your failures?

- The Pessimist, 2012-354** Stop procrastinating. Don't compromise quality with quantity. Char ano pagpuyatan at husayan ang gawain kaysa matulog at icram naman? Pero I sometimes don't follow this kasi I like to maintain my sanity, mental health and focus sa klase.

- itsmeagainb*tches, CAS, 2012 yung time management po - gradwaiting Yung pagtingin ko sa kaniya, dahil may iba na siya, wala na ring ibubunga.

- Haynaku, 2015

08 FEATURES

A

MIDST DECADES OF ceaseless campaigns asserting the rights of the Iskolar ng Bayan, violence still exists in the form of repression.

As the University of the Philippines welcomes a tuition-free semester, the protracted campaign pushing free education is finally towards its most awaited victory. However, the battle is not won by simply reducing the rising costs of tuition expenses and other school fees – it goes on as the students remain staggered and tormented by profiteering schemes that violate their democratic rights.

Evident in the policies implemented within the UP system, it is clear how the administration prioritizes profit over its constituents -the Iskolar ng Bayan.

RESTRAINED CAPACITIES Whıle the State claims that quality education is a right, genuine free education remains elusive as it continues to serve the elite and foreign entities.

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 DEC. 14, 2017

In the policies written in the newlylegislated Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, many of its prohibitions have been proven to be repressive towards the student body. In maintaining standards on how students can avail free tuition, it blatantly disregards its promise of free accessible education. Along with that, the act neglects to provide foundation in turning the current ineffective educational system to a nationalist and mass-oriented one. As evidenced by the regulations it has imposed on irregular students or those who have failed grades, it ignores the personal and individual factors that affects their performance. More so, in continuing to judge students based on the numbers, it shows its lack of priority on learning. Instead, it dissolves the student body into mere commodities whose subsidy depends on numerical data rather than educational progress.

It is in this kind of framework of educational system shaped by the government that it is evident how the state itself hinders the youth in becoming productive members of society and bearers of genuine change. At the end of the day, learning is put aside in favor of skills that can be used for cheap labor - students are forced to the kind of educational system which does not cater their wel l-b ei ng, and are

SUPRE

Examining the Repressive

MARGARET ANNE LANDICHO ELARDO, JUSTIN DANIELLE TUMENEZ FRANCIA, AND MIK

pushed to become a part of the work force to be sold in the global capitalist market.

The government’s affinity for numbers can even be seen in the actions of the UP administration.

One of the flagship projects of former UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, the electronic UP (eUP) project along with the Student Academic Information Systems (SAIS) project, have spent over 700 million pesos; 190 million of this figure was used by Oracle, the American company which created the software. This exorbitant amount of money becomes nonsensical in light of SAIS’ many failures and glitches, and the abundance of home-grown technology experts in the university.

Recently, SAIS has adapted a new sign-in version – the SSO. The SSO (Single Sign-On), despite having a new name, still has the same interface as that of SAIS. However, the issue does not simply lie on its appearance but the inefficient use of the funds, which could have been used for other projects that will truly benefit the Iskolars ng Bayan.

SAIS, as part of the then UP President Pascual’s eUP Project in 2012, targeted itself to be

the solution to address the systemwide problems encountered during enlistment and enrolment processes.

This has also been the university administration’s response towards its constituents’ concerns on the lack of updated technology to cater their needs especially in the enrolment process. It replaced 4 homegrown systems of different UP campuses, specifically the Computerized Registration System used by the campuses in Manila, Diliman, Baguio, Cebu, and Visayas, the Academic Information and Management System My Portal used by UP Open University, the Computerized Student Records System used by UP Mindanao, and the Systemone used by UP Los Banos.

However, contrary to the promising ideals of the SAIS, it has failed to serve its purpose as it became

FEATURES 09

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 DEC. 14, 2017

ESSED

Policies in the UP System

KA ANDREA OCAMPO RAMIREZ

ILLUSTRATION BY ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO

more inefficient than the past systems used by campus units. Aside from the poor interface of the SAIS itself, the system has also been reported to have repeatedly crashed during the enlistment and enrolment schedules.

Moreover, its inaccessibility is also worsened with its system glitches – proving itself as inutile and unworthy of the cost as it has supplanted more effective systems which is produced

by UP students themselves. Once again, profit has been prioritized more than the capabilities of the student body; while the administration show its interests on business affairs, it reveals its apathy towards the welfare of its very own constituents.

Genuine free education cannot simply be realized by the abolition of tuition fee, it shall not only embody the literal definition of free, but rather it must be an education that is figuratively free from all the hindrance that both the administration and the State perpetuates.

HINDERED LEARNING By conforming to the needs of colonial imperialists, the State alienates the students from their own country – denying them from pursuing their dreams for the motherland.

The balance among nationalistic drive, moral integrity and intellectual aptitude defines the “Tatak UP”

education. The UP General Education (GE) program upholds this liberal philosophy. The GE program currently consists of 45 units of prescribed and elective courses. Students are required to undertake 15 units under each of the three domains, namely Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Philosophy, and Natural Sciences & Math. Due to the implementation of the K-12 program, certain subjects under the GE curriculum are expected to be tackled by senior high school students.

In response to this, GE modifications are surfacing in the academia. From the minimum requirement of 45 units, the administration plans to cut it down to a meagre 21 to 36 units.

The GE reform is a product of the growing trend of specialization. By reducing the humanities and social science subjects in the curriculum, students are deprived of holistic learning. Education is transformed as a tool to produce professionals who are fixated solely on their core courses and respective career paths. Education

now focuses on the future employment of the students, as opposed to their thorough development as individuals.

Drastic changes to the academic curriculum are utilized to meet the standards of influential international institutions. It is in this light that education becomes commercialized, a commodity that serves business industries. Education is now geared towards the production of cheap labor and docile graduates that capitalists can easily exploit and benefit from.

Quoting Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Commissioner Minella Alarcon, “The revisions in the general education curriculum would enhance the qualifications of the graduates especially those who want to land jobs abroad.” It is point-blank outrageous for UP, a state university, to blindly follow such justification. UP education must remain steadfast on its obligation to serve and prioritize the needs of the country. This can be achieved by producing wellrounded and critical graduates who are not mere robots working towards CONTINUED ON P.10

10 FEATURES CONTINUED FROM P.9

professional development, but citizens of the Philippines who can formulate constructive opinions and act with intentions that benefit the common good. A background in the arts and humanities allows one to expand his perspectives and determine his stand. Instead of remaining as a passive member of the society, one is taught to remain critical and vigilant of the dominating authorities.

The GE program functions as a unifying element for all Iskolars, no matter how diverse their specializations may be. Serving as the hallmark of UP education, the GE subjects transcend basic teaching of preliminary subjects, such as Mathematics and History, which aim to instill bare technical and measurable proficiencies. Rather, the program promotes transformative subjects that equip students with principles of social justice, democracy and human rights alongside the expected specialized classes. The suggested GE reforms would allow the program to be accomplished in less than a year from its current two year timeframe. The nationalistic and mass-oriented trademarks of UP education are consequently diminished to pave way for immediate specialization and employment. The rushed production of workforces reduces the students to their professional aspirations, dismissing their inherent roles as Filipino citizens indebted to serve the nation.

To further satisfy the foreign priorities of the system, the shifting of the academic calendar of UP was employed in 2014. Aligning the calendar to international academic institutions demonstrates the desires of the administration to create and solidify business networks abroad. Slowly but steadily, the UP system is increasing its efforts to build up its international reputations which may lead to deviation from local responsibilities.

The implementation of the UP GE reform and modified academic calendar reflects the magnified focus on academic diplomacy and international student mobilizations.

As in the case of the UP GE reform, globalization is an increasing trend employed to secure business relationships while sacrificing the

identity of the students. The proposed GE reform and academic calendar shift move the institution’s inclinations to fulfil the profit-oriented desires of foreign corporations. Education anchored on such ideals tends to focus on global needs. One must keep in mind that the UP education is made possible by the Filipino people for the Filipino people.

LOCKED SPACES In barricading the students’ spaces in favor of the privileged few, the State reveals its cruelty—robbing students not just of spaces, but of the futures that were promised to them.

Under the leadership of thenUniversity of the Philippines President Alfredo Pascual, UP has borne witness to a series of changes that ultimately betray the values that it proudly stands for. Using the pretense of financial sustainability and efficiency, Pascual partnered with the private sector to utilize the University’s “idle” and “unused” resources. In renting out these spaces, Pascual claims that UP will be able to garner enough income to improve and renovate its existing facilities, including its old buildings and outdated equipment.

This becomes particularly convenient not just for private corporations, but even massive conglomerates.

The combination of UP’s vast areas of lands, its administration’s drive for profit, and the prestige of the “UP brand” enable the University to become a prime location for the business sector, earning millions that have still not been used to benefit the Iskolar ng Bayan.

Built atop the former location of the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS), UP Town Center (UPTC), one of Ayala Land Inc.’s flagship projects, was finally finished in 2015. It was touted as a new venue that will support the university’s existing facilities, through providing more spaces for the students to perform their schoolwork, or for the administration to use for their offices. However, a few years after it has been constructed, it is undeniable that UPTC exists primarily as a luxurious shopping mall, with the biggest and most expensive brands

seeking shelter in the shopping hub.

In addition to that, another of the Ayala Land Inc.’s flagship projects, the U.P.-Ayala Land Technohub, was promoted as a research and development hub, facilitating the university’s research arm. Despite this, similar to the previous, it is easy to see that the Technohub has become a glorified office space for the big, international tech companies, while siphoning the university’s best and brightest to use as employees.

An article by the Philippine Collegian on the university’s funds showed that over 1.4 billion pesos worth of income from UP’s rental system and government subsidy are stocked away at bank vaults in the name of investment. This is detailed by a 2016 report released by the Commission of Audit, which showed that the university spent 1.4 billion pesos on numerous investment agreements with different banks. As these investment agreements prove to be unnecessary and unacceptable, these funds would have been better off used to grant higher wages to the university’s employees or improve its facilities. Truly, piling away these large amounts of money that the university possesses seems unreasonable, especially in light of the institution’s many delinquencies.

As the university continue its engagements with capitalists, it becomes clearer that its role in that partnership is that of a prey waiting to be eaten. The construction of a new UP campus in Vista City in Dasmariñas, Cavite illustrates this, as the university is seen as another fruitful business venture. This situation is similar to the new UP campus located in Bonifacio Global Center (BGC). While called the UP BGC, what garners more attention from the public upon seeing the building is not the University’s trademark Oblation, but the huge signage bearing the name of the building’s financier. As a result of this, UP loses its autonomous spirit, now part of a brand that businessmen boast about.

Moreover, the wisdom behind the university’s renting of its land slowly cracks down as the limelight is shone on the problems regarding

the students’ lack of space. In UP Manila, the battle for more space has grown louder, with the problem of high rental fees and simultaneous construction and renovation placing a heavy burden on the students.

Thus, the “We Need Space Now” campaign has become one of the university’s most urgent campaigns, and a concrete manifestation of the UP’s problem with space.

In a premier state university teeming with resources—both human and financial—the issue of space should not be an issue at all. However, the rising tides of commercialization and the immense favor afforded to the elite have made space into a struggle that must be prioritized, lest the University breaks its mandate towards its stakeholders. Despite this, the garish self-interest evident in the projects and programs touted as “solutions” detract any step forward progress, and ultimately betray the State’s promise to the studentry.

The issue of space is not the only deterrent to the Iskolar ng Bayan’s rights. As the UP administration continues its neoliberal policies, it persists in repressing its students.

Moreover while claiming the university’s autonomous and academic freedom, the UP administration reveals its hypocrisy in bowing to the demands of capitalists. Truly, UP proves to be a microcosm of the country, reflecting the government’s habit in proclaiming its independence while swearing its allegiance to foreign entities in its policies.

While education is an inviolable right, the State has done everything in its power to disguise it as a luxury.

In denying Filipinos accessible and quality education, it then becomes not an instrument of developing a learned nation, but a tool for the elite to triumph over the masses.

Education in country has become a status symbol, seemingly a pair of designer heels walking over the plights of the people who are denied access. Only in cutting ties with the interests of the restraining elite will the State make education free.

"My primordial concern is that if our University were to depend more and more of its much-needed income - which has been denied by the State - on tuition fees, especially from our undergraduate students, soon we will be no different from the private schools. And U.P. will have really lost its character and soul as a State University.

(Roland G. Simbulan, A Dissenting Vote to the 300% Tuition Fee Increase at the University of the Philippines, January 24 2007)

"We, The Manila Collegian, will remain in search for justice for those who are deprived of it. We will continue to scrutinize every action of institutions in accordance to those who are oppressed and repressed."

(Editorial, The Blind Justice, December 15 2010)

12 GRAPHICS

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 DEC 14, 2017

[on an Anti-Discrimination Bill]

"It will take a lot of serious effort to get into Congress and enforce a bill, but at least we are making baby steps to get to our goal of abolishing discrimination and hate altogether. I know it sounds a little too ideal, but perhaps the future will be kinder to our cause."

(Mikee Nuñez-Inton, Hope for the Flowers, December 14 2006) MARIE ANGELU DE LUNA PAGOBO

DIBUHO NI ERIN CAMYL VELAZCO ALVIAR

SIGNOS

HINTO, HINTAY

KYLA DOMINIQUE LACAMBACAL PASICOLAN

LANTAD

KYLA DOMINIQUE LACAMBACAL PASICOLAN

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8

GRAPHICS 13

DEC 14, 2017

SIGNOS

ENSAYO SA LIWASAN

JIA CZARINA IGNACIO

PAHINUNGOD | FROM P.14

Isumite ang inyong mga katanungan, komento o suhestyon sa: /themanilacollegian @MKule

nangyari sa inyo. Hindi sasapat ang poot na naramdaman sa kung paano kayo tinuring. Hindi sapat ang luha at pagluluksa. Hindi sapat ang pag-upo sa isang sulok para tumangis—sapagkat napakabilis at napakarumi ng mga kaaway na dustahin ang lahat ng iyong isinulong at ipinundar. Hindi sapat ang mga litanya ko para parangalan at salagin ang kanilang mga paratang, ngunit alam ko at dama ko, hindi lang ako ang nananaghoy ng hustisya ngayon. Ito ang iniwan mong bakas sa aming lahat na mula sa pamantasang ito. Ikaw ang nagpatining ng tunay na esensya ng Oblation, na makabuluhan ang pagsilbihan ang sambayanan hanggang sa huling hininga. Salamat, hanggang sa huli, hindi pa rin naaalis ang husay mo sa pagmumulat.

Kapag ang kasama’y nabuwal, buong komunidad ang nagluluksa. Ngunit ang lungkot ay ibabaling sa galit.

Ang galit ay ibabaling sa patuloy na pagmumulat. Ang pagmumulat ay magiging daan sa patuloy na pagkilos.

Hangga’t hindi pa nananagot ang dapat managot, hangga’t malayo pa tayo sa daang tinatahak natin, hangga’t hindi pa nakakamit ang hustisya para sa inyong lahat na nabuwal, hindi tayo mapapagod kumilos. Pangako. Hindi pa tapos ang laban mo.

Ipagpapatuloy namin.

*Pagpakat – Politikal na aktibidad na layon ay makapagmulat, makapagorganisa, at magpakilos.

SANGANDAAN

OPINION

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8 DEC 14, 2017

L AYA V E R G A R A

PAHINUNGOD

AGOS ALON

DISTANT CELEBRATION

JIA CZARINA DORIA IGNACIO

Hangga’t maaari, ayokong mamaalam sa ganitong paraan—sa paraang sigurado naman akong hindi mo na rin naman mababasa, ngunit kailangan hanapin sa sarili ang lakas ng loob para ituloy ang pahimakas.

Napakahirap mag-remenis ngayon.

Inaatake ako ng matinding pangungulila. Naalala ko ang lahat ng kuwentuhan at tawanang pinagsaluhan, ang lahat ng yakap na isinukli upang mapawi ang lungkot at pagod ng isang araw ng pagpakat*. Naaalala ko ang kulay lilang pinturang lagi mong ginagamit sa tuwing may prodwork.

Naaalala ko rin ang ilang oras o minsang gabing pagkunot natin ng noo kahihintay ng guide para makalarga na tayo sa RTR sa susunod na araw, o paghintay sa may RH lobby sa mga tao para lang magkaroon ng diskusyon kasama nila. Napakasaya ng mga araw na puno ng masisiglang pagkilos, ngunit sa pagitan nating dalawa, alam naman nating hindi lang ‘yun sasapat.

Kinalaunan ay nagdesisyon kang pangatawanan ang idinuduldol sa atin ng ating mahal na pamantasan.

Sa pinaka-marubdob na paraan, na hindi lang nakukupot sa loob ng apat na sulok ng klasrum. Naaalala ko ang araw na una mong nabanggit sa akin ang desisyon mong mag-organisa at lumubog pa nang tuluyan sa batayang masang pinakamamahal natin nang lubos. Mas malaya ka na tignan noon, nakawala na sa gapos ng mga kontradiksyon. Nangingilid sa aking mga mata ang luha, pero hindi dahil sa lungkot at panghihinayang, kundi dahil sa lubos na paghanga at tuwa.

Hindi katulad ng iba sa amin, binaka at pinagtagumpayan mo ang lahat ng harang upang lubos na makapaglingkod, isang aspekto na kahit sa pisikal mong kaliitan ay pumaibabaw sa aming lahat. Batid mong hindi na sapat ang ating ginagawa rito, at napakalaking sakripisyo ang kailangang gawin— sapagkat tinutulak tayo ng labis nating pagmamahal sa masa at sa papatinding krisis, kailangan din nating tumindig kasama at para sa kanila.

Kung kaya’t napakabigat sa akin ngayon na mabalitaan kung ano ang CONTINUED ON P.13

This Christmas, gifts will be sent home for us, but my father will not celebrate Christmas with our family. He stays abroad even on special occasions because of his work constraints and to save the money for the fare. He’s been an OFW since my siblings and I were little kids and, we’ve been accustomed to celebrating different occasions with only his virtual presence through video calls. Despite that, every occasion is surpassed whenever he does come home at the end of his job contract.

He always makes up for the time he spent away with us by taking us on vacations or by simply taking care of us hands-on. We see a concrete father who cooks for us, helps us with assignments, cleans the house and does repairs, etc. Of course, we preferred a physical father than a virtual one. For us children, these were the happiest times, the rare occasions when our family is complete.

Sadly the joy doesn’t last that much, later on, we would be tight on the money again, and he would need to go back abroad.

As children, we always cried whenever we send him to the airport. I remember asking him many times not to go away, to just work here in the country. He would always answer that he’s working for our family. When I press on, refusing to rest

my case, he would further explain that he can’t get a decent job here in the country.

If he doesn’t work abroad, he couldn’t feed our family much more send us to a good school. So growing up I was determined to study hard, to somehow repay my parents.

If I finished college and started working, will he finally stay here in the Philippines?

No

balikbayan

box

or

gifts will ever be enough to fill the longing of the

distanced

family.

I will admit that we’re still a lucky family.

My father is a professional worker, but what about the overseas Filipino labor workers and domestic helpers? Some of them are even illegal migrants, and news of their maltreatment is not often unheard of.

They traveled far, searching for a greener pasture, but ended up in a desert. What with unemployment, contractualization, taxes, below minimum wage salaries, is it their fault to hope for a better job in a foreign land?

forced away from their families, but also to adhere to unfamiliar social and cultural practices. Indeed, many Filipinos are put to shame and isolation just because of racial difference. To ease tiredness and loneliness, they interact with their families through modern technology. Some form groups and organizations with other OFW’s near them to retain a sense of Filipino community while far from the country. On the other hand, the country benefits from the remittance of the “bagong bayani”, but also suffers from brain drain. Other countries literally enjoy the fruits of our own labor. Recently, our educational system was reformed to export even more human resource to other countries. Moreover, the family as a social unit is being altered. Children grow up far from their parents, some become OFW’s in turn after their parents. Many families break apart at the expense of having a “better life”.

I wonder how many more Filipino families will have to greet each other “Merry Christmas” through a phone or video call this December. No balikbayan box or gifts will ever be enough to fill the longing of the distanced family.

I experience this so-called globalization through our family situation. Filipinos work for foreign companies, and are not only

DUM SPIRO SPERO

FOR THE DEMONS

MARIE ANGELU DE LUNA PAGOBO

To whom it may concern,

I am sorry.

I am sorry.

Today, I feel tired. It was as if my body was giving up on me. Christmas lights were everywhere. But all I ever have in my mind is, “this will be the loneliest Christmas ever”. Maybe it was just the color of the sky, or maybe it was in the way the sun kissed the sky this morning.

I promise I tried so hard to stand up and go to class today. I succeeded, anyway.

Today, I feel useless. It was as if my hands were not listening to what my brain told them to do. I made sure I understood the procedure before I do it in the laboratory. But I think today was not a good day for a lab session. All the files broken, all the radiographs cut. I promise I read it a hundred times before doing it in the simulator. Please spare me a minute from your criticisms.

I am sorry.

I am sorry.

Today, I feel weak. It was as if my mind was already having a mind of its own. I tried reading through my transcriptions. But I seriously cannot retain any information from it. I squeezed my brain hard to remember the topics I just swiftly breezed through for my exam this afternoon. I promise I did not leave anything blank. I hope at least I make a 60% mark.

Today, I feel stupid. It was as if my body was perfectly doing an acrobatic show to screw things up. All the people around me picked up the topics fast enough to do it on their own. The problem must have been my slow learning curve. I never learned to do it in one shot. But I promise, I tried just as hard. I really did.

I am sorry but I hope you understand --

that in between the things I did wrongly today, I never failed to deliver nothing but the best from my own. I may not be as strong and resilient but I had my fair share of hardships and triumphs.

I may be too submerged under the sea of my overwhelming emotions but I conquered.

I won today. And in the end, maybe that was the whole point of the ordeal.

I am sorry.

I am not going to let you win this time.

Please remember that.

DEC 14, 2017

A SSOCI AT E EDI TOR FOR I N T ER NA L S Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo M A N AG I N G E D I T O R Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante A S S I S S T A N T M A N AG I N G E D I T O R Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero N E WS EDI TOR Eunice Biñas Hechanova N E WS COR R E SPON DE N T S Shaila Elijah Perez Fortajada Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Ryana Ysabel Neri Kesner Anton Gabriel Abueva Leron Leah Rose Figueroa Paras

Bagama’t iba’t ibang mga isyu at kurokuro ang pilit na ikinakabit sa pagkamatay nina Tejada, Ssanfuego, at iba pa, iisa lang ang tiyak at alam ng lahat – pinatay sila ng mapang-aping sistemang patuloy na umiiral sa mga paaralan sa kasalukuyan — sistemang hindi lamang kinikitil ang bulsa ng bawat estudyante, kun’di maging ang kanilang mga adhikain sa buhay.

F E AT U R E S EDI TOR Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera F E AT U R E S COR R E SPON DE N T S Czyrah Isabella Manalo Cordoba Ronald Satore Simyunn Jr. Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari Mika Andrea Ocampo Ramirez John Michael Tribiana Torres Justin Danielle Tumenez Francia C U LT U R E E D I T O R Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa C U LT U R E C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Jonerie Ann Mamauag Pajalla Mari Loreal Marquez Valdez

Sa anyo ng Socialized Tuition Scheme (STS) — na niretokeng mukha ng Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) na pakana ng pamahalaan — at ng iba pang mga mekanismo at polisiyang nangingikil ng salapi mula sa mga estudyante, lumilitaw ang tunay na mukha ng salarin, na siyang nagpahinto sa takbo ng mundo sa tulad nina Kristel at Rosanna, na kinakailangan pang mag-doble kayod maigapang lang ang kanilang pag-aaral.

GR A PHICS EDI TOR Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo R E SIDE N T ILLUST R ATOR S Justine Vince Amanca De Dios Marie Angelu De Luna Pagobo Genevieve Ignacio Seño Abigail Beatrice Ocampo Malabrigo R E S I D E N T P H O T OJ O U R N A L I S T Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan

OF F ICE 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000 EMAIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com W EBSI T ES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule MEMBER

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

THE COVER LAYOUT Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan Genevieve Ifgnacio Seño

ILLUSTRATION Joshua Dy Elevazo

Malaya at mapagpalaya — ganito ang sistema ng edukasyong dapat tinatamasa hindi lamang nina Kristel Tejada at Rosanna Sanfuego, kun’di ng lahat ng kabataang nagnanais na makatulong sa pamilya at maglingkod sa sariling bayan. Ito rin ay kanilang karapatan na dapat natatamo kung hindi lang nagbingi-bingihan at nagmatigas ang administrasyon sa kanilang mga panawagan upang pangalagaan ang interes ng iilan.

Sa kaso ni Kristel, mistulang manghuhula ang iskemang dinisenyo para mangdikta at magtakda ng kanyang kapalaran.

Bilang itinakdang Bracket D student, inaasahan siyang magbayad ng P300 kada unit, ngunit dahil sa mga ‘diinaasahang pagsubok na kinaharap ng kanyang pamilya, hindi niya magawang magbayad sa takdang oras. Bukod sa hindi na siya kinikilala bilang estudyante ng pamantasan kahit na patuloy ang pagpasok sa klase, pinatawan pa siyang mag-file ng Leave of Absence (LOA) ng administrasyong Agulto — na piniling magmatigas para lamang maipadama ang higpit ng batas sa mga hindi nakasusunod dito.

Hindi kasalanan nina Kristel, Rosanna, at iba pang mga estudyanteng nagdarahop, na kailangan pang magmakaawa para lang makapag-aral. Kailanma’y hindi kasalanan ang pagiging mahirap,

MARIE ANGELU DE LUNA PAGOBO

NUPA’T PARA SAAN ANG taguring “pag-asa ng bayan” kung ang mismong mga kabataan ng bayan ay lubosang pinagkakaitan ng karapatang umunlad at matuto, at patuloy na pinapaasa sa mga malalabong pangako ng pamahalaan sa pagkamit ng pinaniniwalaang kalasag laban sa abuso at pang-aabuso – ang edukasyon.

E D I T O R -I N - C H I E F Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

EDITORIAL 15

A

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 7-8

TANGLAW ngunit isang malaking kasalanan ang pagkakait at pagpigil sa ating makamtan ang karapatang hindi pa man tayo ipinapanganak ay natural nang nasa atin. At isang malaking kabalintunaan na sa kasalukuyang sistema ng edukasyong meron ang bansa, lumalabas na binabayaran ng bawat mag-aaral ang kanilang karangalan. Taon-taong nagbabayad ang bawat estudyante para

Sa

pakikibaka at pangangalampag ng mga estudyante para sa karapatan sa libreng edukasyon. Ngunit kahit napangalanan at nalagdaan na ang batas, papatay-patay pa rin ang sindi nito. Tatlong buwan matapos itong pirmahan, malabo pa rin ang tunguhin ng nasabing batas. Marami pa ring butas at kuwestiyonableng pamantayan ang Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) nito, bukod pa sa isang

sama-samang pagkilala sa puno’t dulo ng problema at

pagtugon tungo sa kongkretong solusyon, maiibsan ang dilim na bumabalot at humahadlang sa ating pagsulong tungo sa liwanag ng tagumpay. lamang makamit ang inaasam-asam na titulo, digri, at diplomang nagpapatunay ng taas ng pinag-aralan, na siya namang nagdidikta ng kapalaran at kalalagyan ng bawat isa sa lipunan.

malaking tandang pananong ang sagot sa kung saan kukunin ng pamahalaan ang badyet para rito.

Sinasabi ngang ang edukasyon ay ang tanglaw at ilaw ng kinabukasan, ngunit kung titignan ang kasalukuyang lagay nito, tila ba madilim at malabnaw pa rin ang kinabukasang haharapin ng mga estudyanteng patuloy na iginugupo at isinasadlak sa dusa ng mapang-aping sistemang itinatakda ng estado.

Kagaya ng isang depektibong bombilyang aandap-andap ang sindi, masasabing malabo ang tinatanaw na pag-asa ng mga iskolar ng bayan na libreng edukasyon mula sa pamahalaan.

Sa karima-rimarim na kalagayan ng sistema ng edukasyon sa bansa at pagtrato ng pamahalaan sa edukasyon bilang isang kalakal, hindi na nakapagtatakang maraming Kristel at Rosanna pa ang kailangang magmakaawa at magbuwis ng sariling buhay para lamang maipanawagan ang pagtutol sa kalakaran ng edukasyon sa bansa.

Habang nananatiling bingi at matigas ang pamahalaan sa masang tumatangis para tupdin ang makasariling nitong interes, ang mga api ay patuloy lang na naaapi, at ang mga nakabababa na ay lalo pang sasadsad sa laylayan.

Sa umpisa, sisindi-sindi pa ang bombilya — sumisilip pa ang pag-asa sapagkat ipinatigil ang pagkolekta ng matrikula sa bawat estudyante para sa unang semestre ng taong akademiko 2017-2018. Nagawang maipalasap sa masang estudyante ang tamis ng unang tikim ng RA 10931, o ang Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, na kung saan, aniya, ay patunay na nagbunga na ang patuloy na

Kaakibat ng pagliwanag ng kinabukasan ng bansa, ay ang pagbibigay-linaw sa problemang lumulukob sa bawat laksa-laksang sektor ng lipunan. Sa sama-samang pagkilala sa puno’t dulo ng problema at pagtugon tungo sa kongkretong solusyon, maiibsan ang dilim na bumabalot at humahadlang sa ating pagsulong tungo sa liwanag ng tagumpay.

MKULAY

MICHAEL LORENZ DUMALAOG RAYMUNDO