The Manila Collegian Volume 27 Issues 10-11

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 Monday | 16 december 2013

MORE INSIDE

PDAF Unconstitutional

NEWS 02

Behind the Sins CULTURE 08 The Multiplier Effect FEATURES 10 Walang Pagkatuto EDITORIAL 14 Resistance OPINION 15

02 NEWS SC rules PDAF unconstitutional

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 16 December 2013 | Monday

Militant groups urge to continue fight against other “pork” funds

COLLEGE BRIEFS

CHRISTINE JOY FRONDOZO ANGAT

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n a vote of 14-0, the Supreme Court on November 19 declared the 2013 Congressional Pork Barrel, commonly known as the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) as unconstitutional.

Permanent Injunction In the decision written by Associate Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe, the court partly granted the three consolidation petitions filed by Pedrito Nepomuceno, Samson Alcantara, and Greco Belgica et.al which challenged the constitutionality of the PDAF. Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco inhibited since his wife and son were representatives of a partylist and a district, respectively.

The ruling voided the 2013 pork barrel and all its past and present legal provisions and ordered the permanence of temporary restraining order (TRO) on the PDAF. The said decision is immediately executory.

“Accordingly, the Court’s temporary injunctions dated September 10, 2013 is hereby declared to be permanent. Thus, the disbursement/release of the remaining PDAF funds allocated for the year 2013, as well as the previous years…are hereby enjoined, “the SC ruling held.

In line with this, the remaining pork barrel funds, together with portions of the Presidential Social Fund (PSF) and the Malampaya Fund, will be returned to the government’s coffers. In its decision, the Court prohibited the use of the PSF and the Malampaya Fund for purposes other than priority-infrastructure development projects and energy-related projects, respectively.

However, the highest court denied the petition of mandating the budget department to provide a detailed report of the utilization of the PDAF, Malampaya fund, and PSF. It also rejected the request to include the said funds in the budgetary deliberations of the Congress.

Accordingly, the court mandated the prosecutorial organs of the government to investigate and prosecute all government officials and individuals involved in the improper and unlawful use of the pork barrel.

Possible Rechanneling Prior to the PDAF decision, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte and several other congressmen filed on November 12 the House Joint Resolution No. 7 which sought to redirect the unspent pork barrel funds to a “calamity fund” for humanitarian and rehabilitation efforts in Visayas.

In a statement released by Senate President Franklin Drilon, he stated that the Senate welcomes the decision and will abide by it accordingly. Drilon stated that the decision is actually moot as the senators had already waived their 2013 PDAF and a significant majority decided to remove it in the 2014 budget.

Conversely, a day after the SC decision, Senate President Franklin Drilon filed Senate Bill No. 1938 which proposes the PhP 14.5 B supplemental budget for 2013 sourced from the unspent PDAF. The said bill will permit the executive to spend the additional appropriation for repair and recovery brought about by the different disasters.

As of press time, there are no updates and concrete plans yet as to how the remaining funds will be spent.

Continuing the Fight Meanwhile, different groups and protest organizers applauded the SC decision, calling it a victory for the Filipino people and a milestone for economic justice. Peachy Rallonza-Bretaña, organizer of the Million People March (MPM), stated the ruling satisfied the calls to scrap the pork barrel, prosecute involved parties, and account for all pork funds spend, which were the MPM petitions.

However, while they welcome the said ruling, they believe that the pork fight is not yet over.

According to Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, the SC may have ruled against the Congressional Pork Barrel but the ‘presidential pork barrel’ and portions of the PSF and the Malampaya Funds still stand.

“Just as what we noted previously, the president is the pork barrel king, and he has vast control on over P1 trillion in public funds.

There still exists other ‘Special Purpose Funds.’

The SC decision dismantled only the tip of the iceberg. It’s a small step forward in our fight against corruption and political patronage,” Ridon said.

In addition, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) called for holding President Benigno Simeon Aquino accountable for the unconstitutional PDAF and the ongoing corruption in his administration. They also slammed Aquino Continued on page 09

Typhoon Yolanda wreaks havoc in Visayas region Setbacks in government rescue and relief, reported EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

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everal provinces in Visayas and South Luzon were left devastated as the super typhoon Yolanda, which is internationally known as Haiyan, ravaged the region on November 8. Provinces that were highly damaged were Bohol, Iloilo, Leyte, Palawan, and Samar.

Reports labeled Haiyan as the strongest typhoon known to make landfall in the whole world this year. It exceeded all tropical cyclone intensity by accumulating a steady speed of 290 kph and strengthened winds of 235kph while delivering waves as high as 15m.

Cost of Damage According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the death toll rose to more than 5,000. NDRRMC claimed that Yolanda has affected an estimate of about nine million people, 500,000 of which remain in over 1,000 evacuation centers.

Subsequently, about P24 M was the estimated damage, including ruined crops and wrecked infrastructure. Several provinces suffered the

loss of electricity while other municipalities coped up with lack of potable water.

Slow Response President Benigno Simeon Aquino III declared a state of calamity on November 11 for the regions affected by the typhoon.

Cabinet members Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas III went to Leyte to personally manage the relief and medical operations while Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson focused on road repairs to ease the transportation of urgent supplies.

The Navy and Air Force also helped in the clearing and relief operations.

On November 18, President Aquino reasoned in a televised message that assistance from the government had been hindered by problems in the communication systems and damaged roads and bridges. He also contended that the local government units did not cooperate with the national government.

However, the national government reaped criticisms from several local and international organizations and media. Other countries also slammed the administration’s lack of immediate action and the inability to respond to the plight of the typhoon victims.

According to Tacloban City Mayor Alfredo Romualdez a week after the typhoon, a sea of dead bodies remain in the streets while there is little help in the clearing and relief operations. He testified that the national government did not respond fast enough and the resources were far from sufficient.

In addition, victims complained against stranded relief products in the airport, uncontrollable theft, and disordered evacuation of families from Visayas to Manila and other provinces. Some non-governmental organizations also reported regions that were still unreached by help a week after the typhoon.

Conversely, Kabataan Partylist Representative Terry Ridon found that the problem did not lie entirely on the local governments. He aimed Continued on page 09

The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM)’s inter-college sports fest officially began as the University Student Council (USC) Sports Committee launched the Bakbakan Season 8 at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Basketball Court on December 2. A ceremonial passing of torch and oathtaking was held while the event was graced by the Hoopbeats 2013: Basketball Match of the Indayog Dance Varsity and UP Musician’s Organization. The sport events included in the Bakbakan Season 8 are Basketball – Men and Women; Mixed Volleyball, Sprint-Men and Women; Table Tennis-Men, Women, and Doubles; Badminton-Men, Women, and Mixed Doubles; Chess, Swimming, and Laro ng Lahi.

The College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) celebrated their 51st anniversary through a week-long celebration held on November 11-15, 2013. With the theme “On to New Horizons”, the anniversary was graced with the CAMP mini fair, CAMP Ball 2013, Mr. and Ms. CAMP, CAMP Talent Show, and Euphoria: The Afterparty.

ORGANEWS

The Frank Reed Horton Scholarship offered by the UP Manila Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Sorority has extended its application deadline until January 14, 2014. Just submit your Form 5 and True Copy of Grades (TCG) and submit them to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). Also, a mass orientation will be held at the Old Neda Conference Room on December 11, 1-2 p.m. Participants of the orientation will be prioritized in their applications and will have a chance to own a limited edition of the Oblation Run 2013 shirt. For more details, you can contact Lovely Mae Laborte at 09169594468.

The UP Musician’s Organization will be celebrating Morg Week on December 9-13, 2013. Witness as they serenade you for a week with the gods of rock, pop, reggae, and classical music. The Morg Week will then conclude with the Morg Live 8: Rise Up, the organization’s 8th anniversary concert to be held at Elvinario’s Bar and Resto on December 13, 7 pm. The said event is for the benefit of the Cancer Ward patients in PGH. Tickets are at PhP 120. For ticket reservation, contact Micah at 09159073580.

AIESEC Exchange in UP Manila brings you the Generation Global, AISEC’s Global Community Development Program (GCDP).

Get the opportunity to gain employable skills, help the society and discover new cultures by participating in an overseas summer exchange program for 6-8 weeks.

Learn more through the Exchange Program Orientation to be held on December 11-12, 2013, 3-5pm, at the Old NEDA Conference Room.

NEWS 03

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 Monday | 16 December 2013

Granting of Luisita Land Titles Stirs Protests Farmer Groups Condemn Reported Harassments ADOLF ENRIQUE SANTOS GONZALES

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he Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) finished its distribution of the Certificates of Land Ownership (CLO) to the 6,212 farmer-beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita last October 18. The distribution, however, is still hounded by controversies and confusion.

‘Fraudulent and Exploitative’ Following the Supreme Court’s decision last April 2012, the DAR distributed 4,099 out of the original 5,916 hectares of Hacienda Luisita land to 6,212 farmer beneficiaries during the first two weeks of October. According to DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes, the distribution was said to be the biggest since the implementation of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) 20 years ago.

Incidentally, the distribution was met by confusion about the terms of the Application to Purchase and Farmers Undertaking (ATFU) and issues about harassments and unaccounted lands.

As stated in the ATFU, a beneficiary will have 6,600 square meters of land that costs P70,000 on today’s value and is payable within 30 years. However, the terms and payment schemes were not thoroughly explained, pushing some farmers to no longer claim their lands. Some also speculated that the

terms of payment were not indicated or were deliberately hidden when they signed.

Additionally, farmers called the distribution as ‘Tambiolo Land Reform’ because the land distribution was decided through a raffle. As a result, some beneficiaries received lands that were kilometres away from their homes. Police officers and firefighters were also deployed when the draws were conducted.

According to Renato Mendoza of the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA), “Kung tunay talaga ang pamamahagi ng lupa, bakit puro pulis at bumbero ang nandito? Alam nilang magpoprotesta ang mga mamamayan dito dahil alam nilang peke ang pamamahaging ito na ginagawa ng DAR.” Mendoza added that the government and the Hacienda Luisita Management extended the payment period for 30 years so that the Aquino-Cojuangco clan will have the chance to harass the beneficiaries and thus, seize the lands again.

Furthermore, Mendoza mentioned that the DAR failed to distribute the remaining 200 hectares of land because it was claimed by Tarlac Development Corporation (TADECO), a Cojuangco-Aquino corporation. The said 200 Continued on page 09

UPHOLDING VIGILANCE. UP students, faculty, and staff gather outside Quezon Hall in UP Diliman on November 28, 2013 to call for responsible and just decision-making as the Board of Regents met to decide on various issues being faced by the UP System. Photo by Jenny Mary Dagun

Bonifacio’s 150th birthday, commemorated RONILO RAYMUNDO MESA

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has consistently put its interests ahead of Filipinos.”

This year’s celebration of Bonifacio Day was marked by the official commemoration rites held at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City. The event, anchored on the theme “Bonifacio: Honor and Heroism,” was led by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

During the program, KMU enumerated Aquino’s “sins” that they believe would make him “the target of Andres Bonifacio’s ire had the latter been alive today.” These sins include the president’s alleged pork barrel, Aquino’s intervention in postponement of the distribution of Hacienda Luisita lands, and his alleged negligence in preparing for and responding to the effects of typhoon Yolanda.

ARIOUS EVENTS REMEMBERING THE HEROISM OF ANDRES BONIFACIO were held last November 30 in celebration of the revolutionary leader’s sesquicentennial birth anniversary.

In a speech during the event, Aquino recalled Bonifacio’s heroism as the latter led Katipunan in the 1896 Philippine revolution against Spain. He also added that Bonifacio represented the bravery and determination of ordinary Filipinos.

The president also likened the heroism of Filipino revolutionaries to the “courage and nationalism” of Filipinos who extended their help to the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

On the other hand, militant groups held protest rallies and programs at Liwasang Bonifacio and Mendiola in Manila to commemorate Bonifacio’s 150th birth anniversary.

HELPING OUT. Relief operations for the survivors of Supertyphoon Yolanda are still ongoing and still accepting donations and volunteers. Photo by Kessel Villarey

According to Elmer Labog, chairperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), they held the protest rallies during Bonifacio Day “because the best way to mark the 150th birthday of Bonifacio is to oppose a regime that

Furthermore, progressive groups called on the Filipino people to continue Bonifacio’s fight as its victory is not completed yet. According to Roger Soluta, secretary-general of KMU, “our task is to complete the victory of the national democratic revolution Bonifacio had started” as the Philippines is “still controlled by foreign powers dictating on our economy, politics and military.”

Meanwhile, a bill pushing for the declaration of Bonifacio as the national hero was filed in the Congress on the eve of Bonifacio’s sesquicentennial birth anniversary.

“In a time when the nation is challenged by foreign intervention, whether by force or by deceit, the need for a national symbol that would represent patriotism, nationalism, and the resolve to fight against any foreign intervention and control becomes a vital Continued on page 09

04 NEWS

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 16 December 2013 | Monday

OUR YEARS AFTER WHAT WAS DUBBED AS THE “DEADLIEST DAY FOR THE PRESS”, the Maguindanao Massacre case Fjournalists, is still being heard in a Quezon City court. The Maguindanao massacre claimed the lives of 58 people, including 32 who were part of a convoy that was supposed to file the certificate of candidacy of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu.

November 2009 While on their way to file the certificate of candidacy of then Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu, his wife and sisters, along with a group of journalists and lawyers, were shot by armed men on November 23, 2009. Three days later, former Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., who was named as the mastermind to the crime, surrendered and denied the allegations of murder. Ampatuan Sr. accused the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as the group responsible for the crime.

Seven more Ampatuans, including then ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, and their relatives Akmad Saudi Jr., Bhnarian Jr., Sajid Islam and Akmad Tato, were named as suspects in the case.

On November 30, a new witness turned up and associated the eight Ampatuans to the crime.

January-February 2010 The first trial was held on January 05, 2010 in the sala of Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.

Andal Jr. pleaded not guilty to 41 counts of murder. Ampatuan Vice Mayor Rasul Sangki testified that he heard Andal Jr. and Andal Sr. talk on what they are going to do with the massacre victims. On February 24, Judge Solis-Reyes indefinitely suspends the hearings because of the overwhelming number of motions filed by both parties.

September-December 2010

January-February 2012

One of the witnesses, Lakmodin Saliao, a househelp of the Ampatuans, testified and claimed that the massacre was perpetrated

by Andal Jr. According to Saliao’s statement, Andal Jr. suggested to kill everyone in the convoy. Another witness, Norodin Mauyag, said that three days before the massacre, he saw armed men set up a checkpoint in Barangay Salman.

The hearing of the Maguindanao massacre case resumed on January 5, 2012. Six suspects were arraigned, namely: SP01 Oscar Donato, P01 Esmael Guialal and Abdullah Baguadatu, P03 Abibudin Abdulgani, P02 Hamad nana and Fahad Utto. A total of 65 out of the 96 arrested suspects have been arraigned by this time. On the other hand, the defense was successful in blocking the presentation of what the prosecution described as “vital” evidence which was found inside one of the victim’s underwear.

Two witnesses, Akmad Abubakar Esmael and Barangay Salman councilman Noh Akil, were presented at the witness stand.

The court also postponed the testimony of a military officer who was supposed to testify for the prosecution on January. This resulted from the plea of Andal Ampatuan Jr. and his father for the court to postpone the testimony of Philippine Army Captain Julius Gundayao as the court is yet to settle the accused’s appeal to postpone the appearances of witnesses who were not included in the pre-trial list.

On February, one of the accused in the massacre case who was turned into a state witness committed suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of the Quezon City Jail Annex inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

June 2011

June-July 2012

A year and a half after the massacre, Andal Sr. pleaded not guilty on the murder charges filed against him. The Supreme Court also reversed their rule on the live media coverage of the trial. On June 23, key witness Kenny Dalandag took the witness stand but the defense prevented him from testifying. However, the request of the defense was denied by Judge Solis-Reyes. The defense took the motion to the SC and asked the high court to stop Dalandag from testifying in the trial.

Two months after he had gone missing, E chain-sawed into pieces. On July 2011, he the car with 36 gunmen to the massacre sit an international media watchdog, said th impunity in the country.

Andal Ampatuan Jr. said that Dalandag should be included in the charge sheet because he claimed to have participated in the massacre. On the other hand, Atty. Harry Roque, one of the private prosecutors, said that the defense’s move was done because Dalandag is “not just an eye witness but he knows who were present when they planned the massacre.”

February-March 2011 December 2009 Andal Ampatuan Jr. was officially charged with 25 counts of murder on December 01, 2009. Ampatuan Sr. and eleven more suspects were summoned to answer the murder allegations presented against them. By the end of the year, only Andal Ampatuan Jr. was charged with murder in court.

The court issued a subpoena for Maguind whose wife was among those killed in the m was questioned by the defense regarding t

On July 2012, the SC junks the motion of Za of murder filed against him. According to previous decision of the Court of Appeals t

March-April 2012

In response to the motion of the defense party, the Court of Appeals denied to take off Andal Sr. from the charge sheet. The whole month was dedicated to hear the pieces of evidence to be presented by an expert witness, medico-legal expert Felino Brunia Jr. He said that the skulls of the bodies of the victims that he had autopsied were “reduced to small fragments” and that their lungs were likened to “ground meat”.

Two suspects, Anwar Ampatuan and Akmad Ampatuan Sr., filed a motion asking the court to post bail for their provisional liberty, saying that there was no evidence to implicate them in the crime. In line with this, the prosecutors asked the court to arraign the two, citing the statement of the Court of Appeals that there was nothing wrong with the preliminary investigation and there no reason to delay the arraignment. The prosecutors also argued that multiple murder is a nonbailable offense.

On March 9, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima replaced the members of the prosecution panel because of issues involving their performance in pursuing the case. In the same month, the prosecution said that one of their expert witnesses, Tomas Dimaandal, has gone missing. However, Dimaandal showed up in court to testify on April 6.

March-August 2010

July-November 2011

Judge Solis-Reyes ordered the arrest of 189 suspects in the massacre case. On the other hand, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra issued a resolution dropping the charges against Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan. On May 4, Agra reversed his ruling and reinstated Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan in the list of those who are charged.

Zaldy Ampatuan showed interest in testifying at the murder trial and the alleged election fraud in 2007. Secretary de Lima, however, said that she will not entertain any request to make Zaldy as a state witness.

The number of suspects was brought down from 197 to 196 after the court announced that one suspect will be dropped from the case due to lack of probable cause.

Four farmers were presented by the prosecution as witnesses – Amil Abdul Satary Maliwawaw, Haical Mangacop, Thonti Lawani and Alfonso Lagueden. Maliwawar, Lawani and Lagueden separately testified that they saw Andal Jr. with a group of armed men the day that the massacre happened. Mangacop then identified four suspects in the courtroom whom he claimed had participated in the massacre.

The Court of Appeals denied the request of Zaldy Ampatuan for reinvestigation and he remains as a suspect in the crime.

NEWS 05

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 Monday | 16 December 2013

November-December 2012 On the third anniversary of the Maguindanao massacre, another suspect was arrested in North Cotabato. Bong Andal, the operator of the backhoe that dug the victims’ grave, was taken into custody by the police.

The SC reversed its previous ruling on the media coverage of the trial.

The court said in its decision that the live media coverage is banned inside the court.

Four Years and Counting

Probing the Progress of the Maguindanao Massacre Case

After three years, Zaldy Ampatuan was set to be arraigned on December 12, 2012. When asked by the judge to enter a plea, Zaldy said he was leaving everything to his lawyer Sigfrid Fortun. When the judge further pressed Zaldy to make the plea himself, the former governor said: “I am not guilty, your honor.”

Esmail Enog was found dead, his body testified that he was the one who drove te. The Committee to Protect Journalists, hat this murder shows the high level of

danao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, massacre. He took the witness stand and the matter of the 57th victim.

aldy Ampatuan to remove the 57 counts o the SC, it did not find any error in the to deny the Ampatuan’s petition.

KATHLEEN TRINIDAD GUIANG

May 2013 Seventy-eight suspects pleaded not guilty to the 58th murder charge against them on May 8, 2013. Atty. Roque said that all the detained Ampatuan clan members filed a not guilty plea. By this time, more than 100 suspects are in police custody while around 90 remain at large.

November 2013 After four years, 88 of the 196 accused in the Maguindanao massacre case are still at large.

A total of 104 suspects have been arraigned and all of them pleaded not guilty to the multiple murder charges.

Different groups commemorated the 4th year anniversary of the massacre. National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) Negros Occidental chapter said that the administration had not been serious about the issue of media killings.

“If this government can afford to say that media killings are not serious then there is no hope for justice,”said Nonoy Espina, national director of the NUJP. Carlos Conde, Philippines researcher for Human Rights Watch’s Asia division, said that the case is still in “effective judicial limbo”.

“But the problem of the Maguindanao massacre case is more than a failure of judicial process. It is about whether those threatening Bong Andal rather than the authorities control the proceedings. It’s a cruel reminder to activists, journalists and politicians critical of the status quo that they too might be targeted with impunity,” Conde said.

February 2013 For the first time, the Maguindanao massacre case trial had a state witness in the person of former Sultan sa Barongis Vice Mayor Sukarno Badal. Badal surrendered in 2010 and confessed his role on the crime. On February 2013, he took the witness stand for the first time and testified on how the Ampatuans planned the massacre.

Various media and civil society groups called on the Aquino administration to fulfill its promise that the Maguindanao Massacre case would be resolved before the end of the president’s term. On November 23, different organizations marched from the National Press Club grounds to Mendiola to commemorate the fourth year of the massacre.

July 2013

September-October 2012 Additional information in the murder case was filed in court containing the information about the 58th victim of the crime. It was for Reynaldo Momay, a photojournalist whose body was not yet found by that time.

Bong Andal, the operator of the backhoe used in the massacre, had finally spoken on July 1, 2013, linking the Ampatuans to the crime. He described in detail how he used the machine to drag the bodies into the pits. Furthermore, he said that he was ordered by men from the Ampatuan family. He said that he left the site after he heard an approaching helicopter.

The Department of Justice replaced Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Medalle as the lead prosecutor handling the massacre case. He was replaced by Taguig City Prosecutor Archimedes Manabat. This was the second time that the government replaced the chief prosecutor in the case.

Unless the government would enact policies and create integrated plans to address these kinds of problems, impunity would remain to be a long standing issue in the human rights community. It is time for the media and the whole civil society community to work together for a continuous call for action and justice for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre.

06 NEWS Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang...

Kyatcheeeeng Fiyaaaaahh Edishun!

Howla, howla chikadoraaaz! Lookey huz vaaaack for more nakakalerking cheeezmax. It's none other than yer beeeloved gordiyosang gandis everdeen Lola Patoooola! I mizz yeh mga affowz and em shur yeh mizz me too, heshteg kilegsxz, mej clingy aketch. Kamustah nemern ang first huweek of classes niyo? May hangover pa ba sa semvreyk? Did you meet new fifolz and make new frenz, lyk the kaivigan, not the ka-ivigan ha? Heniweyz by the highweyz, nagpakabusy lang kami ni Lolo Upo sa pagvack read ng confeshunz sa YuFiEm faylz diz fast very few weeks. Mej NKKLRKI yung iva dun, charot maharowt huhukels. So ayon…chillax na sana ang lyf kaso etong mga fasawayz 5ever panira, walang vreyk vreyk sa pagpapasakit sa ulo ng aking mga precious affoowz. Pati ako nag-iinit, I'm lyk ze gurlash on fayer na talagah!

Anger Games trilogy sumvong numbah one: "Surbaybal of the earliest" enrollment process!

Hay nakow! Forever sakit sa vangz na nemern ang enrollment, ano vah, y u olweis make pahirap of my affowz. They make follow naman

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 16 December 2013 | Monday

LOLA PATOLA

everything pero waleyz, laging sayung effort and pamasahe dahil sa chakang enrollment process lalo na raw sa CapitolAngSadista, like lagi lagi nalung ba talaga?!

Kwento ng isa kong affow, para daw makapag add ng slots e fumifila na yung iva ng sobrang aga, lyk kulang nalang e mag sleep over sila sa YuFiEm para lang mauna. Just imagine the patience of my beloved affowz na talaga namang sinagad ng Opisinang Chaka at Slowfolks! Una, late na late raw nagbukas ng windowz. Ano vang peg ng mga itey? Mamuti ang mata ng mga affowz ko?

Hindi pa sila nasatisfy at aba, dinaig pa ang bagyo, walang kawarning warning e biglang sinara ang windowz pag patak ng 5:30? Wiz nagbigay ng cutoff ang Opisinang Chaka at Slowfolks. Come back nalang raw again tomorrow. Huwaaat?! But huweeyt, there's more! Ayaw pang magbigay ng priority numvahs o gumawa man lang ng list for the sake of my affowz na mahigit four hours nag waitchikels to enroll! Aba aba, improve improve rin pag may time! Don't make tributes out of my precious affowz!

Anger games trilogy sumvong

numbah two: Mababangeez na grades with no expleneyshun!

Diz fast few weeks e mej marami akong nahear hear na sumvong about sa fropoccinos from the Department of PazaweyShevaklavooMabagaloo, lyk aneekk what is happening? Vulong ng aking affow, with feelingz, e hindi raw makatarungan ang ginawa ng iva niyang froppy last sem. Wiz waleyffa raw na pinakitang breakdown ng grades and even their paperz, wiz binalik.

Paano naman if they have korekshuns and clarifications? Aneeek.

Sabi pa ni affow e straight to the ChervalooReyjShiztem ang grades nila lyk huweeeyt huwer iz the basis for this?! Kahit daw babalu or whatever ang grades nila e important kay affow and frenz na makita ang result ng efforts nila kasi wiz sila shur if it’s really what they deserve. Trulalu naman iyon divah?!

Sa isa pa raw nilang subject, e may pinakita ngang breakdown but huweeeyt, how about the other requirements? Shockingjay raw ang feg ng sadistang froppy na itey na ibinase lang ang grades dun sa results ng eksumz kung saan karamihan sa mga affowz ko eh mababalu lyk just give me a reason, anyare to the homeworks and

everythaaang?! But huweeeyt, there’s even more! Mavagalooo rin sa pagrelease ng grades ang froppy na itechiwa mala “I take the G away from pagasa huehue” ang feg na todo pasuspense sa exemption list e wiz waleyffa naman palang inexempt sa finals! Froppy, y u do diz? Kawawa naman ang mga affowz ko na todo todo sa effort, don’t be so chaka, ERKHEEEY?! KLK. You’ll meet again with my affowz this sem pa naman. Ayos ayos rin ng lyf and next time, paki-explain na. Labyu.

Hay nakow, sakit sa ulooow. I’ll stahp here muna dahil dehins ko na keri ang Anger games pasavog ng mga fasawayz sa YuFiEm. Just olweis remember dat you have me erkhey? Your ever seksi and fierce Lowla will defend you, mapaanong diztrict man kayo mabelong! I'll be vack again after I finish my viktorz touuur. Make vawi vawi thiz sem and do yer bezt to fayt fayt fayt all the stress, para forever-ever young rin ang feelz niyo lyk me.

Let's stay gordiyosa erkhey? Alablablabyu mga affowz! Mwahugssss!

FREESTYLE

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 Monday | 16 December 2013

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA ANG MASASABI MO SA 1SAANO DIUMANO'Y PAGPATAW NG BUWIS MGA TULONG AT DONASYON NA

HINDI DUMAAN SA MGA AHENSYA NG PAMAHALAAN?

Yung pork barrel nga kinukurakot nila, pati ba naman yung relief? Kapal lang ng mukha.

- Bluejoney, nagbabalik :)) Sa totoo lang, wala akong idea sa balitang ‘yan (kasi taong bundok ako). Pero grabe lang. Tumutulong na nga at nagdodonate tapos magkaka-buwis pa dahil di dumaan sa gobyerno? Buti sana kung sa victims din mapupunta yung buwis na yan. Ehhhhh, baka sa bulsa lang din mapunta. - Unicorn, 2012, CAS Hindi makatarungan. Ang dapat na pantulong ay siya pang pinagkakakitaan. Tutulong ka na nga magbabayad ka pa. - 1D(1 Dela Cruz),2012,CAS Kailangan talaga may share sila? Sana sila na lang ang bagyuhin para 100% na ng donasyon ang mapunta sa kanila. - Kids Next Door, 2012, Biochem, CAS I think that it’s best not to entrust the donations to the government agencies. As if namang may konsensiya pang natitira sa kanila para di gamitin ang mga iyon sa personal nilang interes. - Raseac | 2010-33377 | Pharmacy Sige. Sa inyo na lahat. Pabayaan niyo na lang ‘yung mga kababayan natin na naghihirap. Lalandi-landi. - 2012-04895. Biochem.

Without the legal knowledge ay ‘di ko talaga strongly majujustify yung argument ko. Pero nga ‘di ba, what is needed must be given prior attention. And ano ang kelangan ngayon?

TULOG PARA SA MGA NASALANTA. I can’t fully determine the motive kung bakit ay meron ganitong drama ang administration pero the mere fact na bumubuhos yung tulong from different people, organizations, people etc. etc. ay dapat ituoon first and foremost sa purpose ng pagtulong. As far I can remember, it is said that the government is created to help the people. And help is what is needed now. Urgent kaya. Post-Yolanda is a nightmare especially to those who were affected.

Desperate times call desperate measures ‘di ba. Kung tutulong ka, tumulong ka na lang.

I guess there must be a legal rationale, pero is that tax imposition really what we need right now? The matter also begs the question kasi eh, “Why do some sources choose to act independently without the aid of the government?” Pwede naman kaseng ibigay yung lahat lahat sa government eh. Tapos sila na bahala. These assistance, and moreover the funds are power. And the greater the power, the more is the potential for abuse. - Tempest (formerly CGSaffa3537), 2013-****, CAS Mga Crocodylus makapalmukamensis sila.

As of this moment, pera pa rin ang laman ng utak nila? Nakakatuwa talagang isipin na may mga buwayang may balat na kasing kapal ng mukha at taba ni Janet Lim Napoles. We shall make this species of crocodile extinct! - Duke Leonheart/CAS Ang bonus nila un lng un, Hirap n ang mga tao at gutom n gutom na tpos gaganyanin pa nila.

Dapat pagkatpos ng mga relief operation nila pagisipan yan. Pti diba mga donations yan

Pwede ring ipadala ang inyong mga sagot sa pamamagitan ng pag-text sa 09069447782!

(Pero bawal ang textmate!) bkit may tax pa. imba tlga sila mga mukhang pera. Nasa state of calamity n un lugar tpos gnun pa pinapairal ng mga tao na nkaupo.

Pero mahirap nga nman magpaxok ng mga materials sa bansa paganyan pero kung alam nman nila na para sa relief operation dapat payagan nlng nila. - 200X-23239/BSEE/CEAT Kaya napakababa ng credibility ng pamahalaan e. Lahat nalang pinagkakakitaan.

Kaya siguro sa kabila ng mga generous donations na natatanggap natin e parang hindi parin sapat...napaka, ugh. Nakakainis.

Even the thought of it pisses me off. Hindi pa ba sila kuntento sa mga nalimas nilang pera ng bayan, pati ba yung mga pagmamagandang loob ng iba e babahiran pa nila ng mga dumi nila?! -JackFrost, 2013-3xx54 hmm nakakadismaya kasi parang kusang loob na nga yung donation pero nagpapataw pa ng buwis - bib, 2013-10885, ddm, cd Seryoso may TAX?! Wtf. Hayy, our government’s really irrevocably damaged. Nakaka-agit.

-Curly Hair, CD Huwag nang idaan pa sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan, baka kung kani-kaninong bulsa nanaman mapunta. -iinvokemyright, 2013-*****, CAS ‘Di ko makita ang sense ng pagpapataw ng tax sa mga donasyong galing ibang bansa.

If taxes are supposed to be used for public service, bakit kailangan nilang bawasan yung mga donasyon? Pero, sabagay. ‘Di na kakailanganin ng malaking donasyon kasi siguradong marami pang mamamatay dahil sa bagal ng gobyerno natin.#MedyoHarsh teb, 2013-00632, BA DevStud hindi na dapat patawan ng buwis ang mga ganon klase ng bagay bakit sapagkat ito ay donasyon ito so kawang gawa yun an tangin dapat gawin ng ahensya ay ipamagi ang mga donasyon nakalap - KIM BENSON I did not research about this, but, even if this taxation is really written in our laws, grabe, it seems that we are so eager to implement them pag sarili ang mabebenefit at palagi na lang ata na 2nd or last priority ang kalagayan ng “mga boss” ni PNoy. Tama nga na it’s in the face of horror, of adversity, that we truly find our nobler selves. Pero hindi lang pala yun, we tend become worse din pala in the process. Pedro Faura, CAS Let’s say that we are supposed to uphold RA 8424 and that donor’s tax should be paid accordingly to the BIR. But then, we are currently in a state of National Emergency, and such bureaucratic procedures hinder what is important: the fast and direct transmission of aid for those who need it the most at this time of crisis. Laws are made for the welfare of the people. If it is at the expense of the lives of the people, are we still supposed to uphold such law? - Madason, 68315, CAS Medyo gg lang. Tumutulong na nga ‘yung tao, ganun pa gagawin nila. They’re indirectly stealing money from the people. Baka dahil sa ginagawa nila, magsawa na mag-donate ‘yung mga tumutulong. - embezzledheart, 2013-01xx3, BA OrCom, CAS Kung gusto niyo po magnakaw, wag niyo masyado ipahalata. Wala po akong nakikitang

sense sa pagpataw ng buwis pag hindi niyo nahawakan yung donation. - spyder360, 2011-xxxxx, BS ComSci, CAS Dalian na yang pagpataw ng buwis na yan, ibigay na para mabilis, wala rin naman e, mas matagal lang kapag pinipigilan, sobrang dami pang gutom sa tacloban and other provinces... - Jessy Mendiola a.k.a Alberto Knox, 2013-asdfg, bio, cas.

Ang masasabi ko’y napaka-nonsense (or napaka-CORRUPTED) ng pagpataw ng buwis sa TULONG at DONASYON na kailangan ng mga kababayan nating naghihikaos sa kasalukuyan. At saan naman ba mapupunta ang buwis na ipapatong doon? Edi sana pala ‘yung mga namamalimos din at kung anu-anong organisasyong nanghihingi ng TULONG at DONASYON damay sa buwisbuwis na ‘yan. - Bon appétit, 2013-45564, BSPH, CPH sa aking palagay, hindi tama ang pagpataw ng buwis sa mga tulong at donasyon na hindi napapasailalim ng pamahalaan dahil ito ay isang kawang-gawa na naglalayong makapagbigay ng tulong sa mga kababayan. ang pagpataw ng buwis ay ang paraan ng gobyernbo para makakalap ng pondo na maaring gastusin para sa ikabubuti ng bayan. ang pagbibigay ng tulong at donasyon ng iba’t ibang organisasyon ay isang paraan ng pagtulong sa bayan. kung kaya’t hindi na kailangan pa ang pagpataw ng buwis dahil nakakatulong na sila sa kanilang kapuwa sa kani-kanilang sariling paraan. - anonymous, 2013-03005, BSPH, CPH

MALIBAN SA PANDESAL AT TUNA, ANO 2CANTON? PA ANG MAAARING I-PARES SA PANCIT IPALIWANAG. Pancit canton, kanin, at knorr soup, para panka-nor. - Bluejoney, nagbabalik :)) Pwedeng skyflakes, pan de coco, spanish bread, kababayan, kape, iced tea, kahit anong juice, kanin, karne. - Unicorn, 2012, CAS Pancit canton at tubig Mahirap ata kung alang panulak. PanTub. - 1D(1 Dela Cruz),2012,CAS Tubig. Panlaban sa kindey stones. Lol. - Kids Next Door, 2012, Biochem, CAS Nah. I believe mas mabuti tayong pares. Raseac | 2010-33377 | Pharmacy Si _____ para may kasama habang kumakain.

-La-landi-landi. 2012-04895. Biochem.

Siyempre yung crush(ies) ko. Sarap kaya niya (or nila). OOPS. That sounded wrong ahaha.

LOL. #nodistractionspala #acadsperst Tempest (formerly CGSaffa3537), 2013-****, CAS Skyflakes. Solid to, kulang ng crunch ang pancit canton. at pag dinagdag ito, meron na.

- spyder360, 2011-xxxxx, BS ComSci, CAS Itlog na malasado. Kasi, it makes the canton somewhat thicker and more savory. Ang tabang na kasi ng pancit canton nowadays. mas masaya pa yung mga araw na limang

piso lang ang pancit canton, mas may lasa pa. Bakit nga ba nagkaroon ng 100% increase sa presyo nito? Dahil ba sa No Preservatives Added? Dahil medyo matabang na siya, nag recommend sila ng Tuna, etc. Yung totoo Lucky Me, paki-explain . Lab yu! - Duke Leonheart/CAS Kanin pde rin msarap un, gawin mu ulam ung pancit canton.(buhay studyante pag wala pera haha) - 200X-23239/BSEE/CEAT Woah. Ipinapares pala ang pandesal at tuna sa pancit canton...matry nga minsan. #inosente JackFrost, 2013-3xx54 Scrambled eggs. Ayy wait. Scrambled eggs with cheese. =)))) - Curly Hair, CD Sa siomai! Hindi ko alam, basta masarap!

Hahaha. - iinvokemyright, 2013-*****, CAS KANIN! Lalo na yung tutong. Para iba’t iba yung texture ng pagkain. May crunch. ANEK! O kaya Spam kung RK ka. (Pero walang tatalo sa almusalang pancit canton at pandesal). teb, 2013-00632, BA DevStud Kwek kwek!!! =)) Bagay kasi yung itlog at pancit. :)) - Potato 201x CAS biscuit o manom dahil hindi na ito kailangan pang lutuin at hbang inaantay nilang maluto ung pancit canton maari na sila kumain. - KIM BENSON Pancit Canton + Tuna + Tanduay para PANTUTAN. haha tara pantutan tayo! superhero ng ermita Lumpiang Shanghai. Bakit? Galing ang Pancit Canton sa Guangzhou. Galing naman ang Spring Rolls sa Shanghai (kaya nga Lumpiang Shanghai eh). Chinese food complements Chinese Food. - Madason, 68315, CAS Kanin. Kapag gutom ka na’t walang ulam, aarte ka pa ba? Haha. Pwede din sardinas, at least may sauce. LOL. -embezzledheart, 201301xx3, BA OrCom, CAS hmm pancit canton..? skyflakes siguro. - bib, 2013-10885, ddm, cd haluan ng philosophy, para may meaning at purpose ang pagkain sa pancit canton: “where did the pancit canton come from?” ha ha ha hahahaha sabaw. sabaw answers. - Jessy Mendiola a.k.a Alberto Knox, 2013-asdfg, bio, cas.

NILAGANG ITLOG siyempre!!!!!! Depende naman ‘yan sa panlasa ng kumakain. Minsan nga kahit KANIN pwede na ring partner ng pancit canton. Siyempre ‘di ba kahit ano basta masarap ‘yung lasa. - Bon appétit, 2013-45564, BSPH, CPH maaring sky flakes o kahit ano pang crackers ang ipares sa pancit canton dahil tulad ng pandesal, sila ay puno ng carbohydrates na makapagbibigay ng sapat na lakas sa katawan ng mga tao. - anonymous, 2013-03005, BSPH, CPH

read and download MKule issues at issuu.com/manilacollegian

08 CULTURE

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 16 December 2013 | Monday

Behind the Sins* TRAHEDYA SA LIKOD NG TULONG NG GOBYERNO A NG GALING NG GOBYERNO. CONSISTENT.

Napakarami nang trending sa panahon ngayon. Nariyan na ang pagse-selfie, pagto-throwback at kung anu-ano pang pauso ng bagong henerasyon.

Nakatutuwang isipin kung paanong ang lahat ng pausong ito ay pansamantala lamang. Samantalang sa pamahalaan, kung ano ang usong gawain noon, siya pa ring ginagawa ngayon— walang kakupaskupas at walang kamatayan. Walang kupas, dahil hindi pa rin natatanggal ang mga mantsa ng dugo dulot ng kapabayaan.

Walang kamatayan, dahil nariyan pa rin ang kahinaan ng gobyerno pagdating sa pagtulong sa mga nasalanta.

Turo-turo Bato bato sa langit, ang tamaan... maninisi.

Tuwing may kaguluhan o kalamidad sa bansa, usong-uso ang isang laro sa ating pamahalaan.

Simple lang naman ang gagawin: sisihin mo lang ang ibang mga ahensya, lokal na pamahalaan, pambansang pamahalaan, mga mamamahayag, at pati ang mga mamamayan. Siyempre, huwag dapat kalimutang maghugas ng kamay pagkatapos. Ang pangalan ng laro? The Blame Game.

Sa naging hagupit ng Supertyphoon Yolanda, natunghayan natin ang paninisi ng Presidente sa mga lokal na opisyal at sa mga mamamahayag ukol sa mga "inaccurate" na impormasyon na inilahad ng mga ito. Gayong siya, iginigiit na “everything is under control” kahit na taliwas ito sa totoong sitwasyon na marami pa ring mga mamamayan ang hindi nakatatanggap ng tulong.

Nakakaalarma ang naging asal ng Pangulo dahil ang uri ng lider na meron tayo ay malaki ang koneksyon sa kasalukuyang lipunan na meron tayo. Inihahalal natin ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan hindi lamang upang ipagtanggol tayo at pagsilbihan, kundi para kumatawan din para sa interes natin. Kaya naman higit tayong apektado sa tuwing nakikita natin kung gaano kababaw ang prayoridad ng ating pamahalaan na para bang mas importante pa sa kanila na protektahan ang kanilang mga imahe kaysa sa kapakanan ng kanilang mga nasasakupan. Hanggang hindi naaalis sa ating lipunan ang ugali ng pagtuturuan at paghuhugaskamay ay madaragdagan lang ang sakunang ating mararanasan – sakuna dulot ng kalikasan at maging ng pamahalaan.

Sa panahon ngayon, ang sense of responsibility ang dapat tumataas, hindi pride. At pagkakaisa’t pagtutulungan ang dapat umiiral at hindi pagtuturuan.

Sa Isang Kondisyon Lahat ng bagay ay may kapalit.

Kahit sa panahon ng unos,

hindi maiiwasang mapansin ang katotohanan ng pahayag na ito. Kasingdami ng taong nais tumulong sa kapwa ang bilang ng taong nais lamang tumulong para sa pagpapayaman ng sarili.

Para sa mga politiko, ang panahon ng kalamidad ay panahon ng pagpapasikat. Isa itong pagkakataon upang mapansin at maalala sila ng publiko nang sa gayon ay maihalal sila sa susunod na eleksyon. Kaya ang bawat tiyansa upang mapakita sa publiko ang kabaitan ni Gov o ni Mayor ay hindi pinalalagpas. Tila ang tingin ng mga politiko sa pagtulong sa mga nasalanta ay hindi lang basta acts of charity kundi isang malaki-laking investment. Sa huli, nilulublob pa rin tayo ng mga pulitiko sa kumunoy ng utang na loob.

Win-win situation nga naman ang nangyayaring pagpapaganda ng imahe sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa kapwa. Bumango na ang pangalan ng politiko, “nakatulong” pa siya sa iba. Ang kaso nga lang, ang dapat na responsibilidad ay ginawa pang negosyo. Ang orihinal na layuning paglilingkod sa bayan ay nagkaroon pa ng kapalit. Nagagawang linlangin ang publiko na ang tulong na natatanggap nila ay utang na loob at hindi karapatan bilang mamamayan.

Habang ang lahat ay nagkakagulo sa mga pinamimigay ni Governor, Mayor, o Congressman, hindi natin napapansin na naaapektohan na tayo ng kultura kung saan inaakala nating ang tanging sasagip sa mga tao ay kung sino ang may pangalan sa mga supot ng pagkain at damit. Itinatatak nito sa isip ng ordinaryong Pilipino ang kawalan niya ng kakayahan upang maiangat ang sarili sa hirap. Bilang resulta, ang mga taong walang kapangyarihan ay nagiging sunod-sunuran na lamang sa anomang gustohin ng nasa awtoridad. Pumapaloob ang mga nasa gobyerno sa pag-iisip na sila ay mas nakatataas at sila lang ang makapagbabago ng buhay ng mga nasalanta.

Magulong Ayos Ano mang anggulo, ang gulo.

Tila binayo rin ng bagyo ang pinagmamalaking kaayusan ng pamahalaan. Bukod sa mga nagsilabasang ugat ng mga puno, lumitaw rin ang kapabayaan ng pamahalaan. Sa pagkalito ng tinatawag na “lider” ng sambayanan, kaguluhan ang naging dulot

GEMMA ALKUINO ESTEBAN AT THALIA REAL VILLELA DIBUHO NI JOANNE PAULINE RAMOS SANTOS

nito sa kabuoan.

Nag-uugat ang kagulohan sa mismong istruktura ng ating pamahalaan. Halimbawa na lang sa tatlong sangay nito, na kung saan ang dalawa rito— ang lehislatura at ang ehekutibo— ay parehong umaaksyon sa pamimigay ng relief goods. Nagiging batayan ito ng mga tao kung sino ang marunong tumulong at hindi. Kaya lang tila malayo sa job description ng lehislatura na paggawa ng batas ang pamumudmod ng relief goods. Kung tutuosin, wala namang mali sa pagtulong ng isa, subalit kung magkakalituhan lang, lalong mas magiging magulo. Mahihirapang tukoyin kung sino ang tunay na responsable at mananagot kung sakaling magkaroon ng kakulangan o kung ano mang aberya.

Bukod pa rito, ang pagkalito ng mga mamamayan ay mangangahulugang hindi na masusubaybayang mabuti kung saan nga ba talaga napupunta ang pondo. Ang mga kalamidad ay nagsisilbing isang malaking oportunidad upang manamantala ang ilang nasa kapangyarihan upang magkamal at magpakasasa sa yamang dapat ay para sa mga mamamayan.

Sa huli, repleksyon ng hindi maayos at hindi mapamaraang pamamahala ng gobyerno ang paraan kung paano tayo binibigyan ng serbisyo ng mga lingkod-bayan. Hanggang sa kasalukuyan, marami ang hindi pa rin naaabutan ng tulong. Maraming lakas, oras, pera, at pagkakataon ang nasasayang sa hindi maayos na pagtugon sa mga sakuna, pero

puwede namang maiwasan kung aayusin lang ng pamahalaan ang sistema nito.

Paunang Lunas Ang sugat, nilalapatan ng firstaid para hindi na lumala, hindi para lalong lumubha.

Nilalapatan nga ng gobyerno ng paunang lunas ang mga problema ng bansa, pero dapat ay pinapalitan din agad ng pangmatagalang solusyon tulad ng ginagawa sa mga malulubhang sugat. Pero, panay na panandaliang mga solusyon na lamang ang naibibigay nila; at ang masama pa, tila bagang nakakasanayan na lang ito ng mga tao.

Ang pagiging sanay sa isang pagkukulang ay pagtanggap at pagsuko sa pagtama ng isang pagkakamali. Nakalulungkot isipin na bagama’t isa tayong bansa na nabubuhay sa Pacific Ring of Fire at daanan ng mga bagyo, nananatili tayong walang pangmatagalang solusyon sa naidudulot ng mga sakunang dulot ng ating lokasyon. Tila hindi natin natututunan kung paano bawasan ang naaapektohan at napipinsala. Hindi mahirap isipin na baka ang pagiging ningas-kugon ng gobyerno ang nagiging dahilan nito.

Puwede rin naman nating tignan ang aspekto kung saan pinakakilala ang mga Pilipino – ang pagiging resilient. Baka kaya hindi naglulunsad ng mga pangmatagalang solusyon at proyekto ang pamahalaan ay dahil kampante sila na ayos na tayo dahil nga resilient tayong mga Pinoy. Hindi masamang katangian ang pagiging resilient, ngunit hindi rin naman maganda kung dahil dito ay magiging manhid o kuntento na lang tayong mga mamamayan sa mga shortterm na solusyon at proyekto na inihahain ng gobyerno. Hindi naman kasi tamang isantabi natin ang paglaban sa ating mga karapatan sa

Continued on page 09

FREESTYLE 09

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 Monday | 16 December 2013 SC RULES PDAF UNCONSTITUTIONAL / FROM PAGE 2

TYPHOON YOLANDA WREAKS HAVOC IN VISAYAS REGION / FROM PAGE 2

for immediately leaving Tacloban City after hearing the SC decision despite his promises of staying in the typhoon-stricken area.

the guilt to the administration.

“Aquino shows just how rattled he is by the ruling. It also shows just how he deeply values pork barrel funds and forebodes attempts by his government to restore pork barrel funds,” the KMU statement read.

The case on the constitutionality of the DAP is still pending before the higher court. While Ridon believes that the DAP will be declared unconstitutional as well, he called for the people to be vigilant and continue the fight against corruption in the government.

BONIFACIO’S 150 BIRTHDAY / FROM PAGE 03

element in nation-building,” Bayan-Muna party-list representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate, authors of House Bill 3431, said.

Moreover, authors of the said bill said that the hero’s fight to defend the country’s sovereignty deserves more than a simple recognition or commemoration of his birth anniversary.

“While there is an admission that the delivery of relief and rehabilitation efforts is indeed moving at glacial pace, Aquino has actually absolved his administration from the fault of not having a comprehensive national disaster preparedness plan,” said Ridon.

Ridon blamed President Aquino for the inept response of the national government.

“Additionally, the president should resolve to prepare a genuine disaster mitigation program with emphasis on pre-disaster preparation in the coming days,” he ended.

UP Aids Victims Consequently, more than 1, 500 students, faculty, and staff in the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas – Tacloban campus and 200 in UP Manila School of Health and Sciences (UPM SHS) suffered the wrath of the typhoon. Ericia Cressia Antonino, a 3rd year BA Social Studies student from UP Visayas – Tacloban, was reported dead alongside her father and sister when the storm wrecked their home at Brgy. San Joaquin, Palo, Leyte.

pagtamasa ng tamang serbisyo dahil kaya nating umangkop o umayon sa sitwasyon.

Accordingly, President Alfredo Pascual released a statement expressing condolences to the Antonino family. Pascual also launched “Tulong UP” as assistance to the students and faculties affected by the tragedy. Pascual tasked Vice President for Public Affairs (VPPA) Prospero E. de Vera to manage relief distributions to the inflicted UP units while UPV Chancellor Rommel Espinosa ordered the release of cash advances for the faculty and staff in UP Tacloban.

Dahil ang paunang lunas, kahit saan pa man, ay sinusundan ng pangmatagalang lunas. Ilusyon man ang magkaroon ng perpektong solusyon, kahit ang pinaka-epektibong solusyon man lang sana ang mailapat para sa mga pangmatagalang problemang ating kinahaharap.

In addition, under the Memorandum No. 13-36 and 13-37 issued by Pascual, all UP chancellors were prompted to accommodate and offer lower or free tuition to the cross-registrants coming from the ravaged campuses. UP Diliman and UP Manila will rebracket students

However, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines said declaring Bonifacio as the national hero will take a long process as it would entail “a lot of documentation and argumentation.”

BEHIND THE SINS / MULA SA PAHINA 08

Ang pagkakaroon ng isang komprehensibo at maayos na balangkas sa pagtugon sa mga sakunang dulot ng kalikasan ay isang hakbang upang maiwasan ang higit na pagdami ng mga indibidwal na maaapektohan ng mga sakuna.

Ang trahedya ng mga mamamayan ay ang patuloy na pagiging atrasado at pabaya ng gobyernong dapat sana ay tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng kanyang mga nasasakupan. Sa pagkakalahad ng mga kasalanan ng estado sa mga mamamayan, dapat magsilbi itong tuntungan upang singilin ang gobyerno para sa kapabayaan nito na nagdulot ng higit pang pinsala sa mga ari-arian at kamatayan ng mga nasalanta. Isang sampal sa pamahalaan ang mistulang pagpapalala nito sa pinsalang dulot ng mga sakunang nangyari sa bansa, at malinaw itong makikita sa nangyaring paghagupit ng bagyong Yolanda.

Dahil ang isang kabalintunaan ay hindi matutuwid ng isa pang kabalintunaan. *isang patudyong para sa terminong “Behind The Scenes” BUHAY MKULE / FROM PAGE 15

Lilipas ang exams, articles, at ka-toxican pero lahat ng mga natutunan, naipaglaban, at naranasan ko sa MKule ay kailanma’y hinding-hindi ko malilimutan.

LUISITA LAND TITLES / FROM PAGE 03

from affected regions from brackets C, D and E to E2.

Moreover, UP Los Baños arranged dormitory slots and living allowances for at least 100 students. UP Mindanao Office of Extension and Community Services Director Prof. Erwin Protacio commenced a search for foster families who can welcome the students whose homes have been destroyed.

Meanwhile, Architecture Dean Dan Silvestre and a team of technical experts will attend to the rehabilitation of the buildings and facilities damaged by the typhoon.

Furthermore, UPM Chancellor Dr. Manuel Agulto appointed UP Manila as the head of relief distributions and medical tasks for the whole UP system. Dr. Eric Talens led a team of doctors from the College of Medicine (CM) and UP Manila Pahinguhod on November 17 to aid the injured in Palo and to distribute relief goods in the area.

UP Manila, with the help of youth volunteers from Tulong Kabataan Volunteer Network, also served as a drop-off center for relief goods. UPM Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and Phi Lambda Delta Sorority joined for Phi Yolanda Relief Operations while the University Student Council Health and Service Committee promoted Anticipated Direct Response (ADRES) as a contribution to existing relief efforts for the Yolanda victims.

Finally, President Pascual urged UP to continue to extend assistance to the affected people in any way possible. Pascual pointed that there are more students and faculty, along with their families, who are in need.

As of press time, relief operations are still ongoing in UP Manila and donations are still being accepted by different organizations and volunteer network.

PAGMUMURA / MULA SA PAHINA 16

Sa pamamagitan kasi ng pagmumura, nagkakaroon ng all-out access ang lipunan na pag-usapan ang mga paksang nilagyan ng barikada ng kasaysayan at kultura – mga taboo na bagay gaya ng sex, pagkakaiba ng paniniwala sa relihiyon, sa kulay, at sa katayuan sa buhay. Dito, lumalawak ang kanilang mekanismo ng komunikasyon at sosyalisasyon, dahil nagkakaroon sila ng paraan upang maiparating ang kanilang saloobin sa paraang alam nilang tunay silang maiintindihan ng lipunan.

Ang pagmumura, sa halip na ituring na mga negatibong elemento sa lipunan, ay dapat na tingnan bilang makapangyarihang sandata upang makapaghatid ng pagbabago sa kasaysayan. Ito ay porma ng rebolusyon ng mga taong hindi natatakot ipabatid ang tunay na sitwasyong kanilang kinasasadlakan.

Paano nga naman ba magbabago ang isang lipunan kung lahat ay takot na sabihin ang mga mali at pagkukulang sa isang malakas at makatawag-pansin na pamamaraan?

Ngunit, kung patuloy tayong magpapakulong sa baluktot na pagkilala sa pagmumura at sa prinsipyo nating “Don’t say bad words”, lalo lang titindi ang pagtutunggalian sa lipunan, at higit pang kikitid ang pananaw at prinsipyo ng mga tao.

Tao lamang ang nagbigay ng balakid sa pagmumura – sa huli, tao lang din ang makapag-aalis nito at siyang

makapagpapalaya sa talastasan ng lipunan.

Marami sa atin ang nakakulong sa konserbatibong pag-iisip—itinuturing na taboo ang pagmumura sa kabila ng pagiging natural dapat nito. Kung ganoon ka mag-isip, nararapat mong lubusang maunawaan na ang pagmumura ay may espesyal na papel na ginagampanan sa ating wika at lipunan. Sinasalamin nito ang ating mga personalidad, pati na rin ang mga isyung kinakaharap ng lipunan. At bukod sa pagbibigay ng repleksyon, ang pagmumura ay mahalagang instrumento para makapagdala ng epektibong pagbabago sa ating mga sarili at sa bayan.

Ang pagmumura ay maituturing na isang rebolusyonaryong sandata ng ating wika, na siyang makapagpapalaya hindi lamang sa paraan ng komunikasyon, kung hindi pati rin sa sosyalisasyon sa lipunan.

Nasa atin ang desisyon kung paano natin gagamitin ang mga mura— bilang instrumentong mapagpalaya; o isang instrumentong magpapasidhi ng tunggalian ng mga uri. Kung hindi natin kayang harapin ang masasakit na salita, hindi natin mahaharap ang mas masakit na estado ng lipunan — kung saan maging ang mga aksyon at intensyon ay nakakaga*o.

hectares of land was adjoined to the TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

The beneficiaries reported that they were originally entitled to receive 7000 sq. m. of land that was reduced by 400 sq. m. because of TADECO and RCBC’s claims. In addition, beneficiaries mentioned the discrepancies between DAR’s allocated areas and actual lands available for distribution. They fear that the unaccounted lands were grabbed by TADECO and its partners. TADECO had also issued eviction notices which disable the farmers to claim their lands.

“It is clear that the DAR is colluding with the Cojuangco-Aquinos in grabbing our land,” said

by Florida Sibayan, chairperson of AMBALA. Unceasing Violence Meanwhile, the hostility in Hacienda Luisita continues as Dennis Dela Cruz, an AMBALA member, was found dead with head concussions last November 1 on the site where TADECO claimed ownership.

According to accounts, Dela Cruz was busy repairing the typhoon-hit AMBALA hut, days before the incident. Some locals also tried to repair their typhoon-damaged homes found on the claimed lands of TADECO, but was met with “No Trespassing” signs and guards blocking the homeowners from returning.

According to Sibayan, Dela Cruz mentioned to them that he was afraid to stay in the hut because TADECO’s security guards show up to the hut every night. Sibayan also told Bulatlat. com that the police came to investigate the scene but ended up accusing Dela Cruz of stealing nuts and bolts from an electric post.

Forgotten Carnage Moreover, Dela Cruz has become the latest victim of brutality of the Hacienda Luisita management.

It could be remembered that 14 people were killed and 200 others were injured on November 16, 2004 in front of Gate 1 of Central Azucarrera de Tarlac when the protesters were stormed by police and military forces. During that time, the protesters formed a picket line and demanded work reinstatement, higher wages and a more committed land reform.

Nine years since the massacre happened, farmer groups, human rights advocates, and families of the victims of the massacre gathered at Gate 1 of Central Azucarrera de Tarlac to commemorate the killings. The farmers continuously call for justice for the victims and demanded compensation.

“It pains us that until now there is no justice for the victims. Until now too, we are still fighting for our right to the land,” said by Gabby Sanchez, father of Juancho who was victimized by the massacre.

THE MISCONCEPTIONS OF YOU / FROM PAGE 15

ako matitinag. Patuloy akong makikinig sa musikang gusto kong pakinggan, at patuloy akong magiging masaya habang sumasabay sa mga lirikong hindi ko maintindihan, ngunit may katuturan.

Oo, isa akong fangirl. At ipinagmamalaki ko iyon. *Hango sa isa sa mga album ng SHINee.

10 FEATURES

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 16 December 2013 | Monday

The Multiplier Effect Probing the Implications of Commercialization to the University's Character CHRISTIAN REYNAN IBANEZ DURANA ILLUSTRATION BY GERALD MIRANDA GOCO

H

IGHER EDUCATION IS MERELY A BUSINESS PLAN.

The inability of the university to fund its own expenses has forced the administration to venture into commercialization. The university realized that its idle assets and properties can gain enough revenue without even having to spend any capital. In the market, however, nothing can be gained without an exchange. The administration had to impose new policies that favored their corporate partners – and it was not a difficult choice to make.

Build: Structuring UP’s Commercial Development For the university, subservience to corporate interest has become a norm rather than an option. The 2008 UP Charter provides for defining and assessing the scope of “academic core zones” which are mandatorily confined only for academic purposes. But the need for establishing an “academic core zone” should not even be considered because all properties of the university, whether or not ventured commercially, should be utilized for academic purposes.

This, however, is obviously not the case for the recently inaugurated UP Town Center (UPTC) which evicted the UP Integrated School (UPIS) from its former location. It is important to point out that the exclusivity of UPIS as an academic core zone is inviolable. Section 22 (c) provides that the BOR may plan, design and/or cause the implementation of land leases provided that such implementation should be exclusive of the academic core zone of the campuses of the university. This simply means that a commercial venture such as UPTC cannot replace UPIS when the latter still is operating within its duly academic function.

The Pascual administration’s current initiative is to create an enabling framework for UP’s land development and spatial strategic, particularly assets that are yet to be “fullydeveloped”. Thus, land properties such as those covering Barangay Krus na Ligas, Diliman and other idle assets in constituent units shall be subjected to further development

schemes. According to the 2012 Budget report of the UP administration to the Senate, the university currently has land leases over its Laurel-Langley properties—properties acquired from the now-defunct economic agreement between Philippines and United States. They are able to acquire 5% of revenue by leasing these properties. And to spearhead revenue accumulation, the university has started its commercial ventures primarily in urban and industrial areas.

Despite the UP Charter containing a provision on a transparent and democratic process of consultation, this was not manifested in the projects and programs that were recently inaugurated. Also, no quality assessment mechanisms or documents were provided to the university’s stakeholders..

But aside from developing and leasing land and other idle assets, the university has also blatantly commercialized its intellectual properties. Section 13 of the Strategic Plan states that the Board of Regents (BOR) may authorize research undertakings provided that, the fellowships, grants and scholarships are authorized by BOR. But besides this provision, the Strategic Plan also limits the fields of research into those that “offer promising commercial applications”.

Degree programs have been made inferior by quota and market-demanded courses. The university has lost its character as a critical institution of higher education.

While the university cannot overtly establish purely commercial establishments, they establish academic centers that are purported to serve the immediate industry needs of their locations. This can be seen in the proposed UP Open University campus in Bonifacio Global City and the UP Cebu Professional Schools.

The BGC Campus’ land area was donated by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (which converts former military bases into premier centers of economic growth). The UP Cebu extension, framed after the UPAyala Technohub, is being developed by a private

entity named South Road Properties.

Operate: A Market-Driven Bureaucracy The bureaucratic structure of the university itself promulgates the main rationalizing force to fully implement commercialization.

At the heart of the university’s core managerial strategy is its subscription to have a research and academic environment akin to global standards. To make sure that such strategy will be fulfilled, the current administration has allowed private industries to meddle with the university’s issues and concerns, as evidenced by its bureaucratic structure.

The university’s managerial and bureaucratic structure is exposed in the 2008 UP Charter, as manifested by the establishment of a five-member independent trust committee (ITC). The ITC is mandated to supervise the funds of the university. It is composed of the President of the University as the chairperson.

The other members of the ITC all come from private entities –one representative each from the Bankers’ Association of the Philippines, the Investment Houses Association of the Philippines, the Trust Officers Association of the Philippines and the Financial Executive Institute of the Philippines.

According to the UP Charter, the private entities listed above “...shall manage the corporate and other funds through trust agreements of the national university on a non-directed basis. They are also mandated to provide the BOR “direction on appropriate investment objectives and permissible investments”. Moreover, the BOR shall secure a fairness opinion report, through an independent third body, coming from these private entities. This fairness opinion report is an evaluative and consultative analysis of the transactions and biddings the university has entered into. Thus, instead of being accountable to its constituents, the university becomes accountable to its consultants.

To ensure the university’s drive toward commercialization, the current

administration sets forth an objective stated in its Strategic Plan: to harness the investment-centered 2008 UP Charter. This means establishing a legal environment that facilitates strategic initiatives and action plans, “...particularly those aimed at resource generation”.

This planned restructuring of the university’s legal environment is manifested in the administration’s increasing convergence of higher education policies among the university, the government, and other multinational institutions. With the export labor orientation of the Roadmap to Higher Education Reform (RPHER) and Higher Education Reform Agenda (HERA), the university has formally conceded being bound within the legal structures of international trade.

The rationale is purely economic: along with the growth of global markets comes information and technological revolution, countries such as the Philippines strive to be scientifically and technologically relevant. The university provides that need.

Thus, the university’s commitment toward public service is nothing but mere corporate social responsibility.

Transfer: Creating a New University Character Along with the continuous integration of the

university into the global market sphere is the disengagement of the student community towards principles and values that strengthen national consciousness and civic engagement.

The moral spirit of serving the people has been replaced by apathy and economic advantage.

In this context, the university that was once a social critic and the purveyor of social change has transformed into a corporation: producing intellectuals that are well-fitted to the demand and supply

FEATURES 11

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 Monday | 16 December 2013 values of the global market.

The university has to reorient and facilitate the coming of global market forces—even if it means altering the student community’s consciousness as passive consumers of their services.

To further alienate the university from its mandate and its true stakeholders, the administration has adopted structural mechanisms that favor students who are financially able. First is the bias of the admissions policy towards financially-able students. Another is the preponderance of the university towards courses and programs that emphasize over liberal arts and values-based learning. To match the consumer demands of the student individual, the university establishes commercial ventures that cater and appeal to the students, such as town centers.

This system-induced alienation by the university continually degrades the student community’s perception of higher education as mere corporate in nature. Part of the student community merely sees education as a ticket for greater career opportunities and as an investment they could utilize for their own benefits. As such, they are gradually insulated from the true essence of having to study at a state university: to serve the people with knowledge and unconditional commitment.

The continuous neglect of the Government to subsidize the university is the root of all these, but lesser State budget should never be a justification for lesser accountability of the university to the people. To demand for greater State budget is imperative—to sustain the nationalist and pro-people tradition of the university is the resolve.

T h u s , militancy will persist— for there is no

other recourse. This continuous plunging toward the pitfall of neo-liberalism serves both as a warning and an inspiration.

There is no such thing as a compromising stance between subservience to corporate interest and public accountability.

The national university should and would always be public in nature.

“The moral spirit of serving the people has been replaced by apathy and economic advantage.”

12 FEATURES Y

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 16 December 2013 | Monday

OU ARE INVITED. The magic show is about to begin a cascade of fantasy and illusion. This is a spectacle that will play with the minds and consciousness of the audience. The magician, hiding behind his mask, prepares cautiously— no traces or mistakes should be made.

H e manipulates movement to achieve what he desires from the audience.

Acts and tricks persuade the viewers to believe, entangling them in the magician’s feat. He gains power amongst the crowd, as they sit and awe at his dexterity.

Do not be deceived by his tricks.

Enticing the Spectators

The curtain goes up, the magician begins his show. The audience is enthralled and the magician is pleased. As he forges reality with illusion and delusion, the crowd is mesmerized and bound in the enchantment.

Elections are filled with pageantry and masquerade. Candidates mask their true intentions and personal interests with their compassion and concern for the people. One of the masquerades in the recent elections is vote buying which has been numerously reported and observed.

Money remains to be a potent weapon in a politician’s arsenal in order to gain the people’s votes. Msgr. Meliton Oso, director of the Jaro Archdiocesan social action center, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he received reports of votebuying from a low P200 to P400 to as much as P1,000 per voter during the October 2013 barangay elections.

Money can control people, and when the price is right, votes can translate to the victory of a candidate.

Moreover, he said that vote buying is wrong; yet with this, candidates c o n t i n u e with the deed hoping to reel in the votes.

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas said that the police were oblivious when it came to the alleged incidents of vote buying in the recent elections, and that they are having a hard time arresting persons involved in vote buying due to lack

SMOKE AND MIRRORS The Ploy of the 2013 Barangay Elections LEANDRO FELICIANO SALAZAR ILLUSTRATION BY DANIEL JOHN GALINATO ESTEMBER of information and witnesses. The insufficiency of evidence makes the police conclude that the reports are mere hearsays, thus makes it difficult to prove vote buying. A report to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said that in Bulacan, each voter was given P500 per voter to vote for the entire slate.

Trending in the recent elections alongside vote buying is vote selling. Various election offenses such as vote selling and buying had been rampant in the 2013 barangay elections as stated by the poll watchdog, Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE). Their volunteers had reported alleged vote buying and selling in Palawan, Ilocos Sur, and the Visayas region. Disenfranchisement and unlawful electioneering were also observed.

In Barangay Kapangian, Leyte and Barangay Calero, Mindoro, there had been reports of alleged indiscriminate distribution of sample ballots, while minors were allegedly used to distribute flyers in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat.

There were also reports of candidates loitering inside the polling precinct along with their relatives in Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental and Santiago City, Isabela.

To secure victory, the candidates ensure that bought votes will deliver during the elections.

Hence, they turn to hostility, coercion, and aggression to ensure their seats. In this brazen show of desperation, violence becomes a vital recourse.

Continuing the Deception The spectacle astonishes the spectators. The magician compels the audience to believe in a forged reality through illusion and trickery. The crowd is in a trance - unconsciously becoming victims of the magician’s spell.

The fanfare of the elections was met with knives and guns. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), 2013 barangay elections generated more incidents of violence this year than in 2010.

They have recorded recorded 22 deaths and 37 wounded due to poll-related violence. Despite the statistics, Sen. Supt. Reuben Theoder Sindac, PNP Public Information Office Chief, stated that the general assessment of the elections was peaceful— an irony understating the real condition of the affair. There has also been an incident of ballot-snatching in Barangay Bohe Suyak in Ungkaya Pukantown in Basilan. The suspect grabbed the ballot box and ran, as reported by Basilan Police Director Sen. Supt.

Mario Dapillosa.

Candidates were also advocates of violence.

Police reported that a village official of Bohelebung, Tipo-Tipo named Hadji Faizal Mohammad was shot dead before he could cast his vote as he was seeking reelection. Police also stated that the husband of a candidate for village chairman was shot and killed Monday by suspected political rivals in Jaro town in central Leyte province. A supporter of another candidate was killed during a rowdy confrontation with army troops in Agusan del Sur province.

The barangay elections are still marred with

violence and vagary and it is worsening through the years. Aggressive actions prove that these candidates are hungry to win, either by hook or by crook.

Exposing the Spectacle The magician is the master of illusion, but he is seen as a con artist no less. The magic trick is more than a show and a flip of cards. In reality, there is more than meets the eye.

The barangay is viewed as the stretch of the government's arm into the community. The Local Government Code of the Philippines (LGCP) states that the barangay is the basic political unit that serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of the government. It serves the public in the most intimate manner as they are the officials close to the public. Also, the barangay officials are the first resort of the citizens and are the first to heed the call of the people.

According to the LGCP, the barangay has been given the power to generate and apply resources: create own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and charges; to have just share in national taxes (also known as the Internal Revenue Allotment); and to acquire, develop, and lease real or personal property. 20 percent share of the IRA, which receives a 40 percent share of national revenue taxes, goes to the barangays. It is then divided to each of the 42, 028 barangays in the country, with 60 percent according to population and 40 percent, equal sharing; meaning, the more populated a barangay is, the more IRA allotment is given to it.

Just like the PDAF, the utilization of these funds is upon the discretion of barangay officials.

They also have the power to create laws and resolutions for their respective barangays. At times, these laws involve equivalent collected fees from citizens like business clearance and barangay clearance.

They also receive different benefits like Philhealth coverage, free tuition fees, and insurances which most of the populace spend blood, sweat, and tears for.

The government is pushing for more benefits for these barangay officials. Rep. Neil Colmenares has called on President Aquino to relinquish his pork barrel from the Malampaya Fund and channel it to providing pension for village officials and other projects. This is known as House Bill 180 or the Barangay Pension Fund Bill, which aims to use the Malampaya Fund as subsidy of the barangay officials, namely the Chairman, Kagawads, Secretary, and Treasurer. It provides a lump sum pension of about Php 50, 000 for every year of service of barangay officials who retired from government service. This bill would open another avenue for misallocation of public funds. Instead of directly channeling it to

the poor, the funds make a detour back to being corrupted. Giving more privileges to these officials will encourage more hopefuls, hence more violence and coercion.

More politicians will be desperate to win a seat of power, thus beginning again the cycle of exploitation. These privileges are blank checks signed by the people, given to the electoral victors.

Having a seat in government entails power and money, greater than what some may think. The barangay appears merely as another place for corruption and another place for manipulating the minds of the deprived and disadvantaged.

Size is never an issue when it comes to power and privilege from the government. Even in these small positions offered in the barangay, they entail great opportunities for prestige and authority.

Candidates vie for positions either by crook or by hook in order to get a spot. Their desperation compromises the rights and liberty of the citizens. Exploitation and inequity are rampant as they battle for the small seat of power.

Instead of being the priority, the people play victims in the battle for power and privilege.

GRAPHICS 13

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 Monday | 16 December 2013

Pagdarahop

NI JENNY MARY CAMAMA DAGUN

UPM Nga: Eksena sa SSWC Grafeats

KESSEL GANDOL VILLAREY

NOEMI FAITH ARNALDO REYES

Epol

MARK JASON FLORES

Group Work

JOHN ZEUS TALLER

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14 EDITORIAL K

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 16 December 2013 | Monday

ASABAY NG PAGHUPA NG DELUBYO AY ANG PAGLANTAD NG TUNAY NA UNOS.

Mahigit isang buwan na ang nakalilipas matapos ang paghagupit ng bagyong Yolanda sa bansa. Sa loob ng isang araw na pananalasa nito sa Pilipinas, nag-iwan ang bagyo ng malawakang pinsalang hindi inasahan ng mga Pilipino, partikular na ng mga taga-silangang Visayas na pinakamalubhang naapektuhan ng pagtama ng bagyo. Sa huling opisyal na datos mula sa National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), aabot sa 4011 katao ang kumpirmadong nasawi sa paghagupit ng tinaguriang pinakamalakas na bagyong tumama sa lupa, habang aabot sa 10,023,075 indibidwal mula sa 44 probinsya sa bansa ang naapektohan ng bagyong Yolanda. Samantala, tinataya namang nasa P12.7 bilyon ang halaga ng pinsalang idinulot ng bagyo sa imprastraktura at agrikultura.

EDITOR-IN- CHIEF

Aries Joseph Armendi Hegina ASSOCIATE EDITOR FOR INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Angelo Dennis Aligaga Agdeppa

ASSOCIATE EDITOR FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Kathleen Trinidad Guiang MANAGING EDITOR

Ruth Genevieve Austria Lumibao ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR

John Vherlin Canlas Magday NEWS EDITOR

Christine Joy Frondozo Angat GR APHIC S EDITOR

Deonah Abigail Lugo Miole

Ngunit gaano man karimarim ang mga estadistikang ito, mas kahindik-hindik ang katotohanang inilantad ng paghagupit ng bagyong Yolanda. Lalo lamang ipinamukha ng trahedyang ito ang kawalan ng kapasidad ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III upang epektibong mangasiwa sa panahon ng mga kalamidad.

Isang patunay sa kawalan ng kakayahan na ito ng pamahalaan ay ang mabagal nitong pagresponde sa pangangailangan ng mga nasalanta ng bagyong Yolanda sa Leyte at Samar.

Ang hindi agarang pagtugon na ito ay naging dahilan upang batikusin, hindi lamang ng mga Pilipino kung hindi maging ng mga dayuhan, ang kahandaan ng gobyerno para sa paghagupit ng nasabing bagyo. Gayonpaman, iginiit pa rin ng pangulo na sapat diumano ang naging preparasyon ng pamahalaan para sa naturang kalamidad.

Sa kabila ng madalas na pagtama ng kalamidad sa bansa, tila wala pa ring pagbabago sa mekanismo ng pamahalaan kaugnay sa paghahanda at pagtugon sa epekto ng mga sakuna. Ang mabagal na pagtugon sa mga kalamidad tulad ng nangyari sa Leyte at Samar, halimbawa, ay walang dudang bunga ng kawalan ng isang malinaw at komprehensibong planong maisasakatuparan upang lubos na mapaghandaan ang mga kalamidad.

Bukod sa kawalan ng konkretong programa hinggil sa mga kalamidad, hindi rin katanggap-tanggap ang pagbunton ng sisi ng administrasyong Aquino sa mga lokal na pamahalaan kaugnay sa lawak ng pinsalang idinulot sa mga lalawigang binayo ng bagyong Yolanda. Bagaman nakaatang sa lokal na pamahalaan ang responsibilidad upang unang tumugon sa ganitong uri ng sitwasyon, hindi rin maikakaila ang malaking responsibilidad ng pamahalaang Aquino bilang tagalikha at tagapagpaganap ng mga polisiyang tutugon sa lalong lumalalang banta ng kalikasan. Ang kakulangan ng maayos na mga programa kaugnay ng mga sakuna ay maaaring maglimita sa kakayahan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan na tumugon sa oras ng paghagupit ng mga kalamidad.

Sa mas malawak na pagtanaw, ang kawalan ng kahandaan ng pamahalaang Aquino sa pagresponde sa mga natural na kalamidad ay nag-uugat sa kawalan ng sapat na pondo para sa paghahanda at pagtugon sa mga kalamidad.

Para sa taong kasalukuyan, aabot sa P7.5 bilyon ang inilaan ng administrasyon para sa calamity fund. Malayo ang halagang ito sa tinatayang $500 milyon o humigit-kumulang P22.5 bilyon na kakailanganin para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga lugar na nasalanta ng bagyong Yolanda, ayon sa Department of Budget and Management.

Bilang pagtugon sa kakulangan ng pondo,

NEWS CORRESPONDENTS

Ezra Kristina Ostaya Bayalan, Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla, Leonard Dangca Javier, Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez, Ronilo Raymundo Mesa CULTURE CORRESPONDENT

Jamilah Paola dela Cruz Laguardia FE ATURES CORRESPONDENTS

Christian Reynan Ibañez Durana, Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari, Angelica Natvidad Reyes, Charlotte Porcioncula Velasco RESIDENT ILLUSTR ATORS

DEONAH ABIGAIL LUGO MIOLE

Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz, Mon Gabriel Posadas Distor, Daniel John Galinato Estember, Mark Jason Santos Flores, Gerald Miranda Goco, Princess Pauline Cervantes Habla, Noemi Faith Arnaldo Reyes, Joanne Pauline Ramos Santos, John Zeus Cabantog Taller RESIDENT PHOTOJOURNALISTS

Walang Pagkatuto

Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag, Kessel Gandol Villarey RESIDENT L AYOUT ARTIST

Romelyn Taip Monzon

nilalayon ngayon ng administrasyong Aquino na utangin ang naturang halaga mula sa mga pandaigdigang institusyon tulad ng World Bank at Asian Development Bank. Bilang isang bansang naghihirap at nahaharap sa malaking utang panlabas, malinaw na ang balak na ito ng pamahalaan ay isang problemang nagkukubli lamang bilang isang solusyon.

Samantala, mas lalo pang pinaiigting ng korapsyon ang problemang idinudulot ng kakulangan sa pondong pantugon sa mga kalamidad. Habang patuloy sa pagkamal sa kaban ng bayan ang mga tiwaling opisyal ng pamahalaan ay ipinagkakait naman sa mga Pilipino ang pondong maaari sanang ilaan sa pagbili ng mga kagamitang magagamit sa oras ng sakuna. Halimbawa na lamang ay ang kakulangan sa mga helicopter, military aircraft, military truck, at iba pang kahalintulad na mga transportasyon na maaari sanang magamit upang mapabilis ang paghahatid ng ayuda sa

Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) o pork barrel.

Isang malaking kabalintunaan ang patuloy na kawalan ng kakayahan ng pamahalaan sa pagtugon sa mga sakuna. Sa kabila ng tauntaong paghagupit ng mga mapaminsalang kalamidad sa bansa, tila walang natutunang leksyon ang mga namumuno sa pamahalaan.

Dapat mabatid na hindi natatapos ang tungkulin ng pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng ayuda sa mga nasalanta ng sakuna. Bukod sa reaksyonaryong hakbang na ito, mas mahalagang makapagbalangkas sa lalong madaling panahon ang administrasyong Aquino ng isang mas epektibo at komprehensibong programang tunay na tutugon sa mga pangangailangan sa panahon ng kalamidad. Hindi kailanman dapat makuntento ang pamahalaan sa mga panakipbutas na solusyong paulit-ulit na nabibigong malunasan ang mga sugat na nililikha ng mga kalamidad.

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The Cover

HINDI KAILANMAN DAPAT MAKUNTENTO ANG PAMAHALAAN SA MGA PANAKIP-BUTAS NA SOLUSYONG PAULIT-ULIT NA NABIBIGONG MALUNASAN ANG MGA SUGAT NA NILILIKHA NG MGA KALAMIDAD. mga naaapektuhan ng natural na kalamidad.

Ang kawalan ng mga nasabing sasakyan, ayon sa Malacañang, ay isa umano sa mga dahilan kung bakit naging matagal ang pagdadala ng relief goods sa mga naapektohan ng bagyong Yolanda sa Leyte at Samar. Ang kakulangan na ito ay maaari sanang tugonan sa pamamagitan ng maayos na paggamit ng pondo ng pamahalaan, kagaya ng kontrobersyal na Priority

Ngunit higit kailanman, hanggang hindi nagiging seryoso ang pamahalaan sa pagtugon sa lumalalang banta ng kalikasan, ito ang tamang panahon upang magkaisa ang sambayanan sa paggiit ng panawagan para sa mga repormang mangangalaga sa interes ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino.

Illustration by Romelyn Taip Monzon

OPINION 15

Volume 27 Numbers 10-11 Monday | 16 December 2013

EPHEMERAL LIBERTY Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang TAON NA AKONG FANGIRL TATLONG SA INDUSTRIYA NG KOREAN POP. Sa tatlong taon na iyon ay masasabi kong marami na akong napagdaanang feels sa aking pakikinig sa musikang may mga lirikong hindi ko pa rin tuluyang maintindihan nang direkta.

Beterano na rin siguro ako sa mga paggulong-gulong ko sa kama sa mga bagong music video na inilalabas ng SHINee o ng EXO. Oo, tatlong taon na akong sumasabay sa pagkanta ng aking mga iniidolong grupo gamit ang mga lirikong minsa’y hindi ko memoryado.

Hindi ko ikakaila na isa ang KPOP sa mga bagay na nagbibigay-saya sa akin sa araw-araw. Ngunit tuwing may babatikos dito ay medyo nakalulungkot din para sa akin. Parte na siguro iyon ng pagiging isang fangirl—ang patuloy na makarinig ng mga bagay na hindi kaayaaya ukol sa iyong iniidolo, o sa mismong musikang iyong tinangkilik. Isa itong realidad na marahil ay tanggap ko na, ngunit hindi ko pa rin pinalalampas.

“Bakit ba ang hilig hilig mo sa KPOP, eh hindi mo naman maintindihan?”

Bago ang lahat, gusto ko munang sabihin na uso ang Google at usong tumingin sa translation, kaya namin naiintindihan ang lyrics ng kanta.

Ngunit bakit nga ba? Para sa akin, hindi lang dahil sa nakaka-LSS na tunog ang dahilan, ngunit dahil na rin sa nilalaman nito. Mapa-upbeat man o ballad, karaniwang tungkol sa pagmamahal ang paksa ng mga kanta sa genre na ito. Iniiwasan rin ang paggamit ng mga malalaswa o bulgar na liriko sa KPOP, dahil sa mas konserbatibong lipunang

The Misconceptions of You*

pinanggagalingan nito. Kaya nga’t kahit hindi man namin kaagad maintindihan, may katuturan naman ang nilalaman ng mga kantang aming pinakikinggan.

“Bakit ba ang hilig hilig mo sa KPOP, eh ang bading naman ng mga Koryanong yan?”

“

Ito ang mga gasgas na katagang

SIGURO AY KAILANGAN NATING BUKSAN ANG ATING MGA ISIPAN SA KATOTOHANAN NA BILANG ISANG TAO, TAYONG LAHAT AY MAYROONG IBA’T IBANG HILIG AT INTERES.

nanggagaling sa madaliang panghuhusga sa pananamit, pagsasayaw, o kahit na sa simpleng mga aksyon lamang ng mga Korean boygroups. Masasabi ko na isa itong kakitiran ng utak sapagkat una sa lahat, hindi tayo pare-pareho ng kultura. Sa kanilang kultura, ang pagkakaroon ng“skinship” sa mga magkakaibigan ay hindi lamang tanggap para sa mga babae, ngunit para sa mga lalaki rin. Kaya’t huwag magtaka sa mga kakaibang fanservice ng Super Junior tuwing Super Show, o kaya naman ay makakita ng litrato ni Taemin at Jongin na magkayakap dahil hindi ito kabaklaan; ito ay parte ng kanilang lipunang kinalakhan.

Ngunit higit sa lahat, importanteng isaisip na ang musika ay hindi kailanman

MENS REA

Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi ang mga katagang ito – parang isang mantra – habang inaakyat ko ang 4th floor ng Old Neda Building. Kinakabahan ako dahil hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng exam ang sasagutan ko. Multiple choice ba ito? Identification? Purely essay? Considerate ba sila kapag nagcheck? Ipapahiya ko ba ang sarili ko dahil sa mga isasagot ko? With all these questions in mind, nag-exam ako.

Lumipas ang ilang araw at nakatanggap ako ng text. Panahon na para harapin ko ang interview.

“Ano naman kayang isasagot ko? Paano ba sila magtanong?”

Umaakyan na naman ako sa Neda, this time, interview naman ang nakasalang kong gawin. Nakakagulat dahil kakaiba ang set-up. Hindi ko inaasahan na bigating mga tanong ang ipupukol nila sa akin. Intense ang buong pangyayari.

Habang pabalik ako ng CAS, nagflashback lahat ng pangyayari sa akin saka ako nakaisip ng mas magagandang mga sagot. Hindi ko naubos ang baon ko.

Lumipas muli ang ilang araw at dumating ang isang text na hindi ko inaasahan. Tanggap ako – isa na akong probationary features writer.

“Ano yang pinapakinggan mo? Ano ba yan, KPOP nanaman?”

Ito naman ang palagiang naririnig ng mga fangirl na may mga kaibigang hindi nakikinig sa KPOP. Ang mas nakakasakit pa ay sinasabayan pa ito minsan ng mapanghusgang tinging o pagkarindi.

At hindi ko rin maintindihan kung bakit kailangang husgahan ang mga fangirl sa kanilang mga gawain, ngayong wala namang masama sa pakikinig sa genre na ito. Siguro ay kailangan nating buksan ang ating mga isipan sa katotohanan na bilang isang tao, tayong lahat ay mayroong iba’t ibang hilig at interes. Ngunit sabi nga ng EXO, “we are one”. Iba’t iba man ang ating pananaw sa buhay, o kahit gaano kalaki pa ang ating mga pagkakaiba, parepareho pa rin tayong mga tao. At ang simpleng pakikinig sa KPOP o pagiging isang fangirl ay hindi balidong basehan upang alisin ang respeto sa isang tao, kung kaya sana naman ay respetohin natin ang isa’t isa.

Bagama’t hindi na maiiwasang makaengkwentro ng mga tanong na tulad ng mga ito, hindi ko pa rin iwawaksi ang pagiging isang fangirl sapagkat ito ang nagbibigay-saya sa akin. Ito ang isang trip na kahit tuluyan pa nilang subukang basagin ay hindi nila magagawa sapagkat binibigyang kulay at inspirasyon nito ang aking pang-araw-araw na buha. Kaya kahit ano pang sabihin nila, o kahit anong panghuhusga pa ang ibato nila, hindi Continued on page 09

Buhay MKule

Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari KA MAKAKAPASA. HINDI KA “HINDI MATATANGGAP.”

ibinabase o nililimita para lamang sa isang partikular na kasarian.

-Ganyan ko ikukuwento ang pagsali ko sa MKule. Maraming uncertainties at punong-puno ng feels pero tulad ng ibang staff na bahagi ngayon ng publikasyon, nalampasan ko ang lahat ng ito. Mahirap ang exam at interview pero yung makukuha mo sa dulo ng lahat ng iyon, worth it.

Mahigit isang taon na akong bahagi ng publikasyon. Nakapagsulat na

“

ANG MKULE ANG SIYANG NAGBIGAY SA AKIN NG OPORTUNIDAD UPANG PAGLINGKURAN ANG SAMBAYANAN.

ako ng iba’t ibang artikulo tungkol sa Unibersidad at sa Pilipinas. Naibahagi ko na rin ang aking opinyon sa iba’t ibang mga bagay. Ang dating probationary features writer ay na-promote na rin bilang isang features correspondent.

Pero hindi lang sa pagtipa ng keyboard at pagsulat ng mga artikulo natatapos ang pagiging isang miyembro ng institusyon.

Ang MKule ang siyang nagbigay sa akin

ng oportunidad upang paglingkuran ang sambayanan. Ang institusyon na siyang boses ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ang siyang nagturo sa akin na makibahagi sa mga laban ng masa. Ang ako na dati’y sa sarili lamang nakatingin ay natututong tingnan ang kalagayan ng iba. Minulat ng institusyon ang aking kamalayan sa mga kamaliang nanamayani sa bayan. Pinlawak nito ang aking pagtanaw sa lipunan at sa ngayon, masasabi kong nagbago na ang dating ako – isang makasariling mamamayan na walang pakialam sa bayan.

Nakahanap din ako ng isang malaking pamilya sa institusyon. Hindi nakukulong sa simpleng editor-writer ang relasyon ng bawat miyembro. Tila magkakapatid na may iisang ipinaglalaban – ang kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral – ang bawat staff. Nariyan ang walang humpay na tawanan at kuwentuhan sa gitna ng mga genmeet at presswork. Ang mga pagal na katawan ay nakakahanap ng kapahingahan sa piling ng bawat isa.

Ang opisina sa itaas ng Neda ang siyang tahanan ng malaking pamilyang ito.

Hindi madaling sumali. Hindi madaling kumatok sa pinto ng outer office at kumuha ng exam. At mas lalong hindi madali ang sumulat ng isang artikulo na may istriktong deadline kasabay ng mga ka-toxic-an sa acads. Ngunit sa ngayon, mas mahirap iwanan ang institusyong nagpabago sa aking UPM experience.

Continued on page 09

Luisa A. Katigbak

Resistance TEND TO FORGET THE THINGS THAT WEMATTER. Just like the onslaught of Yolanda which wreaked havoc in various parts of the Visayas, including my hometown in Samar. The media, which furthers its corporatist agenda, has set its sights on covering other issues that border on the absurd and the superficial. Instead of writing stories about the continuing struggle of the victims, particularly the municipalities that are far from Tacloban, the media dwelled on sensationalizing a celebrity’s drunken episode in a bar. It is only imperative for the purported “fourth estate” to highlight issues that are of paramount national interest, and not gossip. Our government, after its inept and dismal response to the disaster-stricken areas, should be considered as the Filipino people’s greatest tragedy.

And then there’s the unresolved Maguindanao massacre case where 58 people, 32 of whom are journalists, were killed by the Ampatuans.

Four years after the brutal killing, justice remains elusive and some witnesses and accomplices of the crime are being freed or killed. The demands of the families of the victims for accountability fall on deaf ears.

Impunity remains while the state and the perpetrators of the crime enjoy immunity.

Nine years have also passed since the tragic Hacienda Luisita massacre where 14 people, including two children, were brutally murdered by policemen dispatched by the Conjuangco clan and its allies to quell a strike instigated by the workers. No one has been convicted for the said brutal killing and just recently, another worker has been killed within the confines of the said hacienda. And seemingly, no one seems to care that a murderer has been elected to highest position of the land.

But the fault is not entirely placed on the mainstream media whose allegiance lie to the highest bidder. Or to the state which eggs on corporate media conglomerates to deliberately digress from the issues that are of significance to the citizenry. However bleak the prospect tells us, we should consider that each one of us is the problem rather than the solution.

We always say that we would never forget the tragedies that beset us. But we always do. We forget and in turn, we reinforce the oppressive status quo. Complacency equates to the fact that we approve of the ineptitude of the government and even the reign of impunity which guarantees that perpetrators will remain untouched.

Once we forget, we support the oppressor.

I remembered reading Milan Kundera’s work entitled “The Book of Forgetting and Laughter.”

Kundera stated in the said book that, “The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.” We can only affect change if we strive to combat our chronic tendency to forget. We may be part of the problem, but it is through our collective struggle to combat collective forgetfulness that we could overcome.

We must continue to resist.

“PU*ANG-INA!” Kanina pa mura ng mura yung crush mo, parang g*go. ‘Yung pinaka-ayaw mo pa naman eh ‘yung marinig mong nagmumura crush mo, nakaka-turn-off para sa’yo. Sayang, magtatapat ka pa naman sa kanya. Pu*yeta naman. Siguro’y dapat sa UPM Files ka na lang magtapat, baka kasi ‘pag sa personal eh sagutin ka lang ng “Ta*g-ina mo.”

Marahil, isa ka sa mga taong ayaw magbitaw, makabasa, o makarinig ng mga mura. Paniwala mo kasi, mas mabait at malinis kang tingnan kung hindi ka nagmumura. Paniwala mo rin na ang mga mahilig magmura ay mas mababang uri kaysa sa’yo. Pero teka, hindi naman yata tama ‘yang mga paniniwala mo. Hayaan mong bigyan kita ng kaliwanagan.

Manifesto ng Pagmumura Naka-subscribe ka yata sa UNLIPU*YETA20 ngayong araw.

May mga pagkakataon kung kailan napupuno ka ng emosyon, ngunit hindi mo alam kung paano mo ito lubusang mailalabas sa pamamagitan lamang ng pagsasalita. Maaari kang gumamit ng mura upang mas mahusay mong maipahayag ang kasalukuyang nararamdaman; o mas mabigyan ng diin ang gustong ipahayag sa isang sitwasyon. Kapag sinabi mong “Natatae na ako!” maaaring ituring lang iyon na biro ng ibang tao, at minsan hahayaan ka panilang magdusa. Pero ‘pag sinabi mong “Paksh*t! Natatae na ‘ko!” ewan na lang kung hindi pa maramdaman ang pagdurusa mo. Ayon nga sa ilang lenggwista, mas madali kang makakakuha ng atensyon at mas epektibo mong maiparating sa iba ang iyong nararamdaman kung ikaw ay magmumura.

Sigurado, meron kang kinaiinisan at kinamumuhian sa buhay ngayon. Sigurado rin kami na tulad ni Popoy sa pelikulang ‘One More Chance,’ nagmura ka na para lang maglabas ng sama ng loob. “Put*ng-ina bakit mas matagal pa pinagsamahan namin ng Math 11 kaysa sa syota ko!” O kaya “G*gong CRS ‘to! Kung hindi man ako makalog-in, down naman ang server!”

Ayon sa ilang pag-aaral sa Sikolohiya, ang pagmumura ay isa sa mga pinakamabisang anger management techiniques sapagkat mayroon itong tinatawag na cathartic effect. Ibig sabihin, maiibsan daw ang iyong stress, galit, at pagka-badtrip kung ikaw ay magmumura. Ayon naman kay Timothy Jay, isang propesor sa larang ng Sikolohiya, ang pagmumura ay maaaring ituring na isang pamalit sa pisikal na pananakit. Kaya kapag binato ka ng bato, sigawan mo na lang ng “G*go!”

Dagdag pa ni Jay, ang pagmumura ay matatawag na hate speech. Ito ay dahil napaka-epektibo ng mga mura bilang panginsulto o para magpahiya ng isang tao. May mga pag-aaral din na nagsasabing ang mga taong kadalasang nagmumura ay yung may Type A personality—dominante, agresibo, at kompetetibo. Masasabing isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit natin minumura ang isang tao ay upang maipakita na tayo ay mas dominante, mas malakas, at may mas mataas na posisyon kaysa sa kanya. Ang mga tao kasi na tumatanggap ng mura ay kadalasang lumiliit ang pagtingin sa sarili. Sa madaling salita, ang pagmumura ay maaaring ituring na sandata—hindi man ito makakasakit ng pisikal, makasasakit naman ito pagdating sa aspektong emosyonal.

Mahalaga ang ginagampanang papel ng mura pagdating sa pagpapahayag natin ng ating iniisip at saloobin. Maaaring gamitin ang mura upang magbigay ng kulay sa iyong kwento, o sa iyong joke; o upang mailabas ang

kasalukuyang nararamdaman tulad ng galit, inis, o pagkagulat.

Samakatuwid, ang mga mura ay magkakaroon ng negatibo o positibong pakahulugan depende sa kontekstong paggagamitan nito.

Walang Gag*han Ng Lahi Oozing with sex – iyan ang perfect feature ng ating mga mura. It comes in all shapes and sizes pa – may medyo mahaba tulad ng “p-----ina” (na may English version na “motherf--er”), at may maikli tulad ng “b--ch” o “w---re”. Kung sawa ka naman na roon sa may halong sexism, bakit hindi subukan ‘yung may touch of racism? Nakadepende naman ito sa kulay ng balat mo: “nigger” kung maitim ka, “cracker” naman kung maputi ka.

Hindi ka magsisisi sa paggamit ng mga murang ito, dahil paniguradong magpapanting ang tenga ng taong kausap mo.

Pero, may mga uri rin ng murang hindi nagpapapanting sa iyong tenga.

Kung nagugulat ang nanay mo, hindi ba’t ang madalas niyang mabanggit ay ang pangalan ng isang maselang parte ng katawan ng babae? Kapag badtrip naman ang prof mo sa klase, ‘di ba’t parang hangin na lang na nagdadaan ang paulitulit niyang litanya sa diyosang “Godd---it!”, o kaya ay “F---!”?

Bukod sa paglinang sa mekanismo ng pakikipagtalastasan, sinasalamin din kasi ng pagmumura ang mga problemang kinakaharap ng isang lipunan. Kung ano naman ang paraan ng pagtugon ng tao sa mura, ay maaaring siyang paraan rin kung paano nila tinatanggap ang mga problemang ito sa kanilang buhay.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang patuloy na paggamit ng lipunan sa mga murang may kaakibat na isyu tungkol sa sexism at racism ay maaaring gawing palantandaan nng hindi pa rin maburang epekto ng mga uri ng diskriminasyon sa lipunan. Ihalo pa sa formula ang negatibong pagtugon ng balana sa tuwing maririninig ang mga murang ito. Maging ang rate ng pagmumura ng isang tao ay may halo na ring diskriminasyon. Ayon sa ilang eksperto, mas malaki ang porsyento ng mga lalaking nagmumura sa publiko kaysa sa mga babae sapagkat palatandaan daw ng kawalan ng modo ang pagmumura para sa huli.

Sa kabilangbanda ay makikita naman ang malawak na paggamit ng mga murang ang tema ay umiikot sa sekswal na kamalayan at relihiyon ng mga tao. Ngunit kakaiba ang mga murang ito sapagkat hindi sila kadalasang binibigyan ng negatibo o masamang pagtugon mula sa mga mamamayan. Ayon kay Thomas James Harran, isang kilalang psychologist, ganito na sa kasalukuyan ang reaksyon sa pagmumurang may halong sekswalidad at relihiyon dahil resulta ito ng iba’t ibang rebolusyong umusbong sa kasaysayan. Ang mga ito raw ay naging daan upang unti-unting mabuksan ang isipan ng lipunan sa mga dati ay taboo na paksa.

Kung ganoon, makikita na may angking superpowers pala ang simpleng pagmumura – ‘yun nga lang doble-kara ito, dahil kayangkaya niyang pumapel na hero o villain.

JAMILAH PAOLA DELA CRUZ LAGUARDIA AT JOSE LORENZO QUEROL LANUZA DIBUHO NI ROMELYN TAIP MONZON Sa isang banda kasi, ang pagmumura ay maaaring gamitin upang sumalamin at magpanatili sa patuloy pa ring nakapinid na isipan ng mga mamamayan sa isang pantay at mapagpalayang bayan. Sa kabila naman, may kakayahan din itong ipakita ang pagkabukas ng isipan ng lipunan sa mga dati ay taboo lamang na paksa ng relihiyon at sekswalidad.

Ayon kay Timothy Jay, ang isa sa may pinakamalaking impluwensiya sa uri at konteksto ng pagmumurang ginagamit ng isang tao ay ang lipunang kanyang ginagalawan - ang mga pinaiiral na tradisyon, kultura, batas, at prinsipyo. Kung ganoon, may kapangyarihan pala ang lipunan na baguhin kung ano man ang umiiral na konteksto ng pagmumurang ginagamit sa kasalukuyan at kontrolin ang buong sistema ng pakikipagtalastasan na ito.

Sa huli, nakasalalay pa rin sa kamay ng sambayanan kung ano ang pipiliin nilang konteksto ng kanilang pagmumura – ang magpapatindi ba ng tunggalian, o ang magpapalaya sa sambayanan?

Kung Mumurahin Man Ni Facundo Si Senyora He who does not curse has clean mouth. Ul*l.

A curse word a day keeps the riches away – sa kasalukuyan, ang pagmumura ay parang isang identification card na nagtatalaga sa isang tao bilang mahirap o mayaman. Makikita na nagsisilbing salamin ng nakaririwasang estado sa buhay at pagsunod sa dikta ng lipunan ang madalang na pagmumura ng isang tao.

Ang mga tao namang ang bukambibig arawaraw ay mura, ay itinuturing na “mahirap” at “bobo.” Sa ganitong konteksto, sa halip na pagbuklurin ang mga tao sa pamamagitan ng komunikasyon, higit pa ngang napapatindi at napapalala ang pagtutunggalian ng mga uri sa lipunan.

Buhat sa mga nabanggit na pagsasalamin ,makikitang may malinaw na kakayahan ang mga uri ng pakikipagtalastasan tulad ng pagmumura na kumatawan sa personalidad ng mga mamamayan, gayndin sa mga problemang kinakaharap ng sambayanan.

Naaalala mo pa ba ‘yung kasabihang“Lahat ng bawal ay masarap”? Oo, tama ito, at masarap nga ang pagmumura kahit bawal daw sa lipunan – kailan ba hindi naging masarap ang dulot nitong “kalayaan”?

Continued on page 09