The Manila Collegian Volume 28 Number 3 by The Manila Collegian

THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES MANILA

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Tuesday October 7, 2014 Volume 28 Number 3

02 NEWS Bangsomoro bill, itinalakay sa Senado 06 FEATURES Chain of Command 08 CULTURE Blame It On Me 10 OPINION Alarm Clocks 11 EDITORIAL Hindi Masalang

02 NEWS

Volume 28 Number 3 October 7, 2014 | Tuesday

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Bangsamoro bill, tinatalakay na sa Senado, Kamara Ilang probisyon, kinwestyon ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE Ilang probisyon sa Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) ang nais linawin at pag-usapan ng mga mambabatas sa kasalukuyang pagdinig nito sa Kamara at Senado kasama ang ilang miyembro ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).

“Tinitiyak ko po sa inyo: Pinanday ang Bangsamoro Basic Law upang maging makatwiran, makatarungan, at katanggaptanggap sa lahat, Moro man, Lumad, o Kristiyano,” wika ng Pangulo matapos isumite ang BBL sa harap ng mga tagasuporta noong Setyembre 10.

Nais alamin ni Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., pinuno ng Senate committee on local government, ang nakasaad sa ilang probisyon ng BBL na tila pinapalabas na isang estado sa loob ng isang estado ang kahahantungan ng Bangsamoro.

Una nang binuo ng pamahalaan ang BTC na pinapangunahan ni Mohagher Iqbal upang bigyang-pansin ang mga isyu at usapin ukol sa pagbabalangkas ng kasunduang pangkapayapaan.

Kinwestyon din ng ilang senador ang pagiging konstitusyonal ng ilang probisyon sa panukalang-batas na may kinalaman sa usapin ng seguridad, pwersa ng kapulisan, kalagayang pang-ekonomiya, at pag-aarmas.

“It is my firm belief that the wisdom of the House and the Senate will come up with a legislation that is faithful to the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law,” ani Iqbal.

Gayundin ang mga kongresista na tinutulan ang ilan sa mga probisyon na nakasaad sa balangkas ng BBL matapos pormal na matanggap ang sinasabing solusyon sa ilang taon nang kaguluhan sa Mindanao. Ikinababahala naman ng mga kumakatawan sa ilang lalawigan sa Mindanao ang isang probisyon sa panukalang batas na maaaring mapabilang umano ang isang lalawigan sa teritoryo ng Bangsamoro sa oras na sampung porsyento ng populasyon nito ang pumayag at maghain ng petisyon upang mapaloob dito. Ilang kongresista rin ang bumatikos sa BBL gaya ni Rep. Aurora Cerilles ng Zamboanga Del Sur na nagsabing lalo lamang umano nitong paghihiwalayin ang kapuluan at mas lalo lamang magkakaroon ng alitan laban sa iba’t ibang naglalabanang puwersa sa lalawigan. Tila hindi rin sumang-ayon si Rep. Vicente Belmonte ng Iligan matapos kwestyunin ang kahahantungan ng lungsod ng Iligan sa oras na isakatuparan ang mga probisyon ng BBL. Maaari diumanong maging isang munisipalidad na lamang ang dating maunlad na lungsod sa oras na piliin ng mga mamamayan ng Iligan na mapabilang sa teritoryo ng Bangsamoro. Kasiguruhan ng Kapayapaan

Proseso ng Bangsamoro Sinimulan nang suriin ng Senado at Kamara ang Bangsamoro bill noong Setyembre 24 at 25, at kung makakukuha ng sapat na boto upang maipasa, tinatayang sa unang bahagi ng susunod na taon ay lagda na lamang ng pangulo ang kinakailangan upang maisabatas na ito. Inimbitahan din ng Kamara at ng Senado si Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chair Nur Misuari kaugnay sa mga pagdinig na tatalakay sa mga probisyon ng BBL upang masigurong makukuha ang panig ng iba’t ibang kampo at magiging patas ang proseso, ngunit hindi pa rin nakakadalo si Misuari sa mga talakayan. Una nang tinanggihan ni Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) leader Ameril Umbra Kato ang katulad na imbitasyon. Sa oras na malagdaan ng Pangulo ang Bangsamoro bill, isang plebesito ang isasagawa sa nasasakupang teritoryo ng Bangsamoro upang pagtibayin ang bagong gobyerno na papalit sa Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) sa taong 2016. Magtatapos ng kaguluhan Matatandaang

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Bangsamoro bill Marso nitong taon matapos ang humigit-kumulang dalawang dekadang pakikipagnegosasyon ng pamahalaan sa mga pinuno ng MILF. BBL diumano ang magwawakas sa hindi matapos-tapos na sigalot sa Mindanao sa pagitan ng MILF at mga sundalo ng gobyerno. Sinuportahan naman ng karamihan sa mga senador ang BBL matapos lumagda bilang coauthor sa nasabing panukalang batas. “This only shows that the desire for peace knows no political color,” dagdag pa ni Drilon. Gaya ng mga senador, sinang-ayunan din ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang Bangsamoro bill sa paniniwalang ito na nga ang magtatapos sa kaguluhan sa Mindanao. “We believe that the successful implementation of the peace process with the eventual establishment of the Bangsamoro will provide the political solution that will end the fourdecade conflict in Mindanao,” wika ni AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang. Nakapaloob sa BBL ang kasunduang pangkapayapaan ng gobyerno at ng mga mamamayan ng Bangsamoro. Isa sa mga isinasaad ng balangkas ng Bangsamoro ay ang kapangyarihan ng magiging gobyerno ng Bangsamoro at ang pagkilala nito sa gobyerno ng bansa. Nakalathala din sa Bangsamoro bill ang pagkakaroon ng kapangyarihan ng pambansang gobyerno sa usapin ng depensa at panlabas na seguridad, pandayuhang polisiya, usapin ng pera, nasyonalidad at naturalisasyon, at serbisyo sa pagliliham.

COLLEGE BRIEFS As part of the tradition in celebrating the 32nd UP Manila Day and the 37th Anniversary of the Health and Sciences Center Autonomy, exemplary UP Manila constituents will be awarded. The Search for the 2014 Gawad Chancellor Awards will finalize the list of awardees on October 3. The recognition ceremonies for the final awardees will be held on October 28, 2014.

ORGANEWS Theatrical organization Maralitang Innamorato announced the upcoming CAStakutan soon to open in October 24. CAStakutan includes a series of games and activities for the participants and a play in lieu of the Halloween season. See posters for further details. The official yearbook of the College of Arts and Sciences Aninag brings you the BEKI PLANNER 2015. For those who would like to order, contact any of the following: Lyod 09269509191, Hazel 09178572591 or Kua 09228462458. Pre-orders will be accepted until November 15, 2014. The UPM University Student Council in partnership with the UP Pharmaceutical Association Student Council and UPM Salinlahi offer the five-day SINENG SINE 2: Cinemalaya X sa UP Manila. Approach Councilor Jhaypee Naco or any person listed on the posters for ticket reservation. Tickets are at P120.

Gayunpaman, iginiit ni Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, punong tagapamagitan ng gobyerno sa kasunduang pangkapayapaan, na maaaring may mga parte ng BBL partikular na sa “revenue generation” at “wealth sharing” ang mangangailangan sa pag-amyenda ng Saligang Batas. “Baka siguro, may mga parts that may be considered as crossing the line. Iyon ang pinaflag natin sa kanila," ani Coronel.

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DELAYED PROGRESS. The unfinished construction of the Phi Kappa Phi dormitory and unsent packages for the School of Health Sciences in Palo are proof of the inefficient efforts of the administration. Photos taken by Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag

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Volume 28 Number 3 Tuesday | October 7, 2014

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Truck ban in Manila lifted

Two typhoons hit the country in one week

Port decongestion underway

ADOLF ENRIQUE SANTOS GONZALES AND RONILO RAYMUNDO MESA The city government of Manila decided on president Alfred Yao said that the lifting of the September 13 to lift the controversial day ban also indicates that the nation is still on track time truck ban “indefinitely” in an attempt to of achieving the forecasted 7% gross domestic address worsening port congestion allegedly product (GDP) growth by the end of the year. caused by the said ordinance. On the other hand, the president has issued According to Mayor Joseph Estrada, Manila lifted Executive Order No. 172, which declares the the truck ban to give the national government a Port of Batangas and the Subic Bay Freeport free hand in solving the said problem which has as extensions of the Port of Manila in times of threatened national economic outlook. port congestion. The extension shall last until the situation at the Manila port normalizes, as The decision to repeal the said ban came after determined by the DOTC secretary. Malacañang ordered the formation of Task Force Pantalan on September 6. Task Force The Metro Manila Development Authority Pantalan was formed to oversee traffic flow in (MMDA) is also currently in the process of truck routes from the North Luzon Expressway drafting a new truck scheme in which some (NLEX) to the Port of Manila, following a metro- policies from the Manila truck ban will be wide traffic jam and a massive gridlock at NLEX considered, according to MMDA Chair Francis on September 5. Tolentino. By having the truck ban removed, Estrada said, Manila should no longer be blamed for the traffic experienced in other parts of Metro Manila. However, the former president stressed that Manila will have to implement the truck ban again should the national government fail to address the problems of port and traffic congestions. Meanwhile, Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya welcomed Manila’s move, saying that it will speed up the national government’s efforts to free up more space in the port in preparation for the Christmas season. Malacañang also lauded the city government’s decision, saying that the lifting of the truck ban will pave the way for lower prices of goods. “At least timely po ‘yung naging lifting dahil malapit na po. Papalapit na po ang Christmas season, at this will help in decongesting the port of Manila,” said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. In addition to lower prices of goods, Philippine Chamber for Commerce and Industry (PCCI)

Day time Truck Ban Following various consultations held by the Manila City Government with the Department of Agriculture (DA), MMDA, and PCCI, the day time truck ban was passed in February 2014. The said resolution, also known as Truck Ban Ordinance 8336 Sec. 2, was implemented to alleviate the city’s traffic problem by restricting trucks from plying Manila’s roads from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Saturday. However, to ease the economic impacts of the said ban, the city government provided a window period of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Moreover, the ordinance also provided new truck routes for motorists to avoid. The city government also opened express trade lanes (ETLs) on Roxas Boulevard where trucks can pass through without restrictions 24 hours a day. Additionally, the resolution also indicated that violators will be fined P5000.

Economic Repercussions Days after the implementation of the said resolution, various sectors affected by the truck ban overwhelmed the city government of Continued on Page 09

EZRA KRISTINA OSTAYA BAYALAN Two typhoons devastated the country in a span of one week, leaving eighteen casualties, a sunken ferry, and numerous evacuees. Typhoon Luis ravaged most of northern Luzon on September 14, whereas Typhoon Mario came four days after.

Mario’s Deluge Typhoon Mario, internationally known as FungWong, carried maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gustiness of 95 kph. Mario also enhanced the southwest monsoon which caused severe flooding in Luzon and Visayas on September 19. Mario brought about torrential rains that drowned most of Manila and nearby provinces. Water in the Marikina River rose one meter per hour, and reached a critical level of 19.9 meters 6 PM on September 19. Moreover, six hours of flooding equated to about half a month’s rain. According to Cainta, Rizal mayor Kit Nieto, the flooding caused by Mario was the worst that they have experienced since Typhoon Ondoy which hit the country in 2009. “After Ondoy, I think this would be the next big thing that I can consider in terms of calamity because of the volume of water, and the mere fact that much of our roads are now under water,” Nieto said.

of up to 120 kph and gustiness of 150 kph. At around midday of September 14, Luis was seen 455 kilometers of Laoag city and headed to China with a speed of 30 kph. According to reports from the NDRRMC, eight people died in the aftermath of the typhoon. Most of the casualties were victims of drowning, while others were due to landslide and falling debris. Three were casualties from the ferry sinking incident of the RORO MV Maharlika-2 off the coast of Southern Leyte. However, the NDRRMC did not account the five other deaths of the ferry sinking incident, which would have increased the death toll to 13. The five bodies were recovered on September 15. Afterwards, the NDRRMC stated that the ferry incident was not related to Typhoon Luis. “Maharlika is a little bit debatable if it's a result of the Luis. There are other ships plying the same route, which were okay,” said NDRRMC executive director Alexander Pama. Pama, who was a former chief of the Philippine Navy, argued that the sinking maybe due to the derangement of the ship and not because of the typhoon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported ten deaths most of which were due to drowning; one of the victims was electrocuted. Additionally, seven were injured.

Meanwhile, damages to agriculture reach Php409.67 million. 31,659 hectares of the affected areas could be revived whereas 505 hectares cannot be revived. Typhoon Luis plummeted through regions 1 and 2 in the Cagayan Valley, Isabela, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte. Rice production in region 2 and corn production in Cagayan and Isabela incurred the highest losses.

Typhoon Mario's damages is an estimated Php144 million, which includes agriculture and infrastructure. Ninety houses were destroyed while 509 were damaged, mostly in Northern Luzon. There were also several power outages in Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya.

The NDRRMC reported nearly Php620 million of damage as of September 18. At least 31,081 families were affected, 200 houses have been destroyed and 600 were damaged. The province of Pangasinan also declared a state of calamity.

Luis’ Wrath

Typhoon Luis and typhoon Mario killed a total of 18 people. According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the two typhoons also incurred a Php1.144 billion in damage to agriculture.

Four days previously, Typhoon Luis, known internationally as Kalmaegi, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Luis carried winds

UPHOLD DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE. During the 1301st BOR meeting on September 29 at UP Diliman, youth groups staged a protest to reiterate their call for the GAB Cafeteria and the assertion that education is a right. Photo taken by Gabrielle Marie Melad Simeon

04 NEWS

Volume 28 Number 3 October 7, 2014 | Tuesday

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA tingin mo sa naging pagkilos laban 1UPAnong kay Budget Secretary Florencio Abad sa Diliman?

Dapat lang na tayo'y umapela sa ginawa niya kasi kaya nga "budget for schools" yung tawag eh. Importante na matugunan nang mabuti ang edukasyon sa bansa natin! Kung para sa school, sa school lang dapat. - freshnafreshie, 201403797 Tama lang po yung nangyari kay Abad. Kung tutuusin ay kulang pa ang nangyari bilang kabayaran sa mga pagnanakaw na ginagawa nila. Dapat itinapon na rin siya sa loob ng basurahan kasama ng mga bulok na pangako ng Administrasyong Aquino. - IskongMahangin, College of Arts and Sciences, 2014 – 14810 Sa aking opinyon, tama ang kanilang ginawa dahil iyon naman talaga ang kailangang gawin nating mga iskolar ng bayan: iparinig ang ating boses at ipagtanggol ang napapagsamantalahan. - Silver, CAS, 201402720 Sa tinggin ko hindi tama ang ginawa ng UP students kay Abad. Hindi tayo dapat bumaba sa lebel nila kasi ang lebel nila ay higit na mas malala kaysa sa mga magnanakaw. Ang simpleng mga magnanakaw, hindi inuulit sa iisang tao ang nagawa nila pero sila, ilang libong beses sila nagnanakaw sa milyongmilyong Pilipino. Tayo ay mararangal na tao na hindi dapat pumapatol sa mga walang pusong mga "lider ng bayan." - Kazeha, CAS, 2014-53797 Kung totoo nga yung mga nasa balitang marahas ang ginawa ng mga kapwa Isko kay Abad. Sa tingin ko deserve niya yon at mas mahigit pang pangrarahas ang nararapat sakanya, pero hindi tama bilang Iskolar ng Bayan ang gawin yon sapagkat gumagaya lang tayo sa mga pangrarahas na nakukuha natin mula sa mga pulis ng gobyerno. "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." Magiging parehas lang tayo ng mga pulis na walang habas kung mamalo sa rally. Speak up your mind, not your voice. - Kathryn Bernado, CAS, 2014 – 02114 Nararapat lamang ang ginawa ng mga isko at iska Kay A BAD Secretary. Baka sa kaling sa pambabato sa kanya ay matauhan siya at ibalik ang pera ng sambayanan. - Vurleth, 2014-01946 Sagot ko diyan hindi. Ang pagpapakita ng galit sa paraang pisikal ay di kaaya-aya at hindi rin naman nakakapagpalabas ng solusyon. Di naman maibabalik ang mga ninakaw kapag kinuyog (?) siya. Di na nga nasolusyonan ang problema makakasakit ka pa. Bilang mga estudyante, mga taong may pinag-aralan, dapat lumapit tayo sa tamang mga tao. Dapat may ihain tayong matinong solusyon. Kung ganito lang tayo, nananakit, nagwawala, ituturing nila tayong mga bata at mas lalo pang di pakikinggan. - Eirene Inclemente, 2014-53289 Ang ginawa ng mga aktibistang isko't iska kay Sec. Butch Abad ay hindi lamang nagpapakita ng di nila pangsang-ayon sa nasabing sekretarya, kundi pati na rin ang kanilang pagsalungat sa adbokasiya ng UP. Nirerespeto ko ang kanilang paniniwala ngunit ang kanilang pamamamaraan ng pagpapakita nito ay hindi makatao at hindi makatarungan. Binigyan lamang ng bahid ng kahihiyan ang dignidad ng pinakamamahal nating unibersidad. - Star, CAS, 2014-60724 Hindi ako sang-ayon. Kahit gaano kalupit yung

Pwede ring ipadala ang inyong mga sagot sa pamamagitan ng pag-text sa 09175109496!(Pero bawal ang textmate!) Malacañang sa UP, mali pa rin na namisikal sila. Hindi ganon ang ugali ng isang Isko o Iska. Marahil mayroon silang pinaglalaban pero hindi dapat sa ganoong paraan. Sa ginawa nila, parang pinapakita nila na intelihente nga ang mga isko at iska pero hindi edukado. - Ironman, CAS, 2014-27635 Walang mali sa paglaban, mayroong mali kaya tayo lumalaban. Pinaniniwalaan ko din yan. Pero minsan dapat alam din natin ang ating limitasyon. Bilang mga mag-aaral sa UP, na ayon sa iba ay ang pinaka pretihiyosong unibersidad sa bansa, dapat sa kahit anong pagkilos natin, ipakita natin na tayo ay may pinag-aralan at matuto padin tayong rumespeto. - Mimi / 201405425 / College of Arts and Sciences Mainam. He got what he deserved. What's the root cause of this movement, in the first place? Bakit ba ganun ang naging reaksyon ng mga Isko't Iska? Hindi ba't dahil sa pagdepensa't pag-promulgate niya sa katiwalian ng sistema? Dahil sa pagtulong niya sa paghahakot mula sa kaban ng mamamayan? Wala siyang karapatang magalit. Takbo na lang siya't magsumbong kay Fafa Aquino. - nasaan si lord chancy, naCAScas, 2014 Na-disappoint ako sa nangyari. Maaaring may mga pinaglalaban nga naman ang mga estudyanteng nakisama sa pagkuyog kay Abad ngunit hindi makatarungan ang kanilang mga ginawang pagkilos. Para sa akin, ang naganap ay maaaring maging maling representasyon ng mga student activists at ang unibersidad. Naiintidihan ko naman na kailangan ipaglaban ang alam mong nararapat, ngunit dapat pa ring respetuhin na hindi ito dapat ginagawa sa ganung paraan. - Batman, CAS, 2014-10706 Tama yung pinapaglaban, mali ang paraan. Iskolar po tayo ng Bayan. Kahit naman papano, rumespeto naman po tayo sa nakakataas para irespeto rin nila tayong taumbayan. - Teleporter, CAMP, 2014-035** Astig! Sa tingin ko ay ok lang ung ginawa nila. May freedom naman sila na gawin un. Alam naman nila ung maaaring consequences ng actions nila eh. Alang basagan malalim ang pinaghuhugutan nila dahil sa ginawa ng ilang mga tiwaling tao. - Bulbasaurado ng Area, CAS, 2012-26528 Tama lang yun sa kanya, at walang karapatan ang taong humusga na mali ang ginawa ng mga mag-aaral ng UP Diliman. Kung patuloy nilang huhusgahan at pipiliting i-expel yan mga studyanteng yan, tanggapin nalang din nila na yung buwis na binabayaran nila ay ninanakaw ng mga tao na pinipili nilang manatiling nakaupo sa mga posisyong may abusive powers. (tangina nila talaga) - LayaPaRin, CAS, 2012-85**7 Honestly, as much as I support what their movement was fighting for, their actions became extreme and unnecessary. Parang GAB Caf lang yan eh. While I supported the movement to keep the GAB Caf alive, the moment more violent actions took effect (ripping out the door knob, for example), the movement lost its effect. From "Enlightened protesters", we became savage rioters, because we used such extreme measures. 2Cool4School, 20**, CAS Sa totoo lang, hindi tama ang ginawa nila. Violence is never the answer. - Pozonegro, CAMP, 2012-63796

I don't get the protest that happened. Anong mapapala sa pagprotesta sa econ? Magkakaroon ba ng referendum bigla? AndamiNiyongAlam, CAS Abad matinde! - T.H., CAS

Batman, CAS, 2014-10706 Gusto ko makasama yung MMF ng IMed para I would die with him. - Too long to mention, CAS, 2014-XXXX8

Di siguro tama na kailangan pa siyang saktan? :)) Tama na yung napaparating natin yung mga nararamdaman natin. Pero hindi kailangan na mauwi sa pananakit. Haha. - Kamote, CAS

I would want to be with the person who understands me the most because I'd like to be with someone who knows what I would say to him/her as the lava comes down just by simply looking. - Lockon Stratos, CAS, 2014-49747

Kung matatabunan ka ng lava mula sa 2 bulkang Mayon, sinong gusto mong makasama? Bakit?

Yung mga kablock ko. Para masaya. Pwede kaming mag NatSci V sa afterlife. XD - Teleporter, CAMP, 2014-035**

Yung ex ko para magka-onting reminiscing and sweetness na mangyari tapos pag malapit na yung lava samin ilalabas ko na lahat nang pagka-bitter ko HAHAHA. Mas okay na yun kaysa yung mahal ko talaga yung mamatay noh. - freshnafreshie, 2014-03797

Si Hans from Frozen. Para ma-melt yung frozen heart niya. Haha. - Guess, 2012-35xxx Si che! Kasi bday niya ngaung araw! Pero wag naman sana ayaw pa namin mamatay. Hahaha - Bulbasaurado ng Area, CAS, 2012-26528

Gusto ko pong kasama ang lahat ng mga sangkot sa pagnanakaw mula sa kaban ng bayan. Yayayain ko po sila sa Flowing Lava Challenge. Para kahit papaano mabawasan ang problema ng bansa sa paglaki ng populasyon ng mga gahaman sa gobyerno.- IskongMahangin, College of Arts and Sciences, 2014 - 14810

Yung taong halos dalawang taon ko nang hinihintay. Para through the good and the bad, magkasama kami. Pwede ring yung taong kinamumuhian ko, para maramdaman ko yung saya pag naihagis ko sya sa pool of boiling lava Ah, the satisfaction. - LayaPaRin, CAS, 201285**7

Uhmm..my books nalang para walang away sa mga tao XD - Silver, CAS, 2014-02720 Gusto kong kasama kapag natabunan ako ng lava sa bulkang Mayon ay si Pangulong Aquino at ang mga kaanib niya para bumaba ang kriminalidad ng bansa natin. - Kazeha, CAS, 2014-53797

Lahat ng mga corrupt na officials para wala ng kukuha sa pera ng masa. - 2Cool4School, 20**, CAS

Si Pacquiao. Nakakabadtrip siya sa basketball. Tigilan niya ko. - Kathryn Bernado, CAS, 2014 – 02114 Kung matatabunan ako ng Lava mula sa Bulkang Mayon isasama ko Si Sir Mangubat para. Hindi na siya makapagliwaliw pa sa ROB. Vurleth, 2014-01946 Sa volcano naman, wala. Kung ako ay malulubog sa lava at wala nang paraan upang makatakas, hihilingin ko na ang mga mahal ko sa buhay ay malayo at ligtas. - Eirene Inclemente, 2014-53289 Kung ako'y matatapunan ng lava at mamatay na, gusto ko makasama ang aking kagalit upang mabura na rin siya sa mundong ito. - Star, CAS, 2014-60724

Bf ko para malaman niya na together forever kami :))) - Pozonegro, CAMP, 2012-63796 Si Jack Frost para may excuse ako for hugging/ cuddling with him. (Mas gusto ko mamatay sa lamig kaysa sa init) - AndamiNiyongAlam, CAS Uh. Wala. Kasi ayokong mandamay ng iba :)) Kamote, CAS Si Joshua Marcel Sy. Wala lang. Gusto ko lang malapnos balat niya. - Katarina, CAS Si Joshua Marcel Sy. Para masaya. - huehue, 2012, CAS Si shark boy <3 kasi ako si lava girl - Jana, CAS, 2013-62702 Yung prof ko sa ... kasi gusto ko malaman kung makakasurvive siya gaya nung ginawa niya nung tinamaan ng meteor ang earth at na-extinct ang mga dinosaur. Jk, labyu prof. Saumensch, i tot CAS

Si Chief Alan Purisima. Kasi sinisira niya imahe ng mga pulis (affected ako kasi pulis tatay ko) Siya dapat pumoprotekta sa mga pilipino, pero siya pa yung dahilan kung bakit dumadami yung mga kriminal. Hahahaha parehas kasi kaming pasakit sa mga pulis. Pasaway rin kasi ako sa tatay kong poging pulis :)) - Ironman, CAS, 2014-27635

Lahat ng myembro ng ISIS. Para world peace. Boy Chupipo, 2012-41929

Kung matatabunan ako ng lava sa bulkang mayon, gusto kong makasama si Zac Efron. Para hindi ko na masyadong maramdaman yung hotness ng lava kase mas hot yung kasama ko. Mehehe~ - Mimi / 2014-05425 / College of Arts and Sciences

Yung crush ko. Para naman kapag natabunan kami pwede ilagay na "she was buried with the guy who didn't LAVAer (love her). - Valentina Valeria, CAS, 2013

Ewan. Sino nga ba? Si Sir Jet na lang siguro. Ahihi. (Para maging sexy na igneous rock siya. Lol) - nasaan si lord chancy, naCAScas, 2014 Si Napoles, hustisya sa pork barrel scam!! :)) -

Wala akong gustong makasama dahil ayokong may nahihirapang tao o nagsasakripisyong tao para sakin tsaka bkit pa ako magsasama kung alam kong hirap at pasakit lng ang aabutin niya? - Frost, CAS, 2013-58134

Si Marc Teng. Haha. Para In Style naman pagkamatay ko! #dibuh - nakakaumayna, CAS, 201* Ikaw! Ayeeheee!!! - suggest kayo ng codename, OrCom, CAS

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Volume 28 Number 3 Tuesday | October 7, 2014

Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang

Lola Patola

Eyooowww dyan aking mga vavoom-vavies! Ah hope yer aren't #much lunod or #much stressed zah inyeng firz semester sa Yu-Fi-Em! If yeh are, don't chu worry mah dear afows, yer Lola P. izz here for yeh! Now and Foreber ang mode ng inyeng byutiful Lola zah pagvovoses zah inyeng mga umuusok na daing! Coz ah will shout “Go UP, Fight!” dahil Yu-Fi Fef Squad ang feg kow ngayen, and da fighTENG spirit izz in meh! Huehue kahet fa namen hindi firz ang ating mahal na Yu-Fi, mananatiling firz ang Yu-Fi Fef Squad zah ating mga heartzzz! By da wey ah zow layk da EQUALITEAM rayt derrr! Now na mejj naka-let off aketch ng akeng steamz zah chirr-danz, akey magchi-chikka ng mga nakalaf kong chizmaks! Letzz get down chu buziness! Halerkeyy etow namen ang mga inyeng zumvong! Fight Yu-Fi fara sa Yeh-Know-Wat na malafet na matafowz fero jowk lungzz Chizmaks Numvah Wan! Ermergherd shemz namen iyeng naririnig kow avawt da Sosyal ang Chaka na matagal nang inaantey ng aking mga kidzzz! Kumakalam na nga yung mga tiyan ng mga studenz at da Korteng Alang juStice zah kakawait zah zinazabing Sus ang Chorva na ifafatayo daw. Onting tiiz dey zed! Alam va nila how much ang pagti-tiiz ng aking mga vavies?? Vaka namen onting tiiz fer dem but not fer mah beloved vavies!! Kung akala nilang madali lungz na vumili ng food and snackz fara zah aking mga nagzizikap na afowzzz! Anek va talaga ang kanileng flano?? How avawt da studenz hu have layk no breaktaymz at ol? Kailangen nilang magrush sa lavaz ng Yu-Fi-Em fara maghanap ng zamhuwer to vili-vili ng snackz na vaka maleyt sa kanilang froppy or titiizin lang namen nila yung tomgutz nila fer klassez nila na minzan nag-oobertaym yung froppy dahil nga #much bagyo ang mode ng ating fanahon? Not onli are da studenz in Kawawa Ang Studenz affekted, vutt the studenz prom da ozzer collegezz! Mga froppy rin namen ay nahihirafan din, mahiraff rin magturow ya know! Maraming mga studenz ang nakakaranaz ng magik zah kanilang adbentyurz za Fader Paura and Fedro Hill! And not chu menshun da high preshyo op da ivang zosyalin na storez and reztowranz!! Fanow kung saktow lungzz ang fera ng aking mga vavies?? Wat avawt dat, Aba Diyosko MakInig Naman? Y u no vilisvilis da akshen zah pagtatayo? Farang madedelay ang Sobrang Catagal-tagal na iyan ha!! Wat zay u?? Peeling kow namen farang inihagiz-hagiz akow ng farang za Fef Squad! Ermergherd!!! Fight Yu-Fi fara sa Yeh-Know-Wat Kulangzz za Ezpasyew Chizmaks Numvah Chu!

Faki-ekspleyn fowzzz. Zow many

tologa ang studenz, farehaz na freshiezz and ufferclazzmen ang nagra-rant avawt diz isyu. Ahm zow zad namen dahil zah Yu-Fi-Em family feud. Nafulot ng akeng mga raydarz na zad ang nangyareykey na zmall ang benyu ng inyeng nageng HayAyokoNaDumuginakOGandakoeh!! Ahm zow zarey chu hear dat! Nagzikzikan fah ang akeng mga afowzz ah heard, and yung iva nga jan ay fumila-fila fa ng kahaba-haba and den mali fala ang kanileng finilahan! Wat haffened chu yu dearzz?? Tila yata ey waley kayeng safat na gavay! Dear pipz hu organayzd dizz, huway did dizz haffen? Firz and onli taym fa namen ng mga freshiezz na mafanood iteng ebent, and dey are zow eksayted. Y u no know dat madamey ang mga freshiezz dizz year? Haweber, may nafulot rin ang iza fang raydarz ng inyeng Lola P.! Da FriendlyButConstricted na atezz and kuyazz niyo ay haggerd din ang finagdaan! Eet wazent zow easy-peasy ang fag-organayz zah iteng ebent na itetch! Huway so magulow?? Habent yu heard dat dizz grufo of studenz are habing slayt complikeyshunz becuzz nga deyr statuz az an organizeyshun izz not zow recognayzd enimowr!! Mahiraf rin teh ang ganitech anekk! Itzz zow hurtzz masyadow na i-deny ng OyShuntedkAyow!

Paggunita sa ika- 42 anibersaryo ng Martial Law, isinigawa Mga militanteng grupo, nanawagan ng pagpapatalsik kay Aquino ELIZABETH DANIELLE QUIÑONES FODULLA Nagsama-sama ang mga militanteng grupo kaya ito ni Aquino ngayong sinasabing patuloy mula sa iba’t ibang sector ng lipunan upang na lumalakas ang mga ito. gunitain ang ika apatnapu’t dalawang anibersaryo ng itinuturing na isa sa Ani naman ni Palabay, hindi solusyon ang pinakamadilim na panahon sa Pilipinas ang paggamit ng militar upang malutas ang Martial Law. problema.

#NeverAgain to Martial Law Sa programang isinagawa sa Plaza Miranda, inalaala at binigyang pugay ng mga nagkilos protesta ang mga naging bikitima ng paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao noong panahon ng Martial Law. Samantala, binansagan naman ni Cristina Palabay, Secretary General ng human rights group na Karapatan, si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III na ‘no man of peace’. Ayon kay Palabay mula 2011 hanggang sa kasalukuyan umabot na sa 204 na extrajudicial killings, 204 na frustrated killings, 21 desaparacidos, 99 na tortures at 664 na illegal arrests. Sa isang pahayag ng grupong Karapatan, hindi na dapat manatili si Pangulong Aquino sa puwesto dahil patuloy lang itong manloloko. Ayon naman kay Makabayan President at Martial Law Activist Satur Ocampo, isa sa mga dahilan ng pagdedeklara ni dating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos ng Martial Law ay ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP) at ang military arm nitong New People’s Army (NPA). Dagdag pa ni Ocampo, kung hindi nagtagumpay si Marcos na pabagsakin ang PKP, magagawa

“Habang patuloy na tinatapakan ng administrasyong Aquino ang mga karapatang pantao, hindi titigil ang mamamayan upang mag rebelde – ito ang isa sa aral ng Martial Law. Na patuloy na kikilos ang sambayanan upang makamit ang tunay na demokrasya sa kabila ng mga diktador at ng panghihimasok ng US,” pagtatapos ni Palabay.

#NeverAgain to Dictatorship “Ang mga pahayag ni Aquino na siya ay bukas sa isa pang termino at charter change ay isa lamang hakbang upang mapagtakpan niya ang kaniyang mga kabiguan sa nakaraang apat na taon” ani Reyes. Dagdag pa ni Reyes, nagkakamali si Aquino kung inaakala niya na nanaisin ng mga tao na manatili pa siya sa pwesto ng lagpas pa sa 2016. “Aquino is the problem. He cannot be the solution. He is no champion of change. He is a staunch defender of the corrupt status quo,” ani ni Reyes. “Habang ginagaya ni Aquino si Marcos, namana ng kabataan Pilipino ang nasyonalismo ng Kabataan Makabayan at ang laban nito sa opresyon ay ipagpapatuloy ng mga kabataan ngayon,” pagtatapos ni Einstein Recedes ng Student Christian Movement of the Philippines.

Hayyy naketch. Huweyt lungzz. Gimme zome breathing ezpasyew. Nazira chuloy ang air op zelebrayshun op mah afowzz. Neberdalezz, firz runner-uf ang ating mahal na Yu-Fi Fef Squad!! Zana ay ma-cheer uf kayow, der izz still zamthing chu beh tenkful fer!! Zana naman ey ayuz-ayuzin natin ang ating UNITEY lalow na zah mga komfitesyun hir and derr. Letzz zuffort each ader mga dearest afowzz! Olweyz rememburr na we hab chu fayt wateburr comes vetween uzzz! Donut beh takotch chu tell meh yer zumvong and ol! Zow long mga afowzz, ah hear na mah dearest Lolo U. na chumachawag zah aketch! Magfa-fraktizz fa kamey zah aming blockingzz! Ahm zow gonna frefare por da liftingzz and ol! Di kow fa fala nasasavey zah akeng mga dearest na vaviezz na may eksfiryenzz iteng Lola P. ninyow sa fagchichirdanz! Eniweyy, gudbayzz chu yu mah labs!! Muwahmuwah fayt Yu-Fi!

CONGRATULATIONS TO Dr. Carmencita David-Padilla, MD, FPPS, MAHPS for being chosen as the 9th Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila

Serve the People!

06 FEATURES

Volume 28 Number 3 October 7, 2014 | Tuesday

DCA is a resurgence of the U.S. military bases in the country-- a bastardization of the purported victory against foreign military installations in 1991. The Senate of the said year rejected the bases agreement that was pushed forward by the then government. However, this landmark decision which brought about the prohibition of foreign military bases in the country, except when a treaty was concurred in by the Senate, is currently being challenged by the Aquino administration. With merely a portion of it initially publicized, the negotiations between the Philippine and the United States governments that led to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement(EDCA) began last August, 2013. This long period of secrecy, inconsistent with the president's rhetoric on transparency and accountable governance, rendered the agreement more suspicious and questionable. Nonetheless, whatever took the Aquino government so long before it finally disclosed the contents of the agreement and made it available for public scrutiny, is now blatantly exposed. EDCA is a wholesale bargain of the Philippine sovereignty and patrimony-- signed by the president himself.

HISTORICAL PARADOX Different progressive groups claim that there had been a grave abuse of discretion on the part of the executive officials upon the signing of EDCA. According to them, this agreement bypassed the authority of the Senate with regard to external treaties. Confronted with this issue of unconstitutionality, the Aquino administration argued that EDCA is an executive agreement and not a treaty; hence, the approval of the Senate is unnecessary. However, a closer look at EDCA will render the administration's argument not just fallacious but outright deceptive. Article I of the agreement states that it “. . . deepens defense cooperation between the parties . . .“ without any corresponding provision stating clearly how the said objective shall materialize. Furthermore it provides in Article III “. . . that the Philippines shall make agreed locations available to the US forces without rental or similar costs.” It also “. . . authorizes the US forces to preposition and store defense equipment, supplies and materiel . . . at agreed locations" in Article IV and provides that “(t)he prepositioned materiel of US forces shall be for the exclusive use of US forces . . . ” in Section 3 of the same Article. It even “. . . grants to US forces and US contractors the use of water, electricity, and other public utilities on terms and conditions, including rents or charges, no less favorable than those available to the AFP of the Government of the Philippines in like circumstances, less charges for taxes and similar fees, which shall be for the account of the Philippine government . . . " in Article VII. With these provisions,

undoubtedly, EDCA is nothing but a foreign military bases agreement. Moreover, it is even worse than its predecessors as it allows the U.S. forces to conduct military exercises and related activities in the vaguely defined "agreed locations”, whereas, the previous military bases agreements only permit the U.S. forces to use specific areas. With EDCA, military activities can now be conducted anywhere in the country that the parties may "agree" on. Furthermore, the agreement provides the utilization of these "agreed locations" "without rental or any similar costs". While most Filipinos are suffering from landlessness and lack of decent shelter, along with towering prices of commodities and inadequate social services, the government caters to the needs of these foreign military troops, free of charge. In addition, Section 4 of Article XII which states that “This agreement shall have an initial term of 10 years, and thereafter it shall continue in force automatically unless terminated by either party . . . ” is a provision which definitely paves way to the unlimited stay of these foreign military forces in the country. Another contentious provision is embedded in Article XI, which makes it clear that any dispute which might arise under the agreement shall be resolved “ . . . exclusively through consultations between the parties . . . (and) shall not be referred to any national or international court, tribunal, or other similar body, or to any third party for settlement, unless otherwise agreed by the parties." With this provided, EDCA has not just bypassed the function of the Senate but also absolutely usurps the authority of the Judiciary, thus, tramples upon the law of the land. The 'parties' under the agreement seemingly treat themselves entirely a separate entity which is free from any accountability.

that, “There is enormous trade; enormous business that is done between the United States and China; a whole range of issues on the international stage in which cooperation between the US and China are balanced . . . our goal is not to counter China. Our goal is not to contain China . . . (but) . . . to make sure that international rules and norms are respected, and that includes in the area of maritime disputes.” Tracing down the history, the Philippines sent troops aiding the U.S. on its wars against Korea in the 1950s and Vietnam in the 1960s. At present, however, the U.S could not give the assurance that it would defend the Philippines if ever its territorial dispute against China would turn into an intensified armed conflict – a downright denial of allegiance. To further this point, the unreliablity of the U.S. was already seen in the past. During the transgressions of China in Scarborough shoal in 2012 and when it positioned itself in Ayungin, not a single assistance was provided by the U.S. Hence, the government's belief that the U.S. is its military ally is purely illusory. On the contrary, it might even worsen the security situation of the country. Since the U.S. is engaged in many wars, accommodating its military forces inside the Philippine territory might attract potential enemies and would render the country vulnerable to external attacks.

To reiterate, EDCA is not different from the previous foreign military bases agreements. It is even worse as it includes treacherous provisions that give unlimited access to the country's resources without any due compensation and, in coherence with the executive's argument, without the benefit of a treaty-- a direct onslaught to the Philippine constitution. This supposed unconstitutionality of EDCA adds up to the growing list of criminal and administrative liabilities perpetrated by the Aquino regime.

Another purported benefit that the country would gain from EDCA lies on the premise that joint training with the U.S. forces would enhance the capabilities of the Philippine local military. However, it is an obvious fact that the geological features of the U.S., where these foreign military forces were trained, is far different from the actual conditions in the country. This incompatibility would in no way enhance the capabilities of the Philippine military. Even the modernization claims are shamelessly deceitful. If the U.S. is really committed in modernizing the Philippine forces, it would not dare sell its World War I and II depreciated and already disposable equipments to the Philippines. But apparently, this is what the U.S had done and is continuously doing. An obvious fact surfaces --the U.S. does not really want the Philippines to improve and develop in whichever aspect as it needs it to remain as its dependent and subservient neocolony.

FALSE BENEFITS

THE NEOCOLONIAL TIES

The main rationale postulated by the government as to why the Philippines needs the U.S. military forces through EDCA is the supposed aggression by the Chinese forces to the country over the disputed territorial claims. The government is giving its people a false hope that if the U.S. is on its side, it will be safe from any external transgression. This, however, was eventually falsified by the U.S. president himself when he said

The Asia Pacific region is a crucial part of the U.S. hegemony. According to Ibon, two of the recognized world's largest economies; China and Japan, as well as the

ANGELICA NATIVIDAD REYES ILLUSTRATION BY CZARINA CATAPANG TUAZON AND MARIA CATALINA BAJAR BELGIRA

world's largest populations; China, India, and Indonesia, are located here. Most of the trade and oil shipments are also found in the region. It accounts for 30% of the global GDP. Moreover, almost one-third of the total US exports went to Asia Pacific region from the year 1990s to 2012. As of January 2014, U.S. debts to China and Japan amount to US$1.27 trillion and US$1.2 trillion, respectively. EDCA is part of the U.S. plan of strengthening its military power in the Asia Pacific due to the region's uncontrollably growing economic and political significance. With these implications, it is utterly obvious that the U.S. wants to use the strategic position of the Philippines in the Asia Pacific and utilize the country as its military base in order to regulate its own trade with the other countries and protect its hegemonic interests. Furthermore, the Philippines' subordination to U.S. does not end on being its biggest military base in Asia Pacific. Its influence extends deep into the policy-making creating strong ties of subjugation and dependence of the Philippine economy to that of the United States. An example of the policies created to serve foreign interests is The Arangkada Philippines Project (TAPP) which was launched by USAID and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham). Through the TAPP, the U.S. was able to present policy proposals seeking to further liberalization, deregulation and privatization as well as removing protectionist provisions in the constitution which, consequently, renders the people susceptible to more labor and economic exploitations. The Ibon Foundation summarized the proposals as follows: "amend the Labor Code to allow subcontracting and easier termination of employees; promote IT-BPO curriculum in colleges and education reform, adopt K+12 model; lift restrictions on foreign ownership in media and advertising; promote tie-ups with foreign firms; protect PPP investors from political (i.e. regulatory) risks including TROs from courts; scrap ‘unwarranted’ taxes on foreign carriers; lift restrictions on foreign equity in power projects; privatize Agus and Pulangi dams; build more transport infrastructure through PPP; review policy disallowing “take-or-pay” and sovereign guarantees;

FEATURES 07

Volume 28 Number 3 Tuesday | October 7, 2014

promote PPP in the water sector; establish an export development fund to promote exports and investment; allow manufacturing industry to operate with less government interference such as price controls; liberalize importation of capital equipment; liberalize shipping industry; fully implement Mining Act; allow foreign ownership of land and retail facilities; allow relief from minimum wages; review the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL); apply ‘creative solutions’ to the 60-40 foreign ownership restriction pending Charter change (Cha-cha); privatize or close down government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to reduce fiscal burden, among others; use advisers (amicus curiae) when Supreme Court (SC) is ruling on issues that adversely affect the investment climate; promote labor flexibilization schemes; reduce corporate income tax and raise the value-added tax (VAT) and fuel excise taxes; and expand the conditional cash transfer (CCT) and Kalahi-CIDSS programs; encourage PPP in healthcare-related services." Notably, most policies resulting to these proposals materialized under the Aquino regime, yet, development was not achieved. Rather, the deterioration of the Philippine economy along with heightening exclusionary growth and unemployement was experienced. Seemingly, the government has not yet learned the lessons of history. As long as the country depends on foreign interests rather than protecting its own soverein will and strenghtening its local economic industry, progress will never be at sight.

Thus, backwardness and poverty will always be the face of the Filipino nation. As said by the late Senator Claro M. Recto, “We remain, in the end, poor and underdeveloped, When foreign investors send home their income, capital, and savings, then we shall be back where we were before they were ‘attracted,’ perhaps in a worse condition, where we might even have to beg the foreign investors to keep their investments in the Philippines not to enrich us but just to be able to give some employment to our laboring class.”

ADVERSE IMPLICATIONS Under the mask of a defense cooperation agreement, the true face of EDCA lurks environmental degradation, women exploitation and human rights violation, among others, are its underlying features. The signing of EDCA has just shown the deliberate bastardization of the Aquino government to its supposed commitment to environmental justice. While cases of environmental disasters such as the Tubbataha Reef's destruction and the widespread

toxic contamination caused by US forces remain unresolved, uncompensated and unrehabilitated, an agreement that would potentially further jeopardize the remaining natural resources of the country was pursued. The Aquino government has not just failed to assert accountability from the U.S. but also allowed it to perpetuate in its malfeasances with full indemnity. Furthermore, Section 2 of Article IX of EDCA states that, “The US confirms its intent to respect relevant PH environmental, health, and safety laws, regulations, and standards in the execution of its policies.” The vague statement, susceptible to manipulation, is directly consistent to the U.S. and the Aquino government's implicit plan of escaping responsibility if ever an environmental onslaught occurs under the agreement. The agreement also did not confirm nor denied the entry and use of nuclear weapons inside the country throughout the duration of military activities. The socials costs of EDCA should also not escape public scrutiny. From the past, the observable increase in commodication, particularly prostitution, of women becomes prevalent in areas where U.S. military bases are located. Heinous crimes such as the Subic Rape Case attributed to the presence of these foreign military troops are expected to again rise. An intensified counter-insurgency program resulting to more human rights violations will also surely accompany the increased presence of U.S. troops in the country. And most of all, as spending throughout this agreement will be shouldered by the Philippine

government; military budget allocation would again increase, on the expense of social services. The simplicity of EDCA as an executive agreement for defense cooperation is a contradiction to its complex implications. The provisions are ambiguous and loosely open for manipulation. Rooms for injustices are countless-- a packaged deal of economic, social, environmental, patrimonial costs, among others. The lack of political will from the government leaders to make the Philippines stand on its own has manifested in the exploitations and injustices legitimized by antipeople policies such as the EDCA. Long after the country’s supposed independence, colonial ties between the Philippines and the United States remain uncut. The government is still nothing but an avid supporter of U.S. imperialism in the expense of obliterating its mandate on protecting the sovereign will and advancing the interests of its people. With a government already blind and deaf to the demands of the masses, a staunch reiteration of duties and obligations is imperative. The struggle to annul the EDCA lies on the nationalistic foundation of the people. The thirst for freedom and independence has already proven itself to defeat and reject colonial moves of the past. Injustices require the nation to fight back; now is not the time to falter.

08 CULTURE

Volume 28 Number 3 October 7, 2014 | Tuesday

“Ayan kasi, hindi pa binigay yung bag.” “Naku, kasi naman, naglalakad sa daan nang dis-oras ng gabi.” Welcome to the culture of victim blaming, where we find fault on the victim instead of on the perpetrator. Welcome to the culture of turning a blind eye on the most important factors of the whole situation: the crime itself, and the perpetrator. Welcome to the absolutely terrifying truth that we, too, become the perpetrator in this sense.

Game of Faults “Kasalanan mo ring na-rape ka! Ang landi mo kasi eh!” Perhaps the most common and rampant case of victim blaming not only in our country, but also in the world, is associated with rape. Women wearing strapless, skimpy tops, and short skirts or anything several inches above the knee out in public are considered immoral. They are thought of as filthy and undeserving of a less cruel life and their rape was merely the consequence of the abandonment of their values. Seldom does the perpetuator receive the same amount of criticism. As the shirt in a known department store puts it, “It’s not rape – it’s a snuggle with a struggle.” This doesn’t stop in cases of rape. Just a few months back, the news aired several cases of house robberies, most of which were committed by the owners’ newly-hired househelpers. Here then comes the news team interviewing police officers who highlight the need for employers to stop being haphazard in hiring. Often, many would avoid dark, deserted alleys in fear of being mugged and held up. Once it happens, the fault always lies on the idiotic, thoughtless person w h o

still chose to pass through it despite knowing the dangers that the place poses.

influencing us to blindly conform to its notions of good and bad.

Negligence, stupidity, and carelessness: these are only some of the millions of grounds for victim blaming, the crime notwithstanding. All but the perpetuator are criticized. Majority of the accusations, condemnations, and fault are centered, and forcibly pressed on the victim for failing to see the cruelty of the world and its inhabitants. People are told to be careful so instead of seeing the world and society as units where they belong to, and as a community that fosters care and unity, they are forced to look at it as dangerous and threatening.

As humans, one of our basic necessities for survival is the need to co-exist with others. Isolation from society has proved to be fatal for humans. We cultivate a belief that even if we put on shame as our name tag and distinction for a time being, or even forever; we still are attached to the bigger group and not alone to fend for ourselves. Such is the fear of the victims, leading to their blind obedience and conformity to this kind of culture.

With this kind of worldview, people are forced to think selfishly; they are taught to think only of self-preservation rather than the unified effort to stop the proliferation of heinous crimes, or crimes in general. When society tells you that you are at fault and that your actions and interactions constitute to the bad end result, you tend to believe it more than your own judgment. This is society

The media holds a major role in this phenomenon. By manipulating the information and the angles of an issue shown to the public, it becomes capable of inputting philosophies and ideologies that go against the direction of truth and transparency and merely towards what they see fit for their own interests. It gives out a list of precautionary and safety measures, reminders that inculcate deep within our moral and social foundation the fallacious knowledge that the only way for us to stay ‘safe’ is to follow these recipes of security. Thus, a clump of always wary, information-fed citizens roam the country. They start to criticize their brethren for being unlike the others who are more careful and cautious. Society has molded mindsets that consider humanity as inherently evil and deceitful, leading to passive citizens that tolerate crimes instead of exterminating them. They box the victims in hard, cold judgments as they base theirs on what the media, and their environment dictates, giving birth to cowardly, easily manipulated citizens who cannot even assert their own rights, a number of whom become the monsters responsible for countless, abominable deeds.

It’s Not You, It’s Me In a society where pride and selfishness are being upheld to protect one’s interests and image, accountability and apology are grave acts of deviance, grim sins wounding egoism. Avoiding responsibility and accountability emphasizes Theodore Adorno’s illustration of victim blaming as one of the most sinister features of a Fascist character. Its existence is an indication of a society that is starting to abandon its humanity because they merely accept that it is littered with criminals. As a unified society demanding justice and accountability, it’s crucial for us to identify that the responsibility lies on the perpetrator and society’s mindset that victims encourage criminality, orchestrate it even. The state is an expert in this farce. It runs away from its accountabilities in order to protect their corporate interests, and turn wrong into right to satiate the hunger for power. This should never be the case. A state that denies justice and protection to those who rightfully deserve them does not have the right to demand these principles from its constituency.

In addition, the responsibility lies in the deception caused by the addiction with safety at the cost of humanity. But these perpetrators often hold the public in their hands, knowing full well that the blame is not focused on only them. They stage diversions in court such as turning the spotlight on the actions of the victims during the crime. These perpetrators know that victim blaming exists. They know that when victims are blamed and shamed, there is drastically a lesser chance for them to speak up about the crime and to seek justice, which they rightfully deserve. This victim-blaming phenomenon is further strengthened with the advent of the culture of behavioral reductionism within the society. In this phenomenon, perpetrators often become capable of escaping due punishments because of the desire of the society to immediately blame anyone involved within the perimeter of the crime or violence committed, therefore failing to see the bigger picture, the wider correlation and connection of the initiation of the crime. Take for an instance the force eviction of illegal settlers in urban areas. Instead of extending a hand to the people being evicted, the society blames them for their assumed "unproductivity", as they are incapable of finding a job, buying a permanent house and land, and providing for themselves, independent from anyone's help and compassion. How will they provide for themselves, if the state abandons its obligation of providing them food and health security, of endowing them with their civil and political rights? This serves as a proof that those in power and authority and prominence escape the condemnation and criticism of the masses. However, silence, passivity, inaccountability, and fear of unacceptance coupled with threat of oppression from those who possess power in a state, propagates a culture where rape is blamed on skimpy outfits and poverty is blamed on the citizen’s unproductivity – a culture where crimes are dealt with tolerance and acceptance, and where victim’s wounds are treated with discrimination and persecution. It is only through recognizing that those at fault are not requested, but demanded to take responsibility for their actions, that crimes are unwanted attacks on people, that victimhood is dependent on the victim’s perspective and never simply based on the opinions of others, that the society can end the vicious cycle of victim-blaming. Victim blaming needs immediate death. The countless arguments that support and propagate this culture are faulty for the sole reason that they drive the blame on the person for letting themselves be the victim. The victim is the victim. Blaming the victim is as nonsensical as blaming the carpet for being there when you spilled your soda on it. Blaming the victim is gnawing at a worn-out chew toy that does nothing but scathes your gums to the point of bleeding. Victims should never perish in place of those who truly need perishing.

BLAME IT ON ME PLAYING THE WHO’S-FAULT-IS-IT GAME PIA KRIEZL JURADO HERNANDEZ

ILLUSTRATION BY JOANNE PAULINE RAMOS SANTOS

GRAPHICS 09

Volume 28 Number 3 Tuesday | October 7, 2014

Ginoong Alejandro; at nais ko ring maging katulad mo ang mga Iskolar ng Bayan. Hindi ka dapat inaalala lang tuwing anibersaryo ng pagkapanganak mo, pagkamatay, o ng Martial Law, dahil kung tutuusin, ikaw ang nagpakita ng Honor and Excellence sa pamantasan. Ang pagiging malapit mo sa bayan, ang pagbuklod mo sa mga estudyante’t organisasyon, at ang pakikipaglaban mo sa isang mas maunlad na lipunan — lahat — ay sapat na para ituring kang modelo at bayani ng mga pagasa ng bayan. Ipagpapatuloy ko ang sinimulan mo, mahirap man ang haharapin ko. Ikaw na nga ang nagsabi: “The line of fire is the place of honor.” *hindi ito tungkol sa ‘Alejandro’ ni Lady Gaga

SOFT LIPS

ALARM

JOANNE PAULINE RAMOS SANTOS

GAYLE CALIANGA REYNA

PANITICAN’T FROM PAGE 10

habang pinapataba natin ang sa kanila. Bawat singkong duling na ating hinuhulog, bawat pagtangkilik at pagkibit-balikat, nagkakaroon ng hindi napapansing pagsusunog ng mga akda nila Jose, Pascual, Bautista, Joaquin, at ng Panitikang Filipino sa pangkalahatan. Simple, pero dapat laging magmumulat sa kamalayan ng mambabasa—‘yan dapat ang mga librong ating binubuklat, pinagpupuyatan, tinatago sa baul para ipamana sa magiging apo sa talampakan. Ito ang mga nararapat na magsilbing antolohiya ng pang-araw-araw na buhay ng mga Pilipino, kalagayang panlipunan, at naglalaman ng katotohanang hindi maitatanggi. Pinapalaya dapat ang isipan.

CHARACTERS

Mapa-Harry Potter, Life of Pi, Dekada ‘70, Sa Kuko ng Liwanag, o module sa Math 17 man ‘yan, ang importante ay bawat kabanatang babasahin, bawat aklat na bibitbitin mo sa kahabaan ng Taft, ay hindi lang magiging tagapuno ng iyong bookshelf—ang mga ito ay nararapat na magpuno rin ng isang uri ng kamalayang makapagpapalaya sa kaisipan ng kabataan, at ng buong lipunan. TRUCK BAN FROM PAGE 03

Manila with protests. On February 24, operations in the Manila North and South Harbor came to a standstill as truck owners and drivers stopped transporting goods. Moreover, numerous trucks also barricaded the port entrances. This resulted to congestion as imports were not hauled outside the port and exports failed to reach its shipping vessels. In the following months, several implications of the said truck ban were experienced by some concerned sectors. Officials of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) stated to the senate on August 13 that due to the truck ban, shipping costs were raised by P20,000 to P30,000, leading to cancelled orders. Lilia de Lima, director of PEZA, also added that about 20,000 workers in special economic hubs had reduced working hours or had forced leave. She also stated that foreign companies had awarded new orders to other Asian countries, resulting to the loss of clients and cancellation of orders. The Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) also claimed that the nation’s franchises experienced a P3 billion loss due to the lack of supply and loss of opportunities.

PIGHATI

PATRICK JACOB LAXAMANA LIWAG

JOANNE PAULINE RAMOS SANTOS

10 OPINION

Volume 28 Number 3 October 7, 2014 | Tuesday

EPHEMERAL LIBERTY

ALARM CLOCKS*

Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang

It’s time to wake up. Sleepily staring at that note on my phone, which was coupled with the continuous beeping of the alarm, I breathe a sigh of relief as I realize the same thing that has been recurring in my mind since the school year started. Today, I am no more a machinery. From the perspective of the person I was a year ago, shifting to a course that I would truly appreciate has never been a serious option. Entering the University of the Philippines and treading through a medical course, I decided to accept my fate, and seal my mouth from telling my family that I cannot even imagine myself wearing a white uniform. Aside from never having the guts to argue with my family, my focus was centered on pleasing them and surpassing their expectations. By doing that, I disregarded my personal choices, and compromised my happiness for the sake of my family’s plans for me—until I realized that by doing this, I am inhibiting myself from standing up on my own. Second semester came, and it took so much courage and tears to finally muster up the words and confess to my parents all the burdens that I have felt while pursuing a path that I never chose. Most of all, I would not want to end up making my future patients feel that I am only doing my job for the sake of money, and not because I am passionate about it. It was through this kind of thinking that I earned “lectures” from my aunt, who thought that I was rather being idealistic, and that she just wanted to see me earning well in a stable job abroad. I could only be thankful enough that both my parents and grandparents supported my decision of pushing through shifting.

I know that my decision to shift involved having to take many risks. Primarily, I would have to face the criticism of other people, since shifting has always been regarded in the province as a step in moving to an easier course, after failing on the former. Shifting also means that I would have to go out of my comfort zone, interact with different people in every class, and carry my responsibilities as a student independently. But above all this, I was not fazed, because I know that being able to finally course through a path that I have chosen would outweigh everything else.

“

IN A WORLD WHERE THE MAJORITY SEEK TO DELVE IN THE COMFORTS OF MONEY, I SEEK NOT ONLY FINANCIAL SURVIVAL, BUT RELEVANCE IN WHAT I OUGHT DO.

This would surely be much a trite statement to say, but true enough, there are things in life that money cannot buy, and one of them is time. Older people would always encourage the younger to just pursue what they really want to do in life after achieving the status of being financially stable, but then they’ve never considered the possibility of people perishing from this life in the most unexpected time. We can never tell the date of when we’ll be gone, so wouldn’t it be rather regretful to never have done the things we wanted to do?

REBEL WITH A CAUSE

I dream of waking up next to you on a cold, rainy Saturday morning. My arm gently wraps around your slender body as your head rests on my shoulder. I smell the faint scent of your favorite shampoo from your hair, as I run my hand through it. I see the planes of your face bathed in the soft light. I can see your eyelashes flutter ever so slowly as you begin to stir. And I feel happy. You stretch your arms out and I stare in awe at your svelte physique, with your long and slender limbs. You smile at me, and it looks brighter than any sunrise I have ever witnessed in my entire life. But it is just a dream. I dream of us. I imagine our hands intertwined as we walk through the crowded hallways. We spend entire afternoons at coffee shops talking about our dreams, our hopes, our fears, and hours pass by in an instant. And I feel content. But more than the conversations, I dream of enjoying the silence with you. The two

For this, I am thankful to the divine providence for the opportunity of being able to study in the University of the Philippines, and I am blessed to be part of the Manila Collegian as well, because in a span of a year, I have learned things that are not just taught in the four walls of a classroom. Other than the academic learnings is the firm thought of being courageous enough to stand up and think for myself, because it is I who will decide for myself in the future. From the long slumber of letting other people tell me what I should do in life, I have finally woken up. I have finally opened my eyes to my own choices that I have neglected for so long, and now, I have finally considered pursuing them. I know that there is still a long way to go, and the path will not be as easy as how the others undermine it, but at least my heart is finally settled in embarking on a journey where I can see myself headed to. I have no regrets in pursuing Political Science. *To Alli and Asia--thank you for being my alarm clocks. Alli, I am happy that you’re finally pursuing Engineering in Diliman. And Asia, I will always admire your bravery and passion in believing in the course that you are taking. Pozdrawiam, from the Philippines to Poland.

I apologize if I might have disappointed a

SWEET DREAMS

Carlo Rey Resurreccion Martinez

Idream of you.

family member in the process of changing courses. They might think that my goals in life are impractical, but in a world where the majority seek to delve in the comforts of money, I seek not only financial survival, but relevance in what I ought to do.

of us just staring into each other’s eyes, knowing exactly how we feel about each other without ever having to say a single word. But alas, it is still just a dream. I dream of another life, in another time. It seems I have been destined to endure one of the greatest hardships known to man –

“

IT SEEMS I HAVE BEEN DESTINED TO ENDURE ONE OF THE GREATEST HARDSHIPS KNOWN TO MAN – TO BEAR AN UNREQUITED LOVE.

to bear an unrequited love. And I have tried many, many times to let go of you. I have struggled to accept the possibility that we might never be together, that there might never be an ‘us’. But it is a struggle that continues to this day. I have considered other possibilities. Maybe you’re not ‘the one’. Maybe I’ll find someone else, someone better. Yet I

wonder if there will ever be anyone who could surpass you in my eyes. Maybe I’m not yet ready to be in a relationship, so god or fate or chance hasn’t put me in one. Yet I must ask myself - if not now, when? I remain unsure about a lot of things. But one thing I know for certain is that I will still be dreaming of you.

Mayroon ka bang gustong i-spluk kay Lola? I-PM mo siya: facebook.com/lolapatola

BASAG-ULO Lean Sandigan ALEJANDRO* “The next best thing to being free is the struggle to be free.” – Lean Alejandro Hindi ko alam kung sa iyo nga ba talaga galing ang pangalan ko, Ginoong Alejandro. Ang alam ko lang kasi, isa kang sikat na aktibista dito sa bansa noon. Noong bata ako, cool para sa akin ang mga pangalang dayuhan, lalo na ang mga pangalanng Italyano, Pranses, o Aleman — tunog sosyal, ‘ika nga nila. Nitong kailan lang nang nalaman ko na ang pangalang pinaghahatian natin ay naging dakila dahil sa iyo. Sa unang pagkakataon, natuwa ako sa pangalan ko. Siguro, pinagbangga tayo ng tadhana, Ginoong Alejandro. Ikaw na may maningning ngunit maikling buhay, ako na may mga hindi siguradong hakbang at desisyon sa landas na tinatahak. Lalo na ngayon, puro na lang pagbabago ng salitang aktibismo at pagkokondena sa mga aktibista ang ginagawa ng mga kapwa ko estudyante, at madalas, ng buong lipunan. Tulad mo, ninanais ko rin ang isang lipunang malaya, kung saan tayong mga progresibo ay hindi basta-basta hinuhuli, tinotortyur, at pinapatay. Hindi naman sa pagiging negatibo, pero parang malayo pa tayo doon kasi ang daming dapat labanan. Siguro, hindi pa lang ako kasing tapang mo. Pero gusto kong umasa na mangyayari rin iyon. Gusto kong umasa na ang struggle for freedom ay magsisimula sa ipinaglalaban ko ngayon: free education for all. Pero ang dami pala talagang sagabal, ano? Parang isang buong kultura na ang kalaban ko. Kung noon, malaking bagay ang pagiging aktibista, ngayon, parang basura na lang kami. Parang lahat na lang ng sabihin namin, kinokontra. Nakikipagtunggali ka na nga sa sarili mo, sumasabay pa ang mga taong mabilis kung humusga. Parang wala kaming kakampi kung ‘di sarili namin. Subalit wala naman ito sa kung anong yugto ng kasaysayan ang naabutan mo. Wala naman sa atin ang pagpapasya, dahil lahat naman ng henerasyon, may kaakibat na paghihirap tungo sa inaasam nilang kalayaan. Ang tanging hawak natin ay ang mga gagawin natin upang makamit iyon, sa maikling oras na bigay sa atin. Sa maikling oras na iyon, kailangan may mabago ka at may maimpluwensyahan ka para ipagpatuloy pa ang sinimulan mo. Hindi naman tayo nakikipaglaban para ihiwalay sila mula sa ating hanay ‘di ba? Kaya nga pakiramdam ko, importanteng malaman ang buhay mo ngayon, Ginoong Alejandro. Sa panahon na puro Marcelo Santos III, Jamich, Kris Aquino, PBB, at kung saan-saan pa ang atensyon ng madla, kailangan nila ng taong dadalhin sila sa hanay ng makabuluhang pagbabago. Kung di ka man bumalik, sana mayroong mga pumalit sa iyo. Sana laging may makapansin ng kwento mo, o ‘di kaya’y magkaroon ka ng bantayog na makikita ng bawat Iskolar ng Bayan. Sa huli, nais kong maging katulad mo, Continued on Page 09

EDITORIAL 11

Volume 28 Number 3 Tuesday | October 7, 2014

lang dekada matapos ang Martial Law, naroon pa rin ang mga pagkakataong gustong kontrolin ng iilan ang midya upang baluktutin ang katotohanan. Naging kaakibat na ng pagsusulat laban sa diktaduryang Marcos ang iba’t ibang interogasyon, pagkadukot, at pagkamatay ng mga mamahayag. Ang panahon noon ay nababalot ng isang kulturang takot at pasibo, dala na rin ng katotohanan na ang bawat salita laban sa gobyerno ay panganib.

NEWS CORRESPONDENTS Ezra Kristina Ostaya Bayalan Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez Ronilo Raymundo Mesa Gayle Calianga Reyna

Subalit sa panahong ding ito sumilaw ang katotohanan at namulat ang bansa — sa tulong ng mga mamamahayag sa loob ng pamantasan, at iba pang midya na hindi nagpahawak sa leeg. Ang kanilang mga artikulo na inilimbag nang patago ang siyang naging tanglaw ng mamamayan para bakahin ang noo’y diktadurya. Ngunit hindi natatapos ang gobyerno at ilang mga kaalyado nito sa pagtangkang patahimikin ang malayang midya. Pabagobago man ang administrasyon, nananatiling nasa iilan ang pamilya at grupo ang kapangyarihan. Hindi nawawala ang kagustuhan ng mga grupong ito na palitan ang hedlayn ng mga balita para pumanig ang katotohanan sa kanila. Para manatiling nasa kapangyarihan, ibinubusal nila ang mga mamamahayag gamit ang nguso ng baril, o minsan, dakot ng salapi. Hanggang ngayon, naroon ang pagnanais ng mga nasa kapangyarihan na dalhin sa panig nila ang midya. Ang kalubusan nga ng pagnanais na makontrol o mapatahimik ang midya ay nagdulot sa Maguindanao Massacre noong Nobyembre 23, 2009. Sa 58 na pinaslang na indibidwal, 32 sa mga ito ay miyembro ng midya. Ilang araw lang ay ginunita na ang ika-58 na buwan simula ang malagim na pangyayari — nararapat na panahon ng gunita at pagpapaalala, na walang nangyayaring pagpapanagot sa ilalim ng administrasyong wala ring pagpapahalaga sa midyang nagiging kritiko nito. Ang pag-abot sa ika-limang anibersaryo ng Maguindanao Massacre at ang kawalan ng hustisya ay nagpapatunay lamang na nagkikibit-balikat ang gobyerno sa tunay na estado ng pamamahayag sa bansa. Kamakailan lang, sinabi mismo ni Pangulong Benigno Simeon Aquino III na hindi work related ang pagpatay sa ilang miyembro ng midya sa panahon niya. Kung ganito na lamang ang tingin ng pinuno ng bansa sa bawat kaso ng pagpaslang sa mga mamamahayag, lalong malinaw na walang katotohanan ang pangako ng pangulo sa hustisya. Nananatiling para lang sa kanya at kanyang mga kaalyado ang hustisyang tinutukoy niya. Higit pa, naroon ang tyansang makalimutan ng mga Pilipino ang mga karumal-dumal na pangyayari sa bayan ng Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Kung ang pinakamalaking krimen laban sa mga mamamahayag sa buong mundo ay hindi kayang bigyan ng hustisya, paano pa kaya ang biktimang hindi man lang napapansin ng gobyerno? Ang mga ganitong pagkakataon ang nagtutulak sa midya na matutong lumaban para sa kanilang mga sarili, lalong lalo na ang mga mamamahayag na walang takot bumangga sa mga pwersang nagpapahirap lamang sa mas malaking dami ng mga Pilipino. Ang mga pahayagan sa probinsya

FEATURES CORRESPONDENTS Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari Angelica Natividad Reyes CULTURE CORRESPONDENTS Angelo Dennis Aligaga Agdeppa Jamilah Paola dela Cruz Laguardia Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza Thalia Real Villela RESIDENT ILLUSTRATORS Lizette Joan Campaña Daluz Daniel John Galinato Estember Princess Pauline Cervantes Habla Joanne Pauline Ramos Santos RESIDENT PHOTOJOURNALIST Jenny Mary Camama Dagun RESIDENT LAYOUT ARTIST Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag

LIZETTE JOANNE CAMPAÑA DALUZ

Hindi Masalang hanggang sa mga pahayagang pangkampus sa mga pamantasan ay patuloy na nakikipaglaban para sa kanilang buhay at sa karapatan ng kanilang kapwa na malaman ang katotohanan. Ang pamamahayag sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Manila ay hindi malayo ang nararanasan sa iba pang campus publications. Ang mga pahayagan ay laging nabibigyan ng mga warning at pananakot sa kanilang pondo kapag laban sa administrasyon ang kanilang mga isinisiwalat. Naroon ang mga pwersang gustong pagsulatin ang campus journalists ng magagandang balita, kahit na mas kinakailangang mamulat ng mga estudyante sa katotohanan.

hiwalay sa kahit anong institusyon sa loob ng pamantasan, liban sa mga estudyanteng pinagsisilbihan nito. Anomang pagtangka ng pagpapailalim ng mga publikasyon ay pagtapak sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag. Ang bawat pag-atake sa pahayagang pangkampus, direkta man o hindi, ay pag-atake na rin sa karapatan ng mga estudyanteng mabigyan ng katotohanan. Sa kabila ng lahat ng mga pagtatangkang kontrolin ang mga pahayagan, mananatiling matatag at matapang ang mga pahayagang pangkampus. Ang kasaysayan na mismo ang guro na ang mga mamamahayag ay hindi dapat hayaang hawakan sila sa leeg. Ang kadakilaan noong panahon ng Martial Law, hanggang

ANG MGA PANULAT NG MGA MAMAMAHAYAG AY MANANATILING MATULIS AT MATALAS LABAN SA ANOMANG PAGTATANGKA NG KAHIT SINONG INDIBIDWAL O ORGANISASYON NA KONTROLIN ITO Hindi rin nawawala ang mga pwersang gustong kontrolin ang mga campus journalists para sa pansariling interes, lalo na sa politika sa loob ng pamantasan. May iilan ding gustong bantayan ang mismong paggamit ng pera ng publikasyon, patunay na nais nilang parupokin ang integridad ng pahayagang pangkampus. Halos hindi nawawala ang ganitong mga banta sa kalayaan ng mga pahayagan. Binabalot ang mga pangtatangka laban sa pahayagan sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang proyekto ng ilang miyembro ng student council. Ang mga pahayagang pangkampus ay

OFFICE 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000 EMAIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com WEBSITES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/ themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule themanilacollegian.tumblr.com MEMBER

Solidaridad - UP College Editors Systemwide Alliance of Guild of the Student Publications Philippines and Writers’ Organizations

The Cover

sa mga isinakripisyong buhay ng mga mamamahayag sa linya ng trabaho ay magsisilbing alaala para ipaglaban ang katotohanan. Ang mga panulat ng mga mamamahayag ay mananatiling matulis at matalas laban sa anomang pagtatangka ng kahit sinong indibidwal o organisasyon na kontrolin ito. Ang mga mamamahayag, buhay man o malamig na bangkay, ay patuloy na sisigaw para sa katotohanan. Walang baril at organisasyon ang hahawak sa mga mamamahayag sa leeg, lalong lalo na sa serbisyo at sakripisyong ibinibigay nila para sa mga mamamayan.

Illustration by Czarina Catapang Tuazon and Maria Catalina Bajar Belgira

Panitican’t

GABRIELLE MARIE MELAD SIMEON GUHIT NI PRINCESS PAULINE CERVANTES HABLA

Updated na Kabanata ng Kontemporaryong Literaturang Filipino

Bawat sulok ng bookstore na puntahan mo, para bang hindi na nakawala sa "invasion". Nag-uumapaw ang malaanime na cover ng libro, at naglipana naman ang mga nakakaintrigang pamagat: She’s Dating The Gangster, Operation: Break The Casanova’s Heart, His Hired Babymaker, at marami pang iba. Teen Fiction raw ang genre ng mga ito. Wow. Big word. Bago, matunog, at empowering sa modernong sensibilidad. Pero bago ka tumungo sa susunod na kabanata, mabuting huminto ka muna at isarado ‘yan. Sa panahon na kung anoanong aklat na lang ang nagsusulputan sa merkado, mahalagang maging mapanuri at kritikal. Hindi lamang creativity o effort ng awtor sa pagsusulat ang dapat maging pamantayan—kailangan din ng matinding pagninilay-nilay sa kung paano tayo minumulat sa isang bagong realidad. Next chapter.

Kabanata 1 : Instawritter Bukod sa tweets, mga mala-nobela mong posts sa Facebook, o fashion blog mong wala namang nagbabasa’t sumusubaybay, milyon-milyon na ang sukat ng espasyo na naibibigay ng Internet para sa naghihimutok na ideya, lalo na ng mga manunulat. Kung dati, kailangan mo pang maghanap at magmakaawa sa mga publishing house para mai-print ang iyong manuscript, ngayon ay isang effortless click na lang— voila! Isa ka nang ganap na awtor. Sa kasalukuyan, Wattpad ang nangungunang reading/writing platform sa Pilipinas kung ikaw ay isang creative writer. Madaling gamitin, accessible, at flexible sa kahit anong lenggwahe. Romance at science fiction ang madalas na patok na genre, lalo na’t ang pangunahing audience ay mga kabataan. Right in the feels kumbaga, para sa mga kapwa halaman o hopeless romantic. Masayang basahin. Relatable. Ngunit ang pagsusulat ay hindi lamang umiinog sa nakakaaliw o 'relatable' na aspekto ng isang paksa. Noon pa man, maliban sa kapupulutan ng aral, makapangyarihan na itong instrumento ng pagbabago — nakapagpupukaw ng damdamin, nakapagpapaikot ng prinsipyo’t paniniwala ng tao. Kaya nitong mapalitan ang kinagawian, magpatumba sa buwayang nakaupo, at gumising ng tulog at nagbubulag-bulagan. Marami na tayong mga karanasan kung saan ang panitikan mismo ang humulma sa ating lipunan. Subalit wika nga ni Uncle Ben (pero si Voltaire naman talaga ang nagsabi), “With great power comes great responsibility.” Kaakibat ng pagkakaroon ng malawak na impluwensya at readership ang responsibilidad na imulat ang iba sa

mga isyung hinaharap ng bansa. Dahil ang resulta ng panghahamig na ito ang makapagbabago ng isip ng masa, magsisimula ng sama-samang pagkilos at, kalaunan, magdidikta sa takbo ng hinaharap. Nagkakaiba ang panlasa ng mga tao pagdating sa libro. Pero sa panahong ang indibidwalismo ay tuluyan nang nakapasok sa kolektibong kamalayan ng mga tao, nagbabago na ang tingin ng mga kabataan sa love life, identity at pamilya. Wala mang piring, nabubulag naman tayo sa personal na problema at hindi na nakikita ang mas malalaking isyung pumupuksa sa ating bansa. Kailangan, hindi lamang ang pagiging kritikal sa bawat nilalaman ng aklat ang kailangan, pati na rin ang pagbabasa ng mga materyal na tunay na makapagpapamulat ng kabataan tungkol sa lipunang ginagalawan.

malabong sawa na tayo sa pag-intindi sa kawalan ng pagbabago. Dahil na rin dito, mabilis na kumukupas ang mukha nila mareng Lualhati Bautista at pareng Jose Rizal, na nagsimbulat ng katotohanan noon tungkol sa baho at sira-sirang pundasyon ng lipunan gamit ang kanilang panulat. Tuwing tinatalikuran natin ang katotohanan, ang realidad, nakakalimutan ang kontribusyon nila, hindi lamang sa pagtataguyod ng panitikang Filipino, kundi ang paghimok nila ng isipan at kamalayan ng bayan. Bilang kabataan, dapat alam natin kung kailan tayo aalis sa fantasy land upang tumapak muli sa realidad. Nararapat na hindi tayo sumuko, kundi makinig sa hinaing ng taong bayan, at humarap nang taas-noo sa binabatong hamon: itama ang pagkakamali at simulan ang pagbabago.

Kabanata 3: Literatura For Kabanata 2: The Truth Shall Sale Set You Free Aminin—mahilig tayo sa kwento. Lumaki tayo sa kulturang lahat na yatang klase ay pinapatos natin. Mula sa madramang pagbabalat ng patatas ni Prinsesa Sarah, hanggang sa satirikong pagpapatawa ni Bob Ong. Ngunit ano nga ba ang tunay na dahilan sa likod ng pagkahumaling natin sa kwento? Ayon sa Uses and Gratification Theory, bilang consumers ng media, may kanya kanyang pangangailangan ang mga tao na natutugunan sa iba’t ibang paraan ng paggamit nito. Sinasabing tayo ay hindi pasibong audience lamang at may kapangyarihan din. Selective tayo sa pagpili ng medium o content na ating tatangkilikin. Nakasalalay rin sa atin kung makikisawsaw tayo sa kwento, kanta, o palabas na hindi kailangang mag-text sa 2366. Kapag nagbabasa tayo ng mga Young Adult novels, o anumang fictional na libro, pinipili nating i-fulfill ang pangangailangan na maglibang at mag-detoxify mula sa hassle ng buhay. Escapist ang nature natin, kung tutuusin. Bawat kumpas ng salita, tumatapak tayo sa mundong ginawa ng manunulat, sinusuot ang sapatos ng mga karakter. Krisis nila’y problema rin natin. Nakakaaliw, oo. Emosyonal. Higit sa lahat, may happy ending. Sa huli, unti-unting nalilimutan ang mataas na presyo ng bilihin, ang paper na due tomorrow, o ang matinding kawalan ng hustisya sa lipunan. Eh sa paulit-ulit ba namang balita tungkol sa fare hike sa LRT, patuloy na diskriminasyon at kahirapan, hindi

Magwiwindow-shopping ka na nga lang sa Greenbelt, aninag mo pa rin ang karatulang Teen Pop Fiction ang nakasulat. Saan ka man magpunta, nakahilerang m g a

istante na puno ng teen fiction ang nakikita mo. Tunay ngang “invasion” sa pamilihan ang nangyayari. Mas pinipili kasing pondohan ng mga publishing houses ang paglilimbag ng mga kwentong nasa ilalim ng Filipino teen fiction tulad ng STDG at TBAYD sa isang simpleng dahilan—tumbok nito ang kiliti ng masang Pilipino. Hindi na sinusuri pa ang content, invest lang nang invest, produce lang nang produce. Dahil sa pagiging profit-oriented nila, isinasaalangalang lamang nila kung ano ang madaling magustuhan ng mga mamimili. Isa lamang ito sa maraming manipestasyon ng patuloy na pagpapatakbo ng kapitalista sa ating industriya. Kinokomersyalisa na lahat, mula sa edukasyon hanggang sa panitikan. Sinasamantala ang madaling paigtingin na damdamin at kahiligan ng mga Pilipino sa kwento, sa bayolenteng emosyon, kaaliwan at katatakutan, upang kaagad mabili ang produkto nila. Kailangang malaman ng lahat na ang mga namamayaning ideya na ipinapakalat ng mga kapitalista ay naka-ugat sa kanilang pagnanais na panatilihin ang kaugalian at kasalukuyang estado ng lipunan. Ibig nilang buhayin ang mga akdang maglilihis sa ating atensyon mula sa mga tunay na suliranin na tinatahak at nilalabanan pa rin ng bayan, at patayin ang tunay na panitikan na nagsasalamin ng tunay na kalagayan ng masang Pilipino sa panahon ng matinding krisis at paghihirap. Sa huli, ang mga bulsa natin ang gumagaan Continued on Page 09