The Manila Collegian Volume 34, Issue No. 2

Seeds of terror, seeds of hope: Justice for New Bataan 5

News | Page 05

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO. 2

To Convince a Fanatic: Sa Panahong Taliwas, Malasakit ang Ating Lunas

Culture | Page 08

Ang Kababaihang Magsasaka

Lathalain | Page 09

EDITORIAL | PAGE 02

RECLAIMING FEMININITY IN THE GOVERNMENT

02 editorial

VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 2 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

Reclaiming femininity in the government In the words of Oprah and Maya Angelou, feminism is saying, “I come as one, but I stand as 10,000,” tirelessly working for those who come behind them regardless of the many outwardly things that can make women look and seem different.

But feminism can also look like the recent adoption of Republic Act No. 11648, raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16, or like the approval of the bill legalizing absolute divorce in the lower house last August 2021. Both bills were pushed primarily by female legislators. While the process of reclaiming femininity in the government may seem like an arduous task, one obvious way to speed up the process is to have more female legislators.

Throughout history, marginalized groups of people, including women, had to fight for their voices to be heard in the political sphere, and one of their earliest victories occurred

@mkule

nearly eighty-four years ago. Filipinas rounded up 447,725 votes in favor of women’s suffrage rights, making the Philippines the fourth Asian nation to do so.

The country has come a long way, having witnessed its first female legislators through Rep. Elisa Ochoa of Agusan and Sen Geronima Pecson of Pangasinan who were elected in 1941 and 1947 respectively. To this day, women continue to exemplify what an efficient public official looks like — we see it in incumbent VP Leni Robredo, Sen. Leila De Lima, Rep. Sarah Elago, and Rep. Eufemia Cullamat to name a few.

Women comprise half of the country’s population, and yet from 1998 to 2016, the percentage of women elected into public office ranged only from 16.1-21.44%. Internationally, according to data compiled by Katherine W. Phillips, professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia Business

School, between 1950 and 2004, fewer than 4% of all leaders across 188 countries have been female.

Even in the recent 2019 National and Local Elections, only 20.16% of the candidates were female. The May 9 elections are indifferent; there is only one woman, out of ten candidates, in the presidential race; one, out of nine, in the Vice Presidential race; and 12 out of 64 in the senatorial race.

Despite their low number, women elected to office have repeatedly left remarkable marks in the sphere, proving that they are as capable, if not more, as their male counterparts in assuming leadership and decision-making roles.

The main arguments why women are still often relegated are their supposedly feminine roles as child-bearers and housekeepers, or as all-around nurturer of families. Many claim that women in general have a gentler nature and a quantum of compassion greater than what men have. All of which are represented as qualities that are undesirable in government work which entails negotiation and decision-making. The constant media misrepresentations of women, gender stereotypes that consider women as weak, emotional, and indecisive, discourage voters from voting for women candidates and further aggravate the under-representation of women in influential positions.

But these very attitudes people claim makes women incompetent are the same set of attitudes we need to successfully run the government. A woman’s ability to show emotion, compassion, and humility are her strengths — an act of reclaiming these traditional constraints of femininity as tools for development.

These attitudes should not be judged alone, rather they should be examined on how it is embodied through the behavior of women leaders during crises.

It is often argued that women who emulate men are more likely to succeed as political leaders. But history has shown that iron fists were never effective. All it brought upon the country was thousands of human rights violations and lives lost.

The Filipino people do not deserve another Filipina politician who still claims that she “is not like other women’’, a Filipina politician who does not forward the sentiments of her fellow women. They do not deserve a Filipina politician who has ‘no opinion on divorce’ or took ‘no offense’ when her dad shamelessly joked about rape.

Ultimately, we do not need a FIlipina politician who has internalized violence and engaged in warmongering.

Indeed, we need women politicians who are feminists. Women politicians who recognize and celebrate differences. Those who are not afraid to admit her difference from her male counterparts and take advantage of it

to enhance the situations.

While men can be allies, it should be acknowledged that they know little about the womens’ struggles. They have little effort to know the level of opportunity women do and do not enjoy. There are also some cases when instead of passing laws to aid women, several politicians have even spoken about them with contempt, ill humor, and mistrust.

The fear of appearing weak affects modern women leaders too.

While women can indeed be forceful when confronted with violent, aggressive and dangerous situations.

Being a woman in leadership positions is also being able to be unapologetically sensitive, gentle, or empathetic. Their calmness and composure are not the same as being passive, weak, or peculiar, as what claims say.

More than just being given a platform, women should be given full opportunities to aim higher goals and, likewise, to fight the almost insuperable obstacles to effective mass political action.

Adequate representation should be a self-sufficient, independent goal rather than a necessary stepping stone to something larger. It is important to ensure that women’s representation will not only be a token. Women should then have unfettered opportunities to express themselves on any subject. Finally, women should be entitled to their own free experience within feminism.

We need more women, and more young girls to have the drive, to run for office — to fully realize that they can be agents and beneficiaries of development. In an empowering society and a realization of her self-worth, a woman should recognize that her place is in the struggle for people’s welfare and national redemption.

Editor-in-Chief Angela Vanessa Manuel Associate Editor for Internals Christina Michaela Cambiado Associate Editor for Externals Bianca Ysabelle Baldemor Managing Editor Barbara Donato Assistant Managing Editor Natasha Beatrice Carolina News Editor Ma. Rowz Angela Fajardo Features Editor Marianne Zen Therese De Jesus Culture Editor Gwyneth Cruz Graphics Editor Trevor Phoenix Lomotos News Correspondents Melissa Allauigan • Jo Maline Mamangun • Christel Castro • Alexandra Kate Ramirez • Elaine Diaz • Miraflor Anacio • John Paul Cristobal Features Correspondents Sean Anthony Aguilar • Danna Gonsalvez Culture Correspondents Joanna Honasan • Kyla Nicole Enguio • Mark Laurenz Handayan Illustrators Chamique Francisco • Gian Catibog Layout Artists James Sablay • Blu Dayag

about the

cover Illustration by GIAN CATIBOG

Sila ang sandigan ng Lipunan.

Pinatunayan ng kasaysayan na matagal nang nakikibaka ang kababaihan para palayain ang masa mula sa lahat ng anyo ng paniniil. Pilit man silang patahimikin ng mundong nababalot ng hindi pagkakapantay-pantay, patuloy nagpupumiglas at umaahon ang kababaihan upang ipaghimagsik ang masang-api. Isang taas kamaong pagpugay para sa inyo!

CARTOON BY JEAN-PAUL MENDOZA

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VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 12 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

HR groups kay Dr. Naty: Hindi kriminal si Dr. Naty, lalong hindi isang terorista doktor mula sa UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM).

Dagdag pa ng UP-PGH DFCM na ang maling pag-aresto kay Castro ay manipestasyon ng kasamaan ng pamahalaan at nagpapakita lamang na takot ito sa mga naninindigan at lumalaban para sa interes ng api.

Bago pa man arestuhin, hindi nakaligtas si Castro sa pagrered-tag na ginagawa ng pamahalaan sa mga aktibista at kritiko nito.

BY JO MALINE MAMANGUN Hindi lang ordinaryong doktor, kundi isa ring lider na aktibong naglilingkod para sa kalusugan at karapatang pantao ng mamamayan, lalo na sa kanayunan, ganyan inilarawan si Dr. Maria Natividad Marian “Naty” Castro ng kanyang mga naging kaklase sa University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine (CM) Class of 1995.

Sa kabila ng higit dalawang dekadang walang pag-iimbot na paglilingkod bilang manggagawang pangkalusugan sa iba’t ibang komunidad sa Mindanao at pagtatanggol sa karapatang pantao sa probinsya, red-tagging, gawa-gawang kaso, at hindi makatuwirang paghuli sa kanilang tahanan sa San Juan City noong Pebrero 18 ang natanggap ni Castro mula sa administrasyon ni Rodrigo Duterte.

Naniniwala ang mga human rights group na ang paghuli kay Castro ay isa na namang porma ng pag-atake laban sa mga nagtatanggol sa karapatang pantao sa bansa.

‘Fabricated and baseless’ Pwersahang pinasok ng mga nakasibilyan at hindi nagpakilalalang pulis ang loob ng bahay ni Castro nang ito ay hulihin. Walang naipakitang orihinal na warrant of arrest ang mga nang-arestong pulis at ang basehan lamang nila ng paghuli kay Castro ay ang pangalang nakalagay sa arrest warrant na “Dra. Maria Natividad” na hindi malinaw kung si Castro nga ba ang tinutukoy dahil sa walang nakalagay na apelyido.

Laman ng photocopy ng ipinakitang arrest warrant ang kasong ibinabato kay Castro na kidnapping at illegal detention na mariing pinabu-

Araw ng Kababaihan, Ipinagdiwang

BY MIRAFLOR ANACIO Sa pagdiriwang ng Pandaigdigang Araw ng Kababaihang Anakpawis ngayong taon ay ginanap ang isang programa sa Liwasang Bonifacio. Dinanaluhan ito ng iba’t ibang pang-masang grupo sa pangunguna ng sektor ng kababaihan at pinag-usapan ang ilang mahahalagang isyung panlipunan ng bansa.

Isyung Panlipunan Isa sa mga binigyang pansin ay

FILE PHOTOS

laanan ng kanyang pamilya at mga kasama sa gawain.

“Karapatan asserts that these charges against Dr. Castro are fabricated and baseless, and her arrest is clearly part of the continuing judicial harassment against her and other human rights defenders in the Philippines,” paninindigan ng Karapatan, isang alyansa ng mga indibidwal at grupo na nangangalaga sa kaparatang pantao sa bansa.

Ayon pa sa pahayag na inilabas ng Karapatan noong Pebrero 22, hindi binigyan ng subpoena o kasulatang nagpapatawag sa isang tao para humarap sa korte si Castro bago inilabas ang sinasabing arrest warrant laban sa kanya.

“She (Dr Naty) was held incommunicado for a day, was denied access to her family, her legal counsels and medical doctors of choice, and was flown to Agusan del Sur without

her family’s and legal counsels’ knowledge,” dagdag pa ng Karapatan.

ang mga isyu na kasalukuyang nagpapahirap sa mga Pilipino gaya ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, gasolina at pagkain. Kaugnay nito ay panawagan na pansamantalang itigil ang pangongolekta ng excise tax.

Binigyang diin din ang hindi magandang paraan ng pamumuno ng pangulo Duterte na dahilan ng pagpapalala ng iba’t ibang krisis panlipunan.

Kinondena nila ang macho-pasistang kultura na pinaiiral ng mismong Pangulo ng bansa na umaapak sa kakayahan at karapatan ng mga kababaihan.

Ipinahayag nila ang mariing pagtutol sa tumatakbong tambalang Marcos-Duterte na magpapalala ng ganitong kultura at ng kahirapan ng mga mamamayan.

“Pero alam natin, hindi agad matatapos sa pagtatapos ng natitirang dalawang buwan sa Malacanang

ni Duterte ang ganitong karimlan, at salot at kalbaryong dinaranas ng kababaihan at ating pamilya, mas lalong madilim na kinabukasan ang haharapin natin kung mananatili sa puder ang mga Duterte at, higit pa rito, kung manunumbalik sa upuan ng kapangyarihan ang mga Marcos,”, wika ni Joms Salvador, Secretary General ng GABRIELA Philippines.

Doktor pangkomunidad Para sa mga tunay na nakakakilala kay Castro, siya ay respresentasyon ng isang tunay na doktor ng bayan na araw-araw isinasabuhay ang isang payak ngunit may masikhay na pakikibaka at paglilingkod na gawain. Pinapatunayan ito ng kanyang pagsisilbi sa mga komunidad sa probinsya ng Mindanao tulad ng Agusan, simula pa 1996, kung saan siya ay nagtayo ng mga community health center at programa para sa mga hindi agarang naaabot ng tulong medikal ng pamahalaan.

“Dr. Castro did nothing but live up to the ideals of a doctor that the country invested in. Her 26-year career is not of wrongdoing but that of selfless service to the poor and the marginalized,” pahayag ng kanyang mga kapwa

Laban Kababaihan Kasabay sa pagdiriwang ang paggunita sa kahalagahan at kakayahan ng bawat babae na tumitindig para sa bayan. Sinabi ni Salvador na ang kasaysayan ng Marso 8, na ginugunita ang ika-111 taon nito, ay kasaysayan ng maningning na paglaban ng kababaihan para sa karapatan, trabaho, kabuhayan at paglaya.

Pinakita ni Rep. Arlene Brosas ng

Bukod pa sa pagiging doktor Sa kanyang sariling salita, ayon sa post ng kapatid ni Castro na si Jun, kung hindi raw naging isang doktor si Castro, isang magsasaka at abogado na nagtatanggol sa karapatang pantao ang kanyang maaaring tunguhing landas.

Kasabay ng paglilingkod bilang doktor, mula 1996 hanggang 2004 ay gumampan si Castro ng gawain bilang human rights documentator at staff ng Karapatan-Caraga. Kinalaunan ay naging secretary-general siya ng nasabing organisasyon, habang ito ay nagsisimula pa lamang hanggang sa maitatag bilang regional alliance noong 2008.

Naging miyembro rin si Castro ng national council ng pambansang opisina ng Karapatan.

Ayon sa Karapatan, ang ilan sa mga naging human rights work ni Castro ay ang pagsasanay ng mga human rights worker, pamumuno sa ilang fact-finding missions, at pagtulong sa mga biktima ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa probinsya.

Noong Marso 2016, kasama si Castro sa delegasyon ng mga human rights defender sa Geneva, Switzerland upang doon ay lumahok sa United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Sa naganap na mga pagpupulong sa

Switzerland, masigasig na tinalakay ni Castro ang kalagayan ng mga komunidad ng Lumad sa Caraga at sa iba pang probinsya sa Mindanao.

Sa inilabas na pahayag ng Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), isang samahan ng mga non-government organization (NGOs) at environmental advocates sa Pilipinas, hindi lamang karapatang pantao ang ipinagtatanggol ni Castro kundi pati ang kalikasan at kapaligiran, lalo pa na itinuturing na mining capital ng Pilipinas ang rehiyon ng Caraga.

“She is known in Caraga to strongly speak against the widespread displacement of Lumad communities paving the way for foreign mining corporations,” dagdag pa ng Kalikasan PNE. Naninindigan ang mga human rights group at ang mga taong malapit kay Castro na hindi makatuwiran ang ginagawang panghaharas ng gobyerno kay Castro, mula red-tagging hanggang sa paghuli dahil sa mga gawa-gawang kaso, dahil lamang sa gawaing pangkarapatang pantao nito.

“Human rights work is not a crime. Human rights work is not terrorism. In the middle of a public health crisis, arresting a community health worker like Dr. Castro is a disservice to the communities she has been working with. We condemn it and call on fellow Filipinos to do the same,” mariing panawagan ng #CourageOn. Ayon sa pinakabagong ulat ng Karapatan, noong Agosto 2021 ay pumalo na sa 1,138 human rights defenders at mga aktibista ang naitalang hinuli at kinulong sa nakalipas na limang taon. Isa ang kaso ni Castro sa mga pinakabagong kaso ng paghuli at pagkakaroon ng gawa-gawang kaso ngayong taon.

Gabriela Women’s Party ang kahalagan ng pagkakaroon ng representante sa pamahalaan ng mga kababaihan upang isulong ang mga batas na tutugon sa mga hinaing ng mga kababaihan at lalaban sa marahas at mapanupil na pamamahala sa ating bayan.

Binigyang buhay rin ang isyu ng mga comfort women na hanggang sa kasalukuyan, mahigit tatlong dekada na ang lumipas, ay hindi pa rin nakakamit ang hustiya.

Ang isyu rin ng mga LGBTQ+ community ay inihayag ni Rey Salinas ang tagapagsalita ng Bahaghari. Ayon kay Salinas, ang miltarismong aksyon ng pamahalaan ay hindi kumilala sa karapatan ng tao. Mayroong minolestya at ang malala ay pinatay sa ilalim ng administrasyon — sa ganito ginunita si Chad Booc, ang boluntaryong guro na isa sa mga pinatay sa New Bataan.

MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PREVAELEBIT

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VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 2 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

FALSE EMPOWERMENT

Duterte shows support to women on IWD 2022, VAW cases remain

BY CHRISTEL CASTRO AND ELAINE DIAZ President Rodrigo Roa Duterte released a message in celebration of International Working Women’s Day last March 8, 2022. However, reported cases of violence against women, including those committed by the government, continue to increase despite claims of women empowerment.

One-day celebration In his statement, Duterte hailed the Philippines as a “shining beacon of gender equality and women empowerment across the globe.”

Yet, in the past years, Duterte has been known to leave sexist and misogynistic remarks here and there.

In 2018, the Chief Executive made a statement explaining the rape cases in Davao City. According to him, rape will be prevalent as long as there are “many beautiful women.”

Duterte also emphasized the role of women in nation-building. He acknowledged women who are occupying positions of power and influence in society.

However, he also downplayed the capabilities of women in leading the country, stating that the Philippine presidency is not a job for a woman. In January 2021, Duterte advised his daughter, Sara Duterte-Carpio, not to run for president.

He emphasized that the “emotional setup of a woman and a man is totally different.”

Duterte also called for Filipinos to change their mindsets that allow women and other gender expressions to be put at a disadvantage.

Nonetheless, it was also Duterte who maintains a misogynistic mindset that continues to prey on women.

During the commemoration of Super Typhoon Yolanda, Duterte commented on Vice President Leni Robredo’s skirt, stating that it was shorter than usual. On another account, Duterte also flirted with Bohol Mayor Tita Baja-Gallantes as he mentioned that he would grab and hold on to the Mayor’s underwearif she tried to leave.

To end his statement, Duterte enjoined Filipinos to build a country where no one is left behind and where everyone has the capacity to succeed.

Albeit it was he who jokingly ordered soldiers to shoot women rebels

@mkule

in their vaginas. Duterte stated that without their vaginas, women would become useless.

Rising VAW cases Amidst the claims of Duterte, reports show an increase in the cases of violence against women, especially during the height of the COVID-19 induced household lockdowns, which forced women and children to stay at home. The Philippine National Police started recording 4,620 domestic abuse cases during the first three months of the lockdown.

Duterte also called for Filipinos to change their mindsets that allow women and other gender expressions to be put at a disadvantage.

Nonetheless, it was also Duterte who maintains a misogynistic mindset that continues to prey on women.

In addition, the Center for Women’s Resources explained that one woman or one child is experiencing violence every 10 minutes while stuck at home.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has recorded 363 cases in

2021 alone, with at least 30 cases per month. However, they noted a decrease to an only average of 17 cases this 2022. Yet, this decrease is not to be celebrated as the CCPO appealed for women and children who are victims of abuse to report immediately.

Meanwhile, in 2021, Quezon City Gender and Development Council reported 3,981 reports of physical and verbal abuse and sexual harassment cases. As a response, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte launched a unified database for faster tracking and investigating issues within the city.

On March 18, 2022, the PNP notified the most recent case of VAW involving the arrest of Kapamilya star Kit Thompson who assaulted actress Ana Jalandoni at a hotel in Tagaytay City, resulting in hospitalization because of heavy bruises sustained. Reports disclose that the police received a 911 emergency call that the victim was asking to be rescued after being illegally detained by Thompson.

On the other hand, VAW reported cases also include overseas Filipino workers (OFW), with the recent being in New York City, USA. Consul General Elmer Cato said that three elderly women of the Filipino community in New York had been the victims of random violence by an unidentified man in one week. The attacks resulted in injuries on the victims after suffering from punches, kicks, and being pushed down on stairs and train platforms.

However, VAW cases also include illegal detainment of women due to baseless accusations by government forces. On March 8, The World March of Women-Pilipinas mobilized a candle-lighting ceremony and harana at the Boy Scout Rotanda in Quezon City, calling for the release of anti-trafficking advocate and political prisoner Sally Ujano. Last November 2021, Ujano was illegally detained by the PNP on supposed charges of rebellion dated 2006. “[It is] deeply troubling that Sally herself has become a victim of the abuse and exploitation that she and her colleagues have always protected women from,” the organization’s National Coordinator Jean Enriquez emphasized.

UPM experts lead the development of a cellbased COVID-19 test

BY ROWZ FAJARDO The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), together with collaborators from the University of Toronto, is developing a new test kit for COVID-19.

The project entitled ‘Development of a Cell-Based Immunoassay for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Serologic Testing’ is led by Dr. Fresthel Monica Climacosa of UPM. Subsidized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), and suggested by the World Health Organization to support the diagnosis of COVID-19, its funding is worth close to PHP5 million.

According to DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, the said COVID-19 test kit will be a novel immunoassay for serologic testing. Unlike the polymerase chain reaction testing and antigen testing which can both test for active infection, Serological testing will be able to examine the antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and can detect whether a person was previously infected with COVID-19.

“Some recommend its use to aid in diagnosis of subclinical cases of COVID-19 and to determine to which extent COVID-19 spreads since it can

determine how many people may have been infected with COVID-19 in a community or region,” he said.

De la Peña also added that serological tests can help determine who can qualify to donate convalescent plasma for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

The test kit being developed will be using engineered yeast cells to detect antibodies against SARSCoV-2 and can be helpful in remote areas lacking sophisticated laboratory equipment and infrastructure.

Moreover, according to Guiditta Gelera of PCHRD, in her text messages with PNA, the test kit being developed would not need electricity.

“Results can be seen with the naked eye. This is for healthcare professionals’ use since this requires a blood sample,” Gelera explained.

According to de la Peña, the project team had already made significant progress in using a cell-surface engineered yeast in an agglutination (clumping)-based immunoassay for the kit being developed.

The study is expected to end in May 2022 and is targeted to benefit communities, researchers, and clinicians in addressing the local and global burdens of Covid-19, specifically in improving access to diagnostic tools for mass disease surveillance.

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VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 2 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

Epekto ng Ukraine-Russia war sa ekonomiya ng bansa, mas lumala pa NI JOHN PAUL CRISTOBAL

Mas lumalala pa ang nararanasang epekto sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin sa kabila ng giyera sa pagitan ng Ukraine at Russia nitong linggo, Marso 27, matapos sumipa sa ₱70 kada litro na ang gasolina, samantalang ₱60 ang kada litro ng diesel.

Pagtaas ng presyo ng langis, bilihin Patuloy pa rin ang isinasagawang pag-atake ng mga militar ng Russia sa ilang bahagi ng Ukraine.

Dahil sa economic sanctions sa dalawang bansa, nakaapekto ito sa pandaigdigang kalakaran gayundin sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas.

Sa pagtaya ng Unioil Petroleum Philippines, mula Marso 15 hanggang 21, ang diesel ay maaaring tumaas ng ₱12.20 hanggang ₱12.30 kada

litro, habang ang gasolina ay P6.80 at ₱7.00.

Ang kerosene naman ay maaaring tumaas ng ₱9.70 hanggang ₱9.80 kada litro.

Inaasahan din ang pagtaas ng ilang bilihin at pagkaing nakadepende sa petrolyo, pamasahe sa pampublikong transportasyon, at maging ang bayad sa kuryente.

Pamamahagi ng gobyerno ng subsidyo Naging tugon ng gobyerno ang paglalaan ng subsidyo sa gasolina at diskwento. Nasa 377,000 na mga drayber ang nakatakdang makatanggap

Seeds of terror, seeds of hope: Justice for New Bataan 5

BY ALEXANDRA KATE RAMIREZ AND MAI ALLAUIGAN Almost a month after the killings of New Bataan 5, the call for justice remains firm. With the military’s claims that the victims were killed in an ‘encounter,’ various groups expressed their condemnation and asserted that the five were neither armed nor New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas. Moreover, forensic expert Dr. Raquel Fortun on March 11 stated that the preliminary autopsy report on Chad Booc’s remains revealed that there was an intent to kill and further decried the lack of forensic science in probing killings in the country.

A bloody massacre On February 24, Lumad school teachers Booc and Gelejurain “Jurain” Ngujo II, community health worker Elegyn Balonga, and accompanying drivers Tirso Añar and Robert Aragon were ambushed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in what they claim as an ‘encounter’ with soldiers in Davao de Oro province.

Megara Lim, spokesperson of Save Our Schools Network Cebu, rejected the military claims and asserted that the five victims— collectively known as the New Bataan 5—were sent to the province to conduct research work and community

visits.

“The circumstances surrounding their deaths continue to be even more deplorable now with the preliminary results of Chad Booc’s autopsy, where it was discovered that he sustained numerous gunshot wounds across the trunk,” said Lim. Forensic pathologist Dr. Fortun, who conducted an autopsy on Booc’s remains said that the young teacher suffered multiple fatal gunshots as well as internal bleeding from lacerations in the lungs, diaphragm, liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, right kidney, and right adrenal gland.

“The multiplicity of the gunshot wounds, what was targeted—the chest, abdomen—was designed to kill. The intention (was) really to kill,” Fortun stated.

While no autopsy was conducted on the four other victims, Lim said that their respective families noted some injuries. Balonga’s left leg and right foot had been cut off and were wrapped and reattached using packaging tape. In addition, Ngujo’s body sustained multiple gunshots and parts of his skin on the stomach and right thigh were peeled off.

“There are too many gaps here like the timeline leading to their deaths.

PHOTO FROM MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF UKRAINE

ng ₱6,500 na subsidy mula sa the Department of Transportation (DOTr) bilang pansamantalang solusyon sa nangangambang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis.

Umani naman ng kritisismo ang pag-apruba ng pangulo sa ₱200 na buwanang ayuda para sa mahihirap na Pilipino. Ayon kay Barangay Health Workers Rep. Angelica Natasha Co, miyembro ng House economic affairs committee, ang ₱200 na buwanang ayuda ay insulto sa mga Pilipino.

Of course, these have all been washed away not just by incompetence, but on the desperate attempt to hide the truth surrounding the deaths of Chad and his companions in New Bataan,” Lim said.

Outright lies National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) spokesperson Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy, who repeatedly redtagged Booc and Lumad schools, published a heartless post entitled “No Tears for Terrorists” a day after the death of Booc and his companions were reported.

She falsely accused Booc for being part of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), and did the same yet again in another post which was a response to the condemnation statement released by the UP Diliman Office of the Chancellor Executive Staff. She even claimed that UP officials were enabling terrorist organizations.

Meanwhile, the AFP stated that ‘former rebels’ testified that Booc was a member of the NPA and was previously seen with CPP leaders. Brig.

Gen. Jesus Durante III, commander of the 1001st Infantry Brigade, even insisted that the New Bataan 5 victims belonged to the Regional Operations Command of the NPA’s Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

However, the NPA refuted these claims, saying that the New Bataan 5 were not in any way involved with their ranks. Moreover, CPP Public Information Officer Marco Valbuena

Mariing nanawagan si Co para sa ₱500 na wage subsidy sa buwan ng Mayo hanggang Hulyo sa lahat ng private sector workers at mga informal sector workers sa buong bansa.

Panawagan ng transport groups Nanawagan ang mga transport group na itigil muna ang umiiral na pagpapataw ng excise taxes sa kada litro ng diesel at gasolina.

“Malaking kawalan, malaking

epekto ng pagtaas, na halos umaabot na ng ₱350 kada araw ‘yung nawawalang kita ng mga driver, na dapat ito ay nagagamit na nga sa pangangailangan,” ani Modesto “Mody” Floranda, Presidente ng Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston).

Matatandaang naging posible ang pagsuspinde sa pagtaas ng excise tax sa bisa ng Train Law para sa taong 2018 hanggang 2020.

tweeted that there was no such encounter that went on, as confirmed by the local NPA unit in the area.

Information from local residents also backed this statement.

would be in position and we have the anti-terror law. All the more that the definition of terrorism should be well defined,” said women’s rights lawyer Virginia Suarez.

Troubling patterns The culture of violence has long been plaguing the country across different administrations. Several groups consistently echoed their outrage over the lack of due process and fair trial surrounding incidents of red-tagging, yet the culture of impunity is being perpetuated by the prevailing system.

“The AFP is trying its best to cover up this truth with the narrative of an ‘encounter,’ but the brutal evidence can speak otherwise. The AFP is growing more desperate to demonize community volunteers and activists who only sought to bring aid to far-flung communities that remain neglected by the government. This desperation among the ranks of the military is even clearer now that the fascist Duterte regime is coming to an end,” Lim asserted.

The case of New Bataan 5 is just the latest incident of state-sponsored violence. Activists and community workers have always been on the receiving end of the attacks from the Duterte administration, but looming over the heads of Filipinos, in general, is the threat of the government’s AntiTerrorism Law. “Human lives are at stake here, our liberty is at stake here, we are being silenced and we cannot just imagine another Duterte or another Marcos

Widespread condemnation Several groups have expressed their outrage in the reactionary system and stood in solidarity in calling for justice for the New Bataan 5.

Booc’s college organization, UP Association of Computer Science Majors (UP Cursor) honored him for taking the path less traveled and condemned the inhumane killings of all those who only sought to defend the marginalized and the silenced.

The Save Our Schools Network, as well as the Sandugo-Movement of Moro and Indigenous Peoples for Self-Determination, appealed to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and other independent bodies to conduct a thorough, impartial, and immediate investigation of the massacre.

Moreover, Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Eufemia Cullamat decried the state’s blatant violation of human rights in their so-called anti-terrorism campaign, and vowed to hold the regime accountable and continue the struggle for self-determination.

“Kahit ano pa man ang mangyari sa amin, titinding at titindig kami. Ang pagkamatay nila Sir Chad Booc, hindi kami panghihinaan ng loob, bagkus ito ay parang apoy na lumalaglab para sa aming patuloy na pakikibaka upang depensahan ang aming lupang ninuno,” she stated.

MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PREVAELEBIT

06-07 culture

MEDUSA U

BY GUINEVERE, NYX AND SOL

EMBRACE TH

In one vulnerability, a thousand snakes slither Wrapping the body out of comfort and bitterness Against the touch of a titan who wields the trident And the wrath of a traitor, the supposed to be savior Mad, mad, mad! A scream reverberated in the temple, followed by a forced silence when the hand of a predator overpowered the mouth of its prey. The white-steps were stained with a history of a bruised ego escalating into a c r i m e .

Different droplets left the priestess’ once virgin body and were replaced by marks of unwanted

@mkule

dominance. And then the sinner vanished, a simple escape for a woman’s life and reputation forever scorned.

Even her protector, a fellow woman, hated and cursed her despite knowing the ugly truth.

“If only I were a man…” This could have been Medusa’s thought while going through the hell she did not deserve. Raped by a god, resented by her god. Not everyone was ready to hear the whole story, and even if they did, they were not ready to accept it.

Society said so, because even when a coin has two sides, only one is seen.

But this time, the buried fragments

of a woman will be brought out in the open. Her pieces will haunt the conscience of those who believe that glory belongs only to men, until all the women who have ever been stripped and killed for their fire are set ablaze— free, mad, and unapologetic.

Grace of a Gorgon In Greek Mythology, Medusa was one of the Gorgon sisters. She was a beautiful, kind-natured woman whose attributes can enchant any man effortlessly. One day, Poseidon, the God of the Sea, happened to be the man who fell for her grace. However, Medusa was already committed to be a priestess for Athena and pledged herself to celibacy, so she rejected him.

The Gorgon’s action was clear, and it should be enough to cease any of his advancements. But Poseidon’s fragile masculinity weighed more than morals, for he is a god. Nevermind her tears nor protests; nevermind her reputation ruined for the rest of her life. Medusa weeped all alone, her heart pounding with all the emotions she could muster.

Patriarchy has infested Greek Mythology and all of a sudden, Medusa became the villain of

her own story. Being a mortal and a woman made her the bad one, the character people chose to close their ears. From being the victim to the one getting the blame for her sufferings.

She lost everything: mortality and dignity, but the two were able to thrive and became heroes. The belief of women being inferior to men twisted a lot of stories, and Medusa was one of them.

The women of today are like Medusa whose story is misunderstood to make men look better. The greatness of a woman is not equally credited to the greatness of a man.

If women were seen to achieve more than men, this is the time to bring up her gender so she would be perceived less. It was society’s rule that men should be superior, it was the same rule that made women look weak and mediocre.

Man of Impunity When women like Medusa are chained from their fall from grace, men like Poseidon feast around them like hungry wolves. They crave an indifferent kind of bloodlust, one that yearns

for relentless destruction just to feed their egos, cursing Medusa’s already marred life. As if desecrating her wasn’t enough, Poseidons like Rodrigo Duterte roam around cities, spewing defamations about Medusa. He boasts about his cruel deeds on live television, proud of his tainted hands as he jokes about rape one too many times. With no remorse, he uses his god-like powers in abominable ways; he opts to repeat the crime to other women, drowning their lives like Medusa’s. His words sow fear to the lives of women when he explicitly orders his men to begin the witchhunt to those who dare stand against his power. And his men, the pathetic sons of patriarchy, follow suit; like wild dogs, they kill and abuse, painting nightmares into life.

Hers is a world where one can no longer pray to gods for salvation. After all, how could Medusa expect them to help her when they own the hands that brought her misery? Medusa realized that gods were

VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 2 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

NREELING:

HE MADNESS never really there for mortals like her.

The pent-up resentment bubbled in her chest and her snakes slithered erratically in her head. The gods banished and cursed her for something she had no control on!

And so Medusa raged against the unjust world she once belonged to. No one believed her truth—neither the mortals nor the gods—but the rage burning in her chest knew that her story is an oppressed woman’s universal narrative.

Her Goddess’ Betrayal The deeply-rooted system of patriarchy in our society caused a great divide even among women. After what happened, Medusa apologized profusely to her goddess. The aggrieved priestess prayed for forgiveness but Athena believed that “it” was betrayal, not abuse. It was blasphemy, an outrageous deed that took place in the sacred temple of the immortal. Instead of siding with

Medusa, now Poseidon’s “wife,” and helping her get justice, Athena did the opposite—the Goddess of Wisdom and War cursed the Gorgon even more.

Athena favored Poseidon, maybe the jealousy that her brother fell for a mere mortal added up to the fuel of hatred. The goddess’ reaction was like how people favored Sara Duterte for embodying attributes that fit the narrative of being a man. Sara owns tattoos, Leni does not. Sara exudes masculinity, Leni does not. Sara maneuvers big bikes, Leni does not.

Sara gives herself a male cut, Leni does not. When we lift a particular type of woman, we tend to close our doors from other types, the ones that did not meet the criteria. Sara Duterte belongs to the ideal woman that the present society wants while Leni Robredo does not. This is why people favored the fist more than the flower.

Many women are courageously fighting for social causes but they are criticized, thrown into the pit of those who are lacking. For instance, Maria Ressa was mocked for winning the Nobel Peace

Prize, Leila De Lima was jailed for allegedly using drug money during her senatorial campaign last 2016, and Rowena Guanzon was bashed for standing with her principles as a lawyer.

The achievements of these “women” are not appreciated by other women— exclusion over empowerment.

A Breeding Curse The prophecy of the upcoming election is looming over our heads, but we seem to be stuck on our patriarchal upbringing. There has been a paradigm shift, but we still live in an era where men meeting the bare minimum of human decency is considered a heroic act.

After all, no one punished

Poseidon for being a rapist and Perseus for being an abuser. In the same way, Bongbong Marcos was praised for being the son of the late dictator, Isko Moreno was applauded for keeping 50 million excess campaign funds, and Raffy Tulfo was commended for milking money out of people’s problems. They are men, they can get away with murder—our society is more than willing to deal with all the devils to make them rule.

But it is quite the opposite for women. Everyone castigated Medusa for being defiled—it was her fault for being a loyal servant of Athena, for being so beautiful that she was turned into a despicable monster.

An intelligent woman was said to be a cheater when she aced a test, a privileged woman was said to be a robber when she got opportunities, and a hardworking woman was said to be a stickler for wanting to give the best outcome. People are callously having double standards. The public is desperately shunning any woman who attempts to destroy the conventional and revolutionize the instilled maxim favoring men and men alone. We are in the 21st century and yet the curse of Medusa is still growing everytime people choose to see everything through a man’s gaze—prejudiced, threatened, and fragile.

Medusa’s curse is an ugly, universal truth that haunts women day by day. Patriarchy ravages their lives and then shamelessly labels them as mad women. With no remorse, it pushes them into a pitch black abyss harsher than the Underworld, falling in desolation. No one would dare reach their hand out to them; after all, the gods resent them and fellow women loathe them for being toyed and destroyed.

Women like Medusa shall ignite their shared wraths together as they seek for justice; hands clasped together, they will fight, rise, and burn bright like a phoenix. With this battle cry clawed deep within their hearts, they know that people will eventually listen and heed their call to break free from their society’s prejudices.

After all, Medusa’s wrath against this oppression can never be stopped— her remnants will give hope to women who fell prey to injustices.

ART BY JAYLORD ABUCOT | MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PREVAELEBIT

08 culture

VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 2 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

TO CONVINCE A FANATIC:

Sa Panahong Taliwas, Malasakit ang Ating Lunas NI MARK LAURENZ HANDAYAN “UNITEAM! UNITY BBM-SARA!” Hindi magkamayaw ang mga taga-suporta sa paghiyaw, hudyat ng pagtangkilik sa tambalang Marcos-Duterte. Bagaman masugid nang kinikilatis ng mga progresibo ang pabrika ng fake news, walang sugatang kamay ang makapagtatago sa lumalakas na suporta sa tambalang Magnanakaw-Anak ng Berdugo.

Aanhin nga ba naman ang diploma’t track record kung ang pupukaw lang sa puso ng madla ay ang konsepto ng pagkakaisa?

Saang debate maitatanong ang mga plataporma kung sapat na ang pagpapa-ikot sa windmill, gaya ng pagpapa-ikot sa mga Pilipino? Madali mang kutayin ang mga alamat ng alamano, isang katotohanan pa rin ang nananaig: tunay at laganap ang mga taong sumusuporta sa tambalang ito.

Sa halos dalawang buwan na natitira bago ang inaabangang halalan, malinaw na hindi na lamang estadistika, babasahin, at mga listahan ng sanggunian ang kailangan sa paghimok ng ~60-64% na mamamayang nakasandig sa kuting, este, Tigre ng Norte. Dahil higit sa katotohanan, malasakit ang ating magiging susi sa Eleksyon 2022.

Mga Taingang Kawali Talamak sa aming lugar ang mga kwentong naghahangad ng pagbabago. Namulat ang aking murang isipan sa pakikisalamuha sa mga manggagawa: mga tsuper na namamasada, mga tinderang humihiyaw, at mga naglalakong maghapong nagbibilad upang sustentuhan ang araw-araw na kabuhayan. Karamihan sa kanila ay nagbabanat ng buto nang mahigit 18 oras. Kung kaya’t ngayong nalalapit ang eleksyon, halong poot at dismaya ang naramdaman nang makita kong nagsabit sila ng mga poster ng tambalang BBM-Sara.

Sa tuwing susubukang kong tanungin ang kanilang pagkiling, hindi naiiwasang magka-inita’t maging sensitibo sa usaping pampolitika.

Magpakita ng hiya at utang na loob, sabi ng matatanda.

“Respect our opinion,” ika nga.

Mistulang naging taingang kawali ang mga kakilalang minsa’y handang makinig. Ang mga

@mkule

dating nakakausap sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, kakulangan ng sapat na trabaho, at iba pang suliraning panlipunan ay sukdulang nagbago nang malaman nilang rosas ang aking kinikilingan.

Paulit-ulit kong ginamitan ng rason at ebidensya. Pinabulaanan ang mga salaysay na suportado lamang ng kasinungalingan. Ngunit kung aking patutunayan na ang Batas militar ay malayo sa “Golden Age” na alaala nito, “Brainwashed o Pinklawan,” kuno, ang ibabansag sa katotohanan.

Gayunpaman, hindi ako sumuko. Nalaman ko na sa mga pagkakataong gaya nito ay higit pa dapat sa listahan ng mga basahin ang dapat pinaiiral. Gustuhin man nating huwag paniwalaan ang pangunguna ng tambalang mandarambong sa mga sarbey, totoong tao ang mga estadistikang ito. At sa mga panahong mas matimbang ang alingawngaw ng kasinungalingan, hindi dapat hahayaaang matahimik ang dagundong ng katotohanan.

Kung Bakit Malasakit ang Lunas sa Patolohiya Kung hangarin ng bansa’y maging kulay rosas ang bukas, kakailanganing tumagos ang mensahe sa awit na “Roar” at “Umagang kay Ganda.” Dahil sa mga taga-suporta na sintatag ng titanium ang paniniwala, suntok sa buwan na lamang ang asahang magbago ang kanilang isipan sa isang upuan.

Balewala ang lider na tapat

at may pinag-aralan kung apelyido lamang ng ama ang magiging basehan sa halalan. Sa halip, kakailanganing mag-abot ng kamay, maski sa mga taong pilit na naghuhugaskamay. Dahil gaano man kalaki ang pagkakaiba, mahalagang makinig sa mga hinaing upang matukoy ang kanilang kinatatayuan.

Gustuhin man nating manghikayat gamit ng rason at lohika, ang ilang dekada ng suliranin sa edukasyon, hanapbuhay, at kahirapan ay ngayo’y lumilitaw sa balota ng mamamayang Pilipino. Ang anim na taong pandamarambong ang nagtanim sa paniniwalang “disiplina” raw ang kulang sa mga Pilipino, kung kaya’t “kamay na bakal” ang dapat na pinaiiral. Ngunit kung mayroon mang paghahalintulad ang malalamig na mga kamay nina Kian delos Santos at Liliosa Hilao, ito ay ang karahasan at kawalang katarungan na dinanas at patuloy na dinaranas ng mga biktima ng administrasyong Marcos at Duterte.

Ang pagkahulog ng milyonmilyong mga Pilipino sa bangin ng “pagkaka-isa’t pagbabago” ay isang nakababahalang katotohanang kailangang iwasto kung nanaising mapa-abot kamay ang kinabukasang angat ang lahat.

Napakadaling ilarawang

lantarang bulag ang mga taga-suporta ng tambalang mandarambong.

Napakadaling tuligsain ang mga kasinungalingang kanilang pinaniniwalaan at mag-iwan ng kayhabahabang listahan ng mga basahin.

Napakadaling gawing katatawanan ang pulang uniporme at kutyain ang alamat ng alamano. Ngunit ang tunay na pagsubok ay higit sa tunggalian ng Rosas o Pula, kundi sa kakayahang mag-abot ng malasakit sa bawat botanteng pinagkaitan ng lunas ng umaalingawngaw na sistema.

Gintong Kinakalawang Nang mapatalsik ang pamilyang Marcos matapos ang makasaysayang 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, maraming nanalig sa pangakong dala ng demokrasya. Ang mismong pagkaka-isa ng mga mamamayang Pilipino ang siyang nagdala ng pagbabago sa mapanikil na buhay ng Batas Militar. Gayunpaman, ang kalayaang natamo ay kalaunan ring binusabos ng kurapsyon, lugmok na ekonomiya, at lumalalang kaso ng kahirapang malayo sa pangako ng kasarinlan.

Ito ang sentimyentong nililingon ng karamihan sa nakaraan at siya ring dahilan ng pagtangkilik kay AntMan. Bagaman mali, tunay ang mga Pilipinong umaasang maibabalik muli ang “Golden Age” ng Pilipinas.

Dagsa ang kwento ng mga paang nawalan ng direksyon matapos lumabas sa kweba ng bangungot. Paano nga ba

haharapin ang katotohanan kung ilang taon tayong nasanay sa kadiliman?

Sa bawat paghiyaw ng berde’t pula, BBM at Sara, maririnig ang hangaring darating din ang tunay na pagbabago. Sa bawat tarpaulin na isinasabit, makikita ang gustuhing bumangon muli—maka-angat lamang sa kinalalagyan. Sa bawat fake news na pinaniniwalaan, nakatago ang isang taong binigo ng lipunan. Dahil kung ang araw-araw na buhay mo ay walang katiyakan, madaling panghawakan ang iba’t ibang kasingkahulugan ng “pagkakaisa.”

Kung kaya’t pibotal na buksan ang isip at tainga, maski sa mga taong hindi man natin nakasasang-ayon.

Dahil mas madalas sa hindi, kung isasantabi ang pananaw sa politika, maaaring iisa lang din ang hangarin natin para sa ating bayan — ang mabuhay sa bukas na hindi aalalahanin kung mayroon pa bang bukas.

Kung Kahapon ay Lagim, Ano ang Bukas?

Sa natitirang mga buwan bago ang halalan, mahalagang atin nang ituon ang atensyon sa mga kayang gawin ng isang kandidato– hindi na lamang sa kakulangan ng mga katunggali nito. At sa mga pagkakataong hindi na sapat ang mga numero’t estadistika, gampanin nating makinig upang siguruhing mananaig ang iisang hangarin sa bansa kaysa ang pagkakaiba.

Suriin ang mga karamdamang bumubuhol sa lipunan at maging bahagi ng lunas nito. Dahil sa huli, hindi kailanman magiging sapat ang isang eleksyon upang mabigyang lunas ang mga sakit ng lipunan. Ang tunay na pagpapalaya ay nakasalalay pa rin sa sistematikong rebolusyong pamumunuan ng madla. Kung kaya’t kung sino man ang gustong umupo bilang susunod na pangulo ay dapat may kakayahang pag-isahin ang laganap na tunggalian sa bansa– mapakulay, ideyolohiya, o hangarin.

Ika nga, mas radikal ang magmahal. Radikal ang mamuhay sa kinabukasan kung saan hindi magkalaban, kundi ipinaglalaban ang isa’t isa. Nangangailangan ng mga matang mapagmasid, taingang handang makinig, bibig na lulan ng katotohanan, kamay na handang umakay, at isip na handang umalalay sa mga binigo ng sistema. Dahil kung mayroon mang siwang ng kulay rosas sa natitirang mga buwan, ito ay ang pag-aabot at hindi paglimot ng malasakit sa ating araw-araw na laban.

ART BY JAMES SABLAY

lathalain 09

VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 2 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

Ang Kababaihang Magsasaka

NI DANNA CARISSA Masasabi na ang kababaihang magsasaka ay nakatali sa apat na “B” sa kanilang mga buhay — bana (asawa sa Bisaya), bahay, bukid, at baboy o baka.

Ito ay ayon kay Zenaida Soriano, ang kasalukuyang tagapangulo ng Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women. Subalit, isang malaking kabalintunaan na ang siyang taong pasan ang walang katapusang listahan ng mga responsibilidad ay kinikilala (madalas ng gobyerno, pero minsa’y ng tao rin) bilang housewife ng lalaking magsasaka lamang.

Sa kadalasa’y hindi gaanong nabibigyan liwanag ang mga pangaraw-araw na realidad ng mga babae sa kanayunan. Sa unang tingin, masasabi natin na, ‘di hamak, hindi madali ang kanilang mga pinagdadaanan — hindi madali ang buhat nilang mga tungkulin na paglingkuran ang pamilya, maging ilaw ng tahanan, tuparin ang mga pangangailangan ng kabuhayan, at gawin ang kay dami-dami pang ibang mga atupagin sa bahay.

Madalas ay pormal at agarang masasabi na “Oo nga, ang hirap nga…” patungkol sa mga pagsisikap ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino. Ngunit sa likod ng mga pahayag at pananalita, tila’y blangko minsan ang ating nalalaman sa mga detalye ng kanilang pangkaraniwang buhay at mga panawagan.

Ngayong buwan ng Marso, ipinagdiriwang ang Buwan ng Kababaihan, mangyaring patagusin natin sa ating mga puso ang mga kuwento ng kababaihang magsasaka, at patatagin ang sariling hanay, ang hanay ng mga kabataan sa kalunsuran, upang palakasin ang suporta para sa mga babaeng pesante.

Sa loob ng isang macho-pyudal at patriyarkal na sistema, pasan ng mga kababaihan sa kanayunan ang maramihang mga responsibilidad, o ang tinatawag na multiple burdens.

Litaw ang konspeto ng intersectionality para sa sektor na ito, kung saan nagtatagpo ang mga isyung kinahaharap hindi lamang ng mga uring magsasa-

ART BY CHAMIQUE FRANCISCO

ka, kundi pati na rin ng kababaihan at mga maralita. Isang halimbawa na ng mga isyung ito ay ang diskriminasyon patungo sa kanilang mga sahod na hanggang sa ngayon, ay mas mababa pa rin kumpara sa sahod ng mga lalaking magsasaka at magbubukid.

Ayon sa datos ng Philippine Statistics Authority noong 2019, ang sahod ng isang lalaking magbubukid ay umaabot ng P331.10 sa kada araw, habang ang sahod naman ng isang babaeng magbubukid ay umaabot lamang sa P304.60 kada araw.

Kabilang na rin sa mga isyung ito ang misrepresentation sa mga estadistika patungo sa tunay na bilang ng kanilang hanay, sapagkat ang mismong m g a babae

sa kanayunan ay nakakaligtaan ding ituring ang kanilang mga sarili bilang kababaihang magsasaka. Hinding-hindi rin mahihiwalay ang mga isyu sa kawalan ng lupa, pagtaas ng mga presyo ng bilihin, matinding kahirapan at kagutuman, at syempre, ang walang kupas na panre-redtag na nagre-resulta sa pagpaslang ng mga inosenteng magsasaka. Ayon sa Rural Women Advocates, ang tsapter ng mga boluntaryo para sa Amihan Peasant Women, umabot na sa apatnapu’t anim (46) na kababaihang pesante ang pinaslang mula sa kanilang huling tala noong Marso 2022.

Napakahalaga man ng kontribusyon ng kababaihang magsasaka sa produksyon ng pagkain ay hindi pa rin sila binibigyan ng akmang pagkilala para rito. Ang kanilang hanay ay kabilang sa bumubuo ng frontline sa pag-aani ng mga pananim at pamimili ng mga binhi. Bilang mga nanay at tagapangasiwa ng mga gawaing ba-

hay, ang isa sa kanilang mga namumukod-tanging kakayahan na maging maalaga at masipag ay pinapakinabangan hindi lamang sa pamilya kundi pati na rin sa kalikasan. Dahil alam nila kung ano ang nakabubuti para sa kalusugan ng mga bata’t asawa, masid nila kung anong tipo ng pagsasaka ang nararapat–– ang tinatawag na agroecology kung saan ang pagsasaka ay ginagawa sa paraang likas-kaya at masustansya. Sa kabila ng mga katotohanang ito, lubos na nagkukulang pa rin ang bansa sa pagpapalaganap ng karunungan at kapasidad ng mga lokal na kababaihang magsasaka.

Sa halip, pinaigting pa ng administrasyong Duterte ang mga isyung kinakaharap ng kababaihang magsasaka at iba pang mga baseng sektor sa lipunan.

Dahil sa kanyang misogynistic na kaugalian, pinaigting lamang ni Pangulong Duterte ang banta sa kabuhayan at seguridad ng mga babae sa kanayunan, at dumagdag pa ang kanyang masalimuot na Anti-Terror Law;

isang batas na lumalabag sa m g a karapatang pantao. Ngayon na papalapit na ang katapusan ng kanyang termino, lumalaki ang tungkulin ng bawat Pilipino na bumoto muli nang wasto –– hindi lamang para sa sarili pero para rin sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino, lalong-lalo na usapin ng karapatan, kasarian, at kabuhayan.

Mula kay Julia (alias), isang

Ang aming pakikibaka ay nakapaloob at kaugnay sa pakikibaka ng sambayanang Pilipino at ng mga uring magsasaka.

Hindi hiwalay ang pakikibaka ng mga kababaihan para sa kanilang kasarian.”

Zenaida Soriano (Nanay Zen mula sa Amihan) estudyanteng nagserbisyo sa ilalim ng organisasyon ng Amihan, ang ating primaryang magagawa upang makiisa at manindigan kasama ang mga kababaihang magsasaka ay ang mag-ingay mula sa ating hanay. Para sa mga kabataang babae sa kalunsuran, walang mas bubuti pa kaysa sa pagpapalawak at pagpapalakas ng kampanya para sa karapatan, kapantayan, at kalayaan ng kababaihang magbubukid–– ang pakikilahok at panghihikayat sa mga programang bukas sa publiko na inilulunsad ng mga adbokasiyang grupo o ng mga pangmasang organisasyon para sa sektor ng kababaihang magsasaka. Lahat ito ay upang mapatibay ang pagkakaisa sa mas kongkretong pamamaraan, at kung sakali, maengganyong makisapi rin sa mga grupong ito.

Kung tutuusin, ika nga ni Nanay Zen, hindi hiwalay ang pakikibakang ito sa pakikibaka ng sambayanang Pilipino.

Ang higit sa lahat, tuwing may pagkakataon, payo ni Julia na makipamuhay kasama ang mga nanay sa bukid at kababaihan sa kanayunan sapagkat ito lamang ang tanging paraan upang tunay na mamulat at matuklasan ang kanilang mga totoong kwento at realidad–– sa pamamaraan ng pakikimuhay at pakikibaka.

MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PREVAELEBIT

10 features

VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 2 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

BREAKING OUT THE patriarchy prison

BY TONYO AGUILAR Discrimination against women is still very much rampant in a patriarchal society like the Philippines. Stereotypes against women which are rooted in the influence of patriarchy, terrorize them like a scapegoat who just found herself in a prison after falling into the hands of authority.

Despite this, Filipino women have always shown that they are very strong, courageous, and smart, to free themselves and escape from the prison of Patriarchy.

Fighting with her hands cuffed “Shoot them dead,” were the words that came out of President Rodrigo Duterte’s mouth, in one of his televised addresses during the first quarter of the pandemic two years ago. Duterte’s impudence to terrorize the Filipinos who were just trying to survive the pandemic, even without science-based plans and adequate support from his administration is clear proof that the Philippines has no future in the hands of incompetent fascist men. Lucky for the country, healthcare workers with women on the frontlines, have continued to defend the Filipino people from the virus, even with the risk of endangering their own lives.

Maria Theresa Cruz, 47, was a nurse from Cainta Municipal Hospital who sadly passed, days after contracting covid while on duty. Despite her comorbidities and the fact that healthcare workers have been long neglected by the government, Cruz decided to continue working in the hospital where she had been serving for nine years. Tess, as called by her friends, seemed like fighting with her hands cuffed, with all the constraints that made her very vulnerable, but had proven that she’s braver and more honorable than the men sitting in power.

Driven by compassion, Cruz told her

daughter Joie, that she could not stop working because they were understaffed. “Anak, hindi puwede ‘yun kasi ito ‘yung sinumpaan kong duty, and ‘yung mga kasama ko kawawa naman, dalawa lang silang magdu-duty,” said Cruz, few months before getting infected by the virus.

Women have always been courageous and compassionate, not only to their own families, but also with the people they encounter everyday.

Without their courage and compassion, the healthcare system of the country might have long collapsed — an attestation that the government does not deserve the healthcare workers’ respect unless they give them the wages and support they deserve.

@mkule | ART BY ELAINE DIAZ

Cutting the chains of homemaking Women are always told by society that the only place where they belong is their home. While nothing is wrong with homemaking and raising families, society limits women’s roles and disregards their capability to build and support our communities.

At the height of food and supply insecurity caused by the recurring cycle of surge-lockdown-and-economy-reopening, Patricia Non, a community volunteer, sparked a movement that awakened the spirit of Bayanihan in the country. Patreng, as her friends call her, set a cart of vegetables and food products along Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, with a sign “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan,” attached on it.

Non’s initiative received support from many Filipinos across the world as donations were wired to their team to further fund the pantry, and inspired other people to set up one for their communities.

However, instead of receiving recognition and help, the authorities discredited Non’s effort as Quezon City Police District associated the community pantry with communist propaganda in one of their social media posts. Red-tagging has become a convenient tool for the administration to malign people who call for better governance, accountability, and justice for the people.

Playing with the big bosses Even with all their capabilities, women are still discouraged to lead.

Patriarchy has ingrained the perception in society’s mind that women simply cannot be leaders, regardless of how competent and deserving

they are. But, many Filipino women have proven that they can and deserve to lead amidst bullying and discrediting by men in power.

Vice President Leni Robredo, a vocal representative of the current administration’s opposition, along with Senator Risa Hon-

tiveros, Honorable Eufemia Cullamat, Honorable Sarah Elago, and many more women leaders, have shown that the country has a better future in

the hands of women. Regardless of the impediments intentionally created by men in power like budget cuts, red-tagging, and disinformation among others, these public servants worked tirelessly for the Filipino people.

Despite knowing that fighting the ‘big bosses’ is a dangerous game to play, these women leaders never flinched at the attacks they have been receiving. Instead, they continued fighting for women’s right to fair wages, access to healthcare, freedom to speak and lead, freedom to own themselves and embrace all their identities, and ultimately, forge a better path for the women of the future.

Throughout history, womanhood and femininity were always associated with fragility, weakness, and incapacity. This perception had imprisoned women in a patriarchal society that had robbed them of their chance and right to create their names, protect their rights, and nurture a fair just society for everybody.

Women have broken out, are breaking out, and will always break out of the patriarchy prison, no matter how

hard it tries to silence and bring them down. The fight for equal rights, fair treatment, and genuine representation will continue, until a better society is at the hands of the women of the future.

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VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 2 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

STAND UP

Act Publicly and Collectively NI IKAAPAT

The Philippine 2022 national elections, probably the most anticipated elections of all, seems to have started a raging fire in many Filipinos as many started to enthusiastically engage in various political mobilizations for their own chosen candidates. As I have been witnessing pictures and videos online of stadiums being filled by a sea of people reflecting different colors, gathering together, and contributing whatever that it is they could offer or even doing something beyond their capacity—confidently gambling for an unforeseeable future free from the hardships that the multitude of crises has brought upon the already suffer-

ing Filipinos. But what really should be the reflection of Filipinos in this critical juncture of Philippine politics?

Now, Filipinos should be more responsive to the public dimension of politics. As much as it is a reflection of one’s personal desire, it should also put into consideration people’s aspirations, especially those of the marginalized. One vote could either be life or death for someone.

Ultimately, Filipinos should be more aware that their power does not end after every election—it is only one of the mediums that people could utilize—but it is an everyday battle, democracy is. It has been proven by

the history of Philippine politics that if people would come together and push back against atrocities and sufferings, then no amount of darkness could engulf the burning light of the Filipino revolutionary blood.

Moreover, the upcoming May 2022 election reflect the great desire of the country to move ahead past all the miseries that the previous years have given—from the atrocities of the Duterte regime and a series of calamities and tragedies—if Filipinos would continue this collective actions for genuine change, it will not be long enough until we embrace the light at the end of the tunnel.

REFLECTIVE ACTION

I Believe

BY SOPHIE ECHIVARRE

Women of faith, women of action.

That maxim was drilled into me every day, from the day I was admitted to the day I graduated. Faith and action, faith and action, faith and action.

It made sense to me at first, and it wasn’t difficult for me to fall into the rhythm that every Catholic school seems to follow. Mass at six in the morning, for which you would sometimes be called upon to read.

Morning talk with your classmates, or at assembly with the entire school on Friday. Prayers before and after every subject. Night prayers at seven in the evening in the dormitory lounge, then lights out at nine. Special Masses once a month, for which you had to wear a stuffy gala uniform that included stockings and regulation white heels that were extremely difficult to hunt down at the department store.

When I told relatives about my daily routine during a family reunion, they joked that it was like living in a 19th century beaterio, and I didn’t understand why that was funny. Though it was far from perfect, school was the only place where I could feel the free-

dom that women only find with other women.

But as the years dragged on and I could feel the tensions bubbling under the surface of the peaceful world around me, I began to grow restless.

Was I truly free if the god who supposedly loved me did not want me to make choices for my own body? Was I truly free if I only saw the masses outside the village walls as objects of pity? Was I truly free if I hero-worshipped Old Girls who I later learned were accused of cheating in national elections and owned land in the countryside they did not till?

When you start to ask yourself those kinds of questions, the first thing you lose is your faith. The next thing you lose is the will to act. If everything your beloved second home taught you starts to feel like a lie, can anything be trusted?

It’s a question without easy answers, one that I grapple with daily.

Every time I write and every time I speak, I still need to check myself for biases I picked up as a teenage girl.

The privilege of growing up sheltered

from the outside world is the elephant in the room that I often fail to acknowledge. And as much as I’m not proud of the callous remarks I sometimes make about people who didn’t have the advantages I had, it’s an old habit I have yet to fully outgrow.

But if there’s anything that I’ve learned now, five years since graduation, it’s that faith can take other forms. Faith in the people whose struggles are linked to my own. Faith in comrades who love me no matter how many times they have to correct me. Faith that I can transcend my bourgeois origins, as a poet I admire once put it. And slowly, with faith comes action, imperfect and unassuming though it may be - listening during Zoom educational discussions, refusing to buy from corporations that exploit the earth and exploit their workers, casting my ballot knowing I vote for the interests of the nation and not my own alone.

Perhaps I really am a woman of faith and a woman of action, after all.

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MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PREVAELEBIT

12 editorial

VOLUME 34 ISSUE NO 2 THE MANILA COLLEGIAN

Inequality is a form of voter suppression It is said that the relationship between inequality and voting is not just correlational, rather, it is causal.

Unequal citizenship, the inability of marginalized people generally to put the rights they have to good effect, is not a new phenomena. While many believe that this inequality is a problem to solve. To some, it is still perceived as a feature, an unavoidable consequence of the market working.

But what many fail to reckon is that the impact of poverty goes far beyond the infection and spread of disease, it also cuts across the issue of reduced voter participation — and thus political power. There are tons of practical hurdles that keep the marginalized, including women, from having their voices heard in politics. Case in point, economic inequality allows only the affluent and wealthy to dictate the outcomes that serve their selfish interests.

A recent report by the Asian Development Bank stated that more than 4.7 million more people in Southeast Asia were added to the list of those living in extreme poverty in 2021. As expected, women were of the sectors greatly affected by it. In the same report, Filipinas who lost jobs were revealed to be higher than the share of women employed by the second quarter of that year, which were at 44% and 40% respectively.

The prevalent disparities in income and the rising poverty levels, especially among women, are going to show up in another way: the ability of women to vote in the upcoming May 9 elections.

Despite being enshrined in Article V of the 1987 Constitution, a slew of practical barriers continue to stand in the way of voters. For instance, nearly a quarter of all registered voters failed to exercise this right in May 2019. To claim that those who reach this conclusion are purely indolent is a straight insult to the struggles of the Filipino masses. They abstain not by choice but because they face problems along the way.

On the day of the elections, before casting their ballot, voters face problems involving transportation and bad locations that hinders them from getting to the polls. According to the Wayne State School of Social Work, at least 25% of voters needed to arrange a ride to the polling place and 39% did not know where to vote. The pandemic is yet another barrier to voting this year, as the expected long lines and crowded conditions anticipates that precincts could potentially be hotspots for COVID-19 transmission.

@mkule

But before we even get to the day of the national elections, the inefficiency of the voter’s registration process, which takes on average half a day to complete, is antithetical to the principle of democratic participation.

How do you expect women with double burden, or the responsibility of earning a living coupled with significant amounts of unpaid domestic labor, to waste significant hours of her day queuing in line without even the assurance that she will be accommodated? How do you expect a woman who is bound by the ‘no work, no pay’ policy to even think about skipping a day of work? Until the end, they alone carry the burden of either rearranging their work schedule or finding someone to cover their shifts.

As the political system seems to work mainly for the benefit of the privileged, then what incentive does the poor and working-class people have to participate in the elections?

Frederick Solt, a political science professor, once argued, “Greater economic inequality increasingly stacks the deck of democracy in favor of the richest citizens, and as a result, most everyone else is more likely to conclude that politics is simply not a game worth playing,” It has to be acknowledged that their non-voting practice is not because of apathy, rather it is a politicized expression of either how the state made it almost impossible for them to do so or, worse, how they deem the politicians running for office do not represent them. Well, at least, that’s what their legislation and actions, and lack thereof, show.

Likewise, people maintain that voting is not the only form of participation practiced in politics, and arguably is not the most impactful either.

But your vote is your voice. And although, speaking is not the same thing as being heard. One thing is for sure, the masses, particularly women, have no intention of going unheard.

The state has to empower the people through concrete actions, such as the provision of basic social services, to exercise their right in this franchise. Even without the impact of the global pandemic, it is explicit that economic deprivation is indeed a double whammy.

We are well aware that these systemic issues can’t be solved overnight—or even by May 9. But the gradual process of solving it can start now. Solving these disparities starts with recognizing we have a problem in the first place.

CARTOON BY MA. DAMSEL MARCELLANA