Mv1stsem13 14

MINDANAO Vol. 29 No.1

1st Sem | AY 2013-2014

VARSITARIAN

The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University-Marawi Member: College Editors' Guild of the Philippines

WHAT TO CONFESS ABOUT THE COVER EDITOR'S NOTE FROM THE READERS

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EDITOR'S NOTE

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I HAVE A confession to make.

I see cold, wet ink dripping. The ink bottles cry. So do the many voices calling out left and right. They are weary, and they are coming closer.

My hands are stained.

NEWS 6

Pres Mac’s term to end in 2014

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When MSUans become solons

Confessions 9 State of the student's council 10 Sa Piging ni Yolanda 11 What is Insurance Fee? 12 Crossing through red tapes 13 Nakakasawa na 18 Won't be coming back 19 Wedding and Marriage 20 Forbidden 21 So pigkaselan ko 22 Unjust and unfair

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FARE and square Manuals for Sale

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COLUMNS

23 Pen speech 23 The fault in our stars 24 Sponges and urchins 24 Man in a manhole 25 His sentiments 25 His primordial litany 26 Mark my word 26 Diagnosis 27 Sweet irony 27 Double-edged

MINDA VENDETTA 31

MSUan Confessions

TINGOG

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Not a gay love story

EDITORIAL MV UPDATES COMIC RELIEF PHOTO FOLIO

These cries continue to flow to the ground, drank by oblivion. Until now.

The narrative does not and will never end. Not until the actors play their supposed role and execute the right lines. Even our roles as campus journalists are, often times, misconceived. We are not the mouthpiece of those in position and in power. They already have enough already. We belong to the basic unit of the University. We speak for each of those who are overlooked.

As much as people are tired of heartbreaking accounts, repeating complaints, and fearless confessions, we are burdened with the duty of publishing these as our way of playing our part on knocking on Justice’s door.

INVESTIGATIVE 14 16

Ink continues to flow. Voices and cries continue to loom.

They knock. They demand their cries be put on paper. They are seeking to be heard. They hope for justice to heed their call. Some were heard but was shunned with a deaf ear. Some could only yelp for a second, and was choked down right there and then, never to be heard again. Others saw how he was taken down and so decided to withdraw and hide. They are afraid to open their mouth. Some grew apathetic, they became used to all the commotion and chaos and clamors.

For 52 years now, MINDANAO VARSITARIAN has been serving as a watchdog, a confessor, and not just a flip-side entertainment after long hours of schooling. The confessions hurt. The truth is sharp and piercing. Heartbreaking, even.

But they must be heard. Heard not by apathetic or deaf ears, but in order to be recognized and cured. There were times that we are rebuked and told off because of being too nosy.

“Better settle with the good news,” they tell us. Tempting.

However, we would have lost our purpose if we did so. To tell the bad news is the mandate set for us journalists. Our pens bleed for the students. Our notebooks are lambasted for these distressing stories.

But we’re no KJs. We are also MSUans like you. In this issue, we also share stories of the lighter parts of the status quo. Stories of love, triumph, and joy. We give justice to the efforts done for the endeavor of making MSU a better place. We strike a balance of reporting the light and the dark accounts.

About the Cover Can you hear it?

Come closer. Draw your eyes wider. Stories of real accounts will speak to you loud. They are but whispers, told as soft and as low as they can, afraid not to be overheard. They are not gossips, but truths bandaged for so long.

But this time, the truth shall be told.

The truth shall not settle anymore in trembling lips. They shall not be left to just rest in an ear anymore. The accounts beg for solutions leading to action. Confusions shall be settled. Whispers in the dark shall now be told in broad daylight. They beg to be heard and heeded.

And now they shall.

Photo by: Jayson Leigh Segovia Theme by: Al Marvien Savandal Models: Idyll Cañete, Jan Michael Solis

This issue will further extend the narratives. Confessions uttered in the dark will be shed with light. Accounts that have almost been forgotten, unpopular stories, and tales told in silence for so long are printed here. Even stories of victories and joys are also shared in the next pages, hoping to inspire and lighten heavy hearts. This issue hopes for you to be aware and enlightened.

The accounts groan. They flow and intertwine with the cold ink, hoping to reach your senses. We give you the first semester issue of the MINDANAO VARSITARIAN. Read on and hear the confessions.

Riz P. Sunio Editor-in-Chief

from the

READERS >> @MSUvarsitarian

tweets and posts facebook.com/mindanao-varsitarian

MSU to face budget cut in 2014 Mario Manlupig, Jr.

MSU-MARAWI WILL only get more than P800 million budget allocation next year from the national government, with over a P200 million difference from this year’s.

In the 2014 national budget appropriations signed in September 2013, MSU-Main is among the 79 out of 110 state colleges and universities (SUCs) in the country who will suffer hefty budget cuts from the national government.

“Well, if that is the case they probably feel that the amount that we have right now is already so much in the pipeline that they cannot accommodate additional [budget]. Or there might be other priorities like for example, what happened in Bohol and Zamboanga. These are also national concerns.

Education is not the only concern of the government,” said Dr. Emmanuel Lagare, MSUS executive vice president.

For the Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio ‘Butch’ Abad, it is President Benigno Aquino III’s Roadmap for Public Higher Education (RPHER) the one to blame for the budget cuts in 79 SUCs. RPHER is the Aquino administration’s blueprint for higher education and was signed by presidents of the country’s 110 SUCs on May 17, 2012. It aims to "rationalize state funding to SUCs by urging them to generate more internal income and reduce reliance on government funding."

One of RPHER’s objectives is for 22 leading SUCs to shoulder 50% of their budget in 2016. The agreement contains provisions that ‘determine if an SUC will get an increase or a decrease.

The Office of the President (OP) however said that they do not know about the said agreement and the plans to cut the budget for MSU. Meanwhile, EVP Lagare saw the budget cut as part of the national government’s preparation to the newly-implemented K+12 education system where two more years will be added for the basic and secondary education.

“Definitely it’s a burden [but] if you look at the Constitution the only required education is until

high school. And they [the national government] are increasing it for two years and it will require a lot of budget for the education.”

A statement from Kabataan Partylist said that in the 2014 national budget, P352.7 million is allotted to debt interest payments, much greater than the budget given for basic, tertiary, and vocational education combined.

“We call on our fellow students and the youth to expose and condemn Aquino’s blueprint for state abandonment. We should not let the government decrease the already insufficient funding for public higher education. Enough is enough!” Kabataan Partylist Representative Terry Ridon stated in the Partylist’s website.

The CEGP-Marawi Chapter said in a statement they highly condemn the said action of the government.

“We see the budget cut a hindrance to a valuable education…

This will allow the admin to again increase the tuition fees, giving more burden[s] to the unprivileged but deserving students of MINSUPALA,” said Raxiey Adolfo in a text message, vice president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines-Marawi Chapter.

In response to the students’ sentiments on the responsibility of the State to the ‘Iskolar ng Bayan,’ EVP Lagare said that the national government already sufficed its responsibility to its people even in high school.

“The responsibility of the state is to capacitate its people… College is only one of the avenues where they can capacitate. The question of higher education here…is very dynamic issue for the national [government] especially now [that] massive online courses are offered. So if you are to look at it there might not be a need to go to college.”

Along with the main campus, MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology and MSU-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography will also suffer from the said cut.

RUN FOR PEACE. Students and organizations hold Run for Zamboanga, Sept 16, en-

circling the route from Peace Plaza, College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), and Bo. Salam. A discussion on the situation in Zamboanga City was also held followed by a prayer rally. (Photo by John Prosper Getubig)

ETF sets new enrolment process Mario Manlupig, Jr., Abigail Garcia A NEW ENROLMENT process has been implemented for the second semester.

All course offerings were opened in the pre-enrolment phase, formerly pre-registration, last Sept 23-25.

“So this time, all courses that are required are already being offered [in the pre-enrolment phase].

There’s no need for an add-mat if you think about it,” Dr. Lagare said.

Differing reactions, however, were addressed by the students pertaining to ETF’s action.

“Unsa ka sure ni (new enrolment process)? Masaligan ba siya (preenrolement). Kay nay cases before na na-corrupt ang database dayon nangawala ang subjects,” said Rene Ramos, 4th year BS Economics major, adding that whenever problems like this happen, add-mat is of so much help.

“Pabor ko kay naa naman guy pre-enroment, naa na tay chance [nga makasulod tag subjects],” said Alexuz Cinco, 2nd year BS Accountancy major.

Dr. Lagare clarified though that this change is just ‘experimental’

which, if not successful, we can go back to the ‘old way.’

In the modified enrolment process, students can enroll to subjects in the pre-enrolment phase to take for the next semester.

However, when a student fails a prerequisite subject the preenrolled subject to what he or she has enrolled to, will automatically be deleted.

In the enrolment proper last Oct 21-25, students will have go to their respective clusters for the printing of enrolment and billing form (EBF), payment of tuition fee and other BOR-approved fees, printing of certificate of registration (COR) and approval of enrolment.

The Task Force established five clusters, making the University Business Office (UBO) and Registrar’s Office as additional service centers.

“The five additional clusters are created to decongest the population [during the enrolment] so that there will be no more mess [in the enrolment proper],” Chair Lagare said.

STATE UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE

BUDGET CUT

University Of The Philippines

P1,431,172,000

Mindanao State University

P829,732,000

MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology

P116,442,000

Isabela State University

P77,241,000

MSU Tawi-Tawi College Of Technology And Oceanography

P57,610,000

Palawan State University

P36,541,000

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

Source: www.dbm.gov.ph

NEWS// 5

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN

Pres Mac’s term to end in 2014 Extension of his term pushed

Riz Sunio

DR. MACAPADO A. Muslim’s term as MSU System president is bound to end on Jan 4 next year, as stated in his appointment paper signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

However, petitions to stretch his term until 2016 have been initiated.

Board of Regents in one of its recent meetings, according to MSUS Executive Vice President Dr. Emmanuel Lagare. He said that one of the members of the board questioned why no search committee is formed for a new university head yet.

Upon Appointment

Presidential Management Services Director Nasser Andam, however, said that Malacañang still has not announced for applications for a vacant seat for the position.

Dr. Muslim has served as acting president in Jan 2008 and has been invested as regular president of MSUS in 2010. He replaced Dr. Ricardo F. De Leon, also an acting president.

Dr. De Leon, a military general has also been appointed by President Arroyo when informal settling and campus crimes were at its heights, according to Dr. Zainal Kulidtod, assistant dean of College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH).

Dr. Muslim has consistently topped the search for new system president. On May 2010, Pres.

Arroyo signed his appointment just before her shift of administration.

It was indicated in the paper his length of term.

Presidential Decree No. 1437 also states that "a term of six (6) years [appointed] by the President of the Philippines." However, Pres.

Arroyo’s ink on the paper made it questinnable whether Dr.Muslim’s two years as acting president is counted in the toll for the six-year term.

Nonetheless, the conditions stated in the paper stands. This puts the president’s term close to an end, as pointed out by the

“Ang naga-appoint ng president ng MSU ay Malaca Malacañang,” he said. “Pag magcreate ng search (for president), i-announce yan. So far,, wala pang announcement, he said.

‘Defect’

Dr. Lagare said that the indicated termination date is considered a ‘defect’. They have already addressed the matter to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Secretary Dr. Patricia Licuanan.

“We already sent a report to the Office of the Solicitor General to address the problem,” he said.

An outgoing university president may still reapply for the same position again, Dir. Andam said.

Points for

By November, a movement has circulated among colleges and offices. It came in a form of a signature campaign petitioning to extend the President’s term until 2016.

College of Engineering (COE) Dean Prof. Arnold Ramayla

expressed his support for the movement. “The purpose [of the extension] is to finish the billion infrastructure project,” he said, adding that the start of the construction with the budget given in 2012 will be on 2013, and the budget for 2013, on 2014.

“If [there will be a] change in leadership, what is the probability that the project will continue?” said Prof. Ramayla.

“We are but lawyers for the benefits of the college and the university,” said Dr. Kulidtod.

“At stake ang interes ng all 11 campuses. All bidding process [of the infrastructures are] in Marawi except for IIT (MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology).

Yasser Nasser Galves, Minister of Treasury and Finance of Engineering Student Council (ESC), hopes for the extension of his term.

“Wala pa kasi kaming building sa COE. Wala pang bidding.”

Points against “Sa pagtatapos ng term ni Pres Mac, I can say that the MSUS should be thankful for the development he initiated,” said Seniors’ Council President Joenaima Iggo. “Siguro sapat na yun para bigyan naman ang chance and ibana pamunuan ang MSUS. Let’s try another recipe.

Maybe the students will love it.”

“I plead to cease their aim (petition) [and] to give the entire MSU system a chance to flourish [in another administration],” Samahan ng Mag-aaral ng Agham Panlipunan at Humanidades (SAMAPAH) President Amal-Ryan

Rinabor said.

Another student leader who refused to be named, expressed his disdain on Dr. Muslim’s administration. “Slightly disappointed ako sa kanya, generally kasi tumaas and tuition sa time niya pero wala rin namang pagbabago sa system [like the] enrollment,” he said, adding that the killings happening inside the campus is also a problem. “Pero susuporta ako na hanggang 2016 pa siya umupo basta ma-assure niya ang peace sa campus.”

Roel Sayson, student adviser of College of Public Affairs Student Council (CPASC), assessed that the actions made by the President are positive. However, he pointed out the seemingly late launching of his projects.

“Kung kailan pa mage-end ang term niya, saka pa bumuhos and projects like the coveredwalk.

Then [it makes you] suspect kung bakit late na.” He also added that the President already had his chance to prove himself.

To a world-class university Sayson said that the 2020 MSU vision for a world-class university is blurry with MSU’s present situation. “Trying to compare our move [with] otheru universities, kulang pa talaga.”

Jehanie Maunte, president of College of Agriculture Student Council (CASC) hoped that the university administration will heed the problems on the threats of a possible tuition fee increase.

“Sana ay pakinggan ang bawat hinaing ng mga estudyante ni Pres Macapado upang masolusyonan ang hindi pagkakaintindihan ng estudyante at ng pamamalakad ng MSU system.”

Naif Dimapunung, president of Society of Hotel and Restaurant Progress (SHARP) hopes that “the centralization of funds which [causes] the delays [of disbursing the] funds [for] each department, [the] limited slots for scholars, and nepotism” will finally be solved.

Sayson said that President is actually accommodating. However, the administrative problem may not be because of the President but in his staff.

PROGRESS AT WORK. Construction of the new College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) building starts along with the buildings of College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM), College of Information Technology (CIT), and the College of Agriculture (COA) Farm Machinery. The budget is from the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) 1 billion Capacity Building given in 2012. Another 1 billion for the MSU System will be given in 2013 and 2014. (Photo courtesy of Rhealyn Pojas)

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MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

He also said "If there is a new admin, there will be a new vision,” adding that there might really be no assurance that the projects started during his term might be continued and finished.

Vol. 29 No. 1

NEWS// 7

SLAAP, SSG project hailed ‘BEST’ in I-Transform Abigail Garcia

“WE WERE CHOSEN to be the BEST project.”

This was said by Simon Rey Gaper, president of Student League for Advancement and Academic Progress (SLAAP) and one of the six participants for the Philippines I-Transform! Young Leaders Convention B.E.S.T. Mindanao Wave at the Ritz Hotel, Davao City, September 20-23.

MSU-Main is one of the hundred universities who joined the activity.

Along with Gaper from SLAAP is Raxiey Adolfo and Supreme Student Government Officers Hobaib ‘Kobi’ Saiben, president, and councilors Moh’d Binladen Sohayle, Raffi Dimakuta, and Shalahudin Cosain.

Their project that won the Kabataan Fair is the E-Day or dubbed Education Day for the Unfortunate Young Moros.

“[The project] would encourage other organizations to be socially responsive… they should not just limit their leadership [to] their organizations, but they should extend help towards the society,” said Gaper. “Kasi alam kong may kaya tayo.” “'Wag lang matakot… Wala tayong dapat ikatakot. Naging enough na ang discipline ng kultura natin. Just Believe, just Excel, just Serve, just be Transformed, because we all have what it take to be the BEST.” There were 500-600 delegates in the Convention from all over the country coming from different universities. There were also experts from United Nations Poland who graced the event.

“Everybody deserves education. Nung na-realize namin na naging kultura na ng mga bata na ang nagta-trabaho for their family,” Gaper explained. It should be the parents to work for their children… Nagpropropose kami na it should be invested to the children kasi it is impossible to invest towards the parents through livelihood. Kaya napag-isipan namin na it should be the project.”

“One thing to know is that this project will be an eye-opener. If the result of this project is positive and good then we’ll proceed with our E-Month,” Saiben said.

It was not just the project that made MSU rise to the top but also by the short speech given by Saiben to his fellow delegates.

“Only seven or six Muslim students participated in this convention.

We traveled 12 hours all the way from Marawi City just to be here, and do you know why? Because we want to show you guys that there are Muslim youth leaders who are willing to help and to work hand-inhand with you to achieve peace and development [for] this country,” he said in his speech.

WELCOME TO MARAWI! Renowned writers Dr. Jun Cruz Reyes (center) and Prof.

Eros Atalia (left) in a Sultan and Datu outfit with Filipino Majors Society (FIMSO) Adviser Prof. Edgar Alvin Flores (right). The two gave discussions on creative writing and contemporary Filipino literature during the Wika sa Panitikan, Nov 22-23, College of Law Amphitheater. The seminar-workshop was organized by FIMSO and Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Filipino (SAMAFIL). (Photo courtesy of Mohaimen Taug)

SSG: CBL is the problem Cong. Romulo graces 49th graduation Mark Maylan

“THE PROBLEM IS not the officers. The problem lies in the system," said Supreme Student Government (SSG) President Hobaib ‘Kobi’ Saiben.

He stressed that one of the major internal problem the SSG have now is their current SSG Constitution and By-Laws.

“May doubt kami na this CBL is corrupted. We’re in doubt of its reliability,” said he.

Saiben said that the ‘existing’ SSG CBL ‘contains so many weaknesses’ and that it might have been ‘changed or added to protect the interest of the previous administration’. He added that the ‘existing’ CBL lacks certain provisions necessary for SSG. “Say for example, in the existing CBL, there is no provision on the creation of Commission on Audit within SSG.” “Wala kaming mapagkukunan ng authentic na CBL. Tickee Lao (Sittie Norhanie H. Lao) tried to amend it [CBL]. But when I asked Afnan Cana (former SSG Pres) for

a CBL, she couldn’t show me any amended CBL. What she gave is the existing ‘unamended’ CBL we have now.”

Meanwhile, Saiben said that MSUS President Macapado Muslim has already allowed the SSG to collect their fees on their own but the SSG opted not to collect ‘for the safeguard of the fund.’

“Yes. We are allowed with regards to collection, but we opted not to do so. Actually, it’s not yet decided ‘yung policy dyan. We still have to continue our talks with the admin,” he said.

“Hindi hahawakan ng SSG [ang fund] pero mapapadali ang withdrawal,” he further said.

Saiben also cleared out, “Kahit na wala akong projects, basta maayos yung system.”

“MSU graduates are definitely over and above average of all our Filipino graduates.”

This was said by Congressman Roman T. Romulo, guest speaker of the 49th Awarding Ceremonies and Commencement Exercises, Dec 5 at Dimaporo Gymnasium.

Cong. Romulo is the representative of the Lone District of Pasig and is a member of the MSU Board of Regents.

With him in his first visit in the Campus was his wife, Madame Shalani Soledad-Romulo.

There were 970 graduates in the ceremonies where there arere 17 cum laudes, one magna cum laude.

MSUS President Dr. Macapado Muslim declared in his speech that the MSU system is the biggest government university in the Philippines having 73,771 students.

“We produce 8,281 graduate professionals, per year na ang quality ay hindi lalayo sa mga top-caliber na mga universities,” said Pres. Muslim.

Cong. Romulo on his speech defined MSU students as “kakaiba at magagaling talaga.” He also added that MSU graduates will soar high among others. He also commended the University for consistently being at the top of every licensure examinations.

“Hopefully, we will be able to work on more budget [for MSU] so that we can continue and develop more on the facility, para fair lang sa mga estudyante,” he said when asked about the 829 million proposed budget cut for MSU. (By Carlo Biole, Zandra May Perez, Edwin Jophet Icalina, Abdul Fattah Casanguan, Cyril Jay Villanueva)

THE MSUANS LEGISLATORS. (From the left) Al Marvien Savandal, Raxiey Adolfo, Hanna-Tunisia Usman, Rex Parro, and Reemar Alonsagay poses at the Senate, participating at the Philippine Model Congress.

(Photo courtesy of Savandal)

When MSUans become solons Mario Manlupig, Jr.

IMAGINE MSUANS WALKING the halls of the Senate, rubbing elbows with Senator Loren Legarda, and standing on the podium, sharing what their district has to say. Making it to the Senate in Manila sounded off as another cock-and-bull story. Or so these MSUans thought.

From a month-long wait, Raxiey Adolfo,IV-BS International Relations major; Al Marvien Savandal, IV-BS Psychology major; Hanna-Tunisia Usman, III-AB English major; Reemar Alonsagay, II-AB Political Science major; Rex Parro, IV-BS Agricultural Business Management major; and Ms. Sittie Janine Gamao-Balt, faculty member of the Community Development Department, were shortlisted from a competitive pool of 1,400 applicants from across the country and became congressmen for, at least, two days.

Last July 27-28, each of them, along with over 500 delegates from different high schools and universities, simulated congressional debates representing not only MSU but their home provinces as well. The Philippine Model congress is a program where participants have a chance to take on a role of a legislator where they are given first-hand experiences on the ropes of crafting bills and become a part of nation-building. PMC was a sporting chance for young people like them to experience being in the shoes of the country’s lawmakers.

“Empowering sa ako makaapil sa discussions sa pagcreate sa bill because we were there to represent our districts, not only MSU,” said Savandal.

“Dili sayon maglaw-maker, dili sayon magrepresent sa imong distrito,” said Parro, who recalled the difficulties he encountered in defending his bill.

Considering the controversies in the Senate today,these youngbloods will help challenge the status quo through the bills they have created.

Most common among the six MSUans was the priceless grin painted in the exterior. They go overboard upon telling that they were called by Sen. Legarda into her office; and that they met students from different schools of the same passion. For Parro, it was his first time to ride the plane.

Bills passed For Parro, seeing mostly well-versed delegates in the Congress seemed particularly a little too intimidating,but it never stopped him from defending his “Anti 4Ps Bill.”

Adolfo drafted “A Resolution Supporting House Bill 270 Otherwise Known as an Act Providing Mandatory Study of Moro History.”

“The bill is inspired by my MSU. It is dedicated for the deprived, stereotyped and undermined Muslims in the Philippines.

It’s about time that the uninformed Filipinos of the north be given this valuable education; that they maybe able to realize the truth by learning it in the school and to realize that the people they discriminate are also Filipinos,” said Adolfo in a text message.

Now, Adolfo’s and Parro’s bills are among the 36 collated by the PMC’s executive board and will be furnished to 286 congressmen and 24 senators of the country for parliamentary procedures.

Share your story For Ms. Gamao-Balt, her being part of the University’s teaching force never stopped her from joining the Congress.

Although she was, at the onset, quite indecisive to respond to the email she received from the board, upon knowing that she will be sharing her application essay, she booked for a flight like a shot. So she milled the story on how people in Piagapo, Lanao del Norte survived each fleeting day being hungry to learn as 91% of the area are illiterate adults and children.

“One 10-year-old boy would even walk [a] few kilometers for hours just to fetch [us to their home] and [have us] teachthem ABC’s and the basics of counting,”she shared.

Ms. Gamao-Balt also told the tales of indiscriminate misconceptions for rebels. She also shared how much she wanted to efface their creepy and cruel image.For her, to tell a story not just about herself is important and that there is more than meets the eye.

Best learning: experience Most of the MSUan delegates are not new to national conferences. However, PMC was overwhelming for them, especially to meet student leaders from other universities and venerable public figures like Senators Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, and Loren Legarda,and to,in a way, enjoy the atmosphere in the Senate which they used to see only in TV. “The fact na napili kami out of 1,400 applicants na at Senatelevel siya, nakakataba ng puso,” expressed Ms. Gamao-Balt.

As expected, Parro knew that everyone in the house would go against it.“Hindi solusyon yung dole-outs o pamimigay ng pera.

I believe kasi yung 4Ps is not the direct solution the Philippines needs now,” expressed Parro.

“Ang learning dili lang siya para sa akoa [but for those] who lack interest towards social issues. I believe many know about the issues, pero dili sila mo-involve [sa problem-solving],” said Parro.

When asked what the best alternative for this, he proposed entrepreneurial programs like Senator Benigno “Bam”Aquino’s Hapinoy Project.

These are stories whose authors are the future of the country.

Because these people will never run out of idealism, one day we shall see them on TV with revered titles of national post affixed before their names.

“[This is] to provide amount [of capital] for those families na makatukod ug business,” he added.

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MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

THE

CONFESSIONS//

CORRUPT, CRONY AND POPULAR:

STATE OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL Mario Manlupig, Jr., Abigail Garcia, John Prosper Getubig

THIS IS A story of corruption, popularity, cronyism, and a sad truth that students see yet opt to remain in silence.

Most of student council officials, at one point, sought to distance themselves from jarring controversies. One denied laundering bucks of collection. The other one denied his friendship with a high ranking official. The last one denied he’s no heartthrob.

It is an extant reality that there are certain kinds of student council leaders in the campus—some of which are the corrupt, the popular, and the crony. Although the set isn’t really just limited to such, but the trend in this university says it all.

Article III Section 4-B of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Supreme Student Government of MSU-Main states that the students maintain the highest standard of honesty, good faith, fairness, integrity and fidelity.

But then here comes Mr. Corrupt, an officer in one of the pioneering colleges, funneling extra funds from college T-shirt fees.

Over casual talk in late September with Lina (not her real name) who is a co-officer of Mr. Corrupt, revealed to us, “Sila-sila ang nandaya eh. Inamin niya mismo sa’king may nakuha siya.”

Then what happened to the ‘highest standard of honesty?’ Is this what it should be? Though the CBL states that it should be for the students, then how much more for the Student Council Officials?

Article III, Section 5. Every student shall have the right to vote in every election of officers of the Supreme Student Government and Local governments.

The right to vote in every elections: that, if the student knows the right. Another whistleblower, Anna, not her real name, from the same pioneering college shared to us her complaints concerning this ‘right to vote.’

“My God te, kung makakita lang ka. Worst case scenario, like kung muadto ka (sa precinct), kanang magvote gani; for example friends mo anang babae, muana siya na, 'Kani ang i-vote ha.' ” She also spilled that there were manipulations of the number of votes that happened, a conspiracy among the officials and force of the said college.

Having the right to vote also has the right to choose who to vote for the Student Council. We are practicing democracy here in our country not monarchy, where we can just wait until ‘Prince William’ receives the crown or being ruled under a dictator.

And when another college went in crisis, they were saved by Ms. Barbie. She helped the college and raised the heads of other officers for a glimpse of hope that their student council will still go on, being almost condemned by the studentry and left in the open rain by their college

officials. But then, our Ms. Barbie isn’t in her Barbie world.

She had things she can’t have because like any other dolls, she is being controlled. Not just Ms. Barbie Doll but all of them, the college student council.

They were told they shouldn’t interfere on the finances because it is not their ‘responsibility.’ The student’s money is not something for them to meddle? So why should they be called STUDENT Council if they can’t have any updates on the money of the students? Think, think.

Let’s move on shall we? Starting with, “Ano yun?”

This is the answer of Mr. Popular, a student council official from a college close to nature, when they were asked what their student council abbreviation means. He assumed office, according to him, to heed the call of his fellow students’ sentiments. However, the passion to help his fellow students is in the edge of doubt. Why wouldn’t it be? Doesn’t know what their student council abbreviation means.

Surprised as we were, it’s not a new thing. During campaign seasons, these are the people, hopeful of the most-coveted positions in elections sworn with words of sweetness as if good things happen in a 60-second travel of the long hand.

Then the lip service ends and they give honorable excuses that they were barred from their promises. For Mr. Corrupt, he must have some other projects in mind.

Ms. Barbie is being deprived and Mr. Popular just seems to go with whatever happens. Promises must not be underestimated, and must be thought of a couple of times because failing to do so is a question of credibility afterwards.

The primary reason for the creation of student councils, or any student-ran government body, is to help the students. It is to connect the administration and students through them so that there will be better outcomes and not one voice will be ignored.

The problem is nobody does the check, balance, and even, protection, for the student council. It’s like we are going with the flow as Mr. Popular, or being controlled like Ms. Barbie; even maybe we don’t care what happens whether good or bad as long as we voted and Mr. Corrupt wins.

Let’s be practical. We don’t want a corrupt leader to be our head. Then let’s not vote those who are. Let us not also allow our voted ones to be in position just to be controlled and become someone's dummy. Then let’s stand and be heard. Let not a whisper come from us but a shout to strengthen them. Lastly, we don’t want to waste our votes to people who don’t need it. Let’s choose someone who takes responsibility seriously and sincerely.

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MINDANAO VARSITARIAN

SA PIGING NI YOLANDA

Vol. 29 No. 1

CONFESSIONS// 11

What is Insurance Fee?

Jeahan Derampatun

Al Marvien Savandal Jesslei Mae Piquero

IKA-PITO NG NOBYEMBRE. Umaga, bumungad sa akin ang mga pagpupukpok ng yerong bubong ni itay, larawan na ng pagkabalisa si inay, at walang ng tigil sa pagroronda ni kapitan ng barangay. Maghanda raw at may piging mamaya. Ang pagdating na bisita. Si Yolanda.

Naging hayok kami sa pag-iimpok ng pagkain, pag-lipat ng mga kasangkapang de-kuryenti, at pag-iimpake. Ni hindi namin alam kung saan pa maaring sumilong sakaling tangayin ang aming munting tahanan sa Samar. Batid ang nagbabadyang unos, ako’y nagkubli sa impit na katahimikan.

Gabi, walang naghikab o pumikit. Sa lapag na may manipis na banig, nagsasabong sa aming mga damdamin, ang takot at pangamba. Sa labas, dinig na dinig ang musika ng nagaalimpuyong hangin at umaalingasngas na ulan. Panaka-naka lang ang mga tugtog nito, ngunit maiindak ka pa rin sa sindak. Mayroon pang mga kumikislap-kislap na linyang sinusundan ng nakabibinging mga palo. Lahat nangangatal na sa yanig. Nag-umpisa na ang piging ni Yolanda.

Nakakapamilipit ang bawat sandali. Hindi mo alam kung kailan titigil ang indayog ng tugtugin nito o kung titigil pa ba ito. Nakakapanghina ang mabalot sa mga di mapangalanang posibilidad. Nakabara magdamag ang banta sa aming lalamunan.

Hanggang sa isang kurap, naglaho ang liwanag at sumalakay ang dilim. Dito na naghiyawan ang kanya-kanyang panalangin at dasal. Bawat isa, tahimik na tumitili ng kaligtasan. Kaligtasang hindi pansarili lamang. Buhay ang dugo ng lahat sa piging na ito.

Buhay man silang lahat, tahimik ako’t tigagal. Batid kong mapaghiganti sa twina ang panahon. Nayayamot ito minsan, mabalawis at nanlilinlang. Kaya nitong lumipol ng mga walang

10

//CONFESSIONS

kasing hapding sugat sa isang sandali. At kung nanaisin, kaya rin nitong singilin ang mga buhay na inutang lang natin. Tangay nang ideyang iyon, wala akong ibang nasambit kundi ang hiling na sanay banaag ang aming mahahantungan.

Sa pagtatapos ng piging, wala pa ring bumitaw sa pangungunyapit. Kahit unti-unti ng naghahabi ang langit ng mapusyaw na liwanag, alam namin ang kabanaagang iyon ay huwad lang. Nilalamon kami ng tigang na pag-asa.

Sino-sino na ba ang natangay sa sinamang-palad? Ilan at sinu-sino sa aking mga kapit-bahay, kaibigan, kamaganak, at kaiskwela? Ilan pa kaya ang nariyan at ilan na din ba ang nagpaalam? Rumaragasa lang ang mga tanong pagkat di maapuhap kung saan naroon ang mga sagot. Lumalabi pa rin kasi ang dilim sa paligid. Kung nakakapanghina ang mga di mapangalanang posibilidad, nakakapanghilakbot naman ang mga mahihinuha mong pangamba. Sana ay ligtas din sila. Sana ay ligtas pa sila.

Isa… dalawa… tatlo… ilang araw pa? Unti-unti kang pinapatay ng iyong kawalang-malay sa kabilang dako. Mistula ka nitong nilulubog sa kumunoy. Walang makapagsabi ng kanilang kapanatagan. Walang nakakaalam kung nasaan na sila.

Sa mga panahong iyon, tanging ang pananampalataya lang sa Maykapal ang aming sandata. Uhaw man sa pag-asa, hindi kami patitibag gamit ang aming mga dasal.

Gabi. Ika-pito ng Nobyembre. Walang naghihikab o pumipikit.

Lahat buhay ang dugo sa piging ni Yolanda. Sa pagtatapos nitoy bumalangkas naman ang mga natuyong dugong sinaklaw na ng kawalan.

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

According to Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Zenaida Ababa, the insurance fee is required for students to pay; especially that many are from far flung areas of MINSUPALA. “We don’t know what will happen to us here [MSU Campus]. At least we have this insurance fee to help us in a way, no matter how small it may be,” she said.

Mr. Amer Mindalano, SSG officer in 2004-2008, said that the passing of insurance fee was from a proposal in by 1999 Federation of MSU Student Councils (FEMSUSCO) President Ray Villanueva of MSU- IIT (Iligan Institute of Technology). Accordingly, this was to objectively ensure students from field trips and hazardous places.

“It started from Php 50.00 kasi kuripot tayo dito. Kaya lang, students demanded to make it Php 20.00,” Mindalano said.

The Company “Last sem, hindi kayo nakabayad [ng insurance fee last enrolment dahil] CIT (College of Information Technology) forgot to include it (insurance fee).

But still, during the PLH accident, the [insurance] company helped us. We ensured them that we will continue to pay,” he further added. This is the reason why the insurance fee was collected separately for this semester to cover for the last semester.

“Ang laking nakukuhang insurance na ‘yan. Kung hindi nagagamit, san nilalagay?” Jamal, a BS Nursing student, commented.

According to both Mindalano and Director Ababa, the administration has nothing to do with the money. The insurance fee paid by the students will go directly to the insurance company.

It will provide services to the students.

“The company will shoulder the funerals in death cases. They will give Php 100.00 per day for hospitalization, and for every 1000 payers, there are 140 nonpaying faculty members that will be provided by their services granting the

crimes qualified with the company’s standards,” Mindalano informed.

“It will not go to us, it will go to students.

You can’t say that in a year you will be free from accidents. Last PLH fire accident, survivors were given Php 1,000.00 each including those who are not injured,” he added.

“Where can you find Php20.00 that can afford with this kind of services? You only give 20 pesos, yet students are complaining.

In IIT, they pay 80 pesos and in Central Mindanao University (CMU) they pay Php 120.00”

Illustrated by Julius Carl Chavez

Illustrated by Al Marvien Savandal

THE SECOND SEMESTER enrolment had a new venture for the University and its students. Despite the newly observed changes in the enrolment procedures, students were faced with the Insurance fee fiasco which blocked the continuity of the enrolment process.

The Fortune Life and General Insurance Company in Iligan City, chosen by the 2010 SSG officers, won the bidding process conducted by the MSUS Awards and Bidding Committee. The insurance fee paid by the students goes to the two companies.

“There were other insurance companies like PhilAm Life, Philippine National Bank and Pioneer Insurance.

But since their provisions covers only the accidents that happen inside the campus, it was not chosen” unlike Fortune Company who will cover a student’s insurance wherever he or she is in the country, Mindalano added. “It was chosen also for the cases for the benefit of school field trip accidents.”

Availing the Security “Kung tutuusin, malaki ang nakukuha ng estudyante mula sa insurance fee na yan; to think na its only Php 20.00,” Dr. Ababa shared.

When asked as to what extent does the company provide for the students, she stated that only accidents where covered; excluding murder or holdup incidents.

“Cases must be a form of natural accident; fire victims, poisonous animal bite, car accidents, nasaksak (stab), death (of any causes), etc.

These are accidents that we don’t have control. Not victims of burglaries, hold ups, ransacks and personal mishaps,” Mindalano continued.

When asked as to the efficiency of the insurance process, Mubarak, a debater, said “Kung may disgrasya tulad nung sa cheer dance, ang hirap kunin ng insurance. Di naman sila nahirapang kunin ang 20 pesos ah.”

However, neither VCAA Ababa nor Mindalano was sure of what exact percentage the company gives the student for the cases.

“Basta, you’ll be given something out of the 20 pesos that you pay,” Mindalano said.

A student must first report the incident to the Division of Student Affairs (DSA). The insurance company will then investigate and see the scene and the victim themselves.

They will interview the student, ask for police clearance, and continue the investigation. The insurance company will then directly hand the money from the insurance to the student.

Accordingly, in emergency cases, it will come as a reimbursement since it will take a week to process and avail the insurance.

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

crossing through

RED TAP ES

THE FOLLOWING ARE untold narratives of students who represented MSU to national conferences and international study trips.

This time, it is not about the experiences, the lessons they have learned, nor the places they have been into. This is about their struggle just before their plane took off—about the delays and the extensions and cancelled cheques in the cashier. This is for every penny spent which were promised to be refunded. ***** JP from College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) left the country last March 18 along with 10,000 youths from all over the globe for a conference in Japan. He filed the necessary documents and asked for financial assistance from the University. But doing these was never easy.

He had to visit every office in the administration building to have the documents signed by the ‘concerned individuals’. But the supposed ‘concerned ones’ were not in their offices that time and were allegedly enjoying somewhere only God knows. He kept on waiting for three straight days, compromising his academics—the supposed center of his attention.

The fund for JP’s financial support while in Japan should have been given already since his flight was coming closer. But considering the fact that the ‘concerned individuals’ were nowhere to be seen, he preferred to spent money from his own pocket in the mean time.

“Kailangan talagang ifollow-up yung papers dahil kung hindi, parang walang magaasikaso nung papers mo. And the process could have been faster if only the people concerned were there in their offices,” he shared.

JP came back in the Philippines on March 27 and underwent a series of officehoppings for the disbursement of his financial assistance. He was refunded after weeks of waiting, nonetheless, but with much toiling. ***** Jake was chosen as a delegate to a national Congress. He filed the papers for almost two weeks but the executive who is in charge of signing his papers was still in Manila. There was no Officer-in-Charge as well.

12

He waited for the executive’s scheduled arrival but he did not report to his office.

And that is another problem for him since he was a graduating student. He had to do his thesis but he also had to move his documents, thus compromising his requirements for graduation and thus resulting to extend another year in college.

There was even a time that he thought of giving up the conference instead due to financial difficulties. But he cannot back out now since his flight to Manila was already booked. Jake pitied his parents because they got so depressed: where will they get the money for his conference?

“Ang masakit lang isipin ay ang pagsabi ni ‘His Excellency’ na hindi na ako dapat humingi ng fund dahil hindi ito (program) sakop ng university. Dapat sa college or department na lang daw ako nanghingi ng financial support.”

He borrowed some money from one student organization which he had a difficulty of paying to. All in all, he spent P10,000 where only P3,000 was refunded. The refund was given two weeks after a series of presentation of receipts. ***** Raffi Dimakuta, SSG councilor, shared how they brawled in processing their transactions.

“Pag mag-imburse kami, kailangan magadvance kami o ‘pag may ipa-process kaming transaction, kailangang two to three months early. Pero hindi ba hindi siya (imbursement) dapat two to three months early kasi opisina yan? Kailangang nandiyan sila (staff) palagi.

Kaya siya naging two to three months early kasi inassume na namin na hindi sila papasok sa opisina nila.”

He also revealed, “Tapos, may isang case pa na sa isang opisina, makikita mo ‘yung logbook nila, complete attendance [kahit] morning pa lang at ‘di pa natatapos ‘yung day, may mga nakalog-out na. Tapos wala ni isang personnel o employee sa loob.”

There were even times when the personnel-in-charge blamed them every time their personal schedules get disturbed, he added.

In the end, Dimakuta clarified that the

//cONFESSIONS

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

Lady Ma e Lao, Gli hard Esc udero

system of MSU was not the problem. He said that if only the employees are doing their jobs correctly even if nobody’s looking, the outcome could have been better and the delays will be avoided.

According to the Accounting office, one reason for the delays of reimbursing student claims is the lack of supporting documents and unfollowed process for moving their papers. "And another thing is the supporting documents na ibinibigay nila ay minsan kulang kaya naho-hold yung papers dito sa office.

We need clear statements or documents providing us the idea that the money will be spent wisely."

However, Salahoden Cosain, also an SSG councilor, said “Walang nakapaskil sa admin na clear flow kung anong gagawin at mga requirements na kailangang i-accomplish bago pumunta dun sa office nila.” This is the reason why they keep on waiting for an office’s director only to find out that they have to go first to other offices.

Regarding the alleged absent personels, "Totoo yun. Sometimes, and mga tao dito sa office ay busy sa taas," the Accounting Office said. They also said that they make sure that the employees in their office are always present , being always reminded of their roles. ***** Red-taping is inevitable in government agencies. Even universities such as MSU are not spared. But absences and lack of directions worsen it.

"What do you expect from a government institution? There should be a process to be followed and complete documents that must be provided," the Accounting Office personell said.

Nakakasawa Na Riz P. Sunio

APAT NA TAON na ang nakakaraan nang una naming ginunita ang pagkamatay ng 57 na tao sa Ampatuan Massacre. Apat na taon na rin namin itong ginugunita. Ilang daang kandila na rin ang sinunog namin para dito.

Aaminin kong nakakasawa na ang taun-taong programang ito tuwing ika-23 ng Nobyembre.

Nararapat lang daw na tawagin siyang Ampatuan Massacre at hindi Maguindanao Massacre dahil sa Ampatuan Town naganap ang karumal-dumal na pagpaslang. Mantakin mo, first year pa ako noong una kaming inipon sa Peace Plaza para alalahanin ang kpangyayari. Sinundan ito ng isa at isa pa taun-taon hanggang sa huling taon ko sa kolehiyo.

Taun-taon, pare-parehong mensahe ang pinuputak namin. Tuwing segment na lang ng Ampatuan Massacre Updates, mapapakamot lang ako ng ulo dahil wala naman akong masabing progreso ng kaso maliban sa nagpapa-aircon ata ang mga nasasakdal at naging 58 na ang nadeklarang pinatay sa Massacre. Nagi-guilty ako sa madlang kumukulo ang dugo dahil sa nasabing di makataong pagpaslang.

Kung anu-anong gimik na ang ginawa namin kada ika-23 ng Nobyembre: Nagsindi ng kandila, nagsuot ng pula, nagsuot ng itim at mga laso, nagtali ng gutay-gutay na mga tela sa paligid ng campus, takpan ang bibig ng tela, mag-ingay at magmartsa, tumahimik at maglakad, magpalipad ng lantern, at kamakailan lang--magbihis zombie. Ito ang pinanggagagawa namin sa mga nakaraang apat na taon sa Peace Plaza. Nakakapagod ang mga preparasyon. Higit sa lahat, nakakasawa na.

Nakakasawa na ang napaka-bagal na speedy justice at due process na sinasabi ng Philippine Constitution. Apat na taon na ang nakakaraan, pero halos walang makitang pag-angat ng kaso. Tuwing may lumilitaw na testigo, nawawala o pinapatay naman sila

kinabukasan.

Nakakasawa nang tagalan ang pangaapi sa mga mamahayag. Nandyan sila para pagsilbihan ang masa sa pamamagitan ng pagsisiwalat ng kababalaghan sa pamahalaan.

Pero isa-isa naman silang pinatatahimik.

Takot na sila. Kaya naman nag-aalangan na silang magpatuloy sa paglalathala. Masakit para sa akin na ginaganito ang mga kapwa ko mamamahayag. Ito rin ay isang pang-aapi sa demokrasya ng mga Pilipino.

Nakakasawa na ang paulit-ulit at paikotikot na kundisyon ng bansa kung saan palpak ang systemang dapat magbigay ng katarungan.

Napakagaan ng kamay ng katarungan sa mga nasasakdal. Minamasahe pa nga ang mga ito.

Apat na taon na, pero halos di umusad ang kaso. Hindi ko na rin halos makita ang progreso nito sa telebisyon at iba pang media.

Nawawalan na rin ng pag-asa ang mga kaanak ng mga pinaslang at humihingi na lang sila ng compensation o ayuno mula sa gobyerno.

Nabaon na nga ata sa lupa ang kaso. At kasabay nito, ang hustisya. Wag lang sana makalimutan.

Ngayo'y tila panlilimos na ng hustisya ang ginagawa ng mga naulila. Dinamayan na namin sila at naki-isa sa kanilang pagsigaw, pero pilak na nga ata ang tengang-kawali ang pamahalaan.

Katarungan. Hustisya. Gasgas na ang mga salitang ito. Gasgas na rin ang aming mga lalamunan mula sa patuloy na ipagsigaw ng mga ito sa lansangan. Tuyo na para lamang makarating sa mesa ng dapat magbigay ng solusyon. Tuyo na rin ata ang mga kaluluwa at konsensya ng mga nasa posisyon.

Nakakasawa na ang manatili sa sitwasyong ito—lugmok sa kawalang katarungan at depektibong systema ng pagbibigay ng hustisya.

The story has ended for now but it may happen to others as well. The scribes say with prayers that somehow, red-taping will ease out.

(Ed's Note: The personnel interviewed from the Accounting office requested Mindanao Varsitarian for anonymity. MV also tried to get the side of the Cashier's office but the personnel said that they only serve to release douments from the Accountign office. )

Photo by Ekra Yori Tatil

Photo by John Prosper Gatubig

Mark Ma ylan,

CONFESSIONS// 13

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1 pwedeng kunin ‘yung lisensya ng mga ito.”

But Mindalano stressed out that he is working on this matter. “I really want na ma-depotized na ‘yung lahat ng mga traffic personnel para magkaroon na talaga tayong control sa kanila (tricycle drivers) kasi sa ngayon, limited ‘yung authority natin,” he added.

Based on an inventory conducted by TMS and LTO – Marawi, there are about 400 duly registered tricycles inside the campus. These are the tricycles that have yellow stickers on their cabs. But Mindalano said that apart from the 400, there are still unregistered tricycles, thus estimating that there are more or less 700 tricycles around here.

Furthermore, he said that by the renewal of registration for the drivers this December, he is planning to reduce the number of the tricycles in the campus.

Tricycle drivers must also observe rules and regulations imposed by TMS on over speeding, under aged drivers, overpriced fare, refusal and selecting passengers, texting while driving, and overloading, among others. Tricycles who will commit these offenses will be sanctioned a Php100Php500 fine, impoundment of the pedicab for three days, cancellation of membership, or a total ban in MSU TODA. Minor Drivers Drivers aged below 18 years old are not allowed by TMS to operate. They will not be given stickers that serve as their pass for every pedicab driver to operate in MSU. “Sobrang tigas ng ulo [ng mga bata]. Very limited ‘din ‘yung tao natin kaya hindi natin sila masyadong namomonitor. Wala tayo masyadong mobility.”

FARE and square Mark Maylan, Adnan Alauya

IT WAS ALREADY past 8 pm and Jean, not her real name, was still at the Commercial Center. She has been trying to convince tricycle drivers for an hour now to drive her home to Barrio Salam. She has also been rejected by drivers a couple of times already. She was left with three options: (a) call a friend at Comcent and ask if she could stay for the night; (b) walk home and expect for possible hold-ups, kidnaps, or even rape; (c) stretch her patience a little more and pray for a miracle. Finally, a ‘generous’ driver came into view and offered Jean a ride but with the deal that she will have to pay a Php20.00 fare. Jean finally stepped inside the tricycle and reluctantly paid the amount, desperate enough to afford such fare.

“Wala namang problema sa mga pamasahe sa tricycles dito sa MSU tuwing umaga, pero ‘pag gabi, naku!” Norms, a 2nd year Biology student, said. “Hindi ko alam kung bakit nagmamahal ang pamasahe. Hindi naman siguro nagmamahal ang presyo ng gasoline tuwing gabi at mas lalo naming hindi humahaba ang daan,” she added.

Clint, a graduating BS Mathematics student, commented not on the fare but on the manner the drivers drive their cabs. “Minsan, muntik na akong masagasaan sa may digital clock banda. Humaharurot kung magpatakbo ang ibang mga drivers. One time, I rode from Comcent to Annex

14

//investigative

pero parang dadalhin ata ako sa kabilang buhay sa bilis magpatakbo ng driver.”

But tricycle drivers also have something to say.

“Tinataasan ko [ang pamasahe] tuwing gabi lalo na kapag malayo [ang destinasyon] kasi alam kong wala ng siguradong pasahero sa pupuntahan ng sumasakay na pasahero,” Jalal, a tricycle driver, explained.

“Kailangan eh,” Haimen, also a driver, said.

DSS – Traffic Management Section on the move The Department of Security System – Traffic Management Section (DSS-TMS), with its director, Rushdi A. Mindalano, and Chief Traffic Officer Adelodin B. Lucman, have the authority to regulate and impose rules to registered tricycles lurking around the campus. However their jurisdiction is limited.

Dir. Mindalano said that traffic personnels do not have police power to apprehend drivers who misbehave because they are still not ‘depotized’ by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) of Marawi City, meaning, the granting of power, this time, the power to absolutely manage and regulate the tricycles in the campus. “Nahuhuli nga namin ‘yung pasaway na mga driver pero hindi naman naming

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

A traffic section personnel who refused to be named exposed that minor drivers are still prevalent in the campus because they have a scheme where an adult, ones who would qualify on the DSS-TMS’ age requirement, would apply for a membership sticker but would give it to a child driver.

Despite this, he said, “Hinuhuli pa rin naman namin ‘yung mga batang driver at saka pinagsasabihan. Pinapatawag din namin ‘yung mga magulang nila.”

Saunctions for under aged drivers are as follows: 1st Offense – P150 penalty and impoundment of the pedicab; 2nd Offense – Cancellation of Membership.

Fairness of the Fare MSU tricycle drivers who operate from 7 am to 6 pm are subject to follow the matrix fare for the tricycles around the campus. They are only to ask for P10 for one passenger if the route is from and to at any point of the campus. If there are more than one, only P5 will be collected per head.

However, by 6 pm and beyond, the driver has the discretion to increase the fare depending on his agreement with the passenger. That is why fares usually go up by night.

CSSH Gate’s Closure, Traffic Paraphernalia You might have wondered why all of a sudden, the gate at the back of the Political Science rooms at the Annex was closed. TMS closed it for security purposes. Jeepneys heading to town usually pass through the road in front of the said gate. It is then deemed to be an accident prone area especially when it is densely populated during class days since students from dorms, College of Engineering (COE), College of Public Affairs (CPA), and others pass through this gate. To avoid possible vehicle accidents, DSS-TMS decided to close it.

Investigative//15

Dir. Mindalano said that they are still lobbying for traffic paraphernalia such as signboards at the Physical Plant Division (PPD). Traffic signs will then be placed in the campus.

On Campus Security Haron S. Marohombsar, deputy chief for administration of DDS said that MSU is now secured by the MSU Joint Task Force. It is a composite of the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police (PNP), and the University Peace Keeping Forces (PKF). The said task force was made in an effort to make MSU a zone of peace.

Each group of the task force has specific areas in the campus to be safeguarded. The Division Reconnaissance Company from the Philippine Army is in-charge of the districts of King Faisal Center for Islamic, Asian, and Arabic Studies (KFCIAAS), Collegeof Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH), College of Fisheries (COF), and College of Forestry and Environmental Studies (CFES). The Regional Mobile Group of the PNP takes charge of the security in ComCent, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th streets. PKF ensures the Dimaporo Gymnasium, the Grandstand, Antonio Isidro Hall, and their headquarters.

With all of these security measures, Murphy Saumat, 3rd year Electrical Engineering student, said that the guns held publicly by the security officers are alarming the students, causing anxiety to them. “We know it’s for worst case scenarios, but let’s admit the fact that this is a university and we promote peace especially that we are in an Islamic city. What is actually happening is the irony of the word ‘security’.”

But Deputy Chief Marohombsar still claimed “napabalik ang trust and confidence ng mga estudyante.”

“I’m not lifting my own chair, pero simula nong nagassume tayo ng position, na-minimize ang petty crimes tulad ng mga panghohold-up at panraransak.” He added that this is because of the police visibility throughout the campus and the patrolling during nights.

“Plano pa nating i-intensify yung pagpapatrol at police visibility natin,” he said.

M a r o h o m b s a r confessed that DSS do not really have the absolute power to discipline those who were arrested. After getting the personal information of the suspect, they then surrender the accuser to the police. “Good thing meron nang pulis na naka-station sa campus kasi noon, bumababa talaga kami ng town…What we have is only the citizen’s arrest.”

“Kaya hindi nag po-prosper yung kaso sa piskalya kasi walang tumitestigo,” Dir. Mindalano said. “Tulungan lang tayo dito.”

Moreover, the community must cooperate. Should there be any reports with regards to security and tricycle concerns, DSS can be reached through the following: Smart: +639287598812 Globe: +63176323288 Radio Frequency: 159-970

//investigative

PILES OF FACTSHEETS are now bundled down to manuals.

for my approval, then I have nothing to approve” he added.

Liberal Arts courses or popularly known as LA subjects are required to be taken by every student of MSU.They are offered in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH).

Most LA courses now sell manuals or workbooks to the students to provide them with the right materials and references that should be discussed for the course.

When asked if those manuals are legitimate to be released without passing through his authority, the Dean said it still needs the approval from the Office of the Vice Chancellor of the Academic Affairs (OVCAA) and is subject for the evaluation of the Textbook Committee.

Although not all LA instructors oblige their students to buy manuals or workbooks, some give incentives or additional points to those who will buy one.

The last Special Order (S.O.) issued on theTextbook Committee was way back in December 2009. Some of the members listed in the S.O. said they were not really informed about the activities of the boardand were not even aware that they are a member of it. Prof. Ma. Luisa Colina of the English Department said the committee did not function ever since 2009 and seconded the claim that the function of the committee literally died. Some of themhave retired and is already deceased.

Fatanah Aysah Masnar, 1st year BS Physics student, said it’s okay to buy manuals instead of factsheets “..kasi pag factsheets kaynawawala,” she said. However, a first year BSAHorticulture student commented “mas tipid sana kung photocopy lang.”

Charity, not her real name, a 1st year student who just took English 3 last semester said “Sa tinuod lang, dili jud okay sa ak oang mag manual, kay makatapul siya pati sa instructor. Ug nakahatag siya ug dugang bayrunun.

Pero tungod sa compulsory man siya gud, mao yes na lang. Pero gana ra man jud kung dili manual kay para nako maka-challenge.”

CSSH Dean Dr. Samuel Anonas said the publishing or the selling of the said manuals did not pass through his authority nor did he receive any request for approval from any department of the college. “[The manuals] were already existing before I assumed the office…

I did not grant any approval because they were already there…” Dr. Anonas said.“ And since there was no request

Vol. 29 No. 1

Vol. 29 No. 1

The Textbook Board Committee

According to the 2009 S.O., the committee is tasked to review policies, set guidelines, and critically examine and/or evaluate all textbook and instruction materials in the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. It is also tasked to assess the existing textbooks prepared by faculty members for adoption in the university, and has the consultative capacity and in coordination with the different departments and colleges on matters related to textbook content. Dr. Marianita Dablio, the vice chairperson of the committee in 2009, said there were meetings held to revive the committee.

All departments in CSSH with an LA course that produces their own manuals admitted that they did not

pass these manuals in the textbook committee. Dr. Eugene F. Torres, Jr., a faculty of the English Departmentand assistant dean of Graduate School, said they are willing to submit the manuals to the committee but it just so happened that the committee is not functioning.

Former English Department Chairperson Prof. Grace Rafal said they are still testing if the English 1 textbooks they produced are going to work properly, after series of meetings and editings for it. She added that the effectivity of the material must first be ensured before submitting it to the University Book Center (UBC) for publishing.

Filipino Department Faculty Prof.

Myrna L. Calamian clarified that the one they are using in Filipino 1 is a national released textbook.

“Di na na siya kinahangla nmuagig textbook board kaynational release nisiya. The authors are from Manila… no need namo-textbook board siya kayangpinaka-main author anisaManila, kami (faculty members) co-authors me.” Prof. Calamian said.

Psychology department Chairperson, Prof Ma. Junnah Liguid said one of the reasons why they have stopped publishing or releasing their manuals is because it did not pass through the said committee. “Hindi man din pa masyadong klaro sa amin kung ano yung proseso pag ipadaan siya doon (textbook committee),” she said. She also said they’ve always planned to release their own manuals for a long time already, until finally last year it was done.

They also decided whether to pass it first to the textbook board or release it immediately for a trial. In the end, they’ve thought that passing it on the

board would take a longer time for processing.

Philosophy Department Chairperson Prof. Fernando Garingo said it is sometimes inimical to the interest of their department to submit it to the committee. “Saamong part, dili siya some sort of giving credit… in terms of the return na makuha namo kanang sa ginasulti sa textbook board, dilisiya compensating” he said.

History Chairperson Prof. Melodia S. Udtohan also affirmed that those that their faculty members use in History 1 did not also passed through the board and was printed without her knowledge. Because of this, she said they will not be reprinting it anymore.

Compulsory Some of the manuals released are compulsory for the students to buy, some, as a requirement of their instructor. Prof. Garingo said it is because “Wala’y available books regarding kani siya nga mga subjects nga ga-produce ug manual… in the absence of that book, that’s the only way (for them to disseminate info) and at the same timeparapudmakacopeangestudyantewith the subject.”

When asked if it is okay for the student to photocopy it instead, Prof.

Garingo said “Our manual is different from the other manuals because kami gud mismo ang nag buhat ana… dili siya kanang bitaw cut and paste… in other words, intellectual output namusiya.”

Prof. Liguid said they made the manuals they’ve released last semester compulsory for the students because there are exercises there for them to answer. For those students who could not afford to pay the amount due, they’ve made an agreement with the faculty to let the students pay in partial amount first.

Prof. Rafal said no money from

Manuals for $ale Jeahan Darampatun

Investigative// 17

the college is used to write and reproduce these manuals. The number of printed manuals are usually based on the number of students enrolled in the course. If a student drops, the department usually suffers from the deficit. Some of these deficits are even a debt from the printing press who reproduced the manuals.

Where do the profits go?

Prof. Garingo said profits coming from the selling of the manuals go to some extension projects of their department and to sponsor outreach programs such as participations in seminars and lectures.Some faculty contributors have their share.

Prof. Liguid said aside from the minimal share of the contributors to the manual, the 30 percent of the profit were used to purchase test materials and another percentage is for faculty development and seminars since it’s difficult to ask support from the University. Other departments also said the lack of funds from the university purported them to release their own manuals.

Prof. Udtohan however noted that even though their department has share over the income of the manuals, she insisted that it’s “not enough” because the release of the manual, in the first place, was never agreed by the body.

What is really a manual?

Dr. Alma E. Berowa, a former member of the textbook committee and presently the Vice President for Academic Affairs identified the authorized and legal manuals as those which are published by the University.

“We are referring to a manual nayungpina-publish talagasa printing press naangnakalagay ay ‘published by the Mindanao State University’ at doonibinibentasaUBC” Dr. Berowa clarified.

“We have to put a demarcation line between what we call manuals that are authorized and those… the idea of the faculty… to make his or her job easier… yung talagang legal na manual ay yung published ng university at released by the UBC” She further added. And since some departments do claim their works to be manuals, Dr. Berowa said “These things have to stop.”

Minor Subjects Aside from LA subjects, there are also other minor subjects that sell manuals. The College of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation (CSPEAR) call it modules. Their assistant dean, also the chairman of their module committee, Prof.

Visminda L. Detalla said “We call it a module because the lessons are modular…”and since it’s still a factsheet for the meantime, they did not pass it to the textbook board. All members of their faculty also have shares of the income from it.

Prof. Jasmin Jeanette Caorong– Mama, chairperson of Information Technology Department said what they release only lecture notes and not manuals. They have not also passed it through the textbook board since it is still subject for revisions.

Even at the department level, instructors endeavore to serve quality education despite the short budget and even subsidy the government gives to state universities and even education itself. The government should be providing for the needs of the educational sector. Because of these shortages, even the teachers themselves are forced to pull the last penny from theirs and the student's pockets.(With reports from Jobert Bergosa Jr. and Reyna Joy Arcamo).

Photo by John Prosper Gatubig

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MINDANAo VARSITARIAN

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN

A story of love and martyrdom

I ADMIT. I’M a martyr.

You can call me Spencer. From the start I knew our relationship will never be a fairytale with a happy ending. I love him, he loves us. I am here always patiently waiting for him.

Photo by Ekra Yori Tatil

Won't be coming back But he is with somebody else. Always.

(

I endured the pain, while he, on the other side of the door, enjoys the pleasure.

This’ always been the scenario. The flashbacks were killing mte as they rush in like a déjà vu.

I met him in my History 3 class a few years back. He gave me his cellphone number for a group activity with an irritating smile flashed in his face. I knew my friends were squealing as he drew closer. “He’s the perfect boyfriend! He’s tall, dark and handsome,” a friend always told me. And really, as a guy, those words were like buzzing bees in my ears, so annoying. However, I took a dose of my own medicine when the world turned upside down and he became the most special person in my life.

We became textmates. I learned to smile at his silly jokes. Those smiles that used to exasperate me now completes my day. “A day without you is like a year without rain”, says Selena. I tried to fight the feeling. But the more I fought, the more I realized that it’s him I want to spend my whole life with.

I moved to the dormitory, packing my bags in hopes of getting closer to him.

Every hour, every day, I was there in his room and shared the same bed and locker.

We threw pillows at each other. We talked about each others' stories. I became the shoulder for his tears. But whenever I saw him with somebody else, the sight of it was close to killing me. But I shouldn’t be jealous because I have no right. I guess this is not a question of rights and who-owns-who. This is a struggle of who loves more. And in a desperate need of winning his love, I courted him.

He accepted my feelings in 2010. The same year when I think the earth became paradise, when the flowers seemed to burst with laughter, when all I heard was the song of birds with symphonies of melodies and lyrics---lyrics of love. That was the happiest moment of my life. I want to be drowned with that feeling over and over and over again.

I gave him everything I can. I bought him things he needed even if that means my starvation for the coming weeks. I became his doctor when he was sick. I like the feeling of taking care of him and waking up at dawn so he can take his medicines.

But it hurt me seeing him trembling. But I can do nothing but embrace him with the warmth of my love for him. If only I can ease the pain, I would. I would be a willing prey.

I have heard rumors of his flings. My friends said they have seen him with gays and girls. I even saw his betrayal with my bare eyes while he was on a date with a CNSM teacher. Suicide is enticing. But I realized, love is all about giving and expecting nothing in return. I confronted him about it. He said, “I don’t love them. I was just doing it for fun and… sex.”

Was I not enough already?

We moved in a cottage where we lived together in a single room. I thought he will stop with his cravings by doing my best to satisfy him.

I thought wrong.

Photo by John Prosper Gatubig

Every night, he brought different girls and guys in our room while I, on the other hand, will spend the night with a friend in the other room just to avoid the hurting sight. But I’ll lean on the wall to listen to the sound, the rush of my feelings and worries audible. I wasn’t born yesterday not to know they’re doing ‘miracles’. I spent nights and days crying. I tried to leave him but I cannot help but come back again and again. He was my gravity. Sigh. I never once imagined that love coexist with pain.

Are these really the perks of being gay?

I cannot really do anything with his bad habit. It was like a disease with no cure.

And it was not I who was the perfect medicine for it. So, I’m now moving on without breaking up with him officially. Three years had been too long for stupidities and for losing myself. I want to find the old me which I seemed to have forgotten since I’ve fallen for him. Because really, there is love but that will never be ours.

The love is still there but I choose to leave him.

And this time, I will make sure I won’t be coming back.

(As told to Mark C. Maylan, Lady Mae Lao, and Glihard D. Escudero)

18

//cofessions

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

Marriage Wedding(Stories and on Garay) Jesslei Mae Piquero Adnan Alauya Jehan Derampatun

LOVE IS A TERM that a person can always provide a definition to, if not a description.

It’s something that makes people united.

People are always finding something to say about it. It relates choice, freedom, and will. You would want to be wedded to the person you love. However, when something gets in love’s way,unfavorable things happen. An example of this is the issue on arranged marriage.

Arranged marriages is prevalant the Maranao and other cultures. As popular stories are heard, one of the most common effects of arranged marriages is negative.

Take for example the story of Aisah, not her real name.

Aisah was still a sophomore in high school then when her father wanted her to marry her first cousin. And as what you can predict, she refused. She refused and refused until she decided to run away from home to seek refuge from an aunt’s side the night just before the “kapanuksam”, the traditional visitation of the groom in the house of the bride. Good thing her mother was also on her side. Unfortunately, this caused a rift between her parents that led to their divorce. Her father then married another woman. She can still remember the fury in her father’s eyes.

Today, the guy she was supposed to marry is already a successful engineer and boasted to Aisah her loss for rejecting him.

But Aisah was never regretful at all. She remained firm with her decision and belief that sometimes, you need to do something radical for your future, even if you have to suffer the consequences.

The story is quite the same for Raymah.

One day, her father wanted her to marry a man 15 years older than her. The man was rich and had a stable job, some of the reasons why her parents really wanted to marry them. But Raymah didn’t like him to be her husband.

“Ino ako pi ki pangaruma sa myaloks a mama? [Bakit ako magpapakasal sa matandang lalaki?] Ago inoiran rakn itugul

so di akn tumon? [At bakit nila sa ‘kin pinipilit ang di ko gusto?].”

halos araw-araw, at parang nililigawan na rin pati ang abi [father] ko,” Naifah shared.

She is even in a relationship during that time and continued with it despite being engaged. She ignored it with a firm belief that their marriage will not materialize.

After a while, the parents told them the truth.

For long weeks, after everything was almost settled, her parents were still very firm with their decision. She even argued with them continuously to the point that Raymah had to leave home and stayed with her friends.

Fortunately, after prolonged agonies, she won against them. Her parents decided to break their engagement seeing no development on it. And Raymah succeeded.

Triumph to go against forced marriage there may be, but the last story had a bitter-sweet start and a happy ending.

Meet Naifah. She has been arranged three times for marriage to the same guy.

However, it is only during the last try that marriage really took place.

She was first arranged to marry the man when she was in her last year in elementary, but she refused with the reason that she is still too young and that she was not introduced to the boy her parents wants her to marry, so the engagement was called off. The second time was when she was in high school, but it still did not work out because they were still too young.

“Hindi naman sa hindi gusto ng papa ko yung pamilya niya. Hindi pa lang daw kasi ako handa noon,” Naifah said.

But one day, they met without even knowing that they were the ones who were supposed to get married. They started as friends. Gradually, feelings for each other grew.

The guy, not knowing the plans yet, started courting again for Naifah’s parents’ approval.

Naifah then readily agreed for she already knew the guy.

“Pangatlong beses na rin daw kasi at parang nasasaktong edad naman daw kami, so yun na,” Naifah shared.

Today, Naifah’s husband is a graduating student in Cebu while Naifah continued with her studies after giving birth to their first child this year. According to her, their relationship even bloomed. Everytime the guy finds some free time from school, he goes straight home to Naifah and their child.

Their relationship is strongly supported by both their parents. Naifah still stayed with her parents and had their utmost support, especially in caring for her baby,coping with having a new family, and being a student.

Choosing your life partner is a crucial part in one’s life. Having your parents’ opinion is as important. But in the end, what happens to you is always because of the choices you make. Aisah and Raymah chose to find partners for themselves.

These ladies were brave enough to go against what is forced on them and to stand on what they want.

Naifah’s case is intervened with fate’s magic. Indeed, for her, love moves in mysterious ways. It may knock on your door not just once or twice. It may come in the form of arranged marriage or by just an unexpected encounter.

In the end, your life is already planned.

The choice is just left in your hands for you to choose on how to live up your life.

Because in the future, as you look back, you will come to find that love, wedding and marriage most often go intertwined together.

“Nagsimula siyang pumunta sa bahay

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

CONFESSIONS// 19

IT'S NOT A love story any girl would wish for, nor a love story that anyone would be happy to tell the whole world about.

Forbidden

(An account of a second loved) The Savage Temptress

Instead, it is a love story that is unsure.

A love story nobody would be happy to hear.

A love story untold because it is forbidden and will always be.

It was one of the ordinary nights in my life; empty streets, silent neighbours, the bright moon, noisy crickets and our lively little turf. A knock came, and there stood the man who changed my whole life. No, he didn't disturb its silence, he put music in it.

He didn't destroy its beauty, he put colors in it. That life in black and white became printed with curves and zigzags and flowers and stars and hearts and love. Soon after, I found all the colors of the rainbow in it, colors I didn't even know existed.

We were happy. We were in love. My summer days were filled with laughter and joy. We used to spend our lazy afternoons with sweet talks and words and sleep through the night with kisses and warmth.

He fed my ego and never let it feel any hunger. He drew me closer and closer until I fell, fell deep within his spell. He was everything so good, so pleasurable, so close to perfect. He was everything that I ever wanted.

I would always catch myself smiling with the thoughts of him. There was never a night that I didn't long for him.

Never a day would pass that I spent not loving him. I was in love with that man. I didn’t know when or why or how. I just did. And I loved the way it felt.

But the love that I thought would have a happy ending shattered into pieces one afternoon. I was shaking and sweating, catching my breath. I wanted to scream, but all I could do was cry. I didn't see that coming, not at that point in my life, when I thought everything was already perfect. Just when I thought we owned each other from body to soul, I then realized, he owned me but I never owned him— somebody else did, and still does, even long before we met. They're married and they have a son.

At times, he was nowhere to be found. At times, just like the first night we met, he would just appear right through the door. At times, I miss him, and at times, I would miss him a lot more. But that's not why it hurts. What hurts the most was that I know exactly where he was when he’s not around. I know where he is when he's not beside me. And there's only that one place--beside her. It was a torture knowing that he was not here because he was there. Each night, when he's not around, I wish I was her. I would often cry tears, big tears. It's killing me every single moment to think of them together, the agony of being a mistress.

But he would always show up again and in a blink, I'm all well again. The smile on my face is back; the sparkle in my eyes, the love in my heart, and

Illustrated by Reyjhon G. Entenia

//CONFESSIONS

20

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

the hope that he'll never have to leave anymore. It's a never ending cycle, but I love how it felt. He told me to wait and hold on and to never let him go. He said he'll fix things, and soon enough, everything will be alright. I know it's an old fantasy for people like me, but the sad truth is, I kept holding on to that impossibility; to that every single word that he promised me.

The relationship was not something I was able to dispose off so easily, so it kept going. It was so difficult for me to back up.

So I stayed where I stood. I stayed even when I know it was wrong. And so there we were, seizing every single moment given by chance. We held each other's hands when nobody was looking. We talked when no one's listening. We made love without anyone knowing, and we continued to hold onto that happiness.

But my nightmares won't let me go.

Guilt keeps on haunting me every now and then. It kept on chasing me and I ran. Istill didn't want to get caught. One late night, I had enough of my selfishness and stupid wishes. I broke up with him. I let him go, gave him up and set him free.

It killed me to give up on that one thing that was keeping me alive. Each and every day I would pretend that it’s not hurting.

I could tell people that I was happy, but deep inside I was really not. At night when I was supposed to have a sweet slumber, I would instead revive bittersweet memories.

I would visit all the places that we've been, listen to all the talks that we had, looked at all the things that we did. And then again, I would cry. For he was the only man who made me feel every possible feeling that I could ever feel in this world.

Just when I thought that everything has ended, once again, he showed up in front of the door, begging me to come back. With a snap, his magic, again, made me indulge once more for that pleasant insanity.

People say that it was all not worth it, but how can something that is making you the happiest be not worth the fight? I was happy to have him in my life even if he was not really mine. All I want was to see him beside me when I wake up in the morning, to be the person who will cook breakfast for him, to be the girl who will touch and feel him, and to be the only one to lie beside him at night.

It's a love story that I will never be proud of, but it's one that will never make me ashamed, not even once. For his presence in my life was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. He’s one of my sweetest escapes, one of the reasons why life is all worth living.

Everything about us is uncertain, but all I know is I'll need him now and more, though I’ll never know if he'll always be there.

SAYA AT KALUNGKUTAN ang lumamon sa’king damdamin habang ako’y nakaupo sa sasakyan. Saya dahil natapos na rin sa wakas ang isang semester sa MSU. Dahil muli nanaman akong makakaapak sa probinsyag aking kinamulatan at kinalakihan. Kasabay nang kasiyahan at kagalakang aking nadarama ay may namumuong kalungkutan at kapighatian marahil ay…

“M’larga tano den,” sabi ni bapa habang abala ako sa pag-gunita sa Allah.

Ilang sandali pa ay tuluyan nang umalis ang sasakyan. Mahaba-habang biyahe rin ang aking gagawin, kaya inaliw ko na lamang ang aking sarili sa tanawin ng mga lumang bahay, malawak na luntiang maisan at palayan, at bughaw na ilog na aking natatanaw. Di ko na tuloy maiwasang sariwain muli ang aming probinsya.

Papalubog na ang araw noon, isang araw na naman ang dumaan sa mga mamamayan ng Kitango, Datu Piang, Maguindanao. Ang lahat ay nasa kani-kanilang barong-barong na yari sa kulay tsokolateng atip na gawa sa dahon ng niyog; pinagtagpi-tagping luma at bukbuking kawayan at tabla ang dingding at inaanay na hagdan. Bago pa man balutin ng kadiliman ang probinsya ay nag-bang sa Masjid. Hindi masasalamin sa bawat isa ang pagkabahala at pagkatakot na maaring mangyari anumang oras. Ang saya at ngiti ng bawat pamilya ay tila ilaw na hatid ng lamparang nasa gitna ng hapag.

Habang sa aming tahanan at tatlo lamang kami nina Ina at Ama. “Wata, pagkatapos mong kumain, mag-abdas ka na,” sabi ni Ama habang sarap na sarap akong kumain ng hapunan.

Napatango na lamang ako.

Tulad sa ibang nayon, hindi pa naman lumalalim ang gabi ay nasa loob na kami ng kulambo. Ako ay napapagitnaan at nababalutan ng pagmamahal. Madaling araw nang paisa-isang tumilaok ang mga tandang. Gumising si Ina at tinungo ang lutuang abo upang magluto para sa salimbwat sa Ramadhan habang si Ama ay nakadungaw sa bintana, nagtatabako at walang pang-itaas na damit, malong lamang. Ilang sandal pa’y ginising na ako ni Ama.

“Gedan kano! Gising! Wata, gising!” nanginginig na tinig ni Ama habang ginigising kami ni Ina. Agad lumabas si Ama, tinatawag ang aming mga kapit-bahay, ngunit wala ni isang nagparamdam.

Patuloy ang putukan.

Palakas ng palakas. Halos wala na kaming marinig kundi ang malakas na putukan at pagsabog. Naipik kami sa gitna ng kaguluhan. Nagsidapaan kami at gumapang.

So pigkaselan ko (Ang aking kinalakihan)

Isang kwento mula Maguindanao Mubarak M. Tahir, Kontribyutor

“La Ilaha Illa Allah! Allahu Akhbar!

Subhanallah!” tanging naibubulalas ni Ina habang akay-akay ako.

Minsan pa ay biglag nabuwal ang dingding ng kinalalagyan namin. Napayuko at napapikit kami. Ilang oras din ang aming hinintay na mahinto ang putukan.

“Ceasefire!” sigaw ng ilang mama sa labas ng aming bahay. Agad kaming lumabas. Magkahawak-kamay. Tinunton namin ang mabatong daanan patungo sa Padian. Sa aming paglalakad, doon ko napagtanto, isang luma at punit-punit na damit pala ang aking suot habang bitbit ang sambayangan.

Narating namin ang Padian. Ang lahat ay nandoroon, bata at matatanda na tila nasa isang okasyon lamang nagtitipon. Sa mura kong edad, sumagi sa isip ko, maaari kaming mabuhay sa probinsyang nabinabalot at binubuhay ng kaguluhan.

“Wata, gedam kaden, kakain na tayo,” pag-anyaya ni Ama. Mahirap kumain kapag niyayapos ng antok. Medyo mabilis ang aming pagsubo dahil kailangang bago sumapit ang dasal sa Suboh ay tapos na kaming kumain. Nang nag-bang ay nagdasal kami at pagkatapos ay bumalik rin sa higaan.

Kinaumagahan, rumaragasang mga tangke at sasakyan ng mga sundalo, kasabay nito ang pagsusulputan at nagsasalubungang mga bala mula sa panig ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at mga sundalo ang gumising sa’min.

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

Illustrated by Ivan Ray Aranas

CONFESSIONS// 21

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN

Unjust and Unfair

Vol. 29 No. 1

No to pork

an advised-to-shift story

Adnan L. Alauya Senior Writer @twothreeRB

Al Marvien. Savandal THIS ARTICLE IS indebted to the woman who mustered every ounce of courage to have her story inked to pages. This article is for a student who entrusted MV despite how many friends stopped her from doing so. This is for the victim who stood squarely in the midst of fear and falling apart but still chose to speak the words and unzip her mouth.

She is Deborah.

She was on her final year from the college of ladle and toque. Her parents expected her to wear the maroon robe for the incoming year. She was counting her fingers for the few days left to finally toss her graduation cap. Deborah was toiling for her thesis proposal and she only has but a semester and 24 units left before practicum. However, their college has no concrete system about prerequisites and requirements for practicum.

But news from her adviser made her eyes flood—she was recommended to be forced to shift out from her college.

Like any other advised-toshift story, it crushed her world and seared her to shame. She had no choice but to pack up and transfer to other course. Until now, her parents still do not know about this, scared of what they might think about her.

made herself clear by explaining what went amiss and why it became unjust. She narrated her story by starting about the nature of their subjects.

She said the first major subject was all about seminars. She even dug the last coin of her pocket just to pay for the series of seminars they attended and conducted.

Every seminar costs hundreds to thousands. In fact, there was a time when everything for their seminar was set up and prepared including the speakers, food and venue. Too hefty for an MSUan. In just a snap, her teacher demanded that it should be in Initao, somewhere because it must be in an adventurous place. The batch had no choice but follow their teacher’s orders for they really after a good grade.

At the end of the semester, majority of their class received an empty grade card. Her teacher required her to attend a couple of seminars more and provide certificates which she complied immediately. What’s more perplexing is that her teacher said that she already entered Deborah’s grade.

However, there was none and those failing remarks were used against her to be kicked off from her program.

Accordingly, the grounds that Deborah’s adviser has laid down washer incurring two major incomplete subjects. Unfortunately, her adviser happens to be the teacher of the said subjects. Deborah has a CGPA of 3.0 making her eligible for expulsion but University Student Handbook states that any ground for dismissal must undergo phases of warning, probation and even counselling which were never seen in her case. Deborah is also in the level of writing her thesis proposal already, making her entitled for a chance to cope.

Deborah clung to the slightest speck of chance she could get.

She went to their college a million times just to explain things and trying to complete what she had missed in her subjects or whatsoever. Instead her adviser refused and turned a deaf ear to her. Her adviser could not even make out properly why she was given that grade and how to complete it.

She was also trash talked saying no other department would accept her in this University. These kinds of matter should just remain between her and her adviser, but her instructor even spilled about her standing to their entire class, making the wound even worse.

Deborah’s boyfriend was also confronted and tagged as no good.

She could just weep silently after garnering all those infamy.

Deborah admitted that she shared part of the blame, but she

A classmate of hers with the same case bursted on her adviser’s

Why was she dumped off? Irresponsibility? She’s not so smart, perhaps?

22

//confessions

office, indiscriminately complaining and hysteric to their instructor. The student was banned from the office at first, but surprisingly, a grade was imprinted in her grades the next day, probably because of the girl’s cultural and familial affiliation .Deborah is not the type of girl that would go rage her way out and threaten people though. She wanted to press her plea and iron it with diplomacy. But did it work?

During the enrolment, she was bitten by a dog and was confined in the hospital, paralyzing her to do anything for her problematic subjects. However, even her medical certificate was not acknowledged. Left with no choice, she enrolled late and decided to run to another college. Until not, her grades are still hanging on a cliff. So are her dreams and all her hard work.

MV tried to let her come to the academic affairs and students division offices; however, there was only silence about her case.

Student rights offenses continue to tread on, even thrive.

She is desperate, hurt and speechless. She doesn’t know where and how to stand. She is hopeless. She is screaming for help. And this is just one of the many stories of students who had their rights trampled on.

‘The final decision lies on the college’s shifting policy. We have to check and go over the provisions of contract signed by the student and the college, if we found out something is lacking, we have to amend, suggest and improve the contract,” said Division of Student Affairs (DSA) Coordinator Dr. Catherine G. Alicante. “For us here in DSA, we help the student to graduate as soon as possible.”

According to Prof. Teresita Sanchez, dean of CHARM, they have no contract policy given to the students but it is always announced during their orientations to maintain 2.5 CGPA if the students got 3, they will be included in the list of students recommend-

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

COlumns//23

e d t o move out of the college. They however require students to pass promissory letters and provide verbal notices to inform the college with their conditions. In extreme cases, they do deliberations among faculty to probe its causes and to result a unanimous decision.

PEN SPEECH

Sometimes students get a flunked grade because of a failed major subject, negligence, tardiness, and shortcomings.

These are the things they considered before advising a student to shift. Prof. Sanchez mentioned Deborah’s case as one of the extreme cases. She told us that Deborah got a failed in two major subjects because of absences and retook Math 1 subject five times.

Deborah however said that she has submitted a medical certificate during her absences. Furthermore, the failed grades in Math were garnered several semesters ago already, but her recommendation to leave the college came in late.

with the fund, it is just right to call up for its complete abolition, scrapping the PDAF allotted for the legislators’ and the President’s.

The Pork Barrel is a fraud. Instead of helping people, it has been manipulated and became a mechanism for corruption.

Billions of pesos have been misused, but over the years, no transparency and accountability in its utilization has been reported. No strict auditing has been made by the Commission on Audit (COA) which only means that is a good avenue for corruption.

I am not questioning the integrity of the President, even that of the legislators; though they are all visibly stained.But in a country where corruption prevails, how can we even build trust? The anomalies and scandal are exposed and the indignant resentfully shout for abolition.

Can we blame them? Let there be no doubt that PDAF does not help the Filipino people, but deteriorates the conditions and welfare of many. It does not serve as a help, but a conduit for personal and political interests by those in power.

The solution on the issue is simple – REFORM. And when I say reform, it is not merely renaming it into a bureaucratic

way, REFORM in a sense of abolishing the pork barrel system and rechanneling it directly to education, healthcare services, housing for the poor, and other social services where benefits are sensible.

The billions of pesos appropriated in the PDAF can sustain the vast needs of the Filipino masses. This can resolve the insufficiency of classrooms, books, school facilities, and teachers especially in most remote areas. The clamor on high costs of hospital bills and drug prescription, and the lack of medical facilities can be addressed. Housing programs for the poor especially for the victims of unjust demolitions and calamities can also be implemented.

See? The solutions are easy, but the government’s dilemma has been way too delusive. I don’t know much about the administration’s interests, but one thing I’m certain with is the reality that we’re not in the “tuwidnadaan”, and it’s more like we’re lost in “nawawalang daan”. Despite the call of millions of Filipino people for the abolition of the pork barrel, the government remained sluggish. It seems irrational and it makes me ask, “Kami pa po ba ang boss nyo?”

Panawagan ng aking mga paa Lady Mae Lao Literary Editor @shaddupDy

Deborah has also already taken her thesis proposal subject but was still made to shift out from her program. According to Prof. Sanchez, the College makes exemptions for students who have already taken the said subject.

This is just one story of students who struggle with their academics. Some fall on banes, some falter. Some are never able to stand up again. While those we expect to help us with situations like these remain silent, we also opt to remain silent in fear of the retribution that may get back to us.

RECENTLY, THE P10-BILLION Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam starring Janet Lim Napoles tagged as the Pork Barrel Queen and some (dis)honorable legislators, spread like an epidemic virus all over the nation.

Immediately after she came out in the open, several evidences and reports have further put the issue on the hot spot. The Filipino people, having been affected, have spoken and come into one outcry – to abolish the Pork Barrel system.

PDAF, as an overview, is a lump-sum appropriation in the annual General Appropriations Act to fund the priority development programs and projects of the government.

Annually, each senator is entitled to receive P200-million PDAF, and each congressman is entitled with P70 million for their projects. The president, on the other hand, is allotted with more than P1 trillion as his presidential PDAF. For the year 2014 proposed national budget, congressmen and senators are allocated with P25.5 billion PDAF and the president is allocated with P1.33-trillion PDAF or 55% of the overall 2014 national budget.

Hearing the anomalies inclined

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

HINDI KO ALAM kung ilang beses na itong naisulat sa mga papel. Hindi ko alam kung ako na ba ang huling“sugo”ng kalikasan na magsusulat tungkol sa mga luntiang bagay dito sa mundo. Pero sana, ako na nga, dahil nakakasawa na.

Hindi ko trip ang maging superhero ng mga YES-O peeps o ng mga young or adult environmentalist (whatever).

Hindi naman talaga kasi ako nature lover.t Nagkataon lang ngayon na nangangati na ang mga paa ko. Sa katunayan nga eh minumura na ako nito. Napapagod na kasi ako sa kaka-tiptoe habang naglalakad sa mga landmarks natin dito sa MSU. Pagod na rin ang mga mata ko sa pagsusuka sa kakatingin sa mga basurang hindi ko alam kung nais makipag-interaksyon sa atin mga estudyante o sadyang wala na silang pagtataguan dahil overpopulated na sila sa kani-kanilang tahanan–mga sulok at kanal.

Sasayangin ko ang una kong pagsulat ng column sa mga reklamo ng aking mga paa. Naawa na kasi ako sa kanila dahil sa tuwing namamasyal kami, ang ending ay may dalawang kanal na rin ako sa bawat gilid ng aking hinlalaking kuko. Aaminin ko, ang inspirasyon ko ay ang aking mga paa. Sadyang makati na kasi talaga.

Pansin ko ngayon ang mga bagong pintadang pader at sidewalks. Mga“newly repaired” na haligi at mga clean up drives

na nangyayari ngayon sa campus (nang dahil siguro sa Community Development na course). Sa totoo, natutuwa ako. Narealize ko kasing may pag-asa pa pala ang mahal kong unibersidad na gumanda.

Natutuwa ako, pero hindi kuntento.

Hindi ko aakalaing pati sa paglilinis ay oligarchs rin tayo. Ang pinagti-tripan lang nating linisin ay ang mga lugar kung saan pagpapaganda lang naman ang kailangan at hindi linis. Parang si Napoles na kahit mataba na ay sinusubuan parin ng 60% na pera natin ng mga tangang senador. Parang mga aristocrats na sila lang naman ang mga yumayaman at gumaganda. Sa pagkakaalam ko, arawaraw, hindi lang naman ang Annex ng CSSH ang ating pinupuntahan, siguro nga mas madalas pa tayong tumatambay sa mga lugar tulad ng 5th Street at ComCent kaysa sa pagpasok natin sa ating mga klase. Pero bakit hindi natin naisipang paputukan ng dinamita ang mga coral reefs na nasa kanal kaysa yung mga nasa dagat?

Alam kong sawa na tayo sa mga platapormang‘Green’ as in ‘Dahon’, dahil sa apat na pangulong ibinoto ko noong hayskul, ang mga salita lang naman ang naiba pero iisa lang ang gusto nila – kalinisan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang plataporma ng ating pangulo, pero kahit ganoon, kahit hindi ‘Green’, kalakip parin ng kanyang responsibilidad ang makita kung ano ang nakabubuti sa mga mag-

aaral. Hindi lang naman kasi pansilong sa araw tuwing enrolment ang kailangan natin, pansilong rin laban sa sakit. Kung plano ng ating pangulo na maging World Class University ang pamantasang ito, ngayon mismo ay magsimula na siyang matutong humawak ng walis dahil kung hindi, baka maging World Class dumpsite ito pagdating ng 2020. At ikaw, kung ayaw mo magka-leprosy, huwag mong itapon ‘yang diaper mo kahit saan. Mahiya ka naman.

Lahat tayo ay may pantay-pantay na responsibilidad sa ating pamantasan pagdating sa kalinisan, kahit ang mga taong nakikitambay dito sa campus. Sa totoo lang, maganda ang pamantasang ito. Sayang lang kung pababayaan nating kalawangin ito ng mahabang panahong pagwawalang bahala at katamaran. Mas pipiliin ko pa ang inaanay na classroom kaysa sa marumi at magulong kapaligiran.

At least, vintage, malinis at mapayapa, diba?

Ito lang naman ang panawagan ng aking mga paa, ang makapaglakad ng mapayapa sa loob ng pamantasang ito.

Na sa pag-uwi namin galing sa mahabang lakad ng karunungan ay hindi rin ang mismong pag-uwi namin sa langit hatid ng leprosy. Sana dinggin niyo ang hinaing na ito.

P.S: Masakit ang pusher.

Lessons from War

School ng Korupsyon (SK)?

Andres G. Awing Jr. News Editor @aawingjr

Rey Harvey E. Suello Feature Editor @reyharveyS

THE FINAL READING of Senate Bill 1186 and House Bill 2849 to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections scheduled October 23 this year has already gained the house’s approval.

However, this deferment falls short of what many people have been asking: to have the SK abolished.

This issue is getting old–to abolish SK or not. However, it baffles me why instead of being time-worn, the calls for abolition seem to be gaining momentum as the issue grows older and older. What are our dear SK Officials doing to cause such stir?

SPONGES AND URCHINS

The way I see it, most of the arguments used for the abolition of SK involve five common points. One, it is considered as a breeding ground of corrupt leaders. Two, SK officials are non-performing or have insignificant contribution to the community; most of their projects are just building waiting sheds and signages, sportsfests or paliga.

Three, SK officials cannot perform their function as they have to attend schools (or SK officials have to cut schooling just to perform their functions). Four, they just discard school in exchange for salaries and perks offered by weekly city, municipal and provincial council sessions. And five, they are just too young, easily corrupted and still irresponsible.

The bill postponing the election alone tells a lot. Over 30 million Filipino

youths will be deprived of their right to be represented in the local level. Clearly, it violates the Philippine Constitution specifically Article II, Section 13 which states, “The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”

abolition since the previous SK officials did not really perform their tasks as councilors of the youth in their areas. One second year BS Biology student here in our campus who refused to be named attested her support for the obliteration of SK by saying, “I agree with that coz’ I’ve witnessed how useless ang mga SK officials. Ang ate ko [ay] 1st Kagawad and wala talaga siyang nagawa. Our SK chairman din, habol lang scholarship.

Walang progress ang SK sa amin.”

Kabataan Partylist Representative Terry Ridon believes that the deferment of the SK elections will ultimately lead to the de facto abolition of youth representation of all government levels.

Caloocan Representative Edgardo Erice, a one-time member of SK and an advocate of its abolition, gives the group a new name, “School ng Korupsyon”. He said that the SK, “…has, sadly speaking, become both a tool and a vehicle for the proliferation of corruption.”

Other several bills to abolish SK have already been filed in the Congress. And given the present general performance of its officials, I believe that stack of these bills will continue piling up.

As Filipino youth, isn’t it a big slap for us when many citizens regard these young officials as negligent, irresponsible, opportunistic and corrupt representatives? We voted for these individuals and somehow, we are responsible why they are seated on their positions. And given the prevalent misdeeds they are doing, do they reflect what kind of people we want to represent our sector?

THE ZAMBOANGA CRISIS on the standoffof the Philippine Government’s armed forces and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has left us with so many lessons.

The siege that lasted for almost a month long of hostilities has displaced more than 100,000 people. It killed hundreds of lives including the civilians.

And according to reports it has caused 6.2 billion of damages in the entire city of Zamboanga affected by the battle.

HIS SENTIMENTS

I strongly believe that SK has become the breeding ground for new “trapos” because of its corrupt environment. SK officials are therefore not inherently corrupt. The solution is to clean up the environment and not abolish SK which is ideally a venue for training for good governance and virtuous leadership for the Filipino youth.

...continue to page 28

Some youths agree with the

MAN IN A MANHOLE

We are all afraid of the things that we do not understand.This is the reason why I think MHL had been the talk of the town throughout its five months of airing in the TV network GMA. It kept trending in the social networking site Twitter and had created buzz on other social networking sites as well. But the question here is,“Why was it really a shock?” Homosexuality is never new to us. I'm sure we all know a gay friend or two.

//columns

24

I have seen the series myself and I don't think its mere intent is to create controversy. The creators are very knowledgeable on the subject matter they are handling and presenting on the TV screens nationwide. It was effective in presenting realities. Though, it might not have advocated to the extreme the acceptance of homosexuality in the society, at least it had presented a very sensitive issue and showed that these things are happening and that they are existent.

And this is the reason why it is shocking: because the people are having a hard time understanding the nature of the series and its very characters. They are not the drag queens we expect them to be.

Vincent and Eric are not just characters of My Husband's Lover. They are reality. We encounter them almost every day. They are there and we sort of know that. But we choose to ignore.

We chose not to believe because the reality is not pleasant and because it flies against the face of our beliefs and very principles.

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

It occurred that the action of the government using the military force in resolving the crises in Zamboanga somewhat contributed to the worsened situation of the conflict. Instead of immediately calling for a truce, PNoy chose to impress his actions through the combat, which in fact aggravated the situation.

Having erupted during the height of another issue, many people couldn’t just put away the notion that the Zamboanga crisis is the cover-up issue for the pork barrel scam.

In an issue analysis of Ben O. Lim published at cenpeg.org he stated that “Critics point to PNoy’s ambiguous and meandering position on the Zamboanga City standoff as the rationale that prolonged the crisis. It was only after

Also, it leaves us the question on how powerful really the MNLF or what weaponry they possess that they were able to hold the government’s armed forces in a standoff for over a week. Thus, it shows how incapable the government is to handle such clash.

On the other hand, the media, instead of curtailing the effects of the conflict, has aggravated the situation by constantly tagging the MNLF as rebels.

This adds up to branding the factions the real antagonist of the story.

The sporadic flames in the city caused by the battle endangered the lives of the people. The vexing sounds of the seemingly unending exchange of fires made the people Zamboanga evacuate the area. The gunshots are haunting them with fear and trauma. Many have been damaged. There’s also the angle of the PDAF scam. Has the government learned a lesson by all these?

Glihard D. Escudero Associate Managing Editor @hardes19inc14

The media has a powerful impact on creating people's opinions as well as constructing perspectives. For the past few years, we see gays working on beauty parlors and dressing up as drag queens. The lead characters of the series, Vincent and Eric were the exact opposite of this. Instead of cross-dressing, they all wore men's clothes and they acted like, have all their muscles worked up and they acted like straight men. In fact, they look closely like the audience, at least the good-looking ones.

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had the series called “immoral”and“evil.”a priest even said that this could be “a bad influence” and that it could turn many straight men to gay.

God please enlighten him.

If the government allowed the NMLF of its original plan to hold a politicomilitary protest action in the outlying villages in Zamboanga, damages could never have encountered. Thus, the supposed plan of the MNLF in the city for a protest is considered to be constitutional, guaranteed by their right of assembly and petition. However the authority did not even take this into account.

one week that the half-hearted military decided to drop a few bombs and to wage an all out war. And even before the crisis is over they are now boasting that not only do they liberate the hostages from harm but are rehabilitating and rebuilding their traumatized lives.”

The paranoia of life

The gay reality

My Husband's Lover is the first aired gay-themed TV series in the Philippines.

And it all came as a shock, well at least to most people. Why? Because the series has presented a new image of 'gay'. This one, I think, is pretty much closer to reality.

Many have criticized the present administration for the lack of attention given to ease the conflict. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) denounces the Aquino regime and its armed forces for having taken control of the situation using guns and bullets rather than undergoing peace negotiations.

Previously, the MNLF faction had launched series of protests against the Framework Agreement established by the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). These protest have been tolerated by the administration, including those held in Davao City which they were

IT WAS TWO o’clock in the morning.

The sleepyhead has been struggling from insomnia. He did everything to sleep. He put on his roommate’s earphones and played a song he cannot understand— in full volume. He turned the lights off, put himself under the big blanket, trying to fight the freezing, cold wind. He set the alarm clock at 8am. He counted the number of sheep in the painting above his head. He thought of things about the world. He drew a panoramic picture in his mind. The earth is really beautiful. He was drunk by the view.

Giron Paul del Rosario Opinion Editor @DoctorGP

IT'S A GAY year this year. Yes, GAY, from Charice turning to Charlie and Dennis and Tom Rodriguez hugging and petting on Philippine television, we all have a fair share of “shades of gay” this year. These have created different types of stirs to people from different walks of life. They are shocking, controversial, and I have to say, for most of all, enlightening.

Many have been looking at the MNLF as the ultimate villain in the story. But we cannot just put the blames on the side of the MNLF because the government has also its lapses.

welcomed. But in Zamboanga they were rejected.

And he finally slept… then the nightmares came flowing in.

HIS PRIMORDIAL LITANY

He saw the most dramatic events of 2013. The high-noon stand-off near the Levantine shore in Syria and the turmoil in Egypt involving the supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi. There were extreme exchange of gun-firing and a couple of battle bombs. The Syrian war was yet a civil war and it resulted to the death of 120,000 people. While reports said that the war in Egypt resulted to the death of 50 civilians in the first night of clash between the police and the protesters.. And this would turn the clock back to the decades of the Engineered Holocaust, the perfect microcosm of the

world’s definition of violence and racism.

Here, life is equated to brutality. It is long been taken by the felonies of the world.

He saw the formation of sinkholes in the provinces of Bohol and Cebu after being jolted by a magnitude 7.2 powerful earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks.

The tectonic tremor is equivalent to “32 Hiroshima bombs” with damages of more than P500 Million. The quake resulted to the death of 215 Boholanos and Cebuanos. Fresh jitters are spreading among the residents of Central Visayas at the knowledge of disappearance of eight people and the injury of 742. But regardless of how worst the fatalities of the quake were, some of the donations were reported to be “withheld” by some opportunistic elements.

The movement of the East Bohol Fault triggered the strongest quake in the Visayas in 23 years. Bridges collapsed.

Limestone churches crumbled. Flights and classes suspended. Chocolate Hills devastated.

Here, life is taken by Mother Nature.

She is the best serial killer. No one’s better.

The sleepyhead heard the screams

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

and the prayers of the mothers and fathers with dead children. The scene is tragic. 1,700 people were confirmed dead with half of them still unidentified. It was a total massacre of people with nothing else to do but run and hide. The forsaken were mourning without tears because their cries already run dry.

Here, life is dead. It is a perennial epitome of the afflictive endurance to the wrath of cataclysm.

The clock alarmed. It was already 8am. Funnily, the sleepyhead wasn’t really sleeping and was still sleepy. Those nightmares were real. They were the parodies of the gradual destructions of the world. They are human’s definition of life nowadays. There is life but the people who have it barely breathe.

So this column is all about life and how it defines the world. How it is paralleled to freedom and how it is used by leaders for their barbaric acts. How it is given by God and how catastrophes rudely took it without warning. How humans badly needed it and how they wasted it for nothing. How a person has it and how he lost it at the same time.

And how someone is living and how he seemed to be dead.

ColumNS// 25

MARK MY WORD

Privatizing Power

'My Husband's Lover' Bill

Mark C. Maylan Managing Editor @mharkee17

Emelyn M. Manlangit Associate Editor

DURING THE 1990’S, Mindanao suffered from series of rotating brownouts. Operations of business establishments, government, and private companies were hampered due to severe power outages or shortages.

Power supply, then, was reportedly scarce enough to be regarded as a national crisis. Fast-forward to 2013, the same problem exists. Mindanao areas – from Zamboanga City, to the Agusan provinces, up to the rest of the island – have experience up to eight hours of daily power outages as the Mindanao grid continues to experience power supply deficiency. It’s a déjà vu, so to speak. Indeed, history now repeats itself.

Now here comes EPIRA; here comes the Independent Power Producers; and here comes privatization.

In 1987, through an Executive Order that allowed the private sector to generate electricity and the BuildOperate-Transfer law infrastructure projects, the government opened the floodgates for contracts with private power generation companies. Full privatization culminated in the signing into law of RA 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) on June 2001. EPIRA mandated the full privatization of the Electric Power Industry in the Philippines.

Fortunately, Mindanao is relatively

exempted from EPIRA, which is why electricity rates here have remained relatively lower than in Luzon and Visayas. Data from the 18th EPIRA Implementation Status Report shows that Mindanao has an effective residential rate of P6.69 per kilowatthour. Luzon has P9.84 while Visayas has P8.19. Moreover, according to the 2010 from the Department of Energy, 82 percent of Mindanao’s power plants are government-owned or controlled, compared to just 18 percent in Luzon and 36 percent in Visayas.

But with the exponential increase in the demands for power supply— and the obvious negligence of the government to maintain and renovate their antiquated plants—the Agus hydropower plant in Lanao del Sur (that has a total generating capacity of 700 megawatts) and the Pulangi hydropower plant in Bukidnon (that has a generating capacity of 225 MW), which supplies about 55 percent of the power needs in Mindanao, are now at risk towards being privatized.

Question then: Would privatization of the two power plants be an effective mechanisms that would ensure outagefree power supply and cheap electricity prices in Mindanao?

It won’t.

Pro-privatization groups argue that privatizing would encourage competition in the market as the number of private power generating company increases, hoping to result to a decrease in electricity rates. But, considering the status quo in Mindanao where economic growth is stagnant, if not retarded; where bloodshed is rampant; and where poverty lurks at almost every corner, do we really think we could encourage investors to invest on power industry?

Considering that electricity production requires high initial investment and takes a longtime to breakeven, do we really think investors would risk it? And lastly, considering that the private power industry in the country is dominated by few but big families and companies like the Aboitezes, Lopezes, and Pangilinans. Do you think small-scale investors would dare compete with these big tycoons if they know they are heading against a wall? I doubt. Privatization would be useless if it does not bring about any competition and efficiency gain.

SWEET IRONY

Instead of privatizing, why not renovate the power plants? The worsening exploitation of watersheds, including those located in Lake Lanao and the siltation of river systems are among the reasons why power supply ...continuetopage28

IN A WORLD where Adam and Eve are not alone anymore, is modification on the laws of the land a solution to justice and equality?

In a generation where the world is slowly accepting the LGBT existence, same-sex marriages are also being considered.

It was Article 333 of the Revised Penal Code that defines the marital responsibility of a woman towards her husband and vice versa. It is stated here that a wife caught having sex with a man other than her husband would be guilty of adultery and must be imprisoned for up to four years.

Conversely, a man caught having sex with a woman other than his wife is also guilty of concubinage, having the same definition but with lesser punishment than that of the woman.

On the other side of the story, we see wives crying over their husbands because she has just known that her husband was having an affair with someone else—with the same league as him. To make the story more unjustifiable, there is still no existing law that would punish the offenders, even if the wife would see these lovers cuddling and making out in front of her.

But now the world is no longer a place for man and woman alone.

From time to time, they are no longer deemed to be locked in the closet.

They are for the world to see. They are for the world to know and they are for the true exercise of freedom. The society must embrace this whether they like it or not. The Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transsexuals (LGBTs) continue to advocate the eradication of discrimination against their kind. Same-sex relationships are now rampant and are rapidly proliferating.

Neophite lawmaker Edcel Lagman Jr., the son of RH Bill turned to Law advocate Edcel Lagman Sr., filed a bill which broadens the abovementioned article, thus promulgating to House Bill 2352 now dubbed as the ‘My Husband’s Lover’ Bill which was named after the hit teleserye. This bill will give the wives and husbands the right to sue their partners for samesex adultery. His premise was that one must not limit the concept of equality among gender to the ‘positive sides of things’. That they must be able to accept equality, ‘for better or for worse’. The bible does not even

say that those who are beyond the gender prescribed are exempted from the rule. And so, not only are the straight offenders be given punishment, LGBT’s must also be given equal treatment when the law of the land is violated.

The bill is undeniably essential for wives and husbands who are victims of I-don’t-want-you-I-wantsomebody-else scenarios. The vows made in front of the altar can never be altered by anybody else. Also, equality must not be limited only to what we want but also to what is needed. It is for emphasis that whatever gender you think you have, you will still be punished when a‘sin’is committed.

Atty. Lagman may have the point but I think it was not discussed well enough. In the fast-paced development of the world and its system, the Philippines continues to prove that we have always been left out. Europe and United States have started to decriminalize adultery. Even the United Nations is moving for the abolishment of this law with the ground that it only encourges discrimination against women. While the world is trying to ...continuetopage28

Writes. Rights.

Riz P. Sunio Editor-in-chief @THERizonable

Privilege no more Jesslei Mae Piquero Associate Editor

FOR THE PAST fifty- two years of MSU’s existence, hardworking students enjoy what we so call the Tuition Privilege (TP); a privilege given to students with no failing grades from their preceding semester. But as wheels start turning again, we are hit. TP has been abolished. Starting this academic year, the freshmen will no longer enjoy what their seniors had. But… don’t fret, second years up to fourth year students are still well and good. Old students can still enjoy TP.

DIAGNOSIS

As what Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Zenaida Ababa said, abolishing the Tuition Privilege is one way of decreasing the expenses of the administration. The University cannot cater to TP anymore. Accordingly, this can even encourage the government, in a way, to allocate better budgets for MSU just like how it does for MSU-IIT. How? We don’t know.

Students enroll in MSU to avail good quality education as well as ease the financial burdens of their parents from sending them to school. However, with the tuition fee increase—and

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now the abolishment of the Tuition Privilege—how can the students survive?

Since TOFI, students have only been holding onto the hope of the Tuition Privilege. It became an incentive and has been an encouragement to perform better in school. After the abolishment of TP and almost empty pockets, will the students even have a driving force to continue striving?

It is true that everything changes and we have to accept the bitter fact that we are bound to be affected.

But with today’s current educational budget cuts, unstable economic status and faulty budget allocations from the government, can we still see a bright future ahead? Or has it become a blurry channel in some cable TV? It is just very frustrating to think that for our government to answer the threats on our country’s status, the youth have to carry the bigger burden and suffering greatly from it. Education, which is originally a right for everyone, now becomes a privilege only to those who can afford. An underprivileged still has to

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

IT IS MORE than the by-line. It is more than fame, glitz, and glamour.

Well actually, almost none of it is really in this profession.

be stretched to the limits to be granted with some. There privilege is lost.

The saying that the youth is the hope of our future now becomes a vague quotation. What is clearer to our vision today is the painful future of lower enrolment rates with lower college graduates and lesser competency among our manpower. Even worse, higher illiteracy rate and sinking national development.

The government should wake up and have their eyes be treated to see the nude reality in our country. The MSUS administration should stand firm in their grounds in maintaining and providing a chance for quality education for the people of the MINSUPALA and not merely be the ‘yes people’ of the government, answering to their whims just to get on their good side.

DOUBLE-EDGED

mediums, the clarity-givers. They are the tangible manifestation of student democratic rights.

But for journalists to serve right, they must also be given their due rights.

But student journalists are not writers of Candy Magazine to only publish all the good stuff about the university, as what is commonly misconceived about the role of the student journalists. Jaime B. Ramirez, a Filipino journalist, said that the press and the government have always lived a love-hate relationship.

In campus journalism context, it may be the student councils or university administration, being neither enemies nor friends. Alito L. Malinao, another Filipino journalist, said that “writing bad news is one of the primary responsibilities of a democratic press.” And this is our burden: to play the role as watchdogs and bark.

Campus journalism is the same with professional journalism. ‘Good thing with the latter is not having to live on what the advertisers give. They stand only to serve their publishers: the students. Popular and smart they may be in the eyes of others, but they are but servants as well; the mouthpiece of the students, the

Many are not pleased with this role, so some attempted to dress up the student publication as a newsletter, a public relations firm, or even a lifestyle magazine, to make them the administration’s media arm. There were also attempts to suppress it through censorship and interventions such as removal of a

Journalism is no cup of tea.

Overworked. Underpaid. Threatened, even. The pen is sharp. One can barely be at rest, knowing that the masses are ignorant about a truth.

That is why the journalist once again rises from his seat after a short break to roam the streets in search for it.

One’s name may be bannered just by the revolutionary headline, but the burden of that scoop is theirs: the accountability, the criticism. Not really dignified, but just a servant, a town crier.

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

paper’s independence, revision of management codes, controlling it, or have it closely watched. Some were successfully choked down, taking away its funding, suspension staffers, or even having the paper closed down completely.

Without the rights, how can the student paper play its role right? Will they only paint the paper sunny, hiding the blemishes that are supposed to be given attention to?

How are the student publications in MSU-Marawi?

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Marawi have received reports of Campus Press Freedom Violations (CPFVs) in the campus, and this year’s reports alone has plenty to tell.

One college publication is barely given enough independence for student staffers to run the paper on their own. Others are demanded that their dummy be checked by the college heads too, making the paper susceptible for censorship. One had their funding tightly kept by the administration, barely releasing for trainings ...continuetopage28

columns// 27

School ng Korupsyon (SK)? from SPONGES AND URCHINS, page 24

The Local Government Code provides that ten percent of total annual internal revenue allotment (IRA) of the barangay should automatically go to the SK. This means that a total of almost 5 billion pesos from the IRA will go to 42,000 barangays all over the country. Most corruption cases in the SK involve corrupt barangay officials who press youth leaders to become accomplices in their wicked activities. And Rep. Ridon believes that, “Without the SK, barangay officials can directly control the whole IRA, thereby giving these corrupt local leaders more funds for themselves.”Makes a lot of sense.

Let’s say most SKs are really non-performing or have insignificant programs and projects. This can be attributed to the obvious lack of support and guidance they get from their elders. SK was not put up for the youth officials to do their jobs solely on their own. Clearly, those government officials who limit SKs to beautification and sports projects are just as naïve as the SK officials regarding their roles and responsibilities.

There are a lot of commendable SKs all over the Philippines and common to them is the presence of guidance and support from the local government and non-governmental organizations.

Indeed, SKs are in dilemma of choosing between attending schools or council sessions. This problem rooted from the Congress after it passed Republic Act 9164, which reduced the age range SK eligible youth to 15 to below 18 from 21. If the age bracket were higher, the elected SKs would have been in college and they could have more control over their schedule and academic load.

be better.

Definitely, abolition will just lessen the motivation of the youth’s unbridled passion for service and will eliminate an efficient training ground for leadership, for value formation and for healthy attitude towards good governance. SKs have very noble and highly-idealistic goals and abolishing it will be like depriving the youth of participation in nation building.

Jazel M. Astronomo, a 3rd year-BS Fisheries student and a Kagawad of Brgy. Sta. Juana, Surigao del Sur shouts for reform by saying,“I disagree with the abolition.

Though some people look at us as useless officials, I believe we are of great help in the community. I’m just an SK Kagawad in our area but the work I do requires a lot of time and effort. Kapoy pud baya siya. Improvement ang kailangan.” Likewise, Gerald Ronquillo, a 3rd year BS Civil Engineering student and an SK Kagawad of Brgy.

Buenavista said that SK should not be abolished because it is an avenue for the youth to speak up and it can be a forge for our country’s future leaders.

What SKs need are correct support and guidance for them to meet their goals. They need proper orientation on their functions and how to execute them righteously.

They need trainings and capability building programs.

Unfortunately, these needs have never been met.

Thus, the reasons for the calls for abolition remain and are gaining momentum. The fight for long-lasting reform in Congress should continue but it should be coupled with actions on the ground.

from SWEET IRONY page 27

Atty. Lagman may have the point but I think it was not discussed well enough. In the fast-paced development of the world and its system, the Philippines continued to prove that we have always been left out. Europe and United States have started to decriminalize adultery. Even the United Nations is moving for the abolishment of this law with the ground that it only encourges discrimination against women. While the world is trying to eradicate this, why would the Philippines pursue it?

On the other side of the fence, LGBTs have been doing their best to gain the acceptance of the world, but in actuality, they are not yet granted with it in so far as the law is concerned. No law is passed yet to protect or even promote the rights of the LGBT community. It was even noted that since its passing, the Anti-Discrimination Bill have been repeatedly rejected by the Congress and the LGBTs have been continuously suffering from legal discrimination since time immemorial. If Lagman has “no hard feelings” against LGBTs and if he really wants to

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becomes problematic. In fact, Senator Loren Legarda said that the continued deterioration. of Lake Lanao has affected the supply of water six of Mindanao’s existing hydroelectric power plants.

With these, the government should have focused on finding ways how to minimize deforestation and river siltation, not on entertaining the idea of privatization.

Yes, the power demand in Mindanao peaks at 1,484 MW, and the existing power plants here can only supply 1,181 MW. It’s good that we have private generating sectors willing to help with the government to at least mitigate the problem.

But do we really have to rely on them in finding solutions if we know that the government actually has the full capacity to solve the existing problem, given enough time, space, resources, and honesty.

Privatization is good. But if we’ll place it in the present context of the Philippines, it is not.

Truly, privatization of the Philippine Power Sector is still not a promise of a long-lasting adequacy in electricity.

Writes. Rights. and operational expenses. Others had their printing expenses reduced, diverted to, and some used for other college projects, the staff not informed well about the cut. Some had no choice but sigh and say yes.

'My Husband's Lover' Bill eradicate this, why would the Philippines pursue such?

from MARK MY WORD, page 26

from DOUBLE-EDGED page 27

Having laid all of that, I believe that abolition is not the solution. Instead of dissolving SK, reformation could

promote equality among genders, why doesn’t he try to promote Anti-Discrimination Bill first?

It was actually even an irony that the main purpose of the teleserye was to awaken the society of the realities and complexities of the gender world, yet the law itself whose name came from it is against the acknowledgement of these complexities. The point was taken that equality must be ‘for better or for worse’, but was ‘for the better’ already achieved? If not, what’s stopping us from doing such?

I fight against infidelity but I also fight for justice and equality. Now, is really the modification an effective solution? Or does it only add a dilemma to the world?

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

MindaVendetta

Privatizing power

Two publications were nnot given a proper breakdown in the college fee collection. Their original budget was reduced in the middle of the sem and their number of copies printed as well,. They even barely having enough fund for trainings.

Most did not have their own office. Several did not have real support from the college. And a few are closed down for years now. While the Philippine Constitution guarantees the freedom of the press, student publications are barely basking from this right.

The student publication is the students'.

It must be given independence to be able to move on their responsibilities. Financial autonomy to keep their funds and collect or be allocated an amount is also a need, as what some publications in the campus are suffering from. If accountability is an issue, doing checks and balances is not a problem. Painful the sting of the pen's ink may be, the colleges and universities must give these rights to the watchdogs and take steps to protect, promote, and sharpen the student press.

The burden of the campus press is a heavy cross to carry. The glory of the by-line is not enough to compensate for the risk of this duty.

There's no real laurel from this line of work. But what it yields is worth every penny: an informed and aware studentry.

HEY MSU PEEPS! This is Minda again! Ikaw ba ay may pinakatagutagong sekreto? Sekreto na kahit pinakadulong iyong buhok mo ay hindi alam? Sekretong alam mong maaring maging dahilan ng pagkasira ng iyong buhay o kaya’y instant na pagsikat? Kaya mo kayang sabihin ito sa mga tao? Sa internet kaya? Kaya mo ba itong ikumpisal?

yung mga taong gumawa din ng kaparehong page pero di pumatok sa masa. Meron ring nababastusan, kesy o hindi daw sensitibo at puro kalaswaan lang daw ang mga kumpisal na nandoon. May nagstrong din, dahil puro reklamo daw ang mga estudyante sa MSU. Mula sa pagmahal ng tuition hanggang sa pagmahal din ng mga answer sheets at pop sheets inerereklamo pati.

Ikatlong araw ng Hunyo na ng magsimula ang kabaliwan ng mga MSUan. Isang page sa Facebook ang naging mistulang virus ang epekto sa sangkatauhan. MSUan Confessions ang pangalan.

Marami ang naiyak, tumawa, nainis, at natamaan. Sa madaling salita, nabaliw.

Sabi ni Mariang Pakialamera, tagasulat sa mga pader sa annex, nakabit daw ni Bitter Ocampo ang mga ito, kasi naman daw, gumawa-gawa daw ng page pero di raw nakahatak ng mambabasa kaya ayun, naiinis siya sa success (charut!) ng MSUan Confessions.

Naku, ano ba kasi ang laman ng page na ginawa niya? Baka walang laman. Hihi.

Sigurado akong isa ka sa mga nagbabasa nito, at nakitawa na rin (aminin!). Ngunit, ano bang meron sa MSUan Confessions at marami ang nahihilig rito na pati ang mga taong walang pakialam ay nakijoin na rin?

Napapaloob rito ang mga kumpisal at mga pinakatagu-tagong sekretong walang iba kundi mga MSUans. Dito pwede sabihin ang mga pinakanakakahiya nilang karanasan, ang mga lihim na matagal nang kinikimkim at mga katiwaliang di mo inaakalang nangyayari pala, siyempre sa kasiguraduhang walang makakakilala sa’yo. Mula sa mga nakakatawa (nakatae sa jeep, nahulog sa bangko habang natutulog, nanakawan ng underwear sa dorm), nakakawalang pag-asa (nabagsak sa Math 17, nabasted), nakakainis (manyakis, abusado at kurakot na opisyal at guro), nakakalibog (ginawang hotel ang internet café sa Comcent), nakakainspire (mga nag-iibigang nagkatuluyan, mahirap na estudyanteng ngayon ay matagumpay na, mga crush-crush), at kung anu-ano pang mga kwento mula sa tunay na karanasan ng mga tunay na MSUans ay mababasa dito.

Napagtatagpo din nito ang mga matatagumpay na ng mga alumni ng MSU mapa-basher man yan o masugid na liker. Baka hindi niyo alam, alumni ang mga loka-lokang admin ng page na yan. Oopss, nasabi ko ba yun? XD Ang pagpapanganak Ayon sa may pakanang MSUan Confessions, wala lang daw talaga siyang magawa sa buhay kaya naisipan niyang manggulo konti. Konti lang naman, kasi sa mga unang pagkapanganak ng page ay nagmamakaawa lang ang hampaslupa na i-like ang page niya. Sa kinatagalan, hindi inaasahan ng baklang ito na magugustuhan ng marami ang kalokohan niya. Marami na ang nag-confess sa puntong di na niya alam ang kanyang gagawin. Pati mga alumni na naglipa na sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng kalawakan ay nakikibasa at nakiki-confess na rin. Sa loob lamang ng isang buwan ay nakahigit isanlibong thumbsup na ang naturang page. Ilabas ang korona!

Nagkomento din si Gardong Siraulo, tambay sa Comcent. “Hindi naman malaswa ang nandun ah. Nalingaw gane ko, hehe,” ayon sa kanyang text. Dagdag niya, nasa tao lang daw kung paano niya tatanggapin ang mga confession doon at kung paano niya ito bibigyan ng kahulugan. “Confession nga eh, mga di katanggaptanggap na karanasan. Tama nga naman, open-mindedness, sa madaling salita.

Sinagot din ni Magnificong Maldito, taga 5th street, ang tanong kung ano ang masasabi niya sa mga nasaktan at nasugatan sa mga confessions lalo na ang mga tiwaling opisyales at guro. “Suuuuussss!

Di ka naman masasaktan kung di ka tinamaan. At saka, bakit sila magagalit? Totoo naman ah??. Tama ba namang gawin nila iyon, guro na guro, walang kwenta. Bakit pa sila magtuturo, eh mga sarili nila di maturuan ng tama?!” Nagconfess din si Magnifico, na may guro umano doon na nambastos at nangmolestiya ng estudyante, na walang nagawa ang estudyante kundi umiyak na lang sa tago.

“Ketanda-tandang tao, malibog! Ibaon na sa lupa yan!”

May sinabi din si Tatay Ko Pulitiko, na pinapaimbestigahan niya daw kung sino ang mga loka-lokang admins. Sabi naman ni Babaeng Nakatira Sa Peace Plaza, “May time pa pala silang mang-imbestiga ng mga ganun? Bakit di nila imbestigahan ang mga nakawan at patayan sa MSU? Di nga nila malutas-lutas ang kaso sa Mindnolia? Naku, mga tao talaga!”Tama nga naman sila.

Hindi ko kaibigan ang mga loka-lokang admin ng MSUan Confessions, oh well, unless i-confess ko. Pero ha, wala naman akong nakikitang masama sa ginagawa nila.

Mga batikos

Mas masaya ng makinig sa confessions ng iba kasi mula sa mga ito ay nakakapulot tayo ng aral. Aral na hindi tayo nag-iisa, at may mga taong kaya ng makinig sa atin kahit di pa natin mga kilala. Isa lang ang mga MSUans, ang kasiyahan ng isa ay kasiyahan ng lahat. Ang kalungkutan ng isa ay ikalulungkot din ng lahat. Kalimutan ang mga bitterness at lahat. Sila lang din ang mamamatay na nakasimangot.

Simula din nang kumalat ang virus ng MSUan Confessions, aba’y di na rin bumaba ang kilay ni Kurdapyo at Kurdapya. May insecure, o

Paano, masyado nang mahaba ang article na ito, at magcoconfess pa pala ako. Hanggang sa muli, paalam!

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

minda vendetta//29

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MINDANAO VARSITARIAN

The 829 million threat

Vol. 29 No. 1

Not a gay love story Bongkaka

I 'M GAY. But this is not another story of Steve who meets Adam. I know there’s been enough pages jotted for gay romantic tales. This story is about Steve found his love in Eve’s paradise. Unbelievable, but Steve has finally been caught by a pitfall of unfamiliar love.

I am Bong. When night falls, you may prefer to call me Shamsey. My brother knew I am Boy Abunda’s heir the moment he heard me yelling for Ding’s stone. My father gave up after he plunged me in a dam of torture and found out my gills and scales.

I was born with make-ups and heels. My mom could attest to this.

Even my pinkie finger would argue how Maria I am.

I drool over a display of masculinity. Some wag their tails and say I am blessed with the looks that would bewitch the entire race of Eve. I am fair and maybe gorgeous. I am best tagged as how spilled milk is ‘sayang’. I’ve swallowed a ton of could have-beenbetter comments. But whatever they insist, I adore dancing with Beyonce’s moves and faint when Zayn Malik sings. This is me, I am happy and contented that I will die curved and bent. But now, falling in love with someone who wears skirts too sound even more absurd.

Nothing changed—until I met Bernadette.

Bernadette is very friendly and she smiles a lot. We have been sisters for a year now. We shared a lot of secrets and girl night talks. We exchanged the same ‘kilig’ and thoughts about men.

We both love Paulo Cohello’s books and hang-out at the rooftop for guitar sessions. We impersonate Bea and John Lloyd’s movies together. I also know how to tickle and make her laugh until her stomach hurts. We thrive together in our early morning rendezvous- ‘Hataw’. We delight ourselves munching Roti in afternoon break and end our day with a cup of coffee at Village.

My life is boxed with her company. We laugh. We cry. And we are best of friends.

The peculiarities started when Bernadette introduced his boyfriend to me.

At first, we both scream in panic when his boyfriend does some romantic surprises for her, but later on everything changed; I gradually felt the distance between us as she drew closer to her man. She spared less time for me. While I was talking, she buried herself on phone. I was already bursting in laughter and she would

Tingog

interfere asking why. She tracked off and was enthralled with her commitments. She was now busy preparing monthsaries and dates. One day, I just knew that I was out of the picture.

I was happy for Bernadette. In fact, I was her sidekick when whenever she commits a crime. I often lied to save her when she sneaked out for date. But this time, in solitude, I can’t ignore the nagging feelings that I miss her. I miss her silent farts. I miss her disgusting smell when she’s not taking a bath. I miss our moments when she cut my nails while I am styling her hair. I miss our vogue model poses and the way we ramp at the hall way. I miss the worst best friend I had.

My nightmare began when I caught myself smiling while she’s on my mind; while I am reminiscing our days. I wake up each morning with thoughts of her. I tried to ignore this. I convinced myself that it’s just an episodic BBF possessiveness attack.

Nothing serious and nothing unusual.

One afternoon, she came to me in tears. Bernadette found out that her boyfriend was cheating on her. She poured to me every drop of pain from her heartbreak; how he took for granted her sacrifices, and her craving for destruction. In silence, there I was, feeling frail. I wanted to tell her how much I want to take care of her, to mend her wound, to ease her agony. I wanted to tell her how much I love her.

I became tongue-tied. Frozen. I don’t know what happened next, how, and why, but I finally admitted to myself that I felt something special for her. That she is special in my life. This feeling has engrained in me for quite long time. I know that it is not just empathy nor is this feeling driven by our friendship—it transcended to something more than that.

I am on fright and confusion. I don’t want her to think I am taking opportunity and I disguise all these years. I want her to know she’s perfect and worth a good man. It kills me inside because I know I am not the man she deserves.

I am gay and I’ll always be gay.

BONGKAKA, 21, says he will continue to love from the shadows while keeping up the joy of being HERSELF.

Editor's Note: Tingog is a column in the MINDANAO VARSITARIAn where students can share their love stories, heartaches, and happy endings. Be inspired to write and love. Send your stories to mindanaovarsitarian@gmail.com

WE ARE AFRAID that MSU will lose its mandate.

For 52 years now, the University has been breathing for the purpose of bridging the poor and marginalized people of Mindanao to affordable and quality education. You can barely call its students ‘less fortunate’ because of MSU’s unique mandate.

Last year, the University has been blessed with a billion budget for capacity building and another billion is coming up this year. A vision for a world-class university has been set. It sounds so heavenly: a world-class university for the poor of MINSUPALA. But that vision is threatened to be shattered, sadly.

For the 2014 proposed budget for education, 79 State Universities and colleges (SUCs) is about to suffer budget cuts. One of it is Mindanao State University with a fatal cut of 829 Million, according to reports

by Kabataan Partylist. MSU-Iligan Institute of technology (IIT) and MSU Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (TCTO) are also to be cut with 116 million and 57 million respectively. These are all part of PNoy’s Roadmap for Public Higher Education (RPHER).

Heard of it yet? Probably not. It “targets to rationalize state funding to SUCs by urging them to generate more internal income and reduce reliance on government funding. One of RPHER’s objectives is for 22 leading SUCs to shoulder 50 percent of their budget by 2016.” The Roadmap is a subtle strike, dressed flamboyantly as to deceive.

Schools like MSU are not called ‘State Universities’ for nothing.

They are supposed to be dependent and fully subsidized by the government. They are designed to give more opportunities for Filipinos to study and finish a degree.

That draws the margin between SUCs and private schools. But this time, the government is trying to make state universities no less like private ones.

The government has barely given attention to the educational sector, especially about budget allocations. Thought the budget for SUCs increased from P32.8 Billion to P34.7 Billion in 2014, 79 schools

are still to suffer the consequences, some due to lower Personnel Service expenses and Maintenance and other Operating Expenses (MOOE). In 2011 even, MSU, with other SUCs, were not given budget allocations for capital outlay, the budget for building infrastructures.

The result of budget cuts? SUCs will be forced to replenish the lost budget through income generating projects. It may even be extracted from the students through another wave of tuition fee hikes. More fees may also rise.

MSU has recently removed the tuition privilege to freshmen students. Even the scholarship funding of the University has not increased. Students groups also fear a possible increase in tuition because of the low MOOE funding to sustain the new buildings plus the cuts. The billions of budget given to the system may just be a one-shot give. Now, the government is planning to reduce our annual budget that is almost critically insufficient to sus-

EDITORIAL

MINDANAo VARSITARIAN Vol. 29 No. 1

tain a genuine state university such as ours.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad however said that the 2014 proposal “is not yet final” and may still increase as certain lump sums may still be realigned to state schools. Let us just hope it really will be.

One cannot really tell that the government needs to have the cut because there is not enough budget. First, there is the increase in the budget for the army and national defense, debt services, and PNoy’s oozing presidential pork. Not only is MSU threatened to lose its mandate, but all other state universities as well. Where is the constitutional provision “to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education”? Clearly, RPHER and the cuts are not “appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

Our dear alma mater is about to face this threat. MSUans, what are you going to do?

editorial// 31

MVUPDATES Meet the Newbies

COMICRELIEF

FACT YOU! ni Reyjhon Entenia

We call them the Lucky 5.But it will take more than luck to be the studentry’s trusty watchdog.

These five is the additional platoons for a stronger, bolder Mindanao Varsitarian.

Abigail J. Garcia I-AB Communication Studies (Journalism) Staff Writer

Abigail took her chance for a frustration in writing through MV. Though we told her that Journalism is far from fiction—and all the risk the work has—her eyes sparkled and readily said yes to the challenge, to our surprise. She’s still familiarizing the ropes of college life and being a college student journo, but she’s doing pretty well. She’ll have more servings of assignments from her demanding EIC. You have a long way to go, but you have what it takes kiddo. ;)

Jeahan L. Derampatun III-AB Political Science Staff Writer

THEORY OF EVOLUTION ni Ivan Ray Aranas

You will often spot Jeahan lolling around, grinning with her childish antics, but she’s no simpleton. A former staffer of The Pillar, University of Eastern Samar’s official student publication and a current staffer of Bidlisiw, CSSH’s official student publication, she writes critical reports with fearless views. Don’t let her looks fool you, she could get you on paper. Still, she has time clown around and quirk with the gang.

Mario C. Manlupig Jr. IV-AB Communication Studies (Journalism) Staff Writer

He's back in the scene to prove that he really is for Journalism.

And he proved it right. After an off-year, he tried his luck again for MV—and thank God he did. On his final year in college, he said that he wants to make up for the things he missed from the past four years.

Now he’s juggling article assignments, debating a few minor subjects, church and his thesis. Though he sits behavely during meetings in one corner, we do hope that he graduates with a contented sigh and a selfactualized smile. Hear! Hear!

John Prosper B. Getubig IV-BS Animal Science Photojournalist

Jop and Nikko, MV’s camera, are inseparable. But before they met, Jop took the photojourn’s exam capturing amazing photos using only his Iphone5. Also a member or Senior’s Council, Kaylap, CSO’s publication, and many other orgs, he often sways from one place to another. However, he would go places just to get the best photo he could get. Admitting to not have prior experience with photojournalism, he practices and studies on his own. No protégé perhaps, but he’s on track. Watch out for his next breathtaking shots!

PAKI-EXPLAIN, LABYU! ni Mohaimen Enzoh L. Tahug, Kontribyutor HINDI KO ALAM..

ATE NAPOLES, UMAMIN KA NA KASI..

SIGE KA, LALANDING AKO SA PILIPINSAS!

Myrah G. Acuzar III-AB Communication Studies (Journalism) Layout Artist

Myrah is MV’s Bella Swan, and she is as equally talented as her looks. She once applied for a cartoonist’s position back then, but finally got in as a layout artist. A calling, perhaps? She’s got paints, pastels, and pencils at the back of her head, being really good with graffiti designs, paintings and all those thingamajigs. Pretty much all around, she can also write, capture photos, and edit. Would you care switching with your EIC?

MINDANAO VARSITARIAN

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY, MARAWI CITY

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Riz Sunio | ASSOCIATE EDITORS Emelyn Manlangit, Jesslei Mae Piquero MANAGING EDITOR Mark Maylan | ASSOCIATE MANAGING EDITOR Glihard Escudero CIRCULATION MANAGER Al Marvien Savandal | NEWS EDITOR Andres Awing Jr OPINION EDITOR Giron Paul del Rosario | FEATURE EDITOR Rey Harvey Suello LITERARY EDITOR Lady Mae Lao | LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST Myrah Acuzar WRITERS Adnan Alauya, Mario Manlupig, Jr., Jeahan Derampatun, Abigail Garcia PHOTOJOURNALISTS Ekra Yori Tatil, Jayson Leigh Segovia, John Prosper Getubig CARTOONISTS Reyjhon Entenia, Julius Karl Chavez, Ivan Ray Aranas ADVISERS Ms. Lady Hanifa Mindalano | Ms. Mary Louise Omelio

HINDI KO ALAM..

GANUN HUH, OKEY! PHILIPINES, HERE I COME!

BALIW KA PALA ATE NAPOLES.

BAYANIHAN ni Al Marvien Savandal

HINDI KO ALAM..

HINDI KO ALAM..

I INVOKE MY RIGHTS AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION!

Photos by:

Rhealyn Pojas Mario Manlupig Jr. Andres Awing Jr. Myrah Acuzar (Outputs from ComStud 108 classes)

autofocus Photography by JAYSON LEIGH SEGOVIA EKRA YORI TATIL JOHN PROSPER GETUBIG

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