Philippine Collegian Tomo 92 Issue 4

Page 1

Ilang janitor, gwardiya ng UPD, umalma sa pagpapasahod ng kanilang ahensiya BALITA page 5

Priced pedestals LATHALAIN page 7

Number of bracket A students in UPD hit 8-year high under STS

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BALITA page 3

The fault in our stars* KULTURA page 8


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EDITORYAL

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014

Tatak ng pagbalikwas kaya inaasahan na ng mga estudyante ang patuloy na pagtaas ng mga bayarin partikular ang matrikula. Sa inilabas na pahayag ni Pascual, itinuring niyang “hooligans” at kaaway ng Unibersidad ang mga estudyanteng kabilang sa naganap na insidente. May hangganan umano ang kalayaang akademiko at karapatang magpahayag ng sarili sa Unibersidad. Kabalintunaang maituturing ang pagsang-ayon ni Pascual sa malayang pamamahayag dahil tahasan naman niyang itinatakda ang limitasyon nito. Karapatan ng bawat indibidwal ang magpahayag nang hindi nagpapakulong sa isang debate o talakayan kung saan walang katiyakan ang malayang pagdaloy ng ideya at higit na mapapalalim ang diskurso. Sa bawat debate, limitado ang espasyo ng tunggalian kaya kadalasang binibitbit ang diskurso sa mga lansangan kung saan naisasagawa ang iba pang porma ng protesta. Bunga ng mga kilos-protesta ang kalayaang akademikong tinatamasa ng Unibersidad sa kasalukuyan. Salungat sa tatak aktibismo na tradisyon ng UP ang naging tugon ni Pascual na pagpapa-imbestiga sa mga estudyante at pagturing sa mga ito bilang kaaway ng unibersidad. Pinatunayan ng mga nagdaang mga henerasyon ang talab ng aktibismo at ang malaking gampanin nito na mabigyang kalayaang magpahayag ang mga mamamayan. Sa Sigwa ng Unang Kwatro, panahon bago ang Batas Militar, nasa rurok ng aktibismo ang Unibersidad kung saan hindi nagpatalo ang mga estudyante. Nagtayo sila ng barikada bilang tugon sa karahasan at represyon ng estado. Kung may dapat mang panigan sa nangyaring insidente siguradong hindi ang mga propesor na nag-imbita kay Abad na sangkot mismo sa isyu ng DAP, o ang konseho ng UPSE at USC na sa halip tugunan ang mandatong protektahan ang kapwa mga estudyante pilit na iginigiya ang isyu sa mas mababaw na aspeto ng karahasan umano ng mga estudyante. Sa tagal at bigat ng isyu ng pork barrel, nananatiling pipi ang konseho

Philippine Collegian Mary Joy Capistrano Punong Patnugot

Gloiza Rufina Plamenco

Ronn Joshua Bautista

Kapatnugot

Tagapamahalang Patnugot

Ysa Calinawan

John Keithley Difuntorum

Patnugot sa Grapix

Emmanuel Jerome Tagaro Patnugot sa Leyawt

Patnugot sa Litrato

Julian Inah Anunciacion

Tagapamahala ng Pinansiya

Kawani Patricia Ramos Pinansiya Amelyn Daga Tagapamahala Sa Sirkulasyon Paul John Alix Sirkulasyon Gary Gabales, Amelito Jaena, Glenario Ommamalin Mga Katuwang Na Kawani Trinidad Gabales, Gina Villas Kasapi UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations (Solidaridad), College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Pamuhatan Silid 401 Bulwagang Vinzons, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Diliman, Lungsod Quezon Telefax 981-8500 lokal 4522 Online kule1415@gmail.com, www.philippinecollegian.org, fb.com/philippinecollegian, twitter.com/kule1415

ng mag-aaral na tuntungan ng kaisahan ng tindig ng mga estudyante sa pamantasan. Sa halip, idinidiin pa nila ang mga estudyanteng patuloy na nananawagan ng hustisya hindi lang sa lansangan at maging sa Kongreso. Hindi lamang bunsod ng damdamin ng mga estudyante ang naganap na insidente. Isa itong organisadong pagkilos ng mga estudyante bunga ng patuloy na kawalan ng hustisya. Kung tutuusin maaaring mas maging marahas ang aksyon ng mga estudyante para sa opisyal na itinuturing na kaaway ng estado. Ngunit hindi pisikal na pananakit ang layunin ng pagsasagawa ng kilosprotesta, tunguhin nitong irehistro ang pagkundena ng mga estudyante sa pagpapatuloy ng katiwalian. Inilantad nito ang katotohanang bigo ang ilang mga propesor, at mga estudyante na bakahin ang katiwalian ng gobyerno na siyang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit kailangang samantalahin ng mga estudyante ang lahat ng pagkakataong maipakita at maipahayag ang kanilang galit.

Hindi lamang bunsod ng damdamin ng mga estudyante ang naganap na insidente. Isa itong organisadong pagkilos ng mga estudyante bunga ng patuloy na kawalan ng hustisya

Tama lamang ang ginawa ng mga estudyanteng patuloy na naninindigan at ipinagpapatuloy ang makulay na tradisyon ng pakikibaka sa Unibersidad. Tunay na “hooligans” na matatawag ang mga estudyanteng nanatiling tikom ang bibig sa kabila ng mainit na balitaktakan hinggil sa isyu ng pork barrel at ang pagpanig sa mga sangkot na opisyal sa halip na kapakanan ng taumbayan at mga estudyante ang isipin. Isang malaking tagumpay na naging matunog ang katiwalian dahil sa isinagawang kilos-protesta ng mga estudyante. binigyang diin ng insidente ang kawalan ng pananagutan ng mga sangkot na opisyal katulad ni Abad na tumangging paliwanagan ang mga estudyante. Samakatuwid, maituturing itong isang simbolikong tagumpay na nagiwan ng hamon sa kapwa mga estudyante at taumbayan ng pangangailangang mamili at manindigan nang walang pag-aalinlangan.

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SIPAT Sa ika-92 taon ng Philippine Collegian, maglalathala ang pahayagan ng mga larawang sasalamin sa tunay na kalagayan ng mga mamamayan sa isang marahas na lipunan.

Samyo ng Pagkahapo

Balewala na sa amin ang amoy dito. Masasanay ka rin dahil wala ka rin namang choice. Aling Luz, 63, ​residente ng Payatas

PINAIIMBESTIGAHAN NGAYON ni Pangulong Alfredo Pascual ang mga estudyanteng naglunsad ng kilosprotesta sa isang talakayan ukol sa badyet ng UP na dinaluhan ni Kalihim Florencio Abad ng Department of Budget and Management. Para kina Pascual, mga propesor at konseho ng University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE), at University Student Council (USC), kagalang-galang na panauhin ng unibersidad si Abad. Kaysa mga papel, barya, at sigaw ang ibato sa arkitekto ng maanomalya at iligal na Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), ipinahayag na lamang sana umano ng mga estudyante ang kanilang galit sa pamamagitan ng mahinahong dayalogo at pakikipagpalitan ng kuro-kuro. Ngunit kung tatanungin ang Alliance of Concerned Teachers at ibang mga akademiko sa loob at labas ng unibersidad, walang puwang sa panahon at lunang marahas ang mga kimi at nagaalinlangan. Itinuturing na pandarahas o “hooliganismo” ang pagiging sibil at pananahimik sa gitna ng mainit na debate ukol sa lumalalang karahasan. Sa tumitinding kaso ng kurapsyon sa bansa at sa patuloy na paglaki ng bilang ng mga mahihirap, walang hanapbuhay, hindi makapag-aral, pinagsasamantalahan, at sapilitang nawawala, wasto lamang ang pagsasagawa ng kilos-protesta ng mga estudyante. Layon nitong iparating ang galit ng taumbayan sa pamahalaan hinggil sa maanomlyang DAP na pangunahing pinanday ni Abad kasangkot si Benigno Aquino III. Sa kabila ng paglabag sa batas nagpatuloy ang Ehekutibo sa pagpapatupad ng programa hanggang sa kasanggain nito ang Korte Suprema. Sa katatapos na deliberasyon ng pambansang badyet sa taong 2015, umabot sa P500 bilyong piso ang lumpsump appropriation na itinuturing na pork barrel ng pangulo, samantala nananatiling mababa ang badyet para sa edukasyon. Halos kalahatiin nga ng DBM ang badyet ng UP sa susunod na taon


BALITA

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014

3

Number of bracket A students in UPD hit 8-year high under STS Ronn Bautista Pocholo Enriquez MORE THAN 7,000 OUT OF 18,000 undergraduate students in UP Diliman (UPD) will pay the full tuition rate this semester, an 8-year high since the 400 percent tuition hike of 2007, according to data obtained from the Office of Scholarships and Student Services (OSSS). As of September 16, the number of students paying the full tuition rate of P1,500 per unit have surged by 43 percent, from 5,112 last year to 7,307 this year. Out of 13,820 applicants in the Socialized Tuition System (STS), 2,755 students were placed in bracket A. Meanwhile, 2,807 students opted to pay for the full tuition rate and 1,745 students have automatically been classified under bracket A for failing to apply for the STS. When combined, the number of students paying full tuition this year is 463 percent higher than the annual average of 1,578 students after the university reformed the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP) in 2007. Under the STS, students whose families earn more than P1,300,000 annually are charged with the full tuition rate in line with new revisions in the STFAP.

This year, the Board of Regents (BOR), UP’s highest policy-making body, implemented new reforms to the university’s socialized tuition program for the second time since 1989 to supposedly accommodate more people in the lower-paying brackets. “[However] the STS did not differ from the STFAP. It cannot be considered as a better alternative, or an alternative at all,” said Carl Santos, councilor of the UPD University Student Council (USC).

Faulty revisions Among the new reforms under STS were updated bracket cut-offs and streamlined survey methods. Except for brackets E1 and E2 which provide free tuition and free tuition with stipend, respectively, bracket-cut offs under STS have been adjusted upwards by 30 percent. For instance, the bracket A threshold was adjusted from P1 million and above to P1.3 million and above under STS. Meanwhile, to accurately assess a student’s financial capacity, the BOR implemented the National Statistics Office-sponsored MORES 1SEC survey which requires students to declare their gross annual income and household characteristics such as type of toiletry and number of televisions. Despite these revisions, student

leaders still argue that the STS failed to democratize access to UP education. As of press time, an all-time high of 3,175 UPD students have appealed to the Diliman Committee on Scholarships and Financial Assistance to have their tuition brackets lowered. Before the STS, only an average of 300 students file appeals annually. “The increase of appeals filed by the students shows that the STS did not properly reflect the real socio-economic status of students,” said Santos.

Tuition fee increase? Instead of providing more students with cheaper tuition rates, student leaders said the STS only made UP education less accessible when it openly adopted the 2011 default tuition rate “hike” from P1,000 per unit to P1,500 per unit. During 2011 to 2013, students who did not apply for the STFAP are automatically placed under bracket A unless they submit documents that proved their annual family income did not exceed P1 million (see sidebar). By instituting the same principle in STS, UP effectively assumed the 50 percent default tuition rate hike, Student Regent Neill Macuha said. “We can see throughout the years that as we [continue to] reform the

‘Anti-selfie bill’ loses steam in Congress

system, UP’s tuition [continues to] increase,” said UPD USC Councilor Miguel Pangalangan.

‘Crowding out effect’ According to a study by College of Arts and Letters Prof. Ramon Guillermo, each batch of reforms to the university’s socialized tuition program has only led to charging more students higher tuition rates to subsidize lower brackets. Guillermo explained that in a socialized tuition scheme, increasing the number of students receiving cheaper tuition rates would also necessitate an increase in the number of students paying higher tuition to shoulder its additional expenses. As such, increasing the number of students in the higher-paying brackets would “crowd out” other students from getting into lowerpaying brackets regardless of their annual income, Guillermo said. Under STS for instance, while the number of students under brackets C, D, E1, and E2 have increased to 6,491 from 1,852 students last year under the old STFAP, the number of students paying full tuition have also increased to 7,307 this year. To fix the “crowding out” effect, a study group commissioned by UP President Alfredo Pascual proposed that the university abandon its socialized tuition scheme and rollback the tuition to a rate affordable to all. Macuha presented a motion to the BOR in July based on the study group’s report, however, Pascual immediately dismissed the proposal. “Niloloko ng STFAP at STS ang mga estudyante na magbayad ng mas mataas na tuition. Dapat na ipanawagan ang pagbasura sa mga iskemang ito at manindigan na dapat accessible [ang tuition], kundi libre, para sa lahat,” Macuha said.

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Ronn Bautista THE SO-CALLED “ANTI-SELFIE bill” in Congress has gone back to square one after two of its six proponents have withdrawn their support for the bill. Despite passing second reading this month, House Bill (HB) 4807 lost support from Misamis Occidental Rep. Jorge Almote and Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil after several media and progressive groups slammed the bill’s proponents for crafting “vague provisions” that may curtail press freedom. Primary authors and siblingcongressmen Rufus and Maximo Rodriguez Jr. have returned the bill to the House Committee on Public Information on September 10. However, in a protest action in front of the House of Representatives on the same day, the Photojournalist Center of the Philippines and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) still urged Congress to junk the bill entirely. According to section 4 of the bill, HB 4807 seeks to protect individuals from “intrusive modern visual or auditory enhancement device[s]” by preventing individuals from taking photographs or videos of other citizens without consent. Such a provision has prompted progressive group Bayan Muna Party-list to dub HB 4807 as the “anti-selfie bill” for even a personal photo which includes an individual that does not want to be seen may be declared illegal. The NUJP and College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) have earlier argued that such penalties may be used by individuals or politicians to censor or

Legend: Number of students paying full tuition Number of students who receive free tuition

Continued on page 11

8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000

P1500 1000


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BALITA

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014

Mga akusado sa pagdukot kina Karen-She, hawak ng militar Ronn Bautista NASA KUSTODIYA NG ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ang tatlong sundalong akusado sa pagdukot kina Karen Empeño at Sherlyn Cadapan matapos ilipat ng Malolos Regional Trial Court (RTC) si Ret. Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan sa Fort Bonifacio nitong ika-15 ng Setyembre. Sa kabila ng pagtutol ng kampo nina Empeño at Cadapan, inaprubahan ng Malolos RTC Branch 14 ang petisyon ni Palparan na mailipat sa Philippine Army Custodial Center (PACC) sa Fort Bonifacio upang tiyakin umano ang seguridad ng dating heneral. Unang hiniling ni Palparan na ilipat siya sa kustodiya ng militar noong ika-1 ng Setyembre sapagkat nanganganib umano ang buhay niya sa Panlalawigang Piitan ng Bulacan. Isa si Palparan sa tatlong matataas na opisyal ng AFP na nahaharap ngayon sa mga kasong kidnapping at serious illegal detention kaugnay ng pagkawala ng dalawang estudyante ng UP Diliman na sina Empeño at Cadapan noong 2006. Kasalukuyang nakakulong ang mga kapwa akusado ni Palparan na sina Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado at S/Sgt. Edgar Osorio sa PACC matapos nilang kusang sumuko noong Disyembre 2012. “This shows that the ‘arrest’ of Palparan was only a show staged to salvage President Aquino’s popularity. Palparan was to be

arrested only to be taken home again under the special care of his fascist gang,” paliwanag ni Vencer Crisostomo, tagapangulo ng grupong Anakbayan kung saan naging miyembro si Cadapan. Nahuli si Palparan ng mga ahente ng National Bureau of Investigation noong ika-12 ng Agosto sa Sta. Mesa Manila, isang linggo matapos sampahan si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III ng tatlong magkakasunod na impeachment complaint ukol sa Disbursement Acceleration Program at Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Bago tuluyang nagtago mula sa mga awtoridad noong 2011, nakapagtala si Palparan ng 332 kaso ng pulitikal na pamamaslang at sapilitang pagkawala sa ilalim ng programang kontrainsurhensya ng dating administrasyong Arroyo, ayon sa grupong Karapatan. “The military moved heaven and earth to protect their own and justify the numerous human rights violations its men have committed. This goes to show that Aquino is the coddler of butchers in the country,” ani Cristina Palabay, pangkalahatang kalihim ng Karapatan. Naghain na ng mosyon ang kampo nina Empeno at Cadapan na muling ilipat si Palparan sa pang-sibilyan na kulungan katulad ng Camp Bagong Diwa noong ika-25 ng Setyembre. Binigyan naman ng korte ng 10 araw ang mga abogado ni Palparan upang sumagot sa mosyon.

“Nakakalungkot [na nasa kustodiya na ng militar si Palparan] pero itutuloy namin ang laban hanggang hindi niya inililitaw

sina Karen at Sherlyn,” ani Connie Empeno, ina ni Karen. Nakatakdang magsagawa ng isang pre-trial hearing ang Malolos RTC

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Branch 14 sa ika-20 ng Oktubre upang simulan nang talakayin ang mga kinasasangkutang kaso ni Palparan. * may ulat mula kay Hans Marin

​ ismayado. Nakiisa si Erlinda Cadapan, ina ng nawawalang estudyante ng UP na si Sherlyn Cadapan, sa isinagawang D kilos-protesta laban kay Ret. Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan sa Camp Aguinaldo noong ika-15 ng Setyembre. Kinundena ng grupo ang paglipat kay Palparan ng kulungan, mula sa Panlalawigang Piitan ng Bulacan tungong Army Custodial Center sa Fort Bonifacio, na isa umanong porma ng “special treatment” sa dating heneral. Don Senoc

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PLAYBACK

“Only their names changed. The kind of governance that exists right now ultimately is the same kind of traditional and patronage politics that existed during the time of Marcos. Traditional, because families who dominated the political and economical aspects of every Filipino’s life remain in power. And patronage, because these landed elites continue to serve the purposes and whims of whoever are in power.”

Cristina Palabay

Secretary-general of human rights group Karapatan

Congressman Terry Ridon

Kabataan Party-list representative

“Walang nagbago sa ilalim ni Aquino. Ang paghahanap ng term extension ni President Aquino ay isang babala na wala talaga siyang pinagkaiba kay Marcos sa kagustuhan nilang magtagal sa pwesto. It is clear to see that in the last few years from 1986, the same problems have also been the same problems that we had during the Marcos dictatorship. The people are still poor. The Americans are back to perpetuate military intervention and imperialism in the Philippines. The plunderers of before are still the plunderers of today.”

“Sa esensiya, walang pundamental na pagbabago. Ang isyu ng pork barrel sa iba’t ibang anyo ay ginamit din ni Marcos upang bilhin ang loyalty ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaan sa iba’t ibang antas at sangay. Pareho nilang ginawa at pinayabong ang paggamit ng pampulitikang kapangyarihan bilang negosyo at para sa pagkamal ng pang-ekonimiyang kapangyarihan. Ang paglalaway ni BS Aquino sa term extention ay walang pinagkaiba sa kasakiman ni Marcos na manatili sa poder. Pareho silang kapit-tuko at bilib sa sarili na parang ‘di pwedeng magkamali.”

Atty. Edre Olalia

Secretary-general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers

Déjà vu Frances Gagua IN 1969, FORMER PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos became the first Filipino president to win a second term in office. Three years later, Marcos declared Martial Law, extending his presidency beyond the 1935 constitutional limit of eight years. Today, stories of corruption and human rights violations during these times are always remembered. Students, teachers, and progressive groups annually remind the nation to never forget the atrocities done under the Marcos regime. Since then, the president’s powers have been curbed and more checks and balances were implemented to make sure not one person holds control over the entire country. However, in an ironic twist of fate, the son of Marcos’ most vocal critics, President Benigno Aquino III, have recently hinted his desire to extend his stay in office. Defying the limits set by the very constitution that his own mother’s administration drafted, Aquino believes another six years in Malacañang would ensure the completion of his touted government reforms. Marcos may be long gone but his style of rule has been apparently passed on.

How can justice be attained for all who died or experienced human rights violations during Marcos’ regime 42 years after Martial Law?

“At present, the Aquino administration is making it difficult for survivors and their families to claim compensation from the Martial Law indemnification board. The government continues to deny justice for the victims and their families by refusing to acknowledge the landmark decision of a foreign court indicting former President Marcos and giving compensation to the 9,539 victims during the time of Martial Law. As far as these victims and their relatives are concerned, injustice continues. They may have experienced physical and psychological forms of torture but nothing is more insensitive than the government’s lack of sincerity for just compensation and indemnification for the victims of its own crimes. The Aquino administration must acknowledge and fully compensate the victims of Martial Law.”

Cristina Palabay

Secretary-general of human rights group Karapatan

“A big issue since Marcos’ downfall is their ill-gotten wealth. Part of seeking accountability from the Marcos family is making sure that the people reclaim what was theirs. However, the government did not do a good job in doing this. In fact, a big bulk of sequestered Marcos assets could have been recovered had the government not resorted to very legalistic means that eventually failed. In the same manner, the debts that we are still paying for Marcos’ lavish lifestyle could have been stopped had former President Corazon Aquino not bowed to US pressure to continue paying all our dubious debt.”

Congressman Terry Ridon

Kabataan Party-list representative

What has changed under President Benigno Aquino III’s administration compared to former President Ferdinand Marcos’ regime under Martial Law?

“Dapat lahat ng may sala— mataas man o mababa, nasa kapangyarihan man o wala na –ay maimbestigahan, maaresto, malitis at maparusahan ng walang pagtatangi at walang pag-iimbot. Labas sa kumpensasyon o indemnipikasyon [para sa mga biktima ng Martial Law], kailangan maalis ang mga pampulitika, panlipunan, pang-ekonomiya, pangkultura at ligal na mga salik, kondisyon o istruktura na nagdudulot o nag-eenganyo ng mga sanlaksang paglabag sa karapatan pantao at nagbubunsod sa paulit-ulit na siklo nito. [Kailangan] bakahin ang impyunidad o ang kawalan ng pananagutan sa bansa.”

Atty. Edre Olalia

Secretary-general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers


BALITA

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014

5

Ilang janitor, gwardiya ng UPD, umalma sa pagpapasahod ng kanilang ahensiya Hans Christian E. Marin Arra B. Francia KINUNDENA NG ILANG JANITOR at gwardiya ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman (UPD) ang sunud-sunod na pagkaltas at pagkaantala ng kanilang sahod sa ilalim ng pamamahala ng Ultimate Care Janitorial and Allied Services (Ultimate Care) at Winace Security Agency (Winace) sa nakalipas na mga buwan. Sa isang sulat kay Vice Chancellor for Administration Virginia Yap noong ika-3 ng Setyembre, idinulog ni Ruben Orande, janitor ng Palma Hall Annex (PHAN), ang maanomalyang pagkakaltas umano ng Ultimate Care sa sweldo ng mga janitor para sa buwan ng Hulyo at Agosto. Samantala, sa isang panayam ng Collegian, umalma naman ang ilang gwardiya ng iba’t ibang gusali ng UPD sa halos dalawang buwan nang hindi pagpapasahod sa kanila ng Winace mula Agosto hanggang Setyembre.

Sunud-sunod na pagkaltas

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Alaala ng Karahasan. Nakiisa ang kamag-anak ng mga biktima ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa isinagawang kilos-protesta sa Plaza Miranda noong ika-21 ng Setyembre bilang paggunita sa ika-42 anibersaryo ng Batas Militar. Ipinapanawagan ng grupo ang pagbasura sa isinusulong na Charter Change ng administrasyong Aquino. Don Senoc

SUMATOTAL A RECENT MOBILIZATION in the university made national news this month when at least 100 students blocked Budget Secretary Florencio Butch Abad from exiting a forum at the UP School of Economics on September 19. After justifying the government’s unconstitutional Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) during the forum, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) executive was met with crumpled paper and student leaders chanting “magnanakaw” as he tried to leave the building. Student groups had waited outside the forum to have a dialogue with Abad about his controversial government savings program but the Budget Secretary had forced his way through the student blockade and fled to his vehicle. Student leaders claimed that Abad’s DAP only consolidated billions of taxpayer money under the control of President Benigno Aquino III and his political allies to promote political patronage. And after the DBM released a list of projects containing details of each DAP-funded program just two days before, students who mobbed the Budget Secretary were not off the mark.

Ayon sa salaysay ni Orande, tatlong beses na kinaltasan ng Ultimate Care ang sahod niya mula nang palitan nito ang Carebase International

Incorporated bilang ahensya ng mga janitor sa UPD noong ika-1 ng Hulyo. Mula P466 kada araw, ibinaba ng Ultimate Care ang arawang sahod ni Orande sa P350 matapos siyang gawing taga-relyebo ng mga lumilibang janitor ng ahensya. Bukod sa arawang sahod, kinaltasan din ng Ultimate Care ang kabuuang sahod ni Orande noong ika-31 ng Hulyo at ika-15 ng Agosto. Sa halip na P5,173 tumanggap lamang si Orande ng P2,700 na sahod noong Hulyo para sa sampung araw niyang serbisyo. Pagdating naman ng Agosto, muling binawasan ng Ultimate Care ng P800 ang sahod ni Orande. Bigo namang magbigay ng paliwanag ang ahensiya ukol sa sunod-sunod na pagkaltas sa sahod ng mga janitor. Gayunman, sinubukang hingin ni Orande ang kanyang payslip sa Ultimate Care upang pag-aralan ang mga nasabing kaltas. Subalit tumanggi ang nasabing ahensiya at pinagsabihan siyang wala siyang karapatang magreklamo. “Simula nang bawasan ng bagong ahensiya ang aking sweldo

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LION’S SHARE Number of years since DAP was implemented: 3 Number of years so far in President Benigno Aquino III’s term:

4

Number of families affected by Typhoon Mario: 400,000 Total number of damaged houses by Typhoon Mario: 4,834 Estimated cost of damage in affected areas:

Total amount of DAP funds released since 2011 according to the DBM list:

P2 B

TotalamountofDAPfundsaccordingtoformerNationalTreasurerLeonorBriones:

P2.2 B

P144.3 B P170 B

Total amount of accumulated DAP funds according to Budget Sec. Florencio Abad:

P237 B

Percent of completed DAP projects since 2011: 33% Percent of unfinished DAP projects since 2011: 38% Percent of DAP projects with no reports of implementation:

29%

Total amount of DAP funds released to completed projects:

Total amount of DAP funds given to various pet projects of mayors and governors:

Total amount of DAP funds released to the Department of Public Works and Highways in 2012: P2.8 B Total amount of missing DAP funds released for flood control projects according to BAYAN: P500 M Current amount of progress of flood control projects according to the DBM list:

67%

Estimated cost of a public school classroom according to Sen. Franklin Drilon:

P46 B

P650,000

P70 B

66,000

Total amount of DAP funds released to incomplete projects: Total amount of DAP funds released to projects with no reports of implementation:

P30 B

Total amount of DAP funds released to Malacañang projects according to IBON:

P35 B

Jules Bato

Number

of

classroom

needed

by

public

schools

for

2014:

Estimated cost to cover classroom shortage in primary and secondary public schools for 2014: DAP funds allotted for the payment of insurance claims of BSP and the Bureau of Customs:

P42.9 B P40 B

P12.28 B

Number of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) which received budget cuts for 2014:

P10 B

Number of SUCs affected by Typhoon Yolanda which received budget cuts for 2014:

Total amount of DAP funds released to congressmen and senators: Total amount of missing funds in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam: Total DAP funds received by senators according to DBM list: P6.046 B Percent of DAP funds given to Liberal Party senators: 25% Total DAP funds received by congressmen according to DBM list: P6.28 B Percent of DAP funds given to Liberal Party congressmen: 41.15%

26 7

Total amount of budget cuts for SUCs in 2014:

P1.14 B

DAP funds allotted for Department of Tourism’s “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” program:

P1 B


6

LATHALAIN

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014

Murders by Proxy

The role of the United States in the Israel-Palestine conflict Gloiza Plamenco BOMBS HAVE BEEN RAINING from the sky in Gaza since the Israel Defense Force (IDF) launched Operation Protective Edge, an offensive programme aimed at neutralizing Hamas, a Palestinian organization engaged in armed resistance against Israel. Yet each wave of attack only left a landscape of rubble and dead bodies. Civilian homes, schools, and hospitals were not exempt from the carnage. For now, the bloodbath has stopped. Yet the indefinite ceasefire came only after Israel's relentless attacks caused the merciless slaughter of 1,473 Palestinian innocent civilians, according to the estimates of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA). These swift, easy, and high-powered offensives by the Israeli army hint at a larger picture. For Israel's decades-old offensive campaign against the Palestinian people cannot possibly thrive without the support of a powerful ally—a country with a history of fomenting and abetting wars in the oil-rich Middle East.

War patron For over six decades now, the US has been the most loyal ally of Israel, with the superpower’s bilateral assistance reaching $121 billion since 1949. According to a study conducted for the US Congressional Research Service, the US became the single

largest single supplier of military equipment to Israel after the Second World War Israel’s arms transfer agreements are largely from the US, accounting $9.1 billion out of $9.5 billion worth from 1998 to 2005, the study explains. As a result, Israel has accumulated sophisticated military weapons from the US, ranging from bombs, rocket and grenade launchers, to missiles designed to destroy armored vehicles and intercept attacks from the air. Air forces equipment from the US are also at Israel’s disposal, such as Combat Aircraft used during strikes. The state’s military research funded by the US has also produced locally made weapons such as the Arrow, a defense system designed to block long-range missiles fired from distances up to 200 kilometers. Hamas’ weapons, on the other hand, pale in comparison to that of Israel. Only five variety of rockets are being used by Hamas, with its lone long-range rocket Khaibar M-302 reaching only up to 150 kilometers. It is no puzzle, then, that Israel has the upper hand, while Palestine bears the brunt of the casualties. The blatant display of the military capabilities of IDF has left Gaza in wreck, resulting to 1.8 million civilians affected in Gaza, according to UN OCHA.

Meddling for a 'cause' The latest outbreak of violence between Israel and Palestine reflects the interests of the US in the region. As always, US intervention comes with a price—paid not only in dollars but also in thousands of lives. The superpower needs to keep allies such as Israel in order to maintain its power and influence in the oil-rich Arab world. “[Thus,

the US] ensured Israel’s military superiority, turning them into ‘regional influences’ to further weaken nationalist Arab regime,” according to the independent research institution Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. Dividing the Arab world would mean continuing control for the US in the region. “US corporations may dominate the Middle East, competing corporations elsewhere need to be scared away, while native populations need to be terrorized into obedience,” according to independent think-tank IBON International. In its desperate bid to continue its advantaged position from earning profits from war and maintain allies in the region, the US has constantly used its influence to maneuver diplomatic affairs, particularly for Israel to get away with its violations against Palestinian human rights. “[If ] you look step by step, [US] military and economic aid continues, the diplomatic protection continues, the ideological protection continues,” says American political theorist Noam Chomsky. At the height of Israel’s attacks, the UN Human Rights Commission adopted a resolution to probe into the “widespread, systematic and gross violations of international human rights and fundamental freedoms,” but only with the US voting against the resolution. In the past, the US has consistently voted against resolutions that were in favor of Palestine. In 2012, the US voted against the upgrade of Palestine’s status to an observing member in the UN—and for revealing reasons― for Palestine may then approach the International Criminal Court regarding Israel's US-backed crimes, says Chomsky. For now, civilians in Gaza were given momentary, if not tenuous, respite from the horrors of war. Yet as long as the claws of the US are poised over the Arab world, creating and sponsoring conflicts and wars, peace negotiations will remain futile and short-lived. To decisively end the war therefore entails not only the resolution of the roots of the conflict but also the rejection of and struggle against the terror of imperialism.

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Dibuho ni Rosette Abogado Disenyo ng pahina ni Jerome Tagaro

An ‘intractable’ conflict

Sources: Middle East Research and Information Project, The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, www.policyalmanac.org


LATHALAIN

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014

7

Priced pedestals Andrea Joyce Lucas

FOR THE ISKOLAR NG BAYAN, there is no shortcut to honor and excellence. The average Isko endures countless hours of study and sleeplessness, paging through thick readings and surviving terror professors, before finally getting to don a sablay and march down a path lined with sunflowers. There is no price sufficient to buy the prestige of being a part of the University of the Philippines(UP). It can only be attained through ceaseless effort. Thus, the honor of naming an institution in the University after a private individual requires “exemplary achievement in his field, or significant contribution to the University or the Filipino people”, according to the UP Naming Rights Policy approved by the Board of Regents in 2009. More importantly, it states that one must “have sterling reputation or could be looked upon as a role model of the youth.” These days, however, it seems that honor has a price tag. In May, the administration of UP Los Baños (UPLB) approved the naming of 10,000 hectares of university land in Laguna in business tycoon Lucio Tan’s honor, after he donated P750 million for scholarships at the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR). Likewise, the College of Business Administration (CBA) is now formally known as the Cesar EA Virata School of Business (VSB), from which Regent Magdaleno Albaraccin pledged to donate P40 million for faculty development in the college. The decision to name the university’s land, buildings and trees after the highest

bidders has incurred plenty of protest and criticism from various sectors of the UP community.

The big boss Placing second on the latest Forbes list of wealthiest Filipinos, Lucio Tan is above the ordinary Filipino in terms of finances. With an estimated net worth of P6.1 billion, his income comes from a wide range of industries such as banking, tourism and aviation—creating a niche for himself in the sphere of business. However, Tan also created a name known for jeopardizing his workers’ rights. In 2011, ten construction workers for Tan’s Eton Residences met their untimely end, as the gondola they were riding plummeted from the 32nd floor of the building. The incident has shed light on the dismal condition of the construction workers, such as the meager P260 wage they received daily--- falling short from the P402 mandated minimum wage in Metro Manila at the time. Minors were also illegally employed in such hazardous occupation, including one of the victims of the accident who was only 17 upon starting work at Eton. Upon demanding for financial compensation, relatives of the victims were unwittingly made to sign a waiver stating that they will no longer file criminal charges against the employers, according to independent think-tank Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research, Inc. The amount of P150 000 each was supposed to have paid the company’s due balance to the victims. “The slain Eton workers were deprived

of the right to decent wages, right to safe working conditions. [Even] now they are still deprived of justice,” says Marissa Cristobal, mother of one of the victims in the tragedy. Likewise, over 2,600 employees of Philippine Airlines (PAL), an airline company of Tan, were unceremoniously terminated in 2010. The PAL administration planned to hire new employees from third-party providers, says then PAL President Jaime Bautista--- yet a tactic to avoid regularizing and providing benefits to its employees. Fortunately through the relentless support of labor groups and the international community, the dispute between PAL and the PAL Employees’ Association has been settled in 2013. Yet these issues, along with other instances when Tan has blatantly violated his workers’ rights, made it questionable to bestow upon him the honor of naming a UP-owned land after him.

Technocrat, accomplice Prior to assuming positions in government, Cesar Virata used to teach at the CBA, eventually becoming a dean of the college from 1960 to 1967. For 16 years, Virata served in the government under former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos. He became the Finance Minister in 1970, and was conferred the position of Prime Minister in 1981 with political power second only to that of the President. He held this position until 1986 after Marcos stepped down due to widespread political discontent that resulted in the People Power I.

Virata’s years in the government has showed dismal developments in the country, with its effects largely felt by the ordinary Filipinos. Prices of basic commodities in 1984 shot by 46.7 percent, the highest recorded inflation rate in the country from 1980 to 2010, according to the International Monetary Fund. The following year, around 2.5 million Filipinos lost their jobs, according to IBON Foundation. Although Virata seems to be living far removed from the shadow of Martial Law, many believe that he cannot wash his hands of the atrocities during the Marcos regime. “Mr. Virata’s role as the Finance Minister and Prime Minister under the martial rule of Ferdinand Marcos makes him a leading accomplice during the years of autocratic rule in the country,” stated Staff Regent Ana Razel Ramirez. “He has never apologized for this service of lending his ‘sterling reputation’ to deodorize the Marcos dictatorship.” Human rights violations and impunity thrived during the span of Martial Law, as human rights group Amnesty International recorded 34,000 cases of torture, 759 cases of enforced disappearances and 3,240 recorded killings. Among these were 72 UP martyrs who actively participated in the struggle against Marcos, including Abraham Sarmiento and Leandro Alejandro. “[The renaming of CBA to VSB] insults the memory of UP’s significant role in the fight against the Marcos dictatorship,” says Councilor Jamie Bawalan,University Student Council Diliman.

Sparking opposition While the donations that UP will receive coming from the name changes are to be used for academic purposes, there is no merit in naming UP institutions and assets after individuals with questionable character, says Student Regent (SR) Neill Macuha. The name change of VSB and of the Lucio Tan Legacy Forest in UPLB is seen as a veiled attempt at commercializing UP assets, says CFNR SC Chair Darla Lopez. “Babalik pa rin kasi tayo sa kung bakit kailangan pa [ng mga donasyon],” she adds. With the university suffering from budget cuts every year, the university enforces mechanisms such as tuition fee increases, and in this case, renaming UP institutions and assets in exchange for donations. For 2014, UP was only granted P9.4 billion, as opposed to its proposed budget of P17 billion.“Hindi [naman] kakailanganin pa ng UP na ipagbili ang pampubliko nitong karakter kung sapat lamang ang natatanggap na badyet mula sa estado,” says Macuha. While there exists the perennial lack of funds in the university, UP should not settle for short-term solutions such as donations. In its continued struggle to uphold the honor and the legacy of excellence that it wants to impart to the Iskolar ng Bayan, UP must not take the matter of naming its academic institutions lightly. A name, foremost in recognizing anything, must be worthy of the entity that carries it. Artwork by Christelle Posadas Page Design by Jerome Tagaro

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8

KULTURA TINY AND AWKWARD, A LITTLE girl enters the stage. The lights focus on her calm face, and suddenly the band plays—Aegis. The girl belts out the familiar tune (Ayoko sana/ na ikaw ay mawawala), and the crowd erupts into applause. She finishes the song, but the performance is not over. Her mentors marvel at the story behind the little girl’s mismatched outfit, her sun-kissed skin, and the jologs song she chose as her contest piece. And only then, does the real show begin.

Blind Audition

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS* Julian Bato

The Voice Kids, where Lyca Gairanod, an eight-year old girl who helps her family scavenge for junk, wins the grand title, is one of the highest rated reality shows of 2014. The show promised to showcase talent concealed in small packages, and in the few months that it ran on ABS-CBN, it did not disappoint. Showing child after child of unique vocal power, the Voice Kids became a primetime favorite, hitting millions of views on youtube, and thousands of comments on social media. The kiddie singing tilt was proof that children are viable for entertainment. It took to a larger scale the familiar ritual of presenting toddlers as performers, capable of inanities like reciting the alphabet or counting to ten, and even the spectacular such as belting out high notes or executing stunts. Though an adult can very well perform the same things, a child would seem more interesting and more entertaining to watch. Picking from this formula, television is rife with shows that exploit the child’s appeal. From the satirical comedy sketches of Goin’ Bulilit to dramatic features like Yagit, and even the value-laden Hawak Kamay and Wansapanataym, media giants play on the audience’s soft spot for child characters and their struggles.

Sing-offs Thriving on the competition among the young and talented, The Voice Kids creates the drama necessary for a television show to succeed and profit. Hence for each contestant a particular story is created. Juan Karlos is an orphaned child. Darren the migrant Filipino

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014 who clung to his roots. Darlene the driven child. These child-characters are different, but all have the same dream: success. After all, their idols are the future they might be—a Broadway musical star, a rock star, or a popstar. The story peddled by the talent show is no different from the usual telenovela, but this season of The Voice made it better by featuring a real child in the lead role. Lyca was marketed by the media as another case of a talented child with sheer determination to reverse his or her family's condition through entering show business. Enamored by Lyca’s tale of poverty, the masses voted her as champion, allowing her to take home the millions of pesos promised by ABS-CBN and the sponsors. Often at this point, children evolve to profitable spectacles by the media by mincing their individuality to stereotypes and making them visible in television, film, and music to attract a potential fan base. Having a dedicated following that will patronize every commercial venture of a child star translates to an automatic victory for the giant television stations in terms of profit.

Final battle Lyca’s story and eventual victory tells us the aspiration of the poor majority, and the class divide that shatters the dreams of children, even before they learn to dream. Throughout contest programs like The Voice Kids, one can see the vast difference between contestants from their personal fashion to their choices of language and songs. Lyca is unable to speak well in English, limiting her repertoire to Filipino songs unlike middle-class children who can perform in both languages. Often, Lyca selects popular songs persistently present in municipal feasts and gatherings, and are staples in karaoke, a popular entertainment product among the masses. Even in the choice of mentor, children choose coaches that mirror their aspirations in life. The comparison between the strongest contenders—Darren and Lyca —says it all. Though both appealed to the general audience, contemporary pop music-singing Darren received more support on social media which is more

accessible to the middle-class, while Lyca appealed more to the masses that are familiar with her story, and are avid fans of the Aegis songs that have become her anthem. The media can use facts to create an icon for their disposal, according to French theorist Roland Barthes. From her audition to the episodes leading to the finals, the media intricately showed the life of Lyca from sweeping footages of her house and neighborhood to montages of her collecting trash. By selectively introducing and reimagining children as a product of her social roots, the media, with its power and cultural influence, has reduced individuals like children to manufactured characters. In this country where almost 30 million Filipinos live in extreme poverty, suffer for the lavish excesses of politicians and lawmakers who make businesses out of basic needs and social services, an audience is ready to consume sensationalized spectacles of the media that cater to their desire to escape from harsh realities. Despite the enthusiasm of children to share their talents, there is no escape from the traps set by a repressive system. With her win, Lyca emerged not only as a victor but as an icon, a beacon of hope to every person who aspires to liberate themselves from poverty through entering show business. To make a profit out of them, the media creates traps with shows like The Voice Kids, luring children with high dreams of glamour and excesses promised by the spectacled image of show business. And once a star starts to fade, the media will only be quick to find more to add to their firmament of icons with programs like The Voice Kids to fill voids.

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REFERENCES Lenin and Philosophy by Louis Althusser Mythologies by Roland Barthes *with apologies to John Green

os Ram ro a i c a ri Pat e Tag k by Jerom r o w Art ign by es d e Pag


KULTURA

IN A GENRE AWASH WITH blood and gore, steeped in epic tales of noble vendettas, Kenshin Himura is by all means not the typical samurai film hero: he refuses to kill. While even Akira Kurosawa's famous seven swordsmen show no mercy towards marauding bandits who plague a poor farming community, the red-haired, scarfaced Kenshin defies the conventions for a swordsman of his skill and reputation. He vows to turn his back on his old life as a ruthless assassin so he may finally live a peaceful life at a countryside kendo dojo. It is an intriguing contradiction, and a theme that is as important in Japan at the turn of the century as it is now in a world order where peace is still elusive and systemic violence remains an inescapable reality. In the second installment of the threepart film adaptation of the Samurai X manga and anime, the story picks up on this old thread, unravelling questions and possible answers.

Peace vs violence It is perhaps the greatest limitation of adapting manga into cinema that the thoughts of characters are rarely successfully translated into the screen, relying instead on facial expressions, gestures, and dialogue to capture the internal battles that the heroes wage against their own internal contradictions. In Kyoto Inferno, as in the first movie and the popular anime, much is left out of Kenshin's personal musings, of his confusion and guilt, as he makes

the difficult decision to leave his adopted family at the Kamiya dojo to stop Shishio Makoto from plunging Japan back into chaos. He is afraid of the possibility that he may have to kill Shishio but he is resolute that it is his duty to stop the successor to his own former notorious history.

The act of taking up arms is the culmination of a rebellion against the violent status quo and, at the same time, the ultimate embodiment of a desire for a just, peaceful world

While Kenshin dreads the possibility that he may have to kill Shishio, he is also unafraid of his own death. He is aware that such sacrifices may have to be made, but his remarkable discipline and control of his ability reveals his ultimate, remarkable humanism: he knows that eliminating the perpetrators of violence alone will not bring lasting peace.

The strong versus the weak

This contradiction is embodied by the single most important weapon in the movie: the sakabato, a reverseblade sword wielded by Kenshin. It is an odd katana, with the sharp edge at the inward curve of the sword— mostly useful in stunning enemies and lethal only when the back-blade is purposefully turned against the opponent. The centrality of such a weapon refutes the simplistic if commonly held opinion that the story has a pacifist message. The reverse-blade reveals what Marx calls “an inner and necessary connection between two seeming contradictions”: it is the metaphor for the duality of our struggles against the forces of oppression. The act of taking up arms is the culmination of a rebellion against the violent status quo and, at the same time, the ultimate embodiment of a desire for a just, peaceful world.

The discourse on how to bring about change in history and society may have led to a conclusion that genuine, meaningful, and sustainable change can only truly happen when the machines and structures of a societal order are finally and conclusively no more. Makoto Shishio has been assigned the role of pure evil— and out of him, singularly, springs forth all carnage and destruction. Yet the bandaged Lucifer was not unlike Kenshin. Also hired to help overthrow the Shogunate and install the new Meiji regime, Shishio was dealt a different fate when the Meiji government decides to eliminate him and he is almost burned to his death. Shishio then vows to take revenge, amassing an army that will make the entire Japan his own prize. His is a socio-evolutionary philosophy twisted into evil proportions in a way that recalls fascists in the real world: “the strong shall survive and the weak will die.” Himura's counter-mantra deals a glancing blow to this harsh mantra: the strong must defend the weak. Perhaps blinded by its own magnanimity, the story does not fully expose that violence is rooted not in people but in economic structures and systems of government that allow, abet, and perpetuate oppression and injustice.

Th er evo to lut Ru ion rou a ni K ccor en din shi g n Vic tor

Gr ego

rL

im

on

9 Like in the manga and anime, the Meiji government gets a free pass and is repeatedly referred to as a “new government” that will usher Japan into a “New Age.” Of all the movie's protagonists, only Sanosuke dares to smirk at this claim, mistrustful of those who claim the power to rule but are inutile in practice. Pictured throughout the movie are scenes of rural, backward agricultural life, even in the capital. Japan was at a time when industrial progress was propelled primarily by a desire for military strength and imperial expansion, to align the nation with the colonial powers of the age.

The individual vs the collective Kenshin's greatest flaw however is not so much his tendency to rely on his own skill to defend the interest of the collective but his failure to realize the roots of the persistence of violence in society and how this is so much more than a matter of personal duty to set things right. Though done in the best of intentions, Kenshin rejects the strength of the people around him. Even his friends had to follow him without his knowledge so that they could help him in his mission. His sense of self-sacrifice is a strong one—a prevalent theme in Japan's cultural products. The soft power of this theme is not so much merely the world's window into

a nation of well-mannered people as a powerful ideological machine of a nation with very few natural resources and who must thus rely heavily on its people's willingness for self-sacrifice in the name of retain Japan's precarious status as a world power. Only the deceptively pretty kendo instructor Kaoru Kamiya may come close to the revolutionary idea that the best way to fight back is to arm the people with their own strength, to prepare them for that moment when fighting for peace becomes morally necessary. The finale episode of the trilogy is set to hit Philippine cinemas on the 24th, but while fans of the manga and anime already know how the legend of Kenshin Himura will end, we anticipate and hopefully contribute to a triumphant resolution to the struggles against oppression and injustice from which violence ultimately and inevitably breeds.

A r Pa two ge rk de by si Ys gn a by Ca Je lin ro aw m an e Ta ga ro

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014

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10

OPINYON

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014

PASAKALYE

Hubad na katotohanan Mary Joy T. Capistrano ANG DAMING GANAP NITONG nagdaang linggo—mula sa pagkakapantaypatay na tema ng pep squad, kilosprotesta na isinagawa ng mga estudyante laban kay Butch Abad hanggang sa proposal ni Dingdong Dantes kay Marian at ang pagbibigay ni Kris Aquino ng regalong kotse kay Boy Abunda nang magkasakit ito. Kaiba sa mga nauna nang mga isyu, tumampok din ang fashion show ng Bench na “The Naked Truth” kung saan rumampa ang mga piling artista suot ang kapirasong mga damit, at ang rape shirt na may tagline na “It’s not rape: it’s a snuggle with a struggle.” na inilabas sa Boys’ Section ng SM. Parehong umani ng batikos ang dalawang insidente mula sa mga pulitikal na organisasyon lalo na sa social media. Taon-taon pinagpipyestahan ng mga pinoy ang fashion show ng Bench. Bukod sa mga kilalang modelo at kakaibang mga damit, dinadayo ng mga manonood ang programa upang saksihan ang pagrampa ng mga modelong halos wala nang saplot. Nagpapakasasa ang karamihan sa

maskulado at seksing katawan ng mga artistang modelo habang rumarampa sa entablado. Ngayong taon, naging kontrobersiyal ang programa ng Bench, hindi dahil sa mga naglalakihang mga muscle na nakaumbok sa kung saan-saang bahagi ng katawan ng mga modelo o ang brief ni Jake Cuenca na halos garter nalang ang natira—kundi dahil sa kawalan ng respeto ng mismong programa sa mga kababaihan nang rumampa si Coco Martin na may hawak na lubid na nakatali sa kasama niyang babaeng modelo. Sinundan pa ito ng kontrobersiyal na rape shirt na tila binibigyang katwiran ang panggagahasa na parang isang kakatwang bagay lamang sa halip na ituring na krimen. Hindi birong bagay ang paglalagay ng nasabing mensahe sa damit pambata sapagkat nag-iiwan ito ng maling mensahe tungkol sa mga kababaihan

Hindi pisikal na hitsura ang batayan upang makamit ng kababaihan ang hustisya

at itinuturing na pangkaraniwang bagay lamang ang panggagahasa. Binibigyan ng negatibong impresyon ng dalawang kontrobersiya ang mga kababaihan sa lipunan. Pilit na ibinabato ang sisi sa mga kababaihan na sila umanong nagsusuot ng mapang-akit na damit. Pinatunayan lang nito ang lumalalang sistema ng kapitalismo sa bansa kung saan patuloy na ginagamit ang mga babae para makaakit ng mga mamimili at kumita nang malaki. Saksi ang kasaysayan ng madilim na nakaraan ng mga kababaihan sa kamay ng mga dayuhan at marahas na lipunan. Liban sa pagiging sex object, patuloy na pinagkakakitaan ang mga babae katulad na lamang ng Bench Fashion Show at rape shirt. Nakakalungkot isipin na may mga mamamayang nagawa pang magbigay ng negatibong komento na labas sa konteksto ng ipinaglalaban ng mga nagpoprotestang kababaihan hinggil sa fashion show ng Bench at rape shirt. Hindi pisikal na hitsura ang batayan upang makamit ng kababaihan ang hustisya. Pangit o maganda man siya, karapatan niyang irespeto at mamuhay nang mapayapa, malayo sa karahasan at represyon. Habang isinusulong ng mga abanteng grupo ng kababaihan ang panawagan para sa hustisya at pagkakapantaypantay, pilit namang ibinabaon sa limot ng kasalukuyang sistema ang mga aral ng nakaraan.

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Of Fear and Other Musings John Keithley Difuntorum WHEN I WAS YOUNG, MY LOLO USED to tell me the story of a boy named Juanito who was abducted by supernatural beings called hunyangos while playing at night. Being so terrified by the story I would refuse to go outside even when my friends would call me. I would hole up in the bedroom with lolo who promised to protect me from the hunyangos. The hunyangos, as lolo would put it, live in the mountains and prowl the nearby villages in search of prey. He said they transform their victims into livestock, allowing them to leave no trace of the disappearance. Years later, my mother told me she also knew the story. Apparently, it was Martial Law and lolo needed a reason to keep my mom from playing outside after curfew. So he made up that story and I, in turn, became a victim of my lolo’s stagnant fear that he was harboring for decades. Lolo’s fear was not entirely uncalled for. It was Martial Law; state fascism and human rights violations (HRVs) were a common occurrence. And maybe he was right for telling me the story. Even today, remnants of Martial Law still remain in the form of programs like Oplan Bantay Laya which was supposedly designed to hunt down enemies of the state but ended up being used as scapegoat for further HRVs.

Just recently, I heard the news of Retired Major General Palparan’s transfer to Camp Crame because of supposed danger to his life. Palparan the Butcher, Palparan the Executioner, Palparan the Torturer, is requesting the court to protect him out of fear for his life. I almost laughed at the irony if it weren’t so sad. Apparently, the phantoms of Martial Law are still in play, glorifying Palparan’s actions as occupational hazard. Apparently, a retired general with years of military experience and who has been in hiding for years draws more sympathy than the countless victims he had under his name. I remembered Linda Cadapan, mother of abducted UP student Sherlyn Cadapan, saying that she will never stop waiting for Sherlyn. The years of waiting have not been good to her, but she always wore that hopeful smile I’ve always admired. Nay Linda, who waited years for justice to be served, does not deserve this slap to the

face. I thought that maybe the hunyangos, once a distant and foreign abstraction used to hold me indoors, has taken form into something so concrete, so tangible and so intimate that they can barge into houses, abduct civilians, torture them, rape them, and still somehow get away with special treatment. Maybe such has been the nature of things. This country, after all, is hard on people. Fear made parents lock their young inside their homes while outside, mothers search for their daughters, suspects are regarded as victims and victims forget to remember. Outside, people exalt the son of the hero of Martial Law not minding that he himself is orchestrating his own dictatorship through Charter Change. Outside, a president raves about the increase in economic growth while thousands die of hunger, lack of shelter, or of plain old summary execution. Outside, the struggle continues for the people who are fed up of being scared. The hunyangos are real and unrelenting. Now is not the time to stay inside and let fear and submission consume you.

This country, after all, is hard on people

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Bawat espasyo Dessa Arissa P. de Dios MAHIRAP MAGING ISANG MANUNULAT LALO NA kung sa Kule ka nagsusulat. Kung pwede nga na tungkol na lang sa mga hana mo sa buhay ang isusulat, e ‘di sana madali na lang ang presswork. Tipong hindi mo na kakailanganin ng isa, dalawa o tatlong linggong pagsusulat para sa isang full length article. Ngunit may tunguhin ang dyaryo na itaas ang diskurso ng mga isyung tinatalakay sa Unibersidad nang hindi nagpapakulong sa pagbabalita. Naalala ko tuloy ang laging linya ng editor ko sa tuwing personal na buhay ko na ang isinusulat ko sa article—“i-blog mo na lang ‘yan.” Tama naman siya, kaya binabalikan ko ang draft para isunod sa kinagawiang linya ng Kule na 92 taon nang pinanghahawakan ng dyaryo. Mahalaga ang bawat pahina ng Kule, kaya kailangang sulitin ang bawat espasyo kahit tuldok, kailangan pang pag-isipan kung dapat bang ilagay o hindi na. Ni hindi hinahayaang magamit ang mumunting espasyo para sa mga komersiyalisadong patalastas. Kaugnay ng lingguhang presswork ang pagkakaroon ng mahabang pasensiya para sa madugo at walang hanggang palitan ng draft. Pangkaraniwan na ang mga komentong nakacapslock (para daw intense), naka-red ink (para ramdam ang inis), may tandang panamdam sa dulo (para maramdaman ang galit) o kapag badshot ka sa editor mo at sabog pa ang article mo—hindi ka rin makakaligtas sa mura na tila palamuti sa chaka mong draft. Kadalasan, nakikisawsaw na ang Kule sa personal mong buhay. Tipong wala ka nang bahay kundi ang opisina ng Kule at wala ka nang buhay kundi ang pagiging Kule. Hindi na rin uso ang mag-TGIF at gumimik kasama ang mga kaibigan, dahil sa mga sandaling panahon na malibre ka sa Kule, acads naman ang haharapin mo. Minsan ka na nga lang rin makipagdate, ipagpapaliban mo pa para sa isang interview. Higit sa lahat, mararanasan mo paminsan-minsan ang pagpasok sa klase nang hindi naliligo. Pero kahingian ng panahon ang lahat ng ito. Kung kailangang mamatay ng mga writer at artist para lang makapaglabas ng dyaryo linggo-linggo, gagawin nila ito dahil mandato ng Kule na mag-ulat at magmulat sa mga estudyante sa mga ganap sa loob at labas ng pamantasan. Sa kabila ng hindi mabilang na sakripisyo, mga bagay na kailangang isuko at talikuran para lamang sa Kule, may kakaibang hatid na saya ang makita ang pangalan mo sa dyaryo o makakita ng mga estudyanteng nagbabasa nito. Kahit nga makasalubong ka lang ng estudyanteng may hawak na Kule, mapapangiti ka na. Sa ilalim ng pamamahala ng mga estudyante, at walang interbensyon mula sa administrasyon, patuloy na gagaod ang Kule sa malayang pamamahayag at patuloy na maglalathala ng mga artikulong may pagkiling sa mga tagapaglathala at mga mamamayang mula sa iba’t ibang sector tulad ng magsasaka, manggagawa, mangingisda, kababaihan at marami pang iba. Mababaw man kung maituturing ang mga bagay na nakapagpapasaya sa mga taga-Kule, isang malaking tagumpay na ang maipaalam at maipaunawa sa mga mambabasa nito ang iba’t ibang isyu sa Unibersidad—na siyang magbibigay hugis sa mga diskurso.

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OPINYON

Huwebes 9 Oktubre 2014

‘Anti-selfie bill’ loses steam in Congress

TEXTBACK

Mula sa pahina 3 stop journalists from publishing a photo or video of them in their report. “In an era where technology is quickly breaking down the obstacles that hamper the flow of information, HB 4807 could return us to the dark ages and worse, be used as a weapon of suppression and repression,” NUJP Chairperson Rowena Paraan said. Despite HB 4807’s claims to protect personal privacy, media groups said that the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Constitution already protects the right to privacy of all Filipinos. HB 4807 is the latest attempt of the Aquino administration to curtail press freedom at a time of political and economic crisis, CEGP Chairperson Marc Abila said. Two years ago, Congress passed the Cybercrime Prevention Law which

included provisions on online libel and special powers for the executive branch to immediately take down any online website. Meanwhile, in 2013, Congress also attempted to pass a “Magna Carta for Journalists” that required reporters to go through state accreditation. Despite campaigning for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Law in 2010, the Aquino administration has consistently failed to pass an FOI bill during the 15th and 16th Congress. “Kung mga batas ang paguusapan, si Aquino na ang may pinakamaraming atake sa midya sa lahat ng mga nakaraang pangulo. Talagang pinipigilan ng pamahalaan ang malayang pamamahayag ng mga sarili nitong mamamayan,” Abila said.

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WWW.PHILIPPINE COLLEGIAN.ORG Ilang janitor, gwardiya ng UPD, umalma sa pagpapasahod ng kanilang ahensiya Mula sa pahina 5 hindi na talaga sumasapat [sa gastusin ng pamilya ko] ang kinikita ko. [B]aka kinukurakot nila ito dahil hindi talaga tugma ang natatanggap kong sweldo sa pinipirmahan ko,” ani Orande. Kinausap naman ng building administrator ng PHAN ang supervisor ng Ultimate Care hinggil sa reklamo ni Orande, subalit iminungkahi umano ng ahensya na tanggalin na lamang si Orande upang “mawala na ang problema.” “Marami akong kasamahan na ginaganiyan nila ngunit wala silang lakas ng loob magsumbong dahil sa takot na masibak sa trabaho,” ani Orande. Sinubukang hingin ng Collegian ang pahayag ni Yap at ng Ultimate Care ukol sa liham ni Orande, subalit walang naging tugon ang dalawang tanggapan.

Walang sweldo Samantala, halos dalawang buwan na hindi pinapasahod ng Winace ang 148 na gwardiya nito sa unibersidad mula noong ika-15 ng Agosto. Ayon sa ilang gwardiyang tumangging magpakilala, ipinagpaliban ng Winace ang pagpapasahod sa kanila nitong Agosto sapagkat wala pa umanong pera ang ahensya. Nangako ang Winace na babayaran nito ang mga gwardiya pagdating ng ika25 ng Agosto subalit wala pa ring ibinibigay na sweldo para sa buwan

ng Agosto at Setyembre ang ahensya pagkatapos ng anim na linggo. “Apat na beses [nang naantala] ang sahod namin. Hindi ko na alam kung paano ko pagkakasyahin ang badyet para sa araw-araw na gastusin ng pamilya ko,” ani Amado, hindi niya tunay na pangalan. Kabilang si Amado sa mga gwardiya ng Winace na sumasahod ng P11,000 kada buwan. Dahil sa halos dalawang buwang pagkaantala ng kanilang sweldo, napilitan si Amado na manghiram ng pera sa mga kapitbahay nito upang suportahan ang apat niyang anak na nag-aaral sa elementarya at ina na maysakit sa probinsya. Sumulat na sa tanggapan ni UPD Chancellor Michael Tan ang mga gwardiya ng Winace nitong ika-7 ng Oktubre upang hingin ang tulong ng administrasyon sa pagkuha ng kanilang sahod. Iginiit ni Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Nestor Castro na agaran namang nakakapagbayad ang pamunuan ng UP sa mga katuwang nitong ahensya tulad ng Winace. “It is Winace that has delays in the payment of its guards. UP will exert pressure on Winace to pay [them on time],” ani Castro. “Malaking kasiraan sa imahe ng pangunahing unibersidad ng bansa ang pagtanggap sa mga ahensiyang nang-aapi at nanggigipit ng mga karapatan ng mga manggagawa nito. Dapat siguraduhin ng unibersidad ang kapakanan namin,” ani Orande.

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Anong mensahe niyo para sa UP Pep Squad? Kahit na second ‘losing streak’ na natin, magaling pa din ang UP Pep Squad! Saludo ako sa mga members nito na kinakayang pagsabayin ang mabigat na academic load ng UP at mga nakakahaggard na training! Sowprawdopya! 2013-40827 Elle BS ME UP PEP SQUAD mahal na mahal namin kayo!! Napakameaningful ng bahaghari ng unibersidad huhu sa puso ng marami kayo ang wagi!! 2014-2***2 What the f ang creative nyo up pep . worth it lahat ng training nyo hanggang madaling araw.Mabuhay lahat ng atleta ng U.P 2014-902** Joe Delima, socio UP Pep Squad never fails to defy my expectations. From the colorful costumes, the mind blowing lifts to the outrageous cheers, they always unite the UP community no matter what bracket you are in. Manalo man o matalo, salamat pa rin UP Pep squad dahil pinaramdam ninyo sa akin na ang sarap maging Iskolar ng Bayan! 2014-XXXXX MOCHA BS PSYCHOLOGY

Nakapirma ka na ba sa People’s Initiative signature campaign? Naalala ko pong may pinirmahan akong tarpaulin noon para sa People’s Initiative. Dapat ba sa papel? :) 201221271 Al Raposas, BA Hist Not yet ehhh. Why oh why 14-60862 Maria

MGA KOMENTO May mga kailangang iproofread sa issue this week. :( But content-wise, it’s still the same fierce and principled Kule. :) Yun nga lang, miss ko na si Alan Tuazon. At yung before sa kanya si Ate RC something ba yun. Yung hipster. At lalo na si Delfin Mercado. Mahal ko pa rin siya. </3 2009-3**4* Jane Eyre, Engg Naalala ko pa sa first issue of this acad year na may article kayong “Bayaning Third World” ngunit walang pasintabi sa pelikula noong 2009 (rerun 2000) na may parehong title. Yung Pugad Baboy na tula at Four degrees of waiting, may pasintabi kung saan hango. Notify me if i’m wrong. I apologize in advance. Thank you ulit. 2012-21271, Al Raposas, BA Hist

NEXT WEEK’S QUESTIONS:

1 2

Sino para sa iyo ang mga hooligans? Kung ikaw si Princess Sarah, kaninong patatas ang babalatan mo at bakit?

Ipadala ang inyong mga sagot, opinyon at komento sa Kule! Itype ang KULE <space> STUDENT NUMBER <space> PANGALAN at kurso at ipadala sa

0906 108 5329

11

EKSENANG PEYUPS

NEWSCAN

THE INLABABO EDISHUUUN!

UP College of Mass Communication Student Council and Cinema One Originals present Cinema One Originals Campus Tour: UP Diliman!

HALLUR MGA BHE! FEEL NIYO na buh ang coldniss eberdeen na dala ng –ber monthsz?! Nakahagilap na buh kayo ng cuddlebear to make gaan ur very imbyernadette sembrano acads? Kung zirowena pa rin, don’t bitter ocampo yourself dahil maaga pa nemen para sa buwan ng momol… este pag-ibigz! Haixt chika ko na lang ang mga pak na pak na inlababo momentz ng mga pipolettes sa sangkayupihan. Osya, atak! Inlabo moment #1 – Young en wild en free ata ang peg ng dalawang gurley na ito sa Ikot jeep. Kiyemeng PDA sa una, ilang minutesfter--hala ka! Biglang nag-warla ang hormones nila ateh muh! Sabik lang ang mga gurlah?! Stress drilon ang mga sakay ng jeep sa pag-eekis-ekis ng dalawang atih, buti na lang daw at gabi nuhh! Kaloka, baka umabot sa garahe ni koyang drayber ang lapchukan ng mga ituu! Inlababo moment #2 – Pangprimetaym bida naman itung si koya na chillax lungs sa mga pa-senting wooden log sa track oval with his two friendz... na mag-jowalski! Looking kebs naman si koya sa palambing effects ng magjowa. Dumilim at nagcold ang pag-ihip ni windy houston. Napacuddle tuloy si ateh gurl kay jowakels nang bonggang-bongga, az en close enaf to chupachups na! Kalurqs! Juicecolored ivah na ang landian levels ng magsyokels kaya naman si koyang kebs nung una, wiz na lang nagawa kundi magsuot ng earphones! Pambungad sa playlist ni koya: Kung Ako Na Lang Sana. Char! Inlababo moment #3 – Anetch itong sighting ng pa-kiyemeng film viewing sa isang large class? Kaya naman sineng-sine ang vibes ng pipolz with the lights off at lilly lilly cold na CS Auditorium. Aba’y userfruhndly sa venue for a whilez ang dalawang luvbirds. Pagjukas ng ilaw, julung-julo na ang buhok ni boyfie! Wiz din papakabog ang post-momol look ni gurlah with her laylay bra strap! Aribang-ariba pa ang puwesto nila sa dulong left kurner ng audi, plakadongplakadong magmomol ang magjowalksi na itsu! Sana isama sa exam ang mga hanashing di nila na-sight sa film. *bitter* Haixt, awtsu ba mga bhe?! Ang sarap talagang ma-inlababo, debuuh? But olwiz remembuh, masama ang sobra. Chika nga ni Maja, dahan-dahan lang, dahan-dahan lang... sa PDA! Pero kung wiz ka pa ring ka-PDA, wala nang dahan-dahan, mataranta ka na bhe! Chauce! ‘Til next taymz, muahchups!

CONTACT US!

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Write to us via snail mail or submit a soft copy to Rm. 401, Vinzons Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Email us at pkule1314gmail. com. Save Word attachments in Rich Text Format, with INBOX, NEWSCAN or CONTRIB in the subject. Always include your full name, address and contact details.

Venue: UP Cine Adarna Stubs will be available starting NEXT WEEK at the CMC lobby, until the show dates 14-15. First come first serve basis. Catch the following films on these dates: OCTOBER 14 3:00 Himala (Digitally Restored) 5:30 Islands 7:30 Blue Bustamante OCTOBER 15 3:00 Bukas Na Lang Sapagkat Gabi Na 5:00 Kabisera 7:00 Shift FREE ADMISSION! Distribution of stubs will begin next week. The Institute for International Legal Studies in cooperation with Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and All-UP Academic Union brings you: BASE NG KANO A forum on the PH-US Military Agreements and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. October 8, 2014 8:30-11:30 AM UP College of Law With speakers Dean Merlin Magallona On the Constitutional Issues on EDCA Former Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino On Asserting National Sovereignty and an Independent Foreign Policy Atty. Harry Roque On PH-US Military Agreements This will be the kick-off event for the Jovito Salonga Forum Series that will discuss the various aspects of foreign military presence in the Philippines and the continuing struggle to defend our national sovereignty. Get free publicity! Send us your press release, invitations, etc. DON’T TYPE IN ALL CAPS. And go easy on the…punc - tuations?! dOn’t uSe tXt LanGuage pLs. Provide a short title. 100 words max. Email us at kule1415@ gmail.com


START Dito ka magsimula, now na!

HUUUWAT?! TUMAAS NA NAMAN ANG PRESYO NG LANGIS? ‘ ‘Yan tuloy, kulang pamasahe mo. Balik 1 step.

AY, OO NGA PALA.

ANG HABA NG PILA SA MRT. PASS KA MUNA SA NEXT TURN MO.

May bus ban at kailangan mo pang maghintay ng jeep. Skip ka muna sa susunod na turn, okay?

Nais mo bang makiuso at subukan ang MRT Challenge, pero walang oras o pera na mailalaan upang makasakay mismo sa tren at kumuha ng selfie bilang pruweba? Puwes, Kule takes it one step further and invites you to do the:

#KULECOMMUTECHALLENGE:

TAMBAY/PAMBAHAY EDISHUN

Gamit ang do-it-yourself die, tiyakin kung ilang hakbang ang tatahakin mula sa kasalukuyang posisyon ng inyong handy-dandy figurine (found below) hanggang umabot ka sa iyong paroroonan. Dali lang, ‘no? Kasing dali ng pagko-commute sa ‘Pinas (chos!). Makipaglaro na ngayon sa jowa, mga blockmates, batang hamog, o kay Manong Guard habang hinihintay ang susunod na klase. . Enjoy, at good luck sa iyo!

Natapunan ka ng kape ng katabi mo!

Nag-overshoot ang MRT mo. AGAIN?!

Walang aircon at bongga na ang jabar mo. Pass ka muna sa susunod na turn para magpunas. Na-interview ka ng isang news outlet – kumusta raw ang estado ng May public transpo sa tumalon Pinas? Forward pa sa riles! 1 step, kasi Um, hindi ba artista ka na. siya nanood ng Taray!

Dumb Ways to Die? Go back 6 steps.

Pass ka muna sa next turn mo.

MOTIVATION “’Yung MRT lang ba ang puwedeng sakyan doon sa mga rutang dinadaanan nito? Baka naman puwedeng matuklasan 'yung iba pang mga options?” –PCOO Sec. Sonny Coloma (Rakenrol!)

HULI KA.

YAY! End!

“Stop entry po tayo, may sirang tren sa…” Pass ka muna sa next turn mo.

Magte-ten minutes na siya, wala parin?

Nakapasok ka na rin sa tren! Advance 3 steps, ‘tol! You deserve it!

Bumukas ang pintuan ng MRT! NKKLK! Go back 2 steps!

“Sorry for the inconvenience!” Go back to START.

Nakipag-away ka pa talaga sa guwardiya. Atras ng 4 steps. (So, amalayer?!)

ANG TAGAL NG TREN!

WAW

Go back 3 steps.

Yum yum yum, delicioso! KINAIN ANG TIKET MO, bwiset. Go back 3 steps!

For… uh… jaywalking. Oo, jaywalking! At may P200 fine. ‘Wag ka na magtanong, magbayad ka nalang… at bumalik ng 5 steps.

E nasaan na ‘yung wallet at cellphone mo? At bakit may malaking butas sa ilalim ng bag mo? Balik sa START!

MOTIVATION ULIT “Riding is a personal decision. I won’t go out of my way to convince the people to ride. Kanyakanyang desisyon naman ‘yan. Malayang bansa naman ito.” – DOTC Sec. Joseph Emilio Abada. (Malapit na u!)

Nasiraan ‘yung sinasakyan mong jeep. Pass ka muna sa next turn at magpahinga.*

JUSKO DIE! Idikit sa mas matigas na materyal tulad ng index card, gupitin sa bold lines, itupi sa mga broken lines, at idikit sa mga blue sections hanggang maging isang box. Madali lang ‘di ba? Parang UPCAT lang ‘yan!

HANDY-DANDY FIGURINE »

(Ang apat na handy-dandy figurine na gagamitin ay tig-isang karakter mula sa komiks ng Kule, aka Iskosilog, Lucida Sky, Cake Comix, Sosyal Studies.) Kung may isa mang tauhan ng mga komiks ng Kule 2013-2014 na naging “spirit character” mo, heto na ang iyong pagkakataong panindigan ‘yan. Pumili ng isa, gupitin, at idikit ang figurine sa kahit anong maliit na bagay na tumatayo, tulad ng Pentel pen, o bote ng nail polish.

Dibuho ni Patricia Ramos

CONGRATULATIONS! You made it pero certified haggard ka na talaga. Na-survive mo nga ang pagko-commute ngayon, pero tandaan— hindi dito nagtatapos ang lahat sapagkat oras na para makisakay sa tunay na laban tungo sa sa mas maayos na sistema ng transportasyon sa bansa. Sino ba naman ang gustong ma-haggard sa araw-araw na biyahe?


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