Philippine Collegian Issue 19

Opisyal na lingguhang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas - Diliman Tomo 90, Blg. 19 Disyembre 6, 2012

Private transactions A TRAIL OF UNFULFILLED PROMISES, A NEW WAVE OF COMMERCIAL INTERESTS A NEW THREAT AGAINST THE PEOPLE

Lathalain

A GRIM JOKE Punong Patnugot Kapatnugot Patnugot sa Balita Patnugot sa Lathalain Patnugot sa Grapix

Mga Kawani

OPINYON Huwebes 6 Disyembre 2012

Pinansya Tagapamahala ng Sirkulasyon Sirkulasyon

Mga Katuwang na Kawani

PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III has a peculiar sense of humor.

On the eve of the anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre – which has been dubbed as the single deadliest event for journalists in history and has remained unresolved by the courts for two long years – Aquino issued Administrative Order 53, creating a new “superbody” tasked to investigate and prosecute cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in the country.

With the International Human Rights Day barely a few days ahead, it would be easy to dismiss the creation of this new committee as another shamelessly calculated publicity stunt, but the suspicious details of the inter-agency effort ultimately reveal the chilling punch line behind Aquino’s bad joke.

Chaired by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the new “superbody” offers little hope for muchneeded reform in the justice system. Indeed, many of the powers vested in this new committee are functions which already exist, and are supposedly exercised, by the Department of Justice and the Commission on Human Rights. Creating another human rights body then becomes nothing but a cruel prank, as it merely adds a new layer of bureaucracy for those seeking justice against human rights violations (HRVs).

Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte provides perhaps the clearest perspective as to what the superbody truly intends to accomplish. She said the new committee shall handle human rights cases under former President Gloria Arroyo because “it’s easier to prove these incidents [due] to the time proximity.” Never mind that, under Aquino’s watch, there are also 114 human rights violations recorded by human rights group Karapatan since 2010.

To add insult to injury, the new committee will be composed of government officials whose agencies are accused of perpetrating the very same human rights violations the superbody itself presumes to resolve. Together with the Defense Secretary, the AFP Chief-of-Staff, and the PNP Chief will also sit as regular members of the committee.

No less than the United Nations and previous fact-finding commissions have conceded that many of the HRVs in the country are state-perpetrated. In fact, military officials themselves are the prime suspects in many human rights abuses, including the case of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, who were abducted by elements of the military and have remained missing since 2006.

Rather than be perturbed by the facts, the government chooses instead to be complicit with those suspected of perpetuating violence against the people. On December 2, Brig. Gen. Eduardo M. Año – one of the primary suspects in the abduction of farmer-activist Jonas Burgos in 2007 – was even promoted as the new chief of the Intelligence Service of the AFP. The appointment of the military in the new committee can therefore only obstruct any genuine efforts towards delivering justice to human rights victims. Moreover, this move may even strengthen of the administration’s counter -insurgency program, Oplan Bayanihan. With the military now authorized to exercise discretion in identifying which cases are considered as HRVs, the superbody further provides state agents the authority to summarily execute, detain, or legally prosecute anyone they suspect as “threats to national security.”

If Aquino is serious on implementing genuine reforms in the human rights situation in the country, he must begin by ending the very conditions which breed and sustain the culture of violence and impunity that has claimed so many lives throughout the years, rather than merely putting up

a lame show of instituting hollow reforms.

Aquino’s duty is not to merely create new “superbodies” that offer much hype but little hope for justice against human rights abuses. Instead, he should address the country’s dismal record at prosecuting HRV cases.

In the past decade, only seven cases out of thousands of human rights violations were successfully prosecuted by the government, according to the 2012 Human Rights Watch world report.

While the struggle for justice remains as doomed as it was in the hands of his predecessor, Aquino continues to offer nothing but mock reforms and cheap publicity stunts. And the people are no longer amused.

The masses are clamoring for the rights that the state has systematically deprived, and they will not give up without a fight.

Pamuhatan Silid 401 Bulwagang Vinzons, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman, Lungsod Quezon Telefax 981-8500 lokal 4522 Email kule1213@gmail.com Website philippinecollegian.org Kasapi Solidaridad: UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations, College Editors Guild of the Philippines Ukol sa Pabalat Dibuho ni Marianne Rios at Chris Martin Imperial

Editor’s Notes When a rational thinking community where right is might metamorphose into a jungle of barbarism where might is right, something is the matter with the students’ upbringing.

VIOLENCE IN THE CAMPUS On the pervading hooliganism and violence among UP students Leonardo A. Quisimbing 8 January 1958

As the Philippine Collegian celebrates its 90th year, we revisit lines from prized editorials that helped define the publication’s tradition of critical and fearless journalism.

UPM admin lifts ‘no late ON BOARD payment’ policy

Reports from the December 2 BOR meeting

UP Manila (UPM) students who have not yet paid tuition were finally allowed to attend classes after the UPM administration agreed to lift a memorandum which barred the said students from attending their enlisted classes this semester.

In a dialogue on November 27, the administration eventually allowed late tuition payment for about 50 students who had not paid tuition before the extended deadline on November 23 and allowed them to be admitted in their classes in the meantime.

Some of the said students were also advised to apply for loans at financial assistance programs which provide loans even to those who have unpaid accounts at the UPM Student Loan Board (SLB).

These programs include the Development Foundation Tuition Assistance Program and the Student’s Emergency Loan Fund, which offer maximum loan amounts of P25,000 and P10,000 per semester, respectively.

These assistance programs, however, do not address the problem of the high cost of UP tuition, because these only provide loans which students still need to pay before the end of the school year, said UPM College of Arts and Sciences Student Council Chair Maryliz Zubiri.

‘No late payment’ The UPM administration originally released a memorandum on October 23, which barred students who have not paid their tuition from being admitted to their classes, forcing some students to apply instead for a leave of absence (LOA), said Student Regent Cleve Arguelles.

Students who did not pay tuition on time and did not file for LOA shall be automatically considered on absence without leave and would need to fulfill readmission requirements, according to university rules.

In a letter dated October 30, Arguelles requested that students be allowed to pay tuition beyond the original

November 16 deadline. The administration, however, only extended the deadline to November 23 and did not allow promissory notes.

The memorandum was a “double oppressor” since students who could not afford the high tuition rates in UP are forced to pay within an unreasonably short period of time, said Zubiri.

SUPREMO. Bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng ika-149 taong kaarawan ni Andres Bonifacio, sinunog ang effigy ni Noynoy Aquino sa Mendiola noong Nobyembre 30. (top) Nagmartsa ang iba’t-ibang sektor ng lipunan mula Liwasang Bonifacio patungong US Embassy bago tumulak sa Mendiola.

Kinondena ng grupo ang mga kontra-mamamayang palisiyang ipinapatupad ng administrasyong Aquino.(bottom)

Development of UP’s lands in the Sierra Madre The Board of Regents (BOR), UP’s highest policy making body, approved the proposal to develop and manage the university’s 9,084-hectare property in the southern part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The project will be under a lease agreement with a private contractor that will be selected through public bidding.

Under the “Sustainable Management and Development Plan for the UP Sierra Madre Land Grants Land Use Plan,” the Sierra Madre property is expected to become an ecological reservoir, ecotourist spot, learning laboratory for students and faculty, and an “enduring source of university revenues.”

Student Regent Cleve Arguelles, however, opposed the project, as it would further discourage the government from subsidizing the financial needs of the university.

There are also indigenous Lumad communities currently residing in the said area and the new project will force them out of their ancestral domain, he added.

‘No promissory notes

New fees in UPD College

for loans’ Meanwhile, in UP Los Baños (UPLB), the administration refused to accept promissory notes for unpaid tuition loans from students, thus requiring students to settle their existing loans before being able to enroll this semester.

In a letter to Arguelles on November 17, UPLB Chancellor Rex Cruz refused to grant the SR’s request to allow students to submit promissory notes for their unpaid loans, because the amount of unpaid tuition loans in the UPLB SLB has already reached P10 million in the last forty years.

Though the payment deadline was eventually extended until November 27, the ban on promissory notes remained in effect and students tagged as ineligible to enroll because of unpaid loans had to apply for LOA instead, said

of Music The BOR, meanwhile, also approved to increase the graduate school tuition in the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Music, from P500 per unit to P1,000 per unit, effective next semester. New laboratory fees have also been approved by the board: P200 per unit for graduate students and P200 to P300 per unit for undergraduates.

Arguelles voted against the proposed fees, saying the student consultation held by the administration in 2011 did not include a comprehensive discussion of the justifications and implementing guidelines of the proposed fee. Incoming fourth year students next semester should be involved in a new series of consultations with the student body, he added.

UPLB USC Chair Ynik Ante.

These stricter measures on tuition payment reflect the university’s increasing reliance on revenue collected from students rather than on government subsidy, said Arguelles.

For this year, the Department of Budget and Management projects the total income of UP from the collection of tuition and other fees at P471 million, ten percent higher than the university’s actual tuition revenue of P428 million in 2011, according to the DBM’s 2013 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing.

UP’s tuition policies are a tool for realizing the goals of President Benigo Aquino III’s Roadmap for Public Higher Education Reform (RPHER), said Zubiri. Under RPHER, the Commission on Higher Education expects the country’s leading state universities and colleges to cut down their reliance on state subsidy from the current 70 percent to 50 percent by 2016. “[This can only predict] the intensified commercialization of education and the university’s [loss of] public character [under RPHER],” said Zubiri.

Continued to page 4

BALITA Huwebes 06 Disyembre 2012

UPM dentistry students forced to buy own dental materials All 300 students of the UP Manila (UPM) College of Dentistry (UPCD) last semester had to buy several dental materials already covered by fees they paid during enrolment in June, after the UPCD administration failed to find a new private contractor for the said supplies.

UPCD students each pay P2500 every semester for laboratory fees which cover materials and equipment needed for BALITA academically required dental operations, such as 10 extractions, Huwebes one root canal, and one denture, 06 Disyembre 2012 said UPCD Dean and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chair Vicente Medina.

Making dentures require several materials that total up to P1400, such as alginate, wax, and plaster.

Root canals, meanwhile, require dental shade, the cream used to fill tooth cavities. Only six out of 14 shades are available in limited supply in UPCD and each two-inch tube costs P5000.

However, because no private company had placed a bid to become the UPCD’s supplier of dental materials by the start of classes in June, UPCD students spent about P5000 each to purchase materials for the entire semester, according to reports from the UPCD Student Council (UPCDSC).

Though UPCD students are willing to share materials among themselves, some supplies may not be shared because they require intimate contact with patients. UPCD students had to use leftover materials from their professors and classmates and spend their own money to buy

personal ones, said UPCDSC Chair Rose Umayam.

At a general meeting during the first week of classes in June, Medina requested UPCD students to purchase their own materials for the meantime and assured them they would be reimbursed “in kind” before the school year ends.

In accordance to Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA), the UPCD BAC called for bids as early as January, but not a single company placed a bid to supply the said needed materials until the third bidding during the middle of the semester.

UPCD finalized the deal with New Citizens Dental Supply only in July and expects the delivery of most of the missing supplies in December, Medina explained in an interview with the Collegian.

Implemented in 2003, the GPRA requires any government institution, including UPCD, to conduct a bidding process for the procurement of products or services worth P50,000 and above.

The process includes a minimum 30-day waiting period for at least three bidders, and a two-week-long bid evaluation process.

GPRA demands a long process for transactions between government and private institutions, discouraging prospective suppliers of dentistry materials to transact with UPCD, said Medina. “[A]yaw na nila makipagtransact pa, kaya nagkulang ang materials namin,” he explained.

Some dental companies are also discouraged by delays in payment, which may take one

to two months beyond the agreed date of payment, while other companies are simply not interested in placing a bid because they find the UPCD’s asking price too low, Medina added.

Meanwhile, the UPCD administration said it has taken note of all expenses incurred by students for lab materials, and will replace said materials in kind once the supplier delivers the products, said Medina.

ON BOARD From page 3

New UP officials The BOR also approved the appointment or election of several UP officials, including: 1. Dr. Lourdes Abadingo as incoming Faculty Regent 2. Dr. Grace Alfonso as Chancellor of UP Open University 3. Dr. Jose Gonzales as Philippine General Hospital Director 4. Atty. Liza D. Coro as Dean of UP Cebu

New admissions formula

COMEBACK. UP Volleybelle Aia del Mundo blocks Sarina Bulan’s spike during the first UAAP women’s volleyball match at the FilOil Flying V Arena on December 2. The Lady Maroons battled neck and neck against the UE Lady Warriors finishing with a 3-2 victory. This is the first time the Maroons won after a winless season last year.

UP Booters clinch first win from UE Warriors, 1-0 Two-year defending champions UP Fighting Maroons battered the University of the East (UE) Warriors, 1-0, during their first football game on December 5 in the 75th Season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The first half of the game was a frenzied sprint to and fro the opposite sides of the Ateneo Erenchun field. In the 42nd minute, Maroons’ Gerardo Valmayor and rookie Vincent Aguilar teamed up to power through the Warriors’ defense

and clinch UP’s lone goal.

By the second half, the UE Warriors tightened their defense but were out of breath in stealing the ball away from the UP Booters. The Maroons then launched a heroic offense but failed to score a second goal.

The Maroons, however, managed to keep their lead, though the State U team missed at least two chances for an open shot. In the 70th minute, Warriors goalie Lendon Clores left the UE goalpost open, but Maroons’ Gabriel Mendoza

UPCD students have agreed to this arrangement, as they can still use the “reimbursed” supplies this semester, said Umayam.

“That’s fine with us, we just hope that these materials arrive on time, dahil baka grumaduate kami bago dumating [ang mga] ‘yun,” she added.

delivered a kick which sent the ball just a thread away from the goalpost.

“When we started putting in [substitute] players [in the second half], medyo na-disrupt yung flow ng attack. There were attempts [from UP] but [these] were [just] counter-attacks,” said UP football coach Andres Gonzales.

Football follows a point system where a win is equal to three points, a draw is one point and a loss is zero. Last year, the UP Booters valiantly defended their championship title, scoring

a total of 20 points with five wins and five draws.

Five members of the last year’s first roster had already graduated and left the team, pulling up three rookies into the starting list this year. Meanwhile, UP goalie Tyrone Caballes and five others are on their last playing year this season.

The UP Maroons will be up against last year’s third placer Far Eastern University Tamaraws on December 9, 10 AM, at the Ateneo Erenchun Field.

The BOR also approved an updated formula for the University Predicted Grade (UPG) of UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) takers across all constituent and regional units, effective next academic year.

The new UPG formula adopts the UP Admission Index, which assigns equal weights of 15 percent each for the four components of the UPCAT: Language Proficiency (LP), Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, and Science.

The remaining 40 percent is derived from the high school weighted average (HSWA).

The current admissions formula assigns varying percentage shares for each four components, with LP getting the highest at around 33.5 percent and Science getting the lowest at around 2 percent.

The new formula also revises the current scheme for assigning degree programs to UPCAT qualifiers, which uses various “courses predictors.” Two of these predictors, namely the Biological Science Predicted Grade and the Physical Science Predicted Grade, will be merged into a single predictor, the Science Predicted Grade.

400 pamilya sa 2 komunidad sa UP, nakaambang mapaalis Mahigit 400 pamilya sa dalawang komunidad sa loob ng UP Diliman (UPD) campus ang nakaambang mawalan ng tirahan sa tinatayang pinakamalawakang demolisyon sa kasaysayan ng UP na nakatakdang simulan sa Marso ng susunod na taon.

Balak patayuan ng pabahay para sa 236 empleyado ng UPD ang kasalukuyang kinatatayuan ng mga komunidad sa Village C, na katabi ng College of Fine Arts, at Blocks 1 to 3 na nasa kahabaan ng C. P. Garcia Avenue, sa likod ng Hardin ng Doña Aurora.

Sisimulan na ngayong linggo ang bidding para sa pribadong kontraktor na magpapatayo ng nasabing pabahay na bubuuin ng apat na gusaling may tig-apat na palapag, ayon kay Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Melania Abad-Flores.

Naglaan ang Commission on Higher Education ng P198 milyong pondo para sa nasabing proyekto na inaasahang matatapos sa 2014.

Bagaman suportado ng mga residente ng dalawang komunidad ang proyektong pabahay para sa mga kawani ng UP, tutol naman sila sa nakaambang demolisyon dahil walang tiyak na relokasyong ilalaan para sa kanila, ani Rolando Racuya, pangulo ng C. P. Garcia Neighborhood Association Incorporation (CPGNAI).

Ika-2 ng Oktubre nang unang magharap sa isang pulong ang CPGNAI at ang administrasyon ng UPD, kung saan ipinaalam ni Flores sa mga residente ang proyektong pabahay. Sa Village C at Block 3 umano ipatatayo ang mga gusali ng pabahay, habang gagawin namang parking lot ang lupang kinatitirikan ng Block 1 at 2, ani Racuya.

Sa isang dayalogo noong Nobyembre 26, naghapag ng tatlong opsyon ang CPGNAI at Village C Homeowners Association (VCHA) hinggil sa panukalang pabahay.

Unang mungkahi ng mga residente na sa ibang lokasyon na lamang ipatayo ang pabahay upang hindi sila mawalan ng tirahan at kabuhayan. Wala umano silang kakayahang bumili o umupa ng bagong bahay, at nag-aaral naman sa Brgy. San Vicente at Krus na Ligas ang karamihan sa kanilang mga anak.

Ikalawang mungkahi naman ang pansamantalang paglikas ng mga pamilya sa Village C at Block 3, patungong Block 1 at 2, upang magbigay daan sa unang bahagi ng proyekto.

Malaki naman ang posibilidad na magkasundo ang administrasyon at mga residente sa ikatlong mungkahi ng CPGNAI at VCHA, kung saan pagkakalooban ang mga residente ng relokasyon sa loob ng campus na may serbisyong tubig at kuryente.

Gayunman, limitado ang mga lupang maaaring ilaan ng UP para sa relokasyon, ani Flores.

Sa kasalukuyan, balak umano ng administrasyon na gamitin ang ilang bakanteng lupa ng UP para gawing parking lot ng mga dormitoryo, at tayuan ng mga bagong gusaling pang-akademiko.

Samantala, pag-aaralan pa umano kung maaaring upahan ng mga residente ng Village C at C. P. Garcia ang bakanteng lupa sa gitna ng Pook Libis at Pook Amorsolo, bagaman tanging mga kasalukuyang may-ari lamang ng mga bahay sa dalawang apektadong komunidad ang maaaring mapagkalooban ng relokasyon.

Dapat umanong tiyakin na sa loob pa rin ng campus ang relokasyon, ayon kay UPD University Student Council Community Rights and Welfare Committee Head Mark Joseph Tagala. “Magulo kung ililipat sila sa ibang lugar, dahil dito sa [UP] na nila nakukuha ang [kanilang] kabuhayan, trabaho, [at] edukasyon,” paliwanag niya.

WWW.PHILI PPINECOLL EGIAN.ORG

ON TRACK. Workers assemble the foundation of the 465-meter test track on what will be the UP Diliman - Automated Guideway Transit System (UP-AGTS) that runs along the parts of C.P Garcia Avenue up to the vicinity of the College of Fine Arts. Launch BALITA of the project will Huwebes take place this December, and if 06 Disyembre proven successful, 2012 will move on to the second phase where the track will be expanded into 13 stations surrounding the campus.

UPM Polsci prof is next faculty regent UP Manila (UPM) Political Science Professor Lourdes Abadingo will sit as the next lone faculty representative to the Board of Regents, the highest decision-making body of the university, after garnering the highest number of votes at the recent Faculty Regent (FR) elections held on November 19 to 22.

Garnering 883 votes, or 42.19 percent of the total 2093 valid votes counted, Abadingo was confirmed by the BOR in its regular meeting on December 4 and will assume her post in June.

With the current FR, Dr. Ida Dalmacio, hailing from UP Los Baños, UP President Alfredo Pascual issued a memorandum on October 5, which states that the next FR must come from UP Manila. This year’s selection process was based on the 2010 rules, which stipulate that the elected FR must come from different constituent universities on a rotating basis.

Professor Roland Simbulan received the second highest number of votes, with 672 votes or 32.11 percent. Dr. Generoso Abes garnered 240 votes, or 11.47 percent, while Dr. Marilou Nicolas received 230 votes, or 10.99 percent.

In a text message to the Collegian, Abadingo said she will meet with outgoing FR Ida Dalmacio to discuss issues that need immediate attention.

“Una ‘yung pagbabalik sa dating schedule ng BOR meeting na minsan sa isang buwan,” she said.

Abadingo served as Secretary of the University and of the BOR from 2005 to 2011 and has been in service as faculty in UP for more than 39 years.

The BOR has decided to meet only once in every two months since its September meeting to allow longer time for regents to study the items in the agenda before the actual meeting.

In her action plan as FR nominee, Abadingo said she will focus on

proposing new policies related to the review of incentives for the university’s 3,544 academic employees, such as salary increases and promotions.

Abadingo also vows to jumpstart several projects during the first months of her term, such as dialogues and consultations with the All-UP Academic Union and the launching of a new website for the Office of the FR. The incoming FR, however, must ensure stronger and faster response to issues raised in different units, said All-UP Academic Employees Union – UPM President Guillie Panisales.

“Sa pag-iikot namin sa mga campuses, [nalaman namin na] matagal ang mga desisyon sa mga cases [katulad ng delayed] promotions and tenure.

Dapat [bilang] FR, may time siya [para doon].”

IN THE QUIETER CORNER OF PADRE FAURA is a little three-storey book shop—a shrine for a somewhat obligatory pilgrimage by young writers and literary enthusiasts who want to be baptized into the exclusive religion of the literati.

The Pilgrim’s Progress*

NAKAKA-TURN ON ANG AMOY NG MGA BAGONG LIBRO. Tuwing papasok ako sa National Bookstore (NBS), Fully Booked, o Power Books, una kong naaamoy ang nakakaadik na halimuyak ng papel, tinta, at plastik. Nakabubusog sa mga mata ang mga pahina ng libro nina Bob Ong, Stephen King, Paulo Coelho, Suzanne Collins, George RR Martin, at Nicholas Sparks. Upang higit na maligayahan, binubuklat ko rin ang mga magasin sa gilid.

Maliban sa nakalilibog na amoy ng papel, nakaaakit din ang pinatutugtog na feel good music sa paligid, ang malamig na ambiance ng lugar, at ang halina ng

Basang-basâ

MULA SA MALAYO, SA GITNA NG LUPON NG mga tomador at rakista, hindi mo iisiping may maliligaw na tindahan ng mga libro. Tanaw ang graffiti at doodles sa mga dingding nito, mas mukha pa itong tattoo parlor o music bar kesa lagakan ng mga murang libro at novelty items. Ngunit sa BookayUkay Libruhan, “kung saan malaya kang maging ikaw,” tila nabasag na nga ang lahat ng kumbensyon ng

Segunda mano

HINDI KAGANDAHAN SI MIRAJANE. NABANSAGAN na siyang “nognog” at “ulikba,” at natawag na siyang “mukhang kili-kili.” May mangilan-ngilan ding nakaka-appreciate sa kanyang beauty—pero hindi sapat ang “may hitsura naman” para iahon ang kanyang nalulunod na self-esteem. Kailangan kong gumanda, sinasabi niya sa sarili. Ayaw kong tumandang dalaga.

Habang wala pa si Prince Charming, sa mga pocketbook hinuhugot ni Mirajane ang inaasam-asam niyang romansa. Sa mundong iyon, hindi lang basta magaganda ang mga babae.

Mababait sila, charming, at kung hindi mayaman, pasok sila sa depinisyon ng modern Filipina na madiskarte at may stable na pinagkukunan ng pera (note: hindi sugar daddy).

Maliban sa pagiging maganda, swak si Mirajane sa

Palimos ng pag-ibig

SA KABILA NG PAGSULPUTAN NG MGA LIBRONG MABABASA SA COMPUTER, IPAD, O CELLPHONE, NAGKALAT PA RIN SA LUNGSOD ANG IBA’T IBANG BILIHAN NG MGA AKLAT. MAY LUGAR PARA SA MGA LITERATI, CASUAL BOOK LOVER, BARGAIN HUNTER, AT MASKI PARA SA MGA UHAW SA ROMANSA. KANYA-KANYANG TRIP, KANYA-KANYANG TASTE—KANYA-KANYANG TERITORYO.

WALA PA RING TATALO SA TUNAY NA LIBRO. ‘YUNG NABUBUKLAT, NATUTUPI ANG PAHINA KAPAG KAILANGAN MUNANG IWAN, ‘YUNG NABABALIK-BALIKAN.

The highest room of the shop contains the sacred round table not unknown by people belonging to the same literary religion. This is the ivory tower of Francisco Sionil Jose, shop owner and National Artist for Literature, where he steadily weaves his words—a Lord of Shalott.

National Artists, Palanca winners, journalists, and even Nobel Laureates for Literature Wole Soyinka, Günter Grass, and Mario Vargas Llosa sat on the same round table. This makes the table a miraculous relic for aspiring writers who arduously squeeze their way into the circle of literary saints.

“If you claim to be a Filipino intellectual and you haven’t been to this bookshop, you are not an intellectual,” Jose firmly said over the round table, taking a break from editing his most recent column for the Philippine Star.

Built on a piece of inherited land, the book shop is not obvious of its literary sanctity. Plain with white paint, the shop was rebuilt with the same architectural design after a fire consumed it in 1989. Upon entering the wooden door, angelic music of Edith Piaf or local Filipino instrumental folk music would welcome the visitors. Jose’s wife, Teresita, currently manages the shop along with five disciples.

The shop proclaims itself to be the pulpit of the widest Filipiniana book collection. Jose personally selects the titles that would fit the altars of the bookshop. Since the bookstore is dubbed the best in the country, the selection process is akin to canonformation wherein the dogma of selection lies solely on Jose.

The books are mostly fiction like those of Nick Joaquin and Jose Rizal, anthologies of prizewinning prose or poem, history books, and selected titles from the Western canon. Altared on the counter are Jose’s own works, including the complete Rosales Saga.

This literary chapel chooses its laity; the worship service is only for those belonging to the same literary religion, sharing the same artistic creed.

Visitors of the shop are mostly students and professors of literature, artists, and writers. Even foreign literary faithful flock into the book shop.

Rarely do typical citizens walk in the shop to browse the collection. Book prices range from around 150 to 3000 pesos, when just a few streets away several second hand bookstores abound. Jose’s original vision of the shop however was an eternal flourish of literature for a country that is constantly searching for its literary and cultural identity. Jose’s literary shrine is located in a space wherein contrasting realities co-exist: the poverty and the gentrification of Manila.

It has not been a part of the masses’ novena to pick up a Palanca anthology or a hardbound Tolstoy novel. This exclusivity makes the sacred spaces of the little book shop seem much smaller—even unwelcomingly crammed—as writers make their obligatory pilgrimage to this hallowed ground of Philippine literature. *apologies to John Bunyan malamlam na liwanag. Pumipintig ang aking dibdib sa tuwing napalilibutan ako ng napakaraming libro, senyas na kailangang magparaos ulit sa mundo ng imahinasyon at mga salita.

Sanay nang manukso ang mga bookstore na nagpapahiwatig ng isang hindi inaasahang kaligayahan. Sa kasaysayan, punlay ang mga bookstore ng propesyunal na middle-class sa Kanluran na siyang nagpapanatili sa walang tigil na pagbenta at pagkonsumo ng mga libro.

Habang naglilibot sa loob, nasulyapan ko ang bahid ng dayuhang kaisipan sa napakaraming imported na libro. Sa dagat ng mga titulong ito nalulunod ang panitikang Pilipino. Pinatutuyan nitong hindi pa malay ang buong bansa sa kahalagahan ng libro, ani Prof.

Roland Tolentino, eksperto sa kulturang popular.

Nasalubong ko ang mga fan at geek na sabik sa tukso ng mga high end na bestseller. Bibihira sa kanila ang tumatambay sa gawi ng bookstore kung saan naroon ang mga textbook, na siya namang madalas, kung hindi man tanging nababasa ng mga estudyante sa pampublikong paaralan.

Maalindog ang hubog ng bawat pasikot-sikot ng mga bookstore. Matagumpay nitong naakit ang aking diwa na lumusong sa kamandag ng kargada nilang bestseller. Sinisiguro ng espasyong ito na mabigyan ng panandaliang aliw ang mga tulad kong tigang sa amoy ng bagong libro. Ngunit sa tuwing magpipigil ako, nananaig pa rin ang tawag ng aking laman.

Hindi ko namamalayang kontrolado na ako ng espasyong nakalilibog ang aroma. Nasasanay na akong bumili at mag-init ang kalamnan sa mga bagong hardbound na libro. Kahit man sinasaid nito ang aking bulsa at panahon, hindi ko pagsasawaang pagnasahan ang mga bagay na ito.

Hinihipo ko ang imahinasyon sa pagbabasa ng mga bagong biling libro kaulayaw ang kape ng Starbucks.

Unti-unti kong nararamdaman ang mainit na diwang intelektwal sa labis na pagtatalik ng amoy ng kape at libro sa tuwing tumatambay ako sa Fully Booked sa Bonifacio High Street, o sa EDSA Shangri-la Hotel.

Subalit kakabit ng libog kong bumili ng mga libro ang marka ng isang angat na intelektwal sa lipunan na hiwalay sa kalakhan ng mga Pilipinong walang sariling kultura sa pagbabasa ng libro o pag-iinom ng kape. Sa tuwing tinutukso ako ng mga bookstore, hindi ko mapigilang maglaway, sumabog, at magparaos ng aking itinatagong pagnanasa sa mga bagong libro.

Laging nangangati ang aking mga bulsa, mabili lamang ang mga bagong libro at matikman ang matatamis na kapeng magdadala sa akin tungo sa rurok ng kaligayahan. isang bookstore.

Simula noong 2008, sa pagbubukas ng libruhan sa Maginhawa Street, Teacher’s Village, naging paborito na itong tambayan ng mga estudyanteng naghahanap ng mura at kakaibang mga libro— mula sa mga lumang akda ni William Shakespeare, mga bagong nobela ni Haruki Murakami, pati na talambuhay ng mga sikat na musikero tulad ni Bob Dylan.

Mas mura ang mga libro sa Bookay-Ukay dahil segunda mano ang mga ito. Ang mga may-ari nito, kabilang na sina Dan Gaffud at J. Luna, naghahanap pa ng mga lumang libro sa mga lugar na mahirap marating ng karaniwang mamimili—sa Quiapo, sa Recto, at pati na sa mga tagong estante sa Booksale.

Hindi na bago sa Pilipinas ang pagbebenta ng mga segunda manong libro. Matagal na ring tinatangkilik ng mga Pilipino ang Booksale, isang bookstore chain na nagbebenta ng mga segunda manong libro na galing pang Estados Unidos, Canada, Australia at Britanya.

Sa kabila ng pagkakahanay ayon sa mga genre, kapansin-pansin pa rin ang kalat na pagkakapatongpatong ng mga libro na dulot na rin ng walanghumpay na paghahanap ng mga patron.

Nakadadagdag ito sa danas ng pamimili, na tila naghahanap ka ng isang natatanging kayamanan sa kabundukan ng mga libro.

Bagama’t parehong tindahan ng mga segunda manong libro, may malaking pagkakaiba ang dalawa. Sa maliwanag at kahali-halinang hitsura ng kanilang mga tindahan sa loob ng mall, tila layon ng Booksale na makabenta lamang ng maraming libro sa masa. Ang Bookay-Ukay, bagama’t may pangunahing tuon sa pagbebenta, ay nagsisilbi ring tagpuan ng isang komunidad.

Higit pa sa pagbili ng libro, dinadayo rin ang Bookay-Ukay dahil naging sentral na espasyo na ito para sa isang partikular na grupo ng mga estudyante at intelektwal. Bukod sa pagbebenta ng mga segunda manong libro, matatagpuan din dito ang mga natatanging akda at produktong gawa ng mga patron nito.

Isa itong halimbawa ng espasyong nagsimula sa pagbebenta ngunit nakakapag-ambag sa pampublikong karakter ng isang lugar. Hindi ito kaiba sa mga secondhand bookstores sa New York na nagsisilbi ring tagpuan ng mga manunulat, artista, at mambabasa sa kanilang komunidad.

Namamayagpag ang mga espasyong ito ng walang hinihinging kapalit sa publiko kundi ang minsanang pagdalaw, panaka-nakang pagtingin sa kanilang seleksyon, at, kung kaya naman ng bulsa, pagbili at pagtangkilik sa kanilang mga libro.

Higit pa sa mga libro, nahahasa at nahuhulma ang kaalaman sa mga espasyong nagpapalaganap nito.

Sa pamamayagpag ng mga segunda manong libruhan, naipapakita na hindi lamang naipapamahagi ang libro sa murang halaga, kundi naipaparamdam din ang komyunal na danas ng pagbabasa at pagkatuto.

Dahil may kagustuhan pa ring magbasa ang mga tao, bago man ang libro o segunda mano.

Huwebes 6 Disyembre 2012

KULTURA

katauhan ng mga bida. Nagtapos siya sa kolehiyo, at nagtatrabaho sa opisina. Mabait din ang pakikitungo niya sa mga tao, nagbabakasaling masasalba ng busilak na puso ang kawalan niya ng gorgeous looks.

Hindi niya maiwasang magtaka: kung singganda kaya siya nina Kristine at Nadja, iibigin din kaya siya ng ka-opisina niyang si Paco?

Katulad ng mga leading man sa pocketbook, nasa tuktok din ng food chain si Paco—artistahin ang mukha’t mala-Adonis ang hubog ng katawan. Sila ‘yung tipo ng mga lalaki na mga babaeng nasa top one percent ng tatsulok din ang hanap.

Kaya naman muntik nang maghanda ng piging si Mirajane nang minsang mag-hello sa kanya si Paco.

Napadilat siya, napanganga at nanigas sa tuwa. Kung dati’y hindi napapansin ni Paco ang maya’t maya niyang pagnakaw ng sulyap, noong araw na iyon ay tila masayang-masaya ang binata’t may kalakip na ngiti pa ang isinukli nitong tingin.

Maligayang-maligaya si Mirajane. Payday noon, at gaya ng nakagawian, pupunta siya sa mall para bumili ng mga pocketbook na idadagdag sa kanyang koleksyon. This time, I’m one step closer to the man of my dreams, naisip niya.

Pero bago matapos ang araw, natutunan ni Mirajane na sa pocketbooks lang malayo ang nararating ng nonchalant smiles at one-second glances. Pagbalik mula sa washroom, nakita ni Mirajane sa kanyang mesa ang isang wedding invitation. Ikakasal na si Paco.

Umulan ng mga “congratulations” sa opisina, pero agad na umalis si Mirajane pagpatak ng alas singko.

Dumiretso siya sa tindahan ng Precious Hearts Romances (PHR) sa SM North. Pwede siyang bumili ng pocketbook sa National Bookstore, pero bukod sa mas marami ang ibinibenta sa PHR—at mas marami rin siyang karamay dito.

Nakakasabay ni Mirajane sa pamimili ang mga unipormadong yaya, mga estudyante, at ang mga tulad niyang propesyunal. Sa loob ng PHR, malinaw ang hanap ng mga kapwa niya suki: naroon sila para sa pantasya, para sa panandaliang ligayang kalakip sa 70 pahina.

Simple lang ang solusyon sa suliranin ng mga paboritong tauhan ni Mirajane: pag-ibig. Ang magkaaway na magkapatid, maaring magkabati kapag nakahanap na ng kanya-kanyang girlfriend.

Ang magsasakang bida, maaaring pakasalan ng mayamang haciendero (may bonus pang sexy jawline at six-pack abs).

Mahigpit ang hawak ni Mirajane sa bawat librong kinukuha niya, padabog ang mga hakbang niya habang tinatalunton ang bawat isle. Pero hindi bale. Muli rin naman siyang kikiligin, ngingiti at tatawa pagkatapos niyang basahin ang mga libro.

Pansamantalang solb ang problema, sa halagang P37 piso.

Last trip

LATHALAIN Huwebes 6 Disyembre 2012

THE SIGHT OF PASSENGERS rushing to catch the next train in Buendia Station, greets Rina*, 22, a Communication Research student, whenever she travels to UP from Laguna. As the train approaches, the thundering sound charges excitement to the waiting crowd.

The train halts, and opens its doors.

The hunger games begin.

Without hesitation, passengers begin to push and shove each other to secure a place in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). Fortunately for Rina, the odds seemed to favor her as she managed to squeeze herself in. It will take her 15 minutes to arrive at Quezon Avenue Station where she would board a UP-bound jeep.

Because of its speed and affordability, Rina prefers to ride the MRT despite the hell she has to endure. But this daily inconvenience may become the least of her concerns, once the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) increases MRT and Light Rail Transit fares to P25-P30 from the current P10-P20 rate.

Plans to hike MRT and LRT fares were first slated in January 2011, but were stalled due to popular public opposition. Last August, however, DOTC officials have revived this proposal, igniting once again debates on the government’s role in facilitating efficient and effective transportation.

First station The establishment of a railway system in Metro Manila was first conceived in the 1970s, when former First Lady Imelda Marcos noted the absence of a rail-based transport system, and the congestion of roads due to heavy traffic.

This prompted former President Ferdinand Marcos to commission a transport study geared to provide solutions to the situation.

Funded through foreign loans, LRT 1 began construction in 1981 (see sidebar). In 1996, the congestion of EDSA instigated the construction of a second railway, the MRT. After a year, a second LRT Line was

THESE DAYS, TO GET A SPACE ABOARD THE CROWDED TRAINS IN THE MRT AND LRT HAS BECOME A HELLISH NIGHTMARE FOR THOSE WHO RELY ON FAST AND CHEAP TRANSPORTATION AROUND THE METRO. WITH THREATS OF TRAIN FARE HIKES DUE IN THE FUTURE, HOWEVER, COMMUTERS MAY HAVE TO SIMPLY ABANDON ALL HOPE AT THE TICKET BOOTH.

constructed, and was also funded through foreign loans like LRT 1.

The MRT’s construction differed from the LRT lines, as it was built under the build-lease-transfer (BLT) scheme with conglomerate Metro Rail Transit Corporation (Metro Rail), along with other private companies. Under BLT, Metro Rail handled the MRT’s construction, and leased it to DOTC as operators.

Despite such arrangements, the government guaranteed to pay the large sums of money borrowed by Metro Rail from foreign entities that was needed to cover the cost of constructing the MRT. Also, the government agreed to pay Metro Rail 15 percent of the $190 million it invested, on a yearly basis in a span of 25 years (see sidebar). By 2025, MRT’s ownership will be transferred to the government.

As a result of these unjust conditions in the MRT’s contracts, the government had incurred onerous debts, putting the public at a clear disadvantage.

Opposing tracks MRT and LRT trains are by far the most convenient and affordable means of transportation around the metro, according to independent think-tank IBON Foundation. Of the approximately one million daily MRT and LRT passengers, workers comprise around 488,000, while 315,000 are students, according to the Metro Manila Public Transport Study (MMPTS), a survey on the ridership profile of MRT and LRT commuters.

The fee increase stems from the government’s plan to remove the subsidy for MRT and LRT commuters, which the government could instead allot to other programs, according to DOTC.

The DOTC asserts the full cost of MRT and LRT fares range from P35.44-P60.75, but passengers are only charged P10-P20. In this manner, it appears the government subsidizes every MRT and LRT passenger by P25-P40. Such “subsidy” for these commuters amounted to P13.58 billion in 2010, according to government computations.

Yet the government’s computation of the full cost of MRT and LRT fares is intrinsically flawed, as it included debt obligations, principal and interest loans, and do not reflect the actual cost of availing train services, according to IBON. Even at current rates, passengers already pay more than the actual cost of MRT and LRT’s operation and maintenance services, which is only around P9.11 per passenger, IBON explained.

“Dapat nga libre [ang transportation] kasi it pushes for faster industrialization. No country has industrialized na hindi nagkaroon ng isang complex railroad train system,” say IBON Executive Editor Rosario Guzman.

In 2010, both MRT and LRT earned a total revenue of P5.01 billion from ticket fares and non-rail revenue such as advertisements and commercial stalls’ rent. This is more than enough to finance the P4.99 billion total cost for operating and managing both MRT and LRT for the same year.

Transportation is a crucial component of a country’s economy, as it allows mobility for the people who have to travel to conduct their economic activities.

“Public transportation…is really state responsibility. Isa siyang public investment na hindi mo sinusukat ang balik. There’s no such thing as nalulugi ang gobyerno kasi…immeasurable ang mababalik sa iyo sa economic development,” Guzman says.

At the expense of people’s welfare, the government seems bent to push through with the MRT and LRT fare hike. In doing so, the government effectively passes the burden of paying debts incurred from onerous loans with foreign companies, to the public.

Moving lines Rina’s father, who works as a sales agent, earns less than P13, 000 per month. Such amount is hardly enough to finance his family’s basic needs, and the education of Rina and her three siblings.

Amidst skyrocketing prices of basic commodities and utilities, the prospects of MRT fare hike adds new burden to Rina’s family, and the thousands of commuters who depend on train lines for

cheap and efficient transportation.

Once implemented, the fare hike will force Rina to slash her budget for other expenses like food and school needs.

“The fare hike seeks to further marginalize low-income earners and student commuters,” according to multi-sectoral group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. From the total MRT and LRT passengers, around 700,000 earn an income of below P15,000 per month, according to MMPTS. “If you’re a minimum wage earner, sapat na yung P30... pero kung [madadagdagan] ng P30 sa pamasahe… cost na rin ‘yun ng baon ng anak going to school,” says Guzman.

As Rina lunged herself once again into the sea of people in Quezon Avenue Station on her way home, she has only one thing in her mind – the possibility of never being able to ride the MRT again. *not her real name

LRT 1 (Baclaran, Pasay to Roosevelt, Quezon CIty)

19 81

19 84

Consortium of Belgian Government of Belgium Companies (Php700 M) (Php300 M) Php 1 billion 19 97 20 03

LRT 2

Soft loan payable for 30 years

(Recto, Manila to Santolan, Pasig)

16 year operating maintenance agreement with Metro Inc. (ended in 2000)

Php 31 billion Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)

MRT 1996

LEGEND Start of construction / start of operations Funding source (FS) Project cosr Conditions under the contracts acquired with FS

1999 Metro Rail Transit Corp. Ltd. ($190 M)

(North Ave., Quezon City to Taft Ave., Pasay)

.5 n 75 illio 6 $ m

2 percent interest payable for 30 years with a 10-year grace period

Foreign Currency Deposit Unit banks ($109.6 M) Investicni a Postovni Bank, Czech Republic ($88.4 M)

JBIC/Japan’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry ($287.5 M)

Under 25-year Build-Lease-Transfer (BLT) agreement with FS 15% rate of return on investment (ROI) to Metro Rail annually from 2000 – 2025 Reimbursement of debts acquired

by Metro Rail worth $485.5 M

e l d s b w r a e t u Tro

Nationwide advocacy group Freedom from Debt Coalition estimates that 20 percent of Maynilad’s residential customers reside in depressed communities. With such prices, Maynilad’ popular slogan ‘dadaloy din ang ginhawa’ is barely felt by consumers like Elizabeth, or even Elvira Crispo, 33, who despite owning a water connection in Daang Tubo, remains unsatisfied.

Elvira shares that her water connection is in a dire state, with the pipes having several holes that remained unnoticed until November.

The government’s experience on MWSS shows how privatization marginalizes ordinary citizens. With SB 2997 gaining ground, the government is in danger of committing the same mistake of privatizing water services and replicating its failures in a nation-wide scale.

fears on the prospects of allowing private interests in the water sector. “The quality of water might even suffer because these companies desire to rake BEFORE in profit,” says Eric Avanzado, Vice President LEAVING FOR for Luzon of national union Water System THE DAY, ROUTINE Response Network. dictates Journalism “[The privatization of WDs would] student Maverick inevitably mean higher water rates for Flores, 17, and the consumers… an extra burden…[to the rest of his family to people] reeling from high prices and fill vessels with tap difficult economic times,” argues advocacy water. But these are group Water for the People Network. not pails or buckets; Once again, the government echoes one these are water containers of its overly-used rhetoric: that the only each of the Flores family recourse to improve the performance of

brings along to school or work.

Destructive waves state enterprises is to submerge itself “Dahil sa…accessible at malinis [ang] tubig The water sector has evidently into the pools of commercial interests. namin…hindi na namin kailangan ng iba pa[ng] become one of the many casualties Yet such claims barely hold water, source,” Maverick shares. Ever since they of the streams of privatization the as similar ventures in the past have resided in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, government espoused. Since 1987, drowned in their own promises. the Flores were contented with the water various administrations have slowly services their local water district (WD) is Leaky lines opened the floodgates of state assets providing. As of 2012, San Jose Del Monte’s With spare change, Elizabeth providing social services for the private WD services 58 of the city’s 59 barangays.

Bentazar, 39, along with other sector to intrude.

For Sen. Edgardo Angara however, residents, queues in front of a For instance, the power sector was effectively WDs leak of failure that needs reform. In neighbor’s house daily to fill privatized when shares of the National Power Corporation October 2011, Angara filed Senate Bill pails and buckets. In Daang Tubo, was sold through the Electric Power Industry Reform Act 2997 (SB 2997) or the Water Sector Brgy. UP Campus, only a few of 2001. Such move was seen as a way to address the country’s Reform Act of 2012, which seeks to households have their own water energy crisis at the time, and even claimed to make electricity cheaper. “reform the water industry” and connection, despite being a However, the perennial rotating brown-outs experienced in enjoin the private sector to community built on top of water Mindanao and other cities, and the high power rates compared to improve its services. The bill pipes and its close proximity to other Asian neighbors, will always remind Filipinos of the hallow was passed on first reading last the Metropolitan Waterworks and promises of privatizing the energy sector.

August, precipitating nationwide Sewerage System (MWSS) along Meanwhile, a pending House Bill 6069 in Congress seeks to opposition from WD employees Katipunan Avenue. corporatize 26 government hospitals. If passed, these hospitals and advocates from various groups.

Since the privatization of MWSS will be allowed to set its own fees and charges, and reduce its If SB 2997 passes into law, WDs in 1997, water services in Daang Tubo charity wards to only 20 percent of its entire capacity. will become the latest casualty and the rest of Western Metro Manila “There is a current trend of privatization/corporatization hit by the wave of privatization or was provided by Maynilad Water Services, of the country’s social services [and] Aquino is creating the intrusion of private companies while Manila Water Company serviced the new opportunities to take over water [as well]” in state enterprises providing social Eastern portion. asserts Avanzado. services. In exchange for profit, even Back in the days, the government believed Privatization is an all-encompassing services as basic as access to water are that privatizing MWSS – which directly policy imposed by international now in danger of being washed away. provided water services to Metro Manila financial institutions (IFIs) like before 1997 – would address the dismal state Washed out the International Monetary of water services, marked by inefficient WDs are local state enterprises mandated Fund and World Bank to delivery, leakages, and unsatisfactory to provide water and sewerage services in cities developing countries in water quality. A privatized MWSS, the and municipalities. The Marcos administration exchange for loans, government argued, would mean cheaper saw the need to create WDs to address the lack of explains independent and improved services. adequate water utilities in the provinces at the time. think-tank IBON FounAfter 15 years, however, private Since 1973, the government has built 831 WDs to dation. concessionaires have fallen short with the service 940 of the 1,614 total cities and municipalities in The government has promise of improved services. the country, marking a 58 percent nationwide coverage. waded in rough waters.

In 2010, Maynilad reported to have Despite this, Angara believes WDs have performed For a long time, waves reduced the volume of water lost to poorly. “[T]he lack of a cohesive regime has led to of privatization have leakages to 53 percent from 64 percent in the detriment of water services in the provinces, and ravaged the country’s 1997. Meanwhile, as of 2011, Manila Water consequently to…a scarcity of clean water,” he says. shores, and deprived the has reduced its water loss to 11 percent Under SB 2997, neighboring WDs will be merged people their rights to basic from 63 percent in 1997, still unable to into a single entity called Water Supply and Sanitation services such as decent close the gap.

Companies that would “be able to combine economies health and water access. While However, Manila Water’s rates have of scale and focus on [efficiency].” The bill also aims to the government passively dips engage WDs into Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) or skyrocketed by 1083 percent, to P135.48 per itself to the dominant paradigm 10 cubic meters this year from P12.51 before government contracts with the private sector. espoused by IFIs, the people will continue MWSS was privatized. For the same “By making the water sector a viable area of languishing in the tides that submerge period, Maynilad’s water rates have investment to private companies, we will also be able them into poverty and destitution. increased by 564 percent, to to improve the quality of water services delivered P119 per 10 cubic meters to our people,” Angara asserts. from P21.

Amidst the touted benefits of rationalizing WDs, nationwide coalition Philippine Association of Water Districts had raised

LATHALAIN Huwebes 6 Disyembre 2012

TATAY FERMIN, *

OPINYON Huwebes 6 Disyembre 2012

PALAGI KANG LAMAN NG aming mga usapan. Lahat kami’y hanga sa iyong katapangan— bihira ang tulad mong walang pag-aalinlangang nagsasalita sa mga bagay na maaaring magdala ng panganib. Naalala ko ang isa mong kwento, na hindi ka nila tinatawag sa mga pulong ng inyong barangay kung saan pinag-uusapan ang operasyon ng minahan sa Española. Matiyaga mong itataas ang iyong kamay, magalang kang magtatanong, kahit na hindi ka pinakikinggan ng mga opisyal.

Ayaw nilang makinig, ngunit hindi ka nagpapigil. Ilang araw ang nakalipas, ikaw ang tumayong tagapagsalita ng mga katutubo nang harapin natin ang Environmental and Natural Resource Officer ng Palawan. Mahusay mong inilahad ang inyong kalagayan, at walang duda, tumagos sa aming lahat ang iyong mensahe. Ang iba sa amin, pinaiyak mo pa.

Sabi mo sa akin, sadyang likas na sa iyo ang umangal sa tuwing may inaapi. Tumatawa ka pa nang ikwento mo sa akin kung paano mo sinagot-sagot ang pulis na nagtutok ng baril sa iyong tiyuhin.

Higit sa simpleng katapangan ang ipinakita mo akin. Lagi’t lagi, namamalas ko ang iyong pagsusuri sa mga bagay-bagay— mula sa simpleng pagrerenta ng tricycle, hanggang sa pagpapaliwanag sa mga kabaryo kung

bakit kailangang labanan ang pagmimina. Iba-iba ang iyong paraanngpakikipag-usapsamgatao, timplado upang hindi magalit ang kausap kahit na kinokontra mo na ang kanilang sinasabi. Walang init ng ulo at puno ng pang-unawa para sa kalagayan ng mga kabaryo mong nabulag ng panandaliang ginahawa na dala ng minahan. Kung mapapadpad ka ng rali sa Maynila, tiyak kong magiging mahusay kang negosyador.

Matapang mong pinanghahawakan ang pag-asang tayo’y magwawagi at makakamit ninyong lahat ang matiwasay at masaganang buhay Malalim ang paggagap mo sa pagsubok na hinaharap ng iyong komunidad, kahit na sabihin pa ng iba na hindi mo k abisado ang siyensya at datos ng pagmimina. Ikaw, kayong mga taga-Española, ang lubos na nakakaunawa ng iyong kalagayan.

Kayo ang dumanas ng panloloko, pandaraya at pambabastos sa dignidad bilang tao.

Wala sa inyong mga kwento ang ‘responsible mining’ na

Marah Sayaman ipinagyayabang ng kumpanya, bagkus ay iisang patotoo ang aming narinig—ang pagluha ng dugo ng mga ilog tuwing tag-ulan.

Para sa iyo at sa mga katutubo ng Española, walang ibang paraan kundi ang lumaban. At kahit simpleng pakinggan ang lahat ng ito, hindi ito madaling gawin.

Kaya kita hinahangaan, Tatay, at ang iyong mga kasama. Hindi ka lamang matapang sa pagharap sa iyong mga kaaway, matapang ka rin sa pagyakap sa mga panganib at pagod na dala ng paglikha ng pagbabago. Walang pagdududa kang nagtiwala sa amin, walang kang takot na sumugal sa mungkahi naming pagkilos, gaano man kaliit ang naipon nating lakas at rekurso. Matapang kang kumakapit sa pag-asa na tayo’y magwawagi, at makakamit nating lahat ang matiwasay at masaganang buhay.

Nais sana kitang yakapin bago tayo maghiwalay, pero siguro pinangunahan ako ng hiya, at hindi na kita nalapitan bago ka umuwi. Alinlangan, iyan ang bagay na hindi mo ipinamalas sa amin sa saglit nating pagsasama. Sana’y mangingibabaw lagi ang iyong katapangan, sa harap ng mga pagsubok na tiyak kong susuungin pa natin. *para rin sa mga residente ng Sofronio Española, Palawan, na nais patigilin ang operasyon ng CitiNickel Mining sa kanilang lugar

LIHAM NI MAMASHANG DEAR PAPASHANG, Magbabakasyon na naman ang hamog dito sa bansa. Ibig sabihin, malapit nang sumabog ang mga tiyan, manganak ang mga regalo sa tahanan, dumalaw ang mga batang nagkakantahan at umusbong ang mistletoe ng pagmamahalan.

Gayunman, nais ko lang ibahagi kung bakit kailangan mong mag-ingat sa pagbili ng mga regalo para sa girlfriend mo.

Hindi ako nararapat paulanan ng mamahaling regalo ngayong

Huwag kang mapagod itama ang mga mali ko at manatili ka sanang Papashang ng buhay ko. taon.

Bilang nobya mo, kukumbinsihin kitang huwag nang magluwal ng kahit isang kusing para regaluhan ako.

Narito ang mga dahilan kung bakit nasa top ako ng naughty girlfriends list ni Santa. Nakasaad dito ang mga pagkakataong sinaniban ako ng demonyo para lang saktan ka.

Trinatraydor kita sa pamamagi-

tan ng pagsuko sa katamaran at pakikipaglandian sa mapangakit na kama. Pinatutunayan ko ring minsan, mas matigas pa sa bato ang puso ko. Dumarating sa puntong sintigas na ito ng dyamante na ‘di maantig kahit pa ng mga lambing mo.

Kapag nagtatampo ako, hindi lang ikaw ang inaaway ko—pati buong mundo ay damay na rin sa gulo.

Nagmimistula na nga akong si Grumpy kapag may mga bagay kang hindi magawa.

Kasabay nito ang paghahalikan ng aking mga kilay at paghihimas ng luha sa aking pisngi.

Madalas nagiging Pinocchio ako pagdating sa tunay na nararamdaman ko at sa mga bagay na ikinagagalit mo. Pwede na rin akong ipako sa krus dahil sa sandamakmak na pangako kong napako. Baka hindi mo rin napapansin na para na akong parasite ngayon na umaasang pakainin mo dahil madalas akong maubusan ng kwarta. Para na rin akong orchid na masyadong clingy sa ’yo—may parasitism na nga, may commensalism pa.

Kung ikaw ang tahimik na gabi, ako naman ang maingay at nakakairitang umaga.

Minsan nag-aasta akong nanay na magagalit na lang bigla kapag ‘di makuha ang expectations sa ’yo.

Pipiliti kong kumain ka ng mga

gawaing alam kong masustansya sa relasyon natin kahit ‘di mo naman talaga masikmura. Isa akong magagaliting direktor na nagnanais masunod lahat ng nasa script na nakasulat sa isipan ko.

Ito ang mga bagay na nahukay ko sa mala-ampalaya kong puso.

Patawad at ako naman talaga ang dapat ikulong sa mga pagkakasalang ito, at isa ka lang biktimang nasangkot sa kasamaan ko.

Alam mo, ‘wag na ‘wag mo na akong bibigyan ng regalo. Bukod sa sobra na ang mga ibinibigay mong oras at mga materyal na bagay.

Sapat nang wrapper ang totoong imahe na ipinakikita mo sa ’kin araw-araw, sakto nang kahon ang presensya mo sa buhay ko at sobrasobra nang laman ang pagmamahal mo sa ’kin.

Ito na lang po ang payo ko: bilang ako ang binudburan ng kasamaan at nasobrahan ka naman sa kabaitan, ‘wag ka pa ring paaabuso sa ’kin. Huwag kang mapagod itama ang mga mali ko at manatili ka sanang Papashang ng buhay ko. Sapat na iyon bilang regalo ngayong Pasko.

Nagmamahal, Mamashang P.S. Mamimiss kita ngayong Pasko (now playing: Ryan Cayabyab’s “Ang Disyembre ko ay malungkot”).

LAKAS TAMA

Awkward* ABSENT TAYO PAREHO noong unang araw ng klase. Sa tanging beses na pumasok ako, absent ka pa rin. Kaya nagulat ako nang may mag-text sa akin kahapon. Nagpakilala ka at sinabi mong partners tayo sa report. Nagtanong ka kung maaari ba tayong mag-meet dahil next week na ang deadline ng research outline.

Nagkita tayo sa labas ng m a i n library. Hindi pa countersigned ang ID ko kaya hindi ako makapasok. Ikaw lang ang nakaupo sa labas, kaya nakita kita agad. Una kong napansin ang binabasa mong libro— A Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao ni Junot Diaz.

Kababasa ko lang ng librong ‘yun, mga dalawang linggo ang nakalipas. Gusto sana kitang tanungin kung saan ka na umabot sa libro, pero nahiya ako.

Tiniyak kong ikaw ang partner ko, bago ako nagpakilala at nag-sorry sa pagiging absentera. Ngumiti ka at tumayo. “Ayos lang,” sabi mo. Bihira ka ring pumasok kasi ‘yun na lang ang subject mo bukod sa thesis.

May listahan ka na ng call number ng mga pwedeng sources. Pinapili mo ako kung alin ang mga hahanapin ko, at tinanong kung kailan ko sila mapagsasama-sama para mailatag na natin ang outline. Para sa isang absentero, nakakagulat na handa ka’t organisado. “Sa Friday,” sabi ko sa ‘yo, kahit na kailangan ko pang hanapin ang Form5 ko para makapagpa-countersign ng ID. “Kailan ka magpapa-countersign?” Seryoso ang tanong mo. Hindi ‘yung tipong nag-iinquire lang—sa tono’t hilatsa ng mukha mo, parang humihingi ka ng tiyak na sagot. “Mamaya,” sabi ko, kahit hindi naman totoo.

“May gagawin ka ba ngayon? Gusto mo ngayon na para masimulan na natin? Samahan kita,” sabi mo.

Hinalungkat ko ang utak ko para sa palusot. May gawain ako sa Kule? Pero ayokong sinasabi na taga-Kule ako. May class pa ako? Hindi pwede, masyadong out of character. May prior commitment? Halatang imbento.

“Pwede naman” tuloy ang nasabi ko.

Nagtatanong-tanong ka habang naglalakad tayo, pero one-word answers lang ang sagot ko. Sinusubukan ko kasing alalahanin kung saan ko nga ba isinuot ang Form5 ko. Nasa tapat tayo ng CASAA nang mapagdesisyunan kong, pakshet, sino ka nga ba para kailanganin kong magpanggap.

“Ay sorry. Nawawala nga pala ang Form5 ko,” sabi ko, medyo pa-cute ang boses para hindi ka ma-badtrip at hindi mo ako ilaglag sa report. “Hahanapin ko na lang mamaya sa bahay. Basta by Friday, pramis, magbibigay akong outline.”

Nagtagpo ang kilay mo. “A okay.” Napakunot din ang noo ko. “Okay,” sagot ko. Cue na dapat iyon para maghiwalay tayo, para magpaalam sa isa’t isa at ipagpaubaya na lang sa Facebook ang mga susunod na transaksyon natin bilang mag-partner. Pero nakatingin ka pa rin sa akin—at ako sa iyo—na parang naghahanap ng dahilan para iwasan ang nakaambang pagpapaalam. Napangiti ako, natatawa sa sarili kasi masyado akong assuming.

Pero ngumiti ka rin. “Facebook na lang?” tanong mo.

“Okay,” sabi ko. “Okay.” Nakangiti ka pa rin. Kung literal lang ang killer smile, takte, kanina pa ako patay.

“Bye?” “Bye?” ibinalik mo ang tanong.

Tumawa tayo pareho. Umiling ako, natatawa’t natutuwa sa palitan natin ng maiikli pero loaded na mga salita.

“Sige na, una na ‘ko,” sabi ko. Tinapik kita sa balikat, saka ako naglakad papasok sa CASAA. Pagkasara ng screen door, natukso akong lumingon para tingnan ka ulit, pero hindi ko ginawa. Next meeting, partner, pumasok na tayong dalawa.

Newscan

Textback

Kapag naipasa ang FOI Bill, anong dokumento ang una mong hihingin?

Yung SALN ni Cory hanggang kay PNoy! Or ung statute na nagpabuhol ng traffic sa Commonwealth c/o MMDA.kairita ‘pag umaga eh! 2011O1517 BA POLSCi gusto ko mailabas ang ating declaration of independence. 201111486 cashflow ng mga government officials at institutions. 08-24039 Badz BSEE hmm FOI bill... kahit pangalan niya lang po!! Please!! Sa prinsesang dalawang beses kong nakita sa CMC na classmate ko sa PE 3years ago!!

Pangalan laaang!! Haha #inmydreams 09-33264 OhHappy Yung financial records ng UP. Totoo nga bang walang pondo ang UP? Hmmm... Wait private school na nga pala ang UP. Hahaha sorry 2012 78832 Sam milby cfa Kung ipapasa ang FOI Bill, dapat halungkatin ang kinita ni PNoy at ng kanyang angkan mula sa Hacienda Luisita. Anyare sa land distribution? Ayl 200684958 pag napasa foi bill una kong hihingin yung info ni crush :”> para naman alam ko kung anong panong style ng damubs gagawin ko :3 1164441 IAmHellNippyPi bsge Kung

madudugtungan

pa

ang ruta ng monorail sa UP, hanggang saan mo ito gustong umabot? gusto kong dugtungan ang ruta ng monorail sa UP hanggang sa Pal-

awan para naman makauwi naman ko sa tinubuan kong bayan. O di ba?

Hahahaha! 2011-60282 Taong Tabon BA History Dugtungan ang ruta sa puso ni PIO para madali ko nang mapuntahan! :))) 201x5xxx7 Sana madugtungan ang ruta ng monorail kapag ako ang sasakay sa puso ni Rachel Sandalo. Amissyou na! :-D 11-78704 SANA AABOT SA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS KASI ANG LAYO EH. NAKAKABINAT. ANO KAMI, PROJECTILE? 2012-XXXXX amparadorocks BA Hist dapat abot hanggang mendiola para hndi na kailangan magmarcha!

2011-12079 hanggang sa room ko sa yakal. ;) 08-24039 Badz BSEE SA PUSO MO 1168802 <3shh I-extend ang ruta ng monorail sa Mineski Katipunan. 12-47395 BS MetE Sa puso mo! <3 2012-53243 sa bahay namin, hehe joke, kung pwede sa EDSA pra wla ng sm north at mrt na jeep, easy access 2012-12115 Pwede bang magkaroon ung monorail ng ruta hanggang sa puso niya? Para hndi na ako mahirapang pumasok. :p Er, BSE Chem, Eduk Hanggang sa AS steps, para ‘di hassle sa aming commuters. Haha!

1222194 Sana po may Platform 9 3/4 din sa monorail papuntang Hogwarts. :) 2012-17277 Red BS Math Sana umabot sa MRT ng Quezon Ave! Nakakapagod na kaya maglakad. Wala pang escalator. 1200561 Dr. Mundo

gusto ko pag dinugtungan yung ruta ng monorail sa up abot hanggang sci complex..sana nga yung stations na gagawin nila nasa tapat mismo ng building yung tipong pagbaba ng monorail nasa 2nd or 3rd floor ka na ng building :3 1164441 IAmHellNippyPi bsge Sa Boracay para kung stressed na edi derecho beach. Oh di masaya yun! :))) 201278226 Iscupid cfa Comments Bakit puro emo (madalas) ng mga story sa Opinyon page ng Kule?

Puro negative. Sana yung mga inspirational naman at hindi mga suicide, sama ng loob, etc. yung mga mababasa. Tsk. 927434 Sagutan For Mr. Raposas: Correction,mga roman pa lng pnalayas na ang mga hudyo s holy land.d2 glng ang term n diaspora.trivia aside, bgo ito ngng protectorate ng british,unang nkskop d2 frm d turks ay ang france s period ng european expanshon 4markets ng knlang bgng industries. in essence, israel or palestine,frm d french invasion ay ngserve as entry point ng western influence and markets s middle east.hndi nlng simpleng usapn ito kng cno ang nauna o dayuhan s palestine.usapn ito ng mga world power n gngmt ang gera ng mliliit n bnsa pra s knlang sriling interes. history cn b used to simplify an arguement,bt it cn nver b used to justify aggresion.

2005XXXXX Pabati Bakit late parati dumating ung kule dito s UP tacloban?anyway, pa-greet naman ako kay lavenia orbeta. tnx. 200842892 ram bsa

International Human

Eksenang Peyups Da Tulfo edishun

Rights Day Commemoration HEY THERE MGA ISKO’T ISKA !!

Calendar of Activities Dec. 6: Picket at government agencies| Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas , Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Dec. 7: Pakigdait: Solidarity Forum for Mindanao | Panalipdan, Promotion of Church Peoples’ Response Dec.8-9: Libolong alang sa Mindanao: Cultural Camp and Solidarity Night| Panalipdan, Manilakbayan, Arrival of ST contingent in NCR (march from Zapote to Baclaran) Dec. 9: ST contingent march to US Embassy then to Liwasang Bonifacio| Karapatan-Southern Tagalog Dec. 10: Human Rights Day March to Mendiola (9am assembly at Blumentritt Ave. corner España, March to Mendiola) | Karapatan

UP ASTERISK Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon Inihahandog ng UP ASTERISK ang isang Freelikula: Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon? sa direksyon ni Eddie Romero. Ang pelikulang ito ay naparangalang Best Picture of the Year mula sa Manunuri Pelikulang Pilipino.

Sama-sama nating tunghayan ang kwento ni Kulas sa Disyembre 12, 2012, 5:30pm sa CAL. Para sa katanungan, kontakin lamang si Ed sa 09177346594.

Next week’s questions:

Imbitasyon para maging

1. Ano ang gusto mong iregalo kay Pang. Noynoy Aquino ngayong pasko?

2. Kung mag-iimbento ka ng paputok, ano ang ipapangaln mo dito?

Bonus: ilarawan ang tunog nito.

bahagi ng Ang Pagsusuri: Pagkilatis sa susunod na mga Lingkod-Bayan

Handog ng Tatak Botante ng USC – UP Diliman, sa panguguna Key in KULE <space> MESSAGE ng Education and Research <space> COMPLETE STUDENT Committee at ng UP System NUMBER <required> NAME AND Padayon: Eleksyon 2013, kasama COURSE (optional) and send to ang NCPAG Student Government, UP Freshmen Council, UP Haring Non-UP students must indicate any Ibon, Alliance of Concerned school, organizational or sectorial Dormitories, UP Debate Society, affiliation. at ng Philippine Collegian, “ANG PAGSUSURI: Pagkilatis sa Get free publicity! Send us your susunod na mga Lingkod-Bayan,” press release, invitations, etc. ngayong Enero 10 at 17, 2013 sa DON’T TYPE IN ALL CAPS. And go UP Diliman at Enero 31, 2012 sa easy on the…punctuations?! dOn’t UP Los Banos. uSe tXt LanGuage pLs. Provide a Tayo ay mangunguna sa pagbuo short title. 100 words max. Email us ng isang MATALINO, MATALAS, at at kule1213@gmail.com MALAYANG panunuri sa susunod CONTACT US! Write to us via snail na mga Senador ng bayan. mail or submit a soft copy to Rm. 401, Kung nais maging bahagi ng ito, makipagVinzons Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon programang City. Email us kule1213@gmail.com. ugnayan kay Jules Guiang sa Save Word attachments in Rich Text 0905-4502488 o mag-email sa Format, with INBOX, NEWSCAN usc.edres@gmail.com. Bisitahin or CONTRIB in the subject. din ang TATAK BOTANTE page sa Always include your full name, ad- Facebook. dress and contact details.

Tulfo here , ang pinaka maganda choz ...este pinaka ASTIG na chikadora…hmm. Ako at ako ako ha ako ang sumbungan ng mga taong maraming kalandian sa buhay tanong mo pa sa apo ng lola mo (paki sabi na rin na mas maganda ako sa kanya). Di na ko magpapatumpik tumpik pa mga teh… este mga DUUDE, simulan na ang makapunit haymen na mga sumbong.

Sumbong #1. Isang bracket E na medyo shunga..ay este suman suman suman sabi ko kaseee… masarap yun kasi mahaba pero mas ok siya kung matigas hmmieyahh!! Ahh anyway, nilahad ni bracket E sa kanyang mga magulang na siya ay nagdadalang tao. Gulat to death si Mamey at dadey. Sa kasamaang palad mas malala ang katotohanan sa likod ng pangyayaring ito, dahil ang positibong pregnancy test na nakuha niya ay di niya pagmamayari. Ito ay pagmamay ari ng kanyang batang batang menor de edad na 65 years old na ina (DE WHEELCHAIR KA NA THE LANDI MO PARIN). Di lang ang katangahan niya ang napatunayan doon pati narin and angking galing na kanyang Ama magdala ng lahi. Lakas te, este, tol!

Sumbong #2. Etong susunod, isang bracket A boy na naghihirap ang minalas sa loob ng jeep dahil sa maling akala. Etong si koya ay akin nalang dapat, esste, ay may nakatabi sa jeep na may magandang kutis at hubog ng katawan (winer si atehh). Ngunit di niya nakita ang pagmumuka nito pero kapansin-pansin na magandang babae ito. Todo kuha si koya ng bayad na dumadaan sa kamay ng naturang tao. Tuwang tuwa naman si koya kasi nahahawakan niya ang kamay nito.

Nalantad lamang ang problema ni koya nang masilip na niya ang ID ng kanyang crush sa jeep. Ang pangalan: Jericho.

Nakakakalake much!

Sumbong#3. Ang tumatayong sumbong na ito ay tungkol sa isang baklang bracket D na nakakita ng…LAPIS NA MAY MALAKING PAMBURA SA DUHHLOHHH. Naghuhwiehuwie ang isang koya at di ito naglock ng pinto. Pumasok tuloy dito si amiga, at pagbukas ng pinto…

TETETETETEDEEEEEEEEENG!!

Biglaang tumutok ang mala C.H.K na lapis kay atchi! Sa sobrang kilig ay sinara niya ang pinto agad (kung ako yun….hmmm hehehehe) .Napayosi nalang tuloy si achi pagkatapos ng delubyong iyon.

Yan na mga teh. Tuloy tuloy parin ang pagdating ng mga sumbong parang beauty ko chozz.

OPINYON Huwebes 06 Disyembre 2012

Luneta Park December 1, 2012

DAYDREAMER

SIPAT