TABLOID 2017

Pioneer

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

Member: COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES

Search for PSU prexy kicks off anew JOHN PAUL FAVILA Gathered at the PSU Performing Arts Center, several administrative staffs, faculty members and university students congregated in the Public Forum on the search for the 8th PSU President as the candidates showed their platforms before the PSU community, November 20.

After the long wait of seeking for the best one who fits in the post, the sleeping pursuit for the PSU president will finally come to its end after a series of preliminary processes that were conducted before the Board of Regents finally decides who will sit as the next president.

With the intention to purposely show their programs for the administration, the four presidential aspirants namely, Dr. Hanlie Taha, Dr. Junel Soriano, Dr. Gabilyn Orilla and Dr. Ramon Docto, stood in the podium to present their advocacies and plans of administration and prepared to answer the question addressed by different sectors where PSU is highly involved and the students.

There were five representatives invited to addressed the questions for the presidential aspirants who came from the community sector, representative from the PSU faculty union, APSUAP, alumni association, and the student sector.

The second round of question-and-answer portion was done through the fish-bowl method from which the candidates picked the question randomly gathered from the audience which had to be answered in a given time.

The Committee members for the search and some members of the Board of Regents were also present during the public forum.

The candidates for the PSU Presidency will still have to undergo a series of one-on-one interview, deliberations and backgroundcheck before the results will be collated and brought to the Board of Regents meeting for official election which is expected to happen on the 24th of November.

In the closing speech delivered by the OIC – President Marissa Pontillas, she said that she

fully supports whoever gets to be elected as the new president.

she ended.

“We have high hopes that whoever become the president of the university, would still PSU in good sport amidst failures within the next four years. I accepted the responsibility to serve as the officer-in-charge of Palawan State University last February 2017,” she remarked.

“This program is a vindication that the long wait will soon be over. I will me most happy to welcome whoever will be the next president to be duly elected by the Board of Regents. I also enjoin the PSU community to give our support to the incoming president. We are humbled as we trust that he or she will lead us in embracing change and rising to the challenges so that he or she will live up to [our vision] as a premier university in Palawan and will (be) truly worthy of the Filipino taxpayer’s money,”

PSU to still collect miscellaneous fees for second semester ELEANA MARIE TABANG Off ice of the Student Affairs and Services Director Dr. Grace N. Abrina clarif ied that Palawan State University will still be collecting miscellaneous fees this semester.

This is after the buzz on various media platforms that state universities and colleges (SUCs) will no longer collect tuition and other fees for the second semester of SY 2017 – 2018

due to the passage of Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. “RA 10931 is still a pronouncement and wala pang guidelines, wala pa kaming natatanggap na black and white.

Until now, ‘di pa alam kung saan kukunin ang pondo. Ang magagamit lang natin ngayon ay Free Tuition at Tulong Dunong.”

Dr. Abrina said in an interview.

PAGE 7 HOROSCOPE!

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Commission

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Higher

Education reported on Friday that they are still sourcing funds for the implementation of the Act this semester.

Abrina: WPU has a handful number of students The director explained why PSU cannot implement the same rules as Western Philippine University.

“Because WPU has a handful number of students. Icocompare mo sa atin 18,000 tayo?

At sinong priority dito? The marginalized students, those who came from the poorest of the poor.”

In a facebook confession, a student anonymously questioned the university’s collection of miscellaneous fees comparing it to WPU’s free tuition and other school fees since f irst semester.

Free tuition for the second semester OSAS

also

advised

the students to update their application for the Free Tuition Program.

Students just need to submit their Report of Grades from last semester and a copy of their Certif icate of Registration for the current semester.

PAGE 9

PAGE 10

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2 / NEWS

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

Three CTE grads top LET 2017 JOHN PAUL FAVILA

After four years, three Palawan State University College of Teachers Education (CTE) graduates topped the September 2017 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Maricar Dasmariñas, a Math major and a magna cum laude graduate, landed 4th with 92.6 %; Krisxan Kesha Mendoza, also a Math major, landed 7th with 91.6; while Jude Matthew Bernal, a Biological Science major, was the 8th placer with 91%.

Dasmarinas, in a Facebook post, said she did not expect topping the LET because all she aimed from the start was to get the license to teach, but the LET result surprised her.

Mendoza, on the other hand, said in a Facebook post she was initially hesitant to take the LET because she felt she would not be able to pass it, but days prior to exam, she nevertheless gave it a go, and topped.

According to Prof. Aileen Garcellano from CTE, the college was proud of its students’ topping the LET, for all their students’ hard work and dedication paid off. But she also said that the programs of the CTE were also instrumental in their students’ success.

She said that CTE’s intensive reviews and in-house training, and its close monitoring of the questionnaires given during the midterm and f inal exams also

CHRISTOPHER ODIN VILLEGAS

College students of Palawan State University- Main Campus and other external campuses, during the week-long 2nd semester enrolment, were greeted with news of a ‘no class card’ scheme of the University which was implemented starting said semester.

Maricar Dasmariñas

helped their students prepare for licensure exams.

“We really do the checking of our questionnaires during their midterm and final exams for our students in ensuring that the questionnaires are still relevant and helpful in making the students pass the LET after they graduate,” she said.

The pre-board examination is also helpful because senior students will not be allowed to

WHISTLEBLOWING VAW. OWGAD OIC Director Prof. Floralice Josol welcomes the PSU community for an 18-day campaign ending VAW. (Photo: John Paul Favila)

PSU student-orgs convene for a VAW-free With the aim to pursue campaign and call for action to end violence against women and children, the Office of Women, Gender and Development conducted a program which was started by a parade from the Performing Arts Center all the way to the University Landmark to convene student-organizations in supporting the PSU society for a VAW-free community.

Student coming from different colleges in the university, together with some personnel staffs from HRMO, VPFA, OSAS and OWGAD, In a short introductory speech, Prof. Floralice R. Josol, OIC director of OWGAD, relayed the importance of Anti-VAWC campaign in accordance with the RA No. 9262 and other national and local laws protecting the rights and interests of women in

every community.

“We are here to support the Philippine government’s role to support and show our commitment to address all forms of violence against women,” director said.

Dir. Josol also imputed the history of Anti-VAW as a worldwide campaign against any form of violence committed against women, children and other powerless members of society.

“This national campaign is in support of the worldwide campaign in VAW. November 25 is the international day of Anti-VAW and December 10 is the international human rights day. This begun in 1991 but was launched in 2008 by the United Nations. The Philippine government has participated in this endeavor since 2002, recognizing that human trafficking is a form of VAW which was extended by Presidential Proclamation No. 1172 to 18 days to include December 12,’ she recalled.

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

PSU goes class card free

Jude Matthew Bernal

graduate if they fail to pass it.

Many students said that the preboard examinations are harder than the actual LET. For Septermber 2017 Licensure Exam, PSU LET examinees sustained 100% passing rate.

As of this time of writing, CTE has already produced 15

The OWGAD Director informed that the theme of the campaign was used since 2016 and will continue until 2021 which enjoins everyone for an advocacy to pursue, create and live in a VAW-free community.

As far as PSU is concerned, each college, within the 18-day period of Anti-VAW campaign, will have its own activities such as conducting fora, seminars, trainings, video presentations and photo booth making.

In its high relation to the campaign, the Director enjoins PSUans to support the activities of their respective colleges as much as the office itself will be willing to give its full services for women, gender and development.

Meanwhile, Human Resource Management Office Director and also a Psychology Professor, Gil E. Bundac, gave an inspirational message to address concerns over (see PSU student-orgs | page 3)

Krisxan Kesha Mendoza

topnotchers including the current PSU OIC President Marissa Pontillas.

To pass the LET Board, the examinee must gain an average rating of no less than 75%. Out of 107, 020 examinees, only 49, 626 secondary teachers (46.7%) successfully passed the exams.

Resolution No. 28, s. 2017, a proposal seeking approval from the University’s Academic Council for the replacement of class cards with report of ratings in the main campus and other campuses that were automated, was approved by said council which is headed

by Prof. Marissa S. Pontillas, OIC President, on October 11 in a meeting held at the Performing Arts Center (PAC).

The resolution

above-mentioned was spearheaded

and was proposed by Dr. Carlos Alfonso C. Salvador, University Registrar, and his office and was approved According to Dr. Salvador, the major reason that prompted the University to propose such action was the discrepancy in entries of students’ grades and other issues that students face with regards to class cards.

Now, instead of the conventional class cards, students will be able to know and view their grades via report of ratings or more commonly referred to as Report of Grades (ROG) which is available upon request in every college’s Dean’s Office and even in the University Registrar’s Office.

Dr. Salvador cleared that the replacement of class cards with ROG would not mean that students will pay less miscellaneous fees because, originally, the budget for class

PSU student-orgs from page 2

cards come from their office’s income like fees for completion forms, copy of grades, etc.

The Registrar guaranteed that every college will be ready to accommodate every student’s request for ROG and that this would make the viewing of grades easier and more accessible for the students as it takes only less than 2 minutes for a student to claim his/her ROG upon request.

“I would like to assure our college students that the ‘no class card’ scheme of the University Administration will help students with discrepancy issues and other issues bring inconvenience them,” Dr. Salvador

that to said.

The University Registrar assured that he and his office will continue to improve the services they are extending to their stakeholders – the students.

“To see research bloom as an one of our college’s flagship programs and activities is an evidence of our success in the research field. This is highly appreciated because through research, we see how our students become change of agents and how they corroborate what we taught them and how does it impact the community and effect change afterwards,” said Prof.

Restie Allan Puno, the College Dean of Arts and Humanities during his remarks in the CAH behavioral Sciences Student Research Forum, November 29.

Through the efforts of faculty members under the Behavioral Sciences

Department of College of Arts and Humanities, the Social Work and Psychology Societies converged and participated in the Student Research Forum where chosen group of students from Psychology and Social Work presented their respective researches at the Performing Arts Center.

The one-day event clustered two sessions of research paper presentations and was scheduled separately between the two fields --- Psychology session in the morning and Social Work session in the afternoon.

The research forum administrators awarded plaques and certificates for student research presenters and recognized best papers and best group of presenters.

JOHN PAUL FAVILA

PAANO UNAWAIN ANG KASALUKUYANG PANULAT MULA TWEET HANGGANG WATTPAD. Prof. Eros Atalia, Palanca awardee and faculty at University of Santo Tomas, speaks on Creative Writing Workshop spearheaded by the Pioneer Publication. (Photo: John Clark Bungay)

From signatures to codes

CEAT implements QR system CHARMAINE BALISONG

THE SCIENCES OF BEHAVIOUR. CAH Dean Restie Allan Puno opens up the Research Forum conducted by the Psychology Society and Junior Social Workers’ Association of the Philippines – PSU Chapter. (Photo: John Paul Favila)

gender and women violence that is being committed prevalently.

“Being a subject of violence, there is one thing we should always remember that when you are beaten once, you are a victim, but when you are beaten twice, you are a volunteer. We have the capacity to denounce and walk away from any kind of violence,” he said.

The University Vice President for Finance and Administration, Prof. Marilyn G. Pablico, shares some of stories she knew about the extreme violence against women in the hands of the perpetrators.

“If you are violated by a partner, a loved one, a husband or a brother, you are a survivor.

Survivor na lang pero deep in your mind, you will always live your life remembering that you have been a subject of violence. This thing should stop now,” she stated.

“When there’s a thing that’s happening that constitutes violence, ang dapat gawin ay

magsumbong kayo.

Huwag kayong tatahi-tahimik at aangaanga diyan na kapag sinampal ka sa kaliwa, hihintayin mong sampalin ka rin sa kanan. If there’s one thing you should do end VAW, it is to know your rights and other available courses of action in case these rights are violated,” she continued.

CAO Pablico, as what other speakers did, called for an action to stand in oneself to fight various kinds of violence that continue to downgrade women in the society.

“Speak out and report to the authorities. Matutong tumayo at kapag ikaw naman ay lalaki, matutong igalang ang mga kababaihan. Girls, join groups promoting anti-VAW efforts and enlighten the perpetrators and seek help in joining and supporting anti-VAW supporters. Huwag niyo nang hintayin na mangyari sa sarili ninyo,” she ended.

HRMO Dir. Bundac afterwards led the whistleblowing to officially end the forum and start the 18days meaningful campaign against violence and eventually help promote women empowerment.

PSUans attend youth forum on ASEAN advocacy series

CAH Behavioral Sciences Dept conducts Student Research Forum JOHN PAUL FAVILA

JOHN PAUL FAVILA

NEWS / 3

Problems concerning the process of recording Attendances of students in Palawan State University including waiting in long lines, losing attendance sheets, and time-consuming checking of absences as well as practicing false signature signing have been one of the major issues addressed by the University’s student organizations.

The proposed solution using a system called the QR System is now being implemented by the Society of Petroleum Engineering members as a way of recording attendances of students.

The QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a twodimensional barcode that is readable by smartphones. The

proposal involves assigning each student a specific code capable of being scanned by specific smartphone software that will confirm a student’s attendance in school activities.

The idea was inspired by the local church LifeChurch in Puerto Princesa where they use the same system to monitor the attendance of their members.

It was originally intended for the Petroleum Engineering department where the officers devised an offline application for the QR System proposition. An application intended for inventory business was customized to be suited as attendance software.

The software is installed in certain officers’ mobile phones and enables it to scan the assigned

code to confirm the presence of the student. The exact time of attendance is also included in the application’s database to verify the validity of registration.

According to SPE Media Divisions Officer, Johnard Angelo, there are still flaws on the implementation of the project.

For future plans, they are planning to create a manual to operate the application system for the officers to review. “It should be sustainable so that other students will also manage to apply the same for their own departments.”

The QR system is now being implemented by the College of Engineering and Architecture- Lower Council (CLC- CEAT) where they use online system for their attendance.

Following the ASEAN theme and ambition “One Vision, One Identity, One Community” which is promoted good within the next coming years, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) under the of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), catered a half-day youth forum to inform the Palawan State University students about ASEAN integration and manifold missions, November 24 at the PSU Performing Arts Center.

“Our agency, the PIA under the PCOO, we are in collaboration with all other departments and we are here for the advocacy of the ASEAN, especially this year that the country is the chair of ASEAN 2017. As such, we conduct a series of forums like this in all other universities in the region,” said Mr. Harold E. Clavite, PIA – Director General.

“So even if the last ASEAN

Summit has completed, we will still continue with this advocacy to share with you about the socio-cultural opportunities offered to you in your generation by the ASEAN,” he ended.

Meanwhile, a brief presentation on the ASEAN and its theme was presented by Dir. Belina S. Capul, PIA – Staff Director while Global Competitiveness of skills in the ASEAN Labor Market was discussed by Mr. Renato M. Pantaleon, the Provincial Coordinator of TESDA – Palawan.

Furthermore, to enlighten the PSUans about the productive use of their talents, Mr. Bernardo B. Toriano, Chief Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE – Palawan, presented the opportunities and potentials being offered among Palawan youth.

The forum lured questions in the open forum from the students concerning their issues toward ASEAN development program and TESDA and DOLE opportunities that might be available for them.

#ASEANADVOCACYSERIES. Students from different college attend ASEAN advocacy in MIMAROPA, held at PSU PAC. (Photo: John Paul Favila)

4 / OPINION

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

editorial

Last November 21, Twitter users all over the Philippines were shocked by a tweet thread from college student and activist Addie Onday who exposed the horrible truth about some of the rising stars in the OPM indie music scene. According to her and several other accounts that supported her claim, several bands such as SUD, Jensen and the Flips, and Miles Experience were engaging in sexual predation- using their fame as leverage, some of the band members often flirt with their fans through gigs and social media, often unwarrantedly.

On some accounts, it was said that some of the band members engage in sexual activities with their fans. These bands take advantage of the people that support them. As of now, the bands SUD, Jensen and the Flips, and Miles Experience are now dropped from The Rest Is Noise concert gig.

Addressing the agenda It has been two years since the presidency of the late Jeter Sespene was declared “null and void” thus the vacancy of position for the university president.

For two years, the stagnant water toughened the community of Palawan State University from the faculty and staff down to the students – delaying everything from election, to salaries, to posting of grades – a real domino effect affecting the students outmost.

Now, as the search for the 8th president continues, pending issues are needed to be resolved for the improvement of Palawan State University such as progress on ease of transaction; realization of online enrolment; settlement of the multi-campus dilemma; and actions that would benefit the studentry, being the biggest stakeholders of the university, as stated on PSU Students Agenda written by National Union of the Students in the Philippines – Palawan Chapter after months of student consultation.

The agenda presented 12 key points aiming to function as a reference for the next president in crafting plans to empower the studentry. Among is the right for student formation as it is an “integral in maintaining democratic processes in the university and train us in our role as citizens and leaders” upholding constitutionally protected rights and freedoms.

The agenda also demands to reopen all close student publication and establish in campus and colleges where there are none. Hinged at Republic Act 7079 or Campus Journalism Act of 1991, student publication should publish independent from the school administration to promote free journalism among students.

The PIONEER, being the official student publication of Palawan State University, will still serve as medium for free expression while upholding the truth. We pledge to continue being vigilant and fight for the struggle of the students and the community.

Since the verdict still lies on the Board of Regents, the university’s highest policy-making body, we hope nothing but their rightful judgement for the advancement of PSU. Anyone could file their candidacy and run for the position; anyone could weave their too-good-to-be-true platform until they finally took the seat; but what we need is someone with sincerity and dedication to serve and lead the university in the name quality education.

May the new president light our way to a greater academic institution; may the uni continue to live by its mission and vision!

EDBOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Eleana Marie Tabang ASSOCIATE EDITOR Albert Villamor, Jr. MANAGING EDITOR John Clark Bungay NEWS EDITOR John Paul Gabinete Favila FEATURES EDITOR Charmaine Balisong DEVCOMM EDITOR Devorah Claire Usop LITERARY EDITOR Rachel Ganancial SPORTS EDITOR Alexis Fernandez CHIEF ILLUSTRATOR Milcah Lagumbay LAYOUT ARTIST Regina Gruzei Catbagan SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Timothy Gemar Fagut, Karl Michael Nierva, Jamaica Pedere, Elyssa Gene Vasquez, Jesseth Nez Pasagad, Brittny Lourde Trinidad, Noemi Camaso ILLUSTRATOR Ryan Justine Manreal STAFF WRITERS Christopher Odin Legaspi Villegas, Joyce Ann Pe Yap, Jaime Pagadora Cabrigas ADVISER Prof. Ralph Pulanco THE EDITORIAL BOARD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT, REJECT, AND EDIT ARTICLES, PHOTOS, AND OTHER MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR THE PUBLICATION. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, MANUALLY OR DIGITALLY, OR BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITEN PERMISSION OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD.

The vast change and development in the entire global community alongside with the significant contribution of the existence of the internet have been so much influential and beneficial to liberalize the world from its deepest anonymous character. Upon the advent of the 21st Century, things had rapidly changed the way we perceived them differently. The existence of the internet had turned the world on its head which became a reflection of an evidently improved mantra of the entire humanitarian race.

OPINION / 5

Internet as a catalyst for the nearest colossal change John Paul Favila

not yet born, be it in economic, political and social aspects which are extremely necessary ingredients of a progressing nation.

It has also become a top priority for communication and dealings all over the world. Unlike before when you have to send mails and letters to postmen and wait for it to reach the person you are writing until he replies using the same process. Now, just get a signal and connect to the internet then go click and type for everything that you’d like to see and know about everything.

However, technology also It can never be stricken out had a booming effect in changing that the idea of developing the chance to click that on and surf people’s behavior, thinking, belief and world will bring such an enormous everything we are curious about. most of all, their way of life. Because hit in just a spur of the moment.

The internet became very internet had an overflowing impact The traditional concept of things popular among global users, with on our lives, slowly we notice that we see starts to fade as its the Filipinos being the most active, ourselves going on with the tides of importance and uses to people particularly the youth who are gradual reform which have already gradually vanish. As the world leads more engaged in every aspect of set in and indeed unstoppable. So itself into a deeper surreptitious human liberation and freedom that much reliance to internet became being that’s cloaked disad vantageous, of a head, humans to it Because internet had an overflowing addiction have high relief to creates psychological impact on our lives, slowly we notice better perform problem, and their mundane tasks ourselves going on with the tides of gradual spending for it makes because the internet half of our feet buried reform which have already set in and and the social media under the ground. and all the concepts of indeed unstoppable.

But on top of it modern technology all, the mere use of the that were introduced internet can never be undermined to us change the varieties of time we continue to witness today. The as it behooves us to the idea that and space. only thing that supremely leads this life becomes easier and accessible.

The song called “It’s A Small phenomenon into a pinnacle of vast Nothing in this world could stay World After All” that we used to change is the capability of human impossible unless we believe that we sing and memorize before when we mind to create innovations and are capable of making it otherwise. were in preschool and elementary development that the 21st world Just remember that in everything gets even smaller than ever as the century expects us to be. we do, there’s learning. And in every internet introduces itself to the entire Moreover, the internet helped learning, we realize that what more general public. The threshold of the the governments a lot to give the could we expect to happen when internet to people became a Big necessary social services to people the world gets smaller day by day Bang concept of a colossal change; more rapidly. The services that and the consequences will surprise that everything will just fall in our are being offered are more felt the future generation from whom fingertips and that we only got the than before when the internet was we borrow our present.

Every day, we are subject to the twisted views of society. In our patriarchal country, the female population is often underappreciated and are seen less than equals. The misogyny is so rampant in our communities that we are often unable to spot them functioning in society- blatant catcalling, for example, became a rather common activity attributed to the men of our country. The respect that we give our women today is fading- from once being revered as the sacred babaylans of our ancient culture, the Philippines had reduced them to objects of sexual fantasies and harassment. The state of womanhood nowadays is in a downward slope- they are harassed periodically by men simply because of the clothes that they wear, the amount of makeup they put on their faces, and the way they act in public.

The internet has provided avenues for our generation to express ourselves and platforms to keep ourselves abreast of the latest of the latest. But one cannot shrug off the fact that the internet has no longer been serving the purpose for which it was created by creating a niche for the fake news to flourish, it is uncontrollable.

I am afraid the intense widespread of fake news will affect our history to the point that each one of us, no matter how literate we perceive ourselves to be, can no longer distinguish which is legitimate or fake.

Fake news affect our thoughts and the way we act in our political and personal decisions. This is the reason why we are dumbfounded when certain people in the echelons of power, especially politicians, fall victims to fake news, not because they do not err, but because they are expected to be salient of its existence to begin with.

News reports circulating online saying that the Justice Secretary himself Vitaliano Aguirre and Mocha Uson shared fake news drew flak from netizens lambasting their blunder as inexcusable since they should have known better.

This raises another point: the victimization of fake news excuses no one and it should awaken us that it has gone into pandemic proportions and could affect history per se.

Our society often dictates what is wrong and what is right- victims of rape were almost always blamed that they “wanted it” because of what they wore prior to the incident. Self-entitlement plays a major role in the corruption of our peoplethe standards of our citizens had been set so high that anything less from that is considered unfit or ugly to look at and the insecurity of our people worsen with each passing trend. Yet, instead of focusing on these issues, our men became animals in the sense that instead of protecting the weak and unable, some of them prey on the weakness and vulnerability of others - they are so immersed in their self-entitlement that they no longer concern themselves

is different. They often interpret this information as something normal in society, becoming brainwashed and immersed in an increasingly toxic community. This, along with the misbehavior of those in the community they live in, eventually leads to the misguided ideals of the disgusting people that we are continuously producing today.

The Misguided

Today’s society is the foundation of tomorrow’s ideology- the trends, aspects, and movements that we take on as the present youth will soon shape the future of our children. Hence, proper guidance of the youth is tantamount to a better tomorrow for what lies ahead.

We are the Filipino youth- in our hands, we hold the torch to lead those that are misguided.

This, among many others, is one of the reasons why the Philippines is so corrupted. We are often so inclined in trying to be happy despite our problems that we almost always forget to address the ever-growing elephant in the roominequality. Every now and then, we become victimized by the carelessness and arrogance of our countrymen that were borne of the ignorance and leniency of those that once was entrusted to guide us.

Had we been more aware of this mistake, many other victims might have been saved.

Even with the numerous talks, seminars, and movements that we attend and pay attention to, if we ourselves are not ready to recognize the equality between all people, we will never be able to resolve any of these problems. As the youth charged with the responsibility of shaping a better tomorrow, let us start by recognizing the need to change ourselves first.

with how other people feel. Amidst these horrendous acts, we must give emphasis that these monsters were once children innocent and incapable of doing such things.

We failed in preserving the good morals of old into our people’s everyday lives- what once was viewed as shameful soon became a stigma for men. If left unchecked, many other shameful acts may follow and the

Today’s society is the foundation of tomorrow’s ideology- the trends, aspects, and movements that we take on as the present youth will soon shape the future of our children. Hence, proper guidance of the youth is tantamount to a better tomorrow for what lies ahead. We are the Filipino youth- in our hands, we hold the torch to lead those that are misguided.

Timothy Fagut

victimization of many others may worsen.

The media and internet that we are so immersed in is a big factor in why these things happen- from an early age, we are

introduced to the distorted standards of society. In our formative years, what we are exposed to is what we almost always consider as normal. Growing up, a lot of us are fans of the shows that feature violence, cheating, and many other negative aspects of our community. To producers, this is just an element of excitement for the developing story, but the effect on children

curriculum, is befuddled by the proliferation of wrong information, how much disturbance will the fake news do the scores whose media literacy is deficient or poor?

That is the reason why I sometimes do not engage in a debate with a netizen (please, do not think I am intellectual narcissist or anything) whose innuendoes clearly do not complement the conversation, or whose claims show partisanship with false narratives, because I think he/she might just be one of the many hapless online victims.

In one of my communication classes last semester, my professor presented to us the hundreds of fake news sites spreading wrong information whose crawling has become unprecedented online, creating a storm of information that pollutes the knowledge of an individual.

It awestruck me that those fake news sites are a lot to be easily remembered.

Who would have thought that the internet, especially the social media, would have turned out into what it is now, creating the noise that we seem unable to contain, and much worse, sowing confusion to the public?

It is already a space dirty misinformation, which the unregulated free flow on the internet that has

for fraud and is the effect of of information gone berserk.

One time, I had asked my sister if what she thinks about fake news online and bluntly said that it is difficult to differentiate a fake news from a legitimate news because the two seem to be the same.

A law might be a solution. But I am still doubtful of the parameters that the crafters of the bill will decide upon such as how to identify the perpetrators of the fake news when the perpetrators themselves do it discreetly with no one to hint where and when.

Here is the thing, if my sister, whose education attainment can now be considered mature to be fooled because she is under the Senior High School

We have to recognize. Yes, recognize that the fake news exist and we each have the patent obligation to be responsible for anything that we share

Confusion amidst the noise Albert Villamor

online; fact-checking or vetting should be placed in paramount importance.

Education should also not be set aside. For no matter how cliché it sounds, the educated are empowered and moved.

There needs to be an intensified information campaign so that casualties will be averted.

And each of us can do it starting in our homes.

We should be critical, and this should be practiced at all times, if we want to shine the light. We have to always open our doors for information notwithstanding where side it is sourced from.

I think being selective is a plus because it shows criticality and inclination to what we believe is right . And in the context of fake news, it should always stand, no matter how we are coerced to hurl ourselves into the different spectrum of the truth.

I realized that fake news would not have existed if it were not for our partisanship and entertainment.

We read what we like, and forget that there also is the other side of the coin.

We only by we will because

need to bear in mind that disregarding fake news that completely slay its existence we have it on its neck.

Fake news affect our thoughts and the way we act in our political and personal decisions.

This is the reason why we are dumbfounded when certain people in the echelons of power, especially politicians, fall victims to fake news, not because they do not err, but because they are expected to be salient of its existence to begin with.

6 / LITERARY Hulagwáy RCHL Tuwing sisikatan ako ng araw, nanlalamig ako sa umaga. Bumibilis ang tibok ng puso ko na para bang nagmamadaling tumago bago ko pa imulat aking mga mata.

Nararamdaman kong inaabangan niya ang aking pag-iisa kaya kailangan kong magmadali. Ibabalik niya ako sa pagkakapikit hanggang sa dilim na lang ang maaari kong makita. Saka niya ako gigisingin sa marahan niyang paraan. Sasabayan niya ako sa almusal at hahainan ng mga salitang dahan-dahang lalason sa buo kong sistema. Sa pagligo ko ay ilulunod niya ako sa kalungkutan kahit nalalaman niyang wala akong kakayahang lumangoy.

Hindi ko na ata magagawa pang takasan siya. Kahit na iligaw ko man ay kusa ko pa rin siyang hahanapin. Maraming nagsasabing mahalin ko muna siya higit sa lahat, gaya rin ng payo ng mga magulang at malalapit na kaibigan pero hindi ko inakalang ganito ang tinatawag nilang pagmamahal.

Tuwing sisikatan ako ng araw, nanlalamig ako sa umaga. Makikita ko na naman siya, lulunukin ko na naman lahat ng mga pangako niya.

Pakikinggan lahat ng luha’t kaligayahan niya.

Tuwing sisikatan ako ng araw, nanlalamig ako sa umaga. Haharap na naman ako sa salamin, sa nakagawian naming tagpuan.

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

Kakanâ Chi

Makailang taon na rin mula nang malaman kong hindi ako sinusundan ng buwan sa mga lugar na aking pinupuntahan. Tahakin ko man ang kanan at kaliwa, ang timog at hilaga ay nanatili lamang ito sa kinalalagyan. Tanging paningin ko lang ang nagdadala ng kanyang ganda. Nanatili na lang akong nakatayo, nakatingala sa lugar kung saan mo ako nadatnan.

Tinignan kita at pilit hinanap sa iyong mga mata ang magiging puwang ng aking mga salita. Kinwento ko na walang pag-aalinlangan ang ganda ng nag-iibang anyong buwan. Kung saan tila nakikita kita sa pagkakahawig ng mga bagay na gumaganda sa aking paningin.

Para bang ikaw ang bagay na bumibighani sa akin.

Naghanda ka sa pagtatapos ng aking kwento at dahan-dahang humakbang. Saka ako napangiti kahit hindi ko alam kung sasaglit ka pa rito sa kanluran o babalik sa silangan. Ipinikit ko aking mga mata sa dilim, isa ka nga lang pala estranghero na nagpahiram ng panandaliang liwanag. Natatawa akong sobra ang aking pagkalibang sa ating kwentuhan at pinag-anyo kitang buwan na nais kong masulyapan sa magpakailanman. Dumaan ka lang pala na kasunod ng buwan na hindi ko maaaring sundan.

Talaarawan ng isang Anak Chi

Halos hindi ko magawang tumingin sa pagewang na takbo ng tricycle naming halos dalawang dekada na nireremedyuhan. Bigla akong napadasal kahit alam kong hindi ko naman iyon ginagawa bawat gabi. Hiyang-hiya ako nong napatanong si nanay kung kanino pa ba siya pwede mangutang.

Hindi pa kami bayad sa amo nya nong humiram kami pandagdag sa tuition ko ngayong sem. Nong nalaglag ako sa mga iskolar, gusto na lumubog bigla, maglaho, idagdag pa nito. Ewan ba pero masama ba akong anak kung ipipilit ko pa rin sumama sa Tagaytay para sa tour sa susunod na linggo? Halos lahat ng mga kaklase ko ay sasama at sino ba namang tatanggi sa points na makukuha? Kaso, nilalabanan ako ng konsensya ko.

Yung huling pera sa bangko ay dapat sa gamot ni nanay ilalaan ‘yon. Alam kong hindi naman ako mahihirapan ng ganito kung ibinulsa ko lang yung inabot ni Andrew.

“Pay diba--”

“Pssh” RCHL

“Beng!”

Aya sa akin ng tatay na mag-isang nakalugmok sa mesa. Samahan ko raw muna siya at uubusin niya lang ang huling baso ng gin, pampatulog. Saka ko na lang din nakitang uminom si tatay mula nong nawala si kuya.

Kinwento niya ang buong pasada at ang mga pasaherong naisakay niya.

Ngayon lang nag-iba ang pakiramdam ko habang nakaaamoy ng alak pero nanatili pa rin ako sa kinauupuan ko.

“Nak, halos murahin ako ng pasahero ko kanina. Ang mahal ko raw maningil samantalang colorum lang ako. Nangiti na lang ako kasi inaalala kong pandagdag mo pa iyon sa miscellaneous.”

Halos nangingilid na ang luha ko sa mga narinig ko. Kahahatid lang sa akin ni Mark galing sa OJT. Nakatitig lang si tatay sa bagong paskil na kalendaryo sa pintuan ng bahay “ilang buwan na lang…”

“Ilang buwan na lang…” pag-ulit ko habang inaalis ang kamay ng tatay sa pagkakahimas sa tiyan ko.

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

March 21-April 19

HOROSCOPE / 7 Aries

May strong personality ang Aries, kasinlakas ng determinasyon sa buhay. May pagkabibo ka sa gawa kaya hindi nakapagtataka kung bakit bukambibig ka ng lahat. Bawasan ang sobrang pagkain dahil maaari itong maging banta sa kalusugan, gayon din ang arte na walang maalala pagkatapos ng walwalan.

Siguraduhing mag-aahit ka sa katapusan para mas tumalab ang swerte. Ihinto ang panloloko para umasenso.

LUCKY COLOR: KULAY NG IYONG BUDHI LUCKY NUMBER: UTANG MONG WALA KA NANG PLANONG BAYARAN

April 20-May 20

Illustration: Brittny Lourde Trinidad

Scorpio

Kailangang makinig sa iba at bawasan ang pagsasalita ng isang Scorpio. Ingatan ang sikmura dahil ito ang mas tatamaan ng sakit sa taong ito kaya huwag kumain ng isaw kapag new moon. Hindi mabilis makalimot ang isang Scorpio. Ang lucky number mo ay kung ilan ang mabibilugan sa classcard. Mayen, magiging compatible kayo ng kakilala mong Cancer sa lugar na pinanggalingan mo, siguraduhin lang na hindi dinaya ang mga bilog na prutas noong New Year para gumana ang swerte.

LUCKY COLOR: Hair color mo

November 22-December 21

Sagittarius

Gusto mo laging malaman ang kaganapan sa buhay ng lahat ng humihinga sa galaxy, pero hindi ka magaabala na alamin kung okay pa buhay mo dahil half doppleganger ka ni Tito Boy (medyo tsismoso ka lang). Kahit na feeling mong kailangan mong iligtas ang lahat, alam mong deep inside na di mo kailangan ng social interaction kaya minsan ka lang lumabas ng bahay. Wala kang future sa sports kasi kailangan mong magpahinga every 15 minutes tuwing pinapalinis ka ng nanay mo. LUCKY COLOR: kulay ng kotse ng prof mo

December 22-January 19

Capricorn

Malaki ang posibilidad na maisakripisyo ng isang Capricorn ang iba para sa kanyang pangarap. Mataas ang porsyento na tambak ang drunk na tweets ng mga iiwan ngayong taon. Huwag ipagsawalang bahala ang kalusugan, huwag idahilan ang lamig ng panahon para ipagpabukas ang pagehersisyo. Mayen, araw-arawin ang pagligo para makamtan ang buenas sa buong taon. Magsuot ng polka dots sa katapusan at kinsenas ng buwan.

LUCKY COLOR: Kulay ng damit mo nong pasukan LUCKY NUMBER: Edad ni Enrile divided by birthday mo

Leo

Kaya mong nakawin ang tsitsiryang kinakain ng crush mo, makuha lang ang atensyon nya. Si Ghengkis Khan ay Leo, ganun din si Barney the Dinosaur, di nagtataka kung bakit kailangan mo lagi ng physical affection. Ang ibang Leo ay nagsasabing Homosexual sila kahit na hindi para magkaroon ng kaunting shock value at kulay ang buhay. Takot ang mga Leo sa pagiging humble kung kaya si Buddha ay Aries at si Jesus ay Capricorn. Maging mapanuri at iwasang maging asal leon, hindi hygenic ang pag-ihi sa mga puno at pader.

LUCKY COLOR: Tinta ng ballpen mo LUCKY NUMBER: Number ng episode ng Ang Probinsyano

August 23-September 22

OCTOBER 23-nOVEMBER 21

Cancer

Masyadong emosyonal ang mga Cancer, madali silang masaktan sa mga salita kaya pumili ng magandang timing sa paniningil. Mayen, magiging marupok ka sa pag-ibig pero ‘wag mong gawing excuse ang zodiac sign mo. Huwag umangkas sa motor, hindi gagana ang swerte lalo na kapag hindi mo sagot ang gasolina. Iwasan ang matatamis at nanlalamig, ikasasama ‘yan ng kalusugan ng isang Cancer. Mas magiging compatible kayo ng kapitbahay mong Pisces at Scorpio kaya magluto ka ng dinuguan tuwing Huwebes.

LUCKY COLOR: Paboritong kulay ng ex mo LUCKY NUMBER: Kung ilang beses kang pinaasa

July 23 - August 22

Naniniwala kang meron kang fashion taste kaya minsan naiirita friends mo sa baduy mong style. Hindi mo rin kayang gumawa ng sarili mong desisyon kaya napapahamak ka ng mga friends mong marunong daw pero kasame feathers mo din. Medyo pashowbiz kaya lagi mong iniisip kung anong iniisip ng iba sayo kahit wala naman talaga silang care sa existence mo.

Kahit lasingin ang Libra, kaya nilang tukuyin ang pinagkaiba ng Cloud9 at Snickers maliban sa presyo (talent ba o skill yan, walang nakaaalam...)

Lucky number: Ilang ballpen ang nawala mo this sem? imultiply sa dalawa.

LUCKY COLOR: Dilaw, ka-DDS

Gemini

Progresibo ka at mahilig lumabas, kung naging ride ka, siguradong isa ka sa pinakasikat na ride sa Funland (kung natuloy lang sana to nung intrams).

Lagi kang nakikipagaway at pumapatol sa mga bata, literal na away man o love life (lalo na kung Libra ang mga ito…ew, pedophile). Nilalagyan mo ng vandals ang bahay mo kasi feeling mo natuluan ka ng dugo ni Leonardo d’ Vinci sa past life mo. Karamihan ng Gemini ay ambidextrous kaya malaki ang posibilidad na kaya mong mangulangot ng sabay.

LUCKY COLOR: Chat color nyo ng crush mo

June 21 - July 22

Libra

Taurus

Isa kang malaking emosyon na naging tao. Ngayon masaya ka, mamaya panay naman ang patugtog mo ng senti at suicidal songs. Medyo environmentalist ka kaya minsan ka lang maligo para makatipid ng tubig.

Gusto mo yung mga happy movies kung saan lahat ng characters ay magiging masaya sa dulo (kahit yung mga extra gusto mo may happily ever after din). Mahilig kang ipsychoanalyze ang mga kaibigan mo pero wala ka naman talagang masyadong experience sa buhay, kumbaga char char lang.

LUCKY COLOR: Mantsa sa t-shirt mo

May 21-June 20

SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22

Virgo

Masyadong malilinis ang mga Virgo kaya mag-ingat sa mga kasama sa bahay. Bawasan mastress sa sarili. Subukan mag-exercise at sumama sa Oplan Balik AlIndog sa Brgy. Hall. Mayen, babalikan ka nang pinaasa mong Libra kaya magtago kapag kabilugan ng buwan.

Mumultuhin ka ng alaala nya at magsisisi ka sa Valentines. Mababawi lang ang sumpa kapag nagbayad ka na ng utang mo. Magsuot ng stripes na polo at dilaw na short sa ikatlong Miyerkules ng buwan.

JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18

Aquarius

Magiging determinado ang isang Aquarius sa taon na ito. Huwag pagdudahan ang sariling kakayahan. Magiging compatible kayo ng seat mate mong Capricorn kung 0.3 ang gamit nyang ink. Bawasan mastress para maggo, glow and grow ang taon. Mayen, magsuot ng kulay pula sa finals.

Lucky number: 4-2+bilang ng damit mong may polka dots LUCKY COLOR: #FFFFFF

FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 20

Pisces

Madalas magkamali ang mga Pisces, at ayaw nilang pinaguusapan ito.

Mahilig kang tumawa kaya hindi nagtataka friends mo pag nakikita ka nilang tinatawanan yung mga batang natitisod sa kalye. Gustong gusto mong magdiscuss ng conspiracy para sabihing matalino, pero lagi kang takot matawag ni Prof. tuwing recitation (puro burit kasi, di nagrereview).

LUCKY COLOR: Pinagsama-samang ROYGBIV LUCKY NUMBER: barya sa wallet mo plus points sa huling quiz mo

8 / DEVCOMM

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

DEVCOMM / 9

Wide spread mercury poisoning recorded in 2 Palawan villages

Photos: Karl Michael Nierva

KIETH ANTHONY FABRO

PH: Third worst polluter into the world’s ocean RACHEL GANANCIAL Photos: Rachel Ganancial Absent a decisive, concrete and comprehensive plan of action from the City Government, Puerto Princesans may continue to suffer from mercury poisoning and potentially experience a huge drop in income from tourism and use of aquatic resources.

In the report submitted to the city government by the Department of Health (DOH) on the Health and Environmental Assessment it conducted in Barangays Sta. Lourdes and Tagburos, the Department said residents have elevated mercury levels in their blood, hair and/or urine.

Based on the results of the study conducted last March 2017, many of the 101 individuals tested (86 from Sta. Lourdes and 15 from Tagburos) have varying but ultimately alarming levels of mercury in their hair and blood samples.

Specifically, around 39.53% of the assessed residents from Sta. Lourdes and 33.33% from Tagburos have ‘chronic mercury poisoning’. (RELATED: DENR tests potential hazard of mercury in Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa) Common clinical findings among those tested included nervousness, numbness, headache, palpitations and difficulty in sleeping eyestrain, difficulty in concentrating, memory problem and respiratory problems.

The DOH report said that “exposure to any form of mercury, whether elemental, inorganic or organic, can affect the neurologic, gastrointestinal and renal organ systems. Poisoning can result from mercury vapor inhalation, ingestion, injection and absorption through the skin.” This means even those who do not live within the contaminated areas may absorb mercury by eating fish with high mercury content.

Evacuations, relocation and site monitoring To prevent further harm to health, the DOH recommended the immediate relocation of residents in affected areas. It also proposed the following action points on the part of the

DOH-Mimaropa: 1) Establish a medical surveillance system in contaminated areas to monitor the health of the residents; 2) Provide micronutrient supplementation to residents; 3) Assess the neurologic and neurodevelopmental status of children; and 4) detoxify residents with mercury poisoning.

The Department also recommended the relocation of the existing wharf/jetty along Honda Bay, the take-off point to tours at the popular tourist destination. The report said the “existing jetty with contaminated mine tailings should no longer be used since based on the information given by the DENR, the tailings from the abandoned mine was used in the construction of the wharf along Honda Bay.” It remains unclear, however, how big an area must be evacuated and how many of the more than 10,000 residents of both barangays are affected.

Mayor Luis Marcaida III said they are now identifying a relocation site for the affected residents.

“Kinukonsidera pa natin ang presyo ng lupa. Titingnan natin kung may lupa ang gobyerno para gamitin as relocation. Phase by phase ang gagawin d’yan dahil madami maaapektuhan,” Marcaida said.

Aileen San Luis of City ENRO told the media that the city government is planning for immediate relocation of 74 families living near the pit lake, in response to a letter from one of the barangays.

The report has likewise recommended the monitoring of drinking water quality in Sta. Lourdes. The study said the aquifers or water sources in the area remain uncontaminated, but this may be due to the “slow movement of the contaminants in the soil.”

High concentration in fish caught near the wharf Fish caught near the wharf were also found to have concerning levels of mercury concentration.

The report mentioned that “based on the fish tissue samples presented by the MGB (Mines and Geosciences

Filipino nowadays has been dependent on the instant living and it makes us practical if we honor packaged products as savior of daily survival. Slowly and unconsciously we are currently bagging our future in sachets.

Bureau), fishes caught near the wharf have high concentrations of total Hg (exceeded the limit given by the USFDA at 1.0 ppm).”

The report has recommended that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) monitor methylmercury levels of fishes caught in the areas around the wharf along Honda Bay. It also mentioned the possible issuance of health and safety advisories in coordination with the DOH.

In September 2017, Philippines has been ranked by Greenpeace as “third-worst polluters into the world’s oceans”. Following China and Indonesia on the top list, three giant western companies revealed as the producers of disposable plastics polluting oceans namely Nestle, Unilever and Procter and Gamble.

Additional calls for testing Brgy. Sta. Lourdes Councilor Jerry Valeña, whose father used to work at the mercury mine, said the contamination is not confined to the former mine, but also includes Honda Bay, a major tourist destination in the city.

Valeña recalled that during the mine operation they have played with mercury as their past time thus he is willing to undergo testing.

“When we throw something away, there is no ‘away’. The Philippines is the third biggest source of plastic ocean pollution because global corporations are locking us into cheap, disposable plastics, rather than innovating and finding solutions,” Abigail Aguilar, Campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines said in a statement posted on their site.

Developing countries such as the Philippines is benefitting from economic growth and improving quality of life. Accessible products are produced for consumers with limited income and this caused to encourage individuals to depend on “sachet living”. As a quick response to daily needs, more consumers tend to rely on singleuse sachets that results to elevate the number of waste on land fill and water areas.

“Kasi dati, natatandaan ko noong mga bata pa kami, pinaglalaruan lang namin ang mercury, nagpapakintaban kami.

Wala namang nagbabawal,” he said.

Mildred Edradan, 43, a daughter of a former miner of PQMI, admitted that she used to pan mercury as a kid. She also signified intention to be tested, including her 11-year old daughter Nikka who is suffering from cerebral palsy.

The Palawan Quicksilver Mine, Inc. (PQMI) used to operate a mercury mine in Bgy. Sta. Lourdes and had left the area after extracting 2,500 tons of cinnabar ore to Japan from 1954 to 1976. Cinnabar is a toxic mercury sulfide mineral with a chemical composition of HgS. PQMI left behind a mine pit of about five hectares. It has become a lake and a source of livelihood of residents in the area, where they grow tilapia and other fish species and sell it to Puerto Princesa City public market. The former mine site is less than 3 kilometers away from the Honda Bay shoreline.

Infograph: Rachel Ganancial

Water waste

imprisonment.

Illegal dumping and opendump sites are two factors attributing to the waste collected on water, says in a report. In a February 2015 study, Philippines generated 2.7 million metric tons of plastic garbage each year. The 20% or 521, 000 tons ended up in the ocean.

El Nido is one of the popular tourist destinations in the country which is famous on its majestic water and the beauty of the entire town, located in the northern part of Palawan.

In the province of Palawan, El Nido residents retrieved over 250 sacks of marine trash weighing 600 kilograms in an International Coastal Cleanup Day last September.

Ayaw ni Princesa ng Plastic: Plastic battle in PPC Palawan is known for its majestic water forms from the northern to southern part of the province. Palawan seas are not just producing aquatic creatures but it also supplies a lifeblood on local tourism industry.

‘Ayaw ni Princesa ng Plastic’ advocacy aims to eliminate plastic use in the city of Puer to Princesa.

L o c a l Authorities’ say El Nido authorities started the strict implementation of plastic banning in the municipality effective on December 8. Ordinance was already passed in 2013 regulating the use of all types of plastics.

Violators may face penalties until 3rd offense with 6-month

Local groups’ effort Scubasurero is a Palawan local group of divers voluntarily dive on sea to clean and collect the waste from the water. This group was founded on May 2017 and has a campaign focusing on the protection of marine ecosystem as well as the improper waste disposal.

Aside on Scubasurero, there’s also a Stop Bagging Puerto Princesa campaign started on November 2014 that calls for a petition on stopping the use of plastic in the city.

10 / FEATURES

W JOHN MILES PILAPIL

Why I signed the Certificate of Candidacy First of all, I did not want to run as vice president of the USC. In fact, if I remember it right, during the last day of filing of candidacy, I was not there. I did not have any documents with me. I had no certificate of candidacy because I had no plans at all. But then, a few days back before the deadline, a former official of the USC called me over the phone, and asked me to run as a Vice President of a certain party but I declined.

During the last day of submission of COC (Certificate of Candidacy), that former official once again asked me to sit down and talk about it. So when I arrived at school at around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, they were all there- the frontrunners and the political party. I was surprised when I arrived, there was already a filled out certificate of candidacy prepared for me, by those people who were present. They are very willing and certain to have me as the running mate of Au, Aurora Balbutan. Before I formally accepted the COC and signed it, I told them one important thing.

That is, my loyalty does not belong to that political party. My loyalty belongs to the students who will elect me eventually.

Why I signed the Resignation Letter Fast forward to my resignation, this was during November 4 or 5, in the first week of November, the very reasons

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2017 VOL. 26 NO. 3

hy I signed the paper?

NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES NUSP is the largest and most comprehensive nation-wide alliance of student councils/governments/unions committed to the advancement pf the students’ democratic rights and welfare. EST 1987

USC vice president resigned from position for my resignation; number one (1) is that continuing my term as vice president would be contrary to my principles. Before I became vice president, I was a private person, a low profile person. I have been raised by both parents to be a man of principle. (2) And in the course of my journey, prior to becoming Vice President, I learned that to become a good role model is to be both academically excellent and leadership excellent.

So those were the two things that I considered before signing my resignation letter. That continuing my term as a vice president will be a contrary to my principle.

Last semester, I am not ashamed to tell this, I received failed marks in some of my major subjects. This prompted me to once again revisit those principles that leadership and academic excellence will always be there.

And being the second highest ranking official in the USC, I believe I cannot be a good representation or representative of the students.

If I was only leadership excellent, and not academically excellent, who am I to represent them [students] in the USC? You should be a role model.

So I want this to be very clear to be put into record: My resignation is done out of delikadeza. This is not done because I am tired or very exhausted, or any other issue that may come in after this.

Future Plans Well, I have always said this to some Admin Officials, to some faculty I have talked to about my resignation, and most importantly to the members of the USC that

I left behind, that I will continue to be involved to the students’ rights welfare and development because I believe that what is gone is the position, the title, that I have but the passion is always there. The commitment is always there to serve the students especially to fight for the best interest of them.

Right now, I am planning to organize an Inter-Organizational Council or the IOC, as it is also included in the constitution. And right now, there is no existing council, or should I say, leadership with the IOC, so I am planning to organize one Uni-wide organization. Also, I will push for students’ cooperative which has been my dream before sitting as Vice President. So Ma’am Abrina and I had an initial talk regarding the students’ cooperative and we hope to materialize those plans before the end of the semester.

Those are the most important ones but some plans include the reEco seminars that I have attended to, because we are required to conduct a re-eco seminar. I plan to be involved in the planning of the Students’ Week this coming February.

Notable Contributions: Some of the readers may be disappointed. They may not understand the principles that I am fighting for. Before I resigned as vice president, I was an active player in the USC. This is not for me to say that I have not been effective, but I would say that I have involved myself; I have immersed myself wholly in all activities of the USC. Starting with (1) the initial review as to why the previous administration spent or overspent.

I think as a vice president, it is not my job because we have the senate, to conduct an inquiry about it.

Another would be (2) I was also participative in the deliberation of the PPMP. Because I believe that the funds must be maximized. But if it is spent in a way that would not really suffice the needs of the students but suffice the need of the officers, that is the time the other officers would approach me about it.

(3) I have represented the USC in many events. Highlights of these include: 3.1. My representation to the National Student Reagent Summit.

Although I am not a reagent, but a part of the Philippine Federation of State Universities and Colleges Student Leaders. So during this National Student Reagent Summit, there were events, sponsored or co-sponsored by the National Economic Development Authority. I presented my project proposals to some of the NEDA officials and they have given

FEATURES / 11

The PSU students agenda

Photos: John Miles Pilapil positive remarks and highly encouraged me to represent the MIMAROPA that time to push for these plans.

3.2. And in another event sponsored by the NEDA, it’s called the National Economic and Financial Literacy Forum, even though I have already submitted my resignation letter to Au, I was still working until November 30, being my last day.

3.3. And another notable would be the conduct of the University Day. I believe it has been a very successful one. Despite- I want this to be emphasized- NO SINGLE CENTAVO was spent both from the Student’s fund or the USC fund and the University Fund.

All the funds were outsourced.

And I remember myself spending my own money just to give the students the best and excellent kind of service they deserve. I remember myself doing all the errands when nobody in the USC was there to help me out. I was there in the University office and some of the CSC Governors can testify about it.

I was there with no breakfast and lunch; I was working even during Saturdays and Sundays just to give them a quality program.

And with the collective effort with some USC officers, we were able to inquire 20 performers, local artists, during the university day.

3.4. I had also a crucial role played during the public forum for the search of the PSU President, sitting as the student representative, I was able to address questions and concerns that I think would be best tackled before we select our next PSU President.

3.5. Another thing is my decision to support one bidder or one student insurance company, even the fact that there was only me and the governor of CAH who had the same decision.

3.6. Other minor roles played: Being there when the President is out for official travel, receiving some guests from other agencies, etc.

Message to the Students I believe I have done what is constitutionally mandated for me. And maybe, we can look at this resignation as a good move because this will allow the senate to craft a better constitution, to legislate policies, because right now, everyone in the USC is puzzled as to how the rule of succession will go since there is no specific policy on that particular matter.

The very moment I was sworn in as vice president, I already started doing my job and in the course of my vice presidency, I believe I had done much more than what is constitutionally mandated for me as a vice president. The constitution is very clear: [These] are my roles as vice president but even you ask all my colleagues in the USC, they know it and I’m certain I’m sure about this: That I have done more than what is expected of me, what is constitutionally mandated of me.

I just want to clarify. I did not want to run. Although that former USC officer pushed me to run, it was still my desire to serve the students that outweighed my hesitation to run for Vice President.

We, students of the Palawan State University, as the biggest stakeholders of our beloved institution and whose duty is to advance our rights and welfare and safeguard those of future generations of PSU students, forward the following to clinch your commitment and cooperation for their realization.

Student Affairs and Services shall be informed of the accreditation procedure and shall provide technical assistance to the student council or government. Rules that impair the rights of students to organize, like the imposition of stringent and unreasonable requirements, should be prohibited.

(1) Student formations are integral in maintaining democratic processes in the university and train us in our role as citizens and leaders. Our right to organize, join and actively participate in student formations should then be guaranteed by school authorities.

Such formations should not be subject to rules and regulations that unduly hamper their activities and are prejudicial to their objectives and interests, and that undermine constitutionally protected rights and freedoms (freedom of association, assembly and expression, among others).

(2) Student publications serve as an important medium for free expression, and as a means of enabling critical thinking and discourse among students. School authorities should then protect and promote free journalism, reopen all closed student publications, establish in campuses and colleges where there are none, and uphold freedom of the press and the rights of campus journalists at all times.

The student council or government should be in charge of the accreditation of student organizations, as a purely student activity. The guidelines for accreditation should be formulated by the student council and heads of all student organizations. The Office of

(3) Students have the right to competent instruction and quality education relevant to our personal and cultural development. School authorities should then enforce a written evaluation mechanism for students towards the end of every semester.

(4) Students have the right to adequate and accessible welfare services and academic facilities which include

to information and right participate in policy-making.

(a) Classrooms conducive for learning with working chairs, tables and ventilation (b) Laboratory, library, research, recreation and physical education facilities (c) C o m m u n i c a t i o n s system to ensure prompt and accurate notification of relevant information (d) Health and medical facilities and services (e) Student centers and organization spaces (f) Spaces for the free exercise of religious beliefs (g) Safe and affordable food facilities and services (h) Health- and environmentfriendly waste management facilities and services (i) Clean and adequate restrooms (j) Stable and accessible internet in campus

Access to official records and other pertinent documents pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions should be afforded to us subject only to reasonable regulations.

Students should be represented in policy-making bodies at all levels, especially on matters which directly affect them such as curriculum drafting, review and revision, student discipline or academic standards.

Representatives shall be designated by the student body.

(6) No student should be denied their right of entry into the university. In case of violations of ID or uniform policies, the student concerned should not be denied entry provided that s/he sufficiently provides proof that s/ he is registered in the university.

The gate pass/fee should be reviewed if not repealed.

The denial of access to welfare services and academic facilities should be prohibited.

The university should provide for the use of such free of charge on the basis that the maintenance and operations of such should be included in the university budget.

(7) All existing fees should be reviewed and explained to the student body, which could then initiate for the repeal of a fee it deems unnecessary. No fee should be imposed without the student body’s approval.

(5) The university should recognize and uphold students’ academic freedom, right

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(8) The student handbook should be released within the academic year. A copy of which should be given to students upon admission to the school and also be made available online.

(9) The acquisition of an online data and information management system should be prioritized by the university so as to facilitate the enrollment, enlistment of classes and even submission of grades and academic requirements.

(10) The university should increase its security and janitorial personnel to ensure safety and cleanliness in campus and not shift the burden of paying for these to the students.

(11) A grievance mechanism should also be put up by school authorities to report inefficiency and misbehavior of university staff and personnel.

(12) The university should take a pro-active role in extending support to marginalized sectors in the province and take an institutional position on various issues.

Consulted with PSU students headed by NUSP Palawan, August 2017.

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Charmaine Balisong

FifiTheBearcat

@Pioneer_PSU Puerto Princesa, Palawan We asked random students on their opinion regarding the free tuition policy, here’s what they said...

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pshookt

/pe-'shük/ n. state of feeling many emotions at once; derived from the words psu and shookt

FifiTheBearcat @Pioneer_PSU “Hindi ko ramdam ang free tuition” “Parang wala naming free tuition, bakit kailangan pa ng requirements kung lahat bibigyan.”

“Ginawa na ‘ata nilang scholarship ‘yun eh.”

FifiTheBearcat @Pioneer_PSU ‘Di na dapat inaapplyan ang free tuition. Kasi yung ibang teachers di pa nagbibigay ng grades eh. Kaya hindi makapass ng requirements.”

“May batas tayo diyan. Batas lang walang pondo.”

FifiTheBearcat @Pioneer_PSU “Last sem, nagbayad ako ng half ng babayarin tapos edi free tuition na dapat (may ibabalik pa sa akin doon) pero walang ibinalik sa akin. Hiningian pa ako ng 800 na kulang ko daw kaya nakipag bula-bula ako doon.”

“Salamat at naging scholar na ako hahaha”

FifiTheBearcat @Pioneer_PSU “Sana ma-enlighten yung students about sa pagsingil pa rin ng miscellaneous fees kahit sabi sa news na wala na dapat babayaran” “Salamat po kasi nakabili ako ng album ng Super Junior dahil sa free tuition!”

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by Tita Mik