LETTER TO THE EDITORS Blind Obedience

Rodz Mackenzie Tomboc

Subject: SHS Building No Electricity

Dear Editor,

I remember it was last year when the electricity of the senior high school building was cut off. It was said that it was due to the school being unable to pay the high electricity bill. This caused quite the problem in our classes since many of us, not just students, but also teachers, utilize equipment that needs electricity to power, such as TVs that are needed during a presentation. Also, this poses a problem in the ventilation of the room since electric fans need electricity to power. Due to this, the temperature inside the classroom has increased and I fear that someone might faint because of the heat trapped inside. I hope that the school would address this issue and return the electricity of the building.

THE PIS SIYABIT

Subject: SHS Building No Electricity

Dear Rodz Mackenzie,

We sincerely appreciate hearing your concerns about how the issue has impacted both the teachers’ and your classes’ learning experiences, which shows how you care for your studies. We are pleased to say that the school’s hefty electricity bill has already been paid. Yet, as you stated, there is still a concern because the building’s power has not yet been restored. But as Principal III Marlon P. Micubo has suggested, in the meantime, the building’s electricity will be supplied by the STEM building, which is in use now and is utilized by the teachers and students of the senior high building. Nevertheless, the school will continue to look for a way to restore the building’s original power.

In a survey of The Pis Siyabit, out of 1445 student-respondents of Siocon National Science High School, 112 are members of fraternities, and 90 admitted that they have experienced hazing. It is not a matter in question to be part of these organizations, but what is concerning is the safety of the students undergoing hazing to be official members of these groups. Despite establishing the Anti-Hazing Law, some fraternities still practice this method of initiation. Students have been harmed when involved in this activity, with death being the worst-case scenario, taking into account the hazing case of Matthew Salilig, whose death reached national headlines. To prevent this incident from reoccurring with our students, joining these organizations that practice hazing should be stopped, and both parents and the community should support the law.

As recorded in one of the articles of GMA News in 2017, the murder of Gonzalo Mariano Albert in 1954 was the first reported victim of hazing in the Philippines. Meanwhile, an Ateneo student and member of the Aquila Legis fraternity, Leonardo “Lenny” Villa, was the most known hazing victim, who was severely beaten until he died in 1991. The incident caused a public uproar. As a result, the Anti-Hazing Law was implemented in 1995, and violators who caused death, rape, or mutilation face life sentences.

The existence of this law has been a great help in bringing justice to victims of hazing. However, of course, a law cannot always be a hundred percent effective if not ardently abided. The practice of hazing still exists until today in some fraternities and sororities in the Philippines.

According to an interview with a female Siocon National Science High School student and fraternity member, she joined the organization to be a part of their group’s brotherhood and sisterhood. This link enables them to assist fellow members in their time of need, which has been proven to be of tremendous assistance to many, particularly during natural disasters, which are common in Siocon. However, the price for this service is excruciatingly painful. During the initiation, she was mostly blindfolded and repeatedly beaten behind her thighs with a blunt weapon. It resulted in a bruised dark area. Her hazing experience demonstrates how horrible hazing is.

There are other methods to create brotherhood and sisterhood without subjecting oneself to damage, which many find in these organizations. The majority of those who try to join are unaware of the hazards linked with the rewards. They are oblivious to the consequences of their actions and are hence ignorant of what they will receive. Hazing victims could be hospitalized, become crippled, or even die. Students should always think twice or multiple times before deciding if it can affect their overall well-being. The Anti-Hazing Law protects people from harm, and people involved in this act becomes an accomplice to a crime.

A good foundation of education starts at home. As the heads of the family, parents should educate their children enough on the dangers of this activity and support the Anti-Hazing Law. As their children’s role models, parents must guide them to make decisions for their benefit. It includes helping them distinguish what is good, bad, safe, and harmful for their well-being. The absence of this knowledge harms the children, such as choosing to get hazed to enter fraternities and sororities. Parents should also be knowledgeable regarding their child’s whereabouts to monitor their safety.

By having an open home, children can avoid seeking support and validation from others. Another factor that contributes to the persistent problem of hazing is the community. The majority of people in Siocon are aware that hazing exists. Many claim this activity is carried out near their homes; some even profess to have witnessed the initiation. Nevertheless, because hazing incidents go unreported, no records of them are kept at the police station. The majority of the witnesses choose to remain silent in order to protect themselves and their families from any potential harm. These people worry that they will be targeted if they ever interfere. We cannot hold these people responsible for their fear since it is a natural response.

Disregarding the law, however, is not the right course of action in this situation. Being an aware citizen is a massive aid in safeguarding the safety of all. Gaining the community’s support is extremely helpful in raising awareness of hazing among all people due to the community’s size and potential for mass influence. Furthermore, As Filipinos and citizens of the Philippines, we are charged with improving the country’s status. As one of Rizal’s famous lines goes, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan,” the country’s future rests on the youths. Not acknowledging the dangers surrounding young people is equivalent to ignoring the significance of tomorrow. As such, for the nation’s benefit, community involvement is needed.

The government is also attempting to improve the law. The Anti-Hazing Law was amended in 2018 to outlaw hazing expressly, declare it a crime, and inflict stricter penalties on those found guilty. However, as mentioned, in February 2023, a student at Adamson University named John Matthew Salilig died after undergoing fraternity initiation ceremonies. As a result, lawmakers have called for the law’s provisions to be strengthened. They also asked for heightened vigilance by authorities and educational institutions in enforcing the Anti-Hazing Law.

However, we can only hope that the government’s enforcement of the law successfully ensures everyone’s safety. If not, they need to formulate other mechanisms to battle this problem.

Moreover, without the cooperation of the people, the administrations’ efforts are put to waste. The battle to end the cycle of violence brought by hazing is not a plight that the government alone should face. We can put a stop to these dangerous practices if we all act and support the law. Change can be achieved via cooperation. We can prevent more potential harm to our children and protect the nation’s future if we all work together to eradicate the practice of hazing.

Killer itch

Two Cents

Sophia Lorraine B. Pastor

“I feel cold. Is anybody there? Is there no one to give me warmth? Where are my parents?

Why have I been left here alone?”

If she had a voice, these would be her thoughts as she drifted along the water.

Last January 3, a suspected newborn infant was found floating in the irrigation system of Siay, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte. A nearby resident came to the child’s aid, but sadly, the infant had already passed away. This news spread like wildfire throughout the town, causing social media uproar.

Many expressed their sorrow over the baby’s passing and even gave the baby the name Analiza. However, the baby’s biological parents were still left unidentified until now.

Many people thought of this as a work of abortion, which infuriated the general public as abortion is a hot topic in the country. Abortion is deemed illegal in the country but is practiced illegally. Many of these cases are linked with teenage girls getting pregnant by mistake.

A recent statistics report of Manila Bulletin, it was revealed that an alarming rise in the number of young girls becoming pregnant while still in their early teens. This is also an issue in our school since there are cases of teenage pregnancies in Siocon National Science High School. I personally have seen pregnant students on campus, with their bellies already big and needing special care. It worries me that they are walking around the campus and doing some activities that may affect their well-be-

Being curious as an adolescent is normal, especially regarding topics like sex, as we are exposed to more realities as we age. But we ought to reflect before acting hastily.

Surat is a Tausog term meaning letter. This corner of the paper publishes the unfiltered opinion of the students about an issue.