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Thursday, May 18, 2017 Issue # 1 Volume 1 The Official Laboratory Newspaper of J121MRU

Nagsusuri. Nagsisilbi.

NEWS

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UP Health Service faces staffing crisis There are not enough UPHS staff to fill in the gaps, especially during Thursdays and Fridays, when majority of the patients rush in.

FEATURE

09

SPORTS

Ang paglaban ni B Hindi nadidiktahan ng kasarian ang kakayahang buhayin ang kanilang mga sariling pamilya.

12

Torn pockets and torn ligaments The Fighting Maroons are expected to always give their all. Yet, when they seek what they deserve, UP fails to provide.

Admin plans to displace three UP communities story by INNA CABEL and CHARLOTTE FURIGAY

Children play in a dirt pile from the ongoing pipelaying operations near Village C. According to the Office of Community Relations, a staff housing project is set to rise in the same area within the year.

LANGIT LUPA. Rey Nazareno

T

HREE UP COMMUNITIES are to be displaced by the ongoing implementation of the 2012 UP Campus Land Use Plan (CLUP), with priority areas being Village C, C.P. Garcia, and Pook Arboretum.

The Board of Regents-approved 2012 UP CLUP cites Village C and C.P. Garcia as areas dedicated to residential and ‘mixed use,’ while Pook Arboretum is labeled as a protected forest area.

These areas house around 1000 families of informal settlers who have stayed in the University for as long as 50 years.

According to Arch. Ringer Manalang of the Office of the Campus Architect (OCA), construction plans for Village C and C.P. Garcia are set to start within the year.

Located between UP Fine Arts and Hardin ng Doña Aurora, both areas will be converted to faculty and staff housing units in accordance with the 2012 UP CLUP. “Target namin, within this year, matapos yung phase one, tapos susunod yung phase two,” Arch. Manalang said.

With the direction of the UP Office of Community Relations (OCR) and the Local Government of Quezon City (LGQC), families of informal settlers are given the option to be relocated to housing units provided by the LGQC and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

“Dalawa ang option nila, they can

SIPAT-LIGHT

How safe are you in UP?

resettle in Quezon City, outside of UP, mas mahal nga lang, through the Bistekville project. Yung isang option ay yung NHA resettlement site, which is cheaper than the Bistekville - nasa capacity yan ng tao kung ano kaya niyang bayaran,” OCR Director Dr. Karen Jago-on said.

As of the 2012 UP CLUP, there are no designated areas for informal settlers within the campus.

“Wala dapat sila diyan, hindi sila sinasama sa CLUP, dahil kasi hindi sila officially kasama sa loob ng campus,” Manalang said.

Residents of the UP community have taken a solid stance against the planned relocation, calling it a demolition job.

“Ang magaganap kasi ay demolisyon, so ang inooffer sa amin ay relokasyon. Hindi namin gusto ang relokasyon. Nandun kami sa panawagan ng on-site development,” Mameng Collado, President of Alyansa ng Samahan ng Diliman said.

Relocation plans would do nothing but bring residents further away from their livelihood, according to Collado.

“Pinapatay nito ang buhay ng mamamayan, dahil inilalayo ang mga mamamayan kung saan ito nagtratrabaho,” she said.

The 2012 UP CLUP is also implemented under the overall UP Master Development Plan’s (MDP) design

07

In line with recent incidents threatening campus safety, Sipat gives you an overview of the assessment of campus disaster preparedness.

and principles, which was approved in July 2014.

Hollow grounds Sally Edrada, a Romblon native, moved to Quezon City in search of better opportunities.

She has lived within campus for 19 years and considers Village C her home. It is where she witnessed her children grow up, and it is where she wants to continue doing so.

With a total of 133 households, Village C is first in line among the list of communities to be relocated.

In April, household representatives from Village C were brought to Morong, Rizal to see the sample houses in the NHA-provided relocation area.

“Dito naman kami nabubuhay.

Bakit naman kami dadalhin sa Morong? At tsaka nagtripping kami doon. Dinedevelop pa lang yung school. Tapos yung ospital niya wala sa Morong, nasa Teresa siya. Malayo tsaka private yun. Hindi yun para sa amin,” Edrada said.

According to Edrada, the NHA house is only 24 square meters big. It is the household’s responsibility to install lines of water and electricity.

Once they occupy, they will have to pay P100 monthly after a year and P200 monthly in five years, with the fees to increase in the coming 30 years, Edrada noted.

SPEAK UP, ISKO!

In formation C.P. Garcia Neighborhood Association Inc. President Blas Plasencia will always put his community first.

“Pagdating sa komunidad bilang presidente ng samahan, ang susundin ko naman, samahan,” he said.

With a total of 629 households living in their area, Plasencia worries that the looming Village C relocation will signal that they will be next.

With the onset plans of relocation, Plasencia recognizes the fact that having their own house would be better.

However, with their jobs being based in Quezon City, the three-hour travel time from Morong, Rizal will force them to return to their initial homes.

“Hindi po ito yung justice na sinasabi. Tatanggalin mo yung bahay kong nakatayo, halimbawa ilipat mo ako sa Morong, anong tawag dun?

Tinanggal mo na yung buhay dito eh,” Plasencia said.

As the leader of their union, he believes that relocation is not the solution, but jobs for the residents of their community.

“Ang solusyon trabaho hindi relocation kasi nga kapag nilipat mo yung tao, babalik at babalik yan kasi walang makain sa lugar na yun. Eh sabi niya maganda yung bahay eh hindi naman kami mabubusog ng bahay,” he said.

Plasencia said that their communi-

Iskolars weigh in on Free Education Bill

Mylene Verzosa and Sally Edrada, from Village C

“

Tinatanong ko nung nandun sa Morong kung saan banda yung Village C. Ang sabi niya wag kayong mapili. Huwag kayong pumili.

cont. to p3>>

10

Even with the introduction of free tuition in SUCs last year, the DBM and CHED have come up with a system similar to the University’s Socialized Tuition System (STS).

EDITORIAL

Sign of the times Being in the middle of a democracy entails a responsibility to uphold press freedom.

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SIPAT

News

May 18, 2017 posts where they could assign regular guards.

Northcom Detachment Commander Efren Caligan explained that reliever guards could not get a regular post because these guards are not a part of UP’s payroll.

“Di kasi binabayaran ni UP, yung sumobra dun sa 180...kung halimbawa may additional post na binigay ang UP samin at tapos yung performance, maganda naman yung performance niya, sa pinagddutyhan nila, may nagrerequest sila na ‘ay si ganito i-regular mo nga kasi maganda magtrabaho’ binibigay naman.”

Northcom security guards are entitled with benefits like insurances and housing from the company.

Contractual is practical — CSO

Guards and security without UP benefits story by KAT MINA and CLARIST ZABLAN

Palma Hall security guard Aristotle Sebastian Pancha raised his concerns about his company, Northcom. “Ang nagiging problema namin, retain nga yung agency namin kaso pinapa-renew kami parati yearly. Aabot din talaga siya ng mga libo, makakagastos ka rin ng siguro, more or less, P3,000 ganyan,” he said. INSECURE. Luigi Naval

IN UP, GUARDS ARE CONTRACTED FROM agencies because it is more practical, said acting UP Diliman Chief Security Officer Atty. John S. Baroña.

“Masyadong mabigat, hihingin mo sa gobyerno yung pagpapasweldo niyan (guards), yung mga benefits niyan, retirement niyan, so maraming bagay pang iisipin, unlike kung icocontract mo lang sa isang agency, medyo mas madaling i-manage. At medyo mas praktikal,” he said in an interview.

Creating vacant positions for security personnel requires a whole other process by the university, he added.

“Kung gusto nating dagdagan, may buong process. Gagawa ka ng bagong items, magccreate ka ng bagong posisyon for security, eh UP Admin na yun, hindi basta basta ganun lang, feeling ko hindi na siya ganun ka-kaya ng system.”

There are around 455 security guards in campus that came from the private security service providers Northcom Security and Investigation Agency and Glocke Security Systems, Inc. Northcom started their third contract under UP on May 1, after a four-month extension period since their December 2016 contract expired.

Glocke is still under the process of procurement with nine years of service on their record.

Security service providers undergo procurement process where they bid for a year-long contract with the university.

In the event that a new agency wins the procurement process, they have an option to absorb guards from the existing agency to fill up their initial number of guards. They may also opt to lay off those who would not pass evaluation or do not have recommendations from building administrators.

Despite this, Baroña claims that most UP guards are retained in their jobs.

“Pagpasok niya [new security agency] eh hindi naman ganun karami yung natatanggal dahil sa ang reason lang naman para tanggalin ay di maayos yung serbisyo na required ng guwardiya. Di naman ganun ka-rampant yun. So more often than not, hindi ganun karami talaga yung mapapalitan.”

Barely minimum Meanwhile, Rizamae Carvajal, a lady guard from Glocke stationed in Sampaguita Residence Hall, said that it would be much better to be directly employed by UP. “Maraming benepisyo ang maaano namin kung sakali, kung sakaling walang agency, mas magiging direct kami sa UP,” she said.

Carvajal has been working as a security guard for 11 years to raise her family of five children. Her husband is working as a jeepney driver, while her mother takes care of their children when they are away.

For her, they are already earning more than enough. Still, their family needed to cut off on

their expenses as their parents rely on them.

“Kung para lang sa pamilya namin, sobra na [ang kinikita naming mag-asawa]. Ako, parehas kaming inaasahan ng mga magulang din namin.

Kaya kahit na parehas kaming may trabaho, madalas kinakapos pa rin.”

She started working under Glocke in 2013, where she began as a reliever for four months until earning a regular post in Sampaguita.

According to Armel Bautista, Detachment Commander of Glocke in UP, they have 178 security guards who have regular posts in the university, all whom are assigned posts in Cluster II, outside the Academic Oval.

Standby status As of May 1, Northcom Security and Investigation Agency has 180 regular guards and 49 reliever guards.

Before being stationed to a post as a regular, security guards usually begin as relievers, where they are assigned to different posts in UP to cover for regular guards on day offs.

Compared to regular relievers who have a schedule of posts, standby relievers are only called to duty when needed. Northcom has 43 regular relievers and 6 on standby status.

But for Winston Parajenog, a standby reliever for Northcom for almost a year, a regular post is a dream he does not know how to achieve.

In order for Parajenog to be a regular guard, the university has to give Northcom additional

Stagnant numbers The UP Diliman Police (UPDP) last hired a security personnel in 2002.

In an interview, UPDP Officer-in-Charge Ruben Villaluna talked about the reasons behind the thinning number of police in campus.

“Kasi nagreretiro, nagreretire sila. Minsan, nagreresign. Nalilipat sa ibang units dito sa campus. Kaya nga may mga private security tayo, yun yung nag-augment,” Villaluna said.

On August 8, 2013, former UP President Alfredo Pascual also issued an administrative order holding the hiring of security personnel for UPDP. “‘Yung ano ng university ay mahirap kasi minsan may freeze hiring… hindi pinapayagan na maghire ang mga government... May moratorium. Walang filling up of items,” Villaluna said.

The moratorium worsened with the low salary offered to starting police officers, which discouraged applicants despite UPDP efforts to hire new security personnel.

UPDP requires their applicants to be a graduate of four-year courses, with a sub-professional eligibility.

“Yun ang pinakamababang qualifications under sa UP Police which is mukhang hindi commensurate doon sa salary grade niya na grade four… Kaya pinipilit naming mai-adjust ngayon, mayroon kaming mga plano gawin man lang mga salary grade 8, yun, medyo mataas taas na yun,” Villaluna said.

Government employees with a salary grade of four earns P12,155 to P12,927, only several notches lower from someone with a salary grade 8 (P15,818 to P16,903).

With only 30 uniformed police and 63 on the Special Service Brigade (SSB) assigned to common areas such as Osmeña Avenue and Lagoon area, UPDP numbers are far from ideal.

“Nung pagpasok ko dito mga 1977 mga 150 kami na UP Police. Umabot sa ganung number.

Pero konti pa yung mga private security non tsaka wala pa yung SSB nung araw na yun,” Villaluna said.

Being the only UP-hired security personnel, members of the UPDP are also directly under the supervision of the Chief Security Office.

Pipelaying, road concreting operations to continue indefinitely story by GABBY ENDONA and FAYE ALMAZAN

ROAD WORKS INSIDE THE CAMPUS WILL continue indefinitely, said Supervising Engineer Omar Marzan of the Office of the Campus Architect.

There are two simultaneous operations currently underway -- one by Manila Water Company, Inc. and another by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The pipelaying project under Manila Water started on jeepney routes last January and is expected to be completed by December this year.

However, the road concreting supervised by the DPWH has no definite timetable yet.

Both operations have been causing inconvenience amongst drivers and commuters alike since it started.

“Pagpasok namin sa loob ng UP, bukas yun tapos maya-maya pangalawang biyahe namin, sarado na uli. Ibang iikutan nanaman namin kaya pati pasahero nalilito,” UP-Katipunan driver Leonardo Almario said.

UP-Pantranco and UP Ikot drivers Raffy Ferrer and Bong Madella expressed the same sentiments regarding the matter.

“Yung dating alam nilang mga sakayan, bale nabago na. Dalawang parte na kasi yung daanan diyan eh, kaya ayun. Sa tao, sa sakayan. Medyo naninibago sila,” Ferrer said.

Since the road concreting is managed by different contractors per location, the university has no power to intervene with the progress of the project.

“Jeepney route macoconcrete ‘yan. Within the year? Hindi ko lang alam kung kaya nila.

DPWH na ‘yan,” Engr. Marzan explained.

A construction worker operates heavy machinery at a road concreting site in front of the College of Fine Arts. Since the street is closed to traffic, Ikot jeepneys have since been redirected to farther exit and pick-up points. REROUTE. Charlotte Furigay

News

Volume 1 Issue # 1

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by KULAS PALMERA infographic by GABBY ENDONA

Patients wait in line to be checked up at the University Health Service. There is originally only one nurse stationed at the triage station, except during Thursdays and Fridays when majority of the patients rush in. CRUNCH TIME. Kulas Palmera

UPHS faces staffing crisis; heavy workload causes slow service story by KULAS PALMERA

THE SUBPAR PERFORMANCE OF UP Health Service is due to it being understaffed and overworked, said Dr. Jesusa T. Catabui, Director of UPHS. “Grabe ang bureaucracy sa paghire. Andyan na bakante ang item pero mahirap maghire kaagad,” Catabui said.

The services under the primary care programs of UPHS such as health screenings and checkups show slow progress due to the lack of staff members including dentists, nutritionists, psychiatrists, and other medical personnel.

“Everyone’s overworked, but people here are subject to sanctions when they commit an offense since we are working in the field of health.

Kapag may ginawang mali, delikado iyan,” Catabui said.

There are not enough staff to fill in the gaps, especially during Thursdays and Fridays when the

majority of patients rush in, according to Bobby Bilbao, UPHS Building Administrator.

“Mayroon kaming committee dito sa physical examination, na pinupullout sa mga section para sila maghandle. So pagdating mga kliente namin

“Grabe ang bureaucracy sa paghire. Andyan na bakante ang item pero mahirap maghire kaagad.” na regular na mandated, nagkakaroon ng clog dito kaya nakikita mo na mabagal ang serbisyo,” Bilbao said.

Students, who are one of the ma-

UP MDP to displace ty promised to give all efforts to help Village C. “Kumilos man sila [other communities] o hindi, ang buong CP Garcia ay bubuhos doon kasi nga ito lang ang tahanan namin na siyang proprotektahan hangga’t makakaya pa namin,” he said.

False hopes Living in UP Arboretum since 1969, Jun Basconcillo, Samahan ng mga Mamamayan sa Pook Arboretum (SMPA) President, said he did not know that the MDP existed until their community was included in the priority list.

Gina Lopez, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary, initially planned to turn Arboretum into an ecopark where residents of the community will be employed. With her recent rejection by the Committee on Appointments, residents have started to lose hope.

jor constituents of the infirmary, expressed that the lack of health care personnel can lead to inefficiency.

“Less manpower accounts for longer waiting lines and lack of supervision in patients. Additional personnel would be needed, might it be intern nurses or staff in training,” Vinze Jolo Geroca, a first year Geography student, said.

UPHS has no issue on funding and equipment, citing the continued support of the administration and local government units like the Department of Health.

“When it comes to equipment, the administration is very supportive. We are awaiting P50 million worth of equipment from DOH’s ‘Health Facility Enhancement Program’ and hopefully mabigyan kami nun,” Catabui said.

Aside from this, Catabui also mentioned that an initial fund of P125 million was already allocated for the construction of a new building meant for the expansion of their services.

http://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/philippines_who_aims_report.pdf http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/86695-mental-health-law-philippines

P I T I K S I PAT

>>from page1

“San nila dadalhin ang tao? Sa Morong? Sa Batangas? Sa Morong, meron silang idle sample housing pero sample lang yun, wala pang nakatayo. Ganun din sa Batangas. San nila dadalhin ang tao? Katulad sa Pandi, walang ilaw, walang tubig, walang kabuhayan. Siyempre pag dinala mo ang tao sa ganung lugar, babalik at babalik pa rin sa Metro Manila,” Basconcillo said.

Dare to struggle, dare to win The guidelines of the UP MDP states that it will “develop the University’s real estate assets in a well-planned and organized manner.”

“May pag-unlad na ginagawa, pero nalilimutan ninyo yung mamamayan na nasa sa komunidad.

Hindi pag-unlad yung idemolish kami o gibain ang bahay, mas may pag-unlad, kung mayroon kaming katiyakan o katatagan ng paninirahan, mismo dito sa loob ng paman-

tasan,” Collado said.

Even with the contentions of the communities involved, the administration stands by its mandate in giving alternative living areas off-campus to the informal settlers.

“Ang takot kasi nila ay pabayaan sila ng UP, sinisigurado ng UP na ang bahay nila ay mas maayos pa sa kalagayan nila, if the situation is worse than what they have right now, then definitely we don’t want them to go there,” Jago-on said.

Still, the residents remain unfazed and stand firm on their call for on-site development.

“Sarado talaga ang UP sa posisyon ng on-site development. [Pero we will] struggle out. Yayanigin natin yan,” Collado said.

BAYANIHAN. Photo by Rey Nazareno A community effort is made to clear the roads of dust and garbage in Pandi. Around 24,000 people, led by urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay), has occupied five National Housing Authority (NHA) residential projects in Bulacan since March 8.

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SIPAT

Editorial

May 18, 2017

Changing tides and sign of the times U

SUALLY ARMED WITH their pens or notebooks and now their smartphones, journalists take to the streets to obtain news and information vital to any democracy. They are seen as bold lionhearts, wearing their press badges with pride as they survive any struggle, just to provide the public with the information they deserve.

But indeed, times have changed.

The craft, once revered, is now so often belittled by the current political sphere in the country. With the recent paradigm shift, threats to press freedom have sprouted left and right.

Last April, President Rodrigo Duterte accused ABS CBN of estafa and urged Congress to deny the approval of the network’s franchise renewal. Under Republic Act 3846, all broadcasting organizations must get a franchise from Congress so they can use a frequency, since airwaves are owned by the government. This act can be used by those in power as a tool to control the information released to their constituents.

Aside from this, people online have smothered comments sections of news organizations, hitting media institutions with ad hominem insults. These comments more often than not contain threats ranging from murder to rape, not only towards writers but with some even extending to their relatives.

Not only is public discourse derailed, but rampant threats potentially drive journalists to silence.

Hitting closer to home, the campus press is not an exception to this fact.

Last year, local campus publications were banned from covering a government event. Similar to this, during this year’s recently concluded University Student Council elections, some local campus press were riddled with accusations of partisan bias. With this in tow, local campus media are pitted against each other.

With their hands tied, campus publications are also placed in a precarious situation by bureaucracies.

Although funded by the students, the university administration still has the final say on whether campus

press funds are released or not. In effect, this limits the capacity of these publications to produce and distribute copies of their works.

All journalists, whether from media organizations or campus publications, are bestowed with the power to reach the public. They are tasked to inform the citizens with the truth. They serve as watchdogs, faithful to their role as the fourth estate.

This is why journalism is a pillar of democracy, as the information they bring to the public is essential for citizens to spark discussions on issues that affect change to the nation.

But journalism cannot fulfill its role if press freedom is continuously curtailed. How will the press assume this role if there are forces, like state control and censorship, that keeps them from seeking and reporting the truth?

With this, the Sipat team, champions its motto “Nagsusuri, Nagsisilbi,” believing that there is a need to uphold press freedom, even more in times when it is under attack.

With a dominant system in place, where national and regional media agencies are affiliated or owned by corporations and key public figures, news bias tend to lean towards their vested interests and loyalties instead of keeping true to the mandate of public service.

But this must not dishearten those who wish to serve the people. Historically, there are many publications and agencies that fought the system. The Propagandistas’ La Solidaridad, the Katipunan’s Kalayaan, and the various mosquito press among other publications in history have fought valiantly for the Filipino society against a corrupt and oppressive system.

Press freedom is needed to ensure that the media will be able to continue its responsibility of giving voice to the voiceless. A media with a bias towards the marginalized and oppressed is needed to empower the citizenry.

So the struggle for press freedom continues to this day with us at the forefront.

Let us take a stand and brave the storm of ridicule, corruption, and disbelief in honor of our mandate as public servants.

ISANG TASANG KAPE Clarist Mae Zablan

‘Bias’ exam TWO YEARS AGO, DURING my first year in taking Journalism, I once asked an upperclassman if we have a board exam we need to pass to become professional journalists.

It was just an innocuously curious question, as I heard several career paths requiring it to get or practice particular jobs – for instance, those prospecting to teach in public schools are required to pass the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Well, his response to my question was that we don’t have that sort, but the idea of it is debated on. Particularly, he said that licensure exams are administered by the government, but this clashes with the role of journalists as their watchdogs.

So it was especially concerning when Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said back in February that a licensure examination for journalists would be a good idea, even going as far so as to say that it “would weed out incompetent and unethical practitioners.”

In commemoration of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, I would like to explain why we should never allow this to actually happen.

To begin with, forms of government regulation of

journalists, which includes a licensure exam like this, is a form of censorship. Article III Section 4 of our 1987 Constitution explicitly spelled out: “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

There is a reason for this line to exist in that document. Journalists are tasked to report the truth, and for the most part, the truth refers to what and how our government is doing and what the current situation of the people is. The former is what my upperclassman meant by “watchdogs” of the government, and through this tasks, journalists make sure that the elected officials are doing their job in serving the nation, and if they aren’t, they let the people know.

In addition, generally letting the truth be known empowers the people. It equips the people with information so they are able to seek the betterment of the nation. You can’t fix a problem without knowing it, after all.

All these sound idealistic,

SIPAT

especially considering that, truly, the Philippine media in its current state is far from perfect.

Media organizations are mostly owned by big businessmen with their own vested interests and allegiances. This fact affects the content of their newspapers towards what they want it to be. Admittedly, the “bias” and “presstitute” criticism towards them aren’t exactly without merit, even though these are just blatant means of bringing down the institution.

But this is a deeply-rooted

“We need the power that truth can give us so we can seek the best for our nation.

We can’t let it be held back.”

issue, and not something that will be solved by letting the government weed out whatever they think to be incompetent and unethical practitioners, as Gatchalian said it. In fact, this will even worsen the situation.

Gabrielle Anne Endona

Editor-in-Chief / Layout Artist

Katrina Mina

What would they even consider to be “unethical practitioners?” Would that refer to those who fail in their duties, or perhaps those who would dare criticize the government for failing to fulfill their mandate? After all, officials have their own vested interests, too, so wouldn’t that even worsen the media “bias” as they call it? We already have a precedent on this: during Martial Law, media organizations that were critical of the administration were shut down and it kept a lot of people from knowing about human rights violations that occurred at that time.

In any case, there are actually existing bodies, independent from the government, who do look out for ethical blunders in media. There are organizations like Philippine Press Institute and Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas that do exactly just that within their member media organizations.

Media is a vitally important institution, and we should watch out for every attempt by the government to control it, even something as seemingly “unobjectionable” as a licensure exam for journalists. We need the power that truth can give us so we can seek the best for our nation.

We can’t let it be held back.

SECTION EDITORS Charlotte Furigay / News Editor

Associate Editor for Print

Clarist Mae Zablan / Opinion Editor

Josa Faye Almazan

Luigi Renzo Naval / Features and Art

Thursday, May 18, 2017 Issue # 1 Volume 1

Inna Christine Cabel

Coleen Fabian / Sports Editor Rey Nazareno / Chief Photographer

The Official Laboratory Newspaper of J121MRU

Ma. Theresa Reyes

John Nicholas Palmera / Copyeditor Migo Carreon / Graphic Artist

Nagsusuri. Nagsisilbi.

Associate Editor for Online Managing Editor Adviser

Editor

Opinion

Volume 1 Issue # 1

KIDS THESE DAYS Luigi Renzo Naval

BS vs BA: war of the degree programs I HAVE A RELATIVE, WHO, upon learning that I am taking up Journalism, told me that I should have instead took up a computer-related degree because of the salary and the opportunities abroad. She kept on convincing me to take up that program, and after I told her that I knew very little about it, she still insisted because I was supposedly wasting my “talents.” She also asked me over and over again about the job careers that I could have after graduation, and if my salary would be big once I started working. But the truth is, aside from knowing almost nothing about that computer degree program, I don’t have the passion for it at all. I don’t see myself working with computers.

As shown by these, the “battle” between Arts and Science degree programs is just one of the manifestations of neocolonialism in our education.

Instead of letting the students be more aware of the country’s culture, history, and social problems, neocolonialism

dictates that we should focus on providing more graduates of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The products of these fields will then be produced internationally since many companies are looking for competent workers. These graduates are giving their labor force for the development of other countries instead of our own, in exchange for more money they could earn there in a shorter period of time. Graduates of Arts programs, on the other hand, are not as in-demand in the international market as Science graduates, and in effect they are given less priority and attention by our government and university administration.

The manifestation of neocolonialism could also be seen in the General Education reform proposed by the University of the Philippines, where the University Council approved to reduce the required number of GEs of all programs.

The GE reform aims to reduce the load of the students from

P7.50 Rey Nazareno

To be continued WITH THE RECENT OFFICIAL turnover of the University of the Philippines’ presidency, the community now must look to the future as President Danilo Concepcion continues the work of former President Alfredo Pascual. Concepcion himself has already mentioned that he wishes to continue the direction Pascual took during his time as president, pushing for an internationally competitive UP, socialized tuition, and the end of contractual labor.

Is real and inclusive improvement within the realm of possibilities in the near future? Or will we see another six years pass as major issues within the university such as contractualization and the increasing cost of education continue to manifest?

‘Compassion’ is Pres. Concepcion’s main vision for the university over the course of his term, citing it as UP’s “moral core as the national university.” His vision statement, posted on the Office of the Secretary of the University (OSU) website, enumerated five key points, one of which stating

his intent to extend meaningful support to all of the university’s personnel.

Can we be sure that “meaningful” support will translate to full-time employee benefits for the current contractual workforce? Pascual had promised an end to contractualization, yet by the time his six years had passed, the results took the form of education grants and health benefits without the regularization of contractual laborers in the university. If Concepcion seeks to continue Pascual’s path, the prospect of regularization still seems far away despite his own description of contractualization as an “evil” that needs to be addressed.

Perhaps there is a chance to show his dedication towards ending contractualization, following his executive order to sustain Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) in its new incarnate: the NOAH center.

The forecast and flood monitoring project is now to officially become a part of the Office of the President and subject to

a minimum of 45 units to 21 units, giving them more time so they can finish their majors earlier and faster. However, by reducing the required GEs, it robs the students of the opportunity to be critical thinkers, to learn about society so they can serve the nation. Social Sciences and Arts give the students the tools that will help and guide them in analyzing the problems of the country and creating solutions to answer them.

To this day, I still wonder why there are some people who pit the Arts and the Sciences against each other. I also wonder why people still think that Bachelor of Science degree programs are better in every aspect compared to those of Bachelor of Arts. Perhaps for some people, BA programs seem to be a waste of one’s intelligence. Assuming that these programs don’t need critical thinking is wrong. Arts students are as critical as their Science counterparts. In order to write, draw, paint or make a film about something, you must first know and learn a lot of things about society and life.

The only way to understand society is to be a critical thinker.

BS and BA degree programs shouldn’t be pitted against each other. One cannot develop and survive without the other. It shouldn’t be a contest of what is the better field. It shouldn’t be a competition of who gets the higher salary after entering the corporate world. It shouldn’t be

a tournament of who has the smarter students.

BA and BS programs should not compete with each other, instead they should work together to strive for the development of our country. A film cannot be made without the technological innovations developed by engineers. In return, we are able to watch television series and films created by the TV and film industry. Our clothes are made by artistic and creative tailors and designers.

A law will not take full effect if it is not published through the Official Gazette. Science and Arts are both important and necessary in all of our lives.

the submission of the organizational structure and operational framework, according to the February 24 BOR resolution summary.

Dr. Mahar Lagmay, former executive director of Project NOAH stressed the importance of treating our researchers and scientists well. Under project NOAH, most of the staff worked on contractual basis, and Lagmay has previously expressed his concern regarding the poor treatment of the employees.

Concepcion must use this opportunity during the establishment of the NOAH center to succeed where project NOAH failed: by hiring employees fulltime in order to “take care of the human resources,” as Lagmay puts it. So far, Concepcion’s vision statement only mentions creating a “competitive compensation system,” in order to address the issue of human capital flight. Merely providing a venue to compete for financial incentives not only ignores the necessity to pursue regularization, it compromises the unity of laborers by placing their incomes in a ranking system where only a few can benefit.

How can we expect workers to reach consensus and mobilize towards the end of contractualization if they are being made to compete against each other? Sure, the availability of merit-based incentives contributes to a superficially improved support system for UP personnel, but it fails to attack the underlying issue while at the same time burying it.

If this is how Concepcion envisions the university for the next six years, then the direction of the administration has plateaued. The status quo will likely remain, and while infrastructural development may continue, it is doubtful that anything will surprise the community.

“How can we expect workers to reach consensus and mobilize towards the end of contractualization if they are being made to compete against each other?”

“BA and BS programs should not compete with each other, instead they should work together to strive for the development of our country.”

5

What right do we have SAY WHAAAAA!!?

Kulas Palmera STUDENT RIGHTS, WHERE academic freedom and protection is given to students as long they are a part of an educational institution, is a precious thing that cannot be denied. This has always been a crucial aspect of academic life especially within the University of the Philippines. Student rights assure students that they can and will be respected and treated fairly by the community.

Thus, there would be people willing to stand up for these rights and move for the creation of a codified tenet that encompasses the needs of students within the institution.

There are a number of situations where the rights of students have been curtailed to accommodate the needs of the higher powers. This circumvents the need for Arts and Humanities courses which are essential in student development as honest citizens.

With something like this, student leaders and advocates in the past and present saw the need for codified right instead of just mere consultations made with the administration.

However, there comes a time when people would forget what they’re actually fighting for in the first place. Instead of talking about the problems of their constituents, they talk about the color of their political party and the wrongs of the other side instead of uniting and answering the need for student rights.

UP Diliman hosts a yearly election for members of the University Student Council, engaging the student body in local academic politics and discourse with candidates, via numerous activities that engages both the voter and the candidate in intellectual discourse and debates. From the most well-known like the many “UPFronts” and “Mudslinging” done by different organizations, it is clear that people, especially the candidates, have forgotten what these activities represent by treating it as a platform to elevate their status and name.

Since these candidates treat platforms for discourse as a stage to look pretty or to promote their names like household brands, instances like these have dragged multiple groups and sectors to the forefront of arguments. Fights that never end due to the lies and excuses conveyed by the different parties. With the existence of groups and individuals promoting the current form of the Magna Carta, discourse is reduced.

There is a popular saying that no law is perfect, but it can be tailored for the benefit of the many that are in need of it. When looking through the Magna Carta, you would notice that there are provisions allowing the BOR to have the final say in matters concerning the students. This is unacceptable, because they themselves trample on the rights of the students by allowing programs and decisions that shy away from empowering and enriching the student body.

Thus, I would not trust something that would protect the students if it involves an agency that has a history of curtailing the rights of students.

These are technical issues and some of many important problems that need to be addressed.

However with the existence of divided ties and egos among those in power, the desired change and action cannot be done immediately or efficiently. With so few officials and student leaders who actually do their jobs for the empowerment of student rights, nothing concrete can be done due to them being outnumbered by men and women who would rather enrich their self-image instead of doing their mandated duty to their constituents. Change can fully manifest with the actions of the many and not the few.

If the people who are in charge of creating the very definition of student rights within the university could not get their act together, then what does that say about the future of the rights they desperately advocate for?

Despite their brilliance, if they won’t stop hurling accusations and insults against each other or if they ignore the true issue of the Magna Carta’s problematic form, then it’s bound to reason that nothing can be done to properly correct this unjust aspect of future student life. As the issue has not been brought to the forefront of discussion and scrutiny by those that can bring about that much needed change to the system.

People want change; there’s no doubt about that. Even I want things to change for the better.

But how can change come when there are people trying to hinder it? When everyone wants to help achieve change but look towards the affiliation or color of their neighbor, then how can it be achieved if people continue to argue over their political leanings? How can things be better if we can’t get it through their heads that there’s something wrong and there are things needed to be done?

So forget about your affiliations and your political colors.

Forget about the great divide between ideologies and factions; and stop blocking the march of change. If you are fighting, advocating, and supporting something that will benefit the greater good of all, just like student rights, then you are obligated to stand together regardless of your political color.

Sanlaksang lakbayan, sanlibong laban

Dinarang sa init, ang paang pinakapal ng walang tigil na padyak ng mga kamay na di magmayaw sa pagyari kinuyom, tinaas ng mga katawan at kaluluwang dinarang sa init at alab ng pagpipisan para sa iisang laban.

Mga miyembro ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap National Capital Region

Brian Black, UP USC Councilor

Tagani Performing Arts Society

Bitbit ang gitara at ang awit ng masa, nagtanghal ang Tagani Performing Arts Society sa harap ng libu-libong dumalo sa kilos protesta upang ilapit ang kanilang mga hinaing.

Ang awiting inialay nila para sa sambayanan ay ang panawagan sa gobyerno na bigyan ng lupa ang magsasaka, pabahay sa mga maralita, at hanapbuhay para sa lahat.

Mataimtim na ibinahagi ni George San Mateo ang hinaing ng PISTON kontra sa pag-phaseout ng mga jeepney.

Siya ay nanawagan na supportahan ang laban para sa pagtatapos ng mga isyu ng mangagawa, lalo na sa kanilang sektor.

Kahit mainit ang panahon, ikinasasaya niya ang dami ng taong sumama sa araw na iyon.

Mahigit kumulang 35,000 ang dumalo noong Mayo Uno.

Mga miyembro ng PISTON

Kasama sa pagtitipon para sa kilusan ng manggagawa ang mga Propesor galing sa iba’t-ibang Unibersidad.

Bilang isang guro na miyembro ng uring manggagawa, nakikiisa si Prop.

Gerardo Lanuza sa panawagan para sa makatarungang minimum wage at para wakasan ang kontraktwalisasyon noong Mayo Uno sa Liwasang Bonifacio.

Kaisa si Lanuza sa paglaban sa kontraktwalisasyon at pagpapanawagan ng sapat na sahod.

Gerry Lanuza, Propesor ng Social Sciences sa UP Diliman

Dalawa lamang si Liane at Brian sa libu-libong estudyante na nagmartsa noong Mayo Uno. Bitbit ang kanilang panawagan para sa libreng edukasyon, iginiit nila na hindi nalalayo ang laban ng kalakhang masa sa laban ng mga mag-aaral.

Dahil parehong nakakulong sa mala-kolonyal at mala-pyudal na sistema ng lipunan, hinimok nila na makiisa ang mga estudyante at sektor ng kabataan sa laban ng iba pa.

Anila, nararanasan rin ng mga estudyante ang matinding pananamantala mula sa administrasyon sa porma ng mga matataas na bayarin sa unibersidad.

Lianne Palmenco, Gabriela Youth

ANG MGA MUKHA NG KILUSAN

George San Mateo, Tagapangulo ng PISTON

8

SIPAT

Special Feature

SIPAT-LIGHT

May 18, 2017

BFP, UP, LGQC enter MOA to construct local UP Diliman fire station story by FAYE ALMAZAN and INNA CABEL

A FIRE STATION WITHIN THE UP campus is set to rise soon, led by the Local Government of Quezon City (LGQC), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the UP administration.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, BFP Director Bobby Baruelo, and former UP President Alfredo Pascual signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on February 13 approving the construction of the BFP-UP Fire Station.

The proposed fire station will be operated by the BFP for a period of ten years. Afterwhich, it will be formally turned over to the UP administration.

According to the MOA, the BFP will assist the university in performing yearly fire drills and fire hazard assessment on UP buildings. It will also ensure the construction and establishment of a fire safety training program which

will provided free of charge for UP employees and students.

“Isang malaking difference ng BFP station na to from other stations in the country, ay ito yung station na may training component, training ng public.

Dito pupunta ang school children, para matuto paano gumamit ng fire extinguisher, paano magtago sa desk,” Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Dr. Nestor Castro said.

The proposed BFP-UP fire station will act as the “primary defense” of the campus and the communities around it in case of fire.

The university has experienced a series of fire incidents for the past years, razing a couple of its old buildings, including the Faculty Center and the CASAA Food Center.

The construction of the local fire station will be located along C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City and shall be initiated and funded by the LGQC.

Catching fire A year after a fire razed the Faculty Center, Sipat investigates the buildings near its ruins.

CSSP The College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) considers Palma Hall its home building. Most students converge here for majority of the general education courses.

According to Roy Ramos and Norman Boro, building administrators, there are currently no final DRRM plans for the college. Still, initial preparations for unexpected incidents are in place. CSSP provides fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and emergency lights throughout its five buildings (Palma Hall, Lagmay Hall, Silangang Palma, Pavillon 1, and Pavillon 2), in compliance with the Office of the Chancellor’s Memorandum on DRRM. Although the college provides evacuation plans, Ramos and Boro admitted that these are outdated. The college also formed a rescue team consisting of 15 staff members. Taking cues, the college also conducted a fire and earthquake drill last year.

CAL Eric Juanillo, administrative aid of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) said that the college conducts fire and earth-

quake drills every two months.

Similar to CSSP, CAL also established a rescue team composed of 57 staff members. As of press time, CAL lacks evacuation plans around the building.

MAIN LIBRARY AND SLIS The Main Library improved their DRRM after the inspection of Bureau of Fire Protection of their building last 2015.

According to Rhoel Rondilla, chair of the emergency management, they formed a fire brigade composed of 10 people.

All members of the fire brigade are equipped with whistles and mini-flashlights to make disaster response easier.

Also complying with the memorandum, they also provided necessary equipment distributed to all sections of the building. There are evacuation plans and emergency numbers posted on different areas in the building. DRRM plans have also marked Sunken Garden as an assembly area for evacuees.

with reports from Luigi Naval and Kulas Palmera

Features

Volume 1 Issue # 1

9

Ang paglaban ni B Ang karera ni Jenalyn

Sabay sa bugso ng mga estudyanteng hindi magkanda-ugaga sa pagtakbo sa mga pasilyo ng Palma Hall, hindi rin magkamayaw si Jenalyn Genton sa pagpapatakbo ng makinang tumutulong sa kaniya upang buhayin ang kaniyang asawa at dalawang anak, ang photocopying machine.

Ang pagpapatakbo ng pribadong photocopying machine sa loob ng unibersidad ang nagsisiguro ng kanilang pangaraw-araw na gastusin.

“Weekly ang sahod namin. Depende sa arawan namin plus may komisyon. Depende sa kita,” aniya.

Ngunit hindi palaging pulido ang takbo ng photocopying machine para kay Jenalyn. Kung minsan, nag-abono siya para sa mga kopyang hindi kinukuha ng mga kustomer.

Sa loob ng halos dalawang taon magmula nang magkasakit ang kaniyang asawa, si Jenalyn ang nagtataguyod ng kaniyang pamilya, “Nagpalit kami ng posisyon. Siya nasa bahay,” aniya.

Ang hiling ni Gina

istorya at kuha nina Faye Almazan at Kat Mina

Sa lipunang patuloy silang sinasabihang mahina, sila’y patuloy na lumalaban; Sa lipunang pilit silang kinukulong sa apat na sulok ng tahanan, sila’y pilit na kumakawala at pinapatunayang may kakayahan rin sila sa labas ng kanilang tirahan. Sa lipunang dominante pa rin ang mga kalalakihan, patuloy sila sa pagpapakita na ang kaya ng mga lalaki ay kaya rin nila.

Narito ang mga kuwento ng apat na babaeng manggagawa ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas na pinatunayang hindi nadidiktahan ng kasarian ang kakayahang buhayin ang kanilang sariling pamilya.

Ang paghihintay ni Cecilia

Sa saliw ng masayang ingay ng kanyang mga apong naglalaro, masuyong nag-aantay sa tapat ng mga naiwang bakas ng natupok na CASAA si Cecilia Bacaran para sa kanyang susunod na kustomer.

Taong 1990 pa nang magsimulang magbenta sa may harap ng CASAA si Nanay Cecilia. Simula’t sapul ay ito na ang naging pwesto ng kanyang mga panindang monay, lumpia, carioca, at turon. Kaya naman noong nalaman niya ang pagkasunog ng CASAA ay naisip niyang hihina na ang kaniyang paninda.

Higit isang taon matapos ang pagkasunog ng CASAA, matatagpuan pa rin si Nanay Cecilia sa tapat ng dating kinatitirikan nito. Nagtitinda pa rin, ngunit sa pagkakataong ito ay mas mahina ang kita.

Kahit ganito ang kaniyang kalagayan, aniya’y wala siyang balak lumipat ng lugar na pagtitindahan. Ayon sa kanya ay kuntento na siya sa kung anong tubo ang kaniyang kinikita upang masustentuhan ang kanyang mga apong nakatira sa bahay kasama niya.

Nasaksihan din ni Nanay Cecilia ang pagtaas ng renta sa libong piso mula sa dating limampung piso lamang kada buwan.

Ngunit ayon sa kanya ay ayos lamang ang isang libong bayad kada buwan dahil ito naman ay kanilang hinuhulug-hulugan araw-araw.

“Hindi, okay lang yun. Kayang-kaya sampung pisong [kada] araw. Sampung piso o kinse. Kayang-kaya naman yan.”

Sa likod ng kaniyang istasyong napapalibutan ng sari-saring kagamitan para sa kaniyang trabaho, nakatayo at matamang nagmamasid si Ate Vilma Montalbo ng UP College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD), isa sa ilang kababaihang security guard sa UP Diliman.

Kaliwa’t kanang tawag sa telepono, patung-patong na mga papeles na aasiksuhin, at maya’t mayang pakiusap mula sa iba’t ibang tao sa kolehiyo. Ito ang araw-araw na pamumuhay ni Gina Villegas, mas kilala bilang Ate Gina ng UP College of Mass Communication. Sa loob ng 26 na taon niyang pamamalagi sa kolehiyo bilang Administrative Officer V, isa sa kaniyang hiling, ang mapagkalooban ng bahay sa loob ng unibersidad.

Pagpatak ng alas kwatro ng madaling araw, bumabangon na si Ate Gina para simulan ang kaniyang araw-araw na gawain. Ipagluto ang kaniyang tatlong anak ng agahan. Siguraduhing makapasok sila ng eskwelahan at saka aasikasuhin ang sarili para sa arawang biyahe mula Welcome Rotunda papunta sa kaniyang trabaho sa unibersidad.

SALAYSAY NG SANDALI

Ang paggabay ni Vilma

Kung tatanungin ang kalagayan ng kanyang pagtatrabaho sa UP, masasabi ngang maayos naman ito dahil mababait ang mga estudyante sa kanya. Wala rin siyang naranasang kahit anong porma ng diskriminasyon sa dalawang taon niya sa unibersidad.

Ngunit, bago mapagdesisyunang maging isang security guard ng unibersidad ay nagtrabaho muna si Ate Vi bilang isang kasambahay sa Bahrain ng ilang taon. Pagkabalik sa bansa ay sinubukan niyang mag “manicure” at “pedicure” sa kanilang lugar ngunit dahil sa maliit na kita ay sinubukan din niya ang pagpapasada ng kanilang tricycle.

Naging security guard rin siya ng Purgeold at Robinsons sa Oriental Mindoro, ngunit hindi naging sapat ang kita niya at ng kanyang asawa. Kaya bagaman malayo sa kanyang asawa at tatlong anak ay lumuwas siya mula kanilang probinsiya upang makipagsapalaran dito sa Maynila.

“

“Ayun, yung mga staff kasi, lagi kong sinasabi na dapat lahat kami umaangat. Umaangat, walang naiiwan sa baba. So, in-encourage ko sila na mag-enroll ng Master’s. Yung isa, grumadweyt na nung Sabado, tapos yung dalawa, thesis writing na, at ayun, napilitan din akong mag-enroll ng PhD. Kasi, yung para maging insipration sa iba, kasi, nasa academe tayo. Parang natuwa ako, para akong nakapagpagradweyt ng anak... Para sa akin, parang isa kaming pamilya.

“

Rhoel E. Rondilla UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Head Librarian

10

SIPAT

Features / Literary

May 18, 2017

[speak uP] Isko and iska!

Last year, students welcomed the introduction of free tuition in all State Universities and Colleges after the Congress granted the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) an additional budget of P8.3 billion to fund all 114 SUCs in lieu of collecting tuition from 1.4 million students.

However, after a statement from President Duterte saying that the “financially disadvantaged but academically able students” must be prioritized, the Department of Budget Management (DBM) and CHED released the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Free Tuition Policy similar to the University of the Philippines’ Socialized Tuition System (STS).

Here is what students from different UP systems have to say about it.

by Gabby Endona illustration by Luigi Naval

“Unang reaction ko syempre matutuwa kasi libre na nga di ba so sa dorm at allowance na lang yung po-problemahin nina mama. Siguro sa mga mahihirap talaga, okay yun sa kanila kasi sa kanila yung positive side ng policy e pero sa mga ibang students baka (medyo) mahihirapan kasi malaking adjustments ‘to sa fam nila. Sa UP nga na bracketing system, yung mga mayayaman bracket D! So parang di naman alam kung yung basis ba nila ay tama. Yung criteria ng brackets, minsan di naman nasusunod talaga e.”

Alyza Tapnio, UP Los Baños

“Posible naman talaga siya makamit eh. Pero sa tingin ko hindi pa ngayon. Hindi pa ready ang Pilipinas na magoffer ng free education para sa lahat gayung ang daming proyekto na pinaggagastusan at aminin natin, na isa sa malaking reason ng paghihirap ng bansa is corruption. As of now, mas maganda yung bracket system para malaman kung sino talaga yung nangangailangan ng financial assistance sa pag-aaral. Though much better kung magiging mas mausisa yung mga tao sa likod ng STS (for example) para maiwasan yung panloloko.”

Lance Palomaria, UPD Extension Program in Pampanga

Feeling (ko) kaya naman natin yung free education. Dapat nga lang maayos yung allocation ng budget and walang mga kurakot. Maganda rin kasi na i-shift na yung paradigm ng mga officials na neoliberals at gawin naman silang progressive and socialist.

Precious Bugayong, UP Manila

Ilusyon

ni Kat Mina dibuho ni Luigi Naval

“Tay, makakapag-aral pa ba ako?”

Pakiramdam ko ay nasa ulunan namin ang araw noong tanghaling iyon. Sa Pandi, nagpapaligsahan ang mga sigaw kasabay ang bahaw na kalansing ng lata.

Nagkunwari akong hindi narinig ang tanong ni Erika at nagpatuloy sa pagsalansan ng mga chichiryang paninda. Biglang pumalahaw ng iyak ang bunso ni Romina sa may harap-bahay. Malamang ay nalipasan na naman ng gutom ang bagong silang na sanggol.

“Tay, makakapag-aral pa ba ako?”

“Pabili po, tatlong pisong bangus nga po.” Isang pagod na ngiti ang ginawad ko sa batang bumibili.

Malamlam ang sagot ng kaniyang mga mata sa aking ngiti. Bumunot ako ng tatlong pakete ng chichirya sa isa sa mga supot na nakasabit sa tapat ng aming bahay.

“Tay, gusto ko pong mag-aral.”

Pinahid ng bata ang nagbabadyang uhog sa kaniyang ilong papunta sa kaniyang pisngi. Naghahalo ang alikabok, pawis at init ng araw sa kaniyang musmos na mukha.

Buong ingat niyang nilapag sa aking nakabukas na palad ang tatlong pisong bayad para sa tanghalian niya. O baka ng kaniyang buong pamilya.

Papatulog na ang aking mga kapatid ngunit nanatili ako sa aming pintuan, hinihintay ang aming amang hindi na dadating.

Noong gabing iyon, tinanong ko rin sa aking ina ang tanong ni Erika. Umpisa pa lamang ay batid ko na ang kaniyang magiging sagot, ngunit tulad ng napakaraming sugat, mas masakit kapag dinulot ng iba. Mas masakit kapag wala kang magagawa para pigilan ang unday ng kutsilyong tatapos sa iyong mga pangarap.

Dumukot ako ng isa pang pakete ng bangus at nilagay iyon sa bisig ng bata. Kasama ang iba pang mga mamisong bangus na nasa kaniyang yakap, mga kakarampot na yamang mamaya din ay mawawala.

Tumingin ako sa direksyon ni Erika. Sa kaniyang ulo ay ang kahel kong sumbrero para sa trabaho.

Natatakot akong hanapin ang lamlam sa kaniyang mga mata.

Natatakot akong malaman na may gutom sa aking anak na mismong ang mundo ay ayaw punan.

Tumingala siya at tila nanlamig ang aking dibdib sa init ng tanghali.

“Gusto ko pong mag-aral”

Kinuyom ko ang aking kamay at pinangako sa sarili na ipaglalaban ang edukasyon ng aking mga anak. Ipaglalaban ko ang karapatang naipagkait sa akin taon na ang nakalilipas.

Nagbalik ang aking isip sa malamig na gabi sa aming maliit na dampa.

“Hindi ako papayag na hindi, anak.”

Sports

Volume 1 Issue # 1

SIPAT

11

Beyond the pitch story by FAYE ALMAZAN and CHARLOTTE FURIGAY

For most UP varsity teams, the battle doesn’t end after the game.

Insufficient funding received by the teams pushed them to seek out financial assistance outside the university.

This is the case for the UP football teams where obstacles stand in the way even off the playing field.

According to UP Women’s Football Team (UP WFT) Captain Cristina de los Reyes, the lack of funding for the varsity teams not only resulted to outdated equipments but also affected the players’ performances.

“If you look at the professional level, most teams at the top are the ones with the most funding. Financial support gives athletes the ability to eat better, recover faster, focus more, and have consistent, high impact training sessions,” she said.

To provide for the needs of UP Men’s Football Team (UP MFT), team coordinator Jeffrey Punzalan said that they try to look for sponsors who could give them funds and assistance.

“Recently, NowhereToGoButUP has helped us a lot in getting sponsors and money which we really appreciate,” said Ryan Fermin of the UP MFT. NowhereToGoButUP Foundation Inc. is an organization founded by UP alumni “to help, support and assist in the development, improvement, and advancement of UP sports teams and their coaches, coaching

staff and student-athletes.”

Despite this, Kali Navea-Huff, external affairs manager of the UP WFT revealed that an inequality exists as most sponsors opt to fund “more marketable teams.”

De los Reyes also supports these sentiments, saying that some favor other teams more than the others.

“Even when it comes to certain organizations that supposedly help all varsity teams, it’s evident how biased the support is when it comes to different teams,” de los Reyes said.

The teams then are forced to look for sponsors willing to fund them.

“Our team sends out sponsorship letters that detail the packages different companies can avail of if they are interested in sponsoring,” she said.

Rina Tan, Director for Community Affairs of NowhereToGoButUP, stated that they are trying their best to assist the 32 varsity teams, however, there are only “a handful of donors.”

“Donors chose their teams. If they have no chosen team, donation goes to a general fund and we give it to the team who needs it the most,” Tan said.

Aside from this, another problem, especially for the football teams is the absence of a fixed training facility inside the campus. This forces them to commute to a rented field in Taguig or Marikina and return to class on time everyday.

“It’s been a huge strain on our finances so, more than the stress of traveling, it hits hard on our girls that used to receive support from the team,” said Huff.

Similar to the UP WFT, UP MFT member Ryan Fermin said that aside

P I T I K S I PAT

Weightlifters train in one of the University’s few training facilities. In most cases, athletes have to go off-campus for strength and conditioning due to scheduling problems. HARD CARRY. Clarist Mae Zablan

from being forced to look for field rentals which is very expensive, they also have to rush to school for class after practice.

The UP Track Oval has been undergoing renovation as part of the proposed Diliman Sports Complex since March last year, but has yet to be completed to this day.

This year marks my senior year as a member of the UP Pep Squad.

Looking back, I know that it wasn’t an easy ride. It was a roller coaster of feelings, including both good and bad times. I have to say that being part of this remarkable team has molded me into a better person. That freshie cheerleader from four years ago has grown into a wiser, better one.

As my journey with the UP Pep Squad ends, I have assessed and reflected on the lessons I’ve learned that would be useful in real life.

UP WVT Seniors Kathy Bersola, Pia Gaiser, and Nicole Tiamzon on the last game of their UAAP careers. The Maroons failed to enter the Final Four, succumbing to the FEU Tamaraws last April 5, 2017 at the Fil Oil Flying V Arena.

ing the team, the members should not be disheartened.

“What drives us to continue reaching for excellence heavily depends on our coach, our team, and the players themselves,” she said.

On and off the mats TO REACH GREAT HEIGHTS, LITERALLY.

LAST DANCE. Photo by Faye Almazan

In addition, UP WFT Captain de los Reyes said that the varying firmness of grounds resulted to about a 200% increase in injuries both on men and women due to the many different fields they play in.

De los Reyes said that despite the fact that there are hindrances affect-

The show must go on.

Before every performance, anything can happen. I’ve learned that it’s always better to prepare for the worst and to anticipate possible problems that can happen. Expect the unexpected as they say, and be ready with solutions when certain problems occur. Be ready to adjust and to adapt with the current situation because the show must go on no matter what.

Smile through the pain.

Like I said before, being a Pep is not easy. No matter what you do,

Cheer UP! Coleen Fabian stress will be inevitable as physical and emotional fatigue will come your way because of different factors. From experience, I’ve learned that it won’t do you any good if you let all the stress and emotions get to you. The best thing you can do is to look on the positive side of things, a silver lining or something that can inspire you to hold on and keep on going.

Don’t let go because at the end of the day, you’ll be proud of yourself for withstanding the obstacles and the difficulties.

What others think of you is none of your business.

Always remember that you can’t please everybody. There will always be people who’ll have certain perceptions of you that is different from who you truly are.

Don’t take criticisms personally and don’t let their misjudgements define who you are. Prove them wrong. Just do what you got to do and give your 100%.

Believe in yourself.

If you want others to believe in you, that belief should start

with you first. How do you expect others to trust that you can do it if you, yourself don’t believe in your capabilities? Being in a big team, with lots of competition, I’ve experienced failure and the pain of being replaced many times. These were all because of my self-doubt, insecurities and uncertainties.

We cheerleaders don’t just dance and cheer, we also fight life with spirit. At the end of the day, you don’t have to be part of a cheer squad to be your own cheerleader. Remember, whatever happens, life’s show must go on. No matter what problems might hit you, adjust to the situation. Smile and have faith that everything will be alright. But don’t forget to stomp to your own beat.

We cheerleaders don’t just dance and cheer, we also fight life with spirit.

Sports

Struggling for gold: UP’s 20year drought

SIPAT

May 18, 2017, Thursday Volume 1 Issue # 1

story by MIGO CARREON

The UP Lady Maroons conceded to the UST Lady Tigresses in three sets during their second round game at the Mall of Asia Arena, April 2.

JOUST. Rey Nazareno

Torn pockets and torn ligaments story by MIGO CARREON and COLEEN FABIAN

W

ITH EVERY KICK, SPIKE AND shot, student-athletes strive to achieve glory and honor for their respective university. They carry their alma mater’s name and hope that they return the favor.

So when Senior Lady Maroon football player Kali Navea-Huff decided to seek for help after acquiring an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury on a grueling match, she did not expect that she would be denied.

In early February, Huff called out the UP Varsity Office and the College of Human Kinetics’ (CHK) failure to reimburse her injury expenses.

“Shame on the Varsity Office and the College of Human Kinetics for being so ineffective, unconcerned, and unhelpful,” Huff posted.

Huff had already accomplished the necessary steps for financial reimbursement when she was informed that she will only be given P27,000, which is less than a tenth of her total expenses.

Varsity scholars who have incurred injuries during training or competitions have the right to request assistance from the Varsity Office as stated in Section 3, Article C of the Varsity Athletic Admissions System (VAAS) Contract Terms and Conditions.

Almost is never enough When a university athlete is injured during trainings or competitions, the Varsity Office files an incident report and offers first aid. If the injury requires surgery, UP will only partially reimburse the cost of the operation.

An injury that happens frequently among athletes is the ACL tear. This injury requires surgery and therapy and can take an athlete out of training for several months. In some cases, athletes never fully recover, leaving them no choice but to end their sports career.

The minimum cost of an ACL surgery, including medical equipment and therapy, amounts to around P200,000.

According to Coach Oscar Santelices, UP Diliman Varsity Director, athletes will only be provided financial support for major injuries in the form of cash reimbursements not exceeding P50,000.

Money used for reimbursement comes from the UAAP Development Fund which the UP Varsity office controls.

Long journey ahead Some student-athletes that require surgery or need financial assistance for their injuries do not even bother to approach the Varsity Office for help.

“It would be a waste of my time,” said ACL tear patient, senior Men’s Judo team member Joshua Colet.

Student athletes like Colet either shoulder their own expenses or have sponsors that provide sufficient financial help. Some teams have their own sponsors willing to come to their aid.

Even UP Women’s Volleyball team (UP WVT)’s star libero, Princess Gaiser, turned to outside financial support when a career-ending ACL tear in an early March game against National University occurred.

All the medical expenses for Gaiser’s ACL reconstruction surgery and treatment was shouldered by the UP WVT major sponsor, United Auctioneers Inc. “Sila muna nagbayad. Siyempre sa UP, di naman agad agad makakakuha ng pera,” Gaiser said.

The volleyball player was still approached by Coach Santelices and the CHK Dean after learning about the injury to offer assistance regarding reimbursement for her medical expenses.

Although some deem the administration’s procedures regarding injury expense reimbursement ineffective, there are still those who hope for the best.

The CHK Varsity Office was able to give Gab Salazar, another member of the UP Men’s Judo team, 20% of his ACL treatment expenses.

Still, it took Salazar half a year before he was reimbursed. “They gave me P40,000 as reimbursement but the total cost of the operation and therapy cost me more than P200,000,” he added.

When the Fighting Maroons compete in their respective sports, they are expected to give their all.

Yet, when it is their turn to seek what they deserve, the administration fails to provide.

2017 MARKS THE 2OTH YEAR SINCE the University of the Philippines brought home the championship trophy.

Despite managing to snag 11 first place wins in 1997, the Fighting Maroons failed to clinch the top spot again in the following years, but has fought to maintain a podium finish. In 2009, however, UP dipped to a 5th place ranking.

Out of the 29 teams on the run for gold since 1997, nine failed to deliver.

One of the more successful teams, the UP Women’s Judo team, dominated the tournament for 16 years, bringing home gold and silver, but suffered a huge blow after placing 5th in 2014.

This 79th UAAP Championships, only the UP Women’s Badminton team and the Women’s Swimming team brought home the gold.

Eight other teams scored third, placing UP in fourth place, overall.

Coach Oscar Santelices, Varsity Director, believes that this trend has something to do with the University’s athlete recruitment process.

“Ginawang commercialized ang sports,” he said, adding that the recruitment of promising student-athletes has been difficult due to unrivaled funding and offers other universities have.

He explained that universities that offer better sports facilities, plenty of outside sponsorships, and higher allowance for athletes are more attractive to potential players.

The University is constantly trying to improve their athletics program through projects like the recently founded NoWhereToGoButUP, an organization that is meant to help varsity teams get funding and sponsorships from UP alumni.

“Di naman kulelat mga teams natin, may mga nagcha-champion naman,” Coach Santelices said.

According to him, even with limited funding and subpar sports facilities, UP still has what it takes to be the number one university, not only in academics, but even in athletics.

“The BS Sports Science program is essential to achieve our goal,” Coach Santelices said.

He explained that the Sports Science degree program in the College of Human Kinetics is necessary to improve athletic performance.

Coach Santelices assures that if UP cannot beat other universities’ budgets, offers, and high-end facilities, then UP shall use education to end the 20 year drought.

SIPAT WOULD LIKE TO THANK:

Ms. Kara Patria David Franklin Alcones Atty. Gener Endona / G Beach Resort Erwin Flores Ruby De Jesus Furigay Family / Olivar - Medina Family Zablan Family Cabel’s Pharmacy Jeannette Cabel Jojo and Ajhie Almazan Jennifer and Efren Palmera Fabian Family Carreon Family Nazareno Family Jefferson Losito / Bei Zamora / Eunice Wu MK Reginio / Danielle Isaac Union of Journalists of the Philippines-UP

ni Luigi Naval