Promises are made to be broken

GAME OVER

Illustration by: Roy Angelo D. Velmonte

In a zombie apocalypse video game, one can never win the final level if one will not find the source of the catastrophe and destroy it. However, in reality, we think the other way. We keep on eliminating all the outcomes of the problem, yet never finds a way to destroy the main source of the calamity.

If all can remember, our beloved president has made several promises during his campaign. Many of which seem impossible, yet he proved us wrong. Though he used harsh and vulgar words in his speeches, he left the whole nation in awe in his “inspiring” messages. He may have eradicated thousands of drug users and dealers, but the problem never ceases.

He has killed a lot of trouble makers, yet his way of solving problems causes another kind of problem. After his war on drugs, he seem to began focusing on ‘jueteng’ or illegal gambling. As we all know, rich or poor, any person of any age can involve in gambling. And anyone would know that gambling involves money. One would

MARCOS: THE PHILIPPINE HISTORY’S HARSHEST TEACHER

- Eunice Joshua F. Gazmin

President, dictator, tyrant, these are tags commonly associated with the former President Ferdinand Marcos. Due to the trauma caused by the Martial Law, and of the released info of Marcos’ immoral acts and transactions, when Marcos died, the whole nation was fighting over whether he had the right to be buried among our countries heroes in the the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB). “Is he a hero?”, “Should he be buried at the heroes’ cemetery?”, these are the questions that divided the nation for many years, and has now been brought back to light when President Rodrigo Duterte publicly announced that he will allow Marcos to be buried in the LNMB. Duterte’s reason for Marcos’ burial is that, by law, as a former President, he has the right to be buried at the Libingan. Duterte added, it’s a matter of enforcing the law, which he swore to do upon accepting his presidency.

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poverty is pushed these people to enter such jobs. Shouldn’t this be focused more than killing pitiful people?

Giving time in helping our economy rise can be a possible solution to lessen these problems. More job employments after graduation, affordable education for all people can be some of the suggested solution. If one can lessen the people affected by poverty, then the rates of lawbreakers will decrease.

wonder, why would drug dealers will shift to illegal gambling?

If we could really just look at these so- called ‘problems’, we can realize that these are just the outcomes or the result of the main problem. Why would one get to gambling? Money. Why would one get to drugs? Money. Why would one get to cybersex? Why would one steal? Money. Money, money, money. Lack of employment and extreme

Marcos’ burial can also be seen as a political strategy. Although the country will never truly heal, his burial will put a stop to the conflicts. There may come periods where people will rest but once another official proposes his burial in the LNMB, the population once again stirs. The current events now are proof of what happens when one brings up the controversy. Although it will cause chaos for some time, once Marcos is finally buried, future conflicts about his burial will finally be prevented. Prolonging this conflict will only cause further historical and political damage and confusion for future generations. Even in debates and arguments it is clear that information is negatively biased towards Marcos. As such, to remove this hatred and finally pacify the nation, we must let him and the country rest. However, for the country to truly forgive the Marcos family, they must first offer a proper and sincere apology rather than just repeatedly stating “mag-move on na kayo.”

Marcos’ case is similar to that of Thomas Edison, in which case it is the complete opposite. Thomas Edison was praised for his success in innovating the light bulb, while people disregarded his failures. Marcos however, instead of appreciating what little things he actually did for our country, people choose to only remember what he did against it. Marcos might not have been a hero, but he was one of our nation’s best teachers. Marcos taught us what a leader could accomplish when given immense power with little restrictions, for good or for bad. He taught us how wealth and power can corrupt even the wisest of people, and how we should be more critical upon choosing our leaders, and not let them have their way without proper guidance and judgement. Although his mistakes will continue to haunt us for several decades, the lessons we can learn from his mistakes will make the Filipinos wiser for generations to come. Unless we allow Marcos to be buried in our Heroes’ cemetery, and let our nation heal, the lessons we can learn from him shall always be clouded with the grudge we hold against him.

In the said video game, if you try to linger longer without even finding the source of the apocalypse, you will eventually use up your ammunitions, your health, your weapons and your potions. When that time comes, its game over, and you will need to respawn. However, in reality, there is no restart button. If we use up all our resources trying to bark the wrong tree, then that’s it. Game over.

UNIQUELY CARVED - Eunice Joshua F. Gazmin

“I may not be a genius, but my opponents are certifiable idiots”- a courageous woman once said in her presidential campaign speech.

She valiantly defended our country and exposed all outlaws. She fearlessly ignored all the death threats she received. She is not terrified to stand up for what is right. The Iron Lady of Asia – well who couldn’t know her? She is the brave, heroic, genius, loyal and loving Miriam Defensor Santiago that we know.

She has accomplished so much that even those who succeeded her barely follows her footsteps. She graduated in University of the Philippines (UP) as magna cum laude with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with an average grade of 1.1. She has her bachelor’s degree not only in the Philippines but also in some prestigious schools abroad, such as Harvard University (1996) and Oxford University (2000). She was also the very first Filipino judge to be elected (a nine-year term) in the International Criminal Court. She also won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government service and the 1985 TOYM Award for law, which were just few of the awards she received. This has barely represents the 10% of her achievements, so it wouldn’t be surprising that many youths around the nation or even around the globe adore her so much.

However, that’s not all what Senator Miriam Santiago is. Aside from her political accomplishments, who could have thought that there is a funny side of her? She frequently gives quotes and “hugots” in her speeches. She even had books wherein her quotes are published. It is entitled “Stupid is Forever”. Surely, having an overview of her life, anyone could think that the senator is living in a fairytale.

But just like any person, the Senator still has her ups and downs – very bitter downs. In 2003, his son, Alexander Robert committed suicide. This tragic event shook her faith. She began to question everything she believed existed. Years later, she has been informed that she has a stage IV lung cancer. Surprisingly, instead of being depressed, she happily stood up and boldly conquers all the challenges she encounters. Tragically, on the 29th of September 2016, she gave her last breath. “Her brand of public service is worthy of emulation by future generations. She left a mark in the senate, difficult to follow and fill her shoes.” – as Franklin Drilon said. In fact, this is undeniably true. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago gives inspiration to all Filipino people. She has given so much in our country that it is almost difficult for us to repay her. That is why, even though she already left this world, she has her name written in history uniquely carved.