The Chronicler Vol. 24 No. 1 June - August 2016

The Chronicler The Official Student Publication of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Taguig

To be free and to set free

Volume 24 Issue 1 June-August 2016

PEOPLE, THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF NATION EDITORIAL | page 2

Ferrer appointed as new Branch Director page 3

Federalism page 6

Bata pa Tayo page 8

Kronikat: Keme Edition page 9

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The Chronicler

EDITORIAL

PEOPLE, THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF NATION

“

Change is not only based on the president and his administration’s whereabouts but most importantly on the deed of the masses.

”

The president is the guide in the country’s every action to ensure the harmonious flow and unity of the whole state, but the people is the majority and the one who must decide for the real change and development of our nation.

The Filipino people have seen the unique leadership style of the newly elected president Rodrigo Duterte from his way with words to his immense decisions. Because of this, many people have formed two different crowds which are the contradictors and the supporters. This people have criticized his methods as the leader of this country starting from the extrajudicial killings up to the plan of cutting ties with the United States.

“Change is coming.” Through this line, people are expecting changes – the reason for the majority to elect such candidate as president.

At present, the campaign against drugs continues. From the start of the operation to the present, a large number of accused drug pushers and users were killed. On the other hand, there is the program for drug users called the Oplan: Tokhang. In this program, many drug users surrendered and some of

this belongs to the age of minority. This campaign serves as an eye opener to the effects of illegal drugs – it destroys homes and families, people’s health, and society. Moreover, no one will face conviction if no one will entangle themselves in such an act. But the main reason for this deed is poverty and lack of job opportunities. What these people need is restoration and decent life, not execution.

In the case of the withdrawal of the Philippines to the assistance of the United States, the Duterte administration has declared such action. According to the research group IBON that the government can autonomously terminate the program that impede in the country’s economic policy making.

These programs contain the Partnership for Growth (PFG), which is insisting to change the 1987 Constitution to suit the American foreign policy interests at the sovereign Philippine development. Dismissing relationship with the US would be an upright decision, but linking with another large country would just be the same as not withdrawing with the US. That is because that country also implements the same programs but only with a different tag.

Through these undertakings we should study

The Chronicler

The Official Student Publication of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Taguig

Editor-in-Chief Kristine Louise Omiz / Associate Editor-Internal Kent Garcia / Associate Editor-External John David Laureta Managing Editor Roselle Geronimo / Asst. Managing Editor Blances Sanchez / Board Secretary Maricel Molo News Editor Michelle Angelika Mendoza (acting) / Feature Editor Franchesca Nicole Mozo (acting) Opinion Editor Elaiza Marie Eusebio / Creative Editor Lanz Christian Buyao Staff Andrew Velarde, Melody Condeza, Ma. Luisa Sullivan, Phoebe Grace Gran, Angelica Cainag, Jonalyn Garcia, Rykkashayne Asumbra, Irish Providal Technical Adviser Dr. Annabelle A. Gordonas

and analyze the real situation by finding a deeper cause and its possible effects in order to find solutions.

Change takes time. A change for the progress of the Philippines is what we all want. It will not only take a small period of time especially if it’s about the country. Change is not only based on the president and his administration’s whereabouts but most importantly on the deed of the masses. We should not only believe in or oppose. But of course, if the government wants to instill change among the Filipino people, it must be the role model for change itself. The government must prove that there will be credible and genuine change in our society that is deprived of proper social justice and equality.

Many always point the finger to others for all the misfortunes our country faces. Why not blame ourselves for not doing enough? Now is the right time to deal with these challenges. There’s no use of being a pro- or an anti-government. All those administrations that passed have their own errors. What we must do is to be pro-masses and pro-Philippines. Let us break out of our comfort zone and learn from the masses, educate, and create future leaders.

Office Ground Floor, Building A, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Taguig, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City Member College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag ng PUP (AKM-PUP) Email thechronicler.publication@gmail.com

NEWS Prof Pelayo promoted to AVP for Finance,

DR. FERRER APPOINTED AS NEW BRANCH DIRECTOR MICHELLE ANGELIKA MENDOZA

Last July 5, 2016 when the exchange of PUPT director took place together with the farewell party for Prof. Sharon Pelayo.

The whole Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Taguig (PUPT) campus went all occupied when the faculty members gave Prof. Sharon Joy Pelayo a farewell party for her promotion on new position at PUP Main Campus. The program was held at the campus’ quadrangle and was filled with joyous flow intended for her. After the program, Prof. Pelayo then give details about the promotion through an interview before she moved to her new work.

She stated that the promotion was done because the President found a potential on her to do the works for the offered position. And since she only has

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The Chronicler

one term of working in the PUPT campus, she then gladly accepted the promotion in the Main. She also stated that she was given of the notice since January, but she paid no attention since for her, the time was far enough. But as the time came near, she became much pressured until the day that the exchange took place.

As she proceeded with the interview, Prof. Pelayo gave message to both the students and her soon to be left faculties.

“Maintain academic excellence. kasi ang sinasabi, excellence is a habit.” She said as she was asked for a message for the students. She emphasized to say that striving harder and staying humble would keep the campus on top and she also hoped that the achievements will continue even when she left. And as for her faculty workers, she wished for them to continue doing what they have

started. And even keeping for the development and improvement of both school and students.

By this time, Director Ferrer is the one leading the whole campus to improvement and development. She has been starting to work for the development phases of the faculties and things inside the school. One of these is the accreditation for BSIT and BSEDE program for the next year, in which Ma’am Ferrer is giving a lot of focus on. Other programs that she is giving attention to is the additional facilities for the campus like computers, which we can say that she is not failing to do so.

The only message she gave for the new campus she is leading is the unity and cooperation of everyone for the betterment of our dear University. [TC]

Unang SAMASA PUPT General Assembly, isinagawa KRISTINE LOUISE OMIZ

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay matagumpay na ginanap ang SAMASA-PUPT General Assembly noong ika-labing lima ng Oktubre, 2016 sa PUPT Conference Room sa pangunguna ni Marlyn Caranguian, alumnus at dating Editor-in-Chief ng The Chronicler.

Ang pagpupulong na ito ay dinaluhan ng ilang estudyante at iba’t ibang alumni na miyembro ng SAMASA (Sandigan ng Mag-aaral Para sa Sambayanan).

Kabilang dito ang pangulo ng alumni ng PUPT na si Jerome Sacrez.

Dumalo rin ang PUP Student Regent na si Karl Paulie Anareta upang ibahagi ang mga kaalaman patungkol sa situwasyon ng PUP kung saan ang admin ay patuloy na gum-

agawa ng mga kaparaanan na nagpapahirap sa mga estudyante at ang paghadlang sa mga publikasyon na makapaglabas ng mga sulatin na naghahayag ng pagkawalang-awa ng admin. Nariyan rin si Lloyd Magsoy, miyembro ng ANAKBAYAN-NCR, na nagbahagi ng tungkol sa tunay na kalagayan ng bansa at ng CASER.

Si Wenceslao Paguntalan, kabilang din sa alumni, naman ang naghayag ng paghikayat sa mga kabataan na sumuri at makialam sa mga isyung nagaganap sa ating bansa.

Layunin ng pagtitipong ito na imulat ang kabataan sa reyalidad ng ating bansa at sa mga aksyong nararapat na gawin bilang mamamayan. [TC]

Mga non-academic orgs, isinali na sa SCA KENT GARCIA

Student Council Assembly 2016-2017 with the Head of Student Services, Ms. Bernadette Canlas and the new Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Taguig Branch Director, Dr. Marissa B. Ferrer. Photo by John Dustin D. Santos

Bahagi na ngayon ng Student Council Assembly (SCA) ng PUP-Taguig ang apat na non-academic organizations, nang mapagdesiyunan ito ng SCA sa kanilang pulong na ginanap noong Hulyo 11.

Sa kadahilanang mas makakadagdag sa pagtulong sa mga desisyon ng SCA ang mga non-academic organizations, ipinasa ng assembly ang Resolution No. 2016-08, kung saan pormal nang kasama sa mga regular na miyembro ng SCA ang punong patnugot o editor-in-chief ng The Chronicler; artistic director ng PUPUKAW (PUP Ugat ng Kamalayang Aktibo sa Wika), presidente ng ERG (Emergency Response Group); at presidente ng iRock Campus.

Bagamat bahagi na sila

ng mga pulong at diskusyon ng SCA, limitado ang kanilang kapangyarihang bumoto. Maghahati lang ang apat na non-academic organizations sa isang boto tuwing magkakaroon ng decision-making vote ang assembly.

Ayon kay CSC President Rafael James Permaran, makakatulong ang pagkakadagdag ng mga non-academic organizations sa SCA sapagkat mga estudyante rin ang pinaglilingkuran nila; bagkus, alam rin nila ang tamang hakbang upang makaisip ng mga polisiya na para sa mga magaaral.

Ang SCA ang pinakamataas na student policy-making body ng PUP-Taguig. Ito ang nagde-desisyon sa mga polisiya at patakaran para sa mga magaaral. [TC]

System-wide camp-out, inilunsad ng OSR ABOUT THE COVER Illustration Lanz Christian Buyao Layout Roselle Geronimo

KENT GARCIA

Sa pangunguna ng PUP Office of the Student Regent (OSR) at ng Sentral na Konseho ng mga Mag-aaral ng PUP-Manila, isinagawa ang 2016 System-wide Campout nitong Hulyo 26-28 sa paglalayong pag-isahin ang mga mag-aaral mula sa iba’t ibang campuses at branches ng PUP sa mga kampanya ng OSR at isyung panlipunan.

Sa unang araw ng campout, nagkaroon ng iba’t ibang educational discussions (EDs)

patungkol sa lipunang Pilipino na dinaluhan ng mga delegado.

Kinagabihan, sinalubong nila ang daan-daang Lumad na bahagi ng taunang Manilakbayan ng Mindanao.

Sa sumunod na araw, lumahok ang mga mag-aaral sa forum patungkol sa pagmimina kung saan nagsalita si DENR Secretary Gina Lopez, habang sa huling araw ay sumama ang mga delegado sa malaking contingent ng PUP para na lumahok sa pagkilos kasa-

bay ng unang State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.

Ayon kay Student Regent Karl Paulie Anareta, naging matagumpay ang camp-out dahil naisali ang mas malawak na hanay ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan sa mga aktibidad ng OSR. Hangad rin niya na maging simula lamang ito ng mas maraming aktibidad kung saan magsasama-sama ang mga estudyante mula sa iba’t ibang PUP branches at campuses. [TC]

Volume 24 Issue 1 / June-August 2016

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NEWS

The Chronicler

PUP Taguig’s new CSC Officers, finally revealed

STOP K-12. Militant students from UP Diliman stand up against the K-12 program in front of the oblation statue. Photo by Ben Nabong from Rappler.com

As SHS implementation starts

Youth groups voice dissent against K-12

KENT GARCIA

As the K-12 program began its full implementation with the senior high school (SHS) curriculum at the opening of classes last June 13, various groups held series of protests calling for the abolition of the program.

Groups representing students, teachers, and workers from different parts of the metro raged at the first day of classes, from the office of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Pasig City, to different universities such as UP Diliman and PUP Manila, and public high schools to reiterate calls to scrap K-12 which was dubbed as a “real struggle” and “dropout trap” for the Filipino youths who want to pursue their dreams.

According to data researched by youth group Kabataan Partylist, out of 1.5 million students that finished Grade 10 last March, the DepEd only expects 1.1 million of it will continue with SHS, resulting to the remaining 400,000 (27%) to drop out of school.

In a statement regarding K-12 last June 8, Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago points out the extra financial burden that the students’ families will carry as the reason behind the big dropout rate.

A separate study by KPL and League of Filipino Students (LFS) back in 2015 shows that

Php100,000 in education-related expenses should be shelled out to be able to complete K-12.

The lack of public schools offering SHS is also counted as one of the main flaws of the program. Only 5,700 out of the 8,000 public high schools will only offer SHS, therefore forcing other students that are not accommodated by public schools to enroll at private schools, which charges higher tuition and other school fees, approximately ranging from P20,000 to P70,000 a year.

Elago pointed out that even if the government instituted a ‘voucher program’ to help students enroll in private schools, it will never be enough for the high amount of expenses needed by SHS students. Under the voucher program, students will be granted checks ranging from Php8,750 to Php22,500 to support their fees. Php12 billion was shelled out by DepEd this year for the program.

Similar protests against K-12 were also held in different parts of the country, such as Baguio City, Iloilo City, and Cagayan de Oro City.

Outside the protests, signature drives and noise barrages are conducted to express opposition against the program.

Moreover, the groups

Volume 24 Issue 1 / June-August 2016

will encourage President Rodrigo Duterte and new DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones to discontinue K-12, even if both were publicly said that they are inclined to keep the program running, and even expand the voucher program. “It is unforgiveable to continue implementing this anti-student, anti-people program. We demand our government to grant all grade 10 completers their highschool graduate status. They should not be forced to take the irrational additional two years in high school,” according to LFS National Spokesperson JP Rosos.

In an interview with The Chronicler, PUP Student Regent Karl Paulie Anareta also added that stopping K-12 is necessary as it is only another “neoliberal attack on the country’s education system, enabling educator-capitalists to profit big amounts from students.”

The SHS curriculum under the K-12 program will add two years to the fouryear high school curriculum.

It will feature four tracks: academic, technical-vocational-livelihood (TVL), sports, and arts and design. The old four-year high school program will now be called as “junior high school”, to cope up with the changes in the curriculum.

[TC]

MICHELLE ANGELIKA MENDOZA

Last May 2016, the contender, John Dustin Santos, PUPT Commission on Elections from the SAMASA (Sandigan finally revealed the new presi- ng Mag-aaral Para sa Samdent, as well as the new set of bayanan) Party list, who only Central Student Council Offi- had a total count of 680 votes. cers to lead the PUP Taguig stu- Aside from this, the other windents into a much better future ners of the election were also ahead. introduced wherein the mixed

As the former officers choices of officers from the two left their positions and duties, partylist are chosen by the stunew successors were placed dents of the branch. However, on the seats being the winning the KMP Partylist candidates candidates, to replace and con- still got the most number votes tinue the journey in serving the from the students compared to students. After the long wait, the SAMASA candidates. the COMELEC of PUP Taguig Before the said election finally announced the result of started, many events happened the CSC Officers Election last that excite the whole school as February of the current year. the day approached. About days

The said result showed before, the Chronicler conductJames Permaran from the KMP ed an entertainment event to (Kabalikat sa Makabuluhang ease the tension and the pressure Pagbabago) Party list and his for the running presidents. They victory in getting the position led the “Fast Talk”, a small conof the president of the Central versational forum wherein the Student Council. With the total two candidates for president unvote count of 748, he managed derwent to some questions about to win the position against his their perspectives in life. [TC]

Youth groups laud Duterte’s FOI

State students can now investigate their school KRISTINE LOUISE OMIZ

Youth groups approved President Duterte’s Executive Order on Freedom of Information (FOI) saying this is one step for transparency in the government.

College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Secretary-General Jose Mari Callueng declared that Executive Order No. 2 S. 2016 is a good tool of the citizens for anti-corruption drive in agencies under the Executive Branch, even in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Under Section 2, SUCs are also subjected to follow the order.

Callueng noted that SUCs students can request accounts about their school’s tuition and other fees, as well, as, other incomes on where the revenues have been designated without fear of being turned down by the administration.

He implied that by this means, students can see clearly any irregularities in their tuition and use this to stop any unjust and excessive fees.

Informations that can be requested include “records, documents, papers, reports, letters, contracts, minutes and transcripts of official meetings, maps, books, photographs, data, research materials, sound and video recording, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data, computer stored data or other like or similar data or materials, recorded stored archived or whatever format.”

Statement of Assests, Liabilities and Net worth of any administrative officials and “official records public records and documents

and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions and decision as well as government research data used as basis for public development,” are also included in the list.

According to Section 9 of the order, requests shall be “provide reasonable assistance, free of charge.” The administration shall full comply with the request not exceedingly 15 days, unless warrant caused it to make it longer.

Government officials who fail to comply are subject to administrative and disciplinary sanctions.

Meanwhile,another youth group wished that FOI bill in Legislature will be vigorously passed.

Anakbayan argued that the passage of the long awaited law will require all levels in government to provide information easier fo th people since the Executive Order only applied to the Executive Branch and connected agencies.

“This law should allow citizens to immediately access specific documents, such as Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), at all levels and branches of government, and provide penalties for public officials who deny this access. Furthermore, in the spirit of transparency and accountability, the law should provide as few exceptions to FOI requests as possible,” Anakbayan explained.

The first Freedom of Information bill was first filed in 1992. Since then, the bill has not escaped the Congress despite its provision in the 1987 Constitution. [TC]

NEWS ORG NEWS TrendiV powered for the third time!

Another season of PUPTrediV kicked off this semester!

The BSIT-III students, lead by Sir Roland Alayon, continued the series of episodes containibg topics about values, news, social and technology.

This project was initiated to introduce talents and skills of the Multimedia class. PUPTrendiV is on its third season. Like ko ‘yan!

PUPUKAW Workshop

With a high-level of enthusiasm, the PUPUKAW (Politeknikong Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Ugat ng Kamalayang Aktibo sa Wika) once again directed its annual workshop last July 15 and 22, 2016 at the fourth floor of PUPT Building A. Its members, guided by the officers and instructors, were given some lessons about theater arts wherein the members were able to participate and show their acting skills. There were also activities that helped in developing their attitude to widen their abilities.

Furthermore, the aims of this event are to uncover each member’s hidden talents, to unite them and strengthen their relationship to each other.

Getting started as a Student Leader

Believing in the ceaseless development of its members, the JPMAP PUPT Chapter were present in the seminar entitled “Getting Started as a Student Leader” conducted by the Schenker Philippines Inc. last July 29, 2016. This seminar primarily focused on leadership. The event heightened as the Training and Development Supervisor Head of the said company, Ms. Khay Bassig, conducted the talk to educate and transform the audience to be excellent student leaders. Also, it contained pointers to help in advancing one’s behavior, not just by being a student leader, but a leader in all aspects. The purpose of this event is to educate and develop the students’ spirit of leading a team.

New set of EB pronounced

Just this year, new set of editorial board members were placed in position to take charge of The Chronicler, the official student publication of this university branch.

The editorial board members were chosen by their examination making the examinee with the highest aggregated score be nominated by the Editorial Board Screening Committee for the position of Editor-in-Chief, the second, Associate Editors internal and external, and the third, Managing Editors which was based on the Constitution and By Laws of The Chronicler. This serves to continue the publication’s started efforts in exposing the students to the truth and to the multidimensional perspective of issues concerning the youth. The list of the said members can be found in this newspaper on page 2.

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The Chronicler Mandatory ROTC, balak ibalik ng pamahalaan KENT GARCIA

Muling itinutulak ng administrasyong Duterte ang pagbabalik sa mandatory implementation ng Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) sa lahat ng college students. Kasabay nito ang muling pagtutol ng mga grupo ng kabataan at pagtawag sa tuluyang pagbabasura ng programa.

Plano ng pagbabalik

Sa isang press briefing sa Malacanang nitong Agosto 2, isiniwalat ni Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo na nagkakaroon ng isang “common consensus” sa gabinete ng pamahalaan, sa pangunguna ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, upang muling ibalik ang mandatory ROTC sa college curriculum para sa lahat ng estudyanteng lalaki at babae, matapos itong imungkahi ng Commission on Higher Education (CHEd).

Ayon kay Panelo, isang malaking dahilan upang ibalik ang mandatory ROTC ay para muling itatak sa mga kabataan ang “disiplina at pagmamahal sa bayan.” Idinagdag pa niya na dahil boluntaryo lamang ang pagsali sa ROTC, nawawalan ng disiplina ang kabataan sa ngayon at mas nabubuyo silang gumawa ng mga masamang gawain, tulad ng paggamit ng iligal na droga.

Umabot na lamang sa 195,000 na estudyante ang kumuha ng ROTC noong 2015, malayo sa bilang na 362,000 noong 2000.

Noong panahon pa lamang ng kampanya ay suportado na ni Duterte ang pagbabalik ng mandatory ROTC para dagdagan ang puwersang pang-militar ng bansa sa gitna ng tensyon na dulot ng agawan ng teritoryo sa West Philippine Sea. Sa isa pang pahayag, plano rin ni Duterte na gamitin ang puwersa ng ROTC upang tumulong sa kampanya kontra iligal na droga, lalo na sa drug rehabilitation programs.

Tawag ng pagbasura

Agad naming tinuligsa ng mga progresibong grupo at lider-estudyante ang nasabing plano ng administrasyon, dahil imbes na makatulong ang ROTC ay binabangga pa nito ang karapatan ng mga mag-aaral.

Isinaad ni Kabataan Partylist (KPL) Representative Sarah Elago na “we do not subscribe to the notion that ROTC could instill discipline and love of country, given its violent and mired history.” Dagdag pa niya, saksi ang kasaysayan sa mga pagpatay na may kinalaman sa ROTC.

Kung matatandaan, noong 2001 ay brutal na pinatay si Mark Welson Chua, isang kadete ng University of Sto. Tomas

(UST) ROTC matapos niyang isiwalat ang korapsiyon na nagaganap sa loob ng programa. Dahil sa naging pagkilos kaugnay ng pangyayaring iyon, ipinasa ang RA 9163 o National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 na ginawang opsyonal na lamang ang pagkuha sa ROTC.

Noong Enero 2014 naman ay isang kadete ng PUP ROTC na itinago sa pangalang “Sheena” ang dumanas ng pang-aabuso mula sa kanyang mga officer dahil lamang hindi ito nakadalo sa isang event na ni-require ng mga ito.

Dahil dito, isinumite ni Elago noong Agosto 3 ang House Bill 2399 o ang ROTC Abolition Act of 2016 upang tuluyan nang ibasura ang programa, kapalit nito ay mas palalawakin ang NSTP upang maituro ang nasyonalismo at “nation-building” sa mga kabataan. [TC]

On-Campus structural changes implemented MARICEL MOLO

Renovations and new structures were seen inside PUP-Taguig as infrastructure projects aimed at campus beautification were carried out in the last few months.

Ten (10) new lamp posts were installed within the campus between April and May which were donated by the City Government of Taguig. According to branch officials, these will help improve visibility at night since the branch lacks lighting facilities. Furthermore, it will also assist the school’s security personnel to conduct better night inspections within the branch areas that were previously not reached by light.

In addition, the comfort rooms beside the Zonta Park and inside the gymnasium were put into renovation by Sanitary Care Products Asia, Inc. (SCPAI), a Taguig-based hygiene care company, in partnership with the Junior Marketing Association-PUP Taguig

(JMA-PUPT). A thanksgiving and ribbon-cutting ceremony attended

by SCPAI, JMA and branch officials marked the re-opening of the renovated facilities last June 14.

In time for the upcoming 24th founding anniversary of the branch, the gymnasium also experienced a make-over as the walls and stage of the aforementioned facility were re-painted by the branch’s maintenance staff last August.

Upon assuming post as the new Branch Director, Dr. Marissa B. Ferrer expressed her gratitude to all sponsors from the government, alumni, and private sectors in donating amounts to renovate facilities.

Dr. Ferrer added that next in her priority in the facility sector would be the securing of new television sets to be put up in classrooms to enable interactive discussions in classes, and acquisition of more computer sets, considering the large number of students who are taking up computer-based subjects. [TC]

Sanicare Products Asia Inc. Representatives along with former director Sharon Joy F. Pelayo, Head of Students Services head Ms. Bernadette Canlas, and JMA Officers. Photo by Lanz Christian P. Buyao.

Martsa sa unang SONA ni Duterte, dinagsa KENT GARCIA

Mahigit sa 30,000 katao mula sa iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan ang dumagsa sa isinagawang martsa sa unang State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte noong Hulyo 28, na kinakitaan ng malaking mga pagbabago.

Taliwas sa mga marahas na dispersal na nangyari sa bawat SONA ng mga nagdaang administrasyon, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, pinalapit ang mga mamamayan sa Batasang Pambansa upang doon ipahatid sa Pangulo ang mga isyu na nais nilang ma-

tutukan.

Nakapaloob sa People’s Agenda, isang 15-puntong programa na kinalap ng mga progresibong grupo mula sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng lipunang Pilipino, ang mga isyung malapit sa mamamayan na dapat matugunan ng pamahalaang Duterte, tulad ng pagpapatuloy ng usaping pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng gobyerno at National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), pagtigil ng kontraktuwalisasyon sa paggawa, pagbasura sa K-12 program, pagsugpo sa militarisasyon

sa mga kanayunan at ancestral domain, at iba pa.

Matapos ng SONA, nakipagkita rin ang Pangulo sa mga lider ng mga progresibong grupo upang pag-usapan ang ilan sa isyung ipina-panawagan nila, tulad ng sitwasyon ng mga Lumad na biktima ng mapaminsalang pagmimina at militarisasyon sa kanilang mga lupain.

Umabot sa humigit-kumulang na 5,000 pinagsama-samang puwersa ng mga estudyante, guro at kawani ng PUP ang dumalo sa nasabing martsa. [TC]

Volume 24 Issue 1 / June-August 2016

The Chr

You can’t prove that a decision to be wrong, when you have even tried it once.

Federalism

It is a form of a government where sovereignty is constit ly shared between a central governing authority and constituent units called states or regions. In basic terms, it will break the coun autonomous regions with a national government focused only on with nationwide bearing, foreign policy and defense.

For example, the autonomous regions or states, divided into local government units, will have primary responsibility ove oping their industries, public safety, education, healthcare, transpo recreation, and culture. These states will have more power over th finances, development plans, and laws exclusive to their jurisdi is the allocation of power between the national government and government.

The central government and states can also share certain In the Philippines, our current type of government is a Unitary P tial Constitutional Republic. It is a centralized form of governm like federalism, both forms of government consists of three branch ecutive, legislative, and judiciary. The difference is that our curre of government (unitary) is that most of the administrative pow resources are with the national government which is based on Me nila. It’s the Malacañang Palace that decides how much will be a to the local government units. This process is prone to abuse of go and mayors. They can even sometimes beg Malacañang for pro which they believe their communities need.

Federalism became a serious topic even before Rodrigo claimed the presidency. This was one of his main platforms, a emphasized during his campaign period. He considers this as an way to solve corruption and criminality.

Development and Adaptation

To achieve growth, prosperity, and development, most c adopt a new form of government that is very suitable based on rent attributes of their own geographical information, agriculture resources, mass production, infrastructure, manpower, and any o ments that are essential in the growth of a nation. This is the part political system or a political form or belief holds a major role in velopment of our country, it greatly affects other foundations of o try such as the economy and trade, which is a very crucial and v of exercising natural wealth and resources to satisfy the endless w

ronicler

n is en’t

prefer their region over the home country. This will challenge the sense of unity in the people for our country.

One more issue about federalism is the uneven development of states. Not every region has equal resources nor excellent labourers to those on its neighbouring state. Also, with the competition between states, it will drive the officials to have a mentality to be better than its neighbors.

Lastly yet ironically, Moro separatist groups may decline the offer.

These groups aim to be their own country rather than to be a state in a federal Philippines, which they fought for since the 1970’s. Federalism may not sustain their ambitions. After all, violence in the region still continued even if the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was esof the Philippines (UP), professor of public administration and a political tablished in 1991. scientist, we should take the federal form of government with a transition Government’s Verdict period of no less than 10 years to make it successful.

At present, President Duterte’s allies in the 17th Congress holds

A shift to federalism would not be cheap as billions of pesos are the top positions in both chambers via a landslide vote with Speaker Panneeded to build state governments and to deliver state services. The tran- taleon Alvarez garnering 251 votes out of the 292 members of the House sition should involve a period of consolidation of several regions with in- of Representatives (HoR) and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel garnertensive socio-economic development in each of the consolidated regions. ing 20 votes out of the 24-member Senate.

With a “supermajority” in Congress, hopes are high that the shift

The advantages for example, a state may approve same sex mar- riage while a Muslim-dominant state won’t. The country is composed of top federalism would be accomplished before the President ends his term.

7,000 islands with 28 dominant ethnic groups, thus making decisions as a As federalism can be considered as a good system of government in the state more effective and suitable for the citizens. This will make the gov- United States of America, does the Philippines really need federalism? Is ernment closer to the people. Second, the decongestion of Metro Manila it really advisable to our country to shift to federalism? as the center of government functions and services. In the unitary form of

There are also other alternatives if federalism will be declined. All government, funds and taxes are being processed in Metro Manila. we need is to strengthen the current setup of a centralized government, as

However in federalism, Metro Manila will serve as the ground it is very expensive to have a federal kind of government. We do not have only for the purpose of the national government. Unlike before, the duties enough funds because we are still paying our foreign debts, and it still gets is decreased into international policies and national defense. As states a large allocation in our yearly national budget. works independently with big percentage of funds, the federal governWe already have LGUs and NGOs to monitor the needs of people ment only aims 20% for the national government to process their duties.

The state can now focus and strengthen their own source of income such that has powers that can be strengthened, if they will be helped by the naas genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization without big in- tional government. We are making our situation complicated if we change tervention from the national government. It is like breaking down a big our present government into federal.

problem and solving it piece by piece.

Lastly, the Philippines is still a Third World country and accord

Federalism can result to friendly “competition” or “cooperative ing to a survey last September 2006, we have only 25 of the world’s 193 competition,” as well as synergy and mutual reinforcement. President countries that institutes a federal system of government, and only 3 out of Duterte is making waves because of the vast potentials of federalism, his these 25 is located in Asia. top advocacy.

It only indicates that a Third World country like ours may not be

The disadvantages are when competition starts, there will be ri- ready and cannot afford a federal government yet. But with the success of valry between states. It could start the rivalry of major ethnic groups in other federal countries--like Germany and France--instilled in the mind of the country such as Tagalogs, Bisayas, Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Warays, and many Filipinos, federalism could be a success in the Philippines. [TC] Moros. This will start a tendency for the Filipino people to choose and

needs.

As an archipelagic country, most of the remote and isolated areas of our country are unable to be reached by our national government. Thus, the needs for the development of this remote and isolated areas aren’t allocated and sustained by our national government. Budgets being spent by the local government units has to be approved by the national government. The proposal states that the country will be divided into 10 or 11 ‘autonomous states’. Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. envisioned 11 states tutional- plus the Federal Administrative Region of Metro Manila. political ntry into Advantages and Disadvantages interests According to Dr. Jose Abueva, former president of the University

d further er develortation, heir own iction. It regional

powers.

Presidenment. Just hes – exent form wers and etro Maallocated overnors ojects in

o Duterte and was efficient

countries the cure, natural other elewhere a n the deour counvital part wants and

FEATURE

8

The Chronicler

BREAKPOINT

Bata Pa Tayo

Elaiza Eusebio

Dumarating na ang panahon kung saan tayo lumalaki parang mga bata.

Isang bata na ayaw pagsabihan ng mali, isang batang pinipilit ang gusto niya, at isang bata na ayaw magpatalo.

Sa ating lumalaki populasyon, rumarami rin ang mga taong nagiging expose sa ating social media, lumalaki rin ang mga taong nagiging bukas sa mga usapang pambansa.

Isang ehemplo dito ang kamakaylang eleksyon, kung saan pambarda ang mga kabataan sa pagpost at paglaban sa kanilang mga partido.

Dito rin natin ipinakita ang isang karapatan na tayong lahat ay mayroon: ang kalayaan sa salita. Kung saan malaya tayong ipahiwatig ang ating mga opinyon, mga kagustuhan, at kinakaayawan. Pero dahil ba sa ating kamakailang eleksyon, aking nakita ang ating pagkabata sa mga tugon ng iba sa atin laban sa ibang taong nagpapabaya sa kanilang sinasabi.

Mga salita katulad ng : “Tangina pake mo ba?” “Eh, yun ang gusto ko eh?” at “Freedom of speech, tol!”

BEYOND THE WALLS

Irish Providal

June idly passed by— causing for massive bookings in pleasant churches and elite hotels for wedding ceremonies due to women’s cliché dream of becoming a June bride. Implicit of the ceremony are the exchanged wedding vows of the groom and the bride: “…for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer…”

And that makes you think about how would you live a life of for richer or for poorer due to you everlasting love if your life will cease to exist due to the surmounting expenses of an incoming family? And if you are to get yourself into a life full of love and horrendous journey, who is to blame? Why do rich people get richer? And why do poor people get poorer?

The answer is simply Neoliberalism.

Neoliberalism is defined privatization of public properties. It allows to let the capitalists take their own course without the interfer-

Kung sa ating mga sarili hinahayaan natin magpahayag ng ating mga palagay, bakit hindi natin kaya binigay ang karapatang ito sa mga taong gusto rin magpahiwatig?

Bakit kailangan natin manakit at pilitin ang opinyon natin sa kanila? At bakit hindi natin kaya limitahan ang ating mga sinasabi?

Ganun din sa mga taong sumasagot sa opinyon ng ibang tao kung saan sa tingin natin sila ay mali, bakit kailangang ibaon ang ating mga salita na sila’y hindi tama at tayo’y hindi mali?

At sa kalahat-lahatang ito, lahat ba ng ating mga sinabi ay totoo? Lahat ba ng ating inilalabas ay hango sa ating nakuhang buong impormasyon at hindi mula sa kakarefresh sa ating homepage?

Naglalabas tayo ng ating opinyon para ipakita ang ating saloobin at hindi para aliwin ang ibang tao, kung saan ang isang indibidwal ay may kalayaang magsalita at ganun din ang iba, at kung saan hindi lahat ng ating sinasabi ay nararapat.

Sa ating mga aksyon sa mga pangyayari sa ating bansa

na alam ko nakakabuti para sa kinabukasan na tayo’y maalam.

Naipapakita ba natin ang pagiging matanda sa isip ukol sa mga ganitong pangyayari? Naipapakita ba natin ang ating pagkakaiba kumpara sa mga nagdaan na mga henerasyon? Kung saan naipakita ba natin na tayo ang bagong kinabukasan at sila ang mga nagkamaling nakaraan?

Handa na nga ba tayo para sa mga darating na bukas, kung miski tayo hindi natin magawang itama ang ating mga mali? At kung saan miski tayo ay hindi pa bukas pagbabago?

Lumalaki ang rami ng mga taong nagpapakita na gusto nila magkaroon ng pagkakaiba kumpara sa nakalipas.

Naipakita natin ito sa pamamagitan sa rami ng kabataang bumoto sa ating bagong presidente, isang taong malaki ang kaibahan kumpara sa mga nagdaang na mga pagmumuno. Pero handa ba tayo sa isang kinabukasan kung saan posibleng magkaroon tayo na sapat na tingin sa bawat isa, isang bagay na hindi pa natin nakakamtan?

Dadarating na ang pagbabago. Ang tanong: tayo ba, kaya ba natin magbago? [TC]

For Richer and For Poorer

ence of the government. And that’s the bad news about it— the government seizes its obligation to protect the people from the abusive causes of the business entities and neglect the social necessities of the country.

How do the rich get richer?

The huge corporations get more profit due to cheap labour and resources. Despite the efforts given by their employees, they are still given the amount they are only able to get due to laws implemented by the government. They accumulate wealth by acquiring what was supposed to be given to the members of the society—the services and infrastructures the government has built from the people’s taxes are being sold to huge companies, taking advantage of the recurring demand being made due to lower prices being given and eventually increasing these necessities so that they can earn more in the long run.

Volume 24 Issue 1 / June-August 2016

How do the poor get poorer?

Quite obviously, companies do not give the rightful compensation that must be given to the employees despite their futile efforts into the development of the corporation (e.g. the minimum wage not being enough to the basic necessities of humans), the society is being gullible as they have always thought that companies take Corporate Social Responsibility policies seriously when most of them are simply made of greed, and lastly, the continuous financialization, which is the process of making institutions increase in size and influence and of course, gaining more money and neglecting its consequences to the society.

Neoliberalism is one of the major threats that is occurring in the society and the elimination of this is almost impossible. Though it could be lessen, if and only if, corporations and capitalists will take a look at their surroundings and not on the bank accounts. [TC]

OPINION REFLECTOR’S PLUME

Irish Providal

The House Duterte of the Federal Republic of the Philippines with their words, “Change is coming” finally reigned last June 30, 2016 by sitting in the Presidential Throne, witnessed by the People of the Philippines, with its leader, the newly-elected president, Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte, the First of his name, the Hater of Drugs, The Bringer of Peace and Order and, the Murderer of Crimes.

Change Came

Change finally came and it is currently happening.

Along with this change is the formation of a new type of government—Federalism— which is composed of a central government and several regional states. These two forms of government in a single political system are of equal power and status. However, the powers yielded from the central and regional state are of different causes, whereas the central government will be responsible for the nationwide obligations such as foreign policies and regional state disputes and the regional states are to provide solutions for the problems of the masses such as education and public health.

The federal form of government held its own gains and pains.

Advantages of federalism are: (1) the provision of the solution of the recurring problems that each region has based on its geographical, cultural and economic problems.

This would make every single problem in every region be

AGAINST THE CURRENT Elaiza Eusebio

I was a kid when I first witness racism in front of me. I was either eight or nine when a few of my classmates ganged on upon a kid who had dark-brown skin and wavy hair. They keep making insults like creating names based on dark things for his skin and describe his head like a bird’s nest that is waiting to be nested. And I keep wondering why they would do that?

Why throw insults and tease someone based on the colour of their skin or the style of their hair? Or avoid him constantly because he was different?

As a kid, I saw others show a kind of immorality from a young age. Where people tend to show you that you’re different but not in a good way. The way a kids mind gets polluted on indifference of people is sad because we, the society, makes them do so.

From media’s popular applications having videos that people are separated on how they look to commercials having a black man being pushed in a washing machine to become a pale skinned Asian man. We have created our society to believe that we are all different and one is superior to the rest.

That one is more worthy of our time, or the other is smarter than the others, or the other is more likely cause trouble.

And where has that kind of mind set led us?

given with the attention they needed, unlike the current process of waiting (which usually last for forever). They get to decide for themselves as to what to do with their very own funds and resources. This means that the state governors who are to lend a hand to the ruling of the President MUST have the qualifications of ruling a land who is binded with his honour and duty of serving the people and not themselves. (2) The states will be more self-reliant, reducing its dependence on the tyranny of Metro Manila as the sole land of both stinking wealth and poverty. This will make the Manileños get their minds on the fact that there are other cities than Metro Manila.

Along with these advantages are their polar opposites. (1) Rivalries will be set out in the country as local governments will strive hard to get more investors on their lands (which equates to more corporate taxes). More division will ignite and unity will be depleted. It was as if the deviances between ethnicities weren’t enough. (2) The conflict in Mindanao may still occur because having separate federal autonomy is not enough. MILF is in need of a separate nation and still having to abide to the central federal government’s rules is not the solution.

This is just one of the few that the new president’s plans for the country. Change indeed came. But along with this change is its own gains and pains. [TC]

Mind Set

Beauty standards that led us to think white is beautiful and dark makes us less.

That wearing a cloth around our heads makes us a criminal.

And having dark skin makes us wanted on the eyes of a police.

We are being strategized by the past that we are unable to move to the future.

We are in a constant loop of idiocy that not only cause harm to others but also to ourselves.

But sometimes I see acceptance, I see understanding, and I see kindness within people. That brings me to hope that change is inevitable. That within a class of 24 kids, one chooses to be greater, one that chooses to be kinder to a kid who has been despising his skin and his unruly hair.

Slowly people see mistreatment and irrationality between comments and actions that they begin to be different.

See people differently and start a new uprising of mind set.

That appearances don’t change the way we live and having small eyes doesn’t makes us a whole race.

We are people with skills and blood running through our veins and the look we behold does not make us any less or more of a person. We are human with people who loves us dearly and we have the right to love ourselves too. [TC]

COMMUNITY

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The Chronicler

3) Bakit po laging kulang ang libro sa library?

K k s #A

ron

t a k i n

tio i d E e m Ke

M g a P i n ada l a ng Tano ng na P i ni l i ng M a ig i at S i n ag o t ng Mab ut i ni Kr o nikat 1) Bakit mahigpit ang PUP Taguig sa uniform policy?

Kasi naman, pinagmamalaki natin sa buong PUP system na tayo ang pinaka-“holistic” sa kanilang lahat. “Holistic” meaning pang-Catholic school ang ating mga rules and regulations.

Oh, di ba? State U na State U. Sayang naman yung “freedom of expression” ng mga kapwa nating students na nasa student handbook natin. (teka, binayad na pala sa honorarium ng mga opisyal sa Sta. Mesa ang Student Handbook Fee natin kaya wala tayong hard copy. T____T) Pero keme lang, gusto kong magmukhang “decent” (lelz.) and “professional” (double lelz.) eh, kaya no choice.

2) Sobra naman pong mahal maningil ng fees yung org namin. Bakit po ganun sila?

Ganyan naman talaga, dati pa. Kasi nga nasa State University (taas-kamao, brod!) tayo, at hindi kayang pondohan ang lahat ng ating mga kailangan for student activities kaya naniningil ang mga org ng pagkadami-daming fee. Hindi mo ba alam, lahat ng gastusin ng org mo mula Q4B hanggang outreach hanggang parties (na napaka-educational) eh dyan kinukuha. Sus, keme lang. Mayaman naman ako eh.

Kung may pasilidad tayo na isa sa mga pinaka-hindi tinututukan, ang library na iyon.

Walang sinabi ang National Library o ang NALLRC sa Sta. Mesa sa sobrang nostalgic ng library natin. Nostalgic like sobrang luma na ng mga libro at karamihan eh mga obsolete na. Ni sariling linya ng telepono at mabilis na Internet access (na meron rin sa mga ibang techy na library) eh wala. Epic din kasi yung PUP admin, mababa na lang yung library fee na binabayaran, ni hindi tayo napapatakan dito sa Taguig. Kaya huwag magtaka kung pati ang mga nagbabantay doon ay nabuburyo araw-araw. Pero keme lang din, may Google naman eh. Pero sa may mga puso naman diyan, SOS naman para sa ating library. #ImprovePUPTLibrary

4) Bakit hindi masyadong marami ang mga non-academic orgs dito sa PUPT?

Hindi lang ikaw ang nagtataka. Ako rin.

Dati naman umaapaw sa dami ng mga non-academic orgs dito sa campus. Kumbaga, sa supermarket, ang dami ng choices. Kaso nawala na eh.

Kulang kasi sa suporta ng mga dapat na sumusuporta (ehem, kilala niyo na kung sino kayo, ehem).

Ayun tuloy, habang nalulunod ang estudyante sa sistema ng commercialized education (yeah, brod) at academics, walang mga org na pwedeng salihan para maging outlet nila. Pero kung isa ka sa mga naghahanap ng masisilungan, welcome na welcome ka dito sa Kronik! Katok ka lang sa opisina naming anytime, and we’ll be there for you (Bon Jovi lang ang peg). :)

5) San po makikita ang opis ng The Chronicler?

G/F Building A, PUP - Taguig or aka ‘Ang Dating Photocopy-han’, ‘Ilalim ng hagdan’ o ‘Baka tambakan ng cleaning materials’ as some would say.

U Speak!

Sa panayam nina Kristine Louise Omiz at Maricel Molo

Tanong: Sa kabila ng maraming pagbabagong naganap sa loob at labas ng ating sintang paaralan, ano sa tingin mo ang isang bagay, na hindi pa rin nababago, na dapat nang baguhin? Bakit?

“Red Tape System. Simpleng papel na kailangan, napakaraming dapat asikasuhin at bayaran. Please, I hope change will come.”

— Griselda

“Batas trapiko at iba pa sa mga problema na may ukol sa kalsada. (esp. Sucat-Bicutan-Taguig Roads a.k.a Ang Bagong Edsa).”

—Math Aldrich & Miguel

“Yung haircut policy kasi hindi naman importante yung itsura ng buhok sa pag-aaral.”

— The Boy Next Door

“Napansin ko lang na ang library ng Sintang Paaralan ay dapat ng mabago. Hindi naman sa lubos na pagbabago pero dapat na itong ma-improve, mabigyan ng mga aklat na magagamit ng mga estudyante pati na rin ang proper ventilation.”

— Queenebeth

“Dapat bigyan ng sapat na budget at atensyon ang mga organisasyon na itinatatag sa PUP, katulad ng PUPUKAW, Chanters at iba pa.

Dapat may konsiderasyon ang mga guard tungkol sa implementasyon sa uniform, tulad ng, dapat pwede nang pumasok kahit di naka-uniform pag wala namang klase, yung pupunta lang kasi may gagawin sa school.”

— JRM

“Student Discipline. Kahit na sabihing maraming pagbabago sa sistema ng paaralan o kahit gaano kaganda ang pamumuno, kung mananatili tayong may pagkukulang sa disiplina at kooperasyon hindi naisasakatuparan ang mga hangarin para sa Sintang Paaralan.”

—Louella

Volume 24 Issue 1 / June-August 2016

10

CREATIVES

The Chronicler Drawing by: LCPB

Drawing by: LCPB

Drawing by: EXE Drawing by: LCPB

Drawing by: LCPB

HANAP SALITA!

Hanapin ang ilan sa mga salitang naipasok sa Oxford Dictionary noong 2015 SA KAHON SA INYONG KALIWA

BALIKBAYAN - pinoy na galing abroad. Makipagkaibigan dahil baka bigyan ka ng tsokoleyts.

BARKADA – grupo ng magka-kaibigan. Yung mga tatawa sa’yo pag nagmukha kang tanga.

CARNAP - magnakaw ng kotse, motor, traysikel at kung ano pang umaandar na sasakyan.

UTANG NA LOOB – obligasyon na ibalik ang pabor sa isang tao.

Maaaring gamitin para isisi sa’yo.

Volume 24 Issue 1 / June-August 2016

SUKI – ang madalas mong mamimili. Kapag pumayag ka sa ‘tawad’ niya poreber na siyang bibili sa’yo. (Walang poreber!)

SINIGANG – ang ulam niyo na madalas nalitaw kung hapunan.

‘Yung kasing asim ng katabi mo kanina.

SALVAGE – madalas na makita sa gabi na may tape sa katawan at may katabing cardboard.

PULUTAN – yung inuuna ng kainuman mong madaya. Kulang nalang bigyan mo ng kanin.

PRESIDENTIABLE – taong running for president. Hirap i-explain.

KIKAY – sa 30 mins lang na pagupo makikita mo na agad na may hawak na pulbo, cologne, suklay.

ESTAFA – pwedeng beef, pork, or chicken. Ay mali ba? Oops.

DESPEDIDA - ang huli mong pakikipagplastikan sa kumare/kumpare mo. Kung magiging balikbayan siya ‘edi mamlastik ka ulet.

(Para sa tsokoleyts!)

LITERARY

11

The Chronicler

Mga Tula

Waiting for the Bomb to Fall

Reniel Espiritu

Please make every minute slower Or anxiety will catch up The stability I once had Will soon make me wait anxiously For the bomb to fall

After Removing your Toga and Diploma Reniel Espiritu

The moment of truth The years of wasted youth Like the taste of forbidden fruit After comfort in the early years Five minutes before 18 Peeping through a screen door As the bomb starts to fall

Isang Buwan

Ella Valdehueza

Hindi ako tutulad sa isang buwan, na yayapos sa’yo at ika’y hahagkan— na sisiping sa kumot mo kapag takipsilim— na makikipagtalik lamang sa tuwing sasapit ang dilim.

Ayaw kong maging wangis ng isang buwang nagtatago sa kaulapan sa tuwing hinahagupit ka ng matinding kalungkutan; sa tuwing bumubuhos ang iyong mga luha’t pagtangis— Habang nilulunod ka ng iyong paghihinagpis.

Kahit kailan ay ‘di ko nanaising maging isang buwan... na sa huli ay may hangganan ang bawat kong kapit sa matayog mong langit; Ayaw kong maging sentro lamang ng iyong mga gabi— at sa pagsapit ng umaga, sa araw ay nakikihati.

Hindi ako kailanman magiging wangis ng isang buwan; na walang abiso o paalam— na sa bukang liwayway ay pumapanaw— na ikaw ay mag-isang nililisan...

Sa pagdating ng araw.

Glad it was finished It wasn’t pointless, it was tiring The speech about the future forward Is only one-sided, I believe Heads up, arms wide open, embrace it No matter what the odds, keep pushing And you’ll be soon pulling yourself away The long sigh of the students And the faces of parents After four years, it was over Suddenly Expectations high, financially low Debts pile up, responsibility screw us up Our destiny to pay taxes is calling us And the only thing needed To start anew, begin again, find your way Is the resume you made a few minutes ago

Karit

John David Laureta

Labing mapula Marka ng karanasan Ng pagtindig sa kalsada At paghawak ng karatula

What Shouldn’t Be We are truly horrid creatures Whose only purpose is to stain the earth The disappearance of all that is pure Is a great insult to everybody’s birth Our monstrosities give us anguish Thy faults and desires manifested If there is only but one wish That is for evil to be bested No one shall be exiled Nor fallen into despair All the indignities we all must share Are we all not vile?

Morbid and atrocious we are God’s creation left to scar This world we called a paradise Is now a cesspool of vices Would we desire for hell For the sake of humanity That is but a question Only time will tell Letting our nation fall It’s time for a wake-up call Now’s the time to be free And say that shouldn’t be

Bakas pa sa panyolita Ang dugong pinunasan Dala ng pagkakahampas ng tubo sa aking mukha Itinuloy ko parin Ang pakikibaka Para lamang makamtan ang kapirasong lupain sa Hacienda Luisita

Praying to St. Cardboard for Safety Nowadays

Reniel Espiritu

Himig

E.X.E.

Naririnig ko na naman sila Umaawit ng sama-sama Awit na punung-puno ng lakas Sa kaliwang kamao ang kumpas Di nagpapahiwatig Kundi tahasang humahamig Walang kaba at nginig May diretsong tikas at tindig Kanilang tagla’y awit ng masa Awit ng hinagpis at pag-asa Habang ang suot ay pula Sa malawak na entablado ng Mendiola.

By the death of the few Will he provide a life for the many And by blood will he pave the path For a new generation and expectations The only thing we can do is To pray for St. Cardboard As they walk through the valley St. Cardboard has better morality Than most of us His marker would tell Whether we are sinners or saints Whether were innocent or guilty Whether true or false But the only thing we can do is To pray for St. Cardboard As they walk through the valley

Volume 24 Issue 1 / June-August 2016

12

Maikling Kwento

Nanginginig sa gutom at takot sa maya’t mayang kulog at kidlat na pumupunit sa dilim ng gabi, sabay niyang hinubad ang hindi magkapares na tsinelas na pudpud na sa kalumaan. Lumusong siya sa ilog na abot binti ang tubig at dahan-dahang tinawid ang kabilang pampang. Umahon siya’t muling isinuot ang tsinelas. Kasabay ng muling paghakbang ay ang pag-usal ng “bigas, sardinas, kape, asukal at kandila”.

The Chronicler

Bigas, Sardinas, Kape, Asukal at Kandila “Kaya’t ikaw ineng, magsumikap ka ng hindi ka “Ayon!” Pinulot niya ang lata at saka niya naalala naman matulad sa mga magulang mo.” Tumalikod ang huling uutangin. ito at akmang babalik sa kung ano mang ginagawa ng sabihin niyang kulang pa ang inutang niya.

“Bigas, sardinas, kape, asukal at kandila. Tama, kandila ang huli!” May kasiyahang sambit niya.

“Ano pa?!” May inis na muling baling nito sa kan- Tinanaw niya ang tindahan ni aling Teresa. Ang ya. “Asukal po...”sagot niya. “...at...”natahimik liwanag ng kalapit na poste ay nagdudulot ng mga siya. Ano nga ang huli? “ Asukal at?!” Naiinip na anino na tila nagsasabi na “huwag ka nang babatanong ni Aling Tesa. lik!...”

Maya-maya pa ay natanaw na niya ang paro- “Bilisan mo’t may ginagawa pa ako ineng.” “Asuroonan. kal at...” Hindi talaga niya maalala ang huling dapat utangin. Kung bakit kasi ang daldal ni aling Sandali siyang yumukod at pumulot ng batong Teresa. maipupukol sakaling habulin siya ng aso. Nadala na siya ng nakaraang nagtungo siya sa tindahan ni Sinubukan niyang isaisahin ang mga dapat Aling Teresa na hinabol siya ng aso. Kung hindi utangin. “Bigas, sardinas, kape, asukal, at...” dahil sa mamang dumaan ay baka nilapa na siya ng aso.

Hindi talaga niya maalala.

Tumayo siya at muling lumakad habang umuusal. “ bigas, sardinas, kape, asukal, at kandila...” Nang makarating sa harap ng tindahan ay luminga siya.

“Walang aso.” Aniya. Lumapit siya sa tarangkahan at tumawag. “Tao po! Ate Tesa? Tao po!...”

Katulad ng dati’y walang ibang ingay sa loob ng bahay-tindahan maliban sa mga tinig na mula sa telebisyon. Alam niya na katulad ng nakaraang pagtungo niya roon ay nasa loob lamang ang kanyang pakay.

Muli itong tumalikod at kumuha ng asukal sa estante. Tumingin siya sa pinanggalingan na tila umaasang maaninag ang huling dapat niyang utangin. Ngunit hindi parin niya maalala. Nagsimula nang umambon. “Heto ineng kunin mo na “Ano na naman ‘yon?” Bungad sa kanya ng ti- ito’t umuwi ka na.” Iniabot nito sa kanya ang asunawag. Tulad ng dati ay nakakunot ang noo nito kal. “Mabuti nang hindi mo maalala kung ano pa na tila palaging galit. man iyong uutangin mo ng hindi na dumagdag sa utang ninyo.”

“Ate pautang nga po ng bigas, sardinas, kape...”

Tumalikod na ito habang siya’y patuloy na nagi“Nanaman?!” Putol nito sa kanya. “Hindi ba’t isip kung ano ang huling dapat utangin. “Bahala kanina’y galing kana rito’t umutang ng bigas? na nga.” Usal niya. Pagdaka’y pasugod siyang tuAba’t mahigit por tawsan na ang utang ninyo in- makbo sa ambon bitbit ang supot ng bigas sardieng ah.” Napayuko siya. Tahimik niyang pinag- nas, kape at asukal. masdan ang mga paang basa pa ng tubig-ilog.

Halos memoryado na niya ang nakaka-tandang May pagmamadali niyang tinahak ang daan pababae. Hindi na iyon bago sa kanya. Sa bawat tungo sa ilog. Tiyak na magagalit ang nanay pagpunta niya roon ay ganoon at ganoon ang si- niya dahil sa nakalimutang uutangin, ngunit mas nasabi nito. mabuti nang makauwi na siya habang mababa pa ang tubig sa ilog.

“Sabihin mo sa nanay mo’y hindi sa lahat ng oras at makakautang kayo. Sabihin mo’y baka bukas Sa pagmamadali niya’y nahulog ang lata ng sarmakalawa’y sarado na itong tindahan ko sa laki dinas na nakaipit sa kili-kili niya. Yumukod siya ng utang ninyo.” Tumalikod ang babae at inihan- at kinapa ang lata, saka niya napagtantong hawak da ang inutang niya habang patuloy sa paglilitan- parin niya ang batong pinulot kanina. Binitawan ya. Pagkatapos ay bumalik ito sa tarangkahan dala niya ang bato at muling kinapa kung nasaan ang ang supot ng bigas, sardinas at kape. lata ng sardinas.

Volume 24 Issue 1 / June-August 2016

Napaisip siya. Babalik pa ba siya at muling iindahin ang mga litanya ni Aleng Teresa? Ang mga panghahamak nito’t panunudyo? “Hindi na. Ayaw ko na!” May munting galit na usal niya. Pumulot siyang muli ng bato at balewalang ipinukol sa kawalan.

Kasabay ng muling pagsirit ng kidlat ay ang pagkalabog ng yero. Muli siyang humakbang patungo sa ilog habang nagiisip ng sasabihin sa nanay “Asukal at ano?! Aba’t pagsasarhan kita riyan!” niya.

Babala ni Aling Teresa.Tumingin siya sa loob ng tindahan, sinubukang alalahanin kung ano ang Nang humantong siya sa ilog ay muli niyang hikulang niya. Asin ba? Gatas? Uling? Kendi kaya? nubad ang mga tsinelas at lumusong sa abot-tuhod nang tubig. Ng marating niya ang kabilang pam“Ano na ineng?” Untag ni Aling Teresa. “Hindi pang ay umahon siya at sa muling paghakbang ay ko po maalala yung isa pa.” Nakayukong sagot kasabay ang pagusal ng... niya. “Kung bakit kasi ikaw ang palaging inuutusan ng nanay mo na pumarito. Bakit kasi hindi na lamang siya o ang kuya mong wala namang ginagawa palagi.”

Nilakasan niya ang pagtawag. “ATE TESA? TAO PO! TAO PO!...” Pagdaka’y narinig niya ang padabog na pagtayo at may pagmamaktol na mga yabag palapit sa tarangkahan.

“...E kasi kung maka utang e akala mo’y nagbabayad. Bakit kasi hindi magtipid ng sa gayon ay makapag-ipon ng maipambabayad habang nagtatrabaho.”Patuloy na litanya nito. Binuksan nito ang tarangkahan at padabog na iniabot ang supot ng mga inutang niya.

CREATIVES

“Bakit kasi masyadong madilim..” Usal niya sa kawalan.

“Sana pala nagdala ako ng posporo’t papel o kaya’y kandila para...” Biglang kumidlat.