The Chronicler Vol. 23 No. 4 April-May 2016

NEWS It’s official!

DUTERTE WINS PRESIDENCY; LANI ON LOCAL POST Michelle Angelika Mendoza

May 9, 2016, the Philippines underwent its most special event of the year, the 2016 National and Local Elections where many Filipino citizens once again stretched their rights to vote for a better leader. The presidential candidate from Davao, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, earned approximately 16,000,000 votes in the entire country. On the contrary, the Vice Presidential candidate under The Liberal Party, Leni Robredo got 14, 418,817 votes.

Focusing on the Local elections, here are a few candidates for Mayor who won the highest number of votes in their respective cities: In Manila, Joseph Ejercito Estrada with 38%; In Cebu, Tommy Osmeña with 53%; In Davao, Sara Duterte with 99%. As per Taguig and Paranaque, Laarni Cayetano and Edwin Olivarez, respectively, remained as the Mayor of their cities after having no competitors on the said position.

TAs reported, the voting process on the said

day went well. But unexpected incidents was mercilessly burnt down by the unknown groups of people. Fortunately, the voting process in that place still continued despite of being delayed. While problems caused by malfunctioned vote counting machines occurred in many places which made the process to stop. However, the election results can be considered to be successful after a series of problems befell during the canvassing. A new set of leaders is now on their journey to continue the improvement of the Philippines. [TC]

President Rodrigo “Rody“ Duterte on a campaign rally. © Inquirer

PUP-Taguig faces challenges due to K-12 implementation

As it is expected that starting this school year, there will be no first year college students until the following school year.

Several schools and colleges have offered Grades 11 and 12, and one of these is the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sta. Mesa. And this includes the PUP Taguig Branch. As K+12 Educational System was implemented here in the Philippines in order to give solutions among drastic issues such as unemployment, mismatch, lower rate of graduates and a lot more.

Algwen Sahijuan

Incoming BSIT Freshmen in PUP Taguig were unfortunately dissolved due to the lack of students to occupy the three courses © Ara Buenaventura

As PUP Taguig has recently accepted students less than a population of 150 through PUPCET. Which lead to opening only three courses which are two Baccalaureate Degree and one Diploma Course: Marketing Management, Information Technology, and Office Management Techology. As per Director Sharon Pelayo, two years of having no freshman students

would never be a burden for PUPT professors considering the fact that there would still be regular classes and regular subjects that they could teach for the remaining students in the said institution. She has also mentioned that there are probabilities that the population of the latter would increase due to accepting transferees.

And if so, among this three selected courses won’t achieve a total of 50 students, there is a high chance that that specific course would be eliminated and students enrolled in an eliminated course will be absorbed to other existing course.

In the end, due to lack of sufficient enrollees, the DOMT and IT courses were eliminated and its enrollees were absorbed by Marketing Management course and some were transfered to other campuses to other existing courses or moved to other campuses. And as of now, the school administration no longer expects transferees. [TC]

CONGRATULATIONS, BATCH 2016!

The Chronicler (the official student publication of Polytechnic University of the Philippines - Taguig Branch) congratulates the 507 graduates of PUP-T Batch 2016! Whom 17 of the graduates received Latin Honors.

A sutccessful commencement ceremony was held on last April 25 at SMX Convention Center, SM Aura in Bonifacio

2

Global City (BGC), Taguig City. Below is the list of the graduates whom did receive Latin Honors: Bachelor of Science in Accountancy Cum Laude • Sales, John Ronnel B. • Ignacio, Chatterly L. • Simbulan, Roxanne S.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing Management Cum Laude • Manchus, Baby Lyn B. • Potenciano, Cherry Mae A. • Alterado, Jonamay M. • Maniquiz, Judy Ann L. Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English

Cum Laude • Cañas, Kimberly D. • Malinis, Glaine Rose Wendie S. • Giray, Louie G. • Cabatino, Michelle R. Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies Cum Laude • Tuya, Amabelle J.

• Yecla, Dexter Jan P. • Zamora, Rhenalyn S. Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Magna Cum Laude • Ismail, Jalil Mujib T. Cum Laude • Catapangan, Edgar Cris F. • Espiritu, Gian Paolo B.

NEWS KILUSANG MAYO UNO: Tunay, Palaban, at Makabayang Unyonismo Dannette Grace Ejertima

Labanan ang Kagutuman, Kahirapan, at Panunupil! Martsa Mayo Uno 2016!

Kamakailan lang, buong linaw na pinakita ng mga pangyayari ang mapanupil na katangian ng rehimeng Noynoy Aquino.

Noong Abril 1, 2016, ang barikada ng mahigit 6,000 na magsasaka sa Kidapawan, North Cotabato ay walang awang pinagbabaril ng mga elemento ng Philippine National Police.

Dahil dito walo ang namatay, 116 ang sugatan at 89 ang nawawala.

Anong kalagayan ang tumulak sa magsasakang ito na magbarikada sa National Highway?

Matapos ng ilang buwang pananalasa ng El Nino, dumanas ng matinding tagtuyot ang kanilang lugar.

Bunga nito, namatay ang kanilang mga pananim at halos wala na silang makain. Layun-

in sana ng barikada ang pilitin ang lokal na gobyerno ng North Cotabato na ipamahagi ang Calamity Fund at labimpitong libong sako ng bigas na matagal nang ipinagkakait sa mga nangangailangan nito. Sa halip na inaasahang bigas, bala ang sumalubong sa mga nagugutom na magsasaka.

manggagawa dito sa Pilipinas ay matagal na ring biktima ng delubyo at wala tayong ibang maaasahan kung hindi ang sama-samang lakas at pagkilos.

Higit pa sa pananalanta ng El Nino, ang delubyo ng naghaharing sistema ay matagal nang nagpapahirap sa uring magsasaka kawalan ng lupa, pagkabaon sa utang, napakababang presyo ng kanilang mga produkto, kakulangan sa serbisyo sosyal, atrasadong produksyon, at iba pa; at ang malagim na pangyayari sa Kidapawan ay isa lamang halimbawa ng matinding panunupil na dinaranas ng mga magsasakang lumalaban sa bulok na sistemang ito.

Ayon sa ating kapwa Pilipinong nakikipaglaban para sa karapatan, ang uring

© Bulatlat.com

Isa sa mga layunin ng mobilisasyong ito ang pagkaisahin ang mga manggagawa, magsasaka at iba pang uri at sektor na pinagsasamantalahan at inaapi para baguhin ang kasalukuyang bulok na sistema at palitan ito ng kaayusang magsisilbi sa interes ng nakararami kasabay ng kanilang sigaw, “Mobilisasyon ngayong Mayo 1, 2016! Hustisya para sa lahat ng anakpawis! National Minimum Wage: P466/araw at P16,000/buwan, Ipaglaban!

Kontraktwalisasyon, Ipagbawal! Imperyalismong, Pyudalismo, Burukrata Kapitalismo: Ugat ng Kahirapan! Ibagsak!

Pambansang Industriyalisasyon at Tunay na Reporma sa Lupa, Ipatupad! Makibaka Para sa Tunay na Pambansang Kalayaan at Demokrasya!”

[TC]

Candle Lighting Ceremony, alay sa mga nasawing magsasaka.sembly at The Chronicler ay paghiling ng hustisya para sa Kristine Louise Omiz

Isang candle lighting ceremony ang isinagawa noong ika-22 ng Abril sa PUPT Zonta Park na alay sa mga nasawing magsasaka sa madugong dispersal na naganap sa siyudad ng Kidapawan.

Sa pangunguna ng SAMASA PUP-Taguig kabilang ang Student Council As-

isinagawa ang nasabing pagtitipon.

Sinimulan ito sa isang panalangin na sinundan ng pagbabahagi ng opinyon at mensahe ng mga lider-estudyante tungkol sa nangyaring insidente. Matapos ito ay sinimulan nang sindihan ang mga kandila, kasabay ng pag dasal upang alalahanin ang ating mga kapatid na magsasaka at

mga ito.

Tatlo ang namatay at mahigit isandaan ang nasugatan sa hanay ng mga magsasaka sa marahas na insidente noong Abril 1. Nauna nang tinuligsa ng mga iba’t ibang student council, student publication, at youth organization ang ginawang aksyon ng lokal na pamahalaan patungkol sa dispersal. [TC]

PUPians express their sympathy in the Kidapawan Masscre. (Photo taken by: Franchesca Mozo)

3

“I think we’re struggling with trying to redefine various positions at this point in history. To allow freedom for women, freedom for men, freedom from those sharply defined gender roles.”

- Fred Ward

According to Laws and Politics, there are four elements of a sovereign state, a state will only exist, if there are existence of the following: Territory, the Government, the Sovereignty or Independence, and the most essential thing is the People/Population which has a vital role in nation-building. Consists of men and women working together for the greater good. It is vital that people in a specific state/country has their own roles and duty which are responsible for the development of the country. As gender role, is a set of societal norm dictating the accepted kind of behaviour based on their actual or perceived sex. It is usually centered

4

concepts of masculinity and feminity.

Every nation/state has different techniques on paving the path to success. As there are many factors affecting the gender roles in our society such as, human ability, culture, ideology, religion, philosophy, and tradition. Gender capabilities limits gender roles.

It is prominent to the Philippines that it is a stereotype or a generalization that the roles of the genders in different types of work. Today, a stereotypical Filipino woman can be described as a mother who stays at home and taking care of her family, while a stereotypical Filipino man can be described as the breadwinner of a family, whose aim is to provide or support the needs of his family.

Gender differences and roles can also be seen in different aspects of the Filipino society such as in dating, education, workforce, marriage, and families. These roles had changed

throughout history and today.

If we examine our history, pre-colonial period (16th century) shows that it is evident that women had equal rights with men. It is common that most civilizations are dominated by men.

However, divorced wives were able to manage a property, earn money, own a business, able to become political authorities, remarry again, and they also become the central role in the society. They could even get high positions such as healers and priestesses. Women enjoys equal status with men. But that practice doesn’t last long. A shift in gender roles happen during the Spanish conquest of the Philippines. During the colonization period, the Spanish rule affects the gender differences and put the women on more traditional role. It is common that in a typical Filipino family, patriarchal system is the dominant

system in almost every Filipino family. Patriarchal system manifested itself in the social, legal, political, and economic aspects of our society. The ideal women before are overly religious, submissive, and obedient. The role of a woman became attached to the home; her duty became an obedient and respectful daughter, and a good wife. Thus, the ‘Maria Clara’ stereotype was born.

Despite of all efforts to supress women, this did not stop the fury of the Filipina blood.

Pride and honour was worth fighting for and this was proven by the iconic Filipinas, Gabriela Silang and Gregoria De Jesus. When the 20th century came and also the American reign, the equality between men and women starts to build up once again. In spite of this achievement, women are not currently equal in the field of politics and employment.

It seems that the stereotypes that was given to them is a great influence in these fields.

Traditional roles prevail in provinces and rural areas in the Philippines. Men are outside, harvesting crops, planting, or fishing for the family. Meanwhile, the women will remain taking care the house, children, or feed the barn animals. In urban places, men are more likely to work in constructions, machine upkeeps, or driving public vehicles. Women also are most likely to be in the field of business. In a traditional family in Metro Manila, we can see that it is normal for a family to have a working mom or working parents. Both rural and urban areas in the Philippines strives for gender equality in the field of employment. This is slowly show ing in our everyday life as we see the growth of the male population in the business field, and also the women are allowed to take a man’s job.

In a survey held by the Philippine Statistic Authority in 2013, more than half

an

nz Christi a L , O A Y U B Dibuho ni:

(55.4%) of workers engaged in business processing, were female. It shows that seeing men in a business establishment is becoming more common. We’re more likely to see women taking up a job for men that is considered professional. Such Jobs that is related to architecture or engineering is becoming attractive to the female population. In general, 2 out of 5 wage and salary workers are women and at the same time, 3 out of 10 women are underemployed. Women continues to break stereotypes.

They have proven that they are taking professional roles in our country. In the rural aspect of our country, women are still a part of the minority. In the survey, out of 4.8 million agricultural operators, 89% are male while 11% are female. Women depends for the income coming from their husbands to go through their daily lives.

Gender roles aren’t constant at all, the roles switch

and cope on different kind of situations. In the modern time, this roles had changed dramatically. Women gained more rights and equality. Women gained the right of suffrage, positions in our society, equal opportunities in education and employment. A greater conscience about the importance and dignity or women in the country still needs improvement, especially with rural areas. There are groups that supports and fights for gender equality in the country. As a society, one must understand that a person is not labelled.

Anyone can be independent, whether it’s a he or a she. Every successful achievement can only be achieved with full participation of every people involved. Therefore, never judge or question the capabilities of the other gender. They exist for a reason. Our world is just like a complex system/machine, losing a valuable part or gear will make the system unstable or even worse could lead to the destruction of the system. [TC]

5

EDITORIAL & OPINION TUNGGALIAN SA KABUHAYAN

EDITORIAL

Dibuho ni: Lanz Christian Buyao

Libu-libo na naman ang nagtapos sa kolehiyo at lahat ay nag-aasam na magkaroon ng trabahong naaayon sa kursong kanilang tinapos. Subalit sa pagdagdag ng mga fresh graduate sa napakaraming Pilipinong naghahangad na makapagtrabaho ay patuloy naman ang pagliit ng bilang ng trabahong nalilikha para sa mga mamamayan.Ang paghahanap nila ng hanapbuhay ay walang kasiguruhan. Karamihan sa mga bagong gradweyt sa kolehiyo ay hindi nagkakaroon ng trabaho na angkop sa kanilang tinapos at ang iba ay wala talagang makuhang hanapbuhay. Epekto ito sa humihinang paglikha ng trabaho sa ilalim ng katatapos lamang na administrasyon. Nagresulta ito sa pagtaas ng bilang ng unemployed, underemployed pati na rin ng discouraged job-seekers.

Laganap din ang kontraktwalisasyon na patuloy na nagpapahirap sa kalagayan ng mga manggagawa dahil sa kakarampot na sweldong mas mababa pa sa minimum wage at sa iilang buwang pagkayod ay agad na silang sisibakin ng mga walang awang kapitalista, dahilan upang muling humanap ng panibagong mapagtatrabahuan. Ang problema ng mga bagong gradweyt ay hindi iba sa problemang kinakaharap ng ating mga manggagawa. Bunga ito ng mga mapanlinlang na kapitalista na nagsusulong ng “free” enterprise at “free” competition – na nangangahulugang malaya ang mga kapitalista na magkaroon ng malaking kita na nanaisin nila. Sa ganitong pamamaraan ay mas lalong lumiliit ang porsyento ng pasahod sa mga manggagawa.

Maging ang pamahalaan na dapat humahadlang sa ganitong sistema ay siya pang nakikipaghawak-kamay at kumukunsinti rito.

Ayon sa IBON Foundation, humigit-kumulang 692,000 trabaho ang nalilikha taun-taon mula 2011 hanggang 2015. Makikitang ito ay mas mababa kung ikukumpara sa bilang na 858,000 noong 2001 hanggang 2010. Ang ating mga manggagawa ang tunay na susi sa pagpapayabong ng ekonomiya. Sila ang nararapat na kasangga ng pamahalaan hindi ang mga walang puso at naghahari-hariang kapitalista.

Natural lamang bilang mga mag-aaral na malaman ang ganitong isyu dahil darating din ang panahon kung saan tayo naman ang magtatapos at maghahanap ng hanapbuhay at mapapabilang din sa mga manggagawa ng ating bansa.

Karapatan ang ipinagkakait sa atin. Magpapatuloy ang ganitong sistema kung patuloy tayong magbubulag-bulagan sa tunay na kondisyon ng hanapbuhay dito sa ating bansa. Huwag na natin hintayin pa na sa panahon ang ating pagtatapos at paghahanap ng trabaho ay danasin din natin ang ganitong kalagayan.

Sa pagdating ng bagong administrasyon, huwag na nating hayaang matulad lang ito sa nauna. Bilang mga pag-asa ng bayan, matuto tayong sumuri, makialam at manindigan sa ating ipinaglalabang karapatan dahil hindi lamang tayo ang manginginabang nito kundi pati na rin ang susunod na henerasyon. [TC]

6

OPINION IS ‘THE PUNISHER’ THE SOLUTION?

The term of President Benigno Aquino is finally about to come to an end and along with this termination of position is the welcoming of the new and incoming president, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who was just recently dubbed as “The Punisher” due to his notorious reputation upon the elimination of crime and domination of peace and order during his seat as the Mayor of Davao for more than twenty-two (22) years. A surer, more guaranteed change is promised by the current apparent presumptive President-elect of the Philippines by using strict, disciplinarian actions for the betterment of the society. Just recently, the Filipino laborers have gathered, not in their homes to relax and take a day-off due to the holiday, but to the streets to fight for their rights through rallying in an effort to voice out their demands about their situation as a part of the country’s work force.

The news was filled with their concerns about low wages, irregular jobs, high cost of living and the recurring “endo” (end of contract) or contractualization that dominates the labor system wherein workers are subject in a five-month contract without the benefits that they are sup-

Resonance

posed to receive. When the contract expires, the workers are terminated and rehired in the same way. It’s an unending cycle of temporary labor with the fear in the worker’s minds of what will become of tomorrow when the contract is done.

The Aquino administration will be leaving us their broken promises of economic growth. True enough, the growth rate of the country’s GDP raised to 6.9%, one of the highest rates in the continent, but then, according to Prof. Leonor Briones of Social Watch, “Many Filipinos still consider themselves poor and hungry.

Claims of robust growth can only be substantiated if they benefit from it.” The economic improvement has been made only for the elites of the country, declining the needs of the lower and middle class people who weigh more than a half of the country’s population.

In overall, the Aquino Administration has given us a ray of hope--that there is a possibility for making the Philippines climb up again on its ranks. As opposed to PNoy’s Administration, there is so much to be expected from the Duterte’s. Policies have been delivered during the campaign that is certainly expected to bring change.

OPINION

When I was kid, I seemed to realize I was different from my friends. Instead of dreaming to become a doctor, a nurse, or a police officer, I just wanted to have a decent job. A job that will help me sustain my family from poverty, help my brother finish his education, and help me be able to live an everyday where I wouldn’t have to worry about how much I will pay for tomorrow or how many did I spent a day. I just wanted a job and that was not normal for a seven year old kid.

Fast forward through time, neither I nor my friends got what they wished for. The one kid who said he wanted to be surgeon was on his way to become an engineer, the little girl who wanted to be a nurse chose to be an accountant instead, and the tough kid who said he wanted to be a police officer enrolled into Business Administration. I, who only wanted to have a job, realized I have to do so much more.

When my sister

came home every day in the same attire, make-up smudged and hair astray. I have been afraid. The one thing I wished, seems to be unreachable now.

It seems to be far away and I began to question.

Why? If we are a decent country, being said had accommodated laws then why is it hard to be hired into a job?

Why do we have to work ten times harder? And why do we have to give up dreams to be realistic? It struck me, because we have no choice. We have no choice to grow and aim for a degree. Not only essential to our limited budget, but also enough for us to have a job that can pay. No choice but to work hard to be a scholar, no choice but to be considered sold to another country, and no choice but to work.

Work until we get paid, work until our limbs feel numb, and work until we get old. But that can’t be enough, nothing can be enough. Because money is essential to a country full of thieves. What we work hard for, they take it.

Irish Providal

Examples of which is the implementation of Federalism as a system of governance, the clear rebellion of the Catholic orders which emphasizes the separation of The Church and The State such as the approval of using contraception, the opposition of the labor contractualization, which the activists have voiced out as mentioned earlier, and foreign policies which primarily concerns on the acquisition of Spratly Islands from China.

With this new promises from The Punisher, are we to expect the best? Or the worse? Are these promises worth it? Is it safe to hold on to? Or should we just look from the shadows and keenly observe of what’s to happen in the future? The students of PUP-Taguig should be reminded that our future lives and careers are dependent of this new administration for when we step out into the real world, the Duterte Administration should be able to fill us the opportunities by grabbing more investments and laying out unemployment solutions.

Because in reality, we hone our future lives not just with ourselves but with the help of the society. Now, youth, is this the society that will solve the diseases of the Motherland? [TC]

Beyond The Walls

I WAS A KID

Elaiza Eusebio What we invested our strength in, they take advantage of it.

What we die for, they give pity.

We are simple ragdolls in their sugar-coated government.

Where they make scented laws that reek of plastic, acts that seemed to be stringed, and paper-thin words that had been flown by the wind. We only act for their benefit and faint for their necessity. But we are not supposed to appease these acts, let them be, and be puppets in their own show. We are a democratic country where the words of the community is more important than any commercialized smiles and speeches. A country that is praised for their smiles but intimidated by their strength, and a country I am willing to fight for.

We are not fated to be jobless and we should not have to look at our children with sympathy when they dream. We are citizens, not dolls or robots that they can play with. I am no longer a kid and my dream doesn’t have to be hopeless. [TC]

OPINION

OPINION

Hindi na natin ipagkakaila na hangad ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino ay magandang kabuhayan dito sa bansa natin pero hindi nangyayari. Isa sa mga dahilan dito’y ang hindi magagandang trabaho sa bansa natin. Iilan sa mga katangian ng mga trabaho na mas nakikita sa bansa natin ay ang ‘di mataas na sahod at mas mababa pa sa ‘minimum wage,’ ‘di maayos na kalidad ng trabaho at ang salitang kontraktwalisasyon na iniipit ang mga trabahador sa endo o ‘end of contract.’ Hindi sa minamaliit ang mga trabaho’t serbisyo sa Pilipinas, kung tutuusin ito pa ay mararangal, ngunit hindi ito sapat. Kulang

KONDISYONG ‘DI MABAGO-BAGO

pa rin ito para matustusan ang pamilya ng pangkaraniwang Pilipino. Dahil dito, ang iba ay napipilitan na mag dalawang trabaho o ‘di kaya ang anak din ay magtatrabaho para lang maalagaan ang kanyang sarili.

Ang iba naman ay pumupunta pa sa ibang bansa at doon dumaranas ng pisikal at emosyonal na paghihirap para sa mas mataas na sahod ng ibang bansa. Minsa’y hindi na rin nagtatrabaho at tinatahak ang landas ng palaboy para mabuhay.

Magkaroon man ng disenteng trabaho dito, hindi pa rin sapat para maitaguyod ang isang pamilya. Nasasayang ang abilidad at kakayanan

OPINION

We raise ourselves and our future for one continuous cycle. We are born, we grow up to educate ourselves for almost 20 years, and we work until we get old. Endless boring life we continue to complain about, but have no reason to sway from it either.

So why do we work every day in our lives? Having no choice but to pick a reliable course for us to determine our future?

Having a degree is too common and doesn’t mark you to be quickly hired.

Having no experience does not help you gain employer’s interest. Being a post graduate does not make you better than a hundreds of other unemployed people who have waited long enough for their chance.

Not only do we have hundreds of graduates completing their degree every year, the new K-12 system will not help the progress of employment. Hun-

Reflector’s Plume

dreds of companies create high demands for their employees that will not only increase with each passing year, but they will also be needing a certain degree and high experience to get accepted. Also, with technology upgrading every day, manual labor is needed less, causing more problems with our economy status.

ng mga mamamayan natin na dapat sa bansa natin inilalaan.

Ang mga nakatapos ng kolehiyo o sekondarya ay hindi nakakapagtrabaho sa nais nilang pagtrabahuhan. Ganoon na rin sa mga hindi nakatapos ng pag-aaral.

Ang mga katagang magkakaroon ng bagong trabaho ang mga Pilipino sa bansa ay paulit-ulit na nating naririnig, subalit hindi pa rin ito natutuloy at laging napapako.

Ilang beses nang umaasa ang Pilipino ng pagbabago sa buhay nila pero laging napupunta sa mas matinding paghihirap at sakripisyo sa kanilang parte.

Nasa gobyerno na naman ang

we continue it? Why support this companies that will not help or be associated with our own? Because it’s the only thing we have that is stable.

Companies choose more experienced applicants and high-edge technology for their own benefit. Most companies in our country are foreign, not helping in our economy whatsoever. Then why do

These doesn’t help us to be better people, that doesn’t help lessen our population, and that doesn’t make us a better country. Why not try to lowering the standards for employees? Why not try

OPINION

Dalawang taon na rin mula nang pasukin ko ang isang bagay na hindi ko akalaing makakapagpabago ng aking buhay-kolehiyo. Isang bagay na bagamat masarap, ay puno ng pait at palagiang pagsasakripisyo. At ito ay ang pagiging bahagi ng Kronik.

Sa kabila ng mga kahirapang ito, hindi kami nagreklamo. Pero darating din ang panahon na hindi na kami makatiis. Sadyang kahit gusto mo ang isang bagay at ito ang dahilan ng patuloy mong pananatili, ay hihiyaw ka sa pagiging hindi pantay ng sistema, na kakainin ka kung hindi ka papalag. Kailangang ilabas.

Kailangang kumawala.

Lahat yata ng mga estudyante sa eskuwelahan ay iniisip na napakadali ng aming trabaho.

Mangolekta ng semestral publication fee, gumawa ng mga article, gumuhit ng mga illustration at cartoon, ilatag ang lahat ng mga nakalap sa computer, at ipalimbag. Sabay na rin ang pamimigay nito sa mga mag-aaral.

Akala talaga nila, madali lang ang lahat. Kung ganun lang sana kadaling ipaliwanag sa

At heto’t nagsusulat ako, hindi lang para sa aking sarili kundi sa aming lahat na nagpapakalunod ng buong puso sa nakakalasong siklo ng pagiging estudyante at manunulat, para mapagsilbihan kayong magaaral, at ang mas malawak na masa sa labas ng apat na sulok ng Sintang Paaralan.

Maaaring Kronik ang dahilan

Mawawala kaya iyon? Nakapatong ang lahat sa iyo, presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte. [TC]

Against The Current

With each passing year, our employment rate is decreasing, with poverty and unemployment increasing.

We do not care for these things or that because of standards and recession. We are slowly enlarging our poverty population.

kanila ang kabuuan, pero hindi rin namin alam kung makikinig sila, o kung handa silang makinig kung sakali mang magsalita kami.

Tanging nais lamang ng mga Pilipino ay hindi na sila maghihirap para maghanap ng trabaho at matustusan na ang pamilya nila.

Matanggal na ang mga nakagawiang katangian ng trabaho sa Pilipinas.

JOBLESS INCREASE

Do we have local company that pay off all our expenses? Do we have local company that is well off without foreign ties? None. This is the reason why we fly into another country because being a nanny pays more than any rich, popular company in our country. It helps us pay bills; it helps us educate our children; and helps us survive. Thus, we working outside of our own country helps the economy better.

Ang bilis lumipas ng panahon, gaya ng sabi nila. Gasgas na kasabihan, pero lagi’t lagi din namang totoo, ngayon para naman sa akin.

Lanz Christian Buyao sisi dahil sa hindi nila natutuunan ng pansin ang kalagayan ng trabaho dito sa Pilipinas.

Elaiza Eusebio accepting more manual labor than technology? Why not try cancelling the K-12 system when its only purpose is for more people to go to foreign countries to work?

With structural employment, oversupply of graduates, and economic recession coming to us, biting our heads off with a warning, isn’t that enough to change our employment system? Thinking that maybe why we are suffering is not because we lack jobs or companies nor have great amount of people, but because we forgot that when solving a problem, instead of throwing it away, we are supposed to find a solution.

Instead of blaming the people, maybe we should start having a smart government. [TC]

Breakpoint

MANANATILI ng aming pagkabigo sa ibang bagay, pero patuloy kaming magpupursigi sa aming pagbabalanse ng trabaho at gawaing pang-akademiko, anumang mangyari. Maaring Kronik ang binabatikos ng karamihan dahil walang kuwenta ang aming mga ipinagsusulat, pero hindi kami titigil para ipaalam sa inyo ang mga isyu na dapat kasangkutan sa loob at labas ng paaralan. Maaring Kronik ang sinusubukang sikilin ng mga may maiitim na balak upang sila ang sumikat o magkaroon ng kontrol sa paaralan, pero isang bagay ang aming sisiguraduhin: hindi namin hahayaang masikil kami upang ihatid sa inyo ang matapang, mapanuri, at maka-estudyante, makamasang pagbabalita.

Minsan ma’y nagkakaroon kami ng mga pagkakamali (na hindi naman naiiwasan ngunit pinapalaki ng iilan upang gawing basehan na hindi kami karapat-dapat sa

Kent Garcia Kronik), sinisiguro namin na sa mga susunod na pagkakataon, ay mas pagbubutihin namin na gampanan ang aming tungkulin sa inyo, na higit pa sa kung ano ang idinidikta sa amin ng paaralan at ng konserbatibong lipunan.

Sisikapin naming ilapit sa inyo ang pahayagan bilang inyong pahayagan, bilang inyong lente, bilang inyong tainga, at bilang inyong boses, na hindi kayo iiwan.

Lahat kami ay maninindigan.

Lumipas man ang panahon at humarap man sa napakaraming banta ay hindi kami mangingiming lumaban. Para sa katotohanan, para sa aming mga pinagsisilbihan, at para sa bayan.

Bilang bahagi ng Kronik, sampu ng aking mga kasama sa pagsusulat at pagmumulat, ito ang iniwan na aral ng nakaraan, na aming kasalukuyang tangan, at patuloy naming ipaglalaban. [TC]

7

LITERARY 387

Kasabay ng pagpupuyos sa galit ni Karlo ay ang pagpatak naman ng mga luha sa mukha ng babae na nasa kanyang harapan -- hindi maalis ang pagkakatitig sa maamo nitong mukha.

talon ay dinukot ng babae ang isang panyolitong asul, at saka ipinunas sa nanlilimahid niyang mukha. Natabunan ng naghahalong luha, sipon, at pawis ang mukha niyang puno ng kolorete.

Sa magkabilang gilid ng babae ay dalawang maleta ang bitbit, at isang shoulder bag naman ang nakasabit sa balikat niya. Nagsisilitawan ang mga tela ng damit mula sa kanyang mga bagahe.

Nakatitig ang lahat ng tao sa loob ng terminal ng bus sa kanilang dalawa, nagaabang sa mga susunod na sandali ng mala-teleseryeng eksena. Hindi na pinapansin ang pagngitngit ng TV na nasa may kawnter.

“Bwisit na buhay ‘to! Hindi ba pwedeng ako na lang?” sigaw ni Karlo sa babaeng kanina pa tumatangis.

Nakakunot ang noo at tila nagdudugtong na ang mga kilay ni Karlo.

Humihip ang maalinsangang hangin ng Abril.

Mula sa bulsa sa likod ng kanyang suot na pan-

Human

“Narito na ho ang bus number 82135. Pumila na ang may mga tiket na numero 348 hanggang 408. Pwede na ring pumila ang mga bibili ng tiket sa kawnter 2 para naman sa last trip”, pag-anunsyo ng kahera.

“Ito na ang tiket mo. Saka ko na lang ibabalik kay pareng Edgar ‘yong

ipinambayad kapag nakadiskarte na ulit ako sa konstraksyon”, iniabot ni Karlo ang tiket na may numerong 387 kay Rosa.

Nanginginig na kamay ang sumambot sa pag-abot ni Karlo. Bigla niya namang kinuha ang mga kamay ni Rosa at ipinulupot sa kanyang likod. Inilagay ang kanan niyang kamay sa ulunan ni Rosa at ang kaliwa naman ay sa likod ng babae inilapat.

Niyapos si Rosa sa huling pagkakataon bago ito umalis paMaynila. Hindi na napigilan ang pagtulo ng mga luha.

Ilang segundo ang lumipas at tinanggal na ni Rosa ang pagkakayapos sa kanya, baon ang pag-asang maisasakatuparan ang pinaplanong kasalan sa kanyang pagbabalik. Binitbit ni Karlo ang mga bagahe sa kompartimento ng bus at saka hinalikan si Rosa sa

17 Years

Franchesca Nicole Mozo Men should do this. Women should do that Sounds familiar? In some context, it might be We were labelled since we were young The colours pink and blue were to define us Men don’t cry and women don’t fight Society made men look like robots Beings incapable of emotions They don’t admit that they’re hurt Men must be powerful and strong While women were made to look submissive Beings to fill the gap of a man When it comes to emotions, they aim for secrecy Made them look like complicated beings People forget that the key of survival is individuality We now see men cooking in high class restaurants We now see women being professional in sports We now see men working in day care We now see women fixing automobiles Does gender, so strongly, dictate a role?

A child can both call his parents, father Two hopeful mothers now strolls in a local orphanage Why does gender matter?

Because, at the end of the day, we’re all still human.

8

17. She can see her mom and dad smiling, as she was bring placed by a gold medal around her neck. It was that moment she learned that everything was going in their rightful places. She stole another glance as she saw them steal a peck on each other’s lips.

16. Her mom smacked her on the cheeks for choosing her own decision. She was too late when she saw there are no more slots for Accountancy nor Business management. However, she sees a chance to do what she always wanted to do. Thus, her world of Information Technology starts to unfold. Despite of the burn on her left cheek, she didn’t regret a choice she is passionate about.

15. Finally, she graduated high school. You can see the smile on her parents’ face. She looked at the diploma and asked herself, “Now what?” She is now stuck between her passion and her parent’s choice for her future.

However, it’s not the time for that. The whole family is here, and that’s what matters.

14. She was given a

piece of paper. ‘Courses I will choose’ in bold letters made my world spin. It’s not even her last year in high school, and yet she feels the pressure of every decision she might take. She always wanted to take a computer major but her mother said it was for boys.

For boys? Does one passion must be held back because of ones gender?

13. Her parents got separated.

12. That’s when she saw her dad cry for the first time. Her protector starts to show tears streaming down his face. It’s that moment she knew that men aren’t robots.

She always loved her father but seeing him at that state, made her realize to not label men quickly.

11. She was finally able to express herself through her clothing and hair. She stopped caring for her hair and started to wear in a simple ponytail. She stopped wearing dresses and starts wearing comfortable and shirts and pants. This is the start of her self-expression.

10.

Her mother

noo bago ito pumanhik.

Huling umakyat ang drayber ng bus. Gusot ang kaniyang buhok tulad ng suot niyang uniform. Nginitian at kinawayan si Karlo nang makita siya sa ibaba. Napansin ni Karlo ang namumula nitong mga mata at naninilaw na ngipin.

Sa huling pagkakataon ay sinipat ni Karlo ang kinakasama, inalala ang anak nilang iniwan saglit sa kapitbahay na si Mang Karding.

bus.

Umandar na ang

“Mahal kita,” bigkas ni Rosa habang nakasilip sa kanyang nobyo, batid na may salaming humaharang sa kanila.

Ibinaba na niya ang tabing atsaka nagpakalunod sa

Franchesca Nicole Mozo wished for her to be an accountant.

9. She made two guy friends but her dad quickly reacted. He scolded at her for not being feminine enough. He said that boys are just trouble.

8. She was asked to play with her friends but at the end of the day, she’ll be in the computer shop playing computer games. She liked this more than playing Barbies and dress-up with the preppy girl next door.

7. Her mother forced her to wear a blue frilly dress for an event. There was a party and her dad is cooking the dishes. She never saw mom cooked before.

6. She saw her parents fight for the first time.

5. She heard her mom cuss for the first time.

4, 3, 2, 1,

0. While her mother rubs her baby bump, she hoped that she will be the perfect girl the world has ever seen.

Mga Isko’t Iska, halina’t linangin ang inyong talento sa pagsulat, pagguhit, pagdidisenyo at pagkuha ng litrato para sa bayan! Sumali sa The Chronicler, ang opisyal na publikasyon ng PUP Taguig! https://goo.gl/9zzwC8

Jullia Nicole Herrera kantang Alapaap na tumutugtog sa loob ng bus. Isinasabay ang pagpadyak ng paa sa tiyempo ng kanta.

“…Masdan mo ang aking mata ‘Di mo ba nakikita Ako ngayo’y lumilipad at nasa—“

Kitang-kita ni Karlo ang buong pangyayari.

Dilaw na ang kulay ng ilaw trapiko pero mas bumilis pa ang takbo ng bus na sinasakyan ni Rosa. Hindi pa siya nakakakurap nang sumabog ang gulong sa likod ng umaararong bus at magliyab. Sumalpok ito sa kasalubong na 10 wheeler na trak at ilang metro ang binaybay ng bumaligtad na bus.

Goodbye

EXE When did I start to forget?

I woke up not retaining a thing With grazes and shiners With deep slashes and blood spills I recall a certain thing I’ve been thinking over and over Recognizing that face But still incapable of knowing you Now, I felt nothing Neither repentance nor anything I know nonentity As in the opposite of everything I reckon all of my spirits vanished And found out I have failed to recall The expressions of yours Thinking it’s a good bye That’s what I thought And what I feel For I, myself don’t know myself I reckon those meek feelings And found out I fail to remember The warmth we shared Good bye, We’ll never meet again Guess it’s supposed to be Maybe Finally, I remember those words As I took my breath serenely I unlocked my eyes widely My tears started falling and I can’t help it.