Illustration by | Ivan Bondoc
1 LOCAL NEW S
THE CURRENT|ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
rodas to lead the students as the new council president
D
GRANDIOSE BALL 2019 MARKS HISTORY KYLE A. SANTIAGO
AMADEUS ALBERT N. QUITCO
espite reaching only 24% of the expected voter’s turnout – Revelyn Correa from College of Teacher Education (CTE) and the chair of Commission on Student Elections (CSE) proceeded the manual counting of votes then proclaimed Mark Giemer Rodas, an Accountancy student as the new president of the Supreme Student Council (SSC) for the academic year 2019-2020.
the official student publication of CMU which is The Current.
The presidential seat was the only post which was vied by two candidates; Rodas an independent candidate and Delos Reyes, a Political Science student from Kaakibat at Sandigan ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA) party. The rest of the positions was automatically secured by the other candidates of KASAMA party after filing without opposition.
“We have the student council and student media to represent and express and thoughts and viewpoints of the students” Rodas is against in conveying out grievance on the notorious CMU Secret Files where many students express their thoughts on the said Facebook page. “A Facebook page cannot defend, a Facebook page cannot represent you, but the student council could do this for you”, – Rodas pointed out during Miting de Avance.
“By establishing a sole, unified and independent council, we can be able to institutionalize an atmosphere where we can freely enjoy our right to organization, press freedom and gender expression.” – Rodas’ winning statement posted on social media after his victory on the presidential post. RODAS’ CONCERNS AND ADVOCACIES FOR THE STUDENTRY In an interview with Mr. Rodas, he said he’s aiming for the unification of University Recognized and Accredited Student Organizations (URASO) and a strong bond and communication between the organizations. Rodas also plans to re-establish the inactive student publication in all the college departments in CMU because he believed that it is a must to have publications express the thoughts of every student in every college other than
Apart from academic organizations, Rodas also wants to introduce other organizations such as cultural groups, artists collective, gender identity groups, youth advocacy leagues and such other groups which will help the CMUans to gain extra knowledge and skills.
URASO CLUBS ELECTIONS University Recognized and Accredited Student Organizations (URASO) Board, composed of newly-elected student organizations heads, are as follows: Jyzel Czonia Encabo (Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants - CMU), Jayson Guiseppe Cruz (I-Tech Org), Paolo Jonel Salentes (Educator’s Club), Christian Custodio (Math Society), Bryan Alon (English Society), Jomarie Costuna (Social Studies Club), Carlo Diego (Society of Young MAPEH Majors), Jo Renz Ramos (First Hand Society), Jiya Palacpac (Athletics Society) and Joshua Roi Quijano (Business Administration Society) – the Liberal Arts Society (LAS) still haven’t elected their officers yet and is reported to be done on the official start of classes this new academic year.
O
v e r - t h e - t o p extravaganza: City of Malabon University’s graduation ball concluded outside the city for the first time in history.
accumulated over seven hundred participants. This includes the graduates, university faculty from different colleges, staff, guest and the administrative officials.
CMU’s Graduation Ball 2019 with the theme: “Diamond Night: Dazzling to a Year of Memories, Moving to the Reality of Future” was concluded at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent, Quezon City last 24th of April, 2019.
The event was successfully administered through the collaborative efforts of the Graduating Class Officers (GCO) and the cooperative graduating class of 20182019 by which for the first time, the annual graduation ball was accomplished outside the campus.
This the
grand gathering of graduating students
the current furthers another year T
MHITZ T. TAMAYO
urn over Ceremony of The Current, the official school publication of City of Malabon University (CMU) was concluded last April 13 at CBA 9-11.
will be arching the publication’s engine towards serving the entire Filipino people and challenging the domination.
Mr. Raymond Lumagsao, editorin-chief for the academic year 2018-2019, officially turned over the editorship to the newest set of editorial board of The Current.
As the university’s watchdog, the newest set of press vanguards vows to uphold the principles of the student media publication, “To seek the Truth and write with Integrity”.
Upon technical examination, interview with the out-going editors and deliberation, Mr. Amadeus Albert Quitco, a second year AB Journalism student, was chosen as this year’s editor-in-chief. He
Before the program ends, Dr. Libert Acibo, Director of Registar, led the oath taking of the new set of editors and staff, in the absence of Mr. Ivan Paolo Evangelista, OIC-Student Affairs Office (SAO).
LOCAL NEWS 2
THE CURRENT|ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
shs graduates honored O
MHITZ T. TAMAYO
n April 11, exceptional student from City of Malabon University (CMU) - Senior High School (SHS) Department who excell in academics and extra-curricular activities, were awarded during the recognition day, administered at the university’s grounds. This year’s theme was “Pagkakaiba sa Pagkakaiba: Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa lahat”. There are total of seven “With Honor” awardees from the Grade 11
and one awardee of “With High Honor”, both from the Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand. For the Grade 12 students, seven of them proudly march with “High Honors”, and 62 students graduated with honors. Students who exemplify in their leadership, sports and other nonacademic related activities also received medals and certificates during the program.
LONGOS, MALABON CITY - The Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, with the composed program of Free Higher Education will be implemented in the City of Malabon University (CMU). Issued by the Memorandum from the Office of the Executive Director of the Unified Student Financial System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), Atty.
Prior to the implementation of Free Higher Education in the City of Malabon University (CMU), students in four-year courses
Carmelita Yadao-Sison MNSA, Ph.D – granted the CHEDRecognition and Eligibility to implement the programs of R.A 10931 in Academic Year 20192021 in the City of Malabon University – which enables the students to access a free and quality education. Regarding this program, all the incoming, incumbent, transferrees, shiftees and those students who want to pursue studying will be covered. Excluded in the said program are the students who are taking up Graduate Studies and Professional Education,
can benefit within five-year; students in five-year courses can benefit for six years. For demystification, if a journalism student doesn’t complete his bachelor’s degree in four years, and has to study for another year, he is still covered by the said program. At the same instance, if an accountancy student doesn’t complete his bachelor’s degree in five years, and has to study for another year, he will still be covered by the program.
2019 graduates seals diploma at picc KYLE A. SANTIAGO
he 24th Commencement Exercises concluded last May 2, 2019 at the Plenary Hall, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) with the theme: CMU GRADUATES: Marching on for a Better Nation.
KYLE A. SANTIAGO
tudents gets warm fuzzies: Free higher education to kickoff this academic year.
Under the implementation of the aforementioned program, penalty system will be abolished. However, students must rely to the admission and retention policy of different colleges of the university.
T
r.a. 10931 to roll over implementation S
according to the publication’s exclusive interview from the CMU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Roel S. Lumagsao.
The hall was filled with various emotions as they take their respective diplomas from the administrative officials and the board of regents. There are approximately a thousand students graduated this year. Ms. Mary Fatima Gomez Aquino, the wife of the former Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino, was the Guest of Honor. She gave her inspirational remarks before the graduates. Upon this graduation, there are ten students who attained latin honors: One from the College
of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Raymond C. Lumagsao – cum laude who also the Editorin-Chief of The Current from 2018–2019. Five were from the College of Engineering and Technology (CET): Mary Joy V. Caracas, Masae E. Komori, Jhunnie Ochavillo, Jandie B. Peañar and Regine V. Teodoro - cum laude. From College of Teacher Education (CTE), there were two: Herlyn H. Bernardo, Angielyn Diane A. Rivas - cum laude Two Emeritus came from the School of Graduate Studies: Noemi S. Baysa, who took up her Doctor in Educational Management and Amie Ruth B. Bernardo who accomplished her Masters in Educational Management.
3 EDITORIAL
seek the truth, wri
geo-pol dispute demands assertion!
had committed to other countries. They have even militarized and did sustained illegal fishing on the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands that caused damage to the marine life under water. Doomed with no other option unfortunately, the administration even stated the “no option but war” to defend his kowtowing to China. No one is not scared or threatened of nuclear attacks or whatever weapon China will use to blow this country out. But what is scarier is the horror of losing our sovereignty gradually and be slaved again.
Ironically, on the day that when we are supposed to celebrate our independence, F/B GemVer, a Filipino fishing vessel sunk after getting hit by a Chinese boat. The fishermen said that the suspected vessel abandoned them and the Filipino fishermen just swam for their survival until they got help from a Vietnamese vessel. In an interview, the fishermen told that the boat that hit them intentionally did it. According to the local investigators, it was a “serious maritime casualty” but the Malacañang said in a press statement that it is just a “little maritime incident”. Instead of standing in solidarity with the 22 fishermen – the administration even showed “utter disrespect”. Looking at it,
we can all see that it is already a sign of an international crisis. Lives were put into risk but the people who are expected to give empathy just neglected them. They had to fight for their flight themselves unfortunately. What the fishermen and the people are calling for are diplomatic actions and cutting the ties between China – but how ironic it is to hear that there are Filipinos blabbing “kaya niyo ba ang mga makipag-giyera sa China?” when outraged Filipinos are not after any war but the security of our sovereign rights. The government should’ve asserted full authority over our sovereign, and forward the rights of our fisherfolk. In fact, there are many cases of oppression recorded that China
How long are we going to endure belittling and their imperialist interests? How does this government have that audacity to say that we are friends with China when it is clear to our eyes that they are harassing us in our own territory, that chance of freedom over them is drastically low because the government that is supposed to defend our rights is giving the authority to other nations. A government that is genuine to its service and interest to the people will still remain a dream in this country; a government must not oppress its own people but protect it. Let us not allow their fascist, anti-poor and geopolitical policies trump over our sole independence! We must call on to the government to serve us, not any foreign interests! Serve the people! In the plight of Filipino people to withstand against looming invasion, the government can do better!
te with integrity
literary 4
pitong kulay ng bahaghari
Kung ano ako ngayo’y sinunod ko lang ang aking puso Mananatili akong buhay na halaman nakahiwalay man ang aking paso Dahil ang pinakamahalaga’y nagagawa kong tumayo
Kada araw, balde ng luha ang pinatutuyo Sa bawat galaw, hindi ko na raw sana ito tinungo Ngunit hindi bibitaw, ni hindi lalayo Ito pa rin ang sigaw, ulanin man ng panunukso Tanggap ko ang ikaw, tanggapin mo rin sana ang ako
Kulang man daw ako sa dilig, masaya naman ako sa nilalanghap kong hangin Marami na akong narinig, ngunit pinili ko lang ang aking tatanggapin Malilinis daw ang kanilang bibig, ngunit namimili ng yayakapin Parehas lang naman ang kulay ng tubig na iniinom namin
JEROME LOIS D. ESGUERRA
Ang buhay ay hindi palabas Hindi ko kailangang magpanggap na matigas Kung sino ako ay ako, hindi na lalagpas Kung ano ako’y iniibig kong wagas Ang sapatos ay sapatos iba man ang kulay ng sintas Tao pa rin naman ako, bakit ka namimintas? Kinapos man sa pag-ibig ng iba ay mahal ko ang aking sarili Libre ang rumespeto ngunit nais ko silang ibili Ang nais ko lang nama’y maunawan ang aking sinasabi Anong problema sa ginoong kilos binibini? Walang rason upang ito’y aking itago
Milyong katao ang kasapi Iba’t-iba ang pinagmulang lahi Magkakaiba ang timpla ng mga ngiti Mapaos man sa kasisigaw ay ‘di mapapagod ang labi Paparada, magmamartsa, hanggang iisa ang galaw ng mga binti Lisanin man ng paggalang ang dugo’y mananatili Malungkot man sila para saki’y masaya ako sa aking pinili Maraming ekspektasiyon ang aking mababali Ngunit hindi na maikukubli ang aking pagtili Hindi ako bibitaw sa tali marami mang maramdamang hapdi Dahil sa pagtaas ko ng pitong kulay ng bahaghari.
Illustrations by | Ivan Bondoc
5 opinion
pagpatay, korte suprema ang may sala Ang isa sa mga katangiang magsasalamin sa ating pagkaPilipino ay ang pagyakap sa ating wika at panitikan. Panitikan na ubod ng yaman at maipagmamalaki sa ibang bayan ay nararapat lamang na pagyamanin. Kailangan ng susunod na henerasyon na matunghayan ang lawak ng kasaysayan, kultura at paninindigan sa ating panitikan. Ngunit paano nila ito malalaman kung sa paaralang kanilang pinapasukan ay hindi na ito lilinangin? Noong nakaraang taon, ipinagutos ng Korte Suprema ang pagtanggal sa mga asignaturang Filipino at Panitikan sa kolehiyo. Ito ay sa kadahilanang naituturo naman ang mga nasabing leksyon sa elementarya at sa hayskul. Maayos sana kung nailahad nang matagumpay simula palang ang pagtuturo sa esensyal na yunit. Kung marunong bumasa ang mga estudyante ng babasahing Filipino bago sila nagsipagtapos at may kaunting kaalaman na sa mga malalalim na kahulugan ng mga salitang Filipino at iba pang diyalekto, hindi sana tututol ang laksa-laksang oposisyon! “Ibong Adarna”, “Florante at Laura” at iba pang akdang gawa ng mga magagaling na manunulat sa ating bansa. Nakakapanghina na sa mga susunod na henerasyon ang makulay na istoryang pinagyaman na ng panahon ang dodominahin na ng makabagong edukasyon. Malaki ang maiiambag ng ating sining at panitikan sa pagiging makabayan. Ang pagmamalaki sa sariling atin ay magmumulat sa mga Juan dela Cruz na hindi lang sa pagsunod sa mga may baril
THE CURRENT|ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020 masusukat ang pagmamahal sa comes to farming. baying sinilangan. Burgeon demand a tendency to “Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling have more resources needed, wika ay masahol pa sa mabaho but country’s agricultural land at malansang isda”, kataga na continues to change the size. sinambit ng ating pambansang bayani na nagsasabi na huwag Due to the rice insufficiency kakalimutan ang sarling wika sa to sustain Filipino consumption kabila ng pag-usbong ng mga requirements, the government unibersal na lenggwahe. solution is to import without a quantitative restriction rather Ang Filipino ay hindi lang wika than to address the debilitating kung hindi ito’y representasyon production of rice. sa lahat ng diyalekto sa ating bayan. Nakakalungkot isipin The Philippines is currently the na sa pinakamataas na antas second largest rice importer of ng pag-aaral ay inalis na ito rice behind the populous nation kung saan ay malilinang sana China, makes it apparent the ang perspektiba at maipupunla food security condition of the said ang kritikal na pamantayan sa country. edukasyon na layong magbuwag ng kolonyalista, komersyalisyado Indeed the rice importation is at pasistang uri nito. just a temporary remedy to the shortfall of rice production but not a permanent solution to the woes. The status of this sector was the result of some land grabbing by the capitalist and less prioritization of the government to farmers agony.
rice tarrification law can’t ensure security Seemingly our agricultural sector continues its downtrend as the rice fields continues to convert into Camella homes – more alarming that we have accounted tremendous growth of industrial hub than farm. How will the backbone of economy survive if the administration’s priority is to pour cements into paddy fields? How ironic that a lady once who was against to the unlimited rice in food establishment wants now a flock of it to the local market, through the power of importation. Rice tariffication envision to make the existing quantitative restriction on rice import with its tariff equivalent. The tariff revenue collected actually would then be used to improve the productivity of rice industry to meet the international standards when it
A serious effort is necessary to properly manage lands and shifting to a modern technology that can boost this sector. The rice tariffication law is not the only answer to this matter. It can hinder the growth of backbone economy. The consumers dont care where the products came, in buying they find the most cheapest, regardless if it is imported or not. A mass public spending is the answer to supplement the agricultural incompleteness through an improving technology and infrastructure that can reduce production cost, to increase rice supply. With a conviction it is a Philippine commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The government said that they accredit a 35% tariff for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) product while 50% for non in rice importation.
Expensive price of domestic rice doesn’t guarantee a higher income Still the unfavorable budget for the farmers. Because still they allotment is just a 1% of are the sectors living behind the 2019 national budget, and growth of the economy. administration’s solution is P10 Billion from tariff. Indeed, a lack of government support and a long time problem Importing will not teach us to of irrigation facilities affect the be rice self sufficient and it can agricultural advancement. decimate the industry. More factors that condensing Big population is the driving most of their income such as the force of rising demands plus it’s monopolization of the insecticides, geographical location which are fertilizer, play price, and farmers a disaster prone, which puts the who don’t own land. agriculture in jeopardy. The law is not a long term solution “We don’t have a large plains to the source of food problem. like besides the Mekong River that It can sacrifice the efficiency of makes those nation a rice stable” agricultural lands to create crops. – according to former President Gloria Arroyo. The WTO makes the economy a liberalized one while its founding But how about Japan and state slowly shifting into a Indonesia who are identical to protectionist. it, they import rice much lesser than the Philippines. Root cause The land conversion into industrial is actually the governance, that is not a good sign for the future’s made the agriculture in a terrible food sufficiency. situation. What if Thailand, Vietnam and
THE CURRENT|ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020 India stops, their exporting agricultural products such as rice due to fast population growth? The Philippine will suffer in terms of food security. More likely Filipinos will eat more of artificial foods and it is more expensive. Other options are still in line, but the rice tariffication law can’t be an answer. Don’t wait until farmers will join the congested urban areas to find their own livelihood, that will result to a city expansion. The government can do better.
huwad na patriyotismo Dahil ang ating bansa ay nahaharap sa “De Facto” martial law, mas pinalalawak at pinalalakas ng rehimeng Duterte ang hanay ng mga militar at pulis upang gamitin sa kanyang antimamamayang polisiya sa masa. Ayon sa IBON Foundation, mas malaki ang idinagdag ng rehimen sa taunang badyet ng Department of National Defense (DND) na mayroong 36.4 porsyento na halagang aabot sa 49.7 bilyong piso, sa Philippine National Police (PNP) naman ay 30.7 porsyento na may halagang 40.7 bilyong piso ngayong taon. Gayunpaman, malaki ang kakulangan ng bansa sa bilang ng mga sundalo kaya naman kinakailangan ng estado na makapag – rekrut ng mga bagong militar at kapulisan na magagamit ng estado upang kasangsakin at ituloy ang mga interes nito laban sa bulnerableng sektor. Kaya isa sa nakitang posibleng recruitment ground ng estado ay gamitin ang bulok na sistemang pang - edukasyon ng Senior High School (SHS) sa
paraan ng pagsasa-gawa ng Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) bilang mandatory subject sa SHS. Kaya naman noong ika – 20 ng Mayo naipasa na sa mababang kapulungan ang panukalang Batas blg. 8961 o ang pagsasa – rekisito ng ROTC bilang parte ng kurikulum at asignatura sa SHS sa botong 167 – 4 – 0. Matatandaang napakaraming progresibong grupo ang bumabatikos sa agarang pagpapatupad ng SHS dahil sa kakulangan ng pasilidad at ng kaguruan, at isa rin sa mariing tinututulan ay ang dagdag gastos. Kung tuluyang maisasabatas ang panukalang ito mas madadagdagan ang gastusin ng mga mag-aaral at magulang sa loob ng ilalagi nila sa SHS. Hindi lamang gastusin ang problemang kahaharapin ng mga mamamayan, magkakaroon din nang contagion at domino effect ang panukalang ito kung maisasabatas.
kung saan ginagamit ang ating mga kapulisan at militar upang dahasin ang kapwa Pilipino, at patuloy na tinatangkilik ng rehimen sa mga neo-liberal na polisiya na ipinapatupad ng mga ito. Hindi rin napapaloob sa asignatura ng ROTC ang malalim na pag – aaral ng kasaysayan ng Pilipinas at ang pinakamalalim na dahilan kung bakit patuloy na naghihihrap ang mga Pilipino na dulot ng mga imperyalistang bansa. Sasalungatin din nito ang prinsipyo ng ROTC na 3s (sumunod nang sumunod nang sumunod) dahil ayon kay Theodore Roosevelt ang patriyotismo ay pagpapakita ng pagmamahal sa bayan, ngunit hindi nangangahulugan na tuluyang pagsunod sa mga nakatataas na mga opisyal, lalo na sa mga pahayag ng presidente na labag sa konstitusyon. Kung papansinin, alipin ang kapulisan at mga militar sa mga pahayag at utos ng rehimen, tulad ng Tokhang at Oplan Double Barrel, na araw – araw ay may naitatalang Naglalayon daw ang naturang namamatay at kalakhan sa mga panukala na makahubog ng mga biktima ay nabibilang sa extraestudyanteng “patriyotiko at may judicial killings o summary killings. mataas na moral”, dagdag pa rito ng mga kadete at opisyal Samakatuwid, bulag na pagsunod na ito ay paraan upang maituro lamang ang itatanim nito sa mga ang tamang kahandaan sa estudyante upang pagtakpan mga sakuna at pagmamahal sa ang mga pagpatay ng rehimen sa kalikasan. mga mahihirap, ito rin ay malinaw na paraan ng mind conditioning PATRIYOTISMO sa mga kabataang-estudyante upang gradwal na matanggap Huwad ang gobyerno sa ang kultura ng pagpatay na pagpapatupad ng ROTC itinatampok ng rehimen, at ang bilang rekisitong asignatura nagbabadyang martial law sa na naglalayong makahubog bansa. ng diwang patriyotiko sa mga estudyante, dahil ang gobyerno DISIPLINA mismo ang pumapatay sa kultura at wika ng Pilipinas sa porma Matitimo lamang sa kaisipan ng ng Commission on High Education mga estudyanteng daraan sa (CHED) Memo No. 20. Isa pang rekisitong asignatura na ito ang dahilan kung bakit huwad ang pagiging pasista, marahas, at gobyerno sa pagpapatupad nito maikli ang pasensya, dahil sa taon ay dahil mananatiling duwag na ilalagi nila sa pagsasanay, ang kasalukuyang rehimen ng marahas ang pagdidisiplina mga imperyalistang bansa tulad sa mga kabataang-estudyante ng Estados Unidos at Tsina, sa iba’t-ibang porma ng mga
opinion 6 parusa kung hindi magagawa ang ipinapagawa ng opisyales o kumandante. Kung minsan ay hindi rin nito isinasaalang-alang ang kalusugan ng mga kadete. Marami ng pang-aabuso at pagkamatay ang naitala sa kasaysayan ng ROTC dahil sa maling pakikitungo o gawi nito sa kanilang mga kadete. Kung babalikan ang kasaysayan, naipatigil ang Mandatory ROTC noong 2001 bunsod sa pagpaslang kay Mark Welson Chua na isiniwalat ang korapsyon sa loob ng kanilang yunit. Gayunpaman, kahit hindi na rekisito ang asignaturang ito patuloy pa ring may naitatalang pandarahas sa loob ng ROTC, tulad ng hazing, verbal abuse, psychological abuse at murder. Pinalalawak din nito ang intelligence o spying kung saan minamanmanan ang mga estudyanteng parte ng mga progresibong organisasyon, at may mga kaso ng red-tagging ding naitatala kung saan nailalagay sa seryosong peligro ang mga pribadong buhay ng mga estudyanteng parte ng mga organisasyon. Prente na lamang ito ng estado at ng ilang kadete – opisyal dahil may asignatura nang nagtuturo sa mga kahandaan sa sakuna at sa kalikasan sa Senior High School (SHS), ito ay ang Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM), kung kaya’t wala nang mabigat na dahilan pa para isakatuparan ang batas. Marapat lamang na labanan at huwag paburan ng mga kabataang-estudyante ang pagpapatupad sa mandatory ROTC! Sa panukalang ito, sa ganitong uri ng bulok na lipunan at gobyernong tila sa kasalukuyan ang nagpapahirap sa mga sektor ay dapat kundenahin! Ito ay malinaw na paghahanda para sa diktadura ng rehimeng Duterte at makabagong Marcos ng panahon.
7 feature
THE CURRENT|ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-2020
STUDENT PRESS: A HOTBED OF PRESERVING DEMOCRACY MARK GIEMER B. RODAS
When the mainstream media were thwarted, shunned, and forced to shut down by the late president Ferdinand Marcos during the 70’s – it was the ranks of student journalists who stood against the kleptocratic ruler and continued the less-travelled mandate of bringing the truth into light. AN ALTERNATIVE MEDIA It is not without much enthusiasm and thrill when the student paper covers events and newsworthy happenings inside the university. Be it a party, competition or even a show, you would see them roaming around across your nook holding cameras, straps hinging on their neck, black polo shirts and with an easily noticeable urgency in their pace. However, beyond these seemingly tedious recurrences of describing them, the people behind the campus press carry a sensitive and compelling responsibility which can be traced back from its crucial martial law history. Just a day after placing the entire nation under martial law in 1972, the strongman Marcos issued Letter of Instruction No. 1 ordering the Defense Secretary “to take over and control or cause the taking over and control of the mass media for the duration of the national emergency, or until otherwise ordered by the President or by his duly designated representative.” The office strictly promulgated tight censorship guidelines. In conformity with the command, newspapers and TV and radio stations were closed down. It then followed by imprisonment and abduction of several reporters and editors facing libel and subversion cases. Others, including students, even gave up their lives for doing what journalists are supposed to do. The
state,
however,
allowed
only a number of periodicals in circulation. These were the so called, ‘crony press’ – owned and controlled by the administration’s kins and allies. Undeniably, these news publications became a stamp pad of the dictator’s malicious will of manipulating what is to be reported. By establishing this ideological state apparatus, Marcos was able to distort historical records which became a considerable leverage of how Filipinos view martial law even up to this day. This did not hinder the vociferous ranks of campus journalists despite the precarious fate of pursuing journalism during these darkest times. Among the student publications were Ang Hasik of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Ang Malaya of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Pandayan of the Ateneo de Manila University, Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines and Balawis of the Mapua Institute of Technology. It became the capstone of giving birth to the ‘mosquito press’. These were small media established as an alternative to the monopolistic networks by the regime’s most favored relatives and friends. Their role is to uphold democratic interests of the masses in the face of its suppression by dictatorial government forces. Similar to a mosquito, they were miniscule but they were able to bite, thrive, and disturb particularly those in power. BEYOND CAMPUS A student paper does not only serve as the university’s official coverage team for school events. Its birth was molded from the necessity of establishing studentrun institution that would preserve freedom of speech and expression even at the campus level.
Be that as it may, a lot would argue that the campus press should only maintain its sphere of coverage within the university premises.
they corrupt the truth and trespass democracy inside the university is indeed political and economic – sprung definitely from the society’s very systemic and chronic ills. Hence, national issues and campus bits are interrelated. The fact that a university is political is an inevitable fact and as a cradle of intellectual and philosophical pursuit, students are the ones who should continue to elevate the flight of discourse to even greater heights.
“It was when the student press transitioned to be progressive that we started to experience One great example is what the intensive backlash perpetuated student publication does. mostly by unknown accounts,” UPHOLDING THE MANDATE said Raymond Lumagsao, former campus paper editor-in-chief. In today’s era of fake news Their team became the butt proliferation where the state itself of very harsh accusations and are the ones who maintain the malicious remarks during his stay status quo of infusing malicious in the publication. They were assertions as facts with the intent bludgeoned by different troll of dumbing-down the public, these accounts by asserting that these young journalists’ mission became students are being paid by the even more demanding. The yellow oligarchs and worst, red- mainstream media has not always tagging towards their members become the best go-to outlet for determining the nitty-gritty of and editors. national issues. A lot of times, their Lumagsao added, “While we analyses in their stories are being understand that the social media coated with neutrality. platform is subjected to people’s expression, the despotic tagging and irresponsible conclusion towards the campus media have challenged our league as we live up to our mandate of liberating the genuine story of the oppressed.”
The student press, however, is never neutral.
They are fierce independent watchdogs who never crave for monetary and advertising aid for what they seek always and at the end is the support from their Despite the attacks, the paper fellow students. asserts that their capacity to exercise journalism should You may have known a classmate go beyond the bounds of of yours who, notwithstanding demanding academic the school. A university is an the requirements in schools, still institution politically imbued manages to join and contribute to per se. Its budget allocation the publication. This is the terminal hinges on legislation; rules and regulations are monitored and goal; students are defying their promulgated by the state and constraints and realizing their vital local municipalities. It is state-run. role in nation-building. In particular cases of privatelyowned schools, the ever increasing History has always shown that the value of tuition and other school students did not just sit down when fees being collected from the their rights were being oppressed students are made and initiated by state elements. They fought: by capitalist owners and the they utilized their critical minds approval of which, also depends and powerful pens. The likes of on the government through Liliosa Hilao, Emilio Jacinto, Eman Commission on Higher Education Lacaba, and Antonio Tagamolila were at the height of their youth (CHED). when they joined the publication. The nature of struggles and how The student paper’s historical obligation shall continue to live.